And so it begins
 

Night number one of the granddaddy of them all starts tonight. Knoxville Nationals. Can anyone dethrone Schatz? Can Larson advance one spot? Can Sweet parlay his Capitani Classic win to another on Saturday? These and many more questions to be answered starting tonight. I’m going to pick Kyle to win, what’s your thoughts?

Re: And so it begins
 

:44:

Re: And so it begins
 

Originally Posted by flagboy55:
Night number one of the granddaddy of them all starts tonight. Knoxville Nationals. Can anyone dethrone Schatz? Can Larson advance one spot? Can Sweet parlay his Capitani Classic win to another on Saturday? These and many more questions to be answered starting tonight. I’m going to pick Kyle to win, what’s your thoughts?

Larson last qualifier tonight and Schatz is first out.Kyle better hope the track holds up during qualifying.

I’m going to root for any non wing regulars to win even if they may be slowly switching to wings.

First time ever coming to the Knoxville Nationals though, so hopefully it’s as spectacular as advertised.

Originally Posted by BigWheel7:
I’m going to root for any non wing regulars to win even if they may be slowly switching to wings.

First time ever coming to the Knoxville Nationals though, so hopefully it’s as spectacular as advertised.

It's everything you've heard. The worst part of it is it makes all other races seem like a non event.

Re: And so it begins
 

This will be my first trip to Knoxville also. Unfortunately I can only go Saturday. I am probably looking forward to it as much as any race I’ve ever been to. Hoping to go to the whole week next year.

Schatz is the favorite of course, but my pick is Larson. In typical Larson style I think it will be checkers or wreckers for him. He will either win it or wad it up trying. I think Brad Sweet, David Gravel, and Brian Brown could all be threats to win also. I’d love to see Macedo win it, but it’s a tall task for him to pull that off.

Keep an eye on Kerry Madsen. He’s not being talked about much as a favorite, but he’s had some great runs at the Nationals. Last year he nearly slid Schatz for the lead on a restart, just barely being unable to clear him, and the loss of momentum let Larson slip by and he was never able to get back in the fight after that. If he starts in the top 10 or so on Saturday I’d say he’s got a great chance.

Re: And so it begins
 

Originally Posted by GYATK94:
Keep an eye on Kerry Madsen. He’s not being talked about much as a favorite, but he’s had some great runs at the Nationals. Last year he nearly slid Schatz for the lead on a restart, just barely being unable to clear him, and the loss of momentum let Larson slip by and he was never able to get back in the fight after that. If he starts in the top 10 or so on Saturday I’d say he’s got a great chance.

Good call on the mad man, he could certainly be in the mix. I was just hesitant to list him because he has struggled a bit this year. Last year he seemed to be running really well going into the nationals.

Got to with a first time native Iowan winner Terry McCarl!

Re: And so it begins
 

Night one results.

Feature Finish: 1. 27 – Greg Hodnett; 2. 49X – Tim Shaffer; 3. 57 – Kyle Larson; 4. 71 – Giovanni Scelzi; 5. 15 – Donny Schatz; 6. 18 – Ian Madsen; 7. 24W – Lucas Wolfe; 8. 87 – Aaron Reutzel; 9. 2M – Kerry Madsen; 10. 4 – Brock Zearfoss; 11. 9 – Daryn Pittman; 12. 29 – Willie Croft; 13. 5H – Sammy Walsh; 14. 99 – Brady Bacon; 15. 09 – Matt Juhl; 16. 11 – Roger Crockett; 17. 71X – Kevin Thomas, Jr.; 18. 40 – Clint Garner; 19. 15M – Bobby Mincer; 20. 85 – Chase Wanner; 21. 41S – Dominic Scelzi; 22. 2KS – Austin McCarl; 23. 10 – Clyde Knipp; 24. 5J – Jamie Ball; Lap Leaders 1-25 Greg Hodnett; KSE Hard Charger Donny Schatz (+16)

Top 10 in Knoxville Nationals Points:

1. Kyle Larson - 475

2. Donny Schatz - 474

3. Aaron Reutzel - 473

4. Kerry Madsen - 473

5. Tim Shaffer - 471

6. Giovanni Scelzi - 468

7. Ian Madsen - 467

8. Greg Hodnett - 462

9. Lucas Wolfe - 453

10. Daryn Pittman - 452

Schatz was good last night but not great. Went out first and didn’t get fast time. Had a heat with a pretty limited field and didn’t get through to transfer. Got passed by Schuchart in the B main. He did come from 21st to 5th in the a main but had several cautions to help.

Gives me hope this may be a year for someone new.

Re: And so it begins
 

Night two:

Feature (started), 25 Laps, NT: 1. Brad Sweet (6); 2. Rico Abreu (2); 3. David Gravel (13); 4. Tim Kaeding (5); 5. Terry McCarl (4); 6. Chad Kemenah (8); 7. Cory Eliason (10); 8. Shane Stewart (23); 9. Carson Macedo (21); 10. Kraig Kinser (11); 11. Mark Dobmeier (1); 12. Jacob Allen (7); 13. Sam Hafertepe Jr. (15); 14. Parker Price-Miller (22); 15. Spencer Bayston (9); 16. Wayne Johnson (18); 17. Jamie Veal (24); 18. Sammy Swindell (17); 19. John Carney II (3); 20. Chris Martin (19); 21. Gary Taylor (20); 22. Dave Blaney (16); 23. Harli White (12); 24. Josh Schneiderman (14). Lap Leader: Sweet 1-25. Hard-charger: S. Stewart (+15)

Final Combined Points:

A Main: 1. 49 Brad Sweet 491; 2. 10H Chad Kemenah 479; 3. 57 Kyle Larson 475; 4. 15 Donny Schatz 474; 5. 87 Aaron Reutzel 473; 6. 2M Kerry Madsen 473; 7. 49X Tim Shaffer 471; 8. 41 Carson Macedo 469; 9. 71 Gio Scelzi 468; 10. 3 Tim Kaeding 467; 11. 18 Ian Madsen 467; 12. 1A Jacob Allen 465; 13. 24R Rico Abreu 463; 14. 27 Greg Hodnett 462; 15. 2 Shane Stewart 458; 16 24 Terry McCarl 455

B Main: 17. 71P Parker Price-Miller 454; 18. 24W Lucas Wolfe 453; 19. 9 Daryn Pittman 452; 20. 4 Brock Zearfoss 444; 21. 83 Cory Eliason 440; 22. 13 Mark Dobmeier 437; 23. 5 David Gravel 431; 24. 5H Sammy Walsh 431; 25. 2KS Austin McCarl 429; 26. 11K Kraig Kinser 426

Any driver not listed above will Qualify again on Friday with a clean slate and a complete racing program. The top-four in Friday’s Feature will lineup 17th-20th in Saturday’s finale. The remains of the B, C, D and E will be lined up based on Friday’s finishing order.

Quite an event, but the antithesis of a Sprint car race with the mandatory mid-race stop.

Call it whatever you want, it’s the best event in all of dirt track racing.

Re: And so it begins
 

Originally Posted by dsc1600:
Call it whatever you want, it’s the best event in all of dirt track racing.

Really, Its a matter of opinion :17:

Re: And so it begins
 

I think as part of the 60th Anniversary of the event in 2020 they should run the Knoxville Nationals non-winged one more time.

Larson is clearly the fan favorite. Really sucks that Logan Schuchart didn’t go to the scales after his B main win on Wednesday night. I think he and Schatz working from the back through the A main would of been a thing of beauty.

Brad Sweet was untouchable last night in the A main.

Originally Posted by jim goerge:
Really, Its a matter of opinion :17:

This is true. For instance, I’d say my personal favorite sprint car event to attend is the Smackdown. (Thanks again for letting me buy that ticket from you a couple years ago!) however, I’d say it’s fair to conclude based on attendance, the hype and atmosphere surrounding the race, the car count, and other factors that Knoxville is the premier sprint car race in the country. It’s definitely a matter of opinion, but it would be difficult to argue another event over it.

As for the distance and halfway stop harming it’s credibilty as a sprint car race, I can understand that point of view, but I personally like the little strategy kink thrown in. It pays 50,000 more than any other 410 race (100,000 more than any outlaw race), so why not have to do something you’re not accustomed to doing to earn the win? Making the right decisions during the break and being first to take the checkered flag after those 50 laps around that beast of a half mile earns you that 150,000. Just my view. As I said, I can see why those who don’t prefer the stop think the way they do.

Now, if we change the debate to premier open wheel dirt race and don’t specify sprint car, give me the Chili Bowl every time!

Originally Posted by jim goerge:
Really, Its a matter of opinion :17:

It's just a fact. The amount of drivers, fans, $150,000 to win. All of USACS races combined don't add up to that. You'd have to experience it to understand 👍Doesn't get better than the nationals

Re: And so it begins
 

Originally Posted by WorldOfOutlawsFan:
It's just a fact. The amount of drivers, fans, $150,000 to win. All of USACS races combined don't add up to that. You'd have to experience it to understand 👍Doesn't get better than the nationals

I have to ask, are you there?

Re: And so it begins
 

Brad Sweet or Kyle Larson could go wire to wire.

Re: And so it begins
 

Originally Posted by WorldOfOutlawsFan:
It's just a fact. The amount of drivers, fans, $150,000 to win. All of USACS races combined don't add up to that. You'd have to experience it to understand 👍Doesn't get better than the nationals

That was true prior to early 1980's.

Isn't it also a fact that the biggest Sprint car race the Mopar Million paid 200,000 and had more cars than Knoxville? ( Non wing)
I've been to Knoxville Nationals in 4 separate decades. It was contested from 1961 to 1980 non wing except 1973.Through the first 20 their were 15 different winners. In the wing era their were 12 out of 37.

Originally Posted by oppweld:
Isn't it also a fact that the biggest Sprint car race the Mopar Million paid 200,000 and had more cars than Knoxville? ( Non wing)
I've been to Knoxville Nationals in 4 separate decades. It was contested from 1961 to 1980 non wing except 1973.Through the first 20 their were 15 different winners. In the wing era their were 12 out of 37.

Yeah like 15 years ago. Wonder why they haven't done it since??

Re: And so it begins
 

Originally Posted by WorldOfOutlawsFan:
It's just a fact. The amount of drivers, fans, $150,000 to win. All of USACS races combined don't add up to that. You'd have to experience it to understand ��Doesn't get better than the nationals

Your calculator needs calibrated. An acquaintance asked if I'd like to hit a wing show next week. I politely said no, I'm helping a friend move out of a 3rd floor apartment....

Re: And so it begins
 

I think this could be a year that Schatz doesn't win.... Sweet & Larson would be my betting picks, but my heart is with Logan Schuchart, who had fast times both nites, outdueled Schatz to win his B on Qualifying nite, but was so excited he got himself disqualified by missing weigh in. Out dueled Brian Brown last nite to win Friday A.... starting 17th, he's got a lot of cars to pass, but?????
Plus, his Grandpa Bobby Allen had to be hospitalized with "twisted bowels" ....ouch

Re: And so it begins
 

I'm shocked that such a sacrilegious topic has desecrated the pages of IOW....:5:

Thinking of getting the ppv tonight. Has anyone bought it so far this week and how’s it working?

Originally Posted by flagboy55:
Thinking of getting the ppv tonight. Has anyone bought it so far this week and how’s it working?

Did you buy it?

Re: And so it begins
 

Originally Posted by WorldOfOutlawsFan:
Yeah like 15 years ago. Wonder why they haven't done it since??

The reason it wasn't done again is because Earl said when he announced it, that it was a one time event. He did the same with the Eldora Million late model event. I have been to Knoxville several times and it is a great event. I am probably more interested in going again than I have been in years. Happy to see Brad Sweet get the win. So did you have a good time there? I figured with how much you liked it, that you would surely be there. You never responded to my question, that I asked earlier, so I don't know for sure. I bet the crowd went nuts when Sweet won.

Re: And so it begins
 

Originally Posted by WorldOfOutlawsFan:
Yeah like 15 years ago. Wonder why they haven't done it since??

They did it though. And it still stands.:6:

Re: And so it begins
 

Originally Posted by BrentTFunk:
The reason it wasn't done again is because Earl said when he announced it, that it was a one time event. He did the same with the Eldora Million late model event. I have been to Knoxville several times and it is a great event. I am probably more interested in going again than I have been in years. Happy to see Brad Sweet get the win. So did you have a good time there? I figured with how much you liked it, that you would surely be there. You never responded to my question, that I asked earlier, so I don't know for sure. I bet the crowd went nuts when Sweet won.

Brent His mom probley wouldn"t let him go so he stayed in the basement and sulked :7:

Did any of the non-winged diehards watch the highlights at least? How could you not like that racing?

Re: And so it begins
 

Originally Posted by BrentTFunk:
The reason it wasn't done again is because Earl said when he announced it, that it was a one time event. He did the same with the Eldora Million late model event. I have been to Knoxville several times and it is a great event. I am probably more interested in going again than I have been in years. Happy to see Brad Sweet get the win. So did you have a good time there? I figured with how much you liked it, that you would surely be there. You never responded to my question, that I asked earlier, so I don't know for sure. I bet the crowd went nuts when Sweet won.

Thats true, It was a one time event and unlike the LM version, They divided up the purse.

They did however for a couple years have a Mopar Nationals afterward.

Originally Posted by revjimk:
I'm shocked that such a sacrilegious topic has desecrated the pages of IOW....:5:

And have almost 4000 looks

What is the sacreligious part — wings or twisted bowels????

Re: And so it begins
 

I don’t think I could have asked for much better in my first trip to Knoxville. That A Main was an absolute thriller with the battle between Larson and Schatz, then Sweet, Larson, and Schatz. Even though Brad was pretty dominant early, there wasn’t anyone there who thought he had that race wrapped up. Schatz passing Larson late in the race and closing in on Sweet with just a few laps to go had many on the edge of their seat hoping Brad could hold on. The collective groan of almost the entire crowd when Kerry Madsen flipped with 2 to go was an indication of just how much that race means to so many fans (plus the culmination of several years of seeing Schatz dominate). But that set the stage for two of the most intense and exciting laps I’ve seen. When Schatz made his move to the outside coming to take the white flag, I really thought he would get Brad. That collective groan moments earlier turned to a thunderous roar though when Sweet pulled ahead off of 2 and again off of 4 on the final lap. The jubilation from Sweet was great in his victory lane interview. Lots of great stories from last night.

Sold out crowd, and we were all treated to an outstanding show. Certainly one I will never forget. Reminded me a lot of the finish at the first World 100 I attended in 2002.

Anyone who doesn’t go to Knoxville because it is a winged sprint race is only cheating themselves. The whole experience is pretty incredible. It is very different from the Kings Royal. I think many fans from this area have been to the Kings Royal and don’t care for it compared to the traditional sprints and midgets. Don’t let that mislead you into not going to Knoxville for the nationals. It is absolutely worth it.

Re: And so it begins
 

Originally Posted by RacinBabe:
What is the sacreligious part — wings or twisted bowels????

Good one..... WINGS! ;) duh....

Re: And so it begins
 

I watched on PPV & it was excellent. Wish I had gone in person....
& I prefer wingless, but I'm not dogmatic about it....:22:

Re: And so it begins
 

Originally Posted by brsteg:
I think as part of the 60th Anniversary of the event in 2020 they should run the Knoxville Nationals non-winged one more time.

Surprised there was no comment on this.