ULMS: Valone Takes Gleason Memorial In a Photo-Finish

Series report

E. SMETHPORT, Pa. - June 30 Chad Valone won the second annual "Ned Gleason Memorial" Thursday at McKean County Raceway. Valone, debuting a brand new Rocket Chassis, picked up the $3000 prize money in a three-wide photo finish, eaking out the win by a mere two inches of Matt Lux and four inches over ULMS point Leader Mike Knight in the Northern Tier Inc United Late Model Series event.

Jason Dupont and Lux paced the field to John Powell’s green flag for the 30-lap event. Dupont rocketed into the lead over Lux and Valone before the first yellow came out after the opening lap for Denny Fenton. Back to green, it was Dupont back to the front with eight starting, Greg Oakes rocketing his way into fourth behind Lux. Oakes grabbed third on lap four, but Lux roared back on lap five to reclaim it. At that point, Ron Davies sat in fifth.

With ten laps in the books, Dupont lstill lead the charge as Valone kept the pressure on, but the car on the move was that of points leader Mike Knight. He made his way to fifth on lap 12 and one lap later, disposed of Oakes for fourth before the yellow flashed again at the halfway point.

On the restart, Valone and Dupont simultaneously fired together but it was Lux that had the great start as he made it three wide down the front stretch into turn one. As the scramble cleared in turn two it was Valone the new leader and Mike Knight in to second with Lux and Dupont getting shuffled back to fourth.  Dan Stone had advanced to fifth. With Valone then pacing Knight and Lux just hanging out in third, the other battle was for fourth between Dupont, Stone, and Dick Barton.

The final few laps saw Knight try to get under Valone at each corner, but the Valone machine would pull a car length or two off the corner. As the white flag flew, Knight made another charge into turn one and two and had to back off to avoid contact. Knight tried again in turn three and four as the duo exited turn four, Lux stuck his car under the duo to make it three-wide out of turn four for the finish. As the trio crossed the line, it was Valone by a mere two inches over Lux, with Knight making it a three-wide photo finish that had the fans on their feet. Stone got by Dupont for fourth, while Dick Barton, Gregg Satterlee, Greg Oakes, Dennis Lunger and Boom Briggs rounded out the top ten.

Valone’s win was his second ULMS win of his career and his first ever at McKean County Raceway.