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Knoxville Nationals
Knoxville Raceway | Knoxville, Iowa
Wednesday, August 09, 2023
Race Recap  

SCHATZ STRIKES FIRST: Donny Schatz Outduels Chase Randall for Knoxville Nationals Qualifier Win, Points Lead

Plenty of eyes were on Donny Schatz entering this week’s 62nd NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Store. Even more eyes than normal. Schatz has an opportunity to tie Steve Kinser’s record of 12 Knoxville Nationals titles. Wednesday’s prelim showed no signs of him feeling any pressure.

The 10-time World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car champion drove an excellent 25-lap main event on the opening Qualifier night at Knoxville Raceway. On the day before his 46th birthday, Schatz rolled from seventh on the grid to the front and sealed the deal by besting Chase Randall in a late battle. The win marked his first in a Knoxville Nationals prelim in 20 years.

Not only did Schatz come out on top of the NOS Energy Drink Feature, but his point total of 479 also placed him atop the Knoxville Nationals points. There’s still another prelim to be run, but Schatz has set himself up nicely to have a shot at “The King’s” record on Saturday.

“I remember when I first came here, we were really good on the prelim nights but couldn’t ever put it together on Saturday to get the win, and we took a little bit of that emphasis off,” Schatz said. “I don’t think you can leave anything on the table anymore. We qualified 10th. I think being in that fifth Heat was really key to get through there. The longer you run the more the track widens out, and the track was great all night. Man, my race team, these guys. We didn’t run that good when we were here in June, and we tried a few things. We’re always trying things. Kind of went back to square one, and that’s what you saw. The car feels really good. I can still move around some power, so hopefully we can be in a good spot Saturday.”

While it was Schatz who surged ahead late, the early story of the Feature became about two drivers new to the Nationals. In only his second attempt at The Granddaddy of ‘Em All, Blake Hahn earned the pole of the prelim. Lining up directly behind him in third aboard the TKS Motorsports machine was JETCO Rookie of the Year contender – Chase Randall.

When the green flag dropped, Hahn pulled ahead with the lead while Randall quickly worked his way into second on the second circuit.

Early on Hahn gapped Randall with clean air. While the lead duo had space between, the battles were plentiful inside the top 10 as drivers jockeyed for spots. Schatz began to come to life as the race approached lap 10. After moving into sixth at the initial start, Schatz cracked the top five on the ninth lap. One circle later and he was into fourth. Schatz looked like his peak self as he searched for grip in various lines and often found it.

A red flag on lap 17 for a flipping Justin Peck set up an eight-lap shootout to the finish. Randall took the opportunity to flex his muscle as the Waco, TX native slid by Hahn in Turns 3 and 4 to take over the top spot.

Behind that battle, Schatz quickly moved into third on the opening lap of the restart and then into second a lap later. Schatz began to close on the 18-year-old and pulled the trigger on a slide job on Lap 21 only to have Randall cross him over down the back straightaway and return the favor in the next set of corners.

Chase Randall and Donny Schatz race side by side at Knoxville
Chase Randall threw everything he had at Donny Schatz but couldn’t hold back the 11-time NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals champ (Trent Gower Photo)

“I didn’t really have any rhythm going when I got to him and got past him. I kind of went for it and really thought he’d look at me like a senior citizen and give me a pass, but he didn’t,” Schatz said with a laugh. “He went right back on by. That’s cool to see. That’s why we’re here. This is the Knoxville Nationals.”

On the next lap, Randall slid himself in Turns 1 and 2 allowing Schatz to get a run heading into Turn 3. This time, Schatz executed a slider that Randall couldn’t find the momentum to counter.

With the lead secured, Schatz went on to roll to a comfortable victory on the opening qualifier night. When the checkered flag flew, Schatz led Randall by roughly a second and a half to cement a statement win. Now, the focus shifts to Saturday’s finale for the pilot of the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15.

“I just wanted to get locked in the show,” Schatz said. “That’s kind of the goal. Once you get yourself in a position where you get qualified, you can kind of move that goal post.”

Randall’s runner-up was the latest testament to his continued strides. The Texas talent went wheel to wheel with a living legend for a win on the sport’s grandest stage. Being that close to a win could’ve left a slightly bitter taste for the Knoxville Nationals rookie, but the overall feeling was primarily prideful.

“I feel pretty good about it,” Randall said. “It’s hard to be mad about it, finishing second like that after coming so close. I’m really proud of it and how we did and how the team made the right decisions throughout the night to set us up and put ourselves in position to be that close. And it kind of shows how much hard work they’ve been putting in to get better each and every week. Running here we’ve had really good speed here this whole year, and to be running up front in our prelim night at the Knoxville Nationals is pretty cool.”

Charging from 12th to third to complete the podium was Sheldon Haudenschild aboard the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing/NOS Energy Drink #17. The Wooster, OH native even moved around eventual winner, Schatz, early on but couldn’t keep him behind him to contend for the victory.

“I knew once I got by Donny early that I needed to keep him back there,” Haudenschild said. “I kind of got hung up on the #39 a little bit, and Donny was able to get by and gap us. All in all it was a good night… I feel pretty good. This is the best I’ve felt in my car in a long time. Getting on the podium was a great night.”

Kerry Madsen and Blake Hahn rounded out the top five.

Tasker Phillips claimed the KSE Racing Hard Charger with a run from 24th to 11th.

The night’s Simpson Performance Products QuickTime Award went to David Gravel for the ninth time this season and the 106th of his career.

CASE No.1 Engine Oil Heat One was claimed by Brady Bacon (fourth Heat Race win of career). Your Life Iowa Heats Two through Five were topped by Sheldon Haudenschild (94th of career), Justin Henderson (33rd of career), Sye Lynch (third of career), and Carson McCarl (second of career).

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are back at Knoxville Raceway on Thursday, August 10 for the second and final prelim night to finalize the top 16 starters for Saturday’s finale. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to Knoxville, catch all of the action live on DIRTVision.

RESULTS:

A Feature (25 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz[7]; 2. 2KS-Chase Randall[3]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[12]; 4. 55-Kerry Madsen[4]; 5. 52-Blake Hahn[1]; 6. 42-Sye Lynch[9]; 7. 39-Hunter Schuerenberg[6]; 8. 7W-Dustin Selvage[2]; 9. 7TW-Brandon Wimmer[14]; 10. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[21]; 11. 7TAZ-Tasker Phillips[24]; 12. 21H-Brady Bacon[16]; 13. 9-Kasey Kahne[5]; 14. 14-Corey Day[22]; 15. 83-James McFadden[23]; 16. 21T-Cole Macedo[13]; 17. 1-Justin Henderson[18]; 18. 22-Riley Goodno[10]; 19. 1X-Jake Bubak[11]; 20. 1M-Don Droud Jr[19]; 21. 7S-Robbie Price[17]; 22. 27-Carson McCarl[20]; 23. 83T-Tanner Carrick[15]; 24. 13-Justin Peck[8]

[Read More]
Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
17+615Donny Schatz 250.0004Running0$12,000
23+12KSChase Randall 25-1.4674Running0$10,000
312+917Sheldon Haudenschild 25-2.542Running0$7,000
44055Kerry Madsen 25-3.746Running0$6,000
51-452Blake Hahn 25-3.85917Running0$5,000
69+342Sye Lynch 25-5.382Running0$4,000
76-139Hunter Schuerenberg 25-6.861Running0$3,500
82-67WDustin Selvage 25-7.370Running0$2,500
914+57TWBrandon Wimmer 25-7.445Running0$2,000
1021+1118Giovanni Scelzi 25-7.946Running0$1,750
1124+137TAZTasker Phillips 25-8.195Running0$1,500
1216+421HBrady Bacon 25-9.176Running0$1,400
135-89Kasey Kahne 25-9.757Running0$1,300
1422+814Corey Day 25-9.954Running0$1,250
1523+883James McFadden 25-10.231Running0$1,200
1613-321TCole Macedo 25-11.434Running0$1,150
1718+11Justin Henderson 25-11.761Running0$1,100
1810-822Riley Goodno 25-12.337Running0$1,050
1911-81XJake Bubak 25-13.452Running0$1,000
2019-11MDon Droud Jr25-13.994Running0$1,000
2117-47SRobbie Price 24-1 LapsRunning0$1,000
2220-227Carson McCarl 24-1 LapsRunning0$1,000
2315-883TTanner Carrick 24-1 LapsRunning0$1,000
248-1613Justin Peck 16-9 LapsDNF0$1,000
KSE Hard Charger: Tasker Phillips
Last Chance Showdown Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+118Giovanni Scelzi 120.0008Running0$200
21-114Corey Day 12-2.6914Running0$200
34+183James McFadden 12-4.169Running0$200
48+47TAZTasker Phillips 12-4.994Running0$200
53-24WJamie Ball 12-5.495Running0$600
67+119Brent Marks 12-7.855Running0$550
75-210LScott Bogucki 12-8.282Running0$500
811+326Zeb Wise 12-8.296Running0$475
99039MJustin Sanders 12-9.406Running0$450
1014+416Brooke Tatnell 12-10.763Running0$425
1121+102David Gravel 12-11.546Running0$400
1217+591Kyle Reinhardt 12-12.415Running0$375
1310-350YRJ.J. Hickle 12-12.752Running0$350
1412-29PParker Price-Miller 12-13.267Running0$325
1519+495Matt Covington 12-13.670Running0$300
1622+624TChristopher Thram 12-15.049Running0$275
1718+170Kraig Kinser 12-15.324Running0$260
1813-549XTim Shaffer 12-15.938Running0$250
1924+555TMcKenna Haase 12-17.743Running0$240
2023+324HKade Higday 12-18.588Running0$225
2116-51AChase Dietz 11-1 LapsRunning0$200
2220-217XTerry McCarl 8-4 LapsDNF0$200
236-172KLynton Jeffrey 3-9 LapsDNF0$200
2415-91CBrenham Crouch 0-12 LapsDNF0$200
C Main Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
1102David Gravel 100.00010Running0$150
23+124TChristopher Thram 10-3.952Running0$150
38+524HKade Higday 10-6.462Running0$150
44055TMcKenna Haase 10-7.580Running0$150
510+52KKKevin Ingle 10-10.826Running0$250
612+69HLandon Hansen 10-18.494Running0$200
711+437Ayden Gatewood 10-19.180Running0$175
87-144Chris Martin 9-1 LapsRunning0$150
96-313JTMark Dobmeier 2-8 LapsDNF0$140
102-88Aaron Reutzel 0-10 LapsDNF0$100
115-62MDavey Heskin 0-10 LapsDNF0$100
129-315JRCole Mincer 0-10 LapsDNF0$100
Heat 1 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11021HBrady Bacon 100.00010Running
2201XJake Bubak 10-3.869Running
36+339Hunter Schuerenberg 10-4.693Running
4402KSChase Randall 10-5.316Running
55039MJustin Sanders 10-7.102Running
67+183James McFadden 10-8.178Running
710+317XTerry McCarl 10-10.675Running
89+191Kyle Reinhardt 10-11.518Running
93-655TMcKenna Haase 10-13.794Running
108-22David Gravel 0-10 LapsDNF
Heat 2 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+117Sheldon Haudenschild 100.00010Running
28+613Justin Peck 10-4.858Running
31-27SRobbie Price 10-5.012Running
4407WDustin Selvage 10-6.816Running
57+210LScott Bogucki 10-7.080Running
65-150YRJ.J. Hickle 10-10.977Running
73-41AChase Dietz 10-12.792Running
89+170Kraig Kinser 10-12.907Running
910+144Chris Martin 10-15.660Running
106-48Aaron Reutzel 0-10 LapsDNF
Heat 3 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
1101Justin Henderson 100.0003Running
22021TCole Macedo 10-1.0837Running
36+39Kasey Kahne 10-3.402Running
43-152Blake Hahn 10-4.491Running
58+314Corey Day 10-5.689Running
67+12KLynton Jeffrey 10-6.420Running
74-316Brooke Tatnell 10-8.317Running
85-326Zeb Wise 10-9.439Running
910+124HKade Higday 10-10.678Running
109-12MDavey Heskin 4-6 LapsRunning
Heat 4 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
13+242Sye Lynch 100.0002Running
2207TWBrandon Wimmer 10-1.5718Running
31-21MDon Droud Jr10-1.787Running
46+255Kerry Madsen 10-2.319Running
57+219Brent Marks 10-3.180Running
65-19PParker Price-Miller 10-3.620Running
78+118Giovanni Scelzi 10-3.812Running
89+195Matt Covington 10-4.543Running
94-524TChristopher Thram 10-5.089Running
1010015JRCole Mincer 7-3 LapsRunning
Heat 5 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11027Carson McCarl 100.0009Running
27+515Donny Schatz 10-1.738Running
32-183TTanner Carrick 10-2.0401Running
43-122Riley Goodno 10-5.117Running
54-11CBrenham Crouch 10-5.290Running
6607TAZTasker Phillips 10-5.991Running
78+14WJamie Ball 10-6.630Running
85-349XTim Shaffer 10-7.176Running
99013JTMark Dobmeier 10-9.404Running
101002KKKevin Ingle 2-8 LapsRunning
Qualifying Flight 1 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1342David Gravel Watertown, CT15.4680.000
21913Justin Peck Monrovia, IN15.488-0.020
3714Corey Day Clovis, CA15.537-0.069
41518Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA15.601-0.133
524WJamie Ball Knoxville, IA15.636-0.168
63583James McFadden Alice Springs, NT15.638-0.170
72710LScott Bogucki Mclaren Vale, SA15.675-0.207
8262KLynton Jeffrey Prairie City, IA15.687-0.219
9519Brent Marks Myerstown, PA15.722-0.254
10315Donny Schatz Fargo, ND15.729-0.261
111839Hunter Schuerenberg Sikeston, MO15.754-0.286
1218Aaron Reutzel Clute, TX15.759-0.291
1399Kasey Kahne Enumclaw, WA15.760-0.292
142355Kerry Madsen Knoxville, IA15.771-0.303
15527TAZTasker Phillips Plesantville, IA15.801-0.333
163339MJustin Sanders Aromas, CA15.837-0.369
17850YRJ.J. Hickle Quilcene, WA15.841-0.373
184326Zeb Wise Angola, IN15.872-0.404
19489PParker Price-Miller Kokomo, IN15.879-0.411
201349XTim Shaffer Aliquippa, PA15.885-0.417
21302KSChase Randall Waco, TX15.889-0.421
22177WDustin Selvage Indianola, IA15.894-0.426
23616Brooke Tatnell San Souci, NSW15.949-0.481
243124TChristopher Thram Sanborn, MN15.961-0.493
25221CBrenham Crouch Lubbock, TX15.967-0.499
262055TMcKenna Haase Des Moines, IA15.979-0.511
27161AChase Dietz York, PA16.012-0.544
284452Blake Hahn Sapulpa, OK16.023-0.555
293742Sye Lynch Cowansville, PA16.032-0.564
301222Riley Goodno Knoxville, IA16.058-0.590
3141XJake Bubak Arvada, CO16.068-0.600
324717Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH16.078-0.610
334921TCole Macedo Lemoore, CA16.099-0.631
34287TWBrandon Wimmer Fairmount, IN16.130-0.662
351483TTanner Carrick Lincoln, CA16.134-0.666
364021HBrady Bacon Broken Arrow, OK16.145-0.677
37257SRobbie Price Cobble Hill, BC16.161-0.693
38501Justin Henderson Tea, SD16.181-0.713
39361MDon Droud JrLincoln, NE16.183-0.715
402427Carson McCarl Altoona, IA16.217-0.749
413891Kyle Reinhardt Neptune City, NJ16.282-0.814
422970Kraig Kinser Bloomington, IN16.294-0.826
43412MDavey Heskin St. Michael, MN16.319-0.851
444295Matt Covington Glenpool, OK16.362-0.894
453913JTMark Dobmeier Grand Forks, ND16.446-0.978
461017XTerry McCarl Altoona, IA16.535-1.067
475144Chris Martin Ankeny, IA16.552-1.084
484624HKade Higday Pleasant Hill, IA16.597-1.129
491115JRCole Mincer Burlington, IA16.689-1.221
50452KKKevin Ingle Huron, SD16.804-1.336
512137Ayden Gatewood Caruthersville, MO16.866-1.398
52329HLandon Hansen Newton, IA16.882-1.414
Hot Laps Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
12710LScott Bogucki Mclaren Vale, SA15.2750.000
2519Brent Marks Myerstown, PA15.469-0.194
31518Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA15.484-0.209
42355Kerry Madsen Knoxville, IA15.562-0.287
51839Hunter Schuerenberg Sikeston, MO15.608-0.333
63742Sye Lynch Cowansville, PA15.640-0.365
72055TMcKenna Haase Des Moines, IA15.663-0.388
8342David Gravel Watertown, CT15.672-0.397
9714Corey Day Clovis, CA15.716-0.441
10262KLynton Jeffrey Prairie City, IA15.744-0.469
111483TTanner Carrick Lincoln, CA15.752-0.477
12489PParker Price-Miller Kokomo, IN15.775-0.500
131222Riley Goodno Knoxville, IA15.776-0.501
1418Aaron Reutzel Clute, TX15.789-0.514
15257SRobbie Price Cobble Hill, BC15.790-0.515
16221CBrenham Crouch Lubbock, TX15.799-0.524
171349XTim Shaffer Aliquippa, PA15.810-0.535
181913Justin Peck Monrovia, IN15.810-0.535
194021HBrady Bacon Broken Arrow, OK15.835-0.560
204717Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH15.837-0.562
213583James McFadden Alice Springs, NT15.840-0.565
22527TAZTasker Phillips Plesantville, IA15.859-0.584
23161AChase Dietz York, PA15.872-0.597
2499Kasey Kahne Enumclaw, WA15.883-0.608
25501Justin Henderson Tea, SD15.915-0.640
26361MDon Droud JrLincoln, NE15.917-0.642
273124TChristopher Thram Sanborn, MN15.929-0.654
284326Zeb Wise Angola, IN15.936-0.661
293339MJustin Sanders Aromas, CA15.947-0.672
30315Donny Schatz Fargo, ND16.007-0.732
31850YRJ.J. Hickle Quilcene, WA16.015-0.740
32287TWBrandon Wimmer Fairmount, IN16.035-0.760
33302KSChase Randall Waco, TX16.053-0.778
344921TCole Macedo Lemoore, CA16.053-0.778
3541XJake Bubak Arvada, CO16.067-0.792
36616Brooke Tatnell San Souci, NSW16.101-0.826
373891Kyle Reinhardt Neptune City, NJ16.123-0.848
384452Blake Hahn Sapulpa, OK16.127-0.852
393913JTMark Dobmeier Grand Forks, ND16.131-0.856
40412MDavey Heskin St. Michael, MN16.141-0.866
414624HKade Higday Pleasant Hill, IA16.142-0.867
422427Carson McCarl Altoona, IA16.151-0.876
43177WDustin Selvage Indianola, IA16.207-0.932
442970Kraig Kinser Bloomington, IN16.223-0.948
451017XTerry McCarl Altoona, IA16.239-0.964
464295Matt Covington Glenpool, OK16.249-0.974
472137Ayden Gatewood Caruthersville, MO16.295-1.020
485144Chris Martin Ankeny, IA16.376-1.101
491115JRCole Mincer Burlington, IA16.523-1.248
50452KKKevin Ingle Huron, SD16.680-1.405
51329HLandon Hansen Newton, IA16.720-1.445
5224WJamie Ball Knoxville, IA16.819-1.544
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

Knoxville Nationals
Wednesday, August 09, 2023
Knoxville Raceway
1000 North Lincoln Street
Knoxville, Iowa 50138 

Event Description
It's The Granddaddy of 'Em All! The 62nd Knoxville Nationals brings the best of the best to Iowa for this four-day Crown Jewel with a million-dollar purse and Sprint Car immortality available.

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

Event Schedule
8 a.m. Knoxville Raceway Ticket Office opens
10 a.m. Vendors Open in Fan Zone
10 a.m., 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. Fan Forums at National Sprint Car Hall of Fame
11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Autograph Sessions at National Sprint Car Hall of Fame
Noon Food Vendors Open
2 p.m. Pit Gate Opens
5:00 p.m. Grandstands Open
7:15 p.m. Hot Laps

*All times Central

Ticket Options  
Options And Prices
$41-$198
Single Day tickets and 2-, 3-, and 4-day Packages available.

Grandstand Type
Bleachers/ Chairbacks

Reserved Seating
All seating

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.

Frequently Asked Questions  
Reserved Seating
All seating

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

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.

Track Info  

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 Info  

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