East Smethport, PA
July 11, 2013
By Jay Pees

Max Blair picked up his fifth feature win of the season in the RUSH Dirt Late Model Touring Series feature on the same night his father, Rob, was victorious in the NDRL/ULMS Super Late Model night-capper. It was the second time they both accomplished wins on the same night at McKean County Raceway and the 5th time overall in 2013.

The NDRL/ULMS Super Late Models had Rob Blair and Dick Barton on the front row with "King" Richard leading lap one. The next two laps had Blair just a nose ahead at the line but fully in the lead after three circuits. Blair lengthened his led over the remainder of the field to half a straight at the halfway point and a full quarter lap at the finish. Barton was second with Jason DuPont third, Boom Briggs fourth, and Ron Davies filling out the top five. It was Blair's fifth win of the season. The race ran from green to checkers with no cautions.

NDRL Super Late Models:
Heat 1: Dick Barton, Ron Davies, Doug Eck, Bob Dorman, Michael Oakes

Heat 2: Rob Blair, Jason DuPont, Boom Briggs, Greg Oakes, Brent Rhebergen

Feature: Rob Blair, Dick Barton, Jason DuPont, Boom Briggs, Ron Davies, Brent Rhebergen, Greg Oakes, Doug Eck, Michael Oakes, Bob Dorman

The RUSH Dirt Late Model Touring Series made their second stop at McKean County Raceway in 2013 with 32 cars pulling into the pit area. After four heats, two B-Mains, and a Dash, the feature of 25 cars was set with Brad Mesler and Max Blair sitting on the front row.

Joe Martin, who suffered mechanical failure near the end of the first appearance of RUSH in June, then dropping a driveshaft while leading his qualifying heat tonight, took a provisional position to start the event. Blair led from the drop of the green flag with Mesler falling into second. Dusty Waters, running mid-pack, got together with another car at the completion of lap two, turning him sideways in front of the pack. By the time the dust settled twelve cars were involved. Justin Tatlow, Bob Kish, Waters, and Matt Lux had to be towed to the pit and several others went pitside for repairs but twenty one of the twenty-five starters were able to resume the event.

Blair continued to lead after green with Mike Pegher quickly coming to second. By eight laps in, Ryan Montgomery was third with Mesler back to fourth. At twelve laps in, Blair came into lapped traffic with Pegher right behind. With the two slicing through lapped traffic Cody Dawson spun in turn four, bringing the race back under yellow and putting the long-time rivals, Blair and Pegher on the front row for the restart.

Blair charged to the lead when the race resumed and Ryan Montgomery got by Pegher in turn one but Pegher was second again by the time the field got to turn three. Yellow again flew on lap sixteen when pole-sitter Brad Mesler spun coming off turn two. The front five for the restart were Blair, Pegher, Montgomery, Rick Singleton, and Joe Martin, from last on the starting grid! One lap after green and Davis came to third but yellow flew at lap eighteen when Jorden Peters spun in turn three, collecting Bob Kish and Rich Hemphill. Jason Genco was sent to the rear of the field for his part in the incident.

On the restart Pegher got sideways in turn two, stacking up cars behind him. Cody Mason spun in the melee, again slowing the race. During the caution Pegher retired to the pit with a flat left rear tire, leaving Martin second. Yet another yellow flew before a lap was complete.

Blair and Martin again lined up at the front of the pack. Blair powered away to yet another win with Martin second, Davis third, Ed Carley fourth, and Rick Singleton fifth. Thirteen of the original twenty-five starters finished the grind. Blair now has five wins on the season.

RUSH Dirt Late Model Touring Series:
Heat 1: Chad Ruhlman, Rick Singleton, Rich Hemphill, Bob Kish, Butch Lambert, Scott Fitch, Ward Schell, Doug Ricotta (DNS)

Heat 2: Ed Carley, Jorden Peters, Paul Grigsby, Cody Dawson, Justin Tatlow, Matt Glanden, Justin Smith, Joe Martin

Heat 3: Dusty Waters, Max Blair, Ryan Montgomery, Matt Lux, Jason Genco, Bryce Davis, Zack Carley, Bruno Mowrey

Heat 4: Luke Carlton, Mike Pegher, Brad Mesler, Dereck Frank, Adam Sixt, Cody Mason, Craig Dean, Garrett Stephen

B-Main 1: Matt Glanden, Doug Ricotta, Justin Smith, Joe Martin, Scott Fitch

B-Main 2: Bryce Davis, Cody Mason, Zack Carley, Garrett Stephen, Craig Dean, Bruno Mowrey

Dash: Cody Dawson, Bob Kish, Matt Lux, Dereck Frank

Non-Qualifiers Race: Zack Carley, Justin Smith, Scott Fitch, Garrett Stephen, Craig Dean

Feature: Max Blair, Joe Martin, Bryce Davis, Ed Carley, Rick Singleton, Ryan Montgomery, Butch Lambert, Matt Glanden, Cody Mason, Adam Sixt, Jason Genco, Brad Mesler, Richard Hemphill, Mike Peghtter, Chad Ruhlman, Doug Ricotta, Jorden Peters, Bob Kish, Paul Grigsby, Cody Dawson, Dereck Frank, Dusty Waters, Luke Carlton, Matt Lux, Justin Tatlow