By Tony Veneziano

Rain and inclement weather have been the main storylines this season for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. That trend continued this past week as all three races in Central Pennsylvania fell to rain. 

World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series officials and Lincoln Speedway are actively looking for a reschedule date for the Gettysburg Clash, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday, May 16, then was pushed back to Thursday, May 17, with rain ultimately claiming another victory. Both nights at the historic Williams Grove Speedway were washed out.

Outlaws vs. Posse

The Morgan Cup, which pits the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series against the Pennsylvania Posse for extra purse money and bragging rights, will be added to the opener of the Summer Nationals on Friday, July 20 at Williams Grove. The Morgan Cup will pay $5,000-to-win, which will bring the winner’s share that night to $13,000. Also on the line will be the Morgan Cup, which will reside at the headquarters of the winning organization. If an Outlaws driver wins, the Cup will reside in Concord, NC, at the World Racing Group headquarters, while if it's a Pennsylvania Posse member is victorious, the Cup will stay at Williams Grove Speedway.

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Rained out this week in Pennsylvania? Come join us for our only visit to New Jersey in 2018 at @bridgeportspeed on Tuesday! https://t.co/e9SkOFIaKb

— World of Outlaws (@WorldofOutlaws) May 20, 2018

Invading the Weikert Memorial

David Gravel and the CJB Motorsports team will compete in the Bob Weikert Memorial Weekend at Port Royal Speedway in Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 26, and Sunday, May 27. Weikert Livestock is a sponsor of the team and the event honors longtime sprint car owner Bob Weikert. After competing at The Dirt Track at Charlotte on Friday, May 25, the team will make the nearly eight-hour trek north for the two-night event. They will then head to Lawrenceburg Speedway in Indiana for a Memorial Day night race with the Outlaws. Also on hand at Port Royal will be nine-time World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion Donny Schatz, who will be racing his late model in the event.

Picking up a win

Cory Eliason, who has competed in each of the first 19 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series races this season, traveled north to the Jackson Motorplex in Minnesota on Friday, May 17, and picked up the win in the season opener at the recently reconfigured 4/10-mile. Eliason, who scored his first Outlaws win earlier this season in his home state of California, was victorious over a solid field, with Brian Brown finishing second and six-time All Stars champions Chad Kemenah third.

Just 2 weeks until the @WorldofOutlaws return to @i96speedway in Michigan on Friday, June 1. Check out highlights from the 2015 race, which saw @BradSweet49/@KKRdirt pick up the win.https://t.co/j1Nj78biKv

— SLS Promotions (@SLS_Promotions) May 18, 2018

Headed back home

Dane Lorenc was in the midst of his first full season on the road with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in 2018 when he recently left the tour to return home to New York. The young driver, who has raced 360-sprint cars the last few seasons, had perfect attendance through the first 16 Outlaws races this season. With Lorenc’s departure, there are now 15 full-time drivers following the series.

Up next

The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series heads to Bridgeport Speedway in New Jersey on Tuesday, May 22. The event will mark the first time the series has competed on the new 3/8-mile layout at the facility. It will also mark the first time at Bridgeport, itself, since 2003 for the Outlaws. The only current full-time series drivers who have raced at the track are Donny Schatz and Daryn Pittman.

The series then heads to The Dirt Track at Charlotte on Friday. Logan Schuchart won the spring race at Charlotte last year, while Schatz and David Gravel split wins during the World Finals Greg Wilson and Pittman are both past winners at Charlotte. The Outlaws make their annual appearance at Lawrenceburg Speedway in Indiana on Memorial Day evening. Shane Stewart has won each of the last two races at Lawrenceburg, including a thriller over his car owner Kyle Larson last year. Schatz has three wins at the track, while Kraig Kinser is also a past winner at the ‘Burg.