---

Shane Shines in Knoxville Night 1

Shane Stewart did it again in Wednesday night's 5-Hour ENERGY Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey's General Stores as he scored on a qualifying night for the third year in a row - his fifth time overall - and second win in a row after capturing the previous night's Capitani Classic.

Stewart battled past Jeff Swindell and held off Donny Schatz through the opening night of Knoxville Nationals — looking much like a replay from last year's Nationals. After passing fellow Oklahoma native Wayne Johnson on lap 3, Stewart closed in on leader Swindell, giving him a run for his money on Lap 9, and finally taking him on Lap 10.

“I hope you’re interviewing me one more time this week,” said Stewart from Victory Lane. "I’ve got a great car right now, but I know that we’re going to have to pick it up just a little bit more to beat that No. 15 [Donny Schatz].”

Schatz, who had already worked his way up from six, took Swindell in Lap 11 and fought Stewart for the remaining 15, but just couldn’t seal the deal, despite a brief advantage in Lap 14. A caution for Lynton Jeffrey, who lost a wheel on Lap 12, seemed like the perfect opportunity for Schatz to charge, but it wasn’t until two laps later that Schatz managed to capture his short-lived lead. Much like the previous year, the two drivers have spent much of the 2016 World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series season battling each other.

And like last year, Stewart's No. 2s is once again sporting a special paint scheme honoring retiring NASCAR star Jeff Gordon and his early sprint car career.

Meanwhile, third into victory lane was Chad Kemenah, who brought his Hunter Racing No. 10h up from fifth. “This is good for Saturday, and takes a little bit of pressure off,” said Kemenah. “Maybe on Saturday, we can be just as consistent or a little bit better.”

Another Outlaw victory went to yet another Oklahoma native, Daryn Pittman, who made quicktime at 14.791 — still shy of the Nationals one-lap record of 14.547 set by Cory Darrah in 2009. Pittman was followed by Sammy Swindell, who came in at 14.794, and Australians Ian Madsen and Jamie Veal, who came in at 14.887 and 14.995 respectively.

Following night one, Pittman leads the Knoxville points standings with 485 points over second place Jamie Veal, who has 477 points. Donny Schatz, Chad Kemenah, and Shane Stewart round out the top five positions.

The 56th 5-Hour Energy Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey's General Stores continues tomorrow night with the second qualifying race. To find out more information and to learn how to buy tickets, visit http://www.woosprint.com/knoxville-nationals.

Back to News