TULSA, OKLA. (January 1, 2019) – The 35th annual Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout just took “ringing in the New Year with a bang” to a whole new level. At the conclusion of move-in day on Tuesday, Shootout officials announced a record-shattering total of 1,384 entries were currently drawn in for the event; topping 2016’s previous best of 1,251 and providing new all-time bests for six of the seven classes.
With entry still officially open until 12:00pm CST on Wednesday, January 1, the 2020 running of this micro sprint phenomenon has already established itself as the largest happening in event history.
For context, the “Mecca of Micros” truly became such in 2011, when the move to eliminate quads and karts moved the micro sprint classes solely into the spotlight. In the ten years since that format change, the 1,000+ entry mark has actually only been surpassed on six occasions. The decade began at 715 entries back in 2011 and never eclipsed one-thousand until 2015 when 1,008 entrants packed the pits. The 2016 boom brought the former record of 1,251 entries followed by 1,030 in 2017, then 1,136 in 2018 and 1,159 last year.
Not only does this mega year establish a new event record, it also provides a new all-time high for entries in every single class of micro sprints in competition.
The headlining Winged Outlaw division sets a new record at 224 entries (was 216 in ’16), the Outlaw Non-Wing bunch blows up to 306 entries (was 274 in ’19), the Stock Non-Wing field reaches a stunning 333 entries (was 284 in ’18), the A-Class record shoots to 309 entries (was 243 in ’19), and even the Restricted class at 112 entries and Jr. Sprint kids at 69 entries write their own new records into the history books.
The 35th annual Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout officially kicks off today Wednesday, January 1, 2020 with practice opening at 9:00am followed by a set of Outlaw Non-Wing and Restricted heat races later this evening. For those unable to attend, you can watch all of the action LIVE on Racinboys.com.
Stay tuned to @Walkapedia_ on Twitter all throughout the week for in-depth coverage, live results, points, lineups, and more as we continue our extensive coverage of the Tulsa Shootout. If you’re interested in donating to our expense fund, you can Venmo @Walkapedia to show your support.
*TeeJay Crawford Photography*
walkapedia.net 