Michael Cruises to First Win on the Season on Saturday Night
Curt Michael and the GEI Enterprises, Valley Forge Inc., K&N Filters 5g cruised to their first victory on 2016 on Saturday night at the Orange County Fair Speedway. The United Racing Club brought 23 cars into the pit area on Saturday night and with three heats on hand the top 5 headed to the A-Main from each heat race. Most notably missing was Robbie Stillwaggon from competition who was at home still trying to heal up from the violent feature wreck at the Williams Grove Speedway just over a week ago. Robbie’s bother Ryan piloted the Quality Auto Body #89 for the night’s action. Also in the pits was the 2016 United Racing Club Points leader Davie Franek. Franek toyed with the idea of skipping the event and heading to the Selinsgrove Speedway for their National Open. Ultimately Franek decided to race closer to home so his family and friends could be present along with continuing to support the United Racing Club. Heat winners went to Chris Coyle, who now has multiple heat race wins aboard the Fred Kennedy owned #56, Davie Franek aboard the Franek Auto Sales ?#?28f?, and “Cobra” Chuck Hebing aboard the North Coast Performance #45.
After heat race #1 winner, Chris Coyle drew the “9” invert pill the front row was made up of the 1R of Christian Rumsey and the 72 of Jeremy Quick. At the drop of the green flag, the 72 of Quick jumped out to the lead and was followed by the 1R of Rumsey, the 17j of Jonathan Swanson who was also running a 19h wing in memory of long time URC member Guy Howie, the 5g of Curt Michael, and the 47 of United Racing Club rookie Adam Carberry.
A lap 1 caution bunched the field back up and on the restart again the 72 of Quick using the outside lane to his advantage jumped out the lead, this time with the 5g of Michael following very closely behind. Just about 5 laps in Davie Franek looked like a contender jumping into the 2nd position when he passed Michael going into turn 1, but Michael quickly regained the position just before the caution came out again.
On the restart Michael aboard the Bill Gallagher owned car rocketed to the top position overtaking Quick. Just before halfway Michael continued to lead followed by Davie Franek, Chuck Hebing, Quick and now the 47 of Adam Carberry. Also on the move was the 67w of URC rookie sensation Justin Whittall who was now shown in the 6th position after starting 10th. A final caution was brought out by a spinning JR Berry in turns 1-2, on the double file restart Michael chose the inside and quickly jumped out to the lead again. Franek could get close but could never fully mount a charge for the top spot, ultimately finishing 2nd. Following Franek across the line was Cobra, Adam Carberry and Chris Coyle.
The United Racing Club which just completed a 4 race in 7 days stretch will now have the week off before returning back to action on Saturday night August 27th at the Delaware International Speedway.
Results: 1. 5G Curt Michael, 2. 28f Davie Franek, 3. 45 Chuck Hebing, 4. 47 Adam Carberry, 5. 56 Chris Coyle, 6. 67w Justin Whittall, 7. 4 Jimmy Stitzel, 8. 08 Jason Clauss, 9. 72 Jeremy Quick, 10. 30 Scott Goodrich, 11. 73b Brett Michalski, 12. 89 Ryan Stillwaggon, 13. 1Q Thomas Radivoy, 14. 7o6 Mark Sasso, 15. 74JR JR Berry, 16. 67c Jason Cherry, 17. 1R Christian Rumsey, 18. 17j Jonathan Swanson, 19. X Benny Rizzo, 20. 25X Geoff Quackenbush, 21. 1F Scott Flammer
DNQ. 56v Billy VanInwegen, 22 Troy Betts
- Robbie Stillwaggon on Aug 21, 2016
- Article Date: 8/21/2016 by Tim Moran