From Bob Miller
Wincehster, VA — (June 22, 2013) — Dave Ely of West Lawn, PA won a thriller Saturday night at the Winchester Speedway, taking the lead on the final lap from JJ Grasso and went on to win his first Rislone URC Sprint Series feature event of the season and his fourteenth career URC win. In the late stages of the twenty-five lap feature, Dave Ely and Brian Carber caught pole sitter JJ Grasso. And challenged for the top spot. On the final lap, Ely took the low groove and made the pass for the lead as Carber passed Grasso on the high lane. Carber took a run at Ely but ran short of time, earning an impressive second place finish for the nineteen year old in just his sixth career URC start.
A field of twenty-two URC sprint cars turned out for the program with heat race victories going to JJ Grasso, Dave Ely and Randy West.
At the drop of the green flag in the feature event, JJ Grasso immediately set the pace followed by Dave Ely and Josh Weller. The one and only caution of the night was displayed on lap two for Jimmy Stitzel who spun in turn two. On the restart, Grasso again set the pace, maintaining a several car length lead over Ely, Weller and Brian Carber.
Kramer Williamson was enjoying a good run, moving into fifth by lap eight. As the field passed for the halfway sign, Grasso was the leader followed by Ely, Weller, Carber and Davie Franek.
Lapped cars soon became a challenge and Ely used that to his advantage to reel in Grasso, driving the Eldreth Construction sprint car. As Ely closed in on Grasso, Brian Carber was setting up to challenge the two front runners. On lap twenty-one, Ely and Carber caught Grasso and the battle for the win was developing.
Ely worked the inside groove as Grasso and Carber were on the top lane. With the white flag waiving, Ely passed Grasso on the homestretch to take the lead. At the same time, Carber passed Grasso and set-up for a run at Ely. Carber ran short of time finishing a close second to Ely. Grasso finished third followed by Josh Weller and Chad Trout.
Engler Machine & Tool First Heat—JJ Grasso
Brad Penn Oil Heat 2 – – -Dave Ely
Pioneer Pole Buildings – – -Randy West
Fred’s Trailer Parts Hard Charger – – – Tim Kelly advanced 11 spots
FEATURE FINISH 25 LAPS Dave Ely, Brian Carber, JJ Grasso, Josh Weller, Chad Trout, Robbie Stillwaggon, Davie Franek, Kevin Darling, Tim Kelly, Kramer Williamson, Art Liedl, Keith Prutzman, Curt Michael, Troy Betts, Jimmy Stitzel, Randy West, Scott Lutz, Dan Mazy, Steve Towns, Jonathan Swanson, Cameron Darling, John Cameron.
NEXT EVENT: Saturday, July 6 New Egypt Speedway