6/2/2016
POWRi WAR Sprints
SAFETY & SCHEDULE CHANGES
SAFETY & SCHEDULE CHANGES
Indianapolis, IN – After a weekend off of racing for the WAR Sprint Car Series, the stats have been updated as the next race weekend quickly approaches. WAR Series Director & Owner Casey Shuman announced at I-35 Speedway on May 14, 2016 during the Drivers Meeting that June 4, 2016 would be the cutoff for drivers to become WAR Members in order to retain their points accumulated so far this season and contend for the End-Of-The-Year Point Fund.
WAR has competed seven times so far this season with six different drivers reaching victory lane. Chris Parkinson leads the standings for the “Heat Race Hero Award” with three heat race wins followed by Clinton Boyles and Zach Daum who each have two heat race wins.
2016 END OF THE YEAR POINT FUND:
- $2,000.00
- $1,250.00
- $1,000.00
- $750.00
- $500.00
- $450.00
- $400.00
- $350.00
- $300.00
- $250.00
To be eligible for the end-of-the-year point fund, competitors must be WAR members and must compete in at least 75% of the completed WAR shows in 2016
2016 NIGHTLY CONTINGENCY PRIZE SPONSORS:
Heat Race 1 Winner – Hinchman Racewear $50 Gift Certificate
Heat Race 2 Winner – Wilwood Disc Brakes $50 Gift Certificate
Heat Race 3 Winner – Bell Helmets $50 Gift Certificate
Heat Race 4 Winner – Schure Built Suspensions $50 Gift Certificate
Hard Luck Award – Vahlco Wheels Non-Beadlock Front Wheel
Hard Charger Award – Indy Race Parts $50 Gift Certificate & FREE Pack of Tear-Offs
High Point Man Award – FK Midwest $50 Gift Certificate
“Luck of the Draw” Winner (Highest Number pulled in Draw) – Engine Connection $100 Gift Certificate
“Lucky 7” Winner (7th place finisher in A main) – DMI $25 Gift Certificate
Bonus Contingency Prize Sponsor – EMi Eagle Motorsports $25 Gift Certificate
“Barnhill Saloon Lucky 13” Winner (13th place finisher in A main) – $50 Cash Award
Heat Race Hero Award – $400 Cash awarded to driver with the most heat race wins in the season
May was a month of firsts for the WAR Series. On May 20, 2016 WAR traveled to Missouri State Fair Speedway in Sedalia, MO for the inaugural event of three scheduled races total this season at the famous half mile. After a scary accident involving WAR Member Chris Desselle during the A-Main which resulted in transportation to the local hospital and overnight observation, the WAR Owner and the Missouri State Fair Speedway Promoter discussed the remaining events scheduled in Sedalia this season.
“I have been a racer my entire a career until this year,” said Casey Shuman, “Making the leap from that position to a series owner has been a huge learning experience. I want to make sure that my guys are as safe as possible. Any decision I make, I try to think about my members first. With that said, we have come to a mutual decision with the Race Organizer at the Missouri State Fair Speedway to cancel the remaining two events scheduled at Sedalia this season.”
WAR was scheduled to run two more events at Missouri State Fair Speedway, 8/21/16 & 6/17/16. The staff is actively planning to replace these two event dates with different racetracks.
“We enjoyed working with the Missouri State Fair Speedway staff,” said Casey Shuman, “Even though we mutually agreed to cancel the remaining two events there, we are very grateful for the opportunity to have taken WAR to the historic racetrack. We must remember that safety is paramount for all our WAR competitors.”
Following the Sedalia event, there have been many conversations regarding safety and tethers. There have been numerous cases around the country involving complete axle assemblies coming out of cars. In reaction to this safety issue, the WAR Series has moved into conversations with ButlerBuilt in order to reach a safer overall racecar for all involved including spectators. Starting in 2017, tethers will be mandatory on the front axle of every competitor’s racecar. For the remainder of 2016, these tethers are strongly recommended and competitors are offered an exclusive discount through WAR to purchase tethers from ButlerBuilt for $185.
Casey Shuman has been in contact with surrounding racetracks and race series in reference to the front axle issue. “I believe that over the next couple years, tethers will become common practice all over the country and we are just getting ahead of the game,” said Shuman, “I would rather be proactive and make a change now instead of waiting for an axle to land in a grandstand and become reactive about the issue after further damage has already been done.”
There will be a mandatory drivers meeting at I-35 Speedway this Saturday June 4, 2016 at 5:30 PM regarding the many important points highlighted in this press release. Safety is of the utmost importance to the WAR Series. The staff is working hard to better the series as well as making it safer for all competitors and fans involved.
Photo Credit: Redlined Photography
Article Credit: Brooke Rowden