- Started 7th
- Led 21 of 25 laps
- $7,500
NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals pres. by Casey's
Race Recap
ANOTHER SCHAT(Z): Donny Schatz Drives to Knoxville Nationals FVP Prelim Victory
The 11-time Knoxville Nationals champ wheels from seventh to Victory Lane to keep his hopes alive
By Alex Neiten
You can never count out Donny Schatz at Knoxville Raceway.
The Fargo, ND legend has built a major part of his legacy at the historic 1/2 mile. It started with many painful losses and runner-up finishes at the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s. Then the winning began and rarely stopped as he collected 11 titles in the sport’s biggest race.
Schatz hasn’t experienced the same level of success at Knoxville in recent years, but he proved again Saturday afternoon at the FVP Parts Prelim why he still can’t be overlooked on the sport’s biggest stage.
Schatz ripped the CJB Motorsports No. 15 from seventh to the front, sealing the deal with a Lap 5 slide job on Carson McCarl and driving away over the last 20 laps to his 31st overall Knoxville victory. He’ll still have a way to go starting 11th in the C-main, but he just might give the fans a show.
“It’s awesome,” Schatz said. “The guys have done a tremendous job, we’re making huge strides here. The track played our way, we were really good early when the other guys weren’t, then it latched up halfway through in the rubber. I think everybody’s gonna go around there good. Obviously, we’ve been battling weather, we’re out in the sun, it’s gonna happen. We just came out on the right end of it.”
NIGHTLY NOTES
Chris Windom earned the Race//Ready Hottest Lap of the Night.
Heat Races belonged to Carson McCarl (NOS Energy Drink Heat One), Steven Snyder Jr. (Toyota Heat Two), Brock Zearfoss (WIX Filters Heat Three), and Rees Moran (Golf Cart Services Heat Four).
The SPA Technique Pole Award went to Carson McCarl.
J.J. Hickle drove from 24th to eighth to earn the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger.
Kasey Jedrzejek was the Five Star Bodies Rookie of the Race.
The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race went to Matt Covington.
UP NEXT: The 65th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s Championship Feature will hand out $200,000 and Sprint Car immortality to the winner on Saturday, Aug. 15.
Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.
Where can you see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.
FEATURE RESULTS:
A Feature (25 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz[7]; 2. 51-Steven Snyder Jr[2]; 3. 27-Carson McCarl[1]; 4. 7S-Chris Windom[6]; 5. 45X-Rees Moran[4]; 6. 12X-Landon Crawley[9]; 7. 09-Matt Juhl[14]; 8. 2M-JJ Hickle[24]; 9. 1K-Kelby Watt[18]; 10. 26R-Levi Hillier[20]; 11. 11N-Darin Naida[10]; 12. 33W-Cap Henry[19]; 13. 17GP-Brock Zearfoss[3]; 14. 40-Clint Garner[16]; 15. 45D-Derek Hagar[15]; 16. 6-Kasey Jedrzejek[8]; 17. 0-Lynton Jeffrey[21]; 18. 23L-Jimmy Light[22]; 19. 87X-Ashton Torgerson[13]; 20. 17A-Jack Anderson[17]; 21. 95-Matt Covington[12]; 22. 77-Giovanni Scelzi[5]; 23. 5-Brenham Crouch[11]; 24. 6DC-Will Armitage[23]
For complete results, CLICK HERE.
Feature Results
| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | +6 | 15 | Donny Schatz | 25 | 0.000 | 21 | Running | 90 | $7,500 |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 51 | Steven Snyder Jr | 25 | -2.265 | Running | 90 | $5,000 | |
| 3 | 1 | -2 | 27 | Carson McCarl | 25 | -4.178 | 4 | Running | 90 | $4,000 |
| 4 | 6 | +2 | 7S | Chris Windom | 25 | -5.469 | Running | 90 | $3,000 | |
| 5 | 4 | -1 | 45X | Rees Moran | 25 | -6.454 | Running | 90 | $2,500 | |
| 6 | 9 | +3 | 12X | Landon Crawley | 25 | -7.244 | Running | 90 | $2,250 | |
| 7 | 14 | +7 | 09 | Matt Juhl | 25 | -9.062 | Running | 90 | $2,000 | |
| 8 | 24 | +16 | 2M | J.J. Hickle | 25 | -9.578 | Running | 90 | $1,950 | |
| 9 | 18 | +9 | 1K | Kelby Watt | 25 | -10.566 | Running | 90 | $1,900 | |
| 10 | 20 | +10 | 26R | Levi Hillier | 25 | -11.068 | Running | 90 | $1,850 | |
| 11 | 10 | -1 | 11N | Darin Naida | 25 | -11.579 | Running | 90 | $1,800 | |
| 12 | 19 | +7 | 33W | Cap Henry | 25 | -12.584 | Running | 90 | $1,750 | |
| 13 | 3 | -10 | 17GP | Brock Zearfoss | 25 | -12.910 | Running | 90 | $1,700 | |
| 14 | 16 | +2 | 40 | Clint Garner | 25 | -14.311 | Running | 90 | $1,650 | |
| 15 | 15 | 0 | 45D | Derek Hagar | 24 | -1 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,600 | |
| 16 | 8 | -8 | 6 | Kasey Jedrzejek | 24 | -1 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,550 | |
| 17 | 21 | +4 | 0 | Lynton Jeffrey | 24 | -1 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,500 | |
| 18 | 22 | +4 | 23L | Jimmy Light | 24 | -1 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,450 | |
| 19 | 13 | -6 | 87X | Ashton Torgerson | 20 | -5 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,400 | |
| 20 | 17 | -3 | 17A | Jack Anderson | 10 | -15 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,350 | |
| 21 | 12 | -9 | 95 | Matt Covington | 6 | -19 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,300 | |
| 22 | 5 | -17 | 77 | Giovanni Scelzi | 4 | -21 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,300 | |
| 23 | 11 | -12 | 5 | Brenham Crouch | 4 | -21 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,300 | |
| 24 | 23 | -1 | 6DC | Will Armitage | 1 | -24 Laps | Running | 90 | $1,300 |
Event Info
NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals pres. by Casey's
Wednesday, August 12th to Saturday, August 15th
Knoxville Raceway
1000 North Lincoln Street
Knoxville, IA, 50138
It's The Granddaddy of 'Em All! The entire Sprint Car world will converge on Knoxville Raceway for the 65th running of the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey's. The sport's biggest race reaches new heights in 2026 with the champion taking home $200,000!
DAILY EVENTS: AUGUST 12-15
8am Knoxville Raceway Ticket Office opens
8am National Sprint Car Hall of Fame opens
9am-3pm Fan Forums at NSCHoF
10am Trade Show in Skate Pit Building Opens
10am Vendors Can Open in Fan Zone
10am - 3pm Bryan Clauson Suite Tower Tours
10am - 3pm Autograph Sessions at NSCHoF
10am Nationals Trophies on Display at Main Grandstand Entrance
Noon Slide Job Bar Opens
Noon Food Vendors Open
Noon Music Playing on Iowa Lottery Entertainment Stage
1pm Knoxville Nights podcast on Iowa Lottery Entertainment Stage
2pm Pit Gate Opens
2pm KRCO 50/50 Ticket Sales Begin
5pm Grandstands Open
5pm Knoxville Nationals Live presented by Midwest Sanitation Pre-Race show hosted by Tony Bokhoven on the Iowa Lottery Entertainment Stage
6pm DIRTVision Pre-Race Show with Dave Rieff on the Iowa Lottery Stage
HOT LAPS 6:45pm on Wed-Thu-Fri, 7:15pm on Saturday
Post Race - Drivers Press Conference in the Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion (open to public)
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9
1:30pm KRCO Trivia in Dyer Hudson Hall
Including KNOXVILLE RACEWAY BANNER SALE
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11
6pm Knoxville Nationals Queen Contest in Dyer Hudson Hall
8pm NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals Kick-Off Party
(on the Fairgrounds)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12
BRANDT PROFESSIONAL AGRICULTURE QUALIFYING NIGHT #1
3pm Knoxville Raceway Kid Zone in The Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion, Casey’s Pizza Party 5:00
4pm Knoxville's Got Talent with Wade Aunger & Kerry Madsen on the Iowa Lottery Entertainment Stage
4:30pm Ryan Timms Champion Pole Unveiling along Fan Walk outside of ticket office
8pm Opening Ceremonies - Kyle Larson Raises Champion’s Flag
Post Race - Hot Dog (Weiner Wednesday) Feed courtesy of the Marion County Fair Association near the Entertainment Stage
Post Race - Live Music with THE BOYS on the Iowa Lottery Entertainment Stage
THURSDAY, AUGUST 13
TOYOTA QUALIFYING NIGHT #2
8am NSCHoF Members Only VIP Reception
9:30am-11am Breakfast @ CFC south window near the ticket office
9:30am Big Wheel Races for kids ages 10 & younger in Credentials Building north of track
3pm Knoxville Raceway Kid Zone in The Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion, Jersey Freeze Ice Cream Party 5pm
Post Race - Live Music with THE PUNCHING PANDAS on the Iowa Lottery Entertainment Stage
Post Race - 55th Annual Rube’s Chicken Feed outside the Pit Shack Sponsored by Bush’s Chicken and the Marion County Fair Association
FRIDAY, AUGUST 14
FVP “HARD KNOX” PRELIMINARY NIGHT
9am Breakfast w/ Champions @ Celebrate Church
9am United Trailers Nationals Golf Tournament in Memory of Kevin Gobrecht @ Bos Landen Golf Course
9:30am-11am Breakfast @ CFC south window near the ticket office
10am Steve King Foundation Cornhole Tournament in the Credentials Building north of track
3pm Great Southern Bank Kid Zone in The Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion - Face Painting
4pm Driver Autograph Session in Dyer-Hudson Hall by Ticket Office (limited number of fans)
Post Race - Live Music with AFTER SHOCK on the Iowa Lottery Entertainment Stage
CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY, AUGUST 15
CHAMPIONSHIP NIGHT - NOS ENERGY DRINK KNOXVILLE NATIONALS PRESENTED BY CASEY’S
9am Church Service - in Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion
9:30am-11am Breakfast @ CFC south window near the ticket office
11am Kline's Quick Tim Parade in downtown Knoxville
11:30am NSCHoF Auction (Second Floor)
2:50pm A-Main Driver’s March down Fan Walk
3pm A-Main Driver’s Meeting in the Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion (open to public)
4pm Great Southern Bank Kid Zone in The Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion - Toby the Balloon Dude
Post Race - Winners Toast to the Fans in the Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion (open to public) before Press Conference
Post Race - NOS Energy Drink Post-Race Party
*All times Central
Know Before You Go
Cooler Policy
Soft side, collapsible coolers no bigger than 6-pack size and empty are allowed
Alcohol
Alcohol is available at the track
Smoking
All grandstands are non-smoking. Smoking areas are available underneath stands.
Seating
Bench style, metal seats with backrests
General Admission: N/A
Reserved: All seating
Foam or other seat cushions are permitted as long as they are not more than 20" wide. Stadiums seats are NOT ALLOWED
Numbered seating available
Accessibility
Seating: Located in the front stretch grandstands. Wheelchairs and scooters seating is available in row 39 (AA & BB) Also is section D, row 1
Parking: Behind the front stretch grandstands and behind Dyer-Hudson Hall.
Pit Access
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
$15.00
Camping
Cost: Knoxville Nationals camping: Camping is $200 for all 4 days. A 4-day package is required to stay at the North Campground. Water and electric hookups are available.
Payments
Cards accepted: Concessions, Pit Gate, Ticket Window
ATMs available on-site
Knoxville Raceway
The Sprint Car Capital of the World!
Knoxville, Iowa
1000 North Lincoln Street , 50138
The Knoxville Raceway, located on the Marion County Fairgrounds, began as a track for horse racing. The first automobile race was held in 1901. Johnny Gerber and "Speed" Adams were among the drivers featured between 1927 and 1936 during racing’s growth in popularity.
Racing came to a halt in the early 1940s due to the war, and returned late in the decade with hot rod racing. Soon after, midget and stock car racing became common.
In 1954, weekly racing began at the Knoxville Raceway. By this time, lighting was added to the track, along with new fencing. Stock car racing was the primary attraction, which were passenger cars stripped of glass, innards and extra metal. Roll cages were often constructed inside the car as a safety precaution.
Events at the Knoxville Raceway were promoted by the Southern Iowa Stock Car Racing Association until 1956, when Marion Robinson took over as promoter. During Robinson's tenure, "modifieds", (a stock car with modifications made to the engine), and "supermodifieds" (modifieds with the car bodies cut away to eliminate weight), were the rage. Eventually, tubing replaced the car frames, giving way to the sprint car as we know it today. Under Robinson's leadership, the Knoxville Nationals were born.
P. Ray Grimes came into leadership at the Knoxville Raceway in 1974, promoting races until 1977. Grimes' legacy includes extending the length of the Knoxville Nationals to four days.
1977 brought about a new Race Director, Ralph Capitani. Capitani continued to build on the growth of his predecessors, increasing the payoff for the 4-day Knoxville Nationals event to $100,000. The first tape-delayed broadcast of the Nationals was in 1987, with the first live broadcast in 1993.
Known as the "Sprint Car Capital of the World," Knoxville Raceway is home to the most prestigious Sprint Car event on the planet—the Knoxville Nationals, often called "The Granddaddy of 'Em All." For Sprint Car racing, it's the equivalent of the Super Bowl.
Each August, more than 100 Sprint Cars from across the country descend on Knoxville to chase one of the sport's biggest prizes. While it doesn't offer the richest winner's check, the Knoxville Nationals boasts the largest overall purse in Sprint Car racing, with more than $1 million on the line.
The legendary half-mile also keeps fans entertained all season long as a weekly racing destination featured on DIRTVision, bringing Knoxville's action to race fans around the world.
Latest News
STUCK THE LANDING: Kyle Larson Flies into Iowa, Dominates 65th Knoxville Nationals
KNOXVILLE GRID: Longstanding Veterans, Hotshot Upstarts Fill 65th Knoxville Nationals Field
Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain Postpone FVP Hard Knox Night to Saturday, Sets Up Doubleheader
ANOTHER LEVEL: Kyle Larson Wheels from Eighth to Victory on Knoxville Nationals Toyota Qualifying Night
HOLY HAUD: Sheldon Haudenschild Tops Wild Photo Finish to Open Knoxville Nationals
