May 9, 2010

WORLD OF OUTLAWS VS THE POSSE MAY 13-14 AT WILLIAMS GROVE

     MECHANICSBURG, PA -- The rivalry which began more than thirty years ago will be renewed this week when the World of Outlaws will sanction a two-day sprint car racing event on Thursday and Friday evenings, May 13-14, at Williams Grove Speedway.
     Qualifying is scheduled to begin at 7:45 each night.
     Fireworks displays will also be presented.
     The confrontations between the Outlaws and the Williams Grove regulars known as the Pennsylvania Posse began in 1979 and while each side has held sway at various times throughout the years, the local drivers are on a 4-race winning streak.
     Thomasville’s Greg Hodnett won three WoO-sanctioned races at Williams Grove in 2009, and Red Lion’s Cody Darrah won the fourth.
  But it should be pointed out that Outlaw drivers Donny Schatz (2), Steve Kinser and Daryn Pittman won the previous four.
     Further research indicates that the last twelve World of Outlaws races at Williams Grove have resulted in an even split with each side winning six times.
     One of the favorites to win this week is Lucas Wolfe, a Mechanicsburg resident and graduate of nearby Cumberland Valley High School, who got his start in sprint car racing at Williams Grove Speedway, but is now a full-time traveler with the World of Outlaws.
     Wolfe, who owns nine career victories at this historic speedway, used a weekend off from the WoO tour to score a convincing win over the Posse at Williams Grove on March 26.
     Another Outlaw enters as one of the favorites although he has never won at the Grove.  Jason Meyers of Clovis, California, is making a serious bid for his first WoO championship, and should be in the hunt both nights this week.
     Both Kinser and Schatz, who have enjoyed great success at the Mechanicsburg oval, certainly should be in contention as well.
     Hodnett, Lance Dewease, Stevie Smith and Brian Montieth appear to be the Posse’s  best representatives at this point in the season.