(Dylan Duvall Photography)
Tulsa, OK | December 26, 2017 – Returning as the fourth and final defending champion of the primary Stock/Outlaw divisions, Tristan Guardino is back in Oklahoma to back up his thrilling Outlaw Non-Wing title from a year ago. Triumphing over Indiana’s Cole Bodine in a spirited battle at the 32nd annual race, the California native exited the Expo with his first-career Golden Driller and it left him hungry for more. Making the tough 1,700 mile journey from Fremont, California to Tulsa, Oklahoma, Guardino has made his way back to the Tulsa Shootout and is set for triple duty this week. Along with defending his Outlaw Non-Wing title, Guardino will be battling in the Stock Non-Wing and A-Class divisions as the 33rd annual Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout kicks off this week.
“It still gives me goosebumps thinking about winning the Golden Driller last year,” noted Guardino. “Out of all the wins I’ve had throughout quarter midgets, micros, and sprint cars, it is right up there at the top. It’s an unreal feeling to do battle with the best of the best in the country and come out with the win. It definitely made the 28-hour drive and all the hard work the team put together at the shop worth it.”
A seven-time feature in four appearances at the Tulsa Shootout, Guardino has seen his fair share of success and heartbreak inside the the Tulsa Expo. Making his debut back in 2012, Guardino scored an 11th-place finish in Stock Non-Wing and a then career-best result of fifth in the A-Class main event. After some rough runs in 2013 and 2014, Guardino took a break from the event in 2015 and 2016. Returning at last year’s 32nd annual event, Guardino came back in style. Qualifying for three feature events, he faltered to a 19th-place DNF in A-Class, but rallied off a 14th-place score worthy of Stock Non-Wing hard charger honors and ultimately took a trip to victory lane with his Outlaw Non-Wing victory.
A micro sprint race from a young age, Guardino has since turned his attention to the sprint car ranks as he has progressed. Grabbing multiple wins with the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series, the Fremont, California native has time and time again shone his presence at the front of the field. Proving his micro sprint prowess is still at full strength with last year’s Shootout tile, Guardino will be a strong challenger in all three classes.
Racing in the Outlaw Non-Wing, Stock Non-Wing and A-Class divisions, Guardino will have a full plate on his hands as he chases a second Golden Driller. With plenty of history on the line, another Outlaw Non-Wing triumph would make Guardino the second man to win two titles since the class debuted in 2011 (Andrews ’13, ’16). He could also become the first back-to-back champion in a primary class since another Californian, Heath Duinkerken, did so in the Winged Outlaw class in 2012-13.
Beginning on Thursday, December 28th with practice and heat races, the 33rd edition of the Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout will run through Sunday, December 31st when a new batch of Golden Driller winners are crowned. Walkapedia will continue our Tulsa Shootout coverage all week long with countless previews leading up to the race as we highlight this year’s contenders.
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