The most prestigious event in Sprint Car racing continues Thursday night with the second of two qualifying nights for the 2026 NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey's at Knoxville Raceway.
Throughout the night, we'll have lineups, results and updates posted in this blog-style notebook. Watch the Knoxville Nationals all week long on DIRTVision.
- Understanding The Knoxville Nationals Format
- Breaking Down Knoxville Nationals Wednesday: Takeaways, Interviews & More
- Inside Sheldon Haudenschild's Soaring Confidence At The Knoxville Nationals
- Inside Kyle Larson, Ryan Timms' Clash In The Front Row Challenge
- Brad Sweet Explains Why He's Stepping Away From the Driver's Seat
Thursday Knoxville Nationals Prerace Notes
- Over the last 10 years, the average points needed to lock into Saturday's Nationals A-main is 451. It was 446 last year, the lowest over that span, and as high as 457 in 2017. Nine drivers from Wednesday meet that mark:
- Sheldon Haudenschild 481
- James McFadden 478
- Kasey Kahne 477
- Justin Henderson 463
- Chase Dietz 460
- David Gravel 460
- Cole Macedo 457
- Corey Day 457
- In that same vein, there's no path for any driver who qualifies outside the top 25 to hit the 451-point benchmark.
- Kyle Larson enters Thursday's prelim with an astounding 20 victories in 45 career Southern Iowa Speedweek starts — that's counting Knoxville Nationals main events and prelims, the Capitani Classic, the Front Row Challenge and USAC's Ultimate Challenge. Larson, of course, is only planning to race Thursday as NASCAR commitments Saturday at Richmond Raceway keep him competing in Knoxville's finale.
- Buddy Kofoid and Carson Macedo are both coming off flips earlier this week in the Capitani Classic (Kofoid) and the Front Row Challenge (Macedo).
- Aaron Reutzel returns to the Knoxville Nationals after a foot injury sidelined him from competing last year. He DNQ'ed in 2024, so he's looking for his first A-main start since 2023 when he finished 16th. He has a best finish of fourth in the Nationals main event in 2018.
- Brian Brown also returns to the Knoxville Nationals after breaking his right hand and left wrist following last year's Thursday night prelim crash.
- Brent Marks is coming off Sunday's seventh-place finish in the Capitani Classic, a strong debut for his new Chase Briscoe Racing team. He DNQ'ed last year after finished fifth in 2024.
- Last year's Knoxville Nationals Rookie of the Year in Cameron Martin looks to lock himself into his second straight main event. He finished 15th in overall prelim points last year.
- Terry McCarl (59) and Kerry Madsen (27) have the most Knoxville wins all-time among drivers in Thursday's prelim
2026 Knoxville Nationals Top-16 Lock-Ins
Rank | Driver | Points |
1 | Kyle Larson | 485 |
2 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 481 |
3 | James McFadden | 478 |
4 | Kasey Kahne | 477 |
5 | Michael Kofoid | 469 |
6 | Justin Henderson | 463 |
7 | Parker Price-Miller | 461 |
8 | Daryn Pittman | 461 |
9 | Chase Dietz | 460 |
10 | David Gravel | 460 |
11 | Rico Abreu | 460 |
12 | Logan Schuchart | 459 |
13 | Garet Williamson | 458 |
14 | Cole Macedo | 457 |
15 | Corey Day | 457 |
16 | Brian Brown | 457 |
A-Main Results: 2026 Knoxville Nationals Thursday
Finish | Start | # | Driver |
1 | 8 | 57 | Kyle Larson |
2 | 1 | 23 | Garet Williamson |
3 | 11 | 19 | Brent Marks |
4 | 4 | 83 | Michael Kofoid |
5 | 2 | 88W | Austin McCarl |
6 | 5 | 71 | Parker Price Miller |
7 | 15 | 41 | Carson Macedo |
8 | 13 | 87 | Aaron Reutzel |
9 | 21 | 1S | Logan Schuchart |
10 | 14 | 17 | Spencer Bayston |
11 | 6 | 21 | Brian Brown |
12 | 7 | 69K | Daryn Pittman |
13 | 17 | 44 | Chris Martin |
14 | 9 | 17B | Bill Balog |
15 | 22 | 88T | Tanner Thorson |
16 | 24 | 16C | Skylar Gee |
17 | 18 | 49 | Josh Schneiderman |
18 | 12 | 1X | Scott Bogucki |
19 | 23 | 15K | Creed Kemenah |
20 | 20 | 3 | Ayrton Gennetten |
21 | 3 | 1TZ | Tasker Phillips |
22 | 10 | 19HM | Kaleb Johnson |
23 | 16 | 27 | Carson McCarl |
24 | 19 | 9 | Matt Juhl |
A-Main Lineup: 2026 Knoxville Nationals Thursday
Row | Inside | Outside |
1 | 23 Garet Williamson | 88W Austin McCarl |
2 | 1TZ Tasker Phillips | 83 Michael Kofoid |
3 | 71 Parker Price Miller | 21 Brian Brown |
4 | 69K Daryn Pittman | 57 Kyle Larson |
5 | 17B Bill Balog | 19HM Kaleb Johnson |
6 | 19 Brent Marks | 1X Scott Bogucki |
7 | 87 Aaron Reutzel | 17 Spencer Bayston |
8 | 41 Carson Macedo | 27 Carson McCarl |
9 | 44 Chris Martin | 49 Josh Schneiderman |
10 | 09 Matt Juhl | 3 Ayrton Gennetten |
11 | 1s Logan Schuchart | 88 Tanner Thorson |
12 | 15k Creed Kemenah | 16c Skylar Gee |
B-Main Recap: 2026 Knoxville Nationals Thursday
- A nightmarish B-main for Tyler Courtney, who gets collected a pair of incidents before an official lap is complete, and finished one spot out of a transfer after driving from the tail of the field to fifth.
- Seventh-starting Daison Pursley and eighth-starting Cale Thomas were among those collected in opening-lap melees. Pursley avoided the work area, therefore keeping his starting spot, but Thomas couldn't continue. Pursley still finished two spots short of a transfer.
Finish | Start | # | Driver |
1 | 4 | 1S | Logan Schuchart |
2 | 1 | 88T | Tanner Thorson |
3 | 9 | 15K | Creed Kemenah |
4 | 10 | 16C | Skylar Gee |
5 | 2 | 7BC | Tyler Courtney |
6 | 7 | 9P | Daison Pursley |
7 | 12 | 5 | Brenham Crouch |
8 | 3 | 74 | Xavier Doney |
9 | 6 | 55 | Kerry Madsen |
10 | 5 | 9R | Chase Randall |
11 | 17 | 33W | Cap Henry |
12 | 11 | 40 | Clint Garner |
13 | 16 | 26R | Levi Hillier |
14 | 15 | 28M | Conner Morrell |
15 | 22 | 4C | Cameron Martin |
16 | 14 | 87X | Ashton Torgerson |
17 | 18 | 6DC | Will Armitage |
18 | 13 | 17A | Jack Anderson |
19 | 23 | 45D | Derek Hagar |
20 | 19 | 8 | John Carney II |
21 | 21 | 12X | Landon Crawley |
22 | 8 | 31 | Cale Thomas |
23 | 20 | 2M | J.J. Hickle |
24 | 24 | 27B | Garrett Benson |
B-Main Lineup: 2026 Knoxville Nationals Thursday
Row | Inside | Outside |
1 | 88T Tanner Thorson | 7BC Tyler Courtney |
2 | 74 Xavier Doney | 1S Logan Schuchart |
3 | 9R Chase Randall | 55 Kerry Madsen |
4 | 9P Daison Pursley | 31 Cale Thomas |
5 | 15K Creed Kemenah | 16C Skylar Gee |
6 | 40 Clint Garner | 5 Brenham Crouch |
7 | 17A Jack Anderson | 87X Ashton Torgerson |
8 | 28M Conner Morrell | 26R Levi Hillier |
9 | 33W Cap Henry | 6DC Will Armitage |
10 | 8 John Carney II | 2M J.J. Hickle |
11 | 12X Landon Crawley | 4C Cameron Martin |
12 | 45D Derek Hagar | 27B Garrett Benson |
Heat 5 Recap: 2026 Knoxville Nationals Thursday
- Daryn Pittman joined Kyle Larson as the only drivers to transfer into the prelim feature as the fastest qualifier. The performance should start him seventh in the 25-lapper.
- Kerry Madsen just missed a transfer spot after qualifying 10th overall. He'll go to a loaded B-main.
Finish | Start | # | Driver | +/- |
1 | 1 | 3 | Ayrton Gennetten | — |
2 | 4 | 1X | Scott Bogucki | 2 |
3 | 6 | 1TZ | Tasker Phillips | 3 |
4 | 8 | 69K | Daryn Pittman | 4 |
Top 4 transfer | ||||
5 | 7 | 55 | Kerry Madsen | 2 |
6 | 2 | 28M | Conner Morrell | -4 |
7 | 3 | 87X | Ashton Torgerson | -4 |
8 | 5 | 16C | Skylar Gee | -3 |
9 | 9 | 16G | Austyn Gossel | — |
Heat 4 Recap: 2026 Knoxville Nationals Thursday
- Kyle Larson was the only fastest qualifier from the first four heats to qualify in a transfer spot. That should start him eighth in the 25-lap feature, with the opportunity for him to earn overall high-point total.
Finish | Start | # | Driver | +/- |
1 | 2 | 44 | Chris Martin | 1 |
2 | 3 | 87 | Aaron Reutzel | 1 |
3 | 1 | 9 | Matt Juhl | -2 |
4 | 8 | 57 | Kyle Larson | 4 |
Top 4 transfer | ||||
5 | 4 | 40 | Clint Garner | -1 |
6 | 6 | 31 | Cale Thomas | — |
7 | 9 | 2M | J.J. Hickle | 2 |
8 | 5 | 15K | Creed Kemenah | -3 |
9 | 7 | 12X | Landon Crawley | -2 |
10 | 10 | 56 | Joe Simbro | — |
Heat 3 Recap: 2026 Knoxville Nationals Thursday
- Qualifying 24th, Brent Marks really needed to win his heat from fourth — which he did. Now the quest is on to finish second or better in the 25-lap prelim, which would put him at the 451-point mark.
- Garet Williamson and Brian Brown moving inside transfer spots put them in good points standing as well as the 451-point total is within reach for them.
Finish | Start | # | Driver | +/- |
1 | 4 | 19 | Brent Marks | 3 |
2 | 2 | 27 | Carson McCarl | — |
3 | 5 | 23 | Garet Williamson | 2 |
4 | 7 | 21 | Brian Brown | 3 |
Top 4 transfer | ||||
5 | 1 | 33W | Cap Henry | -4 |
6 | 6 | 9P | Daison Pursley | — |
7 | 8 | 74 | Xavier Doney | 1 |
8 | 9 | 8 | John Carney II | 1 |
9 | 3 | 23L | Jimmy Light | -6 |
10 | 10 | G5 | Gage Pulkrabek | — |
Heat 2 Recap: 2026 Knoxville Nationals Thursday
- Carson Macedo's 32nd-best qualifying lap buries him in points, but at least he scored the victory in the second heat.
- Buddy Kofoid put forth an important sixth-to-second charge, putting him in good points standing into the 25-lap feature.
- The fastest two qualifiers — Tyler Courtney and Chase Randall — are B-main bound.
Finish | Start | # | Driver | +/- |
1 | 2 | 41 | Carson Macedo | 1 |
2 | 6 | 83 | Michael Kofoid | 4 |
3 | 1 | 49 | Josh Schneiderman | -2 |
4 | 4 | 19HM | Kaleb Johnson | — |
Top 4 transfer | ||||
5 | 8 | 7BC | Tyler Courtney | 3 |
6 | 3 | 17A | Jack Anderson | -3 |
7 | 7 | 9R | Chase Randall | — |
8 | 9 | 6DC | Will Armitage | 1 |
9 | 5 | 45D | Derek Hagar | -4 |
10 | 10 | 27B | Garrett Benson | — |
Heat 1 Recap: 2026 Knoxville Nationals Thursday
- Spencer Bayston got the jump on the initial start and set sail for the opening heat victory. Qualifying 31st still leaves him in a hole — likely the B-main even if he wins the 25-lap feature.
- Bill Balog, Austin McCarl and Parker Price-Miller all advanced two spots and still have a path toward 451 points, which is the projected lock-in total for Saturday night's A-main.
- The fastest two qualifiers in the heat — Logan Schuchart and Tanner Thorson — face a B-main.
Finish | Start | # | Driver | +/- |
1 | 2 | 17 | Spencer Bayston | 1 |
2 | 4 | 17B | Bill Balog | 2 |
3 | 5 | 88W | Austin McCarl | 2 |
4 | 6 | 71 | Parker Price Miller | 2 |
Top 4 transfer | ||||
5 | 1 | 26R | Levi Hillier | -4 |
6 | 7 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | 1 |
7 | 3 | 5 | Brenham Crouch | -4 |
8 | 8 | 88T | Tanner Thorson | — |
9 | 9 | 4C | Cameron Martin | — |
10 | 10 | 14T | Brooke Tatnell | — |
Heat Race Lineups: 2026 Knoxville Nationals Thursday
Pos. | Heat 1 | Heat 2 | Heat 3 | Heat 4 | Heat 5 |
1 | 26R Levi Hillier | 49 Josh Schneiderman | 33W Cap Henry | 09 Matt Juhl | 3 Ayrton Gennetten |
2 | 17 Spencer Bayston | 41 Carson Macedo | 27 Carson McCarl | 44 Chris Martin | 28M Conner Morrell |
3 | 5 Brenham Crouch | 17A Jack Anderson | 23L Jimmy Light | 87 Aaron Reutzel | 87X Ashton Torgerson |
4 | 17B Bill Balog | 19HM Kaleb Johnson | 19 Brent Marks | 40 Clint Garner | 1X Scott Bogucki |
5 | 88W Austin McCarl | 45D Derek Hagar | 23 Garet Williamson | 15K Creed Kemenah | 16C Skylar Gee |
6 | 71 Parker Price Miller | 83 Michael Kofoid | 9P Daison Pursley | 31 Cale Thomas | 1TZ Tasker Phillips |
7 | 1S Logan Schuchart | 9R Chase Randall | 21 Brian Brown | 12X Landon Crawley | 55 Kerry Madsen |
8 | 88T Tanner Thorson | 7BC Tyler Courtney | 74 Xavier Doney | 57 Kyle Larson | 69K Daryn Pittman |
9 | 4C Cameron Martin | 6DC Will Armitage | 8 John Carney II | 2M J.J. Hickle | 16G Austyn Gossel |
10 | 14T Brooke Tatnell | 27B Garrett Benson | G5 Gage Pulkrabek | 56 Joe Simbro | — |
2026 Knoxville Nationals Thursday Qualifying Results
Pos. | Car | Driver | Hometown | Time |
1 | 88T | Tanner Thorson | Broken Arrow, OK | 15.299 |
2 | 7BC | Tyler Courtney | Indianapolis, IN | 15.397 |
3 | 74 | Xavier Doney | Odessa, MO | 15.399 |
4 | 57 | Kyle Larson | Elk Grove, CA | 15.400 |
5 | 69K | Daryn Pittman | Owasso, OK | 15.453 |
6 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | Hanover, PA | 15.486 |
7 | 9R | Chase Randall | Waco, TX | 15.488 |
8 | 21 | Brian Brown | Higginsville, MO | 15.505 |
9 | 12X | Landon Crawley | Benton, AR | 15.515 |
10 | 55 | Kerry Madsen | Knoxville, IA | 15.555 |
11 | 71 | Parker Price Miller | Kokomo, IN | 15.584 |
12 | 83 | Michael Kofoid | Penngrove, CA | 15.604 |
13 | 9P | Daison Pursley | Locust Grove, OK | 15.630 |
14 | 31 | Cale Thomas | Fairland, IN | 15.642 |
15 | 1TZ | Tasker Phillips | Pleasantville, IA | 15.655 |
16 | 88W | Austin McCarl | Altoona, IA | 15.656 |
17 | 45D | Derek Hagar | Marion, AR | 15.703 |
18 | 23 | Garet Williamson | Columbia, MO | 15.707 |
19 | 15K | Creed Kemenah | Alvada, OH | 15.727 |
20 | 16C | Skylar Gee | Leduc, AB | 15.740 |
21 | 17B | Bill Balog | North Pole, AK | 15.746 |
22 | 19HM | Kaleb Johnson | Sioux Falls, SD | 15.748 |
23 | 19 | Brent Marks | Myerstown, PA | 15.762 |
24 | 40 | Clint Garner | Sioux Falls, SD | 15.762 |
25 | 1X | Scott Bogucki | Mclaren Vale, SA | 15.777 |
26 | 5 | Brenham Crouch | Lubbock, TX | 15.788 |
27 | 17A | Jack Anderson | Newton, IA | 15.794 |
28 | 23L | Jimmy Light | Pittsboro, IN | 15.857 |
29 | 87 | Aaron Reutzel | Clute, TX | 15.859 |
30 | 87X | Ashton Torgerson | Glendale, AZ | 15.870 |
31 | 17 | Spencer Bayston | Lebanon, IN | 15.886 |
32 | 41 | Carson Macedo | Lemoore, CA | 15.897 |
33 | 27 | Carson McCarl | Altoona, IA | 15.902 |
34 | 44 | Chris Martin | Ankeny, IA | 15.907 |
35 | 28M | Conner Morrell | Bradenton, FL | 15.909 |
36 | 26R | Levi Hillier | Burlington, WA | 15.977 |
37 | 49 | Josh Schneiderman | West Burlington, IA | 15.985 |
38 | 33W | Cap Henry | Republic, OH | 16.028 |
39 | 9 | Matt Juhl | Tea, SD | 16.052 |
40 | 3 | Ayrton Gennetten | Versailles, MO | 16.053 |
41 | 4C | Cameron Martin | Ankeny, IA | 16.110 |
42 | 6DC | Will Armitage | Athens, IL | 16.115 |
43 | 8 | John Carney II | El Paso, TX | 16.132 |
44 | 2M | J.J. Hickle | Quilcene, WA | 16.140 |
45 | 16G | Austyn Gossel | Fort Collins, CO | 16.216 |
46 | 14T | Brooke Tatnell | San Souci, NSW | 16.289 |
47 | 27B | Garrett Benson | Concordia, MO | 16.332 |
48 | G5 | Gage Pulkrabek | East Grand Forks, MN | 16.638 |
49 | 56 | Joe Simbro | Pleasantville, IA | 16.677 |
2026 Knoxville Nationals Thursday Qualifying Order
Order | Car # | Driver | Hometown |
1 | 74 | Xavier Doney | Odessa, MO |
2 | 23L | Jimmy Light | Pittsboro, IN |
3 | 2M | J.J. Hickle | Quilcene, WA |
4 | 45D | Derek Hagar | Marion, AR |
5 | 57 | Kyle Larson | Elk Grove, CA |
6 | 7BC | Tyler Courtney | Indianapolis, IN |
7 | 88T | Tanner Thorson | Broken Arrow, OK |
8 | 12X | Landon Crawley | Benton, AR |
9 | 9R | Chase Randall | Waco, TX |
10 | 31 | Cale Thomas | Fairland, IN |
11 | 19HM | Kaleb Johnson | Sioux Falls, SD |
12 | 16C | Skylar Gee | Leduc, AB |
13 | 28M | Conner Morrell | Bradenton, FL |
14 | 40 | Clint Garner | Sioux Falls, SD |
15 | 71 | Parker Price Miller | Kokomo, IN |
16 | 16G | Austyn Gossel | Fort Collins, CO |
17 | 1TZ | Tasker Phillips | Pleasantville, IA |
18 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | Hanover, PA |
19 | 8 | John Carney II | El Paso, TX |
20 | 9P | Daison Pursley | Locust Grove, OK |
21 | 21 | Brian Brown | Higginsville, MO |
22 | 83 | Michael Kofoid | Penngrove, CA |
23 | 55 | Kerry Madsen | Knoxville, IA |
24 | 1X | Scott Bogucki | Mclaren Vale, SA |
25 | 87X | Ashton Torgerson | Glendale, AZ |
26 | 3 | Ayrton Gennetten | Versailles, MO |
27 | 69K | Daryn Pittman | Owasso, OK |
28 | 15K | Creed Kemenah | Alvada, OH |
29 | 17B | Bill Balog | North Pole, AK |
30 | 5 | Brenham Crouch | Lubbock, TX |
31 | 17A | Jack Anderson | Newton, IA |
32 | 56 | Joe Simbro | Pleasantville, IA |
33 | 49 | Josh Schneiderman | West Burlington, IA |
34 | 44 | Chris Martin | Ankeny, IA |
35 | 6DC | Will Armitage | Athens, IL |
36 | 27 | Carson McCarl | Altoona, IA |
37 | 41 | Carson Macedo | Lemoore, CA |
38 | 17 | Spencer Bayston | Lebanon, IN |
39 | 88W | Austin McCarl | Altoona, IA |
40 | 26R | Levi Hillier | Burlington, WA |
41 | G5 | Gage Pulkrabek | East Grand Forks, MN |
42 | 4C | Cameron Martin | Ankeny, IA |
43 | 33W | Cap Henry | Republic, OH |
44 | 23 | Garet Williamson | Columbia, MO |
45 | 87 | Aaron Reutzel | Clute, TX |
46 | 27B | Garrett Benson | Concordia, MO |
47 | 19 | Brent Marks | Myerstown, PA |
48 | 14T | Brooke Tatnell | San Souci, NSW |
49 | 9 | Matt Juhl | Tea, SD |
2026 Knoxville Nationals Thursday Qualifying Night Roster
Car # | Driver | Hometown | Rookie |
1M | Sean McClelland | Tulsa, OK | R |
1s | Logan Schuchart | Hanover, PA | |
1TZ | Tasker Phillips | Pleasantville, IA | |
1X | Scott Bogucki | McLaren Vale, SA | |
2M | J.J. Hickle | Quilcene, WA | |
3 | Ayrton Gennetten | Gravois Mills, MO | |
4C | Cameron Martin | Ankeny, IA | |
5 | Brenham Crouch | Lubbock, TX | |
G5 | Gage Pulkrabek | East Grand Forks, MN | |
6DC | Will Armitage | Athens, IL | R |
7BC | Tyler Courtney | Indianapolis, IN | |
8 | John Carney | El Paso, TX | |
9 | Matt Juhl | Tea, SD | |
9 | Daison Pursley | Locust Grove, OK | |
9R | Chase Randall | Waco, TX | |
12X | Landon Crawley | Benton, AR | |
14T | Brooke Tatnell | San Souci, NSW, Aust. | |
15JR | Cole Mincer | Burlington, IA | |
15K | Creed Kemenah | Alvada, OH | R |
16C | Skylar Gee | Leduc, ALB, Can | |
16G | Austyn Gossel | Fort Collins, CO | |
17 | Spencer Bayston | Lebanon, IN | |
17A | Jack Anderson | Newton, IA | |
17B | Bill Balog | North Pole, AK | |
19 | Brent Marks | Myerstown, PA | |
19HM | Kaleb Johnson | Brandon, SD | |
21 | Brian Brown | Higginsville, MO | |
23 | Garet Williamson | Columbia, MO | |
23L | Jimmy Light | Pittsboro, IN | |
24 | Terry McCarl | Altoona, IA | |
26R | Levi Hillier | Burlington, WA | R |
27 | Carson McCarl | Altoona, IA | |
27B | Garrett Benson | Concordia, MO | R |
28M | Connor Morrell | Bradenton, FL | |
31 | Cale Thomas | Greenfield, IN | |
33W | Cap Henry | Republic, OH | |
40 | Clint Garner | Sioux Falls, SD | |
41 | Carson Macedo | Lemoore, CA | |
44 | Chris Martin | Ankeny, IA | |
45D | Derek Hagar | Marion, AR | |
49 | Josh Schneiderman | West Burlington, IA | |
55 | Kerry Madsen | Knoxville, IA | |
56 | Joe Simbro | Swan, IA | |
57 | Kyle Larson | Elk Grove, CA | |
69K | Daryn Pittman | Owasso, OK | |
71 | Parker Price Miller | Kokomo, IN | |
74 | Xavier Doney | Odessa, MO | |
83 | Michael Kofoid | Penngrove, CA | |
87 | Aaron Reutzel | Clute, TX | |
87x | Ashton Torgerson | Glendale, AZ | |
88T | Tanner Thorson | Broken Arrow, OK | |
88W | Austin McCarl | Altoona, IA |