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KNOXVILLE, IOWA -- The focus of the sprint car world shifted to Knoxville Raceway in south-central Iowa for the 60th Annual Knoxville Nationals that began Wednesday night.
Three qualifying nights lead up to the 50-lap Nationals A-main Saturday night with $150,000 on the line for the winner, plus $1,000 per lap led, meaning if a driver leads every lap, he'll walk away with $200K. Over $1 million is on the line total.
Many central PA teams plan to make the trip including Port Royal Speedway point leader and defending champion Logan Wagner, along with his dad, Mike, who will be a Nationals rookie.
Other central PA teams heading west include Lucas Wolfe, Danny Dietrich, Anthony Macri, Brent Marks, TJ Stutts, Dylan Cisney, and Robbie Kendall.
The Nationals weren't held last year due to COVID restrictions, but Kyle Larson won the Capitani Classic on Saturday night of what would have been the Nationals A-main.
The last Nationals A-main winner was David Gravel in 2019, Brad Sweet won in 2018 and Donny Schatz's 10th Nationals A-main victory came in 2017.
The late Jason Johnson won a thriller over Schatz in 2016.
Schatz had a tremendous streak at the Nationals prior to that. From 2006 until 2015, Schatz won nine out of 10. Tim Shaffer won the 50th Anniversary race breaking up Schatz's streak in 2010 as Schatz
finished second with a failing engine.
Roy Robbins, driving the O.J. Hoffman No. 37, won the first Nationals in 1961. Jerry Richert Sr. and Greg Weld won the next two and then Kenny Weld won two straight.
Mark Kinser won the 40th in 2000 and Hanover's Bobby Allen the 30th in 1990. Steve Kinser's first of 12 came in 1980 and Joe Saldana won in 1970.
The Nationals are always intriguing, but this year it seems like the story lines are endless. Does Kyle Larson get an official Nationals A-main win? He finished third in 2018, second in 2017, fifth in 2016 and sixth in 2013. His first start in 2012 resulted in a 16th. He's won several of his preliminary night features and has eight total Knoxville wins. In 2019, he missed his qualifying A-main by two spots finishing sixth in the B. That ended his 2019 Nationals.
The Jason Johnson Racing 41 has been in Nationals A-main victory lane twice in the last four races with the late Jason Johnson winning in 2016 and David Gravel in 2019. Carson Macedo could give them a third this year.
Does David Gravel get back-to-back wins, but for a different team? He's very good at the Nationals and won the Capitani Classic Sunday night. Brad Sweet could also get his second Nationals win.
Despite his struggles this season, it's hard to count out 10-time Nationals Champion Donny Schatz. The rest of the year doesn't matter when you get to Nationals week.
Brian Brown has been so close to winning a Nationals -three straight runner-up finishes '12 -'14 -and now has four-time Nationals winner, his uncle, Danny Lasoski helping on the car.
Or, does someone else reach the pinnacle of Sprint car racing?
Over 100 sprint cars are entered. They are split into Wednesday and Thursday night qualifying. Drivers earn points every time they hit the track including qualifying time trials, heat racing and main event finishes. The top 16 in points after Thursday night go directly to the Saturday A-main. Everyone else gets another chance Friday night with the top four finishers advancing. The final four starters come from the Saturday night B-main.
Just making the Saturday night A-main nets a driver 10 grand. The Wednesday and Thursday prelim features pay $12K to win. The first qualifying night is Wednesday. A good week at the Nationals can make a team's season.
You'll see plenty of throw-back paint schemes for the 60th including a Pink Panther No. 73 for the Tom Buch Motorsports No. 13 and Justin Peck honoring Hall of Famer Kramer Williamson. There is a cash award as well for the best throwback paint scheme. It pays $2,000 to win, $1000 for second and $500 for third.