McCarl Returns Home to Capture Knoxville Season Opener
By Bob Wilson

KNOXVILLE, Ia - (April 22, 2006) - Six-time Knoxville Raceway track champion Terry McCarl conquered the field once again at Knoxville Raceway Saturday night to capture the 53rd season opener at this storied central Iowa racing facility.

Skip Jackson utilized the pole starting position to take the early lead as he hugged the pole on this big half mile dirt track. McCarl fell in behind him but cruised the top on the cushion where the oval turns in to a five-eighths distance. Lap three saw that duo fly past the flagstand in a photo finish with McCarl taking that lap by a hair.

McCarl continued to race on the top of the track but Jackson relished the bottom and in fact took the lead at the end of five laps as McCarl's high route was not the fast way around on this night. Right away Terry saw the error of his ways and shot to the bottom coming out of turn two on the next go around to take the lead for good. From this point onward McCarl ran low until he hit lap traffic at the half-way point, then he had to use various grooves.

Behind him Jackson had his hands full with defending track champion Kerry Madsen. The two Aussies never exchanged positions but their eventual finishes were in doubt for the entire 10-mile distance. Fourth running Clint Garner stayed at a distance and was never a threat.

With McCarl holding a 15 car-length lead at the half-way point, he began to extend his margin over Jackson. Even in lap traffic the McCarl Eagle was able to maneuver cleanly around the Knoxville oval. With sixteen laps in the books he had a full straight away lead which was nearly what he would win by on this season opening night. The victory was McCarl's 42nd here which placed him at fourth all time and paid the Altoona, Iowa driver $3,000.

McCarl, who is currently running with the World of Outlaws, led a contingent of drivers from that group to this Marion County Fairgrounds. A delegation of the competing National Sprint Tour (NST) group also was on hand led by Danny Lasoski. Lasoski experienced engine woes and dropped for the evening during his qualifying heat race. NST member Jason Meyers, who set fast time on the night, had to qualify through the B Main in order to make the tail of the feature where he finished 12th.

Jackson bested Madsen to the line for second, Garner held for fourth and Shane Stewart took fifth. Rounding out the top ten were Jason Solwold, Brooke Tatnell, Donny Schatz, Travis Rilat and Wayne Johnson.

The season opener for the 360 division saw a new winner on Knoxville soil as Chuck Swenson took the fifteen lapper as well as a paycheck for $1.250. Swenson grabbed the lead on lap one from his row three starting position and nearly held it for the distance.

Swenson was chased throughout the race by John Kearney who was always close. Lap eight saw Kearney make a pass to claim the lap but Swenson came right back on the next circuit to reclaim the top spot

Two red flags in the early portion of the event saw the cars of Joe Beaver and Eric Jobe crashing into the turn four fence in separate incidents. Once the race had officially recorded six laps it is worth noting that defending track champion Jake Peters had made his way to third after starting 15th.

At lap ten it was Swenson, Kearney and Peters. Johnny Anderson was fourth, Jon Corbin held fifth and Jeff Mitrisin, a B Main transfer ran at sixth after starting 17th. Swenson enjoyed a ten car length advantage.

In the waning laps Swenson edged into lap traffic and Kearney closed in on him rapidly. Though they ran nose to tail on the white flag lap, the track had turned hard and slick with rubber being laid down in the low groove making passing difficult. With this condition on the track, Kearney made one last attempt to get by Swenson in turn three of the final lap. The move caused him to lose temporary control of his sprinter and Peters was able to pass him for the runner-up spot.

Finishing behind those top three were Anderson, Mitrisin, Corbin, Frankie Heimbaugh and Stacey Alexander. Curt Lund and Josh Higday formed the top ten finishers.

Thirty-seven 410s and forty-six 360s signed through the pit gate.

KNOXVILLE RACEWAY, Knoxville, IA
April 22, 2006


410 RESULTS

Time Trials: 1. Jason Meyers, Clovis CA, 15.693; 2. Brooke Tatnell, San Souci, NSW, Aust. , 15.754; 3. Donny Schatz, Fargo ND, 15.797; 4. Ryan Anderson, Charter Oak IA, 15.801; 5. Jason Solwold, Mt. Vernon WA, 15.803; 6. Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City OK, 15.807; 7. Brian Brown, Grain Valley MO, 15.935; 8. Shane Stewart, Bixby OK, 15.947; 9. Kerry Madsen, Sydney, NSW, Aust. , 15.979; 10. Terry McCarl, Altoona IA, 15.991; 11. Danny Lasoski, Dover MO, 16.005; 12. Clint Garner, Sioux Falls SD, 16.029; 13. Skip Jackson, Sydney, NSW, Aust. , 16.033; 14. Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa PA, 16.033; 15. Travis Rilat, Forney TX, 16.034; 16. Calvin Landis, Knoxville IA, 16.055; 17. Jerrel Slinkard, Melcher-Dallas IA, 16.078; 18. Tim St. Arnold, Des Moines IA, 16.157; 19. Billy Alley, Lincoln NE, 16.165; 20. Lynton Jeffrey, Sydney, NSW, Aust./Prairie City IA, 16.182; 21. Jesse Giannetto, Palo IA, 16.185; 22. Chad Meyer, Sioux Falls SD, 16.208; 23. Chris Walraven, Knoxville IA, 16.222; 24. Mark Dobmeier, Grand Forks ND, 16.258; 25. Matt Moro, Ankeny IA, 16.261; 26. Dusty Zomer, (R) Brandon SD, 16.291; 27. Bronson Maeschen, (R) Knoxville IA, 16.373; 28. Mike Moore, Des Moines IA, 16.399; 29. Rager Phillips, (R) Pleasantville IA, 16.546; 30. Trevor Green, (R) Adelaide, SA, Aust. , 16.64; 31. Larry Ball Jr., Knoxville IA, 16.733; 32. Kaley Gharst, Decatur IL, 16.816; 33. Tony Shilling, (R) Knoxville IA, 16.914; 34. Abe Sherwood, Tulsa OK, 17.23; 35. Tyler Houseman, Runnells IA, 17.24; 36. Gordy Vogelaar, Worthington MN, 17.644; 37. Dave Saffell, (R) Pleasantville IA, 18.495; 38. Greg Jones, Earlham IA, No Time; 39. Michael Strader, Rock Island IL, No Time;

Heat 1, 8 laps, 2:16.1: 1. Jesse Giannetto, Palo IA; 2. Kerry Madsen, Sydney, NSW, Aust. ; 3. Jason Solwold, Mt. Vernon WA; 4. Skip Jackson, Sydney, NSW, Aust. ; 5. Matt Moro, Ankeny IA; 6. Rager Phillips, (R) Pleasantville IA; 7. Jerrel Slinkard, Melcher-Dallas IA; 8. Tony Shilling, (R) Knoxville IA; 9. Dave Saffell, (R) Pleasantville IA; 10. Jason Meyers, Clovis CA;

Heat 2, 8 laps, 2:15.8: 1. Terry McCarl, Altoona IA; 2. Tim St. Arnold, Des Moines IA; 3. Brooke Tatnell, San Souci, NSW, Aust. ; 4. Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City OK; 5. Chad Meyer, Sioux Falls SD; 6. Dusty Zomer, (R) Brandon SD; 7. Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa PA; 8. Trevor Green, (R) Adelaide, SA, Aust. ; 9. Abe Sherwood, Tulsa OK;

Heat 3, 8 laps, 2:14.4: 1. Billy Alley, Lincoln NE; 2. Travis Rilat, Forney TX; 3. Brian Brown, Grain Valley MO; 4. Donny Schatz, Fargo ND; 5. Chris Walraven, Knoxville IA; 6. Larry Ball Jr., Knoxville IA; 7. Bronson Maeschen, (R) Knoxville IA; 8. Danny Lasoski, Dover MO;

Heat 4, 8 laps, 2:19.3: 1. Mark Dobmeier, Grand Forks ND; 2. Shane Stewart, Bixby OK; 3. Lynton Jeffrey, Sydney, NSW, Aust./Prairie City IA; 4. Clint Garner, Sioux Falls SD; 5. Kaley Gharst, Decatur IL; 6. Ryan Anderson, Charter Oak IA; 7. Mike Moore, Des Moines IA; 8. Gordy Vogelaar, Worthington MN; 9. Calvin Landis, Knoxville IA;

B Feature, 12 laps, No Time: 1. Ryan Anderson, Charter Oak IA; 2. Jason Meyers, Clovis CA; 3. Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa PA; 4. Trevor Green, (R) Adelaide, SA, Aust. ; 5. Jerrel Slinkard, Melcher-Dallas IA; 6. Mike Moore, Des Moines IA; 7. Calvin Landis, Knoxville IA; 8. Tony Shilling, (R) Knoxville IA; 9. Gordy Vogelaar, Worthington MN; 10. Larry Ball Jr., Knoxville IA; 11. Tyler Houseman, Runnells IA; 12. Abe Sherwood, Tulsa OK; 13. Dusty Zomer, (R) Brandon SD; 14. Rager Phillips, (R) Pleasantville IA; 15. Bronson Maeschen, (R) Knoxville IA;

A Feature, 20 laps, 5:51.5: 1. Terry McCarl, Altoona IA; 2. Skip Jackson, Sydney, NSW, Aust. ; 3. Kerry Madsen, Sydney, NSW, Aust. ; 4. Clint Garner, Sioux Falls SD; 5. Shane Stewart, Bixby OK; 6. Jason Solwold, Mt. Vernon WA; 7. Brooke Tatnell, San Souci, NSW, Aust. ; 8. Donny Schatz, Fargo ND; 9. Travis Rilat, Forney TX; 10. Wayne Johnson, Oklahoma City OK; 11. Brian Brown, Grain Valley MO; 12. Jason Meyers, Clovis CA; 13. Billy Alley, Lincoln NE; 14. Matt Moro, Ankeny IA; 15. Lynton Jeffrey, Sydney, NSW, Aust./Prairie City IA; 16. Jesse Giannetto, Palo IA; 17. Tim St. Arnold, Des Moines IA; 18. Kaley Gharst, Decatur IL; 19. Chris Walraven, Knoxville IA; 20. Trevor Green, (R) Adelaide, SA, Aust. ; 21. Mark Dobmeier, Grand Forks ND; 22. Chad Meyer, Sioux Falls SD; 23. Ryan Anderson, Charter Oak IA; 24. Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa PA. Lap Leaders: Jackson 1-2; McCarl 3-4; Jackson 5; McCarl 6-20.


360 RESULTS

Heat 1, 7 laps, 2:05.6: 1. Stacey Alexander, Lacona IA; 2. Jon Corbin, (R) Carrollton MO; 3. Randy Martin, California MO; 4. Eric Jobe, Kansas City MO; 5. Mike Houseman Jr., Des Moines IA; 6. Ryan Bickett, Ramona SD; 7. Alan Zoutte, Knoxville IA; 8. Alan Gilbertson, Kasson MN; 9. Mitchell Alexander, Knoxville IA; 10. Robbie Ross, (R) St. Joseph MO; 11. Tyler Thompson, (R) Cape Girardeau MO; 12. Rod Richards, Runnells IA;

Heat 2, 7 laps, 2:03.5: 1. Chuck Swenson, Watertown SD; 2. Frankie Heimbaugh, Albion IA; 3. Joe Beaver, Knoxville IA; 4. Curt Lund, Redwood Falls MN; 5. John Schulz, West Burlington IA; 6. Wade Nygaard, Fargo ND; 7. Dustin Lindquist, (R) Floodwood MN; 8. Josh Higday, Des Moines IA; 9. Scott Winters, (R) Butterfield MN; 10. Terry Alexander, Knoxville IA; 11. Pete Crall, DeSoto KS; 12. John Anderson, (R) Des Moines IA;

Heat 3, 7 laps, 2:06.8: 1. Troy Meyer, Sioux Falls SD; 2. Stevie Walsh, North Shore City, NI, NZ ; 3. Tom Lenz, Marion IA; 4. Brett Mather, Ames IA; 5. Rick Ideus, (R) Silver City IA; 6. Chris Burke, Grand Forks ND; 7. Nate Mosher, Prairie City IA; 8. Dustin Selvage, Indianola IA; 9. Tyler Thompson, (R) Des Moines IA; 10. Shane Spurlock, Brandon SD; 11. Brett Golik, Newton IA;

Heat 4, 7 laps, 2:07.0: 1. John Kearney, Valley Falls KS; 2. Johnny Anderson, Indianola IA; 3. Jake Peters, Sioux Falls SD; 4. Josh Schneiderman, (R) West Burlington IA; 5. Jeff Mitrisin, Oskaloosa IA; 6. Tim Newman, Cameron MO; 7. Nate Van Haaften, Otley IA; 8. Eric Mason, Knoxville IA; 9. David Langford, (R) Kearney MO; 10. Shawn Van Wyhe, Rock Rapids IA; 11. Jeff Vonasek, East Grand Forks ND;

C Feature , 8 laps, No Time: 1. Dustin Selvage, Indianola IA; 2. Scott Winters, (R) Butterfield MN; 3. Pete Crall, DeSoto KS; 4. Robbie Ross, (R) St. Joseph MO; 5. Shane Spurlock, Brandon SD; 6. Tyler Thompson, (R) Des Moines IA; 7. John Anderson, (R) Des Moines IA; 8. Shawn Van Wyhe, Rock Rapids IA; 9. Tyler Thompson, (R) Cape Girardeau MO; 10. Jeff Vonasek, East Grand Forks ND; 11. Terry Alexander, Knoxville IA; 12. David Langford, (R) Kearney MO; 13. Rod Richards, Runnells IA;

B Feature, 10 laps, 3:16.7: 1. Jeff Mitrisin, Oskaloosa IA; 2. Curt Lund, Redwood Falls MN; 3. Josh Higday, Des Moines IA; 4. Rick Ideus, (R) Silver City IA; 5. John Schulz, West Burlington IA; 6. Nate Mosher, Prairie City IA; 7. Dustin Lindquist, (R) Floodwood MN; 8. Tim Newman, Cameron MO; 9. Pete Crall, DeSoto KS; 10. Wade Nygaard, Fargo ND; 11. Alan Zoutte, Knoxville IA; 12. Eric Mason, Knoxville IA; 13. Mitchell Alexander, Knoxville IA; 14. Ryan Bickett, Ramona SD; 15. Nate Van Haaften, Otley IA; 16. Dustin Selvage, Indianola IA; 17. Alan Gilbertson, Kasson MN; 18. Scott Winters, (R) Butterfield MN;

A Feature, 15 laps, No Time: 1. Chuck Swenson, Watertown SD; 2. Jake Peters, Sioux Falls SD; 3. John Kearney, Valley Falls KS; 4. Johnny Anderson, Indianola IA; 5. Jeff Mitrisin, Oskaloosa IA; 6. Jon Corbin, (R) Carrollton MO; 7. Frankie Heimbaugh, Albion IA; 8. Stacey Alexander, Lacona IA; 9. Curt Lund, Redwood Falls MN; 10. Josh Higday, Des Moines IA; 11. Brett Mather, Ames IA; 12. Tom Lenz, Marion IA; 13. Troy Meyer, Sioux Falls SD; 14. Rick Ideus, (R) Silver City IA; 15. Josh Schneiderman, (R) West Burlington IA; 16. Mike Houseman Jr., Des Moines IA; 17. Randy Martin, California MO; 18. Eric Jobe, Kansas City MO; 19. Joe Beaver, Knoxville IA; 20. Stevie Walsh, North Shore City, NI, NZ. Lap Leadrlan Swenson 1-7; Kearney 8; Swenson 8-15.