KNOXVILLE, Iowa — Saturday night’s program during the 62nd NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s at Knoxville Raceway is sold out.
Knoxville Raceway officials announced the sellout on Sunday evening. Tickets remain for the preliminary night programs on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night.
The Saturday night program concludes with a 50-lap, $185,000-to-win main event.
• Tim Shaffer, the 2011 Knoxville Nationals, is a late entry for the four-day event, having recently rejoined the Demyan-Rudzik Racing team to drive the familiar No. 49x sprint car.
Shaffer left the Grove Racing No. 45 machine, which he drove on the All Star Circuit this season, and that ride will be filled by Kyle Reinhardt following the Knoxville Nationals.
• Unveiled in Sunday’s rained out Capitani Classic, the Crouch Motorsports No. 11 wheeled by Cory Eliason is an early contender to win the best paint scheme of the Knoxville Nationals.
• A competitive weekend at Knoxville sees Brian Brown and Aaron Reutzel tied at the top of the Beaver Drill & Tool Jesse Hockett “Mr. Sprint Car” standings heading into Monday’s Sage Fruit Front Row Challenge at the Southern Iowa Speedway.
The purse for this year’s award, thanks to Beaver Drill & Tool sees the winner awarded $6,000, second place $2,500 and third $1,000.
• Kraig Kinser, who won the 2006 Knoxville Nationals, made his debut in the Pete Grove-owned No. 70 sprint car at I-55 and will drive the car at least through this week’s Nationals.
• It’s unusual when the runner-up in a race makes more money than the winner, but that’s what happened with Saturday’s 360 Knoxville Nationals.
Brian Brown edged Aaron Reutzel by a mere .02 seconds and earned $20,500, while Reutzel banked $25,000 thanks racking up lap money for leading the race.
• Monday’s Sage Fruit Front Row Challenge at the Southern Iowa Speedway pays $21,000 to win. Kyle Larson is the two-time defending winner.
• Rico Abreu not only romped from 24th starting spot to finish third in the 360 Knoxville Nationals, but he was named rookie of the year for the event. Strange honor for a veteran sprint car racer who has won eight 410 winged sprint car features this season.
• Knoxville Raceway regular Garet Williamson and Bryant Paver Motorsports parted ways on Sunday evening, leaving Williamson rideless for the Knoxville Nationals.
• To recognize the 20th anniversary of Silva Motorsports, the team will run a throwback black paint scheme on the No. 57 sprint car wheeled by Kyle Larson during the Knoxville Nationals.
In celebration of 20 years of the Silva Motorsports Inc. 57 car, we’re throwing it back to 2003 with a special Knoxville Nationals paint scheme! Thanks to all of the past and present sponsors, drivers, friends, and family who have believed in us over the last 20 years. pic.twitter.com/Bpjdzg5I3n
— Paul Silva (@Paul_Silva57) August 6, 2023