Weekly Notebook presented by FK Rod Ends
Notes: Latest father-son duel a win for the aged
Dale Glassford won South Buxton's season opener. (apexonephoto.com)
In a father-and-son duel in Paducah, Ky., a few weeks ago, some wondered whether Terry English eased up to let teenager Tanner English grab his first Super Late Model feature victory. But there was no doubt that didn't happen in a father-and-son battle May 14 at Black Rock (N.Y.) Speedway in the Limited Late Model division. | May's weekly Late Model results
At Black Rock, Jason Knowles paced the field from the drop of the green flag, running the bottom lane in his No. 41 to perfection. While most competitors followed Jason in the low groove, Jason's father Larry Knowles ran the top lane smoothly, picking off cars and moving towards the front.
After picking up second, Larry began to chop down the lead on his son and with the high groove wide open, was able to swing by his teammate with ease.
“I almost let him have it,” the elder Knowles said. “It would have been his first win, and that would have been big, but I didn’t want to let him get it that way.”
Point leaders J.J. Mazur rallied to finish third behind the Knowleses. Jason Knowles in second in the division points while Larry Knowles is 11th. — Rich Vleck
Clash at Kankakee
The season's opening UMP DIRTcar Late Model feature at Kankakee County (Ill.) Speedway was spiced by fireworks as Ted Loomis of Kingston, Ill., and Mike Provenzano of Marseilles, Ill., battled in the 25-lapper.
Provenzano, the two-time and reigning track champion, starting outside the front row and took command early while Loomis worked his way up to the second spot. With 11 laps remaining, Loomis charged alongside Provenzano and the frontrunners made contact exiting turn four heading down the frontstretch.
Entering turn one, Provenzano appeared to get loose, and slight contact with Loomis sent Provenzano spinning to draw a yellow flag.
Provenzano, not happy with the turns of events or the track's decision to send him to the tail, pulled alongside Loomis in turn three during the caution period and and left a message loud and clear, slamming into the side of his rival. That drew a huge reaction from the big crowd.
Loomis went on to finish off his victory, finishing ahead of Frank Heckenast Sr. and Brian Rickey, while Provenzano ended up 15th. — Paul Bayne
Helping hand for Carpenter
Chris Carpenter of Parkersburg, W.Va., was getting ready to head for the lineup of the Cast Iron 50 at Skyline Speedway in Stewart, Ohio, on May 14 when he ran into big problems.
"My car fell off the jackstands and busted the left rear (tire) right before the race," said Carpenter, who races with his father Freddie and brother. "Dad and Tyler were already in their cars and I almost didn't make it out (of the pits), but Bub Crum and his crew helped me and put one of his tires on the car. All, I can say is thanks."
That was a big thanks to Crum and crew, because Carpenter roared to a dominating victory in the 50-lap feature for a $1,500 payday in the feature for steel block Late Models.
Carpenter added the victory to his Super Late Model victory the previous week at Skyline. K.C Burdette ended up second ahead of Freddie Carpenter, Roy Roush and Nick Corbitt. — Scott Wolfe
Ivey survives at Volusia
Tyler Ivey of Tallahassee, Fla., was in firm control of May 15's feature at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., leading the 15-car field by an almost embarrassing margin. But just when it looked like it was over, Ivey's No. 47 began smoking heavily and his pace slowed.
But with a huge lead, Ivey wasn't about to pull pitside at the D-shaped half-mile track. The car smoked worse and the engine sounded flatter each lap — and second-running Joe Kump was closing in — but Ivey motored ahead.
Kump caught Ivey in the final laps, but Ivey was able to reach victory lane, where the track's fire crews made sure his car wouldn't provide any fireworks. — From track reports
Glassford's odd winning streak
Canadian driver Dale Glassford of Ridgetown, Ontario, went winless for a year and a half before winning last September's season championship at South Buxton (Ontario) Raceway. And suddenly, after a victory in May 15's season opener, Glassford is on a hot streak of sorts.
"We went forever without winning, now we’ve won back-to-back features — only they’re eight months apart,” said Glassford, the 2009 track champion.
In the opening, Glassford started outside the front row and chased Kirk Hooker of Chatham, Ontario, for the first 10 laps. But the engine in Hooker’s car let go on lap 11; Glassford inherited the lead and was unchallenged over the final laps of the caution-free race.
“It’s too bad he went off; he was definitely fast and pretty smooth,” Glassford said of Hooker. “It was going to be interesting to see if I could get by him. We had two pretty even cars. I think it would have come down to whoever made a mistake.” — From track reports
Odds and ends
Dillan White of Crofton, Ky., notched his first Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway victory on May 15. ... Kevin Maher has won three straight Crate Late Model features at Flomaton (Ala.) Speedway through May 15. ... Don Pataska of Green Island, Iowa, won his first IMCA Late Model feature May 15 at Jackson County (Iowa) Speedway. ... Ryan Unzicker's May 14 victory at Farmer City (Ill.) Raceway gave him three straight victories. ... Mike Jewell, who took the lead when Bart Hartman had drivetrain problems on the 26th lap, captured his second straight Florence (Ky.) Speedway feature on May 15, earning $2,000. ... Jeff Walston of Paducah had a two-victory weekend May 14-15, winning at his hometown track and Clarksville (Tenn.) Speedway. ... Kelly Anderson of Hager City, Wis., has back-to-back wins at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn., after a May 15 triumph. ... Chassis builder Jim Bernheisel of Lebanon, Pa., notched his first career victory at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway on May 15. ... Bob McMillen of St. Mary's, Pa., won his first Late Model feature at Thunder Mountain Speedway in Knox Dale, Pa., on May 14.
