The World of Outlaws and parents company the World Racing Group recently welcomed NOS Energy Drink as the new title sponsor of the series. Thanks to the multi-year agreement, the series will now be dubbed the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series. In addition to the Series sponsorship, NOS Energy will continue as title sponsor of the No. 17 Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing team with Sheldon Haudenschild behind the wheel. NOS Energy also is the title sponsor of the USAC National Midget Series and a big partner of the Clauson Marshall Racing team in the USAC ranks.

NOS Energy spent a large part of the 2018 season on the road with the World of Outlaws, handing out samples at events and meeting with fans.

“The response last season from World of Outlaws fans, drivers and really the whole community was pretty overwhelming and is really the biggest factor in our decision to expand our involvement," said Lauren Albano, Marketing Director for NOS Energy Drink. "The World of Outlaws brand of racing is authentic, raw and contagious, and we are more than excited to continue to fuel the sport’s passion on and off the track.”

“NOS Energy joined the World of Outlaws last season, and we couldn’t be prouder to have them expand their involvement and become our title sponsor,” said World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter. “The Greatest Show on Dirt runs the fiercest schedule in all of motorsports, so our drivers, crews and fans need all the horsepower and stamina they can get."

Johnson & Smith to the Hall of Fame

The World of Outlaws will be well-represented when the 2019 induction ceremony for the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame takes place in Knoxville, Iowa in June. The late Jason Johnson, the 2015 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award winner, who scored 12 Outlaws win in his career, will be among those inducted. Also, Stevie Smith, the Outlaws top rookie in 1990, who has 84 series wins will be inducted.

Winning Down Under

Carson Macedo, who will be contending for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series in 2019, was victorious on the second night of the Grand Annual Sprint Car Classic at Premier Speedway in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia. Macedo picked up the win over Luke Dillon and veteran driver Kerry Madsen. Gio Scelzi came from the rear of the field to finish eighth in that race.

Chili Bowl Recap

David Gravel and Brad Sweet both qualified for the A-main event at the Chili Bowl this past week, with a field of 350 cars in attendance. Gravel finished second on a preliminary night to lock himself directly into the Pole Shuffle, where he ended up 10^th, which put him on the outside of the fifth row for the main event. Gravel was caught up in an accident on the final night and was not able to finish, being scored 18^th.

Sweet, who finished third on his prelim night, raced his way into the main event by winning the first B-main on Saturday night. Sweet, who started 11^thin the 55-lap finale, wound up finishing seventh. 

Fellow Outlaws drivers Daryn Pittman, Shane Stewart and Sheldon Haudenschild also competed at the Chili Bowl. After engine trouble on his prelim night, Pittman borrowed a power-plant from Dan Harris and was able to run a B-main on Saturday.

Awards Season

The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in conjunction with the National Sprint Car Poll, handed out their 2018 season awards during the Chili Bowl. Donny Schatz was named 410 Driver of the Year for the 11^thtime, while Tony Stewart Racing was named Team of the Year for the seventh time.

World of Outlaws team owner Kyle Larson received the “Wildcard Award” for his exciting performances during the 2018 season in a sprint car.

Also, Greg Hodnett, posthumously, was named the recipient of the “Thomas J. Schmeh Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Sport.”

Brian Dunlap and the team at DIRTVision.com were named the Media Member of the Year for their efforts to bring to fruition the plan of broadcasting every World of Outlaws live online. 

Schedule Update

The early-season event at Calistoga Speedway in California, originally scheduled for March 23, has been removed from the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series schedule. On-going negotiations, regarding the operation of the historic speedway, led to the cancellation. The Wine Country Outlaw Showdown at the half-mile on September 14 is still on as scheduled.