Stock Jr. and Mother Nature Claim Knox County Fair Races
by Brian Neal
Knoxville, IL (Wednesday, July 12, 2017) – After being rained out and then made-up one week later in 2016, the Knox County Fair Race was held on it’s scheduled Wednesday night in 2017. But a hot and humid day kept a change of rain in the forecast for the evening, which caused officials to play beat the weather game.
After all the qualifying heat races were completed, the 12 lap Street Stock feature was the first to take to the track. Tyler Gilmour and Steve Brandt Jr. drew the front row for the event, with Gilmour grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Jeff Stock Jr. and Justin Crowell. Gilmour then held the top spot until lap 4, when Stock Jr. was able to slip under him to grab the lead. Then just after lap 4 was scored complete the first and only caution of the race appeared, as Alan Cottom spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Stock Jr. moved back out front, with Gilmour and Robert Cottom following. Stock Jr. then pulled away over the final laps to pick up the win. Gilmour was 2nd, Robert Cottom was 3rd, Crowell was 4th, with Brandt Jr. coming home in 5th.
The 20 lap Modified race of champions was scheduled to take to the track next. But when the area was put under a severe thunder storm warning, the metal grandstands and infield pit area were cleared out for everyone’s safety. Minutes later the skies opened up and poured on the grounds. This would force officials to cancel the remainder of the night. The purse that was going to be paid out, was tallied up and divided equally between the competitors.
Who know what the 2018 Knox County Fair schedule will look like, but let’s hope it stills has stock cars races on it!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Wednesday, July 12, 2017 – Knox County Fair Race Night
Knox County Fair, Knoxville, Illinois
MODIFIEDS
HEAT 1: (UMP Style) 1. Brandon Rothzen, Gladstone, IL; 2. Ray Bollinger, Kewanee, IL; 3. Matt Werner, Colona, IL; 4. Donovan Lodge, Moline, IL; 5. A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 6. Charles Baker, LaBelle, MO; 7. Dean McGee, Galesburg, IL; 8. Dave Wietholder, Liberty, IL
Heat 2: (IMCA Style) 1. Brandon Rothzen, Gladstone, IL; 2. Kurt Kile, Nichols, IA; 3. Dean McGee, Galesburg, IL; 4. George Spence III, Sherrard, IL; 5. Blake Woodruff, Galesburg, IL; 6. Dugan Thye, Burlington, IA
Feature: (Rained out)
SPORTMODS
Heat: 1. Brad Willis Jr., Creve Coure, IL; 2. Kevin Goben, Sherrard, IL; 3. Chris McMahill, Gilson, IL; 4. Brandt Cole, Rock Falls, IL
Feature: (Rained out)
STREET STOCKS
Heat: 1. Steve Brandt Jr., Bartonville, IL; 2. Jeff Stock Jr., Davenport, IA; 3. Robert Cottom, Galesburg, IL; 4. Tyler Gilmour, Peoria, IL; 5. Justin Crowell, Lincoln, IL; 6. Alan Cottom, Galesburg, IL; 7. Steve Miller, Canton, IL
Feature: 1. Jeff Stock Jr.; 2. Tyler Gilmour; 3. Robert Cottom; 4. Justin Crowell; 5. Steve Brandt Jr.; 6. Steve Miller; 7. Alan Cottom
Category: Illinois
