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

We are going to the Nationals for all 4 nights for the first time. How do you keep abreast of qualifying and points etc. Is there a daily paper with updates?

Any suggestions for things to see and do? Restaraunts? We really won't have any wheels because we're staying in a motorhome at the campground by the Red Carpet Motel.

Thanks

Bring back Santa Fe, and LaSalle .

I haven't been for a few years, but the times I went the Race Talk newspaper handed out at the track would have new editions each night with updated point standings. However, that may have changed - I can't recall getting one of those the past few Outlaw shows I've taken in up there.

Alternatively, they will be available on the web from multiple sources. Can't speak for any local newspapers and I can't recall if they were in the Des Moines Register or not, but that's the main paper we would pick up around Knoxville. I want to say they're posted on the midway somewhere but don't quote me on that!

If you have laptop/tablet/smartphone download the Knoxville Raceway app.  It will give you all you need for results, points, etc.

There is also a nightly paper you can get for a buck outside the grandstands the night before each race that will also have updated points from the night before.

Check out KnoxvilleRaceway.com and go to the Knoxville Nationals page for other events in and around the track.  There will be plenty of things going on at the Hall of Fame Museum that week.  I drive in from Des Moines every day so others here can give you other advice as to what is going on around town.

You'll have a great time!

Is this heaven?  
No, it's Iowa....Knoxville, Iowa.

same here...we are staying in West Des Moines, so wondering what to do/see during the day.  I'm sure we'll get to the race track early each day, but don't want to be standing around in the August heat all day looking for ways to pass the time.

also, can't find anyting about pit passes for the Nationals...how much, etc?

since i can remember the "racetalk" newspaper has been on sale under the grandstands fairly earlie the following day of the prior night, the point leaders/standings and scoring can be found in there , its pretty informative to those that cant just jump on the interweb and observe the qualifying stats. great paper , good souvineer and great stories throughout the week, well worth the $1 just to thumb thro and support(eat,shop, ect)  the local buisnesses that support the week. i purchase one everyday, even if i cant find time to read it during the week ill page thro  a week later..  Enjoy!

Everything regarding this event is on the knoxvilleraceway.com website, it's updated daily and during the races. Yes, get the app for your phone/iPad. The race paper sold under the grandstands daily is a helpful and good read as well. Although I'm not from the area I've been going since '95. Shopping is really good at Jordan Creek mall in W. Des Moines. There is always adventure land amusement park and water park in DSM and the nearby Casino and horse track. Just a little drive to nearby Pella or around Lake Red Rock can be relaxing and interesting. For the golfers there's Bos Landen just north of Kville. Visit the Iowa Speedway in nearby Newton, they usually have tours. A few years ago the Richard Petty Driving experience was there and I got to ride in a race car. Kville has slideways carting centre if you feel like a few races, lots of exhibits and souvenir shopping in town as well. The HOF and museum is a must see. There are many driver appearances and autograph sessions all day, every day at or near the track. Good food in Kville all over town. By far my favorite restaurant Jethros BBQ in D Moines next to adventure land/casino. Best BBQ I've ever had. Some drivers have their rigs/pits set up all week behind turns 3/4 is always worth a look. Legendary Dingus across street from the track, is the best racing bar/dive bar in the world. Enjoy!!

Knoxville Natioanls attendee since '95
Favorite Tracks...River Cities, Knoxville, Cedar Lake
Favorite Drivers...S.Kinser, T.Kaeding, K.Madsen, S.Smith
Proud Canadian 

Keep your Radio dialed to 92.1 FM or 1320 AM -  KNIA / KRLS, Knoxvilles local Radio Station, They keep you pretty informed on racing and weather.

During the Nationals there is a free shuttle that takes you to North Camp Grounds / County Campgrounds / Walmart / Downtown.

Food withing walking distance to the track: Hyvee (breakfast is good) / Pizza Hut / Godfathers / Mr C's / BBQ Shack / There is a food place right next to Dingus Bar but not sure of the name, Plus the vendors at the track.. Food is easy to come by.

Are you staying behing Red Carpet or right at Red Carpet? There's usually a race team or two that set up camp there too! I'm thinking Haudenschild is usually there but could be wrong.

You are literally AT the Radio Station so you should get very good reception!! Lol

I seem to recall updates rah chere on good ole Hoseheads.....

Museum is great, there's a Rec Center in town, lots of sprint fans to BS with, hang out, tailgating & "cornhole" games

The Hy Vee has good food and is in walking distance, good breakfast, food and fruit. Actually the race track at Knoxville has good food, like sanwiches.

Usually the Hall of Fame has a lot of events like speakers, drivers panels discussing racing.

In West Des Moines, Valley Junction can be a fun place to look around, artisians and Antiques.

Smitty's Breaded Tenderloins on the south side of Des Moines is always a favorite stop of mine.

I am sure there are some Nationals attendee's that remember "Shorty's Steak House" in Pleasantville. What a place! Someone needs to reincarnate that place.

Godfather's is closed.  Rib shack next to the Hall of Fame is excellent.  I drove by Dingus's yesterday and it looked like the place next to it is closed.  There's all kinds of good places to eat, down town and at the track.  The people here don't raise prices to gouge fans.  Always good.  

My wife told me if I went to one more Sprint Car race 
she would leave me.................I'm sure gonna miss 
that ol' gal. 

All of the above--I usually head down to the track mid-day and get the daily paper to see the points and I have the radio on since they do updates within every hour broadcasting from the track.  And usually one of my buddies will have updates from the track on his phone. 

As far as what to do during the day?  My favorite is sit around and drink!  Then, at about 3:00 in the afternoon take a 2 hour nap.  Only time of the year I get enough peace and quiet to accomplish both of those things before 5:00!       Enjoy!

Pits are $50 per night to be down there during the racing program (they don't offer "pit pass upgrades" to the grandstand ticket holders. 

Pits are open and free following the races every night (but you have to dodge haulers as everyone has to unload and park their hauler outside the track).

Most drivers / teams have autograph sessions on the midway through the week and generally a few teams have show cars and the like as well.

Racetalk magazine is available each night with the points, finish of last nights race, etc. Worth the $1.00. 

Pella has some neat historic sights - windmill, historic downtown, etc.

RaceTalk has a daily summary of local events - interviews, who's got food specials, etc.  The Knoxville Raceway web site also has a listing of daily events plus the racing schedule.

English Creek Speedway has racing a couple of mornings.

SCHoF - excellent stuff to see, great pie out front!

What makes Kyle Larson the person he is starts with family and their support.

I believe that starting out in outlaw dirt karts is one of the major factors in his ability to race just about anything.

Plus being in the right place at the right time dose not hurt either. Kyle came out from California to race the Outlaw Dirt Kart Nationals at English Creek Speedway in Knoxville, Iowa for a couple years where he captured the eye of Parker Store (at the time Donny Shatz sponsor) and they became his first what I would call a national sponsor. By the way he won I believe every race he was in trading slid jobs with the like of J. J. Yele, John Kearney, Matt Moro, Robby Wolfgang and Sheldon Haudenschild.

If you want to see the next Kyle Larson come out to English Creek Speedway Aug 5,6 for the Outlaw Dirt Kart Nationals

Not sure if its your thing, but people all over town have yard sales during Nationals too. I usually swim some laps at Rec Center to get some exercise before sitting on my butt all nite (tho walking up the bleachers is pretty good exercise too)

1/6 out of names spelled correctly isn't too bad!

If you buy a program for $10 which is full of driver information, pictures and explains what goes on nightly they have pages where you can keep track of points etc.  Then each night you go to the people selling the programs usually about 6:30PM, show them your progam and they will give you the line up sheets for that night.