World of Outlaws officials have suspended and fined Sprint Car driver Kelby Watt for failing a tire test after the Night Before the Ironman at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park on Friday, Aug. 7.
Tire samples were taken after Friday night’s Feature from the left rear tire used in competition on Watt’s No. 1K car, owned and operated by Watt Motorsports, and sent to an independent laboratory for testing of chemically altering substances in the tire in a comparative analysis.
The test revealed the tire sample from Watt’s car did not match or conform to the benchmarks provided by Hooser Tire Company. Additional analysis verified the primary laboratory findings.
Due to the violation, Watt has been handed a four-race suspension from the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, this includes the team owner and crew members, fined a total of $7,200 ($2,000 fine, $5,000 loss of purse money, and $200 tire analysis fees), disqualified from the Friday, Aug. 7 event, and docked 500 owner and driver points.
Relevant Sections of the 2026 World of Outlaws Sprint Series Rulebook
Chapter 1, Section 7, Penalties and Fine Schedules
U. Any member that attempts and/or is found to be using tires that are found to be illegal in any manner will be subject to disqualification and/or fine and/or suspension and/or loss of points and/or any other action deemed appropriate by World Racing Group Supervisory Officials.
V. The minimum penalty for any tire that doesn’t meet the benchmark will be as follows:
a. Disqualification from the event and;
b. A fine up to 1,000 championship and track points and;
c. Return of all earned purse and/or reward money from the event and;
d. A fine up to equal the purse money awarded for the event with a minimum fine of $2000 and;
e. A minimum suspension of 1-month minimum or 4 races, up to six (6) months in duration and;
f. Any cost incurred for testing
g. The penalty including fine and suspension may include the driver, crew chief, the car and car owner as stated in the penalty notice.
Chapter 3, Technical Rules, Section 10 – B
B. The altering of any tire compound, by any means will not be permitted. Chemical alteration of the tread carcass and/or tread compound, such as tire “soaking” and or the introduction of tread “softener” and/or the physical defacement (removal, altering and/or covering) of tire sidewall markings in any manner will not be permitted. If any competitor is found to have altered their tires any penalty deemed appropriate by World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Officials may be issued.