Shawano Speedway prepares for invasion of Outlaws
The outlaws are coming. No, the outlaws aren’t riding into town on horses, ready to wreak havoc on local citizens. Rather, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series will be pulling into Shawano on Wednesday, Aug. 4, to race at Shawano Speedway.
This special night of racing at Shawano Speedway will be one of the biggest races in the history of the Speedway. Shawano Speedway has held touring late model series events in the past, but this one has the potential to be the biggest. Not only will the late model portion of the show pay $10,000 to the winner of the 50 lap feature, but the local IMCA Modified drivers will be part of the show, with the winner of the 20 lap feature receiving $2,000.
For those not familiar with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, it is a series that travels the country racing from February through November. Some of the best dirt late model drivers in the country participate in World of Outlaws events.
“I think fans can expect to see arguably the most talented field of dirt Late Model racers in the history of Shawano Speedway,” said Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series public relations director. “Some of the country’s most talented drivers are World of Outlaws Late Model Series regulars, and with this race leading into the USA Nationals at Cedar Lake Speedway there’s no telling who else will come up to Wisconsin early and join the action. This event is setting up as one of the toughest World of Outlaws fields fans will see compete anywhere in the country this year.”
The Series has around 12 drivers who follow the entire tour including: Josh Richards (Shinnston, W. Va.), Tim McCreadie (Watertown, N.Y.), Darrell Lanigan (Union, Ky.), Steve Francis (Ashland, Ky.), Austin Hubbard (Seaford, Del.), Shane Clanton (Locust, Ga.), Rick Eckert (York, Pa.), Tim Fuller (Watertown, N.Y.), Chub Frank (Bear Lake, Pa.), Clint Smith (Senoia, Ga.), Russell King (Bristolville, Ore.) and Brent Robinson (Smithfield, Va.).
In addition to those World of Outlaws regulars, several other late models drivers from around the country have the race at Shawano Speedway on their schedules on their web sites. These drivers include: Brian Birkhofer (Muscatine, Iowa), Jeep Van Wormer (Pinconning, Mich.), Billy Moyer (Batesville, Ark.), Chad Simpson (Mt. Vernon, Iowa), Dennis Erb (Carpentersville, Ill.) and Wisconsin drivers Jimmy Mars (Menomonie) and Brady Smith (Solon Springs).
His schedule on his web site hasn’t been updated recently, but I personally spoke with Jason Feger, of Bloomington, Ill., at The Masters at Cedar Lake Speedway in June, and he stated he was planning on coming to the Aug. 4 race at Shawano Speedway. If he does indeed show up at Shawano Speedway, race fans are in for a treat. Feger’s nickname is “The Highside Hustler.” After watching him race, you’ll know why the nickname fits him. Feger is also fresh off of winning the grueling SummerNationals Tour.
Obviously, drivers’ plans can change at the last moment, so the above list of drivers could change. But it’s a good starting point as to the caliber of drivers fans can expect at this show.
Dale Hodkiewicz, race director at Shawano Speedway said the buzz he is hearing is fans are excited about the World of Outlaws Series coming to Shawano Speedway because a national touring series hasn’t been at the Speedway for awhile.
The last time a national touring series appeared at Shawano Speedway was in 2003, when the UMP SummerNationals Tour rolled into town on June 23, 2003. Scott Bloomquist won that race. The UMP SummerNationals also appeared at the Speedway on July 8, 2002, with Billy Moyer winning that race. The now defunct UDTRA Series made an appearance at the Speedway on June 25, 2001 with Bloomquist winning that race.
The Late Model track record was also set during the 2003 UMP SummerNationals event. Darren Miller had a qualifying lap time of 19.800 seconds. To the best of my knowledge, that’s the late model track record at Shawano Speedway.
“The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is very excited to be racing at Shawano Speedway for the first time since back on June 5, 1989, during the first incarnation of the tour that was run in 1988-89 under the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series founder Ted Johnson,” said Kovac. “We always love to take the series to new territory because it creates a more intense and exciting atmosphere – you know, that feeling among the fans that they just can’t miss this race because the Outlaws haven’t been to the area in such a long time.”
Tickets for the event are $25 and can be reserved ahead of time by calling the Speedway. To enhance the event, there will be no haulers parked in the infield pits, so fans will be able to see more of the track no matter where they sit.
“We are real excited,” said Hodkiewicz, “These are some of the top drivers in the country. We really hope people come out and enjoy the show. It’s been a long time since a program like this has been around.”
Keep checking this blog leading up to and the day of the Aug. 4 for more updates regarding this race.
See you at the track.