Without question, it would make a great Hollywood movie script.

For Aliquippa's Tim Shaffer, nicknamed the "Steel City Outlaw," it was a dream come true when he raced to the checkered flag at the 50th annual Knoxville Nationals last Saturday.

The former Lernerville Speedway and two-time defending All Star Circuit champion defied the odds and took home the $150,000 first-place prize.

For years, the Knoxville Nationals was a 30-lap race. Last year 40-laps were contested with a stop for fuel in anticipation of the 50th anniversary race where 50-laps would be run, including a stop for fuel.

Shaffer was seventh in accumulative points after two nights of qualifying, earning a starting spot in the top-10 for Saturday's 50-lap event. However, rain Friday spoiled any chance of Shaffer improving his seventh-place starting position. The field was set for the 50-lap event.

After the anticipated fuel stop on lap 25, Shaffer restarted in fourth behind Steve Kinser, who dropped out a few laps later with engine problems putting Shaffer in third. Sammy Swindell led 46 laps before shredding a tire on lap 48 handing the lead to Donny Schatz, winner of four consecutive Knoxville Nationals.

Shaffer sat in second with two laps remaining.

"It's like 'Wow. This is for real now,'" Shaffer said. "We've got to make something happen."

Clearly the favorite of the near-capacity crowd, Shaffer passed Schatz with two laps to go for his first Knoxville Nationals win.

"It's incredible," Shaffer said. "To win the Knoxville Nationals is a dream come true."

While a mob of well-wishers surrounded Shaffer in Victory Lane, no one deserves more credit for Shaffer's success than his mother, Dot.

Dot Shaffer, a retired U.S. Postal worker, did everything possible to ensure that Tim had a chance to make it as a racer.

"She refinanced her house three times," Shaffer said. "She also maxed-out something like 19 credit cards so our own team could travel for nine years."

No doubt, Dot Shaffer was instrumental in her son's success. Her response when asked what her son might get her with his share of the winnings?

"Nothing," she said. "He's building a new house."

Dot Shaffer refers to Tim as a "seasoned race car driver" who has won the biggest sprint car race in the world.

Lernerville and Motordrome Speedway are in action today. ... Saturday at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, grandstand admission is free to residents with ID from Washington, Greene, Fayette and Westmoreland counties. All divisions are in action plus three makeup features and a demo-derby. ... Also Saturday, Pittsburgh Raceway Park hosts a Dedication and Memorial Event for former racers Nikki Deniker and Mark Brewer, plus the Supercharged Thunder Circuit.

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