GASTONIA, N.C. — Eric Riggins Jr. traded the lead early with 2023 Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and went on to post his 21st United Sprint Car Series victory Friday night at Carolina Speedway.
After leading the first five laps of the race, “The Carolina Kid” made the winning pass on lap 19 and pulled away from Stenhouse for the win.
Riggins became the ninth different winner in the first 10 USCS races this season.
Stenhouse finished second, followed by Ryan Roberts, Lance Moss and point leader Johnny Bridges.
The finish:
Feature (25 laps): 1. 47 Eric Riggins Jr., Charlotte, NC (1); 2. 17jr Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS (2); 3. 23r Ryan Roberts, Aurora, NE, (6); 4. 23 Lance Moss, Cherryville, NC (3); 5. 07 Johnny Bridges, Cherryville, NC (9); 6. 10 Terry Gray, Bartlett, TN (4); 7. 2 Ricky Peterson, Rawson, OH (12); 8. G6 Brandon Grubaugh, Ocala, FL (8); 9. 29 Jeff Oliver, Pendergrass, GA (17); 10. 4 Danny Smith, Ocala, FL (20); 11. 96 Brandon Simpson, Mesa, AZ (11); 12. 41 Luke Hill, Odessa, FL (10); 13. B5 Brianna Lawson, Southern Pines, NC (7); 14. 33 Joe Larkin, Suwanee, GA (14); 15. 28 Jeff Willingham, Ripley, MS (15); 16. 83 Bob Auld, Largo, FL (16); 17. 9 C.J. Miller, Mooresville, NC (5); 18. 17 Biscuit Williams, Mooresville, NC (21); 19. 30 Matt Luck, Lancaster, SC (18); 20. 7 Camden Jackson, Cherryville, NC (19); 21. X Kevin Heavner, Charlotte, NC (13).