BEST SHOT: David Gravel wins second Qualifying race for Knoxville Nationals

 

Knoxville Raceway has been on David Gravel’s mind for a while.

Particularly the 59th annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores.

Before even making a lap in his new No. 41 Jason Johnson Racing ride at the beginning of the 2019 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series season, Gravel couldn’t help but mention his excitement for going to the Iowa raceway with JJR.

“That car is extremely good at Knoxville,” Gravel had said.

Six months later, Gravel brought the Knoxville Raceway crowd to its feet Thursday night by claiming his second win in-a-row at the iconic track during the second Qualifying race for Saturday’s Knoxville Nationals – which he locked himself into and will start outside pole. He also won the raceway’s Capitani Classic on Sunday.

“I really feel good about where we’re at,” said Gravel, who was also sporting blue and florescent colors for new sponsor Axalta. “I was nervous drawing the seventy-one today, out of seventy-five, but we’ve been qualifying well all year and I was able to capitalize on that. It was an awesome night.”

Gravel and his JJR team have been stellar in Qualifying all year long, with 12 Quick Times so far this season. He was the third to last car to qualify Thursday night but still managed to break into the top-10, qualifying ninth on the aged track.

That set him up to start seventh in his Heat race. He held the position for about the length of the front stretch before diving to the bottom in the first turn, passing four cars. He worked his way to leader Sye Lynch but had to settle for second at the end.

The start of the 25-lap Feature mirrored Gravel’s performance in the Heat race. He started sixth, but again held the position for about a second. He out-powered two cars down the front stretch to take fourth by turn one and then passed Cory Eliason for third exiting turn two. Brock Zearfoss had pulled away with the lead, and Brad Sweet held second-place.

Nine laps into the Feature Gravel put Sweet within striking distance. He looked underneath Sweet going into turn one. Sweet slammed the door, almost making contact with Gravel. The next time around Gravel moved to the high side and found more speed.

With 19 laps to go, he placed his right rear against the outside cushion through turn one and then cut down to the middle of the track through turn two. The move rocketed his car off the corner like he found a secret line of grip, projecting him past Sweet for second-place.

With the fire lit, Gravel continued his strong run into turns three and four looking to end Zearfoss’ time up front. He closed to the bumper of the No. 70 car but couldn’t match Zearfoss’ traction off the corner.

The next circuit around Gravel went low in one and two, then high in three and four.

“You have to search around and find something that nobody else does,” Gravel said. “Like when Jason (Johnson) won the Nationals he kind of entered high and turned down. I was kind of able to do that a little bit, but I feel you could spin your tires quite a bit. I feel like on the bottom you kept your tires underneath you the best.”

His search for grip put him to the outside of Zearfoss down the front stretch with 18 laps to go. Zearfoss fought back the next corner. He charged into the first turn and slid up in front of Gravel.

The two raced hard the next couple of corners, battling side-by-side, even splitting the lap car of Jacob Allen through turn two and remaining side-by-side off the turn. A caution with 16 laps to go for Lynch blowing a tire ended their battle. When the race went back green Zearfoss slowed due to an ignition box issue, handing the lead to Gravel.

The race wasn’t a sure win for Gravel at that point, though. The 2018 Knoxville Nationals champion was behind him, eager to capitalize on claiming another Knoxville Raceway win and earning as many points as possible.

However, Sweet had to worry about holding off third-place Cory Eliason, first. The two California-natives battled side-by-side for several laps. Sweet prevailed in the end, finding his line and his rhythm. With five laps to go, he was back to Gravel.

The Watertown, Conn.-native’s pace had slowed so much it seemed like there was an issue with the Axalta No. 41 car. Sweet was now breathing down Gravel’s neck. However, Gravel didn’t know it. He didn’t want to know. He knew his last few laps weren’t the greatest.

“I was just trying not to crash or hit the berm too hard,” Gravel said. “The last five laps weren’t very good. Just had to get the job done.”

Gravel focused on hitting his marks and bringing new sponsor – Axalta, which Jeff Gordon helped JJR secure for the Nationals – to Victory Lane in their first race together.

“We’ve got all of the Axalta people here, Jeff (Gordon), so it can’t get any better than this,” Gravel said.

Sweet knew he was closing on Gravel and had visions of challenging him for the lead, but had his own problems in the closing laps.

“I thought we were going to have a run on him late there,” Sweet said. “We got close, but he covered his lines and a couple of lap cars messed me up. And I honestly just missed my marks a little bit. I think if I was a little more on my game I could have given him a run for his money there. But it’s all about Saturday night.”

Gravel and Sweet’s performance locked them into the Knoxville Nationals Feature on Saturday, along with 14 other drivers who locked themselves in by collecting enough points on their race night to be in the top 16 of combined points between the two Qualifying races. Aaron Reutzel will be on the poll, with Gravel to his outside.

“Just because we won tonight, and the Capitani, doesn’t mean we don’t have to improve Saturday night and get the job done,” Gravel said.

“It’s fifty laps. You never know what can happen. Anything is possible. I feel like this is as good of a shot we’re ever going to have. You never know when your next chance is to win the Knoxville Nationals.”

All Gravel is looking for is a shot to win the race. And he knows he has it with his JJR car being “extremely good at Knoxville.”

UP NEXT:

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series on Friday, Aug. 9, will return to Knoxville Raceway for the “Hard Knox” race, giving drivers who haven’t transferred to Saturday’s Feature or Last Chance Showdown an opportunity to finish in the top four of the Hard Knox Feature and transfer to the rear of Saturday’s Feature.

If you can’t be there in person you can watch all of the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com.

Get tickets and more information.

RESULTS:

NOS Energy Drink Feature (25 Laps): 1. David Gravel (6); 2. Brad Sweet (3); 3. Carson Macedo (13); 4. Cory Eliason (2); 5. Rico Abreu (10); 6. Joey Saldana (7); 7. Tim Shaffer (21); 8. Parker Price-Miller (8); 9. Matt Juhl (5); 10. Daryn Pittman (22); 11. Jason Solwold (12); 12. Jason Sides (18); 13. Thomas Kennedy (17); 14. Lance Dewease (4); 15. Mason Daniel (20); 16. Kraig Kinser (15); 17. Scott Bogucki (23); 18. Brooke Tatnell (11); 19. Brock Zearfoss (1); 20. Clint Garner (9); 21. Jacob Allen (24); 22. Sye Lynch (14); 23. Harli White (19); 24. Tyler Courtney (16)

Qualifying: 1. 5, Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK (4), 15.679; 2. 49X, Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, PA (7), 15.685; 3. 71P, Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, IN (2), 15.706; 4. 83, Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK (16), 15.717; 5. 12N, Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN (27), 15.74; 6. 21, Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO (41), 15.759; 7. 1A, Jacob Allen, Hanover, PA (3), 15.76; 8. 28, Scott Bogucki, McLaren Vale, SA, Au (1), 15.763; 9. 41, David Gravel, Watertown, CT (54), 15.872; 10. 09, Matt Juhl, Tea, SD (14), 15.916; 11. 69K, Lance Dewease, Fayetteville, PA (24), 15.946; 12. 4, Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA (46), 15.987; 13. 17B, Josh Baughman, Odessa, TX (31), 16.018; 14. 91, Cale Thomas, Fairland, IN (8), 16.022; 15. 49, Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA (42), 16.037; 16. 26, Cory Eliason, Visalia, CA (45), 16.041; 17. 15H, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, TX (13), 16.048; 18. 70, Brock Zearfoss, Jonestown, PA (9), 16.049; 19. 40, Clint Garner, Sioux Falls, SD (18), 16.061; 20. 17BX, Bill Balog, Hartland, WI (26), 16.107; 21. 35P, Skylar Prochaska, Lakefield, MN (19), 16.111; 22. 24, Rico Abreu, St. Helena, CA (43), 16.117; 23. 55, Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aus (29), 16.127; 24. 39M, Anthony Macri, Dillsburg, PA (21), 16.139; 25. 18S, Jason Solwold, Mount Vernon, WA (20), 16.15; 26. 14M, Marcus Dumesny, Sydney, NSW, Aust. (15), 16.157; 27. 2, Carson Macedo, Lemoore, CA (35), 16.172; 28. 3C, Cale Conley, Vienna, WV (37), 16.194; 29. 92, Sye Lynch, Apollo, PA (38), 16.218; 30. 11T, TJ Stutts, Liverpool, PA (23), 16.242; 31. 11K, Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, IN (25), 16.249; 32. 71BC, Tyler Courtney, Indianapolis, IN (36), 16.264; 33. 21K, Thomas Kennedy, Winnipeg, MB, Can. (12), 16.27; 34. 2AU, Andrew Scheuerle, Toowoomba, QLD, Aust (6), 16.277; 35. 7, Craig Dollansky, Elk River, MN (44), 16.289; 36. 7JS, Jason Sides, Bartlett, TN (50), 16.29; 37. 17WX, Harli White, Lindsay, OK (56), 16.325; 38. 9JR, Derek Hagar, Marion, AR (11), 16.327; 39. 33M, Mason Daniel, Springville, CA (28), 16.353; 40. 3P, Sawyer Phillips, Pleasantville, IA (30), 16.38; 41. 29, Willie Croft, Roseville, CA (32), 16.425; 42. K4, Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH (47), 16.438; 43. 18M, Lance Moss, Cherryville, NC (52), 16.484; 44. W20, Greg Wilson, Benton Ridge, OH (34), 16.487; 45. 53, Jack Dover, Springfield, NE (48), 16.497; 46. 49J, Josh Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA (10), 16.498; 47. 28P, Brian Paulus, Mooresville, IN (5), 16.504; 48. 15M, Bobby Mincer, Burlington, IA (51), 16.531; 49. 17W, Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA (55), 16.546; 50. 44, Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA (49), 16.56; 51. 84, Tom Harris, Banbury, OXFD, UK (39), 16.631; 52. 21P, Robbie Price, Cobble Hill, BC, Can (33), 16.64; 53. 2K, Kevin Ingle, Huron, SD (22), 17.036; 54. 10, RJ Johnson, Tampa, FL (40), No Time; 55. 83C, Adam Cruea, Troy, OH (17), No Time; 56. 17XL, Caleb Helms, Findlay, OH (53), No Time;

TOP 16 IN COMBINED POINTS:

1. Aaron Reutzel – 487
2. David Gravel – 481
3. Joey Saldana – 479
4. Tim Shaffer – 474
5. Parker Price-Miller – 473
6. Brad Sweet – 470
7. Tim Kaeding – 466
8. Paul McMahan – 465
9. Brent Marks – 464
10. Daryn Pittman – 464
11. Trey Starks – 463
12. Matt Juhl – 457
13. Cory Eliason – 455
14. Ian Madsen – 455
15. Sheldon Haudenschild – 453
16. Lance Dewease – 451

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NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey's General Stores
Thursday, August 08, 2019
Knoxville Raceway
1000 North Lincoln Street
Knoxville, Iowa 50138 

Event Description
The race that made Knoxville Raceway the "Sprint Car Capital of the World!" The NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey's General Store is a four-day event that draws nearly 25,000 fans to Knoxville, Iowa (population 7,000) each August. With more than 100 cars vying for a spot in Saturday's 50-lap, $10,000-to-start and $150,000-to-win championship, the preliminary events on Wednesday through Friday are intense. The event is also a family reunion for the dirt track racing community, with camping, food vendors, concerts, charity events, live radio shows and endless options for your racing t-shirt collection. Don't miss the greatest week in all of racing!

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

To Win Amount
$12,000.00

Event Schedule
Wednesday - Saturday:
8am – Knoxville Raceway Ticket Office Opens
8am - National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Opens
9am – 16th Annual Mini Nationals at Slideways Karting Center
10am – Trade Show in Grand Show Barn at Knoxville Raceway Opens
10am – Driver Apparel + Merchandise Village Opens
2pm – Pit Gates Open
5:30pm – Grandstand Gates Open
7:15pm – Hot Laps

Monday:
7pm – Front Row Challenge at Southern Iowa Speedway
7pm – Outlaw Dirt Kart Nationals at English Creek Speedway

Tuesday:
4pm – KRCO Bus Ride “Bar Crawl” Departs Outside Ticket Office
7pm –Ultimate Challenge at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa
7pm – Knoxville Nationals Queen’s Contest in Dyer Hudson Hall
7pm – Outlaw Dirt Kart Nationals at English Creek Speedway

Wednesday, BRANDT Professional Agriculture Qualifying Night:
9am – Rooftop Yoga at Bryan Clauson Suite Tower
10am – 5pm – Tony Stewart Foundation Event at Slideways
3pm – Great Southern Bank Kid Zone Opens featuring a Casey’s General Store Pizza Party
5:45pm – Brad Sweet Champion Pole Unveil on Midway
6pm –Winged Nation presented by Sage Fruit on the Hercules Tires Entertainment Stage
Post-Race: "The Boys" live music on the Hercules Tires Entertainment Stage

Thursday, Qualifying Night:
9am – Rooftop Yoga at Bryan Clauson Suite Tower
11am – National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Members Only VIP Reception
3pm – Great Southern Bank Kid Zone Opens featuring a Kone Korner Ice Cream Party
6pm –Winged Nation presented by Sage Fruit on the Hercules Tires Entertainment Stage
Post – Races: CTRL+C live music on the Hercules Tires Entertainment Stage
Post – Races: 51st Annual Chicken Feed at West End of Grandstands

Friday, FVP Preliminary Night:
9am –National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Golf Classic- Pella, IA
9am -- Rooftop Yoga at Bryan Clauson Suite Tower
11am – Steve King Foundation Cornhole Tournament in (big barn behind Turns 3&4)
3pm – Great Southern Bank Kid Zone Opens in Fan Zone Area
4pm – Driver Autograph Session in tent by ticket office
6pm –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 Finale:
8am – 4.10 Dash – Turn 4 Pit Gate
11am – Parade – Downtown Knoxville
Noon – National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Charity Auction
1pm – Great Southern Bank Kid Zone Opens
3pm – Driver’s Meeting – Tent by Ticket Office
6pm –Winged Nation presented by Sage Fruit on the Hercules Tires Entertainment Stage
Approx. 11pm – NOS Energy Drink Fan Finale Party with Tim Dugger Live on the Hercules Tires Entertainment Stage
*All times Central

Event Hashtag
#NOSvilleNationals

Entertainment/Additional Events
Great Southern Bank Kid Zone open at 3PM daily
Winged Nation on the Hercules Tires Entertainment Stage at 6PM daily
Live music on the Hercules Tires Entertainment Stage after racing daily
• Wednesday: The Boys
• Thursday: CTRL+C
• Friday: After Shock Rock Tribute Band
• Saturday: NOS Energy Drink Fan Finale Party with Tim Dugger

Driver Autograph Session in tent by ticket office Friday at 4PM

Save on a 4-day package!
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.

To Win Amount
$12,000.00

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.

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 Downloads
 https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/downloads.php

Competitor Info
HISTORY: YEAR - DRIVER, NUMBER, OWNER
1961 - Roy Robbins, 37, O. J. Huffman
1962 - Jerry Richert Sr., 69, Ted Ready
1963 - Greg Weld, 92, Taylor “Pappy” Weld
1964 - Kenny Weld, 94, Taylor “Pappy” Weld
1965 - Kenny Weld, 94, Taylor “Pappy” Weld
1966 - Jay Woodside, 9, Ted Hall
1967 - Thad Dosher, 74, Jack Cunningham
1968 - Ray Lee Goodwin, 24, Swenson/Williams
1969 - Ken Gritz, 12, Larry Snyder
1970 - Joe Saldana, 2, C&L Racing
1971 - Jan Opperman, 6, Cahill Racing
1972 - Kenny Weld, 29, Bob Weikert
1973 - Kenny Weld, 29, Bob Weikert
1974 - Dick Gaines, 71, Karl Kinser
1975 - Eddie Leavitt, 40, Ricke/Hill
1976 - Eddie Leavitt, 4J, Galden Inc.
1977 - Doug Wolfgang, 20, Bob Trostle
1978 - Doug Wolfgang, 4x, Speedway Motors
1979 - Ron Shuman, 75A, Gary Stanton
1980 - Steve Kinser, 20, Bob Trostle/Karl Kinser
1981 - Steve Kinser, 11, Karl Kinser
1982 - Steve Kinser, 11, Karl Kinser
1983 - Sammy Swindell, 1, Raymond Beadle
1984 - Doug Wolfgang, 29, Bob Weikert
1985 - Doug Wolfgang, 29, Bob Weikert
1986 - Steve Kinser, 11, Karl Kinser
1987 - Steve Kinser, 11, Karl Kinser
1988 - Steve Kinser, 11, Karl Kinser
1989 - Doug Wolfgang, 8D, D.P. Motorsports
1990 - Bobby Allen, 1a, Allen Enterprises
1991 - Steve Kinser, 11, Karl Kinser
1992 - Steve Kinser, 11, Karl Kinser
1993 - Steve Kinser, 11, Karl Kinser
1994 - Steve Kinser, 11, Karl Kinser
1995 - Steve Kinser, 11, Steve Kinser
1996 - Mark Kinser, 5m, Karl Kinser
1997 - Dave Blaney, 10, Blaney/Hylton
1998 - Danny Lasoski, 83, Dennis Roth
1999 - Mark Kinser, 5m, Karl Kinser
2000 - Mark Kinser, 5m, Karl Kinser
2001 - Danny Lasoski, 20L, Tony Stewart
2002 - Steve Kinser, 11, Steve Kinser
2003 - Danny Lasoski, 20, Tony Stewart
2004 - Danny Lasoski, 20, Tony Stewart
2005 - Kraig Kinser, 11K, Steve Kinser
2006 - Donny Schatz, 15, Schatz Motorsports
2007 - Donny Schatz, 15, Schatz Motorsports
2008 - Donny Schatz, 15, Tony Stewart
2009 - Donny Schatz, 15, Tony Stewart
2010 - Tim Shaffer, 83, Call/Holbrook Motorsports
2011 - Donny Schatz, 15, Tony Stewart
2012 - Donny Schatz, 15, Tony Stewart
2013 - Donny Schatz, 15, Tony Stewart
2014 - Donny Schatz, 15, Tony Stewart
2015 - Donny Schatz, 15, Tony Stewart
2016 - Jason Johnson 41, Jason Johnson Racing
2017 - Donny Schatz, 15, Tony Stewart
2018 - Brad Sweet, 49, Kasey Kahne Racing