Hagerstown Speedway
Knaub grabs fourth straight Bandits victory
Gene Knaub won his fourth straight series race. (wrtspeedwerx.com)
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (Aug. 3) — Gene Knaub of Dover, Pa., saved his best for the end, powering under Joey Leavell of Waynesboro, Va., on a restart with four laps remaining in Saturday’s 18th annual Richard “Boney” Bonebrake Tribute at Hagerstown Speedway on his way earning $1,500 for his fourth straight Steel Block Bandits victory.
Knaub’s late move resulted in a 1.19-second triumph over Andy Anderson of York, Pa., at the end of the 30-lap Limited Late Model event.
“You’re always looking for another shot if you’re not leading but if you’re leading, having a caution, that’s the worst thing,” Knaub said. “I’ve lost races like that. I feel bad for him.”
Paul Cursey of Baltimore, Md., finished behind Knaub and Anderson in third, with Justin Weaver of Williamsport, Md., fourth. Leavell slid back to fifth at the checkers.
Starting from the front row, Leavell, the defending race winner, got the jump and raced around the top of turn two with the lead over Knaub and Cursey. Only one lap was scored before the first yellow of the night came out when Mike Goodwin’s motor detonated on the backstretch.
Anderson, who won a Steel Block Bandits event at Hagerstown earlier in the season, grabbed third from Cursey on the restart with Denny Bonebrake and Cursey battling for fourth as Leavell and Knaub took control out front.
When the yellow waved on lap six for Mike Walls coasting to a stop, Ryan Hackett also slowed on the front stretch and was pushed to the infield.
Leavell entered the traffic at the rear of the field on the 14th lap, but he kept Knaub at a comfortable distance until lap 19 when Dominic Defino stopped in turn two. Leavell again slowly edged ahead until the final yellow waved on lap 26 when Sam Gallagher rolled to a stop.
Going for the gusto, Knaub quickly squeezed under Leavell in turns one and two to race side by side down the backstretch. Knaub hugged the inside through three and four to come off with the lead.
While Knaub pulled away, Leavell overdrove and slid high as Anderson, Cursey and Weaver took advantage of the miscue. Knaub rode the rail over the final laps for the victory.
Notes: Knaub’s Rocket Chassis is sponsored by Superior Homes. ... Knaub’s four consecutive victories have come at four different tracks. Besides Hagerstown, he’s won at Susquehanna Speedway Park, Hill Valley Speedway and Path Valley Speedway. ... Andy Fries earned the hard charger award with his run from 21st to 11th. ... Knaub’s victory came in the Steel Block Bandits tour’s 50th race. His sixth career series victory tied him with Leavell and Walker Arthur atop the tour’s all-time wins list. ... Steel Block Bandits competitors return to action Aug. 31 with a visit to County Line Raceway in Elm City, N.C.
Richard “Boney” Bonebrake Tribute: (1) Gene Knaub, (2) Andy Anderson, (3) Paul Cursey, (4) Justin Weaver, (5) Joe Leavell, (6) Denny Bonebrake, (7) Scott Palmer, (8) Rick Hulson, (9) Bruce Kane, (10) Kris Eaton, (11) Andy Fries (12) Tyler Armstrong, (13) Kyle Lear, (14) Matt Nailor, (15) Courtney Shreiner, (16) Sam Gallagher, (17) James Lichliter. (18) Chaz Walls, (19) Dominic Defino, (20) Wes Bonebrake, (21) Ryan Hackett, (22) Mike Walls, (23) Robbie Emory, (24) Mike Goodwin.
