|
Hawkeye Ovals by Eric Arnold 7/22/10
BHG Knoxville Nationals Preview
It's time for the annual BHG Nationals Preview. Each year a select number of our Bus House Gang (this year a panel five) puts together our top 24 picks for the Knoxville Nationals and we combine our rankings of how we think they will finish and add up the points to come up with our "power rankings." Getting first place votes in our poll were Saldana (3), Schatz (1), and Steve Kinser (1).
BHG 2010 Knoxville Nationals Power Rankings
1. Joey Saldana, 2. Steve Kinser, 3. Donny Schatz, 4. Sammy Swindell, 5. Jason Meyers, 6. Danny Lasoski, 7. Paul McMahon, 8. Brooke Tatnell, 9. Kerry Madsen, 10. Shane Stewart, 11. Jason Sides, 12. Craig Dollansky, 13. Stevie Smith, 14. Lucas Wolfe, 15. Terry McCarl, 16. Tim Shaffer, 17. Jac Haudenschild, 18. Greg Hodnett, 19. Tim Kaeding, 20. Johnny Herrera, 21. Brian Brown, 22. Dale Blaney, 23. Chad Kemenah, 24. Don Droud Jr.
Joey is the obvious favorite after being so close in recent years and leading 34 of the 40 laps a year ago and he looked strong in the June WoO show at Knoxville, timing in second quick and nearly winning the race until contact late in the race with Sammy Swindell relegated Joey to a fifth place finish.
Steve Kinser has had a resurgence this season under the TSR umbrella and maybe the Goodyear tires have helped him somehow, or help equalize the competition a bit. He timed fourth and finished sixth in June at Knoxville. If the old man can get through turn two and find a little extra speed once the track slicks off some, he will be a contender.
Schatz may be the four time defending champion, but 2010 has been a down year for the Minot Missle. It appears that the change to Goodyear tires has crew chief Ricky Warner and Schatz scratching their heads. Saving their tires for the end of the race used to be their strength, but that plan hasn't worked this year on Goodyear's. But will a50 lap race play into their hands with tire management? It won't matter when they decide to let teams pit for fuel AND tires halfway.
Sammy Swindell replaced Terry McCarl in the Big Game Treestands car and schooled the Knoxville regulars on May 22nd and was close to winning the June 3 WoO show. This is obviously a good car, the best car Sammy has been in since the Channellock days. Sammy has always been a good timer, and if he starts up front on Saturday night he could be the man to beat.
Jason Meyers was close in 2008. He was fast on June 3rd at Knoxville and has been consistent all season on the WoO tour this year with seven wins and is right in the thick of a points chase with Saldana and the King. If Meyers can show up strong and time well and get a starting spot up front on Saturday he too has a chance to win.
Danny Lasoski is guaranteed to time well, in fact he was the fastest qualifier at the June 3rd show. Dude has struggled this year to get into the top ten in WoO points, but the four time champion always finds a way to contend at Knoxville, and he will figure it out sooner than most on setups.
Paul McMahan is a top five contender this year. Paul has been in some good cars over the years, Roth, TSR, and now he is with KKR, which seems to be a good fit. McMahan has been hanging around fifth and sixth in points on the WoO tour this year while filling in for Cody Darrah who is out for the season after injuries from a car wreck on his way to Florida this February. McMahan has one feature win this year and his stock is rising.
Brooke Tatnell won the June 3 Knoxville WoO show with no brakes from the front row, and also won at McCool Junction, NE. Although running a limited schedule in 2010 Tatnell is someone to watch.
Kerry Madsen has come a long way since being a regular at Knoxville, winning the 2005 track championship. He almost won the King's Royal this year and had a good showing at the June 3 WoO show at Knoxville timing in fifth and finishing ninth in the feature. Keep the Mad Man on your watch list for big things.
Shane Stewart finished fifth last year at the Nationals and yes he is one of the BHG favorites but I think we did a good job keeping him in a realistic position. Stewart has only a few races with a 410 under his belt this year, winning the Skagit Dirt Cup and had one night at Knoxville with engine problems. Their engine will be ready to go come the Nationals and he will get a practice night in at Knoxville with the 410 on July 31, the week before the 360 Nationals. Stewart has qualified for the A-Main the last nine years. Look for the Rock Star, Silva Motorsports, powered by the BHG, number 57 to have another good showing during Southern Iowa Sprintweek.
Jason Sides could be on the podium.
Craig Dollanksy has had a disappointing season by his standards.
Stevie Smith was third a year ago, but can he back it up?
Lucas Wolfe is an up and comer.
Terry McCarl will have to settle for middle of the pack unless he can find a better ride with more horses under the hood.
Tim Shaffer won a prelim last year, he will contend for top ten spot possibly.
Jac Haudenschild won the inverted feature on June 4 at Knoxville, by virtue of being the last car on the lead lap the night before.
Greg Hodnett is always tough at Knoxville.
Tim Kaeding could be a sleeper in the Roth 83.
Johnny Herrera is coming on lately at Knoxville weekly shows.
Brian Brown is also a BHG favorite and is looking for his third A-Main start.
Dale Blaney was fast last year at Knoxville, can experience get him back in the A?
Chad Kemenah is a sleeper as well, given the right equipment he can be in the top five.
Don Droud Jr. has been fast at Knoxville this year, and has put 4 different cars into the A-Main in the past. The Gil Sonner 47 should make the show which pays $9,500 to start.
The 50th Nationals will pay a mind boggling 4-day purse of $1,000,435. The payout for the Saturday A-Feature is as follows: 1. $150,000, 2. $75,000, 3. $37,500, 4. $26,000. 5. $21,000, 6. $20,000 7. $19,000, 8. $18,000, 9. $17,000, 10. $16,000, 11. $15,000, 12. $14,000, 13. $13,000, 14. $12,000, 15. $11,000, 16. $10,000, 17. $10,000, 18. $10,000, 19. $10,000, 20. $10,000, 21. $10,000, 22. $10,000, 23. $9,500, 24. $9,500.
Enjoy the Goodyear 50th Knoxville Nationals, presented by Lucas Oil!
Eric Arnold
Social Media Manager & Track Historian
Knoxville Raceway
|
