Knowland Leads Shootout Laps Before Late Spin

Taegan Knowland in action at Charlotte Motor Speedway. (Charlie Haywood photo)

CONCORD, N.C. – Taegan Knowland led laps in Cookout Summer Shootout Series competition Tuesday before ending up with an eighth-place finish in round seven.

Driving the No. 17 Race Driven Performance Bandolero, Knowland qualified a personal-best fifth around the flat, quarter-mile oval on the frontstretch of Charlotte Motor Speedway, allowing him to improve his track position quicker during the 20-lap Bandits division feature.

Knowland worked his way forward in a hurry, taking the outside lane during an early caution via the choose rule to line up on the front row. Battling with Camden Truett and Wyatt Coffey, Knowland edged ahead on the outside on laps two, three, and seven as he tried to work clear into the top spot.

Ultimately, Knowland settled in line in third place and appeared to be on his way to his second podium finish of the summer before a caution with four laps left led to chaos in the waning moments of the race.

During the ensuing restarts, Knowland spun in turn one, but didn’t catch a yellow as his car never lost power and continued on. That left him eighth after contending for the win early on.

Though his finish on paper wasn’t what he’d hoped for, Knowland recognized the importance of gaining confidence in his race craft before the end of the 10-race Summer Shootout Series.

“As competitive as I am, it’s important for me to take a step back and appreciate all the progress I’ve made in the short time I’ve been in the driver’s seat of a Bandolero,” said Knowland. “With no Bandolero racing opportunities in Topeka, I rely on each Shootout trip to fine-tune my skills. Tuesday marked my 16th race ever in a Bandolero, with six Beginner races last year, three starts at Nashville Fairgrounds this year, and now my seventh race in the Bandit division.

“Compared to the experience of my fellow drivers, I have so much less time behind the wheel. But when you race against the best and challenge yourself, good things will follow,” Knowland added. “The journey to that coveted win is a process – I know it’s coming soon!”

Knowland would like to thank ATP Restoration, Race Face Brand Development, the Friends of Jacklyn Foundation, Qdoba of Topeka, Jeremiah Bullfrogs Bar & Grille of Topeka, Manhattan and Junction City, Royal Signs, Thrivent Financial, and DC Lawn Care for their partnership and support of his racing efforts.

Knowland will return to action during round eight of the Cookout Summer Shootout Series, which takes place Tuesday night, July 16 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

For those unable to attend at the track, FloRacing will stream the event live.

Jeremiah Bullfrogs is continuing to hold local watch parties for each round of the Summer Shootout in support of Knowland. Topeka-area fans looking to get in on the fun can do so by visiting the restaurant at 2827 Southwest Wanamaker Road, with the FloRacing broadcast kicking off at 4 p.m. Central time.

About Taegan Knowland

Taegan Knowland is a 10-year-old Kansan whose dreams of racing were strong from his earliest years. A first-generation racer, Knowland began racing quarter midgets in 2021 and has since compiled a record of more than 30 victories, including a highlight win in 2022 at historic Daytona (Fla.) Int’l Speedway.

Knowland currently races quarter midgets nationally in the NASCAR Youth Series (formerly the USAC.25 Series) and has also branched out into Bandolero car racing, with plans to compete for Race Driven Performance in the prestigious Summer Shootout Series at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway and other major INEX-sanctioned events.

For more information on Taegan Knowland, visit his website at https://taeganknowlandracing.com/.

Fans can also follow Knowland on Facebook and Instagram at Taegan Knowland Racing.