World of Outlaws Invade I-96 Speedway this Saturday

Tony Veneziano

Lake Odessa, MI—May 26, 2009—The World of Outlaws make their only visit of season to the state of Michigan on Saturday, May 30 at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, for a full night of racing, with $10,000 on the line to the winner. In what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive season’s in the 31-year history of the series has already seen nine different drivers pick up wins in the first 21 races of the season, with 20 different drivers leading laps in A-Feature competition.

Leading the way will be three-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz along with 20-time series title winner Steve Kinser, who are separated by just 53 point in the series standings, with Schatz currently holding the top spot. The two battled for the win on Monday night in New York, with Kinser leading early and Schatz taking the lead in lapped traffic on the ninth circuit and pulling away to dominate the 25-lap contest to pick up his sixth win of the season.

Kinser is the defending race winner at I-96 Speedway and has won four of the last five events for the series at the half-mile. The native of Bloomington, Indiana nearly had a perfect night at the track last season, as he set a new track record in time trials, won the dash and won the main event after passing Craig Dollansky on the 14th lap. The only race Kinser took part in that he did not win, was the second heat race where he finished second, after starting fourth. In his career at I-96 Speedway, the Hall of Famer has finished on the podium in all but one start and has finished ninth or better in every start. He leads the World of Outlaws in Top-10 finishes this season.

All six of Schatz’s wins this season have come on half-mile tracks. He finished second last season at I-96 Speedway as he looks for the first win of his career in Michigan. The native of Fargo, North Dakota is in his second season driving for NASCAR star Tony Stewart’s team with Kinser’s son Kraig as his teammate.
Joey Saldana won his first career World of Outlaws race at I-96 Speedway in 1995 besting Steve Kinser. He finished fourth at the track last season and has been sixth or better in each of his last three starts there. The second generation driver leads the series with seven wins this season, including two in the last three races.
Jason Meyers has finished third in each of his last two starts at I-96 Speedway and has never finished below seventh in five career starts at the track. He is currently fourth in points and has won twice this season as he chases his first career World of Outlaws title.

Craig Dollansky, who won at I-96 Speedway in 2007, has joined Kasey Kahne Racing in 2009 as a teammate to Saldana. He recently moved into the Top-Five in points.

Also in action at I-96 Speedway on Saturday, May 30 will be veteran Jac Haudenschild, who will be inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame the same night as the race. He won at I-96 Speedway back in 1990, also 2001 World of Outlaws champion Danny Lasoski, who has one career win at the track will be in action, along with 2003 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Jason Sides, Kraig Kinser, the top rookie in 2004, Sam Hafertepe Jr. of Texas, sophomore driver Lucas Wolfe and current rookie contender Brian Ellenberger of Pennsylvania.

On Saturday, April 30 at I-96 Speedway general admission tickets for adults will be $30 if purchased in advance and $32 the day of the race, with general admission tickets for those ages 6-12 just $15 and kids five-under will be admitted free of charge. Adult reserved tickets will also be available for $32 in advance and $34 the day of the race, with reserved tickets for those ages 12-under $15. Pit combos will also be available for $38 if purchased in advance and include a reserved seat and a pit pass. For tickets call SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023 or call the track at
616-642-0555.