Could A Local Claim The Knoxville Nationals?

by NSSN Staff

Danny Lasoski started his career at Knoxville Raceway and eventually went on to win four Knoxville Nationals titles. (Ken Simon Photo)

Editor’s Note: This is the ninth installment in National Speed Sport News’ 30 Days of Knoxville countdown to the 52nd annual Goodyear Knoxville Nationals. During the coming days we will revisit past races, drivers and statistics, while previewing this year’s event.

KNOXVILLE, Iowa — Knoxville Raceway is famous around the world for the Knoxville Nationals, the largest sprint car racing event in the world, which is held there every August.

But while the 52nd Goodyear Knoxville Nationals is set for Aug. 8-11 at the historic half-mile black-dirt track, the weekly sprint car racing at the track is also among the best in the country, having produced some of the world’s best sprint car drivers in the world.

The best-known driver to make his name at Knoxville Raceway is Danny Lasoski. Lasoski owns 98 feature victories at the track and has won the track championship nine times. He’s also posted four Knoxville Nationals victories.

Terry McCarl has taken the Knoxville track championship six times and World of Outlaws regular Kerry Madsen won the crown there in 2005.

A frequent winner around the Midwest, Brian Brown claimed the Knoxville title in 2007 and Johnny Herrera won the championship there in 2009 and 1995.

Randy Smith won five Knoxville Raceway championships and Sprint Car Hall of Famers Doug Wolfgang and Shane Carson are also among the drivers to have claimed the 410 championship at the Sprint Car Capital of the World.

While Lasoski is the all-time leading winner at the track, Wolfgang owns 60 victories there and 12-time Knoxville Nationals winner Steve Kinser ranks third with 58 triumphs there.

Terry McCarl (52) and Sammy Swindell (48) round out the top five on the all-time Knoxville winners list.

SPEED SPORT Magazine “digital edition” now available for iPad and iPhone!

Get one year for just $12.99. Single issues (including back issues) are available for $2.99.
Click here to visit the iTunes App Store for details!

Posted by NSSN Staff on Jul 17 2012 Filed under Featured, Latest Headlines, Top Stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.