Morning rainfall at Knoxville Raceway has forced officials to alter the format and starting lineups for Saturday’s 65th annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s finale.

The biggest change expands the number of drivers locked directly into Saturday’s $200,000-to-win A-main from 16 to 20. Austin McCarl, Brent Marks, Tanner Thorson and Jace Park, who were originally slated to start in the first four positions of the B-main, are now locked into the 50-lap Championship Feature.

Kyle Larson remains the top driver in preliminary points with 485, four ahead of Wednesday preliminary winner Sheldon Haudenschild. James McFadden, Kasey Kahne and Buddy Kofoid round out the top five.

Drivers ranked 21st through 40th in preliminary points are now locked into Saturday night’s B-main, with Sye Lynch starting from the pole alongside Emerson Axsom. The top four finishers from the C-main will fill starting positions 21st through 24th in the B-main.

Drivers ranked 41st through 50th are locked into the first five rows of the C-main. Defending Knoxville Nationals champion Ryan Timms will start from the pole of the C-main, followed by Kerry Madsen, Justin Peck, Sam Hafertepe Jr. and Chase Randall.

The remaining drivers — those ranked 51st and lower in preliminary points — will compete in a shortened Hard Knox program Saturday afternoon. Time trials have been eliminated, with preliminary points instead determining the heat-race lineups. The Hard Knox feature winner will advance to the 11th starting position in Saturday night’s C-main, with the remaining lineup filled out from there.

Hard Knox hot laps were pushed to noon Central following the morning rainfall.

2026 Knoxville Nationals Saturday A-Main Lineup

2026 Knoxville Nationals Saturday B-Main Lineup

2026 Knoxville Nationals Saturday C-Main Lineup