News & notes 2007-03-04

World of Outlaws News & Notes

Concord, NC -- March 4, 2007 -- Donny Schatz became the first repeat World of Outlaws A-Feature winner on Saturday night in the Cactus Classic at Manzanita Speedway. The weekend began with 20-time Champion Steve Kinser picking up his first win of the season at USA Race Park in Tucson. In the first seven events of the season, six different drivers have claimed checkered flags, with 10 driver leading laps in A-Feature events.

Lucky Sevens

Through the first seven events of the season, seven different drivers have set fast time. The same number of drivers have, claimed dash wins to earn pole positions. Seven drivers have also claimed wins in the B-Main.

A New Track

Craig Dollansky set a new track record last Friday night at USA Race Park, as he toured the semi-banked 3/8-mile oval in 12.624 seconds. The original track record of 13.127 seconds was set by Terry McCarl in the series first visit to the track in 2006. Kerry Madsen shattered the 10-year old track record at the storied Manzanita Speedway on Saturday night, as he blasted around the half-mile in 15.235 seconds.

Front Runners

Donny Schatz leads the series with six Top-Five finishes in the first seven races of the year. Joey Saldana also has six Top-10 finishes, with four of those being in the Top-Five. Brooke Tatnell is the only other driver with six Top-10 finishes. A total of 18 drivers have at least one Top-Five finish on the year, and 22 drivers have at least one Top-10 finish.

Return Visit

The World of Outlaws will return to Houston Raceway Park after a year's absence on Friday March 16. Donny Schatz won at the track in 2005, when it was a 4/10-mile oval. Recently the track has been reconfigured and now measures a ¼-mile around. On Saturday March 17, the series will return to Pike County (Miss.) Speedway also after a year's absence. Steve Kinser won in the series last visit to the 3/8-mile facility.

-credit: woo