Countdown to Las Vegas 2009-02-21

Countdown to the World of Outlaws Return to Las Vegas: 5 Days

Concord, NC-- February 21, 2009--The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series returns to The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Thursday, February 26. The series has competed at the half-mile in 11 different seasons dating back to 1996. For 11 consecutive days the events from each of those years will be highlighted in chronological order, continuing today with the series five races at the half-mile in 2002.

Johnny Herrera picked up his first win in Las Vegas taking the top spot in the preliminary feature to open the Silver State Shootout on February 28. Herrera was running third when leader Craig Dollansky and runner-up Danny Lasoski collided with each other. Sammy Swindell, the three-time series champion, finished second, with 20-time series champion Steve Kinser fourth, Jac Haudenschild fifth and Joey Saldana sixth. Other current World of Outlaws drivers that competed in the event included: Jason Meyers and Donny Schatz.

The second preliminary night saw Mark Kinser lead all 25 laps to pick up the win over Swindell and Steve Kinser. Jason Meyers was fifth, with Danny Lasoski sixth and Joey Saldana eighth. Also in action were Schatz, Haudenschild and Dollansky.

Steve Kinser picked up the $20,000 top prize in the finale of the three-day event, taking the lead from Sammy Swindell on the fifth lap and holding off a late charge by Joey Saldana. Lasoski was fifth, with Schatz seventh Meyers eighth and Swindell 10th. Also in action were Dollansky and Haudenschild.

Mark Kinser continued his mastery of The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to close out the 2002 campaign, leading all 25 laps to pick up the win in the opening night preliminary feature. Steve Kinser was second, with Craig Dollansky third, Sammy Swindell fifth, Danny Lasoski sixth, Jac Haudenschild seventh, Jason Meyers eighth, Joey Saldana ninth and Donny Schatz was 11th. The night began with Randy Hannagan setting a new track record in qualifying, turning a lap of 13.915 seconds.

Steve Kinser capped off his 17th World of Outlaws championship in fine fashion, leading all 25 laps of the 2002 season finale at Las Vegas. Dollansky was fourth, with Swindell fifth, Schatz sixth and Saldana seventh. Also in action were Lasoski, Meyers and Haudenschild.

For tickets for the World of Outlaws return to The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Thursday, February 26 visit www.lvms.com or call 1-800-644-4444.

-credit: woo