8/5/2015
Cornell Aims for Knoxville 360 Nationals Contention
(Photo by TeeJay Crawford Photography)
CALIFORNIA, Mo. – Following a weekend with two third-place finishes, a Sedalia, Mo. driver prepares for racing at the Sprint Car Capital of the World over the next two weeks. Jonathan Cornell took third at both Randolph County Raceway and Double-X Speedway on Saturday and Sunday.
The pair of races began for Cornell at the Moberly, Mo. high-banked facility with a throwback to the days in which the “Winged Outlaw Warriors” set the standard for sprint car drivers in Missouri. Though just 16 sprints were in the infield, two heat races were showcased before the main event. In heat one, Cornell started fourth and swiftly moved to the lead en route to the victory. A four-car dash for cash was next, and the “Cornell Crazies” in the grandstands again celebrated a win in that short event.
Going from pole position for the 20-lapper, Cornell faced opposition from familiar competitor Evan Martin, who took the lead away early. The pair quickly encountered three-time World of Outlaws champion Sammy Swindell, who started sixth. Swindell amassed the lead before long, and Cornell snuck back by Martin for the second position. When Jay Russell regained his third starting position later in the event, he set his sights on Cornell. It looked as if the No. 28 Maxim/Ostrich was safe in second, but on the 20th and final round, Russell powered past Cornell, who completed the podium when the dust settled.
Hoping to improve two positions and receive a little help en route to a championship, Cornell next took on Double-X Speedway’s season finale on Sunday night. Matching up against 24 others, he found himself in the same heat race as point leader Ricky Stangl, who led Cornell by 19 points entering the night. After starting in fourth, Cornell made his way to second. Followed by Stangl at the finish in third, he managed to gain two points ahead of the feature race.
A four-point differential per finishing position meant that finishing five positions ahead of Stangl in the main event would give Cornell the point championship nod by three points. From fourth on the grid, Cornell already possessed a three-position advantage. After lap one, it appeared Cornell might well take the crown, as he powered into second. But a challenge from Taylor Walton soon dropped the Kiowa Line Builders entry back to the third spot, just as Stangl advanced into fifth. The track began to take rubber around the low side about ten laps into the 25-lap race, and passing became exceedingly difficult. Cornell was able to close back in on Walton but lost the groove and was passed by two opponents, including Stangl. Quickly redeeming himself, Cornell regained the two positions before the checkered flew, but with Stangl finishing fourth, the point championship was out of reach. After missing a race during a trip to the Golden State back in May, Cornell still managed to finish just 13 points out of the Double-X title.
Jonathan Cornell Racing would like to thank Kiowa Line Builders, Starline Brass, Gas Monkey Tequila, VKCC Motorsports, Yeager's Cycle, Mustang Sallyz Saloon, Champion Brands, Ostrich Racing Engines, Peak Sport and Spine, Kinsler Fuel Injection, Weld Racing, Hoosier Racing Tire, Maxim Chassis, Rod End Supply, Lucas Oil, KSE Racing Products, ButlerBuilt, Factory Kahne Midwest, Duinkerken Farms, Steve Watt Enterprises, R2C Performance Products, Simpson Race Products, Don's Truck Towing & Truck Wash, Brown & Miller Racing Solutions LLC, Outlaw Wings, Sparks Electric Co., SureCoat, Xtreme Fuel Stick, and Steve and Charlie Smith, as well as all of his fans for their continued support.
Cornell is next scheduled to compete at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa for the “Knoxville 360 Nationals,” in preliminary events on August 6 and in main events on August 8 in the No. 28 360ci winged sprint entry.
Quick Results
August 1 – Moberly, MO – 360ci Winged Sprint – Heat: 1st (4); Dash: 1st (1); Feature: 3rd (1)
August 2 – California, MO – 360ci Winged Sprint – Heat: 2nd (4); Feature: 3rd (4)
2015 Stats
20 races, 20 features, 7 wins, 13 top fives, 15 top tens, 3 DNFs
Social Media
Twitter: http://twitter.com/teamtwentyeight
Article Credit: Redbeard Promotions
