Kyle Larson Wins The Knoxville Nationals, Dominates For Second Event Title
Kyle Larson Wins The Knoxville Nationals, Dominates For Second Event Title
Kyle Larson dominates the 2023 Knoxville Nationals for his second win of the historic event.
Kyle Larson led all 50 laps and held off a hard-charging David Gravel to win his second Knoxville Nationals, adding to his emotional breakthrough triumph from 2021. Donny Schatz, Gio Scelzi and Carson Macedo rounded out the top five.
The former NASCAR Cup champion led by as many as 3.7 seconds and maintained a blistering pace practically from start to finish in the $185,000-to-win Crown Jewel event. Larson's closest challenger down the stretch had been Gravel, who surged from the 22nd-starting spot to finish 0.713 seconds behind the two-time Nationals champion.
Gravel had actually shaved a 2.4-second deficit with nine laps remaining down to less than a second in those closing laps. The third-finishing Schatz, meanwhile, kept Larson honest in the first half of Saturday's Knoxville Nationals. Though he fell by 3.7 seconds behind just five laps in, he closed the gap to a second by lap 12 as Larson navigated slower traffic.
Schatz lost second to Rico Abreu on lap 14 in that transition through slower traffic, but on lap 15, Abreu suffered a right-rear tire and along with Chase Randall drew the race's first caution. Abreu eventually rallied from the tail to finish seventh.
Logan Schuchart made his way into second two laps after the halfway break, and ran there until his engine expired with 11 laps to go.
Fifteen of the 24 starters finished on the lead lap in the feature that lasted 38 minutes. Chase Randall, 18, earned the Knoxville Nationals Rookie of the Year with his 13th-place finish. Corey Day, though younger at 17 and finishing a spot ahead in 12th, attempted his first Nationals last year and is therefore not an event rookie.
Sheldon Haudenschild was the second biggest mover behind Gravel, finishing 10th from the 20th-starting spot.
The Granddaddy Of Them All is in the books. Here's a look back at our blog-style notebook from the 62nd running of the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey's.
Knoxville Nationals Primers
- 2023 Knoxville Nationals: Ranking The 10 Favorites To Win
- How To Watch The 2023 Knoxville Nationals At Knoxville Raceway
- 2023 Knoxville Nationals Paint Scheme Preview
- Breaking Down The Knoxville Nationals Format
Knoxville Nationals Qualifying Night Results
- Wednesday's Qualifying Night Results And Blog-Style Notebook
- Thursday's Qualifying Night Results And Blog-Style Notebook
- Kyle Larson Will Start First In The Knoxville Nationals
- Aaron Reutzel Wins Hard Knox; Gravel, Bogucki, Heskin Advance To Nationals
Knoxville Nationals Coverage
- Corey Day's Chase For Sprint Car Superstardom While 'Still Being A Kid'
- Buddy Kofoid Rising In Speed, Comfort Ahead Of Knoxville Nationals
- Donny Schatz Locks In On Steve Kinser's Knoxville Nationals Record
- Hunter Schuerenberg Emerges As Early Knoxville Nationals Feel-Good Story
- Is Rico Abreu 'The Guy To Beat' At Knoxville? Kyle Larson Thinks So
- Dusty Zomer Is Back & Competitive As Ever At The Knoxville Nationals
- Living His Happiest Life, Aaron Reutzel Doesn't Care What You Think Of Him
Knoxville Nationals Results
Finish | Driver |
1 | 57 - Kyle Larson |
2 | 2 - David Gravel |
3 | 15 - Donny Schatz |
4 | 18 - Gio Scelzi |
5 | 41 - Carson Macedo |
6 | 49 - Brad Sweet |
7 | 24 - Rico Abreu |
8 | 83jr - Buddy Kofoid |
9 | 55 - Kerry Madsen |
10 | 17 - Sheldon Haudenschild |
11 | 5 - Spencer Bayston |
12 | 14 - Corey Day |
13 | 2KS - Chase Randall |
14 | 21 - Brian Brown |
15 | 4 - Ian Madsen |
16 | 8 - Aaron Reutzel |
17 | 3J - Dusty Zomer |
18 | 9 - Parker Price-Miller |
19 | 13 - Justin Peck |
20 | 7BC - Anthony Macri |
21 | 2M - Davey Heskin |
22 | 10 - Scott Bogucki |
23 | 1S - Logan Schuchart |
24 | 39 - Hunter Schuerenberg |
40 Down, 10 To Go
Heartbreak for second-running Logan Schuchart. He slows with a mechanical issue and heads to the pits.
Kyle Larson continues to be untouchable. He's led all 40 laps. Donny Schatz is back into second, while David Gravel is up to third from 22nd, trying to become the deepest starter to win the Nationasls.
Halfway Break: 25 Down, 25 To Go
Kyle Larson dominant in the first half while Donny Schatz has lingered smoothly in second.
It's hard to tell how good Larson is through 25 laps and how much Schatz has been biding his time, watching Larson's every move while testing different parts of the track. Remember, last year Schatz came from sixth to win his 11th Knoxville Nationals.
Carson Macedo rides in third. Logan Schuchart and Kerry Madsen the top five. Rico Abreu has rallied from 11th after a flat right-rear knocked him out of second.
David Gravel is up seventh from 22nd. Brad Sweet eighth from 16th. Seventeen-year-old Corey Day is ninth.
15 laps Down, 35 To Go
It's been all Kyle Larson through 15 laps, who's led by nearly two seconds early.
But there's trouble for second-running Rico Abreu and Knoxville Nationals rookie Chase Randall. They both suffer flat right-rear tires with 10 laps left until the halfway open-red intermission. Deflating for Abreu, who Larson said Thursday is the "guy to beat" at the Nationals.
Donny Schatz, Carson Macedo, Logan Schuchart and Gio Scelzi are the top five. David Gravel is up to eighth from 22nd. https://twitter.com/ByKyleMcFadden/status/1690579104238538752?s=20for
Opening Ceremonies
Opening ceremonies always a sight to take in at the Knoxville Nationals.
— Kyle McFadden (@ByKyleMcFadden) August 13, 2023
2024 presidential candidate @GovRonDeSantis and @DavidGravel chopping it up before the night gets busy.
Let’s gooo racing at @knoxvilleraces ‼️ pic.twitter.com/0EBIsm3mfy
Kyle Larson Will Start First At The Knoxville Nationals
The polesitter. @KyleLarsonRacin vying to become the eighth driver in history to win multiple Knoxville Nationals.
— Kyle McFadden (@ByKyleMcFadden) August 13, 2023
Donny Schatz
Danny Lasoski
Steve Kinser
Mark Kinser
Doug Wolfgang
Eddie Leavitt
Kenny Weld
That’s the list. 50 laps to go. pic.twitter.com/0LVGs36w5f
Prerace With Knoxville Regular Davey Heskin
Little bit of track prep going on & some downtime before the Knoxville Nationals championship event goes green.
— Kyle McFadden (@ByKyleMcFadden) August 13, 2023
Caught up with Davey Heskin, who shares what he’s looking for & how necessary it is to not get lapped early with Larson & Rico in hot pursuit. pic.twitter.com/jTMEXqwP5x
Knoxville Nationals Saturday A-Main Lineup
Start | Driver |
1 | 57 - Kyle Larson |
2 | 24 - Rico Abreu |
3 | 15 - Donny Schatz |
4 | 1s - Logan Schuchart |
5 | 41 - Carson Macedo |
6 | 39 - Hunter Schuerenberg |
7 | 55 - Kerry Madsen |
8 | 83jr - Buddy Kofoid |
9 | 18 - Gio Scelzi |
10 | 14 - Corey Day |
11 | 4 - Ian Madsen |
12 | 3J - Dusty Zomer |
13 | 5 - Spencer Bayston |
14 | 2KS - Chase Randall |
15 | 7BC - Anthony Macri |
16 | 49 - Brad Sweet |
17 | 13 - Justin Peck |
18 | 9 - Parker Price-Miller |
19 | 21 - Brian Brown |
20 | 17 - Sheldon Haudenschild |
21 | 8 - Aaron Reutzel |
22 | 2 - David Gravel |
23 | 10 - Scott Bogucki |
24 | 2M - Davey Heskin |
Knoxville Nationals Saturday B-Main Results
- Justin Peck
- Parker Price-Miller
- Brian Brown
- Sheldon Haudenschild
- Brent Marks
- Garet Williamson
- Kasey Kahne
- Shane Stewart
- Zeb Wise
- Dustin Selvage
- Ryan Timms
- Cory Eliason
- Tim Kaeding
- Bill Balog
- Brady Bacon
- Austin McCarl
- Justin Sanders
- Lynton Jeffrey
- Kaleb Johnson
- Jamie Ball
- Brandon Wimmer
- Tasker Phillips
- James McFadden
- Justin Henderson
Chaos in what was a smooth-sailing LCS.
— Kyle McFadden (@ByKyleMcFadden) August 13, 2023
Leader James McFadden shreds a tire entering turn one, his Knoxville Nationals run comes to a crashing end. Then third-running Austin McCarl pulls off the track & into the work area.
Peck leads Brown, Sheldon & Williamson with 12 to go.
Justin Peck Ready To Lead The B-Main To Green
Quick word with @justin_peck5 before he leads the crucial B-main to green as the polesitter.
— Kyle McFadden (@ByKyleMcFadden) August 13, 2023
He’s got the @Pella_News threads all cleaned up and ready to put the @Buchsprint13 in the big show after the nasty wreck on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/9aHVWeE9mj
Knoxville Nationals Saturday B-Main Lineup
Start | Driver |
1 | 13 - Justin Peck |
2 | 83 - James McFadden |
3 | 9 - Kasey Kahne |
4 | 88 - Austin McCarl |
5 | 21 - Brian Brown |
6 | 71 - Shane Stewart |
7 | 6G - Garet Williamson |
8 | 7TAZ - Tasker Phillips |
9 | 7W - Dustin Selvage |
10 | 17 - Sheldon Haudenschild |
11 | 9P - Parker Price-Miller |
12 | 19 - Brent Marks |
13 | 7TW - Brandon Wimmer |
14 | 5T - Ryan Timms |
15 | 1 - Justin Henderson |
16 | 11 - Cory Eliason |
17 | 26 - Zeb Wise |
18 | 22K - Kaleb Johnson |
19 | 21H - Brady Bacon |
20 | 4W - Jamie Ball |
21 | 2K - Lynton Jeffrey |
22 | 39M - Justin Sanders |
23 | 3 - Tim Kaeding |
24 | 17B - Bill Balog |
Knoxville Nationals C-Main Results
- Lynton Jeffrey
- Justin Sanders
- Tim Kaeding
- Bill Balog
- Shane Golobic
- Robbie Price
- Tanner Holmes
- Chris Windom
- Kelby Watt
- Blake Hahn
- Jake Bubak
- Ayrton Gennetten
- Dylan Cisney
- Lachlan McHugh
- Clint Garner
- Zach Hampton
- Brock Zearfoss
- Sawyer Phillips
- Kade Higday
- Kraig Kinser
- Brenham Crouch
- Sye Lynch
- Christopher Thram
- Mark Dobmeier
Knoxville Nationals C-Main Lineup
Start | Driver |
1 | 3 - Tim Kaeding |
2 | 39M - Justin Sanders |
3 | 49 - Tim Shaffer |
4 | 2K - Lynton Jeffrey |
5 | 4CW - Chris Windom |
6 | 5C - Dylan Cisney |
7 | 7S - Robbie Price |
8 | 17W - Shane Golobic |
9 | 17B - Bill Balog |
10 | 42 - Sye Lynch |
11 | 12X - Ayrton Gennetten |
12 | 18T - Tanner Holmes |
13 | 52 - Blake Hahn |
14 | 6B - Clint Garner |
15 | 24T - Christopher Thram |
16 | 1K - Kelby Watt |
17 | 1C - Brenham Crouch |
18 | 1X - Jake Bubak |
19 | 3P - Sawyer Phillips |
20 | 3Z - Brock Zearfoss |
21 | 25 - Lachlan McHugh |
22 | 35 - Zach Hampton |
23 | 24H - Kade Higday |
24 25 | 13JT - Mark Dobmeier 70 - Kraig Kinser |
Knoxville Nationals D-Main Results
- Lachlan McHugh
- Zach Hampton
- Kade Higday
- Mark Dobmeier
- Kraig Kinser
- Cap Henry
- Cole Macedo
- Kalib Henry
- Brooke Tatnell
- Don Droud Jr.
- Rusty Hickman
- Terry McCarl
- Kevin Thomas Jr.
- Skylar Prochaska
- McKenna Haase
- Kevin Ingle
- Chase Dietz
- Harli White
- Noah Gass
- Matt Covington
- Austin Bishop
- A.J. Moeller
- J.J. Hickle
- Jordan Goldesberry
Knoxville Nationals D-Main Lineup
Start | Driver |
1 | 11N - Harli White |
2 | 25 - Lachlan McHugh |
3 | 20G - Noah Gass |
4 | 24H - Kade Higday |
5 | 50YR - J.J. Hickle |
6 | 22 - Riley Goodno |
7 | 13JT - Mark Dobmeier |
8 | 91 - Kyle Reinhardt |
9 | 35 - Zach Hampton |
10 | 10V - Cap Henry |
11 | 70 - Kraig Kinser |
12 | 101 - Kalib Henry |
13 | 44 - Chris Martin |
14 | 21T - Cole Macedo |
15 | 1M - Don Droud Jr. |
16 | 83T - Tanner Carrick |
17 | 16A - Colby Copeland |
18 | 55t - McKenna Haase |
19 | 95 - Matt Covington |
20 | 17x - Terry McCarl |
21 | 16 - Brooke Tatnell |
22 | 44P - Skylar Prochaska |
23 | 4J - Kevin Thomas Jr. |
24 | 35B - Austin Bishop |
Knoxville Nationals E-Main Results
- Brooke Tatnell
- Skylar Prochaska
- Kevin Thomas Jr.
- Austin Bishop
- Rusty Hickman
- A.J. Moeller
- Chase Dietz
- Kevin Ingle
- Jordan Goldesberry
- Cole Mincer
- R.J. Johnson
- Landon Hansen
- Matt Wasmund
- Bill Rose
- Bill Wagner
- Frank Rodgers
- Gage Pulkrabek
- Cody Ihlen
Knoxville Nationals E-Main Lineup
Start | Driver |
1 | 16 - Brooke Tatnell |
2 | 35B - Austin Bishop |
3 | 44P - Skylar Prochaska |
4 | 105 - Cody Ihlen |
5 | 1a - Chase Dietz |
6 | W19 - Trent Pigdon |
7 | 20 - A.J. Moeller |
8 | 2KK - Kevin Ingle |
9 | 4J - Kevin Thomas Jr. |
10 | 27 - Carson McCarl |
11 | 17AU - Jamie Veal |
12 | 45 - Rusty Hickman |
13 | 121 - R.J. Johnson |
14 | 9H - Landon Hansen |
15 | 15JR - Cole Mincer |
16 | 6X - Frank Rodgers |
17 | 4K2W - Matt Wasmund |
18 | 65 - Jordan Goldesberry |
19 | 6 - Bill Rose |
20 | 37 - Ayden Gatewood |
21 | G5 - Gage Pulkrabek |
22 | 56 - Joe Simbro |
23 | 78 - Bill Wagner |
24 | 15H - Sam Hafertepe Jr. |