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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Keeping Pace

Kasey Kahne’s Showdown for the Bud Crown Finale Brings World of Outlaws Back to LaSalle Speedway

Joey Saldana drives for Washington state native and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star, Kasey Kahne. (Photo courtesy of World of Outlaws)
Joey Saldana drives for Washington state native and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series star, Kasey Kahne. (Photo courtesy of World of Outlaws)

Kasey Kahne Racing's Joey Saldana held off 20-time World of Outlaws champion Steve Kinser on March 19 in the first round at Volunteer Speedway.

Courtesy: WoO Sprint Car Series Media Relations

CONCORD, N.C. - March 22, 2010 - At Kasey's King of Bulls Gap Presented By Budweiser Friday at Volunteer Speedway, Kasey Kahne and World Racing Group officials announced the four-race Showdown for the Bud Crown featuring the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series will conclude on July 8 with Kasey's King of LaSalle Presented By Budweiser at LaSalle (Ill.) Speedway outside of Chicago.

Following the first two rounds last Friday and Saturday at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn., the Showdown for the Bud Crown moves June 16 to Missouri State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, Mo., before reaching its finale in LaSalle -- about 50 miles from Joliet where Kahne will be competing in NASCAR events that weekend.

"Everything at LaSalle Speedway happens so fast on the track that there's no doubt it will be an exciting night and a great place to wrap up the Showdown for the Bud Crown," Kahne said. "Each stop in the Bud Crown series features a different kind of track, from high-banked Bulls Gap to big Sedalia and the LaSalle bullring. It's a good test for everybody."

Kasey Kahne Racing's Joey Saldana held off 20-time World of Outlaws champion Steve Kinser on Friday night in the first round at Volunteer Speedway. In Round 2 on Saturday at Bulls Gap, Jason Meyers charged from fourth on the grid to capture the checkered flag.

The top three overall finishers will share a $15,000 point fund, with points being awarded every time a car hits the track. The point system will award 250 points for the A-main winner, dropping four points per position; 100 points for heat race winners, dropping three points per position; and 200 points for the driver who posts quick time, dropping two points per position. Steve Kinser, who finished second and fifth with strong qualifying efforts in the first two rounds, is leading the Showdown for the Bud Crown points by 7 over Jason Meyers. The top five drivers -- Kinser, Meyers, Brad Sweet, Paul McMahan and Danny Lasoski -- are separated by only 30 points.

LaSalle Speedway is a racy high-banked, quarter-mile oval. The World of Outlaws Sprint Cars last raced there in 2004, when Danny Lasoski earned the victory. Other World of Outlaws winners at LaSalle Speedway include Steve Kinser (1999 and 1994), Stevie Smith (1998), Mark Kinser (1997), Sammy Swindell (1996) and Dave Blaney (1995).

For information on the event, visit http://www.WorldofOutlaws.com



Keeping Pace

Motorsports correspondent Doug Pace keeps up with motorsports news and notes from around the region.