From URC
New Egypt, NY — (July 7, 2012) — Hats off to the track crew and management of the New Egypt Speedway for their efforts in fighting back against Mother Nature Saturday night at the New Egypt Speedway. After two thunderstorms rolled through New Egypt, NJ, the Rislone URC Sprint Series presented the 1st Annual Bar’s Leaks Nationals with JJ Grasso of Pedricktown, NJ taking the win that was worth $3,000. Driving the Ken Eldreth Construction sprinter, Grasso took the lead on lap three from Josh Weller and was never threatened to the drop of the checker flag. For Grasso, the 2009 Rislone Sprint Series Champion, this marked his first win of the season and twenty-first career URC win.
A field of twenty-nine 360 sprints turned out for the racing program. With the drop of the green flag in the 25 lap feature, The Wild Child Josh Weller bolted into the leader with a hard charging JJ Grasso in the hunt. By lap three, Grasso went to the front of the pack and ran to hide from the rest of the field. Robbie Stillwaggon held down their third spot as rookie Steve Downs ran in the top five most of the race.
At the halfway point of the race, Grasso held a commanding lead followed by Weller, Stillwaggon, Davey Sammons who started twelfth and Steve Downs. The first caution was displayed on lap fourteen for Kyle Purks who stopped in turn four.
On the double-file restart, Grasso and Weller set the pace with Stillwaggon and Sammons now in the chase.. On lap seventeen, Ed Aikin winner of the two previous URC shows, rolled to a stop displaying the caution.
Following another double-file restart, Grasso and Stillwaggon were holding control of the first two spots but once again the race was slowed, this time on lap eighteen for Andy Best who flipped in turn four. Best did walk away uninjured but his badly damaged sprint car was unable to restart.
In the final laps, Grasso, Stillwaggon and Sammons put on a show in a heated battled for the win with Davie “No Panic” Franek now reeling in Sammons.
The final caution of the race came out on lap twenty-four for Jonathan Swanson who spun in turn four.
With just a one lap run to the checker flag, Grasso saw the green flag and planted his foot to the floor, leading the field into turn one. Stillwaggon made a late race bid but settled for a well-deserved second place finish with Davey Sammons third, Davey Franek fourth and Josh Weller fifth.
Engler Tool & Machine Heat 1 Robbie Stillwaggon
Brad Penn Oil Heat 2 Josh Weller
Pioneer Pole Buildings Heat 3 Joe Zuczek
LikeWise Fast Time: JJ Grasso
Fred’s Trailer Parts Hard Charger: Randy West advanced 7 spots
Rislone URC Sprint Series Feature Finish: JJ Grasso, Robbie Stillwaggon, Davey Sammons, Davey Franek, Josh Weller, Joe Zuczek, Randy West, Steve Downs, Joey Biasi, Mike Haggenbottom, Art Liedl, Kramer Williamson, Dan Mazy, Eddie Wagner, Ed Aikin, Jonathan Swanson, Tim Hogue, Kevin Darling, Mark Bitner, Troy Betts, Andy Best, Kyle Purks, Jimmy Stitzel, Scott Lutz. DNQ – – Chad Trout, Jeff Fithian, Kevin Nagy, Chris Weiss, David Swanson