O’Reilly Auto Parts presents the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series hosted by Kasey Kahne at Royal Purple Raceway on February 27
BAYTOWN, Texas — February 18, 2016 — The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas on Saturday, February 27 as O’Reilly Auto presents the World of Outlaws hosted by Kasey Kahne. The event will mark the series’ first visit to the quarter-mile bullring since 2011. The stop at Royal Purple Raceway will serve as the fifth race in the 90-plus race campaign for the series.
A special invitation-only “Meet & Greet” will be hosted by Kahne on race day and those who purchase race tickets in advance before Tuesday, February 23 will be eligible to have their names entered into a random drawing to win a spot. A total of 250 names will be drawn on February 23 for a chance to meet Kahne. Selected fans will be notified via email or phone. More information on how to enter is available at www.slspromotions.com.
The last time the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series raced at Royal Purple Raceway in 2011, three-time series champion Sammy Swindell was victorious. The Hall of Famer took the lead from Chad Kemenah on the ninth lap and remained out front for the remainder of the 40-lap contest to score his first A-Feature win and second overall victory with the series at Royal Purple Raceway. Swindell, who drives for the CJB Motorsports team, based out of Pennsylvania, will be in attendance and racing on Saturday, February 27.
Donny Schatz, the seven-time and defending World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint car Series champion, is the winningest active full-time driver with the series in A-Feature events at Royal Purple Raceway. The North Dakota native earned his first win at the track in 2005 and followed that up with another victory in 2007. Joey Saldana and Jason Sides are also past winners at Royal Purple Raceway with the Outlaws.
A total of six different drivers have won at Royal Purple Raceway with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in 12 A-Feature events. Steve Kinser, the 20-time series champion, who stepped away from full-time racing, following the 2014 season, leads all drivers with five victories at the track. Mark Kinser, who claimed two World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series titles, won twice in his career at Royal Purple Raceway.
Leading the way into the event at Royal Purple Raceway on Saturday, February 27 is Brad Sweet, who drives for Kasey Kahne Racing. Sweet was victorious in two of the opening three races for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in Florida. The Californian was the only driver to finish in the top-five in all three races in Florida. Along with his two wins, on opening night and in the finale in Florida, Sweet finished second in the second race of the season. The 30-year-old is the current series point leader.
Daryn Pittman, the 2013 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion, who is Sweet’s teammate at Kasey Kahne Racing, is fourth in points, with a pair of top-five finishes, including a runner-up performance on opening night. Pittman was fastest in time trials in two of the first three races this season.
Saldana led laps in the finale in Florida, en route to a third-place finish. The veteran driver, who pilots the No. 83 machine for the Roth Motorsports team, is currently tied with Pittman for fourth in the standings.
Schatz scored a win in Florida on the second night of the season and is currently seventh in points, just six markers out of the top-five. Shane Stewart, who finished second in points last year, is ninth in points, just 20 markers out of the top-five. The veteran driver picked up a pair of top-10 finishes in Florida.
David Gravel, who is in his first season driving the No. 5 for the CJB Motorsports team, rounds out the top-10 in points. The young driver finished fourth in the finale in Florida and has a pair of top-10 finishes. Paul McMahan is just eight points out of the top-10 in points, with one top-10 finish thus far in 2016.
Also on tour this season with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series this season is Jason Johnson, the reigning Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award winner, who is a past winner on multiple occasions at Royal Purple Raceway in ASCS (American Sprint Car Series) competition.
The Shark Racing team of Logan Schuchart and Jacob Allen will be making their first trip to Royal Purple Raceway. Greg Wilson, a contender for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award this season, will be making his second appearance at Royal Purple Raceway, as he competed in the 2011 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series event at the track.
Clyde Knipp, an 18-year-old from California, Missouri, who will be contesting a majority of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series tour in 2016, will be making his first visit to Royal Purple Raceway.
A full racing program is on tap for Saturday, February 27 as O’Reilly Auto Parts presents the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series hosted by Kasey Kahne, beginning with hot laps, followed by time trials, heat races, dash and main event that will pay $10,000 to the winner.
Three ways are available to fans to purchase tickets. First, participating local O’Reilly Auto Parts locations are offering a special $5 discount on tickets. Tickets can also be purchased from Royal Purple Raceway by calling 281-383-7223 or online at www.royalpurpleraceway.com. Finally, tickets can be purchased online at http://slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling 815-344-2023.
For more information leading up to O’Reilly Auto Parts presents the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series hosted by Kasey Kahne and how to enter the drawing to win a spot at the Meet & Greet with Kasey on race day, visit www.slspromotions.com.
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