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Late models will take their turn at the famed half-mile oval in Knoxville, Iowa, next week from Thursday through Saturday night, Oct. 1 to 3.
The sixth annual Late Model Nationals will feature most of the best dirt late model drivers in the country and will pay out more than $246,000 over the three-day event. The winner of Saturday night's 100-lap feature will pocket $40,000, and the Thursday and Friday night winners get $7,000. Since all drivers are eligible to run all three nights, a sweep means $54,000.
The list of drivers entered for the event reads like a who's who of dirt late model racing: Scott Bloomquist, Billy Moyer, defending race winner Tim McCreadie, Jimmy Owens, Earl Pearson Jr., Brian Birkhofer, Jimmy Mars, Rick Eckert, Josh Richards, Steve Francis, Shannon Babb, Darrell Lanigan. The list goes on. They will be joined by the recent winner of the Prelude to the Dream, Tony Stewart. Other NASCAR drivers entered include Ryan Newman and Ken Schrader.
Last year's event provided fans with some of the best late model racing anywhere. Lanigan passed Owens coming out of turn four on the last lap to win Friday night's feature. Not to be outdone, McCreadie lost the lead to Richards with a couple of laps to go, then duplicated Lanigan's feat with a pass for the win just as he was taking the checkered flag.
In traditional Knoxville style, cars will hit the track each night at 6:45. While drivers can compete both Thursday and Friday night, only the points from their best night will go toward setting the field for Saturday night's features.
If you're in Knoxville, it's a must to visit the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum located just behind turn two.
MLRA/NCRA card in Kansas City
With the NASCAR Sprint and Nationwide series at Kansas City next weekend, the MLRA and NCRA will run their traditional Friday and Saturday shows nearby at Lakeside Speedway. Omahan John Anderson is atop the MLRA leader board, and Kyle Berck of Marquette, Neb., is the point leader for the NCRA. Lakeside Speedway is just off Interstate 435 West at the first exit after crossing into Kansas (Exit 18, Highway 5).
The MLRA and NCRA are racing Saturday night at I-80 Speedway outside Greenwood, Neb.
Vintage Nationals in Columbus
If you aren't going to either of the above events next weekend, you might think about driving out to the US30 Speedway just west of Columbus, Neb., for the Cornhusker Vintage Nationals. They will be racing Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4. You can get into the grandstands free by donating a can of food or some cash. The series features vintage race cars and drivers such as the legendary Bill Wrich of Kennard, Neb. Racing gets under way at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Contact the writer:
444-1201, sports@owh.com
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