Kerry Madsen

Kerry Madsen has captured the Kings Royal and Ironman this summer and will be looking to add a Knoxville Nationals title to his resume. (Jeremy Elliott | jelliott@pennlive.com)

There are no easy nights at the Knoxville Nationals, but Thursday night of the 54th edition of this event is brutal.

I wanted to give 10 guys to watch in each preliminary night. Problem is, the second night was so good that we had to go with 11 and could have went deeper.

Here is a look at the top contenders to make it out of Thursday's qualifying night and into Saturday's $150,000-to-win A-Main.

Lucas Wolfe, Mechanicsburg, Pa.: Most years, Wolfe might not make this list, but he has been one of the fastest drivers in central Pennsylvania this season. Wolfe is a time-trial ace and if he can get through his heat race, he has a good shot at garnering enough points to make Saturday's A-Main.

Steve Kinser, Bloomington, Ind.: "The King" hasn't won this race since 2002, but he has sat in Victory Lane 12 times in his storied career. I can't help thinking he has one more good run left in him in this historic event. This year more than ever, he will be a fan favorite.

Dale Blaney, Hartford, Ohio: Blaney has dominated the All Star Circuit of Champions this season and has been one of the most consistent cars in the country. The Ohio ace has qualified for the Knoxville Nationals A-Main nine times but has yet to crack the podium. His highest finish was eighth in 2009.

Ian Madsen, St. Marys, NSW, Australia: Keep your eye on this guy. Madsen has captured the last two 410 Sprint Car events at Knoxville Raceway, including Sunday night's Capitani Classic. Many experts have this Aussie finishing in the top 10 of this year's event. I can't argue.

Brian Brown, Grain Valley, Mo.: Donny Schatz is the favorite, and this guy is as close as you get to No. 1-A. Brown has finished second to Schatz the last two years and seems to be peaking at the right time. He won the 360 Sprint Nationals over the weekend and was second in the Capitani Classic.

Terry McCarl, Altoona, Iowa: T-Mac might be flying under the radar a bit after losing his point lead Sunday night in the Capitani Classic, but don't sleep on this guy. McCarl has made the Nationals A-Main 17 times with a career-best third-place run in 2007. He will be dangerous this week.

Kerry Madsen, St. Marys, NSW, Australia: Kings Royal, check. Ironman 55, check. Madsen is on a roll in 2014. The older brother of Ian loves Knoxville Raceway and is clicking on all cylinders with crew chief Tyler Swank. Madsen is on pace to better his career-high finish of fifth in 2007.

Danny Lasoski, Higginsville, Mo.: Lasoski has qualified for 24 Knoxville Nationals A-Mains in his career and won four times. The Missouri ace may not be as dominant in the 410s as he once was, but he is always a factor around the comfortable confines of Knoxville Raceway.

Paul McMahan, Nashville, Tenn.: One of the most underrated drivers in the country, McMahan only has two top-five runs in the Nationals. Still, McMahan is a qualifying standout and the consistency he has shown with the CJB Motorsports group makes him a contender.

Stevie Smith, Broken Arrow, Okla.: Talk about a resurgence. Since hooking up with Fred Rahmer and David Pritchard, Smith has four wins, including a World of Outlaws pelt at Lincoln. Smith is also a beast during Knoxville Nationals week, making Saturday's A-Main 20 times and finishing in the top five six times.

Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, Ind.: A year ago, Saldana was the high point getter and sat on the pole of the Nationals. He dropped to seventh in the final rundown, something he hopes to rectify this season. Saldana has the potential, as he has been on the podium four times and finished second on three occasions.

OTHER NOTABLES

James McFadden: This Aussie finished third at the Ironman and has been fast in the states.

Rico Abreu: Abreu loves to bury his right rear on the cushion and has the talent to make waves.

Jason Meyers: A two-time World of Outlaws champ, the Knoxville Nationals is on Meyers' bucket list.

Chad Kemenah: If Kemenah can time well he can do some damage. Still remember is second-place run in 2004.

Brent Marks: Interesting to see if Marks can carry his Central Pa. momentum in to Knoxville.