KNOXVILLE, Iowa — Justin Zeitner won the 22-lap Bob Maschmann Memorial for the Malvern Bank SLMR Series Saturday night at Knoxville Raceway.
Zeitner led every lap from the pole in the event that shared the card with the Knoxville Late Model Nationals.
Jeff Tharp and Chad Holladay were quickly in the mix, getting by Tad Pospisil for third and fourth on lap two. Holladay continued his charge by passing Tharp for the third spot on lap three. Tharp slowed shortly after and exited the event. Derrick Stewart had entered the top five by lap five.
Zeitner entered lapped traffic on lap 11 before Curtis Glover stopped in turn one to bring a caution. Zeitner led Eckrich, Holladay, Pospisil and Stewart back to green. Eckrich pulled up inside Zeitner on lap 16 entering turn one. Zeitner quickly corrected across Eckrich’s nose entering the turn, keeping his position.
Holladay was a late player, getting by Eckrich at one point and vying briefly for the lead on the high side. The crowd rose to their feet, but it was Zeitner who prevailed for the first time on the famous half-mile.
Eckrich made a last lap pass for second, ahead of Holladay, Pospisil and Luke Goedert. Stewart, Jeff Aikey, Kyle Berck, Corey Zeitner and J.C. Wyman completed the top 10.
“We were a little free here and you have to be,” said Zeitner. “I knew if I didn’t give up that bottom, we’d probably be alright. I slid across the racetrack once and I knew I’d about been had. I made sure to hit my marks and not give that bottom up. I appreciate the Maschmann family and everything they do for this event. Without them, we wouldn’t have it. It’s a pleasure to be racing here at Knoxville. It’s really cool.”
The finish:
Feature (22 Laps): 1. Justin Zeitner (1); 2. Andy Eckrich (2); 3. Chad Holladay (8); 4. Tad Pospisil (3); 5. Luke Goedert (6); 6. Derrick Stewart (9); 7. Jeff Aikey (14); 8. Kyle Berck (11); 9. Corey Zeitner (4); 10. JC Wyman (13); 11. Zach Zeitner (15); 12. Matt Ryan (18); 13. Andrew Kosiski (12); 14. Curt Schroeder (20); 15. Charlie McKenna (16); 16. Jaxon Saathoff (10); 17. Darrel DeFrance (21); 18. Dave Eckrich (7); 19. Josh Leonard (23); 20. Fred Remley (19); 21. Curtis Glover (24); 22. Jeff Tharp (5) DNS – Chad Simpson, Bill Leighton.