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Mike Leone
MERCER, Penn. (April 11) - Max Blair came out on top of what was the strongest field of competitors ever for a weekly FASTRAK Late Model race in the Northeast that was made of 30 racers from four states. The defending FASTRAK National Weekly Series Champion edged out last week's Tyler County, West Virginia winner Gary Knollinger in the 20-lap 4 Your Car Connection feature earning the $700 payoff due to the large car count.
"Before I say anything," announced Blair. "About a month ago my grandma passed away and just like the sticker says 'this one's for you gram. This is just as good of racing as the Super Late Models in my opinion. Last week we came from 10th to second, this week sixth to the win, Bobby (Powell) 11th to third. What kind of racing gives you more passing than that?"
After a dominating heat win in his first ever appearance, Knollinger led the first lap before being overtaken by sixth starting Blair coming off turn four on lap two. Bob Kish and 11th starting Bobby Powell passed Chris Haines for third and fourth respectively on lap four. Powell then was able to grab third on lap five when Kish got sideways.
Knollinger stayed right with Blair and Powell joined the battle just past the halfway mark. Powell and Knollinger ran side-by-side on lap 16 with Knollinger holding on. A caution for three-time Stock Car champion, Brian Booher, with 17 laps completed set up a three-lap shootout to the finish. Blair's Eagle Hoist & Winch/Specialty Products/Loney Timber/Moody Welding-sponsored #111 though was able to hold on for his fourth career Mercer win tying Frank Guidace for tops in the division.
Knollinger was impressive second just edging out Powell. Kish was a career best fourth in his season debut over 10th starting Butch Lambert. Last week's winner, Mike Pegher, Jr., came back from the tail after getting caught up in an early race accident to finish sixth over Carl McKinney, Bud Watson, 21st starting Gary Miller, Jr., and Mike Anderson, Jr. Topping heat race action were Knollinger, rookie Joe Martin, and Powell. Jason Fosnaught won the B main.
4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models (20 laps): 1. MAX BLAIR (111) 2. Gary Knollinger (38K) 3. Bobby Powell (Bidwell B1D) 4. Bob Kish (5) 5. Butch Lambert (27) 6. Mike Pegher, Jr. (Geisler 1c) 7. Carl McKinney (6M) 8. Bud Watson (2) 9. Gary Miller, Jr. (1M) 10. Mike Anderson, Jr. (72) 11. Dan Angelicchio (14) 12. Steve Hollabaugh (3H) 13. Jason Fosnaught (J19) 14. Chris Haines (35H) 15. Joe Martin (55) 16. Joey Valenti (8V) 17. Jim Long (71) 18. Steve D'Apolito (84) 19. Brian Booher (Hoover 00H) 20. Bill Thomas (McDaniel 22) 21. Joel Prosser (77) 22. Dennis Lunger, Jr. (Schwartz 17L) 23. Ben Black (27B) 24. Dan Karalagas (1) DNQ: Sean Puz (66), Michael Mitchell (19), Jason Rider (Johnson 76), Rusty Cade (47), Andrew Satterlee (2), John Watson (51).
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