MECHANICSBURG, PA – Steve Buckwalter took the lead early and landed the Bob Lillick owned no. 7x in victory lane at the end of the 25-lap feature on Friday, August 30 at William’s Grove Speedway.
Twenty-one cars signed in for the Capitol Renegade United Racing Club portion of the Keith Kauffman Tribute Race, on a beautiful night to kick off Labor Day weekend. This was the club’s final trip to William’s Grove for 2019. Things started off hot, however not in a good way as Freddie Rahmer caught fire during hot laps, as well as mechanical issues plaguing Tyler Templin causing both drivers to scratch from the event.
Upon entering the gate, it was a dream night for Steve Buckwalter. After choosing a 6 during the initial pill draw, Buckwalter went on to win his heat race and redrew the outside pole for the feature. Starting to his inside would be Josh Weller, who was looking to once again close the points gap between himself and URC points leader, Chad Layton. Weller shot out to the lead early, however Buckwalter would make some quick moves and take over the top spot.
Weller would have a shot to regain the lead as the caution flew for Ryan Quackenbush at about lap 8 – but Buckwalter would remain consistent and continue to lead. The final caution of the night would come out on lap 10 for Ryan Stillwaggon who stopped in turns 3 and 4 and Buckwalter would once again have to continue to run well to hold off Weller and a hard charging Mark Smith.
Behind the leaders many drivers jockeyed for position around the half-mile clay oval with Curt Michael, Layton, Jason Shultz, and Kyle Reinhardt all moving in and out of the top 5. However, when it came down to the wire Buckwalter cruised on for the remaining 15 laps despite Smith getting to his back bumper, recording his first URC victory of 2019.
Buckwalter ran double duty and based off the 410 race he said “I didn’t tighten up as much as I should have, but with 10 laps to go it started to get loose and go away but I figured if I kept running my line if [Smith] got me he got me, just try not to let him.” This was Buckwalter’s first 360 win at the Grove and although he “gave one away the last time – this one feels good.” Steve Buckwalter would like to thank Bob Lillick for the opportunity to pilot the number 7X in URC competition – as well as all the sponsors that contributed to getting his car to victory lane.
The KSE hard charger for the night went to Kyle Reinhardt who started the race from tenth and made his way to finish fourth in Ed Aikin’s no. 7 machine. Heat wins went to Curt Michael, Steve Buckwalter, and Chad Layton.
The Capitol Renegade United Racing Club will be back in action on Friday, September 13 at Georgetown Speedway in Georgetown, DE where the club will be hosting Kid’s Night. Drivers will be on hand for autographs between 5 and 6 p.m. with a multiple bike giveaway for both boys and girls. The points race is heating up with only 4 race weekends, and 5 races left on the schedule. Chad Layton currently holds a 55-point lead over last year’s champion Josh Weller, with Curt Michael sitting third with a chance at an 11th championship as well. Keep up with all the races on the My Race Pass app by searching “United Racing Club”!
Photo Credit: Chad Warner
RESULTS – AUGUST 30, 2019
HEAT 1 (8 LAPS): 1. 5G-Curt Michael, [4]; 2. 5-Tyler Ross, [1]; 3. M1-Mark Smith, [5]; 4. 7-Kyle Reinhardt, [3]; 5. 11-Ryan Stillwaggon, [7]; (DNS) 10X-Freddie Rahmer, ; (DNS) 15-Tyler Templin,
HEAT 2 (8 LAPS): 1. 7X-Steve Buckwalter, [2]; 2. 63-Josh Weller, [1]; 3. 4-Jimmy Stitzel, [3]; 4. 11A-Austin Bishop, [5]; 5. 19-Colby Womer, [7]; 6. 5Q-Ryan Quackenbush, [4]; 7. 12D-Steve Downs, [6]
HEAT 3 (8 LAPS): 1. 35-Chad Layton, [4]; 2. 29-Jason Shultz, [5]; 3. 32-Kyle Smith, [2]; 4. 77-Derek Locke, [6]; 5. 21R-Tyler Brehm, [3]; 6. 00-Chris Frank, [7]; 7. 67C-Jason Cherry, [1]
FEATURE (25 LAPS): 1. 7X-Steve Buckwalter, [2]; 2. M1-Mark Smith, [3]; 3. 63-Josh Weller, [1]; 4. 7-Kyle Reinhardt, [10]; 5. 29-Jason Shultz, [6]; 6. 5G-Curt Michael, [9]; 7. 35-Chad Layton, [4]; 8. 5-Tyler Ross, [5]; 9. 4-Jimmy Stitzel, [8]; 10. 77-Derek Locke, [12]; 11. 21R-Tyler Brehm, [15]; 12. 11A-Austin Bishop, [11]; 13. 5Q-Ryan Quackenbush, [16]; 14. 00-Chris Frank, [17]; 15. 19-Colby Womer, [14]; 16. 12D-Steve Downs, [18]; 17. (DNF) 32-Kyle Smith, [7]; 18. (DNF) 67C-Jason Cherry, [19]; 19. (DNF) 11-Ryan Stillwaggon, [13]; (DNS
- Casey Robicheau on Sep 03, 2019
- Article Date: 8/30/2019 by Casey Robicheau