8/11/2008
Matt Wasmund
Knoxville Nationals Re-Cap for Wasmund Racing
The 48th running of the SuperClean Knoxville Nationals was the next event on the schedule for the Wasmund Racing Team out of Jackson, MN. Matt and the gang arrived to the track early for that his scheduled qualifying time was to be on Wednesday. Unfortunately, there are times when things just don’t go right for a race team, and that is what Wasmund Racing experienced the first night out. Everyone gets a few hot laps in before the beginning of the night, and for Wasmund, it was just a time for him to go out and blow up an engine. Not a good start to the night, but the team came very well prepared as another car and motor was ready to go. Unfortunately, with the truck and trailer being out in the parking lot, the team had to leave the pits to get the backup car ready and back into the track. The team hurried to get the car ready by the time the C-Main lined up, but just ran out of time. With over 100 of the best sprint car teams in the nation showing up to this race, there are two nights of qualifying. Thursday night, the other half of the field had to hit the track to attempt two fast laps to make them into the show. Wasmund attempted to qualify, but the officials wouldn’t allow the Keizer Wheels XXX Chassis machine to touch the racetrack since his qualifying day was the day before. Tough break, but the team just had to sit Thursday out and wait for the qualifying heats on the next day of the Nationals.
With the small backup motor in the car, and acquiring no points thus far throughout the Nationals, the Wasmund Team had to start in the back of one of the toughest heats during the Nationals. Starting 10th, Matt had to race his way up through the field to even have a chance to make it into the B-Main. Knowing his way around the speedway, Matt put the Keizer Wheels XXX Chassis in the eighth spot to transfer into that precious B-Main. Wasmund started in the back of the B-Main and raced his way up to the 17th spot on the narrow, very fast racetrack.
With one night left for the 48th Annual Knoxville Nationals, Matt and the gang had one last chance to race their way up through the field to start the main event. Not an easy feat, as over 70 cars would needed to be passed to start the Main Event. Matt started towards the rear of the pack in the E-Main and raced his way up to just two spots out of the transfer spot.
Overall, it was not a bad weekend for the Wasmund Team. Blowing the engine on the first night and not being able to set a qualifying time really puts a team behind the eight ball for the Knoxville Nationals. But, giving the circumstances, the Wasmund Team put forth an excellent effort to jump over that wall that was placed in front of them at the beginning of the week. Stay tuned to www.wasmundracinginc.com for all the latest news and result updates as for the next race on the schedule for the Wasmund Team is an IRA event in Wilmot, WI. Special Thanks to Keizer Wheels, XXX Race Company, Rushmore Plumbing, Jackson Chiropractic, Worthington Excavating, Awesome Racewear, Ridgeway Lumber, Driver Websites, Steffl Drilling, American Compressed Steel, American Race Tires, Behling Racing Equipment, Natural Health & Chiropractic, Rod End Supply, Smith Trucking, Bell racing, UltraShield, DMI and Pro Shocks.