- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
More Racing
SPRINT: Meyers Nabs Night Two, Smith Earns Knoxville Nationals Pole
The battle belonged to Jason Meyers at Knoxville Raceway Thursday night, but Stevie Smith and Craig Dollansky are in prime positions to win the war.
Jason Meyers was the man to beat Thursday night at Knoxville. (Photo: Ken Simon/NSSN)
The battle belonged to Jason Meyers at Knoxville Raceway Thursday night, but Stevie Smith and Craig Dollansky are in prime positions to win the war.
Meyers, the two-time reigning (but not defending) World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion, claimed Thursday’s 25-lap feature during Night Two of the 52nd Knoxville Nationals.
The victory meant a sweep for California drivers at Knoxville so far, as Golden State native Kyle Larson collected the checkered flag in Wednesday’s qualifying program at the Marion County, Iowa half-mile oval.
Meyers, who no longer races full-time, recently returned to the cockpit after an absence of several months. First, he passed early leader Mark Dobmeier, then held off a hard-charging Tim Shaffer in the 25-lap event.
Kraig Kinser completed the podium, while Smith finished fourth.
The unique format at The Nationals splits the field in two, with drivers competing either Wednesday or Thursday in complete racing programs with time trials, heat races, and C, B and A-main events.
Drivers earn points every time they hit the track, and the top 16 in the standings after Thursday’s program secure spots in the first eight rows for Saturday’s 50-lap, $150,000 to win finale.
That puts Smith on the inside of the front row, which he will share with Craig Dollansky.
Meyers will roll-off seventh, while Larson begins 12th.
The balance of that lineup is set during another full show for non-qualifiers on Friday, in which the top four finishers secured starting positions 17-20 for Saturday’s A-Main.
Spots 21-24 are reserved for the top four drivers in Saturday’s 22-lap B-Main.
Knoxville Knotes:
• Contenders Cody Darrah and Terry McCarl both flipped in their respective heat races
• 4-time Knoxville Nationals winner Danny Lasoski tumbled end-over-end down the backstretch in Thursday’s A-Main after being unable to avoid hitting a spinning Ian Madsen. Lasoski opted to run in Friday’s program rather than take a guaranteed spot in Saturday’s B-Main
• 1983 Nationals winner Sammy Swindell had an impressive drive in his heat race, finishing second after starting seventh. At one point, Swindell passed three cars in one corner, then rode his sprinter like a bucking bronco to avoid hitting the wall after jumping the cushion
• World Racing Group formally announced a multi-year title sponsorship agreement with STP Thursday. Starting in 2013, WRG’s primary product will be known as the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series
• It remains unclear if Goodyear will remain the exclusive tire supplier to the World of Outlaws. Goodyear’s current deal expires at the end of the year. World Racing Group Chief Operating Officer Brian Carter told media members both sides are evaluating their options for 2013
• Television coverage of the Knoxville Nationals can be seen Saturday, August 25 at Noon ET on SPEED.
Jim Chiappelli is SPEED’s Coordinating Producer of Studio Programming & News Director, whose family has been involved with sprint car racing for more than 30 years. Twitter: @jim_chiappelli
Meyers, the two-time reigning (but not defending) World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion, claimed Thursday’s 25-lap feature during Night Two of the 52nd Knoxville Nationals.
The victory meant a sweep for California drivers at Knoxville so far, as Golden State native Kyle Larson collected the checkered flag in Wednesday’s qualifying program at the Marion County, Iowa half-mile oval.
Meyers, who no longer races full-time, recently returned to the cockpit after an absence of several months. First, he passed early leader Mark Dobmeier, then held off a hard-charging Tim Shaffer in the 25-lap event.
Kraig Kinser completed the podium, while Smith finished fourth.
The unique format at The Nationals splits the field in two, with drivers competing either Wednesday or Thursday in complete racing programs with time trials, heat races, and C, B and A-main events.
Drivers earn points every time they hit the track, and the top 16 in the standings after Thursday’s program secure spots in the first eight rows for Saturday’s 50-lap, $150,000 to win finale.
That puts Smith on the inside of the front row, which he will share with Craig Dollansky.
Meyers will roll-off seventh, while Larson begins 12th.
The balance of that lineup is set during another full show for non-qualifiers on Friday, in which the top four finishers secured starting positions 17-20 for Saturday’s A-Main.
Spots 21-24 are reserved for the top four drivers in Saturday’s 22-lap B-Main.
Knoxville Knotes:
• Contenders Cody Darrah and Terry McCarl both flipped in their respective heat races
• 4-time Knoxville Nationals winner Danny Lasoski tumbled end-over-end down the backstretch in Thursday’s A-Main after being unable to avoid hitting a spinning Ian Madsen. Lasoski opted to run in Friday’s program rather than take a guaranteed spot in Saturday’s B-Main
• 1983 Nationals winner Sammy Swindell had an impressive drive in his heat race, finishing second after starting seventh. At one point, Swindell passed three cars in one corner, then rode his sprinter like a bucking bronco to avoid hitting the wall after jumping the cushion
• World Racing Group formally announced a multi-year title sponsorship agreement with STP Thursday. Starting in 2013, WRG’s primary product will be known as the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series
• It remains unclear if Goodyear will remain the exclusive tire supplier to the World of Outlaws. Goodyear’s current deal expires at the end of the year. World Racing Group Chief Operating Officer Brian Carter told media members both sides are evaluating their options for 2013
• Television coverage of the Knoxville Nationals can be seen Saturday, August 25 at Noon ET on SPEED.
Jim Chiappelli is SPEED’s Coordinating Producer of Studio Programming & News Director, whose family has been involved with sprint car racing for more than 30 years. Twitter: @jim_chiappelli
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTO-RACING
-
LE MANS: Lotus LMP2 Returns To Track
Seized parts returned to Lotus LMP2, No. 31 car rebuilt and completes… -
SPEED, SPEED.com Plan Live & Continuous LM24 Coverage
In-car streaming of Corvette Racing highlights two-screen experience...… -
VIDEO: 8Star LM24 Wednesday vBlog
Rui Aguas checks into SPEED.com prior to the start of practice and… -
LE MANS: Corvette On-Board Pass Returns For LM24
Watch! Live in-car and garage cameras from Corvette Racing during… -
LE MANS: Lotus LMP2 Cars Seized By Court
BREAKING: Lotus T128 parts seized by local courts over financial… -
LE MANS: Taylor Brothers Continuing Family Tradition
Second-generation racers Jordan, Ricky Taylor seek victory at Le… -
LE MANS: LM24 LMP1 Preview
John Dagys takes a team-by-team look at this year’s LMP1 class… - More News
