PURDUE DOES IT AT KNOXVILLE’S USAC iRACING CHALLENGE
Knoxville, Iowa (April 9, 2020)………It took three final restarts to finish the deal, but Aiden Purdue came from second to ultimately prevail coming to the white flag, taking the victory in round two of the USAC AMSOIL iRacing Challenge Presented by NOS Energy Drink Thursday night at Knoxville Raceway.
Purdue, of Clinton, Ill., a micro sprint racing veteran, finished just one spot out of the final transfer spot during the “real-life” Shamrock Classic USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget event back in March of 2020, his series debut.
But, on this night, Purdue was running second on the first of three tries at the final restart. After two yellows aborted last lap efforts by Purdue on the first two attempt, the third proved to be the winning move with a slide job by Purdue resulting in contact between he and race leader Kaidon Brown, a USAC National Midget veteran himself from Australia.
Purdue’s rear bumper and Brown’s front bumper glanced off each other near the guardrail between turns three and four coming to the white flag. Brown, along with third-place runner and USAC Silver Crown veteran Ronnie Wuerdeman made it three-wide with Purdue on the outside into turn one on the last lap. However, Purdue responded to the challenge utilizing the high line and pulled away to score the victory in the Clauson-Marshall Racing No. 39BC.
On the cooldown lap following the checkered flag, Brown took umbrage with Purdue’s pass, sending Purdue into a spin on the back straightaway.
Purdue pocketed a $500 winner’s share, while Brown took $300 for second and Wuerdeman $100 for third thanks to series sponsors to sponsors TOPP Motorsports, Hayward Motorsports, Petry Motorsports and Baldwin Brothers Racing.
Two events and three total races remain on the USAC iRacing Challenge calendar with a Midget race at Williams Grove Speedway next Thursday, April 16 and the finale, a Sprint Car and Midget doubleheader at Eldora Speedway on Thursday, April 23. All events will at 9pm EST on FloRacing.
April 2: Kokomo Speedway (Midgets) – WINNER: Brennan Rogers
April 9: Knoxville Raceway (Sprints) – WINNER: Aiden Purdue
April 16: Williams Grove Speedway (Midgets)
April 23: Eldora Speedway (Sprints & Midgets)
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USAC AMSOIL iRACING CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY NOS ENERGY DRINK SPRINT CAR RACE RESULTS: April 9, 2020 – Knoxville Raceway – Knoxville, Iowa
FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Aiden Purdue, 2. Kaidon Brown, 3. Ronnie Wuerdeman, 4. Logan Seavey, 5. Chris Windom, 6. Daison Pursley, 7. Anton Hernandez, 8. Trey Robb, 9. Cannon McIntosh, 10. Chase Briscoe, 11. Connor Leoffler, 12. Tyler Thomas, 13. Tanner Thorson, 14. Korbyn Hayslett, 15. Stephen Schnapf, 16. Joel Rayborne, 17. Robert Dalby, 18. Chase Johnson, 19. Tanner Carrick, 20. Christopher Bell. NT
