8/6/2011
Sprint Source
Grosz wins first qualifying main of 21st Annual 360 Knoxville Nationals!
KNOXVILLE RACEWAY, Knoxville, IA, August 5, 2011 – Lee Grosz of Harwood, North Dakota, won the first qualifying main event for the 21st Annual Arnold Motor Supply 360 Knoxville Nationals and it was also his first career win at the Knoxville Raceway. In victory lane, he noted his goal for the weekend was just to put himself into the A-Main finale on Saturday night for the first time.
The opening night was originally scheduled for Thursday, however a steady rain that evening postponed the show. That meant all the cars entered in the Lucas Oil ASCS-sanctioned event ran on Friday, August 5, split into a “Thursday” group and a “Friday” group. Rain also threatened on Friday but moved out of the area before washing out the show.
Grosz started on the pole of the 20-lap main and led all the laps, holding off outside front-row starter Davey Heskin the entire distance. There was a red flag on the original start as Dave Hall got upside down in turns one and two. On the next complete restart, Chad Humston was a victim of bad luck when Jeff Swindell’s car stumbled and Humston jumped his wheel. The race stayed green but Humston fell all the way to the back.
The red flag came out on lap six, when Matt Covington got upside down in turn two. At this stoppage, Humston and Terry McCarl also pulled to the work area. After that, Grosz continued to hold off Heskin and third-place runner Jason Johnson. He hit lapped traffic at lap 15 and that allowed those behind him to close.
The yellow flag came out again on lap 18 when Zach Chappell got turned around in turn two. When the race went green again, the red flag returned for a vicious crash in turns one and two which involved Jon Agan, RJ Johnson and Kolt Walker.
From there, Grosz kept the lead while Heskin came home a close second. Jason Johnson was third and Jeff Swindell fourth. Billy Alley came from 23rd starting spot to finish fifth.
Zach Chappell set the Thursday group’s quickest time trial at 15.944. Heat races for the Thursday group were won by Zach Chappell, Calvin Landis, Jon Agan, Tasker Phillips and Kolt Walker. Brant O’Banion won the C-Main and Sam Hafertepe Jr. won the B-Main.
Article Credit: Stacy Ervin
Submitted By: Admin Account