Knoxville Nationals Winners: The Ultimate Roll Call Of Sprint Car Legends
The prestigious crown jewel of dirt track racing at Knoxville Raceway in Iowa represents the absolute pinnacle of sprint car competition. Winning this annual August classic is a career-defining achievement that instantly elevates a driver into motorsport royalty, carrying both a massive financial windfall and permanent legendary status. As the dirt racing community reflects on another spectacular week of high-octane action wrapped up in August 2026, we look back at the iconic champions who have conquered the grueling multi-day event to join the historic list of Knoxville Nationals winners.
| Year | Winner | Chassis / Entrant | Career Event Wins (At Time of Victory) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Kyle Larson | Silva Motorsports #57 | 3 |
| 2023 | Kyle Larson | Silva Motorsports #57 | 2 |
| 2022 | Donny Schatz | Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #15 | 11 |
| 2021 | Kyle Larson | Silva Motorsports #57 | 1 |
| 2019 | David Gravel | Jason Johnson Racing #41 | 1 |
| 2018 | Brad Sweet | Kasey Kahne Racing #49 | 1 |
| 2017 | Donny Schatz | Tony Stewart Racing #15 | 10 |
| 2016 | Jason Johnson | Jason Johnson Racing #41 | 1 |
Legends of the Dirt: Kinser and Schatz's Historic Reign
The history of the Knoxville Nationals is defined by eras of absolute dominance. Chief among the legends is Steve Kinser, the undisputed "King of the Outlaws," who amassed a record-shattering 12 Knoxville Nationals victories between 1980 and 2002. Kinser's relentless driving style and technological innovations with Karl King and his own team set the blueprint for modern sprint car programs.
Following closely in his tire tracks is Donny Schatz, who turned the half-mile clay oval into his personal playground throughout the 2000s and 2010s. Schatz captured 11 titles, including an astonishing run of five consecutive victories from 2006 to 2010. Schatz's meticulous ability to search for moisture on a slick track late in the 50-lap A-Main remains the gold standard of dirt track racecraft, making his battles with rival teams the stuff of legend.
The Modern Era and Kyle Larson’s Supremacy
In recent seasons, the narrative at Knoxville has shifted toward a new generation of versatile racers, epitomized by NASCAR champion and dirt virtuoso Kyle Larson. Driving the potent Paul Silva-prepared #57 sprint car, Larson captured crowns in 2021, 2023, and 2024. His ability to climb out of a stock car and immediately find the limit on dirt has redefined what is possible in modern motorsports.
Winning the Knoxville Nationals requires surviving a unique, high-pressure format. Drivers must accumulate points through qualifying, heat races, and preliminary features just to lock themselves into Saturday night's 50-lap finale. A single misstep on Wednesday or Thursday night can relegate a favorite to the alphabet mains, ending their hopes of hoisting the coveted Bryan Clauson Suite Tower trophy.
GALLERY: Knoxville Nationals Night 1 - Donny Schatz
How to Stream Classic Classics and 2027 Ticket Outlook
For race fans wanting to relive the historic triumphs of past Knoxville Nationals winners, DIRTVision serves as the official broadcast home, offering extensive archives of past finals alongside live weekly coverage of Knoxville Raceway events.
As teams begin looking ahead to the 2027 season, ticket renewals and grandstand packages for the next Knoxville Nationals typically open to the public in late autumn. Aspiring drivers from the World of Outlaws, High Limit Racing, and local Knoxville regulars will spend the coming winter months rebuilding engines and refining chassis setups, all in pursuit of etching their names alongside the immortals on the Knoxville winners' plaque.
