Bob Hunt Photographer

Jerrod Hull (#12) from Sikeston, MO. edged Don Droud Jr. (#71) by four hundredths of a second to win Saturday’s 28th Annual Tom Knowles Memorial at Spoon River Speedway. It was the second year in a row that the defending MOWA champion and current point leader has won the event. Hull led at the outset from the pole position he earned by winning the Dash from row three. Geoff Dodge (#66) settled into second ahead of Droud. By the halfway mark, the leaders were in heavy traffic and Dodge closed on Hull. On lap 16, the lapped machine of Bret Tripplett slowed and Hull made heavy contact with him causing nose wing damage. Dodge made contact as well, as Droud avoided the incident. All would continue on a restart that saw Hull ahead of Dodge, Droud, AJ Bruns (#44) and Ben Wagoner (#84).

MOWA Sprint Series Main Event - 25 laps: 1. 12, Jerrod Hull, Sikeston, MO (1) 2. 71, Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE (6) 3. 66, Geoff Dodge, Colorado Springs, CO (2) 4. 65, Jordan Goldesberry, Springfield, IL (13) 5. 22, Robbie Standridge, Springfield, IL (9) 6. 99w, Korey Weyant, Springfield, IL (10) 7. 3Y, Scott Young, Union Grove, WI (12) 8. 44, AJ Bruns, Athens, IL (8) 9. 23, Jimmy Light, West Springfield, PA (19) 10. 10s, Jeremy Standridge, Springfield, IL (7) 11. 84, Ben Wagoner, Emden, IL (4) 12. 35, Jimmy Hurley, Springfield, IL (15) 13. 7, Critter Malone, Speedway, IN (5) 14. 77u, Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL (18) 15. 53H, Matt Harms, Lacon, IL (3) 16. 2K, Ryan Kempin, House Springs, MO (11) 17. 96, Nathan Charron, Lincoln, IL (14) 18. 9, Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL (17) 19. 22T, Bret Tripplett, Lincoln, IL (16) 20. 6R, Ryan Bunton, Morton, IL (20). Lap Leaders: Hull 1-25.

Brad Kuhn (#57) of Avon, Ind., found a fast outside line and drove to victory, the 21^st of his career in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series. Kuhn started fourth in the 30-lap feature on the three-eighths mile high-banked track and led the final 17 for his second POWRi win of the season. He finished three car lengths in front of Zach Daum, Davey Ray finished third, Tyler Robbins was fourth and local favorite Jake Blackhurst finished fifth. Evan Fink from Glasford, IL (#1F) dominated and won the late model feature.

-Bob

Jerrod Hull led from green to checker to capture his fourth career Tom Knowles Memorial win, and his fourth Monster Energy™ Sprint Car Series win of 2011.  The victory at Spoon River Speedway near Canton, Illinois on Saturday night paid him $2,000. “We had to stay smooth,” said Hull in Victory Lane standing in front of his Midland Performance #12.  “I was a little worried about the tires, so we kept it straight.  Crew chief Scott Bonar had the car set up really nice.  I also have to thank Jeff Hicks, Colton and Roger for helping us tonight.  Canton is one of my favorite places to race.  It’s high-banked and I love it.” Ryan Bunton in the #6R car finished second, and Chris Urish #77u was third.

Kyle Larson led all 30 laps on the fast, high-banked 3/8th mile-track with Brad Loyet finishing in second and Chett Gehrke was third in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series race.

-Bob