Nationals Disappointment: Elite Racing comes up short at Knoxville Nationals
“Ones greatest success comes after their biggest disappointment” (Henry Beecher). Unlike the year before, Jason Meyers and his whole Elite Racing team were in prime position to win the biggest race of the season. Unfortunately Meyers’ night in his #14 Allstar Performance KPC, ended about 20 laps too early.
Going into the 51st running of the Knoxville Nationals, the 2010 World of Outlaws Champion had claimed the 4th starting position in his qualifying night and had raced from the back of the pack in two exhibition races. With track position and extra track time, Meyers was poised to make a bid to win the Nationals. Meyers was lined up beside Dale Blaney on the start and by the end of Lap 1 the Californian was running in the 3rd position.
The first disruption in racing action happened around lap 5. On the restart, Meyers held on to his position and tracked down Brad Sweet, trying to take over the 2nd position. Behind the battle Donny Schatz was quickly closing. Schatz got under Meyers leaving Turn 4 and just beat him to the finish line.
The second caution flag flew on Lap 14. When the field returned to green flag racing, Meyers was lined up in the 4th position. On the start, Meyers was challenged by Daryn Pittman. The duo battled for several laps before Pittman got the edge over Meyers in his #14 GLR Investments KPC. With the half-way point of the race approaching Meyers was closing on Brad Sweet and trying to retake the 4th position.
On Lap 27, the red flag was flown for a fuel stop. During the stop, it was reported over the radio that the Elite Racing team was changing a gear. On the restart, Meyers was challenged by Shane Stewart. Within a few laps, Meyers fell back to 6th in his #14 DDNi KPC. Then the #14 slowed on track with a mechanical issue and Meyers was forced to take it to the infield, ending their bid for the 51st Knoxville Nationals. Meyers would end up finishing in the 22nd position and Donny Schatz ended up winning his 5th Nationals title.
Up Next
From Knoxville Elite Racing will be traveling north for the World of Outlaws Great Northern Tour. The tour consists of five races over two weeks which will take the team to the Dakotas and Canada. First up next weekend will be River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, North Dakota on Friday August 19. The last time the #14 Media Tile KPC visited the track was in June and the team took home a 5th and 6th place finishes. Then up on Saturday August 20 is Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, South Dakota. In Meyers last seven starts at Huset’s, Meyers has five top-5 finishes.
