FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Story, audio and photo by Managing Editor Jacob Seelman for Speed77 Radio and Race Chaser Online —
When you move into second on any list behind three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, you’ve done something special.
Which means that Saturday afternoon at the Rumble in Fort Wayne, Mooresville, North Carolina’s Brandon Knupp did something very special, indeed.
Knupp soared to the top of the time sheets during Saturday time trials for the National Midgets at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, posting a quick lap of 7.904 seconds to lead all comers in qualifying.
The run was Knupp’s third-straight Rumble Quick Time Award, as well as the third of his Fort Wayne career. Only Stewart has more quick laps in qualifying, with ten career fast times to his name.
And despite the chart-topping run, Knupp still wasn’t satisfied with his No. 78 machine.
“It’s actually a little worse compared to where it was yesterday, but we’re trying a few things,” Knupp said following the conclusion of time trials. “Hopefully we can hit on what we need to here for the heats and put this thing in the show instead of having to go through the consi.”
2012 Rumble in Fort Wayne winner Derek Bischak came in second quick with a lap of 7.911 seconds, followed by the Munchkin of Cooper Clouse (7.989), who has now qualified third both nights of the Rumble so far.
Fort Wayne local Geoff Kaiser (8.041) had a strong run to come in fourth-fastest and Joe Ligouri (8.054) rounded out the fast five.
Audio with quick time award winner Brandon Knupp:
National Midget Saturday Qualifying Results
1. Brandon Knupp, 78, Chambers, 7.904
2. Derek Bischak, 31, Bischak, 7.911
3. Cooper Clouse, 14, Clouse, 7.989
4. Geoff Kaiser, 10, Moore, 8.041
5. Joe Liguori, 8up, Williams, 8.054
6. Ross Rankine, 9r, Rankine, 8.062
7. Bobby Santos III, 1g, Gormly, 8.078
8. Bryan Nuckles, 59, Nuckles, 8.082
9. Kyle Hamilton, 33, Hamilton, 8.128
10. Jim Anderson, 99a, Guess, 8.146.
11. Patrick Bruns, 22, Grskovic, 8.168
12. Justin Peck, 5x, Clay, 8.185
13. Billy Wease, 99, Burrow, 8.191
14. Chris Neuenschwander, 8, Neuenschwander, 8.199
15. Russ Gamester, 46, Gamester, 8.210
16. Anthony Nocella, 4, Seymour, 8.213
17. David Gough, 6, Gough, 8.236
18. Jimmy McCune, 61, Kenyon, 8.276
19. Matt Westfall, 9, Ryder, 8.297
20. Nick Hamilton, 1, Steele, 8.336
21. Cory Setser, 24, Setser, 8.339
22. Austin Nemire, 19, O’Connell, 8.352
23. Lynsey Liguori, 74, Williams, 8.374
24. Rex Norris III, 63, Norris, 8.388
25. Mike Streicher, 19b, Belt, 8.390
26. Brian Gerster, 98, Burrow, 8.404
27. Chris Jagger Jr., 32j, Jagger, 8.498
28. Anthony McCune, 45, 3-K, 8.514
29. Rich Corson, 15, Corson, 8.533
30. Kyle O’Gara, 27, Lawson, 8.560
31. Kevin Atkins, 36a, Atkins, 8.642
32. Joey Burrow, 49, Burrow, 8.647
33. Branson Dils, 15k, Chambers-Knupp
8.673; 34. Brad Greenup, 4g, Greenup, 8.708
35. Alex Watson, 41, Sexton, 8.782
36. Jake Mangeot, 92, Burrow, 9.403
37. Robby Parish, 7k, Irwin, NT
38. Taylor Jagger, 27, Jagger, NT
39. Shayne Riley, 57r, Riley, NT
40. Chris Jagger, 88, Jagger, NT
41. Bryan Nuckles, 59, Nuckles, withdrew
