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Drivers look to shine in season finale

World of Outlaws Ready to Shine in Inaugural Outlaws World Finals History will be made this weekend with the inaugural Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway, as the World of Outlaws will compete with the World of ...

World of Outlaws Ready to Shine in Inaugural Outlaws World Finals

History will be made this weekend with the inaugural Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway, as the World of Outlaws will compete with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series for the first time ever. The finale of the three-day event will be broadcast live on SPEED on Saturday, November 3 from 8-11 p.m. Eastern.

The World of Outlaws and World of Outlaws Late Model Series have collectively competed on 16 of the same tracks over the course of the 2007 season. Both began the year at Volusia Speedway Park during the Florida DIRTcar Nationals, with the World of Outlaws competing for three consecutive nights, followed by two nights for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. A total of 118 events have been contested by the two series, with countless thousands of miles traveled coast-to-coast, with it all culminating this weekend.

Many World of Outlaws drivers keep in touch with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series drivers during the season and will have the opportunity to see their counterparts compete this weekend in person. One driver that has a vested interest in the full-bodied machines is 2001 World of Outlaws champion Danny Lasoski. The native of Dover, Missouri is friends with several of the late model drivers and keeps in contact with them throughout the season.

"I am excited for it," said Lasoski, driver of the Roth Motorsports JEI of the inaugural Outlaws World Finals. "We never get the chance to run with the likes of (Rick) Eckert, (Scott) Bloomquist, (Billy) Moyer and all of those guys. That will be a lot of fun. They come out and watch us and we watch them whenever we can, and it's exciting to go out there."

Joey Saldana, who is second in World of Outlaws championship point standings, is also looking forward to competing on the same bill as the late models. While he may not personally know any of the drivers personally, and has never even sat in a late model, he is excited to see them compete.

"We'll definitely go and watch the late models," noted Saldana, driver of the Open Joist JEI. "They put on a good show. You are going to have to pay attention to what they are doing, because the track will change a lot. I'm sure that not only will we pay attention to them, but they will pay attention to us. I hope they have a really good track that we can pass on, and we can show what we can do as an organization and our cars put on a good show."

With the season winding down, the inaugural Outlaws World Finals will be one of the last chances that fans will have to see dirt track racing this season. Steve Kinser, the 20-time World of Outlaws champion, is quick to point out that dirt track fans of all ages will have the opportunity to see a truly unique event this weekend, and while sometimes sprint car fans and late model fans are very territorial, they will all gather for the historic event.

"I think it will be fun for everybody," said Kinser, driver of the Q Oil Maxim. "I always enjoy watching the late models run and we don't get to see them very often. I think everybody will watch everybody down there. It's that time of the year, where it's the last one of the year and everybody is trying to get their fix before the end of the year."

Reigning World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz is on the cusp of winning his second consecutive World of Outlaws title this weekend. While he is quick to note that the fans will see a great show, he is completely focused on wheeling his familiar No. 15 to victory lane.

"We enjoy watching the late models, but when we are at the race track watching sprint cars, that's what we are focused on, sprint car racing and no other class of cars, as are they," noted Schatz, driver of the ParkerStore J&J. "They are professional racers and we are professional racers and to have everyone together is a big bonus for the fans."

Another interested observer of the late models will be Terry McCarl who has won twice this season in World of Outlaws competition. He won at Knoxville Raceway, where he is a six-time track champion, as well as at K-C Raceway in Ohio, two tracks that both the sprint cars and late models competed at. He is friends with Rick Eckert, the all-time winningest driver in the World of Outlaws Series, along with former series champion Billy Moyer, who was born in Des Moines, Iowa, just down the road from McCarl's hometown of Altoona.

"Anyone that is a race fan like myself will enjoy both," said McCarl, driver of the Big Game Treestands Eagle. "I enjoy everything from Formula One down to go-karts. If you are a race fans, it's a great opportunity and a great ticket price to see the best of both worlds. There will be a lot of outside guys coming in to run with us and I imagine a lot of outside guys running with the late models, so it's a great chance for the fans. They can be the judge of which one they like better. I enjoy watching late models. They put on a good show."

Craig Dollansky who has won three time this season with the World of Outlaws and also had promoted a couple of events, knows that the fans will have a great opportunity this weekend to see some of the best dirt track racing in the world.

"It will be some exciting racing and definitely something different for us all to finish the season up with the Late Model Series," noted Dollansky, driver of the Karavan Trailers Maxim. "There will be a lot going on out there all weekend. I would imagine you'll see a few of those guys roaming around if we get close enough to each other and vice versa. I'm had the chance to see them once or twice and definitely enjoyed seeing them race. It should be a neat event."

Jason Meyers, a four-time winner this season with the World of Outlaws is excited for the event and knows the fans will see a very thrilling three nights of racing. He also is excited for his sponsors and his team that the event will be broadcast live on SPEED. This will be the 20th World of Outlaws event televised this season, with 12 of those on SPEED and eight on ESPN2.

"It's a neat thing what they are trying to do, by bringing everything together," said Meyers, driver of the Primerica Financial Maxim. "Hopefully things go well. It's one of the biggest events that has ever been put together in dirt track racing. It should be exciting for the fans."

On Thursday, November 1, adult tickets will be $10, with tickets for children ages 12-under $5. For ticket information call: 1-800-455-3267 or visit: www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

On Friday, November 2, adult tickets will be $35, with tickets for children ages 12-under $10. For ticket information call: 1-800-455-3267 or visit: www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

On Saturday, November 3, adult tickets will be $35, with tickets for children ages 12-under $10. For ticket information call: 1-800-455-3267 or visit: www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

-credit: woo

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