Aug. 6, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 
Victory At Eriez, Runner-Up Finish At McKean County Puts Smile
On Mike Knight’s Face

RIPLEY, NY – Mike Knight fell just a handful of laps short of two wins in as many starts last weekend, but he wasn’t about to complain about his fate.

After being plagued by bad luck for much of the season, the 21-year-old from Ripley, N.Y., was more than satisfied with a victory on Sunday night (Aug. 3) at Eriez Speedway in Hammett, Pa., and a runner-up finish last Thursday night (July 31) at McKean County Raceway in East Smethport, Pa.

 "We had a great weekend,” said a happy Knight, whose momentum was dulled only by a rainout on Saturday night (Aug. 2) at Stateline Speedway in Busti, N.Y. “We had two really good runs and we made some money close to home.”

Knight continued to stamp himself as the driver to beat in 2008 at Eriez, rolling to his third triumph in his last five Super Late Model starts there on Sunday night. The defending track champion roared forward from the third starting spot in the 25-lap feature to grab the lead from Rich Gardner and march to an uncontested victory.

“I just went to the high side on a restart and made it happen,” Knight said of his winning pass. “My car has been so fast lately at Eriez, it’s been unreal. We’ve really found a combination that works there.”

Three days earlier, Knight made a strong bid to win the 30-lap United Late Model Series (ULMS) feature at McKean County Raceway. He started from the pole position in his Rocket No. 9K and led the race’s first 22 laps before being overtaken by eventual winner Todd Andrews while racing amid lapped traffic.

A caution flag with six laps remaining gave Knight a final shot at Andrews, but he couldn’t pull off a pass and settled for second place.

“My car was so bolted to the track, I didn’t think that anybody would be able to touch us,” Knight said of his McKean County performance. “But Todd Andrews really had a fast car. I was probably a little hard on the right-rear (tire compound) and a little soft on the left-rear, but Andrews had the best car.

“I tried everything I could to pass him back after the last caution, but I couldn’t get him.”

Knight will stay close to home again this weekend to enter events on Saturday night (Aug. 9) at Stateline Speedway and Sunday (Aug. 10) at Eriez Speedway.

Off the track, the rising star continues to seek the support of his fans in pursuit of the $10,000 top prize in the ‘Alltel Ohio Speedweek All-Star’ on-line contest. He’s one of 15 standout dirt Late Model drivers eligible for the 10-grand award thanks to his fifth-place finish in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series Alltel Ohio Speedweek event on July 27 at Eriez Speedway.

Fans can vote for Knight once a day through Sept. 9 by visiting www.AlltelAllStar.com.

An up-and-coming dirt Late Model driver whose breakout 2007 season was highlighted by a points title at Eriez Speedway, Knight has an ambitious schedule of 70-plus races across the region planned with his family-owned team in 2008. His operation carries sponsorship from His operation carries sponsorship from Arrowhead Wine Cellars, Mobilia Fruit Farm, Ottaway’s Auto Parts, Ottaway’s Auto Body, Knight Farms, NYPenn Surveying, TeCulver Contracting, Ripley Machine & Tool, Genesis Shocks, Slavic Custom Racing Shirts, Farr MotorSports, MWB Web Designs and American Racing Tire 

For more information on Mike Knight, visit www.mikeknight9k.com.

MKR PR.