Blog

T.J.’s Takeaways from the 2026 Knoxville Nationals Finale

In one of the craziest stories I have witnessed in my 30 years of covering motorsports, here are my takeaways from Kyle Larson flying from Richmond, Virgina after a NASCAR race to win the rain delayed 65th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s.

[…]

Garet Wiliamson (#23) racing for the lead with Kyle Larson (#57) Thursday at Knoxville Raceway. (T.J. Buffenbarger Photo)

T.J.’s Takeaways from Thursday at the 65th Knoxville Nationals

This edition of the takeaways goes in depth about why TJ doesn’t have an issue with Kyle Larson not being able to compete on Saturday at Knoxville, still thinking Garet Williamson will score his first career World of Outlaws feature sooner than later, and more reasons on why the Knoxville Nationals format is not broken and how one tweak might appease the vocal minority that think it is.

[…]

Kasey Kahne (#4) racing with Sheldon Haudenschild (#18) Wednesday night at Knoxville Raceway. (Mark Funderburk Photo)

T.J.’s Takeaways from the Opening Night of the 65th Knoxville Nationals

T.J.’s Takeaways from the opening night of the 65th edition of the Knoxville Nationals includes why having people in the right place at the right time matters in racing, it was great seeing Kasey Kahne racing with a little swagger, and why I feel the Knoxville Nationals format is NOT broken.

[…]

T.J.’s Notebook From Tuesday’s Knoxville Nationals Press Conference.

Some odds and ends from the press conference today at Knoxville Raceway leading into the 65th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s.

[…]

T.J.’s Takeaways From the Sale of Brent Marks Racing

After the blockbuster announcement of Brent Marks selling his High Limit Racing charter to a group spearheaded to Chase Briscoe Racing, here are my takeaways from what I feel will be looked back upon in the future as a moment in the sport that signaled significant change.

[…]

Great Lakes Edition: Devon Dobie Leads GLSS Contingent at 360 Nationals on Thursday

Devon Dobie leads a trio of drivers that have competed with the Great Lakes Super Sprints this season into the opening night of the 360 Knoxville Nationals..

[…]

T.J.’s Takeaways From the Race for the Million Event at Berlin Raceway

After two features and a wild night of action at Berlin Raceway here are my takeaways from the richest event in winged pavement sprint car history courtesy of the Race for the Million series.

[…]

T.J.’s Takeaways From a Wild Night of Racing at I-96 Speedway

Friday night’s feature being a showcase for two of the up and coming sprint car stars in the Great Lakes Region, I-96’s slick to a cushion surface producing a tremendous feature, and why I think the GLSS point championship will go down to the wire are all covered in this edition of the takeaways.

[…]

T.J.’s Notebook: Race for the Million by the Numbers

T.J. breaks down the twin feature program for the Race for the Million Series Saturday night Berlin Raceway along with some other miscellaneous notes from around the country.

[…]

The view most competitors see of Kody Swanson in Dick Myers $50M car when competing in the state of Michigan. (T.J. Buffenbarger Photo)

Great Lakes Edition: Race for the Million Brings Big Money Sprint Car Race to Berlin

The sprint car racing event lineup for this coming weekend in the state of Michigan has something for everyone. From larger paying races on the dirt and the pavement, two nights of racing with minimal travel, and a great event that celebrates one of the most historically significant races tracks in the state are taking place Friday and Saturday.

[…]

T.J.’s Notebook: Wrapping Up the 43rd Kings Royal

Some final items from the Kings Royal and looking ahead towards another week of sprint car events with big payouts on pavement and on dirt.

[…]

T.J.’s Takeaways From the 43rd Kings Royal

Anthony Macri being the soft spoken leader of the PA Posse, why I feel Garet Williamson is on the verge of a breakout stretch of races, Rico Abreu feeling the disappointment of not winning the biggest race at one of his best race tracks, and why fuel stops are not going away anytime soon are all covered on this edition of the takeaways.

[…]

T.J’s Takeaways from the 2026 Jokers Jackpot

Kyle Larson can still be one of the greatest and make mistakes occasionally, Rico Abreu knocking on the door on winning one of the big money events at Eldora, and how the entire sport won along with Larson on Thursday at Eldora Speedway are covered on this edition of the takeaways.

[…]

Tyler Courtney. (T.J. Buffenbarger Photo)

T.J.’s Notebook: Courtney’s Comeback at Eldora

The scene Thursday night at Eldora Speedway was starkly different than a year ago for Tyler Courntey when he was on his way to the hospital with serious injuries after a massive multi-car accident during the Jokers Wild event.

[…]

T.J.’s Takeaways from the USAC Show at Butler Motor Speedway

After a bonzi run from the far west side of Michigan to Butler Motor Speedway for the USAC National Sprint Car Series, dodging an extraordinarily brave and aggressive turkey on M60, here are my takeaways from the second non-wing appearance of the series at Butler.

[…]