Central Pennsylvania Speedway
Blair earns $4,000 at Central Pennsylvania
From track reports
CLEARFIELD, Pa. (Sept. 15) — Super Late Model star Rob Blair of Titusville, Pa., stepped down in class, but he didn't step down in speed. Blair raced to a Limited Late Model victory worth $4,000 in the Central Pennsylvania Speedway Nationals.
Blair took the lead from Chris Farrell on the fifth of 40 laps in the event, which allowed steel-block Late Models and crate engine Late Models to compete. Farrell settled for second with Chuck Kennedy, Tim Smith Jr. and Tracy Gregory rounding out the top five.
Chris Farrell took the lead at the start from fellow front-row starter Rick Singleton. Blair was quick to follow Farrell, dropping Singleton to third. Blair was all over the bumper of Farrell’s No. 53, but a caution on lap four slowed the field.
On the restart, Blair moved to the outside of Farrell exiting turn two and take the lead. Once out front, Blair was pulling away, but Farrell had a new battle on his hands with Kennedy and Bob Dunn closing in on him.
Blair continued to lead, but another caution slowed the race on lap 10 for Ron Kline, who had a flat tire. The race restarted with 30 laps left as Blair continued to set a torrid pace. He pulled away from the field with Farrell still in second and third changing hands as Kennedy advanced, later moving past Farrell.
Fans also kept an eye on Tim Smith Jr. He started the main event in the 22nd position, but steadily worked his way through the field and was challenging both Farrell and Kennedy for the second spot. Farrell dropped back to fourth, but worked his way back into second in the closing laps.
Notebook
The event drew a whopping 71 Late Models. ... The race lasted 15 minutes and was slowed by just two cautions on laps 4 and 10. ... Heat race wins went to Chris Farrell, Rick Singleton, Chuck Kennedy, Rob Blair, Todd Baumgardner and Bob Dunn. Lincoln Richey won the C-main while Derek Byler and Matt Gaston won B-mains. ... Drivers from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio and New York towed in for the race. ... Among drivers failing to make the feature lineup: George Fultz, Shawn Claar, Nick Loffredo, Ross Robinson and Rance Garlock. ... Central Pennsylvania Speedway wrapped up its season and is making plans for a 2008 opener on Memorial Day weekend.
Central Pennsylvania Speedway Nationals: (1) Rob Blair, (2) Chris Farrell, (3) Chuck Kennedy, (4) Tim Smith Jr., (5) Tracy Gregory, (6) Bob Dunn, (7) Jeremy Ohl, (8) Todd Baumgardner, (9) Tim Fedder, (10) Rick Singleton, (11) Shane Beegle, (12) Luke Hoffner, (13) Andy Fries, (14) Eric Moore, (15) Derek Byler, (16) Ted Gallaher, (17) Andrew Satterlee, (18) Matt Gaston, (19) Ron Kline, (20) Chris Rhodes, (21) Jason Walker, (22) Dave Riddell, (23) Dwayne Taneyhill, (24) Danny McLockin.
