It’s an August Saturday in Knoxville, Iowa.
Over 100 cars arrived at Knoxville Raceway in a search to be the next champion of the 65th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s, with the first part including becoming one of the first 24 starters of the elite field.
Through preliminary racing on Wednesday and Thursday, the top-20 drivers solidified their chance at history by accumulating points through each event contested around the “Sprint Car Capital of the World.”
All that remains for the drivers who have not clinched a spot in the finale is a revised Hard Knox program and an alphabet of mains – a 10-lap E-Main, 12-lap D-Main, 15-lap C-Main, and a 22-lap Last Chance Showdown to fill positions 21-24 for the 50-lap, $200,000-to-win, $15,000-to-start finale.
Earning the most points through preliminary racing was three-time Knoxville Nationals champion Kyle Larson, who took the last transfer spot in his Heat race before besting Garet Williamson for the win on Thursday night. It’s his third time earning the Pole Position spot in the last four years.
Lined up next to Larson will be the NOS Energy Drink Grand Prix Guava No. 18 of Sheldon Haudenschild. The Wooster, OH driver racked up the most points on Wednesday night (481 pts) after pulling off a stunning win with a three-wide photo finish against James McFadden and Jace Park.
Of the top-20 transfers, Larson and David Gravel are the only former champions to lock a spot into the Saturday finale. It’s a breath of fresh air for the two-time World of Outlaws champion as he had to win Hard Knox night to transfer into the 2025 edition.
Making a Knoxville Nationals A-Main start a reality for the first time in 2026 includes Chase Dietz, Tanner Thorson, and Park. It is Thorson’s fourth career attempt, the third attempt for Dietz, and Park’s second chance at making the big show at the storied 1/2-mile.
There will also be a myriad of gassers that will look to turn a career-high podium finish from previous editions into a first Knoxville Nationals. They include Justin Henderson, Daryn Pittman, Rico Abreu, Logan Schuchart, Corey Day, and Brian Brown.
Saturday’s Hard Knox makeup will include positions 21-40 in the Last Chance Showdown and 41-50 in the first five rows of the C-Main. Places 51 and lower will take part in the revised Hard Knox program, with points lining up Heat races. The winner of the Feature will start 11th in the C-Main, and the lineup will be filled in from there.
Notable drivers seeking a place on the Championship Feature grid include reigning champion Ryan Timms, 11-time winner Donny Schatz, Gio Scelzi, Chris Windom, Tyler Courtney, and more who seek to quench the goal of making a start in the Knoxville Nationals.
While grandstand tickets are sold out for the 65th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s, you can still watch every lap of The Grandaddy of Them All on DIRTVision.
Knoxville Nationals starting lineup:
1. Kyle Larson (Elk Grove, CA) / Silva Motorsports No. 57
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 11
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 1st (2021, 2023, 2024)
2. Sheldon Haudenschild (Wooster, OH) / KCP Racing No. 18
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 7
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 7th (2019)
3. James McFadden (Alice Springs, NT) / Tarlton Motorsports No. 21T
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 6
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 7th (2021)
4. Kasey Kahne (Enumclaw, WA) / Kasey Kahne Racing No. 4
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 2
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 8th (2021)
5. Michael Kofoid (Penngrove, CA) / Roth Motorsports No. 83
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 3
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 8th (2023)
6. Justin Henderson (Tea, SD) / Sam McGhee Motorsports No. 11
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 6
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 3rd (2013)
7. Parker Price-Miller (Kokomo, IN) / Indy Race Parts No. 71
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 4
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 16th (2019, 2025)
8. Daryn Pittman (Owasso, OK) / Kreitz Racing No. 69K
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 20
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 3rd (2019)
9. Chase Dietz (York, PA) / Stehman Motorsports No. 23D
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 0
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: –
10. David Gravel (Watertown, CT) / Big Game Motorsports No. 2
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 13
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 1st (2019)
11. Rico Abreu (St. Helena, CA) / Tony Stewart Racing No. 14TSR
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 9
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 2nd (2025)
12. Logan Schuchart (Hanover, PA) / Shark Racing No. 1S
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 9
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 2nd (2019)
13. Garet Williamson (Columbia, MO) / Fischer Motorsports No. 23
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 1
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 8th (2025)
14. Cole Macedo (Lemoore, CA) / Two-C Racing No. 2C
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 1
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 18th (2025)
15. Corey Day (Clovis, CA) / Jason Meyers Racing No. 14
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 3
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 3rd (2024)
16. Brian Brown (Higginsville, MO) / Brian Brown Motorsports No. 21
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 14
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 2nd (2012, 2013, 2014)
17. Austin McCarl (Altoona, IA) / Country Builders Racing No. 88
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 4
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 9th (2025)
18. Brent Marks (Myerstown, PA) / Chase Briscoe Racing No. 19
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 5
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: 6th (2021)
19. Tanner Thorson (Broken Arrow, OK) / JST Motorsports No. 88T
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 0
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: –
20. Jace Park (Overland Park, KS) / Jace Park Racing No. 28
Knoxville Nationals Starts: 0
Knoxville Nationals Best Finish: –
21. Last Chance Showdown Transfer
22. Last Chance Showdown Transfer
23. Last Chance Showdown Transfer
24. Last Chance Showdown Transfer