Updates to Keep Comin' as Season Draws Nearer!
Monday, March 7, 2005
by Bill Wright - Knoxvilleraceway.com continues to take shape. Just updated in our “Results” section are the complete results from 2001. Don Droud Jr. and Terry McCarl battled tooth and nail, winning five features each, in a duel that was capped by McCarl’s third track championship on the final night of competition. Randy Martin cruised to the 360 championship, though John Kearney made some noise after entering competition at the halfway point. Winners in 2001 included J.J. Yeley, who won the USAC Silver Crown “Hawkeye Hundred”, outshining drivers such as IRL veteran Donnie Beechler, Craftsman Truck driver Tracy Hines and the incomparable Jack Hewitt. Yeley also competed in winged 410 action that night, driving for Bill Stroud. Come on in and see how he did. Other winners in 2001, included NASCAR’s Kasey Kahne, who captured a prelim win in the first 1200 lb. Nationals, and a young kid named Blake Feese. McCarl grabbed two checkers on one night when he won the 360 Nationals and the 410 feature on June 16. I hope you have as much fun looking through these results as we did compiling them for you.
As with all our results, that year’s winners are listed at the top. If searching for a particular driver or date, simply hit “Edit” at the top of your browser and then “Find”. A window should open up for you to type in what you are looking for. Complete point standings including features won, primary car(s) driven and feature laps led can be found at the end of each document. We continue to work backwards, and 2000 is the next target.
If you’ve lent an eye towards our “Drivers” section, you are probably getting excited about our 410 and 360 fields that are going to be competing beginning April 23. Despite losing some competitors to other series and retirement, the 410 field looks as competitive as ever. With Jason Solwold, who has made every World of Outlaw feature event this season including placing fifth in Tulare, and Brian Brown throwing their hats in the ring, the bar has been raised for a new champion. With British Columbia’s Toni Lutar, the return of Jon Agan and Eric Vanderploeg, and rookie Michael Jones throwing some new blood in the mix, as well as veterans Wayne Johnson, Skip Jackson, Kerry Madsen, Mike Reinke, Billy Alley, Brent Antill, Lynton Jeffrey, Calvin Landis, Ricky Logan, Jesse Giannetto, Clint Garner, Matt Moro, Chad Meyer, etc., the 410 field is as strong as we’ve seen it in awhile.
The 360 class is also shaping up well. Confirmed challengers to defending champ Jake Peters will be David Hesmer, Josh Higday, Bobby Mincer, John Schulz, Larry Ball Jr., Mike Houseman, Brett Golik, etc. and last year’s rookie of the year, Dusty Zomer. Rookies include Nick Eastin and Josh Schneiderman, both veterans of the Sprint Invaders Association based in southeast Iowa. The 360 field will be a competitive one again. As drivers return their bio forms, you will see our fields swelling, so keep an eye towards the “Drivers” section.
Several Knoxville connections could be found in recent action with the World of Outlaws. In addition to his 5th at Tulare, Solwold finished 16th at Bakersfield and 17th at Manzanita. McCarl, Knoxville’s six-time champ had his best showing of the early season at Bakersfield taking 7th. He also scored a 10th at Tulare and an 18th at Manzy. Grinnell, Iowa’s Dennis Moore Jr. turned in a podium finish at Tulare, coming home third. He will again be competing on the left coast until July with owner, Morrie Williams. Tim Shaffer, driving for Des Moines’s Lonny Parsons won the Tulare event, while former Knoxville regular, Craig Dollansky, took the features at Bakersfield and Manzy.
Until next time, keep shooting your questions and comments to editor@knoxvilleraceway.com.
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