71 drivers will vie for the right to be called Late Model National Champion beginning tonight at the Knoxville Raceway. The Ninth Annual Lucas Oil Late Model Nationals start with preliminary round qualifying for all drivers. This is the first year that the Late Model Nationals have not capped the entries at 66 as in previous years. All drivers will be eligible to run tonight and tomorrow night with the highest point total being counted in the line ups for Saturday night’s finals. The points system is exactly the same as the Knoxville Sprint Car Nationals where quick time nets 200 points…a heat win gets 100 points and winning the A-Main will get a driver an additional 200 points. Saturday’s A-Main will be set straight-up on points with the highest point earner sitting on the pole. Hot laps are set for six-45 with time trials and racing schedule for around seven-30.