By Stacy Ervin
Josh Richards of Shinnston, West Virginia, won the opening-night preliminary feature on Thursday, September 25, at the 5th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals presented by Super Clean. “Kid Rocket” claimed $7,000 for the victory in the 25-lap main, which actually wrapped up just after 1 a.m. on Friday.
Richards started sixth and took the lead with a late-race slide job. When the race went green, outside front-row starter Billy Moyer jumped out to the lead over polesitter Earl Pearson Jr. Moyer set a fast pace, coming to lapped traffic at the fifth circuit. That allowed Darrell Lanigan, who started fourth, to close.
Lanigan edged out to the lead at the flagstand on the seventh circuit and began to run away. Meanwhile, Richards gave chase to Moyer, whose machine began smoking on the ninth lap. Moyer’s mount went up in a big puff of smoke on the 10th lap to bring out the race’s first yellow flag.
After that, Lanigan continued to lead with Richards hot on his bumper. Just when Richards looked to be making his move, the yellow flag returned when Boone McLaughlin spun in front of the leaders in turn four on the 17th lap.
When the race went green again, Lanigan led another lap before Richards put on a slide job in turn four and took the point. From there, it was all Richards.
The night started off with Lanigan suffering mechanical issues in hot laps and pulling out a second car before qualifying. Time trials saw a new track record sealed by Pearson at 16.631. In all, 20 of the 62 cars in competition on this night broke the track record set in 2006 and five cars were in the 16-second bracket.
Jimmy Mars set another track record in the first heat for 12 laps in this division. Other heat races were won by Justin Fegers, Terry Casey, Jason Utter and Scott Bloomquist.
There were several incidents in those heat races and a total of three late models got upside down during the course of those races. In the first heat, Curt Schroeder and Matt Furman got together at the start and Schroeder went hard into the first-turn fence. In the second heat, Kerry Hansen flipped on the frontstretch. In the fifth heat, Jerry Bagby Jr. and Chris Smyser got together at the start and Donnie Moran found himself collected and upside down.
Mechanical troubles also plagued several drivers in the heat races. In the second heat, former event winner Brian Birkhofer led before his machine went up in smoke and he did not return to compete on this night. In the third heat, Eric Jacobsen was leading when his machine went up in smoke and a ball of flame on the white flag lap.
Brian Harris won the C-Main and set a new track record for 10 laps in that event. Shannon Babb won the B-Main.
Clint Garner takes Night Number One of the 305 Mid-States Sprint Championship
By Bob Wilson
KNOXVILLE, Iowa (September 25) Clint Garner, Sioux Falls, SD, grabbed the lead on the opening lap from his second row starting position to post a win in the 305 Mid-States Sprint Championship at Knoxville Raceway Thursday night. The event was in conjunction with the 5th annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals.
Garner, who has garnered wins here on a weekly basis in the 410 and 360 sprints took a quick lead and quickly pulled away from the field. On lap five he headed into lap traffic and efficiently disposed of them car by car. It wasn’t until lap eight in heavy lap traffic that second place runner Johnny Anderson, Indianola, began to cut into his lead.
A lap car driven by Chad Huston spun in front of Anderson in turn two on lap eleven to bring out the only yellow of the event. Anderson was able to avoid the Huston machine and keep his runner-up position.
On the restart, Anderson stayed close to Garner but was unable to make a bid for the lead. In the end, Garner took the win with Anderson a close second. Austin Alombaugh was third, pole sitter Bob Lamb took fourth and Justin Giannetto finished fifth.
Mitchell Moore, Tim St. Arnold, Steve Palmer, Rager Phillips and Eric Todd rounded out the top ten finishers. Forty-four cars were on hand to contest in the seven-event card.
Results for 305 sprints
Heat 1, 6 laps, No Time: 1. John Kearney, Valley Falls KS; 2. Rager Phillips, Pleasantville IA; 3. Casey Friedrichsen, Arthur IA; 4. Trish Dover, Springfield NE; 5. Chad Huston, Jamesport MO; 6. Mike Mayberry, Fremont IA; 7. Shadrach Sporaa, Iowa Falls IA; 8. Patrick Long, Hedrick IA;
Heat 2, 6 laps, No Time: 1. Steve Palmer, Des Moines IA; 2. Mitchell Moore, Edgerton KS; 3. Devin Friedrichsen, Arthur IA; 4. Jeff Radcliffe, Hill City KS; 5. Tim St. Arnold, Des Moines IA; 6. Dakota Carroll, LaMonte MO; 7. Dennis Fair, Manhattan KS; 8. Earl Tice, Ames IA;
Heat 3, 6 laps, No Time: 1. Justin Giannetto, Cedar Rapids IA; 2. Austin Alumbaugh, Higginsville MO; 3. Matthew Stelzer, Omaha NE; 4. Matt Stephenson, Altoona IA; 5. Jake Leighty, Worthington MN; 6. Mitchell Alexander, Knoxville IA; 7. Rob Kubli, Milo IA; 8. Randy Bantam, Norton KS; 9. Ken Lutters, Ransom KS;
Heat 4, 6 laps, No Time: 1. Johnny Anderson, Indianola IA; 2. Clint Garner, Sioux Falls SD; 3. Dustin Clark, Eldon IA; 4. Mark Widmar, Ottumwa IA; 5. Michael Brown, Kingsville MO; 6. Marty Stephenson, Mitchellville IA; 7. Chris Walker, Grain Valley MO; 8. Randy Washburn, Jetmore KS; 9. Ricky Suhr, Windsor MO;
Heat 5, 6 laps, No Time: 1. Bob Lamb, Mitchellville IA; 2. Josh Padellford, Pleasantville IA; 3. Eric Todd, Falcon MO; 4. Justin Schwien, Russell KS; 5. Mike Woodruff, Satanta KS; 6. Chris Maurer, Colfax IA; 7. Wayne Redmond, Fort Dodge IA; 8. Tom Lenz, Marion IA;
B Feature, 12 laps, No Time: 1. Mark Widmar, Ottumwa IA; 2. Jake Leighty, Worthington MN; 3. Justin Schwien, Russell KS; 4. Mitchell Alexander, Knoxville IA; 5. Michael Brown, Kingsville MO; 6. Marty Stephenson, Mitchellville IA; 7. Mike Woodruff, Satanta KS; 8. Rob Kubli, Milo IA; 9. Mike Mayberry, Fremont IA; 10. Chris Walker, Grain Valley MO; 11. Randy Washburn, Jetmore KS; 12. Shadrach Sporaa, Iowa Falls IA; 13. Chris Maurer, Colfax IA; 14. Dakota Carroll, LaMonte MO; 15. Randy Bantam, Norton KS; 16. Ricky Suhr, Windsor MO; 17. Dennis Fair, Manhattan KS; 18. Earl Tice, Ames IA;
A Feature, 15 laps, No Time: 1. Clint Garner, Sioux Falls SD; 2. Johnny Anderson, Indianola IA; 3. Austin Alumbaugh, Higginsville MO; 4. Bob Lamb, Mitchellville IA; 5. Justin Giannetto, Cedar Rapids IA; 6. Mitchell Moore, Edgerton KS; 7. Tim St. Arnold, Des Moines IA; 8. Steve Palmer, Des Moines IA; 9. Rager Phillips, Pleasantville IA; 10. Eric Todd, Falcon MO; 11. Josh Padellford, Pleasantville IA; 12. Dustin Clark, Eldon IA; 13. Justin Schwien, Russell KS; 14. Mark Widmar, Ottumwa IA; 15. Trish Dover, Springfield NE; 16. Matt Stephenson, Altoona IA; 17. Casey Friedrichsen, Arthur IA; 18. Mitchell Alexander, Knoxville IA; 19. Chad Huston, Jamesport MO; 20. Devin Friedrichsen, Arthur IA; 21. Jake Leighty, Worthington MN; 22. Matthew Stelzer, Omaha NE; 23. Jeff Radcliffe, Hill City KS; 24. William Alley, Lincoln IL. Lap Leaders: Garner 1-15
KNOXVILLE RACEWAY, Knoxville, IA
September 25, 2008
305 RESULTS
Heat 1, 6 laps, No Time: 1. John Kearney, Valley Falls KS; 2. Rager Phillips, Pleasantville IA; 3. Casey Friedrichsen, Arthur IA; 4. Trish Dover, Springfield NE; 5. Chad Huston, Jamesport MO; 6. Mike Mayberry, Fremont IA; 7. Shadrach Sporaa, Iowa Falls IA; 8. Patrick Long, Hedrick IA;
Heat 2, 6 laps, No Time: 1. Steve Palmer, Des Moines IA; 2. Mitchell Moore, Edgerton KS; 3. Devin Friedrichsen, Arthur IA; 4. Jeff Radcliffe, Hill City KS; 5. Tim St. Arnold, Des Moines IA; 6. Dakota Carroll, LaMonte MO; 7. Dennis Fair, Manhattan KS; 8. Earl Tice, Ames IA;
Heat 3, 6 laps, No Time: 1. Justin Giannetto, Cedar Rapids IA; 2. Austin Alumbaugh, Higginsville MO; 3. Matthew Stelzer, Omaha NE; 4. Matt Stephenson, Altoona IA; 5. Jake Leighty, Worthington MN; 6. Mitchell Alexander, Knoxville IA; 7. Rob Kubli, Milo IA; 8. Randy Bantam, Norton KS; 9. Ken Lutters, Ransom KS;
Heat 4, 6 laps, No Time: 1. Johnny Anderson, Indianola IA; 2. Clint Garner, Sioux Falls SD; 3. Dustin Clark, Eldon IA; 4. Mark Widmar, Ottumwa IA; 5. Michael Brown, Kingsville MO; 6. Marty Stephenson, Mitchellville IA; 7. Chris Walker, Grain Valley MO; 8. Randy Washburn, Jetmore KS; 9. Ricky Suhr, Windsor MO;
Heat 5, 6 laps, No Time: 1. Bob Lamb, Mitchellville IA; 2. Josh Padellford, Pleasantville IA; 3. Eric Todd, Falcon MO; 4. Justin Schwien, Russell KS; 5. Mike Woodruff, Satanta KS; 6. Chris Maurer, Colfax IA; 7. Wayne Redmond, Fort Dodge IA; 8. Tom Lenz, Marion IA;
B Feature, 12 laps, No Time: 1. Mark Widmar, Ottumwa IA; 2. Jake Leighty, Worthington MN; 3. Justin Schwien, Russell KS; 4. Mitchell Alexander, Knoxville IA; 5. Michael Brown, Kingsville MO; 6. Marty Stephenson, Mitchellville IA; 7. Mike Woodruff, Satanta KS; 8. Rob Kubli, Milo IA; 9. Mike Mayberry, Fremont IA; 10. Chris Walker, Grain Valley MO; 11. Randy Washburn, Jetmore KS; 12. Shadrach Sporaa, Iowa Falls IA; 13. Chris Maurer, Colfax IA; 14. Dakota Carroll, LaMonte MO; 15. Randy Bantam, Norton KS; 16. Ricky Suhr, Windsor MO; 17. Dennis Fair, Manhattan KS; 18. Earl Tice, Ames IA;
A Feature, 15 laps, No Time: 1. Clint Garner, Sioux Falls SD; 2. Johnny Anderson, Indianola IA; 3. Austin Alumbaugh, Higginsville MO; 4. Bob Lamb, Mitchellville IA; 5. Justin Giannetto, Cedar Rapids IA; 6. Mitchell Moore, Edgerton KS; 7. Tim St. Arnold, Des Moines IA; 8. Steve Palmer, Des Moines IA; 9. Rager Phillips, Pleasantville IA; 10. Eric Todd, Falcon MO; 11. Josh Padellford, Pleasantville IA; 12. Dustin Clark, Eldon IA; 13. Justin Schwien, Russell KS; 14. Mark Widmar, Ottumwa IA; 15. Trish Dover, Springfield NE; 16. Matt Stephenson, Altoona IA; 17. Casey Friedrichsen, Arthur IA; 18. Mitchell Alexander, Knoxville IA; 19. Chad Huston, Jamesport MO; 20. Devin Friedrichsen, Arthur IA; 21. Jake Leighty, Worthington MN; 22. Matthew Stelzer, Omaha NE; 23. Jeff Radcliffe, Hill City KS; 24. William Alley, Lincoln IL;
Late Models RESULTS
Time Trial, 1. Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville FL, 16.631; 2. Billy Moyer, Batesville AR, 16.852; 3. Matt Miller, Arlington OH, 16.937; 4. Darrell Lanigan, Union KY, 16.941; 5. Donnie Moran, Dresden OH, 16.972; 6. Tony Stewart, Columbus IN, 17.005; 7. Josh Richards, Shinnston WV, 17.051; 8. Darren Miller, Chadwick IL, 17.059; 9. Tim McCreadie, Avon NY, 17.126; 10. Steve Francis, Ashland KY, 17.129; 11. Jimmy Mars, Menomonie WI, 17.152; 12. Shannon Babb, Moweaqua IL, 17.188; 13. Jimmy Owens, Newport IN, 17.19; 14. Chris Spieker, Massena IA, 17.206; 15. Jeep Van Wormer, Pinconning MI, 17.255; 16. Rick Eckert, York PA, 17.266; 17. Brady Smith, Solon Springs WI, 17.279; 18. Denny Eckrich, Oxford IA, 17.305; 19. John Blankenship, Williamson WV, 17.314; 20. Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg TN, 17.318; 21. Dan Schlieper, Sullivan WI, 17.483; 22. Justin Fegers, Mound MN, 17.493; 23. Terry Casey, New London WI, 17.53; 24. Brian Shirley, Chatham IL, 17.55; 25. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis IA, 17.613; 26. Scott James, Lawrenceburg IN, 17.636; 27. Eddie Kirchoff, Gillette WY, 17.641; 28. Andy Eckrich, Iowa City IA, 17.654; 29. Chris Simpson, Marion IA, 17.664; 30. Eddie Carrier Jr, Salt Rock WV, 17.715; 31. Wayne Chinn, Bradford OH, 17.733; 32. Ken Schrader, Concord NC, 17.771; 33. Jay Johnson, West Burlington IA, 17.775; 34. Chad Simpson, Mount Vernon IA, 17.782; 35. Chris Smyser, Lancaster MO, 17.799; 36. Dave Eckrich, Oxford IA, 17.836; 37. Kerry Hansen, Spencer WI, 17.91; 38. Eric Jacobsen, Santa Cruz CA, 17.918; 39. Jason Utter, Columbus Junction IA, 17.937; 40. Nick Marolf, Moscow IA, 18.012; 41. Matt Furman, Iowa City IA, 18.12; 42. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine IA, 18.168; 43. Rich Bell, Sheffield IL, 18.198; 44. Brian Harris, Davenport IA, 18.209; 45. Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls IA, 18.242; 46. Matt Lux, Franklin PA, 18.29; 47. Matt Aukland, Fargo ND, 18.342; 48. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown IA, 18.378; 49. John Duty, Portland OR, 18.389; 50. Jill George, Cedar Falls IA, 18.4; 51. Junior Coover, Norfolk NE, 18.514; 52. Mitch Johnson, Hickson ND, 18.55; 53. Rickey Frankel, Quincy IL, 18.574; 54. Paul Glendenning, Mount Ayr IA, 18.657; 55. Rod Smith, Monmouth IL, 18.867; 56. Curt Schroeder, Des Moines IA, 19.361; 57. Curt Martin, Independence IA, 19.372; 58. Nick Kramer, Pine Island MN, 19.4; 59. Ed Sanger, Postville IA, 20.267; 60. Jerry Bagby Jr., Secor IL, 20.304; 61. Alonzo Grosse, Council Bluffs IA, 20.551; 62. Chris Schroeder, Ankeny IA, 20.683; 63. Darin Duffy, Hazleton IA, No Time;
Heat 1, 12 laps, No Time: 1. Jimmy Mars, Menomonie WI; 2. Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville FL; 3. Matt Lux, Franklin PA; 4. Tony Stewart, Columbus IN; 5. Rick Eckert, York PA; 6. Wayne Chinn, Bradford OH; 7. Scott James, Lawrenceburg IN; 8. Dave Eckrich, Oxford IA; 9. Junior Coover, Norfolk NE; 10. Alonzo Grosse, Council Bluffs IA; 11. Dan Schlieper, Sullivan WI; 12. Curt Schroeder, Des Moines IA; 13. Matt Furman, Iowa City IA;
Heat 2, 12 laps, No Time: 1. Justin Fegers, Mound MN; 2. Billy Moyer, Batesville AR; 3. Brady Smith, Solon Springs WI; 4. Josh Richards, Shinnston WV; 5. Shannon Babb, Moweaqua IL; 6. Eddie Kirchoff, Gillette WY; 7. Ken Schrader, Concord NC; 8. Matt Aukland, Fargo ND; 9. Kerry Hansen, Spencer WI; 10. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine IA; 11. Curt Martin, Independence IA; 12. Chris Schroeder, Ankeny IA; 13. Mitch Johnson, Hickson ND;
Heat 3, 12 laps, No Time: 1. Terry Casey, New London WI; 2. Darren Miller, Chadwick IL; 3. Matt Miller, Arlington OH; 4. Denny Eckrich, Oxford IA; 5. Andy Eckrich, Iowa City IA; 6. Rickey Frankel, Quincy IL; 7. Eric Jacobsen, Santa Cruz CA; 8. Jimmy Owens, Newport IN; 9. Rich Bell, Sheffield IL; 10. Nick Kramer, Pine Island MN; 11. Jay Johnson, West Burlington IA; 12. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown IA;
Heat 4, 12 laps, No Time: 1. Jason Utter, Columbus Junction IA; 2. Darrell Lanigan, Union KY; 3. Tim McCreadie, Avon NY; 4. John Blankenship, Williamson WV; 5. Chad Simpson, Mount Vernon IA; 6. Chris Simpson, Marion IA; 7. John Duty, Portland OR; 8. Brian Shirley, Chatham IL; 9. Chris Spieker, Massena IA; 10. Paul Glendenning, Mount Ayr IA; 11. Brian Harris, Davenport IA; 12. Ed Sanger, Postville IA;
Heat 5, 12 laps, No Time: 1. Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg TN; 2. Steve Francis, Ashland KY; 3. Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls IA; 4. Eddie Carrier Jr, Salt Rock WV; 5. Jeep Van Wormer, Pinconning MI; 6. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis IA; 7. Nick Marolf, Moscow IA; 8. Rod Smith, Monmouth IL; 9. Jill George, Cedar Falls IA; 10. Jerry Bagby Jr., Secor IL; 11. Chris Smyser, Lancaster MO; 12. Donnie Moran, Dresden OH;
C Feature, 10 laps, No Time: 1. Brian Harris, Davenport IA; 2. Chris Spieker, Massena IA; 3. Rich Bell, Sheffield IL; 4. Paul Glendenning, Mount Ayr IA; 5. Junior Coover, Norfolk NE; 6. Ed Sanger, Postville IA; 7. Alonzo Grosse, Council Bluffs IA; 8. Mitch Johnson, Hickson ND; 9. Chris Schroeder, Ankeny IA; 10. Matt Furman, Iowa City IA; 11. Jill George, Cedar Falls IA; 12. Curt Martin, Independence IA; 13. Donnie Moran, Dresden OH; 14. Dan Schlieper, Sullivan WI; 15. Jay Johnson, West Burlington IA; 16. Chris Smyser, Lancaster MO; 17. Kerry Hansen, Spencer WI; 18. Brian Birkhofer, Muscatine IA; 19. Curt Schroeder, Des Moines IA; 20. Nick Kramer, Pine Island MN; 21. Jerry Bagby Jr., Secor IL;
B Feature, 20 laps, No Time: 1. Shannon Babb, Moweaqua IL; 2. Scott James, Lawrenceburg IN; 3. Rick Eckert, York PA; 4. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis IA; 5. Jeep Van Wormer, Pinconning MI; 6. Ken Schrader, Concord NC; 7. Eddie Kirchoff, Gillette WY; 8. Brian Shirley, Chatham IL; 9. Chris Simpson, Marion IA; 10. Andy Eckrich, Iowa City IA; 11. Brian Harris, Davenport IA; 12. John Duty, Portland OR; 13. Dave Eckrich, Oxford IA; 14. Rich Bell, Sheffield IL; 15. Paul Glendenning, Mount Ayr IA; 16. Chad Simpson, Mount Vernon IA; 17. Nick Marolf, Moscow IA; 18. Matt Aukland, Fargo ND; 19. Rickey Frankel, Quincy IL; 20. Wayne Chinn, Bradford OH; 21. Rod Smith, Monmouth IL; 22. Chris Spieker, Massena IA; 23. Jimmy Owens, Newport IN; 24. Eric Jacobsen, Santa Cruz CA;
A Feature, 25 laps, No Time: 1. Josh Richards, Shinnston WV; 2. Darrell Lanigan, Union KY; 3. Tim McCreadie, Watertown NY; 4. Darren Miller, Chadwick IL; 5. Tony Stewart, Columbus IN; 6. Jimmy Mars, Menomonie WI; 7. Matt Miller, Arlington OH; 8. Steve Francis, Ashland KY; 9. Denny Eckrich, Oxford IA; 10. Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg TN; 11. Brady Smith, Solon Springs WI; 12. Justin Fegers, Mound MN; 13. Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville FL; 14. Rick Eckert, York PA; 15. Shannon Babb, Moweaqua IL; 16. John Blankenship, Williamson WV; 17. Eddie Carrier Jr, Salt Rock WV; 18. Jason Utter, Columbus Junction IA; 19. Scott James, Lawrenceburg IN; 20. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis IA; 21. Matt Lux, Franklin PA; 22. Terry Casey, New London WI; 23. Billy Moyer, Batesville AR; 24. Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls IA; Lap Leaders: Billy Moyer 1-10, Lanigan 11-18; Richards 19-25