ABBOTTSTOWN, PA – For the second year in a row, Jeff Halligan of Ephrata, PA proved that he had the car to beat as he found himself in victory lane at the end of the 360/358 challenge race at Lincoln Speedway on Saturday, June 8.
With 33 cars on hand the Capitol Renegade United Racing Club entered Lincoln Speedway ready to take on the regulars of the 358 division in a 25 lap main event. Occupying the front row after the redraw was URC point leader Chad Layton and URC regular Ryan Stillwaggon. Layton jumped out to an early lead and Josh Weller followed suit settling into the second position after starting third. After lap 1 the race came to a stop as Connor Leoffler and Jonathan Stewart flipped in turn 3, both drivers were okay but their cars retired to the pit area. Leading the field back to the green was Layton, Weller, and Stillwaggon.
Turns three and four were problematic for the drivers as the red flag would once again fly on lap 5 when Wyatt Hinkle went wheels up and toppled over. Hinkle was alright from the accident but his car was towed back to the trailer. Layton continued to lead followed by Weller, Dylan Norris, Halligan, and Stillwaggon.
The last red flag flew on lap 11 when URC’s own Austin Bishop flipped in turns 3 and 4. Austin walked away uninjured, however his car was towed off and deemed incapable of finishing the race. Layton led the field to the green once again for the restart with Weller, Halligan, Norris, and Curt Michael behind him.
Jeff Halligan took the lead from Layton on lap 21 and never looked back, taking the win for the second year in a row for the 360/358 Challenge at Lincoln Speedway; Layton, Michael, Weller, and Norris rounded out the top five. Halligan knew he had a shot to win the race when he “got to third with Weller and Layton right there and [he] had no problem keeping pace”. When asked how it feels to win this race two years in a row, Halligan said, “it feels great….us 358 guys know how to race and can race affordable.” Jeff Halligan would like to thank his sponsors, RISSER GRAIN, EMM Sales and Service, Gift CPAs, AL Driveline, The Tree Center, Morgan Towing, HighDef Suspension, Newlin Bar Service, Hanover Off-road and Accessories, Schaeffer’s Oil, and Halligan’s auto repair for their contributions to putting the 58 machine in victory lane.
Heat race wins for the night went to Curt Michael, Chad Layton, Freddie Rahmer, and Connor Leoffler. It is a short week for the Capitol Renegade URC as they prepare to run BAPs Motor Speedway on Thursday June 13 joining the USAC Eastern Storm.
RESULTS:
A-MAN (25 LAPS) - 1: Jeff Halligan; 2: Chad Layton; 3: Curt Michael; 4: Josh Weller; 5: Dylan Norris; 6: Freddie Rahmer; 7: Doug Hammaker; 8: Ashley Cappetta; 9: Tyler Ross; 10: Ed Aikin; 11: Ryan Stillwaggon; 12: Scott Fisher; 13: Troy Wagaman Jr.; 14: Travis Scott; 15: Carson Short; 16: Jake Eldreth; 17: Troy Betts; 18: Ryan Quackenbush; 19: Adam Carberry; 20: Austin Bishop; 21: Keith Prutzman; 22: Wyatt Hinkle; 23: Connor Leoffler; 24: Jonathan Stewart
B-MAIN – 1: Adam Carberry; 2: Austin Bishop; 3: Troy Wagaman Jr.; 4: Ryan Quackenbush; 5: Jimmy Stitzel; 6: Cody Fletcher; 7: Steve Downs; 8: Brandon McGough; 9: Mark Van Vorst; 10: Nathan Prazenica; 11: Todd Gracey
HEAT 1 – 1: Curt Michael; 2: Ed Aikin; 3: Ashley Cappetta; 4: Wyatt Hinkle; 5: Jake Eldreth; 6: Adam Carberry; 7: Jimmy Stitzel; 8: Brandon McGough; 9: Nick Palmerino
HEAT 2 – 1: Chad Layton; 2: Josh Weller; 3: Ryan Stillwaggon; 4: Troy Betts; 5: Travis Scott; 6: Troy Wagaman Jr.; 7: Mark Van Vorst; 8: Todd Gracey
HEAT 3 – 1: Freddie Rahmer; 2: Jeff Halligan; 3: Tyler Ross; 4: Doug Hammaker; 5: Carson Short; 6: Austin Bishop; 7: Cody Fletcher; 8:Steve Downs
HEAT 4 – 1: Connor Leoffler; 2: Dylan Norris; 3: Scott Fisher; 4: Keith Prutzman; 5: Jonathan Stewart; 6: Ryan Quackenbush; 7: Matt Findley; 8: Nathan Prazenica
Photography Credit: Chad Warner
- Casey Robicheau on Jun 09, 2019
- Article Date: 6/8/2019 by Casey Robicheau