FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WAYCROSS, GA (September 12, 2016) - The nation's top dirt late model drivers are en route to Knoxville, IA to tackle one of the most highly anticipated events of the season. The 13th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals - Presented by Casey's General Store will take place at Knoxville Raceway Thursday-Saturday, September 15th-17th.

The activities on Thursday and Friday, September 15th-16th will feature a complete program of: Hot Laps, Miller Welders Time Trials, Heat Races, D, C, B-Mains, and a 25-lap, $7,000-to-win main event. Drivers will earn points in each of the two preliminary nights that will determine the line-ups for Saturday night's finale. Saturday night's program will include: Hot Laps, D-Main, C-Main, B-Main, and the 100-lap, $40,000-to-win Knoxville Nationals main event.

In 2015, Jared Landers claimed his first-career Late Model Knoxville Nationals championship - bolting to the lead on lap 92 and holding off a hard charging Josh Richards in the closing laps. Jimmy Owens finished third, followed by Mike Marlar and Darrell Lanigan.

Numerous off-track activities will take place surrounding this 3-day event. The exposition opens at 1:00pm each day with exhibits on the Midway behind the main grandstand. The Hall of Fame Auction will take place at the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, behind turn two on Saturday at 12:00pm (NOON). A driver meet and greet session will be held on Saturday at 3:00pm in the Dyer-Hudson Hall, off the Midway. Last year, the event ran for over two hours, as hundreds of fans lined up to meet, talk, and get pictures and autographs from the drivers. Fans are encouraged to bring their favorite apparel and photos for the drivers to autograph!

This 1/2-mile speed-plant is located within the Marion County Fairgrounds in the heart of Knoxville, IA, just a short drive from Des Moines. Knoxville Raceway has provided some of the best racing in the country for over 60 years. A grandstand seating capacity of over 24,000, suites, paved pit area, Jumbo Tron screen, huge vendor area, camping and numerous other amenities make Knoxville Raceway a must-see for both races and fans alike.

For tickets and more information on the 12th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals - Presented by Casey's General Store, visit: www.knoxvilleraceway.com.

Fans can watch LIVE video coverage of Thursday and Friday night's preliminary events at DirtonDirt.com. The LIVE coverage of this mega event will include continuous on track action for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. Single and two-day packages are available, to order visit: https://www.dirtondirt.com/liveOrder.php?id=55.
 
The award-winning, Lucas Oil Production Studios will be on hand to tape all the action from Saturday night's finale for broadcast on NBC Sports and MAVTV Motorsports Network, at a later date. Lucas Oil Racing TV will offer a "LIVE" Broadcast of Saturday night's events, providing multi-camera coverage of all the racing action as it happens LIVE, including driver interviews, instant replays and more! To learn more, visit: www.lucasoilracing.tv.

Lucas Oil Championship Standings:

Track Information:
Knoxville Raceway
Phone Number: 641-842-5431
Location: 1000 N. Lincoln St., Knoxville, IA 50138
Website: www.knoxvilleraceway.com

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rule:
Fronts - Hoosier LM20, LM40, WRS55
Left Rear - Hoosier LM40, WRS55
Right Rear - Hoosier LM40, WRS55

Thursday & Friday Preliminary Event Purse: 1. $7,000, 2. $4,000, 3. $3,000, 4. $2,000, 5. $1,500, 6. $1,000, 7. $900, 8. $800, 9. $700, 10. $600, 11. $580, 12. $560, 13. $540, 14. $520, 15. $500, 16. $490, 17. $480, 18. $470, 19. $460, 20. $450, 21. $440, 22. $430, 23. $410, 24. $400

Saturday Late Model Knoxville Nationals Championship Purse: 1. $40,000, 2. $20,000, 3. $10,000, 4. $8,750, 5. $7,500, 6. $7,000, 7. $6,500, 8. $6,000, 9. $5,500, 10. $5,000, 11. $4,500, 12. $4,000, 13. $3,500, 14. $3,400, 15. $3,300, 16. $3,200, 17. $3,100, 18. $3,000, 19. $2,900, 20. $2,800, 21. $2,700, 22. $2,600, 23. $2,500, 24. $2,500, 25. $2,500, 26. $2,500, 27. $2,500, 28. $2,500, 29. $2,500, 30. $2,500

Previous Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Winners:
2004 - Brian Birkhofer
2005 - Scott Bloomquist
2006 - Brian Shirley
2007 - Brady Smith
2008 - Tim McCreadie
2009 - Scott Bloomquist
2010 - Billy Moyer
2011 - Don O'Neal
2012 - Steve Francis
2013 - Darrell Lanigan
2014 - Brian Birkhofer