May 28, 2025 • 10 mins
The World of Outlaws is coming to the River Cities Speedway on Friday May 30th. Tony visits with Paul about the upcoming show, and all the excitement it brings to the fast paced bull ring in Grand Forks.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Well, let's finally hear everyone good morning. We are counting
down now until we dropped the flag that green one
to rev it up again for the World of Outlaws
making their first appearance at the River City Speedway coming
up on Friday night, the bull Ring, ready to welcome
in the fastest men on dirt. That's right, and Tony
(00:21):
Veneziano joins me now from the World of Outlaws here
as we get set and ready for their run through
the valley starting with the River City Speedway and the
Don Macclassic presented by Jerdau Metals and Recycling. And I
tell you what, whenever the World of out Laws appear
in Grand Forks, of course, and that is the NAS
Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, it is a it is
(00:41):
a show of shows, especially at River City Speedway. Tony,
so glad to have you on board. Can't wait till
you guys arrive.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Yeah, thanks, Paul. You ed always I mean coming to
Grand Fork. The drivers love the track, I mean, one
of the raciest tracks and race at all seasons of
always exciting. I mean, you know it's a small track.
They call it the bull Ring and all we something
going on. You put twenty four cars out there at
the end of the night for the main event, and
I mean you're battling, you do it. There's everything going on.
I mean we always say a ton of like putting
twenty four fighter jets and gymnasi and honestly, because there's
(01:11):
just something going on. No matter where you look on
that track, there'll be something happening.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
I was gonna say, Tony, when it comes to the
phrase elbows out racing, there might be a little of that,
especially if we're able to get the multiple grooves on
this track, you know, because it's three tenths of a
mile around the top only a corner, but down on
the bottom and on really great years where the track
has got both grooves running. You know, these are the
ten the most talented drivers in the business. They can
(01:38):
probably run their cars, and we'll try to find whatever's
the best way to run, whether up top or on
the bottom.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Right exactly, you know. And there's guys that love running
up top right against the wall. There's guys that like
taking that short way around the bottom, and yeah, when
you mix it up with some of the slower traffic
they get into once the race gets going, I mean,
then you sometimes have to change which lane or which
groove you're in, and the track changes us well throughout
the night. You know, sometimes it'll be faster on the
top earlier and maybe go to the middle or even
(02:03):
the bottom sometimes. So that's the beauty of a dirt track,
you know, it always changes, and the guys always have
to be on their toes. And like you said, I mean,
that's what makes these drivers so good because they can
they can adapt to all the different conditions and changing
conditions throughout the night.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Nine hundred horsepower wing sprint cars. For our fans that
are listening to this, they already know that. I always
say the track record back in two thousand and nine
Jason Myers at nine point two six nine seconds and
average speed of one hundred and sixteen point five to
one seven miles per hour. That is, uh, that's rolling
around basically. Well, these guys threaten it perhaps if the
(02:39):
track conditions are.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Right, I mean, the conditions what after you're at that
night when Jason Myers said it had rained previously that night,
so the track was really really wet. It's normally not
as wet as was that night, and I don't think
I ever saw anything like that. I mean, every car
that went out, they just kept getting faster and faster.
You had nine point two seconds. I mean, it was
amazing to see them get around there. So I would
say it'll probably be in the low ten seconds time
(03:01):
trials this year. And that's kind of kind of a
normal summer night, how it is. You know, it's looking
like it's gonna thankfully be nice and warm and sunny days,
so the track will be a little bit, probably a
little bit dry. I'll keep moisturing it throughout the day,
but I would say they're probably not gonna not gonna
challenge that track record. But that's probably a good thing
because sometimes the track can be too fast, and that
night was one of those nights where it was just
a little too fast and it was hard for guys
(03:22):
to pass. Do you like the track to honestly be
a little bit slower that that leads to a little bit,
a little bit better racing and more conducive to passing.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Oh, that's awesome. Hey, the World of Outlaws NAS Energy
Drink Sprint Car Series when it comes through this region
in the world, but that's to be said. Wherever it
goes throughout the year and throughout the season, with all
its shows, it has a loyal, devout following of fans.
I see the shirts, I see them supporting their favorite drivers.
We'll talk about the drivers, but there's something to be
(03:50):
said about the fan base and getting out and the
support that is anticipated, not only here at River City Speedway,
but down in West Fargo as well. There they set
up their year for this. This is really what it's about.
And I think the drivers know that in the series
knows that, doesn't don't they?
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Yeah, And you know, and this is the series getting
close to fiftieth anniversary. You know, I think it's the
year forty seven or forty eight, So, I mean there's
just such a following over the years, like you said,
you know, and people come back a year after year,
and sometimes the people they sit by its track the
only time of year they see the people. So it's
kind of like a family reunion in a sense, and
just that camaraderie. They love the racing. And you have
a fans in North Dakota rather I mean, you guys
(04:28):
have a short racing season, but you make the most
of it. Mean, great fans up there. They're very knowledgeable,
they're very passionate. They love the Sports. So it's it's
always great to come up there, and you know when
mother nature cooperates, that makes it even better.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
Right. Donnie Shottz obviously the mine not native and ten
times series champion. We know about his incredible record. David
Gravell's been through here a number of times. I think
he's the series champ right now, the raining series champion
and current points leader, and so you just keep looking
through all these familiar names that have had six tests
(05:00):
on this track, have had success in the in the series,
that people have gotten to know, and you know, everybody's
pretty stuck in their column of who they cheer for,
but all these guys look like they're kind of primed
to be factors this go around when they come through
here on Friday night.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Yeah, they are. You know, it's been a great season
so far. Obviously, David grave just have an amazing season.
Like you said, defending series champ, current points leader, He's
already won eight times. He's won about a quarter of
the races so far. And something pretty impressive about him,
he's finish in the top ten every single night. I
mean that's about twenty six twenty seven races so far
this year. To never have a flat tire or spin
or any kind of bab buck or anything. I mean,
(05:39):
it's amazing the streak he's on right now. And some
of the young guys have really stepped up as well.
There's seven rookies out there, which that's a record, I believe,
seven rookies. I don't ever remember seven rookies, and those
guys are they're getting their teeth wet, and they've had
some good runs. One of the rookies actually the other night,
finished second in Ohio, which is the best finished of
a rookie this season. So, you know, been the veteran
guys like Donnie. I mean, Donnie's still looking for the
(06:00):
first win of the year, which's hard to believe, or
to end in May, and he hasn't won a race yet,
but he they've had some changes with their team, some
new crew guys, crew chiefs, stuff like that, they change engines,
so they've had a lot of changes he you know,
and he's had some bad luck. Unfortunately, still fast every night.
You know, he didn't forget how to drive a race star.
Hopefully they can just kind of get a little bit
of lady luck on their side. He'll be up there
contending and he's always tough, you know, out his home track.
(06:21):
When he comes to North Dakota, he's won about a
dozen races and in Grand Forks about six or seven
at Fargos with the Outlaws, So you know, Donny shots
always a contender, wins at his home track. And you
know guys like David Gravell have won in the North
Dakota tracks before, Carson Messito, Logan show Ard, Shelton, Haddens Shield.
I mean there's there's a bunch of guys that have
won Outlaws races. So yeah, it's gonna be tough. And
(06:41):
then he's throwing some of the local guys. Mark dob Meyer,
he's something before at Grand Forks to beat in the Outlaws,
and that would be huge if he if he wanted, Man,
I think there'd be a party for a week if
Mark DoD Meyer beat the Outlaws at his home track,
that'd be pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
I know it's circled for the Mark dob Meyer faith well,
and there are many that would love to see nothing
more than a surprise at the Don mcclassic. And you
mentioned I think it was the Californian Carson Mercedo last
year who took the win here at River City Speedway,
and that's a guy, you know, the Californian contingent. They've
(07:13):
always had, you know, a couple of individuals from that
part of the world, from ant West that are great racers,
and he's just another one of them that was able
to take the win last year.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Yeah. Yeah, and he recently picked up his fiftieth career
Outlaws win. He's only twenty nine years old, which seems
kind of hard believe. He's been racing for quite a while.
So yeah, Carson always tough. His brother Cole's actually a
rookie out there this year, so it's kind of neat
to have both the brothers out there. Gill Selsey another
young California guy. He wanted the other race than Grand
Forks last year in August, so you know, two Californians
(07:44):
took it last year and a track like that very similar.
They have a lot of small tracks in California, so
when they come to Grand Forts, it's similar to a
lot of the tracks they have back home, so kind
of lends itself to what they're used to. So California
guy is definitely always tough when it comes to the smaller,
higher bank tracks that you really got to get the
elbows out at Tony.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
If you could just again, for those of us that
are less familiar with the usual show night on a
Friday night at River City Speedway, let's just knock on wood.
Weather conditions are good. What does a full show night
look like when the World of Outlaws come through River
Ced Speedway here in Grand Forks.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Yeah, that's a quick night race. And so it starts
off with practice or hot laps, and literally those guys
get two or three laps to get the car dialed
in and get up the speed. Then they come back
for time trials where they go against the clock and
where what their time is that determines where they start
in the heat races, and those are eight laps and distance,
usually eight to ten cars in those, and then the
top four or five finishers from that move on to
(08:40):
the main event. The top two finishers from that go
to the dash, and then that sets the top four
or five rows of the main event. Then there's a
last chance race which gives four guys one more shot
to make it in the main event, and then the
main event, last race of the night, forty laps, twelve
thousand dollars a win. That's what everybody's chasing.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
You know what, I tell you what this is not
for the faint of heart. For those that get into
this world and race on this tour and this series.
When it gets down to it, you gotta chase that
check because it helps make everything go around. And all
these great drivers know it, and there's gonna be I
think so many that will have a great shot on
Friday night at River City Speedway as we welcome in
(09:20):
this wonderful series known as World of Outlaws in yet
again for this Don Mac Classic. What a great name
involved there as well. Tony Beniziano is our guest here
this morning. We really appreciate you joining us in the
lead up to this great series returning to Grand Forks.
Can't wait for it here in just a little over
forty eight hours time. Hopefully great weather, hopefully great racing
(09:44):
and safe racing at that, but fast racing all the same.
So thanks for joining us this morning and let's have
a great Friday and Saturday through the region here exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Thanks, Paul, appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
All right, Tony. With World of Outlaws joining us here
on fourteen forty am.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
The Fan
Well, let's finally hear everyone good morning. We are counting
down now until we dropped the flag that green one
to rev it up again for the World of Outlaws
making their first appearance at the River City Speedway coming
up on Friday night, the bull Ring, ready to welcome
in the fastest men on dirt. That's right, and Tony
(00:21):
Veneziano joins me now from the World of Outlaws here
as we get set and ready for their run through
the valley starting with the River City Speedway and the
Don Macclassic presented by Jerdau Metals and Recycling. And I
tell you what, whenever the World of out Laws appear
in Grand Forks, of course, and that is the NAS
Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, it is a it is
(00:41):
a show of shows, especially at River City Speedway. Tony,
so glad to have you on board. Can't wait till
you guys arrive.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Yeah, thanks, Paul. You ed always I mean coming to
Grand Fork. The drivers love the track, I mean, one
of the raciest tracks and race at all seasons of
always exciting. I mean, you know it's a small track.
They call it the bull Ring and all we something
going on. You put twenty four cars out there at
the end of the night for the main event, and
I mean you're battling, you do it. There's everything going on.
I mean we always say a ton of like putting
twenty four fighter jets and gymnasi and honestly, because there's
(01:11):
just something going on. No matter where you look on
that track, there'll be something happening.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
I was gonna say, Tony, when it comes to the
phrase elbows out racing, there might be a little of that,
especially if we're able to get the multiple grooves on
this track, you know, because it's three tenths of a
mile around the top only a corner, but down on
the bottom and on really great years where the track
has got both grooves running. You know, these are the
ten the most talented drivers in the business. They can
(01:38):
probably run their cars, and we'll try to find whatever's
the best way to run, whether up top or on
the bottom.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Right exactly, you know. And there's guys that love running
up top right against the wall. There's guys that like
taking that short way around the bottom, and yeah, when
you mix it up with some of the slower traffic
they get into once the race gets going, I mean,
then you sometimes have to change which lane or which
groove you're in, and the track changes us well throughout
the night. You know, sometimes it'll be faster on the
top earlier and maybe go to the middle or even
(02:03):
the bottom sometimes. So that's the beauty of a dirt track,
you know, it always changes, and the guys always have
to be on their toes. And like you said, I mean,
that's what makes these drivers so good because they can
they can adapt to all the different conditions and changing
conditions throughout the night.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Nine hundred horsepower wing sprint cars. For our fans that
are listening to this, they already know that. I always
say the track record back in two thousand and nine
Jason Myers at nine point two six nine seconds and
average speed of one hundred and sixteen point five to
one seven miles per hour. That is, uh, that's rolling
around basically. Well, these guys threaten it perhaps if the
(02:39):
track conditions are.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Right, I mean, the conditions what after you're at that
night when Jason Myers said it had rained previously that night,
so the track was really really wet. It's normally not
as wet as was that night, and I don't think
I ever saw anything like that. I mean, every car
that went out, they just kept getting faster and faster.
You had nine point two seconds. I mean, it was
amazing to see them get around there. So I would
say it'll probably be in the low ten seconds time
(03:01):
trials this year. And that's kind of kind of a
normal summer night, how it is. You know, it's looking
like it's gonna thankfully be nice and warm and sunny days,
so the track will be a little bit, probably a
little bit dry. I'll keep moisturing it throughout the day,
but I would say they're probably not gonna not gonna
challenge that track record. But that's probably a good thing
because sometimes the track can be too fast, and that
night was one of those nights where it was just
a little too fast and it was hard for guys
(03:22):
to pass. Do you like the track to honestly be
a little bit slower that that leads to a little bit,
a little bit better racing and more conducive to passing.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
Oh, that's awesome. Hey, the World of Outlaws NAS Energy
Drink Sprint Car Series when it comes through this region
in the world, but that's to be said. Wherever it
goes throughout the year and throughout the season, with all
its shows, it has a loyal, devout following of fans.
I see the shirts, I see them supporting their favorite drivers.
We'll talk about the drivers, but there's something to be
(03:50):
said about the fan base and getting out and the
support that is anticipated, not only here at River City Speedway,
but down in West Fargo as well. There they set
up their year for this. This is really what it's about.
And I think the drivers know that in the series
knows that, doesn't don't they?
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Yeah, And you know, and this is the series getting
close to fiftieth anniversary. You know, I think it's the
year forty seven or forty eight, So, I mean there's
just such a following over the years, like you said,
you know, and people come back a year after year,
and sometimes the people they sit by its track the
only time of year they see the people. So it's
kind of like a family reunion in a sense, and
just that camaraderie. They love the racing. And you have
a fans in North Dakota rather I mean, you guys
(04:28):
have a short racing season, but you make the most
of it. Mean, great fans up there. They're very knowledgeable,
they're very passionate. They love the Sports. So it's it's
always great to come up there, and you know when
mother nature cooperates, that makes it even better.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
Right. Donnie Shottz obviously the mine not native and ten
times series champion. We know about his incredible record. David
Gravell's been through here a number of times. I think
he's the series champ right now, the raining series champion
and current points leader, and so you just keep looking
through all these familiar names that have had six tests
(05:00):
on this track, have had success in the in the series,
that people have gotten to know, and you know, everybody's
pretty stuck in their column of who they cheer for,
but all these guys look like they're kind of primed
to be factors this go around when they come through
here on Friday night.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Yeah, they are. You know, it's been a great season
so far. Obviously, David grave just have an amazing season.
Like you said, defending series champ, current points leader, He's
already won eight times. He's won about a quarter of
the races so far. And something pretty impressive about him,
he's finish in the top ten every single night. I
mean that's about twenty six twenty seven races so far
this year. To never have a flat tire or spin
or any kind of bab buck or anything. I mean,
(05:39):
it's amazing the streak he's on right now. And some
of the young guys have really stepped up as well.
There's seven rookies out there, which that's a record, I believe,
seven rookies. I don't ever remember seven rookies, and those
guys are they're getting their teeth wet, and they've had
some good runs. One of the rookies actually the other night,
finished second in Ohio, which is the best finished of
a rookie this season. So, you know, been the veteran
guys like Donnie. I mean, Donnie's still looking for the
(06:00):
first win of the year, which's hard to believe, or
to end in May, and he hasn't won a race yet,
but he they've had some changes with their team, some
new crew guys, crew chiefs, stuff like that, they change engines,
so they've had a lot of changes he you know,
and he's had some bad luck. Unfortunately, still fast every night.
You know, he didn't forget how to drive a race star.
Hopefully they can just kind of get a little bit
of lady luck on their side. He'll be up there
contending and he's always tough, you know, out his home track.
(06:21):
When he comes to North Dakota, he's won about a
dozen races and in Grand Forks about six or seven
at Fargos with the Outlaws, So you know, Donny shots
always a contender, wins at his home track. And you
know guys like David Gravell have won in the North
Dakota tracks before, Carson Messito, Logan show Ard, Shelton, Haddens Shield.
I mean there's there's a bunch of guys that have
won Outlaws races. So yeah, it's gonna be tough. And
(06:41):
then he's throwing some of the local guys. Mark dob Meyer,
he's something before at Grand Forks to beat in the Outlaws,
and that would be huge if he if he wanted, Man,
I think there'd be a party for a week if
Mark DoD Meyer beat the Outlaws at his home track,
that'd be pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
I know it's circled for the Mark dob Meyer faith well,
and there are many that would love to see nothing
more than a surprise at the Don mcclassic. And you
mentioned I think it was the Californian Carson Mercedo last
year who took the win here at River City Speedway,
and that's a guy, you know, the Californian contingent. They've
(07:13):
always had, you know, a couple of individuals from that
part of the world, from ant West that are great racers,
and he's just another one of them that was able
to take the win last year.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Yeah. Yeah, and he recently picked up his fiftieth career
Outlaws win. He's only twenty nine years old, which seems
kind of hard believe. He's been racing for quite a while.
So yeah, Carson always tough. His brother Cole's actually a
rookie out there this year, so it's kind of neat
to have both the brothers out there. Gill Selsey another
young California guy. He wanted the other race than Grand
Forks last year in August, so you know, two Californians
(07:44):
took it last year and a track like that very similar.
They have a lot of small tracks in California, so
when they come to Grand Forts, it's similar to a
lot of the tracks they have back home, so kind
of lends itself to what they're used to. So California
guy is definitely always tough when it comes to the smaller,
higher bank tracks that you really got to get the
elbows out at Tony.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
If you could just again, for those of us that
are less familiar with the usual show night on a
Friday night at River City Speedway, let's just knock on wood.
Weather conditions are good. What does a full show night
look like when the World of Outlaws come through River
Ced Speedway here in Grand Forks.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Yeah, that's a quick night race. And so it starts
off with practice or hot laps, and literally those guys
get two or three laps to get the car dialed
in and get up the speed. Then they come back
for time trials where they go against the clock and
where what their time is that determines where they start
in the heat races, and those are eight laps and distance,
usually eight to ten cars in those, and then the
top four or five finishers from that move on to
(08:40):
the main event. The top two finishers from that go
to the dash, and then that sets the top four
or five rows of the main event. Then there's a
last chance race which gives four guys one more shot
to make it in the main event, and then the
main event, last race of the night, forty laps, twelve
thousand dollars a win. That's what everybody's chasing.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
You know what, I tell you what this is not
for the faint of heart. For those that get into
this world and race on this tour and this series.
When it gets down to it, you gotta chase that
check because it helps make everything go around. And all
these great drivers know it, and there's gonna be I
think so many that will have a great shot on
Friday night at River City Speedway as we welcome in
(09:20):
this wonderful series known as World of Outlaws in yet
again for this Don Mac Classic. What a great name
involved there as well. Tony Beniziano is our guest here
this morning. We really appreciate you joining us in the
lead up to this great series returning to Grand Forks.
Can't wait for it here in just a little over
forty eight hours time. Hopefully great weather, hopefully great racing
(09:44):
and safe racing at that, but fast racing all the same.
So thanks for joining us this morning and let's have
a great Friday and Saturday through the region here exactly.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Thanks, Paul, appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
All right, Tony. With World of Outlaws joining us here
on fourteen forty am.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
The Fan
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