As the weeks of July continue to press on, signs of August and the end of summer will soon be peeking over the hills; showing off clues of an ending 2011 and a racing reason that is unfortunately coming to a close. Although August is usually associated with the return of school, shorter days, and obviously the end of summer – it should also be associated with the arrival of the Knoxville Nationals; perhaps the largest sprint car race in the world, and probably the most famous. The Knoxville Nationals is celebrated by sprint car fans and enthusiasts all over the world as an event that creates unforgettable memories and unforgiving stories of stress and disappointment. Its a four day festive sprint car competition that welcomes the best sprint car drivers in the world to battle it out, on a large half-mile clay oval, for a $150,000 top prize; and it always happens during the 2nd week of August.
Tim Shaffer has been on a winning tear since early 2010; along the way capturing the 2010 Knoxville Nationals Championship.
Although the 51st annual Knoxville Nationals featuring the 410ci sprint cars doesn’t begin for roughly two more weeks, the Knoxville racing atmosphere will pick up the pace beginning as early as next weekend with the ASCS sanctioned 360 Knoxville Nationals. The ASCS National Tour will visit the famed Knoxville, Iowa half-mile speedway for three nights of competition; concluding with the ASCS Knoxville National Championship on Saturday, August 6th. Shane Stewart is the defending champion of the event and currently holds the current point lead in ASCS national competition.
The Knoxville Nationals featuring the 410ci sprint cars will take place August 10-13th, 2011; and will feature the best sprint car drivers in the country at one venue, all vying for one top prize. $150,000 is on the line Saturday night August 13th- and only 1 driver will get to write his name in the history books. Last year, it was Pennsylvania native, Tim Shaffer, picking up the 50 lap Knoxville Nationals victory worth $150,000. Sammy Swindell’s misfortune, resulting from a blown right rear tire in the closing laps, allowed Shaffer to capture his first Knoxville Nationals championship.
Other events highlighting early August include the Ironman 55 sanctioned by the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series on August 6th at I-55 Raceway just south of St. Louis, Missouri. Oskaloosa’s Southern Iowa Speedway will host two big shows, once again in 2011, just before the Knoxville Nationals on August 8th and 9th. The Front Row Challenge featuring the All-Star Circuit of Champions sprint cars, and Ultimate Challenge, featuring the USAC National Sprint Cars, will take place in Oskaloosa, Iowa on Monday and Tuesday evening – August 8th and 9th.
Team Fully Injected will have another busy weekend close to home as most of the teams will be competing once again at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pennsylvania- and Mercer Raceway Park in Mercer, Pennsylvania; both located conveniently in western Pennsylvania where Fully Injected is stationed . Team members such as Kolten Gouse, who works under Kasey Kahne Racing as a tire specialist on the World of Outlaw tour, is busy in Canada with the World of Outlaws working for KKR and driver, Brad Sweet, while Joey Saldana is out with an injury. New team member and recent winner,Cory Haas, who is a York, Pennsylvania native, will be racing close to his home this weekend; competing at his normal central PA destinations.
Danny Holtgraver plans on attending and competing in the 51st Annual Knoxville Nationals in Knoxville, Iowa.
Be sure to check back at www.fullyinjected.com for more info concerning results from the Fully Injected divers and their teams.