From Bob Miller
Minersville, PA — (April 26, 2013) — The sixty-sixth season of the Nation’s oldest traveling sprint car organization, the URC Sprint Series, officially opened on Friday night at the Big Diamond Speedway with defending champion Robbie Stillwaggon taking the lead in the late stages of the event. After starting fourteenth, the Burlington, NJ racer took the lead on lap twenty-two of the twenty-five lap feature and went on to win his fourth career URC win. The Rislone URC Sprint Series event was sponsored by Pioneer Pole Buildings and Stillwaggon earned $2,000 for the victory. Stillwaggon earned a $50 bonus for passing the most cars, advancing thirteen spots in the feature event.
A field of thirty cars turned out for a chilly night of racing. Troy Betts was the winner of the Engler Machine & Tool heat race as Bryn Gohn won the Brad Penn Oil heat race with Davie Franek winning the Pioneer Pole Buildings third heat race of the night. The Bar’s Leaks “B” winner was Dave Ely.
Twenty-four cars answered the call for the 25 lap Pioneer Pole Buildings feature event. At the start of the feature, Bryn Gohn established himself as the race leader, holding off a determined Davie Franek with Tim Kelly close in the chase. Franek continued to pressure Gohn for the lead then on lap five, the yellow was displayed for Dave Ely who spun exiting turn two. On the restart, Gohn and Franek continued their battle for the lead and as the leader entered turn one, Kelly took a wild flip, displaying the red flag. Kelly walked away uninjured.
On the restart, Gohn and Franek resumed their battler with JJ Grasso racing in third with Brian Carber (in his first URC start) racing in fourth with Robbie Stillwaggon in fifth by lap six. One lap later, Jonathan Swanson came to a stop displaying the caution flag once again.
Gohn continued to be the front runner with Franek in the chase, then on lap thirteen, Franek powered into the lead position, and at the same time, JJ Grasso moved into second. Following in the top five was Bryn Gohn, Robbie Stillwaggon and Brian Carber.
As the field was completing lap fourteen, Franek was the leader with Grasso trying to close the gap. Grasso, tapped the inside fourth turn tire. After passing the flag stand, Grasso’s car headed to the infield out of control, before hitting another tire and wildly flipping while entering turn one. Grasso walked away uninjured.
On the restart, Franek set the pace followed by Gohn with Stillwaggon now in third. On lap twenty-one, Stillwaggon made a move and powered into second. And now, the two drivers that were battling over the Rislone URC Championship in 2012, are now battling for a win in 2013. On lap twenty-two, Stillwaggon powered by Franek to take the lead and he managed to stay the front runner until the drop of the checker flag. Stillwaggon took the win followed by Davie Franek with Bryn Gohn third, Brian Carber fourth and fifth place finisher Kevin Darling.
Brian Carber in his first URC start delivered a solid fourth place finish. Billy Pauch Jr was also very impressive, after finishing second in the “B” Main, Pauch returned to deliver an impressive eighth place finish in the feature.
25 LAP FEATURE FINISH: Robbie Stillwaggon, Davie Franek, Bryn Gohn, Brian Carber, Kevin Darling, Joey Biasi, Josh Weller, Billy Pauch Jr., Kramer Williamson, Chad Trout, Randy West, Joe Zuczek, Troy Betts, Dan Mazy, Andy Best, Jimmy Stitzel, Duane Mausteller, Mark Bitner, Eddie Wagner, JJ Grasso, Jimmy Reppert, Jonathan Swanson, Tim Kelly, Dave Ely, DNQ- – Art Liedl, David Swanson, Scott Lutz, JR Berry, Daniel Cogeill, Will Eggiman, Aaron Ott, Steve Downs.
Fred’s Trailer Repair Hard Charger: Robbie Stillwaggon, advanced 13 spots
Todd Wise Fast Time of the Night: Josh Weller
NEXT Events: Friday, May 10 Bedford Speedway
Saturday, May 11 Selinsgrove Speedway Jack Gunn Memorial $3,500 to win
2013 RISONE URC SPRINT SERIES SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
| APRIL |
26 |
Big Diamond |
Robbie Stillwaggon |
| MAY |
10 |
Bedford |
$2,000 To Win |
| MAY |
11 |
Selinsgrove Jack Gunn |
$3,500 To Win |
| MAY |
18 |
Delaware International |
$2,000 To Win |
| JUNE |
1 |
New Egypt |
$2,000 To Win |
| JUNE |
7 |
Williams Grove |
$2,200 To Win |
| JUNE |
15 |
Grandview |
$2,000 To Win |
| JUNE |
22 |
Winchester, VA |
$2,000 To Win |
| JULY |
6 |
New Egypt |
$2,000 To Win |
| JULY |
26 |
Potomac |
$2,000 To Win |
| AUG |
2 |
Williams Grove–Rislone |
$4,000 To Win |
| AUG |
3 |
Lincoln |
$2,000 To Win |
| AUG |
9 |
Black Rock |
$4,000 To Win |
| AUG |
10 |
Selinsgrove |
$2,000 To Win |
| AUG |
23 |
Williams Grove |
$2,200 To Win |
| AUG |
24 |
Port Royal |
$2,000 To Win |
| AUG |
31 |
Delaware International |
$2,000 To Win |
| SEPT |
7 |
Utica Rome–non-points |
$7,000 To Win |
| SEPT |
14 |
New Egypt |
$2,000 To Win |
| SEPT |
28 |
Selinsgrove 40 Laps |
$8,000 To Win |
| OCT |
4 |
Gastonia, NC |
$2,000 To Win |
| OCT |
5 |
Cherokee SC |
$2,000 To Win |
| OCT |
19 |
Grandview |
$2,000 To Win |
| Indicates Friday Night |
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