Late Model Knoxville Nationals Up Next For The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Story By: JEREMY SHIELDS / LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES – BATAVIA, OH – The 16th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville Raceway kicks off on Thursday.
One of the most prestigious events, set for September 12th-14th, on one of motorsport’s biggest stages, the event will bring together elite dirt late model drivers from around the nation. Over $270,000 in purse money will be paid out over the course of the three-day, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event.
The activities on Thursday and Friday, September 12th-13th will feature a complete program of: Hot Laps, Miller Welders Time Trials, Heat Races, C-Main (if needed), B-Mains, and a 25-lap, $7,000-to-win main event. Drivers will earn points in each of the two preliminary nights that will determine the line-ups for Saturday night’s finale.
Saturday night’s program will include: Hot Laps, C-Main (if needed), B-Mains, and the 100-lap, $40,000-to-win main event for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. The Malvern Bank Super Late Models will serve as a support division on Saturday, September 14th.
Numerous off-track activities will take place surrounding the three-day event. The exposition opens at 1:00 pm each day with exhibits on the Midway, behind the main grandstand. The Hall of Fame Auction will take place at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, behind turn two, on Saturday at 12:00pm (NOON). A driver meet and greet session will be held on Saturday at 3:00pm in the Dyer-Hudson Hall, off the Midway.
Twelve different drivers have stood on the prestigious Knoxville Late Model Nationals Victory Lane stage. The inaugural (2004) event winner Brian Birkhofer, Scott Bloomquist, and Mike Marlar have each won the marquee event twice. Some of the hottest drivers in the country – including Jonathan Davenport and Josh Richards – have yet to conquer Knoxville Raceway.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals is the only annual Super Late Model event at the Sprint Car Capital of the World. This half-mile speed-plant is located within the Marion County Fairgrounds, in the heart of Knoxville, Iowa, just a short drive from Des Moines.
