In Lapped Traffic
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
by Kathy Bell, Knoxville, Iowa – It’s well known throughout sprint car country that the Fire & Rescue personnel at the Knoxville Raceway are the best at what they do, period. If you look back at the history of the Raceway Fire/Rescue unit you will see years worth of dedicated, trained professional who have given everything they have in keeping our racers safe. I dedicate this column to the memory of one of the men instrumental in putting it all together at the Knoxville Raceway, many years ago, Pat Moss. Pat worked for the Knoxville Raceway Fire/Rescue crew from 1973 to 1984. He was a member of the Knoxville city Rescue Unit and Fire Department, where he served as Fire Chief for five years, retiring from Fireman duty in 1994. Pat was an instructor for the Iowa State fire training school and dedicated to setting up a safe environment at the Knoxville Raceway. He was one of the first men to set the standard of excellence at the race track. He was well trained, dedicated and ready to serve racers, crew, fans and others needing his assistance.
Pat was severely burned at the raceway many years ago, sustaining burns to his arms, face, chest and feet while responding to a racing accident on the racetrack. After recovering from his accident, he talked with Cappy and helped raise the bar on safety for not only the racers but also the Fire/Rescue employees. He was one of those instrumental in seeing that the race track had appropriate equipment and that the volunteers had proper safety apparel for their own protection. The bar was raised at that time and it has not fallen since.
Pat passed away on Father’s Day. His life was recently celebrated by a Fireman’s funeral with the bell ringing and all the formalities appropriate for one who had given so much to the cause. Pat’s brother Mike gave us all a lesson in brotherly love as he stood in full Fireman uniform at attention, at the foot of his brother’s casket before the service. Pat’s brother Mike and sister Mahala, yes you all know Mahala, work at the Knoxville Raceway on the Fire and Rescue squad. Mahala and Mike continue to work hard as members of the Knoxville Raceway Fire/Rescue unit to keep the standard of quality high and our racers and crews safe. Next time you’re at the Knoxville Raceway, stop by the Fire/Rescue area to give Mahala and Mike a wave, hug, smile or just say thank you for carrying on a rich tradition. If you weren’t on hand for the Friday night show at Knoxville, you really missed out.
How about that Kinser kid? I talked to Kraig for a Nationals interview; yes I have to start this early to make deadlines, during the races Friday night. I know I’ve said it before but he really is a nice guy. Just think, he’s only 20 years old and already has a win at Knoxville. I talked to both Dana and Kraig about his future. Yes, he has the interest of those associated with pavement rides and he has received phone calls, but Steve and Dana are going to take it slow, watch for the right opportunity and make sure Kraig is ready for the next level.
Kraig, in the meantime is having fun. He’s not concerned about the future, he’s taking it all in stride. He told me if it works out, ok and if it doesn’t what’s wrong with racing for 30 years in a sprint car on dirt? Can you imagine what would happen if this kid won the Knoxville Nationals? He was so ready to see what he could do Saturday night, it’s a shame Mother Nature didn’t allow it.
I did 14 interviews in 48 hours last weekend. Whew, I’m worn out mentally but man, did I get some good stuff for Nationals. It’s all I can do to save it until then, but that’s what I’m going to do. There are some really cool things in the works; they just haven’t been released so I can’t tell you, yet.
Our own Knoxville Raceway director, Ralph Capitani was honored in the Des Moines Register Sunday in the company of some very heavy hitters. He was ranked number 17 in the 25 most powerful people in Iowa sports poll. He shared the limelight with notables such as Iowa, Iowa State, Drake sports AD’s and coaches as in number 1, Bob Bowlsby, Univ of Iowa athletic director who oversees a $45 million budget, the largest in the state. Way to go Cappy!!
I recently received a phone call from a man wanting to know why I didn’t report on the driver who was injured during Nostalgia night at the Knoxville Raceway. I said, have you ever heard of HIPAA, it’s the law and one way to secure the confidentiality of your medical record. The only time I report on someone who is injured is after I have talked to that individual or their family.
Also, in my opinion, Nostalgia cars should not be RACED!! They are cool to look at but I find it amazing to see the lack of protective equipment drivers from that era had for their own safety. That is my point. The old-time cars are great to look at; I like to see them in parades, at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame or at events here and there but they don’t belong on a fast race track like the Knoxville Raceway. Why, because anytime you put anyone on the Knoxville Raceway, they want to race. It’s human nature. But look at the many differences between today’s cars and those in the Hall of Fame. The first thing I notice is that the old time cars don’t have a CAGE, do I need to say more?
Sorry. I know I’m going to get e-mail on this one, but so be it. I’d rather have people alive and yelling at me then the alternative. I have trouble behaving behind the wheel of any fast moving machine just like most other people. I was even shunned by a group of Amish women several years ago. The Amish men were out for a Sunday drive at a go-kart track and I drove between a couple of them, telling them to pick up the pace or move over so those of us who wanted to go FAST, could do it. There were three guys in their early 20s, my brother and I and four Amish men. When our time was up, I got out of the go-kart and the four Amish women waiting for the men to finish, turned their backs on me as I walked by. I don’t know if they shunned me because they believe women shouldn’t race or if they didn’t approve of the way I spoke to the Amish men on the racetrack.
Either way, it’s not nice to shun someone with an Irish temper. I went around to face them and they turned the other way, I went the other way and they turned again. Finally I said, why is it that the people who profess their religion the loudest, in their clothing, ideas and ways are generally the nastiest people to interact with?! Then as they went into the ladies restroom, I shimmied a heavy aluminum garbage can into place in front of the doorway so they couldn’t totally open the door all the way to get out. I'm nice until you provoke me. My motto, treat me like you want me to treat you because that is exactly what I'll do.
Speaking of speed, the new Iowa 70 mph speed limit begins on interstates this Friday. But don’t be confused, not all roadways will be set at 70 mph, others will still be 55 and 65. I watch for a no tolerance attitude with the highway patrol, so be careful.
Gotta go. I’m gearing up for the Knoxville Nationals. Do you have your tickets yet? If you have any questions about Knoxville or the Nationals, drop me an email. I’ve lived here all my life. Until next time, stay safe and keep on turning left. I can be reached for comments at kbel@iowatelecom.net.
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