KALEB JOHNSON CAPTURES FIRST CAREER KNOWVILLE RACEWAY VICTORY DURING 360 NATIONALS
Inside Line Promotions – KNOXVILLE, Iowa (Aug. 12, 2024) – Kaleb Johnson achieved a life-long dream by not only winning at Knoxville Raceway, but doing it during the 360 Knoxville Nationals.
Johnson highlighted a career-best week and a half at ‘The Sprint Car Capital of the World’ by winning a preliminary night of the 34th annual Xtream powered by Mediacom 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank on Aug. 1.
“Part of me felt it was a long time coming,” he said. “We’ve ran 360s there for about five years. To do it at a moment like that was huge. It made me realize I’m very fortunate. It was really cool.”
Johnson guided a Dennis Gainey owned race car to the 14th quickest qualifying time. He then advanced from fourth to third place in a heat race and caught the pole position for the A Main. Johnson led all 20 laps for his first-ever victory at the track.
“The invert definitely helped and it was a good night to start on the pole,” he said. “It also helped we had a really good car. I was able to maneuver through traffic and pick cars off as needed.”
Johnson ranked eighth in overall event points following the preliminary nights, giving him the eighth starting spot in the A Main on Aug. 3. He battled inside the top 10 all night before ending a career-best ninth.
“I was a little bummed at first because I felt we had a fifth- or sixth-place car,” he said. “It was really tough to pass. Trying to get by some cars I hurt myself. I got stuck spinning my tires trying to slide someone. All in all, a top 10 at the 360 Knoxville Nationals isn’t anything to complain about.”
