by Steven Wright
news@thenewsleaders.com
The World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series came to Granite City Speedway for the first time ever last Wednesday. Persistent rain caused organizers to cancel the event Tuesday, but that didn’t stop fans from filling the stands to near capacity on June 17.
Three Sprint Car drivers led the race, but Donny Schatz was able to edge Shane Stewart to secure his 14th win of the season.
Denis Czech of Sauk Rapids had a strong showing in the Super Stocks race but was blocked out when trying to make a pass. Czech finished the night in sixth place.
Granite City Speedway, a three-eighths-mile track formerly known as Golden Spike Speedway, changed names prior to the 2013 season when a new group assumed ownership of the track. Many improvements have been made to the facility during the last few years, with more in the works, including the installation of new light towers in the spring of 2015.
“We have upgraded the facility from the old Golden Spike Speedway and are very excited to take it to the next level with the World of Outlaws,” said Denny Niess, one of the owners of Granite City Speedway. “Our goal is to be a premier facility and to have premier races. The community and all of our advertisers have been very supportive of the track, and that is why we are bringing in the best of the best with the World of Outlaws . . . They put on an amazing show, and I believe this is going to grow and get even bigger in the future . . . I look forward to this being an annual event.”
Granite City Speedway will hold races throughout the summer and expect to host more nationwide tours and big events in the future.
Top 5 World of Outlaws finishers – 1. Donny Schatz; 2. Shane Stewart; 3. Danny Lasoski; 4. Joey Saldana; and 5. Logan Schuchart.
Top 6 Super Stocks finishers – 1. Dave Mass, East Bethel; 2. Tim Johnson, Brainerd; 3. Dexton Koch, Foley; 4. Shane Sabraski, Rice; 5. James Trantina, Sartell; and 6. Denis Czech, Sauk Rapids.
Sprint Series drivers skid around the dirt track at Granite City Speedway. Donny Schatz took first place in the race and racked up his 14th win of the season.
Fans pack the stands to watch the first ever ‘World of Outlaws’ Sprint Series tour in Sauk Rapids.
Drivers and their crews make last minute adjustments to their cars prior to race time last Wednesday at Granite City Speedway.
Ryan Bowers of Ham Lake looks over his car one last time before Wednesday’s race.
