Before 2023 Knoxville Nationals - Struggle & Success | Opinion
OPINION:
Stats don’t lie.
If you have been a fan of sprint car racing for a while, you will see teams struggle various points through the season, but this season has been a true rollercoaster ride for several teams leading up to the Knoxville Nationals. You see a lot of drivers succeed under pressure or completely fold, and I think we’ve reached that point in the season to form a good enough opinion of what to expect or focus on during the Knoxville Nationals.
Silly season has been in full swing and it leaves me wondering who you should keep an eye on during Knoxville Nationals week. Could these new team pairings, really set a team back for the 410 Nationals? Could they have gelled really well and now struggle? Anything is possible. Let’ take a closer look.
2023 NEW DRIVER/PAIRING STRUGGLE BUS:
Let’s start with the arguably most shocking split to hit Pennsylvania in the 2023 season was between Anthony Macri and his family-owned Macri Motorsports 39m. Macri got rides in what I’d consider two “top performing” cars in the country, one leading the All Star Circuit of Champions points at the time of Tyler Courtney’s injury, and the other known to be competitive no matter where they might show up, the Indy Race Parts 71 car.
In the past 9 races between the two teams with Macri behind the wheel, Anthony has noticeably struggled. While he has made each feature, he’s often fell back and struggled during most features, only advancing to a forward finishing spot in a 4 out of 9 features, under 50% performance rate.
Devil’s Advocate - He has been racing against some tough competition, but not the hardest competition, yet. He performed better in the family car, in Pennsylvania and while traveling in 2023 as well. I believe the number one thing that needs to be done for Knoxville Nationals is trying to get Anthony comfortable. That will determine his success on his journey after the 39m.
It’s no secret all eyes have been on Anthony Macri for the last month, and I’d argue he’s got to be feeling the pressure to perform at a top level like he once was based on his most recent performances.
Anthony Macri/Clauson Marshall (7BC paired - ASCOC) - 8 races | 1 - Top 5 | 3 - Top 10’s
Anthony Macri/Indy Race Parts (71 - High Limit - Kokomo) - 1 race - 0 Top 5’s/Top 10’s.
| Race Date | Series | Track | Time Trial | Feature Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, July 18, 2023 | ASCOC | Lernerville Speedway | 13 | 6 | 6 |
| Friday, July 21, 2023 | ASCOC | 34 Speedway | 31 | 24 | 14 |
| Saturday, July 22, 2023 | ASCOC | Spoon River Speedway | 6 | 2 | 9 |
| Sunday, July 23, 2023 | ASCOC | Red Hill Speedway | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Wednesday, July 26, 2023 | ASCOC | Benton Speedway | 16 | 11 | 19 |
| Thursday, July 27, 2023 | ASCOC | Lake Ozark Speedway | 25 | 25 | 12 |
| Friday, July 28, 2023 | ASCOC | I-70 Speedway | 11 | 11 | 15 |
| Saturday, July 29, 2023 | ASCOC | Knoxville Speedway | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Tuesday, July 29, 2023 | ASCOC | Kokomo Speedway | 20 | 21 | 13 |
2023 Pairings Good of The Bat:
Corey Day/Clauson Marshall (7BC - High Limit - Kokomo)
Corey Day was a great choice for the 7BC replacement driver for the High Limit race at Kokomo during Tyler Courtney’s injury. Also, seeing images that Courtney was at Kokomo with him - not sure if maybe Day got some pointers or some advice and coaching? Corey Day also out-timed Anthony Macri (Indy Racing Parts 71) who ran the 7BC car for the past month, which I’m not surprised, but it just shows Day is comfortable and fast right out of the box. Of course, it should be noted the competition might not have been one of the toughest that I’ve seen compete at a High Limit show, but did have several standout talent like - Kyle Larson, Rico Abreu, Justin Peck, to name a few. Pulling in 31 one cars, names like: Brian Brown, Buddy Kofoid, Aaron Reutzel, Brent Marks all were missing from competition on August 1 - I’m sure gearing up and focusing on the 360 Knoxville Nationals and 410 Knoxville Nationals in the next coming two weeks.
Will Corey’s success continue? I’d argue it’s looking pretty positive, but unfortunately, he was slated for only the High limit series, and they don’t have another race until August 15th at Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, South Dakota. Time will tell for this storyline of 2023 to play out. I’d say he’d be a great choice for anyone looking to fill a traveling series car in 2024.
Obviously, Corey Day, seventeen-year old, California native, will be back in the regular car he races, Sanders Engineering No. 14, for 2023 Knoxville Nationals, but I can’t help but think he might be one to keep a close eye on after just missing advancing to the 2022 Knoxville Nationals A-main, with a 7th place finish in the B-main. I think he will be alot of fun to watch at Knoxville during Nationals week.
| Race Date | Series | Track | Time Trial | Feature Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, August 1, 2023 | High Limit Series | Kokomo Speedway | 4 | 1 | 4 |
Justin Sanders/Macri Motorsports 39m
Justin Sanders has been staying consistently fast after leaving the Swindell Speedlab car for a potential audition in the 39m for select races in the mid-west. The team has had a lot of eyes watching, and it’s been nice seeing them succeeding and staying fast producing results of that, that Anthony used to have. With 1 quick time, and 1 top 5 overall finish out of 4 races, a 5, 6, 7, 8th finishing spot at tracks that aren’t in Pennsylvania, I’d say Joe Mooney and Sanders are starting to find their footing, and gain confidence together with the pair leading into the Knoxville Nationals.
| Race Date | Series | Track | Time Trial | Feature Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, July 27, 2023 | ASCOC | Lake Ozark Speedway | 1 | 5 | 8 |
| Friday, July 28, 2023 | ASCOC | I-70 Speedway | 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Saturday, July 29, 2023 | ASCOC | Knxoville Speedway | 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Tuesday, August 1, 2023 | High Limit Series | Kokomo Speedway | 5 | 5 | 6 |
OPINION | My 2023 Knoxville Nationals Picks
My picks for Knoxville Nationals still remain with a few of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series teams, who have had long standing success. at the Sprint Car Capitol of the World.
Ones to watch are going to be David Gravel, the 2023 current World of Outlaws points leader, Brad Sweet, and Non-World of Outlaws; Rico Abreu and Kyle Larson.
Trent Gower Photo - David Gravel (2019 Knoxville Nationals win)
David Gravel:
1-time Knoxville Nationals winner (2019 Knoxville Nationals- Jason Johnson Racing #41)
Finished 2nd (started 4th) in 2022 Knoxville Nationals (Aug. 13th, 2022)
1 World of Outlaw Sprint Car win - Knoxville Raceway (June 10th, 2023)
Brad Sweet:
1-time Knoxville Nationals winner (2018 Knoxville Nationals - Kasey Kahne Racing #49)
Finished 9th (started 9th) in 2022 Knoxville Nationals (Aug. 13th, 2022)
Results from 2023 at Knoxville Raceway (3rd - June 9th; 6th - June 10th)
Rico Abreu:
No Knoxville Nationals wins in the past, but has 8 Wins, 28 Top 5’s, 36 Top 10’s out of 44 races (to date in 2023 season)
Finished 13th (from 21st) in 2022 Knoxville Nationals (Aug. 13th, 2022)
1 All Star Circuit of Champions win - Knoxville Raceway (July 29th, 2023)
Kyle Larson:
1-time Knoxville Nationals winner (2021 Knoxville Nationals - Paul Silva Motorsports #57)
Finished 6th (from 6th) in 2022 Knoxville Nationals (Aug. 13th, 2022)
Honorable Mention:
Donny Schatz
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2022 Knoxville Nationals Winner.
11-time Knoxville Nationals Champion behind Steve Kinser with 12 Knoxville Nationals titles.
After an emotional win last year in 2022, I might be in the minority, but I would love to see Donny Schatz tie Steve Kinser’s record.
(All stat and data analysis from sprintcarratings.com)
CONTACT:
Nicole Signor
nsignorcreative@gmail.com
www.nicolesignor.com
