BAPS Motor Speedway
Knaub grabs SBB victory with last-lap pass
NEWBERRYTOWN, Pa. (May 12) — Gene Knaub of Dover, Pa., claimed the first-ever Steel Block Bandits event at Susquehanna Speedway Park in exciting fashion Saturday night, passing Andy Fries on the final lap for a $1,500 victory at the 4/10-mile oval.
Knaub made his way forward from his 11th starting spot in the 30-lap event and battled side-by-side with Fries of Mercersburg, Pa., in the race’s final 10 laps. Knaub finally cleared Fries exiting turn four on the final lap to secure the victory.
Fries, who took the lead from polesitter Chase Billet on lap three, settled for the runner-up finish with Tyler Armstrong of St. Thomas, Pa., third and 15th-starting Randy Stoudt of Pottstown, Pa., fourth. Billet of Dover, Pa., faded to fifth at the finish.
The event was the first of the season for the series after the April 28’s season opener at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway was rained out. The tour’s returns to action with a May 18-19 doubleheader weekend at Natural Bridge (Va.) Speedway and Eastside Speedway in Waynesboro, Va.
SBB @ Susquehanna: (1) Gene Knaub, (2) Andy Fries, (3) Tyler Armstrong, (4) Randy Stoudt, (5) Chase Billet, (6) Billy Wampler, (7) Walker Arthur, (8) Denny Bonebrake, (9) Sean Merkel, (10) Rick Hulson, (11) Roy Miller, (12) Randy Christine Jr., (13) Kyle Lear, (14) J.R. Rodriguez, (15) John Baker, (16) John Moser, (17) Billy Beacher, (18) Glenn Elliott, (19) Chaz Walls, (20) Carl Billet, (21) Grant Adams, (22) Bernie Beard, (23) Chris Knopp, (24) Wes Bonebrake, (25) Derrick Zirkle. Heat race winners (among 39 cars): Chase Billet, Fries, Beard.
