World of Outlaws STP Sprint Cars Return to Historic Eldora
Ohio half-mile steeped in tradition a huge draw for generations of racers
ROSSBURG, Ohio – April 30, 2014 – A return to Eldora Speedway has special meaning for many of the competitors on the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series tour. This Friday and Saturday, the series races back to Eldora for the 37th consecutive season.
Some of today’s racers were part of that first night. Bobby Allen claimed the World of Outlaws event at Eldora on April 16, 1978. He’ll have two cars in the field this weekend with son, Jacob Allen, and grandson, Logan Schuchart, as drivers. Steve Kinser was a two-time winner that inaugural season. He’s back for one more run at a 21st championship – and a few more Eldora wins – on his Salute to the King tour.
Sammy Swindell, the series’ most recent winner last Saturday in Pevely, Mo., earned his first Outlaw victory at Eldora in 1979 and his most recent win at the historic high-banked half-mile oval in the 2012 Kings Royal.
The drivers who are forging their own milestones right now, racers like Donny Schatz, Daryn Pittman, Joey Saldana, Paul McMahan, Brad Sweet and Kerry Madsen, also appreciate Eldora for all its history and intrigue. Each has stories of near-misses, heartbreak and ultimately success. With two victories last year at Eldora, Australia-native Madsen finally conquered Eldora after a couple of close calls in previous years.
“Eldora is pretty much what got me hooked on racing in the USA,” Madsen said. “When you come from the small tracks in Australia and see Eldora for the first time, it’s definitely an eye-opener. I’ve always enjoyed racing there. It has a lot of atmosphere about it. The cushion’s on the wall, it lends itself to a pretty exciting style of racing. It’s always been one of my favorite stops.”
Eldora is a track wound tightly in Outlaw lore. This weekend, two more chapters will be written.
WHEN
· Friday and Saturday, May 2-3, at Eldora Speedway. Racing begins at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE
· Eldora Speedway is located 2 1/2 miles north of Rossburg on SR 118. Click on the link for a map ( goo.gl/maps/kNeQS).