By Tony Veneziano
WILMOT, Wisc. — July 20, 2016 — The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to Wilmot Raceway for the first time since 2014 on Saturday, July 30 for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Badger 40. The event at the third-mile bullring will mark the final stop of the season for the series in the state of Wisconsin.
In the last World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series event at Wilmot Raceway in 2014, David Gravel was victorious over Joey Saldana and Paul McMahan. Gravel, who was making his first start at Wilmot, took the lead from Saldana on lap-8 restart and paced the remainder of the 30-lap race.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series visited Wilmot Raceway for the first time in 2006, with Mark Dobmeier, who was filling in for Brooke Tatnell, picking up the win. For Dobmeier, it was his first career Outlaws win. Dobmeier edged Jeremy Campbell and Daryn Pittman by mere inches in a thrilling last lap battle for the win. Each driver led at one point during the final lap, with Campbell ending up second and a spinning Pittman crossing the line third.
When the series returned in 2008, Pittman made up for his near-miss two years earlier, scoring the win at the Wilmot Raceway over Donny Schatz and Jason Meyers. Pittman led the first 12 laps, with Chad Kemenah taking the top spot from laps 13-21. Pittman made the pass for the lead and ultimately the win on the 22nd circuit.
Leading the way into Wilmot Raceway this year for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series is seven-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz, who sits atop the standings, with a series-leading 15 wins and 49 top-10 finishes. Wilmot Raceway is one of the few tracks on the circuit that the North Dakota native has not won at in his career.
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 McMahan completing the top-10.
A pair of drivers are contending for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award in 2016, led by Greg Wilson. The native of Benton Ridge, Ohio won on Memorial Day weekend in Charlotte and is just outside of the top-10 in points. Clyde Knipp, an 18-year-old who hails from California, Missouri, is also contending for the rookie crown.
A strong contingent of Wisconsin-based drivers, many of whom competed regularly at Wilmot Raceway, as well as with the Bumper to Bumper Interstate Racing Association, are also expected for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Badger 40, including Bill Balog. The Alaska-native, who now calls Wisconsin home, scored his first-career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win last month in the Jim “JB” Boyd Memorial at Beaver Dam Raceway.
Tickets for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Badger 40, featuring the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wisconsin on Saturday, July 30 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 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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