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Williams Grove Winner To Get Large Purse
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The granddaddy of all the big, season-ending races in the area is on tap this weekend. The Williams Grove National Open has been going strong since 1963.
The list of winners of this event shows it to be a truly "national" contest. That first race in 1963 was won by a guy named Gordon Johncock, who went on to win the Indy 500 twice. Since then, a who's who of sprint car racing has visited victory lane.
Last year's event proved to be the crowning moment in a spectacular career. Fred Rahmer won that event as he neared his retirement as a driver. The National Open was the 419th and final victory of Rahmer's sprint car career.
Soon-to-be six-time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz leads all drivers with five National Open wins. Steve Kinser has four. Three-time winners are Kenny Weld, Steve Smith, Doug Wolfgang and Lance Dewease.
Drivers who have won the National Open twice are Bobbie Adamson, Lynn Paxton, Stevie Smith, Mark Kinser and Sammy Swindell.
Single wins in addition to Rahmer have gone to Johncock, Henry Jacoby, Lou Blaney, Gene Varner, Johnny Grum, Van May, Smokey Snellbaker, Allen Klinger, Bobby Allen, Joey Allen, Kramer Williamson, Kenny Jacobs, Donnie Kreitz Jr., Billy Pauch, Doug Esh, Cody Darrah, Greg Hodnett and Jason Meyers.
This year's National Open is again sanctioned by the World of Outlaws and Saturday's feature pays $50,000 to the winner. There will be a full preliminary-night show on Friday.
The list of winners of this event shows it to be a truly "national" contest. That first race in 1963 was won by a guy named Gordon Johncock, who went on to win the Indy 500 twice. Since then, a who's who of sprint car racing has visited victory lane.
Last year's event proved to be the crowning moment in a spectacular career. Fred Rahmer won that event as he neared his retirement as a driver. The National Open was the 419th and final victory of Rahmer's sprint car career.
Soon-to-be six-time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz leads all drivers with five National Open wins. Steve Kinser has four. Three-time winners are Kenny Weld, Steve Smith, Doug Wolfgang and Lance Dewease.
Drivers who have won the National Open twice are Bobbie Adamson, Lynn Paxton, Stevie Smith, Mark Kinser and Sammy Swindell.
Single wins in addition to Rahmer have gone to Johncock, Henry Jacoby, Lou Blaney, Gene Varner, Johnny Grum, Van May, Smokey Snellbaker, Allen Klinger, Bobby Allen, Joey Allen, Kramer Williamson, Kenny Jacobs, Donnie Kreitz Jr., Billy Pauch, Doug Esh, Cody Darrah, Greg Hodnett and Jason Meyers.
This year's National Open is again sanctioned by the World of Outlaws and Saturday's feature pays $50,000 to the winner. There will be a full preliminary-night show on Friday.
