The Harris Clash is no doubt on Kyle Strickler's annual appearance lists from now on, after taking the prestigious race for the second time in as many years---the first to ever do so. He had the field covered last night at the famed Knoxville track. Anytime you can get a win there, it is a big check off on any driver's agenda.
There were 45 IMCA SportMods on hand last night. They ran six heats, and three B mains to complete their starting field of 24 cars for their 20-lap feature event. Matt Lettow, 2009 and 2012 winner, was the lucky recipient of pill #1 to sit on the pole, and the hot shoe from Lake City, Doug Smith sat on his outside. Smith got the jump as the green flag flew, and Lettow took chase. Jared Timmerman came from row five to be in the hunt in third when the yellow flew at lap twelve. When the race restarted, Timmerman made the pass to get the runner up spot. In the closing laps of the race, Paul Nagle, who brought out his SportMod ride a few weeks back, put the pressure on Timmerman with a couple of laps remaining. No one could touch Smith however, as he motored to his first SportMod Harris Clash win at Knoxville. Nagle made it work for him as he took over second with a lap remaining, Timmerman falling to third. Fourth went to Austin Kaplan, and Roland, Iowa's Matt Lettow finished in fifth.
By our count, there were 69 IMCA Modifieds in competition last night. Sioux City, Iowa's Chris Abelson had his night end in hot laps, when he took a wild end-for-end ride at top of turns three and four. It took a while before he emerged from the car, apparently unscathed, thankfully. His ride however, was taken to the pits on the rollback. It took eight heats and four B Mains to complete the starting 24 cars, and a 25th provisional starter, previous winner Eric Dailey.
Jesse Sobbing, western Iowa driver who switched from SportMod to Modified this year and who is having a very successful transition, was the pole sitter for the 25-lap feature. Kyle Strickler, "The High Side Tickler" from Mooresville, North Carolina, who has been racing in the area the last couple of weeks, sat on the outside of row one. Strickler took command at the drop of the green flag, liked that position and began motoring off, unchallenged. Sobbing continued his run in the runner up position. Meanwhile, there were several cars making headway from well back in the pack. The yellow flew with six laps remaining when Jeremy Mills had to call it a night and the field was realigned. Strickler and Sobbing were still 1-2, but one of the drivers that had been clicking off car after car was Gilman's Richie Gustin, who was now in third! Gustin had qualified through a B main, starting back in seventeenth spot. Was he done yet? In fourth place at the restart, the #5 of Todd Shute was poised for a challenge, and Randy Havlik, who had started eleventh, was riding along in fifth. As starter Doug Clark lit the green, Strickler had little trouble in maintaining his lead, but Sobbing was soon to be bothered by Gustin. Gustin took over second place with a lap to go, but that would be where his amazing run would end. Strickler secured his back-to-back victory, putting his name in the record books as the first ever winner of two in a row. Gustin's run ended with his runner up finish, and Sobbing took third. Randy Havlik finished in fourth and Todd Shute was fifth. Sixth place finisher, Mike VanGenderen moved up the most positions, having started back in 22nd spot.
We appreciated the namesake of the race, Bob Harris taking the time to chat with us before the race, and getting to thank him for putting on this annual "must see" race. We also enjoyed sharing the evening in the grandstand with friends and family. We were thankful for our perch on the back row and the breeze that kept us comfortable. It was also great to meet some drivers in our area, and getting to put faces with car numbers! Had a nice visit with Stock Car driver John Watson and Hobby Stocker Andrew Burg. They were joined by Jamie Songer, another Hobby Stock racer as well as another racer who us "racing deaf people" name we did not catch. But thanks to them for helping us pass the time during the down times. Enjoyed meeting you all.
A few notes on the night. The track really came around in the feature. The track prep crew had bladed it throughout the night. Positively Racing's Jeff Broeg spent the night "upstairs" working, but got to see him for a few moments as he passed behind us. Thanks for the cookies, Jeff! Check out his take of the night under the "Back Stretch" at Positively Racing. It appeared that a lot of non preregistered drivers showed up, making for some last moment hustling in getting the line ups set.
We are still going on our streak of racing as we head to Marshalltown Speedway tonight. Lots of racing to be found. Get out and attend the race of your choice to support our sport. Happy racing!
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