Riley Hickman was crowned ‘King of Crate’ in Cleveland(Photo from UCRA Facebook page)
*Story submitted by Daniel Watkins
Riley Hickman may be the two-time and defending Southern All Stars Super Late Model champion, but he is also one of the area’s most accomplished Crate Late Model racers as well. And the Cleveland, Tenn. driver proved that this weekend with lucrative victories at Cleveland Speedway and Boyd’s Speedway.
On Friday night, the United Crate Racing Alliance visited the Cleveland Speedway and boasted another strong car count as 47 drivers representing six states signed in for competition in the $2,500-to-win event dubbed the ‘King of Crate’.
Seymour, Tenn. driver and former 411 Motor Speedway track champion Rusty Ballenger led the way in qualifying as he posted a lap of 14.255 seconds around the clay oval. The top-8 from time-trials were locked into the feature which placed Jason Trammell, Cory Hedgecock, Riley Hickman, Jason Welshan, Kyle May, Jason Deal and Jay Brinkley along with Ballenger in the first four rows on the starting grid for the main event.
Anthony White, Jake Teague, John Owenby and Bryan Pritchard were winners in the heat races used to set the remainder of the field.
Ballenger went to the lead at the start of the feature on Friday evening and held the top spot throughout the first half of the 40-lap contest. However, the 5th starting Welshan moved up and began to challenge for the lead midway through the race. But instead of taking command, Welshan found himself tangled with the slowing car of Pritchard on lap 24. The damage ended Welshan’s chance at winning and ultimately sent him to the pit area before the checkered flag waved.
Once the race resumed, Hickman made his move to the front. On lap 27, the CVR house car surged to the lead around Ballenger. A late race caution for a pileup on the front straightaway involving Tom Maddox, Chad Winkles and Jimmy Elliott.
Hickman would not be denied over the final laps as he drove to victory ahead of Jake Teague, Jay Brinkley, Anthony White and Rusty Ballenger.
On Saturday night Hickman moved on to Boyd’s Speedway where the Ringgold, GA track was hosting a pair of $1,000-to-win Crate Late Model features.
A total of 30 cars were presented to take part in the dual features. The first of the twin events was won by John Owenby while Hickman went on to claim the second feature of the night.
