Iowa motorsport race named one of the best in the US for 4th year

An Iowa motorsports race was recently named one of the best in the country for the fourth year in a row by USA TODAY'S 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards. 

With 10 raceways across the state and Iowa hosting high-profile events like the NASCAR Cup Series at Iowa Speedway in Newton, it is safe to say Iowans have an affinity for motorsports.

So out of all the races in Iowa, which one in the state is one of the best in the country?

What Iowa motorsport race is one of the best in the country?

The NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals placed second in the Top 10 best motorsports races in the country, according to USA TODAY 10BEST. Since 2023, USA TODAY 10BEST has ranked the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals as either the No. 2 or No. 3 best motorsport race in the country.

"Nicknamed the 'granddaddy of them all,' the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals is considered a premier title in sprint car racing," USA TODAY 10BEST wrote about the event.

Here are the full rankings, according to USA TODAY 10BEST:

1. Sick Week: Orlando
2. United States Grand Prix (F1): Austin, Texas
3. NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals: Knoxville, Iowa
4. Indianapolis 500: Indianapolis,
5. Daytona 500: Daytona Beach, Florida
6. SCAA National Championship Runoffs: Plymouth, Wisconsin
7. King of the Hammers: Johnson Valley, California
8. Rolex24 at Daytona: Daytona Beach, Florida
9. Chili Bowl Nationals Powered by NOS Energy Drink: Tulsa, Oklahoma
10. MOTUL Petit Le Mans: Braselton, Georgia

What is the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals race?

First held in 1961, the race draws more than 20,000 spectators annually across four days in early August. Drivers earn points with every lap they complete, and the competitor with the highest point total at the end takes home $1 million.

The track was initially used for horse racing and is located on the Marion County Fairgrounds. The first automobile race was held in 1901.

When is the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals Race?

The 65th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals begins Aug. 12 and runs until Aug. 15.

The current champion of the race is Ryan Timms, who won the Knoxville Nationals in 2025 at the age of 18, the second-youngest winner in Knoxville Nationals history. Steve Kinser holds the record with 12 Knoxville Nationals victories, according to the Knoxville Raceway.

Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Knoxville Nationals ranks among best motorsports races for 4th year