MCKNIGHT CLAIMS ANDERSON MUST SEE GO

May 20, 2013 – Anderson, IN – Dave McKnight Jr. capped off an incredible weekend as the Brampton, Ontario, Canada driver captured his second Engine Pro Must See Racing Supermodified Series presented by Oliver Racing Parts win in as many days with his win at Anderson Speedway Monday night. The win was worth $2500 for McKnight who won the 50-lap feature in dominating fashion lapping up to the third place finisher in a race that went caution free.

McKnight entered Monday night’s Anderson event fresh off of his Winchester Speedway victory one day earlier. McKnight, who started in the fifth position, took the lead from early race leader Jim Paller on lap 22 and never looked back en route to his dominating win in the 50-lap feature. McKnight showed no signs of letting up as he lapped up to third place and had both the second and third place finishers in front of him when the checkered flag waved on him.

In victory lane, McKnight explained his reasoning running hard late in the race. ”I knew we had a great race car. Once we got the lead and opened up some breathing room, I needed to know what I had for the long term. The car is new and I’m trying to get comfortable with the car. I still don’t know the limits. I was just feeling stuff out for myself personally”. McKnight realized he could have lapped the field but let up late in the race after setting a torrid pace. ”I seen five to go and realized I was on the back door of the third place car. I said I just need to chill. I don’t get anything for lapping the field. I just backed off and ran the last five behind them. I don’t wanna be a hero and then a zero”.

McKnight acknowledged that his trip south of the border ended up being a profitable weekend after capturing back-to-back MSRSMS wins. ”It was good. Car owner Gary Morton has been great. Everything we talked about this winter, he wanted to give it one more yahoo. I said we needed to get a real race car that’s up to date if we wanted to challenge. He did and we did our homework. It’s just over the top. I can’t believe we won both shows.

Early race leader Jim Paller, who lead the first 21 laps, finished second followed by: Kyle Vanderpool, Sondi Eden, and Kyle Edwards. Edwards was the night’s fast qualifier at 11.006 seconds around the .250 high-banked oval. Heat races were won by Jim Paller and Kyle Vanderpool.

Jimmy McCune, who originally finished third, was disqualified after the race. MSRSMS officials explained that McCune ran over some debris on the track earlier in the night and quickly changed a left rear tire. The team inadvertently picked the wrong rim which made his left rear width over the rule limit. Officials were forced to disqualify him. MSRSMS president, Jim Hanks, explained the situation after the race. ”This is really unfortunate. This is one of our best race teams, they work hard at it, and it was an innocent mistake. In fact, that width on the left rear hurt their car, and didn’t really help their car. However, our officials had no choice in the matter because it was a violation of the width rule”.

MUST SEE RACING SUPERMODIFIED SERIES 50-LAP FEATURE RESULTS

1. Dave McKnight Jr.

2. Jim Paller

3. Kyle Vanderpool

4. Sondi Eden

5. Kyle Edwards

6. Rod Sauder

7. Shane Johnson

8. Don Johnson

9. Brian Gingrass

10. Brad Wyatt

11. Mike McVetta

12. Larry Lenhert

13. Jimmy McCune DQ
 

HARGRAVES CLAIMS IOFS OPENER

May 20, 2013 – Anderson, IN – Charlie Hargraves held off several late race challenges from first Ben Tunny, then Jesse Tunny, to win the 50-lap International Outlaw Figure 8 Series (IOFS) event at Anderson Speedway Monday night. The IOFS shared a twin-bill of racing action with the Must See acing Supermodified Series that officially kicked off “Little 500 Week”.

The event got off to a shaky start when a multi-car crash occurred at the start of the race eliminating several cars from the event including: Larry Swinford, Jeff Swinford, Mike Riddle Jr., and Johnny Hargraves. A complete restart was ordered.

Curtis Chapman, making his first Late Model figure 8 start, lead the opening lap before Hargraves took over on lap two and never looked back. Ben Tunny trailed Hargraves the entire distance attempting several shots at the leader to no avail. With about 15 laps remaining, Jesse Tunny worked himself up to the leaders and the three ran in close proximity until Jesse Tunny moved into second position on lap 43. Jesse Tunny then attempted to overtake Hargraves without success all the way to the checkered.

A happy Hargraves explained his victory wasn’t as easy as it may have seemed to fans. “Tell you what; I had to work tonight” stated Hargraves.”I had power steering go out and my accusump come loose. Jesse and Ben Tunny drove me clean. It was a tiring night but well worth it”.

Hargraves realized Ben Tunny was lurking most of the race, but wasn’t sure how close he was. ”I don’t run a mirror in this car. I just got out front and held my line. What really messed me up was when the accusump came loose there and I had to keep falling back on my lap going through one and two. I had to throw back up on the straightaway. It kinda broke my concentration. But I held it together and came out with a win”.

Jesse Tunny explained he tried everything possible to get around Hargraves with just a handful of laps remaining. “I had something for him. It was gonna be rough to pass him” explained Tunny. “The only way I could get under him was going to the inside. It makes it real tight turning off and I would’ve ended up getting into him. The last race we were here I tried to pass Charlie on the inside coming off four and I pushed up into him and spun him out. I didn’t want it to end the same way. I needed to get to the outside of him getting into the turn and try to stick through the center. I would’ve been good then but it was hard to get to the outside getting in the corner. The car was real good tonight” concluded Tunny.

Charlie Hargraves was the evening’s fast qualifier with a lap of 17.052 seconds. The event saw two early cautions, but went green the remainder of the event after the final caution on lap four.

Jesse Tunny finished second followed by: Benn Tunny, Curtis Chapman, and Chuckie Hargraves rounding out the top five.

The IOFS outlaws will be in action again on May 31 at Beech Bend Raceway for a rescheduled event that was rained out May 10. For more info on the IOFS please visit www.iofsracing.com

IOFS 50-LAP FEATURE FINISH

1. Charlie Hargraves

2. Jesse Tunny

3. Ben Tunny

4. Curtis Chapman

5. Chuckie Hargraves

6. Randy Pence

7. Manny Agular

8. Mike Riddle Jr.

9. Jeff Swinford

10. Johnny Hargraves

11. Larry Swinford

12. Eddie Van Meter DNS