By Bob Miller
Gafney, S.C. — (October 5, 2013) — For the second night of the USCS/URC North/South Shoot Out, Eric Riggins Jr. came home the winner of the 30 lap sprint feature Saturday night at the Cherokee, Speedway. Riggins of Charlotte, NC took the lead on lap twenty-two from Troy Betts of New Castle, DE and survived a late race caution to collect the $2,000 first place prize. In a heated battle for the Rislone URC 2013 championship, JJ Grasso and car owner Ken Eldreth secured the championship title with a solid third place finish. For Grasso of Middletown, DE it was his second URC championship, previously earning the URC crown in 2009 as car owner Ken Eldreth of Rising Sun, MD earned his first URC Owners championship.
A field of twenty-seven sprint cars took part in the program with heat race victories going to Johnny Bridges, Troy Betts and Dan Mazy as Robbie Stillwaggon won the “B” Main. In the Cash Dash, Josh Weller of Mertztown, PA.
The USCS/URC North/South Shoot Out saw Troy Betts take the lead at the drop of the green flag. Going down the backstretch, Billy Pauch Jr., JJ Grasso and Randy West were racing three abreast when contact was made with Randy West, taking a s series of violent flips. West did walkaway uninjured.
On the restart, Betts once again had the quick start to take the lead as Terry Gray and Billy Pauch Jr followed. Eric Riggins Jr was on a charge, racing in third on lap four. The yellow flag was displayed on lap ten when Chandler Leiby had a flat tire, stopping in turn two.
With the drop of the green flag, Troy Betts remained in control holding off both Terry Gray and Riggins with Pauch and JJ Grasso making up the top five. At the halfway point of the race, the top five remained unchanged. On lap seventeen, Riggins moved into second and be began to reel in the leader with lapped cars just ahead. On lap twenty-two, Riggins made the pass and became the new race leader. One lap later, top wing issues developed on the sprinter of Terry Gray, opening the door for Pauch, Grasso and Weller to make the pass. With five laps to go, Riggins, Betts, Pauch, Grasso and Weller made up the top five.
The last caution of the race came on lap twenty-seven and the field was re-grouped for a three lap run to the checker flag. At the drop of the green, Riggins remained in control follow by Betts with JJ Grasso on a charge. With two laps remaining, Grasso moved into third as Weller also passed Pauch to take the fourth spot.
With the checker flag waiving, Eric Riggins Jr came home the winner followed by Troy Betts, JJ Grasso, Josh Weller and Billy Pauch Jr.
FEATURE FINISH: ERIC RIGGINS JR, TROY BETTS, JJ GRASSO, JOSH WELLER, BILLY PAUCH JR., ROBBIE STILLWAGGON, DEREK HAGEN, TERRY GRAY, DAN MAZY, ED AIKIN, TERRY WITHERSPOON, TAYLOR TIDEMOORE, LANCE MOSS, MORGAN TURPEN, TONY AGIN, KEITH PRUTZMAN, CHANDLER LEIBY, JOHNNY BRIDGES, CURT TERRELL, SCOTT LUTZ, DAVID SWANSON, RAY BUGG, JR BERRY, RANDY WEST, JONATHAN SWANSON. DNQ: JAKE McLAIN, BRANDON McLAIN,
Fred’s Trailer Parts Hard Charger: Josh Weller advanced 8 spots.
NEXT EVENT: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY FEATURES ONLY 6 PM
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