7/17/2015
Tom Knippenberg
KNIPPENBERG TAKES THE TOP PRIZE AT GRUNDY
The local Grundy County Speedway Mid Am drivers successfully defended their turf as Tom Knippenberg won the 50 lap feature for the Mid American Stock Car Series (MASCS) on Friday night.
Jeremy Spoonmore and Scott Dunning paced the field of twenty-four cars to the green flag with Spoonmore taking the early lead. Matthew Clemens was quickly up to second after the first lap with Kevin Gentile taking the third spot on lap 2.
Spoonmore continued to show the way with Clemens and Gentile in pursuit until lap 10 when Gentile moved up two positions to take the lead.
On lap 13 the hard charging Knippenberg broke into the top five and began his ascent to the top. Two laps later he passed Joe Vinachi for fourth and on lap 16 passed Spoonmore for third.
With Gentile still setting the pace out front, Knippenberg powered by Clemens for second on lap 22 and now set his attention on getting the lead.
On lap 33 Knippenberg saw his opportunity and sprinted by Gentile for the lead. From there it was all Knippenberg as he led the remain seventeen laps to pick up the win. Completing the top five were Gentile, Clemens, Spoonmore and Vinachi. The fifth place car of Vinachi was disqualified moving John Vertrello into the top five.
Rounding out the top ten were series point leader Jeff Holtz, Erik Pierce, Geoff VeZain, Luke Baldwin, and Rick Tackman Jr.
Knippenberg set fast time in qualifying with a lap of 16.537. Heat wins went to Marty McKinney, VeZain, and Baldwin.
Next up for the MASCS is the “big one” at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis on Thursday, July 23rd. The Mid Am cars will be on the schedule with the USAC Silver Crown cars that will be competing in the JD Byrider 100.
Mid Am teams should be advised that Terry’s Automotive Group and Stan’s Club La Mark will be providing each competitor with two tires for the Lucas Oil Raceway event.
Submitted By: Todd Gladkowski