HARRISBURG, N.C. — In 1961, Marion Robinson organized and promoted the inaugural Super Modified National Championship at the half-mile dirt track in Knoxville, Iowa.
As the motorsports community prepares to celebrate the 60th running of the extravaganza now known as the Knoxville Nationals, let’s look back at a few of the drivers who have contributed to the event’s history.
Here are 10 racers who have left an indelible mark on the Knoxville Nationals:
Steve Kinser, Bloomington, Ind.: With a dozen victories in 35 feature starts between 1978 and 2013, Kinser literally wrote the Knoxville Nationals record book. His statistics top several major categories, including 27 top-10 finishes and 14 preliminary night feature victories. He won the Nationals 10 times while driving for Karl Kinser and twice in cars fielded by his own team.
Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D.: With 10 Knoxville Nationals victories on his résumé, Schatz is still chasing Steve Kinser’s win record. He won the Nationals in 2006 and ’07 with his family team, and then recorded eight triumphs between 2008 and 2017 while driving for Tony Stewart. Amazingly, Schatz has finished either first or second in 17 of his 22 Knoxville Nationals starts
Doug Wolfgang, Sioux Falls, S.D.: Recognized as one of sprint car racing’s best drivers, Wolfgang won the Knoxville Nationals five times with four car owners – Bob Trostle, 1977; Bill Smith, 1978; Bob Weikert, 1984 and ’85; and Danny Peace, 1989. His most memorable Nationals drive, however, came in 1990 when he went from the D main to a fifth-place finish in the finale.
Mark Kinser, Oolitic, Ind.: The son of legendary sprint car mechanic Karl Kinser, Mark Kinser enjoyed a Hall of Fame career that included Knoxville Nationals victories in 1996, ’99 and 2000. One of only seven drivers with multiple Knoxville Nationals triumphs, Mark Kinser’s three victories came in cars owned and prepared by his father.
Bobby Allen, Hanover, Pa.: The biggest victory of Allen’s storied career came when he won the 1990 edition of the Knoxville Nationals. After an engine problem spoiled leader Mark Kinser’s night, Allen and Sammy Swindell waged a battle for the ages that is still talked about more than 30 years later. Allen ended up beating Swindell by three car lengths.
Dick Gaines, Floyds Knobs, Ind.: A legend among southern Indiana racers, Gaines drove Karl Kinser’s No. 11 sprint car prior to Steve Kinser joining the team for the inaugural World of Outlaws season. In 1974, Gaines gave Karl Kinser the first of his 14 Knoxville Nationals victories when he drove around Jan Opperman coming out of the final turn.
Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa.: The highlight of Shaffer’s Hall of Fame career came when he topped the 50th edition of the Knoxville Nationals in 2010. Sammy Swindell’s blown tire gave Donny Schatz the lead with two laps to go, but a sour engine in Schatz’s car resulted in Shaffer taking the lead on the white-flag lap.
Kenny Weld, Kansas City, Mo.: One of the early stars of the Knoxville Nationals, Weld was the first driver to win the prestigious event four times. His victories in 1964 and ’65 came while wheeling the No. 94 machine entered by his father, Taylor “Pappy” Weld. Pennsylvanian Bob Weikert owned the No. 29 car Weld drove to victory in 1972 and ’73.
Danny Lasoski, Dover, Mo.: Known to race fans as “The Dude,” Danny Lasoski could claim squatters’ rights on victory lane at Knoxville Raceway as he’s won 112 sprint car features at the legendary half-mile track. That record includes four Knoxville Nationals triumphs — 1998 with car owner Dennis Roth and 2001, ’03 and ’04 while driving for Tony Stewart.
Brian Brown, Grain Valley, Mo.: A weekly competitor at Knoxville Raceway, Brown has been the local favorite since first qualifying for the Nationals finale in 2007. A four-time track champion, Brown has yet to win the Nationals, but he finished second to Donny Schatz three consecutive times — 2012, ’13 and ’14.
Who will be the next driver to make their mark on sprint car racing’s premier event?