(Dylan Duvall Photography)
Tulsa, OK | December 26, 2017 – One of the nation’s best when it comes to non-wing, Jeffrey Newell will finally get back behind the wheel when the 33rd annual Lucas Oil Tulsa Shootout begins on Thursday morning. Following a dormant and slow 2017 season after the closing of his home track, Port City Raceway, the Tulsa, Oklahoma native has been biting at the chomp to strap back in. A notable non-wing ace, Newell has still been known to excel just as often when the wings are on and he’ll have all the opportunity in the world to showcase that this week when he runs a quadruple duty slate. Competing in the Winged Outlaw, Outlaw Non-Wing, Stock Non-Wing and A-Class divisions, Newell will have a full plate as he chases his first-career Golden Driller.
A six-time starter in six appearances at the Tulsa Shootout, Newell has encountered all, but one of the intense emotions that come with this grand event. Making his first feature in 2009, Newell made his “Driller Day” debut in style and at the front. Finishing second in the Stock Non-Wing main event, he only fell short to fellow Oklahoman Riley Adair, who capped off a thrilling 18th-to-1st bid. A few starts later, the biggest heartbreak of Newell’s Shootout career hit center stage in the 2014 Stock Non-Wing feature. Competing for the lead in the late-running, a tangle with Jordan Herrman eliminated both drivers from action and handed Newell a disheartening 16th-place result. Making one of four features at last year’s 32nd running, Newell fell victim to an early incident and claimed a tough 23rd-place DNF in the Outlaw Non-Wing feature.
After the closing of Port City Raceway this year, Newell’s 2017 schedule took a major hit and the Tulsa native struggled to find track time. Make no mistake, however, Newell will return to the Tulsa Shootout this week in full force. A 21-time winner in 2016 and contender at the biggest races, Newell has made his presence and prowess known across the Midwest.
Slated for quadruple duty, Newell will pilot his Schure Built Suspension, Sawyer Chassis No. 1 in the Winged Outlaw, Outlaw Non-Wing, Stock Non-Wing and A-Class divisions. A three-time starter in both non-wing classes, Newell will be chasing his first starts in the A-Class and Winged Outlaw divisions. With that second-place finish from 2009 still of note, Newell will look to improve his best-career finish and take home his first-career Golden Driller this year.
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.
Article Credit: Walkapedia - Brian Walker