Lee, Bish, Myers, Ruth Jr & Clark Visit Thunder Mountain Victory Lane Once Again

By: Zach Garman

Knox Dale- Drivers and fans gathered at the mountain again for some Friday night racing. Drivers had a great racing surface as the track was in top notch condition for the night. First feature out for the evening were the Windstream Semi Late Models for a twenty lap feature. Doug Surra and Zach Myers made up the front row for the feature. On the green, Myers took the early lead as Surra ran in second and Joe Martin ran in third. Kevin Dickson went door to door with Scott Carbaugh to take over the fifth position. Joe Martin would begin to reel in Doug Surra as it turned into a three car battle for the lead. Martin and Surra would battle for second for a number of laps before Surra held him off to take the second position. At the end, it was Zach Myer who came out strong to win the Semi Late Model feature. Myers was followed by, Doug Surra, Joe Martin, Jim Challingsworth, Scott Carbaugh, Kevin Dickson, Nate Snyder. DNS was the 711 of Todd English. Heat winners were Doug Surra and Zach Myers.

Second on the card were the Sweeney RUSH Sprint Cars. Tyler Powell and Gale Ruth Jr made up the front row to go green for twenty laps. On the start, Ruth Jr jumped out to the lead as Chad Ruhlman in the 87R moved into second. The caution flag would fly as Dave Hawkins spins in turn three. On the restart, Ruth Jr jumps out to the lead as Ruhlman pulls even with him coming out of turn two. Ruth Jr and Ruhlman would battle for the lead for a number of laps. The yellow flag would come out again as a car spun in turn three. On the restart, Ruth Jr would take the lead again before Ruhlman pulls a slide job coming out of turn three to take the lead. Once Ruhlman took the lead, Ruth Jr fought back and took over the lead. Ruhlman seemed to be getting tight in the turns as Ruth Jr started to pull away from him. After twenty laps, it was Gale Ruth Jr who came out strong to win the sprint car special. Ruth Jr was followed by Chad Ruhlman, Zach Morrow, Shawn Smith, Joe McEwen, Tyler Powell, Scott Hawkins, Stephen Cousins, Phil Thornton, Dave Hawkins, and Jim Kurpakus. Brandon Hawkisn was a DNS. Heat winners were Chad Ruhlman and Gale Ruth Jr.

The Legends Powersports Super Late Models were third for the evening. Jon Lee and Gale Huey made up the front row for twenty five laps. Huey would jump out to the early lead as Lee ran in second and Bob Dorman raced to third. Kyle Knapp would hit a tire in turn three to bring out the yellow flag. On the restart, Huey was still out front looking strong. Charlie Powell would start to reel in Dorman for third as Levi Sikora moved into fifth. Jon Lee would give Huey all he had going into the turns trying to take the lead away from Huey, but Huey still pulled away from him. A few laps later, Lee would go door to door with Huey down the front stretch to take the lead going into turn one. Dorman would begin to catch Huey in the turns for the second position, but Huey came out strong for second. At the end, Jon Lee collected the checkers to end the feature event. Lee was followed by Gale Huey. Bob Dorman, Charlie Powell, Levi Sikora, Kyle Knapp, Devin Lewis, Dan Stormer, and John Brisky. Heat winners were Jon Lee and Kyle Knapp.

Fourth for the evening were the Bubba’s Racing Supply Front Wheel Drive Four Cylinders. Greg Kiehl and Wayne Truitt made up the front row for fifteen laps. Curtis Mohney would jump out to the early lead as Truitt battles back for the first position. Dj Clark in the blue number seven would work his way up to second. The yellow flag would fly for Greg Kiehl on the front stretch. On the restart, Mohney and Clark battle for the lead coming out of turn two. Clark would dive super low going into turn one to take the lead. The yellow flag would come out one more time for Wayne Truitt in turn three. On the second restart, Mohney would rub up on Clark trying to take the lead away from him coming out of turn two. Clark held on strong as he went on to collect win number two of the season. Clark was followed by Curtis Mohney, Chad Greeley, Jeff Huber, Wayne Truitt, Greg Kiehl, Clay Garing , and Austin Fedder. Zack Wissinger was a DNS. Heat winners were Dj Clark and Chad Greeley.

Last for the evening were the Chad Lilley Septic Services Street Stocks. Tim Bish and Andrew Gordon made up the front row for twenty laps. On the green, Bish and Gordon would go door to door for the lead as gary Luzier ran in third, Chris Schneider ran in fourth, and Bruce Hartzfeld ran in sixth. A few laps in, Ray Hickok Jr would spin in turn two to bring out the yellow flag. On the restart, Bish and Gordon fought for the lead again as Luzier ran in third. Bish and Gordon would run door to door for the whole feature to put on a great show for the fans. Bob Rosman moved into fifth as Chris Schneider ran in sixth and Rusty Martz ran in seventh. As the checkered flag was about to wave, Hickok spins in turn two as Hartzfeld goes pit side. On the Green, White, Checkered restart, Bish and Gordon go door to door again for the lead. As they came out of turn four, Bish would go on to win the feature by a nose piece. This feature really had the grandstands on their feet! Bish was followed by Andrew Gordon, Gary Luzier, Chris Schneider, Bob Rosman, Ray Hickok Jr, Rusty Martz, and Bruce Hartzfeld. Heat winners were Andrew Gordon and Tim Biish.

Next Friday, 8/3, will be Fan appreciation night. If you are bringing your kids, grab a bag on your way out so your kids can load up on candy, signed pictures, etc! Once again, Thank You for your support and we hope to see you back next Friday!