Weller Returns to Victory Lane as the United Racing Club Returns to Big Diamond
Friday night's $1,500 victory couldn't have come at a better time for Josh Weller and the 25 Eldreth Trucking team. Weller gained valuable points on 2014 URC Champion Davie Franek and 8 Time URC Champion Curt Michael. Not to mention Saturday nights National Open for 360 Sprints at Selinsgrove Speedway is one of biggest paydays of the year.
A field of 24 cars entered the pits of Big Diamond for their Friday night show. Two New York invaders came down as Joe Trenca from Clay New York, and Justin Barger from Westchester New York both won their respective head races. The third and final heat race was won by Josh Weller. The consolation event was won by Larry Kelleher. The "0" pill was drawn for the 3rd race in a row creating a heads up start from the heat races.
The New York duo of Joe Trenca and Justin Barger lead the 21 United Racing Club sprint cars to the green flag. Trenca quickly jumped out to the lead but entering the 3rd turn on the 2nd lap Josh Weller made the move of the race sliding under Trenca and taking the lead. A lap 3 caution would bunch the field back up this time with Weller in front, Trenca 2nd, Barger 3rd, Davie Franek 4th and Curt Michael in the 5th position.
At the drop of the green, Weller took off with the field in line and continued to lead until a lap 18 spin by Tyler Ross bunched the field back up. Weller had entered heavy lapped traffic and at the time 2nd place Justin Barger was closing the gap. As the field took off Weller taking advantage of the "clean air" jumped out to the lead until a scary lap 22 crash brought out the red flag stopping all sprint cars on the track. Tyler Ross hit the wall 1/2 way between turns 3 and 4 and exited the racing facility. The red flag was displayed for a number of minutes as Ross exited the car and a pair of tow trucks retrieved the 25 car from outside the facility. Ross was reported as ok and was seen attending to the car after the races but the 25e appeared to be a total loss.
With the green ready to be dropped again Weller continued to lead followed by Barger, Trenca, Michael and Robbie Stillwaggon from the 9th starting position. Around lap 10 defending URC champion Davie Franek dropped off the pace a bit appearing to have some trouble with the 28f machine. Franek continued to battle and would finish in the 9th position.
With a three lap shootout ready to be played out the minds of the fans reverted back to a few weeks ago when a similar three lap shootout involving Steve Buckwalter, Mark Smith, and Curt Michael brought the crowd to their feet at Williams Grove Speedway and ultimately landing Curt Michael in victory lane. At the drop of the green Weller shot out to the lead again and gained valuable real estate down the back stretch. Weller continued to hold the lead and crossed the checkered flags first winning his first feature of the 2015 racing season. New Yorker's Joe Trenca and Justin Barger were 2nd and 3rd on the night, followed by Curt Michael and Robbie Stillwaggon.
Feature Finish -- 1. Josh Weller, 2. Joe Trenca, 3. Justin Barger, 4. Curt Michael, 5. Robbie Stillwaggon 6. Jason Clauss, 7. Randy West, 8. Troy Betts, 9. Davie Franek, 10. Jimmy Stitzel, 11. Brad Franks, 12. Scott Lutz, 13, Keith Prutzman, 14. Kevin Albert, 15. Mark Bitner, 16. Art Liedl, 17. Jason Cherry, 18. Tyler Ross, 19. Larry Kelleher, 20. JR Berry, 21. Andy Best.
DNQ -- Jonathan Swanson, Brett Michalski, Jamie Bodo, Jason Cherry -- Provisional
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Tim Moran
www.wrtspeedwerx.com
WRT Speedwerx Photos
Official Photographer of United Racing Club
- Robbie Stillwaggon on Jun 20, 2015
- Article Date: 6/20/2015 by Tim Moran