by Tony Veneziano

BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Kasey Kahne Racing will field a two car team on the World of Outlaws trail again in 2010, pitting veteran Joey Saldana, who led the World of Outlaws with 20 A-Feature wins last year, with rookie Cody Darrah, who scored his first win with the series last fall at his home track of Williams Grove Speedway.

The pair will kick off the 2010 campaign February 5-7 with the 39th Annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals by the University of Northwestern Ohio at Volusia Speedway Park, just down the road from Daytona, where their boss will be in action.

Saldana, who is returning for his fifth season with the team owned by the NASCAR star, won on the second night of the DIRTcar Nationals last season, edging Jason Sides in a last lap thriller. It was the second time in his career that Saldana has won a last lap battle during the World of Outlaws portion of the DIRTcar Nationals, as he also came out on top in a drag race with Jac Haudenschild down the front straightaway at the half-mile in 2006.

“I’m definitely ready,” said Saldana of starting the season. “This is the first time in eight years that I have not raced through Christmas. Usually I’ll race in Australia and New Zealand and then have a couple of weeks off before the season. My last race this year was around Thanksgiving. I’ve had a lot of time off and am ready now to get back racing.”

Darrah made his debut for Kasey Kahne Racing last year at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park in New York, finishing sixth in that event. The native of Red Lion, Penn., has opened each of the last three seasons in the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway. He set fast time in his debut at the half-mile in 2007 and followed that by being quickest again in time trials the following year. He has qualified fourth or better in six of his nine career starts at Volusia with the World of Outlaws.

“I’m very excited for the season,” said Darrah. “It’s going to be a very big year for me as a driver and a very big year for our team Kasey Kahne Racing. “

Saldana is excited to see Kahne tap into a young driver and provide the chance of a lifetime for someone who is just as passionate about sprint car racing as he is. Saldana was 33 years old when he joined Kasey Kahne Racing, after spending a number of years bouncing from ride to ride on the World of Outlaws tour.

“I think it’s pretty neat that Kasey is going out on a limb and giving an opportunity to someone that otherwise may have never gotten the opportunity to race at this level,” shared Saldana of Darrah. “I know when I was his age I would have died to have had the opportunity that he has.”

While Darrah admits there is a certain amount of pressure involved in driving for a high profile team such as Kasey Kahne Racing and having a championship caliber teammate in Saldana, he looks to start the season on a consistent note and learn each and every time he takes to the track. The 2010 season will be a learning experience for Darrah on many levels and he is looking forward to learning from some of the best in the sport.

“When you drive for Kasey Kahne, the expectations are to do nothing but win,” Darrah stated. “It’s a wonderful deal for a driver here at Kasey Kahne Racing and you couldn’t ask for anything better. The guys at the shop have been working very hard. He (Kasey) is as excited as I am for this year. We have a great group of guys working on this thing and everyone is working together to use their resources as best as they can.”

Saldana, who finished 11th in points and claimed the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award in his first full year on the road in 1996, points out that there are many factors involved in being successful with the World of Outlaws. With the demands of the schedule, it leaves a driver little time away from the track.

“Hopefully he takes it and runs with it and works hard at and puts a lot of effort into it,” stated Saldana. “It’s not easy. Just because you have a great team, a great owner and great people behind you, doesn’t mean you’re going to run well. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. I think he wants this and wants to be an Outlaws driver. You have to want to be an Outlaws driver, not just a driver to succeed our here. It’s very tough and very demanding. I just hope he takes the opportunity and runs with it.’

Along with being teamed with Saldana, Darrah will have veteran crew chief Bonzai Bruns turning the wrenches for him along with experienced crew members on both his car and his teammate’s machine, which he looks to help lessen the learning curve that he’ll face heading to tracks that he will be making his debut at.

“Having Joey (Saldana) as a teammate will be a great resource,” noted the rookie. “We’ll going to a lot of tracks that I have never seen and I’ll be able to able to talk to him and get information. He’s a great coach and so many of the tracks that I have never seen, he has won it. We have so many great resources within out team do nothing but good.”

Saldana has competed with the World of Outlaws full-time for the better part of the last 10 years, and has learned many priceless things over the years and is quick to point out that any young driver needs to stayed focused and be patient when competing against the best sprint car drivers in the world night in and night out. Saldana has become more patient the older he has gotten and is able to adapt to the countless situations that present themselves on a typical race night as well as over the course of the always demanding World of Outlaws season.

“He doesn’t have to go out and win 20 races like I did last year,” explained Saldana of Darrah. “It took me a long time to get to that level. He’s got to be patient with himself and the team will be patient with him, then he’ll be fine.”

A full week of Sprint Car racing during the DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH kicks off on Feb. 2 with a test session, followed by two nights under the All Star Circuit Champions banner (Feb. 3-4) before the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series takes center stage Friday through Sunday (Feb. 5-7).

The 2010 World of Outlaws season kicks off with the 39th Annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park February 5-7. For tickets visit: http://www.DIRTcarNationals.com or call 386-985-4402. Each ticket purchased is also a free fan pit pass.

Live video of each night of the DIRTcar Nationals will be available via the DIRTVision.com Cybercast. For more information and to purchase visit: http://www.DIRTVision.com.

by BJ Cavin

About a dozen top sprint car teams joined the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions and the Florida Mini Sprints for an exciting practice session on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for this weekend’s racing action at Ocala Speedway.  The likes of Tim Shaffer, Fred Rahmer, Greg Hodnett, and Danny Lasoski, all took advantage of the early practice time to get a feel for Ocala Speedway’s challenging layout.  Many more teams are reported to be in route to Ocala and are expected to arrive in time for the 4PM practice on Thursday.

Practice did not go so well for the Lance DeWease team as their car suffered from mechanical issues throughout the session.  DeWease’s crew finally seemed to figure out the problem late in the session and the 30C machine finally completed some laps before the night ended. 

Greg Hodnett looked to be the racer to watch as he fearlessly attacked Ocala Speedway’s clay with seemingly reckless abandon.  Hodnett’s practice laps were quite quick, and at times he appeared to be on the very edge of control, eliciting ooohs and ahhs from the fans that were there to watch.

According to various websites and message boards, the car count will more than triple for the Thursday practice session.  Notables expected for Thursday’s practice include Tony Stewart Racing and 4 time World of Outlaws Champion, Donny Schatz, and possibly Steve Kinser.  Kasey Kahne Racing is also expected to be on hand with driver Joey Saldana hitting Ocala’s clay for the first time.  There is also word that both team owners will likely be on hand to oversee and observe their teams in action during the practice session

As of Wednesday January 27 the National Weather Service is forecasting a 70% chance of rain in the New Smyrna Florida area for Saturday afternoon January 30^th.

Please be advised that the Pro All Stars Series will make every effort to adhere to our planned Saturday schedule for the PASS Winterfest 150 at New Smyrna Speedway.

In the event that Saturday turns out to be a full or partial washout, either the entire program or the balance of the events to be run will be rescheduled for SUNDAY JANUARY 31st at 3:00 PM.

Should a partial schedule be completed, Saturday arm bands and ticket stubs will be required for admission on Sunday.

Friday’s practice schedule remains unchanged.

Contact New Smyrna Speedway by telephone  at (386) 427-4129 if the area weather seems questionable. Updates will also be posted at www.proallstarsseries.com  and www.newsmyrnaspeedway.org

by Tony Veneziano

BARBERVILLE, Fla. — Champions will abound at Volusia Speedway Park when the World of Outlaws open the 2010 season with the 39th Annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals by the University of Northwestern Ohio, February 5-7. Leading the way will be Steve Kinser, Donny Schatz and Danny Lasoski, who have combined to win each of the last 10 World of Outlaws titles.

Kinser first competed in the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park back in 1977 and has always been fast at the half-mile with four career victories. Schatz won twice last year during the event with the World of Outlaws and four overall victories in the DIRTcar Nationals and has eight wins in his career in the event, while Lasoski is the winningest driver in a sprint car during the season opening event with 17 career triumphs.

Schatz, the four-time and defending World of Outlaws champion, opened last season with a win at Volusia, dueling with Jason Sides for the top prize. He also picked up a victory in the finale of the three-day tilt to leave the Sunshine State as the series point leader. The North Dakota native has eight career wins at the half-mile, with the first of those coming in 2006. He scored his first World of Outlaws win in the DIRTcar Nationals the following season. He made his debut at the track back in 1996, picking up a Top-10 in an event under the All Star Circuit of Champions banner.

“Volusia is a very tricky place,” notes Schatz. “It came be 200 miles apart between two different nights and that’s something that wears on you a little bit. It’s a big track and the gap in the racing at the half-miles has gotten so much closer between everybody. You just have to keep doing things that keep you a little bit ahead. My guys have worked hard this winter to make sure that I am going to be in a good situation.”

Steve Kinser, the 20-time series champion, competed at Volusia for the first 33 years ago and has over 30 starts at the half-mile in his legendary career. He won for the first time in the DIRTcar Nationals in 1984. The native of Bloomington, Indiana scored his first World of Outlaws win at the half-mile in 2005. He has four career wins in the DIRTcar Nationals to go along with 20 Top-10 finishes. He is one of just three drivers that finished in the Top-10 in all three World of Outlaws races during the event last year and was among the Top-10 in all six nights of the sprint car portion of the lid lifter in 2009.

“You have to go down there and bring a good piece of equipment and have everything running well,” shared Kinser. “Everyone that is down there will have fresh cars, fresh motors and fresh everything, not that everyone doesn’t have good equipment generally through the whole season now. You’ll see a lot of cars from all over the Unites States there and a good car count. It’s a tough place to go to.”

Danny Lasoski, the 2001 World of Outlaws champion, made his debut at Volusia in 1986 and won for the first time during the DIRTcar Nationals in 1988. He leads all sprint car drivers with 17 career wins during the season opening event at the half-mile. He scored his victory with the World of Outlaws at the track during the 2008 DIRTcar Nationals. In his career at Volusia in February, the native of Dover, Missouri has nearly 50 Top-10 finishes.

“You show up at the very first race of the year and you have the best of the best there,” Lasoski said. “Everyone is itching to race and you’ll see how you stack up and if you did your homework over the winter and what kind of team you have.”

A full week of Sprint Car racing during the DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH kicks off on Feb. 2 with a test session, followed by two nights under the All Star Circuit Champions banner (Feb. 3-4) before the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series takes center stage Friday through Sunday (Feb. 5-7).

To purchase tickets online for the DIRTcar Nationals visit: http://www.DIRTcarNationals.com or call 386-985-4402. Each ticket purchased is also a free fan pit pass.

by BJ Cavin

Many of the nation’s top sprint car teams have begun arriving in Ocala to prepare for this weekend’s running of the 2010 Ocala Speedway Winternationals.  This year’s event features the O’Reilly Auto Parts All Star Circuit of Champions, plus the popular Florida Mini Sprint Association, with racing on this coming Friday and Saturday night, and is attracting a virtual “who’s who” of names to Florida’s oldest speedway.

Some teams made plans to be at the practice session scheduled for this afternoon at the speedway at 4PM, while others are content to get in their practice laps at the Thursday practice.  Both practices are open to the public, and the $15 admission is also a pit pass giving fans full access.  Children 12 and under will be admitted free to the practice sessions, and everyone must sign a pit waiver in order to enter.

Reports also indicate that many fans from across America have traveled to Ocala in order to watch their favorite sprint car teams compete, or are in route.  While some have chosen to camp in RV’s at the speedway, many have reservations in local hotels and motels, thus bringing a significant amount of money into the local economy.  Those numbers will increase dramatically through Wednesday and Thursday as the bulk of the fans begin arriving.

As of Tuesday evening the final preparations were being applied to the facilities at Ocala Speedway ahead of the arrival of the fans and race teams.  Final coats of paint were being applied to everything, and crews were busy stocking the concessions stands.  In addition, the track crew was working the clay surface on the speedway, getting it into shape for Wednesday practice.  New top quality Florida gumbo clay was brought in during the down time after Christmas, again originating from the same “secret” clay pits as previous applications. 

Fans that need more information about the schedule of events or admission prices for this week should call the speedway at 352-622-9400, or visit www.OcalaSpeedway.com and click on the 2010 schedule icon.  Plenty of camping space is available at the speedway on the famous “south 40” area for $10 per night.

Camargo, IL (1-25-10) by Kelly Brown – Public Relations Director –Just a over twenty days ago we welcomed the New Year. It may not seem as if it was that long ago, but the hands of time are ticking and the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions wave the Green Flag on the 2010 edition of Winter Nationals at Ocala Speedway, which promises to be another unforgettable event.

The on track action will begin on Wednesday, January 27th, as the All Stars will have an opportunity to try out Goodyear tires as they get their footing on the track. A second practice session will be held Thursday, January 28th before the high-speed race action takes center stage.

When the All Stars take the spotlight for the 27th edition of Winter Nationals, the racing action will be fast and furious with $3,000 on the line on Friday night and $5,000 on Saturday. Since Ocala Speedway has only seen one repeat winner in Speedweek action, it promises to be an unforgettable event as every driver will try to match that feat.

Last year Greg Wilson and Tim Shaffer had a drag out battle to see who would walk away the champion that night. Late in the race, Shaffer was able to catch Wilson in traffic and was able to sneak past him with a daring move in Turn 4 for the victory. On the second night of racing action, Terry McCarl was a man on a mission. He began the night on the front row and cleared Danny Lasoski in the first turn. Once McCarl grabbed the lead, he never looked back and won the second night at Ocala Speedway. The race was for second through fifth which was constantly changing. Danny Lasoski would go on to take second with Stevie Smith, Lance Dewease, and Greg Hodnett rounding out the top-five.

Ticket Information

On both practice dates Wednesday, January 27th and Thursday January 28th the pit gates will open at 1:00 pm. The practice session will take the Green Flag at 4:00 pm and will conclude at 8:00 pm. Admission is $15.00 and children 12 and under are free.

On both Friday, January 29 and Saturday January 30 the pit gates open at 1:00 pm, while gates for fans will open at 5:00 pm, and racing action will begin at 8:00 pm. On Friday night adult tickets with run $20.00, while teen tickets (13-17) will run $10.00, and ages 12 and under are $5.00. Pit passes will be $35.00 for adults, $20.00 for those 12 and under, and those under 3 will be free. On Saturday night admission will be $25.00 for adults, while teen tickets (13-17) will run $10.00, and ages 12 and under are $5.00. Pit passes will be $35.00 for adults on both nights. There is a two day grandstand pass that they track is offering which will run $40.00.

Official Hotel Information

Travelodge of Ocala answers the question of where to stay for this thrilling opening event for the All Stars. They will be offering a special racers rate to those who ask for it.

Travelodge of Ocala
4040 West Silver Springs Boulevard
Ocala, FL 34482
(352) 629-8850
*Ask for the racers rate*

For more information on the event or to get tickets visit www.ocalaspeedway.com or call 352-622-9400. For the most up to date information on the All Star Circuit of Champions and the 2010 edition of Winter Nationals, bookmark www.allstarsprint.com on your computer.

Dave Darland of Lincoln, Ind., whose 28 career USAC Sprint Car wins trail only Tracy Hines’ 37 on the all-time National victory list among active drivers, has switched teams for the 2010 season. He will pilot one of two Keith Kunz Motorsports/Advanced Racing entries in the “Bubba Army Sprint Nationals” February 8-10 at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Fla.

Darland, who finished third in the 2009 standings, won the 1999 series championship and is one of only five USAC “Triple Crown Champions.” His Sprint car career includes victories in the Tony Hulman Classic, Joe James/Pat O’Connor Classic, Rich Vogler Classic, Glen Niebel Classic, Robbie Stanley Classic, Four Crown Nationals and the Ultimate Challenge at Oskaloosa, Iowa.

 Darland and teammate Henry Clarke of Villa Park, Calif., who claimed the 2009 series “Rookie of the Year” honors, will try to give the Kunz Motorsports team their first USAC National Sprint Car owner’s crown. The team finished second in the 2009 standings and were second in 2003, fourth in 2007 and 2008 and fifth in 2006.

 The Kunz team ranks fifth on the all-time USAC Sprint car feature winners list, with 35 wins to their credit, including three with Cole Whitt in 2009.

 “I’m looking forward to getting back to Florida,” says Dave, who admits his first outings at East Bay a few years ago were less than successful. “It’s a hard track to figure out and has an odd shape,” he adds. “I’m glad to be in a Kunz car because they always field top-notch equipment. I have to thank Cory Kruseman for suggesting that I call Kunz and it should be a fun 2010 for us.”

In 2004 Dave dominated to win the “Four Crown Nationals” Midget race at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio in a Kunz entry, then finished second in the same race in a Kunz car in 2008. His only previous outings in a Kunz Sprinter were at Joliet, Ill. in 2003 where he did not qualify and at the Mopar Million at Eldora in 2004 where he finished 12^th in a field of 138 cars!

The three back-to-back National Sprint races at East Bay, located in Gibsonton, Fla., serve as the 2010 Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car series openers and are part of the track’s 34^th “Winternationals.”

In an effort to generate maximum participation at what he considers his “home track,” an added bonus for pre-registered USAC car entrants at Tampa will be a free right rear Hoosier tire compliments of Bubba “The Love Sponge” for any appearing car entrants whose entries were filed prior to the entry deadline.

Each night (Monday through Wednesday) contains a complete racing program capped by a 30-lap feature on the very competitive 1/3-mile dirt oval located in Gibsonton, a Tampa suburb.

by Dan Kapuscinski

CONCORD, N.C. — Race fans unable to make the annual trek south to Volusia Speedway Park for the 39th Annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio need not worry. All 12 nights (Feb. 2-13) of the Nationals will air LIVE once again on www.dirtvision.com beginning approximately at 7pm each night.

Flag-to-Flag video coverage will begin Tue., February 2 with the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, as well as a 410 Sprint Car test session. Coverage will continue through Sat., Feb. 13, featuring the All-Star 410 Sprints, World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, UMP DIRTcar Late Models, World of Outlaws Late Models, and the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds.

DIRTVision.com users can purchase a subscription for only $34.99, which includes all 12 nights of LIVE video. To purchase a subscription simply log into www.dirtvision.com and click on the subscription tab at the top of the screen. If you are not already a user with DIRTvision.com, you will need to log on to the site and set-up a username and password for FREE, and then surf to the subscription page.

For more information on the 39th running of the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park, please visit www.dirtcarnationals.com or www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com.

39th Annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH Event Schedule (LIVE Video)

Tuesday, Feb. 2nd – UMP Modifieds, 410 Sprint Car Test

Wednesday, Feb. 3rd – All Star 410 Sprints, UMP Modifieds

Thursday, Feb. 4th – All Star 410 Sprints, UMP Modifieds

Friday, Feb. 5th – World of Outlaws Sprints, UMP Modifieds

Saturday, Feb. 6th – World of Outlaws Sprints, UMP Mod Gator Qual. #1

Sunday, Feb. 7th – World of Outlaws Sprints, UMP Mod Gator Qual. #2

Monday, Feb. 8th – UMP Late Models, UMP Mod Gator Championship

Tuesday, Feb. 9th – UMP Late Models, UMP Modified Twin 25’s

Wednesday, Feb. 10th – UMP Late Models, SDS Big-Block Modifieds

Thursday, Feb. 11th – World of Outlaws Late Models, SDS Big-Block Modifieds

Friday, Feb. 12th – UMP Late Models, SDS Big Block-Modifieds

Saturday, Feb. 13th – World of Outlaws Late Models, SDS Big-Block Modifieds

Checkered Flag Sprint Series will open the 2010 season at Charlotte County Motorsports Park on Saturday, January 30th.    

The race previously scheduled for Sunday, January 31^st has been cancelled.

 Drivers expected are 2009 Champion Keith Butler, Mark and Gary Gimmler, Scotty Adema, 2009 Rookie of the Year Amanda Ferguson, Ric Voisey, Jason Bradford, Geoff Styner, Frankie Hurst, Robby Hackett, Steven Bradley, Skeeter Faulconer, Mickey Kempgens, Channing Conley, Michael Tharp, Jimmy Alvis and Jimmy Dwyer.

 On Saturday the track will be open for practice from 9:00am till 2:00pm (there is a fee for this practice) then from 2:00pm till 4:30pm track practice by classes. Racing will start at 6:00pm.