Friday’s FVP Hard Knox preliminary night at the 65th annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals has been postponed to Saturday morning with an 11 a.m. Central start time because of weather, setting up a Championship Saturday doubleheader at Knoxville Raceway.
Thunderstorms brought heavy rainfall to the track Friday morning, while continued afternoon showers hindered track and infield drying efforts. With additional storms in the forecast Friday night, Knoxville Raceway officials made the decision to postpone the program just shortly before 6:45 p.m. local time.
Saturday’s rescheduled Hard Knox program will begin with the pit gates opening at 8 a.m. and grandstands opening at 9:30 a.m. Hot laps are scheduled for 11 a.m.
According to Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing publicist Brian Walker, it's the first rain out at Knoxville Nationals week since Aug. 6, 2014, ending a 45-race streak.
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The Hard Knox program gives drivers who did not secure favorable starting positions through Wednesday and Thursday’s qualifying nights another opportunity to race their way into Saturday night’s Knoxville Nationals A-main. The top four finishers in the Hard Knox feature will advance to the 50-lap finale.
A break will follow the conclusion of the morning program to allow Knoxville Raceway officials to prepare the facility for the regularly scheduled Championship Saturday program. Saturday night hot laps remain scheduled for 6:45 p.m.
The revised schedule also means Saturday morning’s worship service and public drivers meeting have been canceled. The Iowa Lottery Stage prerace shows are expected to remain on schedule if possible.
Tickets purchased for Friday’s Hard Knox program will be honored for Saturday morning's program.