By Bob Miller
It was a night of high emotions for competitors, race fans and officials on Saturday night at the Selinsgrove Speedway as the racing community saluted Kramer Williamson who lost his life in a sprint car accident last weekend. And how ironic, when the checker flag fell in the twenty-five lap Rislone URC sprint feature, JJ Grasso was the winner, driving a Kramer Kraft sprint car. Throughout the grandstands and pit area, you would see a wave of people all wearing the color pink in honor the Kramer Williamson “Pink Panther” sprint car.
Selinsgrove Speedway did an outstanding job arranging the tribute that included a re-cap of Kramer’s career presented by track announcer Steve Inch, a pink balloon launch along with the #73 Pink Panther used to pace the sprint car feature event. The Williamson family was present including Sharon, Felecia and Kurt, and took part in an emotional victory lane celebration with race winner JJ Grasso.
On the speedway, URC presented two heat race events with victories going to Robbie Stillwaggon and JJ Grasso.
At the start of the twenty-five lap Rislone URC sprint feature, Dan Mazy and Randy West began a battle immediately with Mazy leading the first circuit before Randy West took the lead on lap two. Trailing West and Mazy was Davie Franek in third with Chad Trout fourth.
On a charge was seventh place starter JJ Grasso who was fourth on lap four. By lap six, Grasso driving the Kramer Kraft sprinter was third as West and Franek set the pace. West and his Fred Kennedy owned sprinter were strong and maintaining a comfortable lead over Franek and Grasso. Also on a charge was Mark Smith who was now in the top five.
The top three were coming up on lapped traffic and Franek and Grasso were definitely closing on race leader Randy West. The first caution of the feature was displayed on lap twelve for Keith Prutzman who stopped on the speedway.
On the restart, West again moved away from the field as JJ Grasso moved into second. The chase was on as Grasso tried to reel in Randy West. At the halfway point, West, Grasso, Franek were the top three as Mark Smith and Chad Trout made followed to round out the top five.
West was offered his first challenge for the lead on lap sixteen as Grasso looked to the inside. One lap later, Grasso was the new race leader. West followed in second with Mark Smith on a charge and now in third.
At the front of the pack, Grasso was spectacular and dominating the field. It was a display of high, wide and handsome with the right rear tire riding on the outside guardrail each lap. With the white flag waiving, the caution was displayed this time for Josh Weller.
The field was set for their one lap dash to victory and when green flag racing resumed, Grasso ran to hide from the rest of the field. Mark Smith moved to the outside lane and on the run down the backstretch, Smith passed West for second.
As the pink and black checker flag fell, JJ Grasso to the win, his third of the season and twenty-fourth career URC win. The margin of victory between race winner JJ Grasso and Mark Smith was .575 seconds. Randy West finished a strong third with Chad Trout fourth and Davie Franek fifth.
FEATURE FINISH: JJ Grasso, Mark Smith, Randy West, Chad Trout, Davie Franek, Robbie Stillwaggon, Kevin Darling, Ed Aikin, Dan Mazy, Jason Shultz, Duane Mausteller, Scott Lutz, Josh Weller, JR Berry, Jessica Anderson, Keith Prutzman, Jonathan Swanson, Troy Betts, Andy Best, Brian Carber.
Fred’s Trailer Parts Hard Charger: JJ Grasso advanced 6 spots
Todd Wise Fast Time: Robbie Stillwaggon