By: Ron Burt
Indoor Racing Kicks Off 2024
These next few weeks are big for indoor racing. The Tulsa Shootout set records for two new car entries in the 38th annual event. The Shootout in Tulsa, Oklahoma is the largest event for micro sprint racing in the world. Imagine sitting in the stands of a convention center and looking at the track infield with 1,666 cars waiting to take their turns to qualify in their respective classes. This year’s car count had 258 Outlaw Midgets, 390 Outlaw NW, 409 A Class, 426 Outlaw NW, 148 Rest, and 119 Jr. Sprints.
Next week I’ll have a full report on the Shootout as I follow Ohio driver Zac Wigal the 2023 USAC Thunder Midget Champion. Chad Boat and the CB Industries crew built a car especially for Zach to race at the 39th Shootout. He hopes this year to improve on his 11th place finish last year in the winged A-class feature. Zach will be running A-class wing and non-wing, and Outlaw non-wing this year. I will also be getting reports on our area Quarter Midget racers.
Indoor racing will stay in Tulsa for one more week for the 38th Annual Chili Bowl Nationals January 8-13th again at the Tulsa Expo Raceway. As of December 21st, the Midget car count is up to 350 entries from 42 states and 6 countries. So far 59 of the drivers have started past Chili Bowl National A Main’s. Out of the current 350 entries 69 are rookies and 3 are past champions. This year the Chili Bowl National will pay $20,000.00 to win.
The Chili Bowl National is unique being indoors, with truckloads of clay brought in to make the track. It’s become one of the crown jewels of racing over the years. It not only attracts Midget racers but also stars from NASCAR like Kyle Larson who’s won the prestigious race twice. Retired World of Outlaw Champion Sammy Swindell won the very first race 37 years ago when it all started in Lawton OK. Even though he’s retired as a driver he was one of the first to sign the entry form for this year’s event.
World of Outlaws Ready For 2024
The World of Outlaws will look a little different this year. Some of the top drivers have opted out of the series to run the High Limit Series to try and get bigger payouts. Depending on the events drivers will cross-over for special races. The WoO will kick off their 2024 season on February 7th at the famous Volusia Park Speedway in the sunshine state with 4 big nights of racing for the Bike Week Jamboree and will then head deep in the heart of Texas and for the first time doesn’t visit the historic Devils Bowl Speedway. The first track where the WoO series started has met the wrecking ball making way for a major business. After the Texas swing, the series will move to the upper Midwest making its way to Ohio. They race at Eldora on May 3rd and 4th. This starts a busy month in the Buckeye state. They will make stops at Attica, Sharon, Atomic, and Fremont Speedways. They’ll return to Ohio for the Famed Brad Dotty Classic at Attica Raceway Park Tuesday, July 16th. Then it’s back to Eldora for the Night Before July 19th and then The Kings Royal on July 20th. As the season winds down the WoO Series will make a late summer swing through the state starting September 27th at Wayne County Speedway in Orrville, then Sharon Speedway September 28th. The Outlaws wrap the 2024 season at the Dirt Track in Charlotte North Carolina November 6th-9th for the World of Outlaw Finals. Soon I’ll look at the High Limit Series and mention some of the drivers that have defected from the WoO to join Kyle Larson and High Limit Racing.
Keep your wheels down. Ron out! www.ohiosportsblitz@yahoo.com
