MOUNT VERNON — Anthony Shaffer of Fredericktown made it two wins in a row at the Knox County Fair. Shaffer, competing in the long bus division of the Figure 8 School Bus races, wowed the crowd and the competition to win the event for the second straight year.
image gallery
“We had a tremendous time,” said Shaffer. “It was fast paced, so you’ve got to watch what you are doing and you’ve always got to know where you are at. I couldn’t have done it without my whole crew who helped me put it together — Tim Weiler, Jeff Trainor, Lou’s Trucking Equipment. We all put this bus together. It was a good time.”
Shaffer, who won his 15-lap heat over Amanda Rogers and Ethan Robertson, found himself trailing Rogers, who is from Mount Vernon, and Rob Hamman of Mount Sterling in the final. Ben Householder of Danville also competed in the final, but his bus was disabled after becoming jammed on a concrete barrier. Shaffer made a pass on Rogers and Hamman, who were tangled together with five laps to go, and held on for the victory.
“The flagman told us we had five laps, and at that point, you really have to pay attention,” said Shaffer. “I took advantage of Amanda getting tangled up with the other bus and took the inside curve. That’s how I was able to do it.”
Shaffer’s move was something of a longshot, especially considering how a school bus turns.
“It is something to maneuver,” said Shaffer. “You’ve got to know how the track is set up and how wide it is. Then you have to make adjustments. In my case, we have smaller ties on the front, so it turns pretty narrow. That’s how I was able to corner right around and sneak in front of those other buses.”
jhuddleston@mountvernonnews.com