Dirt Racing Spectacular Returns to The Dirt Track at Charlotte Nov. 7-9
Features Largest Ever Fan Zone and Three Series Champions fromMore Than 150 Competitors
CMS Media | Chris Dolack photoCONCORD, NC | Nov. 3, 2013 - More than 40,000 fans from three continents are expected through the gates and in the pits when the World of Outlaws World Finals returns to The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway Nov. 7-9.
The most highly anticipated dirt racing event of the year will crown champions in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series, World of Outlaws Late Model Series and the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds at what is expected to be the fifth-consecutive sellout finale at the lightning-fast, four-tenths-mile clay oval.
Dirt Fans from Around the World
Fans from 48 states, seven Canadian provinces, Australia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have already purchased advance tickets to the World Finals.
“I can’t understand why Idaho and Montana aren't already on board. I know there are some passionate dirt racing fans in those states that would enjoy a little southern hospitality,” said Charlotte Motor Speedway President and General Manager Marcus Smith with a smile.
“So here’s what I’ll do,” Smith added. “I’ll pick up a family four-pack of tickets and pit passes for the first fans from Idaho and Montana that e-mail us a photo-copy of his or her driver’s license. I want all 50 states represented when we welcome a fan from each state or country trackside during opening ceremonies.”
Fans from Idaho and Montana should e-mail tickets@charlottemotorspeedway.com to be considered for a complimentary family four-pack of tickets and pit passes.
Expanded Fan Zone and Entertainment
In preparation for what could be a record crowd, The Dirt Track at Charlotte has expanded the fan zone and pre-race entertainment lineup. Nearly 50 interactive displays and souvenir rigs will fill an 80,000-square-foot fan zone located near the main entrance of The Dirt Track. The expanded fan zone is nearly 20 percent larger than years past.
In addition, there will be a separate entertainment stage outside the gates featuring live music by Southern Edge with performances on each event day before the on-track action gets underway.
Fans are also invited to a World Finals kick-off event at Carolina Ale House at Concord on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 7-9 p.m. featuring “PRN’s At The Track” live radio show. The evening will include door prizes and live interviews with guests including two-time World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series champion and Kasey Kahne Racing driver Jason Meyers, World of Outlaws Late Model Series point leader Josh Richards, Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series point leader Brett Hearn and more. Plus, fans can get an up close view of a World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series show car.
Incredible On-Track Competition
The World of Outlaws World Finals is always highlighted by heart-pounding racing action with the sport’s biggest stars. Championships are won and lost at this three-day event and it’s something that the drivers don’t take lightly.
Coming into the World Finals this year, Tony Stewart Racing’s Donny Schatz is trying to defend his World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series title against current point leader, Daryn Pittman. Pittman is vying for his first World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series championship, as well as the first for Kasey Kahne Racing.
Josh Richards leads the points battle in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, with last year’s champion, Darrell Lanigan, in second place. Richards looks to capture his third title.
In the Super DIRTcar Series, last year’s Big-Block Modified champion, Matt Sheppard, trails current leader, Brett Hearn, in a rivalry that has lasted all season and is sure to provide entertainment for fans. Last year, Sheppard won the championship by just 45 points over Hearn.
Winning a feature race at the World Finals has become something highly coveted, not only because of the stiff competition, but also because of the packed stands of dedicated fans who cheer on the winners as they hoist up their trophies at the final event of the year.
“Every year the World Finals gets bigger and better,” said Steve Kinser, 20-time World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series champion and 2007 World Finals winner. “When they first talked about it, I wasn’t sure how it would work with all of the cars the event would attract, but The Dirt Track at Charlotte has provided some great racing every year. We won the first one and finished second two years ago, and we’d like to be in the mix for the win this year.
“For a lot of us, this is the last race of the season and you always want to win that final race of the year. The fans have really come out and supported the World Finals, and its great seeing so many people come to be part of what has become one of our bigger events of the year.”
The World Finals begins Thursday with qualifying, continues Friday with a full slate of feature races and concludes Saturday with the season finales.
All three series will practice and qualify on Thursday. The sprint cars and late models will each have two time trial sessions, with the first round determining lineups for Friday night and the second round setting the Saturday night card. The Big-Block Modifieds will set heat race lineups with timed hot laps. Thursday night’s heat races will determine Friday and Saturday A-Feature lineups.
This year, more money will be on the line with event-record $12,000-to-win A-Mains Friday and Saturday for both the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series and World of Outlaws Late Model Series, and $8,000-to-win for the Big-Block Modified A-Mains.
Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. on Thursday with opening ceremonies scheduled for 6 p.m. Gates open at 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and opening ceremonies are set to begin at 4:45 p.m.
Tickets Still Available but Going Fast
While advance tickets and camping sales are pacing ahead of last year’s World Finals, there’s still a great opportunity for dirt racing fans to be a part of the action.
Three-day tickets are just $79, and tickets for children 13 and under are $34. Single-day tickets are $20 for adults on Thursday and $39 for Friday and Saturday. Single-day tickets for kids 13 and under are $10 for Thursday and $15 for Friday and Saturday. A three-day pit pass is just $85. Tickets will go up by $5 the week of the event. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267)
or go online atwww.charlottemotorspeedway.com/dirt.
0 comments:
Post a Comment