Inside Line Promotions
– KNOXVILLE, Iowa (Aug. 2) – It wasn’t exactly the best sign.
Jack Dover’s engine broke a valve with a little more than one lap remaining last Saturday at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa, in his last “test” before the prestigious 360 Knoxville Nationals this weekend.
“I saw the white flag when it let go,” the Springfield, Neb., resident said. “I coasted, but I couldn’t make it around the track.”
Dover had charged from 16th to sixth in the 15-lap feature at the famed ½-mile dirt oval, where he will race this Friday and Saturday. Last weekend he was in vintage form gaining 10 positions in a dozen laps.
In the last two 360 Knoxville Nationals finales, Dover has driven from 18th to sixth last year and from 18th to seventh in 2009. While his finishes have been solid, he wants a better preliminary result to set himself up for the Saturday finale.
In 2009, an engine issue thwarted his preliminary night while he was running second. And last year he finished 15th after being mired in the B Main and coming from nearly last in the main event.
“Every lap and every pass counts on that preliminary night because those are points that line you up for Saturday,” he said. “We’ve worked hard the few times at Knoxville this year to set ourselves up for this weekend.”
Prior to last Saturday’s race, Dover and his crew built a new car and then installed a freshened engine on Thursday. He timed in 20th quickest and won his heat race by half a lap.
That put him 16th in the feature and it didn’t take long for him to work forward. He was challenging for a top five when the engine issue dropped him to a 21st-place result. Despite the hard luck, Dover is very optimistic about this weekend.
“We’ve got a good car and good power,” he said. “We’re pretty organized and my dad is helping get that engine freshened so hopefully we can have it this weekend.
“If everything goes well, we should be a top-five car.”
For live updates of Dover and the rest of the exciting scene in the pits and on the track from the 360 Knoxville Nationals, check out www.insidelinepromotions.com.
QUICK RESULTS –
July 30 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 20; Heat race: 1 (2); Feature: 21 (16).
SEASON STATS –
29 races, 28 features, 6 wins, 20 top fives, 25 top 10s, 26 top 15s, 27 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Friday and Saturday at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa, for the 360 Knoxville Nationals
FAVORITE NUMBER –
12: Cars passed in last year’s 360 Knoxville Nationals finale at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa, where Dover charged from 18th to sixth.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS –
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/JackDoverRacing
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/jackdoverracing
ON THE AIR –
Dover was a featured guest on the ASCS Show with Racinboys on June 14 after his win at the Eagle Nationals. His interview starts around 18:40.
http://www.meridix.com/mbp/general/index.php?liveid=Racinboys&recordid=19427
He was also on the ASCS Show with Racinboys on June 7. Check out the link below for his interview, which begins around the 6:50 mark.
http://www.meridix.com/mbp/general/index.php?liveid=Racinboys&recordid=19351
Here’s a link to some on-board video of Dover winning his heat race at Knoxville Raceway on June 4:
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Thorpe’s Body Shop
Located in Papillion, Neb., Thorpe’s Body Shop has been a leader in body work and repair for almost 30 years.
“Thorpe’s Auto Body makes my car look the best every year,” Dover said. “My godfather owns it and his team do an awesome job on my race cars.”
Dover would also like to thank Trail Performance Coatings, Inc., Home Pride Companies, Inc., Certified Transmission, Shaver Engines, Eagle Motorsports, Inc., The Oil Medics and ButlerBuilt for their continued support.