Top Story: Hines and Shepard are weekend's big winners - By Bobby Gerould - Rocklin, CA. May 12, 2008. ...Tracy Hines and Jeff Shepard scored the biggest wins in weekend sprint car racing. Hines won the Don Branson-Jud Larson Classic at Eldora Speedway run under the USAC sanction. The Saturday night non-wing show on the high banked half-mile included a top-five of Hines, 18 year-old Brady Bacon, Shane Cottle, Brady Short, and Jesse Hockett. ...Jeff Shepard won the Bob Weikert Memorial race sanctioned by the All-Stars at Port Royal, PA. Shepard headed a top-five of Lance Dewease, Greg Hodnett, Todd Shaffer, and Keith Kauffman.

Feature Photo:

Showing the kind of racing heart we love - Jason Botsford of California traveled all the way to Florida to get a jump start on the 2008 season. (John's Racing Photos)

Calistoga Speedway Winners List	Chico Winners List
Images	Yearbook Headlines

Positivity - By Bobby Gerould - ...Peter Murphy scored another Bandit sprint car win at Bakersfield Speedway this past weekend. ...Tyler Walker won a thriller at the Thunderbowl in Tulare, CA. The Golden State Challenge win made Walker the first repeat winner in the series this year. ...Up at Chico in Friday night action (May 9, 2008), it was Andy Forsberg claiming his 22nd career win at the quarter-mile clay oval. The following night - Forsberg won for the third time this year at Placerville Speedway. ...The World of Outlaws have had more rainouts (ten) than nights of racing (seven) so far in 2008. They try again this week with Tuesday's RRS points earning feature at Lernerville followed by two nights at Williams Grove Speedway. The Friday Grove show is also a RRS points race. Both nights of action at the historic half-mile in Mechanicsburg, PA will be taped and later televised on Speed. ...Belated kudos to Robert Ballou on his win at Terre Haute in MSCS sanctioned competition. Ballou is quickly becoming the non-wing master of manly-man race tracks. ...A bonus is available at this year's Brad Doty Classic at Limaland Motorsports Park in Ohio. A $10,000 "Clean Sweep Bonus" will be paid to any driver who can set fast time, win a heat race, win the dash, and win the 40-lap A-main. The bonus money for the July 9th race is being put up by the University of Northwestern Ohio. ...Nebraska driver Jack Dover, an 18 year-old, won the ASCS National event at State Fair Speedway in Oklahoma City Friday night. (More Positivity)

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Historic Night for Schatz at Knoxville: Sets New Track Record & Wins - Knoxville, IA— May 3, 2008— By Tony Veneziano. ... Donny Schatz knows the history of Knoxville Raceway very well and he added his name to that history in three different ways on Saturday night. Not only did he put himself in elite company of drivers that have won on opening night at the famed half-mile in Iowa, but he also set a new track record for a 25-lap event, as the race was completed in just seven minutes and 14 seconds. On top of that, the two-time defending Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion and two-time defending Knoxville Nationals winner, picked up his first A-Feature triumph with the series, driving for Tony Stewart Racing. Schatz took the lead on the 18th lap, powering his way past Steve Kinser on the high-side of the track exiting the fourth turn. One lap earlier he nearly took the lead at the same spot on the track with a similar move. He quickly opened an advantage aboard the Armor All J&J en route to his 71st career Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series A-Feature win, which moved him into the fifth spot on the all-time win list ahead of 1995 series champion Dave Blaney. He pocketed $10,000 for the win, which was the eighth of his career at Knoxville Raceway. (More)

More rain sends teams scrambling. Saldana wins Eldora All-Star, TK at Tulare - By Bobby Gerould - April 27, 2008 - ...Rain and snow forced postponement of the World of Outlaws date Saturday night at Knoxville Raceway. The race was to be a points earning event in the Racer's Racing Series. It has been re-scheduled for this coming Saturday, May 3, 2008. ...With enough lead time - several teams headed for Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH.) for the Saturday night All-Star sanctioned race. Joey Saldana won the 30-lap feature with Daryn Pittman, Donny Schatz, Steve Kinser, and Paul McMahan completing the top-five. Kasey Kahne made a rare sprint car start and finished eleventh in the feature. ...Tim Kaeding returned to California and promptly won his 35th career Golden State Challenge feature at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare Saturday. "T.K." also won the Friday night points show at Silver Dollar Speedway (Chico).

RRS adds races - By Bobby Gerould - Rocklin, CA. April 24, 2008. ...After losing races to poor weather - the Racer's Racing Series has added three events as points earning features for 2008. In an effort to maintain a 60-race schedule, the RRS will offer points to the top 15 finishers at the World of Outlaws event at Lernerville Speedway (Sarver, PA.) May 13th, as well as the WoO race at Eagle Raceway (Eagle, NE.) June 14th. The final addition is the MSCS sprint car event September 27th at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, IN. All of the three races added pay $10,000 to the winner.

Catching up with Karl Kinser - Concord, NC— April 15, 2008--By: Tony Veneziano, World of Outlaws PR Director. ...As part of the 30th Anniversary of the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series celebration, a number of different individual involved in the inaugural season of 1978 will be highlighted over the course of the 2008 campaign in a series entitled “Catching up with.” Drivers, car owners, promoters and crew members who were instrumental in helping the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series become what it is today will also stop by a number of races and tracks throughout the season, to visit with fans and share their memories of the 1978 season, as they traveled from coast-to-coast with the newly formed series. This week, Hall of Fame car owner and crew chief Karl Kinser will be featured. The native of Oolitic, Indiana won the first Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series championship in 1978, with Steve Kinser behind the wheel. The pair would go on to win a total of 14 series championships, along with hundreds of races. Karl Kinser also picked up two more titles with his son Mark Kinser behind the wheel in 1996 and 1999. During his career, Karl Kinser was victorious as a car owner/crew chief in the Knoxville Nationals, a record 12 times. He also was victorious as a car owner/chief chief in the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway, the Gold Cup Race of Champions in California, the Williams Grove National Open and even the Little 500 at Anderson Speedway in Indiana among others. He was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Iowa in 1994. To view the entire “Catching up with Karl Kinser” feature which contains an interview, as well as a number of photos from his career, visit: http://www.worldofoutlaws.com/sprint/history.aspx and click on the picture of Kinser.

16 year old Shane Golobic wins Golden State run at Watsonville - By Gary Thomas, Watsonville, CA – April 12, 2008. …16 year-old Shane Golobic put together an impressive night Saturday at the Ocean Speedway and capped it all off with a dominating drive to lead all 30 laps and pick up his first career Golden State Challenge Series main event win. The youngster nearly recorded a clean sweep aboard the Brian Sperry wrenched, Joe Von Schriltz owned No. 121. Golobic was the class of the field all night long as he set fast time, won the dash and proceeded to easily win the 30 lap A-main event. “This is just awesome and it really hasn’t sunk in yet,” the 16 year-old said in the pits following the races. Golobic credited crew chief Sperry for giving him a great car all night long as well as former GSC champ Tim Green for coaching him during the night. Golobic became the third first time winner during the first seven races of the '08 season. Allard held onto the second position the whole way to score his best finish of the early GSC season aboard the Williams Motorsports No. 0 and defending GSC champ Brent Kaeding of Campbell finished third to score his third straight podium. Scotts Valley’s Evan Suggs brought home a fourth place finish for the second straight week in a row in the GLR Investments No. 33e with Campbell’s Bud Kaeding rounding out the top five aboard the Alviso Rock No. 29. (Summary)

Calistoga USAC races not going to happen in `08 - By Bobby Gerould - Calistoga, CA. April 11, 2008 - ...Reports from sources close to the Board of Directors for the Napa County Fair and Calistoga Speedway say that the Board has voted down the tentatively scheduled Labor Day USAC non-wing races. The event was to be the first time since 1985 that sprint cars without wings raced at the historic half-mile. As it stands - with Calistoga not being a part of the Golden State Challenge or World of Outlaws schedule - the track has only two dates in 2008. Both are Civil War - winged 360 sprint car events.

Hot Meyers wins WoO, Walker at Antioch - By Bobby Gerould - April 7, 2008 - Jason Meyers is the hottest driver in sprint car racing after winning again Saturday night in World of Outlaws action at I-55 Raceway in Pevely MO. Meyers outlasted a furious charge to the checkered flag by runner-up Craig Dollansky. It was Meyers third win in five WoO starts in 2008. He also won the Mini Gold Cup. ...In Golden State Challenge competition, Tyler Walker of Los Angeles, CA. scored his first career series feature win Saturday night at Antioch Speedway.

Weekend winners share spotlight - HD Staff - March 24, 2008 - ...Louisiana's Jason Johnson, and California's Mike Henry were among the biggest winners this past weekend. Johnson won the ASCS National Tour event headliner in Oklahoma City, OK Saturday night while Henry scored a victory in the Golden State Challenge at Placerville Speedway Saturday night. (P-Ville summary is here) ...Sean Becker was the Saturday night 360 Silver Cup feature winner in Chico, following Shane Stewart's Friday night triumph. ...Danny Lasoski won the Friday ASCS show. ...Craig Dollansky invaded Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, PA Friday night; winning the main event with Joey Saldana running second. (Read Jerry Reigle's Grove story here) ...In USAC Western Midget action at Bakersfield Speedway Saturday night, Brad Kuhn was the winner followed by Garrett Hansen, and Jason Meyers.

World of Outlaws Racing Exclusively On SPEED in 2008 - By Chris Dolack - March 23, 2008. - CONCORD, N.C. ... SPEED will be the exclusive television partner for World of Outlaws racing in 2008. The partnership will be anchored by five multi-hour events, three of which will be broadcast live. There will be 25 hours of World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and World of Outlaws Late Model Series action, featuring a combination of live and tape-delayed broadcasts beginning on May 23 with the three-hour Rite Aid Outlaw Showdown broadcast LIVE from The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “The World of Outlaws broadcasts in 2007 showed us how exciting dirt track racing can be on television,” said Rick Miner, SPEED Senior VP of Production and Network Operations. “The success of the World Finals show from The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway gave us a gameplan for ’08, as part of that plan we will be treating the five new super-sized events just as we do any other major motorsports event on SPEED, which should significantly raise the profile of World of Outlaws racing.” A return to SPEED in 2008 as the exclusive television outlet for World of Outlaws racing will bring consistency and awareness to the viewers. “The broadcast agreement with SPEED continues the solid growth we realized in 2007,” said World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter. “The more than 75 million viewers on SPEED give our corporate partners, like Advance Auto Parts, as well as our teams and our promoters, the greatest opportunity to reach our fans on a consistent basis. SPEED is the home for racing on television and we’re excited to again have the World of Outlaws on SPEED this season.” Among the 25 hours of coverage will be a three-hour LIVE event with the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series to kick off the 2008 TV schedule on May 23 from The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway; a two-hour Kings Royal special from Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway; a three-hour LIVE broadcast from the National Open at Williams Grove Speedway; and, the three-hour LIVE season-finale from The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

2008 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Racing on SPEED Television Schedule

Air date  Time        Day          Track                                   City                            Race Date

May 23    8-11 p.m.   Friday       Lowe’s Motor Speedway        Concord, N.C.             May 23

May 31    4-5 p.m.    Saturday    Williams Grove Speedway      Mechanicsburg, Pa.     May 15

June 8      1-2 p.m.    Sunday      Williams Grove Speedway      Mechanicsburg, Pa.     May 16

June 15    4-5 p.m.    Sunday      Knoxville Raceway                Knoxville, Iowa            June 6

June 21    4-5 p.m.    Saturday    Knoxville Raceway                Knoxville, Iowa            June 7

June 28    3-4 p.m.    Saturday    Dodge City Raceway Park     Dodge City, Kan.         June 20

July 6       4-5 p.m.    Sunday      Dodge City Raceway Park     Dodge City, Kan.         June 21

July 19     4-6 p.m.    Saturday    Eldora Speedway                   Rossburg, Ohio            July 12

July 26     4-5 p.m.    Saturday    Ohsweken Speedway             Ohsweken, Ontario      July 22

Aug. 2     4-5 p.m.    Saturday    Ohsweken Speedway             Ohsweken, Ontario      July 23

Sept. 27   8-11 p.m.   Saturday    Williams Grove Speedway      Mechanicsburg, Pa.     Sept. 27

Nov. 1     8-11 p.m.   Saturday    Lowe’s Motor Speedway        Concord, N.C.             Nov. 1

Meyers again in Cali, Wright at Devils Bowl, plus more spring winners - HD Staff - March 17, 2008. ...The weekend past saw Jason Meyers win the Golden State Challenge event at Watsonville Speedway in California, while Gary Wright added another triumph at Devils Bowl Speedway (Mesquite, TX.) in the Spring Nationals. Wright stole the win from eventual runner-up Tony Bruce Jr, who won the Friday night preliminary. Jason Sides was third in the ASCS National race with Wayne Johnson and Zach Chappell completing the top five. ...At Watsonville - Meyers was followed by Shane Stewart, Tim Kaeding, Jon Allard and Bud Kaeding. 16 year-old Shane Golobic finished sixth in a great drive for car owner Joe Von Schriltz. ...Jeremy Sherman won the USAC-CRA feature at Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, AZ. ...Fred Rahmer was the man at Lincoln Speedway (PA.) on Saturday.

Meyers stays hot, wins Mini Gold Cup - By Bobby Gerould - March 8, 2008 - Chico, CA. ...Jason Meyers continued his roll that dates back to November of last year with a convincing win in the 40-lap Mini Gold Cup Saturday night at chilly Silver Dollar Speedway. Meyers passed Paul McMahan in traffic on lap 28 to secure the $6,000 victory aboard his own Elite Racing KPC winged sprint car #14. McMahan held on for second place followed by Tim Kaeding, Brad Sweet, and Greg DeCaires. Sixth through tenth on the quarter-mile clay oval were: Mike Henry, Jon Allard, Andy Gregg, Mark Hall, and Travis Rutz. ...Allard set quick time for the 64-car field with an 11.820 clocking. ...Gregg won the B-Main. Bud Kaeding, Tyler Walker, Brandon Wimmer, and Joey Saldana won heat races. McMahan won the dash with Brent Kaeding capturing the C-Main.

McMahan opens Mini Gold Cup strongly - By Bobby Gerould - March 7, 2008. ...Chico, CA. ...Paul McMahan won in wire-to-wire fashion Friday night at Silver Dollar Speedway in the opening race of the Golden State Challenge 2008 season. Serving as a tune-up for Saturday's $6,000 to-win Mini Gold Cup, McMahan's 30 lap Friday win was popular with the Chico fans that watched him 'cut his racing teeth' on the high-banked quarter mile clay oval before McMahan took his skills on the road as a full time traveling outlaw. Driving the Brian Sperry Racing #51, McMahan outgunned fellow front row starter Brad Sweet to take the early lead. On lap 12 - Jon Allard drove the Morrie Williams #0 into second with a low line pass of Sweet in turn one. Meanwhile the battle for fifth was intense with a charging Tim Kaeding (who started 14th in the 22 car field) going three-wide in turn four with Kevin Sharrah and Tyler Walker. The race climaxed on lap 23 when Allard pulled along side McMahan in traffic in turn one. But as the lap was completed - Allard drifted over the edge of the front chute and lost ground, actually surrendering the runner-up spot to Sweet. By lap 25 McMahan was in heavy traffic with Sweet (in Rod Tiner's #83t) and Allard in hot pursuit but a yellow flag for a slowing Brent Kaeding one lap later took away the possibility for a fantastic finish. The lap 26 restart was easily controlled by McMahan and he cruised to the checkered flag to win over Sweet, Allard, Tim Kaeding, and Walker. Sixth through tenth unofficially went to Andy Forsberg, Sharrah, Jason Meyers, Sean Becker, and Shane Stewart. ...61 cars timed-in. ...Joey Saldana was a late addition - driving the Fisher-Main #35a. Saldana finished 15th in the feature. ...Walker, Tim Kaeding, Jason Statler, and Greg DeCaires won heat races. ...McMahan won the Dash. ...Matt Mitchell drove only his second career winged sprint car race and won the C-Main. ...Mark Hall won the B-Main.

Meyers rises in Phoenix - HD Staff - March 1, 2008 - Phoenix, AZ. ...Jason Meyers won the World of Outlaws feature event Saturday night at Manzanita Speedway. The Clovis, CA. driver reached the checkered flag ahead of defending WoO champion Donny Schatz, Shane Stewart, Joey Saldana, and Craig Dollansky. ...Stewart was the night's fastest qualifier - circling the half-mile in 15.569 seconds. Danny Lasoski was involved in a tangle at the start of the feature resulting in a flip.

Vegas USAC CRA mains to Blake Miller and Levi Jones - HD Staff - Las Vegas, NV. - February 29, 2008. ...The non-wing sprint cars of the USAC-CRA series raced two nights at Las vegas Motor Speedway Thursday and Friday with Blake Miller and Levi Jones winning the respective night's main events. The half-mile dirt oval welcomed 23 sprint cars Friday night with Jones being followed at the checkered flag by Jesse Hockett, Cory Kruseman, Danny Sheridan, and Miller. (Friday summary)

Rain washes out Tulare WoO - By Gary Thomas - Tulare, California – February 21, 2008…The World of Outlaw Sprint Car Series event scheduled for this weekend at the Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway has been cancelled due to the bleak weather forecast.  Track officials spoke with the National Weather Service and based what they had to say, the decision was made to cancel the entire weekend to save everyone from driving down only to get rained out. World of Outlaw officials were also wanting a decision by today, since many of the teams are waiting in Phoenix where the series will compete next weekend.  The next event for the Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway will be March 29 when the Golden State Challenge King of California Series and Western States Modifieds share the bill for an exiciting night of action. Fans can contact the Thunderbowl office to arrange for refunds at 559-688-0909 or 559-687-1955.

Fire forces temporary closure of John Padjen Motorsports business office - By Bill Sullivan - Roseville, CA. February 17, 2008 - An early morning structure fire destroyed the offices of John Padjen Motorsports and the home of John Padjen Motorsports Saturday. Nobody was injured in the fire, however, the majority of the contents of both the home and the office were destroyed. Due to the circumstances, the office will remain closed until late Tuesday or Wednesday of this coming week when the business will reopen at a nearby commercial location and all communications including internet, email, phone and fax lines are restored at that time. In the wake of this situation, John and Robbie Padjen want to let everyone know they are ok. They sincerely appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers coming from their friends, vendors and members of the auto racing community. If you have any inquiries or business matters regarding the upcoming racing season they ask to please be patient for the next two days until they are back in business and the office phone number of (916) 969-7484 is restored.

Coons biggest winner in Copper on Dirt - HD Staff - February 16, 2008.- Phoenix, AZ. ...Jerry Coons Jr. won the USAC sanctioned Copper on Dirt Silver Crown race Saturday night at Manzanita Speedway. The win paid Coons $10,500. Bud Kaeding finished second followed by Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Shane Cottle, and Tracy Hines. (Summary). ...Companion features for sprint cars and midgets were won by Cottle, and Darren Hagen. (Practice highlights at JackSlash.com).

Lasoski big winner at Volusia - By Tony Veneziano - February 10 , 2008 - Barberville, FL. ...Over the course of the last week, Danny Lasoski was plagued with some bad luck on the track and also was under the weather off the track, battling the flu for a majority of the 37th Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. The 2001 Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion received the perfect remedy Sunday night, leading all 30-laps of the finale at Volusia Speedway Park to earn the 81st A-Feature win of his career. For Lasoski, it was his 17th career win at the half-mile, but the first in an Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event. “It’s very gratifying to come down here with my own car and win,” said Lasoski, who piloted the American Compressed Steel JEI. “I couldn’t do it without my friends, Tony Ross at American Compressed Steel and Ron Ditzfeld. They helped pay the way down here. I am very proud of my guys. My dad helped build this car at home and we just had great guys behind us.” (Read the whole deal)

Not to be Outdone: Meyers Wins at Volusia Speedway Park - Barberville, FL— February 9, 2008--By: Tony Veneziano, World of Outlaws PR Director - Jason Meyers came close to winning on the first night of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park and again on the third night, battling with Donny Schatz in both of those contests. The pair found themselves dueling yet again on Saturday night, and this time Meyers was not about to be outdone, as held off Schatz to earn his first A-Feature win of the 2008 Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series season. (Read it all)

Dollansky wins WoO season opener - HD Staff - Barberville, FL. - February 8, 2008 - Driving the Larry Woodward owned #2 car, Craig Dollansky won the season opening night of racing for the World of Outlaws. Dollansky had a great Friday night - starting with a quick qualifying effort over a 46 car field at Volusia Speedway Park. He also finished second in his heat and second in the dash. Following Dollansky at the checkered flag was Donny Schatz, Terry McCarl, and 23rd starting Lance Dewease. Jason Meyers finished fifth with Chad Layton, Joey Saldana, Chad Kemenah, Daryn Pittman, and Tim Kaeding completing the top ten. (Read the WoO report)

Wayne Johnson slaps star studded field on low groove - HD Staff - Barberville, FL. February 6, 2008. ...Wayne Johnson used the bottom of Volusia Speedway Park's rubber-down racetrack to steal a victory from Danny Lasoski and Sam Hafertepe Jr in the second night of All-Star winged sprint car action Wednesday. Johnson, from Mustang OK, went from third place to the point on lap 20 with his low groove maneuver. “I was trying to pass Hafertepe but I got such a good run I just drove past them both.  I was kind of shocked myself.  I knew we could run around the bottom when nobody else could, so I was just saving my tires when all those guys were running up in the rubber.” ...Hafertepe finished second and Lasoski was third. 24th starting Craig Dollansky ran all the way up to fourth, with Donny Schatz fifth. (Read the All-Star race report and summary.)

Schatz wins first night Volusia All-Star show - HD Staff - Barberville, FL. 02/05/08 ...Donny Schatz won Tuesday night's All-Star Sprint Car program at Volusia Speedway Park. The Fargo, North Dakota driver started from the pole and won the feature over Jason Meyers, Steve Kinser, Lance Dewease, and Daryn Pittman. Craig Dollansky drove the Larry Woodward owned #2 to a sixth place finish. Completing the top ten were Joey Saldana, Kraig Kinser, Chad Kemenah, and Sam Hafertepe Jr. ...See pictures at Hoseheads.com

Cajun Jason Johnson wins Laney Memorial - HD Staff - Tampa, FL. February 2, 2008 - ...Eunice Louisiana's Jason Johnson took home $10,000 after his win in the Ronald Laney Memorial King of the 360's feature event Saturday night at East Bay Raceway Park. Gary Wright finished second followed by Terry McCarl, Travis Rilat, and Kenny Adams. (Summary)

Racing underway in Florida. Hafertepe, McCarl, Adams already winners - By Bobby Gerould - Rocklin, CA. - February 1, 2008. ...Three nights of winged sprint car racing have been contested in Flordia with Sam Hafertepe Jr., Terry McCarl, and Kenny Adams finding the winner's circle. Hafertepe's win came in the season opener for the All Stars at North Florida Speedway, with McCarl, and Adams picking up up preliminary wins in the ACSC National event - The King of the 360's at East Bay Raceway Park. Saturday's ASCS final is part of the Racer's Racing Series.

Kaeding, Padjen among Sprint Car Hall inductees - KNOXVILLE, IOWA  (January 25, 2008)  -  The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame announced the names of its twelve inductees for 2008.  The individuals will be inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame on Saturday afternoon, May 31st, during the nineteenth annual ceremonies on the Marion County Fairgrounds in Knoxville, Iowa.  The inductees are: Drivers:  Tony Bettenhausen (Sr.), Glenn Fitzcharles, Brent Kaeding, Johnnie Parsons (Sr.), Earl Wagner, Kramer Williamson. Owners-Mechanics-Builders-Manufacturers-Car Sponsors:  Bob Hampshire, Doug Howells, Gordon Schroeder. Promoters-Officials-Media Members-Event/Series Sponsors:  Louis “Rusty” Espinoza, Dick Jordan, John Padjen. ...According to National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum Foundation executive director Thomas J. Schmeh, “Nine of the twelve inductees are living, which presents us with another great opportunity to honor people within their lifetime.  The 72-member National Induction Committee has done another outstanding job of nominating and electing some of the greatest achievers in our sport.  The induction banquet will be a great time to reflect back on the accomplishments of those veterans that have gone before us like drivers Tony Bettenhausen, Sr., and Johnnie Parsons, Sr., and builder/manufacturer Gordon Schroeder.  And then we’ll have the opportunity to honor modern era achievers such as multi-time champion drivers Glenn Fitzcharles (United Racing Club), Brent Kaeding (Northern Auto Racing Club, Golden State Challenge Series), Earl Wagner (Knoxville Raceway), and Kramer Williamson (United Racing Club, Williams Grove Speedway), owner/mechanics Bob Hampshire (All Star Circuit of Champions, United States Auto Club) and Doug Howells (American Sprint Car Series), and promoter/sanctioning officials Louis “Rusty” Espinoza (California Racing Association), Dick Jordan (United States Auto Club), and John Padjen (West Capital Raceway, Silver Dollar Speedway,  Golden State Challenge Series, California Civil War Series).  The induction banquet, to be emceed by Dr. Pat Sullivan on Saturday, May 31, will be a very special event for many people!” Those seeking more information on the 2008 NSCHoF induction weekend, May 30-31-June 1, are encouraged to visit the museum’s web site at www.sprintcarhof.com.  Those seeking more information on the May 30-31 winged sprint car races at the Knoxville Raceway, including the Friday night Masters Classic for drivers age 50-plus, should go to the legendary half-mile dirt track’s web site at www.knoxvilleraceway.com.

Gardner star of stars at Chili Bowl - By Bobby Gerould - January 12, 2008, Tulsa, OK. - Damion Gardner scored an impressive 50 lap win in the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals at the Quik Trip Center Saturday night. The Concord, California racer wound up the best of 274 entrants at the annual race that attracts great drivers from the USA, Canada, and Australia. Lap eleven provided what turned out to be the winning pass as Gardner moved by Josh Ford to take command of the race. "The car was really good when it was pretty tacky all the way across, but it was getting really slick to a curb.  And it was right after a yellow, I got in a little too hot and caught the edge of it and spiked it up.  I just tried to keep it straight, and when we landed Dave (Darland) was alongside me but he was on the slick and probably gonna get no traction.  From then on, I just entered a little lower and tried to put in good smooth laps rather than fast ones." (Quotes courtesy Lonnie Wheatley). Dave Darland finished second with Shane Cottle, Bryan Clauson, and Jon Stanbrough completing the top-five. (Read the official results and story)

Shane Stewart to drive Roth Motorsports #83 in 2008 - By Tony Veneziano - December 19, 2007 - Fresno, CA. ....Shane Stewart ran an outlaw schedule in 2007, competing from coast-to-coast in a couple of different cars, winning a career high number of races along the way. In 2008, he will be a World of Outlaws schedule chaser as he will team up with Roth Motorsports. Stewart, the 2005 WoO Rookie of the Year, won 17 total races in 2007, including with the series at Grays Harbor Raceway in Washington in late August. He was also victorious in the Knoxville 360 Nationals at the famed Knoxville Raceway in Iowa, as well as winning seven events with the Northwest Sprint Challenge Series, including four in-a-row to close out the season. He was also the 2007 Northwest Sprint Challenge Series Speedweek champion. Victories also came for Stewart at Skagit Speedway in Washington, in the Skagit 360 Nationals, as well as another win at Grays Harbor in the Fred Brownfield Memorial. He was also triumphant at the storied Eldora Speedway with the All Star Circuit of Champions, as well as during Ohio Speedweek at Wayne County Speedway, also with the All Stars. The car will sport the familiar Roth Motorsports No. 83 with Dave Whitworth as the crew chief and Dean “Bonzai” Bruns joining the team as the car chief. “I’m really excited to get back on the Outlaw tour full-time this season,” said Stewart. “It will be the first chance I’ve had to work with Davey and Bonzai, so I’m really looking forward to it.” In World of Outlaws action in 2007, Stewart earned five Top-10 finishes in just a handful of starts, including two consecutive strong runs to conclude the season at the inaugural Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway. “Dennis and Teresa Roth have always put a competitive car in the field as long as they have been racing so it’s a great honor to drive this car for them,” said the native of Bixby, Oklahoma. The Roth Motorsports team finished a very solid third in World of Outlaws points in 2007 on the strength of six A-Feature wins with former series champion Danny Lasoski behind the wheel. “We are very happy to have Shane Stewart driving for Roth Motorsports,” said team owner Dennis Roth. “With the changes we have made in our racing program, we feel this will be a great opportunity for both of us to have a successful season in 2008.”

All HammerDown! Team announced - December 9, 2007. …Rocklin, CA. …The fifth annual All-HammerDown! Team was announced today. 40 drivers are honored yearly as the best in the world of sprint car, midget, and champ-dirt car racing. The team is based on the point standings of the Racer’s Racing Series, with automatic berths given to champion drivers in six prominent racing series’. “Were I a driver – I would be proud to make this list” said Bobby Gerould – editor of HammerDownUSA.com. “Making the All-HammerDown! Team means you are a driver that performed well at big National races or you were a champion of a really hard series to win.” Mirroring the infusion of youthful talent racing in the United States, eight drivers made the All-HammerDown! Team for the first time in their careers. First time selections include young stars Lucas Wolfe (21), Brady Bacon (17), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (20), Billy Wease (21), Brad Sweet (21), and Bobby East (22). Veteran drivers earning their first All-HammerDown! certificate are Greg Wilson and Jeff Shepard. Meanwhile, 15 racers own the distinction of being on the squad for five straight seasons (since the inception of the All-HammerDown! Team in 2003). That elite group of drivers includes, Dave Darland, Daryn Pittman, Brooke Tatnell, Tim Kaeding, Shane Stewart, Danny Lasoski, Donny Schatz, Joey Saldana, Terry McCarl, Jac Haudenschild, Chad Kemenah, Paul McMahan, Jason Meyers, Bud Kaeding, and Steve Kinser. (Read the entire release)

Advance Auto Parts named as WoO title sponsor - By HD Staff and Tony Veneziano - December 7, 2007 - The World of Outlaws sprint car series has a title sponsor for their 30th anniversary season in 2008. Advance Auto Parts just became the favorite auto parts store of sprint car fans everywhere by stepping up to back the 'Greatest Show on Dirt'. Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts is the second-largest retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, based on store count and sales. As of October 6, 2007, the company operated 3,228 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The company serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets. The Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series™ begins its 30th Anniversary celebration season on February 8th during the Florida DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. The series features more than 20 full-time national competitors in 850-horsepower winged sprint cars, including 2001 champion Danny Lasoski, 20-time champion Steve Kinser and 2006 and 2007 two-time defending champion and Tony Stewart Racing driver Donny Schatz.

USAC names Kevin Miller President - HD Staff & Dick Jordan - December 5, 2007 - Speedway, IN. ...The United States Auto Club named former MOPAR Motorsports head Kevin Miller as their new President. USAC also announced that Jason Smith has been appointed senior vice-president of racing operations, reporting to Miller. “USAC is excited to start a new era with Kevin and Jason on board”, stated Johnny Capels, USAC Chairman. “Kevin brings a proven track record of business success and marketing passion to USAC. His leadership will be the foundation for the next 50 years of our organization. Jason has a great history with USAC that I am confident will meld successfully with Kevin’s vision. It is a team I am excited about.” ...“I am thrilled at the opportunity presented to shape the future of USAC and solidify their leadership position in grassroots open wheel racing across America,” said Miller. “USAC has the heritage, brand, teams and drivers that define true passion in racing today.” ... About Kevin Miller: Miller has spent the last 23 years at Chrysler, with his most recent role as a Senior Manager of Brand Strategy, Performance Parts and Motorsports. Miller’s background and passion helped to broaden Mopar’s involvement beyond drag strips into oval track racing. He led the development of Mopar’s initial V-8 aluminum block, which today can be found powering many USAC teams. In 2002 Kevin led an initiative to relaunch the Mopar brand, which included building strong brand ties to Tony Stewart Racing, Don Schumacher Racing and Oakley.

Darland tops Turkey Night midgets. Santos drives Toyota to first Sprint Car win - HD Staff - Irwindale, CA. November 22, 2007. ...Dave Darland captured top honors at the Turkey Night Grand Prix Thursday night at Irwindale Speedway. The Indiana driver was followed across the finish line in the 98-lap race by Kasey Kahne, Bobby East, Mike Murgoitio, and Garrett Hansen. ...In the companion Sprint Car race on the paved half-mile - Bobby Santos III wheeled the Western Speed Toyota to victory - marking the first ever feature win for Toyota's new 360 cubic inch engine. Ryan Kaplan finished fifth to wrap up the 2007 USAC Western Sprint Car championship. (Midget summary)

Meyers wins 2007 Trophy Cup - continues his strong late season - By Bobby Gerould - Tulare, CA. November 17, 2007. ...Jason Meyers doesn't want the racing season to end. Meyers added the 14th annual Trophy Cup to his list of big wins that includes the Short Track Nationals (Little Rock, AR.), and the opening night of the World Finals at Charlotte. Aboard his own Elite Racing/Primerica #14 Meyers accumulated the most points over the two nights of winged 360 sprint car racing at the fast, 1/3-mile high banked clay oval. Joey Saldana would have scored the most points but his heat race disqualification for not going directly to the scales cost him the Cup. Saldana finished as the second highest points earner followed by Shane Stewart, Roger Crockett, and Brent Kaeding. Racer's Racing Series points were awarded to the top 15 in the final Trophy Cup event point standings.

Steele strong at Phoenix International - HD Staff - November 8, 2007 - Avondale, AZ. - Dave Steele proved his pavement prowess again with a win in the USAC National Midget feature on the mile at Phoenix International Raceway Thursday night. The event was a points earning race in the Racer's Racing Series. Billy Wease led from lap three to lap 20 but he was overtaken by Steele on a lap 21 restart. Bobby Santos III finished second with Kody Swanson driving home third in his first start on the mile. Bobby East, and Wease completed the top-five. (Read summary)

Bud Kaeding steals Perris Oval Nationals - HD Staff - November 3, 2007 - Perris, CA. ...Bud Kaeding made a last lap pass of Casey Shuman to earn the $30,000 winner's share at the Perris Oval Nationals Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway. The dramatic, high-side turn two, pass - after the white flag, provided a fantastic finish. It was Kaeding's third career win in the Oval Nationals - making him the only driver to have accomplished such a feat. Shuman finished second, with Brady Bacon third. Bacon was impressive - coming from 15th on the starting grid after transferring through the B-Main. Friday prelim winner - Jesse Hockett was fourth at the stripe with Scotty Weir completing the top-five. (Read Andrew Kunas' report)

Meyers - Short Track Nationals winner - By Lonnie Wheatley, LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (October 27, 2007) – For 38 laps on Saturday night, it seemed an almost certainty that Oklahoma's Shane Stewart would reach victory lane in the 20th Annual O'Reilly Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires 40-lap championship finale at I-30 Speedway. But California shoe Jason Meyers had other ideas in the $76,600 feature event, sneaking up on the race-long leader and swiping the lead with the white flag in sight and then emerging from a furious last-lap duel with Stewart to post a dramatic $20,000 triumph in the prestigious event sanctioned by the O'Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour National series. Meyers' triumph aboard the Elite Landscaping/Primerica Financial Maxim, utilizing a Charlie Garrett powerplant supplied by Jeff McCall, made the driver of the No. 14 entry the 14th different winner in STN history before a capacity crowd. (more)

Madsen stays hot - wins Perris. HD Staff - Perris, CA. October 21, 2007 ...Kerry Madsen won the World of Outlaws feature event at Perris Auto Speedway Saturday night. The Australian driver of the Selma Shell #11h has been quick of late - scoring a third in the Princeton National, and a fifth at last week's Dave Helm Memorial. At Perris - the "Mad Man" was followed by Friday night Manzanita winner Danny Lasoski, Jason Solwold, Donny Schatz, and Jason Meyers. (more)

Schatz starts icing career year with Tulare triumph - By Bobby Gerould - Tulare, CA. October 13, 2007 - Donny Schatz scored a convincing win in Saturday night's Dave Helm Memorial - sanctioned by the World of Outlaws at Thunderbowl Raceway. On a night that saw the checkered flag fly at 9:03 pm - Schatz won his eleventh Racer's Racing Series points earning feature - and his 19th on the WoO tour. The Fargo, ND 30 year-old led every lap on the (washboard-soft due to rain) clay, 1/3-mile, high banked oval. Jason Sides finished second and Tim Kaeding was third. Ronnie Day and Kerry Madsen completed the top-five finishers. 42 cars attempted a time-trial lap. (More)

Schatz wins RRS - Princeton WoO, TK nabs Fall Nationals at Chico - HD Staff - October 7, 2007 - Racer's Racing Series points leader Donny Schatz won the annual Princeton National last night at Princeton Speedway in Minnesota. The World of Outlaws sanctioned event was led by Chad Blonde before he jumped the cushion and smacked the wall on lap 28. Schatz finished ahead of Joey Saldana, Kerry Madsen, Tim Shaffer, and Justin Henderson. ...At Chico's Silver Dollar Speedway - the three-day Fall Nationals concluded with Tim Kaeding snaring his 45th career win at the high-banked quarter-mile clay oval. Colby Wiesz was second followed by Andy Forsberg, Bud Kaeding, and Jon Allard. (More on Chico)

Schatz wins Williams Grove National Open for fourth time - By Bobby Gerould - Mechanicsburg, PA. September 29, 2007 - Donny Schatz, at age 30, matched Steve Kinser's record of four Williams Grove National Open wins with a convincing victory Saturday night at a jammed to-the-maximum Williams Grove Speedway. Schatz led all 40 laps aboard his Parker-Store #15 J&J/Shaver tuned by Ricky Warner, and 'Dyno' Dave Lawrence. The victory padded the Fargo, ND team's pockets by $50,000. Todd Shaffer, the Williams Grove Speedway 2007 champion finished second in the Beam #88 JEI, with Lance Dewease driving home third in the Wirtgen sponsored #30c J&J. Danny Lasoski advanced 12 positions to finish fourth in the Roth Motorsports JEI, and Greg Hodnett was fifth in the Kline J&J. (summary)

Coons, Ballou, Stenhouse, Saldana are Eldora stars - By Bobby Gerould - Rossburg, OH. September 22, 2007 - Four Crown weekend at Eldora saw the World of Outlaws open the show Friday night followed by the three premier USAC divisions Saturday. Winners were veteran drivers Joey Saldana (WoO), and Jerry Coons Jr (Silver Crown), and youngsters Robert Ballou (Sprint Cars), and Ricky Stenhouse Jr (Midgets) . Saldana's win left Donny Schatz with a 35 point lead in one of the closest races for the World of Outlaws championship in series history.

WoO week sees Schatz and Pittman win - HD Staff, September 18, 2007 - After leaving California - the World of Outlaws made the cross country trek to Spencer, IA where Donny Schatz won the feature event on Wednesday September 12th. Schatz continued his success at Heartland Park in Topeka, Kansas with another victory Friday night. Sunday - Daryn Pittman won the at Charter Raceway park in Beaver Dam, WI. ...Schatz extended his lead in the WoO standings to 53 points over Joey Saldana. ...Next up for the barnstorming series is a fifth 2007 appearance at Eldora Speedway Friday night. The event will be taped by Speed TV.

Saldana golden in wild Chico - By Bobby Gerould - Chico, CA. 09/08/07 - Joey Saldana's success reached a new plateau Saturday night at Silver Dollar Speedway when he drove Kasey Kahne's #9 winged sprint car to victory in the World of Outlaws sanctioned Gold Cup Race of Champions. Coming one night after a brilliant 12th to first run in his preliminary feature - Saldana's weekend of work was worth $55,000! Jon Allard challenged Saldana and passed the race long leader on lap 21 of 40. However, a red flag flew before Allard and Saldana reached the start finish line to complete the lap. That meant Saldana was back in front for the restart. The finish of the race saw Jac Haudenschild try to drive around Saldana on the 'rubbered-up' quarter-mile clay oval. Saldana never faltered and won the race by a car length. Allard had the right rear tire pop on his Morrie Williams #0 just after accepting the white flag. He limped his car home to a tenth place finish. Brad Sweet scored his career best Gold Cup finish with a third place effort for Gary Perkins in his #6P. ...Tim Kaeding earned the final berth into the feature with an amazing run the B-Main after winning the C-Main. (Read Tony V's WoO report)

Partial Chico All-Time Win List - By Bobby Gerould - September 3, 2007 - For the last couple of years in my spare time I have tried to compile a list of feature winners in the Open-Wheel division at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California (USA). I was curious as to who might be the biggest winner in the history of the quarter-mile clay oval. My goal was to have the list ready for publication the week of the Gold Cup. Here it is - and while not complete - the list is very solid in the modern era of sprint car racing at Chico (which was really my primary concern). I was able to compile this list through the use of old programs from my family collection, and from the collections of Brian Sperry, and the Holtsman Family. Next - I used Kevin Eckert's Open Wheel Times web site to fill in more holes in the list. Finally - I was aided by Steve Turnross, Tom Herseth and Marty Kobata who provided dates and winners from their collection of Racing Wheels newspapers. The list will be updated further as any new results become available. ...The findings? (Click here)

Lasoski sweeps Calistoga WoO shows - By Bobby Gerould - September 2, 2007 - Calistoga, CA. ...Danny Lasoski became just the ninth driver in the 70 year history of Calistoga Speedway to win ten feature event races when he completed a weekend sweep Sunday night. The World of Outlaws sanctioned victories on Saturday and Sunday were both worth $10,000 apiece. The Sunday night race was among the better 'rubber-down' main events we have witnessed. Lasoski and Jason Meyers traded the lead in traffic with Lasoski settling in at the point for good on lap 18 of 25. Meyers finished second on the half-mile dirt track - followed by Daryn Pittman, Jason Sides, and Joey Saldana. ...Brent Kaeding wrapped up the 2007 Scarborough Trophy as Calistoga's track champion. ...Craig Dollansky had quick-time Sunday night. ...Justin Henderson suffered second degree burns to his face and elbow when his car caught fire at the end of his first time-trial lap. (Read the WoO report)

Saldana tightens WoO points race with Cottage Grove win - HD Staff - Cottage, Grove, OR. - August 29, 2007 - Joey Saldana reduced Donny Schatz' World of Outlaws points lead to 32 markers with a feature event win at Cottage Grove Speedway Wednesday night. Saldana also broke the track record - turning the first nine second lap in the history of the track. Saldana whipped the Kasey Kahne Racing #9 around the bullring dirt track in 9.991 seconds. Schatz was the feature event runner-up with Tim Shaffer completing the podium. (Read Tony V's WoO report)

Dollansky Wins Big at Skagit - Alger, WA—Aug. 25, 2007--By: Tony Veneziano, World of Outlaws PR Director. - It not only takes a fast car, but also a little luck to win a World of Outlaws event. Craig Dollansky experienced a little bit of both on Saturday night, to earn his third A-Feature win of the season and the healthy $25,000 pay check that went along with it.After running in the Top-Three for the entire race, he took advantage of Steve Kinser’s misfortune, as the 20-time World of Outlaws champion suffered a mechanical failure in the driveline of his car. At this time, Dollansky was right behind Joey Saldana and quickly powered his way to the lead on the high side of the track as Saldana momentarily lifted off the throttle.“It’s great to win a race like that,” said Dollansky, driver of the Karavan Trailers Maxim. “This is a great effort by the entire team. My crew chief Mike Woodring, Matt Hill and Lester (Groves) have been working hard and it’s great to get a win.” (Read it all)

Ballou wins Shuman Classic, ten grand - By Lonnie Wheatley, KANSAS CITY, Kan. (August 18, 2007) – Robert Ballou put the wraps on the Third Annual O'Reilly Sprint Bandits Tour 'N Topless Midwest Swing by posting a commanding victory in Saturday night's $10,000-to-win 30-lap Ron Shuman Classic at Lakeside Speedway. Ballou wired the field for his third consecutive TNT win of the week and earned a share of the Sprint Bandits TNT Midwest Swing championship, as he and Tim Kaeding ended up knotted atop the point charts to become TNT co-champions splitting first and second place money of $2,500 and $1,500 to earn $2,000 apiece. After winning Friday night's preliminary feature to earn the pole position for Saturday's finale, Ballou gunned into the lead at the outset on Saturday night and led throughout aboard the Don Ott-powered MPHG Promotions No. 81 Maxim to post his fourth career series victory. (Read it all)

Stenhouse in the house. Silver Crown Illinois RRS points to young star - HD Staff - Springfield, IL, August 18, 2007 - Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won the USAC Silver Crown Tony Bettenhausen 100 Saturday at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The traditional race paid $11,000 to win, and earned Stenhouse 70 points in the Racer's Racing Series. Billy Wease, Bud Kaeding, Paul White, and Shane Cottle completed the top five finishers. Kaeding's third place run propelled into the points lead of USAC's premier series. (Read it all)

Schatzville! Donny repeats at Nationals - HD Staff - Knoxville, IA. August 11, 2007 - Donny Schatz of Fargo, ND won his second straight Knoxville Nationals Sprint Car championship Saturday night at Knoxville Raceway. Schatz led every lap of the 30 contested on the wide half-mile clay track. The only challenge to Schatz came on lap 18 when Terry McCarl drove deep into turn one, sliding near Schatz' machine in turn two. Schatz kept his foot in the throttle and drove away from McCarl down the back chute. Joey Saldana later passed McCarl to earn runner-up honors. McCarl settled for third, with Craig Dollansky fourth, and Paul McMahan fifth. ...Sam Hafertepe Jr. was the Nationals Rookie of the Year. His eleventh place finish in the B-Main was the best among first year Nationals participants. (Read Tony Veneziano's report)

2007 Knoxville Nationals Preview - By Bobby Gerould - August 7, 2007. ...Previewing the Knoxville Nationals is now a tradition on HammerDownUSA.com. It is time again for the running of the biggest sprint car race of the year. The four-day (August 8-11) purse for the event is over $900,000. The 30-lap feature event scheduled for Saturday night carries, alone, a purse of $472,000! The winner takes home $150,000. (The Saturday night racing will be broadcast live on SPEED channel at 9 pm EST.) (Read the entire preview here.)

Sean Michael scores big at Port, Shane Stewart wins 360 Nationals - HD Staff - August 6, 2007 - Sean Michael won $30,000 in the Dream Race Extreme at Port Royal Speedway in Pennsylvania Saturday night. The top prize was the biggest in the history of the track. Meanwhile in Knoxville, Iowa - Shane Stewart won the 360 Nationals' $10,000.

BK earns 13th GSC title, Coons Belleville star, McCarl waves - wins. - HD Staff - July 30, 2007 - A big weekend of racing wrapped up with Brent Kaeding being crowned the King of California for the 13th time in his illustrious career. Kaeding lassoed the championship with a strong second place finish Saturday at Chico, CA. Brent's boy - Tim Kaeding won the 30-lap finale. ...Jerry Coons Jr. scored the biggest win in outdoor midget racing with an impressive drive at the Belleville High Banks in Belleville, KS. The Belleville Midget Nationals win was the second in Coons career which puts him in a select group of drivers with more than one Midget Nationals trophy. The others are: Stan Fox, Sleepy Tripp, Steve Knepper, Kasey Kahne, Dave Darland, and Josh Wise. Grass Valley, CA driver Brad Sweet led the first 12 laps and was running second before a problem sent him to the pits. ...Finally, Terry McCarl passed and then waved to Donny Schatz in a ESPN2 televised World of Outlaws feature event from KC Raceway in Alma, OH. The Racer's Racing Series points earning event was highly entertaining!

Schatz hotter than summer - wins Williams Grove Summer Nationals - By Tony Veneziano, World of Outlaws PR Director. ...In the last week, Donny Schatz has accomplished what countless drivers spend an entire career trying to do. He began by winning the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway last Saturday night, earning $50,000 and followed that up with a win in the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup at Lernerville Speedway on Wednesday to pocket $30,000. He extended his win streak to three in the opener of the Cleveland Brothers Summer Nationals Presented by Advance Auto Parts at Williams Grove Speedway on Thursday. On Friday night, he finished sixth, but learned a number of valuable things that helped him cap off the week with a win in the finale of the Summer Nationals, which paid $20,000. (Read it all)

Schatz again at Silver Cup - By Bobby Gerould - Sarver, PA. - July 18, 2007 - Donny Schatz added another $30,000 to his winnings with a dominant drive in Wednesday night's rain delayed Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup at Lernerville Speedway. The Fargo, ND pilot also won the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway four nights prior. That event paid $50,000. ...Craig Dollansky was the Silver Cup runner-up - with Daryn Pittman beating Steve Kinser by inches for third. (Read the WoO report)

Larry Burton. The Roseville Rocket - By Bobby Gerould - Rocklin, CA. July 4, 2007 - Larry Burton - one of the best racers to ever turn a wheel in Northern California, and Nevada passed away of cancer earlier this week at the age of 73. Burton won a Gold Cup, and five track championships at West Sacramento, CA's Capital Speedway. A born hustler, Burton had a quick-wit and an easy smile. You may have seen pictures of Burton representing the USA at races down under in Australia. He was among the first 'yanks' to make the trip during our winter months; traveling to the Sydney Showgrounds in January 1967. Burton also won a track title at Roseville, CA. in 1955. He was the Superior Racing Association champion in 1956, and the Auburn Speedway track champ in 1958.

Haudenschild & Hodnett score RRS wins - HD Staff - June 30, 2007 - Jac Haudenschild won the World of Outlaws sanctioned Duel in the Dakotas Saturday night while Greg Hodnett was the man at the Kevin Gobrecht Memorial at Linclon Speedway. The events in North Dakota, and Pennsylvania respectively were points earning races in the Racer's Racing Series. Read the Fargo WoO results here. Read the Lincoln results here.

Schatz best at Black Hills - By Tony Veneziano - Rapid City, SD. - June 25, 2007 - Donny Schatz used plenty of patience and perseverance on Monday night to earn his eighth A-Feature win of the season. He waited until the last lap of the 35-lap contest to pass Kerry Madsen for the lead and ultimately the win at Black Hills Speedway. It was his first win since May 25, exactly one month ago. The reigning World of Outlaws champion also endured a couple of delays in the racing program to rework the track. After time trials were completed on Monday night, the track crew reworked the 3/8-mile to provide a better racing surface for the heats races. They came back out after the second heat race to remove rocks from the track that had cut down several tires, as well as struck a couple of drivers, and thus rework the surface for a second time. (Read it all)

Wimmer wins the biggest prize - snares $25,000 for Dirt Cup win - HD Staff - June 16, 2007 - Alger, WA. ...Brandon Wimmer of Fairmount, IN scored his biggest career win by far when he won Saturday night's Jim Raper Memorial Super Dirt Cup at Skagit Speedway. The 21 yar-old - driving his first week for car owner Roth Motorsports (#83 jr.) - passed Jon Allard in traffic on lap 35. Allard, Roger Crockett, Brent Kaeding and Shane Stewart completed the top-five in the Racer's Racing Series points earning event. (More from Skagit Speedway)

Saldana wins Eagle Nationals - HD Staff - June 9, 2007 - Eagle, NE. ...Joey Saldana won the Eagle Nationals sanctioned by the World of Outlaws Saturday night at Eagle Raceway. Saldana earned maximum points in the Racer's Racer's Series for the feature win. The Kasey Kahne Racing driver is now tied with Donny Schatz for most feature wins in the World of Outlaws with seven. Jac Haudenschild, Brooke Tanell, Danny Lasoski, and Jason Meyers completed the top-five. Kerry Madsen raced from 23rd on the starting grid to seventh at the checkered flag. (Read the WoO report)

Saldana Conquers Kokomo to Win Hoosier Sprint Nationals - Kokomo, IN—June 5, 2007--By: Tony Veneziano, World of Outlaws PR Director ...Joey Saldana began his sprint car racing career on the short tracks of Indiana, and Kokomo Speedway was one of his frequent stops, since he lived only an hour from the ¼-mile. He first visited the track on a number of occasions as a spectator and then as a competitor. He won at the track in the past, but always wanted to be victorious in a World of Outlaws event at the bullring in his home state. On Tuesday night he visited Victory Lane for the first time with the World of Outlaws at the track in the Hoosier Sprint Nationals holding off Donny Schatz and Jason Meyers. (Read it all)

Carl Edwards wins Dirt Late Model race at Eldora. Jeff Gordon runs third. ...ROSSBURG, Ohio (June 6, 2007) – Carl Edwards won the NEXTEL Prelude to the Dream presented by Old Spice dirt late model race June 6 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. Edwards won the 30-lap race on the half-mile oval by .305 of a second over Kyle Busch. Jeff Gordon finished third. “That’s just unreal,” Edwards said. “To win this race in front of so many folks is unreal. Everyone I know is watching it at home on HBO Pay-Per-View. They have people who bought it and they are all going over to their house. I’m sure everyone enjoyed it. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to be able to support the Victory Junction Gang Camp and doing something this fun. It’s awesome.” (read it all)

Paul McMahan wins WoO at Eldora - HD Staff - June 2, 2007, Rossburg, OH. - Paul McMahan won his first World of Outlaws feature event of the season Saturday night at Eldora Speedway. Jason Solwold finished second followed by Dean Jacobs, Daryn Pittman, and Jason Meyers. The race was a points earning event in the Racer's Racing Series.

Jon Allard earns first career Calistoga feature win - By Bobby Gerould - May 27, 2007 - Calistoga, CA. ...Despite multiple wins at racetracks throughout California and Washington, and a Golden State Challenge championship, Chico's Jonathan Allard had never won a feature race at Calistoga Speedway. That changed Sunday night as Allard led all 25 laps of the 24th Tribute to Gary Patterson. Allard withheld Brent Kaeding for the victory. Sean Becker finished third followed by Ronnie Day, and Jason Statler. Bud Kaeding started 15th and finished sixth driving a Dan Simpson backup car. Bud's Wright One Construction #35 was a late scratch before the feature. ...Brandon Wimmer crashed hard into the turn two fence when his front suspension failed on the opening lap of the Dash.

Schatz Wins Eckerd Outlaw Showdown - Concord, NC— May 25, 2007--By: Tony Veneziano, World of Outlaws PR Director - Donny Schatz won a preliminary feature at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 2000, the first year the World of Outlaws raced at the state-of-the-art facility. He been trying every since to return to the winner’s circle at the 0.4-mile track and did exactly that on Friday night, as he took the lead from Paul McMahan with just four laps remaining to earn the $10,000 top prize. Schatz lined up in the fifth spot for the 30-lap event. McMahan took the lead on the opening lap after a red flag led to a complete restart. McMahan began to pull away early before a series of yellow flags and another red flag bunched the field. On each subsequent restart, he shot to a sizeable advantage with Schatz doing all he could to keep up. (read it all)

Brent Kaeding winning like crazy in Golden State - by Gary Thomas - Tulare, CA. May 19, 2007. - When you’re hot you’re hot, and Brent Kaeding is on fire after claiming his fifth main event win in the last six Golden State Challenge Series races this past Saturday night during the Chris & Brian Faria Memorial at the Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway. Dating back to last year it is the Campbell veterans fifth consecutive Golden State Challenge win at Thunderbowl Raceway and is the 75th overall of his GSC career. The 12-time King of California had an immaculately prepared car from Billy Albini & the hogs as he dominated much of the middle stages of the race en route to extending his lead in the GSC points standings. (Read it all)

Schatz takes RRS points lead with WoO win at Williams Grove - By Bobby Gerould - Mechanicsburg, PA. May 18, 2007 - ...Donny Schatz passed Danny Lasoski on lap 21 of 30 Friday night to win the feature event at historic Williams Grove Speedway. Schatz, from Fargo, ND, also moved into the points lead in HammerDownUSA.com's Racer's Racing Series. Steve Kinser passed Lasoski on the final lap to take second place. After Lasoski's 'show' finish, Paul McMahan, and Todd Shaffer completed the top-five on the half-mile red-clay racetrack. Impressive runs were also turned in by Jason Meyers and Jac Haudenschild. Meyers drove his Elite racing #14 to seventh place from 22nd on the 28-car grid. `Haud wound up 13th after starting 24th. (Read the WoO report).

Steve Kinser gaining momentum - wins Lernerville WoO - Sarver, PA-May 15 2007--By: Tony Veneziano, World of Outlaws PR Director. ...Steve Kinser's dominated on Tuesday night at Lernerville Speedway. Whether he was in open race track or the couple of times he hit lapped traffic during the A-Feature, he continually added to his advantage en route to the win in the First Commonwealth Bank Clash and a $10,000 payday. The victory was his 16th career A-Feature win at Lernerville Speedway and his 536th with the World of Outlaws. He began the night by handily winning the fourth heat and followed that up with a convincing win in the Crane Cams Dash. He thus started the 35-lap A-Feature from the pole position for the first time this season. Tim Shaffer jumped to the second spot on the opening lap and began to chase Kinser. Just as the pair was about to enter lapped traffic, the caution flag flew on the fifth lap. Kinser used a strong restart to pull away, as he led every lap on his way to his third A-Feature win of the season. "It feels good to win here," said Kinser, driver of the Q Oil Maxim. "We had a good race car all night. We went out and qualified pretty good. We had a good draw in the dash that helped as well. As good as everyone is running right now, you have to really start at the front." (Read it all)

Brent Kaeding pockets six grand in Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial - May 12, 2007 - Chico, CA. ...Brent Kaeding knows Silver Dollar Speedway better than any driver. Saturday night, the Campbell, CA living legend showed all why he owns 12 Golden State Championships with a wire-to-wire win in the 40-lap Dave Bradway Jr Memorial. The victory earned Kaeding his fourth Bradway trophy, a cool $6,000, and the points lead in the tour that dertermines the 'King of California'. "Lap Money" was offered for the first three spots on each tour of the high-banked quarter-mile clay oval. $2,000 of BK's $6,000 came from the 'lap money' pool. The win was also Kaeding's series-high fourth A-Main victory of 2007. Brad Sweet finished second and ran there the entire event. Sweet's payday is near $3,000. Andy Forsberg crossed the line in third place followed by Trevor Green and Colby Wiesz. (Read Troy Hennig's story)

Meyers Wins Missouri High Banked Nationals - Osborn, MO—May 11 2007--By: Tony Veneziano, World of Outlaws PR Director ...One of the most valuable skills that Jason Meyers has learned over the years on the road with the World of Outlaws is how to quickly adapt to race tracks that he has never seen. He did exactly that on Friday as he paid his first visit to U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Missouri for the Second Annual Missouri High Banked Nationals, earning his second A-Feature victory of the season. Meyers, a native of Clovis, California began the night by turning the fifth fastest lap in time trials. He followed that up by finishing second in first heat to earn a spot in the Crane Cams Dash, which he won to earn the pole position for the 40-lap event. “This entire Elite Racing Team has been doing a great job,” said a smiling Meyers. “Charlie Garrett has been working hard on our motors lately and it’s paying off. I can’t thank him enough for his hard work. He told me the other day that he wants to win a race at Williams Grove this year, so hopefully we can go out there next week and get him one.” Meyers led wire-to-wire in the 40-lap A-Feature, enduring a number of late cautions in the process, including one with two laps to go that allowed Tim Kaeding to close up on him. A strong restart gave Meyers the advantage he needed to pull away as he charged into the first turn and pulled away to win by more than a second. (Read it all)

Sites we frequent

Hoseheads.com / Jack Slash / John Padjen Motorsports / John's Racing Photos / Midget Madness

Open Wheel Times / Race Fan Radio / TJ Slideways / Umbrella Girls / USAC Racing / World of Outlaws

Disclosure

HammerDownUSA.com is independently owned and operated by HammerDown! Promotions. Editor Bobby Gerould is employed by Winnercomm - which produces telecasts for the World of Outlaws. Gerould is an independent contractor with the following: Napa County Fair Association (Calistoga Speedway), Thunderbowl Raceway, MotorSport Video, World Racing Group (DIRTcar), and Ron Sutton's Winners Circle Racing Team, Sponsors of this web site include J&J Auto Racing, Hunt's Race World, Steve Smith Autosports, Premier Racing Entertainment, Eldora Speedway and Sprint Car & Midget Magazine.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 4:06 PM

Chico winner's list updated!

Driver Index