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ED AIKIN WINS THE BIG ONE, POCKETS $4,000 FOR THE SHOT DROP/RISLONE SPRINT NATIONAL VICTORY AT THE GROVE
Ed Aikin of Lincoln University, PA enjoyed one of best Friday nights of his life after winning the 25 lap Shot Drop/Rislone Sprint Car Nationals at the Williams Grove Speedway. Aikin earned $4,000 for the win in the URC sanctioned event that also carried points for the season long BAR'S LEAKS Sprint Car Point Series. For the entire twenty-five lap distance, Aikin led the way, but it was far from easy as Chad Layton, Kramer Williamson and defending event winner Pat Cannon were close in the chase. In fact, just prior to the yellow coming out on lap twelve, Aikin and Williamson were side-by-side for the lead going down the backstretch. Williamson then lost the runner-up spot to Chad Layton who also took more than a hand full of challenges to take the lead. For Aikin, it was his first win of 2007 and third career URC win. Aikin also became URC's fourteenth different winner in seventeen events this season. Aikin was elated in victory lane as he was greeted by family and car owner Scott McClaren.
A field of fifty-three 360 sprint cars attempted to qualify for the East's richest 360 sprint event that was originally scheduled for Friday night, June 8. Following time trials, the rain moved in, forcing the re-scheduling of the Shot Drop/Rislone National event to Friday night ,August 4. Four additional cars showed up for the event on Friday night, electing to start at the rear of the heat race events. Heat race events were won by Randy West, Kevin Welsh, Mares Stellfox and Trevor Lewis as Kevin Nagy won the Don Ott "B" Main event. This event is also a point race that is part of the Valley Forge INC Pennsylvania Sprint Series.
Twenty-four cars started the 2nd Annual Shot Drop/Rislone 360 Sprint Nationals with Ed Aikin immediately taking the point as Chad Layton, Kramer Williamson and Blane Heimbach followed. A red flag was displayed on lap two when Kevin Welsh, Mark Bitner, Mares Stellfox, Becca Anderson and Andrew Hannula tangled on the backstretch. Hannula flipped sending the rest of the field scattering, looking for a way to get through the crash. All drivers did walk away uninjured.
On the restart, Aikin remained in control with Layton and Williamson not too far off the pace. Now on a charge was Lucas Wolfe who set fast time during time trial qualifying. Wolfe moved into four on lap four and just one lap later, Pat Cannon regained the fourth spot dropping Wolfe to fifth. On lap eleven, Williamson made a bold move to pass Chad Layton for second and with the same burst of speed, Williamson took his best shot of the night at the leader. While exiting turn two on lap twelve, Williamson used the inside groove to pull along side of Aikin in a strong bid for the lead. Before Williamson could complete the pass, the yellow flag was displayed for Lucas Wolfe who lost a wheel and spun while entering turn one.
The field regrouped and Williamson could not repeat his attempt for the lead, in fact, just one lap later, Chad Layton passed Williamson moving back into the runner-up spot. Pat Cannon was again in the hunt as he challenged Williamson for the third spot. Now in the chase was Cory Haas as he moved into the to five.
A late race caution slowed the field on lap twenty when Kevin Nagy came to a stop on the speedway. With just six laps remaining, the green flag fell and Aikin was again leading the field. Layton, Williamson and Cannon were mixing it up for second, third and fourth, allowing Aikin to run alone at the front of the pack. With five laps to go, Blane Heimbach moved into the top five but fell short of challenge for the win.
With the checker flag waiving, Aikin took the win, his biggest payoff of his career as Chad Layton finished second with Kramer Williamson, Pat Cannon and Blane Heimbach making up the top five.
2nd ANNUAL SHOT DROP/RISLONE SPRINT NATIONALS FINISH: Ed Aikin, Chad Layton, Kramer Williamson, Pat Cannon, Blane Heimbach, Curt Michael, Cory Haas, Trevor Lewis, Michael Carber (Hard Charger), Randy West, JJ Grasso, Josh Weller, Lance Moss, Robbie Stillwaggon, John Westbrook, Mares Stellfox, Kevin Nagy, Jason Barney, Lucas Wolfe, Kevin Welsh, Andrew Hannula, Becca Anderson, Mark Bitner.
Fred's Trailer Hard Charger of the night- - Michael Carber.
LikeWise Fast Time of the Night- -Lucas Wolfe
360 Nationals Time Trial Results
Position Driver Time
1 #13K Lucas Wolfe 17.640
2 #73 Kramer Williamson 17.765
3 #55 Chad Layton 17.903
4 #69 Justin Collett 18.007
5 #21A Ed Aikin 18.032
6 #3 Pat Cannon 18.072
7 #89 Robbie Stillwaggon 18.101
8 #5G Brian Seidel 18.108
9 #28FM Steve Porier 18.133
10 #63 Josh Weller 18.145
11 #00 Randy West 18.155
12 #2W Kevin Welsh 18.176
13 #23 Lance Moss 18.207
14 #56D Jeff VanDusen 18.221
15 #12 Blane Heimbach 18.225
16 #39 Cory Haas 18.239
17 #89H Andy Hannula 18.250
18 #87 Jason Barney 18.256
19 #21 Trevor Lewis 18.262
20 #8B Alain Bergeron 18.267
21 #37S JR Stewart 18.272
22 #45N Kevin Nagy 18.344
23 #99 Curt Michael 18.351
24 #75 Jesse Hockett 18.430
25 #56M Mares Stellfox 18.432
26 #50 Joe Zuczek 18.437
27 #15 Mark Bitner 18.460
28 #17 Jimmy Martin 18.467
29 #92 Todd Rittenhouse 18.475
30 #18 Adam Gordon 18.516
31 #79 Davey Sammons 18.520
32 #1W John Westbrook 18.521
33 #83 Chris Coyle 18.533
34 #56 Nate Snyder 18.562
35 #84C Chad Criswall 18.569
36 #45 Blasι Regina 18.593
37 #21X Adrian Schaffer 18.598
38 #08 Jason Clauss 18.618
39 #9 Frankie Herr 18.648
40 #16 Gerald McIntyre 18.679
41 #36 Gary Gollub 18.724
42 #28F Davey Franek 18.789
43 #8 Midge Miller 18.821
44 #19H Michael Carber 18.825
45 #12X Jimmy Stitzel 18.950
46 #25 Michael Parent 19.037
47 #22T Matt Boland 19.154
48 #28J Chad Jumper NT
Added to the field
49. #12K Tim Kelly
50. #25 Brook Weibley
51. #17 Becca Anderson
52. #37 JJ Grasso
53. #92 Kyle Purks
NEXT EVENT:
Saturday, August 4 Delaware International Speedway
Saturday, August 11 Middletown Fair Speedway
Saturday, August 18 Hagerstown Speedway
Friday, August 24 Williams Grove Speedway
Saturday, August 25 Delaware International Speedway
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