By Tony Veneziano
PUTNAMVILLE, Ind. — May 24, 2016 — It has been nearly 20 years since the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series last visited Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Indiana — 18 to be exact. That wait will come to an end on Wednesday, June 8 as the series visits the high-banked bullring for the first time since 1988.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series has only raced twice at Lincoln Park Speedway over the years. The Outlaws made their debut at the track way back in 1979, which was the sophomore season of the burgeoning series. Steve Kinser, the 20-time World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion, who hails from Bloomington, Indiana, won the inaugural race for the series at Lincoln Park Speedway. When the Outlaws returned in 1988, it was Dave Blaney, who was victorious.
A handful of drivers competing full-time with the series in 2016 have raced at Lincoln Park Speedway in the past. Joey Saldana, from Brownsburg, Indiana, is one of two drivers who have won at the track. In fact, he has a pair of victories, both coming with the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions in 1992 and 1993.
Brad Sweet, the current series point leader, has made more starts at the track than any other driver racing full-time with the series this year. The Californian was victorious at Lincoln Park Speedway in 2010 with the Honda USAC National Midget Series during Indiana Midget Week. Sweet has also raced at the track in a non-wing sprint car.
Paul McMahan, who drives for the Destiny Motorsports team, based in Northeast Indiana, finished fourth at Lincoln Park Speedway in 2006 with the NST (National Sprint Tour). Shane Stewart also ran that event, finishing 10th. Jason Sides, who won his first race of the season last month at I-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark., competed at Lincoln Park Speedway as well in the NST race.
Greg Wilson, the leading contender for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award, has raced both a non-wing and winged sprint car at Lincoln Park Speedway. The non-wing start came in 1998, during Indiana Sprint Week for the Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series. Wilson qualified for the main event that night against a huge field of cars. Wilson also raced in the NST event at Lincoln Park Speedway in 2006.
Clyde Knipp, who is also contending for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award, made a couple of trips to Lincoln Park Speedway last year. The recent high school graduate was one of the 47 drivers in attendance for the Indiana Sprint Week event with the Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Series last year at Lincoln Park Speedway. Knipp returned to the track the next weekend for a weekly show.
Drivers who will be making their first-career start at Lincoln Park Speedway include: seven-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz, 2013 champion Daryn Pittman, David Gravel, Logan Schuchart, Jason Johnson and Jacob Allen.
Advance tickets for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series return to Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Indiana on Wednesday, June 8 and can be purchased online at slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023. The ticket booth at the track will open at 4 p.m. on race day.
Discount General Admission tickets can also be purchased at participating O’Reilly Auto Parts stores, beginning on Thursday, May 5. Each General Admission ticket purchased at an O’Reilly Auto Parts location will feature a special $5 discount. Tickets buyers will exchange their O’Reilly receipt for tickets at the Main Grandstand ticket booth on race day.
For more information on tickets, visit slspromotions.ticketforce.com.
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