Woodhull Raceway
Knight tops Stone to capture Woodhull Reunion
WOODHULL, N.Y. (Aug. 11) — Reigning series champion Mike Knight of Ripley, N.Y., earned $2,000 Saturday at Woodhull Raceway in capturing the 21st annual Late Model Reunion. Knight’s third series victory of the season and seventh of his career came in the milestone 100th series event on the Kennedy Motorsports United Late Model Series.
Dan Stone of Thompson, Pa., finished second in the 30-lapper followed by a parade of three more Pennsylvania drivers in the top five: polesitter Boom Briggs of Bear Lake, Jason Dupont of Lewis Run and 12th-starting Doug Eck of Corry.
Briggs and Stone started on the front row with Stone using his high-side momentum to lead early, but a series of yellows hampered the early laps.
A tangle involving Scott LeBarron, Matt Lux, Curt Tunilo and Ben Whittaker in turns three and four brought out a first-lap yellow flag. Stone was slowed by another yellow on the second lap for Lyle Smith, and another caution appeared on the ensuing restart when sixth-running Denny Fenton’s steering broke and he spun. After that, Sean Merkel and Lyle Smith made hard contact in turn one for another caution.
The top five of Stone, Briggs, Knight, Eck and Dupont finally got going with Knight and Eck swapping positions twice before a lap-nine yellow for Whitaker.
Stone extended his lead on the restart while Knight battled for second with Briggs, taking the spot on lap 13. Stone’s comfortable lead began diminishing, and Knight tracked the leader down amid traffic with five laps remaining. As the leaders entered turn three on lap 26, Stone lifted momentarily for the lapped car of Grant Adams. That was enough for Knight to sweep by on the inside to take the lead.
Knight pulled away over the final laps for his first-ever Woodhull victory while Stone, last year’s winner, settled for second.
Notes: Knight’s Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Jay’s Auto Wrecking, Arrowhead Wine Cellars, Knight Operating Services, Ripley Machine & Tool and Keystone Alliance. ... Knight’s previous ULMS victory came June 8 at Little Valley (N.Y.) Speedway. ... Knight is just two victories shy of all-time ULMS victory leaders David Scott and Robbie Blair, who own nine career victories apiece. ... John Volpe’s 21st-to-10th run gave him the Close Racing Supply Hard Charger award. ... Next up for ULMS competitors is the $5,300-to-win Red Miley Memorial at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, a race co-sanctioned by the UFO Championship Series.
Woodhull Late Model Reunion: (1) Mike Knight, (2) Dan Stone, (3) Boom Briggs, (4) Jason Dupont, (5) Doug Eck, (6) Greg Oakes, (7) Billy Dickson, (8) Bud Phillips, (9) Kyle Merkel, (10) John Volpe, (11) Matt Lux, (12) Scott LeBarron, (13) Luke Hoffner, (14) Grant Adams, (15) Eric Matthews, (16) Ben Whitaker, (17) Curt Tunilo, (18) Jeremy Ohl, (19) Sean Merkel, (20) Lyle Smith, (21) Denny Fenton, (22) Rick Hale. Heat race winners (among 22 cars): Dupont, Ohm, Stone.
