World of Outlaws betting starts on February 5, with the DIRTcar Nationals. People will be able to place wages on World Racing Group’s touring series, including the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, World of Outlaws Late Models, American Sprint Car Series and Super DIRTcar Series.
An “Updated Rules Bulletin” distributed to teams hinted at authorized betting being instituted at WRG events. The policy, effective January 24, prohibits drivers, crews, officials and staff from “placing, solicitating, or facilitating any bet or wager whether directly or through a third-party proxy or surrogate in any class of a WRG event.”
World Racing Group announced on January 29 it had partnered with ALT Sports Data. Official data from WRG will allow ALT Sports Data to offer real-time odds for wagering.
ALT Sports Data does not handle the actual betting. The sportsbooks participating will take care of that.
Those prohibited in participating in betting extends beyond the drivers, teams, and officials involved. It also includes those affiliated with the track that WRG event is being hosted at, others with information that relates to the performance of that competitor and even those racing in companion classes on the same night as a WRG race. That also includes sponsors related to the track, the event, and the teams participating that night.
Charlie Mellilo, Chief Media and Marketing Officer for the WRG, believes betting is key to helping everyone involved thrive.
“We see ourselves as stewards and growers of the sport,” Mellilo said. “We’re not just growing our business, but growing the whole sport. There is opportunity for all involved in our sport benefit — right across the dirt racing ecosystem.
“We do not know how much money this revenue stream will yield. We have every intention that the revenue stream will be utilized to grow the sport, and we hope it may help compensate drivers and enhance point funds. Forms of compensation are to be determined. How the revenue stream is shared is dependent upon the resource.”
Mellilo wanted to assure those concerned about World of Outlaws betting that WRG is taking a methodical approach.
“We are doing everything in our power to do this right,” said Mellilo said. “There is both a significance and a seriousness in allowing wagering on our races.”
Mike Adaskaveg has written hundreds of stories since the website’s inception. This year marks his 54th year of covering auto racing. Adaskaveg got his start working for track photographer Lloyd Burnham at Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway in 1970. Since then, he’s been a columnist, writer, and photographer, in racing and in mainstream media, for several outlets, including the Journal Inquirer, Boston Herald, Stock Car Racing, and Speedway Illustrated. Among Adaskaveg’s many awards are the 1992 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Ace Lane Photographer of the Year and the 2019 National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) George Cunningham Writer of the Year.
