(Radio Iowa) — Sprint Car Racing’s biggest event begins tonight (Wednesday night), with the first of two nights of qualifying at the 59th Knoxville Nationals. Saturday night’s championship lineup will be determined by a points system which includes qualifying, heat races and qualifying feature races. Race director John McCoy says it is a system that has been in place since the 1970s.

Ten time winner Donny Schatz makes a qualifying run tonight while defending champion Brad Sweet will be part of Thursday night’s qualifying program.

McCoy says there are activities around the track for fans of all ages.

McCoy says sprint car drivers remain accessible to the fans.

The more than one million dollar pursue will play 150 thousand dollars to the winner. Saturday night’s championship race will be 50 laps.