By Gary Thomas
Tulare, CA – February 18, 2015…Past World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion Daryn Pittman earned the first Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway victory of his career last year and will be gunning to keep up his recent string of success at the track on March 13 & 14. The 2013 WOO titlist got around Hanover, Pennsylvania’s Logan Schuchart on lap 23 and led the final 12-circuits in the feature on opening night last season.
Pittman has raced to top-five finishes in three of the last four World of Outlaws events at Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway. The Owasso, Oklahoma wheel-man also came close to victory at the one-third mile oval in 2004, only to have a right rear tire go flat coming for the checkered, which allowed Terry McCarl the chance to sneak by for the win off turn four in dramatic fashion.
“This track has been kind of a voodoo place for me where I’ve never felt comfortable at, and then last year we came here and ran third & fifth and did really well,” Pittman said following the victory. “To snap our non-winning streak here in Tulare, I’ll tell you what, I couldn’t be any happier.”
The driver of the Kasey Kahne Racing/ Great Clips No. 9 machine captured a career high 14 main event wins en route to a runner up finish in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series standings last season. Pittman claimed the season opener last week at Volusia Speedway Park and currently sits third in the series points, six-markers back of teammate Brad Sweet with three rounds complete. He also took home the overall title at the five race Dirt Car Nationals Sprint Week in Volusia.
Pittman has routinely been solid while competing in the Golden State over the years and is a past winner of the prestigious Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, as well as the former Harvest Classic at the Calistoga Speedway. His victory at the Gold Cup in 2006 paid a handsome $50,000 and came aboard the Titan Garages No. 21 Sprint Car that season. Pittman was also victorious in last year’s Sunday evening finale at Calistoga in April and finished second at the Gold Cup in September.
Tickets for the March 13 & 14 World of Outlaws/King of the West Series combined event are available by contacting the box office at 559-688-0909. All seating is reserved in the house for the weekend. Also competing both nights are the USAC West Coast Wingless 360 Sprint Car Series and on Saturday the Western RaceSaver Sprints make their debut. More info on Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway and a seating chart can be found online at www.thunderbowlraceway.com
Merle Stone Chevrolet Thunderbowl Raceway is located at the Tulare County Fairgrounds on the corner of Bardsley and K Streets in Tulare, California. From the junction of SR 99 and SR 137, go west on SR 137. At South K go south one-half mile to the Fairgrounds. Camping is also available at the fairgrounds located off turns three and four.
Information on the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series can be found online at www.woosprint.com and info on the King of the West 410 Sprint Car Series can be found at www.racepmg.com