Inside Motorsports Preview

This week's Inside Motorsports will feature St. Louis native Jesse Smith, a talented ARCA racer making his NASCAR Camping World Truck Serie debut at Kansas Speedway May 2. Jesse grew up racing against former ARCA champ and Riverton, Ill., native Justin Allgaier and is following Justin's blueprint to success.

Also this weekend at Globe-Democrat.com, I sit down with 14-time NHRA Full Throttle Series Funny Car champ John Force on the heels of his 129th win in that class last weekend in Las Vegas. John and the rest of the NHRA return to Gateway International Raceway next week for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals. For all the info, visit GatewayRaceway.com, Facebook.com/GatewayRaceway, and Twitter.com/GatewayRaceway.

Speaking of Twitter, fans will definitely want to follow Gateway on their Twitter account for an opportunity to meet some of the biggest names in NHRA next weekend.

Be sure to check out Globe-Democrat.com all next week for full coverage of the NHRA's return to the St. Louis area.

Supercross Racer Justin Barcia Featured in Inside Motorsports

(Photo by Steve Cox)

Justin Barcia, the 18-year-old AMA Supercross rider appearing at the Edward Jones Dome this weekend with the rest of the series, is the focus of this week's Inside Motorsports at Globe-Democrat.com. For the full story, click HERE.

Previewing the World of Outlaws at I-55 Raceway

With the schedule beginning to pick up, one of the most exciting tracks on the World of Outlaws circuit will host the series for the first of two visits this season, as the best sprint car drivers in the world roll into the always exciting I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Missouri on Saturday, April 17 for a full night of racing.

Joey Saldana and Craig Dollansky split wins at the high-banked 1/3-mile bullring last season during the inaugural Ironman 55 weekend, after the spring race at the track was rained out. For each of them, it was their second career wins with the World of Outlaws at I-55 Raceway.

Jason Meyers, the current World of Outlaws point leader, was victorious for the first time in his career at I-55 in 2008, in a thrilling battle with Dollansky. Meyers heads into this weekend having won each of the last two World of Outlaws events and leads the series with four victorious so far in 2010 and is the only driver that has finished in the Top-10 in each and every race this season.

Steve Kinser, the 20-time World of Outlaws champion, leads all drivers at I-55 with four wins in World of Outlaws action. His most recent win at the high-banked track came in 2003. He is currently second in points, with a win earlier this season, along with nine Top-10 finishes in 10 races. Kinser’s teammate at Tony Stewart Racing, Donny Schatz was victorious at I-55 Raceway in 2006.

Jac Haudenschild has won three times over the years with the World of Outlaws at Pevely. The Hall of Famer is closing in on his first win of the 2010 campaign and always runs strong on the high-banked bullring.

Other current drivers following the World of Outlaws full-time that have won at I-55 Raceway include: 2001 series titlist Danny Lasoski, who won at the track in his home state in 2004, along with Chad Kemenah, who scored his first series win at the track in 2005 and third generation driver Kraig Kinser who also won in 2005.

The Buzz-

• The event this weekend will be the only tune-up for the Second Annual Ironman 55 on August 6-7 at I-55 Raceway.

• Joey Saldana looks for his second consecutive win at I-55 as he was the victor in the inaugural Ironman 55 last season at the track.

• Jason Meyers, the current series point leader, enters the weekend with two consecutive victories. He won at I-55 Raceway in 2008.

• Steve Kinser is the winningest driver in World of Outlaws action at I-55 Raceway with four wins and is looking for his first at the track since 2003.

• All three drivers competing full-time with the World of Outlaws in 2010, who have won series championships, have won with there series at I-55 Raceway, Steve Kinser, Donny Schatz and Danny Lasoski.

• Craig Dollansky, who won earlier this season, has won twice in his career at I-55 Raceway with the World of Outlaws, including in the opener of the Ironman 55 weekend last season

• Chad Kemenah scored his first career World of Outlaws A-Feature win at I-55 in 2005, becoming the second driver to accomplish that feat, as Randy Hannagan also did it in 2001.

• Kraig Kinser won at I-55 in 2005. He picked up a season-best third-place finish last weekend in Oklahoma

• Ben Gregg, one of the contenders for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award will make his first start at I-55 Raceway.

Sound Bites

Jac Haudenschild

“Pevely is a high-banked track and a pretty racy race track. The banking always makes for good racing and we just enjoy going there. It’s usually pretty tacky and good racing there. Usually in the spring, the track is a little tackier and not quite as slick. It can get a little choppy, but it seems like every time we go there its good racing and I would imagine it will be the same this time.”

Lucas Wolfe

“I had a great time at the Ironman last year. We’ll go back with some track time there and hopefully we can improve on last year’s results. I’m really looking forward to going back there and hopefully we can get rolling at the main part of the season.”

Jason Meyers

“It’s been a fantastic start to the season. My crew worked so hard over the winter and that is paying off now. We worked really hard to have a lot of options this year and to be able to adapt to the changes in the tires and things like that. So far it’s really out really well and the competition has been very good this year.”

By the numbers- I-55 Raceway

0.33- Miles around I-55 Raceway

1- Driver competing full-time with the World of Outlaws that hails from the state of Missouri- Danny Lasoski

2- Drivers competing for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award this season

3- Wins for Jac Haudenschild in his career with the World of Outlaws at I-55; Drivers that led laps in feature racing competition last season at the track

4- Total races for the World of Outlaws in the state of Missouri this season

6- Drivers that have won A-Feature events in 2010

7- Drivers that have been fastest in time trials this season

8- Drivers that have won a dash to earn a pole position so far in 2010

9- Drivers currently competing full-time with the World of Outlaws that have won at I-55 Raceway

10- Top-10 finishes for Jason Meyers this season to lead all drivers

10.189- Track record established by Stevie Smith in time trials in 2002

11- Drivers that have led laps in feature events in 2010

18- Drivers currently competing full-time with the World of Outlaws

19- Drivers that have won A-Feature events with the World of Outlaws at I-55 Raceway dating back to 1987

20- Laps led by Craig Dollansky last season to win the opener of the Ironman 55

24- Points separating current point leader Jason Meyers and 20-time series champion Steve Kinser

31- A-Feature events the World of Outlaws have contested at I-55 Raceway dating back to 1987

37- Laps led by Joey Saldana win the finale of the Ironman 55 weekend last year at the track

42- Drivers that competed in the opener of the Ironman 55 weekend in 2009

71- Laps led by Joey Saldana this season to lead all drivers

85- Points that currently separate the Top-Five in the World of Outlaws standings

168- Miles from Paducah International Raceway in Kentucky where the World of Outlaws compete on Friday, April 16 to I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Missouri

1987- Year the World of Outlaws first competed at I-55 Raceway

10,000- Dollars the winner will receive on Saturday, April 17

51,690- Dollars in the total purse on Saturday, April 17

Tickets

On Saturday, April 17 at I-55 Raceway, reserved tickets will be $32 with general admission tickets $30, while children ages 12-under will be admitted free of charge in the general admission section. For ticket information call the track at 636-479-3219 or visit http://www.i55raceway.com/.

Rick Hendrick/Kasey Kahne Teleconference Audio

(Kasey Kahne, right, participates in a fan Q-and-A with Steve Page of Infineon Raceway during a media event there yesterday as the news was breaking of his signing with Hendrick Motorsports. Photo by Mike Doran.)

Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, and NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne participated in a media teleconference today to discuss Kahne's departure from Richard Petty Motorsports at the end of this season and the move to the No. 5 HMS team in 2012. To hear the complete teleconference, click HERE.

Kasey Kahne Going to Hendrick Motorsports? UPDATE

(Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)

UPDATE: Here is the latest on Kasey Kahne leaving Richard Petty Motorsports at the end of 2010 from Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press.

Earlier story...

According to a report on ESPN.com, Kasey Kahne has signed a deal to race for Hendrick Motorsports starting in 2011. Since all the HMS drivers are signed through next year, the announcement leads to speculation that Kahne may actually drive for Stewart-Hass Racing, a Hendrick satellite team co-owned by two-time NASCAR Cup Series champ Tony Stewart. If this pans out, it could become the immediate favorite race team of dirt fans everywhere, with all three (including SHR driver Ryan Newman) having solid USAC backgrounds and Stewart and Kahne both owning their own respective USAC/World of Outlaw teams.

However, according to the Charlotte Observer and Jim Utter, the deal is actually for Kahne to start racing with HMS in 2012 as Martin's replacement. Both are viable options for Kahne, who hasn't been pleased with his performance at Richard Petty Motorsports and their switch this season to Ford.

Stay tuned...

Kelly Bires Out at JR Motorsports

(Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)

NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Kelly Bires was released from the No. 88 JR Motorsports this morning due to what team general manager Kelley Earnhardt called a lack of chemistry. Joplin, Mo., native and Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray will step into the car this weekend and will compete with that team, led by Tony Eury Sr., in eight additional races. There has been no word as to who will race that car, as well as the No. 7 JRM car, at Gateway International Raceway July 17 in the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250. The driver of the No. 88 car is also TBD for the Oct. 23 NNS race at Gateway. Danica Patrick is scheduled to drive the No. 7 at that event. There was no response to an e-mail sent to JRM at the time this post was published.

Bires started racing with JRM late last year and was supposed to compete for the Nationwide Series championship. The Wisconsin native faced adversity early in the season when he was bumped from his car in the season opener at Daytona for Patrick. Dale Earnhardt Jr., the co-owner of JR Motorsports, was in the other car and it was announced the the team did not have the funding the field a third car.

“We are extremely appreciative of Kelly Bires and wish him the best,” Kelley Earnhardt said. “Internally, it was evident the chemistry that is imperative for us to succeed in this highly competitive industry was simply not there. That is the fault of no one person. We owe it to our fans and sponsors to make necessary adjustments in an effort to put our best product on the track, and we’ll continue evaluating our progress until we are confident that our full potential is being reached.”

In five of the six races on the schedule this year, Bires had a best finish of seventh at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., and finished on the lead lap in four of those five races. On his official Twitter account after his release was made public, Bires said, "Not a good day. I know I belong and will be successful in this sport. JRM gave me an opportunity, it just didn't work out."

Both JR Motorsports are still expected to run the full season. Originally just scheduled for a limited number of events with Patrick behind the wheel, the No. 7 team is now racing the full compliment of races with drivers such as Scott Wimmer and Landon Cassill. The chance was made in order to ensure the open-wheel star is locked into the top-30 in owners' points during the events she is slated for so she will be guaranteed a spot in those races. Patrick's next race is scheduled to be at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in June.

Follow GIR on Twitter for the Chance to Meet NHRA Drivers

Gateway International Raceway is offering fans attending the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at the end of the month an opportunity get up close and personal with some of the stars of the NHRA Full Throttle Series. The track is putting together a Tweet-Up, tentatively scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, May 1. The location has yet to be disclosed, but drivers, crew chiefs, and media personalities have already volunteered to meet with fans. The only way to get all the information is to follow Gateway International Raceway on Twitter at Twitter.com/GatewayRaceway.

Another opportunity to meet drivers will take place at Casino Queen Thursday, April 29, from 8-9 p.m. at Club Sevens. Larry Dixon, Melanie Troxel, Morgan Lucas, and more will sign autographs for this open-to-the-public event.

To purchase tickets for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals at Gateway International Raceway, call 866-35-SPEED or visit GatewayRaceway.com.

Can Biffle Earn the NASCAR Triple Crown?

(Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)

Be sure to check out this week's Inside Motorsports column at Globe-Democrat.com tomorrow as I write about Greg Biffle's chances to become NASCAR's first-ever Triple Crown (Camping World Trucks, Nationwide, Sprint Cup) winner. Biffle, the only driver to have won both the Trucks and Nationwide Series events at Gateway International Raceway, is currently second in the Sprint Cup Series' points and is having a career year so far. Inside Motorsports can be found every Friday in the More Sports section of Globe-Democrat.com.

NHRA Sportsman Open at Gateway This Weekend

The NHRA Spring Sportsman Challenge is this weekend at Gateway International Raceway. Some of the baddest muscle cars in the Midwest will be at the Madison, Ill.-based track for the chance to win one of the most coveted trophies in motorsports, the Wally. The event is also Round 2 of the GIR Championship Bracket Series. Drag racing fans will not want to miss this. Also, from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Bo Matthews and WIL are broadcasting live from the track and will provide tons of giveaways, including free passes to the NHRA Drags Street Legal Style Presented by AAA at Gateway every Tuesday night. For more info on the event, visit GatewayRaceway.com.

Inside Motorsports Update

From here on out, the Inside Motorsports column at Globe-Democrat.com will appear every Friday in the More Sports section of the G-D sports page. Also, just wrapped up the conversation with 31-time NHRA Full Throttle Series Top Fuel winner and 1994 USAC Sprint Car champ Doug Kalitta. My column on him will be tomorrow's Inside Motorsports, but if you want to hear the entire interview uncut, just click HERE. Doug has been to three finals in four races this year and lost to Cory McClenathan on Monday at Charlotte by .001 seconds. NOT to Antron Brown, as you will hear the idiot doing the interview say...disregard THAT guy...just listen to Doug.