By Tony Veneziano
HARTFORD, Mich. — July 20, 2016 — The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to Hartford Speedway in Michigan for the first time since 2011 on Friday, July 29. The event will mark the seventh-ever appearance by the series at the half-mile and the final stop of the season in the state of Michigan for the “Greatest Show on Dirt.”
Joey Saldana was victorious in the last World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series event at Hartford Speedway. That win for Saldana was an emotional one, as it was his first race back after suffering injuries a couple of months earlier during the Kings Royal at the famed Eldora Speedway in Ohio. Saldana picked up the win at Hartford over two-time World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion Jason Meyers and Craig Dollansky. Saldana is also a past winner at the half-mile with the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions and Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association.
A total of four former series champions have won at Hartford Speedway, including Meyers in 2004. Steve Kinser, the 20-time World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion, picked up a win at Hartford in 2005. Sammy Swindell, a three-time series titlist won the second-ever Outlaws race at the half-mile in 1996. Dave Blaney, the 1995 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion, won the inaugural race for the series at Hartford Speedway earlier in 1996.
Leading the way into Hartford Speedway this year is seven-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz, who has won a series-best 15 races and sits atop the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series championship standings. Hartford Speedway is one of the few tracks the Outlaws visit that Schatz has yet to win at. He is a past winner in the state of Michigan at both I-96 Speedway and Berlin Raceway.
David Gravel, who has five wins, including the $25,000 Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup at Lernerville Speedway on July 19, recently moved into the second position in the standings. Brad Sweet, who led the point standings for the first four-plus months of the season, is currently third in points, with seven wins for Kasey Kahne Racing. Daryn Pittman, who has six wins sits fourth in points, while Shane Stewart, who has five victories, rounds out the current top-five.
Saldana is sixth in points, on the strength of four wins, with Jason Johnson, who has a victory, sitting seventh. Logan Schuchart, who scored his first-career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win earlier this month, recently moved into the eight position in points.
Jason Sides, who won earlier this season is ninth, with Paul McMahan completing the top-10.
A pair of drivers are contending for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award this season, Greg Wilson and Clyde Knipp. Wilson has raced at Hartford Speedway in the past with the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions, while Knipp will be making his first start at the half-mile.
Tickets for the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series return to Hartford Speedway in Hartford, Michigan on Friday, July 29 and can be purchased online at https://slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023.
Discount General Admission tickets are available for purchase at participating O’Reilly Auto Parts stores. 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 https://slspromotions.ticketforce.com.
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