HammerDown! Hundred

100 Bigge$t Races of 2001 ...(and who took the cheese.)
  1. Knoxville Nationals - $125,000 to win - August 11th, 2001 - Knoxville, Iowa. - Danny Lasoski TV Radio
  2. The Big One $100,000 to win. Eldora Speedway, New Weston, OH. August 4, 2001 - P.J. Chesson - Radio
  3. Kings Royal - Eldora Speedway - New Weston, OH. - $50,090 to win. July 21, 2001 - Mark Kinser TV Radio
  4. Little 500 - May 26 - Anderson Speedway, Anderson, IN. $125,000 purse. $25,000 to win + contengency. - $38,500 total for Eric Gordon. Radio (regional TV)
  5. Silver Cup - July 24, Lernerville Speedway - Sarver, PA. $34,000 to win - Mark Kinser Radio
  6. 39th Annual Williams Grove National Open - WoO - Williams Grove Speedway - Mechanicsburg, PA. - $25,000 to win - September 28-29, 2001 - Lance Dewease Radio
  7. Gold Cup Race of Champions - Silver Dollar Speedway Chico, CA. September 6-8, 2001. $25,000 to win - Mark Kinser.
  8. WoO Iowa Classic - Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville Iowa - $25,000 to win - Stevie Smith TV Radio
  9. 25th annual East Bay Nationals - Feb. 14-17, paying $25,000 to win. - Gary Wright
  10. Perris Oval Nationals - Perris Auto Speedway, Lake Perris, CA. Nov. 1-3, $25,000 to win. - Bud Kaeding
  11. Copper World - 3/18 Phoenix, Ariz. Phoenix International Raceway - USAC Silver Bullet - $22,701 to win - Paul White TV
  12. Channellock Challenge - Bristol, TN. June 8-9, 2001 - $20,000 to win - Sammy Swindell TV Radio
  13. Eagle Nationals - Eagle Raceway, Eagle Nebraska. June 21-23, 2001 - $20,000 to win - Mark Kinser TV Radio
  14. Duel in the Dakotas - West Fargo, North Dakota - July 5-7, 2001 - $20,000 to win Craig Dollansky TV Radio
  15. Great Plains Shootout - Nebraska Raceway Park. Sept 20-22, $20G to win - Mark Kinser TV
  16. Silver State Shootout, March 4, 2001, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, NV. $20,000 to win - Danny Lasoski TV Radio
  17. Outlaws Showdown - Lowe's Motor Speedway Dirt Track - Concord, NC. May 25-26. $20,000 to Win - Mark Kinser TV Radio
  18. Southern Bleacher Classic - Fort Worth, TX. $20,000 to win - March 30, 2001 - Mark Kinser TV Radio
  19. Harvest Classic - Calistoga Speedway - Calistoga, CA. $20,000 to win. Aug. 31, Sept 1 & 2. Jeff Shepard
  20. Route 66 Raceway - Joliet, IL. - July 13th, 2001. Pennzoil WoO - $20,000 to win - Mark Kinser - Radio
  21. Talladega Dirt Track - WoO - April 20 & 21, 2001 - Talladega, AL. $20,000 to win. Mark Kinser Radio
  22. Talledega Short Track - WoO - October 19-20, 2001 - $20,000 to win - Andy Hillenburg - Radio
  23. USAC Silver Bullet - Aug. 25th, 2001 - Madison, IL. Gateway International Raceway $17,680 to win - Dave Steele
  24. Dirt Cup - $105,000 purse. Skagit Speedway - Alger, WA. 06/14-16 - $17,500 to win - Steve Kent
  25. Front Row Challenge Oskaloosa, IA. - 08/06/01 - $5,000 or $50,000 to win. - Lance Dewease
  26. USAC Silver Bullet - 6/17 Fountain, Colo. Pikes Peak International Raceway - Dave Steele $17,300 TV
  27. Mopar World Finals - Las Vegas Motor Speedway - WoO Season Finale, November 2-3, 2001, $17,000 to win. - Andy Hillenburg - TV Radio
  28. USAC Silver Bullet - May 5th, Nazareth, Pa. Nazareth Speedway $17,000 to win - Russ Gamester Regional TV
  29. "Dominic's of New York 100" - Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. USAC Silver Bullet - $15,700 to win - Aaron Fike TV
  30. Kele World Challenge Dash - August 10, 2001 - Part of the Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville Raceway, IA. $ 13,000 to win. Donny Schatz Radio
  31. Four Crown Nationals - September 21, and 22, 2001 New Weston, OH. Eldora Speedway - Silver Bullet pays $9,500 to win, plus sprints and midgets. - J.J. Yeley (Silver Bullet, and Midgets), Bud Kaeding (sprints).
  32. Trophy Cup - 360 Sprints - Kings Speedway, Hanford, CA. - Craig Stidham.
  33. Brad Doty Classic - Attica Raceway Park. Ohio. $13,000 to Win. - Danny Smith
  34. Chili Bowl - Tulsa, OK. - January 11-13, 2001 - $12,700 to win. - Jay Drake
  35. 33rd Annual - NAPA Western World Championships - Manzanita Speedway, Phoenix AZ. $12,500 to win October 25th-27th. $61,000 purse. - Jeremy Sherman
  36. 28th Annual O'Reilly Devils Bowl Winter Nationals - Mesquite, TX. WoO - October 26-27, 2001 - $12,000 to win - Joey Saldana Radio
  37. Williams Grove Wirtgen Challenge - WoO - May 17-18 - postponed to July. - $12,000 to win - Donny Schatz TV Radio
  38. Outlaws Championship - October 5-6, 2001 - Lowes Motor Speedway Dirt Track - Concord, NC. - Steve Kinser TV Radio
  39. Texas Shootout - April, 17, 2001. WoO - $12,000 to win Houston Raceway Park - Mark Kinser - TV Radio
  40. Williams Grove WoO - July 26 & 27. Mechanicsburg, PA. $12,000 to win. - Don Kreitz JR. Radio
  41. Eldora WoO - April 13, & 14, 2001 - Eldora Speedway, New Weston, OH. $12,000 to win. Mark Kinser Radio
  42. Knoxville WoO - April 27-28, 2001 - Knoxville Raceway - Knoxville, IA. $12,000 to win. Danny Lasoski - Radio
  43. Devils Bowl Spring Nationals - March 10, 2001 - Mesquite, TX. - $12,000 to win - Craig Dollansky Radio
  44. 34th Annual Tuscarora 50 - Sept. 7-8 Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA.- $12,000 ++ to win - Lance Dewease
  45. O'Reilly Sooner Nationals - State Fair Speedway - WoO - March 17 & 18, 2001 Oklahoma City, OK. $12,000 to win Steve Kinser.
  46. 6th Annual WoO at Grays Harbor - Elma, WA. August 17, & 18, 2001. $12,000 to Win - Stevie Smith
  47. 2nd Annual Portland WoO - August 24-25. Portland Speedway, Portland, OR. $12,000 to Win - Tim Shaffer
  48. 1200 Lb. Nationals - Knoxville Raceway - Knoxville, IA. - July 27-28. $12,000 to win - Don Droud Jr.
  49. Lone Star Classic - October 13-14, 2001 - Houston Raceway Park - Baytown, TX. $12,000 to win - Steve Kinser Radio
  50. Heartland Park WoO - O'Reilly Auto Parts Speedway - Topeka, KS. June 15, 16, 2001 - $12,000 to win - Donny Schatz
  51. Hawkeye Hundred - USAC Silver Bullet 6/2 Knoxville, Iowa Knoxville Raceway - J.J. Yeley $10,340 TV
  52. Belleville Midget Nationals - August 2-4, 2001 - $75,000 purse - $10,000 to win - Kasey Kahne
  53. Knoxville Nationals Wednesday Prelim - $10,000 to win. August 8, 2001 - Knoxville, Iowa. Danny Lasoski Radio
  54. Knoxville Nationals Thursday Prelim - $10,000 to win. August 9, 2001 - Knoxville, Iowa - Donny Schatz Radio
  55. WoO Season Opener - Kings Speedway, Hanford, CA. $10,000 - Andy Hillenburg
  56. 21st Annual Sharon Nationals, paying $10,000 to win on Sunday night 09/02/01. - Greg Hodnett
  57. Night Before the Kings Royal, July 20, 2001, Eldora Speedway, New Weston, OH., $10,000 to win, - Andy Hillenburg Radio
  58. Final Nationals Tune-up - Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville, IA. Pennzoil World of Outlaws - Monday July 16, 2001 - $10,000 to win - Jason Meyers Radio
  59. Night Before the Big One, Eldora Speedway, New Weston, OH. August 3, 2001 - $10,000 to win - Steve Kinser Radio
  60. WoO at Sedalia. - State Fair Speedway - Sedalia, MO. - March 23, 2001 - $10,000 to win - Paul McMahan
  61. WoO at State Fair Speedway - Sedalia, MO. - June 27, 2001 - $10,000 to win. Danny Lasoski
  62. "World of Outlaws" Sprint Show - September 25, 2001. Lernerville Speedway - Sarver, PA. $10,000 to win - Danny Wood Radio
  63. Bud Carson Memorial - Oklahoma City, OK. - June 19, 2001 - $10,000 to win - Steve Kinser Radio
  64. O'Reilly Grand Finale - Oklahoma City, OK. - Tuesday, Oct. 30th, 2001 - State Fair Speedway - $10,000 to win - Danny Wood
  65. WoO Granite City - May 12, 2001 - Tri-City Speedway, Granite City, IL. $10,000 to Win Dale Blaney Radio
  66. Hagerstown WoO - Hagerstown, MD. July 28, 2001. $10,000 to win - Stevie Smith Radio
  67. WoO Return to Port Royal - Port Royal Speedway - September 27, 2001. Port Royal, PA. - $10,000 to win - Danny Wood Radio
  68. WoO at Hagerstown, MD. - Hagerstown Speedway, May 19, 2001. $10,000 to Win. Sammy Swindell Radio
  69. U.S. Dirt Nationals - WoO, May 11, 2001 - $10,000 to win. Terre Haute Action Track, Terre Haute, IN. - Mark Kinser Radio
  70. WoO at Lakeside Speedway - Kansas City, KS. April 24, 2001 $10,000 to win - Steve Kinser
  71. WoO at Rolling Wheels - Elbridge, NY - May 30, 2001 - $10,000 to win. - Stevie Smith
  72. WoO at Terre Haute, July 18, 2001. Terre Haute Action Track, Terre Haute, IN - $10,000 to win - Tim Shaffer
  73. WoO at Lebanon Valley - May 28, 2001 - West Lebanon, NY. $10,000 to Win. Donny Schatz.
  74. 19th annual Hoosier Fall Classic Lawrenceburg (IN) Speedway - - $10,000 to win on Saturday, September 15, 2001. - Dean Jacobs
  75. WoO at Huset's - April 29, 2001 - Huset's Speedway - Brandon, SD - $10,000 to win - Donny Schatz
  76. WoO at Cedar Lake Speedway - Somerset, WI - July 9, 2001 $10,000 to win - Mark Kinser
  77. WoO at Huset's - Huset's Speedway - Brandon, SD. July 3, 2001 - $10,000 To Win - Mark Kinser
  78. WoO at Kings Speedway, Hanford, CA. - $10,000 to win. - Monday, August 27, 2001 - Stevie Smith
  79. WoO at I-55 Speedway - Pevely, MO. - July 14, 2001. $10,000 to win. Stevie Smith Radio
  80. WoO at 1-55 Speedway - Pevely, MO. - March 24, 2001 - $10,000 to win - Randy Hannagan
  81. WoO at Magnolia, MS. Pike County Speedway $10,000 to win - April 9, 2001 Mark Kinser
  82. 11th annual Pepsi Rich Vogler Classic - Sunday, May 6, 2001 - Winchester Speedway, Winchester, IN. $10,000 to win NAMARS midgets. Dane Carter
  83. WoO at Paducah International - Paducah, KY. June 12, 2001 - $10,000 to win - Andy Hillenburg
  84. Wild Wild Northwest Tour Opener - Metra Park Raceway - Billings, Montana - $10,000 to win - Donny Schatz
  85. All-Stars $10,000 to win Speedweek finale - Portsmouth Raceway Park. Portsmouth, OH. July 7, 2001 - Byron Reed
  86. WoO Watsonville Speedway - Watsonville, CA. - $10,000 to win. Wed. Aug. 29, 2001. - Andy Hillenburg
  87. WoO at Farmer City - July 11, 2001 - Farmer City Raceway - Farmer City, IL. - $10,000 to win - Mark Kinser
  88. WoO @ Central State Fair Speedway - Yakima, WA. - August 23, 2001. - $10,000 to win. Jeff Shepard
  89. WoO at New Egypt - July 30, 2001 - New Egypt Speedway - New Egypt, NJ. $10,000 to win - Donny Schatz
  90. 61st Annual Turky Night Grand Prix - November 22, 2001 - USAC Midgets - Irwindale Speedway, Irwindale, CA. - Dave Steele TV
  91. SCRA at Lakeside - June 15 & 16 - Lakeside Speedway - Kansas City, KS NWWC - $10,000 to win Troy Rutherford
  92. Mitch Smith Memorial - Williams Grove Speedway - Mechanicsburg, PA. June 29, 2001 - $10,000 to win. - Lance Dewease
  93. Freedom 40 - WoO Gumout Series - KC Raceway - Alma, OH. - July 28th, 2001. $10,000 to win. - Daryn Pittman
  94. NAMARS 500 - Indianapolis Speedrome - Indianpolis, IN. July 5, 2001. $10,000 to win - Travis Miniea.
  95. Hulman/Hoosier 100 - USAC Silver Bullet - September 28, 2001 - Indiana State Fairgrounds - $9,100 to win - Tony Elliott
  96. USAC Silver Bullet - IRP - May 12, 2001 - Indianapolis, Ind. Indianapolis Raceway Park $9,100 to win - Mike Bliss TV
  97. JD Byrider 100 - 8/2 Indianapolis, Ind. Indianapolis Raceway Park USAC Silver Bullet - Kasey Kahne - $9,100 TV
  98. USAC Silver Bullet 3/24 Irwindale, Calif. Irwindale Speedway - $9,100 to win - Russ Gamester
  99. USAC Silver Bullet - 8/18 Springfield, Ill. Illinois State Fairgrounds ($ 9,000 to win) - Paul White
  100. USAC Silver Bullet - DuQuoin, Ill. DuQuoin State Fairgrounds - September 2, 2001. ($ 9,000 to win) Paul White

Big races "Down Under"

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HAMMERDOWN! 100 HIGHLIGHTS BIGGEST RACES OF 2001 - 12/11/01 - The first annual "HammerDown! Hundred" list of the 100 biggest grass routes, open- wheel races of 2001 has been released. The Amoco Ultimate Knoxville Nationals, not surprisingly, is the top rated race in the United States. The annual, August, four-day gathering at the "Sprint Car Capitol of the World", in Knoxville, Iowa earned the top honor for paying $125,000 to winner, Danny Lasoski after the richest sprint car race in the world.

Editor, Bobby Gerould says, "When I was growing up, the Pacific Coast Open, the Nationals, and the Western World were BIG races I always wanted to see. Everyone likes a big race, and we Americans love lists. So why not a list of the biggest races?" The 'dream-schedule' list is based primarily on the winners share of prize money. However, tradition, pageantry, and media coverage also were factored in. Gerould adds, "while certainly not scientific, the list of 100 races says allot about the state of open-wheel racing. There were 22 races in 2001 that paid $20,000 or more to the winner. The list points out big events that deserve to have TV and radio coverage in the future, and I think the list brings more National light to events like the Little 500, and the National Open, - races that every open-wheel driver should want to win."

Earl Baltes, Historical Big One at Eldora Speedway, in New Weston, Ohio, offering $100,000 to the winner was ranked second, followed by Eldora's Kings Royal, the Little 500 in Anderson, IN., and the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup, held annually at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, PA.

Iowa & Ohio Share Hotbed Status - 12/11/01 - With ten races each in the HammerDown! Hundred list of the biggest races of 2001, Ohio, and Iowa share status as the top racing hotbeds in the United States. Led by events at the Eldora Speedway and Knoxville Raceway, the Buckeye state, and the Hawkeye state were able to narrowly outdistance Indiana, California, and Pennsylvania for the fictional, "Hotbed" crown.

The HammerDown Hundred highlights the traditionallly rich grass routes events that draw huge crowds at racing facilities across the USA.

THE TOP TEN STATES:

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2001 Champions

BF's BS by Bill Foland

Calistoga Speedway

Calistoga Winners List

Positivity by Bobby Gerould

Images 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5, 6

Respects

Steve-O Speaks - by Steve Turnross

Yearbook Headlines - (This is another HammerDown! "work-in-progress" that we enjoy sharing with our readers. Please check back often, as each year will be updated further in the coming days)

25 Greatest Sprint Car Drivers of All-time

40 Most Exciting NARC Drivers of All-time

 

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