By Brian Liskai
KNOXVILLE, Iowa – -(8-15-10) Defending O’Reilly Auto Parts
All Star Circuit of Champions titlest Tim Shaffer is arguably the hottest
sprint car driver in the country. He proved that Saturday, becoming the
first driver in nearly 20 years who is not a regular with the World of
Outlaws to win the world’s biggest sprint car race, the 50th Annual
Goodyear Knoxville Nationals presented by Lucas Oil.
Shaffer, who set quick time during qualifications on Wednesday night at the
famed Knoxville Raceway, ran in the top five most of the 50-lap
championship race Saturday, biding his time while Sammy Swindell and Donny
Schatz, who had won the last four straight Knoxville Nationals, battled up
front. When Swindell popped a tire and got upside down with less than five
laps remaining, Shaffer was not sitting in second. The Aliquippa,
Pennsylvania driver known as “The Steel City Outlaw,” then traded slide
jobs several times with Schatz as the over 23,000 fans were on their feet
roaring their approval. Shaffer would drive to the win and the $150,000
prize with his fist pumping in the air as the huge fireworks display went
off.
Shaffer, who won the feature on his qualifying night last year at
Knoxville, has won 10 All Star features this season, including a string of
five straight during the annual Thunder Through the Plains, which included
a victory over the World of Outlaws at I-55 Raceway the weekend prior to
the Knoxville Nationals. That was his 30th career All Star victory as he is
pulling away for a second consecutive All Star title and the $50,000 top
prize.
Shaffer was quick to point out his success is due to his team, which
includes owners Janet Holbrook and Aaron Call and veteran crew chief Brian
Kemenah and a host of other crew members who attend the races when their
work schedules allow. The car is sponsored by Kistler Engines, Kistler
Racing Productrs, Technique Roofing, VRP Shocks and J&J Racing.
“We are so proud of what the Tim and the CH Motorsports team accomplished
at Knoxville. It shows the All Stars have some of the best talent in the
country and Tim’s victory at the world’s biggest sprint car event proves
that,” said All Star President Guy Webb.
Also, Watertown, Connecticut’s David Gravel, who currently sits third in
the All Star point standings and who snagged the prestigious Ohio Sprint
Speedweek title, was named the Rookie of the Year for the Goodyear
Knoxville Nationals presented by Lucas Oil.
“David had a wonderful Thunder Through the Plains and ran his heart out on
the biggest stage of sprint car racing,” said Webb of the driver of the DDR
Motorsports #89G. “This young man is starting to attract the attention he
deserves…he is one of the most talented young (18-years-old) drivers in
the country.”