It’s about to get wild in Arizona. It will probably be a little crowded as well. With temperatures hovering around the zero mark across the Midwest and cold weather nearly everywhere in the United States, hundreds of Late Model and Modified racers are seeking refuge in the Southwest. For years, The Wild West Shootout has been the first major event of the season and the tradition continues this weekend—and this year someone could walk away with almost $300,000.

Previously held in Tucson at USA Raceway Park or up Interstate 10 in Casa Grande, the race is at its third venue in the past 12 years. Beginning Saturday, January 6 at Arizona Speedway in San Tan Valley and running six nights through this weekend and next, the best Super Late Model and Modified racers combine business with pleasure as they race just outside of Phoenix.

The Shootout is comprised of a two-day show January 6-7, a midweek race on the 10th, and then three nights of racing 12-14. Last year, two of the six races fell to rain, but Bobby Pierce—one of this year’s Flo50 Greatest Dirt Track drivers—won three of the four nights that were run. Billy Moyer Sr. won the other event to keep him from sweeping the event.

This year, the first five nights of racing feature $5,000-to-win; the finale pays an impressive $13,000 for first. Those are not the numbers most racers have in mind entering the event, however; bonuses are also on the line. If anyone can duplicate Pierce’s feat from last year and win three races, they will pocket and extra $10,000. Winning four races is worth $25,000, five wins equals $100,000, and a clean sweep of the event will pay $250,000.

That puts Saturday’s race at a premium. Getting a good start means that tonight’s winner is the only one eligible for the quarter million, but it also gives him a leg up for the rest of the bonuses.