By Kyle Luetters
CONCORD, NC. – Feb. 28, 2011 – Even though the 2011 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series season is only five races old, the championship battle is already beginning to take shape as the Greatest Show on Dirt invades Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Wednesday and Thursday.
Steve Kinser is aiming for his 21st championship in 2011 and has already won three times to put himself atop the point standings. Kinser, who last year at Las Vegas came up just short to Jason Meyers after a thrilling finish, believes he and his team have what it takes to hoist the trophy at the end of the season.
“I don’t believe I have ever had this good of a start to a season ever,” said Kinser, from the site of his latest victory on Friday night at Pike County Speedway in Magnolia, Miss. “It seems like anytime we put this Bass Pro Shops/J.D. Byrider/Chevrolet out on the track, it’s extremely fast.”
Kinser managed to back up his win with another strong finish the next night at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas. Kinser is the only driver to have finished all five races this season in the Top 10.
Hot on Kinser’s tail is Jason Sides and his Wetherington Tractor Service Maxim. Sides, who won four races last season, kept his momentum strong with a victory on the final night of the 40th Annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH and two runner-up finishes over the weekend at Pike County Speedway and Royal Purple Raceway.
“We just have been able to make very good adjustments to the car and really keep up with the tracks we’ve been at,” Sides said. “We are thrilled to be running this great and hope it keeps up.”
Kasey Kahne Racing driver Joey Saldana has quietly made his way up to third in the standings after being crowned the Sprint Car champion of the season-opening DIRTcar Nationals. Saldana debuted a new look on his #9 Maxim at Pike County Speedway, sporting the Red Bull energy drink colors. Saldana’s teammate, 20-year-old Cody Darrah continues to impress and has his #91 Great Clips Maxim sitting in the fourth position. Rounding out the Top Five is 2010 World of Outlaws champion Jason Meyers, who will take a slight side trip Tuesday on his way to Las Vegas when he flies with the United States Navy Blue Angels.
Here’s a look at the Top 25 in the 2011 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series championship standings through the first five nights of action:
Pos. Driver Total Diff W T5 T10 QT
1. Steve Kinser 733 3 4 5 0
2. Jason Sides 707 -26 1 4 4 1
3. Joey Saldana 683 -50 0 3 4 2
4. Cody Darrah 660 -73 0 2 2 0
5. Jason Meyers 655 -78 0 1 3 0
6. Danny Lasoski 647 -86 0 1 3 0
7. Sammy Swindell 637 -96 1 2 2 0
8. Donny Schatz 632 -101 0 1 1 0
9. Paul McMahan 632 -101 0 1 2 2
10. Sam Hafertepe Jr. 630 -103 0 0 3 0
11. Chad Kemenah 630 -103 0 1 2 0
12. Kraig Kinser 618 -115 0 1 2 0
13. Lance Dewease 616 -117 0 0 2 0
14. Craig Dollansky 615 -118 0 1 2 0
15. Lucas Wolfe 604 -129 0 0 2 0
16. Terry McCarl 560 -173 0 0 0 0
17. Ben Gregg 550 -183 0 0 0 0
18. David Gravel 524 -209 0 1 1 0
19. Bill Rose 523 -210 0 0 0 0
20. Tim Shaffer 414 -319 0 1 3 0
21. Brad Sweet 384 -349 0 0 1 0
22. Fred Rahmer 374 -359 0 1 1 0
23. Dale Blaney 370 -363 0 0 1 0
24. Daryn Pittman 364 -369 0 0 1 0
25. Stevie Smith 351 -382 0 0 1 0
LIVE VIDEO AT DIRTVISION.COM: The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series has one more stop on its way to the West Coast, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, for a two-night event beginning on Wednesday (March 2). If you can’t make it to the event, you can watch both nights with multi-camera video coverage live on DIRTVision.com for only $14.99.
WINNERS – There have been five World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series feature event winners in 2011. They include Steve Kinser (2-Volusia Speedway Park, Pike County Speedway) Jason Sides (1-Volusia Speedway Park) and Sammy Swindell (1- Royal Purple Raceway.)
NEW ONLINE HOME – Make sure to check out the all-new WorldofOutlaws.com for the latest news and results, plus exclusive driver interviews, video and pictures. Also listen to every event live at DIRTVision.com .
The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Armor All (Official Car Care Products), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Goodyear Tires (Official Tire), Factory Motor Parts, VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), Vicci (Official Apparel) and Chizmark and Larson Insurance Agency; in addition to contingency sponsors, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, RacingJunk.com, KSE Race Products, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo, JE Pistons, Wix Filters and SuperFlow; Engine Builder’s Challenge participants Kistler Engines, Shaver Specialties and Speedway Engines. Electronics, S&S Volvo, JE Pistons, Wix Filters and SuperFlow; Engine Builder’s Challenge participants Kistler Engines, Shaver Specialties and Speedway Engines.