So you've just seen your first World of Outlaws event and you're
totally confused, right? What's a heat race? Why did the cars race
around the track before time trials? How come my favorite driver wasn't
in the final race of the night? And who are these guys, and why is
there a wing on the roof of their cars? You've come to the right place.
DIRT 101 aims to put your mind at ease:
Who are the World of Outlaws?
The World of Outlaws are the premier sanctioning body for winged sprint
car racing in the world, and are comprised of sprint car drivers from
across the country and the world. The series was founded by the late
Ted Johnson in 1978, giving winged sprint car racer’s somewhere to
compete with uniform rules and guaranteed purse money.
How long is the season?
The season traditionally opens in early February in Florida and
concludes in early November. The 2007 season will wrap up with the
inaugural Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor
Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, November 1-3. the event will also
include the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. Races take place
from coast-to-coast and on dirt tracks ranging in size from a ¼-mile to
a 5/8-mile. The schedule usually consists of about 85 events and is
considered one of the most grueling in all of motorsports worldwide.
What is a sprint car?
A sprint car is a purpose built open-wheel race car, that must weigh at
least 1,375 pounds with the driver in the car. The 410-cubic inch
engine is fueled by methanol, and produces approximately
850-horsepower.
Why is there a wing on the top of the car?
A large wing on top of the car with sideboards that face opposite
directions help to produce a great amount of downforce to help keep the
car planted on the track and turn in the corners. The wings also help
to absorb energy in the case of the car getting airborne in an
accident. Top wings became prominent in the early 1970’s. Sprint cars
also are equipped with nose wings.
Where do the World of Outlaws race?
The series races from coast-to-coast. Some of the most well-known
tracks on the circuit include: Eldora Speedway in Ohio, Knoxville
Raceway in Iowa, Silver Dollar Speedway in California, and Williams
Grove Speedway in Pennsylvania. The schedule usually consists of about
85 nights of racing, including preliminary and A-Feature events.
How much does the winner of a World of Outlaws event earn?
The winner’s share of the purse depends on the length of the racing
program. Generally, the winner of a standard one-day show will pocket
$10,000. In some events, the winner might collect up to $50,000.
Why are the cars pushed to start?
Sprint car do not have starters in them, so a push truck are used to
fire the engine, and get the car in-gear. A sprint car only has an
in/out direct drive, no reverse gear.
What driver’s began their careers with the World of Outlaws?
Dave Blaney, the 1995 series champion, who now races in the NASCAR
Nextel Cup and Busch series. Kraig Kinser, 20-time champion Steve
Kinser’s son. Kraig was the 2004 series Rookie of the Year, and now
races in the NASCAR Busch and Craftsman Truck Series. Kasey Kahne, who
drives in the NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series, and also owns the car
driven by Joey Saldana.
How does a World of Outlaws race program take shape?
- Hot Laps
- Time Trials
- Heat Races
- Dash
- B-Main (C-Main or D-Main depending on car count)
- A-Feature
Race Night Glossary
A-Main (or Feature) – The final race of the night which decides
who is the over-all winner. Depending on the size of the track the
A-Main can be from 25-40 laps, which is predetermined before the event.
B-Main – This is a driver’s final chance to make it into the
A-Main. Depending on the number of heat races run, the top 4 (or in
some cases more) cars will transfer into the main event. The B-Main is
usually 8-12 laps in length.
Dash – The fastest 10 cars in qualifying that transfer to the
A-Feature through their heat race are guaranteed a spot in the dash.
Their starting position in the A-Feature is determined by their finish in the dash,
which generally is a six-lap race.
Heat Race (or Heat) – An 8-12 lap race (the distance is
determined by track) that determines which cars will move on to the
A-Feature or B Main. The top five cars in the heats transfer to the
A-Main, when there are four heat races. If there are three heat races,
then the top-four transfer.
Hot Laps – A session held prior to time trials. This session is
run in groups. Each car is assigned to a group prior to this session.
During this practice session each car is allotted 3 or more laps (the
number depends on the size of the track) at speed in order to ensure
that their car is ready for qualifying.
Inversion: The Top-24 cars in time trials are inverted in the
heat races, meaning that the fast qualifier starts in the sixth-spot in
the first heat. The second fast qualifier starts in the sixth-spot of
the second heat. The third fast qualifier starts in the sixth spot in
the third heat, and the fourth quick qualifier starts in the sixth spot
in the fourth heat (when four heats are run). The fifth fastest
qualifier starts fifth in the fourth heat, as the formula works it way
back to the first heat and then back to the fourth heat again, filling
in the rest of the Top-24, with the 21st fastest qualifier
starting on the pole position of the first heat. The rest of the cars
are lined up by time, in alternating heats (1-4) from 25th-on back (See layout below).
Setting the Field for World of Outlaws Heat Races with a 24-car inversion
Example — 38 car field
Qualifying
- 19
- 1Z
- 1X
- 35
- 9
- 36
- 21X
- 8
- 7
- 5B
- 21
- 18T
- 24
- 11D
- 15
- 15K
- 6
- D1
- 20W
- 5
- 17G
- 10C
- 96
- 13
- 15H
- 7W
- 69
- 44X
- 12M
- 71R
- 18
- 4
- 53
- 57
- 6B
- 71X
- 20
- 44K
Heat 1
Row 1 13 6
Row 2 15K 7
Row 3 8 19
Row 4 15H 12M
Row 5 53 20
Heat 2
Row 1 96 D1
Row 2 15 5B
Row 3 21X 1Z
Row 4 7W 71R
Row 5 57 44X
Heat 3
Row 1 10C 20W
Row 2 11D 21
Row 3 36 1X
Row 4 69 18
Row 5 6B
Heat 4
Row 1 17G 5
Row 2 24 18T
Row 3 9 35
Row 4 44X 4
Row 5 71X