KNOXVILLE, IOWA (June 29, 2014)- The UMP Summer Hell Tour was back in action last night at the Knoxville Raceway. The racing was very exciting as VLR_Shock jumped out to an early lead after starting fifth, while trying to build a big lead before his soft tires faded. The Tennessee driver stretched out to a 1.7 second lead over Doit 10, who worked his way by outside pole sitter BLS_18 for second.
However, When the 0 machine of Shock's tires began to fade, they went quickly. After taking over the lead on lap 3, Shock built a big lead early, but by lap 26 he had lost the lead to Doit 10's much harder compound. Shock began dropping positions virtually every lap and by the time the race was over at lap 40 he had faltered to six due to his tires fading.
Up front however, Doit 10 was feeling pressure again from BLS_18 for the lead. The lap car of Jok3r made things interesting with just 7 laps to go. Jok3r drifted up into the high line where the leaders was running and Doit 10 made contact with the rear of the slower car. The contact slowed down 10 just enough for BLS_18 to suck up to his rear bumper, and the race was on.
The two veteran drivers changed the lead several times over the last few laps, and coming to the white flag it was BLS_18 who had the top spot by two car lengths. Doit 10 had a strong final lap and drove his car deep into turn four to make a final charge, but at the line BLS_18 was able to edge Doit 10 by less than a car length in a thrilling finish that had the fans on their feet.
This is the last race for this series, but VLR is making plans to start their 10th Anniversary tour in July and will likely either run the UMP Hell Chassis or the Gen 5 Late Model Chassis, or possibly a new chassis with the strong tire wear that the UMP Hell Cars have. Opinions are welcome, however. VLR was founded on July 30, 2004 and enters their tenth year of league racing in August.
Knoxville Raceway Results
Date: June 29, 2014
Chassis: UMP Hell Late Models
League: Unsanctioned
Margin of Victory: 0.11
Fast Lap: VLR_Shock 13.24
TOP 10
Name / Location
1. BLS_18 / Brookfield, Wisconsin
2. Doit 10 / Fort Worth, Texas
3. BLS_BW / Sparta, Michigan
4. BLS_B45 / Coshocton, Ohio
5. BMS / Lyons, New York
6. VLR_Shock / Crossville, Tennessee
7. XCR_TM / Mexico, New York
8. J-Mac / Amsterdam, New York
9. Jok3r /
10. WFO_Ranger / Erie, Pennsylvania