Roaring Knob Mtsprts Complex
Montgomery tops Pegher in RUSH thriller
MARKLEYSBURG, Pa. (July 26) — Ryan Montgomery of Fairmont, W.Va., held off series points leader Mike Pegher, Jr. of Wexford, Pa., to claim his second Sweeney Chevrolet-Buick-GMC RUSH Dirt Late Model Series victory of the season in a photo finish at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex.
Montgomery, who entered the event second to Pegher in the Crate Late Model tour’s points standings, held Pehger off as the two championship contenders battled through lapped traffic late in the 30-lap race. He led by 0.132 seconds at the finish to earn $2,000 and close to within 24 points of Pegher in the championship chase.
“The lapped cars moving to the topside the last couple laps really helped me out a lot,” the 16-year-old Montgomery said. “I knew Mike was there and I just kept trying to hold my line, but the last couple laps I kept moving out more and more.
“The right rear tire was going away so I’m glad it wasn’t anymore laps. I could hear him behind me. I knew it was going to be close, but I didn’t see him until I crossed the finish line. I was like ‘oh wait did he just pass me and I stuck my hand out the window?’ It’s awesome to win here and it means a lot; all of my family and friends are here.”
Pegher settled for the runner-up finish with Rick Singleton of Huntingdon, Pa., third. Ricky Meglaye of Greensburg, Pa., and Troy Shields of Acme, Pa., rounded out the race’s top five finishers.
Pegher was denied what would’ve been his fourth victory of the season.
“Those guys were on top of their game all night long,” Pegher said. “We struggled early on in qualifying and in the heat race. We made the right choices in the feature and were pretty good.
“I was hoping for a restart with a couple laps to go to see if I had anything for him. I could tell he was starting to slide up in turns three and four every lap. I honestly thought I was getting better every lap — just wished it was maybe 35 laps.”
The event was on the undercar of Roaring Knob’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event won by Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn.
After a few weeks off, the RUSH Crate Late Models return to action Aug. 15 with a visit to McKean County Raceway in East Smethport, Pa.
RUSH @ Roaring Knob: (1) Ryan Montgomery, (2) Mike Pegher, Jr., (3) Rick Singleton, (4) Ricky Meglaye, (5) Troy Shields, (6) John Over, (7) Jorden Peters, (8) Andrew Wylie, (9) Cody Dawson, (10) Billy Beachler, (11) Butch Lambert, (12) Nico Dabecco, (13) Ken Herman, (14) Jeff Compton, (15) Matt Glanden, (16) Bob Gordon, (17) Michael Lake, (18) Josh Jacoby, (19) Greg Hauger, (20) Joe Martin, (21) C.J. Johnson, (22) Russell Baird, Jr., (23) W.L. Stile. Fast qualifier (among 23 cars): Montgomery, 17.005 seconds. Heat winners: Montgomery, Over, Martin. Dash winner: Shields.
