U.S. Army Corp of Engineers projects river levels to surpass flood stage this week near Pevely

PEVELY, Mo. — April 19, 2013 — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects rising river levels will prevent the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series from being able to compete on Saturday, April 27, at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55.

The river is expected to be nearly 10 feet above flood stage and the track, which sits near Mississippi River tributaries just south of St. Louis, is susceptible to flooding. Flood waters are projected to recede quickly, but not in time for next week’s event.

The race will not be rescheduled. The World of Outlaws STP Sprint Cars will return to Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 for the two-day Federated Auto Parts Ironman 55 on Aug. 2-3.

Tonight’s race at Paducah International Raceway also was postponed because of rain. The series will be in action Saturday night at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind., and again on Friday, Aug. 26, at the Salina (Okla.) Highbanks.

Fans with tickets to the cancelled race next Saturday at Federated Auto Parts Raceway can apply their tickets toward tickets for the Federated Auto Parts Ironman 55 in August. Ticketholders with questions can call the World of Outlaws ticket hotline at 877-395-8606, or clickWorldofOutlaws.com/tickets. (more…)

Experience at El Paso Speedway Park valuable in racing to 575th career victory

Dan Beaver, EL PASO, Texas — April 16, 2013 — Veteran experience dominated the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series debut on Tuesday night at El Paso Speedway Park as Steve Kinser charged to his first victory of the season in the series debut at the West Texas venue.

Tony Stewart Racing teammates Kinser and Donny Schatz owned the front row for the feature, and Kinser never looked back. Kinser, the only touring Outlaw with experience on the 3/8-mile oval, quickly charged to the lead and pulled away while a wild race for second took place behind him. Points-leader Daryn Pittman was able to hold off Craig Dollansky for his 11th top-five finish of the year.

Quick-timer David Gravel and Kraig Kinser rounded out the top five.

“I was worried about everybody,” said Kinser, relieved to finally be in the win column for the 575th time in his World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series career. “The year hadn’t been going that great. It’s just good to get a win. We’ve been struggling to get a win and the whole team needed it.”

The general consensus among racers was that the track was solid and only getting better as the night progressed. “Still, you have to cowboy up,” said Gravel, “and you have to hit very precise marks.” That definitely benefitted Kinser, who has a knack for finding victory lane when the series debuts at a new venue. (more…)

At end of highly successful West Coast swing, Outlaws have one last track to invade before heading EastEL PASO, Texas — April 15, 2013 — The World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series has been racing through the Western states since early March, and it has one piece of unfinished business on Tuesday night in Texas before it returns to the Midwest.

Since March 6 the hardest working drivers in sprint car racing have taken on all comers at nine tracks in Nevada, Arizona, and California comprising 11 races. Those events have showcased eight different winners. In total, 22 drivers have scored at least one top-five, and that makes this an incredibly competitive swing for the touring series. As a brand new venue for the Outlaws, the 3/8ths-mile, slightly-banked El Paso Speedway Park should provide the same level of competition, which means fans will have no idea of who is likely to win Tuesday night.

Tim Kaeding and Daryn Pittman will certainly be in the mix, however, as they carry over a furious battle from Perris Auto Speedway. Pittman snatched the lead from Kaeding with 12 laps remaining in the SoCal Showdown in a pass that was a little too close for Kaeding’s comfort. (more…)

He picks up first World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series win at Perris since 2002

PERRIS, Calif. – April 13, 2013 – It seemed fitting that the top World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series star collided with the premier Californian, who titles himself the “Outlaw killer.”
Both literally and figuratively, championship points leader Daryn Pittman and reigning King of California Tim Kaeding capped the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series five-week West Coast swing in a head-to-head battle on Saturday in the SoCal Showdown at Perris Auto Speedway.

Pittman and Kaeding, along with Donny Schatz, are the only drivers to record multiple feature victories this season and of course, they were in a heated match to decide the winner on the famed half mile.

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Seven official lead changes highlight the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series event

HANFORD, Calif. – April 12, 2013 – Wearing an ear-to-ear grin, Chad Kemenah hopped out of his car and went in for the hug on Donny Schatz.
Keep in mind, Kemenah had just finished second to Schatz in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series return to Kings Speedway on Friday night.

“That’s just what happens when you get a race track to race on wide enough,” Kemenah said. “These fans come out and just get a hell of a show. That was a lot of passing.

“I just want to thank all the fans for coming out here and Donny for such a good race. They got their money’s worth and we’re excited.”

Schatz was a bit more subdued in celebrating his first career victory at the 3/8-mile track, which has featured a different winner in each of the last seven World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series main events. (more…)

The World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series hits the 3/8 mile on Friday, April 19

PADUCAH, Ky. – April 9, 2013 – Seven for seven.

Paducah International Raceway has never seen a World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series repeat winner in the seven features since the opener in 1998. That streak will be on the line as Joey Saldana – last season’s winner – and the Outlaws head to the high-banked track on Friday, April 19.

“Paducah’s a really fun race track,” Chad Kemenah said. “It’s pretty wide, it gets really racy there usually and it puts a really good show for the fans. It’s usually really, really exciting.”

It is also the only World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series event in Kentucky this season.

“Turn one and two is pretty tricky,” championship points leader Daryn Pittman said. “I’ve kinda always struggled there. It’s got a lot of bank to it. It’s fast. It’s got long straightaways and kind of tight corners. I’m definitely looking forward to going back and trying to improve on what I’ve done in the past.”

Jeff Swindell claimed the inaugural event with Andy Hillenburg, Danny Lasoski, Craig Dollansky, Jason Meyers and Jac Haudenschild each picking up a win before Saldana’s triumph last year. (more…)