SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. — Officials with the Keyser Manufacturing Wild West Shootout presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts are already hard at work planning for next year’s event.

One improvement that has already been made official is a revised tire rule for The Dirt Track Bank Super Late Models presented by Black Diamond Race Cars. Effective for the 2021 edition of the event, drivers in the division will utilize the Hoosier 1350 on all four corners with a Hoosier LM40 or WRS-2 right rear option. The tire rule for the past several years has been an exclusive hard tire rule, which included D55, WRS2, WRS-2.

“We spoke to many of the Super Late Model teams during this year’s Wild West Shootout, and they agreed it was time for change. This rule makes sense because most teams already have these tires, and any they have left over after the event, they can now use at other places during the year,” Wild West Shootout race and technical director, Kelley Carlton said. “Not only are the drivers in favor of the change, but track staff, including myself, Johnny Stokes [track prep], Matt Curl [event director] along with Shanon Rush from Hoosier Tire all agree this will allow for even better racing.

“With the different options, drivers will have options for different setups and be able to run different lines on the track.”

First year event director, Matt Curl echoed Carlton’s thoughts.

“After being there [FK Rod Ends Arizona Speedway] one day I could tell that hard tires limited the potential of the Super Late Models. Additionally, most teams were having to buy tires, that they couldn’t run pretty much anywhere else the rest of the year,” Curl stated. “It also goes without saying that I think this will produce even better racing action for the fans. This is a win-win for everybody.”

The dates for the mega miniseries at FK Rod Ends Arizona Speedway have been set for Jan. 9-10, Jan. 13, and Jan. 15-17, 2021 at the three-eighth-mile oval located just outside of Phoenix.