Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

Felker, Daum bring POWRi Midget championship fight to Belle-Clair for Arnie Knepper Memorial

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (Aug. 6, 2013)—Andrew Felker and Zach Daum are locked in a two-driver battle for the championship at midseason in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series going into the 22nd annual Arnie Knepper Memorial on Sunday (Aug. 11) at Belle-Clair Speedway.

Felker owns an 80-point lead over Daum, 2,310-2,230, with 14 of 30 events remaining on the schedule. Jake Blackhurst and Tyler Thomas are tied for third with 1,625. Under the POWRi points structure, which awards 200 points for winning the feature down to 10 for 20th through last and five points to drivers that run the semi-feature and don’t advance, Felker and Daum could miss the next three features and still be ahead of Blackhurst and Thomas.

Felker has advanced to the feature in 48 straight POWRi National Midget events over the past three seasons. The 20-year-old from Carl Junction, Mo., has eight top-fives including one win and six more top-10s this year. Daum drove a partial POWRi season in 2012, running 13 features, and in 16 this year has two wins, six additional top-fives and three more top-10s.

They’re not taking anything for granted, but the champion for 2013 seems likely to be Felker or Daum.

“When Zach made his deal with Toyota to run for the POWRi championship, we know it would be a dog fight with him,” Felker said. “There are a lot of guys who can win races, but Zach and I are pretty consistent and that’s what wins championships.”

Felker had two victories, nine top-fives and 17 top-10s in 29 races in taking his first POWRi championship in 2012. He’s on a pace to better those numbers this season in his Fontana-powered Spike.

Daum took his first POWRi triumph a year ago. The 22-year-old from Pocahontas, Ill., had seven top-fives and nine top-10s in 13 features. If he maintains the same level of consistency in the second half of the season, he’d double those numbers. Daum drives a Toyota-powered Eagle.

“That’s fun, what the championship needs to be about,” Daum said. “Andrew has been very consistent. He’s been running good and we’ve been running good. I hope all the bad luck is out of the way for both of us and it comes down to who can win the most races and have the best finishes.”

Daum chopped 260 points off Felker’s lead in the last three events. Felker had rear end problems in two and didn’t start either feature, but bounced back to finish second at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Mo., on July 27. Daum won at Valley, finished second at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, Ill., on July 25 and was ninth at US 36 in Cameron, Mo., on July 26.

The POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micros Series are also part of the Arnie Knepper Memorial.

POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series top-10 points standings (after 16 of 30 events): 1. Andrew Felker 2,310, 2. Zach Daum 2,230, 3. (tie) Jake Blackhurst 1,625, Tyler Thomas 1,625, 5. Austin Brown 1,515, 6. Brad Kuhn 1,430, 7. Parker Price-Miller 1,125, 8. Garrett Aitken 1,110, 9. Terry Babb 830, 10. Colten Cottle 735.

POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series feature winners: Jacksonville, Ill.—Shane Cockrum; Belleville, Ill.—Chris Bell; Macon, Ill.—Brady Bacon; Sun Prairie, Wis.—Michael Pickens; Jacksonville, Ill.—Kyle Larson; Lincoln, Ill.—Michael Pickens; Macon, Ill.—Andrew Felker; Sun Prairie, Wis.—Rico Abreu; Bloomington, Ind.—Zach Daum; Belleville, Ill.—Darren Hagen; Belleville, Ill.—Bryan Clauson; Wilmot, Wis.—Brad Kuhn; Sun Prairie, Wis.—Darren Hagen; Pontoon Beach Ill.—Terry Babb; Cameron, Mo.—Austin Brown; Grain Valley, Mo.—Zach Daum.

For more information, go to www.POWRi.com.

Re: Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

One of my favorite races every year.

http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/...psaab41289.jpg

How much does this race pay. Think we will see a good car count. Even if we only have 20 I wont mind. Heard all kinds of good stuff about this track so making my first ever trip over there sunday

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Re: Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

I predict 30+ midgets
40+ micro's
bmemmer, I don't know where your coming from, I'll bet you'll be back
Best true bullring racing around, oh you will get out at a decent time too

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Re: Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

Originally Posted by bmemmer:
How much does this race pay. Think we will see a good car count. Even if we only have 20 I wont mind. Heard all kinds of good stuff about this track so making my first ever trip over there sunday

I have no idea what it pays,I just try and help get the word out for some great midget racing!

I dont think I have been to an Arnie Knepper race since my first one in 2007 that didnt have 30 + midgets and Micro's.

I usually drag myself into work with just a couple hours sleep,but this year I am taking Monday off.

3 more days!!!!!:):)

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Re: Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

One more day before I make the 250 mile drive over to Belleville Illinois for the Arnie Knepper memorial.

I always like it when the sun goes down,and the carnival lights,and the lighted signs from stores can be seen in the background. Little Belleville is very 1950s in appearance,and I always envision Fonzie,Potsey,Ralph Malph,and Richie Cunningham pulling in at any moment to watch the races.

http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/...ps254caf42.jpg

http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1b18486a.jpg

Re: Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

Is USAC running anywhere tomorrow night? Might we see any of them too?

Either way, should be a great show

Re: Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

There is not a lot going on tomorrow night.Last years race was a real thriller with Rico Abreau taking off to an early lead,then spinning out early in the race. I thought to myself at the time,it is early,and he could make his way back to the front,he has time. He did restart at the rear,and he DID thrill us with his drive from the back to victory lane! One of my top 5 races of last year.

I wondered the same thing last night. I wonder if Bryan Clauson liked victory lane there last month that he will show up? Coons,Hines,Abreau,Larson to name a few?? I hope so.

I talked to bc earlier in the week on twitter. He said the plan was to run this show on way home from knoxville of course this was on monday and things could of changed. Cant wait to be there playing golf over there at clinton hills then heading to the track:) everyone have a safe trip over!

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Re: Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

Have you played Far Oaks? Very nice as well

Re: Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

Nope im from haubstadt. We got on golfnow.com and took the best deal they had but looks like ill have to play that course on my next trip over. I saw they had some deals for it too. :)

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Re: Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

[QUOTE=Andrew S. Quinn;346155]One more day before I make the 250 mile drive over to Belleville Illinois for the Arnie Knepper memorial.

I always like it when the sun goes down,and the carnival lights,and the lighted signs from stores can be seen in the background. Little Belleville is very 1950s in appearance,and I always envision Fonzie,Potsey,Ralph Malph,and Richie Cunningham pulling in at any moment to watch the races.






They planned on coming this year Andrew. However, when they heard that Mr. Thunderhead was heading to the sea to look for Charlie Tuna, Fonzie pulled the plug on the roadtrip.:14:

Today is the day for the Arnie Knepper Memorial race.

In case anyone is interested in getting an Indiana Open Wheel. Com shirt, Bob and Monica are on their way over with a bunch of IOW shirts for sale @ $20 each.

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Re: Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

Going to make my second trip to the best midget track I've ever been too. Can't wait!!!

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Re: Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

[QUOTE=Andrew S. Quinn;346307]Today is the day for the Arnie Knepper Memorial race.

In case anyone is interested in getting an Indiana Open Wheel. Com shirt, Bob and Monica are on their way over with a bunch of IOW shirts for sale @ $20 each.

Posted via Mobile Device[Where can I catch Bob @ on the front or back straight??? I would like 2 shirts..:6:

Re: Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

We're near the backstretch entrance in the Discovery motor home.

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Re: Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

Heading for Belleville in a few minutes!

This place is awesome old school feel. I see why they took the weekely program away may be 100 people in the stands 10 minutes before hot laps. I hope power I keeps coming back I have a feeling its going to be a wonderful night of racing :)

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31 midgets. Not going to post results sorry guys going to enjoy my first show here :)

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31 micros. Hot laps are over. Glad to see the stands fill up. This place is amazing and we havent even had a serious race yet

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Bryan Clauson wins!
Then Zach Daum, then Tyler Thomas
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Re: Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

That's what an outlaw does. Rides into town, takes the locals' money and leaves. Dick Gaines would approve.

Re: Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

Clauson takes 20th career victory in POWRi Midgets, Benson wins third of season in Micros in Knepper Memorial BELLEVILLE, IL.


(Aug. 11, 2013)-Bryan Clauson led all 35 laps for his 20thcareer victory in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and Nathan Benson won his third of the season in the POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series in Arnie Kneeper Memorial features Sunday at Belle-Clair Speedway.



Clauson started on the outside of the front row next to Zach Daum and took the lead exiting turn two. The 24-year-old from Noblesville, Ind., was never challenged in taking back-to-back wins on the one-fifth mile track.



Clauson's win was his first in the Knepper, which was run for the 21st time.

"It's pretty special to put your name on a race like this," Clauson said. "It was nice to go wire-to-wire. I committed to the top early and then moved around to the middle and bottom. We ran the same kind of package (on his Spike-Esslinger) we did in July (6) and it seemed to work."



Zach Daum of Pocahontas, Ill., finished second and took over the POWRi points lead over Andrew Felker of Carl Junction, Mo., 2,420-2,320, with 17 of 30 events completed.



Daum has driven his Toyota-powered Eagle to one victory, three second places, a fourth and a ninth in the last six features. Felker was supposed to line up on the outside of the front row for the feature Sunday, but his engine didn't fire and he was pushed into the infield and was credited with a last-place 22nd. It was the third feature in the past four events that the 2012 POWRi National Midget champion's Spike-Fontana didn't start.



"I'm glad to take over the (points) lead for Toyota, but I'd rather race Andrew to do it," Daum said. "We were too tight on top and too loose on the bottom. Bryan was good on the top and bottom."



Tyler Thomas of Collinsville, Okla., continued to rebound from a crash that destroyed his car in a heat race at Belle-Clair on July 5 and caused him to miss his only two features of the season by finishing third. Thomas has finished seventh or better in the past four POWRi features.



"I definitely feel that way (rebound)," Thomas said. "We're learning more and more about our new Triple X (chassis). I love this place (Belle-Clair) more and more that it likes me more and more."



Benson started on the outside of the front row next to pole sitter Derek LeMaster and ran second until the 12th lap. The 29-year-old from Concordia, Mo., squeezed his Pace-Suzuki inside LeMaster entering turn three and took the lead. He finished two car lengths ahead of runner-up Jeremy Camp of Blue Mound, Ill., and Joe B. Miller of Millersville, Mo., was third.



The POWRi Micros were racing for the fifth time this season and Benson's previous best was fourth.



"We finally conquered Belleville and it feels good," Benson said. "My throttle stuck open at the start and I had to spend the first half lap pulling it back with my foot. I knew the laps were winding down and I had to make a move to get the lead. I had to slow down to hit my marks and get down in the moisture on the track to get a drive off the corner.



"The (inside) wall is so close here, it can be a little risky down there. I'm happy to win a race that honors a driver who was so well know and popular in the St. Louis area."

Benson's fourth career win in POWRi Micros sliced 60 points off his deficit to championship leader Cale Thomas of Fairland, Ind. Second-place Benson trails Thomas by 140 points, 1,780-1640, with 11 of 19 events completed.



The Micro feature was green from start to finish. Camp, the 2010 POWRi champion, was charging hard in the closing laps.



"The traffic was what I needed to catch Nathan," Camp said. "I was right behind him there at the end."



POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget feature results (35 laps): 1. Bryan Clauson, 2, Zach Daum, 3. Tyler Thomas, 4. Chett Gehrke, 5. Jake Blackhurst, 6. Terry Babb, 7. Daniel Adler, 8. Austin Brown, 9. Dereck King, 10. Parker Price-Miller, 11. Colten Cottle, 12. Garrett Aitken, 13. Tim Siner, 14. Alex Sewell, 15. Danny Frye, 16. Seth Motsinger, 17. Nick Knepper, 18. Dalton Camfield, 19. Justin Peck, 20. Daniel Robinson, 21. Tony Roney, 22. Andrew Felker.



POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series feature results (20 laps): 1. Nathan Benson, 2. Jeremy Camp, 3. Joe B. Miller, 4. Derek LeMaster, 5. Jimmy Stearns, 6. Aaron Andruskevitch, 7. Cale Thomas, 8. Kyle Schuett, 9. Jason Harms, 10. Kurt Westerfield, 11. Jimmy Wells, 12. Joey Wirth, 13. Jeremy Zumwalt, 14. Bryan Clauson, 15. Derek Schuett, 16. Shawn Knuckles, 17. Dereck King, 18. Brad McDaniel, 19. Jake Neuman, 20. Shelby Boise, 21. Mike Obst, 22. Alec Long.



For more information, go to www.powri.com.

Re: Felker,Daum lead points into Arnie Knepper Memorial
 

Another great night of racing at Little Belleville! Only disappointment I experienced was that Hick's BBQ was out of beef brisket!