Kyle Larson finished second to Donny Schatz in Saturday night’s Knoxville Nationals sprint car race. Schatz, who drives for Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing, won the event for the 10th time. Only Steve Kinser has won the Knoxville Nationals more times at 12.
Larson qualified for Saturday night’s A-main - one of the premier events on the sprint car calendar - after winning his qualifying race Wednesday night. Larson’s status for Saturday was in question until Friday.
Larson’s agreement with car owner Chip Ganassi to run sprint car races prevents him from racing those cars a night before he is to be on track in his Monster Energy Cup car. Ganassi gave Larson permission to run the race. Larson also has a deal with Ganassi to run no more than 25 sprint car races a year.
“It’s ... neat I got to race,’' Larson said in the press conference after the race. “In the months leading up to this event, I planned on Wednesday night but figured I would have no shot at racing Saturday. If it wasn’t for Chip, I wouldn’t be here. I’ve got to thank him a lot.
“I hope I can convince Chip to let me do this every year.’'
Larson turns his focus on winning a Cup race at Michigan International Speedway for the third consecutive time. The green flag is scheduled to wave at 3:16 p.m. ET Sunday on NBCSN.
“Hopefully, he can go win Michigan,’' Schatz said after the Knoxville Nationals.
BIG run at the end for @KyleLarsonRacin but comes up just short with a P2 finish in the @knoxvilleraces #5HourNats! #TeamLarson #LetKyleRace
— Chip Ganassi Racing (@CGRTeams) August 13, 2017
Came up one spot short!!! P2. But gave that #57 a great ride @KyleLarsonRacin! Great drive my man! @knoxvilleraces
— Chip Ganassi (@GanassiChip) August 13, 2017
Congrats @DonnySchatz on the win but also @KyleLarsonRacin on his 2nd place finish! #knoxvillenationals https://t.co/ocPuPCS7vp
— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) August 13, 2017
