Let's Turn 'em Loose! It's Pizza Hut Night!
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
by Bill Wright - The waiting will be over on Saturday night, as the 2005 racing schedule commences at Knoxville with Pizza Hut night. No less than 70 competitors have thrown their hat in the ring to be crowned as a Knoxville season champion, with more expected.
There will be a new 410 champ this season, this we know. Six-time and defending track champ, Terry McCarl has taken to the road with the World of Outlaws, leaving an exciting field of drivers in his wake. Wayne Johnson was a bridesmaid a year ago in the FattFro #14AJ, but this year he may take that next step. If his victory at Oskaloosa last Saturday is any indication, we could be hearing a rousing speech from the native Oklahoman at November’s banquet.
Not to be discounted is two-time track champ, Skip Jackson. Skip finished third a year ago, and is loaded for bear heading into Saturday. Matt Moro is revved up after last year’s fifth place run, and with added funding from Karl Chevrolet and Casey’s, the Sonner 47 will be one to watch. Kerry Madsen has looked fast early this season, and passed up an opportunity to race on the road to stay and go for the title in the Vermeer 55. After a slow start last year, Kerry salvaged an eighth place finish and will be hungry in 2005.
Brian Brown leads the list of those returning to weekly action at Knoxville. After getting valuable experience on the road last season, Brian returns in Tim and Tina Doogs 21 and is hungry for the title. Jon Agan also is coming back after a successful year with the All Star Circuit of Champions. Justin Henderson returns in a car his father drove. He will pilot the Sonic D1, owned by Dan Oswalt. Eric Vanderploeg has teamed up with Lenard McCarl in the famous McCarl 7x, and the two have looked like a fast pairing in preseason action.
Newcomers include Larry Neighbors who will make the trip from Oklahoma City to drive Wayne Simmons’ F5 House car. Michael Jones will pilot the Arends 1a, moving up from the 360’s. Young Kaley Gharst will tow his 44G weekly to Knoxville from Illinois. Veteran Canadian, Toni Lutar, has also tabbed Knoxville as his summer home.
Throw in strong veterans like Jaymie Moyle, Jesse Giannetto, Brent Antill, Mike Reinke, Calvin Landis, Chris Walraven and Chad Meyer, add Lynton Jeffrey in his own 4AU, Ricky Logan, who is now teamed up with Mike VanderEcken and crew chief, Tyler Swank, Tim St. Arnold, who has teamed with the Phillips, and Jeff Mitrisin, who was recently injured and hopes to get back, and you’ve got yourself some fun. And at Knoxville, you never know who may show up. Billy Alley will be around often in the Grandstaff 66, and count on frequent visits from John Sernett, Mike Kertscher, Kim Mock and a cast of dozens more. It’s anyone’s guess who will wind up in victory lane on any given night.
360’s
Last year’s 360 battle came down to the last night between three competitors, champion Jake Peters, all-time feature winner, David Hesmer and 2000 champ, John Kearney. It would be folly to think it would be anything but as competitive this year.
Randy Martin could be a thorn in the trio’s side, as he has expressed his intentions of being a visitor frequently this summer. Larry Ball Jr. is also returning to the 360 ranks after a couple of years with the 410’s. Josh Higday will return to 360 action full-time as well. The 2002 Tournament of Champions winner will be loaded for opening night. Bobby Mincer has teamed with car owner, Steve Wares, and the two have clicked in pre-season action. Eddie Leavitt Jr. will drive the F4 car in 360 action.
Dusty Zomer, the 2004 360 Rookie of the Year returns in the 1z, along with fellow 2004 rookie, Eric Jobe. Both brought home top ten finishes a year ago. Thrown in veterans like Joe Beaver, Brett Mather, John Schulz, Brett Golik, Johnny Anderson, Frankie Heimbaugh, David Hall, Mitchell Alexander, DJ Heskin and Ryan York, along with Mike Houseman, John Hall, Terry Alexander and Nate Mosher and you’ve got another competitive field.
Other 2004 rookies return including Rager Phillips, Stevie Walsh, Troy Meyer and Bronson Maeschen. Joining them will be no less than eight 2005 Rookie of the Year candidates. Minnesota’s Scott Winters and Davey Heskin, southeast Iowa’s Josh Schneiderman and Nick Eastin, Kansas’ Pete Crall, and Iowa’s Jarod Smith and Bob Carr will all start their maiden voyages at Knoxville on Saturday.
Look for countless other visitors throughout the season, with their focus on getting laps for the 360 Nationals televised by the SpeedTV and Tournament of Champions in August. For more information on Knoxville drivers, visit our "Drivers" section.
If this isn’t enough to get your blood boiling, you better check your pulse! We’ll see you this Saturday for Pizza Hut Night!!!
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