Knowles Utica Rome BRP CanAm LM Winner

VERNON, NY…by Steven Petty… Larry Knowles made history on Thursday night at the Utica Rome Speedway by becoming the first winner in the history of the BRP CanAm Late Model Series at the “Action Track of the East”.

The 30 lap Dart Industries A-Main was brought to the green flag by Jeff Chesebro and Greg Galligan. Chesebro outraced the Galligan, a Series rookie, at the drop of Matt Burdick’s green flag and the battle was on.  Larry Knowles wrestled by Galligan on the second lap and immediately put the pressure on Chesebro.  These two black CRS cars set a torrid pace racing nose to tail with Knowles looking for some extra bite on the extreme bottom of Gene Cole’s great race track.  Chesebro and Knowles caught Nate Daggett entering turn three on lap 19.  Knowles took the better route around Daggett’s Lazer Charger and showed atop the score board with the completion of lap 19.  Chesebro did not give up, but had nothing more for Knowles despite a gallant effort. 

From Victory Circle Knowles shared, “I came here last week to watch the modifieds and hopefully learn something.  I believe that was an advantage, but it was the lapped car that made the difference. The Lucas guys slicked the track up pretty good, but there was good bite on the bottom and I used that to stay within striking distance of Cheze. This is a great race place and I hope that we can come back next year.”

Chesebro was disappointed with his second in a row Series runner-up finish, but happy with the way his car performed.  “We will just keeping plugging away, but Knowles and Steve (Dixon) are going to be difficult to top for my third Series championship.  I am certainly not giving up.”

The surprise of the night was Dick Park, another Series rookie. Park started ninth and stayed in the hunt all race long consistently using the highest lane of the four lanes that were raceable.  Park got by Chesebro for second on lap 23 and was gaining on Knowles until a slight bobble allowed Chesebro to get back to second.  Park was third at the checkered flag with a smile and an arm in the air as he recorded his best ever Series finish.

John Waters earned the $100 Dart Hard Charger award with his outstanding run from 21st to fourth.  Waters was the fastest car in the final laps and it appeared that if the race had been a few laps longer may have been the winner.

Jason Boyle rounded out the top five with another strong, steady, and heady performance. Boyle, a former DIRTcar Pro Stock champion, was one of the few drivers in the field that the race fans from the Utica Rome area had ever seen race before.   

The race was slowed by 4 cautions.  The first occurred on lap three when Nate Daggett spun in turn two. Then shortly after the restart green, there was a multi car incident in turn two involving Daggett, Jon Rivers, Mikey Wonderling, Quinn Sutherland and Wayne Robertson. All would be able to continue on for the search of becoming the first winner in the history of the series at the “Action Track of the East”.  Cautions breed cautions as the third one of the event occurred on lap seven with Sutherland looped his racer in turn three.  Shortly after that restart, Jason Knowles spun his 41 in turn 2.

Bob Bartlett did not finish and was credited with 21st in the final tally, but he was a very happy racer as a result of winning the Dart Engine Block via a drawing of all those that entered the event.  Wayne Robertson, who drew the #1 pill for heat race starting position drew Bartlett’s number for the Dart Industries Iron Eagle engine block valued at $2500.  “I have never won anything.  Are you sure?  I just bought a set of Dart heads and now with this I can have (Dan) Pogo build me some better horsepower,” shared Bartlett.

The next stop for the 2009 BRP Can-Am 360 Late Model tour will bring them to wine country and the Black Rock Speedway in Dundee, NY as some of the NASCAR stars will be in attendance as the Cup Series will be down the road at Watkins Glen. For more information on the BRP Can-Am Series, log on to www.brpcanamseries.com

Dart Industries A-Main Finish: LARRY KNOWLES, Jeff Chesebro, Dick Park, John Waters, Jason Boyle, Brian Kotarski, Steve Dixon, Dave DuBois, Greg Galligan, Mikey Wonderling, Bob Babbitt, Jon Rivers, Jim Johnson, Jason Knowles, Wayne Robertson, Neil Patterson, Nate Daggett, Mike Wonderling, Bryce Davis, Jeremy Wonderling, Bob Bartlett, Quinn Sutherland, Brian Knowles, Rich Karlnoski

Lap Leaders: Chesebro 1-18, Knowles 19-30

Mahle Engine Parts Heat Winners: Jeremy Wonderling, Jason Boyle, Jeff Chesebro

DART Hard Charger: John Waters- Started 21^st/Finished 4^th