Knoxville Rumors: Fact or Fiction?
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Knoxville Rumors: Fact or Fiction?
by Joanne Cram
So, you’ve heard those rumors that fly all winter long and you want to know if they are the real thing! Well, I’m attempting to find truth in the more widespread rumors that have been floating around racing cyberspace. If you have another rumor you want me to pursue about something you heard, drop an email and I’ll see if I can get to the bottom of it!
Fact or Fiction- Dusty Zomer, 410 driver # 1z doesn’t have a ride for this coming season. FACT! I talked to Dusty this past weekend and as of now, January 30th, he does not have funding put together for a motor program. His loyal sponsor of several years, Bargain Barns Tire Center, has decided to hang up motor ownership on Zomer’s cars to pursue other ventures. Dusty is continuing to work on sponsorship and raising funds for a motor program so he can again return to Knoxville Raceway to compete for the top spot in 410 racing. If you are interested in sponsoring Zomer’s program, he’d love to hear from you! You can email me for information on how to get in touch with him.
Fact or Fiction- Josh Schneiderman is moving up from a 360 to run a 410 sprint. FACT! Josh confirmed that he and his father, Bart will be putting together a 410 program to run at Knoxville’s weekly shows. One of Josh’s goals for this coming season will be to earn rookie of the year honors in the 410 class. When he is not running Knoxville, Josh will run with the Sprint Invaders in his 360, as well as the 360 Nationals and the Brodix Tournament of Champions (upon qualification via Sprint Invaders). The Schneiderman team hopes to run a pre-Knoxville race at Devil’s Bowl mid March to kick off his 410 debut.
Bart Schneiderman’s other 360 sprint driven by John Schulz is unconfirmed to run at Knoxville at this point. Josh stated that he knew of plans to run Sprint Invaders with Schulz behind the wheel, but hadn’t heard of Knoxville plans as of yet. Josh is currently finishing a two-year business degree at Southeast Community College in Burlington, and also works two jobs in between getting race ready for April. Look for a driver feature story on Josh Schneiderman in Race Talk in early April.
Fact or Fiction- Kaley Gharst has a new ride for 2008! FACT! Last season, Kaley Gharst was seen in the familiar 3 star 410 sprint associated with Scott Ritchhart. This coming season however, Kaley will be in a new ride. You will find Kaley dirivng the Bruce Williams #7K at Knoxville, and the Guy Webb #51 car at Midwest All Stars shows. This coming season, Kaley will also run a limited 360 traveling schedule, permitting he has no conflicting races elsewhere in his 410 rides. Gharst would like to thank sponsors Maxim Chassis, Phillips’ Floors, and Hoosier Tires.
Fact or Fiction- Steve Wares is racing his #10 360 sprint car this season! FICTION! Okay, so I made that one up- that wasn’t a rumor I heard, but all my other rumors are true, so I had to shake it up! Wares has hired Eric Vanderploeg to drive the #10 360 sprint this season. Last season found Jeff Mitrisin in the Wares ride, but after the Nationals, Mitrisin teamed up with the Sonner #47 410 car. Mitrisin will continue to drive the Sonner car this coming season, leaving the Wares ride open. Steve stated that he was looking for a driver with some experience and who was somewhat local. Eric Vanderploeg was the perfect fit, as he has an extensive driving history and lives in the Pleasant Hill/Altoona area. The Wares-Vanderploeg team plan to run a full Knoxville schedule, as well as the Sprint Invaders and many of the Midwest ASCS races. The first race for the team will be at Oklahoma City in mid March.
Set Joanne and her rumors straight at jcramit92@aol.com!
(Pictured): Josh Scheiderman is planning a move to the 410 class this season
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