Dixie Speedway to host event

World of Outlaws Return to Dixie Speedway on March 31

Woodstock, GA--March 5, 2007 - For the first time since 1999, "The Greatest Show on Dirt," the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series will thunder into Dixie Speedway on Saturday night, March 31 for the "Hardee's Southbound Showdown."

Leading the way will be reigning series champion and Knoxville Nationals winner Donny Schatz. The native of Fargo, North Dakota has already won two races this season, and is the only repeat winner in seven events. He has finished in the Top-Five in all but one race so far in 2007. He won 17 A-Feature events last season en route to his title.

Also in action will be 20-time World of Outlaws Champion Steve Kinser. The native of Bloomington, Indiana scored his first win of the season on March 2. He currently has 534 career A-Feature wins with the series, and will look for his first win at Dixie Speedway.

Danny Lasoski, the 2001 series champion will also be in attendance, as he looks for his first win of the season. The native of Dover, Missouri, currently has 74 career wins, which is fifth best all-time. He enters the event solidly in the Top-10 in the points.

Joey Saldana, driving for NASCAR star Kasey Kahne will also be on hand. The 1996 World of Outlaws Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year is currently second in points, and won his first race of the season on February 23. Saldana won seven races last year in his first season with the team.

Terry McCarl, is currently third in the World of Outlaws Championship standings. He has five Top-10 finishes, with three of those being in the Top-Five. He won two World of Outlaws A-Feature events last season, along with a preliminary feature.

Adding an international flavor to the field will be Brooke Tatnell and rookie Kerry Madsen, who both hail from Australia. Tatnell is currently fourth in points and has finished in the Top-10 in six of the first seven events. Madsen, won on the second night of the season, and also is solidly in the Top-10 in points, as he will make his first start at Dixie Speedway.

Also making the trip to Dixie Speedway will be Minnesota native Craig Dollansky, who finished second in points last season. He is a former World of Outlaws Gumout Series Champion. Daryn Pittman, who was fourth in points last season, will also be on hand. The native of Owasso, Oklahoma opened 2007 on a high note, as he won the finale of the series opening trio of events in Florida.

Tim Kadeing, who won at the end of February in his home state of California, will be making his first appearance at the blazing fast 3/8-mile. Kaeding, a third generation sprint car star, is behind the wheel of the No.11K for the second straight year for Steve Kinser Racing.

Paul McMahan, driving for two-time NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart's team has been gaining momentum the last couple weeks. He recently won his first dash of the season to earn his first pole position, and is currently in the Top-10 in points. He will make his first start at Dixie Speedway on March 31

Other top contenders among the record number of cars following the series this season include: Becca Anderson of Delaware, the only full-time female driver with the World of Outlaws, second-year driver Jeremy Campbell of Michigan, Brian Carlson of Indiana, crowd favorite Jac "The Wild Child" Haudenschild of Ohio, second-year driver Justin Henderson of South Dakota, second generation driver Dion Hindi of New Mexico, reigning Rookie of the Year Chad Kemenah of Ohio, Jason Martin of Kansas, California native Jason Meyers, 1999 Rookie of the Year Tim Shaffer, 2003 Rookie of the Year Jason Sides, and Randy Hannagan of California.

A number of rookies will be in action including: Tony Bruce Jr. of Kansas, Zach Chappell of Oklahoma, Sam Hafertepe Jr. of Texas, Chad Hillier of Washington, and James Mosher of New Mexico.

Of the drivers that will be in action on Saturday night, March 31 in the "Hardee's Southbound Showdown," they have combined for over 830 career victories with the World of Outlaws and 22 series titles.

The Outlaws are equipped with 410 cubic inch, 800 horse powered engines that propel the "World's Fastest Race Cars" to speeds of up to 130 mph on the 3/8 mile clay oval. Each car sports a 25 square foot wing on top that helps to keep the 1200 lb machines on the race track as they battle two and three wide for over $70,000 in total prize money on March 31.

On Saturday, March 31, pit gates will open at 3 p.m., with grandstand gates opening at 5 p.m, and hot laps are set for 7 p.m.

Also in action along with the World of Outlaws will be Sportsman, Econo and Super Bombers, along with Cruisers.

Advance grandstand tickets for the event are available by contacting the track at: 770-926-5315. Adults are $27 and ages 9 -- 17 are $10, kids 8 years old and under are free. Grandstand tickets are also available at the gate on race day for $5 more. Trackside / Tailgate section tickets are $35 person and Pit Passes are $40 per person and are both available at the gate on race day only.

Dixie Speedway is located 1 mile west of I-575 or 6 miles east of I-75 on Hwy 92 in Woodstock, GA at 150 Dixie Drive. For more information visit the track's official website at www.dixiespeedway.com.

-credit: ds