When Smackdown begins, Justin Grant wins.

Over the past three seasons, that just seems to be the order of business on the opening night of the three-night event annually held during the month of August at Indiana’s Kokomo Speedway.

After notching back-to-back Elliott’s Custom Trailers & Carts Sprint Car Smackdown opening night victories in 2021 and 2022, the Ione, Calif. driver once again found victory lane on Thursday night, becoming the first driver win three-straight Smackdown openers.

This time around, Grant was the force from start to finish in his TOPP Motorsports/NOS Energy Drink – MVP Express – TOPP Industries/Maxim/Kistler Chevy, leading all 30 laps to earn his season-leading seventh USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship feature win of the year.

Grant’s fifth overall Smackdown victory (prelims & final nights combined) places him in a three-way tie for the most all-time alongside Dave Darland and Tyler Courtney. Furthermore, the win was Grant’s seventh in USAC National Sprint Car competition at Kokomo, which now trails only the two undisputed Kokomo Speedway kings – Dave Darland (9) and Tony Elliott (8).

Additionally, Grant’s victory at Kokomo was the 41st of his USAC National Sprint Car career, which moved him past 1969 and 1971 series championship Gary Bettenhausen on the all-time list. Grant now stands tied with 2012-13 series champ Bryan Clauson for eighth all-time and just one behind Pancho Carter, the 1974 and 1976 titlist, for seventh on the list.

WATCH REPLAY

USAC Sprint Car Smackdown Thursday Night Highlights

Watch Highlights Night One of Kokomo Sprint Car Smackdown 2023

Winning Quote From Justin Grant

“I had to run a bunch of different lanes but (car chief) Jeff Walker and I had this car so good, I could run above the cushion; I could run through the slick; I could run the bottom; I could run the top; I could just do anything. The only concern I had was how high the car was going to wheelie on the straightaways.”

USAC Sprint Car Smackdown Results From Kokomo Speedway

1. Justin Grant (2)

2. Brady Bacon (4)

3. Robert Ballou (5)

4. Carson Garrett (6)

 5. Jadon Rogers (23-P)

 6. C.J. Leary (3)

 7. Shane Cottle (8)

 8. Briggs Danner (16)

9. Joey Amantea (9)

10. Kyle Cummins (1),

11. Emerson Axsom (24-P)

 12. Chase Stockon (12)

13. Logan Seavey (11)

14. Jake Swanson (14)

15. Ricky Lewis (18)

16. Max Adams (7)

17. Cole Bodine (20)

18. Matt Westfall (13)

19. Rylan Gray (10)

20. Korbyn Hayslett (22)

21. Dave Darland (21)

22. Daison Pursley (15)

23. Trey Osborne (17)
24. Colten Cottle (19)

USAC National Sprint Car Point Standings 

Brady Bacon leads Just Grant in the overall points standings by 26 points. Emerson Axsom, Kyle Cummins and Jake Swanson are the rest of the top five in the standings. 

Full USAC Sprints Points Standings

Previous Race: USAC Indiana Sprint Week at Bloomington - July 28

Up Next: Night Two of Kokomo Sprint Car Smackdown - Friday, August 25