Christensen is 16th Harris Clash Champion
Thursday, July 19, 2007
by Bob Wilson - Clayton Christensen led the distance to take the 25-lap 16th annual Harris Clash at Knoxville Raceway Thursday night. The Spencer, Iowa driver was paid $2,000 for his efforts in this IMCA sponsored event.
Early caution flags slowed the event but once the green flew after the final yellow at the completion of lap ten, the Clash lived up to its name. For one thing, second running Dave Trauenicht had come all the way from row seven to challenge Christensen for the top spot. Lap 12 saw fifth running Todd Shute make an incredible run from a 26th position start to come into the mix.
Knoxville's big half mile found Christensen on the top while Trauenicht hugged the pole. By lap 15 the leader had begun to pull away from his challengers. Shute, who found the bottom to his liking, was stymied in his efforts to progress forward as two cars blocked his progress. Three circuits later Shute had finally gained the runner-up spot and he then proceeded to run-down the leader.
With the gap between first and second place becoming narrower and narrower, the grandstand crowd could sense a battle to the end. Indeed, the leaders did not disappoint.
Shute took the white flag first but Christensen was not done. As they roared around turn two and down the backstretch they were side by side. Later Christensen would say that he was not about to let this one slip away. When they shot into turn three, Christensen floored it and shot deep into the turn. Shute, who was coming upon a lapped car, was not able to force the issue.
As the top running duo rounded turn four it was obvious that Christensen had a slight advantage. When he crossed the finish line at the end of twenty-five laps he could claim no more than a two car-length separation between himself and Shute. Shute was paid $1,700 for the runner-up spot. Brett Ladenhoff took the $1,500 third place money after being in the hunt the entire race. Fourth went to Trauenicht who gained a $1,300 pay day. Rich Lewerke, another front runner after the five-mile mark, received $1,100 for fifth.
In the companion Sports Modified division, 14-year-old Brett Moffitt of Grimes picked up his 17th win of the season to claim the $500 first place prize. Moffitt is now in the Knoxville Raceway history books as being the youngest driver ever to win a feature event at this storied fairgrounds oval.
Moffitt took the lead on lap seven of this 15 lapper and used the bottom to pull away from his nearest challenger, who was later disqualified for illegal parts. Thus, the runner-up spot went to Ryan Lundy. Third place went to Jason Mallicoat. Fourth place was also DQ'd and that spot was awarded to Brian Miller. Scott Davis took fifth.
120 cars filled the Knoxville pit area on this night.
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