Inside Line Promotions – KNOXVILLE, Iowa (Aug. 10, 2026) – Big Game Motorsports has momentum on its side heading into the 65th annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s.
The crown jewel event runs this Wednesday through Saturday at Knoxville Raceway. The team’s preliminary night is Wednesday and David Gravel was strong behind the wheel throughout Sunday’s Capitani Classic, which served as the final tune-up at the track.
Gravel was quickest in qualifying out of the more than 85 drivers signed in. He placed third in a heat race to advance into the pole shuffle, which he won to garner the pole position for the 25-lap main event. Gravel led the first 16 laps before dropping to third in traffic.
The race was the third straight day of competition during the weekend with the famed Ironman 55 taking place on Friday and Saturday at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway in Pevely, Mo.
Gravel was second quickest in qualifying on Friday before he won a heat race, finished third in the dash and closed the night with a fourth-place outing in the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series main event.
On Saturday, Gravel was 11th quickest in qualifying and he ran third in a heat race to narrowly miss moving into the dash. He started the 55-lap main event 11th and battled around 10th to 13th for most of the race before a late rally earned a seventh-place result.
Gravel currently leads the World of Outlaws championship standings by 180 points.
Now the attention shifts to Knoxville Raceway, where Gravel has produced results of second, first, fourth, fourth and third, respectively, this season. He won the Knoxville Nationals in 2019. The team captured Hard Knox Night last year before hustling from 21st to third place during the finale, which earned the Hard Charger Award for passing the most cars. It marked Gravel’s third podium in the last four years during the final night of the Knoxville Nationals.
The team is currently riding a nine-race top-10 streak.
QUICK RESULTS –
Aug. 7 – I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park in Pevely, Mo. – Qualifying: 2; Heat race: 1 (1); Dash: 3 (3); Feature: 4 (3).
Aug. 8 – I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park in Pevely, Mo. – Qualifying: 11; Heat race: 3 (3); Feature: 7 (11).
Aug. 9 – Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa – Qualifying: 1; Heat race: 3 (4); Pole shuffle: 1; Feature: 3 (1).
SEASON STATS –
52 races, 10 wins, 35 top fives, 44 top 10s, 48 top 15s, 49 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Wednesday through Saturday at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa, for the 65th annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s
BIG GAME MOTORSPORTS MEDIA LINKS –
X: https://x.com/BigGameMotorspt
DAVID GRAVEL MEDIA LINKS –
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidGravelRacing
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/DavidGravel2
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@DavidGravel
Website: http://www.shopDGR.com
HUSET’S SPEEDWAY –
Huset’s Speedway is home to the BillionAuto.com Huset’s High Bank Nationals, which runs June 17-20 and features two six-figure payouts that week. The dirt oval located in Brandon, S.D., hosts a variety of events from Mother’s Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. The track opened in 1954 and has undergone a large renovation within the last few years, making it a premier destination for both marquee national events and a strong Sunday Night weekly program. Check out the complete schedule and get more information about Huset’s Speedway at http://www.HusetsSpeedway.com.
JACKSON MOTORPLEX –
Jackson Motorplex is a 4/10-mile dirt oval located in Jackson, Minn. It hosts special events from June through September, including races with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, Midwest Sprint Touring Series and more. For the full 2026 racing schedule and more information, visit http://www.JacksonMotorplex.com.
2026 EVENT TICKET LINK –
To purchase tickets for events at either Huset’s Speedway or at Jackson Motorplex, visit http://mpv.tickets.com/schedule/?agency=JKMV_PL_MPV&orgid=55369#/?view=list&includePackages=true.
OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE –
Check out all of the newest Huset’s Speedway merchandise at http://www.ShopHusets.com.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.
*PHOTO BY TYLER CARR*
