Halligan Makes Big Gains at Williams Grove

Jeff Halligan took advantage of the World of Outlaw tune-up show at Williams Grove Friday night.  It provided a chance to improve the Risser Motorsports No.45 at a place they have struggled this season, and it was an opportunity to compete under the time trial format that will be employed when the traveling series comes to town.  

July 15:  Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA

     [21 cars, Qualifying 2nd, Heat 1st (1), Dash 1st (1), A-main 7th (1)]

Only 21 teams signed in at ‘The Grove’ Friday night but from the very start of the evening, it was pretty clear the Risser Motorsports / TheTreeCenter.com / Victory Auto of Lewistown / EMM Sales & Service / Jake’s Golf Carts / Pine Hill Trailers / Keystone Ag Spraying, No.45 was going to be a factor.

Halligan turned the quickest lap in hot laps, then backed it up with the second best lap during qualifying.  His 17.305 was second only to Lance Dewease’s 17.233.

He didn’t stop there.  Starting on the pole of heat race number two, the Ephrata (PA) driver rode the cushion for a convincing heat win, ripping off the eight laps in just over two and a half minutes (2:35.379).

The Outlaw format also includes a 6-lap Dash for the top qualifiers.  Halligan won again in convincing fashion, besting Devon Borden by 1.360 seconds.

The 25-lap A-main was the only part of the night that didn’t go Halligan’s way.  It was a solid effort, but not quite what he and the team had in mind.  Jeff held the 2nd spot behind Dewease in the early going, but then slipped to 4th by mid-race.

The trend continued and Halligan found himself in 7th by lap fifteen.  He managed to settle in there and hold the spot to the checkered flag.

“We had a great night. We had really good speed early and learned a lot.  It was a big step from where we were earlier this season here (at Williams Grove).  I’m looking forward to cleaning up my driving and making the right feature adjustments for this place.“, Halligan shared.

Up Next

The team’s planned trip to Lincoln Speedway last Saturday night was washed out by Mother Nature, so next up will be a date with the World of Outlaws on Wednesday, July 20th.  The battle is one of those key dates Halligan and Risser Motorsports have been targeting on their schedule, and it will take place on Jeff’s home turf, Port Royal Speedway.

Season Stats

27 races, 2 wins, 9 top 5’s, 15 top 10’s, 20 top 15’s