Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals Rule Book, Format, Purse & Entry Forms Online
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Knoxville, IA - by Bruce Neimeth –
“Everything you want to know” about the 2nd Annual Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals is now available for download at www.knoxvilleraceway.com. The 16-page rule book includes the specs for cars, engines, tires, weight, dimensions, safety and appearance. The rules are designed to allow just about any Dirt Late Model to compete with minimum, if any, changes or modifications.
According to Ralph Capitani, Director of Racing, “We tried to make it simple. Any brand of race tire as long as it meets standard dimensions, 4-Barrel Carb, gas or alcohol, 103” wheelbase, 2300 lb minimum, US based engine design, steel or aluminum. As for the format, we learned a lot last year and we’ve made changes many of the drivers suggested. One thing that won’t change is using the Knoxville Raceway Qualifying Points System. It is an equalizer because you need to be at your best every time you’re on the track – Time Trials, inverted heats and the heads-up mains. And the fans see a good show every night.”
The starting field for the 100-lap feature on Saturday will increase from 24 to 30 cars – with everyone driving their way in. No Saturday provisionals. The entries will be split between Thursday and Friday, and run a complete program each night. This includes time trials, heats and features - with the A mains paying $6,000 to win. The top twelve (12) in total points each night will transfer directly to the 100-lap feature on Saturday which pays $35,000 to win.
Pre-entries will be a key part of this year’s event, and early entries will have rewards. The first 120 entries will be guaranteed a hauler parking space on the Knoxville Raceway grounds for all three days. And with no haulers being allowed to stay in the infield during racing each night, teams can choose to push their cars down to their assigned paved pit stall in the infield. Pit equipment, spares, generators, tools and other “stuff” can be taken down in pickup trucks or small trailers. There will be no shortage of helping hands.
The pre-entered drivers and teams will have a driver photo and car photo posted on the Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals Photo Gallery. In addition the Web site editors will post periodic news articles about the activities, schedules and successes of these drivers. Links will be provided to the driver and team Web sites as well. Finally, teams can indicate a preference for which night they’d prefer to qualify on. Knoxville Raceway reserves the right to set the final line up for each night prior to the start in order to balance the field for fans and competitors.
And last but not least, the purse has been increased to $220,000, with the payout spread throughout the features each night. The new Speed Channel contract with the 2-hour broadcast running the following Saturday will provide lots of exposure for the drivers, teams and sponsors.
For more information, go to www. Knoxvilleraceway.com, or call “Cappy” or Bruce at (641) 842-5431
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