IRA, Great Maytag Giveaways Highlight Weekend!
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
by Bill Wright - The IRA (Interstate Racing Association) is coming to Knoxville this weekend to stake their claim against the track’s best 410 pilots in a tradition that was started in 1999. The IRA, established in 1960, boasts the largest field of travelers of any sprint series in the country. No less than 25 IRA competitors are expected this weekend at the famous half-mile. Last year’s show saw a field of 65 410s take the green flag. Maytag will again sponsor the evening with plenty of giveaways to be had. Sign up early outside the grandstand to have a shot at a new Neptune washer and dryer, and loads of other appliance giveaways!
Defending champion Scott Neitzel leads the IRA back to Knoxville. Scott, driving his 2w, enters with the points lead again this season. Following Neitzel in the point standings is Scott Young, who won the series opener at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Beaver Dam, WI. Veteran Kim Mock has run plenty of laps at Knoxville and sits third in the standings. Todd Hepfner is currently fourth in the standings, and Kurt Davis, Mike Kertscher, Steve Meyer, Brian Kristan, Scott Uttech and Matt Folstad round out the top ten. Travis Whitney runs regularly with the series and tuned up for this weekend with a strong fifth place run last Saturday at Knoxville. Also expected to take the green after a year of absence from Knoxville, will be Joe Roe, the popular 9-time IRA champion.
The IRA schedule boasts 34 dates in five states (WI, IA, MI, MN, IL), 28 of them point events. Five shows are scheduled in conjunction with the World of Outlaws. The series returns for the Summer Classic on July 22 and 23. The Knoxville/IRA challenge will also be fueled by the Jerry Richert Memorial at Cedar Lake Speedway near Somerset, WI on September 10.
Wayne Johnson still leads the Knoxville point race, but has Aussie Kerry Madsen breathing down his neck after last week’s victory. Ricky Logan used a strong finish last weekend (2nd) to move into third in the points ahead of Skip Jackson. Brian Brown and Chad Meyer, Calvin Landis, Matt Moro, Don Droud Jr. and Billy Alley (despite missing the first week of competition) round out the top ten.
John Kearney continues to lead the 360 standings over Larry Ball Jr. and Johnny Anderson. John Schulz sits fourth, propelled by his first career Knoxville win last Saturday. Jake Peters, Brett Mather, Joe Beaver, Dusty Zomer, David Hall and Randy Martin round out the top ten. Check out all the point standings, as well as more information on your favorite driver, in our “Drivers” section.
Web Updates
Many of you requested bigger photos in our “Photos” section, and we aim to please. See our bigger photos now, with new images from Doug Johnson, David Hill and the Pits.
The entries for the Midget Nationals on June 3 and 4 are up to 44. Check out who has signed up for the “big” shows in our “Events” sections on the right hand side of the home page. With two complete nights of midget racing, the entries should be at an all-time high.
Great reviews continue to come in regarding our live results in the “Results” section, and the live broadcasts on the American Dirt Network-KNIA/KRLS. If you can’t make it to the track, click the “ADN” link on the front page for the broadcast, and check in on the live results in our “Results” section. Be sure to let us know who you are and where you are listening from by sending a note to editor@knoxvilleraceway.com, and we’ll try to mention you on the air. Until next time…
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