Oskaloosa’s Southern Iowa Speedway has a long tradition of racing on Wednesday nights and that tradition continues in 2012 but with a change in management and rules. Mike Van Genderen of Newton, a native of New Sharon, has been named the new promoter at SIS. The 43 year old racer turned promoter will bring a jolt of new energy to the program as the racing will change from the previous eight year reign of Todd Staley promoted USRA sanctioned races with some low car counts the past couple of seasons, to Van Genderen and a return of IMCA sanctioned racing and rules. IMCA had sanctioned the racing at Osky from 1984-2003.
IMCA Modifieds, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks, SportMods and a new Sport Compact 4-cylinder class will run weekly. Van Genderen is ready for the challenge of rebuilding the rich tradition of racing in Osky. “Since I was a kid, running Southern Iowa Speedway has been a dream of mine,” said Mike. “This track is ready for a change and the Southern Iowa Fair Board is ready for a change. We’re going to do everything we can to see it return to its glory days.” Van Genderen has raced and worked at Southern Iowa Speedway in various capacities in past years, including flagman for several years. “This is a great facility and I’m really looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish here.” There is a new website at www.oskyspeedway.com and yours truly will be tweeting updates @OskySIS on most nights when I’m there. Some lower costs through the pit gate should help entries and there will be several nights of town appreciation night where if you show your ID from that town tickets are $5 per person.
The 2012 season kicks off on April 4 with the IMCA Frostbuster special with NASCAR legend Ken Schrader racing and the regular track point season will begin on April 11. Other highlights on the schedule include the return of the IMCA Deery Brothers Late Models on June 20, Sport Mod special May 16, Hobby Stock special June 6, the Stock Car Shootout on July 4 with Fireworks after the races, Tuesday July 17 is the IMCA Hawkeye Dirt Tour Modified special, with the Southern Iowa Fair on July 18. Season championship is August 29, and the Fall Challenge special will be October 5 and 6. Don’t forget the All-Star and USAC sprint cars on August 6 and 7 before the Knoxville Nationals as well promoted by Terry McCarl.
Right now it’s hard to say how many cars will run weekly at Osky yet. With the new IMCA rules it definitely opens up the possibilities for teams that normally race at Marshalltown, Des Moines, and Boone to come in to race weekly or on part time basis.
Last years Modified (A-Mod) track champion was Oskaloosa’s Steven Blattler in his black 94 machine. This year he will have some tougher competition as with the new IMCA rules I am hopeful for higher car counts in this division. Some weeks last season there wasn’t enough cars to run two heat races. But in 2012 we already know that the 2011 B-Mod champion Cayden Carter is moving up to the A-Mod class and so is the 2011 Stock Car class champion Shane Weller. Right away you have two good drivers there to compete. It would be nice to see car counts closer to 18 or more on a weekly basis and I think that will happen.
In the Sport Mod (B-Mod) class with Carter moving up it leaves the door wide open for what is likely to be the largest class at the track. Carter VandenBerg will be the odds on favorite to win with Bill Gibson, Andrew Schroeder and Curtis Van Der Wal being a force each week to contend. Throw in about 20 other cars and this will be a good class to watch.
Stock Cars and Hobby Stock classes I don’t anticipate too much changing there. Kris Walker and Steve Allen had a close point battle in Hobbies last year with Walker winning by 36 points. Nathan Wood lost by a mere 32 points to Shane Weller in Stock Car, but with Weller moving up to Modifieds, Wood is the early favorite there. I would bet on quite a few more cars to be there.
I’m excited to cover more racing at Osky this year. I’ve always enjoyed the racing at that track and it’s a nice break in the middle of the week to get your racing fix. Through the new website you can find the complete schedule and information about tickets and season passes.
Hawkeye Ovals
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Knoxville Raceway 2012 Season Preview
The 2012 Knoxville Raceway 410 season is looking like another good one this year. 24 full-time teams at last count and we will probably have 5 or 6 part time teams we will see on a regular basis. Average car count in 2011 was 28 for weekly KCCS (Knoxville Championship Cup Series) shows. Gone is the nine time track champion of Danny Lasoski as he chases races in Pennsylvania this summer. That leaves the door open for someone else to win the track championship and the top three contenders have to be six time track champion Terry McCarl, 2011 runner-up Dusty Zomer, and Mark Dobmeier. After that I think it’s a scramble for fourth through tenth. And even below the top ten I think there are a couple of teams that could easily get in there. It is an unknown if Kevin Swindell will be back, but rumor has it Ian Madsen is coming back to run full time, but I do not have them factored into the power rankings. I asked the five member BHG power rankings panel to help me come up with a list for the 410 class. These are five well trained race fans with life-long knowledge of racing and communing in their pews at Knoxville for 30 years or more.
Here are the official BHG 2012 Knoxville 410 power rankings presented by Dingus.
1. Dusty Zomer, 2. Mark Dobmeier, 3. Terry McCarl, 4. Austin McCarl, 5. Davey Heskin, 6. Don Droud Jr., 7. Dustin Selvage, 8. Lynton Jeffrey, 9. Kaley Gharst, 10. Bronson Maeschen.
Dusty Zomer may have won the KCCS most seasons with 4 wins, and 11 top tens in 13 races, but it wasn’t meant to be with Lasoski finishing in the top ten 13 times in 13 races with 3 wins. Take out Lasoski and you have to feel like Zomer in the Ingalls #91 car has a strong chance to win the championship. DZ has 9 career 410 wins at Knoxville.
Mark Dobmeier finished fifth in points last year while missing one night. He has 8 career 410 wins at Knoxville and he did well at the end of last year, highlighted with monster showing at the Nationals where he won the feature on his preliminary night and finishing sixth in the big dance Saturday. Momentum will carry him into contending for the championship.
Terry McCarl finished fifth in points last year in the Vermeer 55 car but T-Mac is now back in his own #24 car and I look for him to contend for sure. You can definitely make a case for him to be the favorite, and for what he may lack in equipment or funds, he can make up a lot of that with talent and experience. No doubt about it, he will be the best driver on the track. But can he find the horsepower to stay up front?
Austin McCarl finished sixth in points last year and the Grand View University student is now in his fourth year in sprint cars and shown improvement each year. He qualified for the 12th starting spot in the A-Main of the Nationals last year which ended up with a crash on the first lap, and he was the only driver to pass Shane Stewart all week. Looking for good things out of this kid, and hopefully he will pick up his first 410 win this year, if not two or three wins.
Davey Heskin finished eighth in points last year but if he would have had an engine for twin features night it would have been higher. He has made the A-Main of the Nationals two years in a row and I think he has blossomed into a good driver. He has one career win at Knoxville in a 410, but I think he can win another this year. Good kid too. Very impressed with his demeanor last year as I followed him for a story the week of the Nationals.
Don Droud Jr. is a talented driver, lots of experience, doesn’t tear up equipment, but hopefully Gil Sonner can find a some more power under the hood to get up front and qualify better.
Dustin Selvage will be in his sophomore season in a 410. Good young talent here and is on the verge of a breakout season I think.
Lynton Jeffrey should rebound after a somewhat disappointing 2011, which still found him winning one feature at Knoxville, but 3 finishes of 20th or worse hurt.
Kaley Gharst is back as a Knoxville regular this season driving the Jeremy Scadden #6 sprinter. He has three career 410 wins at Knoxville. A little uncertain how they will perform and how well their equipment is, but he is a proven veteran and glad to have him back.
Bronson Maeschen left the Jordan #1 and is back in his own #96 car this year. Good driver, usually has decent equipment, always qualifies well.
I also look for good things from Josh Schneiderman, Randy Anderson in the Vander Ecken #10, and it sounds like Rage Phillips is back in his own #9 car. Hoping we see Robby Wolfgang to have that breakout season as well if they can find some power under the hood. Rookie of the year contenders are Austin Johnson, TJ Peterson, and Jarrod Schneiderman. Good strong field of cars and I can’t wait to see everyone on the track for opening night on April 21.
Look for Clint Garner to clean up in the 360 class once again. Hopefully contenders Matt Moro, Russ Hall, Jon Agan, Carson McCarl, Jamie Ball, Nate Van Haafton, Dennis Moore Jr., and others can make for an exciting show there. I’m really looking forward to seeing the growth and improvement of Carson and Jamie this year.
In the 305 class we will have Larry Ball Jr as the favorite there, but look for his toughest competition to be Tasker Phillips, Mitchell Alexander, Matt Stephenson, Matthew Stelzer, and a wide open field including nine rookies.
As of right now, the 305 class has the 360 class outnumbered 25 to 20 this season. If you’re going to race for fun, entry level, and at a lesser cost, 305 is the answer. You don’t race for much money ($400 to win) but I think the 305 is going to become what the Sport Mod division has become for IMCA racing (that is a good thing if you’re not familiar with IMCA). I think this is a sign that more people are realizing that 360 racing isn’t any cheaper than a 410, especially with the 435 LS engine option that has a longer life. I foresee the trend of 360 class dwindling to continue at Knoxville barring some sort of major rules changes.
I can’t wait to walk in on opening night on April 21. I need my fix of tenderloin and chicken bites! And don’t forget that on Sunday the 22nd Knoxville is having a Modified, Sport Mod, Stock Car, Hobby Stock special. See you in the stands!
Here are the official BHG 2012 Knoxville 410 power rankings presented by Dingus.
1. Dusty Zomer, 2. Mark Dobmeier, 3. Terry McCarl, 4. Austin McCarl, 5. Davey Heskin, 6. Don Droud Jr., 7. Dustin Selvage, 8. Lynton Jeffrey, 9. Kaley Gharst, 10. Bronson Maeschen.
Dusty Zomer may have won the KCCS most seasons with 4 wins, and 11 top tens in 13 races, but it wasn’t meant to be with Lasoski finishing in the top ten 13 times in 13 races with 3 wins. Take out Lasoski and you have to feel like Zomer in the Ingalls #91 car has a strong chance to win the championship. DZ has 9 career 410 wins at Knoxville.
Mark Dobmeier finished fifth in points last year while missing one night. He has 8 career 410 wins at Knoxville and he did well at the end of last year, highlighted with monster showing at the Nationals where he won the feature on his preliminary night and finishing sixth in the big dance Saturday. Momentum will carry him into contending for the championship.
Terry McCarl finished fifth in points last year in the Vermeer 55 car but T-Mac is now back in his own #24 car and I look for him to contend for sure. You can definitely make a case for him to be the favorite, and for what he may lack in equipment or funds, he can make up a lot of that with talent and experience. No doubt about it, he will be the best driver on the track. But can he find the horsepower to stay up front?
Austin McCarl finished sixth in points last year and the Grand View University student is now in his fourth year in sprint cars and shown improvement each year. He qualified for the 12th starting spot in the A-Main of the Nationals last year which ended up with a crash on the first lap, and he was the only driver to pass Shane Stewart all week. Looking for good things out of this kid, and hopefully he will pick up his first 410 win this year, if not two or three wins.
Davey Heskin finished eighth in points last year but if he would have had an engine for twin features night it would have been higher. He has made the A-Main of the Nationals two years in a row and I think he has blossomed into a good driver. He has one career win at Knoxville in a 410, but I think he can win another this year. Good kid too. Very impressed with his demeanor last year as I followed him for a story the week of the Nationals.
Don Droud Jr. is a talented driver, lots of experience, doesn’t tear up equipment, but hopefully Gil Sonner can find a some more power under the hood to get up front and qualify better.
Dustin Selvage will be in his sophomore season in a 410. Good young talent here and is on the verge of a breakout season I think.
Lynton Jeffrey should rebound after a somewhat disappointing 2011, which still found him winning one feature at Knoxville, but 3 finishes of 20th or worse hurt.
Kaley Gharst is back as a Knoxville regular this season driving the Jeremy Scadden #6 sprinter. He has three career 410 wins at Knoxville. A little uncertain how they will perform and how well their equipment is, but he is a proven veteran and glad to have him back.
Bronson Maeschen left the Jordan #1 and is back in his own #96 car this year. Good driver, usually has decent equipment, always qualifies well.
I also look for good things from Josh Schneiderman, Randy Anderson in the Vander Ecken #10, and it sounds like Rage Phillips is back in his own #9 car. Hoping we see Robby Wolfgang to have that breakout season as well if they can find some power under the hood. Rookie of the year contenders are Austin Johnson, TJ Peterson, and Jarrod Schneiderman. Good strong field of cars and I can’t wait to see everyone on the track for opening night on April 21.
Look for Clint Garner to clean up in the 360 class once again. Hopefully contenders Matt Moro, Russ Hall, Jon Agan, Carson McCarl, Jamie Ball, Nate Van Haafton, Dennis Moore Jr., and others can make for an exciting show there. I’m really looking forward to seeing the growth and improvement of Carson and Jamie this year.
In the 305 class we will have Larry Ball Jr as the favorite there, but look for his toughest competition to be Tasker Phillips, Mitchell Alexander, Matt Stephenson, Matthew Stelzer, and a wide open field including nine rookies.
As of right now, the 305 class has the 360 class outnumbered 25 to 20 this season. If you’re going to race for fun, entry level, and at a lesser cost, 305 is the answer. You don’t race for much money ($400 to win) but I think the 305 is going to become what the Sport Mod division has become for IMCA racing (that is a good thing if you’re not familiar with IMCA). I think this is a sign that more people are realizing that 360 racing isn’t any cheaper than a 410, especially with the 435 LS engine option that has a longer life. I foresee the trend of 360 class dwindling to continue at Knoxville barring some sort of major rules changes.
I can’t wait to walk in on opening night on April 21. I need my fix of tenderloin and chicken bites! And don’t forget that on Sunday the 22nd Knoxville is having a Modified, Sport Mod, Stock Car, Hobby Stock special. See you in the stands!
Monday, March 5, 2012
ASCS / WoO and $$$
Over the past year or so I’ve looked into the costs of racing 410 versus 360 sprint cars in depth and from a financial point of view more and more I can’t understand why so many owners are electing to race 360’s. The costs are basically the same other than a 360 engine will save you some rebuilds throughout the season. Now that the season is underway for the World of Outlaws and ASCS we’ve been able to see how many teams plan to run both series’ full time.
As of my count there are 17 drivers trying to run the full 63 race ASCS schedule. Gary Wright, Jason Johnson, Brady Bacon, Tim Crawley, Jack Dover, Tony Bruce Jr., Brad Loyet, Logan Forler, Seth Bergman, Wayne Johnson, Johnny Herrera, Dustin Morgan, Zach Chappell, Derek Hagar, Matt Covington, Aaron Reutzel, Austen Wheatley. Keep in mind ASCS lost last season’s champion Shane Stewart and Jeff Swindell.
The World of Outlaws has 10 full-time racers. Joey Saldana, Donny Schatz, Steve Kinser, Craig Dollanksy, Kraig Kinser, Kerry Madsen, Chad Kemenah, Cody Darrah, Lucas Wolfe, and Bill Rose. Most races will have 4 or 5 part-time teams. Sammy Swindell, Jason Sides, Stevie Smith, Brad Sweet, Brian Brown, Terry McCarl, Shane Stewart, and you can throw in Tony Stewart as well.
ASCS will run 63 nights for $4,000 to win and $400 to start.
WoO will run 75 races that pay $10,000 to win and $800 to start.
ASCS team based in Tulsa, OK would travel 19,109 miles for the season.
WoO team based in Indianapolis, IN would travel 26,620 miles for the season.
Difference of 7,511 miles, which is approximately $4,000 in diesel fuel.
ASCS lets teams change tires any time you push off (there goes your fuel savings).
WoO makes you run one tire all night.
ASCS charges more money for pit passes and to draw your pill. Do more people think the “draw” format is more fair than qualifying? Suddenly that 6 invert in a dash race with the WoO doesn’t sound so bad. For what a team would save in engine rebuilds with a 360 motor, you could recoup that money racing with the WoO, higher purses, cheaper pit passes, and no pill draws. So why are more teams racing with ASCS?
MY CONCLUSION: People race to win.
You want to compete against the TSR and KKR teams of Kinser, Schatz, Saldana, Darrah, and Sweet, and throw in Sammy most nights…. then get your butt handed to you on the PA swings? Most teams would struggle to stay in the top ten. Or would you rather roll the dice on a pill draw and try to win a handful of races a year?
I look at my local track at Knoxville. Why else would there have been 20 cars racing in the 305 class for $400 to win at the end of the 2011 season? It’s not like they were there to race for milk money. I think most people decide what to race (when it comes to traveling a national series) where they think they can WIN within the budget they have. Whether that is a go-kart, hobby stock, modified, late model, or sprint car. But I still don’t understand how you can make a profit from being a full time race car driver. Not without sponsors.
The chances of all 17 ASCS teams making all 63 shows are slim. I don’t want to sound like I’m bashing the ASCS or 360 racing, because I love those races like any race fan. I’ve driven a few hours out of my way to see those shows in my day. But I just don’t see how from the money end of it that many teams can survive.
At some point, the 410 organizations are going to have to find a way to get motor rebuilds from 8 races to 20 plus, because if they don’t 410 racing is going to die a slow death across the country. I think John McCoy and Knoxville Raceway are on to something with this 435 LS engine. Hopefully more people see the benefit of using it soon.
Whatever it is Emmett Hahn and ASCS is doing, it seems to be working. He has more cars racing for less money with just as good of a product on the race track in my eyes. You might not see Steve or Sammy at those shows, but its good racing. I’m just glad there is room for both right now.
Knoxville season preview is coming soon….
As of my count there are 17 drivers trying to run the full 63 race ASCS schedule. Gary Wright, Jason Johnson, Brady Bacon, Tim Crawley, Jack Dover, Tony Bruce Jr., Brad Loyet, Logan Forler, Seth Bergman, Wayne Johnson, Johnny Herrera, Dustin Morgan, Zach Chappell, Derek Hagar, Matt Covington, Aaron Reutzel, Austen Wheatley. Keep in mind ASCS lost last season’s champion Shane Stewart and Jeff Swindell.
The World of Outlaws has 10 full-time racers. Joey Saldana, Donny Schatz, Steve Kinser, Craig Dollanksy, Kraig Kinser, Kerry Madsen, Chad Kemenah, Cody Darrah, Lucas Wolfe, and Bill Rose. Most races will have 4 or 5 part-time teams. Sammy Swindell, Jason Sides, Stevie Smith, Brad Sweet, Brian Brown, Terry McCarl, Shane Stewart, and you can throw in Tony Stewart as well.
ASCS will run 63 nights for $4,000 to win and $400 to start.
WoO will run 75 races that pay $10,000 to win and $800 to start.
ASCS team based in Tulsa, OK would travel 19,109 miles for the season.
WoO team based in Indianapolis, IN would travel 26,620 miles for the season.
Difference of 7,511 miles, which is approximately $4,000 in diesel fuel.
ASCS lets teams change tires any time you push off (there goes your fuel savings).
WoO makes you run one tire all night.
ASCS charges more money for pit passes and to draw your pill. Do more people think the “draw” format is more fair than qualifying? Suddenly that 6 invert in a dash race with the WoO doesn’t sound so bad. For what a team would save in engine rebuilds with a 360 motor, you could recoup that money racing with the WoO, higher purses, cheaper pit passes, and no pill draws. So why are more teams racing with ASCS?
MY CONCLUSION: People race to win.
You want to compete against the TSR and KKR teams of Kinser, Schatz, Saldana, Darrah, and Sweet, and throw in Sammy most nights…. then get your butt handed to you on the PA swings? Most teams would struggle to stay in the top ten. Or would you rather roll the dice on a pill draw and try to win a handful of races a year?
I look at my local track at Knoxville. Why else would there have been 20 cars racing in the 305 class for $400 to win at the end of the 2011 season? It’s not like they were there to race for milk money. I think most people decide what to race (when it comes to traveling a national series) where they think they can WIN within the budget they have. Whether that is a go-kart, hobby stock, modified, late model, or sprint car. But I still don’t understand how you can make a profit from being a full time race car driver. Not without sponsors.
The chances of all 17 ASCS teams making all 63 shows are slim. I don’t want to sound like I’m bashing the ASCS or 360 racing, because I love those races like any race fan. I’ve driven a few hours out of my way to see those shows in my day. But I just don’t see how from the money end of it that many teams can survive.
At some point, the 410 organizations are going to have to find a way to get motor rebuilds from 8 races to 20 plus, because if they don’t 410 racing is going to die a slow death across the country. I think John McCoy and Knoxville Raceway are on to something with this 435 LS engine. Hopefully more people see the benefit of using it soon.
Whatever it is Emmett Hahn and ASCS is doing, it seems to be working. He has more cars racing for less money with just as good of a product on the race track in my eyes. You might not see Steve or Sammy at those shows, but its good racing. I’m just glad there is room for both right now.
Knoxville season preview is coming soon….
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