From URC
Minersville, PA — (May 26, 2012) — Kevin Darling of Wyoming, DE enjoyed a big night at the Big Diamond Speedway Friday night, winning the 25 lap Rislone URC Sprint Series feature, collecting $2,050 plus a drum of Viper Fuel. It was Darlings first career URC win and it didn’t come easy. Darling started on the pole, fell back to third then regained the lead on lap seven. Darling also survived a caution with just one lap to go as a determined Davie “No Panic” Franek made a strong bid for the win, but tonight, the victory was going to Darling.
A field of twenty-seven URC sprint cars turned out for the third Rislone URC event of the season. Heat race winners were Mike Lutz, Kevin Darling and Davie Franek as Troy Betts took the win in the “B” Main.
In the twenty-five lap feature, Kevin Darling set the early pace with Josh Weller and Ryan Bohlke in the chase. On lap three, Weller took the lead and one lap later, Bohlke moved into second. Weller, Bohlke and Darling were the top three with Tim Hogue and Art Liedl making up the top five.
On lap seven, a lapped car got out of shape in front of the leaders and Weller and Bohlke both spun, bringing out the caution flag. Weller and Bohlke restarted the event at the rear of the field with Kevin Darling once again on point.
Darling set a commanding pace with Tim Hogue, Joe Biasi and Davie Franek now in a battle for second. Deep in the pack, Weller and Bohlke were on a mission heading to the front of the pack. As the field passed for the halfway sign, Darling was on top followed by Hogue, Franek, Biasi and Mark Bitner.
Josh Weller, who went to the rear on lap seven, was racing in fifth by lap eighteen and reeling in Joey Biasi. The yellow flag was displayed on lap twenty-two when Dave Betts spun in turn four. The restart provided URC their newly introduced double-file restart with Darling and Hogue on the front row. Darling set the pace as Franek passed Hogue for second and Weller moved into by Biasi for fourth. Two laps later, the caution was displayed on lap twenty-four when Randy West and Ed Aikin tangled in turn four.
It was back to a single file restart with just one lap remaining and a shootout was set. Darling delivered a perfect fourth turn restart and was just one lap away from his first career win. Franek set-up for that last lap challenge and going down the backstretch, Darling took the high lane with Franek on the bottom. Charging off turn four, Kevin Darling scored his first ever URC win followed by Davie Franek, Tim Hogue, Josh Weller and Joe Biasi.
Engler Tool & Machine Heat 1 – – Mike Lutz
Brad Penn Oil Heat 2- – – Kevin Darling
Pioneer Pole Building Heat 3- – -Davie Franek
Bar’s Leaks “B” Main- – – Troy Betts
Fred’s Trailer Parts Hard Charger- – Davie Franek advanced 9 spots
FEATURE FINISH: Kevin Darling, Davie Franek, Tim Hogue, Josh Weller, Joey Biasi, Ryan Bohlke, Mark Bitner, Robbie Stillwaggon, Art Liedl, Andy Best, Jonathan Swanson, Kevin Nagy, Troy Betts, Eddie Wagner, Scott Lutz, Jimmy Reppert, Randy West, Ed Aikin, Dan Mazy, Judi Bates, Joe Zuczek, Tim Kelly, Kramer Williamson, Jimmy Stitzel. DNQ- – David Swanson, Gene Burd, Chad Trout.