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CURT MICHAEL 6TH DIFFERENT WINNER IN 6 URC EVENTS

CURT MICHAEL INCHES CLOSER TO EIGHTH URC CHAMPIONSHIP, SCORES SECOND OF WIN 2011 SATURDAY NIGHT AT DELAWARE INTERNATIONAL

 

With just one point race remaining on the Rislone URC Sprint Series, Curt Michael has his eye on an eighth Championship and Saturday night at the Delaware International Speedway, he scored his second win of the season and again padded his point lead.   Michael of Ocean View, DE started third in the twenty-five lap feature event and took the lead from Joey Biasi on lap two.   Once on top and despite numerous cautions, Michael easily took the win and collected the $2,000 first place prize driving the Valley Forge INC Bill Gallagher owned sprint car.  This event also marked the final race of the Taylor & Messick Delaware State Sprint Series

 

URC heat race winners were JJ Grasso, Tim Hogue and Joey Biasi.   During the running of the third heat, Biasi  set the LikeWise fast time of the night.  In the second heat race, Kramer Williamson and Randy West tangled with Williamson taking a wild flip in turn two.  Williamson not on walked away uninjured, he returned to start the feature in the last position and rallied to an impressive tenth place finish.   Williamson earned the Fred's Trailer Parts Hard Charger of the night award for advancing twelve spots in the feature.

 

At the start of the twenty-five lap URC Rislone sprint feature, Joey Biasi led the first lap with Curt Michael immediately in the chase.    The first of several cautions was displayed for Jimmy Stitzel who spun.  On the restart, Curt Michael took the low groove and passed Biasi for lead in turn one as Eddie Wagner and Ed Aikin were in the chase.    Before the completion of lap three, the yellow again slowed the field, this time Steve Downs who spun in turn three.   The restart saw Kevin Darling and JR Berry tangled in turn two and the caution was again displayed .   On the restart, Jimmy Stitzel spun collecting Midge Miller who took a slow roll in turn two.  All drivers walked away uninjured.

 

Racing resumed on lap three and Curt Michael was on the point with Biasi in the chase.  Ed Aikin and Josh Weller were now chasing Biasi for the runner-up spot.   On lap eight, Weller driving the Palladino #99 passed Aikin for third and quickly began to reel in Biasi.

 

On lap eleven, the yellow was displayed for debris and the big lead built up by Curt Michael was now erased.   At the drop of the green flag, Michael ran to hide from the field as Weller made the move to take over second.

 

At the halfway sign, Michael had a comfortable lead with Weller in second and JJ Grasso who started ninth, now running third.  Making up the top five was Joe Biasi and Ed Aikin.   Michael continued to hold a solid lead lap eighteen.

 

Lapped cars could now be a factor as they were in front of the leader by lap nineteen.   Weller started to gain ground on Michael as Grasso was reeling in Weller.  Michael's lead was wearing down as the two lap sign was displayed.     Although Weller gained ground on the leader, he ran out of time to offer any challenge for the win.  Curt Michael took the checker flag and his second win of the season and forty-sixth career win.

 

FEATURE FINISH: Curt Michael, Josh Weller, JJ Grasso, Joey Biasi, Robbie Stillwaggon, Ed Aikin, Mark Bitner, Joe Zuczek, Eddie Wagner, Kramer Williamson, Randy West, Art Liedl, Jimmy Stitzel, Troy Betts, Rory Janney, Tim Hogue, Dave Ely,  Steve Downs, Jeff Fithian, Midge Miller, Kevin Darling, JR Berry,   Andy Best, Dave Martin.

 

 

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