ALTOONA, Iowa — Knoxville Raceway drivers, owners, officials and fans gathered Saturday night at Prairie Meadows Racetrack. Guests witnessed over $300,000 in cash and contingencies handed out in an event emceed by track announcers Tony Bokhoven and Kris Krug.
The contingency package was headlined by a giveaway of six chassis. Owners present in all three sprint car classes was awarded a contingency. The Knoxville Raceway Charitable Organization again will provide insurance for all of this year’s Knoxville point eligible drivers.
After dinner, Race Director John McCoy addressed the attendees. In addition to the thanks doled out to those who make Knoxville Raceway what it is, he expressed his excitement for next season.
• The Knoxville Raceway Safety Team was recognized, and received the quarterly National Motorsports Press Association “Pocono Spirit Award” for character and achievement in the face of adversity. The award in particular, was due to their heroic efforts in the Carson Macedo crash in June.
Drivers and owners outside of the top five in each of the three respective classes received their accolades.
• The Jr. Fan Club Driver of the Year was announced. Chase Randall received his first award in that class.
• Bob Baker, the Executive Director of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, presented the Ralph Capitani Heritage Award to longtime Knoxville Raceway and National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum supporter, Don Long, who has been instrumental in not only those foundations, but many of the drivers at Knoxville over the years.
• The Lyle Boyd Hard Charger Award awards the drivers who passed the most cars in feature events this season.
A.J. Johnson received the award in the Pro Series class, with Chase Randall (360) and Davey Heskin (410) receiving the award in their respective classes.
Tasker Phillips was named the Most Improved Driver in the 410 class, while Cam Martin picked up the honor in the 360 class. Chase Young won the award in the Pro Series class.
Johnson (Pro Series), Garet Williamson (360), and Lachlan McHugh (410) were named rookie of the year in their respective classes.
The big hardware went out last to the top five drivers in the Knoxville Championship Cup Series point standings. In the Pro Series class, Johnson (5th), Mike Mayberry (4th), Matt Allen (3rd), Chase Young (2nd) and Kade Higday (champion) were honored. It was Higday’s first career championship.
In the 360 class, Ryan Giles (5th), Clint Garner (4th) Jamie Ball (3rd), Williamson (2nd) and Randall (first-time champion) were honored.
In the 410 class, Lynton Jeffrey (5th), TKS Motorsports (5th in owner points) Aaron Reutzel (4th), Heskin (3rd), Brian Brown (2nd) and Austin McCarl (champion) were honored. It was McCarl’s second championship in the 410 class.