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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend August 29, 2006 Speedweek comes to the speedway World of Outlaws series returns for the first time in seven years to speedway By KEVIN GOFF Mail Tribune The kickoff to Speedweek at the Southern Oregon Speedway begins with the return of an old friend Wednesday night. For the first time since 1999, the World of Outlaws Sprint Series invades the three-eighths-mile oval dirt track on the opening night of four days of racing at the speedway. The Lon Skinner Memorial modified race follows with qualifying on Friday and Saturday and the main event on Sunday. Race promoter John Skinner is pouring in nearly $100,000 total for the races and will fork out $10,000 to the winner of each event. "I could be losing my shirt," Skinner says. "It's the highest purse I've ever paid out, and (Lon Skinner) is the third-highest payout in the country, I believe. I think it's the highest paying dirt track race in the history of Oregon." Advertisement The World of Outlaws race brought in nearly 4,000 fans the last time it touched down at the Southern Oregon Speedway. Skinner hopes for more of the same this time around. "It should be a great race," he said. "For dirt track fans, it's like having the Super Bowl here." The World of Outlaws features open-wheeled sprint cars with aluminum 410-cubic inch engines. The cars regularly zip around the track at speeds approaching 100 mph in what is considered the most prestigious event on dirt track. Wednesday's race will be televised on tape delay on Sept. 13 on the Outdoor Channel. "It's kind of an ego thing for me," Skinner says. "If you own a dirt track, there's nothing bigger than having World of Outlaws." The lineup of drivers competing in the World of Outlaws Sprint Series Mean 15, a group that travels nationally with the circuit, includes top-10 racers Craig Dollansky, Donny Schatz, Daryn Pittman and Terry McCarl. Dollansky, who joined World of Outlaws in 2001, is currently third in the point standings. "I've never won a points title," says Dollansky, who trails points leader Schatz. "Third is my highest finish. I think first is out of reach, but second would be great." Dollansky last raced in southern Oregon in 1997. "From what I remember, it's a great facility," he says. "I'm definitely looking forward to coming back and putting on a good show for the crowd." Besides the 15 out-of-town competitors, Skinner hopes to have 15 to 20 other racers participating. One local competitor, Dan Menne, recently upgraded from a 360 to a 410 engine with the help of sponsor Ashley Furniture Homestore. The new engine, Menne hopes, will help him stay competitive with the other drivers. "It's like putting a stick of dynamite under your foot," says Menne of the engine upgrade. "The main problem is keeping your front end down." "It's just going to be more of a fun race," he adds. "Having the 410 helps, but I have no expectations of winning or anything against drivers like that." The three-day Lon Skinner Memorial, named after Skinner's father, will conclude Sunday with the 100-lap feature. The event is expected to attract 80 to 100 teams from all over the West Coast, the Midwest and Canada. Bill Nutter, a local sprint car driver who has never raced modifieds, will be among a host of others hoping to unseat defending champion and current modified points leader Brian Poppa. "He's very good in sprint car," says Skinner of Nutter. "It'll be interesting to see him against some of the best modified drivers in the country." Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4483, or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews