The iRacing Champions League Midget National Tour continues its third season with a stop at the legendary Knoxville Raceway. Known as the “Sprint Car Capital of the World,” Knoxville brings its own brand of challenges to the midgets: long straightaways, sweeping corners, and the need to balance raw speed with precise car control. After three thrilling rounds, the season makes its first trip to a half-mile, where both momentum and patience are key.

Looking Back at Fairbury

Round 3 at Fairbury Speedway saw Aidan Strawberry put together a dominant drive, leading all 25 laps from the pole to secure his second win of the season. With two victories already, Strawberry has built a commanding points lead, while the battle behind him remains tightly packed. Drivers like Tyler Bowman, James Roselli, Seth Gregory, and Cullen Hutchison are all still in the hunt, making Knoxville a crucial opportunity to chip away at the deficit.

Knoxville in National Tour History

The tour has visited Knoxville twice before, each time producing a different storyline:

  • Season 1 (Feb 9, 2023): Maison Coffey powered from third to first, leading 14 of 15 laps to secure the win. Brenden McGlothlin started from pole and led early before finishing second, while Cade Deckard completed the podium. Strawberry also made his mark at the track with a fourth-place finish.

  • Season 2 (Mar 4, 2024): Aiden Price started on pole and dominated all 15 laps for a flag-to-flag victory. Strawberry once again finished runner-up, just under two seconds behind, with Connor Mirabelli close behind in third.

Those results highlight two things about Knoxville: front-row starters have historically been tough to beat, and Strawberry has been consistently in contention without yet breaking through for a win at the venue.

What to Expect in Round 4

Knoxville’s wide racing surface gives drivers multiple grooves to choose from, but track position will be more important than ever. Qualifying up front could prove decisive, as both past winners controlled the race from the lead. At the same time, Knoxville’s long straights create opportunities for sliders and momentum runs, meaning the battle for positions will be fierce throughout the field.

As the National Midget Tour moves into Round 4, the big questions are whether Strawberry can finally capture a Knoxville win to extend his dominance, or if another driver will step up to become the track’s third different winner in as many seasons. Either way, the half-mile in Iowa is certain to play a major role in shaping the Season 3 championship picture.

📋 Past Results at Knoxville Raceway

Season 1 – February 9, 2023 (15 Laps, 2 Leaders, 1 Lead Change)

  1. (3) Maison Coffey – Led 14 laps

  2. (1) Brenden McGlothlin – Led 1 lap, Fastest Lap (20.675)

  3. (4) Cade Deckard

  4. (5) Aidan Strawberry

  5. (10) Colton Fisher

  6. (6) Matt Grimm

  7. (2) Jacob Halliday

  8. (9) Hunter Owens

  9. (8) Tony S. Lewis

  10. (7) Parker Leek

  11. (12) Lee Jacobs

  12. (11) Cody Metcalfe

Season 2 – March 4, 2024 (15 Laps, 1 Leader, 0 Lead Changes)

  1. (1) Aiden Price – Led all 15 laps, Fastest Lap (19.969)

  2. (2) Aidan Strawberry

  3. (3) Connor Mirabelli

  4. (12) Caleb Debem

  5. (6) Anthony Woodhull

  6. (5) Dane Culver

  7. (11) Grady Ehrman

  8. (17) Darren Stewart

  9. (18) Brandon Holtmeier

  10. (7) Ethan Winter

  11. (10) Layn Bates

  12. (13) James Roselli

  13. (14) Spencer Harp

  14. (8) Cullen Hutchison

  15. (15) Gunnar Pio

  16. (16) Brayden Taylor

  17. (9) Layne Leoffler

  18. (4) Brenden McGlothlin