2025 Knoxville 360 Nationals Full-Field Breakdown

It’s about to be August in Knoxville, Iowa and that means it is time for some of the biggest sprint car events of the season. While working on my second annual 360 Nationals Preview/Rankings, I couldn’t help but notice that I was basically ranking a bunch of 410 drivers. Last season, quite a few 410 regulars entered the 360 Nationals, and one ultimately ended up winning the whole thing. This year, it seems like twice as many 410 regulars entered, making this year’s event arguably the biggest yet. 

Adding a bunch of guys to the field who do not usually race 360’s makes predicting the field much more difficult. For some, it’s as easy as plugging them into the A-Main and moving on. For others, stacking them up against some really good 360 racers is pretty challenging. Some guys might be in really good equipment, but lack the laps in a 360 around Knoxville. Others might have a lot of experience in a 360, but are in a new car for just this weekend.

First, let’s recap the last two 360 Nationals. Here are the full results from the 2023 and 2024 events.

2023 Results

A Feature (30 Laps): 1. 21-Brian Brown[2]; 2. 8-Aaron Reutzel[1]; 3. 24R-Rico Abreu[24]; 4. 9P-Parker Price Miller[3]; 5. 5T-Ryan Timms[6]; 6. 26-Zeb Wise[8]; 7. 9-Chase Randall[17]; 8. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[15]; 9. 24-Terry McCarl[9]; 10. 55-Kerry Madsen[12]; 11. 1K-Kelby Watt[5]; 12. 5-Daryn Pittman[19]; 13. 7BC-Anthony Macri[21]; 14. 2M-Davey Heskin[18]; 15. 4W-Jamie Ball[13]; 16. 9G-Ryan Giles[20]; 17. 16A-Colby Copeland[16]; 18. 22K-Kaleb Johnson[7]; 19. 24W-Garet Williamson[4]; 20. 18T-Tanner Holmes[10]; 21. 39M-Justin Sanders[23]; 22. 36-Jason Martin[11]; 23. 88-Austin McCarl[22]; 24. 2C-Wayne Johnson[14]

B Feature (18 Laps): 1. 7BC-Anthony Macri[2]; 2. 88-Austin McCarl[4]; 3. 39M-Justin Sanders[1]; 4. 24R-Rico Abreu[7]; 5. 9T-Kasey Kahne[12]; 6. 21H-Brady Bacon[3]; 7. 3P-Sawyer Phillips[6]; 8. 20-Justin Peck[10]; 9. 2-Lynton Jeffrey[8]; 10. 17W-Shane Golobic[16]; 11. 22-Ryan Leavitt[5]; 12. 1-Brenham Crouch[11]; 13. 50YR-JJ Hickle[24]; 14. 52-Blake Hahn[22]; 15. 35-Skylar Prochaska[17]; 16. 83H-Justin Henderson[20]; 17. 14T-Brooke Tatnell[18]; 18. 44-Chris Martin[21]; 19. 8M-Kade Morton[13]; 20. 11N-Harli White[23]; 21. 4-Cameron Martin[15]; 22. 27-Carson McCarl[19]; 23. 24H-Kade Higday[9]; 24. 7TAZ-Tasker Phillips[14]

C Feature (12 Laps): 1. 83H-Justin Henderson[1]; 2. 44-Chris Martin[2]; 3. 52-Blake Hahn[15]; 4. 11N-Harli White[5]; 5. 50YR-JJ Hickle[10]; 6. 99-Tony Rost[8]; 7. 1E-Ian Madsen[14]; 8. 18-Ryan Roberts[22]; 9. 5M-Collin Moyle[6]; 10. 27B-Jake Bubak[24]; 11. 86-Timothy Smith[11]; 12. 24T-Christopher Thram[13]; 13. 41-Colton Hardy[12]; 14. 6-Dustin Selvage[19]; 15. 8H-Jacob Hughes[21]; 16. 7M-Chance Morton[23]; 17. 70-Calvin Landis[20]; 18. 15-Ryan Turner[16]; 19. 83JR-Sam Henderson[17]; 20. 6A-Alex Vande Voort[7]; 21. 17-Tyler Groenendyk[4]; 22. 42-Sye Lynch[9]; 23. 53-Joe Beaver[18]; 24. (DNS) 83T-Tanner Carrick

D Feature (10 Laps): 1. 70-Calvin Landis[1]; 2. 8H-Jacob Hughes[2]; 3. 18-Ryan Roberts[7]; 4. 7M-Chance Morton[3]; 5. 27B-Jake Bubak[6]; 6. 75X-JT Imperial[4]; 7. 98P-Miles Paulus[5]; 8. 4J-Kevin Thomas Jr[9]; 9. 01-Sammy Swindell[10]; 10. 87J-Jace Park[8]; 11. 35H-Zach Hampton[13]; 12. 2JR-Kelly Miller[12]; 13. 11X-Ayrton Gennetten[11]; 14. 11M-Brendan Mullen[19]; 15. 35L-Cody Ledger[14]; 16. 77X-Alex Hill[15]; 17. 9M-Liam Martin[16]; 18. 45X-Kyler Johnson[18]; 19. 4H-Cody Hansen[24]; 20. 87X-Shone Evans[22]; 21. 22W-Aaron Werner[21]; 22. G5-Gage Pulkrabek[20]; 23. 33-Alan Zoutte[23]; 24. 75AU-Tyler Blank[17]

E Feature (8 Laps): 1. 75AU-Tyler Blank[2]; 2. 45X-Kyler Johnson[4]; 3. 11M-Brendan Mullen[6]; 4. G5-Gage Pulkrabek[8]; 5. 22W-Aaron Werner[11]; 6. 87X-Shone Evans[5]; 7. 33-Alan Zoutte[1]; 8. 4H-Cody Hansen[16]; 9. 105-Cody Ihlen[9]; 10. T4-Tyler Graves[14]; 11. 4C-Tuesday Calderwood[7]; 12. 17N-Ben Woods[15]; 13. 14-Aidan Zoutte[13]; 14. 5D-Grae Anderson[17]; 15. 83-Austin Miller[3]; 16. B29-JJ Beaver[10]; 17. (DNS) 938-Bradley Fezard

2024 Results

A main (started), 30 Laps, NT: 1. 7BC, Tyler Courtney, Indianapolis, IN (2); 2. 27A, Emerson Axsom, Franklin, IN (1); 3. 88, Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA (4); 4. 21, Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO (9); 5. 8, Cory Eliason, Visalia, CA (3); 6. 1TAZ, Tasker Phillips, Pleasantville, IA (6); 7. 4w, Jamie Ball, Knoxville, IA (5); 8. 21T, Cole Macedo, Lemoore, CA (12); 9. 6, Kaleb Johnson, Sioux Falls, SD (8); 10. 01, Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA (10); 11. 95, Matt Covington, Glenpool, OK (16); 12. 55, Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust. (19); 13. 27H, Justin Peck, Monrovia, IN (15); 14. 87, Aaron Reutzel, Clute, TX (17); 15. Carson McCarl (24); 16. Kasey Kahne (22); 17. Ryan Giles (23); 18. 35, Skylar Prochaska, Lakefield, MN (20); 19. 24, Kade Higday, Knoxville, IA (11); 20. 26, Zeb Wise, Angola, IN (16); 21. 15H, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, TX (13); 22. 17, Tyler Groenendyk, Oskaloosa, IA (7); 23. Chase Randall (21) DNS – 24. 27B, Jake Bubak, Arvada, CO (14). Lap Leaders: Courtney 1, Axsom 2-11, Courtney 12-30. MPi Hard-charger: C. McCarl.

B main (started), 18 Laps, 5:36.5: 1. 2KS, Chase Randall, Waco, TX (2); 2. 9, Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA (1); 3. 2m, Ryan Giles, Grimes, IA (4); 4. 27, Carson McCarl, Altoona, IA (11) / 5. 23, Seth Bergman, Snohomish, WA (6); 6. 22x, Riley Goodno, Knoxville, IA (3); 7. 23w, Garet Williamson, Columbia, MO (14); 8. 3P, Sawyer Phillips, Pleasantville, IA (7); 9. 2c, Hank Davis, Sand Springs, OK (8); 10. 77x, Alex Hill, Six Nations, ONT, Can. (5); 11. 40, Clint Garner, Sioux Falls, SD (17); 12. 49x, Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, PA (16); 13. 64, Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO (9); 14. 09, Matt Juhl, Tea, SD (10); 15. Tanner Holmes (19); 16. Chase Johnson (21); 17. Jacob Hughes (23); 18. Chris Martin (24); 19. 4, Cam Martin, Ankeny, IA (13); 20. Tanner Thorson (20); 21. 70, Calvin Landis, Knoxville, IA (18); 22. 4G, Cole Garner, Sioux Falls, SD (12); 23. 55B, Brandon Anderson, Glenpool, OK (15); 24. Colton Hardy (22) DNS – 69K, Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 9P, Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, IN

C main (started), 12 Laps, NT: 1. 18T, Tanner Holmes, Jacksonville, OR (1); 2. 88T, Tanner Thorson, Minden, NV (2); 3. 4J, Chase Johnson, Penngrove, CA (10); 4. 41, Colton Hardy, Phoenix, AZ (3); 5. 8H, Jacob Hughes, Hartford, SD (4); 6. Chris Martin (15) / 7. 36, Jason Martin, Liberal, KS (5); 8. Brooke Tatnell (17); 9. 98P, Miles Paulus, Marshall, MO (6); 10. 22, Ryan Leavitt, Knoxville, IA (11); 11. Brady Baker (18); 12. 53, Joe Beaver, Knoxville, IA (12); 13. 87x, Shone Evans, Scotland, ONT, Can. (13); 14. Kelly Miller (19); 15. Justin Zimmerman (24); 16. Ben Brown (16); 17. Ryan Bickett (23); 18. Chase Brown (21); 19. Ryan Roberts (20); 20. 11m, Brendan Mullen, Grand Forks, ND (9); 21. 9M, Liam Martin, Binbrook, ONT, Can. (7); 22. Lance Moss (22); 23. 15, Ryan Turner, Dunnville, ONT, Can. (8); 24. 5A, Alex Vande Voort, Knoxville, IA (14); DNS – 4z, Dusty Zomer, Sioux Falls, SD; 52, Blake Hahn, Sapulpa, OK; 1, Brenham Crouch, Lubbock, TX; 86, Timothy Smith, Rocheport, MO; 7a, Jack Anderson, Newton, IA; 99, Tony Rost, Utica, NE

D main (started), 10 Laps, NT: 1. 44, Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA (3); 2. 7B, Ben Brown, Marshall, MO (1); 3. 14T, Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aust. (4); 4. 71, Brady Baker, Alexander, AR (5); 5. 2JR, Kelly Miller, Stirling, ALB, Can. (2); 6. 18, Ryan Roberts, Aurora, CO (10); 7. 55x, Chase Brown, Yutan, NE (12); 8. 23M, Lance Moss, Cherryville, NC (7); 9. Ryan Bickett (18); 10. 1Z, Justin Zimmerman, Athens, TX (6) / 11. Russell Potter (15); 12. Kyler Johnson (17); 13. 29, Emilio Hoover, Broken Arrow, OK (8); 14. Weston Olson (16); 15. 15D, Andrew Deal, Caney, KS (9); 16. Seth Brahmer (14); 17. Tyler Lee (13); 18. Gage Pulkrabek (23); 19. Logan Alexander (24); 20. Aaron Werner (21); 21. Micah Slendy (20); 22. Aidan Zoutte (19); 23. Bradley Fezard (22); 24. 33, Alan Zoutte, Knoxville, IA (11) DNS – 63, JJ Hickle, Quilcene, WA; 48, Danny Dietrich, Gettysburg, PA; 10, Scott Bogucki, McLaren Vale, SA, Aust.; J2, John Carney II, El Paso, TX; 48T, Tyler Thompson, Des Moines, IA; 10B, Landon Britt, Memphis, TN; 47, Brant O’Banion, Worthing, SD; 2J, Zach Blurton, Quinter, KS

E Main (started), 8 Laps, 2:17.9: 1. 7, Tyler Lee, Cedar Rapids, IA (1); 2. 13v, Seth Brahmer, Wisner, NE (6); 3. 3R, Russell Potter, Boonville, MO (2); 4. 27W, Weston Olson, Warren, MN (4); 5. 45x, Kyler Johnson, Quinter, KS (7); 6. 17B, Ryan Bickett, Ramona, SD (5); 7. 14, Aidan Zoutte, Knoxville, IA (8); 8. 8x, Micah Slendy, Sioux Falls, SD (10); 9. 22w, Aaron Werner, Colman, SD (12); 10. 938, Bradley Fezard, Bonnerdale, AR (11); 11. G5, Gage Pulkrabek, East Grand Forks, MN (15); 12. 38, Logan Alexander, Lacona, IA (9) / 13. T4, Tyler Graves, Chariton, IA (13); 14. 4c, Tuesday Calderwood, Goodyear, AZ (14); 15. 83, Kurt Mueller, Reynolds, IL (3) DNS – 20T, Corey Timmerman, Carmen, IL; 11N, Kasey Jedrzejek, Lagrange, OH; 47T, Dustin Selvage, Indianola, IA; 16G, Austyn Gossel, Windsor, CO; 91, Michael Day, Farmersville, TX; 41D, Dan Henning, Columbia, IA; 6G, Bryan Gossel, Windsor, CO; 88E, Terry Easum, Broken Arrow, OK; 17N, Nathan Anderson, Newton, IA; 1A, John Anderson, Des Moines, IA; G5H, Josh Higday, Des Moines, IA; 24N, Nathan Mills, Bondurant, IA

When doing predictions, looking at the split field is a major factor. While it’s not set in stone, usually 8 drivers from each night end up locking in to the A Main. If it is not a perfect 8 and 8, it will likely be 9 and 7. This is because each night presents its own opportunity to gain the most points. 

Let’s take a look at this year’s split field (as of 7/29/2025)

2025 Split Fields

Finally, it’s always good to remind yourself of the format in these big events. Let’s take a look at the format below.

360 Nationals Format

Thursday and Friday

Order of Events: Hot laps, Qualifications, Last Chance Heats (if needed), 5 Heats, C feature, B feature, A feature.

Qualifications – 200 points are awarded for quick timer, 198 for second quick, 196 for third, etc.

Only the top 50 qualifiers make the heats, the rest are put in the last chance heats in which the first eight finishers will fill the back of that night’s C feature (starting in the sixth row).

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 winner, points go down by three: 97, 94, 91, 88, etc.

Heats have an invert of six. Top four finishers go to A, next four to B, last two to C.

C feature – Top four finishers go to back of the B. Fifth place is worth 92 pts., 6th is 90, etc.

B feature – 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 feature – The A feature 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.

First tie breaker is finish position in respective main event. Next tie breaker is rank in time trial. Other tie breaking criteria may be implemented if needed.

A perfect score (quick time, heat win, feature win) is 500. Cars line up for Saturday’s championship straight up by points earned on their qualifying night.

Saturday:
Saturday Events: E feature, D feature, C feature, B feature, Knoxville Nationals Championship feature.

With the exception of the B feature which takes the top four finishers to the tail of the 360 Nationals Championship, all other features transfer the top two finishers to the tail of the next event (if there are scratches, there may be more taken for a particular event).

-Via Knoxville Raceway

With that being said, let’s dive into this year’s predictions, starting with the E-Main and continuing on to the A feature. 

*Predictions are in no particular order*

2025 360 Nationals Full-Field Predictions

The D & E Main

Zach Blurton – Blurton has had an okay year on the ASCS National Tour. He could definitely be better than a “D-Main” car this weekend, but he doesn’t have a ton of laps around Knoxville. 

Tuesday Calderwood – Calderwood has struggled at Knoxville during the last two seasons. Still, I think she has been improving as a driver and her experience could propel her to her best 360 Nationals yet. 

Tyler Lee – Lee was a D-Main exit at the 2024 360 Nationals. He doesn’t race enough to give me confidence that things will change this year. 

Bryan Gossel – The other Gossel likely won’t fare as well as Austyn. Bryan is a veteran racer but still doesn’t have a ton of laps at Knoxville. 

Terry Easum – Easum has just 1 top 10 finish against the ASCS National Tour this year. He was a DNS in the E-Main during his last 360 Nationals appearance. 

Brett Moffitt – Moffitt has a couple of 305 wins at Knoxville this year but is still getting used to the 360. He’ll definitely keep improving, but racing against the best at the 360 Nationals will be a tall task this year. 

Ryder Laplante – Laplante has 4 top 10 finishes in ASCS National competition this year, but has otherwise struggled. He’s a talented young driver who just needs more laps around Knoxville to become someone who can make some noise. 

John Anderson – John Anderson was a E-Main DNS last season at the 360 Nationals. In just 3 starts this year, he has 0 top 10 finishes. 

Tyler Graves – Graves hasn’t made it out of the E-Main during the last two 360 Nationals. He has just two starts at Knoxville this year and has not cracked the top 10. 

Shad Peterson – I don’t have much information about Shad Peterson. I can’t find any Knoxville starts and I don’t think that will be a good thing for him. From what I can tell, he’s a regional Wyoming racer who has limited sprint car starts over the last 5 years. 

Adam Speckman – Speckman is a regional ASCS Northern Region driver with a few wins under his belt. He hasn’t been at the last two 360 Nationals and that definitely won’t be beneficial for him. 

Chris Morgan – Morgan was a B-Main exit at the 360 Shootout a few weeks ago. He was able to advance some positions in that race and it wouldn’t surprise me if he ran a little better than the D-Main this weekend. 

Alan Zoutte – Zoutte has been a D-Main car during the last two 360 Nationals. I don’t think much will change this year. 

Logan Alexander – Alexander’s 4 starts at Knoxville have not gone very well in 2025. He’ll likely have a hard time qualifying well, which will put him behind early in the night. 

Brayden Mount – The Rapid City, South Dakota racer will be making his 360 Nationals debut this weekend. With his lack of experience around Knoxville, this will be a week of learning for Mount.

Kurt Mueller – Mueller has 9 360 starts at Knoxville this year and has not been able to crack the top 10. He will likely struggle against such a strong field. 

Cam Sorrels – Sorrels is another guy who struggled at the 360 shootout a few weeks ago. This will be his first 360 Nationals and one he will use to learn from. 

Sean McClelland – The Oklahoma racer could easily put up a better performance than the D Main. He had a great run a few weeks ago with ASCS at Creek County and could very well put together a decent weekend at Knoxville. 

Russell Potter – Potter was a D-Main exit in 2024. Potter doesn’t race very much these days and that will only hurt his chances. 

Heath Nestrick – Nestrick does not have recent laps at Knoxville and will be a rookie in the 360 Nationals this season. It will be tough for him to put up a good performance against such a strong field of cars. 

Seth Brahmer – Brahmer was a B-Main exit during the 360 shootout a few weeks ago. He timed toward the back of his group and that is something that can’t happen during the 360 Nationals. 

Aidan Zoutte – Much like Alan, Aidan has been a E and D Main car during the last two 360 Nationals. I just don’t see that changing this year. 

McCain Richards – Richards is a Knoxville 360 rookie in 2025. With only two starts this year, I can’t say that Richards will be a factor this year. 

Ricky Montgomery – Montgomery was in the back of a B-Main at the 360 shootout a few weeks ago. He’s been around the sport for a long time but the lack of consistent laps will be hard to overcome this weekend. 

DGRD TBA – Whoever ends up in this car will likely be better than a D or E Main. The equipment is there and it will all depend on who jumps behind the wheel.

The C Main

Derek Hagar – Hagar is always racking up the wins in 360 competition. He just doesn’t do it at places like Knoxville regularly and I think that will hinder his performance. Still, Hagar is a good enough racer that he could have a good run if all the pieces fall into place. 

Hank Davis – Davis has been impressive in his short time in winged sprint cars. He hasn’t been able to lock down a full-time gig this year and I think that is hurting his performance. The Beaver 11x could be a solid car for him but they suffered some mechanical woes during their last time out. 

Ben Brown – Ben Brown is a sneaky good racer who we don’t see very often. Like many others, he will need a lot of things to go his way if he wants to make the show this weekend. 

Brandon Spithaler – Spithaler is having an up and down year in 410 action. He’s either winning or wrecking. It’s his first year in the Barris no. 32 and they have had some speed and their fair share of issues. If they have the bugs worked out, Spithaler could be pretty fast. I just think his lack of experience at Knoxville will hold him back. 

Chris Martin – The other Martin brother could very well put up a similar performance as Cam. Martin is a solid racer, but lacks consistent speed. It wouldn’t surprise me if he had a better run than the “C-Main” but I think he stalls out in the B at most.

Tony Rost – Rost is a Knoxville regular who can put together a good night every now and then. Much like Chris Martin, he lacks the consistency to give me the confidence to rank him higher. 

Austyn Gossel – Gossel is having a pretty decent year with the ASCS National Tour. I think this has been a year of improvement for him, but the lack of laps around Knoxville will be something that prevents him from making a big splash. 

Brady Baker – Baker is still looking for that first ASCS National win in 2025. He’s had some solid runs, with one top 5 in 11 A-Main starts. He doesn’t have the laps at Knoxville but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was a “sleeper” this weekend. 

Timothy Smith – Smith has struggled in weekly 360 action at Knoxville this season. He has just two top 10 finishes in 12 starts. The advantage he will have over most of the field is that he has a ton of laps around Knoxville, which could help him gain some positions throughout the weekend.

Alex Vande Voort – Another Knoxville veteran that can use the experience to help them throughout the weekend. Vande Voort was a C-Main exit during the 2023 and 2024 360 Nationals. 

Kelly Miller – Miller is usually high up on the 360 win list every year. He’s a “frontier racer” who doesn’t always have the chance to race against the best competition. Again, it’s not that he doesn’t have the talent to get it done, it’s that he might not have the experience/equipment to get it done. 

Kyler Johnson – The ASCS National Tour regular has struggled in 2025. He also seems to struggle at Knoxville. He’s capable of running well, but I think 2025 will be another year of learning for Johnson. 

Preston Lattomus – Lattomus won a bunch of 358 sprint car races last season in Pennsylvania. His transition to 410 racing has been a rough one, but he’s a talented young driver who will only get better with more laps. He will log some important laps at Knoxville for himself this weekend. 

Ryan Bickett – Bickett is a regional racer who usually struggles when it comes to the 360 Nationals. He’s still looking for his first sprint car win of 2025. His 7 starts at Knoxville in 360 competition this year could benefit him this weekend. 

Landon Britt – Similar to Kyler Johnson, it hasn’t been the 2025 season Landon Britt was looking for on the ASCS National Tour. I think he’s talented enough to make a little bit of noise but will struggle to compete against the stacked field. 

Kaylee Bryson – Bryson is still learning the ropes of winged sprint cars. She has a few starts at Knoxville under her belt and they have gone pretty well. I think the recent laps she has logged will benefit her a lot this weekend. 

Brooke Tatnell – If he has anything on his side, it’s experience around Knoxville. Tatnell could easily put together a great run and it wouldn’t surprise anyone, I just don’t think it can happen this year. 

Chase Brown – Chase Brown is the current Malvern Bank 360 points leader. He made it into the C-Main during the 360 Nationals last year and I think he can do it again.

Alex Hill – Alex Hill has had flashes in the early stages of her career. She’s logged a lot of laps at Knoxville over the years and has a good group of experienced people behind her to help her put together a solid weekend. Don’t forget she even passed Donny Schatz in a heat race one time. 

The B Main

Blake Hahn – It wouldn’t shock me to see Hahn put it in the show. I just haven’t seen the speed out of the BHR 52 this year that I have in the past. 

Daison Pursley – Pursley is someone who I originally had in the A-Main. While he has struggled in the 410, he has been really good in time trials. The Buch 13 is going to be fast at Knoxville and Pursley could easily set himself up for a big weekend with one lap. 

Kasey Jedrzejek – Can you really keep a King’s Royal pole sitter out of the 360 Nationals? Maybe not, but Knoxville is a whole different animal. Jedrzejek is a really good 360 racer but he lacks the experience at Knoxville. 

Matt Covington – Covington proved me wrong last season and had a great run at the 360 Nationals. It’s not that I don’t think he can lock in, it’s that the field is so top heavy and I think it will be a more difficult task this year. 

Sawyer Phillips – It’s been a difficult year for Sawyer Phillips. It seems like he has been caught up in a lot of wrecks out of his control. I think he has what it takes to make the A-Main but will ultimately fall short this year. 

Cam Martin – Cam Martin picked up his first career Knoxville win earlier this season. He’s been improving as a driver each year and could be someone who turns some heads this weekend. 

Brenham Crouch – Much like Pursley, it wouldn’t surprise me if Brenham Crouch put it in the show this weekend. The CJB 5 will have the speed and Crouch has only been getting more laps under his belt. I think Crouch will be on the cusp of making the A-Main. 

Kasey Kahne – It’s been a year filled with ups and downs for Kasey Kahne. He’s had a lot of speed and he did have a good performance at the 360 Nationals one year ago. He’ll be another one battling for an A-Main spot. 

Riley Goodno – Say what you want about him but Riley Goodno has been pretty fast at Knoxville recently. He’s not someone who has been able to put together a lot of consistency, but he did pick up his first win a few weeks ago. 

Chase Dietz – I put Dietz in the same category as Pursley and Crouch. One lap could change everything for him but he just doesn’t have the laps around Knoxville. He filled in for Jacob Allen at the 410 nationals a few seasons ago, but that move was on such short notice that it’s hard to put any weight into it. 

Terry McCarl – Putting Austin and Carson in the A-Main and leaving Terry out feels like a crime. It would be no shock to anyone if T-MAC does it again and puts it in the show. With the amount of heavy hitters in the field, I think T-MAC will fall just short. 

Tim Kaeding – TK is teaming up with Brandon Ikenberry for both the 360 and 410 Nationals. While it’s not the same Ikenberry 25 that has been good at Knoxville in the past, it seems as though it’s plenty fast enough. Jy Corbet had a lot of solid runs in that car and now a veteran in Kaeding is taking over the seat. I could see this being a really fast combo if things go well right out of the box. 

Jason Martin – Martin is another veteran 360 racer who definitely has the skill to put it in the A-Main. I think Martin is one of many drivers in the field who needs the track to favor his driving style to have a chance. If he can roll the middle/bottom, he’ll have a decent chance to run well. 

Dustin Selvage – The king of the heat races could very well be an A-Main car this weekend. Selvage’s weekend will all come down to qualifying where he has struggled throughout the season. 

Matt Juhl – Juhl just hasn’t been the same driver the past few seasons. I don’t have an explanation for that and he did run really well at the 410 Nationals last year. He’s an experienced driver at Knoxville, I’m just not sure he has the speed to be a contender this year. 

Ryan Leavitt – Another Knoxville 360 regular who can use his experience to have a solid weekend. The stacked field will be his biggest enemy, but Leavitt could benefit from a good draw and heat race. 

Kade Higday – Higday is another Knoxville regular who could make a splash this weekend. He made the show last year, but has lacked something in 2025. He has struggled in qualifying and that could ultimately be his downfall. 

Jack Anderson – I think Jack Anderson is one of my top “sleeper” picks this year. If you watch Knoxville regularly, he can hardly be considered one. He’s been super impressive in 410 competition this year. The numbers don’t tell the full story and I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes some noise on Saturday. 

Colby Copeland – If there’s anyone who can just show up at Knoxville and put it in the show, it’s Colby Copeland. He has plenty of laps around the place, but he just doesn’t drive a sprint car as much as he used to. He’ll be one to watch this weekend. 

Skylar Prochaska – Prochaska put it in the show last year and that was a surprise to many. While I certainly didn’t have that happening, Prochaska is a sneaky good racer who could very well repeat his performance. I think the stacked field will prevent that from happening.

The A Main

Kyle Larson – Larson is the most obvious pick to lock in to the main event. He has back to back 410 Nationals titles under his belt and will continue to be a contender with any type of engine under the hood. 

Rico Abreu – Rico is having his best career season behind the wheel of a sprint car in 2025. He has been one of the best drivers in the country all season long and has been one of the best cars at Knoxville every time he hits the track.

Ryan Timms – Timms has been fantastic ever since he got behind the wheel of the Liebig Motorsports no. 10. He should have no problem qualifying for the A Main, but is he able to put together a complete weekend to be there at the end? He was a 5th place finisher in the 2023 360 Nationals. 

Sam Hafertepe Jr – Hafertepe has been the best full-time 360 driver in the country in 2025. He has won 5 consecutive ASCS National races and has been very impressive in limited 410 starts. I think Hafertepe and the Hill’s Racing team have their stuff ripping at exactly the right time. 

Austin McCarl – Austin McCarl might not rack up wins every single year but one thing remains the same: he is super consistent at Knoxville. It doesn’t matter if it is a 360 or a 410, McCarl knows how to get around Knoxville and will absolutely be a contender this year. 

Tasker Phillips – Tasker has been the best 360 regular at Knoxville all season long. He can rip the lip with the best of them and will certainly be one of the regulars to watch all weekend. 

Justin Peck – It feels like forever ago that Justin Peck and the Rudeen team came out of the gates at Volusia with the 360 and dominated. While I don’t expect the same domination, Peck’s experience at Knoxville and the speed in Rudeen 26 will be a potent combo at the 360 Nationals. 

Jamie Ball – Ball hasn’t had the best luck in 2025 but he has still been pretty fast. I expect his experience to carry him through the week and give him a solid chance to make the A Main. 

Gio Scelzi – New car, doesn’t matter. Gio Scelzi and the Clauson Marshall team will be ready and will be fast come Knoxville Nationals time. They will use the 360 Nationals as an opportunity to gel as a team and they will still be fast in the process. 

Brian Brown – I actually really like Brian Brown’s chances at the 360 Nationals and the 410 Nationals this year. I don’t have the numbers to back it up, but the eye test tells me that Brown is in the best position he has been in at Knoxville in years. The 21 is really fast and I expect him to be there when it counts. 

Justin Sanders – When you think of Justin Sanders, you certainly don’t think of Knoxville. However, he qualified for the 410 nationals in the Swindell 39 in his first attempt and then followed it up by making the 360 nationals in the Macri 39M. The RSR 87 team will get Sanders comfortable and, while I don’t think it will be a walk in the park, I think they find enough speed to make the big show. 

Kerry Madsen – Just like Brian Brown, I think Kerry Madsen is in prime position to make a run this year. He’s been crashing a lot less and just picked up his first 410 win of 2025. The Vermeer 55 is always fast at Knoxville and so is the Madman. 

Carson McCarl – The other McCarl brother is pretty darn good at Knoxville in a 360 too. He’s coming off a big $15,000 victory and the no. 27 machine has been looking fast in 2025. I think Carson could really make some noise if he finds some luck in the draw and in his heat race. 

Brad Sweet – Coming off injury, I am not sure how Brad Sweet and the KKR 49 team will fare at the 360 Nationals. However, it would be silly to count one of the best sprint car drivers in the country out at a track he has so much experience at. Sweet might not light the world on fire but he should have no issue making the show. 

James McFadden – McFadden is a former 360 Nationals champion. Some have had their concerns about the Tarlton 21 on ½ miles, but McFadden looked solid at Knoxville last weekend. He’ll be one I am keeping my eye on, as I do think there is a chance this team can be one of the best cars all weekend. 

Parker Price-Miller – For me, PPM is one of the most consistently good drivers on “big tracks.” He’s good at Eldora, he’s good at Knoxville and he’s solid at Port Royal. The data backs all of that up. My only concern is that PPM has had a ton of DNF’s this season in the IRP 71. If they can keep the car on the track, he’ll be fast. 

Chase Randall – It’s been a somewhat disappointing season for Randall on the High Limit tour. He’s had some bright spots, but also a lot of mechanical issues and DNFs. I am not super confident in this one, but I think his Knoxville experience will come into play and get him into a good position. 

Tyler Groenendyk – Groenendyk was one who I overlooked last season. He’s been getting better and better at Knoxville every time he hits the track and he’s one of the best weekly racers in the field. It will be no surprise to see him in the A-Main on Saturday night. 

Clint Garner – The reports of Clint Garner’s demise were greatly exaggerated. Garner is having a great year in the 360 and he’s always fast at the 360 Nationals. The veteran racer still has some gas left in the tank to get the job done. 

JJ Hickle – One of the most likeable racers in the field, JJ Hickle and his home-grown operation are fast when luck is on their side. Much like PPM, Hickle’s DNF rate is a concern, but if they can put it all together they have the speed to be there on Saturday. 

Ryan Giles – Giles is another guy who just consistently gets it done at Knoxville. He’s in great equipment in the Matt Moro 2m and he has the laps and knowledge to put it in the show. 

Tanner Holmes – Holmes has put his family owned no. 18T in the 360 Nationals once before and I expect him to do it again. I really like what I’ve seen from Holmes this year in both his own car and the Tarlton 21. While it hasn’t all been great, he’s been fast enough and has enough laps around Knoxville to put together a great weekend. 

Daryn Pittman – I don’t know what Pittman will do in the Lunstra no. 3. I believe the new pairing has 1 or 2 races together and they definitely did not go as planned. However, Pittman is just not someone who you can put in a B Main. If they have all of the bugs worked out, Pittman should be just fine. 

Jake Bubak – Jake Bubak is someone who I consider to be one of the most underrated sprint car drivers in the country. He just doesn’t race enough to get the attention he deserves. Bubak has had some impressive Knoxville performances in the past and showed some speed in the 410 last weekend. Expect Bubak to be battling for a final lock in spot or at the front of the B Main to lock in.

A Main Top 10 Prediction

1. Rico Abreu
2. Kyle Larson
3. Ryan Timms
4. Sam Hafertepe Jr
5. Justin Peck
6. Brian Brown
7. Austin McCarl
8. Gio Scelzi
9. James McFadden
10. Kerry Madsen