Youngsters Catching On as Slideways Karting Center/Pella Printing Night Approaches!
Monday, May 15, 2006
by Bill Wright - The young guns of Knoxville have been flexing their muscle lately, and Slideways Karting Center/Pella Printing Night will be no different. Join us this Saturday night, May 20 at Knoxville Raceway for all the action!
Last week, Illinois 17 year old, Kaley Gharst, won his first ever 410 feature at the Knoxville Raceway. It was no big deal, he just had to hold off a guy that has won about 88 times at this facility (Danny Lasoski)…twice! Once again track times dipped under 15 seconds in qualifications, and the action should prove to be as fast this weekend.
Technically, Lasoski leads the point standings in the 410 class, but he is expected to compete with the National Sprint Tour at Dodge City Raceway this weekend. He will hand over the reigns to nephew Brian Brown, who now sits just ten points behind him. Brown has been steady in the Tim and Gina Doogs #21, and is looking for his first 410 victory of 2006.
A three-way tie for third exists between Nebraska’s Billy Alley (pictured), South Dakota’s Clint Garner and Aussie Kerry Madsen, last season’s track champion. Last week’s victor, Gharst, surged to fifth in the standings, tied with a guy he dueled for much of last week’s event, Skip Jackson. Jesse Giannetto, last week’s quick timer Wayne Johnson (14.878), and Lynton Jeffrey complete a stout top ten at this juncture. Though it’s early, look for things to start shaking out in the standings this Saturday night!
Rager Phillips leads the stout 410 rookie crop right now, but Bronson Maeschen, Dusty Zomer, Trevor Green, Dave Saffell and Tony Shilling are still within striking distance of the Pleasantville High School Senior. 17 year old, Shilling, will be looking to bounce back from the hard turn one crash from a week ago. All the rookies will be breathing a little easier as the barrage of outsiders towing the Knoxville may be slowing a little this weekend. Still, you never know who may pull in.
Jake Peters misfortune, and a nice victory in battle over Jeff Mitrisin, got Kansas native and former 360 track champion, John Kearney, a fence climbing win last Saturday in the 360 class. Mitrisin escaped with a runner-up finish and the points lead. Kearney is a scant six points behind him, while Johnny Anderson, Josh Higday and Peters, who escaped a scary crash without injury, completed the top five.
Stacey Alexander runs sixth in 360 points, followed by Joe Beaver, rookies Dustin Lindquist and Josh Schneiderman, and Frankie Heimbaugh round out the top ten. Both Lindquist and Schneiderman have been consistent lately and are mixing in with the ultra-competitive 360 quite nicely. Other rookies in the top twenty include two-time Eagle Raceway champ Rick Ideus and Missouri pilot, Jon Corbin.
Can Gharst repeat his monumental feat, or will someone else rise to the occasion this Saturday night? You’ve got to be here to find out. Where else can you get this kind of entertainment for $12 ($3 for 14 and under) on a Saturday night? See you at Knoxville Raceway! Hot laps start at 6:45 p.m. For more info, go to www.knoxvilleraceway.com.
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