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NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey's General Stores
Knoxville Raceway | Knoxville, Iowa
Saturday, August 14, 2021
Race Recap  

Kyle Larson Finally Achieves Dream of Winning 60th Knoxville Nationals

Kyle Larson first attended the Knoxville Nationals in 2005 when he was 13-years-old. He instantly fell in love with the auora of the place.

For 16 years since, the Elk Grove, CA kid has dreamed of standing on the stage at the race they call The Granddaddy of ‘Em All. On Saturday night, that childhood dream became a reality, and Larson won the biggest race of his life.

What made it even sweeter for the 29-year-old sensation is that he had to beat Donny Schatz to do it. The Sprint Car superstar turned NASCAR Cup ace has made it clear in years past that he wanted to beat the 10x Knoxville Nationals champion at his own game while the Tony Stewart Racing #15 legend was still in his prime.

In front of a sold-out crowd of more than 20,000+ spectators, Larson did exactly what he dreamed of. He beat Schatz heads up on the Knoxville 1/2-mile, but Donny gave him everything he could handle.

A near last-lap, last-corner pass resulted in a margin of victory of 0.478-seconds, which ultimately netted Larson a cool $176,000, the highest-payday in the history of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.

His breakthrough makes him the 27th different champion in 60 runnings of the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals pres. by Casey’s General Stores.

“I’ve always dreamed of winning this race,” Larson shouted in victory lane. “The atmosphere this week was unbelievable. I felt the energy all week long from you fans. It kept me excited and pumped up. I hadn’t been this nervous leading up to a race in a couple of years. I had butterflies all day and during [NASCAR] Cup practice all I could think about is what I needed to do here at the Knoxville Nationals.”

Larson and Paul Silva have won the two biggest Sprint Car races in the last month. [Trent Gower]

Before Larson stood on stage and soaked in the glamour, a 50-lap war had to be run first. He started the race from third while 19-year-old Giovanni Scelzi and his brother-in-law Brad Sweet occupied the front row.

From the jump, Scelzi took his KCP Racing #18 to the lead and paced the opening 10 laps, which was worth an extra $10,000 thanks to Knoxville’s lucrative lap bonus money.

On Lap 11, fifth-starter Donny Schatz roared to life and rocketed from third-to-first in almost one full swing. He stormed by Larson and promplty passed the teenager prodigy down the backstretch to lead Lap 11. The Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #15 proceeded to control the next 14 laps, until Larson went by on the 25th circuit.

Watching as Schatz slipped off the bottom, Larson railed the high side and drove his Paul Silva owned Finley Farms, Hendrick Automotive Group #57 to the lead off turn two as the crowd erupted. The halfway #OpenRed made it interesting when Silva elected to only change the right rear tire, while the TSR squad threw two new rear tires on the #15.

Larson ran the second half of the the race unchallenged, until the five-to-go signal was given and Schatz kicked it into high gear. The 10-time Knoxville Nationals champion erased a 3+ second lead and cut Larson’s advantage down to a single-car length as the white flag waved on Lap 49.

Schatz gave it his all and pulled alongside Larson out of turn four, but fell short by a mere 0.478-seconds.

“I was thinking about how to beat Donny all day,” Larson mentioned. “We’re just a little California team. Paul Silva is the best there is. I’m so fortunate to be with him.”

The 61st running of the Knoxville Nationals returns in August 2022. [Trent Gower]

Schatz settled for a second-place result worth a record $89,000. The Ford Performance, Carquest #15 driver extended his miraculous stresk to 18 top-two finishes in 23 A-Main starts at the Knoxville Nationals.

Brad Sweet ended up third with a $37,500 check in hand. The Kasey Kahne Racing, NAPA Auto Parts #49 now turns attention to finishing the chase for a third-straight World of Outlaws championship next weekend.

Rounding out the top-five at Knoxville Raceway was Giovanni Scelzi in fourth and Logan Schuchart in fifth.

Closing out the top-ten at the Knoxville Nationals was Brent Marks making $20,000 in sixth, James McFadden banking $19,000 in seventh, Kasey Kahne earning $18,000 in eighth, Carson Macedo cashing $17,000 in ninth, and Sheldon Haudenschild scoring $16,000 in tenth.

UP NEXT – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will run three races through the Dakota’s next weekend. The Greatest Show on Dirt will visit River Cities Speedway on Friday, August 20, then Red River Valley Speedway on Saturday, August 21, and Huset’s Speedway on Sunday, August 22.

NOS Energy Drink Feature (50 Laps) – 1. 57-Kyle Larson [3] [$176,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [5] [$89,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [2] [$37,500]; 4. 18-Gio Scelzi [1] [$36,000]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8] [$21,000]; 6. 19-Brent Marks [4] [$20,000]; 7. 9-James McFadden [13] [$19,000]; 8. 83-Kasey Kahne [7] [$18,000]; 9. 41-Carson Macedo [17] [$17,000]; 10. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [20] [$16,000]; 11. 14-Kerry Madsen [18] [$15,000]; 12. O-Brooke Tatnell [11] [$14,000]; 13. 73-Justin Peck [15] [$13,000]; 14. 71-Shane Stewart [23] [$12,000]; 15. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [24] [$11,000]; 16. 49X-Ian Madsen [10] [$10,500]; 17. 39M-Anthony Macri [22] [$10,000]; 18. 2-David Gravel [6] [$10,000]; 19. 7-Justin Henderson [14] [$10,000]; 20. 21-Brian Brown [9] [$10,000]; 21. 7BC-Tyler Courtney [12] [$10,000]; 22. 26-Cory Eliason [19] [$10,000]; 23. 24R-Rico Abreu [21] [$10,000]; 24. 48-Danny Dietrich [16] [$10,000]. Lap Leaders: Giovanni Scelzi 1-10, Donny Schatz 11-24, Kyle Larson 25-50. KSE Hard Charger Award: 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[+10]

[Read More]
Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
13+257Kyle Larson 500.000Running90$150,000
25+315Donny Schatz 500.000Running90$75,000
32-149Brad Sweet 500.000Running90$37,500
41-318Giovanni Scelzi 500.000Running90$26,000
58+31SLogan Schuchart 500.000Running90$21,000
64-219Brent Marks 500.000Running90$2,300
713+69James McFadden 500.000Running90$2,200
87-183Kasey Kahne 500.000Running90$2,100
917+841Carson Macedo 500.000Running90$2,050
1020+1017Sheldon Haudenschild 500.000Running90$2,000
1118+714Kerry Madsen 500.000Running90$1,600
1211-10Brooke Tatnell 500.000Running90$1,400
1315+273Justin Peck 500.000Running90$1,200
1423+971Shane Stewart 500.000Running90$1,100
1524+93ZBrock Zearfoss 49-1 LapsRunning90$1,050
1610-649XIan Madsen 48-2 LapsRunning90$1,000
1722+539MAnthony Macri 41-9 LapsRunning90$1,000
186-122David Gravel 31-19 LapsRunning90$1,000
1914-57Justin Henderson 29-21 LapsRunning90$1,000
209-1121Brian Brown 29-21 LapsRunning90$1,000
2112-97BCTyler Courtney 29-21 LapsRunning90$1,000
2219-326Cory Eliason 29-21 LapsRunning90$1,000
2321-224RRico Abreu 27-23 LapsRunning90$1,000
2416-848Danny Dietrich 24-26 LapsRunning90$1,000
KSE Hard Charger: Sheldon Haudenschild
Last Chance Showdown Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+141Carson Macedo 00.000Running0$0
27+514Kerry Madsen 00.000Running0$0
35+226Cory Eliason 00.000Running0$0
48+417Sheldon Haudenschild 00.000Running0$0
54-111MSpencer Bayston 00.000Running90$110
612+617WShane Golobic 00.000Running90$110
76-111KKraig Kinser 00.000Running90$110
810+225Scott Bogucki 00.000Running90$110
917+856NDavey Heskin 00.000Running90$110
109-115HSam Hafertepe Jr00.000Running90$110
1113+217BBill Balog 00.000Running90$110
1215+383JLynton Jeffrey 00.000Running90$110
1323+103PSawyer Phillips 00.000Running90$110
1421+73Ayrton Gennetten 00.000Running90$110
153-1242Sye Lynch 00.000Running90$110
1618+239Daryn Pittman 00.000Running90$110
1720+355Hunter Schuerenberg 00.000Running90$110
1816-249JJosh Schneiderman 00.000Running90$110
191-1817XJosh Baughman 00.000Running90$110
2019-170Sammy Swindell 00.000Running90$110
2124+35Zeb Wise 00.000Running90$110
2214-891Kyle Reinhardt 00.000Running90$110
2322-111NHarli White 00.000Running90$110
2411-1322Jac Haudenschild 00.000Running90$110
C Main Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+155Hunter Schuerenberg 00.000Running0$0
29+73Ayrton Gennetten 00.000Running0$0
33011NHarli White 00.000Running90$0
411+73PSawyer Phillips 00.000Running90$0
57+227Carson McCarl 00.000Running90$0
64-228Tim Shaffer 00.000Running90$0
715+811TKTim Kaeding 00.000Running90$0
818+10N47Marcus Dumesny 00.000Running90$0
95-411Roger Crockett 00.000Running90$0
1010040Clint Garner 00.000Running90$0
1114+37TAZTasker Phillips 00.000Running90$0
1222+1013Mark Dobmeier 00.000Running90$0
136-720A.J. Moeller 00.000Running90$0
1417+383TTanner Carrick 00.000Running90$0
1512-35VColby Copeland 00.000Running90$0
1624+853Jessie Attard 00.000Running90$0
1721+47WDustin Selvage 00.000Running90$0
1813-555WMike Wagner 00.000Running90$0
1919053DJack Dover 00.000Running90$0
208-1255MMcKenna Haase 00.000Running90$0
2123+22KSChad Kemenah 00.000Running90$0
221-212CWayne Johnson 00.000Running90$0
2316-724Terry McCarl 00.000Running90$0
2420-473AScotty Thiel 00.000Running90$0
D Main Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+153DJack Dover 00.000Running0$0
23+173AScotty Thiel 00.000Running0$0
34+17WDustin Selvage 00.000Running0$0
41-313Mark Dobmeier 00.000Running0$0
5502KSChad Kemenah 00.000Running0$0
66053Jessie Attard 00.000Running0$0
712+51XJake Bubak 00.000Running0$0
815+71MDon Droud Jr00.000Running0$0
911+29JRDerek Hagar 00.000Running0$0
1013+397Greg Wilson 00.000Running0$0
119-255KRobbie Kendall 00.000Running0$0
1214+218RRyan Roberts 00.000Running0$0
1310-365Jordan Goldesberry 00.000Running0$0
1421+71AJacob Allen 00.000Running0$0
1516+110Jeff Swindell 00.000Running0$0
1617+121WRiley Goodno 00.000Running0$0
1718+111TT.J. Stutts 00.000Running0$0
1819+17SJason Sides 00.000Running0$0
1920+12DCDylan Cisney 00.000Running0$0
2022+27CJohn Carney II00.000Running0$0
217-1444Chris Martin 00.000Running0$0
2223+113STyler Esh 00.000Running0$0
2324+115MBobby Mincer 00.000Running0$0
248-1620GNoah Gass 00.000Running0$0
E Main Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
1107SJason Sides 00.000Running0$0
2202DCDylan Cisney 00.000Running0$0
3301AJacob Allen 00.000Running0$0
4407CJohn Carney II00.000Running0$0
55013STyler Esh 00.000Running0$0
66015MBobby Mincer 00.000Running0$0
7702KKevin Ingle 00.000Running0$0
88014KVictoria (Tori) Knutson 00.000Running0$0
99083AAustin Miller 00.000Running0$0
1010056Joe Simbro 00.000Running0$0
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey's General Stores
Saturday, August 14, 2021
Knoxville Raceway
1000 North Lincoln Street
Knoxville, Iowa 50138 

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

To Win Amount
$176,000.00

Event Schedule
Wednesday, BRANDT Professional Agriculture Qualifying Night:

9am – Rooftop Yoga on Bryan Clauson Suite Tower
Noon - Drive for 5 Slideways Showcase Kart Racing Fundraiser with Kyle Larson and Tyler Courtney at Slideways
3pm – Great Southern Bank Kid Zone Opens featuring a Casey’s Pizza Party
5:45pm – David Gravel Champion Pole Unveil on Midway
6pm – VFW Winged Nation presented by Sage Fruit on the Hercules Tires Entertainment Stage
Opening Ceremonies: David Gravel Raises Champion Flag
Post-Race: "The Boys" live music on the Hercules Tires Entertainment Stage

Thursday, Wolfe Eye Clinic Qualifying Night:
**Throwback Thursday Vintage Racing T-Shirt Contest**

9am – Rooftop Yoga at Bryan Clauson Suite Tower
11am – National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Members Only VIP Reception
2pm - PA Posse Party at Peace Tree Taproom in downtown Knoxville
3pm – Great Southern Bank Kid Zone Opens featuring a Jersey Freeze Ice Cream Party
6pm –VFW Winged Nation presented by Sage Fruit on the Hercules Tires Entertainment Stage
Post – Races: Damon Dotson Band live on the Hercules Tires Entertainment Stage
Post – Races: 52nd Chicken Feed at West End of Grandstands

Friday, FVP Preliminary Night:

9am -- Rooftop Yoga at Bryan Clauson Suite Tower
9am - National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Golf Classic in Pella
11am – Steve King Foundation Cornhole Tournament in Main Show Barn (far west end of midway)
3pm – Great Southern Bank Kid Zone Opens featuring free face painting from 3-6pm
4pm – Driver Autograph Session in Main Show Barn
6pm – VFW Winged Nation presented by Sage Fruit on the Hercules Tires Entertainment Stage
Post – Races: After Shock Rock Tribute Band on the Hercules Tires Entertainment Stage

Saturday, NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s Finale:
8:45am – 4.10 Dash and Kids Fun Run – Turn 4 Pit Gate
11am – NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s Parade – Downtown Knoxville
12pm – National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Charity Auction
1pm – Great Southern Bank Kid Zone Opens with free ballloon twisting from 3-6pm
3pm – NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s Driver’s Meeting in Main Show Barn - Open to the Public
4pm - SPEED SPORT Pre-Race Show on the Hercules Tires Entertainment Stage
6pm – VFW Winged Nation presented by Sage Fruit on the Hercules Tires Entertainment Stage
1:30am – NOS Energy Drink Fan Finale Party in Main Show Barn
*All times Central

Ticket Options  
Rescheduled from 2020
Options And Prices
$41-$198
Single Day tickets and 2-, 3-, and 4-day Packages available.

Grandstand Type
Bleachers/ Chairbacks

Family Section Location
Sections I & J

Handicapped Seating Location
Located in the front stretch grandstands. Wheelchairs and scooters seating is available in row 39 (AA & BB) Also is section D, row 1

Pit Age Requirement
Aged 17 and under require parent waivers - Aged 12 and under must remain in vehicle or the fenced in area between turns 1 and 2. All pit fees apply. All ages same price

Parking Cost
$10.00

Handicapped Parking Location
Behind the front stretch grandstands and behind Dyer-Hudson Hall.

Camping Availability
electric hookup, non-electric, onsite, sanitary facility, showers, waste services

Camping Cost
camping at the North Campground for $160 for 4 days. Water and electric hookups are available.

Frequently Asked Questions  
To Win Amount
$176,000.00

Type of Grandstand
Bleachers/ Chairbacks

Stadium Seating
Foam or other seat cushions are permitted as long as they are not more than 20" wide. Stadiums seats are NOT ALLOWED

Handicapped Seating
Located in the front stretch grandstands. Wheelchairs and scooters seating is available in row 39 (AA & BB) Also is section D, row 1

Handicapped Parking
Behind the front stretch grandstands and behind Dyer-Hudson Hall.

Pit Age Limit
Aged 17 and under require parent waivers - Aged 12 and under must remain in vehicle or the fenced in area between turns 1 and 2. All pit fees apply. All ages same price

Personal Coolers
Soft side, collapsible coolers not bigger than 6-pack size and empty are allowed

ATMs
1

Alcohol Sales
Alcohol is available at the track

Smoking Policy
All grandstands are non-smoking. Smoking areas are available underneath stands.

Family Section
Sections I & J

Parking Cost
$10.00

Camping Availability
electric hookup, non-electric, onsite, sanitary facility, showers, waste services

Camping Cost
camping at the North Campground for $160 for 4 days. Water and electric hookups are available.

Track Info  

Knoxville Raceway
1000 North Lincoln Street
Knoxville, Iowa 50138 

Track Phone
(641) 842-5431

Track Size
0.5

Track Type
Semi-banked clay oval

Sprint Car Track Record
14.351 seconds by Brian Brown on 5/22/21

Closest Airport
Des Moines International Airport

Track Map
Competitor Info  

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