By Kyle Luetters
HANFORD, Calif. – March 14, 2011
WHAT
The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series continues its month-long tour in California this week with events Friday night at the Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway in Hanford and Saturday night at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare. Craig Dollansky and his Big Game Treestands Maxim captured the first round of the Golden State tour with a victory in the Mini Gold Cup Saturday night at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. As the tour heads to Hanford, several questions still remain. Will Donny Schatz break through and pick up his first win of 2011 after a string of strong finishes? Can rookie Cody Darrah break the veterans’ stranglehold on victory lane? Will California natives Jason Meyers and Paul McMahan earn wins on the tracks that launched their careers with the Outlaws?
WHEN
Friday, March 18, at Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. Grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. with racing at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 19, at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare Calif. Gates are expected to open at 4 p.m. with time trials at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.
WHERE
Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway is located at 801 10th Avenue, Hanford, Calif. Click here for directions.
Thunderbowl Raceway is located on South ‘O’ Street in Tulare, Calif. Click here for directions.
TICKETS
Tickets for the racing action at Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway are available by calling the track at 559-584-RACE (7223) or by going to www.GiantChevroletSpeedway.com.
Tickets for the racing action at Thunderbowl Raceway are available by calling the track at (559) 688-0909 or by going to www.ThunderbowlRaceway.com.
ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws – http://www.WorldofOutlaws.com
Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway – http://www.GiantChevroletSpeedway.com
Thunderbowl Raceway – http://www.ThunderbowlRaceway.com
Dirt Radio Network – http://www.DIRTVision.com
ABOUT THE TRACKS
Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway is a 3/8-mile high-banked oval. When the Outlaws last visited in 2003, Danny Lasoski paced the field with a lap in 12.673 seconds.
Thunderbowl Raceway is a 1/3-mile oval. Tim Kaeding established the track record last season when he went 12.651 seconds at 94.759 mph on March 5, 2010.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
World of Outlaws A-Feature winners at Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway:
2003 – Tim Kaeding on February 21
2002 – Danny Lasoski on February 22
2001 – Andy Hillenburg on February 23, Stevie Smith on August 28
2000 – Johnny Herrera on September 25, Joey Saldana on September 8
1999 – Danny Lasoski on February 19, Steve Kinser on September 10
1998 – Steve Kinser on September 11
1997 – Sammy Swindell on September 12
1996 – Sammy Swindell on September 11
1995 – Danny Lasoski on September 6
1994 – Dave Blaney on September 7
1993 – Stevie Smith on September 1
1992 – Stevie Smith on March 4, Sammy Swindell on September 2
1991 – Dave Blaney on September 18
1990 – Steve Kinser on February 28, Steve Kinser on September 19
1989 – Joe Gaerte on March 8, Bobby Davis, Jr., on September 19
1988 – Doug Wolfgang on February 24, Steve Kinser on September 20
1987 – Bobby Davis, Jr., on February 25, Steve Kinser on September 9
1986 – Brad Doty on February 26, Steve Kinser on September 27
1985 – Jeff Swindell on September 25
World of Outlaws A-Feature winners at Thunderbowl Raceway:
2010- Jason Meyers on March 5, Joey Saldana on March 6
2009- Randy Hannagan on March 20, Joey Saldana on March 21
2008- Jac Haudenschild on October 18
2007- February 23- Joey Saldana, February 24; Tim Kaeding, October 13 Donny Schatz
2005- Tim Shaffer on February 25; Sammy Swindell on Oct. 15
2004-Terry McCarl on Nov. 1
2003-Steve Kinser on Sept. 2
FEATURE WINNERS
There have been eight World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series A-Feature events in 2011. The winners include: Steve Kinser – 4 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 11 and 12, Pike County Raceway on Feb. 25, the Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4), Craig Dollansky – 1 (Silver Dollar Speedeway on March 12) Jason Sides – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13), Sammy Swindell – 1 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 26), Joey Saldana – 1 (Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 3).
THREE-EIGHTHS MILE WINNERS
Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway is listed as a high-banked, three-eighths mile oval. This is the third visit for the Outlaws in 2011 on a track this size. Previous winners include: Steve Kinser – 1 (Pike County Raceway on Feb.25) and Sammy Swindell – 1 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 26.)
ONE-THIRD MILE WINNERS
Thunderbowl Raceway is a high-banked one-third mile oval. This will be the first visit for the Outlaws on a track this size. The World of Outlaws raced seven times on a track that size in 2010. The winners included: Jason Meyers – 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway, North Central Speedway and I-55 Raceway), Joey Saldana – 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway, I-55 Raceway and Beaver Dam Raceway), and Tim Shaffer – 1 (I-55 Raceway).
DRIVER WEB SITES
The following World of Outlaws drivers maintain Web sites:
Cody Darrah- http://www.codydarrah.com
Craig Dollansky-http://www.dollanskyracing.com
Ben Gregg- http://www.kronikenergy.com/team.php
Chad Kemenah-http://www.chadkemenah.com
Kraig Kinser- http://www.kraigkinser.com
Steve Kinser- http://www.stevekinser.com
Paul McMahan- http://www.paulmcmahanracing.com
Jason Meyers- http://www.eliteracing.net
Joey Saldana- http://www.joeysaldana.com
Donny Schatz- http://www.donnyschatz.com
Jason Sides- http://www.sidesmotorsports.com
Lucas Wolfe- http://www.lucaswolfe.com
For more driver information visit: www.WorldofOutlaws.com
2011 TOP 20 DRIVER STANDINGS (Through Silver Dollar Speedway, 3-12-2011)
Pos.
Driver
Total
Diff
Wins
T5
T10
QT
1.
Steve Kinser
1142
4
5
7
1
2.
Joey Saldana
1127
-15
1
6
7
2
3.
Jason Meyers
1075
-67
0
2
6
0
4.
Donny Schatz
1071
-71
0
4
4
1
5.
Cody Darrah
1063
-79
0
4
4
0
6.
Sammy Swindell
1051
-91
1
4
4
1
7.
Jason Sides
1045
-97
1
4
5
1
8.
Craig Dollansky
1042
-100
1
3
5
0
9.
Paul McMahan
1022
-120
0
2
4
2
10.
Lucas Wolfe
1006
-136
0
0
5
0
11.
Kraig Kinser
1005
-137
0
1
3
0
12.
Chad Kemenah
978
-164
0
1
2
0
13.
Bill Rose
867
-275
0
0
0
0
14.
Lance Dewease
854
-288
0
0
2
0
15.
Ben Gregg
837
-305
0
0
0
0
16.
Terry McCarl
804
-338
0
0
1
0
17.
Danny Lasoski
647
-495
0
1
3
0
18.
Sam Hafertepe Jr.
630
-512
0
0
3
0
19.
David Gravel
524
-618
0
1
1
0
20.
Tim Shaffer
414
-728
0
1
3
0
NEWS & NOTES
Feature winners: There have been eight World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series A-Feature events in 2011. The winners include: Steve Kinser – 4 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 11 and 12, Pike County Raceway on Feb. 25, the Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4), Craig Dollasnky – 1 (Silver Dollar Speedway on March 12), Jason Sides – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13), Sammy Swindell – 1 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 26), Joey Saldana – 1 (Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 3).
Tune in: Listen live as the Voice of the Outlaws, Johnny Gibson, calls the action at all World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series events on the DIRT Radio Network, with a number of events throughout the season being featured on the DIRTVision Cybercast. Visit http://www.DIRTVision.com for more information on all the features, including updated results from each night of racing as well as a chat room to interact with other fans listening to the racing action. Also, be sure to check out the all new official Podcast of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, Outlaws Unleashed, in the iTunes store or at http://www.WorldofOutlaws.com
On the Web: The all new Official World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Web site is at http://www.WorldofOutlaws.com and includes driver biographies with statistics and pictures, race-by-race stats, detailed track information and race coverage, series news and team press releases.
Up next: Following this weekend, “The Greatest Show on Dirt” wraps up its California Spring Break with events Friday, April 1, at Merced Speedway and Saturday, April 2, at Calistoga Speedway.
2011 STAT ATTACK
There have been eight World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series A-Feature events this season.
A-Feature winners (5 different drivers) Driver, Hometown – Wins
1- Steve Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 4
2- Craig Dollasnky, Elk River, Minn. – 1
Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, Ind. – 1
Jason Sides, Bartlett, Tenn. – 1
Sammy Swindell, Germantown, Tenn. – 1
Lap leaders, Driver, Hometown – Total laps led (7 Different Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps led
1- Steve Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 87 laps
2- Craig Dollansky, Elk River, Minn. – 86 laps
3- Sammy Swindell, Germantown, Tenn. – 32 laps
4- Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, Ind. – 28 laps
5- Cody Darrah, Red Lion, Pa. – 12 laps
6- Chad Kemenah, Findlay, Ohio – 8 laps
7- Jason Sides, Bartlett, Tenn. – 6 laps
Time trial leaders (6 Different Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Quick times
1- Paul McMahan, Nashville, Tenn. – 2
Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, Ind. – 2
3- Steve Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 1
Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
Jason Sides, Bartlett, Tenn. – 1
Sammy Swindell, Germantown, Tenn. – 1
Pole Positions (7 Different Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Poles
1- Steve Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 2
2- David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 1
Terry McCarl, Altoona, Iowa – 1
Jason Meyers, Clovis, Calif. – 1
Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
Sammy Swindell, Germantown, Tenn. – 1
Last Chance Showdown Winners (5 Different Winners)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1- Cody Darrah, Red Lion. – 2
2- Brian Ellenberger, Butler, Pa. – 1
Craig Dollansky, Elk River, Minn. – 1
Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
Jason Meyers, Clovis, Calif. – 1
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), Chizmark & Larson Insurance , Goodyear Tires (Official Tire), Factory Value Parts, VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), Vicci (Official Apparel); in addition to contingency sponsors, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, RacingJunk.com KSE Race Products, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo; Engine Builder’s Challenge participants Don Ott Racing Engines, Kistler Engines, Shaver Specialties and Speedway Engines; and Chassis Builder’s Challenge participants J&J Auto Racing, Maxim Racing and XXX Race Company.