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| The Greatest Show on Dirt - Since 1978 |
Arizona Desert Shootout - History, Predictions, Stats & Points
WoO History in Arizona
Sprint Cars have been racing in Arizona for 50+ years, going back to as early as 1968, at the famed Manzanita Speedway (closed 2009). Non-Wing was more common in the early days, with Wing Sprint Car racing becoming increasingly popular in the 1980's & 90's. Manzanita hosted several World of Outlaws races, the last one being won by Chad Kemenah on March 28, 2009, was one of the last races held at the track prior its closure.
The World of Outlaws then took a 4-year hiatus from Arizona, as they didn't return until 2013 at the Dirt Track in Tucson. The Outlaws visited Tucson for 4-straight years, the last one being won by Daryn Pittman on April 18th, 2016. This was also one of the last races held at the Tucson Dirt Track, prior to its current inactive status. WoO raced at Cocopah Speedway (Yuma) in 2017, a race won by "Blackjack" Brian Brown. However, only one race is being held in Arizona, in 2018.
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| Arizona Speedway is a high-banked 1/3rd mile clay oval in Queen Creek, Arizona |
Current Venue - Arizona Speedway
Arizona Speedway is a high-banked large 1/3rd mile clay oval located in Queen Creek, near the San Tan Valley, about :45 minutes southeast of Downtown Phoenix. It has hosted two WoO Sprint Car Series races, the first being won by Shane Stewart on March 6th, 2016 and the second being won by Rico Abreu on April 8th, 2017. The 2018 edition will also be the 3rd-straight year that the San Tan Valley Ford Non-Wing Sprint Cars will be joining the Outlaws on the night's list of festivities. Having two different divisions of Sprint Cars helps to ensure high probability that a cushion will develop by the end of the night.
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| Arizona Speedway track surface following the 2017 WoO Sprint Car race (entrance of turn 1) |
Predictions
Favorites
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| David Gravel has finished 2nd place at Arizona Speedway, both years that WoO has competed there |
It
almost goes without saying, but "The Connecticut Yankee" David Gravel
is one of our favorites to win the 2018 Arizona Desert Shootout. Not
only has Gravel finished twice at Arizona Speedway in the 2 years the
WoO have raced there, he and his CJB Racing Team are due for their first
victory of 2018!
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| Brian Brown has an excellent history racing in Arizona, he finished 3rd at Arizona Speedway last year |
Not only is "Blackjack" Brian Brown
one of the friendliest drivers in the pits, but he has an excellent
history of racing in Arizona. Brian has won 2 races with the Outlaws in
Arizona, during the last 3 years (Tucson in 2015 & Cocopah in
2017), including a 3rd place effort at Arizona Speedway in 2017, after
leading the first half of the race. Look for Brownie to be running
up-front in his familiar Casey's General white, yellow and red livery!
Dark Horses
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| Jason Johnson has finished 7th at Arizona Speedway, both years that WoO has competed there |
"The
Ragin' Cajun" Jason Johnson has been very consistent at Arizona
Speedway as well, finishing 7th both years. Don't be surprised if you
see Jason competing for a top-5 in his usual 41 MVT sponsored JJR
machine!
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| Ian Madsen looks to build-upon his best finish at Arizona Speedway, 13th in 2017 |
It's hard to think of Ian Madsen as a dark horse, but I would argue that he is one at Arizona Speedway, 2018 marking only the 2nd year he has competed at the track (Ian finished 13th in 2017). I don't think any of us would be the least bit surprised if "Insane Ian" is racing with the leaders, before the end of the night!
Stats
WoO Arizona Race Winners 2008 - 2017
Here's a list of WoO Sprint Cars winners at all races in Arizona from 2008 - 2017:
March 1, 2008 - Jason Meyers (Manzanita Speedway)
March 28, 2009 - Chad Kemenah (Manzanita Speedway)
March 9th, 2013 - Daryn Pittman (Tucson Dirt Track)
March 8th, 2014 - Brad Sweet (Tucson Dirt Track)
March 7th, 2015 - Brian Brown (Tucson Dirt Track)
March 6th, 2016 - Shane Stewart (Arizona Speedway)
April 18th, 2016 - Daryn Pittman (Tucson Dirt Track)
April 7th, 2017 - Brian Brown (Cocopah Speedway)
April 8th, 2017 - Rico Abreu (Arizona Speedway)
Average Finishing Positions at Arizona Speedway
List of average finishing positions for current active drivers, in Arizona Speedway history (since 2016):
Pos. Driver '16 '17 Avg. Finish
1. David Gravel 2 2 2.0
2. Shane Stewart 1 8 4.5
Brad Sweet 5 4 4.5
4. Donny Schatz 4 6 5.0
5. Brian Brown 10 3 6.5
6. Jason Johnson 7 7 7.0
7. Joey Saldana 6 9 7.5
8. Jason Sides 11 5 8.0
Kerry Madsen 8 x 8.0
10. S. Haudenschild x 12 12.0
11. Logan Schuchart 9 17 13.0
Paul McMahan 16 10 13.0
Ian Madsen x 13 13.0
14. Daryn Pittman 18 14 16.0
15. Kraig Kinser 23 11 17.0
16. Greg Wilson 19 16 17.5
17. P. Price-Miller x 18 18.0
18. Brent Marks x 19 19.0
19. Jacob Allen 21 22 21.5
* x = driver did not compete that year
Current 2018 Point Standings - Through Round 8
1. Donny Schatz 1142 (3 wins)
2. S. Haudenschild 1108 (3 wins)
3. Brad Sweet 1078
4. Shane Stewart 1076
5. Jason Johnson 1070
6. David Gravel 1028
7. Daryn Pittman 1008
8. Cory Eliason 984 (1 win)
9 Ian Madsen 976
10. Logan Schuchart 960
11. Paul McMahan 950
12. Tim Shaffer 942
13. Joey Saldana 936
14. Rico Abreu 916
15. Brent Marks 878
16. Kraig Kinser 852
16. Kraig Kinser 852
17. Brian Brown 846
18. P. Price-Miller 826
19. Jason Sides 810
20. Jacob Allen 782
21. Greg Wilson 770
22. Clyde Knipp 756
23. Dane Lorenc 750
24. Kerry Madsen 628
Follow Along on Twitter: @TheDirtNetwork
As usual, The Dirt Network will bring you all of the action from Arizona Speedway on Saturday, April 7th
Follow along with us on Twitter: @TheDirtNetwork for pictures and live updates!
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