Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

I was not in Knoxville in 1990 for the Nationals.  However, I was there in 2010 and 2016.  The crowds were pretty loud when Schatz got beat by underdogs.  With that being said, he was beat by two guys who were not exactly Midwest fan favorites--just two guys that no one disliked and it made for a good story. 

So my question is this:  If Donny were to be beat this year at the Nationals coming out of corner 4, which driver do you think would generate the loudest crowd ever in the history of the Nationals?  (obvously Robert Bell would be the #1 choice, but let's keep it to drivers with equipment capable of winning the A main) 

I am going to say Logan Schuchart.  (has looked fast at times this year and made the A last year)

(This is for fun so let's not get into a pissing match about equipment that can or cannot win the Nationals--I didn't think the 83 had a winning car in 2010 and I didn't think the 41 had a hope in hell last year.   If a very good car hits the setup just right, it can win)

Brian Brown?  I remember the roars were loud on the PPV when he took the lead late a few years ago.  

McKenna Haase.....by far probably has more T-shirts in the stands than anyone at Knoxville throughout the year. 

Trying to think of who probably is the most popular driver in the area  as far as 410 contenders,  Terry is a very polarizing figure and if he was up against Schatz running 1-2, there are probably very few that would be cheering for Schatz who aren't big Schatz fans already.  Brian Brown probably holds this spot actually, the reaction was pretty huge when he passed Schatz a few years ago.  Sammy himself had a huge reaction while battling with Schatz and he traditionally was a 50/50 for a long time for crowd reaction. 

Jac probably has held crowd favorite at the Nationals for 25 years and might still hold that spot, but Kyle Larson or Shane Stewart would get some pretty big sways.  

Ultimately,  Schatz is the guy everyone cheers against at Knoxville, who the other driver is at this point is kind of irrelevant. 

This was fun, and the more I think about it.  Rico gets the biggest reaction, hands down. I have a hunch that even Schatz fans might feel the need to cheer for Rico.

Anyone who beats Schatz will get a thunderous ovation. But I'd agree Brown would probably get the biggest. Local guy, been close so many times. 

+1

Easily Brownie. Second would probably be Jac or Sheldon. 

    I think a win by any random Aussie named Madsen would put the crowd over the top.

As most are saying Brownie...

I think hands down Brian Brown, and then probably Sammy.

Initially, my vote was for Brownie.  And yes, I was there the years he finished runner up and the crowd was LOUD.  But then I thought--Brown kinda represents the Knoxville and midwest crowd.  Logan seems to be someone who is known all over, has a family history and is someone EVERYBODY seems to root for.  No doubt this is a tricky question.  I still think someone like Logan or Sheldon would be a crazy reception from the crowd.  (not that Brownie wouldn't be)

As far as someone who said Sammy, that would be wild too--as witnessed in 2010 by the standing "O" he got walking to the pits.  Never thought I would see that!

All these memories flooding back gets me excited for speedweek! If this year is half as good as last years race it will be a heck of race yet.

Brown has the biggest Knoxville/Iowa fan base so he would be up there. Star power of Larson, Rico, or Stewart would be pretty loud as well.

+1 on the thread egras.

Any Knoxville or "home" driver is going to get a huge ovation.  T-Mac would be loud although I think there would be some boos to be heard.  Brownie, either Madsen.

Rico is a good choice as well.  If Larson won it would also be crazy.

How about Tony Stewart?  That would get a reaction I think.

Tmac.     There would be some boo birds but I think that would only inspire those cheering to yell even louder.   

I would think Brooke Tatnell or Brownie would bring 

the house down.

Brownie, Sammy or Madsen....

The place would erupt if the Wild Child won it.....

I would say their would be 3 levels of hysteria

1) Brown or McCarl 

2) Any of the other locals or Jac or Sammy

3) Anybody else but Schatz

Brown

Saldana

Madsen Brothers

Rico

Brown and the Madsen brothers were the first to come to mind. But I agree with what everyone else has said, any one that gets by Schatz will cause a roar.  Dobmeier is another midwest driver that I think would really rock the crowd.

*on the 8th day God created dirt tracks*