David Gravel was on a mission to erase the memories of a frustrating qualifying night at the 64th Running of the Nos Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals. Gravel won the Hard Knox A-Main to put himself into tonight’s championship race heard live on KNIA. Kerry Madsen led the first 12 laps which was halted for a crash involving Justin Whittall in turn one. Whittall was taken to Knoxville Hospital and Clinics for further evaluation complaining of neck and back pain. After the race restarted, Gravel began to make his move and by lap 13 he had grabbed the lead and set sail. He told KNIA/KRLS Sports the track was a bit tricky at first but he soon found his marks.

Gravel: “We felt good all night long. I messed up in qualifying and our pill draw actually helped us out on that. It must have been a good track if Buddy Kofoid is coming from the back and Donny Schatz is coming from the back.”

Micheal Kofoid roared from 19th to claim 2nd place while Cole Macedo was 3rd and Daryn Pittman placed 4th. Those four will start in positions 21-24 in tonight’s championship race. Schatz just missed out on an A-Main start and he will now start 11th in the B-Main. Tonight is championship night at the Knoxville Nationals and due to impending severe weather, officials have moved up the start times significantly. Hot laps will start at 5:30. Because of that our coverage will be adjusted as well with Live Track Side at 4:00 and Race Nights Live at 5:00.