Australian driver looking for first World of Outlaws victory

Tatnell was a two-time points champion in his native Australia, but is still searching for his first victory on American soil and ranks 12th in the point standings.

"The talent here is incredibly high," Tatnell says. "I was the big fish in the pond in Australia. Here, I'm just trying to keep my head above water and get a little better each time out."

The lap sheets show that the 27-year-old Tatnell is indeed improving. He won his first trophy dash along with a heat race at Cottage Grove on Monday, and led the main event much of the way before taking second, his best showing on the World of Outlaws circuit.

"It's very important to qualify well and not have to start in the back," says Tatnell, who started on the pole in Cottage Grove. "These cars are so fast and the drivers so skilled that it's difficult to pass any of them. You're having a good night if you can pass five of these guys during a main event."

Tatnell competed in a handful of events last year and was running in the top four at a race in Terre Haute, Ind., when a dirt clod flew into his car and broke his nose. With his eyes watering and his entire face in pain, Tatnell refused to leave the track and wound up eighth.

"Adrenalin is a pretty good medicine," Tatnell says. "I didn't really notice the pain until the race was over.

"If you want to run with these guys you've got to take some hard knocks."

Tatnell is an aggressive driver who isn't shy about darting into a small opening to squeeze past another driver. He surprised onlookers in Cottage Grove when he went through rough terrain on the outside part of the track to pass.

"I do take some chances," he concedes. "If you want to win win races then you've got to be on the rugged edge."

The line between being aggressive and dirty can be a fine one, but Tatnell insists he's not unethical behind the wheel.

"I take more chances than some of the guys, partly because I'm trying to prove myself here in the U.S.," Tatnell says. "But my style has always been aggressive."

Tatnell got off to slow start this year but has fared better since hiring Troy Renfro as crew chief in May. Renfro is the only American on an otherwise all-Australian crew.

"He (Renfro) has knowledge of the tracks that the rest of us don't have," Tatnell says. "And some of the technology here in the U.S. is different than it is Australia.

Troy has relieved a lot of pressure."

Tatnell is based in Memphis, Tenn., but is gone for weeks at a time while traveling from race to race. Living on the road is another challenge.

"You live day to day but you've got to be organized weeks in advance," he says. "Just having enough spare parts on hand can be a hassle."

Tatnell grew up around race tracks in Australia. His father, George, was a champion driver in sprint cars, stock cars, midgets and late models in a career that spanned 30 years.

"I think he injected methanol into my bloodstream," Tatnell says. "I started to dream of racing sprint cars when I was 5-years-old."

The biggest adjustment Tatnell has had to make in the United States is "getting my pride and ego kicked."