McCarl picks up win number 47 at Knoxville Raceway
Saturday, August 29, 2009
By Bob Wilson
Knoxville, Iowa - August 29 – Terry McCarl captured career win number forty-seven at Knoxville Raceway Saturday night as this central Iowa track neared the end of its 56th season of weekly racing. Dustin Selvage was the winner in the 360 division and Matt Stephenson was successful in the 305s
The 20-lap 410 feature saw Rager Phillips in control for the first nine laps as he utilized his pole position start to grab the top spot. For four laps he was chased by Tony Bruce, Jr. but behind those two drivers several cars were moving forward.
By lap five, Terry McCarl had moved to the runner-up spot after starting ninth. On lap ten a yellow was displayed for a stopped car and on the restart McCarl took the point away running into turns one and two. Behind those two sixth starter Johnny Herrera had moved to third.
McCarl, once in the lead, began to pull away as he liked the bottom in turns 3 and 4 and the top in turns 1 and 2. As he neared the end, he rode the cushion all the way around this big half-mile oval.
Lap 17 saw the final yellow as Austin McCarl slowed to a stop in turn one. At this point TMAC had created nearly a full chute advantage.
When the race was restarted McCarl again pulled away and swept across the finish line as second place Herrera roared out of turn four. Completing the top five were Phillips, Lynton Jeffrey and Brian Brown (from 13th).
The 360 A Main saw the pole sitter, Jon Agan, roar out to the lead at the start of the 15-lap event. Chasing him closely was Dustin Selvage. A yellow on lap 5 for a stopped car again bunched the cars for a single file restart.
Again, Agan kept the point with Selvage in close quarters and Jonathan Cornell chasing in third. On lap eight fourth running Dennis Moore, Jr lost an engine and brought out the second caution.
On this restart Selvage was able to take the lead as he shot out of turn two on the high side. Agan made a fight of it but could not regain his spot. As the laps wore on Selvage began to pull away from the field.
It was just as the white flag was flying that a most strange incident occurred. As Selvage flew by the flag stand for the final lap, the right side panel tore apart from the wing. A portion of it struck flagman Justin Clark and he fell to the back of the flag stand as the race quickly went red. He was momentarily stunned but was able to get to his feet. After a short period to get his bearings, Clark was able to flag the rest of the event.
Selvage was able to hold onto the top spot and win the race even though his wing was minus the side panel, but he had a battle on his hands with Agan to the finish. Cornell took third, Clint Garner came from 14th to take fourth and Matt Moro was fifth.
The final race of the season in the 305 division at Knoxville Raceway went to Matt Stephenson. Matt took the lead from brother Marty on lap six and led to the checkers. It was his second win of the season here. Completing the top five were Steve Palmer, Tasker Phillips and Rob Kubli.
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