Bill W’s Best Appearing of 2009

 

A new year, and time for my annual best appearing list.  Again this year, we’ve gone with a top ten in 410s and 360s.  We’ll also look at the top five in 305s, the top non-winger, and best appearing of the midgets.  How tough is it to make the top ten?  Well, for one, I sifted through my photos of 234 410s and 370 360s (both up from 2008).  As always there are three reasons why a car you believe should be on here, isn’t:  1. I didn’t see the car live.  2. I didn’t get a good photo of the car with my digital gizmo (not likely) 3.  You are wrong! (likely) 

 

360s

 

#10 – Casey Heser (Jackson, MN) – I caught Casey at the Jackson Spring Nationals in April.  The wisp of dust in the distance is the only hint of how miserable a night was with stiff and cold 40 m.p.h. winds coming out of the North towards the grandstand.  Several cars were knocked off their course on the backstretch by Mother Nature.  Casey’s car was an eye-catcher.

 

 

#9 – Dusty Zomer (Brandon, SD) – Dusty drove for the Rock Rapids, Iowa based Van Wyhe team early in the season at Nebraska Raceway Park on this day.  The car was looking its best, and the second team car was a finalist in this year’s countdown, and made the list in 2006. 

 

 

 #8 – Dale Blaney (Hartford, OH) – The Hammons Motorsports #6 is overdue to this list after being a finalist for a few years.  I’m a sucker for lightning bolts for some reason, and this one sticks out on the track.  This shot was caught at the 360 Nationals in Knoxville, Iowa.

 

 

 #7 – Donnie Steward (West Burlington, IA) – Sponsorship from Harley Davidson has gotten several cars on the list over the years despite the fact that I am no biker.  Heartland Harley Davidson of Burlington, Iowa backs Steward, and he made a return to 360 racing pay off with a win at his home track (34 Raceway) with the Sprint Invaders in 2009.

 

 

 #6 – Randy Martin (California, MO) – Randy’s streak in making this list is now at seven consecutive years.  Randy’s cars never contain “too much” going on as far as graphics, just a simple clean and polished look that makes them stand out among the rest.

 

 

#5 – Don Young (Bartlett, TN) – Don becomes a Knoxville resident about mid-July every year to prepare for August.  He showed up with this mount.  The cars are always clean looking, but I took a liking to the clear side panel on the wing.  Don didn’t go so well on this night, and I didn’t see the wing come out again.

 

 

 #4 – Tommy Bryant (Conroe, TX) – This car looked to be clearly purchased from Chad Kemenah and the Kantor #8K team.  Despite that, owner Jerry Bell made a good decision in not altering the look.  Bryant has a lot of talent as his win totals will attest, but couldn’t qualify well enough at Knoxville in this car to qualify for the 360 Nationals final.

 

 

 #3 – Jesse Hockett (Warsaw, MO) – No one won more races in 2009 than “The Rocket” who copped 22 features including the East Bay “King of the 360’s” and the Ultimate Challenge.  He teamed with Tom Buch/VKCC Motorsports and made 13 a lucky number.  This is another car with a clean look, and the yellow and blue are accented with the white swoosh. 

 

 

 #2 – Evan Martin (California, MO) – Like father, like son.  Having seen Evan’s car online, I knew when I arrived at Lake Ozark Speedway in September, that if the rookie’s car was in one piece, it was a cinch for this list.  It’s not easy to pull off the color copper on a sprinter, but this one did fine.

 

 

 #1 – Brian Brown (360 Nationals) (Grain Valley, MO) – After a year’s absence from this list, Brian is back as Missouri sweeps the 360 podium.  One of several drivers to try to lobby to get on this list in the past (to no avail), it’s the appearance that counts.  The FVP car was a nice touch, and a good looking car that stood out on the track (and it helps that my favorite color is red). 

 

 

2008 360 Top Ten: 1. Mark Shirshekan 2. Randy Martin 3. Garry Bell 4. Joey Moughan 5. Ryan Hall 6. Greg Wilson 7. Jason Eckard 8. Roger Crockett 9. Tim Crawley 10. Kolt Walker

 

2007 360 Top Ten: 1. Justin Barger 2. Ryan Jamison 3. Shane Stewart 4. Kevin Ramey 5. Tim Crawley 6. Jeff Williams 7. Bryan Howland 8. Rager Phillips 9. Ben Gregg 10. Ryan Bickett

 

2006 360 Top Ten: 1. Jessica Zemken 2. Donny Howard 3. Foster Landon 4. Randy Martin 5. Travis Whitney 6. Brian Brown 7. Brad Best 8. Shawn Van Wyhe 9. Danny Martin Jr. 10. Jeff Day

 

2005 360 Top Ten: 1. Rick Ideus 2. Caleb Griffith 3. Scott Box 4. Ricky Fauver 5. Sean McClelland 6. Dave Anderson 7. Randy Plath 8. Randy Martin 9. Doug Lovegrove 10. Brad Welborn

 

2004 360 Top Ten: 1. Preston Peebles II 2. Jody Roland 3. Eddie Gallagher 4. Natalie Sather 5. Darren Long 6. Herb Reed 7. AG Rains 8. Gene Ackland 9. Dex Eaton 10. Brian Hetrick

 

2003 360 Top Ten: 1. Mike Ward 2. Sean McClelland 3. Roger Crockett 4. Brian Harvill 5. Cody Hansen 6. Ryan Voss 7. Randy Droescher 8. Wade Oliver 9. Billy Alley 10. Kenny Adams

 

2002 Best Appearing 360:  Rick Ideus

 

410s

 

#10 – Ricky Logan (Little Rock, AR) – Primary sponsorship from Lucas Oil provided a nice color combination and theme for Ricky’s 2009 entry.  The car was easy to pick out on the track for Ricky’s fans.

 

 

 #9 – Chad Trout (Felton, PA) – Chad’s entry may be a surprise to some, but the car really stood out to me for some reason.  I only got to see Chad compete once at that was at the Keystone Cup in May at Lincoln Speedway.

 

 

 

#8 – Daron Clayton (Sikeston, MO) – The “Modern Day Cowboy” turned to the wings in 2009, and aced Rookie of the Year honors with the All Stars and at the Knoxville Nationals.  This look was designed for the Nationals (shot at Osky), and if I had a vote for “Best Appearing” of the special schemes would have made the top two.

 

#7 – Lance Dewease (Fayetteville, PA) – LD has driven the Catoctin #30c for the past two seasons.  I like the trend of fading colors from dark to light, and to be honest, this is one that looks better close-up than from a distance.

 

 

 #6 – Jason Sides (Nationals) (Bartlett, TN) – “Double Down” carried the blue scheme for the King’s Royal and the Nationals.  He had an uphill battle after problems in qualifying at Knoxville, but looked to be one of the faster cars on the track. 

 

 

 #5 – Mark Smith (Tower City, PA) – Mark is sponsored by Bricker’s French Fries and the car never ceased to make me hungry.  That has to count for something.  The “fry guy” on the top of the wing is cool too, and I caught this shot at Grandview Speedway.

 

 

 #4 – Cris Eash (Hanover, PA) – The PA “Love Fest” continues.  I was out there early in the year and that helps.  Cris always has great looking cars.  I thought his U.S. flag color combination after 9/11 in 2001 was one of the all-time greats so I included that one as well.

  

 

#3 – Billy Balog (Eau Claire, WI) – This late year dramatic change to the “Alaskan Cheesehead’s” entry was welcome.  He needs no help on the track.  He is the two-time and defending IRA champion.

 

 

#2 – Donny Schatz (Nationals) (Fargo, ND) – For the second time in four years, Schatz rises to #2 on the list with a special Nationals entry.  The car was designed to emulate Mario Andretti’s STP scheme at Indianapolis.  It ran almost as fast as Donny won his fourth Nationals in a row.

 

 

 #1 – Johnny Herrera (Albuquerque, NM) – “Hollywood” returned to Knoxville with this good looking mount financed by Larry and Lori Woodward and won the track title.  Sometimes when you see a car every week, you take its appearance for granted, but not so here.  This is a sharp one.  In addition, their non-wing entry was also a winner on this year’s list (see below)

 

 2008 410 top ten: 1. Chad Kemenah (Nationals) 2. Rob Chaney (Nationals) 3. Shane Stewart (Nationals) 4. Daryl Stimeling 5. Caleb Griffith 6. Sam Haftertepe Jr. 7. Keith Kauffman 8. Dion Hindi 9. Joey Saldana 10. Danny Smith (Nationals)

 

2007 410 top ten: 1. Kenny Jacobs (Weikert’s) 2. Randy Martin 3. Tyler Thompson 4. Fred Rahmer 5. Joey Saldana (King’s Royal) 6. Brian Kristan 7. Brian Brown 8. Stevie Smith 9. Jerry Richert Jr. 10. Jac Haudenschild (Nationals)

 

2006 410 top ten: 1. Kerry Madsen (Nationals) 2. Donny Schatz (Nationals) 3. Brian Leppo 4. Jason Meyers 5. Wayne Johnson 6. Jason Dukes 7. Brook Weibley 8. Brian Ellenberger 9. David Harrison 10. Brooke Tatnell (whitewalls)

 

2005 410 top ten: 1. Brooke Tatnell 2. Kerry Madsen 3. Shane Stewart 4. Cory Haas 5. Chad Blonde 6. Brian Leppo 7. Jason Hunt 8. Kenny Jacobs 9. Jesse Giannetto 10. Mike Stefka

 

2004 410 top ten:  1. Terry McCarl 2. Kenny Jacobs 3. Randy Martin 4. Chad Kemenah 5. Tim Shaffer 6. Roger Crockett 7. Mark Smith 8. Lucas Wolfe 9. Brian Montieth 10. Mike Kertscher

 

2003 410 top ten:  1. Toni Lutar 2. Randy Martin 3. Steve Kinser (Hulk) 4. Randy Hannagan 5. Don Droud Jr. (Batman) 6. Lance Dewease/Terry McCarl 7. Chad Kemenah 8. Tim Kaeding 9. Kim Mock/Mike Kertscher 10. Joe Roe

 

2002 410 top ten:  1. Sammy Swindell (nationals) 2. Chad Blonde 3. Matt Moro 4. Sean Michael 5. Jeff Hodgson 6. Jan Howard 7. Greg Hodnett 8. Dave Enders 9. Tommy Tarlton 10. Chad Meyer

 

305s

 

#5 – Trish Dover (Springfield, NE) – Brother Jack may be mad we included Trish and not him on these lists, but at least his car made the background here.  Trish made limited 305 starts in 2009, with this one coming at Jackson Speedway.

 

 

 #4 – 20T (West Burlington, IA) – The #20T carried several drivers in 2009 and was one of the flashiest looking machines at 34 Raceway.  Dave Anderson’s Rockstar Graphics dominated this 305 list in 2009.

 

 

 #3 – Bruce Anderson (Trimont, MN) – This Jackson regular had a flashy look this year, and normally has had nice looking stuff.  The color combination is one you don’t see often.

 

 

 #2 – Dave Anderson (Burlington, IA) – The proprietor of a graphics company (Rockstar Graphics) should be on this list right?  “Da Beef” did a great job with his car as he did by making the 2005 360 list.  It is good to have him back in the sprint cars after a few racing modifieds.

 

 

 #1 – Bob Anderson (Burlington, IA) – Dave’s brother Bob shows another great example of Rockstar Graphics work in this tribute to their late brother Donnie “Noodles” Anderson.  Who says the 305 sprints don’t shine?

 

 

 Non-wing

 

Best Appearing – Johnny Herrera (Albuquerque, NM) – I had a sneak peek at the mock-ups of this car over last offseason, but didn’t get to see it until August.  Any car with pin-up girls included can’t be bad right?

 

 

 2008 Best Appearing Non-wing car: Johnny Herrera

 

2007 Non-wing top five: 1. JJ Yeley 2. Brett Burdette 3. Mat Neely 4. Jesse Hockett 5. Jerry Coons Jr.

 

2006 Best Appearing Non-wing car: Don Droud Jr.

 

2005 Non-wing top five: 1. Kevin Besecker 2. Matt Westfall 3. Charles Davis Jr. 4. Dave Darland 5. Jac Haudenschild

 

2004 Best Appearing Non-wing car:  Seth Wilson

 

2003 Best Appearing Non-wing car:  Roger Rager

 

2002 Best Appearing Non-wing car:  Damion Gardner

 

Midgets

 Best Appearing – Kent Schmidt (Owensville, IN) – I caught Kent’s car at Jacksonville, Illinois during the Herb Barlow Memorial.  I’ll admit I thought the David Bros. Farms sponsorship with the inclusion of corn stalks in the graphics were pretty cool.

 

 

 

2008 Best Appearing Midget: Brad Kuhn

 

2007 Midget Top Five: 1. Brandon Waelti 2. AJ Fike 3. Tracy Readinger 4. Brad Loyet 5. Dustin Morgan

 

2006 Midget Top Five: 1. Andy Martin 2. Jimmy Light 3. Bryan Clauson 4. Tom Hessert III 5. Kurt Mayhew

 

2005 Best Appearing Midget: Mike Miller

 

2004 Best Appearing Midget:  Steven Graham

 

2003 Best Appearing Midget:  Aaron Fiscus

 

Next young sprinter update:  Sam gets on the gas with Billy Alley in Joey’s golf cart in the North Campground!

 

 

 

8/16/09

Knoxville Raceway

49th Annual Knoxville Nationals

B main (started): 1. Jac Haudenschild R19 (1) 2. Jason Meyers 14 (11) 3. Danny Lasoski 6 (17) 4. Jason Johnson 41 (2) / 5. Bronson Maeschen 1 (5) 6. Johnny Herrera 2w (9) 7. Chad Kemenah 63 (3) 8. Danny Smith 4 (4) 9. Dean Jacobs 97 (6) 10. Skip Jackson 2 (8) 11. Jack Dover 53 (14) 12. Mark Dobmeier 13 (15) 13. Daron Clayton 92 (18) 14. Ed Lynch Jr. 2L (20) 15. Calvin Landis 70 (10) 16. Greg Wilson w20 (7) 17. Jesse Giannetto D1 (19) 18. Justin Henderson G1 (16) 19. Fred Rahmer 51 (12) 20. Wayne Johnson 14AJ (21) 21. Billy Alley 22 (22) 22. Ricky Logan 10a (13)

Haudenschild led early in the 22-lapper on the dry-slick track, but it was Kemenah who slid by for the lap two lead. Henderson spun by the pit entrance in turn four a lap later, bringing a caution. Kemenah led Haudenschild, J. Johnson, D. Smith and Maeschen back to green flag racing. On lap four, Haudenschild slid by Kemenah for the lead again, and pulled away as the rest of the event went non-stop. Eyes were on Meyers and Lasoski, who were putting on clinics from deep in the pack. By the time they got to second and third, respectively, Haud was long gone. J. Johnson held onto the final transfer. Clayton was the Rookie of the Nationals.

A main (started): 1. Donny Schatz 15 (6) 2. Joey Saldana 9 (2) 3. Stevie Smith 1z (1) 4. Tim Kaeding 83 (4) 5. Shane Stewart 57 (14) 6. Kraig Kinser 20K (7) 7. Tim Shaffer 83x (11) 8. Dale Blaney 2B (3) 9. Craig Dollansky 19E (18) 10. Haudenschild (21) 11. Lasoski (23) 12. Steve Kinser 11 (20) 13. Dusty Zomer 17G (10) 14. Tyler Walker 24T (5) 15. Jonathan Allard 0 (13) 16. Greg Hodnett 22H (16) 17. Terry McCarl 24 (15) 18. Lucas Wolfe 5w (17) 19. J. Johnson (24) 20. Paul McMahan 71x (12) 21. Jason Solwold 6NX (9) 22. Sam Hafertepe Jr. 15H (8) 23. Brian Brown 21 (19) 24. Meyers (22)

Saldana and S. Smith dueled with Saldana getting the lap one lead. S. Smith came right back to the point on lap two, but the pass was negated by a caution for Meyers, who flattened a right front tire. Saldana took back the point ahead of S. Smith, Kaeding, Blaney and Schatz. Saldana had a good restart, and six laps later, Meyers right rear tire exploded. The damage was enough to sideline him. The restart saw the top five unchanged, but S. Kinser had worked into the top ten (from 20th) in the first eight laps. S. Kinser continued to mark forward and in a duel for seventh on lap ten, he and Walker contacted, sending S. Kinser sideways. He was able to straighten the car and keep going, and was further aided when Brown came to a stop in turn four. The restart with ten laps down saw Hafertepe Jr. duck into the work area, as well. The restart saw Saldana leading S. Smith, Kaeding, Schatz and Blaney. The next twelve laps wnet uninterrupted. Saldana entered lapped traffic and had about an eight car length lead, when a slowing Hafertepe Jr. (who retired) gave officials a chance to conduct their fuel stop. The restart with 18 laps to go saw Saldana still in the lead, ahead of S. Smith, Schatz, Kaeding and Blaney. The rest of the event went non-stop. Schatz appeared to bide his time in third, and turned it on with seven laps to go, shooting under S. Smith for second. He dismissed Saldana, who got a bit loose high in turns three and four on lap 35, and pulled away for his fourth straight Nationals win. Saldana held off a late S. Smith charge for second. Stewart completed a solid surge in the top five, while Haudenschild and Lasoski, who ended up with hard-charger honors had late charges. The win was the 12th in Donny's career at Knoxville and it was worth $150,000.

 

8/15/09

Knoxville Raceway

Knoxville Nationals Final Night (not really)

E main (started): 1. Bill Rose 6R (2) 2. Geoff Dodge 7m (1) 3. Mike Moore 69 (3) 4. Bob Weuve 19 (6) 5. Greg Hall 4wa (4) / 6. Jordan Goldesberry 65 (8) 7. Chris Schmelzle 57c (7) 8. Ty Bartz 46 (5) 9. Greg Nikitenko 6N (10) 10. Kevin Ingle 2K (11) 11. Matt Wasmund 4w (14) 12. Scott Uttech 3K (12) 13. Marlon Jones 9m (15) 14. Robert Bell 71 (13) 15. Pete Crall 1PC (9) DNS - Patrick Bourke 27, Brian Ellenberger 22N, Mike Benson 77, Clint Garner 40, Joey Moughan 55B, Ryan Bickett 17RB

   

Rose got the jump and led the 10-lapper all the way on an early night narrow track. Hall dropped back early, but was able to get back by for the fifth and final transfer. Bourke looked to break a rear-end in hot laps and did not start. Crall exited early.

D main (started): 1. Kaley Gharst 7K (1) 2. Toni Lutar 4x (2) 3. Josh Schneiderman 49 (3) / 4. John Lambertz 12L (7) 5. Josh Higday 81 (4) 6. Rob Chaney 7KX (6) 7. Kenny Jacobs 25 (10) 8. Bill Balog 17B (5) 9. Austin McCarl 17A (8) 10. Davey Heskin 56 (14) 11. Chad Meyer 4H (9) 12. Caleb Griffith 12c (13) 13. Rose (16) 14. Scott Winters 23w (15) 15. M. Moore (18) 16. Weuve (21) 17. Dodge (19) 18. Erin Crocker 59 (12) 19. Hall (20) 20. Dwight Snodgrass 20 (22) 21. Travis Rilat 2m (11) 22. Ricky Montgomery 33 (17)

Gharst led early in the 12-lapper, before something looked to break in the Montgomery machine, sending him straight into the wall. He complained of leg pain and was taken to the hospital. Rain fell during the red, resulting in about an hour rain delay. Once the track was ready for racing, it was narrow and hard to pass. Gharst led Lutar, Schneiderman, Higday and Lambertz back to green flag racing. The last seven laps saw only one change in the top five...Lambertz's pass of Higday.

C main (started): 1. Wayne Johnson 14AJ (2) 2. Billy Alley 22 (1) / 3. Ryan Anderson 71R (4) 4. Garry Brazier 1AU (3) 5. Rager Phillips 10 (7) 6. Kerry Madsen 55 (6) 7. Sammy Swindell 10s (11) 8. Cale Conley 3c (5) 9. Brandon Wimmer 7TW (9) 10. Lee Sowell 51s (8) 11. Daryn Pittman 17 (12) 12. Randy Hannagan 1x (13) 13. Lance Dewease 30c (14) 14. Cody Darrah 89 (17) 15. Don Droud Jr. 47 (15) 16. Jason Sides 7s (19) 17. Gary Lee Maier 1xx (10) 18. Lutar (21) 19. Gharst (20) 20. Tony Bruce Jr. 18 (18) 21. Schneiderman (22) 22. Lynton Jeffrey 12 (16)

W. Johnson broke the 15-lap track record in the non-stop event. Alley followed as the lead pari left the rest behind on a fast track that was hard to pass on.

Another big rain hit and the B and A were postponed to Sunday, starting at 7.

 

8/14/09

Knoxville Raceway

Knoxville Nationals - Friday Night

Non-qualifiers

Semi-Feature one (started): 1. Daryn Pittman 17 (2) 2. Don Droud Jr. 47 (4) 3. Erin Crocker 59 (3) 4. Matthew Reed v92 (1) 5. Josh Schneiderman 49 (9) 6. Kenny Jacobs 25 (13) 7. Rob Chaney 7KX (7) 8. Jesse Hockett 13J (6) / 9. Caleb Griffith 12c (11) 10. Ben Gregg 22B (8) 11. Geoff Dodge 7m (16) 12. Greg Hall 4wa (5) 13. Chris Schmelzle 57c (14) 14. Jordan Goldesberry 65 (10) 15. Patrick Bourke 27 (17) 16. Kevin Ingle 2K (15) 17. Clint Garner 40 (12)

A new Friday format looked like a winner, as three semi-features taking the top eight to the A main were put in place of heats. The semis were 15 laps in distance and inverted the top six in points. Pittman led the distance, with only one stoppage. Garner couldn't get off the track with five laps down when trying to exit. The restart saw Pittman ahead of Droud Jr., Crocker, Reed, a charging Schneiderman and Hockett. K. Jacobs was able to get by several cars early to move into a transfer spot.

Semi-feature two (started): 1. Tony Bruce Jr. 18 (1) 2. Randy Hannagan 1x (3) 3. Lynton Jeffrey 12 (6) 4. Toni Lutar 4x (5) 5. Austin McCarl 17A (4) 6. Jason Sides 7s (11) 7. Bill Balog 17B (8) 8. John Lambertz 12L (2) / 9. Davey Heskin 56 (9) 10. Ricky Montgomery 33 (10) 11. Bill Rose 6R (13) 12. Ty Bartz 46 (12) 13. Bob Weuve 19 (7) 14. Pete Crall 1PC (15) 15. Scott Uttech 3K (16) 16. Matt Wasmund 4w (17) 17. Marlon Jones 9m (14)

Bartz spun on the backstretch before a lap could be completed. Bruce Jr. led most of the way before Hannagan stole the lead on lap 11 in traffic. The non-stop event saw Hannagan blow the bottom out of his engine on the white flag lap. He was able to limp home second behind Bruce. Sides was the mover, and advanced several spots late in the going.

Semi-feature three (started): 1. Brad Sweet 91 (4) 2. Cody Darrah 89 (1) 3. Sammy Swindell 10s (7) 4. Josh Higday 81 (2) 5. Lance Dewease 30c (3) 6. Travis Rilat 2m (8) 7. Kaley Gharst 7K (6) 8. Chad Meyer 4H (5) / 9. Scott Winters 23w (11) 10. Dennis Moore Jr. 20 (13) 11. Mike Moore 69 (9) 12. Brian Ellenberger 22N (10) 13. Mike Benson 77 (14) 14. Greg Nikitenko 6N (12) DNS - Joey Moughan 55B, Ryan Bickett 17RB, Robert Bell 71

Darrah shot out to an early lead with Higday settling behind him. Sweet did well to move into second, by lap 13 when Benson came to a stop with a detonated powerplant. Darrah led Sweet, Higday, Swindell and Dewease back to green flag racing. Swindell used a slider to move by Higday for third, while Sweet pegged the low side for a winning pass with two to go.

A main (started): 1. Swindell (9) 2. Sweet (3) 3. Hannagan (5) 4. Pittman (1) 5. Droud Jr. (4) 6. Dewease (15) 7. Darrah (6) 8. Jeffrey (8) 9. Sides (17) 10. Bruce Jr. (2) 11. Gharst (21) 12. Lutar (11) 13. Schneiderman (13) 14. Higday (12) 15. Balog (20) 16. Chaney (19) 17. Lambertz (23) 18. A. McCarl (14) 19. Meyer (24) 20. Hockett (22) 21. K. Jacobs (16) 22. Reed (10) 23. Crocker (7) 24. Rilat (18)

The first try at green saw Crocker spin in turn one, collecting Rilat. Both were done. The 20-lapper saw Pittman lead early before a stoppage for Reed, who went up in smoke in turn two. The restart saw Pittman ahead of Sweet, Droud Jr., Bruce Jr. and Hannagan. Sweet tried to run down Pittman and finally did in traffic on lap twelve. Swindell was now putting on a show, pulling sliders in a drive to the front. Sweet was his victim on lap 15. Hannagan got around Pittman on the last lap for third. Gharst was the hard-charger, while Dewease and Sides were also fun to watch. The win was Sammy's 42nd at Knoxville, was worth $5,000 and was sixth on the all-time list. The top ten finishers will fill in the last five rows of Saturday's C.

C Scramble (started): 1. Ryan Anderson 71R (1) 2. Garry Brazier 1AU (4) 3. Wayne Johnson 14AJ (6) 4. Kerry Madsen 55 (3) 5. Billy Alley 22 (10) 6. Cale Conley 3c (9) 7. Brandon Wimmer 7TW (5) 8. Rager Phillips 10 (7) 9. Lee Sowell 51s (8) 10. Garry Lee Maier 1xx (2)

Ry. Anderson led the 12-lapper for the duration, earning $3,000. W. Johnson and Madsen traded blows for third, while Alley gained most of his positions on lap one by snaking the low side. 20 points are given to the leader, 18 to second, 16 to third and so on. The drivers also get a point for each driver they pass. Those points are added to their qualifying night points to give them their total for lineups on Saturday.

B Scramble (started): 1. Skip Jackson 2 (1) 2. Chad Kemenah 63 (5) 3. Jac Haudenschild R19 (9) 4. Dean Jacobs 97 (4) 5. Jason Johnson 41 (10) 6. Johnny Herrera 2w (3) 7. Danny Smith 4 (6) 8. Bronson Maeschen 1 (7) 9. Greg Wilson w20 (8) 10. Calvin Landis 70 (2)

Jackson led throughout to earn $5,000. Kemenah was moving well on the bottom to get Herrera and D. Jacobs. Haudenschild put on the best show from 9th to 3rd.

A Scramble (started): 1. Donny Schatz 15 (4) 2. Sam Hafertepe Jr. 15H (2) 3. Dale Blaney 2B (6) 4. Tim Kaeding 83 (5) 5. Joey Saldana 9 (9) 6. Stevie Smith 1z (10) 7. Tyler Walker 24T (8) 8. Kraig Kinser 20K (7) 9. Jason Solwold 6NX (3) 10. Dusty Zomer 17G (1)

Zomer's scramble was done almost before it began after contact with another competitor bent the Jacob's ladder. Hafertepe led after lap one, but Schatz got him on the restart for Zomer. Saldana and S. Smith traded sliders in their moves up to fifth and sixth.

DDNi World Challenge (started): 1. Jeffrey (3) 2. Shane Stewart 57 (13) 3. Madsen (4) 4. Terry McCarl 24 (12) 5. Brazier (5) 6. Ricky Logan 10a (7) 7. D. Smith (9) 8. W. Johnson (6) 9. Hannagan (17) 10. Paul McMahan 71x (15) 11. J. Johnson (10) 12. Jackson (8) 13. Jonathan Allard 0 (14) 14. Lutar (1) 15. Rose (19) 16. G. Hall (2) 17. Saldana (16) 18. Schmelzle (18) 19. Craig Dollansky 19E (11) 20. Reed 7KX (20)

Reed did a lap after borrowing the Jessup 7KX and pulled off. Jeffrey circled the front row and began to pull away early in the 20-lapper. Madsen was sitting in second, with Brazier there as well. T. McCarl and W. Johnson were moving up too. The race was slowed four laps from the end when a piece of the turn one billboard fell on the track. Jeffrey led Madsen, T. McCarl, Brazier and Stewart to a shootout for $10,000. He was never headed on the dry-slick surface, but the action behind him was too good to describe. Madsen and T. McCarl began to slide each other for second, while Stewart made quick work of Brazier. Heading into turn three on the white flag lap, Stewart was fourth, but he shot to the high side and passed both Madsen and T. McCarl for second. The win was Jeffrey's second career tally at Knoxville. Stewart was also the hard-charger.

 

A Main Lineup

1 1Z Smith, Stevie Broken Arrow, OK
2 9 Saldana, Joey Mooresville, NC
3 2B Blaney, Dale Fowler, OH
4 83 Kaeding, Tim San Jose, CA
5 24T Walker, Tyler Encino, CA
6 15 Schatz, Donny Fargo, ND
7 20K Kinser, Kraig Cornelius, NC
8 15H Hafertepe, Jr., Sam Sunnyvale, TX
9 6NX Solwold, Jason Burlington, WA
10 17G Zomer, Dusty Brandon, SD
11 83X Shaffer, Tim Aliquippa, PA
12 71X McMahan, Paul Greenbrier, TN
13 0 Allard, Jonathan Chico, CA
14 57 Stewart, Shane Tulsa, OK
15 24 McCarl, Terry Altoona, IA
16 22H Hodnett, Greg Thomasville, PA
17 5W Wolfe, Lucas Mechanicsburg, PA
18 19E Dollansky, Craig Zimmerman, MN
19 21 Brown, Brian Grain Valley, MO
20 11 Kinser, Steve Bloomington, IN

B Main Lineup

21 R19 Haudenschild, Jac Wooster, OH
22 41 Johnson, Jason Eunice, LA
23 63 Kemenah, Chad Alvada, OH
24 4 Smith, Danny Chillicothe, OH
25 1 Maeschen, Bronson Knoxville, IA
26 97 Jacobs, Dean Wooster, OH
27 W20 Wilson, Greg Benton Ridge, OH
28 2 Jackson, Skip Knoxville, IA
29 2W Herrera, Johnny Albuquerque, NM
30 70 Landis, Calvin Knoxville, IA
31 14 Meyers, Jason Fresno, CA
32 51 Rahmer, Fred Salfordville, PA
33 10A Logan, Ricky Knoxville, IA
34 53 Dover, Jack Springfield, NE
35 13 Dobmeier, Mark Grand Forks, ND
36 G1 Henderson, Justin Sioux Falls, SD
37 6 Lasoski, Danny Higginsville, MO
38 92 Clayton, Daron Indianapolis, IN
39 D1 Gianetto, Jesse Cedar Rapids, IA
40 2L Lynch, Jr., Ed Apollo, PA

C Main Lineup

41 22 Alley, Billy Lincoln, NE
42 14AJ Johnson, Wayne Knoxville, IA
43 1AU Brazier, Garry Sidney, NSW, Australia
44 71R Anderson, Ryan Charter Oak, IA
45 3C Conley, Cale Vienna, WV
46 55 Madsen, Kerry Knoxville, IA
47 10 Phillips, Rager Knoxville, IA
48 51S Sowell, Lee Nesbit, MS
49 7TW Wimmer, Brandon Fairmount, IN
50 1XX Maier, Garry Lee Dodge City, KS
51 10s Swindell, Sammy Germantown, TN
52 91 Sweet, Brad Grass Valley, CA
53 1x Hannagan, Randy Pittsboro, IN
54 17 Pittman, Daryn Owasso, OK
55 47 Droud Jr., Don Lincoln, NE
56 30c Dewease, Lance Fayetteville, PA
57 89 Darrah, Cody Red Lion, PA
58 12 Jeffrey, Lynton Prairie City, IA
59 7s, Sides, Jason Bartlett, TN
60 18, Bruce Jr., Tony Liberal, KS

D Main Lineup

61 7K Gharst, Kaley Decatur, IL
62 4x Lutar, Toni, White Rock, BC, Can.
63 49, Schneiderman, Josh West Burlington, IA
64 81, Higday, Josh Des Moines, IA
65 17B, Balog, Bill Eau Claire, WI
66 7KX, Chaney, Rob Wooster, OH
67 12L, Lambertz, John Sioux Falls, SD
68 17A McCarl, Austin Altoona, IA
69 4H Meyer, Chad Sioux Falls, SD
70 25 Jacobs, Kenny Holmesville, OH
71 v92 Reed, Matthew Melbourne, VIC, Aust.
72 59 Crocker, Erin Wilbraham, MA
73 2m, Rilat, Travis Forney, TX
74 13J, Hockett, Jesse Warsaw, MO
75 12c, Griffith, Caleb Sandusky, OH
76 56, Heskin, Davey St. Michael, MN
77 23w, Winters, Scott Butterfield, MN
78 22B, Gregg, Ben Glendale, AZ
79 33, Montgomery, Ricky Lakewood, CO
80 20, Moore Jr., Dennis Grinnell, IA

E main

81 7m, Dodge, Geoff Speedway, IN
82 6R, Rose, Bill Plainfield, IN
83 69, Moore, Mike Des Moines, IA
84 4wa, Hall, Greg Albany, WA, Aust.
85 46, Bartz, Ty Sheboygan Falls, WI
86 22N, Ellenberger, Brian Butler, PA
87 57c, Schmelzle, Chris, Victoria, BC, Can.
88 19, Weuve, Bob Newton, IA
89 77, Benson, Mike Calistoga, CA
90 65, Goldesberry, Jordan Springfield, IL
91 1PC, Crall, Pete DeSoto, KS
92 6N, Nikitenko, Greg Minot, ND
93 27, Bourke, Patrick Edwards, CO
94 3K, Uttech, Scott New Berlin, WI
95 2K, Ingle, Kevin Huron, SD
96 4w, Wasmund, Matt Jackson, MN
97 40, Garner, Clint Sioux Falls, SD
98 9m, Jones, Marlon Sioux Falls, SD
99 55B, Moughan, Joey Springfield, IL
100 17RB, Bickett, Ryan Ramona, SD
101 71, Bell, Robert Colfax, IA

 

8/13/09

Knoxville Raceway

Knoxville Nationals Night #2

57 cars

Dale Blaney (2nd car out to time) set the standard in qualifying at 15.056 seconds. Joey Saldana (3rd car out) was second quick, followed by Tyler Walker (4th), Stevie Smith (23rd), Kraig Kinser (36th), Josh Higday (7th), Steve Kinser (13th), Greg Hodnett (34th), Tim Kaeding (25th) and Jac Haudenschild (48th). It was advantageous to go out early as the middle of the track slicked off quite a bit, while the bottom remained greasy. Brant O'Banion failed to get a time in, and defending USAC sprint champion, Levi Jones, had to take one lap at the end in Wade Nygaard's #9N

Heat one (started): 1. Brian Brown 21 (4) 2. Jason Solwold 6NX (6) 3. Blaney 2B (8) 4. Garry Lee Maier 11xx (2) / 5. Lance Dewease 30c (3) 6. Jordan Goldesberry 65 (1) 7. Jesse Hockett 13J (5) 8. Higday 81 (7) / 9. Kenny Jacobs 25 (9) 10. Greg Nikitenko 6N (10)

Brown circled the front row right away and led flag to flag in the 10-lapper. Solwold and Blaney charged under Maier to charge into second and third.

Heat two (started): 1. Ricky Logan 10a (2) 2. Terry McCarl 24 (4) 3. Fred Rahmer 51 (3) 4. Saldana 9 (8) / 5. Rager Phillips 10 (6) 6. Kerry Madsen 55 (5) 7. Ricky Montgomery 33 (1) 8. S. Kinser 11 (7) / 9. Dennis Moore Jr. 20 (9) 10. Eric Baldaccini B4 (10)

Logan led the duration, with McCarl nipping at his heels at the line. Saldana progressed slowly until grabbing the final transfer from Phillips on the last lap.

Heat three (started): 1. Chad Meyer 4H (1) 2. Dusty Zomer 17G (6) 3. Walker 24T (8) 4. Ryan Anderson 71R (2) / 5. Jesse Giannetto D1 (4) 6. Bob Weuve 19 (3) 7. Hodnett 22H (7) 8. Travis Rilat 2m (9) / 9. Tony Bruce Jr. 18 (5) 10. Pete Crall 1PC (10)

Meyer took off, while Zomer impressed by moving into second. Walker used good moves under Giannetto and Anderson to surge to third.

Heat four (started): 1. S. Smith 1z (8) 2. Toni Lutar 4x (1) 3. Kaeding 83 (7) 4. Billy Alley 22 (4) / 5. Clint Garner 40 (10) 6. Caleb Griffith 12c (2) 7. Joey Moughan 55B (6) 8. Ben Gregg 22B (5) / 9. Mike Benson 77 (9) 10. Kaley Gharst 7K (3)

Gharst exited on lap two. Lutar was the early leader before S. Smith stormed to the front on lap five, and never looked back. Kaeding passed Alley on the last lap for third.

Heat five (started): 1. Lynton Jeffrey 12 (1) 2. Dean Jacobs 97 (4) 3. Bronson Maeschen 1 (5) 4. K. Kinser 20K (8) / 5. Haudenschild R19 (7) 6. Mike Moore 69 (2) 7. Wayne Johnson 14AJ (6) 8. Scott Winters 23w (9) / 9. Geoff Dodge 7m (10) 10. Bill Rose 6R (3)

Jeffrey wired the field, while Maeschen and K. Kinser put on entertaining charges getting by M. Moore.

C main (started): 1. Bruce Jr. (1) 2. Gharst (2) / 3. K. Jacobs (4) 4. Moore Jr. (3) 5. Nikitenko (5) 6. Crall (8) 7. Dodge (7) 8. Scott Uttech 3K (10) 9. Matt Wasmund 4w (11) 10. Patrick Bourke 27 (12) 11. Ryan Bickett 17RB (9) 12. Benson (6) DNS - Rose, Levi Jones 9N, Robert Bell 71, Baldaccini, Brant O'Banion 30

Bruce Jr. and Gharst led the distance in the 10-lapper, ahead of K. Jacobs who ended up eight car lengths behind in the non-stop event.

B main (started): 1. S. Kinser (2) 2. Hodnett (3) 3. Haudenschild (4) 4. Giannetto (11) / 5. W. Johnson (7) 6. Dewease (12) 7. Madsen (9) 8. Hockett (8) 9. Rilat (18) 10. Phillips (5) 11. Weuve (13) 12. Winters (19) 13. Garner (20) 14. Bruce Jr. (21) 15. Gharst (22) 16. Montgomery (17) 17. M. Moore (15) 18. Goldesberry (16) 19. Moughan (6) 20. Higday (1) 21. Gregg (10) 22. Griffith (14)

Before a lap could be completed in teh 12-lapper, Gregg spun high in turn three, and collected Griffith, who had to retire. On the second try, Higday edged S. Kinser on lap one, but it was for only one lap. First Hodnett, and then Haudenschild moved by Higday, before something went awry in the valve train on lap seven, while running fourth. W. Johnson had just passed Moughan, who stopped on the track a lap later, for the final transfer. Giannetto was persistent on the bottom, and when W. Johnson slid across turns one a two a couple times in a row, he stuck the bottom and passed him for the final transfer with two to go.

A main (started): 1. Kaeding (3) 2. K. Kinser (4) 3. Saldana (7) 4. S. Smith (5) 5. Walker (6) 6. T. McCarl (11) 7. Zomer (1) 8. Solwold (2) 9. Blaney (8) 10. Brown (10) 11. Maeschen (9) 12. D. Jacobs (13) 13. Hodnett (22) 14. Logan (16) 15. S. Kinser (21) 16. Rahmer (14) 17. Haudenschild (23) 18. Jeffrey (20) 19. Ry. Anderson (17) 20. Lutar (19) 21. Maier (15) 22. Giannetto (24) 23. Meyer (18) 24. Alley (12)

Alley chose to start in the rear with some motor woes, and pulled in shortly after the finish. Haudenschild spun before a lap could be completed, but once underway, the 25-lappe went non-stop. Zomer jumped out to an early lead, but couldn't shake Kaeding. In heavy lapped traffic on lap 11, Kaeding snuck under Zomer for the point, and started mastering lapped cars. His lead was over a straightaway, when K. Kinser and Saldana began to close after battles with S. Smith and Walker. Kaeding ended up winning by several car lengths to claimed $12,000 and his fourth career Knoxville victory. T. McCarl's late surge salvaged fifth, while Hodnett was the hard-charger.

 

 

Knoxville Nationals   2009

8/14/2009 - Friday A Scramble Lineup

Row 1 - 17G, Dusty Zomer; 15H, Sam Hafertepe Jr.
Row 2 - 6NX, Jason Solwold; 15, Donny Schatz
Row 3 - 83, Tim Kaeding; 2B, Dale Blaney
Row 4 - 20K, Kraig Kinser; 24T, Tyler Walker
Row 5 - 9, Joey Saldana; 1z, Stevie Smith

Saturday A main Rows 6-10

Row 6 - 83x, Tim Shaffer; 71x, Paul McMahan
Row 7 - 0, Jonathan Allard; 57, Shane Stewart
Row 8 - 24, Terry McCarl; 22H, Greg Hodnett
Row 9 - 5w, Lucas Wolfe; 19E, Craig Dollansky
Row 10 - 21, Brian Brown; 11, Steve Kinser

Friday B main Scramble Lineup

Row 1 - 2, Skip Jackson; 70, Calvin Landis
Row 2 - 2w, Johnny Herrera; 97, Dean Jacobs
Row 3 - 63, Chad Kemenah; 4, Danny Smith
Row 4 - 1, Bronson Maeschen; w20, Greg Wilson
Row 5 - R19, Jac Haudenschild; 41, Jason Johnson

Saturday B main lineup Rows 6-10

Row 6 - 14, Jason Meyers; 51, Fred Rahmer
Row 7 - 10a, Ricky Logan; 53, Jack Dover
Row 8 - 13, Mark Dobmeier; G1, Justin Henderson
Row 9 - 6, Danny Lasoski; 92, Daron Clayton
Row 10 - D1, Jesse Giannetto; 2L, Ed Lynch Jr.

Friday C Scramble Lineup

Row 1 - 71R, Ryan Anderson; 1xx, Garry Lee Maier
Row 2 - 55, Kerry Madsen; 1AU, Garry Brazier
Row 3 - 7TW, Brandon Wimmer; 14AJ, Wayne Johnson
Row 4 - 10, Rager Phillips; 51s, Lee Sowell
Row 5 - 22, Billy Alley; 2L, Ed Lynch Jr.

 

Point Totals

Car # Driver Hometown Best Lap Total Points
1 1Z Smith, Stevie Broken Arrow, OK 15.356 488
2 9 Saldana, Joey Mooresville, NC 15.243 485
3 24T Walker, Tyler Encino, CA 15.323 482
4 20K Kinser, Kraig Cornelius, NC 15.413 481
5 2B Blaney, Dale Fowler, OH 15.056 478
6 83 Kaeding, Tim San Jose, CA 15.577 478
7 15 Schatz, Donny Fargo, ND 14.674 466
8 6NX Solwold, Jason Burlington, WA 15.606 463
9 15H Hafertepe, Jr., Sam Sunnyvale, TX 14.848 461
10 17G Zomer, Dusty Brandon, SD 15.636 461
11 83X Shaffer, Tim Aliquippa, PA 14.973 447
12 71X McMahan, Paul Greenbrier, TN 14.687 446
13 0 Allard, Jonathan Chico, CA 14.718 446
14 57 Stewart, Shane Tulsa, OK 14.738 445
15 24 McCarl, Terry Altoona, IA 15.703 445
16 22H Hodnett, Greg Thomasville, PA 15.503 444
17 5W Wolfe, Lucas Mechanicsburg, PA 14.978 443
18 19E Dollansky, Craig Zimmerman, MN 14.865 442
19 21 Brown, Brian Grain Valley, MO 15.702 442
20 11 Kinser, Steve Bloomington, IN 15.488 439
21 41 Johnson, Jason Eunice, LA 15.029 438
22 R19 Haudenschild, Jac Wooster, OH 15.583 438
23 W20 Wilson, Greg Benton Ridge, OH 14.939 437
24 1 Maeschen, Bronson Knoxville, IA 15.696 436
25 4 Smith, Danny Chillicothe, OH 15.005 434
26 63 Kemenah, Chad Alvada, OH 15.037 427
27 97 Jacobs, Dean Wooster, OH 15.744 427
28 2W Herrera, Johnny Albuquerque, NM 14.952 426
29 70 Landis, Calvin Knoxville, IA 15.058 420
30 2 Jackson, Skip Knoxville, IA 15.041 417
31 14 Meyers, Jason Fresno, CA 14.809 412
32 51 Rahmer, Fred Salfordville, PA 15.751 412
33 10A Logan, Ricky Knoxville, IA 15.822 412
34 53 Dover, Jack Springfield, NE 15.193 406
35 13 Dobmeier, Mark Grand Forks, ND 14.828 404
36 G1 Henderson, Justin Sioux Falls, SD 15.066 404
37 6 Lasoski, Danny Higginsville, MO 14.796 402
38 92 Clayton, Daron Indianapolis, IN 15.065 402
39 D1 Gianetto, Jesse Cedar Rapids, IA 15.712 402
40 2L Lynch, Jr., Ed Apollo, PA 14.819 401
41 22 Alley, Billy Lincoln, NE 15.739 399
42 3C Conley, Cale Vienna, WV 14.628 398
43 51S Sowell, Lee Nesbit, MS 14.730 398
44 10 Phillips, Rager Knoxville, IA 15.631 398
45 14AJ Johnson, Wayne Knoxville, IA 15.650 396
46 7TW Wimmer, Brandon Fairmount, IN 15.154 393
47 1AU Brazier, Garry Sidney, NSW, Australia 15.126 392
48 55 Madsen, Kerry Knoxville, IA 15.674 391
49 1XX Maier, Garry Lee Dodge City, KS 15.819 391
50 71R Anderson, Ryan Charter Oak, IA 15.831 391
51 13J Hockett, Jesse Warsaw, MO 15.661 388
52 12 Jeffrey, Lynton Prairie City, IA 15.938 388
53 91 Sweet, Brad Grass Valley, CA 14.906 386
54 4WA Hall, Greg Albany, WA Australia 15.087 383
55 4X Lutar, Toni Surrey, BC, Canada 15.927 383
56 4H Meyer, Chad Harrisburg, SD 15.925 382
57 47 Droud, Jr., Don Lincoln, NE 14.934 381
58 17A McCarl, Austin Altoona, IA 15.173 381
59 81 Higday, Josh Des Moines, IA 15.482 381
60 59 Crocker, Erin Wilbraham, MA 14.764 380
61 1X Hannagan, Randy Pittsboro, IN 14.819 378
62 30C Dewease, Lance Fayetteville, PA 15.751 378
63 17 Pittman, Daryn Pittsboro, IN 14.936 375
64 12L Lambertz, John Sioux Falls, SD 15.180 374
65 55B Moughan, Joey Springfield, IL 15.641 370
66 92V Reed, Matthew Mitcham, VIC Canada 15.249 369
67 18 Bruce, Jr., Tony Liberal, KS 15.683 366
68 89 Darrah, Cody Red Line, PA 14.547 365
69 7KX Chaney, Rob Millersburg, OH 14.918 361
70 19 Weuve, Bob Newton, IA 15.798 361
71 10S Swindell, Sammy Bartlett, TN 14.987 357
72 22B Gregg, Ben Phoenix, AZ 15.695 353
73 17B Balog, Bill Chippewa Falls, WI 15.032 345
74 7K Gharst, Kaley Decatur, IL 15.801 339
75 49 Schneiderman, Josh West Burlington, IA 15.027 338
76 56 Heskin, Davey St. Michael, MN 14.884 336
77 69 Moore, Mike Des Moines, IA 15.873 335
78 65 Goldesberry, Jordan Springfield, IL 15.901 331
79 33 Montgomery, Ricky Lakewood, CO 15.903 330
80 2M Rilat, Travis Forney, TX 15.974 329
81 12C Griffith, Caleb Sandusky, OH 15.847 327
82 7S Sides, Jason Bartlett, TN 15.581 323
83 23W Winters, Scott Butterfield, MN 16.051 319
84 40 Garner, Clint Sioux Falls, SD 16.111 318
85 46 Bartz, Ty Sheboygan Falls, WI 15.313 315
86 22N Ellenberger, Brian Butler, PA 15.211 311
87 25 Jacobs, Kenny Findlay, OH 15.968 292
88 6R Rose, Bill Plainfield, IN 15.803 291
89 20 Moore, Jr., Dennis Grinnell, IA 15.972 288
90 57C Schmelzle, Chris Victoria, BC Canada 15.378 286
91 9M Jones, Marlon Harrisburg, SD 15.574 276
92 6N Nikitenko, Greg Minot, ND 16.058 275
93 2K Ingle, Kevin Huron, SD 16.174 271
94 1PC Crall, Pete DeSoto, KS 16.080 269
95 77 Benson, Mike Calistoga, CA 16.050 268
96 K9 VandenBerg, John Oskaloosa, IA 15.785 267
97 7M Dodge, Geoff Speedway, IN 16.182 266
98 67X Berg, Justin Williston, ND 15.806 263
99 B4 Baldaccini, Eric Keller, TX 16.078 255
100 3K Uttech, Scott New Berlin, WI 16.204 236
101 17RB Bickett, Ryan Ramona, SD 16.224 225
102 27 Bourke, Patrick Edwards, CO 16.352 222
103 4W Wasmund, Matt Jackson, MN 16.684 209
104 9N Jones, Levi Olney, IL 16.424 207
105 71 Bell, Robert Colfax, IA 16.445 200
106 30 O'Banion, Brant Norfolk, NE 100
107 13V Brahmer, Seth Wisner, NE 0

 

 

8/12/09

Knoxville Raceway

Knoxville Nationals Night #1

50 cars

Cody Darrah (42nd car out to time) set the standard in time trials at 14.547 seconds. The track was lightning fast after a lengthy rain delay. Cale Conley (29th car out) was second quick, followed by Donny Schatz (39th), Paul McMahan (45th), Jonathan Allard (35th), Lee Sowell (48th), Shane Stewart (44th), Erin Crocker (3rd), Danny Lasoski (24th) and Jason Meyers (22nd). Seth Brahmer failed to get a time in and scratched for the night with motor problems. Jason Sides stumbled on his lap, but returned stronger in the heat.

Heat one (started): 1. Garry Brazier 1AU (1) 2. Skip Jackson 2 (2) 3. Danny Smith 4 (3) 4. Greg Wilson w20 (4) / 5. Randy Hannagan 1x (6) 6. Jason Sides 7s (10) 7. Sowell 51s (7) 8. Brian Ellenberger 22N (9) / 9. Davey Heskin 56 (5) 10. Darrah 89 (8)

Heskin drifted up the track in turn two, and collected Darrah, who was trying to shoot around above the cushion on the tacky one-lane fast track. Darrah flipped and both cars were done for the night, though no one was injured. Brazier led a mostly single-file affair the rest of the way.

Heat two (started): 1. Calvin Landis 70 (2) 2. Brandon Wimmer 7TW (1) 3. Johnny Herrera 2w (4) 4. Matthew Reed v92 (9) / 5. Brad Sweet 91 (5) 6. Ed Lynch Jr. 2L (6) 7. Josh Schneiderman 49 (3) 8. Stewart 57 (7) / 9. Conley 3c (8) DNS - John VanDenBerg K9

When Lynch tried to shoot outside of Herrera to start the heat, contact was made with Lynch breaking a front axle. The crew didn't have time to finish the job, but got it after another lap failed to get in. Conley had hit the bottom berm in turn two and broken something in the front end. Landis led the 10-lap distance, but Stewart was the mover. He shot into third, but ran out of fuel on the white flag lap, handing the final transfer to Reed.

Heat three (started): 1. Daron Clayton 92 (2) 2. Austin McCarl 17A (1) 3. Jason Johnson 41 (3) 4. Tim Shaffer 83x (4) / 5. Mark Dobmeier 13 (6) 6. Ty Bartz 46 (9) 7. Schatz 15 (8) 8. Rob Chaney 7KX (5) / 9. Crocker 59 (7) 10. Justin Berg 67x (10)

Clayton led flag to flag. Schatz slapped the wall on the first lap, possibly breaking a Jacob's ladder.

Heat four (started): 1. Justin Henderson G1 (2) 2. Lucas Wolfe 5w (4) 3. John Lambertz 12L (1) 4. Sam Hafertepe Jr. 15H (6) / 5. McMahan 71x (8) 6. Don Droud Jr. 47 (5) 7. Lasoski 6 (7) 8. Billy Balog 17B (3) / 9. Chris Schmelzle 57c (9) 10. Kevin Ingle 2K (10)

Hafertepe Jr. and McMahan gained their final spots on the first lap. Hafertepe was the quickest qualifier (14th) to make it to the A through the heats.

Heat five (started): 1. Jack Dover 53 (1) 2. Greg Hall 4wa (2) 3. Craig Dollansky 19E (6) 4. Chad Kemenah 63 (3) / 5. Meyers 14 (7) 6. Sammy Swindell 10s (4) 7. Allard 0 (8) 8. Daryn Pittman 17 (5) / DNS - Marlon Jones 9m, Seth Brahmer 13v

In what may have been the stoutest heat, Dollansky was the prime mover.

C main (started): 1. Crocker (1) 2. Conley (2) / 3. Schmelzle (3) 4. Ingle (4) DNS - Darrah, Heskin, Jones, VanDenBerg, Berg, Brahmer

B main (started): 1. Schatz (1) 2. McMahan (2) 3. Allard (3) 4. Stewart (5) / 5. Meyers (7) 6. Dobmeier (10) 7. Lynch Jr. (9) 8. Lasoski (6) 9. Pittman (14) 10. Droud Jr. (13) 11. Sweet (11) 12. Sides (20) 13. Sowell (4) 14. Conley (22) 15. Balog (17) 16. Swindell (15) 17. Crocker (21) 18. Chaney (12) 19. Bartz (19) 20. Ellenberger (18) 21. Hannagan (8) 22. Schneiderman (16)

Schneiderman spun, bringing out a caution, and contact was made under the yellow between Hannagan, who retired, and Stewart. Schatz led until a lap four stoppage for Ellenberger. Dobmeier and Lynch Jr. battled hard for fifth in probably the best racing of the event. Schatz was turning 15.1 second laps up front.

A main (started): 1. Shaffer (4) 2. J. Johnson (1) 3. Hafertepe Jr. (8) 4. Kemenah (9) 5. Wolfe (3) 6. D. Smith (2) 7. Schatz (21) 8. Wilson (6) 9. Dover (19) 10. Landis (11) 11. Jackson (10) 12. Stewart (22) 13. Herrera (5) 14. Allard (23) 15. Henderson (13) 16. Wimmer (16) 17. Clayton (12) 18. McMahan (20) 19. Brazier (15) 20. Reed (18) 21. Dollansky (7) 22. A. McCarl (17) 23. Lambertz (24) 24. Hall (14)

Lambertz elected to start at the tail of the 25-lapper. Clayton came to a stop before a lap could be completed. He rejoined the field and J. Johnson took off ahead of Wolfe. Shaffer moved into second on lap ten, and Dollansky picked up third five laps later. When J. Johnson slipped a bit on lap 18, Shaffer pounced into the lead. Two laps later, Hall spun at the top of turn three. Dollansky was collected in the mess and got upside down. The tream rallied to get him back in the race, after another green was called back for a stalled A. McCarl. The final five laps saw Shaffer leading J. Johnson, Hafertepe Jr., Wolfe and Kemenah back to green. Kemenah was able to move past Wolfe for fourth, and Schatz was the hard-charger and high point man for the night. Shaffer's win was worth $12,000.