Kyle Larson Goes Flag To Flag For His Third Knoxville Nationals Title

Warding off an initial challenge from Daryn Pittman and then flirting with Giovanni Scelzi past that the halfway mark, Kyle Larson paced all fifty laps to earn his second straight and third overall Knoxville Nationals championship Saturday during the 63rd edition of the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey's.

Pittman, who had started to the outside of Larson in row one had the momentum coming out of turn four to complete the opening lap, but when Larson came up the track the driver who recently came out of retirement to wheel the Kreitz Racing #69K had to stab the breaks in order to avoid contact. Five laps would be scored with Larson out front before the caution waved for Logan Schuchart who had slowed coming down the front stretch and amazingly his crew would be able to complete a gear change during the allotted time in the work area. 

Once back to green Larson would again drive away from the competition as the fourth starting Carson Macedo made his way into second and just prior to the mid-race break, Giovanni Scelzi had come from fifth to third while Anthony Macri had advanced from eighth to fourth. Young Corey Day was also on the move as he would now restart the race in fifth after starting eleventh.

It would take just three laps for Scelzi to slip by Macedo for second and the capacity crowd could see that he was now closing in on Larson as well. Some fans would even rise to their feet a couple of laps later when Gio pulled within two car lengths of the leader, but Kyle would then again nail his line and pull away. Day would get by Macri and after he drove by Macedo for third with less than ten laps remaining, the gaps between first and second, and second and third were too much to overcome as Larson cruised to victory. With Scelzi, Day and Macedo next in line the state of California rules the world of Sprint Car racing right now with Pennsylvania's Anthony Macri closing out the top five.

Brian Brown would finish in sixth, Tyler Courtney slipped from third to seventh, Scott Bogucki was the top Aussie in eighth, Sheldon Haudenschild finished ninth with Jacob Allen closing out the top ten.

2024 Knoxville Nationals Champion Kyle Larson - Barry Johnson photo

Brad Sweet was a flag-to-flag winner of the B-Main that saw Justin Peck, David Gravel and James McFadden make the big show as well. The top four starters were the top four finishers and transfers from the C with Brenham Crouch taking the win. Same could be said for the D-Main with veteran driver Don Droud Jr. scoring the win and the E-Main went ten laps on a green racing surface with the top four finishing as they had started with Sawyer Phillips the first to the checkers.

This closes out another fun week of visiting with friends and enjoying the pinnacle event of the sport. As always I appreciate the hospitality of Barry, Stephanie and Aidan Johnson who allow me to stay at their home for the week and it is always great to spend the week with the Nachbor family, Keith, Jeff, Sean, Sam and Ethan both before and during the races. They are my Section I family! It was also good to have my long-time friend John Vantiger join me for the week as he has not been to the Nationals since 1988 and it was good to have another of my Class of '81 buddies Todd Wibben join us for Saturday as well. And it was great to get fired up for the evening with some great steaks and conversation with "the grill wizard" Jack Donlan and his wingman Ed Holmes. 

I also want to give a tip of the hat to Angie and her entire team that handles us Media types during the Nationals as they make us all feel welcome and important. Just 361 days until we can do it all again!