A Preview From Behind The Mic
Friday, February 11, 2005
(Tony Bokhoven, Track Announcer)
Welcome to the new Knoxville Raceway.com website, I hope you enjoy it!
Well, for some of you, I’m sure you're getting antsy to get out the racing T’s and head to your local track to smell the methanol and see some of your racing buddies. For me, the '05 edition of the O’Reilly Chili Bowl Nationals was where this Announcer warmed his vocal cords. It was definitely a great way to spend my fifth visit in the House of the Golden Driller.
The '05 season at Knoxville is also going to be a special one as it will mark my 10th season as Track Announcer and 13th season announcing. For announcers like me who want to expand into the world of TV broadcasting, the last three years have been a dream come true. Not to be overshadowed, this season has its own list of things to be excited about. Once again, I will put on my SPEED Channel threads and join Ralph, Brad and Dave for the 360 Nationals along with the 45th Annual Knoxville Nationals, where I will be covering the pit area.
When the late models come back to town, I get the honor of sitting along side Ralph Sheheen and Jeff Hammond in the booth for the first time and I could not be more excited! You often hear drivers talk about what it is like to race along-side drivers like Steve Kinser and Danny Lasoski. The same can be said for me getting to broadcast a show from the booth with Ralph Sheheen. While I have not known Ralph long, he has taken on a mentor role for me, as I continue to try to make my name in Motorsports broadcasting. I am truly honored to get to work with one of the best in the business!
I know many of you watch the 30-minute Knoxville Raceway Weekly show on your local Mediacom station. In the next couple of weeks, Kris Krohn and I will be making a very big announcement regarding the show. One that you will not want to miss…and yes, it will be a Jim Dandy!!
I am sure by now you all have heard that Ricky Logan has teamed up with Mike VanderEcken for the '05 season. They will definitely be tough competitors as Ex-WoO wrench Tyler Swank will be turning the tools. Nevertheless, one can never count out the likes of Wayne Johnson, Skip Jackson and Kerry Madsen. Kerry is heading to the season opener with lots of momentum after winning 30 thousand just a few weeks back while racing in Australia.
Bobby Mincer and Steve Wares are preparing the Wares #10 in pursuit of the 360 gold. However, do not kid yourself, Jake Peters, David Hesmer and John Kearney will be ready to defend. This could be one of the most competitive seasons at Knoxville in many years.
Justin, Mike and myself are looking forward to seeing you all very soon. We will do our best to entertain and inform because without the fans... we would just be talking to ourselves.....
Well, that will do it for this week’s news brief. Check back next Friday, as this column will be coming via email from Viva Las Vegas. I will be working a trade show during the day while helping the Luxor keep the lights burning at night. I will have and update on John VanDenBerg’s plans for the '05 season and will bring you up to date on what the Fly’n Dutchman has been doing since we last saw him on the SPEED Channel explaining to Don O’Neal the finer points of racing at Knoxville.
For those wanting to send well wishes and comments, I can be reached at tbokhovn@kdsi.net, for those wanting to send spare cash…you will find me around the Craps tables at the Luxor!
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