BATAVIA, Ohio (September 14, 2026) - The biggest names in Dirt Late Model racing will converge on historic Knoxville Raceway this Thursday through Saturday, September 17-19, for the 22nd running of the Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals.
The three-day crown-jewel event will bring the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series to one of America's most celebrated dirt tracks, culminating in Saturday night's 75-lap finale and a $75,000 payday for the winner.
Thursday and Friday will feature complete preliminary programs, with competitors taking part in time trials, heat races, b-mains and a $10,000-to-win feature each night. Points accumulated during the two preliminary programs will help determine the starting lineup for Saturday's championship races.
Saturday's program will give drivers one final opportunity to race their way into the main event through a b-main before the weekend concludes with the 75-lap Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals feature.
Numerous off-track activities will take place surrounding the three-day event. The Hall of Fame Auction will take place at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, behind turn two, on Saturday at 11:30 AM. There will be a Dirt Racing Outreach service in the Dyer Hudson Hall at 1:45 PM, with an autograph session to follow at 4:00 PM, on Saturday.
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. Known worldwide as the "Sprint Car Capital of the World," Knoxville has also developed a rich Late Model tradition since the inaugural Late Model Knoxville Nationals was held in 2004.
Additional event information, tickets and schedule updates are available at KnoxvilleRaceway.com. Fans may also contact the Knoxville Raceway ticket office at 641-842-5431.
The battle for the Big River Steel Championship presented by ARP remains tight entering Knoxville. Brandon Sheppard leads the standings, but Hudson O'Neal sits just 55 points behind. Devin Moran remains firmly in contention, only 105 markers behind Sheppard.
Brandon Overton enters the weekend fourth, followed by Ricky Thornton Jr. and Max Blair. Josh Rice is seventh, Brian Shirley holds eighth, Garrett Alberson is ninth and Kyle Bronson completes the top 10.
Saturday's finale will also serve as the opening round of the Big River Steel Bonus Program presented by ARP. In addition to the posted event purse, Big River Steel will award a $5,000 bonus to the highest-finishing eligible driver from among the top 15 in the championship standings. Knoxville is the first of five consecutive Saturday bonus rounds that will add another layer of intensity to the closing stretch of the season.
For the latest news, results, championship standings, and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series presented by FloRacing, please visit LucasDirt.com.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Purses:
Thursday - September 17
B-Main Purses: 1. Transfer + $100, 2. Transfer + $100, 3. Transfer + $100, 4. $200, 5. $200, 6. $200, 7. $200, 8. $200, 9. $200, 10. $200, 11. $200, 12. $200, 13. $200, 14. $200, 15. $200, 16. $200, 17. $200, 18. $200, 19. $200, 20. $200, 21. $200, 22. $200, 23. $200, 24. $200 = $4,500
A-Main Purse: 1. $10,000, 2. $5,500, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,700, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,000, 15. $950, 16. $925, 17. $900, 18. $875, 19. $850, 20. $825, 21. $800, 22. $800, 23. $800, 24. $800 = $48,575
Friday - September 18
B-Main Purses: 1. Transfer + $100, 2. Transfer + $100, 3. Transfer + $100, 4. $200, 5. $200, 6. $200, 7. $200, 8. $200, 9. $200, 10. $200, 11. $200, 12. $200, 13. $200, 14. $200, 15. $200, 16. $200, 17. $200, 18. $200, 19. $200, 20. $200, 21. $200, 22. $200, 23. $200, 24. $200 = $4,500
A-Main Purse: 1. $10,000, 2. $5,500, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,700, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,000, 15. $950, 16. $925, 17. $900, 18. $875, 19. $850, 20. $825, 21. $800, 22. $800, 23. $800, 24. $800 = $48,575
Saturday - September 19
B-Main Purses: 1. Transfer + $200, 2. Transfer + $200, 3. Transfer + $200, 4. $500, 5. $500, 6. $500, 7. $500, 8. $500, 9. $500, 10. $500, 11. $500, 12. $400, 13. $400, 14. $400, 15. $400, 16. $400, 17. $400, 18. $400, 19. $400, 20. $400, 21. $400, 22. $400, 23. $400, 24. $400 = $9,800
A-Main Purse: 1. $75,000, 2. $25,000, 3. $10,000, 4. $9,000, 5. $8,000, 6. $7,000, 7. $6,000, 8. $5,000, 9. $4,500, 10. $4,000, 11. $3,800, 12. $3,700, 13. $3,600, 14. $3,500, 15. $3,400, 16. $3,300, 17. $3,200, 18. $3,100, 19. $3,000, 20. $2,900, 21. $2,800, 22. $2,700, 23. $2,600, 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 = $217,600
Total Weekend Purse: $352,350
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rule:
Left Rear/Fronts - Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) NLMT3
Right Rear - Hoosier (92) NRM NLMT3, (92) NRM NLMT4
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Previous Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Winners:
2025 - Hudson O'Neal
2024 - Bobby Pierce
2023 - Ricky Thornton Jr.
2022 - Jonathan Davenport
2021 - Mike Marlar
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
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