Lebanon's Tyler Knudtson showed the rest of the field the fast way around the Lebanon Midway Speedway Friday night in capturing his first win of the season with the Out-Pace USRA B-Mods presented by U-Pull-it Auto Parts of Lebanon.

Knudtson, who ended the 2018 season on a high note by grabbing the Bud Perry Memorial last season, has been tweaking on the car and used last week's rain-out to get his car dialed in by leading all 15 laps and withstanding a late-race surge from Dillion McCowan and former champion Tyler Brown in the closing three laps of the caution-free feature.

After two intense qualifying heats won by Knudtson and McCowan, the redraw ended up being a heads-up start placing both drivers on the front row while defending USRA national champion Kris Jackson was in the 11th spot and 2018 track champion Sam Petty, who struggled with motor issues, and started in the ninth spot.

When the green flew, Knudtson rocketed to the lead as McCowan settled into second place with Brown, the 2017 track champion, in third and close behind. Knudtson was setting a quick pace on the field as all eyes were focused on Jackson who was patient early and letting the quick pace field settle in.

Knudtson had a six-car advantage as Brown was applying pressure pressure for second place. Petty, seemed to have fixed his problems and was on the move quickly. He moved around Brian Myers on lap 3 to take over fourth and Jackson was now fifth and looking for more. Up front, Knudtson was on a rail as McCowan and Brown kept the runner-up spot interesting and slowly started to gain on the leader as Petty and Jackson were in action for fourth and trying to reel-in the top three.

In a record time, Knudtson started to see his lead get smaller in the last three laps as McCowan had gain stride with Brown on his bumper as the leaders began to hit lapped traffic. Knudtson made the right moves and decisions as they went through traffic quickly with Knudtson taking his career-first Out-Pace USRA B-Mod win as McCowan, Brown, Petty and Jackson completed the top five.

"We got lucky tonight with the redraw, but we knew we had a good car tonight. Considering the rain during the week, the track was in good shape and very quick and racy," said Knudtson. "I didn't know that the 8 (McCowan) and T10 (Brown) were closing that quick. We had a good rhythm going and glad it went caution-free."

The young Lebanon leadfoot thanked his dad Junior, girlfriend Kristin and sponsors Knudtson's 32 Garage & Sales, TJR Racing in Lebanon, Cave Creek Cabin, Southside Salvage and Show-Me Dents.

Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series action featuring Out-Pace USRA B-Mods plus Street Stocks, Hornets, Midwest Modifieds, Pure Stocks Kidz Cruisers continues next Friday night, May 17.

The Lebanon Midway Speedway is located 5 miles East of Lebanon on Highway 32 and then on B Highway.

More information can be gathered at the track's Facebook page or MidwaySpeedway.net.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
United States Racing Association
Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series
Lebanon Midway Speedway, Lebanon, Mo.
Friday, May 10, 2019

Out-Pace USRA B-Mods

Feature:
1. (1) 8K Tyler Knudtson, Lebanon, Mo.
2. (2) 8 Dillion McCowan, Urbana, Mo.
3. (4) T10 Tyler Brown, Stoutland, Mo.
4. (9) 9 Sam Petty, Marshfield, Mo.
5. (11) 65 Kris Jackson, Lebanon, Mo.
6. (3) 16M Brian Myers, Lebanon, Mo.
7. (7) 29 Dalton Keith, Lebanon, Mo.
8. (5) 32 Kelly Hicks, Pea Ridge, Ark.
9. (10) 58M Jamie Mauk, Lebanon, Mo.
10. (6) 88r Robin Showers, Eldon, Mo.
11. (8) 28 Wesley Briggs, Lebanon, Mo.