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Three Winners Excite Knoxville Fans on 410 Twin Features Night!

by Bill Wright

KNOXVILLE RACEWAY, Knoxville, IA, July 9, 2011 – The crowd was on the edge of their seat on Wells Fargo Twin Features Night Saturday at the Knoxville Raceway. Three features saw three exciting endings, including a family duel, a come-from-behind win, and some redemption in the 360 class.

Terry McCarl wrestled the lead from his son, Austin, to take the first of two feature events in the 410 class. Kevin Swindell would lead from the pole early in the 20-lap event, but fellow front row starter, Lynton Jeffrey, dueled him to take the point on lap two. By lap five, Jeffrey led Swindell, Austin McCarl, Dusty Zomer and Terry McCarl.

All heck broke loose for the leaders on lap eight when Swindell stopped in turn two after battling with Austin McCarl for second. Jeffrey stopped in turn four with throttle linkage issues. Austin McCarl inherited the lead at that point ahead of Zomer, Terry McCarl, Sam Hafertepe Jr. and Mark Dobmeier.

The elder McCarl worked into second at the halfway point, but could do little to reel in his son. Hafertepe was able to move into third, before Zomer blew a left rear tire on lap sixteen, setting up a four-lap dash to the finish.

Austin McCarl shot out, but Terry was right there on his nerf bar. He would make his winning pass with two laps to go. It was the veteran's 51^st career win at the famed oval (fourth all-time), and it came aboard the VerMeer Motorsports #55 Eagle Chassis powered by Don Ott.

"I've got mixed emotions," said Terry. "I feel bad for Austin. Tony (VerMeer) pays us to win races. Austin had us covered before the caution. There was no way I would have beaten him without that. The guys told me Hafertepe was coming, so I couldn't mess around. Austin wouldn't have wanted me to let him win. We have struggled, and I want to thank our sponsors for hanging with us."

Austin would hold onto second, ahead of Hafertepe, Dobmeier, and Danny Lasoski. Rager Phillips, Don Droud Jr., Josh Higday, Josh Schneiderman and Robby Wolfgang rounded out the top ten.

In the second feature for the 410's, Kevin Swindell chalked up his first career victory at Knoxville despite two close calls that had fans thinking he may be headed upside down.

Bob Weuve led the first lap of the second feature from the pole. Swindell, who started in row two, took the point on the next go-around. When Mike Moore stopped and brought a caution with four laps in the books, Swindell led Weuve, Dustin Selvage, Schneiderman and Paul Jeffrey back to green.

Lasoski moved from sixth to grab third from Schneiderman on lap six. He would pass Selvage for second two laps later. Terry McCarl had moved up into the top five at the halfway point, but the race was for the lead.

Lasoski was gaining on Swindell. On lap 13, Swindell got sideway in turn four and jumped the infield berm. He did a great job of saving it and got on it again in the infield to hold onto second behind Lasoski. Lasoski appeared well on his way to another win, when Paul Jeffrey slowed with five laps to go.

The five lap dash to the checkers saw Lasoski starting ahead of Swindell, Selvage, Schneiderman and Terry McCarl. The lead pair left the rest behind. While Lasoski ran the bottom, Swindell rode the cushion and with his momentum, gained the lead on the 19^th lap. In turn four, coming for the checkers, the car started sideways again, but this time he was able to keep the lead and get the win aboard the Big Game Treestands #1s.

"I got in the wrong predicament and the car jumped out," said Swindell of his near miss in turn four. "I got the left front on the berm and it wouldn't come back. I got lucky getting the yellow there at the end. I was just Superman after that. The car was great."

Lasoski was second, ahead of Selvage, Terry McCarl and Schneiderman. Zomer, Phillips, Dobmeier, Hafertepe and hard-charger and quick timer, Bronson Maeschen. Phillips, Lasoski and Schneiderman won the heat races.

In the 360 class, it was Randy Martin finding Victory Lane for the first time in several years. It was his 18^th career win at Knoxville tying him for third all-time on the 360 list with Dean Chadd.

Larry Ball Jr. tangled with Martin for the entire distance. Ball Jr. led laps one and two, and laps four through eight. As Martin ran the low side of the speedway, utilizing his Roush-Yates Ford power, Ball Jr. worked the cushion to perfection.

A lap eight red flag was the only stoppage of the event, and it was the opportunity Martin needed to get back up front. Chad Heimbaugh slowed in turn one while running seventh. Unfortunately, the incident collected Chad Humston and Casey Friedrichsen. No one was hurt, but all were done.

Ball Jr. led the restart with seven to go ahead of Martin, Dennis Moore Jr., Matt Moro and Nate Van Haaften. While Martin took the lead for good when the green flag fell, Moore Jr. challenged Ball for second. Moro would enter the fray and after a struggle moved into third in the last corner in exciting fashion.

"It's been awhile," said Martin of his win. "We've been struggling. We came up here without expectations. I have to thank my crew and Davey Whitworth, who helped us out tonight. We're getting the Ford better. They're building us a new one that's going to be different, and hopefully, we'll have it before the Nationals."

Ball Jr. held down second ahead of Moro. Moore Jr. was fourth and Clint Garner fifth. Van Haaften, Russ Hall, Ryan Roberts, Jamie Ball and Jon Agan rounded out the top ten. Rod Richards, Clint Garner and Ball Jr. won heats, while Roberts took the B.

Next week is the Annual Marion County Fair Hy-Vee Night on July 16. Visit www.KnoxvilleRaceway.com for more details concerning the Marion County Fair.

410 Results

Time Trials (Qualifying Order), 1 lap: 1. 1, Bronson Maeschen, Pleasantville, IA (1) 15.083; 2. 1s, Kevin Swindell, Charlotte, NC (22) 15.367; 3. 12, Lynton Jeffrey, Prairie City, IA (5) 15.446; 4. 91, Dusty Zomer, Sioux Falls, SD (9) 15.446; 5. 7, Dustin Selvage, Indianola, IA (3) 15.449; 6. 55, Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA (15) 15.449; 7. 10, Rager Phillips, Pleasantville, IA (8) 15.581; 8. 17A, Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA (16) 15.602; 9. 15H, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, TX (14) 15.622; 10. 2, Josh Higday, Des Moines, IA (11) 15.623; 11. 13, Mark Dobmeier, Grand Forks, ND (19) 15.668; 12. 7K, Robby Wolfgang, Sioux Falls, SD (12) 15.678; 13. 47, Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE (18) 15.774; 14. 33, Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO (6) 15.818; 15. 1w, Chad Meyer, Sioux Falls, SD (1) 15.822; 16. 6R, Ryan Bunton, Morton, IL (2) 15.854; 17. 20, AJ Moeller, Rockwell City, IA (4) 15.966; 18. 49, Josh Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA (20) 15.978; 19. 69, Mike Moore, Des Moines, IA (10) 15.981; 20. 4K, Paul Jeffrey, Kellyville, NSW, Aust. (7) 16.011; 21. 68, Mike Houseman Jr., Des Moines, IA (13) 16.026; 22. 19, Bob Weuve, Newton, IA (17) 16.195; 23. 21x, Kyle Cummins, Brownsburg, IN (21) 16.852;

Heat one (started), 8 laps, NT: 1. Rager Phillips (4) 2. Don Droud Jr. (2) 3. Dusty Zomer (5) 4. Josh Higday (3) 5. Bob Weuve (8) 6. Ryan Bunton (1) 7. Mike Moore (7) 8. Bronson Maeschen (6)

Heat two (started), 8 laps, NT: 1. Danny Lasoski (2) 2. Austin McCarl (4) 3. Mark Dobmeier (3) 4. Kevin Swindell (6) 5. Kyle Cummins (8) 6. AJ Moeller (1) 7. Dustin Selvage (5) 8. DQ - (no scales), Paul Jeffrey (7, finished 5^th)

Heat three (started), 8 laps, NT: 1. Josh Schneiderman (1) 2. Robby Wolfgang (3) 3. Lynton Jeffrey (6) 4. Terry McCarl (5) 5. Sam Hafertepe Jr. (4) 6. Mike Houseman Jr. (7) 7. Chad Meyer (2)

A main #1 (started), 20 laps, NT: 1. Terry McCarl (4) 2. Austin McCarl (6) 3. Sam Hafertepe Jr. (7) 4. Mark Dobmeier (9) 5. Danny Lasoski (12) 6. Rager Phillips (5) 7. Don Droud Jr. (11) 8. Josh Higday (8) 9. Josh Schneiderman (13) 10. Robby Wolfgang (10) 11. Ryan Bunton (16) 12. Dustin Selvage (17) 13. Kevin Swindell (1) 14. Mike Houseman Jr. (20) 15. Bob Weuve (14) 16. Paul Jeffrey (21) 17. Kyle Cummins (15) 18. Mike Moore (18) 19. Dusty Zomer (3) 20. Lynton Jeffrey (2) 21. AJ Moeller (19) DNS - Bronson Maeschen. Lap Leaders: K. Swindell 1, L. Jeffrey 2-8, A. McCarl 9-17, T. McCarl 18-20. Hard-charger: Lasoski.

A main #2 (started), 20 laps, NT: 1. Kevin Swindell (3) 2. Danny Lasoski (11) 3. Dustin Selvage (6) 4. Terry McCarl (15) 5. Josh Schneiderman (7) 6. Dusty Zomer (17) 7. Rager Phillips (12) 8. Mark Dobmeier (14) 9. Sam Hafertepe Jr. (13) 10. Bronson Maeschen (22) 11. Robby Wolfgang (8) 12. Don Droud Jr. (9) 13. Lynton Jeffrey (20) 14. Josh Higday (10) 15. Austin McCarl (16) 16. Bob Weuve (1) 17. Mike Houseman Jr. (4) 18. Ryan Bunton (5) 19. Paul Jeffrey (2) 20. Kyle Cummins (21) 21. Mike Moore (18) 22. AJ Moeller (19). Lap Leaders: Weuve 1, K. Swindell 2-12, Lasoski 13-18, K. Swindell 19-20. Hard-charger: Maeschen.

360 Results

Time Trials (Group Qualifying): 1. 18, Ryan Roberts, Aurora, NE, 16.369; 2. 40, Clint Garner, Sioux Falls, SD, 16.386; 3. 4, Jon Agan, Knoxville, IA, 16.419; 4. 45c, Russ Hall, Pleasant Hill, IA, 16.522; 5. 51, David Hall, Des Moines, IA, 16.522; 6. 2m, Matt Moro, Polk City, IA, 16.577; 7. 98, JD Johnson, Wichita, KS, 16.582; 8. D12, Dennis Moore Jr., Grinnell, IA, 16.604; 9. 54, Casey Friedrichsen, Arthur, IA, 16.651; 10. 04, Chad Heimbaugh, Pleasant Hill, IA, 16.654; 11. 3, Nate Van Haaften, Otley, IA, 16.663; 12. 5J, Larry Ball Jr., Knoxville, IA, 16.686; 13. 14, Randy Martin, California, MO, 16.757; 14. 5JR, Jamie Ball, Knoxville, IA, 16.778; 15. 53, Joe Beaver, Knoxville, IA, 16.779; 16. 12, Rod Richards, Van Meter, IA, 16.862; 17. 7TAZ, Tasker Phillips, Pleasantville, IA, 16.875; 18. 9m, Ricky Montgomery, Lakewood, CO, 16.892; 19. 88, Jarrod Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA, 16.932; 20. 47T, Tony Shilling, Knoxville, IA, 16.943; 21. 7H, John Hall, Marion, IA, 16.970; 22. 4x, Jordan Boston, Crete, NE, 16.975; 23. 33, Alan Zoutte, Knoxville, IA, 16.980; 24. 165, Haley Arnold, Sedalia, MO, 17.016; 25. 99, Jimmy Davies, Oquawka, IL, 17.042; 26. 5m, Miranda Arnold, Sedalia, MO, 17.048; 27. 10, Tyler Groenendyk, Oskaloosa, IA, 17.122; 28. 97, Blake Nimee, Oswego, IL, 17.747; 29. 14J, Josh Riggins, Lincoln, NE, NT; 30. 8L, Tom Lenz, Marion, IA, NT; DQ (Light at Scales) – 1m, Chad Humston, Giltner, NE.

Heat one (started), 7 laps, 2:00.2: 1. Rod Richards (1) 2. Randy Martin (2) 3. Chad Heimbaugh (3) 4. JD Johnson (4) 5. Russ Hall (5) / 6. Ryan Roberts (6) 7. Jordan Boston (8) 8. Jarrod Schneiderman (7) 9. Jimmy Davies (9) 10. Blake Nimee (10)

Heat two (started), 7 laps, 1:59.6: 1. Clint Garner (6) 2. Tasker Phillips (1) 3. Jamie Ball (2) 4. Dennis Moore Jr. (4) 5. Nate Van Haaften (3) / 6. Tony Shilling (7) 7. David Hall (5) 8. Miranda Arnold (9) 9. Alan Zoutte (8) DNS - Josh Riggins

Heat three (started), 7 laps, NT: 1. Larry Ball Jr. (3) 2. Casey Friedrichsen (4) 3. Matt Moro (5) 4. Chad Humston (10) 5. Ricky Montgomery (1) / 6. Jon Agan (6) 7. Tyler Groenendyk (9) 8. John Hall (7) 9. Haley Arnold (8) 10. Joe Beaver (2)

B main (started), 10 laps, NT: 1. Ryan Roberts (1) 2. Jon Agan (2) 3. Haley Arnold (8) 4. David Hall (3) 5. Tony Shilling (4) / 6. Jordan Boston (6) 7. Jarrod Schneiderman (5) 8. Tyler Groenendyk (13) 9. Tom Lenz (14) 10. Miranda Arnold (10) 11. Jimmy Davies (11) 12. Blake Nimee (12) 13. John Hall (7) 14. Alan Zoutte (9) DNS - Joe Beaver

A main (started), 15 laps, NT: 1. Randy Martin (1) 2. Larry Ball Jr. (2) 3. Matt Moro (8) 4. Dennis Moore Jr. (6) 5. Clint Garner (10) 6. Nate Van Haaften (3) 7. Russ Hall (9) 8. Ryan Roberts (16) 9. Jamie Ball (11) 10. Jon Agan (17) 11. Ricky Montgomery (14) 12. David Hall (19) 13. Tasker Phillips (13) 14. Rod Richards (12) 15. Tony Shilling (20) 16. Haley Arnold (18) 17. Chad Heimbaugh (4) 18. Chad Humston (15) 19. Casey Friedrichsen (5) 20. JD Johnson (7). Lap Leaders: Ball Jr. 1-2, Martin 3, Ball Jr. 4-8, Martin 9-15. Hard-charger: Roberts

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

I was not there, and I don't want to make a big statement.

Reading this I saw Bronson made a Great time, at quick time. . 3 over 2nd..... that sounds great. Then 6th in heat and DNS in 1st A main. Engine ???? Then from last to 10th in 2nd A main.

I look forward to seeing Bronson in another A or B Nationals start.

Edit* I want to give Terry 100% props..."I've got mixed emotions," said Terry. "I feel bad for Austin. Tony (VerMeer) pays us to win races. Austin had us covered before the caution. There was no way I would have beaten him without that. The guys told me Hafertepe was coming, so I couldn't mess around. Austin wouldn't have wanted me to let him win. We have struggled, and I want to thank our sponsors for hanging with us."

He is not willing to just hand a win to his son without a fight, Earn it and it will be yours.

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A healthy diet of dirt in my nachos and beer.

Man I tell ya, Like him or hate him Kevin Swindell did one hell of a job of saving his car in turn 4 after jumping the infield berm, and on his way to surely be a nasty end over end flip. Then to recover and stay in second seeing a timely yellow put him in good position to beat Lasoski, you could tell it was coming cause it looked like Lasoski's car had nothing out of 2 the last 4 laps from the bottom. Kevins car looked like Jack the bear on top and was carrying plenty of momentum when he shot by the Dude it was a hell of a win for the first at Knoxville and to have the car jump the cusion on the last lap and still hold on had to be one for the books. I was always a Wolfgang fan and spent many years cheering against the Swindells but I tell ya Kevin and Sammy are gaining new fans every night they put on shows like that. There where great races all night long and I tell ya Knoxville has found the formula again to hold the greatest racing in the country again.

I have Never before said a bad word about Knoxville.but if the promotors and managers dont do something about getting some 410 competitors to come to a twin fetures race (24 cars) then whats going to happen on normal nights ?The stands looked empty of fans.This cannot be good for future sponsors. Is knoxville going to become the #1 360 and 305 raceway in the country.?

I thought it was a good crowd and what did you want to see for a race that more cars would add ?

After a good night of racing like that I am not sure I could tell you how many cars were there.

Maybe they were easer to count on the radio

It was not a good night it was a GREAT night of racing

If you did not like that you won"t like much

Maeschen was rear end.

I agree with vanh that the racing couldn't have been much better. Twin Features night is always one of the best all year. I was pretty shocked at the crowd size. The last 2 years we've had some of the best crowds ever, especially Twin Features. Last night was way down and I have no idea why. Perfect summer night for racing.

On a side note: if you have kids or just want to sit in a sprint car, Knoxville has a really cool car under the stands that people are welcome to sit in and get pictures.

Thank you

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A healthy diet of dirt in my nachos and beer.

you can look at it from every angle but it is this simple. There are way to many options for people's enterainment dollars and Knoxville is not willing to change. They run the same thing year after year and expect tradition to carry them. Whoever takes Cappy's job has alot to overcome (mainly the fairboard). Great facility, great cars, great drivers and great fans, but fading tradition. Might as well put a sign out front that says " Diehards fans only".

it was a U Joint....

How did they discourage local drivers? just asking

Maybe they did that to keep the crowd down ,too many local drivers the crowds would get to big

But you got 2 good A mains

You are right good race but not a lot of cars I am crazy

Slow them down with small tire no one will come.

And there was some 360s that could not run with a good 305 so your point is ?

All you guys/gals that like to piss and moan about everything Knoxville does wrong at their weekly shows need to get out of Knoxville and attend a weekly show at some other track that makes you sit through 5 classes of fendered crap so you can see 17 sprints.

After sitting through an hour long B mod enduro race maybe you'd appreciate seeing 3 classes of sprints and nothing else even if there was ONLY 24 410's.

Not sure what some of you were looking at last night but the stands were pretty full. It was a decent crowd compared to several nights. Infact, id dare bet it was up. As for cars, Both Heskins were out of motors, kubili was out due to his hard crash the week before, Brown was with the WoO and Wayne was running with the ASCS on his way out west. Not much a promoter can do about that... IMO.

Instead of being a Debby Downer/Negative Nancy. I'm going to state that the races this week were absolutely superb. The car count was a bit down this week, but Knoxville has been very fortunate with great car counts this whole year and once in a while it is going to be down a bit, that didn't take away from the fantastic show that occurred. Too be honest I thought Knoxville had a pretty good crowd last night, I've definitely seen worse.

On a side note, being a Swindell fan I loved seeing Kevin win, as a matter of fact it even made my evening.

Also, was this the first feature win at Knoxville for a Roush-Yates Ford Engine?

Ask Frank

So much complaining after July 4th. Remember why we celebrate it!? To be lucky enough to live in a country to go and even see 1 Sprint car at a track

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A healthy diet of dirt in my nachos and beer.

I think we have had great racing this year at Knoxville. Yes, I've been a diehard fan for many years. We had one week the track wasn't the greatest but I still had a good time. I try and have a good attitude and remind myself that a bad night at the races still beats the hell out of a great day at work. I swear their are a bunch of people out there that would complain if the track offered free beer all night that it wasn't cold enough. I don't claim to have the answer to increase crowds and car counts. I'm just thankful for what I have.

If this is the debate. 410's are hard to come by right now. Knoxville and Huset's...can't really think of a regular show each week close in the same area. Times are tough, sponsors are tough, get over it. Watch a race and drink a beer, it's better than sitting in a dessert at 120 degrees. IF I had an ex wife, I'd imagine alot of people on this board would sound just like the B***ch!

Side note: I was just going over the 360 list of Eagle and I saw a bunch of names I don't know. Eagle is what 3 1/2 hours from Knoxville? Didn't Eagle use to race Friday nights? Would be nice to combine those two groups of 360 drivers. What would be awesome is a 3 night point battle. Huset, Knoxville and Eagle. Get all those driver's in and have 1 night at each track for a mini 360 sprint week

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A healthy diet of dirt in my nachos and beer.