LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Dominic Scelzi is among the top contenders already entered into the 33rd Annual COMP Cams Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires at I-30 Speedway set for Oct. 1-3.
The California native is running a true outlaw schedule this season, competing in a variety of events across the country, which included a June Ollie’s All Star Circuit of Champions victory at Louisiana’s Chatham Speedway.
Pennsylvania’s Mark Smith has tossed his hat in the ring as well during pre-entries for one of the crown jewels of 360 sprint car racing at the high-banked, quarter-mile clay oval.
Smith ranks as the winningest 360 sprint car driver in the nation, with 17 victories this season, including last weekend’s Ralph Henson Memorial at 1-30 Speedway.
Perennial STN contenders Derek Hagar and Dale Howard are also among the early entries as is Howard Moore, who will wheel the Rains No. 3 Sprint Car.  Others among the early entries include Oregon native Roger Crockett and Memphis-area rep Ernie Ainsworth.
Last October, Oklahoma’s Blake Hahn bested a field of 70 competitors to become the fifth racer in event history to win in back-to-back years, joining the likes of Steve Kinser (1988-89), Gary Wright (2003-04), Tony Bruce, Jr. (2008-09) and Sammy Swindell (2016-17).
National Sprint Car Hall of Famers Sammy Swindell and Gary Wright top the STN victory charts with five and four triumphs, respectively, with other past event winners including the likes of NASCAR Cup Series star Christopher Bell, Paul McMahan, Brad Sweet, Tony Bruce, Jr., Jason Meyers, Jason Johnson, Tim Montgomery, Jason Sides, Mike Ward, Tim Crawley, Wayne Johnson, Pete Butler, Terry Gray, John Gerloff and Kinser.
Thursday will be a practice day with Friday’s premilinary feature paying $2,500 to win. Saturday’s finale will be a 41-lap feature with a $10,041 winner’s purse on the line.