The World of Outlaws is The Greatest Show on Dirt — consisting of two series that are undeniably the premier dirt racing series in the world. Touted as “often imitated, never duplicated,” let's take a look at what sets the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series apart from other touring series.
That vision, by Ted Johnson, birthed the World of Outlaws in 1978 and built it into the premier dirt racing series of the world. Featuring the best Sprint Car drivers at the same track from February to November, the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars bring entertainment like no other to fans across the United States and beyond.
It’s The Greatest Show on Dirt. Always has been. Always will be.
Ted Johnson, a former Midget driver from Madison, WI – living in Wichita Falls, TX – formed the World of Outlaws in 1978.
World of Outlaws aired on NBC, ESPN and TNN throughout the 1980s
1997 welcomed Pennzoil as the World of Outlaws’ title sponsor, which lasted from 1997 to 2002.
In 2004, the World of Outlaws were sold to Boundless Motor Sports Racing, Inc. (current day World Racing Group) and the Series was broadcast on The Outdoor Channel
2018, every World of Outlaws Sprint Car race is broadcast live on DIRTVision
NOS Energy Drink joined as the Series title sponsor in 2019 and is currently the longest-running sponsor.
The Series continues to showcase the biggest events in Sprint Car racing, including the Knoxville Nationals, Kings Royal, Williams Grove National Open, Huset’s High Bank Nationals, DIRTcar Nationals, Ironman 55, World of Outlaws World Finals and more.
World of Outlaws founder Ted Johnson always had the vision of putting the best race car drivers on the same racetrack on the same night. In 1978, he did so with the Sprint Car division. Then, in 1988, he did so with the dirt Late Model division.
The World of Outlaws Late Models ran from 1988 to 1989. Then, when the World of Outlaws brand was sold to Boundless Motor Sports Racing, Inc. (current day World Racing Group) in 2004, the Series was revived the same year. The World of Outlaws Late Models have grown into the premier dirt Late Model series in the country, racing across the country from January to November with the best drivers on the same racetrack on the same night.
The World of Outlaws Late Models are founded in 1988 by Ted Johnson
The first Series race was run at Williams Grove Speedway on April 22, 1988
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series was revived in 2004
Steve Francis (now the World of Outlaws Late Model Series director) won the Series first race back at Volusia Speedway Park in 2004
Scott Bloomquist won the World of Outlaws Late Model title in 2004
Josh Richards became the first driver in Series history to win four World of Outlaws Late Models titles in 2016
DIRTVision started livestreaming every World of Outlaws Late Model race in 2019
The Series continues to showcase the biggest events in Late Model racing, including the Prairie Dirt Classic, USA Nationals, Sunshine Nationals, DIRTcar Nationals, Quad Cities 150, World of Outlaws Heartland Speedweek, Illini 100, Alabama Gang 100, World of Outlaws World Finals and more
Sanctioning bodies, tracks, car owners, drivers, chassis builders and other industry stakeholders have been working together for years to ensure that the cars are as safe as they possibly can be given the open-wheel nature of the discipline.
Series Overview
the drivers
the car
the track
raceday
Safety
How to watch
