A few brief notes. Some of you know, most of you don’t, I have gone back to school and I am working on my masters in military history. It just so happens that this week I am seeing a midterm and a paper due in one course, while my second course also has a paper due. My study habits being what they are, I am a bit swamped, so I need to stay close to home. I had originally planned to head to Marshalltown Friday night, but the time I would spend behind the wheel had me thinking otherwise. In scanning websites, I noticed that Knoxville has rescheduled their practice for Friday night, and being only ten minutes from home, I decided to get a preview of what I will be seeing tonight when I return for the season opener. I took a few notes, and no pictures, as I wandered the pit area and just soaked things in. Fifty-two sprint cars were on hand in three classes, and incidents were at a minimum, mainly mechanical issues, as several practice sessions were held. Twenty-four 410s were on hand, including the majority of the rookie class, with Johnn Cressman (56JC), Danny Heskin (6), JD Johnson (98), Mark Johnson (45), Austin Johnson (81), Rob Kubli (23K), AJ Moeller (20), and Dustin Selage (7) all turning laps. Eatonville, Washington’s Logan Forler also turned his share of laps as well. Forler is a a new face many have their eye on, and is currently following the ASCS national tour. Knoxville veterans were aplenty too, with Bronson Maeschen, Wayne Johnson, Lynton Jeffrey, Brian Brown, Terry McCarl, Austin McCarl, Davey Heskin, Mike Moore, Robby Wolfgang and Dusty Zomer among the crowd. Kevin Swindell also turned quite a few laps. Who was fast? They all look fast out there by themselves. We’ll have to see tonight when the green flag drops who has the real speed. In the 360s, 17 cars turned laps including Chad Humston, Josh Higday, Matt Moro, Randy Martin, Larry Ball, Jr., Jaime Ball, Rod Richards and Joe Beaver. Rookie candidate Tyler Groenendyk was also on hand, turning laps in the 10. For the stock cars fans out there, yes, that is the same Tyler Groenendyk that raced regularly in the 17T B-mod at Oskaloosa among other places. Tyler is a good shoe in the mods, so it will be interesting to see what he has to offer under the wing this season. Eleven 305 sprinters turned laps including Chris Mallicoat, Mark Van Haaften, Marty Stephenson and Matt Stephenson. A lot of eyes were focused on class rookie Carson McCarl (97) as he makes the third McCarl family member that will be turning laps at Knoxville this year. I can’t wait to get back there tonight for actual racing. We had a shower overnight, but the sun is breaking through now in the late morning. It is breezy, so take some layers if you are headed out tonight to Knoxville, or any other race track. It may get a little chilly when the sun goes down – but not to worry, because we are at least racing!
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