UNDER THE LIGHTS: CARSON MACEDO’S INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THE ALBAUGH – YOUR ALTERNATIVE #41 BLOWS UP AFTER HIS FORWARD CHARGE AT THE 65TH ANNUAL NOS ENERGY DRINK KNOXVILLE NATIONALS

KNOXVILLE, IOWA (August 15, 2026) – Following an intense reign of competition during preliminary action throughout Toyota Iowa Lottery Qualifying Night, Carson Macedo locked in the Albaugh – Your Alternative/Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/Durst Inc. #41 Maxim in row five of the B-Main at the 65th Annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s. After going out late and timing in poorly, the Lemoore, California racer performed at a high level for the remainder of the night delivering a qualifying race win and executing throughout the A-Main charging to a seventh place finish in the feature bringing his event total to 426 points. That was good enough for 26th overall in combined points, locking the Jason Johnson Racing (JJR) machine as one of the ten cars locked into the B-Main before Friday’s rain out changed the format moving him up to the sixth starting spot. The top four finishers would advance into the A-Main at the “The Granddaddy of Them All” . . . the 410 Knoxville Nationals. Carrots dangled. The four hungriest rabbits get a prize. Everyone else’s 2026 Knoxville adventure ends.

A total of 96 race teams made the journey to this small town located in central Iowa to take a shot at adding their name to the prestigious winners list. That list includes name like: Roy Robbins (1961); Kenny Weld (1964, 1965, 1972, and 1973); Jan Opperman (1971); Eddie Leavitt (1975 and 1976); Doug Wolfgang (1977, 1978, 1984, 1985 and 1989); Steve Kinser (1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 2002); Sammy Swindell (1983); Donny Schatz (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2022); Brad Sweet (2018); Kyle Larson (2021, 2023, and 2024); and the youngest winner ever Ryan Timms (2025).

Philip Dietz has wrenched two previous winners at this prestigious race wrenching at Jason Johnson Racing with late “The Ragin’ Cajun” wheeling the Priority Aviation #41 to victory lane in that unforgettable race with Donny Schatz ten years ago in 2016. Then in 2019, David Gravel dominated the race on his way to the prized trophy piloting the blue Axalta paint schemed #41 to win. The team has been competitive and in the mix at this event since then as they continued to focus on performance so they could give Carson Macedo a chance to add his name to the list in 2026, so his name became a forever part of the record books too.

During the opening ceremonies, the annual awards at the Knoxville Nationals were presented. The winners were:

Skagit Speedway Best Appearing Car Award: #12x Beaver Special and driver Landon Crawley

SprintCarUnlimited.com Pole Award: Kyle Larson in the Paul Silva Motorsports #57

Think-N-Ink Best Appearing Helmet: 1st: Sheldon Haudenschild #18; 2nd: Danny Sams III; and 3rd: Sye Lynch #42

AVANTI Windows and Doors Best Appearing Crew Award: 1st: Logan Schuchart #1s and Shark Racing; 2nd: Garet Williamson #23 and Fischer Motorsports; and 3rd: Carson Macedo and Jason Johnson Racing (JJR)

The competition portion of Casey’s Championship Night kicked off with the annual running of the alphabet races: E-Main; D-Main; C-Main; and the B-Main before the grand A-Main finale. A few transfer spots to the next lettered event were up for grabs for the top finishers. Those results were:

D-Main (Top 4): Darin Naida #11N, Cap Henry #33W, Kasey Jedrzejek #6, and Clint Garner #40

C-Main (Top 4): Ryan Timms #10, Kerry Madsen #55, Justin Peck #26, and Sam Hafertepe Jr. #15H

The 24 cars began to stage for the 22-lap B-Main. There were four precious positions remaining that would advance into starting positions 21-24 in rows eleven and twelve of the A-Main. Starting on the front row were two young stars of the sport, Sye Lynch #42 and Emerson Axsom #27A, with Bill Balog #17B and Tyler Courtney #7BC tucked into row two. Aaron Reutzel pulled the Ridge and Son Racing/Power Plus! #87 to the inside in row three beside the Albaugh – Your Alternative/Durst Inc./Scott Boyd Family #41 Maxim of Carson Macedo. Situated in row four was Tasker Phillips #1TZ and Spencer Bayston #17 with Ty Corbet #25 and Sawyer Phillips #3P rolling together in row five. Sure, there were limited laps to accomplish the short-term goal, but anything is possible when you put your mind to it and combine it with grit and determination. It was time for these drivers to compete for one of those advancement positions.

The engines began to fire as the cars rolled onto the track. Carson flipped down the shield of his Bell Helmet ready to go to war. The engines were rumbling. The fans rang their hands with anxiousness and anticipation. When the front row starters came out of turn four, Justin Clark waved the flag and these high speed missiles were blasting down the front straightaway.

Western Pennsylvania’s own Sye Lynch led the opening lap of the B-Main with Emerson Axsom #27 and Tyler Courtney right behind him as Carson drove the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 into fourth place as they held down the four most important spots with twenty-one more laps remaining. Just behind them looking for a way into one of those positions was Spencer Bayston and Aaron Reutzel.

On lap 3, the first caution flag of the race displayed for second place running Emerson Axsom. Heartbreaking moment for the driver as he slowed to a stop with engine issues ending not only his run, but also his chances at the 2026 edition of the Knoxville Nationals.

Sye Lynch would bring them back to green flag racing with Courtney, Macedo, and Bayston his full pursuit mode. They were all within striking distance of one another but started to put some space between themselves at speed. The man on the move though capturing everyone’s attention was the driver of the Buch Motorsports #13, Tanner Holmes, as he was advancing fast in the Pella Windows and Doors entry.

Tyler Courtney would take the race lead on lap six with Carson now trying to track down a different driver in the runner-up spot. The Lemoore, California native would track him down and pass by him on lap 16. Simultaneously, Tanner Holmes continued his impressive run passing fourth place running Aaron Reutzel to assume ownership of the fourth and final transfer spot with only six laps remaining.

Tyler Courtney raced to the all-important B-Main victory followed across the finish line by Carson Macedo, Sye Lynch, and Tanner Holmes. Those four drivers earned the final four starting positions in the Knoxville Nationals A-Main field.

B-Main (Top 4): Tyler Courtney #7BC, Carson Macedo #41, Sye Lynch #42, and Tanner Holmes #13

Making the A-Main at this event is an incredible accomplishment in and of itself. Standing at the top of the podium at the end of the night with laurels hanging around the winner’s neck while holding the big trophy and tons of confetti falling is even more euphoric. Through sixty-four editions of this Crown Jewel race only 28 drivers finished first and experienced this type of accomplishment. They earned the right to be referred to as Knoxville National champions. With 96 cars racing this week at Knoxville Raceway there was just a 1% chance of winning when the action started on Wednesday night.

The drivers of the twenty-four cars that earned their spot in this year’s running of sprint car racing’s premiere event began to prepare for the running of the 65th Annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s A-Main. The grandstands were packed. Another sold out crowd of the most passionate fans in motorsports. Thank you so much for your patience and passion as you waited through the extended rain delay. This historic racing venue on the Marion County Fairgrounds buzzed with anticipation and excitement. The crew chiefs and crew members bumped fists with their drivers after some last minute words of encouragement. Weather beholds; it was finally time to go racing at the freaking Knoxville Nationals!

Sure, there are other high paying events, but none match this one. None. Fifty laps. Twenty four drivers. One goal . . . win. Kyle Larson was slated to start on the pole with Sheldon Haudenschild #18 to his outside, but the driver of the Paul Silva Motorsports #57 had NASCAR obligations to fulfill in Richmond, Virginia. Row two was made up of James McFadden #21T and Kasey Kahne #4 with Parker Price-Miller #71 and Daryn Pittman #69K beside each other in row four. In row five were Chase Dietz #23D and David Gravel #2 with Rico Abreu #14TSR and Logan Schuchart #1s behind in row six. Together in row seven were Garet Williamson #23 and Cole Maceo #2c with Corey Day #14 and Brian Brown #21 in row eight. Row nine featured Austin McCarl #88W and Brent Marks #19 with Tanner Thorson #88T and Jace Park in row ten. Filling the last two rows after transferring through the B-Main were Tyler Courtney #7BC, Carson Macedo #41, Sye Lynch #42, and Tanner Homes #13.

No provisional starters. Each of the twenty-four drivers earned their way into “The Granddaddy of Them All” – The 65th Annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals. Philip Dietz, Robby McQuinn, and Adam Zimmerman worked extremely long hours in collaboration with their driver to get to this point. With confidence, Carson climbed into the Albaugh – Your Alternative/Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/Scott Boyd Family #41 Maxim ready to chase a dream while competing with the best sprint car drivers in the world. He would start from the 22nd position in row eleven sharing that space with Tyler Courtney in the Clausen Marshall Racing (CMR)/NOS Energy Drink #7BC.

A special pre-race ceremony highlighted by Craig Johnson, Jason Johnson’s father, pacing the field in his son’s 2016 Knoxville Nationals winning car. With fireworks lighting up the skies and the residual smoke filling the air it was time to go racing at Knoxville Raceway. With the air cleared of the smoke the yellow lights turned off. After finishing the NASCAR race in Richmond, Virginia and trekking back in time for the start of the race, polesitter Kyle Larson peeked out of turn four to see the green flag and stomped on the accelerator to take the early race lead over Kasey Kahne and Sheldon Haudenschild.

Carson used his outside starting position to race four wide around the drivers directly in front of him on the opening lap and carried his way forward into 14th place at the end of the first lap. He had a fast racecar and continued his driver forward. Lap after lap he searched high. He searched low. He even searched in the middle looking for opportunities to pick up another position.

By lap 3, Carson moved past his brother Cole Macedo into the twelfth spot running behind Daryn Pittman and David Gravel. Both Gravel and Macedo used their speed to advance forward by moving past Pittman on the eighth lap. Following them though was twenty-fourth starting Tanner Holmes.

Holmes was downright impressive. He moved by Carson into 11th place on lap 11, but the two would swap that spot back and forth over the next six laps with the driver of the forty-one staking claim to it on lap 17.

On lap 21, Carson moved the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 into the top ten as he raced by Justin Henderson for the position. He was closing in quickly on ninth place running Parker Price-Miller when the competition caution came out at the halfway point of the race.

The drivers pulled their cars into pit lane to top off their fuel, change tires, and make some minor adjustments during the mid-race break. Carson had an impressive first half of the race and looked to continue his forward progress. He was ripping! Philip and the JJR #41 team wrapped up their work as the engines refired.

It would be a single-file restart with Kyle Larson leading Kasey Kahne, Sheldon Haudenschild, James McFadden, and Chase Dietz back up to speed. The second five were Logan Schuchart, Buddy Kofoid, David Gravel, Parker Price-Miller, and Carson Macedo. They got two more laps in the books before the caution flag flew for Brian Brown who slowed to a stop in turn four.

With the running order the same up front, Kyle Larson pedaled down again as the field of cars got back to racing. By lap 30, Carson moved by Chase Dietz to take over the ninth post as he continued to apply pressure on Parker Price-Miller for his position. Macedo still had an extremely fast racecar and was in a four car battle with David Gravel, Buddy Kofoid, and Parker Price-Miller for position. They were all bunched together when disaster struck ending Carson Macedo’s incredible run at the Knoxville Nationals. Blown engine with smoke billowing behind the car. Heartbreaking for the driver and team who worked so hard to find speed and put the forty-one in the show. He was the show during the first half, but unfortunately it was not meant to be on this night at the Marion County Fairgrounds. His official finish spot was 21st place, which certainly is not reflective of the great race he had through 40 laps. For his misfortune, Carson was recognized as the SmithTI Brake Systems Break of the Race recipient.

Kyle Larson went on to capture the win at the 65 NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals with Sheldon Haudenschild and Kasey Kahne rounding out the podium positions. James McFadden raced home fourth with Logan Schuchart completing the top five. David Gravel was sixth followed by Buddy Kofoid, Parker Price-Miller, Brent Marks, and Chase Dietz in the top ten.

JETCO Rookie of the Year Award: Jy Corbet #25

MPI Hard Charger Award: Tanner Holmes in the Buch Motorsports #13

Beaver Drill and Tool Company/MVP Express/Mike & Kathy Hulbert Jesse Hockett Mr. Sprint Car Award: Kyle Larson in the Paul Silva Motorsports #57

As Carson and the Jason Johnson Racing (JJR) #41 team turned their attention ahead to the balance of the racing season, the World of Outlaw NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series scheduled takes them next to Ogilvie Raceway in Ogilvie, Minnesota for the Big O Showdown presented by Wagamon Brothers on Friday (8/21) night. Rest up for the next few days before getting back into it watching the most exciting form of racing on DIRTVision. #BigOShowdown

Californian Battles and Stands Tall at the 65th Annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals! Photo Credit: Cameron Saich – CS Productions

JJR’s Valued Sponsorship Partners for 2026:  Albaugh, LLC; Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT); Border International; Scott Boyd Family; Saich Family; Tarlton and Son Inc.; Complete Parts & Equipment Solutions; Durst Inc.; High Performance Lubricants, LLC; Kistler Racing Engines; Maxim Racing; Sander Engineering; Bandy & Associates Accountancy Corporation; Boltz Family; Pro Powder Coating (PPC); Team Jack Foundation; Mark Burch Motorsports; T-FAB Custom Metal Fabrication; Xtreme Body and Paint; All Pro Aluminum Cylinder Heads; AutoMeter; Bell Helmets; Ben Cook Race Car Products; BlackBeard LTD; BMRS (Brown & Miller Racing Solutions); BR Motorsports; CASM Safety Products; Crow Enterprizes; CS Productions; Dale “Mickey” Snyder; Engler Machine & Tool, Inc.; Factory Kahne (FK Shocks); Fibreworks Composites; FK Rod Ends; Greber Racing Components (GRC); Hoosier Racing Tire; ISC Racers Tape; Jansen Transportation; K1 Race Gear; KSE Racing Products; LogoDaddy; Motor State Distributing; Mr. Jim’s Racing; Prime Composite Innovations; PWR Advanced Cooling Technology; Saldana Racing Products; Sam I Am; Schoenfeld Headers; Smiley’s Racing Products; Smith TI; Vortex Racing Products; Walker Performance Filtration; Wilwood Racing; and Winters Performance Products.

To stay connected with Jason Johnson Racing (JJR) and Carson Macedo go to www.jasonjohnsonracing.com.

Go to ShopJJR.com to look at all our offerings and buy your new JJR and Carson Macedo gear and merchandise.