SELINSGROVE, PA – Ryan Smith led the entire 30-lap main event Saturday. June 22, 2019 at Selinsgrove Speedway to become only the third driver to win the Kramer Kup in the six years it has been run.
The Kramer Kup, honoring late sprint car hall of fame driver Kramer Williamson who tragically lost his life at Lincoln Speedway in August of 2013, is a regular stop for the Capitol Renegade United Racing Club. Williamson known for driving his bright pink, pink panther number 73 was a URC champion in 1991, 1992, and 1995. While speaking about the Kramer Kup with Williamson’s daughter, Felecia, who paced the field in her father’s car before the feature Saturday night, she said, “it means so much to [my family] to remember and honor my dad. We love coming to see all the Kramer gear, pink shirts and hearing all the Kramer stories that everyone enjoys sharing….The Kramer Kup is a day where everyone can help celebrate his legendary racing career with us.”
Twenty-two cars made the trip to Selinsgrove Speedway all in an attempt to win the pink trophy, as well as a special cake that is awarded every year to the winner of the race, however that number was lowered to 21 when Adam Carberry experienced motor trouble in hot laps, ending his day.
Ryan Smith was the last driver to make the redraw and though Smith said he “personally could never be lucky enough to draw the one” the last pill in the bag was the pole, leaving him and Troy Betts to lead the field to the green. Unlike the night prior, there was only one caution when Kyle Reinhardt in the 1W came to a stop in turn 4 early in the race, ending his night.
Smith pulled ahead and put some distance between himself and second place while Betts battled early with Curt Michael and Chad Layton who started sixth and fifth, respectively. Quickly approaching was the M1 of Mark Smith who started from the ninth position. Smith showed a lot of speed in the closing laps as he made his way into the second spot and began chasing down the number 72 machine. Coming to the checkered the M1 was at Ryan Smith’s bumper but it was too little too late as the Heffner Racing Enterprises car crossed the line to notch Smith’s second win in the 2019 URC season (his first coming earlier in the year at Port Royal).
Ryan Smith was really happy to win this race as there is “lots of history there and [Kramer was] somebody I watched and looked up to growing up.” When speaking about starting on the pole, Smith thought that “track position means a lot” but he felt like his team “had the car good enough [he] could have started somewhere close to the front and had a shot at winning.” When asked who he would like to thank, Smith said, “Mike Heffner for believing in me and giving me a shot, all our guys for all the hard work at the shop and at the track. Last but definitely not least, all out partners and supporters for helping us get to the track 110% prepared and giving us the best possible car to race with.” These partners include his sponsors: Heffner Racing Enterprises, Leland’s Auctions, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews/Red Robin Catering, CnB Chubby, and Selinsgrove Speedway, among others for contributing to his win on Saturday night! Ryan would also like to remind his fans and the racing community that due to his win there will be a free $5 appetizer at any of the 21 eastern and central PA Red Robin’s on Monday!
The next race for the URC will be Friday, June 28, 2019 at Bedford Speedway where Chad Layton looks to expand his growing point lead on second place, Josh Weller. Joining us on the card will be the LM Sportsman, Semi Lates, Pure Stocks, and 4 cylinders. Gates open at 5 p.m. and racing will begin at 7 p.m.!
Photo Credit: Chad Warner
RESULTS – JUNE 22, 2019
A-MAIN (30 LAPS) – 1: Ryan Smith; 2: Mark Smith; 3: Mike Walter II; 4: Curt Michael; 5: Chad Layton; 6: Troy Betts; 7: Josh Weller; 8: Derek Locke; 9: Jason Shultz; 10: Cody Keller; 11: Austin Bishop; 12: Ed Aikin; 13: Ryan Kissinger; 14: Mallie Shuster; 15: Jim Shuster; 16: Jake Hummel; 17: David Quackenbush; 18: Ryan Quackenbush; 19: Brian Nornhold; 20: Jason Clauss; 21: Kyle Reinhardt
HEAT 1 (8 LAPS) – 1: Michael; 2: Layton; 3: Reinhardt; 4: Bishop; 5: Locke; 6: Aikin; 7: R. Quackenbush; 8: Nornhold
HEAT 2 (8 LAPS) – 1: M. Smith; 2: Walter II; 3: Keller; 4: Shultz; 5: Kissinger; 6: Clauss; 7: J. Shuster
HEAT 3 (8 LAPS) – 1: Weller; 2: Betts; 3: R. Smith; 4: M. Shuster; 5: D. Quackenbush; 6: Hummel; 7: Carberry (DNS)
- Casey Robicheau on Jun 23, 2019
- Article Date: 6/22/2019 by Casey Robicheau