RPW Exclusive: Rain Postpones Second Night Of Wild West Shootout

Column By: ROBERT SYMONDS / RPW – SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ – As it had happened for much of the 2018 race season, the weather carried over into 2019 bringing rain into the desert and saturating the grounds of the Arizona Speedway.

Through much negotiation with the track promoters and staff, the decision came down to make up the Sunday January 6th race to Saturday January 12th. This sets up a Double Header Saturday, making it accommodatable for fans, drivers, and track workers alike.

The schedule, released early Sunday afternoon, for next Saturday’s shows is detailed with Time Trials beginning at 11am MST and Heat Racing at 12pm MST. Full programs for Late Models, along with twin 15 lap features for both X-Mod and USRA Modifieds. Following the conclusion of the Sunday program on Saturday January 12th will be the Saturday portion of the event with Hotlaps beginning at around 5:30pm MST and racing at around 7pm MST.

With this schedule, Bobby Pierce still has a chance to win the Keyser’s Quarter-Million Challenge, of which is a possible $250,000 bonus to a driver that can sweep the entire Wild West Shootout and win all six of the Late Model feature events. Winning five of six features will again earn a racer an extra $100,000 and capturing four races offers a $25,000 check.

Next Saturday January 12th maybe under a week away but there is another event at the Arizona Speedway before then. Drivers will have time to do some more testing on Thursday January 10th if they need it to get ready for Round 3 of the Wild West Shootout on Friday January 11th. Full Late Model show plus open-wheel Modifieds and X-Mod divisions also will fill the speedway.

For more information on the Wild West Shootout, stay connected here at Race Pro Weekly.