{{short description|Racing event}} {{about|the sprint car race|the rock band|The Kings Royal|other uses|King's Royal (disambiguation)}} {{Infobox motor race |Race title = Kings Royal |Logo = File:Kings Royal logo.jpg |Track map = 180px |Series long = World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series |Series short = World of Outlaws |Venue = Eldora Speedway |Location = Allen Township, Darke County, Ohio, United States |First race = {{Start date|1984}} |Distance = {{convert|20|mi|km|abbr=on}} |Laps = 40 |Previous names = '''Mopar Kings Royal''' (1999)<br>'''Kings Royal presented by Crown Royal''' (2006) |Most wins driver = Steve Kinser (7) |Most wins team = |Most wins manufacturer = |Surface = Dirt |Length mi = 0.5 |Turns = 4 }}
The '''Kings Royal''' is a major sprint car racing event held annually at Eldora Speedway near New Weston, Ohio, United States. Regarded as one of the world's most prestigious sprint car races, it awarded a $200,000 USD winner's prize since 2025.
==History== thumb|left|Kings Royal pre-race in 1987 First run in 1984,<ref name="KR2011">{{cite web |last1=Kerchner |first1=Mike |title=Swindell Goes Flat, Walker Wins Kings Royal |url=https://speedsport.com/sprints-midgets/swindell-goes-flat-walker-wins-kings-royal/ |website=Speed Sport |access-date=January 19, 2021 |date=July 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121030826/https://speedsport.com/sprints-midgets/swindell-goes-flat-walker-wins-kings-royal/ |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> the Kings Royal saw Eldora Speedway promoter Earl Baltes offering $50,000 to the winner of a 40-lap event. Steve Kinser won the inaugural race, which sees the winner seated on a throne in victory lane while adorned with a crown and robe and carrying a scepter.<ref name="History">{{cite web |last1=Elliott |first1=Jeremy |title=The History of the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway |url=https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2015/07/a_history_of_the_kings_royal_a.html |website=The Patriot-News |access-date=January 19, 2021 |location=Harirsburg, PA |date=July 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121031019/https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2015/07/a_history_of_the_kings_royal_a.html |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NBC1">{{cite web |last1=Estrada |first1=Chris |title=Outlaws: Kerry Madsen wins prestigious Kings Royal at Eldora |url=https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/outlaws-kerry-madsen-wins-prestigious-kings-royal-at-eldora-video/ |website=NBC Sports |access-date=January 19, 2021 |date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129073251/https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2014/07/14/outlaws-kerry-madsen-wins-prestigious-kings-royal-at-eldora-video/ |archive-date=November 29, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Kinser leads all drivers with seven Kings Royal victories.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Billing |first1=Greg |title=Kinser is still going strong at Kings Royal |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/kinser-still-going-strong-kings-royal/t6cYd79vnAjR2t6wq3au7N/ |website=Dayton Daily News |access-date=January 19, 2021 |location=Dayton, OH |date=April 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121031336/https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/kinser-still-going-strong-kings-royal/t6cYd79vnAjR2t6wq3au7N/ |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The event is considered to be one of the most prestigious sprint car events held worldwide,<ref name="NBC1"/> and is considered to be a "Crown Jewel" event.<ref name="SP17">{{cite web |title=Sweet & Pittman Hope To Be Kings Again |url=https://speedsport.com/sprints-midgets/world-of-outlaws-sprint-cars/sweet-pittman-kings-royal-preview/ |website=Speed Sport |access-date=January 19, 2021 |date=June 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121031501/https://speedsport.com/sprints-midgets/world-of-outlaws-sprint-cars/sweet-pittman-kings-royal-preview/ |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> From its inaugural running through 2018, there was a standard $50,000 winner's purse;<ref>{{cite web |title=Eldora Speedway’s Fabled Kings Royal Celebrates 35 Years This Weekend |url=https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/speedway-news/44905-eldora-speedway-s-fabled-kings-royal-celebrates-35-years-this-weekend |website=Speedway Digest |access-date=January 19, 2021 |date=July 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121031600/https://www.speedwaydigest.com/index.php/news/speedway-news/44905-eldora-speedway-s-fabled-kings-royal-celebrates-35-years-this-weekend |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> the 2019 running saw a boost to $175,000 for the winner's prize.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sweitzer |first1=Steve |title=Eldora Speedway and $175K to the Winner of the King’s Royal |url=https://www.thelascopress.com/2019/07/eldora-speedway-and-175k-to-the-winner-of-the-kings-royal/ |website=The Lasco Press |access-date=January 19, 2021 |location=Fenton, MI |date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121031705/https://www.thelascopress.com/2019/07/eldora-speedway-and-175k-to-the-winner-of-the-kings-royal/ |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Sweet19">{{cite web |last1=Billing |first1=Greg |title=Kings Royal: Sweet wins $175,000 at Eldora Speedway |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/kings-royal-sweet-wins-175-000-eldora-speedway/R3wTG2eqHW1LhM82Be3Y7N/ |website=Dayton Daily News |access-date=January 18, 2021 |location=Dayton, OH |date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722125224/https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/kings-royal-sweet-wins-175-000-eldora-speedway/R3wTG2eqHW1LhM82Be3Y7N/ |archive-date=July 22, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Kings Royal is Eldora's largest event each season, drawing over 30,000 spectators.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fryer |first1=Jenna |title=NASCAR: Heavy rains and sprint car race give Eldora Speedway tight turnaround |url=https://www.news-herald.com/sports/nascar-heavy-rains-and-sprint-car-race-give-eldora-speedway-tight-turnaround/article_77d9391d-a8eb-5215-8de9-d7171e18bdcc.html |website=The News-Herald |access-date=January 19, 2021 |location=Willoughby, OH |date=July 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121031913/https://www.news-herald.com/sports/nascar-heavy-rains-and-sprint-car-race-give-eldora-speedway-tight-turnaround/article_77d9391d-a8eb-5215-8de9-d7171e18bdcc.html |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2014, Kerry Madsen became the first Australian to win the Kings Royal.<ref name="NBC1"/> Beginning in 2016, a preliminary full feature, the "Joker's Wild", was held on the Thursday before the Saturday Kings Royal; on the Friday of race week an additional event, "The Knight Before the Kings Royal", is held.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bartlett |first1=Jeff |title=Kings Royal set for Eldora |url=https://www.hoosiertimes.com/tmnews/sports/kings-royal-set-for-eldora/article_2d46bb3a-790e-534a-82dc-3e48d0679bb1.html |website=The Hoosier Times |access-date=January 19, 2021 |location=Bloomington, IN |date=July 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121032114/https://www.hoosiertimes.com/tmnews/sports/kings-royal-set-for-eldora/article_2d46bb3a-790e-534a-82dc-3e48d0679bb1.html |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> No driver won back-to-back Kings Royals for the first 33 years of the event,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Billing |first1=Greg |title=Eldora Speedway: Kings Royal field still chasing Schatz |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/eldora-speedway-kings-royal-field-still-chasing-schatz/zbCljNrFXUCq11EAFcaAsJ/ |website=Dayton Daily News |access-date=January 19, 2021 |date=July 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105090042/https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/eldora-speedway-kings-royal-field-still-chasing-schatz/zbCljNrFXUCq11EAFcaAsJ/ |archive-date=January 5, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> until Donny Schatz did so in 2017; in 2018 Schatz won again to become the first driver to win three Kings Royals in a row.<ref name="JN1">{{cite web |last1=Billing |first1=Greg |title=Schatz wins third straight Kings Royal crown at Eldora |url=https://www.journal-news.com/sports/schatz-wins-third-straight-kings-royal-crown-eldora/5MkLpDGtsEl48Wdz3f1e3J/ |website=Journal-News |access-date=January 19, 2021 |location=Liberty Township, OH |date=July 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121032422/https://www.journal-news.com/sports/schatz-wins-third-straight-kings-royal-crown-eldora/5MkLpDGtsEl48Wdz3f1e3J/ |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
The event lost its annual status after the 2020 event was canceled because of the global pandemic. In 2021, the Kings Royal was run as a double feature. The night before the Thursday feature was the Joker's Wild event. The Thursday event was the first feature (new ticket). The Friday event was the Knight Before event. The Saturday event was the second feature.<ref name="Two">{{cite web |title=Eldora Speedway Will Host TWO Kings Royals Paying $175,000-To-Win In 2021 |url=https://www.dailyadvocate.com/sports/91905/eldora-speedway-will-host-two-kings-royals-paying-175000-to-win-in-2021 |website=The Daily Advocate |access-date=January 19, 2021 |location=Greenville, OH |date=November 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121032636/https://www.dailyadvocate.com/sports/91905/eldora-speedway-will-host-two-kings-royals-paying-175000-to-win-in-2021 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Because of weather issues, the two features were run on the same Saturday, with the Thursday feature running in the afternoon and the Saturday feature running in the evening. The Knight Before was run on Sunday.
The 2021 event saw the start of a nine-year sanctioning agreement with World Racing Group, promoters of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series.<ref name="Two"/>
For 2022, the event will retain its four-day format. The calendar calls for the Joker's Wild on Wednesday, Historical Big One on Thursday, Knight Before on Friday, and the 39th Kings Royal on Saturday.<ref name="HBOReturns">{{cite web |title=The Historical Big "1" Returns to Eldora Speedway in 2022 |url=https://www.eldoraspeedway.com/2021/07/17/the-historical-big-1-returns-to-eldora-in-2022/ |website=Eldora Speedway |publisher=Metal Balloon, Inc. |access-date=2021-07-18}}</ref>
In October 2023, Kyle Larson and brother-in-law Brad Sweet acquired the Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions tour from Eldora owner Tony Stewart, and the Kings Royal became a two-day format (Friday and Saturday) only as part of the World Racing Group deal, as Larson and Sweet's High Limit Racing featured a two-day midweek show before the official Kings Royal shows (Knight Before on Friday and Kings Royal on Saturday) starting in 2024. The High Limit format is similar to a multiple day format where each night's performance determines the starting field for the championship night. The Wednesday night Double Down Duels drivers are split into two groups and race only in the groups they are drawn, where a driver's qualifying time, heat race performance, and feature results are converted into points. The Thursday Joker's Jackpot feature has the top 12 drivers in points advance to the A Main on Thursday for the $100,000 to win feature, with positions 13-36 in one of two B Mains, and the rest of the field in one of two C Mains. In 2025, the Joker's Jackpot was televised on Fox Sports 1.
The Kings Royal and Knight Before remain World Racing Group events, and each night has its own qualifying and own race, with the Kings Royal currently employing a format where the top two drivers in qualifying guaranteed to start in the A Main, and drivers notoriously sandbagging for the right to qualify in a position that is a power of six, since the winner of that heat race will win the pole position. Drivers must score a podium finish in order to advance to the A Main or they are relegated to the B Main. In 2025, the winner's purse was upgraded to $200,000.
== Winners == {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" |- !Year !Driver !Car no. !Owner !Reference |- | 1984 | Steve Kinser |align=center| 11 | Karl Kinser | <ref name="History"/> |- | 1985 | Doug Wolfgang |align=center| 29 | Bob Weikert | <ref name="History"/> |- | 1986 | Don Kreitz Jr. |align=center| 69 | Don Kreitz, Jr. | <ref name="History"/> |- | 1987 | Jac Haudenschild |align=center| 40 | Gary Stanton | <ref name="History"/> |- | 1988 | Steve Kinser |align=center| 11 | Karl Kinser | <ref name="History"/> |- | 1989 | Bobby Davis Jr. |align=center| 10 | Casey Luna | <ref name="History"/> |- | 1990 | Doug Wolfgang |align=center| 8 | Williams Bros. | <ref name="History"/> |- | 1991 | Steve Kinser |align=center| 11 | Karl Kinser | <ref name="History"/> |- | 1992 | Sammy Swindell |align=center| 1 | Sammy Swindell | <ref name="History"/> |- | 1993 | Dave Blaney |align=center| 10 | Casey Luna | <ref name="History"/> |- | 1994 | Jac Haudenschild |align=center| 22 | Jack Elden | <ref name="History"/> |- | 1995 | Dave Blaney |align=center| 10 | Casey Luna | <ref name="History"/> |- | 1996 | Johnny Herrera |align=center| 47 | Gil Sonner | <ref name="History"/> |- | 1997 | Steve Kinser |align=center| 11 | Steve Kinser | <ref name="History"/> |- | 1998 | Jac Haudenschild |align=center| 22 | Jack Elden | <ref name="History"/> |- | 1999 | Sammy Swindell |align=center| 1 | Sammy Swindell | <ref name="History"/> |- | 2000 | Dale Blaney |align=center| 93 | Dave Blaney | <ref name="History"/> |- | 2001 | Mark Kinser |align=center| 5m | Karl Kinser | <ref name="History"/> |- | 2002 | Joey Saldana |align=center| 17 | Joe Saldana | <ref name="History"/> |- | 2003 | Steve Kinser |align=center| 11 | Steve Kinser | <ref name="History"/> |- | 2004 | Jason Sides |align=center| 7s | Sides Motorsports | <ref name="History"/> |- | 2005 | Steve Kinser |align=center| 11 | Steve Kinser | <ref name="History"/> |- | 2006 | Joey Saldana |align=center| 9 | Kasey Kahne Racing | <ref name="History"/> |- | 2007 | Donny Schatz |align=center| 15 | Schatz Motorsports | <ref name="History"/> |- | 2008 | Daryn Pittman |align=center| 21 | Titan Racing | <ref name="History"/> |- | 2009 | Donny Schatz |align=center| 15 | Tony Stewart Racing | <ref>{{cite web |last1=Ernst |first1=Mike |title=Schatz captures Kings Royal |url=https://www.dailystandard.com/archive/2009-07-20/stories/9324/schatz-captures-kings-royal |website=The Daily Standard |location=Celina, OH |date=July 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913015512/https://www.dailystandard.com/archive/2009-07-20/stories/9324/schatz-captures-kings-royal |archive-date=September 13, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 2010 | Steve Kinser |align=center| 11 | Tony Stewart Racing | <ref name="Newton">{{cite web |last1=Arnold |first1=Eric |title=Ten days of racing start Thursday in Knoxville |url=https://www.newtondailynews.com/2010/08/03/ten-days-of-racing-start-thursday-in-knoxville/ak898wk/?page=1 |website=Newton Daily News |access-date=January 19, 2021 |location=Newton, IA |date=August 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121033010/https://www.newtondailynews.com/2010/08/03/ten-days-of-racing-start-thursday-in-knoxville/ak898wk/?page=1 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 2011 | Tyler Walker |align=center| 17 | Jesse Keen | <ref name="KR2011"/> |- | 2012 | Sammy Swindell |align=center| 1 | Big Game Motorsports | <ref>{{cite web |last1=Billing |first1=Greg |title=Swindell takes 3rd Kings Royal title |url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/lifestyles/philosophy/swindell-takes-3rd-kings-royal-title/rIQ58ieuJDaGjihRYCycUP/ |website=Dayton Daily News |access-date=January 19, 2021 |location=Dayton, OH |date=July 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121033259/https://www.daytondailynews.com/lifestyles/philosophy/swindell-takes-3rd-kings-royal-title/rIQ58ieuJDaGjihRYCycUP/ |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 2013 | Brad Sweet |align=center| 49 | Kasey Kahne Racing | <ref>{{cite web |last1=Pace |first1=Doug |title=Brad Sweet Earns Crown in 30th Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway |url=https://www.spokesman.com/blogs/keepingpace/2013/jul/14/brad-sweet-earns-crown-30th-kings-royal-eldora-speedway/ |website=The Spokesman-Review |access-date=January 18, 2021 |location=Spokane, WA |date=July 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906185939/https://www.spokesman.com/blogs/keepingpace/2013/jul/14/brad-sweet-earns-crown-30th-kings-royal-eldora-speedway/ |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 2014 | Kerry Madsen |align=center| 29 | Keneric Racing | <ref name="NBC1"/> |- | 2015 | Shane Stewart |align=center| 2 | Larson Marks Racing | <ref>{{cite web |last1=Elliott |first1=Jeremy |title=Shane Stewart makes epic run to Kings Royal title as Donny Schatz runs dry |url=https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2015/07/post_757.html |website=The Patriot-News |access-date=January 18, 2021 |location=Harrisburg, PA |date=July 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121024836/https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2015/07/post_757.html |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 2016 | Donny Schatz |align=center| 15 | Tony Stewart Racing | <ref name="JN1"/> |- | 2017 | Donny Schatz |align=center| 15 | Tony Stewart Racing | <ref name="JN1"/> |- | 2018 | Donny Schatz |align=center| 15 | Tony Stewart Racing | <ref name="JN1"/> |- | 2019 | Brad Sweet |align=center| 49 | Kasey Kahne Racing | <ref name="Sweet19"/> |- |rowspan=2| 2021 | Tyler Courtney <SMALL>Afternoon</SMALL> | align=center | 7BC | Clauson-Marshall Racing | <ref>{{cite web |last1=Graziano |first1=Nick |title=SHINE OF A KING: Tyler ‘Sunshine’ Courtney claims 38th Kings Royal in first appearance |url=https://www.worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/shine-of-a-king-sunshine-tyler-courtney-claims-38th-kings-royal-in-first-appearance/ |website=World of Outlaws |publisher=World Racing Group |access-date=2021-07-18 |ref=Sunshine}}</ref> |- | Kyle Larson <SMALL>Night</SMALL> | align=center| 57 | Silva Racing | <ref>{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Brian |title=KING KYLE XXXVII: Larson Achieves Crowning Moment at Eldora’s Kings Royal |url=https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/king-kyle-xxxvii-larson-achieves-crowning-moment-at-eldoras-kings-royal/ |website=World of Outlaws |publisher=World Racing Group |access-date=2021-07-18 |ref=YungMoney}}</ref> |- | 2022 | Brent Marks | align=center| 19 | Murray-Marks Motorsports | <ref>{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Brian |title=KING BRENT: Marks Completes Monumental Week At Eldora With Kings Royal Crown |url=https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/king-brent-marks-completes-monumental-week-at-eldora-with-kings-royal-crown/ |website=World of Outlaws |publisher=World Racing Group |access-date=2022-07-17 |ref=Marks}}</ref> |- | 2023 | Donny Schatz | align=center| 15 | Tony Stewart Racing | <ref>{{cite news |last=Beaver |first=Dan |title=Donny Schatz wins 2023 Kings Royal on one of the World of Outlaws’ biggest stages |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/motor-sports/news/donny-schatz-wins-2023-kings-royal-on-one-of-the-world-of-outlaws-biggest-stages |website=NBC Sports |date=2023-07-16 |access-date=2025-07-20}}</ref> |- | 2024 | David Gravel | align=center| 2 | Big Game Motorsports | <ref>{{cite web |last1=Nieten |first1=Alex |title=King DAVID XLI: David Gravel Bests Donny Schatz in a Thriller for First Kings Royal Crown|url=https://worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/king-david-xli-david-gravel-bests-donny-schatz-in-a-thriller-for-first-kings-royal-crown| website=World of Outlaws |publisher=World Racing Group |access-date=2024-07-21 |ref=Gravel}}</ref> |- | 2025 | Anthony Macri | align="center" | 39M | Macri Motorsports | <ref>{{cite web |last=Paul |first=Brandon |title=2025 Kings Royal Results: World Of Outlaws At Eldora Speedway|url=https://www.floracing.com/articles/14402878-2025-kings-royal-results-world-of-outlaws-at-eldora-speedway |website=FloRacing |access-date=20 July 2025 |date=July 19, 2025}}</ref> |}
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== *{{Official website|https://www.eldoraspeedway.com/event/eldoramillion_40kingsroyal/|40th Kings Royal official website}} *{{Official website|https://www.eldoraspeedway.com/event/hbo-kingsroyal/|39th Kings Royal official website}} *{{Official website|https://www.eldoraspeedway.com/event/38th-kings-royal/|38th Kings Royal official website}}
Category:World of Outlaws Category:Sprint car racing Category:1984 establishments in Ohio Category:Recurring sporting events established in 1984 Category:July in sports