Terry McCarl's Sprint Car at DM Sports Show
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
KNOXVILLE, IOWA - Six-time Knoxville Raceway track champion and World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Series regular Terry McCarl of Altoona will have his Big Game Tree Stands-sponsored sprint car at this week’s 63rd annual Des Moines Sports Show in the Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The winged 410-cubic-inch machine will be in booths 917-918, representing the Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, and the Knoxville-based National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, at the February 16-20 trade show.
According to museum executive director Tom Schmeh, “In the past we’ve had museum sponsor Casey’s General Stores’ WoO sprinter at the Des Moines show, so we thought about mixing things up a little this year. And the tie-in with Terry McCarl’s Big Game Tree Stands sponsorship seemed perfect for an outdoor recreation-themed show. The Des Moines Sports Show continues to be one of our best marketing venues, as fans in the metro have learned that they can annually pick up their Knoxville Raceway wallet schedules and brochures at this fun event. In addition, they can learn about other businesses and attractions in Knoxville, including the National Sprint Car Museum, which is now just 35 minutes away from the state capital via the four-lane Highway 5.”
McCarl’s Wesmar-powered Eagle sprinter is also sponsored by Country Builders, the Fleet Buying Group’s Clean-O brand, Bosma Poultry and IDA-PAC. The Hoosier-shod car, just back from WoO events during Florida Speedweeks, is wrenched by Australian Steve Fitzpatrick and American Gary Isom. It also features Sander-manufactured components and Vortex wings. McCarl finished ninth on Ted Johnson’s tough national tour in 1992, the only other year that he was a full-time WoO regular. McCarl was recently quoted in the Des Moines Register as saying, “I’ve gotten a lot older and a lot smarter (since ’92). But definitely a lot older.”
The Des Moines Sports Show is one of five trade shows in which the Knoxville-based dirt track, museum and chamber of commerce have cooperated jointly. The other shows in Kansas City, Chicago, St. Louis and Omaha also involve the nearby Pella Chamber of Commerce, the Marion County Development Commission and the Pella Historical Society as marketing partners. Red Rock Lake Association will also have a booth at the Des Moines show. According to race track director Ralph Capitani, “The Marion County Fair Association realizes that it needs to be pro-active in marketing its events, including the midget car (June 3-4), winged 360 c.i. sprint car (August 4-5), winged 410 c.i. sprint car (August 10-13), and dirt late model stock car (September 29-30, October 1) ‘national championship’ shows.”
The hours for the Des Moines Sports Show, produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) are: Wednesday, Feb. 16, 5 - 9 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 17, 2 - 9 p.m.; Friday, Feb. 18, 2 - 9 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 20, Noon - 6 p.m.
For more information on the museum, visit their web-site at www.sprintcarhof.com. For more info on the raceway, visit their web-site at www.knoxvilleraceway.com. The Knoxville Chamber of Commerce’s web-site is www.knoxville-iowa.com.
|