In Lapped Traffic
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
by Kathy Bell - Knoxville, Iowa - Another Knoxville Nationals has blown through town like a tornado. It's here; we run around trying to take everything in then just as quickly, everyone and everything is gone. The campgrounds are bare, even the garbage has been picked up and removed and all that's left is another year of memories.
Donny Schatz finally picked up his first Knoxville Nationals win, after placing second, four times. Kudos, Donny, you earned the right to be etched into the history book of the Knoxville Raceway's and sprint car racings biggest event.
This year's Saturday night lineup gave us plenty to get excited about. Steve Kinser had to start towards the back of the A-Main and Danny Lasoski had to make his way up from the back of the B-Main just to grab a spot in the Big Show. By now, you all know I'm a die-hard Steve fan, but I was looking forward to watching him stomp the gas as he made his way to the front of the pack. I was happy to see Knoxville weekly racers, Wayne Johnson, Kaley Gharst, Billy Alley and Dusty Zomer in the A-Main mix along with former Knoxville regular, Don Droud Jr. This year's A-Main lineup has a lot of people talking and excited as we all expected a NEW winner.
Schatz was definitely the man to beat Saturday but Kinser and Lasoski both put on a show. I'm talking about their racing. Danny had a lot of adrenalin pumping through his veins and I wish he hadn't been caught on television during the altercation in the pits with his dad. There is so much on the line at a big race like the Nationals, money, pride and the end of four long days and nights in the Iowa heat and humidity. After Danny and his nephew, one of our weekly racers, Brian Brown got together on the track; it resurfaced in the pits with Danny and his dad, George Lasoski. George was in an impossible situation. He works on his grandson's (Brown's) crew and he's always been close to his son (Danny). All three men are very competitive and I would be very surprised if Danny, George and Brian haven't already gotten over the incident, by now.
My brother Perry and I are best friends. Yet, we put in a lot of extra hours together preparing for our Knoxville Nationals preview and there are times our tempers flare too. Actually, he's stubborn and my Irish temper flares. Luckily, we don't have thousands of race fans watching us, in the heat of the moment because it's not always pretty.
This was my 20th year working in the Knoxville Raceway Media/VIP Center. I have met a lot of people over the years and made a lot of friends in the process. The best part of working there is, once the majority of the people have been signed in for their credentials, it slows down enough that you can hold some really deep racing conversations. I enjoyed talking with Doug Auld, "Sprint Car & Midget" and with long time friend, Jean Lynch (race promoter and mother of Eddie Lynch).
Speaking of women in racing, I had the opportunity to lead a "Women in the Fast Lane" all women in racing forum, during the Nationals. Vickie Agan, Knoxville helped out along with our guests, Dana Kinser, Amy Swindell, Jeannie Butler, Shirley Kears, Kelly Dawson, Mahala Cox, Becca Anderson and our 2006 Super Clean Knoxville Nationals Queen, Kaylahree Mayfield. I was impressed with the amount of knowledge and information these ladies relayed.
If you weren't there, you missed out on a lot. I would like to write about some of our forum discussions in another column, later. Iowa Senator, Tom Harkin, made an appearance at the Knoxville Nationals as
did NASCAR drivers, Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne. Kasey's driver made him very proud with a second place finish on Saturday night. There's always next year, Joey.
Several reporters asked me what was going on. Knoxville officials continue to state that the Knoxville Nationals is a non-sanctioned event, yet everywhere you looked, there were World of Outlaws "people" with Knoxville Raceway "people." I noticed it too. And, tongues really rolled after the Press Luncheon when WoO representatives were invited on the podium as part of the program. Knoxville Raceway promoter, Ralph Capitani had just announced that the Knoxville Nationals would not be sanctioned again, next year. Following his comments and departure from the building, a WoO representative discussed their plans for 2007 while handing out their 2007 racing schedule that has 72 scheduled events, at this time. Although Knoxville is not on the 2007 WoO schedule, there is an open race date at the end of April.
I say, it's a good thing the Outlaws still have Shane Carson, Chris Dolack and Carlton Reimers as part of the organization. At least those three still have a minute to acknowledge you and we know that they know and love sprint car racing. They keep the Outlaws, respectable to those of us who have been
around forever.
I met some of the people with the National Sprint Tour, John Deckard and Craig Murphy. They are really easy to work with. Stevie Kinser is also working in a public relations capacity with the group. I remember when she was just a little girl running around at the racetrack. Man, time flies doesn't it?
I'd like to express my sympathy to the family of Steve King on their tremendous loss and extend get well wishes to Lonny Parsons, NST car owner, Ray Grimes, former Knoxville Raceway promoter, Arleta Voyce, Knoxville Raceway business office and Ted Johnson, WoO founder.
The McMillen's (Duke, Carol and Scotty) and team from California stayed with me again during the Nationals. Add John and couch Freddy and we had a house full of interesting racing conversations. One night I looked at the clock and it was almost 3:00 a.m. My neighbors like having a race team in the neighborhood too. That is, before the Knoxville PD made all rigs move off the roadways. I don't get it? I've had a sprint car team stay with me since 1989. From what I hear, they weren't even nice about making them move? What happened to the motto, "Win Friends and Influence Racing?" Knoxville residents (even those who don't like racing) need to remember, there are many businesses that would shrivel up and die if not for the business they do during the race season.
Robert Ballou is the McMillen's driver this year. Robert, and crew, Chris and Darren stayed in the rig so I didn't get to know them very well. I had the opportunity to meet another young Calif. racer, Kyle Hirst during the Nationals. Kyle is a sweetheart. He and Robert balance each other out and are good friends. From what I hear (and saw) they are both going to be racers to watch. Robert is only 17 and I keep telling him to slow down and have some patience. Kyle is 18 and both young men were making their first trip to Knoxville. It was fun listening to their opinions about the Nationals and being at Knoxville.
I got to see my favorite Calif. racer, Tim Kaeding a couple of times last week. I have tried to stop calling him Timmy since he's getting older and kicking butt on the NST tour. He's really grown into a talented racer, hasn't he? I couldn't be more proud of him. I was happy for Donny Schatz but my heart was hoping TK would make the podium. He's going to do it one of these years.
Ten days of racing can really wear you out but it's still a lot of fun too. After the 360 Nationals and Tournament of Champions, we began preparing for the Big Show. There's a lot of work to do and one lesson I have tried to learn is not to lift really heavy objects because it's a long four days with
a bad back. I'd like to thank Mike Fisher and Ryan Shaw and our "Heavy Lifters" for setting up tables and chairs and the stages for the Queen Contest and for helping take the trophies over to the pits. Have you ever tried to lift the A-Main first place Knoxville Nationals trophy? It's got to weigh over 50 pounds and it's six feet tall.
I called the Heavy Lifters and Bill McCroskey for his pickup and we got the monsters delivered to the infield. Thanks Bill. Also thanks to the Heavy Lifters, a.k.a. Derek Flack, Kevin Mott, Aaron Carlson and Grant Grgurich. As a Knoxville sports reporter, I covered the Heavy Lifters in sports during their high school careers. When they're not helping the old chicks in the Media Center they're signing in campers and doing other tasks (probably more heavy lifting) around the Marion County Fairgrounds during the Nationals for Mike Cunningham (C II) and Brian Stickel.
I had the opportunity to work with Dave Argabright for SPEED Channel again this year. I was given the title, Stage Manager which means gopher for Dave. I've moved up the ranks though. I had a helper this year too. Derek Flack from the paragraph above helped me deliver drivers to the stage for Dave's interviews. It's really not a bad job. The toughest part of the job is lining the guys up for the Driver Introductions before Saturday night's Main. There's little time and 24 guys to line-up. It wouldn't have been such a tough job if there hadn't been a couple of controversies going on around us. But it all worked out.
According to Bruce Neimeth, Business Development Director at the raceway, the Knoxville Raceway and SPEED Channel will be doing business together again, next year. Thanks Bruce and Dave for letting me work with you. It is great to work with the SPEED Channel people. Count me in for next year and I promise to wear the headset, all the time Ben!
Kudos to the Marion County Fair Board for all the hard work and long hours they put in during the 360 and 410 Nationals. I really enjoy working with you guys and Mark I didn't even try to steal your golf cart, once.
This column is dedicated to a long time media friend who has convinced me to write my column, more often. Max Dolder this column is dedicated to you! Until next time, stay safe and keep on turning left. I can be reached for comments at kbel@iowatelecom.net.
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