Peoria#75fan
09-29-2006, 02:48 PM
By Bob Wilson
KNOXVILLE, Iowa - Scott Bloomquist picked up where he left off last year at this track as he captured the Thursday night preliminary feature of the 3rd annual Lucas Oil Knoxville Nationals. It was nearly one year ago that Bloomquist took all the marbles back to Mooresville, Tennessee as he won the 2005 finale.
The first tw circuits of the 25-lap feature belonged to pole sitter Billy Moyer of Batesville, Arkansas. Bloomquist, who started in the second row, rode the low line out of turn four into the lead at the end of the third lap. It was a lead he would never relinquish although he was challenged for it the rest of the way.
Lap five saw the first of three slow-down yellows as Rick Eckert of York, Pennsylvania slowed, stopped and later changed a flat right-rear tire. He had been running 10th but with the yellow he was relegated to the rear of the 25-car field. Of note at this point in the race was Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa who had moved from a 21st starting spot to 11th.
On the restart Bloomquist once again took the point with Moyer nipping at his heels. Moyer, who set a new one lap track record earlier (17.525) during qualifying time trials kept in contact, Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Illinois in third, Billy Drake of Bloomington, Indiana in fourth and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Kentucky in fifth.
Lanigan made the first move of the front pack as he made a pass of Babb at the ten laps mark. Drake too had fallen back as Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wisconsin took over fifth. One lap later Lanigan sailed into the runner-up position just before the second yellow of the race came out for Babb, who had been running fourth. Babb did not restart.
When the race went green again, Bloomquist began to experiment for different lines on a track which basically had two grooves: a bottom and the cushion which was creeping ever nearer to Knoxville's tall fences. At this point there seemed to be little differences in either groove as both were fast.
Birkhofer moved to fourth on the fifteenth go around and began to challenge Mars. Each driver tried to best the other by switching grooves and lines. Steve Francis of Ashland, Kentucky entered the picture for that hotly contested spot by lap eighteen. Just after nineteen laps had been completed, Birkhofer had secured third and the yellow flag flew for the final time for NASCAR star Tony Stewart who then came to the pits to change a flat right-front tire. Stewart, who had transferred out of the B Main into the feature had been running in the top fifteen. After the tire change he too went to the rear of the field where he would finish 17th.
Bloomquist once again had his hands full with Lanigan on the restart. In the mix too was Birkhofer. Both Bloomquist and Birkhofer had raced on Knoxville soil in the past but this was Lanigan's maiden voyage.
As the race began to wind down Bloomquist discovered a line which allowed him to slowly pull away from the two cars which were giving him chase. The route was to take turns one and two on the cushion, dive hard into turn three and drift up into four, then stomp the accelerator out of the final corner. With this line Bloomquist looked to be the winner.
The fight for second was still anybody's race as Lanigan and Birkhofer came across the line to complete lap 24 in a blanket finish. Heading into turn one and out of turn two Birkhofer put a slider on Lanigan and secured the runner-up spot.
For the finish it was Bloomquist taking the $6,000 first place check, Birkhofer winning the $3,000 place money and Lanigan finishing in the show position for $2,000. Behind them it was Mars for $1,500 and fourth while Steve Francis of Ashland, Kentucky fifth and $1,000 in this, the first of two preliminary events.
Time Trial
Pos. Car Name, Hometown Time Points
1 21 Billy Moyer Batesville, AR 17.525
2 30s Steve Shaver Vienna, WV 17.640
3 32D Darren Miller Chadwick, IL 17.725
4 99m Donnie Moran Dresden, OH 17.848
5 s9 Dan Schlieper Sullivan, WI 17.909
6 18 Shannon Babb Moweaqua, IL 17.935
7 15B Brian Birkhofer Muscatine, IA 17.968
8 20 Tony Stewart Rushville, IN 18.007
9 39 Tim McCreadie Avon, NY 18.042
10 44 Chris Madden Gaffney, SC 18.184
11 31T Trent Follmer Elk River, MN 18.194
12 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN 18.196
13 28m Jimmy Mars Menomonie, WI 18.274
14 1 Josh Richards Shinnston, WV 18.280
15 4B Jackie Boggs Grayson, KY 18.301
16 25 Kerry Hansen Spencer, WI 18.321
17 75 Bart Hartman Zanesville, OH 18.322
18 51 Matt Furman Iowa City, IA 18.331
19 5 Eric Jacobsen Santa Cruz, CA 18.335
20 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY 18.372
21 1* Chub Frank Bear Lake, PA 18.442
22 2 Brady Smith Solon Springs, WI 18.447
23 24 Rick Eckert York, PA 18.455
24 F15 Justin Fegers Mound, MN 18.459
25 29 Darrell Lanigan Union, KY 18.461
26 56x Chris Spieker Massena, IA 18.464
27 3s Brian Shirley Chatham, IL 18.470
28 55 Jeep Van Wormer Pinconning, MI 18.615
29 33 Nick Marolf Moscow, IA 18.627
30 28 Eddie Carrier Jr Salt Rock, WV 18.637
31 5M Todd Shute Des Moines, IA 18.642
32 10B Mike Balcaen Winnipeg, MB, Can., 18.657
33 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV 18.699
34 25s Chris Smyser Lancaster, MO 18.706
35 33G Paul Glendenning Mount Ayr, IA 18.723
36 83 Scott James Lawrenceburg, IN 18.742
37 12 Jeff Tharp Sherrill, IA 18.752
38 9 Billy Drake Bloomington, IL 18.766
39 45m Curt Martin Independence, IA 18.790
40 21sr Mike Marlar Winfield, TN 18.809
41 52 Steve Kosiski Papillion, NE 18.810
42 11w Jeff Aikey Cedar Falls, IA 18.813
43 56 Andy Eckrich Iowa City, IA 18.817
44 99s Ken Schrader Concord, NC 18.841
45 45DW Denny Woodworth Mendon, IL 18.894
46 71 Andrew McKay Edina, MN 18.913
47 30 Todd Cooney Des Moines, IA 18.956
48 14 Boone McLaughlin Mediapolis, IA 18.961
49 22* GR Smith Mooresville, NC 19.012
50 45x Jason Conoyer Ursa, IL 19.059
51 14B Levi Benn Dyersville, IA 19.148
52 8 Johnny Spaw Cedar Rapids, IA 19.160
53 99 Johnny Johnson West Burlington, IA 19.161
54 12A Matt Aukland Fargo, ND 19.183
55 99D Darrel DeFrance Marshalltown, IA 19.451
56 5J Jay Johnson West Burlington, IA 19.538
57 00 Mitch Johnson Hickson, ND 19.546
58 44zo Alonzo Grosse Council Bluffs, IA 20.030
59 22 Jill George Cedar Falls, IA 20.416
60 10 Junior Coover Norfolk, NE 20.903
61 21B Rich Bell Sheffield, IL
Heat 1
Pos. Car Name, Hometown Time Points
1 83 Scott James Lawrenceburg, IN
2 18 Shannon Babb Moweaqua, IL
3 21 Billy Moyer Batesville, AR
4 5J Jay Johnson West Burlington, IA
5 56x Chris Spieker Massena, IA
6 1s Chub Frank Bear Lake, PA
7 31T Trent Follmer Elk River, MN
8 5M Todd Shute Des Moines, IA
9 25 Kerry Hansen Spencer, WI
10 52 Steve Kosiski Papillion, NE
11 14B Levi Benn Dyersville, IA
12 71 Andrew McKay Edina, MN
Heat 2
Pos. Car Name, Hometown Time Points
1 2 Brady Smith Solon Springs, WI
2 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN
3 11w Jeff Aikey Cedar Falls, IA
4 8 Johnny Spaw Cedar Rapids, IA
5 3s Brian Shirley Chatham, IL
6 15B Brian Birkhofer Muscatine, IA
7 30s Steve Shaver Vienna, WV
8 75 Bart Hartman Zanesville, OH
9 30 Todd Cooney Des Moines, IA
10 10B Mike Balcaen Winnipeg, MB, Can.,
11 12 Jeff Tharp Sherrill, IA
12 00 Mitch Johnson Hickson, ND
Heat 3
Pos. Car Name, Hometown Time Points
1 28m Jimmy Mars Menomonie, WI
2 24 Rick Eckert York, PA
3 56 Andy Eckrich Iowa City, IA
4 51 Matt Furman Iowa City, IA
5 32D Darren Miller Chadwick, IL
6 20 Tony Stewart Rushville, IN
7 14 Boone McLaughlin Mediapolis, IA
8 55 Jeep Van Wormer Pinconning, MI
9 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV
10 44zo Alonzo Grosse Council Bluffs, IA
11 99 Johnny Johnson West Burlington, IA
12 9 Billy Drake Bloomington, IL
Heat 4
Pos. Car Name, Hometown Time Points
1 1 Josh Richards Shinnston, WV
2 45m Curt Martin Independence, IA
3 99s Ken Schrader Concord, NC
4 5 Eric Jacobsen Santa Cruz, CA
5 33 Nick Marolf Moscow, IA
6 12A Matt Aukland Fargo, ND
7 F15 Justin Fegers Mound, MN
8 25s Chris Smyser Lancaster, MO
9 22 Jill George Cedar Falls, IA
10 22s GR Smith Mooresville, NC
11 39 Tim McCreadie Avon, NY
12 99m Donnie Moran Dresden, OH
Heat 5
Pos. Car Name, Hometown Time Points
1 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY
2 28 Eddie Carrier Jr Salt Rock, WV
3 29 Darrell Lanigan Union, KY
4 s9 Dan Schlieper Sullivan, WI
5 44 Chris Madden Gaffney, SC
6 21sr Mike Marlar Winfield, TN
7 45DW Denny Woodworth Mendon, IL
8 99D Darrel DeFrance Marshalltown, IA
9 33G Paul Glendenning Mount Ayr, IA
10 4B Jackie Boggs Grayson, KY
11 10 Junior Coover Norfolk, NE
12 45x Jason Conoyer Ursa, IL
C Feature
1 25 Kerry Hansen Spencer, WI
2 4B Jackie Boggs Grayson, KY
3 10B Mike Balcaen Winnipeg, MB, Can.,
4 12 Jeff Tharp Sherrill, IA
5 52 Steve Kosiski Papillion, NE
6 71 Andrew McKay Edina, MN
7 9 Billy Drake Bloomington, IL
8 33G Paul Glendenning Mount Ayr, IA
9 00 Mitch Johnson Hickson, ND
10 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV
11 99 Johnny Johnson West Burlington, IA
12 22s GR Smith Mooresville, NC
13 14B Levi Benn Dyersville, IA
14 44zo Alonzo Grosse Council Bluffs, IA
15 10 Junior Coover Norfolk, NE
16 30 Todd Cooney Des Moines, IA
17 45x Jason Conoyer Ursa, IL
18 22 Jill George Cedar Falls, IA
B Feature
Pos. Car Name, Hometown Time Points
1 15B Brian Birkhofer Muscatine, IA
2 32D Darren Miller Chadwick, IL
3 20 Tony Stewart Rushville, IN
4 44 Chris Madden Gaffney, SC
5 1s Chub Frank Bear Lake, PA
6 75 Bart Hartman Zanesville, OH
7 55 Jeep Van Wormer Pinconning, MI
8 25 Kerry Hansen Spencer, WI
9 F15 Justin Fegers Mound, MN
10 25s Chris Smyser Lancaster, MO
11 33 Nick Marolf Moscow, IA
12 56x Chris Spieker Massena, IA
13 12A Matt Aukland Fargo, ND
14 5M Todd Shute Des Moines, IA
15 4B
Copid fromwww.stlouisracing.com
KNOXVILLE, Iowa - Scott Bloomquist picked up where he left off last year at this track as he captured the Thursday night preliminary feature of the 3rd annual Lucas Oil Knoxville Nationals. It was nearly one year ago that Bloomquist took all the marbles back to Mooresville, Tennessee as he won the 2005 finale.
The first tw circuits of the 25-lap feature belonged to pole sitter Billy Moyer of Batesville, Arkansas. Bloomquist, who started in the second row, rode the low line out of turn four into the lead at the end of the third lap. It was a lead he would never relinquish although he was challenged for it the rest of the way.
Lap five saw the first of three slow-down yellows as Rick Eckert of York, Pennsylvania slowed, stopped and later changed a flat right-rear tire. He had been running 10th but with the yellow he was relegated to the rear of the 25-car field. Of note at this point in the race was Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa who had moved from a 21st starting spot to 11th.
On the restart Bloomquist once again took the point with Moyer nipping at his heels. Moyer, who set a new one lap track record earlier (17.525) during qualifying time trials kept in contact, Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Illinois in third, Billy Drake of Bloomington, Indiana in fourth and Darrell Lanigan of Union, Kentucky in fifth.
Lanigan made the first move of the front pack as he made a pass of Babb at the ten laps mark. Drake too had fallen back as Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wisconsin took over fifth. One lap later Lanigan sailed into the runner-up position just before the second yellow of the race came out for Babb, who had been running fourth. Babb did not restart.
When the race went green again, Bloomquist began to experiment for different lines on a track which basically had two grooves: a bottom and the cushion which was creeping ever nearer to Knoxville's tall fences. At this point there seemed to be little differences in either groove as both were fast.
Birkhofer moved to fourth on the fifteenth go around and began to challenge Mars. Each driver tried to best the other by switching grooves and lines. Steve Francis of Ashland, Kentucky entered the picture for that hotly contested spot by lap eighteen. Just after nineteen laps had been completed, Birkhofer had secured third and the yellow flag flew for the final time for NASCAR star Tony Stewart who then came to the pits to change a flat right-front tire. Stewart, who had transferred out of the B Main into the feature had been running in the top fifteen. After the tire change he too went to the rear of the field where he would finish 17th.
Bloomquist once again had his hands full with Lanigan on the restart. In the mix too was Birkhofer. Both Bloomquist and Birkhofer had raced on Knoxville soil in the past but this was Lanigan's maiden voyage.
As the race began to wind down Bloomquist discovered a line which allowed him to slowly pull away from the two cars which were giving him chase. The route was to take turns one and two on the cushion, dive hard into turn three and drift up into four, then stomp the accelerator out of the final corner. With this line Bloomquist looked to be the winner.
The fight for second was still anybody's race as Lanigan and Birkhofer came across the line to complete lap 24 in a blanket finish. Heading into turn one and out of turn two Birkhofer put a slider on Lanigan and secured the runner-up spot.
For the finish it was Bloomquist taking the $6,000 first place check, Birkhofer winning the $3,000 place money and Lanigan finishing in the show position for $2,000. Behind them it was Mars for $1,500 and fourth while Steve Francis of Ashland, Kentucky fifth and $1,000 in this, the first of two preliminary events.
Time Trial
Pos. Car Name, Hometown Time Points
1 21 Billy Moyer Batesville, AR 17.525
2 30s Steve Shaver Vienna, WV 17.640
3 32D Darren Miller Chadwick, IL 17.725
4 99m Donnie Moran Dresden, OH 17.848
5 s9 Dan Schlieper Sullivan, WI 17.909
6 18 Shannon Babb Moweaqua, IL 17.935
7 15B Brian Birkhofer Muscatine, IA 17.968
8 20 Tony Stewart Rushville, IN 18.007
9 39 Tim McCreadie Avon, NY 18.042
10 44 Chris Madden Gaffney, SC 18.184
11 31T Trent Follmer Elk River, MN 18.194
12 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN 18.196
13 28m Jimmy Mars Menomonie, WI 18.274
14 1 Josh Richards Shinnston, WV 18.280
15 4B Jackie Boggs Grayson, KY 18.301
16 25 Kerry Hansen Spencer, WI 18.321
17 75 Bart Hartman Zanesville, OH 18.322
18 51 Matt Furman Iowa City, IA 18.331
19 5 Eric Jacobsen Santa Cruz, CA 18.335
20 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY 18.372
21 1* Chub Frank Bear Lake, PA 18.442
22 2 Brady Smith Solon Springs, WI 18.447
23 24 Rick Eckert York, PA 18.455
24 F15 Justin Fegers Mound, MN 18.459
25 29 Darrell Lanigan Union, KY 18.461
26 56x Chris Spieker Massena, IA 18.464
27 3s Brian Shirley Chatham, IL 18.470
28 55 Jeep Van Wormer Pinconning, MI 18.615
29 33 Nick Marolf Moscow, IA 18.627
30 28 Eddie Carrier Jr Salt Rock, WV 18.637
31 5M Todd Shute Des Moines, IA 18.642
32 10B Mike Balcaen Winnipeg, MB, Can., 18.657
33 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV 18.699
34 25s Chris Smyser Lancaster, MO 18.706
35 33G Paul Glendenning Mount Ayr, IA 18.723
36 83 Scott James Lawrenceburg, IN 18.742
37 12 Jeff Tharp Sherrill, IA 18.752
38 9 Billy Drake Bloomington, IL 18.766
39 45m Curt Martin Independence, IA 18.790
40 21sr Mike Marlar Winfield, TN 18.809
41 52 Steve Kosiski Papillion, NE 18.810
42 11w Jeff Aikey Cedar Falls, IA 18.813
43 56 Andy Eckrich Iowa City, IA 18.817
44 99s Ken Schrader Concord, NC 18.841
45 45DW Denny Woodworth Mendon, IL 18.894
46 71 Andrew McKay Edina, MN 18.913
47 30 Todd Cooney Des Moines, IA 18.956
48 14 Boone McLaughlin Mediapolis, IA 18.961
49 22* GR Smith Mooresville, NC 19.012
50 45x Jason Conoyer Ursa, IL 19.059
51 14B Levi Benn Dyersville, IA 19.148
52 8 Johnny Spaw Cedar Rapids, IA 19.160
53 99 Johnny Johnson West Burlington, IA 19.161
54 12A Matt Aukland Fargo, ND 19.183
55 99D Darrel DeFrance Marshalltown, IA 19.451
56 5J Jay Johnson West Burlington, IA 19.538
57 00 Mitch Johnson Hickson, ND 19.546
58 44zo Alonzo Grosse Council Bluffs, IA 20.030
59 22 Jill George Cedar Falls, IA 20.416
60 10 Junior Coover Norfolk, NE 20.903
61 21B Rich Bell Sheffield, IL
Heat 1
Pos. Car Name, Hometown Time Points
1 83 Scott James Lawrenceburg, IN
2 18 Shannon Babb Moweaqua, IL
3 21 Billy Moyer Batesville, AR
4 5J Jay Johnson West Burlington, IA
5 56x Chris Spieker Massena, IA
6 1s Chub Frank Bear Lake, PA
7 31T Trent Follmer Elk River, MN
8 5M Todd Shute Des Moines, IA
9 25 Kerry Hansen Spencer, WI
10 52 Steve Kosiski Papillion, NE
11 14B Levi Benn Dyersville, IA
12 71 Andrew McKay Edina, MN
Heat 2
Pos. Car Name, Hometown Time Points
1 2 Brady Smith Solon Springs, WI
2 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN
3 11w Jeff Aikey Cedar Falls, IA
4 8 Johnny Spaw Cedar Rapids, IA
5 3s Brian Shirley Chatham, IL
6 15B Brian Birkhofer Muscatine, IA
7 30s Steve Shaver Vienna, WV
8 75 Bart Hartman Zanesville, OH
9 30 Todd Cooney Des Moines, IA
10 10B Mike Balcaen Winnipeg, MB, Can.,
11 12 Jeff Tharp Sherrill, IA
12 00 Mitch Johnson Hickson, ND
Heat 3
Pos. Car Name, Hometown Time Points
1 28m Jimmy Mars Menomonie, WI
2 24 Rick Eckert York, PA
3 56 Andy Eckrich Iowa City, IA
4 51 Matt Furman Iowa City, IA
5 32D Darren Miller Chadwick, IL
6 20 Tony Stewart Rushville, IN
7 14 Boone McLaughlin Mediapolis, IA
8 55 Jeep Van Wormer Pinconning, MI
9 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV
10 44zo Alonzo Grosse Council Bluffs, IA
11 99 Johnny Johnson West Burlington, IA
12 9 Billy Drake Bloomington, IL
Heat 4
Pos. Car Name, Hometown Time Points
1 1 Josh Richards Shinnston, WV
2 45m Curt Martin Independence, IA
3 99s Ken Schrader Concord, NC
4 5 Eric Jacobsen Santa Cruz, CA
5 33 Nick Marolf Moscow, IA
6 12A Matt Aukland Fargo, ND
7 F15 Justin Fegers Mound, MN
8 25s Chris Smyser Lancaster, MO
9 22 Jill George Cedar Falls, IA
10 22s GR Smith Mooresville, NC
11 39 Tim McCreadie Avon, NY
12 99m Donnie Moran Dresden, OH
Heat 5
Pos. Car Name, Hometown Time Points
1 15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY
2 28 Eddie Carrier Jr Salt Rock, WV
3 29 Darrell Lanigan Union, KY
4 s9 Dan Schlieper Sullivan, WI
5 44 Chris Madden Gaffney, SC
6 21sr Mike Marlar Winfield, TN
7 45DW Denny Woodworth Mendon, IL
8 99D Darrel DeFrance Marshalltown, IA
9 33G Paul Glendenning Mount Ayr, IA
10 4B Jackie Boggs Grayson, KY
11 10 Junior Coover Norfolk, NE
12 45x Jason Conoyer Ursa, IL
C Feature
1 25 Kerry Hansen Spencer, WI
2 4B Jackie Boggs Grayson, KY
3 10B Mike Balcaen Winnipeg, MB, Can.,
4 12 Jeff Tharp Sherrill, IA
5 52 Steve Kosiski Papillion, NE
6 71 Andrew McKay Edina, MN
7 9 Billy Drake Bloomington, IL
8 33G Paul Glendenning Mount Ayr, IA
9 00 Mitch Johnson Hickson, ND
10 23 John Blankenship Williamson, WV
11 99 Johnny Johnson West Burlington, IA
12 22s GR Smith Mooresville, NC
13 14B Levi Benn Dyersville, IA
14 44zo Alonzo Grosse Council Bluffs, IA
15 10 Junior Coover Norfolk, NE
16 30 Todd Cooney Des Moines, IA
17 45x Jason Conoyer Ursa, IL
18 22 Jill George Cedar Falls, IA
B Feature
Pos. Car Name, Hometown Time Points
1 15B Brian Birkhofer Muscatine, IA
2 32D Darren Miller Chadwick, IL
3 20 Tony Stewart Rushville, IN
4 44 Chris Madden Gaffney, SC
5 1s Chub Frank Bear Lake, PA
6 75 Bart Hartman Zanesville, OH
7 55 Jeep Van Wormer Pinconning, MI
8 25 Kerry Hansen Spencer, WI
9 F15 Justin Fegers Mound, MN
10 25s Chris Smyser Lancaster, MO
11 33 Nick Marolf Moscow, IA
12 56x Chris Spieker Massena, IA
13 12A Matt Aukland Fargo, ND
14 5M Todd Shute Des Moines, IA
15 4B
Copid fromwww.stlouisracing.com