2005 Knoxville Nationals Preview - produced, arranged and composed by Bobby Gerould. ...2005 Nationals dates - August 10-13, 2005 - Knoxville, Iowa.

The sprint car capital of the world is a sea of humanity for four hot nights of winged sprint car racing known simply as "The Nationals". Race fans, and race teams from across the globe meet in the middle of the USA for a gathering that is mostly about racing but also about having fun. The stakes are raised, and the exposure is high. Live television coverage and the knowledge that past Nationals winners are immortalized can make even the most experienced professional racers get the butterflies.

Who will win? For the first time in what seems like ages, the top prize at the Nationals is virtually wide open. The dominance of Danny Lasoski is simply not present in 2005. Unbelievably, "The Dude" has struggled through his worst season of this decade, and although he still is among the favorites this time around, he is not carrying the title of THE favorite. That distinction belongs to Steve Kinser. The King of the Outlaws leads the WoO standings and has come up strong at major events this season. He has wins in the Kings Royal, and Eagle Nationals already in '05. Kinser has more Nationals wins than any other driver, and if we had $50 bucks to bet, the HammerDown! cash would be on the #11.

Danny Lasoski and Steve Kinser battle on the famous Knoxville clay. (Doug Johnson photo)

Kinser, Lasoski, and Sammy Swindell are the only drivers entered this year that have won the prestigious event. When you consider that in the past 25 years, only seven men have driven to victory in the Knoxville Nationals, it could be argued that the Nationals A-Main is THE hardest major event to win in all motorsports. In the same 25 year period, there have been 19 different Indy 500 winners. (The other three winners since 1980 are Bobby Allen, Dave Blaney, and Doug Wolfgang). Upsets seldom happen at the Nationals. The last time an "upset" occurred was 15 years ago when Allen beat Sammy Swindell.

Bobby Allen won the Nationals in 1990.

However, with even the slightest imagination, we could see any one of 15 drivers win the 2005 Knoxville Nationals. I can't ever remember a time when five days prior to the green flag we have so many National champion candidates. So who are the others that we consider worthy of Doug Clark's checkered flag? After Kinser and Lasoski, we think Terry McCarl, Chad Kemenah, and Swindell are right there. Jeff Shepard will hit the track with great equipment in Kasey Kahne's car. Donny Schatz is struggling this season but his past performance at Knoxville Raceway indicates he will be a player at showtime. Jason Meyers, Craig Dollanksy, and Wayne Johnson all have feature wins at the half-mile on their resumes, and any one of them could get it done. Kraig Kinser won the World of Outlaws event at Knoxville on June 24, 2005 - making him the most recent WoO winner at the famed track. Kerry Madsen is the hottest local racer. His four wins have all come in the last month. Fred Rahmer from Pennsylvania is too good to discount even though he has zero laps at Knoxville so far in 2005. Paul McMahan finished second to K. Kinser in his last Knoxville start. The 2004 fastest qualifier is certainly owed one at Knoxville after last year's Nationals wild-ride that sent him to the hospital with a broken tailbone, and broken heel. As he proved at the Kings Royal, Joey Saldana can also be a factor. Finally, Brooke Tatnell, Australia's finest import, had the field covered in a late April WoO event, only to lose the race in traffic. He could step up and win this deal.

Donny Schatz #15 has come close to winning the Nationals. He has been the runner-up three of the last five years. (Doug Johnson photo)

The best racing! ...Heat races on the preliminary nights (Wednesday, and Thursday) are totally inverted. Some of the best racing I've ever seen happens in the Nationals heats. The fast guys are all trying to get into the top four to make the feature, and the chances they take are a bit wilder than usual. The point structure is such that sandbagging is totally out of the question. Qualifying has the same weight as a preliminary feature win. The heats weigh less but you have to finish in the top four to transfer to that night's preliminary feature. The best thing a driver can do is try to cut the ten cleanest laps he can, without wasting time "racing" with anyone. Knoxville is super wide, so there should always be another groove to try if someone is in your path. Teams save their best 800 horsepower engines for Knoxville, and sometimes wind them so tight, that they blow up. The chassis tuning must be precise as well. The track changes constantly, so the brightest mechanics are at a premium during the Nationals. What the dirt is like at lap one will be a far cry from what the same dirt is like on lap 30. Just as it is important to drive straight on entry to the wide Knoxville turns, the exit may be even more crucial. The fast guys will rocket off of turn-two and down the backchute, while the tailenders will be fishtailing in the black, slick, part of the track. The wrong angle coming off of turn two has cost many drivers.

In 1997 Dave Blaney won everything in sight including the Nationals.

Former winners of the Knoxville Nationals:

$$$$$$$$$ Total 4-day Purse for 2005: $814,650

Wednesday and Thursday:

Friday:

Saturday:

Best Appearing Crew: 1. $1,000 2. $500 3. $300 Total Purse for Best Appearing Crew: $1,800

E Feature: 1. $400.00 2. $400.00 3. $700.00 4. $600.00 5. $500.00 6. $475.00 7. $450.00 8. $425.00 9. $400.00 10. $375.00 11. $350.00 12. $325.00 13. $300.00 14. $295.00 15. $290.00 16. $285.00 17. $280.00 18. $275.00 19. $270.00 20. $265.00 21. $260.00 22. $255.00

D Feature: 1. $600.00 2. $600.00 3. $1,000.00 4. $900.00 5. $800.00 6. $700.00 7. $600.00 8. $500.00 9. $475.00 10. $450.00 11. $425.00 12. $400.00 13. $375.00 14. $350.00 15. $325.00 16. $300.00 17. $295.00 18. $290.00 19. $285.00 20. $280.00 21. $275.00 22. $270.00

C Feature: 1. $800.00 2. $800.00 3. $1,400.00 4. $1,300.00 5. $1,200.00 6. $1,100.00 7. $1,000.00 8. $900.00 9. $800.00 10. $750.00 11. $700.00 12. $650.00 13. $625.00 14. $600.00 15. $575.00 16. $550.00 17. $525.00 18. $500.00 19. $475.00 20. $450.00 21. $425.00 22. $400

B Feature: 1. $1,000.00 2. $1,000.00 3. $1,000.00 4. $1,000.00 5. $5,000.00 6. $4,000.00 7. $3,000.00 8. $2,500.00 9. $2,000.00 10. $1,750.00 11. $1,500.00 12. $1,400.00 13. $1,300.00 14. $1,200.00 15. $1,100.00 16. $1,000.00 17. $900.00 18. $800.00 19. $750.00 20. $700.00 21. $650.00 22. $600.00

A Feature: 1. $140,000.00 2. $70,000.00 3. $35,000.00 4. $25,000.00 5. $20,000.00 6. $15,000.00 7. $12,000.00 8. $10,000.00 9. $9,000.00 10. $8,500.00 11. $8,250.00 12. $8,000.00 13. $7,750.00 14. $7,500.00 15. $7,250.00 16. $7,000.00 17. $6,900.00 18. $6,800.00 19. $6,700.00 20. $6,600.00 21. $6,500.00 22. $6,400.00 23. $6,300.00 24. $6,200.00

Total A Feature Purse: $442,650

Total Saturday Purse: $513,795

In 1978 over $51,000 was up for grabs. This year over $800,000 is available. The scanned 1978 program shows the top three from 1977: (L to R) runner-up Lealand McSpadden, winner Doug Wolfgang, and third place driver Bubby Jones.

2004 Nationals Results

44th Annual Knoxville Nationals presented by Midwest Ford Dealers August 12, 2004 Results

E Main, 10 laps, No Time: 1. Kim Mock, Pleasant Prairie, WI; 2. Bill Rose, Plainfield, MN; 3. Cody Branchcomb, Sapulpa, OK; 4. Matt Moro, Des Moines, IA; 5. Bobby Mincer, Morning Sun, IA; 6. Jerrod Hull, Sikeston, MO; 7. Mike Moore, Des Moines, IA; 8. John Lambertz, Sioux Falls, SD; 9. Wayne Modjeski, Oak Creek, WI; 10. Jerrel Slinkard, Melcher-Dallas, IA; 11. John Sernett, Shakopee, MN; 12. Mark Toews, Spirit Lake, IA; 13. Matt Wasmund, Jackson, MN; 14. Roger Rager, Pequot Lakes, MN; 15. Chad Hill, Cowansville, PA; 16. Jeff Johnson, Indianola, IA; 17. Rager Phillips, Knoxville, IA.

D Main, 12 laps, No Time: 1. Cameron Dodson, Greenfield, IN; 2. Troy Little, Sydney, NSW, AUST; 3. 3. Chris Walraven, Knoxville, IA; 4. Mike Reinke, Howards Grove, WI; 5. Mike Kertscher, Fredonia, WI; 6. Lynton Jeffrey, Sydney, NSW, AUST; 7. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 8. Jaymie Moyle, Bridgewater, SA, AUST; 9. Mike Lutz, Mercer, PA; 10. Jon Agan, Knoxville, IA; 11. Brian Carlson, Linden, IN; 12. Bill Rose, Plainfield, IN; 13. Bobby Mincer, Morning Sun, IA; 14. Ryan Anderson, Charter Oak, IA; 15. Cody Branchcomb, Sapulpa, OK; 16. Travis Rilat, Forney, TX; 17. Josh Higday, Des Moines, IA; 18. Zach Chappell, Talala, OK; 19. Matt Moro, Des Moines, IA; 20. Kevin Frey, Mechanicsburg, PA; 21. Curtis Boyer, New Haven, MO; 22. Kim Mock, Pleasant Prairie, WI.

C Main, 15 laps, No Time: 1. Steve Kinser, Bloomington, IN; 2. Brooke Tatnell, San Souci, NSW, AUST; 3. Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 4. Lucas Wolfe, Mechanicsburg, PA; 5. Travis Cram, Snohomish, WA; 6. Kelly Kinser, Bloomington, IN; 7. Danny Smith, Danville, IN; 8. Jeremy Campbell, Monroe, MI; 9. Manny Rockhold, Pekin, IL; 10. Mark Smith, Newville, PA; 11. Brandon, Wimmer, Fairmount, IN; 12. Clint Garner, Sioux Falls, SD; 13. Rob Chaney, Wooster, OH; 14. Troy Little, Sydney, NSW, AUST; 15. Loren Langerud, Harwood, ND; 16. Cameron Dodson, Greenfield, IN; 17. Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 18. Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron, KS; 19. Jesse Giannetto, Palo, IA; 20. Travis Whitney, Fridley, MN; 21. Chris Walraven, Knoxville, IA; 22. Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN.

B Main, 22 laps, No Time: 1. Brian Paulus, Mechanicsburg, PA; 2. Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, PA; 3. Steve Kinser, Bloomington, IN; 4. Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK; 5. Brian Brown, Higginsville, MO; 6. Blake Feese, Saybrook, IL; 7. Skip Jackson, Sydney, NSW, AUST; 8. Jeff Mitrisin, Oskaloosa, IA; 9. Erin Crocker, Wilbraham, MA; 10. Calvin Landis, Knoxville, IA; 11. Dean Jacobs, Wooster, OH; 12. Brooke Tatnell, San Souci, NSW, AUST; 13. Lance Dewease, Fayetteville, PA; 14. Jason Solwold, Mount Vernon, WA; 15. Kerry Madsen, Sydney, NSW, AUST; 16. Ed Lynch, Jr., Apollo, PA; 17. Dale Blaney, Fowler, OH; 18. Tim St. Arnold, Mitchellville, IA; 19. Roger Crockett, Eugene, OR; 20. Aaron Berryhill, Broken Arrow, OK; 21. Dennis Moore, Jr., Grinnell, IA; 22. Billy Alley, Lincoln, NE.

Nationals Championship A Main, 30 laps, No Time: 1. Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO; 2. Chad Kemenah, Findlay, OH; 3. Jeff Shepard, Upperco, MD; 4. Jason Meyers, Clovis, CA; 5. Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 6. Craig Dollansky, Elk River, MN; 7. Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK; 8. Steve Kinser, Bloomington, IN; 9. Mark Kinser, Oolitic, IN; 10. John VanDenBerg, Oskaloosa, IA; 11. Fred Rahmer, Salfordville, PA; 12. Donny Schatz, Fargo, ND; 13. Wayne Johnson, Mustang, OK; 14. Kenny Jacobs, Holmesville, OH; 15. Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, PA; 16. Brian Paulus, Mechanicsburg, PA; 17. Jesse Hockett, Warsaw, MO; 18. Tim Kaeding, San Jose, CA; 19. Brent Antill, Ankeny, IA; 20. Jason Sides, Ellendale, TN; 21. Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, IN; 22. Chad Meyer, Canton, SD; 23. Greg Hodnett, Memphis, TN; 24. Randy Hannagan, San Jose, CA.

Lap Leaders: McCarl 1-15; Lasoski 16-20

In 1991 - Steve Kinser fought off the challenges of Kenny Jacobs.

Race Fan Tips

How come the media attention for the Nationals is so great?

Certainly the racing is paramount. The purse is the largest of the year for any class of sprint cars. But an equally important part of the Nationals success lies in the fact that Knoxville Raceway understands what catering to the media can do for you. Knoxville is one of the very few dirt tracks that offers a PR staff, and media center. Media members are fed snacks pre and post race. The media center is always air-conditioned and stocked with free soda. Kathy Bell and her staff make sure that every member of the media has the right credentials, a Knoxville Program, and the entries for each night of racing. The information handed out to the media is relevant, and loaded with stats. It takes a HUGE effort from a team of over 100 people to put on an event the size of the Nationals. Key players in keeping our experiences positive over the years include, Tom Schmeh, Ralph Capitani, Kathy & Perry Bell, Tony Bokhoven, Craig Agan, The Visser Family, Bob Wilson, Doug Clark, Kris Krohn, and many whose faces I know but names I don't.

Only 24 can make the A-Main. Our guess?

Steve Kinser, Jeff Shepard, Danny Lasoski, Terry McCarl, Sammy Swindell, Chad Kemenah, Wayne Johnson, Kraig Kinser, Jason Meyers, Kerry Madsen, Paul McMahan, Fred Rahmer, Craig Dollansky, Brooke Tatnell, Brian Paulus, Tim Shaffer, Donny Schatz, Joey Saldana, Brian Brown, Jac Haudenschild, Tim Kaeding, Shane Stewart, Randy Hannagan, Greg Hodnett. ...(Jesse Hockett, Dale Blaney, Jason Johnson, Lance Dewease, Skip Jackson, Jason Sides, Jason Solwold, Billy Alley, Gary Wright, Jon Allard)