Series | Karnac Racing News

World of Outlaws STP Sprint Cars: Season Recap

Pittman Wins Closest Championship Battle in Series History as Battle Goes to Final Lap

111513_Numbers1 CONCORD, N.C. – Nov. 15, 2013 – Daryn Pittman is the ninth different driver in World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series history to win the championship, leading wire-to-wire with an incredible level of consistency.

Only once in 73 events was Pittman unable to complete the A-main in his Kasey Kahne Racing Great Clips car. Never did he have an engine failure. In fact, he finished the season with 59 top-10 runs to join Steve Kinser (20), Donny Schatz (5), Sammy Swindell (3), Mark Kinser (2), Jason Meyers (2), Dave Blaney, Bobby Davis Jr., and Danny Lasoski as the only drivers to win a championship in the 36-year history of the series.

Schatz was almost unbeatable the second half of the season in the Tony Stewart Racing STP/Armor All machine. He amassed 61 top-10 finishes en route to winning a career-best 23 A-mains. Not since Steve Kinser won 25 races in 2003 had any driver been to victory lane as many times as Schatz was this year. (more…)

By Scott|2013-11-18T15:51:02-05:00November 18th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Racing News, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Friesen goes “out with a bang,” ending 2014 Super DIRTcar Series with World of Outlaws World Finals win

Hearn Crowned Super DIRTcar Series Champion After Four Wins and Consistently Strong Season

110913_FreisenLenhart CONCORD, N.C. – Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 – Ontario’s Stewart Friesen, of Niagara-on-the-Lake, wrapped up his racing season in style, charging to victory in Saturday’s Super DIRTcar Series 40-lap feature at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.

“It’s always good to go out with a bang,” said Friesen, who made a smooth late-race move in lap 37 to take the lead from series point leader Brett Hearn. “We passed the best in the business.”

Hearn, of Sussex, N.J., had already collected four Super DIRTcar Series wins and was aiming for number fiveSaturday, drawing the third starting position after winning Thursday’s heat race. Pole-sitter Ryan Godown had the initial lead, but Hearn charged ahead at the green flag and was a nose ahead of the No. 747 at the lap 1 start-finish line before the race’s first yellow flag waved.

Tim Currier, of Auburn, N.Y., collided with Billy Dunn, of Watertown, N.Y., to bring out that first caution. Dunn’s Number One Speed Shop No. 49 was towed off the track due to damage. (more…)

By Scott|2013-11-11T15:13:05-05:00November 11th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Super DirtCar Series|Comments Off

Pittman Wins 2013 World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series Championship at World Finals in Charlotte

In Front of Sold Out Stands, McMahan Charges to His Fourth Victory in Season Finale

CONCORD, N.C. – Nov. 9, 2013 – Daryn Pittman did what he needed to do on Saturday night at the World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte to edge Donny Schatz for the 2013 World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series championship as Paul McMahan drove to victory for the fourth time this season.

Pittman finished 12th in the season finale at the sold-out track in the heart of NASCAR country to become the ninth different World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series champion in 36 years, holding onto a 14-point advantage over Schatz when the final checkered flag of the season waved, making it the closest finish in series history. It is the first World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series title for Pittman as well as for Kasey Kahne Racing.

“Congrats to the whole team, because that’s what it is a team effort,” said Pittman, a native of Owasso, Okla., who earned eight victories, 45 top-five finishes, 59 top-10s and 13 quick times in the #9 Great Clips car this season. “That last race was not pretty. It was everything but what we were hoping it wouldn’t be, but it worked out ok. I’ve been a mess the last few weeks, just having way too much time to think about it. At the end of the day I just had to settle down and trust the car that Kale [Kahne] gave me. (more…)

By Scott|2013-11-11T15:09:16-05:00November 11th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Lanigan Earns First-Ever Win At The Dirt Track At Charlotte In Friday’s World of Outlaws World Finals A-Main

Richards Clinches Third Career World of Outlaws Late Model Series Title With Third-Place Finish

110913_WFSatVL CONCORD, NC – Nov. 8, 2013 – Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., finally reached Victory Lane at The Dirt Track at Charlotte with a flawless performance in Friday night’s 50-lap World of Outlaws World Finals A-Main.

Hitting paydirt in his 21^st career start at the four-tenths-mile oval, Lanigan burst off the pole position to grab the lead at the start of the event and never looked back. He kept Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., at bay late in the distance to register his long-awaited first-ever triumph at The Dirt Track and his tour-leading 12^th win of the 2013 World of Outlaws Late Model Series campaign.

But while Lanigan, 43, beat Bloomquist to the finish line by 0.596 of a second for a victory worth $12,150, his year-long reign as WoO LMS champion came to an end. Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., finished third to clinch his third career World of Outlaws title.

Don O’Neal of Martinsville, Ind., placed fourth and 2011 WoO LMS champion Rick Eckert of York, Pa., was fifth in a race that was contested before a massive capacity crowd on a chilly fall evening. (more…)

By Scott|2013-11-11T14:53:10-05:00November 11th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Late Models, Race Results|Comments Off

Schatz Drives to 23rd World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series Victory of the Season, Tightens Championship Battle

Tony Stewart Racing Star Becomes Winningest Driver in The Dirt Track at Charlotte History

CONCORD, N.C. – Nov. 8, 2013 – Donny Schatz knows what it takes to win a World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series championship and he’s not going to make it easy on Daryn Pittman, who’s trying to win his first crown. Schatz, a five-time champ, worked past Brian Brown on Friday night at the World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte to win for the 23rd time this season, and slice into Pittman’s lead in the championship with only Saturday’s race remaining.

Schatz trails Pittman, who was sixth on Friday night, by 36 points or 18 positions on the track. However, Schatz has already earned four qualifying points for Saturday night’s race and owns the tiebreaker with the win total he’s amassed this season. All factored in, if Pittman finishes no worse than 15th he will clinch his first championship and the first World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series title for Kasey Kahne Racing.

Schatz powered his STP/Armor All number 15 to the lead on lap 13 as he drove around leader Brian Brown. Schatz tried to open his advantage and run away until late in the race when lapped cars eventually tightened up the top two again. Schatz worked flawlessly through the traffic to earn a track record seventh feature win. (more…)

By Scott|2013-11-11T14:50:26-05:00November 11th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Hearn fends off Sheppard to pick up Super DIRTcar Series victory at Charlotte

World of Outlaws World Finals Win Widens Point Gap Between Leader Hearn and Runner-up Sheppard

110813_HearnLenhart-page001 CONCORD, N.C. – Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 – Brett Hearn is rounding out another strong Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series season with unparalleled success at the World of Outlaws World Finals. After winning two heat races Thursday, Hearn made the redraw for Friday’s feature, drew the pole, and led the 40-lap race flag to flag.

“I knew we had a good car yesterday in qualifying,” Hearn reflected after Friday’s victory, which didn’t come easy with Matt Sheppard and Stewart Friesen challenging Hearn’s supremacy.

Three-time defending Super DIRTcar Series Champion Matt Sheppard was just over 100 points shy of the tour leader, Hearn, before Friday’s race, and went into the feature hoping to pick up his first Charlotte win and shake up the point standings. Sheppard started the race in seventh, but by the second lap was challenging Ryan Godown for third thanks to a strong restart. (more…)

By Scott|2013-11-11T14:42:53-05:00November 11th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Super DirtCar Series|Comments Off

Over $50,000 Up For Grabs During The Final Southern All Stars Weekend of 2013

FAYETTEVILLE, TN—The Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series will conclude the 2013 season with a pair of traditional fall events that will have over $50,000 in posted awards for the doubleheader event.

Saturday night November 16^th the series will be in action at the Cleveland Speedway in Cleveland, TN., for the 25^th Annual Gobbler 50, a $5,000 to win 50 lap event, then on Sunday afternoon the series will be in action at the Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC., for the 23^rd Annual Blue/Gray 100 that will pay $10,000 to win. Also the 2013 Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series Champion will be crowned as well as the 2013 Cruise with the Champions/Dirt on Dirt Rookie of the Year.

The Southern All stars opened the 2013 season at the Cherokee Speedway with March Madness and Jared Landers took the win, and there has been three events with the Southern All Stars at Cleveland in 2013 and they have been won by Randy Weaver, Steve Casebolt and Ray Cook.

Drivers that are expected to be in action at Cleveland Speedway include Riley Hickman of Cleveland, TN., Bret Holmes of Minford, AL., Jason Hiett of Oxford, AL., former Southern All Star Champion Billy Ogle Jr of Knoxville, TN., 2011 Southern All Star Rookie of the Year William Thomas of Phenix City, AL., three time Southern All Star Champion Randy Weaver of Crossville, TN., Jake Knowles of Tyrone, GA., Austin Smith of Cedartown, GA., former Southern All Star Champion Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, GA., Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN., Skip Arp of Georgetown, TN., Derek Ellis of Chatsworth, GA., Dusty Carver of Englewood, TN., Mark Vineyard of Knoxville, TN., Mark Douglas of Knoxville, TN., and Kenny Collins of Colbert, GA., plus many more regional drivers. (more…)

By Scott|2013-11-11T14:37:13-05:00November 11th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Southern All Stars|Comments Off

Tall Short Track to Open and Close 2014 Chevy Super Series Schedule

CONCORD, N.C. – Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 – Brett Hearn is ready to wrap up yet another Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series season with a flourish. Last year’s series finale race winner has started the World of Outlaws World Finals at the Dirt Track at Charlotte with two heat race finishes Thursday, Nov. 7, putting him among the top starters in Friday’s and Saturday’s feature events.

“It’s unique that we know on Thursday night that we’re going to be starting up front both Friday night andSaturday night already,” said Hearn, who heads into the World of Outlaws World Finals with the Super DIRTcar Series point lead over Matt Sheppard. “It takes a little bit of the anxiety away and helps us sleep a little bit better at night.”

However, Hearn wasn’t the only one to see success Thursday. Dale Planck, Stewart Friesen and Ryan Godown also went two-for-two in their respective heats and will redraw among the top five both Friday andSaturday. Gary Tomkins will join the redraw Friday, but narrowly missed the cut for Saturday’s race. Tim McCreadie took victory in the last heat race of the night, starting fourth and within just a few laps battling Tomkins for the lead. (more…)

By Scott|2013-11-08T17:00:02-05:00November 8th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series, Racing News|Comments Off

Hearn, Planck, Friesen and Godown Kick off World of Outlaws World Finals with Two Heat Wins

Point leader Hearn Starts Friday’s and Saturday’s Features in Top Five

110713_WFHearn-page001 CONCORD, N.C. – Friday, Nov. 8, 2013 – Brett Hearn is ready to wrap up yet another Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series season with a flourish. Last year’s series finale race winner has started the World of Outlaws World Finals at the Dirt Track at Charlotte with two heat race finishes Thursday, Nov. 7, putting him among the top starters in Friday’s and Saturday’s feature events.

“It’s unique that we know on Thursday night that we’re going to be starting up front both Friday night andSaturday night already,” said Hearn, who heads into the World of Outlaws World Finals with the Super DIRTcar Series point lead over Matt Sheppard. “It takes a little bit of the anxiety away and helps us sleep a little bit better at night.”

However, Hearn wasn’t the only one to see success Thursday. Dale Planck, Stewart Friesen and Ryan Godown also went two-for-two in their respective heats and will redraw among the top five both Friday andSaturday. Gary Tomkins will join the redraw Friday, but narrowly missed the cut for Saturday’s race. Tim McCreadie took victory in the last heat race of the night, starting fourth and within just a few laps battling Tomkins for the lead. (more…)

By Scott|2013-11-08T16:45:55-05:00November 8th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Super DirtCar Series|Comments Off

Meyers on Top for Friday; McMahan Tops Saturday

Schatz comes up big with two-second place qualifying efforts in final two qualifying efforts of 2013

CONCORD, N.C. – Nov. 7, 2013 – Two-time World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series champion Jason Meyers and this year’s leading qualifier Paul McMahan set the pace on Thursday’s qualifying night to kick off the seventh annual World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.

Meyers, in the Kasey Kahne Racing Ollie’s Bargain Outlet car, topped the first round of qualifying used to line up Friday night’s event with a lap of 12.912 seconds around the 4/10-mile oval. McMahan earned his 17^th quick time honor of the season by posting a lap of 13.410 seconds to lead the second round of qualifying used for Saturday night’s race.

“It feels great, this entire team really rallied together,” said Meyers of Clovis, Calif., after setting quick time in a car he raced for the first time on Thursday. “We didn’t have that good of a qualifying hot lap session, we came in, made some changes and really hit it. I honestly feel we could have been a little bit better and it is very impressive how well everyone here works together.” (more…)

By Scott|2013-11-08T16:38:03-05:00November 8th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Sprint Cars|Comments Off