The World of Outlaws sprint car series is more than four months into its 25th season, but it's been anything but a happy silver anniversary for owner Ted Johnson and the Outlaws family.
"It's one of the toughest years we've had to endure by far," said longtime director of public relations Richard Day.
The headaches began late last season when Pennzoil declined to return as the series' main sponsor.
Johnson said the decision was an effort to cut costs after Shell's merger with Pennzoil.
"We just got caught in the cut down," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
O'Reilly Auto Parts -- sponsor of the series' dash races for several years -- became the main sponsor shortly after Pennzoil's departure.
Other problems, however, haven't come to such a swift resolution.
One pressing concern is the Outlaws' lack of television coverage. The series was dropped by cable giant TNN in 2001 and by the Speed Channel after it aired just one season of tape-delayed events last year.
Talks are under way with TNN, Speed Channel and several other networks to get a new deal in place.
"I think toward the end of the season we'll have a television package put together," Johnson said.
In the meantime, some Outlaws drivers have turned to other series to keep their sponsors happy.
"Our sponsors want to see a television program," said Donny Schatz, who is competing on the United States Auto Club Silver Crown Series and Outlaws tours this year.
