Rolling into Missouri

Indianapolis - As the World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Series rolls into Missouri for this weekend’s events at US 36 Raceway and Lake Ozark Speedway, Tony Stewart Racing’s (TSR) Paul McMahan is banking on the fact that the Show-Me-State will show the No. 20 Bass Pro Shops team a little love…and a little green. This weekend’s A-main event winners will cash in to the tune of $20,000, and McMahan would like nothing more than to add a few zeros to his bank account.

McMahan and the No. 20 TSR/Bass Pro Shops/Eagle team currently own the one-lap speed record at US 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo. Turning a lap of 9.846 seconds at 135.36 mph in qualifying for the 2006 WoO Sprint Series event at the facility last year, McMahan definitely knows the fast line around the 3/8-mile facility. He took the checkered flag in last year’s A-main event in fifth place behind winner Jac Haudenschild.

This Saturday’s WoO race at Lake Ozark Speedway in Eldon, Mo., will mark the series’ first event at the facility in two years. The WoO last appeared at the track on May 6, 2005, with Tim Shaffer taking the checkered flag at that event. McMahan finished a solid third in his first appearance at the 1/3-mile track.

In 17 WoO Sprint Series races this season, McMahan has earned two top-five finishes, six top-10 finishes, one quick time award, one dash event win and one B-main event victory. He enters this weekend’s events ranked 11th in the WoO Sprint Series championship standings with 2,115 points – only six points out of the top-10. McMahan trails series leader Donny Schatz by 319 points.

Quotes from Paul McMahan, driver of the No. 20 TSR/Bass Pro Shops/Eagle:

In addition to setting the track record in qualifying, you finished well at US 36 Raceway last year. Is it one of those tracks that drivers are able to get a feel for quickly?

“US 36 Raceway is another one of those short, high-banked bullrings like I grew up racing on. I learned that type of track early in my career and any time we get an opportunity to compete at a facility that offers this type of racing I am all for it. Our team is also really getting into a groove at this point in the season and I think that it’s showing in our consistent finishes. We’re working well together right now and I think it’s only a matter of time before we get our first win of the season for Bass Pro Shops and Chevrolet. I’m also really excited about getting into a longer stretch of racing. I think it helps your momentum when you’re at the track more often than not. ”

Lake Ozark Speedway is another short track that you’ve faired well at in the recent past. Are you looking forward to returning to the facility this weekend?

“It’s another track that is short, tight and a lot of fun to race on. With some drivers, they have a mental block that when the track is rough and heavy, it can’t be run well. I love a rough track. I encourage it, especially on the short tracks. It really gives us a chance to put on a great show, not to mention I think it’s a lot of fun. I am really looking forward to heading back to Lake Ozark Speedway on Saturday. I’d love to get our first win of the season there. I think the fans are in for a great show. ”

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.