By Fox23.com News Staff
Engines are roaring inside the SageNet Center as one of the largest indoor dirt racing events in the world returns to Tulsa.
The Tulsa Shootout is underway at Expo Square, drawing nearly 2,000 drivers from across the United States and around the globe for days of high-speed micro sprint car racing.
Event organizers say this year’s entry list is on pace to be the largest in the event’s history.
“We’re already over 1,900 entries, and we expect to be very close to 2,000 once everyone checks in,” said Bryan Hulbert, announcer for the Tulsa Shootout. “That’s beyond anything we could have ever imagined for this event.”
Drivers from six countries and nearly 40 states are competing, making the Tulsa Shootout what Hulbert calls a “melting pot” of motorsports talent. The field includes racers of all ages and experience levels, from teenagers just starting their careers, to veterans who have raced at the highest levels of NASCAR, IndyCar and NHRA.
“There are very few venues where you’ll see an up-and-coming 16-year-old driver going head-to-head with a NASCAR champion like Kyle Larson. We see it year after year, drivers who’ve made it all the way to the top come back and run the Shootout,” said Hulbert.
Inside the SageNet Center, crews transformed the building into a temporary indoor dirt track, hauling in more than 800 truckloads of clay in just one day. The massive setup took more than a week to complete and required coordination between event organizers, Tulsa County and the City of Tulsa.
The Tulsa Shootout is also closely connected to another major racing event — the Chili Bowl Nationals, which begins January 12 in the same building.
While the Shootout features micro sprint cars, the Chili Bowl showcases full-size midget cars. Many drivers use the Shootout as a chance to prepare for the Chili Bowl and get a feel for the indoor track conditions.
Together, the two events provide a significant economic boost for the city.
“When you combine the Tulsa Shootout and the Chili Bowl Nationals, you’re approaching $50 million injected into the local economy. Hotels, restaurants, stores, everybody benefits, especially at a time of year when the Midwest isn’t usually a travel destination,” said Hulbert.
Fans pack the stands for what organizers describe as a one-of-a-kind experience, with racing, cars and crowds all under one roof. Hulbert compares it to “jet fighters in a gymnasium,” noting the close-up view and nonstop action.
Racing runs throughout the week, with championship races set for Saturday, when drivers will compete for championship titles, prize money, and one of dirt racing’s most coveted prizes — the Golden Driller trophy.
Tickets are available online and at the door, with general admission seating through the venue. Fans can also purchase pit passes for all-access entry to the pits.
Those unable to attend in person can watch live coverage online by clicking here.
For schedules, ticket information and a full list of competitors, click here.
