From David Sink
Anderson, IN – (May 20, 2013) – 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