2026 Knoxville Nationals Schedule | Fan Guide

Fan Guide for 2026 Knoxville Nationals Week

Click the plus to open up each date to see everything that’s happening on that specific day at Knoxville Raceway or Knoxville, Iowa.

Dates: Aug. 12-15th, 2026
2025 Champion: Ryan Timms

Tickets are available at www.KnoxvilleRaceway.com

Sunday, August 9th, 2026

1:30pm KRCO Trivia in Dyer Hudson Hall + Knoxville Raceway Banner Sale
Capitani Classic – 6pm (Knoxville Raceway)

Monday, August 10th, 2026

Outlaw Dirt Kart Nationals at English Creek Speedway – 6pm
Front Row Challenge – Southern Iowa Speedway (Oskaloosa, IA) – 7pm

Tuesday, August 11th, 2026

Knoxville Queen’s Contest – Dyer Hudson Hall (open to public) – 5:30pm
Outlaw Dirt Kart Nationals at English Creek Speedway – 6pm
#NOSvilleNationals Kick off Party w/ Alana Springsteen – Main Stage Act at 8pm; Breathe Carolina at 9:30pm

Wednesday, August 12th, 2026

3pm Knoxville Raceway Kid Zone in The Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion,
Casey’s Pizza Party 5pm at Kid Zone
4:30pm Ryan Timms Champion Pole Unveiling along Fan Walk
8pm Opening Ceremonies – Ryan Timms Raises Champion’s Flag
410 Knoxville Nationals Preliminary Night 1 – see below for qualifying night field
Post Race – Hot Dog (Weiner Wednesday) Feed courtesy of the Marion County Fair Association near the Entertainment Stage
Post Race – Live Music with THE BOYS on the Iowa Lottery Entertainment Stage

Thursday, August 13th, 2026

8am NSCHoF Members Only VIP Reception
9:30am-11am Breakfast @ CFC south window near the ticket office
9:30am Big Wheel Races for kids ages 10 & younger in Credentials Building north of track
3pm Knoxville Raceway Kid Zone in The Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion,
Jersey Freeze Ice Cream Party 5pm (Kid Zone)
410 Knoxville Nationals Preliminary Night 2
Post Race – Live Music with GIMIKK on the Iowa Lottery Entertainment Stage
Post Race – 56th Annual Rube’s Chicken Feed outside the Pit Shack Sponsored by Bush’s Chicken and the Marion County Fair Association

Friday, August 14th, 2026

Hard Knox Night – Knoxville Nationals
9am Breakfast w/ Champions @ Celebrate Church
9am United Trailers Nationals Golf Tournament in Memory of Kevin Gobrecht @ Bos Landen Golf Course
9:30am-11am Breakfast @ CFC south window near the ticket office
10am Steve King Foundation Cornhole Tournament in the Credentials Building north of track
3pm Great Southern Bank Kid Zone in The Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion – Face Painting
4pm Driver Autograph Session in Dyer-Hudson Hall by Ticket Office (limited number of fans)

Saturday, August 15th, 2026

Championship Night
9am Church Service – in Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion
9:30am-11am Bresakfast @ CFC south window near the ticket office
11am Kline’s Quick Tim Parade in downtown Knoxville, Iowa
11:30am NSCHoF Auction (Second Floor)
2:50pm A-Main Driver’s March down Fan Walk (under main grandstands)
3pm A-Main Driver’s Meeting in the Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion (open to public)
4pm Great Southern Bank Kid Zone in The Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion – Toby the Balloon Dude
Post Race – Winners Toast to the Fans in the Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion (open to public) before Press Conference
Post Race – Live Music with THE PUNCHING PANDAS on the Iowa Lottery Entertainment Stage
Late Night Post Race – NOS Energy Drink Post-Race Party in the Fan Pavilion

Daily Activities

8am Knoxville Raceway Ticket Office opens
8am National Sprint Car Hall of Fame opens
9am-3pm Fan Forums at NSCHoF
10am Trade Show in Skate Pit Building Opens
10am Vendors Can Open in Fan Zone
10am – 3pm Bryan Clauson Suite Tower Tours
10am – 3pm Autograph Sessions at NSCHoF
10am Nationals Trophies on Display at Main Grandstand Entrance
Noon Slide Job Bar Opens
Noon Food Vendors Open
Noon Music Playing on Iowa Lottery Entertainment Stage
1pm Knoxville Nights podcast on Iowa Lottery Entertainment Stage
2pm Pit Gate Opens
2pm KRCO 50/50 Ticket Sales Begin
5pm Grandstands Open
5pm Knoxville Nationals Live presented by Midwest Sanitation Pre-Race show hosted by Tony Bokhoven on the Iowa Lottery Entertainment Stage
6pm DIRTVision Pre-Race Show with Dave Rieff on the Iowa Lottery Stage
HOT LAPS 6:45pm on Wed-Thu-Fri, 7:15pm on Saturday
Post Race – Drivers Press Conference in the Premier Chevy Dealers Fan Pavilion (open to public)

Welcome to the Knoxville Nationals: The Granddaddy of Them All

If you’re new to the world of dirt track racing, there’s one name you need to know right away: The Knoxville Nationals.

Held every August in Knoxville, Iowa, this legendary event is often referred to as the “Granddaddy of Them All”—and for good reason. It’s the biggest sprint car race in the world, drawing fans, drivers, and teams from all across the country (and beyond – Austraila, New Zealand, Canada, etc.) to the Sprint Car Capital of the World.

So, What Is the Knoxville Nationals?

The Knoxville Nationals is a four-day racing spectacle hosted at Knoxville Raceway, a half-mile dirt oval track that transforms into the heart of sprint car racing each summer. It’s the Super Bowl, World Series, and Daytona 500 of 410 sprint car racing all wrapped into one thrilling week.

Drivers compete not just for the prestige, but for a huge payout—and the chance to add their name to the history books. With over 60 years of tradition, this isn’t just a race. It’s a rite of passage for fans and racers alike.

Why Knoxville?

Knoxville, Iowa might be a small town, but when August hits, it becomes the center of the sprint car universe. The local fairgrounds house one of the most iconic dirt tracks in the world, with facilities that have been home to legends for decades. The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum is also located right next to the track—perfect for getting a crash course in racing history.

Whether you’re a longtime motorsports fan or just sprinting into the scene, the Knoxville Nationals is an unforgettable experience. You’ll leave with a new love for the dirt, the speed, and the spirit of sprint car racing.

Now, are you even more excited? See you in Knoxville!