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The Knoxville Nationals is an annual sprint car event held at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa. The event is considered the premier event in sprint car racing, and is nicknamed "The Granddaddy of Them All."

History

The idea of the Knoxville Nationals was the brainchild of promoter Marion Robinson. The Knoxville Nationals was originally scheduled as a one day event for Super Modifieds and was later expanded to two, three, and finally four days of racing for Sprint Cars. The first Knoxville Nationals was held in 1961 with Roy Robbins taking the win. Robbins' car was equipped with an "air scoop" which was later banned in future Knoxville Nationals. In later years the "air scoops", now called wings, would not only be allowed but be mandatory equipment.

Drivers

Steve Kinser has won the event twelve times, and owner Karl Kinser has graced victory lane fourteen times with three different drivers (Dick Gaines, Steve Kinser and Mark Kinser). In 2005 Steve's son Kraig Kinser won this event, making Steve and Kraig the first father and son to win the Knoxville Nationals.

The 49th Annual Knoxville Nationals was held 2009. Donny Schatz from Fargo, ND was the defending champion and captured his fourth Knoxville National win.

Sanctioning body

From 1961 through 1977, the race was unsanctioned, meaning that it was 'open competition'. From 1978 through 2005, the race was sanctioned by the World of Outlaws. Because of the split in the sport in 2006, and despite its two WoO Sprint Series races during the regular season, the Nationals has been unsanctioned and ran with track rules since 2006.

Drivers such as Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Kenny Schrader, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, A.J. Foyt, and many other famous drivers have raced on the famous half mile

Statistics

The 1991 event featured 170 entrants and 75000 fans (in a city of 8200). ^[1] There were drivers from 27 states, 6 from Australia, and one from Canada. ^[1] National Speed Sport News had one of its four annual special editions for the race. The purse has risen dramatically: in 1961 it was $5,455, 1971 $22,000, 1981 $82,000, 1991 $284,052, 2001 $707,000, and 2003 $750,000.^[2]

List of race winners

• 2009 - Donny Schatz
• 2008 - Donny Schatz
• 2007 - Donny Schatz
• 2006 - Donny Schatz
• 2005 – Kraig Kinser
• 2004 – Danny Lasoski
• 2003 – Danny Lasoski
• 2002 – Steve Kinser
• 2001 – Danny Lasoski
• 2000 – Mark Kinser
• 1999 – Mark Kinser
• 1998 – Danny Lasoski
• 1997 – Dave Blaney
• 1996 – Mark Kinser
• 1995 – Steve Kinser
• 1994 – Steve Kinser
• 1993 – Steve Kinser
• 1992 – Steve Kinser
• 1991 – Steve Kinser
• 1990 – Bobby Allen
• 1989 – Doug Wolfgang
• 1988 – Steve Kinser
• 1987 – Steve Kinser
• 1986 – Steve Kinser
• 1985 – Doug Wolfgang
• 1984 – Doug Wolfgang
• 1983 – Sammy Swindell
• 1982 – Steve Kinser
• 1981 – Steve Kinser
• 1980 – Steve Kinser
• 1979 – Ron Shuman
• 1978 – Doug Wolfgang
• 1977 – Doug Wolfgang
• 1976 – Eddie Leavitt
• 1975 – Eddie Leavitt
• 1974 – Dick Gaines
• 1973 – Kenny Weld
• 1972 – Kenny Weld
• 1971 – Jan Opperman
• 1970 – Joe Saldana
• 1969 – Ken Gritz
• 1968 – Ray Lee Goodwin
• 1967 – Thad Dosher
• 1966 – Jay Woodside
• 1965 – Kenny Weld
• 1964 – Kenny Weld
• 1963 – Greg Weld
• 1962 – Jerry Richert Sr.
• 1961 – Roy Robbins

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Iowa's best-kept secret: Knoxville Nationals"; Bryce Miller; August 17, 1991 Des Moines Register; Retrieved January 17, 2007
2. ^ "50 years of champions"; Des Moines Register; Retrieved January 17, 2007

• List of champions

External links

• Official track website