Mark Dobmeier Beefs Up at Knoxville Raceway!

Saturday, July 15, 2017
Mark Dobmeier looks over a future steak dinner after winning Saturday at Knoxville (Knoxville Raceway Photo)Mark Dobmeier looks over a future steak dinner after winning Saturday at Knoxville (Knoxville Raceway Photo) Clint Garner Wins 360 Thriller, Rookie Kelby Watt Wins in 305’s
by Bill Wright 
 
KNOXVILLE, Iowa (July 15, 2017) – Mark Dobmeier will be taking the beef back to Grand Forks, North Dakota after conquering South Central Co-op Night at Knoxville Raceway and the Marion County Fair Saturday.  In addition to the $4,000 winner’s share, the driver of the Jimco Racing/Polaris #13 took home a half a beef as well for his 14th career victory here.  Clint Garner won an exciting 360 feature that saw four lead changes, while sixteen-year-old Kelby Watt led the distance to score his first career win with the 305 class.  Brad Moyer won a special DTRA Dirt Truck main event.
 
The 20-lap 410 feature got off to a rocky start to say the least.  After a false start, Sawyer Phillips spun in turn four on the next try.  The third try was not a charm, as Austin McCarl flipped wildly in turn one.  Newcomer Jason Kendrick also flipped against the wall in turn one.  Both were unhurt.
 
Terry McCarl had gotten the jump on the first few tries, but Mark Dobmeier would sail out to the lead once it counted ahead of Terry, Lynton Jeffrey, Danny Lasoski and Dustin Selvage.  Lasoski would move into third by lap four, and with six laps in, Justin Henderson spun in turn four while running sixth.
 
Dobmeier pulled away on that restart as well, riding the cushion.  Behind him, McCarl and Lasoski went at it like they have over the last four decades for the runner-up spot.  One last caution for a spun Sawyer Phillips slowed things one more time, but Dobmeier would pull away and had no peer here tonight.
 
Terry McCarl was second at the line, ahead of Lasoski, Tim Kaeding and Selvage.  Dakota Hendrickson made a last lap pass for sixth, followed by Matt Juhl, Josh Schneiderman, Scott Bogucki and hard-charger Tasker Phillips.  Jeffrey crossed the line fourth, but was disqualified for pulling toward his pit stall, and his crew touching the car before going to the scales.  Dobmeier set quick time, while Brooke Tatnell, who won his heat, but lost a motor in the process.  Schneiderman and Rager Phillips were other heat winners.  The three Phillips brothers made a bit of history, as they were the first trio of brothers to compete here in the 410 class since Bob, Mike and Denny Houseman in the 1983 Knoxville Nationals.
 
“Perfect!” said Dobmeier in Victory Lane next to his prize steer.  “We like steak!  I appreciated the number of restarts we had.  Terry McCarl is the king of restarts when you’re starting side by side.  He got me the first couple of times, but it was nice to get an opportunity to get him back.  Our crew has been working hard all year long.  We’ve had a strong car wherever we’ve gone…short tracks or big tracks.  We’re just finally getting some wins to prove it.”
 
Calvin Landis shot out to an early lead in the 18-lap 360 feature, ahead of Tyler Groenendyk and Clint Garner.  Groenendyk would slide in front of Landis to lead lap two, while point leader, Matt Moro snuck into fourth.  By lap three, Jamie Ball had entered the top five as well.
 
As the leaders got into traffic, Groenendyk hesitated on the low side of three, allowing Landis back by on lap seven.  The following two laps, a blanket could have been thrown over the top three, as Garner moved into second in heavy lapped traffic.  Meanwhile, Ball and Moro were battling for the fourth spot.
 
Garner reeled in Landis in lapped traffic, reminiscent of their tangle a week ago that took them both out.  This time, Garner was able to slide across turn three and take the point on lap 12.  Four laps later, Ball moved by Landis in turn two for second.  The only caution of the event came with two laps to go, when Devin Kline went up in smoke.  Joe Beaver and Sawyer Phillips also piled their mounts together in turn two.  No one was hurt.
 
Garner pulled away from Ball on the restart to win his 32nd career 360 feature here.  Ryan Giles, Moro and Landis followed them.  Tim Kaeding, Nate Van Haaften, Groenendyk, hard-charger Jason Martin and Chris Martin rounded out the top ten.  Moro set quick time, while Landis, Giles and Ball won the heats.  Chris Morgan claimed the B.
 
“We had a long week at the shop,” said Garner, who got upside down with Landis a week ago.  “I didn’t spend enough time last winter getting prepared.  I’ve got great people behind me.  It’s just about putting the time in when it’s cold.  To get results like that with a car that we hadn’t been in, and our second engine was really good.  I can’t say enough about my guys.  We all worked our butts off.”
 
The 15-lap 305 feature got off to an ugly start.  Brandon Worthington spun, collecting Corey Kautz, while Christopher Scank flipped in turn two.  No one was injured.  Young Kelby Watt was steady from the front row and found the bottom groove to his liking in route to his first career sprint car win.  Once back green, the race went non-stop.
 
The best battles on the track came from point leader Eric Bridger, who moved up to third by lap three, but was challenged and passed with two to go by Kade Higday.  Tyler Glass tucked in behind Watt and followed him all the way to the checkers, ahead of Higday, Bridger and Ryan Leavitt.  Chris Walraven, Rob Kubli, Evan Epperson, Matthew Stelzer and Chase Rudolf completed the top ten.  Bridger set down quick time and won his heat.  Chris Horton took the second heat.
 
“It was a fun race,” said the youngster in Victory Lane.  “This is my first season.  I’m only sixteen years old.  I’m proud of my crew.  We work hard on this car every day.  I’m just so happy that we could make it here.  I can’t thank my sponsors enough.”
 
Brad Moyer passed Tony Moro on lap two and led the rest of the 12-lap distance to claim the DTRA Dirt Truck feature.  It was Moyer’s first win at Knoxville.  Bret Moyer was second, followed by Eric Lundstrom, Tony Moro and Lou Sipolt.
 
Marion County Fair activities continue this week with tomorrow’s Outlaw Caged Kart racing here, as well as the Dynamic Drivelines Dirt Duel for IMCA Hawkeye Dirt Tour Modifieds and Sport Mods Thursday, July 20.  Next Saturday night, July 22 is 3M Night!  All three sprint car classes will again be in action!  For more information, visit www.KnoxvilleRaceway.com!
 
410 Results
 
Time Trials (Qualifying Order), 2 laps: 1. 13, Mark Dobmeier, Grand Forks, ND (7), 15.433; 2. 24, Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA (11), 15.556; 3. 12, Lynton Jeffrey, Sydney, NSW, Aust. (12), 15.579; 4. 2KS, Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA (15), 15.579; 5. 20, AJ Moeller, Rockwell City, IA (25), 15.647; 6. 59, Justin Henderson, Tea, SD (18), 15.668; 7. 1M, Danny Lasoski, Dover, MO (6), 15.713; 8. 09, Matt Juhl, Tea, SD (24), 15.718; 9. 17A, Carson McCarl, Altoona, IA (9), 15.720; 10. 55, Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aust. (14), 15.739; 11. 1B, Dustin Selvage, Indianola, IA (8), 15.753; 12. 96, Bronson Maeschen, Pleasantville, IA (4), 15.769; 13. 3, Tim Kaeding, San Jose, CA (13), 15.780; 14. 49, Josh Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA (22), 15.853; 15. 7X, Sawyer Phillips, Pleasantville, IA (3), 15.883; 16. 4, Dakota Hendrickson, Omaha, NE (1), 15.907; 17. 4K, Jason Kendrick, Perth, WA, Aust. (23), 15.908; 18. 22, Rager Phillips, Pleasantville, IA (5), 15.941; 19. 71A, RJ Johnson, Tampa, FL (20), 15.982; 20. 7W, Tasker Phillips, Pleasantville, IA (26), 15.986; 21. 84, Scott Bogucki, McLaren Vale, SA, Aust. (16), 16.115; 22. 15, Bobby Mincer, Burlington, IA (2), 16.174; 23. 29, Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL (10), 16.199; 24. 56N, Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN (21), 16.304; 25. 1P, Curtis Evans, Norborne, MO (17), 16.394; 26. 19, Bob Weuve, Newton, IA (19), 16.534;
 
Heat one (started), 8 Laps, 2:09.0: 1. Brooke Tatnell (3); 2. Tim Kaeding (2); 3. Danny Lasoski (4); 4. Mark Dobmeier (6); 5. Dakota Hendrickson (1); 6. Austin McCarl (5); 7. Bobby Mincer (8); 8. RJ Johnson (7); 9. Curtis Evans (9)
 
Heat two (started), 8 Laps, 2:09.9: 1. Josh Schneiderman (2); 2. Dustin Selvage (3); 3. Terry McCarl (6); 4. Matt Juhl (4); 5. Jason Kendrick (1); 6. AJ Moeller (5); 7. Tasker Phillips (7); 8. Bob Weuve (9); 9. Joey Moughan (8)
 
Heat three (started), 8 Laps, 2:11.6: 1. Rager Phillips (1); 2. Lynton Jeffrey (6); 3. Bronson Maeschen (3); 4. Justin Henderson (5); 5. Sawyer Phillips (2); 6. Scott Bogucki (7); 7. Carson McCarl (4); 8. Davey Heskin (8)
 
A main (started), 20 Laps, NT: 1. Mark Dobmeier (2); 2. Terry McCarl (1); 3. Danny Lasoski (3); 4. Tim Kaeding (12); 5. Dustin Selvage (5); 6. Dakota Hendrickson (13); 7. Matt Juhl (10); 8. Josh Schneiderman (8); 9. Scott Bogucki (15); 10. Tasker Phillips (20); 11. Bronson Maeschen (14); 12. Rager Phillips (11); 13. RJ Johnson (22); 14. AJ Moeller (9); 15. Bob Weuve (19); 16. Curtis Evans (21); 17. Sawyer Phillips (16); 18. Bobby Mincer (17); 19. Joey Moughan (24); 20. Justin Henderson (6); 21. Carson McCarl (23); 22. Austin McCarl (9); 23. Jason Kendrick (18); 24. Lynton Jeffrey (4). Lap Leader: Dobmeier 1-20. Hard-charger: T. Phillips.
 
360 Results
 
Time Trials (Qualifying Order), 2 laps: 1. 2M, Matt Moro, Polk City, IA (18), 16.235; 2. 9, Ryan Giles, Grimes, IA (6), 16.310; 3. 5MRP, Devin Kline, Knoxville, IA (8), 16.321; 4. 3, Nate Van Haaften, Otley, IA (7), 16.345; 5. 40, Clint Garner, Sioux Falls, SD (4), 16.356; 6. 5M, Troy Manteufel, St. Peter, MN (23), 16.397; 7. 17, Tyler Groenendyk, Oskaloosa, IA (1), 16.428; 8. 8L, Tom Lenz, Marion, IA (22), 16.476; 9. 5J, Jamie Ball, Knoxville, IA (15), 16.520; 10. 53, Joe Beaver, Knoxville, IA (5), 16.545; 11. 44, Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA (9), 16.569; 12. 15, Christian Bowman, Altoona, IA (2), 16.619; 13. 70, Calvin Landis, Knoxville, IA (27), 16.634; 14. 75AU, Matt Egel, Adelaide, SA, Aust. (20), 16.652; 15. 55, McKenna Haase, Des Moines, IA (17), 16.703; 16. 3K, Tim Kaeding, San Jose, CA (13), 16.719; 17. 35, Skylar Prochaska, Lakefield, MN (16), 16.832; 18. 36, Jason Martin, Lincoln, NE (14), 16.859; 19. 3P, Sawyer Phillips, Pleasantville, IA (25), 16.955; 20. 33, Alan Zoutte, Knoxville, IA (11), 17.057; 21. 6, Mitchell Alexander, Knoxville, IA (26), 17.103; 22. 9S, Kyle Clark, Sapulpa, OK (3), 17.106; 23. 81A, Chris Morgan, Topeka, KS (28), 17.237; 24. 19, Rob Weuve, Oakland Acres, IA (24), 17.271; 25. 9M, Ricky Montgomery, Lakewood, CO (19), 17.322; 26. 1A, John Anderson, Des Moines, IA (12), 17.362; 27. 71C, Stacey Alexander, Lacona, IA (21), 17.389; DQ (Light at the Scales) 7M, Chance Morton, Coweta, OK (10)
 
Heat one (started), 7 Laps, 1:57.3: 1. Calvin Landis (2); 2. Tim Kaeding (1); 3. Matt Moro (6); 4. Tyler Groenendyk (4); 5. Joe Beaver (3); 6. Nate Van Haaften (5); 7. Sawyer Phillips (7); 8. Ricky Montgomery (9); 9. Kyle Clark (8); 10. Chance Morton (10)
 
Heat two (started), 7 Laps, 1:57.7: 1. Ryan Giles (6); 2. Tom Lenz (4); 3. Matt Egel (2); 4. Chris Martin (3); 5. Clint Garner (5); 6. Skylar Prochaska (1); 7. Chris Morgan (8); 8. Alan Zoutte (7); 9. John Anderson (9)
 
Heat three (started), 7 Laps, 1:58.1: 1. Jamie Ball (4); 2. McKenna Haase (2); 3. Jason Martin (1); 4. Devin Kline (6); 5. Christian Bowman (3); 6. Troy Manteufel (5); 7. Mitchell Alexander (7); 8. Stacey Alexander (9); 9. Rob Weuve (8)
 
B main (started), 8 Laps, 2:22.3: 1. Chris Morgan (3); 2. Rob Weuve (4); 3. John Anderson (6); 4. Alan Zoutte (1) / 5. Ricky Montgomery (5); 6. Stacey Alexander (7) DNS – Kyle Clark, Chance Morton
 
A main, 18 Laps, NT: 1. Clint Garner (3); 2. Jamie Ball (5); 3. Ryan Giles (8); 4. Matt Moro (7); 5. Calvin Landis (1); 6. Tim Kaeding (12); 7. Nate Van Haaften (9); 8. Tyler Groenendyk (2); 9. Jason Martin (16); 10. Chris Martin (13); 11. Tom Lenz (4); 12. McKenna Haase (11); 13. Skylar Prochaska (18); 14. Christian Bowman (17); 15. Joe Beaver (15); 16. Chris Morgan (21); 17. Matt Egel (14); 18. Troy Manteufel (10); 19. Mitchell Alexander (20); 20. Rob Weuve (22); 21. Alan Zoutte (24); 22. Devin Kline (6); 23. Sawyer Phillips (19); 24. John Anderson (23). Lap Leaders: Landis 1, Groenendyk 2-6, Landis 7-11, Garner 12-18. Hard-charger: J. Martin. Howard Law $200: Kline.
 
305 Results
 
Time Trials (Qualifying Order), 3 laps: 1. 81E, Eric Bridger, Winterset, IA (12), 17.142; 2. 35, Kevin Hetrick, Gladstone, IL (4), 17.143; 3. 24, Kade Higday, Pleasant Hill, IA (18), 17.170; 4. 1B, Ryan Leavitt, Knoxville, IA (19), 17.175; 5. 0, Mike Mayberry, Fremont, IA (8), 17.286; 6. 56, Joe Simbro, Pleasantville, IA (11), 17.349; 7. 1K, Kelby Watt, Adel, IA (9), 17.361; 8. 56W, Chris Walraven, Knoxville, IA (14), 17.383; 9. 12T, Tyler Glass, Cedar Rapids, IA (3), 17.443; 10. 4, Chris Horton, Indianola, IA (5), 17.486; 11. 36, Christopher Scank, Cedar Rapids, IA (17), 17.515; 12. 71, Brandon Worthington, Indianola, IA (2), 17.550; 13. 99, Matthew Stelzer, Papillion, NE (6), 17.585; 14. 64, Casey Greubel, Lacona, IA (1), 17.624; 15. 23K, Rob Kubli, Milo, IA (10), 17.633; 16. 21, Evan Epperson, Muscatine, IA (13), 17.643; 17. 67, Jon Hughes, Knoxville, IA (7), 17.757; 18. 8R, Chase Rudolf, Norwalk, IA (15), 17.872; 19. 51, Corey Kautz, Estherville, IA (16), 17.944.
 
Heat one (started), 6 Laps, 1:46.0: 1. Eric Bridger (6); 2. Tyler Glass (2); 3. Kelby Watt (3); 4. Kade Higday (5); 5. Rob Kubli (8); 6. Matthew Stelzer (7); 7. Christopher Scank (1); 8. Corey Kautz (10); 9. Mike Mayberry (4); 10. Jon Hughes (9)
 
Heat two (started), 6 Laps, 1:48.3: 1. Chris Horton (2); 2. Brandon Worthington (1); 3. Chris Walraven (3); 4. Ryan Leavitt (5); 5. Joe Simbro (4); 6. Evan Epperson (8); 7. Casey Greubel (7); 8. Chase Rudolf (9); 9. Kevin Hetrick (6)
 
A main (started), 15 Laps, 4:38.0: 1. Kelby Watt (2); 2. Tyler Glass (1); 3. Kade Higday (5); 4. Eric Bridger (6); 5. Ryan Leavitt (4); 6. Chris Walraven (7); 7. Rob Kubli (11); 8. Evan Epperson (14); 9. Matthew Stelzer (13); 10. Chase Rudolf (16); 11. Chris Horton (3); 12. Casey Greubel (15); 13. Mike Mayberry (10); 14. Joe Simbro (8); 15. Jon Hughes (18); 16. Brandon Worthington (9); 17. Christopher Scank (12); 18. Corey Kautz (17) DNS = Kevin Hetrick. Lap Leader: Watt 1-15. Hard-charger: Epperson.
 
DTRA Dirt Trucks Results
 
Heat one (started), 7 laps, NT: 1. 9, Lou Sipolt, Altoona, IA (2); 2. 98, Bret Moyer, Polk City, IA (6); 3. 7XJR, Andrew Clark, Des Moines, IA (5); 4. 17, Bryan Spangler, Des Moines, IA (4); 5. 2, Del Enos, Des Moines, IA (1); 6. 40J, Justin Schroeder, Coon Rapids, IA (3)
 
Heat two (started), 7 laps, 2:44.8: 1. 21, Brad Moyer, Alleman, IA (1); 2. 35, Eric Lundstrom, Berwick, IA (2); 3. 2m, Tony Moro, Polk City, IA (3); 4. 23, Steve Jackson, Polk City, IA (5); 5. 28, Anthony Moro, Polk City, IA (6); 6. 79, Shonn Mapes, Ankeny, IA (4)
 
A main (started), 12 Laps, NT: 1. Brad Moyer (4); 2. Bret Moyer (3); 3. Eric Lundstrom (6); 4. Tony Moro (1); 5. Lou Sipolt (5); 6. Bryan Spangler (7); 7. Shonn Mapes (12); 8. Anthony Moro (10); 9. Del Enos (9); 10. Justin Schroeder (11); 11. Andrew Clark (2); 12. Steve Jackson (8). Lap Leaders: T. Moro 1, Brad Moyer 2-12. Hard-charger: Mapes.