Local racing schedule
KIL-KARE SPEEDWAY
Today: Open Wheel Friday: Winged super modifieds, sprints, Ford Focus midgets. Gates open at 6 p.m., racing at 8.
ELDORA SPEEDWAY
Today: Knight Before The Kings Royal: World of Outlaws winged sprints, NRA Invaders sprints. Gates open at 3 p.m., hot laps at 6:30, racing at 8.
Saturday:
Kings Royal: World of Outlaws winged sprints, NRA Invaders sprints. Gates open at 2 p.m., hot laps at 6:30, racing at 8.
SHADY BOWL SPEEDWAY
Saturday: Late models, modifieds, compacts, Pro-4s, sport stocks, dwarfs. Gates open at 3 p.m., hot laps at 4, qualifying at 5, racing at 7.
KIL-KARE DRAGWAY
Saturday: NHRA-sanctioned racing: Jeg's Superquick Series. Gates open at 10 a.m.
WINCHESTER SPEEDWAY
Sunday: Family Fun Day: USA modifieds, CRA late models, CRA compacts. Gates open at 10 a.m., racing at 2.
As a perk to winning the Kings Royal, drivers are forever proclaimed as King (insert winning year here) throughout the Kings Royal weekend at Eldora Speedway.
There’s King Jac IV, referring to Jac Haudenchild’s victory in 1987. He’s also King Jac XI and XV.
There’s the Blaney brothers — King Dave X and XII, and Dale XVII — and of course six-time winner Steve Kinser, or King Steve I, V, VIII, XIV, XX, and XXII.
Most drivers can rattle off their royal titles. As for defending champ and two-time winner Donny Schatz, he’s King ... well, let’s just say with the postrace hoopla and excitement surrounding those $50,000-to-win races — and the drive and determination to win another — he almost apologetically admits he has trouble remembering which roman numerals are bestowed upon him.
You can’t blame Schatz for getting caught up in the Kings Royal craze. A win here is a career-maker, not that the four-time defending World of Outlaws points champion exactly needs that. But it goes to show just how coveted a Kings Royal win is.
Last year, 47 cars filled the pits for the winged sprint car spectacular. Schatz — or King Donny XXIV and XXVI — led 38 of the 40 laps and held off a spirited run by runner-up Dale Blaney.
Nine Kings Royal winners are expected to compete in the event on Saturday, July 17, which also brings out more than a few regional racers hoping to shock the 410 sprint car world. The Knight Before The Kings Royal runs tonight.
“You can’t count out anyone. ... A lot of things can happen,” Schatz said. “You can’t lay it all on one car. If that was the case we’d all be bettin’ men. Some guys who don’t race professionally want to go there and say they did it. Everybody’s got a shot. ... I look forward to it. It’s what makes racing what it is. Those guys coming makes it great for us running with the Outlaws.”
Working against Schatz is no driver has ever repeated in the Kings Royal.
A strong finish — even if it doesn’t result in that regal robe, cherished crown and shining scepter in victory lane — would give Schatz momentum in chasing down a fifth WoO title. He enters this weekend’s races in fourth and trailing front-running Kinser by 187 points. Two-time Kings Royal winner Joey Saldana sits four points back in second and Jason Meyers is third, 42 points behind.
• The National Racing Alliance (NRA Invaders) run as an undercard on both nights. Leipsic’s Butch Schroeder leads the points, with Germantown’s Hud Hornton in third, Tipp City’s Kent Wolters in fourth and Ludlow Falls’ Luke Hall in sixth.
NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne will challenge the NRA Invaders.
• The weekend also features a National Sprint Car Hall of Fame auction, World of Outlaws autograph session and a performance by the Whiskey Road Band. Visit www.eldoraspeedway.com for a complete schedule.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2400, ext. 6991, or gbilling@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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