70 degrees – 66 of the best Late Model drivers, 49 of the best 305 Sprint drivers,– It Just Doesn’t Get Much Better!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
by Bruce Neimeth – The 4th Annual Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals kicks of this Thursday night, September 27th with the $6k to win Qualifying Night #1 at the famous ½ mile dirt track at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa. Top NASCAR, Lucas Oil, World of Outlaws and UMP drivers as well as track and series champions from California to New York and Florida to Oregon will make up this tough field of 66 Dirt Late Models as they race for over $220,000 and the opportunity to be a Knoxville Late Model Nationals Champion. All entrants and cars must run Thursday.
The top 24 in points from Thursday are tentatively locked in to the 100-lap Championship feature Saturday night and a crack at the $35,000 top prize. Friday night everyone gets another shot at the $6k to win Qualifying Night #2. It’s not a must, but other than The NASCAR drivers who will be at Kansas Speedway on Friday, everyone else runs again for points. We take the best points of the two nights for anyone that runs Friday. Everyone else stands on their Thursday points. Anyone outside the top 24 will run the “C” and “B” on Saturday based on points. Top 6 go to the 100 lap Championship event. The NASCAR drivers can use a provisional if they run the “C” and “B” but don’t make it in. (Note: Tony, Ryan and Kenny say “no way Jose” – we’ll be there on points).
The Dirt Late Model field will feature some former “410” Sprint Car drivers including Rick Eckert. On the distaff side Jill George will return to the event for another try. She brings a new distinction with her as she was just selected to join NASCAR’s Driver Diversity Program. Tim McCreadie, former WoO Late Model Champion and Chili Bowl Champion, will make a rare dirt track appearance this year as he is running with Richard Childress Racing. Today he qualified for the Busch Series race at Dover.
The support class for the Dirt Late Models all three nights will be the 305 Sprint Cars, with 49 entries from the Iowa and the surrounding states. The 3-day event, the 305 Mid-States Championship with over $17,000 in prize money, will use the same points system as the Late Models. Everyone runs each night.
Reserved seats are available online at www.knoxvilleraceway.com, or call (641) 842-5431. General Admission seats will be sold the day of each event.
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