Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: The ‘Mean 15’ spices up World of Outlaws Sprint Series

Wednesday, May 5, 2004 | 9:38 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at bh@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4089.

In an effort to ensure its top drivers will compete in every race for the remainder of the season, World of Outlaws Sprint Series owner Boundless Motor Sports Racing, Inc. has signed agreements with 15 drivers to represent the series.

The 15 drivers will be marketed as the "Mean 15" and have committed to appear at each of the remaining events this season, including the Nov. 5-6 season finale at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway dirt track.

"Contracting with these drivers is another meaningful step toward establishing stability within the World of Outlaws Sprint Series," Boundless CEO Bobby Hartslief said. "Last year, there were only nine drivers who followed the entire World of Outlaws tour. Getting 15 to commit to racing the entire 2004 schedule is very significant."

Veteran drivers Danny Lasoski, Craig Dollansky, Steve Kinser, Tim Shaffer, Donny Schatz, Daryn Pittman, Paul McMahan, Jason Meyers, Jason Sides, Joey Saldana and Brian Paulus and rookies Kraig Kinser, Jonathan Allard, Brian Brown and Erin Crocker make up the World of Outlaws "Mean 15."

Boundless Motor Sports Racing, Inc. acquired the World of Outlaws Sprint Series earlier this year, purchasing the series from founder Ted Johnson.

Lasoski, the 2001 WoO series champion who drives for NASCAR star Tony Stewart, said he likes the direction in which the series is headed under its new owner.

"I'm glad all 15 of us agree on something, that we want to see the World of Outlaws grow to be a bigger series, and I really appreciate everything that (Boundless chairman and CEO) Paul Kruger and Bobby Hartslief have done," Lasoski said.

"Ted Johnson did a great job with the World of Outlaws over the past 26 years, but I'm looking forward to the new season. I'm glad to be a part of it."

Danny Lasoski finished third in the main event and trails Steve Kinser by 53 points going into Thursday night's event at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway. Kinser took ninth in Saturday's "A" feature.

The changes, to be implemented between this season and 2008, include reducing engine power, going to a single tire supplier and eliminating backup cars and electronic driver aids.

Under the proposed changes, the current 3-liter V10 engines would be replaced by 2.4-liter V8s and would be used for two consecutive races. Also, power steering and traction control would be replaced by manual systems.

Max Mosley, president of the sport's sanctioning body, indicated that there was "virtually complete acceptance" of the changes by the 10 F1 teams.

"You look back and learn from your mistakes, I guess," said Gordon, who will make his 10th Indy 500 start later this month. "It was so easy to come down pit lane and just take fuel; I still would have been the first car out.

"I think this fuel strategy thing, the older you get, the more experience you get. That was a huge mistake on our part. So, learn from your mistakes, go back and try to eliminate as many variables as possible."

For the third consecutive year, Gordon will attempt to race in the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, N.C., on the same day.