Knoxville Nationals Reduced to 80 Laps

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  • TDRacin®
    Senior Member
    • May 2007
    • 1596

    #1

    Knoxville Nationals Reduced to 80 Laps

    Per Lucas Oil-

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    BATAVIA, OH (September 1, 2017) - The nation's top dirt late model drivers will soon converge on the prestigious Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, IA to tackle one of the most highly anticipated events of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season. The 14th Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals - Presented by Casey's General Store will take place Thursday-Saturday, September 14th-16th.

    The grand, half-mile speed-plant provides some the finest high-speed, door-to-door racing action in the country. The size and speed of Knoxville Raceway, coupled with today's LOLMDS racecar holding approximately 30 gallons of fuel, along with new safety measures requiring all dirt late model fuel cells to be filled with safety foam on the inside, reduces the volume of fuel in each LOLMDS racecar.

    After carefully evaluating the entire fuel situation, officials of Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the Knoxville Raceway have agreed to shorten the $40,000-to-win finale to 80-laps. "The Knoxville Late Model Nationals is such a prestigious event," said Rick Schwallie, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Director. "Rather than allowing a lack of fuel decide the outcome of the race, we wanted to give every race fan the opportunity to witness their favorite driver battle all the way to the checkered flag."

    "The premise of the Lucas Oil Late Model Nationals weekend has always been for drivers to race hard every time they are on track," said John McCoy, Knoxville Raceway Promoter. "We wanted the fans to enjoy that same excitement during Saturday night's main event."

    The 2016 Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Champion, Mike Marlar will return to defend his title. "In a race of this magnitude, it's great to know that fuel will not be a factor in the outcome. Now we can race hard all the way to the end."
  • vande077
    Senior Member
    • Sep 2016
    • 140

    #2
    considering how many cars ran out of fuel during last years race, it's a totally understandable and well thought out decision IMO.

    Sucks that it's not a 100 lapper, but just goes to show the size difference in half miles / fuel consumption from track to track.

    Comment

    • tiger
      Senior Member
      • Aug 2007
      • 134

      #3
      Originally posted by vande077 View Post
      considering how many cars ran out of fuel during last years race, it's a totally understandable and well thought out decision IMO.

      Sucks that it's not a 100 lapper, but just goes to show the size difference in half miles / fuel consumption from track to track.
      I'm surprised they didn't just do fuel stop. Say the first yellow after lap 30 cars can add fuel on the front straightaway. and if there has not been a yellow by lap 60 to throw a yellow.

      In the grand scheme of things I don't think its that big of a deal, it seems to work ok at I-80.

      Comment

      • ptown
        Banned
        • Jan 2011
        • 1906

        #4
        Seems like a logical decision considering the circumstances.

        Comment

        • Highwayman
          Senior Member
          • Jul 2017
          • 423

          #5
          This is so lame. One of the unique aspects of that race was who's gonna make it to the end, we don't get that much in DLM. I imagine younger guys complained because they couldn't run hammer down the whole way and make it. Bunch of sissy's.
          I was a highwayman
          Along the coach roads I did ride
          With sword and pistol by my side
          and I am still alive

          Comment

          • MI Dirt Fan
            Banned
            • May 2007
            • 8806

            #6
            Originally posted by tiger View Post
            I'm surprised they didn't just do fuel stop. Say the first yellow after lap 30 cars can add fuel on the front straightaway. and if there has not been a yellow by lap 60 to throw a yellow.

            In the grand scheme of things I don't think its that big of a deal, it seems to work ok at I-80.
            Oh good. Stage racing

            Comment

            • huskerdirt
              Senior Member
              • Mar 2011
              • 5620

              #7
              Originally posted by MI Dirt Fan View Post
              Oh good. Stage racing
              You do realize they do a fuel stop for the sprint Nationals? I guess that's stage racing too.

              I'd rather they do a fuel stop then cut laps. At the same time its just as much about strategy as going fast.

              Comment

              • RiffRaf67
                Senior Member
                • Oct 2009
                • 264

                #8
                Now do the same for the Sprint car Nationals please Knoxville.
                NO RED FLAG FUEL STOP.
                Thanks in advance.
                Grumpy old dirt track fan. Anti-Sanction. Anti-Social. Anti-Media. Anti-SocialMedia. Anti-Climatic.

                Comment

                • brsteg
                  Senior Member
                  • Jul 2007
                  • 1590

                  #9
                  I personally think this is Bull$h!t. You should be able to go 100 green laps with enough fuel. All you have to do is during the 2nd or 3rd natural yellow of the race is throw a red and let everyone top off.

                  If it's a real wreckfest maybe you have to do this 2 or 3 times, but so what?

                  Saturday only was already pretty much not worth going to. (Now if you were there all 3 days for the build up it'd be fine, talking you can only make Saturday.) Now it is a fore-gone conclusion if you can't make the prelim nights just stay home and watch PPV or catch highlights.

                  C, B, and an 80 lap A only action on Saturday is sad.
                  "The Wise One"

                  Comment

                  • WisWildManFan
                    Senior Member
                    • Mar 2013
                    • 3217

                    #10
                    Originally posted by brsteg View Post
                    I personally think this is Bull$h!t. You should be able to go 100 green laps with enough fuel. All you have to do is during the 2nd or 3rd natural yellow of the race is throw a red and let everyone top off.If it's a real wreckfest maybe you have to do this 2 or 3 times, but so what?Saturday only was already pretty much not worth going to. (Now if you were there all 3 days for the build up it'd be fine, talking you can only make Saturday.) Now it is a fore-gone conclusion if you can't make the prelim nights just stay home and watch PPV or catch highlights.C, B, and an 80 lap A only action on Saturday is sad.
                    100% agreed... 3 races for $35 just doesn't cut it for me. I went last year for first time but I felt a bit robbed on Saturday. It's hard to justify that when big E has the amount of races they do on a Saturday.
                    Always carrying my 2 Crown Jewels

                    Comment

                    • BloomerHarvickFan
                      Senior Member
                      • Jun 2007
                      • 546

                      #11
                      Originally posted by MI Dirt Fan View Post
                      Oh good. Stage racing
                      This is not quite stage racing. Back in the alcohol days, fuel stops for 100 lappers were common.
                      In fact, I remember reading the racing ads in some of the dirt track papers. They'd specifically call it out as "NO FUEL STOP", since it varied so much.

                      I have no problem with fuel stops. I don't think there should be any other maintenance allowed, or tire changes. Just fuel, but I'm ok with that.

                      Comment

                      • vande077
                        Senior Member
                        • Sep 2016
                        • 140

                        #12
                        I could take or leave having a fuel stop during any race, but unfortunately last year probably made this decision easier as only 7 or 8 cars made it to the end on fuel and even those running barely made it.

                        If I have to choose between watching 80 laps of everyone giving their all the entire race or 100 laps with the first 50 or so laps of everyone just riding around to save gas and waiting for a caution to bunch them back up, I'll go with the 80 laps everytime.

                        Comment

                        • Josh Bayko
                          Senior Member
                          • May 2007
                          • 8736

                          #13
                          The Pittsburgher is 100 laps, and PPMS is about the same size as Knoxville in the groove. They don't have any fuel issues. Why is there such a difference?
                          Last edited by Josh Bayko; 09-01-2017, 10:12 AM.
                          Follow me on Twitter: @JoshBayko

                          Guerrilla Racing Junkies!

                          Comment

                          • Pennsboro23
                            Banned
                            • Jul 2007
                            • 5256

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Josh Bayko View Post
                            The Pittsburgher is 100 laps, and PPMS is about the same size as Knoxville in the groove. They don't have any fuel issues. Why is there such a difference?
                            West Virginia Motor Speedway ran plenty of 100 lappers and I can't recall a time where fuel was an issue. Maybe once but not certain. WVMS is way bigger than Knoxville. Actually bigger than the 5/8 mile they claimed it to be.

                            Comment

                            • huskerdirt
                              Senior Member
                              • Mar 2011
                              • 5620

                              #15
                              Originally posted by Josh Bayko View Post
                              The Pittsburgher is 100 laps, and PPMS is about the same size as Knoxville in the groove. They don't have any fuel issues. Why is there such a difference?
                              The pace seems to be faster the last few years. Guys running around the top which measures close to 5/8s miles. Last year was the first year I remember any wide spread fuel issues since when they had a fuel stop 5-6 years ago. I think it was when Moyer swept the weekend.

                              Comment

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