By Tony Veneziano
MCCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. — August 9, 2016 — Junction Motor Speedway has served as the traditional start of the “stretch run of the season” for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series for the last few years, falling on the schedule right after the Knoxville Nationals. This year will mark the fifth straight year the series has visited the three-eighths-mile and the sixth time overall, dating back to 2010. This edition of Quick Hits sets the stage for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series presented by Henderson Irrigation, Friesen Auto Group, Penner’s Tire Pros, Sutton Electric Inc., Todd’s Body and Glass, Southeast Community College and Bill Otto at Junction Motor Speedway on Tuesday, August 16.
5 Races, 5 Podium finishes
When it comes to running up front at Junction Motor Speedway, Donny Schatz has a sterling track record. The seven-time and defending World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion, has a pair of wins and has finished on the podium in all five of his starts at the track. Schatz picked up his first win at Junction Motor Speedway in 2012 and returned to the winner’s circle in 2014. He finished third in the series inaugural event at the track in 2010, was also third in 2013 and ran third last year.
Closing in on a win
Joey Saldana, who has relatives in Nebraska, has five top-10 finishes in his five starts at Junction Motor Speedway. The veteran driver finished a career-best second at the track last year, after turning the fastest lap in time trials. Saldana finished seventh in his first start at Junction Motor Speedway in 2010, was eighth in 2012, 10th in 2013 and sixth in 2014, as he chases his first win at the track. The Indiana native won earlier this year in Nebraska at I-80 Speedway.
Near the front
Brad Sweet, who is locked in a great battle for the second spot in points, has made three starts with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Junction Motor Speedway in his career and has finished in the top-five in all three. He finished fifth last year, while he was a career-best fourth in 2014. Sweet finished fifth in 2013, in his first start at the track. Last year, he came from the ninth starting position to earn a top-five finish.
Building a notebook
Shane Stewart made his first start at Junction Motor Speedway last year with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, finishing sixth. He opened night as the second-fastest driver in time trials and followed that up with a fourth-place finish in the second heat race to earn a spot in the dash, where he finished fourth. Stewart, who is currently sixth in points, is in the midst of his second full season on the road with the Larson Marks Racing team, which is co-owned by NASCAR driver Kyle Larson.
Three for four
Paul McMahan is three for four, when it comes to picking up top-10 finishes at Junction Motor Speedway with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. He finished a career-best second in 2014 and was fourth last year to earn his second top-five. McMahan ran eighth at Junction Motor Speedway in 2013 and was 11th in the inaugural World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series event at the track in 2010. The veteran driver is chasing his first win of the season and the first Outlaws victory for the Destiny Motorsports team.
Solid showings
Daryn Pittman, the 2013 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion, has three top-10 finishes in three starts at Junction Motor Speedway. The Oklahoma native, who now calls the Indianapolis area home, was seventh last year aboard the No. 9 for Kasey Kahne Racing. Pittman finished sixth at the track in 2013 and was eighth in 2014, as he chases his first win at Junction Motor Speedway. He has seven wins this season, which is tied for second-most in the series.
Pair of top-10s
Jason Sides finished sixth in his first visit to Junction Motor Speedway in 2010, during the inaugural World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series event at the track. The veteran driver turned in another top-10 performance in 2014, finishing 10th. Last year, Sides was 13th at Junction Motor Speedway. The fan favorite, who is eighth in points, has one win this season, with that coming in April at I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Building blocks
Jason Johnson, David Gravel, Logan Schuchart and Jacob Allen have all made at least two starts with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Junction Motor Speedway during their respective careers. Johnson has made the most starts, three, while Schuchart has earned the best finish of the quarter, an eighth last year.
Couple starts
Greg Wilson, the leading contender for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award, has made two starts in his career at Junction Motor Speedway. The Ohio native made his debut at the three-eighths-mile in 2004 with the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions, finishing 10th. Wilson returned to Junction Motor Speedway in 2013 to compete with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. The Ohio native picked up his second-career Outlaws win earlier this year at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in Concord, N.C.
First timer
Clyde Knipp, who is also a contender for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award this season, will be making his first visit to Junction Motor Speedway. Knipp made his first start in Nebraska earlier this season at I-80 Speedway, where he finished 17th. The 18-year-old competed in a variety of wing and non-wing sprint car races in 2015, before embarking on the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series trail this year.
Tickets for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series presented by Henderson Irrigation, Friesen Auto Group, Penner’s Tire Pros, Sutton Electric Inc., Todd’s Body and Glass, Southeast Community College and Bill Otto at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Nebraska on Tuesday, August 16 can be purchased online at https://slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023. Suite Tickets can be purchased from the track by calling at 402-773-5538 Ext 4.
For more information on tickets, visit www.slspromotions.com.
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