We couldn’t make it this year but, nonetheless, here’s a Knoxville Nationals edition of the Friday Morning Heat Race.
Hot Laps: Missing The Show
It stinks not being able to attend the Knoxville Nationals. I’m missing the 63rd running of our favorite race for only the third time since my first visit in 1995. I miss it all — the people, the racing, the town, the atmosphere and the food.
Qualifying: Part-Timer
Daryn Pittman doesn’t look like a man who races part time. He and Hall of Famers Don Kreitz Jr. and Davey Brown have a real chance of winning the Knoxville Nationals with their potent No. 69k machine.
First Heat: Hard Knox
Tonight’s Hard Knox qualifying program looks to be thrilling. The field is jam-packed with talented drivers who generally avoid racing on Friday night during the Knoxville Nationals. All eyes will be on 11-time Nationals winner Donny Schatz as he vies for one of four guaranteed spots in Saturday’s main event available tonight.
Second Heat: Track Conditions
It often is during the Knoxville Nationals, but it has been a tale of two different race tracks during the first two nights of action. Wednesday was narrow and difficult to pass and Thursday was wide and there was plenty of passing during the heat races, which led to higher point totals. Giovanni Scelzi, who was the high point man on Wednesday, ended up fifth overall after Thursday’s results.
Third Heat: Doing The Math
Twenty-six drivers were locked into Saturday night’s Knoxville Nationals feature and B main following two nights of qualifying. There were 10 High Limit Racing drivers, six World of Outlaws representatives, six Knoxville Raceway regulars, a pair of Pennsylvania drivers, a frequent Ohio winner and a four-time USAC sprint car champion.
Fourth Heat: Where To Watch?
While many may be watching polesitter Kyle Larson lead Saturday night’s Knoxville Nationals main event, most of the action will be in the back and the middle of the field as drivers the likes of David Gravel, Brad Sweet, Sheldon Haudenschild and the transfers from tonight’s Hard Knox race fight their way toward the front during the 50-lap race.
And to remind the doubters out there, this race can be won from the back. Donny Schatz started 21st when he won in 2013.
Dash: Photographs
If you are missing all the action of the Knoxville Nationals check out the photo galleries on SPEEDSPORT.com and admire the work of photographers Paul Arch, Frank Smith, Richard Bales and Mark Funderburk.
B Main: Larson’s To Lose?
Starting from the pole for the second consecutive year, many believe the Knoxville Nationals is Kyle Larson’s race to lose. Yes, he’s won the Nationals two of the past three years and he’s won four consecutive races entering Saturday night, but it’s 50 laps and as we’ve seen over the years anything can happen.
If it’s his race to lose, it may be someone else’s to win. Who? Rico Abreu, Tyler Courtney and Giovanni Scelzi come to mind — and all three would be first-time winners.
Feature: The Format
There has been a lot of complaining, particularly on social media (mostly from folks who have never attended the Nationals), this week about the format used for the Knoxville Nationals.
In short, the format is what makes the Knoxville Nationals the event that it is. It’s not easy to win. A driver and a car have to adjust from session to session and night to night. Talent, speed and luck all matter.
Don’t believe me or like that fact, look at the list of Knoxville Nationals winners. They are the best of the best, proving no matter the format, the cream rises to the top.
Let’s keep it that way.