By Aaron Fiedler
CONCORD, N.C. – Sept. 14, 2015 – The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and Williams Grove Speedway have announced the format for the newly expanded, three-day Champion Racing Oil National Open, Thursday, Oct. 1 to Saturday, Oct. 3.
Already one of the biggest events on the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series schedule, the $50,000-to-win National Open will get bigger this year.
“We are excited to build on the history and tradition of the National Open,” said World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Director Carlton Reimers. “Williams Grove Speedway is one of the great motorsports venues in America and we are thrilled to continue to grow this event with them.”
The first two nights of the event, Thursday and Friday, will feature a standard World of Outlaws two-flight qualifying format and subsequent show. Each night’s feature will be 25 laps with a $10,000-to-win prize. National Open Event Points will be awarded for final position in time trials, heat races, C main, Last Chance Showdown and the feature.
The new points system will reward drivers for consistency throughout the event and is ultimately used to determine the lineups on the final night of the National Open.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO EXPLANATION OF THE NEW FORMAT
The time trial leader is awarded 200 points with each subsequent position receiving two fewer points than the last; Heat race winners receive 100 points with each subsequent position receiving three fewer points than the last; the C main awards 94 points to the third place finisher with the top-two transferring into the Last Chance Showdown and each subsequent position after third receiving four fewer points than the last; the third place finisher in the Last Chance Showdown receives 150 points with each subsequent position receiving four fewer points; and the A main winner receives 250 points with each subsequent car receiving four fewer points than the last.
The Heat race lineups will be straight up utilizing combined event points. Heat race finishes on the final night will be awarded points and added to the combined event points. The Dash will be made up of the Heat race winners, the four highest combined event point leaders and the top one or two in event points that did not win their Heat but did make the transfer. The overall Dash lineup will be determined by combined event points.
Each of the rest of the races will be lined up by total combined event points with the Dash field setting the first 10 positions in the feature and the Last Chance Showdown transfers tagging the back of the A main. Four maximum provisionals can be utilized on each race night (two for World of Outlaws platinum teams and two for Williams Grove Speedway regulars).
“The National Open is one of the biggest events in the country and by extending it another day, we have the opportunity to make it bigger than ever,” said Williams Grove Speedway General Manager Justin Loh. “The additional day and format change allows us to attract more teams and fans to be a part of this already great tradition.”
Fans are invited to participate in the Fantasy Dirt Challenge during National Open weekend. Participants will choose a team of drivers entered in the National Open and compete against others to earn points and win prizes including gift certificates, tickets and apparel. The challenge is free to enter but limited to the first 1,000 entries. Email lonniewheatley@gmail.com and provide your name and email address in the body of the email with “National Open” in the subject line to participate. Instructions, scoring information and a selection sheet will be provided as the event draws closer.
Great seats remain for the 2015 National Open at Williams Grove Speedway. To purchase your seats for the event, call (717) 697-5000.
The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Lincoln Welders (Official Welder), Bad Boy Buggies (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, Mobil 1, MSD, Penske Racing Shocks, Sweet Manufacturing, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: ButlerBuilt, Intercomp, Impact Race Products, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.