New Knoxville Raceway Hall of Famer Randy Martin races with Brian Brown at Knoxville Friday (Rob Kocak Photo)
(Bill W) June 30, 2020, Monroe, IA – Over fifty entries have come in already for this weekend’s 2nd Annual Corn Belt Nationals. There are many first timers at Knoxville again, which is always interesting. Some take to the track right away, and well…some don’t.
Brady Bacon’s win at Putnamville’s Sprintacular last Saturday night has him poised for Knoxville, where he swept the inaugural running of the Corn Belt last year. Consider visiting the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Saturday at 2 p.m. if you’re in the area. Hall of Famer Pat Sullivan will be hosting Brady and Tyler Courtney on the second floor. I assume “Sunshine” will be doing double duty Saturday as the 410’s are on the card.
Justin Grant, a former Knoxville winner, leads the USAC National Sprint Car points heading into the Corn Belt Nationals, followed by Chris Windom, Bacon, CJ Leary and Chase Stockon. The POWRi/WAR Sprints come in with Riley Kreisel leading their standings, ahead of Jack and Sam Wager, Mario Clouser and Wyatt Burks. Look for Clinton Boyles, who campaigns for Paul Hazen in Indiana and won at Kokomo last weekend, to be a teammate to Kreisel.
The Fourth of July doubleheader last weekend at Knoxville Raceway saw some great racing! Brian Brown swept both the 410 and 360 features on Friday, and Chase Young won in the Pros. Saturday, Justin Henderson racked up his first 410 win at Knoxville since 2015, unknowingly holding off Brown by .066 seconds. Austin McCarl caught a bad break with a caution and battled tough most of the way. Scott Bogucki lost a lead and then passed Jamie Ball on the last lap to win his first at Knoxville. Russ Hall led wire to wire in the Pros.
JJ Hickle had a unique trip out from Quilcene, Washington on the Olympic peninsula. The ten-time ASCS regional winner was trying to get in three nights of racing in his 360. An engine change took him out of time trials and his heat on Friday at Knoxville. He did go 18th to eight in his heat. Saturday went better, as he made the feature, but flipped while running sixth. A Sunday trip to Moberly, Missouri with the Sprint Invaders went better with a fourth place finish.
Ayrton Gennetten won at Moberly for the second time this year, after a five-lead-change battle with Austin Alumbaugh. Ayrton made the show with the 410’s on Friday at Knoxville before being rained out Saturday at Lake Ozark.
Twenty-five year veteran of the fire crew at Knoxville, the late Ruth Graves was inducted into the Knoxville Raceway Hall of Fame Saturday. Good buddies Dave Hill, Kris Krohn and Randy Martin were also inducted and well deserving!
Cap Henry is a driver on a roll right now in Ohio. Since teaming up with the Lane Racing #4 team a couple years ago, the wins have been coming. Cap has racked up two wins in four races during Ohio Speedweek (Fremont and Wayne County). He’s been able to capture some big paydays the last couple years, including the Rick Susong Memorial at Wayne County last fall.
Ohio Speedweek picks up again tonight at Brushcreek Motorsports Complex near Peebles. It should be interesting. Muskingum County, Portsmouth and two nights at Sharon will wind up the week for the All Stars.
The WoO canceled their west coast trip later in the year. It should be interesting to see how they fill September in a crazy season.
There’s plenty of action in the Midwest the next couple of weeks between the WoO, Knoxville, IRA and MOWA gets started July 17.
Kerry Madsen and Brian Brown continue to lead the Midwest Thunder Sprints points (see below). The schedule is getting a bit more clear for 410’s in the Midwest so I’ve added to the tentative schedule (also below and subject to change). Donations are down a bit during the pandemic. If you’d like to give towards the point fund, drop me an e-mail at sprntcar@hotmail.com. It can be anonymous, or you can get free advertising with your donation on OpenWheel101.com, your choice!
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Up Next for the Midwest Thunder Sprints…
Fri, July 10 – 34 Raceway (IA) (WoO)
Fri, July 10 – Dodge County Fairgrounds (WI) (IRA)
Sat, July 11 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sat, July 11 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) (WoO)
Fri, July 17 – Lincoln Speedway (IL) (MOWA)
Sat, July 18 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sun, July 19 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) (IRA)
2020 Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by www.OpenWheel101.com Point Standings (Feature Wins)
1. Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 302
2. Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO, 290 (2)
3. Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, IN, 247
4. Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 227
5. Bill Balog, Hartland, WI, 180 (1)
6. Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA, 178
(tie) Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA, 178
7. Tim Kaeding, Campbell, CA, 177
8. Matt Juhl, Tea, SD, 174
9. Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK, 154
10. Justin Henderson, Tea, SD, 148 (1)
11. Lynton Jeffrey, Prairie City, IA, 124
12. Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN, 101
13. Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA, 100 (2)
14. Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA, 83
15. Scotty Thiel, Sheboygan, WI, 74
16. Rico Abreu, St. Helena, CA, 72
17. Brent Marks, Myerstown, PA, 70
18. Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL, 63
19. Dominic Scelzi, Fresno, CA, 60
20. Tyler Courtney, Indianapolis, IN, 59
21. Josh Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA, 56
22. Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN, 55
23. Brooke Tatnell, San Souci, NSW, Aust., 54
(tie) Trey Starks, Puyallup, WA, 54
25. Mark Dobmeier, Grand Forks, ND, 52
26. Aaron Reutzel, Clute, TX, 50 (1)
(tie) Jake Blackhurst, Hanna City, IL, 50
28. Sawyer Phillips, Pleasantville, IA, 48
29. Anthony Macri, Dillsburg, PA, 44
(tie) Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, PA, 44
31. Scott Neitzel, Beaver Dam, WI, 39
32. Tasker Phillips, Pleasantville, IA, 38
33. Blake Nimee, Oswego, IL, 30
34. Russel Borland, Kewaskum, WI, 28
35. James Broty, Lonsdale, MN, 26
36. Jordan Goldesberry, Springfield, IL, 25
37. Dave Uttech, Kenosha, WI, 20
38. Todd Daun, Pleasant Prairie, WI, 18
(tie) Kevin Ingle, Huron, SD, 18
(tie) Gio Scelzi, Fresno, CA, 18
(tie) Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA, 18
42. Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA, 16
(tie) Sean Rayhall, Woodstock, GA, 16
(tie) Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO, 16
(tie) Jeremy Schultz, Beaver Dam, WI, 16
46. Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA, 14
(tie) Bryce Schmitt, Plymouth, WI, 14
(tie) Kyle Schuett, Philo, IL, 14
(tie) Matt VandeVere, Zion, IL, 14
50. AJ Moeller, Rockwell City, IA, 12
51. Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, TX, 10
(tie) Tony Kaus, Bloomington, MN, 10
(tie) Todd King, Sheboygan Falls, WI, 10
54. Roger Crockett, Broken Arrow, OK, 8
(tie) Adam Miller, Plymouth, WI, 8
56. Ayrton Gennetten, Gravois Mills, MO, 6
(tie) Alan Gilbertson, Kasson, MN, 6
(tie) Wayne Modjeski, Oak Creek, WI, 6
59. John Fahl, Brown Deer, WI, 4
(tie) Ryan Giles, Grimes, IA, 4
(tie) Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, Oh, 4
(tie) Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA, 4
(tie) Jeff Swindell, Memphis, TN, 4
64. Bobby Mincer, Burlington, IA, 2
(tie) Danny Schlafer, Sussex, WI, 2
(tie) Josh Walter, Plymouth, WI, 2
Platinum World of Outlaws member wins…
5, Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA
2, Logan Schuchart, Hanover, PA
Tentative 2020 Races that will be counted for points with the Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by OpenWheel101.com
Fri, June 5 – Beaver Dam Raceway (WI) WoO (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Sat, June 6 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO)
Sat, June 6 – Beaver Dam Raceway (WI) WoO (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Fri, June 12 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) WoO (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Sat, June 13 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) WoO (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Sat, June 20 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Aaron Reutzel, Clute, TX)
Thur, June 25 – Jackson Motorplex (MN) Nationals (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Fri, June 26 – Jackson Motorplex (MN) Nationals (Logan Schuchart, Hanover, PA)
Sat, June 27 – Jackson Motorplex (MN) Nationals (Logan Schuchart, Hanover, PA)
Fri, July 3 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO)
Fri, July 3 – Cedar Lake Speedway (WI) (WoO) (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Sat, July 4 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Justin Henderson, Tea, SD)
Sat, July 4 – Cedar Lake Speedway (WI) (WoO) (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Sun, July 5 – 141 Speedway (WI) (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Fri, July 10 – 34 Raceway (IA) (WoO)
Fri, July 10 – Dodge County Fairgrounds (WI) (IRA)
Sat, July 11 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sat, July 11 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) (WoO)
Fri, July 17 – Lincoln Speedway (IL) (MOWA)
Sat, July 18 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sun, July 19 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) (IRA)
Fri, July 24 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL) (MOWA)
Sat, July 25 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Thurs, July 30 – Plymouth Dirt Track (WI) (All Stars/IRA)
Fri, July 31 – Langlade County Speedway (WI) (IRA)
Fri, July 31 – 34 Raceway (IA) (All Stars)
Sat, Aug 1 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (All Stars)
Fri, Aug 7 – I-55 Raceway (MO) (WoO)
Sat, Aug 8 – I-55 Raceway (MO) (Ironman 55)
Mon, Aug 10 – Southern Iowa Speedway (Front Row Challenge)
Thurs, Aug 13 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (WoO)
Fri, Aug 14 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (WoO)
Sat, Aug 15 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Capitani Classic)
Fri, Aug 21 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) (IRA)
Fri, Aug 21 – River Cities Speedway (ND) (WoO)
Sat, Aug 22 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) (IRA)
Sun, Aug 23 – Angell Park Speedway (WI) (IRA)
Sun, Aug 23 – Red River Valley Speedway (ND) (WoO)
Fri, Aug 28 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sat, Aug 29 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sun, Aug 30 – Dirt Oval Route 66 (IL) (IRA)
Sat, Sept 5 – Plymouth Dirt Track (WI) (IRA)
Sun, Sept 6 – 141 Speedway (WI) (IRA)
Fri, Sept 11 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sat, Sept 12 – Cedar Lake Speedway (WI) (Jerry Richert Memorial)
Sat, Sept 19 – Beaver Dam Raceway (WI) (IRA)
Fri, Sept 25 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sat, Sept 26 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Fri, Oct 16 – Lakeside Speedway (KS) (WoO)
Much TBD…
2019 Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by www.OpenWheel101.com Final Point Standings (Feature Wins)
1. Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 954 (2)
2. Bill Balog, Hartland, WI, 947 (7)
3. Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO, 731 (5)
4. Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA, 713 (2)
5. James McFadden, Warrnambool, VIC, Aust., 592 (2)
6. Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA, 505 (1)
7. Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, IN, 484 (1)
8. Jeremy Schultz, Beaver Dam, WI, 471 (3)
9. Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL, 427 (5)
10. Rico Abreu, St. Helena, CA, 400 (2)
2018 Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by www.OpenWheel101.com Point Standings (Feature Wins) Top Ten
1. Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 866 (7)
2. Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO, 686 (7)
3. Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA, 602 (5)
4. Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA, 565
5. Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aust., 420 (1)
6. Scotty Thiel, Sheboygan, WI, 398 (4)
(tie) Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN, 398
8. Bill Balog, Hartland, WI, 390 (2)
9. Cory Eliason, Selma, CA, 386 (1)
10. Matt Juhl, Tea, SD, 365 (1)
2017 Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by www.OpenWheel101.com Final Point Standings (Feature Wins) Top Ten
1. Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 1086 (5)
2. Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 1031 (7)
3. Donny Schatz, Fargo, ND, 800 (6)
4. Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO, 760 (6)
5. Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA, 760 (2)
6. Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aust., 533 (1)
7. Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK, 529 (2)
8. David Gravel, Watertown, CT, 481 (3)
9. Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA, 437 (1)
10. Tim Kaeding, San Jose, CA, 425 (2)
Bill Wright
Bill W Media
sprntcar@hotmail.com
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