FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME: Donny Schatz Wins 11th Knoxville Nationals Title
After five years away from the top step, Donny Schatz finally returned to glory at Knoxville Raceway.
Rallying late in the running, the Fargo, ND superstar found another gear on the bottom side and drove by David Gravel on the 46th lap to put his Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing, Ford Performance, Carquest Auto Parts #15 in command.
While a sold-out crowd of 20,000+ fans in Knoxville, Iowa erupted for the 10-time World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series champion, the 45-year-old kept his cool and thought about his late father, Danny Schatz. He aced the final five laps and kept Gravel at bay, driving away to earn his 11th title at the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores.
“There are no words for this,” Schatz said. “I could hear my dad [Danny Schatz] telling me to gather it up and settle down and it worked.”
Schatz’s victory brings him within one away from tying Steve Kinser (12) for the most titles in the history of the Knoxville Nationals. It was even more rewarding considering the fact that Schatz fell as far back as seventh in the early running. The Tony Stewart Racing/Curb-Agajanian Racing crew – led by Steve Swenson, Todd Devnich, Ayrton Olson – aced the halfway break and gave Schatz a car capable of winning, from there it was up to the champ.
He restarted in sixth and promptly drove by everyone in his sight as he returned to the mountaintop.
“I didn’t drive like I should at the beginning,” Schatz added. “We were decent both nights, but took a big swing at it and tried something new with the motor tonight. I didn’t know if we were gonna get there after I fell as far back as I did. I just couldn’t control the wheel spin.”
The halfway break at Lap 25 allowed his crew to go to work and it paid dividends. They gave him the car capable of winning, and Donny did what Donny does best.
“Scuba [Steve Swenson] could read me like a book and knew when I didn’t say anything that he should throw the 911 at it,” Schatz spoke on his crew. “These guys did an incredible job. It was do or die on the bottom. I kept getting better and better there at the end. This one feels like the first time, really.”
After leading laps 27-45, David Gravel fell short of Donny Schatz by 0.747-seconds at the checkered flag. The Big Game Motorsports #2 was stout on the highline, but the TSR #15 proved to be too dominant rolling the bottom. The Watertown, CT native banked $80,000 for his runner-up result but will have to wait another year to try and chase his second Knoxville Nationals title.
“Sometimes it better to be running second,” Gravel said after missing out on his second Nationals title. “We had a great car and I was aggressive early, but I just didn’t want to get off the top. I heard Donny coming and in hindsight, I should’ve tried running down. It’s just hard to change it up when you’re leading and feeling good up top. It’s a bummer for sure. I want to win of these for Tod Quiring. I’m only 30 years old and I’ll have plenty of more chances, but it still stings.”
Rounding out the podium on Saturday night was Logan Schuchart with a phenomenal 17th-to-third run in the Shark Racing, DuraMAX Oil, Drydene Performance Products #1S. The Hanover, PA native collected a season-best $40,000 for his efforts in The Grandaddy of ‘Em All.
“I’m thrilled with what this team has accomplished,” Schuchart said after a stellar week. “I’m proud of every single person at Shark Racing and it starts with what my grandfather started. We’re just a family-owned team competing for wins on the biggest stage in the world. I honestly felt like I was gaining on them through the last five laps, but we just didn’t start far enough forward. Starting 17th and finishing 3rd is pretty amazing.”
After leading laps 2-26, Tyler Courtney finished fourth for a career-best Knoxville Nationals effort worth $26,000 aboard his Clauson-Marshall Racing, NOS Energy Drink #7BC. Jacob Allen concluded a sensational week in Iowa by driving from 11th to fifth in his Shark Racing #1A, banking $21,000 for his run.
Buddy Kofoid finished 11th to earn JETCO Rookie of the Year honors, setting the highest finish by a rookie at the Knoxville Nationals since the turn of the century.
NOS Energy Drink Feature Results (50 Laps) – 1. 15-Donny Schatz (3); 2. 2-David Gravel (4); 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart (17); 4. 7BC-Tyler Courtney (2); 5. 1A-Jacob Allen (11); 6. 57-Kyle Larson (6); 7. 19-Brent Marks (7); 8. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild (23); 9. 49-Brad Sweet (9); 10. 27H-Daryn Pittman (8); 11. 11X-Michael Kofoid (14); 12. 13-Justin Peck (19); 13. 24R-Rico Abreu (21); 14. 8-Aaron Reutzel (16); 15. 83JR-Kerry Madsen (22); 16. 88-Austin McCarl (1); 17. 41-Carson Macedo (5); 18. 7TAZ-Tasker Phillips (15); 19. 83-James McFadden (20); 20. 21-Brian Brown (24); 21. 39-Justin Sanders (13); 22. 18-Giovanni Scelzi (18); 23. 25-JJ Hickle (10); 24. 11M-Parker Price-Miller (12).
[Read More]| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | +2 | 15 | Donny Schatz | 50 | 0.000 | 5 | Running | 90 | $175,000 |
| 2 | 4 | +2 | 2 | David Gravel | 50 | -0.747 | 19 | Running | 90 | $80,000 |
| 3 | 17 | +14 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | 50 | -2.097 | Running | 90 | $40,000 | |
| 4 | 2 | -2 | 7BC | Tyler Courtney | 50 | -3.707 | 25 | Running | 90 | $26,000 |
| 5 | 11 | +6 | 1A | Jacob Allen | 50 | -5.694 | Running | 90 | $21,000 | |
| 6 | 6 | 0 | 57 | Kyle Larson | 50 | -5.729 | Running | 90 | $20,000 | |
| 7 | 7 | 0 | 19 | Brent Marks | 50 | -7.970 | Running | 90 | $19,000 | |
| 8 | 23 | +15 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 50 | -9.814 | Running | 90 | $18,000 | |
| 9 | 9 | 0 | 49 | Brad Sweet | 50 | -11.492 | Running | 90 | $17,000 | |
| 10 | 8 | -2 | 27H | Daryn Pittman | 50 | -11.723 | Running | 90 | $16,000 | |
| 11 | 14 | +3 | 11X | Michael Kofoid | 50 | -13.766 | Running | 90 | $15,000 | |
| 12 | 19 | +7 | 13 | Justin Peck | 50 | -14.442 | Running | 90 | $14,000 | |
| 13 | 21 | +8 | 24R | Rico Abreu | 50 | -14.648 | Running | 90 | $13,000 | |
| 14 | 16 | +2 | 8 | Aaron Reutzel | 50 | -15.327 | Running | 90 | $12,000 | |
| 15 | 22 | +7 | 83JR | Kerry Madsen | 50 | -15.840 | Running | 90 | $11,000 | |
| 16 | 1 | -15 | 88 | Austin McCarl | 50 | -17.403 | 1 | Running | 90 | $10,500 |
| 17 | 5 | -12 | 41 | Carson Macedo | 50 | -18.671 | Running | 90 | $10,000 | |
| 18 | 15 | -3 | 7TAZ | Tasker Phillips | 49 | -1 Laps | Running | 90 | $10,000 | |
| 19 | 20 | +1 | 83 | James McFadden | 37 | -13 Laps | Running | 90 | $10,000 | |
| 20 | 24 | +4 | 21 | Brian Brown | 32 | -18 Laps | Running | 90 | $10,000 | |
| 21 | 13 | -8 | 39 | Justin Sanders | 16 | -34 Laps | Running | 90 | $10,000 | |
| 22 | 18 | -4 | 18 | Giovanni Scelzi | 12 | -38 Laps | Running | 90 | $10,000 | |
| 23 | 10 | -13 | 25 | J.J. Hickle | 0 | -50 Laps | Running | 90 | $10,000 | |
| 24 | 12 | -12 | 11M | Parker Price-Miller | 0 | -50 Laps | Running | 90 | $10,000 |
| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | +1 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | 22 | 0.000 | 9 | Running | 0 | $1,000 |
| 2 | 1 | -1 | 18 | Giovanni Scelzi | 22 | -1.001 | 12 | Running | 0 | $1,000 |
| 3 | 6 | +3 | 13 | Justin Peck | 22 | -2.651 | Running | 0 | $1,000 | |
| 4 | 5 | +1 | 83 | James McFadden | 22 | -4.188 | Running | 0 | $1,000 | |
| 5 | 3 | -2 | 2K | Lynton Jeffrey | 22 | -5.282 | Running | 90 | $8,000 | |
| 6 | 10 | +4 | 3TK | Tim Kaeding | 22 | -6.353 | Running | 90 | $7,000 | |
| 7 | 7 | 0 | 14J | Cole Macedo | 22 | -6.507 | Running | 90 | $6,000 | |
| 8 | 4 | -4 | 26 | Zeb Wise | 22 | -8.272 | Running | 90 | $5,000 | |
| 9 | 9 | 0 | 9 | Kasey Kahne | 22 | -9.071 | Running | 90 | $4,000 | |
| 10 | 15 | +5 | 21H | Brady Bacon | 22 | -9.253 | Running | 90 | $3,500 | |
| 11 | 11 | 0 | 39M | Anthony Macri | 22 | -10.129 | Running | 90 | $3,000 | |
| 12 | 20 | +8 | 3Z | Brock Zearfoss | 22 | -10.631 | Running | 90 | $2,500 | |
| 13 | 14 | +1 | 7 | Justin Henderson | 22 | -11.623 | Running | 90 | $2,250 | |
| 14 | 19 | +5 | 24 | Terry McCarl | 22 | -15.168 | Running | 90 | $2,000 | |
| 15 | 22 | +7 | 71 | Cory Eliason | 22 | -15.214 | Running | 90 | $1,750 | |
| 16 | 8 | -8 | 2KS | Ian Madsen | 22 | -17.604 | Running | 90 | $1,500 | |
| 17 | 17 | 0 | 16 | Brooke Tatnell | 22 | -18.014 | Running | 90 | $1,450 | |
| 18 | 23 | +5 | 55 | Hunter Schuerenberg | 21 | -1 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,400 | |
| 19 | 12 | -7 | 5 | Spencer Bayston | 21 | -1 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,350 | |
| 20 | 21 | +1 | 91 | Kyle Reinhardt | 21 | -1 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,300 | |
| 21 | 24 | +3 | 55T | McKenna Haase | 21 | -1 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,250 | |
| 22 | 16 | -6 | 5C | Dylan Cisney | 21 | -1 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,200 | |
| 23 | 13 | -10 | 14 | Corey Day | 2 | -20 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,050 | |
| 24 | 18 | -6 | 3P | Sawyer Phillips | 0 | -22 Laps | DNF | 90 | $1,100 |
| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 91 | Kyle Reinhardt | 10 | 0.000 | 13 | Running | 0 | $0 |
| 2 | 6 | +4 | 71 | Cory Eliason | 10 | -3.056 | Running | 0 | $1,000 | |
| 3 | 9 | +6 | 55 | Hunter Schuerenberg | 10 | -4.690 | Running | 0 | $1,000 | |
| 4 | 2 | -2 | 55T | McKenna Haase | 10 | -5.142 | 2 | Running | 0 | $1,000 |
| 5 | 7 | +2 | 1AU | Marcus Dumesny | 0 | -10 Laps | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 6 | 4 | -2 | 1 | Logan Wagner | 15 | --5 Laps | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 7 | 14 | +7 | 17W | Shane Golobic | 15 | --5 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,500 | |
| 8 | 3 | -5 | 42 | Sye Lynch | 15 | --5 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,400 | |
| 9 | 11 | +2 | 15H | Sam Hafertepe Jr | 15 | --5 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,300 | |
| 10 | 8 | -2 | 6B | Brandon Wimmer | 15 | --5 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,250 | |
| 11 | 12 | +1 | 22 | Riley Goodno | 15 | --5 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,225 | |
| 12 | 5 | -7 | 49X | Cale Thomas | 15 | --5 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,200 | |
| 13 | 18 | +5 | 13JT | Mark Dobmeier | 15 | --5 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,175 | |
| 14 | 22 | +8 | 45 | Rusty Hickman | 15 | --5 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,150 | |
| 15 | 20 | +5 | 52 | Blake Hahn | 15 | --5 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,125 | |
| 16 | 21 | +5 | 2M | Davey Heskin | 15 | --5 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,100 | |
| 17 | 15 | -2 | 17B | Bill Balog | 15 | --5 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,050 | |
| 18 | 23 | +5 | 101 | Lachlan McHugh | 15 | --5 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,000 | |
| 19 | 16 | -3 | 1M | Don Droud Jr | 14 | --4 Laps | Running | 90 | $950 | |
| 20 | 19 | -1 | 55W | Mike Wagner | 14 | --4 Laps | Running | 90 | $900 | |
| 21 | 13 | -8 | 73 | Scotty Thiel | 11 | --1 Laps | Running | 90 | $850 | |
| 22 | 24 | +2 | 17S | Sammy Swindell | 9 | -1 Laps | Running | 90 | $825 | |
| 23 | 10 | -13 | 3 | Ayrton Gennetten | 8 | -2 Laps | Running | 90 | $825 | |
| 24 | 17 | -7 | 20G | Noah Gass | 8 | -2 Laps | Running | 90 | $825 |
| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | +3 | 52 | Blake Hahn | 12 | 0.000 | 4 | Running | 0 | $800 |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 2M | Davey Heskin | 12 | -1.273 | 8 | Running | 0 | $800 |
| 3 | 9 | +6 | 45 | Rusty Hickman | 12 | -2.612 | Running | 0 | $800 | |
| 4 | 1 | -3 | 101 | Lachlan McHugh | 12 | -2.927 | Running | 0 | $800 | |
| 5 | 3 | -2 | 17S | Sammy Swindell | 12 | -3.521 | Running | 0 | $1,200 | |
| 6 | 6 | 0 | 44 | Chris Martin | 12 | -4.085 | Running | 90 | $1,100 | |
| 7 | 8 | +1 | 18R | Ryan Roberts | 12 | -4.406 | Running | 90 | $1,000 | |
| 8 | 12 | +4 | 7S | Robbie Price | 12 | -4.867 | Running | 90 | $950 | |
| 9 | 19 | +10 | 1X | Jake Bubak | 12 | -5.018 | Running | 90 | $900 | |
| 10 | 11 | +1 | 11K | Kraig Kinser | 12 | -5.403 | Running | 90 | $850 | |
| 11 | 23 | +12 | 19W | Chris Windom | 12 | -5.788 | Running | 90 | $825 | |
| 12 | 15 | +3 | 49J | Josh Schneiderman | 12 | -6.540 | Running | 90 | $800 | |
| 13 | 13 | 0 | 83T | Tanner Carrick | 12 | -7.044 | Running | 90 | $800 | |
| 14 | 20 | +6 | 15M | Bobby Mincer | 12 | -7.325 | Running | 90 | $800 | |
| 15 | 17 | +2 | 99 | Skylar Gee | 12 | -7.632 | Running | 90 | $800 | |
| 16 | 24 | +8 | 65 | Jordan Goldesberry | 11 | -1 Laps | Running | 90 | $800 | |
| 17 | 21 | +4 | 97 | Greg Wilson | 11 | -1 Laps | Running | 90 | $800 | |
| 18 | 7 | -11 | 35K | Chad Kemenah | 10 | -2 Laps | Running | 90 | $800 | |
| 19 | 22 | +3 | 11N | Harli White | 9 | -3 Laps | Running | 90 | $800 | |
| 20 | 5 | -15 | 84 | Scott Bogucki | 8 | -4 Laps | Running | 90 | $800 | |
| 21 | 14 | -7 | 16A | Colby Copeland | 5 | -7 Laps | Running | 90 | $800 | |
| 22 | 18 | -4 | 47X | Dylan Westbrook | 3 | -9 Laps | Running | 90 | $800 | |
| 23 | 10 | -13 | 27 | Carson McCarl | 0 | -12 Laps | Running | 90 | $800 | |
| 24 | 16 | -8 | 11 | Roger Crockett | 0 | -12 Laps | DNS | 90 | $800 |
| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | +1 | 47X | Dylan Westbrook | 10 | 0.000 | 9 | Running | 0 | $600 |
| 2 | 5 | +3 | 1X | Jake Bubak | 10 | -1.299 | Running | 0 | $600 | |
| 3 | 1 | -2 | 15M | Bobby Mincer | 10 | -2.514 | Running | 0 | $600 | |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 97 | Greg Wilson | 10 | -3.385 | Running | 0 | $600 | |
| 5 | 6 | +1 | 11N | Harli White | 10 | -5.934 | Running | 0 | $600 | |
| 6 | 12 | +6 | 19W | Chris Windom | 10 | -6.427 | Running | 0 | $600 | |
| 7 | 8 | +1 | 65 | Jordan Goldesberry | 10 | -7.402 | Running | 90 | $800 | |
| 8 | 9 | +1 | 17C | Carson Short | 10 | -7.995 | Running | 90 | $775 | |
| 9 | 3 | -6 | 9JR | Derek Hagar | 10 | -8.679 | 1 | Running | 90 | $750 |
| 10 | 15 | +5 | 6 | Bill Rose | 10 | -9.953 | Running | 90 | $725 | |
| 11 | 7 | -4 | 4W | Matt Wasmund | 10 | -10.768 | Running | 90 | $700 | |
| 12 | 17 | +5 | 7W | Dustin Selvage | 10 | -12.172 | Running | 90 | $675 | |
| 13 | 10 | -3 | 12 | Tyler Drueke | 9 | -1 Laps | Running | 90 | $650 | |
| 14 | 14 | 0 | 2KK | Kevin Ingle | 8 | -2 Laps | Running | 90 | $625 | |
| 15 | 16 | +1 | 97G | Alan Gilbertson | 7 | -3 Laps | Running | 90 | $600 | |
| 16 | 11 | -5 | 11T | T.J. Stutts | 4 | -6 Laps | Running | 90 | $575 | |
| 17 | 13 | -4 | 10 | Skylar Prochaska | 0 | -10 Laps | Running | 90 | $550 |
NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals
August 10, 2022 to August 13, 2022
Knoxville Raceway
1000 North Lincoln Street
Knoxville, IA
Event Description
It's The Granddaddy of 'Em All. The 61st Knoxville Nationals brings the best of the best to Iowa for this four-day Crown Jewel.
Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series
To Win Amount
$175,000.00
Feature Laps Length
50
(641) 842-5431
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.
$175,000.00
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 are allowed
ATMs
1
Credit Card Use
Concessions, Pit Gate, Ticket Window
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, IA
Track Phone
(641) 842-5431
Ticket Phone
(641) 842-5431
Track Size & Type
0.500; Semi-banked
Sprint Car Track Record
14.351 seconds by Brian Brown on 5/22/21
Closest Airport
Des Moines International Airport
Track Map
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Cold Temperatures, Extreme Wind Chills Cancel Knoxville Event
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Rare April Trip to Knoxville Awaits the World of Outlaws
1 MONTH ALERT: World of Outlaws Set For April Doubleheader at Knoxville
2023 SCHEDULE: 87-Race Slate Features Spring PA Swing, New Tracks, Multiple High-Dollar Crown Jewels
ROOKIE STRIPES: Jason Meyers helping Corey Day through first Knoxville Nationals journey
