CASA GRANDE, Ariz. — Rio Grande Waste Services, a long-time supporter of the Wild West Shootout, is raising the stakes for the 2027 Wild West Shootout presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts with a $50,000-to-win finale for Super Late Models.
The finale at FK Rod Ends Central Arizona Speedway presented by Low Voltage Solutions will now pay $50,000 to the winner, with an additional $25,000 up for grabs through the Lap Leader Loot program, bringing the potential payout for Sunday’s main event to $75,000.
Larry Henk, owner of Rio Grande Waste Services, has continued his commitment to making the Wild West Shootout a marquee event for Super Late Models, saying, “I’m incredibly proud to be an integral part of making the Wild West Shootout one of the biggest events in our sport. I told Chris I wanted the purse to be big for next season, and we decided to pay $50,000 on the final night.”
Chris Kearns, promoter of the Wild West Shootout, echoed Henk’s vision, saying, “Larry called me and said he wanted to take the Wild West Shootout to the next level. He wanted to continue with the Lap Leader Loot money like we did last year, but also wanted to increase the winner’s purse. He wanted the payout to be up there with other big events.”
Rio Grande Waste Services will return as the title sponsor for the 2027 edition of the event and will also continue the Lap Leader Loot program for Super Late Models.
In the $25,000-to-win opener on Saturday, January 9, and the $50,000-to-win finale on Sunday, January 17, the Lap Leader Loot program will pay $500 for every lap led.
Including the lap money, the miniseries opening night could pay a possible $50,000 to the winner, while the finale could potentially bring $75,000 to the victor if a driver were to lead every lap of the main event. In addition, second place in Sunday’s finale will pay $25,000 to the runner-up.
With a $25,000-to-win opener, $50,000-to-win finale, and four $10,000-to-win features, a Super Late Model competitor could bring home $115,000 in winner’s purses alone. Adding in the Lap Leader Loot money, plus $3,000 for the miniseries champion, they could win more than $168,000 during the mega miniseries.
Kearns added, “We’re going to pay out over $550,000 in purse money during the event, with Late Models, Modifieds, and X-Mods. We have two practice nights, four $10,000-to-win features, a $25,000-to-win opener and a $50,000-to-win finale. To be able to race six nights with really good purses and get a lot of laps in without your hauler ever moving is a pretty damn good way for Super Late Model racers to start the season.”
