**Blake M Andrews Takes Opening Statement at Knoxville** Blake M Andrews started third on the grid at Knoxville and executed a methodical climb to the front, seizing control late and holding off Todd LaBoube down the stretch to claim Round 1. LaBoube led the opening stint with 17 laps in command, but Andrews had the pace to hunt him down. When the moment presented itself, Andrews made the decisive move stick and crossed the line with enough margin to shake off LaBoube's final charges. The real story beyond the top was Bruce Clingan's relentless drive through the field. Starting buried in 18th, Clingan picked off cars with precision en route to a sixth-place finish — a twelve-position gain that announced his intentions for the season. Jeremy Christensen rounded out the podium in third, holding steady in the battle for supremacy up front.