Karlnoski captures career first Friesen Empire State Series win

DUNDEE, N.Y. (Oct. 24) – After the third time he drove away from the rest of the field, Rich Karlnoski raced to his career first Friesen Chevrolet Empire State Series feature win.

Karlnoski won his IMCA Xtreme Motor Sports Modified tour heat by most of a straightaway Friday at Yates County Speedway. He was checking out before a lap 18 caution in the main event, then pulled ahead again following the restart.

The victory was worth $400.

“That car was just perfect,” Karlnoski said after piloting the 2008 Ellis, with a self-designed rear end and Steve and Patty Damon-built engine, to the winner’s circle. “When this car is right, it’s perfect.”

Karlnoski stayed in front following several early restarts. He was already negotiating lapped traffic and coming up on a tightknit group of six more cars when the late caution flew.

“I was trying to figure out how I was going to get by and that caution came out at just the right time,” said Karlnoski, who motored away when the green came back out.

Chris Fleming, Gary Smith, Scott Sebring and Eddie Sites completed the top five. Point leader James Cornell was eighth.

A long-time Late Model driver, Karlnoski enjoyed the tutelage of Paul Beach for much of his career and won his first IMCA Modified championship at his hometown track this season.

The 100th event in tour history brings the 13th annual series to a close this Saturday, Nov. 1, when the Friesen Chevrolet Empire State Series returns to Five Mile Point Speedway in Kirkwood during National Quarter Mile Dirt Track Championship Weekend.

Feature results – 1. Rich Karlnoski; 2. Chris Fleming; 3. Gary Smith; 4. Scott Sebring; 5. Eddie Sites; 6. Kurt Decker; 7. Matt Cole; 8. James Cornell; 9. Bob Maynard; 10. Keith Lamphere; 11. Gary Roberts; 12. Ray McClure; 13. Tom Eiklor; 14. Dan Burman; 15. K.C. Cole; 16. Harry Ely; 17. Mike Stoddard; 18. Ken Buck; 19. Brad Sites; 20. Jared Spalding; 21. Tony Harris; 22. Matt Jones; 23. Brandon Smith; 24. Tyler Stoddard.

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