Federated Auto Parts Ironman 55 and Spring Classic doubleheader held on Oct. 13

PEVELY, Mo. – Sept. 26, 2012 – Fingers are crossed that the third time is the charm.

Weather has claimed each of the previous two attempts at a World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 this season, which has postponed both races to a unique doubleheader on Saturday, Oct. 13.

The Federated Auto Parts Ironman 55 presented by Summit Distributing/Coors Light, which only has the 55-lap feature remaining in its program, will take place at approximately 3 p.m. with the front gate opening at 1 p.m.  The stands will be cleared following that event and reopened for the Spring Classic event in the evening.

“It’s going to be really different because I-55 can be pretty demanding as it is,” Chad Kemenah said. “You’ll probably want to be pretty good and rested come that weekend.”

On Aug. 3, Kerry Madsen won the dash to earn the pole for the Federated Auto Parts Ironman 55. However, as the cars were staged on the track for the feature, a severe storm struck the facility. The spectators and teams were urged to seek shelter as the main event was postponed. (more…)

50th annual Morgan Hughes National Open at Williams Grove Speedway

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. – Sept. 24, 2012 – Donny Schatz continues to step closer to his fifth World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series championship as the tour wraps up its season against the Pennsylvania Posse this weekend.

Schatz holds a 114-point advantage as the Outlaws venture to Williams Grove Speedway on Friday and Saturday for the 50th annual Morgan Hughes National Open – a $50,000-to-win event.

The World of Outlaws hold the edge on the Posse this season with Cody Darrah winning the Summer Nationals in July after Outlaws great Steve Kinser and Posse veteran Fred Rahmer split the opening weekend in May. Kinser also claimed the prestigious Morgan Cup for the Outlaws.

A variety of charity events will also take place at the track throughout the weekend, including the Williams Grove National Open Kick-It Tournament on Friday at 12:30 p.m. at Fisher Field and the National Open Benefit for Injured Drivers presented by O’Neill Race Gear on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the commercial tent next to the pit gate. (more…)

Schatz garners runner-up honors to extend Outlaws championship lead to 114 points

SARVER, Pa. – Sept. 22, 2012 – Patience was key on a late, chilly and wet Saturday night at Lernerville Speedway.

Following a lengthy delay to the Commonwealth Clash, in which the program had to restart after weather postponed the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event during qualifying, a patient Dale Blaney was credited with his first Outlaws victory of the season as attrition took its toll on the frontrunners.

“I knew it was going to be tough for them to get it in,” he said. “We just put ourselves in good position and were fortunate enough to win one.”

Blaney inherited the lead with three laps remaining when polesitter Craig Dollansky, who led the first 32 laps, slowed dramatically down the frontstretch as his engine began to expire. Dollansky then putted around the 4/10-mile track to finish 11^th.

He wasn’t the only driver to sustain a problem down the stretch. Fast qualifier Paul McMahan exited the track with five laps remaining with apparent engines woes while he was only a couple of car lengths behind Dollansky for the race lead.

Those two issues moved Blaney from third place to the lead to earn his second career World of Outlaws victory at Lernerville Speedway and the seventh of his career. (more…)

Schatz continues World of Outlaws championship lead with 10th straight top five

EAGLE, Neb. – Sept. 19, 2012 – Sammy Swindell leads the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series in feature victories. He leads in heat race wins and in bonus points via qualifying.

Unfortunately for the three-time champion, he has faced a myriad of issues throughout the season and has come up against a hot streak by Donny Schatz as the campaign winds down.

On Wednesday, Swindell did everything he could to cut into the championship points deficit by earning qualifying points, winning his heat and leading all 40 laps to claim the NAPA Auto Parts Outlaw Showdown in the Outlaws first event at Eagle Raceway since 2009.

“After Knoxville we just kinda put an effort into just going for it and that’s what we were doing,” he said. “We’ve had a few problems that we’ve had to work around with some stuff, some pieces. We’re back on track here now. Hopefully we can get through the rest of the year clean and we’ll just see where the points lay.” (more…)