By: Jenna Shotz
GASTONIA, NORTH CAROLINA (April 7th, 2018)-
Josh Weller of Mertztown, Pennsylvania found himself in victory lane for night one of the USCS/URC North vs. South Shootout.
The USCS sanctioned two-day event kicked off last night at the beautiful Carolina Speedway, in Gastonia, North Carolina. United Racing Club brought eight cars for the long haul to represent the Yankees, and USCS brought in another twenty cars to defend their home turf, bringing the field to a solid 28 entries.
Utilizing a passing point system, “Team Capitol Customs” gained an edge by securing Justin Whittall as the A-Main pole sitter. Whittall showed his strengths on the slick surface for the first handful of laps until the field was brought to a hault due to a tangle on the front stretch involving URC Rookie, Ryan Quackenbush.
As the track got dustier, some opted to remove themselves from the race, including last year’s URC point champion, Curt Michael. “It was just too dusty. I couldn’t see a thing. It wasn’t worth it for me to stay out there.”
USCS’s Eric Riggins stole the lead from young Whittall on lap 10 going around him in a bold move on the outside. Riggins started to pull away, until a caution came up, giving Josh Weller exactly what he needed to beat Riggins. After a battle with each other and the racing surface, Josh Weller took the lead.
Third place runner Robbie Stillwaggon was battling a flat tire when it gave way on the final lap, forcing him to slow on the back stretch. At the same time, Lance Moss went for a wild ride, flipping end over end three or more times. He was able to remove himself from his car and signal to safety crews that he was “OK.”
In the end, it was URC regular, Josh Weller who found himself in the winners circle, celebrating with his family, his fiancée Jess, and his crew. “What a way to start the season,” Weller said as he caught his breath.
Saturday's event at Lancaster Motor Speedway in Lancaster, South Carolina was cancelled due to impending weather.
Friday's Results: (Carolina Speedway)
Heat 1 – Engler Machine & Tool (8 Laps)
- 47-Eric Riggins Jr.; 2. 63-Josh Weller; 3. 89-Robbie Stillwaggon; 4. 5-Justin Barger; 5. 5G-Curt Michael; 6. X-Dan Mazy; 7. 30-Duane Moore
Heat 2 – Brown and Miller Racing Solutions (8 Laps)
- 1x-Scott Hunter; 2. 1s-Joey Schmidt; 3. 4-Danny Smith; 4. 20-Nick Drake; 5. 44-Trey Starks; 6. 38-Tony Agin; 7. 28-Jeff Willingham
Heat 3 – ButlerBuilt (8 Laps)
- 29-Jeff Oliver; 2. 10-Terry Gray; 3. 21b-Brandon McLain; 4. 36-Tim Perry; 5. 33-Joe Larkin
Heat 4 – FireAde (8 Laps)
- 14-Jordon Mallett; 2. 67-Justin Whittall; 3. 07-Brandon Taylor; 4. 61-Parker Evans; 5. 83-Larry Mcvay; 6. 49-Todd Hoddick; 7. 5q-Ryan Quackenbush
Heo Graphics B-Main (12 Laps)
- 44-Trey Starks; 2. 5G-Curt Michael; 3. 21b-Brandon McLain; 4. 20-Nick Drake; 5. 83-Larry Mcvay; 6. 36-Tim Perry; 7. 33-Joe Larkin; 8. 5q-Ryan Quackenbush; 9. X-Dan Mazy; 10. 49-Todd Hoddick; 11. 28-Jeff Willingham; 12. 30-Duane Moore; 13. 38-Tony Agin
A-Main – (30 Laps)
- 63-Josh Weller; Mertztown, PA
- 47-Eric Riggins Jr.; Charlotte, NC
- 67-Justin Whittall; Southampton, NJ
- 4-Danny Smith; Chillicothe, OH
- 14-Jordon Mallett; Greenbrier, AR
- 10-Terry Gray; Bartlett, TN
- 44-Trey Starks; Puyallup, WA
- 1x-Scott Hunter; Concord, NC
- 5-Justin Barger; Cornelius, NC
- 07-Brandon Taylor; Cumming, GA
- 89-Robbie Stillwaggon; Burlington, NJ
- 23-Lance Moss; Cherryville, NC
- 5q-Ryan Quackenbush; Goshen, NY
- 33-Joe Larkin; Suwannee, GA
- 83-Larry McVay; Bordentown, NJ
- 1s-Joey Schmidt; Ellisville, MS
- 29-Jeff Oliver; Pendergrass, GA
- 61-Parker Evans; Owego, NY
- 20-Nick Drake; Mooresville, NC
- X-Dan Mazy; Jacksonville, FL
- 28-Jeff Willingham; Ripley, MS
- 36-Tim Perry; Mooresville, NC
- 21b-Brandon McLain; Indian Trail, NC
- 5G-Curt Michael; Oceanview, DE
DNS
49 – Todd Hoddick, Cheektowaga, NY
30 – Duane Moore, Reevesville, SC
38 – Tony Agin, Ft. Myers, FL
58 – Nate Emig?, Dalzell, SC
- administrator on Apr 09, 2018
- Article Date: 4/9/2018 by Jenna Schostkewitz