MOUNT VERNON — Anthony Shaffer did it again.
The Fredericktown native is the Knox County Fair Figure 8 School Bus champion driver for the third consecutive year.
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Shaffer drove the long bus dubbed “Smokin’ Bus” to victory on Thursday night before a packed crowd at the grandstand.
Shaffer led the 20-lap feature finale wire to wire, narrowly avoiding a collision with Ethan Robertson in the second lap, then cruising the rest of the way.
“It was fun,” said Shaffer after the race. “I love it.”
By the midway point in the race, the black smoke coming from the four buses (in particular, Smokin’ Bus) made it virtually impossible to see. Spectators lost track of the participants. Even the drivers themselves couldn’t see.
“I couldn’t see a thing,” said Shaffer. “I just knew where I was. I couldn’t see anyone else.”


