Shark Racing has selected Tanner Holmes to pilot the No. 1a sprint car for the remainder of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series season.
The Oregon native is replacing full-time driver Jacob Allen, who recently announced he’d be taking some time away to recover from the mental grind of racing.
Holmes, who typically races 360 sprint cars on the West Coast, will saddle up in the Shark Racing steed starting on Tuesday night at the High Limit Sprint Car Series event at Huset’s Speedway in South Dakota.
Though his experience in 410 sprint cars is somewhat limited, the 20-year-old has dipped his toe into the Outlaw world several times in recent years. Holmes has run with the Outlaws at Skagit Speedway and Grays Harbor Raceway in Washington, as well as Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif.
His best finish was 11th at Skagit Speedway last year.
Holmes also ventured to Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway last week to attempt to qualify for the 62nd annual Knoxville Nationals. Piloting his own No. 18t sprint car, he set the sixth-fastest time during his preliminary night, but ultimately finished seventh in Saturday’s C main.
“This is an unbelievable opportunity and I can’t wait to work with Bobby Allen and his crew,” Holmes said via Twitter.