(Photo by Rob Kocak)
By Tony Veneziano -- JACKSON, Minn. — May 23, 2017 — The 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals at Jackson Motorplex for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will take the green flag, June 1-3. Each of the three nights will feature a full racing program for each of the three divisions of sprint cars. Along with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, the Upper Midwest Sprint Series (UMSS), the Midwest Sprint Touring Series (MSTS), the Nebraska 360 Sprint Series and the RaceSaver IMCA Sprints will all be in action. This edition of The Breakdown sets the stage for the 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Jackson Motorplex, which will see the winner of the finale on Saturday, June 3 take home $25,000.
The track
Jackson Motorplex is a half-mile. The track record of 14.244-seconds was established by Ian Madsen on August 21, 2015. A state-of-the-art renovation took place at Jackson Motorplex prior to the 2016 season, making the facility one of the nicest in all of short track racing.
Past winners
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series has seen six winners in 10 races at the track dating back to 1987. Steve Kinser, the 20-time series champion is the winningest driver with the series at Jackson with three victories. Donny Schatz, the eight-time and defending series champion, and Daryn Pittman, the 2013 series titlist, each have a pair of wins at the half-mile. Joey Saldana won with the Outlaws at Jackson in 2014.
AGCO Jackson Nationals past winners
The list of past winners of the AGCO Jackson Nationals is a “Who’s Who” of the sport. Hall of Famer Doug Wolfgang won the event four times in his legendary career. Steve Kinser is a past winner as is Sammy Swindell, Bobby Allen and Bobby Davis Jr. Terry McCarl is a two-time winner of the event, as is Brian Brown. Jason Johnson, who is among the top-five in the World of Outlaws standings, won the event in 2011. Kerry Madsen is the defending winner of the AGCO Jackson Nationals.
The players
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series has 16 card-carrying members this year, led by Donny Schatz. David Gravel is currently second in points, followed by Brad Sweet, Johnson, Pittman, Shane Stewart, rookie Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart, Joey Saldana and Jason Sides rounds out the top-10. Also on tour this season is are veteran drivers Paul McMahan, Kraig Kinser, Greg Wilson, as well as young drivers Jacob Allen, Clyde Knipp and rookie Brent Marks.
Veteran presence
Paul McMahan and Jason Sides have each made six starts with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Jackson Motorplex. McMahan has been very consistent, picking up four top-10 finishes, while Sides has a pair of top-10 runs. Shane Stewart has made three starts with the Outlaws at the track, highlighted by a podium finish of third last year. Greg Wilson made his first trip with the series to the Jackson Motorplex last year, during his rookie campaign.
The next generation
A solid group of younger drivers is competing full-time with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series again this year. David Gravel finished fourth at Jackson Motorplex last year and already has seven wins this season, while Brad Sweet, who has two victories thus far in 2017, ran third in 2014 at Jackson. Logan Schuchart, who has two wins this season, and his Shark Racing teammate Jacob Allen are each on the road for the fourth straight year with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in 2017. Clyde Knipp will be making his second trip to Jackson Motorplex this year, after his debut at the half-mile in 2016.
First timers
Sheldon Haudenschild and Brent Marks will each be making their first ever visit to Jackson Motorplex. Marks, who cut his teeth racing in Central Pennsylvania is used to big, fast half-mile venues, such as Williams Grove Speedway and Port Royal Speedway. Haudenschild already has 14 top-10 finishes this season as he closes in on his first win.
All sprint cars
Three complete race programs will take place each of the three nights of the 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals for all three sprint car classes. The Upper Midwest Sprint Car Series (UMSS), Midwest Sprint Touring Series (MSTS) and Nebraska 360 Sprint Series has a solid field of cars expected in the 360-division, along with the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint cars, representing the 305-class.
Invaders
A strong contingent of “invaders” is set to take on the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in the 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals. Leading the way is Kerry Madsen, who won the event last September and finished second in the Outlaws race at Jackson last June. Madsen has already scored a win at Jackson Motorplex this season, taking the checkered flag in the Spring Nationals a couple of weeks ago. Brian Brown, another past winner of the AGCO Jackson Nationals will be in attendance, along with Ian Madsen, Mark Dobmeier and Canadian Thomas Kennedy among others.
Tickets for the 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, along with the Upper Midwest Sprint Car Series (UMSS), Midwest Sprint Touring Series (MSTS), Nebraska 360 Sprint Series and the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars at the Jackson Motorplex in Jackson, Minnesota, Thursday, June 1, Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3, can be purchased online at slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023. Three-day ticket packages are available as well as individual, single night tickets.
Twitter: @SLS_Promotions
Facebook: SLS Promotions LLC
- Shawn Miller on May 24, 2017
- Article Date: 5/24/2017