Impressive start has Sides second in points followed by Saldana, Darrah and defending champ Meyers
CONCORD, NC. – Feb. 28, 2011 – Even though the 2011 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series season is only five races old, the championship battle is already beginning to take shape as the Greatest Show on Dirt invades Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Wednesday and Thursday.
Steve Kinser is aiming for his 21st championship in 2011 and has already won three times to put himself atop the point standings. Kinser, who last year at Las Vegas came up just short to Jason Meyers after a thrilling finish, believes he and his team have what it takes to hoist the trophy at the end of the season.
“I don’t believe I have ever had this good of a start to a season ever,” said Kinser, from the site of his latest victory on Friday night at Pike County Speedway in Magnolia, Miss. “It seems like anytime we put this Bass Pro Shops/J.D. Byrider/Chevrolet out on the track, it’s extremely fast.”
Kinser managed to back up his win with another strong finish the next night at Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown, Texas. Kinser is the only driver to have finished all five races this season in the Top 10.
Hot on Kinser’s tail is Jason Sides and his Wetherington Tractor Service Maxim. Sides, who won four races last season, kept his momentum strong with a victory on the final night of the 40th Annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH and two runner-up finishes over the weekend at Pike County Speedway and Royal Purple Raceway.
“We just have been able to make very good adjustments to the car and really keep up with the tracks we’ve been at,” Sides said. “We are thrilled to be running this great and hope it keeps up.”
Kasey Kahne Racing driver Joey Saldana has quietly made his way up to third in the standings after being crowned the Sprint Car champion of the season-opening DIRTcar Nationals. Saldana debuted a new look on his #9 Maxim at Pike County Speedway, sporting the Red Bull energy drink colors. Saldana’s teammate, 20-year-old Cody Darrah continues to impress and has his #91 Great Clips Maxim sitting in the fourth position. Rounding out the Top Five is 2010 World of Outlaws champion Jason Meyers, who will take a slight side trip Tuesday on his way to Las Vegas when he flies with the United States Navy Blue Angels.
Here’s a look at the Top 25 in the 2011 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series championship standings through the first five nights of action:
Pos.    Driver                             Total    Diff          W        T5    T10    QT
1.         Steve Kinser                 733                          3           4      5         0
2.         Jason Sides                   707       -26           1           4      4         1
3.         Joey Saldana                683       -50           0           3      4         2
4.         Cody Darrah                 660       -73           0           2      2         0
5.         Jason Meyers              655       -78           0           1      3         0
6.         Danny Lasoski              647       -86           0           1      3         0
7.         Sammy Swindell         637       -96           1           2      2         0
8.         Donny Schatz               632       -101         0           1      1         0
9.         Paul McMahan            632       -101         0           1      2         2
10.      Sam Hafertepe Jr.      630       -103         0           0      3         0
11.      Chad Kemenah           630       -103         0           1      2         0
12.      Kraig Kinser                  618       -115         0           1      2         0
13.      Lance Dewease          616       -117         0           0      2         0
14.      Craig Dollansky            615       -118         0           1      2         0
15.      Lucas Wolfe                  604       -129         0           0      2         0
16.      Terry McCarl                560       -173         0           0      0         0
17.      Ben Gregg                     550       -183         0           0      0         0
18.      David Gravel                524       -209         0           1      1         0
19.      Bill Rose                         523       -210         0           0      0         0
20.      Tim Shaffer                   414       -319         0           1      3         0
21.      Brad Sweet                   384       -349         0           0      1         0
22.      Fred Rahmer                374       -359         0           1      1         0
23.      Dale Blaney                  370       -363         0           0      1         0
24.      Daryn Pittman             364       -369         0           0      1         0
25.      Stevie Smith                 351       -382         0           0      1         0
LIVE VIDEO AT DIRTVISION.COM: The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series has one more stop on its way to the West Coast, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, for a two-night event beginning on Wednesday (March 2). If you can’t make it to the event, you can watch both nights with multi-camera video coverage live on DIRTVision.com for only $14.99.
WINNERS – There have been five World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series feature event winners in 2011. They include Steve Kinser (2-Volusia Speedway Park, Pike County Speedway) Jason Sides (1-Volusia Speedway Park) and Sammy Swindell (1- Royal Purple Raceway.)
NEW ONLINE HOME – Make sure to check out the all-new WorldofOutlaws.com for the latest news and results, plus exclusive driver interviews, video and pictures. Also listen to every event live at DIRTVision.com .
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), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Goodyear Tires (Official Tire), Factory Motor Parts, VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), Vicci (Official Apparel) and Chizmark and Larson Insurance Agency; in addition to contingency sponsors, Jake’s Custom Golf Carts, RacingJunk.com, KSE Race Products, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo, JE Pistons, Wix Filters and SuperFlow; Engine Builder’s Challenge participants Kistler Engines, Shaver Specialties and Speedway Engines. Electronics, S&S Volvo, JE Pistons, Wix Filters and SuperFlow; Engine Builder’s Challenge participants Kistler Engines, Shaver Specialties and Speedway Engines.