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DELAYED KNOXVILLE RACEWAY EVENT AWAITS WDRL DRIVERS
Large field of cars anticipated for first-ever series event at prestigious
facility
By Tom Lathen
KNOXVILLE, Ia. (May 12, 2006) - Following a two week delay, the cars and stars
of the WORLD Dirt Racing League PolyDome Late Model Series are set to make their
first-ever appearance at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa this weekend.
The 40-lap event at the Marion County Fairgrounds half-mile facility known as
“The Sprint Car Capitol of the World” is set for this Friday, May 12. The event
was originally scheduled for April 28, before inclement weather forced its
postponement.
“Our drivers and fans can’t wait to get to Knoxville,” commented series founder
and President Jim Wilson. “Everybody was ready to go two weeks ago, but
unfortunately the ‘weather man’ didn’t cooperate with us.”
“This is Knoxville,” he added. “And whenever you have the privilege of bringing
your series to the most prestigious dirt track in the country, you would expect
a lot of enthusiasm and a great field of race cars.”
Heading up a strong contingent of drivers anticipated to be in the field for the
$5,000-to-win event is Muscatine, Iowa star Brian Birkhofer. Birkhofer, the
winner of the inaugural Knoxville Late Model Nationals in 2004 before finishing
second a year ago, won the WDRL season opener at Davenport Speedway in early
April, picking up his 16th career series win in the process. Birkhofer’s
Daufeldt Transport/Rocket/Pro Power Monte Carlo led all but a single lap at
Davenport and held off hard-charging Darren “The Thriller” Miller to secure the
win.
Miller, of Milledgeville, Illinois is also expected to be in the field at
Knoxville. The 29-year old Miller has scored nine career WORLD Dirt Racing
League victories, including five a year ago when he finished eighth in the final
series point standings, in spite of running an abbreviated schedule.
Defending WDRL champion Denny Eckrich will hope for a more consistent
performance when he brings his familiar “Flyin’ 50” to Knoxville Raceway this
weekend. The popular Tiffin, Iowa hot-shoe was forced to roll out has back-up
car at Davenport, after coming into contact with the turn two wall, while
leading his qualifying race. After starting 25th in the 40-lap feature race,
Eckrich drove his Precision Performance-sponsored entry to a respectable sixth
place finish.
Central Nebraska driver Kyle Berck will resume his quest for a third WDRL
championship in the past five seasons at Knoxville. After winning the 2002 and
2003 series titles, the 36-year old farmer and race car builder finished second
in the series points chase the past two seasons.
Among other drivers expected to be in the field are Mound, Minnesota driver
Justin Fegers, Cosgrove, Iowa’s Dave Eckrich, and Pittsville, Wisconsin series
regular Eric Pember. Fegers, who won the 2005 WDRL Rookie-of-the- Year and
People’s Choice Award, established a new Knoxville Raceway Late Model track
record during qualifying at last September’s second-annual Knoxville Late Model
Nationals.
Omaha, Nebraska’s John Anderson, a three-time NASCAR regional top-five finisher,
will also be in the field, along with last year’s WDRL Rookie-of-the-Year
runner-up Bill Koons, also of Omaha, Union, Nebraska veteran John Hampel, and
Elkhorn, Nebraska’s Scott Daly.
As would be expected, a strong contingent of drivers from the state of Iowa will
be on hand including veteran Gary Webb of Blue Grass and Jeff Aikey of Cedar
Falls. Webb, the 2000 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series national champion, has won
over 500 career feature races and numerous track championships in his storied
35-year racing career. Aikey meanwhile, has won a total of 13 NASCAR track
championships and is a former NASCAR regional champion.
Cedar Rapids area rising stars Chad and Chris Simpson are also expected, along
former NASCAR All-Star Series champion Steve Boley of West Liberty, Brian Harris
of Davenport, “The Flying Dutchman,” John VanDenBerg of Oskaloosa, Matt Furman
and Rob Moss, both of Iowa City, Tommy Elston of Keokuk, and Jill George of
Cedar Falls.
Last year’s NASCAR Division II titist Chris Spieker of Massena, Iowa is also
expected, along with eastern Iowa brothers Kevin and Kurt Kile, Luke Merfeld of
Dubuque, and Paul Glendenning of Mount Ayr.
Young gun Trent Follmer of Elk River will make his first-ever series appearance
at Knoxville Raceway, along with fellow Gopher state competitors John Henkemeyer
of Sauk Rapids, Brady Johanneck of Spicer, Steve Hucovski of Maple Grove, and
John Seitz of Bemidji. Spencer’s Kerry Hansen and Steve Isenberg of Marshfield
will represent the state of Wisconsin.
Hot laps are scheduled to get underway at 6:45, with the first qualifying race
set for 7:30.
Friday night’s WDRL action kicks off two big nights of racing action at
Knoxville Raceway. On Saturday night, the facility will host the IRA (Interstate
Racing Association) versus Knoxville 410 Sprint Car Shootout.