Come For More Than Just the Races!
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
By Joanne Cram
This year’s 62nd NOS Energy Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s are shaping up to be one of the best yet. With so many activities to keep the busiest race fan entertained, here are some of the highlight’s fans can look forward to this year!
Tuesday, August 8th is the official kick-off of Nationals week, and the crowning of this year’s Nationals Queen will be held at 6:00pm at Dyer Hudson Hall. With fifteen young ladies competing from six different states, it should be a fun night to see who our court will be! The Kick-Off Party is also being held downtown Knoxville on our town’s historic square. There will be a free concert by Steel Panther on the NOS Energy Drink Stage.
Wednesday, August 9 kicks off night one of the Brandt Professional Agriculture Qualifying. Before racing starts, you can catch Rooftop Yoga - Bryan Clauson Suite Tower at 9:00am. Later in the day, catch Racing Education in the Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion at 1:00pm, then immediately after that there is KRCO Trivia in Dyer Hudson Hall at 2:00pm. At 3:00pm, the Great Southern Bank Kid Zone Opens-Casey’s Pizza Party with a Pizza Party at 5:00pm. Fans won’t want to miss the Donny Schatz 2022 Champion Pole Unveiling at 4:30pm, and The Sage Fruit Knoxville Nationals Live pre-race show hosted by Tony Bokhoven on the Sage Fruit Stage
Opening Ceremonies will see Donny Schatz raise The Champion’s Flag. At the conclusion of each night of racing, fans are invited to the Drivers Press Conference in the Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion. This is open to the public, where you can be firsthand at the post-race conversation. There will also be live music with THE BOYS on the Sage Fruit Entertainment Stage.
The second night of Iowa Lottery Qualifying is Thursday, August 10th. Before the races there will be breakfast served between 8-10:00am, hosted by Checkered Flag Concessions at the south window. At 9:00am there will be a NSCHoF General Membership Meeting, at the same time Rooftop Yoga will be taking place up on the Bryan Clauson Suite Tower. The highly entertaining Big Wheel Kids Races at Credentials Building will take place at 10:00am. A new event is the Racing Education in the Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion, held at 1:00pm. Once again, the Great Southern Bank Kid Zone opens back up at 3:00pm, followed by the Jersey Freeze Ice Cream Party at 5:00pm. While the kids are hanging out in the Kid Zone, adults won’t want to miss the Sage Fruit Knoxville Nationals Live pre-race show hosted by Tony Bokhoven on the Sage Fruit Stage at 5:00pm. Once again, the press conference will be open to the public post-race, and stick around for live music with THE PUNCHING PANDAS on the Sage Fruit Entertainment Stage.
Friday’s race night is the FVP “Hard Knox” Preliminary Night of action. During the day, once again breakfast will be open from 8-10:00am at CFC’s south window. Rooftop Yoga will be at 9:00am at the Bryan Clauson Suite Tower. There are some great guests this year for the Breakfast w/ Champions: Featured this year is Rocky Hodges, Van May, & Rico Abreu. This will be held across the street from Knoxville Raceway at Celebrate Church. If breakfast isn’t your thing, head on over to Pella for the Jason Dietsch Custom Coach Nationals Golf Tournament at Bos Landen Golf Course, or catch the Steve King Foundation Corn Hole Tournament in Credentials Building at 11:00am. At 1:00pm, another Racing Education in the Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion will begin, followed by the KidZone opening up at 3:00pm with face painting. The highly anticipated Driver Autograph Session in the Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion will be held at 4:00pm, followed once again by The Sage Fruit Knoxville Nationals Live pre-race show hosted by Tony Bokhoven on the Sage Fruit Stage at 5:00pm. For fans wanting to catch the press conference afterward, hang out in the Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion, followed by live music with AFTER SHOCK on the Sage Fruit Entertainment Stage.
The big day is Saturday, August 12th where will be crowning our 62nd Knoxville Nationals winner. During the day, there will be a plethora of events and activities so don’t miss out on the last day of goings on around the track. Breakfast again is served at the CFC south window from 8-10:00am. There will be a Church Service hosted by Living Word Fellowship in Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion at 9:00am. You won’t want to miss the McKay Group Nationals Parade this year! It begins at 11:00am, so grab your spot early to catch the views. At 11:30am, there will be the annual NSCHoF Auction, where a lot of one-of-a-kind items will be auctioned off to support this great museum. Catch another Racing Education in the Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion at 1:00pm, and the Great Southern Bank Kid Zone Opens early this day at 1:00pm with Toby Balloon Dude. The A-Main Driver’s Meeting in the Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion will be held at 3:00pm and is open to the public, immediately followed by The Sage Fruit Knoxville Nationals Live pre-race show hosted by Tony Bokhoven on the Sage Fruit Stage at 5:00pm. After the race, catch the final driver press conference and the Winner’s Toast to the Fans. The finale night event will be The NOS ENERGY DRINK Post Race Party with Live Music by The Rick Monroe Band.
As you can see, there is no shortage of activities around the track this year! Bring your friends and come enjoy all that Knoxville Raceway and the Marion County Fairgrounds have to offer.
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