By TONY VENEZIANO

World of Outlaws

Baytown, TX-March 10, 2010-The Texas Two-Step Weekend rolls into Houston Raceway Park in Baytown on Saturday, March 13, as the World of Outlaw pay a visit to the immaculate º-mile, which is one of the nicest facilities on the tour for a full night of racing.

The Texas Shootout will feature a 40-lap main event with a $10,000 top prize in what will be the seventh World of Outlaws event of 2010 and the first on a º-mile. A strong field of cars is expected as the 18 drivers that are currently touring full-time with the World of Outlaws will be on hand, in addition to a couple members of the famed Pennsylvania Posse as well as a few of the Knoxville Raceway regulars that will make the tow south.

Joey Saldana, who was victorious at Houston Raceway Park last season, leads the series back to Texas as the current championship point leader, after winning his first race of 2010 last weekend in California. Jason Meyers moved up to second in points after a win and a runner-up finish last weekend and is just seven markers behind Saldana. Steve Kinser, the 20-time series champion is third, only two points behind Meyers and nine out of the lead. Donny Schatz, the four-time and defending series champion is fourth- 36 points back, with Jason Sides rounding out the Top-Five.

The World of Outlaws first competed at Houston Raceway Park in 2000, Steve Kinser winning both of the events that season. A total of four drivers have won A-Feature events with the series at the track including three that will be in attendance this week.

The Buzz-

Joey Saldana looks to make it two in a row at Houston Raceway Park after scoring his first win at the track last season.

Donny Schatz charged all the way from 14th to finish second at the track last season and has two career A-Feature wins at the º-mile. He looks to rebound from a 20th-place finish last weekend.

Steve Kinser has competed in all 14 World of Outlaws events at Houston Raceway Park and has finished in the Top-10 in every single one, with 11 of those being Top-Five performances.

Craig Dollansky has finished third in each of his last three starts at Houston Raceway Park. He has 12 career Top-10 finishes in 14 starts at the track as he chases his first win at the º-mile.

Sam Hafertepe Jr. the lone Texan competing full-time with the World of Outlaws this season turned some laps earlier in the year at Houston Raceway Park behind the wheel of a Modified with the USMTS, making the main event on two of three nights against some of the best Modified drivers from across the country.

Ben Gregg, one of the contenders for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award will make his first start at Houston Raceway Park this weekend. The native of Phoenix is coming off a career-best 11th-place run in California last weekend.

A strong contingent from the sprint car hotbed of Central Pennsylvania, are expected be in action at Houston Raceway Park including: Fred Rahmer, Lance Dewease and Daryn Pittman.

A couple of Knoxville Raceway track champions look to be in attendance as well with Johnny Herrera making the trip to Texas as well as Brian Brown. Also making the trip south will be Lynton Jeffrey and Bronson Maeschen.

Over the years

World of Outlaws A-Feature winner at Houston Raceway Park include:

2009- Joey Saldana on April 11

2007- Donny Schatz on March 16

2005-Donny Schatz on March 19

2004-Steve Kinser on March 27

2003-Steve Kinser on March 22

2002-Mark Kinser on March 24

2001- Mark Kinser on April 7, Steve Kinser on Oct. 14

2000-Steve Kinser on April 8, Steve Kinser on Oct. 21

One year ago

Joey Saldana wrapped up the inaugural Texas Two-Step Weekend with a win at Houston Raceway Park after a victory the previous night at Lone Star Speedway. He lined up fourth and quickly moved up into second and got around early leader Johnny Herrera on the third lap and would lead the remainder of the 40-lapper to pick up his first career win at the º-mile. Donny Schatz came from 14th to finish second, with Craig Dollansky third, Danny Lasoski fourth and Steve Kinser fifth. Lasoski opened the night by setting fast time, while the heats went to Saldana, Dollansky and Terry McCarl, with Jac Haudenschild winning the dash.