TONY STEWART WINS 7TH ANNUAL URC RISLONE SPRINT NATIONALS FRIDAY NIGHT AT WILLIAMS GROVE
By
United Racing Company
NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart invaded the Williams Grove Speedway on Friday night to complete in the 7th Annual Rislone Sprint Nationals sanctioned by the United Racing Company (URC) and came home the winner of the 25 lap feature event, earning $4,000 for the victory. Stewart took the lead on lap four and ran uncontested to his first career win in our nation’s oldest traveling sprint cars series. URC is celebrating their sixty-fifth season in 2012.
A field of thirty-five sprint cars took part in the program with heat race victories going to Tim Berkheimer, Chad Trout and Randy West. Aaron Ott came home the winner of the “B” Main. Ott tangled with Art Liedl during the running of the first heat with both cars flipping in turn three. Ott started last in the “B” main and came home the winner and delivered a strong second place feature finish.
In the 25 lap URC Rislone Sprint Nationals, the red flag was displayed before the first lap was completed when Troy Betts and Tim Berkheimer tangled in turn one with Betts flipping. No injuries reported in the crash and Berkheimer was able to restart at the rear of the field.
At the start of the race, Chad Trout led the first three laps with Tony Stewart taking the lead on lap four. Trout battled back but Stewart was superior and eventually gained solid control of the lead. On lap five, the caution was displayed, this time for a disabled Jonathan Swanson in turn three.
The restart saw Stewart set a blistering pace followed by Trout and URC’s point leader Robbie Stillwaggon. JJ Grasso moved into the picture and on lap seven, he was racing in fourth. Ryan Wilson spun on the homestretch on lap eight and the caution was displayed once again.
Stewart brought the field down for the restart and now JJ Grasso was racing in second and looking to reel in Stewart. A problem with the electrical box sidelined the Grasso sprinter, bringing the final caution out of the night on lap ten.
At the halfway point of the race, Tony Stewart remained the leader but now Aaron Ott was racing in second followed by Chad Trout, Stillwaggon and Franek. Ott went to work to chase down the leader but Stewart had all the advantages.
The balance of the race ran non-stop with Stewart coming home the winner followed by Aaron Ott, Chad Trout, Robbie Stillwaggon and Davie “No Panic” Franek.
FEATURE FINISH: Tony Stewart, Aaron Ott, Chad Trout, Robbie Stillwaggon, Davie Franek, Eric Tomerck, Randy West, Ryan Bohlke, Ed Aikin, Josh Weller, Tim Berkheimer, Andy Best, Kevin Darling, Tim Hogue, Jimmy Stitzel, Joey Biasi, Bryn Gohn, Steve Downs, JJ Grasso, Mark Bitner, Ryan Wilson, Jonathan Swanson, Scott Lutz, Dave Betts. DNQ: Art Liedl, Kramer Williamson, Midge Miller, Colby Womer, Jared Fink, Eric Riggins, Dan Mazy, Scott Fisher, David Swanson, Denny Garl, Bryan Garland,
CnB Mushroom Bonus: $500 Chad Trout, $300 Robbie Stillwaggon, $200 Davie Franek
Fred’s Trailer Parts Hard Charger: Ed Aikin advanced 11 spots
LikeWise Construction Fast Time ; Chad Trout
RISLONE NATIONALS PAST CHAMPIONS: 2011 Lance Dewease, 2012 Daryn Pittman, 2009 Aaron Ott, 2008 Kenny Adams, 2007 Ed Aikin, 2006 Pat Cannon
NEXT EVENT: SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 LINCOLN SPEEDWAY, ABBOTTSTOWN, PA 7 PM
