UARA STARS News

Kyle Grissom avoids the “big one” to win UARA STARS

opening event at Hickory Motor Speedway

Hickory NC (March 18) – Race fans were treated to what had to be one of the most exciting events in UARA STARS history. With over forty cars attempting to make the twenty-eight car starting field, this was one night not to be out front. 2005 Rookie of the Year Driver Kyle Grissom was able to come from his thirteenth place starting position and avoid a couple multi car pile-ups and collect his second career UARA STARS win.

Jamie Yelton set the fast time to claim the SUNOCO Pole Award with a 15.068 over Melling Select Rookie contender Clay Jones. Making the top twenty-two which were locked into the feature was tough to do with thirty-seven of the forty cars that qualified a ½ second of each other. The transfer position was separated by hundredths of a second with Mark King earning the last transfer spot. Skyland NC, Driver JR Franks just was the twenty-third qualifier which placed him on the pole for the twenty lap last chance race. France jumped into the lead and would go on to win the 20 lap event. Running the race didn’t hurt Franks, he was able to climb from his twenty-third starting spot and climb his way to a forth place finish which also earned him the Hard Charger of the Race. “You always hate to run in the last chance race but we sure did learn a lot about the tires and helped us for the feature. I want to think my crew and we’re really proud to earn the Hard Charger Award”, commented Franks. Other drivers to make it to the feature included Rookie Contenders K.C. Cunning, Barry Andrews and 2005 Rookie runner-up Mike Giessen.

At the drop of the green flag, Yelton was able to jump out front and set a strong pace by pulling away to a ten car advantage over Jones. Drivers were battling throughout the field, as some started to make their way to the front and others began sliding backwards. Andy Loden began to make a charge for the front taking over second place from Jones on lap twenty-four and closing the gap between himself and Yelton. Loden got a break on lap thirty four when Lucas Ransone’s night would end in smoke with engine problems. Yelton again was able to pull away as the field returned to green but it seemed the longer the race went green Loden was able to pull back up on Yelton and apply pressure.

A chance for a win would end for both drivers on lap seventy-two when the cars of Tony Grady and Roger got together in turns one and two collecting both Yelton and Loden. Yelton’s car had severe damage to the left rear of the car but the Forrest City “Bad Boy’s” crew made the necessary changes and to get Yelton back on track for those valuable UARA STARS points. Loden’s damage was too severe and his night was over.

The field would return to green with Jones taking over the point, but his luck would be the same as Yelton’s and Loden’s. Jones would also be collected in a crash coming off turn two. Kyle Beattie spun and slide back into the grove, taking Bennie Hamlett and Jones out in a terrible looking crash. All drivers walked away un-injured.

It was Ross Furr’s turn at that point but again the leaders luck would turn south when the green flag dropped Furr’s car spun the tires allowing Grissom to take over the lead. Grissom would avoid any problems over the finial forty-six laps and go on the claim his second UARA STARS career win driving his Whole Sale Commercial Laundry Equipment/ Grissom Honda/ Bearden Oil/ Dodge Charger. “We were fortunate to miss all the wrecks tonight. The car was good and I want to thank my mom, dad and crew for all their hard work”, stated an elated Grissom in victory lane.

Competition was strong throughout the field, with other drivers having a good night including Brandon Ward, who was in the top five all night and battled for the lead on several occasions. Ward would finish a strong second. Roger Lee Newton also turned in a great performance in his first UARA STARS event starting twentieth and finishing third. Alex Yontz’s return to UARA after a season away competing in the Craftsmen Truck Series also had a strong run battling for the lead and running in the top five. Yontz would not have the finish he wanted, he would make the save of the night after contact between him and Ward would send Yontz up the track and in a long slide almost spinning out. Yontz would gather the car back under him and go on to finish a disappointing ninth place.

The Melling Select Rookie contenders would prove that they will be in the hunt all season. Jones qualifying up front and leading laps but the Rookie of the race would go to KC Cunningham who started twenty third after competing in the last chance race and climbed his way to a strong sixth place finish. Jack Crum eighth and Barry Andrews come home in thirteenth.

RA Brown picked up where he left off in 2005 with consistent finishes, having a bad qualifying time Brown had to use a provisional to get into the feature but would bounce back from an early race crash and finish in fifth place. His strong performance would earn him the Holley Performance Performer of the race.

Arden NC, Driver Kevin Leicht also turned in a strong performance, Leicht qualified fifth but experienced problems throughout the night but was able to battle his way back to a seventh place finish after numerous pit stops. Kevin’s younger brother Matt who is a Rookie with only a hand full of Late Model Stocks also competed in the event qualifying a solid nineteenth and finishing nineteenth.

STARS Drivers will return to action Saturday April 1^st at Southern National Raceway Park in Kenly NC.

For more information please contact UARA STARS at 828-692-3833 or visit the web at www.uara-stars.com and www.tracksidetalk.com

Saturday March 18^th UARA STARS Hickory Motor Speedway Results

1. #31 – Kyle Grissom

2. #98 – Brandon Ward

3. #33 – Roger Lee Newton

4. #01 – JR Franks

5. #60 – RA Brown

6. #61 – KC Cunningham (R)

7. #32 – Kevin Leicht

8. #92 – Jake Crum (R)

9. #55 – Alex Yontz

10. #25 – Ross Furr

11. #27 – Ryan Gray

12. #44 – Mark King

13. #11 – Barry Andrews (R)

14. #2 – Jeff Myers

15. #68 – Mike Giessen

16. #45 – Justin Hill (R)

17. #8 – Jamie Yelton

18. #3 – Andy Petree

19. #12 – Matt Leicht (R)

20. #48 – Roger Powell (R)

21. #40 – Scooter Hillis (R)

22. #50 – Clay Jones (R)

23. #70 – Kyle Beattie (R)

24. #14 – Bennie Hamlett

25. #1 – Tony Grady

26. #28 – Andy Loden

27. #07 – Mark Setzer

28. #46 – Lucas Ransone (R)

Last Chance Race

#6 – Blair Addis

#84 – Clay Greenfield

#19 – Wayne Hale

#4 – Nate Pieper

#57 – Zeke Shell (R)

#74 – Shotgun Miller (R)

#39 – Steve Carver (R)

#29 – Josh Hale (R)

#09 – Darrick Coomer

#54 – Kaleb Pressley (R)

#55 – John Reynolds

#47 – John Staton

Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you will land among the STARS