Number Two Qualifier and a Quarter Finals Finish Gives Knowles Something to Build On
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<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/DSA_14701.jpg" alt="DSA_14701" />
<br><font color="Navy">"Man I'll tell ya it's been tough, but weekends like Indy get my blood pumping. We came out here looking to be competitive and build towards our '09 effort. In doing so we had some great success and a lot of fun," said Knowles.</font>
<P> (9/2/08) Indianapolis, IN – Before Indy it would be correct to say that Mike Knowles' 2008 season has been a bust. Wrecked cars, performance struggles and a self -imposed layoff would be enough for anyone to call it quits, but Mike Knowles loves this sport and understands the ups and downs.
"Man I'll tell ya it's been tough, but weekends like Indy get my blood pumping. We came out here looking to be competitive and build towards our '09 effort. In doing so we had some great success and a lot of fun," said Knowles.
Right out of the trailer Knowles lit up the scoreboards with a very competitive 6.13 pass. "After the thirteen run I knew we had a chance at the field," said Knowles. "On our second attempt she got away from me and made a hard move. I got out of it real quick and gave up on the pass. On his third qualifying pass Knowles ripped off a 6.025 at 240.17. With that run Knowles secured the number two qualifying position but the jubilation of the run was short lived. As Knowles and his crew were making their way back from their run, fellow competitor, Steve Engle suffered a serious accident. "I was on the scales with my boy when it happened. I heard my wife scream and we all ran to look. It's just a bad deal. Steve is such a nice dude, one of the best out there. I would like to send my best to Steve and his family. We all do this for fun but things like this really can make you think," said Knowles.
With qualifying over Knowles paired off with number nine qualifier Rick Stivers. Stivers got a bit eager and left before the tree came down handing the easy win to Knowles. The win over Stivers set up a Blower vs. Nitrous match up in the quarterfinals. Knowles and his 'Blown Money" '63 Vette lined up with Mike Castellana and his nitrous injected 68 Firebird. As the pair left the line Castellana held a 0.012 reaction time advantage but by the 1000-foot mark the two were side by side when Knowles car inexplicably shut off handing the win to Castellana. "I'm not saying I was going to make it around him but I was right there when she quit," said Knowles.
It was later found to be a faulty ignition causing the problems. We've been having trouble the last few times out with the car. "Mag, box, six shooter you name it we've replaced em more than a few times. I'm not sure what the problem is but I'm confident we'll figure it out. They really impressed me this weekend with how hard they've worked and how fast they gelled with Al (Billes). Al had been a great addition to our team and my guys and Al get along very well," said Knowles.
Mike Knowles would also like to thank Tim McAmis and his crew from TMRC in Hawk Point, MO for their help tuning the chassis on Knowles' TMRC built split windowed '63. Mike and Jeff Strasburg, owners of B&J transmissions are also crewmembers on the Knowles Racing Team. "Mike and Jeff were able to set us up with some new low drag bearings that worked very well for us. It's great when manufacturers like B&J or a Tim McAmis take the time to help out and give such great customer support. I can't thank them enough for standing behind their products," stated Knowles.
Knowles Racing consists of:
Driver: Mike Knowles
Tuner: Al Billes
Crew: Bart Sunn, Billy Rice, Mike and Justin Reiger, Jeff and Mike Strasburg, and Bobbie Knowles
Knowles Racing Competes on the NHRA circuit in the Jegs ProMod Challenge Series. Remaining Dates for the 2008 JEGS Pro Mod Challenge are: Dallas (Sept. 18-21), Richmond (Oct. 10-12), and Las Vegas (Oct. 30-Nov. 2).
Photo By: Roger Richards
<p style="width:300px;float:left;font-weight:bold;padding-right:0px;">
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/DSA_14701.jpg" alt="DSA_14701" />
<br><font color="Navy">"Man I'll tell ya it's been tough, but weekends like Indy get my blood pumping. We came out here looking to be competitive and build towards our '09 effort. In doing so we had some great success and a lot of fun," said Knowles.</font>
<P> (9/2/08) Indianapolis, IN – Before Indy it would be correct to say that Mike Knowles' 2008 season has been a bust. Wrecked cars, performance struggles and a self -imposed layoff would be enough for anyone to call it quits, but Mike Knowles loves this sport and understands the ups and downs.
"Man I'll tell ya it's been tough, but weekends like Indy get my blood pumping. We came out here looking to be competitive and build towards our '09 effort. In doing so we had some great success and a lot of fun," said Knowles.
Right out of the trailer Knowles lit up the scoreboards with a very competitive 6.13 pass. "After the thirteen run I knew we had a chance at the field," said Knowles. "On our second attempt she got away from me and made a hard move. I got out of it real quick and gave up on the pass. On his third qualifying pass Knowles ripped off a 6.025 at 240.17. With that run Knowles secured the number two qualifying position but the jubilation of the run was short lived. As Knowles and his crew were making their way back from their run, fellow competitor, Steve Engle suffered a serious accident. "I was on the scales with my boy when it happened. I heard my wife scream and we all ran to look. It's just a bad deal. Steve is such a nice dude, one of the best out there. I would like to send my best to Steve and his family. We all do this for fun but things like this really can make you think," said Knowles.
With qualifying over Knowles paired off with number nine qualifier Rick Stivers. Stivers got a bit eager and left before the tree came down handing the easy win to Knowles. The win over Stivers set up a Blower vs. Nitrous match up in the quarterfinals. Knowles and his 'Blown Money" '63 Vette lined up with Mike Castellana and his nitrous injected 68 Firebird. As the pair left the line Castellana held a 0.012 reaction time advantage but by the 1000-foot mark the two were side by side when Knowles car inexplicably shut off handing the win to Castellana. "I'm not saying I was going to make it around him but I was right there when she quit," said Knowles.
It was later found to be a faulty ignition causing the problems. We've been having trouble the last few times out with the car. "Mag, box, six shooter you name it we've replaced em more than a few times. I'm not sure what the problem is but I'm confident we'll figure it out. They really impressed me this weekend with how hard they've worked and how fast they gelled with Al (Billes). Al had been a great addition to our team and my guys and Al get along very well," said Knowles.
Mike Knowles would also like to thank Tim McAmis and his crew from TMRC in Hawk Point, MO for their help tuning the chassis on Knowles' TMRC built split windowed '63. Mike and Jeff Strasburg, owners of B&J transmissions are also crewmembers on the Knowles Racing Team. "Mike and Jeff were able to set us up with some new low drag bearings that worked very well for us. It's great when manufacturers like B&J or a Tim McAmis take the time to help out and give such great customer support. I can't thank them enough for standing behind their products," stated Knowles.
Knowles Racing consists of:
Driver: Mike Knowles
Tuner: Al Billes
Crew: Bart Sunn, Billy Rice, Mike and Justin Reiger, Jeff and Mike Strasburg, and Bobbie Knowles
Knowles Racing Competes on the NHRA circuit in the Jegs ProMod Challenge Series. Remaining Dates for the 2008 JEGS Pro Mod Challenge are: Dallas (Sept. 18-21), Richmond (Oct. 10-12), and Las Vegas (Oct. 30-Nov. 2).
Photo By: Roger Richards
