The last time the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series competed in the Grand Canyon State was March 2009, when Chad Kemenah dominated the feature to claim the final checkered flag at famed Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix.
For the first time since a successful two-year stint at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2000-01, the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Cars will compete on a pavement track temporarily covered in dirt in 2013.
Back in February this night was a long way away. No one thought much about it. There were 81 races yet to be run. A summer yet to come filled with thrills spills and challenges.
In the shadow of the big track at Charlotte stands one of the fastest and most challenging dirt tracks in our country. It is known simply as the dirt track at Charlotte.
Whether slots, blackjack or sprint cars is an interest, the trio will be combined next March when the World of Outlaws STP Series returns to Las Vegas for the Outlaws in Vegas, Baby!
Saturday in Pevely Missouri was a storm of racing activity. Two make up dates for the World of Outlaws in a single day. The Iron Man A Main postponed by rain in August was first up and then the Spring Classic make up from earlier in the year were both set to be run on the same day.
Cold and damp. Those are the best descriptions for Rolling Wheels Raceway Saturday night. But cold has never been a deterrent for the Outlaws or their fans. Cold or not when the gates opened at 5PM New York time the crowds began to pour in. With hot laps on the track and not many empty seats seen there was still a line of traffic to get onto the raceway's grounds.
They say that history is fluid. They say it has ebbs and tides just like the ocean. If that is true then Donny Schatz is hitting high tide at the perfect time of the year, the end. But Donny Schatz has more than that in common with history.
On Monday, Joey Saldana was released from his driving duties with the No. 9 Great Clips / Sage Fruit / ASE sprint car for Kasey Kahne Racing, but will complete the remaining races on the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series 2012 schedule in the car.
