By Bob Wilson: KNOXVILLE, Iowa (June 20) Jason Johnson of Eunice, Lousianna captured the 25-lap American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) feature event at Knoxville Raceway Friday night. The event was part of the American Sprint Cars on Tour (ASCoT) National series northern swing. The event was also paired with the 7th annual Knoxville Midget Nationals.
Johnson got the jump on fellow front row starter Jesse Giannetto when the green flag dropped to start the race. Right away Wayne Johnson (no relation) filled in right behind him from a second row start. Giannetto ran a close third.
A brief but steady shower prior to the six o’clock hour forced the racing to get a late start as the first flight of hot laps were not pushed off until 8:05 p.m. With a full slate of midget races being contested, the mighty Knoxville half mile became hard and dry slick. Most drivers found the high cushion to be the fastest way around on this night.
By lap five, Johnson had moved into lap traffic as he headed into turn three. W. Johnson began to try various ways to pass for the lead including sliders in turns one and two. He was never more than five car lengths behind as he trailed the top spot.
It was lap 10 which saw W. Johnson take the lead in lap traffic as he rode the high side in traffic. J. Johnson had chosen the bottom but W. Johnson’s momentum out of turn four gave him the push he needed to take the lead as he shot down the front stretch. It was right after that lead change that he began to blow smoke from his sprinter.
The backmarkers proved to be an asset to Johnson as he was able to place at least two cars between himself and the runner-up car. He began to put some distance between himself and W. Johnson.
Lap 17 proved to be the demise of Wayne Johnson as his engine went up in smoke going into turn three. The yellow came out and he was pushed to the infield gaining an 18th position finish.
With lap cars left in the realignment, Jason Johnson was able to pull away from the field on the restart. By the 20th circuit he had an entire chute gap between himself and second place. In the waning laps of the race, Brian Brown was able to pass Giannetto to take the runner-up spot.
As Johnson took the $3,000 checkered flag, Brown was flying into turn three. Giannetto held for third, Garry Lee Maier was fourth and Jake Peters came from a 12th position start to take fifth. Amazingly Josh Higday drove from the tail of the 24-car field to finish sixth. Rounding out the top ten were Zach Chappell, Gregg Bakker (from 22nd), Gary Wright (from 21st) and Dustin Selvage (from 17th). Fifty-three cars took part in the events.
Brad Sweet is King Doodlebug VI
KNOXVILLE, Iowa (June 20) Brad Sweet took a late race lead to become King Doodlebug VI during the 7th annual Knoxville Midget Nationals at Knoxville Raceway Friday night. The event was a USAC (United States Auto Club) sanctioned race.
All along it looked to be a race in the pocket of front row starter Cole Whitt. He took the initial lead and held it through three yellows and one red flag. In the early going he was chased by Levi Jones who eventually came to the pits after five miles after sliding backward with a right-rear tire problem.
Though Knoxville is a half-mile oval, on this night the drivers were using all of it which means they were closer to running a 5/8 at the fences. On a track shared with ASCS sprinters, the midgets were fastest on the cushion as most of the track became dry-slick from so much racing.
Sweet chased Whitt from lap six until he finally overtook him on a restart of the 16th lap. From then on, Whitt had to follow the Grass Valley, California driver to the checkereds. In the final going several of the top cars exited the race with blown tires or worse.
In the end it was Sweet over Whitt with Stenhouse trailing closely. Jerry Coons, Jr. took fourth and Bobby East was fifth after starting 19th. Interestingly, in the final stages of the race, East went to the bottom of the track while all others paraded on the top. Forming the top ten of this Classic were Micheal Pickens (from 23rd), Russ Harper (from 17th), Aaron Fiscus (from 26th), Tracy Hines and Levi Jones (who changed a tire and restarted on the tail at the half-way point of this event.
KNOXVILLE RACEWAY, Knoxville, IA
June 20, 2008
ASCS 360 RESULTS
Heat 1, 8 laps, No Time: 1. Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron KS; 2. Joe Beaver, Knoxville IA; 3. Mike Houseman Jr., Des Moines IA; 4. Eric Baldaccini, Keller TX; 5. Rod Richards, Runnells IA; 6. Alan Zoutte, Knoxville IA; 7. Ryan Roberts, Aurora NE; 8. Dave Hall, Des Moines IA; 9. Jeff Mitrisin, Oskaloosa IA;
Heat 2, 8 laps, 2:10.3 NEW TRACK RECORD: 1. Jason Johnson, Eunice LA; 2. John Hall, Marion IA; 3. Tom Lenz, Marion IA; 4. Natalie Sather, Fargo ND; 5. Nate Van Haaften, Otley IA; 6. Danny Heskin, St. Michael MN; 7. Nate Mosher, Prairie City IA; 8. Larry Pinegar II, Pleasant Hill IA; 9. RJ Johnson, (R) Tampa FL;
Heat 3, 8 laps, No Time: 1. Zach Chappell, Talala OK; 2. Wayne Johnson, Knoxville IA; 3. Brett Mather, Ames IA; 4. Jon Agan, Knoxville IA; 5. Gary Taylor, Sapulpa OK; 6. Kenneth Walker, Sapulpa OK; 7. Kathryne Minter, Bedford TX; 8. Cody Petersen, (R) Hermosa SD; 9. Russ Hall, Des Moines IA;
Heat 4, 8 laps, 2:14.1: 1. Chuck Swenson, Watertown SD; 2. Billy Alley, Lincoln NE; 3. Jake Peters, Sioux Falls SD; 4. Gregg Bakker, Sioux Falls SD; 5. Clint Garner, Sioux Falls SD; 6. Ricky Montgomery, Lakewood CO; 7. Nick Smith, Broken Arrow OK; 8. Tyler Thompson, Des Moines IA; 9. Rager Phillips, Pleasantville IA;
Heat 5, 8 laps, 2:12.5: 1. Jesse Giannetto, Cedar Rapids IA; 2. Brian Brown, Grain Valley MO; 3. Gary Wright, Hooks TX; 4. Dustin Selvage, Indianola IA; 5. Josh Higday, Des Moines IA; 6. Mike Boston, Crete NE; 7. Trey Robb, Newcastle OK; 8. Forrest Sutherland, Cherryvale KS; 9. Jack Dover, Springfield NE;
Heat 6, 8 laps, 2:16.1: 1. Ryan Anderson, Charter Oak IA; 2. Rick Ideus, Silver City IA; 3. Matt Moro, Ankeny IA; 4. Dan Thornburg, Des Moines IA; 5. Bobby Becker Jr., Denton NE; 6. Aaron Berryhill, Broken Arrow OK; 7. Matt Covington, Glenpool OK; 8. Chad Meyer, Sioux Falls SD;
B Feature 1, 10 laps, No Time: 1. Dustin Selvage, Indianola IA; 2. Matt Moro, Ankeny IA; 3. Nick Smith, Broken Arrow OK; 4. Jack Dover, Springfield NE; 5. Clint Garner, Sioux Falls SD; 6. Trey Robb, Newcastle OK; 7. Dave Hall, Des Moines IA; 8. Tyler Thompson, Des Moines IA; 9. Danny Heskin, St. Michael MN; 10. Mike Houseman Jr., Des Moines IA; 11. Alan Zoutte, Knoxville IA; 12. Aaron Berryhill, Broken Arrow OK; 13. Russ Hall, Des Moines IA;
B Feature 2, 10 laps, 2:54.0: 1. Josh Higday, Des Moines IA; 2. Natalie Sather, Fargo ND; 3. Eric Baldaccini, Keller TX; 4. Kenneth Walker, Sapulpa OK; 5. Matt Covington, Glenpool OK; 6. Nate Van Haaften, Otley IA; 7. Bobby Becker Jr., Denton NE; 8. Rod Richards, Runnells IA; 9. Ryan Roberts, Aurora NE; 10. Larry Pinegar II, Pleasant Hill IA; 11. Chad Meyer, Sioux Falls SD; 12. Jeff Mitrisin, Oskaloosa IA;
B Feature 3, 10 laps, No Time: 1. Gary Wright, Hooks TX; 2. Gregg Bakker, Sioux Falls SD; 3. Ricky Montgomery, Lakewood CO; 4. Nate Mosher, Prairie City IA; 5. Gary Taylor, Sapulpa OK; 6. Kathryne Minter, Bedford TX; 7. Forrest Sutherland, Cherryvale KS; 8. Mike Boston, Crete NE; 9. Rager Phillips, Pleasantville IA; 10. Brett Mather, Ames IA; 11. Cody Petersen, (R) Hermosa SD; 12. RJ Johnson, (R) Tampa FL;
A Feature, 25 laps, No Time: 1. Jason Johnson, Eunice LA; 2. Brian Brown, Grain Valley MO; 3. Jesse Giannetto, Cedar Rapids IA; 4. Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron KS; 5. Jake Peters, Sioux Falls SD; 6. Josh Higday, Des Moines IA; 7. Zach Chappell, Talala OK; 8. Gregg Bakker, Sioux Falls SD; 9. Gary Wright, Hooks TX; 10. Dustin Selvage, Indianola IA; 11. Jon Agan, Knoxville IA; 12. Matt Moro, Ankeny IA; 13. Natalie Sather, Fargo ND; 14. Tom Lenz, Marion IA; 15. Chuck Swenson, Watertown SD; 16. Rick Ideus, Silver City IA; 17. Ryan Anderson, Charter Oak IA; 18. Wayne Johnson, Knoxville IA; 19. Joe Beaver, Knoxville IA; 20. Eric Baldaccini, Keller TX; 21. Dan Thornburg, Des Moines IA; 22. John Hall, Marion IA; 23. Billy Alley, Lincoln NE; 24. Nick Smith, Broken Arrow OK. Lap Leaders: J. Johnson 1-9; W. Johnson 10-16; J. Johnson 17-25
USAC Midgets RESULTS
Heat 1, 8 laps, No Time: 1. Cole Whitt, Alpine CA; 2. Darren Hagen, Riverside CA; 3. Tracy Hines, New Castle IN; 4. Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson AZ; 5. AJ Fike, Galesburg IL; 6. Zach Daum, Pocahontas IL; 7. Dustin Morgan, Owasso OK; 8. Chris Windom, Canton IL; 9. Daniel Robinson, Wayne City IL;
Heat 2, 8 laps, 2:39.4: 1. Levi Jones, Avon IN; 2. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch MS; 3. Brad Kuhn, Avon IN; 4. Kody Swanson, Kingsburg CA; 5. Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills MO; 6. Tim Noble, Janesville WI; 7. Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow OK; 8. Chad McDaniel, Concordia KS; 9. Will Pierce, Lees Summit MO;
Heat 3, 8 laps, 2:38.8: 1. Brad Sweet, Grass Valley CA; 2. Chad Boat, Phoenix AZ; 3. Bubba Altig, Mechanicsburg IL; 4. Gary Taylor, Snohomish WA; 5. Michael Pickens, Auckland, NZ ; 6. Brett Anderson, Belleville IL; 7. Alfred Galedrige Jr, Los Altos Ca; 8. Brent Beauchamp, Fairland IN; 9. Don OKeefe Jr., Pittsboro IN;
Heat 4, 8 laps, No Time: 1. Don Droud Jr., Lincoln NE; 2. Ryan Criswell, Mt. Vernon IL; 3. David Gough, Machesney Park IL; 4. Dave Darland, Lincoln IN; 5. Bobby East, Brownsburg IN; 6. Danny Stratton, Fontana CA; 7. Bradley Galedrige, Los Altos CA; 8. Matt Smith, Newcastle, NSW, Aust. ; 9. Jason Holt, Brownsburg IN;
Heat 5, 8 laps, 2:41.9: 1. Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow OK; 2. Scott Hatton, Roscoe IL; 3. Russ Harper, Watkins CO; 4. Mike Hess, Riverton IL; 5. Austin Brown, Millstadt IL; 6. Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie WI; 7. Robby Ross, St. Joseph MO; 8. Kevin Swindell, Germantown TN;
B Feature 1, 10 laps, No Time: 1. Bobby East, Brownsburg IN; 2. Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills MO; 3. Michael Pickens, Auckland, NZ ; 4. Danny Stratton, Fontana CA; 5. Tim Noble, Janesville WI; 6. Matt Smith, Newcastle, NSW, Aust. ; 7. Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie WI; 8. Chad McDaniel, Concordia KS; 9. Daniel Robinson, Wayne City IL; 10. Austin Brown, Millstadt IL; 11. Robby Ross, St. Joseph MO; 12. Alfred Galedrige Jr, Los Altos Ca; 13. Don OKeefe Jr., Pittsboro IN;
B Feature 2, 10 laps, No Time: 1. Gary Taylor, Snohomish WA; 2. Mike Hess, Riverton IL; 3. Brett Anderson, Belleville IL; 4. AJ Fike, Galesburg IL; 5. Chris Windom, Canton IL; 6. Dustin Morgan, Owasso OK; 7. Brent Beauchamp, Fairland IN; 8. Bradley Galedrige, Los Altos CA; 9. Will Pierce, Lees Summit MO; 10. Jason Holt, Brownsburg IN; 11. Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow OK; 12. Zach Daum, Pocahontas IL;
A Feature King Doodlebug Classic, 20 laps, No Time: 1. Brad Sweet, Grass Valley CA; 2. Cole Whitt, Alpine CA; 3. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch MS; 4. Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson AZ; 5. Bobby East, Brownsburg IN; 6. Michael Pickens, Auckland, NZ ; 7. Russ Harper, Watkins CO; 8. Aaron Fiscus, Sun Prairie WI; 9. Tracy Hines, New Castle IN; 10. Levi Jones, Avon IN; 11. Mike Hess, Riverton IL; 12. Brad Kuhn, Avon IN; 13. Brett Anderson, Belleville IL; 14. Bubba Altig, Mechanicsburg IL; 15. David Gough, Machesney Park IL; 16. Gary Taylor, Snohomish WA; 17. Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills MO; 18. Scott Hatton, Roscoe IL; 19. Tim Noble, Janesville WI; 20. Don Droud Jr., Lincoln NE; 21. Chad Boat, Phoenix AZ; 22. Dave Darland, Lincoln IN; 23. Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow OK; 24. Bradley Galedrige, Los Altos CA; 25. Austin Brown, Millstadt IL; 26. Ryan Criswell, Mt. Vernon IL; 27. Kody Swanson, Kingsburg CA; 28. Darren Hagen, Riverside CA. Lap Leaders: Whitt 1-16; Sweet 17-20