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World of Outlaws Knoxville Nationals
Knoxville Raceway | Knoxville, Iowa
Wednesday, August 07, 2024
Race Recap  

SCELZI STRIKES FIRST: Giovanni Scelzi Charges from Sixth to Knoxville Nationals Prelim Victory

Scelzi steals night one with a late pass on Jacob Allen and grabs the point lead

“Hot Sauce” is hungry.

Giovanni Scelzi is a Californian by birth but now calls Iowa home. KCP Racing, the team he competes with, is located roughly an hour’s drive from Knoxville Raceway. The pairing have won the 360 Nationals. They’ve sat on the pole of the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s. They’re hungrier than ever for a Knoxville Nationals.

And they made a big step toward that goal on Wednesday’s BRANDT Professional Agriculture Qualifying Night at “The Sprint Car Capital of the World.”

Scelzi lined up sixth for the 25-lapper and put on a show with a charge to the front. After an uneventful first half of the race for the Fresno, CA driver, Scelzi got up on the wheel to move forward. On Lap 17 he took over second. Then he sealed the deal with a daring move between leader Jacob Allen and a lapped car entering Turn 1.

Emotion flowed in Victory Lane. Scelzi yelled with joy as he rose atop the wing, and the crowd joined him with a roar.

“I don’t even know what to say. I’ve never run a prelim night. I’ve run second. This definitely sets us up good for Saturday,” Scelzi said. “Living just outside Des Moines now in Grimes, this is kind of a home for me. The first time I came here in I think 2016 or 2017 I got to work for Aaron Reutzel. And you know, Danny Lasoski being my idol was one that was obviously super successful here. And I think sometimes when you really put your mind to something at a place you want to be successful at, it makes you work harder to really do that. It’s the best racetrack in the world. Best fans in the world. There’s no question. Best racing surface you get all year long. Whether the track is a little bit wetter like it was tonight or it’s super dry, you almost have three lines of racing every time you come here. My guys did an incredible job. Hats off to Adam (Clark), Bob (Curtis), and Aaron (Beiler).”

Scelzi’s victory was his first in a 410 at Knoxville since topping a local show in 2019. But perhaps more important than the prelim win itself is where it’s currently slotted him for championship Saturday. A tally of 471 points has him atop the table after the opening night, nearly guaranteeing he’ll be starting in the first couple rows for the 50-lap finale.

The NOS Energy Drink Feature was led to green by Jacob Allen and Justin Peck. Allen inched ahead of Peck and narrowly led the first circuit. Peck built up momentum on the top and looked as if he may challenge Allen for the top spot in Turn 1 on Lap 2, but Allen got the bottom rolling and scooted away.

Allen checked out as the opening portion of the race unfolded. Back behind Scelzi looked to begin his march forward but met a tough challenge in the form of Brent Marks. The Myerstown, PA native fended off several attempts from the No. 18. Even when Scelzi got by him the first time, the yellow flag flew before the lap was completed, giving the spot back to Marks.

Scelzi finally managed to escape Marks on the 11th circuit, and then the real fun began. Two laps later he drove right by Chase Randall to grab third. And then in four more rotations he wasted no time wheeled around Justin Peck for second.

Gio Scelzi drives the KCP Racing No. 18 in front of the Knoxville Raceway suites
The KCP Racing No. 18 was rolling in the 25-lap Knoxville Nationals prelim Feature with Giovanni Scelzi behind the wheel (Trent Gower Photo)

Then the pursuit of race-long leader Allen began. Up front the Shark Racing No. 1A navigated heavy traffic which allowed Scelzi to close in. The first attempt at the top spot was thwarted by Allen as he protected. But only a few laps later Scelzi made a magnificent move for the lead.

A big run off the exit of Turn 4 allowed Scelzi to dip under Allen heading down the front straightaway. With Allen to his outside, the 22-year-old was also faced with a lapped car directly ahead. Scelzi had just enough momentum to clear Allen entering Turn 1 and slice ahead of him to get to the cushion and clear the traffic in the set of corners.

And that was all she wrote. The KCP No. 18 was dialed in with a motivated driver in the seat, and Scelzi set sail on his way to the checkered flag.

“What an incredible job by my guys,” Scelzi said. “Normally yellows are my kryptonite. And I just got by Brent Marks and the yellow came out of course. But man, the bottom got easier and easier to run as all of those crumbs got thrown up in the middle. Thank you, fans, for coming out. This is the busiest I’ve ever seen a Wednesday night. I hope everyone goes to Dingus because they can serve all of you.”

Allen held on for second wheeling his father, Bobby Allen’s, Sprint Car. It was a strong night for the Hanover, PA native as he sits eighth in points and likely on the bubble of locking into Saturday’s finale after Thursday’s prelim. Despite losing the lead late, Allen showed no signs of disappointment once the checkered flag flew.

“Honestly, I think I ran a pretty good race, a race that I’m pretty proud of running,” Allen said. “I felt like my race car was really good. We didn’t go through much lapped traffic, but I made a nice pass that I thought would maybe be a defining move on Blake Hahn. But obviously Gio had a really good car as well. There’s honestly nothing to hang our heads about. Last year I didn’t even race this race and took some time off. To come back, lead my prelim night, and run second is a huge accomplishment.”

Rounding out the Knoxville Nationals opener podium was Justin Peck aboard the Buch Motorsports machine. Peck is confident he and the Buch crew have something to build on after Wednesday but have a couple areas with room for improvement if they want to challenge for a Knoxville Nationals title.

“I feel like we’re pretty close, just need to find a little bit more speed,” Peck said. “I think our straight-line speed or straight-line grip is pretty good. I’m struggling kind of getting in the corner, and then depending on how that goes maybe struggling through the rest of the corner. Like I said, we’ll keep working. It’s cool to put it on the podium on a prelim night of the Knoxville Nationals.”

Chase Randall and Brent Marks completed the top five.

A 21st to 10th drive earned Anthony Macri the KSE Racing Hard Charger.

Matt Juhl claimed Simpson Quick Time honors in Sea Foam Qualifying.

Your Life Iowa Heats One, Three, Four, and Five belonged to Sam Hafertepe Jr., Donny Schatz, Aaron Reutzel, and Chase Randall. Milton Hershey School Heat Two went to Jamie Ball.

Anthony Macri won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.

The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race went to Michael Kofoid.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are back at Knoxville Raceway for the second split-field prelim for the 63rd running of the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s on Thursday, August 8. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

FEATURE RESULTS:

A Feature (25 Laps): 1. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[6]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen[1]; 3. 13-Justin Peck[2]; 4. 2KS-Chase Randall[3]; 5. 19-Brent Marks[4]; 6. 10-Scott Bogucki[5]; 7. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[11]; 8. 87-Aaron Reutzel[13]; 9. 14-Corey Day[7]; 10. 39M-Anthony Macri[21]; 11. 9P-Parker Price Miller[15]; 12. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[8]; 13. 9-Kasey Kahne[9]; 14. 27-Carson McCarl[10]; 15. 2-David Gravel[24]; 16. 48-Danny Dietrich[12]; 17. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[17]; 18. 15-Donny Schatz[19]; 19. 23-Garet Williamson[23]; 20. 09-Matt Juhl[22]; 21. 4W-Jamie Ball[18]; 22. 52-Blake Hahn[14]; 23. (DNF) J2-John Carney II[20]; 24. (DNF) 6B-Brandon Wimmer[16]

For complete results, CLICK HERE.

[Read More]
Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
16+518Giovanni Scelzi 250.0004Running90$12,000
21-11AJacob Allen 25-1.16821Running90$10,000
32-113Justin Peck 25-2.603Running90$7,000
43-12KSChase Randall 25-3.469Running90$6,000
54-119Brent Marks 25-4.384Running90$5,000
65-110Scott Bogucki 25-6.189Running90$4,000
711+43ZBrock Zearfoss 25-7.445Running90$3,500
813+587Aaron Reutzel 25-9.511Running90$2,500
97-214Corey Day 25-9.927Running90$2,000
1021+1139MAnthony Macri 25-10.841Running90$1,750
1115+49PParker Price-Miller 25-11.182Running90$1,500
128-417Sheldon Haudenschild 25-11.991Running90$1,400
139-49Kasey Kahne 25-13.828Running90$1,300
1410-427Carson McCarl 25-14.740Running90$1,250
1524+92David Gravel 25-14.937Running90$1,200
1612-448Danny Dietrich 25-15.225Running90$1,150
1717015HSam Hafertepe Jr25-17.285Running90$1,100
1819+115Donny Schatz 24-1 LapsRunning90$1,050
1923+423Garet Williamson 24-1 LapsRunning90$1,000
2022+209Matt Juhl 24-1 LapsRunning90$1,000
2118-34WJamie Ball 24-1 LapsRunning90$1,000
2214-852Blake Hahn 24-1 LapsRunning90$1,000
2320-3J2John Carney II15-10 LapsDNF90$1,000
2416-86BBrandon Wimmer 14-11 LapsDNF90$1,000
KSE Hard Charger: Anthony Macri
Last Chance Showdown 1 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+139MAnthony Macri 00.000Running0$0
21-109Matt Juhl 0-1.450Running0$0
34+123Garet Williamson 0-1.623Running0$0
47+32David Gravel 0-2.339Running0$0
510+583JRMichael Kofoid 0-2.573Running90$500
63-355Kerry Madsen 0-3.377Running90$400
75-218TTanner Holmes 0-5.968Running90$350
88022Riley Goodno 0-6.355Running90$300
912+33PSawyer Phillips 0-8.158Running90$300
106-414JJack Dover 0-9.060Running90$300
1113+21MDon Droud Jr0-9.735Running90$200
129-32XLynton Jeffrey 0-10.594Running90$200
1311-221TCole Macedo 0-10.840Running90$200
1418+449XTim Shaffer 0-12.548Running90$200
1515024TChristopher Thram 0-13.524Running90$200
1616023LJimmy Light 0-14.414Running90$200
1723+644Chris Martin 0-15.176Running90$200
1820+245XJace Park 0-15.916Running90$200
191906WDustin Selvage 0-16.246Running90$200
2017-370Kraig Kinser 0-17.565Running90$200
2122+199Skylar Gee 0-17.756Running90$200
2214-855TMcKenna Haase 0-21.905Running90$200
2324+119HJoel Myers 0-0.858Running90$200
2421-317GPCale Thomas 052.879DNF90$200
C Main Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
13+217GPCale Thomas 00.000Running0$0
24+299Skylar Gee 0-4.313Running0$0
35+244Chris Martin 0-4.710Running90$150
47+319HJoel Myers 0-6.318Running90$150
56+115JRCole Mincer 0-8.769Running90$150
610+410VBrian Paulus 0-9.055Running90$125
78+1G5Gage Pulkrabek 0-12.203Running90$125
811+32KKevin Ingle 0-13.404Running90$125
912+31Sammy Swindell 0-14.310Running90$125
101-9101Kalib Henry 0-14.310DNS90$125
112-923MLance Moss 0-14.310DNS90$125
129-311NKasey Jedrzejek 0-14.310DNS90$125
Heat 1 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11015HSam Hafertepe Jr00.000Running
23+13ZBrock Zearfoss 0-1.577Running
34+113Justin Peck 0-3.269Running
46+218Giovanni Scelzi 0-4.418Running
55083JRMichael Kofoid 0-5.730Running
62-470Kraig Kinser 0-7.681Running
78+109Matt Juhl 0-8.728Running
87-114JJack Dover 0-10.034Running
910+115JRCole Mincer 0-10.738Running
109-117GPCale Thomas 0-13.490Running
Heat 2 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
1104WJamie Ball 00.000Running
24+21AJacob Allen 0-2.818Running
32-152Blake Hahn 0-4.390Running
47+317Sheldon Haudenschild 0-5.061Running
53-224TChristopher Thram 0-7.635Running
68+239MAnthony Macri 0-7.878Running
75-221TCole Macedo 0-9.016Running
86-22XLynton Jeffrey 0-9.779Running
910+119HJoel Myers 0-12.525Running
109-199Skylar Gee 0-13.792Running
Heat 3 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11015Donny Schatz 00.000Running
2209PParker Price-Miller 0-3.470Running
36+310Scott Bogucki 0-4.015Running
43-148Danny Dietrich 0-5.506Running
58+355Kerry Madsen 0-7.610Running
67+12David Gravel 0-8.321Running
75-23PSawyer Phillips 0-11.272Running
84-455TMcKenna Haase 0-12.495Running
99044Chris Martin 0-13.293Running
10100G5Gage Pulkrabek 0-15.709Running
Heat 4 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
13+287Aaron Reutzel 00.000Running
21-1J2John Carney II0-2.037Running
34+19Kasey Kahne 0-2.781Running
47+314Corey Day 0-3.926Running
52-349XTim Shaffer 0-5.595Running
68+223Garet Williamson 0-7.167Running
75-21MDon Droud Jr0-7.560Running
89+16WDustin Selvage 0-9.379Running
96-3101Kalib Henry 0218.225Running
1010011NKasey Jedrzejek 0218.225DNS
Heat 5 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
15+42KSChase Randall 00.000Running
2206BBrandon Wimmer 0-4.203Running
36+319Brent Marks 0-4.412Running
44027Carson McCarl 0-6.978Running
58+318TTanner Holmes 0-7.073Running
69+345XJace Park 0-10.222Running
73-423LJimmy Light 0-11.152Running
87-122Riley Goodno 0-11.161Running
910+110VBrian Paulus 0-13.115Running
101-923MLance Moss 0217.587DNF
Qualifying Flight 1 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1109Matt Juhl Tea, SD15.4310.000
21139MAnthony Macri Dillsburg, PA15.654-0.223
3555Kerry Madsen Knoxville, IA15.669-0.238
4923Garet Williamson Columbia, MO15.707-0.276
5318TTanner Holmes Jacksonville, OR15.737-0.306
6214JJack Dover Springfield, NE15.738-0.307
73517Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH15.783-0.352
8212David Gravel Watertown, CT15.785-0.354
92814Corey Day Clovis, CA15.809-0.378
10422Riley Goodno Knoxville, IA15.823-0.392
113118Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA15.825-0.394
12362XLynton Jeffrey Prairie City, IA15.828-0.397
132410Scott Bogucki Mclaren Vale, SA15.828-0.397
1410101Kalib Henry Sacramento, CA15.834-0.403
152919Brent Marks Myerstown, PA15.839-0.408
163083JRMichael Kofoid Penngrove, CA15.876-0.445
171421TCole Macedo Lemoore, CA15.878-0.447
1873PSawyer Phillips Pleasantville, IA15.898-0.467
19121MDon Droud JrLincoln, NE15.909-0.478
20422KSChase Randall Waco, TX15.953-0.522
213713Justin Peck Monrovia, IN15.962-0.531
22381AJacob Allen Hanover, PA15.973-0.542
234055TMcKenna Haase Des Moines, IA15.974-0.543
24419Kasey Kahne Enumclaw, WA15.983-0.552
253327Carson McCarl Altoona, IA15.986-0.555
26453ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA16.006-0.575
272524TChristopher Thram Sanborn, MN16.019-0.588
281948Danny Dietrich Gettysburg, PA16.023-0.592
292387Aaron Reutzel Clute, TX16.050-0.619
301323LJimmy Light Lizton, IN16.060-0.629
314770Kraig Kinser Bloomington, IN16.062-0.631
321552Blake Hahn Sapulpa, OK16.075-0.644
33189PParker Price-Miller Kokomo, IN16.094-0.663
342249XTim Shaffer Aliquippa, PA16.107-0.676
35506BBrandon Wimmer Fairmount, IN16.144-0.713
365115HSam Hafertepe JrSunnyvale, TX16.148-0.717
37524WJamie Ball Knoxville, IA16.168-0.737
384315Donny Schatz Fargo, ND16.181-0.750
3944J2John Carney IIEl Paso, TX16.185-0.754
40823MLance Moss Cherryville, NC16.205-0.774
411717GPCale Thomas Fairland, IN16.207-0.776
424899Skylar Gee Leduc, AB16.226-0.795
432044Chris Martin Ankeny, IA16.259-0.828
44276WDustin Selvage Indianola, IA16.263-0.832
453445XJace Park Overland Park, KS16.279-0.848
464915JRCole Mincer Burlington, IA16.424-0.993
472619HJoel Myers Sebastopol, CA16.439-1.008
4816G5Gage Pulkrabek East Grand Forks, MN16.459-1.028
494611NKasey Jedrzejek Lagrange, OH16.856-1.425
503910VBrian Paulus Mooresville, IN16.888-1.457
51322KKevin Ingle Huron, SD17.296-1.865
5261Sammy Swindell Germantown, TN0.00015.431
Hot Laps Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1362XLynton Jeffrey Prairie City, IA15.3230.000
2422KSChase Randall Waco, TX15.346-0.023
34315Donny Schatz Fargo, ND15.354-0.031
42919Brent Marks Myerstown, PA15.528-0.205
53118Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA15.552-0.229
6419Kasey Kahne Enumclaw, WA15.562-0.239
73713Justin Peck Monrovia, IN15.591-0.268
8212David Gravel Watertown, CT15.632-0.309
94770Kraig Kinser Bloomington, IN15.633-0.310
103517Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH15.677-0.354
11524WJamie Ball Knoxville, IA15.693-0.370
1244J2John Carney IIEl Paso, TX15.726-0.403
134915JRCole Mincer Burlington, IA15.768-0.445
143083JRMichael Kofoid Penngrove, CA15.776-0.453
155115HSam Hafertepe JrSunnyvale, TX15.787-0.464
163327Carson McCarl Altoona, IA15.788-0.465
17506BBrandon Wimmer Fairmount, IN15.790-0.467
18453ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA15.793-0.470
192410Scott Bogucki Mclaren Vale, SA15.800-0.477
204899Skylar Gee Leduc, AB15.826-0.503
212387Aaron Reutzel Clute, TX15.833-0.510
224055TMcKenna Haase Des Moines, IA15.879-0.556
233445XJace Park Overland Park, KS15.897-0.574
24381AJacob Allen Hanover, PA15.919-0.596
25276WDustin Selvage Indianola, IA15.987-0.664
262249XTim Shaffer Aliquippa, PA16.054-0.731
272044Chris Martin Ankeny, IA16.088-0.765
282814Corey Day Clovis, CA16.105-0.782
291948Danny Dietrich Gettysburg, PA16.110-0.787
302524TChristopher Thram Sanborn, MN16.119-0.796
312619HJoel Myers Sebastopol, CA16.153-0.830
32322KKevin Ingle Huron, SD16.256-0.933
3310101Kalib Henry Sacramento, CA16.453-1.130
344611NKasey Jedrzejek Lagrange, OH16.583-1.260
351323LJimmy Light Lizton, IN16.599-1.276
361421TCole Macedo Lemoore, CA16.650-1.327
371139MAnthony Macri Dillsburg, PA16.936-1.613
38189PParker Price-Miller Kokomo, IN16.971-1.648
391717GPCale Thomas Fairland, IN17.100-1.777
40214JJack Dover Springfield, NE17.295-1.972
41555Kerry Madsen Knoxville, IA17.377-2.054
42121MDon Droud JrLincoln, NE17.535-2.212
4361Sammy Swindell Germantown, TN17.629-2.306
44318TTanner Holmes Jacksonville, OR17.670-2.347
45109Matt Juhl Tea, SD17.889-2.566
46422Riley Goodno Knoxville, IA17.922-2.599
471552Blake Hahn Sapulpa, OK17.988-2.665
48823MLance Moss Cherryville, NC18.093-2.770
49923Garet Williamson Columbia, MO18.177-2.854
5016G5Gage Pulkrabek East Grand Forks, MN19.464-4.141
513910VBrian Paulus Mooresville, IN0.00015.323
5273PSawyer Phillips Pleasantville, IA0.00015.323
King of the Hill Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
1102KKevin Ingle 00.000Running0$0
2201Sammy Swindell 00.000Running0$0
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

World of Outlaws Knoxville Nationals
Wednesday, August 7th to Saturday, August 10th
Knoxville Raceway
1000 North Lincoln Street
Knoxville, Iowa 50138 

Event Description
It's The Granddaddy of 'Em All! The 63rd Knoxville Nationals brings the best of the best to Iowa for this four-day Crown Jewel with a million-dollar purse and Sprint Car immortality available.

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

To Win Amount
$12,000.00

Event Schedule

8am Knoxville Raceway Ticket Office opens
10am Vendors Open in Fan Zone
10am, 12pm, 1:30pm Fan Forums at National Sprint Car Hall of Fame
11am, 1pm, 3pm Autograph Sessions at National Sprint Car Hall of Fame
Noon Food Vendors Open
2pm Pit Gate Opens
5pm Grandstands Open
7:15pm Hot Laps


*All times Central

Ticket Options  
Ticket Phone
641-842-5431

Options And Prices

Single Day tickets for Nationals range from $53 to $60

2-day package range from $103 to $116

3-day package range from $150 to $169

4-day package range from $197 to $222



Grandstand Type

Bench style, metal seats with backrests



Family Section Location



Handicapped Seating Location
Located in the front stretch grandstands. Wheelchairs and scooters seating is available in row 39 (AA & BB) Also is section D, row 1

Pit Age Requirement
Aged 17 and under require parent waivers - Aged 12 and under must remain in vehicle or the fenced in area between turns 1 and 2. All pit fees apply. All ages same price

Parking Cost

$15.00



Handicapped Parking Location
Behind the front stretch grandstands and behind Dyer-Hudson Hall.

Camping Availability

Electric hookup, non-electric, onsite, sanitary facility, showers, waste services



Camping Cost

Camping is $200 for all 4 days. A 4-day package is required to stay at the North Campground. Water and electric hookups are available.



Frequently Asked Questions  
To Win Amount
$12,000.00

Type of Grandstand

Bench style, metal seats with backrests



Stadium Seating
Foam or other seat cushions are permitted as long as they are not more than 20" wide. Stadiums seats are NOT ALLOWED

Handicapped Seating
Located in the front stretch grandstands. Wheelchairs and scooters seating is available in row 39 (AA & BB) Also is section D, row 1

Handicapped Parking
Behind the front stretch grandstands and behind Dyer-Hudson Hall.

Pit Age Limit
Aged 17 and under require parent waivers - Aged 12 and under must remain in vehicle or the fenced in area between turns 1 and 2. All pit fees apply. All ages same price

Personal Coolers

Soft side, collapsible coolers no bigger than 6-pack size and empty are allowed



ATMs
1

Alcohol Sales
Alcohol is available at the track

Smoking Policy
All grandstands are non-smoking. Smoking areas are available underneath stands.

Family Section



Parking Cost

$15.00



Camping Availability

Electric hookup, non-electric, onsite, sanitary facility, showers, waste services



Camping Cost

Camping is $200 for all 4 days. A 4-day package is required to stay at the North Campground. Water and electric hookups are available.



Track Info  

Knoxville Raceway
1000 North Lincoln Street
Knoxville, Iowa 50138 

Track Phone
(641) 842-5431

Ticket Phone
641-842-5431

Track Size
0.5

Track Type
Semi-banked clay oval

Closest Airport
Des Moines International Airport

Track Map
Competitor Info  

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