From Gary Thomas
Stockton, CA – (March 11, 2014) –The upcoming double-header weekend at the Stockton Dirt Track will not only be part of the “Salute to the King” tour for 20-time World of Outlaws champion Steve Kinser, but it will also be the return of fellow National Sprint Car Hall of Famer Sammy Swindell to the speedway. The three-time World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series titlist rounded out the top-10 in the feature last year at the Stockton Dirt Track, and ultimately ended the season sixth in the final series standings.
The wheel-man of the Big Game Tree Stands No. 1 machine ranks second to Kinser in all-time World of Outlaws A-main victories and has always been known as one of the biggest innovators in the sport of Sprint Car racing. Swindell has captured many of the biggest races in the sport including the Knoxville Nationals, Kings Royal, Williams Grove National Open and the Gold Cup Race of Champions among others. The Germantown, Tennessee driver is also a five-time driving champion of the prestigious Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
It says perfectly of Swindell on his website: “One of the most recognized names in American motorsports, Sammy Swindell grew up watching his father behind the wheel at many of their local Memphis, Tennessee dirt tracks. In 1971, at the age of fifteen, Sammy took to the dirt at Riverside Speedway in West Memphis, Arkansas. In his rookie season he won eleven feature events. From an engineering standpoint, he’s been on the leading edge for years. His driving record speaks for itself. Few people demonstrate excellence at either skill, but Sammy Swindell combines the two like a director.”
Swindell has also spent time at certain points of his career competing in California, most recently in 2008-’09 aboard the Tom Rolfe Trucking No. 10 Sprinter.
“The things Sammy Swindell can do behind the wheel of a Sprint Car are just simply amazing,” commented George Hague of the Stockton Dirt Track. “As some driver’s age they can sometimes lose a step, but Sammy certainly hasn’t been one of those guys. He will drive a race car as hard anybody out there and his record over the years is pretty special. What he’s done at the Chili Bowl alone is incredible as a driver, car owner and mechanic. And when you talk about innovation Sammy has always been one of the people you look at. He and Steve Kinser have spanned generations and it’s going to be great having them go head to head on the road one last time this season.”
Travelers looking to keep Swindell out of victory lane at the Stockton Dirt Track during the “FVP Western Spring Shootout” on March 22 will include defending World of Outlaws champion Daryn Pittman of Owasso, Oklahoma; five-time series titlist Donny Schatz from Fargo, North Dakota; California native & current Nasville, Tennessee resident Paul McMahan, 20-time World of Outlaws champion Steve Kinser of Bloomington, Indiana; title contender Tim Kaeding of San Jose, California; Brownsburg, Indiana’s Joey Saldana; Grass Valley, California’s Brad Sweet and many more.
Two-night adult General Admission tickets for the March 21 & 22 weekend are available for just $50 & two-night Reserved Grandstand tickets cost only $70. Single-night tickets & box seats are also available. Children prices are available in GA only. To purchase two-night package advance tickets log onto http://dirtcar.ticketforce.
The front gate on Friday March 21 opens at 5pm with the first heat race scheduled go off just after 7pm. On Saturday March 22 the front gate will open at 4pm with the first heat also set to go green just after 7pm. A detailed list of start times can be found on the homepage of www.stocktondirttrack.com
Fans who pre-buy their March 21 & 22 weekend tickets will also be in a drawing for a special chance to have dinner with 20-time World of Outlaws champion Steve Kinser. Stockton Dirt Track promoters Tony & Carol Noceti are offering a once in a lifetime opportunity for five select couples to have “Dinner with the King” at the El Rancho Inn – Steak & Lobster House on Thursday night March 20 at 7pm.
The drawing will work simply as follows. Five names will be randomly drawn out of the pre-ticket sales for the Stockton Dirt Track March 21 & 22 weekend. Those lucky winners will be invited to the special dinner at 7pm on March 20 with Steve Kinser at the El Rancho Inn – Steak& Lobster House, which is located off Charter Way/MLK Blvd and Mariposa Road in Stockton, California. The deadline to pre-buy your March 21 & 22 weekend tickets and still be eligible for the special “Dinner with the King” drawing is Thursday March 13.
The Stockton Dirt Track is a lightning fast 3/8 mile clay oval and is located on the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton, California. It is built inside a one-mile horse track and boasts one of the nicest dirt track facilities in the state. Camping will also be available during the weekend with a number of great spots for RV’s and Campers on the fairgrounds. The physical address for the Stockton Dirt Track is 1658 S Airport Way, Stockton, CA 95206. Camping reservations can be made by contacting 916-370-9417.