Knoxville First Timers
 

Well, my brother (Moreland76) and I made our first trip out to Knoxville for the Nationals. So far the town has delivered on all levels. Not even a speeding ticket just before our exit could stymie our enjoyment thus far. Now we fully understand how the close proximity of all the businesses along 14 ratchets up the vibe that much higher. If you’ve never been, there are literally campers stuffed into corners all over town.

Can’t wait for green flag action and to see the NSHOF. Have a great week yall. Good luck Emerson Axsom!

Re: Knoxville First Timers
 

Nothing like it IMO
Hit the parade on Saturday
And the bakeries in nearby Pella one morning

Had a good friend who went often in the old days when they were most on open trailers and tents,pushing off in the streets and checking them out in parking lots, lots of people and wild parties so he said, I was never able to go with him, some of us had to work for a living, but I believe every word he said
Good old days

Re: Knoxville First Timers
 

Have fun. The Pizza place just south of the Dingus is really good, as is the rib shack.

Both are on the list! We’ve been told to grab a sammich from the Cattleman’s and a chicken/ shrimp & rice from the hawaiian bbq food truck. And of course a stop into the Dingus! Loooooooving this trip!

I could swear I saw the Frolic bar set up over behind turn 3.

Re: Knoxville First Timers
 

TQ29, your friend was pretty accurate with his description. Things were pretty wild back then. I went to every Knoxville Nationals from '76 thru '92, and then discovered Indiana and kind of lost interest in the winged stuff. I went back to Knoxville a couple of times over the past few years when USAC scheduled a show there, but have never returned for the Nationals.

Ribeye sandwich at Cattleman’s is a must. Knoxville is awesome, glad you’re enjoying it.

Went every year from 74-85. Much different vibe compared to what I observe now. Saw my first Knoxville race in 69, have been back for non-wing more my interest, to each their own.

For my brother and I, it’s more of a bucket list thing. We call ourselves serious sprint car fans, near addicts, so getting to the HOF and a Nationals had a priority. We’lll still spend 90% of our racing money on non wing across the year. Gotta admit though that Knoxville’s (the town) layout in proximity to the track is like nothing i’ve ever seen. And every business, whether on the strip or not, knows exactly why are here and go above and beyond any city i’ve ever been to make us feel welcomed. Gotta give a hat tip where it’s due.

Know what you mean, I used to sponsor a car show at my business, and most of the other businesses were just as good at welcoming the racers, and it made for more of both year after year, good for everyone

73, your take is very much mine, it’s a bucket list thing for me. I’ve only been there once for USAC. I loved the place. The track itself is not my favorite, but everything else there is charming. I’ll have to get there sometime in the next couple years

Re: Knoxville First Timers
 

Not a wing guy but the excitement around the event is very cool. I really like the fact that the show will equal the hype, and the purse is big league. Marquee events should put money in the victor's pockets!

I pay 34 a month for DirtVision and they want a substantial amount more to watch the coverage. Going to a buddy's house to watch Saturday night.

Although we are primarily non wing fans, having grown up watching USAC at Salem and Terre Haute, we REALLY enjoy the Knoxville Nationals. The atmosphere and the tension is just unmatched by any other event. Getting to watch some of the teams service or even build a new car in the parking lot is unique in today’s world. The NSCHoF is something EVERY sprint car fan should see. The food, the crowds, and the town all make it part carnival and part sprint car race. By the time tonight’s B main starts, the tension will be so high you’ll almost be able to cut it with a knife. If you are a sprint car fan, regardless of winged or non wing,I heartily encourage you to attend the Nationals at least once!

Re: Knoxville First Timers
 

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Re: Knoxville First Timers
 

It's sprint car racing's Super Bowl. Only on this board will you find people b******g about it. Every sprint car fan should go experience it at least once.

Russ, who’s b*****ing about it? Might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think everyone acknowledges the significance of it. I’m my perfect world, Knoxville wouldn’t be the place to hold the biggest dirt race on the planet, but that’s not complaining about what it is. Simply my take

So Brady Bacon is leaving Knoxville with $21,000 for an 8th and a 15th. I guarantee you everywhere he goes now for a while they will mention that he made the A main on Saturday night.

Kyle Larson just made in one night almost double what the highest grossing non-winger will this year. Year.

That's how far behind non-wing racing is.

Brady was quite good this year at the Nationals. No fluke effort, he was a legit fast car. I wonder if this will spring board him into full time wings in the future.

My feeling is it's just a matter of time until he makes the switch.

Brady was extremely solid this week. I know Brady has won twice at TSS, but he has struggled with the wing on the big half miles. He was fast and smooth this week.

Someone who I think surprised a lot of people this week was Emerson Axsom. Emerson was mid-pack qualifying Thursday night and missed the transfer by one place in his heat. He eventually was relegated to the Friday night program where he finished 4th in the A main and locked in to the Saturday night A main in 24th. Emerson ran a solid race last night, stayed out of trouble and got a solid 20th place finish as the ONLY rookie to make the race.

Re: Knoxville First Timers
 

I've seen Bacon win with a wing, at Pennsyltucky's Path Valley Speedway, during their Speedweek.
One of the rare times I've picked the winner too....its a 1/4 (or less?) bullring & I figured he'd be good on that
He was :22:

Re: Knoxville First Timers
 

I know at regular World of Outlaw shows that guys like Brady can't sell merchandise. Are they allowed to at Knoxville? The sport will never be able to support every group paying that kind of money. Look at all the tracks that used to run the Outlaws that can longer afford them. Wonder what a teams expenses are to go to Knoxville for 4 days.

Knoxville and Eldora are kind of the same when it comes to drivers and their tee shirt rigs…Both charge a fee to sell on the property…no idea the exact number and wouldn’t wanna speculate…
As far as Knoxville goes there’s only so much room on site that some teams (outlaws included) set up across the street in front of Hyvee , the auto parts store, the church, Dingus Parking lot…people’s front yards…
Brady had his tee shirt trailer set up behind the main grandstand last week…Not sure if it’s up to each track to allow drivers who aren’t full time WoO drivers to set up but earlier this year at the WoO race at Haubstadt Brady had his tee shirt trailer along the backstretch area…

Re: Knoxville First Timers
 

Thanks. If he had that kind of spot,I am sure he did real good. Only watched on TV. I thought Wednesday and Thursday were real good shows. Saturday was a little bit of a snoozer, but those guys earned the right to start up front.

I’ve missed going to Knoxville for the nationals 1 time since ‘87, but I’ve only stayed for Saturday once. When I first started going I had a car so I’d go out for Wednesday & Thursday to spectate then come home to race around home (sw Ohio). I got in that habit and continued even after I quit racing myself.
It’s a great event that you could even take a non fan too and they’d enjoy. I’ve been out there 4-5 times this year and wouldn’t rule out one more.

Brady’s trailer was in merchandise row Wed. thru Saturday, next to other WoO regulars, so I guess he was accepted. As far as costs, I have no idea. I heard some teams used an engine for their qualifying night and a new one for Saturday night.

Re: Knoxville First Timers
 

:6::6::6:

Let's speculate, what are you calling a win for t-shirt sales? I'm saying bare minimum five hundred over the four days.

Google says there were 25,000 people there, so that's two t-shirt sales per hundred spectators.

Think that's doable for a guy like Bacon?

Re: Knoxville First Timers
 

Bare minimum numbers are way too low. Brady's non-wing stuff was a hot item at Knoxville along with some new style wing shirts he had.
PA Eastern Storm and Knoxville are his two best weeks for sales.

I think that’s very doable. If there’s 25000 in the stands on Saturday, then there’s easily another 2000 around the campers around town, plus the town population of 7500. Brady’s t-shirt game is strong.

I gotta say the best part of being there is that the whole week (Tuesday - Sunday morning) was that not a soul asked me if i was an R or D, or if i preferred wings or traditional. They were just glad to see us and loved sprint car racing. Sure, we saw some good racing and some parades, but the vibe was 100% the euphoria of temporarily belonging to a town that loves sprint cars to its core! I mean, the HyVee designates part of their parking lot for race parking. Imagine getting towed for NOT being at the race!!

I will agree with my brother in that was the coolest atmosphere I have ever experienced. I will write a more detailed look into my week later. I regret not going sooner. If you are a fan of sprint car racing this something I hope you’ll get to experience for yourself. I met so many cool people from all over(Aussies are the best) and i don’t drink!!!

Re: Knoxville First Timers
 

" Brady’s t-shirt game is strong." Thats for sure...
I keep telling myself to stop buying T-shirts, but his graphics are so damn good I can't resist