Fast Paced Action Continues Saturday in Knoxville/IRA 410 Shootout!
Monday, May 8, 2006
by Bill Wright - Last Saturday saw speeds never approached before at the Knoxville Raceway. It was a night that those in attendance may remember for a lifetime. Don’t miss this Saturday’s action as history is made every weekend at Knoxville Raceway! Hot laps get underway at 6:45!
Visitors have crowded the infield in the early season, but this week could bring our highest 410 car count yet as the Interstate Racing Association (IRA) will bring their stars to join the Knoxville regulars and the 360 class for an entertaining night of racing for the whole family.
Former IRA champion Donny Goeden leads the IRA points standings at this early stanza in the IRA season by a scant two points over Todd Hepfner. Steve Meyer, Brian Kristan and Kim Mock currently are third through fifth in the points race. Bill Warren, two-time and defending IRA champ Scott Neitzel, former WoO regular Travis Whitney, former Knoxville track record holder Mike Reinke and Scott Biertzer complete the top ten.
Hepfner captured the last IRA meeting, April 29th at Powercom Park in Beaver Dam, WI. WoO member Craig Dollansky captured the IRA lid lifter at Dodge County Raceway, also in Beaver Dam.
The IRA boasts the highest number of travelers of any 410 traveling organization, and this weekend will be no different, as around 25 travelers are expected. A few of the other IRA drivers anticipated include Scott Young, John Haeni, Todd King, Ty Bartz, Wayne Modjeski, John and Tim Sernett and Scott and Dave Uttech.
Life for the Knoxville regulars has been tough as drivers from the World of Outlaws (Terry McCarl) and the NST (Danny Lasoski) have captured the two weekly shows so far. The points race will start to shake out as Brian Brown leads the race of those that are anticipated to spend their summer with us at Knoxville. Though he is shown in fourth place at this stage, he sits atop of the weekly drivers in points.
Other locals who have had strong starts include Skip Jackson, Kerry Madsen, Clint Garner, Wayne Johnson and Billy Alley. Mark Dobmeier, Ryan Anderson, Jesse Giannetto, Lynton Jeffrey, Tim St. Arnold, Chris Walraven and Matt Moro have also had strong starts and are looking for a spot in the top ten after this weekend’s festivities.
26 drivers shattered McCarl’s one-lap track record of 14.907 seconds last week in time trials. WoO driver, Brooke Tatnell, set the new mark at a mind-blowing 14.407 seconds. 11 locals led by Walraven were under the old mark last Saturday. Alley, Calvin Landis, St. Arnold, rookie Bronson Maeschen, Brown, Jeffrey, Jerrel Slinkard, Dobmeier, Madsen and Johnson were all under the old standard, and all should be on hand this Saturday to try it again!
Once 360 driver, Josh Higday, saw young Dustin Selvage get by him in traffic last week, it was like a rocket was engaged, as he led the rest of the way to record his ninth win on Knoxville soil. He was followed to the stripe by Joe Beaver and impressive rookie, Dustin Lindquist. The Minnesota youngster started 11th in the field.
An old familiar name sits atop the 360 points standings as two-time and defending track champ, Jake Peters, likes where he is right now. Jeff Mitrisin is just a scant six points behind him and has been strong in Steve Wares’ #10. Former track champ John Kearney, Higday and Johnny Anderson all find themselves in the top five. Chuck Swenson, Beaver, Stacey Alexander, Brett Mather and Lindquist round out the top ten at this juncture, while rookies Josh Schneiderman, Jon Corbin and Rick Ideus all find themselves in the top 15. Expect around 40 cars to compete again this Saturday in the always competitive 360 class!
Don’t miss the IRA/Knoxville 410 Shootout this Saturday night! Tickets are all general admission, adults $15 and kids 14 and under $3. See you there!!!
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