KXV Mid-Season Championship & HoF Night

This week at the Knoxville Raceway was Hall of Fame night as five new members were added to the Hall. Congratulations to Craig Agan, Randy Brisel, Tony Moro, Grant Rankin, and Jeff Tuttle. All of them were very deserving people who have helped make Knoxville Raceway what it has become today. The weather was gorgeous on this Saturday night with 84 degrees, sunshine, 51% humidity, and no wind as the night began. The Dunkin’s prepared a perfect racing surface this week, and the weather cooperated. The 360 and 410 features were amazing, probably the best races of the season in both classes.

Brad Sweet Wins at Knoxville!

The World of Outlaws STP sprint cars came to Knoxville Raceway this past Saturday night with (48) 410 cars entered for the night. A great crowd was on hand, one of the biggest non-Nationals crowds that I can remember. This was the only chance fans have this season to see the WoO compete at Knoxville before the Nationals in August. There was also a large contingent of AMA motorcycle fans in attendance on this night as their big race was on Sunday afternoon, so some cross-over fan building was happening.

It was a rough day weather wise with warm sunny conditions, 18mph winds, and gusts of 35. It was nearly impossible to get moisture to hold in the track, and the wind never did die down. Track conditions were demanding.

Knoxville Raceway Hall of Fame: Randy Brisel

Randy Brisel of Newton is being inducted into the Knoxville Raceway Hall of Fame this coming Saturday night. Brisel is a life-long resident of Newton, husband to Judy, father to sons Dustin and Trent, and after 31 years he retired from Maytag. Back in July of 1973 Randy was asked by his supervisor Wendell Winters if he wanted to help with the safety crew for a night at Knoxville. After that first night Randy was hooked. Randy served on the Knoxville Raceway safety crew for the next 40 years, finally hanging up his fire suit at the end of the 2013 season. Only one other member of the safety crew has been inducted before him, Francis “Shorty” Hulgan in 1989. “Shorty” was a close friend to Randy. “That was so cool that Shorty was inducted back then, he was a good friend and taught me a lot, but no one else from the crew had been honored until now, so I didn’t think this was really ever going to happen. I am so honored that I was chosen,” said Brisel. “I’ve seen a lot change at Knoxville over the years, from a wooden grandstand to the facility it is today. I’m proud to have been a part of that, but I’m prouder that racing is way safer today than when I started. So many improvements in the cars, the track, the personal equipment the drivers have now with arm restraints, better helmets and seats, fire protection, head and neck restraints, it has come a long way.”

Hall of Fame and WoO Ramblings

Week #7 at Knoxville Raceway was washed out after time trials. All teams were given show up points and ticket stubs may be used this coming Saturday night, and kids will once again be free admission.  Hard to believe we made it through April and almost all of May without one rainout. The last time we made it this long without a rain out to start a season was 2010 when we raced the first seven weeks. We made it six weeks in a row to start the 2005 season.