NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The riffs of guitars and harmonics of pianos are ingrained in Nashville’s history, and soon, the thunderous roars of World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series machines will be as well.
The Outlaws will make their Nashville debut May 31-June 1 for the inaugural Music City Outlaws Nationals at the quarter-mile Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
The doubleheader race marks the first time the World of Outlaws will make laps around the quarter-mile track – located inside the half-mile speedway – covered in seven million pounds of dirt. Nashville also marks the series’ only stop in Tennessee this year.
While there are several new elements going into the historic weekend, drivers are excited for the new challenge.
“It’ll be fun,” said Tennessee native Jason Sides. “It’ll be different for everybody because it’ll be some place we’ve never been. I know it’s a fun town. Hopefully we’ll have some good luck there.”
Sides Motorsports will field two cars for the doubleheader – one for Sides and another for California native Tim Kaeding, who has run seven races with the team so far this year.
Sides said he would be pleased with having both cars finish in the top five.
CJB Motorsports driver Shane Stewart has also expressed excitement for the race. He’s entering the weekend with the momentum of a strong top-five run at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway on Monday.
“We’re excited to get to Nashville,” Stewart said. “Excited to be a part of that. Anytime we can dip into a new market, a new venue like Nashville — there’s been a lot of hype about it on social media, I think there’s going to be a big crowd there.”
Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing driver Donny Schatz expects those hyped exploring Nashville to make their way to the doubleheader race.
“The market is great,” Schatz said. “Everybody is talking about going to Nashville. I’ve got friends coming from all over saying, ‘Hey we’re going to go out downtown.’ I’m like, well, I’m coming to race. You better be at the race.”
There will be big money on the line for drivers, too. The first night of the Music City Outlaw Nationals will pay $1,000 to start the feature and $15,000 to win. The second will pay $1,500 to start the feature and a whopping $25,000 to win.
Fans will also be treated to a plethora of entertainment. Hall of Fame rocker John Oates will serve as a Grand Marshal on Friday, May 31. Country music star Tim Dugger will perform a post-race concert Friday night and a pre-race concert Saturday at 4 p.m.
Dugger will also be a host of the VIP Party Deck at the speedway during the event.
Big & Rich singer John Rich’s Redneck Riviera, located in downtown Nashville, will have drink specials throughout race week for those with passes to the VIP Party Deck.
It’ll be a can’t miss historic event, ingraining the roars of the World of Outlaws into the famous sounds of Nashville.