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50th Annual Knoxville Nationals for Wasmund

The Knoxville Nationals, the most prestigious of all sprint car racing, was held just over a week ago. It was the 50th Annual, an event every sprint car driver in the country dreams of being a part of.

Jackson, Minnesota, native and pilot of the Keizer Wheels XXX Racing Chassis #4w, Matt Wasmund made yet another appearance at the event on Thursday the 12th of August as he drew a high pill for his qualifying line up. “The car was very good,” says Wasmund, “The air was not good, and it was certainly playing a very important role to every driver and his crew. It was hard to get the motor fueled correctly, and Guy Forbrook mentioned it was the worst air he has seen at the famous ½ mile speedway. We just had to work with it, just like everyone else!”

Wasmund started 10th in the first heat race of the evening and moved forward, but only one spot as the motor just wasn’t running to it’s potential. That put the Keizer Wheels XXX Chassis in the ‘C’ Feature for the evening in which Wasmund raced forward through the field and up to 8th, but only 2 would transfer to the ‘B’.

Rain fell on Friday, so the previously scheduled Friday’s event was moved to a start time of noon on Saturday, the final day of the event. Afternoon races always play a part of a dry slick race track; Wasmund started 22nd on the slippery track and moved raced his way up to 15th. “We were very pleased on how the car worked”, explains Matt, “But, we were disappointed we didn’t make the top ten to guarantee us a spot in the Main Event.”

For the final flight of features on Saturday night, Wasmund and the Keizer Wheels XXX Chassis had acquired enough points to start at the back of the ‘D’ Feature. From the 10th row, Matt worked his way up to 17th on the very narrow track throughout a green to checkered-fast paced 12-lap charge.
All in all, the team is very pleased with the 2010 Nationals; it was the first in many the team didn’t have an accident, or blow an engine. They certainly would of liked to finish higher throughout the week, but bringing the car and motors back in one piece is an accomplishment not many teams can announce.

Be sure to keep an eye on the team through the team website, www.wasmundracing.com!

Special thanks to Keizer Wheels, XXX Race Company, Rushmore Plumbing, Jackson Chiropractic, Awesome Racewear, Ridgeway Lumber, Rocket Headers, Steffl Drilling, Behling Racing Equipment, Natural Health & Chiropractic, Arizona Sport Shirts, Harvey’s Signs, Larry’s Body Shop, Rod End Supply, Smith Trucking, Bell Racing, Race Deck Garage Floors, Last Deck, Lev Wings, UltraShield, DMI, Pro Shocks and Driver Websites.com.

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