Triumph and tragedy over the weekend in Speedway
After an early wash out the 54th Knoxville Nationals proved once again it is the premier Sprint car Race in Speedway.
A big entry list of 110 drivers started the qualifying a day late due to rain and mist but the delay had little effect on the confidence on the man from Fargo north Dakota . Gunning for his 8th Championship at the Iowa track Donny Schatz headed the points after the two nights of qualifying to gain the coveted pole position for the 50 lap main event.
The field was packed with class at the head of the feature. Shane Stewart started from position 2 alongside Schatz with Australian Kerry Madsen in 3 and Brian Brown P4
Schatz high point man and from pole took the early lead from Shane Stewart and held the power point right up to lap 44 before Brian Brown worked his way into the lead .Brown’s glory was short-lived as Schatz stormed back into the lead and the raced away to victory for the 8th time .
Knoxville podium 2014
Brian Brown once again finished second; surely his time for a Knoxville win is close. Australian Kerry Madsen made history when he made the podium, first Australian ever to achieve this honor.
Knoxville National final results
A main, 50 Laps, No Time: 1. Donny Schatz (1); 2. Brian Brown (4); 3. Kerry Madsen (3); 4. Craig Dollansky (7); 5. Justin Henderson (8); 6. Paul McMahan (5); 7. Terry McCarl (6); 8. Mark Dobmeier (11); 9. Joey Saldana (13); 10. Kraig Kinser (9); 11. Stevie Smith (19); 12. Cody Darrah (18); 13. Brad Sweet (23); 14. Daryn Pittman (17); 15. David Gravel (10); 16. Sam Hafertepe Jr. (12); 17. Bryan Clauson (14); 18. Clint Garner (22); 19. Tim Kaeding (25); 20. Brooke Tatnell (21); 21. Lee Jacobs (24); 22. Shane Stewart (2); 23. Ryan Bunton (16); 24. Tim Shaffer (20); 25. Sammy Swindell (15)
The Knoxville triumph was sadly interrupted when the news flashed across the Speedway world with the reports on the accident at Canandaigua Motorsports Park involving Tony Stewart and local racer Kevin ward jr.
Sadly Kevin Ward Jr passed away as a result of the injuries received. There are many views on this horrific accident but this page will leave comments until after the Ontario County Sheriff Philip Povero has completed his investigations, at this stage Sheriff Povero has confirmed they are treating this as a racing accident and not a criminal incident.
The only words necessary at this time are those of sympathy and support for Kevin Ward’s family, friends and the racing community.
Kevin Ward Jr will be remembered as a young racer with ambitions, committed to his sport doing what he loved .Rest in peace young man
Kevin Ward jr
Tony Stewart issued the following statement:
“There aren’t words to describe the sadness I feel about the accident that took the life of Kevin Ward Jr.,” Stewart said in a statement released Sunday. “My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and everyone affected by this tragedy.”
