On Friday June 8 it was very hot and humid but there was no chance of rain. I picked up Bruce at 4:50 and away we went to Williams Grove Speedway. This is our usual Friday night stop and tonight they were hosting the 360 Sprint Car Nationals featuring the United Racing Club (URC). This would be their 36th appearance at Williams Grove with the first being back on June 10, 1956. No, I was not there. Time trials were on the agenda for the URC sprints, which also included several 358 sprints. Since the invention of transponders they can time up to four cars at once and the 50 car field was complete in less than 40 minutes. Fast time was set by none other then Fast Freddie Rahmer. The 410 sprints followed and tonight there were only 24 410 sprints in the pits and for the first time this year it would not be necessary to run a consolation event. After the three 410 heats they ran five eight lap heats for the 360’s. Due to the high 360 sprint count they also ran a C main with the top 4 sprints to move to the back of the B main. Fourteen cars started the B main with only the top 4 transferring to the 25 lap main event.
It was 10:38 when the green flag dropped on the 410 sprint feature and based on the fact the day was a hot one, with temperatures in the upper 90’s, the track held together quite well. There was minimal dust. The 25 lap feature had three cautions and when all was said and done it was A .J . Michaels in victory lane for his first ever win at Williams Grove. He received an arousing round of applause from the fans as he stood in victory lane. It is always good to see a first time winner. That is one nice thing about the fans at the Grove they appreciate a good run. Following Michael s was Michael Carber, Mark Smith Nikki Young and Alan Krimes.
The 25 lap 360 event got under way at 11;23, a late start as usually we are on our way home by this time, and was run off in 23 minutes. There were 4 cautions in all. Most eyes were on old rivals Fred Rahmer and Kenny Adams. Adams originally from Central Pennsylvania was a rival of Rahmer’s back in the early 90’s before moving to Florida and becoming a winning fixture on the 360 tour. Many of these nights Adams would finish second to Rahmer but tonight it was Adams time to shine in victory lane. Rahmer was second followed by Chad Layton in third. Ironically none of the top three were URC regulars. It was 11:50 before we walked out of the gates and made the long drive home.