2003 Knoxville Nationals Preview - By Bobby Gerould, HammerDownUSA.com Editor - 08/12/03 - Rocklin, CA.
It's the biggest sprint car race of the year. The equipment is fresh, the stickers are clean. Teams prepare all season for the Knoxville Nationals, hoping to peak in time for a trip to the winner's circle on Saturday night. The race? August 13-16, $125,000 to win, and the money through the D-Main is incredible. When you consider that in the past 23 years, only seven men have driven to the Knoxville Nationals winner's circle, it could be argued that the Nationals Feature is THE hardest major event to win in all motorsports, if not all professional sports.
In the same 23 year period, there have been 17 different Indy 500 winners, 16 different Daytona 500 champions, and 14 different cities claiming Super Bowl titles. Yet at Knoxville, only seven winners since since 1980. Steve Kinser, Danny Lasoski, Mark Kinser, Dave Blaney, Bobby Allen, Doug Wolfgang, and Sammy Swindell.
4-wide at the start of the 1983 Knoxville Nationals (Scanned from 1984 Knoxville program)
The Kinser name knows the sticky clay of Knoxville Raceway the way Hendrix knew a guitar. Steve, Mark, and Karl (Crew Chief) Kinser are the main reasons why this race has been so hard for anyone (else) to win. The dozen triumphs that "King Steve" has amassed leaves only crumbs for the others. Wolfgang, with five victories is second on the all-time Nationals win list. Mark Kinser has three wins, Lasoski did it twice. Sammy Once.
The last time an "upset" occurred at the Knoxville Nationals was 13 years ago. When "Scruffy", Bobby Allen beat Swindell to win the biggest prize in sprint car racing. As good a racer as Allen was, it seems like a slap in the face to call his National win an upset. But really it was. Scruffy was still winning races but this was late in his career. Heck, he went into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1998, only eight years after the BIG Knoxville win. The point is, upsets seldom happen at the Nationals.
So who is in-line to win it in 2003? Among the 95 teams entered, there are a number of men who COULD do it. However, reality says it will be Danny Lasoski. His 81 feature wins make him the winningest driver in the history of Knoxville Raceway. Driving for Tony Stewart, the #20 sprinter wrenched by Jimmy Carr has been the car to beat at the World of Outlaws events at Knoxville this year. The "Dude" won the most recent WoO race at the track, the July 5th, NAPA Classic. He has been the best on a consistent basis in the last three years at Knoxville.
Most prognosticators will point to Steve Kinser, or Donny Schatz next. Kinser won his first National Championship in 1980. Steve will enter the 2003 Nationals as the defending champion. In the midst of his finest season since the late 80's, Kinser (48) already has over 20 feature event wins in 2003. But he has struggled a bit on half-miles this year. Poor qualifying times (12th), and a mid-pack run (13th) at the Knoxville NAPA Classic have Steve scratching his head. "We’ve had the fastest car for the ‘A’ Feature pretty much every night this year," Kinser said after a recent win, "but we fell out of too many races just because of some funny stuff happening – flat tires mostly. We’ve had some really good runs on the three-eighths miles and smaller tracks this year, and Danny (Lasoski) has pretty much been spanking us on the bigger tracks. That’s kind of strange because the bigger tracks is where I used to win all of my races." Steve did pick off the 2003 Kings Royal at Eldora. You never discount Steve Kinser at Knoxville.
Steve Kinser picked up his 12th Knoxville Nationals Title in 2002. (Doug Johnson Photos)
If the winner is not Lasoski, or Steve Kinser we believe it could be Donny Schatz, Tim Shaffer, or Tyler Walker. Schatz, the Fargo, ND. native is in top driving form, coming off an impressive Summer Nationals win at Williams Grove. Schatz is always good at Knoxville. The Parker-Store #15 was second both nights in April, and Schatz ran from 16th to 4th in the NAPA Classic at the "Sprint Car Capital of the World". He was runner-up to Steve Kinser last year. Donny is focused and will heap pressure upon himself to perform well. Perhaps that's why Schatz is the "BIG-race" driver that he is. Rookie crew chief Tyler Swank will have help from Donny's Aussie tuner, Keith Giles. The key for this team is qualifying. Schatz races strong but if he has an area for improvement, it is being better in time trials. The Knoxville points system is hard to beat without a good performance in qualifying.
He may not generate headlines like other drivers, but Tim Shaffer is as good as anyone driving a sprint car today. The Pennsylvania pilot is a rare 'hired-gun', driving for Fresno, CA. car-owner, Dennis Roth. The #83 Beef Packers team won the Nationals with Lasoski driving in 1998. Shaffer was fast at Knoxville as recently as last Saturday when he posted a second place run at the Pella Classic. His win in the first preliminary feature at the Pella races could be just enough to give him the confidence needed to win at the Nationals. A solid fourth place finish in the 2002 Nationals A-Main was further proof of his overall consistency.
Tyler Walker is ready for the Nationals. (Doug Johnson Photos)
Tyler Walker was super fast at the July races at Knoxville. He started inside the fourth row, and passed Knoxville Raceway points leader Terry McCarl, 1983 Nationals champion Sammy Swindell, Shaffer and Jason Meyers during the first four laps to take over third place. His experience at the track, and strong will serve him well at the pressure packed Nationals. Walker will take chances many other drivers will not. Now 24 years old, Tyler has mastered winged sprint car driving. We wouldn't even blink if he put it all together and won the deal.
Terry McCarl won the Pella Corporation Classic, considered by many the last major tune up for the Nationals. McCarl should be on the short list of possible 2003 Nationals winners. (Jim Fleming)
Drivers to Watch:
Joey Saldana - Joey is a smart driver that will surely qualify strong. With time-trials offering the same weight of a preliminary feature win, you can pencil Saldana, the son of the 1970 Nationals winner, into the A-main starting lineup.
Jac Haudenschild - A given. Haud is with a newly formed team, and he has the ability and skill to 'gett er' done at Knoxville.
Paul McMahan - Paul is now 32 years old. He nows the Knoxville drill like he knows how to put tears offs on his helmet. This season at the Marion County half-mile, McMahan posted a sixth place finish in the NAPA Classic.
Kerry Madsen - Madsen won the Australian Sprint Car Championship earlier this year, and put the #82 in the top five over the Fourth of July. He is looking to make up for being the first car out of the 2002 Nationals A-Main.
Greg Hodnett - His Knoxville appearances are rare these days but whenever he shows up, he is a fast cat.
Greg Hodnett at work, Knoxville 2002.
Shane Stewart - The cool kid from Oklahoma was impressive at the Pella Classic, and then won the last 410 race (Saturday night) before the Nationals. Shane raced his first Nationals in 1993, ten years ago.
Ricky Logan - The Knoxville weekly competitor is too good to ignore.
Jason Meyers - California young man is comfy at Knoxville. He won a WoO race there in 2001. Driving for injured Caig Dollansky, Meyers won a prelim of the Pella Classic.
Johnny Herrera - In Guy Forbrook's car, Herrera can run with the best at the Nationals. Johnny is a former track champion at Knoxville.
Notes:
- The feature is only 30 laps. They call it 'sprint car racing' for a reason. The idea is that the National Championship race should be a test not unlike what a driver sees every Saturday night at his local track.
- T-shirt sales hit a seasonal high as the winged sprint car community gathers from all the regions of the United States. Canada, Australia, New Zealand will also have a strong showing.
- Live television returns in 2003. Speed Channel will broadcast the Saturday night portion of the 43rd Annual Nationals beginning at 10pm Eastern time.
- Tony Stewart will be in the joint on Saturday night. Read his thoughts about the Nationals here.
Steve Kinser, and his son, Kraig. Kraig will try to make his first Knoxville Nationals A-Main in 2003. (Jim Fleming Photo)
The Fast Way Around
All the drivers agree, Knoxville is a hard track to drive. Blending finesse, and bravery is vital to going fast at the 1/2 mile. Knoxville rookies claim that holding your right foot to the floor and maintaining a "straight" entry into turn one is a concept in total opposition with what your mind is telling you. Your mind is telling you, "If you don't turn the wheel, you are going to crash into the wall". So first, a driver must overcome any uncomfortable feelings in the cockpit. Fears tend to dissipate with laps driven at the "Sprint Car Capital of the World".
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 April 2003, Steve Kinser #11 races with Jac Haudenschild #5 during the A main at the Knoxville Raceway. Doug Johnson Photos
Heat races are totally inverted. Some of the best racing I've ever seen happens in the Nationals heats on Wednesday, and Thursday nights. 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.
Race Fan Tips
- Buy a program. The book is always topnotch. It's pricey, but quality costs. Lots of color photographs, great columns, and tons of historical data make it a must buy.
- Don't rush. Treat the Knoxville experience with patience. Nobody is in a hurry except the competitors. You can roll into the track at 7PM and not miss a thing on prelim nights.
- ...If you are staying in Des Moines, you can expect long lines at coffee shops after the races. If you have a chance to eat somewhere after the races before you get back to Des Moines, you should grab it.
- The races are at night, so days can be filled with a trip to the Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum. Many restored sprinters, and nostalgic treasures await you in the building located outside of turn two.
If
- Danny Lasoski #20,
- Tim Shaffer #83
- Jac Haudenschild #4
- Joey Saldana #17
- Tyler Walker #35,
- Donny Schatz #15
- Steve Kinser #11,
- Terry McCarl #24
- Shane Stewart #4m,
- Tim Kaeding #7T
- Kerry Madsen # 82,
- Johnny Herrera # 5
- Greg Hodnett #12
- Paul McMahan # 11h
- Ricky Logan #17g
- Jason Meyers #7
- Jon Allard #35
- Sammy Swindell #1
- Jeff Shepard #92
- Daryn Pittman #21,
- Lance DeWease #77,
- Mark Kinser #5m
- Don Droud Jr. #7x
- Stevie Smith #19
If not above, here are the drivers "bubbling under" that are most likely to make it: Wayne Johnson, Randy Hannagan, Jason Sides, Jeff Mitrisin, Chad Kemenah, Skip Jackson, Kasey Kahne, Travis Cram, Brian Brown, Kraig Kinser.
National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductee Al Hamilton (C) is pictured with his current driver Lance Dewease and former driver in Lynn Paxton. Doug Johnson Photos
Past Nationals winners
2002 Steve Kinser (12), 2001 Danny Lasoski (2), 2000 Mark Kinser (3), 1999 Mark Kinser (2), 1998 Danny Lasoski, 1997 Dave Blaney, 1996 Mark Kinser, 1995 Steve Kinser (11), 1994 Steve Kinser (10), 1993 Steve Kinser (9), 1992 Steve Kinser (8), 1991 Steve Kinser (7), 1990 Bobby Allen, 1989 Doug Wolfgang (5), 1988 Steve Kinser (6), 1987 Steve Kinser (5), 1986 Steve Kinser (4), 1985 Doug Wolfgang (4), 1984 Doug Wolfgang (3), 1983 Sammy Swindell, 1982 Steve Kinser (3), 1981 Steve Kinser (2), 1980 Steve Kinser, 1979 Ron Shuman, 1978 Doug Wolfgang (2), 1977 Doug Wolfgang, 1976 Eddie Leavitt (2), 1975 Eddie Leavitt, 1974 Dick Gaines, 1973 Kenny Weld (4), 1972 Kenny Weld (3), 1971 Jan Opperman, 1970 Joe Saldana, 1969 Kenny Gritz, 1968 Ray Lee Goodwin, 1967 Thad Dosher, 1966 Jay Woodside, 1965 Kenny Weld (2), 1964 Kenny Weld, 1963 Greg Weld, 1962 Jerry Richert, Sr., 1961 Roy Robbins
4-wide at the NAPA Classic, July 5th 2003. (Doug Johnson photo)
The Kele World Challenge
This dash is a special Friday night feature race. The stout purse for the 16-lap shootout draws international teams to the Nationals each year. The $10,000-to-win, fully-inverted, World Challenge will feature sixteen drivers from Australia, Canada, the United States, and possibly New Zealand. The Kele World Challenge is a joint effort between Knoxville Raceway, the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum in Knoxville, Iowa and the Kele Companies of Memphis, TN.
Kele World Challenge qualifying races were held at the Gold Cup Race of Champions in Chico, California, the Williams Grove National Open in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, the Grand Annual Sprint Car Classic in Warrnambool, Victoria (Australia), the International Sprint Car Series in Western Springs, a suburb of Auckland (New Zealand) and at the special Canadian only Qualifier held at Knoxville Raceway this past Spring.
Past Winners of Kele World Challenge: 2002 Donny Schatz $10,000 USA 2001 Donny Schatz $10,000 USA 2000 Danny Lasoski $10,000 USA 1999 Randy Hannagan $ 5,000 USA 1998 Skip Jackson $ 5,000 AUS 1997 Skip Jackson $ 5,000 AUS
Tim Kaeding won a feature at Knoxville in 2002.
Places to eat:
Des Moines - Applebee's.
Across the Street from the Track: The Iowa Pork Producers offer up some good tasting pork chops, grilled and served with Bar-B-Q sauce.
At the track: The Knoxville Rotary Club Turkey Legs are grilled, and smoked in front of the Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum. Grab a leg, and piece of homemade pie for desert. The track concession also offers great Tenderloin Sandwiches, and caramel corn.
In Knoxville: ...Mr. C's - The home of Karl Kinser's winning ice cream also boasts a varied menu with many "home style" favorites. The Chicken Noodle soup is fantastic but is not served everyday.
Make HammerDown! a routine visit in your daily web surfing. Sprint Car racing hits the redline this month with the Knoxville Nationals. We will cover it all.
Drivers Index - Over 130 drivers with their own page!
Images
John's Racing Photos - West Coast Portfolio Feb. 2003 - June 2003
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Yearbook Headlines - ...Yet another HammerDown! "work-in-progress" that we enjoy sharing with our readers. Please check back often, as each year will be updated further.
25 Greatest Sprint Car Drivers of All-time
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The HammerDown! Online Store - GRAND OPENING
Make HammerDown! a routine visit in your daily web surfing. Sprint Car racing hits the redline this month with the Historical Big One, and the Knoxville Nationals. We will cover it all.
Drivers Index - Over 130 drivers with their own page!
Images
John's Racing Photos - West Coast Portfolio Feb. 2003 - June 2003
Featured Writers
Poll: Future Superstar
Latest Projects:
NEW! at the HammerDown! Store. The HammerDown! Summertime Hat
Art Spaulding Photography Portfolio
David Allio captures images at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. PHOTOS!
John's Racing Photos - Portfolio
Tangents
Yearbook Headlines - ...Yet another HammerDown! "work-in-progress" that we enjoy sharing with our readers. Please check back often, as each year will be updated further.
25 Greatest Sprint Car Drivers of All-time
HammerDown! Publications
The HammerDown! Online Store - GRAND OPENING
Make HammerDown! a routine visit in your daily web surfing. Sprint Car racing hits the redline this month with the Historical Big One, and the Knoxville Nationals. We will cover it all.
Drivers Index - Over 130 drivers with their own page!
Images
John's Racing Photos - West Coast Portfolio Feb. 2003 - June 2003
Featured Writers
Poll: Future Superstar
Latest Projects:
NEW! at the HammerDown! Store. The HammerDown! Summertime Hat
Art Spaulding Photography Portfolio
David Allio captures images at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. PHOTOS!
John's Racing Photos - Portfolio
HammerDown! Publications
The HammerDown! Online Store - GRAND OPENING
"Experts" chime in...
Who will win the Knoxville Nationals?
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