Solid Fall finishes for Zach Knowles leaves path for future

Staying focused on finishing his regional racing career in Texas on a high note, Houston native Zach Knowles recently racked up two more podium finishes to add to a stellar season at Central Texas Speedway (CTS).

Last weekend, Knowles bounced between his Late Model and his Modified car, where the track time proved to be beneficial. Changes within the Zach Knowles Motorsports (ZKM) program saw the 26-year-old debut new components in his Late Model where the driver immediately responded with fast lap times and a second-place qualifying effort.

During the quick 44-lap race, Knowles was challenging for the lead, when the leader checked up in the corner. To avoid causing more chaos, Knowles spun. Being sent to the rear of the field, the Texan knew that with laps winding down with little time to waste.

Maneuvering through the field, Knowles’ No. 51 Grant Sheet Metal / Zach Knowles Motorsports Ford Fusion made contact with another car, caving the fender and spiking the engine temperatures. While monitoring his water temperatures, Knowles continued to climb through the field and fought his way to third when the checkered flag flew.

Climbing aboard his Modified a short time later, Knowles didn’t get a good start at the initial green flag dropping him to third overall where he stayed for a few laps. While working on the high side of the race track, Knowles did a brilliant job to catch the two leaders and avoided potential disaster when the two tangled, surging him into the race lead.

Knowles would continue to hold the race lead until the final 10 laps of the race, where shortly after a restart, an aggressive driver from behind found Knowles in a tight three-wide battle for the race lead.

Stuck in the middle of two cars, Knowles had to burp the throttle to avoid wrecking all three race cars sending him back to third. Despite his best effort, he ran out of laps to regain his distance lost and challenge for the race win.

He finished third.

“Last weekend was very eventful,” said Knowles. “We had two really good pieces that we brought to the track, but just didn’t get things to go our way in the end to put us in Victory Lane. “I can’t thank my Zach Knowles Motorsports team enough for their hard work. Our season finale is coming up in a couple of weeks and I hope we’re able to end our season with a win.”

While thankful for the mark he has made at CTS this season, Knowles and his team are surging ahead hoping to make that next step in his racing endeavors.

This week, Knowles is in North Carolina having productive meetings with race teams hoping to set a direction for his 2017 racing season. This weekend, he’ll attend the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Sprint Cup races at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

“It’s been a very productive week in North Carolina and I’m thankful for the opportunities that are out there, I just have to continue to work hard and see where everything lands,” added Knowles. “Right now, the goal is to be at the Daytona International Speedway test in January with ARCA.”

In addition to Grant Sheet Metal, ZKM is proud to welcome the support of Reynolds company, Wholesale Electric, Taylor Lightning Protection, Material Express Inc., Midwest Electric, REDCO Tool and Fastener, Frio Acres and HD Supply as associate partners this season.

Zach Knowles Motorsports has additional primary or associate marketing partnerships available for this season. Interested parties should contact [email protected].  

Be sure to keep up with the latest through his website by viewing the driver’s all-new website at ZachKnowles.com.

Zach Knowles PR