Outlaws will race in Texas

FORT WORTH, TX (September 12) -- The Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series will sanction the Second Annual O'Reilly Texas Showdown at the Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track Friday and Saturday as planned, series President Ted Johnson announced Wednesday.

"The World of Outlaws is deeply saddened by the Tuesday's sadistic attacks," Johnson said. "This is a horrible national tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. We're going to race to honor them."

The Pennzoil World of Outlaws Series and Texas Motor Speedway received many requests from fans urging them to race.

"It's the right thing to do," TMS General Manager Eddie Gossage said. "Any decision we made would be met with approval from some and disapproval from others. Auto racing is the most American of sports and our fans made it clear they want us to run these races. It will be a time for Americans to gather together, begin the healing process and show the world nobody can break us. We know the fans will want to show their patriotism, so we urge them to wear red, white and blue."

The Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track pit gates will open at 2 p.m. each day, with the spectator gates opening at 5 p.m. Hot laps will start at 5:15 p.m. and the green flag for the First O'Reilly Heat Race will fall at 7 p.m. each evening.

TNN: The National Network will tape Friday's preliminary program for a two-hour telecast scheduled to start Sunday at noon Eastern and Pacific Time.

-WoO