<img src="http://gallery.nitromater.com/files/6/5/0725_knoll_dragster.jpg" alt="0725_knoll_dragster" align="right"borders="0"/>
MARTIN, Mich. - Evan Knoll has cheered for his sponsored drivers faithfully for the last two seasons from the sidelines. Now they'll have the chance to cheer for him.
Knoll, of Decatur, Michigan, will return to the cockpit of his personal Top Fuel dragster in two weeks during the Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals. The founder and president of such companies as Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels as well as gas refinery interests will be making his first appearance since a non-racing accident sidelined him in October of 2004.
Knoll's dragster will be tuned by Jimmy Walsh as well a blend of J.R. Todd's crew as well as a few from Dale Creasy's team.
Knoll has a mission for this outing. He's provided so much to the racing community that now he wants to give back to his family. Adorning the side of his dragster will be his daughters Betsy, Kim and Julia as well his late father Ward A. Knoll. It also has his new seven-month old granddaughter Jenna Louis Knoll. And don't forget the one entity that has been a driving force behind one of the most influential figures the sport has ever known and she answers to the title of "Momma".
Not only will Dorrie Lou Knoll's likeness be adorned on the side of her son's car with her granddaughters, but at 80 years old, she will deliver the National Anthem during the Saturday evening Nitro Jam.
"Words can't describe just how excited I am about all of this," Knoll said. "Returning to driving is an exciting thing but it's nothing like the thrill I am going to have seeing my family ride on the dragster with me. They always ride with me in my heart... but this will show the racing community."
Knoll obtained his Top Fuel license at U.S. 131 Dragway just two years ago as a relative unknown drag racing entity. Today, with major sponsorships within both major sanctioning bodies, he stands at one of the largest single backers in the sport.
"It's just what you do," Knoll said. "I love drag racing and I want to see it prosper. For it to grow and maintain a strong fan base, you have to always ensure the underdogs are out there racing. I"m a sucker for the underdog."
Knoll figures the closest national event venue to his operations base located in Decatur, Michigan will be the ultimate rip, roaring good time for drag racing fans. With that said, he"s invited a couple of non-regular IHRA teams to compete.
Recent NHRA Top Fuel winner J.R. Todd will be making a stop in Martin after successful completion of the famed "Western Swing" of Denver, Seattle and Sonoma.
Two-time NHRA Pro Modified World Champion turned Funny Car driver Mike Ashley will also make the stop in Martin after completing the grueling 2,000-plus mile Western Swing.
"It's going to be a party," Knoll said. "For me, I think it's going to be a time of mixed emotion. I'll be sad that my dad couldn't see it all but I'll be more than honored seeing my mom and my girls given their due. That's not to say how pumped I am to be interacting with the drag racing fan. That's all I am. I'm the ultimate drag racing fan and I think it shows."
Photo courtesy of IHRA.com
Evan Knoll to resume driving career at Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals
MARTIN, Mich. - Evan Knoll has cheered for his sponsored drivers faithfully for the last two seasons from the sidelines. Now they'll have the chance to cheer for him.
Knoll, of Decatur, Michigan, will return to the cockpit of his personal Top Fuel dragster in two weeks during the Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals. The founder and president of such companies as Knoll Gas - Torco Race Fuels as well as gas refinery interests will be making his first appearance since a non-racing accident sidelined him in October of 2004.
Knoll's dragster will be tuned by Jimmy Walsh as well a blend of J.R. Todd's crew as well as a few from Dale Creasy's team.
Knoll has a mission for this outing. He's provided so much to the racing community that now he wants to give back to his family. Adorning the side of his dragster will be his daughters Betsy, Kim and Julia as well his late father Ward A. Knoll. It also has his new seven-month old granddaughter Jenna Louis Knoll. And don't forget the one entity that has been a driving force behind one of the most influential figures the sport has ever known and she answers to the title of "Momma".
Not only will Dorrie Lou Knoll's likeness be adorned on the side of her son's car with her granddaughters, but at 80 years old, she will deliver the National Anthem during the Saturday evening Nitro Jam.
"Words can't describe just how excited I am about all of this," Knoll said. "Returning to driving is an exciting thing but it's nothing like the thrill I am going to have seeing my family ride on the dragster with me. They always ride with me in my heart... but this will show the racing community."
Knoll obtained his Top Fuel license at U.S. 131 Dragway just two years ago as a relative unknown drag racing entity. Today, with major sponsorships within both major sanctioning bodies, he stands at one of the largest single backers in the sport.
"It's just what you do," Knoll said. "I love drag racing and I want to see it prosper. For it to grow and maintain a strong fan base, you have to always ensure the underdogs are out there racing. I"m a sucker for the underdog."
Knoll figures the closest national event venue to his operations base located in Decatur, Michigan will be the ultimate rip, roaring good time for drag racing fans. With that said, he"s invited a couple of non-regular IHRA teams to compete.
Recent NHRA Top Fuel winner J.R. Todd will be making a stop in Martin after successful completion of the famed "Western Swing" of Denver, Seattle and Sonoma.
Two-time NHRA Pro Modified World Champion turned Funny Car driver Mike Ashley will also make the stop in Martin after completing the grueling 2,000-plus mile Western Swing.
"It's going to be a party," Knoll said. "For me, I think it's going to be a time of mixed emotion. I'll be sad that my dad couldn't see it all but I'll be more than honored seeing my mom and my girls given their due. That's not to say how pumped I am to be interacting with the drag racing fan. That's all I am. I'm the ultimate drag racing fan and I think it shows."
Photo courtesy of IHRA.com
