From Bob Miller
BRIDGEPORT, NJ — The “Jersey Jet” JJ Grasso of Pedricktown, NJ was the star of the show on Saturday night at the Bridgeport Speedway, winning the twenty-five lap Rislone URC sprint feature on Fred’s Trailer Parts Night. Grasso earned $2,000 for the win, his third URC victory of the season and nineteenth career win. In the twenty-five lap feature, Grasso powered his Palladino Motorsports/BK Leasing #99 to the front of the pack on lap three and never had a challenge to the drop of the checker flag.
URC heat race events were won by Grasso, Ed Aikin and Chris Coyle (driving the Dave Betts sprinter) as Art Liedl was the Fred’s Trailer Parts Hard Charger, advancing thirteen spots in the feature event. JJ Grasso set the LikeWise Fast Time of the night .
In the feature event, Rory Janney set the pace for the first two laps with JJ Grasso taking the lead on lap three. Jonathan Swanson and Dave Ely tangled in turn one on lap four displaying the caution. On the restart, third and fourth place runners Randy West and Robbie Stillwaggon tangled in turn four with West flipping. Both drivers walked away uninjured but unable to continue in the feature. On the next attempt to restart the race, Ed Aikin stopped in turn two bringing out still another caution.
The story of the race at this point was Dave Ely who caught a break after being involved in an earlier mix-up. Ely rejoined the field at the back of the pack on lap four.
When green flag racing resumed, Grasso was the leader with defending champion Curt Michael on the move followed by Rory Janney and Josh Weller. Grasso dominated the race, quickly establishing solid control of the event. At the halfway mark Grasso had solid control of the lead followed by Michael, Weller, Janney and Mark Bitner.
On lap fourteen, engine problems sent the Curt Michael sprinter to the infield with Josh Weller advancing to second. By lap seventeen, Dave Ely (after restarting last on lap four) moved into the top five. With just five laps to go, Grasso held solid command of the lead with Weller and Ely hot in the chase. The race was now for second and on the white flag lap, Ely took over the runner-up spot.
Grasso easily took the win over Dave Ely, Josh Weller, Rory Janney and Mark Bitner.
FEATURE FINISH: JJ Grasso, Dave Ely, Josh Weller, Rory Janney, Mark Bitner, Andy Best, Jason Clauss, Troy Betts, Art Liedl, Ryan Maisenhalter, Tim Hogue, Jimmy Stitzel, Dave Martin, Jeff Fifthian, Curt Michael, Chris Coyle, Ed Aikin, Robbie Stillwaggon, Randy West, Jonathan Swanson, Kevin Nagy DNS Kramer Williamson, Chris Weiss Dave Martin
Fred’s Trailer Parts Hard Charger – – -Art Liedl Advanced 13 spots
LikeWise Fast Time of the Night- – – JJ Grasso
Engler Tool & Machine 1st Heat- – – Ed Aikin
Brad Penn Oil 2nd Heat- – – Chris Coyle
Pioneer Pole Building 3rd Heat- – Dave Ely
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Rislone URC Sprint Series Race Dates
JULY 12 Lincoln ***
JULY 22 Rolling Wheels (CR)
JULY 23 Rolling Wheels (CR)
JULY 30 Delaware International
AUG 5 Williams Grove Rislone Nationals
AUG 6 Bridgeport
AUG 12 Big Diamond
AUG 13 Selinsgrove
AUG 20 Grandview (T)
AUG 26 Williams Grove (CR)
AUT 27 Port Royal ***
SEPT 3 Delaware International
SEPT 4 Georgetown
SEPT 24 New Egypt
OCT 1 Delaware International
OCT 15 Grandview Pioneer Pole Buildings