Series Dodge City pre-event notes, quotes

Drivers looking forward to Boot Hill Showdown at Dodge City Raceway Park

Dodge City, KS--June 11, 2009--The World of Outlaws annual trip to Dodge City Raceway Park in Kansas for the Boot Hill Showdown is one event that many drivers look forward to each year and circle on their calendars for a variety of reasons. One of those reasons is that the series only visits the 3/8-mile once a year so there is just two chances to reach Victory Lane at the track. Also, the facility is one of the nicest and most modern on the World of Outlaws schedule. In addition the track provides for thrilling racing and the surface is always meticulously manicured. One last reason is that the cameras from SPEED will be on hand again this year for both nights of racing to capture all of the action for future broadcast.

The World of Outlaws have competed a total of eight times at Dodge City Raceway Park dating back to 2004, with seven of those being A-Feature events, along with one preliminary feature. Donny Schatz, the three-time and defending series champion, was victorious at Dodge City for the first time in his career last season, taking the lead late in the race on a restart from Daryn Pittman.

The Boot Hill Showdown on Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13 will serve as the World of Outlaws only stop of the season in the state of Kansas. Dating back to 1979, the series has contested 46 A-Feature events in the state.

In his career, Schatz has raced seven times at Dodge City Raceway Park and has finished in the Top-10 in all seven of those events, with five of those being Top-Five performances. He enters the event this weekend fresh off his seventh win of the season last week and is the current leader in the championship standings.

"We really do appreciate the support we get at Dodge City," said Schatz. "They have a first-class facility and always do a great job. When we only get to come to a venue once a year, it's important for us to have the best show we can. The fans always seem to come out and make it a fun weekend."

Joey Saldana, who was victorious in the opener of the Boot Hill Showdown last season, is the only driver that has won two A-Feature events with the series at the track. The native of Brownsburg, Indiana, who is fourth in points, has finished third or better in four of his last five starts at the track.

"We've been pretty fortunate there," said Saldana. "We won a race there in '06 and again last year. It's a great facility and it's neat that there is a facility that nice in the middle of Kansas. That's the type or facility I wish we had all over the United States. That's why we look forward to going to Dodge City."

Saldana battled Craig Dollansky, who is now his teammate at Kasey Kahne Racing, for the win last season at the track, trading the lead a couple of times. Four different drivers led laps last season at the track and in the eight events for the series at the track dating back to 2004, 10 different drivers have led laps in feature events.

"The fans want to see good close racing and passing," Saldana noted. "That track definitely suits sprint cars well and we have always put on a good show. It hasn't mattered it is was wet or slick, we have put on a good show. It definitely was built for sprint cars."

Danny Lasoski, the 2001 World of Outlaws champion, is a two-time winner at Dodge City Raceway Park. He won both races at the track in 2005, with the opener being a preliminary feature and the finale an A-Feature. In seven career starts at the state-of-the-art 3/8-mile, he has finished in the Top-10 every time.

"I'm definitely looking forward to going to Dodge City," said Lasoski. "That is such a nice facility and with it being a TV race that adds even more to it. I've run well there in the past and won, so I am looking forward to racing there for Lonnie Parsons and this team."

Kraig Kinser came close to winning at Dodge City in 2005, when he battled Lasoski in the opener at the track. The Indiana native led the first 21 laps of the race before finishing second. In his debut at the track in 2004 he finished a very solid fourth.

"Dodge City is a really nice facility and we've seen races there be on the high side, low groove and through the middle," shared the third generation driver. "It's about being in the right place at the right time. Our consistency in qualifying has continued to keep us in a position to be competitive and we'll need that again this weekend."

On Friday, June 12 at Dodge City Raceway Park, tickets will be $30 if purchased in advance and $40 the day of the race at the gate. A two-day ticket is also available if purchases in advance for $60. For tickets visit dodgecityraceway.com/tickets or call the track at 620-225-3277.

On Saturday, June 13 at Dodge City Raceway Park, tickets will be $30 if purchased in advance and $40 the day of the race at the gate. A two-day ticket is also available if purchased in advance for $60. For tickets visit dodgecityraceway.com/tickets or call the track at 620-225-3277.

-credit: WoO