|
 KNOXVILLE,
IA (August 7) -- Team-Hoosier rolled into the Pennzoil World of
Outlaws 42nd annual Mopar Parts Knoxville Nationals on a 28-race win
streak. Steve Kinser, shooting for his 12th Knoxville Nationals
championship, extended that streak to 29 after winning the opening
night of the 4-day event. Even more impressive was Hoosier rubber
being used by the first 21 drivers to cross the finish line in the
night's 25-lap feature. The annual event drew over 100 of the world's
best sprint car drivers--all trying to capture Saturday's $125,000 top
prize.
Over one hundred of the world's best sprint car
drivers made up the talented field for this year's Knoxville
Nationals. Per event rules, the field was split into two groups. The
first group competed on Wednesday night and the remainder will battle
it out on Thursday night.
Fifty-five cars were entered for the first night of
qualifying on the famous 1/2-mile Knoxville Raceway, with 42 drivers
competing on the Hoosier brand. Joey Saldana set fast time of the
night after circling the track in 15.218 seconds. He was followed by
Daryn Pittman, Craig Dollansky and Tim Shaffer as the four fastest
times were posted by drivers on Hoosier tires.
There were five 10-lap heat races needed to pare
55-car field down to 24 for the night's feature race. All five heats
were won by Hoosier-shod drivers. Steve Kinser, Lance Dewease, Jason
Sides, Josh Higday and Danny Wood won heats one through five,
respectively. The top four in each heat transferred into the night's
preliminary feature.
After two "last chance" races, the 24-car
field was set for the night's final race with 22 of them on Hoosier
rubber.
At the drop of the green flag, Steve Kinser took the
early race lead from the pole position. Kinser led until lap seven,
when fast qualifier Joey Saldana moved into the lead. Saldana
maintained the lead until Kinser made a pass on Saldana low in turn
two to regain the lead on lap 23. Kinser took the checkered flag two
circuits later to collect the win.
Kinser used a Hoosier RD12/D12 (left rear/right rear)
compound combination en route to the $10,000 opening night win.
Combined with his earlier heat race win, "The King of the
Outlaws" pocketed a total of $10,150 for his night's work.
Joey Saldana finished runner-up and collected $7,125
while using a D12/RD15 combination. Lance Dewease took third using an
RD12/RD15 set-up. He took home $6,150.
Team-Hoosier saved their most impressive finish of the
season for the opening night of the 42nd annual Knoxville Nationals as
the first 21 drivers to cross the finish line used the Hoosier tire
brand. The final Team-Hoosier finishing order was as follows: (Driver,
Money Earned, Compound Used)
1. Steve Kinser ($10,150) (RD12/D12)
2. Joey Saldana ($7,125) (D12/RD15)
3. Lance Dewease ($6,150) (RD12/RD15)
4. Tim Shaffer ($5,125) (D12/D12)
5. Craig Dollansky ($4,100) (D12/D12)
6. Daryn Pittman ($2,625)
7. Paul McMahan ($2,600)
8. Jeff Shepard ($2,260)
9. Brad Furr ($1,840)
10. Jason Sides ($1,650)
11. Fred Rahmer ($1,490)
12. Ed Lynch, Jr. ($1,400)
13. Danny Wood ($1,350)
14. Kenny Jacobs ($1,190)
15. Skip Jackson ($1,100)
16. Jason Johnson ($990)
17. Kasey Kahne ($1,060)
18. Calvin Landis ($875)
19. Mike Reinke ($825)
20. Josh Higday ($800)
21. John Lambertz ($700)
23. Dennis Moore, Jr. ($750)
Neil Cowman, Hoosier's Open Wheel Dirt Product
Manager, is in Knoxville attending the four night's of competition.
Cowman commented via telephone interview, "Tonight, Team-Hoosier
had its best performance of the season in one of the biggest events of
the year." Cowman added, "We're really looking forward to
three more nights of racing, and if tonight was any indication, the
Hoosier brand will be tough to beat."
Cowman also stated that Danny Lasoski practiced on
Wednesday during hot-laps and looked as though he will be ready to go
for Thursday night's competition. Lasoski, who was leading the series
point standings, was injured in a crash during hot-laps at Williams
Grove Speedway nearly two weeks ago and has been unable to compete as
a result of his injuries.
Racing resumes tonight in Knoxville with the remaining
drivers getting their chance on the 1/2-mile track where Team-Hoosier
looks to extend their win streak in the Pennzoil World of Outlaws
Series to 30 races in a row.
|
