Danny Holtgraver, a member of the Fully Injected mission, will be qualifying Thursday evening at the Goodyear Knoxville Nationals. He had his first taste of Knoxville this past Saturday evening with the All-Star Circuit of Champions – Rick Rarer Photo
Fully Injected was lucky enough to spend this past weekend following the ‘Greatest Show on Dirt’ throughout parts of the midwest; which offered tight bullring action and plenty of side by side racing at second to none facilities. Bloomington Speedway in Bloomington, Indiana was the first stop on the Fully Injected ‘Chasing the Outlaws’ weekend. The central Indiana venue hosted the World of Outlaws this past Friday evening with four time Outlaw champion, Donny Schatz, earning the victory on the quarter mile bullring. Steve Kinser, who calls Bloomington home, received a standing ovation from most of the crowd Friday evening when he made his way onto the racing surface for his hot lap session. There were 27 cars signed into the event with ‘Hotfoot’ Jason Meyers grabbing the fast time honors.
After leaving Bloomington, it was a 4 hour drive southwest to Pevely, Missouri to watch the World of Outlaws battle again on a short track. I-55 Raceway had 27 World of Outlaw Sprint Cars signed into the pit area for the 55 lap ‘Ironman 55’ on Saturday evening. 120 degree temperatures during the day didn’t stop the ‘Crowd Pleaser,’ as Craig Dollansky conquered the 1/3 mile bullring and won his first Ironman 55. Paul McMahan set the fastest time of night- which made nine total quick time awards for 2011.
A view of I-55 Raceway
The greatest sprint car drivers in the world will come together for four straight nights of action in the small town of Knoxville, Iowa this weekend. The Knoxville Raceway, which is known as the capital of sprint car racing to most of the world, will come alive once again this weekend as the 51st Annual Goodyear Knoxville Nationals, featuring The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, is set to kick off Wednesday night with the first group of qualifiers. Jason Meyers currently sits on top of the World of Outlaws point standings going into this weekend’s event; as the ‘Month of Money’ will finally come to a close with the $150,000 to win Knoxville Nationals A-main event on Saturday night.
While Fully Injected’s Danny Holtgraver competes at the world famous Knoxville Nationals event this Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday-the remaining Fully Injected team will be just as busy back in Pennsylvania competing at their usual weekend destinations; including recent Fi winners Rod George and Brandon Matus.
Knoxville hosted the USAC National Sprint Cars last night for their non-wing portion of the Knoxville Nationals. Broken Arrow, Oklahoma native, Brady Bacon, swept the evening’s events; including setting quick time, winning his respective heat, and capturing the A-main top honors. Bacon held off youngster, Chris Windom, and the legendary, Jerry Coons Jr.
The Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa, will be busy tonight and tomorrow; as the All-Star Circuit of Champions and USAC National Sprint Cars will be hosting events at the famous ‘pre-knoxville’ destination. Tonight, the Front Row Challenge will highlight the Oskaloosa venue, giving an All-Star Circuit of Champions driver an opportunity to take home an extra $50,000 if he, or she, would give up their front row spot to start at the tail end of the field and still win the event. Jac Haudenschild is the only driver to ever win the event from the tail and earn the $50,000. The Ultimate Challenge, featuring the USAC National Sprint Cars, will then take over the Oakaloosa, Iowa dirt oval on Tuesday night with a one night, non-wing, take-over of the facility.
Check back tonight for updates and notes concerning the Front Row Challenge at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa.