Birkhofer, Schatz Lead WDRL, WoO into Big Knoxville Weekend!!!
Thursday, April 27, 2006
by Bill Wright (www.knoxvilleraceway.com) – A huge weekend of racing action is on tap at the Knoxville Raceway this Friday and Saturday night! If last weekend’s action is any indication, you won’t want to miss a single night of action at the Knoxville Raceway in 2006!
There’s something for everyone this weekend as the World Dirt Racing League (WDRL) Late Models head the card on Friday night. They will be joined by the winged 305 sprints. On Saturday night Budweiser presents the World of Outlaws (WoO) sprint series. The WoO makes its first 2006 appearance of the year at the “Sprint Car Capital of the World”, and will be joined by the Knoxville 360s.
Over 50 cars are expected both nights in both the WDRL and WoO events and a pair of #15 cars are leading the season long point standings in both traveling organizations. 2004 Knoxville Late Model Nationals champion Brian Birkhofer leads the WDRL charge to the historic Marion County half-mile in his #15B. Birkhofer is the point leader at this early stage of the season, and is a force to be reckoned with wherever he tows. He also picked up a preliminary feature victory last Fall here in the 2005 Lucas Oil Late Model Nationals.
Billy Moyer is also expected. The Arkansas native with Iowa roots has won the World of Outlaw Late Model title three times and is currently two points behind the leader in that series. “Mr. Smooth” has also won the prestigious “World 100” at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway an unprecedented five times.
Defending WDRL champion Denny Eckrich is expected, along with his brother, Dave Eckrich. Darren Miller is currently second in the WDRL standings, while Jimmy Mars is just behind him in the season long race. Mars, who won the 1997 Eldora “Dream”, also tasted victory at Knoxville in 2004 with a LM Nationals prelim victory.
Also tabbed to be in attendance on Friday are two-time WDRL champ Kyle Berck, Knoxville Late Model one-lap track record holder, Justin Fegers, Chris Spieker, Kerry Hansen, popular Iowa native Gary Webb and Nebraska’s John Anderson.
Donny Schatz (pictured) brings a healthy 72 point lead over Joey Saldana into Saturday’s WoO event. Schatz has already racked up three victories in the family #15 in a quest for his first WoO title. He will be anxious to get back to Knoxville where he has tasted victory on three occasions.
Only 27 points separate second from seventh place in a dogfight behind Schatz. Saldana is driving Kasey Kahne’s #9 in 2006 and sits second in the standings. He has one win already, and in this race a year ago, set a one-lap track record eventually bettered by Terry McCarl in August. Craig Dollansky has risen to third, and has been hot, winning two weeks ago at the Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, IN. He followed that up with a victory in IRA action last Saturday night at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, WI.
Six-time Knoxville track champion, Terry McCarl, won last week’s season opener here and sits fourth in the WoO standings. The victory gave McCarl 42 career victories in the 410 class, placing him fifth in the all-time annals at this historic facility. The man he went past on the victory list will be in attendance as well. Sammy Swindell is expected to compete, piloting the Guy Forbrook #5. Kevin Swindell will also bring his #1, owned by his father.
“The Wild Child”, Jac Haudenschild, got into the win column with the All Star Circuit of Champions at Eldora last Saturday night and has propelled himself into the top five in WoO standings. Brooke Tatnell currently sits sixth in the standings, Daryn Pittman is seventh, WoO rookie and perennial All Star champ Chad Kemenah is eighth, rookie Jeremy Campbell is ninth and veteran Randy Hannagan rounds out the top ten.
2005 Knoxville regular Justin Henderson, Indiana’s Brian Carlson, New Mexico’s Dion Hindi and Delaware’s Becca Anderson are other members of the WoO “Mean 15” expected to be in attendance. Jason Martin will make his first competitive laps since being injured in Florida. Brian Brown and Rob Chaney have filled in on the WoO trail during his absence in the Martin Motorsports #36.
The Knoxville regulars will be loaded for bear in defending their home turf. 2005 track champion Kerry Madsen leads the local contingent, along with fellow top five finishers a week ago, Skip Jackson and Clint Garner. Joining that trio will be Wayne Johnson, Billy Alley, Brian Brown, Jesse Giannetto, Kaley Gharst, Ryan Anderson and the usual talented band of pilots. A few National Sprint Tour drivers are also planning on throwing their hat in the ring and stealing a little glory from the WoO.
Can a local score a WoO win this weekend? Be here to find out.
The 360 feature won by Chuck Swenson a week ago was a thrill a second, and this week should be no different. Swenson held off the likes of Jake Peters, John Kearney and a field of 46 to score his first Knoxville triumph. Jeff Mitrisin, who came out of the B main, and Johnny Anderson are looking to improve on their top five finishes.
Hot laps start at 6:45 both nights. Adult general admission tickets are just $20 on Friday and $25 ($27 for reserved) on Saturday. Tickets for children will be $10 on Friday and $12.50 ($13.50 for reserved) on Saturday.
Can the action from the opening weekend be topped? You’re going to have to be here to find out!!! For more information visit www.knoxvilleraceway.com.
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