Wed., March 10, 2010
Previewing the Opener of the Texas Two-Step Weekend at Lone Star Speedway

The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series moves from California to Texas for two races this weekend. Steve Kinser, Jason Meyers and Joey Saldana have been the hot shoes of late.
Courtesy: WoO Sprint Car Media Relations
Kilgore, TX-March 9, 2010-After
two very successful events last year, Lone Star Speedway in Kilgore,
Texas welcomes the World of Outlaws again in 2010 as the best sprint
car drivers in the world will converge on the half-mile on Friday,
March 12 for a full night of racing with $10,000 awaiting the winner in
the opener of the Second Annual Texas Two-Step Weekend.
Joey
Saldana, who was victorious in both races at Lone Star Speedway last
season, heads to the half-mile with plenty of momentum this week,
having won the finale at Thunderbowl Raceway in California last weekend
as well as taking over the lead in the World of Outlaws standings as he
chases his first championship.
In five events
this season, four different drivers have picked up wins, and each is
among the Top-Four in the point standings. Jason Meyers, who finished
fourth in both races at Lone Star Speedway last season, is the only
driver that has multiple wins 2010. Steve Kinser, the 20-time series
champion and Donny Schatz, the four-time and defending series titlist,
also have picked up victories this year.
Last
season marked the World of Outlaws return to Lone Star Speedway for the
first time since 2004 and the first time since the Hafertepe family
took over the facility and put in countless hours making it one of the
nicest tracks on the tour. The World of Outlaws debuted at Lone Star
Speedway in 1984 with three-time series champion Sammy Swindell
winning. He was victorious in each of the first five events for the
series at the track, before Steve Kinser broke that streak and won two
in a row.
The Buzz-
Over the years
World of Outlaws A-Feature winner at Lone Star Speedway include:
2009- Joey Saldana on April 10, Joey Saldana on October 24 2004- Steve Kinser on March 12 2003- Steve Kinser on October 24 1986 - Sammy Swindell on March 14, Sammy Swindell on June 14 1984 - Sammy Swindell on May 5 (completed earlier event), Sammy Swindell on May 5, Sammy Swindell on June 19
One year ago
In
the World of Outlaws return to Lone Star Speedway for the first time
since 2004, Donny Schatz began the night by setting fast time, with
Steve Kinser, Jason Meyers and Joey Saldana taking heat race wins. The
dash went to Jac Haudenschild. Joey Saldana lined up second in the main
event and shot to the lead and would pace the field for all 30 laps to
become the only driver other than Steve Kinser and Sammy Swindell to
win at the track with the series. Donny Schatz finished second with
Steve Kinser third, Jason Meyers fourth and Danny Lasoski fifth.
The
World of Outlaws returned to the half-mile in October for the inaugural
WoO Fest with Schatz again turning the fastest lap in time trials.
Steve Kinser, Jason Meyers and Brad Sweet were victorious in the heat
races, while it was Joey Saldana taking the dash to earn the pole for
the A-Feature. He again led all 30 laps to pick up the win over Sam
Hafertepe Jr., Steve Kinser, Jason Meyers and Jason Sides.
Sound Bites
Sam Hafertepe Jr.
"We've
tried to make a few changes to the facility and try to make it better
each time everyone comes back. The track surface itself is about the
same. We're really looking forward to it."
Joey Saldana
"I
enjoy Kilgore and Houston. They are both tracks I look forward to
racing. I think that's a big part of racing these cars and racing the
people we are. You have to have a mental aspect to want to go out and
win. I think as long as I'm positive and knowing going in that these
are tracks that I like to race at hopefully we can continue to succeed.
Last year we had three awesome nights down there and hopefully we can
again this year."
Steve Kinser
"It's
important to be anywhere. Some of the races have slowed in the
Texas/Oklahoma area and that used to be a hot bed for a number of
years. I don't know why it has, but it has. It will be nice to down
there to Kilgore and Houston. Kilgore is a fine facility and I have
always enjoyed running there and back on down to Houston as well."
By the numbers- World of Outlaws at Lone Star Speedway
0.5- Miles around Lone Star Speedway
1- Track record that has been establish so far in 2010 in time trials
2- Wins for Steve Kinser at the track in his career
3- Drivers that have won A-Feature events with the World of Outlaws at the half-mile; Events on half-miles this season
4- Drivers that have won A-Feature events this season; Drivers that have finished in the Top-10 in all five races in 2010
5- Races contested by the World of Outlaws through March 6
6- Drivers that have led laps in feature racing competition this season
7- Points that currently separate Joey Saldana and Jason Meyers in the World of Outlaws standings
9- A-Feature events contested by the World of Outlaws at Lone Star Speedway dating back to 1984
13.05- Track record at Lone Star Speedway established by Danny Lasoski in 2002
14- Drivers competing full-time with the World of Outlaws this season that raced at Lone Star Speedway last year
18- Drivers competing full-time with the series in 2010
46- Laps led by Donny Schatz in A-Feature events this season to lead all drivers
60- Laps led by Joey Saldana en route to winning twice at the track last season
1631-
Miles from Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, California where the World of
Outlaws competed on March 5-6 to Lone Star Speedway in Kilgore, Texas
1984- Year the World of Outlaws first raced at Lone Star Speedway
10,000- Dollars the winner will receive on Friday, March 12
30,000-Dollars earned by Jason Meyers so far in 2010 to lead all drivers