Some Speed Into New Year At Tulsa Shootout

Some Oklahomans ushered in the New Year with speed.

Saturday was the fourth and final day of the "Tulsa Shootout" -- the largest event for micro-sprint racing in the country.

The 27th Annual Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout is sprinting into the record books this year.

With 785 entries, it's growing and continues to be the largest micro sprint racing event in America. All the excitement happened inside the QuikTrip Center at the Tulsa Fairgrounds.

"Once you get used to it, you have nerves of steel," said Noah Key, one of the sprint racers.

Racing fan Kelly Gorham finds a lot to like about the event.

"It's indoor racing, which is cool. It's racing in the winter time, which is awesome. The little cars are just cool," she said.

The shootout is four days long and covers eight different racing classes. Drivers hit the clay oval at speeds of about 60 miles per hour hoping to take home the Golden Driller trophy.

More than 20 states are represented at the event.

"My husband has been racing for four years. He races the 600 class and he's actually been the track champion in Michigan where we are from, so this is his first national," Lisa Slusarski said.

Kelly Gorham's family didn't have to travel that far.

"We actually came from the Dallas-Fort Worth area," she said. "It's a long trip, but we have a lot of family and friends that are racing here right now."

Drivers from all over the country range in age from six to sixty. Noah Key is 10 years old.

"I'm the first racer in my family, but my family has been in racing for a long time," he said.

This event is often called the 'Prelude to the Chili Bowl,' which is also at the QuikTrip Center. Fans are taking notice of the top-notch facility.

"Absolutely gorgeous," Lisa Slusarski said. "I've been to Tulsa before, but it's beautiful, this facility is, bar none."

The Chili Bowl Nationals will be in two weeks.