Brooke Tatnell to debut 'Black Deuce'

Tatnell to Debut 'Black Deuce' in Outlaws' Opener

BARBERVILLE, FL (February 4) -- Brooke Tatnell is geared up and ready to drive Woodward Racing's #2 Volcano Joe's Maxim in this weekend's 2007 World of Outlaws season opener -- the 36th Annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speedshop -- at Volusia Speedway Park.

The only Australian driver to win a World of Outlaws "A" Feature has been preparing for this all winter, sharpening his skills racing "Down Under" where he has won five World Series Sprintcar championships.

"We've be doing OK down here," Brooke said recently. "We've been consistently quick. We should have won a couple more races. We're capable of better, but you're going to have off nights now and again."

Tatnell, who won five World of Outlaws feature races while driving for Rush Racing last season, became the first driver from "Down Under" to win in sprint car racing's premier series on August 18, 2003, at the Jetmore Motorplex in Jetmore, KS.

"We couldn't be happier to have Brooke drive our 'Black Deuce,'" Team Owner Larry Woodward said when he hired Tatnell last month. "Not only is he a world-class racer, he's also a great guy to have on our team. We're looking forward to seeing him race up front with the World of Outlaws in 2007."

Tatnell got off to a fast start when the World of Outlaws opened its 2006 season at Volusia Speedway Park, qualifying seventh-quick and passing eight cars on his way to a sixth-place finish in the Preliminary Feature. The San Souci, New South Wales resident finished sixth in the point standings with 48 top-10 finishes, including 31 in the top five.

Tatnell, a three-time Australia Sprint Car Poll "Driver of the Year," won three World of Outlaws main events in 2005. He received the series' Vivarin Perseverance Award following the 1999 season.

The #2 Volcano Joe's Maxim will be maintained by veteran sprint car crewmen Troy Renfro and Rob Beattie. Renfro, the team's crew chief, has 16 years of experience, while Beattie has been a mechanic for 10 years.

The 36th Annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speedshop will be run Friday through Sunday at Volusia Speedway Park, a 75-foot-wide, semi-banked, ½-mile oval.

-credit: wr