Williams Grove preview

Let the Battle Begin
World of Outlaws Invade Williams Grove Speedway

Mechanicsburg, PA--Everyone seems to have an opinion when it comes to racing at the famed Williams Grove Speedway and taking on the always tough Pennsylvania Posse. The World of Outlaws has been racing at the track since their inaugural season in 1978. As the Mean 15 drivers head into to "The Grove," for their first of three separate visits of the 2006 season, they are prepared for the battle that will be on their hands.

Drivers, crews, and fans alike all know the intensity level will be ratcheted up, and all the local drivers will be gunning to dethrone the Outlaws. This will provide the setting for some of the fiercest racing all season at the ½-mile oval on May 26 and 27.

Donny Schatz, who currently leads the World of Outlaws standings on the strength of a series-high four wins, is one driver that enjoys racing at Williams Grove, and has had a great deal of success battling the Pennsylvania Posse. Schatz driving the No. 15 Parker Stores J & J, has five career wins at "The Grove," including three in the prestigious National Open, the last two years, as well as in 2000.

"They have some of the best local cars in the country there," said Schatz of Fargo, North Dakota. "We enjoy going out there, and it's been one of the places we have been good at in the past. I'm excited to go out there, and get our heavy racing started for the season."

Brooke Tatnell, may call San Souci, NSW, Australia home, but he knows very well of the aura and history of racing at Williams Grove. He has many friends in the area that he will be racing against over the weekend, but he will not cut them any slack on the track.

"I lived out there for three months with Fred Rahmer, when I had no ride and no where to stay," said Tatnell, driver of the No. 8 Race Outfitters/Castrol Eagle. "Freddie took me in, gave me a place to stay and a place to work. You step it up every night of the week, and there is no one on this Outlaw tour that is a slouch."

Jac Haudenschild, currently is second in World of Outlaws points in the No. 35 Wright One Construction Maxim, and he enters the event with two wins on the season, including last Saturday at Sharon Speedway, in his home state of Ohio. He has raced many times at Williams Grove, and knows you have be on top of your game every night to make the feature and to finish well.

"The Pennsylvania guys are always tough and probably the toughest anywhere," Haudenschild said. "We're looking forward to going over there and racing. We've been to those tracks quite a few times, and I feel really good about them. We should be running pretty good out there."

Jeremy Campbell, the youngest member of the Mean 15 at the age of 22, recorded another top-five finish at Sharon Speedway, and is excited to roll into Williams Grove in his No. 10C Americas Best Value Inn Maxim. He may be visiting the ultra-fast track for the first time, but his crew chief, veteran Rob Hart, has spent many a night at the track turning wrenches, and learning the intricacies of mastering the tricky oval.

"That's what I like, is new tracks, and to learn new things," said Campbell of Monroe, Mich. "Rob Hart is from out East, and these are his stomping grounds. He knows the tracks, so he should be able to give me a good set-up."

Justin Henderson from Sioux Falls, South Dakota is a contender for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award Presented by Maxim and ButlerBuilt, and will be visiting Williams Grove for the first time as well this weekend, and he feels up to the challenge. The driver of the No. D1 Jolt Energy Gum/Race Girl Schnee set fast time for the first time with the World of Outlaws on Wednesday night at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway.

"It doesn't bother me at all to go out there and run with those guys," said Henderson. "They're just as clean as any other driver out there and they are going to respect you, like any other drive will. I also know that they are very good at their tracks."

Tickets for the May 26 race are $30 for reserved seats, and $28 for general admission. Student tickets are just $15, while children 12 and under will be admitted free. On May 27, reserved seats will be $32 and general admission $30. Students again are only $15, while children 12 and under are free. To purchase tickets call the speedway office at 717-697-5000.

-woo-