Aiken Aces URC Sprints at Grandview - Micheal Takes 2011 URC Title

video by GSP
(Order the complete race night DVD at: http://gspshop.com/101511gview.html)
Bechtelsville, PA | Oct. 15, 2011 - The Rislone URC Sprints were part of a big season finale event Saturday night at the Grandview Speedway, taking part in the Grandview Thunder 5-25's. The final race of URC's 2011 offer an increased payoff thanks to the sponsorship support for Pioneer Pole Buildings (PPB) and Viper-Venom. #7 Ed Aiken pocketed over $4K for his feature win last Saturday night at Grandview Speedway and #5G Curt Michael claimed the 2011 URC Title...

The top twenty URC drivers in points were eligible for the URC feature only with the top twelve in points inverted. At the end of a thrilling twenty-five lap feature, Ed Aikin who started on the pole captured the feature win worth $4,000. In the season long Rislone URC point chase, it was Ocean View, DE driver Curt Michael securing his eighth championship. Michael started eleventh in the main event and avoided any potential landmines to finish ninth and nail down the coveted URC title.

The PPB/Viper Venom feature was also part of the Valley Forge Inc Pennsylvania Sprint Series and at the drop of the green flag, of the twenty-five lap feature it was Ed Aikin who took the lead with Dave Ely in second and challenging. Aikin could not get away from Ely and on lap five, Ely became the new leader. Aikin refused to give up and challenged for the lead once again. On lap ten, Aikin took back the lead but Ely was not going to close the books on this race.

At the halfway mark, Aikin, Ely and Robbie Stillwaggon were the top three with Rory Janney and Josh Weller in the top five. Ely reeled in Aikin once again and on lap twenty-two, it was two car race. The first and only caution of the race was displayed on lap twenty-three when Jeff Fifthian spun in two one. On the restart and with just two laps remaining, Ely gave it all he had going into turn one and as the two charged out of turn two, Ed Aikin nosed ahead. Suddenly, Robbie Stillwaggon moved into the picture and he was challenging Ely for second.

With the checker flag waiving, Aikin took the URC win sponsored by Pioneer Pole Building. A near dead heat finish saw Robbie Stillwaggon earn second with Dave Ely third, Rory Janney was fourth and JJ Grasso fifth.

For Curt Michael it was his eighth URC championship and for car owner Billy Gallagher, it marked his third URC Owner Championship. For Gallagher of Valley Forge, it was very rewarding to clinch the title before a local crowed.

Aikin earned in total $4,050 for the win, collecting a $1,000 bonus from Paul Messick of Viper-Venom Racing Fuels and additional $50 for the LikeWise fast time award. JJ Grasso was the Fred's Trailer Parts Hard Charger of the race advancing seven spots. Grasso was the only driver within striking distance of offering Curt Michael a challenge for the title but came up short even after a strong twelfth to fifth run in the URC feature Saturday night. Grasso missed one race over the course of the URC season.  LEARN MORE ABOUT the URC

25 LAP PPB URC FEATURE RESULTS:
#7 Ed Aiken, #89 Robbie Stillwaggon, #55 Dave Ely, #88 Rory Janney, #37 JJ Grasso, #99 Josh Weller, #73 Kramer Williamson, #39 Tim Hogue, #5g Curt Michael, #15 Mark Bitner,
#88b Andy Best, #2 Art Leidl, #56 Randy West, #12 Jimmy Stitzel, #08 Jason Clauss, #47 JR Barry, #2L Dave Martin, #54 Jeff Fifthian, #22 Troy Betz, #17j Jonathan Swanson. Fast Time, Ed Aikin, Hard Charger: JJ Grasso advanced 7 spots,