News Director 
Story By: BRYAN HULBERT / TULSA SHOOTOUT – TULSA, OK – One of the biggest names in Motorsports will return to the Tulsa Expo Raceway in December for the 39th annual Tulsa Shootout, but with a different role.
Making his return as a car owner, former Tulsa Shootout winner and three-time Chili Bowl Champion, Christopher Bell, will look to add another Golden Driller to his trophy case and possibly a first for Indiana’s Tyler Courtney, who will be behind the wheel in Hyper Racing Outlaw Non-Wing and RS12 Motorsports Outlaw competition.
“The Shootout is a very special race for me and one that helped make my name in the sport,” stated Bell, who topped the Tulsa Shootout on Outlaw competition in 2018.
“At this point in my life, I’m taking a step back from driving dirt cars, and I enjoy having a mix of young and proven talent behind the wheel of my Micros. Tyler [Courtney] and I have a long history together, going back to when we were teammates at the Shootout back in 2011 or 2012. I’m excited to try and get him his first driller.”
Close to achieving a Golden Driller in Tulsa Shootout competition, “Sunshine” placed third in the 2021 Outlaw A-Feature.
A winner in the highest levels of Sprint Car racing, Tyler’s talent behind the wheel is well established with USAC National Sprint Car (2018) and Midget titles (2019), a pair of All-Star Championships (2021 and 2022), Kings Royal Champion (2021), Dirt Cup Champion (2022), and a win atop Tulsa Expo Raceway clay in preliminary night competition (2017) just to name a few of his many accomplishments.
Among the latest round of entrants into the annual “Mecca of Micros” the number of Golden Driller hopefuls is pushing the 800 mark, with drivers from 35 states on the card.
Among the myriad of talent setting their sights on Tulsa is NASCAR’s Kyle Busch and Late Model ace Ricky Thornton, Jr., along with former Golden Driller winners like Frank Flud, Blake Hahn, Mattix McBride, Cannon McIntosh, Jason McDougal, Joe B. Miller, and Jack Thomas.
Teams can enter online 24/7 at https://www.myracepass.com/series/1531/registrations/8517. The entry blank has been mailed out, and can be returned to 1141 S. 83rd East Ave. Tulsa, OK 74112, or faxed to (918) 836-5517.
Early entry is $100 per class and will run through November 29, 2023. Starting November 30, 2023, the cost per class will be $125, and will close on December 13, 2023. After that, teams will have to enter at the event during check-in on Monday, December 26, 2023
The 39th annual Tulsa Shootout dates are December 27-31, 2023. Teams will move in, draw, and purchase Pit Passes on Tuesday, December 26, 2023. Practice will occur on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, with the first rounds of Heats taking the green around 7:00 P.M. (CT). Racing will continue each day, starting at 9:00 A.M., with the race for the Golden Driller wrapping up on New Year’s Eve.
Happening about every ten years, the final day of racing will be on a Sunday.
A quick reminder to teams regarding car numbers.
We do not allow reflective numbers. If your numbers are borderline or not readable, you will need to fix them. You will be given one warning during practice to fix your numbers. Numbers not fixed by race time will result in disqualification, and you will not be allowed to enter the racetrack.
Non-Wing Classes must have a number on the nose of your car. The letter must be above the number and legible. Winged Classes must have numbers on both sideboards. All cars must have legible numbers on the tail tank. Car numbers are a max of three digits. That includes the use of a letter.
For example, a car can be No. 100, or No. 10x. Not No. 100x.
Remember, we have three people hand scoring because sometimes the transponder system does go down, they fall off the car, or just stop working. We need to be able to read all car numbers so you are not scored incorrectly and also to speed up time under caution. It also helps our infield crew to move cars around when a RACEceiver malfunctions. Contrast is important. Black on black with a hint of grey is not readable when a car is in motion, especially from a distance.
Featured classes at the 39th running of the “Mecca of Micros” include RS-12 Motorsports Winged Outlaw, Hyper Racing Non-Wing Outlaw, EVO Fuel Injection A-Class Winged, Joe’s Racing Products Stock Non-Wing, K&B Racing Restricted A-Class, and Flying A Motorsports Junior Sprints. Information regarding specific daily running orders will be established after entries open. Online entry will be available as well as entry by phone at (918) 838-3777.
Rules questions can be directed to Matt Ward, who is the director of competition for the Tulsa Shootout. Contact for Matt Ward includes Cell Phone at (918) 995-1650 or the office at (918) 838-3777.
