NASCAR Lite : Sanctioning agreement connects organization with local track
Outlaw Motor Speedway co-owner Lynn Skinner used two other sports to put into perspective major changes announced Wednesday as the track entered into a sanctioning agreement with NASCAR as one of approximately 60 short tracks in North America.
“To me we’re now a farm team of the New York Yankees as far as race tracks go,” Skinner said following a press conference announcing the deal, held at Muskogee Civic Center. “Every race car driver in this part of the country will want to connect here and the residual effect on our fans will be like getting to see a Heisman Trophy winner before he turns pro.”
By joining the NASCAR short track circuit, drivers in Outlaw’s main divisions — Pure Stock, Factory Stock, Grand Nationals, Modified and Outlaw Modified — will compete not only within the OMS points race but also in a national points race involving 60 short tracks in the U.S. and Canada, including 12 other dirt tracks that will with Outlaw make up the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
The points breakdown will recognize regional and state points champions as well — meaning at this point that OMS champions will automatically be state champions. This is the first and only track in the state that has been selected at this point for NASCAR sanctioning.
“This just seemed like a great place to start,” said George Silbermann, managing director of racing operations for NASCAR.
Silbermann was in town from Daytona Beach, Fla., and was to tour the facility for the first time following the press conference.
“We’re very aware of the quality of the facility, the fan-friendly atmosphere and the quality of drivers,” said George Silbermann, managing director of racing operations for NASCAR. “If you look at the tracks in our program, they’re among the best in North America.”
The arrangement will also allow OMS drivers to participate in the driver’s insurance program available to NASCAR’s major racing series drivers in Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck.
“I don’t think people will be able to grasp the significance of this until they get to the track in March and see the officials with the NASCAR logo and when the drivers realize what that insurance policy will mean to them and their families,” said Camping World Truck series racer Russ Dugger of Owasso, on hand Wednesday.
“Most drivers don’t have any coverage and now by racing at a sanctioned track, both in terms of safety and opportunity from drivers to car owners, crew chiefs and mechanics, they all have their foot in the door of a bigger network.”
A portion of that network will convene at the track for the NASCAR Whelan Series All-American Dirt Track Championship July 1-3.
The news left Muskogee High student Colton Dunlap, a Grand National division driver and one of the successful younger drivers at the track present in the audience on Wednesday, eager to get the season started.
“NASCAR racing, that’s what I’ve always wanted to do and anything I can be a part of to get to that level, well, this definitely is a step toward that,” he said. “It’s going to change a lot for us. I’m pumped and ready to go to the track now.”
Source: NASCAR Lite : Sanctioning agreement connects organization with local track
“To me we’re now a farm team of the New York Yankees as far as race tracks go,” Skinner said following a press conference announcing the deal, held at Muskogee Civic Center. “Every race car driver in this part of the country will want to connect here and the residual effect on our fans will be like getting to see a Heisman Trophy winner before he turns pro.”
By joining the NASCAR short track circuit, drivers in Outlaw’s main divisions — Pure Stock, Factory Stock, Grand Nationals, Modified and Outlaw Modified — will compete not only within the OMS points race but also in a national points race involving 60 short tracks in the U.S. and Canada, including 12 other dirt tracks that will with Outlaw make up the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
The points breakdown will recognize regional and state points champions as well — meaning at this point that OMS champions will automatically be state champions. This is the first and only track in the state that has been selected at this point for NASCAR sanctioning.
“This just seemed like a great place to start,” said George Silbermann, managing director of racing operations for NASCAR.
Silbermann was in town from Daytona Beach, Fla., and was to tour the facility for the first time following the press conference.
“We’re very aware of the quality of the facility, the fan-friendly atmosphere and the quality of drivers,” said George Silbermann, managing director of racing operations for NASCAR. “If you look at the tracks in our program, they’re among the best in North America.”
The arrangement will also allow OMS drivers to participate in the driver’s insurance program available to NASCAR’s major racing series drivers in Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck.
“I don’t think people will be able to grasp the significance of this until they get to the track in March and see the officials with the NASCAR logo and when the drivers realize what that insurance policy will mean to them and their families,” said Camping World Truck series racer Russ Dugger of Owasso, on hand Wednesday.
“Most drivers don’t have any coverage and now by racing at a sanctioned track, both in terms of safety and opportunity from drivers to car owners, crew chiefs and mechanics, they all have their foot in the door of a bigger network.”
A portion of that network will convene at the track for the NASCAR Whelan Series All-American Dirt Track Championship July 1-3.
The news left Muskogee High student Colton Dunlap, a Grand National division driver and one of the successful younger drivers at the track present in the audience on Wednesday, eager to get the season started.
“NASCAR racing, that’s what I’ve always wanted to do and anything I can be a part of to get to that level, well, this definitely is a step toward that,” he said. “It’s going to change a lot for us. I’m pumped and ready to go to the track now.”
Source: NASCAR Lite : Sanctioning agreement connects organization with local track
