TULSA, Okla. — Kicking off the 40th annual Smiley’s Racing Products Tulsa Shootout powered by NOS Energy Drink with 28 WFO Outlaw Micro Heat Races, the evening saw several charges through the field and a few wild turns.
Claremore’s Kris Carroll made the most extensive run through the field, going from 10th to second in FuelTech Heat Race No. 14. Three drivers moved ahead seven positions, led by Kyle Larson, who made the mad dash from racing in Australia. Florida’s Noah Carpenter and Oklahoma’s Daison Pursley were the other two drivers, each moving from 10th to third.
T.J. Smith mounted the biggest charge to win, rolling from sixth to grab a Heat Race win. Fourth to first runs belonged to Thomas Kunsman, Jr., K.J Snow and Kyle Busch.
The WFO Outlaw division saw 275 drivers take to the track.
A turn of events in the late stages of Heat Races, Texas driver Anton Hernandez was disqualified after the car owner, Buddy Lee, refused to allow the engine to be teched following the 24th Heat Race. The car was one of four randomly teched during the evening after being allowed to cool down, with Sam Johnson, Ayden Gatewood and Kole Kirkman all passing.
Hernandez posted to social media, clarifying that the car he was driving was not his and that he was given the opportunity to race it. Posted earlier by the Tulsa Shootout following the disqualification, Hernandez was done for the event, Tulsa Shootout Officials confirmed the situation and will allow Hernandez to continue using his own equipment.
The last dirt track race of 2024, the 40th annual Smiley’s Racing Products Tulsa Shootout powered by NOS Energy Drink, will be the first of 2025, with action back on track at 9:00 A.M. (CT).
