Auto racing: Ready to race

At the Knoxville Raceway, Mark Dobmeier is in the running for a season points title.

But he won't race at the Iowa track this week. Instead, he'll run with the World of Outlaws on Friday and Saturday at River Cities Speedway.

Dobmeier is fourth in season points at Knoxville, but the Grand Forks racer decided to skip Saturday's racing in Iowa to stay home and compete against the country's top sprint car drivers.

"We have a lot of loyal sponsors and fans," said Dobmeier, the dominant driver at RCS for the last few years. "We want to stay home and put on a good show for them. We'll be here both days."

Since the season started, Dobmeier wrestled with the idea of not racing on his home track during the second night of the Outlaws' annual stop in Grand Forks. Dobmeier races at RCS on Fridays, at Knoxville on Saturdays and at Huset's Speedway near Sioux Falls, S.D., on Sundays.

A points title at Knoxville, considered to be one of the country's top tracks, has eluded Dobmeier. To miss a night of racing at the half-mile track likely will take him out of contention for the season points title.

But an opportunity to beat the Outlaws on his home track carries just as much appeal for Dobmeier, who has one career WoO feature win.

Dobmeier has been competitive with the Outlaws during their races in Grand Forks. Of the four WoO races held at RCS, Dobmeier has finished seventh three times.

"We can't wait for the weekend," Dobmeier said. "We look forward to it. We're running our best stuff. We have everything up to par. We've checked everything two or three times and we have a new motor in the car. We've raced it only one time."

The Outlaws will race in Sedalia, Mo., on Wednesday before heading to Grand Forks.

Joey Saldana is the season points leader entering the week. Jason Meyers is second, followed by Steve Kinser, Jason Sides and Donny Schatz, the Fargo driver who has won the last four WoO titles.

A field of approximately 35 sprints is expected to be on hand both nights. It's the first time in RCS history that the Outlaws will run on back-to-back nights at the quarter-mile track.

Two complete shows are scheduled, with the winner each night winning $10,000. Each feature will be 40 laps.

Last season, Meyers set the RCS track record during the August appearance by the Outlaws. His qualifying time was 9.269 seconds (116.517 mph).

Nelson reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1268; (800) 477-6572, ext. 268; or send e-mail to wnelson@gfherald.com .