After two nights of preliminary action, the field is beginning to take shape for Saturday’s 65th annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey's finale.
The top 16 drivers in combined points from Wednesday and Thursday are locked directly into Saturday’s 50-lap A-main, while drivers 17th through 26th in points earn the first 10 starting positions in the B-main. Kyle Larson topped the preliminary points standings with 485 points, four ahead of Wednesday night winner Sheldon Haudenschild, while Brian Brown claimed the 16th and final A-main lock-in spot at 457 points.
Austin McCarl narrowly missed the cut with 456 points and will lead the group of drivers currently slated for Saturday’s B-main. Brent Marks and Tanner Thorson follow him in the standings, while the remainder of Saturday’s lineups will be determined through Friday’s Hard Knox qualifying program.
2026 Knoxville Nationals Saturday A-Main Lineup
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 |
2026 Knoxville Nationals Saturday A-Main Lineup
Start | Driver | Points |
1 | Austin McCarl | 456 |
2 | Brent Marks | 452 |
3 | Tanner Thorson | 451 |
4 | Jace Park | 443 |
5 | Sye Lynch | 443 |
6 | Emerson Axsom | 440 |
7 | Bill Balog | 431 |
8 | Tyler Courtney | 428 |
9 | Aaron Reutzel | 427 |
10 | Carson Macedo | 426 |