Story By: KAYLA MAY / WORLD OF OUTLAWS – CONCORD, NC – On June 2 the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series will invade one of the highest banked tracks in the country, Tazewell Speedway, for the Ray Varner 50. Home to the third-mile dirt-track with 31-degree banking, Tazewell sees high speeds and a lot of action.
The Series’ first visit to the Tennessee track was in 2010, and it has remained on the schedule ever since. Past winners include Shane Clanton (2010), Chris Madden (2011), Bub McCool (2012), Mike Marlar (2014), and Billy Ogle Jr. (2015); 2013 and 2016 were canceled due to rain. Clanton, Madden and Marlar have already earned a Series win this season and will be looking to repeat their past success at the track. With outsiders taking the past two Series wins at Tazewell, all 13 Outlaws will be aiming to reclaim the title from the grasps of the local Tennessee top-guns.
“It’s a big deal for the World of Outlaws to come Tazewell,” said track owner Gary Hall. “A lot of people look forward to coming to this event every year. Many travel here from surrounding states. We have the world’s fastest third-mile and always strive to put on a good show. This track is banked 31 degrees. There is no other track in the country like this.”
The Ray Varner 50 at Tazewell Speedway on June 2 will be 50 laps for $10,000-to-win. Tickets will be available at the track on the day of the event. The following day the Outlaws will regroup in Georgia at Senoia Raceway for the third annual Billy Clanton Classic on June 3.
Outlaws Return to McKean County Raceway Tuesday, June 20
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series will head to Western Pennsylvania for their return to McKean County Raceway on Tuesday, June 20 for the Hamlin Lake 50.
This visit marks the Series return to the third-mile clay-oval for the first time since 2012, when the 2016 World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series champion, Josh Richards took a trip down Victory Lane in front of a large crowd.
“This is huge for the Outlaws to return,” said Chris Zuver McKean County Raceway Promoter. “Ever since we announced that the Outlaws were coming back in early December the buzz around this event has been huge. The last time the Outlaws visited the track in 2012, we had our largest crowd in track history. We feel we’ll have a great car count this for this event with it just being a couple days before the Firecracker 100. I’ve been saying, the party for the Firecracker starts early in East Smethport, PA.”
The Tuesday night special, $10,000-to-win Hamlin Lake 50 will be the final tune-up for the Series before for they roll south for the Firecracker 100 – a three-night big money Late Model event at Lernerville Speedway on June 22 – 24.
Along with a several local stars that will be in the field, fans will be keeping their eye on Outlaw full-time drivers and hometown heroes, Chub Frank, Rick Eckert and adopted hero, Shane Clanton.
McKean County Raceway is located on the McKean County Fairgrounds at the intersection of Routes 6 and 46 in East Smethport, PA. Pits open at 12pm, grandstands at 4pm with racing at 7:30pm.