Tri-City Raceway Park
Knight earns $2,000 in Tri-City's ULMS opener
Mike Knight (9k) takes a spot from David Scott (3). (scottwhipplephotos.com)
FRANKLIN, Pa. (May 6) — Mike Knight of Ripley, N.Y., pulled away from a mid-race duel with polesitter David Scott of Garland, Pa., at Tri-City Speedway to win the season opener on the Northern Tier United Late Model Series.
Knight earned $2,000 for the 25-lap victory, the third of his career on the tour that made its return to Tri-City for the first time since 2009. | Slideshow
Dick Barton of Ashville, N.Y., rallied from his 11th starting spot to finish second, while Russ King of Bristolville, Ohio, made a late charge to finish third. Scott settled for fourth ahead of hometown driver Matt Lux, who started on the front row.
Knight took the second spot from Lux on the 10th lap and began a side-by-side duel with Scott. Knight edged ahead by a half-length on the 12th lap, with Scott powering back ahead down the backstretch. But Knight took over for good as the frontrunners exited turn four to complete the 13th lap.
At the finish, Knight took the checkers more than three seconds ahead of Barton.
Notes: Knight's Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Jays Auto Wrecking, Arrowhead Wine Cellars and Knight Operating Services. ... Greg Oakes and Bump Hedman drew early cautions. ... Chris Hackett got loose on the eighth lap and collected Rob Blair and Dutch Davies; Hackett and Davies retired while Blair limped the rest of the way with heavy body damage. ... Dereck Frank drew the final caution on the 16th lap. ... Thirteen of 17 starters were running at the finish. ... Tri-City is planning a weekly Super Late Model division in 2011. ... Max Blair won the night's Fastrak-sanctioned Crate Late Model feature. ... ULMS competitors return to action May 14 at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway for twin $2,000-to-win features co-sanctioned by the UFO Race Championship Series.
ULMS @ Tri-City: (1) Mike Knight, (2) Dick Barton, (3) Russ King, (4) David Scott, (5) Matt Lux, (6) Dennis Lunger, (7) Rob Blair, (8) Bump Hedman, (9) Greg Oakes, (10) Brent Rhebergen, (11) Darrell Bossard, (12) Billy Henry, (13) Wally Fox, (14) Andy Boozel, (15) Dereck Frank, (16) Chris Hackett, (17) Dutch Davies. Heat race winners (among 17 cars): Scott, Lunger.
