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World of Outlaws Summer of Money’ Airing Exclusively on ESPN2 in 2007

 

NORMAN, OKSept. 8, 2006 — The World of Outlaws and ESPN announce a 

multi-year partnership to broadcast the “World of Outlaws Summer of 

Money” exclusively on ESPN2.

 

“The World of Outlaws is a nationally recognized brand, with the best 

drivers in sprint car racing and a tremendous following of devoted 

fans,” said Frantz Cayo, Director of Motorsports Programming for 

ESPN.  “We immediately saw how the ‘World of Outlaws Summer of Money’ 

concept would compliment our NASCAR and NHRA motor sports 

programming.  We look forward to working with the World of Outlaws to 

grow sprint car racing and increase the sport’s fan base.”

 

The “World of Outlaws Summer of Money” on ESPN2 includes eight one-

hour broadcasts, seven of which will feature events run only hours 

earlier.  The eight broadcasts will air from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

(ET) Sundays beginning June 17 and continuing through August 5.  

ESPN2 is available in more than 90 million households in the United 

States with the “World of Outlaws Summer of Money” broadcasts 

available internationally, as well.

 

“Securing ESPN as one of our national media partners is a vital 

component of our business model,” said DIRT MotorSports President and 

CEO Tom Deery. “This platform will allow our current fans to have 

unprecedented access to the World of Outlaws while also introducing 

the incredible excitement of sprint car racing to millions of new 

potential fans. At the same time, the ‘World of Outlaws Summer of 

Money’ events on ESPN2 will provide the marquee exposure value to our 

corporate partners and team sponsors. We are working on additional 

media strategies with the World of Outlaws, and are confident that 

the ESPN ‘Summer of Money’ series is a strong foundation for the 2007 

season and beyond.”

 

The “World of Outlaws Summer of Money” on ESPN2 launches at historic 

Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway, which will be host two World of Outlaws 

events in 2007.  The series then continues onto Dodge City (Kan.) 

Raceway Park; Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, N.D.; Route 66 

Raceway in Joliet, Ill.; K-C Raceway in Chillicothe, Ohio; and wraps 

up at The Raceway at PowerCom Park in Beaver Dam, Wis. In addition, 

the tradition-rich Kings Royal at Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway in 

Rossburg, Ohio, and Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup at Lernerville 

Speedway in Sarver, Pa., also will be part of the series.

 

Drivers, car owners and promoters believe the World of Outlaws 

partnership with ESPN will have a positive effect on the future of 

sprint car racing.

 

“I’m thrilled that beginning in 2007, the World of Outlaws will have 

a landmark television partnership with ESPN2 that will not only 

continue to grow the premier winged sprint car series in the world 

and provide exceptional value to our sponsors, but will also allow 

our great race fans and myself the ability to watch Joey Saldana and 

our #9 Dodge/Mopar Kasey Kahne Racing car on national television,” 

said NASCAR Nextel Cup Series star Kasey Kahne.

 

“Combining the World of Outlaws and ESPN2 is significant,” said 

Eldora Speedway promoter Larry Kemp.  “It will no doubt help to draw 

new people and sponsors to the fast-paced and highly entertaining 

world of sprint car racing while giving those fans that have 

supported it for so long an easier way to catch the action.”

 

“It’s exhilarating,” said Donny Schatz, who is celebrating his 10th 

season with the World of Outlaws by capturing the 2006 Knoxville 

Nationals and leading the championship standings.  “We want to bring 

World of Outlaws sprint car racing to as many fans as possible and 

ESPN will allow us to do that. We certainly need to thank The Outdoor 

Channel for its coverage the past three years and now we’re excited 

to take our racing to a major network.”

 

“It’s huge for our team and sprint car racing,” said Terry McCarl, 

one of the most competitive drivers in the business.  “Like most 

people, I only watch a few stations and ESPN is one of them. It has 

been around almost as long as the World of Outlaws and is a mainstay 

in the United States. It’s a real honor to have our events on ESPN 

and I look forward to showing them how exciting World of Outlaws 

racing is. If you’re on ESPN, that’s about as good as it gets. I 

think NASCAR has done a great job of turning most of America into 

race fans, and I think if you’re any kind of race fan and you give 

the World of Outlaws racing action a chance, you’ll fall in love with 

it.”

 

“Racing on ESPN will mean an awful lot for our sponsors like Jolt 

Energy Gum,” said Justin Henderson, one of the World of Outlaws top 

rookie contenders who claims to be a fan of the 11 o’clock 

SportsCenter.  “The more my team and I can race up front and be on 

camera, the more opportunity we have to attract bigger sponsors and 

more fans. That means the world to us. It’s really the best thing 

that’s happened for our sport.”

 

The “World of Outlaws Summer of Money” on ESPN 2 includes:

 

Event Date (Air Date) — Venue

June 16 (June 17) — Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway

June 23 (June 24) — Dodge City (Kan.) Raceway Park

June 30 (July 1) — Red River Valley Speedway, West Fargo, N.D.

 July 6 (July 8) — Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, IL.

July 14 (July 15) — Kings Royal, Eldora Speedway, Rossburg, Ohio

July 17 (July 22) — Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup, Lernerville Speedway, Sarver, Pa.

July 28 (July 29) — K-C Raceway, Chillicothe, Ohio

Aug. 4 (Aug. 5) — The Raceway at PowerCom Park, Beaver Dam, Wis.

 

All broadcasts air from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (ET) Sundays on ESPN2.