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CURT MICHAEL IN FLAWLESS FORM, CAPTURES 33rd URC CAREER WIN SATURDAY AT DELAWARE INTERNATIONAL
DELMAR, DE . . Defending Champion Curt Michael of Ocean View, DE won his first URC Bar's Leaks Sprint Series feature of the year on Saturday night at the Delaware International Speedway. This event also marked the first race of the 2007 Taylor & Messick Delaware State Sprint Series, a special mini-series within URC. Michael took the lead on lap thirteen from Michael Carber then held off several strong challenges from Justin Collett to pocket the $2,000 first place prize. For Michael, it was his thirty-third career win under the URC banner.
A field of twenty-six URC sprint cars took part in qualifying with heat race victories going to Junior Martin, Michael Carber and Kevin Welsh as Chris Coyle won the Don Ott "B" Main. C&B Mushrooms posted additional cash with $50 going to each of the top four finishers in the "B" Main.
The twenty-five lap URC sprint feature was a thriller. At the drop of the green flag, Michael Carber of Piperville, PA set the early pace with Junior Martin, Gary Gollub and Curt Michael in the chase. On lap two, the caution was displayed when rookie drive Mike McManus went off the track in turn three and flipped. McManus walked away uninjured but was unable to restart the feature.
When green flag racing resumed, Carber again set the pace driving the Guy Howie owned sprinter. The top five remained unchanged until lap seven when Curt Michael turned up the heat, advancing to third and now in chase of the Junior Martin Bar's Leaks sponsored sprint car.
Michael powered into second on lap nine and set his sights on the leader. Suddenly, Michael stopped his chase for the lead as he was forced to defend his runner-up spot as Justin Collett of Middletown, DE moved into the picture. Michael quickly protected his runner-up spot and began to reel in the leader.
At the halfway mark, Curt Michael became the new leader followed by Carber, Collett, Kevin Welsh and Junior Martin. One lap later, Collett moved into second and began his task of chasing down the leader. Collett stayed with the Palladino owned BK Leasing sprinter, looking for an open lane to make the pass.
Michael and Collett staged a great battle for the lead until lap eighteen when the yellow flag was displayed for Mares Stellfox who stopped on the speedway. With the drop of the green flag to restart the main event, all eyes were on Collett to see if he could offer Michael a challenge for the top spot. Michael appeared to pick up some speed after the short delay and with a clear speedway ahead, he quickly put some distance between himself and runner-up Justin Collett.
Also making a strong run in the late stages of the event was Trevor Lewis who was racing in fifth with five laps remaining. There were plenty of battles going on but the top five remained unchanged for the final five laps. Curt Michael, the four time URC Champion took the win with Justin Collett delivering a solid second. Michael Carber in his first ever visit to Delaware International Speedway finished an impressive third with Kevin Welsh fourth and Trevor Lewis fifth. Making up the top ten were Junior Martin, Ed Aikin, Brian Seidel, Davey Sammons and the opening day feature winner Chris Coyle.
URC SPRINT FEATURE FINISH: Curt Michael, Justin Collett, Michael Carber, Kevin Welsh, Trevor Lewis, Junior Martin, Ed Aikin, Brian Seidel, Davey Sammons, Chris Coyle, Scott Pursell, Jason Clauss, Gary Gollub, Mike Kostic, Andy Hannula*, Robbie Stillwaggon, Dave Betts, Adam Gordon, Brian Brittingham, Kramer Williamson, Mares Stellfox, J.J. Grasso, Mark Bitner, Brook Weibley, Michael McManus, Josh Weller.
Don Ott "B" Main Bonus to Chris Coyle.
LikeWise Construction fast time of the night bonus to Curt Michael.
Fred's Trailer Repair Hard Charger Aware to Chris Coyle.
Driver Autograph Session at Intermission: Kevin Welsh, Justin Collett, Junior Martin.
COMING EVENTS:
SATURDAY, APRIL 28 NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY, New Egypt, NJ
SATURDAY, MAY 12 DELAWARE INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY, Delmar, DE (This will be URC's next stop in the state of Delaware)
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