KING OF PRUSSIA, PA - Curt Michael continues to add to his URC legacy,
be it the United Racing Company or United Racing Club. On Friday night
he was crowned the “URC” champion for a record ninth time, more
than any driver in the 67 year history of the Sprint Car division.
Michael’s car owner, Bill Gallagher, and his Valley Forge Inc. No. 5g
team also celebrated their fourth URC title together at a casual event
held at the King of Prussia Fire Hall Banquet Room.
Earl Halaquist’s six URC championships had been the standard until
Michael tied that mark in 2008.
After racing as a club for over 50 years, URC did business as a
“company” rather than a “club” for a decade. Gallagher
purchased the naming rights of the United Racing “Club” and during
the 2014-15 off-season URC returned to a “membership-run”
organization.
Michael and points runner up Robbie Stillwaggon took the
responsibility of booking events and promoting the club and they
ironically finished one-two in the final standings.
“It means a lot to me to win this championship now that it’s back
as a club,”?said the 43-year-old Michael, who took his first URC?
title since 2011. “I know these people and are closer to each of them
in this room now than I had for the last ten years.”
During the 2015 season, the Ocean View, Del. resident won six feature
events to clinch the title by a whopping 157 points. His crew chief,
Brandon Wiebley, was also named URC’s Mechanic of the Year. Gallagher
also awarded each member of the crew with a special plaque.
A new “Perpetual Champion” trophy was also presented to Michael.
Gallagher told AARN he wasn’t able to gain obtain the former trophy,
so a new silver bowl was purchased with the names of all past
champions etched on its base. Michael, and all future URC champions,
will hold possession of the award for one season, returning it the
next year to be passed to the new title holder. As a keepsake, Michael
received a commemorative championship plaque to keep as a memento of
his accomplishment.
Michael also received the lions share of a surprise point fund. As a
first year organization, nothing was promised. But thanks to
sponsorship, a $10,000 fund was split up among the top ten teams by
the amount of points they received. It reportedly came out to about 67
cents per point, meaning Michael’s team share was roughly $1,300.
Also, as an added bonus, Michael’s team will receive a complete set
of Wilwood Brakes and a set of birdcages from Rod End Supply.
Stillwaggon, who celebrated his 27th birthday with a cake at the
event, finished second to Michael while driving the Fred Kennedy No.
89. Along with his plaque and point fund, Stillwaggon received a
certificate worth $500 off a KSE power steering unit. Kennedy, who was
vacationing in Cancun, Mexico, was not at the gathering.
Both Michael and Stillwaggon received a combined ten shirts from Six B
Apparel, but they both donated them to URC to be given to club
officials.
Like Stillwaggon, Josh Weller won one feature event during the 2015
URC season. Weller finished third in the points for retiring car owner
Ken Eldreth. The team also picked up a 50% off coupon towards the
purchase of a Triple X chassis or body kit.
Davey Franek, who finished fourth in the standings, was not present at
the banquet to collect his awards. Brad Franks, who tallied fifth in
the standings, received both owner and driver awards for his team;
along with a certificate for a set of Zemco Headers.
Troy Betts, Jason Clauss, Randy West, Tyler Ross and Jonathan Swanson
were honored as the sixth through tenth place finishers in the point
standings. Only Clauss was not on hand. Each team received a plaque,
point fund and special certificates or discount coupons towards Vahlco
Wheels, Butlerbuilt Seat, West Fabrication bumpers or rub rails and Wings Unlimited.
Ross, who drove a second car sponsored by Eldreth, was also named
URC’s Rookie of the Year.
Will Eggimann, whose self-owned single car team comes on an open
trailer to the races, received the Determination Award. Eggiman
flipped badly at an event at Del.’s Georgetown Speedway, yet was able
to rebound and return to the URC series later in the year.
The Hard Working Award was given to Howard Swanson who fielded two
cars on the URC series for sons Jonathan and David. They finished 10th
and 11th in the standings. An Appreciation award was also given to
Miss URC, Kylee Hendrickson.
A special Sportsmanship award was given to Mark Bitner for his helping
in making tech tools for the club. Brad Franks received the Best
Appearing Car award.
A quickly-run award ceremony was conducted by Master of Ceremonies
Bill Sasser to allow more time for socializing and dancing to music he
also provided as the DJ.
- Robbie Stillwaggon on Dec 10, 2015
- Article Date: 12/10/2015 by Len Sammons