By T.J. Buffenbarger
Knoxville, IA — (May 14, 2016) — Brian Brown only visited victory lane once at Knoxville Raceway in 2015. This year Brown has already matched that win total by winning Saturday night’s 410 sprint car feature at the Marion County Fairgrounds. Brown’s 31st career win at Knoxville was sealed with a pass for the lead after a caution with four erased a sizeable advantage for Brooke Tatnell. Brown motored around the top of Tatnell through turns one and two and pulled away for the victory.
“My hat goes off to Chad Morgan, Mike Williams, Wyatt Burks. They did a phenomenal job. We’ve ran in third or top three the past eight or nine nights. It’s nice to run second and third, but it’s good to get wins too,” said Brown in victory lane.
Brown was fast as soon as his team unloaded the Charlie Garrett powered/Maxim Chassis off the trailer turning laps near the all-time track record in hot laps. For Brown the good start is what he hopes is the end of what has been a bit of a dry streak for his FVP/Casey’s General Stores sponsored team.
“The Team has been here the past five years, the driver I felt like didn’t do his job the past couple of years. I’m not only the driver but the owner too,” said Brown. “So when something is wrong with the car, That’s not the driver’s fault, it’s not the crew’s fault, it’s the owner’s fault for not fixing the problems. Sometimes it takes wintertime to be able to sift through everything and find out what’s right and what’s wrong. I wish you could see how hard (Brown’s Crew) works. They deserve to win every night.”
In the 360 sprint car division Justin Henderson passed Jamie Ball and checked out to for the victory from eighth starting position. The win was Henderson’s first of the 2016 season, and seventh of his career in the 360 sprint car class at Knoxville.
“(Ball) was doing a really good job there. When we came up on a lapped car I wasn’t quite sure if I was going to have enough time to get under him before we got to the lapped car, but it just kind of worked out our way,” said Henderson in victory lane. “I’m really proud of this team. We’ve been fighting hard all night to find something that was going to work. Brian (Sundby) made me comfortable there in the feature and we were able to march our way to the front.
For Henderson the victory was the first for a couple of different family members.
“It’s great to get a win with basically my father in law, my sister in law, and little niece here tonight. Jillian got to see her first race tonight and we won it for her, so that feels really good,” said Henderson. “This one is for my little boy Max” for his son who was born in April.
In the 305 sprint car class Corey Kautz picked up the victory in a non-stop feature that set a new 15 lap track record of 4:27:02 minutes around the half-mile oval. Kautz his track record setting feature victory also was the first of his career at Knoxville Raceway.
410 Sprint Cars
Tatnell and 410 sprint car rookie Matt Juhl started on the front row of the 20-lap feature. Tatnell opened up a sizeable advantage at the start with Juhl racing with Austin McCarl and Brown for the second position. The first caution appeared with four laps in when McCarl slowed in turn two with a broken power steering line. McCarl retired pit side.
Shortly after the restart the red flag appeared for a big crash involving fast qualifier Bronson Maeschen and A.J. Moeller off of turn two. Both drivers emerged from their cars under their own power.
After a lap six caution for R.J. Johnson hitting the wall in turn four Tatnell missed his line going through turns one and two and allowed Juhl to get a run and briefly nose ahead going down the backstretch before Tatnell took the lead back through turns three and four. As Juhl tried to keep pace Brown found himself in a race with Ian Madsen and Craig Dollansky for the third spot. Madsen got one run under Brown on lap 12, but Brown used his momentum around the top of the race track to maintain the third spot.
Tatnell continued to pull away to what appeared to be an insurmountable advantage when the final caution waved with four laps to go for Scott Bogucki slowing between turns one and two. With Tatnell’s lead erased Brown wasted no time applying pressure for the lead following the restart. On lap 18 Brown raced around the top of Tatnell to take the lead and immediately pulled away. From there Brown was never challenged in route to the win over Tatnell, Dollansky, Tim Kaeding from 17th starting spot, and Juhl rounding out the top five.
Afterwards Brown seemed to appreciate the victory a bit more than in the past due to lack of victories at Knoxville over the past year.
“You don’t realize how much you should cherish this wins at Knoxville at lot more than I have in the past,” said Brown. “You don’t win for two years you start thinking you might never win again.”
360 Sprint Cars
Chris Martin and Alan Zoutte led the field to the start of the 18-lap 360 sprint car feature. After the initial start was called back Martin led through turns one and two before Ian Madsen rocketed from the second row into the lead by the backstretch. Martin then diced with Jamie Ball for the second position before the caution waved for Joe Beaver backing into the fence between turns one and two.
After the restart Ball was able to drive by Martin for second around the top of turns one and two on lap three with Billy Alley doing the same to Martin for third position around turns three and four on the same lap. One lap later Henderson drove by Martin for fourth and set sail after the leaders.
Henderson caught Alley and moved past him for third on lap six. Shortly after the caution appeared on lap 10 when Cade Higday got into the fence between turns three and four. Ball immediately challenged Madsen for the lead after the restart taking the lead into turn one. Madsen then gave up second to Henderson in turn three.
Henderson quickly closed in to challenge ball for the lead. As they approached slower traffic Henderson took advantage of one slip by Ball to drive under him to take the lead into turn one. From there Henderson went onto victory with Ball and Madsen rounding out the podium.
305 Sprint Cars
In the 305 sprint car feature Kautz took the lead from Mike Mayberry around the top of turn four with five laps to go. Mayberry held off McKenna Hasse for the runner up spot with Chris Walraven and Mitchell Alexander rounding out the top five.
KNOXVILLE RACEWAY, Knoxville, IA
May 14, 2016
410 RESULTS
Time Trials, 1. 96, Bronson Maeschen, Pleasantville, IA (21), 14.885; 2. 21, Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO (8), 15.037; 3. 18, Ian Madsen, St. Marys, NSW, Aust (2), 15.089; 4. 17A, Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA (7), 15.208; 5. 84, Scott Bogucki, McLaren Vale, SA, Au (22), 15.244; 6. 2, Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO (14), 15.245; 7. O9, Matt Juhl, Sioux Falls, SD (4), 15.288; 8. 55, Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aus (25), 15.293; 9. 82, Dusty Zomer, Sioux Falls, SD (11), 15.295; 10. 56N, Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN (9), 15.303; 11. 2KS, Craig Dollansky, Elk River, MN (23), 15.334; 12. 7W, Tasker Phillips, Pleasantville, IA (24), 15.352; 13. 12, Lynton Jeffrey, Sydney, NSW, Aust. (12), 15.36; 14. 1, Justin Henderson, Sioux Falls, SD (17), 15.394; 15. 20, AJ Moeller, Rockwell City, IA (18), 15.449; 16. 13, Mark Dobmeier, Grand Forks, ND (15), 15.462; 17. 7, Dustin Selvage, Indianola, IA (3), 15.482; 18. 49, Josh Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA (19), 15.486; 19. 3, Tim Kaeding, San Jose, CA (20), 15.531; 20. 71A, RJ Johnson, Tampa, FL (13), 15.595; 21. 10, Dakota Hendrickson, Omaha, NE (10), 15.65; 22. 1B, Jake Bubak, Arvada, CO (1), 15.833; 23. 44, Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA (16), 15.917; 24. 35, Kevin Hetrick, Gladstone, IL (5), 16.025; 25. 19, Bob Weuve, Newton, IA (6), 16.042;
Heat 1, 8 Laps, No Time: 1. Mark Dobmeier (1); 2. Lynton Jeffrey (2); 3. Matt Juhl (4); 4. Davey Heskin (3); 5. Tim Kaeding (7); 6. Austin McCarl (5); 7. Bronson Maeschen (6); 8. Jake Bubak (8); 9. Bob Weuve (9);
Heat 2, 8 Laps, No Time: 1. Brian Brown (6); 2. Justin Henderson (2); 3. Dustin Selvage (1); 4. Brooke Tatnell (4); 5. Craig Dollansky (3); 6. RJ Johnson (7); 7. Scott Bogucki (5); 8. Chris Martin (8);
Heat 3, 8 Laps, No Time: 1. AJ Moeller (2); 2. Dusty Zomer (4); 3. Josh Schneiderman (1); 4. Tasker Phillips (3); 5. Danny Lasoski (5); 6. Ian Madsen (6); 7. Dakota Hendrickson (7); 8. Kevin Hetrick (8);
A main, 20 Laps, No Time: 1. Brian Brown (6); 2. Brooke Tatnell (1); 3. Craig Dollansky (9); 4. Tim Kaeding (17); 5. Matt Juhl (2); 6. Ian Madsen (5); 7. Dusty Zomer (7); 8. Justin Henderson (12); 9. Danny Lasoski (3); 10. Davey Heskin (8); 11. Dustin Selvage (15); 12. Mark Dobmeier (14); 13. Tasker Phillips (10); 14. Josh Schneiderman (16); 15. Lynton Jeffrey (11); 16. Chris Martin (23); 17. Dakota Hendrickson (21); 18. Scott Bogucki (20); 19. Kevin Hetrick (24); 20. Bob Weuve (25); 21. Jake Bubak (22); 22. RJ Johnson (18); 23. AJ Moeller (13); 24. Bronson Maeschen (19); 25. Austin McCarl (4);
360 RESULTS
Time Trials, 1. 53, Joe Beaver, Knoxville, IA (17), 16.055; 2. 9, Ryan Giles, West Des Moines, IA (3), 16.14; 3. 18, Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aus (18), 16.175; 4. 5J, Jamie Ball, Knoxville, IA (12), 16.184; 5. 4, Jon Agan, Knoxville, IA (6), 16.22; 6. 33, Alan Zoutte, Knoxville, IA (5), 16.311; 7. 44, Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA (9), 16.324; 8. 10, Calvin Landis, Knoxville, IA (8), 16.326; 9. 3A, Billy Alley, Bennet, NE (10), 16.354; 10. 1, Justin Henderson, Sioux Falls, SD (15), 16.357; 11. 22, Tony Shilling, Knoxville, IA (25), 16.361; 12. 24, Kade Higday, Pleasant Hill, IA (14), 16.365; 13. 82, Dusty Zomer, Brandon, SD (21), 16.391; 14. 2M, Matt Moro, Polk City, IA (13), 16.409; 15. 33V, Mike Van Haaften, Otley, IA (2), 16.412; 16. 40, Clint Garner, Sioux Falls, SD (4), 16.42; 17. 3, Nate Van Haaften, Otley, IA (7), 16.455; 18. 3P, Sawyer Phillips, Pleasantville, IA (24), 16.527; 19. 8L, Tom Lenz, Marion, IA (11), 16.54; 20. 18R, Ryan Roberts, Aurora, NE (22), 16.559; 21. 2, Derrik Lusk, Jackson, MN (1), 16.792; 22. 14J, Josh Riggins, Newton, IA (20), 16.853; 23. 19, Rob Weuve, Oakland Acres, IA (16), 17.593; 24. 83, Dave Getchell, Sperry, IA (23), 17.701; 25. 1A, John Anderson, Des Moines, IA (19), 17.934;
Heat 1, 7 Laps, No Time: 1. Dusty Zomer (2); 2. Clint Garner (1); 3. Chris Martin (4); 4. Justin Henderson (3); 5. Jamie Ball (5); 6. Joe Beaver (6); 7. Josh Riggins (8); 8. Tom Lenz (7); 9. John Anderson (9);
Heat 2, 7 Laps, No Time: 1. Nate Van Haaften (1); 2. Matt Moro (2); 3. Calvin Landis (4); 4. Tony Shilling (3); 5. Ryan Giles (6); 6. Rob Weuve (8); 7. Ryan Roberts (7); 8. Jon Agan (5);
Heat 3, 7 Laps, No Time: 1. Sawyer Phillips (1); 2. Billy Alley (4); 3. Ian Madsen (6); 4. Kade Higday (3); 5. Mike Van Haaften (2); 6. Alan Zoutte (5); 7. Derrik Lusk (7); 8. Dave Getchell (8);
A main, 18 Laps, No Time: 1. Justin Henderson (9); 2. Jamie Ball (3); 3. Ian Madsen (4); 4. Clint Garner (15); 5. Billy Alley (8); 6. Dusty Zomer (12); 7. Chris Martin (1); 8. Tony Shilling (10); 9. Nate Van Haaften (16); 10. Ryan Giles (5); 11. Sawyer Phillips (17); 12. Josh Riggins (23); 13. Matt Moro (13); 14. Tom Lenz (20); 15. Calvin Landis (7); 16. John Anderson (25); 17. Rob Weuve (18); 18. Kade Higday (11); 19. Alan Zoutte (2); 20. Mike Van Haaften (14); 21. Derrik Lusk (22); 22. Dave Getchell (24); 23. Joe Beaver (6);
305 RESULTS
Time Trials, 1. 85, Chase Wanner, Agency, IA (1), 16.834; 2. 56W, Chris Walraven, Knoxville, IA (6), 17.091; 3. 15, Christian Bowman, Altoona, IA (18), 17.121; 4. 5J, Devin Kline, Knoxville, IA (15), 17.126; 5. 55, McKenna Haase, Des Moines, IA (7), 17.148; 6. 56, Joe Simbro, Pleasantville, IA (5), 17.169; 7. O, Mike Mayberry, Fremont, IA (14), 17.268; 8. 51, Corey Kautz, Urbandale, IA (2), 17.315; 9. 33, Trevor Smith, Sanborn, IA (3), 17.324; 10. 99, Matthew Stelzer, Omaha, NE (10), 17.328; 11. 76, Brad Comegys, Bondurant, IA (4), 17.41; 12. 92C, Cody Ambers, Knoxville, IA (9), 17.601; 13. 6, Mitchell Alexander, Knoxville, IA (12), 17.694; 14. 11B, Ben Woods, Newton, IA (8), 17.786; 15. 41D, Dan Henning, Columbia, IA (17), 18.14; 16. 71C, Stacey Alexander, Lacona, IA (11), 18.25; 17. 12, Tyler Glass, Cedar Rapids, IA (16), 18.397; 18. O2S, Josh Jones, Knoxville, IA (13), No Time;
Heat 1, 6 Laps, No Time: 1. Mike Mayberry (3); 2. Brad Comegys (1); 3. Mitchell Alexander (7); 4. Trevor Smith (2); 5. McKenna Haase (4); 6. Christian Bowman (5); 7. Chase Wanner (6); 8. Dan Henning (8); 9. Tyler Glass (9);
Heat 2, 6 Laps, No Time: 1. Joe Simbro (4); 2. Matthew Stelzer (2); 3. Chris Walraven (6); 4. Corey Kautz (3); 5. Stacey Alexander (8); 6. Ben Woods (7); 7. Cody Ambers (1);
A main, 15 Laps, No Time: 1. Corey Kautz (1); 2. Mike Mayberry (2); 3. McKenna Haase (4); 4. Chris Walraven (6); 5. Mitchell Alexander (10); 6. Christian Bowman (5); 7. Matthew Stelzer (8); 8. Stacey Alexander (12); 9. Joe Simbro (3); 10. Chase Wanner (13); 11. Trevor Smith (7); 12. Ben Woods (11); 13. Tyler Glass (16); 14. Dan Henning (15);