By Bill Wright
Windom, MN (August 3, 2015) – The First Annual “Road to Knoxville” at I-80 Speedway near Greenwood, Nebraska ensured one thing. There will be a Second Annual “Road to Knoxville”! Promoters Phil Durst, Jim Huffman and Joe Kosiski created a great event that saw the unique (Sandy Vee Anderson as Dolly Parton, and a co-sanction with two major sprint car bodies) and the not so unique (Danny Lasoski winning two more big features). In the end, a big crowd enjoyed the festivities in an event that is sure to only grow bigger and better.
15,000 Reasons to Enjoy I-80 – Danny Lasoski has had his share of success on the 4/10-mile oval in Nebraska, but enjoying a sweep of the “Road to Knoxville” to the tune of $15,000 ($5,000 Thursday, $10,000 Friday) must have been pretty sweet! He also picked up quick time in Minnesota Mafia Time Trials both nights. The Dover, Missouri driver has chalked up an incredible 13 top fives in fifteen NSL events. Ian Madsen, who picked up the companion Lucas Oil ASCS National Series win Thursday night is second with seven top fives.
Dolly, Wolfgang and Trostle – In a scene that could only be categorized as surreal, Dolly Parton impersonator Sandy Vee Anderson, and National Sprint Car Hall of Famers Doug Wolfgang and Bob Trostle interacted with fans and signed autographs. If you were wondering, all had a line for autographs! Sandy performed both nights before hot laps and briefly during intermission. She also served as the trophy girl.
BC Breaks – What looked like a great night Friday for Bryan Clauson turned ugly in a hurry. His mount went up in smoke while battling for second with Tim Kaeding. Things turned for him on Saturday, however, when he won his third career Belleville Nationals in Kansas aboard Joe Dooling’s #63 midget.
T-KSE – There’s no truth to the rumor that Tim Kaeding is buying KSE Racing Products any time soon. He seems to be making a major statement, however, and he picked up his sixth KSE Hard-charger Award of the year on Thursday. Friday, the San Jose, California driver was more than content to qualify a bit better and his starting spot netted in a strong second place finish. Thoughts and prayers go out to Tim’s family and his grandfather Bob “Soapbox”.
Rebounding from a Nightmare – After a strong fourth place run on Thursday night, Wisconsin’s Bill Balog needed a motor change after hot laps on Friday. After he failed to get a time in, he charged from 20th to 10th in Friday’s main event. Only 151 points separate Kaeding in second in the standings from Balog in fifth.
Newcomers Shine – In only his second appearance with the NSL, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia’s “The Real Deal” Jamie Veal led sixteen laps before getting passed by Lasoski. He would finish second. Roseville, California’s Willie Croft was making not only his first NSL appearance, but his first ever in the Midwest. He finished fifth in his debut on Thursday.
Double Duty – Brian Brown, who finished second and third with ASCS, Ian Madsen, Bill Balog driving for Gary Swenson) and Stu Snyder (who blew up his 410 Thursday) were the drivers who raced with both sprint car series last weekend.
TMAC is Back – Altoona, Iowa’s Terry McCarl put himself back in third place in the standings with a strong weekend. He came home on the podium in third on Thursday before a fourth place finish on Friday. He and wife Lori will now prepare for the next FVP National Sprint League event, the $20,000 to win Front Row Challenge, Monday, August 10 at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa!!!
For more information on the FVP National Sprint League, visit www.NationalSprintLeague.com!
Photo: Most of the folks in this Danny Lasoski Victory Lane shot were on the “Road to Knoxville” (Doug Johnson Photo)
2015 FVP National Sprint League Driver Point Standings (Top 25)
- Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO 2 4933
- Tim Kaeding, San Jose, CA 3 4187
- Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA 24 4117
- Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust. 18 4097
- Bill Balog, Brookfield, WI 17B 4036
- Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO 21 3936
- Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN 17w 3879
- Mark Dobmeier, Grand Forks, ND 13 3788
- Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aust. 55 3495
- Lynton Jeffrey, Prairie City, IA 12 3397
- Dusty Zomer, Sioux Falls, SD 82 3027
- Matt Juhl, Tea, SD 09 2928
- Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA 17A 2699
- Tasker Phillips, Pleasantville, IA 7TAZ 2544
- Dakota Hendrickson, Omaha, NE 5H 2191
- Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN 56 1951
- Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA 44 1557
- Austin Johnson, Pleasant Hill, IA 81 1347
- Stu Snyder, Waverly, NE 23s 1159
- Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO o5 1115
- Craig Dollansky, Elk River, MN 2KS 1057
- Josh Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA 49 1047
- Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL 9 1028
- Kaley Gharst, Decatur, IL 7 949
- Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD 25 864
2015 FVP National Sprint League Schedule
Saturday, April 11 – 34 Raceway (Wayne Johnson, Knoxville, IA)
Friday, May 8 – Eagle Raceway (Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO)$
Saturday, May 9 – Knoxville Raceway (Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO) ($20,000 bonus from Durst Motorplex to win Eagle and Knoxville)*$
Friday, May 15 – Jacksonville Speedway, “Sprints Gone Wild” w/MOWA (Rain)
Friday, May 22 – Jackson Speedway, Folkens Bros. Trucking Spring Nationals – $10,000 to win! (Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA)
Sunday, May 24 – Huset’s Speedway (Rain)*
Thursday, May 28 – St. Francois County Raceway, “March Through Missouri” (Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO)
Friday, May 29 – Randolph County Raceway, “March Through Missouri” (Rain)
Saturday, June 27 – Knoxville Raceway, Mid-Season Championship, $5,000 to win (Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO)*
Friday, July 3 – Huset’s Speedway, $5,000 to win (Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO)*
Saturday, July 4 – Knoxville Raceway (Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA)*
Friday, July 10 – Park Jefferson International Speedway (Mark Dobmeier, Grand Forks, ND)
Tuesday, July 21 – Hancock County Speedway (Bill Balog, Brookfield, WI)+
Wednesday, July 22 – Iowa State Fair Speedway (Craig Dollansky, Elk River, MN)+
Thursday, July 23 – Jackson Speedway (Dusty Zomer, Sioux Falls, SD)+
Sunday, July 26 – Huset’s Speedway (Mark Dobmeier, Grand Forks, ND)*
Thursday, July 30 – I-80 Speedway “Road to Knoxville” $5,000 to win (Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO)
Friday, July 31 – I-80 Speedway “Road to Knoxville” $10,000 to win (Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO)
Monday, August 10 – Southern Iowa Speedway, $20,000 to win Front Row Challenge (Oskaloosa, IA)
Friday, August 21 – Fairmont Raceway (Fairmont, MN)
Saturday, August 22 – Clay County Fair Speedway (Spencer, IA)
Friday, Augusts 28 – Randolph County Raceway (Moberly, MO)
Saturday, August 29 – Knoxville Raceway, $5,000 to win (Knoxville, IA)*
Sunday, August 30 – Angell Park Speedway, w/IRA (Sun Prairie, WI)
Friday, September 4 – Jackson Speedway, Jackson Nationals (Jackson, MN)
Saturday, September 5 – Jackson Speedway, Jackson Nationals (Jackson, MN)*
Sunday, September 6 – Huset’s Speedway (Brandon, SD)
Friday, September 11 – Eagle Raceway, Nebraska Cup (Eagle, NE)
Saturday, September 12 – Cedar Lake Speedway, Jerry Richert Memorial w/IRA (New Richmond, WI)
Friday, October 2 – I-80 Speedway, “Fearless 410 Finale” (Greenwood, NE)
Saturday, October 3 – I-80 Speedway, “Fearless 410 Finale” (Greenwood, NE)
*-DeBerg Concrete Triple Crown Challenge Eligibility Race (Must win one at Knoxville, Huset’s and the Jackson Nationals finale September 5)
+-FVP National Sprint League Fair Speedweek
$-Durst Motorplex $20,000 Bonus for Sweeping
FVP National Sprint League
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FVP National Sprint League Series Sponsors
Abdo, Eick & Meyers
Arnold Motor Supply
Bank Midwest
Bosma Poultry
Casey’s General Stores
Hoosier Tire – Official Tire of the NSL
Octane Ink
Okoboji Motor Company – Official automobile supplier of the NSL
Rossie Feed & Grain
The Craft Agency
FVP National Sprint League Contingency Sponsors
Bell Racing – “Hard Luck Award”
Brown & Miller Racing Solutions – “3 for 3 Award”
Bulterbuilt – “Unique Tweet your Seat Award”
Cobblestone Hotel & Suites of Knoxville, Iowa
DMI – “Heat Award”
Fuel Safe – “Heat/Dash Award”
Hooker Harness – “Locked-in Award”
Kaeding Performance – “Heat Award”
Hoosier Tire – “Heat Award”
KSE Racing Products – “Hard-charger Award”
Minnesota Mafia – “Quick Time Award”
Speedway Graphics – “From the Tail Award”
Ti22 – “Good as New with Ti22 Award”
Vortex Racing Products – “Clean Sweep Award”
About FVP
Built on a commitment to quality and delivered with unmatched service, FVP has been the confident solution for customers worldwide. FVP products, distributed by Factory Motor Parts, are engineered to provide OE quality that is equal or superior in performance to national brands at a competitive price. FVP offers batteries, radiators, condensers, hub assemblies, automotive filters, antifreeze, DEF, oil, ATF and automotive chemicals. FVP is also the title sponsor of the 55th Annual Knoxville Nationals and Sprint Car Driver, Brian Brown. Find a local parts professional near you on FVPparts.com to experience the confident solution. Visit them online at www.FVPParts.com!