By Jordan Morris
CONCORD, N.C. – April 28, 2016 – For the first time in 2016, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will venture into the heartland of the United States as they travel to Salina (Okla.) Highbanks on Friday, April 29 and then the annual Spring Classic at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo. on Saturday, April 30.
Just two months into the grueling 10-month long 2016 season, there have already been eight different winners in just 20 races, which is on par with the 2015 season that had nine different winners at this same point.
Emotions Running Wild
Jason Sides is the most recent World of Outlaws competitor to claim a checkered flag, as he did so at his home race track of I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark. just two days ago. Sides continues a trend of drivers claiming emotional wins, as Shane Stewart and Joey Saldana each had a tough time putting into words how much their wins at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas meant last weekend.
Home Track Advantage
Stewart, who sits second in the points standings and is a Bixby, Okla. -native, will be returning to his home racetrack on Friday night at Salina Highbanks, as the series returns to the track located in northeast Oklahoma for the fifth time in six years.
Another Oklahoma native is 2013 World of Outlaws champion Daryn Pittman. Pittman, a native of Owasso, Okla., has never won at his home track in series action, but has scored two third-place finishes in 2014 and 2012, and has never finished outside the top seven.
Overnight Delivery
Following action at Salina Highbanks, the the series will travel 350 miles overnight into The Show Me State, where the Outlaws will return to Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo. for the 20th consecutive year, and 26th time since 1987.
In 2015, current NASCAR driver Christopher Bell captured the checkered flag at the Spring Classic after fighting with Jason Sides and Sammy Swindell for much of the feature, then holding them off late for the thrilling victory.
No Place Like Home
Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender Clyde Knipp has rejoined the Outlaws after he missed most of the first of the season due to school. Knipp, a California, Mo. -native, will be competing at his home track with the Outlaws for the first time ever after a tough finish at I-30 Speedway, in which the rookie ended his night in the Last Chance Showdown after flipping multiple times.
Knipp is the only Outlaws regular who will be at home in the state of Missouri, but Hunter Scheurenberg (Sikeston) and Joe B. Miller (Millersville) are also from The Show Me State and competed with the Outlaws at I-30 Speedway.
For more race information and to learn how to purchase tickets for Salina (Okla.) Highbanks Speedway on Friday, April 29 visit www.WorldofOutlaws.com/Salina-Highbanks-Speedway, and for the Spring Classic at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Saturday, April 30 visit www.WorldofOutlaws.com/I-55-Raceway.
ABOUT THE TRACKS
SALINA HIGHBANKS SPEEDWAY is a high-banked, 3/8-mile oval. The track record is 11.177 seconds and was established by Craig Dollansky on April 26, 2013.
Previous A-Feature winner:
2015 – Shane Stewart on May 1
2014 – Joey Saldana on April 25
2013 – Craig Dollansky on April 26
2011 – Craig Dollansky on May 3
FEDERATED AUTO PARTS RACEWAY AT I-55 is a high-banked, 1/3-mile oval. The track record is 10.189 seconds and was established by Stevie Smith on March 30, 2002.
Previous A-Feature winners:
2015 – Christopher Bell on May 2, Donny Schatz on Aug. 7, Shane Stewart on Aug. 8
2014 – Sammy Swindell on April 26, Paul McMahan on Aug. 1, Kerry Madsen on Aug. 2
2013 – Craig Dollansky on Aug. 3
2012 – Craig Dollansky on Oct. 13, Jason Sides on Oct. 13
2011 – Craig Dollansky on Aug. 5
2010 – Joey Saldana on April 17, Tim Shaffer on Aug. 6, Jason Meyers on Aug. 7
2009 – Craig Dollansky on Aug. 7, Joey Saldana on Aug. 8
2008 – Jason Meyers on April 5
2007 – Joey Saldana on July 7
2006 – Donny Schatz on April 1, Brooke Tatnell on July 8
2005 – Kraig Kinser on April 2, Chad Kemenah on July 8
2004 – Craig Dollansky on April 17, Danny Lasoski on Aug. 7
2003 – Steve Kinser on April 12, Tyler Walker on July 12
2002 – Jac Haudenschild on March 30, Daryn Pittman on July 13
2001 – Randy Hannagan on March 24, Stevie Smith on July 14
2000 – Jac Haudenschild on July 22
1999 – Jac Haudenschild on July 24
1998 – Stevie Smith on July 25, Andy Hillenburg on Oct. 10
1997 – Mark Kinser on May 18, Sammy Swindell on Oct. 11
1996 – Mark Kinser on June 12
1992 – Steve Kinser on June 10
1991 – Sammy Swindell on May 4
1990 – Sammy Swindell on April 14
1989 – Doug Wolfgang on April 15, Doug Wolfgang on Aug. 11
1988 – Steve Kinser on April 23
1987 – Brad Doty on April 22, Steve Kinser on Sept. 25