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

Can anyone tell me what is the 1 lap track record at Knoxville Raceway and the driver's name that holds that record?

410: Brooke Tatnell @ 14.407 on May 6, 2006.
360: Ryan Roberts @ 15.726 on Sept. 4, 2010
305: Jamie Ball @ 16.925 on June 4, 2011

Thank You very much for the help.

There is a complete list of records through the years at the "History" section on KnoxvilleRaceway.com...

If this post isn't results, stories or something c
constructive, it isn't me! 
@BillWMedia
www.OpenWheel101.com

Questions/comments. I'm surprised that the Knoxville Raceway's one lap quaifiying record for 410 sprint cars dates back to May, 2006; while the track's one lap qualifing record for 360 sprint cars was set as recently as Sept. 2010. My question is did something happen to the rules for 410's after the 2010 season that has caused them to not go faster (possibly having to weigh more) then they did in 2006??? Thanks for thoughtful, factual replies.

Outlaws were rained out so most made the trip. I believe almost half the field beat the old track record that night. A new surface, wet/tacky track, and cool temps had a lot to do with it. The track was very fast in time trials for most of the year with the new surface. Maybe Bill W can clarify the new surface, but I believe that was the main reason. Another thing that comes to mind, was this the last year before the weight rule?

Some wing rules have changed since then, but the biggest impact of those changes have been how the car handles in dirty air - not on the track all alone. As mentioned above, there was new dirt for the '06 season - which never hurts. Since '06, there have been several guys down in the mid to upper 14-second bracket -- just not 14.407. The closest to the record I believe was Cody Darrah during the '09 Nationals after the crazy rain delay (14.547) -- another crazy night! If you weren't there that night in '06 though, you literally would have to see it to believe it. It was one of those nights were conditions were absolutely perfect for abnormal speed. No less than 26 cars were under the previous track record, and Tatnell shattered the record by a half a second! When Tim St Arnold came out 2nd to qualify and laid down a 14.791, I knew some crazy sh*t was happening! Local Chris Walraven, who is an excellent qualifier, was sitting on top for most of time trials until some fast guys came out late and bumped him to 4th.

2006 was a pretty abnormal and amazing year anyways, with the NST forming and some guys defecting from the WoO. When the NST and/or WoO was off, several of their top drivers towed to Knoxville -- including May 6th for the recordbreaking night -- and you never really knew for sure who would show up on any given night that year.

Check out the top 15 in the A-Main the night the record was broken: Danny Lasoski, Terry McCarl, Brian Brown, Craig Dollansky, Shane Stewart, Brooke Tatnell, Tyler Walker, Joey Saldana, Jason Solwold, Mark Dobmeier, Stevie Smith, Wayne Johnson, Randy Hannagan, Tim Shaffer, and Jason Meyers. Pittman, Madsen, Bruce Jr, and Kemenah were also in the pits that night.

That particular night (May 6th) was the meat in the sandwich of a pretty kickass racing weekend if you, like me, were lucky enough to hit all 3. Friday the WoO were at US-36 in Cameron, MO, Saturday was the local show at Knoxville, and Sunday was the WoO show at Husets. I would have to check my notes, but I want to say that track records were broken at all 3 tracks that weekend.

Not sure if we'll see a night like May 6th, 2006 ever again, but if we do, I hope I'm there to see it!