“305” Sprints pick up the pace at Knoxville Raceway
Friday, October 27, 2006
by Bruce Neimeth -The Midwest 305 Sprint Cars Association based in Fremont, Iowa visited the famous Knoxville Raceway twice in 2006. The first was as part of the 3-day Iowa Telecom Summer Classic that included the Harris Clash for IMCA Modifieds, the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series and the “360” and “410” Sprints.
The 25 “305” sprint cars running with the Late Models on Friday night, July 21st, were a mix of first-timers to Knoxville Raceway - or any ½ mile track, some old friends that had run “360” over the years as well as in 2006. Hot laps and 3 heats, won by Bruce Anderson, Tremont, MN, Mitchell Alexander , Knoxville, IA and Mike Mayberry, Fremont, IA saw times come down from mid-21s to mid- 19s. Most of the cars were running “experienced” tires and a broad range of setups.
The 15 lap feature saw times quickly come down into the high 18s with side-by-side racing at the front of the field. Further back drivers began finding places to pass going into and out of the turns. The winner, Jonathan Cornell of Sedalia, MO pulled into Victory Lane to the cheers of the crowd, many of whom had never seen a sprint car race before.
The return visit on Friday, September 29th saw 30 “305” sprint cars take to the fast ½ mile dirt track as part of the 3rd Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals. After a trip through the infield it was obvious that “school” was over - lots of new tires and stagger combinations; ride heights and wing settings; front end offsets and shock packages. The three heats saw Matt Stephenson, Altoona, IA, Steve Breazeale, Trenton, MO and Bob Hildreth, Iowa Falls, IA, (all “360” veterans) bring the lap times down to the high 18s with lots of “slide jobs” and two abreast in the corners.
The B Feature was won by Steve Yarns, Jackson, MN who just beat out Jeff Edgington, Sioux Falls, SD while running laps in the 18s. This race got everyone’s attention. The track conditions were just right – fast top and bottom grooves – a very useable cushion – the right combination of temperature and humidity to pull some extra horsepower at the top end.
The A Feature saw the top 6 cars use the entire track to trade positions running two and three abreast in the corners – going in and coming out as lap times dropped into the high 17s. The eventual winner, Mark Widmar, had his hands full with Steve Breazeale, Matt Stephenson, Jonathan Cornell and Marty Stephenson – and the fans were on their feet for the last two laps. The Victory Lane celebration was a good as any I’ve seen in recent years.
For 2007 the “305” sprints are tentatively scheduled for four dates; April 27th with the WDRL Late Models, June 1st with the Masters Classic, and both Thursday and Friday, September 27 & 28 with the 4th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals.
For more information about Knoxville Raceway go to www.knoxvilleraceway.com or call (641) 842-5431
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