For the second year in a row, Shane Stewart was the man to beat at the Knoxville Raceway as the driver of the Larson-Marks No. 2 became the first driver to double up in the Capitani Classic, winning the fifth instalment of the Sunday spectacular presented by Kustom Concrete Pumping.
This was Shane’s ninth career 410cid score at the Knoxville Raceway. The victory was quite the way to kick off the team’s week in Iowa as Shane’s last performance at the Marion County half-mile with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series ended with parts flying.
“I tried to clean out the trailer the last time I was in town,” chuckled Shane in Victory Lane. “I’ve got to thank Justin [Marks] and Kyle [Larson]. We haven’t had the best of seasons but they’ve stuck with us and keep giving us everything we need to stay out here and keep doing our jobs.”
“We’ve changed several cars to try and make things faster and some nights, it looks like we on the upward swing, but then the valley comes and when you’re in the valley, you cherish moments like this because this sport can be very humbling.”
Shane extended his well wishes to Bryan Clauson and his family before wrapping up his post-race interview, which included Ralph Capitani’s nod as his pick to win the 5-hour ENERGY Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores.
Taking three shots at the start of the A-Feature, Shane took the lead on the first round, only to chase Kerry Madsen the next two attempts. One lap in, Brad Sweet and Aaron Reutzel came together to bring out the caution. Madsen would not be able to keep Shane Stewart at bay, as the lead changed hands on the third round.
Finding the tail of the field on Lap 8, Shane found the road blocked; allowing the No. 29 of Kerry Madsen to close in. There was a red on Lap 15 as Bronson Maeschen spun, collecting Danny Lasoski who was running fifth. The pair emerged unscathed.
On the start, Brian Brown dropped the Casey’s General Stores/FVP No. 21 to the deck with the run on Madsen, but the Keneric Racing No. 29 was able to power back to the silver position. With the laps starting to dwindle, Stewart again worked into traffic, but it was not enough for anyone to challenge as Shane crossed 3.459 seconds ahead of Kerry Madsen.
“In the long run, I actually stayed with him [Shane] and I thought well, I’m still in this thing, but on that last short run, he just ran off and left everybody,” said Madsen. “I’m just happy to hold onto second and happy for the guys after working so hard. It’s a good tune up I guess.”
Ending where he started, Brian Brown claimed the final podium step, “We’re right here where we need to be and to be on the podium with these two guys, I don’t care where you’re at, it’s a good night,” said Brown who also extended well wishes to the Clauson family.
Strong in the closing laps, Washington’s Jason Solwold advanced from 11th to fourth after battling several laps with Pennsylvania hot-shoe, Brent Marks, who ended his night fifth. Joey Saldana brought the Roth No. 83 across sixth with Oklahoma’s Daryn Pittman, who advanced from the B-Main, coming from 20th to seventh in the Great Clips No. 9. Dusty Zomer from 15th was eighth with Randy Hannagan ninth. The top-ten rounded out with Jamie Veal.
The night’s Pole Shuffle offered up a nice $2,000 bonus thanks to Greenland Homes. The first of seven rounds saw Dustin Selvage and Randy Hannagan taking two laps with Selvage taking the win. Making it to round three, Dustin fell to Brian Brown, who took his No. 21 through the sixth round before falling to Shane Stewart. Stewart advanced to the championship round with Kerry Madsen. It was Madsen who earned the pole in Sunday’s championship event.
Kerry Madsen set quick time in Group A, while Pittman was the fastest in Group B. Kerry Madsen, Paul McMahan, Zomer, Veal, Wayne Johnson and Lasoski won heats. Twin B-mains were topped by Chad Kemenah and Daryn Pittman.
It’s time for the “Granddaddy of Them All”, the 56th Annual 5-hour ENERGY Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores! Join us, starting this Wednesday, August 10 through Saturday, August 13. Tickets are still available! To order tickets, or find more information about the Nationals, visit www.KnoxvilleRaceway.com!
- administrator on Aug 08, 2016
- Article Date: 8/7/2016