From Gary Thomas
Calistoga, CA– (February 23, 2013) — When it comes to history and prestige, few tracks on the West Coast offer more than Calistoga Speedway and on Saturday April 6 the picturesque half-mile will roar to life as the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series take over Wine Country.
The Calistoga Speedway event will be part of an extended California swing for the World of Outlaws that also includes visits to the Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway on March 15 & 16, the new Stockton 99 Dirt Track on March 22, the “Mini Gold Cup” at Silver Dollar Speedway on March 23, Merced Speedway on March 29, Antioch Speedway on April 5, Kings Speedway on April 12 & Perris Auto Speedway April 13.
“We are really pumped for the April 6 event at the Calistoga Speedway,” commented Chris Morgan of Motorsports Ventures. “Calistoga has so much history behind it and everyone is excited to have the World of Outlaws back. The speedway is doing a lot of great things with the track and facility and we’re looking forward to being the initial event to benefit from that.”
From a track release:
The World of Outlaws season opening event on April 6 will be the first race to benefit from the plans that include new policies and directives aimed at improved track preparation, as well as existing facility upgrades. Attendees at the World of Outlaws event will be among the first to enjoy an improved racing surface that will generate a safe and exciting high-speed entertainment product
Upgrades include landscape maintenance improvements (including trimming or relocation of trees presenting potential safety issues), barrier realignment and securing, and exit and entry gate re-configuration. The grandstands side will receive attention to improve the fan experience including utilization of the lighted scoreboard.
Last Fall saw eventual World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz of Fargo, North Dakota hold off the advancements of Australian Kerry Madsen to capture the rescheduled series race at Calistoga Speedway, following a rainout early in the year. It was the third career victory in Calistoga for the now five-time WOO champion, after previously winning the 2005 “Harvest Classic” and a prelim feature at the ’04 version.
Current World of Outlaws point leader Daryn Pittman has been strong right out of the box during his first three series events driving for Kasey Kahne Racing. The Owasso, Oklahoma veteran was the only driver in Florida to finish among the top-five in all three events at the Volusia Speedway and he routinely runs strong in California. Pittman was the 2002 “Harvest Classic” champion, which marked his lone career victory at Calistoga Speedway.
More World of Outlaws stars expected to take on the intimidating half mile on April 6 include 20-time series champion Steve Kinser, three-time titlist Sammy Swindell, Craig Dollansky, Jason Sides, Kraig Kinser, Joey Saldana, Kerry Madsen, Chad Kemenah and Cody Darrah.
Other entrants set to be on hand at the Calistoga half mile will be California native and current Nashville, Tennessee resident Paul McMahan, Terry McCarl, local favorite Rico Abreu, three-time & defending King of the West Series champion Jonathan Allard, Kyle Hirst, three-time Silver Crown titlist Bud Kaeding, Willie Croft and more.
“Another thing we are excited about is having all of the cars pit in the infield on April 6 like it’s been for so many years at Calistoga,” said Morgan. “Last September all of the cars pitted from the barns out back and it just wasn’t the same as having everyone directly in front of the crowd. One of the neat aspects about Calistoga Speedway is having the chance to see all the crews and teams from a bird’s eye view and we’ll have that back on April 6.”
Adult advance reserved tickets for Saturday April 6 cost $45 and include a complimentary fan pit pass, which will allow people incredible access to all the stars of the World of Outlaws. General admission tickets will cost $39 with children 12 and under just $10. Tickets for the Calistoga Speedway return are on sale and can be purchased by logging onto http://dirtcar.ticketforce.
The Calistoga Speedway is located on the scenic Napa County Fairgrounds in Calistoga, California at 1435 North Oak Street and has been in existence since 1937. For more information on the half-mile log onto http://www.calistogaspeedway.
The event page for April 6 can be found by logging onto www.woocalistogaspeedway.com