1972: Driving for Pennsylvania’s Bob Weikert, Kenny Weld became the first three-time Knoxville Nationals winner.
1973: Kenny Weld claimed his fourth victory as wings returned for the first time since 1961.
1974: Dick Gaines gave car owner Karl Kinser his first Nationals triumph with a late pass of Opperman.
1975: With the Nationals expanding to four days for the first time, Eddie Leavitt claimed the $3,000 winner’s prize.
1976: Leavitt defended his victory and took home $4,000 for his efforts.
1977: The current Knoxville Nationals points system was implemented by promoter Ray Grimes as Doug Wolfgang drove Bob Trostle’s sprint car to a $4,500 score.
1978: Driving for “Speedy” Bill Smith, Wolfgang led all 30 laps and banked $5,000 for his second consecutive Nationals triumph.
1979: After scoring a perfect 500 points on his qualifying night, Tim Green’s engine faltered and Ron Shuman drove to victory.
1980: After crashing his primary car, Steve Kinser drove a Bob Trostle-owned machine to a $6,000 victory in a race that was delayed until Sunday by fog.
1981: Kinser earned $7,000 for his second consecutive victory in what was the final Nationals run without wings.
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