Jason Babyak, one of the promoters of the Wild West Shootout, teased he has a new idea that he will be introducing to the event this upcoming January.

In a post to Facebook, Babyak shared how promoting and growing the Wild West Shootout is his “biggest team accomplishment” and that he was especially proud of his idea to give “the winning drivers the (2) 6 shooters” and allow them to fire “off (blanks) into the air from atop their car in celebration of their victory which is now a race staple and many a drivers have told me that is what they look forward to the most, which means a lot to me.”

While he pointed to giving drivers the guns as part of their victory celebration as his biggest individual accomplishment, he shared, “For years I’ve been soul searching for my next best idea and with several hundred races a year across the country, coming up with something new, unique and fun has been a challenge to say the least.”

Nevertheless, he has a new idea, “I have a NEW idea for January, I presented it on a team call this week and with mild (yet valid) hesitancy and concern, it was approved.”

As for what that idea is, he kept it a mystery, “What is it going to be you ask? Well, you only need to wait a few more short weeks to see how this idea plays out! Stay tuned, I think you just might enjoy this one!”

The Wild West Shootout returns to Arizona this year after being held at Vado Speedway Park in New Mexico the last couple of years. It will take place at Central Arizona Raceway about an hour south of Phoenix. It kicks off on January 9th with an open practice session. Racing begins on January 10th and continues through the 11th. The track takes a night off on the 12th and the 13th is another practice night. Racing is back on tap on the 14th. The 15th is another off night. They then finish the event with racing action from the 16th through the 18th.

The event will feature a who’s who of dirt late model talent including:

• Jonathan Davenport
• Bobby Pierce
• Ricky Thornton Jr.
• Brandon Sheppard
• Hudson O’neal
• Ryan Gustin
• Tyler Erb
• Brandon Overton
• Garrett Alberson
• Mike Marlar
• Drake Troutman
• Jake Timm
• Cade Dillard
• Dustin Sorenson
• Chase Junghans
• Ethan Dotson
• Daniel Adam
• Dan Ebert
• Clay Stuckey
• Chris Simpson
• Austin Kuehl
• Terry Carter
• Laela Eisenschenk
• Amelia Eisenschenk
• Tyler Peterson
• Eston Whisler
• Kylan Garner
• Tim Isenberg
• Kyle Beard
• Ian Whisler
• Jim Whisler
• Sammy Mars
• Steve Stultz
• Jake O’Neil

Bobby Pierce is the defending champion of the series. He best Garrett Alberson, Tyler Erb, Brandon Sheppard, and Drake Troutman earlier this year. He also won the event in 2024. Jonathan Davenport beat out Kyle Larson and Pierce in 2023. In 2022, Mike Marlar took home the championship in its first year at Vado. The last time the event was held in Arizona at the now defunct Arizona Speedway in 2021, Davenport was the champion.

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