By: Kevin Ramsell
NEWTOWN, IA (Sunday, July 20, 2008) – Tim Schendel proved how fast he was as he picked his first ECHO “Blows Away the Competition� award today at Iowa Speedway in Newton, IA. Schendel set a fast time of 22.919 seconds (137.441 mph).

“It was great, Chris (Bires, his crew chief) asked what we could have done to make it better and I guess not really nothing,� Schendel stated. “All around it’s a fast car and I know its going to be fast in the long run. We made a 15 lap run yesterday and it would stay at the same speed lap after lap. Hopefully we will get up front, hang out, get some clean air and have some fun.�

For his fast time, Schendel was presented with a new ECHO Power Blower, “That’s cool, now I have something to blow weeds with this Fall. Usually I borrow my mom’s and now I got one.�

Kyle Busch was second fastest with a time of 23.118 seconds with Donny Reuvers in third timing in at 23.254 seconds.

Matt Kenseth was fourth posting a time of 23.539 seconds with Jonathan Eilen rounding out the top five with a time of 23.597 seconds.

Jill George and Chris Sevey both made contact with the turn four wall in qualifying while Kyle Calmes developed engine problems during his qualifying run and will not start the main event.

The Rasmussen Group Twin 75’s will get underway at 4:45 pm.

The autograph session is going on now along with a concert by Firehouse.