When brothers Austin and Carson McCarl make qualifying runs Wednesday night at the Knoxville Nationals it will mark the 57th straight year a member of the McCarl family has taken part in sprint car racing’s biggest event. Their grandfather, Lenard, first entered the nationals in 1968 and their father, Terry, is a seven time track champion at Knoxville. Austin is leading in a bid for a fourth track championship and says his earliest memories date back to the beginning of this century when Steve Kinser and Danny Lasoski dominated the event.

Austin takes pride in the McCarl family name becoming synonymous with the Knoxville Raceway.

It also brings a certain amount of pressure to continue the success his family has enjoyed over the years.

Austin says he frequently envisions himself with the lead late in the championship race.

Carson is currently fourth in points this season at Knoxville and says winning the nationals would be career changing.

Carson also remembers the 2004 championship race.

Carson says they are trying to keep the family legacy going that their grandfather started.

Carson says he is motivated to keep the run of family success going.

Terry McCarl will attempt to qualify Thursday night as will defending champion and NASCAR star Kyle Larson.