This year marks the 63rd running of the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals.
SPEED SPORT, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, is one of the few motorsports properties with a longer history than the Nationals, has covered every one of them.
From Roy Robbins in 1961 to Steve Kinser’s 12 victories, to Donny Schatz’s 11 triumphs and Kyle Larson’s two wins in the past three years, we’ve been there for them all.
Here’s a look back at the Knoxville Nationals through the SPEED SPORT archives:
1961: Roy Robbins earned $1,000 for winning the first Super Modified National Championship. Robbins’ car carried an “air scoop,” which was similar to the wings we are familiar with today. The following week, wings were banned.
1962: Jerry Richert romped from 14th on the grid to pocket the $1,200 top prize.
1963: Greg Weld outran his older brother, Jerry, and earned $1,500 for the victory.
1964: Eighteen-year-old Kenny Weld led a one-two finish for the family, as Greg Weld came home second.
1965: Kenny Weld became the first two-time Nationals winner, while his father Taylor Weld was the winning car owner for the third straight year.
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