News

Knoxville Raceway Bolsters Late Model Knoxville Nationals Purse to Pay $50,000-to-Win


Thursday, September 2, 2021
Knoxville Raceway has increased the purse for the 17th Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals presented by BRANDT Professional Agriculture to more than $287,000. For the first time, the winner of the 100-lap finale on Saturday, September 18th will earn $50,000, while the runner-up will take home $25,000.

“We may be the Sprint Car Capital of the World, but our Late Model Nationals has grown into a premier event at Knoxville Raceway and deserves a bigger purse,” said John McCoy, Race Director at Knoxville Raceway. “The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series puts on a great show here year-after-year. We enjoy working with the Lucas Oil team to put on a great show and appreciate how well they work with other series to make this a truly special event. This event is a great way for Knoxville Raceway to end its season each year.”

“For over a decade, the Late Model Knoxville Nationals has stood out as one of the most lucrative in Dirt Late Model racing,” said Rick Schwallie, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Director. “As the prestige of the Late Model Knoxville Nationals grows, the stakes continue to rise. A huge thanks to Knoxville Raceway for continuing to invest in what has become one of the most coveted events in Dirt Late Model racing. Lucas Oil Products is proud to have been a partner of Knoxville Raceway since 2005 and we look forward to continuing our great working relationship for years to come.”

The three-day event is Knoxville Raceway’s sole late model event each season. The race dates back to 2004 when Iowa native Brian Birkhofer took home the win in the inaugural Late Model Knoxville Nationals. In 16 events, there have been 12 different winners. Only Jimmy Owens, Mike Marlar, Brian Birkhofer and Scott Bloomquist have recorded multiple wins.

Teams look forward to returning to the famed 1/2 mile black clay oval that sits in the middle of town after the 2020 Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals were postponed until this year due to COVID.

Three-day ticket packages and single-night tickets are available at knoxvilleraceway.com or by calling the ticket office at 641-842-5431. All three nights will be broadcast on MAVTVPLUS.com. The September 18th finale will also air live on MAVTV Motorsports Network at 9:00 PM CT/10:00 PM ET.

For more information on the September 16th-18th Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals presented by BRANDT Professional Agriculture, visit www.knoxvilleraceway.com, follow @KnoxvilleRaces on Twitter and like the track on Facebook and Instagram.

Previous Late Model Knoxville Nationals Winners:
2019 – Jimmy Owens
2018 – Jimmy Owens
2017 – Mike Marlar
2016 – Mike Marlar
2015 – Jared Landers
2014 – Brian Birkhofer
2013 – Darrell Lanigan
2012 – Steve Francis
2011 – Don O’Neal
2010 – Billy Moyer
2009 – Scott Bloomquist
2008 – Tim McCreadie
2007 – Brady Smith
2006 – Brian Shirley
2005 – Scott Bloomquist
2004 – Brian Birkhofer

Knoxville Late Model Nationals Purse Information:
Thursday-Friday A-Main Purse: 1. $7,000, 2. $4,000, 3. $3,000, 4. $2,000, 5. $1,500, 6. $1,000, 7. $900, 8. $800, 9. $700, 10. $600, 11. $580, 12. $560, 13. $540, 14. $520, 15. $500, 16. $490, 17. $480, 18. $470, 19. $460, 20. $450, 21. $440, 22. $430, 23. $410, 24. $400

Saturday A-Main Purse: 1. $50,000, 2. $25,000, 3. $10,000, 4. $8,750, 5. $7,500, 6. $7,000, 7. $6,500, 8. $6,000, 9. $5,500, 10. $5,000, 11. $4,500, 12. $4,000, 13. $3,500, 14. $3,400, 15. $3,300, 16. $3,200, 17. $3,100, 18. $3,000, 19. $3,000, 20. $3,000, 21. $3,000, 22. $3,000, 23. $2,500, 24. $2,500, 25. $2,500, 26. $2,500, 27. $2,500, 28. $2,500, 29. $2,500, 30. $2,500, 31. $2,500, 32. $2,500