Eckert, Frank, Schlieper & Smith Enter Lucas Oil LM Nationals
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Four of the top ten drivers in the Stacker2 World of Outlaws (WoO) Late Model Series have entered the second annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals at the Knoxville Raceway, September 29-30-October 1. Former Lincoln Speedway sprint car racer Rick Eckert of York, Pennsylvania, is second in WoO points. Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pennsylvania, is a former Stateline/Eriez Speedway circuit regular who is currently fourth in WoO points. Clint Smith of Senoia, Georgia, and Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Wisconsin, are currently ninth and tenth in points, respectively, in the WoO dirt late model division. All four instantly become fan favorites for the $35,000-to-win open competition Speed Channel-televised event.
According to Knoxville director of racing Ralph ‘Cappy’ Capitani, “I have to thank Shane Carson of DIRT MotorSports for encouraging his Outlaw drivers to participate in this Lucas Oil-sponsored national championship event. We think we have tweaked this event to make it one of the top dirt late model shows in the nation, and we are very appreciative of the support that we have received from industry leaders like Shane. Combine the commitment of the ten sanctioning affiliates with the Vermeer Manufacturing ‘Deuces Wild’ partnership involving KC Raceway’s Dirt Track World Championship, and I think our $220,000 three-day extravaganza will draw the best dirt late model teams and fans to Knoxville, Iowa, in late September and early October!”
Eckert will pilot the Raye Vest Ford-powered Rocket chassis late model number 24, which is sponsored by J&J Steel, Hoosier Racing Tires, Afco Shocks and Sunoco Race Fuels. Frank, also known as “Chubzilla”, will steer his own Rocket chassis dirt late model number 1*, which is sponsored by Lester Buildings, Corry Rubber and Corry Laser Technology. Smith races his own J.P. Drilling GRT chassis number 44 machine. Schlieper runs his own C.J. Rayburn chassis number S9 car, which is sponsored by Miller Brothers Coal, Hawkeye Trucking, and Pro Power Racing Engines.
Besides Eckert, Frank, Smith and Schlieper, other pre-entries for the Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals are such national standouts as Donnie Moran of Ohio, Johnny Bone (Jr.) of Arkansas, Steve Shaver of West Virginia, Earl Pearson, Jr., of Florida, Kyle Berck and John Anderson of Nebraska, Brady Smith and Jimmy Mars of Wisconsin, John Duty of Oregon, Justin Fegers of Minnesota, Chris Smyser of Missouri, Darren Miller of Illinois, Jeep Van Wormer of Michigan, Scott James of Indiana, and defending champion Brian Birkhofer of Iowa.
Those seeking more information on the second annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals at the Knoxville Raceway, September 29-30-October 1, are encouraged to visit the track’s web-site at www.knoxvilleraceway.com.
KNOXVILLE RACEWAY - History of Late Model Stock Car Championships
championship criteria: minimum 30 laps distance or $3,000-to-win
01. 08/22/54 Don Rosenburger Des Moines, IA SISCRA 100L
02. 08/07/59 Darrell Dake Cedar Rapids, IA IMCA 50L
03. 05/27/62 Jule "Chub" Liebe Oelwein, IA IMCA 200L
04. 05/18/63 Ramo Stott Keokuk, IA IMCA 200L
05. 05/02/64 Dick Hutcherson Keokuk, IA IMCA 200L
06. 05/01/65 Ernie Derr Keokuk, IA IMCA 200L
07. 05/14/66 Ramo Stott Keokuk, IA IMCA 200L
08. 06/07/69 Don White Keokuk, IA USAC 100L
09. 06/06/70 Don White Keokuk, IA USAC 100L
10. 05/01/71 Larry “Butch” Hartman Zanesville, OH USAC 100L
11. 06/11/72 Chuck McWilliams Walton, KY USAC 100L
12. 04/28/73 Ramo Stott Keokuk, IA USAC 100L
13. 05/24/74 Larry “Butch” Hartman Zanesville, OH USAC 100L
14. 09/13/75 Darrell Dake Cedar Rapids, IA open comp.
15. 09/11/76 Joe Wallace Kansas City, KS open comp.
16. 09/10/77 Curt Hansen Dike, IA open comp.
17. 04/25/82 Jack Boggs Webbville, KY open comp. 50L
18. 09/12/82 Steve Kosiski Omaha, NE open comp. 50L
19. 07/25/85 Billy Moyer Batesville, AR NDRA 100L
20. 07/29/88 Billy Moyer Batesville, AR WoO/ALMA 30L
21. 09/10/94 Steve Kosiski Omaha, NE IMCA 40L
22. 07/18/95 Willy Kraft Lakefield, MN NASCAR 100L
23. 09/09/95 Jeff Aikey Cedar Falls, IA IMCA 40L
24. 09/07/96 Jeff Aikey Cedar Falls, IA IMCA 40L
25. 09/06/97 Gary Webb Blue Grass, IA IMCA 40L
26. 07/13/99 Rick Aukland Fargo, ND UMP 50L
27. 06/27/00 Billy Moyer Batesville, AR HAT/UDTRA 60L
28. 07/11/00 Billy Moyer Batesville, AR UMP 100L
29. 10/14/04 Darren Miller Chadwick, IL XDCS 30L
30. 10/15/04 Jimmy Mars Elk Mound, WI XDCS 30L
31. 10/16/04 Brian Birkhofer Muscatine, IA XDCS 100L
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