Motorin': News and notes from the world of motorsports
THE SETUP
Iowa race tracks have already attracted a who's who list of racing stars this season.
Kevin Harvick at Iowa Speedway, done.
Same with Mark Martin.
Dario Franchitti, Danica Patrick, Helio Castroneves and the rest of the IndyCar Series' stars also filed through Newton, leaving rave reviews for Iowa's fans.
The rest of the season, Knoxville Raceway and a pair of southern Iowa tracks become spotlight sites again.
The procession of NASCAR drivers resumes July 31 when Clint Bowyer, Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace race with the United States Modified Touring Series at Cresco Speedway.
The trio visits Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa the following night.
Want more? The Knoxville Nationals' allure is one reason Kasey Kahne will race in the Aug. 6 Front Row Challenge at Oskaloosa.
Kasey Kahne will eventually watch his World of Outlaws driver Joey Saldana attempt to win the Aug. 8-11 Nationals.
Want more? Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman are among the entrants for the Sept. 27-29 Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals.
PIT PICKS
Fantasy auto racing info
Indiana native Ryan Newman could match Jeff Gordon with five poles this season if he earns the distinction at the Brickyard. A win would be nice, too, though. Newman, a precarious 13th in Cup points, has finished 31st or worse in three of six starts at Indy. ... Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, Denny Hamlin, Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards are the top five Cup drivers on super speedways this season.
T-MAC'S TAKE
Terry McCarl of Altoona ranks 12th in World of Outlaws points. McCarl, who also promotes events such as the Front Row and Ultimate Challenges each August at Oskaloosa, races tonight with the Outlaws at Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada.
How was the Grove? “We got the hard charger award (in the finale) ... We struggled the first day, but I was happy the second day. We were one of the fastest all night long, got up in the top 10 and spun out. The guy in front of me went to the bottom and just took the air out from my wings — kind of like you hear with NASCAR guys, when they crash sometimes. It was weird, the weirdest thing that’s happened to me. I didn’t turn the steering wheel but the thing dumped the right front and I spun out.”
Thoughts on customs in Canada?
“Those guys are back in the office making $360,000 a year and don’t give a (darn) what we have to go through. We’re all inventorying every nut and bolt, every T-shirt. It’s ridiculous what we’re going through.”
YOU TELL US
Which of these drivers would you least like to see win Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
A. Kasey Kahne. Too many fans for so few wins this year.
B.Tony Stewart. Enough said.
C. Jeff Gordon. See above.
D. Juan Pablo Montoya. He’s already one there — in the Indy 500.
E. Jimmie Johnson.
Log on to www.DesMoinesRegister.com/racing to vote.
See more at http://desmoinesregister.com
