Can a Local Knock Off the WoO This Weekend?
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
by Bill Wright - It’s been almost nine years since Terry McCarl won a preliminary feature at the Knoxville Nationals. That marks the last triumph for a Knoxville regular against the mighty World of Outlaws. In that race, McCarl led the first eight laps before getting passed by Knoxville all-time feature wins leader, Danny Lasoski. McCarl got back around on lap 17 of 20 in Brad Gray’s 51, and celebrated with a wing dance. Behind him were the likes of Dave Blaney, Lasoski, Steve Kinser, Stevie Smith, Craig Dollansky and Bobby Davis Jr. Will that feat be repeated this weekend? Don’t bet against it.
This Friday and Saturday, McCarl and Lasoski return as Knoxville champions, but they are representing the “other” side, the World of Outlaws, this time. Neither holds a feature win yet this season, and both will be hungry for victory lane at a place they call home.
The forecast looks great for the weekend, and the action will be off the charts! Leading the “invaders” will be 19-time and defending WoO champion, Steve Kinser. The “King” is at it again. He’s already racked up five wins, twelve top fives, and leads the points race by 66 points over another former Knoxville combatant, Craig Dollansky. A steady Jason Meyers, who has already racked up two Knoxville wins in his young career sits third in points, Kraig Kinser, who has come into his own with two wins and seven top fives, this season, and Donny Schatz, who is always strong at Knoxville have their rigs pointed toward Knoxville as well.
Joining the top five in points will be Daryn Pittman, who has teamed with Aussie Reeve Kruck, Joey Saldana, Shane Stewart, Paul McMahan, Tim Shaffer, Jason Sides, Brian Paulus, Brooke Tatnell and Brandon Wimmer. Tim Kaeding, who scored two Knoxville wins in a row last summer, including a Nationals Prelim returns, as does Jason Solwold, who has run very strong, including a win at the All Stars finale in Volusia, FL last February in Len Carnahan’s R19.
Others expected to be in attendance are eight-time Knoxville winner, Stevie Smith and Peter Murphy in Rick Wright’s 35. Jesse Hockett has teamed up with car owner and NASCAR star Kasey Kahne. He is expected to bring the #9 to Knoxville, as is last year’s Knoxville Nationals rookie and heat winner, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
The locals are wicked fast this year, and could be primed for the upset. Knoxville 410 points leader, Wayne Johnson is on a roll, following up his Osky Spring Challenge win with Knoxville opening night glory. Skip Jackson, Brian Brown, Kerry Madsen and Don Droud Jr. were also tough last Saturday night, and Calvin Landis was a tick off of Droud's track record in qualifying. Chad Meyer had it hooked up in the feature moving from 24th to 5th, and Ricky Logan, Matt Moro, Jesse Giannetto and the rest of the gang will be anxiously awaiting their “guests” from the WoO.
Friday night is American Compressed Steel night with well over fifty 410 sprints expected to compete. Saturday night is Budweiser night, and in addition to the 410s, the 360s will be in action. Last week, John Kearney scored an emotional victory, dedicated to his late father, “Bub”. Fifty-two 360s competed last Saturday, and the action is going to be unbelievable in that class again this season. Expect car counts hovering around 100 for Saturday’s action! With unrivaled ticket prices and a good forecast, you need to get your family out to Knoxville Raceway this weekend!
www.KnoxvilleRaceway.com Updates
Our live results located in the “Results” section got smashing reviews last Saturday night from a lot of you. We welcome your comments and questions about the site, and we are looking at ways to improve all aspects.
Updates happen by the day and by the minute here at the website. Dozens of driver profiles have been updated in the “Drivers” section with new photos and biographical information. Remember, that is where you can check in on point standings. Point standings in the section become official at the end of the working day every Monday. Points seen on Saturday night and Sunday are unofficial until they are checked and re-checked by our crack staff.
How can there be driver bios for drivers you don’t see in the “Drivers” section? You will notice that driver names in our news articles, live results and pre-entries in our “events” sections may have “links” attached to them and appear red even if they are not Knoxville regulars (i.e., this article). Clicking on these will lead you to that driver’s page. We are constantly updating the bios so stay tuned and keep clicking!
Our photo section is also ever-changing. Check out weekly updated photos from our “Big Three” photographers, David Hill, Dennis Krieger and Doug Johnson by visiting their galleries in the “Photos” section. 2005 Pit Photos will also be updated on a weekly basis throughout the summer. Racers, get those pre-entries in! Let me know what you think of the site at editor@knoxvilleraceway.com. Until next week…
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