Ashley Denning was named the 47th Annual Knoxville Nationals Queen. Denning will oversee activities during the week at the races. Denning is from Boone, Iowa.

Why did Denning run to become the Nationals queen at age 28? She says she wanted to give back to Knoxville. She has been coming to the Nationals for the past 25 years and it was the final time she would be eligible to compete in the contest as she will be getting married in January.

Denning told KNIA/KRLS what she likes about Nationals, “I like the Knoxville Nationals for the atmosphere. Growing up I didn’t even know there were other tracks that we could go to to watch races. It was always just Knoxville for me and the people here are one of a kind. They are so much fun and the energy at Knoxville is just one of a kind.”

Six young women competed in the Nationals Queen’s Pageant. Trinity Uttech was first runner-up in the contest, Kendall Offill was second runner-up and Madelyn Benson was named the Kathy Visser Miss Congeniality winner. Those ladies along with the queen make-up the court for the Nationals.