Danny Dietrich Scores World Of Outlaws Podium Finish During Nittany Showdown Opener

Story By: TYLER ALTMEYER / GARY KAUFFMAN RACING – GETTYSBURG, PA – Danny Dietrich was just one position shy of a World of Outlaws triumph on Friday night at the Port Royal “Speed Palace,” opening the two-day Nittany Showdown at Port Royal Speedway with a runner-up performance after starting in the exact same position.

Forced to chase Elk Grove, California’s Kyle Larson the entire distance, Dietrich had an opportunity to overtake the top spot during a late restart, but the mission was missed. The Gettysburg, Pennsylvania-native earned his way into the feature program by winning his respective heat race, eventually finishing second in the evening’s dash.

Although missing the top-ten, Dietrich’s route to finish 13th during the Nittany Showdown finale was most impressive, first winning the evening’s Last Chance Showdown before rallying from 21st to settle into 13th. The former Williams Grove Speedway and Lincoln Speedway champion was forced to compete in the Last Chance Showdown after finishing tenth in his Saturday night heat race; an issue with tire bleeders caused Dietrich to lose any potential to transfer.

“I think we were good enough to get Larson on Frida, we just didn’t have enough opportunities to make it work,” Dietrich said, driver of the Gary Kauffman Racing, Weikert’s Livestock, Sandoe’s Fruit Market, Pace Performance, Big Cove Whitetail Trophy Hunts, Drop Of Ink Tattoo, Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Self Made, No. 48 sprint car. “Saturday’s outcome was a far cry from what we were working toward, but regardless, it was a good recovery and I’m proud of our efforts. We’re heading back to Lincoln on Saturday so we’ll do what we can to get a win there.”

Danny Dietirch and Gary Kauffman Racing will help Lincoln Speedway close their doors for the season with Champions Night on Saturday, October 17. Dietrich is a seven-time winner in the Pigeon Hills in 2020, most recently sweeping the Bob Leiby Memorial double feature program on September 5. Still three victories shy of his 2019 total, Dietrich will enter the Lincoln Speedway finale with 12 wins on the season, two against Tony Stewart’s All Stars.