(Image Credit: Angela Ward)
Bryan Hulbert – TULSA, Okla. (December 2, 2024) Rolling past the 1,000 mark for the 11th consecutive event, the 40th annual Smiley’s Racing Products Tulsa Shootout powered by NOS Energy Drink is again on record watch ahead of the entry deadline.
Made up of 614 drivers from 371 cities across 40 states and three countries (USA, NB, and NZ), the total number of entries received at the time of press is 1,428, which also marks the sixth time in as many events there have been more than 1,300 entries for the “Mecca of Micros”.
Surpassing the 300 mark, Joe’s Racing Products Stock Non-Wing is leading at 339 entries. EVO Fuel Injection A-Class follows at 326, with Hyper Racing Non-Wing Outlaw at 304. WFO Winged Outlaw Micros sits at 199 entries, with K&B Racing Restricted A-Class at 162 and Flying A Motorsports Junior Sprints at 98.
Cutting off at Midnight on December 13, 2024, anyone wanting to enter after that must do so during move-in on December 30, 2024. Entries can be submitted online 24/7 at https://www.myracepass.com/series/1531/registrations. The cost is $125 per entry.
Entries can also be phoned into (918) 838-3777, or (918) 606-2592, Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (CT).
Among the 641 drivers on the list, the names Busch and Larson jump out as Brexton Busch and Owen Larson chase Golden Drillers in Restricted A-Class and Junior Sprints. Brexton’s fourth time at the Tulsa Shootout, his 2024 showing netted a 12th place finish in the Junior Sprint A-Feature and a 10th place in a Restricted A-Class B-Feature. The 2025 event will be the debut event for Owen Larson.
Joined by their fathers, 2x NASCAR Champion Kyle Busch made his Tulsa Shootout debut in 2021 with an eighth-to-first Heat Race run in Outlaw Non-Wing. In action last year, Kyle’s Tulsa Shootout culminated with a fifth-place finish in a Winged Outlaw B-Feature.
Making his USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship debut in Bakersfield, Cali., Busch recently announced he will attempt his first Chili Bowl Nationals powered by NOS Energy Drink in January.
A former Tulsa Shootout champion, 2021 NASCAR and 2x Chili Bowl Champion, Kyle Larson, earned a Silver Driller during the Shootout’s 25th anniversary event in 2010. Winning Open Winged Outlaw Karts, that would be the division’s final A-Feature before the Shootout switched to a Micro oriented lineup the following year.
The 2010 show included 26 divisions with 1,090 competitors, including, at the time, a record 584 Micros, approximately 300 Karts,100 Quads, and 15 ECOtec/Focus Midgets.
Of the entries received, 17 drivers have hoisted the Golden Driller.
Blake Hahn leads that count after earning his ninth title in 2024 with his second career win in Non-Wing Outlaw. Frank Flud (5), Chris Cochran (2), Michael Faccinto (2), Lucas Mauldin (2), Brad Best, Gary Taylor, Jason Tyer, Kyle Larson, Kaylee Bryson, Jett Barnes, Kris Carroll, Jaxton Wiggs, Jett Nunley, Jeffrey Newell, and Mattix McBride make up the current list of past Tulsa Shootout champions.
The full list of entries is listed at https://www.myracepass.com/events/523284/entries.
A quick reminder to teams regarding car numbers.
We do not allow reflective numbers. If your numbers are borderline or not readable, you will need to fix them. You will be given one warning during practice to fix your numbers. Numbers not fixed by race time will result in disqualification, and you will not be allowed to enter the racetrack.
Non-Wing Classes must have a number on the nose of your car. The letter must be above the number and legible. Winged Classes must have numbers on both sideboards. All cars must have legible numbers on the tail tank. Car numbers are a max of three digits. That includes the use of a letter.
For example, a car can be No. 100, or No. 10x. Not No. 100x.
Remember, we have three people hand scoring because sometimes the transponder system does go down, they fall off the car, or just stop working. We need to be able to read all car numbers so you are not scored incorrectly and also to speed up time under caution. It also helps our infield crew to move cars around when a RACEceiver malfunctions. Contrast is important. Black on black with a hint of grey is not readable when a car is in motion, especially from a distance.
Featured classes at the 40th running of the Smiley’s Racing Products Tulsa Shootout include WFO Winged Outlaw Micros, Hyper Racing Non-Wing Outlaw, EVO Fuel Injection A-Class Winged, Joe’s Racing Products Stock Non-Wing, K&B Racing Restricted A-Class, and Flying A Motorsports Junior Sprints. Information regarding specific daily running orders will be established after entries open. Online entry will be available as well as entry by phone at (918) 838-3777.
Rules questions can be directed to Matt Ward, who is the director of competition for the Smiley’s Racing Products Tulsa Shootout. Contact for Matt Ward includes Cell Phone at (918) 995-1650 or the office at (918) 838-3777. To dispel any rumors, the rules for stock engines are not changing and will remain in alignment with NOW600, KKM events, and Port City Raceway.
Fans not able to attend the 40th annual Smiley’s Racing Products Tulsa Shootout can see every lap of action on http://www.floracing.com.
The Smiley’s Racing Products Tulsa Shootout takes place at the Tulsa Expo Raceway, located inside the SageNet Center in Tulsa, Okla. More information on the event will be released as the event draws closer. All official rules, event information, and dates are online at http://www.tulsashootout.com. Fans can also follow the Smiley’s Racing Products Tulsa Shootout at https://www.facebook.com/TulsaShootout and on Twitter (@TulsaShootout).
Bryan Hulbert | Tulsa Shootout | Photo: Angela Ward
