TJ’s Notebook – TJSlideways.com

T.J.’s Notebook: RaceSaver Looks to Break the Mold by Producing Their Own Alternate Tire

When RaceSaver president Roger Hadan was getting feedback from his race teams for ideas to improve the experience with the grassroots level sprint car division, one consistent source of frustration for teams was the cost of consumables for a race night, and in particular tires.

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Ricky Thornton Jr (Serena Dalhamer photo)

T.J.’s Notebook: Tuesday Picks for the 40th Chili Bowl Nationals

T.J. makes another round of predictions leading into the second night of action at the 40th Chili Bowl Nationals presented by NOS Energy Drink.

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T.J.’s Notebook: Monday Picks for the 40th Chili Bowl Nationals

T.J.’s list of drivers he feels have the best shot at making Saturday’s finale for the 40th Chili Bowl Nationals through their preliminary night.

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T.J.’s Notebook: Results from Seeding the 2025 Knoxville Nationals

The results of comparing the 2025 Knoxville Nationals seeds to the results is complete.

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T.J.’s Notebook: Cam Martin Backs Up 360 Nationals Success by Making the 410 Nationals

Cam Martin’s run to locking into Saturday’s A-Main in Knoxville as a rookie, Brad Sweet bouncing back from his Eldora crash and crew changes to be in contention for a Nationals title, Logan Schuchart being possible in his best position ever to win a Nationals title, and more covered in this edition of T.J.’s Notebook from Thursday night’s program at the 2025 Knoxville Nationals.

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T.J.’s Notebook: Previewing the Tuesday Prelminary Program at the

Looking ahead at the Tuesday preliminary for the 39th Chili Bowl Nationals…

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T.J.’s Notebook: Kelby Watt’s Crazy Summer

The story of Kelby Watt this year could be billed as a young driver navigating their way through the sprint car ecosystem down an unexpected, winding road through the 2024 season using an extraordinary amount of persistence that led to unexpected opportunities.

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Seeding the 2024 Knoxville Nationals: The Results

Check out how everyone faired from the pre-race seeding for the 2024 Knoxville Nationals.

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Donny Schatz (15) and Logan Schuchart (1S) (Serena Dalhamer photo)

T.J.’s Notebook: Lucky and Good is a Tough Combination to Beat

The theme of the Knoxville Nationals in 2024 could end up being, “I’d rather be lucky AND good”.

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T.J.’s Notebook: Giovanni Scelzi in Prime Position to Contend for Elusive Crown Jewel Victory

Giovanni Scelzi has put himself in position to be in contention for winning one of the biggest sprint car races in the sport. It’s a place Scelzi has been in before sitting on the pole for the Knoxville Nationals in 2021 and leading the Jokers Jackpot earlier this year at Eldora Speedway before crashing out of the feature.

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Teammates Corey Eliason (#8) and Aaron Reutzel (87) are both entered in the 360 Knoxville Nationals this week. (Mark Funderburk Photo)

T.J.’s Notebook: Star Studded Field Competing in the 360 Knoxville Nationals This Week

The 2024 edition of the 360 Knoxville Nationals schedule to start Thursday at Knoxville Raceway appears to have drawn one of the stronger entry lists in recent memory for the event. Multiple factors in sprint car racing have created an opportunity to see some names competing we typically would not see until the 410 Nationals.

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Cody Jacobs stands with David Gravel atop the throne after winning the 41st Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway. (T.J. Buffenbarger Photo)

T.J.’s Notebook: Cody Jacobs Collects Crown Jewel Win as Crew Chief in his Home State

Cody Jacobs spent a lot of time growing up around Eldora Speedway. Saturday night he stood atop the throne with his driver David Gravel in victory lane after winning the 41st Kings Royal.

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T.J.’s Notebook: Kraig Kinser Nets Strong Run Driving for Pete Grove at Tri-City

Kraig Kinser’s podium finish driving for Pete Grove, Zeb Wise’s thoughts on racing on front of the home crowd tonight, and a good local turnout despite storm damage throughout most of the area highlight this edition of T.J.’s Notebook.

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T.J.’s Notebook: Great Racing is the Best Cure for the Knoxville Hangover

The week after the Knoxville Nationals often can feel like a drag. Typically, I’m right back at the racetrack for a couple of nights following the Nationals, but this year I took a week off knowing the Kokomo Sprint Car Smack Down and All Star Circuit of Champions invasion of the Mitten were looming.

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T.J.’s Notebook From the 2023 Knoxville Nationals Opener: Randall Continues to Raise Profile with Second Place Finish

Chase Randall has been touted as one of the rising stars in the sport of sprint car racing. Spending the 2023 season competing at Knoxville Raceway made that spotlight a little brighter by leading the 360 Sprint Car point standings and being chosen by TKS Motorsports for the 410 sprint car entry in June.

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