George — the lone female driver running a regular schedule with the World of Outlaws late models — runs a low-budget car against high-powered competition. But don’t tell George, 33, she can’t be successful.
She just might pop you in the nose.
The former University of Northern Iowa athlete won a high school state title in the pentathlon and later finished second in the Drake Relays, and was an Iowa Golden Gloves boxing champion.
George, 14th in WoO points, made her fourth trip to the World 100. Saturday night was the first time she’d made it to a heat, thanks to a lower car count in past years.
Still, wheeling her No. 22 late model around the historic half-mile track is better than laps around another great track — Daytona Speedway — she said.
“I’m a dirt tracker, it’s in my blood. I don’t mean to make anybody angry, but we in dirt track racing call that asphalt racing kinda like watching paint dry,” George said. “This dirt stuff, this is racing.”
As for those chiropractic adjustments, drivers know to stay on her good side.
“If they’re not liking what’s going on out there we kind of twist them the wrong way. No, I’m kidding,” George said.
Meeting & greeting: Drivers’ meetings are often held out of earshot of fans, leaving them to wonder what is being said.
On Saturday, Eldora put a different spin on the meeting by bringing drivers from the pit area to the grandstand where fans quickly surrounded them to listen in on pre-race instructions.
Not only were fans within earshot, but also within T-shirt tossing range. Drivers unloaded shirts, caps, mini footballs and other souvenirs to the fans.
Tribute to 9/11: The World 100 has become a showcase for drivers revealing new graphic schemes. Michigan’s Jeep VanWormer — winner of the Best Appearing Car award sponsored by DirtonDirt.com — was among those honoring the 10th anniversary of 9/11 by including names of those who died on the hood and side of his late model. Pre-race ceremonies also included drivers unraveling a large United States flag on the front stretch.
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