Diminutive American star, Shane Stewart will return to Australia for the full World Series Sprintcars schedule this December and has locked himself into early favouritism.
Stewart linking up with the well funded and highly professional Monster Energy Monte Motorsport Racing team is a welcome addition for World Series organisers – who have so far been devoid of big name signings to the 12 contracts on offer this summer.
The Bixby, Oklahoma driver is no stranger to Australia, winning the Manjimup round of World Series last season, along with the $50,000 to win Scott Darley Challenge in Sydney. He took out the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic at Warrnambool in 2010 after one of the most epic battles with Brooke Tatnell seen on these shores.
Earlier this month, Stewart won the Knoxville 360 Nationals before the following week ending up sixth in the 410 Knoxville Nationals.
He has finished third in World Series Sprintcars previously, however will be aiming to go two places higher when the Series begins on Boxing Day at Speedway City.
Joining Stewart as contracted drivers thus far for the 2012/2013 World Series Sprintcars schedule are Luke Dillon, emerging West Aussie Shaun Bradford, South Australian Daniel Pestka, Wollongong (NSW) racer, Steve Caunt, and Taswegian, Mark House.