Jason Johnson wins Knoxville Nationals in dramatic finish

KNOXVILLE — Louisiana native Jason Johnson held off a hard-charging nine-time national champion Donny Schatz to win Saturday’s 56th annual 5-hour ENERGY Knoxville Nationals. Johnson claimed the 410cid sprint car championship at Knoxville Raceway.

“Parked it. B.C.!” Johnson said in victory lane as he dedicated his win to the late Bryan Clauson, who died of injuries suffered in a sprint car race in Kansas last week.

Johnson won his first Knoxville Nationals final by .16 of a second ahead of Schatz. Shane Stewart ran third and race pole winner Daryn Pittman took fourth. NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kyle Larson finished fifth.

Larson earned the hard charger award. Matt Juhl was named the Rookie of the Nationals.

The Jesse Hockett Mr. Sprint Car Award presented by Cox Fabrication was awarded to Jamie Veal, who is the first Australian to earn the title since it began in 2002. The 2016 Mechanic of the race was earned by JJR Crew Chief, Phil Dietz.

Knoxville Nationals 410

A main (started), 50 Laps, NT: 1. Jason Johnson (2); 2. Donny Schatz (5); 3. Shane Stewart (8); 4. Daryn Pittman (1); 5. Kyle Larson (21); 6. Jamie Veal (4); 7. Chad Kemenah (6); 8. Greg Hodnett (18); 9. Ian Madsen (23); 10. David Gravel (11); 11. Brad Sweet (7); 12. Rico Abreu (17); 13. Danny Lasoski (19); 14. Tim Kaeding (9); 15. Kraig Kinser (25); 16. Logan Schuchart (24); 17. Terry McCarl (10); 18. Sammy Swindell (12); 19. Lucas Wolfe (20); 20. Dusty Zomer (14); 21. Jeff Swindell (16); 22. Kerry Madsen (3); 23. Dale Blaney (22); 24. Craig Dollansky (15); 25. James McFadden (13). Lap Leaders: Pittman 1-10, J. Johnson 11, Pittman 12, Schatz 13-26, J. Johnson 27-43, Schatz 44-45, J. Johnson 46-50.