Delayed Knoxville Raceway Event Awaits WDRL Drivers
Monday, May 8, 2006
by Tom Lathen - (Gilman City, MO) Following a two week delay, the cars and stars of the WORLD Dirt Racing League PolyDome Late Model Series are set to make their first-ever appearance at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa this weekend.
The 40-lap event at the Marion County Fairgrounds half-mile facility known as “The Sprint Car Capitol of the World” is set for this Friday, May 12. The event was originally scheduled for April 28, before inclement weather forced its postponement.
“Our drivers and fans can’t wait to get to Knoxville,” commented series founder and President Jim Wilson. “Everybody was ready to go two weeks ago, but unfortunately the ‘weather man’ didn’t cooperate with us.”
“This is Knoxville,” he added. “And whenever you have the privilege of bringing your series to the most prestigious dirt track in the country, you would expect a lot of enthusiasm and a great field of race cars.”
Heading up a strong contingent of drivers anticipated to be in the field for the $5,000-to-win event is Muscatine, Iowa star Brian Birkhofer. Birkhofer, the winner of the inaugural Knoxville Late Model Nationals in 2004 before finishing second a year ago, won the WDRL season opener at Davenport Speedway in early April, picking up his 16th career series win in the process. Birkhofer’s Daufeldt Transport/Rocket/Pro Power Monte Carlo led all but a single lap at Davenport and held off hard-charging Darren “The Thriller” Miller to secure the win.
Miller, of Milledgeville, Illinois is also expected to be in the field at Knoxville. The 29-year old Miller has scored nine career WORLD Dirt Racing League victories, including five a year ago when he finished eighth in the final series point standings, in spite of running an abbreviated schedule.
Defending WDRL champion Denny Eckrich will hope for a more consistent performance when he brings his familiar “Flyin’ 50” to Knoxville Raceway this weekend. The popular Tiffin, Iowa hot-shoe was forced to roll out has back-up car at Davenport, after coming into contact with the turn two wall, while leading his qualifying race. After starting 25th in the 40-lap feature race, Eckrich drove his Precision Performance-sponsored entry to a respectable sixth place finish.
Central Nebraska driver Kyle Berck will resume his quest for a third WDRL championship in the past five seasons at Knoxville. After winning the 2002 and 2003 series titles, the 36-year old farmer and race car builder finished second in the series points chase the past two seasons.
Among other drivers expected to be in the field are Mound, Minnesota driver Justin Fegers, Cosgrove, Iowa’s Dave Eckrich, and Pittsville, Wisconsin series regular Eric Pember. Fegers, who won the 2005 WDRL Rookie-of-the- Year and People’s Choice Award, established a new Knoxville Raceway Late Model track record during qualifying at last September’s second-annual Knoxville Late Model Nationals.
Omaha, Nebraska’s John Anderson, a three-time NASCAR regional top-five finisher, will also be in the field, along with last year’s WDRL Rookie-of-the-Year runner-up Bill Koons, also of Omaha, Union, Nebraska veteran John Hampel, and Elkhorn, Nebraska’s Scott Daly.
2003 "World 100" winner Dan Schlieper is expected to bring his #9 as is 2004 WDRL champion and Rookie of the Year, Brady Smith.
As would be expected, a strong contingent of drivers from the state of Iowa will be on hand including veteran Gary Webb of Blue Grass and Jeff Aikey of Cedar Falls. Webb, the 2000 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series national champion, has won over 500 career feature races and numerous track championships in his storied 35-year racing career. Aikey meanwhile, has won a total of 13 NASCAR track championships and is a former NASCAR regional champion.
Cedar Rapids area rising stars Chad and Chris Simpson are also expected, along former NASCAR All-Star Series champion Steve Boley, Brian Harris of Davenport, “The Flying Dutchman,” John VanDenBerg of Oskaloosa, Matt Furman and Rob Moss, both of Iowa City, Tommy Elston of Keokuk, and Jill George of Cedar Falls.
Last year’s NASCAR Division II titist Chris Spieker of Massena, Iowa is also expected, along with eastern Iowa brothers Kevin and Kurt Kile, Luke Merfeld of Dubuque, and Paul Glendenning of Mount Ayr.
Young gun Trent Follmer of Elk River will make his first-ever series appearance at Knoxville Raceway, along with fellow Gopher state competitors John Henkemeyer of Sauk Rapids, Brady Johanneck of Spicer, Steve Hucovski of Maple Grove, and John Seitz of Bemidji. Spencer’s Kerry Hansen and Steve Isenberg of Marshfield will represent the state of Wisconsin.
Hot laps are scheduled to get underway at 6:45, with the first qualifying race set for 7:30.
Friday night’s WDRL action kicks off two big nights of racing action at Knoxville Raceway. On Saturday night, the facility will host the IRA (Interstate Racing Association) versus Knoxville 410 Sprint Car Shootout.
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