Since his first big-stage start at Knoxville Raceway in 2013, Rico Abreu has wanted nothing more than to win one of the historic track’s coveted marquee races. Fast forward to 2025, and his time to hoist the big trophy has finally come.
Abreu, 33, of St. Helena, CA, outdueled the talents of Kyle Larson Saturday night, retaking the lead from the NASCAR Cup Series star on the final restart in the closing laps to win the 35th running of the Xtream powered by Mediacom 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank.
An entrant of the 410 Sprint Car NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s nearly every season since his first in 2013, Abreu has worked each time to better his skills on the 1/2-mile oval in an effort to win the world’s most prestigious open-wheel race on dirt. This year, he made it a point to enter the 360 version of the event — for the second time in his career — to get additional laps on the track before competing in the 410 Sprint Car crown jewel next week…