On Sunday night May 3rd, Mark Smith and his Mach 1 Chassis sponsored 360 sprint car took the win in the 2nd night of the 358/360 challenge races. Smith, who has been on fire this year, has already won in Florida and the Selinsgrove’s Jack Gunn Memorial the night before.
With the top 8 being inverted from the heat races, 2014 URC Champion Davie Franek, and the 25 of Josh Weller lead the field of 24 starters to the green flag. Unfortunately, the caution was immediately displayed due to the 12 of Brad Franks spinning in turns 1-2. A second restart was called back due to the 44 John Braim stopping in turns 1-2. The 98 of New York invader Joe Trenca also received some attention during this yellow flag. They say the 3rd time is a charm, and this time Davie Franek took the early lead with Josh Weller close in tow. Josh Weller took a run at Franek in turn 3 on the 4th lap and looped it. Surprisingly enough, no other contact was made and the Eldreth Construction #25 was able to re-fire and start at the back of the pack.
A single file restart was in order, and again Franek jumped out to the lead. Mark Smith passed Curt Michael and set his sights on the 28 of Davie Franek. Smith quickly pressured Franek for the lead, overtaking Franek on lap 4. Lap 5 saw the #4 Jimmy Stitzel facing the wrong way in turn 1. With 5 laps down, Smith was leading, followed by Franek, Michael, Ott, and New York Invader Jason Barney completing the top 5.
Multi-time URC Champion Curt Michael just wasn’t going to give up. Michael, who won a 360 race at Susquehanna in the Fall, again had his sights set on the red #28 of Franek. Michael continuously pressured Franek for the runner up spot, with a slide job on lap 14 finally making it stick. A lap 16 spin by the #4 of Jimmy Stitzel would bunch up the field and give Michael the valuable real estate he needed to be right on Smith’s bumper for the restart. Michael set his sights on Smith next, pressuring him in turns 1-2 multiple times.
A lap 20 caution again put the GEI Valley Force Inc. #5g right on the back bumper of Smith. Smith kept the lead and pulled away at the end. The top 5 were Mark Smith, Curt Michael, Aaron Ott, Davie Franek and Jason Barney.
A stout field of 39 360 Sprint Cars were on hand for the night’s events. Notable entries were New York invaders, Jason Barney, Justin Barger, and Joe Trenca. Some 410 regulars also were on hand with Mark Smith, Glenndon Forsythe and Aaron Ott.
Heat wins went to Justin Barger, Aaron Ott, Robbie Stillwaggon, and Mark Smith. The B main was won by Tyler Ross. No Provisionals were used.
URC has Mother’s day weekend off but will be back in action in the First State with a race at Georgetown Speedway on Friday, May 15th. Pits open at 4pm, General Admission at 5:30 and racing begins at 7pm.
- Robbie Stillwaggon on May 04, 2015
- Article Date: 5/4/2015 by Tim Moran