8/4/2019
RacinBoys
Epperson captures Pro Series main at Knoxville
By Bill Wright (Knoxville, IA) - Evan Epperson won his second career feature with the Pro Sprints presented by Pace Performance during the final night of the 29th Annual My Place Hotels 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank..
Matt Johnston led the 15-lap race early on ahead of Matthew Stelzer and Chris Walraven. Evan Epperson moved into the top five by lap three, and took fourth from Jeff Wilke on lap five.
Devin Wignall came to a stop six laps in for the only caution of the race. Johnston led Stelzer, Walraven, Epperson and Wilke back to green. Brandon Worthington joined the top five on lap eight.
At the halfway point, Epperson caught fire, gaining third from Walraven and then jumping two more spots to lead lap ten. Stelzer and Walraven were left to battle for the runner-up spot behind him. Worthington also found late speed, gaining third at the white flag lap, and then shooting by Walraven for second on the last lap.
Epperson’s second career win here came ahead of Worthington, Walraven, Stelzer and Chase Young. Johnston, Russ Hall, Wignall, Matthew Johnson and Wilke rounded out the top ten. Walraven posted quick time, while Hall and Tyler Barrick won the heats.
“It was a risky move,” said Epperson of his winning maneuver on lap ten. “I thought it would work out. We bolted a new tire on before the races, and it held together. We had a really bad start. As soon as I moved the wing back, the car was a rocket ship. It’s been a long year and a half since my last win, but this one’s even sweeter.”
The $7,500 to win Bell Helmets Capitani Classic presented by Great Southern Bank for 410 sprint cars takes to the track Sunday night, August 4! For tickets and other information, visit www.KnoxvilleRaceway.com!
29th Annual MyPlace Hotels Knoxville 360 Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank Results
Pro Series Results
Time Trials (Group Qualifying): 1. 56, Chris Walraven, Knoxville, IA (1), 17.372; 2. 14J, Mike Johnston, Des Moines, IA (3), 17.574; 3. 29, Russ Hall, Pleasant Hill, IA (12), 17.589; 4. 21, Evan Epperson, Muscatine, IA (6), 17.634; 5. 41, Jeff Wilke, Genoa, IL (5), 17.662; 6. 71, Brandon Worthington, Indianola, IA (8), 17.688; 7. 21X, Devin Wignall, Altoona, IA (2), 17.791; 8. 99, Matthew Stelzer, Papillion, NE (4), 17.979; 9. 0, Mike Mayberry, Fremont, IA (13), 18.019; 10. 2, Matt Johnson, Melcher-Dallas, IA (10), 18.378; 11. 26, Chase Young, Des Moines, IA (11), 18.625; 12. 11, Tyler Barrick, Slater, IA (9), 18.731; 13. 50, Scotty Johnson, Melcher-Dallas, IA (7), 21.981
Heat one (started), 7 Laps, 2:10.8 (NTR): 1. Russ Hall (5); 2. Mike Mayberry (2); 3. Jeff Wilke (4); 4. Devin Wignall (3); 5. Chris Walraven (6); 6. Scotty Johnson (7); 7. Chase Young (1)
Heat two (started), 6 Laps, 1:56.9: 1. Tyler Barrick (1); 2. Matthew Stelzer (3); 3. Matt Johnson (2); 4. Evan Epperson (5); 5. Brandon Worthington (4); 6. Mike Johnston (6)
A main (started), 15 Laps, NT: 1. Evan Epperson (3); 2. Brandon Worthington (9); 3. Chris Walraven (5); 4. Matthew Stelzer (1); 5. Chase Young (12); 6. Mike Johnston (2); 7. Russ Hall (6); 8. Devin Wignall (8); 9. Matt Johnson (11); 10. Jeff Wilke (4); 11. Mike Mayberry (7); 12. Tyler Barrick (10); 13. Scotty Johnson (13). Lap Leaders: Johnston 1-9, Epperson 10-15. Hard-charger: Worthington.
Submitted By: Kirk Elliott
