Roaring Knob Mtsprts Complex
Minnick ends Roaring Knob drought with UFO victory
Mel Minnick Jr. heads for victory. (Frank Wilson)
MARKLEYSBURG, Pa. (June 12) — Mel Minnick Jr. of Uniontown, Pa., made his first victory at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in three years a big one in capturing the Laurel Highlands 38. Minnick pocketed $2,500 for his first career victory on the UFO Race Championship Series. | Slideshow
Outside front-row starters Tommy Beck of Jeannette, Pa., led from the outset, but the fourth-starting Minnick took command on the 18th lap. Minnick pulled out to a half-track advantage that was erased by a lap-31 caution.
On the restart, Minnick pulled away again to outrun Chuck Harper of Beverly, W.Va. and notch the richest victory of his career. Gary Dalton of Morgantown, W.Va., was third followed by Doug Horton of Bruceton Mills, W.Va., and Chad McClellan of Stoystown, Pa. Beck settled for sixth.
Notes: Minnick’s previous victory at Roaring Knob came May 26, 2007. ... The night’s race was sponsored by Arsenberger Trucking. ... Rick Strickler on the night’s Fastrak Crate feature. ...The race was the first of four UFO trip to the track in 2010; the series returns to Roaring Knob on July 17. ... Next up for UFO competitors is a June 19 event at Thunder Valley Raceway in Central City, Pa.
Laurel Highlands 38: (1) Mel Minnick Jr., (2) Chuck Harper, (3) Gary Dalton, (4) Doug Horton, (5) Chad McClellan, (6) Tommy Beck, (7) Bob Hershman, (8) Keith Barbara, (9) Jim Kutas, (10) John Mollick, (11) Bob Gordon, (12) Danny Pugh, (13) Jeff Ferguson, (14) Billy Holbert, (15) Richard Frazier, (16) Danny Mitchell, (17) L.C. Powers, (18) D.J. Myers. Heat race winners (among 18 cars): Gordon, Dalton, Kutas.
