Competing in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Iowa Speedway earlier in the day, Kyle Larson wasn’t even planning to race Sunday night's Capitani Classic at Knoxville Raceway. 

A frustrating end to his 360 Knoxville Nationals weekend changed his mind.

“I wasn’t planning to run this, but after 360 Nationals I was kind of grumpy,” Larson said.

The change of plans paid off as the three-time Knoxville Nationals winner returned to Knoxville's famed half-mile to triumph over the two reigning national champions — Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing's Rico Abreu and World of Outlaws' David Gravel — in the 14th annual Capitani Classic, a victory worth $13,000.

Larson tracked down the polesitter Gravel in traffic and made the winning pass with six laps remaining, then survived a late charge from Abreu and a three-lap shootout to earn his second Capitani Classic victory — his first since 2020.

“I was happy to get back behind the wheel of a 410 sprint car,” Larson said. “I’m really glad to get in victory lane.”

Gravel, who earned the pole by winning the pole shuffle, controlled the opening half of the 25-lapper as Larson worked forward from fourth before traffic brought him into contention, passing Brent Marks for second on lap 15 and tracking down Gravel four laps later. Larson entered turn one high before cutting underneath Gravel off turn two to take the lead on lap 19.

Abreu also came alive late, rallying from outside the top five to second and closing on Larson before Buddy Kofoid and Tyler Courtney tangled, sending Kofoid flipping and bringing out a red flag with three laps remaining.

“I was just a little bit off in the early going,” Abreu said. “Once the right rear tire got some growth, I could get my car going up top like a slingshot.”

Larson knew Abreu had been closing before the stoppage.

“When (Abreu) was close before the red, he pulled up close and I knew he had a run,” Larson said. “It had me confused about how high to go on the restart. I saw the crumbs, and with clean air, I thought I’d have enough in the middle.”

Larson controlled the three-lap shootout to win over Abreu, Gravel, Aaron Reutzel and Austin McCarl.

“These podiums are good to put us in position,” Abreu said. “I really treat these races like Saturday of the Knoxville Nationals. We’ll have 25 more laps (next Saturday).”

Gravel, who led the opening 18 laps, believed Abreu might have challenged Larson without the late stoppage.

“Rico’s car really came on late in that green flag run,” Gravel said. “If we didn’t have a caution, Rico may have won that race.”

The event drew a record 87 entries for the final major tuneup ahead of this week’s Knoxville Nationals. 

Notable non-qualifiers included defending Knoxville Nationals winner Ryan Timms, Carson Macedo, Kasey Kahne, Daryn Pittman, Spencer Bayston, Tanner Thorson and Brock Zearfoss.

2026 Capitani Classic Results At Knoxville Raceway