World of Outlaw preview, presented by RydellCars.com

Gerdau presents the World of Outlaws this Friday night!

The famous four-wide salute by the World of Outlaws at River Cities Speedway back in June. Photo by Mike Spieker.

By Mike Spieker

GRAND FORKS, ND (August 19) – The nation’s premier dirt track touring series is set to roar into River Cities Speedway (RCS) this Friday night for their second and final appearance of 2015. 

Fresh off his ninth FVP Knoxville Nationals victory in the last 10 years, Donny Schatz will not only look to increase his points lead, but will also be looking to complete the season sweep at his home track.

While Schatz may be the overwhelming favorite on paper, there are multiple drivers that could knock the five-time RCS winner off of his throne.

Donny Schatz in his Bad Boy Buggies/Chevrolet Performance #15. Photo by Mike Spieker.

Shane Stewart in his Eneos #2. Photo by Mike Spieker.

Kerry Madsen in his American Racing Custom Wheels #29. Photo by Mike Spieker.

Kerry Madsen enters the second leg of the Northern Tour at River Cities as the World of Outlaw’s (WoO) most recent winner as he picked up his first victory of the season Tuesday night (August 18) at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Nebraska. The driver of the American Racing Custom Wheels #29 is also riding a wave of momentum following his second place effort during Saturday night’s Knoxville Nationals A-main. Madsen currently sits third in the WoO point standings and has been close to parking his Keneric Racing machine in RydellCars.com Victory Lane several times, but has not yet pulled through. He may be a dark horse for the win Friday night.


Bixby, Oklahoma’s Shane Stewart will be another one to watch. Stewart drives for NASCAR driver Kyle Larson, along with Justin Marks, and rides second in the WoO points. Stewart also found success during the 55th running of the Knoxville Nationals as he picked up the win during the preliminary night on Wednesday by holding off Schatz in the closing laps. Stewart has taken the checkers twice at River Cities during World of Outlaw Gumout Series action on August 16th & 17th of 2001. 

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Daryn Pittman in his Great Clips #9. Photo by Mike Spieker.

Joey Saldana in his Motter Equipment/HEM Saw/Beltline Body Shop #71M. Photo by Mike Spieker.

Joey Saldana, driver of the Motter Equipment #71M, is also another safe bet to have a good finish at the Bullring. “The Brownsburg Bullet”, as he’s affectionately referred to, leads the series with 13 quick times and has picked up a pair of victories along the way with the most recent being at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, WI in mid-July. Saldana has two RCS wins to his credit, coming in 2007 and the fall of 2010. 

Despite sitting eighth in the WoO point standings, 2013 series champion, Daryn Pittman, will be one to keep an eye on. Pittman owns one RCS victory, which came on August 15, 2014 and is tied for third in the win category this year with three. 

Hot laps start at 6:30pm with time trials ensuing at 7pm. For more event and ticket information, visit RiverCitiesSpeedway.com or SLSpromotions.com. 

World of Outlaw winners @ River Cities:
2015: Donny Schatz
2014: Donny Schatz & Daryn Pittman
2013: Cody Darrah & Donny Schatz
2012: Kraig Kinser & Sammy Swindell
2011: Craig Dollansky & Steve Kinser
2010: Steve Kinser & Joey Saldana
2009: Donny Schatz & Craig Dollansky
2008: Donny Schatz
2007: Joey Saldana