[i Pevely, MO—August 4, 2009]
History will be made at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Missouri on Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8 as the World of Outlaws take to the high-banked bullring for the inaugural Ironman 55. The finale of the event will be 55 green flag laps with $20,000 awaiting the winner as the “Month of Money” rolls on for the World of Outlaws. The Ironman 55 will be the longest race in the modern era of the series, at one of the raciest tracks on the schedule, as 14 different drivers have picked up wins in each of the last 14 main events for the series at the track. Recently all the full-time World of Outlaws drivers shared their thoughts on the Ironman 55 at I-55 Raceway.
[b Craig Dollansky, Driver of the No. 19 DirecTV Maxim:]
“Pevely is one of those tracks that I always enjoy going to and it’s a very racy track when they have it prepared right. To have 55 laps there is great. It’s going to be a long race and a lot can happen having those extra laps. I’m really looking forward to it and it should be a good one for the fans.”
[b Brian Ellenberger, Driver of the No. 22 Ti-22 Performance J&J:]
“I’m really looking forward to getting to race there finally. I have tried to race there a couple of times and gotten rained out. I saw the place for the first time earlier this year when we got rained out, that was the first time I had set food in the place. That’s going to be a unique event and I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to race there.”
Jac Haudenschild, Driver of the No. R19 Owens-Corning Fiberglass Maxim:
“55 laps is a lot of laps for a sprint car race. Hopefully we’ll put ourselves in a good position for the end of the race. We have run good there before and we should have a good shot at it.”
[b Kraig Kinser, Driver of the No. 20 Bass Pro Shops Maxim:]
“Personally, I always like the longer races. You have to really have your car balanced throughout the race so you are not too good at the beginning and that you are going to be as good at the end. You have to find a good balance all the way through that race. Hopefully we can do that. I like running around I-55 with the wall right there. It’s a lot of fun and it’s always tight racing and good racing. I’m really looking forward to it.”
[b Steve Kinser, Driver of the No. 11 Quaker State Maxim:]
“You have plenty of time in that race and you have to use a little different strategy. You have to stay on the lead lap and the extra 15 laps certainly will make a difference. It sort of depends on the race track and if it’s rough and a handful or what it does. If the track is smooth and you can move around on it and pass on it, it should be a good race.”
[b Danny Lasoski, Driver of the No. 6 Casey’s General Store Maxim:]
“It will be really exciting. Ray Marler and Kenny Schrader have put a new twist on everything. I think it’s going to be great for the fans. We can’t wait to get over there. I always enjoy racing at Pevely. That is a great track not only for the fans, but for us drivers too.”
[b Jason Meyers, Driver of the No. 14 GLR Investments KPC:]
“That’s going to be one heck of a race there. Hopefully the race track is in good shape. They typically do a great job on the track there. I think that is going to be a great race for the fans and the racers and everyone involved. We’re definitely looking forward to it and hopefully we can bring some of that money back here to Elite Racing.”
[b Joey Saldana, Driver of the No. 9 Budweiser Maxim:]
“The race at Pevely should be a great one. I am really looking forward to it. 55 laps will be really good. Our car seems to be more on the tight side than most guys and I think we’ll be fine. It seems like we over adjust and get our car too tight, so in a lot of these race around 30 or 40 laps you just get going. To have 55 laps I think will play into our hand and what we have as a race team. Hopefully we can capitalize on that and get a victory there.”
[b Donny Schatz, Driver of the No. 15 Armor All J&J:]
“It’s a new big event and I am looking forward to it. Ray Marler and Ken Schrader have always done a great job and been big supporters of the Outlaws. Hopefully we can have a big event and it will add to a great couple of weeks of racing leading up to the Nationals. You’re just going to have to be smart the first 25 or 30 laps of the race. There is no question we can do the 55 laps. The surface changes so much there normally between lap one and 40, that between lap one and 55 it’s going to be interesting. It’s going to be like a double feature almost and that will throw everyone for a loop. Normally my race cars do get better in those longer events.”
[b Jason Sides, Driver of the No. 7S Wetherington Tractor Service Maxim:]
“Pevely is a fun little track. I really enjoy racing there. We’ve done well there in the past and we have crashed there too. If it’s your night it’s your night and if it’s not, you just have to go along with it. 55 laps will be a long race and we’ll see what tires end up like.”
[b Lucas Wolfe, Driver of the No. 5W Allebach Racing Maxim:]
“That should be a great race. It’s good to have people working on new ideas and new events and always trying to improve on what we have. As long as the track is in good shape, the fans will get to see 55 really good laps around there. Hopefully it’s not too and the track stays pretty good.”
The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), Quaker State (Official Motor Oil), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, KSE Race Products, Penske Shocks, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo; Engine Builder's Challenge participants Don Ott Racing Engines, Kistler Engines, Shaver Specialties and Speedway Engines; and Chassis Builder’s Challenge participants J&J Auto Racing, Maxim Racing and XXX Race Company.
- Tony Veneziano on Aug 04, 2009
- Article Date: 8/4/2009