Van Knill - Biography

Biography

Background

Garrett "Van" Knill was born in the suburban Chicago area on January 24, 1985. He started attending races all over the country with his family at an early age developing his love for racing. He takes pride in knowing he is the third generation involved in motor sports and driving racecars.

When he was in the third grade, his parents relocated their business to Tucson, Arizona. Van is currently a full-time student at the University of Arizona following a Communications Major.

January 2000, completed training with "Drive Tech" Racing School.
February 2001, completed training with "Jimmy Sills" School of Open Wheel Racing.
July 2001, completed training with "Bob Bondurant's" School of High Performance Driving.

Contact Information:
Van Knill knill@email.arizona.edu
Bob Knill rhknill@aol.com

Quarter Midgets

Van started racing quarter midgets in 1995 at the age of 10. On July 1, 1995 he set 'Fast Time' for a Novice Driver at the Arizona State Race Championships. In the years that followed, he posted 'fast times,' broke 'track records' at several tracks and has posted numerous 'wins.'

Quarter Midget Highlights 1995-1999
	Track Record, Sacramento, California 1997
	Set World Record, Pomona, California 1998
	This 'record setting' car was on permanent display at the Race Rock Restaurant in Las Vegas
	Finished 1st in Arizona State Championship, Sr. Honda 1998
	Arizona-New Mexico Region, Light B Champion 1999

Modified Midgets

In 1999, at age 14, Van moved up to a 250 cc Modified Midget. The year was plagued with mechanical problems, but even with those problems, Van managed to have several "top 3" finishes. All year, while driving the 250, Van kept looking at the larger and faster 600 class.

In 2000, at the age of 15, he moved into a 600 cc Modified Midget. During the year, he posted his first "win" with several "seconds" and "thirds." He earned "Rookie of the Year" for 2000.

Midgets

Over the years, we had built a friendship with Rick Stewart of Stewart Racing and Fabricating in Phoenix, Arizona. Rick has been involved in racing at every level for over 30 years, having worked with many of the great, up and coming drivers, through the years.

In 2001, Van made the move to a full-size midget. Rick Stewart became Van's Crew Chief, coach and mentor. Van raced several times that year, posting his first "Trophy Dash Win" at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix.

In 2002, the move was made up to the United Auto Club's Western States Midget Series. This was Van's "Rookie Year" with USAC and he was getting tremendous experience. He was racing on both pavement and dirt and learning the techniques of both. He posted Wins on the dirt in Bakersfield and on the pavement at Madera. He also won a

preliminary race on ESPNat the Bullring in Las Vegas. He finished his 2002 USAC Season in 5th place in points and was awarded "Rookie of the Year" for the USAC Western States Midget Series. Union 76 also presented him with the "Hard Charger of the Year" Award. On July 4th, 2003 Van posted the 'fastest' lap in competition at the USAC National race on the mile at Pikes Peak International Raceway.

NASCAR Super Late Models

2004 found Van in a NASCAR Super Late Model competing in the Dodget Weekly Series at Tucson Raceway Park. The first half of the season was ugly. The team had started out with a new chassis built for TRP and it proved to have some problems. With those problems and Van trying to learn what driving a big heavy car was like, it didn't impress many people. After about 5 races, the team got the chassis problems corrected and Van started to settle in. Once that was accomplished, he went on to set 'Fast Time' and 'Win' a heat race, almost always qualifying in the 'quick six.'

For 2005, Knill Motorsports put together a program with a California businessman that had been watching Van since his Quarter Midget days. He felt Van had the potential to step up and offered to purchase a car and motor package if Van would run the 2005 Season at Irwindale Speedway in California.

Knill Motorsports then put together a program with Greg Pursley of Elite Engineering to maintain the racecar in his shops, prepare it for every

race and crew the car. Greg Pursley won the 2004 NASCAR Championship at Irwindale and then went on to win the Regional and National Championships for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series. Greg has been working with Van and 'coaching' him at the Irwindale Speedway.

At the end of the 2005 season, Jackson Race Cars approached us to bring the #43 back in-house. They had originally built the car some 12 years earlier and had been watching Van. They felt he had potential to really show well in 2006.

Their faith in Van was rewarded with his winning the 2006 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Championship at Irwindale Speedway with 3 Wins, 4 Seconds, 4 Fast Qualifier Awards and 2 "Quick Eight" wins... a total of 14 Top Fives.