Cleveland Speedway
Jake Knowles gobbles up $5,000 Cleveland victory
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (Nov. 16) — Fast qualifier and outside front-row starter Jake Knowles of Tyrone, Ga., led all 50 laps of the 25th annual Gobbler at Cleveland Speedway for his first Southern All Star victory in eight seasons. | Video
The 28-year-old Knowles took the checkers in the caution-plagued 50-lapper over Jason Hiett of Lincoln, Ala., for a $5,000 payday in the traditional November event at the third-mile oval.
Polesitter Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., was third with Michael Asberry of Crossville, Tenn., and series points leader Riley Hickman of Ooltewah, Tenn., rounding out the top five finishers.
The Southern All Stars wrap up the season Sunday at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, S.C., with the $10,000-to-win Blue-Gray 100.
Note: Knowles drives a No. 66 sponsored by Ladd’s Farm Supply, Cedartown Electric, Racin’ Warpaint, GW Performance and Smoky Joe Racing. … The victory was his second of the season; he won Aug. 24 at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Ga. … Knowles scored his biggest career victory in 2009 at Cleveland with a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series victory. … Billy Ogle Jr. drove his teammate Tommy Kerr's No. 4T. ... Drivers failing to make the main event: Mike Marlar (engine problems), Gabe Wilson, Jason Welshan and Jeff Walker.
Gobbler: (1) Jake Knowles, (2) Jason Hiett, (3) Clint Smith, (4) Michael Asberry, (5) Riley Hickman, (6) Chris Wilson, (7) Randy Weaver, (8) Stacy Boles, (9) Kenny Collins, (10) Shawn Chastain, (11) Bret Holmes, (12) Jeff Neubert, (13) Wesley English, (14) Skip Arp, (15) William Thomas, (16) Derek Ellis, (17) David Payne, (18) Cory Hedgecock, (19) Josh Henry, (20) Austin Smith, (21) Johnny Chastain, (22) Billy Ogle Jr., (23) Jason Croft , (24) Kurt English. Fast qualifier (among 28 cars): Knowles, 12.804 seconds. Consolation race winners: Boles, Asberry. Provisional starters: Weaver, Ogle.
