The premier dirt series in the world is already 3 races into their 37th consecutive season and it looks to be as promising as the previous 36 years. Early on in the season we find 16 drivers following the World of Outlaws tour.
What is also astounding this year is the number of headlines surrounding the series that we will be following. How will Steve Kinser do in his farewell tour? Can Donny Schatz reclaim the top spot from reigning champ Daryn Pittman? Will Paul McMahan continue the rise of CJB Motorsports recent success. Those story lines among many others are what I will be focusing on this season.
Many have been questioning for years how the Outlaws will survive after legendary drivers Steve Kinser and Sammy Swindell make their last rounds. We already know that this is Kinser's last full season on the tour, and as much as I hate to say it Sammy Swindell doesn't have much left in the tank. And yet, it looks like the next couple years will be as bright and promising as anyone could have ever imagined. Donny Schatz and Daryn Pittman have already taken over as the leaders of the series with many more drivers to follow.
Amidst the loss of veteran drivers Craig Dollansky and Chad Kemenah, the World of Outlaws have gained the likes of Tim Kaeding, Brad Sweet, Logan Schuchart, Jacob Allen and one driver yet to named. On top of that we know Shane Stewart will be joining the tour in 2015. Needless to say, the Outlaws will not be hurting for drivers in the foreseeable future.
Here are the the drivers that are planning to follow the full tour in 2014:
Jacob Allen - Hanover, PA - 0 career WoO wins
Cody Darrah - Red Lion, PA - 5 career WoO wins
Tim Kaeding - San Jose, CA - 19 career WoO wins
Kraig Kinser - Bloomington, IN - 15 career WoO wins
Steve Kinser - Bloomington, IN - 577 career WoO wins
Kerry Madsen - St. Mary's, NSW, AUS - 10 career WoO wins
Paul McMahan - Elk Grove, CA - 18 career WoO wins
Daryn Pittman - Owasso, OK - 38 career WoO wins
Bill Rose - Plainfield, IN - 0 career WoO wins
Joey Saldana - Brownsburg, IN - 84 career WoO wins
Donny Schatz - Fargo, ND - 148 career WoO wins
Logan Schuchart - Hanover, PA - 0 career WoO wins
Jason Sides - Bartlett, TN - 13 career WoO wins
Brad Sweet - Grass Valley, CA - 3 career WoO wins
Sammy Swindell - Germantown, TN - 292 career WoO wins
???????? - Driver TBA
Link to 2014 Points Standings
The Schedule
Over 90 race dates are on tap for the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series in 2014. Ninety-one races to be exact.Forty different drivers competed in their first three events at Volusia Speedway Park as a part of Florida Speedweeks. Brad Sweet, Donny Schatz and Steve Kinser were fortunate enough to pick up the wins in Florida. Paul McMahan and Daryn Pittman left the sunshine state with a tie for the points lead.
From there they will head west for their annual western swing. That kicks off with two events at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas followed by a show at Tucson International Raceway. The remainder of the month and a half swing will include visits to Thunderbowl Raceway, Stockton 99 Dirt Track, Merced Speedway, Silver Dollar Speedway, Calistoga Speedway, Kings Speedway and Perris Auto Speedway.
From there they will head back to three different tracks in the midwest before they make their first east coast swing in May. Following the east coast the Outlaws will head to 10 different tracks before they the embark on the "Month of Money".
The "Month of Money" kicks off at Limaland Motorsports Park (July 9th) for the Brad Doty Classic. From there they head to Eldora Speedway for the Kings Royal and Lernerville Speedway for the Silver Cup twin-30's. For the first time they will stop at Lincoln Speedway before spending their weekend at Williams Grove for the Summer Nationals. After two stops in New York and Canada each, the Outlaws head to I-55 in Pevely, MO for the Ironman 55. The "Month of Money" will then culminate with the biggest event of the year, the Knoxville Nationals.
The Outlaws will then swing way out to the greater northwest area for a handful of races, take a trip to California for the Gold Cup, and head back east where they will ultimately finish their season at the World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.
Link to 2014 Schedule
Bold Predictions:
Final Championship Standings:1. Donny Schatz
2. Daryn Pittman
3. Brad Sweet
4. Paul McMahan
5. Steve Kinser
Win Totals:
1. Donny Schatz (20)
2. Tim Kaeding (10)
3. Brad Sweet (8)
4. Daryn Pittman (7)
5. Steve Kinser (5)
Quick Times:
1. Paul McMahan (18)
2. Daryn Pittman (13)
3. Tim Kaeding (8)
4. Brad Sweet (6)
5. Kraig Kinser (5)
Rookie of the Year: Brad Sweet
Here are some my predictions for this season's prestigious events.
26th Annual Brad Doty Classic
Location: Limaland Motorsports Park (Lima, OH)
Last Year's Winner: Donny Schatz
Date: July 9th
Predicted Winner: Donny Schatz
31st Annual Kings Royal
Location: Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH)
Last Year's Winner: Brad Sweet
Date: July 12th
Predicted Winner: Tim Kaeding
23rd Annual Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup Twin-30's
Location: Lernerville Speedway (Sarver, PA)
Last Year's Winner: Donny Schatz & Daryn Pittman
Date: July 15th
Predicted Winners: Donny Schatz & Brad Sweet
Summer Nationals
Location: Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA)
Last Year's Winner: Donny Schatz
Date: July 19th
Predicted Winner: Donnie Kreitz, Jr
Ironman 55
Location: Federated Autoparts Raceway (Pevely, MO)
Last Year's Winner: Craig Dollansky
Date: August 2nd
Predicted Winner: Paul McMahan
54th Annual Knoxville Nationals
Location: Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)
Last Year's Winner: Donny Schatz
Date: August 9th
Predicted Winner: Donny Schatz
Gold Cup
Location: Silver Dollar Speedway (Chico, CA)
Last Year's Winner: Jason Meyers
Date: September 6th
Predicted Winner: Joey Saldana
National Open
Location: Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA)
Last Year's Winner: Fred Rahmer
Date: October 4th
Predicted Winner: Greg Hodnett
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