From Bill W
November 21, 2009 – The Knoxville Raceway banquet was held on Saturday, November 21 in the Dyer-Hudson bulding on the Marion County Fairgrounds in Knoxville, Iowa. Headlining the night’s events was the announcement from marketing director, Brian Stickel, that Lucas Oil would again sponsor the 2010 Knoxville Championship Cup Series. The track will pay out well over two million dollars in purse money in 2010.
Race Director, Ralph Capitani later commented on a deal with Goodyear. In addition to being one of the most lucrative Nationals sponsors in history, they would be handling the point fund for the track, as well as supplying one free right rear and left rear tire to each of the 21 drivers who qualified for the point race in 2009. In addition, Goodyear will have their own points race, with drivers eligible to compete for free tires during the season. Goodyear has signed a three-year deal to sponsor the Knoxville Nationals. The 50th edition held August 11-14, 2010 will pay out more than $1,000,000 in prize money.
The band “Retro Jukebox” entertained the throng throughout the reception and dinner. The entertainment was followed by the Award ceremony.
Long-time Knoxville fan and supporter, John Tomasek of Grinnell, received the first honor of the night as this year’s “Heritage Award”. Bob Baker, from the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum also presented Capitani with his “Outstanding Contribution to the Sport” of 410 racing award. The award is conducted through a poll of builders, manufacturers and others in the sport.
Both 410 and 360 drivers finishing outside of the top five in points were honored next. Logan Mason was named the “Junior Fan of the Year”, and Matt Moro (360) and Skip Jackson (410) were named “Junior Fan Club Drivers of the Year”. The award was Skip’s fifth in a row, while Matt Moro won the award for the second year in a row in that category.
The Knoxville Racing Charitable Organization received praise for their commitment to safety in sprint car racing. In turn, the KRCO presented their contingencies for all drivers qualifying for the point standings. Included in each driver’s package were a new driver’s suit, underwear, gloves, and insurance covering the drivers wherever they may compete in a racecar.
The “Lyle Boyd Hard Charger Award” was next on the agenda, awarding the drivers who passed the most cars in A main events this season. Dustin Selvage received the award in the 360 class, and Kerry Madsen was the 410 winner. Ryan Roberts (360) and Bronson Maeschen (410) were named the “Most Improved Driver” in their respective classes.
Missouri’s Brian Brown received the honor of 410 “Owner of the Year”, while owner/driver Gregg Bakker from Sioux Falls, South Dakota took home the same award in the 360 class for the second year in a row. Dusty Zomer was the honoree in the “Sportsman of the Year” category in the 410 class, and was joined in the 360 class by Johnny Anderson. Finally, “Rookie of the Year” Awards went out to Chris Morgan (410) and Jonathan Cornell (360).
The big hardware went out last to the top five drivers and owners in the point standings. In the 360 class, Dennis Moore Jr. (5th), Ryan Roberts (4th), Dustin Selvage (3rd), Jonathan Cornell (2nd) and Clint Garner (champion) were honored in the driver category, while Dwight Snodgrass (5th), Roberts (4th), Ray Grimes (3rd), Kiowa Line Builders (2nd), and Boyd and Glenda Fluth (champion) received owner awards. The championships were the first in the careers of Garner and the Fluth’s.
In the 410 class, Don Droud Jr. (5th), Dusty Zomer (4th), Terry McCarl (3rd), Brian Brown (2nd) and Johnny Herrera (champion) were drivers honored, while owner awards went to Gil Sonner (5th), Ed and Theresa Gifford (4th), Brian Brown Racing (3rd), Larry and Lori Woodward (2nd) and Tod Quiring (champion). Officially, it was the second career championship for Herrera, who also won in 1995.
Drivers qualifying for points all won contingency awards as well. The big winners won a new chassis. Dustin Selvage and Ryan Anderson received new J&J chassis, while the Jordan Brothers #1 team brought home a Maxim chassis.
For more info, visit www.KnoxvilleRaceway.com!