Giannetto Takes 16th annual 360 Knoxville Nationals
By Bob Wilson

KNOXVILLE, IA  (August 5, 2006) - Jesse Giannetto took the lead at about the half-way point and coasted to a victory in the 16th annual 360 Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville Raceway Saturday night. The win paid the Iowa native $10,000 for his efforts in the 25-lap event. A crowd estimated at 5,000 witnessed the proceedings which went non-stop once the race went green.

Initial leader, Larry Pinegar II started on the outside front row and controlled the early pace of the race. With an accompanying 410 card also on tap, the big Knoxville half mile struggled to keep a surface worthy of the event. In the early going it seemed that the fast cars utilized the high cushion as the best way around this historic oval. But as the race proceeded the bottom became nearly as quick as the top.

Pinegar entered lap traffic during lap eight and Giannetto soon cut the lead to only five car lengths. Behind this twosome came Josh Higday and pole sitter Larry Ball, Jr. Brian Brown, a fourth row starter, soon filled in behind and was the fifth car in the chase.

It was the 12th lap that saw the change in leadership as Giannetto made a slide job on Pinegar that would stick in turns one and two, and the Palo, Iowa driver took the lead for good. Pinegar stayed close at first but as the race proceeded he began to fall back. Eventually he pulled in and was credited with a 24th place finish.

With Giannetto at the point, his closest challengers were Pinegar and Higday. Those two made a race of it and traded the runner-up position several times. On one such slide, Pinegar came ever so close to clipping Higday in turn two. Both men hit the binders and somehow managed to avoid disaster. As this occurred, Giannetto began to check out on the field with ten laps still remaining.

As was mentioned, Pinegar began a slow descent backwards allowing first Brown and then Dustin Lindquist to get by him. Lap twenty saw Pinegar exit the race and pull into the pits.

In the end, Giannetto commanded a huge lead and lapped all but the 13th place finisher in his Bulldogg Motorsports Eagle//Wesmar. He could realize nearly a straightaway distance between himself and second place finisher Josh Higday ($6,000) and third running Brown ($3,000). Fourth went to Lindquist ($2,500) as Ball, Jr. ($2,250) claimed fifth. Completing the top ten finishers were Johnny Anderson, Billy Alley, Jason Johnson, Clint Garner and Travis Rilat who made a tremendous run from a twenty-third starting nod.

Preliminary feature events were captured by Troy Meyer (E Main), Randy Martin (D Main), Dustin Daggett (C Main) and Chuck Swenson (B Main). Accounting for scratches, 100 cars showed up for the final 360 Nationals events.


KNOXVILLE RACEWAY, Knoxville, IA
August 5, 2006


410 RESULTS

Time Trials, 1 lap, 1. Ricky Logan, Little Rock AR, 14.987; 2. Ryan Anderson, Charter Oak IA, 15.084; 3. Lynton Jeffrey, Sydney, NSW, Aust./Prairie City IA, 15.094; 4. Randy Anderson, Clarion IA, 15.12; 5. Tyler Walker, Los Angeles CA, 15.178; 6. Bronson Maeschen, (R) Knoxville IA, 15.192; 7. Billy Alley, Lincoln NE, 15.193; 8. Calvin Landis, Knoxville IA, 15.193; 9. Dusty Zomer, (R) Brandon SD, 15.213; 10. Chris Walraven, Knoxville IA, 15.221; 11. Jon Corbin, Carrollton MO, 15.229; 12. Trevor Green, (R) Adelaide, SA, Aust. , 15.234; 13. Eric Vanderploeg, Altoona IA, 15.264; 14. Jeff Mitrisin, Oskaloosa IA, 15.281; 15. Tim St. Arnold, Des Moines IA, 15.282; 16. Chad Meyer, Sioux Falls SD, 15.309; 17. Clint Garner, Sioux Falls SD, 15.317; 18. Kaley Gharst, Decatur IL, 15.341; 19. Jesse Giannetto, Palo IA, 15.357; 20. Skip Jackson, Sydney, NSW, Aust. , 15.362; 21. Matt Moro, Ankeny IA, 15.377; 22. Jon Agan, Knoxville IA, 15.443; 23. Chad Hillier, Sedro Woolley WA, 15.444; 24. Robert Ballou, Rocklin CA, 15.457; 25. Brent Antill, Ankeny IA, 15.488; 26. Jonathan Allard, Chico CA, 15.489; 27. Mike Moore, Des Moines IA, 15.523; 28. Kyle Hirst, Elk Grove CA, 15.549; 29. Nick Smith, Broken Arrow OK, 15.57; 30. Toni Lutar, White Rock, BC, Can. , 15.605; 31. Rager Phillips, (R) Pleasantville IA, 15.636; 32. Jamie McDonald, Birkenhead Point, NI, NZ , 15.654; 33. Matt Wasmund, Jackson MN, 15.724; 34. Ken Mackey, Manitou Beach MI, 15.775; 35. Seth Brahmer, Wisner NE, 15.79; 36. Natalie Sather, Fargo ND, 15.919; 37. Chris Schmelzle, Victoria, BC, Can. , 16.217; 38. Dave Saffell, (R) Pleasantville IA, 16.218; 39. Greg Jones, Earlham IA, 16.268; 40. Tyler Houseman, Runnells IA, 16.468; 41. Robert Bell, Colfax IA, 16.483; 42. Tony Shilling, (R) Knoxville IA, 16.581; 43. Brian Brown, Grain Valley MO, 17.256;
 

Heat 1, 8 laps, No Time: 1. Clint Garner, Sioux Falls SD; 2. Matt Moro, Ankeny IA; 3. Dusty Zomer, (R) Brandon SD; 4. Ricky Logan, Little Rock AR; 5. Tyler Walker, Los Angeles CA; 6. Eric Vanderploeg, Altoona IA; 7. Nick Smith, Broken Arrow OK; 8. Chris Schmelzle, Victoria, BC, Can. ; 9. Robert Bell, Colfax IA; 10. Matt Wasmund, Jackson MN; 11. Brent Antill, Ankeny IA;
 

Heat 2, 8 laps, 2:06.9: 1. Kaley Gharst, Decatur IL; 2. Jeff Mitrisin, Oskaloosa IA; 3. Jon Agan, Knoxville IA; 4. Bronson Maeschen, (R) Knoxville IA; 5. Ryan Anderson, Charter Oak IA; 6. Chris Walraven, Knoxville IA; 7. Ken Mackey, Manitou Beach MI; 8. Jonathan Allard, Chico CA; 9. Toni Lutar, White Rock, BC, Can. ; 10. Dave Saffell, (R) Pleasantville IA;
 

Heat 3, 8 laps, 2:07.5 1. Jesse Giannetto, Palo IA; 2. Calvin Landis, Knoxville IA; 3. Jon Corbin, Carrollton MO; 4. Chad Hillier, Sedro Woolley WA; 5. Lynton Jeffrey, Sydney, NSW, Aust./Prairie City IA; 6. Rager Phillips, (R) Pleasantville IA; 7. Brian Brown, Grain Valley MO; 8. Mike Moore, Des Moines IA; 9. Tim St. Arnold, Des Moines IA; 10. Seth Brahmer, Wisner NE; 11. Greg Jones, Earlham IA;
 

Heat 4, 8 laps, 2:07.5: 1. Skip Jackson, Sydney, NSW, Aust. ; 2. Billy Alley, Lincoln NE; 3. Trevor Green, (R) Adelaide, SA, Aust. ; 4. Robert Ballou, Rocklin CA; 5. Chad Meyer, Sioux Falls SD; 6. Randy Anderson, Clarion IA; 7. Jamie McDonald, Birkenhead Point, NI, NZ ; 8. Kyle Hirst, Elk Grove CA; 9. Tyler Houseman, Runnells IA; 10. Natalie Sather, Fargo ND;
 

B Feature , 10 laps, No Time: 1. Brent Antill, Ankeny IA; 2. Tim St. Arnold, Des Moines IA; 3. Rager Phillips, (R) Pleasantville IA; 4. Toni Lutar, White Rock, BC, Can. ; 5. Seth Brahmer, Wisner NE; 6. Natalie Sather, Fargo ND; 7. Chris Schmelzle, Victoria, BC, Can. ; 8. Matt Wasmund, Jackson MN; 9. Tyler Houseman, Runnells IA; 10. Robert Bell, Colfax IA; 11. Jonathan Allard, Chico CA; 12. Mike Moore, Des Moines IA; 13. Randy Anderson, Clarion IA; 14. Kyle Hirst, Elk Grove CA; 15. Greg Jones, Earlham IA; 16. Dave Saffell, (R) Pleasantville IA; 17. Brian Brown, Grain Valley MO; 18. Nick Smith, Broken Arrow OK; 19. Jamie McDonald, Birkenhead Point, NI, NZ ; 20. Ken Mackey, Manitou Beach MI; 21. Eric Vanderploeg, Altoona IA; 22. Tony Shilling, (R) Knoxville IA; 23. Chris Walraven, Knoxville IA;
 

A Feature 1, 20 laps, No Time: 1. Kaley Gharst, Decatur IL; 2. Chad Meyer, Sioux Falls SD; 3. Billy Alley, Lincoln NE; 4. Tyler Walker, Los Angeles CA; 5. Dusty Zomer, (R) Brandon SD; 6. Clint Garner, Sioux Falls SD; 7. Ricky Logan, Little Rock AR; 8. Jesse Giannetto, Palo IA; 9. Trevor Green, (R) Adelaide, SA, Aust. ; 10. Matt Moro, Ankeny IA; 11. Calvin Landis, Knoxville IA; 12. Jon Agan, Knoxville IA; 13. Ryan Anderson, Charter Oak IA; 14. Rager Phillips, (R) Pleasantville IA; 15. Brian Brown, Grain Valley MO; 16. Toni Lutar, White Rock, BC, Can. ; 17. Chad Hillier, Sedro Woolley WA; 18. Seth Brahmer, Wisner NE; 19. Bronson Maeschen, (R) Knoxville IA; 20. Skip Jackson, Sydney, NSW, Aust. ; 21. Robert Ballou, Rocklin CA; 22. Lynton Jeffrey, Sydney, NSW, Aust./Prairie City IA; 23. Brent Antill, Ankeny IA; 24. Jeff Mitrisin, Oskaloosa IA. Lap Leaders: Meyer 1-12; Mitrisin 13-20
 

16th annual 360 Knoxville Nationals RESULTS

E- Feature , No Time: 1. Troy Meyer, Sioux Falls SD; 2. Toby Chapman, Lincoln NE; 3. Danny Martin Jr., Sarasota FL; 4. Joe Beaver, Knoxville IA; 5. Danny Horner, Cottage Grove OR; 6. Lee Sowell, Nesbit MS; 7. Alan Zoutte, Knoxville IA; 8. Tim Gee, Leduc, ALB, Can. ; 9. Cameron McGahan, Kenai AK; 10. Dr. Christopher Sloan, Imperial MO; 11. Mike Brecht, Leipsic OH; 12. Ryan Jamison, Mediapolis IA; 13. Mark Pace, Lincoln NE; 14. Eric Baldaccini, Keller TX;
 

D- Feature , No Time: 1. Randy Martin, California MO; 2. Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron KS; 3. Chad Meinholdt, Topeka KS; 4. Chris Morgan, Topeka KS; 5. Cory Seeling, Beaverdam OH; 6. Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth TX; 7. Danny Martin Jr., Sarasota FL; 8. Frankie Heimbaugh, Des Moines IA; 9. Joe Beaver, Knoxville IA; 10. Toby Chapman, Lincoln NE; 11. Brandon Harkness, Sedro Woolley WA; 12. Danny Horner, Cottage Grove OR; 13. Matt Tiffany, Daytona Beach FL; 14. Troy Meyer, Sioux Falls SD; 15. Matt Harms, Morton IL; 16. Josh Riggins, Lincoln NE; 17. Jake Martens, Fairview OK; 18. Lee Sowell, Nesbit MS; 19. Brian Thomas, Auburn GA; 20. Lee Grosz, Harwood ND; 21. Mike Houseman Jr., Des Moines IA; 22. Joe Wood Jr., Oklahoma City OK;
 

C- Feature , No Time: 1. Dustin Daggett, Portland MI; 2. Justin Zimmerman, Royce City TX; 3. Tony Bruce Jr., Liberal KS; 4. Bryan Dobesh, Sioux Falls SD; 5. Wade Nygaard, Fargo ND; 6. Larry Neighbors, Oklahoma City OK; 7. Jerrod Hull, Sikeston MO; 8. Ray Allen Kulhanek, Danbury TX; 9. John Carney II, El Paso TX; 10. Curt Michael, Ocean View DE; 11. Kevin Welsh, Far Hills NJ; 12. Garry Lee Maier, Cimarron KS; 13. JD Johnson, Goddard KS; 14. Preston Peebles II, Lubbock TX; 15. Luke Cranston, Ness City KS; 16. Randy Martin, California MO; 17. Chris Morgan, Topeka KS; 18. Dustin Selvage, Indianola IA; 19. Chad Meinholdt, Topeka KS; 20. Cory Seeling, Beaverdam OH; 21. Toby Brown, Carthage MO; 22. Josh Schneiderman, (R) West Burlington IA;
 

B- Feature , No Time: 1. Chuck Swenson, Watertown SD; 2. Don Droud Jr., Lincoln NE; 3. Travis Rilat, Forney TX; 4. Jake Peters, Sioux Falls SD; 5. Jeff Mitrisin, Oskaloosa IA; 6. Jesse Hockett, Warsaw MO; 7. Rager Phillips, Pleasantville IA; 8. Luke Hall, Troy OH; 9. Steve King, Jetmore KS; 10. Jon Corbin, (R) Carrollton MO; 11. Roger Crockett, Eugene OR; 12. Dustin Daggett, Portland MI; 13. Tony Bruce Jr., Liberal KS; 14. Sean McClelland, Collinsville OK; 15. Stacey Alexander, Lacona IA; 16. Bryan Dobesh, Sioux Falls SD; 17. Dave Glennon, Casselton ND; 18. Tyler Thompson, (R) Des Moines IA; 19. Danny Jennings, Norman OK; 20. Nate Mosher, Prairie City IA; 21. Justin Zimmerman, Royce City TX; 22. Wade Nygaard, Fargo ND;
 

A- Feature , 7:48.5: 1. Jesse Giannetto, Palo IA; 2. Josh Higday, Des Moines IA; 3. Brian Brown, Higginsville MO; 4. Dustin Lindquist, (R) Floodwood MN; 5. Larry Ball Jr., Knoxville IA; 6. Johnny Anderson, Indianola IA; 7. Billy Alley, Lincoln NE; 8. Jason Johnson, Eunice LA; 9. Clint Garner, Sioux Falls SD; 10. Travis Rilat, Forney TX; 11. Jonathan Allard, Chico CA; 12. Gary Wright, Hooks TX; 13. Scott Winters, Butterfield MN; 14. Rick Ideus, (R) Silver City IA; 15. Jake Peters, Sioux Falls SD; 16. Don Droud Jr., Lincoln NE; 17. David Hall, Des Moines IA; 18. Dale Howard, Byhalia MS; 19. Chuck Swenson, Watertown SD; 20. Lance Yonge, Penn Yan NY; 21. Ian Madsen, Sydney, NSW, Aust. ; 22. Bryan Howland, Auburn NY; 23. Eric Jobe, Kansas City MO; 24. Larry Pinegar II, Des Moinee="4. Lap Leaders: Pinegar 1-11; Giannetto 12-25