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CHRIS COYLE WINS CnB MUSHROOM $2,500 TO WIN URC SPRINT SERIES OPENER SATURDAY NIGHT AT BRIDGEPORT
Chris Coyle of Wilmington, DE was the man to beat on Saturday night at the Bridgeport Speedway as the United Racing Company began their sixtieth season of competition. A field of thirty-five sprint cars turned out for the URC Bar's Leaks Series event with heat race victories going to Chris Coyle, Brian Seidel and Dave Ely as the twelve lap Don Ott "B" Main saw Scott Pursell take the win. Coyle started on the pole but it was by no means, an easy win. Brian Seidel, driving the Bill Gallagher owned sprinter was in the hunt the entire race. Coyle and Seidel exchanged the lead numerous times during the mid-point of the race. A caution with two laps go, brought the field together again, but Coyle remained the top of the class to pocket the $2,500 first place prize.
The night got off to a wild start during warm-ups when 1994 URC Champion Greg Coverdale of Milford, DE took a wild flip entering turn one. The top wing came off the Eldreth Construction #25 (a new ride for Coverdale in 2007) as the car entered turn one, launching the sprinter high into the air. Coverdales' sprint car then sheared a light pole before exiting the speedway over the first turn wall. This wild crash brought silence to the crowd with great concern for the safety of Greg Coverdale. With help from the safety crew, Coverdale climbed out of the destroyed sprint car and returned to the pit area. About thirty minutes later, it was decided to take Coverdale to the hospital for a check-up.
Chris Coyle and Brian Seidel brought the twenty-five car starting field down for the green flag to start the 1,370th event in the history of the United Racing Company. Coyle led the first lap with Seidel taking the lead on lap two. The first caution was displayed when Kramer Williamson, Scott Pursell and Jimmy Stitzel tangled in turn two. On the restart, Seidel set the pace with Coyle and Jason Clauss now in the chase.
On lap ten, the leaders were now in lapped traffic and by lap eleven, Coyle found his way back into the lead. It all changed again as Seidel was back into the lead by lap twelve. Lap thirteen was a thriller as Seidel and Coyle exchanged the lead two more times, with Coyle coming out on top on lap fourteen.
The race was certainly at the front of the pack but at the same time, defending URC Champion Curt Michael was on the run from his eleventh place starting position. By lap fifteen, Michael was in a solid top five position and in the process of reeling in the top guns. Coyle, Seidel, Clauss, Trevor Lewis and Curt Michael were the top five running order.
On lap twenty-one the second caution of the race was displayed for Tim Hogue who spun in turn one along with Kevin Welsh. The restart saw Coyle, Seidel and Clauss bolt away from the rest of the field with Coyle firmly in command. One lap later, a homestretch mix-up occurred with Joe Zuczek taking a wild bounce over the infield Jersey barriers, landing inside the quarter-mile track. Zuczek walked away uninjured.
A light sprinkle of rain started to fall and the field was quickly brought together for the green flag restart, Coyle, Seidel and Clauss were again the command, quickly pulling away from the rest of the field.
With the checker flag waiving, Coyle dashed under the wire to score his fifth career win followed by Brian Seidel, Jason Clauss and Trevor Lewis who finished fourth. Chris Barger collected fifth place money when Curt Michael suffered a flat tire on his Palladino sprinter. Michael kept the sprinter moving and crossed the line in tenth, after a very impressive ride. Making up the top ten were Mark Bitner, Justin Collett, Ed Aikin, Robbie Stillwaggon and Curt Michael. A special note, rookie driver Andy Hannula #89H qualified through the consolation for his first URC feature and finished twelfth in the feature.
FEATURE FINISH: CnB Mushroom 25 Lap URC Feature: Chris Coyle, Brian Seidel, Jason Clauss, Trevor Lewis, Justin Barger, Mark Bitner, Justin Collett, Ed Aikin, Robbie Stillwaggon, Curt Michael, Davey Sammons, Andy Hannula, Adam Gordon, Dave Betts, Mares Stellfox, Billy Pauch, Brook Weibley, Kevin Welsh, Tim Hogue, Dave Ely, Scott Pursell, Jamie Bodo, Kramer Williamson, Jimmy Stitzel. DNQ- - - Michael Carber, John Karklin, Jeff Davis, Gary Gollub, Kevin Welsh, Junior Martin, Michael McManus, Mike Kostic, J.J. Grasso, Jon Eldreth, Greg Coverdale.
Fred's Trailer Parts Hard Charge Award- - Robbie Stillwaggon $50 (advanced eleven spots in the feature).
Likewise Construction Fast Time of the Night: $50 to Brian Seidel who turned quick time of the night in the second heat race.
NEXT EVENT:
Saturday, April 21 Delaware International Speedway 7 PM
Saturday, April 28 New Egypt Speedway 7 PM
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