Ayrton Gennetten won his first career 410 feature Friday night at Granite City (Mark Funderburk Photo)
(Bill W) April 21, 2021, Monroe, IA – With cool temperatures forecast for last weekend, Knoxville’s opener was a bit of a mystery. In the end, the fans were ready and showed up in force, temperatures weren’t as chilly as expected, and the pits were chockful of racecars.
It started with a Friday practice night that saw 60 cars show up. Austin McCarl (410), Jamie Ball (360) and Devin Wignall (Pros) all registered quick time in their respective classes, and all would see more speed on Saturday night with different outcomes.
Tori Knutson lost a motor on practice night, and couldn’t return for Saturday. Aidan Zoutte, son of Alan was excited in his first night in a sprint car, but that ended with a motor problem of his own. Fortunately, no one turned over.
The “perfect storm” for the 410’s saw a handful of World of Outlaws in attendance after their Texas rainout. The IRA had another week off as well. Add a few travelers who had heard car counts may be light, a higher purse, and teams just ready to race, and you had 37 cars signing in. Six nights will pay $5,000 to win and a purse through the field that is good already will be even better on those nights.
The feature was a thriller that saw Sheldon Haudenschild pass Gio Scelzi late for his first career Knoxville win. Sheldon started fourteenth. It capped a long drive from Texas for the crew. Austin McCarl put on a show of his own. After cinching a leak in the fuel line, he went from the front row to start at the tail. He was the fastest car late in the 20-lapper, and ended up third.
Brian Brown tipped over at the start of the feature. He was able to restart, but the car wasn’t right and he finished mid-pack. Sam Hafertepe Jr. looked fast and finished fourth, and Davey Heskin was fifth in his first action of the year. Brooke Tatnell had a great charge in the DeWall #16, coming from 17th to sixth.
Travelers included North Dakota natives Wade Nygaard and Brendan Mullen. It was Mullen’s first trip to Knoxville, and his fun only lasted for practice on Friday, as he lost a motor early Saturday. They’re both excited about the NOSA series visiting Huset’s often this year. Minnesotan Brandon Halverson’s night ended the way of Mullen.
IRA regulars Scotty Thiel and Jordan Goldesberry were on hand, with both making the feature. Russel Borland was also in the house. Ayrton Gennetten will probably see Knoxville more in 2021. His first 410 win came Friday night in MOWA action in Granite City. He was eleventh at Knoxville. Marshall, Missouri’s Ben Brown has a 410 as well now and should see some improvement as the season goes on.
Other WoO visitors included Carson Macedo, who set quick time, and then suffered a flat tire after banging the fence in the feature. Aaron Reutzel also competed a couple blocks from home, but suffered a DNF. Parker Price-Miller and Mason Daniel were other WoO entries.
Presley Truedson has Bryan Sundby turning wrenches on her rookie campaign at Knoxville. She is new to the 410’s, but has run other divisions in the past, including midgets for Keith Kunz. Austin Miller is another driver committed to Rookie of the Year pursuits.
Twenty-seven 360’s entered Saturday. Jamie Ball was fast from the get-go. He held off early challenges from Lee Grosz and went on to win over Clint Garner, who looked stout.
Three teenagers won heat races. USAC National Midget regular Chase Randall (16) of Waco, Texas, was turned away from the 360 Nationals last year because of age, but used his weekend off to win his heat and notch a top ten. Christopher Thram (17) from Sanborn, Minnesota, is planning on making Knoxville his Saturday night home, and Sedalia’s Gunner Ramey (18) looked fast all weekend in Terry Doogs sprinter.
Other visitors to the 360’s included Jason Martin, who finished fourth, Sprint Invaders regular Brayden Gaylord, and Missouri’s Jason Billups, who previously raced at Knoxville in the Corn Belt Nationals.
Riley Goodno was the only driver performing double duty Saturday. He put both his 410 and 360 sprinters in features instead of heading to Prom. He drove from ninth to grab the final transfer in the 410 B. He later finished seventh in the 360 A main.
Tyler Groenendyk scored an emotional win in the Pro Series. The former modified ace has raced off and on at Knoxville for years in a quest for Victory Lane. It looked like Devin Wignall might be headed towards his second win. After storming to the lead from row seven, however, he suffered a sensor issue in the motor that slowed him late. The Pros should be entertaining this year. In addition to Groenendyk, additions include all-time feature winner for the class, Devin Kline, Kade Higday, and in a couple of weeks, two-time champion Eric Bridger.
A shout out goes out to Morton, Illinois’ Ryan Bunton, who suffered a hard crash in Granite City, fracturing some vertebrae. Pictures of the car afterwards were scary. Get well soon Ryan!
Midwest Thunder Sprints presented by OpenWheel101.com…
MOWA action at Jacksonville Speedway in Illinois and weekly action at Knoxville Raceway in Iowa headlines this week’s point races for the Midwest Thunder Sprints. We’d like to thank race fan Jim Harris of Omaha, Nebraska, and The Dirt Racing Podcast for coming on as sponsors of the point fund again! If you’d like to help sprint car drivers in the Midwest, drop me a line…
Ayrton Gennetten claimed his first ever 410 win at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Illinois Friday night. The MOWA win and a nice finish at Knoxville have propelled Ayrton into third in the season standings behind Gio Scelzi and Sam Hafertepe Jr. Brian Brown and Rico Abreu are fourth and fifth, and Clinton Boyles, Scotty Thiel, Tucker Klaasmeyer, Brent Marks and Zach Hampton round out the early season top ten.
Sponsors are being sought to grow the point fund for the series fifth season! Whether you are a fan like all of us, or a business that would like advertising through the series and OpenWheel101.com, join us!
Thousands of fans visit OpenWheel101.com each week to get the latest results, stories, video highlights, interviews and more. You can also search there for old results and stories. It’s a great place to advertise, and know that your contributions go straight to the drivers! E-mail Bill Wright at sprntcar@hotmail.com to set up your deal! Any amount is welcome!
Up Next…
Fri, April 23 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL) MOWA
Sat, April 24 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
2021 Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by www.OpenWheel101.com Point Standings (Feature Wins)
1. Gio Scelzi, Fresno, CA, 165
2. Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, TX, 120
3. Ayrton Gennetten, Gravois Mills, MO, 104 (1)
4. Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO, 99
5. Rico Abreu, St. Helena, CA, 90
6. Clinton Boyles, Greenwood, MO, 76
7. Scotty Thiel, Sheboygan, WI, 57
8. Tucker Klaasmeyer, Paola, KS, 51
9. Brent Marks, Myerstown, PA, 50
10. Zach Hampton, Mooresville, IN, 45
11. Cory Eliason, Visalia, CA, 40
(tie) Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA, 40
13. Carson Short, Marion, IL, 36
14. Joe B. Miller, Millerstown, MO, 35
15. Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 30
(tie) Kyle Bellm, Nixa, MO, 30
(tie) Brandon Hanks, Burlison, TN, 30
(tie) Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN, 30
19. Noah Gass, Mounds, OK, 26
20. Cale Thomas, Fairland, IN, 25
(tie) Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aust., 25
22. Josh Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA, 20
(tie) Spencer Bayston, Lebanon, IN, 20
24. Jordan Goldesberry, Springfield, IL, 18
(tie) Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA, 18
26. Lynton Jeffrey, Prairie City, IA, 16
27. Korey Weyant, Springfield, IL, 14
(tie) Sawyer Phillips, Pleasantville, IA, 14
29. McKenna Haase, Des Moines, IA, 12
30. Brayton Lynch, Springfield, MO, 10
(tie) Dustin Barks, Farmington, MO, 10
(tie) Carson McCarl, Altoona, IA, 10
33. Ben Brown, Marshall, MO, 8
(tie) Kyle Schuett, Philo, IL, 8
35. Garret Williamson, Columbia, MO, 6
(tie) Jeremy Standridge, Springfield, IL, 6
(tie) Justin Henderson, Tea, SD, 6
38. Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA, 4
(tie) Mitchell Davis, Auburn, IL, 4
(tie) Matt Juhl, Tea, SD, 4
41. Riley Goodno, Knoxville, IA, 2
(tie) Jacob Patton, Bethalto, IL, 2
(tie) Tasker Phillips, Pleasantville, IA, 2
Platinum WoO Member Wins
3, Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA
1, Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, OH
Tentative 2021 Races that will be counted for points with the Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by OpenWheel101.com
Sat, March 27 – Lake Ozark Speedway (MO) WoO (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Fri, April 2 – I-55 Raceway (MO) WoO (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Sat, April 3 – I-55 Raceway (MO) WoO (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Fri, April 16 – Tri-City Speedway (IL) MOWA (Ayrton Gennetten, Gravois Mills, MO)
Sat, April 17 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, OH)
Fri, April 23 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL) MOWA
Sat, April 24 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Thur, April 29 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL) WoO
Fri, April 30 – I-70 Speedway (MO) WoO
Sat, May 1 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sat, May 1 – I-70 Speedway (MO) WoO
Sat, May 8 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sun, May 9 – Huset’s Speedway (SD) NOSA
Fri, May 14 – Jackson Motorplex (MN) NOSA
Fri, May 14 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL)
Sat, May 15 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sun, May 16 – Huset’s Speedway (SD)
Sat, May 22 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sun, May 23 – Huset’s Speedway (SD)
Fri, May 28 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL)
Sat, May 29 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sun, May 30 – Huset’s Speedway (SD) NOSA
Mon, May 31 – Huset’s Speedway (SD) NOSA
Thur, June 3 – Fairbury American Legion Speedway (IL) All Stars/IRA
Fri, June 4 – Lee County Speedway (IA) MOWA
Fri, June 4 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) All Stars/IRA
Fri, June 4 – River Cities Speedway (ND) WoO
Sat, June 5 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sat, June 5 – Granite City Speedway (MN) WoO
Sat, June 5 – Plymouth Dirt Track (WI) All Stars/IRA
Sun, June 6 – Huset’s Speedway (SD)
Sun, June 6 – Angell Park Speedway (WI) All Stars/IRA
Sun, June 6 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL) MOWA
Fri, June 11 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) WoO
Fri, June 11 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL)
Sat, June 12 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) WoO
Sun, June 13 – Huset’s Speedway (SD) NOSA
Thur, June 17 – 34 Raceway (IA) WoO
Fri, June 18 – Dubuque Speedway (IA) WoO
Sat, June 19 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sat, June 19 – Beaver Dam Raceway (WI) WoO
Sun, June 20 – Huset’s Speedway (SD)
Mon, June 21 – Huset’s Speedway (SD) WoO
Tue, June 22 – Huset’s Speedway (SD) WoO
Thur, June 24 – Jackson Motorplex (MN) WoO
Fri, June 25 – Jackson Motorplex (MN) WoO
Sat, June 26 – Jackson Motorplex (MN) WoO Jackson Nationals
Sun, June 27 – Angell Park Speedway (WI) IRA
Thur, July 1 – Plymouth Dirt Track (WI) IRA
Fri, July 2 – Cedar Lake Speedway (WI) WoO
Sat, July 3 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sat, July 3 – Cedar Lake Speedway (WI) WoO
Sat, July 10 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sun, July 11 – Huset’s Speedway (SD)
Fri, July 16 – Lincoln Speedway (IL) MOWA
Sat, July 17 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sun, July 18 – Huset’s Speedway (SD)
Fri, July 23 – Lake Ozark Speedway (MO) All Stars
Fri, July 23 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL)
Sat, July 24 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sat, July 24 – Lake Ozark Speedway (MO) All Stars
Sun, July 25 – Huset’s Speedway (SD)
Sun, July 25 – Humboldt Speedway (KS) All Stars
Tue, July 27 – I-70 Speedway (MO) All Stars
Thur, July 29 – Missouri State Fair Speedway All Stars
Fri, July 30 – 34 Raceway (IA) All Stars
Fri, July 30 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL) MOWA
Sat, July 31 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) All Stars
Sun, Aug 1 – Huset’s Speedway (SD)
Sun, Aug 1 – Angell Park Speedway (WI) IRA
Fri, Aug 6 – I-55 Raceway (MO) WoO
Sat, Aug 7 – I-55 Raceway (MO) WoO
Sun, Aug 8 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) Capitani Classic
Mon, Aug 9 – Southern Iowa Speedway Front Row Challenge
Wed, Aug 11 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) Nationals
Thur, Aug 12 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) Nationals
Fri, Aug 13 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) Nationals
Sat, Aug 14 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) Nationals
Fri, Aug 20 – River Cities Speedway (ND) WoO
Sat, Aug 21 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) IRA
Sat, Aug 21 – Red River Valley Speedway (ND) WoO
Sun, Aug 22 – Huset’s Speedway (SD) WoO
Sun, Aug 22 – Angell Park Speedway (WI) IRA
Fri, Aug 27 – I-80 Speedway (NE) WoO
Fri, Aug 27 – Tri-City Speedway (IL) MOWA
Sat, Aug 28 – Knoxville Raceway (IA)
Sun, Aug 29 – Huset’s Speedway (SD) NOSA
Sun, Aug 29 – Route 66 Raceway (IL) IRA/MOWA
Fri, Sept 3 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL)
Fri, Sept 3 – Dodge Co. Fairgrounds (WI) IRA
Sat, Sept 4 – Plymouth Dirt Track (WI) IRA
Sun, Sept 5 – 141 Speedway (WI) IRA
Fri, Sept 10 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL) MOWA
Fri, Sept 10 – Outagamie Speedway (WI) IRA
Sat, Sept 11 – Spoon River Speedway (IL) MOWA Tom Knowles Memorial
Sat, Sept 11 – Cedar Lake Speedway (WI) IRA Jerry Richert Memorial
Fri, Sept 17 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL)
Sat, Sept 18 – Beaver Dam Raceway (WI) IRA
Fri, Sept 24 – Dodge Co. Fairgrounds (WI) IRA
Sat, Sept 25 – Huset’s Speedway (SD)
Sat, Sept 25 – Plymouth Dirt Track (WI) IRA
Sun, Sept 26 – Huset’s Speedway (SD)
Fri, Oct 8 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL) MOWA
Fri, Oct 22 – Lakeside Speedway (KS) WoO
2020 Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by www.OpenWheel101.com Point Standings (Feature Wins)
1. Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 766
2. Bill Balog, Hartland, WI, 667 (9)
3. Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA, 660 (11)
4. Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO, 587 (3)
5. Rico Abreu, St. Helena, CA, 479 (3)
6. Dominic Scelzi, Fresno, CA, 440
7. Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA, 419
8. Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 413
9. Tim Kaeding, Campbell, CA, 402
10. Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK, 385 (1)
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)
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)
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)