Birth: 1963

Wade Knowles – Tyrone, GA – Wade Knowles is a member of one of Georgia’s most prolific racing families. His father, Joe, was known nationwide for his participation in the Great Race. Wade’s brothers Andy and Jerry race stock cars as do his nephews, Jody and Tony, his niece, Olivia Gentry, and her father Oliver Gentry. Wade’s son Jake is a current standout on the dirt tracks of the southeast. Wade began racing at the age of 18 making his debut in the season of 1981 behind the wheel of a Hobby car, and after grabbing five wins at Dixie Speedway, he began climbing through divisions quickly becoming a fan favorite along the way. In 1983, Knowles won 16 limited features at Dixie Speedway collecting every trophy that was handed out that season; 1984 proved to be a promising season as well, as Wade Knowles brought home 21 Limited feature wins. He has 59 total wins at Dixie, 40 of them in Super Late Models. Knowles’ Super Late Model career began in 1985, and it is through these years that his talent was brought to light. The first ever Hav-A-Tampa race held at East Alabama Motor Speedway was a stacked field, and Knowles brought home the win, the following year’s Hav-A-Tampa season opener was held at Waycross Motor Speedway, and Wade Knowles brought home his second Hav-A-Tampa win. Knowles was known to line up against drivers like Donnie Moran, Jeff Purvis, and Ronnie Johnson, and often would come out on top. The 3/8ths of a mile oval, Lanier National Speedway is a place that would leave an impact on Knowles’ career. On June 26th of 1986, Knowles would grab his first Southern All Star feature win at Lanier, however, the most memorable win came on the 4th of July as Knowles won the last 200 lap event before the track’s transition to asphalt cashing in a $10,000 payday. Wade Knowles is the only individual to win a feature event at Dixie Speedway behind the wheel of a Semi-Truck. This Great American Truck Racing Series win shows the versatility of the Tyrone, Georgia driver, and former Southern All Star Rookie of the Year. Knowles has an estimated 200 wins across nearly every division of dirt racing, and in varying states Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana, North and South Carolinas, Florida, and Mississippi. Knowles, a career over the road truck driver, also has 3 Late Model wins in South Africa. Wade retired from driving in 2006