Ridge & Sons Racing Announces Relief Driver For Knoxville Raceway Events

A relief driver has been named to the Ridge & Sons Racing No. 87 for the upcoming Knoxville 360 Nationals and 64th Annual Knoxville Nationals.

Jul 28, 2025 by Tyler Burnett

With full-time driver Aaron Reutzel sidelined due to an injury suffered during The Knight Before the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway, Ridge & Sons Racing has named a replacement driver for the upcoming marquee events at Knoxville Raceway.

Aromas, California driver Justin Sanders will drive the No. 87 Sprint Car for both the Knoxville 360 Nationals and the 410 Knoxville Nationals. Sanders is a six-time winner with the NARC King of the West Sprint Car Series in 2025, with his most recent victory coming July 19 in the Howard Kaeding Classic at Ocean Speedway.

“We’re grateful to have Justin [Sanders] fill in for Aaron [Reutzel] while he recovers, and on such short notice. We’re confident he’ll represent the team and all of our partners at the highest level,” Brian Ridge expressed. “Aaron’s surgery went well and the medical team was very optimistic about a speedy recovery. We hope to get him back in the seat as soon as possible.”

The Knoxville Raceway 360 Nationals take place July 31 through August 2, while the 64th Knoxville Nationals will take place August 6 through August 9.

It was announced this past week that Reutzel successfully underwent surgery on his fractured right foot he sustained during a crash at Eldora Speedway on July 18. He is expected to make a full recovery with no timetable for his return.