February 24, 2014 — Chris Seelman photo — CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In the fall of 2013, eighteen year old Eric Riggins Jr. from Charlotte, North Carolina scored a pair of victories by winning two co-sanctioned URC/USCS events taking place at the Carolina and Cherokee Speedways.
Riggins dominated both feature events, making it one of his most memorable racing weekends of his racing career. Now, the young hotshoe looks to make a step-up for 2014, contesting a full-season run in the URC RISLONE Sprint Series for 2014.
Riggins is the 2010 United Sprint Car Series (USCS) Southern Thunder Tour rookie of the year and a five-time winner on the USCS tour encompassing tracks such as Carolina Speedway, Cherokee Speedway and Dixie Speedway.
Over the winter months, Eric and his father, Eric Sr., put a lot of thought into their plans for the coming season.
“The URC sprints looked to be the smartest series we could follow and still get to run some select 410 shows and obviously, we’ll race against some stiff competition as well as racing at some very well-known tracks in central PA,” commented Riggins.
Riggins will drive his familiar family-owned #47 on the URC tour. Sponsorship on his 360 sprint car will include Alpha Canvas Race Products, JRI Shocks, FK Rod Ends, FSR Radiators, J&J Auto Racing, and Brown and Miller Racing Solutions.
By profession, the Riggins are owners of Alpha Canvas, specializing in custom race covers, banners, tents and awnings. For additional information, visit www.alphacanvas.com
“I’m really excited to come and race with URC and I know the guys to beat will be Curt Michael, JJ Grasso, Davie Franek and Robbie Stillwaggon,” said an excited Riggins during the announcement. “The full Rislone URC Sprint schedule is a priority for the Riggins Race Team in 2014 along with several Pennsylvania 410 Sprint shows and select USCS racing events.”
The RISLONE URC Sprint Series will offer several big dollar shows in 2014 and Riggins is enthusiastic about his team’s chances in those events.
“I like the high dollar events because they will bring in some bigger name drivers, and that will help us see where we stack up with those guys,” said Riggins.
Riggins is well aware of the talent in URC and what it will take to win features and even potentially win the championship.
“To win the title it will take consistency, as a driver as well as the guy who is making calls on the race car. Our goal is to be able to complete for the win night in and night out.”
Riggins joins a URC roster that also includes URC’s eight time champion Curt Michael, Josh Weller, taking over the championship-defending Ken Eldreth sprinter, Davie Franek, Brian Carber in car owner Guy Howie’s sprint car, Ed Aikin, Kevin Darling and Dan Mazy.
Although they are non-points events, the first two URC shows of 2014 will be in the Carolinas, offering Riggins what should be a home track advantage.
“You don’t think we’re fired up about the opener, think again,” the Charlotte native challenged. “Coming home to the Carolinas is my wheelhouse. I’ve won three times in Gastonia and I’m more than ready for another shot at it. Never won at Lancaster, but you know, there’s a first time for everything.”
“Just ready to get rolling and start this party.”
The 2014 URC RISLONE Sprint Series kicks off its 67th season of competition with a pair of non-points events at the Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, N.C. and the Lancaster Speedway in S.C. The series’ first points event will be on April 19th at Selinsgrove Speedway.