World Racing Group, Inc. (WRG) is a licensing, sanctioning and promotional organization aligned with oval dirt track auto racing. Through its World of Outlaws and DIRTcar brands, WRG supports individual races and racetracks, and also operates national touring series.
| Sport | Dirt track racing |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | United States Canada |
| Abbreviation | WRG |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Regional affiliation | United States |
| Headquarters | Concord, North Carolina |
| President | Brian Carter |
| Official website | |
| worldracinggroup | |
Overview
editWorld Racing Group sanctions local and regional dirt track racing events in the United States and Canada under the DIRTcar Racing brand. WRG also produces and broadcasts its races on the company's streaming platform, DIRTVision. Additionally, WRG owns and operates Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville FL, and presents several national touring series: World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, World of Outlaws Late Model Series, Super DIRTcar Series, Xtreme DIRTcar Series, Xtreme Outlaws Midget Series, DIRTcar Summer Nationals, and American Sprint Car Series.[1][2]
History
editNorman, Oklahoma businessman Paul Kruger purchased the financially troubled World of Outlaws touring series in 2001, and took the company public in October 2003 as Boundless Motorsports Inc.[3] Kruger proceeded to purchase Dirt Motorsports, a New York state based sanctioning and promotional company that operated touring series, as well as owned or controlled management of the Canandaigua Speedway, Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown NY, Rolling Wheels Raceway in Elbridge NY, and the Weedsport Speedway.[4] The assets included the video production company DIRTVision. Boundless soon introduced a national touring series for Late Models, acquired the United Midwestern Promoters and the Mid America Racing Series (MARS), as well as purchased the Lernerville Speedway in Sarver PA, and the Volusia Speedway Park.[3][5][6]
In 2007 the company was restructured to do business as the World Racing Group, and a new management team was bought in to replace Kruger.[7][8] In another change to its business model, between 2013 and 2015 WRG sold off its racetracks, retaining only the Barberville, Florida facility.[9][10][11]
In 2021 WRG unveiled the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series and Xtreme Outlaw Sprint Car Series.[12] In 2024 WRG added the American Sprint Car Series to its portfolio; the national series for 360 sprint cars had been founded by Emmett Hahn in 1992.[13]
References
edit- ^ Woelbing, Grace (November 28, 2023). "World Of Outlaws Faces 'Competitive Environment'". Speed Sport. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ Ghosh, Nilavro (March 3, 2024). "Kyle Larson's business rival unveils World of Outlaws' vast catalog that upholds the passion for dirt racing". EssentiallySports. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ a b Mecoy, Don (September 14, 2005). "DIRT Motorsports Inc". The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City OK. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ "Boundless acquires Rolling Wheels Raceway Park". Motorsport.com. June 2, 2004. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ "Boundless buys Mid-America". The Journal Record. Oklahoma City OK. December 20, 2004. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ Godwin, Kelly (January 20, 2020). "World Racing Group takes control of Volusia Speedway Park". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Daytona Beach FL. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
- ^ Fisher, Rob (January 22, 2007). "Dirt Motorsport-The Power of Dirt". Motor Trend. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ "World Racing Group Reports $8.1 Million Third Quarter Revenue". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. September 30, 2007. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Elkins, Doug (March 20, 2014). "DIRTCar confirms Rolling Wheels Raceway is 'in middle of a real estate transaction'". The Post-Standard. Syracuse NY. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ Elkins, Doug (July 14, 2014). "New era of racing arrives at Weedsport under new owner Al Heinke". The Post-Standard. Syracuse NY. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ "New Owners For Lernerville Speedway". Performance Racing Industry. May 13, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ "World Racing Group announces creation of Xtreme Outlaw midgets & non-wing sprint cars". Dirt Track Digest. December 11, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ "World Racing Group Acquires ASCS". Speed Sport. December 11, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2024.