The 64th annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s delivered another chapter in sprint car racing history on Saturday night at Knoxville Raceway, as 18-year-old Ryan Timms delivered a masterful wire-to-wire performance to claim his first career Knoxville Nationals title.

Starting from the pole position, Timms never looked back, leading all 50 laps of the A-Main feature to defeat Rico Abreu by a commanding margin of 2.828 seconds. At just 18 years and 11 months old, Timms becomes the youngest Knoxville Nationals champion since Kenny Weld captured the crown at 18 years and nine months back in 1964 – making this victory a truly historic achievement spanning over six decades.

The victory marks several significant milestones for the young driver from Oklahoma. Not only did Timms capture his first Knoxville Nationals title, but he also secured his first career nationally touring win. However, this wasn’t unfamiliar territory for Timms at the famous half-mile oval, as Saturday’s triumph represented his sixth overall victory of the year at Knoxville Raceway, where he competes regularly as part of the weekly program driving for car owner Shane Liebig.

While Timms controlled the front of the field with methodical precision, plenty of action unfolded behind him throughout the 50-lap distance. Rico Abreu, starting from seventh, worked his way forward to secure the runner-up position, though he never seriously challenged Timms for the lead.

The story of the night belonged to David Gravel’s incredible charge through the field. Starting from the 21st position – deep in the pack after qualifying struggles – Gravel methodically picked his way forward to complete the podium in third place. His drive showcased the veteran’s racecraft and ability to navigate traffic in sprint car racing’s most prestigious event.

Carson Macedo, who started second alongside Timms on the front row, held the runner-up spot for most of the race distance before ultimately settling for fourth place. Logan Schuchart rounded out the top five, followed by Corey Day in sixth and Giovanni Scelzi in seventh.

One of the most dramatic moments came in the closing stages when Kyle Larson, the NASCAR Cup Series star who was running eighth, suffered a right-rear tire failure with just four laps remaining. The mechanical issue dropped Larson to 19th in the final results, a crushing blow for the former Knoxville Nationals champion who was looking to add another crown to his impressive resume.

The feature showcased the depth of talent in sprint car racing, with several established stars recovering from poor starting positions. Donny Schatz, an 11-time Knoxville Nationals champion, advanced from 20th to finish 11th, while Brent Marks moved up from 17th to claim 12th place.

The complete finishing order demonstrated the competitive nature of the event, with drivers like Sheldon Haudenschild, Austin McCarl, and Garet Williamson all securing top-ten finishes in sprint car racing’s premier event.

Timms’s victory signals the emergence of a new generation in sprint car racing. His calm, composed drive from the front showcased maturity well beyond his years, never allowing the pressure of the moment or the significance of the event to affect his performance. The Oklahoma teenager’s six wins at Knoxville in 2025 had already established him as a force to be reckoned with at the venue, but Saturday night’s performance elevated him to the sport’s elite level.

As the sprint car racing community celebrates another successful Knoxville Nationals, Ryan Timms’s name will forever be etched in the record books alongside the sport’s greatest champions. At just 18 years old, his future in the sport appears limitless, and this historic victory at Knoxville Raceway may well be remembered as the moment when sprint car racing’s next superstar truly announced his arrival on the national stage.

The 64th annual Knoxville Nationals will be remembered not just for its competitive racing, but for the crowning of its youngest champion in over 60 years – a testament to the bright future of sprint car racing and the incredible talent of Ryan Timms.