|
Mike Knight Racing
RIPLEY, N.Y. (May 13) - The on-the-road education of Mike Knight continued on Saturday night (May 10) at 201 Speedway in Sitka, Ky.
Unfortunately, the rising young star's "learning experience" was all about how to deal with a major dose of bad luck a long, long way from home.
Knight, 21, of Ripley, N.Y., made a seven-and-half-hour haul for Saturday night's Independent Racing Series (IRS) event at the Bluegrass State but had a very short night. Engine problems that were later diagnosed as a couple of broken pistons knocked him out early in the 50-lap feature as he ran in seventh place, leaving him with a disappointing 24th-place finish.
"Our tough luck was back again," said Knight, who started 11th in his Craiger-powered Rocket No. 9K after finishing second in a heat race in his first-ever visit to 201 Speedway. "It's possible that the motor problem might've come from being in the car when I flipped a few weeks ago, but that's how it goes.
"It's disappointing to travel so far and have bad luck, but we keep reminding ourselves that we've been running good. At least we're opening some eyes."
Knight, whose planned Sunday-night visit to Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa., was scratched due to a rainout, is looking forward to three races virtually in his backyard this weekend.
The driver known as 'Hollywood' will enter $5,000-to-win IRS events on Friday (May 16) at McKean County Raceway in East Smethport, Pa., and Saturday (May 17) at Stateline Speedway in Busti, N.Y., then end the weekend with a regular show on Sunday (May 18) at Eriez.
"Everything is close to home and at tracks where we've run decent and had some success," said Knight. "I'm excited about the weekend. Hopefully we'll be able to get some good finishes without traveling too far."
Knight's DNF at 201 Speedway dropped him to ninth in the IRS points standings, 64 points behind leader Robbie Blair. He also fell to fourth in the IRS Rookie of the Year battle.
An up-and-coming dirt Late Model driver whose breakout 2007 season was highlighted by a points title at Eriez Speedway, Knight has an ambitious schedule of 70-plus races across the region planned with his family-owned team in 2008. His operation carries sponsorship from Arrowhead Wine Cellars, Mobilia Fruit Farm, Ottawaya's Auto Body, Knight Farms, RJB Construction, Chessa' Pizza, NYPenn Surveying, TeCulver Contracting, Genesis Shocks, Lehman Motorsports, Slavic Custom Racing Shirts and American Racing Tires.
For more information on Mike Knight, visit www.mikeknight9k.com.
|
