With August on the horizon, we are entering Crown Jewell season in the sprint car world. We just got done with an epic weekend at Eldora and all of the momentum is building for the Knoxville Nationals. Knoxville Raceway released their “split-field” qualifying nights for the 2024 Nationals and I am here to break it all down.
First, lets remind everyone of the Knoxville Nationals format.
WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY QUALIFYING NIGHTS
Order of Events: Hot laps, Qualifications, 5 Heats, C Main, B Main, 25 lap A Main.
Qualifications – 200 points are awarded for quick timer, 198 for second quick, 196 for third, etc.
Only the top 50 qualifiers each night make the heats, the rest are put in the last chance heats if needed in which the first eight finishers will fill the back of that night’s C feature (starting in the sixth row). If there are ten or less cars not making the heats, they will line straight up by time starting in the sixth row. The quickest will be given 50 points, the next 47, etc.
Last Chance Heats (for drivers out of the top 50 in Qual.) – 50 points awarded to the winner, 47 for 2nd, etc.
Heats – 100 points are awarded for the heat race winner, points go down by three for each position: 97, 94, 91, 88, etc.
Heats are inverted by 8. This sets up the best racing of the
week. Only the top four finishers go to A Main, fifth through eighth go to the B Main, finishing positions 9-10 go to the C Main.C Main
Top four finishers go to back of the B. Fifth place is worth 92 pts., 6th is 90, etc.B Main
The top four finishers transfer to the tail of the A. The B awards 142 points for fifth, 140 for sixth and so on by twos.A Main
The A Main points are the same as time trials: 200, 198, 196 etc. This explains how a driver can not make the A, but if he timed well may have more points than someone who did make the A. The invert for the A Main is eight.First tie breaker is finish position in respective main event. Next tie breaker is rank in time trial. The third tie breaker is the second time trial lap. Other tie breaking criteria may be implemented if needed.
A perfect score (quick time, heat win, feature win) is 500.
The top 16 in combined points from Wednesday and Thursday are locked in to Saturday’s Championship A Main, Teams 17th-26th in points are awarded the first 10 positions in the Saturday B Main. The rest of the field comes back for more racing on Friday.
FRIDAY HARD KNOX PRELIMINARY NIGHT
The top 4 finishers from the Hard Knox A-Main will earn the 21-24 starting spots in Saturday’s A Main. Friday’s event will consist of split field qualifying, 6 heats (invert 4), C Main, two B Main’s and the Hard Knox 25 lap A Main.
*The Friday format may change if there are any weather related scheduling issues.
CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY
- E Main, 10 Laps
- D Main, 12 Laps
- C Main, 15 Laps
- B Main, 22 Laps
- A Main, 50 Laps
The top four finishers of the B, C, D, and E Mains will transfer to the tail of the next event (if there are scratches, there may be more taken for a particular event). The top four finishers from the B Main will earn starting spots 17-20 in the A Main.
via Knoxville Raceway
Now, take a look at which night each driver is competing in. This is subject to change, as some drivers have the ability to change nights. Also, drivers can still enter for the race even though the split fields have been released.
Wednesday
I’ve already seen the comments stating that Thursday night has the “heavy hitters,” but I don’t think thats completely true. When compiling a quick list of guys who have the potential to lock in, I wrote down roughly 30 drivers from Wednesday night. For Thursday, I wrote down roughly 28 drivers who have a legitimate shot to qualify for the A-Main. I think people see the name “Kyle Larson” and immediately think that whatever night he is racing is going to be the toughest.
The Locks
David Gravel – What else is there to say? He leads the nation in wins, he leads the World of Outlaws championship, he left Eldora with $300,000 and won the Summer Nationals finale at Williams Grove. He’s the hottest sprint car driver in the country and he’s very good at Knoxville.
Donny Schatz – Only a fool would count Schatz out at a Crown Jewell. He’s been one of the most consistent drivers in the country and nearly took the King’s Royal out of Gravel’s hands.
Justin Peck – Peck has been quiet in 2024. He hasn’t won a High Limit race or a WoO race. However, he was one of the best cars at Eldora and he knows what it takes to qualify for the Knoxville Nationals.
Scott Bogucki – Bogucki has been extremely fast this season. The numbers might not show it due to some mechanical issues or crashes, but Bogucki is easily one of the fastest Knoxville regulars. He’s won a few races this season and I expect him to qualify for his second Nationals in a row.
Parker Price-Miller – PPM is another guy who hasn’t racked up wins in 2024, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t fast. He’s qualified for 4 Knoxville Nationals in his career, more than many drivers with a lot more years under their belts can say. PPM can flat out get it done at Knoxville.
Brent Marks – Marks has not been as good as many expected in 2024. Still, he’s won 4 races and finds himself in third in the High Limit standings. He looked decent at Eldora, racking up one of the best average finishes of the weekend. He always shows up at the Crown Jewels, and this year is no different.
Anthony Macri – There is one thing that can really set you up nicely during your Knoxville Nationals prelim night: Time Trials. Macri excels during those two laps and he’s really good on the “big” tracks. He was able to get the CMR 7BC locked in last year while substituting for Tyler Courtney and I expect a similar result this year in the 39M.
Garet Williamson – Surprise, it’s not Sheldon Haudenschild or Buddy Kofoid. Williamson has been really good recently. He’s coming off a win at Huset’s, a podium at Jackson and a top five finish at Knoxville against a 46 car field. Williamson’s team has been improving as the season progresses and I think they have all the tools in place to be a “surprise” lock-in on Wednesday.
To The B-Main
Corey Day – It honestly wouldn’t surprise me to see Corey Day be the high point man after Wednesday night. The kid is just that good and he’s already managed to qualify for the Nationals in his young career. He also won a WoO race at Knoxville earlier in the season. However, his struggles at Eldora concern me a little bit heading into Knoxville.
Jacob Allen – Depending on track conditions, we could see a moment from Allen like we had at Eldora when he rolled the bottom all the way into the top five. If Knoxville is quick around the bottom like it has been most of the year, Allen could easily prove me wrong at lock in.
Chase Randall – It was a coin flip between Garet Williamson and Randall locking in for me. Randall has won twice at Knoxville this season and could possibly have one or two more if it wasn’t for some misfortunes. The 2KS has been fast and Randall is more than capable of competing with the best.
Buddy Kofoid – Before the season began, I predicted that Kofoid would WIN the Knoxville Nationals. I had a good feeling that he and the Roth Motorsports team would be clicking on all cylinders at this point in the year. While Kofoid has been solid, he hasn’t collected the wins I expected. Still, like Corey Day, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Kofoid near the top of the points.
Sheldon Haudenschild – With Haudenschild, you just never know what you are going to get. He’s near the top of the wins list this season, but he’s down in 7th in the WoO points. If Haudenschild starts his night off with a top 10 qualifying run, I think he locks in no problem. If the speed is not there at the beginning of the night, I think we see the 17 team struggle.
Don’t Count These Guys Out
Kerry Madsen – Madsen has been very good at Knoxville this year but he is still searching for his first win of the season. The veteran has made 16 Knoxville Nationals A-Mains throughout his career and he continues to prove that he can still get it done.
Lynton Jeffrey – The Knoxville regular has been close to qualifying for the A-Main in the past, but he’s still searching for his first ever appearance. He’s been quiet this season, but I’ve seen plenty of speed out of Jeffrey to tell me that he has a shot in 2024.
Carson McCarl – When you think “McCarl,” you immediately think Terry and Austin. However, Carson McCarl has been one of the best Knoxville regulars in 2024. He got that elusive first career 410 win and has been near the front almost every week. I think this is Carson’s best shot at making the nationals that he’s ever had in his career.
Danny Dietrich – Dietrich is officially coming off the porch and heading the Knoxville. The 48 struggles outside of PA, but Dietrich has qualified for two Knoxville Nationals A-Mains in his career. He has also been very good at Port Royal this season. I think the 48 is primed for a good run, but will it be good enough to make the A?
Cole Macedo – The only thing holding Cole Macedo back is lack of experience at Knoxville. He took the TwoC Racing machine from the back to a top 10 finish earlier in the year at Knoxville. Macedo will have plenty of assistance from his brother and the JJR 41 team, but I see him falling just short of the A-Main.
Kalib Henry – Henry took the Running Boxer Farm 101 car and won at heat race at the Knoxville Nationals last season. It was his first time at Knoxville and it was an impressive drive that likely contributed to him landing the no. 101 car full-time this year. He and the team were very good at Eldora and I have no reason to think they won’t be good at Knoxville.
The Ones Who Can Prove Me Wrong
Zeb Wise – No, I didn’t forget that Wise was scheduled to race on Wednesday. I just don’t have a lot of confidence in their program at the moment. We can’t forget that this is Wise’s first full season out on the road and while he has definitely struggled, it hasn’t been as bad as it seems. Wise could unload and be one of the best cars in the pits, but I just don’t think 2024 is their year to make the A-Main.
Jamie Ball – Another Knoxville regular who has shown plenty of speed this year. Ball is fantastic in the 360, but has been getting much better in the 410 as well. He’ll be fast, but can he put together a complete night?
Tanner Holmes – Holmes has made it a point to get out and race with the national series’ a lot more in 2024. He hasn’t done much to gain everyone’s attention, but he hasn’t been bad either. He’s raced a few times at Knoxville this year with mixed results, but I see him falling behind early in the night due to time trials.
Sam Hafertepe Jr – Ah, yes, the cherry-picking 360 standout who bailed on 410 racing to go back to 360 racing in 2024. All jokes aside, Hafertepe is really good on the big tracks. He’s qualified for 3 Knoxville Nationals A-Mains during his career. I think he is one driver who can really benefit from the 360 Nationals and turn that into a solid result with the 410.
Brandon Wimmer – Last year, in my Knoxville Nationals rankings, I put Wimmer pretty low on the list. He made me look like a fool when he nearly made the A-Main. Wimmer has been underwhelming this season, but he’s just not someone you can totally count out at Knoxville.
It Could Happen, But I Doubt It
Cale Thomas – If Thomas was in the Kiser no 23, I would have a lot more faith in him. He’s been the dominant car in Ohio all season long and has had some good runs at Eldora in the 23. I don’t know enough about the 17GP car, but from what I have seen this year, I don’t have the confidence that they will have the speed to compete.
Matt Juhl – Juhl was someone who I expected to be one of the best Knoxville regulars in 2024. It just has not happened and the no. 09 car appears to be down on speed. He did just put together one of his best weekends of the season, just in time for Nationals.
Skylar Gee – I don’t think anyone had Gee qualifying for the King’s Royal on their bingo card, but that happened. It wasn’t due to the format either. Gee has been very good this year and has quietly put together a great season. I won’t count him out, but the lack of Knoxville track time in 2024 is not helping my confidence.
Don Droud Jr – Earlier this year, I watched Don Droud Jr rip around the bottom of Knoxville with perfection. He nearly won the race, but ended up on the podium. The veteran has all the experience in the world, but again, I think time-trials are really going to punish some of these guys.
Tim Shaffer – You can’t do a Knoxville preview without mentioning a past winner who is still winning races in 2024. Shaffer has definitely scaled back 410 sprint car racing this year, but he and the 49X team are still legitimate contenders. I haven’t seen the speed out of them this year, but they could easily show up and be fast.
Thursday
The Locks
Logan Schuchart – The Shark Racing 1S is clicking at the right time. He was extremely fast at Eldora and went from having 0 wins on the season to 4 wins in the blink of an eye. Schuchart is very good at Knoxville and I expect him to be one of the names we are talking about on Saturday with a shot to win the whole thing.
Rico Abreu – Rico is still searching for his first Knoxville Nationals title. He and his team have the momentum and the ability to make 2024 the year it finally happens. He was runner-up to Tasker Phillips over the weekend, and appeared to be the fastest car in the field.
Kyle Larson – The defending Knoxville Nationals champion is having one of the most mediocre sprint car seasons of his career. None of that means anything when it comes to Larson and Paul Silva. They will be ready and they will be fast.
Brad Sweet – After a DNQ at the King’s Royal, many are questioning if Sweet and KKR team are on the right page heading into Knoxville. Like Larson, Sweet’s struggles at Eldora don’t really concern me. His experience, knowledge and skill will get him to where he needs to be on his prelim night.
Tyler Courtney – After missing the 2023 Nationals due to injury, Courtney returns to make his attempt at qualifying for his 3rd career A-Main. He and CMR 7BC have been enjoying a great season and I expect that to continue during Nationals.
Gio Scelzi – Scelzi is very good at Knoxville and he was very good at Eldora despite missing the King’s Royal. The two don’t always translate, but Scelzi has already made 5 Knoxville Nationals A-Mains in his young career.
Austin McCarl – McCarl has been one of the cars to beat during weekly Knoxville competition. He is always battling for a win or a top five. What started out as a down season for McCarl has quickly turned into a solid effort with multiple wins.
Aaron Reutzel – Another Knoxville regular who has 5 career Knoxville Nationals A-Mains under his belt. Reutzel is always fast at Knoxville and will benefit from the track time he has this season.
To The B Main
Carson Macedo – After a disappointing run at Eldora, Macedo comes into Knoxville looking for some momentum. He has always been very good at Knoxville, but something seems a bit off with the JJR 41 at the moment. They can definitely turn things around, but I think this little hiccup might impact their chances on Thursday night.
James McFadden – McFadden looked to be one of the fastest cars in the country in recent High Limit action. He was the best car at Lernerville before crashing out and he won at BAPS with the Outlaws the following night. It wouldn’t surprise me to see McFadden lock himself in, but I think he falls just short on Thursday.
Spencer Bayston – Bayston has been fast, but not fast enough to find victory lane. He was super consistent at Eldora and that consistency might help him gain enough points to set himself up for success at Knoxville. Bayston can put together a complete night, but will it be good enough?
Brian Brown – The Knoxville regular who is usually the car to beat has been good at the track this year, but not as good as usual. He has traveled a bit more causing him to miss some local shows, but Brown hasn’t been winning at Knoxville like he has in the past.
Daryn Pittman – Pittman is a guy who could come out and be the high point man and it wouldn’t surprise anyone. The 69K has been great at Port Royal with Logan Wagner and great at Williams Grove with Pittman. He’s one of the best at Knoxville and will absolutely be in contention to make the A-Main.
Don’t Count These Guys Out
Emerson Axsom – Coming off a great performace at the King’s Royal and a 360 win at Knoxville, Axsom comes into Nationals with a lot of eyes on him and a lot of momentum. It’s not that he can’t make the A, its that the lack of winged 410 experience on the biggest stage could hold him back.
Dusty Zomer – Zomer has been quick this year at Knoxville. He can roll the bottom with the best of them and he should probably have more than one win this year. Zomer is a sneaky pick that would not surprise me if he qualified for his second career Nationals.
Kaleb Johnson – Johnson is a name I have really been paying attention to lately. I think he has the skills to be one of the best drivers in the country. This year, he’s teaming up with the LA Competition no. 58, a car that is always fast. Johnson put the 58 in the top 5 during their Knoxville tune up. He is officially my sleeper pick to make the A-Main through Hard Knox or the B-Main.
Cory Eliason – Eliason has been underwhelming all season long with the RSR 8. However, he’s usually pretty solid at Knoxville and knows exactly what it takes to make the A-Main.
The Ones Who Can Prove Me Wrong
Tim Kaeding – Kaeding is quietly having a solid season. He doesn’t race as much as he used to, but he knows his way around Knoxville. With a little luck, Kaeding could qualify for his 10th career A-Main.
Hunter Schuerenberg – Schuerenberg locked into the Nationals on his prelim night last season for the first time in his career in the Swindell 39. This year, in the Heidbreder no. 19, he has picked up a few wins, but it remains to be seen how this new pairing will do against the best competition on the biggest stage.
Sye Lynch – Lynch always shows up at the big events and performs well. The one thing he has is speed during time trials. If he can set himself up early on, he might be someone who can sneak into the A-Main or put up a strong showing in the B.
Tasker Phillips – Coming off of a big win, Phillips has shown a lot of speed at Knoxville this year. The numbers don’t show it, but Phillips has been very good when the track is hooked up around the top. He did it two years ago, so why not again in 2024?
It Could Happen, But I Doubt It
Jake Bubak – Bubak is a guy who I really enjoy watching. I think he has the talent to compete with the best, but we rarely get to see it happen. He’s fast at Knoxville, but putting together a complete night against the best in the world is going to be really tough.
Brady Bacon – Bacon has already beaten the Outlaws in winged action this year. Since that win, Bacon has been fairly average. He’s certainly someone who can make it happen, but I don’t see him making it past the B-Main this year.
Daison Pursley – What a story Pursley has been in 2024 (and his whole career). In limited winged starts, he’s already won at Huset’s and turning heads with the Outlaws/High Limit. The car is definitely capable, but the lack of winged 410 experience could hinder him.
Full Predicitions
A-Main Lineup (no order)
- David Gravel
- Logan Schuchart
- Kyle Larson
- Donny Schatz
- Justin Peck
- Rico Abreu
- Parker Price-Miller
- Brad Sweet
- Tyler Courtney
- Scott Bogucki
- Anthony Macri
- Gio Scelzi
- Brent Marks
- Austin McCarl
- Garet Williamson
- Aaron Reutzel
- Carson Macedo
- Buddy Kofoid
- Daryn Pittman
- Dusty Zomer
- Spencer Bayston
- James McFadden
- Corey Day
- Kaleb Johnson
B-Main (no order)
- 25. Kerry Madsen
- 26. Jacob Allen
- 27. Sheldon Haudenschild
- 28. Chase Randall
- 29. Brian Brown
- 30. Carson McCarl
- 31. Tim Kaeding
- 32 Kalib Henry
- 33. Danny Dietrich
- 34. Cory Eliason
- 35. Hunter Schuerenberg
- 36. Emerson Axsom
- 37. Brady Bacon
- 38. Sye Lynch
- 39. Brandon Wimmer
- 40. Lynton Jeffrey
- 41. Cole Macedo
- 42. Sam Hafertepe Jr
- 43. Zeb Wise
- 44. Tasker Phillips
C-Main (no order)
- 45. Jamie Ball
- 46. Tanner Thorson
- 47. Jake Bubak
- 48. Cale Thomas
- 49. Tim Shaffer
- 50. Tanner Holmes
- 51. Skylar Gee
- 52. Matt Juhl
- 53. Daison Pursley
- 54. Brock Zearfoss
- 55. Kasey Kahne
- 56. Ayrton Gennetten
- 57. Bill Balog
- 58. JJ Hickle
- 59. Brenham Crouch
- 60. Kelby Watt
- 61. Blake Hahn
- 62. Danny Sams III
- 63. Kyle Reinhardt
- 64. Jace Park
D-Main (no order)
- 65. Sawyer Phillips
- 66. Chris Windom
- 67. Ryan Giles
- 68. Landon Crawley
- 69. Mark Dobmeier
- 70. Cap Henry
- 71. Christopher Thram
- 72. Zach Hampton
- 73. Terry McCarl
- 74. Don Droud Jr
- 75. Kraig Kinser
- 76. Scotty Thiel
- 77. Dustin Selvage
- 78. Jack Dover
- 79. Brooke Tatnell
- 80. Xavier Doney
- 81. McKenna Haase
- 82. Riley Goodno
- 83. John Carney
- 84. Sammy Swindell
E-Main (no order)
- 85. Joel Myers Jr
- 86. AJ Moeller
- 87. Jordan Goldesberry
- 88. Tyler Drueke
- 89. Jason Martin
- 90. Jake Neuman
- 91. Chris Martin
- 92. Jessie Attard
- 93. Lance Moss
- 95. Josh Schneiderman
- 96. Scotty Johnson
- 97. Gage Pulkrabek
- 98. Brian Paulus
- 99. Cole Mincer
- 100. Jack Potter
- 102. Jimmy Light
- 103. Weston Olson
- 104. Jacob Hughes
- 105. Joe Perry
- 106. Ryan Roberts
- 107. Kevin Ingle
- 108. Landon Hansen
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