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SPRINT: Schatz Rules Knoxville
Steve Kinser's streak comes to an end...
Jim Chiappelli  |  Posted August 12, 2012   Knoxville, IA
Donny Schatz celebrates winning Saturday’s 52nd Knoxville Nationals. (Photo: SPEED)
Tony Stewart Racing teammates were on opposite ends of the sprint car spectrum in their sport’s biggest event, Saturday’s 52nd Knoxville Nationals.

Donny Schatz rocketed to the point from early leader and polesitter Stevie Smith, then held off a spirited late charge by Knoxville crown favorite Brian Brown to win the 50-lap, $150,000 to win finale for the sixth time in seven years.

Conversely, 12-time Knoxville Nationals winner Steve Kinser, who had started the A-Main at this event for 34 consecutive years, missed the finale after finishing 10th in the B-feature. The top four in that event advanced to the A-Feature.

Aside from a competition red flag and pit stop just beyond the halfway point, the fast-moving feature was only slowed one additional time when Knoxville Nationals Rookie of the Year Kyle Larson sustained a blown left rear tire on lap 34.

2012 Knoxville Nationals Unofficial Results:

Winner: Donny Schatz
2nd: Brian Brown
3rd: Craig Dollansky
4th: Kraig Kinser
5th: Jason Meyers
6th: Shane Stewart
7th: Stevie Smith
8th: Lance Dewease
9th: Tim Kaeding
10th: Davey Heskin
11th: Joey Saldana
12th: Mark Dobmeier
13th: Jonathan Allard
14th: Justin Henderson
15th: Daryn Pittman
16th: Kyle Larson
17th: Dale Blaney
18th: Ian Madsen
19th: Lucas Wolfe
20th: Jason Sides
21st: Cody Darrah
22nd: David Gravel
23rd: Paul McMahan
24th: Brian Paulus

Knoxville Knotes:

• Preliminary victories Saturday went to Bill Rose (E-Feature), Tyler Walker (D-Feature) and Jac Haudenschild (C-Feature)

• Mark Dobmeier won the B-Feature and transferred to the A-Feature along with other top-four finishers Davey Heskin, Brian Paulus and Jason Sides

• Veteran Sammy Swindell, a strong contender for a Knoxville Nationals win in recent years, finished 5th in the B-Feature and was the first alternate to the A-Feature

• Dusty Zomer went for a wild ride at the start of the B-Main, flipping end-over-end in turn one, then shooting toward the inside guardrail when the throttle briefly stuck open. Zomer was not hurt

• There was drama leading up to the A-Feature for Kasey Kahne Racing driver Joey Saldana. The team changed engines just before the main event after sustaining problems in the hot lap session just before the B-Main.

• Television coverage of the Knoxville Nationals can be seen Saturday, August 25 at Noon ET on SPEED.
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