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

I actually have 2. The first one being Danny Dietrich but I see that as kind of a wild card. He's certainly been fast as hell in Pa and he did just run Donny down and pass him for the win at Williams Grove BUT I also see him as a big wild card. First off, this is Knoxville, not Williams Grove. Everyone has their best when they come to Knoxville. No more try this or that and testing and tuning, they have what they think gives them the best chance to win. Danny doesn't have many laps at Knoxville which is something that has proven extremely important over the years for those who have found success at the Nationals. One other thing, even when he's on the porch, he's not always been a strong qualifier. He can race as good as anyone but I've seen him bury himself in time trials a lot of times too. You can't do that at Knoxville and get away with it. That being said, he's fast enough and most importantly CONFIDENT enough that if he puts himself in position and makes it to the show, he may just run top 10 on Saturday night. The other, is Sammy. Not too many people talking about him but let's face it, Sammy may not be everyone's favorite but he's STILL one of the best after all these years. When I was watching him drive at Williams Grove a couple of weeks ago, he still has it. It sure didn't look like a 59 year old man driving that car. He's been fast and he's in good stuff and I have to think, that the fire inside him to win Knoxville one more time is burning hotter than ever before. He knows he doesn't have many more chances left so I think we're going to see Sammy in the hunt. 

Stevie Smith

Yep.

the dude will be a factor for the first time in a few years.

First I'd  like to see a different winner , this would be good for this race . I believe it will be someone who runs Knoxville weekly , as this track  surface changes all the time. Justin Henderson is my  long shot to win , but I believe it will be one of the following , Lasoski ,Schatz, Stewart ,Henderson or Brian Brown .

I agree on everything...

would dig to see either win it!

Dollansky. If he can get a break, he could lock himself in on his qualifying night. 

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

 
 
 
They don't even know how to spell sprint car 
much less chromoly...http://www.ycmco.com

Be careful now Cubic, even you know the Posse's record at Knoxville is abysmal.  Having said that I would really like to see Double D, PA's finest at the moment do very well.  Transplanted Posse Mr. Hodnett always runs well there, especially in the past in his Outlaw days, I expect him in the show also....

I'm gonna go with Chad Kemenah.  He's had some very good runs at the Nationals.  He has his brother(who's won this race) back turning wrenches.  And for the first time in years he's in a well funded ride.

Paul McMahan

As much as I would like to see Hodnett in the show come Saturday night, I'm not so sure it will come to fruition. The 27 was fast out of the box when they unloaded in Florida and kept that level of performance until recently. The team has cooled off quite a bit over the past month. As mentioned in an earlier post, DD's TT inconsistancy could be an issue for him. Having said that, I wish them both good fortune in Knoxville. I think Schatz and Shane Stewart will battle for the win.

Paige Polyak

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Rail, I really think Greg is comfortable enough to do well there and Danny is just running well these days, he's fast enough to pass enough guys to finish well on his qualifying night and that means a lot.  A low qualifying number wouldn't hurt either....

I've been wondering what's up with the 27 over the past couple of weeks.  I'm not sure if its a case of setting the bar so high performance-wise in the beginning of the season, but he's had some subpar results (for him) lately.  Him and Montieth both have dipped while Stevie and Dietrich (especially Dietrich) have caught fire.

Anyway, back to who I think will surprise at Knoxville.... Brent Marks.  I don't think Stevie Smith running anywhere around the top 5 is "surprising" many people.  Neither do I think that Dietrich making the A is "surprising" anyone.  The 19m sometimes gets overlooked in Central PA.  While he's winless this year so far, he has run really well at Port Royal all year.  His worst finish prior to last week's 8th place run at Port, was 5th, and that was through eight races.  He ran Knoxville earlier in the year and timed 7th while finishing 14th in a 42 car field.  I think he makes the A and pushes for a top-15.  I think that would surprise quite a few people.

I just have a feeling somebody will beat Donnie this year. In the last few years, he's done OK early in the season, then dominated Knoxville & pretty much "run the table" the rest of the season. This year he dominated early, then kind of leveled off (what is it, 8 "horrible" 2nds in a row? Anyone else might be pleased!)

Watching Deitrick pass him from 9th reinforced that feeling.... not saying it will be Posse (longshot!), but who knows?

Not going this year, hope The Cushion works well....

Surprise of the Nationals will be Schatz coming up 1 spot short in the B-main to make the finale on Saturday night....

nah, Donny's in the A, no problem

That wouldn't be surprising, that would be absolutely shocking.

I agree and he will be