The Breakdown: Big Sky Brawl at Billings for the World of Outlaws at BMP Speedway
BILLINGS, Mont. — August 22, 2017 —The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to Montana for the first time since 2008 on Saturday, August 26 for the Big Sky Brawl at Billings at BMP Speedway. Each of the previous three races for the Outlaws at the track have produced a different winner, with Joey Saldana being the most recent victor at the track. A strong contingent of full-time touring drivers are following the series this season and will be in attendance at BMP Speedway, including eight-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz. The track is one of the few on the schedule that Schatz has not won at in his career. Daryn Pittman, the 2013 series titlist, has won at BMP Speedway, with that victory coming in 2005. This edition of The Breakdown sets the stage for the Big Sky Brawl at Billings at BMP Speedway on Saturday, August 26.
The track
BMP Speedway (formerly known as Billings Motorsports Park) is a semi-banked three-eights-mile. The track record of12.281-seconds was established by Danny Lasoski in 2004.
Past winners
Joey Saldana won at BMP Speedway in 2008, taking the lead from Donny Schatz on the 10thlap and staying out front for the remainder of the 25-lap contest. Schatz ended up second, with Shane Stewart third. A total of eight drivers following the series full-time this season, competed in that race.
Daryn Pittman won at BMP Speedway in 2005. Steve Kinser, the 20-time series champion, was victorious in Billings in 2004. The Hall of Famer also has a pair of preliminary features wins at the track.
The players
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series has 16 full-time teams this year, led by Schatz. Brad Sweet is currently second in points, with David Gravel in third. Daryn Pittman recently moved back into the fourth position, with Shane Stewart rounding out the top-five. Jason Johnson currently is sixth in the standings, with Kraig Kinser seventh, rookie Sheldon Haudenschild eighth, Logan Schuchart ninth and Jason Sides 10th.
Also on the road again this year are veteran drivers Paul McMahan and Greg Wilson, as well as young drivers Jacob Allen and Clyde Knipp. Brent Marks is also contending for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award this season, while Jac Haudenschild is behind the wheel of the No. 17 for the Stenhouse Jr Wood Racing team.
Veteran presence
Donny Schatz, Kraig Kinser and Jason Sides are the only active drivers with the series who have competed in all five previous World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series races at BMP Speedway, including preliminary features. Schatz has four top-10 finishes at BMP Speedway, as he looks for his first win at the track. Kinser has four top-10 finishes in five career main event starts at the track, while Sides has a pair of top-10 showings at Billings. Shane Stewart, Paul McMahan and Jac Haudenschild have each made three starts at BMP Speedway and each has one top-10 to his credit.
Return visit
Jason Johnson has raced and won in the past with the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) at Billings Motorsports Park. He was victorious in ASCS competition at the track in 2013 and finished second the following year.
First timers
A handful of drivers competing full-time with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will be making their first visit to Billings Motorsports Park. Brad Sweet, who drives for Kasey Kahne Racing, will be seeing the track for the first time, as will David Gravel, Greg Wilson, Logan Schuchart, Jacob Allen and Clyde Knipp.
Rookie contenders
Sheldon Haudenschild and Brent Marks are contending for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award this season. Haudenschild is currently eighth in the series standings, while Marks is just outside of the top-10. Both will be making their first trip to the state of Montana.
Invaders
Dominic Scelzi and Jamie Veal are a couple of the “invaders” expected to compete in the Big Sky Brawl at Billings. Scelzi is the son of multi-time NHRA drag racing champion Gary Scelzi. Veal has won numerous races in his native land of Australia over the last several years.
Tickets
Tickets for the Big Sky Brawl at Billings, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at BMP Speedway on Saturday, August 26 can be purchased online at https://slspromotions.ticketforce.comor by phone at 815-344-2023 and at the track on race day.
Twitter: @SLS_Promotions
Facebook: SLS Promotions LLC
