2012 Knoxville World Challenge Qualifiers in New Zealand and Australia

By Brian Stickel, Knoxville Raceway

KNOXVILLE, Iowa -- Following the completion of the twin 2012 Knoxville World Challenge qualifiers in New Zealand at the Western Springs Speedway in Auckland and the Robertson Holden International Speedway in Palmerston North, the spotlight now turns to the third and final qualifier in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, as Premier Speedway's Sungold Stadium hosts the $40,000-to-win, 40th annual Lucas Oil-sponsored Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic on January 21-22, 2012.

Those 'Yanks' currently qualified after the New Zealand shows for the $10,000-to-win Knoxville World Challenge to be held on Friday, August 10, during the 52nd annual Goodyear Knoxville Nationals at the Knoxville Raceway in Iowa are 4-time World of Outlaws, 4-time Knoxville Nationals, and 2-time Knoxville World Challenge champion Donny Schatz of North Dakota; three-time World of Outlaws, one-time Knoxville Nationals, two-time "Mr. Sprint Car" and National Sprint Car Hall of Fame inductee/champion Sammy Swindell of Tennessee; inaugural "Mr. Sprint Car" titlist Ricky Logan of Arkansas; and two-time King of the West Series champion Jonathan Allard of California.

To date, two-time and defending World of Outlaws champion Jason Meyers of California and event rookie Caleb Griffith of Ohio are both entered in the 2012 Lucas Oil Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic (GASC) at Warrnambool. Meyers won the GASC's preliminary night Oval Express Magazine Australia - American Challenge Cup race in 2011.

For more information on the Knoxville Raceway and its 19th annual Knoxville World Challenge, fans are urged to visit www.knoxvilleraceway.com.

Those seeking more information on the January 21-22 Lucas Oil GASC are encouraged to visit Premier Speedway's web site at www.premierspeedway.com.au.