NOSville

Night number one working for NOS Energy Drinks was a blast! Way more fun that I probably deserve to have. We're planning some heavy involvement at Knoxville during the course of the season. We'll be there for many of their 'big' events, so next time you visit Knoxville and see the bright orange and blue NOS tent, stop by, take a free sample and say hello. Even if you don't want to talk to me, you can always chat with the NOS girls.

It looks like since we'll be concentrating on certain events rather than being at Knoxville every week, I'll still be able to catch some local racing. The best of both worlds.


First Up...

-In addition to working, I was able to view most of the 410 heats and the features (from the suites along the front stretch I might add). With the Interstate Racing Association in town, there were nearly 100 teams running in the 360 and 410 classes.

-The IRA's Travis Whitney set quick time, but would wreck in the feature.

-Another first time winner, this week it was Dusty Zomer in the 410. In the 360s it was veteran John Kearney.

-Kaley Gharst had another great run. Instead of having to come from the back like last week, he was up front all night and finished second.

-Brian Brown fell to 5th in the 410 Championship Cup standings. Zomer is in the top spot with rookie Dustin Lindquist in second.

-Natalie Sather looked like she might have made history Saturday. She was running second when Josh Higday tried to pass her but ran out of room on the bottom. They got together and Sather was forced to retire with a flat left rear tire. It might be an interesting race to see who gets to Knoxville victory lane first this year, Sather or Trish Dover in the 305 class.

-Ryan Roberts had the best run of his early Knoxville career. He finished third in the 360 feature. Former Eagle racer Rick Ideus was fourth.

-After the show we had to visit the Dingus Lounge and do some more promoting for NOS. A trip to the Dingus is a rite of passage for any Knoxville fan. The post race festivities were in full effect Saturday, to be followed up by a few Sunday morning headaches. You can find out all you need to know about this historic landmark at www.dinguslounge.com.

Returning home...

-It looks like Eagle tightened up the length of the show Saturday. A full night's racing done by 10:45 is a good thing for everyone.

-Three features and three different winners. Jason Danley joined the list this weekend. I like that competition.

-John Klabunde had a nice ride Saturday, finishing second.

-I've heard reports that the pit meeting was a little tense at times. I hope that everyone can come together this season. I think Eagle needs the sprints, and I think the sprints needs Eagle.

-I was right in the my prediction that we'd race this weekend. First and last time I've ever been right about the weather.

Oval Operators Finishing Order
Eagle Raceway
Main
2. John Klabunde
8. Josh Riggins
9. Tige Jensen
10. Gene Ackland
16. Frank Galusha
18. Mark Pace
19. Doug Lovegrove
20. Nick Bryan

B Main
10. Trevor Grossenbacher
11. Bobby Becker

Knoxville Raceway
B Main
9. Jack Dover

And Finally...

-Congrats to Don Droud Jr. on winning the ASCS Rocky Mountain feature at Dodge City (KS) Raceway park. Jr. and the Ochs Racing team have become a formidable combination this year. Other Nebraskans running stong at Dodge City were Stu Snyder and Mike Chadd. Sndyer started on the pole for the feature, and finished fifth, Chadd was eighth.

-The new qualifying format for this year's Indy 500 has made for some great TV. Saturday was a shoot-out between the top teams for the pole. The advent of a bubble for each qualifying day was a brilliant idea.

-I'm hoping to get my NOS Schedule set this week, so I'll know what weekends I'll be working with them, and what weekends I'll be a just a spectator. I'm hoping to get some pics from the weekend up sometime this in the next couple of days.

So far 2007 has been an interesting season, and we've only just begun.