MANSFIELD, Ohio – As the second edition of the Sprint Car World Championship race takes shape at Mansfield Motor Speedway, defending winner Tim Shaffer knows he has an opportunity to repeat.

An epic side-by-side battle with eventual All Star Circuit of Champions champion Aaron Reutzel and Shaffer saw Shaffer come out on top. A turn three slider by Reutzel was returned by Shaffer in turn four, allowing Shaffer to zip to the checkered flag last year.

Shaffer knows it was a great race and win, but like all great races and victories they become a memory.

“It was a big win, a great time here last year,” said Shaffer, who took home $100,000 for his efforts last year. “But I don’t know, they say they worked on the track over the off season as well. We’ll just have to see what we can do.

“It’s about putting ourselves in the right position. And it starts now with making a good draw, then we have to qualify right. Putting ourselves in a good position is important. We can just hope for the best. We have confidence, we have been fast this year, but it still goes back to we have to put ourselves in position. Anything can happen, but we as a team put ourselves in the right situation and give ourselves a chance. The first two nights are all about points. We have to get ourselves some good points, or maybe a win to get into that Dash race Saturday night,” finished Shaffer.

A three day event, the $100,000-to-win race saw Mother Nature put the halt to action early on Thursday, but Friday will be a new day.

However, Friday will be the only opportunity for drivers to secure themselves a guaranteed starting position for Saturday’s Sprint Car World Championship Dash race to set the first three rows.

With a 60-car field of sprint car racing’s best, including series champions, race winners and a handful of Pennsylvania Posse racers in the pit area, Shaffer knows he will have to be at the top of his game.

“I have a great team, and a great crew, I think we will be OK,” Shaffer said. “Just have to keep the speed up and lay down the best qualifying lap I can.”