The Second annual Turkey Leg 100-lap Enduro $1,000 to win and the Turkey Tango Demolition derby scheduled today at Outlaw Motor Speedway will bring to a close the 2009 racing season at the speedway.
PBS (Public Broadcast System)/ NOVA will be at the track filming the special race that starts at 3 p.m. The video will be part of a made-for-TV special that will be aired sometime after the first of the year on PBS.
Several cameras will be positioned around the track, and a number of cars will be outfitted with in-car cameras. NOVA is filming a series on material science, which includes what the physics are in metal and materials and the science involved in these types of races and demolition derbies. It will also cover how strong the metals and structures are, the force in the wrecks, and how the drivers sustain any impact.
“This is an exciting way to close our season,” said track co-owner Lynn Skinner. “In reflecting back over the past several months, we feel racing has grown in our area and is once again primed for a bright future. We’ve already started work on plans for next year to make racing at OMS even better.”
Skinner and Danny Womack purchased the track in a bank foreclosure auction in May 2008. Under their watch, attendance has grown to an average of 3,500 each race night. Track officials had nightly entertainment for the fans in addition to racing.
“I’ve been coming to the races at Outlaw since they opened and I have to say this was the best season by far,” said Jake Little of Wagoner. “I can’t remember a dull race or night of racing for that matter. I’m already in a crisis mode because I have nothing to do on Friday nights. I’m looking forward to next season.”
Last season the Turkey Leg 100 drew 140 entries. There were lots of wrecks and only 12 were running at the end.
“We would love to see 200 cars starting the the race,” Skinner said. “That would be a sight having that many cars stretch all the way around the track.”
The last two Enduro races — the Hotter than Hell 100 in September and the April Fools 100 — were both won by Muskogee's Matt Burnett, who pocketed $2,000 in total winnings. He will not be racing this race. His car is being used by NOVA as a model for the filming.
As for the Demolition Derby, it is a winner-take-all race. There is a $20 entry fee.
Gates open at noon. Grandstand admission is adults $10 and kids 6-12, $5. Five-and-under are free. Pit admission is adults $30 and kids $20.
