KNOXVILLE, Iowa (July 2, 2002) - The Marion County Fair Association, McTwo Promotions and the National Sprint Car Poll have combined to crown "Mr. Sprint Car", the championship title for the inaugural Southern Iowa Sprintweek, August 3-10, with a cash bonus and a unique trophy for being the most versatile driver over the nine events in eight days.

The concept, initiated by National Sprint Car Poll founder Tom Schmeh, is to reward the most versatile sprint car driver during the week of non-winged, 360- and 410-cubic-inch sprint car racing at both the Knoxville Raceway and Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa. Bill McCroskey and Terry McCarl of McTwo Promotions, and Ralph Capitani of Knoxville Raceway, have agreed to fund the idea with the "Mr. Sprint Car" titlist earning $1,500 and a special trophy commemorating the ironman effort.

According to Capitani, "This title is all about versatility in the driver, and diversity in the sprint car equipment. Points can be earned in competition by three types of sprint cars with seven different sanctions, in nine prestigious feature races, including the Brodix 360 Tournament of Champions, the Non-Winged World Championship Ultimate Challenge, and the Mopar Parts Knoxville (410) Nationals, at two premier dirt-track venues."

"I look for drivers such as Gary Wright, Billy Pauch, Australian Peter Murphy, Jac Haudenschild, Ricky Logan and Don Droud, Jr., to challenge for this inaugural title. Heck, last weekend's $20,000 NAPA Classic winner Danny Lasoski might even look at this as an opportunity to haul even more loot home to Missouri. Of course, if Christi Passmore wins it, we'll have to rename it 'Ms. Sprint Car'!," said Capitani, laughing.

The nine events which will each offer points, on a basis of 50-49-48-47-etc. (10 points to those that Do Not Qualify), to feature starters are as follows:

Sat. Aug. 3, Knoxville, Casey's General Stores 360 c.i. Feature

Sat. Aug. 3, Knoxville, Casey's General Stores 410 c.i. Feature

Sun. Aug. 4, Knoxville, Brodix 360 Tournament of Champions Feature co-sanctioned by ASCS, ESS, Knoxville, NSCA, URC, WISSOTA, WOW

Mon. Aug. 5, Oskaloosa, Wesmar Front Row Challenge 410 Feature sanctioned by WoO Gumout Series

Tue. Aug. 6, Oskaloosa, Ultimate Challenge Non-Winged 410 Feature sanctioned by SCRA/NWWC

Wed. Aug. 7, Knoxville, Mopar Parts Knoxville Nationals Preliminary 410 Feature sanctioned by WoO Pennzoil Series

Thu. Aug. 8, Knoxville, Mopar Parts Knoxville Nationals Preliminary 410 Feature sanctioned by WoO Pennzoil Series

Fri. Aug. 9, Knoxville, Mopar Parts Knoxville Nationals Kele World Challenge 410 Feature

Sat. Aug. 10, Knoxville, Mopar Parts Knoxville Nationals Championship 410 Feature sanctioned by WoO Pennzoil Series

Said McCarl, "This thing can only grow. When the Kele World Challenge was first started as the Australian/American Challenge Cup points between Warrnambool and Knoxville in 1994, it only paid champion Max Dumesny a cash bonus of $1,000. It now pays $10,000 to win, the same as a preliminary night feature, and over the years they've paid out more than $100,000 for that challenge! I know we can do the same with the 'Mr. Sprint Car' title over the next five to ten years!"

Key:

ASCS - American Sprint Car Series

ESS - Empire Super Sprints

NSCA - Nebraska Sprint Car Association

NWWC - Non-Winged World Championship

SCRA - Sprint Car Racing Association

URC - United Racing Club

WISSOTA - WISSOTA Promoters Association

WoO - World of Outlaws

WOW - Winged Outlaw Warriors

Southern Iowa Speedway, Oskaloosa, Iowa - 515-957-9529

Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville, Iowa - 641-842-5431