In Lapped Traffic, Part One
Monday, June 20, 2005
by Kathy Bell, Knoxville, Iowa – Saturday night four men became the newest members of the Knoxville Raceway Hall of Fame. I have worked with all four men over the years and couldn’t be happier on this year’s choices.
For many years I sat in the press box as Tim Trier and Jack Herwehe announced the races at Knoxville. Trier follows his long-time friend and fellow announcer, Herwehe into the Hall of Fame. He and I talked about being involved with an organization like the Knoxville Raceway. Trier coined the phrase, “It’s Showtime” and “It’s race time in the Valley,” at Knoxville. He first came to Knoxville to watch his uncle, Johnny Babb race. He began announcing at drag strips in Cedar Falls and at Eddyville. He said he was, “excited” when he learned from Cappy that he was to become one of Knoxville’s new announcers. He announced for part of a season with Ken Sargeant before teaming up with Herwehe, full-time the following year. Highlights of his Knoxville career include interviewing Parnelli Jones after he was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and any time he had the opportunity to interview or work with Doug Wolfgang. He said calling the Knoxville Nationals the year Bobby Allen won, was his most memorable racing experience behind the mike and he enjoyed calling races during the Randy Smith era.
Trier, who works at Maytag, is going back to college for a degree in Psychology. He still helps his brother, Mick Trier, with racing events at the Fairgrounds in Des Moines and at Stuart. Engine builder and former racer, Lee Nelson was “surprised” to hear he was to be a member of the Knoxville HoF Class of 2005. Nelson, who owns Ostrich Racing Engines, is kept busy with local racers, Josh Higday, Johnny Anderson, Bronson Maeschen, Stacey Alexander, Stevie Walsh, Eric Jobe and Pete Crall. He also supplies motors to 410 drivers, Chris Walraven (quick time Saturday night), Jesse Giannetto, one motor for Kerry Madsen and racers outside the Knoxville arena, Darren Stewart and Roger Crockett. He also has motors in Texas and Montana. He works a good 12-14 hour day in his race shop.
You may remember Nelson racing the #26 Bob and Nancy Brody sprinter. He won seven features at Knoxville and the 1994 360 Nationals and Knoxville points title. Although he no longer races, he and wife Val, continue to support racing through their business and many racing friendships. I had the opportunity to talk with Al and Gloria Cole before the races. Everyone who has been around Knoxville knows Al Cole but not that many know the woman behind the man. Al said a man is not able to do the racing business justice if he doesn’t have a wife who will support him in his endeavor. How true!!! Gloria told me about being at the Club with her friends in Des Moines and they’d ask what Al got her for Christmas. She’d reply, “A brand new racing engine. This one is shiny and nicer than the one I got for our anniversary,” She told them. You go girl. Think of all the things Gloria gave up as Al helped Danny Lasoski and Guy Forbrook win another championship or feature race.
The Cole’s began in the sprint car racing business with Bob and Jeff Tuttle in 1983. They were with the Tuttle’s for eight years. With Danny and Guy, they won seven track titles in their eight years, 1989,1990-93, 1995-96. As car owners/sponsors they won 287 races, 190 of those races with Guy and Danny. They also helped former racers, Danny and Butch Young. Danny lost his life in a racing accident at Knoxville in the early 1990’s. Al said that had to be one of the most difficult times in his years at Knoxville. He has been attending races at Knoxville since 1954. ...continued
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