World of Outlaws | Karnac Racing News

Friesen’s Big-Block Modified Roots Helped Create NASCAR Ride

friesen-nascar-story By Clayton Johns (CONCORD, N.C.) — Jan. 11, 2017 —One of the biggest stars of the Super DIRTcar Series will race full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series come 2017. Sprakers, NY driver Stewart Friesen has partnered with Chris Larsen to create Halmar Friesen Racing for his first full-time foray into NASCAR Racing, he announced Monday. Tommy Baldwin Jr. will be the team’s crew chief.

“We got our feet wet in it last year and the opportunity came to team up with Tommy Baldwin and his operation so it was a no-brainer for us. We combined forces and I’m really looking forward to it,” Friesen said.

Friesen made his NASCAR Truck Series debut last July at Eldora Speedway, NASCAR’s only race on dirt. The ride was supposed to be a one-time deal, but quickly blossomed into five more races for Friesen before the end of 2016. It led to the formation of his new team, which will be based in Mooresville, NC.

“We had just planned to do Eldora and have some fun with it, but it kind of lit a fire under everyone and the decision was made to try and do more,” Friesen explained. “We really learned a lot and met some great people along the way. Now we’ve kind of upped our game to the next level.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:14-04:00January 11th, 2017|Front Page News, National, Super DirtCar Series|Comments Off

Saldana to Park It in 2017

Will drive the No. 17 for Matt Wood and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

111716_scs_saldana CONCORD, N.C. – Nov. 28, 2016 – Joey Saldana is not only carrying on his family legacy into the 2017 racing season, but also living out the legacy left by the late Bryan Clauson. Saldana teamed up with Matt Wood and NASCAR star Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to pilot the Elk Grove Ford/ Roth Investments No. 17 racecar in the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series tour next season – an aspiration of Clauson’s since he first hopped into a 410 Sprint Car.

Saldana finished the 2016 season with Dennis Roth and Roth Motorsports amassing five wins, 31 top-five and 62 top-ten performances with 10 quick times in 81 points races. Saldana is nearing the 100-win milestone heading into his 18th consecutive season with the series; he stands at 99 wins, a mark that has taken the 1996 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year 19 seasons to build.

Saldana has finished within the top five in series championship point standings three of his last four seasons full-time. Roth Motorsports, which began its first World of Outlaw season in 1995, expected to carry its team’s momentum into the following season. However, a series of unfortunate events prompted Roth to take a step back and not field the No. 83 car in 2017. Saldana, 43, said he still has plenty of gas left in the tank but worried that this may have been “it.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:14-04:00November 29th, 2016|Front Page News, National, Racing News, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

U.S. District Court Dismisses Case of Suspended Dirt Late Model Dream Drivers

Drivers Can Return to Competition with Payment of Fines and Reinstatement of Suspended DIRTcar Membership

CONCORD, N.C. – Oct. 18, 2016 – U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino today issued a stipulation of dismissal in the case of plaintiffs Scott Bloomquist, Gregg Satterlee, Jimmy Owens, and Ricky Thornton vs World Racing Group and subsidiary DIRTcar Racing, Eldora Speedway, and its owner Tony Stewart regarding suspension following tire analysis after Eldora Speedway’s Dirt Late Model Dream.

Drivers will be allowed to return to competition with payment of the fine and fees imposed, following a request for reinstatement of their suspended DIRTcar membership.

“We’re happy this is over,” said DIRTcar Racing COO Tom Deery. “It is a waste of resources that should have been invested in the sport rather than damaging it and polarizing fans.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:14-04:00October 19th, 2016|Front Page News, National, World of Outlaws|Comments Off

Stewart Takes Night One at Gold Cup

Bixby, Oklahoma’s Shane Stewart Kicks Off Gold Cup Race of Champions in Victory Lane at Silver Dollar Speedway

(by Gary Thomas) CHICO, Calif. — Sept. 9, 2016 — Putting a recent string of bad luck behind him Bixby, Oklahoma’s Shane Stewart proceeded to score an emphatic victory on opening night of the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series sanctioned Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway on Friday.

Stewart has shown immense speed during the Western Swing, and it paid off with his sixth victory of the 2016 season aboard the Larson Marks Racing No. 2 machine. It was also the second straight season he opened the Gold Cup Race of Champions in victory lane.

“This has always been one of those events that I’ve wanted to win, so hopefully we can come back tomorrow and do the same,” Stewart commented following the race. “We’ve had some tough luck, but have gained a lot of speed lately, which has given me a lot of confidence. These races are so hard to win with the competition that it’s always a big deal when you can do it. My guys have worked really hard so I can’t thank them enough. We got through traffic pretty well in the main event, and the cautions fell our way. We’ll now try and do it again tomorrow.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:15-04:00September 12th, 2016|Front Page News, National, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Super Matt is The Man To Beat

Clinches first Le RPM Speedway victory

lerpm_sheppard (By Mandee Pauch) ST. MARCEL DE RICHELIEU, QUE. – Sept. 9, 2016 – Matt Sheppard is no stranger to victory lane as he captured his third Super DIRTcar Series win in a row and his ninth overall Friday night at Le RPM Speedway.

“This car has been so good lately. We just unloaded it and it’s been fast all night. We set fast time, won the heat and drew a good starting spot for the feature. When you have a car that good it makes your life pretty easy,” Sheppard said.

Keith Flach and Sheppard led the 30-car field to the green. It didn’t take long for Sheppard to jump to an early lead as he pulled away from the field on the initial start.

It didn’t take long for Sheppard to catch lapped traffic on the ¼ mile as he caught the back end of the field on lap nine as he showed a comfortable lead over Flach.

A lap 21 restart saw Flach drive around the outside of Sheppard to take the top spot back.

Heavy lapped traffic got in the way of Flach as Sheppard took advantage and retook the lead off the bottom on lap 37. (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:15-04:00September 12th, 2016|Front Page News, National, Super DirtCar Series|Comments Off

David Gravel Gets Out the Broom & Sweeps the Outlaw Energy Showdown at Skagit Speedway

(by Gary Thomas) ALGER, Wash. — Sept. 3, 2016 — After winning on opening night at the Skagit Speedway, Watertown, Connecticut’s David Gravel returned on Saturday with confidence and raced to an entertaining late-race victory for the second evening in a row with the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series.

The opener of the Outlaw Energy Showdown on Friday had seen Gravel claim a final corner thriller, and on Saturday he was able to take advantage of heavy lapped traffic with just six-laps remaining, scooping up the lead that he would never relinquish. It marked the ninth triumph of the season for the CJB Motorsports/ Big Game Tree Stands No. 5 team. The 35-lap feature went green for 33-laps and showcased some outstanding racing in traffic on the well prepared Skagit oval.

“The track was awesome tonight, I don’t think you can ask for anything better,” Gravel commented. “It’s been such a great year for us that it almost feels unreal. I want to thank the whole CJB Motorsports team for giving me the opportunity to drive the 5 car this season. Tonight I could put this thing anywhere on the track and that’s a testament to Barry Jackson and my team. The cushion was the place to be, but to win these races you have to be capable of moving around. Luckily we had a break when Joey (Saldana) got caught up in traffic and were able to take advantage it.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:15-04:00September 4th, 2016|Front Page News, National, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Out of this World: Mars wins at Lernerville’s Working Man

Bagley Records his Second Top Five Performance of 2016

090316_WOOLM_WM SARVER, Pa. – Sept. 3, 2016 – Jimmy Mars won the Working Man finale presented by GottaRace.com Saturday night at Lernerville Speedway. Mars started third in the 75-lap Craftsman Club® Feature, ultimately earning the $20,000 purse for the weekend.

“It’s awesome to be back at Lernerville,” Mars said. “We don’t get to race as much as we want to right now. Things are going good, and I have so many people to thank. We have a lot of great people behind us. Everything worked great.”

Mars’ last World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series victory came on July 2014. In a seven-caution spectacular, Mars fought a stout group of series regulars. Three-time Series Champion Josh Richards, who was seeking his record-breaking 18^th win of the season, swiftly led the 24-car field in the beginning laps of the race from fourth.

Richards led 64 laps of the main event, while the rest of the top five relentlessly battled for a chance to take on the red-hot driver out of Shinnston, W.V. Early on, it was Mars. Mars maintained a half-second behind Richards for the first eight laps. Thereon, he funneled back to as far as fourth place.

Mars’ greatest battle was between Defending Series Champion Shane Clanton. Clanton, who overtook Mars’ No. 28M Deppe Enterprises/ S&S Transport, Inc. MB Customs car on lap 67, began to trade third and fourth position with Mars. The Menomonie, Wisc. native solidified third on a lap 45 restart. Thereon, he looked toward 2011 Series Champion Rick Eckert for second place. Eckert earned one of the two $2,500-to-win qualifying features earlier in the weekend. (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:15-04:00September 4th, 2016|Front Page News, Late Models, National|Comments Off

Gravel Steals Skagit

David Gravel Steals One from Logan Shuchart on the Final Corner to Claim Opening Night of the Outlaw Energy Showdown at Skagit Speedway on Friday

(By Gary Thomas) ALGER, Wash. — Sept. 2, 2016 — The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series return to the Pacific Northwest on Friday culminated in thrilling fashion, with David Gravel carving his way under Logan Schuchart in traffic to claim a final corner victory on opening night at the Skagit Speedway.

Gravel had stalked Schuchart’s bumper over the final half of the race, before finally making the outstanding move coming down for the checkered flag, winning by just 0.249 seconds. It was a great way for the Watertown, Connecticut native to open the Western Swing, as he is currently locked in a tight three-way battle for the runner spot in the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series standings.

“That sure was an exciting finish tonight so I hope all the fans enjoyed that one,” commented the driver the CJB Motorsports/ Big Game Tree Stands No. 5 machine. “I got a run and saw the opening, so I just went for it. I’m pretty pumped we were able to finally park it for BC tonight. I can’t Barry Jackson, my entire crew and all our sponsors enough for working so hard and giving me great cars. I haven’t competed here at Skagit Speedway a whole lot, but it hasn’t seemed to be my best track. Tonight the third time was the charm I guess. If we get a similar track tomorrow that keeps our confidence up and I think we’ll have a good shot to be back up here.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:15-04:00September 4th, 2016|Front Page News, National, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Outlaws Oust the Field

Eckert and Richards Win their Qualifying Features

090216_WOOLM_WM SARVER, Pa. – Sept. 2, 2016 – Rick Eckert and Josh Richards each led their qualifying features to the checkers Friday night, sharing victory lane for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series’ opening night of Working Man weekend presented by GottaRace.com at Lernerville Speedway.

In a new format, two qualifying heats decided the 16 drivers who transfer to Saturday’s Craftsman Club® Feature. Eight drivers from each qualifying feature will transfer to Saturday’s 75-lap finale. Both Eckert and Richards earned $2,500 for their wins for the qualifying features.

The drivers that transfer to the redraw from the first qualifying feature include: Brian Shirley, Frank Heckenast Jr. and Morgan Bagley. Those moving to the redraw from the second qualifying feature include: Mike Norris, Jimmy Mars and Shane Clanton.

The redraw in Saturday’s program will determine where the eight drivers will start in the feature. Of the eight spots, six of them were solidified by series regulars; Norris, who was one of the two non-series competitors, hails from Sarver, Pa. (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:15-04:00September 4th, 2016|Front Page News, Late Models, National|Comments Off

Sheppard Scores $17,500 Victory at Lebanon Valley

Captures His First Mr. Dirt Track USA 100

LEBANON-VALLEY (By Mandee Pauch) WEST LEBANON, N.Y – Sept. 1, 2016 – Matt Sheppard made a late race charge by Kenny Tremont Jr. and set his No. 9s machine on cruise control at Lebanon Valley Speedway for the Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modified Mr. Dirt Track USA 100.

After Sheppard took a wild ride at Canandaigua on Saturday totaling his car, his team was able to regroup in no time to take the checkers Thursday night and capture the $17,500 victory. “I can’t thank enough people. Bicknell practically built this racecar in a day; the lettering guy lettered it the day we picked it up. Every one of the manufacturers stepped right out,” Sheppard said. “This thing didn’t miss a beat tonight. This is what championships are made of. It was a big turning point from Saturday to tonight. Our season could have gone down hill in a hurry but instead we’re sitting here in victory lane at Lebanon Valley.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:15-04:00September 2nd, 2016|Front Page News, National, Super DirtCar Series|Comments Off