Drivers/Owners Rewarded Handsomely at Knoxville Raceway Banquet!
Sunday, November 19, 2006
by Bill Wright – Another Knoxville Raceway season came to a close Saturday night, November 18, at Terrible’s Lakeside Casino in Osceola. The “Awards” Banquet could have been called the “Rewards” Banquet as drivers and owners again were rewarded for their part and hard work in making the weekly sprint car show at Knoxville Raceway head and shoulders above the rest!
The night got off to a great start as Brian Stickel, Knoxville Raceway’s Director of Marketing, along with Super Clean officials announced their agreement on sponsoring the Knoxville Nationals for 2007 and 2008.
A remembrance and moment of silence was held for 21 year old Mike Moore crewman, Jesse Johnston, who succumbed to injuries suffered in a hit and run accident earlier in the day. Moore took donations for the family of his fallen friend.
The approximately 600 guests at the banquet received an exciting tentative schedule for 2007, a final point standing placemat to put on the wall, and a Knoxville Raceway umbrella, which will hopefully not be needed at the track in 2007. In addition, one lucky guest was awarded two free tickets to all four nights of the 2007 Knoxville Nationals. Guests dined on a choice of Filet Mignon with Cherone Sauce, Chicken Angelo, or Pork Loin with Apple Chutney, and enjoyed the entertaining music of Carl Acuff Jr. before Awards Ceremonies commenced.
Over $250,000 in cash and contingencies would be handed out before the night was through. Perfect attendance awards were handed out to car owners first. The thirty-six owners with perfect attendance at Knoxville events in 2006 were again rewarded with six free pit passes good for the 2007 season.
Lyle Boyd Hard-charger Awards were up next, with Josh Higday (360) and Brian Brown (410) taking those honors, by passing the most cars in 2006. Higday also won the award in 2002, while Brown enjoyed his first such honor. Members of the Knoxville Raceway Junior Fan Club voted their favorite drivers as Johnny Anderson (360) and Skip Jackson (410). Both were humbled by their award. It marked the second year in a row taking the hardware home for Jackson.
Brian and Jeannie Butler of Butlerbuilt were rewarded as “Manufacturer’s of the Year”, with their work and dedication to Butlerbuilt Professional Seat Systems. The award was a first for Knoxville Raceway, but with good reason. Through the hard work and dedication of the Knoxville Raceway Charitable Organization (KRCO) and their 50/50 sales, not only will all 52 drivers who were point eligible in 2006 receive insurance in 2007 wherever they race, they will also receive complimentary Butlerbuilt Professional seat systems.
Several 360 Awards were handed out next. Jon Corbin received the “Most Improved” Award. In his first full year at Knoxville Corbin rebounded from a tough start to the season to finish eighth in the final standings. Steve Wares and Vern Harrison took home the “Owner of the Year” Award. The team combined with driver Jeff Mitrisin to nail down a runner-up spot in the season’s point race.
It was no surprise that Dustin Lindquist was named “360 Rookie of the Year”. Two wins and a top five point run highlighted his year. It was a nice reward for driving from Floodwood, Minnesota each and every week. Stacey Alexander drove three different cars this year, but found a home in Larry Weeks #00. He was surprised and honored to receive “Sportsman of the Year” honors, an award he also won in 2001.
410 Awards were next. Clint Garner, who went from sporadic appearances in 2005, to a third place run this season, was a worthy recipient of “Most Improved” driver. Ed and Theresa Gifford were worthy recipients of “Owner of the Year” honors, guiding their team, including crew chief Jeff Woodruff and driver Billy Alley, to a point championship.
Dusty Zomer was named the “410 Rookie of the Year”. The Brandon, South Dakota, native finished an impressive eighth in the points race in his maiden 410 campaign. Skip Jackson visited the podium again, after being named “Sportsman of the Year”. Jackson also took that award in 2001.
Director of racing, Ralph Capitani, took the stage next, and announced that legendary car owner, Gil Sonner, was this year’s recipient of the “Heritage Award”. After receiving a standing ovation, Sonner guessed he had been towing to Knoxville for “40 some” years. Cappy also awarded Pella residents, Bob and Christina Jones as “Fans of the Year”.
The top five drivers in both the 410 and 360 classes were honored next, complete with video reviews of their seasons. Also awarded was the Vermeer Motorsports team, who finished fifth in the Owners standings and vowed to return to Knoxville with “one car, and one driver.” Drivers were quick to thank owners, crew, family, Knoxville Raceway and the fans for their accomplishments in 2006.
Jake Peters became the only man, other than David Hesmer (1997-99), to win his third consecutive 360 championship. Billy Alley won the 410 title over Brian Brown, in the closes point race in the history of the raceway. In ten years of racing since his youth, the championship was Alley’s tenth.
Finishing second through fifth in 360 points were: Jeff Mitrisin, Johnny Anderson, Josh Higday and Dustin Lindquist. Finishing second through fifth in 410 points were Brian Brown, Clint Garner, Skip Jackson and Lynton Jeffrey.
Last, but not least, contingency prizes were awarded to all 52 point eligible drivers. There was a large number of wings, wheels, hubs and spindles, drivelines, etc. doled out. Big winners included Zomer and Higday, who took home new Maxim chassis, Bronson Maeschen and Josh Schneiderman, who took home new J&J chassis, Garner, who took home All Pro cylinder heads, Anderson, who took home Brodix cylinder heads, and Gifford Motorsports and Calvin Landis, who received aluminum blocks.
It was a fitting ending to one of the most exciting seasons in Knoxville Raceway, and a look ahead to a promising 2007!
Final Season Point Standings
410 Class
Points, Standing, Car, Driver, Hometown
2915 1st 17G Billy Alley Lincoln, NE
2910 2nd 21 Brian Brown Grain Valley, MO
2260 3rd 40 Clint Garner Sioux Falls, SD
2220 4th 2 Skip Jackson Sydney, NSW, Aust.
1770 5th 12 Lynton Jeffrey Sydney, NSW, Aust./Prairie City, IA
1745 6th 70 Calvin Landis Knoxville, IA
1725 7th D1 Jesse Giannetto Palo, IA
1565 8th 1Z Dusty Zomer (R) Brandon, SD
1445 9th 44G Kaley Gharst Decatur, IL
1340 10th 96 Bronson Maeschen (R) Knoxville, IA
1285 11th 47 Matt Moro Ankeny, IA
1170 12th 71R Ryan Anderson Charter Oak, IA
1140 13th 7W Tim St. Arnold Des Moines, IA
1055 14th 1W Chad Meyer Sioux Falls, SD
870 15th 10 Rager Phillips (R) Pleasantville, IA
820 16th 56 Chris Walraven Knoxville, IA
800 17th 81 Randy Anderson Clarion, IA
775 18th 11AU Trevor Green (R) Adelaide, SA, Aust.
565 19th 69 Mike Moore Des Moines, IA
505 20th 15S Jerrel Slinkard Melcher-Dallas, IA
430 21st 47T Tony Shilling (R) Knoxville, IA
370 22nd 3J Greg Jones Earlham, IA
300 23rd 50 Tyler Houseman Runnells, IA
195 24th 03 Dave Saffell (R) Pleasantville, IA
360 Class
Points Standing Car Driver Hometown
1444 1st 57X Jake Peters Sioux Falls, SD
1406 2nd 10 Jeff Mitrisin Oskaloosa, IA
1297 3rd 7A Johnny Anderson Indianola, IA
1254 4th 24 Josh Higday Des Moines, IA
1213 5th 55L Dustin Lindquist (R) Floodwood, MN
1185 6th 83 John Kearney Valley Falls, KS
1061 7th 53 Joe Beaver Knoxville, IA
935 8th 15 Jon Corbin (R) Carrollton, MO
871 9th 54 Brett Mather Ames, IA
829 10th 00 Stacey Alexander Lacona, IA
773 11th 51 David Hall Des Moines, IA
706 12th 04 Frankie Heimbaugh Des Moines, IA
654 13th 49 Josh Schneiderman (R) West Burlington, IA
642 14th B29 Eric Mason Knoxville, IA
576 15th 11M Troy Meyer Sioux Falls, SD
554 16th 8L Tom Lenz Marion, IA
551 17th 22N Nate Mosher Prairie City, IA
537 18th 11 Pete Crall DeSoto, KS
418 19th 5G Brett Golik Newton, IA
400 20th 33 Alan Zoutte Knoxville, IA
398 21st Y5 Mike Houseman Jr. Des Moines, IA
392 22nd 56 Davey Heskin St. Michael, MN
377 23rd 7 Dustin Selvage Indianola, IA
336 24th 3 Nate Van Haaften Otley, IA
314 25th 48 Tyler Thompson (R) Des Moines, IA
308 26th 6 Mitchell Alexander Knoxville, IA
283 27th 4G John Anderson (R) Des Moines, IA
202 28th 65 Danny Heskin (R) St. Michael, MN
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