Last season the World of Outlaws were basically embarrassed at
Williams Grove Speedway.
Pennsylvania Posse stars Greg Hodnett and Cody Darrah swept the
four WoO sanctioned events held at the Monroe Township oval held
last year.
And it’s a safe bet that the Outlaws will return to Williams
Grove this week for the annual spring invasion with their elbows
up and ready to kick some Posse butt.
It will be an interesting showdown at the Grove as there really
has not been one dominating driver so far this season in Central
PA. Many drivers have said they are struggling with the new
Goodyear tires. And will that make a difference when trying to
set back the traveling pros?
Jason Meyers and Joey Saldana lead the Outlaws into town with
four wins apiece but it’s the King of the Outlaws-Steve Kinser
who enters this weekend’s two-night showdown as the series
points leader for the first time in recent memory.
Kinser, who has been dethroned at the top of the Outlaw tour by
Donny Schatz, who has won the last four titles, has some
new-found life this season driving for Tony Stewart Racing,
alongside Schatz, who enters the weekend fourth in points, 87
behind the leader. Kinser has two feature wins this year.
Kasey Kahne Racing drivers Saldana and Paul McMahan swept WoO
events at Eldora Speedway last weekend and could be up front at
the Grove. But Saldana has struggled to find the Grove to his
liking in recent races and has taken some hits in the point
standings because of his lack of success at the Grove.
Others winners on the tour this season include Schatz, Jason
Sides and Jac Haudenschild.
Greg Hodnett and Fred Rahmer lead drivers in the area with
three wins apiece and it was Hodnett who set the Outlaws back
three times in 2009, including a $50,000 payday in the Williams
Grove National Open.
Hodnett has struggled to find the fast groove on a consistent
basis this season, although he does enter the weekend as the
Williams Grove Lawrence Chevrolet points leader.
Two good runs this weekend could help pad his points lead as the
J & S Fabrication team are looking to bring home the big prize
at the end of the season.
Aside from Rahmer and Hodnett, 13 other drivers have notched a
feature win in Central PA this season out of the 22 features
run.
So the big question remains, will the Posse step up to the
plate and keep the streak going or will good fortune return to
the Outlaw teams this season. We will find out Thursday and
Friday night when time trials begin at 7:45pm both nights.
PIT STOPS
Nicole Bower became the first ever female to win a sprint car
feature at Williams Grove Speedway as she won last Friday’s 358
Sprint car feature. Bower, who bowls on a nationally ranked team
at Delaware State University led all 20 laps in impressive
fashion. Bower is also dabbling in 410 sprint car events this
season at Port Royal…
Brooke Tatnell will be in the area this weekend driving the
Clair Wintermyer owned No. 3W sprint car. Tatnell has never won
at Williams Grove. Chris Shuttlesworth took over the driving
duties of the car last weekend, replacing Kyle Moody.
Shuttlesworth will race in at least one Outlaw show while both
drivers plan to be racing at Lincoln on Saturday night…
Daryn Pittman had a fine sixth place finish with the Outlaws at
Eldora on Saturday night driving a Tom Buch owned sprinter.
Pittman also qualified for Friday’s event, finishing 20th. The
team will compete at Williams Grove and Virginia Motor Speedway
this weekend…
Tyler Walker, who replaced Pittman in the Keen Motorsports
sprinter failed to qualify Friday night at Eldora and did not
race Saturday, as he headed to back to California for medical
reasons. Walker is expected to return for this weekend’s action…
Lucas Wolfe had a season best runner-up with the Outlaws Friday
at Eldora and a 10th on Saturday. Wolfe has moved into ninth in
WoO points…
Jack Frazier, the voice of Silver Spring Speedway, passed away
on Friday at the age of 85. Frazier was a longtime staple at the
now defunct racetrack. Frazier was a life long member of EMMR
and was a member of the York County Racing Club as well…
Nate Snyder will pilot the Heffner Racing No. 27 this weekend
at the URC/358 Sprint Challenge at Selinsgrove Speedway. The
race pays $3,500 to win…
The World of Outlaws late models make their one and only
appearance of the season Saturday night at Hagerstown Speedway…
Port Royal canceled both All Star shows over the weekend and
will host the All Stars for the Bob Weikert Memorial on June 5
for a $5,000 to win event…
