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Mike Leone
MIDDLEBORNE, W.V. (September 2) - It took four tries and nearly four months, but the FASTRAK Mid-Ohio Valley Touring Series finally completed the May 16 postponed feature on Thursday night to kickoff the "Hillbilly 100" weekend at West Virginia Motor Speedway.
Making just his second career start on the monster 5/8-mile, Mike Pegher, Jr. earned his first career FASTRAK Mid-Ohio Valley Touring Series victory and first ever at the Mineral Wells, WV speed plant. Pegher's victory came in the 20-lap feature and was worth $1,200. "The track was real nice," stated the 24-year-old Wexford, Pa. driver. "It's nice to see all these fans here for the Hillbilly. If it wasn't for Lynn Geisler, my sponsors, and crew none of this would be possible."
Gary Knollinger was slated to start fifth, but with Dan Karalagas, Steve Adkins, Jr., and David Gorrell not returning, he lined up alongside pole-sitter Joel Prosser. Knollinger took off in the lead with Freddie Carpenter and Pegher also getting by Prosser. Pegher drove under Carpenter in turn two for second on lap two.
Knollinger and Pegher pulled away from the field by lap four. Pegher slowly ran down Knollinger and made the winning move going to the inside of Knollinger on lap eight. Aaron Barley and Prosser battled side-by-side for fourth on laps seven and eight with Barley getting the spot on lap eight. Prosser would spin one lap later bringing out the first caution.
Josh Holtgraver started eighth and became a contender when the race restarted passing both Kyle Thomas and Barley for fourth. Holtgraver and Carpenter then raced side-by-side for third on lap 11 with Holtgraver making the pass stick in turn in four. Carpenter pushed high on lap 13 allowing Barley and Thomas by for fourth and fifth. Barley then exited the event on lap 14 moving Thomas to fourth.
The race's final caution slowed action with 18 laps completed when John Watson and Kris Southern spun. The caution set up a two-lap shootout, but Pegher was too much in the Lynn Geisler-owned, #1 Cochran Automotive/Triple-S Auto/MonaVie-sponsored #1c. Holtgraver was able to get by Knollinger, who slipped high on the restart for second.
Holtgraver's second was his best in a MOV-sanctioned event. Knollinger, the MOV Touring Series point leader, finished third over Thomas and Prosser. Completing the top 10 were Shawn Jett, Southern, Watson, Carpenter, and Barley. Winning the heats back on May 16 were Pegher and Knollinger.
FASTRAK Mid-Ohio Valley Late Model Touring Series Race #4 (20 laps, $1,200 to-win): 1. MIKE PEGHER, JR. (Geisler 1c) 2. Josh Holtgraver (00) 3. Gary Knollinger (38K) 4. Kyle Thomas (57) 5. Joel Prosser (77) 6. Shawn Jett (1J) 7. Kris Southern (K2) 8. John Watson (51) 9. Freddie Carpenter (c4) 10. Aaron Barley (28) 11. K.C. Burdette (KC44) 12. Bobby Hill (8) Did not return: Dan Karalagas (G1), Steve Adkins, Jr. (18), David Gorrell (31), Mike Allen (21), Jason Stanke (44), Kennie Compton, Jr. (10).
Heat winners (5/16/10): Pegher, Jett
Lap leaders: Knollinger (1-7), Pegher (8-20)
Car count: 18
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