The World of Outlaws sprint cars wrap up a three-week stay in California with two nights of racing that will pay $83,000 to the finale winner at the Tulare Thunderbowl.

The big payout fits the third annual Dennis Roth Classic to a T given the Fresno sprint car owner’s longtime dedication to the sport and the success his drivers have achieved.

Outlaws officials are calling it the biggest event in the circuit’s long California history.

In addition, the races on Friday and Saturday night could figure prominently in determining which driver wins the 2024 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car championship.

David Gravel of Watertown, Connecticut, leads the standings on the strength of his 13 feature victories, not to mention 49 Top 10 finishes. For the record, Gravel got his start in the World of Outlaws 10 years ago driving for Roth.

Valley Contenders for Season Championship

However, two drivers from the Valley are vying to overtake Gravel. Lemoore’s Carson Macedo and the Jason Johnson Racing team have eight podium finishes in the last 11 races — highlighted by five victories. He sits in second place, just 86 points behind Gravel.

Fresno native Gio Scelzi is in fourth place. He has three feature victories and 47 Top 10s. And, third-place Donny Schatz of Fargo, North Dakota, figures to be a strong contender at the Thunderbowl. He is a 10-time World of Outlaws season champion and has won 315 feature races during his illustrious career. Schatz is a three-time winner in Tulare (2005, 2007, 2017).

However, the circuit’s hottest driver is rookie Buddy Kofoid, who pilots Dennis and Teresa Roth’s No. 83 car. The Penngrove, California, driver has won four of the past five features, including a sweep of last weekend’s races in Bakersfield and Merced.

Meanwhile, Hanford’s D.J. Netto recorded Top-Five finishes at Kings Speedway and Merced Speedway and is a four-time Thunderbowl winner.

Tickets are available at the gate. Fans also can watch live on DIRTVision.