Jeff Halligan Remains Consistent; Scores Another Top 10

On the heels of his 5th top-10, the most recent coming against the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions at Port Royal Speedway last weekend, Jeff Halligan returned to ‘The Speed Palace’ to begin chapter two of 2022.

‘Chapter two’ refers to the team’s phased approach to the season.  The All Star event culminated chapter one.  Now, entering the next phase, there are only three opportunities on the schedule to prepare for the next marquee event, the 2-day Bob Weikert Memorial at the end of May.  The Saturday/Sunday show will pay $10,000 and $29,000 to win respectively and will once again include the All Star series.  Saturday, April 30th presented the first of those three chances to be primed and ready for the next potential big pay day.

April 30:  Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA

     (20 cars, Heat [1] 1st, Heat [2] 8th, A-main 6th)

The format for the night was dual 6-lap heats in which drivers could earn passing points.  After six laps, points are earned based on starting position versus finishing position.  Then, the original starting lineup is inverted and the field runs another six laps, again earning points based on their gain/loss of positions at the checkered flag.

A random pill draw set the initial heat lineups for the 20 teams on hand.  The top nine drivers in points following the dual heat races would get a chance to draw for their starting spot inside the top-1o for the 25-lap feature event.

Jeff Halligan lined up 3rd for the first of his two heat races.  He bolted to the lead on the opening lap and never looked back, earning the maximum points possible for the Risser Motorsports / TheTreeCenter.com / Victory Auto of Lewistown / EMM Sales & Service / Jake’s Golf Carts, No.45.

The second heat race was lined up by inverting the original starting lineup, putting Halligan 8th for the second 6-lap segment.  He was unable to gain any ground in the short event, coming home right where he started.   

Having missed an opportunity in the second heat race to earn a few passing points and move himself up in the main event starting lineup, Halligan prepared his plan of attack for the A-main from his 10th starting position.

Halligan charged into 8th on the opening lap, then gave up one spot on the following circuit.  He held firmly onto 9th, not making much forward progress, until the race reached the final ten laps.  

Halligan mounted a late charge, as he has done on several occasions this year, navigating his way from 9th to 6th in the closing laps, including a last lap pass for the final spot.

“We’re really close.  We’re right there running with the top guys.  We just missed an opportunity tonight.  Should’ve been in the redraw…needed one spot in the second heat race. “, Halligan commented.

“I can’t be upset with our night.  We finished 6th and put it in the trailer in one piece.  It’s a little frustrating, but not as frustrating as having to put a second car together this week. “

With six top-10’s in seven races, Halligan now sits in 4th place in the 2022 410 Sprint Car Championship points standings at Port Royal Speedway, just 25 points out of 2nd place.

Up Next

Jeff Halligan and Risser Motorsports will be back at Port Royal on Saturday, May 7th.

Season Stats

8 races, 0 wins, 3 top 5’s, 6 top 10’s