T.J.’s Notebook: Wednesday Night at the 2017 Nationals

Greg Hodnett (#27) racing with Kerry Madsen (#2M). (Mark Funderburk photo) By T.J. Buffenbarger Going into Wednesday’s BRANDT Professional Agriculture Qualifying Night at the 5 Hour ENERGY Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores it was well known that Kyle Larson would likely not be able to run Saturday’s finale. The question was asked why a highly successful professional race car driver would run a preliminary night at the biggest sprint car race in the world with the strong possibility of not being able to run the main event on Saturday? The answer is simple, it’s a $12,000 to win sprint car race on a Wednesday night. When you have people as competitive as Kyle Larson and car owner Paul Silva that is all the motivation one should need. Add in that Larson mentioned several times this week that Knoxville Nationals is his favorite week of the year. If you are going to come to the Knoxville Nationals one might as well race. The problem with Larson racing is contractual. “Right now I’m not allowed to race,” said Larson. “In the contract with Chip I have to have a day off before I’m on track in cup. That’s why you [...]