Ratbag Cup standings

Saldana leads Schatz in Ratbag Cup tandings.

MARION, IN (August 5)-- Ratbag, the official developer of the World of Outlaws video games for PC and Sony PlayStation2, is proud to announce the new lineup and current point standings for the Ratbag Cup 2002.

The Ratbag Cup is a season-long points battle that only involves televised Speed Channel events. Thus far, four events have taken place, two of which have been aired on Speed Channel and seven events remain in the total lineup of 11 races. Although there will be 12 total nights of racing aired on Speed Channel, the "Non-Qualifiers" racing program from the Mopar Parts Knoxville Nationals will not be included in the Ratbag Cup due to the expectation that all Ratbag Cup entrants will qualify for the final event.

Joey Saldana tied for fourth in last year's Ratbag Cup, but has set a fast-pace for all others in 2002 and currently leads the point standings with 34 points through four events. Points are accrued by finishing position of only the Ratbag Cup drivers. Saldana earned eight points in the Fargo preliminary, seven points in the Fargo finale, nine points at the Eldora Clash, and a perfect 10 points for winning the Kings Royal and beating all other Ratbag Cup competitors.

Donny Schatz returns to the Ratbag Cup after not being eligible for the 2001 competition due to his ranking out of the top 20 in the 2000 World of Outlaws standings. He's definitely made his presence felt, as he sits only one point behind Saldana with 33. Schatz earned nine points in the Fargo preliminary, 10 points while winning the Fargo finale, and seven points in each of the two Eldora races.

Craig Dollansky is the new blood to the Ratbag Cup, but he's nipping at and Saldana's and Schatz' heels with a total of 32 points thus far. Dollansky earned six points in Fargo's preliminary round, nine in the Fargo finale and eight points in each of the two Eldora rounds, placing him only two points out first place.

Also new to the Ratbag Cup this year is Brad Furr. Furr became eligible after drivers that finished above him in the 2001 World of Ouutlaws standings dropped off the tour and moved him into the top-10 eligible drivers. Unfortunately, Furr has not had a stellar debut in the Ratbag Cup races, and currently sits in 10th with 11 points after four events. Last year's Ratbag Cup champion, Danny Lasoski, currently sits in fifth with 21 points, just one ahead of 2001 runner-up Steve Kinser.

The Ratbag Cup 2002 will pay a total of $120,000 to World of Outlaws drivers and teams at the Awards Banquet in November. First place prize money is $25,000, second pays $15,000 and third receives $12,500, so the competition is fierce for this kind of payday.

2002 Ratbag Cup
Point Standings
(after four of 11 events)

Rank Driver Points
1. Joey Saldana 34
2. Donny Schatz 33
3. Craig Dollansky 31
4. Tim Shaffer 26
5. Danny Lasoski 21
6. Steve Kinser 20
7. Jac Haudenschild 18
8. Mark Kinser 13
(tie) Stevie Smith 13
10. Brad Furr 11

-woo-