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Logan Schuchart Takes a Bite Out of Donny Schatz for Win at Ohsweken
Schuchart Earns First Career Victory in Canada
OHSWEKEN, ON, CAN – July 25, 2017 – Logan Schuchart hunted down Donny Schatz in heavy lapped traffic and then dominated the second half of the Six Nations Showdown at Ohsweken Speedway for his fourth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of 2017 on Tuesday night.
The victory was a much-needed confidence boost for Schuchart and his Shark Racing team who had struggled of late. The slick Ohsweken surface was exactly to the liking of the Hanover, Pa. native in the Outlaws only visit to Canada this season.
“I love these type of racetracks, not just because we ran well on it tonight. I love slick racetracks,” Schuchart said in Victory Lane. “I love when you have to drive the car straight and smooth. I feel like it makes it fun. Obviously if you’re not running good it’s not fun, but if you can glide around the racetrack, be smooth and have forward drive, it’s fun.”
Schuchart had all of those ingredients at Ohsweken. While Schatz grabbed an early lead from the pole and drove away from the majority of the field, Schuchart was the only driver able to keep pace. The top duo wandered into heavy lapped traffic by lap nine and as Schatz was forced to give up his preferred line on the bottom to move past a slower car, Schuchart capitalized when he found room on the bottom of turn two and down the backstretch to take the lead.
“I was having trouble catching Donny when we were in an open run,” Schuchart admitted. “It wasn’t until we got to lapped traffic, I felt like, that some lapped cars made him go where he didn’t want to. I could just move around a little bit more than he could and go through the middle. When some lapped cars took his line away, I just felt like I was able to get the forward drive off the corners to get by him.”
One lap after Schuchart took the lead, the caution flag waved for Sheldon Haudenschild, who suffered a flat right-rear tire. He made the repairs in the work area and returned to the rear of the field. Schuchart held the point on the lap nine restart while Greg Wilson and Kyle Larson battled tooth and nail for the third spot.
Schuchart led the top-five into traffic again on lap 16 of the 30-lap main event, but was able to run the bottom the lane the whole time to continue pulling away from Schatz. His advantage with 10 laps to go was 2.6 seconds but grew each lap until he achieved the eventual 5.984-second margin of victory.
Schatz was openly disappointed he was not able to capitalize on his pole starting position to claim his 16th win of the season. His runner-up finish was his 40th top-five finish of the season.
“We got beat,” Schatz stated bluntly. “Logan was really good. He could go all over. Obviously, we got to traffic and you have to move around. We did that a little bit and he found the better groove. Those guys rolled pretty good and I couldn’t stay down there very well. I had to roll the middle and do what I could. These guys did a great job, Logan was just that good tonight.”
Schuchart was ecstatic to score his fourth Outlaw win of the season and to beat the current Series point leader to achieve the feat.
“Anytime you can beat Donny Schatz on any type of racetrack, but especially a slick racetrack, it’s saying something,” Schuchart said. “We’ve had a car for a while that’s given us some trouble and this is the first night on this new XXX (chassis) and it was hooked up on this slick surface. I felt like it was just gliding around the racetrack and I was just guiding it.”
Wilson rounded out the podium finishers after holding off Kyle Larson in the second half of the race. It was Wilson’s fifth top-five finish of the season on a surface he raved about in his post-race interview.
“We’ve been struggling pretty bad lately, so I can’t thank the folks at Hercules Tires, Ohio Logistics, DNC Hydraulics, Gear Alloy and Weikel Sportswear for staying with us,” Wilson said. “This is always an amazing show. (Track Owner) Glenn (Styres) and the whole crew gave us an excellent racetrack. It’s fun. I wish some other tracks in the country would take a look at this. I realize we’re not going 100mph, but there’s racing all over the racetrack and that’s what it’s about.”
Larson settled for a fourth-place finish and 19-year-old Dylan Westbrook, who was making his first career Outlaw start in his first night with a 410ci motor, rounded out the top-five after starting 16th. Jacob Allen was the KSE Hard Charger award winner after he advanced 13 positions from 24th to 11th.
Brad Sweet was the night’s fast qualifier with a lap of 12.280 seconds. Sweet, Schuchart, Larson and Wilson all won heat races in some of the most thrilling qualifying action all season. Schatz won the Craftsman Club Dash from the pole, but had to take the lead back from Brent Marks midway through the race to gain the pole. Kraig Kinser came out on top of a three-car battle for the lead with Jared Zimbardi and Steve Lyons to win the Last Chance Showdown.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series now has two days off before returning to competition for the Battle of Michigan at Hartford Speedway in Hartford, MI on Friday, July 28. The Outlaws will see the track’s new 3/8-mile configuration for the first time. For additional event information, including advanced reserved ticket purchases, visit www.slspromotions.com.
Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$5,500]; 3. W20-Greg Wilson [5][$3,200]; 4. 57-Kyle Larson [7][$2,800]; 5. 47X-Dylan Westbrook [16][$2,500]; 6. 5-David Gravel [12][$2,300]; 7. 18-Ryan Susice [17][$2,200]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [8][$2,100]; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser [21][$2,050]; 10. 67X-Parker Price-Miller [9][$2,000]; 11. 1A-Jacob Allen [24][$1,500]; 12. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$1,200]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [2][$1,100]; 14. 9X-Steve Lyons [23][$1,050]; 15. 2-Shane Stewart [10][$1,000]; 16. O-Max Johnston [6][$900]; 17. 87-Jason Barney [14][$800]; 18. 10-Mitch Brown [15][$800]; 19. 4-Paul McMahan [19][$800]; 20. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [20][$800]; 21. 7S-Jason Sides [18][$800]; 22. OO-Dane Lorenc [11][$800]; 23. 35-Jared Zimbardi [22][$800]; 24. 13-Clyde Knipp [13][$800]. Lap Leaders:Donny Schatz 1-8. Logan Schuchart 9-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1A-Jacob Allen[+13]
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Clyde Knipp; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Ryan Susice; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Extended Stay America ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Super Flow ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Brent Marks, Logan Schuchart, Daryn Pittman, Greg Wilson, Brad Sweet; Craftsman/Sears: Max Johnston; KSE Hard Charger: Jacob Allen; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Logan Shuchart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Sides.
Zearfoss Scores First Career Series Win and First Posse Win of the Season
MECHANICSBURG, PA — July 21, 2017 — Jonestown, PA-native Brock Zearfoss scored his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win during the Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals opener, ringing in the first Posse win of the season in the ongoing Outlaws versus Pennsylvania Posse battle. David Gravel came in second after a strong battle for the lead with Lance Dewease, who ultimately went into the wall and flipped with nine laps to go. Defending Champion Donny Schatz completed the podium.
"How many times do you get to win an Outlaw race?" asked Zearfoss from Victory Lane. "This first time, I don’t even know what to say. I’m sick to my stomach; I’m that excited. You know, this is just a dream come true.”
Zearfoss’s first Outlaws race behind the wheel of Aaron Long’s No. 58 car last May didn’t go quite so well. He didn’t make the Feature.
“We debuted this deal at the first Outlaw race, and we weren’t good at all. To go from not making the show to standing on the front stretch of an Outlaw show, that’s just saying something about these guys.”
The Feature started with Lance Dewease on the pole after a full-field Craftsman Club Dash inversion (eight) worked in his favor. Last year's champion, Daryn Pittman, started beside him and managed to steal the lead in lap one, but Dewease would take it back and go on to lead the next 15 laps.
Meanwhile, behind him Zearfoss battled his way past Schatz and Pittman to second with Gravel on his tail.
While spectators' attentions were focused keenly on the five-car battle in front, Danny Dietrich and Sheldon Haudenschild got into each other entering lap 17 outside turn one, forcing a restart that would allow Gravel to charge past Zearfoss on the frontstretch before throwing a slider at Dewease. Trying to hold off Gravel, the leader jumped the cushion, fumbled, and flipped several times inside turn two.
To the tune of an outraged crowd, a double-file restart was called according to Series rules when the caution is not a result of contact between cars. Despite video replays showing no contact between the GoMuddy.com No. 5 and the Schanauer Plumbing No. 69K, Posse supporters expressed their discontent and disbelief.
“I know I never touched him," argued Gravel. "Lance probably had a pretty tight race car and flipped over in the curb. I honestly didn’t want to slide him. I checked up. I thought, he doesn’t get back around me, but he obviously got stumbled up in the curb. That’s what happened, and then I had to work really hard to get back to second. I feel like we had the best car but finished second."
Zearfoss and Gravel were to lead the field, but officials called a jump start on Gravel after Zearfoss stumbled and slowed, sending Gravel back a row and putting Schatz beside Zearfoss for another restart.
“This motor was stumbling all night," said Zearfoss. "I got it to go a couple of times, but obviously that one time David [Gravel} actually didn’t jump me, but it just didn’t go. I kind of got lucky there. Got it to go for Schatz and didn’t want to see another caution because I wasn’t sure if I could do it again. Luckily I got a good jump on him on that last restart and held him off. Tell you what, I was either going out of the park or I was winning this bitch.“
And win he did, with Gravel battling his way back to second after a few exchanged with Schatz.
"Brock Zearfoss is a good friend of mine, and I’m happy he won his first Outlaw show," said Gravel. "We’ll take second tonight. Me and Donny [Schatz] raced really really hard there. Just good hard racing."
RESULTS FROM WILLIAMS GROVE SPEEDWAY
Feature (25 Laps) - 1. 58-Brock Zearfoss [4][$8,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [5][$4,000]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$2,500]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$2,200]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [2][$2,100]; 6. 21-Brian Montieth [20][$2,000]; 7. 25-Aaron Ott [9][$1,800]; 8. 11-T.J. Stutts [10][$1,600]; 9. 51-Freddie Rahmer [23][$1,500]; 10. 27-Greg Hodnett [16][$1,300]; 11. 24-Lucas Wolfe [11][$1,200]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [14][$1,100]; 13. 44-Trey Starks [6][$1,000]; 14. 17-Jac Haudenschild [24][$700]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17][$600]; 16. 1S-Logan Schuchart [22][$600]; 17. 39M-Anthony Macri [18][$600]; 18. 4-Paul McMahan [15][$600]; 19. 41-Jason Johnson [27][$]; 20. 3H-James McFadden [21][$600]; 21. 69K-Lance Dewease [1][$600]; 22. 48-Danny Dietrich [12][$600]; 23. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [13][$600]; 24. 1-Dale Blaney [8][$600]; 25. 1A-Jacob Allen [19][$600]; 26. 2-Shane Stewart [25][$]; 27. 44W-Rodney Westhafer [26][$]; Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1, Lance Dewease 2-16, Brock Zearfoss 17-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 21-Brian Montieth[+14]
Schatz Scores Fifth Silver Cup Win;
Haundenschild Flips after Leading First 35 Laps
SARVER, PA - July 18, 2017 - Eight-time Series Champion and current points leader Donny Schatz scored his fifth Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup win at Lernerville Speedway after a heated battle with Sheldon Haudenschild left the Rookie of the Year contender flipping off the wall on the front stretch outside turn four.
"It’s been a good week," said Schatz, fresh off his Kings Royal win at Eldora Speedway just last Saturday. "This race team is incredible, what they do. When they get the race car good, you get in that zone, and they fine tune things and just keep making strides and making it better. It’s good to have that feeling for sure."
Haudenschild dominated the first 35 laps of the 40-lap Feature, jumping to the lead right from the start and leaving pole-sitter Daryn Pittman between he and Schatz as he continued to lengthen the distance between them.
Meanwhile, Schatz had a rocky start as his front tires lurched up on the front stretch outside turn four in lap three, and he went over the cushion outside turn one in lap nine, causing him to fall back to sixth. But the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing driver regained some ground before an engine failure on the Shark Racing No. 1s of Logan Schuchart forced a restart in lap 15; and by lap 22, Schatz had his No. 15 Arctic Cat machine back in third again.
Two laps later, Schatz passed Pittman, but Haudenschild was driving hard and still had a good three-second lead on him.
It took the veteran driver another eight laps to gain enough ground to start pushing on the rookie, but on lap 33 the exchanges began. Schatz passed Haudenschild. Haudenschild took it back. Schatz did it again, and again Haudenschild took it back.
A beautiful battle transpired until another caution — this time Brent Marks spinning outside turn four — forced another restart.
With $25,000 on the line, the Feature continued with a single-file restart, Haudenschild at the helm. He did what he had to do and shot out to a strong lead again, but hit the cushion so hard in turn four, he simply ran out of cushion. The No. 93 hit the wall and flipped several times down the front stretch.
"[The cushion] was getting pretty thin," said Schatz from Victory Lane. "In case anyone didn’t notice there were crashes. That’s why we had that [caution] before [Sheldon] did it. There was two cars sitting there, and the cushion was kind of rolled up over the edge of the track. It just kept getting slower and slower. When it starts slowing down... I guess old age is making me slow down a bit too."
All was quiet when the Open Red was called. But when the Wild Child's child finally got out of his car unharmed, the crowd erupted in applause. And Schatz went on to take the checkers unchallenged, with Pittman and David Gravel rounding out the podium.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series takes on the Pennsylvania Posse at Williams Grove Speedway on Friday and Saturday, July 21-22 for the Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals before heading to Ransomville Speedway for The Big "R" Outlaw Shootout on Sunday, July 23.
Feature (40 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$25,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [1][$7,000]; 3. 5-David Gravel [5][$5,000]; 4. 49X-Tim Shaffer [4][$4,000]; 5. 10H-Chad Kemenah [8][$3,000]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [11][$2,900]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7][$2,800]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [18][$2,700]; 9. 13D-Danny Dietrich [16][$2,600]; 10. 17X-Carson Macedo [6][$2,500]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [15][$2,400]; 12. 4-Paul McMahan [20][$2,300]; 13. 1-Dale Blaney [9][$2,200]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [10][$2,100]; 15. 22-Brandon Spithaler [17][$2,000]; 16. 17-Jac Haudenschild [14][$1,500]; 17. 98-Carl Bowser [19][$1,300]; 18. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$1,200]; 19. 2M-Kerry Madsen [12][$1,200]; 20. 19-Brent Marks [24][$1,200]; 21. 3H-James McFadden [21][$1,200]; 22. 2AJ-A.J. Flick [25][$]; 23. 1S-Logan Schuchart [13][$1,200]; 24. 24-Lucas Wolfe [23][$1,200]; 25. 7K-Dan Shetler [26][$]; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen [22][$1,200]; Lap Leaders: Sheldon Haudenschild 1-35, Donny Schatz 36-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 41-Jason Johnson[+10]
Donny Schatz Dominates 34th Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway
Makes History as First Back-to-Back Winner of the Prestigious Event
ROSSBURG, OH – July 15, 2017 – Donny Schatz turned in a perfect score card and walked away with a $50,000 check after dominating the 34th annual Kings Royal for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series at Eldora Speedway on Saturday night. Schatz set fast time in qualifying and then won his heat from the fifth starting position following the traditional Kings Royal heat race inversion.
Schatz’s win in Heat 1 put him sixth on the starting grid. He wasted no time at all jumping forward. He took the lead from polesitter and Kings Royal rookie Cole Duncan on lap 14 and never looked back. Schatz lead was as big as six seconds and he crossed the finish line 3.966 seconds ahead of teammate Christopher Bell.
“I just tried to play it cautious, but I seemed to be a little better than the guys in front of me while I tried to search out and find the right line,” Schatz explained of his early race strategy. “I got (to the front) fairly quick. “Brad (Sweet), I didn’t know if he would keep getting better, he looked okay. He didn’t really slow down, we just seemed to get a little bit better towards the end of the race as the fuel came off. That comes to the three guys that work on this car. They take it with the utmost pride and passion and it’s those sort of things that get us in these positions.”
Schatz took the lead from Duncan and third-starting Brad Sweet followed him to take the second position. From there, Schatz found his way into traffic and seemingly got faster as worked around the slower cars.
“I was better in dirty air and that’s something this race team works hard on,” Schatz said. “It seems like I can get my car to stick when I’m behind somebody else. Why that is, I don’t know. I seem to be better in dirty air than I am in open air.”
The proficiency of Schatz No.15 in traffic left podium finishers Christopher Bell and Sweet a bit befuddled.
“It just goes back to car handling,” Sweet said. “That really shows your car, how good you are in dirty air. That’s where the No.15 tends to shine. Once he got there, we started getting some bad air and the car wasn’t feeling as good behind some of those lapped guys and that’s when Donny just drove by and that’s when I knew we were in trouble.”
Despite his dominance, Schatz said he never let up or felt he good relax.
“I’ve raced the same way for the last 20 years: the race isn’t over until it’s over,” Schatz said. “You can clearly be the best car some nights and force yourself into a mistake. I probably pushed the issue with a lapped car and I got myself in a spot where I could have been the fence. It’s never over until you roll under that checkered flag.”
Bell put on a show on his own as he raced from the 20th starting spot after he qualified into the race as one of the two-fastest qualifiers who did transfer to the Feature from the heat races. The starting position wasn’t too much of a hindrance to Bell, other than to track down Schatz at the end of the caution-free race.
“That was a ton of fun running up there right around the fence,” Bell said following the race. “For me, I was just trying to run smart and take my time. I knew I had a really good car. Looking back at it, if I had known it was going to go green to checkered, I probably could have made a couple more moves to get through the field faster to give me more time to run down Donny. To come from 20th to second on a green to checkered race is something that I’m pretty proud of.”
The Norman, OK driver suffered damage to his car’s no wing when he hit Jac Haudenschild ,who was a lapped car, in the rear bumper in turn two in turn two while in the rear bumper with less than two laps to go,. The damage, however, didn’t seem to inhibit Bell at all.
“I don’t think it really mattered,” Bell said of the damage. “I was worried about it when it first happened. It hurt me whenever I was in dirty air because the nose kept coming up, but as far as running by myself, I don’t think it really affected me.”
The Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing teammates raced to their second straight 1-2 finish. Sweet was a strong third-place finishers and was on the podium for the third straight night at Eldrora. Still, Sweet feels like his team can find another gear.
“We have a lot of consistency in our car, just some of these races we haven’t hit it exactly right for the main event,” Sweet said. “Donny was just a good bit better. He just drove by us and checked out. I searched around on the racetrack and just never found a spot where it was super good. I think we kind of know where we missed it. There’s a lot of human element in decision-making before these races and you have to make the right decisions if you want to win them. We’ll learn from this and try to keep getting better.”
After claiming the VP Racing Fuels checkered flag, Schatz was crowned King Donny the 34th in traditional Kings Royal Victory Lane. This year, the King of the Outlaws and original Kings Royal winner Steve Kinser, presented Schatz with his winning crown.
“I think more than anything, this probably isn’t going to happen a whole lot that I’m going to get to stand next to the real King,” Schatz said of Kinser. “That means a lot to me. He’s always been a hero, he’s been the ambassador of our sport, he’s the best thing our sport’s ever seen. I’m damn proud to stand next to that guy tonight.”
Schatz refused to acknowledge his new accomplishment as the first back-to-back winner of the Kings Royal. Instead, Schatz is happy he becomes a statistical footnote.
“Anytime you can do anything that Steve Kinser hasn’t done is incredible,” Schatz said of his victory.
Earlier in the night, Schatz set quick time with a lap of 13.197 seconds, identical to Kerry Madsen’s quick time in Hot Laps. Schatz then used a late restart in Heat 1 to take the lead and claim the sixth-starting spot in the Feature. Tim Shaffer, Sheldon Haudsenchild, Jac Haudenchild, Brad Sweet and Cole Duncan all won earlier qualifying heats. Clyde Knipp earned the C-Main win while David Gravel made a last lap pass to edge Shane Stewart for a win in the Last Chance Showdown.
Despite Bell passing 18 cars to finish second, Ryan Smith took home the KSE Hard Charger award as he advanced from 24th to 5th behind Duncan, who finished fourth in his first-ever Kings Royal start.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series now continues its travel back east with a stop of Lernverville Speedway in Sarver, PA on July 18 for the $20,000-to-win Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup. For additional event information, click here.
Eldora Speedway Kings Royal Notebook
Feature (40 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$50,000]; 2. 14-Christopher Bell [20][$20,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$15,000]; 4. 12N-Cole Duncan [1][$12,500]; 5. O7-Ryan Smith [24][$10,000]; 6. 81-Lee Jacobs [7][$7,500]; 7. 10H-Chad Kemenah [8][$6,500]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$6,000]; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17][$5,500]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$5,000]; 11. 24-Rico Abreu [13][$4,750]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [10][$4,500]; 13. 2M-Kerry Madsen [9][$4,000]; 14. 18-Ian Madsen [23][$3,750]; 15. 2-Shane Stewart [22][$3,500]; 16. 71-Joey Saldana [15][$3,450]; 17. 5-David Gravel [21][$3,400]; 18. 21-Brian Brown [11][$3,350]; 19. 39-Sammy Swindell [18][$3,300]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [19][$3,250]; 21. 3H-James McFadden [12][$3,200]; 22. 17-Jac Haudenschild [3][$3,150]; 23. 19-Brent Marks [16][$3,100]; 24. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5][$3,000]. Lap Leaders: Cole Duncan 1-13, Donny Schatz 14-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 07-Ryan Smith[+19]
Bell Gets Knighted
Christopher Bell Outduels Teammate Donny Schatz to Win The Knight Before the Kings Royal at Eldora
ROSSBURG, OH – July 14, 2017 – Christopher Bell took the lead from Brad Sweet in turn three and then held off a surging Donny Schatz on a restart with nine laps to go to win the Knight Before the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway on Friday night. Bell, who lined up for the 30-lap main event in third, had to be perfect on the race’s only restart with less than 10 laps to go as the eight-time Outlaw Champion threw everything he had at the 22-year-old Norman, OK native who was driving the No.14 Tony Stewart Racing-Curb/Agajanian entry.
“It’s a dream come true,” Bell said following the victory. “To be able to drive for Tony (Stewart) is a dream come true, to win at Eldora on Kings Royal weekend with the Outlaws, I’m just speechless. I’ve had a lot of good runs here at the Kings Royal. I think I’ve been in the top three the last couple of years whenever I’ve crashed. So, to be able to finally win one was really special. Tonight was only 30 laps and we have 40 of them tomorrow.”
At the drop of the green flag, it was outside pole starter Brad Sweet who jumped out to an early advantage. Behind Sweet, Bell engaged in a thrilling battle with polesitter Brian Brown for the third position in the opening laps.
Sweet’s lead quickly expanded to 1.9 seconds over Bell, but evaporated just as fast when he struggled to navigate through a sea of slower traffic. Bell saw his opportunity on lap 10 and seized it as he drove by Sweet entering turn three and claimed the point.
From there, Bell found himself racing against the cushion, which was nearly against the outside retaining wall, all the way around the racetrack. At the halfway points, his gap was 1.3 seconds over Sweet and Ian Madsen with Schatz running in third.
A few short laps later, Schatz began to make his move forward as he got by Madsen and then Sweet to take second on lap 20.
The only caution of the race came on lap 21 for a stopped Sheldon Haudenschild in turn two and reset the battle upfront with a double-file restart. Bell chose the bottom lane for the restart despite running the high outside groove up to that point.
“The only reason I did it was because I got beat when I started on the top in the heat race,” Bell said. “I watched the heat races and every time the bottom was able to get the jump. I felt like either or would work, but I felt I was more vulnerable if I took the top.”
Despite losing his advantage, Bell felt the caution actually played to his advantage.
“I think the caution helped me out big time because I was struggling in lapped traffic,” Bell explained. “I knew I needed to get my wing back and I had just reached for the lever when the yellow came out.
Bell’s choice worked as it put him in the catbird seat to drive to the top lane in turns one and two, but prevented Schatz from attempting a slide job in turns one and two. Schatz poked inside Bell on the bottom in turns three and four and then pulled even for a half lap. Bell maintained his momentum enough in turn two to carry the lead down the backstretch on lap 22 and he dropped to the bottom to take away Schatz’s lane.
“At the time, I didn’t know the bottom was where I needed to be,” Bell said. “I got my wing back and went to the top and was pretty good in one and two. Then, Donny got back beside me off of four and I felt like I hit a pretty good corner, so it was at that point that I knew I needed to change my line in three and four. Luckily I was able to get the momentum again in one and two to drop down in front of him.”
Schatz felt he may have shown Bell the preferred line a little bit early, but also suggested he didn’t have much choice in his bid for the win.
“You just have to go where he’s not and that’s where I was better anyways,” Schatz said. “He stayed up there and we ran side-by-side for a lap there. It forced him to move his lane and maybe I was a little too nice. Maybe I should have bulldozed him in there, but that’s not me.”
Over the final five laps, Bell found some lapped traffic and navigated the chaos with finer precision was able to drive to the checkered flag 0.591 seconds ahead of Schatz’s No.15. The win was a sure confidence boost for Bell entering tomorrow’s $50,000-to-win 34th annual Kings Royal.
“This place is my favorite racetrack in the world,” Bell said. “I’ve had a lot of success here and a lot of hard luck, some of it self-inflicted. I’ve been able to win here in a Midget, a Silver Crown car, a 360 Winged Sprint, and now with the Outlaws, and a Truck too. It’s been really good to me the last couple of years. I’m excited to try and get a big win tomorrow.”
Bell will be looking to use his momentum from Friday’s win to avenge a DNF in last year’s Kings Royal when he flipped against the turn four wall while running second. Despite the strong run in The Knight Before, Bell was cautiously optimistic for Saturday’s main event.
“I felt really, really confident coming in here and then yesterday we just struggled,” said Bell, who failed to qualify for Thursday’s Jokers Wild Feature. “ For some reason, we just didn’t have the speed. They worked really hard and (crew chief) Jimmy Car made some adjustments. I don’t feel like we have enough speed yet to qualify where we need to tomorrow, but obviously we can race okay. Our car is really good when it’s slick. That’s the most important part.”
Schatz’s second-place finish completed a 1-2 finish for the Tony Stewart Racing-Curb/Agajanian team.
“Every car owner’s dream is to have one-two finishes. Tony got one tonight and he also owns the track, so it’s a good feeling. Obviously I think it should be the other way around, I think it should be 15 then the 14, but that’s the way it goes,” Schatz joked.
Sweet maintained the third spot late in the race despite the best efforts of fourth-place finisher Ian Madsen. Brown settled for fifth.
For the second straight night, Brent Marks was the KSE Hard Charger. Marks used a World of Outlaws provisional starting spot to enter the Feature and started 25th. He gained 12 total positions and finished 13th.
Schatz was also the night’s fast qualifier with a lap of 13.057 seconds around the high-banked half-mike track. Jason Johnson, Kraig Kinser, Ian Madsen, Schatz, Shane Stewart and Tim Shaffer all won qualifying heats. Brown and Sweet won the pair of Craftsman Club Dashes. Joey Saldana won the Last Chance Showdown while Mark claimed the C-Main victory and Chris Andews drove to a D-Main checkered flag.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Saturday night at Eldora Speedway with the $50,000-to-win winner’s share on the line. The event will be broadcast with live pay-per-view video on DIRTvision.com. For more information on the 34th annual Kings Royal, please visit here.
Eldora Speedway Knight Before the Kings Royal Notebook
Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 14-Christopher Bell [3][$12,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$5,700]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$3,500]; 4. 18-Ian Madsen [5][$3,000]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [1][$2,600]; 6. 2M-Kerry Madsen [8][$2,400]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [9][$2,300]; 8. 5-David Gravel [16][$2,200]; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman [15][$2,150]; 10. 24-Rico Abreu [20][$2,100]; 11. 49X-Tim Shaffer [4][$1,600]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [12][$1,350]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [25][$500]; 14. 71-Joey Saldana [19][$1,200]; 15. 10H-Chad Kemenah [11][$1,100]; 16. 2-Shane Stewart [10][$1,000]; 17. 41-Jason Johnson [7][$900]; 18. 55XM-Dale Blaney [18][$850]; 19. 81-Lee Jacobs [17][$800]; 20. 17-Jac Haudenschild [14][$800]; 21. 3H-James McFadden [13][$800]; 22. 4-Paul McMahan [26][$]; 23. O7-Ryan Smith [22][$800]; 24. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [24][$800]; 25. 12N-Cole Duncan [21][$800]; 26. 1ST-Gary Taylor [23][$800]; Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-9; Christopher Bell 10-21, 23-30; Donny Schatz 22; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+12]
Mad Man Marches On
Kerry Madsen Dominates Jokers Wild at Eldora Despite Hand Injury
ROSSBURG, OH – July 14, 2017 – After a three hour rain delay in the early evening, Kerry Madsen dominated the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Jokers Wild event at Eldora Speedway on Thursday night that stretched into the early hours of Friday morning. Madsen was third-quick in Flight A qualifying and second in his heat before claiming victory in the Craftsman Club Dash. The Dash win gave Madsen the pole for the 30-lap, $10,000-to-win Jokers Wild and he led every circuit to score the win in convincing fashion.
Madsen’s win to begin the 34th annual Kings Royal weekend is even more impressive after he revealed in Victory Lane he battled an injury throughout most of the race after a rock cut his hand in the opening five laps. The Australian pilot persevered through the pain to claim his fourth Outlaw win of the season and the third in the Series’ last four races.
“A couple of times the car took off on me and I didn’t quite have the wheel,” Madsen joked about his injury after he was treated following the race. “I could just see all the blood in the glove. It was hurting, but I just kept going.”
Off the initial start, Madsen grabbed the early lead while fellow front row starter Brad Sweet drag raced Madsen into turn three for the lead. The battle was short-lived, however, as Brady Bacon flipped in turn two before the opening lap was complete to bring out the red flag. Bacon was uninjured.
A complete restart followed and saw Madsen jump out front again while 14th starting Jac Haudenschild slowed almost immediately, but pulled pitside, which allowed the race to continue.
“I got side-by-side down the backstretch,” Sweet said of the start. “Kerry left just enough there and I had a run. He was able to go across the track in turn three and take some air off my car and, honestly, that was kind of the race. He was really fast out in clean air. There was definitely no catching him there.”
Madsen set a blistering pace on the lightning quick track and worked into traffic on lap eight. While the bottom was the preferred lane, Madsen drove to the top on the cushion that was slightly more than halfway up the track to work past the slower cars.
The dirtier top lane for Madsen did slow his pace slightly and allowed Sweet to pull within one second of the No.2m. It was a short glimmer of hope for Sweet though as the caution waved on lap 12 when Logan Schuchart suffered a broken front axle and came to a stop in turn four.
The yellow flag gave Madsen the clean air he needed on the restart to pull away from Sweet again and he did just that. By lap 18, Madsen had opened a 1.7-second gap over Sweet while Brian Brown battled with David Gravel for the third position.
“I knew the starts were going to be super important because if someone got a lead and got through traffic, you weren’t going to get them, so it was super critical,” Madsen explained. “When we got to the traffic, I was just trying to be super aggressive with it and go hard at it because you know what those guys are like, they’ll pass you in two seconds if you screw up.”
Madsen again caught traffic on lap 20, but this time was able to navigate the slower cars more efficiently with his aggressive game plan. He continued at his lightning-quick pace over the final laps and drove off to the victory by 2.6 seconds over Sweet. Brown raced to a third-place finishing after holding off Gravel in an exciting third-place battle. Tim Shaffer got by Gravel late to claim fourth while the No.5 settled for fifth.
The victory continues a red-hot streak for Madsen who has now won in each of his last three Outlaw starts after he swept last weekend’s events at Wisconsin’s Cedar Lake Speedway. Madsen is far from surprised by his team’s most recent success.
“I’ve been saying it all year and I feel like we’ve been super under the radar,” Madsen said. “We’ve had like 10 second (place finishes) and a few wins now. It’s fast. I know the performance has been there all year, we just haven’t caught the breaks to get the wins, which I feel like was a good thing because we just kept making the car better.”
Sweet settled for a second-place finish, which felt like a victory for the Grass Valley, CA native after beginning the night with a seventh-place qualifying effort.
“We weren’t that great tonight, to be honest,” Sweet said. “We didn’t qualify great, but we had a really good start in our heat and got up in there to give ourselves a chance. Then they drew the six (inversion pill) and that was a lottery pick. Sometimes you’ll have nights like that where things go a little more your way then other night.
“We realize we have to get the NAPA Auto Parts car a little faster if we want to really have a shot at it Saturday night,” Sweet continued. “We’ll take a second tonight. Kerry’s been awful fast and did a great job there. We’re hungry to win and we’re knocking on the door. We just need to get the car a little better and the driver needs to do a little better job.”
Gravel was the night’s overall fast qualifier with a lap of 12.847 seconds around the half-mile track, just 0.140 seconds off Craig Dollansky’s 2002 track record of 12.707. Shaffer, Ian Madsen, Gravel and Brown won qualifying heats. Cole Duncan won the Last Chance Showdown while Trevor Baker won the C-Main.Brent Marks was the night's KSE Hard Charger after racing from the 24th starting position up to 12th, an impressive achievement on a very fast racetrack.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action at Eldora on Friday night with the Knight Before the Kings Royal. The event will be broadcast live on DIRTvision.com. For additional event information or to buy tickets, please click here.
Eldora Speedway Jokers Wild Notebook
Feature (40 Laps) - 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen [1][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$5,500]; 3. 21-Brian Brown [3][$3,200]; 4. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5][$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [4][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [11][$2,300]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [6][$2,200]; 8. 18-Ian Madsen [7][$2,100]; 9. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$2,050]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [8][$2,000]; 11. 41-Jason Johnson [12][$1,500]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [24][$1,200]; 13. 24-Rico Abreu [23][$1,100]; 14. 10H-Chad Kemenah [10][$1,050]; 15. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [17][$1,000]; 16. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [16][$900]; 17. 4-Paul McMahan [13][$800]; 18. W20-Greg Wilson [15][$800]; 19. 12N-Cole Duncan [21][$800]; 20. 1S-Logan Schuchart [20][$800]; 21. 49D-Shawn Dancer [19][$800]; 22. 81-Lee Jacobs [22][$800]; 23. 17-Jac Haudenschild [14][$800]; 24. 99-Brady Bacon [18][$800]; Lap Leaders: Kerry Madsen 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+12]
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Brady Bacon; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; JE Pistons ($50 cash): David Gravel; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Extended Stay America ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Super Flow ($50 cash): Chad Kemenah; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Brad Sweet, David Gravel, Kraig Kinser, Daryn Pittman; Craftsman/Sears: Kerry Madsen; KSE Hard Charger: Brent Marks (+12); Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Brad Sweet; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jac Haudenschild.
SEASON WINNERS
Madsen Sweeps the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown; Sweet, Schatz Round out Podium
NEW RICHMOND, WI — July 8, 2017 — In what looked a bit like a repeat of the night before, Kerry “The Madman” Madsen took the checkers on night two at Cedar Lake Speedway with Brad Sweet and Donny Schatz behind him.
“I just enjoy racing with the World of Outlaws so much,” said Madsen from Victory Lane. "I mean, you just have to be on point all the way.”
Certainly the Kasey Kahne Racing driver and the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing driver never let up. They came prepared to do battle with the Big Game Motorsports 2M after the previous night’s finish.
"Last night I took a swing but then gave him the room,” said Sweet. "And tonight I thought, ‘Well, I’m going to try a little bit harder.’"
In fact, everything was a little harder for Madsen the second time around. Jason Johnson started on the pole and maintained his lead for the first 11 laps of the race while Schatz took Madsen on from third, passing him seven laps in only to lose his advantage in the following lap just as Sweet started pressing on him.
With Sweet and Schatz battling it out for third, Madsen focused his attention on the Priority Aviation No. 41, passing him with 29 laps to go. Five laps later, after Johnson slowed off the bottom of turn two, Sweet charged past Schatz and continued onward past Johnson to resume the battle with Madsen from the night before.
Schatz followed suit, and by lap 20, halfway into the race, the top four positions were set, with David Gravel holding the rear. Though Madsen had a strong lead, a caution on Jac Haudenschild (who lost a wheel) gave the drivers a final opportunity to steal the lead.
"Brad [Sweet] had a hell of a run, and he put a big move on in one and two,” said Madsen. “Fortunately, in that corner I had enough time to turn back down and try to tuck right in down the backstretch and repay the favor in three and four. Then I was just trying to mix it up and run a different line here or there to keep him guessing. I feel like I didn’t have much ties there at the end. There was a lot of wheel spin going on, but with two to go you’re just foot to the floor, and you’re like, 'I’m not losing this now.’ So that was a great run.
“I got up in front of him,” said Sweet, "but he turned down. And then he did what he had to do those last few laps. You know, he kind of played defense. We were trying to search to get the run on him, but his car was good all weekend.
Sweet, who is second in points standings behind Donny Schatz (-80) has more top-10 finishes than him so far this season, and almost as many top-fives, but he’s nine wins behind him and hasn’t taken the checkers since exactly one month ago, at Knoxville Raceway. .
“My guys keep giving me great race cars,” said the No. 49 Napa Auto Parts driver. "We just have to figure out how to win some of these. They come down to the last five laps like that, and we’re just a hair off. If we can just find it, we’ll get some more of these wins. I know I keep saying that every night, but it’s the truth. As long as we’re up here on the podium we’re happy though."
Schatz had less to say from Victory Lane, but expressed a similar sentiment. “When you can’t win you gotta do the best you can . . . That’s why they call it racing, so we’ll learn from our mistakes and move on.”
Behind Gravel at the finish was Jason Sides rounding out the top five. While Sides started in 16, his fifth place finish is even more impressive given the fact that he was pushed to the back (24) on a reset after a collision before completing the first lap of the race. Sadly, his 19-position charge only counted as 11, and the KSE Hard Charger Award went to Bill Balog for another impressive charge — from 24 to 10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series takes on Attica Raceway Park on Tuesday, July 11 for the Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic before heading to Eldora Speedway for the Kings Royal, July 13-15.
Feature (40 Laps) - 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen [2][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$5,000]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$3,000]; 4. 5-David Gravel [10][$2,700]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$2,500]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$2,200]; 7. 3-Tim Kaeding [9][$2,000]; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$1,800]; 9. 2-Shane Stewart [7][$1,600]; 10. 17B-Bill Balog [24][$1,450]; 11. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [6][$1,300]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [21][$1,200]; 13. 21-Brian Brown [18][$1,100]; 14. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [11][$1,000]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [22][$950]; 16. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8][$900]; 17. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [17][$850]; 18. 4-Paul McMahan [14][$750]; 19. 9-Daryn Pittman [3][$725]; 20. 84-Scott Bogucki [20][$700]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [12][$700]; 22. 26-Tayler Malsam [19][$700]; 23. 17-Jac Haudenschild [15][$700]; 24. 19-Brent Marks [23][$700]; Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-11, Kerry Madsen 12-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17B-Bill Balog[+14]
Qualifying - 1. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.116; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.207; 3. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 12.269; 4. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.326; 5. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 12.35; 6. 19-Brent Marks, 12.355; 7. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 12.403; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.508; 9. 3-Tim Kaeding, 12.517; 10. 5-David Gravel, 12.56; 11. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.586; 12. 84-Scott Bogucki, 12.597; 13. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 12.61; 14. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.65; 15. 17-Jac Haudenschild, 12.688; 16. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.688; 17. 23W-Scott Winters, 12.732; 18. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.755; 19. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.755; 20. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.764; 21. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.77; 22. 21-Brian Brown, 12.797; 23. 82-Craig Dollansky, 12.84; 24. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 12.842; 25. 19P-Paige Polyak, 12.872; 26. 17B-Bill Balog, 12.874; 27. 26-Tayler Malsam, 13.183; 28. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.298; 29. 23-Russel Borland, 13.305; 30. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.368; 31. 9Z-Jared Goerges, 13.393; 32. 85-Jason Tostenson, 13.4; 33. 19L-Todd King, 13.80
It Takes a Madman to Bring Down a Wild Child
NEW RICHMOND, WI — July 7, 2017 — Night One of the Platinum Battery Showdown at Cedar Lake Speedway went to former Outlaw and current Australian Sprintcar champion, Kerry "The Madman” Madsen, who swept all but the Craftsman Club Dash and led 38 laps of the 40-lap Feature behind the wheel of the Big Game Motorsports 2M. Brad Sweet and Donny Schatz followed him through the checkers after a heated battle with several exchanges.
While Madsen set Quicktime during Qualifying and won his Heat race, It was Jac “The Wild Child” Haudenschild who won the Craftsman Club Dash on his return to the Stenhouse Jr./Wood Racing No. 17 machine after a three-race medical absence resulting from an injury at Beaver Dam Raceway. It was starting to look like “Jac is Back” would be the headline for the night, but Haudenschild lost steam all the way through the Feature, coming in at 13 after getting lapped by Madsen in the final two laps.
Meanwhile, Greg Wilson was playing the same game in reverse. Having started in 15, Wilson charged his W20 to tenth in the first five laps, battled with Ian Madsen for the next 14 laps, charged to fifth on a restart, and got past David Gravel with seven laps to go to come in fourth right on Schatz’s tail.
Having started the Feature in second behind the Wild Child, and having won his share of races at the high-banked 3/8-mile oval, the eighth-time defending champion surprised the crowd with his third-place finish. But the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing driver suffered a bit of a mishap on his first lap around as he scraped his right rear tire along the wall of the backstretch after getting into K. Madsen, causing a flurry of sparks as Madsen passed him. And Sweet came at him from fifth, passing him just a couple laps later in the first of numerous exchanges between the the the two No. 15 Arctic Cat and the No. 49 Napa Auto Parts machines.
Meanwhile, Madsen was strengthening his lead and looked nearly unbeatable until Jason Johnson went into the wall outside of turn two, taking the No. 41 out of the race and forcing a restart with 19 laps to go.
Despite the threat created by the restart, Madsen charged forward instantly and re-gained his lead. From the looks of it, he was just too fast and too aggressive to beat.
Nine laps and a solid lead later, Madsen had a minor fumble coming out of a turn, and again after passing Sheldon Haudenschild in lap traffic, and with seven laps to go Sweet had finally caught up to him. Five laps to go and the Kasey Kahne Racing driver was all over Madsen, looking like he might actually win. During the next lap, Sweet managed to steal the lead, but Madsen immediately reclaimed it. With only two laps left, when Madsen finally lapped the Wild Child, Sweet was caught behind Haudenschild and Paul McMahan, and that was that. Madsen crossed the checkers.
The FVP Platinum Battery Showdown continues tomorrow night and will be streamed LIVE on DIRTVision.com.
CEDAR LAKE SPEEDWAY ABBREVIATED RESULTS
Feature (40 Laps) - 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen [3][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$5,000]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$3,000]; 4. W20-Greg Wilson [15][$2,700]; 5. 5-David Gravel [4][$2,500]; 6. 18-Ian Madsen [7][$2,200]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [6][$2,000]; 8. 3-Tim Kaeding [17][$1,800]; 9. 21-Brian Brown [13][$1,600]; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser [11][$1,450]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$1,300]; 12. 4-Paul McMahan [12][$1,200]; 13. 17-Jac Haudenschild [1][$1,100]; 14. 2-Shane Stewart [10][$1,000]; 15. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [9][$950]; 16. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [16][$900]; 17. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$850]; 18. 19-Brent Marks [23][$750]; 19. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [18][$725]; 20. 19L-Todd King [24][$700]; 21. 41-Jason Johnson [8][$700]; 22. 55-Brooke Tatnell [20][$700]; 23. 19P-Paige Polyak [22][$700]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [21][$700]; Lap Leaders: Jac Haudenschild 1, Kerry Madsen 2-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+11]
Qualifying - 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 11.543; 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.643; 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.686; 4. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.734; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.737; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.765; 7. 17-Jac Haudenschild, 11.765; 8. 18-Ian Madsen, 11.795; 9. 5-David Gravel, 11.802; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.912; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.965; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.967; 13. 19P-Paige Polyak, 11.979; 14. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.992; 15. 19-Brent Marks, 12.001; 16. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.021; 17. 3-Tim Kaeding, 12.031; 18. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 12.044; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.071; 20. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 12.072; 21. 21-Brian Brown, 12.15; 22. 84-Scott Bogucki, 12.196; 23. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.235; 24. 7W-Tasker Phillips, 12.312; 25. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.344; 26. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 12.353; 27. 82-Craig Dollansky, 12.393; 28. 55-Brooke Tatnell, 12.423; 29. 19L-Todd King, 12.589; 30. 85-Jason Tostenson, 12.592; 31. 56N-David Heskin, 12.781; 32. 9Z-Jared Goerges, 12.951; 33. 91A-Reed Allex, 13.912
Redemption: Kraig Kinser Wins the Clash at the Creek at Deer Creek Speedway
By: Tony Veneziano
SPRING VALLEY, Minn. — July 6, 2017 — Kraig Kinser was five laps away from picking up his first win of the season last week with the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series at The Dirt Oval at Route 66 in Joliet, Ill., only to have the power steering go bad while leading, the third-generation driver made up for that near-miss on Thursday night, as he was victorious in the Clash at the Creek at Deer Creek Speedway in Minnesota.
For Kinser, it was his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win of the season and his first since 2014. The veteran driver now has 17 career World of Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature wins.
“You never want to have issues when you are running up front and tonight we didn’t,” said Kinser. “It was a struggle, because we were so good at the beginning. I knew we weren’t going to be quite as good at the end. Seeing Donny (Schatz) the last five or 10 laps, you have to be at your best. I definitely wasn’t leaving much on the table. There were a few spots I was getting really good bite, but other than that, I was sliding through the turns and just trying to keep momentum up.”
The event, which began on Thursday, June 29 and was postponed by rain three laps into the feature, set up a unique race night, which consisted of hot laps and the remaining 37 laps of the 40-lapper. Kinser asserted himself early in the race as a contender, while David Gravel, the pole sitter paced the first one-third of the race.
“We were pretty good here the other day and had to wait a week, but were close to how good we were last week,” Kinser noted. “This is a high-banked momentum track and if you can get the top working it’s usually better than hitting the bottom. Early, it had some moisture and we could stop, get the car turned and get off the corner. At the end, it was kind of just a momentum deal.”
Kinser lined up fifth when the race resumed on Thursday night and was up to third just a handful of laps into the 40-lap race. He moved into second when Brad Sweet had a flat tire on the 10th lap. Just prior to the halfway point of the race, Kinser used a strong run on the high side of the track to take the lead from David Gravel coming off turn four. Down the stretch, Kinser held off a furious charge by Donny Schatz to claim the win. Kinser endured a number of restarts while out front,
“The restarts were very important, though everything you do with the Outlaws is,” said Kinser.
“To say you beat the 15 car and 2 car and all the guys, everything is important and has to go right.”
Schatz, who re-started the race ninth on Thursday night, steadily worked his way forward. He tried both the high and low side of the track as he tracked down Kinser. Schatz nearly drew even with Kinser a handful of times, often diving under him turns three and four, but never was able to quite make a pass stick.
“Our job is to make something happen,” said Schatz. “I tried to make something happen, but Kraig (Kinser) was pretty good. I knew I didn’t want to get next to him unless I could get by him. He had a little bit left in there. Hats off to those guys. They have been knocking on the door for quite some time and got one done tonight. For us, we normally don’t run that well here, so second is pretty respectable. We were wanting to win and were there fighting for it and that’s all you can ask for.”
Shane Stewart, who lined up eighth for the re-started main event, used a late-race charge to cross the line third to continue his recent hot streak. Stewart was engaged in a spirited battle with Ian Madsen and Sheldon Haudenschild for the third spot for several laps.
“That was a fun race,” Stewart said. “My car seems to get better as the race goes on. On a 40-lap race, that’s what you want. It would have been interesting if there would have been a late-race caution. I’m happy with third. I have to thank all the fans for coming back out and supporting this race. I am looking forward to the rest of the summer.”
Sheldon Haudenschild, who ran as high as third, ended up fourth. The leading contender for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award, put on a show, as he bounced the right rear off the wall several times, even passing cars in the process.
Brad Sweet recovered from an early race flat tire to round out the top-five, after having to re-start at the tail of the field.
Paul McMahan was sixth, with Greg Wilson seventh, early leader David Gravel was eighth, with Jason Johnson recovering from a trip to the work area to finish ninth. Jacob Allen rounded out the top-10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action this weekend with the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisc., on Friday, July 7 and Saturday, July 8.
DEER CREEK RESULTS:
FEATURE (40 Laps): 1. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$5,500]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [9][$3,200]; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [5][$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$2,500]; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [7][$2,300]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$2,200]; 8. 5-David Gravel [1][$2,100]; 9. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$2,050]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [20][$2,000]; 11. 19-Brent Marks [19][$1,500]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [6][$1,200]; 13. 55-Brooke Tatnell [11][$1,100]; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart [23][$1,050]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [21][$1,000]; 16. 84-Scott Bogucki [15][$900]; 17. 9-Daryn Pittman [25][$800]; 18. 24-Terry McCarl [16][$800]; 19. 1M-Danny Lasoski [13][$800]; 20. 21-Brian Brown [12][$800]; 21. 17B-Bill Balog [17][$800]; 22. 19P-Paige Polyak [18][$800]; 23. 7W-Tasker Phillips [24][$800]; 24. 3-Tim Kaeding [22][$800]; 25. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4][$800]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-3, 5-14; Brad Sweet 4; Kraig Kinser 15-40;KSE Hard Charger Award: 1A-Jacob Allen[+10]
Schatz Outlasts Kaeding and Stewart for Victory at Dakota State Fair
Schatz picks up 13th victory of the Outlaws season
HURON, S.D — July 1, 2017 — Starting from the front row, Shane Stewart grabbed the lead exiting Turn 2 on the opening lap and set sail setting a blistering pace. With the main event being cut short by one lap due to track conditions, Stewart had to withstand one final restart. On that restart with one lap to go, Stewart restarted directly in front of Schatz. The top two of Stewart and Schatz headed down the backstretch coming to the checkers. Schatz was able to get a run on the high side coming out of Turn 2 allowing him to drive by Stewart to pick up his 13th victory of the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series season.
In a night that saw numerous flat tires throughout the 22-car field, the 30-lap race at Dakota State Fair Speedway was shortened to 29 laps due to track conditions.
Shane Stewart, the driver of the No. 2 Larson Marks Racing entry has been on a hot streak over the last couple of week. Having won two-in-a-row at West Liberty and Beaver Dam, just a week ago, Stewart was looking to pick up his fifth win of the season at Dakota State Fair Speedway on Saturday night.
After jumping out to an early lead on the start, Stewart set a blistering pace putting a gap between him and the No. 9 of Daryn Pittman who also started on the front row with Stewart. The first of six stoppages of the night was for the No. 93 who slowed at the top of Turn 1 with a flat tire. Sheldon Haudenschild would recover for a fifth-place finish.
Stewart would jump back out to a big lead on the restart. Schatz who was running third behind Pittman at the time was able to get by the No. 9 Great Clips machine on lap 22 for second. It was on lap 25 that Pittman sustained a flat tire, bringing out a yellow flag.
As the field was coming to get two laps to go at the stripe, Schatz dove aggressively under Stewart for the lead in Turn 3 and made it stick. However, the No. 5 of David Gravel went for a flip in Turn 1 at the same time, giving Stewart the lead back for the restart, Gravel was able to be pushed to the work area but could not return.
“We got by [Stewart] before the red came out,” Said Donny Schatz. “I knew it got to be where [Stewart] was going to stay down on the bottom groove and we just had a little bit left to get around him on the outside coming out of Turn 2.”
Due to track conditions, officials made the decision to the shorten the race by one lap. Stewart regained the lead after the previous lap was not scored complete. Stewart lead Schatz, Kaeding and the rest of the field to the restart where both the green and white flags were displayed.
“Man, that was tough,” said Shane Stewart. “I actually thought my tire was going flat coming to the green [on the last restart]. When [track] takes rubber like this the restarts are so hard on your tires.”
Stewart led into Turn 1 but Schatz used the top grove exiting Turn 2 to get by Stewart for the lead.
“You don’t ever want to lead that many laps and finish third,” said Shane Stewart. “It’s a testament to how good my car is right now. My guys did a great job, just wasn’t meant to be.”
“I’m here to win races, that’s what we’re here to do,” said Schatz regarding his winning pass. “When you’re in second and got an opportunity to win a race, that’s what you’re going to do – you’re going to go for it. You’re not going to do anything silly and we didn’t. We got the win and that’s what matters,” added Schatz.
Schatz would complete the rest of the 3/8th-mile en-route to his 13th victory of the 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car season.
“We definitely got our monies worth on the tires tonight,” said Donny Schatz who’s right-rear tire was bald.
“I didn’t think it was going to get that abrasive and rubbered up that early,” said Schatz. “Shane [Stewart] got out there and set a pretty good pace and I was trying to make the bottom work, it felt ok but those guys got away. I moved up and you could feel it – that’s the point you have to decide how hard you want to go. I’m glad I did that because there was no way I was going to be around at the end to have an opportunity to win that race.”
Stewart would eventually lose another position to Tim Kaeding in the No. 3 who took advantage of others misfortunes and drove up through the field from the 12th-starting spot.
“Man, this feels like a win for me,” said Tim Kaeding. “We’ve struggled pretty much all year. To run second with these guys on a rubbered down track like that and not pop a tire, I’m definitely going to enjoy a beer tonight.”
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Thursday, July 6 for a make-up Feature at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, MN before heading off to Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, WI on Saturday and Sunday, July 7 and 8. Tickets for these events can be purchased on WorldofOutlaws.com/Tickets or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
RESULTS FROM DAKOTA STATE FAIR SPEEDWAY:
Feature (29 Laps—shortened due to track conditions): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$10,000]; 2. 3-Tim Kaeding [12][$5,500]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [2][$3,200]; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [7][$2,800]; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [19][$2,500]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$2,300]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [11][$2,200]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [10][$2,100]; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman [1][$2,050]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [14][$2,000]; 11. 82-Thomas Kennedy [16][$1,500]; 12. 49-Brad Sweet [8][$1,200]; 13. 5-David Gravel [6][$1,100]; 14. 17B-Ryan Bickett [15][$1,050]; 15. 2K-Kevin Ingle [20][$1,000]; 16. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$900]; 17. 47-Brant O'Banion [21][$800]; 18. 4-Paul McMahan [4][$800]; 19. 13-Clyde Knipp [18][$800]; 20. 19P-Paige Polyak [9][$800]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [17][$800]; 22. 101-Chuck McGillivray [22][$800]; Lap Leaders: Shane Stewart 1-28, Donny Schatz 29; KSE Hard Charger Award: 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[+14]
Rain Forces Postponement of World of Outlaws Feature at Deer Creek Speedway to July 6
SPRING VALLEY, Minn. — June 29, 2017 —Rain has forced the postponement of the Feature event for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Deer Creek Speedway on Thursday, June 29. Rain began falling a couple of laps into the main event, forcing drivers to the pit area, with rain continuing to fall.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return on Thursday, July 6 to complete the remainder of the Feature event. The USRA Stock Car main event will also be run that evening.
All tickets and pit pass armbands from Thursday, June 29 will be honored on Thursday, July 6 and fans are asked to keep their tickets and armbands.
The start time on Thursday, July 6 will be one hour later, with hot laps at 7:30 p.m.
Rain Forces Postponement of World of Outlaws Feature at Deer Creek Speedway to July 6
SPRING VALLEY, Minn. — June 29, 2017 —Rain has forced the postponement of the Feature event for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Deer Creek Speedway on Thursday, June 29. Rain began falling a couple of laps into the main event, forcing drivers to the pit area, with rain continuing to fall.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return on Thursday, July 6 to complete the remainder of the Feature event. The USRA Stock Car main event will also be run that evening.
All tickets and pit pass armbands from Thursday, June 29 will be honored on Thursday, July 6 and fans are asked to keep their tickets and armbands.
The start time on Thursday, July 6 will be one hour later, with hot laps at 7:30 p.m.
Schatz Scores Win 12 on Return to The Dirt Oval, Where He Won 12 Years Ago
JOLIET, IL — June 27, 2017 — Eight-time champion and current points leader Donny Schatz took the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing No. 15 Arctic Cat machine through the checkers to win the FVP Outlaw Clay Classic at The Dirt Oval at Route 66 Raceway, stealing the lead from Kraig Kinser with only five laps to go. Although Kinser saw his best race of the season to date, Schatz rode him hard, and he ultimately landed in eighth with Kasey Kahne Racing teammates Brad Sweet and Daryn Pittman following Schatz through the checkers.
“Kraig [Kinser] was really good at the start,” said Schatz from Victory Lane. "He took off there on the bottom. I didn’t quite know if the bottom or the top, the middle, what was going to happen. I just had to give a little time for the race car to come in and the tires to get warm. You kind of had to be all over really. It was a guessing game there for a while, and then we had to restart. Being on the outside I kind of felt like I was hung out to dry a little bit, and Brad [Sweet] got by. Obviously they were really good. I think he started a ways back.”
Sweet, who walked away with the KSE Hard Charger Award, started in 13 and worked his way into second. A restart with 13 laps to go saw a three-wide battle for the lead between Kinser, Schatz and Sweet, in which Kinser prevailed, holding the lead for eight more laps, while Sweet and Schatz continued the battle for second with exchanges.
Throughout the race, another tough battle was playing out behind the leaders between Pittman and David Gravel, ending in Pittman’s favor after several exchanges.
Pittman, who set Quick Time at 13.637 second, was the only one in Victory Lane who even ran the Craftsman Club Dash, which was led by Jason Sides and Paul McMahan.
Starting on the pole after winning the Dash, Sides led the first four laps of the Feature as Kinser charged up from midfield in position 11 in some of his finest racing this season.
By Lap 5, Kinser was leading, with Sides and Brian Brown behind him as Schatz and Sweet followed suit, diligently taking on car after car, working their way up, and McMahan was losing ground.
Overall, it an exciting return to the half-mile oval, which last saw true oval-track racing twelve years ago. And while the racing was certainly better this time around, one thing remained the same: the champion. Schatz won at the track on July 8, 2005 during the Series’ last visit. Twelve years later, he scored win number 12 of the season.
Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [8][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [13][$5,500]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$3,200]; 4. 5-David Gravel [6][$2,800]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [1][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [9][$2,300]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$2,200]; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser [11][$2,100]; 9. 41-Jason Johnson [10][$2,050]; 10. 99-Brady Bacon [5][$2,000]; 11. 19-Brent Marks [18][$1,500]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [15][$1,200]; 13. 3-Tim Kaeding [20][$1,100]; 14. 17B-Bill Balog [7][$1,050]; 15. 24-Terry McCarl [16][$1,000]; 16. 59H-Justin Henderson [12][$900]; 17. 1A-Jacob Allen [21][$800]; 18. 27Z-Sean Zemunik [23][$800]; 19. 10V-Matt Vandervere [22][$800]; 20. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$800]; 21. 21-Brian Brown [3][$800]; 22. 4-Paul McMahan [2][$800]; 23. 17A-Austin McCarl [24][$800]; 24. 1M-Danny Lasoski [14][$800]; Lap Leaders: Jason Sides 1-4, Kraig Kinser 5-25, Donny Schatz 26-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 49-Brad Sweet[+11]
Qualifying - 1. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.637; 2. 5-David Gravel, 13.722; 3. 99-Brady Bacon, 13.726; 4. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.782; 5. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.782; 6. 59H-Justin Henderson, 13.819; 7. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.875; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.887; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.93; 10. 17B-Bill Balog, 13.958; 11. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.007; 12. 21-Brian Brown, 14.012; 13. 24-Terry McCarl, 14.076; 14. 1M-Danny Lasoski, 14.113; 15. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.122; 16. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.141; 17. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.166; 18. 18-Ian Madsen, 14.225; 19. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.278; 20. 10V-Matt Vandervere, 14.441; 21. 71-Max McGhee, 14.448; 22. 64-Scott Thiel, 14.466; 23. 17A-Austin McCarl, 14.467; 24. 19-Brent Marks, 14.524; 25. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.544; 26. 3-Tim Kaeding, 14.588; 27. 27Z-Sean Zemunik, 14.65; 28. 51B-Joe B, 14.713; 29. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.747; 30. 23-Russel Borland, 14.758; 31. 7J-Joe Swanson, NT
Caution: Stewart Is on a Streak
BEAVER DAM, WI — June 24, 2017 — In a night full of cautions and chaos, and even a bit of rain after Time Trials, Larson Marks Racing driver Shane Stewart secured a weekend sweep as he took the checkers for the second night in a row, this time at the Jim "JB" Boyd Memorial presented by Karavan Trailers at Beaver Dam Raceway.
Greg Wilson, who led the race for 24 laps, came in just short of the podium as Kerry Madsen charged from the back to come in second with Jason Johnson behind him.
"That was a crazy long race,” said Stewart from Victory Lane as the racing wrapped up near 1:00AM.
It was a night full of hardship at the high-banked third-mile. A bit of rain after Time Trials delayed the racing and made for a challenging surface. A number of cautions during the second Heat had the crowd on the edge of their seats and set the tone for the 40-lap Feature. “They’re picking them off one by one," said a fan in the backstretch grandstand. “There's too much grip. It’s going to be the last man standing."
Greg Wilson came in second in that Heat, in which only four drivers managed to complete all 10 laps, so he was looking at the last row of the Craftsman Club Dash. A full Dash inversion, with a draw of eight, however, moved him to the front, just outside of Donny Schatz, which is just where he started the Feature. Wilson wasn’t about to let that get away from him. He charged out ahead of Schatz in Lap 1.
Schatz got a second chance, just as Stewart got at West Liberty Raceway the night before, but he came out less than victorious.
A caution in Lap 1 forced a re-start, and set the field back to its original position. Jac Haudenschild bit the wall in Turn 2 with the Stenhouse Jr./Wood Racing No. 17 and was out of the race.
Wilson took the lead again on the restart, and Stewart passed Schatz for second in Lap 6, starting a battle between them. Unfortunately, the battle resulted in contact between the two drivers that sent the Arctic Cat No. 15 flying into the air before taking several flips on the backstretch with 33 laps to go. Although the Series champ came out unharmed, he was done for the night.
“I’ve got to say sorry to Donny,” said Stewart from Victory Lane. “I didn’t mean to get into him. I got backed up there a little bit, and I didn’t see him go last minute. He’s definitely the last person that you’d ever want to wreck.”
Sheldon Haudenschild was the next driver to taste the wall. More and more cautions followed, and while Wilson and Stewart battled it out up front, Kerry Madsen and Jason Johnson made themselves busy, climbing lap after lap and taking advantage of every restart.
Madsen had some challenges earlier in the night. He had a strong lead in his Heat when he spun into the wall between Turns 3 and 4, losing a wheel and limping off into the work area while his car was towed. But he refused to be defeated. He went on to win the Last Chance Showdown and make the Feature, where he started in the 21 spot. Yes, 21. And with only two laps to go, there he was, passing Wilson for second.
For Stewart it was a different kind of second: his second win in just two nights, and his second race with new crew chief Lee Stauffer. Asked what Stauffer has brought to the team, Stewart replied, “Confidence. We just lacked a little bit of that. He has a lot of self confidence, and so has brought a lot to the team. He’s a good leader."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series meets up with the Late Model Series next at the Dirt Oval at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, IL for the FVP Outlaw Clay Classic on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 27 and 28. Tickets are still available online.
BEAVER DAM RACEWAY ABBREVIATED RESULTS:
Feature (40 Laps) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$10,000]; 2. 2M-Kerry Madsen [21][$5,500]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [9][$3,200]; 4. W20-Greg Wilson [2][$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$2,500]; 6. 17B-Bill Balog [16][$2,300]; 7. 3-Tim Kaeding [17][$2,200]; 8. 4-Paul McMahan [12][$2,100]; 9. 5-David Gravel [10][$2,050]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$2,000]; 11. 59H-Justin Henderson [13][$1,500]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [23][$1,200]; 13. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [22][$1,100]; 14. 25-Jacob Blackhurst [8][$1,050]; 15. 10W-Scotty Thiel [18][$1,000]; 16. O2-Mike Reinke [11][$900]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [7][$800]; 18. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [20][$800]; 19. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$800]; 20. 19-Brent Marks [24][$800]; 21. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [25][$]; 22. 79-Blake Nimee [15][$800]; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen [19][$800]; 24. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$800]; 25. 17-Jac Haudenschild [6][$800]; Lap Leaders: Greg Wilson 1-24, Shane Stewart 25-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2M-Kerry Madsen[+19]
With a Lot of Skill and a Little Luck, Stewart Locks in West Liberty Win
WEST LIBERTY, IL — June 23, 2017 — Bixby, OK-native Shane Stewart commanded the Larson Marks Racing No. 2 car for 25 laps through the checkers to win the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series debut at the 1/2-mile West Liberty Raceway. Behind him Kasey Kahne Racing driver Brad Sweet fought Jason Johnson for second to round out the podium.
Stewart started the day out strong, qualifying second, but a bit of luck also came into play later that night. At the start of the West Liberty Hawkeye 25 Feature, both Johnson and Sweet got past Stewart, but a caution before the lap was complete forced a reset, giving him a second chance.
“That was my race, honestly,” said Stewart. “I would’ve never passed those guys back if that caution hadn’t come out. I honestly don’t know what the heck happened. I just spun my tires really bad."
This marks the third win of the season and the first this month for Stewart, who came to this event with a new crew chief, Lee Stauffer, at his side and now sits fourth in points standings, just four points past Daryn Pittman.
Behind the leader, Johnson and Sweet fell in line throughout the first half of the race. Ian Madsen made an early run on Pittman for fourth, but some Turn 4 trouble in Lap 12 resulted in a tow off the field and the end of the race for Madsen.
On the restart, Johnson just couldn’t steal the lead from Stewart, and Sweet took advantage of the fumble, charging past him for second. Despite additional restarts, the three crossed the checkers in just that order: Stewart, Sweet, Johnson.
The battle between Stewart and Johnson commenced earlier, in the Craftsman Club Dash, with Stewart successfully stealing the lead for the win — a lead which Johnson had already stolen from Jac “Wild Child” Haudenschild during the Dash Draw.
From the looks — and sound — of it, this was to be the Wild Child’s day. The twittersphere was ablaze all afternoon with news of his commanding the Stenhouse Jr./Wood Racing No. 17 car that night. And despite the many hard feelings aroused by Joey Saldana’s absence, fans rallied behind J. Haudenschild, who answered back with Quick Time in Qualifying, setting the track record with a 15.737.
J. Haudenschild went on to win Heat 1 and was looking pretty great for the Feature until the Dash Inversion came in with a six, for a full-field inversion that set him back to sixth. There would be no win for the No. 17 that night as the Wild Child came in at 16.
Meanwhile, the younger Haudenschild, who started the feature beside his dad, just one position behind, took over dad’s spot to come in sixth, and even held off Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing driver and eight-time Series Champion Donny Schatz for half the race.
As fans rushed to meet their favorite drivers in the Pit area after the race, though, a young boy ran in screaming: “Did you find the Wild Child yet? Did you?"
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series heads to Beaver Dam Raceway next for the Jim "JB" Boyd Memorial presented by Karavan Trailers on Saturday, June 24, 2017. Tickets can still be purchased online.
Traveling in for the show? World of Outlaws fans get 20% off accommodations at a nearby Extended Stay America.
WEST LIBERTY RACEWAY ABBREVIATED RESULTS:
Feature (25 Laps) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$5,500]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [2][$3,200]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [3][$2,800]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [8][$2,500]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [9][$2,300]; 7. 21-Brian Brown [11][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [15][$2,100]; 9. 4-Paul McMahan [10][$2,050]; 10. 5-David Gravel [14][$2,000]; 11. 1M-Danny Lasoski [12][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [13][$1,200]; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser [16][$1,100]; 14. 24-Terry McCarl [21][$1,050]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [20][$1,000]; 16. 17-Jac Haudenschild [6][$900]; 17. 71A-R.J. Johnson [22][$800]; 18. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [17][$800]; 19. 15M-Bobby Mincer [24][$800]; 20. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [19][$800]; 21. 13-Clyde Knipp [23][$800]; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart [18][$800]; 23. 18-Ian Madsen [5][$800]; 24. 6-Carson McCarl [7][$800]; Lap Leaders: Shane Stewart 1-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+7]
Schatz Outduels Johnson for 11th Victory of Season at Granite City Speedway
Sweet charges from 10th for podium finish
SAUX RAPIDS, M.N. —June 20, 2017 — In what looked like it was Jason Johnson’s night at Granite City Speedway, Donny Schatz capitalized on a mid-race restart. Schatz drove under Johnson exiting Turn 4 to get by for the lead. Schatz had to hold off a determined Johnson and the KSE Hard Charger Brad Sweet to pick up his 11th victory of the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car season.
Looking for the clean sweep on the evening, Jason Johnson got the early jump on the 30-lap Feature at Granite City Speedway. Opening up a five-car length lead over the eight-time and defending World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion, Donny Schatz. Just shy of the halfway point of the 30-lap race, a yellow flag was displayed for a slowed Ian Madsen who had a flat tire.
On the ensuing restart, Johnson looked like he was going to pick up where he left off, rocketing out to a quick lead over Schatz. As the field made their way down the backstretch, Johnson choose to enter Turn 3 on the top-side, leaving Schatz the bottom.
“[Schatz] just knew what he needed to do to get by me on that restart,” said Jason Johnson. “We had a car just as fast as his.”
“Races aren’t won on the start, a lot of people never figure that out,” said Donny Schatz. “We just wait for an opportunity. We got a run on [Jason] on the start and we went down the back and he decided to go up top into three and I went where he didn’t and we were able to get by.”
At the same time, Sweet wanted a piece of the action having got by Madsen on the restart for third place.
“The car was really good in the beginning,” said Brad Sweet.
With Schatz out front, Johnson and Sweet were nipping at his heels.
The top-three all within a half-second of each other had to contend with lap traffic the remain half of the race. That didn’t seem to slow them down as the three were trading positions looking to pick up their next win on the season.
“I threw everything I knew I had at [Schatz] to try to get by him,” added Johnson. “We like to win for sure. Anytime you can race with Donny and battle with [Donny], it’s a lot of fun. [Schatz] is one of the cleaner racers out here.”
The final five laps of the race it looked like it could have to gone to Schatz, Johnson or Sweet all trading positions back and forth. Schatz was just able to pick his line and get through heavy lap traffic first to power his way home for his 11th victory of the 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car season.
“I think everything raises the heartrate,” said Donny Schatz in Victory Lane. “There’s a lot of great racers out here right now and they’ve got their game on. These Arctic Cat guys are in the same boat. They work their tails off to be good. We were a lot better earlier in the night – that’s kind of odd, usually we get better as the night goes on. We got the job done and that’s about it.”
Sweet who started on the outside of the fifth row of the Feature, charged his way forward and looked like he had something for both Schatz and Johnson picked up the KSE Hard Charger award.
“Lap cars just didn’t play out or if we got [Johnson], [Johnson] got us back. This NAPA Auto Parts car has been really fast, we put ourselves a little behind tonight but it was nice to drive up in there. If we keep having cars like this, we’ll be able to win some more of these.”
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series heads to West Liberty Raceway on Friday, June 23 for the West Liberty Hawkeye 25. For tickets, visit WorldofOutlaws.com/Tickets.
GRANITE CITY RESULTS:
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$6,000]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$3,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [10][$2,000]; 4. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5][$1,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [11][$1,500]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [9][$1,400]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [6][$1,350]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [15][$1,300]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7][$1,250]; 10. 17-Joey Saldana [3][$1,200]; 11. 4-Paul McMahan [17][$900]; 12. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$800]; 13. W20-Greg Wilson [12][$700]; 14. 19-Brent Marks [20][$650]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8][$600]; 16. 18-Ian Madsen [4][$550]; 17. 3-Tim Kaeding [13][$500]; 18. 91A-Reed Allex [23][$500]; 19. 55-Brooke Tatnell [18][$500]; 20. 13-Clyde Knipp [21][$500]; 21. 19P-Paige Polyak [19][$500]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [16][$500]; 23. 9Z-Jared Goerges [22][$500]; Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-13, Donny Schatz 14-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 49-Brad Sweet[+7]
Gravel Wins Rain-Soaked River Cities SpeedwayAfter three-hour delay,
Gravel held off Madsen for ninth win of season
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — June 17, 2017 — It was Jacob Allen who jumped out to an early lead during the initial start of the Gerdau Recycling Northern Tour. As Allen was coming to complete lap five of the 40-lap race, Allen jumped the cushion in Turn 4 went for a wild flip, bringing out the red flag. During the red-flag stoppage, a passing rain storm hit the Grand Forks, N.D.-area forcing a nearly three-hour stoppage. When the show got back under way, it was Gravel that withstood a couple charges from the No. 2M of Kerry Madsen en route to his ninth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of the 2017 season.
“There’s some crazy fans here,” said David Gravel. “They were standing in the bleachers that had no roof over them in the down-pouring rain. Those guys are diehard; I give them props for sure.”
With weather threatening the River Cities Speedway, the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series was forced to go into hurry up mode in an effort to get night one of the Gerdau Recycling Northern Tour at River Cities Speedway in its entirety. After winning the Craftsman Club Dash, Jacob Allen secured the pole position for the Feature. Jumping out to an early lead over second-place David Gravel, Allen was quickly catching lap traffic early in the race.
“I tried to go to the top because I saw that I was coming up on some lap cars,” said Jacob Allen. “I figured I needed to go up there and see how it was before I got up on [lap cars]. Unfortunately, it was slick up in Turn 4 and [the car] flew into the barrier. I probably should have stuck on the bottom; but I was able to lead my first Outlaws race.”
After getting the track back in racing condition, the field was allotted a couple lap hot lap session. Drivers were turning laps in the nine-second bracket; close to a half-second quicker than lap times that were being turned earlier in the day. When it was time to go, David Gravel and Kerry Madsen led the field to the restart with four-laps complete.
“It’s a bummer it rained,” said David Gravel. “Typically the track is three-grooves top-to-bottom. It was pretty narrow, you just had to try not to make any mistakes.”
David Gravel and Kerry Madsen led the field back to the green. As the field was getting up to speed exiting Turn 4, the No. 41 of Jason Johnson slapped the outside wall with his right-rear tire, sending the field scrambling. Multiple cars, including the No. 4 of Paul McMahan and the No. 3 of Tim Kaeding went for a flip. Both drivers were able to get out under their own power, however, their night was done early.
For the second attempt the field would line up single file. Gravel was able to get another solid jump on Kerry Madsen and put a five-car length gap between the two. That gap closed on lap nine when Madsen and Gravel banged wheels coming off Turn 2; both where able to keep going.
“I drifted up and let Kerry [Madsen] get by me, but we were lucky enough to get right back by him.”
Madsen pounced on lap 19 to get by Gravel on the backstretch, however, Gravel was able to work his way back by the No. 2M.
“We had the car to beat,” said Kerry Madsen. “We got the lead there once, just couldn’t hang onto it good enough, it’s a great result for the team.”
With five laps to go, the field was slowed when Clyde Knipp in the No. 13 slowed on the backstretch.
Again with a single-file restart, Gravel was able to rocket out to a commanding lead and didn’t look back en route to his ninth win of the 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series season.
The Series returns to action on Saturday, June 17 at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, N.D. Fans can purchase tickets by visit the ticket gate or by visiting slspromotions.ticketforce.com.
Larson Parks It at Eagle Raceway
Stenhouse Jr. Wood Racing picks up first Outlaws win
EAGLE, NE — June 14, 2017— After leading 29 of the 30-lap Feature, Daryn Pittman couldn't withstand the late-race charge from Kyle Larson and Shane Stewart. Larson whipped around the top-side of the high-banked third-mile track to go by Pittman en route to win the return of the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series at Eagle Raceway.
When Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series superstars Kyle Larson and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. team up, you get one potent team. During an off day from NASCAR, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. co-owner of Stenhouse Jr. Wood Racing decided to put Monster Energy Cup Series standout, Kyle Larson in a second entry for the Eagle Nationals at Eagle Raceway.
Good friends away from the track, Larson and Stenhouse Jr. also share a special bond, having been really close friends with the late-Bryan Clauson.
Stenhouse Jr. during the off season teamed up with Matt Wood to form Stenhouse Jr. Wood Racing — the team that Clauson raced with before his tragic death in 2016.
When the 24-car field got the green flag, it was Daryn Pittman that got the jump and rocketed out to the lead — a lead that he had to relinquish because of a yellow flag for a spinning Paul McMahan and Jason Johnson. The field would have a complete restart with the yellow coming out before a lap could be completed.
Once the field got back going again, Pittman once again found himself out front, holding off eight-time and defending World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion, Donny Schatz.
Having worked his way up from the sixth starting-spot to inside the top-five at the time of a red flag on Lap 12. It was the No. 2KS and No. 82 who got upside-down in Turn 3; both drivers were able to walk away unscathed.
Back under green, Larson Marks Racing’s Shane Stewart and Kyle Larson put the pressure on second place Donny Schatz. With under 10-laps remaining, both Stewart and Larson were able to get by and set their sights on the leader, Pittman.
“I got racing Shane [Stewart] pretty hard — I have fun racing him,” said Kyle Larson.
Navigating their way through lap traffic through Turns 3 and 4 with less than three laps to go, Stewart stuck to the bottom of the track while Larson went to the top. As the two entered Turn 1, they banged wheels; Larson was able to gain the second position.
With his sights clearly set on the leader, Larson kept his No. 17K wound up on the top-side of the Eagle Raceway to get by Pittman to lead the white flag lap. Larson would go on to win
“We are there [close to a win], unfortunately we just need to finish it out,” said Daryn Pittman. “Second sucks. We haven’t been in the position all year and here we were. [Kyle] ran a good race and we just got beat.”
Clearly a special win for Larson and the Stenhouse Jr. Wood Racing team as Larson paid homage to an old friend, Bryan Clauson in Victory Lane.
“I can’t believe I parked it here, it’s pretty cool. I think this is this team’s first win, so happy to be a part of that.”
Larson joked in Victory Lane that he had three crew chief’s at Eagle, Ricky Stehouse Jr., Tyler Swank and David Fero, a crew member on his No. 42 NASCAR entry.
This win marks the first Outlaws win for the newly formed Stenhouse Jr. Wood Racing. This is Larson’s firth overall World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win; first since 2013 and his first Outlaws win outside of his home state of California.
Second to None: Kerry Madsen Wins Night 2 of AGCO Jackson Nationals
By: Tony Veneziano
JACKSON, Minn. — June 2, 2017 — Kerry Madsen was part of a historic finish on the opening night of the 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series at Jackson Motorplex, finishing second to his brother Ian, which made them the first-ever Australian-born brothers to finish 1-2 in an Outlaws race. K. Madsen felt as if he didn’t get the job done, though on Thursday night. He made up for the near-miss on Friday night, leading flag-to-flag in the 25-lap main event to earn his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win of the season and the 20th of his career.
Madsen withstood a trio of yellow flags and one red flag period en route to the win. For the native of St. Marys, NSW, Australia, who now calls Knoxville, Iowa home, it was his second win of the season at Jackson Motorplex, which is owned by his car owner, Tod Quiring.
“The car was working everywhere until we lost the front wing, then we lost our front downforce,” said Madsen. “I had to run not as hard as I wanted to going into (turn) one and gave up a lot of speed there. I just kept watching the front wing and it was still on so, I kept trying harder. I saw Kraig and thought, ‘Oh no,’ but I saw the lapped traffic and knew if I could get to the outside of the lapped traffic it would block the lane and I would be okay. I was just hanging on at the end and it was a handful in (turn) one and two. It was great to get the job done tonight.”
Madsen, who entered the night as the overall event point leader, put himself in a very solid position to go for a repeat in the AGCO Jackson Nationals, which he won for the first time last season.
“This track is all about being in the right place and being in the right line,” explained Madsen. “You can’t just stick to a line. You have to constantly search and keeping your eye out. It’s going to take 30 good laps to be in contention again tomorrow.”
Madsen started on the pole Friday night and jumped to an early lead, when the red flag flew for his brother, getting upside in turns three and four on the opening lap. On the complete restart, K. Madsen again jumped to a lead, with Jason Johnson in second. Johnson tried a huge slide job, going for the lead on the lap-5 and spun, which brought out the caution. Madsen chose the low side of the track each time on double file restarts, with Kraig Kinser lining on the outside and was able to open a quick gap each time.
Kinser was able to pull alongside Madsen coming off turn four with five laps to go, but the latter was able to pull away on the front straightaway to retain the lead. Kinser, who started sixth, earned his best World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series finish of the season in second.
“I was trying to follow him and stay as close as I could in (turns) one and two,” said Kinser. “He was pretty good in one and two and always kept a little gap. The closer I got to him the worse the handling got, going through those bumps. I had a couple of chances at him, but he kept motoring around. The little bit I could gain in (turns) three and four he just motored down the straightaway and kept it nice and straight. It was tough and I was going to need some help. I saw traffic down low and knew I probably wasn’t going to get him.”
Brad Sweet finished third for the second straight night. After having trouble in the dash, he lined up eighth and found himself in third by the fifth lap of the race. He was able to gain some ground on Kinser in the middle stages of the race, but in the late going fell back a bit.
“We just have to keep working on it,” said Sweet. “Kerry (Madsen) is fast. We had that problem in the dash and that set us back. It’s nice to come from eighth to third. We got to third pretty quick and I thought we may have something for those guys. My car just didn’t feel as good those last few laps. We’ll take some good notes tonight and the big night is tomorrow night. I think we are in a good position and have had a solid two nights and should be in the top-four in points. We’ll come back tomorrow night”
Donny Schatz finished fourth for the second consecutive night, with Jason Sides rounding out the top-five. Daryn Pittman crossed the line sixth, followed by Shane Stewart in seventh. Stewart, who started 20th picked up the KSE Hard Charger Award. David Gravel was eighth, with Joey Saldana ninth and Johnson rebounding from the early spin to charge back through the field to finish 10th.
The 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals wraps up on Saturday, June 3 with a $25,000-to-win main event for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series.
Tickets for the remaining two nights of the 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, along with the Upper Midwest Sprint Car Series (UMSS), Midwest Sprint Touring Series (MSTS), Nebraska 360 Sprint Series and the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars at the Jackson Motorplex can be purchased online at slspromotions.ticketforce.com and at the track.
Brotherly Battle: Ian Wins Battle of Madsen Brothers on opening night of 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals
JACKSON, MN — June 1, 2017 — The Madsen brothers are nothing short of exciting every time they strap into a sprint car. The intensity level is often ratcheted up even more when they are racing each other for a win. They lived up to this moniker Thursday on the opening night of the 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series. While younger brother Ian led all 25 laps of the main event, older brother Kerry gave him a run for his money, especially on a late-race double file restart.
Ian fended off Kerry on that restart, which saw the elder brother get a monster run on the high side of the track heading down the front straightaway. As the laps wound down, the leaders encountered lapped traffic, with Kerry closing back in on Ian, nearly stealing a win on the last lap. The finale margin of victory was a scant three-tenths-of-a-second.
“When you come to race with the World of Outlaws, the double-file restarts are always tough,” said Ian Madsen. “It’s pretty cutthroat and can go either way. You have to give it your all. I’m really thankful we could get the job done tonight. We’ve had an awesome car lately and have been strong with the World of Outlaws all years. It’s great to finally get one.”
The race started with I. Madsen on the pole, quickly jumping out to a lead before a caution with four laps in the books. On the ensuing double-file restart, I. Madsen chose the low side of the track. David Gravel actually took the lead in turns one and two on that restart, but a red flag, before that lap was completed, kept I. Madsen in the lead for the next restart, which was single-file.
The win was Madsen’s second with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, with the first coming in 2013 at Deer Creek Speedway, also in Minnesota.
“Jackson is kind of like a home track for us,” said Ian Madsen. “We gave a lot of friends, fans and supporters of the KPC team here tonight. I can’t thank my team enough. This is awesome. Minnesota is kind of close to home and I really like the tracks. Thanks to Tod (Quiring) and everyone for putting this event on. Hopefully it gets bigger and bigger each year.”
Kerry Madsen, the defending winner of the AGCO Jackson Nationals, started third and had a torrid battle in the early going with David Gravel, before moving into second behind his brother. Kerry had a strong car on the top side of the half-mile and used this to his advantage to keep pace with brother as the laps wound down.
“That last restart, I was thinking, ‘You gave me the top’ and I got a good run,” said Kerry Madsen. “I thought I was going to get him, but just didn’t quite have it. That last corner, the last lap, I thought I had position and kind of wished I had gone in there a little harder and maybe was a little forceful. I just didn’t get it done, but the Go Muddy/AGCO car was great. This car is a rocket ship right now and it’s fun to drive and I am enjoying every minute of it.”
Brad Sweet finished third aboard his No. 49 NAPA machine for Kasey Kahne Racing. Sweet lined up sixth and worked his way into the top-five in the early going. He used a couple of strong restarts to gain spots on his way to a podium finish.
“It’s fun watching the Madsen brothers up there,” said Sweet. “Kerry definitely gave his brother a run for his money. I guess he had to make his little bro work for it. The key was to get through this first night. Our NAPA car has been fast, so we’ll come the next two nights and hopefully can get a win.”
Current series point leader Donny Schatz finished fourth in the Arctic Cat machine for Tony Stewart Racing, while Danny Lasoski rounded out the top-five. David Gravel, who ran among the lead pack in the early going, ended up sixth, after nearly getting into the wall coming off turn four, battling for the second spot. Jason Sides was seventh, with Tim Kaeding eighth, while Sheldon Haudenschild came from 16th to ninth. Shane Stewart rounded out the top-10.
The 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals continues on Friday, June 2, with another complete race program for all three sprint car classes.
Tickets for the remaining two nights of the 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, along with the Upper Midwest Sprint Car Series (UMSS), Midwest Sprint Touring Series (MSTS), Nebraska 360 Sprint Series and the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars at the Jackson Motorplex can be purchased online at slspromotions.ticketforce.com or at the track.
Stewart Beats the Boss at Lawrenceburg Speedway
Larson charges from sixth for runner-up finish
LAWRENCEBURG, IN. — May 29, 2017 — In an action-packed 35-lap Feature at the Lawrenceburg Speedway, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standout and Larson Marks Racing team owner, Kyle Larson used a line that no one dared to run, enabling him to the lead with over 10-laps remaining. A mistake in traffic by Larson allowed his driver, Shane Stewart to get back by his Boss in lap-traffic for his second World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of the 2017 season at Lawrenceburg Speedway.
The fans at Lawrenceburg Speedway were treated to one of the best World of Outlaws races of the season. It was a day that had everything from, slide-job passes, several lead changes, drama and much more.
“Man, that was blast,” said Kyle Larson. “I hope you [fans] enjoyed that because that was awesome from my seat. That was one of the most intense Sprint Car races I’ve ran.”
With three-time Lawrenceburg Speedway winner, Donny Schatz starting on the front row of the 35-lap Feature, he knew he had to contend with some heavy-hitter drivers in the field such as Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, David Gravel, Shane Stewart and the rest of the 25-car field.
2016 Lawrenceburg Speedway winner, Shane Stewart started the day off on the wrong foot. During hot laps, the team found an oil leak, but wasn’t able to find the cause. The Larson Marks Racing team decided to change the powerplant on the No. 2 machine for precautionary reasons.
During the opening lap of the Feature event, Schatz rocketed out front but he was quickly challenged by Stewart, who started the race in the fourth position.
Schatz was able to hold the lead for the opening six laps, until the leaders got into slower lap traffic. Stewart, running second, was able to pounce on Schatz and overtake the No. 15 machine for the lead. The two would run side-by-side until the only yellow flag of the event was displayed on lap 13.
Stewart would hold the lead for the restart with Schatz in second. Kyle Larson who had started the event in the ninth spot had worked his way up to the sixth position.
A great restart by Larson propelled him from sixth to fourth but he didn’t settle there as he quickly worked his way up to the runner-up position.
“I found a line just before the caution, running just above the cushion in Turns 1 and 2 and do a little bit of the same in Turns 3 and 4; was able to get to the lead like that,” added Larson.
Larson Marks Racing co-owner didn’t take it easy on his driver, as the No. 57 of Larson and the No. 2 of Stewart came together battling for the lead in turn two.
“I feel like I race [Shane] harder, it’s always fun racing Shane,” said Larson.
“I was just out there for a cool drive, until [Larson] came up,” said Stewart. “I was shocked when [Larson] went by me up [top]; its Kyle Larson, what can you say?”
Larson would get by the No. 2 of Stewart for a couple laps as the two approached lap traffic.
“I got to lead there and made a mistake in traffic and [Shane] got back by,” said Larson. “I cut across [the cushion] a little too soon and got in the holes and starting bouncing, that was what allowed Shane to get back by me. I knew I showed [Shane] my line and what I was doing so it was going to be tough to get back by him. We had a couple more opportunities at [Shane] but we just ran out of time, but that how’s racing goes. I can’t wait to race Sprint Cars some more.”
After getting back by his Boss in lap traffic, Stewart was able to put a lap car between him and the No. 57 of Larson on the white flag lap giving Stewart the separation he needed to go on to repeat as winner at Lawrenceburg Speedway.
“It was fun racing against my car owner, definitely a fun race. I always enjoy coming here. The guys gave me a great car; they work endless hours to keep this car fast. I’m just the lucky man that gets to drive it.”
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action for three-nights at the The 39thAnnual AGCO Jackson Nationals at the Jackson Motorplex in Jackson, MN on Thursday, June 1 – 3. Tickets can be purchased online at slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023.
Lawrenceburg Speedway Results:
Feature (35 Laps): 1. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$10,000]; 2. 57-Kyle Larson [9][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [10][$2,800]; 5. 4-Paul McMahan [2][$2,500]; 6. 24-Rico Abreu [11][$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [5][$2,200]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$2,100]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [3][$2,050]; 10. 5-David Gravel [19][$2,000]; 11. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [12][$1,500]; 12. 49X-Tim Shaffer [13][$1,200]; 13. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$1,100]; 14. 10H-Chad Kemenah [15][$1,050]; 15. 17-Joey Saldana [8][$1,000]; 16. A67-Brandon Wimmer [20][$900]; 17. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [14][$800]; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser [22][$800]; 19. 7S-Jason Sides [23][$800]; 20. 3-Tim Kaeding [21][$800]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [18][$800]; 22. 67-Christopher Bell [17][$800]; 23. 99-Brady Bacon [16][$800]; 24. 12N-Cole Duncan [24][$800]; 25. 19-Brent Marks [25][$800];Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-6; Shane Stewart 7-22, 25-35; Kyle Larson 23-24; KSE Hard Charger Award: 5-David Gravel[+9]
Schuchart Shines Bright in Charlotte
Schuchart wins third Outlaws race of 2017
CONCORD, N.C. — May 26, 2017 — After starting in the third position for the Outlaw Showdown at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the 30-lap Feature event, Logan Schuchart had a scare just before the half-way mark of the race. When Schuchart he attempted a slide job on the leader Brad Sweet, he overshot the attempt, forcing him up to the wall. Still managing to continue on, Schuchart would get another opportunity as the field came to the white flag, Schuchart would slip by Sweet for the lead. The driver of the No. 1s machine would round the final circuit of the 4/10-mile clay-oval en route to his third win of the 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series season.
Earlier this week, the Shark Racing team of Logan Schuchart and Jacob Allen put out a cry for help on social media for the second time this season looking for a way to get their two-car operation to the racetrack. After getting help from the racing industry friends, the two-car team showed up at New Egypt Speedway just as the Heats were getting underway. Schuchart would eventually qualify for the Feature event through the Last Chance Showdown and go on to finish 12th from the 24th-starting spot.
“We got a lot of people that stand behind us and that put these racecars on the track,” said Logan Schuchart. “I just have a lot to be thankful for just to be in this position, [to] race in Charlotte and with the World of Outlaws.”
Fast forward three-days and the No. 1s of Logan Schuchart not only made it to Charlotte (thanks to the help from their newly-repaired toterhome) but he and the Shark Racing team ended the night by standing in Victory Lane, grabbing his third win of the 2017 season.
When the field got the green flag for the 30-lap Feature at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway, it was the Brad Sweet show looking to cap off the sweep, having won quick time, his Heat race and the Craftsman Club Dash. Rocketing out to a big lead, Sweet worked the top-groove as he caught the tail end of the 24-car field.
Schuchart would had started third in the Feature event threw a slide job in turns three and four on Kraig Kinser for second place as the field came to complete lap five. Schuchart would set his sights on the No. 49 NAPA Auto Parts entry of Sweet as they both picked their way through lap traffic. On lap 11, Schuchart attempted another slide job that failed to stick, causing him to tag the outside turn two wall.
“I thought we had a chance at Brad [Sweet] earlier in the race and I tried to slide him but my throttle stuck and ran me way too far into the corner,” said Logan Schuchart. “We actually got into the wall and I think we bent a wheel.”
Still able to continue, Sweet opened up the gap over Schuchart as the laps ticked away.
The Hanover, PA-driver made one-final attempt at Sweet as the two exited turn four; Schuchart made this attempt stick and would hold off Sweet and Daryn Pittman for his third win of the season.
“Winning in Charlotte, North Carolina in front of all these fans, is what makes our sport,” added Schuchart. “You fans in the stands is what make us come out and continue to do what we do, thank you,” exclaimed Schuchart.
“Overall tonight was good for us,” stated Brad Sweet who won quick time, his heat race and the Craftsman Club Dash. “I just got stuck behind those lap cars, that’s where you win or lose these races. Hats off to that team; Logan drove a great race.
The 2016 Outlaw Showdown winner, Greg Wilson made up 10 position in the Outlaw Showdown Feature event to bring home another top-five at Charlotte and earn the KSE Hard Charger award.
Clyde Knipp had an impressive run at Charlotte, bringing his No. 13 machine home in 16th place, a career run for the California-MO driver.
Logan Schuchart’s teammate, Jacob Allen gave Shark Racing two top-10 finishes on the evening by finishing in the ninth position.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will make the trek north to Lawrenceburg, IN for a Memorial Day special on Monday, May 29 at Lawrenceburg Speedway. For tickets, visit WorldofOutlaws.com/Tickets.
The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway Results:
Feature (30 Laps) : 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$12,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$5,700]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$3,500]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$3,000]; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [15][$2,600]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2][$2,400]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,300]; 8. 5-David Gravel [11][$2,200]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [8][$2,150]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$2,100]; 11. 49X-Tim Shaffer [10][$1,600]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [19][$1,350]; 13. 22-Cole Duncan [13][$1,300]; 14. 41-Jason Johnson [9][$1,200]; 15. 7K-Cale Conley [12][$1,100]; 16. 13-Clyde Knipp [21][$1,000]; 17. 44-Trey Starks [20][$900]; 18. 17-Joey Saldana [14][$850]; 19. 7S-Jason Sides [18][$800]; 20. 4S-Danny Smith [23][$800]; 21. 47-Eric Riggins [22][$800]; 22. 71M-Dave Blaney [16][$800]; 23. 4-Paul McMahan [17][$800]; 24. 1-Zach Ames [24][$800]; Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-28, Logan Schuchart 29-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+10]
David Gravel Victorious at New Egypt Speedway
Pittman’s winning streak comes to an end
NEW EGYPT, N.J. – May 24, 2017 – David Gravel continued his east coast dominance Wednesday night at New Egypt Speedway by picking up his third win in the last four World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series races and his eighth-overall win for the 2017 season. Gravel, no stranger to the D-shaped clay oval, cut his teeth in Sprint Car racing at New Egypt in his URC Sprint Car.
“I’m glad I could win in front of everybody here that came out to watch me,” Gravel said. “I have to thank Barry, Derek and Zack for working hard to give me a good car; I just have to do my part.”
Jason Johnson and Gravel led the 24-car field to the green flag to start the 30-lap Feature. Gravel dove into turn one and came out of turn two as the new leader on the initial start and never looked back.
The first caution of the night was brought out on lap six for a slow Tyler Ross.
Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet put pressure on Johnson for second on the restart as they went three-wide going into turn one. Sweet came out on top as he pulled away in second.
Dave Blaney, Jason Sides and Davey Sammons went upside-down in turns one and two, bringing out the red flag on lap seven. All drivers were okay. The four-time defending race winner Daryn Pittman was also involved, causing wing damage and a broken front axle.
After spending time in the work area, Sides, Pittman and Sammons were able to rejoin the back of the field. Blaney suffered too much damage to return.
After the field got going again, Gravel was able to get back out front and hold a steady lead over Sweet until they caught lapped traffic on lap 14.
Gravel maneuvered his way through the lapped cars smoothly until Sweet and Schatz started the second and third-place cars a glimmer of hope.
With four laps remaining. Schatz dove under Sweet going into turn one and took away the second spot by the time he exited for the back stretch.
Schatz then set his sights on Gravel but only to have a lapped car act has a pick as they exited the final turn.
“I’m sure he was close,” mentioned Gravel about Schatz. “I really couldn’t do anything. It was a pretty narrow track but I just tried not to slip up. I don’t know if he was running high or low. I was trying to be patient in lap traffic.”
Gravel crossed the line and took the victory over Schatz, Sweet, Shane Stewart and Jason Johnson. Gravel is red-hot on the east coast having won three races in the last week.
“It’s been a great year and hopefully we keep doing this,” Gravel noted.
The 2016 defending World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Champion, Schatz, felt his car wasn’t good enough to beat Gravel.
“We got there in traffic but that’s what it was going to take to win the race,” Schatz said. “The lap cars were pretty tough to get around. He was better than we were in the open. You’re not going to win these races anymore if you’re not a very good car and we just haven’t seem to get that right rear feel. We’ll keep working on it.”
Sweet, the third-place finisher, was happy with his performance in his No. 49 machine despite rough track conditions.
“There were some holes out there and lap traffic and that’s what easily wins or loses it,” Sweet added. “We were right there on David and tried to move up a little bit but there wasn’t much up there. David did a good job and just kind of managed the race and kept his car out front in the right position.”
Shark Racing ran into hauler troubles heading to New Egypt, forcing them to arrive late. Logan Schuchart tagged on to the back of the heat race while Jacob Allen’s car arrived later and made it just in time for the Last Chance Showdown. Schuchart transferred to the feature through the Last Chance Showdown from last place and finished in a solid 12th-place, grabbing the KSE Hard Charger Award in the process.
Pittman, who had won the last four races at New Egypt, was set to start ninth in the third heat and immediately went pit side to change an engine after trailing oil on the track. Pittman finished second in the Last Chance Showdown to transfer into the Feature. He was then tangled up in an early wreck, damaging the wing and breaking the front axle. Pittman made it back out and finished 14th.
Donny Schatz kicked off the night with the fastest time in time trials with a time of 13.422. Heat races went to Stewart, Shaffer and Gravel. Johnson won the Craftsman Club Dash and Jason Sides won the Last Chance Showdown.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Friday, May 26 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte for the Outlaw Showdown. Last year saw Greg Wilson find his way to the big stage under the lights over Shane Stewart and Cole Duncan.
New Egypt Speedway Results:
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 5-David Gravel [2][$6,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$3,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$2,000]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [6][$1,800]; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$1,500]; 6. 37-J.J. Grasso [11][$1,400]; 7. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5][$1,350]; 8. 4-Paul McMahan [7][$1,300]; 9. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [8][$1,250]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [10][$1,200]; 11. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [13][$900]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [24][$800]; 13. 17-Joey Saldana [9][$700]; 14. 9-Daryn Pittman [20][$650]; 15. 7-Kyle Reinhardt [18][$600]; 16. 13D-Danny Dietrich [12][$550]; 17. 89-Robbie Stillwagon [14][$500]; 18. 7S-Jason Sides [19][$500]; 19. 11K-Kraig Kinser [16][$500]; 20. 747-Davey Sammons [21][$500]; 21. 27Z-Sean Zemunik [23][$500]; 22. 71M-Dave Blaney [15][$500]; 23. 5R-Tyler Ross [17][$500]; 24. W20-Greg Wilson [22][$500]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+12]
Stewart Stands Tall At Morgan Cup Win
Earns First Career Williams Grove Win
Shane Stewart started on the pole for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Morgan Cup at Williams Grove Speedway, but didn’t lead the opening lap. Instead, he battled with PA Posse driver TJ Stutts of Liverpool, PA and used a slide job in turns one and two to take the lead on a lap 11 restart. From there, Stewart held off Stutts and then Daryn Pittman on a pair of restarts over the final 10 laps to earn his first career Williams Grove win and his first Outlaw victory of the 2017 season.
“You don’t even know what it means to me to finally get here in Victory Lane,” Stewart said in Victory Lane. “I know the East Coast isn’t always kind to me, but I am very happy and going to cherish this win.”
Stewart earned the pole after winning the Craftsman Club Dash and led the field to the green flag with Stutts on the outside of the front row. It was Stutts who grabbed the lead by the time the two drivers had raced turn three. The top two quickly broke away from a third-place battle between Outlaw rookie Sheldon Haudenschild and Tim Shaffer of Aliquippa, PA. Shaffer took the spot on lap seven when Haudenschild spun at the bottom of turn one, but kept his foot in the gas and continued without incident despite losing five positions.
The battle for the lead gained momentum as Stewart closed on Stutts and on lap 10 moved to the outside lane to setup a pass. A lap later, Stewart appeared to have enough steam in the outside lane to take the lead, but Stutts led by 0.002 seconds at the line, just as the first caution of the race waved when Haudenschild spun to a stop at the top of turn three.
On the restart, Stewart made the race-winning move when he dove to the bottom of the track and slid in front of Stutts to drive off turn two with the lead.
“I didn’t get a break on the initial start of the Feature and I told myself that if TJ took the bottom, I actually thought the top was going to be better,” Stewart said. “It just worked out really well for us. Man, clean air makes everything and makes a big difference.”
Stewart ran the rest of the race in clean air as the top pairing never had the chance to wade into lapped traffic. The second caution of the race waved at lap 15 when Brent Marks and Brian Montieth made contact and tangled together at the top of turn two, ending the night for both drivers.
Stewart kept the field at bay when the green waved and again on a lap 21 restart. Meanwhile, Pittman darted from eighth to fourth on the latter restart before jumping into second on the final restart with seven laps to go. He earned his second runner-up finish of the week, finishing 2.044 seconds behind Stewart’s Larson Marks Racing No.2.
“I had such a good car on restarts that every time we went green, my car had the right attitude,” Pittman said following the race. “Everybody seemed to be a little rolled up down there on the start in turns three and four and I could get by a couple guys every time.”
Stewart cruised over the final five laps on his way to the victory, which he celebrated in Victory Lane with his fiancée Jenn, daughter Nixon and the Larson Marks Racing crew.
“It means a lot to me,” Stewart said. “I know that the rivalry here is out of this world, which I appreciate. I love the enthusiasm and the Pennsylvania fans.”
The track was an interesting mix of tacky and dry slick throughout the night, conditions that were unusual for Williams Grove, Pittman said.
“I’ve seen this place about every which way that’s an option, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it quite like it was tonight,” Pittman explained. “It was definitely different. I’ve never seen a wet strip a car length and a half off the bottom stay that long throughout the night. It was the dominant way around.”
During Pittman’s charge forward, Shaffer worked past Stutts to maintain the third spot and earn a third-place finish, equaling the best results of PA Posse drivers Danny Dietrich and Freddie Rahmer earlier in the week.
“Last night we missed it there at the beginning and it killed us,” Shaffer said, “but tonight we did the right things and put ourselves in position (to contend) and we’re on the front straightaway.”
Lance Dewease of Fayetteville, PA and Outlaw driver Logan Schuchart completed the top-five following a spirited battle for fourth in the closing laps.
Jason Johnson set quick time to start the night with a lap of 16.402 seconds, less than three-tenths of a second off the track record of 16.140 set by Brian Paulus on April 26, 2002. He was the 25th of 37 drivers to take time. Johnson followed with a heat race win. Dewease, Schuchart and Jason Sides were the other heat winners, while Marks won the Last Chance Showdown.
The Outlaws now travel north for the Empire State Challenge at Weedsport (NY) Speedway on Sunday, May 21. Fans who can’t make it to the track can watch live pay-per-view video coverage on DIRTvision.
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Williams Grove Speedway, PA; May 20, 2017
Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1][$17,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [12][$5,700]; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer [4][$3,500]; 4. 69K-Lance Dewease [7][$3,000]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$2,600]; 6. 11-T.J. Stutts [2][$2,400]; 7. 20-Ryan Taylor [9][$2,300]; 8. 5-David Gravel [10][$2,200]; 9. 41-Jason Johnson [8][$2,150]; 10. 49-Brad Sweet [20][$2,100]; 11. 1-Dale Blaney [14][$1,600]; 12. 48-Danny Dietrich [15][$1,350]; 13. 24-Lucas Wolfe [19][$1,300]; 14. 15-Donny Schatz [16][$1,200]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [6][$1,100]; 16. 88-Brandon Rahmer [22][$1,000]; 17. 17-Joey Saldana [11][$900]; 18. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$850]; 19. 44-Trey Starks [18][$800]; 20. 39M-Anthony Macri [24][$800]; 21. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$800]; 22. 27-Greg Hodnett [17][$800]; 23. 19-Brent Marks [21][$800]; 24. 21-Brian Montieth [23][$800]. Lap Leaders: T.J. Stutts 1-11, Shane Stewart 12-30. KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman [+10].
Gravel Leads Flag-To-Flag For Williams Grove Win
Second Straight Victory For CJB MotorsportsDavid Gravel withstood a late surge from Donny Schatz and a pair of restarts with less than five laps remaining to kickoff the weekend with a Spring Classic win at Williams Grove Speedway on Friday night.
Gravel started on the pole for the 25-lap main event after winning the Craftsman Club Dash and led flag-to-flag even despite restarts with three and four laps remaining in the main event. It was the second win of the week in Central Pennsylvania for the Watertown, CT native who also won at Lincoln Speedway on Wednesday. It was also Gravel’s seventh victory of the season.
“It’s definitely huge to win in PA at all,” Gravel said. “To win Lincoln and Williams Grove is really good. We have to enjoy this a little bit tonight, but tomorrow’s a new day. We’re really happy with where we’re at right now and we’ll keep moving forward.”
After timing second quick in Flight B Qualifying and second in his heat, Gravel was scheduled to roll off eighth for the dash in his CJB Motorsports No.5, but an eight inversion draw put him on the pole and he never looked back, scoring wins in the Dash and Feature just as he did Wednesday night at Lincoln.
“I’m definitely lucky right now,” Gravel concluded. “I need to play the lottery or something. It’s just one of those things where when it goes your way, it goes your way. Last year, Daryn Pittman got a lot of draws that went his way and right now it’s our time. It goes in phases. It’s a long, long season and we’ll take it when we can.”
Gravel brought the field to the green flag for the main event with Brad Sweet starting on the outside of the front row aboard his Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb No.49. Gravel jumped to an early lead while fifth-starting Schatz overtook Daryn Pittman for fourth on lap two. The caution waved one lap later when Lucas Wolfe and Joey Saldana spun and stopped against the turn three wall.
An 18-lap green flag run followed allowed Gravel to extend his lead to 1.806 seconds over Sweet by lap 10. However, it withered away when Gravel caught lapped traffic at the halfway mark and Sweet began close the gap. Right behind the two leaders, Schatz worked past Greg Hodnett for the second time in the race to acquire the third spot.
With six laps remaining, Gravel struggled to find a line around the slower can of Jason Sides. That allowed Schatz to catch the two leaders and the reigning series champion took second from Sweet with four laps to go.
Two more cautions with four laps to go kept Gravel on his toes, but he rode the cushion flawlessly on the outside of the speedway, disabling any of Schatz’s attempts to take the lead.
“That’s just typical lapped traffic,” Gravel said. “You get caught up and you have to pass some guys before the second-place guy passes you. I got by Sides and I actually thought I was pretty good. I probably didn’t want a yellow. After I got past Sides, I thought I would be able to work the lapped cars pretty good and then the yellow came out. I got a good restart and then the yellow came out again. I didn’t want that second yellow, but it worked out and we held on.”
Schatz felt that if the yellow flag had not waved with four laps to go, he would have had a chance to catch and pass Gravel for the $8,000 payday.
“Everything we run is longer races so you have to be prepared for the end,” Schatz said, explaining his surge over the final 10 laps.” That’s what you shoot for – trying to be good at the end of the race and we were definitely good at the end of the race. We just didn’t need to see that yellow (with four laps to go). When you get traffic, you force (the leader) to move out of their line and that’s what we needed. When the yellow came out, I knew it was going to take a miracle.”
The miracle didn’t happen for Schatz as Gravel executed flawlessly on the pair of single-file restarts by running the fast top lane and by taking away Schatz’s preferred corner entry.
For Freddie Rahmer, the third-place finish was worth celebrating. Rahmer was the top finishing Pennsylvania Posse member ahead of Hodnett, who finished fifth. He felt he may have had something for Schatz if he could have changed one of his last-race restarts.
“I couldn’t do anything in (turns) three and four because Donny was where my car was the best,” Rahmer said. “Just the way it played out, we ran third. I think we’re fast enough to win, we just need a different scenario.”
Joey Saldana was the night’s overall fast qualifier with a lap of 16.639 seconds. He also picked up a heat race win along with Rahmer, Schatz and Pittman. Logan Schuchart earned the KSE Hard Charger award for advancing from 18th to 11th.
The Outlaws remain at Williams Grove for Saturday’s Morgan Cup. Drivers are expecting significantly different track conditions with an expected temperature drop to the mid-60s on Saturday from the high-80s on Friday.
“The track was really heavy for how warm it was,” Gravel said. “We’ll see. Tomorrow’s going to be cooler, but the track might be slick or it might be even heavier than tonight.”
Saturday’s Morgan Cup at Williams Grove will once again be available via live pay-per-view on DIRTvision.
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Williams Grove Speedway, PA; May 19, 2017
Feature (25 Laps) - 1. 5-David Gravel [1][$8,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [5][$4,000]; 3. 51-Freddie Rahmer [7][$2,500]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$2,200]; 5. 27-Greg Hodnett [3][$2,100]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$2,000]; 7. 21-Brian Montieth [13][$1,800]; 8. 69K-Lance Dewease [12][$1,600]; 9. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [6][$1,500]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [11][$1,300]; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart [18][$1,200]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [15][$1,100]; 13. 2-Shane Stewart [17][$1,000]; 14. 41-Jason Johnson [14][$700]; 15. 4-Paul McMahan [20][$600]; 16. 1-Dale Blaney [16][$600]; 17. 17B-Steve Buckwalter [19][$600]; 18. 11-T.J. Stutts [22][$600]; 19. 48-Danny Dietrich [10][$600]; 20. 44-Trey Starks [21][$600]; 21. 7S-Jason Sides [24][$600]; 22. 24-Lucas Wolfe [9][$600]; 23. 71M-Dave Blaney [23][$600]; 24. 17-Joey Saldana [8][$600]
Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-25
KSE Hard Charger Award: Logan Schuchart +7 (18th to 11th)
David Gravel Dominates at Lincoln for Gettysburg Clash Win
Earns First Career Lincoln Win
ABBOTTSTOWN, PA – May 17, 2017 – David Gravel dominated the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Gettysburg Clash at Lincoln Speedway on Wednesday night, leading all 35 laps of the Feature at the historic 3/8-mile track to take the checkered flag 6.501 seconds ahead of runner-up finisher Daryn Pittman.
The Feature win completed a perfect night for Gravel. The Watertown, CT driver was quickest in Flight A Time Trials before winning his Heat and the Craftsman Club Dash to earn the pole and eventually the Feature triumph that lifted the Outlaws over the Pennsylvania Posse in the first rivalry race of the season. It was both Gravel’s first career win at Lincoln and his sixth of the season with the Outlaws.
“It’s definitely huge,” Gravel said following his win. “World of Outlaws guys do not win many Outlaw shows in PA, so to win here is great, at a track that I haven’t really been good at in the past. To do that is awesome, to get our sixth win is awesome.”
“You never know when your next win will be and it’s been a couple weeks, so it’s good to get another one and keep clicking them off. Hopefully this momentum carries on to Williams Grove.”
Gravel used his pole starting position to jump out to an early lead over second-starting Pittman until the only caution of the race came on lap two when Freddie Rahmer of Salfordville, PA spun and stopped at the bottom of turn two.
Gravel enjoyed an open track for eight laps following the restart, but worked his way into lapped traffic on lap 10. The often side-by-side racing around the track created a number of challenges for the leaders as they worked through the field.
“It was real difficult just because I didn’t know what kind of lead I had,” Gravel said. “I got through the first couple lapped cars really well, but after that I didn’t know if guys were catching me or not. It was really tough to judge. I didn’t know I had a huge lead. It was just one of those things where I had to keep pushing forward and keep getting lapped cars behind me.”
Behind Gravel, it was local favorite Danny Dietrich of nearby Gettysburg, PA who worked his way past Brad Sweet and then Pittman to take second on lap 17. Dietrich was unable to gain any ground on Gravel to challenge for the lead while he battled the traffic.
“I got to second and couldn’t get any help at all from lapped cars,” Dietrich said. “It’s unfortunate because I thought we were fast enough to run with Gravel, but never got the opportunity.”
Dietrich held second until the final lap, when he made a daring move in turns one and two to move past a lapped car. The move cost him as he drifted up the track, allowing Pittman to capitalize and re-take the second spot.
“I was just trying to make something happen,” Dietrich said of his last lap move. “I felt like if I couldn’t get by the lapped cars, I was going to get passed anyways. I should have just probably settled in, but that’s hard to do when you’re running second for a World of Outlaws win.”
“Lapped traffic was hairy,” echoed Pittman. “I don’t know that they were really doing anything wrong, but they were just racing hard side-by-side and using up the whole track. Dietrich kind of got held up behind one of them and gave me a run to get back by him.”
Pittman was satisfied to earn a second-place finish after the last lap pass, especially against a field of 43 cars at a difficult track.
“We had a really solid car and a solid night,” Pittman said. “I’m not disappointed at all, but we were all racing for second. David was in a league of his own.”
Donny Schatz raced from the 15th starting position to finish fourth while KSE Hard Charger Brian Montieth advanced 15 positions to round out the top-five after starting 20th. Kevin Gobrecht rookie-of-the-year contender Sheldon Haudenschild was in the middle of a top-five battle when he did a complete 360 in turn two on lap 22 and the race continued without incident. The miscue cost Haudenschild four positions as he fell to eighth.
While Gravel started the night by setting quick time in Flight A qualifying with a time of 13.434 seconds, Dietrich was fastest in Flight B and overall at 13.328 seconds.
Gravel and Pittman won the first two heat races for the Outlaws before Dietrich and Rahmer answered for the Posse with wins in heats three and four, respectively. Gravel’s dash win was sandwiched between a C-Main victory for Binghamton, NY driver Coleman Gulick and Lucas Wolfe’s win in the Last Chance Showdown.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series remains in Central Pennsylvania entering the weekend for the Morgan Cup at Williams Grove Speedway on May 19 and 20. It’s the first of five races at the Mechanicsburg, PA track this season. Fans who can’t make it to the track can watch LIVE on DIRTvision.
35-LAP FEATURE RESULTS: 1. 1. 5-David Gravel [1][$10,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2][$5,500]; 3. 48-Danny Dietrich [4][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [15][$2,800]; 5. 21-Brian Montieth [20][$2,500]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [11][$2,300]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$2,200]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [10][$2,100]; 9. 1-Dale Blaney [6][$2,050]; 10. 27-Greg Hodnett [14][$2,000]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson [8][$1,500]; 12. 39-Cory Haas [16][$1,200]; 13. 17-Joey Saldana [5][$1,100]; 14. 87-Alan Krimes [18][$1,050]; 15. 4K-Kasey Kahne [12][$1,000]; 16. 24-Lucas Wolfe [21][$900]; 17. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$800]; 18. 51-Freddie Rahmer [3][$800]; 19. 16-Gerard McIntyre [17][$800]; 20. 2-Shane Stewart [22][$800]; 21. 49X-Tim Shaffer [13][$800]; 22. 4-Paul McMahan [25][$]; 23. 8-Billy Dietrich [23][$800]; 24. 7S-Jason Sides [9][$800]; 25. 19-Brent Marks [24][$800]; 26. 59-Jim Siegel [26]. Lap Leader: 1-35 David Gravel KSE Hard Charger Award: 21-Brian Montieth [+15]
Price-Miller Runs the Cushion En Route to First Outlaws Win at Tri-State Speedeway
Gravel and Johnson round out the top-three at Haubstadt
All the stars aligned at Tri-State Speedway for Parker Price-Miller. Inheriting the lead on Lap 18 after Sheldon Haundenschild ran into a slower car in lap traffic, causing him to do a complete 360, Price-Miller had to endure challenges from last year’s Tri-State Speedway winner, David Gravel. Meticulously working his way through lap traffic, Price-Miller picked the best lanes and would go on to win his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series race.
Starting the season out at DIRTcar National at Volusia Speedway Park in February and continuing with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series tour through mid-April, before eventually dropping off full-time, Price-Miller knew it was going to be a steep-learning curve.
“We knew going into the season we were going to get our butt-kicked,” Price-Miller said about starting the season with the World of Outlaws. “But this was going to make us better as a team. This surely has paid off making me better as driver, getting our car better and making us overall better as a unit.”
Price-Miller has shown speed over the last several weeks, having earned fast qualifier at Plymouth Speedway. Entering the special Mother’s Day race at Tri-State Speedway, Price-Miller’s career best Outlaw finish was a third-place, coming at Tri-State Speedway in 2016.
“I can’t explain how I feel right now. Whenever you can get an Outlaw win you take it. Whether it’s on a slick, heavy, small or big [track].”
CJB Motorsports entered Tri-State Speedway as the team everyone was looking to knock off. Each of the last three-years, the team has made trips down to Victory Lane at the high-banked quarter-mile speedway. 2016 winner, already a five-time winner in the 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series season was poised to continue the team’s win streak at the Haubstadt, IN-track.
Starting from the pole for the evenings 40-lap feature, David Gravel quickly shot out to an early lead. It wasn’t long before he was being challenged by 2017 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie-of-the-Year contender, Sheldon Haudenschild. Haudenschild on the top-side of the race track worked his way by Gravel and rocketed out to a commanding lead.
“I knew Sheldon was going to have a [quick] pace and it was a 40-lap race so I was going to let him do what he wanted to do and wait for lap traffic and catch back up,” Gravel said.
While Haudenschild was checking out with the race lead, the battle for second heated up with Price-Miller forcing the issue on Gravel. Just shy of the half-way mark Price-Miller was able to get by Gravel for the second position.
It was on Lap 18 when Haudenschild was working his way through lap traffic that he got tangled up with a slower car, sending him into a complete 360-spin dropping the young rookie back in the running order. The yellow flag would eventually come out for a stopped car in Turn 1.
Taking over the lead for the restart and getting the jump, Price-Miller went right back to the top-side of the track. Setting sail from the rest of the field, Price-Miller had the first opportunity to pick his way through traffic.
With under 10-laps to go and in heavy traffic, Gravel starting to close the gap on Price-Miller; setting up the reigning race winner with a chance to go back-to-back at Tri-State Speedway.
“Sheldon [Haudenschild] and Parker [Price-Miller] could really run the cushion pretty aggressively. In open track they’re were faster. In open track I think they had us beat but in traffic I thought I could run the bottom and we were pretty good.”
Price-Miller seemed to able to point his No. 2X machine wherever he wanted, eventually steering him clear of the lap traffic and runner-up finisher, David Gravel en route to his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory.
“When you’ve never won an Outlaw race and you’re leading, you just go as hard as you can and that’s what I did. Luckily we pulled it off.”
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series kicks off another busy week with a stop at Lincoln Speedway on Wednesday, May 17 before heading to Williams Grove for a doubleheader on Friday and Saturday, May 20-21. The Series will then make the trek north to Weedsport Speedway to close out the week of racing on Sunday, May 22. For tickets, visit WorldofOutlaws.com/Tickets.
Tri-State Speedway Notebook
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 9 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18, Missouri State Fair Speedway on May 5, 81 Speedway on May 6, Eldora Speedway May 13); David Gravel - 5 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1, Gator Motorplex on April 13, Plymouth on April 28); Jason Johnson - 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17, Devil’s Bowl on April 14); Brad Sweet - 2 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25, Devil’s Bowl on April 15), Logan Schuchart - 2 (Keller Auto Speedway, Eldora Speedway May 12), Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway), Rico Abreu – 1 (Arizona Speedway on April 8) Parker Price-Miller – 1 (Tri-State Speedway May 14).
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Logan Schuchart; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Parker Price-Miller; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Sheldon Haundenschild; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Extended Stay ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Super Flow ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; Craftsman Club ($100 cash each): David Gravel, Sheldon Haundenschild, Brad Sweet, Jason Johnson, Paul McMahan; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Parker Price-Miller; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Parker Price-Miller; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Parker Price-Miller; JE Pistons (Set of Rings each): Brent Marks, Logan Schuchart.
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [4][$10,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [1][$5,500]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [5][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [12][$2,800]; 5. 99-Brady Bacon [8][$2,500]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$2,300]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$2,200]; 8. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [7][$2,100]; 9. 4-Paul McMahan [6][$2,050]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [13][$2,000]; 11. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$1,500]; 12. 39-Spencer Bayston [9][$1,200]; 13. 17-Joey Saldana [16][$1,100]; 14. 24-Rico Abreu [17][$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18][$1,000]; 16. 19-Brent Marks [19][$900]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [20][$800]; 18. 21-Carson Short [14][$800]; 19. W20-Greg Wilson [21][$800]; 20. 3G-Carson Macedo [11][$800]; 21. 44-A.J. Bruns [23][$800]; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart [22][$800]; 23. 5X-Justin Peck [15][$800]; 24. 51B-Joe B [24][$800]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-5, Sheldon Haudenschild 6-18, Parker Price-Miller 19-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-Shane Stewart[+8]
Qualifying: 1. 99-Brady Bacon, 12.396; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.435; 3. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.437; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.441; 5. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 12.455; 6. 5-David Gravel, 12.554; 7. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.577; 8. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg, 12.598; 9. 39-Spencer Bayston, 12.608; 10. 21-Carson Short, 12.696; 11. 19-Brent Marks, 12.736; 12. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.747; 13. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.78; 14. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.822; 15. 5X-Justin Peck, 12.915; 16. 48-Danny Dietrich, 12.92; 17. 24-Rico Abreu, 12.922; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.958; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.003; 20. 84-Brandon Hanks, 13.006; 21. 51B-Joe B, 13.042; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.064; 23. 3G-Carson Macedo, 13.079; 24. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.105; 25. 44-A.J. Bruns, 13.122; 26. 4K-Kody Kinser, 13.153; 27. 42-Cory Bruns, 13.155; 28. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.237; 29. 42X-Andy Mcelhannon, 13.276; 30. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.378; 31. 3-Dakota Jackson, 13.504; 32. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.751; 33. 71M-Paul May, 18.607; 34. 85-Mike Terry, NT
Heat #1 (10 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature: 1. 99-Brady Bacon [1]; 2. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [2]; 3. 39-Spencer Bayston [3]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [4]; 5. 24-Rico Abreu [5]; 6. 51B-Joe B [6]; 7. 44-A.J. Bruns [7]; 8. 42X-Andy Mcelhannon [8]; 9. 71M-Paul May [9]
Heat #2 (10 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature: 1. 5-David Gravel [2]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 4. 21-Carson Short [3]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [8]; 8. 4K-Kody Kinser [7]; 9. 85-Mike Terry [9]
Heat #3 (10 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature: 1. 41-Jason Johnson [2]; 2. 4-Paul McMahan [1]; 3. 3G-Carson Macedo [6]; 4. 5X-Justin Peck [4]; 5. 19-Brent Marks [3]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [5]; 7. 42-Cory Bruns [7]; 8. 3-Dakota Jackson [8]
Heat #4 (10 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature: 1. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [1]; 2. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [2]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [3]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [6]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [7]; 6. 48-Danny Dietrich [4]; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]; 8. 84-Brandon Hanks [5]
Craftsman Club Dash (8 Laps): 1. 5-David Gravel [2]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [4]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [6]; 4. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [5]; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [3]; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [7]; 7. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [8]; 8. 99-Brady Bacon [1]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 4 Transfer to Feature: 1. W20-Greg Wilson [2][-]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][-]; 3. 44-A.J. Bruns [6][-]; 4. 51B-Joe B [4][-]; 5. 4K-Kody Kinser [7][$300]; 6. 3-Dakota Jackson [11][$250]; 7. 42X-Andy Mcelhannon [9][$225]; 8. 42-Cory Bruns [8][$200]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [12][$200]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [10][$200]; 11. 48-Danny Dietrich [1][$200]; 12. 84-Brandon Hanks [3][$200]; 13. 71M-Paul May [13][$200]; 14. 85-Mike Terry [14][$200]
It's a Game of Numbers at Eldora: #15 Scores #9 on Night 2 of #LetsRaceTwo
Donny Schatz leads all 30 laps for his ninth season win
ROSSBURG, OH — May 13, 2017 — Eight-time World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Champion and current points leader Donny Schatz scored his ninth season win on the second and final night of #LetsRaceTwo at Eldora Speedway, leading all 30 laps into the checkers. Behind him, a fierce battle for second and third ensued, in which Outlaws Brad Sweet and Jason Johnson ultimately lost out to Ohio native Chad Kemenah and West Coast favorite Rico Abreu.
World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year contender Sheldon Haundenschild — quite popular at the track given the loud applause heard from fans — started in second next to Schatz, but fell back almost immediately with Brad Sweet and Jason Johnson battling for his spot. Heading into Lap 12, however, Kemenah, who had been dilligently working his way up from eighth, stole third from Johnson and started pressing on Sweet.
A Lap 20 restart after Shane Stewart slapped the wall in Turn 4, ending the night for the Larson Marks Racing #2 car, gave Kemenah an opening to battle Schatz for the lead, but the reigning champ pulled ahead and maintained his lead throughout the race.
"That's not me; that's this race team," said Schatz. "These guys are incredible. They're all capable of being crew chiefs on this car. They feed off each other. Sometimes I don't give the best information. I try to do my best job, but some days I'm racing Lap 29 and they're trying to figure out how to start the race. It's just lucky to be around great people like that. It's fun to get a win, especially here at Eldora."
Unlike the previous night — in which the Craftsman Club Dash inversion pushed Schatz back into position seven from Row 1 and put Johnson on the pole — the Tony Stewart Racing driver got lucky with an invert of six that put him on the pole after a less than stellar start to the day, while Tim Shaffer got pushed all the way to the back after earning the pole.
Surprisingly, no driver visited Victory Lane twice during the two-day event at the famed half-mile oval, and spectators witnessed two very different nights of racing at the 'Big E'. The bottom was slicker, and the track was faster overall, allowing Shaffer to score a qualifying Quick Time of 12.915, not far off from the 12.707-second track record established by Craig Dollansky 15 years ago. And despite Schatz's win, he remained the only Outlaw in Victory Lane.
"We'll take second against these guys," said Kemenah. "You know, they are the best."
But this wasn't Kemenah's first trip to Victory Lane during #LetsRaceTwo. Last year, he followed Kerry Madsen into the checkers for another second place win. "This is really good," said the Alvada, Ohio native. "Two years in a row now I ran second in this thing, so I need one more."
Eldora Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Eight-time World of Outlaws Champion Donny Schatz scored his ninth win of the season on the second and final night of #LetsRaceTwo at Eldora Speedway on Saturday. Schatz led all 30 laps, with only a short-lived challenge from Chad Kemenah on a Lap 20 restart after Shane Stewart hit the wall in Turn 4. Kemenah followed Schatz into Victory Lane after a fierce battle for second and third, which resulted in the Alvada, OH native and Rico Abreu overtaking Outlaws Brad Sweet and Jason Johnson.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Dale Blaney; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Brent Marks; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Sheldon Haudenschild; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Sheldon Haudenschild; Extended Stay ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Super Flow ($50 cash): David Gravel; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Sheldon Haudenschild, Brad Sweet, Joey Saldana, Jason Johnson; Craftsman/Sears: Tim Shaffer; KSE Hard Charger: Brent Marks; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Sides; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Clyde Knipp.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 9 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18, Missouri State Fair Speedway on May 5, 81 Speedway on May 6, Eldora Speedway on May 13); David Gravel - 5 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1, Gator Motorplex on April 3, Plymouth Speedway on April 28); Jason Johnson - 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 14); Brad Sweet - 2 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 15), Logan Schuchart - 2 (Keller Auto Speedway on March 31, Eldora Speedway on May 12), Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway on April 7), Rico Abreu – 1 (Arizona Speedway on April 8).
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Eldora Speedway, OH; May 13, 2017
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$10,000]; 2. 10H-Chad Kemenah [8][$5,000]; 3. 24-Rico Abreu [9][$3,000]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$2,700]; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$2,500]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [13][$2,200]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [12][$2,000]; 8. 17-Joey Saldana [4][$1,800]; 9. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5][$1,600]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$1,450]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [16][$1,300]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [20][$1,200]; 13. 4-Paul McMahan [19][$1,100]; 14. 5-David Gravel [7][$1,000]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [15][$950]; 16. 12N-Cole Duncan [18][$900]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [21][$850]; 18. 1A-Jacob Allen [23][$750]; 19. 48-Danny Dietrich [14][$725]; 20. 2-Shane Stewart [10][$700]; 21. 44-Trey Starks [17][$700]; 22. 99-Brady Bacon [11][$700]; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp [22][$700]; 24. 11N-Dale Blaney [24][$700]; Lap Leader: Donny Schatz 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+8]
Qualifying: 1. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 12.915; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.055; 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.056; 4. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.059; 5. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 13.068; 6. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.136; 7. 5-David Gravel, 13.149; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.159; 9. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.178; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.203; 11. 44-Trey Starks, 13.207; 12. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.213; 13. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.219; 14. 99-Brady Bacon, 13.258; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.289; 16. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.298; 17. 48-Danny Dietrich, 13.361; 18. 12N-Cole Duncan, 13.384; 19. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.36; 20. 19-Brent Marks, 13.435; 21. 17X-Caleb Helms, 13.436; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.439; 23. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.457; 24. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg, 13.475; 25. 11N-Dale Blaney, 13.518; 26. 7C-Caleb Armstrong, 13.657; 27. 49D-Shawn Dancer, 13.684; 28. 45-Trevor Baker, 13.762; 29. 1A-Jacob Allen, NT
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer: 1. 49X-Tim Shaffer [1]; 2. 17-Joey Saldana [2]; 3. 5-David Gravel [3]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [5]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [4]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [6]; 7. 4-Paul McMahan [7]; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]; 9. 45-Trevor Baker [10]; 10. 11N-Dale Blaney [9]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer: 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [3]; 3. 10H-Chad Kemenah [2]; 4. 99-Brady Bacon [5]; 5. 48-Danny Dietrich [6]; 6. 44-Trey Starks [4]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [8]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [7]; 9. 7C-Caleb Armstrong [9]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [10]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer: 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2]; 3. 24-Rico Abreu [3]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5]; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [4]; 6. 12N-Cole Duncan [6]; 7. 49D-Shawn Dancer [9]; 8. 17X-Caleb Helms [7]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [5]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [3]; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer [6]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [4]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer: 1. 4-Paul McMahan [1][-]; 2. 19-Brent Marks [2][-]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [5][-]; 4. 13-Clyde Knipp [4][-]; 5. 1A-Jacob Allen [10][-]; 6. 11N-Dale Blaney [6][-]; 7. 17X-Caleb Helms [3][$300]; 8. 45-Trevor Baker [9][$250]; 9. 7C-Caleb Armstrong [7][$225]; 10. 49D-Shawn Dancer [8][$200]; 11. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [11][$200]
Logan Schuchart scores his first-ever Eldora Speedway win
ROSSBURG, OH — May 12, 2017 — Logan Schuchart scored his first-ever Eldora Speedway win Friday night during the #LetsRaceTwo opener, battling Eldora veteran Shane Stewart for the lead from laps eight through 12, after which Schuchart retained it for the remaining 18 laps to secure his fourth career World of Outlaws win and second win this season.
"It's the place you always want to win at," said the Shark Racing 1s driver about Eldora after his win. "As a little kid I dreamt about being a World of Outlaws driver. Eldora, with all the history behind it, it's really cool. My grandfather won the first Outlaw race here in '78, so being able to win this race with him by my side is really cool. I hope it means something for July. My grandfather won the Knoxville Nationals. He won the Williams Grove National Open. But nobody won the Kings Royal, so that's a race I really want to run well in, and this is where you get your notes and stuff. To win tonight, hopefully that means something for the next couple races in the next couple months."
Schuchart's win emerged from a field of 35 cars, a third of them Ohio natives. But the night went to the Outlaws. Following Schuchart into Victory Lane were fellow Outlaws Stewart and Brad Sweet. Quicktime went to Outlaw Jason Sides, the very first driver to qualify. Three of the four heat races went to Outlaws — the fourth going to Aliquippa, PA-native Tim Shaffer. The Dash went to Outlaw Jason Johnson. And all four that transfered from the Last Chance Showdown were Outlaws as well, with Kraig Kinser in the lead.
Meanwhile, Alvada, OH-native Chad Kemenah, who came in second on both nights of last year's #LetsRaceTwo, failed to make the Feature. And last year's winner, Kerry Madsen, was noticeably absent.
Initally, it was looking like a pretty good day for Jason Johnson, who started the Feature on the pole after winning the Craftsman Club Dash, which he also started on the pole after a full-field inversion stemming from a Dash draw of eight. But Stewart managed to steal Johnson's lead in lap seven, after which Johnson fell back and was overtaken by Sweet and points leader Donny Schatz, who had worked their way up from positions nine and seven respectively.
After qualifying in third and winning Heat 3, Schuchart started the Feature in the third row (fifth position) and jumped to third at the onset of the race. But when Stewart stole the lead from Johnson, the battle between Stewart and Schuchart was on. In lap nine, Schuchart finally took the lead from the JJR-Marshall 41, only to lose it again on a restart after a red flag on Ohio natives Trevor Philo and Jac Haudenschild, who collided outside turn one when Philo bounced off the wall. Three laps later, Schuchart took back his lead and held it through the checkers.
It was a night of celebration for Shark Racing, but not so much for Philo and J Haudenschild, who were both transported to a local hospital for further examination. Haudenschild, an Eldora veteran with six World of Outlaws wins and five USAC wins at the track, was there with his son and rookie Outlaw, Sheldon. According to a tweet from Haudenschild Racing, "Sheldon spoke to Jac, he's ready to leave the hospital and is insistent on racing tomorrow."
Eldora Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Logan Schuchart battled Shane Stewart for his first Eldora Speedway win on night one of #LetsRaceTwo Friday night, marking his fourth career World of Outlaws win. Stewart, who had the most recent World of Outlaws win at Eldora after taking the checkers at the 2016 Four Crown Nationals last September, took the lead from Jason Johnson in lap 7 and battled Schuchart through the next five laps, losing the lead in lap 9, and again in 12 to follow Schuchart to the checkers with Brad Sweet behind him.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Travis Philo; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Karig Kinser; Extended Stay ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Brent Marks, Jason Johnson, Jason Sides, Shane Stewart, Logan Schuchart, David Gravel; Craftsman/Sears: Travis Philo; KSE Hard Charger: Kraig Kinser; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Joey Saldana; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Danny Dietrich.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 8 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18, Missouri State Fair Speedway on May 5, 81 Speedway on May 6); David Gravel - 5 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1, Gator Motorplex on April 3, Plymouth Speedway on April 28); Jason Johnson - 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 14); Brad Sweet - 2 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 15), Logan Schuchart - 2 (Keller Auto Speedway on March 31, Eldora Speedway on May 12), Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway on April 7), Rico Abreu – 1 (Arizona Speedway on April 8).
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Eldora Speedway, OH; May 12, 2017
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$10,000]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$5,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$3,000]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [7][$2,700]; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$2,500]; 6. 5-David Gravel [6][$2,200]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [2][$2,000]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [12][$1,800]; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman [11][$1,600]; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser [21][$1,450]; 11. 49X-Tim Shaffer [8][$1,300]; 12. W20-Greg Wilson [20][$1,200]; 13. 44-Trey Starks [10][$1,100]; 14. 19-Brent Marks [24][$1,000]; 15. 24-Rico Abreu [14][$950]; 16. 17-Joey Saldana [13][$900]; 17. 4-Paul McMahan [23][$850]; 18. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [22][$750]; 19. 11N-Dale Blaney [19][$725]; 20. A67-Brandon Wimmer [17][$700]; 21. 48-Danny Dietrich [15][$700]; 22. 5T-Travis Philo [3][$700]; 23. 6M-Jac Haudenschild [16][$700]; 24. 17X-Caleb Helms [18][$700]; Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-6; Shane Stewart 7-8, 10-11; Logan Schuchart 9, 12-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 11K-Kraig Kinser[+11]
Qualifying: 1. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.843; 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.065; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.24; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.299; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.319; 6. 44-Trey Starks, 14.376; 7. 48-Danny Dietrich, 14.401; 8. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 14.427; 9. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.443; 10. 24-Rico Abreu, 14.476; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman, 14.536; 12. 41-Jason Johnson, 14.593; 13. A67-Brandon Wimmer, 14.607; 14. 5-David Gravel, 14.624; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.635; 16. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.636; 17. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.655; 18. 12N-Cole Duncan, 14.71; 19. 11N-Dale Blaney, 14.733; 20. 6M-Jac Haudenschild, 14.753; 21. 17-Joey Saldana, 14.844; 22. 49D-Shawn Dancer, 14.854; 23. 5T-Travis Philo, 14.865; 24. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg, 14.867; 25. 45L-Brian Lay, 14.869; 26. 17X-Caleb Helms, 14.912; 27. 7C-Caleb Armstrong, 14.941; 28. 4-Paul McMahan, 14.982; 29. 19-Brent Marks, 14.998; 30. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 15; 31. 7J-Joe Swanson, 15.148; 32. 13-Clyde Knipp, 15.247; 33. 45-Trevor Baker, 15.264; 34. 99-Brady Bacon, 15.376; 35. 83X-Adam Cruea, NT
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer: 1. 2-Shane Stewart [3]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [1]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [5]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [6]; 5. A67-Brandon Wimmer [4]; 6. 19-Brent Marks [8]; 7. 45L-Brian Lay [7]; 8. 45-Trevor Baker [9]; 9. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer: 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1]; 2. 5-David Gravel [4]; 3. 44-Trey Starks [2]; 4. 24-Rico Abreu [3]; 5. 17X-Caleb Helms [7]; 6. 49D-Shawn Dancer [6]; 7. 99-Brady Bacon [9]; 8. 10H-Chad Kemenah [8]; 9. 12N-Cole Duncan [5]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer: 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1]; 2. 5T-Travis Philo [6]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [3]; 4. 48-Danny Dietrich [2]; 5. 11N-Dale Blaney [5]; 6. 7C-Caleb Armstrong [7]; 7. 7J-Joe Swanson [8]; 8. 83X-Adam Cruea [9]; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser [4]
Heat #4 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer: 1. 49X-Tim Shaffer [2]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [3]; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen [1]; 4. 6M-Jac Haudenschild [5]; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [4]; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [7]; 7. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [6]; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps): 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [4]; 3. 5T-Travis Philo [2]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [8]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6]; 6. 5-David Gravel [3]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [7]; 8. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 4 Transfer: 1. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2][-]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [1][-]; 3. 4-Paul McMahan [8][-]; 4. 19-Brent Marks [9][-]; 5. 49D-Shawn Dancer [4][$300]; 6. 12N-Cole Duncan [3][$250]; 7. 10H-Chad Kemenah [10][$225]; 8. 99-Brady Bacon [14][$200]; 9. 45L-Brian Lay [6][$200]; 10. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [5][$200]; 11. 7C-Caleb Armstrong [7][$200]; 12. 7J-Joe Swanson [11][$200]; 13. 45-Trevor Baker [13][$200]; 14. 13-Clyde Knipp [12][$200]; 15. 83X-Adam Cruea [15][$200]
Donny Schatz wins Outlaws return to 81 Speedway to score eighth victory of the season
By: Tony Veneziano
PARK City, KS.- May 7, 2017 - Quite a bit has changed over the last 11 years since the last Donny Schatz had raced at 81 Speedway, prior to Saturday night. The track surface was reconfigured before this season, while the tires and wings on the cars have also changed over the last decade. One things that didn’t change was the end result as he won for the second straight time at the three-eights-mile as the Outlaws returned to 81 Speedway for the Kansas Outlaw Klassic presented by Great Clips, Murphy Tractor and the City of Park City, Kansas.
Schatz’s second consecutive win at 81 Speedway had extra meaning, as his crew chief Ricky Warner and his wife, have family members from the area, who are involved with the operations at 81 Speedway.
“This is like a hometown win for Rick and Danele Warner,” said Schatz. “Rick has been with me a long time and we have won a lot of races together. The last time we were here, we won and were fortunate to get here again tonight. It was a great crowd tonight and it’s great to see all of the enthusiasm here. It’s incredible to be standing here in front of them winning.”
Schatz started on the pole and led all 30 laps, but had a very close call, after some contact, when a pair of lapped cars got together right in front of him on the 18th lap. Despite sustaining some damage to his machine, the North Dakota native was able to lead flag-to-flag.
“The (No.) 4 car stopped and I got into him there,” noted Schatz. “I thought I was going over and when I got away from him I could steer, but I knew something was bent in the front. It obviously bent the front axle, but it didn’t really hurt me much. It might have actually helped me.”
On the double file restart, which was the only restart of the 30-lap main event, Schatz chose the low side of the three-eighths-mile, with Jason Johnson lined up beside him. A strong restart propelled Schatz as Johnson, David Gravel and Daryn Pittman all battled for second.
“We just had the car rolling and are trying a lot of funky things right now and there are a lot of weird pieces on this race car, but we are learning,” explained Schatz. “Sometimes you pay the price and April was that time, so May is going a lot better.”
Pittman used a last lap pass of Gravel to earn his second consecutive runner-up finish, as he continues to close in on his first win of the season in the Great Clips, No. 9 for Kasey Kahne Racing. Pittman started second and looked on the low side of the track a couple of times in the early going as he kept pace with Schatz.
“We are bringing better race cars to the track,” said Pittman. “Eric Prutzman is making great changes as the night goes on. Getting in the dash has been huge with the extra track time. Most of the headway we have made with our race cars the last two nights has been in the dash. That’s really been key. When the car is faster, it’s a lot more fun to drive.”
Pittman started second and kept pace with Schatz for the first few laps, before losing a couple of positions. Late in the race he had an entertaining battle with Gravel and Johnson for the runner-up position.
“We had to fight hard for that one,” shared Pittman. “We fell back to fourth and got by Jason (Johnson) after the yellow. (David) Gravel got caught up by a few lapped cars and we were able to get back by him coming to the checkers. It was a good finish and a good weekend for us.”
Gravel continued his strong season by picking up his 13th top-five finish of the season, with a third-place finish. The Connecticut native ran as high as second in the late going and was keeping up with Schatz in open track, before having some trouble getting by slower cars.
“Lapped cars were pretty tough, they were running pretty high and made it pretty difficult,” said Gravel. “It was hard to tell where they were going to go. Daryn (Pittman) got by me, but I think we had a second-place car. I just wish we could have qualified a little better to get in the dash and get another shot at the race track. If we had started on the front two rows, I think we could have gotten the win. We’ll take our podium and move on to the next race.”
Johnson finished fourth, with Brad Sweet in fifth. Shane Stewart worked his way from the 16th starting spot to finish sixth. Logan Schuchart was seventh, with Aaron Reutzel eighth, Jason Sides ninth and rookie Brent Marks 10th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action at the famed Eldora Speedway in Ohio on Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13.
Lucky Seven: Donny Schatz wins at Missouri State Fair Speedway to score seventh win of season
SEDALIA, Mo.—May 5, 2017—Missouri State Fair Speedway has always been a special place for eight-time and defending World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series champion Donny Schatz. He made his first start with the series back in 1993 as a teenager at the historic track.
Schatz returned to the half-mile on Friday night, as the Outlaws visited the track for the first time since 2012 and was victorious in the Sedalia Show-Me State Showdown to earn his third-career win at Missouri State Fair Speedway and his seventh of the season aboard the Arctic Cat/Ford Performance J&J for Tony Stewart Racing.
“This is extra special, with this being the first place I ran at,” said Schatz. “We had Mark Miller from Artic Cat here and this is kind of his home track. He had a premonition that we were going to have a good night and I’m glad he had that premonition.”
Schatz started third and got around Joey Saldana for second on the seventh lap. He then began to close on leader Daryn Pittman as the lead duo negotiated lapped traffic. Schatz made his move on the low side of the back straightaway to take the top spot on lap-11.
Once out front, Schatz began to pull away. After the taking the white flag, the only caution of the 25-lap main event flew, setting up a green-white-checker finish with Schatz in the lead and Kerry Madsen lining up second. Schatz used a strong restart to pull away en route to the win.
“I was actually looking for the car that was stopped, but it wasn’t stopped,” said Schatz of the caution. “That’s the way it goes sometimes and those breaks sometimes go your way. Our car was awesome. April really didn’t show it, but April is over. That’s what racing is about. You’ll have some good days and you are going to have a lot of bad ones. Today was one of the good ones. We just keep digging and finding ways to make the race car faster. Hats off to them, they are on their game and they got us a win tonight.”
The win for Schatz snapped a month-plus win drought, dating back to March 18 at Thunderbowl Raceway in California. He used traffic to his advantage and managed tire wear as well on his way to the $10,000 triumph. With the first 24 laps going non-stop, Schatz was in his comfort zone on the long green-flag run.
“You don’t really ever bide your time,” explained Schatz. “You have to be smart with your tires. This is a high speed track and it’s pretty easy the fine line between stuck (to the track) and spinning (your tires). When I rolled across the scales, I saw the other cars around me and I saw their tires were really blistered. Mine looked good, so I guess that means I did my job at the right parts of the race. Early on, when you have all that fuel, they are not a lot of fun to drive. You have to be cautious and search out the race track and see what happens.”
Pittman, who led the first 10 laps, after starting on the pole, finished a season-best second, as he continues to close in on his first win of the season. In open track in the early going, Pittman pulled away from Joey Saldana and had couple-second lead in the first six laps.
“It did feel good to run up front,” said Pittman. “These guys are really working hard. It’s been a struggle this year and I have a great group of guys and I am really proud to be a part of this team. There is no doubt we’ll get that win and we keep getting better. We made a lot of headway and had a pretty solid car all night long. If we are going to beat the 15 car and some of these guys consistently, we still have some work to do. We’ll get this Great Clips car to victory lane and it will be fun when we do.”
Kerry Madsen lined up second for the green-white-checker restart and ended up in third, after Pittman used a strong restart to get around him. Madsen lined up fifth at the start of the 25-lap main event
“I was going for the win,” said Madsen of his strategy on the restart. “I tried that low-middle there and feed off Donny’s right rear on the restart. I should have done the opposite and fed off the left rear and gotten better grip. I went to attack and wasn’t close enough to attack and got attacked. It was a fun race and our car was a rocket ship.”
Joey Saldana, who ran second early in the race, ended up fourth. Brian Brown, who hails from Grain Valley, Mo., finished fifth. Jason Johnson, who now calls Missouri home was sixth, followed by Brad Sweet in seventh, Danny Lasoski, another Missouri native in eighth, David Gravel in ninth and Kraig Kinser rounded out the top-10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Saturday, May 6 at 81 Speedway in Park City, Kansas. The Kansas Outlaw Klassic presented by Great Clips, Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co and the City of Park City, Kansas marks the series’ first visit to 81 Speedway since 2006.
Outlaws to Tackle PA, NY, NJ Stretch
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series has reached the point of the schedule where teams are starting to settle in and get into a groove — setting themselves up for the endurance of the 90-plus races a year. However, it’s tests like five races in seven days in three different states that make the Outlaws “The Greatest Show on Dirt”.
The middle of May takes the Outlaws through their first stretch of mid-week races that includes five races in seven nights at four different tracks in three different states. The series makes its only stop at Lincoln (PA) Speedway on May 17 before the Spring Classic and Morgan Cup at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, PA on May 19 and 20.
Nonetheless, there’s no stopping as the Series digs deep and continues down the road to Weedsport (NY) Speedway on May 21 to complete three consecutive nights of racing before getting a night with its date with New Egypt Speedway.
“I’ve done it long enough that it’s just normal for me,” said Daryn Pittman, driver of the Kasey Kahne Racing No.9 and the most recent Outlaws winner at Williams Grove. “Other than making sure we’ve got everything packed up with the family to go in the motorhome, it doesn’t change us. I look forward to more races and a lot of times feel like I only get better the more I race.”
It’s also the Series’ first march into Pennsylvania Posse territory, a set of races that always bring an added test. The trip to historic Williams Grove in Central Pennsylvania is always one of the toughest challenges on the tour.
“At a regular Outlaw show, you’re never going to win if you’re off a little bit,” said Pittman. “That holds even truer at a race in Pennsylvania. There’s just no room for error because not only are you trying to beat all of your regulars, but there’s a handful of locals that can win if they’ve got their stuff together that night.”
The Outlaws trip to Williams Grove is also a homecoming for Kevin Gobrecht Rookie-of-the-Year contender Brent Marks, who calls nearby Myerstown, PA home.
“That’s where I grew up and got involved into racing,” said Marks. “I was a little kid sitting in the infield playing in the dirt with Sprint Cars. I’ve been around Williams Grove my entire life. That’s kind of where it all started for me, so when you go back there it’s a pretty surreal moment.”
Sprint Car racing has a long history at Williams Grove, including with the Outlaws. The World of Outlaws have raced at the track every year but one (1985) since their inception in 1978. Since 2009, the Outlaws have raced Williams Grove at least four times per season.
“The history of the racetrack itself and the prestigious events that have been held there forever, as well as the rivalry between the Outlaws and the locals, is pretty much unmatched anywhere in the country,” said Pittman.
Williams Grove fans personify the rivalry between the World of Outlaws and the drivers of the Pennsylvania Posse. The rivalry is most evident at the Grove. Over the last five seasons, the two sides are tied with 11 wins apiece. However, the Posse held the edge last season with three victories to the Outlaws one, courtesy of Pittman.
“Pennsylvania fans are as well educated in Sprint Car racing as anywhere in the country and as diehard as they come,” said Pittman. “They live and breathe it. It’s just something that’s embedded into that part of the country. It’s a lot of fun, I think, to show up and be part of it.”
Following a pair of nights at Williams Grove, the series travels north to Weedsport, NY for the first of three races this season in the Empire State. Weedsport Speedway hosts the Empire State Challenge for the third straight season since the 3/8-mile oval underwent major renovations in 2014. Donny Schatz will look to make it three wins in a row at the Central New York track on May 21. Many drivers now look forward to visiting Weedsport and recognize the track as one of the premier dirt track racing facilities in the country.
“It’s not a cookie-cutter, normal racetrack. It’s tricky,” said Pittman. “It’s an odd shape with an odd surface. I enjoy those; they’re fun. I don’t know that we’ve seen the same conditions twice yet. We’ve only been a few times, but I definitely look forward to going and seeing what it’s going to throw at us this time and seeing how good we can be this time around.”
The Series wraps up their five-races-in-seven-days-in-three-states tour at New Egypt (NJ) Speedway on Tuesday, May 23. The semi-banked half-mile New Egypt, NJ track has hosted a World of Outlaws event nine times since 2000. One driver’s name has been tied to the top of the charts for the past four years: Daryn Pittman. A fifth consecutive win at New Egypt Speedway for Pittman could help get the ball rolling as the Series starts to head into the grueling month of June.
Tickets for the Gettysburg Clash at Lincoln Speedway and the Jersey Outlaw Classic can be purchased at WorldofOutlaws.com/tickets.
Advanced tickets for the Empire State Challenge at Weedsport Speedway are available online at www.weedsportspeedway.com.
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Event at Tri-State Speedway Postponed
CONCORD, NC— April 29, 2017— Due to record rainfall hitting the Haubstadt, IN area and localized flooding, the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series has postponed the event at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, IN to their previous longstanding Outlaw date of Mother Day’s, Sunday, May 14.
Fans that currently have tickets for the World of Outlaws Tri-State Speedway event will be able to use them for the rescheduled event on Sunday, May 14, 2017. Tickets for when the Outlaws return to Tri-State Speedway are available through the track website.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will resume Wednesday, May 3 for a make-up race at Riverside Speedway in West Memphis, AR.
Win Number Five for the No. 5 of David Gravel
Plymouth, IN — April 28, 2017 — After starting seventh on the field at the beginning of the 35-lap feature at Plymouth Speedway, David Gravel worked his way up to third-place just shy of the halfway mark. It was with three laps to go Gravel took advantage of a bobble by the No. 87 of Aaron Reutzel to put him in the runner-up spot; but he wasn’t done just yet. Setting his sights on the leader of No. 7 of Jason Sides, Gravel squeezed his way under Sides as the two entered Turn 3. Gravel completed the move en route his fifth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of the 2017 season.
With rain all around the Plymouth-IN area, the stars of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series were determined to put on a great show for the Plymouth Speedway fans — and they did just that. Early in the evenings schedule, 26 cars of the 29 that entered the event all were quicker than the track record in hot laps. When it came to qualifying, Parker Price-Miller set fast time and in the process set a new track record with a lap of 11.079-second, eclipising the previous record set in 2016 by Logan Schuchart.
It was Jason Sides and Donny Schatz showing the way to the green flag for the Feature event at Plymouth Speedway. Just as the 24-car field was making their way around the the track for the first lap of the 35-lap Feature event, the No. 41 of Jason Johnson went for a tumble in-between Turns 3 and 4, bringing out the red flag and setting up a complete restart. Johnson would head to the work area and rejoin the field after some work to his No. 41 machine.
After a bad initial start and slipping back to fourth, Schatz had a second opportunity to hold his ground. Jason Sides once again got a solid restart, vaulting the No. 7 machine back to the lead. Schatz will hold onto second place until he was able to get by Sides on Lap 9 for the lead.
The No. 4 of Paul McMahan slowed in Turn 4 bringing out the yellow flag on Lap 15. On the ensuing restart the No. 15 of Donny Schatz selected the top leaving Sides the bottom groove. Entering the picture for the first time of the evening, David Gravel from seventh worked his way up to a podium running position. A master of the restarts all evening, Sides worked his way by Schatz to give him the top spot once again. Schatz didn’t let that No. 7 out of his sights, staying glued to the leader’s bumper — Gravel stayed within striking distance of the two.
The field would once again be slowed on Lap 23 when the No. 49D of Shawn Dancer spun in Turn 4. With 12 laps to go, Sides got another great restart, while the No. 15 of Schatz dropped back to fourth. The No. 87 of Aaron Reutzel leapfrogged Gravel and Schatz in the standings to put him in the runner-up spot.
With three laps to go, Reutzel bobbled slightly coming out of Turn 2, giving Gravel a chance to get by. With Sides out front with two laps to go, Gravel made a charge down the backstretch and planted his No. 5 under Sides for the lead coming to the white flag.
“We just wanted to start further up than we did last year and we did that,” said David Gravel. “We were really, really good until the red came out and the car was insane after that. After we got heat back in the tires the car came back to life, grabbed a little bit more wing and the car was really good with three laps to go. I was good when I needed to be good and just being patient and Reutzel slipped up and I took advantage.”
Gravel would go on to grab his fifth win of the 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series season with Sides in second and Reutzel in third. After leading a portion of the 35 lap race, Schatz brought the No. 15 Arctic Cat machine home in fourth.
“From the get-go we had a pretty good car,” said Jason Sides. “We got a good run here tonight and that’s what we were hoping for. I just got to thank all my guys for all the hard work. We’ve had a couple good runs at [Tri-State Speedway], we hope we can bring it home tomorrow.”
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will be back in action tomorrow, Saturday, April 29 at Tri-State Speedway then again next Wednesday for a make-up race at Riverside Speedway on May 3. For tickets, visit WorldofOutlaws.com/tickets.
Feature (35 Laps) : 1. 5-David Gravel [7][$10,000]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [1][$5,500]; 3. 87-Aaron Reutzel [3][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [10][$2,500]; 6. 19-Brent Marks [4][$2,300]; 7. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [14][$2,200]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [12][$2,100]; 9. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,050]; 10. W20-Greg Wilson [20][$2,000]; 11. 17-Joey Saldana [17][$1,500]; 12. 3G-Carson Macedo [16][$1,200]; 13. 99-Brady Bacon [8][$1,100]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [19][$1,050]; 15. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [6][$1,000]; 16. 4K-Kody Kinser [11][$900]; 17. 17B-Bill Balog [13][$800]; 18. 41-Jason Johnson [18][$800]; 19. 23C-Tyler Courtney [23][$800]; 20. 49D-Shawn Dancer [22][$800]; 21. 4-Paul McMahan [9][$800]; 22. 4S-Danny Smith [21][$800]; 23. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [24][$800]; 24. 1S-Logan Schuchart [15][$800]; Lap Leaders: Jason Sides 1-9, 16-33; Donny Schatz 10-15; David Gravel 34-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+10]
Qualifying: 1. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 11.079; 2. 99-Brady Bacon, 11.132; 3. 4-Paul McMahan, 11.155; 4. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 11.2; 5. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.217; 6. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.302; 7. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.325; 8. 19-Brent Marks, 11.325; 9. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 11.347; 10. 5-David Gravel, 11.348; 11. 4K-Kody Kinser, 11.373; 12. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.403; 13. W20-Greg Wilson, 11.413; 14. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.468; 15. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.478; 16. 17B-Bill Balog, 11.483; 17. 23C-Tyler Courtney, 11.516; 18. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.538; 19. 3G-Carson Macedo, 11.547; 20. 17-Joey Saldana, 11.552; 21. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.578; 22. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.632; 23. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg, 11.641; 24. 4S-Danny Smith, 11.688; 25. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.806; 26. 49D-Shawn Dancer, 11.859; 27. 13-Clyde Knipp, 11.985; 28. 7J-Joe Swanson, 12.108; 29. 51B-Joe B. Miller 12.119
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 87-Aaron Reutzel [2]; 2. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [1]; 3. 5-David Gravel [4]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [3]; 5. 17B-Bill Balog [6]; 6. 3G-Carson Macedo [7]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [5]; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [9]; 10. 7J-Joe Swanson [10]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature:1. 7S-Jason Sides [2]; 2. 19-Brent Marks [3]; 3. 99-Brady Bacon [1]; 4. 4K-Kody Kinser [4]; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [5]; 6. 17-Joey Saldana [7]; 7. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [8]; 8. 23C-Tyler Courtney [6]; 9. 51B-Joe B. Miller [10]; 10. 49D-Shawn Dancer [9]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature:1. 15-Donny Schatz [2]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [4]; 3. 4-Paul McMahan [1]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [7]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [5]; 7. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [3]; 8. 4S-Danny Smith [8]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [9]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps): 1. 7S-Jason Sides [2]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3]; 3. 87-Aaron Reutzel [1]; 4. 19-Brent Marks [5]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [6]; 6. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [4]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature:1. 11K-Kraig Kinser [4][-]; 2. W20-Greg Wilson [2][-]; 3. 4S-Danny Smith [6][-]; 4. 49D-Shawn Dancer [8][-]; 5. 23C-Tyler Courtney [3][-]; 6. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [5][-]; 7. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [1][$300]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [7][$250]; 9. 51B-Joe B. Miller [11][$225]; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp [9][$200]; 11. 7J-Joe Swanson [10][$200]
OUTLAW SPRINT CARS RAINED OUT AT PEVELY
PEVELY, MO — April 21, 2017 — A forecast of continued rain through the weekend as it pours down on Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 has obligated the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series to cancel the Spring Classic at the Pevely, MO track tomorrow. The 2017 Spring Classic will not be rescheduled.
Fans that have tickets for the 2017 Spring Classic can use their tickets as credit when the World of Outlaws return to Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 later this summer on Friday, August 4 and Saturday, August 5 for the Ironman 55. Fans also have the option to roll their credit over to the 2018 Spring Classic at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 (date to be announced). No refunds for the 2017 Spring Classic will be given.
The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series will resume action at Plymouth Speedway (Plymouth, IN) on Friday, April 28, then on Saturday, April 29 at Tri-State Speedway (Haubstadt, IN). For tickets, visit WorldofOutlaws.com/Tickets or call (844) DIRT-TIX.
Rained Out at Riverside
CONCORD, NC. – April 21, 2017 – Due to morning thunderstorms today, the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is postponing the Bull Ring Outlaw Blitz at Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, AR. The Bull Ring Outlaw Blitz has been rescheduled for Wednesday, May 3.
All advanced reserved seating tickets for the event will be honored for the rescheduled date on May 3. Fans who purchased tickets for pickup at will call can obtain those tickets on race day. Advanced reserved seating tickets are still available by visiting WorldofOutlaws.com/Tickets or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will resume racing Saturday, April 22 at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, MO. For LIVE coverage of the Spring Classic from Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, visit dirtvision.com.
Sweet Works the Bottom of the Bowl for the Win
Fans & Superstars Honor the Legendary Lanny Edwards
MESQUITE, TX — April 15, 2017 — For the second night in a row, Brad Sweet worked his Kasey Kahne Racing 49 machine along the bottom of the high-banked half-mile oval at Devil’s Bowl Speedway, this time sticking it out for the win. With only five laps to go, Sweet stole the win from David Gravel, who led all previous laps but was having some trouble getting his CJB Motorsports No. 5 out of lap traffic.
"Awesome race there with David [Gravel],” said Sweet. "Lap traffic was just crucial. My car seemed like it was a little bit better. We were just right on him. Once I got a little clean air I was able to start picking off those lap cars and it felt good.”
Gravel had been working on the bottom all race, but he got caught behind Shane Stewart and met his demise when he tried to go high to pass him.
“I cleared a lot of lap cars really good, and then I got to Shane and I just could’t do anything with him,” said Gravel. "He was running the bottom in 3 and 4. I tried to pass him on the outside, and obviously the bottom of three and four was the best lane to be in. That’s where Brad was. That’s just the advantage sometimes of sitting back there watching, seeing what happens.”
Third through the checkers was Danny “The Dude" Lasoski, who took his position from Christopher Bell early in the race and held it through the checkers. Lasoski, the 2001 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Champion, has previous wins at Devil’s Bowl in 1999 and 2000. He was also right there at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in 1978 for the first-ever World of Outlaws Sprint Car race.
This year’s Texas Outlaw Nationals was a tribute to the late Lanny Edwards. A number of superstars — including Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Johnny Rutherford, and Christopher Bell — joined the Outlaws to honor the legendary promoter and World of Outlaws co-founder (along with Ted Johnson).
"Lanny went out on a limb and really got something going that has been pretty spectacular and pretty amazing,” said Tony Stewart during the opening ceremony, "and definitely pretty entertaining for all of America to watch.”
The opening ceremony continued with World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter presenting the Ted Johnson Memorial Award to the Edwards family for their contribution to the sport.
"We really want to recognize all of the people that helped us get to where we are today," said Carter. "We are the World of Outlaws: the fans here, the community, the racers, the teams, everybody here. We are what the World of Outlaws was meant to be 40 years ago. What happened here 40 years ago next year impacts sprint car racing around the world; all were impacted by Ted Johnson and Lanny Edwards."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return to action Friday, April 21 for the Bull Ring Outlaw Blitz at Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, AK.
RACE NOTES: Brad Sweet worked the bottom to steal the win in lap 26 of a 30-lap Feature of the Lanny Edwards Memorial Texas Outlaw Nationals at Devil's Bowl Speedway after David Gravel led all previous 25 laps. Danny Lakoski fights Christopher Bell for third early on and maintains his position through the checkers.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Clyde Knipp; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Danny Lasoski; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Sheldon Haudenschild; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Super Flow ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): David Gravel, Sheldon Haudenschild, Greg Wilson, Brad Sweet; Craftsman/Sears: Christopher Bell; KSE Hard Charger: Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Brad Sweet; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brady Bacon; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Parker Price-Miller.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18 ); David Gravel - 4 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1, Gator Motorplex on April 3); Jason Johnson - 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 14); Brad Sweet - 2 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 15), Logan Schuchart - 1 (Keller Auto Speedway on March 31), Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway on April 7), Rico Abreu – 1 (Arizona Speedway on April 8).
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Devil's Bowl Speedway, TX; April 15, 2017
Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$20,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [1][$6,000]; 3. 33-Danny Lasoski [5][$3,750]; 4. 67-Christopher Bell [3][$3,250]; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$2,750]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [10][$2,500]; 7. 19-Brent Marks [8][$2,400]; 8. 7S-Jason Sides [7][$2,300]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [6][$2,200]; 10. 15-Donny Schatz [14][$2,100]; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$1,700]; 12. 9-Daryn Pittman [11][$1,400]; 13. 4-Paul McMahan [12][$1,300]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$1,200]; 15. 82-Cap Henry [18][$1,100]; 16. 4K-Kasey Kahne [15][$1,000]; 17. 1A-Jacob Allen [9][$1,000]; 18. 2-Shane Stewart [21][$1,000]; 19. 17-Joey Saldana [16][$1,000]; 20. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [22][$1,000]; 21. 1X-Gary Taylor [23][$1,000]; 22. 14-Tony Stewart [20][$1,000]; 23. 99-Brady Bacon [17][$1,000]; 24. 13-Clyde Knipp [24][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-25, Brad Sweet 26-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+8]
Qualifying - 1. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.706; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.711; 3. 67-Christopher Bell, 13.714; 4. 33-Danny Lasoski, 13.754; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.76; 6. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.784; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.789; 8. 19-Brent Marks, 13.79; 9. 5-David Gravel, 13.807; 10. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.82; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.846; 12. 4K-Kasey Kahne, 13.866; 13. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.919; 14. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.93; 15. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.937; 16. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.937; 17. 99-Brady Bacon, 14.004; 18. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.008; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.968; 20. 14-Tony Stewart, 14.043; 21. 82-Cap Henry, 14.073; 22. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.081; 23. 1X-Gary Taylor, 14.153; 24. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 14.225; 25. 81W-Danny Wood, 14.354; 26. 12W-Dale Wester, NT
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 33-Danny Lasoski [2]; 2. W20-Greg Wilson [4]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [1]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [6]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3]; 6. 17-Joey Saldana [5]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [8]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7]; 9. 81W-Danny Wood [9]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 3. 19-Brent Marks [3]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [4]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [5]; 6. 99-Brady Bacon [6]; 7. 1X-Gary Taylor [8]; 8. 14-Tony Stewart [7]; 9. 12W-Dale Wester [9]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 67-Christopher Bell [1]; 2. 5-David Gravel [3]; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen [2]; 4. 4-Paul McMahan [5]; 5. 4K-Kasey Kahne [4]; 6. 82-Cap Henry [7]; 7. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8]; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [6]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps) - 1. 5-David Gravel [1]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 3. 67-Christopher Bell [4]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [5]; 5. 33-Danny Lasoski [6]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [3]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2][-]; 2. 14-Tony Stewart [3][-]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [4][-]; 4. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [6][-]; 5. 1X-Gary Taylor [5][-]; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [1][-]; 7. 81W-Danny Wood [7][$300]; 8. 12W-Dale Wester [8][$250]
The Ragin' Cajun Scores His First Devil's Bowl Win
Second Win of the Season, Seventh Career Series Win
MESQUITE, TX — April 15, 2017 — Jason "the Ragin' Cajun" Johnson dominated night one of the Texas Outlaw Nationals at Devil's Bowl Speedway, leading all 25 laps of the evening's Feature after winning the Craftsman Club Dash from the pole and running fastest in qualifying.
"It’s one of these nights you always imagine and you dream of," said Johnson from Victory Lane. "We set quicktime, won a heat, won a dash, won a feature. That’s a first for me, so hats off to this crew: Jeff, Jacob, Phillip. They’re working their tails off, and it’s a lot of fun to drive right now,” he continued with a chuckle. “It feels great to be back in Victory Lane."
Johnson's second win of the season leaves him fourth in points standings and finally puts a little distance between him and Daryn Pittman. It's also his seventh career series victory, the first one having been at Texas Motor Speedway fourteen years ago.
While Johnson led flag-to-flag, Brad Sweet was patiently working his Napa Auto Parts/ Kasey Kahne Racing No. 49 up from five to make a late-race push for the lead. Running the bottom, he made a pass for second over Jason Sides between turns three and four, but then chose to follow Johnson on the top and came in after him.
"It was a fine line. I moved up to the top a little bit," explained Sweet. "I think if I would have committed to the bottom and hit it a few more times we would have been a lot closer there at the end. Or maybe I would have been able to get in there. But hats off to [Jason Johnson]. He did a great job."
Sides, who had been running second throughout the race, lost steam in the final laps and dropped back to eight, leaving the final podium spot to Logan Schuchart, who had been running in fourth.
Meanwhile, it wasn't a stellar day for the expected superstars on the field. NASCAR stars Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne came in 22 and 11 respectively, both falling back two spots from their starting positions. And eight-time Series Champion Donny Schatz washed way up the track in the first half of lap one and never fully recovered.
The previous night's winner, David Gravel, managed to work his way up from the back, but it just wasn't enough, leaving him in 14. But last year's night one winner, Joey Saldana barely missed the podium with a fourth place finish.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return to action tomorrow for the final night of the Texas Outlaw Nationals at Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, TX.
RACE NOTES: Jason "the Ragin' Cajun" Johnson dominated night one of the Texas Outlaw Nationals at Devil's Bowl Speedway, leading all 25 laps of the evening's Feature after winning the Craftsman Club Dash from the pole and running fastest in qualifying. Following him into Victory Lane was Brad Sweet in the KKR 49 after a failed last-lap effort to steal first. Logan Schuchart in third.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Travis Rilat; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Brent Marks; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Karig Kinser; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brady Bacon; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brady Bacon; Super Flow ($50 cash): David Gravel; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Jason Johnson, Jason Sides, Logan Schuchart, Brad Sweet, Joey Saldana; Craftsman/Sears: Christopher Bell; KSE Hard Charger: Kraig Kinser; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Jason Johnson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Sheldon Haudenschild; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18 ); David Gravel - 4 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1, Gator Motorplex on April 3); Jason Johnson - 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 14); Brad Sweet - 1 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25), Logan Schuchart - 1 (Keller Auto Speedway on March 31), Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway on April 7), Rico Abreu – 1 (Arizona Speedway on April 8).
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Devil's Bowl Speedway, TX; April 14, 2017
Feature (25 Laps) - 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$8,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$4,000]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [4][$2,500]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [6][$2,200]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [12][$2,100]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [8][$2,000]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$1,800]; 8. 7S-Jason Sides [2][$1,600]; 9. 19-Brent Marks [11][$1,500]; 10. 33-Danny Lasoski [13][$1,300]; 11. 4K-Kasey Kahne [9][$1,200]; 12. 99-Brady Bacon [17][$1,100]; 13. 2C-Wayne Johnson [7][$1,000]; 14. 5-David Gravel [21][$700]; 15. 4-Paul McMahan [15][$600]; 16. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$600]; 17. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [22][$600]; 18. 67-Christopher Bell [3][$600]; 19. 82-Cap Henry [23][$600]; 20. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [16][$600]; 21. 81W-Danny Wood [18][$600]; 22. 14-Tony Stewart [20][$600]; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen [19][$600]; 24. 29-Travis Rilat [24][$600]; Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 11K-Kraig Kinser[+7]
Qualifying - 1. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.707; 2. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.78; 3. 67-Christopher Bell, 14.076; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.135; 5. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.166; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.229; 7. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 14.253; 8. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.263; 9. 17-Joey Saldana, 14.27; 10. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.308; 11. 19-Brent Marks, 14.367; 12. 4K-Kasey Kahne, 14.44; 13. 33-Danny Lasoski, 14.465; 14. 9-Daryn Pittman, 14.479; 15. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.49; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.501; 17. 14-Tony Stewart, 14.519; 18. 81W-Danny Wood, 14.52; 19. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 14.552; 20. 99-Brady Bacon, 14.564; 21. 4-Paul McMahan, 14.584; 22. 5-David Gravel, 14.588; 23. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.612; 24. 82-Cap Henry, 14.686; 25. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.754; 26. 99T-Skylar Gee, 14.92; 27. 29-Travis Rilat, 15.237; 28. 1X-Gary Taylor, 23.157; 29. 84-Scott Bogucki, 23.278
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2]; 3. 2C-Wayne Johnson [3]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 5. 33-Danny Lasoski [5]; 6. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [7]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [6]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [9]; 9. 5-David Gravel [8]; 10. 1X-Gary Taylor [10]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 7S-Jason Sides [1]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [2]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [3]; 4. 19-Brent Marks [4]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [5]; 6. 99-Brady Bacon [7]; 7. 14-Tony Stewart [6]; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [8]; 9. 99T-Skylar Gee [9]; 10. 84-Scott Bogucki [10]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 67-Christopher Bell [1]; 2. 17-Joey Saldana [3]; 3. 4K-Kasey Kahne [4]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2]; 5. 4-Paul McMahan [7]; 6. 81W-Danny Wood [6]; 7. 29-Travis Rilat [9]; 8. 82-Cap Henry [8]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [5]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps) - 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [2]; 3. 67-Christopher Bell [3]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [4]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [5]; 6. 17-Joey Saldana [6]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 1A-Jacob Allen [2][-]; 2. 14-Tony Stewart [3][-]; 3. 5-David Gravel [4][-]; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][-]; 5. 82-Cap Henry [6][-]; 6. 29-Travis Rilat [9][-]; 7. 99T-Skylar Gee [8][$300]; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [5][$250]; 9. 1X-Gary Taylor [10][$225]; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp [1][$200]; 11. 84-Scott Bogucki [11][$200]
David Gravel Scores His Fourth Season Win at Gator Motorplex
Packed House Cheers on Haudenschild after Three Collisions
WILLIS, TX — April 14, 2017 — "It is official. David Gravel has cleared the scales in the CJB Motorsports No. 5, headed to Victory Lane!” cried Johnny Gibson over the P.A. at Gator Motorplex Thursday night. This was win number four of the season in the No. 5 machine, and a twentieth career win for Gravel.
He worked hard for this one, starting in ten and working the high side. While Jason Sides started on the pole, with NASCAR driver Kasey Kayne in second, it was Paul McMahan in the lead when Gravel finally took it in lap 30 — and he took it from below.
“I started tenth and was in second before I knew it,” said the inaugural Gator Bash champ. "I knew it was a 40-lap race. I tried to be really patient with Paul [McMahan]. The curve got really really really tricky as the race went on, and I almost bit the wall a couple of times.”
But it wasn’t Gravel who bit the wall at all. That fell on Rookie-of-the-Year-contender Sheldon Haudenschild, who with four laps to go got into his third tangle of the night. Haudenschild was the unofficial fan favorite at Gator Motorplex, drawing loud cheers for his persistence each time he returned to the field after two flips. But the last one set him bouncing off the wall outside of turn four, right into Brad Sweet.
Sweet had been busy battling Donny Schatz for the fourth spot, which is precisely where Schatz remained after the checkered flag flew.
The inaugural Gator Bash saw a packed house in Willis, Texas, where fans cheered on Kahne as he made his return to dirt in the iRacing.com 4K. But after a lucky Dash inversion draw that put him on the pole, Kahne spun out during the Feature, turning sideways in turn four and causing Daryn Pittman and Dustin Gates to flip over each other.
Meanwhile, Sides maintained his lead until lap 14, when McMahan come up from third to take it from him. It wasn’t until 26 laps later that Gravel managed to final clear both of them, leading them into the checkers in just that order.
"Finishing second right now feels like a win - the way all last year went. But second still sucks,” said McMahan from Victory Lane.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return to action tomorrow, Friday night, at Devil's Bowl Speedway for the Texas Outlaw Nationals in Mesquite, TX.
RACE NOTES: David Gravel scored his fourth season win at the inaugural Gator Outlaw Bash at Gator Motoroplex, leading the final 11 laps of the 40-lap Feature. Paul McMahan and Jason Sides, the only two other lap leaders in the race, followed Gravel to Victory Lane, leaving points leader and defending champion Donny Schatz just short after a turn four incident took Brad Sweet and Sheldon Haudenschild out of the running.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Aaron Reutzel; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): David Gravel; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Brady Bacon; Comp Cams ($50 cash): SHane Stewart; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; Super Flow ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Jason Sides, Paul McMahan, Sheldon Haudenschild; Craftsman/Sears: Kasey Kahnef; KSE Hard Charger: Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): David Gravel; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Aaron Reutzel.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18 ); David Gravel - 4 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1, Gator Motorplex on April 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17); Brad Sweet - 1 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25), Logan Schuchart - 1 (Keller Auto Speedway), Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway), Rico Abreu – 1 (Arizona Speedway).
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Gator Motorplex, TX, April 13, 2017
Feature (40 Laps) - 1. 5-David Gravel [10][$10,000]; 2. 4-Paul McMahan [3][$5,500]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [1][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$2,800]; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [8][$2,500]; 6. 17-Joey Saldana [15][$2,300]; 7. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [11][$2,200]; 8. 99-Brady Bacon [14][$2,100]; 9. 2-Shane Stewart [19][$2,050]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [22][$2,000]; 11. 19-Brent Marks [12][$1,500]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18][$1,200]; 13. 67-Christopher Bell [21][$1,100]; 14. 82-Cap Henry [17][$1,050]; 15. 9-Daryn Pittman [9][$1,000]; 16. 84-Scott Bogucki [7][$900]; 17. W20-Greg Wilson [20][$800]; 18. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$800]; 19. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [6][$800]; 20. 4K-Kasey Kahne [2][$800]; 21. 87-Aaron Reutzel [13][$800]; 22. 17G-Dustin Gates [23][$800]; 23. 33-Danny Lasoski [16][$800]; 24. 2C-Wayne Johnson [24][$800]; Lap Leaders: Jason Sides 1-13, Paul McMahan 14-29, David Gravel 30-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+12]
Qualifying - 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.479; 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.517; 3. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.53; 4. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.573; 5. 4-Paul McMahan, 11.618; 6. 4K-Kasey Kahne, 11.631; 7. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 11.651; 8. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.661; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.663; 10. 84-Scott Bogucki, 11.681; 11. 82-Cap Henry, 11.687; 12. 19-Brent Marks, 11.773; 13. 5-David Gravel, 11.805; 14. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 11.838; 15. 17-Joey Saldana, 11.854; 16. 33-Danny Lasoski, 11.93; 17. 99-Brady Bacon, 11.947; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.991; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.027; 20. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.044; 21. 17G-Dustin Gates, 12.054; 22. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 12.081; 23. 67-Christopher Bell, 12.106; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.163; 25. 99T-Skylar Gee, 12.385; 26. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.385; 27. 88-Scottie McDonald, 12.672; 28. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.69
Heat #1 (10 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [2]; 3. 84-Scott Bogucki [4]; 4. 5-David Gravel [5]; 5. 87-Aaron Reutzel [3]; 6. 33-Danny Lasoski [6]; 7. 2C-Wayne Johnson [8]; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [7]; 9. 99T-Skylar Gee [9]; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp [10]
Heat #2 (10 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1]; 2. 4-Paul McMahan [2]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [3]; 4. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [5]; 5. 99-Brady Bacon [6]; 6. 82-Cap Henry [4]; 7. 67-Christopher Bell [8]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [7]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [9]
Heat #3 (10 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [1]; 2. 4K-Kasey Kahne [2]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [3]; 4. 19-Brent Marks [4]; 5. 17-Joey Saldana [5]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [6]; 7. 17G-Dustin Gates [7]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [8]; 9. 88-Scottie McDonald [9]
Craftsman Club Dash (8 Laps) - 1. 7S-Jason Sides [3]; 2. 4K-Kasey Kahne [1]; 3. 4-Paul McMahan [2]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [5]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [6]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [4]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [2][-]; 2. W20-Greg Wilson [1][-]; 3. 67-Christopher Bell [5][-]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8][-]; 5. 17G-Dustin Gates [3][-]; 6. 2C-Wayne Johnson [4][-]; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [10][$300]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [6][$250]; 9. 99T-Skylar Gee [7][$225]; 10. 88-Scottie McDonald [9][$200]
Abreu Closes Out Western Swing in Victory Lane Arizona Speedway
Gravel and Brown finish on the podium at Arizona Desert Shootout
QUEEN CREEK, AZ — April 8, 2017 — In a caution free event that saw passing throughout the 24-car field, it was Rico Abreu that perfectly timed a slide-job in Turn 2 to take over the top spot from Brian Brown at the half-way point of the 30-lap event. David Gravel was able to follow Abreu through to give him the second position. Abreu held off a hard-charging Gravel as they made their way through heavy lap traffic to pick up his first World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of the 2017 season at Arizona Speedway.
Coming into the Arizona stretch of the 2017 season, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series full-time drivers scored wins in first 12 events of the season. That stat changed after Brian Brown ran away with the Yuma Valley Showdown at Cocopah Speedway on Friday Night. The outsiders were looking to make it two-for-two in Arizona when the Series visited the Arizona Speedway for the second time in their history.
For the second night in a row, Brown started from the pole position. After jumping out to an early lead, Brown opened up a half-second lead over Abreu after a pass attempt that didn't stick.
On lap 12 of the 30-lap Arizona Desert Shootout, David Gravel who was running third made a move on Jason Sides to move him inside the top three.
At the half-way point, Abreu, from St. Helena, CA closed the gap on Brown while he was dealing with lap traffic and took advantage of the opportunity and threw a perfectly executed slide-job pass on Brown in Turn 2 to vault him into the lead.
"It's so easy to slow down to someone's pass, especially when they're in traffic," said Rico Abreu. "You've got to be committed on your slide jobs - that's what I do nowadays. I got a little impatient when we got to lap traffic but once I cleared some lap cars I felt really confident and made the move. I just tried to save my tires for the end as I knew it was going to get trickier for someone to peel off and pass."
While Abreu was making his move on Brown, Gravel was also able to sneak his No. 5 GoMuddy.com machine by for second.
"[traffic] started to play an issue there but I'm happy with a second-place finish," said David Gravel. "It was a really fun race with a lot of sliders. I just wanted to thank all my guys and everyone at CJB Motorsports. We'll take a second and move onto next week."
Out front as the leader, Abreu was left to navigate his way around heavy lap traffic but Abreu made quick work and was able to grow his lead to a one-second advantage.
As the laps started to tick away, Gravel worked his way back up to the rear bumper of Abreu. With just a few laps remaining, Gravel didn't get the opportunity to get by Abreu to add to his win total, instead it was Rico Abreu playing spoiler to the Outlaw regulars as the outsiders swept the Arizona weekend.
The Outlaws will head back east after a spending a month on the west coast of the United States for a makeup race at Gator Motorplex on Thursday April 13. A trip back to the place where it all started for the Outlaws at Devil's Bowl Speedway for a doubleheader on April 14 and 15.
For tickets visit WorldofOutlaws.com/Tickets or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
Arizona Speedway Notebook
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18 ); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1); Jason Johnson - 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17); Brad Sweet - 1 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25), Logan Schuchart - 1 (Keller Auto Speedway), Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway), Rico Abreu – 1 (Arizona Speedway).
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Billy Chester; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): David Gravel; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Sides; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Sheldon Haudensheld,; Super Flow ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Craftsman Club ($100 cash each):Jason Johnson, Joey Saldana, Jason Sides, David Gravel, N/A; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Brian Brown; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Kraig Kinser; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): David Gravel; JE Pistons (Set of Rings each): Logan Schuchart, Jacob Allen.
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Arizona Speedway, AZ. April 8, 2017
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 24-Rico Abreu [2][$10,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [6][$5,500]; 3. 21-Brian Brown [1][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$2,800]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [5][$2,500]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$2,300]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$2,200]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [8][$2,100]; 9. 17-Joey Saldana [4][$2,050]; 10. 4-Paul McMahan [10][$2,000]; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [19][$1,500]; 12. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [15][$1,200]; 13. 18-Ian Madsen [12][$1,100]; 14. 9-Daryn Pittman [18][$1,050]; 15. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [13][$1,000]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson [16][$900]; 17. 1S-Logan Schuchart [14][$800]; 18. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [17][$800]; 19. 19-Brent Marks [11][$800]; 20. 82-Stevie Sussex [21][$800]; 21. 2A-Austin Pierce [22][$800]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [20][$800]; 23. 5C-Billy Chester [23][$800], 24. 90-Lance Norick [24][$800]
Qualifying : 1. 5-David Gravel, 12.747; 2. 17-Joey Saldana, 12.751; 3. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.773; 4. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.79; 5. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.825; 6. 21-Brian Brown, 12.827; 7. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.852; 8. 24-Rico Abreu, 12.94; 9. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.971; 10. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 12.974; 11. 19-Brent Marks, 12.977; 12. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.977; 13. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.994; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.041; 15. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.064; 16. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.099; 17. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 13.188; 18. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.215; 19. 82-Stevie Sussex, 13.219; 20. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.25; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.267; 22. 90-Lance Norick, 13.351; 23. 2A-Austin Pierce, 13.354; 24. 5C-Billy Chester, 13.503; 25. 22-Cori Andrews, 13.781; 26. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.784. Lap Leaders: Brian Brown 1-15, Rico Abreu 16-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 11K-Kraig Kinser[+8]
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 5-David Gravel [1]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [2]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3]; 4. 4-Paul McMahan [5]; 5. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [4]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [6]; 7. 82-Stevie Sussex [7]; 8. 90-Lance Norick [8]; 9. 22-Cori Andrews [9]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 17-Joey Saldana [1]; 2. 24-Rico Abreu [3]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [2]; 4. 19-Brent Marks [4]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5]; 6. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [6]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7]; 8. 2A-Austin Pierce [8]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [9]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature:1. 7S-Jason Sides [1]; 2. 21-Brian Brown [2]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 4. 18-Ian Madsen [5]; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [3]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [6]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [7]; 8. 5C-Billy Chester [8]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps): 1. 21-Brian Brown [1]; 2. 24-Rico Abreu [2]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [3]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [5]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [4]; 6. 5-David Gravel [6]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2][-]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [3][-]; 3. 82-Stevie Sussex [1][-]; 4. 2A-Austin Pierce [5][-]; 5. 5C-Billy Chester [6][-]; 6. 90-Lance Norick [4][-]; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [8][$300]; 8. 22-Cori Andrews [7][$250]
‘Blackjack’ Brian Brown Returns to Victory Lane at Cocopah Speedway
Browns first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory in three years
SOMERTON, AZ – April 7, 2017 - Brian Brown ousted the field in the Yuma Valley Showdown at Cocopah Speedway for his first World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win in over three years. It was a race where track position was key and Brown had just that by starting on the pole of the 30-lap Feature event. Donny Schatz grabbed his tenth top-five of the season with a runner-up finish.
By winning the Craftsman Club® Dash, Brian Brown was awarded the pole position — a starting position that proved to be invaluable. At the drop of the green flag, the Grain Valley, MO-driver quickly jumped out to an early lead over the 24-car field.
“This is awesome, we’ve had a rough couple of nights,” said Brian Brown. “It’s been an awesome start to the year, but the last couple of nights haven’t been good. The [crew] had a talk before the race and decided to hit the reset button. We’ve been in position to win some of these races this year, we just haven’t capitalized. To beat these guys is an honor and we’re excited to get to [Arizona Speedway] tomorrow. I can’t thank Casey's General Stores, FVP and my crew enough for this.”
With Jason Sides settling into the second position from the get go, Sheldon Haudenschild tried to strike early at advancing his position with a slide job on Sides. The aggressive move didn’t stick however, proving costly as Schatz took advantage and vaulted into the fourth position.
The field started to search for more moisture on the track and eventually saw the groove move from the top of the 3/8th-mile oval down to the bottom. With leaders quickly approaching lap traffic, Schatz who was running third was able to get by Sides to move him into the runner-up position.
“We had a decent enough car to win but the way the track played out we had to be another row forward,” said Donny Schatz. “Everyone’s tires were bald and it was one groove in Turns 1 and 2 but Turn 3 and 4 had two grooves, we just used so much tires at the end. Just happy to salvage a second-place finish.”
The only slow down on the day for World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series came on lap 25 of the 30-lap Feature event. The No. 13 of Clyde Knipp and Shane Stewart tangled in Turn 4; Stewart was able to rejoin the field, while Knipp’s night was done early as he got a tow to the infield.
On the ensuing single-file restart Brown got off to a quick restart and jumped out to a five car-length lead over the No. 15 Arctic Cat machine of Donny Schatz. Making one last-ditch effort at Brown, Schatz came up unsuccessful allowing Brown to cruise to his first win of the 2017 season and his third career World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series win.
After experiencing motor issues during qualifying, Daryn Pittman and the No. 9 Great Clips Kasey Kahne Racing team changed power plants before the heat race. Pittman was able to qualify into the Feature event through the Last Chance Showdown to start 22nd on the field. The KSE Hard Charger gained positions during the feature to finish 14th.
The World of Outlaws head east for a stop at the Arizona Speedway for the Arizona Desert Showdown on Saturday, April 8th to wrap up the spring Western swing before making their way back to Texas for a make-up show at Gator Motorplex on Thursday, April 13th and Devil’s Bowl for a two-night event on April 14 and 15. For tickets visit WorldofOutlaws.com/Tickets or call 844-DIRT-TIX.
Cocopah Speedway Notebook
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18 ); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1); Jason Johnson - 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17); Brad Sweet - 1 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25), Logan Schuchart - 1 (Keller Auto Speedway), Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Cocopah Speedway, AZ. April 7, 2017
Feature (30 Laps) : 1. 21-Brian Brown [1][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$3,200]; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [2][$2,800]; 5. 4-Paul McMahan [6][$2,500]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$2,300]; 7. 5-David Gravel [10][$2,200]; 8. 18-Ian Madsen [7][$2,100]; 9. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8][$2,050]; 10. 24-Rico Abreu [12][$2,000]; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart [13][$1,500]; 12. 41-Jason Johnson [11][$1,200]; 13. 17-Joey Saldana [15][$1,100]; 14. 9-Daryn Pittman [22][$1,050]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$1,000]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17][$900]; 17. 2-Shane Stewart [9][$800]; 18. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [18][$800]; 19. 19-Brent Marks [19][$800]; 20. 5C-Billy Chester [21][$800]; 21. 82-Stevie Sussex [16][$800]; 22. 2A-Austin Pierce [23][$800]; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp [24][$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [20][$800] Lap Leaders: Brian Brown 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman[+8]
Qualifying : 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.529; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.67; 3. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.778; 4. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.907; 5. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.909; 6. 21-Brian Brown, 13.926; 7. 5-David Gravel, 13.948; 8. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 14; 9. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.001; 10. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.047; 11. 41-Jason Johnson, 14.129; 12. 17-Joey Saldana, 14.161; 13. 82-Stevie Sussex, 14.167; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.218; 15. 24-Rico Abreu, 14.333; 16. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.421; 17. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.459; 18. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 14.469; 19. 19-Brent Marks, 14.737; 20. 2A-Austin Pierce, 14.768; 21. 5C-Billy Chester, 14.878; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.906; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.924; 24. 22-Cori Andrews, 14.968; 25. 9-Daryn Pittman, NT
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 3. 18-Ian Madsen [2]; 4. 5-David Gravel [3]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6]; 6. 82-Stevie Sussex [5]; 7. 19-Brent Marks [7]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [9]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 4-Paul McMahan [2]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [1]; 3. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [3]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [4]; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [6]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [8]; 8. 2A-Austin Pierce [7]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 7S-Jason Sides [1]; 2. 21-Brian Brown [2]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [3]; 4. 24-Rico Abreu [5]; 5. 17-Joey Saldana [4]; 6. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [6]; 7. 5C-Billy Chester [7]; 8. 22-Cori Andrews [8]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps): 1. 21-Brian Brown [1]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [4]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [3]; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [6]; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [5]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) : Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 19-Brent Marks [1][-]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [5][-]; 3. 5C-Billy Chester [3][-]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [7][-]; 5. 2A-Austin Pierce [2][-]; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [4][-]; 7. 22-Cori Andrews [6][$300]
Gravel Leads Green-to-Checkers for Third Win of 2017 Season
Sweet and Haudenschild round out top-three at Perris Auto Speedway
PERRIS, CA – April 1, 2017 – David Gravel was the driver to beat at Perris Auto Speedway for the SoCal Showdown bringing an end the spring California swing. As the track rubbered-up, Gravel was in the ideal position, out front. Running mainly the high-lane around the half-mile oval, Gravel was able to pull away on multiple restarts to take home his third World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
“I’m happy I got the jump on the restarts and got the lead to manipulate the race for yourself,” said the driver of the No. 5 CJB Motorsports GoMuddy.com machine. “Just happy to get another win, this is definitely huge, this the most wins I’ve had this early in the season. Not that it takes the pressure off but you just want to keep it rolling.”
A top-five qualifying effort, a heat-race win, and a second in the Craftsman Club Dash, allowed for Gravel to start on the front row of tonight’s 30-lap Feature. The driver that started the SoCal Showdown from the pole was California-native, Brad Sweet. With Gravel checking-out on the initial start, Sweet had his hands full fending off the rookie-of-the-year contender, Sheldon Haudenschild for the second position. A red flag was displayed on Lap 10 when the No. 2x of Parker Price-Miller went for a tumble in Turn 2; Price-Miller walked away unscathed.
The battle between Haudenschild and Sweet continued with sporadic challenges from series points leader, Donny Schatz and Friday night’s runner-up Ian Madsen.
Coming off a last-place finish the night before, the No. 49 Kasey Kahne Racing team was able to rebound for a second-place finish to round out the California trip.
“[Gravel] was just able to get the run on the restarts,” said the driver of the No. 49 NAPA Auto Parts machine. “Hats off to our guys, we had a great car all night. We got into lap traffic and I would get a good run and a caution came out — sometimes [cautions] fall when you want them to sometime they don’t. We’ll keep digging and hopefully we can get the NAPA Auto Parts car back into Victory Lane soon.”
The young-gun, Sheldon Haudenschild who has been consistent the last couple of weeks brought home a podium finish for the second time this season.
“I tried to get position on Brad [Sweet] on those restarts but I didn’t gain enough ground,” said Sheldon Haudenschild. “I’m still happy with tonight — thanks to my guys for all their hardwork.”
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will be back in action next Friday, April 7 when they make their first visit to Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, AZ. The following night, the Outlaws will head east to Arizona Speedway for their second trip.
Tickets for these events can be purchased on dirtcar.ticketforce.com or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
Perris Auto Speedway Notebook
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18 ); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1); Jason Johnson - 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17); Brad Sweet - 1 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25), Logan Schuchart - 1 (Keller Auto Speedway).
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Parker Price-Miller; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): David Gravel; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Super Flow ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Craftsman Club ($100 cash each): Brad Sweet, David Gravel, Jason Sides, Sheldon Haudensheld, Shane Stewart; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): N/A; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): David Gravel; JE Pistons (Set of Rings each): Kraig Kinser, Randy Waitman.
Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 5-David Gravel [2][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$5,500]; 3. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [7][$2,800]; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [8][$2,500]; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [12][$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [10][$2,200]; 8. 7S-Jason Sides [3][$2,100]; 9. 21X-Carson Macedo [15][$2,050]; 10. W20-Greg Wilson [19][$2,000]; 11. 17-Joey Saldana [11][$1,500]; 12. 21-Brian Brown [16][$1,200]; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart [17][$1,100]; 14. 19-Brent Marks [14][$1,050]; 15. 1A-Jacob Allen [21][$1,000]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$900]; 17. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$800]; 18. 82-Stevie Sussex [20][$800]; 19. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$800]; 20. 26-Tayler Malsam [18][$800]; 21. 90-Randy Waitman [23][$800]; 22. 9Z-Jared Goerges [22][$800]; 23. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [9][$800]; 24. 73-Clyde Knipp (Substitute for Brady Bacon) [24][$800] Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+9]
Qualifying - 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.468; 2. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.482; 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 14.517; 4. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.603; 5. 5-David Gravel, 14.631; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.635; 7. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.654; 8. 18-Ian Madsen, 14.678; 9. 4-Paul McMahan, 14.69; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman, 14.748; 11. 17-Joey Saldana, 14.758; 12. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 14.799; 13. 21-Brian Brown, 14.852; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.86; 15. 73-Brady Bacon, 14.913; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 15.024; 17. 19-Brent Marks, 15.088; 18. 21X-Carson Macedo, 15.115; 19. 26-Tayler Malsam, 15.144; 20. 82-Stevie Sussex, 15.172; 21. 9Z-Jared Goerges, 15.195; 22. W20-Greg Wilson, 15.229; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen, 15.347; 24. 13-Clyde Knipp, 15.467; 25. 90-Randy Waitman, 16.199; 26. 22-Cori Andrews, 16.257
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [2]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [3]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [4]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [6]; 6. 21-Brian Brown [5]; 7. 26-Tayler Malsam [7]; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [8]; 9. 90-Randy Waitman [9]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 5-David Gravel [2]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [1]; 3. 18-Ian Madsen [3]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [4]; 5. 19-Brent Marks [6]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5]; 7. 82-Stevie Sussex [7]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [8]; 9. 22-Cori Andrews [9]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [1]; 3. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [4]; 4. 4-Paul McMahan [3]; 5. 21X-Carson Macedo [6]; 6. 73-Brady Bacon [5]; 7. 9Z-Jared Goerges [7]; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 5-David Gravel [2]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [4]; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [3]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [5]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [6]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 26-Tayler Malsam [1][-]; 2. W20-Greg Wilson [4][-]; 3. 82-Stevie Sussex [2][-]; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen [5][-]; 5. 9Z-Jared Goerges [3][-]; 6. 90-Randy Waitman [7][-]; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [6][$300]; 8. 22-Cori Andrews [8][$250]
Schuchart Charges from Deep at Keller for First Victory of 2017
Schatz comes from 21st to third for eighth top-five finish of the year
HANFORD, CA – April 1, 2017 –Shark Racing’s Logan Schuchart started the 35-lap Kings Outlaw Showdown from the 19th position at Keller Auto Speedway — the KSE Hard Charger award winner picked his way to the front of the 26-car field. Late in the race, Schuchart found the bottom groove of the 3/8th-mile oval to work his way past eventual runner-up, Ian Madsen on the final lap to score his first victory of the 2017 season.
After starting the season having overcome adversity when the teams tow-vehicle broke down on the way to the opening World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series event, the team relied on support from the racing industry to assist with getting them to each Outlaw event.
“This adds onto the excitement and the accomplishments. It doesn’t matter if you start from the pole or wherever, if you can win an Outlaws race, these things are really tough [to win] no matter where you go. I’m just happy for my team to be able to get a win and it just makes it that much more exciting to start from 19th. We just really need to thank [Ryan] Smith family for letting us use their toter-home to come all the way [to California] and everyone that donated to the GoFundMe, you never want to be in that position but we were in a tough spot and we wouldn’t be out here if it wasn’t for those people.”
Ian Madsen and James McFadden, made up an all-Australian front-row for the start of the Kings Outlaw Showdown at Keller Auto Speedway. It was Madsen who would show the way for a total of 31 of the 35 laps in the Feature.
The event was slowed several times, including on lap four when Brad Sweet, who came into the night second in points, brushed the outside Turn 4 wall. Sweet was forced to retire from the event early resulting in a 26th-place finish.
Making his presences known, the Hanover, PA-native Schuchart had worked his way up to the fourth running position by lap 14.
It was on lap 20 when the local hero, Cory Eliason from nearby Fresno, CA made a bid to steal the show by charging from the 16th-starting position to wrangle the lead away from Madsen. As the large crowd at the Keller Auto Speedway erupted in excitement, Eliason lost the handling on his No. 00 machine and spun on the backstretch; forfeiting the lead just as quickly as he got it.
With Madsen back in control of the lead once again, he fended off a new challenger in David Gravel. In total, Madsen had five different drivers start to his right on the double-file restarts. Schuchart snuck by Gravel on the restart and immediately went to work on Madsen.
“It was a pretty strong run for the KPC team,” said Ian Madsen driver of the No. 18. “Kind of got nervous [with all those restarts] didn’t really know what to do, with someone different coming up each time. We’ll go onto Perris and see if we can win.”
The driver of the No. 1s of Schuchart started to search around for some moisture; he eventually found it on the bottom groove.
“I was able to find a little moister off [turn] four and it helped me, at least for me to get up to [Madsen] so I could make a move in [turns] three and four,” added Schuchart.
The Series points leader, Donny Schatz who had to use the Last Chance Showdown to transfer into the Feature event put on a show to grab a third-place finish. This marks Schatz’s eighth top-five of the season.
This victory marks Schuchart’s third career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win.
The Series travels south to Perris Auto Speedway for the SoCal Showdown on Saturday Night to wrap up the Spring portion of the California swing.
Feature (35 Laps) - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$10,000]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [2][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [21][$3,200]; 4. 5-David Gravel [9][$2,800]; 5. 51-James McFadden [1][$2,500]; 6. 7S-Jason Sides [23][$2,300]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [25][$1,400]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [12][$2,100]; 9. 83-Kyle Hirst [11][$2,050]; 10. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,000]; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [26][$700]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [15][$1,200]; 13. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$1,100]; 14. 21X-Carson Macedo [14][$1,050]; 15. 4-Paul McMahan [10][$1,000]; 16. OO-Cory Eliason [16][$900]; 17. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8][$800]; 18. 17-Joey Saldana [4][$800]; 19. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [20][$800]; 20. 9-Daryn Pittman [24][$800]; 21. 21-Brian Brown [18][$800]; 22. 3C-DJ Netto [22][$800]; 23. 83JR-Tim Kaeding [13][$800]; 24. O-Bud Kaeding [17][$800]; 25. 24-Rico Abreu [6][$800]; 26. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$800]. Lap Leaders: Ian Madsen 1-18, 21-33; Cory Eliason 19-20; Logan Schuchart 34-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+18]
Qualifying - 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.999; 2. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.026; 3. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.053; 4. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.093; 5. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 13.157; 6. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.187; 7. 83-Kyle Hirst, 13.23; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.245; 9. 5-David Gravel, 13.251; 10. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.258; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.273; 12. 51-James McFadden, 13.279; 13. 83JR-Tim Kaeding, 13.324; 14. 21-Brian Brown, 13.335; 15. 3C-DJ Netto, 13.364; 16. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 13.368; 17. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.369; 18. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.371; 19. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.405; 20. 98-Sean Watts, 13.41; 21. O-Bud Kaeding, 13.416; 22. 21X-Carson Macedo, 13.474; 23. 26-Tayler Malsam, 13.48; 24. OO-Cory Eliason, 13.488; 25. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.532; 26. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.58; 27. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.635; 28. 73-Brady Bacon, 13.68; 29. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.702; 30. 9Z-Jared Goerges, 13.998; 31. 19-Brent Marks, 14.034; 32. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.51; 33. 90-Randy Waitman, NT
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature- 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [2]; 3. 5-David Gravel [3]; 4. 83JR-Tim Kaeding [4]; 5. O-Bud Kaeding [6]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [5]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [7]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [8]; 9. 90-Randy Waitman [9]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature- 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [2]; 3. 4-Paul McMahan [3]; 4. 21X-Carson Macedo [6]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [4]; 6. 7S-Jason Sides [5]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [7]; 8. 9Z-Jared Goerges [8]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature- 1. 17-Joey Saldana [1]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [5]; 3. 83-Kyle Hirst [2]; 4. 19-Brent Marks [8]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7]; 7. 26-Tayler Malsam [6]; 8. 3C-DJ Netto [4]
Heat #4 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature- 1. 24-Rico Abreu [1]; 2. 51-James McFadden [3]; 3. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 4. OO-Cory Eliason [6]; 5. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [4]; 6. 73-Brady Bacon [7]; 7. 98-Sean Watts [5]; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps) - 1. 51-James McFadden [1]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [2]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [3]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [6]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [7]; 6. 24-Rico Abreu [5]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [8]; 8. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [4]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 4 Transfer to Feature - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2][-]; 2. 3C-DJ Netto [1][-]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [3][-]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [6][-]; 5. 73-Brady Bacon [9][$300]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [7][$250]; 7. 98-Sean Watts [4][$225]; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8][$200]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [10][$200]; 10. 26-Tayler Malsam [5][$200]; 11. 13-Clyde Knipp [12][$200]; 12. 9Z-Jared Goerges [11][$200]; 13. 90-Randy Waitman [13][$200]
Friday Night of FVP Western Spring Shootout Cancelled Due to Heavy Rains
Event will resume Saturday, March 25 as regularly scheduled
STOCKTON, CA. - March 23, 2017 - The first night of the FVP Western Spring Shootout at the Stockton Dirt Track has been cancelled due to a forecast calling for rain in the Stockton, CA area most of Friday, March 24.
Despite the rain, the modern facilities at the San Joaquin Fairgrounds - including paved parking lots, under cover concourse and all-weather seating - will be ready for Saturday's event. The expansive horse track area will allow a mile of stone-based pit parking.
The FVP Western Spring Shootout will resume on Saturday, March 25, with the pit gates opening at 12 noon, tickets and will call opening at 1pm, and the grandstands opening at 4:00pm. Hot laps for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series will kick off on-track activities at 5:15pm.
Fans that have purchased Friday night tickets may exchange them for a Saturday March 24 ticket, use them at a future west coast World of Outlaw event, or submit them for a refund by mailing the ticket to: World Racing Group Inc. at 7575 W Winds Blvd NW Suite D, Concord, NC 28027 after the event; refunds will NOT be issued at the track. Fans that had tickets for Friday Night's race being held at will call, will need to call the World Racing Group office at 844-DIRT-TIX for a refund.
Fans that have purchased the two-day ticket package for both Friday and Saturday may exchange the Friday ticket for an additional Saturday March 24 ticket, use the Friday ticket at a future west coast World of Outlaw event, or receive a one-day refund by mailing your ticket back to World Racing Group Inc., at 7575 W Winds Blvd NW Suite D, Concord, NC 28027 after the event.
Donny Schatz charges from third to first in closing laps to win sixth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series feature in eight races
By Gary Thomas
Tulare, CA – March 18, 2017…Fargo, North Dakota’s Donny Schatz found more late-race magic on Saturday night getting around Kasey Kahne Racing teammates Brad Sweet and Daryn Pittman with just a few laps left en route to his sixth victory of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series season.
The triumph for Schatz was his first at the Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare since the 2007 season and came aboard the familiar Tony Stewart Racing/ Arctic Cat No. 15 machine. The eight-time World of Outlaws champion was settled in the third spot as the laps wound down, until making a thrilling move around the outside of the speedway to thread his way by the leaders in heavy lapped traffic.
“It feels really good to finally say we won in Tulare again,” Schatz said emphatically on the front stretch. “I didn’t think the track would take rubber so it kind of caught me by surprise. I really tried to save my tires and when we got to traffic late in the race the pace slowed down a lot. I decided I might as well try something and luckily it worked. I get all the credit, but it’s really all about my team. We have an incredible group of people that work on this race car and that makes it so much fun. I can’t thank all our sponsors enough for supporting us and giving us the opportunity to win races.”
The 35-lap feature started out with a three-wide battle for the lead that saw Pittman get the better of it to motor out into the lead over Sweet and pole sitter Shane Stewart.
Early on in the feature the racing was fantastic throughout the field, as the slick surface made for some tremendous action. Caution periods kept the leaders out of traffic however, as Pittman held command out front. Once the midway point of the feature approached rubber began to come down on the surface and made passing opportunities limited. Sweet had kept Pittman in his sights though and hounded the rear bumper of the Great Clips No. 9 for much of the distance.
When the five to go signal was given the top-three bunched up as Schatz looked to make his move. With 32-laps in the record books the current World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series point leader blasted to the high-side to drive around Sweet for the second spot. He then stayed up high and charged around Pittman for the lead coming down to complete lap 33. After that Schatz pulled away to take the checkered flag by 1.951 seconds back to runner up Pittman.
Even though he was disappointed in the outcome Pittman kept an upbeat attitude following the race saying, “This is basically a new team this year with our crew chief change so hopefully it will be a momentum boost for us. I did everything I could tonight, but our engine just wouldn’t run right in the feature. I definitely didn’t want to see the rubber because our car wouldn’t pull forward in it. Tulare is a tough track for me so I’m happy to be on the podium. It’s a long season and the wins will come. I’m definitely happy with the effort that our whole has put forth.”
Sweet crossed the stripe in third to earn another podium finish in the Kasey Kahne Racing/ Napa Auto Parts No. 49 Sprinter. “I was nervous that it would take rubber and Donny pretty much showed why he is the best tonight. He was able to make his line work the best and kind of schooled us, so we’ll keep plugging away to try and get better. We have some good tracks for us coming up so that has me excited. We’ll move on to Stockton and hopefully get a win next week.”
Wooster, Ohio’s Sheldon Haudenschild capped a strong weekend by finishing in the fourth spot, while Rutherford’s Rico Abreu rounded out the top-five. Completing the top-10 were Shane Stewart; Eunice, Louisiana’s Jason Johnson; San Jose’s Tim Kaeding; Lemoore’s Carson Macedo and Watertown, Connecticut’s David Gravel. Hanover, Pennsylvania’s Logan Schuchart earned the KSE Hard Charger Award by coming from 25th to 13th in the feature.
Australian Ian Madsen won the night’s Last Chance Showdown, with Shane Stewart taking home the Craftsman Club Dash. The four 10-lap heat races were picked off by Jason Johnson, Sheldon Haudenschild, Donny Schatz and Rico Abreu. Shane Stewart kicked-off the night by setting fast time in the 36-car field with a lap of 13.392 around the one-third mile clay oval.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return to action this coming Friday and Saturday at the Stockton Dirt Track for the FVP Western Spring Shootout.
Thunderbowl Raceway Notebook
Race Notes: Donny Schatz used lap traffic with two laps remaining to slip by Daryn Pittman for his sixth win of the 2017 season. Sweet secures second podium finish of weekend at Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 5 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18 ); Jason Johnson - 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17); David Gravel - 1 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report, Thunderbowl Raceway, CA, March 18, 2017
Feature - (35 Laps) 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3] [$10,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2] [$5,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [4] [$3,000]; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [8] [$2,700]; 5. 24-Rico Abreu [5] [$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [1] [$2,200]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [7] [$2,000]; 8. 83JR-Tim Kaeding [16] [$1,800]; 9. 21X-Carson Macedo [19] [$1,600]; 10. 5-David Gravel [10] [$1,450]; 11. 17-Joey Saldana [9] [$1,300]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [21] [$1,200]; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25] [$400]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [14] [$1,000]; 15. 19-Brent Marks [17] [$950]; 16. 18S-Jason Solwold [13] [$900]; 17. 4-Paul McMahan [18] [$850]; 18. 7S-Jason Sides [26] [$50]; 19. W20-Greg Wilson [23] [$725]; 20. 51-James McFadden [12] [$700]; 21. 21-Brian Brown [24] [$700]; 22. 3C-DJ Netto [6] [$700]; 23. 88-Terry McCarl [20] [$700]; 24. 20-Cory Eliason [11] [$700]; 25. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [15] [$700]; 26. 83-Kyle Hirst [22] [$700] Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-32, Donny Schatz 33-35 KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+12]
Qualifying - 1. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.392; 2. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.448; 3. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.451; 4. 3C-DJ Netto, 13.498; 5. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.512; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.568; 7. 20-Cory Eliason, 13.646; 8. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.662; 9. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.672; 10. 5-David Gravel, 13.708; 11. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.799; 12. 51-James McFadden, 13.807; 13. 19-Brent Marks, 13.828; 14. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.830; 15. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.832; 16. 88-Terry McCarl, 13.835; 17. 83-Kyle Hirst, 13.893; 18. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.894; 19. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 13.994; 20. 21-Brian Brown, 14.072; 21. 18S-Jason Solwold, 14.131; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.213; 23. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.241; 24. 83JR-Tim Kaeding, 14.318; 25. 37-Mitchell Faccinto, 14.323; 26. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 14.395; 27. 21X-Carson Macedo, 14.442; 28. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.446; 29. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr, 14.460; 30. 22-Cori Andrews, 14.461; 31. 98-Sean Watts, 14.513; 32. 29-Willie Croft, 14.581; 33. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.611; 34. 68-Chase Johnson, 14.681; 35. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.760; 36. O-Bud Kaeding, 14.850
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the Feature) 1. 41-Jason Johnson[2] ; 2. 2-Shane Stewart[1] ; 3. 17-Joey Saldana[3] ; 4. 18S-Jason Solwold[6] ; 5. 19-Brent Marks[4] ; 6. 83-Kyle Hirst[5] ; 7. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr[8] ; 8. 37-Mitchell Faccinto[7] ; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart[9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the Feature) 1. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[2] ; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman[4] ; 3. 5-David Gravel[3] ; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser[1] ; 5. 4-Paul McMahan[5] ; 6. 68-Chase Johnson[9] ; 7. 2X-Parker Price-Miller[7] ; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp[6] ; 9. 22-Cori Andrews[8]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the Feature) 1. 15-Donny Schatz[1] ; 2. 49-Brad Sweet[4] ; 3. 20-Cory Eliason[2] ; 4. 41S-Dominic Scelzi[5] ; 5. 21X-Carson Macedo[7] ; 6. W20-Greg Wilson[6] ; 7. 7S-Jason Sides[9] ; 8. 98-Sean Watts[8] ; 9. 18-Ian Madsen[3]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the Feature) 1. 24-Rico Abreu[2] ; 2. 3C-DJ Netto[1] ; 3. 51-James McFadden[3] ; 4. 83JR-Tim Kaeding[6] ; 5. 88-Terry McCarl[4] ; 6. 21-Brian Brown[5] ; 7. 29-Willie Croft[8] ; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen[7] ; 9. O-Bud Kaeding[9]
Craftsman Club® Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of Feature)
1. 2-Shane Stewart[2] ; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman[1] ; 3. 15-Donny Schatz[4] ; 4. 49-Brad Sweet[7] ; 5. 24-Rico Abreu[3] ; 6. 3C-DJ Netto[8] ; 7. 41-Jason Johnson[6] ; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[5]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the Feature)
1. 18-Ian Madsen[1] [-]; 2. 83-Kyle Hirst[2] [-]; 3. W20-Greg Wilson[5] [-]; 4. 21-Brian Brown[3] [-]; 5. 29-Willie Croft[12] [$300]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart[13] [$250]; 7. 68-Chase Johnson[14] [$225]; 8. 7S-Jason Sides[15] [$200]; 9. O-Bud Kaeding[16] [$200]; 10. 37-Mitchell Faccinto[6] [$200]; 11. 13-Clyde Knipp[4] [$200]; 12. 2X-Parker Price-Miller[7] [$200]; 13. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr[9] [$200]; 14. 98-Sean Watts[11] [$200]; 15. 22-Cori Andrews[10] [$200]; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen[8] [$200]
David Gravel gets by Shane Stewart late to claim first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win of season Friday in Tulare
by Gary Thomas
After scoring his first Thunderbowl Raceway World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win last season Watertown, Connecticut’s David Gravel returned on Friday night and made it back-to-back, earning his first series victory of 2017.
Gravel stalked race-long leader Shane Stewart as the laps wound down and made a beautiful power move to the outside with just a few circuits remaining to claim the victory aboard his CJB Motorsports/ Big Game Tree Stands No. 5 machine.
“I’ve watched Rico Abreu and Kyle Larson a lot here at the Trophy Cup so have definitely learned a thing or two about this place,” said Gravel on the front stretch. “Ever since the first time I came to Tulare it’s been an awesome place for me, and it feels great to win back-to-back here. I had nothing to lose there at the end so I just gave it a shot up top and luckily it worked out for us. My team gave me a great car so I can’t thank them enough. It’s been a crazy road these last few years, and I’m really happy with where I am right now. Hopefully we can come back tomorrow and do it again.”
The 35-lap feature started out with pole sitter Stewart getting the jump over outside front row Donny Schatz, who had won five of six races contested thus far going into Friday. Grass Valley, CA’s Brad Sweet quickly moved into second and tried to track down Stewart, prior to the caution waving for Willie Croft on lap nine. On the restart Carson Macedo then got upside down to bring out the red flag. On the next attempt Sweet challenged Stewart for the lead, but the Bixby, Oklahoma pilot was able to fend him off and motor away out front.
Things began to heat up at this point as the surface began to come in and allowed drivers the chance to dice it up for position on the one-third mile clay oval. Gravel and Sweet proceeded to fight hard for the second position going back and forth during one five-lap stretch. After exchanging the runner spot multiple times Sweet assumed the position and began to close in on Stewart with just 10-laps to go.
Things then came to a halt on lap 27 when Rutherford, CA’s Rico Abreu got upside down in the first and second corners while battling around the top-five.
On the restart Gravel was able to get around Sweet to grab second, before the final caution of the night flew for Terry McCarl on lap 30. After that Gravel stepped up his challenges on the leader when going back green and closed in on Stewart. With just a couple laps left he made the move of the race to go around Stewart and drive off to claim his second career Thunderbowl Raceway triumph by 0.977 seconds.
Stewart crossed the stripe in second to earn his fourth straight runner up finish in World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car competition at Thunderbowl Raceway.
“We had a good car tonight, but the driver just didn’t make the right moves late in the race,” said the pilot of the Larson Marks Racing/ Eneos No. 2 mount. “Sometimes the yellows work for you and sometimes they work against you. Tonight they didn’t quite work in our favor, but that’s how racing goes. Hats off to David Gravel, he drove a great race there at the end and found the faster line. I also have to give a big thanks to Kyle Larson, Justin Marks and all my guys. We have 90 races a year, so you just have to come back and concentrate on the next one. Big thanks to all the fans for coming out to Thunderbowl Raceway tonight.”
After racing near the front of the field for the entire feature Sweet brought home a third place finish at the checkered aboard the Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb/ Napa Auto Parts No. 49 Sprinter. “Running third definitely isn’t the goal, but anytime you can finish on the podium with the World of Outlaws is something to be proud of,” Sweet commented.
“We had a good car tonight and I feel like we’re starting to gel. It’s basically a whole new team this year with Kale working on the 49 car and we are making gains. We’ll come back tomorrow and hopefully improve two more positions. This is one of my home tracks so I’d really like to get a win here.”
Wooster, Ohio’s Sheldon Haudenschild put on an entertaining charge in the feature to come from 19th to fourth and claim the KSE Hard Charger Award. The Rookie of the Year contender was very impressive on the tricky Thunderbowl clay and was reminiscent of his father Jac during the night. Australian James McFadden rounded out the top-five in the main event after putting together a solid night. Completing the top-10 were Hanover, Pennsylvania’s Logan Schuchart, Schatz, Paradise, CA’s Kyle Hirst, Nashville, Tennessee’s Paul McMahan and San Jose, CA’s Tim Kaeding.
The night’s 12-lap Last Chance Showdown was captured by Mount Vernon, Washington’s Jason Solwold, with the Craftsman Club Dash going to Shane Stewart. The four 10-lap heat races were picked off by Owasso, Oklahoma’s Daryn Pittman, Brad Sweet, Shane Stewart and Donny Schatz. Rico Abreu started out the night by setting the fastest lap in the 36-car field with a blistering 12.630.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action tomorrow night at Thunderbowl Raceway to finish off the Tulare weekend.
Thunderbowl Raceway Notebook
RACE NOTES: David Gravel chased Shane Stewart to the checkers, taking the lead with only two laps to go. Brad Sweet came in third with Sheldon Haudenschild just missing the podium after starting 19th. A total of 36 cars made the field.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz – 5 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10); Jason Johnson – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17); David Gravel – 1 (Thunderbowl Raceway in March 17)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report, Thunderbowl Raceway, CA, March 17, 2017
Feature - (35 Laps) - 1. 5-David Gravel [4] [$10,000]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [1] [$5,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3] [$3,000]; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [19] [$2,700]; 5. 51-James McFadden [6] [$2,500]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8] [$2,200]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [2] [$2,000]; 8. 83-Kyle Hirst [14] [$1,800]; 9. 4-Paul McMahan [13] [$1,600]; 10. 83JR-Tim Kaeding [10] [$1,450]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [5] [$1,300]; 12. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [22] [$1,200]; 13. 18-Ian Madsen [9] [$1,100]; 14. 19-Brent Marks [20] [$1,000]; 15. 37-Mitchell Faccinto [17] [$950]; 16. 68-Chase Johnson [15] [$900]; 17. 88-Terry McCarl [18] [$850]; 18. 41-Jason Johnson [25] [$50]; 19. 17-Joey Saldana [26] [$25]; 20. 3C-DJ Netto [23] [$700]; 21. 24-Rico Abreu [7] [$700]; 22. O-Bud Kaeding [24] [$700]; 23. 29-Willie Croft [16] [$700]; 24. 21-Brian Brown [11] [$700]; 25. 21X-Carson Macedo [12] [$700]; 26. 18S-Jason Solwold [21] [$700]; Lap Leaders: Shane Stewart 1-32, David Gravel 33-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [+15]
Qualifying - 1. 24-Rico Abreu, 12.630; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.663; 3. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.704; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.741; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.800; 6. 83JR-Tim Kaeding, 12.806; 7. 51-James McFadden, 12.871; 8. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.879; 9. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.883; 10. 5-David Gravel, 12.889; 11. 21-Brian Brown, 12.899; 12. 29-Willie Croft, 12.900; 13. 18-Ian Madsen, 12.902; 14. 83-Kyle Hirst, 12.921; 15. 68-Chase Johnson, 12.929; 16. 21X-Carson Macedo, 12.951; 17. 18S-Jason Solwold, 12.963; 18. 88-Terry McCarl, 12.979; 19. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.981; 20. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 12.996; 21. 37-Mitchell Faccinto, 13.027; 22. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.030; 23. 20-Cory Eliason, 13.036; 24. 19-Brent Marks, 13.050; 25. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.073; 26. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 13.086; 27. O-Bud Kaeding, 13.115; 28. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.129; 29. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.154; 30. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr, 13.158; 31. 3C-DJ Netto, 13.182; 32. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.232; 33. 98-Sean Watts, 13.362; 34. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.419; 35. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.539; 36. 22-Cori Andrews, 13.725
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the Feature) - 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [2]; 2. 24-Rico Abreu [1]; 3. 18-Ian Madsen [4]; 4. 4-Paul McMahan [3]; 5. 37-Mitchell Faccinto [6]; 6. 18S-Jason Solwold [5]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [7]; 8. 17-Joey Saldana [8]; 9. 98-Sean Watts [9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the Feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 5-David Gravel [3]; 3. 83JR-Tim Kaeding [2]; 4. 83-Kyle Hirst [4]; 5. 88-Terry McCarl [5]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [6]; 7. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [8]; 8. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [7]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [9]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the Feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1]; 2. 51-James McFadden [2]; 3. 21-Brian Brown [3]; 4. 68-Chase Johnson [4]; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [5]; 6. O-Bud Kaeding [7]; 7. 3C-DJ Netto [8]; 8. 20-Cory Eliason [6]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [9]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the Feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1]; 3. 21X-Carson Macedo [4]; 4. 29-Willie Croft [3]; 5. 19-Brent Marks [6]; 6. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [5]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [8]; 8. 22-Cori Andrews [9]; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of Feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [2]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [1]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3]; 4. 5-David Gravel [6]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [4]; 6. 51-James McFadden [7]; 7. 24-Rico Abreu [5]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the Feature) - 1. 18S-Jason Solwold [1] [-]; 2. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [2] [-]; 3. 3C-DJ Netto [11] [-]; 4. O-Bud Kaeding [7] [-]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [5] [$300]; 6. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [10] [$250]; 7. 20-Cory Eliason [4] [$225]; 8. 17-Joey Saldana [9] [$200]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [15] [$200]; 10. 41-Jason Johnson [3] [$200]; 11. 98-Sean Watts [13] [$200]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8] [$200]; 13. 13-Clyde Knipp [14] [$200]; 14. 22-Cori Andrews [16] [$200]; 15. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [6] [$200]; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen [12] [$200]
Schatz Secures the Sweep at Vegas
Abreu and Schatz battle in the closing laps
LAS VEGAS – March 10, 2017 – In front of a nearly packed grandstand, local fans and beyond witnessed an exciting performance from one of the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series’ most elite drivers, Donny Schatz. Not only were members of the Nellis Air Force Base in attendance to witness their racing heroes fly around The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but the drivers were also racing on the fast-action track as a salute to America’s servicemen and women in the final night of the FVP Outlaw Showdown.
Schatz not only won his 11th series race at the half-mile, but also swept the event. Schatz doubled his $15,000 purse from the opener, collecting a total of $30,000 in winnings at Vegas. The North Dakota native was awarded the “Badlands Bonus” for both shows, as well as a gold-toned tool set commemorating Craftsman Tool’s 90th anniversary. He also took a pair of slot-machine trophies home to Fargo, N.D., one for each of his victories. Since the season opener in mid-February, Schatz has won five of the first six shows in 2017 – a personal best to start a World of Outlaws season.
“All I can say is, I finally got to ‘Park It,’” said Schatz in front of a roaring crowd. “We had something happen there in the mid-part of the race – I just couldn’t get into rhythm. I tried to get through lapped traffic and Rico [Abreu] obviously got by us there on the restart. I got in good position to get out front and had clear track after that. It’s been tricky here, but if it was easy then it wouldn’t be fun for any of us. I was a little nervous when he got by. Every time I get into this car, it’s unbelievable.
When you get to when you win 25 or 30 races in a season, it’s expected of you. These guys work so hard to do that, and for the driver it’s the same way. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re at…you have to work on your flaws. We’ve never started strong. We’re working on that flaw, and it’s worked so far.”
Schatz, who spent the majority of his time skimming the top cushion, started on the outside of the first row for the 30-lap feature. Earlier in the program, Schatz won his heat race after a thrilling pass entering turn three in the closing laps. Though he made the pass from the bottom in his heat, Schatz laid his tracks on the outside for the feature. This proved to give Schatz’s No. 15 Tony Stewart-Curb/Agajanian Racingcar enough of a surge to thunder down the front straightaway faster than those around him. Schatz took the lead from fellow series regular Logan Schuchart almost instantaneously to when the green flag dropped; however, Schuchart did not accept an early defeat. A yellow flag followed with one lap completed, which regrouped the field – giving Schuchart a chance to reclaim the lead in his No. 1s Marty Thompson Investments/Newman’s Towing & Recovery car.
In Schuchart’s eight appearances at the track, his best finish was Thursday night when he recorded a top-five finish. By virtue of the Craftsman Club® Dash, Schuchart went on to lead the field into the green flag for the first time since September 24, 2016 at Lernerville Speedway. Though Schatz had the upper-hand – momentarily – Schuchart quickly recovered on the restart by using the extra momentum exiting turn two to recapture the lead. Thereon, he created a 1.115-second buffer. While Schuchart progressed, Schatz regressed into a battle with Abreu. Abreu climbed 19 positions Thursday night to finish third in the feature; he started third Friday night.
Lap 12 was one of the most pivotal moments of the feature, as Schuchart, Abreu and Schatz spread nearly three-wide across the front stretch. The three virtually locked wheels – a few feet from one another. Schatz reaction time was the quickest of the three, as he weaved through Schuchart and Abreu for the lead entering turn one. Two laps later, Abreu overtook Schuchart in turn two; by this time, Schatz increased his lead to more than a two-second margin.
While Schuchart faded in third position, Abreu continued to gain ground on Schatz. By lap 21, Abreu attempted a risky maneuver by jumping the cushion in turn two. Abreu’s move was successful, as he was able to carry enough speed to pass Schatz in turn four. The shear speed of his No. 24R Abreu Vineyards/Priority Aviation car though caused him to tap the wall in turn four, breaking his momentum. Schatz took advantage of Abreu’s mistake and reclaimed the spot – until a yellow flag regrouped the field. Abreu was still .053-seconds ahead of Schatz when the two crossed the line, so Abreu retained the top spot because of the caution.
“I was just thinking about what to do to stay ahead,” said Abreu, who leaves Vegas with two podium finishes. “Just some poor decisions there at the end of the race on my part. I just live and learn. You learn so much racing with the Outlaws. The pace is so fast, so you try your hardest every lap. When you’re trying really hard, it’s easy to make mistakes. I felt like once we got to traffic and I got passed Donny, I just made bad decisions behind lapped cars. I just get so nervous trying to clear guys – to try not to clear them too far to blow through the cushion and hit the wall. We’re knocking on the door and everyone is chasing this No. 15 Arctic Cat car.”
His lead was quickly thwarted. Abreu chose the bottom on the restart. Schatz, who was continually strong from the top, beat Abreu on the restart. He never looked back. Schatz opened-up a 1.272-second lead over Abreu, and finished the feature ahead of the pack by nearly the same margin. Schuchart rounded-out the podium – a personal best at the track.
“Any time you’re improving, that’s key,” Schuchart said. “We’ve been here a couple times and really haven’t had good finishes. Our season started really slow, but we got our engine working really good, and our guys are doing great. We had a good car this week, and we improved every night. But any time you start on the pole and go backward, it’s not what you want to happen. The World of Outlaws is a very tough group of drivers and teams, and to be sitting out here…you know you did a good job.”
By sweeping the Vegas stretch, Schatz is the only driver eligible for another $10,000 from Badlands Motor Speedway’s bonus system. He will attempt that feat at the Outlaw FanFest on July 1-2 at Badlands Motor Speedway. Schatz joking said, “Yeah, no pressure. But we feed off of that.”
“Ironically enough, we did win the last race there,” said Schatz, who won the finale in 2016. “It’s been a great place there. I’ve always cut my teeth there back in the day – I’ve wrecked a lot of equipment there. So, it’s fun to go there and get those victories. If we can get back there and do it again, it’ll be extra-special.”
The World of Outlaws acknowledged more than a half-dozen members of the United States Air Force at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Airmen and women took part in pre-race ceremonies before heat races were underway. During the ceremony, thousands of fans stood to their feet, giving them a standing ovation for their service. A deafening “U-S-A” chant echoed throughout the facility. On Thursday morning, drivers took a tour of the base – filled with advanced aviation technology – in hopes of reaching high-octane speeds like the fighter jets circling the Las Vegas Motor Speedway complex.
The tour begins its California swing – seven events through five tracks – with Thunderbowl Raceway from March 17-18. To learn how to purchase tickets, visit www.tularethunderbowl.com.
The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: In an instant-classic, Donny Schatz battled the podium to win the FVP Outlaw Showdown finale at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Rico Abreu, who led the race late, made contact with the turn four wall in the closing laps. His mistake gave way for Schatz to secure the lead. Logan Schuchart, who led the field into the green flag, rounded-out the podium for his best finish at the track.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jason Johnson; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Brent Marks; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; VP Racing ($50 cash):Daryn Pittman; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brent Marks;Cometic Gaskets ($50 cash):Greg Wilson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): David Gravel, Kraig Kinser, Greg Wilson;Craftsman/Sears: Rico Abreu; KSE Hard Charger: Carson Macedo; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Terry McCarl; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Joey Saldana
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz – 5 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10);Jason Johnson – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nev.; March 10, 2017
Feature - (30 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2] [$10,000]; 2. 24R-Rico Abreu [3] [$5,000]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] [$3,000]; 4. 21-Brian Brown [6] [$2,700]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [14] [$2,500]; 6. 5-David Gravel [4] [$2,200]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [10] [$2,000]; 8. 18-Ian Madsen [9] [$1,800]; 9. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5] [$1,600]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [18] [$1,450]; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7] [$1,300]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [21] [$1,200]; 13. 21X-Carson Macedo [24] [$1,100]; 14. W20-Greg Wilson [8] [$1,000]; 15. 4-Paul McMahan [15] [$950]; 16. 24-Terry McCarl [19] [$900]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [12] [$850]; 18. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [23] [$750]; 19. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [20] [$725]; 20. 1A-Jacob Allen [22] [$700]; 21. 17-Joey Saldana [13] [$700]; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp [25] [$]; 23. 41-Jason Johnson [16] [$700]; 24. 49X-Tim Shaffer [11] [$700]; 25. 29-Willie Croft [17] [$700]; Lap Leaders: Logan Schuchart 1-12; Donny Schatz 13-20, 24-30; Rico Abreu 21-23; KSE Hard Charger Award: 21X-Carson Macedo [+11]
Qualifying - 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 14.228; 2. 21-Brian Brown, 14.241; 3. 18-Ian Madsen, 14.244; 4. 4-Paul McMahan, 14.386; 5. 17-Joey Saldana, 14.458; 6. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.505; 7. 24R-Rico Abreu, 14.576; 8. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 14.685; 9. 29-Willie Croft, 14.700; 10. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr, 14.768; 11. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.781; 12. 17B-Josh Baughman, 14.796; 13. 21X-Carson Macedo, 14.859; 14. 41X-Dominic Scelzi, 14.906; 15. 18S-Jason Solwold, 14.917; 16. 24-Terry McCarl, 14.952; 17. 49D-Shawn Dancer, 14.970; 18. 51-James McFadden, 15.005; 19. 22-Cori Andrews, 15.361; 20. 99T-Skylar Gee, 15.399; 21. 21P-Robbie Price, 15.432; 22. 5-David Gravel, 14.554; 23. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.670; 24. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.710; 25. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.730; 26. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.741; 27. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.742; 28. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.755; 29. 41-Jason Johnson, 14.792; 30. 9-Daryn Pittman, 14.813; 31. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.830; 32. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.980; 33. 19-Brent Marks, 15.038; 34. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 15.046; 35. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 15.074; 36. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 15.124; 37. O-Bud Kaeding, 15.137; 38. 3C-DJ Netto, 15.244; 39. 73-Brady Bacon, 15.603; 40. Y69-Randy Waitman, 15.858; 41. 90-Lance Norick, 15.881
Heat 1- (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen [1]; 2. 24R-Rico Abreu [4]; 3. 18-Ian Madsen [2]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [3]; 5. 29-Willie Croft [5]; 6. 21X-Carson Macedo [7]; 7. 18S-Jason Solwold [8]; 8. 49D-Shawn Dancer [9]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [6]; 10. 21P-Robbie Price [11]; 11. 22-Cori Andrews [10]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. W20-Greg Wilson [3]; 2. 21-Brian Brown [1]; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer [4]; 4. 4-Paul McMahan [2]; 5. 24-Terry McCarl [8]; 6. 51-James McFadden [9]; 7. 17B-Josh Baughman [6]; 8. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [7]; 9. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [5]; 10. 99T-Skylar Gee [10]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 5-David Gravel [1]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [4]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [5]; 6. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [7]; 7. 3C-DJ Netto [9]; 8. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [6]; 10. Y69-Randy Waitman [10]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3]; 2. 11K-Kraig Kinser [1]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [2]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [4]; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [5]; 6. 87-Aaron Reutzel [7]; 7. 19-Brent Marks [6]; 8. O-Bud Kaeding [8]; 9. 73-Brady Bacon [9]; 10. 90-Lance Norick [10]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of feature) - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 3. 24R-Rico Abreu [5]; 4. 5-David Gravel [2]; 5. 2M-Kerry Madsen [1]; 6. 21-Brian Brown [7]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8]; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [3]
C-Main - (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the Last Chance Showdown) - 1. 51-James McFadden [3] [-]; 2. 3C-DJ Netto [2] [-]; 3. 49D-Shawn Dancer [1] [$150]; 4. 73-Brady Bacon [4] [$150]; 5. 99T-Skylar Gee [7] [$150]; 6. 21P-Robbie Price [9] [$125]; 7. 90-Lance Norick [8] [$125]; 8. 22-Cori Andrews [5] [$125]; 9. Y69-Randy Waitman [6] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 19-Brent Marks [4] [-]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [3] [-]; 3. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [6] [-]; 4. 21X-Carson Macedo [7] [-]; 5. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [1] [$300]; 6. 51-James McFadden [13] [$250]; 7. O-Bud Kaeding [12] [$225]; 8. 17B-Josh Baughman [5] [$200]; 9. 18S-Jason Solwold [11] [$200]; 10. 3C-DJ Netto [14] [$200]; 11. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [9] [$200]; 12. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [10] [$200]; 13. 87-Aaron Reutzel [8] [$200]; 14. 13-Clyde Knipp [2] [$200]
Schatz Slips by to Win at Vegas
Rico Abreu battles his way from the back to finish on the podium
LAS VEGAS – March 9, 2017 – As the sun sank below The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Thursday night, a cool breeze drifted through a near-capacity crowd. Specifically on the half-mile course, the intense crosswinds from the track were the product of 42 World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series winged-sprints. The No. 15 Tony Stewart-Curb/Agajanian Racing car of Donny Schatz was the fastest in the field, taking the first night of the FVP Outlaw Showdown.
Schatz earned his 10th career series win at the track, which has hosted the tour for 20 years sporadically. The stop marks the series’ fifth consecutive multi-day event at the track, which is an extension of its 36 total appearances since 1996. Schatz’s first victory came in 1999.
“If it wasn’t for this Stewart-Curb Racing team, we wouldn’t be up here so hats off to them,” said Schatz with his team looking-on in victory lane. “They worked their tails off all winter long and it’s getting better.”
Though the eight-time series champion has reaped the riches several times at the track, this victory offered a purse larger than years passed. A $5,000 winner’s bonus was awarded to the North Dakota-native, as a part of a four-show sponsorship from Badlands Motor Speedway. Badlands will offer a $5,000 purse to winners of the Vegas stretch and at its multi-day event, the Outlaw FanFest – a total of $20,000. Schatz earned a grand total of $15,000 for his victory, including the stack of cash presented to him in Victory Lane.
“Thank you Badlands Motor Speedway,” Schatz said. “Any time you get the extra money, out of courtesy you thank them for their support – like all you fans in the seats. It sure makes it fun to be standing up here.”
Not only did the victory have a larger payout, but it also tested a driver who has won four of the first five shows in 2017. Schatz got the best case scenario in a photo-finish at the line, winning by a narrow 0.046-second margin. He started the 26-lap feature in fourth position, and used a series of restarts to gain ground on each of the podium spots ahead of him. When the green flag dropped, he made his move into the podium and had his sights set on second.
Schatz contested for the runner-up spot in the opening laps, challenging Brian Brown from the bottom. Brown shut down his advances exiting Turn 1 for the first three laps until a red flag reset the field. Shane Stewart, who led the 25-car field into the green flag, got tangled-up in lapped traffic entering turn two of the sixth lap. The aftermath of the wreck forced Stewart to forfeit the top spot, bumping the field up by one position. Schatz thereon targeted Brown for the lead.
It only took one lap for Schatz to wedge his racecar underneath Brown’s No. 21 FVP/Casey’s General Stores car in turn two. Schatz widened the gap to nearly one-second over Brown, while Jason Johnson moved into the final podium spot by Lap 16. A red flag on that lap regrouped the field yet again; at this point, three of the top-five drivers were series regulars (Schatz, Johnson and Sheldon Haudenschild).
Several battles transpired on the restart, as Brown challenged Schatz for the lead from the bottom, and Johnson and Ian Madsen rubbed tires barreling out of the front-stretch. While Johnson was successful, Brown was not as he was penalized for an early start; he was docked one position. The field regrouped for the race’s third restart with Schatz and Johnson – the only two to win a feature event in 2017 – side-by-side in the first row.
In the closing laps, Schatz built a cushion – that did not last. Brown reclaimed second position over Johnson within the final 10 laps of the feature. The race’s final caution extended the 25-lap feature by one lap by virtue of a green-white-checkered. In the final lap, Brown launched his car to the outside of Schatz. The two barreled down the front-stretch to the checkers, and it was Schatz by a nose.
“I always want to win ones like those,” Brown said. “We got a good run [at Schatz], but when you race with a guy like him you need to make a split-decision at 130 miles per hour. I felt like I got through turns one and two pretty well, but on the backstretch I probably should’ve done something a little different. He got a good run off of four and I was like, ‘Gosh darn it, I’m not going to win this race.’ To be up there and race with guys like Donny Schatz is an honor. He’s the Steve Kinser of today.”
Rico Abreu, who was awarded the KSE Hard Charger award, rounded-out the podium in his No. 24R Abreu Vineyards/Priority Aviation car. Starting 21st in the feature, Abreu swiftly navigated through the pack and eventually bested Johnson in the closing laps. Abreu said, “You just simply need to learn how to breathe and make good decisions.”
“When the race gets kind of strung-out, you have to pace yourself,” Abreu said. “You just need to be patient at times and be aggressive on those restarts. I knew we were going to get a few restarts where we could get a breather. Schatz and Brown are the best guys right now besides Jason [Johnson]. It feels good just to get a good finish.”
Stewart, who won his heat race and the Craftsman Club® Dash, rebounded not only from mechanical issues from earlier in the night but also from an unfortunate wreck in the feature. Stewart climbed his way into ninth, recording his second top-ten finish of the season.
Johnson, who ultimately recorded his fourth top-five performance of the season, set the night’s quick-time in time trials. He was roughly one-hundredth of a second off Danny Lasoski’s track record of 13.719. Five of the 42 drivers in time trials posted a lap time less than 14 seconds, recording an average time of 13.948 – nearly two-hundredths of a second off the record pace Lasoski set in 2004.
The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz earned his fourth victory in the series’ first five events Thursday night, winning the first night of the FVP Outlaw Showdown at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway – by a 0.046-second margin. In a race to the finish, Brian Brown was short by a nose to finish second on the night. Rico Abreu, the KSE Hard Charger award-winner, climbed his way up from 21st position to round-out the podium.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Terry McCarl; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing ($50 cash):Shane Stewart; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Sheldon Haudenschild; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana;Cometic Gaskets ($50 cash):Daryn Pittman; Super Flow ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Jason Johnson, Joey Saldana, Logan Schuchart, Sheldon Haudenschild;Craftsman/Sears: Brian Brown; KSE Hard Charger: Rico Abreu; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Aaron Reutzel
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz – 4(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9);Jason Johnson – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nev.; March 9, 2017
Feature - (26 Laps due to green-white-checkered finish) -1. 15-Donny Schatz [4] [$10,000]; 2. 21-Brian Brown [2] [$5,000]; 3. 24R-Rico Abreu [21] [$3,000]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [5] [$2,700]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7] [$2,500]; 6. 18-Ian Madsen [3] [$2,200]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [9] [$2,000]; 8. 2M-Kerry Madsen [14] [$1,800]; 9. 2-Shane Stewart [1] [$1,600]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [8] [$1,450]; 11. 49-Brad Sweet [12] [$1,300]; 12. 17-Joey Saldana [6] [$1,200]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [20] [$1,100]; 14. 9-Daryn Pittman [10] [$1,000]; 15. 73-Brady Bacon [23] [$950]; 16. 5-David Gravel [16] [$900]; 17. W20-Greg Wilson [11] [$850]; 18. 21X-Carson Macedo [17] [$750]; 19. 17B-Josh Baughman [19] [$725]; 20. 4-Paul McMahan [25] [$]; 21. 87-Aaron Reutzel [13] [$700]; 22. 7S-Jason Sides [15] [$700]; 23. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [22] [$700]; 24. 24-Terry McCarl [24] [$700]; 25. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [18] [$700];Lap Leaders:Shane Stewart 1-6; Brian Brown 7, 25; Donny Schatz 8-24, 26; KSE Hard Charger Award: 24R-Rico Abreu [+18]
Qualifying -1. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.875; 2. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.975; 3. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.021; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.049; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.145; 6. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.160; 7. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 14.181; 8. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.213; 9. 24R-Rico Abreu, 14.226; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.236; 11. 21X-Carson Macedo, 14.227; 12. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr, +; 13. 18S-Jason Solwold, 14.352; 14. 17B-Josh Baughman, 14.361; 15. O-Bud Kaeding, 14.370; 16. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 14.523; 17. 3C-DJ Netto, 14.555; 18. 99T-Skylar Gee, 14.981; 19. 9Z-Jared Goerges, 15.098; 20. 22-Cori Andrews, 15.172; 21. Y69-Randy Waitman, 15.630; 22. 21-Brian Brown, 13.903; 23. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.990; 24. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.996; 25. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.055; 26. 9-Daryn Pittman, 14.056; 27. 5-David Gravel, 14.067; 28. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 14.082; 29. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.125; 30. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 14.146; 31. 19-Brent Marks, 14.231; 32. 24-Terry McCarl, 14.316; 33. 41X-Dominic Scelzi, 14.332; 34. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 14.343; 35. 73-Brady Bacon, 14.345; 36. 29-Willie Croft, 14.422; 37. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.429; 38. 49D-Shawn Dancer, 14.465; 39. 51-James McFadden, 14.501; 40. 90-Lance Norick, 15.128; 41. 4-Paul McMahan, nt; 42. 21P-Robbie Price, nt
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) -1. 41-Jason Johnson [1] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2] ; 3. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3] ; 4. 87-Aaron Reutzel [4] ; 5. 21X-Carson Macedo [6] ; 6. 24R-Rico Abreu [5] ; 7. 18S-Jason Solwold [7] ; 8. O-Bud Kaeding [8] ; 9. 3C-DJ Netto [9] ; 10. 9Z-Jared Goerges [10] ; 11. Y69-Randy Waitman [11]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) -1. 18-Ian Madsen [1] ; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2] ; 3. W20-Greg Wilson [3] ; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [4] ; 5. 17B-Josh Baughman [7] ; 6. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [6] ; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [5] ; 8. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8] ; 9. 99T-Skylar Gee [9] ; 10. 22-Cori Andrews [10]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) -1. 21-Brian Brown [1] ; 2. 17-Joey Saldana [2] ; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [3] ; 4. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4] ; 5. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [5] ; 6. 24-Terry McCarl [6] ; 7. 29-Willie Croft [8] ; 8. 21P-Robbie Price [11] ; 9. 90-Lance Norick [10] ; 10. 49D-Shawn Dancer [9] ; 11. 49X-Tim Shaffer [7]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) -1. 2-Shane Stewart [1] ; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2] ; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [4] ; 4. 5-David Gravel [3] ; 5. 19-Brent Marks [5] ; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [10] ; 7. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [6] ; 8. 73-Brady Bacon [7] ; 9. 51-James McFadden [9] ; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of feature) -1. 2-Shane Stewart [4] ; 2. 21-Brian Brown [2] ; 3. 18-Ian Madsen [3] ; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [5] ; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [1] ; 6. 17-Joey Saldana [6] ; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7] ; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [8]
C-Main - (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the Last Chance Showdown) -1. 51-James McFadden [4] [-]; 2. 3C-DJ Netto [1] [-]; 3. 4-Paul McMahan [8] [$150]; 4. 49D-Shawn Dancer [2] [$150]; 5. 99T-Skylar Gee [3] [$150]; 6. 21P-Robbie Price [10] [$125]; 7. Y69-Randy Waitman [9] [$125]; 8. 22-Cori Andrews [7] [$125]; 9. 90-Lance Norick [6] [$125]; 10. 9Z-Jared Goerges [5] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the feature)- 1. 24R-Rico Abreu [1] [-]; 2. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [4] [-]; 3. 73-Brady Bacon [8] [-]; 4. 24-Terry McCarl [2] [-]; 5. 51-James McFadden [13] [$300]; 6. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [5] [$250]; 7. 49X-Tim Shaffer [6] [$225]; 8. 18S-Jason Solwold [7] [$200]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [3] [$200]; 10. 29-Willie Croft [10] [$200]; 11. O-Bud Kaeding [9] [$200]; 12. 3C-DJ Netto [14] [$200]; 13. 13-Clyde Knipp [12] [$200]; 14. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [11] [$200]
Schatz Sweeps the Show at LoneStar
Sheldon Haudenschild records first podium finish in rookie season
KILGORE, Tex. – March 3, 2017 – There is a crater wrapped around turns one and two of LoneStar Speedway – now a reinvented third-mile dirt course. Shortened from a 3/8-mile oval since the last time the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series visited there in 2010, the “Greatest Show on Dirt” competed on the equally as fast bullring Friday night for the first time at the new length. Wheel-to-wheel with 23 other cars, Donny Schatz avoided the expected dangers of short-track racing and took the checkered flag without a hitch.
Schatz led all 35 laps in his victory, taking home not only the trophy but also a gold-toned Limited Edition Craftsman wrench set for the company’s 90th anniversary. Though Schatz established his dominance throughout the program – setting the night’s quick-time, and winning his heat and the Craftsman Club Dash – it did not come as easily as it seemed on paper. From an assumingly unlikely challenger – in terms of their resumes – the eight-time series champion was challenged by Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender Sheldon Haudenschild throughout the night.
“[Sheldon] was there from the start and did everything he needed to do,” Schatz said. “It’s an experience thing. Obviously he is a good, young driver. He’s got a bright future ahead of him. But we try not to focus on what someone else is doing. We have to focus on our own stuff to try to stay ahead of these young guys.”
Haudenschild, 23, was less than a tenth of a second off Schatz’s quick-time, and he also won his way into the dash. The two started on the front row of the feature, where the son of the "Wild Child” Jac Haudenschild would have his chance to make his own name in the series. He wasted no time.
“I had a good starting spot, but it was just difficult to pass,” Haudenschild said. “I tried to make it happen early when I slid [Donny] twice, but just didn’t have the speed in the corners to do it. I just need to be there in the end. I’m happy with the performance. To get a good run early in the season is a confidence-booster, and we’ll try to carry that momentum. I know I have a really great car and crew. Getting in these dashes is a big part of it.”
Haudenschild, starting to the right of Schatz’s No. 15 Tony Stewart-Curb/Agajanian Racing machine, dipped under him once the green flag dropped. He challenged Schatz on the bottom, but the top proved to be the quickest route to shutting down Haudenschild’s advances. Schatz and Haudenschild tangoed briefly, but the defending champion quickly opened-up his lead to a 1.345-second margin.
Thereon, Haudenschild was sandwiched in-between two drivers that have wins in 2017 – Schatz and 2016 Knoxville Nationals Champion Jason Johnson. Haudenschild’s No. 93 Southern Pacific Farms/ Rico Abreu Racing car escaped Johnson’s challenge for second with 20 laps remaining. Haudenschild distanced himself from Johnson, gaining more than a one-second advantage over his No. 41 Priority Aviation/ Mesilla Valley Transportation racecar.
The race’s first caution five laps later regrouped the field; Johnson took advantage. Barreling out of turn four, Johnson overtook Haudenschild. By this time, the top-five was all series regulars – Schatz, Johnson, Haudenschild, Brad Sweet and David Gravel respectively. Through two more cautions in the feature, Johnson managed to close the gap between him and Schatz to as narrow as a .733-second margin. He could not capitalize.
“You’re racing the best guy in the business (Schatz),” Johnson said. “He’s not going to make any mistakes. Those guys are clicking and doing a great job. But my guys have done a great job making great, consistent Maxim cars, and we communicated over the winter with Paul Kistler about the motors we had success with in 2016. We have great communication, and I’m in the best physical shape in my life as far as racing. Mentally, I’m in a great position because of the Jason Johnson Racing- Marshall Racing merger.”
The tour concludes its first stint in Texas with the Gator Outlaw Bash at Gator Motorplex on Saturday, March 4. For ticket information, visit SLS Promotions, LLC.
LoneStar Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz swept the East Texas Lone Star Shootout program Friday, putting the exclamation point on the feature by leading all 35 laps. Sheldon Haudenschild, a Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender, dominated alongside the eight-time champion with a strong showing. The two started in the front of a 12-row feature field, where Haudenschild contested for the lead. Nearing the second-half of the feature, Jason Johnson catapulted his racecar to second place; Haudenschild was unable to reclaim his spot.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Clyde Knipp; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; VP Racing ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Cometic Gaskets ($50 cash): Parker Price Miller; Super Flow ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Sheldon Haudenschild, Jason Johnson, Brad Sweet, Paul McMahan; Craftsman/Sears: Tim Shaffer; KSE Hard Charger: Kriag Kinser; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Jason Johnson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brent Marks; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz – 3 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3); Jason Johnson – 1(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; LoneStar Speedway, Tex.; March 3, 2017
Feature - (35 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1] [$10,000]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [3] [$5,500]; 3. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2] [$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [4] [$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [7] [$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [14] [$2,300]; 7. 99-Brady Bacon [12] [$2,200]; 8. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5] [$2,100]; 9. 4-Paul McMahan [6] [$2,050]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [10] [$2,000]; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [20] [$1,500]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [11] [$1,200]; 13. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8] [$1,100]; 14. 17-Joey Saldana [15] [$1,050]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [17] [$1,000]; 16. 17B-Josh Baughman [23 ][$900]; 17. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [22] [$800]; 18. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr [19] [$800]; 19. 19-Brent Marks [21 ][$800]; 20. 87-Aaron Reutzel [16] [$800]; 21. 7S-Jason Sides [13] [$800]; 22. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [24] [$800]; 23. 2C-Wayne Johnson [9] [$800]; 24. 13-Clyde Knipp [18] [$800]; 25. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25] [$]; Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 11K-Kraig Kinser [+9]
Qualifying - 1. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.170; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.247; 3. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.350; 4. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.387; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 12.393; 6. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.415; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.427; 8. 18-Ian Madsen, 12.464; 9. 17-Joey Saldana, 12.469; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.476; 11. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 12.527; 12. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 12.534; 13. 5-David Gravel, 12.548; 14. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.578; 15. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr, 12.633; 16. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 12.670; 17. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.719; 18. 99-Brady Bacon, 12.789; 19. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.818; 20. 17B-Josh Baughman, 12.876; 21. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr, 13.061; 22. 19-Brent Marks, 13.070; 23. 71A-R.J. Johnson, 13.137; 24. 17G-Dustin Gates, 13.334; 25. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.471; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.482; 27. 13-Clyde Knipp, 15.322; 28. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, nt
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1] ; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [2] ; 3. 5-David Gravel [5] ; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [4] ; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [7] ; 6. 87-Aaron Reutzel [6] ; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3] ; 8. 19-Brent Marks [8] ; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [9] ; 10. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [10]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [1] ; 2. 49X-Tim Shaffer [2] ; 3. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [4] ; 4. 18-Ian Madsen [3] ; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [6] ; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [5] ; 7. 17B-Josh Baughman [7] ; 8. 71A-R.J. Johnson [8] ; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [9]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 4-Paul McMahan [2] ; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1] ; 3. 2C-Wayne Johnson [4] ; 4. 99-Brady Bacon [6] ; 5. 17-Joey Saldana [3] ; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [9] ; 7. 17G-Dustin Gates [8] ; 8. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [7] ; 9. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr [5]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1] ; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2] ; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [4] ; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [6] ; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5] ; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [3]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr [2] [-]; 2. 11K-Kraig Kinser [1] [-]; 3. 19-Brent Marks [5] [-]; 4. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [4] [-]; 5. 17B-Josh Baughman [3] [-]; 6. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [10] [-]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [9] [$300]; 8. 17G-Dustin Gates [7] [$250]; 9. 71A-R.J. Johnson [6] [$225]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8] [$200]
Schatz Charges to Win in DIRTcar Nationals Finale
Gravel awarded the coveted ‘Big Gator’
BARBERVILLE, Fla. – February 19, 2017 – Donny Schatz etched his name into DIRTcar Nationals history Sunday, winning both the afternoon and night show at Volusia Speedway Park. The trip down victory lane gave Schatz 17 career wins at the half-mile, and he captured three of the five sprint shows in the 12-day event.
With the victory, Schatz joins Jeff and Sammy Swindell as the only Outlaws to win multiple series races in one day. Jeff Swindell first accomplished the one-day sweep at Rolling Wheels (N.Y.) Raceway Park on October 8, 1994. Sammy Swindell matched his brother’s feat in 1999 at Bloomington (Ind.) Speedway.
Though Schatz won the majority of the week’s sprint car races, those he did not win proved to test his No. 15 Tony Stewart-Curb/Agajanian Racing team. In the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series opener, Schatz qualified 24th in a 36-car pack and placed fourth in his heat race. Sunday night was similar, as Schatz only qualified seven positions better and placed fifth in his heat. What differed for the eight-time champion this time was his ability to move through the 26-car feature field.
”We didn’t change anything,” Schatz said. “I thought the car felt really good. I actually thought I could get to the middle pretty well, but that changed once we got that going. These guys are incredible with what they do. I love it.”
Schatz started 17th in the 30-lap feature, but made quick work of those between him and a podium position. By the 12th lap Schatz skidded through the bottom, passing multiple drivers into fourth. The next lap Schatz made his move for third, getting under quick-timer Brian Brown. Brown won his way through the program, setting the quick time and eventually leading the feature into the green flag.
Within the final 10 laps and one position later, Schatz threatened for first. David Gravel, who took the lead on the fifth lap, maintained the top spot by building speed on the top cushion. Gravel said he felt comfortable “staying on top and running alone,” but Schatz began to close the gap with each lap by cutting the corners out of turns three and four; lapped traffic gave Gravel enough real-estate to not alter his line. However with two laps remaining, the two barreled down the front stretch side by side – only for Schatz to catch him in turn one. Gravel said where he saved time with lapped traffic, he ended up giving time back at the end.
“We wanted to win there,” Gravel said. “Lapped traffic got us. Sometimes we’re better running second. I don’t know what I could have done differently, but I did the best I could. Just leading all those laps you want to win.”
Despite Gravel’s shortcoming, in hindsight he said he had a good week. Having battled through four motor changes – the CJB Motorsports team had to get three more Kistler engines delivered to even be able to run the finale – he still advanced to the Craftsman Club ® Dash in both shows. Because of the consistency, Gravel took home the coveted ‘Big Gator’ trophy, which is awarded to the top performing driver overall.
“We just need to continue to get better and run well,” said Gravel, whose focus is helping refresh and replenish his team’s inventory.
The series will head West for its annual Kick-off Tour. First, the Outlaws will tackle to Texas-tracks from March 3-4 – LoneStar Speedway and Gator Motorplex. For more information, visit woosprint.com/kick-off-tour.
Volusia Speedway Park Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz adds his name to series regulars who have won multiple series races in one day. Schatz, the KSE Hard Charger, started from 17th position to pass David Gravel for first in the closing laps. Gravel placed second in the feature, but went on to win the “Big Gator” trophy – awarded to the best overall performance during the three-day event. Daryn Pittman took the final podium spot, recording his second top-five performance of 2017.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jacob Allen; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Lucas Wolfe; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brad Sweet ; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; Super Flow ($50 cash): Danny Dietrich; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): David Gravel, Daryn Pittman, Jason Sides, Jason Johnson; Craftsman/Sears: Brian Brown; KSE Hard Charger: Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Justin Henderson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz – 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on February 19, Volusia Speedway Park on February 19); Jason Johnson – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17);
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Volusia Speedway Park, Fla.; Feb., 19 2017
A-Main - (30 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [17] [$10,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [4] [$5,500]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [5] [$3,200]; 4. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [2] [$2,800]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [1] [$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [14] [$2,300]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [10] [$2,200]; 8. 2M-Kerry Madsen [3] [$2,100]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [16] [$2,050]; 10. 49-Brad Sweet [21] [$2,000]; 11. 10H-Chad Kemenah [19] [$1,500]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [23] [$1,200]; 13. W20-Greg Wilson [18] [$1,100]; 14. 13D-Danny Dietrich [15] [$1,050]; 15. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [11] [$1,000]; 16. 49X-Tim Shaffer [20] [$900]; 17. 59H-Justin Henderson [22] [$800]; 18. 17-Joey Saldana [13] [$800]; 19. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [12] [$800]; 20. 41-Jason Johnson [8] [$800]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [25] [$]; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp [26] [$]; 23. 7S-Jason Sides [6] [$800]; 24. 24R-Rico Abreu [7] [$800]; 25. 1-Dale Blaney [9] [$800]; 26. 4-Paul McMahan [24] [$800]; Lap Leaders: Lucas Wolfe 1-4, David Gravel 5-28, Donny Schatz 29-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz [+16]
Qualifying - 1. 21-Brian Brown, 13.006; 2. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.014; 3. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.051; 4. 24R-Rico Abreu, 13.097; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.097; 6. 5-David Gravel, 13.125; 7. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.132; 8. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.134; 9. 1-Dale Blaney, 13.162; 10. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.175; 11. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.209; 12. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.210; 13. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.211; 14. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.223; 15. 13D-Danny Dietrich, 13.244; 16. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 13.248; 17. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.254; 18. 59H-Justin Henderson, 13.265; 19. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.283; 20. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.303; 21. 14-Christopher Bell, 13.303; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.314; 23. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 13.328; 24. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.350; 25. 19-Brent Marks, 13.360; 26. 27-Greg Hodnett, 13.440; 27. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.468; 28. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.484; 29. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.519; 30. 24-Terry McCarl, 13.527; 31. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.539; 32. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 13.572; 33. 17X-Caleb Helms, 13.608; 34. 7W-Tasker Phillips, 13.716; 35. O7-Jacob Wilson, 13.903; 36. 59S-Ben Schmidt, nt
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 21-Brian Brown [1] ; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2] ; 3. 1-Dale Blaney [3] ; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [4] ; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [5] ; 6. 14-Christopher Bell [6] ; 7. 19-Brent Marks [7] ; 8. 17X-Caleb Helms [9] ; 9. 87-Aaron Reutzel [8]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [1] ; 2. 5-David Gravel [2] ; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6] ; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [3] ; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [4]; 6. 27-Greg Hodnett [7] ; 7. 59H-Justin Henderson [5] ; 8. 24-Terry McCarl [8]; 9. 7W-Tasker Phillips [9]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 7S-Jason Sides [1] ; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [2] ; 3. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [3] ; 4. 13D-Danny Dietrich [4] ; 5. 10H-Chad Kemenah [6] ; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [5] ; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7] ; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [8] ; 9. O7-Jacob Wilson [9]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen [2] ; 2. 24R-Rico Abreu [1] ; 3. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [4] ; 4. 18-Ian Madsen [3] ; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer [7] ; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [5] ; 7. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8] ; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [6] ; 9. 59S-Ben Schmidt [9]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of feature) - 1. 21-Brian Brown [1] ; 2. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [2] ; 3. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4] ; 4. 5-David Gravel [6] ; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [5] ; 6. 7S-Jason Sides [3] ; 7. 24R-Rico Abreu [8] ; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [7]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2] [-]; 2. 59H-Justin Henderson [1] [-]; 3. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8] [-]; 4. 4-Paul McMahan [3] [-]; 5. 19-Brent Marks [6] [$300]; 6. 14-Christopher Bell [4] [$250]; 7. 27-Greg Hodnett [7] [$225]; 8. 24-Terry McCarl [10] [$200]; 9. 17X-Caleb Helms [13] [$200]; 10. 7W-Tasker Phillips [14] [$200]; 11. 59S-Ben Schmidt [16] [$200]; 12. 13-Clyde Knipp [5] [$200]; 13. 87-Aaron Reutzel [9] [$200]; 14. O7-Jacob Wilson [15] [$200]; 15. 1A-Jacob Allen [11] [$200]; 16. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [12] [$200]
Schatz Wins Second DIRTcar Nationals Gator
Two series regulars reverse their luck to record top-five showing
BARBERSVILLE, Fla. – February 19, 2017 – It is not unusual for two series champions to face-off in the 46th Annual DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. In the first show of a Sunday double-header, eight-time World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Champion Donny Schatz revisited his fierce battle with Arctic Cat All-Star Circuit of Champions titleholder Chad Kemenah. Like the Wednesday night thriller – starting in the first row with Kemenah – Schatz again established himself as the best-of-the-best between the two series.
But it did not come easily for the Fargo, N.D. native, who has now won a DIRTcar Nationals show every year since 2011. On Friday night Schatz finished 14thin the feature, his worst finish since the series opener last season (when he placed 18th). But Schatz said one major adjustment was opting for a harder tire.
“We did make some tire changes today and went with a harder tire,” Schatz said. “I think it hurt us early in the race, but they don’t pay for the first lap they pay for the last. The driver just showed up today with an attitude. I guess you could say he made all the mistakes in one night (Friday).”
Once the green flag was waved, Schatz overtook Kemenah and extended his lead to nearly one second. Kemenah reclaimed his spot before the race’s first caution on the ensuing restart. In the race’s most exhilarating exchange, the two danced around each other – inversely switching lines high and low. Schatz was the first to take the lead, wedging his car under Kemenah’s in the second turn. Kemenah used the back-stretch to regroup, and butted his left-front tire nearly up against the inside wall in turn three for first position.
On Lap 14, strategy played to Schatz’s favor. Schatz made the decision to start on the inside of the race’s second caution – as the two made their passes on the bottom earlier. Schatz was successful on the restart. Kemenah dropped off Schatz’s pace – nearly two tenths faster than the field with each lap. This left the door open for Friday night’s winner Jason Johnson to slip by Kemenah and secure a second-place finish; Kemenah settled for third.
Like Schatz, David Gravel also underwent a roller-coaster of a week. Gravel won Thursday’s All-Star finale, but since has blown four motors. Expending his reserve, CJB Motorsports sent for three new motors to be shipped to Volusia. Gravel said race engines “eat dirt every day,” so self-inflicted malfunctions are bound to happen.
On his fifth Kistler motor, Gravel turned-around Friday’s last place finish by first setting Sunday afternoon’s quick time with a 13.453. He carried that momentum to his heat race, doubling on his successes. There was a small scare in the Craftsman® Club Dash when he got into the turn two wall. Escaping with only minor damage, this was the only hiccup Gravel had throughout the show; he ultimately collected his first World of Outlaws top-five performance of the year.
“When that fifth motor is good enough to quick time, it speaks to how good our engine program is,” said Gravel, who added that he never lost doubt in his Kistler Engine package. “We never give up. We screwed up a little in the dash, but we just kept looking forward. There’s no reason why we can’t win tonight.”
With the victory, Schatz can become the first Outlaw since Jeff Swindell and Sammy Swindell to win multiple series races in one day. Jeff Swindell first accomplished the one-day sweep at Rolling Wheels (N.Y.) Raceway Park on October 8, 1994. Sammy Swindell matched his brother’s feat in 1999 at Bloomington Speedway.
Volusia Speedway Park Notebook
RACE NOTES:Donny Schatz wins a World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series race at DIRTcar Nationals for the fourth consecutive year. After fending off Chad Kemenah – who led the 26-car feature into the green flag – Schatz nearly opened-up a two second lead. Jason Johnson, who won the previous show, caught up to Kemenah and took second place in the closing laps.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jacob Allen; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Brent Marks; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Danny Dietrich; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Terry McCarl;Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Joey Saldana, Paul McMahan, David Gravel;Craftsman/Sears: Chad Kemenah; KSE Hard Charger: Kerry Madsen; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brad Sweet; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Caleb Helms
SEASON WINNERS: Jason Johnson – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17); Donny Schatz – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on February 19)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Volusia Speedway Park, Fla.; Feb. 19, 2017
Feature - (25 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1] [$10,000]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [3] [$5,500]; 3. 10H-Chad Kemenah [2] [$3,200]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [4] [$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [8] [$2,500]; 6. 14-Christopher Bell [6] [$2,300]; 7. 4-Paul McMahan [5] [$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [9] [$2,100]; 9. 7S-Jason Sides [12] [$2,050]; 10. 13D-Danny Dietrich [7] [$2,000]; 11. 2M-Kerry Madsen [19] [$1,500]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [14] [$1,200]; 13. 18-Ian Madsen [10] [$1,100]; 14. 24-Terry McCarl [13] [$1,050]; 15. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [18] [$1,000]; 16. 1-Dale Blaney [20] [$900]; 17. 49-Brad Sweet [17] [$800]; 18. 27-Greg Hodnett [16] [$800]; 19. 2-Shane Stewart [24] [$800]; 20. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [23] [$800]; 21. 24R-Rico Abreu [22] [$800]; 22. 17X-Caleb Helms [15] [$800]; 23. 9-Daryn Pittman [11] [$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [25] [$800]; 25. 87-Aaron Reutzel [21] [$800]; 26. 13-Clyde Knipp [26] [$800]; Lap Leaders: Chad Kemenah 1-13, Donny Schatz 14-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2M-Kerry Madsen[+8]
Qualifying - 1. 5-David Gravel, 13.453; 2. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.456; 3. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.543; 4. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 13.567; 5. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.574; 6. 14-Christopher Bell, 13.578; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.605; 8. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.608; 9. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.614; 10. 13D-Danny Dietrich, 13.619; 11. 17X-Caleb Helms, 13.627; 12. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.628; 13. 19-Brent Marks, 13.631; 14. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.647; 15. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.682; 16. 27-Greg Hodnett, 13.701; 17. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.720; 18. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.736; 19. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.797; 20. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 13.812; 21. 24-Terry McCarl, 13.823; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.873; 23. 24R-Rico Abreu, 13.876; 24. 1-Dale Blaney, 13.908; 25. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.920; 26. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.929; 27. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.937; 28. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.000; 29. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 14.019; 30. 59H-Justin Henderson, 14.083; 31. 7W-Tasker Phillips, 14.254; 32. 59S-Ben Schmidt, 14.315; 33. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 14.602; 34. O7-Jacob Wilson, 14.707; 35. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.917; 36. 21-Brian Brown, nt
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 5-David Gravel[1] ; 2. 41-Jason Johnson[2] ; 3. 19-Brent Marks[4] ; 4. 24-Terry McCarl[6] ; 5. 49-Brad Sweet[5] ; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[3] ; 7. 49X-Tim Shaffer[8] ; 8. W20-Greg Wilson[7] ; 9. 2X-Parker Price-Miller[9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 14-Christopher Bell[2] ; 2. 13D-Danny Dietrich[3] ; 3. 18-Ian Madsen[4] ; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart[6] ; 5. 5W-Lucas Wolfe[1] ; 6. 59H-Justin Henderson[8] ; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser[7] ; 8. 87-Aaron Reutzel[5] ; 9. O7-Jacob Wilson[9]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz[1] ; 2. 17-Joey Saldana[4] ; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman[2] ; 4. 17X-Caleb Helms[3] ; 5. 2M-Kerry Madsen[5] ; 6. 24R-Rico Abreu[6] ; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen[7] ; 8. 7W-Tasker Phillips[8] ; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp[9]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 10H-Chad Kemenah[1] ; 2. 4-Paul McMahan[2] ; 3. 7S-Jason Sides[3] ; 4. 27-Greg Hodnett[4] ; 5. 1-Dale Blaney[6] ; 6. 2-Shane Stewart[7] ; 7. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier[5] ; 8. 59S-Ben Schmidt[8]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature - 1. 15-Donny Schatz[2] ; 2. 10H-Chad Kemenah[1] ; 3. 41-Jason Johnson[5] ; 4. 17-Joey Saldana[7] ; 5. 4-Paul McMahan[8] ; 6. 14-Christopher Bell[3] ; 7. 13D-Danny Dietrich[6] ; 8. 5-David Gravel[4]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 87-Aaron Reutzel[2] [-]; 2. 24R-Rico Abreu[4] [-]; 3. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[1] [-]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart[8] [-]; 5. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier[3] [$300]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson[5] [$250]; 7. 59H-Justin Henderson[10] [$225]; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser[6] [$200]; 9. 49X-Tim Shaffer[9] [$200]; 10. 59S-Ben Schmidt[12] [$200]; 11. 7W-Tasker Phillips[11] [$200]; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen[7] [$200]; 13. O7-Jacob Wilson[14] [$200]; 14. 13-Clyde Knipp[15] [$200]; 15. 2X-Parker Price-Miller[13] [$200]; 16. 21-Brian Brown[16] [$200]
Saturday, February 18th Portion of DIRTcar Nationals Postponed Due to Rain
Event will resume Sunday with doubleheader with the World of Outlaws and DIRTcar Racing UMP Modifieds
BARBERVILLE, Fla. – February 18, 2017 – Night five of DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park has been postponed due to persistent rain setting up a doubleheader event starting Sunday afternoon.
Saturday, Feb. 18th postponed event will resume with grandstand and pit gates opening at 11:30am. Hot laps and qualifying will resume starting at 12:00pm.
Fans that have tickets and/or a wristband for Saturday’s World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series and DIRTcar Racing UMP Modified portion of DIRTcar Nationals can bring their ticket stub and/or wristband to the gate for re-entry to the first portion Sunday’s DIRTcar Nationals doubleheader.
The evening portion of the doubleheader will start with pit gates opening at 4:00pm; the grandstands will re-open at 5:00pm. Hot laps for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series starting at 6:00pm followed by qualifying.
For more information about DIRTcar Nationals by visiting www.DIRTcarNationals.com or follow DIRTcarNats on Twitter and Facebook.com/DIRTcar
Johnson Takes Flight in Outlaws Opener
Wins first career Gator at DIRTcar Nationals
BARBERSVILLE, Fla. – February 17, 2017 – Jason Johnson made a grand entrance into 2017 Friday night, winning the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series opener at the 46th Annual DIRTcar Nationals. Johnson, whose 2016 season was highlighted by a Knoxville Nationals victory, took home his first Gator and a $10,000 purse.
“Yeah, 365 days later we start the season off in the best case scenario,” said Johnson, rehashing on his team’s troubles last season. “It’s a long season, and you need to condition for it. My little [Jaxx] on FaceTime over there… he and my wife mean the world to me, and I wish he could be here for the win. [The win] is huge for our operation, for our team, for the people working on this team and for my self-confidence.”
For Johnson’s four World of Outlaws wins last season, Johnson brought his son up on stage to wave their index finger in the air symbolizing “No.1.” This time Johnson scaled the wing of his No. 41 Priority Aviation Services, LLC/ Mesilla Valley Transportation Maxim car solo, but dropped back down to high-fives and hugs from his crew. Johnson, who was involved in a horrific wreck earlier in the week, opted to withdraw from the All-Star Circuit of Champions finale Thursday night. But one day later, consistently bested 35 other cars on sprint car racing’s biggest stage.
Johnson started on the outside of the first row for the 30-lap feature event. Where he started, is where he stayed. Johnson – continuing to stay on-top of the wheel and high on the track – darted to the front within the first lap. Sweet followed Johnson to the front but from the bottom. The first of three cautions came on the third lap, when David Gravel suffered from more mechanical failures. Notably, Gravel raced nearly 80 races without blowing a motor heading into this year’s DIRTcar Nationals. The caution regrouped the field, giving Sweet the opportunity to recreate last season’s season opener with a win.
“I’ll tell you what, I really thought we were going to have something there for Jason,” Sweet said. “I had to [eventually] move to the top but Johnson set a really torrid pace out there. He did it, so hats-off to him. We have two more nights so hopefully we can end up where he is.”
Sweet swapped spots with Brian Brown throughout the race, but in the final two laps swiftly moved passed him on the front straightaway. Brown forfeited third to a red-hot Christopher Bell, who rounded-out the podium. Bell not only beat Johnson in the dash, but also set the night’s quick time with a 13.121.
“I kind of struggled on starts and restarts there,” said Bell, who led the feature field into the green flag. “Mistakes on my part for starts and restarts, but this thing is really fast. It’s a great machine to drive. Thank you Tony [Stewart] for letting me come out and have some fun.”
From the victory, Johnson leads the points championship for the first time in his career. As Sweet alluded to, Johnson’s aggressive driving style opened up the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile” for him. Earlier in the program, Johnson qualified third but claimed his stake for a Gator in the third heat. His car weaved in-and-around series newcomer Brent Marks. Though he was in a transfer spot, Johnson did not let off the gas.
He went on to start fourth in the Craftsman Club Dash and finish second after yet another battle – with Brown. Brown’s uncle and crew member, 2001 Series Champion Danny Lasoski, is the most winningest sprint car driver at Volusia Speedway Park. He is scheduled to compete predominantly with the Outlaws, though it will not be full-time.
Series veteran Jason Sides set the pace early in the program, recording the quickest time in hot laps of 13.602. Sides went on to set quick-time in qualifying – putting him in position to “Double Down” as his nickname suggests – but the time only stood until Bell knocked him off with 15 drivers remaining. Ultimately, four out of the five top-qualifiers were series regulars. Three regulars finished the night in the Top-five.
Volusia Speedway Park Notebook
RACE NOTES:Jason Johnson collects his first win of the season Friday night, beating fellow series regular Brad Sweet by a 3.553-second margin. Sweet and Brian Brown battled nearly the entire 30 laps, until quick-timer Cristopher Bell made a last-minute moved to knock Brown off the podium.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jacob Allen; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Super Flow ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Jason Johnson, Jason Sides, Brad Sweet, Daryn Pittman, Brent Marks;Craftsman/Sears: Christopher Bell; KSE Hard Charger: Chad Kemenah; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Jason Johnson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brent Marks; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Sides
SEASON WINNERS: Jason Johnson – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Volusia Speedway Park, Fla.; Feb. 18, 2017
Feature - (30 Laps) - 1. 41-Jason Johnson [2] [$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [5] [$5,500]; 3. 14-Christopher Bell [1] [$3,200]; 4. 21-Brian Brown [3] [$2,800]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [7] [$2,500]; 6. 49X-Tim Shaffer [9] [$2,300]; 7. 10H-Chad Kemenah [20] [$2,200]; 8. 24R-Rico Abreu [13] [$2,100]; 9. 2M-Kerry Madsen [14] [$2,050]; 10. 18-Ian Madsen [6] [$2,000]; 11. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [11] [$1,500]; 12. 17-Joey Saldana [15] [$1,200]; 13. 1-Dale Blaney [24] [$1,100]; 14. 15-Donny Schatz [16] [$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17] [$1,000]; 16. 19-Brent Marks [8] [$900]; 17. 13D-Danny Dietrich [23] [$800]; 18. 4-Paul McMahan [10] [$800]; 19. 87-Aaron Reutzel [19] [$800]; 20. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [18] [$800]; 21. 7S-Jason Sides [4] [$800]; 22. 27-Greg Hodnett [12] [$800]; 23. 2-Shane Stewart [21] [$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [25]; 25. 5-David Gravel [22] [$800]; Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 10H-Chad Kemenah [+13]
Qualifying - 1. 14-Christopher Bell, 13.121; 2. 5-David Gravel, 13.126; 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.161; 4. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.223; 5. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.247; 6. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.262; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.296; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.298; 9. 24R-Rico Abreu, 13.306; 10. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.312; 11. 19-Brent Marks, 13.314; 12. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 13.318; 13. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.340; 14. 21-Brian Brown, 13.345; 15. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 13.352; 16. 27-Greg Hodnett, 13.395; 17. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.413; 18. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.431; 19. 13D-Danny Dietrich, 13.446; 20. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.448; 21. 1-Dale Blaney, 13.460; 22. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.464; 23. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.501; 24. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.510; 25. 24-Terry McCarl, 13.521; 26. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.537; 27. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.555; 28. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.573; 29. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.590; 30. 17X-Caleb Helms, 13.610; 31. 59H-Justin Henderson, 13.691; 32. 7W-Tasker Phillips, 13.774; 33. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.891; 34. 59S-Ben Schmidt, 13.915; 35. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 13.916; 36. O7-Jacob Wilson, 14.016
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2] ; 2. 14-Christopher Bell [1] ; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer [4] ; 4. 24R-Rico Abreu [3] ; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5] ; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [8] ; 7. 1-Dale Blaney [6] ; 8. 24-Terry McCarl [7] ; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 18-Ian Madsen [2] ; 2. 21-Brian Brown [4] ; 3. 4-Paul McMahan [6] ; 4. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5] ; 5. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [3] ; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7] ; 7. 17X-Caleb Helms [8] ; 8. 59S-Ben Schmidt [9] ; 9. 5-David Gravel [1]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1] ; 2. 19-Brent Marks [3] ; 3. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [4] ; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [6] ; 5. 87-Aaron Reutzel [7] ; 6. 59H-Justin Henderson [8] ; 7. 13D-Danny Dietrich [5] ; 8. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [9] ; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 7S-Jason Sides [1] ; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2] ; 3. 27-Greg Hodnett [4] ; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [6] ; 5. 10H-Chad Kemenah [3] ; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [5] ; 7. 7W-Tasker Phillips [8] ; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [7] ; 9. O7-Jacob Wilson [9]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 14-Christopher Bell [2] ; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [4] ; 3. 21-Brian Brown [1] ; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [3] ; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [6] ; 6. 18-Ian Madsen [5] ; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [8] ; 8. 19-Brent Marks [7]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [4] [-]; 2. 5-David Gravel [1] [-]; 3. 13D-Danny Dietrich [3] [-]; 4. 1-Dale Blaney [5] [-]; 5. 59H-Justin Henderson [11] [$300]; 6. 17X-Caleb Helms [10] [$250]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [9] [$225]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7] [$200]; 9. 59S-Ben Schmidt [14] [$200]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [8] [$200]; 11. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [15] [$200]; 12. 7W-Tasker Phillips [12] [$200]; 13. 24-Terry McCarl [6] [$200]; 14. 13-Clyde Knipp [13] [$200]; 15. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2] [$200]; 16. O7-Jacob Wilson [16] [$200]
The annual Kick-off Tour features 15 nights of racing in a two-month stretch
CONCORD, N.C. – February 7, 2017 – The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series will continue its annual tradition of heading westward for several nights of racing. The 2017 Kick-off Tour features 11 stops across four states – Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas.
Two of the three tracks making debuts on the national tour this season are in the west coast swing (Gator Motorplex and Cocopah Speedway). Gator (Tex.) Motorplex features a quarter-mile bullring; Cocopah (Ariz.) Speedway is a semi-banked, 3/8-mile oval. Arizona Speedway will be making its second appearance on the schedule.
“We always look forward to this stretch in our schedule,” said Series Director Carlton Reimers. “The opportunity to extend our series coast to coast makes it easier for fans nationwide to enjoy ‘The Greatest Show on Dirt.’”
Of the 16 races in last-year’s west coast swing, seven different drivers took the checkered flag – all of them series regulars. Defending Series Champion Donny Schatz won most frequently, earning four trips down Victory Lane. Kasey Kahne Racing’s duo, Daryn Pittman and Brad Sweet, were runner-up to Schatz’s mark by tripling on their successes. Joey Saldana and Shane Stewart both doubled-up, each winning two events.
The Outlaws will return to the East after making a stop at one of the series’ most historic tracks. Devil’s Bowl (Tex.) Speedway has hosted the series for 26 years since 1978. Of those 26 years, the high-banked half-mile has successfully held multi-day events in 22 of them. This season will be the Outlaws’ fourth consecutive appearance, and the series’ regulars have swept the show since 2014.
The Stockton Dirt Track will make its fifth consecutive appearance on the tour. Schatz has won three of the last four shows since 2015 and owns the track record, clocking-in at 12.566 seconds around the semi-banked, 3/8-mile oval two years ago. Three current Outlaws (Schatz, Saldana and Sweet) hold track records at one of the stops.
Following the Outlaws’ tour through the Southwest region, the series is only scheduled to make abbreviated stops to nearby tracks in September.
For more information like how to purchase tickets for the 2017 Kick-off Tour, visit woosprint.com/kick-off-tour.
World of Outlaws Launches Race Day Drug-Testing Program
Partners Exclusively with The National Center for Drug Free Sport to update Substance Abuse Policy and Manage Testing
CONCORD, N.C. — Dec. 8, 2016 — The World of Outlaws announced today an exclusive partnership with The National Center for Drug Free Sport (Drug Free Sport) for a robust drug-testing program to improve the safety of competitors in compliance with a revised World of Outlaws Substance Abuse Policy.
“Every major sport across the country has adopted drug-testing policies. As the leader in dirt track racing we felt it was time to join that group,” said World of Outlaws President Tom Deery. “Partnering with Drug Free Sport as a third-party administrator provides our participants a thorough and fair testing platform.”
Beginning with the 2017 racing season, the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series and Late Model Series will require drivers to participate in random testing for substances of abuse that could impede driving ability. “We’ve had a drug policy in place for quite a while now that allows us to test based on suspicion,” said Deery. “But we’ve never done random testing. It’s time to add another dimension to create a stronger deterrent.”
Drug Free Sport is a world-wide leader in the sport drug-testing industry, currently conducting drug testing management and/or education services for the NFL, MLB, NCAA, NBA, WNBA, NBA D-League, PGA Tour, LPGA, USGA, CrossFit Games, the Big Ten Conference, and more than 300 colleges, universities and amateur athletics organizations around the world.
“As a true independent third-party administrator, Drug Free Sport provides consistency to the process, an added layer of confidence, confidentiality, and skill, leveraging our technical expertise in industry-approved testing procedures and certified specimen collection,” said Chris Guinty, Drug Free Sport COO. “Our collectors and staff establish the tone within the industry of ensuring fair and safe sport for athletes, teams and fans.”
Random drug testing will begin at the onset of the 2017 season. Testing will apply to drivers only and will be conducted at a number of events throughout the season. Notification will not be given prior to any event. Drivers found in violation will be subject to suspension.
“We’re not looking for performance-enhancing drugs, as in other sports,” said World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter. “Regardless of your view on recreational drug use, we can all agree they have no place on the race track. We’re trying to keep our drivers safe.”
“The World of Outlaws run in close quarters at high speeds, and we will not allow anything that puts participants and fans at risk,” said Carter.
Saldana to Park It in 2017
Will drive the No. 17 for Matt Wood and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
CONCORD, N.C. – Nov. 28, 2016 – Joey Saldana is not only carrying on his family legacy into the 2017 racing season, but also living out the legacy left by the late Bryan Clauson. Saldana teamed up with Matt Wood and NASCAR star Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to pilot the Elk Grove Ford/ Roth Investments No. 17 racecar in the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series tour next season – an aspiration of Clauson’s since he first hopped into a 410 Sprint Car.
Saldana finished the 2016 season with Dennis Roth and Roth Motorsports amassing five wins, 31 top-five and 62 top-ten performances with 10 quick times in 81 points races. Saldana is nearing the 100-win milestone heading into his 18th consecutive season with the series; he stands at 99 wins, a mark that has taken the 1996 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year 19 seasons to build.
Saldana has finished within the top five in series championship point standings three of his last four seasons full-time. Roth Motorsports, which began its first World of Outlaw season in 1995, expected to carry its team’s momentum into the following season. However, a series of unfortunate events prompted Roth to take a step back and not field the No. 83 car in 2017. Saldana, 43, said he still has plenty of gas left in the tank but worried that this may have been “it.”
“If you’re going to compete and be a racecar driver, if you don’t do it 100 percent then why do it?” Saldana said. “I’m past the point of just racing. I want to race the best, or I really don’t want to do it. This is what you dream about when you’re 15 [years-old], and what you still dream about when you’re 43. It was unsettling because I don’t want to just step back. If I can’t race at this level – the ultimate level – then I’m not going to do it. If you’re going to put the effort into it you might as well race the best.”
While Roth is taking a more reserved role – still helping to fund the new team – Saldana’s racing career took an emotional turn and came full-circle. Saldana will not only represent Wood and Stenhouse on the track, but also keep the spirit of Clauson alive in the racing community. Saldana will have the chance to “Park it” for Clauson, his team and those who have supported him throughout the difficult transition. Clauson intended to join the Outlaws full-time in 2017, and Saldana said he knows he will be there to enjoy the ride.
“You want to ‘Park It,’” Saldana said. “[Clauson] made that phrase popular so when you did park it, it meant you did your job that night and won the race. We need to do that as many times as possible for him so we can be competitive. Just making that No. 17 car competitive every night would make Bryan proud because his whole goal was to run with the World of Outlaws.”
Not only were Saldana and Clauson connected through the racing family tree, but their friendship is also rooted by their own families. Clauson was there for Saldana’s sons, Reece and Ragan. To Saldana, the ride is “Bryan helping me take care of my kids.” It was not just his family. Clauson also kept Saldana’s wide-eyed love for racing strong. Clauson had a watchful eye on Saldana and vice-versa – for a different reason.
Through Saldana’s career, his goal was to always be the proven-dirt driver in the INDY 500 field. It was uncanny that while Saldana envied Clauson’s career, he was doing the same. It was Clauson’s goal to run full-time with the Outlaws but before he made the plans, he watched Saldana. The two admired each other’s paths in motorsports, no matter how different they were. It just so happened that they were both living each other’s dreams.
“It’s weird, Bryan was doing everything that I always wanted to do, and here he was wanting to do what I was doing,” Saldana said. “He did what all racecar drivers aspired to do and that was run the INDY 500, but still be a dirt track guy. That doesn’t happen anymore. You don’t see that. But Bryan Clauson did that. He was ready for that next challenge [The Outlaws]. In a weird way, it’s all come full circle.”
In 2017, Saldana will complete the circle when he barrels down the front stretch in the No. 17 car. Saldana has not taken his road for granted. He simply wants to do right by everyone, and make the season one to remember. Both parties are in it to create a championship contending team, enough to even move the once Missouri-based team to Brownsburg, Ind., the “Brownsburg Bullet’s” hometown. Tyler Swank will remain the crew chief.
“Hopefully, we’re going to be a first-class team that will compete with the Tony Stewart Racing, Kasey Kahne Racing and Larson-Marks Racing,” Saldana said. “Hopefully I can make Bryan proud, make the Wood/Stenhouse team proud and just be competitive. I want to make them proud that they made the right choice with the driver, and that I do the right things by them and everyone that’s involved with this team. I hope we can be the thorn in other teams’ sides.”
Schatz Sweetens the Season with Win
Gravel records career-best season on tour
CONCORD, N.C. – Oct. 29, 2016 – Donny Schatz orchestrated the celebration of his 229th career trip to victory lane differently Saturday night at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. The 20-year World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series superstar – as usual – hoisted the flag into an erupting confetti machine after the Bad Boy Off Road World Finals. But the thousands of fans erupted too when he casted the VP Racing Fuels checkered flag into the stands among the falling confetti.
Another extraordinary component to Schatz’s night-cap was his reflection on the other 24 wins during the season. Each victory added value to his season – alongside the 60 top-five’s and 77 top-10’s in a season with some-90 points races. Collectively, his consistent success throughout the rigor of one of the most premier national tours led to a dominant 314-point spread in the series’ points race. With the points lead, Schatz officially captured his eighth series championship; Schatz has won a championship in 40 percent of his seasons with the Outlaws.
“I know fans would have loved to see it go down to the wire,” said Schatz about his championship campaign. “It’s hard to say in this sport when you take 92 events coast-to-coast you have during the season. We left Florida to start this season 100-plus points in the hole. We had to win. We dug out of that hole –a 100-point deficit to a 300-point deposit with four DNFs along the way. To me, it was one of the hardest fought comebacks that we’ve had, and I’m really proud of my guys for that. After that, it says there’s nothing my guys can’t do.”
Like Schatz alluded to, he and his Tony Stewart Racing team encountered adversity at DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. Though he captured his first win of the season on the second night of the three-day event, Schatz did not make the feature in the opener and concluded the event placing outside of the top 10. For the reigning series champion, who won 31 races in 2015, he felt the pressure early-on.
“On paper, we won a lot of races and had no DNFs,” said Schatz recollecting on 2015. “The hardest thing you can ever do is come out of a hole. We came out of that hole, and had consistent top-five and top-three finishes. But, there were also some things we left on the table. We left a championship out of Knoxville [Nationals], but this championship somewhat makes up for that.”
This year’s championship and a victory at the highly-regarded King’s Royal at Eldora (Ohio) Speedway were two redeemable up-sides to the season. To him, those moments are still “hard to put into perspective.” In the 10-month span of preparation and competition, Schatz’s successes have yet to resonate with him. Though it will take Schatz some time to absorb the total success of the year, his triumph for the finale of World Finals was felt immediately in victory lane.
Schatz, who started fifth for the 30-lap feature, used his momentum from the previous night toward his 2016 season send-off. Schatz was honored with the KSE Hard Charger award the previous night, climbing 10 spots to a third place finish. Starting nine spots better than Friday’s feature, Schatz was in a better position to contend for the win.
Platinum driver David Gravel, who won his heat race and the Craftsman® Club Dash earlier in the program, was seeking his 10th win of the season; by doing so, he would have joined Schatz as the only two drivers in the series to record double-digit win totals. Gravel led the field into the green flag. From there he alternated from the top in turns one and two to the bottom in turns three and four to maintain the top spot.
The first of four cautions on the second lap not only diminished Gravel’s buffer, but also regrouped the field. On the restart, Schatz charged forward. He picked-up his podium spot then, thereon setting his sights on quick-timer Greg Hodnett and Gravel ahead of him. Schatz eventually used lapped traffic to take over the second spot on the backstretch. More importantly, a trend was developing: Schatz used the breaks in momentum from the cautions to his advantage.
The race’s second caution on the 13th lap again regrouped the field; the top-three was beginning to separate by half-second intervals before the yellow flag waved. His strategy of using cautions came into play three laps later when it paired him with Gravel. Gravel defended his top spot on the restart and more importantly in turns one and two. However, the following lap reopened the door in Schatz’s favor. Schatz, unable to get under Gravel the first time, made a successful move the second time around before another caution on the 15th lap.
Halfway home, Gravel dipped below Schatz in an attempt to reclaim the lead. But, a strong restart from Schatz made it an ill-attempt. Gravel stayed on pace with Schatz thereafter, maintaining a sub-second distance away from him. The race’s final caution with nine laps remaining gave Gravel another opportunity to strike.
Gravel, taking the same approach, tried to leverage his racecar underneath Schatz’s in turns three and four. However, Schatz’s raw speed kept the battle at bay; he led Gravel by 0.472 seconds with eight laps to go. Within those laps, Platinum driver Joey Saldana sealed the deal for third. Saldana started seventh in the feature.
“As the run went on, the more and more [Schatz] slipped off turn four,” said Gravel, explaining his strategy. “The bottom was definitely better there later, but I just could not keep up on the restarts. He just checked-out on the restarts, and I just couldn’t close the gap.”
While Schatz and Gravel protected their spots for the rest of the feature, Hodnett sought revenge. In the closing laps, Hodnett was able to reclaim the final podium spot. Even so, seven Outlaws finished inside the top 10. Schatz ultimately won the race by a 0.788-second margin.
“Joey races really hard, but I could squeeze in under him a couple of times enough to get out front,” Hodnett said. “But I’ll tell you what, hats-off to Schatz, Gravel and those guys. All these guys are really tough, and just to be able to half-ass compete with them, I’m just really proud of it. Would have liked the turn out to be better, but we’ll be back God-willing to see what we can do in front of these great fans.”
Gravel, the 2013 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year, recorded his best season with the Outlaws since joining the national tour. He improved on last year’s winless season, taking nine more checkered flags and earning 36 more top-five performances.
The Dirt Track at Charlotte Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz finished the 2016 season strong, winning the Bad Boy Off Road World Finals finale at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Starting fifth, Schatz used lapped traffic and a series of cautions to eventually overtake polesitter David Gravel. Greg Hodnett maintained his podium after a late push from Platinum driver Joey Saldana.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Greg Wilson; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Danny Lasoski; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Tim Shaffer; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Danny Dietrich; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): David Gravel, Shane Stewart, Joey Saldana; Craftsman/Sears: Ian Madsen; KSE Hard Charger: Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brad Sweet; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 25 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7, Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16, Lernerville Speedway on September 24, Fulton Speedway on October 8, The Dirt Track at Charlotte on October 28); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Shane Stewart - 8 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9; Hartford Speedway on September 22; Eldora Speedway on September 24); Brad Sweet - 8 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2; Lakeside Speedway on October 21); Daryn Pittman - 8 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22; Salina Highbanks Speedway on October 22); Joey Saldana - 5 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22, U.S. 36 Raceway on September 17); Jason Johnson - 4 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14, The Dirt Track at Charlotte on October 28); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Logan Schuchart - 2 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9; Port Royal Speedway on October 15); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27); Danny Dietrich - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on October 14)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; The Dirt Track at Charlotte, N.C.; Oct. 29, 2016
Feature - (30 Laps) -1. 15-Donny Schatz [5] [$12,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [1] [$5,500]; 3. 27-Greg Hodnett [3] [$3,200]; 4. 83-Joey Saldana [7] [$2,800]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [14] [$2,500]; 6. 21-Brian Brown [9] [$2,300]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [4] [$2,200]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [12] [$2,100]; 9. 10H-Chad Kemenah [13] [$2,050]; 10. 7S-Jason Sides [18] [$2,000]; 11. 49X-Tim Shaffer [6] [$1,500]; 12. 99-Brady Bacon [17] [$1,200]; 13. 41-Jason Johnson [10] [$1,100]; 14. 48-Danny Dietrich [11] [$1,050]; 15. 2L-Danny Lasoski [21] [$1,000]; 16. 49-Brad Sweet [16] [$1,000]; 17. 1B-Dale Blaney [20] [$1,000]; 18. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [23] [$1,000]; 19. 23-Trey Starks [24] [$1,000]; 20. 17B-Bill Balog [15] [$1,000]; 21. 71M-Dave Blaney [22] [$1,000]; 22. 7-Paul McMahan [25] [$]; 23. W20-Greg Wilson [26] [$]; 24. 18-Ian Madsen [2] [$1,000]; 25. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [8] [$1,000]; 26. 82-Sammy Swindell [19] [$1,000]Lap Leaders:David Gravel 1-14, Donny Schatz 15-30KSE Hard Charger Award:1S-Logan Schuchart [+9]
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 27-Greg Hodnett [1]; 2. 49X-Tim Shaffer [2]; 3. 21-Brian Brown [4]; 4. 10H-Chad Kemenah [5]; 5. 99-Brady Bacon [3]; 6. 3G-Carson Macedo [6]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8]; 8. 49H-Doug Esh [11]; 9. 23-Trey Starks [7]; 10. 4-Cole Duncan [10]; 11. 91-Chad Boespflug [12]; 12. 2MX-Hunter Schuerenberg [9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 18-Ian Madsen [1]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 3. 48-Danny Dietrich [4]; 4. 17B-Bill Balog [3]; 5. 82-Sammy Swindell [8]; 6. 17W-Kerry Madsen [9]; 7. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [5]; 8. 2M-Brent Marks [7]; 9. A67-Cale Conley [11]; 10. 23M-Lance Moss [12]; 11. 67-Tanner Thorson [10]; 12. 1A-Jac Haudenschild [6]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 2-Shane Stewart [1]; 2. 83-Joey Saldana [2]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [4]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [9]; 6. 19-Paige Polyak [6]; 7. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [8]; 8. 2L-Danny Lasoski [5]; 9. 77X-Parker Price-Miller [10]; 10. 94-Ryan Smith [7]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson [11]; 12. 27G-Jay Galloway [12]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 5-David Gravel [2]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [1]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [4]; 5. 1B-Dale Blaney [7]; 6. 51S-Stevie Smith [6]; 7. 7-Paul McMahan [8]; 8. 23C-Tyler Courtney [9]; 9. 71M-Dave Blaney [5]; 10. 25-Tyler Bear [10]; 11. 4S-Danny Smith [11]
Craftsman Club®Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) -1. 5-David Gravel [4]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [3]; 3. 27-Greg Hodnett [1]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [2]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [8]; 6. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5]; 7. 83-Joey Saldana [6]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7]
C-Main - (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the B-feature) -1. 4-Cole Duncan [1] [-]; 2. 23C-Tyler Courtney [2] [-]; 3. 49H-Doug Esh [5] [$150]; 4. 77X-Parker Price-Miller [4] [$150]; 5. 67-Tanner Thorson [3] [$150]; 6. 25-Tyler Bear [6] [$125]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [8] [$125]; 8. A67-Cale Conley [7] [$125]; 9. 91-Chad Boespflug [9] [$125]; 10. 23M-Lance Moss [11] [$125]; 11. 4S-Danny Smith [10] [$125]; 12. 27G-Jay Galloway [12] [$125]; 13. 1A-Jac Haudenschild [13] [$125]; 14. 13-Clyde Knipp [14] [$125]; 15. OO-Dane Lorenc [15] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 2L-Danny Lasoski [2] [-]; 2. 71M-Dave Blaney [4] [-]; 3. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [1] [-]; 4. 23-Trey Starks [5] [-]; 5. 3G-Carson Macedo [3] [$300]; 6. 51S-Stevie Smith [8] [$250]; 7. 2M-Brent Marks [7] [$225]; 8. 94-Ryan Smith [10] [$200]; 9. 7-Paul McMahan [14] [$200]; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser [9] [$200]; 11. 17W-Kerry Madsen [13] [$200]; 12. 2MX-Hunter Schuerenberg [11] [$200]; 13. 19-Paige Polyak [6] [$200]; 14. 4-Cole Duncan [15] [$200]; 15. 23C-Tyler Courtney [16] [$200]; 16. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [12] [$200]
Johnson Earns Fourth Series Win of 2016- Eight Outlaws finish inside the Top 10
CONCORD, N.C. – Oct. 28, 2016 – Jason Johnson set the tone for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Friday night, winning the first night of racing for the Bad Boy Off Road World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Johnson, who idled his winged sprint down victory lane for the fourth time this season, has made his victories count for the series’ most celebrated races in 2016.
“I’ll tell you what, these Priority Aviation/ Mesilla Valley Transportation guys have been doing a hell of a job all year long,” said Johnson, beaming on the front-stretch. “To cap it off at the end of the year with a victory in front of this great crowd…couldn’t say any more bout the facility at such an awesome event…to win is just an honor.”
Earlier in the year, Johnson recorded his second win at the prestigious 5-Hour Energy Knoxville Nationals presented byCasey's General Stores on August 13. At Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway, the Eunice, La. native battled wheel-to-wheel with points leader Donny Schatz for a valuable extension on the event’s 56-year history. Johnson encountered a similar situation at World Finals.
Johnson, who started fourth in the feature, preceded the feature with a heat win and second place finish in the second Craftsman® Club Dash; Dale Blaney finished ahead of him. With Blaney starting second and fellow Platinum driver Brad Sweet on the pole for the 30-lap feature, Johnson faced an uphill battle chock-full of the sport’s most proven drivers.
Sweet, riding the high of winning the first dash of the night, started strong into the green flag. However, Blaney superseded his prowess and managed to take the top spot in the opening laps. Within the first three laps, Blaney increased his lead to 2.044 seconds. Two laps later, Johnson caught his stride and undertook Sweet exiting turn one for the second spot.
Sweet did not go down without a fight; he redeemed his spot on the race’s ninth lap. The two drivers thereon jockeyed for the runner-up spot, both using an under-over maneuver on each other for the next two laps. Johnson got the best of the battle, securing the spot exiting turn four on the 11th lap.
From there, Sweet faded. Logan Schuchart, who started seventh on the night, got around Sweet for the final podium position. While Schuchart was solidifying his spot on the podium, Johnson was cutting into Blaney’s lead. With 10 laps remaining, Johnson came within 0.382 seconds before the race's first and only caution. By this time, the World of Outlaws regulars claimed six out of the top seven spots. Schatz was sitting in sixth.
“I’m very lucky to drive this racecar right now,” Schuchart said. “Our guys do a very great job, and it’s a fast car. I felt better as the race went on. I felt like it was the fastest car at the end of the race. The weather looks similar tomorrow so hopefully the track is similar.”
On the restart, Johnson closed the gap more than he had originally. Blaney and Johnson fought side-by-side, their cars parallel to each other exiting turn four with nine laps remaining. All the while, Schatz began his charge to the front. The seven-time series champion – soon to be eighth once he signs in for the event’s finale – made his way up to third with six laps left in the feature.
“These guys did an incredible job,” Schatz said. “The racetrack: you really didn’t know what was going to happen there. I’m glad those guys worked it. It made for a great race. I thought we were in really great shape coming through there. I tried to change and adapt to what I had. Tonight was definitely a big learning curve, and it’s definitely fun.”
Johnson proved to be too much for Blaney, and in the closing laps fell back. Johnson had sole possession of the lead. Schuchart and Schatz were able to get by Blaney, finishing one-two respectively behind Johnson. With Schatz’s charge, he recorded his 59th top-five performance of the year. Adding to the series’ success, the Outlaws placed in eight of the top-10 spots.
“We’re a privateer team, and we’re definitely financially driven,” said Johnson, earning the $12,000 purse. “So, it’s an honor to pull-off another victory.”
Schatz, who doubled-over into the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series, finished 15th in the 50-lap feature which preceded the Sprint class. Schatz said he is having “a lot of fun” dabbling in both classes, but his focus for the finale will be in sprint car.
“I don’t think I was cut-out to drive those cars,” Schatz said. “Those 50 laps seemed like 500 to me. It was brutal. Tomorrow will be a little better being able to run the sprint car first. So, we’ll see what happens with that.”
The Dirt Track at Charlotte Notebook
RACE NOTES: Jason Johnson, who started fourth in the feature, spent the majority of the 30-lap feature battling toward the front. Once the Platinum driver sealed the deal for the second position, he had his sights toward overtaking Dale Blaney for the lead. With six laps remaining, Johnson succeeded. Streaking Logan Schuchart replaced Blaney for the second spot in the closing laps. Donny Schatz, who started in 13th position, followed Schuchart into the podium. Schatz was honored with the KSE Hard Charger Award, climbing 10 positions in all.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Paul McMahan; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Brian Brown; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Brad Sweet, Shane Stewart, Logan Schuchart, David Gravel, Daryn Pittman, Jason Johnson, Joey Saldana; Craftsman/Sears: Greg Hodnett, Dale Blaney; KSE Hard Charger: Donny Schatz; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Jason Johnson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Danny Dietrich; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 24(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7, Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16, Lernerville Speedway on September 24, Fulton Speedway on October 8); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Shane Stewart - 8 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9; Hartford Speedway on September 22; Eldora Speedway on September 24); Brad Sweet - 8 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2; Lakeside Speedway on October 21); Daryn Pittman - 8 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22; Salina Highbanks Speedway on October 22); Joey Saldana - 5 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22, U.S. 36 Raceway on September 17); Jason Johnson - 4 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14, The Dirt Track at Charlotte on October 28); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Logan Schuchart - 2 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9; Port Royal Speedway on October 15); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27); Danny Dietrich - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on October 14)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; The Dirt Track at Charlotte, N.C.; Oct. 28, 2016
Feature - (30 Laps) - 1. 41-Jason Johnson [4] [$12,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7] [$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [13] [$3,200]; 4. 1B-Dale Blaney [2] [$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [1] [$2,500]; 6. 5-David Gravel [9] [$2,300]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [5] [$2,200]; 8. 10H-Chad Kemenah [6] [$2,100]; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman [11] [$2,050]; 10. 83-Joey Saldana [10] [$2,000]; 11. 21-Brian Brown [8] [$1,500]; 12. 2M-Brent Marks [15] [$1,200]; 13. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [17] [$1,100]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [23] [$1,050]; 15. 2L-Danny Lasoski [12] [$1,000]; 16. 71M-Dave Blaney [21] [$1,000]; 17. 18-Ian Madsen [19] [$1,000]; 18. 48-Danny Dietrich [14] [$1,000]; 19. 82-Sammy Swindell [18] [$1,000]; 20. W20-Greg Wilson [25] [$]; 21. 49X-Tim Shaffer [22] [$1,000]; 22. 7-Paul McMahan [24] [$1,000]; 23. 27-Greg Hodnett [3] [$1,000]; 24. 19-Paige Polyak [20] [$1,000]; 25. 51S-Stevie Smith [16] [$1,000] Lap Leaders: Dale Blaney 1-23, Jason Johnson 24-30 KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz[+10]
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 3 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2] ; 2. 27-Greg Hodnett [1] ; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [4] ; 4. 18-Ian Madsen [3] ; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5] ; 6. 17W-Kerry Madsen [7] ; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [6] ; 8. OO-Dane Lorenc [8] ; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 3 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1] ; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2] ; 3. 2M-Brent Marks [4] ; 4. 67-Tanner Thorson [6] ; 5. 19-Paige Polyak [3] ; 6. 17B-Bill Balog [8] ; 7. 49H-Doug Esh [5] ; 8. 23C-Tyler Courtney [7]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 3 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 5-David Gravel [2] ; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [1] ; 3. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [4] ; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [3] ; 5. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [5] ; 6. 3G-Carson Macedo [6] ; 7. 25-Tyler Bear [7] ; 8. 4S-Danny Smith [8]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 3 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 1B-Dale Blaney [1] ; 2. 83-Joey Saldana [2] ; 3. 48-Danny Dietrich [4] ; 4. 49X-Tim Shaffer [3] ; 5. 77X-Parker Price-Miller [7] ; 6. 94-Ryan Smith [6] ; 7. 4-Cole Duncan [5] ; 8. 91-Chad Boespflug [8]
Heat 5 - (8 Laps - Top 3 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 10H-Chad Kemenah [1] ; 2. 21-Brian Brown [3] ; 3. 51S-Stevie Smith [2] ; 4. 7-Paul McMahan [4] ; 5. 99-Brady Bacon [5] ; 6. 2MX-Hunter Schuerenburg [6] ; 7. 23M-Lance Moss [7] ; 8. A67-Cale Conley [8]
Heat 6 - (8 Laps - Top 3 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1] ; 2. 2L-Danny Lasoski [2] ; 3. 82-Sammy Swindell [7] ; 4. 71M-Dave Blaney [3] ; 5. 23-Trey Starks [6] ; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [4] ; 7. 1A-Jac Haudenschild [5] ; 8. 27G-Jay Galloway [8]
Craftsman® Club Dash 1 - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1] ; 2. 27-Greg Hodnett [4] ; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [2] ; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5] ; 5. 5-David Gravel [3] ; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [6]
Craftsman® Club Dash 2 - (6 Laps - Top finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 1B-Dale Blaney [1] ; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [3] ; 3. 10H-Chad Kemenah [2] ; 4. 21-Brian Brown [5] ; 5. 83-Joey Saldana [4] ; 6. 2L-Danny Lasoski [6]
C-Main - (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the B-feature) - 1. 67-Tanner Thorson [1] [-]; 2. 23-Trey Starks [6] [-]; 3. 3G-Carson Macedo [3] [$150]; 4. 94-Ryan Smith [2] [$150]; 5. 2MX-Hunter Schuerenburg [4] [$150]; 6. 17B-Bill Balog [13] [$125]; 7. 77X-Parker Price-Miller [8] [$125]; 8. 23C-Tyler Courtney [7] [$125]; 9. 25-Tyler Bear [9] [$125]; 10. A67-Cale Conley [14] [$125]; 11. 17W-Kerry Madsen [5] [$125]; 12. 27G-Jay Galloway [16] [$125]; 13. 23M-Lance Moss [10] [$125]; 14. 91-Chad Boespflug [12] [$125]; 15. 13-Clyde Knipp [17] [$125]; 16. OO-Dane Lorenc [11] [$125]; 17. 4S-Danny Smith [15] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 18-Ian Madsen [1] [-]; 2. 19-Paige Polyak [3] [-]; 3. 71M-Dave Blaney [4] [-]; 4. 49X-Tim Shaffer [2] [-]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [5] [-]; 6. 7-Paul McMahan [6] [-]; 7. 99-Brady Bacon [12] [$300]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [8] [$250]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [13] [$225]; 10. 49H-Doug Esh [9] [$200]; 11. 4-Cole Duncan [10] [$200]; 12. 23-Trey Starks [15] [$200]; 13. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [11] [$200]; 14. 1A-Jac Haudenschild [14] [$200]; 15. 67-Tanner Thorson [16] [$200]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7] [$200]
Bad Boy Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals: At A Glance
All Roads lead to The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway as the 2016 Season Comes to a Close
CONCORD, N.C. - October 24, 2016- The most prestigious dirt racing event in the country, the Bad Boy Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals, returns for three days of heart-pounding, clay-slinging action on the lightning-fast, half-mile oval on October 27-29. The Bad Boy Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals brings together the top series in the sport, the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series and the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds, for a full weekend of racing culminating in the crowning of all three series champions.
Nearly 200 entries among the three premier World Racing Groups divisions are expected. Top drivers such as Donny Schatz, Daryn Pittman, Josh Richards, Shane Clanton, Matt Sheppard, Brett Hearn, Stewart Friesen and many, many more all look to add their names to the Bad Boy Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals trophies.
The opportunity to gain bragging rights from winning one of the largest dirt events in the world is not the only challenge of the weekend. There are a number of championship point standings battles up for grabs as the season comes to a close this weekend at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.
World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series
Can Josh Richards re-write the record books by claiming the most single-season wins? Richards is sitting on win number 17. Gaining a win at the World Finals will eclipse the single-season win record by Darrell Lanigan set back in 2014.
With Richards' early untouchable 2016 World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series season, he all but has the championship wrapped up. Simply showing up to each day of the Bad Boy Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals will make it impossible for his nearest competitor to overtake him for the championship.
Points positions six through 10, however, are looking at a tight battle ahead. Steve Casebolt, Chub Frank, Brian Shirley, Frank Heckenast Jr., and Eric Wells are all separated by just 46 points. Each position could mean a big difference in the end-of-year Point Fund Awards.
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series has the closest points battle coming into the Bad Boy Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals. Donny Schatz has had another record-breaking year, putting in his grasp a third-straight, eighth-overall championship. However, positions two, three and four are up for grabs. Daryn Pittman, David Gravel and Brad Sweet are currently second through fourth in points respectively. Only 11 points separate the three drivers.
Joey Saldana is looking for his next win in order to cement his name in the history books. One more win will send him into an elite club of 100-plus career wins. He will join Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell, Donny Schatz, Mark Kinser and Doug Wolfgang as the only drivers to win 100 races or more.
Super DIRTcar Series
With Bad Boy Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals upon us, the stars of the Big-Block Modifieds from the Super DIRTcar Series will make the trek south to compete in front of thousands of fans.
Matt Sheppard, driver of the No. 9s Big-Block Modified, comes into the Bad Boy Off Road World Finals recording 10 wins, 19 top-five finishes and 20 top-10s out of 24 races. Sheppard is ahead of five-time NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week winner Stewart Friesen by 218 points.
The battle for the top five in the end-of-year point standings is where it really heats up. Only 11 points separate fifth-place Jimmy Phelps, sixth-place Brett Hearn and seventh-place Larry Wight.
Qualifying for Friday and Saturday's main events begins Thursday, Oct. 27th at 5:00pm. Friday Oct. 28th will include the first round of feature races, and Saturday, Oct. 29th will feature the final races for the 2016 season, after which three 2016 Champions will be crowned.
Tickets for the Bad Boy Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals can be purchased through the Charlotte Motor Speedway website, by calling: 1 (800) 455-FANS (3267), or through the ticket booths located at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
For the first time at the Dirt Track at Charlotte, children under 17 will be allowed in the pit area. Minors will be required to have a Charlotte Motor Speedway waiver signed by both parents or guardians in order to enter the pit area with a regularly priced pit pass. Please note that if both parents are not present at the event, the waiver must be completed in advance, signed by both parents or guardians and notarized.
Waivers are available at charlottemotorspeedway.com/waivers.
If you are unable to make it to the event, watch it LIVE on www.dirtvision.com
Pittman Returns to his Winning Ways at Salina
Led every lap in the feature
PRYOR, Okla. – Oct. 22, 2016 – Daryn Pittman returned to his winning ways on the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series tour Saturday night, winning the O'Reilly Auto Parts Twister Showdown at Salina Highbanks Speedway. Pittman’s trip down victory lane was his eighth of the season.
With the win, Pittman – like his teammate Brad Sweet the night before – shattered a winless streak that spanned four months. His last victory was at Williams Grove (Pa.) Speedway on July 22. Pittman made his return to victory lane convincing, as he led all 31 laps of the night’s feature in his No. 9 Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb GF1 car.
“We haven’t really been struggling, but I haven’t been able to finish the job and get the win,” Pittman said. “We’ve been there knocking on the door, and it’s the driver’s job to be able to finish and get the win. Our team has really been working hard and the car’s fast. It’s good to finally reward them with a win. It’s been too long. Hopefully we can use this momentum headed into Charlotte – we always seem to run well there – and get the win there.”
By the courtesy of the Craftsman Club® Draw, Pittman led the 24-car field into the green flag. Pittman held his ground in the opening laps. A notably shift in the podium was last year’s winner and Oklahoma-native Shane Stewart, who moved into the podium by passing David Gravel’s No. 5 CJB Motorsports GF1 racecar.
Two cautions on the seventh lap ultimately caused a single-file restart. While Pittman extended his lead to nearly a .400-second margin, the same interval separated Stewart and Gravel. The two battled side-by-side, until Gravel reclaimed third position.
Pittman consistently extended his lead. Pittman had a 2.323 advantage with 10 laps remaining, and behind him, the podium began to shuffle. Jason Johnson, who was forced to use a backup car because of a wreck the night before, began to charge to the front. Johnson solidified fourth position; he started eighth in the feature.
Pittman led as much as 3.799 seconds with six laps remaining, and was on his way to the checkers. But, the race’s final caution on the last lap of the race regrouped the field, giving hope to those drivers behind him. In a green-white-checkered scenario, Pittman led the single-file restart with Gravel behind him. Johnson’s No. 41 Jason Johnson Racing Maxim car was in fourth.
On the restart, Gravel dove to the bottom of the 3/8-mile oval to contend with Pittman for the lead. Pittman slammed the door on Gravel exiting turn four and turn two heading to the checkers. Though Gravel ran out of real estate, Johnson did not for third position. In the closing lap, Johnson made his move into the final podium position in turn three, redeeming the weekend from an 11th place finish on Friday night.
“This car is a car we ran previously this season,” Johnson said. “We had a lot of confidence in it, and all of our Maxim cars. We build a chain of them through the winter months, and they have a lot of similarities. Tonight, when we get in a predicament like that to get a car down, we know what to expect. We had to get down tonight after the wipeout last night in the heat race.”
Pittman joined fellow Kasey Kahne Racing teammate Sweet as the weekend’s feature winners. The duo ended their droughts that dated back to July. Both picked up their eighth win of the season.
Earlier in the program, Gravel recorded his second-consecutive quick time and heat win of the weekend – also in a backup ride. Gravel owed his strong performance to his engine, and said his consistently fast laps will give him momentum leading into the Bad Boy Off Road World Finals on October 27-29.
“Qualifying as good as we have, we keep putting ourselves in a good position,” said Gravel, visibly distraught that he could not get Pittman in the final laps for his 10th win. “We’ve had good motors, and we’re putting in the good, fresh ones now. They’re showing [up]. We just can’t get good feature finishes. So, glad to come home on the podium heading to Charlotte.”
Salina HighbanksSpeedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Daryn Pittman led every lap of the 31-lap feature, winning his eighth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series feature of the season. Pittman established his dominance early, but it was not until late in the race when he got challenged by David Gravel in the final two laps. In a green-white-checkered situation, Pittman fended-off Gravel. Jason Johnson, starting eighth in the feature, made a late push to round-out the podium.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Clyde Knipp; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Daryn Pittman, David Gravel, Shane Stewart, Logan Schuchart; Craftsman/Sears: Ian Madsen; KSE Hard Charger: Matt Covington; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Schuchart
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 24(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7, Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16, Lernerville Speedway on September 24, Fulton Speedway on October 8); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Shane Stewart - 8 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9; Hartford Speedway on September 22; Eldora Speedway on September 24); Brad Sweet - 8 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2; Lakeside Speedway on October 21); Daryn Pittman - 8 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22; Salina Highbanks Speedway on October 22); Joey Saldana - 5 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22, U.S. 36 Raceway on September 17); Jason Johnson - 3 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Logan Schuchart - 2 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9; Port Royal Speedway on October 15); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27); Danny Dietrich - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on October 14)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Salina Highbanks Speedway, Okla.; Oct. 22, 2016
Feature - (31 Laps due to green-white-checkered finish) -1. 9-Daryn Pittman [1] [$10,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [3] [$5,500]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [8] [$3,200]; 4. 18-Ian Madsen [2] [$2,800]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [4] [$2,500]; 6. 99-Brady Bacon [10] [$2,300]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [5] [$2,200]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [12] [$2,100]; 9. 83-Joey Saldana [7] [$2,050]; 10. 45X-Johnny Herrera [14] [$2,000]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson [9] [$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [13] [$1,200]; 13. 7-Paul McMahan [19] [$1,100]; 14. 82-Sammy Swindell [17] [$1,050]; 15. 12-Lynton Jeffrey [16] [$1,000]; 16. 95-Matt Covington [23] [$900]; 17. O9-Matt Juhl [20] [$800]; 18. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [18] [$800]; 19. 17W-Kerry Madsen [11] [$800]; 20. 1A-Jacob Allen [15] [$800]; 21. 71A-R.J. Johnson [22] [$800]; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6] [$800]; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp [24] [$800]; 24. 2C-Wayne Johnson [21] [$800] Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-31 KSE Hard Charger Award: 95-Matt Covington[+7]
Qualifying -1. 5-David Gravel, 11.688; 2. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.758; 3. 18-Ian Madsen, 11.778; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.849; 5. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.851; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.857; 7. 83-Joey Saldana, 11.886; 8. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.888; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.896; 10. 99-Brady Bacon, 11.899; 11. 17W-Kerry Madsen, 11.911; 12. W20-Greg Wilson, 11.931; 13. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.952; 14. 7-Paul McMahan, 11.972; 15. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.040; 16. 12-Lynton Jeffrey, 12.046; 17. 82-Sammy Swindell, 12.062; 18. O9-Matt Juhl, 12.157; 19. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 12.193; 20. 71A-R.J. Johnson, 12.210; 21. 5J-Jeremy Schultz, 12.218; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.238; 23. 45X-Johnny Herrera, 12.244; 24. 95-Matt Covington, 12.414; 25. 7W-Tasker Phillips, 12.722; 26. 53-Brett Wilson, 13.854
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 5-David Gravel [1] ; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2] ; 3. 83-Joey Saldana [3] ; 4. 99-Brady Bacon [4] ; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [5] ; 6. 12-Lynton Jeffrey [6] ; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [8] ; 8. 2C-Wayne Johnson [7] ; 9. 7W-Tasker Phillips [9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 2-Shane Stewart [1] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2] ; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [3] ; 4. 17W-Kerry Madsen [4] ; 5. 45X-Johnny Herrera [8] ; 6. 82-Sammy Swindell [6] ; 7. 71A-R.J. Johnson [7] ; 8. 53-Brett Wilson [9] ; 9. 7-Paul McMahan [5]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 18-Ian Madsen [1] ; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2] ; 3. W20-Greg Wilson [4] ; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [5] ; 5. 1A-Jacob Allen [3] ; 6. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [7] ; 7. O9-Matt Juhl [6] ; 8. 95-Matt Covington [8]
Craftsman Club® Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of A-feature) -1. 9-Daryn Pittman [1] ; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [2] ; 3. 5-David Gravel [4] ; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [3] ; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [5] ; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 7-Paul McMahan [1] [-]; 2. O9-Matt Juhl [2] [-]; 3. 2C-Wayne Johnson [3] [-]; 4. 71A-R.J. Johnson [4] [-]; 5. 95-Matt Covington [6] [-]; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [5] [-]; 7. 53-Brett Wilson [8] [$300]; 8. 7W-Tasker Phillips [7] [$250]
Sweet Silences the Field at Lakeside
Snaps more than four-month series winless streak
KANSAS CITY, Kans. – Oct. 21, 2016 – Brad Sweet steamrolled ahead Friday night to his eighth win of the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series season at Lakeside Speedway. The O'Reilly Auto Parts Rumble on the River did not only give Sweet an advantage to finish the season’s points race in the top-three, but the victory also snapped a 33-race drought for Sweet.
Sweet had not won a feature in the series since Badlands (S.D.) Motor Speedway on July 2. His best finish at Lakeside came in June 2014, when he placed sixth in the feature. Sweet started on the pole for this year’s 30-lapper, which initially put him in position to break his winless streak.
“It was a little bit frustrating after a while,” said Sweet, who also won the $10,000 purse. “We were off to a great start. Then we hit a slump and haven’t been in victory lane. But it feels like the monkey is off our back. It’s a bigger leap. Tonight we had a fast car, and we were able to move through lapped traffic.”
In the opening lap Ian Madsen, who started second in the feature, claimed Sweet’s spot in turns one and two. However in the five-caution feature frenzy, yellow flags prevented any of the three race-leaders throughout the race from putting any comfortable cushion between them and the 24-car feature. Though Madsen survived the race’s first restart on the third lap, it gave other drivers the chance to make their move.
In turn four of the best lap Joey Saldana, seeking his 100th career series win, joined Madsen and Sweet in a three-wide drag race down the front stretch for the top spot. Saldana managed to overtake both of them and led nearly the remainder of the first-half of the feature.
With two laps before the halfway point – and the race’s fourth caution – Sweet challenged Saldana riding the bottom of the track. Closing into the second half of the race, the front of the pack caught up to the back. Saldana, with less than a half-second lead at the time, got swept-up in the traffic, leaving Sweet enough room to claim the top spot.
The top-five underwent its biggest shuffle on the fourth restart, as Daryn Pittman led the charge into second position Pittman, who started third in the feature, regained a podium spot in turn two and through the backstretch overpowered Saldana. Logan Schuchart, with his most recent win the race before, followed Pittman’s charge in his No. 1s Bobby Allen Triple X racecar.
Though Pittman carried momentum through that sequence in his No. 9 Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb GF1 winged-sprint, the race’s final caution on lap 19 reset the field. From there, Pittman challenged Sweet, at times side-by-side and within a quarter of a second to the No. 49 Kasey Kahne Racing GF1 car. Sweet ultimately won by a half-second margin. Sweet and Pittman are fellow teammates on Kasey Kahne Racing.
“We ran some pretty hard tires, and [the track] was really abrasive on tires,” said Pittman, who thought the setup hurt him. “We gambled with some pretty hard tires, and the longer we ran the better we were. So I didn’t need to see the yellows. We were close. This is one of my favorite half-miles that we run. If we can’t win, I guess it’s okay to get beat by your teammate, but I thought I had a shot on the last lap. But, I got a little too close to the lap cars and got caught in their dirty air.”
Schuchart rounded-out the podium. Schuchart carries back-to-back podium finishes into the final regular series race, theO'Reilly Auto Parts Twister Showdown at Salina (Okla.) Highbanks Speedway.
“At first, I didn’t feel good at all,” Schuchart said. “We were really loose and all over the place. “But the longer we went, the more fuel I got out of it and it started leaning left a little more. It got off [the turns] better and better. We’re just happy to be out here. The car has been fast lately, and I thought we were going to have an off-night in the beginning, but it got better.”
Earlier in the racing program, David Gravel recorded the fastest time in hot laps and qualifying, and won his heat race. Gravel’s seventh quick time of the season was a 13.704 lap time. In the first heat, Gravel was the only driver to record a lap time below the 14-second mark.
Lakeside Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Brad Sweet took his eighth trip down victory this season Friday night, winning the O'Reilly Auto Parts Rumble on the River at Lakeside Speedway. Using his podium start, Sweet maintained his position up front, and passed Joey Saldana right before the race’s halfway mark. He never looked back. Though he had a late challenge by teammate Daryn Pittman, Sweet prevailed. With the win, he broke a winless streak that dates back to early-July.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): David Gravel; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Brad Sweet, Daryn Pittman, Joey Saldana, David Gravel; Craftsman/Sears: Ian Madsen; KSE Hard Charger: Shane Stewart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Brad Sweet; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Clyde Knipp; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 24 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7, Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16, Lernerville Speedway on September 24, Fulton Speedway on October 8); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Shane Stewart - 8 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9; Hartford Speedway on September 22; Eldora Speedway on September 24); Brad Sweet - 8 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2; Lakeside Speedway on October 21); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Joey Saldana - 5 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22, U.S. 36 Raceway on September 17); Jason Johnson - 3 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Logan Schuchart - 2 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9; Port Royal Speedway on October 15); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27); Danny Dietrich - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on October 14)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Lakeside Speedway, Kans.; Oct. 21, 2016
Feature - (30 Laps) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1] [$10,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [3] [$5,500]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [10] [$3,200]; 4. 83-Joey Saldana [4] [$2,800]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [19] [$2,500]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [12] [$2,300]; 7. 17W-Kerry Madsen [9] [$2,200]; 8. 82-Sammy Swindell [13] [$2,100]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [11] [$2,050]; 10. 2C-Wayne Johnson [21] [$2,000]; 11. 41-Jason Johnson [20] [$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [7] [$1,200]; 13. O9-Matt Juhl [16] [$1,100]; 14. 1A-Jacob Allen [15] [$1,050]; 15. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [23] [$1,000]; 16. 71A-R.J. Johnson [18] [$900]; 17. 13-Clyde Knipp [17] [$800]; 18. 18-Ian Madsen [2] [$800]; 19. 21-Brian Brown [6] [$800]; 20. 7-Paul McMahan [8] [$800]; 21. 5-David Gravel [5] [$800]; 22. 12-Lynton Jeffrey [14] [$800]; 23. 95-Matt Covington [22] [$800]; 24. 21X-Kameron Key [24] [$800] Lap Leaders: Ian Madsen 1-4, Joey Saldana 5-12, Brad Sweet 13-30 KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-Shane Stewart[+14]
Qualifying -1. 5-David Gravel, 13.704; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.919; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.928; 4. 83-Joey Saldana, 13.993; 5. 21-Brian Brown, 14.010; 6. 18-Ian Madsen, 14.037; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.066; 8. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.097; 9. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.151; 10. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.196; 11. 17W-Kerry Madsen, 14.274; 12. 82-Sammy Swindell, 14.293; 13. 7-Paul McMahan, 14.300; 14. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.339; 15. 7W-Tasker Phillips, 14.358; 16. 12-Lynton Jeffrey, 14.453; 17. 71A-R.J. Johnson, 14.510; 18. O9-Matt Juhl, 14.513; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.527; 20. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 14.712; 21. 95-Matt Covington, 14.753; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.781; 23. 5J-Jeremy Schultz, 14.826; 24. 21X-Kameron Key, 15.669; 25. 75-Glen Saville, 15.840; 26. 41-Jason Johnson, 14.082
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature)-1. 5-David Gravel [1] ; 2. 83-Joey Saldana [2] ; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [4] ; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3] ; 5. 82-Sammy Swindell [5] ; 6. O9-Matt Juhl [7] ; 7. 21X-Kameron Key [9] ; 8. 7W-Tasker Phillips [6] ; 9. 95-Matt Covington [8]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature)-1. 21-Brian Brown [2] ; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1] ; 3. 7-Paul McMahan [5] ; 4. W20-Greg Wilson [7] ; 5. 12-Lynton Jeffrey [6] ; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [8] ; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [4] ; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [3] ; 9. 75-Glen Saville [9]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature)-1. 9-Daryn Pittman [1] ; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [2] ; 3. 17W-Kerry Madsen [4] ; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [3] ; 5. 1A-Jacob Allen [5] ; 6. 71A-R.J. Johnson [6] ; 7. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [8] ; 8. 2C-Wayne Johnson [7]
Craftsman Club®Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of A-feature)-1. 49-Brad Sweet [2] ; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [1] ; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [4] ; 4. 83-Joey Saldana [3] ; 5. 5-David Gravel [6] ; 6. 21-Brian Brown [5]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 2-Shane Stewart [1] [-]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [8] [-]; 3. 2C-Wayne Johnson [3] [-]; 4. 95-Matt Covington [4] [-]; 5. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [5] [-]; 6. 21X-Kameron Key [6] [-]; 7. 75-Glen Saville [7] [$300]; 8. 7W-Tasker Phillips [2] [$250]
Dietrich with Dream Win at Williams Grove
Saldana one position shy of milestone
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. – Oct. 14, 2016 – A late push to the top Friday night ended in a victory lane celebration on the front stretch for Danny Dietrich, who won the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Champion Racing Oil National Open at Williams Grove Speedway. The Gettysburg, Pa. driver hoisted the $25,000 check in the air in front of a local crowd.
“This is pretty incredible,” Dietrich said. “This may have been one of the toughest races I’ve ever ran. They were setting a heck of a pace. It was no easy win. Props to those guys for racing me clean. I hope the fans got their money’s worth. These are the toughest guys to race against – ever. This is the National Open and people dream about winning this. But, dreams do come true.”
Dietrich, who finished on the podium in the series’ previous show at Fulton Speedway (N.Y.), finished mid-pack in qualifying earlier in the night’s program. Tim Wagaman recorded the fastest lap time at Williams Grove all season with a 16.314 in qualifying. Logan Schuchart, who set the track record at Fulton, was two-thousandths of a second slower than Wagaman in the following group.
It was Dietrich’s second place finish in the third heat that gave him a favorable starting spot for the feature. Dietrich finished sixth in the Craftsman Club® Dash and started in the spot for the 40-lap A-Main. However, he was not an outsider looking into the top five for long. When the green flag waved the 26-car field into the feature, Dietrich’s No. 48 car sprang into action.
In the opening lap, second place starter Brad Sweet moved to the inside of the half-mile oval; Dietrich followed suit, eventually challenging seven-time Series Champion Donny Schatz for fourth position in turn three of the second lap. Platinum driver David Gravel, who beat Dietrich in the heat race, was also in the mix.
Entering lapped traffic by the sixth lap, Gravel swapped third position with Schatz while Sweet briefly overtook pole-sitter Joey Saldana for first. Both Saldana and Schatz avenged their battles, and Schatz moved by Sweet with 21 laps remaining. On lap 23, Dietrich knocked Sweet’s No. 49 car out of his podium position before the feature’s first caution.
“We had the speed,” Sweet said. “You just need to get the track position. Things went right for us there. We were off the front row. I’m a little disappointed because I thought we had a car capable of winning the race. I felt like the driver gave it away a little there.”
The field endured an open red that allowed teams to refuel their winged-sprints. On the restart, Dietrich powered through Schatz into second position before the race’s second caution on lap 24. Including another yellow flag on lap 26, Saldana strung together a series of strong restarts to retain first position. Even so, Dietrich gained on Saldana with each lap. Dietrich consistently cut the corner in turn three, shaving seconds off Saldana’s half-second lead. Dietrich momentarily passed Saldana until the fourth caution on lap 27.
“These guys are really good out here when you come here to race,” Saldana said. “[Dietrich] snickered me on that restart there, and I just got lucky. We did have a good car. You have to come out here and perform.”
One more near-perfect restart from Saldana kept his No. 83 car in front of the field; however, Dietrich resumed his strategy by sticking to the inside groove. On lap 34, Dietrich was able to get under Saldana exiting turn four for the lead. Saldana fought back. In a back-and-forth, Saldana was back out front.
“I kept working the bottom there,” Dietrich said. “I really wasn’t good anywhere but the bottom, so I just kept working it. I felt I could keep-up better down there than running on the top. I was a little too loose to be running around the top. I just couldn’t get to the exit with speed like I needed to. If you told me by lap 10 I’d be standing up here [in victory lane], I would’ve laughed.”
In the final laps, Saldana moved to the bottom of the track to block a hard-charging Dietrich. With four laps remaining, Dietrich overpowered Saldana for the lead. Dietrich ultimately won the battle, while Saldana and Sweet rounded-out the podium. In victory lane – removing the storied Outlaws-PA Posse rivalry from the picture in that moment – the three joked and laughed. Surrounded by a packed front stretch, the crowd applauded the three for another instant-classic to be added into the event’s 54-year history.
Saldana, who won the dash and led the field into the green flag, was in position to win his 100th series race of his career. He was in contention to join Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell, Donny Schatz, Mark Kinser and Doug Wolfgang as the only series drivers to record 100-plus series wins.
“That’s something I want to accomplish before I’m done is to get at least 100 [wins],” said Saldana, who was not even thinking about his milestone during the race. “We were close tonight, just couldn’t get it done.”
Williams Grove Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES:Danny Dietrich used the bottom of William Grove Speedway’s half-mile oval to his advantage Friday night, capturing the 54th Annual Champion Racing Oil National Open. After battling pole-sitter Joey Saldana for much of the second half, Dietrich made a late push in the race’s closing laps to seal the deal.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Paul McMahan; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Danny Dietrich; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Dale Blaney; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Brad Sweet, David Gravel, Jason Sides; Craftsman/Sears: Dave Blaney; KSE Hard Charger: Doug Esh; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Danny Dietrich; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Johnson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 24 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7, Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16, Lernerville Speedway on September 24, Fulton Speedway on October 8); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Shane Stewart - 8 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9; Hartford Speedway on September 22; Eldora Speedway on September 24); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Joey Saldana - 5 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22, U.S. 36 Raceway on September 17); Jason Johnson - 3 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27); Danny Dietrich - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on October 14)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Williams Grove Speedway, Pa.; Oct. 14, 2016
Feature - (40 Laps) -1. 48-Danny Dietrich [6] [$25,000]; 2. 83-Joey Saldana [1] [$12,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [2] [$6,000]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [4] [$5,250]; 5. 5-David Gravel [3] [$4,500]; 6. 27-Greg Hodnett [11] [$4,000]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$3,500]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [10] [$3,000]; 9. 69K-Lance Dewease [7] [$2,750]; 10. 7S-Jason Sides [8] [$2,500]; 11. 1B-Dale Blaney [16] [$2,300]; 12. 21-Brian Brown [12] [$2,250]; 13. 51-Freddie Rahmer [17] [$2,000]; 14. 51S-Stevie Smith [22] [$1,600]; 15. O7-Doug Esh [23] [$1,500]; 16. 41-Jason Johnson [24] [$1,300]; 17. 17W-Kerry Madsen [13] [$1,250]; 18. 2-Shane Stewart [19] [$1,050]; 19. 1-Lucas Wolfe [15] [$1,050]; 20. 1T-Tim Wagaman [9] [$1,050]; 21. 88-T.J. Stutts [21] [$1,000]; 22. 71M-Dave Blaney [5] [$1,000]; 23. 21P-Brian Montieth [25] [$]; 24. 70-Danny Holtgraver [20] [$1,000]; 25. 7-Paul McMahan [18] [$1,000]; 26. 11C-Cory Haas [26] [$]Lap Leaders:Joey Saldana 1-14, 16-38; Brad Sweet 15, Danny Dietrich 39-40 KSE Hard Charger Award:51S-Stevie Smith[+8]
Qualifying -1. 1T-Tim Wagaman, 16.314; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 16.348; 3. 71M-Dave Blaney, 16.413; 4. 7S-Jason Sides, 16.438; 5. 15-Donny Schatz, 16.463; 6. 27-Greg Hodnett, 16.468; 7. 17W-Kerry Madsen, 16.483; 8. 1-Lucas Wolfe, 16.499; 9. 88-T.J. Stutts, 16.536; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 16.537; 11. 51-Freddie Rahmer, 16.538; 12. 2-Shane Stewart, 16.548; 13. 19-Paige Polyak, 16.596; 14. 25-Aaron Ott, 16.714; 15. M1-Mark Smith, 16.721; 16. 11C-Cory Haas, 16.737; 17. 5G-Chase Dietz, 16.802; 18. 13X-Tim Shaffer, 16.891; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 16.935; 20. 69-Tim Glatfelter, 16.975; 21. 1X-Chad Trout, 16.991; 22. 71A-R.J. Johnson, 17.244; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp, 17.252; 24. 87-Alan Krimes, 17.777; 25. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 16.316; 26. 83-Joey Saldana, 16.408; 27. 48-Danny Dietrich, 16.485; 28. 69K-Lance Dewease, 16.502; 29. 9-Daryn Pittman, 16.515; 30. 21-Brian Brown, 16.517; 31. 5-David Gravel, 16.533; 32. 70-Danny Holtgraver, 16.574; 33. 51S-Stevie Smith, 16.586; 34. 1B-Dale Blaney, 16.652; 35. 7-Paul McMahan, 16.688; 36. 17BX-Steve Buckwalter, 16.702; 37. O7-Doug Esh, 16.779; 38. 41-Jason Johnson, 16.821; 39. 17B-Bill Balog, 16.862; 40. 21P-Brian Montieth, 16.890; 41. 19M-Brent Marks, 16.921; 42. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss, 16.928; 43. 94-Ryan Smith, 16.969; 44. 44W-Rodney Westhafer, 17.003; 45. 7W-Logan Wagner, 17.009; 46. 75-Nicole Bower, 17.067; 47. 49X-Craig Dollansky, 17.745; 48. 12W-Troy Fraker, 17.847
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 71M-Dave Blaney [2] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3] ; 3. 1T-Tim Wagaman [1] ; 4. 17W-Kerry Madsen [4] ; 5. 51-Freddie Rahmer [6] ; 6. 88-T.J. Stutts [5] ; 7. M1-Mark Smith [8] ; 8. 13X-Tim Shaffer [10] ; 9. 19-Paige Polyak [7] ; 10. 69-Tim Glatfelter [11] ; 11. 71A-R.J. Johnson [12] ; 12. 87-Alan Krimes [9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 49-Brad Sweet [1] ; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [2] ; 3. 27-Greg Hodnett [3] ; 4. 1-Lucas Wolfe [4] ; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [6] ; 6. 25-Aaron Ott [7] ; 7. 5G-Chase Dietz [9] ; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [10] ; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [5] ; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp [12] ; 11. 1X-Chad Trout [11] ; 12. 11C-Cory Haas [8]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. 5-David Gravel [4] ; 2. 48-Danny Dietrich [2] ; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] ; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [3] ; 5. 7-Paul McMahan [6] ; 6. 51S-Stevie Smith [5] ; 7. 19M-Brent Marks [9] ; 8. 94-Ryan Smith [10] ; 9. 17B-Bill Balog [8] ; 10. O7-Doug Esh [7] ; 11. 7W-Logan Wagner [11] ; 12. 49X-Craig Dollansky [12]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 83-Joey Saldana [1] ; 2. 69K-Lance Dewease [2] ; 3. 21-Brian Brown [3] ; 4. 1B-Dale Blaney [5] ; 5. 70-Danny Holtgraver [4] ; 6. 21P-Brian Montieth [8] ; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [7] ; 8. 17BX-Steve Buckwalter [6] ; 9. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [9] ; 10. 12W-Troy Fraker [12] ; 11. 44W-Rodney Westhafer [10] ; 12. 75-Nicole Bower [11]
Craftsman Club®Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) -1. 83-Joey Saldana [4] ; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [3] ; 3. 5-David Gravel [2] ; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [5] ; 5. 71M-Dave Blaney [1] ; 6. 48-Danny Dietrich [6] ; 7. 69K-Lance Dewease [8] ; 8. 7S-Jason Sides [7]
C-Main - (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the B-feature)- 1. 13X-Tim Shaffer [1] [-]; 2. 94-Ryan Smith [4] [-]; 3. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [2] [$150]; 4. 7W-Logan Wagner [8] [$150]; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [3] [$150]; 6. 1X-Chad Trout [7] [$125]; 7. 71A-R.J. Johnson [9] [$125]; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [11] [$125]; 9. 12W-Troy Fraker [14] [$125]; 10. 49X-Craig Dollansky [12] [$125]; 11. 69-Tim Glatfelter [5] [$125]; 12. 75-Nicole Bower [10] [$125]; 13. 44W-Rodney Westhafer [6] [$125]; 14. 87-Alan Krimes [13] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 88-T.J. Stutts [1] [-]; 2. 51S-Stevie Smith [2] [-]; 3. O7-Doug Esh [6] [-]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [8] [-]; 5. 17BX-Steve Buckwalter [4] [$300]; 6. 11C-Cory Haas [11] [$250]; 7. 19M-Brent Marks [14] [$225]; 8. 21P-Brian Montieth [12] [$200]; 9. 5G-Chase Dietz [13] [$200]; 10. M1-Mark Smith [9] [$200]; 11. 1A-Jacob Allen [3] [$200]; 12. 94-Ryan Smith [16] [$200]; 13. 17B-Bill Balog [10] [$200]; 14. 19-Paige Polyak [5] [$200]; 15. 25-Aaron Ott [7] [$200]; 16. 13X-Tim Shaffer [15] [$200]
National Open at Williams Grove Rescheduled for October 14
MECHANICSBURG, PA - Sept. 30, 2016 - Due to persistent rain, the running of the Champion Racing Oil National Open at Williams Grove Speedway has now been postponed to Friday, October 14.
The event will become a one-day World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series event with a $25,000-to-win, $1,000-to-start payoff for the 40-lap feature. Start time will be 7:30PM on Friday, October 14.
Fans who hold tickets to the National Open can either exchange them or use them for the new rain date. All tickets will be refunded as per back of ticket, and this week's camping passes will be honored on the rescheduled National Open date.
Please note, however, that the joint National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (NSCHoF)/Eastern Museum of Motor Racing (EMMR) benefit auction will continue as planned, tomorrow, Saturday, October 1, rain or shine.
Meanwhile, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series resumes its regular schedule on Saturday, October 8, at Fulton Speedway as part of NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, N.C., is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series. Annually, the two series race nearly 140 times at tracks across the United States and Canada. CBS Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of the World of Outlaws. DIRTVision® also broadcasts all World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.
Stewart Walks Tall at Eldora 4-Crown Nationals
Schuchart slides in for second in the final laps
ROSSBURG, Ohio – Sept. 23, 2016 – Shane Stewart successfully fended off the field Friday night, ultimately winning opening night of Four Crown Nationals Weekend at Eldora Speedway. Though the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series was only scheduled to compete in a one-day, 30-lap feature that paid $10,000, Stewart and company set the tone for the track’s 35th-running of the storied event.
The opening day of the two-day blockbuster began with the inaugural “BeFour The Crowns Showdown,” featuring the Outlaws and the region’s best Sprint car drivers. In a dramatic series of cautions, the 24 determined drivers tested the limits of their winged-sprints in the race’s opening laps.
On the “Big E’s” half-mile, two red flags and a yellow ultimately waved the feature into an “open red,” allowing teams to make certain adjustments to the car. The No. 2 Larson Marks Racing Cool racecar, which started fifth in the feature, shot out of a cannon on the final restart of the first lap. Stewart eventually solidified second place within the first three laps.
“I don’t know what to say,” Stewart said. “I was actually nervous in that race. I had one good restart, one bad restart and [finally] one good restart. On the open red I told my guys, ‘I don’t know if my car is going to be good enough or not.’ Usually you’re pretty good starting up-top, but the cushion was so high that if I started up there, [Pittman] would get a run on me coming out of [turn] one. It’s just all about hitting your marks after that.”
It did not take Stewart long to reel-in 2013 Series Champion Daryn Pittman, who led the lineup into the green flag courtesy of the Craftsman® Club Dash. Stewart, sweeping under Pittman, became the new race leader on the 11th lap. Thereon, Stewart made his time on the top of the cushion.
With 10 laps remaining, Stewart increased his advantage to 2.570 seconds, and he led by as many as 3.573 seconds. That was, until the race’s final red flag regrouped the field double-wide. Stewart held-off Pittman’s No. 9 Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb GF1 car once more, and Logan Schuchart got a jump on Defending Series Champion Donny Schatz for third.
“Yeah some restarts were good and some were bad,” Schuchart said. “I was surprised Shane took the bottom [on the final restart]. It was better for me to start on the outside. I feel like at Eldora last time we got to run down the hill and it really helps you. I just kind of got in my own way on the restart. It felt good behind Daryn running my line, seeing where he goes for a few laps before I felt like I could make a move. We weren’t good enough to beat Shane, but we’re happy to get a top three.”
Stewart extended his lead again to more than two seconds, finishing 2.359 seconds ahead of Schuchart. Schuchart made a last push on a fading Pittman with his No. 1S Bobby Allen Triple X car, eventually making the move in the final laps. Schuhart won his heat race earlier in the program.
“It just took forever to get going,” Pittman said. “I kind of figured how the track was and the way we were going, that we were almost going to go green-checked.We had nothing for the No. 2 car. Once he was in the lead, he checked out. We’ll just keep working hard and keep digging.”
The victory was Stewart’s second consecutive series win and his eighth of the season.
“To win two in a row, it’s just very special,” Stewart said. “It’s obviously pretty special to win here…any time you can win here. I just have to thank Tony Stewart and all the hardworking crew that takes care of this place. They always do a great job. I just have to thank everyone who’s involved with this team. Everyone puts in their little bits and pieces here, and I’m just blessed to be the driver.”
Eldora Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: In a stretch of four restarts with no completed laps, a three-way battle between Stewart, Pittman and Schatz ensued. But it was the strong restarts at the right times that catapulted Stewart into more than a three-second lead. Though late pushes from other series drivers chipped-away at his lead, Stewart ultimately won his eighth win of the season.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Sheldon Haudenschild; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Daryn Pittman, Logan Schuchart, Shane Stewart, David Gravel Craftsman/Sears: Ian Madsen; KSE Hard Charger: Brad Sweet; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Shane Stewart JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 22 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7), Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16; David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Shane Stewart - 8 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9; Hartford Speedway on September 22; Eldora Speedway on September 24); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Joey Saldana - 5 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22, U.S. 36 Raceway on September 17); Jason Johnson - 3 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Eldora Speedway, Pa.; Sept 23, 2016
Feature - (30 Laps)- 1. 2-Shane Stewart [5] [$10,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [4] [$5,500]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [1] [$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [2] [$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [7] [$2,500]; 6. 83-Joey Saldana [9] [$2,300]; 7. 17W-Kerry Madsen [6] [$2,200]; 8. 18-Ian Madsen [3] [$2,100]; 9. 49-Brad Sweet [20] [$2,050]; 10. 10H-Chad Kemenah [13] [$2,000]; 11. 41-Jason Johnson [15] [$1,500]; 12. 35-Jac Haudenschild [16] [$1,200]; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18] [$1,100]; 14. W20-Greg Wilson [21] [$1,050]; 15. 7C-Caleb Armstrong [17] [$1,000]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [11] [$900]; 17. 23C-Tyler Courtney [24] [$800]; 18. 7-Paul McMahan [14] [$800]; 19. 1ST-Gary Taylor [8] [$800]; 20. 1B-Dale Blaney [23] [$800]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [10] [$800]; 22. 49X-Tim Shaffer [12] [$800]; 23. 19-Paige Polyak [19] [$800]; 24. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [22] [$800];Lap Leaders:Daryn Pittman 1-10, Shane Stewart 11-30;KSE Hard Charger Award:49-Brad Sweet [+11]
Qualifying- 1. 1ST-Gary Taylor, 13.036; 2. 5-David Gravel, 13.108; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.135; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.153; 5. 83-Joey Saldana, 13.163; 6. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.186; 7. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 13.193; 8. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.198; 9. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.202; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.241; 11. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.276; 12. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.289; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.307; 14. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.314; 15. 17W-Kerry Madsen, 13.320; 16. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.325; 17. 1B-Dale Blaney, 13.349; 18. 7-Paul McMahan, 13.361; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.460; 20. 19-Paige Polyak, 13.374; 21. 23C-Tyler Courtney, 13.486; 22. 21C-Cap Henry, 13.495; 23. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.508; 24. 35-Jac Haudenschild, 13.531; 25. 7C-Caleb Armstrong, 13.570; 26. 7J-Joe Swanson, 13.583; 27. O9X-Carson Macedo, 13.588; 28. 6-Bill Rose, 13.637; 29. 11N-Randy Hannagan, 13.638; 30. 23-D.J. Foos, 13.643; 31. OO-Dane Lorenc, 13.649; 32. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.660; 33. 33M-Max Stambaugh, 13.664; 34. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg, 13.672; 35. 8M-T.J. Michael, 13.690; 36. 49D-Shawn Dancer, 13.743; 37. 99-Brady Bacon, 13.833; 38. 59-Ben Schmidt, 13.841; 39. O7-Jacob Wilson, 13.860; 40. 5B-Chad Blonde, 14.103; 41. 4-Danny Smith, nt; 42. 57X-Andrew Palker, nt
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. 5-David Gravel [1]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [4]; 3. 83-Joey Saldana [2]; 4. 10H-Chad Kemenah [3]; 5. 7C-Caleb Armstrong [7]; 6. 1B-Dale Blaney [5]; 7. 23C-Tyler Courtney [6]; 8. 23-D.J. Foos [8]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [9]; 10. 4-Danny Smith [11]; 11. 99-Brady Bacon [10]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [2]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [4]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [3]; 5. 19-Paige Polyak [5]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [6]; 7. 6-Bill Rose [7]; 8. OO-Dane Lorenc [8]; 9. O7-Jacob Wilson [10]; 10. 8M-T.J. Michael [9]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. 17W-Kerry Madsen [4]; 2. 1ST-Gary Taylor [1]; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen [2]; 4. 7-Paul McMahan [5]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3]; 6. 21C-Cap Henry [6]; 7. 11N-Randy Hannagan [8]; 8. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [9]; 9. 59-Ben Schmidt [10]; 10. 7J-Joe Swanson [7]; 11. 57X-Andrew Palker [11]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [1]; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer [3]; 4. 35-Jac Haudenschild [6]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [4]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [5]; 7. 33M-Max Stambaugh [8]; 8. 49D-Shawn Dancer [9]; 9. O9X-Carson Macedo [7]; 10. 5B-Chad Blonde [10]
Craftsman ClubDash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature)- 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [8]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 3. 18-Ian Madsen [7]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [5]; 6. 17W-Kerry Madsen [2]; 7. 5-David Gravel [1]; 8. 1ST-Gary Taylor [6]
C-Main - (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the Last Chance Showdown)- 1. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [2] [-]; 2. 59-Ben Schmidt [6] [-]; 3. 13-Clyde Knipp [1] [$150]; 4. O7-Jacob Wilson [7] [$150]; 5. 8M-T.J. Michael [3] [$150]; 6. 5B-Chad Blonde [8] [$125]; 7. 49D-Shawn Dancer [4] [$125]; 8. 99-Brady Bacon [5] [$125]; 9. 4-Danny Smith [9] [$125]; 10. 57X-Andrew Palker [10] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. W20-Greg Wilson [2] [-]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [5] [-]; 3. 1B-Dale Blaney [1] [-]; 4. 23C-Tyler Courtney [3] [-]; 5. 21C-Cap Henry [4] [$300]; 6. O9X-Carson Macedo [8] [$250]; 7. 23-D.J. Foos [9] [$225]; 8. 6-Bill Rose [7] [$200]; 9. OO-Dane Lorenc [11] [$200]; 10. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [13] [$200]; 11. 11N-Randy Hannagan [10] [$200]; 12. 33M-Max Stambaugh [12] [$200]; 13. 7J-Joe Swanson [6] [$200]; 14. 59-Ben Schmidt [14] [$200]
Five Finger Victory: Donny Schatz Steals Win in the Arnold Motor Supply Shootout at Clay County Fair Speedway
by Tony Veneziano
SPENCER, Iowa — Sept. 16, 2016 — Donny Schatz only led two laps on Friday night in the Arnold Motor Supply Shootout at Clay County Fair Speedway, but they were the most important two — the final two — as he picked up his fifth-career win at the track. Schatz used a strong restart on a green-white-checker finish to snatch the win from Daryn Pittman, who paced the opening 28 laps.
Pittman started on the pole and was the dominant car for the majority of the 30-lap race, opening big leads in lapped traffic on several occasions. On the green-white checker restart, Schatz dove low in turns one and two and cleared Pittman to take the lead. Pittman looked to the high side of turn four and then low in turns one and two on the white flag lap, to no avail as he tried to get back by Schatz.
“There was no game plan on the restart,” said Schatz. “The 9-car was a lot better than we were. He had a lot different line. He was going out in one and coming back across. I got the wing back on that last restart and figured if I could get the bottom, maybe he’d slip up and I could get there before he got back down. Then it was just do whatever you can to carry as much speed as you could. Without the restart, I definitely wouldn’t have won that thing.”
Schatz was part of a torrid battle for third early in the race with Jason Johnson and Danny Lasoski. The trio went three-wide into turn three on one occasion. After winning that round, Schatz then worked on Logan Schuchart for the second spot, before getting a chance at Pittman, when the second and final caution flag of the night flew.
“At one point, you couldn’t even see him, he was so far out front in traffic,” noted Schatz of Pittman’s lead. “When your car is as good as his was, you hate to see those yellows. You can’t control these yellows in racing. That’s the nature of the beast. Some days it bites you and some days it doesn’t. This race team does an amazing job. The car felt really good in the dash and we made some changes and maybe went the wrong way. That’s racing. We’ll get another shot at it tomorrow and we’ll try again.”
For Schatz, it was his fifth career win in the Arnold Motor Supply Shootout at Clay County Fair Speedway and his series-leading 22nd of the season as he continues to chase his eighth series title aboard the Bad Boy Off-Road J&J for Tony Stewart Racing. The veteran driver has finished in the top-10 at Clay County in all 10 World Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car series events at the track, dating back to 2007.
“The atmosphere here is incredible,” said Schatz. “I can remember the first time I came here in 1993 and was intimidated. The race track was a lot bigger and more flat back then. This is an incredible facility and the atmosphere at the fair is great. We were able to go out and enjoy some fair food before the races. The fans have always been great here and it’s great to come here.”
Pittman had to face a pair of restarts on Friday night. The first was of the double-file variety and he chose the low side, with Logan Schuchart lining up next to him. Schuchart looked low in turns one and two for the lead to no avail. On the green-white-checker finish, Pittman had Schatz starting on his bumper as the pair of champions battled for the $10,000 top prize.
“I was just thinking, ‘Finish the race and get the win,’” said Pittman of the green-white-checker finish. “We just didn’t get it done. It is what it is. The guy wins 30 races a year, because the rest of us aren’t smart enough to figure out how to win a race, myself included. We had a dominant car and just didn’t finish the job. At some point, hopefully we can learn something from it and get better. At this point, it’s just hard to swallow and we’ll move on.”
With his runner-up finish, Pittman moved to second in points. The driver of the Great Clips No. 9 for Kasey Kahne Racing has racked up 19 straight top-10 finishes, with 14 of those being top-five performances, with five runner-up finishes.
“The guys gave me a good car,” shared Pittman. “We had a really good car. I thought we were getting through traffic pretty well and it didn’t matter, because we finished second.”
Brad Sweet used a strong restart with two laps to go, as he got around Schuchart to take third. Sweet has now finished in the top-three in four of the last six races in the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet machine. He kept pace with his teammate Pittman, as the pair, along with David Gravel continues to battle for the second spot in points.
“It was a good race,” Sweet said. “The last two laps it was going to be tough. Donny (Schatz) got up on the wheel and Daryn (Pittman) had been very fast. We were able to get a good restart and got to third. We struggled in (turns) one and two. I just didn’t have the car to get down the back straightaway there. We were pretty good in (turns) three and four up on top. Hats off to my guys. We keep getting these top-three finishes and we’ll get the wins. We’ll move on to the next one tomorrow and hopefully we can get it done.”
Logan Schuchart, who was involved in great battles throughout the race, ended up fourth for the Shark Racing team. Shane Stewart crossed the line fifth, with Danny Lasoski, the reigning National Sprint League champion, in sixth. Jason Sides was seventh, followed by Jason Johnson in eighth, Kerry Madsen, picked up the the KSE Hard Charger Award, coming from 22nd to ninth, after having to change an engine, following a heat race. Terry McCarl rounded out the top-10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and National Sprint League return to action on Saturday, September 17 at U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo., for the running of the FVP Missouri High Banked Nationals.
Clay County Fair Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Series points leader and defending champ Donny Schatz stole the finish from Daryn Pittman on a single-file restart with two laps to go. Pittman, who had held the lead throughout the race, staving off multiple attacks from Logan Schuchart, finished second, with Brad Sweet in third.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Brian Brown; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Terry McCarl; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Tim Kaeding; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): David Gravel; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Daryn Pittman, Jason Johnson, Logan Schuchart, Brad Sweet, Shane Stewart; Craftsman/Sears: Danny Lasoski; KSE Hard Charger: Kerry Madsen; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Joey Saldana; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Parker Price-Miller.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 22 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7), Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16; David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 6 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Jason Johnson - 3 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Clay County Fair Speedway; Sept 16, 2016
Feature - (30 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3] [$10,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [1] [$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [5] [$3,200]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [4] [$2,800]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [7] [$2,500]; 6. 2L-Danny Lasoski [6] [$2,300]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [12] [$2,200]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [2] [$2,100]; 9. 17W-Kerry Madsen [22] [$2,050]; 10. 24-Terry McCarl [13] [$2,000]; 11. 3-Tim Kaeding [23] [$1,500]; 12. 5-David Gravel [8] [$1,200]; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser [16] [$1,100]; 14. 17-Josh Baughman [10] [$1,050]; 15. 1A-Jacob Alen [21] [$1,000]; 16. 18-Ian Madsen [20] [$900]; 17. 83-Joey Saldana [9] [$800]; 18. O9-Matt Juhl [24] [$800]; 19. 7-Parker Price Miller [18] [$800]; 20. 7D-Dustin Selvage [14] [$800]; 21. 17B-Bill Balog [15] [$800]; 22. 2C-Wayne Johnson [11] [$800]; 23. 21-Brian Brown [19] [$800]; 24. 2KS-Craig Dollansky [17] [$800]; Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-28, Donny Schatz 29-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17W-Kerry Madsen [+13]
Qualifying - 1. 41-Jason Johnson; 2. 17W-Kerry Madsen; 3. 2-Shane Stewart; 4. 49-Brad Sweet; 5. 2L-Danny Lasoski; 6. 17-Josh Baughman; 7. 2C-Wayne Johnson; 8. 5-David Gravel; 9. 24-Terry McCarl; 10. 15-Donny Schatz; 11. 17B-Bill Balog; 12. 7S-Jason Sides; 13. 1A-Jacob Alen; 14. 7D-Dustin Selvage; 15. 9-Daryn Pittman; 16. 18-Ian Madsen; 17. 2KS-Craig Dollansky; 18. 7-Parker Price Miller; 19. 21-Brian Brown; 20. 11K-Kraig Kinser; 21. 83-Joey Saldana; 22. 7X-Kaley Gharst; 23. O9-Matt Juhl; 24. 3-Tim Kaeding; 25. 7W-Tasker Phillips; 26. 1S-Logan Schuchart; 27. 55-Brooke Tatnell; 28. 17BX-Ryan Bickett; 29. 10-Dakota Hendrickson; 30. 13-Clyde Knipp; 31. 19-Paige Polyak; 32. W20-Greg Wilson; 33. 71A-R.J. Johnson; 34. 22-Rager Phillips; 35. O-Branden Stevenson; 36. 19W-Bobby, nt
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1] ; 2. 2L-Danny Lasoski [2] ; 3. 83-Joey Saldana [6] ; 4. 24-Terry McCarl [3] ; 5. 2KS-Craig Dollansky [5] ; 6. 1A-Jacob Alen [4] ; 7. 7W-Tasker Phillips [7] ; 8. 71A-R.J. Johnson [9] ; 9. 10-Dakota Hendrickson [8]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3] ; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7] ; 3. 17-Josh Baughman [2] ; 4. 7D-Dustin Selvage [4] ; 5. 7-Parker Price Miller [5] ; 6. 7X-Kaley Gharst [6] ; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [8] ; 8. 22-Rager Phillips [9] ; 9. 17W-Kerry Madsen [1]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1] ; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [4] ; 3. 2C-Wayne Johnson [2] ; 4. 17B-Bill Balog [3] ; 5. 21-Brian Brown [5] ; 6. 55-Brooke Tatnell [7] ; 7. O9-Matt Juhl [6] ; 8. 19-Paige Polyak [8] ; 9. O-Branden Stevenson [9]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1] ; 2. 5-David Gravel [2] ; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [3] ; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5] ; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [4] ; 6. 3-Tim Kaeding [6] ; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [8] ; 8. 17BX-Ryan Bickett [7] ; 9. 19W-Bobby [9]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [2] ; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [8] ; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [7] ; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3] ; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [5] ; 6. 2L-Danny Lasoski [4] ; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [6] ; 8. 5-David Gravel [1]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 1A-Jacob Alen [2] [-]; 2. 17W-Kerry Madsen [1] [-]; 3. 3-Tim Kaeding [5] [-]; 4. O9-Matt Juhl [4] [-]; 5. 55-Brooke Tatnell [7] [$300]; 6. 7X-Kaley Gharst [3] [$250]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [12] [$225]; 8. 7W-Tasker Phillips [6] [$200]; 9. 71A-R.J. Johnson [13] [$200]; 10. 10-Dakota Hendrickson [9] [$200]; 11. 19-Paige Polyak [11] [$200]; 12. 13-Clyde Knipp [10] [$200]; 13. 17BX-Ryan Bickett [8] [$200]; 14. 22-Rager Phillips [14] [$200]; 15. O-Branden Stevenson [15] [$200]; 16. 19W-Bobby [16] [$200]
Johnson King of the Mountain at El Paso
Schatz recovers from early trouble for second
CALHAN, Colo. – Sept. 14, 2016 – Jason Johnson dominated the 24-car field Wednesday night, winning The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series’ inaugural stop at El Paso County Raceway. Johnson led all 40 laps to take home the $10,000 purse.
In the series’ first stop in the state of Colorado since 2005, Johnson’s consistent performance landed him in the Craftsman Club® Dash. By virtue of the invert, Johnson’s No. 41 Jason Johnson Racing Maxim car led the six-car dash into the green flag; he did not forfeit his top-spot, which put him in the lead spot for the feature.
“I’m surrounded by a great group of guys…” said Johnson, beaming ear-to-ear. “…including Tim Engler. Because the altitude is so different here, we worked with Tim all last week preparing for tonight. He definitely helped us out to get our Kistler engine running pretty good.”
In a 40-lap thriller that had the track’s record-breaking crowd on the edge of their seats, the 2015 World of Outlaws Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year held his ground. But it was the unexpected that had the crowd in awe on the opening lap of the race. In a five caution showdown, the first caution included one of the series’ top juggernauts.
Defending Series Champion and current points leader Donny Schatz had a rare miscue barreling into turn four, overshooting the cushion. This set Schatz back. Schatz, who had 64 top ten finishes entering the day, was an outsider looking into the top ten at 15th place.
On the restart, Brad Sweet catapulted his No. 49 Kasey Kahne Racing GF1 racecar into second position from fourth. Sweet became the utmost threat for Johnson at this point in the race, as he began to chip away at Johnson’s lead. Like a teeter-totter, Johnson recovered his lead. He led by a 1.261-second margin 10 laps into the feature.
Sweet again charged ahead, diminishing Johnson’s lead to .657 seconds on lap 18. Schatz, who made his way to 12th, continued to rise up to seventh position before the race’s third caution. On the restart, the swiftness of Schatz’s No. 15 Tony Stewart/ Curb-Agajanian Racing J&J machine landed him a podium spot. While Schatz moved through the field, Johnson fended-off Sweet’s advances.
“I just stayed consistent and changed-up where I started,” Johnson said. “Brad was doing a hell of a job. Hats off to his race team. I saw Brad there the first restart in turns three and four, and he raced me clean. He’s a class-act. I can’t thank him enough. I want to thank the crowd. It’s nice to come to Colorado.”
With 15 laps remaining, 1.527 seconds separated Johnson from Sweet. Schatz, still gaining ground, was a within .400 seconds of Sweet. Though the race’s fourth caution regrouped the field – and more importantly the podium – the splits foreshadowed the impending battle between Sweet and Schatz.
“Jason always got a good run, and for the time we waited off turn two, with the angle of the track we just about ran into him,” Sweet said. “Then Donny snuck up on us at the end. We were just a little bit off. We didn’t know it was going to be this slick. [The track] slicked-off pretty early.”
Sweet and Schatz found themselves in a battle for the runner-up position. The two drag-raced side-by-side down the stretches of the quarter-mile oval, but it took Schatz seven more laps to get under Sweet. Schatz solidified second, while Johnson was on his way to a victory.
“I’m stuck in West Coast mode, I guess,” Schatz said. “I just made a mistake getting in there, and I’m lucky I didn’t go into the wall. I got back going, and it would have been nice to see that go without all the yellows. I started to pick them off pretty good. You make mistakes like that, and you get fired for mistakes like that. But, we got to rebound.”
Schatz, who cut Johnson’s lead from .665 seconds to .371 seconds in two laps, took a shot at the checkers. The fans cheered on the two 900-horsepower cars thundering down the front-stretch. But it was Johnson who got the best of Schatz. Sweet rounded-out the podium. Johnson was able to scale his car in victory lane with his son Jaxx, slapping a big smooch on the side of his face. The victory was Johnson’s third of the season.
“It’s fun to compete with the World of Outlaws and guys like Donny Schatz,” said Johnson. “The guys you look up to. It’s a great honor, and I want to thank you all for coming out.”
El Paso County Raceway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Jason Johnson led every lap of the 40-lap feature Wednesday night, enjoying his third win of the season. The victory was Johnson’s 16th top-five performance of 2016. His last victory was on August 13 at the famed 5-hour ENERGY Knoxville Nationals, where he also survived a push by Schatz.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Bud Kaeding; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Kalib Henry; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Sides, Justyn Cox; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Paul McMahan, Daryn Pittman, Brad Sweet, Jacob Allen; Craftsman/Sears: Austen Wheatley; KSE Hard Charger: Shane Stewart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brad Sweet.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 21 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 6 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Jason Johnson - 3 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; El Paso County Raceway, Colo.; Sept 14, 2016
Feature - (40 Laps)- 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1] [$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2] [$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [4] [$3,200]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6] [$2,800]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [5] [$2,500]; 6. 5-David Gravel [3] [$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [7] [$2,200]; 8. 9X-Jake Bubak [15] [$2,100]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [14] [$2,050]; 10. 7-Parker Price-Miller [8] [$2,000]; 11. 83-Joey Saldana [12] [$1,500]; 12. 2-Shane Stewart [9] [$1,200]; 13. 1A-Jacob Allen [10] [$1,100]; 14. 21-Brian Brown [11] [$1,050]; 15. OJ-Jeremy McCune [18] [$1,000]; 16. 24-Rich Martin [20] [$900]; 17. O5-Justin Wolfe Medlock [19] [$800]; 18. 13-Clyde Knipp [13] [$800]; 19. 77-Damon McCune [17] [$800]; 20. 4P-JR Nelson [21] [$800]; 21. 14J-Jeff Hefner [16] [$800]; 22. 24X-Leroy Brush [22] [$800]; 23. 2N-Shad Peterson [23] [$800]; 24. 4N-John Nelson [24] [$800].Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-40;KSE Hard Charger Award: 9X-Jake Bubak [+7]
Qualifying- 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.608; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.656; 3. 5-David Gravel, 12.697; 4. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.716; 5. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.743; 6. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.761; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.805; 8. 7-Parker Price-Miller, 12.842; 9. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.859; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.887; 11. 21-Brian Brown, 13.044; 12. 83-Joey Saldana, 13.057; 13. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.101; 14. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.196; 15. 9X-Jake Bubak, 13.330; 16. 14J-Jeff Hefner, 13.374; 17. 24-Rich Martin, 13.500; 18. OJ-Jeremy McCune, 13.571; 19. O5-Justin Wolfe Medlock, 13.902; 20. 77-Damon McCune, 14.067; 21. 4P-JR Nelson, 14.685; 22. 24X-Leroy Brush, 13.981; 23. 2N-Shad Peterson, 14.341; 24. 4N-John Nelson, 25.928
Heat 1 - (10 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1] ; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [2] ; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [3] ; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen [4] ; 5. 13-Clyde Knipp [5] ; 6. 14J-Jeff Hefner [6] ; 7. O5-Justin Wolfe Medlock [7] ; 8. 24X-Leroy Brush [8]
Heat 2 - (10 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2] ; 3. 7-Parker Price-Miller [3] ; 4. 21-Brian Brown [4] ; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [5] ; 6. 77-Damon McCune [7] ; 7. 24-Rich Martin [6] ; 8. 2N-Shad Peterson [8]
Heat 3 - (10 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 5-David Gravel [1] ; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [3] ; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [2] ; 4. 83-Joey Saldana [4] ; 5. 9X-Jake Bubak [5] ; 6. OJ-Jeremy McCune [6] ; 7. 4P-JR Nelson [7] ; 8. 4N-John Nelson [8]
Craftsman Club Dash - (8 Laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of A-feature)- 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2] ; 3. 5-David Gravel [4] ; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [6] ; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [3] ; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5]
California Native Rico Abreu Wins a Wild Gold Cup Race of Champions Finale at Silver Dollar Speedway
by Gary Thomas
CHICO, Calif. – Sept. 10, 2016 — For the sixth time in seven years the Gold Cup Race of Champions trophy is staying in the Golden State after Rutherford, California’s Rico Abreu dominated much of the feature on Saturday, before holding off a late charge from Daryn Pittman to score his first career win in the 63rd running of the prestigious event.
A wild and intense 40-lap Gold Cup finale was presented to fans on Saturday night in Chico. The victory marked Abreu’s fifth career World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series triumph aboard the Abreu Vineyards No. 24 machine. It was his second win of the season to go along with his victory at the Ironman 55 in Pevely during the month of August.
“This is pretty awesome and a special feeling to win the Gold Cup,” Abreu commented with a big smile after the race. “Hats off to my guys for all their hard work and for giving me a great car tonight. The track changed a lot over the course of the race, and the cautions definitely fell our way. Daryn [Pittman] was fast and gave me a good run there at the end. Moving up top on those later restarts helped us win this race. I’m glad to be back home racing in California and excited we could park it tonight in Chico.”
The main event started out with pole sitter & dash winner Paul McMahan of Nashville, Tennessee jumping into the lead of the race. Abreu showed his muscle early on however, by moving into second on lap-two and then claimed the top-spot on a lap five restart. Pittman battled his way forward at the same time to overtake McMahan for the runner up position on lap 12, before setting his sights on the leader. The track had widened out nicely for the main event and featured multi-groove racing throughout the field.
Pittman would challenge Abreu for the lead on lap 17, prior to a caution waving, which took the leaders out of traffic.
A number of stoppages plagued the flow of the feature, but through it all Abreu kept his composure out front. Towards the end of the race Pittman did find new life though and made a few bids at the lead, only to have the yellow flag wave on three separate occasions. Abreu wisely moved up to run the high-line on the final two restarts, giving him the chance to pull out to a large enough lead, ultimately coming out on top by just under half a second for the victory.
Dating back to 2010, he becomes the fourth different driver from California to win the Gold Cup Race of Champions.
Pittman crossed the stripe in second to cap a solid night for the Kasey Kahne Racing No. 9 team. The 2006 Gold Cup winner came close to adding a second victory at the event. The finish also moved him to third in the World of Outlaws standings, and he now sits just three-points out of second.
“We kept making gains on those restarts, but the cautions just didn’t fall my way tonight. Rico [Abreu] did a great job on the restarts though throughout the race, so I have to congratulate him on the win. My guys gave me a great car tonight, and I gave it my all in the feature but just came up a little short. We’ve been working hard all year, and I’m just trying to keep up with these kids out here. Huge thanks to everyone with KKR for allowing me to drive this car.”
Auburn, California’s Andy Forsberg had a tremendous run in the main event to round out the podium at the helm of the A&A Stepping Stone No. 92 mount. The former Silver Dollar Speedway track champ pressured Pittman at one point for second, before claiming third at the finish. It marked his second career podium result at the Gold Cup.
“This is almost unreal to be up here on the podium again at the Gold Cup Race of Champions,” Forsberg said. “To do this with the World of Outlaws is a big deal. I can’t thank my car owners enough for letting me come out and have fun with these guys. Thanks also to the fans that came out and supported this event.”
Bixby, Oklahoma’s Shane Stewart earned the KSE Hard Charger Award with a fine run from 16th to fourth in the feature, while Washington driver Austen Wheatley recorded his best career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series finish in fifth. The top-10 was rounded out by Watertown, Connecticut’s David Gravel; Wooster, Ohio’s Jac Haudenschild; St. Mary’s NSW, Australia’s Kerry Madsen; Hanover, Pennsylvania’s Logan Schuchart and Hanford, California’s DJ Netto.
The most serious incident during the feature occurred on lap 35 when McMahan got upside down in turn one after contact from another competitor. He emerged from the car alert, but complaining of neck pain. McMahan was then transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Paradise, California’s Kyle Hirst won the night’s Last Chance Showdown, with British Columbia driver Robbie Price bringing home the win in the C-main. Four 10-lap heat races were held during the night and claimed by Rico Abreu, Brad Sweet, Paul McMahan and Austen Wheatley. Sweet’s night would come to a premature end when he lost a motor while battling in the top-five during the feature. Abreu started out the night by setting fast time with a blistering lap of 11.150 around the quarter-mile.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return to action this coming Wednesday night at the El Paso County Raceway in Calhan, Colorado.
Silver Dollar Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: California native Rico Abreu added his name to the list of Gold Cup Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway Saturday night after a long, collision-filled race. Daryn Pittman, all over Abreu for much of the 40-lap feature, finished second, bringing him back up to third in points standings. Local driver Andy Forsberg finished third.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Bud Kaeding; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Kalib Henry; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Sides, Justyn Cox; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Paul McMahan, Daryn Pittman, Brad Sweet, Jacob Allen; Craftsman/Sears: Austen Wheatley; KSE Hard Charger: Shane Stewart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brad Sweet.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 21 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 6 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 2 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Silver Dollar Speedway, Calif.; Sept 10, 2016
Feature - (40 Laps) - 1. 24-Rico Abreu [4] [$12,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [3] [$5,700]; 3. 92-Andy Forsberg [6] [$3,500]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [16] [$3,000]; 5. 44W-Austen Wheatley [2] [$2,600]; 6. 5-David Gravel [10] [$2,400]; 7. 57-Jac Haudenschild [9] [$2,300]; 8. 83JR-Kerry Madsen [15] [$2,200]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11] [$2,150]; 10. 3C-DJ Netto [20] [$2,100]; 11. 83-Joey Saldana [19] [$1,600]; 12. M21-Kalib Henry [22] [$1,350]; 13. 29-Willie Croft [7] [$1,300]; 14. 31BC-Justyn Cox [12] [$1,200]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [13] [$1,100]; 16. OO-Cory Eliason [24] [$1,000]; 17. 77-Kyle Hirst [21] [$900]; 18. 15-Donny Schatz [17] [$850]; 19. 7-Paul McMahan [1] [$800]; 20. 49-Brad Sweet [5] [$800]; 21. 41-Jason Johnson [14] [$800]; 22. OOX-Jason Statler [18] [$800]; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen [8] [$800]; 24. O-Bud Kaeding [23] [$800]; Lap Leaders: Paul McMahan 1-5, Rico Abreu 6-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-Shane Stewart [+12]
Qualifying - 1. 24-Rico Abreu, 11.150; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.393; 3. 77-Kyle Hirst, 11.467; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.477; 5. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.486; 6. 92-Andy Forsberg, 11.487; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.495; 8. 44W-Austen Wheatley, 11.504; 9. 57-Jac Haudenschild, 11.578; 10. 5-David Gravel, 11.579; 11. 7-Paul McMahan, 11.635; 12. 3C-DJ Netto, 11.648; 13. M21-Kalib Henry, 11.676; 14. OO-Cory Eliason, 11.683; 15. 83JR-Kerry Madsen, 11.688; 16. O-Bud Kaeding, 11.689; 17. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.729; 18. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.741; 19. 29-Willie Croft, 11.749; 20. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.780; 21. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.822; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp, 11.842; 23. 83-Joey Saldana, 11.853; 24. 31BC-Justyn Cox, 11.880; 25. 41X-Dominic Scelzi, 11.893; 26. 11AU-Toby Bell Bowen, 11.952; 27. 12C-Brian Mcgahan, 11.998; 28. 75-Sean Becker, 12.001; 29. 22-Shane Golobic, 12.016; 30. OOX-Jason Statler, 12.025; 31. 19-Chase Majdic, 12.034; 32. 21-Robbie Price, 12.140; 33. 12-Jarrett Soares, 12.152; 34. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.188; 35. 1H-Billy Wallace, 12.348; 36. 98-Sean Watts, 12.569; 37. 22A-Cori Andrews, 13.444
Heat 1 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 24-Rico Abreu [1]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [2]; 3. 57-Jac Haudenschild [3]; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [5]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [6]; 6. M21-Kalib Henry [4]; 7. 22-Shane Golobic [8]; 8. 12-Jarrett Soares [9]; 9. 22A-Cori Andrews [10]; 10. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [7]
Heat 2 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 92-Andy Forsberg [2]; 3. 5-David Gravel [3]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [5]; 5. OOX-Jason Statler [8]; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [6]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [9]; 8. OO-Cory Eliason [4]; 9. 11AU-Toby Bell Bowen [7]
Heat 3 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 7-Paul McMahan [3]; 2. 29-Willie Croft [5]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2]; 4. 83JR-Kerry Madsen [4]; 5. 83-Joey Saldana [6]; 6. 77-Kyle Hirst [1]; 7. 19-Chase Majdic [8]; 8. 1H-Billy Wallace [9]; 9. 12C-Brian Mcgahan [7]
Heat 4 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 44W-Austen Wheatley [2]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [1]; 3. 31BC-Justyn Cox [6]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [5]; 5. 3C-DJ Netto [3]; 6. 21-Robbie Price [8]; 7. 75-Sean Becker [7]; 8. O-Bud Kaeding [4]; 9. 98-Sean Watts [9]
Craftsman Club Dash - (8 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 7-Paul McMahan [2]; 2. 44W-Austen Wheatley [1]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [8]; 4. 24-Rico Abreu [4]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [3]; 6. 92-Andy Forsberg [6]; 7. 29-Willie Croft [7]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [5]
C-Main - (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the Last Chance Showdown) - 1. 21-Robbie Price [1] [-]; 2. 12-Jarrett Soares [2] [-]; 3. W20-Greg Wilson [3] [$150]; 4. 1H-Billy Wallace [4] [$150]; 5. 22A-Cori Andrews [6] [$150]; 6. 98-Sean Watts [5] [$125]; 7. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [7] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 77-Kyle Hirst [1] [-]; 2. M21-Kalib Henry [2] [-]; 3. O-Bud Kaeding [4] [-]; 4. OO-Cory Eliason [3] [-]; 5. 22-Shane Golobic [9] [$300]; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [5] [$250]; 7. 75-Sean Becker [8] [$225]; 8. 21-Robbie Price [11] [$200]; 9. 19-Chase Majdic [10] [$200]; 10. 12C-Brian Mcgahan [7] [$200]; 11. 11AU-Toby Bell Bowen [6] [$200]; 12. 12-Jarrett Soares [12] [$200]
Seven-Time Champ Donny Schatz Leads the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series into the Western Swing
Events include Skagit, Elma, Willamette & Chico
By Gary Thomas
Alger, Washington - August 31, 2016...On the strength of four wins in a row since the Knoxville Nationals Fargo, North Dakota's Donny Schatz leads the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series into the Western Swing, beginning this weekend at the Skagit Speedway in Alger, Washington.
The Western Swing in 2016 encompasses six nights of racing up and down the left coast, including events in Skagit; Elma; Lebanon, Oregon; and Chico, California.
Since finishing second at the Knoxville Nationals, Schatz has been on fire, claiming the last four series events at the helm of the Tony Stewart Racing No. 15 machine.
Schatz earned a sweep of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series events in Skagit during the 2014 season, in addition to winning the last three races at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, the site of Monday night's race. To top it off he is also the defending Gold Cup champion at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. His most recent win on Sunday night in his home state of North Dakota marked his 20th overall triumph this season.
The question everyone will be asking is can anyone beat Schatz? If someone can, it may very well be Bixby, Oklahoma's Shane Stewart, who captured last year's visit to Skagit Speedway and is a two-time Dirt Cup champion in his career at the track. Stewart has also won in the past at Willamette Raceway and scored opening night at the Gold Cup Race of Champions last season. He has scored five wins so far this season aboard the Larson Marks Racing No. 2 and hopes to add on to that during the Western Swing.
"We look forward to getting back to Skagit Speedway this weekend," Stewart commented. "After winning there last year it definitely gives us confidence going back this Friday & Saturday. Skagit has always been a good track for me and hopefully that will be the case this weekend. A strong run can certainly set the tone for the Western Swing. Everything sort of winds down after the swing as well, so we definitely look forward to having six nights of racing this next week."
Grass Valley, California's Brad Sweet is second in points going into the swing and will hope to bring home his first Gold Cup triumph at the end of the end of it. The driver of the Kasey Kahne Racing No. 49 has raced to seven victories so far this season. Owasso, Oklahoma's Daryn Pittman; Watertown, Connecticut's David Gravel & Brownsburg, Indiana's Joey Saldana round out the top-five in points going into the Western Swing.
Sweet, Pittman and Gravel are locked in a hotly contested battle for the runner up spot in the standings, as just seven-digits separate the trio. All three traditionally run strong on the West Coast. Completing the top-10 in the standings are Stewart; Eunice, Louisiana's Jason Johnson; Hanover, Pennsylvania's Logan Schuchart; Bartlett, Tennessee's Jason Sides and Nashville, Tennessee's Paul McMahan.
More drivers expected to take on the Western Swing will include Benton Ridge, Ohio's Greg Wilson; Hanover, Pennsylvania's Jacob Allen; Fresno's Dominic Scelzi; California, Missouri's Clyde Knipp and others.
The Skagit Speedway is located at 4796 Old Highway 99 North, Alger, WA 98233.
The Grays Harbor Raceway is located at 32 Elma McCleary Rd. Elma, WA 98541.
The Willamette Speedway is located at 36606 Airport Dr, Lebanon, OR 97355.
The Silver Dollar Speedway is located at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, a half-mile west of SR 99 on Park Ave in Chico, California.
The 2016 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Western Swing Schedule
Friday September 2: Skagit Speedway - Outlaw Energy Showdown presented by Outlaw Energy Drink
Saturday September 3: Skagit Speedway - Outlaw Energy Showdown presented by Outlaw Energy Drink
Monday September 5: Grays Harbor Raceway - Lucky Eagle Casino Grays Harbor Grudge Match presented by NAPA Auto Parts
Wednesday September 7: Willamette Speedway - Lebanon, Oregon
Friday September 9: Silver Dollar Speedway Chico, CA- 63rd annual Gold Cup Race of Champions
Saturday September 10: Silver Dollar Speedway Chico, CA- 63rd annual Gold Cup Race of Champions
World of Outlaws Brings 410 Sprint Cars Back to Colorado
Series takes on El Paso County Raceway for the first time ever on Sept 14
CONCORD, N.C. - Aug. 29, 2016 - The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series has partnered with Blood, Sweat and Tears (BST) Racing to bring 410 sprint car racing to El Paso County Raceway in Calhan, Colo. on Wednesday, Sept. 14.
The event will be the Outlaws' first time in Colorado since 2005, and the first-ever appearance at the semi-banked quarter-mile track.
"We are excited to join BST Racing for this great event and the opportunity to see the Outlaws take on El Paso County Raceway," said World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter. "It's been a long time since we've been in Colorado, and we're excited to bring 410 sprint cars back to them."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series hasn't been to Colorado since the Rocky Mountain National Speedway closed its doors (and was leveled for a housing project) at the end of the 2005 season. Danny Lasoski established the single-lap record of 12.014 seconds at the semi-banked 3/8-mile oval on Aug. 17, 2004. World of Outlaws A-feature winners include Craig Dollansky (2004), Donny Schatz (2003), Sammy Swindell (1995), Steve Kinser (1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1983), Dave Blaney (1993), Kenny Jacobs (1992), and Bobby Davis, Jr. (1990).
"This is five or six years of blood, sweat, and tears," said Raceway Manager and BST Racing Promoter Joe Bellm. "So it's nice to see this finally come to be. Plenty of times I was ready to throw in the towel. You know the obstacles we were all up against. But stubborn heads prevail!"
While 410 sprint car racing has been absent from the track in recent years, several local standouts are expected to make a play against the Outlaws, including local driver Jeff Heffner (a Knoxville 360 regular) and Justin Wolf Medlock (an ASCS local). Jeremy McCune, from Billings, Mont., has committed to going and is bringing up to four other cars with him. And word has it a couple of cars are coming from Wyoming as well.
Sharing the playing field with the Outlaws are the Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association (RMMRA) and the The Rocky Mountain Lightning Sprints (RMLSA).
The Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association began in 1940, and is the second oldest midget racing club in the country. Based out of Colorado, the RMMRA has a long standing fan base, history, and deep roots in open wheel competition allowing them to experience the evolution of midget racing.
"We are honored to run in support of the World of Outlaws and BST Promotions as they make their return to Colorado," said RMMRA President Chris Sheil. "It is nice to see Mr Bellm's hard work prevail in getting this show to reality here in Colorado. I know he has been working on it for some time now. And our great car count is due to all of his organization with the Colorado Dirt Track Alliance he put together. I can not say enough about the continued improvements Joe has done with El Paso County Raceway. It has truly become the greatest venue to race at in Colorado."
The Rocky Mountain Lightning Sprints is an association formed in 2011 by the merging of the RMMSA and COMSA to manage the 1000cc motorcycle-based winged and non winged open wheel division in Colorado and western Kansas. These cars use a midget chassis, powered by 1000-1200cc motorcycle engines. These are a great class for those drivers that later may want to race Midgets and Sprint cars.
"We race at several tracks in Colorado and Western Kansas, and were honored to be the support class," said RMLSA President Steve Becker. "El Paso County raceway is our home track, and we are excited to race at this improved facility operated by BST Promotions. With the continued support of our great car owners and drivers, as well as our local track promoters, we have had great car counts often exceeding 20 cars per night."
Race Central Television and Radio host Kurt Hansen - synonymous with all forms of local, national and international motor sports, and BST Racing's Official Dirt Track Announcer for all Colorado and BST Races - will share his usual post in the Tower with World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series announcer Johnny Gibson for this epic event.
"Kurt's edgy attitude and extensive racing knowledge will certainly bring a spark, energy, and angle never heard before at this event or any other," said Bellm. "It is no doubt that Kurt's enthusiasm and passion certainly made him our first choice for this Fall Classic not-to-be-missed Show."
Hansen and Bellm are expecting many gearhead fans to come out and see all Stars and Cars of the "The Greatest Show on Dirt."
"A lot of people are excited", said Bellm. "This is definitely going to be a big show."
Ticket Information can be found at woosprint.com.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, N.C., is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series. Annually, the two series race nearly 140 times at tracks across the United States and Canada. CBS Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of the World of Outlaws. DIRTVision® also broadcasts all World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.
High Five: Donny Schatz Wins Gerdau Magic City Showdown for Fifth Straight Year at Nodak Speedway
MINOT, N.D. - August 28, 2016 - It took Donny Schatz until his seventh start to win at his home track of Nodak Speedway in Minot, North Dakota with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. Since that victory in 2012, he been undefeated in the Gerdau Magic City Showdown. Schatz extended his win streak at Nodak Speedway to five, after leading flag-to-flag on Sunday night at the three-eighths-mile.
Schatz started second and on the initial start ran second to pole sitter Logan Schuchart, but the first caution flag of the night flew before the lap was complete. That led to a complete restart and on the second start, Schatz was able to dive under Schuchart on the front straightaway to officially lead the first lap. Schatz was in traffic just five laps into the race and like his win on Friday night at River Cities Speedway, he masterfully weaved his way through the lapped machines.
"They are all special and they are all good," said Schatz of his five wins at Nodak Speedway. "The trophies here are awesome and so are the people. Everything about this place is great. I'll tell you what's really great, and that is this race team. These guys (on my crew) deserve to be standing here. The race car they prepare each day is incredible. I'm the lucky guy that gets to drive it and looks good. Their hard work is what pays off and gets us to victory lane."
With just two laps remaining in the 35-lap contest, a red flag flew, setting up a green-white-checker restart to determine the outcome. Schatz would use a strong restart to stay out front and opened a bit of a lead on the final circuit.
"I was thinking, 'Air don't go out of these tires,'" said Schatz, of the red flag. "We run bleeders and when you get heat in the tires it lets the air down and the tires then cool down. They get a little wormy after that. They were a little wormy after that red flag, but they were able to get us a win anyway."
The win for Schatz helped him complete a sweep of the three races for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in his home state of North Dakota for the second straight. Schatz now has won 18 times overall with the series in North Dakota. The win was the 20th of the season for the seven-time and defending series champion, who has now won at least 20 races in four consecutive years.
"It doesn't get any better than that," said Schatz of winning in North Dakota. "When you are a kid, like these kids here in the crowd and you dream of doing something, that's me. I'm standing here living my dream. Everybody all the times asks me how I am doing and I'm living my dream. Thank you fans for being part of it."
Jason Johnson lined up eighth and used a late-race charge to finish second. A strong restart on lap-10, moved him up a couple of spots and pit him in a torrid battle with David Gravel for third. Johnson was able to take third on lap-15 and began to work on Schuchart for second. Another strong restart propelled Johnson to second as he set his sights on Schatz.
"We started a little bit further back, so we gambled with set-up," said Johnson of his Priority Aviation team. "We've been searching a little bit and the guys definitely hit it right tonight. We had a really fast Maxim race car. Once we got to second, I was definitely wanting a restart. Donny (Schatz) is one of the best in the industry right now and he's tough. He definitely makes us step up our game each night."
On the green-white-checker restart, Johnson was able to look under Schatz in turns one and two, as he about pulled even with the leader, but could quite get enough of a run to attempt a pass. The second-place finish for Johnson was his 13thtop-five finish of the season.
"I needed to get to him and I couldn't quite clear him," shared the 2016 Knoxville Nationals winner. "One thing about Donny is that he'll race you clean, so I wanted to race him clean. Once we came down the back straightaway he had a little more momentum and our only chance was maybe if he would have bobbled, but that doesn't happen very often."
Daryn Pittman, who fell back to seventh at one point, during the 35-lap race, also made a late-race charge to finish third in the Great Clips No. 9. Pittman started sixth and over the second half of the race was able to pick up a number of positons on his way to his 36th top-five finish of the season.
"That was a fun race tonight," said Pittman. "It was great track prep. From the driver's seat it was pretty exciting and a lot of fun to drive. It took me too long to run the top in (turns) one and two. Once I was able to do that, I was making a lot of speed and down the back straight with a lot more mile an hour."
Logan Schuchart continued his strong 2016 season by finishing fourth, which was his 10th top-five finish of the season. David Gravel crossed the line fifth, with Brad Sweet sixth. Joey Saldana was seventh, followed by Jacob Allen, who turned in an eighth-place run to put both Shark Racing cars in the top-10. Paul McMahan was ninth, with Dominic Scelzi rounding out the top-10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Friday, September 2 and Saturday, September 3 in the Outlaw Energy Showdown at Skagit Speedway in Alger, Washington.
Nodak Speedway Notebook
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Clyde Knipp; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jordon Adams; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Logan Schuchart, Brad Sweet, David Gravel, Shane Stewart; Daryn Pittman; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Kyle Fedyk; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Clyde Knipp.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 20 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28); David Gravel - 7 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Rico Abreu - 1(Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 2 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Nodak Speedway, N.D.; Augst 28, 2016
A-Main - (35 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2] [$10,000]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [8] [$5,500]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [6] [$3,200]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] [$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [4] [$2,500]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [3] [$2,300]; 7. 83-Joey Saldana [7] [$2,200]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [12] [$2,100]; 9. 7-Paul McMahan [9] [$2,050]; 10. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [13] [$2,000]; 11. 20A-Jordan Adams [11] [$1,500]; 12. W20-Greg Wilson [17] [$1,200]; 13. 5G-Dave Glennon [19] [$1,100]; 14. 99-Jordan Graham [21] [$1,050]; 15. 7T-Trent Stengl [16] [$1,000]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [10] [$900]; 17. 2-Shane Stewart [5] [$800]; 18. 91K-Kyle Fedyk [18] [$800]; 19. 21-Ryder Olson [20] [$800]; 20. 8B-Jack Croaker [22] [$800]; 21. 20-Kevin Lawson [23] [$800]; 22. 20L-Dusty Lawson [24] [$800]; 23. 6N-Greg Nikitenko [14] [$800]; 24. 13-Clyde Knipp [15] [$800]. Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-35. KSE Hard Charger Award: 99-Jordan Graham [+7]
Qualifying - 1. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.039; 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.072; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.112; 4. 5-David Gravel, 13.123; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.155; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.247; 7. 83-Joey Saldana, 13.281; 8. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.311; 9. 7-Paul McMahan, 13.335; 10. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.343; 11. 20A-Jordan Adams, 13.469; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.482; 13. 41X-Dominic Scelzi, 13.523; 14. 6N-Greg Nikitenko, 13.611; 15. 91K-Kyle Fedyk, 13.882; 16. 21-Ryder Olson, 13.966; 17. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.006; 18. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.103; 19. 7T-Trent Stengl, 14.117; 20. 5G-Dave Glennon, 14.207; 21. 99-Jordan Graham, 14.345; 22. 20-Kevin Lawson, 14.697; 23. 17M-Todd Mickelson, 14.825; 24. 8B-Jack Croaker, 15.059; 25. 90-Randy Blotsky, 15.254; 26. 20L-Dusty Lawson, 15.375
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1] ; 2. 5-David Gravel [2] ; 3. 83-Joey Saldana [3] ; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [4] ; 5. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [5] ; 6. 7T-Trent Stengl [7] ; 7. 21-Ryder Olson [6] ; 8. 90-Randy Blotsky [9] ; 9. 20-Kevin Lawson [8]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [2] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [1] ; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [3] ; 4. 20A-Jordan Adams [4] ; 5. 6N-Greg Nikitenko [5] ; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [6] ; 7. 5G-Dave Glennon [7] ; 8. 17M-Todd Mickelson [8] ; 9. 20L-Dusty Lawson [9]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2] ; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] ; 3. 7-Paul McMahan [3] ; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen [4] ; 5. 13-Clyde Knipp [6] ; 6. 91K-Kyle Fedyk [5] ; 7. 99-Jordan Graham [7] ; 8. 8B-Jack Croaker [8]
Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2] ; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [4] ; 4. 5-David Gravel [3] ; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [6] ; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [5]
B-Main - (12 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 5G-Dave Glennon [2] [-]; 2. 21-Ryder Olson [1] [-]; 3. 99-Jordan Graham [3] [-]; 4. 8B-Jack Croaker [6] [-]; 5. 20-Kevin Lawson [4] [-]; 6. 20L-Dusty Lawson [8] [-]; 7. 90-Randy Blotsky [7] [$300]; 8. 17M-Todd Mickelson [5] [$250]
Home State Sweep
Donny Schatz Wins for Eighth Time at River Cities Speedway
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - August 26, 2016 - Donny Schatz scored a pair of sweeps on Friday night with the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series at River Cities Speedway in his home state of North Dakota. First, he completed a clean sweep of the night, setting fast time, winning a heat race, winning the dash and winning the 40-lap A-Feature. Second, he completed a sweep of both legs of the Gerdau Northern Tour at River Cities Speedway for 2016.
The win for Schatz was his fourth straight with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at the high-banked, action-packed bullring. In his career, the seven-time and defending Outlaws champion has now won eight times with the series at the track.
"This race team is incredible, it's not me," said Schatz of his success at River Cities Speedway. "The things they think of to make this race car better is amazing. I just have a habit of having a dumb way of driving it. I like it laying on the right rear like the late model. It really works, especially here. Sunday at Angell Park, I thought I had the best race car I had ever driven. That thing was awesome, but tonight, it was unbelievable. I think one of my eight-year-old nieces could have won that race in that race car. This race team is on their game. It's what they do, day in and day out. I'm just the lucky guy that gets to drive it."
Schatz started on the pole and led from the drop of the green flag. The first caution of the night fell on the second lap. He chose the low side of the track on the double file restart and opened a quick lead, as Logan Schuchart, Brad Sweet and David Gravel waged a side-by-side battle for the second spot for several laps. The second and final yellow flag of the night flew on lap-13, with the remainder of the race going green, putting Schatz in heavy lapped traffic for most of the duration of the 40-lap contest in his Bad Boy Off-Road J&J.
"It was fun in traffic," said Schatz. "If you're not leading and in second or third, you want to use that traffic to your advantage to try to move around. When you are leading, it's what you look forward to and try not to make mistakes, because it can gap you between yourself and the field. I could run the top and the bottom and threw enough stuff off the bottom that you could run in the middle. We were lapping some really, really good cars."
Schatz now has won 17 A-Feature events in his career with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in his home state of North Dakota, at four different tracks. He has one more chance to add to that on Sunday at his home track of Nodak Speedway in Minot.
"I'm a damn proud North Dakotan," said Schatz. "This state is where I grew up. We are fortunate in North Dakota to have a lot of great race tracks. Everybody needs to keep that in mind and keep supporting them. This is a part of the country that still has a lot of dirt track racing and it's disappearing in other parts of the country. It's strong here and let's keep it that way."
Brad Sweet picked up his third consecutive podium finish over the last week and a half, as he crossed the line second. After battling Schuchart and Gravel in the early going, Sweet moved into second on the seventh lap. He was able to gain a little ground on Schatz in traffic in the middle portions of the race, but was never able to gain enough ground to make a bit for the lead.
"Donny (Schatz) was awfully good, like he's been the last four or five times here," Sweet shared. "It's tough to beat him at one of his home state tracks, just like any other place. We are pretty happy with how the car handled tonight. To be up here on the front straightaway with Donny is all good. We are still chasing him and trying to get our program a little better so we can win these races."
Sweet started fourth and was able to quickly move forward and maintain his spot near the front of the field aboard the Ollie's Bargain Outlet machine. With his runner-up finish, Sweet moved into the second spot in points.
"We had great speed all night," said Sweet. "Getting through lapped traffic, Donny was just a little bit better. He was able to go in the middle and do a few things we weren't able to do. We'll go back and do our homework. I have to thank my guys for working hard."
Mark Dobmeier, who hails from Grand Forks, made a late-race charge to finish third. Dobmeier started seventh and fell back a few spots early in the race, before gaining quite a few positions in the final 20 laps of the 40-lap race.
"About halfway through, the car really came on," explained Dobmeier. "I knew it was a long race and I had to save my (right rear) tire a little bit. I saved it up for a bit. I don't know if it was me getting on the gas or these fans, but we got some electricity going and this thing was charging forward. We turning as fast of laps as we could. We just needed a caution or something at the end to bunch them up again. That's what you get for starting sixth, but I got up on the wheel and got it going."
Dobmeier, who is the winningest sprint car driver in River Cities Speedway history, has been close on several occasions to scoring a win with the series at his home track. While he has three career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series wins on his resume, one at River Cities is what still eludes him.
"I would give up a Knoxville Nationals win to win one here with the Outlaws," said Dobmeier. "I've won a couple in Sioux Falls, which is kind of a second home track to me, and the crowd gets electric, but it cannot beat the crowd at Grand Forks when these guys get on their feet and cheering."
Logan Schuchart finished fourth on Friday night to earn his second straight top-five finish at River Cities. Joey Saldana was fifth, with Daryn Pittman coming home sixth. Jason Johnson was seventh, while David Gravel was eighth, Shane Stewart ninth and Dusty Zomer 10th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Sunday, August 28 at Nodak Speedway in Minot, North Dakota, with the running of the Gerdau Magic City Showdown.
River Cities Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz's dominance of River Cities Speedway continued Friday night as he led every lap of the feature en route to his 19th World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of 2016. Brad Sweet, Mark Dobmeier, Logan Schuchart, and Joey Saldana rounded out the top five.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Aaron Reutzel; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): David Gravel; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Joey Saldana, Logan Schuchart, Brad Sweet, David Gravel, Shane Stewart; Craftsman/Sears($100 cash): Mark Dobmeier; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Terry McCarl; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Cory Mack.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 19 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26); David Gravel - 7 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Rico Abreu - 1(Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 2 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; River Cities Speedway, N.D.; Augst 26, 2016
A-Main - (40 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz[1][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet[4][$5,500]; 3. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier[6][$3,200]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart[3][$2,800]; 5. 83-Joey Saldana[2][$2,500]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman[10][$2,300]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson[12][$2,200]; 8. 5-David Gravel[5][$2,100]; 9. 2-Shane Stewart[8][$2,050]; 10. 82-Dusty Zomer[7][$2,000]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson[19][$1,500]; 12. 7-Paul McMahan[16][$1,200]; 13. 1A-Jacob Allen[21][$1,100]; 14. 2A-Austin Pierce[24][$1,050]; 15. 41X-Dominic Scelzi[23][$1,000]; 16. 8-Casey Mack[15][$900]; 17. 24-Terry McCarl[17][$800]; 18. 7S-Jason Sides[18][$800]; 19. 3-Tim Kaeding[14][$800]; 20. 20A-Jordan Adams[20][$800]; 21. 25-Cory Mack[13][$800]; 22. 9N-Wade Nygaard[9][$800]; 23. 87-Aaron Reutzel[22][$800]; 24. 2L-Logan Forler[11][$800] Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-40. KSE Hard Charger Award: 2A-Austin Pierce[+10].
Qualifying - 1. 15-Donny Schatz, 10.027; 2. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 10.064; 3. 82-Dusty Zomer, 10.065; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 10.161; 5. 9N-Wade Nygaard, 10.180; 6. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 10.212; 7. 25-Cory Mack, 10.287; 8. 2L-Logan Forler, 10.316; 9. 17A-Austin McCarl, 10.339; 10. W20-Greg Wilson, 10.342; 11. 24-Terry McCarl, 10.430; 12. O-Nick Omdahl, 10.554; 13. 7T-Trent Stengl, 10.614; 14. 8-Casey Mack, 10.670; 15. 13T-Ty Hanten, 10.716; 16. 8B-Jack Croaker, 10.863; 17. 91M-Jackson Moffett, 10.936; 18. 99-Jordan Graham, 11.092; 19. 14-Tom Egeland, 11.301; 20. 83-Joey Saldana, 10.177; 21. 49-Brad Sweet, 10.187; 22. 5-David Gravel, 10.190; 23. 2-Shane Stewart, 10.224; 24. 9-Daryn Pittman, 10.240; 25. 41-Jason Johnson, 10.282; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen, 10.323; 27. 7-Paul McMahan, 10.329; 28. 7S-Jason Sides, 10.414; 29. 20A-Jordan Adams, 10.422; 30. 41X-Dominic Scelzi, 10.486; 31. 21K-Thomas Kennedy, 10.530; 32. 3-Tim Kaeding, 10.543; 33. 2A-Austin Pierce, 10.586; 34. 6N-Greg Nikitenko, 10.681; 35. 5G-Dave Glennon, 10.840; 36. 13-Clyde Knipp, 10.987; 37. 8H-Jade Hastings, 11.057; 38. 31-Shane Roemeling, 11.250; 39. 10TRB-Bob Martin, 11.330; 40. 26-Blake Egeland, 11.453
Heat 1 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz[1] ; 2. 82-Dusty Zomer[2] ; 3. 9N-Wade Nygaard[3] ; 4. 25-Cory Mack[4] ; 5. 24-Terry McCarl[6] ; 6. 17A-Austin McCarl[5] ; 7. 14-Tom Egeland[10] ; 8. 91M-Jackson Moffett[9] ; 9. 13T-Ty Hanten[8] ; 10. 7T-Trent Stengl[7]
Heat 2 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart[2] ; 2. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier[3] ; 3. 2L-Logan Forler[4] ; 4. 8-Casey Mack[7] ; 5. W20-Greg Wilson[5] ; 6. O-Nick Omdahl[6] ; 7. 8B-Jack Croaker[8] ; 8. 99-Jordan Graham[9] ; 9. 87-Aaron Reutzel[1]
Heat 3 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 83-Joey Saldana[1] ; 2. 5-David Gravel[2] ; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman[3] ; 4. 3-Tim Kaeding[7] ; 5. 7S-Jason Sides[5] ; 6. 41X-Dominic Scelzi[6] ; 7. 6N-Greg Nikitenko[8] ; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen[4] ; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp[9] ; 10. 31-Shane Roemeling[10] ; 11. 26-Blake Egeland[11]
Heat 4 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet[1] ; 2. 2-Shane Stewart[2] ; 3. 41-Jason Johnson[3] ; 4. 7-Paul McMahan[4] ; 5. 20A-Jordan Adams[5] ; 6. 10TRB-Bob Martin[10] ; 7. 21K-Thomas Kennedy[6] ; 8. 8H-Jade Hastings[9] ; 9. 5G-Dave Glennon[8] ; 10. 2A-Austin Pierce[7]
Craftsman Club Dash - (8 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz[1] ; 2. 83-Joey Saldana[2] ; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart[3] ; 4. 49-Brad Sweet[4] ; 5. 5-David Gravel[6] ; 6. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier[7] ; 7. 82-Dusty Zomer[5] ; 8. 2-Shane Stewart[8]
C Main - (10 laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the B-Feature) - 1. 8B-Jack Croaker[1] [-]; 2. 5G-Dave Glennon[2] [-]; 3. 91M-Jackson Moffett[3] [$150]; 4. 8H-Jade Hastings[6] [$150]; 5. 10TRB-Bob Martin[9] [$150]; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp[4] [$125]; 7. 99-Jordan Graham[5] [$125]; 8. 31-Shane Roemeling[8] [$125]; 9. 14-Tom Egeland[7] [$125]; 10. 26-Blake Egeland[10] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 1A-Jacob Allen[2] [-]; 2. 87-Aaron Reutzel[1] [-]; 3. 41X-Dominic Scelzi[4] [-]; 4. 2A-Austin Pierce[8] [-]; 5. 21K-Thomas Kennedy[6] [$300]; 6. 17A-Austin McCarl[3] [$250]; 7. O-Nick Omdahl[5] [$225]; 8. 6N-Greg Nikitenko[10] [$200]; 9. 8B-Jack Croaker[11] [$200]; 10. 13T-Ty Hanten[9] [$200]; 11. 5G-Dave Glennon[12] [$200]; 12. 7T-Trent Stengl[7] [$200]
At a Glance: Schatz on the Homefront
Outlaws to engage in Midwestern Melee in North Dakota
CONCORD, N.C. - Aug. 23, 2016 - Current points leader and season-standout Donny Schatz is headed home for a tour through North Dakota. Schatz, a Grand Forks, N.D. native, will lead the charge as the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series invades River Cities Speedway on Friday, August 26 and Nodak Speedway on Sunday, August 28.
During Schatz's 2015 31-win season, three of his wins came from his home state. Schatz swept the board, winning River Cities Speedway twice and capping-off the Outlaws' tour through North Dakota with a trip down victory lane at Nodak Speedway. From there, Schatz extended his winning streak to four.
Though Schatz has been victorious in one-third of the trips to River Cities since 2007, five other drivers have beaten the pack to the checkers. Schatz is seeking his fifth consecutive win at Nodak since 2012.
Schatz is streaking in 2016, having won more than one-quarter of the events. Finding himself in a similar situation, Schatz will seek to extend his two-race win streak in the Midwest's weekend swing. Despite being in familiar territory, Schatz does not see these races as any more important than the rest.
"There's not any [race] that stands out to win," Schatz said. "You have to have the attitude that you can win them all. Reality says you can't win them all, but you never tell yourself that before you walk out of the gate at the end of the night."
Fellow Platinum driver Joey Saldana was one of the last drivers to win at Nodak before Schatz's four-year streak, and he sees the defending series champion as the man to beat. Saldana is currently in the top five in points, but has his eyes locked-in on a top three performance in 2016.
"Everyone's main competition has to be Donny Schatz because he is the class of the field," Saldana said. "But you can't focus on one driver or one car. You just have to race your own car every night."
Get more information and to learn how to purchase tickets to River Cities Speedway on Friday, August 26. Get more information and learn how to purchase tickets to the World of Outlaws event at Nodak Speedway on Sunday, August 28.
ABOUT THE TRACK:
RIVER CITIES SPEEDWAY is a high-banked, 3/10-mile oval. The track record of 9.269 seconds was established by Jason Meyers on October, 21, 2009.
Previous A-Feature winners:
2015 - Donny Schatz on June 29
2014 - Daryn Pittman on August 15
2013 - Cody Darrah on June 21
2012 - Kraig Kinser on June 15
2011 - Craig Dollansky on June 15, Craig Dollansky on June 16; Steve Kinser on August 19
2010 - Steve Kinser on June 19, Joey Saldana on June 20
2009 - Donny Schatz on June 19, Craig Dollansky on August 21
2008 - Donny Schatz on June 27
2007 - Joey Saldana on June 29
NODAK SPEEDWAY is a high-banked, 3/8-mile oval. The track record of 12.991seconds was established By Paul McMahan on August 18, 2014.
Previous A-Feature winners:
2015 - Donny Schatz on June 23
2014 - Donny Schatz on August 17
2013 - Donny Schatz on August 18
2012 - Donny Schatz on August 19
2010 - Joey Saldana on August 20, Craig Dollansky on August 21
2009 - Danny Lasoski on June 21
2008 - Jason Meyerson August 17
DRIVER INFO
The following World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series drivers maintain websites:
Jacob Allen - Shark1s1a.com
David Gravel - DavidGravel89.com
Jason Johnson - JasonJohnsonRacing.com
Paul McMahan - PaulMcMahanRacing.com
Daryn Pittman - DarynPittman.com
Joey Saldana - JoeySaldanaRacing.com
Donny Schatz - DonnySchatz.com
Logan Schuchart - Shark1s1a.com
Jason Sides - SidesMotorsports.com
Shane Stewart - ShaneStewart.com
Brad Sweet - Bradsweetracing.com
Greg Wilson - GregWilsonRacing.com
For more driver information, visit: WoOsprint.com
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 18 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21);David Gravel - 7 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Rico Abreu - 1 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 2 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Raceway on August 13);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1(I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
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COMING UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series heads to Alger, Wash. Friday, Sept. 3 and Saturday, Sept. 4 for the Monster Meltdown at Skagit Speedway.
Schatz Wins Inaugural World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Event at Angell Park Speedway
SUN PRAIRIE, Wisc. - August 21, 2016 -Donny Schatz has won at some of the most historic tracks in sprint car racing over the course of his 20 seasons on the road with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. The seven-time and defending series champion added the legendary Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin to that list on Sunday night as he picked up the win in the Sun Prairie Sprint Car Classic, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Car Series in a co-sanctioned event.
For Schatz, it was his series-leading 18th win of the season as he added to his point lead, as he chases his eighth series title. Schatz has now won at 79 different tracks in his career with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. In five starts in the state of Wisconsin this year, he finished on the podium in all five, including picking up a pair of wins.
"This place has a ton of history and is very unique," said Schatz. "It threw us for a loop with gear and everything. This race team is unreal with what they do with this race car when they unload every night. It was fast right out of the box and got us qualified well and we normally don't qualify that well. It feels good to finally have your name on a track record."
Schatz started second and battled Daryn Pittman in the early going, nearly taking the lead a couple of times. Schatz got by Pittman on the back straightaway on lap-17, but Pittman re-took the top spot before that lap was official. On the following circuit, Schatz used a strong restart, following a red flag, to power his way to the lead, on the low side of the track, exiting turn-two. He would pace the remainder of the 40-lap contest.
"The car worked better on the bottom," he noted. "The top, I would get rolled over and a little bit too tight. I've been driving a late model the last three nights and I think that gave me a heads up on what rolling on the right rear feels like. The top was tricky. In (turns) one and two it was right up against the fence and you had to hit it just right to be able to keep your speed. The race track was just awesome. We had a good race with Daryn (Pittman). He had a good pace early and I wasn't sure if we would be able to keep up with him. The longer we went, the better the car got."
The 40-lap main event got off to a slow start, with a caution flag flying on the second lap, followed by a red flag, after a restart on that same circuit. Pittman led from the pole on the initial start as well as the ensuing two restarts. Schatz, who started third, moved into second on the opening lap and kept pace with Pittman, as the leaders encountered lapped traffic just five laps into the race.
"This is a fun place," said Schatz. "I didn't really know what the track was going to do. There was a top for a little bit and then a bottom. We were actually able to make the middle work as well. It was great to see a great crowd here tonight on such a short notice for a race. It was great to see all of the people and enthusiasm."
Just past the halfway point of the race, the leaders were in heavy lapped traffic, with Pittman closing back in on Schatz, who got hung up by a couple of slower machines. With 10 laps to go, Pittman was right on Schatz, but once the latter was able to clear a couple of lapped machines, he was able to pull away in the late going. Pittman led the first 17 laps from the pole.
"I just got beat," said Pittman. "I had a good car early and a pretty decent car late and the track changed a lot and got really slick on the top to a huge curb. Like Donny (Schatz) said, it just wanted to get you rolled up into it, especially off (turn) two. We hung with him for the longest time and then he cleared a few of those lapped cars with five or six (laps) to go and pulled away. This is a fun race track. It was great to see a big crowd. It's always fun to run in front of capacity crowds at these race tracks."
Brad Sweet started on the outside of the front row and fell back a spot on the opening lap. For the second straight race, he had a spirited battle with David Gravel. This time it was for the third position. Sweet would claim the spot to secure two position on the podium for Kasey Kahne Racing.
"This place is known for getting that huge curb, right up by the wall," said Sweet. "That creates great racing. It was really technical and you had to really watch for the lapped cars and try not to mess up. It seemed like with that curb, if you messed up you were basically in the wall. Thanks to all of the fans for coming out on short notice. We appreciate it."
Gravel finished fourth to pick up his 35th top-five finish of the season. Logan Schuchart charged from the 11th starting spot to finish fifth. Shane Stewart crossed the line sixth, with Jason Johnson in seventh. Joey Saldana was eighth, with Jacob Allen ninth, to put both Shark Racing cars in the top-10. Paul McMahan rounded out the top-10. Mike Reinke was the highest finishing Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Car Series driver, crossing the line 12th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Friday, August 26 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, North Dakota, for the Second Leg of the Gerdau Northern Tour.
Angell Park Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz and Daryn Pittman battled it out for the lead at the World of Outlaw Craftsman® Sprint Car Series debut visit to Angell Park Speedway. Ultimately, it was Schatz who broke away from Pittman and claimed his 18th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season, along with a new track record.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Scotty Thiel; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Scotty Thiel.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 18 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21); David Gravel - 7 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Rico Abreu - 1(Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 2 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Angel Park Speedway, Wisc.; Augst 21, 2016
A-Main - (40 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz[3][$10,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman[1][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet[2][$3,200]; 4. 5-David Gravel[4][$2,800]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart[11][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart[8][$2,300]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson[7][$2,200]; 8. 83-Joey Saldana[5][$2,100]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen[10][$2,050]; 10. 7-Paul McMahan[13][$2,000]; 11. 7S-Jason Sides[6][$1,500]; 12. O2-Mike Reinke[15][$1,200]; 13. 2W-Scotty Neitzel[9][$1,100]; 14. 17B-Bill Balog[19][$1,050]; 15. 41X-Dominic Scelzi[20][$1,000]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson[23][$900]; 17. 80K-Mike Kertscher[16][$800]; 18. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[21][$800]; 19. 99-Kyle Marten[24][$800]; 20. 2X-Parker Price-Miller[18][$800]; 21. 65-Jordon Goldesberry[12][$800]; 22. 64-Scotty Thiel[17][$800]; 23. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[22][$800]; 24. 73-Brandon McMullen[14][$800]. Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-17, Donny Schatz 18-40. KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+7].
Qualifying - 1. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.718; 2. 5-David Gravel, 11.812; 3. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.881; 4. 83-Joey Saldana, 11.926; 5. 7-Paul McMahan, 11.977; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.004; 7. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.016; 8. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.031; 9. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.036; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.052; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.067; 12. 65-Jordon Goldesberry, 12.090; 13. 64-Scotty Thiel, 12.195; 14. 73-Brandon McMullen, 12.208; 15. 17B-Bill Balog, 12.281; 16. 80K-Mike Kertscher, 12.308; 17. 2W-Scotty Neitzel, 12.319; 18. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 12.331; 19. O2-Mike Reinke, 12.405; 20. 59-Ben Schmidt, 12.426; 21. 5J-Jeremy Schultz, 12.341; 22. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski, 12.452; 23. 1M-Phillip Mock, 12.465; 24. 41X-Dominic Scelzi, 12.469; 25. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.578; 26. 99-Kyle Marten, 12.623; 27. 68-Dave Uttech, 12.666; 28. 23B-Russell Borland, 12.675; 29. 7U-Scott Uttech, 12.732; 30. 53W-Bill Wirth, 12.751; 31. 12-Mike Decker, 12.772; 32. 4K-Kris Spitz, 12.844; 33. 79-Blake Nimee, 12.944; 34. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.967; 35. 10V-Matt Vandervere, 13.099; 36. 41D-Dennis Spitz, 13.155; 37. 7V-Tim Vandervere, 13.260
Heat 1 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz[1]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet[3]; 3. 2W-Scotty Neitzel[5]; 4. 7-Paul McMahan[2]; 5. 64-Scotty Thiel[4]; 6. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[6]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson[7]; 8. 7U-Scott Uttech[8]; 9. 79-Blake Nimee[9]; 10. 7V-Tim Vandervere[10]
Heat 2 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 5-David Gravel[1]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman[2]; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen[3]; 4. 73-Brandon McMullen[4]; 5. 2X-Parker Price-Miller[5]; 6. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[6]; 7. 99-Kyle Marten[7]; 8. 53W-Bill Wirth[8]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp[9]
Heat 3 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart[1]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson[2]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart[3]; 4. O2-Mike Reinke[5]; 5. 17B-Bill Balog[4]; 6. 1M-Phillip Mock[6]; 7. 10V-Matt Vandervere[9]; 8. 68-Dave Uttech[7]; 9. 12-Mike Decker[8]
Heat 4 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 83-Joey Saldana[1]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides[2]; 3. 65-Jordon Goldesberry[3]; 4. 80K-Mike Kertscher[4]; 5. 41X-Dominic Scelzi[6]; 6. 59-Ben Schmidt[5]; 7. 23B-Russell Borland[7]; 8. 4K-Kris Spitz[8]; 9. 41D-Dennis Spitz[9]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 9-Daryn Pittman[1]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet[2]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz[6]; 4. 5-David Gravel[5]; 5. 83-Joey Saldana[3]; 6. 7S-Jason Sides[8]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson[7]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart[4]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[2] [-]; 2. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[3] [-]; 3. W20-Greg Wilson[5] [-]; 4. 99-Kyle Marten[6] [-]; 5. 59-Ben Schmidt[1] [$300]; 6. 1M-Phillip Mock[4] [$250]; 7. 7U-Scott Uttech[9] [$225]; 8. 79-Blake Nimee[13] [$200]; 9. 23B-Russell Borland[8] [$200]; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp[14] [$200]; 11. 10V-Matt Vandervere[15] [$200]; 12. 53W-Bill Wirth[10] [$200]; 13. 4K-Kris Spitz[12] [$200]; 14. 41D-Dennis Spitz[16] [$200]; 15. 7V-Tim Vandervere[17] [$200]; 16. 68-Dave Uttech[7] [$200]; 17. 12-Mike Decker[11] [$200]
DOMINANT DONNY
Schatz wins at Junction Motor Speedway
MCCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. - August 16, 2016 - Entering the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series event at Junction Motor Speedway on Tuesday night, Donny Schatz had never finished off the podium in five career starts at the 3/8-mile. The seven-time and defending series champion extended that streak, while adding to his win total at the track, as he dominated the 30-lap main event.
Schatz started second and took the lead on the top side of the track from pole sitter Joey Saldana. Schatz would go on to lead all 30 laps aboard the Bad Boy Off-Road J&J for Tony Stewart Racing.
"You definitely had to be up front tonight, because the track was so fast," said Schatz. "When it started moving it went right to the top. When we got to lapped traffic we had trouble getting by guys, but they were fast cars we were trying to get by. The start is always important and you never really try to push the issue."
The race was slowed by a pair of cautions, both on the second lap. On the first restart, which was a double file restart, Schatz chose the high side of the track and shot out to a lead. Following the second caution, officials elected to go with single file restarts the remainder of the night. On that restart, Schatz again used a strong run to quickly open a gap on David Gravel, who had moved into second, after Joey Saldana suffered a broken rear end while running second.
Late in the race, Schatz caught lapped traffic, and with how fast the track was it took several laps to get around a couple of cars. That allowed Gravel to close as the leader was not able to get around those machines. With six laps remaining, Schatz was able to get around the two cars he had been trying to lap and pulled away.
"My crew did a great job," he said. "Tony Stewart Racing has such a good group of guys and they keep doing such a great job with the race car. When the race car is like that, they are fun to drive. It helps when you get yourself in a good position on the front row."
For Schatz, the win was his 17th of the season and his third triumph at Junction Motor Speedway. He is the only driver that has won more than once at Junction Motor Speedway. The win also helped him extend his lead in the championship standings as he chases his eighth title.
"There is a lot expected out of us, and I expect a lot out of myself as well as my race team at any race track we go to," noted Schatz. "After 20 years, you'd think you'd be able to figure some stuff out. I think it's more of that than anything. It's not a confidence thing. These guys know what they are doing. Some days I may look like I know what I am doing, and some days I actually know what I'm doing. Today we seemed to get everything lined up just right."
Gravel was able to get side-by-side with Schatz coming off turn-four on lap-23, but was not able to make a pass. Late in the race, Gravel had to fend off several charges by Brad Sweet as the pair battled for the second spot. The runner-up finish for Gravel was his 34th top-five finish of the season.
"I had a shot for one lap and then Donny (Schatz) got by Paul (McMahan) and set sail," said Gravel. "I think we got a little free at the end and I got the wing back probably too far to roll that fast of a race track. We're happy with second. We started second in the dash and gained a row there and gained another row in the feature, so I can't complain with that. I would have liked to have won, but it just wasn't in the cards tonight, so we'll move on to Sunday."
Sweet started third and fell back to fifth early, before making a late-race charge. While the lead duo was negotiating the couple of lapped cars during the last 10 laps, Sweet was able to close in on Gravel, but couldn't quite get enough of a run to make a pass.
"It was awfully hard to get by the traffic, because there was so much grip there, three-quarters of the way up the track with that cushion," explained Sweet. "The lapped cars were just fast enough that you couldn't clear them. I would get a run on David (Gravel), but he covered it up pretty good and he was getting good enough runs off the exit that we weren't able to get the right run to make the pass."
The third-place finish for Sweet was his 33rd top-five of the season as he kept pace with Gravel in the point standings. The pair is separated by just three markers.
"You'll have nights like these and you have to be happy with a podium finish," Sweet said. "The Ollie's Bargain Outlet car has been fast and we didn't get the right draw, but Donny (Schatz) did a great job in traffic clearing those couple guys. It got close for a second. That's what he does really well and we have to do a little better. We'll keep working on it and hopefully we can get some wins."
Daryn Pittman finished fourth, after a side-by-side battle with Shane Stewart, who crossed the line fifth. Logan Schuchart finished sixth, with Jason Sides seventh and Jason Johnson eighth. Ian Madsen, who opened the night by setting a new track record in time trials finished ninth. Paul McMahan rounded out the top-10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Sunday, August 21 at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, along with Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprints.
Junction Motor Speedway Notebook:
A-Main - (30 Laps) 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2] [$6,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [4] [$3,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3] [$2,000]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [6] [$1,800]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [7] [$1,500]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5] [$1,400]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [8] [$1,350]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [16] [$1,300]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [9] [$1,250]; 10. 7-Paul McMahan [11] [$1,200]; 11. 1M-Danny Lasoski [12] [$900]; 12. W20-Greg Wilson [13] [$800]; 13. 1A-Jacob Allen [17] [$700]; 14. 53-Jack Dover [15] [$650]; 15. 83-Joey Saldana [1] [$600]; 16. 1X-Don Droud Jr [10] [$550]; 17. 13-Clyde Knipp [14] [$500]. Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-30. KSE Hard Charger Award: 41-Jason Johnson [+8]
Qualifying - 1. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.518; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.561; 3. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.563; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.619; 5. 5-David Gravel, 13.668; 6. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.693; 7. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.706; 8. 83-Joey Saldana, 13.712; 9. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.725; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.756; 11. 1M-Danny Lasoski, 13.781; 12. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.830; 13. 1X-Don Droud Jr, 13.924; 14. 7-Paul McMahan, 14.048; 15. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.061; 16. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.519; 17. 53-Jack Dover, 15.019.
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4] ; 3. 5-David Gravel [3] ; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [5] ; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [1] ; 6. 1X-Don Droud Jr [7] ; 7. 1M-Danny Lasoski [6] ; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [8] ; 9. 53-Jack Dover [9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2] ; 2. 83-Joey Saldana [4] ; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [1] ; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [3] ; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [6] ; 6. 7-Paul McMahan [7] ; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [5] ; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [2] ; 2. 5-David Gravel [1] ; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [3]; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [6] ; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [5] ; 6. 1X-Don Droud Jr [7] ; 7. 7-Paul McMahan [8] ; 8. 1M-Danny Lasoski [9]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [11] ; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp [12] ; 11. 53-Jack Dover [13] ; 12. 41-Jason Johnson [4] ; 13. 1A-Jacob Allen [10]
Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of A-feature) 1. 83-Joey Saldana [1] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2] ; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [4] ; 4. 5-David Gravel [6] ; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3] ; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [5]
World of Outlaws Partner with IRA Sprint Car Series for Cornfest
Series takes on Angell Park Speedway for the first time ever on Aug. 21
CONCORD, N.C. - Aug. 10, 2016 - The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series has partnered with the Bumper-to-Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Car Series for the Cornfest on Sunday, Aug. 21 at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis.
The event, which takes place during the annual Sweet Corn Festival, will be the Outlaws first ever appearance at the historic, 1/3-mile Angell Park.
"We are excited to join the IRA Sprints for this great event and the opportunity to see the Outlaws take on Angell Park," said World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter. "The IRA regulars provide the Outlaw regulars some of their toughest competition all season. I have no doubt, Cornfest will be one to remember."
Earlier this season, IRA regular Bill Balog dominated the World of Outlaws event at Beaver Dam (Wis.) Raceway, scoring his first ever series win.
"Having the Outlaws join the IRA at Cornfest marks the continuation of a great relationship between these two series," said IRA Sprint Car Series President Steve Sinclair. "We are excited at the opportunity to make Cornfest even bigger this year with the addition of the World of Outlaws."
Joining the Outlaws and IRA Sprints for Cornfest will be the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association. This will be the second time this season the series has joined the Outlaws, after taking on Rockford Speedway in June.
Tickets for Cornfest will be available soon at SLSPromotions.com.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Rico Abreu the Strongest Man in Ironman 55 Win
Becomes the sixth different event winner and 16th series winner of the season
PEVELY, Mo. - Aug. 6, 2016 - Rico Abreu proved to be the strongest man Saturday night at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 as he powered forward and battled to the lead scoring his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season and the Federated Auto Parts Ironman 55 presented by Walker.
Abreu, a NASCAR Truck Series regular, slipped back to fifth early but battled back into the top three after a lap 26 restart. He worked his way around the No. 9 of Daryn Pittman then set his sights on the No. 49 of Brad Sweet. Sweet bobbled coming off of turn four and Abreu raced past him onto the front straight.
Through traffic, the then leader Kerry Madsen lost ground to Abreu and Sweet. On lap 38 Abreu threw a slider on Madsen through turns three and four, but Madsen held. What commenced though was a two-lap, three-way battle for the lead. Abreu eventually got around and through restarts, traffic and a brush with the wall on the final lap, Abreu cruised to the Ironman 55 win.
"It's really important. These big ones is what it comes down to. All that hard work all year that these guys have done," Abreu said. "I raced my ass off. It's fun, it all pays off."
Abreu is the 16th different winner of the season and the sixth different driver to score the Ironman 55 title. Since 2009, Craig Dollansky is the only driver to repeat.
Sweet kicked off the night with his second straight quick time award in qualifying. His 11th quick time made him the season's leading qualifier, surpassing Joey Saldana who held the distinction through much of the year.
Madsen, the 2014 Ironman 55 winner, started on the feature pole with with 2015's Ironman winner, Shane Stewart, on his outside.
When the green flag fell, Sweet, who started fourth, battled forward, taking over third on the initial start and then racing Stewart, side-by-side on lap 10 for second. Two laps later, as Madsen worked his way through traffic, Sweet closed the gap on the leader and began challenging him for the lead.
A caution flew and on the restart Madsen pulled away, this time maintaining his top spot through the traffic. When the next caution flag fell on lap 26, Madsen had lapped up to 16th position.
Abreu, who had been sitting in fourth through much of the feature, got his chance on the restart, as he took over third from Pittman and then took advantage of Sweet's mistake on the exit of four to take over second.
On lap 39, again slowed by traffic, Abreu caught Madsen and slid him through turns three and four. It was not enough that lap, but setup a three-way battle for position with Sweet mixing it up, nearly side-by-side-by-side across the line on lap 40. Abreu displayed masterful maneuvering across the track as he took over the lead and, in spite of the strong challenge from Madsen and near disaster at the end, crossed the finish line in first.
To chants of, "Rico, Rico, Rico," from a packed Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, Abreu hoisted the coveted dumbbell trophy and claimed the $20,000 prize.
"We started off pretty tight in the beginning of the race. The tighter our car is, it tends to bog our engine which makes it confusing to know what to do," Abreu said. "I was just trying to maintain my tires underneath me. When I got to those guys I made sure I didn't race them too hard. You can get in an intense battle and heat your tires up and end up running fifth or sixth. I just made sure I hit my marks. The restarts were really important tonight."
Abreu ended the two-year run of Kings Royal winners also taking the Ironman victory. The win is his fourth career series win.
Madsen, who looked to become just the second repeat winner of the Ironman 55, led the first 40 laps of the grueling 55-lap feature. In the end though, Abreu had the edge.
"The guys gave me a fantastic racecar. Just got into traffic there and I just - guy had been running the top and I thought I had him and then he chopped the front and Rico was there to take advantage. This race is always one of our favorites of the year - the fan interaction is fantastic."
Stewart battled past Sweet through the closing laps and took home the final spot on the night's podium. He said the podium finish was needed for his Larson Marks crew as their performance has not been where they want it to be.
"We've been on struggle street really badly lately," Stewart said. "It was a really great race. Normally you try to pace yourself a little but there was no pacing. This is a great event, it's a special race to win. Hats off to Rico, he does a great job."
"Hopefully we can carry this momentum, not only into Knoxville, but into the rest of the season."
Joey Saldana was the KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing nine positions to finish fifth.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series rolls into the biggest week of the season as the series takes on the 5-Hour ENERGY Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey's General Store at Knoxville Raceway, Wednesday, Aug. 10 to Saturday, Aug. 13. To learn more about the Knoxville Nationals, visit WoOSprint.com/Knoxville-Nationals.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook atFacebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at YouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 Notebook
RACE NOTES: Brad Sweet picked up his 11th quick time of the season after taking the qualifying quick time at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55. He is now the season's leading qualifier… Rico Abreu is the 16th different series winner of 2016 and the sixth different winner of the Ironman 55 since the inaugural event in 2009. Craig Dollansky remains the only repeat winner of the event… Joey Saldana was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing nine positions to finish in fifth.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Brent Marks; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): David Gravel;Edelbrock ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Comp Cams ($50 cash): David Gravel; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): James McFadden; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Craftsman/Sears($100 cash): Rico Abreu; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Joey Saldana; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Kerry Madsen; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brent Marks.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 16 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26);David Gravel - 7 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Rico Abreu - 1 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1(I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55; Pevely, Mo.; Aug. 6, 2016
A-Main - (55 Laps) - 1. 24-Rico Abreu [3] [$20,000]; 2. 29-Kerry Madsen [1] [$6,000]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [2] [$3,750]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [4] [$3,250]; 5. 83-Joey Saldana [14] [$2,750]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [6] [$2,500]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [9] [$2,400]; 8. 7-Paul McMahan [8] [$2,300]; 9. 15-Donny Schatz [17] [$2,200]; 10. 5-David Gravel [10] [$2,100]; 11. 3H-James McFadden [12] [$1,700]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [21] [$1,400]; 13. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [5] [$1,300]; 14. 1A-Jacob Allen [7] [$1,200]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [19] [$1,100]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson [22] [$1,000]; 17. 65-Jordon Goldesberry [15] [$1,000]; 18. 42-Andy McElhannon [23] [$1,000]; 19. O5-Brad Loyet [11] [$1,000]; 20. 19M-Brent Marks [16] [$1,000]; 21. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13] [$1,000]; 22. 84-Brandon Hanks [24] [$1,000]; 23. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [20] [$1,000]; 24. 5D-Zach Daum [18] [$1,000]. Lap Leaders: Kerry Madsen 1-40, Rico Abreu 41-55. KSE Hard Charger Award: 83-Joey Saldana [+9]
Qualifying - 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.023; 2. 83-Joey Saldana, 12.152; 3. 24-Rico Abreu, 12.177; 4. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 12.259; 5. 29-Kerry Madsen, 12.311; 6. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.325; 7. 7-Paul McMahan, 12.345; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.355; 9. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.411; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.419; 11. O5-Brad Loyet, 12.499; 12. 19M-Brent Marks, 12.521; 13. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.534; 14. 5-David Gravel, 12.575; 15. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.637; 16. 3H-James McFadden, 12.691; 17. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.697; 18. 5D-Zach Daum, 12.738; 19. 65-Jordon Goldesberry, 12.781; 20. 51B-Joe B Miller, 12.860; 21. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.871; 22. 42-Andy McElhannon, 12.962; 23. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.002; 24. 84-Brandon Hanks, 13.060; 25. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.084; 26. 1M-Jim Moughan, 13.193; 27. 79J-Jacob Patton, 13.256; 28. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg, 13.394; 29. 14T-Jimmy Bridgeman, 13.611; 30. 28AM-Brian Paulus, 13.667; 31. 28-Jonathan Cornell, 14.146; 32. 10P-Jim Perricone, 14.213; 33. 44-A.J. Bruns, 20.091
Heat 1 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 29-Kerry Madsen [2]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [4]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [6]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [3]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5]; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [7]; 8. 14T-Jimmy Bridgeman [8]; 9. 44-A.J. Bruns [9]
Heat 2 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [2]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [3]; 3. 5-David Gravel [4]; 4. 83-Joey Saldana [1]; 5. 5D-Zach Daum [5]; 6. 42-Andy McElhannon [6]; 7. 1M-Jim Moughan [7]; 8. 28AM-Brian Paulus [8]
Heat 3 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 24-Rico Abreu [1]; 2. 7-Paul McMahan [2]; 3. O5-Brad Loyet [3]; 4. 65-Jordon Goldesberry [5]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [4]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [6]; 7. 28-Jonathan Cornell [8]; 8. 79J-Jacob Patton [7]
Heat 4 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [1]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2]; 3. 3H-James McFadden [4]; 4. 19M-Brent Marks [3]; 5. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [7]; 6. 84-Brandon Hanks [6]; 7. 10P-Jim Perricone [8]; 8. 51B-Joe B Miller [5]
Dash - (8 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 29-Kerry Madsen [1]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [2]; 3. 24-Rico Abreu [3]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [5]; 5. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [4]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [8]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [6]; 8. 7-Paul McMahan [7]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] [-]; 2. W20-Greg Wilson [4] [-]; 3. 42-Andy McElhannon [3] [-]; 4. 84-Brandon Hanks [5] [-]; 5. 28-Jonathan Cornell [11] [$300]; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [6] [$250]; 7. 44-A.J. Bruns [13] [$225]; 8. 28AM-Brian Paulus [10] [$200]; 9. 79J-Jacob Patton [8] [$200]; 10. 1M-Jim Moughan [7] [$200]; 11. 10P-Jim Perricone [12] [$200]; 12. 51B-Joe B Miller [2] [$200]; 13. 14T-Jimmy Bridgeman [9] [$200]
Gravel Battles Rain, Restarts for Prelude to the Ironman Win
Scores his second straight win and seventh of the season
PEVELY, Mo. - Aug. 5, 2016 - Neither rain nor restarts could dampen David Gravel's Friday night as he dominated the Monroe Shocks and Struts Prelude to the Ironman at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 and scored his second straight and seventh overall World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
Off-and-on light rain fell on the 1/3 mile, bullring in Pevely, Mo. throughout the feature, but Gravel was the class of the field in his No. 5 Big Game Treestands machine. Multiple restarts hit in the middle of the 35-lap main event, but Gravel held off the competition behind and cruised to the finish. He has led the last 75 laps of World of Outlaws competition.
"We're really rolling right now," Gravel said in victory lane. "It was a really fast race track around the top and the rain made the top even better and tighter as the race went on… We've won a rain-shortened race so you don't want to get too many of those. You want to earn them. You needed that 35-lap workout because 55 laps tomorrow is going to be tough, for sure."
Brad Sweet helped kick off the night by claiming his 10th quick time award, for being the fastest qualifier, this season. He and Joey Saldana are now tied for the most in 2016.
Gravel was the beneficiary of the Dash inversion draw and started on the Dash pole next to Jacob Allen. The two drivers finished first and second and started in the same positions in the feature.
When the green flag waved, Gravel quickly built up a lead as Allen held off Donny Schatz. When Gravel caught the tail end of the field, he had 1.5 second lead.
The first caution flag of the night flew on lap 9 as James McFadden spun through turns one and two. On the restart, Gravel jumped forward, but the next five positions behind jumbled up as Allen and Sweet made contact, opening the door for Donny Schatz and Daryn Pittman. Schatz quickly took over second as Pittman battled Allen side-by-side through turns one and two and took over third as they entered on to the back straight.
Through a spate of cautions in the middle of the feature, Daryn Pittman, who nearly lost third to his Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb teammate, Brad Sweet, battled past Schatz for second as Sweet and Schatz engaged in a multi-lap battle for the third position.
"Once Donny took a few slide jobs at me and I got my momentum going and cleared him," Sweet said. "I'm sure he was right there with me, but there wasn't much you could do with the lapped cars on the bottom."
Sweet eventually took over the position in his No. 49 Ollies Bargain Outlet car.
Through the closing laps, Pittman tried to find a line around Gravel in his No. 9 Great Clips car but was only able to slightly lessen the gap.
Gravel, Pittman and Sweet all now have seven wins on the season. Gravel sits second in the championship standings, 235 points out of the lead.
"Just glad to hang on," Gravel said. "I've got to thank (my crew) Barry, Derek and Austin, they do a great job, (my CJB Motorsports team owners) Chad and Jenn Clemens for this opportunity. It's been an awesome season. Hopefully, we can keep doing what we're doing."
Pittman said the restarts were key throughout the night - for him the most consequential was the first one that helped him into the podium positions.
"We got a good restart there on Donny and we were lucky - we had a lot of breaks go our way tonight," Pittmans said. "We had a restart where I started sixth and got to third on that one, so that helped a ton. I thought I actually had a shot on Gravel, but didn't feel like I had him cleared so I had to leave him some room. Good effort by my guys and a good finish for us."
Sweet said Schatz made it challenging through the middle portion of the race but once he got on the high line, he felt good about his position.
"There were a lot of restarts. It was just a matter of some worked for me and some didn't," Sweet said. "If we had anymore yellows or lapped traffic to get in the way of Daryn and David for us to have a shot at them - just a tricky, rough track. Glad we came out in third. We'll come back tomorrow and hopefully run a good 55 laps."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action Saturday at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 for the $20,000-to-win, Federated Auto Parts Ironman 55 presented by Walker. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit WoOSprint.com/Ironman-55.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 Notebook
RACE NOTES: David Gravel has led the last 75 laps of World of Outlaws competition. He has two straight wins where he led flag-to-flag… Brad Loyet was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 10 positions to finish in 10th… All three of the night's podium finishers, David Gravel, Daryn Pittman and Brad Sweet all have seven wins… Brad Sweet and Joey Saldana are now tied for the most quick time awards this season with 10 apiece.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Paul McMahan; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): David Gravel; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Parker Price-Miller;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Brad Loyet; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): David Gravel; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brent Marks.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 16 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26); David Gravel - 7 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22);Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1(Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Wilmot Warrior: David Gravel wins O’Reilly Auto Parts Badger 40 at Wilmot Raceway
Scores his sixth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season
By Tony Veneziano
WILMOT, Wisc. - July 30, 2016 - David Gravel has been under the weather over the course of the last week, but he didn't let that slow him down on Saturday night in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Badger 40 at Wilmot Raceway in Wisconsin. The native of Watertown, Connecticut, led all 40 laps to claim his sixth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of the season.
Gravel has now won in both of his starts with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Wilmot Raceway and has 13 career wins with the series.
"It's been a rough last six or seven days for me and I'm just starting to feel better," said Gravel, who drives the Big Game Treestands machine for CJB Motorsports. "The car was just awesome. I've only had one other car ever that has driven perfect like that. There was a lot of yellows and that gave Donny (Schatz) a lot of shots at me and chances to try to change it up a little bit."
Gravel started on the pole and withstood five cautions flags. On four of the double-file restarts, he had seven-time and defending World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion Donny Schatz lining up beside him. Gravel used strong restarts each time to sprint to a sizeable lead in open track.
"Some yellows helped me not have to deal with lapped traffic," explained Gravel. "There at the end, I passed a couple of lapped cars and had a pocket with about five to go. I think I saw Donny poke his nose, and I knew I had to get going and that gave me a little cushion. Our car was so good on the top that it just drove itself, really. Typically, we struggle on restarts with tire pressure and laying over on the right rear. That car was great tonight."
The win for Gravel was his sixth of the season, which surpasses his previous career-high of five, which he set in 2014. The 24-year-old has now won four times on short tracks this year, after conquering the third-mile Wilmot Raceway.
"I wanted to beat the five wins I had a few years ago and did that tonight," he noted. "Hopefully we'll be able to keep this rolling the rest of the year."
The race got off to a rocky start, with the yellow flag waving three times in the first dozen laps. The first yellow of the race came out on the second lap, when Jacob Allen, who was running second, spun. Just past the halfway point of the race, while in traffic, Schatz was able to get his nose under Gravel in turns three and four, but wasn't able to make a pass. The final 19 laps of the race went caution-free, putting the leaders into lapped traffic, some of which was heavy at times.
Schatz, who started sixth, ran the high side of the track most of the 40-lap race. With just a handful of laps remaining he gained ground on Gravel in lapped traffic, at one point, splitting two slower machines coming off turn four, but was never quite able to get a run on the leader.
"I'm happy to get a good finish," said Schatz, driver of the Bad Boy Off-Road J&J for Tony Stewart Racing. "Riding the rim is not really my game, but I can make it my game if I have to. I just kind of bouncing off the cushion in (turns) four and two. I thought I had a good shot at him, but if I got off the cushion, I couldn't go anywhere. Getting there was one thing and passing was another."
The O'Reilly Auto Parts Badger 40 wrapped up a busy month of July for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and Schatz finished first or second in 10 of 13 races in the month, with his lowest finish in that span being a seventh-place effort.
"These guys did a pretty good job here and we had an incredible July," said Schatz. "Tomorrow July is over, so the next time we get to race is August and we are worried about the big races next weekend and beyond."
Joey Saldana finished third on Saturday night, after starting fourth. The veteran driver battled Schatz for the second spot throughout the second half of the race, getting several runs, but was unable to make a pass. For Saldana, the third-place showing was his third-straight top-five finish at Wilmot.
"This is a great team and I am lucky enough to drive this car," said Saldana. "Everyone is working hard and we are hanging in there. We are just missing something little. Being on the front straightaway, hopefully you can win some of these races. We'll keep doing what are doing and try to stay as positive as possible. It's easy to get down and beat up. We'll take this and go on to Pevely and hopefully get a couple of spots better."
Brad Sweet finished fourth on Saturday night, with his Kasey Kahne Racing teammate Daryn Pittman rounding out the top-five. Sweet opened the night by setting fast time for the ninth time this season. Shane Stewart finished sixth, with Jason Johnson seventh and Jason Sides, who ran in the top-three for a portion of the race, finishing eighth. Greg Wilson picked up the KSE Hard Charger Award, coming from 17th to ninth. Logan Schuchart rounded out the top-10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series enters the final stretch of the 'Month of Money' on Friday, Aug. 5 as the series kicks off the Ironman weekend at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 weekend. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit WoOSprint.com/Ironman-55.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Wilmot Raceway Notebook
RACE NOTES: David Gravel scored his second career win at Wilmot Raceway on Saturday night. He has the last two victories for the series at the track… Leading rookie of the year candidate Greg Wilson was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing eight positions to finish in ninth… Brad Sweet picked up his ninth quick time award of the season. He is now one quick time away from matching the season's leading qualifier Joey Saldana… Outlaws drivers occupied all the first 12 finishing positions.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Matt Vandevere; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): David Gravel; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Super Flow ($50 cash): Ben Schmidt; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): N/A; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): David Gravel;JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Dane Lorenc; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Matt Vandevere.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 16 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); David Gravel - 6 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30);Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
World of Outlaws at Hartford Postponed Until September 21
Series returns to action tomorrow night at Wilmot (Wis.) Raceway
HARTFORD, Mich. - July 29, 2016 - The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series event at Hartford Speedway has been rained out Friday night following the second Qualifier event.
The series will return to action at the track on Wednesday, Sept. 21 for a full event, including hot laps, qualifying and heat races.
All tickets and pit passes from tonight's race will be honored for the re-scheduled event on Wednesday, September 21, so fans are asked to keep their tickets and pit passes.
The series heads east tomorrow night, Saturday, July 30, for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Badger 40 at Wilmot (Wis.) Speedway. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visitWoOSprint.com/Wilmot-Raceway.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Schatz Comes Out On Top of Three-Way Battle at Ohsweken
Scores his 16th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season
OHSWEKEN, Ont. - July 26, 2016 - A three-way battle for the lead dominated Tuesday night's Six Nations Showdown at Ohsweken Speedway with Donny Schatz, Jacob Allen and Brad Sweet jockeying for the top spot. Ultimately, it was Schatz who broke away from the pack and claimed his 16th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
The win was the third in the last four seasons for Schatz at Ohsweken - the series' only stop in Canada this season.
"Always good to get a win," Schatz said. "Canada has been very good to me. I love coming up here… Glad to be at Ohsweken tonight. We're going to go back to the (United) States and try to win some more."
On the drop of the green flag, Jason Johnson very quickly shot out front but the move was short-lived as Schatz battled by off of turn four and led the first lap. As Schatz moved, Sweet followed with Allen in hot pursuit.
On lap three, Allen battled past Sweet for second off of turn two as Schatz tried to gain distance on the drivers - Sweet charged back.
As Schatz caught lapped traffic an already short-distance between first and second closed even tighter. On lap eight, Sweet took over the lead in his No. 49 Ollie's Bargain Outlet car from Schatz. Schatz was not ready to give up as the two-way battle extended to a three-way battle with Allen still in the mix. Schatz retook the lead from Sweet off turn four.
Next it was Allen's turn as he took over second in his No. 1A Mark Pell Tire Service/Marty Thompson Investments car and began challenging Schatz for the lead. He stayed close through the succeeding laps and on lap 18, Allen took advantage of lapped traffic and pulled side-by-side with the No. 15 Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance car. As the two drag raced into turns one and two, Allen threw the slider, trying to close off of two. Schatz however had the advantage on the exit and held on to the top spot.
The first and only caution of the night flew on lap 26. As the field took the green flag one last time, single-file, Schatz led Allen, Sweet, Pittman and Johnson.
Allen again tried to get around Schatz with a slider in turns one and two but Schatz again held the top spot. Two laps later, it was Sweet with the slider around Allen to take over the second position. Sweet worked to run down Schatz in the closing laps as Allen had his hands full with his teammate Logan Schuchart, who was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 10 positions to finish in fourth.
At the line it was Schatz, Sweet and Allen, who had to close the door on the car behind him through the final distance to finish on the podium.
"There was times that we had to move around the race track and I could get by guys on the race track," Schatz said. "That's what keeps it fun. Those other guys got to us and you kind of just had to keep moving around and stay patient. I didn't want to see that yellow at the end. I knew I just to carry my speed."
Schatz extended his lead after the night's feature to 245 over second place Daryn Pittman.
For Sweet, the second-place finish was a good momentum builder after a tough month that has not gone as planned.
"Donny is always going to be tough. I got by him there for one second. In lapped traffic I was a little too committed to the top. I just couldn't quite roll the middle as good as him. Jacob had the car for maneuvering around the race track."
"It's been a long month for us, so it's nice to get some momentum on our side."
Allen rolled onto the front stretch in third after what has been a good month for his Shark Racing team, including a win for his teammate Logan Schuchart at Cedar Lake Speedway two and a half weeks ago. The finish is the second podium run of the season for Allen.
"Down in one and two at the beginning it was a little tricky. You had to slow up a lot but coming off it was really nice and it seemed like they were getting loose hanging off. That went away down in one and two and they were getting around the top really good and that was the place to be.
It was a really fun race. And I'm just really blessed to be up here and race with those guys. My team does such a great job and I can't thank my dad and those guys enough for what they do. I'm blessed to be out here and having a lot of fun."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series rolls to Michigan as the series takes on Hartford Motor Speedway for the first time since 2011 on Friday, July 29. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit WoOSprint.com/Hartford-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Ohsweken Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Tonight's win was Donny Schatz's third win at Ohsweken Speedway in the last four seasons. He now has four total Outlaws wins at the track. Schatz stood in victory lane at the track in 2015, 2014 and 2010… NASCAR star and Outlaws team owner Kasey Kahne made his second series start this season. After winning the previous night's 360 sprint car feature, Kahne finished 14th with the Outlaws… Logan Schuchart was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 10 positions to finish in fourth… Jacob Allen picked up his second podium finish of the season with a third place run.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Dane Lorenc; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Craig Dollansky; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Craig Dollansky; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Dane Lorenc.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 16 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); David Gravel - 5 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1(Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is br
A Little Luck and A Lot of Skill Help Lance Dewease to Summer Nationals Win
Retains coveted Morgan Cup trophy for the Pennsylvania Posse and pockets $25,000
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - July 23, 2016 - Lance Dewease's World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory in the the Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals finale at Williams Grove Speedway on Saturday night took a lot of hard work and a little good luck.
Dewease, who spent much of the first two-thirds of the feature looking for a line around Joey Saldana, battled to the lead on one restart, had do it again after the caution flew before a lap was completed and then, after the caution flew on the final lap for Aaron Ott, who spun near the start/finish line, ran out of fuel as the open red was called.
"I was out (of fuel) about six laps before that," Dewease said. "It kept shutting off going down the straight away. I just slowed way out of the throttle so I could try to make it to the end, took the white, it sputtered a little going up the back stretch, I thought I was good and we come of four for the checkered and the yellow comes out. I thought, man, we're done… Everything went our way tonight."
In addition to claiming $25,000, Dewease also kept the Morgan Cup at Williams Grove for the local, Pennsylvania Posse fans. The win is the second of the season for Dewease who stood in victory lane at Williams Grove on May 20.
Notably, the win was the 10th series victory of Dewease's career which tied him with Johnny Herrera and his car owner Don Kreitz Jr. for 33rd on the all-time wins list.
Daryn Pittman, who won the previous night, had the early momentum as he scored the quick time award, a Heat race win and the Dash win which put him on the pole of the 30-lap feature.
It was Joey Saldana though who jumped out to the early lead in his No. 83 Roth Motorsports car. Dewease, who started in fourth got around Greg Hodnett for third on lap seven and then, on a restart, powered his No. 69K Kreitz Oval Track Parts/Sharman Builders car around the No. 9 Great Clips car of Daryn Pittman to take over second.
Through multiple restarts, Saldana held off Dewease. With 11 laps remaining, the No. 48 of Danny Dietrich brought out the caution after spinning on the front straight. When the field returned to green Dewease battled to the lead but before a lap could be completed, the caution again flew after a large piece of a nose wing ended up in the middle of the racing groove in turn two.
Saldana took the lead back but was not able to hold off Dewease, as the No. 69K again battled to the lead. As Saldana fell off Pittman took over the second and David Gravel took over third.
Dewease cruised through the final laps, building a large lead on Pittman in second. As Dewease rounded the final corner, the caution again flew for Ott who had spun and stopped at the start/finish line.
Just as series officials called the open red after hitting the maximum number of laps on a fuel load, Dewease ran out of fuel. After refueling for the final start, the field restacked single file with Dewease leading Pittman, and by that point, the No. 51S Trans East Equipment/Miller Bros. Chevrolet car of Stevie Smith.
Dewease easily retained the top spot on the green-white-checkered. As he crossed the finish line much of the front grandstand rose to their feet to cheer for the No. 69K. Pittman, a former regular in Central Pennsylvania, finished in second with Smith in third.
With Kreitz and Hall-of-Fame mechanic Davey Brown at his side, Dewease celebrated the win.
"Everything is about (Don Kreitz) and (Davey Brown) on this deal," Dewease said. "I'm just the guy driving it and I'm just having so much fun this year. It's just a pleasure."
For their part, Brown and Kreitz were jubilant in victory lane.
"I just couldn't ask for a better driver," Brown said. "He's just so good, I can't believe it."
"I can hardly talk," Kreitz said. "I've got tears in my eyes. Lance did a hell of a job driving the car and the moves he made in it."
The win ties the Outlaws vs. Pennsylvania Posse battle at two wins to two wins. The two sides will pick up the battle again at the end of September for the National Open at Williams Grove.
Pittman, who closed out the weekend with a win and second place, said he just was not quite quick enough to start the feature, but commended his Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb team for a solid weekend.
"We got beat by a better car and that car has been hard to beat all year," Pittman said of Dewease. "We got one on him last night by starting in front of him. I finally found a decent line there at the end and felt like I could at least maintain with him and sort of keep his pace but at the end of the day he was just quicker than us."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series head north of the border on Tuesday to Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway for the Six Nations Showdown - the Outlaws only appearance in Canada this season. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit WoOSprint.com/Ohsweken-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Williams Grove Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Tonight's win was the second of the World of Outlaws season for Lance Dewease who last stood in victory lane at Williams Grove on May 20… Lance Dewease scored his 10th career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory which ties him for 33rd with Johnny Herrara and his car owner, Don Kreitz Jr…. Kerry Madsen was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 13 positions to finish in ninth... The Outlaws and Pennsyvlania Posse are now tied two to two for wins on the season.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jason Johnson; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Super Flow ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Greg Hodnett;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Kerry Madsen; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Tim Shaffer.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 15 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); David Gravel - 5 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2(Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Daryn Pittman Pounces on the Posse at Williams Grove Summer Nationals
Posse regulars Dewease and Hodnett round out the podium
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - July 22, 2016 - Daryn Pittman held off the Pennsylvania Posse in Friday night's Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals opener at Williams Grove Speedway to score his seventh World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
Posse regulars Lance Dewease and Greg Hodnett both tried to run down the No. 9 Great Clips car, but Pittman held tough and gave the Outlaws their second win in Posse territory this season.
"I don't know if I'm more nervous with (Hodnett) behind me or (Dewease) - neither one of them you want to see on the scoreboard," Pittman said in victory lane. "Man, we won again at Williams Grove… this is a special race track to win at."
Pittman was fast all night taking a late run in the qualifying flight two that catapulted him to the top of the charts and his fifth quick time award of the season. After a second place finish in Heat three, Pittman was poised to start the Dash in sixth until the Dash inversion draw which ultimately put Pittman on the Dash pole.
When the initial green fell on the night's 25-lap feature, Pittman jumped out to a strong early lead as Hodnett battled past Aaron Ott to take over the second position. Through a series of early cautions, Jason Johnson battled into the third position and then had to deal with a challenge from Dewease who drove his No. 69K Henry R. Sharman Builders, Kreitz Racing machine into the third spot and then second following a mid-race caution.
When the field returned to green, contact between Schatz and Johnson caused Johnson to flip and brought out a red flag, the final stoppage of the night.
Through the remaining laps, Pittman built up a nearly two second lead as Dewease worked to run him. Lapped traffic on the final lap was nearly problematic for Pittman as Dewease closed the gap but Pittman escaped and earned the win at Williams Grove.
"You knew the 69K came from a ways back and I wasn't sure what (crew chief Kale Kahne) was going to tell me to do under the red. I was kind of thinking 'man, I need to change my line.' And he said, 'just keeping running the top.' And I was like, 'man. are you sure?' That 69, I guarantee he's not running the top," Pittman said. "We got hung up in some lap traffic on the last lap and I felt like I made a pretty bad corner but luckily was able to hold onto it down the backstretch and was able to slide myself through three and four."
The win gives Pittman his seventh of the season, good enough for the second-mostand propelled him to third in the championship point standings over his teammate Brad Sweet. The win is also the second for the Outlaws, who, with Schatz's victory at Lincoln Speedway earlier in the season, now have a two-to-one lead over the Pennsylvania Posse.
Dewease, who finished in second and is the owner of the other series race win at Williams Grove this season, said the unusual track conditions were a challenge for he and his team all night.
"(This track) isn't my type of deal, this (car) likes it real slick. (The car) was really nice all night. Davey does a wonderful job. This is a new car - this is only like the third race on it. Davey and Donny, they work their butts off and I couldn't be happier to drive it as hard as I can for those guys."
Hodnett, who finished in third, said his No. 27 Heffner Racing /Trone Outdoors car was not quite where it needed to be tonight.
"We were really disappointed. We just weren't good to run the cushion all night and I don't know why," Hodnett said. "We were just balled up on it and loose off of it. We just weren't good enough to to run anywhere but on it and then not very good on it. The track was pretty different than what it had been all year so we've got a little work to do. Thankful to be on the front stretch with this group of competitors we have here."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continue their battle with the Pennsylvania Posse tonight as the two close out the Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals at Williams Grove Speedway. One driver will take home $25,000 and claim the coveted Morgan Cup Trophy for the Outlaws and Posse. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit WoOSprint.com/Summer-Nationals.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Williams Grove Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Daryn Pittman picked up his seventh World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway and first at the track since 2014… Pennsylvania Posse regulars claimed the most top-10 positions with five while Outlaws regulars took three spots in the top-ten… Brent Marks was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 12 positions to finish in 12th… Tonight's pole position was Daryn Pittman's 11th of the season. He is the season's leading pole sitter.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jacob Allen; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; Edelbrock ($50 cash): James McFadden; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Aaron Ott; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Brent Marks; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Schuchart.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 15 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); David Gravel - 5 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
David Gravel Battles to Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup Victory
Picks up his fifth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season
SARVER, Pa. - July 19, 2016 - Donny Schatz did not make it easy, but David Gravel proved up to the task as he battled to his fifth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season in the 25th Annual Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup at Lernerville Speedway on Tuesday night.
Gravel started from the front, but did not have an easy road as Schatz moved forward early and then began challenging the Watertown, Conn.-native for the lead. Through lapped traffic, Schatz closed the distance and then battled by Gravel. Gravel kept up the pressure though and, the next lap by, was in position when Schatz bobbled on the cushion. He took back the top spot and held off challenges through the end of the 40-lap feature.
"Donny is really good - Dale (Blaney) and Donny at this type of race track," Schatz said. "I tried to keep my pace up as good as I can but it got harder and harder and harder to run. When Donny showed his nose there and passed me, I got the wing back and tried a different line down the back stretch and was able to get underneath him and slide him back and slide a lapped car. That was the winning move there really."
The win comes less than a week after Gravel last stood in victory lane with his CJB Motorsports team - that time at the inaugural Jokers Wild at Eldora Speedway. It is Gravel's first ever win at Lernerville and moved him past Brad Sweet and into the second position in championship standings. He is now 226 points behind Schatz.
The No. 5 Big Game Treestands started out the night taking the quick time award - his fourth of the season.
Gravel shared the front row of the feature with Blaney, who stood in victory lane at the Silver Cup in 2015. Through the opening laps, Gravel pulled out to a strong lead over Blaney.
Schatz quickly battled to third and after an early caution pulled wheel-to-wheel with Blaney for second. Blaney however held the spot through the first 10 laps. Another caution brought the field together and after several laps, Schatz battled past Blaney for second.
As Gravel worked his way through traffic, Schatz began closing on the No. 5 car, from an over two second lead, Schatz brought it down to .603 seconds by lap 23. As rode the cushion around the top of the track, Schatz brought his No. 15 Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance J&J close but could not find a way by.
Gravel again pulled away but Schatz again closed the gap. This time, Schatz got around Gravel after sliding him through turns one and two for the lead. The reigning series champion's hold on the top spot was tenuous though as the No. 5 car took advantage of a mistake and retook the top spot. Though Schatz stayed close, it was smooth sailing to the end.
"Donny was really good there at the end. I could hear him," Gravel said. "And the cushion pushed the edge of the track off of four and I was just happy to hang on."
Schatz, fresh off his $50,000 Kings Royal victory was disappointed by the second place run.
"I shoved over the edge, that's just the way it goes," Schatz said. "Winning the Kings Royal and then coming and running second kind of feels like I let my race team down. I did everything I could. I know they did too… That's just the way this sport is. Some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield."
He extended his lead over second place in the championship standings to 226 points. Following the Silver Cup in 2015, Schatz had a larger 294-point lead over the then second-place team of Shane Stewart.
Blaney, who came into the night as the past winner of the event, sad he was disappointed with the finish for his No. 1B GoMuddy.com team.
"It felt like we had a really good car all night," Blaney said. "Man, I just couldn't get maneuverable in that race at all. I couldn't float the corner. Just really disappointed… we've run so good here. We've run really good when the track gets like this but we just missed it a little bit in the feature."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues through the 'Month of Money' as it heads east this week to Pennsylvania Posse territory to take on Williams Grove Speedway for the Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals. Learn more about the Summer Nationals, visit WoOSprint.com/Summer-Nationals.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Lernerville Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Tonight's win was the fifth of the season for David Gravel and second in the last week. Gravel last won on Thursday at the inaugural Jokers Wild at Eldora Speedway… Kraig Kinser was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 10 positions to finish in fourth… The win is the second biggest of Gravel's career after the $50,000-to-win National Open at Williams Grove Speedway in 2014… Brad Sweet fell to third in the championship standings as Gravel took over the second position, 226 points out of the lead.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 15 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 6 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15); David Gravel - 5 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19);Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Logan Schuchart - 1(Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1(The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Eldora Speedway Crowns King Donny XXXIII at Kings Royal
Schatz scores his third Kings Royal title and 15th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the year
ROSSBURG, Ohio - July 16, 2016 - It has been nearly a decade since he last stood in victory lane at the Kings Royal, but Donny Schatz looked like a natural as he was crowned King Donny XXXIII - his third Kings Royal title since 2007 - on Saturday night at Eldora Speedway.
Schatz who drew number 15 in the qualifying pill draw and was looking to get his 15th World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season had the luck on his side, he just needed the hard work to push him through - and that's exactly what he and his team did.
"This is unbelievable," Schatz said. "It's been a challenge here all weekend and it's one of them places, we felt like we've been good at the Royal and we've maybe just done the wrong things. But not tonight. We were awesome all night. These guys got the car qualified well, got through the Heat, the car was awesome in the Heat races. It's such a blast."
The $50,000 win comes as Schatz and his No. 15 Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance team finds its stride and rolls through the critical 'Month of Money.' Since June 1, Schatz has racked up eight series wins and built up a 186 point lead in the championship standings over second place Brad Sweet.
Schatz, who finished both the Jokers Wild and Knight Before the Kings Royal at Eldora in second, credited his Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing team for helping put him in position.
"I know I get to stand here but this race team is what wins these races," Schatz said. "These guys are incredible in what they do. You can't say enough about them. They are the ones that need to be wearing this uniform. They are the ones responsible for making that racecar."
Kerry Madsen kicked off the night with the qualifying quick time but under the special Kings Royal format, it was the Heat races that were critical for the night. With a five car inversion, Schatz, who qualified fourth, was in the middle of the pack of his Heat race but battled forward to take the win.
On the initial start of the 40-lap feature, it was second-place starter Brian Brown who jumped out to the early lead. Brown though had his hands full immediately with three-time Kings Royal champion Sammy Swindell. Swindell battled Brown with intense pressure through the first eight laps and then found a line around on lap nine.
Swindell's lead was short-lived though as a hard-charging Brad Sweet battled past Brown for third and then set his sights on Swindell. As the two drivers worked to complete lap 12, Sweet cleared the No. 1 Big Game Treestands car off of turn four.
But like the leader before, Sweet shortly had company with Schatz and Christopher Bell.
"We were a little too good, too early," Sweet said. "I was smiling in the first 20 laps when we drove to the lead there. But I know how long this race is and I didn't get through lapped cars there in the beginning. Slipped my tires a few times and Donny and (Christopher Bell) got by me. Once they had the position on me, I thought they were a little bit better at the end."
With Schatz around on lap 20, Bell tried to make a move but, while driving second, got into the turn four wall, briefly climbed it and caught the fence before settling on track. A red flag later, Bell's night was done.
On the restart, it was Rico Abreu on the move in his No. 24 Abreu Vineyards car. He threw the slider on Schatz into turns one and two but Schatz held him off. Through the closing laps, Abreu shortened the distance to Schatz and with just two laps remaining, he made a last ditch effort to get around the No. 15, pulling even with Schatz off of turn four, but Schatz pulled away, scoring his 15th victory of the season.
"I figured (Rico) had to be close," Schatz said. "(Kerry Madsen) was on the top and someone else was on the bottom and I tried to float through the middle there of one and two but I just couldn't keep the tires underneath me like I knew I could, so I knew someone was coming. Rico is a hell of a racer, he's going to give it his all, all of the time. I knew I was going to have to do what I could. I knew I missed the corner and that probably gave him a real good shot to get close but standing here, we're going to enjoy the hell of out of this."
Abreu, who finished behind Schatz in third the two previous nights at Eldora, said he has to get smarter at the end of the races to make sure he is in contention.
"We've been right there putting ourselves in position, it's just baby steps that separate the men from the boys in winning these races," Abreu said. "Paul Silva, Trevor, Matt, Bubba, they all do a great job preparing this race car and it builds a lot of confidence in the last few weeks, how competitive we've been.
"Donny's right there, he's the guy to beat every night. It makes you race a lot harder, it makes you think a lot smarter. Getting around him, watching him race. That's why he's on the podium."
For Sweet, his finish was a good step forward after he and his No. 49 Ollie's Bargain Outlet team struggled in the opening nights at Eldora. He said, ultimately, he was too good, too early in the night's feature event.
"I was smiling in the first 20 laps when we drove to the lead there," Sweet said. "But I know how long this race is and I didn't get through lapped cars there in the beginning. Slipped my tires a few times and Donny and Bell got by me. Once they had the position on me, I thought they were a little bit better at the end. The way the weekend went, it's nice to be up here on the podium and actually contending for the Kings Royal."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action Tuesday at Lernerville Speedway for the $25,000-to-win Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup. Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the event and learn more by visiting WoOSprint.com/Silver-Cup.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Eldora Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz scored his third career Kings Royal victory. He previously won the Kings Royal in 2007 and 2009… The night's win was Schatz's 15th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season… Daryn Pittman, who won the Knight Before the Kings Royal the previous night at Eldora Speedway, captured the KSE Racing Hard Charger award, advancing 16 positions to finish in seventh… Kerry Madsen scored his second quick time award of the season - notable tonight as a rebound from a crash that sidelined Madsen the night before in qualifying.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 15 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 6 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); David Gravel - 4 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22);Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Daryn Pittman Tops in Knight Before the Kings Royal Victory
Donny Schatz and Rico Abreu repeat their previous night’s performance
ROSSBURG, Ohio - July 15, 2016 - Daryn Pittman dominated the Knight Before the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway on Friday night, as he cruised to his sixth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
For Pittman, the win was his first at the historic half-mile oval in Rossburg, Ohio since May 4, 2013. Even with the victory, Saturday night's $50,000-to-win Kings Royal, one of the most coveted wins in all of motorsports, was on Pittman's mind.
"Hats off to this Great Clips team. We had a really great car," Pittman said. "It doesn't matter how good you are tonight. We can't do exactly what we did, tomorrow night. Tomorrow night is a new race track. Try to go after my second Kings Royal. It was a pretty special win in 2008."
The win did not come without a little adversity for the No. 9 Great Clips team though. Pittman, started on the outside front row and battled to the lead on the opening lap. As he put distance between he and second-place Joey Saldana, he bounced off the wall in turn four.
"I was out front and I was slow and I didn't think I was getting through three and four fast enough and tried to pick up the pace a little bit," Pittman said. "I didn't think I was close to the fence, and I hit it and hit it hard. I ran about the next three laps thinking I was going to have a flat or did some damage but luckily the car held on."
Donny Schatz was charging in his No. 15 Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance/J&J. After dispensing with Shane Stewart, Schatz caught the No. 83 of Joey Saldana and looked for a line around. The two were side-by-side as they worked to complete lap 10 but Saldana held the spot. A lap later, Schatz got another run on Saldana and took over second as the two dove into turn three.
As Pittman worked his way through traffic, Schatz closed the gap briefly but then Pittman began to pull away again.
"The (No. 9) car was awful good," Schatz said. "I couldn't even get through traffic… (We were gaining on Pittman) until the fuel load came off."
Rico Abreu, who started ninth in his No. 24 Abreu Vineyards machine, worked his way through the field and by lap 16 was challenging Saldana for third. Three laps later, Abreu got around Saldana to take over the final podium position.
"I searched around and searched around and found the happy medium on my car," Abreu said. "I moved the wing back a little sooner than some other cars and that's how I gained those spots."
Through the closing laps, Pittman adeptly worked his way through traffic and built a sizeable gap on Schatz, Abreu and the field.
When the checkered flag fell, Pittman scored his sixth win of the season. Schatz and Abreu matched their finishing positions from the night before at Eldora.
"It's a dream come true to come drive for this team and I'm just doing my part to try to stay in it," Pittman said of Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb. "It was a great win for us."
Schatz said his Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing team tried some things in the Dash that did not quite work out. He said that coupled with a slick racing surface made for a challenging night.
"You never know what tomorrow night will bring. We'll look forward to a good day tomorrow," Schatz said.
David Gravel, who won the inaugural Jokers Wild on Thursday night scored his third quick time award of the season on Friday after posting a qualifying lap of 13.600 seconds. Brad Sweet was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing eight positions to finish in fifth.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series takes on the 33rd Annual Kings Royal on Saturday night. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Eldora Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Daryn Pittman's win tonight was the sixth of the season for his Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb team… Pittman last stood in victory lane at the legendary Eldora Speedway on May 4, 2013… Donny Schatz continued to extend his points lead on Friday night. He now leads Brad Sweet in second by 186 points… Brad Sweet was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing eight positions to finish in 12th… Donny Schatz and Rico Abreu repeated their performances from the Jokers Wild the night before, standing in victory lane in the second and third positions… David Gravel picked up his third quick time award of the season after posting a lap of 13.600 seconds around the half-mile oval.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Brent Marks; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Chad Kemenah; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Trey Starks; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Super Flow ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Bryan Clauson/Trey Starks; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Brad Sweet; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brent Marks.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 14 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 6(Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); David Gravel - 4 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22);Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1(Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
David Gravel Is Nobody’s Fool in Jokers Wild Win at Eldora Speedway
Captures his fourth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season
ROSSBURG, Ohio - July 14, 2016 - David Gravel had his hands full through much of Thursday night's inaugural Jokers Wild at Eldora Speedway, but the 24-year-old driver held tough and scored his fourth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
"It's awesome. It's pretty friggin' surreal," Gravel said in victory lane.
The 24-year-old driver kicked off his dominant run by powering past Donny Schatz in the Dash to take the feature pole position.
Through the opening laps of the 30-lap main event, Gravel pulled out to a steady lead over second place Brian Brown. Through early cautions the field tightened back up.
NASCAR Truck Series stand out and two-time World of Outlaws winner Christopher Bell, who started fourth, powered forward, slipped back and then again made the charge to the front. He had taken over the second spot with the leader in his sights when the caution flew and Bell was forced to the pits with a mechanical issue.
On the restart, Gravel had his hands full with Schatz who looked for a way around the No. 5 Big Game Treestands car. Schatz slid through turns one and two but Gravel held him off. Through three and four, Schatz again slid through the corner and the two crossed each other down the front. Gravel still held the lead.
Through the middle of the feature, the fight for third and fourth heated up as Kerry Madsen worked to hold on to the final podium position and Logan Schuchart and Rico Abreu fought to take it away. Schuchart looked to have a chance but Abreu powered forward on a late restart and with a slider, took over third.
As the laps ticked away, the leaders, Gravel, Schatz and Abreu spread out. That did not last long though as Gravel worked his way through traffic in the final 10 laps, Schatz closed the distance and began looking for a line around.
"Lapped traffic really slowed me down," Gravel said. "I just tried to keep my pace up. I slid (Randy) Hannagan and I know I lost all my speed there."
Schatz continued the assault through the remaining six laps, getting his No. 15 Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance car side-by-side with Gravel but Gravel held on.
On lap 28, as the white flag flew signaling the final lap, Schatz gave it one last chance. Staying close off of turn two, Schatz slid Gravel through three and four and nearly got around him, but Gravel powered his CJB Motorsports car across the line. Just .03 seconds separated first and second.
"Donny made me get my elbows up there," Gravel said. "I had to run the top of three and four there and keep my speed up. We got a power steering leak - the power steering was going away and I was getting tired there at the end with my power steering going away.
"I can't thank my team enough - Derek, Barry and Austin. Chad and Jenn Clemens put me in this car. It's been a great season - we've had three bad nights all year. We were good here last time, we tried something a little different and won here tonight. Hopefully we can carry that on all weekend."
Schatz said he thought he had his opportunity at the end of the feature.
"That last corner there I thought we would be able to clear (Gravel) but I didn't use him up - I tried to do the right thing coming to the checkered."
"These guys did an awesome job - it's consistent, it's balanced, so the next couple of nights we'll have a chance."
For Abreu, Eldora has been a place of consistent improvement for him and his No. 24 Abreu Vineyards team. Abreu said the momentum and the seat time would help as they went through the Kings Royal weekend and the upcoming NASCAR truck series race.
"It's good, you've got to keep plugging away. We're right there. It's just one position, one restart away from winning. Really good restarts, really good racecars," Abreu said. "We've got a lot of racing with two more and then the truck race and this track is already badass."
Greg Wilson was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 14 positions to finish in 10th. Kerry Madsen picked up his first quick time award of the season after turning a lap of 13.488 seconds.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to Eldora Speedway Friday night for the Knight Before the Kings Royal. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visitWoOSprint.com/Knight-Before-the-Kings-Royal.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Eldora Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: David Gravel's win tonight was his fourth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season and his first ever at Eldora Speedway… Greg Wilson was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 14 positions to finish in 10th… Kerry Madsen picked up his first quick time of the season with a lap of 13.488 seconds around the half-mile track… Tonight's Jokers Wild was the first ever running of the event at Eldora Speedway.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Brent Marks; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): David Gravel; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Chad Kemenah; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Super Flow ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Brian Brown;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): David Gravel; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brent Marks; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): N/A.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 14 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 5(Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); David Gravel - 4 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14);Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1(Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Donny Schatz Scores Lucky No. 13 at FVP Outlaws at Cedar Lake
Scores his fifth career Outlaws win at Cedar Lake
NEW RICHMOND, Wisc. - July 9, 2016 - Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet battled throughout much of Saturday night's FVP Outlaws at Cedar Lake feature at Cedar Lake Speedway, as they traded the lead back and forth through lapped traffic and cautions, but it was Schatz who held tough to score his 13th World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
"I've got to thank these guys," Schatz said. "They're incredible in what they do."
Schatz, who closed out the previous night at Cedar Lake with a close second place run, jumped out to an early lead in Saturday night's main event with Sweet hot on his trail. Through the first five laps, Sweet looked for a way around but Schatz held tough.
The first caution of the night came out on lap 13 and on the restart, Schatz and Sweet resumed their battle as David Gravel began challenging Willie Croft for third. Gravel eventually took over the third spot with a pass on the high side off of turn two.
Meanwhile, Sweet was throwing sliders on Schatz through turns one and two. On lap 13, he made it stick but Schatz battled back by. The next lap, Sweet did it again, but this time, held the position.
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Cedar Lake Speedway; New Richmond, Wisc.; July 9, 2016.
A-Main - (35 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1]; 2. 5-David Gravel [3]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [9]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [5]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [4]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8]; 7. 24-Rico Abreu [6]; 8. 83-Joey Saldana [15]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [20]; 10. 2-Shane Stewart [12]; 11. 29-Kerry Madsen [18]; 12. 7-Paul McMahan [21]; 13. 21K-Thomas Kennedy [7]; 14. 21-Brian Brown [10]; 15. 17B-Bill Balog [14]; 16. 26-Willie Croft [2]; 17. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [13]; 18. 7S-Jason Sides [16]; 19. 1A-Jacob Allen [19]; 20. 16-Travis Whitney [22]; 21. 19-Paige Polyak [23]; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp [17]; 23. 5G-Dave Glennon [24]; 24. 64-Scotty Thiel [11]. Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-14, 16, 24-35; Brad Sweet 15, 17-23. KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson [+11]
Through traffic though, Schatz again pulled even with the No. 49 Ollies Bargain Outlet car of Sweet, and led again briefly. Through the next six laps, Sweet held a precarious lead on Schatz, as the reigning and seven time series champion bided his time.
Sweet gave Schatz a chance as he slipped up coming off of turn four and Schatz, glued to the low line, got around him. The next time into turns one and two, Sweet again took an aggressive line that cost him momentum. This time, it was third running David Gravel who took his chance and battled forward for the second spot in his No. 5 Big Game Treestands car.
Through several late race cautions, Sweet hand his hands full with a number of drivers including his own Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb teammate, Daryn Pittman. Pittman found his way by in the waning laps to take the final position on the podium.
Schatz crossed the line in first, his fifth career Outlaws win at Cedar Lake. Gravel closed out the night and the weekend double-heading in second with Pittman in third. Despite the success at the track, Schatz said Cedar Lake has always been challenging for him.
"We never really can seem to get a good feel here," Schatz said. "I don't know what it is… we just had to bide our time, we were awfully tight in the beginning. I guess when you know you can't do better, you just try to save your tires. Last night I just killed the tires. We had a way better racecar at the end and that's what counts."
For Gravel, the finish is his third podium run in the last five races. He currently sits fifth in the championship standings, just two points out of fourth and six points out of third.
"We qualified well tonight so we put ourselves in a lot better position," Gravel said. "I think I finished second here three times so Cedar Lake has been pretty good to me. Donny was really good - I think we needed lapped traffic.
"We'll take second tonight. We've had a lot of podium finishes. Hopefully we can get some wins here.
Pittman battled late and fought hard to take home his first podium finish in nearly two weeks.
"It's a good result, good finish for our Great Clips team," Pittman said. "We've just got to figure out what's going on the first 10 laps of the race. I feel like we've been the fastest car on the race track the last 10 laps of the last couple of races. Tonight we were really good - we just gave up too many spots early. The last 10 laps were a lot of fun, we got it going in the right direction and we'll keep working at it."
Sweet scored his eighth quick time award of the season after a lap of 11.581. Greg Wilson was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 11 positions to finish in ninth.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series takes on the Brad Doty Classic at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park on Tuesday, July 12. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visitWoOSprint.com/Brad-Doty-Classic.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Cedar Lake Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Brad Sweet added another quick time award in 2016 - his eighth of the season… One night after finishing second, Schatz scored his 13th win of the season… The win tonight is Schatz's fifth career Outlaws win at Cedar Lake. He won on night two last season… Greg Wilson was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 11 positions to finish in ninth.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Clyde Knipp; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): David Gravel; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Willie Croft;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Sides; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Clyde Knipp.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 13 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 5 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Schuchart Holds off Schatz at Cedar Lake to Score First Career Win
Joins Bill Balog as the only other first time winner, so far, in 2016
NEW RICHMOND, Wisc. - July 8, 2016 - It was not easy but Logan Schuchart did what he had to Friday night at Cedar Lake Speedway to score his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory as he battled past Joey Saldana and held off Donny Schatz to win the FVP Outlaws at Cedar Lake.
Schuchart, who started the feature on the front row with Shane Stewart, jumped out to the lead early but succumbed to Joey Saldana's charge on a lap seven restart. Schuchart battled back as the two drivers worked their way through traffic and despite strong advances from Donny Schatz late, Schuchart held tough.
"I'm proud of our team. We've gotten close a couple of times and I can tell the disappointment when we come back," Schuchart said. "I told everybody, 'we're going to get one of these after a while.' You know how hard it is racing with the Outlaws and how difficult it is every night, but I believed we were going to get it done and sooner or later it was going to start clicking.
"I promised my little brother, two years ago, he said, 'how come you don't win anymore?' I said, 'well, what do you want me to do? The next time I win, I'm going to stand on the wing.' He said, 'alright.' So tonight, I had to fulfill that promise to my little brother. That felt great."
After three podium finishes so far this season, the win was a long time coming for Schuchart and his No. 1S Mark Pell Tire Service/Marty Thompson Investments Shark Racing team, owned by his grandfather, sprint car legend Bobby Allen.
"Just our team, my grandpa, never quit attitude. The guy just keeps going, never quits. I owe everything to him. The rest of my team, Jake, Joe, Aiden, Jacob - we all work hard."
A Feature (35 Laps): 1. 1s-Logan Schuchart (2); 2. 15-Donny Schatz (4); 3. 83-Joey Saldana (3); 4. 2-Shane Stewart (1); 5. 24r-Rico Abreu (6); 6. 2ks-Craig Dollansky (8); 7. 9-Daryn Pittman (5); 8. 5-David Gravel (15); 9. 49-Brad Sweet (17); 10. 21-Brian Brown (9); 11. 26-Willie Croft (12); 12. 7-Paul McMahan (23); 13. 18-Ian Madsen (16); 14. 2l-Danny Lasoski (13); 15. 55-Brooke Tatnell (11); 16. 9x-Paul Nienhiser (19); 17. 17b-Bill Balog (20); 18. W20-Greg Wilson (18); 19. 29-Kerry Madsen (7); 20. 19p-Paige Polyak (24); 21. 1a-Jacob Allen (14); 22. 56n-Davey Heskin (21); 23. 7s-Jason Sides (10); 24. 41x-Dominic Scelzi (22). Laps led: Logan Schuchart 1-6, 16-35; Joey Saldana 7-15.
Rico Abreu helped kick off the night as he scored his first quick time award of the season. Stewart led the field to the green in the 35-lap feature - just his second pole position of 2016.
Schuchart jumped out to an early lead but as he caught traffic, Saldana closed the gap. A caution flag flew on lap seven and on the restart, Saldana jumped out to the lead. A battle heated up behind those two between Schatz, Daryn Pittman and Stewart for the third, fourth and fifth positions. Ultimately, Schatz held onto the third spot as Stewart held fourth.
As the leaders again caught traffic, Schuchart closed the gap on Saldana and found an opening. Schuchart dove into turn one as the field worked to complete lap 16, pulled side-by-side with Saldana and beat him onto the back straight. Saldana charged back, throwing the slider into turn three, but Schuchart maintained the top spot.
By lap 20, Schatz, then running third in his No. 15 Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance J & J, was catching Saldana. Two laps later, Schatz found his way around Saldana and set his sights on the leader. Schuchart got caught up by lapped traffic three laps later and Schatz cut his second and a half lead to almost nothing.
The final caution flag of the night fell with eight laps remaining. On the restart, Schuchart powered forward and with a clear track ahead, he built an insurmountable lead on Schatz.
Schuchart was the 15th different winner of the season.
"Anytime you have Donny starting next to you to end the race, it's going to make you nervous," Schuchart said. "I was just trying to not let the butterflies get to me. I felt like I was running my race. I felt like not being in lap traffic would help me, so as long as I could get the lead and get in my line he was going to have a hard time passing me. Those guys were good, but tonight we were just a little bit better."
Schatz, who extended his lead in the championship standings to 109 points over Brad Sweet, scored his season leading 21st podium finish of 2016. Schatz congratulated Schuchart following the feature.
"Happy for Logan," Schatz said. "Logan's been knocking on the door looking for a win for a long time so good to see him get a win there.
"I felt like we had a good shot there on the yellow but I killed us. I don't know if I heated up the tires too much after that or what happened. (Schuchart) was able to move around in the middle of one and two and that's where I needed to be. We didn't run all that great but we felt that way last year and run second the first night and won the second night. So we'll take that tonight as long as we can reverse that tomorrow night."
For Saldana, the finish extends a solid run for the No. 83 Roth Motorsports car. Like Schatz, Saldana too had kudos for Schuchart and his Shark team.
"I want to congratulate Logan and the Shark team," Saldana said. "Winning your first one means so much. He'll win many more. It was nice to see them finally get something rewarding. You put a lot of work to run with the World of Outlaws and run these teams.
"Good effort by the whole Roth team. We missed it just a little bit. We built a new car and we were just off a little bit… hopefully we come back here tomorrow night and get a little bit better."
Paul McMahan was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 11 positions to finish in 12th after he transferred out of the Last Chance Showdown.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series wraps up its FVP Outlaws at Cedar Lake double-header at Cedar Lake Speedway Saturday night. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit WoOSprint.com/Cedar-Lake-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Cedar Lake Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Rico Abreu scored his first quick time award of the season at Cedar Lake after a qualifying lap of 11.247… Logan Schuchart became the second driver of the season to score his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory. He joins Bill Balog on the list of new winners… Paul McMahan was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 11 positions to finish in 12th… In addition to being the season's leading qualifier, Joey Saldana is also the season's leading Heat race winner. After tonight he now has 24 Heat races win on the season.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jason Sides; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman;VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): David Gravel; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Willie Croft; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Super Flow ($50 cash): Paul Nienhiser; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Rico Abreu; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Paul McMahan; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul Nienhiser; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 12 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 5 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1(Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Record $320,975 Posted For 33rd Annual Kings Royal Weekend At Eldora
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Return For Expanded Three-Day Event July 14-15-16
ROSSBURG, Ohio - July 7, 2016 - The 33rd running of Kings Royal Weekend, expanded this year to include a full World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series race on Thursday, July 14, already promises fans more racing and Eldora Speedway officials today announced more prize money for the racers.
Saturday's tradition of $50,000-to-win and the pomp and circumstance that surrounds racing's most unique victory remains untouched - but that is the only position that does not see a major increase for 2016. Over half of the 40-lap Kings Royal finishers will earn double the money posted in previous years. Highlights include: 2nd) $20,000; 5th) $10,000; 10th) $5,000; 24th) $3,000 and the first non-transfer from the B-Feature will receive $2,000. All B-Feature and C-Feature positions received healthy increases as well.
Thursday's "Jokers Wild" will pay $10,000 to the winner while Friday night's "The Knight Before" has been increased to $12,000-to-win.
Eight different drivers have won the Kings Royal over the past eight years. Shane Stewart is the defending winner of both the Kings Royal and The Knight Before.
Tickets and camping for all three nights of the 33rd Kings Royal Weekend, sprint car racing's annual showcase featuring the stars of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series versus Ohio's best, including the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions, are available now at www.EldoraSpeedway.com or by phone at (937) 338-3815.
About Eldora Speedway:
Since carved from a cornfield in the natural amphitheater that existed between the Eldora Ballroom and the Wabash River by bandleader Earl Baltes in 1954, Eldora Speedway has grown to be a frontrunner in motorsports growth and stability. Baltes chose to sell the legendary high-banked clay oval to motorsports entrepreneur and NASCAR, IndyCar and USAC champion Tony Stewart in 2004. Celebrating its 63nd season in 2016, Eldora hosts the biggest events in short-track racing including the 22nd annual Dirt Late Model Dream by Ferris Mowers; the 33rd annual Kings Royal Weekend; the fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on dirt - the Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby; and the 46th annual World 100. The complete schedule for Eldora's 63rd consecutive season, including ticket and campsite information, is available at www.EldoraSpeedway.com and can be requested by phone at (937) 338-3815. Fans can get behind-the-scenes access of Eldora Speedway by following @EldoraSpeedway on Twitter, hitting 'Like' at www.facebook.com/EldoraSpeedway and onwww.youtube.com/EldoraSpeedway.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Celebrate 25 Years! Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup
What?
The Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup returns to Lernerville Speedway in July for the 25th running of the event in the midst of the Month of Money. Watch as the Greatest Show on Dirt battles for one of season's most coveted trophies.
Where?
Lernerville Speedway, 313 N Pike Rd, Sarver, PA 16055; 724-353-1511; 724-353-2650. General parking for the day is free. Camping is also available and free (dry camping only). For reserved camping, call 724-353-1511.
When?
Tuesday, July 19
Get Your Tickets
General Admission Advance $35. Advance Reserved Seating $39.
Donny Schatz Makes It an Even Dozen with Badlands Win
Saldana and Gravel finish second and third both nights
BRANDON, S.D. - July 3, 2016 - Donny Schatz made it an even dozen wins on Sunday night as he battled forward from a fifth place starting position and powered past Joey Saldana at Badlands Motor Speedway to score his 12th World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
Schatz, who last stood in victory lane with his No. 15 Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance team earlier this week at Rockford Speedway, won at Badlands with the Outlaws in 2015.
"I feel awesome," Schatz said. "It feels great to drive Tony Stewart's racecar. These guys are incredible at what they do."
The previous night's winner, Brad Sweet, kicked off the second night of the double-header at Badlands by taking the quick time award in qualifying with a lap of 10.924.
Saldana was the beneficiary in the Dash inversion draw and after winning the eight lap Dash race, started on the feature pole in his No. 83 Roth Motorsports car with Dusty Zomer on his outside.
Through the early laps of the feature, Zomer and Rico Abreu traded the second position through several laps as Saldana put distance on the field. Eventually, Abreu threw a slider on Zomer on lap five and took over the second spot as the drivers exited on to the front straight.
Feature results HERE.
As Saldana began working his way through traffic, Abreu closed on the leader. Behind him, Schatz was making moves, passing Zomer for third on lap 16.
Past the halfway point, Saldana continued to work his way through traffic as Abreu and Schatz closed the distance. Abreu, who crashed the previous night while leading the feature, made his move on lap 24 with the slider through turns three and four. Abreu got side-by-side with Saldana but bounced off the wall and allowed Saldana to retake the spot. The next lap, Abreu had Saldana again, side-by-side on the front straight, but he jumped the cushion through turns one and two, giving Schatz an opening to take the second position.
With Schatz in second, it was less than a lap before he found his way around Saldana for the lead.
Through the remaining laps and one caution, Saldana tried to run down Schatz as David Gravel pulled into third with his No. 5 Big Game Treestands/CJB Motorsports car but Schatz pulled away to claim the win. Saldana and Gravel repeated their previous night's finish of second and third.
"We just haven't had the feel we've been looking for," Schatz said. "Every night we get closer to it. The racecar was really good on the bottom, middle and top, and that's why we were able to get through traffic the way we did. Hats off to this Tony Stewart, Bad Boy Off Road, Chevrolet Performance team. I'm just the lucky guy that gets to drive it."
Schatz extended his lead in the championship standings to 95 points over Sweet.
Saldana was disappointed in his finish following the feature, in which he led the first 26 laps, but admitted the weekend was a success for his team.
"It was a good solid weekend for us - two seconds," Saldana said. "We were close. I just kept running the top which killed my tires. We'll come back next week and hopefully do a better job."
Gravel, who claimed his 15th consecutive top-10 finish, said the final caution killed his momentum.
"We had a really, really good car there late in the race," Gravel said. "I just wish we didn't have a caution. It seemed like, this weekend, every time we had a caution, the tires aren't the same after that. We'll try to figure that part out. We were really, really good in that long green flag run. I thought we had something for those guys but we're happy with another podium."
Jason Sides, who battled Rico Abreu late for the fourth place position, scored the KSE Racing Hard Charger award after climbing five positions in the feature to finish in fifth.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series kicks off the 'Month of Money' this week as it heads to Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. for the FVP Outlaws at Cedar Lake on Friday, July 8 and Saturday, July 9. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visitWoOSprint.com/Cedar-Lake-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Badlands Motor Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz scored his 12th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season Sunday night - the most of any driver this season… David Gravel has fifteen straight top-ten finishes with the World of Outlaws… Gravel and Joey Saldana scored the same finishes both nights at Badlands Motor Speedway. A second for Saldana and third for Gravel… Jason Sides was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing five positions to finish in fifth… One night after a crash sent him to the hospital, Jason Johnson rebounded to take the quick time in the second qualifying flight.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Cory Mack; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Sides; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Tim Kaeding; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Paul Nienhiser; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Paul Nienhiser; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Mark Dobmeier; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Dusty Zomer;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Jason Sides; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Aaron Reutzel.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 12 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 5 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1(Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Brad Sweet Has a Good Night at Badlands Motor Speedway
Chips away at Donny Schatz’s points lead
BRANDON, S.D. - July 2, 2016 - Brad Sweet led early and led often at Badlands Motor Speedway on Saturday night as he found luck and persevered to score his seventh World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
Sweet, who took the checkered flag at the track for the first time in his career, lost the lead to Rico Abreu on lap 10. When Abreu got too low on the track and caught a tire barrier sending him flipping on to the front straight, Sweet regained the lead. Through a couple of close calls, it was smooth sailing to the end.
Sweet's win is his first since May 13 at Plymouth Speedway.
"It feels good. This team needed that win - we've been in a bit of a slump," Sweet said. "We just haven't been able to compete for wins over the last 10 or 15 races. We started out the season really strong and then kind of fell off there. So it's nice to get back to victory lane and give these guys some confidence."
Matt Juhl kicked off the night by scoring his first ever World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series quick time award. It was the second series event in a row where the quick time award was presented to a driver who had never received it before.
Sweet led early in the feature as the battle behind him turned intense. Joey Saldana battled to fifth by lap three while Kerry Madsen moved in to second. A charging Abreu though was the man to watch as he picked off multiple positions and set his sights on Sweet. As Sweet worked his way through lapped traffic with eight laps complete, Abreu caught Sweet and then passed him as the two worked their way off of turn three.
Feature Results here.
Abreu's lead was short-lived though as he dove low off of turn four he caught a tire barrier which sent him flipping. Abreu was OK but his night was over.
When the field returned to green, Sweet retook the lead as the jockeying for the second and third place positions got underway. Saldana got around Kerry Madsen for third and then Jason Johnson began his assault on the top spots.
Johnson took over third on lap 16 and then took over second on lap 30. As the field bunched up in traffic, Johnson looked to have a shot at Sweet in the lead but a tire gave way, sending Johnson into the turn one wall. Johnson was alert following the crash but was transported to an area hospital for further evaluation.
When the field returned to green, Sweet built up a strong lead over Saldana and David Gravel.
"The Ollie's Bargain Outlet car was phenomenal all night long," Sweet said. "In the A main we could really get moving around the top. We could move around too. I was just waiting to see if someone was going to show me a nose.
"40 laps around here is a long race. It's a California kind of race. It's short and you've got to attack the corners. I'm really proud of my guys."
With his win, Sweet chipped away at Donny Schatz' championship points lead, bringing the lead to 72.
Saldana, who had an issue late, ran near the front most the night in his No. 83 Roth Motorsports car and closed out the night in second.
"Definitely very lucky tonight. About five or six to go my belts came undone," Saldana said. "So I'm just trying to finish the race and then Jason crashes in front of me. So that's not what you want to see - hopefully he's OK. Luckily we finished the night on the front straightaway. We'll take it and come back tomorrow."
Gravel, who closed out the night in third had his sights set on Sunday at Badlands and improving on the team's podium finish.
"We didn't get in the Dash like we wanted to so to finish on the podium is great," Gravel said. We had a really good car there in the middle of the race. We faded a little bit late but Brad and Joey had really good cars. We probably had a third or fourth place car but with Jason blowing a tire that put us third. We're really happy with third."
Donny Schatz was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 12 positions to finish in seventh.
he World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series wraps up its double header at Badlands Motor Speedway tomorrow, Sunday, July 3. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visitWoOSprint.com/Badlands-Motor-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Badlands Motor Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Matt Juhl picked up his first ever World of Outlaws victory tonight after a qualifying quick time of 10.820… Ian Madsen was the night's highest finishing non-Outlaw driver. He finished the night in eighth… Brad Sweet chipped away at Donny Schatz's points lead, bringing the separation to just 72 points… Tonight's win was the seventh of the season for Sweet and his first ever at Badlands Motor Speedway… Tonight's feature was the 40th World of Outlaws feature completed at the track.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Logan Schuchart; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Paul Nienhiser; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Paul Nienhiser; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Super Flow ($50 cash): Terry McCarl; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Rico Abreu; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Donny Schatz; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Brad Sweet; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Austin McCarl; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Schuchart.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 11 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 5(Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Donny Schatz Holds Tough at Rockford Speedway
Holds off David Gravel on the final lap to win 11th of the season
ROCKFORD, Ill. - June 29, 2016 - As the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series feature field rounded the final lap of the inaugural Outlaw Clay Classic at Rockford Speedway on Wednesday night, Donny Schatz looked poised to win. But David Gravel was charging and as Schatz rounded the final turns, maneuvering through traffic, Gravel dove low as Schatz hugged the cushion. Side-by-side off the corner, Schatz edged Gravel to score his 11th win of the season.
The history-making victory as the sprint cars kicked off the Outlaw Clay Classic on the normally-paved quarter-mile oval was the 215th victory of Schatz's career.
"Catching someone on that is one thing - getting by them is completely different," Schatz said of Gravel catching him in the final laps. "I don't know if I had a tire going down… but I started getting tight and rolled up and just couldn't turn the corner… we at least got the win."
Parker Price-Miller kicked off the special event by taking the qualifying quick time with a lap of 11.806 seconds. It was the first World of Outlaws quick time for Price-Miller and set the dirt record at the 69-year-old Rockford Speedway which was covered in eight inches of Illinois river clay - the first time the track has ever had dirt on it.
FEATURE RESULTS
Challenging track conditions set up an especially tough 30-lap inaugural feature for the Outlaws. Schatz led the field to the green with Daryn Pittman, Gravel and Ian Madsen behind.
Schatz opened up a strong lead through the first 10 laps, catching the tail end of the field by lap three.
NASCAR stand-out and two-time series winner Christopher Bell brought out the first caution of the night. While battling Shane Stewart he got caught in the cushion and ended up on his side.
As the field returned to green Schatz again extended his lead as Madsen tried to get around Gravel for third. One more caution flag flew on lap 16 which bunched the field back up. Madsen and Gravel recommenced their battle but Gravel pulled away.
Taking an aggressive line through a rough turns one and two, Gravel began challenging Pittman in second. Back and forth they battled until Pittman was knocked off kilter through turns one and two. Pittman faded following as Shane Stewart battled past Brad Sweet for third.
With second in his grip Gravel looked to Schatz in the lead. On the second-to-last lap, Schatz got caught up in traffic and Gravel closed the gap. He challenged hard on the closing lap, but Schatz hung on to win.
"It's typically not the type of race track that we're good on but these guys go to work and try to make me as comfortable as they can. I was in the air, sideways, doing wheelies. Some laps I didn't know if I was going to come out the other end. It was a crapshoot."
Schatz rolls out of Rockford with an 86-point lead over Sweet in the championship standings.
For Gravel, the finish continues a strong run through the last month and momentum as the series prepares to kick off the 'Month of Money.'
"I had a shot," Gravel said of his last lap battle with Schatz. "When you enter the corner high and chop down low, you get a really good run down the straightaway and I just tried to poke my nose. Just happy to finish second."
Shane Stewart, who has five wins on the season, notched his 14th podium finish with a strong run from an eighth-place starting position. After Pittman and Madsen struggled late, Stewart took advantage.
"On nights like this you've got to be patient and hopefully some of the guys mess up in front of you and you can take advantage of that and we were able to do that. A podium finish is a great night for us starting eighth. We'll carry this into the weekend and hopefully we can pick up another win."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series rolls south for the Fourth of July weekend to Badlands Motor Speedway on Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit WoOSprint.com/Badlands-Motor-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Rockford Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz picked up his 11th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season and 215th career win tonight at Rockford Speedway… Jason Johnson was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 10 positions to finish in sixth… Schatz extended his points lead over Brad Sweet to 86… Parker Price-Miller scored his first ever World of Outlaws quick time with a lap of 11.806 seconds. In the track's first ever dirt event, Price-Miller becomes the dirt record holder at the track.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 11 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 5 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); David Gravel - 3(Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25);Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Balog Bests Outlaws at Beaver Dam Raceway
Captures first series victory in Jim “JB” Boyd Memorial presented by Karavan Trailers
BEAVER DAM, Wis. - June 25, 2016 - Hartland, Wis. -native Bill Balog outdueled 2013 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion Daryn Pittman early, then held him off on a final green-white-checkered finish to capture his first series victory in the Jim "JB" Boyd Memorial presented by Karavan Trailers at Beaver Dam Raceway on Saturday night.
Balog, who is only the fifth non-Outlaw driver to win in 2016, captured the lead from Pittman on lap three after starting the feature in the second position.
"Now I feel like I have a home track advantage," Balog said as the Wisconsin fans cheered. "We have won a few here, but not really dominating wins. I got a lot of Wisconsin people here behind me, so I got to thank all of you guys.
"Maybe they didn't think we could do it, but we did it and it's an awesome, awesome night."
Pittman, who was victorious in a green-white-checkered finish on Friday night at Jackson Motorplex, tried everything possible to muscle the victory away from Balog, but came up one spot short of claiming back-to-back victories.
"I gave everything I had," Pittman said. "I had it all planned out perfectly in my head, but it didn't go that way. Nothing went the way I thought; we had that red flag, and I think my tire went down a little bit...think if my tire was low enough, I probably could've stuck it, because after the checkered I hit it really good down there, but too little, too late.
"Congrats to Bill and his team, they did a great job and he ran a great race, so they deserve to win. I just needed to make some better decisions and get to the top of the track quicker and hang on to the lead a little longer."
The night kicked-off with Joey Saldana picking up his 10th quick-time award of the season, when he paced qualifying with a lap of 11.895 seconds. Saldana continued to flash speed early as he accompanied Jason Johnson and David Gravel as heat race winners in the dash.
The dash inversion draw was not Saldana's friend, as a complete inversion of the six-car field placed Saldana at the rear and put Balog on the pole position.
Balog, in the Buesser Concrete/Extreme Stainless No. 17B, could not capitalize on the lucky break, as he lost the lead early to Pittman, who started the six-lap race in the third spot. Pittman easily scored the dash victory, which placed him on the pole position for the 40-lap feature.
Feature Results HERE
As soon as the green flag dropped for the feature, Pittman, in the Great Clips/Sage Fruit No. 9, jumped out to an early lead on Balog. Pittman held on to the top spot for the opening two laps, but Balog charged his way back to the front of the field and retook the lead on lap three.
The race began with a 23-lap green flag run which allowed Balog to extend his lead on Pittman as the two battled through lapped traffic. Pittman kept within striking distance of the leader, before a caution with 17 to-go hampered his plans.
When the green flag came back out, Balog again escaped the grip of the World of Outlaws regulars, as Pittman suddenly fell victim to a red-hot David Gravel, who started in the third position and remained there through most of the race.
Gravel slid in front of Pittman for second before turning his attention to the leader. Gravel appeared to have the faster car as he tried the infamous dirt track slide-job for the lead, but came up just short as Balog again pulled away from the field.
The caution was displayed again with 10 laps to go, as Brad Sweet, who currently sits second in the championship standings and was running the top five, suffered a mechanical problem and had to take his car to the work area. Sweet later returned, but finished in the 19th position.
On the ensuing restart, Pittman worked his way back around Gravel for the second, but still did not have enough speed to catch the leader.
While the top three remained glued bumper-to-bumper, a familiar face lurked just behind them. Seven-time series champion Donny Schatz, in the Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance No. 15, charged his way from the 14th starting position to crack the top five with just five laps remaining. Schatz appeared to be peaking too late as the had a sizeable deficit to overcome to contend for the win, but a final caution on the white-flag lap changed the outlook of the race.
Balog restarted the race ahead of 2013 series champion Pittman, 1996 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Joey Saldana and seven-time series champion Schatz, who have combined to win 19 races this season.
Over the final two laps, Saldana and Schatz battled hard for the third position while Pittman tried everything possible to disrupt Balog and steal the victory.
In the end, the local driver kept his car glued on the outside line, which prevented Pittman from building up enough momentum to clear him for the lead. Balog held on to the lead and defeated the World of Outlaws to score the victory in his home state of Wisconsin.
"What a race, I have to thank everybody that helped me out," Balog said. "It's a really good feeling - we were in a similar position a couple of years ago and kind of gave it away, so I wanted to make sure that didn't happen again.
"We could restart really well off of the bottom, so I knew if I could just get up to the cushion and beat the slide job - I didn't know if Daryn [Pittman] was running the bottom or not. [The Outlaws] are the best of the best, so it's a pleasure to race with them really."
Pittman held off Schatz for the runner-up position, as he picked up his 17th podium finish of the 2016 season.
"I had a plan thinking [Balog] might slide himself, or short slide himself and cheat his entry into one and I was just going to try to hit as good a lap around the top," Pittman added. "I was killing him off of four on the bottom, so if I could get close enough off of two then I could get him. He ended up having a good two or three car lengths on me off of two and there wasn't enough time to get back to him.
"I had a good run going there and tried to pull the slider too early, with probably five or six to go, and then lost a lot of ground, but made it back up. It was a good effort, but I'm frustrated to run second."
Schatz, who finished sixth on Friday night at Jackson Motorplex, rebounded for his eighth top-three finish in the month of June and 18th of the season.
"Tony Stewart's guys are awesome at what they do," Schatz said. "The way the races play out, our cars just get better and better. Great job to be able to come through there and it was a respectable finish, but I think the two cars in front of us were a little better.
"You never know, the race tracks change and sometimes they change towards you and sometimes they change against you. I don't know if it went either way for us but we were lucky to pick up the spots that we did."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will invade the newly dirt renovated Rockford Speedway for the first ever Outlaw Clay Classic on Wednesday, June 29. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit: www.WoOSprint.com/Rockford-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Beaver Dam Raceway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Bill Balog captured his first career World of Outlaws victory...Joey Saldana claimed his series-leading 10th quick-time award of the season with a lap of 11.895 seconds...Daryn Pittman continues to lead the series in feature pole positions, after he scored his 10th of the season tonight.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Russell Borland; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul Nienhiser; Super Flow ($50 cash): Scott Thiel; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Bill Balog; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Donny Schatz; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Russell Borland; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Scotty Neitzel.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 10 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 5 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4(The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22);David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Pittman Returns to Victory Lane at Jackson Motorplex
Scores fifth win of 2016 in the series’ first trip to the track since 2014
JACKSON, Minn. - June 24, 2016 - 2013 World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series champion, Daryn Pittman, started on the pole position and captured the lead from Joey Saldana on lap two, then held off a hard-charging Kerry Madsen on a green-white-checkered finish to score his fifth victory of the season at Jackson Motorplex on Friday night.
Pittman, who also claimed the quick-time award and dash victory to complete the sweep of the night, joined 20-time series champion, Steve Kinser, and seven-time series champion, Donny Schatz, as the only drivers to win multiple races at Jackson after he also won in 2005.
"I wouldn't say winning twice makes you good at a place," Pittman said. "They don't call him "Mad Man" for nothing. He's earned his nickname and you know he is going to give it everything he's got to try and get by you.
"I felt like I had a pretty good green flag lap up until coming back for the white. I slipped up a little bit in one and two and I thought I could hear him on my outside exiting two - I don't know if he was there or not, but it sounded like he was pretty close."
Pittman looked to be cruising to an easy victory until a caution with just two laps remaining brought Madsen, in the Keneric Healthcare/American Racing Wheels No. 29, to the leader's rear bumper. Madsen tried everything he could to wrestle the victory from Pittman in a green-white-checkered finish, but settled for a second-place finish following a last lap duel.
"I had such a good restart on that final one," Madsen said. "I knew I had one shot so I ripped it in there wide open, never lifted, and it caught and cut the front on me and I lost a little bit of time.
"It just wasn't enough. Everything was going to have to be absolutely perfect to get the job done. But it was a heck of a run - I couldn't have drove any harder, so it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed it."
Pittman, in the Great Clips/Sage Fruit No. 9, flashed speed early and often, as he paced qualifying with a lap of 15.746 seconds to claim his sixth quick time of the season. Pittman continued his early night success with a victory in his heat race to earn admittance into the dash.
As if he needed it, Pittman received a lucky break when a dash inversion of zero was drawn, which kept him on the pole position for the six-lap race. Pittman led every lap to capture the dash victory and the pole position for the 30-lap feature.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW FEATURE RESULTS
When the green flag dropped, second-place starter Saldana rocketed around Pittman for the lead on the opening lap. Saldana, who claimed the most recent victory at Jackson in 2014, led the first lap, but did not hold on to the top spot for long. On lap two, Pittman surged back to the front of the field and reclaimed the lead.
Saldana remained glued to the leader's bumper, but following cautions on lap 10 and 15, Pittman appeared to have an easy control on the top spot.
By the halfway point in the race, Madsen, who started in the 12th position, had climbed to the sixth spot. With a little over 10 laps remaining, Madsen was in the second position with the leader in his crosshairs.
Madsen, who has found victory lane twice this year with the World of Outlaws when he swept the #LetsRaceTwo events at Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7, caught a lucky break of his own when a caution came out on lap 20.
When the race restarted, following an open red flag that allowed teams to refuel their cars for the final dash to the finish, Madsen was challenged by David Gravel for the second position, which allowed Pittman to escape his pursuers.
Pittman appeared to be cruising to the $10,000 prize until a caution came out on lap 29, which set up a shootout to the finish.
On the final restart, Madsen started just behind Pittman and quickly charged to his outside in turn one. Pittman held strong and kept his car out front, but he had one more lap to hold off the "Mad Man."
Madsen tried everything he could on the final lap to throw Pittman off his line, but in the end, the Owasso, Okla. -native held on to the lead and scored the victory.
"I know [Kerry] Madsen and [David] Gravel were throwing everything they had at us tonight," Pittman added. "Hats off to this whole Great Clips crew, they have been working their tails off. I felt like we have been in a slump this last month - we have been fast but have had things happen... but it's a long season and I'm glad we could get a win.
"It feels like it's been a long time since we have been here. Our car is fast and I am looking forward to tomorrow, [Beaver Dam Raceway] is one of my favorite tracks on the schedule and I have a pretty good record there, and really looking forward to that one."
Madsen captured the KSE Hard Charger Award after started the feature in the 12th position and finished in second, his 10th top-five finish of the season on a limited schedule.
"I was thinking if I could stay up there and keep my tires warm, we would be golden when we got to traffic, but it didn't quite happen," Madsen said. "That's just racing and I am just glad we went fast."
Finishing third, Shane Stewart, in the American Born Moonshine/Eneos Oil No. 2, returned to the podium following a seventh-place finish at I-80 Speedway on Wednesday night.
"I'm pleased [with how things are going]," Stewart said. "I'm just really shocked we ran third tonight, to be honest. We really didn't have a third-place car, but we just had a really restart that one time and that saved us.
"My guys continue to work hard and we're okay. We keep winning races and we have some big races coming up, and hopefully we can win some of those too. I have to thank Justin [Marks] and Kyle [Larson] for the great opportunity, and all of our great sponsors that help us, and all of the great fans that came out tonight."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will voyage over 350 miles east overnight to Beaver Dam, Wis. for the Jim "JB" Boyd Memorial presented by Karavan Trailers at Beaver Dam Raceway on Saturday night. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit:www.WoOSprint.com/Beaver-Dam-Raceway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Jackson Motorplex Notebook
RACE NOTES: Daryn Pittman scored his fifth win of the season and first since New Egypt on May 24...Pittman has now started on the pole position in 9 races this season, five more than any other driver...Kerry Madsen picked up his second KSE Hard Charger Award of the season after picking up 10 spots to finish second.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Sammy Swindell; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Tim Kaeding; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Super Flow ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Ian Madsen; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Kerry Madsen; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Terry McCarl; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Schuchart.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 10 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 5 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4(The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22);David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1(Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Saldana Scores Thrilling NAPA Auto Parts Outlaw Showdown Victory
Snaps 18-race winless streak and remains only series driver to win at I-80 Speedway
GREENWOOD, Neb. - June 22, 2016 - Joey Saldana captured the lead on the opening lap from David Gravel and held off Donny Schatz on a green-white-checkered finish to score his fourth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season in the NAPA Auto Parts Outlaw Showdown at I-80 Speedway on Wednesday night.
Saldana, who snapped an 18-race winless streak that stretched back to Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, remains the only series driver to win on the 4/10-mile track after also winning this event in 2014.
"In means a lot [to win at I-80 Speedway]," Saldana said. "Before my grandpa passed away, this was one of the last race tracks he got to come to and watch me race. I would say he was riding with me tonight because I haven't been that good all month, so to win this race, not just because I needed to win it for Roth Motorsports, but I needed to win it for my family and myself.
Saldana's victory did not come easy. After capturing the lead on the opening lap, the driver of the Roth Enterprises/HR Livestock No. 83 had to hold off a hard-charging Donny Schatz, who had charged from his ninth starting position to crack the top five by the halfway point, then made his way to second with just 10 laps to go.
"[On that restart with two laps to go] I knew I was in trouble," Schatz said. "I just couldn't get off the corner, and just can't get anything to accelerate right now. That's the way it goes, these guys will work on it. Tony Stewart has a great group of guys.
"We were one guy short tonight; we had a guy burned changing an engine, so he's headed to the hospital and it kind of puts things in perspective for you as to how important each and every one of these guys are."
To start the night, Gravel paced qualifying and captured the quick-time award with a lap of 14.125 seconds. Gravel was unable to carry his speed into the heat races as he was defeated by Kerry Madsen in the first heat to join Daryn Pittman and Saldana as heat race winners.
In the dash, Gravel returned to the top spot, when he started from the pole position, after a favorable inversion draw. Gravel led every lap to capture the victory in the dash which placed him on the pole position for the 40-lap feature. Gravel became the first driver since Greg Hodnett at New Egypt Speedway on May 24 to claim quick time and start on the pole in the feature.
Feature Results Here.
When the green flag dropped, second-place starter, Saldana, rocketed around Gravel for the top spot and quickly escaped to an early lead. By the halfway point, Saldana had built a comfortable gap of over a second on Gravel and Logan Schuchart, who started in the fourth position and ran third for much of the night.
With just 12 laps remaining, the first caution came out as third place Schuchart lost a wheel entering turn three, which sent his car tumbling into the outside fence. Fortunately, Schuchart walked away from the crash safely, but his night was over.
On the ensuing restart, Schatz, in the Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance No. 15, muscled his way into the second position, as Gravel slipped further back into the field. With just 10 laps to go, Schatz had his sights set on Saldana for the lead.
Saldana had a comfortable lead on the rest of the field by the time Schatz had made his way into the runner-up position, but a caution just a few laps later allowed Schatz to line up on the leader's rear bumper with less than 10 laps to go.
When the race went back to green, Schatz suffered an uncharacteristically bad restart, which allowed Jason Johnson and Brad Sweet to slip by. Sweet, who had started the feature in the 17th position, managed to claw his way into a battle with Schatz for the third position, until another caution came out, this time with just two laps left.
The caution was displayed when second place, Johnson, suffered a flat left rear tire, which sent him to the rear of the field and resulted in a 14th-place finish for the driver that captured a win earlier this year at Placerville Speedway on March 24.
Johnson's misfortune proved to be Schatz's lucky break, as the current point's leader had just made his way around Sweet's Ollie's Bargain Outlet/Sage Fruit No. 49 for third. Schatz now lined up on Saldana's rear bumper for a green-white-checkered finish.
On the final restart, Schatz pressured Saldana for the lead, but the leader adjusted his line to maintain control of the top spot. Saldana pulled away from Schatz over the final two laps to capture his fourth victory of the season, and second at I-80 Speedway in three years.
"It just builds confidence, and it's definitely easy to lose your confidence out here," Saldana added. "I've lost so many races by just going straight to the top, so I just took the bottom and the middle to take the grove away [on the final restart], so they didn't have it, then I got back on the top and held on.
"I can't thank Dennis and Teresa Roth enough for giving me this opportunity. There's a lot of times that you think about quitting, and you sacrifice a lot with your kids and your wife, but this definitely makes it worth your while - but there's also more to life than winning races."
Schatz, who held on to the runner-up position, claimed his seventh podium finish in nine races in the month of June.
"You have to have your driver help, and I don't have a clue as to what I am doing until you get me in the car," Schatz said. "We felt like we had a chance there, but I could not get off the corner at all. It felt like I had three or four race cars tied to the back bumper. We will work on that and try again on Friday."
Sweet, who now trails Schatz by just 20 points in the championship standings, finished in the third position and claimed the KSE Hard Charger Award after he advanced 14 spots from his 17th-place start.
"A lot of those restarts played into our favor, which is nice when you start in the back," Sweet said. "We got ourselves behind in time trials and I messed up in the heat race, so that's what teamwork is all about. We never give up on this Ollie's Bargain Outlet car, we dug deep tonight, had a few breaks go our way and I had a really fast car."
"Hats off to my guys for sticking by me and all of our sponsors. We will take the podium tonight, it feels like a win after coming from 17th, and we will try not to build such a deep hole next time."
2016 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contended, Clyde Knipp, who finished in the 17th position, improved on his previous best finish of 18th at Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will utilize Thursday as a travel day, as the series returns to Jackson (Minn.) Motorplex for the first time since 2014 on Friday, June 24. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit: www.WoOSprint.com/Jackson-Motorplex.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
I-80 Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Joey Saldana remains only World of Outlaws series driver to win at I-80 Speedway...Donny Schatz continues his podium ownership after finishing in the top-three positions in seven of nine June races...David Gravel becomes first driver since Greg Hodnett at New Egypt Speedway on May 24 to capture quick time and the pole for the feature in same event...2016 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Contender, Clyde Knipp, recorded his best finish of the season.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jacob Allen; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): David Gravel; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Tasker Phillips; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Kerry Madsen; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Brad Sweet; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Joey Saldana; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Clyde Knipp; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Kevin Ingle.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 10 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Daryn Pittman - 4(Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Stewart Scores Father’s Day Victory
Captures fifth win of the season in series return to Brown County Speedway
ABERDEEN, S.D. - June 19, 2016 - The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series returned to Brown County Speedway for the first time since 1985 on Sunday night, as Shane Stewart started on the pole and led wire-to-wire to claim his fifth checkered flag of the season.
Stewart, whose wife and young daughter joined him in victory lane, captured the Father's Day victory after he built sizeable lead on Joey Saldana and Donny Schatz while navigating through heavy lapped traffic all night.
"[Having my daughter and wife out here] makes it that much more special," Stewart, who now sits third in the championship standings, said. "It's my second Father's Day, so it's cool to have them with me - and happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.
"I wish my dad could be here to celebrate with us - but a lot of love is sending back to them. I am very happy we could get the win on Father's Day."
To start the night, Jason Sides scored his second quick-time award of the season, while also establishing a new track record at Brown County with a lap of 10.961 seconds. Sides continued to show speed early in the night, as he joined Saldana and Brad Sweet as the three heat race winners.
Sides had the speed, but the luck was not on his side, as a dash inversion draw of six placed South Dakota native, Dusty Zomer, on the pole for the six-lap race.
Zomer held on to the top spot for just the opening lap, as second-place starter, Stewart, in the American Born Moonshine/Eneos Oil No. 2, muscled his way to the lead. Stewart held on to the lead for the remaining laps of the dash to earn the victory and the pole position for the 35-lap feature.
Once the green flag dropped for the feature, Stewart rocketed out to an early lead as Zomer, who started second, quickly fell off the pace, allowing third-place starter, Pittman, to squeeze into second. Zomer's night went further downhill, as he caused the races second caution when he slipped off the track on lap four and came to a stop. The home state driver never recovered, as he finished in the 16th position.
Up front, Saldana, who started the race in the fifth position, and Schatz, who started seventh, quickly cracked the top three by lap 10. The two drivers, who have combined to win 13 of the 39 races this year, applied pressure on the leader early.
The leaders encountered slower lapped traffic early and often at the tight 1/3-mile, circular-shaped track. Stewart had an easier time slicing his way through the traffic as Saldana, in the Roth Enterprises/HR Livestock No. 83, and Schatz, in the Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance No. 15, not only battled lapped cars, but each other as well.
As Stewart continued to pad his lead, Saldana and Schatz swapped the runner-up position back-and-forth. Neither driver could capture the position and pull away from the other as the dense traffic played a role in the battle.
Finally, in the closing laps, Saldana put some space between him and the seven-time series champion, and set his sights on the leader. Unfortunately for Saldana, Stewart had amassed over a five second lead by that point.
In the final 10 laps, Saldana was able to shave a second off of Stewart's lead, but time was not on his side. Stewart was able join Sammy Swindell as the only drivers to win a World of Outlaws race at Brown County, as he dominated all 35 laps to capture the checkered flag.
"Track position was just everything, honestly," Stewart added. "We usually have double-file restarts, and it can create a lot of chaos in our races, but having single-file restarts tonight helped me being out front. My guys gave me a great car all night long, and we finally got a dash draw that benefitted us and we were able to take advantage of it.
"I just can't thank everyone that is involved with this team enough. We have hit on a little streak here and hopefully we can keep it going all summer. It's a pleasure to come drive this thing day-in and day-out, it's really a dream come true."
Saldana was able to score his 10th podium finish of the season and his first since winning at Jacksonville Speedway on May 4.
"Wow - for us to be standing here with these guys on the front straightaway, that's like a win," Saldana said. "I can't thank Teresa and Dennis Roth enough for giving me the opportunity; this is a tough, tough series, so when you get knocked down, it's tough to get back up.
"The longer the race went, it started to clean off a little bit in turn three and four, so you couldn't move around like you could in one and two...Just a very good effort by the whole team, they worked real hard tonight. Hopefully we can build on this and get better at I-80 Speedway in a few days."
Donny Schatz extended his slim point lead on Brad Sweet, as he continued his hot streak in the month of June with his sixth top-three finish in eight races this month.
"These guys did an awesome job, we just didn't get around here as quick as we needed to," Schatz said. "Shane [Stewart] was awful good, and we were trying to race with Joey [Saldana] there, but we just weren't quite good enough.
"That's the way it goes in racing - some day's you're good, and some days you not. A top three is still pretty respectable, like I said my guys do a remarkable job and we will get another crack at it on Wednesday."
Tonight's KSE Hard Charger, David Gravel, advanced eight positions to finish sixth, coming up one spot short of capturing his seventh top-five finish in eight June races.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues their trek through the heartland of the United States, as they head to Greenwood, Neb. for the NAPA Auto Parts Outlaw Showdown at I-80 Speedway on Wednesday night. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit:www.WoOSprint.com/I-80-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Brown County Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Shane Stewart captured his fifth win of the season, which is third most of any driver in 2016...Jason Sides scored his second quick-time award of the season and established a new track record at Brown County Speedway...2016 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Contender, Clyde Knipp, qualified for his fourth A-Main of the season.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Casey Mack; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Sides; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Aaron Reutzel; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Aaron Reutzel; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Dusty Zomer;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): David Gravel; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Shane Stewart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Cory Mack; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Trent Stengl.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 10 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Daryn Pittman - 4(Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Joey Saldana - 3 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4);Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3);Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Schatz Continues River Cities Speedway Dominance
Claims 10th victory of the season and series points lead from Brad Sweet
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - June 17, 2016 - Seven-time World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series champion, Donny Schatz, continued his dominance of River Cities Speedway on Friday night, as he passed Logan Schuchart with 19 laps left in the First Leg of the Northern Tour to score his fifth victory in seven races at the track since 2013.
Schatz, who is a native of nearby Fargo, N.D., put on a show for his family and friends in attendance, as he started the feature in the seventh position and charged his way to the lead just past the halfway point to score his series-leading 10th victory of the season and the series points lead.
"This is what racing is all about - having your family here is cool - to be here and see it and experience it with us," an emotional Schatz said. "The fans are just as important too, so I am glad to see everyone here tonight and glad they stuck it out. It turned out to be a great night for us and I am happy to be here and look forward to Sunday."
Schatz's remarkable feat can only be matched by the driver he defeated, as David Gravel scored his fifth podium finish in seven races in the month of June.
"Donny [Schatz] was really good late in that race," Gravel said. "I thought I had one of the best cars early, but as the race went on, Donny got better. It was a good race and I am happy with second."
The night started with Brad Sweet capturing his seventh quick-time award of the season, which is second-most among all drivers in 2016, just one behind Joey Saldana. Sweet, Jacob Allen, Daryn Pittman and Gravel all scored heat wins to transfer to the dash.
In the six-lap dash, Allen's Shark Racing teammate, Logan Schuchart, in the No. 1S Mark Pell Tire Service/Marty Thompson Investments car, started on the pole and dominated the race to score his first dash victory and feature pole-position of the season.
When the green flag dropped for the 40-lap feature, Schuchart easily pulled away from second-place starter Pittman, but he could never get in a rhythm as the race was plagued early by accidents that caused temporary stoppages in the race. Allen, Jason Johnson and Mark Dobmeier all encountered trouble early and had to retire in the opening laps.
As the race progressed, drivers began to settle in which allowed for a green-flag run during the middle stages of the race. The run, which lasted over 20 laps, allowed Schatz to climb up the leader board, as he moved into the runner-up position just before the halfway point in the race.
On lap 21, Schatz utilized slower lapped traffic to made his way around Schuchart for the race lead. Schuchart remained glued to the defending champion's bumper, as the two diced through slowed lapped traffic.
With just seven laps remaining, another red-flag caused a stoppage in action, as Jordan Adams lost control of his car on the front stretch and flipped. Adams was fine and walked away from his car, but the red flag set the field up for a final dash for the $10,000 paycheck.
On the final restart, Schatz pulled away from Schuchart, as the Hanover, Pa. -native had his hands full with the No. 5 Big Game Treestands/JRC Transportation car of Gravel. Gravel muscled his way around Schuchart for second and set his sights on the Schatz for the lead.
Gravel did not have enough time to catch the leader, as Schatz cruised in the final seven laps to claim the First Leg of the Northern Tour victory at River Cities.
"Man, these guys worked their tails off to get this race in and thanks [to all the fans] for sticking with us, I know we had a late start but it could've been a heck-of-a lot worse," Schatz said referring to the two hour delay as track and series officials worked to prepare the track following overnight rains. "Tony Stewart's Bad Boy Off Road guys are incredible...getting through traffic was a lot of fun, being in the right spot at the right time played a role in it too. We were lucky we didn't get caught up in a crash in the first corner on the first lap - that's the way it goes, you have to be lucky some days.
"As I get older it seems like biding your time is something you try to do less and less. You just got to keep pushing. Like I said, these guys work their tails off to give me the best car they can, and I do my best to give them the best I can."
Gravel settled for the runner-up finish, the second time he has done so to Schatz in the month of June, with the other coming at Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8.
"Logan [Schuchart] was really strong tonight, but Donny just got the best of us - he's really good here," Gravel added. "We had a pretty good restart there and kept up with him for a couple of laps, but he's just so consistent hitting his marks and you can't keep up because you can't make any mistakes either.
"We'll take second tonight, you always want a win, but we'll take second and look forward to Sunday."
Schuchart captured his fourth top-five of the season and his third podium finish, with the other two coming at Ocean Speedway on April 1 and Weedsport Speedway on May 22.
"The driver didn't make good calls before the race, but we were close," Schuchart said. "It was a very good run, I felt like I really didn't need that last yellow. I felt like I was catching Donny a little bit before that last caution and then I just got a bad restart.
"I'm just proud of my guys and they deserve a win, so we're going to keep working hard and working at it. We're definitely a lot faster this year than we have been the last two years, so if we keep working at it, we're going to get there."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will travel to Aberdeen, S.D. for a Sunday showdown at Brown County Speedway. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit:www.WoOSprint.com/Brown-County-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
River Cities Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz scores his series-leading 10th win of the season, and reclaims the points lead from Brad Sweet...Schatz has now won five of the last seven races held at River Cities Speedway...Brad Sweet's seven quick-time awards places him just one behind Joey Saldana for most this season...Logan Schuchart captures his first pole-position for a feature this season.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jason Johnson; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman;VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Cory Mack; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Cory Mack; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jade Hastings; Super Flow ($50 cash): Casey Mack; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): N/A;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Jade Hastings; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 10 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 4(Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); Shane Stewart - 4 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Joey Saldana - 3 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1(Fremont Speedway on June 3);Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1(The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Shane Stewart Hangs Tough at Granite City
Brad Sweet claims one-point lead after Donny Schatz has DNF
SAUK RAPIDS, Minn. - June 15, 2016 - Shane Stewart proved to be like a rock Wednesday night at Granite City Speedway as he battled past Kerry Madsen and held off Brad Sweet to win his fourth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series feature of the season.
Kerry Madsen led the first third of the feature, which was rain postponed to Wednesday, with Stewart in hot pursuit. As Madsen encountered traffic, Stewart closed the gap in his No. 2 Eneos/GoPro car. On lap 10, Stewart dove low into turn three and got around Madsen. Madsen countered, taking the spot back, sliding Stewart through turns one and two. Stewart though made a similar move as the previous lap and took the position back through turns three and four. Through one restart, Stewart held the position and scored the win.
It was a triumphant trip to victory lane following a difficult weekend at Knoxville Raceway and the knowledge that last season, he was leading at Granite City with three laps to go and did not see a similar end.
"I was actually getting really nervous," Stewart said. "The guys gave me a really great car. Obviously being out front, you're kind of a sitting duck. I felt like I was getting through lapped traffic OK, but you never can tell with the guys behind you. I know Brad is really good in lapped traffic and so is Kerry. I just had to keep my nose clean and be as patient as possible."
Second-place finisher Sweet claimed a narrow one-point lead in the championship points standings over Donny Schatz who had a did-not-finish result.
Schatz had a mechanical issue on lap 13 and slowed on the track. Greg Wilson was caught up and had his night ended after his car ended up on its side, wedged against an infield tire. Schatz was pushed to the infield after dropping oil on the track and did not return.
Joey Saldana kicked off the night, the Outlaws' second ever event at Granite City Speedway, by claiming a season-leading ninth quick time award with a lap of 11.227 seconds.
After winning the dash, Madsen started on the pole of the feature with Stewart in second. At the green flag, Madsen jumped out to an early lead as Brad Sweet powered forward in his No. 49 Ollie's Bargain Outlet car, using the high line through turns three and four to take the third position.
Madsen caught the tail end of the field and began working his way forward. Stewart closed the gap over the next five laps and battled around Madsen. As Stewart took over the lead, Sweet got around Madsen on the next lap for second.
Following the red flag for Schatz and Wilson, Sweet tried to get around Stewart as he threw a slider through turns one and two and pulled event with the leader, but was unable to hang on to the back straight. Sweet tried again on the next lap, but Stewart again maintained the position.
Stewart caught the tail end of the field on lap 18 and Sweet briefly closed the gap but he was not able to get around.
The win was Stewart's first since Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30.
"I just know when you're leading these races you can't hesitate on lapped cars because you're going to get passed," Stewart said. "I've been able to do that a couple of other times to win a race and I felt like if I could get back to curb as quickly as I could and scrub off as little speed as I could that I'd be OK… to win these races is very hard and I'm just happy to be standing here."
Sweet said he felt like he and Stewart were on par throughout the night but lapped cars played a pivotal role and Stewart was able to clear them successfully throughout the 30 laps.
"He did a really good job of just always keeping his car in the right position," Sweet said. "A couple of times I thought he was going to slip up there off of four and he went low and I thought I would get a run high and a lapped car slid up in front of me. Lapped traffic just didn't play in our part but that's how you win and lose these races."
Madsen, who led the first 10 laps of the feature in his No. 29 Keneric Healthcare car, said he felt like he was making the right moves but realized that he could have played them differently.
"On the last red and we had a short run afoot, I got by Brad and I thought I might have something to play with but Shane had a better racecar and probably deserved to win the race," Madsen said. "We had a bit of bad luck last weekend. We've had great racecars the last two months and we're excited for the next two months… I think we'll be here a bit more often."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its swing through the Upper Midwest with a stop of River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. on Friday, June 17. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit WoOSprint.com/River-Cities-Speedway-June.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Granite City Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Brad Sweet took over the points lead following a DNF for Donny Schatz during the feature. Sweet now leads Schatz by one points… Tonight's win was the fourth for Shane Stewart this season. His last win came at Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30… Joey Saldana scored a season-leading ninth quick time tonight at Granite City Speedway… Logan Schuchart was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing seven positions to finish in seventh.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Greg Wilson; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Ian Madsen; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Super Flow ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Kerry Madsen; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Shane Stewart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Clyde Knipp; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Rob Caho.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 9 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); Shane Stewart - 4 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15); David Gravel - 3(Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Joey Saldana - 3 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Lance Dewease - 1(Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3);Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws at Granite City Speedway Postponed Until Wednesday
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series presented by Marthaler Chevrolet of Glenwood returns to action Wednesday night
SAUK RAPIDS, Minn. - June 14, 2016 - With pending inclement weather on Tuesday, the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series event at Granite City Speedway, presented by Marthaler Chevrolet of Glenwood, has been postponed until tomorrow, Wednesday, June 15.
Pit gates will open on Wednesday at 2 p.m. with grandstands open at 4 p.m. Racing starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visitSLSPromotions.com, or call 320-252-6122. Additional event information can be found at WoOSprint.com/Granite-City-Speedway.
For more information on the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series visit WorldofOutlaws.com. Follow the series on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atwww.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, Sweet Manufacturing and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Donny Schatz Wins Wild One for #TeamOutlaws
Claims ninth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season
KNOXVILLE, Iowa - June 11, 2016 - Wrecked cars and flared tempers could not hold back reigning World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series champion Donny Schatz on Saturday night at Knoxville Raceway as he barely avoided an early multi-car crash and battled past Jamie Veal to score his ninth series win of the season during the Xtream Shootout powered by Mediacom.
Schatz, who started fifth, battled Shane Stewart early for fourth. After a crash on lap five caught up several of the front runners, Schatz restarted in third and then fought his way around second place Ian Madsen. As Veal worked his way through traffic, Schatz closed the distance, then commenced to battle Veal, side-by-side, lap-after-lap for the lead. Veal held tough but Schatz got around off of turn four with just three laps remaining to take the top spot.
"This place has been very, very good to me," Schatz said. "I've been very blessed to not get hurt here and have the success I've had. This team is incredible. We can always go back to the same old setup but it's kind of fun to try new things and try to get better. We keep playing around and we make a lot of gains and we make a lot of steps backwards but the racecar just kept getting better and better as the race went on."
The win is Schatz's 24th career 410 win at Knoxville. The reigning and nine-time Knoxville Nationals champion is 11th on the all-time wins list at the track.
Brad Sweet kicked off the night, scoring his fifth quick time award of the season. Sweet, Schatz, Danny Lasoski and Shane Stewart all picked up Heat race wins, while Veal battled past Ian Madsen to take the Dash win and the pole for the night's feature.
On the green flag, Veal, a native of Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, who has just come off a red-hot sprint car season in Australia including a World Series Sprintcar championship, jumped out to an early and commanding lead over Ian Maden and Brian Brown. Schatz battled Stewart in fourth. The first caution flew on lap five as the top wing sideboard on Tasker Phillips came off in turn three.
On the restart, Madsen, in third moved down the track going into turn one, caught the right front tire of Stewart which sent Stewart into Brown and set off a multi-car crash that collected as many as 10 cars. Schatz barely made it through. Among the most heavily damaged were Brown, Stewart, Greg Wilson, Joey Saldana, Daryn Pittman, Craig Dollansky, Scott Bogucki and Davey Heskin. After a long red flag, racing resumed with four fewer cars on track.
Veal again jumped out to a strong lead as Schatz worked to get around Madsen for second. Madsen held the position after a two lap battle. Schatz though wasn't done as he got side-by-side with Madsen on lap 15 and eventually took over the position as the two drivers dove into turn three.
Schatz quickly caught Veal as he worked his way through traffic. With seven laps remaining, Schatz nearly got around Veal but Veal held the top spot and shifted his line to the bottom of the track. The position was short-lived though as Schatz's relentless pursuit paid off. As the two worked to complete lap 22, Schatz got the better of Veal off of turn four and took over the lead.
Veal, meanwhile, slipped back, giving second to Lasoski, who was charging forward and third to David Gravel.
As the Knoxville crowd booed, Schatz climbed from his No. 15 Bad Boy Off-Road J&J victorious.
"At the end of the race things changed a lot," Schatz said. "The track started moving around. The top of three and four was really good but you could even get through the middle. (The track) threw some crumbs up from time-to-time, so you just had to be cautious and not hit it too hard. I did it a few times.
"I'm pretty fortunate to be standing up here next to the Hall of Fame flagman (Doug Clark). I wanted to stand next to him last night but tonight's the night."
For Lasoski, the 2001 World of Outlaws champion and all-time wins leader at Knoxville, the second place finish was part good luck, part experience.
"I want to thank (crew chief) Guy Forbrook for this thing," Lasoski said. "We've been struggling the last month, month and a half and he's definitely got it better and better. I hate to see what happened on that crash, it took a couple of good competitors out. I don't know how we would have stacked up then."
With three wins so far on the season, David Gravel and his No. 5 Big Game Treestands, CJB Motorsports team continue to build on momentum as the series heads into the crucial summer months.
"We didn't qualify like we wanted to but got through the heat race and got really lucky to get through that crash," Gravel said. "Obviously, a lot of guys wrecked. A little luck. We were sixth after the crash and we had a really good restart and got up to third but then fell back a little bit. We actually had a really good car. Took a couple of corners a little different and maybe we could have been second or maybe win the race. I'm really happy, we made improvements over last night, we finished fifth, and we're looking forward to coming back here (for the Knoxville Nationals)."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series returns to action Tuesday at Granite City Speedway in Sauk Rapids, Minn. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visitWoOSprint.com/Granite-City-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Knoxville Raceway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz claimed his ninth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season. His last win came at Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8… Tonight's win was the 24th career win for Schatz at Knoxville. He is the reigning and nine-time Knoxville Nationals Champion… Paul McMahan became the second driver of the season to take a provisional. He was also the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 14 positions to finish in 11th.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Greg Wilson; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Super Flow ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Jamie Veal; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Paul McMahan; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Joey Saldana; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 9 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Joey Saldana - 3 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4); Shane Stewart - 3 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off-Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Schatz Scores Thrilling Win at Lincoln Park Speedway
Claims eighth victory of the season and ties Brad Sweet for point lead
PUTNAMVILLE, Ind. - June 8, 2016 - Seven-time World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series champion Donny Schatz held off a red-hot David Gravel on a green-white-checkered finish to claim his eighth victory of the season at Lincoln Park Speedway on Wednesday night.
Making their first trip since 1988 to the track located just an hour from Indianapolis, the World of Outlaws returned with a thrilling show that saw Schatz hold on to the lead for all 40 laps to claim the victory and tie Brad Sweet atop the championship standings.
"I wasn't here in '88 but I am feeling old tonight," Schatz said. "This place takes its toll on you - it's a neat little place, very tricky...I'd rather it went right to the end, but I knew [David Gravel] is a racer and he is going to try something - wherever I am at he is going to try and go somewhere else.
"It's a bonus [to be tied in the championship standings]. We are here to win races, and that's what this team has always stood for...we have never been point's racers and I am not going to start that now. We're in a better position than we were a month ago and I know these guys are going to go work their hearts out."
Gravel, who captured the checkered flag the last time the series was on track at I-96 Speedway on Sunday, finished in the runner-up position after he challenged Schatz all night for the win.
"It was really fun racing with the best," Gravel said. "Kyle [Larson] gave us a run for our money there early, and Donny [Scahtz] is a really smart racer and it's hard to go around him, especially with this tight track.
"We will take second tonight, but I really would've liked to win. I would've liked to see how that last lap would've finished instead of having the red flag."
To start the night, NASCAR star, and Larson Marks Racing co-owner, Kyle Larson, captured quick time in qualifying. Larson's time was just a tenth of a second slower than the track record for a winged 410 sprint car set by Danny Lasoski in 2006.
Larson's speed continued into his heat race in which he beat Schatz and the No. 15 Bad Boy/Chevrolet Performance car, who finished second. Gravel and Daryn Pittman claimed wins in the other two heat races, granting them spots in the six-lap dash.
Unfortunately for Larson, his luck did not match his speed as a four was drawn for the dash inversion, placing Schatz on the pole and sliding Larson to the fourth starting position.
In what became a preview for the feature, Schatz and Gravel battled back-and-forth for the victory in the dash, with Schatz prevailing for the win and the pole position for the feature. The only other time Schatz has started on the pole for a feature in 2016 was when he won at Lincoln Speedway on May 19.
When the green flag dropped for the 40-lap A-Main, Schatz jumped out to an early lead over Gravel, who started second in the Big Game Treestands/Nyce Crete & Landis No. 5. Meanwhile, Larson, who started in the sixth position, charged his way to the front of the field quickly. By lap five, Larson had made his way to the third position just behind Schatz and Gravel.
The three drivers remained nose-to-tail, even as they started dicing through heavy lapped traffic. Gravel eventually made his way around Schatz to lead a lap at the halfway point in the race, but Schatz motored back to the top spot the following lap.
All the while, Larson lurked behind the leaders.
The third-place car tried every move imaginable to work his way around Gravel for a shot at Schatz for the lead, but he could never build up enough speed to sling-shot around the second-place car.
Larson's willingness to try anything to get to the front became his downfall. With less than 20 to go, Larson pushed his car onto the cushion exiting turn four causing him to lose control and flip in front of oncoming traffic.
Luckily, the driver avoided collecting other cars and was okay after the crash. Larson retired to his trailer and became a spectator for the final laps.
When the green flag came back out, Schatz again held off Gravel, who stayed glued to the leader's bumper while searching for the right line to make his move to the lead.
As the laps flew by, Schatz and Gravel navigated their way through the lapped traffic while also battling for the top spot. Eventually, with just a few laps remaining the tug-of-war for the lead hit a boiling point.
As the leaders took the white flag for the final lap, Paul McMahan flipped on the front stretch, causing a red flag and a temporary stoppage to the race. McMahan was okay and continued the race, but the stoppage set up a green-white-checkered finish to conclude an already thrilling race.
Over the final two laps, Gravel tried everything he could to steal the victory from Schatz. In the end, Gravel came up just short as Schatz captured the checkered flag and the $6,000 paycheck at Lincoln Park.
"Racing in the lapped traffic was fun, that's what a driver lives for," Scahtz added. "I hope the fans had as much fun with it as I did. It's always nice to come out on the better end of it.
"Tony Stewart's guys are phenomenal, I keep getting a better race car each night and it makes it more fun for me to keep getting in it...more importantly, I think we learned more here tonight that we have in 20 races this year."
Gravel, who sits sixth in the points, just 153 markers behind Schatz and Sweet, scored his 18th top-five of the season and his 13th podium finish.
"It's been a pretty good year so far; we have been fast lately," Gravel said. "Finishing on the podium with two past champions - and I am just a kid - so hopefully we can stay up here and see what happens."
While most of the attention was on the two leaders at the end of the race, Daryn Pittman, in the Great Clips/Sage Fruit No. 9, quietly started and finished in the third position to pick up his series-leading 15th top-three finish of the season.
"It's always nice to race this close to home and sleep in your own bed," Pittman said, who is from Owasso, Okla. but lives less than an hour from Lincoln Park. "This is pretty cool, I came out here and watched a Midget Week race last Thursday and that was the first time I have ever seen the place. This was a cool race to watch and fun to be a part of.
"The guys worked really hard this week and built a brand new car, and we were pretty decent with it. This is the type of racetrack that isn't my best so for us to come out of here with a third, and be solid and right there as the night went on, I am pretty proud of that."
Brad Sweet, who came into the night with a slim point lead, started the feature in the 13th position and charged his way to a seventh-place finish, which earned him the KSE Hard Charger Award for the night.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will head to historical Knoxville Raceway for the Budweiser Night with the World of Outlaws on Friday, June 10 and Xtreme Shootout powered by Mediacom on Saturday, June 11. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit:www.WoOSprint.com/Knoxville-Raceway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Lincoln Park Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz picks up series-leading eighth win of the season and passes Brad Sweet for the points lead...Schatz started on the pole position for the feature for just the second time in 2016...NASCAR star, and Larson Marks Racing co-owner, Kyle Larson captured his first quick time of the season.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Bill Rose; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): David Gravel; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jamie Veal; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser;Super Flow ($50 cash): Kody Kinser; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Kyle Larson; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Brad Sweet; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Dominic Scelzi; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Parker Price-Miller.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 8 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6);Joey Saldana - 3 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4);Shane Stewart - 3 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30);Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1(Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Mother Nature Helps Gravel to I-96 Speedway Victory
Dominates rain shortened Rumble in Michigan for third win of the season
LAKE ODESSA, Mich. - June 5, 2016 - Pesky and persistent weather did not put a damper on David Gravel's night, as he led all 17 laps and scored his third World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season in a rain shortened Rumble in Michigan at I-96 Speedway on Sunday night.
Gravel has now won the dash and led the most feature laps in two consecutive races after doing so at Fremont Speedway on Friday night.
"Crazy weekend here - getting rained out and having a rough track tonight," Gravel said. I saw the rain flying there during that red flag, so it's pretty cool that they called it early. I'll take any win I can get - it still pays the same and counts the same, so we will take it."
Gravel's victory was not easy, as he had to hold off Shane Stewart, who charged from a sixth starting position to the leader's back bumper before the rain moved in.
"I had a good car, and I felt like we had a chance if we could get to [David] Gravel in lapped traffic," Stewart said. "Obviously, when you get to lapped traffic, it's about navigating through and hitting the ruts just right.
"There was a couple of times [Gravel] bounced around a little bit and I was able to close up on him, but we never got the chance to really go after it."
Action on Sunday started a dim forecast as thick, dark clouds blanketed the sky early in the afternoon. Fortunately, before cars even hit the track, the clouds cleared and allowed rare rays of sunshine to break through and create a picturesque day.
The sunshine, coupled with an extremely fast track, allowed eventual third-place finisher finisher, Brad Sweet, in the Ollie's Bargain Outlet/Sage Fruit, to set a new track record with a time of 13.585 seconds, eclipsing Jason Sides' record of 13.746 seconds from 2015.
"Our car was really fast tonight," Sweet said. "You can't control Mother Nature, and we're disappointed we couldn't get it in, but it was still a good night for us finishing on the podium and bringing the car home in one piece."
Of the three heat races, Outlaw drivers swept two of them, while All Start Circuit of Champions driver, Kraig Kinser, won the third. The heat finishes created a split of four Outlaw drivers versus two non-Outlaws in the dash.
An inversion draw of six placed non-Outlaw driver, and Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia -native, James McFadden, on the pole for the six-lap race. Eventual winner, Gravel, in the Big Game Treestands/JRC No. 5, started on his outside and quickly took the lead on the start.
Gravel's dominance of the dash placed him on the pole position for the 35-lap feature. Gravel took full advantage of the front-row starting position as he jumped out to an early lead when the green flag dropped.
Only two caution flags slowed the rain-shortened feature, with the final coming on lap 17 just before the showers moved in.
Ever-changing track conditions allowed drivers like Stewart, in the American Born Moonshine/Eneos Oil No. 2, and seven-time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz, who started in the tenth position, to charge to the front of the field.
As the race progressed, Stewart managed to work his way to the second position, as the leader battled through lapped traffic. Stewart closed on Gravel just as the final caution flew on lap 17, but never had the chance to challenge for the lead.
"It was getting to be a good race," Stewart added. "Obviously, we can't help Mother Nature had a different plan for us. I am happy they made it official - it was a great point night for us - we had a mishap in the dash and were able to come back and finish on the podium."
Gravel was able to control the top position for the entire feature, as he held off Stewart until the rain started to fall and secured the $10,000 to-win checkered flag at I-96 Speedway.
"Everybody that supports this team, thank you very much," Gravel said. "It's just a dream come true to get our third win of the season, and hopefully there's more to come. We have been very good over the last couple of weeks, so hopefully we keep it going."
Sweet, who has seen his point lead disappear in recent weeks, captured his best finish since New Egypt on May 24, and padded his championship lead on Schatz, who finished fourth.
"We were able to figure some things out tonight," Sweet added. "We will go back to work this week and try to build on our run tonight and get ready for Lincoln Park Speedway on Wednesday."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series travels to the Hoosier State for the final time this season when the series invades Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Ind. on Wednesday, June 8. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit: www.WoOSprint.com/Lincoln-Park-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
I-96 Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Brad Sweet set a new track record at 13.585 seconds, beating Jason Sides' record of 13.746 seconds set in 2015...David Gravel won the dash and led the most laps in the second consecutive race in-a-row...Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender, Clyde Knipp, qualified for his second feature of 2016.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Clyde Knipp; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): David Gravel; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Sides; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Chad Kemenah; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Super Flow ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): James McFadden; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Chad Kemenah; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): David Gravel; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Clyde Knipp.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22); Brad Sweet - 6(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13);Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6);Joey Saldana - 3 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4);Shane Stewart - 3 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30);Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Lance Dewease - 1(Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Kemenah Defeats Outlaws at Fremont Speedway
All Star Circuit of Champions driver holds off series regulars to win Kistler Engines Smackdown
FREMONT, Ohio - June 3, 2016 - With family and friends cheering him on, Chad Kemenah, became just the third non-World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series driver to defeat the series regulars after he held off seven-time series champion Donny Scahtz to win the Kistler Engines Smackdown at Fremont (Ohio) Speedway on Friday night.
Kemenah, an Elvada, Ohio -native who had not made a World of Outlaws feature at Fremont since 1993, motored around David Gravel just after the halfway point in the 40-lap feature race, then held off a hard-charging Schatz in the final laps to capture the checkered flag.
"That was a hell of a show for the fans," Kemenah said after exiting his car. "I don't know how close it was there at the end, but I am pretty sure the fans were in the cockpit there with me. We were the first ones to the checkered flag tonight, and my wife and kids were here to watch it, so this is cool.
"I just can't thank my whole team enough, they have worked their tails off this year. I have great car owners in Rod and Rita Hunter, and unfortunately Rob wasn't here to watch this one since he has never won an Outlaw's show before."
Schatz, the 2013 and 2014 winner of this race, started fifth and charged his way to a runner-up finish, his best finish since winning at Weedsport Speedway over a week ago.
"40 laps here was enough - Chad just did a good job," Schatz said. "It's a work in progress, and every day is a new day to work on it. Tony Stewart's got the best guys in the business to do that, so we will just keep plugging away.
"All you can do is your best every night. We had a pretty solid night, obviously we wanted to win, but we just got beat. So some nights you just have to lick your wounds and learn from it."
Shane Stewart kicked-off the night by capturing his third consecutive quick-time award when he clocked the fastest time in flight one of qualifying at 12.734 seconds. Flight two was led by local driver, Rob Chaney at 13.141 seconds.
Qualifying set up the night-long war between the Outlaws and Ohio drivers, as the series regulars drew first blood by dominating three of the four heat races. Stewart, Joey Saldana and Gravel each won their heat race, while Kemenah was the lone Ohioan to upset the Outlaws when he won the final heat.
The Outlaws continued their early-night ownership of victory lane as Gravel, in the Big Game Treestands/JRC No. 5, outdueled Kemenah to win the six-lap dash, which placed the Watertown, Conn. driver on the pole for the feature.
When the feature started, the opening laps established a precedent for the remainder of the night as drivers battled a challenging, slick track, which created cautions early and often.
Gravel, who was glued to the bottom of the track, held on to the lead through a handful of early cautions as second place starter, Kemenah, in the Brillex LLC/Seneca Energy No. 10H, challenged the leader but could never complete the pass.
While Gravel and Kemenah jockeyed over the top position, Schatz lurked in his Bad Boy/Chevrolet Performance No. 15 just behind them in the third position.
Kemenah finally built up enough of a run on the outside of Gravel to capture the lead on lap 23, but the Ohioan's path to victory was not an easy one in the final 18 laps.
Kemenah began to approach lapped traffic, as the race began a final green-flag run. Once Kemenah hit the slower traffic, Schatz started to close in on the leader. The Fargo, N.D. -native made his way around Gravel, who slipped to third, and placed the Kemenah in his crosshairs.
A regular of the All Star Circuit of Champions, which is owned by Tony Stewart, Kemenah had to hold off Scahtz, who drives for Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing over the final laps, as the reigning series champion eyed his third win at the track in four years.
Schatz closed to Kemenah's back bumper but could never get close enough to make a move, as the Ohioan controlled the top spot over the final 18 laps to become just the third non-Outlaw driver to capture the checkered flag in a series race.
"I am just speechless right now - I have to thank everyone that's here," Kemenah added. "If you're a member of this team or have been a part of it, you should be really, really proud because this is a hell of a race team.
"We've been pretty good, but last week we had a driver that didn't feel like qualifying good, which turned into a terrible weekend. I can't thank David [Gravel] and Donny [Schatz] enough, they raced here like true professionals - they're the best in the business."
Schatz, who admittedly isn't watching the point's battle just yet, has cut Brad Sweet's point lead to just 11 after Sweet struggled to a 15th-place finish.
"You guys look at the points - I don't care, I am just about winning races," Schatz said. "That's how I have won what I have won, so I am just going to do that.
"We need to get back to winning races, that's for sure. We're going to go back and figure out what we could've done to be better. We have another race tomorrow so we have another shot at it."
Gravel, who led the most laps tonight, slipped to third in the second half of the race, but still picked up his second podium finish in-a-row.
"I have never got a win here, and I really wanted one tonight," Gravel said. "We probably had the best car the first half of the race but I just faded there late. I had the wing back all the way and that was all I had there, so we will settle for a third.
"You never want to back up in the feature, but people like Donny Schatz and Chad Kemenah beat you on a very slick race track, and they're some of the best on the slick tracks. We have a little bit of work to do, but we have been trying stuff and this is something new for us that we are getting better at every week. We've been running really well, we just have to keep it up and the wins will come."
2016 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender Greg Wilson, who is a Benton Ridge, Ohio -native, rebounded from a missed feature at Lawrenceburg Speedway on Monday to finish fourth tonight, which is his third top-five finish of the season.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will migrate 200 miles overnight to Lake Odessa, Mich. for the Rumble in Michigan at I-96 Speedway on Saturday. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit: www.WoOSprint.com/I-96-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Fremont Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Shane Stewart captured his third quick time in-a-row after also having the fastest qualifying lap at The Dirt Track at Charlotte and Lawrenceburg Speedway...Chad Kemenah made his first World of Outlaws feature at Fremont Speedway since 1993...Kemenah is just the third non-Outlaw driver to win a feature in 2016, joining Kerry Madsen and Lance Dewease.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Tim Shaffer; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Chad Kemenah; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Super Flow ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Chad Kemenah; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Brent Marks; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Chad Kemenah; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Shane Stewart.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22); Brad Sweet - 6(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13);Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); Joey Saldana - 3 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4);Shane Stewart - 3(Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30); David Gravel - 2 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on May 3); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Consistent Rain Showers Postpone Rumble in Michigan
Series will return to I-96 Speedway for a Sunday night showdown
LAKE ODESSA, Mich. - June 4, 2016 - Mother Nature was not a fan of the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series on Saturday night at I-96 Speedway, as persistent rain started falling during hot laps and never allowed the drivers to return the track.
The series will resume action in Lake Odessa, Mich. at the same time tomorrow night.
Fans who purchased tickets for the grandstands will be able to redeem their tickets for entry on Sunday. Fans with pit passes are asked to keep their wristbands on for tomorrow's race in order to gain access to the pits.
For any additional information and questions on the rain makeup date, fans can visitwww.SLSPromotions.com.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Stewart Slides to Victory at Lawrenceburg Speedway
Holds off challenges from David Gravel and Rico Abreu in Memorial Day thriller
LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. - May 30, 2016 - After dominating on Friday night at The Dirt Track at Charlotte and coming up one spot short of the win, Shane Stewart managed to overcome the heartache to score his third World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the 2016 season on Monday night in a Memorial Day thriller at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway.
Stewart, whose most recent win came at Devil's Bowl Speedway over a month ago, had to hold off challenges from NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver, Rico Abreu, and David Gravel to capture the checkered flag.
"I try to drive hard every night, and sometimes it probably doesn't look like it," Stewart said. "I'm just happy I can win on Memorial Day - I know it's a special weekend for some and probably not so special for others, but I just got to thank all the men and women that served our country and have given us the opportunity to come out here and do what we love."
With just a handful of laps remaining, Gravel in the Big Game Treestands/JRC No. 5, muscled his way around Abreu for the second position and challenged Stewart for the win, but came up just short of the victory as he captured his second podium finish since winning at Tri-State Speedway on May 14.
"We have a lot of podium finishes this year, it seems every time we start on the front row, we win," Gravel said. "Hopefully we can get a win when we don't start on the front row, but I think we found something tonight and I am really happy how we ended the feature there."
Abreu, who joined NASCAR stars Kyle Larson, Kasey Kahne and Christopher Bell in the feature at Lawrenceburg, finished third, which is his best World of Outlaws finish of the season.
"I was just really searching [at the end of the race]," Abreu said. "You can't really run the same line as these guys - it's really hard because of all the turbulence these wings make. You just have to search and that's the benefit of running second, because you can see what the guy in front of you is doing."
To start the night, Joey Saldana claimed his series-leading seventh quick time award when he bested Gravel and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, and Larson Marks Racing co-owner, Kyle Larson, with a lap of 12.185 seconds.
When the heat races started, the first three were dominated by the driver that started on the pole as the track continued to rubber up. The final heat race provided a better preview of the racing to come later in the night as Stewart, in the American Born Moonshine/Eneos Oil No. 2, rocketed around pole-sitter Daryn Pittman to score the win.
Finishing second in the fourth heat proved to be a lucky break for Pittman, as an invert draw of eight placed the Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb driver on the pole for the six-lap dash. Again, Pittman could not capitalize on the front-row starting position, as he finished second to Abreu, who utilized the famous dirt track slide job to score the victory and the pole for the 35-lap feature.
Abreu started on the pole for the feature race, with Pittman starting to his outside, but when the green flag dropped, it was Pittman who jumped out front. Even with two early cautions, Pittman was able to control the top spot for the beginning of the race.
Pittman led the opening four laps, but fell victim to changing track conditions, as he was passed by Stewart, who had made his way to the top spot from the third starting position.
Déjà vu began to set in for the native of Bixby, Okla., as he dominated the mid-stages of the race before he hit lapped traffic, which allowed second place Abreu, in the Abreu Vineyards/Alpine Stars No. 24, to close the gap.
Stewart could not hold off Abreu who took the lead on lap 25. Unlike a few nights earlier at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Stewart did not fade down the stretch, instead he stayed glued to Abreu's rear bumper and took the lead back on lap 27.Over the course of five laps, Stewart and Abreu swapped the lead back-and-forth four times before Stewart captured the lead for the final time on lap 29.
"My car was pretty good but my right rear tire was shot, and I knew that," Stewart said. "I felt pretty good in one and two, but I was a lot in three and four, and just when I thought I had a little bit of breathing room, here came Rico again, throwing me a slider.
"That's the thing, you can't relax, and I did when we got to lapped traffic. Sometimes you're a sitting duck when you're the leader and you don't know how far to pace yourself and you kind of have to judge off of lapped cars. It got to a point where I wasn't getting around them and I started taking a little rubber off the cushion one and two, and that honestly saved me."
Stewart did not have the luxury of coasting to his third World of Outlaws victory of the season, as a hard-charging Gravel made his way around Abreu for second and quickly closed in on the leader.
In the end, Stewart was able to hold off a last lap charge by Gravel to secure the checkered flag in a Memorial Day thriller at Lawrenceburg Speedway.
"These young kids are so good, and as you can tell they just have tons of talent," Stewart said. "It doesn't matter what they jump into, they're going to be competitive.
"I knew Kyle [Larson] and Christopher [Bell] were coming to run with us - they do a heck of a job and they made me earn that one for sure."
Gravel returns to the podium following a two-race skid in which the Watertown, Conn. driver failed to finish inside the top five.
"Rico and Shane were putting on a hell of a battle and I was just kind of watching those guys," Gravel said. "I found something down low - it was taking a little bit of rubber - and if we had another lap or two I think I could've gotten him. We were all over him there at the checkered, but just a little too late.
Abreu led laps early and was the highest finishing NASCAR star, as Larson (fifth), Bell (seventh) and Kahne (14th) each started the feature but did not finish as well as the St. Helena, Calif. driver.
"Thanks to all the fans, you know its Memorial Day and a Monday night and there's a lot of dedicated fans here," Abreu added. "I'm happy to be able to race in front of all you guys, and once again, thank you all for coming out."
Seven-time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz continues to cut into points leader Brad Sweet's lead, as he finished sixth while Sweet finished eighth. Sweet now sits just 37 points ahead of Schatz.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will travel into the Buckeye State for the Kistler Engines Smackdown at Fremont (Ohio) Speedway on Friday, June 3. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit: www.WoOSprint.com/Fremont-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Lawrenceburg Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Joey Saldana captures his series-leading seventh quick time award...Within the last two events, Shane Stewart has led 53 total laps which gives him 82 laps led so far in 2016, the fourth most among all drivers...Since winning at Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Donny Schatz has an average finish of seventh over the last three races.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Paul McMahan; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Brady Bacon; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Rico Abreu;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Gary Taylor; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Shane Stewart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Johnson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan.
SEASON WINNERS: ); Donny Schatz - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22); Brad Sweet - 6(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13);Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); Shane Stewart - 3 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30); David Gravel - 2(Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14); Joey Saldana - 2 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Wilson Wins Wild Race at The Dirt Track at Charlotte
Captures Circle K/NOS Energy Drink Outlaw Showdown for second career series win
CONCORD, N.C. - May 27, 2016 - A caution with six-laps remaining helped propel 2016 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender Greg Wilson to his second career World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory in the Circle K/NOS Energy Drink Outlaw Showdown at The Dirt Track at Charlotte on Friday night.
Wilson, who won his first World of Outlaws race at the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway in 2015, led just one lap of the 30-lap feature, after he passed race leader Shane Stewart on the final lap to capture the checkered flag.
"I've never dreamt in my wildest dreams that I would ever get this opportunity," Wilson said. "I have been blessed to run with the World of Outlaws this year. To do this in Charlotte, in front of all these fans, this is badass and that's all there is to it!"
Stewart, who led a race-high 25 laps, settled for a runner-up finish after he easily controlled the top spot for much of the feature.
"Greg [Wilson] is new to the Outlaw deal and it's always cool to see someone get their first Outlaw win - I'm not sure if he's won an Outlaw race before or not," Stewart said. "We hated to lose a race like that, but hats off to Greg."
Earlier in the night, Stewart, in the No. 2 American Born Moonshine/Eneos Oil car, captured his first quick-time of the 2016 season when he clocked in at 13.913 seconds. In his heat race, Stewart finished second to Wilson, which created a preview for the feature later in the night.
Both drivers earned positions in the six-lap dash, but an unfortunate invert draw of six sent Wilson to the rear and placed Paul McMahan on the pole.
McMahan did not hold the top spot in the dash once the green flag dropped, as Daryn Pittman, who started in the fourth position, rocketed to the front of the field. Pittman, the most recent winner on the World of Outlaws tour at New Egypt Speedway on Tuesday night, claimed the dash victory which placed him on the pole position for the feature.
Even though Pittman started on the pole-position, he never led a lap as second-place starter Cole Duncan, in the Helms Construction/Motor City Auto Transport No. 22, took the lead when the green flag fell.
Duncan, a Lockbourne, Ohio -native, controlled the top spot for the opening four laps until Stewart, who started in the fourth position, utilized the outside line to build up enough momentum to capture the lead on lap five.
Stewart opened up a sizeable lead early in the race, and held off challenges on a mid-race caution on lap 12. Stewart appeared to be cruising to his third victory in 2016, but a caution with six laps left created late-race drama.
The Hercules Tire/Ohio Logistics No. W20 driven by Wilson restarted in the third position behind Duncan and Stewart. The top three remained glued nose-to-tail with little room separating the three drivers from the top spot.
Wilson, who found grip on the bottom of the track, powered around Duncan for second and set his sights on the leader with just a few laps remaining. When the white flag was displayed, Wilson had Stewart firmly in his crosshairs for a race-winning pass.
Exiting turn two, Wilson accelerated in front of Stewart and captured the lead with only two turns to go in the feature. Wilson held off Stewart and claimed his first checkered flag of his rookie campaign in 2016.
"It's a little surreal right at the moment...I'm just in shock," An emotional Wilson said. "I am racing with the best sprint car drivers in the world, night-in and night-out. We missed that show in New Egypt and looked like maybe we shouldn't even be out here, and then we turned it around tonight.
"That's dedicated work by our team and all of the people that are a part of this. I am truly grateful. Once again, if you're not a Wilson fan, thank you for spending your hard-earned money to be here tonight."
Even though Stewart was hoping for a win, a second-place finish was well deserved after a rough stretch of races through Indiana and Pennsylvania, in which the driver wrecked his primary car and only scored two top-tens in four races.
"It was good to have Justin [Marks] and Kyle [Larson] in the house, and to have a good finish for them," Stewart added. "There's a lot of Eneos Oil people back at the trailer too, so just a good solid finish for everybody at Larson Marks Racing. I love all these fans - it's always a joy to come here to Charlotte."
Completing an Ohioan domination of the podium, Duncan secured the third-place finish after leading laps early.
"We're just proud to be here, and thanks to all the fans for coming out," Duncan said. "We rolled across the scales with a flat tire - it was starting to go there at the end. It might've cost us one but I am happy for Greg, if anybody deserves to win one, it's him.
"We've been fast all year but just can't seem to find victory lane yet, but they got to be coming. We are pretty consistent and we keep putting the time and effort in. We'll go back to the drawing board, we don't have to change much but just try to figure out how to keep the tires on there."
Point's leader Brad Sweet finished in the 10th position, five positions behind Donny Schatz who is now just 41 markers behind Sweet for the top spot in the championship battle.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will march back into the Hoosier State for a Memorial Day showdown at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway on Monday, May 30. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit: www.WoOSprint.com/Lawrenceburg-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
The Dirt Track at Charlotte Notebook
RACE NOTES: Greg Wilson captured his second career World of Outlaws victory and becomes the 10th different winner in 2016...Shane Stewart scored his first quick-time of the season...Brent Marks picked up 11 spots to score tonight's KSE Hard Charger Award, which is the most spots gained by a driver since David Gravel advanced 11 spots at Plymouth Speedway exactly two weeks ago.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Wayne Dadetto; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): David Gravel; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul McMahan;Super Flow ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Cole Duncan; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Brent Marks; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Greg Wilson;JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Tim Shaffer; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Clyde Knipp.
SEASON WINNERS: ); Donny Schatz - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22); Brad Sweet - 6(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13);Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); David Gravel - 2 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14); Joey Saldana - 2 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22); Shane Stewart - 2 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1(The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Pittman Rallies for Fourth Consecutive Win at New Egypt
Charges from third starting spot to claim Jersey Outlaw Classic
NEW EGYPT, N.J. - May 24, 2016 - It wasn't easy, but 2013 World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series champion Daryn Pittman managed to charge his way from the third starting position to claim his fourth Jersey Outlaw Classic win in-a-row on Tuesday night at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway.
Pittman, who won this event in 2013, '14 and '15, secured his fourth win of the season and first since USA Raceway in Tucson, Ariz. on April 18.
"I've been really frustrated with myself with how many front-row starts I've had this year and as few wins," Pittman said. "I got up this morning and thought 'Man, third is where I want to start' - I just had that feeling this morning that if I start third I was going to win.
"Things went our way and we ended up starting third."
Pittman had to work around race-long leader Greg Hodnett, who had dominated the feature and the preliminary races up to that point.
"It was a little bit disappointing seeing the late race caution," Hodnett said. "[Pittman] was definitely better than us in traffic, and I was kind of glued to the bottom in turn one and two and he motored around the top.
"I didn't go up there until he passed and then I realized there was a whole other track to run on. fWe kind of caught him again in traffic and passed a couple lapped cars, but we just needed to keep running. He was definaetely the faster car, we just needed him to slow down a little bit through some lapped traffic."
At the start of the night, Hodnett, in the Lelands.com/Eagle Steel No. 27, was the first car out for qualifying and established the quickest lap of the night at 13.926 seconds.
Hodnett continued his early-night dominance by leading every lap of his heat race and advancing to the dash. As if he needed it, Hodnett then received a lucky invert draw of zero, keeping him on the pole-position for the six-lap race.
The Pennsylvania driver kept his clean sweep of the events going by leading every lap and winning the dash to place himself on the pole for the 30-lap feature.
When the green flag dropped, Hodnett again appeared to be the driver to beat, as he easily controlled the top spot and pulled away from his competition to start the race.
As the race marched on, Pittman, in the Great Clips/Sage Fruit No. 9, had trouble advancing from his third-starting position. When the leaders hit lapped traffic around lap 10, Pittman began his charge.
Pittman's first victim was second-place starter Mark Smith in the Mach 1 Chassis No. M1. Smith, who was making his first start with the Outlaws in 2016, fell to the third position with points-leader Brad Sweet close behind him.
It wasn't long before Pittman reeled in the leader and was challenging for the lead near the halfway point in the race. With 14-laps remaining, Pittman rocketed around Hodnett for the lead.
Pittman dictated the top spot for the remainder of the race, as he held off Hodnett and Smith on a late-race caution with just four laps left, to capture the checkered flag at New Egypt for the fourth year in-a-row.
"We haven't been struggling by any means, but we needed a win," Pittman said. "This really makes me feel good, and makes them feel good going back home to Charlotte this week. We've had some pretty bad finishes but hopefully this can erase that and we can get on a better streak of just running up front.
"I felt like I was struggling [later in the race]...Those last four laps, I didn't feel like I made any of them very good, so I wasn't breathing good until I saw them throw the checkered."
Hodnett held onto the runner-up position, as he finished in the second position for the second time in the four days after finishing behind Lance Dewease at Williams Grove Speedway on May, 20.
"It might be an advantage to see what I am doing...I think it's an advantage in one way, but for us to have the lead and give it away, it's very disappointing. We did the same thing Friday [at Williams Grove Speedway] to Lance [Dewease].
In his first race with the Outlaws in 2016, Smith showed speed all night, as he qualified second, won his heat race, finished second in the dash and finished on the podium in the feature.
"I was hoping to come down here and just get a top five, but we got a top three and we're up here on the podium." Smith said. "I kept trying different lanes to try and make some time up on Greg [Hodnett], then I heard somebody, that ended up being Daryn.
"He was a lot better than us and drove by us. We were about the same speed as Greg, but we just couldn't go through lapped traffic like Daryn could."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series continues their southern migration as the series heads to The Dirt Track at Charlotte for the Circle K/NOS Energy Drink Outlaw Showdown on Friday, May 27. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit:www.CharlotteMotorSpeedway.com.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
New Egypt Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Daryn Pittman wins at New Egypt Speedway for the fourth consecutive year...Donny Schatz's 10th-place finish is his worst finish since missing the feature at Thunderbowl Raceway on March 13...Brad Sweet's fourth-place finish is his first top-five since winning at Plymouth Speedway on May 13.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Logan Wagner; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Brent Marks; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Tim Shaffer; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Super Flow ($50 cash): Danny Dietrich; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Greg Hodnett; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Wagner.
SEASON WINNERS: ); Donny Schatz - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22); Brad Sweet - 6(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13);Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); David Gravel - 2 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14); Joey Saldana - 2 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22); Shane Stewart - 2 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Buggies (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Schuchart Dominates Weedsport, Schatz Steals Victory
Schatz passes Schuchart with five laps remaining to win Empire State Challenge
WEEDSPORT, N.Y. - May 22, 2016 - Logan Schuchart led a race high 30 laps but fell victim to a hard-charging Donny Schatz, who climbed from the ninth starting position to take the lead and score the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory in the Empire State Challenge at Weedsport Speedway on Sunday night.
The seven-time series champion defeated stiff competition and Mother Nature to capture his second win in-a-row at Weedsport, and his season-leading seventh checkered flag of the season.
"I got all the faith in the world in this race team - Tony [Stewart] has assembled an awesome group of guys," Schatz said, as raindrops started to fall from the sky. "These guys are unbelievable and we have a lot of fun together. I'm sure they're ready to get off the east coast because I have been riding in the truck with them and I think they're ready to get rid of me for a while and have a break."
Schuchart, who already has one second-place finish this season in the Ocean Outlaw Showdown at Ocean Speedway on April 1, once again finished in the runner-up position, just shy of the illusive first series win.
"I just didn't have the car at the end, we started to get too loose," Schuchart said. "It's a great run, the guys did a great job. We came up one spot short but it's nothing to hang our heads about. We have a great team and we're learning - but we're a little disappointed.
"There's a great group of people that get us here and sooner or later we are going to get them in victory lane."
To start the night, a threat of rain loomed over the track located just outside of Syracuse, N.Y., as drivers, teams and series officials watched the weather forecast with hopes of escaping a second straight rainout.
Luckily, Mother Nature decided to spare the World of Outlaws, as the night kicked-off with a bang as 23 of 27 drivers qualifyied under the previous track record of 13.401 seconds set by Greg Hodnett last year. Joey Saldana, for the second race in-a-row, set quick-time and established a new track record of 12.274 seconds.
Schuchart, in the Mark Pell Tire Service/Marty Thompson Investments No. 1S, set the third fastest time, placing him in the first starting position for heat three. Schuchart dominated his heat to transfer to the dash, in which he started second after a four was drawn for the invert.
The Shark Racing driver wasted to time finding his way to the front of the dash, as he worked his way around pole-sitter Daryn Pittman to take the lead, and the victory, in the six-lap race.
Schuchart took the green flag for the 35-lap feature from the pole-position and easily pulled away from the field. Even after a rash of early-race cautions, Schuchart appeared to have the car to beat.
All the while, Schatz, in the Bad Boy/Chevrolet Performance No. 15 lurked. Schatz started the feature in the ninth position but quickly cracked the top five before the halfway point in the race. By lap 25, Schatz had worked his way to second and was closing on the leader.
To that point in the race, Schuchart had commanded the top spot with little challenge from any other competitor. Unfortunately for the Hanover, Pa. -native, a red-hot Schatz had him in his crosshairs.
Schatz worked his way up to the leader's rear bumper and around Schuchart within six laps to take the lead with just four laps remaining. Schuchart, who was battling a loose racecar by the end of the race, settled into second, as he watched Schatz drive off.
Schatz extended his lead over the final laps, as he held off Schuchart and David Gravel to continue his dominance at Weedsport. Schatz has now won both series races held at the track since 1993.
"We did go back to the notes from last year, but for some reason we can't go back to that stuff, it doesn't seem to work," Schatz said. "If you look at tonight, I think the track record was broke by 23 cars, compared to last year we were rolling around a second slower, so that changes the dynamic of the car a little. You just have to stay on top of it and I have a great group of guys to do that.
"I don't know if we have hit our stride yet, like I've said, we gain in one area and make ourselves better but we might lose a little in other spots. It's a challenge, definitely fun at the moment trying to get a handle on it."
Schuchart's second-place finish is his third top-five of the season and 10th top-10.
"I couldn't tell you [what happened at the end]," Schuchart said. "I got really lose, and before I even saw a numbered car beside of me, I knew it was the 15 car. He's really hard to beat on these types of racetracks and I feel like these are the types of tracks I shine on - when it gets slick.
"These guys are tough, so to run second against these guys and just keep getting better is what's important."
Since his victory over a week ago at Tri-State Speedway, Gravel, in the Big Game Treestands/JRC No. 5, has admittedly struggled through the Pennsylvania stretch, as he finished 12th and 21st in the two races held in the Keystone State.
"We've been running really well, then went to PA and struggled a couple of nights, so it's good to back on the podium," Gravel said. "It was a tricky track here tonight, and we were good at the end of the race. I got to thank all my guys - Austin, Derek, Barry - they worked their butts off on the long haul here."
Following a day for travel, the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series will enter New Jersey for the only time in 2016, as the series heads to New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway for the Jersey Outlaw Classic on Tuesday, May 24. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit:www.WoOSprint.com/New-Egypt-Speedway
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Weedsport Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Joey Saldana sets a new track record in qualifying at 12.274 seconds...Donny Schatz, after winning in 2015, has now won both series races held at Weedsport since 1993...After leading 30 laps tonight, Logan Schuchart has led the 7th most laps this season with 51.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Tim Shaffer; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart;VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Greg Hodnett; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Donny Schatz; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Tim Shaffer.
SEASON WINNERS: ); Donny Schatz - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22); Brad Sweet - 6(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13);Daryn Pittman - 3 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18); David Gravel - 2 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14); Joey Saldana - 2 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22); Shane Stewart - 2 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Buggies (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Consistent Rain Cancels Saturday Night of Morgan Cup at Williams Grove
Morgan Cup battle moves to Saturday, July 23
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - May 21, 2016 - Moisture moved in early on Saturday morning forcing World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series to cancel today's action at Williams Grove Speedway. The annual battle between the Outlaws and Pennsylvania Posse for the prestigious Morgan Cup will move to the final night of the Champion Oil Summer Nationals on Saturday, July 23.
The new date introduces a winner-take-all Saturday night showdown with the driver who claims the checkered flag not only taking home the heavily sought after Morgan Cup trophy, but also an additional $5,000, making the total purse $25,000.
Fans who purchased tickets for tonight's race can visit www.WilliamsGrove.com for any questions and ticket redemption options.
The World of Outlaws will continue their swing through the northeast as the series heads to Weedsport (N.Y.) Speedway on Sunday, May 22 for the Empire State Challenge. Following action at Weedsport, and a day for travel, the series will head south to New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway for the Jersey Outlaw Classic on Tuesday, May 24.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Buggies (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Dewease Dominates Opening Night at Williams Grove Speedway
Defeats Outlaws to even the score in fiercely contested annual feud
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - May 20, 2016 - Lance Dewease exited his car to loud cheers from the Pennsylvania Posse-favored crowd after he dominated the final 15 laps of the 25-lap feature to claim the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory at Williams Grove Speedway on Friday night.
Dewease, who passed fellow Posse driver Greg Hodnett for the win, became just the second non-Outlaw driver to capture a checkered flag in a series race this year, joining Kerry Madsen who swept the Eldora Speedway races earlier this month.
"It feels great [to win at Williams Grove]," Dewease, a Fayetville, Pa. -native said. "It's been a long time coming here, and like I said, I can't thank these guys enough - they have done a great job over the winter getting prepared for each race. We're only going to run about 30 shows, which suits me and suits them, and we have to stay prepared and fresh for that.
"A lot of guys win at 50 - I never said this was a young man's sport. It's a blessing to drive this thing, and I say that every time. I am just very blessed and honored that they gave me a shot and I can't thank Donny and Linda Kreitz enough.
Posse fans were especially jubilant as second-place finisher Hodnett held off Thursday night's winner Donny Schatz to give the Pennsylvanian drivers the sweep of the top two finishing positions.
"We just came up a little short," Hodnett, a Spring Grove, Pa. -native said. "Lance [Dewease] and those guys have been good and I just needed to do something different - not sure what.
"The guys did a good job with the car, I just let them down."
The feud kicked-off early in the night when the Outlaws and Posse split the quick-time awards with Joey Saldana fastest in the first flight and Hodnett fastest in the second.
The back-and-forth battle did not end there, as the two fierce rivals split the victories in the heat races evenly with the Outlaws and Posse each scoring two apiece.
For the second night in-a-row, the Outlaws were aided by the luck of the dash invert draw, as Saldana remained on the pole-position following an invert of zero. Unfortunately for Saldana, he was unable to hold off Hodnett in the six-lap race, as the Posse driver claimed the victory and the pole for the feature.
When the green-flag fell for the feature, Hodnett, in the Lelands.com/Eagle Steel No. 27 jumped out to an early lead, as second-place starter Saldana slid back. Daryn Pittman, who started fourth, quickly moved up to the runner-up position and applied pressure on Hodnett for the top spot.
Towards the halfway point in the race, Pittman's car started to fade as No. 69K Kreitz Oval Track Parts/Sharman Builders car of Dewease quietly worked his way around the Outlaw driver for second.
Dewease, who started in the third position, bided his time in the early stages of the race and then turned on the speed in the latter half to challenge Hodnett for the lead.
Once Dewease got to the rear bumper of the leader, he was able to muscle his way around Hodnett for the top position with only 15 laps left in the feature.
The Posse driver turned on cruise control for the remaing laps, as he maintained a comfortable lead over Hodnett, who had his hands full with the No. 15 Bad Boy/Chevrolet Performance of Schatz.
Hodnett held off Schatz but was never able to challenge Dewease, who dominated the final 15 laps to capture the checkered flag on the opening night of the Morgan Cup weekend at Williams Grove Speedway.
"I had to move around and that's how I caught [Greg Hodnett]," Dewease said. "Greg was just kind of sitting there, and when you're leading it's so hard to move around, so the guy in second has all the advantage.
"Greg was pretty good all night, we just got to him before it could rubber up and got around him on the bottom. At the end I was struggling a little bit in the lapped cars - I didn't know if Greg could do anything outside of the rubber, so the last few laps I just made sure I didn't get right on somebodies bumper."
For the second year in-a-row, Hodnett led laps early but had to settle for the runner-up position.
"I was trying to run the top down here and kind of float around and it was working okay, just not quite good enough," Hodnett said. "Lance and those guys have been doing good and they deserve to win. Hopefully we get our car better and maybe contend with them."
Winner of this event in 2015, seven-time World of Outlaws champion Schatz scored his second podium finish in two nights after being barred from a top-three finish since USA Raceway on April 18.
"Third is not where we wanted to be, we wanted to win the race," Schatz said. "We weren't good enough to win the race, Lance was awfully good and Greg was good. 25-laps was what it was, maybe tomorrow night will be a little bit longer and we will have a little better shot at it.
"The guys did an awesome job trying to get me a better car than what we had earlier in the night. We got ourselves qualified well, that's so important now. We're just going to work hard tonight and come back tomorrow and be better."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series wraps up the weekend action at Williams Grove Speedway with the prestigious Morgan Cup on Saturday night. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit: www.WoOSprint.com/Williams-Grove.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Williams Grove Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Lance Dewease becomes just the second non-Outlaw driver to win in 2016...Brad Sweet finished outside of the top 10 for just the third time all season...Joey Saldana ties Daryn Pittman for most quick-time awards this season at five.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Tim Shaffer; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Danny Dietrich; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Ryan Smith; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Aaron Ott; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Super Flow ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Greg Hodnett;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Aaron Ott; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Lance Dewease; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Sides; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Johnson.
SEASON WINNERS: ); Donny Schatz - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 3 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18); David Gravel - 2(Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14); Joey Saldana - 2 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22); Shane Stewart - 2 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26).
Schatz Captures Gettysburg Clash at Lincoln Speedway
Outlaws land first blow in year-long war with Pennsylvania Posse
ABBOTTSTOWN, Pa. - May 19, 2016 - Seven-time World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion Donny Schatz managed to do something that only one other series driver has been able to do since 1997: out-muscle the Pennsylvania Posse on their home turf and claim the Gettysburg Clash at Lincoln Speedway.
Schatz's victory, his sixth of the season, gives the Outlaw drivers the upper hand as the annual feud over sprint car supremacy has officially kicked-off.
"We want to win everywhere we go, but man when you come to Pennsylvania the fans here are feisty and you hear a lot of swear words directed to you - that's what this is about," Schatz said. "This is a free country and I am glad there are people who can voice their opinion that they hate you or love you.
"It makes such a great comradery and it lifts up the competition level of the PA Posse racing on a weekly level and the World of Outlaws' racing. That's what this is about, to keep pushing each other to get better, and that's what makes our sport what it is and makes it as dynamic as it is."
The Posse members did not make it easy on the Outlaw driver as they fiercely fought all night to protect their home turf from the invaders, eventually placing two drivers on the podium, Danny Dietrich and Brent Marks.
"We just go to every race and try to win like a normal Friday or Saturday night," Dietrich, a Gettysburg, Pa. -native said. "The biggest prize right now is Knoxville Speedway is offering some beer for the first Posse driver to win an Outlaw show.
"All jokes aside though, we want to get a win against these guys - it would mean a lot."
A Meyerstown, Pa. -native, third-place finisher Brent Marks added:
"The rivalry between us means a lot because they're the best in the business and you have to race so much more aggressively against these guys because that's how they race, and it is really tough. Its respect on both sides, we race them hard and they race us hard back. It's cool, the fans are really into it and it's a cool atmosphere to be a part of and that's what makes racing in Pennsylvania so much fun when the Outlaws come into town."
When the night started, the fight for quick-time was a one sided affair, as the Posse members swept both flights of qualifying with Danny Dietrich fastest in the first and Lucas Wolfe fastest in the second.
However, as the night progressed, the Outlaw drivers continued to encroach on the Posse dominance at the top of the charts, as the two split the four heat races with each winning two.
After showing they could challenge the Posse in the speed department, the Outlaws were aided by a little luck as the dash invert draw placed Schatz, in the Bad Boy/Chevy Performance No. 15, on the pole for the six-lap race, while sliding Dietrich, in the Sandoe's Fruit Market/Hickory Run Orchards No. 48, to the fourth position.
Dietrich rallied in the dash to finish second, but he could not catch Schatz, who dominated the race and landed on the pole-position for the 35-lap feature race.
Once the green flag dropped in the feature, Schatz managed to escape from Dietrich and Joey Saldana who started third. Saldana slipped back in the opening laps as a hard-charging Marks, in the M&M Painting and Construction/Weaver's Body Shop No. 19M, made his way to the front of the field from his sixth starting position.
The feature ran caution free for all 35 laps, but Dietrich and Marks did not need the yellow flag to reel in the leader.
In the closing stages of the race, both Posse members had managed to close to Schatz's back bumper for the lead as they fought through heavy lapped traffic.
The race came down to the final lap, as second-place Dietrich pulled to the inside of Schatz exiting turn four but came up just short of muscling around the leader, as Schatz was able to hold on and claim the opening round of the Outlaws vs. Pennsylvania Posse rivalry at Lincoln Speedway.
"It's great to win here at Lincoln, especially after never winning here before," Schatz said. "Everybody was pretty equal and you can see that because not too many cars got lapped during the race and that's just the nature of the beast. That front-row starting spot was key, as it has been at a lot of races this year, and I am glad I could capitalize on it.
"The expectation is you want to win every night, and it's not going to happen. We haven't been that bad but for the standards this team has put forth the last several years, it kind of seems that way. We have tried several things, and I guess to be in the situation we are in right now where we can try these new things and make ourselves better, that's going to pay off for us at the end of the year."
Dietrich, who won beat the Outlaws on a Summer Nationals night at Williams Grove Speedway in 2015, came up just short of winning the race he dominated in 2012 and 2013.
"This was a good run for the team," Dietrich said. "To be able to run second out of 38 or 39 cars it's definitely a good feeling. We're satisfied with our finish tonight, just too bad it couldn't be one position better.
"Donny [Schatz] is a heck of a racer, catching him and passing him was going to be a whole other problem. He was in the preferred on the start so that made things a little tougher, but congrats to him and we're going to move on to The Grove tomorrow."
Marks podium finish gives the Posse drivers two of the three top spots, and three of the top-five finishing positions.
"We had a pretty good run tonight," Marks said. "We haven't been too good here the past couple of years, so to run like we did here was pretty good for us.
"I got to second there, got past Danny [Dietrich] in turn three, and I thought he was going to slide me back, so I drove it in too hard and just got over the ledge a little bit and he got back by me. I felt like I blew the race there because I felt like we had a good enough car that if we got some laps we could run down Donny. Don't know if I could have done anything - maybe shown him my nose and put some pressure on him, but never got the opportunity. Other than that, I felt like we had a good run against the Outlaws and I can't complain."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series continue their swing through the Keystone State as the series heads to Mechanicsburg for a double-header weekend at Williams Grove Speedway on Friday, May 20 and Saturday May 21. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit:www.WoOSprint.com/Williams-Grove.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Lincoln Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz becomes just the second Outlaw driver to win at Lincoln Speedway since 1997...Logan Schuchart captured his second top-five of the season...Joey Saldana picked up his 10th heat win this year, just one behind Brad Sweet's series-leading 11.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Shane Stewart; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Brent Marks; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Dustin Hogue; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): David Gravel; Super Flow ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Danny Dietrich;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Dustin Hogue; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Sides.
SEASON WINNERS: ); Donny Schatz - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 3 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18); David Gravel - 2(Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14); Joey Saldana - 2 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22); Shane Stewart - 2 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Buggies (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Gravel Defeats Non-Outlaws in Barn Burner at Tri-State Speedway
Holds off challenges from Brady Bacon and Parker Price-Miller for second win of the season
HAUBSTADT, Ind. - May 14, 2016 - David Gravel utilized his speed, and a touch of luck, Saturday night as he clawed his way around pole-sitter Kerry Madsen on the opening lap of the feature, then held off another non-Outlaw, Brady Bacon, in the closing laps to score his second World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind.
Gravel controlled the top spot for all 40-laps, but his victory did not come easily, as he had to battle through lapped traffic while also trying to hold off a hard charging Bacon for the win.
"The CJB Motorsports car is obviously pretty good here after Paul [McMahan] won the two years previously, so I had to back that up," Gravel said. "Hopefully, this leads to more wins to come and a g
Schuchart Earns First Career Victory in Canada
OHSWEKEN, ON, CAN – July 25, 2017 – Logan Schuchart hunted down Donny Schatz in heavy lapped traffic and then dominated the second half of the Six Nations Showdown at Ohsweken Speedway for his fourth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of 2017 on Tuesday night.
The victory was a much-needed confidence boost for Schuchart and his Shark Racing team who had struggled of late. The slick Ohsweken surface was exactly to the liking of the Hanover, Pa. native in the Outlaws only visit to Canada this season.
“I love these type of racetracks, not just because we ran well on it tonight. I love slick racetracks,” Schuchart said in Victory Lane. “I love when you have to drive the car straight and smooth. I feel like it makes it fun. Obviously if you’re not running good it’s not fun, but if you can glide around the racetrack, be smooth and have forward drive, it’s fun.”
Schuchart had all of those ingredients at Ohsweken. While Schatz grabbed an early lead from the pole and drove away from the majority of the field, Schuchart was the only driver able to keep pace. The top duo wandered into heavy lapped traffic by lap nine and as Schatz was forced to give up his preferred line on the bottom to move past a slower car, Schuchart capitalized when he found room on the bottom of turn two and down the backstretch to take the lead.
“I was having trouble catching Donny when we were in an open run,” Schuchart admitted. “It wasn’t until we got to lapped traffic, I felt like, that some lapped cars made him go where he didn’t want to. I could just move around a little bit more than he could and go through the middle. When some lapped cars took his line away, I just felt like I was able to get the forward drive off the corners to get by him.”
One lap after Schuchart took the lead, the caution flag waved for Sheldon Haudenschild, who suffered a flat right-rear tire. He made the repairs in the work area and returned to the rear of the field. Schuchart held the point on the lap nine restart while Greg Wilson and Kyle Larson battled tooth and nail for the third spot.
Schuchart led the top-five into traffic again on lap 16 of the 30-lap main event, but was able to run the bottom the lane the whole time to continue pulling away from Schatz. His advantage with 10 laps to go was 2.6 seconds but grew each lap until he achieved the eventual 5.984-second margin of victory.
Schatz was openly disappointed he was not able to capitalize on his pole starting position to claim his 16th win of the season. His runner-up finish was his 40th top-five finish of the season.
“We got beat,” Schatz stated bluntly. “Logan was really good. He could go all over. Obviously, we got to traffic and you have to move around. We did that a little bit and he found the better groove. Those guys rolled pretty good and I couldn’t stay down there very well. I had to roll the middle and do what I could. These guys did a great job, Logan was just that good tonight.”
Schuchart was ecstatic to score his fourth Outlaw win of the season and to beat the current Series point leader to achieve the feat.
“Anytime you can beat Donny Schatz on any type of racetrack, but especially a slick racetrack, it’s saying something,” Schuchart said. “We’ve had a car for a while that’s given us some trouble and this is the first night on this new XXX (chassis) and it was hooked up on this slick surface. I felt like it was just gliding around the racetrack and I was just guiding it.”
Wilson rounded out the podium finishers after holding off Kyle Larson in the second half of the race. It was Wilson’s fifth top-five finish of the season on a surface he raved about in his post-race interview.
“We’ve been struggling pretty bad lately, so I can’t thank the folks at Hercules Tires, Ohio Logistics, DNC Hydraulics, Gear Alloy and Weikel Sportswear for staying with us,” Wilson said. “This is always an amazing show. (Track Owner) Glenn (Styres) and the whole crew gave us an excellent racetrack. It’s fun. I wish some other tracks in the country would take a look at this. I realize we’re not going 100mph, but there’s racing all over the racetrack and that’s what it’s about.”
Larson settled for a fourth-place finish and 19-year-old Dylan Westbrook, who was making his first career Outlaw start in his first night with a 410ci motor, rounded out the top-five after starting 16th. Jacob Allen was the KSE Hard Charger award winner after he advanced 13 positions from 24th to 11th.
Brad Sweet was the night’s fast qualifier with a lap of 12.280 seconds. Sweet, Schuchart, Larson and Wilson all won heat races in some of the most thrilling qualifying action all season. Schatz won the Craftsman Club Dash from the pole, but had to take the lead back from Brent Marks midway through the race to gain the pole. Kraig Kinser came out on top of a three-car battle for the lead with Jared Zimbardi and Steve Lyons to win the Last Chance Showdown.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series now has two days off before returning to competition for the Battle of Michigan at Hartford Speedway in Hartford, MI on Friday, July 28. The Outlaws will see the track’s new 3/8-mile configuration for the first time. For additional event information, including advanced reserved ticket purchases, visit www.slspromotions.com.
Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$5,500]; 3. W20-Greg Wilson [5][$3,200]; 4. 57-Kyle Larson [7][$2,800]; 5. 47X-Dylan Westbrook [16][$2,500]; 6. 5-David Gravel [12][$2,300]; 7. 18-Ryan Susice [17][$2,200]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [8][$2,100]; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser [21][$2,050]; 10. 67X-Parker Price-Miller [9][$2,000]; 11. 1A-Jacob Allen [24][$1,500]; 12. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$1,200]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [2][$1,100]; 14. 9X-Steve Lyons [23][$1,050]; 15. 2-Shane Stewart [10][$1,000]; 16. O-Max Johnston [6][$900]; 17. 87-Jason Barney [14][$800]; 18. 10-Mitch Brown [15][$800]; 19. 4-Paul McMahan [19][$800]; 20. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [20][$800]; 21. 7S-Jason Sides [18][$800]; 22. OO-Dane Lorenc [11][$800]; 23. 35-Jared Zimbardi [22][$800]; 24. 13-Clyde Knipp [13][$800]. Lap Leaders:Donny Schatz 1-8. Logan Schuchart 9-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1A-Jacob Allen[+13]
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Clyde Knipp; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Ryan Susice; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Extended Stay America ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Super Flow ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Brent Marks, Logan Schuchart, Daryn Pittman, Greg Wilson, Brad Sweet; Craftsman/Sears: Max Johnston; KSE Hard Charger: Jacob Allen; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Logan Shuchart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Sides.
Zearfoss Scores First Career Series Win and First Posse Win of the Season
MECHANICSBURG, PA — July 21, 2017 — Jonestown, PA-native Brock Zearfoss scored his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win during the Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals opener, ringing in the first Posse win of the season in the ongoing Outlaws versus Pennsylvania Posse battle. David Gravel came in second after a strong battle for the lead with Lance Dewease, who ultimately went into the wall and flipped with nine laps to go. Defending Champion Donny Schatz completed the podium.
"How many times do you get to win an Outlaw race?" asked Zearfoss from Victory Lane. "This first time, I don’t even know what to say. I’m sick to my stomach; I’m that excited. You know, this is just a dream come true.”
Zearfoss’s first Outlaws race behind the wheel of Aaron Long’s No. 58 car last May didn’t go quite so well. He didn’t make the Feature.
“We debuted this deal at the first Outlaw race, and we weren’t good at all. To go from not making the show to standing on the front stretch of an Outlaw show, that’s just saying something about these guys.”
The Feature started with Lance Dewease on the pole after a full-field Craftsman Club Dash inversion (eight) worked in his favor. Last year's champion, Daryn Pittman, started beside him and managed to steal the lead in lap one, but Dewease would take it back and go on to lead the next 15 laps.
Meanwhile, behind him Zearfoss battled his way past Schatz and Pittman to second with Gravel on his tail.
While spectators' attentions were focused keenly on the five-car battle in front, Danny Dietrich and Sheldon Haudenschild got into each other entering lap 17 outside turn one, forcing a restart that would allow Gravel to charge past Zearfoss on the frontstretch before throwing a slider at Dewease. Trying to hold off Gravel, the leader jumped the cushion, fumbled, and flipped several times inside turn two.
To the tune of an outraged crowd, a double-file restart was called according to Series rules when the caution is not a result of contact between cars. Despite video replays showing no contact between the GoMuddy.com No. 5 and the Schanauer Plumbing No. 69K, Posse supporters expressed their discontent and disbelief.
“I know I never touched him," argued Gravel. "Lance probably had a pretty tight race car and flipped over in the curb. I honestly didn’t want to slide him. I checked up. I thought, he doesn’t get back around me, but he obviously got stumbled up in the curb. That’s what happened, and then I had to work really hard to get back to second. I feel like we had the best car but finished second."
Zearfoss and Gravel were to lead the field, but officials called a jump start on Gravel after Zearfoss stumbled and slowed, sending Gravel back a row and putting Schatz beside Zearfoss for another restart.
“This motor was stumbling all night," said Zearfoss. "I got it to go a couple of times, but obviously that one time David [Gravel} actually didn’t jump me, but it just didn’t go. I kind of got lucky there. Got it to go for Schatz and didn’t want to see another caution because I wasn’t sure if I could do it again. Luckily I got a good jump on him on that last restart and held him off. Tell you what, I was either going out of the park or I was winning this bitch.“
And win he did, with Gravel battling his way back to second after a few exchanged with Schatz.
"Brock Zearfoss is a good friend of mine, and I’m happy he won his first Outlaw show," said Gravel. "We’ll take second tonight. Me and Donny [Schatz] raced really really hard there. Just good hard racing."
RESULTS FROM WILLIAMS GROVE SPEEDWAY
Feature (25 Laps) - 1. 58-Brock Zearfoss [4][$8,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [5][$4,000]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$2,500]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$2,200]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [2][$2,100]; 6. 21-Brian Montieth [20][$2,000]; 7. 25-Aaron Ott [9][$1,800]; 8. 11-T.J. Stutts [10][$1,600]; 9. 51-Freddie Rahmer [23][$1,500]; 10. 27-Greg Hodnett [16][$1,300]; 11. 24-Lucas Wolfe [11][$1,200]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [14][$1,100]; 13. 44-Trey Starks [6][$1,000]; 14. 17-Jac Haudenschild [24][$700]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17][$600]; 16. 1S-Logan Schuchart [22][$600]; 17. 39M-Anthony Macri [18][$600]; 18. 4-Paul McMahan [15][$600]; 19. 41-Jason Johnson [27][$]; 20. 3H-James McFadden [21][$600]; 21. 69K-Lance Dewease [1][$600]; 22. 48-Danny Dietrich [12][$600]; 23. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [13][$600]; 24. 1-Dale Blaney [8][$600]; 25. 1A-Jacob Allen [19][$600]; 26. 2-Shane Stewart [25][$]; 27. 44W-Rodney Westhafer [26][$]; Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1, Lance Dewease 2-16, Brock Zearfoss 17-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 21-Brian Montieth[+14]
Schatz Scores Fifth Silver Cup Win;
Haundenschild Flips after Leading First 35 Laps
SARVER, PA - July 18, 2017 - Eight-time Series Champion and current points leader Donny Schatz scored his fifth Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup win at Lernerville Speedway after a heated battle with Sheldon Haudenschild left the Rookie of the Year contender flipping off the wall on the front stretch outside turn four.
"It’s been a good week," said Schatz, fresh off his Kings Royal win at Eldora Speedway just last Saturday. "This race team is incredible, what they do. When they get the race car good, you get in that zone, and they fine tune things and just keep making strides and making it better. It’s good to have that feeling for sure."
Haudenschild dominated the first 35 laps of the 40-lap Feature, jumping to the lead right from the start and leaving pole-sitter Daryn Pittman between he and Schatz as he continued to lengthen the distance between them.
Meanwhile, Schatz had a rocky start as his front tires lurched up on the front stretch outside turn four in lap three, and he went over the cushion outside turn one in lap nine, causing him to fall back to sixth. But the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing driver regained some ground before an engine failure on the Shark Racing No. 1s of Logan Schuchart forced a restart in lap 15; and by lap 22, Schatz had his No. 15 Arctic Cat machine back in third again.
Two laps later, Schatz passed Pittman, but Haudenschild was driving hard and still had a good three-second lead on him.
It took the veteran driver another eight laps to gain enough ground to start pushing on the rookie, but on lap 33 the exchanges began. Schatz passed Haudenschild. Haudenschild took it back. Schatz did it again, and again Haudenschild took it back.
A beautiful battle transpired until another caution — this time Brent Marks spinning outside turn four — forced another restart.
With $25,000 on the line, the Feature continued with a single-file restart, Haudenschild at the helm. He did what he had to do and shot out to a strong lead again, but hit the cushion so hard in turn four, he simply ran out of cushion. The No. 93 hit the wall and flipped several times down the front stretch.
"[The cushion] was getting pretty thin," said Schatz from Victory Lane. "In case anyone didn’t notice there were crashes. That’s why we had that [caution] before [Sheldon] did it. There was two cars sitting there, and the cushion was kind of rolled up over the edge of the track. It just kept getting slower and slower. When it starts slowing down... I guess old age is making me slow down a bit too."
All was quiet when the Open Red was called. But when the Wild Child's child finally got out of his car unharmed, the crowd erupted in applause. And Schatz went on to take the checkers unchallenged, with Pittman and David Gravel rounding out the podium.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series takes on the Pennsylvania Posse at Williams Grove Speedway on Friday and Saturday, July 21-22 for the Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals before heading to Ransomville Speedway for The Big "R" Outlaw Shootout on Sunday, July 23.
Feature (40 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$25,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [1][$7,000]; 3. 5-David Gravel [5][$5,000]; 4. 49X-Tim Shaffer [4][$4,000]; 5. 10H-Chad Kemenah [8][$3,000]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [11][$2,900]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7][$2,800]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [18][$2,700]; 9. 13D-Danny Dietrich [16][$2,600]; 10. 17X-Carson Macedo [6][$2,500]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [15][$2,400]; 12. 4-Paul McMahan [20][$2,300]; 13. 1-Dale Blaney [9][$2,200]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [10][$2,100]; 15. 22-Brandon Spithaler [17][$2,000]; 16. 17-Jac Haudenschild [14][$1,500]; 17. 98-Carl Bowser [19][$1,300]; 18. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$1,200]; 19. 2M-Kerry Madsen [12][$1,200]; 20. 19-Brent Marks [24][$1,200]; 21. 3H-James McFadden [21][$1,200]; 22. 2AJ-A.J. Flick [25][$]; 23. 1S-Logan Schuchart [13][$1,200]; 24. 24-Lucas Wolfe [23][$1,200]; 25. 7K-Dan Shetler [26][$]; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen [22][$1,200]; Lap Leaders: Sheldon Haudenschild 1-35, Donny Schatz 36-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 41-Jason Johnson[+10]
Donny Schatz Dominates 34th Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway
Makes History as First Back-to-Back Winner of the Prestigious Event
ROSSBURG, OH – July 15, 2017 – Donny Schatz turned in a perfect score card and walked away with a $50,000 check after dominating the 34th annual Kings Royal for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series at Eldora Speedway on Saturday night. Schatz set fast time in qualifying and then won his heat from the fifth starting position following the traditional Kings Royal heat race inversion.
Schatz’s win in Heat 1 put him sixth on the starting grid. He wasted no time at all jumping forward. He took the lead from polesitter and Kings Royal rookie Cole Duncan on lap 14 and never looked back. Schatz lead was as big as six seconds and he crossed the finish line 3.966 seconds ahead of teammate Christopher Bell.
“I just tried to play it cautious, but I seemed to be a little better than the guys in front of me while I tried to search out and find the right line,” Schatz explained of his early race strategy. “I got (to the front) fairly quick. “Brad (Sweet), I didn’t know if he would keep getting better, he looked okay. He didn’t really slow down, we just seemed to get a little bit better towards the end of the race as the fuel came off. That comes to the three guys that work on this car. They take it with the utmost pride and passion and it’s those sort of things that get us in these positions.”
Schatz took the lead from Duncan and third-starting Brad Sweet followed him to take the second position. From there, Schatz found his way into traffic and seemingly got faster as worked around the slower cars.
“I was better in dirty air and that’s something this race team works hard on,” Schatz said. “It seems like I can get my car to stick when I’m behind somebody else. Why that is, I don’t know. I seem to be better in dirty air than I am in open air.”
The proficiency of Schatz No.15 in traffic left podium finishers Christopher Bell and Sweet a bit befuddled.
“It just goes back to car handling,” Sweet said. “That really shows your car, how good you are in dirty air. That’s where the No.15 tends to shine. Once he got there, we started getting some bad air and the car wasn’t feeling as good behind some of those lapped guys and that’s when Donny just drove by and that’s when I knew we were in trouble.”
Despite his dominance, Schatz said he never let up or felt he good relax.
“I’ve raced the same way for the last 20 years: the race isn’t over until it’s over,” Schatz said. “You can clearly be the best car some nights and force yourself into a mistake. I probably pushed the issue with a lapped car and I got myself in a spot where I could have been the fence. It’s never over until you roll under that checkered flag.”
Bell put on a show on his own as he raced from the 20th starting spot after he qualified into the race as one of the two-fastest qualifiers who did transfer to the Feature from the heat races. The starting position wasn’t too much of a hindrance to Bell, other than to track down Schatz at the end of the caution-free race.
“That was a ton of fun running up there right around the fence,” Bell said following the race. “For me, I was just trying to run smart and take my time. I knew I had a really good car. Looking back at it, if I had known it was going to go green to checkered, I probably could have made a couple more moves to get through the field faster to give me more time to run down Donny. To come from 20th to second on a green to checkered race is something that I’m pretty proud of.”
The Norman, OK driver suffered damage to his car’s no wing when he hit Jac Haudenschild ,who was a lapped car, in the rear bumper in turn two in turn two while in the rear bumper with less than two laps to go,. The damage, however, didn’t seem to inhibit Bell at all.
“I don’t think it really mattered,” Bell said of the damage. “I was worried about it when it first happened. It hurt me whenever I was in dirty air because the nose kept coming up, but as far as running by myself, I don’t think it really affected me.”
The Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing teammates raced to their second straight 1-2 finish. Sweet was a strong third-place finishers and was on the podium for the third straight night at Eldrora. Still, Sweet feels like his team can find another gear.
“We have a lot of consistency in our car, just some of these races we haven’t hit it exactly right for the main event,” Sweet said. “Donny was just a good bit better. He just drove by us and checked out. I searched around on the racetrack and just never found a spot where it was super good. I think we kind of know where we missed it. There’s a lot of human element in decision-making before these races and you have to make the right decisions if you want to win them. We’ll learn from this and try to keep getting better.”
After claiming the VP Racing Fuels checkered flag, Schatz was crowned King Donny the 34th in traditional Kings Royal Victory Lane. This year, the King of the Outlaws and original Kings Royal winner Steve Kinser, presented Schatz with his winning crown.
“I think more than anything, this probably isn’t going to happen a whole lot that I’m going to get to stand next to the real King,” Schatz said of Kinser. “That means a lot to me. He’s always been a hero, he’s been the ambassador of our sport, he’s the best thing our sport’s ever seen. I’m damn proud to stand next to that guy tonight.”
Schatz refused to acknowledge his new accomplishment as the first back-to-back winner of the Kings Royal. Instead, Schatz is happy he becomes a statistical footnote.
“Anytime you can do anything that Steve Kinser hasn’t done is incredible,” Schatz said of his victory.
Earlier in the night, Schatz set quick time with a lap of 13.197 seconds, identical to Kerry Madsen’s quick time in Hot Laps. Schatz then used a late restart in Heat 1 to take the lead and claim the sixth-starting spot in the Feature. Tim Shaffer, Sheldon Haudsenchild, Jac Haudenchild, Brad Sweet and Cole Duncan all won earlier qualifying heats. Clyde Knipp earned the C-Main win while David Gravel made a last lap pass to edge Shane Stewart for a win in the Last Chance Showdown.
Despite Bell passing 18 cars to finish second, Ryan Smith took home the KSE Hard Charger award as he advanced from 24th to 5th behind Duncan, who finished fourth in his first-ever Kings Royal start.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series now continues its travel back east with a stop of Lernverville Speedway in Sarver, PA on July 18 for the $20,000-to-win Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup. For additional event information, click here.
Eldora Speedway Kings Royal Notebook
Feature (40 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$50,000]; 2. 14-Christopher Bell [20][$20,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$15,000]; 4. 12N-Cole Duncan [1][$12,500]; 5. O7-Ryan Smith [24][$10,000]; 6. 81-Lee Jacobs [7][$7,500]; 7. 10H-Chad Kemenah [8][$6,500]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$6,000]; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17][$5,500]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$5,000]; 11. 24-Rico Abreu [13][$4,750]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [10][$4,500]; 13. 2M-Kerry Madsen [9][$4,000]; 14. 18-Ian Madsen [23][$3,750]; 15. 2-Shane Stewart [22][$3,500]; 16. 71-Joey Saldana [15][$3,450]; 17. 5-David Gravel [21][$3,400]; 18. 21-Brian Brown [11][$3,350]; 19. 39-Sammy Swindell [18][$3,300]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [19][$3,250]; 21. 3H-James McFadden [12][$3,200]; 22. 17-Jac Haudenschild [3][$3,150]; 23. 19-Brent Marks [16][$3,100]; 24. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5][$3,000]. Lap Leaders: Cole Duncan 1-13, Donny Schatz 14-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 07-Ryan Smith[+19]
Bell Gets Knighted
Christopher Bell Outduels Teammate Donny Schatz to Win The Knight Before the Kings Royal at Eldora
ROSSBURG, OH – July 14, 2017 – Christopher Bell took the lead from Brad Sweet in turn three and then held off a surging Donny Schatz on a restart with nine laps to go to win the Knight Before the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway on Friday night. Bell, who lined up for the 30-lap main event in third, had to be perfect on the race’s only restart with less than 10 laps to go as the eight-time Outlaw Champion threw everything he had at the 22-year-old Norman, OK native who was driving the No.14 Tony Stewart Racing-Curb/Agajanian entry.
“It’s a dream come true,” Bell said following the victory. “To be able to drive for Tony (Stewart) is a dream come true, to win at Eldora on Kings Royal weekend with the Outlaws, I’m just speechless. I’ve had a lot of good runs here at the Kings Royal. I think I’ve been in the top three the last couple of years whenever I’ve crashed. So, to be able to finally win one was really special. Tonight was only 30 laps and we have 40 of them tomorrow.”
At the drop of the green flag, it was outside pole starter Brad Sweet who jumped out to an early advantage. Behind Sweet, Bell engaged in a thrilling battle with polesitter Brian Brown for the third position in the opening laps.
Sweet’s lead quickly expanded to 1.9 seconds over Bell, but evaporated just as fast when he struggled to navigate through a sea of slower traffic. Bell saw his opportunity on lap 10 and seized it as he drove by Sweet entering turn three and claimed the point.
From there, Bell found himself racing against the cushion, which was nearly against the outside retaining wall, all the way around the racetrack. At the halfway points, his gap was 1.3 seconds over Sweet and Ian Madsen with Schatz running in third.
A few short laps later, Schatz began to make his move forward as he got by Madsen and then Sweet to take second on lap 20.
The only caution of the race came on lap 21 for a stopped Sheldon Haudenschild in turn two and reset the battle upfront with a double-file restart. Bell chose the bottom lane for the restart despite running the high outside groove up to that point.
“The only reason I did it was because I got beat when I started on the top in the heat race,” Bell said. “I watched the heat races and every time the bottom was able to get the jump. I felt like either or would work, but I felt I was more vulnerable if I took the top.”
Despite losing his advantage, Bell felt the caution actually played to his advantage.
“I think the caution helped me out big time because I was struggling in lapped traffic,” Bell explained. “I knew I needed to get my wing back and I had just reached for the lever when the yellow came out.
Bell’s choice worked as it put him in the catbird seat to drive to the top lane in turns one and two, but prevented Schatz from attempting a slide job in turns one and two. Schatz poked inside Bell on the bottom in turns three and four and then pulled even for a half lap. Bell maintained his momentum enough in turn two to carry the lead down the backstretch on lap 22 and he dropped to the bottom to take away Schatz’s lane.
“At the time, I didn’t know the bottom was where I needed to be,” Bell said. “I got my wing back and went to the top and was pretty good in one and two. Then, Donny got back beside me off of four and I felt like I hit a pretty good corner, so it was at that point that I knew I needed to change my line in three and four. Luckily I was able to get the momentum again in one and two to drop down in front of him.”
Schatz felt he may have shown Bell the preferred line a little bit early, but also suggested he didn’t have much choice in his bid for the win.
“You just have to go where he’s not and that’s where I was better anyways,” Schatz said. “He stayed up there and we ran side-by-side for a lap there. It forced him to move his lane and maybe I was a little too nice. Maybe I should have bulldozed him in there, but that’s not me.”
Over the final five laps, Bell found some lapped traffic and navigated the chaos with finer precision was able to drive to the checkered flag 0.591 seconds ahead of Schatz’s No.15. The win was a sure confidence boost for Bell entering tomorrow’s $50,000-to-win 34th annual Kings Royal.
“This place is my favorite racetrack in the world,” Bell said. “I’ve had a lot of success here and a lot of hard luck, some of it self-inflicted. I’ve been able to win here in a Midget, a Silver Crown car, a 360 Winged Sprint, and now with the Outlaws, and a Truck too. It’s been really good to me the last couple of years. I’m excited to try and get a big win tomorrow.”
Bell will be looking to use his momentum from Friday’s win to avenge a DNF in last year’s Kings Royal when he flipped against the turn four wall while running second. Despite the strong run in The Knight Before, Bell was cautiously optimistic for Saturday’s main event.
“I felt really, really confident coming in here and then yesterday we just struggled,” said Bell, who failed to qualify for Thursday’s Jokers Wild Feature. “ For some reason, we just didn’t have the speed. They worked really hard and (crew chief) Jimmy Car made some adjustments. I don’t feel like we have enough speed yet to qualify where we need to tomorrow, but obviously we can race okay. Our car is really good when it’s slick. That’s the most important part.”
Schatz’s second-place finish completed a 1-2 finish for the Tony Stewart Racing-Curb/Agajanian team.
“Every car owner’s dream is to have one-two finishes. Tony got one tonight and he also owns the track, so it’s a good feeling. Obviously I think it should be the other way around, I think it should be 15 then the 14, but that’s the way it goes,” Schatz joked.
Sweet maintained the third spot late in the race despite the best efforts of fourth-place finisher Ian Madsen. Brown settled for fifth.
For the second straight night, Brent Marks was the KSE Hard Charger. Marks used a World of Outlaws provisional starting spot to enter the Feature and started 25th. He gained 12 total positions and finished 13th.
Schatz was also the night’s fast qualifier with a lap of 13.057 seconds around the high-banked half-mike track. Jason Johnson, Kraig Kinser, Ian Madsen, Schatz, Shane Stewart and Tim Shaffer all won qualifying heats. Brown and Sweet won the pair of Craftsman Club Dashes. Joey Saldana won the Last Chance Showdown while Mark claimed the C-Main victory and Chris Andews drove to a D-Main checkered flag.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Saturday night at Eldora Speedway with the $50,000-to-win winner’s share on the line. The event will be broadcast with live pay-per-view video on DIRTvision.com. For more information on the 34th annual Kings Royal, please visit here.
Eldora Speedway Knight Before the Kings Royal Notebook
Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 14-Christopher Bell [3][$12,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$5,700]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$3,500]; 4. 18-Ian Madsen [5][$3,000]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [1][$2,600]; 6. 2M-Kerry Madsen [8][$2,400]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [9][$2,300]; 8. 5-David Gravel [16][$2,200]; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman [15][$2,150]; 10. 24-Rico Abreu [20][$2,100]; 11. 49X-Tim Shaffer [4][$1,600]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [12][$1,350]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [25][$500]; 14. 71-Joey Saldana [19][$1,200]; 15. 10H-Chad Kemenah [11][$1,100]; 16. 2-Shane Stewart [10][$1,000]; 17. 41-Jason Johnson [7][$900]; 18. 55XM-Dale Blaney [18][$850]; 19. 81-Lee Jacobs [17][$800]; 20. 17-Jac Haudenschild [14][$800]; 21. 3H-James McFadden [13][$800]; 22. 4-Paul McMahan [26][$]; 23. O7-Ryan Smith [22][$800]; 24. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [24][$800]; 25. 12N-Cole Duncan [21][$800]; 26. 1ST-Gary Taylor [23][$800]; Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-9; Christopher Bell 10-21, 23-30; Donny Schatz 22; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+12]
Mad Man Marches On
Kerry Madsen Dominates Jokers Wild at Eldora Despite Hand Injury
ROSSBURG, OH – July 14, 2017 – After a three hour rain delay in the early evening, Kerry Madsen dominated the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Jokers Wild event at Eldora Speedway on Thursday night that stretched into the early hours of Friday morning. Madsen was third-quick in Flight A qualifying and second in his heat before claiming victory in the Craftsman Club Dash. The Dash win gave Madsen the pole for the 30-lap, $10,000-to-win Jokers Wild and he led every circuit to score the win in convincing fashion.
Madsen’s win to begin the 34th annual Kings Royal weekend is even more impressive after he revealed in Victory Lane he battled an injury throughout most of the race after a rock cut his hand in the opening five laps. The Australian pilot persevered through the pain to claim his fourth Outlaw win of the season and the third in the Series’ last four races.
“A couple of times the car took off on me and I didn’t quite have the wheel,” Madsen joked about his injury after he was treated following the race. “I could just see all the blood in the glove. It was hurting, but I just kept going.”
Off the initial start, Madsen grabbed the early lead while fellow front row starter Brad Sweet drag raced Madsen into turn three for the lead. The battle was short-lived, however, as Brady Bacon flipped in turn two before the opening lap was complete to bring out the red flag. Bacon was uninjured.
A complete restart followed and saw Madsen jump out front again while 14th starting Jac Haudenschild slowed almost immediately, but pulled pitside, which allowed the race to continue.
“I got side-by-side down the backstretch,” Sweet said of the start. “Kerry left just enough there and I had a run. He was able to go across the track in turn three and take some air off my car and, honestly, that was kind of the race. He was really fast out in clean air. There was definitely no catching him there.”
Madsen set a blistering pace on the lightning quick track and worked into traffic on lap eight. While the bottom was the preferred lane, Madsen drove to the top on the cushion that was slightly more than halfway up the track to work past the slower cars.
The dirtier top lane for Madsen did slow his pace slightly and allowed Sweet to pull within one second of the No.2m. It was a short glimmer of hope for Sweet though as the caution waved on lap 12 when Logan Schuchart suffered a broken front axle and came to a stop in turn four.
The yellow flag gave Madsen the clean air he needed on the restart to pull away from Sweet again and he did just that. By lap 18, Madsen had opened a 1.7-second gap over Sweet while Brian Brown battled with David Gravel for the third position.
“I knew the starts were going to be super important because if someone got a lead and got through traffic, you weren’t going to get them, so it was super critical,” Madsen explained. “When we got to the traffic, I was just trying to be super aggressive with it and go hard at it because you know what those guys are like, they’ll pass you in two seconds if you screw up.”
Madsen again caught traffic on lap 20, but this time was able to navigate the slower cars more efficiently with his aggressive game plan. He continued at his lightning-quick pace over the final laps and drove off to the victory by 2.6 seconds over Sweet. Brown raced to a third-place finishing after holding off Gravel in an exciting third-place battle. Tim Shaffer got by Gravel late to claim fourth while the No.5 settled for fifth.
The victory continues a red-hot streak for Madsen who has now won in each of his last three Outlaw starts after he swept last weekend’s events at Wisconsin’s Cedar Lake Speedway. Madsen is far from surprised by his team’s most recent success.
“I’ve been saying it all year and I feel like we’ve been super under the radar,” Madsen said. “We’ve had like 10 second (place finishes) and a few wins now. It’s fast. I know the performance has been there all year, we just haven’t caught the breaks to get the wins, which I feel like was a good thing because we just kept making the car better.”
Sweet settled for a second-place finish, which felt like a victory for the Grass Valley, CA native after beginning the night with a seventh-place qualifying effort.
“We weren’t that great tonight, to be honest,” Sweet said. “We didn’t qualify great, but we had a really good start in our heat and got up in there to give ourselves a chance. Then they drew the six (inversion pill) and that was a lottery pick. Sometimes you’ll have nights like that where things go a little more your way then other night.
“We realize we have to get the NAPA Auto Parts car a little faster if we want to really have a shot at it Saturday night,” Sweet continued. “We’ll take a second tonight. Kerry’s been awful fast and did a great job there. We’re hungry to win and we’re knocking on the door. We just need to get the car a little better and the driver needs to do a little better job.”
Gravel was the night’s overall fast qualifier with a lap of 12.847 seconds around the half-mile track, just 0.140 seconds off Craig Dollansky’s 2002 track record of 12.707. Shaffer, Ian Madsen, Gravel and Brown won qualifying heats. Cole Duncan won the Last Chance Showdown while Trevor Baker won the C-Main.Brent Marks was the night's KSE Hard Charger after racing from the 24th starting position up to 12th, an impressive achievement on a very fast racetrack.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action at Eldora on Friday night with the Knight Before the Kings Royal. The event will be broadcast live on DIRTvision.com. For additional event information or to buy tickets, please click here.
Eldora Speedway Jokers Wild Notebook
Feature (40 Laps) - 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen [1][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$5,500]; 3. 21-Brian Brown [3][$3,200]; 4. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5][$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [4][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [11][$2,300]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [6][$2,200]; 8. 18-Ian Madsen [7][$2,100]; 9. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$2,050]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [8][$2,000]; 11. 41-Jason Johnson [12][$1,500]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [24][$1,200]; 13. 24-Rico Abreu [23][$1,100]; 14. 10H-Chad Kemenah [10][$1,050]; 15. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [17][$1,000]; 16. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [16][$900]; 17. 4-Paul McMahan [13][$800]; 18. W20-Greg Wilson [15][$800]; 19. 12N-Cole Duncan [21][$800]; 20. 1S-Logan Schuchart [20][$800]; 21. 49D-Shawn Dancer [19][$800]; 22. 81-Lee Jacobs [22][$800]; 23. 17-Jac Haudenschild [14][$800]; 24. 99-Brady Bacon [18][$800]; Lap Leaders: Kerry Madsen 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+12]
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Brady Bacon; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; JE Pistons ($50 cash): David Gravel; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Extended Stay America ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Super Flow ($50 cash): Chad Kemenah; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Brad Sweet, David Gravel, Kraig Kinser, Daryn Pittman; Craftsman/Sears: Kerry Madsen; KSE Hard Charger: Brent Marks (+12); Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Brad Sweet; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jac Haudenschild.
SEASON WINNERS
- Donny Schatz - 13 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18, Missouri State Fair Speedway on May 5, 81 Speedway on May 6, Eldora Speedway May 13, Knoxville Raceway on June 10, Granite City on June 20, Dirt Oval at Route 66 on June 27, Dakota State Fair Speedway on July 1)
- David Gravel - 10 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1, Gator Motorplex on April 13, Plymouth Speedway on April 28, Lincoln Speedway on May 17, Williams Grove on May 19, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, River Cities Speedway on June 16, Attica Raceway Park on July 11)
- Brad Sweet - 4 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25, Devil’s Bowl on April 15, Jackson Motorplex on June 3, Knoxville Raceway on June 9)
- Shane Stewart – 4 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 29, West Liberty Raceway on June 23, Beaver Dam Raceway on June 24)
- Kerry Madsen – 4 (Jackson Motorplex on June 2, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 7, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 8, Eldora Speedway on July 13)
- Logan Schuchart - 3 (Keller Auto Speedway on March 31, Eldora Speedway on May 12, Charlotte on May 26)
- Jason Johnson - 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17, Devil’s Bowl on April 14)
- Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway on April 7)
- Rico Abreu – 1 (Arizona Speedway on April 8)
- Parker Price-Miller – 1 (Tri-State Speedway on May 14)
- Ian Madsen – 1 (Jackson Motorplex on June 1)
- Kyle Larson – 1 (Eagle Raceway on June 13)
- Kraig Kinser - 1 (Deer Creek Speedway on July 6)
Madsen Sweeps the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown; Sweet, Schatz Round out Podium
NEW RICHMOND, WI — July 8, 2017 — In what looked a bit like a repeat of the night before, Kerry “The Madman” Madsen took the checkers on night two at Cedar Lake Speedway with Brad Sweet and Donny Schatz behind him.
“I just enjoy racing with the World of Outlaws so much,” said Madsen from Victory Lane. "I mean, you just have to be on point all the way.”
Certainly the Kasey Kahne Racing driver and the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing driver never let up. They came prepared to do battle with the Big Game Motorsports 2M after the previous night’s finish.
"Last night I took a swing but then gave him the room,” said Sweet. "And tonight I thought, ‘Well, I’m going to try a little bit harder.’"
In fact, everything was a little harder for Madsen the second time around. Jason Johnson started on the pole and maintained his lead for the first 11 laps of the race while Schatz took Madsen on from third, passing him seven laps in only to lose his advantage in the following lap just as Sweet started pressing on him.
With Sweet and Schatz battling it out for third, Madsen focused his attention on the Priority Aviation No. 41, passing him with 29 laps to go. Five laps later, after Johnson slowed off the bottom of turn two, Sweet charged past Schatz and continued onward past Johnson to resume the battle with Madsen from the night before.
Schatz followed suit, and by lap 20, halfway into the race, the top four positions were set, with David Gravel holding the rear. Though Madsen had a strong lead, a caution on Jac Haudenschild (who lost a wheel) gave the drivers a final opportunity to steal the lead.
"Brad [Sweet] had a hell of a run, and he put a big move on in one and two,” said Madsen. “Fortunately, in that corner I had enough time to turn back down and try to tuck right in down the backstretch and repay the favor in three and four. Then I was just trying to mix it up and run a different line here or there to keep him guessing. I feel like I didn’t have much ties there at the end. There was a lot of wheel spin going on, but with two to go you’re just foot to the floor, and you’re like, 'I’m not losing this now.’ So that was a great run.
“I got up in front of him,” said Sweet, "but he turned down. And then he did what he had to do those last few laps. You know, he kind of played defense. We were trying to search to get the run on him, but his car was good all weekend.
Sweet, who is second in points standings behind Donny Schatz (-80) has more top-10 finishes than him so far this season, and almost as many top-fives, but he’s nine wins behind him and hasn’t taken the checkers since exactly one month ago, at Knoxville Raceway. .
“My guys keep giving me great race cars,” said the No. 49 Napa Auto Parts driver. "We just have to figure out how to win some of these. They come down to the last five laps like that, and we’re just a hair off. If we can just find it, we’ll get some more of these wins. I know I keep saying that every night, but it’s the truth. As long as we’re up here on the podium we’re happy though."
Schatz had less to say from Victory Lane, but expressed a similar sentiment. “When you can’t win you gotta do the best you can . . . That’s why they call it racing, so we’ll learn from our mistakes and move on.”
Behind Gravel at the finish was Jason Sides rounding out the top five. While Sides started in 16, his fifth place finish is even more impressive given the fact that he was pushed to the back (24) on a reset after a collision before completing the first lap of the race. Sadly, his 19-position charge only counted as 11, and the KSE Hard Charger Award went to Bill Balog for another impressive charge — from 24 to 10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series takes on Attica Raceway Park on Tuesday, July 11 for the Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic before heading to Eldora Speedway for the Kings Royal, July 13-15.
Feature (40 Laps) - 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen [2][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$5,000]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$3,000]; 4. 5-David Gravel [10][$2,700]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$2,500]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$2,200]; 7. 3-Tim Kaeding [9][$2,000]; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$1,800]; 9. 2-Shane Stewart [7][$1,600]; 10. 17B-Bill Balog [24][$1,450]; 11. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [6][$1,300]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [21][$1,200]; 13. 21-Brian Brown [18][$1,100]; 14. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [11][$1,000]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [22][$950]; 16. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8][$900]; 17. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [17][$850]; 18. 4-Paul McMahan [14][$750]; 19. 9-Daryn Pittman [3][$725]; 20. 84-Scott Bogucki [20][$700]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [12][$700]; 22. 26-Tayler Malsam [19][$700]; 23. 17-Jac Haudenschild [15][$700]; 24. 19-Brent Marks [23][$700]; Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-11, Kerry Madsen 12-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17B-Bill Balog[+14]
Qualifying - 1. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.116; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.207; 3. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 12.269; 4. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.326; 5. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 12.35; 6. 19-Brent Marks, 12.355; 7. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 12.403; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.508; 9. 3-Tim Kaeding, 12.517; 10. 5-David Gravel, 12.56; 11. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.586; 12. 84-Scott Bogucki, 12.597; 13. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 12.61; 14. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.65; 15. 17-Jac Haudenschild, 12.688; 16. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.688; 17. 23W-Scott Winters, 12.732; 18. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.755; 19. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.755; 20. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.764; 21. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.77; 22. 21-Brian Brown, 12.797; 23. 82-Craig Dollansky, 12.84; 24. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 12.842; 25. 19P-Paige Polyak, 12.872; 26. 17B-Bill Balog, 12.874; 27. 26-Tayler Malsam, 13.183; 28. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.298; 29. 23-Russel Borland, 13.305; 30. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.368; 31. 9Z-Jared Goerges, 13.393; 32. 85-Jason Tostenson, 13.4; 33. 19L-Todd King, 13.80
It Takes a Madman to Bring Down a Wild Child
NEW RICHMOND, WI — July 7, 2017 — Night One of the Platinum Battery Showdown at Cedar Lake Speedway went to former Outlaw and current Australian Sprintcar champion, Kerry "The Madman” Madsen, who swept all but the Craftsman Club Dash and led 38 laps of the 40-lap Feature behind the wheel of the Big Game Motorsports 2M. Brad Sweet and Donny Schatz followed him through the checkers after a heated battle with several exchanges.
While Madsen set Quicktime during Qualifying and won his Heat race, It was Jac “The Wild Child” Haudenschild who won the Craftsman Club Dash on his return to the Stenhouse Jr./Wood Racing No. 17 machine after a three-race medical absence resulting from an injury at Beaver Dam Raceway. It was starting to look like “Jac is Back” would be the headline for the night, but Haudenschild lost steam all the way through the Feature, coming in at 13 after getting lapped by Madsen in the final two laps.
Meanwhile, Greg Wilson was playing the same game in reverse. Having started in 15, Wilson charged his W20 to tenth in the first five laps, battled with Ian Madsen for the next 14 laps, charged to fifth on a restart, and got past David Gravel with seven laps to go to come in fourth right on Schatz’s tail.
Having started the Feature in second behind the Wild Child, and having won his share of races at the high-banked 3/8-mile oval, the eighth-time defending champion surprised the crowd with his third-place finish. But the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing driver suffered a bit of a mishap on his first lap around as he scraped his right rear tire along the wall of the backstretch after getting into K. Madsen, causing a flurry of sparks as Madsen passed him. And Sweet came at him from fifth, passing him just a couple laps later in the first of numerous exchanges between the the the two No. 15 Arctic Cat and the No. 49 Napa Auto Parts machines.
Meanwhile, Madsen was strengthening his lead and looked nearly unbeatable until Jason Johnson went into the wall outside of turn two, taking the No. 41 out of the race and forcing a restart with 19 laps to go.
Despite the threat created by the restart, Madsen charged forward instantly and re-gained his lead. From the looks of it, he was just too fast and too aggressive to beat.
Nine laps and a solid lead later, Madsen had a minor fumble coming out of a turn, and again after passing Sheldon Haudenschild in lap traffic, and with seven laps to go Sweet had finally caught up to him. Five laps to go and the Kasey Kahne Racing driver was all over Madsen, looking like he might actually win. During the next lap, Sweet managed to steal the lead, but Madsen immediately reclaimed it. With only two laps left, when Madsen finally lapped the Wild Child, Sweet was caught behind Haudenschild and Paul McMahan, and that was that. Madsen crossed the checkers.
The FVP Platinum Battery Showdown continues tomorrow night and will be streamed LIVE on DIRTVision.com.
CEDAR LAKE SPEEDWAY ABBREVIATED RESULTS
Feature (40 Laps) - 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen [3][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$5,000]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$3,000]; 4. W20-Greg Wilson [15][$2,700]; 5. 5-David Gravel [4][$2,500]; 6. 18-Ian Madsen [7][$2,200]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [6][$2,000]; 8. 3-Tim Kaeding [17][$1,800]; 9. 21-Brian Brown [13][$1,600]; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser [11][$1,450]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$1,300]; 12. 4-Paul McMahan [12][$1,200]; 13. 17-Jac Haudenschild [1][$1,100]; 14. 2-Shane Stewart [10][$1,000]; 15. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [9][$950]; 16. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [16][$900]; 17. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$850]; 18. 19-Brent Marks [23][$750]; 19. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [18][$725]; 20. 19L-Todd King [24][$700]; 21. 41-Jason Johnson [8][$700]; 22. 55-Brooke Tatnell [20][$700]; 23. 19P-Paige Polyak [22][$700]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [21][$700]; Lap Leaders: Jac Haudenschild 1, Kerry Madsen 2-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+11]
Qualifying - 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 11.543; 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.643; 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.686; 4. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.734; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.737; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.765; 7. 17-Jac Haudenschild, 11.765; 8. 18-Ian Madsen, 11.795; 9. 5-David Gravel, 11.802; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.912; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.965; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.967; 13. 19P-Paige Polyak, 11.979; 14. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.992; 15. 19-Brent Marks, 12.001; 16. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.021; 17. 3-Tim Kaeding, 12.031; 18. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 12.044; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.071; 20. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 12.072; 21. 21-Brian Brown, 12.15; 22. 84-Scott Bogucki, 12.196; 23. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.235; 24. 7W-Tasker Phillips, 12.312; 25. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.344; 26. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 12.353; 27. 82-Craig Dollansky, 12.393; 28. 55-Brooke Tatnell, 12.423; 29. 19L-Todd King, 12.589; 30. 85-Jason Tostenson, 12.592; 31. 56N-David Heskin, 12.781; 32. 9Z-Jared Goerges, 12.951; 33. 91A-Reed Allex, 13.912
Redemption: Kraig Kinser Wins the Clash at the Creek at Deer Creek Speedway
By: Tony Veneziano
SPRING VALLEY, Minn. — July 6, 2017 — Kraig Kinser was five laps away from picking up his first win of the season last week with the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series at The Dirt Oval at Route 66 in Joliet, Ill., only to have the power steering go bad while leading, the third-generation driver made up for that near-miss on Thursday night, as he was victorious in the Clash at the Creek at Deer Creek Speedway in Minnesota.
For Kinser, it was his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win of the season and his first since 2014. The veteran driver now has 17 career World of Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature wins.
“You never want to have issues when you are running up front and tonight we didn’t,” said Kinser. “It was a struggle, because we were so good at the beginning. I knew we weren’t going to be quite as good at the end. Seeing Donny (Schatz) the last five or 10 laps, you have to be at your best. I definitely wasn’t leaving much on the table. There were a few spots I was getting really good bite, but other than that, I was sliding through the turns and just trying to keep momentum up.”
The event, which began on Thursday, June 29 and was postponed by rain three laps into the feature, set up a unique race night, which consisted of hot laps and the remaining 37 laps of the 40-lapper. Kinser asserted himself early in the race as a contender, while David Gravel, the pole sitter paced the first one-third of the race.
“We were pretty good here the other day and had to wait a week, but were close to how good we were last week,” Kinser noted. “This is a high-banked momentum track and if you can get the top working it’s usually better than hitting the bottom. Early, it had some moisture and we could stop, get the car turned and get off the corner. At the end, it was kind of just a momentum deal.”
Kinser lined up fifth when the race resumed on Thursday night and was up to third just a handful of laps into the 40-lap race. He moved into second when Brad Sweet had a flat tire on the 10th lap. Just prior to the halfway point of the race, Kinser used a strong run on the high side of the track to take the lead from David Gravel coming off turn four. Down the stretch, Kinser held off a furious charge by Donny Schatz to claim the win. Kinser endured a number of restarts while out front,
“The restarts were very important, though everything you do with the Outlaws is,” said Kinser.
“To say you beat the 15 car and 2 car and all the guys, everything is important and has to go right.”
Schatz, who re-started the race ninth on Thursday night, steadily worked his way forward. He tried both the high and low side of the track as he tracked down Kinser. Schatz nearly drew even with Kinser a handful of times, often diving under him turns three and four, but never was able to quite make a pass stick.
“Our job is to make something happen,” said Schatz. “I tried to make something happen, but Kraig (Kinser) was pretty good. I knew I didn’t want to get next to him unless I could get by him. He had a little bit left in there. Hats off to those guys. They have been knocking on the door for quite some time and got one done tonight. For us, we normally don’t run that well here, so second is pretty respectable. We were wanting to win and were there fighting for it and that’s all you can ask for.”
Shane Stewart, who lined up eighth for the re-started main event, used a late-race charge to cross the line third to continue his recent hot streak. Stewart was engaged in a spirited battle with Ian Madsen and Sheldon Haudenschild for the third spot for several laps.
“That was a fun race,” Stewart said. “My car seems to get better as the race goes on. On a 40-lap race, that’s what you want. It would have been interesting if there would have been a late-race caution. I’m happy with third. I have to thank all the fans for coming back out and supporting this race. I am looking forward to the rest of the summer.”
Sheldon Haudenschild, who ran as high as third, ended up fourth. The leading contender for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award, put on a show, as he bounced the right rear off the wall several times, even passing cars in the process.
Brad Sweet recovered from an early race flat tire to round out the top-five, after having to re-start at the tail of the field.
Paul McMahan was sixth, with Greg Wilson seventh, early leader David Gravel was eighth, with Jason Johnson recovering from a trip to the work area to finish ninth. Jacob Allen rounded out the top-10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action this weekend with the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisc., on Friday, July 7 and Saturday, July 8.
DEER CREEK RESULTS:
FEATURE (40 Laps): 1. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$5,500]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [9][$3,200]; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [5][$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$2,500]; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [7][$2,300]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$2,200]; 8. 5-David Gravel [1][$2,100]; 9. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$2,050]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [20][$2,000]; 11. 19-Brent Marks [19][$1,500]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [6][$1,200]; 13. 55-Brooke Tatnell [11][$1,100]; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart [23][$1,050]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [21][$1,000]; 16. 84-Scott Bogucki [15][$900]; 17. 9-Daryn Pittman [25][$800]; 18. 24-Terry McCarl [16][$800]; 19. 1M-Danny Lasoski [13][$800]; 20. 21-Brian Brown [12][$800]; 21. 17B-Bill Balog [17][$800]; 22. 19P-Paige Polyak [18][$800]; 23. 7W-Tasker Phillips [24][$800]; 24. 3-Tim Kaeding [22][$800]; 25. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4][$800]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-3, 5-14; Brad Sweet 4; Kraig Kinser 15-40;KSE Hard Charger Award: 1A-Jacob Allen[+10]
Schatz Outlasts Kaeding and Stewart for Victory at Dakota State Fair
Schatz picks up 13th victory of the Outlaws season
HURON, S.D — July 1, 2017 — Starting from the front row, Shane Stewart grabbed the lead exiting Turn 2 on the opening lap and set sail setting a blistering pace. With the main event being cut short by one lap due to track conditions, Stewart had to withstand one final restart. On that restart with one lap to go, Stewart restarted directly in front of Schatz. The top two of Stewart and Schatz headed down the backstretch coming to the checkers. Schatz was able to get a run on the high side coming out of Turn 2 allowing him to drive by Stewart to pick up his 13th victory of the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series season.
In a night that saw numerous flat tires throughout the 22-car field, the 30-lap race at Dakota State Fair Speedway was shortened to 29 laps due to track conditions.
Shane Stewart, the driver of the No. 2 Larson Marks Racing entry has been on a hot streak over the last couple of week. Having won two-in-a-row at West Liberty and Beaver Dam, just a week ago, Stewart was looking to pick up his fifth win of the season at Dakota State Fair Speedway on Saturday night.
After jumping out to an early lead on the start, Stewart set a blistering pace putting a gap between him and the No. 9 of Daryn Pittman who also started on the front row with Stewart. The first of six stoppages of the night was for the No. 93 who slowed at the top of Turn 1 with a flat tire. Sheldon Haudenschild would recover for a fifth-place finish.
Stewart would jump back out to a big lead on the restart. Schatz who was running third behind Pittman at the time was able to get by the No. 9 Great Clips machine on lap 22 for second. It was on lap 25 that Pittman sustained a flat tire, bringing out a yellow flag.
As the field was coming to get two laps to go at the stripe, Schatz dove aggressively under Stewart for the lead in Turn 3 and made it stick. However, the No. 5 of David Gravel went for a flip in Turn 1 at the same time, giving Stewart the lead back for the restart, Gravel was able to be pushed to the work area but could not return.
“We got by [Stewart] before the red came out,” Said Donny Schatz. “I knew it got to be where [Stewart] was going to stay down on the bottom groove and we just had a little bit left to get around him on the outside coming out of Turn 2.”
Due to track conditions, officials made the decision to the shorten the race by one lap. Stewart regained the lead after the previous lap was not scored complete. Stewart lead Schatz, Kaeding and the rest of the field to the restart where both the green and white flags were displayed.
“Man, that was tough,” said Shane Stewart. “I actually thought my tire was going flat coming to the green [on the last restart]. When [track] takes rubber like this the restarts are so hard on your tires.”
Stewart led into Turn 1 but Schatz used the top grove exiting Turn 2 to get by Stewart for the lead.
“You don’t ever want to lead that many laps and finish third,” said Shane Stewart. “It’s a testament to how good my car is right now. My guys did a great job, just wasn’t meant to be.”
“I’m here to win races, that’s what we’re here to do,” said Schatz regarding his winning pass. “When you’re in second and got an opportunity to win a race, that’s what you’re going to do – you’re going to go for it. You’re not going to do anything silly and we didn’t. We got the win and that’s what matters,” added Schatz.
Schatz would complete the rest of the 3/8th-mile en-route to his 13th victory of the 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car season.
“We definitely got our monies worth on the tires tonight,” said Donny Schatz who’s right-rear tire was bald.
“I didn’t think it was going to get that abrasive and rubbered up that early,” said Schatz. “Shane [Stewart] got out there and set a pretty good pace and I was trying to make the bottom work, it felt ok but those guys got away. I moved up and you could feel it – that’s the point you have to decide how hard you want to go. I’m glad I did that because there was no way I was going to be around at the end to have an opportunity to win that race.”
Stewart would eventually lose another position to Tim Kaeding in the No. 3 who took advantage of others misfortunes and drove up through the field from the 12th-starting spot.
“Man, this feels like a win for me,” said Tim Kaeding. “We’ve struggled pretty much all year. To run second with these guys on a rubbered down track like that and not pop a tire, I’m definitely going to enjoy a beer tonight.”
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Thursday, July 6 for a make-up Feature at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, MN before heading off to Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, WI on Saturday and Sunday, July 7 and 8. Tickets for these events can be purchased on WorldofOutlaws.com/Tickets or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
RESULTS FROM DAKOTA STATE FAIR SPEEDWAY:
Feature (29 Laps—shortened due to track conditions): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$10,000]; 2. 3-Tim Kaeding [12][$5,500]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [2][$3,200]; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [7][$2,800]; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [19][$2,500]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$2,300]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [11][$2,200]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [10][$2,100]; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman [1][$2,050]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [14][$2,000]; 11. 82-Thomas Kennedy [16][$1,500]; 12. 49-Brad Sweet [8][$1,200]; 13. 5-David Gravel [6][$1,100]; 14. 17B-Ryan Bickett [15][$1,050]; 15. 2K-Kevin Ingle [20][$1,000]; 16. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$900]; 17. 47-Brant O'Banion [21][$800]; 18. 4-Paul McMahan [4][$800]; 19. 13-Clyde Knipp [18][$800]; 20. 19P-Paige Polyak [9][$800]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [17][$800]; 22. 101-Chuck McGillivray [22][$800]; Lap Leaders: Shane Stewart 1-28, Donny Schatz 29; KSE Hard Charger Award: 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[+14]
Rain Forces Postponement of World of Outlaws Feature at Deer Creek Speedway to July 6
SPRING VALLEY, Minn. — June 29, 2017 —Rain has forced the postponement of the Feature event for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Deer Creek Speedway on Thursday, June 29. Rain began falling a couple of laps into the main event, forcing drivers to the pit area, with rain continuing to fall.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return on Thursday, July 6 to complete the remainder of the Feature event. The USRA Stock Car main event will also be run that evening.
All tickets and pit pass armbands from Thursday, June 29 will be honored on Thursday, July 6 and fans are asked to keep their tickets and armbands.
The start time on Thursday, July 6 will be one hour later, with hot laps at 7:30 p.m.
Rain Forces Postponement of World of Outlaws Feature at Deer Creek Speedway to July 6
SPRING VALLEY, Minn. — June 29, 2017 —Rain has forced the postponement of the Feature event for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Deer Creek Speedway on Thursday, June 29. Rain began falling a couple of laps into the main event, forcing drivers to the pit area, with rain continuing to fall.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return on Thursday, July 6 to complete the remainder of the Feature event. The USRA Stock Car main event will also be run that evening.
All tickets and pit pass armbands from Thursday, June 29 will be honored on Thursday, July 6 and fans are asked to keep their tickets and armbands.
The start time on Thursday, July 6 will be one hour later, with hot laps at 7:30 p.m.
Schatz Scores Win 12 on Return to The Dirt Oval, Where He Won 12 Years Ago
JOLIET, IL — June 27, 2017 — Eight-time champion and current points leader Donny Schatz took the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing No. 15 Arctic Cat machine through the checkers to win the FVP Outlaw Clay Classic at The Dirt Oval at Route 66 Raceway, stealing the lead from Kraig Kinser with only five laps to go. Although Kinser saw his best race of the season to date, Schatz rode him hard, and he ultimately landed in eighth with Kasey Kahne Racing teammates Brad Sweet and Daryn Pittman following Schatz through the checkers.
“Kraig [Kinser] was really good at the start,” said Schatz from Victory Lane. "He took off there on the bottom. I didn’t quite know if the bottom or the top, the middle, what was going to happen. I just had to give a little time for the race car to come in and the tires to get warm. You kind of had to be all over really. It was a guessing game there for a while, and then we had to restart. Being on the outside I kind of felt like I was hung out to dry a little bit, and Brad [Sweet] got by. Obviously they were really good. I think he started a ways back.”
Sweet, who walked away with the KSE Hard Charger Award, started in 13 and worked his way into second. A restart with 13 laps to go saw a three-wide battle for the lead between Kinser, Schatz and Sweet, in which Kinser prevailed, holding the lead for eight more laps, while Sweet and Schatz continued the battle for second with exchanges.
Throughout the race, another tough battle was playing out behind the leaders between Pittman and David Gravel, ending in Pittman’s favor after several exchanges.
Pittman, who set Quick Time at 13.637 second, was the only one in Victory Lane who even ran the Craftsman Club Dash, which was led by Jason Sides and Paul McMahan.
Starting on the pole after winning the Dash, Sides led the first four laps of the Feature as Kinser charged up from midfield in position 11 in some of his finest racing this season.
By Lap 5, Kinser was leading, with Sides and Brian Brown behind him as Schatz and Sweet followed suit, diligently taking on car after car, working their way up, and McMahan was losing ground.
Overall, it an exciting return to the half-mile oval, which last saw true oval-track racing twelve years ago. And while the racing was certainly better this time around, one thing remained the same: the champion. Schatz won at the track on July 8, 2005 during the Series’ last visit. Twelve years later, he scored win number 12 of the season.
Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [8][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [13][$5,500]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$3,200]; 4. 5-David Gravel [6][$2,800]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [1][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [9][$2,300]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$2,200]; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser [11][$2,100]; 9. 41-Jason Johnson [10][$2,050]; 10. 99-Brady Bacon [5][$2,000]; 11. 19-Brent Marks [18][$1,500]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [15][$1,200]; 13. 3-Tim Kaeding [20][$1,100]; 14. 17B-Bill Balog [7][$1,050]; 15. 24-Terry McCarl [16][$1,000]; 16. 59H-Justin Henderson [12][$900]; 17. 1A-Jacob Allen [21][$800]; 18. 27Z-Sean Zemunik [23][$800]; 19. 10V-Matt Vandervere [22][$800]; 20. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$800]; 21. 21-Brian Brown [3][$800]; 22. 4-Paul McMahan [2][$800]; 23. 17A-Austin McCarl [24][$800]; 24. 1M-Danny Lasoski [14][$800]; Lap Leaders: Jason Sides 1-4, Kraig Kinser 5-25, Donny Schatz 26-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 49-Brad Sweet[+11]
Qualifying - 1. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.637; 2. 5-David Gravel, 13.722; 3. 99-Brady Bacon, 13.726; 4. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.782; 5. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.782; 6. 59H-Justin Henderson, 13.819; 7. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.875; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.887; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.93; 10. 17B-Bill Balog, 13.958; 11. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.007; 12. 21-Brian Brown, 14.012; 13. 24-Terry McCarl, 14.076; 14. 1M-Danny Lasoski, 14.113; 15. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.122; 16. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.141; 17. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.166; 18. 18-Ian Madsen, 14.225; 19. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.278; 20. 10V-Matt Vandervere, 14.441; 21. 71-Max McGhee, 14.448; 22. 64-Scott Thiel, 14.466; 23. 17A-Austin McCarl, 14.467; 24. 19-Brent Marks, 14.524; 25. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.544; 26. 3-Tim Kaeding, 14.588; 27. 27Z-Sean Zemunik, 14.65; 28. 51B-Joe B, 14.713; 29. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.747; 30. 23-Russel Borland, 14.758; 31. 7J-Joe Swanson, NT
Caution: Stewart Is on a Streak
BEAVER DAM, WI — June 24, 2017 — In a night full of cautions and chaos, and even a bit of rain after Time Trials, Larson Marks Racing driver Shane Stewart secured a weekend sweep as he took the checkers for the second night in a row, this time at the Jim "JB" Boyd Memorial presented by Karavan Trailers at Beaver Dam Raceway.
Greg Wilson, who led the race for 24 laps, came in just short of the podium as Kerry Madsen charged from the back to come in second with Jason Johnson behind him.
"That was a crazy long race,” said Stewart from Victory Lane as the racing wrapped up near 1:00AM.
It was a night full of hardship at the high-banked third-mile. A bit of rain after Time Trials delayed the racing and made for a challenging surface. A number of cautions during the second Heat had the crowd on the edge of their seats and set the tone for the 40-lap Feature. “They’re picking them off one by one," said a fan in the backstretch grandstand. “There's too much grip. It’s going to be the last man standing."
Greg Wilson came in second in that Heat, in which only four drivers managed to complete all 10 laps, so he was looking at the last row of the Craftsman Club Dash. A full Dash inversion, with a draw of eight, however, moved him to the front, just outside of Donny Schatz, which is just where he started the Feature. Wilson wasn’t about to let that get away from him. He charged out ahead of Schatz in Lap 1.
Schatz got a second chance, just as Stewart got at West Liberty Raceway the night before, but he came out less than victorious.
A caution in Lap 1 forced a re-start, and set the field back to its original position. Jac Haudenschild bit the wall in Turn 2 with the Stenhouse Jr./Wood Racing No. 17 and was out of the race.
Wilson took the lead again on the restart, and Stewart passed Schatz for second in Lap 6, starting a battle between them. Unfortunately, the battle resulted in contact between the two drivers that sent the Arctic Cat No. 15 flying into the air before taking several flips on the backstretch with 33 laps to go. Although the Series champ came out unharmed, he was done for the night.
“I’ve got to say sorry to Donny,” said Stewart from Victory Lane. “I didn’t mean to get into him. I got backed up there a little bit, and I didn’t see him go last minute. He’s definitely the last person that you’d ever want to wreck.”
Sheldon Haudenschild was the next driver to taste the wall. More and more cautions followed, and while Wilson and Stewart battled it out up front, Kerry Madsen and Jason Johnson made themselves busy, climbing lap after lap and taking advantage of every restart.
Madsen had some challenges earlier in the night. He had a strong lead in his Heat when he spun into the wall between Turns 3 and 4, losing a wheel and limping off into the work area while his car was towed. But he refused to be defeated. He went on to win the Last Chance Showdown and make the Feature, where he started in the 21 spot. Yes, 21. And with only two laps to go, there he was, passing Wilson for second.
For Stewart it was a different kind of second: his second win in just two nights, and his second race with new crew chief Lee Stauffer. Asked what Stauffer has brought to the team, Stewart replied, “Confidence. We just lacked a little bit of that. He has a lot of self confidence, and so has brought a lot to the team. He’s a good leader."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series meets up with the Late Model Series next at the Dirt Oval at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, IL for the FVP Outlaw Clay Classic on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 27 and 28. Tickets are still available online.
BEAVER DAM RACEWAY ABBREVIATED RESULTS:
Feature (40 Laps) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$10,000]; 2. 2M-Kerry Madsen [21][$5,500]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [9][$3,200]; 4. W20-Greg Wilson [2][$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$2,500]; 6. 17B-Bill Balog [16][$2,300]; 7. 3-Tim Kaeding [17][$2,200]; 8. 4-Paul McMahan [12][$2,100]; 9. 5-David Gravel [10][$2,050]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$2,000]; 11. 59H-Justin Henderson [13][$1,500]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [23][$1,200]; 13. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [22][$1,100]; 14. 25-Jacob Blackhurst [8][$1,050]; 15. 10W-Scotty Thiel [18][$1,000]; 16. O2-Mike Reinke [11][$900]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [7][$800]; 18. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [20][$800]; 19. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$800]; 20. 19-Brent Marks [24][$800]; 21. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [25][$]; 22. 79-Blake Nimee [15][$800]; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen [19][$800]; 24. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$800]; 25. 17-Jac Haudenschild [6][$800]; Lap Leaders: Greg Wilson 1-24, Shane Stewart 25-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2M-Kerry Madsen[+19]
With a Lot of Skill and a Little Luck, Stewart Locks in West Liberty Win
WEST LIBERTY, IL — June 23, 2017 — Bixby, OK-native Shane Stewart commanded the Larson Marks Racing No. 2 car for 25 laps through the checkers to win the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series debut at the 1/2-mile West Liberty Raceway. Behind him Kasey Kahne Racing driver Brad Sweet fought Jason Johnson for second to round out the podium.
Stewart started the day out strong, qualifying second, but a bit of luck also came into play later that night. At the start of the West Liberty Hawkeye 25 Feature, both Johnson and Sweet got past Stewart, but a caution before the lap was complete forced a reset, giving him a second chance.
“That was my race, honestly,” said Stewart. “I would’ve never passed those guys back if that caution hadn’t come out. I honestly don’t know what the heck happened. I just spun my tires really bad."
This marks the third win of the season and the first this month for Stewart, who came to this event with a new crew chief, Lee Stauffer, at his side and now sits fourth in points standings, just four points past Daryn Pittman.
Behind the leader, Johnson and Sweet fell in line throughout the first half of the race. Ian Madsen made an early run on Pittman for fourth, but some Turn 4 trouble in Lap 12 resulted in a tow off the field and the end of the race for Madsen.
On the restart, Johnson just couldn’t steal the lead from Stewart, and Sweet took advantage of the fumble, charging past him for second. Despite additional restarts, the three crossed the checkers in just that order: Stewart, Sweet, Johnson.
The battle between Stewart and Johnson commenced earlier, in the Craftsman Club Dash, with Stewart successfully stealing the lead for the win — a lead which Johnson had already stolen from Jac “Wild Child” Haudenschild during the Dash Draw.
From the looks — and sound — of it, this was to be the Wild Child’s day. The twittersphere was ablaze all afternoon with news of his commanding the Stenhouse Jr./Wood Racing No. 17 car that night. And despite the many hard feelings aroused by Joey Saldana’s absence, fans rallied behind J. Haudenschild, who answered back with Quick Time in Qualifying, setting the track record with a 15.737.
J. Haudenschild went on to win Heat 1 and was looking pretty great for the Feature until the Dash Inversion came in with a six, for a full-field inversion that set him back to sixth. There would be no win for the No. 17 that night as the Wild Child came in at 16.
Meanwhile, the younger Haudenschild, who started the feature beside his dad, just one position behind, took over dad’s spot to come in sixth, and even held off Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing driver and eight-time Series Champion Donny Schatz for half the race.
As fans rushed to meet their favorite drivers in the Pit area after the race, though, a young boy ran in screaming: “Did you find the Wild Child yet? Did you?"
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series heads to Beaver Dam Raceway next for the Jim "JB" Boyd Memorial presented by Karavan Trailers on Saturday, June 24, 2017. Tickets can still be purchased online.
Traveling in for the show? World of Outlaws fans get 20% off accommodations at a nearby Extended Stay America.
WEST LIBERTY RACEWAY ABBREVIATED RESULTS:
Feature (25 Laps) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$5,500]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [2][$3,200]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [3][$2,800]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [8][$2,500]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [9][$2,300]; 7. 21-Brian Brown [11][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [15][$2,100]; 9. 4-Paul McMahan [10][$2,050]; 10. 5-David Gravel [14][$2,000]; 11. 1M-Danny Lasoski [12][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [13][$1,200]; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser [16][$1,100]; 14. 24-Terry McCarl [21][$1,050]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [20][$1,000]; 16. 17-Jac Haudenschild [6][$900]; 17. 71A-R.J. Johnson [22][$800]; 18. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [17][$800]; 19. 15M-Bobby Mincer [24][$800]; 20. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [19][$800]; 21. 13-Clyde Knipp [23][$800]; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart [18][$800]; 23. 18-Ian Madsen [5][$800]; 24. 6-Carson McCarl [7][$800]; Lap Leaders: Shane Stewart 1-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+7]
Schatz Outduels Johnson for 11th Victory of Season at Granite City Speedway
Sweet charges from 10th for podium finish
SAUX RAPIDS, M.N. —June 20, 2017 — In what looked like it was Jason Johnson’s night at Granite City Speedway, Donny Schatz capitalized on a mid-race restart. Schatz drove under Johnson exiting Turn 4 to get by for the lead. Schatz had to hold off a determined Johnson and the KSE Hard Charger Brad Sweet to pick up his 11th victory of the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car season.
Looking for the clean sweep on the evening, Jason Johnson got the early jump on the 30-lap Feature at Granite City Speedway. Opening up a five-car length lead over the eight-time and defending World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion, Donny Schatz. Just shy of the halfway point of the 30-lap race, a yellow flag was displayed for a slowed Ian Madsen who had a flat tire.
On the ensuing restart, Johnson looked like he was going to pick up where he left off, rocketing out to a quick lead over Schatz. As the field made their way down the backstretch, Johnson choose to enter Turn 3 on the top-side, leaving Schatz the bottom.
“[Schatz] just knew what he needed to do to get by me on that restart,” said Jason Johnson. “We had a car just as fast as his.”
“Races aren’t won on the start, a lot of people never figure that out,” said Donny Schatz. “We just wait for an opportunity. We got a run on [Jason] on the start and we went down the back and he decided to go up top into three and I went where he didn’t and we were able to get by.”
At the same time, Sweet wanted a piece of the action having got by Madsen on the restart for third place.
“The car was really good in the beginning,” said Brad Sweet.
With Schatz out front, Johnson and Sweet were nipping at his heels.
The top-three all within a half-second of each other had to contend with lap traffic the remain half of the race. That didn’t seem to slow them down as the three were trading positions looking to pick up their next win on the season.
“I threw everything I knew I had at [Schatz] to try to get by him,” added Johnson. “We like to win for sure. Anytime you can race with Donny and battle with [Donny], it’s a lot of fun. [Schatz] is one of the cleaner racers out here.”
The final five laps of the race it looked like it could have to gone to Schatz, Johnson or Sweet all trading positions back and forth. Schatz was just able to pick his line and get through heavy lap traffic first to power his way home for his 11th victory of the 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car season.
“I think everything raises the heartrate,” said Donny Schatz in Victory Lane. “There’s a lot of great racers out here right now and they’ve got their game on. These Arctic Cat guys are in the same boat. They work their tails off to be good. We were a lot better earlier in the night – that’s kind of odd, usually we get better as the night goes on. We got the job done and that’s about it.”
Sweet who started on the outside of the fifth row of the Feature, charged his way forward and looked like he had something for both Schatz and Johnson picked up the KSE Hard Charger award.
“Lap cars just didn’t play out or if we got [Johnson], [Johnson] got us back. This NAPA Auto Parts car has been really fast, we put ourselves a little behind tonight but it was nice to drive up in there. If we keep having cars like this, we’ll be able to win some more of these.”
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series heads to West Liberty Raceway on Friday, June 23 for the West Liberty Hawkeye 25. For tickets, visit WorldofOutlaws.com/Tickets.
GRANITE CITY RESULTS:
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$6,000]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$3,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [10][$2,000]; 4. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5][$1,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [11][$1,500]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [9][$1,400]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [6][$1,350]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [15][$1,300]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7][$1,250]; 10. 17-Joey Saldana [3][$1,200]; 11. 4-Paul McMahan [17][$900]; 12. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$800]; 13. W20-Greg Wilson [12][$700]; 14. 19-Brent Marks [20][$650]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8][$600]; 16. 18-Ian Madsen [4][$550]; 17. 3-Tim Kaeding [13][$500]; 18. 91A-Reed Allex [23][$500]; 19. 55-Brooke Tatnell [18][$500]; 20. 13-Clyde Knipp [21][$500]; 21. 19P-Paige Polyak [19][$500]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [16][$500]; 23. 9Z-Jared Goerges [22][$500]; Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-13, Donny Schatz 14-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 49-Brad Sweet[+7]
Gravel Wins Rain-Soaked River Cities SpeedwayAfter three-hour delay,
Gravel held off Madsen for ninth win of season
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — June 17, 2017 — It was Jacob Allen who jumped out to an early lead during the initial start of the Gerdau Recycling Northern Tour. As Allen was coming to complete lap five of the 40-lap race, Allen jumped the cushion in Turn 4 went for a wild flip, bringing out the red flag. During the red-flag stoppage, a passing rain storm hit the Grand Forks, N.D.-area forcing a nearly three-hour stoppage. When the show got back under way, it was Gravel that withstood a couple charges from the No. 2M of Kerry Madsen en route to his ninth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of the 2017 season.
“There’s some crazy fans here,” said David Gravel. “They were standing in the bleachers that had no roof over them in the down-pouring rain. Those guys are diehard; I give them props for sure.”
With weather threatening the River Cities Speedway, the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series was forced to go into hurry up mode in an effort to get night one of the Gerdau Recycling Northern Tour at River Cities Speedway in its entirety. After winning the Craftsman Club Dash, Jacob Allen secured the pole position for the Feature. Jumping out to an early lead over second-place David Gravel, Allen was quickly catching lap traffic early in the race.
“I tried to go to the top because I saw that I was coming up on some lap cars,” said Jacob Allen. “I figured I needed to go up there and see how it was before I got up on [lap cars]. Unfortunately, it was slick up in Turn 4 and [the car] flew into the barrier. I probably should have stuck on the bottom; but I was able to lead my first Outlaws race.”
After getting the track back in racing condition, the field was allotted a couple lap hot lap session. Drivers were turning laps in the nine-second bracket; close to a half-second quicker than lap times that were being turned earlier in the day. When it was time to go, David Gravel and Kerry Madsen led the field to the restart with four-laps complete.
“It’s a bummer it rained,” said David Gravel. “Typically the track is three-grooves top-to-bottom. It was pretty narrow, you just had to try not to make any mistakes.”
David Gravel and Kerry Madsen led the field back to the green. As the field was getting up to speed exiting Turn 4, the No. 41 of Jason Johnson slapped the outside wall with his right-rear tire, sending the field scrambling. Multiple cars, including the No. 4 of Paul McMahan and the No. 3 of Tim Kaeding went for a flip. Both drivers were able to get out under their own power, however, their night was done early.
For the second attempt the field would line up single file. Gravel was able to get another solid jump on Kerry Madsen and put a five-car length gap between the two. That gap closed on lap nine when Madsen and Gravel banged wheels coming off Turn 2; both where able to keep going.
“I drifted up and let Kerry [Madsen] get by me, but we were lucky enough to get right back by him.”
Madsen pounced on lap 19 to get by Gravel on the backstretch, however, Gravel was able to work his way back by the No. 2M.
“We had the car to beat,” said Kerry Madsen. “We got the lead there once, just couldn’t hang onto it good enough, it’s a great result for the team.”
With five laps to go, the field was slowed when Clyde Knipp in the No. 13 slowed on the backstretch.
Again with a single-file restart, Gravel was able to rocket out to a commanding lead and didn’t look back en route to his ninth win of the 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series season.
The Series returns to action on Saturday, June 17 at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, N.D. Fans can purchase tickets by visit the ticket gate or by visiting slspromotions.ticketforce.com.
Larson Parks It at Eagle Raceway
Stenhouse Jr. Wood Racing picks up first Outlaws win
EAGLE, NE — June 14, 2017— After leading 29 of the 30-lap Feature, Daryn Pittman couldn't withstand the late-race charge from Kyle Larson and Shane Stewart. Larson whipped around the top-side of the high-banked third-mile track to go by Pittman en route to win the return of the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series at Eagle Raceway.
When Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series superstars Kyle Larson and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. team up, you get one potent team. During an off day from NASCAR, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. co-owner of Stenhouse Jr. Wood Racing decided to put Monster Energy Cup Series standout, Kyle Larson in a second entry for the Eagle Nationals at Eagle Raceway.
Good friends away from the track, Larson and Stenhouse Jr. also share a special bond, having been really close friends with the late-Bryan Clauson.
Stenhouse Jr. during the off season teamed up with Matt Wood to form Stenhouse Jr. Wood Racing — the team that Clauson raced with before his tragic death in 2016.
When the 24-car field got the green flag, it was Daryn Pittman that got the jump and rocketed out to the lead — a lead that he had to relinquish because of a yellow flag for a spinning Paul McMahan and Jason Johnson. The field would have a complete restart with the yellow coming out before a lap could be completed.
Once the field got back going again, Pittman once again found himself out front, holding off eight-time and defending World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion, Donny Schatz.
Having worked his way up from the sixth starting-spot to inside the top-five at the time of a red flag on Lap 12. It was the No. 2KS and No. 82 who got upside-down in Turn 3; both drivers were able to walk away unscathed.
Back under green, Larson Marks Racing’s Shane Stewart and Kyle Larson put the pressure on second place Donny Schatz. With under 10-laps remaining, both Stewart and Larson were able to get by and set their sights on the leader, Pittman.
“I got racing Shane [Stewart] pretty hard — I have fun racing him,” said Kyle Larson.
Navigating their way through lap traffic through Turns 3 and 4 with less than three laps to go, Stewart stuck to the bottom of the track while Larson went to the top. As the two entered Turn 1, they banged wheels; Larson was able to gain the second position.
With his sights clearly set on the leader, Larson kept his No. 17K wound up on the top-side of the Eagle Raceway to get by Pittman to lead the white flag lap. Larson would go on to win
“We are there [close to a win], unfortunately we just need to finish it out,” said Daryn Pittman. “Second sucks. We haven’t been in the position all year and here we were. [Kyle] ran a good race and we just got beat.”
Clearly a special win for Larson and the Stenhouse Jr. Wood Racing team as Larson paid homage to an old friend, Bryan Clauson in Victory Lane.
“I can’t believe I parked it here, it’s pretty cool. I think this is this team’s first win, so happy to be a part of that.”
Larson joked in Victory Lane that he had three crew chief’s at Eagle, Ricky Stehouse Jr., Tyler Swank and David Fero, a crew member on his No. 42 NASCAR entry.
This win marks the first Outlaws win for the newly formed Stenhouse Jr. Wood Racing. This is Larson’s firth overall World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win; first since 2013 and his first Outlaws win outside of his home state of California.
Second to None: Kerry Madsen Wins Night 2 of AGCO Jackson Nationals
By: Tony Veneziano
JACKSON, Minn. — June 2, 2017 — Kerry Madsen was part of a historic finish on the opening night of the 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series at Jackson Motorplex, finishing second to his brother Ian, which made them the first-ever Australian-born brothers to finish 1-2 in an Outlaws race. K. Madsen felt as if he didn’t get the job done, though on Thursday night. He made up for the near-miss on Friday night, leading flag-to-flag in the 25-lap main event to earn his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win of the season and the 20th of his career.
Madsen withstood a trio of yellow flags and one red flag period en route to the win. For the native of St. Marys, NSW, Australia, who now calls Knoxville, Iowa home, it was his second win of the season at Jackson Motorplex, which is owned by his car owner, Tod Quiring.
“The car was working everywhere until we lost the front wing, then we lost our front downforce,” said Madsen. “I had to run not as hard as I wanted to going into (turn) one and gave up a lot of speed there. I just kept watching the front wing and it was still on so, I kept trying harder. I saw Kraig and thought, ‘Oh no,’ but I saw the lapped traffic and knew if I could get to the outside of the lapped traffic it would block the lane and I would be okay. I was just hanging on at the end and it was a handful in (turn) one and two. It was great to get the job done tonight.”
Madsen, who entered the night as the overall event point leader, put himself in a very solid position to go for a repeat in the AGCO Jackson Nationals, which he won for the first time last season.
“This track is all about being in the right place and being in the right line,” explained Madsen. “You can’t just stick to a line. You have to constantly search and keeping your eye out. It’s going to take 30 good laps to be in contention again tomorrow.”
Madsen started on the pole Friday night and jumped to an early lead, when the red flag flew for his brother, getting upside in turns three and four on the opening lap. On the complete restart, K. Madsen again jumped to a lead, with Jason Johnson in second. Johnson tried a huge slide job, going for the lead on the lap-5 and spun, which brought out the caution. Madsen chose the low side of the track each time on double file restarts, with Kraig Kinser lining on the outside and was able to open a quick gap each time.
Kinser was able to pull alongside Madsen coming off turn four with five laps to go, but the latter was able to pull away on the front straightaway to retain the lead. Kinser, who started sixth, earned his best World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series finish of the season in second.
“I was trying to follow him and stay as close as I could in (turns) one and two,” said Kinser. “He was pretty good in one and two and always kept a little gap. The closer I got to him the worse the handling got, going through those bumps. I had a couple of chances at him, but he kept motoring around. The little bit I could gain in (turns) three and four he just motored down the straightaway and kept it nice and straight. It was tough and I was going to need some help. I saw traffic down low and knew I probably wasn’t going to get him.”
Brad Sweet finished third for the second straight night. After having trouble in the dash, he lined up eighth and found himself in third by the fifth lap of the race. He was able to gain some ground on Kinser in the middle stages of the race, but in the late going fell back a bit.
“We just have to keep working on it,” said Sweet. “Kerry (Madsen) is fast. We had that problem in the dash and that set us back. It’s nice to come from eighth to third. We got to third pretty quick and I thought we may have something for those guys. My car just didn’t feel as good those last few laps. We’ll take some good notes tonight and the big night is tomorrow night. I think we are in a good position and have had a solid two nights and should be in the top-four in points. We’ll come back tomorrow night”
Donny Schatz finished fourth for the second consecutive night, with Jason Sides rounding out the top-five. Daryn Pittman crossed the line sixth, followed by Shane Stewart in seventh. Stewart, who started 20th picked up the KSE Hard Charger Award. David Gravel was eighth, with Joey Saldana ninth and Johnson rebounding from the early spin to charge back through the field to finish 10th.
The 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals wraps up on Saturday, June 3 with a $25,000-to-win main event for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series.
Tickets for the remaining two nights of the 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, along with the Upper Midwest Sprint Car Series (UMSS), Midwest Sprint Touring Series (MSTS), Nebraska 360 Sprint Series and the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars at the Jackson Motorplex can be purchased online at slspromotions.ticketforce.com and at the track.
Brotherly Battle: Ian Wins Battle of Madsen Brothers on opening night of 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals
JACKSON, MN — June 1, 2017 — The Madsen brothers are nothing short of exciting every time they strap into a sprint car. The intensity level is often ratcheted up even more when they are racing each other for a win. They lived up to this moniker Thursday on the opening night of the 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series. While younger brother Ian led all 25 laps of the main event, older brother Kerry gave him a run for his money, especially on a late-race double file restart.
Ian fended off Kerry on that restart, which saw the elder brother get a monster run on the high side of the track heading down the front straightaway. As the laps wound down, the leaders encountered lapped traffic, with Kerry closing back in on Ian, nearly stealing a win on the last lap. The finale margin of victory was a scant three-tenths-of-a-second.
“When you come to race with the World of Outlaws, the double-file restarts are always tough,” said Ian Madsen. “It’s pretty cutthroat and can go either way. You have to give it your all. I’m really thankful we could get the job done tonight. We’ve had an awesome car lately and have been strong with the World of Outlaws all years. It’s great to finally get one.”
The race started with I. Madsen on the pole, quickly jumping out to a lead before a caution with four laps in the books. On the ensuing double-file restart, I. Madsen chose the low side of the track. David Gravel actually took the lead in turns one and two on that restart, but a red flag, before that lap was completed, kept I. Madsen in the lead for the next restart, which was single-file.
The win was Madsen’s second with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, with the first coming in 2013 at Deer Creek Speedway, also in Minnesota.
“Jackson is kind of like a home track for us,” said Ian Madsen. “We gave a lot of friends, fans and supporters of the KPC team here tonight. I can’t thank my team enough. This is awesome. Minnesota is kind of close to home and I really like the tracks. Thanks to Tod (Quiring) and everyone for putting this event on. Hopefully it gets bigger and bigger each year.”
Kerry Madsen, the defending winner of the AGCO Jackson Nationals, started third and had a torrid battle in the early going with David Gravel, before moving into second behind his brother. Kerry had a strong car on the top side of the half-mile and used this to his advantage to keep pace with brother as the laps wound down.
“That last restart, I was thinking, ‘You gave me the top’ and I got a good run,” said Kerry Madsen. “I thought I was going to get him, but just didn’t quite have it. That last corner, the last lap, I thought I had position and kind of wished I had gone in there a little harder and maybe was a little forceful. I just didn’t get it done, but the Go Muddy/AGCO car was great. This car is a rocket ship right now and it’s fun to drive and I am enjoying every minute of it.”
Brad Sweet finished third aboard his No. 49 NAPA machine for Kasey Kahne Racing. Sweet lined up sixth and worked his way into the top-five in the early going. He used a couple of strong restarts to gain spots on his way to a podium finish.
“It’s fun watching the Madsen brothers up there,” said Sweet. “Kerry definitely gave his brother a run for his money. I guess he had to make his little bro work for it. The key was to get through this first night. Our NAPA car has been fast, so we’ll come the next two nights and hopefully can get a win.”
Current series point leader Donny Schatz finished fourth in the Arctic Cat machine for Tony Stewart Racing, while Danny Lasoski rounded out the top-five. David Gravel, who ran among the lead pack in the early going, ended up sixth, after nearly getting into the wall coming off turn four, battling for the second spot. Jason Sides was seventh, with Tim Kaeding eighth, while Sheldon Haudenschild came from 16th to ninth. Shane Stewart rounded out the top-10.
The 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals continues on Friday, June 2, with another complete race program for all three sprint car classes.
Tickets for the remaining two nights of the 39th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, along with the Upper Midwest Sprint Car Series (UMSS), Midwest Sprint Touring Series (MSTS), Nebraska 360 Sprint Series and the RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars at the Jackson Motorplex can be purchased online at slspromotions.ticketforce.com or at the track.
Stewart Beats the Boss at Lawrenceburg Speedway
Larson charges from sixth for runner-up finish
LAWRENCEBURG, IN. — May 29, 2017 — In an action-packed 35-lap Feature at the Lawrenceburg Speedway, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standout and Larson Marks Racing team owner, Kyle Larson used a line that no one dared to run, enabling him to the lead with over 10-laps remaining. A mistake in traffic by Larson allowed his driver, Shane Stewart to get back by his Boss in lap-traffic for his second World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of the 2017 season at Lawrenceburg Speedway.
The fans at Lawrenceburg Speedway were treated to one of the best World of Outlaws races of the season. It was a day that had everything from, slide-job passes, several lead changes, drama and much more.
“Man, that was blast,” said Kyle Larson. “I hope you [fans] enjoyed that because that was awesome from my seat. That was one of the most intense Sprint Car races I’ve ran.”
With three-time Lawrenceburg Speedway winner, Donny Schatz starting on the front row of the 35-lap Feature, he knew he had to contend with some heavy-hitter drivers in the field such as Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, David Gravel, Shane Stewart and the rest of the 25-car field.
2016 Lawrenceburg Speedway winner, Shane Stewart started the day off on the wrong foot. During hot laps, the team found an oil leak, but wasn’t able to find the cause. The Larson Marks Racing team decided to change the powerplant on the No. 2 machine for precautionary reasons.
During the opening lap of the Feature event, Schatz rocketed out front but he was quickly challenged by Stewart, who started the race in the fourth position.
Schatz was able to hold the lead for the opening six laps, until the leaders got into slower lap traffic. Stewart, running second, was able to pounce on Schatz and overtake the No. 15 machine for the lead. The two would run side-by-side until the only yellow flag of the event was displayed on lap 13.
Stewart would hold the lead for the restart with Schatz in second. Kyle Larson who had started the event in the ninth spot had worked his way up to the sixth position.
A great restart by Larson propelled him from sixth to fourth but he didn’t settle there as he quickly worked his way up to the runner-up position.
“I found a line just before the caution, running just above the cushion in Turns 1 and 2 and do a little bit of the same in Turns 3 and 4; was able to get to the lead like that,” added Larson.
Larson Marks Racing co-owner didn’t take it easy on his driver, as the No. 57 of Larson and the No. 2 of Stewart came together battling for the lead in turn two.
“I feel like I race [Shane] harder, it’s always fun racing Shane,” said Larson.
“I was just out there for a cool drive, until [Larson] came up,” said Stewart. “I was shocked when [Larson] went by me up [top]; its Kyle Larson, what can you say?”
Larson would get by the No. 2 of Stewart for a couple laps as the two approached lap traffic.
“I got to lead there and made a mistake in traffic and [Shane] got back by,” said Larson. “I cut across [the cushion] a little too soon and got in the holes and starting bouncing, that was what allowed Shane to get back by me. I knew I showed [Shane] my line and what I was doing so it was going to be tough to get back by him. We had a couple more opportunities at [Shane] but we just ran out of time, but that how’s racing goes. I can’t wait to race Sprint Cars some more.”
After getting back by his Boss in lap traffic, Stewart was able to put a lap car between him and the No. 57 of Larson on the white flag lap giving Stewart the separation he needed to go on to repeat as winner at Lawrenceburg Speedway.
“It was fun racing against my car owner, definitely a fun race. I always enjoy coming here. The guys gave me a great car; they work endless hours to keep this car fast. I’m just the lucky man that gets to drive it.”
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action for three-nights at the The 39thAnnual AGCO Jackson Nationals at the Jackson Motorplex in Jackson, MN on Thursday, June 1 – 3. Tickets can be purchased online at slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023.
Lawrenceburg Speedway Results:
Feature (35 Laps): 1. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$10,000]; 2. 57-Kyle Larson [9][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [10][$2,800]; 5. 4-Paul McMahan [2][$2,500]; 6. 24-Rico Abreu [11][$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [5][$2,200]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$2,100]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [3][$2,050]; 10. 5-David Gravel [19][$2,000]; 11. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [12][$1,500]; 12. 49X-Tim Shaffer [13][$1,200]; 13. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$1,100]; 14. 10H-Chad Kemenah [15][$1,050]; 15. 17-Joey Saldana [8][$1,000]; 16. A67-Brandon Wimmer [20][$900]; 17. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [14][$800]; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser [22][$800]; 19. 7S-Jason Sides [23][$800]; 20. 3-Tim Kaeding [21][$800]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [18][$800]; 22. 67-Christopher Bell [17][$800]; 23. 99-Brady Bacon [16][$800]; 24. 12N-Cole Duncan [24][$800]; 25. 19-Brent Marks [25][$800];Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-6; Shane Stewart 7-22, 25-35; Kyle Larson 23-24; KSE Hard Charger Award: 5-David Gravel[+9]
Schuchart Shines Bright in Charlotte
Schuchart wins third Outlaws race of 2017
CONCORD, N.C. — May 26, 2017 — After starting in the third position for the Outlaw Showdown at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the 30-lap Feature event, Logan Schuchart had a scare just before the half-way mark of the race. When Schuchart he attempted a slide job on the leader Brad Sweet, he overshot the attempt, forcing him up to the wall. Still managing to continue on, Schuchart would get another opportunity as the field came to the white flag, Schuchart would slip by Sweet for the lead. The driver of the No. 1s machine would round the final circuit of the 4/10-mile clay-oval en route to his third win of the 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series season.
Earlier this week, the Shark Racing team of Logan Schuchart and Jacob Allen put out a cry for help on social media for the second time this season looking for a way to get their two-car operation to the racetrack. After getting help from the racing industry friends, the two-car team showed up at New Egypt Speedway just as the Heats were getting underway. Schuchart would eventually qualify for the Feature event through the Last Chance Showdown and go on to finish 12th from the 24th-starting spot.
“We got a lot of people that stand behind us and that put these racecars on the track,” said Logan Schuchart. “I just have a lot to be thankful for just to be in this position, [to] race in Charlotte and with the World of Outlaws.”
Fast forward three-days and the No. 1s of Logan Schuchart not only made it to Charlotte (thanks to the help from their newly-repaired toterhome) but he and the Shark Racing team ended the night by standing in Victory Lane, grabbing his third win of the 2017 season.
When the field got the green flag for the 30-lap Feature at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway, it was the Brad Sweet show looking to cap off the sweep, having won quick time, his Heat race and the Craftsman Club Dash. Rocketing out to a big lead, Sweet worked the top-groove as he caught the tail end of the 24-car field.
Schuchart would had started third in the Feature event threw a slide job in turns three and four on Kraig Kinser for second place as the field came to complete lap five. Schuchart would set his sights on the No. 49 NAPA Auto Parts entry of Sweet as they both picked their way through lap traffic. On lap 11, Schuchart attempted another slide job that failed to stick, causing him to tag the outside turn two wall.
“I thought we had a chance at Brad [Sweet] earlier in the race and I tried to slide him but my throttle stuck and ran me way too far into the corner,” said Logan Schuchart. “We actually got into the wall and I think we bent a wheel.”
Still able to continue, Sweet opened up the gap over Schuchart as the laps ticked away.
The Hanover, PA-driver made one-final attempt at Sweet as the two exited turn four; Schuchart made this attempt stick and would hold off Sweet and Daryn Pittman for his third win of the season.
“Winning in Charlotte, North Carolina in front of all these fans, is what makes our sport,” added Schuchart. “You fans in the stands is what make us come out and continue to do what we do, thank you,” exclaimed Schuchart.
“Overall tonight was good for us,” stated Brad Sweet who won quick time, his heat race and the Craftsman Club Dash. “I just got stuck behind those lap cars, that’s where you win or lose these races. Hats off to that team; Logan drove a great race.
The 2016 Outlaw Showdown winner, Greg Wilson made up 10 position in the Outlaw Showdown Feature event to bring home another top-five at Charlotte and earn the KSE Hard Charger award.
Clyde Knipp had an impressive run at Charlotte, bringing his No. 13 machine home in 16th place, a career run for the California-MO driver.
Logan Schuchart’s teammate, Jacob Allen gave Shark Racing two top-10 finishes on the evening by finishing in the ninth position.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will make the trek north to Lawrenceburg, IN for a Memorial Day special on Monday, May 29 at Lawrenceburg Speedway. For tickets, visit WorldofOutlaws.com/Tickets.
The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway Results:
Feature (30 Laps) : 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$12,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$5,700]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$3,500]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$3,000]; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [15][$2,600]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2][$2,400]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,300]; 8. 5-David Gravel [11][$2,200]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [8][$2,150]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$2,100]; 11. 49X-Tim Shaffer [10][$1,600]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [19][$1,350]; 13. 22-Cole Duncan [13][$1,300]; 14. 41-Jason Johnson [9][$1,200]; 15. 7K-Cale Conley [12][$1,100]; 16. 13-Clyde Knipp [21][$1,000]; 17. 44-Trey Starks [20][$900]; 18. 17-Joey Saldana [14][$850]; 19. 7S-Jason Sides [18][$800]; 20. 4S-Danny Smith [23][$800]; 21. 47-Eric Riggins [22][$800]; 22. 71M-Dave Blaney [16][$800]; 23. 4-Paul McMahan [17][$800]; 24. 1-Zach Ames [24][$800]; Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-28, Logan Schuchart 29-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+10]
David Gravel Victorious at New Egypt Speedway
Pittman’s winning streak comes to an end
NEW EGYPT, N.J. – May 24, 2017 – David Gravel continued his east coast dominance Wednesday night at New Egypt Speedway by picking up his third win in the last four World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series races and his eighth-overall win for the 2017 season. Gravel, no stranger to the D-shaped clay oval, cut his teeth in Sprint Car racing at New Egypt in his URC Sprint Car.
“I’m glad I could win in front of everybody here that came out to watch me,” Gravel said. “I have to thank Barry, Derek and Zack for working hard to give me a good car; I just have to do my part.”
Jason Johnson and Gravel led the 24-car field to the green flag to start the 30-lap Feature. Gravel dove into turn one and came out of turn two as the new leader on the initial start and never looked back.
The first caution of the night was brought out on lap six for a slow Tyler Ross.
Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet put pressure on Johnson for second on the restart as they went three-wide going into turn one. Sweet came out on top as he pulled away in second.
Dave Blaney, Jason Sides and Davey Sammons went upside-down in turns one and two, bringing out the red flag on lap seven. All drivers were okay. The four-time defending race winner Daryn Pittman was also involved, causing wing damage and a broken front axle.
After spending time in the work area, Sides, Pittman and Sammons were able to rejoin the back of the field. Blaney suffered too much damage to return.
After the field got going again, Gravel was able to get back out front and hold a steady lead over Sweet until they caught lapped traffic on lap 14.
Gravel maneuvered his way through the lapped cars smoothly until Sweet and Schatz started the second and third-place cars a glimmer of hope.
With four laps remaining. Schatz dove under Sweet going into turn one and took away the second spot by the time he exited for the back stretch.
Schatz then set his sights on Gravel but only to have a lapped car act has a pick as they exited the final turn.
“I’m sure he was close,” mentioned Gravel about Schatz. “I really couldn’t do anything. It was a pretty narrow track but I just tried not to slip up. I don’t know if he was running high or low. I was trying to be patient in lap traffic.”
Gravel crossed the line and took the victory over Schatz, Sweet, Shane Stewart and Jason Johnson. Gravel is red-hot on the east coast having won three races in the last week.
“It’s been a great year and hopefully we keep doing this,” Gravel noted.
The 2016 defending World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Champion, Schatz, felt his car wasn’t good enough to beat Gravel.
“We got there in traffic but that’s what it was going to take to win the race,” Schatz said. “The lap cars were pretty tough to get around. He was better than we were in the open. You’re not going to win these races anymore if you’re not a very good car and we just haven’t seem to get that right rear feel. We’ll keep working on it.”
Sweet, the third-place finisher, was happy with his performance in his No. 49 machine despite rough track conditions.
“There were some holes out there and lap traffic and that’s what easily wins or loses it,” Sweet added. “We were right there on David and tried to move up a little bit but there wasn’t much up there. David did a good job and just kind of managed the race and kept his car out front in the right position.”
Shark Racing ran into hauler troubles heading to New Egypt, forcing them to arrive late. Logan Schuchart tagged on to the back of the heat race while Jacob Allen’s car arrived later and made it just in time for the Last Chance Showdown. Schuchart transferred to the feature through the Last Chance Showdown from last place and finished in a solid 12th-place, grabbing the KSE Hard Charger Award in the process.
Pittman, who had won the last four races at New Egypt, was set to start ninth in the third heat and immediately went pit side to change an engine after trailing oil on the track. Pittman finished second in the Last Chance Showdown to transfer into the Feature. He was then tangled up in an early wreck, damaging the wing and breaking the front axle. Pittman made it back out and finished 14th.
Donny Schatz kicked off the night with the fastest time in time trials with a time of 13.422. Heat races went to Stewart, Shaffer and Gravel. Johnson won the Craftsman Club Dash and Jason Sides won the Last Chance Showdown.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Friday, May 26 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte for the Outlaw Showdown. Last year saw Greg Wilson find his way to the big stage under the lights over Shane Stewart and Cole Duncan.
New Egypt Speedway Results:
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 5-David Gravel [2][$6,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$3,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$2,000]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [6][$1,800]; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$1,500]; 6. 37-J.J. Grasso [11][$1,400]; 7. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5][$1,350]; 8. 4-Paul McMahan [7][$1,300]; 9. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [8][$1,250]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [10][$1,200]; 11. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [13][$900]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [24][$800]; 13. 17-Joey Saldana [9][$700]; 14. 9-Daryn Pittman [20][$650]; 15. 7-Kyle Reinhardt [18][$600]; 16. 13D-Danny Dietrich [12][$550]; 17. 89-Robbie Stillwagon [14][$500]; 18. 7S-Jason Sides [19][$500]; 19. 11K-Kraig Kinser [16][$500]; 20. 747-Davey Sammons [21][$500]; 21. 27Z-Sean Zemunik [23][$500]; 22. 71M-Dave Blaney [15][$500]; 23. 5R-Tyler Ross [17][$500]; 24. W20-Greg Wilson [22][$500]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+12]
Stewart Stands Tall At Morgan Cup Win
Earns First Career Williams Grove Win
Shane Stewart started on the pole for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Morgan Cup at Williams Grove Speedway, but didn’t lead the opening lap. Instead, he battled with PA Posse driver TJ Stutts of Liverpool, PA and used a slide job in turns one and two to take the lead on a lap 11 restart. From there, Stewart held off Stutts and then Daryn Pittman on a pair of restarts over the final 10 laps to earn his first career Williams Grove win and his first Outlaw victory of the 2017 season.
“You don’t even know what it means to me to finally get here in Victory Lane,” Stewart said in Victory Lane. “I know the East Coast isn’t always kind to me, but I am very happy and going to cherish this win.”
Stewart earned the pole after winning the Craftsman Club Dash and led the field to the green flag with Stutts on the outside of the front row. It was Stutts who grabbed the lead by the time the two drivers had raced turn three. The top two quickly broke away from a third-place battle between Outlaw rookie Sheldon Haudenschild and Tim Shaffer of Aliquippa, PA. Shaffer took the spot on lap seven when Haudenschild spun at the bottom of turn one, but kept his foot in the gas and continued without incident despite losing five positions.
The battle for the lead gained momentum as Stewart closed on Stutts and on lap 10 moved to the outside lane to setup a pass. A lap later, Stewart appeared to have enough steam in the outside lane to take the lead, but Stutts led by 0.002 seconds at the line, just as the first caution of the race waved when Haudenschild spun to a stop at the top of turn three.
On the restart, Stewart made the race-winning move when he dove to the bottom of the track and slid in front of Stutts to drive off turn two with the lead.
“I didn’t get a break on the initial start of the Feature and I told myself that if TJ took the bottom, I actually thought the top was going to be better,” Stewart said. “It just worked out really well for us. Man, clean air makes everything and makes a big difference.”
Stewart ran the rest of the race in clean air as the top pairing never had the chance to wade into lapped traffic. The second caution of the race waved at lap 15 when Brent Marks and Brian Montieth made contact and tangled together at the top of turn two, ending the night for both drivers.
Stewart kept the field at bay when the green waved and again on a lap 21 restart. Meanwhile, Pittman darted from eighth to fourth on the latter restart before jumping into second on the final restart with seven laps to go. He earned his second runner-up finish of the week, finishing 2.044 seconds behind Stewart’s Larson Marks Racing No.2.
“I had such a good car on restarts that every time we went green, my car had the right attitude,” Pittman said following the race. “Everybody seemed to be a little rolled up down there on the start in turns three and four and I could get by a couple guys every time.”
Stewart cruised over the final five laps on his way to the victory, which he celebrated in Victory Lane with his fiancée Jenn, daughter Nixon and the Larson Marks Racing crew.
“It means a lot to me,” Stewart said. “I know that the rivalry here is out of this world, which I appreciate. I love the enthusiasm and the Pennsylvania fans.”
The track was an interesting mix of tacky and dry slick throughout the night, conditions that were unusual for Williams Grove, Pittman said.
“I’ve seen this place about every which way that’s an option, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it quite like it was tonight,” Pittman explained. “It was definitely different. I’ve never seen a wet strip a car length and a half off the bottom stay that long throughout the night. It was the dominant way around.”
During Pittman’s charge forward, Shaffer worked past Stutts to maintain the third spot and earn a third-place finish, equaling the best results of PA Posse drivers Danny Dietrich and Freddie Rahmer earlier in the week.
“Last night we missed it there at the beginning and it killed us,” Shaffer said, “but tonight we did the right things and put ourselves in position (to contend) and we’re on the front straightaway.”
Lance Dewease of Fayetteville, PA and Outlaw driver Logan Schuchart completed the top-five following a spirited battle for fourth in the closing laps.
Jason Johnson set quick time to start the night with a lap of 16.402 seconds, less than three-tenths of a second off the track record of 16.140 set by Brian Paulus on April 26, 2002. He was the 25th of 37 drivers to take time. Johnson followed with a heat race win. Dewease, Schuchart and Jason Sides were the other heat winners, while Marks won the Last Chance Showdown.
The Outlaws now travel north for the Empire State Challenge at Weedsport (NY) Speedway on Sunday, May 21. Fans who can’t make it to the track can watch live pay-per-view video coverage on DIRTvision.
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Williams Grove Speedway, PA; May 20, 2017
Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1][$17,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [12][$5,700]; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer [4][$3,500]; 4. 69K-Lance Dewease [7][$3,000]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$2,600]; 6. 11-T.J. Stutts [2][$2,400]; 7. 20-Ryan Taylor [9][$2,300]; 8. 5-David Gravel [10][$2,200]; 9. 41-Jason Johnson [8][$2,150]; 10. 49-Brad Sweet [20][$2,100]; 11. 1-Dale Blaney [14][$1,600]; 12. 48-Danny Dietrich [15][$1,350]; 13. 24-Lucas Wolfe [19][$1,300]; 14. 15-Donny Schatz [16][$1,200]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [6][$1,100]; 16. 88-Brandon Rahmer [22][$1,000]; 17. 17-Joey Saldana [11][$900]; 18. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$850]; 19. 44-Trey Starks [18][$800]; 20. 39M-Anthony Macri [24][$800]; 21. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$800]; 22. 27-Greg Hodnett [17][$800]; 23. 19-Brent Marks [21][$800]; 24. 21-Brian Montieth [23][$800]. Lap Leaders: T.J. Stutts 1-11, Shane Stewart 12-30. KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman [+10].
Gravel Leads Flag-To-Flag For Williams Grove Win
Second Straight Victory For CJB MotorsportsDavid Gravel withstood a late surge from Donny Schatz and a pair of restarts with less than five laps remaining to kickoff the weekend with a Spring Classic win at Williams Grove Speedway on Friday night.
Gravel started on the pole for the 25-lap main event after winning the Craftsman Club Dash and led flag-to-flag even despite restarts with three and four laps remaining in the main event. It was the second win of the week in Central Pennsylvania for the Watertown, CT native who also won at Lincoln Speedway on Wednesday. It was also Gravel’s seventh victory of the season.
“It’s definitely huge to win in PA at all,” Gravel said. “To win Lincoln and Williams Grove is really good. We have to enjoy this a little bit tonight, but tomorrow’s a new day. We’re really happy with where we’re at right now and we’ll keep moving forward.”
After timing second quick in Flight B Qualifying and second in his heat, Gravel was scheduled to roll off eighth for the dash in his CJB Motorsports No.5, but an eight inversion draw put him on the pole and he never looked back, scoring wins in the Dash and Feature just as he did Wednesday night at Lincoln.
“I’m definitely lucky right now,” Gravel concluded. “I need to play the lottery or something. It’s just one of those things where when it goes your way, it goes your way. Last year, Daryn Pittman got a lot of draws that went his way and right now it’s our time. It goes in phases. It’s a long, long season and we’ll take it when we can.”
Gravel brought the field to the green flag for the main event with Brad Sweet starting on the outside of the front row aboard his Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb No.49. Gravel jumped to an early lead while fifth-starting Schatz overtook Daryn Pittman for fourth on lap two. The caution waved one lap later when Lucas Wolfe and Joey Saldana spun and stopped against the turn three wall.
An 18-lap green flag run followed allowed Gravel to extend his lead to 1.806 seconds over Sweet by lap 10. However, it withered away when Gravel caught lapped traffic at the halfway mark and Sweet began close the gap. Right behind the two leaders, Schatz worked past Greg Hodnett for the second time in the race to acquire the third spot.
With six laps remaining, Gravel struggled to find a line around the slower can of Jason Sides. That allowed Schatz to catch the two leaders and the reigning series champion took second from Sweet with four laps to go.
Two more cautions with four laps to go kept Gravel on his toes, but he rode the cushion flawlessly on the outside of the speedway, disabling any of Schatz’s attempts to take the lead.
“That’s just typical lapped traffic,” Gravel said. “You get caught up and you have to pass some guys before the second-place guy passes you. I got by Sides and I actually thought I was pretty good. I probably didn’t want a yellow. After I got past Sides, I thought I would be able to work the lapped cars pretty good and then the yellow came out. I got a good restart and then the yellow came out again. I didn’t want that second yellow, but it worked out and we held on.”
Schatz felt that if the yellow flag had not waved with four laps to go, he would have had a chance to catch and pass Gravel for the $8,000 payday.
“Everything we run is longer races so you have to be prepared for the end,” Schatz said, explaining his surge over the final 10 laps.” That’s what you shoot for – trying to be good at the end of the race and we were definitely good at the end of the race. We just didn’t need to see that yellow (with four laps to go). When you get traffic, you force (the leader) to move out of their line and that’s what we needed. When the yellow came out, I knew it was going to take a miracle.”
The miracle didn’t happen for Schatz as Gravel executed flawlessly on the pair of single-file restarts by running the fast top lane and by taking away Schatz’s preferred corner entry.
For Freddie Rahmer, the third-place finish was worth celebrating. Rahmer was the top finishing Pennsylvania Posse member ahead of Hodnett, who finished fifth. He felt he may have had something for Schatz if he could have changed one of his last-race restarts.
“I couldn’t do anything in (turns) three and four because Donny was where my car was the best,” Rahmer said. “Just the way it played out, we ran third. I think we’re fast enough to win, we just need a different scenario.”
Joey Saldana was the night’s overall fast qualifier with a lap of 16.639 seconds. He also picked up a heat race win along with Rahmer, Schatz and Pittman. Logan Schuchart earned the KSE Hard Charger award for advancing from 18th to 11th.
The Outlaws remain at Williams Grove for Saturday’s Morgan Cup. Drivers are expecting significantly different track conditions with an expected temperature drop to the mid-60s on Saturday from the high-80s on Friday.
“The track was really heavy for how warm it was,” Gravel said. “We’ll see. Tomorrow’s going to be cooler, but the track might be slick or it might be even heavier than tonight.”
Saturday’s Morgan Cup at Williams Grove will once again be available via live pay-per-view on DIRTvision.
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Williams Grove Speedway, PA; May 19, 2017
Feature (25 Laps) - 1. 5-David Gravel [1][$8,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [5][$4,000]; 3. 51-Freddie Rahmer [7][$2,500]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$2,200]; 5. 27-Greg Hodnett [3][$2,100]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$2,000]; 7. 21-Brian Montieth [13][$1,800]; 8. 69K-Lance Dewease [12][$1,600]; 9. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [6][$1,500]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [11][$1,300]; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart [18][$1,200]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [15][$1,100]; 13. 2-Shane Stewart [17][$1,000]; 14. 41-Jason Johnson [14][$700]; 15. 4-Paul McMahan [20][$600]; 16. 1-Dale Blaney [16][$600]; 17. 17B-Steve Buckwalter [19][$600]; 18. 11-T.J. Stutts [22][$600]; 19. 48-Danny Dietrich [10][$600]; 20. 44-Trey Starks [21][$600]; 21. 7S-Jason Sides [24][$600]; 22. 24-Lucas Wolfe [9][$600]; 23. 71M-Dave Blaney [23][$600]; 24. 17-Joey Saldana [8][$600]
Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-25
KSE Hard Charger Award: Logan Schuchart +7 (18th to 11th)
David Gravel Dominates at Lincoln for Gettysburg Clash Win
Earns First Career Lincoln Win
ABBOTTSTOWN, PA – May 17, 2017 – David Gravel dominated the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Gettysburg Clash at Lincoln Speedway on Wednesday night, leading all 35 laps of the Feature at the historic 3/8-mile track to take the checkered flag 6.501 seconds ahead of runner-up finisher Daryn Pittman.
The Feature win completed a perfect night for Gravel. The Watertown, CT driver was quickest in Flight A Time Trials before winning his Heat and the Craftsman Club Dash to earn the pole and eventually the Feature triumph that lifted the Outlaws over the Pennsylvania Posse in the first rivalry race of the season. It was both Gravel’s first career win at Lincoln and his sixth of the season with the Outlaws.
“It’s definitely huge,” Gravel said following his win. “World of Outlaws guys do not win many Outlaw shows in PA, so to win here is great, at a track that I haven’t really been good at in the past. To do that is awesome, to get our sixth win is awesome.”
“You never know when your next win will be and it’s been a couple weeks, so it’s good to get another one and keep clicking them off. Hopefully this momentum carries on to Williams Grove.”
Gravel used his pole starting position to jump out to an early lead over second-starting Pittman until the only caution of the race came on lap two when Freddie Rahmer of Salfordville, PA spun and stopped at the bottom of turn two.
Gravel enjoyed an open track for eight laps following the restart, but worked his way into lapped traffic on lap 10. The often side-by-side racing around the track created a number of challenges for the leaders as they worked through the field.
“It was real difficult just because I didn’t know what kind of lead I had,” Gravel said. “I got through the first couple lapped cars really well, but after that I didn’t know if guys were catching me or not. It was really tough to judge. I didn’t know I had a huge lead. It was just one of those things where I had to keep pushing forward and keep getting lapped cars behind me.”
Behind Gravel, it was local favorite Danny Dietrich of nearby Gettysburg, PA who worked his way past Brad Sweet and then Pittman to take second on lap 17. Dietrich was unable to gain any ground on Gravel to challenge for the lead while he battled the traffic.
“I got to second and couldn’t get any help at all from lapped cars,” Dietrich said. “It’s unfortunate because I thought we were fast enough to run with Gravel, but never got the opportunity.”
Dietrich held second until the final lap, when he made a daring move in turns one and two to move past a lapped car. The move cost him as he drifted up the track, allowing Pittman to capitalize and re-take the second spot.
“I was just trying to make something happen,” Dietrich said of his last lap move. “I felt like if I couldn’t get by the lapped cars, I was going to get passed anyways. I should have just probably settled in, but that’s hard to do when you’re running second for a World of Outlaws win.”
“Lapped traffic was hairy,” echoed Pittman. “I don’t know that they were really doing anything wrong, but they were just racing hard side-by-side and using up the whole track. Dietrich kind of got held up behind one of them and gave me a run to get back by him.”
Pittman was satisfied to earn a second-place finish after the last lap pass, especially against a field of 43 cars at a difficult track.
“We had a really solid car and a solid night,” Pittman said. “I’m not disappointed at all, but we were all racing for second. David was in a league of his own.”
Donny Schatz raced from the 15th starting position to finish fourth while KSE Hard Charger Brian Montieth advanced 15 positions to round out the top-five after starting 20th. Kevin Gobrecht rookie-of-the-year contender Sheldon Haudenschild was in the middle of a top-five battle when he did a complete 360 in turn two on lap 22 and the race continued without incident. The miscue cost Haudenschild four positions as he fell to eighth.
While Gravel started the night by setting quick time in Flight A qualifying with a time of 13.434 seconds, Dietrich was fastest in Flight B and overall at 13.328 seconds.
Gravel and Pittman won the first two heat races for the Outlaws before Dietrich and Rahmer answered for the Posse with wins in heats three and four, respectively. Gravel’s dash win was sandwiched between a C-Main victory for Binghamton, NY driver Coleman Gulick and Lucas Wolfe’s win in the Last Chance Showdown.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series remains in Central Pennsylvania entering the weekend for the Morgan Cup at Williams Grove Speedway on May 19 and 20. It’s the first of five races at the Mechanicsburg, PA track this season. Fans who can’t make it to the track can watch LIVE on DIRTvision.
35-LAP FEATURE RESULTS: 1. 1. 5-David Gravel [1][$10,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2][$5,500]; 3. 48-Danny Dietrich [4][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [15][$2,800]; 5. 21-Brian Montieth [20][$2,500]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [11][$2,300]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$2,200]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [10][$2,100]; 9. 1-Dale Blaney [6][$2,050]; 10. 27-Greg Hodnett [14][$2,000]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson [8][$1,500]; 12. 39-Cory Haas [16][$1,200]; 13. 17-Joey Saldana [5][$1,100]; 14. 87-Alan Krimes [18][$1,050]; 15. 4K-Kasey Kahne [12][$1,000]; 16. 24-Lucas Wolfe [21][$900]; 17. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$800]; 18. 51-Freddie Rahmer [3][$800]; 19. 16-Gerard McIntyre [17][$800]; 20. 2-Shane Stewart [22][$800]; 21. 49X-Tim Shaffer [13][$800]; 22. 4-Paul McMahan [25][$]; 23. 8-Billy Dietrich [23][$800]; 24. 7S-Jason Sides [9][$800]; 25. 19-Brent Marks [24][$800]; 26. 59-Jim Siegel [26]. Lap Leader: 1-35 David Gravel KSE Hard Charger Award: 21-Brian Montieth [+15]
Price-Miller Runs the Cushion En Route to First Outlaws Win at Tri-State Speedeway
Gravel and Johnson round out the top-three at Haubstadt
All the stars aligned at Tri-State Speedway for Parker Price-Miller. Inheriting the lead on Lap 18 after Sheldon Haundenschild ran into a slower car in lap traffic, causing him to do a complete 360, Price-Miller had to endure challenges from last year’s Tri-State Speedway winner, David Gravel. Meticulously working his way through lap traffic, Price-Miller picked the best lanes and would go on to win his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series race.
Starting the season out at DIRTcar National at Volusia Speedway Park in February and continuing with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series tour through mid-April, before eventually dropping off full-time, Price-Miller knew it was going to be a steep-learning curve.
“We knew going into the season we were going to get our butt-kicked,” Price-Miller said about starting the season with the World of Outlaws. “But this was going to make us better as a team. This surely has paid off making me better as driver, getting our car better and making us overall better as a unit.”
Price-Miller has shown speed over the last several weeks, having earned fast qualifier at Plymouth Speedway. Entering the special Mother’s Day race at Tri-State Speedway, Price-Miller’s career best Outlaw finish was a third-place, coming at Tri-State Speedway in 2016.
“I can’t explain how I feel right now. Whenever you can get an Outlaw win you take it. Whether it’s on a slick, heavy, small or big [track].”
CJB Motorsports entered Tri-State Speedway as the team everyone was looking to knock off. Each of the last three-years, the team has made trips down to Victory Lane at the high-banked quarter-mile speedway. 2016 winner, already a five-time winner in the 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series season was poised to continue the team’s win streak at the Haubstadt, IN-track.
Starting from the pole for the evenings 40-lap feature, David Gravel quickly shot out to an early lead. It wasn’t long before he was being challenged by 2017 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie-of-the-Year contender, Sheldon Haudenschild. Haudenschild on the top-side of the race track worked his way by Gravel and rocketed out to a commanding lead.
“I knew Sheldon was going to have a [quick] pace and it was a 40-lap race so I was going to let him do what he wanted to do and wait for lap traffic and catch back up,” Gravel said.
While Haudenschild was checking out with the race lead, the battle for second heated up with Price-Miller forcing the issue on Gravel. Just shy of the half-way mark Price-Miller was able to get by Gravel for the second position.
It was on Lap 18 when Haudenschild was working his way through lap traffic that he got tangled up with a slower car, sending him into a complete 360-spin dropping the young rookie back in the running order. The yellow flag would eventually come out for a stopped car in Turn 1.
Taking over the lead for the restart and getting the jump, Price-Miller went right back to the top-side of the track. Setting sail from the rest of the field, Price-Miller had the first opportunity to pick his way through traffic.
With under 10-laps to go and in heavy traffic, Gravel starting to close the gap on Price-Miller; setting up the reigning race winner with a chance to go back-to-back at Tri-State Speedway.
“Sheldon [Haudenschild] and Parker [Price-Miller] could really run the cushion pretty aggressively. In open track they’re were faster. In open track I think they had us beat but in traffic I thought I could run the bottom and we were pretty good.”
Price-Miller seemed to able to point his No. 2X machine wherever he wanted, eventually steering him clear of the lap traffic and runner-up finisher, David Gravel en route to his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory.
“When you’ve never won an Outlaw race and you’re leading, you just go as hard as you can and that’s what I did. Luckily we pulled it off.”
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series kicks off another busy week with a stop at Lincoln Speedway on Wednesday, May 17 before heading to Williams Grove for a doubleheader on Friday and Saturday, May 20-21. The Series will then make the trek north to Weedsport Speedway to close out the week of racing on Sunday, May 22. For tickets, visit WorldofOutlaws.com/Tickets.
Tri-State Speedway Notebook
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 9 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18, Missouri State Fair Speedway on May 5, 81 Speedway on May 6, Eldora Speedway May 13); David Gravel - 5 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1, Gator Motorplex on April 13, Plymouth on April 28); Jason Johnson - 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17, Devil’s Bowl on April 14); Brad Sweet - 2 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25, Devil’s Bowl on April 15), Logan Schuchart - 2 (Keller Auto Speedway, Eldora Speedway May 12), Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway), Rico Abreu – 1 (Arizona Speedway on April 8) Parker Price-Miller – 1 (Tri-State Speedway May 14).
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Logan Schuchart; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Parker Price-Miller; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Sheldon Haundenschild; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Extended Stay ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Super Flow ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; Craftsman Club ($100 cash each): David Gravel, Sheldon Haundenschild, Brad Sweet, Jason Johnson, Paul McMahan; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Parker Price-Miller; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Parker Price-Miller; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Parker Price-Miller; JE Pistons (Set of Rings each): Brent Marks, Logan Schuchart.
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [4][$10,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [1][$5,500]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [5][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [12][$2,800]; 5. 99-Brady Bacon [8][$2,500]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$2,300]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$2,200]; 8. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [7][$2,100]; 9. 4-Paul McMahan [6][$2,050]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [13][$2,000]; 11. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$1,500]; 12. 39-Spencer Bayston [9][$1,200]; 13. 17-Joey Saldana [16][$1,100]; 14. 24-Rico Abreu [17][$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18][$1,000]; 16. 19-Brent Marks [19][$900]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [20][$800]; 18. 21-Carson Short [14][$800]; 19. W20-Greg Wilson [21][$800]; 20. 3G-Carson Macedo [11][$800]; 21. 44-A.J. Bruns [23][$800]; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart [22][$800]; 23. 5X-Justin Peck [15][$800]; 24. 51B-Joe B [24][$800]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-5, Sheldon Haudenschild 6-18, Parker Price-Miller 19-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-Shane Stewart[+8]
Qualifying: 1. 99-Brady Bacon, 12.396; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.435; 3. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.437; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.441; 5. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 12.455; 6. 5-David Gravel, 12.554; 7. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.577; 8. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg, 12.598; 9. 39-Spencer Bayston, 12.608; 10. 21-Carson Short, 12.696; 11. 19-Brent Marks, 12.736; 12. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.747; 13. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.78; 14. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.822; 15. 5X-Justin Peck, 12.915; 16. 48-Danny Dietrich, 12.92; 17. 24-Rico Abreu, 12.922; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.958; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.003; 20. 84-Brandon Hanks, 13.006; 21. 51B-Joe B, 13.042; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.064; 23. 3G-Carson Macedo, 13.079; 24. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.105; 25. 44-A.J. Bruns, 13.122; 26. 4K-Kody Kinser, 13.153; 27. 42-Cory Bruns, 13.155; 28. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.237; 29. 42X-Andy Mcelhannon, 13.276; 30. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.378; 31. 3-Dakota Jackson, 13.504; 32. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.751; 33. 71M-Paul May, 18.607; 34. 85-Mike Terry, NT
Heat #1 (10 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature: 1. 99-Brady Bacon [1]; 2. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [2]; 3. 39-Spencer Bayston [3]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [4]; 5. 24-Rico Abreu [5]; 6. 51B-Joe B [6]; 7. 44-A.J. Bruns [7]; 8. 42X-Andy Mcelhannon [8]; 9. 71M-Paul May [9]
Heat #2 (10 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature: 1. 5-David Gravel [2]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 4. 21-Carson Short [3]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [8]; 8. 4K-Kody Kinser [7]; 9. 85-Mike Terry [9]
Heat #3 (10 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature: 1. 41-Jason Johnson [2]; 2. 4-Paul McMahan [1]; 3. 3G-Carson Macedo [6]; 4. 5X-Justin Peck [4]; 5. 19-Brent Marks [3]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [5]; 7. 42-Cory Bruns [7]; 8. 3-Dakota Jackson [8]
Heat #4 (10 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature: 1. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [1]; 2. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [2]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [3]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [6]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [7]; 6. 48-Danny Dietrich [4]; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]; 8. 84-Brandon Hanks [5]
Craftsman Club Dash (8 Laps): 1. 5-David Gravel [2]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [4]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [6]; 4. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [5]; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [3]; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [7]; 7. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [8]; 8. 99-Brady Bacon [1]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 4 Transfer to Feature: 1. W20-Greg Wilson [2][-]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][-]; 3. 44-A.J. Bruns [6][-]; 4. 51B-Joe B [4][-]; 5. 4K-Kody Kinser [7][$300]; 6. 3-Dakota Jackson [11][$250]; 7. 42X-Andy Mcelhannon [9][$225]; 8. 42-Cory Bruns [8][$200]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [12][$200]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [10][$200]; 11. 48-Danny Dietrich [1][$200]; 12. 84-Brandon Hanks [3][$200]; 13. 71M-Paul May [13][$200]; 14. 85-Mike Terry [14][$200]
It's a Game of Numbers at Eldora: #15 Scores #9 on Night 2 of #LetsRaceTwo
Donny Schatz leads all 30 laps for his ninth season win
ROSSBURG, OH — May 13, 2017 — Eight-time World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Champion and current points leader Donny Schatz scored his ninth season win on the second and final night of #LetsRaceTwo at Eldora Speedway, leading all 30 laps into the checkers. Behind him, a fierce battle for second and third ensued, in which Outlaws Brad Sweet and Jason Johnson ultimately lost out to Ohio native Chad Kemenah and West Coast favorite Rico Abreu.
World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year contender Sheldon Haundenschild — quite popular at the track given the loud applause heard from fans — started in second next to Schatz, but fell back almost immediately with Brad Sweet and Jason Johnson battling for his spot. Heading into Lap 12, however, Kemenah, who had been dilligently working his way up from eighth, stole third from Johnson and started pressing on Sweet.
A Lap 20 restart after Shane Stewart slapped the wall in Turn 4, ending the night for the Larson Marks Racing #2 car, gave Kemenah an opening to battle Schatz for the lead, but the reigning champ pulled ahead and maintained his lead throughout the race.
"That's not me; that's this race team," said Schatz. "These guys are incredible. They're all capable of being crew chiefs on this car. They feed off each other. Sometimes I don't give the best information. I try to do my best job, but some days I'm racing Lap 29 and they're trying to figure out how to start the race. It's just lucky to be around great people like that. It's fun to get a win, especially here at Eldora."
Unlike the previous night — in which the Craftsman Club Dash inversion pushed Schatz back into position seven from Row 1 and put Johnson on the pole — the Tony Stewart Racing driver got lucky with an invert of six that put him on the pole after a less than stellar start to the day, while Tim Shaffer got pushed all the way to the back after earning the pole.
Surprisingly, no driver visited Victory Lane twice during the two-day event at the famed half-mile oval, and spectators witnessed two very different nights of racing at the 'Big E'. The bottom was slicker, and the track was faster overall, allowing Shaffer to score a qualifying Quick Time of 12.915, not far off from the 12.707-second track record established by Craig Dollansky 15 years ago. And despite Schatz's win, he remained the only Outlaw in Victory Lane.
"We'll take second against these guys," said Kemenah. "You know, they are the best."
But this wasn't Kemenah's first trip to Victory Lane during #LetsRaceTwo. Last year, he followed Kerry Madsen into the checkers for another second place win. "This is really good," said the Alvada, Ohio native. "Two years in a row now I ran second in this thing, so I need one more."
Eldora Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Eight-time World of Outlaws Champion Donny Schatz scored his ninth win of the season on the second and final night of #LetsRaceTwo at Eldora Speedway on Saturday. Schatz led all 30 laps, with only a short-lived challenge from Chad Kemenah on a Lap 20 restart after Shane Stewart hit the wall in Turn 4. Kemenah followed Schatz into Victory Lane after a fierce battle for second and third, which resulted in the Alvada, OH native and Rico Abreu overtaking Outlaws Brad Sweet and Jason Johnson.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Dale Blaney; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Brent Marks; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Sheldon Haudenschild; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Sheldon Haudenschild; Extended Stay ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Super Flow ($50 cash): David Gravel; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Sheldon Haudenschild, Brad Sweet, Joey Saldana, Jason Johnson; Craftsman/Sears: Tim Shaffer; KSE Hard Charger: Brent Marks; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Sides; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Clyde Knipp.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 9 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18, Missouri State Fair Speedway on May 5, 81 Speedway on May 6, Eldora Speedway on May 13); David Gravel - 5 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1, Gator Motorplex on April 3, Plymouth Speedway on April 28); Jason Johnson - 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 14); Brad Sweet - 2 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 15), Logan Schuchart - 2 (Keller Auto Speedway on March 31, Eldora Speedway on May 12), Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway on April 7), Rico Abreu – 1 (Arizona Speedway on April 8).
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Eldora Speedway, OH; May 13, 2017
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$10,000]; 2. 10H-Chad Kemenah [8][$5,000]; 3. 24-Rico Abreu [9][$3,000]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$2,700]; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$2,500]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [13][$2,200]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [12][$2,000]; 8. 17-Joey Saldana [4][$1,800]; 9. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5][$1,600]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$1,450]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [16][$1,300]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [20][$1,200]; 13. 4-Paul McMahan [19][$1,100]; 14. 5-David Gravel [7][$1,000]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [15][$950]; 16. 12N-Cole Duncan [18][$900]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [21][$850]; 18. 1A-Jacob Allen [23][$750]; 19. 48-Danny Dietrich [14][$725]; 20. 2-Shane Stewart [10][$700]; 21. 44-Trey Starks [17][$700]; 22. 99-Brady Bacon [11][$700]; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp [22][$700]; 24. 11N-Dale Blaney [24][$700]; Lap Leader: Donny Schatz 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+8]
Qualifying: 1. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 12.915; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.055; 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.056; 4. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.059; 5. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 13.068; 6. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.136; 7. 5-David Gravel, 13.149; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.159; 9. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.178; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.203; 11. 44-Trey Starks, 13.207; 12. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.213; 13. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.219; 14. 99-Brady Bacon, 13.258; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.289; 16. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.298; 17. 48-Danny Dietrich, 13.361; 18. 12N-Cole Duncan, 13.384; 19. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.36; 20. 19-Brent Marks, 13.435; 21. 17X-Caleb Helms, 13.436; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.439; 23. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.457; 24. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg, 13.475; 25. 11N-Dale Blaney, 13.518; 26. 7C-Caleb Armstrong, 13.657; 27. 49D-Shawn Dancer, 13.684; 28. 45-Trevor Baker, 13.762; 29. 1A-Jacob Allen, NT
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer: 1. 49X-Tim Shaffer [1]; 2. 17-Joey Saldana [2]; 3. 5-David Gravel [3]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [5]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [4]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [6]; 7. 4-Paul McMahan [7]; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]; 9. 45-Trevor Baker [10]; 10. 11N-Dale Blaney [9]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer: 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [3]; 3. 10H-Chad Kemenah [2]; 4. 99-Brady Bacon [5]; 5. 48-Danny Dietrich [6]; 6. 44-Trey Starks [4]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [8]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [7]; 9. 7C-Caleb Armstrong [9]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [10]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer: 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2]; 3. 24-Rico Abreu [3]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5]; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [4]; 6. 12N-Cole Duncan [6]; 7. 49D-Shawn Dancer [9]; 8. 17X-Caleb Helms [7]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [5]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [3]; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer [6]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [4]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer: 1. 4-Paul McMahan [1][-]; 2. 19-Brent Marks [2][-]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [5][-]; 4. 13-Clyde Knipp [4][-]; 5. 1A-Jacob Allen [10][-]; 6. 11N-Dale Blaney [6][-]; 7. 17X-Caleb Helms [3][$300]; 8. 45-Trevor Baker [9][$250]; 9. 7C-Caleb Armstrong [7][$225]; 10. 49D-Shawn Dancer [8][$200]; 11. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [11][$200]
Logan Schuchart scores his first-ever Eldora Speedway win
ROSSBURG, OH — May 12, 2017 — Logan Schuchart scored his first-ever Eldora Speedway win Friday night during the #LetsRaceTwo opener, battling Eldora veteran Shane Stewart for the lead from laps eight through 12, after which Schuchart retained it for the remaining 18 laps to secure his fourth career World of Outlaws win and second win this season.
"It's the place you always want to win at," said the Shark Racing 1s driver about Eldora after his win. "As a little kid I dreamt about being a World of Outlaws driver. Eldora, with all the history behind it, it's really cool. My grandfather won the first Outlaw race here in '78, so being able to win this race with him by my side is really cool. I hope it means something for July. My grandfather won the Knoxville Nationals. He won the Williams Grove National Open. But nobody won the Kings Royal, so that's a race I really want to run well in, and this is where you get your notes and stuff. To win tonight, hopefully that means something for the next couple races in the next couple months."
Schuchart's win emerged from a field of 35 cars, a third of them Ohio natives. But the night went to the Outlaws. Following Schuchart into Victory Lane were fellow Outlaws Stewart and Brad Sweet. Quicktime went to Outlaw Jason Sides, the very first driver to qualify. Three of the four heat races went to Outlaws — the fourth going to Aliquippa, PA-native Tim Shaffer. The Dash went to Outlaw Jason Johnson. And all four that transfered from the Last Chance Showdown were Outlaws as well, with Kraig Kinser in the lead.
Meanwhile, Alvada, OH-native Chad Kemenah, who came in second on both nights of last year's #LetsRaceTwo, failed to make the Feature. And last year's winner, Kerry Madsen, was noticeably absent.
Initally, it was looking like a pretty good day for Jason Johnson, who started the Feature on the pole after winning the Craftsman Club Dash, which he also started on the pole after a full-field inversion stemming from a Dash draw of eight. But Stewart managed to steal Johnson's lead in lap seven, after which Johnson fell back and was overtaken by Sweet and points leader Donny Schatz, who had worked their way up from positions nine and seven respectively.
After qualifying in third and winning Heat 3, Schuchart started the Feature in the third row (fifth position) and jumped to third at the onset of the race. But when Stewart stole the lead from Johnson, the battle between Stewart and Schuchart was on. In lap nine, Schuchart finally took the lead from the JJR-Marshall 41, only to lose it again on a restart after a red flag on Ohio natives Trevor Philo and Jac Haudenschild, who collided outside turn one when Philo bounced off the wall. Three laps later, Schuchart took back his lead and held it through the checkers.
It was a night of celebration for Shark Racing, but not so much for Philo and J Haudenschild, who were both transported to a local hospital for further examination. Haudenschild, an Eldora veteran with six World of Outlaws wins and five USAC wins at the track, was there with his son and rookie Outlaw, Sheldon. According to a tweet from Haudenschild Racing, "Sheldon spoke to Jac, he's ready to leave the hospital and is insistent on racing tomorrow."
Eldora Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Logan Schuchart battled Shane Stewart for his first Eldora Speedway win on night one of #LetsRaceTwo Friday night, marking his fourth career World of Outlaws win. Stewart, who had the most recent World of Outlaws win at Eldora after taking the checkers at the 2016 Four Crown Nationals last September, took the lead from Jason Johnson in lap 7 and battled Schuchart through the next five laps, losing the lead in lap 9, and again in 12 to follow Schuchart to the checkers with Brad Sweet behind him.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Travis Philo; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Karig Kinser; Extended Stay ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Brent Marks, Jason Johnson, Jason Sides, Shane Stewart, Logan Schuchart, David Gravel; Craftsman/Sears: Travis Philo; KSE Hard Charger: Kraig Kinser; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Joey Saldana; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Danny Dietrich.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 8 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18, Missouri State Fair Speedway on May 5, 81 Speedway on May 6); David Gravel - 5 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1, Gator Motorplex on April 3, Plymouth Speedway on April 28); Jason Johnson - 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 14); Brad Sweet - 2 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 15), Logan Schuchart - 2 (Keller Auto Speedway on March 31, Eldora Speedway on May 12), Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway on April 7), Rico Abreu – 1 (Arizona Speedway on April 8).
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Eldora Speedway, OH; May 12, 2017
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$10,000]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$5,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$3,000]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [7][$2,700]; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$2,500]; 6. 5-David Gravel [6][$2,200]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [2][$2,000]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [12][$1,800]; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman [11][$1,600]; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser [21][$1,450]; 11. 49X-Tim Shaffer [8][$1,300]; 12. W20-Greg Wilson [20][$1,200]; 13. 44-Trey Starks [10][$1,100]; 14. 19-Brent Marks [24][$1,000]; 15. 24-Rico Abreu [14][$950]; 16. 17-Joey Saldana [13][$900]; 17. 4-Paul McMahan [23][$850]; 18. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [22][$750]; 19. 11N-Dale Blaney [19][$725]; 20. A67-Brandon Wimmer [17][$700]; 21. 48-Danny Dietrich [15][$700]; 22. 5T-Travis Philo [3][$700]; 23. 6M-Jac Haudenschild [16][$700]; 24. 17X-Caleb Helms [18][$700]; Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-6; Shane Stewart 7-8, 10-11; Logan Schuchart 9, 12-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 11K-Kraig Kinser[+11]
Qualifying: 1. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.843; 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.065; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.24; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.299; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.319; 6. 44-Trey Starks, 14.376; 7. 48-Danny Dietrich, 14.401; 8. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 14.427; 9. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.443; 10. 24-Rico Abreu, 14.476; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman, 14.536; 12. 41-Jason Johnson, 14.593; 13. A67-Brandon Wimmer, 14.607; 14. 5-David Gravel, 14.624; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.635; 16. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.636; 17. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.655; 18. 12N-Cole Duncan, 14.71; 19. 11N-Dale Blaney, 14.733; 20. 6M-Jac Haudenschild, 14.753; 21. 17-Joey Saldana, 14.844; 22. 49D-Shawn Dancer, 14.854; 23. 5T-Travis Philo, 14.865; 24. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg, 14.867; 25. 45L-Brian Lay, 14.869; 26. 17X-Caleb Helms, 14.912; 27. 7C-Caleb Armstrong, 14.941; 28. 4-Paul McMahan, 14.982; 29. 19-Brent Marks, 14.998; 30. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 15; 31. 7J-Joe Swanson, 15.148; 32. 13-Clyde Knipp, 15.247; 33. 45-Trevor Baker, 15.264; 34. 99-Brady Bacon, 15.376; 35. 83X-Adam Cruea, NT
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer: 1. 2-Shane Stewart [3]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [1]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [5]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [6]; 5. A67-Brandon Wimmer [4]; 6. 19-Brent Marks [8]; 7. 45L-Brian Lay [7]; 8. 45-Trevor Baker [9]; 9. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer: 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1]; 2. 5-David Gravel [4]; 3. 44-Trey Starks [2]; 4. 24-Rico Abreu [3]; 5. 17X-Caleb Helms [7]; 6. 49D-Shawn Dancer [6]; 7. 99-Brady Bacon [9]; 8. 10H-Chad Kemenah [8]; 9. 12N-Cole Duncan [5]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer: 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1]; 2. 5T-Travis Philo [6]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [3]; 4. 48-Danny Dietrich [2]; 5. 11N-Dale Blaney [5]; 6. 7C-Caleb Armstrong [7]; 7. 7J-Joe Swanson [8]; 8. 83X-Adam Cruea [9]; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser [4]
Heat #4 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer: 1. 49X-Tim Shaffer [2]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [3]; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen [1]; 4. 6M-Jac Haudenschild [5]; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [4]; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [7]; 7. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [6]; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps): 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [4]; 3. 5T-Travis Philo [2]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [8]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6]; 6. 5-David Gravel [3]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [7]; 8. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 4 Transfer: 1. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2][-]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [1][-]; 3. 4-Paul McMahan [8][-]; 4. 19-Brent Marks [9][-]; 5. 49D-Shawn Dancer [4][$300]; 6. 12N-Cole Duncan [3][$250]; 7. 10H-Chad Kemenah [10][$225]; 8. 99-Brady Bacon [14][$200]; 9. 45L-Brian Lay [6][$200]; 10. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [5][$200]; 11. 7C-Caleb Armstrong [7][$200]; 12. 7J-Joe Swanson [11][$200]; 13. 45-Trevor Baker [13][$200]; 14. 13-Clyde Knipp [12][$200]; 15. 83X-Adam Cruea [15][$200]
Donny Schatz wins Outlaws return to 81 Speedway to score eighth victory of the season
By: Tony Veneziano
PARK City, KS.- May 7, 2017 - Quite a bit has changed over the last 11 years since the last Donny Schatz had raced at 81 Speedway, prior to Saturday night. The track surface was reconfigured before this season, while the tires and wings on the cars have also changed over the last decade. One things that didn’t change was the end result as he won for the second straight time at the three-eights-mile as the Outlaws returned to 81 Speedway for the Kansas Outlaw Klassic presented by Great Clips, Murphy Tractor and the City of Park City, Kansas.
Schatz’s second consecutive win at 81 Speedway had extra meaning, as his crew chief Ricky Warner and his wife, have family members from the area, who are involved with the operations at 81 Speedway.
“This is like a hometown win for Rick and Danele Warner,” said Schatz. “Rick has been with me a long time and we have won a lot of races together. The last time we were here, we won and were fortunate to get here again tonight. It was a great crowd tonight and it’s great to see all of the enthusiasm here. It’s incredible to be standing here in front of them winning.”
Schatz started on the pole and led all 30 laps, but had a very close call, after some contact, when a pair of lapped cars got together right in front of him on the 18th lap. Despite sustaining some damage to his machine, the North Dakota native was able to lead flag-to-flag.
“The (No.) 4 car stopped and I got into him there,” noted Schatz. “I thought I was going over and when I got away from him I could steer, but I knew something was bent in the front. It obviously bent the front axle, but it didn’t really hurt me much. It might have actually helped me.”
On the double file restart, which was the only restart of the 30-lap main event, Schatz chose the low side of the three-eighths-mile, with Jason Johnson lined up beside him. A strong restart propelled Schatz as Johnson, David Gravel and Daryn Pittman all battled for second.
“We just had the car rolling and are trying a lot of funky things right now and there are a lot of weird pieces on this race car, but we are learning,” explained Schatz. “Sometimes you pay the price and April was that time, so May is going a lot better.”
Pittman used a last lap pass of Gravel to earn his second consecutive runner-up finish, as he continues to close in on his first win of the season in the Great Clips, No. 9 for Kasey Kahne Racing. Pittman started second and looked on the low side of the track a couple of times in the early going as he kept pace with Schatz.
“We are bringing better race cars to the track,” said Pittman. “Eric Prutzman is making great changes as the night goes on. Getting in the dash has been huge with the extra track time. Most of the headway we have made with our race cars the last two nights has been in the dash. That’s really been key. When the car is faster, it’s a lot more fun to drive.”
Pittman started second and kept pace with Schatz for the first few laps, before losing a couple of positions. Late in the race he had an entertaining battle with Gravel and Johnson for the runner-up position.
“We had to fight hard for that one,” shared Pittman. “We fell back to fourth and got by Jason (Johnson) after the yellow. (David) Gravel got caught up by a few lapped cars and we were able to get back by him coming to the checkers. It was a good finish and a good weekend for us.”
Gravel continued his strong season by picking up his 13th top-five finish of the season, with a third-place finish. The Connecticut native ran as high as second in the late going and was keeping up with Schatz in open track, before having some trouble getting by slower cars.
“Lapped cars were pretty tough, they were running pretty high and made it pretty difficult,” said Gravel. “It was hard to tell where they were going to go. Daryn (Pittman) got by me, but I think we had a second-place car. I just wish we could have qualified a little better to get in the dash and get another shot at the race track. If we had started on the front two rows, I think we could have gotten the win. We’ll take our podium and move on to the next race.”
Johnson finished fourth, with Brad Sweet in fifth. Shane Stewart worked his way from the 16th starting spot to finish sixth. Logan Schuchart was seventh, with Aaron Reutzel eighth, Jason Sides ninth and rookie Brent Marks 10th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action at the famed Eldora Speedway in Ohio on Friday, May 12 and Saturday, May 13.
Lucky Seven: Donny Schatz wins at Missouri State Fair Speedway to score seventh win of season
SEDALIA, Mo.—May 5, 2017—Missouri State Fair Speedway has always been a special place for eight-time and defending World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series champion Donny Schatz. He made his first start with the series back in 1993 as a teenager at the historic track.
Schatz returned to the half-mile on Friday night, as the Outlaws visited the track for the first time since 2012 and was victorious in the Sedalia Show-Me State Showdown to earn his third-career win at Missouri State Fair Speedway and his seventh of the season aboard the Arctic Cat/Ford Performance J&J for Tony Stewart Racing.
“This is extra special, with this being the first place I ran at,” said Schatz. “We had Mark Miller from Artic Cat here and this is kind of his home track. He had a premonition that we were going to have a good night and I’m glad he had that premonition.”
Schatz started third and got around Joey Saldana for second on the seventh lap. He then began to close on leader Daryn Pittman as the lead duo negotiated lapped traffic. Schatz made his move on the low side of the back straightaway to take the top spot on lap-11.
Once out front, Schatz began to pull away. After the taking the white flag, the only caution of the 25-lap main event flew, setting up a green-white-checker finish with Schatz in the lead and Kerry Madsen lining up second. Schatz used a strong restart to pull away en route to the win.
“I was actually looking for the car that was stopped, but it wasn’t stopped,” said Schatz of the caution. “That’s the way it goes sometimes and those breaks sometimes go your way. Our car was awesome. April really didn’t show it, but April is over. That’s what racing is about. You’ll have some good days and you are going to have a lot of bad ones. Today was one of the good ones. We just keep digging and finding ways to make the race car faster. Hats off to them, they are on their game and they got us a win tonight.”
The win for Schatz snapped a month-plus win drought, dating back to March 18 at Thunderbowl Raceway in California. He used traffic to his advantage and managed tire wear as well on his way to the $10,000 triumph. With the first 24 laps going non-stop, Schatz was in his comfort zone on the long green-flag run.
“You don’t really ever bide your time,” explained Schatz. “You have to be smart with your tires. This is a high speed track and it’s pretty easy the fine line between stuck (to the track) and spinning (your tires). When I rolled across the scales, I saw the other cars around me and I saw their tires were really blistered. Mine looked good, so I guess that means I did my job at the right parts of the race. Early on, when you have all that fuel, they are not a lot of fun to drive. You have to be cautious and search out the race track and see what happens.”
Pittman, who led the first 10 laps, after starting on the pole, finished a season-best second, as he continues to close in on his first win of the season. In open track in the early going, Pittman pulled away from Joey Saldana and had couple-second lead in the first six laps.
“It did feel good to run up front,” said Pittman. “These guys are really working hard. It’s been a struggle this year and I have a great group of guys and I am really proud to be a part of this team. There is no doubt we’ll get that win and we keep getting better. We made a lot of headway and had a pretty solid car all night long. If we are going to beat the 15 car and some of these guys consistently, we still have some work to do. We’ll get this Great Clips car to victory lane and it will be fun when we do.”
Kerry Madsen lined up second for the green-white-checker restart and ended up in third, after Pittman used a strong restart to get around him. Madsen lined up fifth at the start of the 25-lap main event
“I was going for the win,” said Madsen of his strategy on the restart. “I tried that low-middle there and feed off Donny’s right rear on the restart. I should have done the opposite and fed off the left rear and gotten better grip. I went to attack and wasn’t close enough to attack and got attacked. It was a fun race and our car was a rocket ship.”
Joey Saldana, who ran second early in the race, ended up fourth. Brian Brown, who hails from Grain Valley, Mo., finished fifth. Jason Johnson, who now calls Missouri home was sixth, followed by Brad Sweet in seventh, Danny Lasoski, another Missouri native in eighth, David Gravel in ninth and Kraig Kinser rounded out the top-10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Saturday, May 6 at 81 Speedway in Park City, Kansas. The Kansas Outlaw Klassic presented by Great Clips, Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co and the City of Park City, Kansas marks the series’ first visit to 81 Speedway since 2006.
Outlaws to Tackle PA, NY, NJ Stretch
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series has reached the point of the schedule where teams are starting to settle in and get into a groove — setting themselves up for the endurance of the 90-plus races a year. However, it’s tests like five races in seven days in three different states that make the Outlaws “The Greatest Show on Dirt”.
The middle of May takes the Outlaws through their first stretch of mid-week races that includes five races in seven nights at four different tracks in three different states. The series makes its only stop at Lincoln (PA) Speedway on May 17 before the Spring Classic and Morgan Cup at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, PA on May 19 and 20.
Nonetheless, there’s no stopping as the Series digs deep and continues down the road to Weedsport (NY) Speedway on May 21 to complete three consecutive nights of racing before getting a night with its date with New Egypt Speedway.
“I’ve done it long enough that it’s just normal for me,” said Daryn Pittman, driver of the Kasey Kahne Racing No.9 and the most recent Outlaws winner at Williams Grove. “Other than making sure we’ve got everything packed up with the family to go in the motorhome, it doesn’t change us. I look forward to more races and a lot of times feel like I only get better the more I race.”
It’s also the Series’ first march into Pennsylvania Posse territory, a set of races that always bring an added test. The trip to historic Williams Grove in Central Pennsylvania is always one of the toughest challenges on the tour.
“At a regular Outlaw show, you’re never going to win if you’re off a little bit,” said Pittman. “That holds even truer at a race in Pennsylvania. There’s just no room for error because not only are you trying to beat all of your regulars, but there’s a handful of locals that can win if they’ve got their stuff together that night.”
The Outlaws trip to Williams Grove is also a homecoming for Kevin Gobrecht Rookie-of-the-Year contender Brent Marks, who calls nearby Myerstown, PA home.
“That’s where I grew up and got involved into racing,” said Marks. “I was a little kid sitting in the infield playing in the dirt with Sprint Cars. I’ve been around Williams Grove my entire life. That’s kind of where it all started for me, so when you go back there it’s a pretty surreal moment.”
Sprint Car racing has a long history at Williams Grove, including with the Outlaws. The World of Outlaws have raced at the track every year but one (1985) since their inception in 1978. Since 2009, the Outlaws have raced Williams Grove at least four times per season.
“The history of the racetrack itself and the prestigious events that have been held there forever, as well as the rivalry between the Outlaws and the locals, is pretty much unmatched anywhere in the country,” said Pittman.
Williams Grove fans personify the rivalry between the World of Outlaws and the drivers of the Pennsylvania Posse. The rivalry is most evident at the Grove. Over the last five seasons, the two sides are tied with 11 wins apiece. However, the Posse held the edge last season with three victories to the Outlaws one, courtesy of Pittman.
“Pennsylvania fans are as well educated in Sprint Car racing as anywhere in the country and as diehard as they come,” said Pittman. “They live and breathe it. It’s just something that’s embedded into that part of the country. It’s a lot of fun, I think, to show up and be part of it.”
Following a pair of nights at Williams Grove, the series travels north to Weedsport, NY for the first of three races this season in the Empire State. Weedsport Speedway hosts the Empire State Challenge for the third straight season since the 3/8-mile oval underwent major renovations in 2014. Donny Schatz will look to make it three wins in a row at the Central New York track on May 21. Many drivers now look forward to visiting Weedsport and recognize the track as one of the premier dirt track racing facilities in the country.
“It’s not a cookie-cutter, normal racetrack. It’s tricky,” said Pittman. “It’s an odd shape with an odd surface. I enjoy those; they’re fun. I don’t know that we’ve seen the same conditions twice yet. We’ve only been a few times, but I definitely look forward to going and seeing what it’s going to throw at us this time and seeing how good we can be this time around.”
The Series wraps up their five-races-in-seven-days-in-three-states tour at New Egypt (NJ) Speedway on Tuesday, May 23. The semi-banked half-mile New Egypt, NJ track has hosted a World of Outlaws event nine times since 2000. One driver’s name has been tied to the top of the charts for the past four years: Daryn Pittman. A fifth consecutive win at New Egypt Speedway for Pittman could help get the ball rolling as the Series starts to head into the grueling month of June.
Tickets for the Gettysburg Clash at Lincoln Speedway and the Jersey Outlaw Classic can be purchased at WorldofOutlaws.com/tickets.
Advanced tickets for the Empire State Challenge at Weedsport Speedway are available online at www.weedsportspeedway.com.
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Event at Tri-State Speedway Postponed
CONCORD, NC— April 29, 2017— Due to record rainfall hitting the Haubstadt, IN area and localized flooding, the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series has postponed the event at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, IN to their previous longstanding Outlaw date of Mother Day’s, Sunday, May 14.
Fans that currently have tickets for the World of Outlaws Tri-State Speedway event will be able to use them for the rescheduled event on Sunday, May 14, 2017. Tickets for when the Outlaws return to Tri-State Speedway are available through the track website.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will resume Wednesday, May 3 for a make-up race at Riverside Speedway in West Memphis, AR.
Win Number Five for the No. 5 of David Gravel
Plymouth, IN — April 28, 2017 — After starting seventh on the field at the beginning of the 35-lap feature at Plymouth Speedway, David Gravel worked his way up to third-place just shy of the halfway mark. It was with three laps to go Gravel took advantage of a bobble by the No. 87 of Aaron Reutzel to put him in the runner-up spot; but he wasn’t done just yet. Setting his sights on the leader of No. 7 of Jason Sides, Gravel squeezed his way under Sides as the two entered Turn 3. Gravel completed the move en route his fifth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of the 2017 season.
With rain all around the Plymouth-IN area, the stars of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series were determined to put on a great show for the Plymouth Speedway fans — and they did just that. Early in the evenings schedule, 26 cars of the 29 that entered the event all were quicker than the track record in hot laps. When it came to qualifying, Parker Price-Miller set fast time and in the process set a new track record with a lap of 11.079-second, eclipising the previous record set in 2016 by Logan Schuchart.
It was Jason Sides and Donny Schatz showing the way to the green flag for the Feature event at Plymouth Speedway. Just as the 24-car field was making their way around the the track for the first lap of the 35-lap Feature event, the No. 41 of Jason Johnson went for a tumble in-between Turns 3 and 4, bringing out the red flag and setting up a complete restart. Johnson would head to the work area and rejoin the field after some work to his No. 41 machine.
After a bad initial start and slipping back to fourth, Schatz had a second opportunity to hold his ground. Jason Sides once again got a solid restart, vaulting the No. 7 machine back to the lead. Schatz will hold onto second place until he was able to get by Sides on Lap 9 for the lead.
The No. 4 of Paul McMahan slowed in Turn 4 bringing out the yellow flag on Lap 15. On the ensuing restart the No. 15 of Donny Schatz selected the top leaving Sides the bottom groove. Entering the picture for the first time of the evening, David Gravel from seventh worked his way up to a podium running position. A master of the restarts all evening, Sides worked his way by Schatz to give him the top spot once again. Schatz didn’t let that No. 7 out of his sights, staying glued to the leader’s bumper — Gravel stayed within striking distance of the two.
The field would once again be slowed on Lap 23 when the No. 49D of Shawn Dancer spun in Turn 4. With 12 laps to go, Sides got another great restart, while the No. 15 of Schatz dropped back to fourth. The No. 87 of Aaron Reutzel leapfrogged Gravel and Schatz in the standings to put him in the runner-up spot.
With three laps to go, Reutzel bobbled slightly coming out of Turn 2, giving Gravel a chance to get by. With Sides out front with two laps to go, Gravel made a charge down the backstretch and planted his No. 5 under Sides for the lead coming to the white flag.
“We just wanted to start further up than we did last year and we did that,” said David Gravel. “We were really, really good until the red came out and the car was insane after that. After we got heat back in the tires the car came back to life, grabbed a little bit more wing and the car was really good with three laps to go. I was good when I needed to be good and just being patient and Reutzel slipped up and I took advantage.”
Gravel would go on to grab his fifth win of the 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series season with Sides in second and Reutzel in third. After leading a portion of the 35 lap race, Schatz brought the No. 15 Arctic Cat machine home in fourth.
“From the get-go we had a pretty good car,” said Jason Sides. “We got a good run here tonight and that’s what we were hoping for. I just got to thank all my guys for all the hard work. We’ve had a couple good runs at [Tri-State Speedway], we hope we can bring it home tomorrow.”
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will be back in action tomorrow, Saturday, April 29 at Tri-State Speedway then again next Wednesday for a make-up race at Riverside Speedway on May 3. For tickets, visit WorldofOutlaws.com/tickets.
Feature (35 Laps) : 1. 5-David Gravel [7][$10,000]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [1][$5,500]; 3. 87-Aaron Reutzel [3][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [10][$2,500]; 6. 19-Brent Marks [4][$2,300]; 7. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [14][$2,200]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [12][$2,100]; 9. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,050]; 10. W20-Greg Wilson [20][$2,000]; 11. 17-Joey Saldana [17][$1,500]; 12. 3G-Carson Macedo [16][$1,200]; 13. 99-Brady Bacon [8][$1,100]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [19][$1,050]; 15. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [6][$1,000]; 16. 4K-Kody Kinser [11][$900]; 17. 17B-Bill Balog [13][$800]; 18. 41-Jason Johnson [18][$800]; 19. 23C-Tyler Courtney [23][$800]; 20. 49D-Shawn Dancer [22][$800]; 21. 4-Paul McMahan [9][$800]; 22. 4S-Danny Smith [21][$800]; 23. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [24][$800]; 24. 1S-Logan Schuchart [15][$800]; Lap Leaders: Jason Sides 1-9, 16-33; Donny Schatz 10-15; David Gravel 34-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+10]
Qualifying: 1. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 11.079; 2. 99-Brady Bacon, 11.132; 3. 4-Paul McMahan, 11.155; 4. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 11.2; 5. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.217; 6. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.302; 7. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.325; 8. 19-Brent Marks, 11.325; 9. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 11.347; 10. 5-David Gravel, 11.348; 11. 4K-Kody Kinser, 11.373; 12. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.403; 13. W20-Greg Wilson, 11.413; 14. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.468; 15. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.478; 16. 17B-Bill Balog, 11.483; 17. 23C-Tyler Courtney, 11.516; 18. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.538; 19. 3G-Carson Macedo, 11.547; 20. 17-Joey Saldana, 11.552; 21. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.578; 22. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.632; 23. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg, 11.641; 24. 4S-Danny Smith, 11.688; 25. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.806; 26. 49D-Shawn Dancer, 11.859; 27. 13-Clyde Knipp, 11.985; 28. 7J-Joe Swanson, 12.108; 29. 51B-Joe B. Miller 12.119
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 87-Aaron Reutzel [2]; 2. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [1]; 3. 5-David Gravel [4]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [3]; 5. 17B-Bill Balog [6]; 6. 3G-Carson Macedo [7]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [5]; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [9]; 10. 7J-Joe Swanson [10]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature:1. 7S-Jason Sides [2]; 2. 19-Brent Marks [3]; 3. 99-Brady Bacon [1]; 4. 4K-Kody Kinser [4]; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [5]; 6. 17-Joey Saldana [7]; 7. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [8]; 8. 23C-Tyler Courtney [6]; 9. 51B-Joe B. Miller [10]; 10. 49D-Shawn Dancer [9]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature:1. 15-Donny Schatz [2]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [4]; 3. 4-Paul McMahan [1]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [7]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [5]; 7. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [3]; 8. 4S-Danny Smith [8]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [9]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps): 1. 7S-Jason Sides [2]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3]; 3. 87-Aaron Reutzel [1]; 4. 19-Brent Marks [5]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [6]; 6. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [4]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature:1. 11K-Kraig Kinser [4][-]; 2. W20-Greg Wilson [2][-]; 3. 4S-Danny Smith [6][-]; 4. 49D-Shawn Dancer [8][-]; 5. 23C-Tyler Courtney [3][-]; 6. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [5][-]; 7. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [1][$300]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [7][$250]; 9. 51B-Joe B. Miller [11][$225]; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp [9][$200]; 11. 7J-Joe Swanson [10][$200]
OUTLAW SPRINT CARS RAINED OUT AT PEVELY
PEVELY, MO — April 21, 2017 — A forecast of continued rain through the weekend as it pours down on Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 has obligated the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series to cancel the Spring Classic at the Pevely, MO track tomorrow. The 2017 Spring Classic will not be rescheduled.
Fans that have tickets for the 2017 Spring Classic can use their tickets as credit when the World of Outlaws return to Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 later this summer on Friday, August 4 and Saturday, August 5 for the Ironman 55. Fans also have the option to roll their credit over to the 2018 Spring Classic at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 (date to be announced). No refunds for the 2017 Spring Classic will be given.
The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series will resume action at Plymouth Speedway (Plymouth, IN) on Friday, April 28, then on Saturday, April 29 at Tri-State Speedway (Haubstadt, IN). For tickets, visit WorldofOutlaws.com/Tickets or call (844) DIRT-TIX.
Rained Out at Riverside
CONCORD, NC. – April 21, 2017 – Due to morning thunderstorms today, the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is postponing the Bull Ring Outlaw Blitz at Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, AR. The Bull Ring Outlaw Blitz has been rescheduled for Wednesday, May 3.
All advanced reserved seating tickets for the event will be honored for the rescheduled date on May 3. Fans who purchased tickets for pickup at will call can obtain those tickets on race day. Advanced reserved seating tickets are still available by visiting WorldofOutlaws.com/Tickets or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will resume racing Saturday, April 22 at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, MO. For LIVE coverage of the Spring Classic from Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, visit dirtvision.com.
Sweet Works the Bottom of the Bowl for the Win
Fans & Superstars Honor the Legendary Lanny Edwards
MESQUITE, TX — April 15, 2017 — For the second night in a row, Brad Sweet worked his Kasey Kahne Racing 49 machine along the bottom of the high-banked half-mile oval at Devil’s Bowl Speedway, this time sticking it out for the win. With only five laps to go, Sweet stole the win from David Gravel, who led all previous laps but was having some trouble getting his CJB Motorsports No. 5 out of lap traffic.
"Awesome race there with David [Gravel],” said Sweet. "Lap traffic was just crucial. My car seemed like it was a little bit better. We were just right on him. Once I got a little clean air I was able to start picking off those lap cars and it felt good.”
Gravel had been working on the bottom all race, but he got caught behind Shane Stewart and met his demise when he tried to go high to pass him.
“I cleared a lot of lap cars really good, and then I got to Shane and I just could’t do anything with him,” said Gravel. "He was running the bottom in 3 and 4. I tried to pass him on the outside, and obviously the bottom of three and four was the best lane to be in. That’s where Brad was. That’s just the advantage sometimes of sitting back there watching, seeing what happens.”
Third through the checkers was Danny “The Dude" Lasoski, who took his position from Christopher Bell early in the race and held it through the checkers. Lasoski, the 2001 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Champion, has previous wins at Devil’s Bowl in 1999 and 2000. He was also right there at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in 1978 for the first-ever World of Outlaws Sprint Car race.
This year’s Texas Outlaw Nationals was a tribute to the late Lanny Edwards. A number of superstars — including Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Johnny Rutherford, and Christopher Bell — joined the Outlaws to honor the legendary promoter and World of Outlaws co-founder (along with Ted Johnson).
"Lanny went out on a limb and really got something going that has been pretty spectacular and pretty amazing,” said Tony Stewart during the opening ceremony, "and definitely pretty entertaining for all of America to watch.”
The opening ceremony continued with World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter presenting the Ted Johnson Memorial Award to the Edwards family for their contribution to the sport.
"We really want to recognize all of the people that helped us get to where we are today," said Carter. "We are the World of Outlaws: the fans here, the community, the racers, the teams, everybody here. We are what the World of Outlaws was meant to be 40 years ago. What happened here 40 years ago next year impacts sprint car racing around the world; all were impacted by Ted Johnson and Lanny Edwards."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return to action Friday, April 21 for the Bull Ring Outlaw Blitz at Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, AK.
RACE NOTES: Brad Sweet worked the bottom to steal the win in lap 26 of a 30-lap Feature of the Lanny Edwards Memorial Texas Outlaw Nationals at Devil's Bowl Speedway after David Gravel led all previous 25 laps. Danny Lakoski fights Christopher Bell for third early on and maintains his position through the checkers.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Clyde Knipp; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Danny Lasoski; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Sheldon Haudenschild; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Super Flow ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): David Gravel, Sheldon Haudenschild, Greg Wilson, Brad Sweet; Craftsman/Sears: Christopher Bell; KSE Hard Charger: Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Brad Sweet; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brady Bacon; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Parker Price-Miller.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18 ); David Gravel - 4 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1, Gator Motorplex on April 3); Jason Johnson - 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 14); Brad Sweet - 2 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 15), Logan Schuchart - 1 (Keller Auto Speedway on March 31), Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway on April 7), Rico Abreu – 1 (Arizona Speedway on April 8).
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Devil's Bowl Speedway, TX; April 15, 2017
Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$20,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [1][$6,000]; 3. 33-Danny Lasoski [5][$3,750]; 4. 67-Christopher Bell [3][$3,250]; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$2,750]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [10][$2,500]; 7. 19-Brent Marks [8][$2,400]; 8. 7S-Jason Sides [7][$2,300]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [6][$2,200]; 10. 15-Donny Schatz [14][$2,100]; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$1,700]; 12. 9-Daryn Pittman [11][$1,400]; 13. 4-Paul McMahan [12][$1,300]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$1,200]; 15. 82-Cap Henry [18][$1,100]; 16. 4K-Kasey Kahne [15][$1,000]; 17. 1A-Jacob Allen [9][$1,000]; 18. 2-Shane Stewart [21][$1,000]; 19. 17-Joey Saldana [16][$1,000]; 20. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [22][$1,000]; 21. 1X-Gary Taylor [23][$1,000]; 22. 14-Tony Stewart [20][$1,000]; 23. 99-Brady Bacon [17][$1,000]; 24. 13-Clyde Knipp [24][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-25, Brad Sweet 26-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+8]
Qualifying - 1. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.706; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.711; 3. 67-Christopher Bell, 13.714; 4. 33-Danny Lasoski, 13.754; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.76; 6. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.784; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.789; 8. 19-Brent Marks, 13.79; 9. 5-David Gravel, 13.807; 10. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.82; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.846; 12. 4K-Kasey Kahne, 13.866; 13. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.919; 14. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.93; 15. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.937; 16. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.937; 17. 99-Brady Bacon, 14.004; 18. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.008; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.968; 20. 14-Tony Stewart, 14.043; 21. 82-Cap Henry, 14.073; 22. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.081; 23. 1X-Gary Taylor, 14.153; 24. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 14.225; 25. 81W-Danny Wood, 14.354; 26. 12W-Dale Wester, NT
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 33-Danny Lasoski [2]; 2. W20-Greg Wilson [4]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [1]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [6]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3]; 6. 17-Joey Saldana [5]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [8]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7]; 9. 81W-Danny Wood [9]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 3. 19-Brent Marks [3]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [4]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [5]; 6. 99-Brady Bacon [6]; 7. 1X-Gary Taylor [8]; 8. 14-Tony Stewart [7]; 9. 12W-Dale Wester [9]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 67-Christopher Bell [1]; 2. 5-David Gravel [3]; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen [2]; 4. 4-Paul McMahan [5]; 5. 4K-Kasey Kahne [4]; 6. 82-Cap Henry [7]; 7. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8]; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [6]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps) - 1. 5-David Gravel [1]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 3. 67-Christopher Bell [4]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [5]; 5. 33-Danny Lasoski [6]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [3]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2][-]; 2. 14-Tony Stewart [3][-]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [4][-]; 4. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [6][-]; 5. 1X-Gary Taylor [5][-]; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [1][-]; 7. 81W-Danny Wood [7][$300]; 8. 12W-Dale Wester [8][$250]
The Ragin' Cajun Scores His First Devil's Bowl Win
Second Win of the Season, Seventh Career Series Win
MESQUITE, TX — April 15, 2017 — Jason "the Ragin' Cajun" Johnson dominated night one of the Texas Outlaw Nationals at Devil's Bowl Speedway, leading all 25 laps of the evening's Feature after winning the Craftsman Club Dash from the pole and running fastest in qualifying.
"It’s one of these nights you always imagine and you dream of," said Johnson from Victory Lane. "We set quicktime, won a heat, won a dash, won a feature. That’s a first for me, so hats off to this crew: Jeff, Jacob, Phillip. They’re working their tails off, and it’s a lot of fun to drive right now,” he continued with a chuckle. “It feels great to be back in Victory Lane."
Johnson's second win of the season leaves him fourth in points standings and finally puts a little distance between him and Daryn Pittman. It's also his seventh career series victory, the first one having been at Texas Motor Speedway fourteen years ago.
While Johnson led flag-to-flag, Brad Sweet was patiently working his Napa Auto Parts/ Kasey Kahne Racing No. 49 up from five to make a late-race push for the lead. Running the bottom, he made a pass for second over Jason Sides between turns three and four, but then chose to follow Johnson on the top and came in after him.
"It was a fine line. I moved up to the top a little bit," explained Sweet. "I think if I would have committed to the bottom and hit it a few more times we would have been a lot closer there at the end. Or maybe I would have been able to get in there. But hats off to [Jason Johnson]. He did a great job."
Sides, who had been running second throughout the race, lost steam in the final laps and dropped back to eight, leaving the final podium spot to Logan Schuchart, who had been running in fourth.
Meanwhile, it wasn't a stellar day for the expected superstars on the field. NASCAR stars Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne came in 22 and 11 respectively, both falling back two spots from their starting positions. And eight-time Series Champion Donny Schatz washed way up the track in the first half of lap one and never fully recovered.
The previous night's winner, David Gravel, managed to work his way up from the back, but it just wasn't enough, leaving him in 14. But last year's night one winner, Joey Saldana barely missed the podium with a fourth place finish.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return to action tomorrow for the final night of the Texas Outlaw Nationals at Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, TX.
RACE NOTES: Jason "the Ragin' Cajun" Johnson dominated night one of the Texas Outlaw Nationals at Devil's Bowl Speedway, leading all 25 laps of the evening's Feature after winning the Craftsman Club Dash from the pole and running fastest in qualifying. Following him into Victory Lane was Brad Sweet in the KKR 49 after a failed last-lap effort to steal first. Logan Schuchart in third.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Travis Rilat; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Brent Marks; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Karig Kinser; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brady Bacon; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brady Bacon; Super Flow ($50 cash): David Gravel; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Jason Johnson, Jason Sides, Logan Schuchart, Brad Sweet, Joey Saldana; Craftsman/Sears: Christopher Bell; KSE Hard Charger: Kraig Kinser; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Jason Johnson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Sheldon Haudenschild; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18 ); David Gravel - 4 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1, Gator Motorplex on April 3); Jason Johnson - 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 14); Brad Sweet - 1 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25), Logan Schuchart - 1 (Keller Auto Speedway on March 31), Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway on April 7), Rico Abreu – 1 (Arizona Speedway on April 8).
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Devil's Bowl Speedway, TX; April 14, 2017
Feature (25 Laps) - 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$8,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$4,000]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [4][$2,500]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [6][$2,200]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [12][$2,100]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [8][$2,000]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$1,800]; 8. 7S-Jason Sides [2][$1,600]; 9. 19-Brent Marks [11][$1,500]; 10. 33-Danny Lasoski [13][$1,300]; 11. 4K-Kasey Kahne [9][$1,200]; 12. 99-Brady Bacon [17][$1,100]; 13. 2C-Wayne Johnson [7][$1,000]; 14. 5-David Gravel [21][$700]; 15. 4-Paul McMahan [15][$600]; 16. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$600]; 17. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [22][$600]; 18. 67-Christopher Bell [3][$600]; 19. 82-Cap Henry [23][$600]; 20. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [16][$600]; 21. 81W-Danny Wood [18][$600]; 22. 14-Tony Stewart [20][$600]; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen [19][$600]; 24. 29-Travis Rilat [24][$600]; Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 11K-Kraig Kinser[+7]
Qualifying - 1. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.707; 2. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.78; 3. 67-Christopher Bell, 14.076; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.135; 5. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.166; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.229; 7. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 14.253; 8. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.263; 9. 17-Joey Saldana, 14.27; 10. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.308; 11. 19-Brent Marks, 14.367; 12. 4K-Kasey Kahne, 14.44; 13. 33-Danny Lasoski, 14.465; 14. 9-Daryn Pittman, 14.479; 15. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.49; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.501; 17. 14-Tony Stewart, 14.519; 18. 81W-Danny Wood, 14.52; 19. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 14.552; 20. 99-Brady Bacon, 14.564; 21. 4-Paul McMahan, 14.584; 22. 5-David Gravel, 14.588; 23. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.612; 24. 82-Cap Henry, 14.686; 25. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.754; 26. 99T-Skylar Gee, 14.92; 27. 29-Travis Rilat, 15.237; 28. 1X-Gary Taylor, 23.157; 29. 84-Scott Bogucki, 23.278
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2]; 3. 2C-Wayne Johnson [3]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 5. 33-Danny Lasoski [5]; 6. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [7]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [6]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [9]; 9. 5-David Gravel [8]; 10. 1X-Gary Taylor [10]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 7S-Jason Sides [1]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [2]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [3]; 4. 19-Brent Marks [4]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [5]; 6. 99-Brady Bacon [7]; 7. 14-Tony Stewart [6]; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [8]; 9. 99T-Skylar Gee [9]; 10. 84-Scott Bogucki [10]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 67-Christopher Bell [1]; 2. 17-Joey Saldana [3]; 3. 4K-Kasey Kahne [4]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2]; 5. 4-Paul McMahan [7]; 6. 81W-Danny Wood [6]; 7. 29-Travis Rilat [9]; 8. 82-Cap Henry [8]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [5]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps) - 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [2]; 3. 67-Christopher Bell [3]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [4]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [5]; 6. 17-Joey Saldana [6]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 1A-Jacob Allen [2][-]; 2. 14-Tony Stewart [3][-]; 3. 5-David Gravel [4][-]; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][-]; 5. 82-Cap Henry [6][-]; 6. 29-Travis Rilat [9][-]; 7. 99T-Skylar Gee [8][$300]; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [5][$250]; 9. 1X-Gary Taylor [10][$225]; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp [1][$200]; 11. 84-Scott Bogucki [11][$200]
David Gravel Scores His Fourth Season Win at Gator Motorplex
Packed House Cheers on Haudenschild after Three Collisions
WILLIS, TX — April 14, 2017 — "It is official. David Gravel has cleared the scales in the CJB Motorsports No. 5, headed to Victory Lane!” cried Johnny Gibson over the P.A. at Gator Motorplex Thursday night. This was win number four of the season in the No. 5 machine, and a twentieth career win for Gravel.
He worked hard for this one, starting in ten and working the high side. While Jason Sides started on the pole, with NASCAR driver Kasey Kayne in second, it was Paul McMahan in the lead when Gravel finally took it in lap 30 — and he took it from below.
“I started tenth and was in second before I knew it,” said the inaugural Gator Bash champ. "I knew it was a 40-lap race. I tried to be really patient with Paul [McMahan]. The curve got really really really tricky as the race went on, and I almost bit the wall a couple of times.”
But it wasn’t Gravel who bit the wall at all. That fell on Rookie-of-the-Year-contender Sheldon Haudenschild, who with four laps to go got into his third tangle of the night. Haudenschild was the unofficial fan favorite at Gator Motorplex, drawing loud cheers for his persistence each time he returned to the field after two flips. But the last one set him bouncing off the wall outside of turn four, right into Brad Sweet.
Sweet had been busy battling Donny Schatz for the fourth spot, which is precisely where Schatz remained after the checkered flag flew.
The inaugural Gator Bash saw a packed house in Willis, Texas, where fans cheered on Kahne as he made his return to dirt in the iRacing.com 4K. But after a lucky Dash inversion draw that put him on the pole, Kahne spun out during the Feature, turning sideways in turn four and causing Daryn Pittman and Dustin Gates to flip over each other.
Meanwhile, Sides maintained his lead until lap 14, when McMahan come up from third to take it from him. It wasn’t until 26 laps later that Gravel managed to final clear both of them, leading them into the checkers in just that order.
"Finishing second right now feels like a win - the way all last year went. But second still sucks,” said McMahan from Victory Lane.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return to action tomorrow, Friday night, at Devil's Bowl Speedway for the Texas Outlaw Nationals in Mesquite, TX.
RACE NOTES: David Gravel scored his fourth season win at the inaugural Gator Outlaw Bash at Gator Motoroplex, leading the final 11 laps of the 40-lap Feature. Paul McMahan and Jason Sides, the only two other lap leaders in the race, followed Gravel to Victory Lane, leaving points leader and defending champion Donny Schatz just short after a turn four incident took Brad Sweet and Sheldon Haudenschild out of the running.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Aaron Reutzel; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): David Gravel; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Brady Bacon; Comp Cams ($50 cash): SHane Stewart; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; Super Flow ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Jason Sides, Paul McMahan, Sheldon Haudenschild; Craftsman/Sears: Kasey Kahnef; KSE Hard Charger: Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): David Gravel; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Aaron Reutzel.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18 ); David Gravel - 4 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1, Gator Motorplex on April 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17); Brad Sweet - 1 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25), Logan Schuchart - 1 (Keller Auto Speedway), Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway), Rico Abreu – 1 (Arizona Speedway).
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Gator Motorplex, TX, April 13, 2017
Feature (40 Laps) - 1. 5-David Gravel [10][$10,000]; 2. 4-Paul McMahan [3][$5,500]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [1][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$2,800]; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [8][$2,500]; 6. 17-Joey Saldana [15][$2,300]; 7. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [11][$2,200]; 8. 99-Brady Bacon [14][$2,100]; 9. 2-Shane Stewart [19][$2,050]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [22][$2,000]; 11. 19-Brent Marks [12][$1,500]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18][$1,200]; 13. 67-Christopher Bell [21][$1,100]; 14. 82-Cap Henry [17][$1,050]; 15. 9-Daryn Pittman [9][$1,000]; 16. 84-Scott Bogucki [7][$900]; 17. W20-Greg Wilson [20][$800]; 18. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$800]; 19. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [6][$800]; 20. 4K-Kasey Kahne [2][$800]; 21. 87-Aaron Reutzel [13][$800]; 22. 17G-Dustin Gates [23][$800]; 23. 33-Danny Lasoski [16][$800]; 24. 2C-Wayne Johnson [24][$800]; Lap Leaders: Jason Sides 1-13, Paul McMahan 14-29, David Gravel 30-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+12]
Qualifying - 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.479; 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.517; 3. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.53; 4. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.573; 5. 4-Paul McMahan, 11.618; 6. 4K-Kasey Kahne, 11.631; 7. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 11.651; 8. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.661; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.663; 10. 84-Scott Bogucki, 11.681; 11. 82-Cap Henry, 11.687; 12. 19-Brent Marks, 11.773; 13. 5-David Gravel, 11.805; 14. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 11.838; 15. 17-Joey Saldana, 11.854; 16. 33-Danny Lasoski, 11.93; 17. 99-Brady Bacon, 11.947; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.991; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.027; 20. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.044; 21. 17G-Dustin Gates, 12.054; 22. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 12.081; 23. 67-Christopher Bell, 12.106; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.163; 25. 99T-Skylar Gee, 12.385; 26. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.385; 27. 88-Scottie McDonald, 12.672; 28. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.69
Heat #1 (10 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [2]; 3. 84-Scott Bogucki [4]; 4. 5-David Gravel [5]; 5. 87-Aaron Reutzel [3]; 6. 33-Danny Lasoski [6]; 7. 2C-Wayne Johnson [8]; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [7]; 9. 99T-Skylar Gee [9]; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp [10]
Heat #2 (10 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1]; 2. 4-Paul McMahan [2]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [3]; 4. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [5]; 5. 99-Brady Bacon [6]; 6. 82-Cap Henry [4]; 7. 67-Christopher Bell [8]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [7]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [9]
Heat #3 (10 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [1]; 2. 4K-Kasey Kahne [2]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [3]; 4. 19-Brent Marks [4]; 5. 17-Joey Saldana [5]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [6]; 7. 17G-Dustin Gates [7]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [8]; 9. 88-Scottie McDonald [9]
Craftsman Club Dash (8 Laps) - 1. 7S-Jason Sides [3]; 2. 4K-Kasey Kahne [1]; 3. 4-Paul McMahan [2]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [5]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [6]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [4]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [2][-]; 2. W20-Greg Wilson [1][-]; 3. 67-Christopher Bell [5][-]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8][-]; 5. 17G-Dustin Gates [3][-]; 6. 2C-Wayne Johnson [4][-]; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [10][$300]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [6][$250]; 9. 99T-Skylar Gee [7][$225]; 10. 88-Scottie McDonald [9][$200]
Abreu Closes Out Western Swing in Victory Lane Arizona Speedway
Gravel and Brown finish on the podium at Arizona Desert Shootout
QUEEN CREEK, AZ — April 8, 2017 — In a caution free event that saw passing throughout the 24-car field, it was Rico Abreu that perfectly timed a slide-job in Turn 2 to take over the top spot from Brian Brown at the half-way point of the 30-lap event. David Gravel was able to follow Abreu through to give him the second position. Abreu held off a hard-charging Gravel as they made their way through heavy lap traffic to pick up his first World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of the 2017 season at Arizona Speedway.
Coming into the Arizona stretch of the 2017 season, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series full-time drivers scored wins in first 12 events of the season. That stat changed after Brian Brown ran away with the Yuma Valley Showdown at Cocopah Speedway on Friday Night. The outsiders were looking to make it two-for-two in Arizona when the Series visited the Arizona Speedway for the second time in their history.
For the second night in a row, Brown started from the pole position. After jumping out to an early lead, Brown opened up a half-second lead over Abreu after a pass attempt that didn't stick.
On lap 12 of the 30-lap Arizona Desert Shootout, David Gravel who was running third made a move on Jason Sides to move him inside the top three.
At the half-way point, Abreu, from St. Helena, CA closed the gap on Brown while he was dealing with lap traffic and took advantage of the opportunity and threw a perfectly executed slide-job pass on Brown in Turn 2 to vault him into the lead.
"It's so easy to slow down to someone's pass, especially when they're in traffic," said Rico Abreu. "You've got to be committed on your slide jobs - that's what I do nowadays. I got a little impatient when we got to lap traffic but once I cleared some lap cars I felt really confident and made the move. I just tried to save my tires for the end as I knew it was going to get trickier for someone to peel off and pass."
While Abreu was making his move on Brown, Gravel was also able to sneak his No. 5 GoMuddy.com machine by for second.
"[traffic] started to play an issue there but I'm happy with a second-place finish," said David Gravel. "It was a really fun race with a lot of sliders. I just wanted to thank all my guys and everyone at CJB Motorsports. We'll take a second and move onto next week."
Out front as the leader, Abreu was left to navigate his way around heavy lap traffic but Abreu made quick work and was able to grow his lead to a one-second advantage.
As the laps started to tick away, Gravel worked his way back up to the rear bumper of Abreu. With just a few laps remaining, Gravel didn't get the opportunity to get by Abreu to add to his win total, instead it was Rico Abreu playing spoiler to the Outlaw regulars as the outsiders swept the Arizona weekend.
The Outlaws will head back east after a spending a month on the west coast of the United States for a makeup race at Gator Motorplex on Thursday April 13. A trip back to the place where it all started for the Outlaws at Devil's Bowl Speedway for a doubleheader on April 14 and 15.
For tickets visit WorldofOutlaws.com/Tickets or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
Arizona Speedway Notebook
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18 ); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1); Jason Johnson - 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17); Brad Sweet - 1 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25), Logan Schuchart - 1 (Keller Auto Speedway), Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway), Rico Abreu – 1 (Arizona Speedway).
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Billy Chester; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): David Gravel; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Sides; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Sheldon Haudensheld,; Super Flow ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Craftsman Club ($100 cash each):Jason Johnson, Joey Saldana, Jason Sides, David Gravel, N/A; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Brian Brown; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Kraig Kinser; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): David Gravel; JE Pistons (Set of Rings each): Logan Schuchart, Jacob Allen.
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Arizona Speedway, AZ. April 8, 2017
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 24-Rico Abreu [2][$10,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [6][$5,500]; 3. 21-Brian Brown [1][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$2,800]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [5][$2,500]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$2,300]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$2,200]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [8][$2,100]; 9. 17-Joey Saldana [4][$2,050]; 10. 4-Paul McMahan [10][$2,000]; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [19][$1,500]; 12. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [15][$1,200]; 13. 18-Ian Madsen [12][$1,100]; 14. 9-Daryn Pittman [18][$1,050]; 15. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [13][$1,000]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson [16][$900]; 17. 1S-Logan Schuchart [14][$800]; 18. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [17][$800]; 19. 19-Brent Marks [11][$800]; 20. 82-Stevie Sussex [21][$800]; 21. 2A-Austin Pierce [22][$800]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [20][$800]; 23. 5C-Billy Chester [23][$800], 24. 90-Lance Norick [24][$800]
Qualifying : 1. 5-David Gravel, 12.747; 2. 17-Joey Saldana, 12.751; 3. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.773; 4. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.79; 5. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.825; 6. 21-Brian Brown, 12.827; 7. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.852; 8. 24-Rico Abreu, 12.94; 9. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.971; 10. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 12.974; 11. 19-Brent Marks, 12.977; 12. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.977; 13. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.994; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.041; 15. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.064; 16. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.099; 17. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 13.188; 18. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.215; 19. 82-Stevie Sussex, 13.219; 20. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.25; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.267; 22. 90-Lance Norick, 13.351; 23. 2A-Austin Pierce, 13.354; 24. 5C-Billy Chester, 13.503; 25. 22-Cori Andrews, 13.781; 26. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.784. Lap Leaders: Brian Brown 1-15, Rico Abreu 16-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 11K-Kraig Kinser[+8]
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 5-David Gravel [1]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [2]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3]; 4. 4-Paul McMahan [5]; 5. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [4]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [6]; 7. 82-Stevie Sussex [7]; 8. 90-Lance Norick [8]; 9. 22-Cori Andrews [9]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 17-Joey Saldana [1]; 2. 24-Rico Abreu [3]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [2]; 4. 19-Brent Marks [4]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5]; 6. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [6]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7]; 8. 2A-Austin Pierce [8]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [9]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature:1. 7S-Jason Sides [1]; 2. 21-Brian Brown [2]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 4. 18-Ian Madsen [5]; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [3]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [6]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [7]; 8. 5C-Billy Chester [8]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps): 1. 21-Brian Brown [1]; 2. 24-Rico Abreu [2]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [3]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [5]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [4]; 6. 5-David Gravel [6]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2][-]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [3][-]; 3. 82-Stevie Sussex [1][-]; 4. 2A-Austin Pierce [5][-]; 5. 5C-Billy Chester [6][-]; 6. 90-Lance Norick [4][-]; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [8][$300]; 8. 22-Cori Andrews [7][$250]
‘Blackjack’ Brian Brown Returns to Victory Lane at Cocopah Speedway
Browns first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory in three years
SOMERTON, AZ – April 7, 2017 - Brian Brown ousted the field in the Yuma Valley Showdown at Cocopah Speedway for his first World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win in over three years. It was a race where track position was key and Brown had just that by starting on the pole of the 30-lap Feature event. Donny Schatz grabbed his tenth top-five of the season with a runner-up finish.
By winning the Craftsman Club® Dash, Brian Brown was awarded the pole position — a starting position that proved to be invaluable. At the drop of the green flag, the Grain Valley, MO-driver quickly jumped out to an early lead over the 24-car field.
“This is awesome, we’ve had a rough couple of nights,” said Brian Brown. “It’s been an awesome start to the year, but the last couple of nights haven’t been good. The [crew] had a talk before the race and decided to hit the reset button. We’ve been in position to win some of these races this year, we just haven’t capitalized. To beat these guys is an honor and we’re excited to get to [Arizona Speedway] tomorrow. I can’t thank Casey's General Stores, FVP and my crew enough for this.”
With Jason Sides settling into the second position from the get go, Sheldon Haudenschild tried to strike early at advancing his position with a slide job on Sides. The aggressive move didn’t stick however, proving costly as Schatz took advantage and vaulted into the fourth position.
The field started to search for more moisture on the track and eventually saw the groove move from the top of the 3/8th-mile oval down to the bottom. With leaders quickly approaching lap traffic, Schatz who was running third was able to get by Sides to move him into the runner-up position.
“We had a decent enough car to win but the way the track played out we had to be another row forward,” said Donny Schatz. “Everyone’s tires were bald and it was one groove in Turns 1 and 2 but Turn 3 and 4 had two grooves, we just used so much tires at the end. Just happy to salvage a second-place finish.”
The only slow down on the day for World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series came on lap 25 of the 30-lap Feature event. The No. 13 of Clyde Knipp and Shane Stewart tangled in Turn 4; Stewart was able to rejoin the field, while Knipp’s night was done early as he got a tow to the infield.
On the ensuing single-file restart Brown got off to a quick restart and jumped out to a five car-length lead over the No. 15 Arctic Cat machine of Donny Schatz. Making one last-ditch effort at Brown, Schatz came up unsuccessful allowing Brown to cruise to his first win of the 2017 season and his third career World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series win.
After experiencing motor issues during qualifying, Daryn Pittman and the No. 9 Great Clips Kasey Kahne Racing team changed power plants before the heat race. Pittman was able to qualify into the Feature event through the Last Chance Showdown to start 22nd on the field. The KSE Hard Charger gained positions during the feature to finish 14th.
The World of Outlaws head east for a stop at the Arizona Speedway for the Arizona Desert Showdown on Saturday, April 8th to wrap up the spring Western swing before making their way back to Texas for a make-up show at Gator Motorplex on Thursday, April 13th and Devil’s Bowl for a two-night event on April 14 and 15. For tickets visit WorldofOutlaws.com/Tickets or call 844-DIRT-TIX.
Cocopah Speedway Notebook
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18 ); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1); Jason Johnson - 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17); Brad Sweet - 1 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25), Logan Schuchart - 1 (Keller Auto Speedway), Brian Brown – 1 (Cocopah Speedway).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Cocopah Speedway, AZ. April 7, 2017
Feature (30 Laps) : 1. 21-Brian Brown [1][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$3,200]; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [2][$2,800]; 5. 4-Paul McMahan [6][$2,500]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$2,300]; 7. 5-David Gravel [10][$2,200]; 8. 18-Ian Madsen [7][$2,100]; 9. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8][$2,050]; 10. 24-Rico Abreu [12][$2,000]; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart [13][$1,500]; 12. 41-Jason Johnson [11][$1,200]; 13. 17-Joey Saldana [15][$1,100]; 14. 9-Daryn Pittman [22][$1,050]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$1,000]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17][$900]; 17. 2-Shane Stewart [9][$800]; 18. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [18][$800]; 19. 19-Brent Marks [19][$800]; 20. 5C-Billy Chester [21][$800]; 21. 82-Stevie Sussex [16][$800]; 22. 2A-Austin Pierce [23][$800]; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp [24][$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [20][$800] Lap Leaders: Brian Brown 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman[+8]
Qualifying : 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.529; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.67; 3. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.778; 4. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.907; 5. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.909; 6. 21-Brian Brown, 13.926; 7. 5-David Gravel, 13.948; 8. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 14; 9. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.001; 10. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.047; 11. 41-Jason Johnson, 14.129; 12. 17-Joey Saldana, 14.161; 13. 82-Stevie Sussex, 14.167; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.218; 15. 24-Rico Abreu, 14.333; 16. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.421; 17. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.459; 18. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 14.469; 19. 19-Brent Marks, 14.737; 20. 2A-Austin Pierce, 14.768; 21. 5C-Billy Chester, 14.878; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.906; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.924; 24. 22-Cori Andrews, 14.968; 25. 9-Daryn Pittman, NT
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 3. 18-Ian Madsen [2]; 4. 5-David Gravel [3]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6]; 6. 82-Stevie Sussex [5]; 7. 19-Brent Marks [7]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [9]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 4-Paul McMahan [2]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [1]; 3. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [3]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [4]; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [6]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [8]; 8. 2A-Austin Pierce [7]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 7S-Jason Sides [1]; 2. 21-Brian Brown [2]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [3]; 4. 24-Rico Abreu [5]; 5. 17-Joey Saldana [4]; 6. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [6]; 7. 5C-Billy Chester [7]; 8. 22-Cori Andrews [8]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps): 1. 21-Brian Brown [1]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [4]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [3]; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [6]; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [5]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) : Top 6 Transfer to Feature: 1. 19-Brent Marks [1][-]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [5][-]; 3. 5C-Billy Chester [3][-]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [7][-]; 5. 2A-Austin Pierce [2][-]; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [4][-]; 7. 22-Cori Andrews [6][$300]
Gravel Leads Green-to-Checkers for Third Win of 2017 Season
Sweet and Haudenschild round out top-three at Perris Auto Speedway
PERRIS, CA – April 1, 2017 – David Gravel was the driver to beat at Perris Auto Speedway for the SoCal Showdown bringing an end the spring California swing. As the track rubbered-up, Gravel was in the ideal position, out front. Running mainly the high-lane around the half-mile oval, Gravel was able to pull away on multiple restarts to take home his third World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
“I’m happy I got the jump on the restarts and got the lead to manipulate the race for yourself,” said the driver of the No. 5 CJB Motorsports GoMuddy.com machine. “Just happy to get another win, this is definitely huge, this the most wins I’ve had this early in the season. Not that it takes the pressure off but you just want to keep it rolling.”
A top-five qualifying effort, a heat-race win, and a second in the Craftsman Club Dash, allowed for Gravel to start on the front row of tonight’s 30-lap Feature. The driver that started the SoCal Showdown from the pole was California-native, Brad Sweet. With Gravel checking-out on the initial start, Sweet had his hands full fending off the rookie-of-the-year contender, Sheldon Haudenschild for the second position. A red flag was displayed on Lap 10 when the No. 2x of Parker Price-Miller went for a tumble in Turn 2; Price-Miller walked away unscathed.
The battle between Haudenschild and Sweet continued with sporadic challenges from series points leader, Donny Schatz and Friday night’s runner-up Ian Madsen.
Coming off a last-place finish the night before, the No. 49 Kasey Kahne Racing team was able to rebound for a second-place finish to round out the California trip.
“[Gravel] was just able to get the run on the restarts,” said the driver of the No. 49 NAPA Auto Parts machine. “Hats off to our guys, we had a great car all night. We got into lap traffic and I would get a good run and a caution came out — sometimes [cautions] fall when you want them to sometime they don’t. We’ll keep digging and hopefully we can get the NAPA Auto Parts car back into Victory Lane soon.”
The young-gun, Sheldon Haudenschild who has been consistent the last couple of weeks brought home a podium finish for the second time this season.
“I tried to get position on Brad [Sweet] on those restarts but I didn’t gain enough ground,” said Sheldon Haudenschild. “I’m still happy with tonight — thanks to my guys for all their hardwork.”
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will be back in action next Friday, April 7 when they make their first visit to Cocopah Speedway in Somerton, AZ. The following night, the Outlaws will head east to Arizona Speedway for their second trip.
Tickets for these events can be purchased on dirtcar.ticketforce.com or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
Perris Auto Speedway Notebook
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18 ); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17, Placerville Speedway on March 29, Perris Auto Speedway on April 1); Jason Johnson - 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17); Brad Sweet - 1 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25), Logan Schuchart - 1 (Keller Auto Speedway).
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Parker Price-Miller; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): David Gravel; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Super Flow ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Craftsman Club ($100 cash each): Brad Sweet, David Gravel, Jason Sides, Sheldon Haudensheld, Shane Stewart; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): N/A; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): David Gravel; JE Pistons (Set of Rings each): Kraig Kinser, Randy Waitman.
Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 5-David Gravel [2][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$5,500]; 3. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [7][$2,800]; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [8][$2,500]; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [12][$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [10][$2,200]; 8. 7S-Jason Sides [3][$2,100]; 9. 21X-Carson Macedo [15][$2,050]; 10. W20-Greg Wilson [19][$2,000]; 11. 17-Joey Saldana [11][$1,500]; 12. 21-Brian Brown [16][$1,200]; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart [17][$1,100]; 14. 19-Brent Marks [14][$1,050]; 15. 1A-Jacob Allen [21][$1,000]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$900]; 17. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$800]; 18. 82-Stevie Sussex [20][$800]; 19. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$800]; 20. 26-Tayler Malsam [18][$800]; 21. 90-Randy Waitman [23][$800]; 22. 9Z-Jared Goerges [22][$800]; 23. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [9][$800]; 24. 73-Clyde Knipp (Substitute for Brady Bacon) [24][$800] Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+9]
Qualifying - 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.468; 2. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.482; 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 14.517; 4. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.603; 5. 5-David Gravel, 14.631; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.635; 7. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.654; 8. 18-Ian Madsen, 14.678; 9. 4-Paul McMahan, 14.69; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman, 14.748; 11. 17-Joey Saldana, 14.758; 12. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 14.799; 13. 21-Brian Brown, 14.852; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.86; 15. 73-Brady Bacon, 14.913; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 15.024; 17. 19-Brent Marks, 15.088; 18. 21X-Carson Macedo, 15.115; 19. 26-Tayler Malsam, 15.144; 20. 82-Stevie Sussex, 15.172; 21. 9Z-Jared Goerges, 15.195; 22. W20-Greg Wilson, 15.229; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen, 15.347; 24. 13-Clyde Knipp, 15.467; 25. 90-Randy Waitman, 16.199; 26. 22-Cori Andrews, 16.257
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [2]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [3]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [4]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [6]; 6. 21-Brian Brown [5]; 7. 26-Tayler Malsam [7]; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [8]; 9. 90-Randy Waitman [9]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 5-David Gravel [2]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [1]; 3. 18-Ian Madsen [3]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [4]; 5. 19-Brent Marks [6]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5]; 7. 82-Stevie Sussex [7]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [8]; 9. 22-Cori Andrews [9]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [1]; 3. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [4]; 4. 4-Paul McMahan [3]; 5. 21X-Carson Macedo [6]; 6. 73-Brady Bacon [5]; 7. 9Z-Jared Goerges [7]; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 5-David Gravel [2]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [4]; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [3]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [5]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [6]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 6 Transfer - 1. 26-Tayler Malsam [1][-]; 2. W20-Greg Wilson [4][-]; 3. 82-Stevie Sussex [2][-]; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen [5][-]; 5. 9Z-Jared Goerges [3][-]; 6. 90-Randy Waitman [7][-]; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [6][$300]; 8. 22-Cori Andrews [8][$250]
Schuchart Charges from Deep at Keller for First Victory of 2017
Schatz comes from 21st to third for eighth top-five finish of the year
HANFORD, CA – April 1, 2017 –Shark Racing’s Logan Schuchart started the 35-lap Kings Outlaw Showdown from the 19th position at Keller Auto Speedway — the KSE Hard Charger award winner picked his way to the front of the 26-car field. Late in the race, Schuchart found the bottom groove of the 3/8th-mile oval to work his way past eventual runner-up, Ian Madsen on the final lap to score his first victory of the 2017 season.
After starting the season having overcome adversity when the teams tow-vehicle broke down on the way to the opening World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series event, the team relied on support from the racing industry to assist with getting them to each Outlaw event.
“This adds onto the excitement and the accomplishments. It doesn’t matter if you start from the pole or wherever, if you can win an Outlaws race, these things are really tough [to win] no matter where you go. I’m just happy for my team to be able to get a win and it just makes it that much more exciting to start from 19th. We just really need to thank [Ryan] Smith family for letting us use their toter-home to come all the way [to California] and everyone that donated to the GoFundMe, you never want to be in that position but we were in a tough spot and we wouldn’t be out here if it wasn’t for those people.”
Ian Madsen and James McFadden, made up an all-Australian front-row for the start of the Kings Outlaw Showdown at Keller Auto Speedway. It was Madsen who would show the way for a total of 31 of the 35 laps in the Feature.
The event was slowed several times, including on lap four when Brad Sweet, who came into the night second in points, brushed the outside Turn 4 wall. Sweet was forced to retire from the event early resulting in a 26th-place finish.
Making his presences known, the Hanover, PA-native Schuchart had worked his way up to the fourth running position by lap 14.
It was on lap 20 when the local hero, Cory Eliason from nearby Fresno, CA made a bid to steal the show by charging from the 16th-starting position to wrangle the lead away from Madsen. As the large crowd at the Keller Auto Speedway erupted in excitement, Eliason lost the handling on his No. 00 machine and spun on the backstretch; forfeiting the lead just as quickly as he got it.
With Madsen back in control of the lead once again, he fended off a new challenger in David Gravel. In total, Madsen had five different drivers start to his right on the double-file restarts. Schuchart snuck by Gravel on the restart and immediately went to work on Madsen.
“It was a pretty strong run for the KPC team,” said Ian Madsen driver of the No. 18. “Kind of got nervous [with all those restarts] didn’t really know what to do, with someone different coming up each time. We’ll go onto Perris and see if we can win.”
The driver of the No. 1s of Schuchart started to search around for some moisture; he eventually found it on the bottom groove.
“I was able to find a little moister off [turn] four and it helped me, at least for me to get up to [Madsen] so I could make a move in [turns] three and four,” added Schuchart.
The Series points leader, Donny Schatz who had to use the Last Chance Showdown to transfer into the Feature event put on a show to grab a third-place finish. This marks Schatz’s eighth top-five of the season.
This victory marks Schuchart’s third career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win.
The Series travels south to Perris Auto Speedway for the SoCal Showdown on Saturday Night to wrap up the Spring portion of the California swing.
Feature (35 Laps) - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$10,000]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [2][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [21][$3,200]; 4. 5-David Gravel [9][$2,800]; 5. 51-James McFadden [1][$2,500]; 6. 7S-Jason Sides [23][$2,300]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [25][$1,400]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [12][$2,100]; 9. 83-Kyle Hirst [11][$2,050]; 10. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,000]; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [26][$700]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [15][$1,200]; 13. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$1,100]; 14. 21X-Carson Macedo [14][$1,050]; 15. 4-Paul McMahan [10][$1,000]; 16. OO-Cory Eliason [16][$900]; 17. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8][$800]; 18. 17-Joey Saldana [4][$800]; 19. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [20][$800]; 20. 9-Daryn Pittman [24][$800]; 21. 21-Brian Brown [18][$800]; 22. 3C-DJ Netto [22][$800]; 23. 83JR-Tim Kaeding [13][$800]; 24. O-Bud Kaeding [17][$800]; 25. 24-Rico Abreu [6][$800]; 26. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$800]. Lap Leaders: Ian Madsen 1-18, 21-33; Cory Eliason 19-20; Logan Schuchart 34-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+18]
Qualifying - 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.999; 2. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.026; 3. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.053; 4. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.093; 5. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 13.157; 6. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.187; 7. 83-Kyle Hirst, 13.23; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.245; 9. 5-David Gravel, 13.251; 10. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.258; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.273; 12. 51-James McFadden, 13.279; 13. 83JR-Tim Kaeding, 13.324; 14. 21-Brian Brown, 13.335; 15. 3C-DJ Netto, 13.364; 16. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 13.368; 17. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.369; 18. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.371; 19. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.405; 20. 98-Sean Watts, 13.41; 21. O-Bud Kaeding, 13.416; 22. 21X-Carson Macedo, 13.474; 23. 26-Tayler Malsam, 13.48; 24. OO-Cory Eliason, 13.488; 25. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.532; 26. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.58; 27. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.635; 28. 73-Brady Bacon, 13.68; 29. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.702; 30. 9Z-Jared Goerges, 13.998; 31. 19-Brent Marks, 14.034; 32. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.51; 33. 90-Randy Waitman, NT
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature- 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [2]; 3. 5-David Gravel [3]; 4. 83JR-Tim Kaeding [4]; 5. O-Bud Kaeding [6]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [5]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [7]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [8]; 9. 90-Randy Waitman [9]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature- 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [2]; 3. 4-Paul McMahan [3]; 4. 21X-Carson Macedo [6]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [4]; 6. 7S-Jason Sides [5]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [7]; 8. 9Z-Jared Goerges [8]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature- 1. 17-Joey Saldana [1]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [5]; 3. 83-Kyle Hirst [2]; 4. 19-Brent Marks [8]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7]; 7. 26-Tayler Malsam [6]; 8. 3C-DJ Netto [4]
Heat #4 (8 Laps) - Top 5 Transfer to Feature- 1. 24-Rico Abreu [1]; 2. 51-James McFadden [3]; 3. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 4. OO-Cory Eliason [6]; 5. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [4]; 6. 73-Brady Bacon [7]; 7. 98-Sean Watts [5]; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps) - 1. 51-James McFadden [1]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [2]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [3]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [6]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [7]; 6. 24-Rico Abreu [5]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [8]; 8. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [4]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 4 Transfer to Feature - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2][-]; 2. 3C-DJ Netto [1][-]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [3][-]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [6][-]; 5. 73-Brady Bacon [9][$300]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [7][$250]; 7. 98-Sean Watts [4][$225]; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8][$200]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [10][$200]; 10. 26-Tayler Malsam [5][$200]; 11. 13-Clyde Knipp [12][$200]; 12. 9Z-Jared Goerges [11][$200]; 13. 90-Randy Waitman [13][$200]
Friday Night of FVP Western Spring Shootout Cancelled Due to Heavy Rains
Event will resume Saturday, March 25 as regularly scheduled
STOCKTON, CA. - March 23, 2017 - The first night of the FVP Western Spring Shootout at the Stockton Dirt Track has been cancelled due to a forecast calling for rain in the Stockton, CA area most of Friday, March 24.
Despite the rain, the modern facilities at the San Joaquin Fairgrounds - including paved parking lots, under cover concourse and all-weather seating - will be ready for Saturday's event. The expansive horse track area will allow a mile of stone-based pit parking.
The FVP Western Spring Shootout will resume on Saturday, March 25, with the pit gates opening at 12 noon, tickets and will call opening at 1pm, and the grandstands opening at 4:00pm. Hot laps for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series will kick off on-track activities at 5:15pm.
Fans that have purchased Friday night tickets may exchange them for a Saturday March 24 ticket, use them at a future west coast World of Outlaw event, or submit them for a refund by mailing the ticket to: World Racing Group Inc. at 7575 W Winds Blvd NW Suite D, Concord, NC 28027 after the event; refunds will NOT be issued at the track. Fans that had tickets for Friday Night's race being held at will call, will need to call the World Racing Group office at 844-DIRT-TIX for a refund.
Fans that have purchased the two-day ticket package for both Friday and Saturday may exchange the Friday ticket for an additional Saturday March 24 ticket, use the Friday ticket at a future west coast World of Outlaw event, or receive a one-day refund by mailing your ticket back to World Racing Group Inc., at 7575 W Winds Blvd NW Suite D, Concord, NC 28027 after the event.
Donny Schatz charges from third to first in closing laps to win sixth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series feature in eight races
By Gary Thomas
Tulare, CA – March 18, 2017…Fargo, North Dakota’s Donny Schatz found more late-race magic on Saturday night getting around Kasey Kahne Racing teammates Brad Sweet and Daryn Pittman with just a few laps left en route to his sixth victory of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series season.
The triumph for Schatz was his first at the Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare since the 2007 season and came aboard the familiar Tony Stewart Racing/ Arctic Cat No. 15 machine. The eight-time World of Outlaws champion was settled in the third spot as the laps wound down, until making a thrilling move around the outside of the speedway to thread his way by the leaders in heavy lapped traffic.
“It feels really good to finally say we won in Tulare again,” Schatz said emphatically on the front stretch. “I didn’t think the track would take rubber so it kind of caught me by surprise. I really tried to save my tires and when we got to traffic late in the race the pace slowed down a lot. I decided I might as well try something and luckily it worked. I get all the credit, but it’s really all about my team. We have an incredible group of people that work on this race car and that makes it so much fun. I can’t thank all our sponsors enough for supporting us and giving us the opportunity to win races.”
The 35-lap feature started out with a three-wide battle for the lead that saw Pittman get the better of it to motor out into the lead over Sweet and pole sitter Shane Stewart.
Early on in the feature the racing was fantastic throughout the field, as the slick surface made for some tremendous action. Caution periods kept the leaders out of traffic however, as Pittman held command out front. Once the midway point of the feature approached rubber began to come down on the surface and made passing opportunities limited. Sweet had kept Pittman in his sights though and hounded the rear bumper of the Great Clips No. 9 for much of the distance.
When the five to go signal was given the top-three bunched up as Schatz looked to make his move. With 32-laps in the record books the current World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series point leader blasted to the high-side to drive around Sweet for the second spot. He then stayed up high and charged around Pittman for the lead coming down to complete lap 33. After that Schatz pulled away to take the checkered flag by 1.951 seconds back to runner up Pittman.
Even though he was disappointed in the outcome Pittman kept an upbeat attitude following the race saying, “This is basically a new team this year with our crew chief change so hopefully it will be a momentum boost for us. I did everything I could tonight, but our engine just wouldn’t run right in the feature. I definitely didn’t want to see the rubber because our car wouldn’t pull forward in it. Tulare is a tough track for me so I’m happy to be on the podium. It’s a long season and the wins will come. I’m definitely happy with the effort that our whole has put forth.”
Sweet crossed the stripe in third to earn another podium finish in the Kasey Kahne Racing/ Napa Auto Parts No. 49 Sprinter. “I was nervous that it would take rubber and Donny pretty much showed why he is the best tonight. He was able to make his line work the best and kind of schooled us, so we’ll keep plugging away to try and get better. We have some good tracks for us coming up so that has me excited. We’ll move on to Stockton and hopefully get a win next week.”
Wooster, Ohio’s Sheldon Haudenschild capped a strong weekend by finishing in the fourth spot, while Rutherford’s Rico Abreu rounded out the top-five. Completing the top-10 were Shane Stewart; Eunice, Louisiana’s Jason Johnson; San Jose’s Tim Kaeding; Lemoore’s Carson Macedo and Watertown, Connecticut’s David Gravel. Hanover, Pennsylvania’s Logan Schuchart earned the KSE Hard Charger Award by coming from 25th to 13th in the feature.
Australian Ian Madsen won the night’s Last Chance Showdown, with Shane Stewart taking home the Craftsman Club Dash. The four 10-lap heat races were picked off by Jason Johnson, Sheldon Haudenschild, Donny Schatz and Rico Abreu. Shane Stewart kicked-off the night by setting fast time in the 36-car field with a lap of 13.392 around the one-third mile clay oval.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return to action this coming Friday and Saturday at the Stockton Dirt Track for the FVP Western Spring Shootout.
Thunderbowl Raceway Notebook
Race Notes: Donny Schatz used lap traffic with two laps remaining to slip by Daryn Pittman for his sixth win of the 2017 season. Sweet secures second podium finish of weekend at Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 5 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10, Thunderbowl Raceway on March 18 ); Jason Johnson - 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17); David Gravel - 1 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 17)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report, Thunderbowl Raceway, CA, March 18, 2017
Feature - (35 Laps) 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3] [$10,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2] [$5,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [4] [$3,000]; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [8] [$2,700]; 5. 24-Rico Abreu [5] [$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [1] [$2,200]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [7] [$2,000]; 8. 83JR-Tim Kaeding [16] [$1,800]; 9. 21X-Carson Macedo [19] [$1,600]; 10. 5-David Gravel [10] [$1,450]; 11. 17-Joey Saldana [9] [$1,300]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [21] [$1,200]; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25] [$400]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [14] [$1,000]; 15. 19-Brent Marks [17] [$950]; 16. 18S-Jason Solwold [13] [$900]; 17. 4-Paul McMahan [18] [$850]; 18. 7S-Jason Sides [26] [$50]; 19. W20-Greg Wilson [23] [$725]; 20. 51-James McFadden [12] [$700]; 21. 21-Brian Brown [24] [$700]; 22. 3C-DJ Netto [6] [$700]; 23. 88-Terry McCarl [20] [$700]; 24. 20-Cory Eliason [11] [$700]; 25. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [15] [$700]; 26. 83-Kyle Hirst [22] [$700] Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-32, Donny Schatz 33-35 KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+12]
Qualifying - 1. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.392; 2. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.448; 3. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.451; 4. 3C-DJ Netto, 13.498; 5. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.512; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.568; 7. 20-Cory Eliason, 13.646; 8. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.662; 9. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.672; 10. 5-David Gravel, 13.708; 11. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.799; 12. 51-James McFadden, 13.807; 13. 19-Brent Marks, 13.828; 14. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.830; 15. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.832; 16. 88-Terry McCarl, 13.835; 17. 83-Kyle Hirst, 13.893; 18. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.894; 19. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 13.994; 20. 21-Brian Brown, 14.072; 21. 18S-Jason Solwold, 14.131; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.213; 23. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.241; 24. 83JR-Tim Kaeding, 14.318; 25. 37-Mitchell Faccinto, 14.323; 26. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 14.395; 27. 21X-Carson Macedo, 14.442; 28. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.446; 29. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr, 14.460; 30. 22-Cori Andrews, 14.461; 31. 98-Sean Watts, 14.513; 32. 29-Willie Croft, 14.581; 33. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.611; 34. 68-Chase Johnson, 14.681; 35. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.760; 36. O-Bud Kaeding, 14.850
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the Feature) 1. 41-Jason Johnson[2] ; 2. 2-Shane Stewart[1] ; 3. 17-Joey Saldana[3] ; 4. 18S-Jason Solwold[6] ; 5. 19-Brent Marks[4] ; 6. 83-Kyle Hirst[5] ; 7. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr[8] ; 8. 37-Mitchell Faccinto[7] ; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart[9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the Feature) 1. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[2] ; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman[4] ; 3. 5-David Gravel[3] ; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser[1] ; 5. 4-Paul McMahan[5] ; 6. 68-Chase Johnson[9] ; 7. 2X-Parker Price-Miller[7] ; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp[6] ; 9. 22-Cori Andrews[8]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the Feature) 1. 15-Donny Schatz[1] ; 2. 49-Brad Sweet[4] ; 3. 20-Cory Eliason[2] ; 4. 41S-Dominic Scelzi[5] ; 5. 21X-Carson Macedo[7] ; 6. W20-Greg Wilson[6] ; 7. 7S-Jason Sides[9] ; 8. 98-Sean Watts[8] ; 9. 18-Ian Madsen[3]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the Feature) 1. 24-Rico Abreu[2] ; 2. 3C-DJ Netto[1] ; 3. 51-James McFadden[3] ; 4. 83JR-Tim Kaeding[6] ; 5. 88-Terry McCarl[4] ; 6. 21-Brian Brown[5] ; 7. 29-Willie Croft[8] ; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen[7] ; 9. O-Bud Kaeding[9]
Craftsman Club® Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of Feature)
1. 2-Shane Stewart[2] ; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman[1] ; 3. 15-Donny Schatz[4] ; 4. 49-Brad Sweet[7] ; 5. 24-Rico Abreu[3] ; 6. 3C-DJ Netto[8] ; 7. 41-Jason Johnson[6] ; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[5]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the Feature)
1. 18-Ian Madsen[1] [-]; 2. 83-Kyle Hirst[2] [-]; 3. W20-Greg Wilson[5] [-]; 4. 21-Brian Brown[3] [-]; 5. 29-Willie Croft[12] [$300]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart[13] [$250]; 7. 68-Chase Johnson[14] [$225]; 8. 7S-Jason Sides[15] [$200]; 9. O-Bud Kaeding[16] [$200]; 10. 37-Mitchell Faccinto[6] [$200]; 11. 13-Clyde Knipp[4] [$200]; 12. 2X-Parker Price-Miller[7] [$200]; 13. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr[9] [$200]; 14. 98-Sean Watts[11] [$200]; 15. 22-Cori Andrews[10] [$200]; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen[8] [$200]
David Gravel gets by Shane Stewart late to claim first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win of season Friday in Tulare
by Gary Thomas
After scoring his first Thunderbowl Raceway World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win last season Watertown, Connecticut’s David Gravel returned on Friday night and made it back-to-back, earning his first series victory of 2017.
Gravel stalked race-long leader Shane Stewart as the laps wound down and made a beautiful power move to the outside with just a few circuits remaining to claim the victory aboard his CJB Motorsports/ Big Game Tree Stands No. 5 machine.
“I’ve watched Rico Abreu and Kyle Larson a lot here at the Trophy Cup so have definitely learned a thing or two about this place,” said Gravel on the front stretch. “Ever since the first time I came to Tulare it’s been an awesome place for me, and it feels great to win back-to-back here. I had nothing to lose there at the end so I just gave it a shot up top and luckily it worked out for us. My team gave me a great car so I can’t thank them enough. It’s been a crazy road these last few years, and I’m really happy with where I am right now. Hopefully we can come back tomorrow and do it again.”
The 35-lap feature started out with pole sitter Stewart getting the jump over outside front row Donny Schatz, who had won five of six races contested thus far going into Friday. Grass Valley, CA’s Brad Sweet quickly moved into second and tried to track down Stewart, prior to the caution waving for Willie Croft on lap nine. On the restart Carson Macedo then got upside down to bring out the red flag. On the next attempt Sweet challenged Stewart for the lead, but the Bixby, Oklahoma pilot was able to fend him off and motor away out front.
Things began to heat up at this point as the surface began to come in and allowed drivers the chance to dice it up for position on the one-third mile clay oval. Gravel and Sweet proceeded to fight hard for the second position going back and forth during one five-lap stretch. After exchanging the runner spot multiple times Sweet assumed the position and began to close in on Stewart with just 10-laps to go.
Things then came to a halt on lap 27 when Rutherford, CA’s Rico Abreu got upside down in the first and second corners while battling around the top-five.
On the restart Gravel was able to get around Sweet to grab second, before the final caution of the night flew for Terry McCarl on lap 30. After that Gravel stepped up his challenges on the leader when going back green and closed in on Stewart. With just a couple laps left he made the move of the race to go around Stewart and drive off to claim his second career Thunderbowl Raceway triumph by 0.977 seconds.
Stewart crossed the stripe in second to earn his fourth straight runner up finish in World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car competition at Thunderbowl Raceway.
“We had a good car tonight, but the driver just didn’t make the right moves late in the race,” said the pilot of the Larson Marks Racing/ Eneos No. 2 mount. “Sometimes the yellows work for you and sometimes they work against you. Tonight they didn’t quite work in our favor, but that’s how racing goes. Hats off to David Gravel, he drove a great race there at the end and found the faster line. I also have to give a big thanks to Kyle Larson, Justin Marks and all my guys. We have 90 races a year, so you just have to come back and concentrate on the next one. Big thanks to all the fans for coming out to Thunderbowl Raceway tonight.”
After racing near the front of the field for the entire feature Sweet brought home a third place finish at the checkered aboard the Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb/ Napa Auto Parts No. 49 Sprinter. “Running third definitely isn’t the goal, but anytime you can finish on the podium with the World of Outlaws is something to be proud of,” Sweet commented.
“We had a good car tonight and I feel like we’re starting to gel. It’s basically a whole new team this year with Kale working on the 49 car and we are making gains. We’ll come back tomorrow and hopefully improve two more positions. This is one of my home tracks so I’d really like to get a win here.”
Wooster, Ohio’s Sheldon Haudenschild put on an entertaining charge in the feature to come from 19th to fourth and claim the KSE Hard Charger Award. The Rookie of the Year contender was very impressive on the tricky Thunderbowl clay and was reminiscent of his father Jac during the night. Australian James McFadden rounded out the top-five in the main event after putting together a solid night. Completing the top-10 were Hanover, Pennsylvania’s Logan Schuchart, Schatz, Paradise, CA’s Kyle Hirst, Nashville, Tennessee’s Paul McMahan and San Jose, CA’s Tim Kaeding.
The night’s 12-lap Last Chance Showdown was captured by Mount Vernon, Washington’s Jason Solwold, with the Craftsman Club Dash going to Shane Stewart. The four 10-lap heat races were picked off by Owasso, Oklahoma’s Daryn Pittman, Brad Sweet, Shane Stewart and Donny Schatz. Rico Abreu started out the night by setting the fastest lap in the 36-car field with a blistering 12.630.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action tomorrow night at Thunderbowl Raceway to finish off the Tulare weekend.
Thunderbowl Raceway Notebook
RACE NOTES: David Gravel chased Shane Stewart to the checkers, taking the lead with only two laps to go. Brad Sweet came in third with Sheldon Haudenschild just missing the podium after starting 19th. A total of 36 cars made the field.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz – 5 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10); Jason Johnson – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17); David Gravel – 1 (Thunderbowl Raceway in March 17)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report, Thunderbowl Raceway, CA, March 17, 2017
Feature - (35 Laps) - 1. 5-David Gravel [4] [$10,000]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [1] [$5,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3] [$3,000]; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [19] [$2,700]; 5. 51-James McFadden [6] [$2,500]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8] [$2,200]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [2] [$2,000]; 8. 83-Kyle Hirst [14] [$1,800]; 9. 4-Paul McMahan [13] [$1,600]; 10. 83JR-Tim Kaeding [10] [$1,450]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [5] [$1,300]; 12. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [22] [$1,200]; 13. 18-Ian Madsen [9] [$1,100]; 14. 19-Brent Marks [20] [$1,000]; 15. 37-Mitchell Faccinto [17] [$950]; 16. 68-Chase Johnson [15] [$900]; 17. 88-Terry McCarl [18] [$850]; 18. 41-Jason Johnson [25] [$50]; 19. 17-Joey Saldana [26] [$25]; 20. 3C-DJ Netto [23] [$700]; 21. 24-Rico Abreu [7] [$700]; 22. O-Bud Kaeding [24] [$700]; 23. 29-Willie Croft [16] [$700]; 24. 21-Brian Brown [11] [$700]; 25. 21X-Carson Macedo [12] [$700]; 26. 18S-Jason Solwold [21] [$700]; Lap Leaders: Shane Stewart 1-32, David Gravel 33-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [+15]
Qualifying - 1. 24-Rico Abreu, 12.630; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.663; 3. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.704; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.741; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.800; 6. 83JR-Tim Kaeding, 12.806; 7. 51-James McFadden, 12.871; 8. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.879; 9. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.883; 10. 5-David Gravel, 12.889; 11. 21-Brian Brown, 12.899; 12. 29-Willie Croft, 12.900; 13. 18-Ian Madsen, 12.902; 14. 83-Kyle Hirst, 12.921; 15. 68-Chase Johnson, 12.929; 16. 21X-Carson Macedo, 12.951; 17. 18S-Jason Solwold, 12.963; 18. 88-Terry McCarl, 12.979; 19. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.981; 20. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 12.996; 21. 37-Mitchell Faccinto, 13.027; 22. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.030; 23. 20-Cory Eliason, 13.036; 24. 19-Brent Marks, 13.050; 25. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.073; 26. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 13.086; 27. O-Bud Kaeding, 13.115; 28. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.129; 29. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.154; 30. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr, 13.158; 31. 3C-DJ Netto, 13.182; 32. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.232; 33. 98-Sean Watts, 13.362; 34. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.419; 35. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.539; 36. 22-Cori Andrews, 13.725
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the Feature) - 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [2]; 2. 24-Rico Abreu [1]; 3. 18-Ian Madsen [4]; 4. 4-Paul McMahan [3]; 5. 37-Mitchell Faccinto [6]; 6. 18S-Jason Solwold [5]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [7]; 8. 17-Joey Saldana [8]; 9. 98-Sean Watts [9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the Feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 5-David Gravel [3]; 3. 83JR-Tim Kaeding [2]; 4. 83-Kyle Hirst [4]; 5. 88-Terry McCarl [5]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [6]; 7. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [8]; 8. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [7]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [9]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the Feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1]; 2. 51-James McFadden [2]; 3. 21-Brian Brown [3]; 4. 68-Chase Johnson [4]; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [5]; 6. O-Bud Kaeding [7]; 7. 3C-DJ Netto [8]; 8. 20-Cory Eliason [6]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [9]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the Feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1]; 3. 21X-Carson Macedo [4]; 4. 29-Willie Croft [3]; 5. 19-Brent Marks [6]; 6. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [5]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [8]; 8. 22-Cori Andrews [9]; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of Feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [2]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [1]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3]; 4. 5-David Gravel [6]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [4]; 6. 51-James McFadden [7]; 7. 24-Rico Abreu [5]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the Feature) - 1. 18S-Jason Solwold [1] [-]; 2. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [2] [-]; 3. 3C-DJ Netto [11] [-]; 4. O-Bud Kaeding [7] [-]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [5] [$300]; 6. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [10] [$250]; 7. 20-Cory Eliason [4] [$225]; 8. 17-Joey Saldana [9] [$200]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [15] [$200]; 10. 41-Jason Johnson [3] [$200]; 11. 98-Sean Watts [13] [$200]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8] [$200]; 13. 13-Clyde Knipp [14] [$200]; 14. 22-Cori Andrews [16] [$200]; 15. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [6] [$200]; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen [12] [$200]
Schatz Secures the Sweep at Vegas
Abreu and Schatz battle in the closing laps
LAS VEGAS – March 10, 2017 – In front of a nearly packed grandstand, local fans and beyond witnessed an exciting performance from one of the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series’ most elite drivers, Donny Schatz. Not only were members of the Nellis Air Force Base in attendance to witness their racing heroes fly around The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but the drivers were also racing on the fast-action track as a salute to America’s servicemen and women in the final night of the FVP Outlaw Showdown.
Schatz not only won his 11th series race at the half-mile, but also swept the event. Schatz doubled his $15,000 purse from the opener, collecting a total of $30,000 in winnings at Vegas. The North Dakota native was awarded the “Badlands Bonus” for both shows, as well as a gold-toned tool set commemorating Craftsman Tool’s 90th anniversary. He also took a pair of slot-machine trophies home to Fargo, N.D., one for each of his victories. Since the season opener in mid-February, Schatz has won five of the first six shows in 2017 – a personal best to start a World of Outlaws season.
“All I can say is, I finally got to ‘Park It,’” said Schatz in front of a roaring crowd. “We had something happen there in the mid-part of the race – I just couldn’t get into rhythm. I tried to get through lapped traffic and Rico [Abreu] obviously got by us there on the restart. I got in good position to get out front and had clear track after that. It’s been tricky here, but if it was easy then it wouldn’t be fun for any of us. I was a little nervous when he got by. Every time I get into this car, it’s unbelievable.
When you get to when you win 25 or 30 races in a season, it’s expected of you. These guys work so hard to do that, and for the driver it’s the same way. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re at…you have to work on your flaws. We’ve never started strong. We’re working on that flaw, and it’s worked so far.”
Schatz, who spent the majority of his time skimming the top cushion, started on the outside of the first row for the 30-lap feature. Earlier in the program, Schatz won his heat race after a thrilling pass entering turn three in the closing laps. Though he made the pass from the bottom in his heat, Schatz laid his tracks on the outside for the feature. This proved to give Schatz’s No. 15 Tony Stewart-Curb/Agajanian Racingcar enough of a surge to thunder down the front straightaway faster than those around him. Schatz took the lead from fellow series regular Logan Schuchart almost instantaneously to when the green flag dropped; however, Schuchart did not accept an early defeat. A yellow flag followed with one lap completed, which regrouped the field – giving Schuchart a chance to reclaim the lead in his No. 1s Marty Thompson Investments/Newman’s Towing & Recovery car.
In Schuchart’s eight appearances at the track, his best finish was Thursday night when he recorded a top-five finish. By virtue of the Craftsman Club® Dash, Schuchart went on to lead the field into the green flag for the first time since September 24, 2016 at Lernerville Speedway. Though Schatz had the upper-hand – momentarily – Schuchart quickly recovered on the restart by using the extra momentum exiting turn two to recapture the lead. Thereon, he created a 1.115-second buffer. While Schuchart progressed, Schatz regressed into a battle with Abreu. Abreu climbed 19 positions Thursday night to finish third in the feature; he started third Friday night.
Lap 12 was one of the most pivotal moments of the feature, as Schuchart, Abreu and Schatz spread nearly three-wide across the front stretch. The three virtually locked wheels – a few feet from one another. Schatz reaction time was the quickest of the three, as he weaved through Schuchart and Abreu for the lead entering turn one. Two laps later, Abreu overtook Schuchart in turn two; by this time, Schatz increased his lead to more than a two-second margin.
While Schuchart faded in third position, Abreu continued to gain ground on Schatz. By lap 21, Abreu attempted a risky maneuver by jumping the cushion in turn two. Abreu’s move was successful, as he was able to carry enough speed to pass Schatz in turn four. The shear speed of his No. 24R Abreu Vineyards/Priority Aviation car though caused him to tap the wall in turn four, breaking his momentum. Schatz took advantage of Abreu’s mistake and reclaimed the spot – until a yellow flag regrouped the field. Abreu was still .053-seconds ahead of Schatz when the two crossed the line, so Abreu retained the top spot because of the caution.
“I was just thinking about what to do to stay ahead,” said Abreu, who leaves Vegas with two podium finishes. “Just some poor decisions there at the end of the race on my part. I just live and learn. You learn so much racing with the Outlaws. The pace is so fast, so you try your hardest every lap. When you’re trying really hard, it’s easy to make mistakes. I felt like once we got to traffic and I got passed Donny, I just made bad decisions behind lapped cars. I just get so nervous trying to clear guys – to try not to clear them too far to blow through the cushion and hit the wall. We’re knocking on the door and everyone is chasing this No. 15 Arctic Cat car.”
His lead was quickly thwarted. Abreu chose the bottom on the restart. Schatz, who was continually strong from the top, beat Abreu on the restart. He never looked back. Schatz opened-up a 1.272-second lead over Abreu, and finished the feature ahead of the pack by nearly the same margin. Schuchart rounded-out the podium – a personal best at the track.
“Any time you’re improving, that’s key,” Schuchart said. “We’ve been here a couple times and really haven’t had good finishes. Our season started really slow, but we got our engine working really good, and our guys are doing great. We had a good car this week, and we improved every night. But any time you start on the pole and go backward, it’s not what you want to happen. The World of Outlaws is a very tough group of drivers and teams, and to be sitting out here…you know you did a good job.”
By sweeping the Vegas stretch, Schatz is the only driver eligible for another $10,000 from Badlands Motor Speedway’s bonus system. He will attempt that feat at the Outlaw FanFest on July 1-2 at Badlands Motor Speedway. Schatz joking said, “Yeah, no pressure. But we feed off of that.”
“Ironically enough, we did win the last race there,” said Schatz, who won the finale in 2016. “It’s been a great place there. I’ve always cut my teeth there back in the day – I’ve wrecked a lot of equipment there. So, it’s fun to go there and get those victories. If we can get back there and do it again, it’ll be extra-special.”
The World of Outlaws acknowledged more than a half-dozen members of the United States Air Force at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Airmen and women took part in pre-race ceremonies before heat races were underway. During the ceremony, thousands of fans stood to their feet, giving them a standing ovation for their service. A deafening “U-S-A” chant echoed throughout the facility. On Thursday morning, drivers took a tour of the base – filled with advanced aviation technology – in hopes of reaching high-octane speeds like the fighter jets circling the Las Vegas Motor Speedway complex.
The tour begins its California swing – seven events through five tracks – with Thunderbowl Raceway from March 17-18. To learn how to purchase tickets, visit www.tularethunderbowl.com.
The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: In an instant-classic, Donny Schatz battled the podium to win the FVP Outlaw Showdown finale at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Rico Abreu, who led the race late, made contact with the turn four wall in the closing laps. His mistake gave way for Schatz to secure the lead. Logan Schuchart, who led the field into the green flag, rounded-out the podium for his best finish at the track.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jason Johnson; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Brent Marks; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; VP Racing ($50 cash):Daryn Pittman; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brent Marks;Cometic Gaskets ($50 cash):Greg Wilson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): David Gravel, Kraig Kinser, Greg Wilson;Craftsman/Sears: Rico Abreu; KSE Hard Charger: Carson Macedo; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Terry McCarl; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Joey Saldana
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz – 5 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 10);Jason Johnson – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nev.; March 10, 2017
Feature - (30 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2] [$10,000]; 2. 24R-Rico Abreu [3] [$5,000]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] [$3,000]; 4. 21-Brian Brown [6] [$2,700]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [14] [$2,500]; 6. 5-David Gravel [4] [$2,200]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [10] [$2,000]; 8. 18-Ian Madsen [9] [$1,800]; 9. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5] [$1,600]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [18] [$1,450]; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7] [$1,300]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [21] [$1,200]; 13. 21X-Carson Macedo [24] [$1,100]; 14. W20-Greg Wilson [8] [$1,000]; 15. 4-Paul McMahan [15] [$950]; 16. 24-Terry McCarl [19] [$900]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [12] [$850]; 18. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [23] [$750]; 19. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [20] [$725]; 20. 1A-Jacob Allen [22] [$700]; 21. 17-Joey Saldana [13] [$700]; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp [25] [$]; 23. 41-Jason Johnson [16] [$700]; 24. 49X-Tim Shaffer [11] [$700]; 25. 29-Willie Croft [17] [$700]; Lap Leaders: Logan Schuchart 1-12; Donny Schatz 13-20, 24-30; Rico Abreu 21-23; KSE Hard Charger Award: 21X-Carson Macedo [+11]
Qualifying - 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 14.228; 2. 21-Brian Brown, 14.241; 3. 18-Ian Madsen, 14.244; 4. 4-Paul McMahan, 14.386; 5. 17-Joey Saldana, 14.458; 6. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.505; 7. 24R-Rico Abreu, 14.576; 8. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 14.685; 9. 29-Willie Croft, 14.700; 10. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr, 14.768; 11. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.781; 12. 17B-Josh Baughman, 14.796; 13. 21X-Carson Macedo, 14.859; 14. 41X-Dominic Scelzi, 14.906; 15. 18S-Jason Solwold, 14.917; 16. 24-Terry McCarl, 14.952; 17. 49D-Shawn Dancer, 14.970; 18. 51-James McFadden, 15.005; 19. 22-Cori Andrews, 15.361; 20. 99T-Skylar Gee, 15.399; 21. 21P-Robbie Price, 15.432; 22. 5-David Gravel, 14.554; 23. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.670; 24. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.710; 25. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.730; 26. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.741; 27. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.742; 28. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.755; 29. 41-Jason Johnson, 14.792; 30. 9-Daryn Pittman, 14.813; 31. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.830; 32. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.980; 33. 19-Brent Marks, 15.038; 34. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 15.046; 35. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 15.074; 36. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 15.124; 37. O-Bud Kaeding, 15.137; 38. 3C-DJ Netto, 15.244; 39. 73-Brady Bacon, 15.603; 40. Y69-Randy Waitman, 15.858; 41. 90-Lance Norick, 15.881
Heat 1- (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen [1]; 2. 24R-Rico Abreu [4]; 3. 18-Ian Madsen [2]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [3]; 5. 29-Willie Croft [5]; 6. 21X-Carson Macedo [7]; 7. 18S-Jason Solwold [8]; 8. 49D-Shawn Dancer [9]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [6]; 10. 21P-Robbie Price [11]; 11. 22-Cori Andrews [10]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. W20-Greg Wilson [3]; 2. 21-Brian Brown [1]; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer [4]; 4. 4-Paul McMahan [2]; 5. 24-Terry McCarl [8]; 6. 51-James McFadden [9]; 7. 17B-Josh Baughman [6]; 8. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [7]; 9. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [5]; 10. 99T-Skylar Gee [10]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 5-David Gravel [1]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [4]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [5]; 6. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [7]; 7. 3C-DJ Netto [9]; 8. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [6]; 10. Y69-Randy Waitman [10]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3]; 2. 11K-Kraig Kinser [1]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [2]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [4]; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [5]; 6. 87-Aaron Reutzel [7]; 7. 19-Brent Marks [6]; 8. O-Bud Kaeding [8]; 9. 73-Brady Bacon [9]; 10. 90-Lance Norick [10]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of feature) - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 3. 24R-Rico Abreu [5]; 4. 5-David Gravel [2]; 5. 2M-Kerry Madsen [1]; 6. 21-Brian Brown [7]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8]; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [3]
C-Main - (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the Last Chance Showdown) - 1. 51-James McFadden [3] [-]; 2. 3C-DJ Netto [2] [-]; 3. 49D-Shawn Dancer [1] [$150]; 4. 73-Brady Bacon [4] [$150]; 5. 99T-Skylar Gee [7] [$150]; 6. 21P-Robbie Price [9] [$125]; 7. 90-Lance Norick [8] [$125]; 8. 22-Cori Andrews [5] [$125]; 9. Y69-Randy Waitman [6] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 19-Brent Marks [4] [-]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [3] [-]; 3. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [6] [-]; 4. 21X-Carson Macedo [7] [-]; 5. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [1] [$300]; 6. 51-James McFadden [13] [$250]; 7. O-Bud Kaeding [12] [$225]; 8. 17B-Josh Baughman [5] [$200]; 9. 18S-Jason Solwold [11] [$200]; 10. 3C-DJ Netto [14] [$200]; 11. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [9] [$200]; 12. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [10] [$200]; 13. 87-Aaron Reutzel [8] [$200]; 14. 13-Clyde Knipp [2] [$200]
Schatz Slips by to Win at Vegas
Rico Abreu battles his way from the back to finish on the podium
LAS VEGAS – March 9, 2017 – As the sun sank below The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Thursday night, a cool breeze drifted through a near-capacity crowd. Specifically on the half-mile course, the intense crosswinds from the track were the product of 42 World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series winged-sprints. The No. 15 Tony Stewart-Curb/Agajanian Racing car of Donny Schatz was the fastest in the field, taking the first night of the FVP Outlaw Showdown.
Schatz earned his 10th career series win at the track, which has hosted the tour for 20 years sporadically. The stop marks the series’ fifth consecutive multi-day event at the track, which is an extension of its 36 total appearances since 1996. Schatz’s first victory came in 1999.
“If it wasn’t for this Stewart-Curb Racing team, we wouldn’t be up here so hats off to them,” said Schatz with his team looking-on in victory lane. “They worked their tails off all winter long and it’s getting better.”
Though the eight-time series champion has reaped the riches several times at the track, this victory offered a purse larger than years passed. A $5,000 winner’s bonus was awarded to the North Dakota-native, as a part of a four-show sponsorship from Badlands Motor Speedway. Badlands will offer a $5,000 purse to winners of the Vegas stretch and at its multi-day event, the Outlaw FanFest – a total of $20,000. Schatz earned a grand total of $15,000 for his victory, including the stack of cash presented to him in Victory Lane.
“Thank you Badlands Motor Speedway,” Schatz said. “Any time you get the extra money, out of courtesy you thank them for their support – like all you fans in the seats. It sure makes it fun to be standing up here.”
Not only did the victory have a larger payout, but it also tested a driver who has won four of the first five shows in 2017. Schatz got the best case scenario in a photo-finish at the line, winning by a narrow 0.046-second margin. He started the 26-lap feature in fourth position, and used a series of restarts to gain ground on each of the podium spots ahead of him. When the green flag dropped, he made his move into the podium and had his sights set on second.
Schatz contested for the runner-up spot in the opening laps, challenging Brian Brown from the bottom. Brown shut down his advances exiting Turn 1 for the first three laps until a red flag reset the field. Shane Stewart, who led the 25-car field into the green flag, got tangled-up in lapped traffic entering turn two of the sixth lap. The aftermath of the wreck forced Stewart to forfeit the top spot, bumping the field up by one position. Schatz thereon targeted Brown for the lead.
It only took one lap for Schatz to wedge his racecar underneath Brown’s No. 21 FVP/Casey’s General Stores car in turn two. Schatz widened the gap to nearly one-second over Brown, while Jason Johnson moved into the final podium spot by Lap 16. A red flag on that lap regrouped the field yet again; at this point, three of the top-five drivers were series regulars (Schatz, Johnson and Sheldon Haudenschild).
Several battles transpired on the restart, as Brown challenged Schatz for the lead from the bottom, and Johnson and Ian Madsen rubbed tires barreling out of the front-stretch. While Johnson was successful, Brown was not as he was penalized for an early start; he was docked one position. The field regrouped for the race’s third restart with Schatz and Johnson – the only two to win a feature event in 2017 – side-by-side in the first row.
In the closing laps, Schatz built a cushion – that did not last. Brown reclaimed second position over Johnson within the final 10 laps of the feature. The race’s final caution extended the 25-lap feature by one lap by virtue of a green-white-checkered. In the final lap, Brown launched his car to the outside of Schatz. The two barreled down the front-stretch to the checkers, and it was Schatz by a nose.
“I always want to win ones like those,” Brown said. “We got a good run [at Schatz], but when you race with a guy like him you need to make a split-decision at 130 miles per hour. I felt like I got through turns one and two pretty well, but on the backstretch I probably should’ve done something a little different. He got a good run off of four and I was like, ‘Gosh darn it, I’m not going to win this race.’ To be up there and race with guys like Donny Schatz is an honor. He’s the Steve Kinser of today.”
Rico Abreu, who was awarded the KSE Hard Charger award, rounded-out the podium in his No. 24R Abreu Vineyards/Priority Aviation car. Starting 21st in the feature, Abreu swiftly navigated through the pack and eventually bested Johnson in the closing laps. Abreu said, “You just simply need to learn how to breathe and make good decisions.”
“When the race gets kind of strung-out, you have to pace yourself,” Abreu said. “You just need to be patient at times and be aggressive on those restarts. I knew we were going to get a few restarts where we could get a breather. Schatz and Brown are the best guys right now besides Jason [Johnson]. It feels good just to get a good finish.”
Stewart, who won his heat race and the Craftsman Club® Dash, rebounded not only from mechanical issues from earlier in the night but also from an unfortunate wreck in the feature. Stewart climbed his way into ninth, recording his second top-ten finish of the season.
Johnson, who ultimately recorded his fourth top-five performance of the season, set the night’s quick-time in time trials. He was roughly one-hundredth of a second off Danny Lasoski’s track record of 13.719. Five of the 42 drivers in time trials posted a lap time less than 14 seconds, recording an average time of 13.948 – nearly two-hundredths of a second off the record pace Lasoski set in 2004.
The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz earned his fourth victory in the series’ first five events Thursday night, winning the first night of the FVP Outlaw Showdown at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway – by a 0.046-second margin. In a race to the finish, Brian Brown was short by a nose to finish second on the night. Rico Abreu, the KSE Hard Charger award-winner, climbed his way up from 21st position to round-out the podium.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Terry McCarl; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing ($50 cash):Shane Stewart; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Sheldon Haudenschild; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana;Cometic Gaskets ($50 cash):Daryn Pittman; Super Flow ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Jason Johnson, Joey Saldana, Logan Schuchart, Sheldon Haudenschild;Craftsman/Sears: Brian Brown; KSE Hard Charger: Rico Abreu; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Aaron Reutzel
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz – 4(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9);Jason Johnson – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Nev.; March 9, 2017
Feature - (26 Laps due to green-white-checkered finish) -1. 15-Donny Schatz [4] [$10,000]; 2. 21-Brian Brown [2] [$5,000]; 3. 24R-Rico Abreu [21] [$3,000]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [5] [$2,700]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7] [$2,500]; 6. 18-Ian Madsen [3] [$2,200]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [9] [$2,000]; 8. 2M-Kerry Madsen [14] [$1,800]; 9. 2-Shane Stewart [1] [$1,600]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [8] [$1,450]; 11. 49-Brad Sweet [12] [$1,300]; 12. 17-Joey Saldana [6] [$1,200]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [20] [$1,100]; 14. 9-Daryn Pittman [10] [$1,000]; 15. 73-Brady Bacon [23] [$950]; 16. 5-David Gravel [16] [$900]; 17. W20-Greg Wilson [11] [$850]; 18. 21X-Carson Macedo [17] [$750]; 19. 17B-Josh Baughman [19] [$725]; 20. 4-Paul McMahan [25] [$]; 21. 87-Aaron Reutzel [13] [$700]; 22. 7S-Jason Sides [15] [$700]; 23. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [22] [$700]; 24. 24-Terry McCarl [24] [$700]; 25. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [18] [$700];Lap Leaders:Shane Stewart 1-6; Brian Brown 7, 25; Donny Schatz 8-24, 26; KSE Hard Charger Award: 24R-Rico Abreu [+18]
Qualifying -1. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.875; 2. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.975; 3. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.021; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.049; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.145; 6. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.160; 7. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 14.181; 8. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.213; 9. 24R-Rico Abreu, 14.226; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.236; 11. 21X-Carson Macedo, 14.227; 12. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr, +; 13. 18S-Jason Solwold, 14.352; 14. 17B-Josh Baughman, 14.361; 15. O-Bud Kaeding, 14.370; 16. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 14.523; 17. 3C-DJ Netto, 14.555; 18. 99T-Skylar Gee, 14.981; 19. 9Z-Jared Goerges, 15.098; 20. 22-Cori Andrews, 15.172; 21. Y69-Randy Waitman, 15.630; 22. 21-Brian Brown, 13.903; 23. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.990; 24. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.996; 25. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.055; 26. 9-Daryn Pittman, 14.056; 27. 5-David Gravel, 14.067; 28. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 14.082; 29. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.125; 30. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 14.146; 31. 19-Brent Marks, 14.231; 32. 24-Terry McCarl, 14.316; 33. 41X-Dominic Scelzi, 14.332; 34. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 14.343; 35. 73-Brady Bacon, 14.345; 36. 29-Willie Croft, 14.422; 37. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.429; 38. 49D-Shawn Dancer, 14.465; 39. 51-James McFadden, 14.501; 40. 90-Lance Norick, 15.128; 41. 4-Paul McMahan, nt; 42. 21P-Robbie Price, nt
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) -1. 41-Jason Johnson [1] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2] ; 3. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3] ; 4. 87-Aaron Reutzel [4] ; 5. 21X-Carson Macedo [6] ; 6. 24R-Rico Abreu [5] ; 7. 18S-Jason Solwold [7] ; 8. O-Bud Kaeding [8] ; 9. 3C-DJ Netto [9] ; 10. 9Z-Jared Goerges [10] ; 11. Y69-Randy Waitman [11]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) -1. 18-Ian Madsen [1] ; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2] ; 3. W20-Greg Wilson [3] ; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [4] ; 5. 17B-Josh Baughman [7] ; 6. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [6] ; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [5] ; 8. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8] ; 9. 99T-Skylar Gee [9] ; 10. 22-Cori Andrews [10]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) -1. 21-Brian Brown [1] ; 2. 17-Joey Saldana [2] ; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [3] ; 4. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4] ; 5. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [5] ; 6. 24-Terry McCarl [6] ; 7. 29-Willie Croft [8] ; 8. 21P-Robbie Price [11] ; 9. 90-Lance Norick [10] ; 10. 49D-Shawn Dancer [9] ; 11. 49X-Tim Shaffer [7]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) -1. 2-Shane Stewart [1] ; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2] ; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [4] ; 4. 5-David Gravel [3] ; 5. 19-Brent Marks [5] ; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [10] ; 7. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [6] ; 8. 73-Brady Bacon [7] ; 9. 51-James McFadden [9] ; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of feature) -1. 2-Shane Stewart [4] ; 2. 21-Brian Brown [2] ; 3. 18-Ian Madsen [3] ; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [5] ; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [1] ; 6. 17-Joey Saldana [6] ; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7] ; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [8]
C-Main - (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the Last Chance Showdown) -1. 51-James McFadden [4] [-]; 2. 3C-DJ Netto [1] [-]; 3. 4-Paul McMahan [8] [$150]; 4. 49D-Shawn Dancer [2] [$150]; 5. 99T-Skylar Gee [3] [$150]; 6. 21P-Robbie Price [10] [$125]; 7. Y69-Randy Waitman [9] [$125]; 8. 22-Cori Andrews [7] [$125]; 9. 90-Lance Norick [6] [$125]; 10. 9Z-Jared Goerges [5] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the feature)- 1. 24R-Rico Abreu [1] [-]; 2. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [4] [-]; 3. 73-Brady Bacon [8] [-]; 4. 24-Terry McCarl [2] [-]; 5. 51-James McFadden [13] [$300]; 6. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [5] [$250]; 7. 49X-Tim Shaffer [6] [$225]; 8. 18S-Jason Solwold [7] [$200]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [3] [$200]; 10. 29-Willie Croft [10] [$200]; 11. O-Bud Kaeding [9] [$200]; 12. 3C-DJ Netto [14] [$200]; 13. 13-Clyde Knipp [12] [$200]; 14. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [11] [$200]
Schatz Sweeps the Show at LoneStar
Sheldon Haudenschild records first podium finish in rookie season
KILGORE, Tex. – March 3, 2017 – There is a crater wrapped around turns one and two of LoneStar Speedway – now a reinvented third-mile dirt course. Shortened from a 3/8-mile oval since the last time the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series visited there in 2010, the “Greatest Show on Dirt” competed on the equally as fast bullring Friday night for the first time at the new length. Wheel-to-wheel with 23 other cars, Donny Schatz avoided the expected dangers of short-track racing and took the checkered flag without a hitch.
Schatz led all 35 laps in his victory, taking home not only the trophy but also a gold-toned Limited Edition Craftsman wrench set for the company’s 90th anniversary. Though Schatz established his dominance throughout the program – setting the night’s quick-time, and winning his heat and the Craftsman Club Dash – it did not come as easily as it seemed on paper. From an assumingly unlikely challenger – in terms of their resumes – the eight-time series champion was challenged by Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender Sheldon Haudenschild throughout the night.
“[Sheldon] was there from the start and did everything he needed to do,” Schatz said. “It’s an experience thing. Obviously he is a good, young driver. He’s got a bright future ahead of him. But we try not to focus on what someone else is doing. We have to focus on our own stuff to try to stay ahead of these young guys.”
Haudenschild, 23, was less than a tenth of a second off Schatz’s quick-time, and he also won his way into the dash. The two started on the front row of the feature, where the son of the "Wild Child” Jac Haudenschild would have his chance to make his own name in the series. He wasted no time.
“I had a good starting spot, but it was just difficult to pass,” Haudenschild said. “I tried to make it happen early when I slid [Donny] twice, but just didn’t have the speed in the corners to do it. I just need to be there in the end. I’m happy with the performance. To get a good run early in the season is a confidence-booster, and we’ll try to carry that momentum. I know I have a really great car and crew. Getting in these dashes is a big part of it.”
Haudenschild, starting to the right of Schatz’s No. 15 Tony Stewart-Curb/Agajanian Racing machine, dipped under him once the green flag dropped. He challenged Schatz on the bottom, but the top proved to be the quickest route to shutting down Haudenschild’s advances. Schatz and Haudenschild tangoed briefly, but the defending champion quickly opened-up his lead to a 1.345-second margin.
Thereon, Haudenschild was sandwiched in-between two drivers that have wins in 2017 – Schatz and 2016 Knoxville Nationals Champion Jason Johnson. Haudenschild’s No. 93 Southern Pacific Farms/ Rico Abreu Racing car escaped Johnson’s challenge for second with 20 laps remaining. Haudenschild distanced himself from Johnson, gaining more than a one-second advantage over his No. 41 Priority Aviation/ Mesilla Valley Transportation racecar.
The race’s first caution five laps later regrouped the field; Johnson took advantage. Barreling out of turn four, Johnson overtook Haudenschild. By this time, the top-five was all series regulars – Schatz, Johnson, Haudenschild, Brad Sweet and David Gravel respectively. Through two more cautions in the feature, Johnson managed to close the gap between him and Schatz to as narrow as a .733-second margin. He could not capitalize.
“You’re racing the best guy in the business (Schatz),” Johnson said. “He’s not going to make any mistakes. Those guys are clicking and doing a great job. But my guys have done a great job making great, consistent Maxim cars, and we communicated over the winter with Paul Kistler about the motors we had success with in 2016. We have great communication, and I’m in the best physical shape in my life as far as racing. Mentally, I’m in a great position because of the Jason Johnson Racing- Marshall Racing merger.”
The tour concludes its first stint in Texas with the Gator Outlaw Bash at Gator Motorplex on Saturday, March 4. For ticket information, visit SLS Promotions, LLC.
LoneStar Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz swept the East Texas Lone Star Shootout program Friday, putting the exclamation point on the feature by leading all 35 laps. Sheldon Haudenschild, a Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender, dominated alongside the eight-time champion with a strong showing. The two started in the front of a 12-row feature field, where Haudenschild contested for the lead. Nearing the second-half of the feature, Jason Johnson catapulted his racecar to second place; Haudenschild was unable to reclaim his spot.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Clyde Knipp; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; VP Racing ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Cometic Gaskets ($50 cash): Parker Price Miller; Super Flow ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Sheldon Haudenschild, Jason Johnson, Brad Sweet, Paul McMahan; Craftsman/Sears: Tim Shaffer; KSE Hard Charger: Kriag Kinser; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Jason Johnson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brent Marks; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz – 3 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 19, LoneStar Speedway on March 3); Jason Johnson – 1(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; LoneStar Speedway, Tex.; March 3, 2017
Feature - (35 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1] [$10,000]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [3] [$5,500]; 3. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2] [$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [4] [$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [7] [$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [14] [$2,300]; 7. 99-Brady Bacon [12] [$2,200]; 8. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5] [$2,100]; 9. 4-Paul McMahan [6] [$2,050]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [10] [$2,000]; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [20] [$1,500]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [11] [$1,200]; 13. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8] [$1,100]; 14. 17-Joey Saldana [15] [$1,050]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [17] [$1,000]; 16. 17B-Josh Baughman [23 ][$900]; 17. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [22] [$800]; 18. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr [19] [$800]; 19. 19-Brent Marks [21 ][$800]; 20. 87-Aaron Reutzel [16] [$800]; 21. 7S-Jason Sides [13] [$800]; 22. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [24] [$800]; 23. 2C-Wayne Johnson [9] [$800]; 24. 13-Clyde Knipp [18] [$800]; 25. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25] [$]; Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 11K-Kraig Kinser [+9]
Qualifying - 1. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.170; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.247; 3. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.350; 4. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.387; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 12.393; 6. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.415; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.427; 8. 18-Ian Madsen, 12.464; 9. 17-Joey Saldana, 12.469; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.476; 11. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 12.527; 12. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 12.534; 13. 5-David Gravel, 12.548; 14. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.578; 15. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr, 12.633; 16. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 12.670; 17. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.719; 18. 99-Brady Bacon, 12.789; 19. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.818; 20. 17B-Josh Baughman, 12.876; 21. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr, 13.061; 22. 19-Brent Marks, 13.070; 23. 71A-R.J. Johnson, 13.137; 24. 17G-Dustin Gates, 13.334; 25. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.471; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.482; 27. 13-Clyde Knipp, 15.322; 28. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, nt
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1] ; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [2] ; 3. 5-David Gravel [5] ; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [4] ; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [7] ; 6. 87-Aaron Reutzel [6] ; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3] ; 8. 19-Brent Marks [8] ; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [9] ; 10. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [10]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [1] ; 2. 49X-Tim Shaffer [2] ; 3. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [4] ; 4. 18-Ian Madsen [3] ; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [6] ; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [5] ; 7. 17B-Josh Baughman [7] ; 8. 71A-R.J. Johnson [8] ; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [9]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 4-Paul McMahan [2] ; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1] ; 3. 2C-Wayne Johnson [4] ; 4. 99-Brady Bacon [6] ; 5. 17-Joey Saldana [3] ; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [9] ; 7. 17G-Dustin Gates [8] ; 8. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [7] ; 9. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr [5]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1] ; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2] ; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [4] ; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [6] ; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5] ; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [3]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr [2] [-]; 2. 11K-Kraig Kinser [1] [-]; 3. 19-Brent Marks [5] [-]; 4. 82-Kevin Thomas Jr [4] [-]; 5. 17B-Josh Baughman [3] [-]; 6. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [10] [-]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [9] [$300]; 8. 17G-Dustin Gates [7] [$250]; 9. 71A-R.J. Johnson [6] [$225]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8] [$200]
Schatz Charges to Win in DIRTcar Nationals Finale
Gravel awarded the coveted ‘Big Gator’
BARBERVILLE, Fla. – February 19, 2017 – Donny Schatz etched his name into DIRTcar Nationals history Sunday, winning both the afternoon and night show at Volusia Speedway Park. The trip down victory lane gave Schatz 17 career wins at the half-mile, and he captured three of the five sprint shows in the 12-day event.
With the victory, Schatz joins Jeff and Sammy Swindell as the only Outlaws to win multiple series races in one day. Jeff Swindell first accomplished the one-day sweep at Rolling Wheels (N.Y.) Raceway Park on October 8, 1994. Sammy Swindell matched his brother’s feat in 1999 at Bloomington (Ind.) Speedway.
Though Schatz won the majority of the week’s sprint car races, those he did not win proved to test his No. 15 Tony Stewart-Curb/Agajanian Racing team. In the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series opener, Schatz qualified 24th in a 36-car pack and placed fourth in his heat race. Sunday night was similar, as Schatz only qualified seven positions better and placed fifth in his heat. What differed for the eight-time champion this time was his ability to move through the 26-car feature field.
”We didn’t change anything,” Schatz said. “I thought the car felt really good. I actually thought I could get to the middle pretty well, but that changed once we got that going. These guys are incredible with what they do. I love it.”
Schatz started 17th in the 30-lap feature, but made quick work of those between him and a podium position. By the 12th lap Schatz skidded through the bottom, passing multiple drivers into fourth. The next lap Schatz made his move for third, getting under quick-timer Brian Brown. Brown won his way through the program, setting the quick time and eventually leading the feature into the green flag.
Within the final 10 laps and one position later, Schatz threatened for first. David Gravel, who took the lead on the fifth lap, maintained the top spot by building speed on the top cushion. Gravel said he felt comfortable “staying on top and running alone,” but Schatz began to close the gap with each lap by cutting the corners out of turns three and four; lapped traffic gave Gravel enough real-estate to not alter his line. However with two laps remaining, the two barreled down the front stretch side by side – only for Schatz to catch him in turn one. Gravel said where he saved time with lapped traffic, he ended up giving time back at the end.
“We wanted to win there,” Gravel said. “Lapped traffic got us. Sometimes we’re better running second. I don’t know what I could have done differently, but I did the best I could. Just leading all those laps you want to win.”
Despite Gravel’s shortcoming, in hindsight he said he had a good week. Having battled through four motor changes – the CJB Motorsports team had to get three more Kistler engines delivered to even be able to run the finale – he still advanced to the Craftsman Club ® Dash in both shows. Because of the consistency, Gravel took home the coveted ‘Big Gator’ trophy, which is awarded to the top performing driver overall.
“We just need to continue to get better and run well,” said Gravel, whose focus is helping refresh and replenish his team’s inventory.
The series will head West for its annual Kick-off Tour. First, the Outlaws will tackle to Texas-tracks from March 3-4 – LoneStar Speedway and Gator Motorplex. For more information, visit woosprint.com/kick-off-tour.
Volusia Speedway Park Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz adds his name to series regulars who have won multiple series races in one day. Schatz, the KSE Hard Charger, started from 17th position to pass David Gravel for first in the closing laps. Gravel placed second in the feature, but went on to win the “Big Gator” trophy – awarded to the best overall performance during the three-day event. Daryn Pittman took the final podium spot, recording his second top-five performance of 2017.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jacob Allen; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Lucas Wolfe; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brad Sweet ; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; Super Flow ($50 cash): Danny Dietrich; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): David Gravel, Daryn Pittman, Jason Sides, Jason Johnson; Craftsman/Sears: Brian Brown; KSE Hard Charger: Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Justin Henderson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz – 2 (Volusia Speedway Park on February 19, Volusia Speedway Park on February 19); Jason Johnson – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17);
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Volusia Speedway Park, Fla.; Feb., 19 2017
A-Main - (30 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [17] [$10,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [4] [$5,500]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [5] [$3,200]; 4. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [2] [$2,800]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [1] [$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [14] [$2,300]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [10] [$2,200]; 8. 2M-Kerry Madsen [3] [$2,100]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [16] [$2,050]; 10. 49-Brad Sweet [21] [$2,000]; 11. 10H-Chad Kemenah [19] [$1,500]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [23] [$1,200]; 13. W20-Greg Wilson [18] [$1,100]; 14. 13D-Danny Dietrich [15] [$1,050]; 15. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [11] [$1,000]; 16. 49X-Tim Shaffer [20] [$900]; 17. 59H-Justin Henderson [22] [$800]; 18. 17-Joey Saldana [13] [$800]; 19. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [12] [$800]; 20. 41-Jason Johnson [8] [$800]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [25] [$]; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp [26] [$]; 23. 7S-Jason Sides [6] [$800]; 24. 24R-Rico Abreu [7] [$800]; 25. 1-Dale Blaney [9] [$800]; 26. 4-Paul McMahan [24] [$800]; Lap Leaders: Lucas Wolfe 1-4, David Gravel 5-28, Donny Schatz 29-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz [+16]
Qualifying - 1. 21-Brian Brown, 13.006; 2. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.014; 3. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.051; 4. 24R-Rico Abreu, 13.097; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.097; 6. 5-David Gravel, 13.125; 7. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.132; 8. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.134; 9. 1-Dale Blaney, 13.162; 10. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.175; 11. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.209; 12. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.210; 13. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.211; 14. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.223; 15. 13D-Danny Dietrich, 13.244; 16. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 13.248; 17. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.254; 18. 59H-Justin Henderson, 13.265; 19. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.283; 20. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.303; 21. 14-Christopher Bell, 13.303; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.314; 23. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 13.328; 24. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.350; 25. 19-Brent Marks, 13.360; 26. 27-Greg Hodnett, 13.440; 27. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.468; 28. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.484; 29. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.519; 30. 24-Terry McCarl, 13.527; 31. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.539; 32. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 13.572; 33. 17X-Caleb Helms, 13.608; 34. 7W-Tasker Phillips, 13.716; 35. O7-Jacob Wilson, 13.903; 36. 59S-Ben Schmidt, nt
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 21-Brian Brown [1] ; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2] ; 3. 1-Dale Blaney [3] ; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [4] ; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [5] ; 6. 14-Christopher Bell [6] ; 7. 19-Brent Marks [7] ; 8. 17X-Caleb Helms [9] ; 9. 87-Aaron Reutzel [8]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [1] ; 2. 5-David Gravel [2] ; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6] ; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [3] ; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [4]; 6. 27-Greg Hodnett [7] ; 7. 59H-Justin Henderson [5] ; 8. 24-Terry McCarl [8]; 9. 7W-Tasker Phillips [9]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 7S-Jason Sides [1] ; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [2] ; 3. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [3] ; 4. 13D-Danny Dietrich [4] ; 5. 10H-Chad Kemenah [6] ; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [5] ; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7] ; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [8] ; 9. O7-Jacob Wilson [9]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen [2] ; 2. 24R-Rico Abreu [1] ; 3. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [4] ; 4. 18-Ian Madsen [3] ; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer [7] ; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [5] ; 7. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [8] ; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [6] ; 9. 59S-Ben Schmidt [9]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of feature) - 1. 21-Brian Brown [1] ; 2. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [2] ; 3. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4] ; 4. 5-David Gravel [6] ; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [5] ; 6. 7S-Jason Sides [3] ; 7. 24R-Rico Abreu [8] ; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [7]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2] [-]; 2. 59H-Justin Henderson [1] [-]; 3. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8] [-]; 4. 4-Paul McMahan [3] [-]; 5. 19-Brent Marks [6] [$300]; 6. 14-Christopher Bell [4] [$250]; 7. 27-Greg Hodnett [7] [$225]; 8. 24-Terry McCarl [10] [$200]; 9. 17X-Caleb Helms [13] [$200]; 10. 7W-Tasker Phillips [14] [$200]; 11. 59S-Ben Schmidt [16] [$200]; 12. 13-Clyde Knipp [5] [$200]; 13. 87-Aaron Reutzel [9] [$200]; 14. O7-Jacob Wilson [15] [$200]; 15. 1A-Jacob Allen [11] [$200]; 16. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [12] [$200]
Schatz Wins Second DIRTcar Nationals Gator
Two series regulars reverse their luck to record top-five showing
BARBERSVILLE, Fla. – February 19, 2017 – It is not unusual for two series champions to face-off in the 46th Annual DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. In the first show of a Sunday double-header, eight-time World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Champion Donny Schatz revisited his fierce battle with Arctic Cat All-Star Circuit of Champions titleholder Chad Kemenah. Like the Wednesday night thriller – starting in the first row with Kemenah – Schatz again established himself as the best-of-the-best between the two series.
But it did not come easily for the Fargo, N.D. native, who has now won a DIRTcar Nationals show every year since 2011. On Friday night Schatz finished 14thin the feature, his worst finish since the series opener last season (when he placed 18th). But Schatz said one major adjustment was opting for a harder tire.
“We did make some tire changes today and went with a harder tire,” Schatz said. “I think it hurt us early in the race, but they don’t pay for the first lap they pay for the last. The driver just showed up today with an attitude. I guess you could say he made all the mistakes in one night (Friday).”
Once the green flag was waved, Schatz overtook Kemenah and extended his lead to nearly one second. Kemenah reclaimed his spot before the race’s first caution on the ensuing restart. In the race’s most exhilarating exchange, the two danced around each other – inversely switching lines high and low. Schatz was the first to take the lead, wedging his car under Kemenah’s in the second turn. Kemenah used the back-stretch to regroup, and butted his left-front tire nearly up against the inside wall in turn three for first position.
On Lap 14, strategy played to Schatz’s favor. Schatz made the decision to start on the inside of the race’s second caution – as the two made their passes on the bottom earlier. Schatz was successful on the restart. Kemenah dropped off Schatz’s pace – nearly two tenths faster than the field with each lap. This left the door open for Friday night’s winner Jason Johnson to slip by Kemenah and secure a second-place finish; Kemenah settled for third.
Like Schatz, David Gravel also underwent a roller-coaster of a week. Gravel won Thursday’s All-Star finale, but since has blown four motors. Expending his reserve, CJB Motorsports sent for three new motors to be shipped to Volusia. Gravel said race engines “eat dirt every day,” so self-inflicted malfunctions are bound to happen.
On his fifth Kistler motor, Gravel turned-around Friday’s last place finish by first setting Sunday afternoon’s quick time with a 13.453. He carried that momentum to his heat race, doubling on his successes. There was a small scare in the Craftsman® Club Dash when he got into the turn two wall. Escaping with only minor damage, this was the only hiccup Gravel had throughout the show; he ultimately collected his first World of Outlaws top-five performance of the year.
“When that fifth motor is good enough to quick time, it speaks to how good our engine program is,” said Gravel, who added that he never lost doubt in his Kistler Engine package. “We never give up. We screwed up a little in the dash, but we just kept looking forward. There’s no reason why we can’t win tonight.”
With the victory, Schatz can become the first Outlaw since Jeff Swindell and Sammy Swindell to win multiple series races in one day. Jeff Swindell first accomplished the one-day sweep at Rolling Wheels (N.Y.) Raceway Park on October 8, 1994. Sammy Swindell matched his brother’s feat in 1999 at Bloomington Speedway.
Volusia Speedway Park Notebook
RACE NOTES:Donny Schatz wins a World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series race at DIRTcar Nationals for the fourth consecutive year. After fending off Chad Kemenah – who led the 26-car feature into the green flag – Schatz nearly opened-up a two second lead. Jason Johnson, who won the previous show, caught up to Kemenah and took second place in the closing laps.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jacob Allen; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Brent Marks; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Danny Dietrich; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Terry McCarl;Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Joey Saldana, Paul McMahan, David Gravel;Craftsman/Sears: Chad Kemenah; KSE Hard Charger: Kerry Madsen; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brad Sweet; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Caleb Helms
SEASON WINNERS: Jason Johnson – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17); Donny Schatz – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on February 19)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Volusia Speedway Park, Fla.; Feb. 19, 2017
Feature - (25 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1] [$10,000]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [3] [$5,500]; 3. 10H-Chad Kemenah [2] [$3,200]; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [4] [$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [8] [$2,500]; 6. 14-Christopher Bell [6] [$2,300]; 7. 4-Paul McMahan [5] [$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [9] [$2,100]; 9. 7S-Jason Sides [12] [$2,050]; 10. 13D-Danny Dietrich [7] [$2,000]; 11. 2M-Kerry Madsen [19] [$1,500]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [14] [$1,200]; 13. 18-Ian Madsen [10] [$1,100]; 14. 24-Terry McCarl [13] [$1,050]; 15. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [18] [$1,000]; 16. 1-Dale Blaney [20] [$900]; 17. 49-Brad Sweet [17] [$800]; 18. 27-Greg Hodnett [16] [$800]; 19. 2-Shane Stewart [24] [$800]; 20. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [23] [$800]; 21. 24R-Rico Abreu [22] [$800]; 22. 17X-Caleb Helms [15] [$800]; 23. 9-Daryn Pittman [11] [$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [25] [$800]; 25. 87-Aaron Reutzel [21] [$800]; 26. 13-Clyde Knipp [26] [$800]; Lap Leaders: Chad Kemenah 1-13, Donny Schatz 14-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2M-Kerry Madsen[+8]
Qualifying - 1. 5-David Gravel, 13.453; 2. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.456; 3. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.543; 4. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 13.567; 5. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.574; 6. 14-Christopher Bell, 13.578; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.605; 8. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.608; 9. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.614; 10. 13D-Danny Dietrich, 13.619; 11. 17X-Caleb Helms, 13.627; 12. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.628; 13. 19-Brent Marks, 13.631; 14. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.647; 15. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.682; 16. 27-Greg Hodnett, 13.701; 17. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.720; 18. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.736; 19. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.797; 20. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 13.812; 21. 24-Terry McCarl, 13.823; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.873; 23. 24R-Rico Abreu, 13.876; 24. 1-Dale Blaney, 13.908; 25. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.920; 26. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.929; 27. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.937; 28. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.000; 29. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 14.019; 30. 59H-Justin Henderson, 14.083; 31. 7W-Tasker Phillips, 14.254; 32. 59S-Ben Schmidt, 14.315; 33. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 14.602; 34. O7-Jacob Wilson, 14.707; 35. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.917; 36. 21-Brian Brown, nt
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 5-David Gravel[1] ; 2. 41-Jason Johnson[2] ; 3. 19-Brent Marks[4] ; 4. 24-Terry McCarl[6] ; 5. 49-Brad Sweet[5] ; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[3] ; 7. 49X-Tim Shaffer[8] ; 8. W20-Greg Wilson[7] ; 9. 2X-Parker Price-Miller[9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 14-Christopher Bell[2] ; 2. 13D-Danny Dietrich[3] ; 3. 18-Ian Madsen[4] ; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart[6] ; 5. 5W-Lucas Wolfe[1] ; 6. 59H-Justin Henderson[8] ; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser[7] ; 8. 87-Aaron Reutzel[5] ; 9. O7-Jacob Wilson[9]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz[1] ; 2. 17-Joey Saldana[4] ; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman[2] ; 4. 17X-Caleb Helms[3] ; 5. 2M-Kerry Madsen[5] ; 6. 24R-Rico Abreu[6] ; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen[7] ; 8. 7W-Tasker Phillips[8] ; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp[9]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 10H-Chad Kemenah[1] ; 2. 4-Paul McMahan[2] ; 3. 7S-Jason Sides[3] ; 4. 27-Greg Hodnett[4] ; 5. 1-Dale Blaney[6] ; 6. 2-Shane Stewart[7] ; 7. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier[5] ; 8. 59S-Ben Schmidt[8]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature - 1. 15-Donny Schatz[2] ; 2. 10H-Chad Kemenah[1] ; 3. 41-Jason Johnson[5] ; 4. 17-Joey Saldana[7] ; 5. 4-Paul McMahan[8] ; 6. 14-Christopher Bell[3] ; 7. 13D-Danny Dietrich[6] ; 8. 5-David Gravel[4]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 87-Aaron Reutzel[2] [-]; 2. 24R-Rico Abreu[4] [-]; 3. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[1] [-]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart[8] [-]; 5. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier[3] [$300]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson[5] [$250]; 7. 59H-Justin Henderson[10] [$225]; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser[6] [$200]; 9. 49X-Tim Shaffer[9] [$200]; 10. 59S-Ben Schmidt[12] [$200]; 11. 7W-Tasker Phillips[11] [$200]; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen[7] [$200]; 13. O7-Jacob Wilson[14] [$200]; 14. 13-Clyde Knipp[15] [$200]; 15. 2X-Parker Price-Miller[13] [$200]; 16. 21-Brian Brown[16] [$200]
Saturday, February 18th Portion of DIRTcar Nationals Postponed Due to Rain
Event will resume Sunday with doubleheader with the World of Outlaws and DIRTcar Racing UMP Modifieds
BARBERVILLE, Fla. – February 18, 2017 – Night five of DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park has been postponed due to persistent rain setting up a doubleheader event starting Sunday afternoon.
Saturday, Feb. 18th postponed event will resume with grandstand and pit gates opening at 11:30am. Hot laps and qualifying will resume starting at 12:00pm.
Fans that have tickets and/or a wristband for Saturday’s World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series and DIRTcar Racing UMP Modified portion of DIRTcar Nationals can bring their ticket stub and/or wristband to the gate for re-entry to the first portion Sunday’s DIRTcar Nationals doubleheader.
The evening portion of the doubleheader will start with pit gates opening at 4:00pm; the grandstands will re-open at 5:00pm. Hot laps for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series starting at 6:00pm followed by qualifying.
For more information about DIRTcar Nationals by visiting www.DIRTcarNationals.com or follow DIRTcarNats on Twitter and Facebook.com/DIRTcar
Johnson Takes Flight in Outlaws Opener
Wins first career Gator at DIRTcar Nationals
BARBERSVILLE, Fla. – February 17, 2017 – Jason Johnson made a grand entrance into 2017 Friday night, winning the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series opener at the 46th Annual DIRTcar Nationals. Johnson, whose 2016 season was highlighted by a Knoxville Nationals victory, took home his first Gator and a $10,000 purse.
“Yeah, 365 days later we start the season off in the best case scenario,” said Johnson, rehashing on his team’s troubles last season. “It’s a long season, and you need to condition for it. My little [Jaxx] on FaceTime over there… he and my wife mean the world to me, and I wish he could be here for the win. [The win] is huge for our operation, for our team, for the people working on this team and for my self-confidence.”
For Johnson’s four World of Outlaws wins last season, Johnson brought his son up on stage to wave their index finger in the air symbolizing “No.1.” This time Johnson scaled the wing of his No. 41 Priority Aviation Services, LLC/ Mesilla Valley Transportation Maxim car solo, but dropped back down to high-fives and hugs from his crew. Johnson, who was involved in a horrific wreck earlier in the week, opted to withdraw from the All-Star Circuit of Champions finale Thursday night. But one day later, consistently bested 35 other cars on sprint car racing’s biggest stage.
Johnson started on the outside of the first row for the 30-lap feature event. Where he started, is where he stayed. Johnson – continuing to stay on-top of the wheel and high on the track – darted to the front within the first lap. Sweet followed Johnson to the front but from the bottom. The first of three cautions came on the third lap, when David Gravel suffered from more mechanical failures. Notably, Gravel raced nearly 80 races without blowing a motor heading into this year’s DIRTcar Nationals. The caution regrouped the field, giving Sweet the opportunity to recreate last season’s season opener with a win.
“I’ll tell you what, I really thought we were going to have something there for Jason,” Sweet said. “I had to [eventually] move to the top but Johnson set a really torrid pace out there. He did it, so hats-off to him. We have two more nights so hopefully we can end up where he is.”
Sweet swapped spots with Brian Brown throughout the race, but in the final two laps swiftly moved passed him on the front straightaway. Brown forfeited third to a red-hot Christopher Bell, who rounded-out the podium. Bell not only beat Johnson in the dash, but also set the night’s quick time with a 13.121.
“I kind of struggled on starts and restarts there,” said Bell, who led the feature field into the green flag. “Mistakes on my part for starts and restarts, but this thing is really fast. It’s a great machine to drive. Thank you Tony [Stewart] for letting me come out and have some fun.”
From the victory, Johnson leads the points championship for the first time in his career. As Sweet alluded to, Johnson’s aggressive driving style opened up the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile” for him. Earlier in the program, Johnson qualified third but claimed his stake for a Gator in the third heat. His car weaved in-and-around series newcomer Brent Marks. Though he was in a transfer spot, Johnson did not let off the gas.
He went on to start fourth in the Craftsman Club Dash and finish second after yet another battle – with Brown. Brown’s uncle and crew member, 2001 Series Champion Danny Lasoski, is the most winningest sprint car driver at Volusia Speedway Park. He is scheduled to compete predominantly with the Outlaws, though it will not be full-time.
Series veteran Jason Sides set the pace early in the program, recording the quickest time in hot laps of 13.602. Sides went on to set quick-time in qualifying – putting him in position to “Double Down” as his nickname suggests – but the time only stood until Bell knocked him off with 15 drivers remaining. Ultimately, four out of the five top-qualifiers were series regulars. Three regulars finished the night in the Top-five.
Volusia Speedway Park Notebook
RACE NOTES:Jason Johnson collects his first win of the season Friday night, beating fellow series regular Brad Sweet by a 3.553-second margin. Sweet and Brian Brown battled nearly the entire 30 laps, until quick-timer Cristopher Bell made a last-minute moved to knock Brown off the podium.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jacob Allen; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Super Flow ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Jason Johnson, Jason Sides, Brad Sweet, Daryn Pittman, Brent Marks;Craftsman/Sears: Christopher Bell; KSE Hard Charger: Chad Kemenah; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Jason Johnson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brent Marks; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Sides
SEASON WINNERS: Jason Johnson – 1 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Volusia Speedway Park, Fla.; Feb. 18, 2017
Feature - (30 Laps) - 1. 41-Jason Johnson [2] [$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [5] [$5,500]; 3. 14-Christopher Bell [1] [$3,200]; 4. 21-Brian Brown [3] [$2,800]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [7] [$2,500]; 6. 49X-Tim Shaffer [9] [$2,300]; 7. 10H-Chad Kemenah [20] [$2,200]; 8. 24R-Rico Abreu [13] [$2,100]; 9. 2M-Kerry Madsen [14] [$2,050]; 10. 18-Ian Madsen [6] [$2,000]; 11. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [11] [$1,500]; 12. 17-Joey Saldana [15] [$1,200]; 13. 1-Dale Blaney [24] [$1,100]; 14. 15-Donny Schatz [16] [$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17] [$1,000]; 16. 19-Brent Marks [8] [$900]; 17. 13D-Danny Dietrich [23] [$800]; 18. 4-Paul McMahan [10] [$800]; 19. 87-Aaron Reutzel [19] [$800]; 20. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [18] [$800]; 21. 7S-Jason Sides [4] [$800]; 22. 27-Greg Hodnett [12] [$800]; 23. 2-Shane Stewart [21] [$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [25]; 25. 5-David Gravel [22] [$800]; Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 10H-Chad Kemenah [+13]
Qualifying - 1. 14-Christopher Bell, 13.121; 2. 5-David Gravel, 13.126; 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.161; 4. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.223; 5. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.247; 6. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.262; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.296; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.298; 9. 24R-Rico Abreu, 13.306; 10. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.312; 11. 19-Brent Marks, 13.314; 12. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 13.318; 13. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.340; 14. 21-Brian Brown, 13.345; 15. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 13.352; 16. 27-Greg Hodnett, 13.395; 17. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.413; 18. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.431; 19. 13D-Danny Dietrich, 13.446; 20. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.448; 21. 1-Dale Blaney, 13.460; 22. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.464; 23. 17-Joey Saldana, 13.501; 24. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.510; 25. 24-Terry McCarl, 13.521; 26. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.537; 27. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.555; 28. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.573; 29. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.590; 30. 17X-Caleb Helms, 13.610; 31. 59H-Justin Henderson, 13.691; 32. 7W-Tasker Phillips, 13.774; 33. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.891; 34. 59S-Ben Schmidt, 13.915; 35. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 13.916; 36. O7-Jacob Wilson, 14.016
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2] ; 2. 14-Christopher Bell [1] ; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer [4] ; 4. 24R-Rico Abreu [3] ; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5] ; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [8] ; 7. 1-Dale Blaney [6] ; 8. 24-Terry McCarl [7] ; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 18-Ian Madsen [2] ; 2. 21-Brian Brown [4] ; 3. 4-Paul McMahan [6] ; 4. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5] ; 5. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [3] ; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7] ; 7. 17X-Caleb Helms [8] ; 8. 59S-Ben Schmidt [9] ; 9. 5-David Gravel [1]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1] ; 2. 19-Brent Marks [3] ; 3. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [4] ; 4. 17-Joey Saldana [6] ; 5. 87-Aaron Reutzel [7] ; 6. 59H-Justin Henderson [8] ; 7. 13D-Danny Dietrich [5] ; 8. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [9] ; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 7S-Jason Sides [1] ; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2] ; 3. 27-Greg Hodnett [4] ; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [6] ; 5. 10H-Chad Kemenah [3] ; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [5] ; 7. 7W-Tasker Phillips [8] ; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [7] ; 9. O7-Jacob Wilson [9]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 14-Christopher Bell [2] ; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [4] ; 3. 21-Brian Brown [1] ; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [3] ; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [6] ; 6. 18-Ian Madsen [5] ; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [8] ; 8. 19-Brent Marks [7]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [4] [-]; 2. 5-David Gravel [1] [-]; 3. 13D-Danny Dietrich [3] [-]; 4. 1-Dale Blaney [5] [-]; 5. 59H-Justin Henderson [11] [$300]; 6. 17X-Caleb Helms [10] [$250]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [9] [$225]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7] [$200]; 9. 59S-Ben Schmidt [14] [$200]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [8] [$200]; 11. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [15] [$200]; 12. 7W-Tasker Phillips [12] [$200]; 13. 24-Terry McCarl [6] [$200]; 14. 13-Clyde Knipp [13] [$200]; 15. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2] [$200]; 16. O7-Jacob Wilson [16] [$200]
The annual Kick-off Tour features 15 nights of racing in a two-month stretch
CONCORD, N.C. – February 7, 2017 – The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series will continue its annual tradition of heading westward for several nights of racing. The 2017 Kick-off Tour features 11 stops across four states – Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas.
Two of the three tracks making debuts on the national tour this season are in the west coast swing (Gator Motorplex and Cocopah Speedway). Gator (Tex.) Motorplex features a quarter-mile bullring; Cocopah (Ariz.) Speedway is a semi-banked, 3/8-mile oval. Arizona Speedway will be making its second appearance on the schedule.
“We always look forward to this stretch in our schedule,” said Series Director Carlton Reimers. “The opportunity to extend our series coast to coast makes it easier for fans nationwide to enjoy ‘The Greatest Show on Dirt.’”
Of the 16 races in last-year’s west coast swing, seven different drivers took the checkered flag – all of them series regulars. Defending Series Champion Donny Schatz won most frequently, earning four trips down Victory Lane. Kasey Kahne Racing’s duo, Daryn Pittman and Brad Sweet, were runner-up to Schatz’s mark by tripling on their successes. Joey Saldana and Shane Stewart both doubled-up, each winning two events.
The Outlaws will return to the East after making a stop at one of the series’ most historic tracks. Devil’s Bowl (Tex.) Speedway has hosted the series for 26 years since 1978. Of those 26 years, the high-banked half-mile has successfully held multi-day events in 22 of them. This season will be the Outlaws’ fourth consecutive appearance, and the series’ regulars have swept the show since 2014.
The Stockton Dirt Track will make its fifth consecutive appearance on the tour. Schatz has won three of the last four shows since 2015 and owns the track record, clocking-in at 12.566 seconds around the semi-banked, 3/8-mile oval two years ago. Three current Outlaws (Schatz, Saldana and Sweet) hold track records at one of the stops.
Following the Outlaws’ tour through the Southwest region, the series is only scheduled to make abbreviated stops to nearby tracks in September.
For more information like how to purchase tickets for the 2017 Kick-off Tour, visit woosprint.com/kick-off-tour.
World of Outlaws Launches Race Day Drug-Testing Program
Partners Exclusively with The National Center for Drug Free Sport to update Substance Abuse Policy and Manage Testing
CONCORD, N.C. — Dec. 8, 2016 — The World of Outlaws announced today an exclusive partnership with The National Center for Drug Free Sport (Drug Free Sport) for a robust drug-testing program to improve the safety of competitors in compliance with a revised World of Outlaws Substance Abuse Policy.
“Every major sport across the country has adopted drug-testing policies. As the leader in dirt track racing we felt it was time to join that group,” said World of Outlaws President Tom Deery. “Partnering with Drug Free Sport as a third-party administrator provides our participants a thorough and fair testing platform.”
Beginning with the 2017 racing season, the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series and Late Model Series will require drivers to participate in random testing for substances of abuse that could impede driving ability. “We’ve had a drug policy in place for quite a while now that allows us to test based on suspicion,” said Deery. “But we’ve never done random testing. It’s time to add another dimension to create a stronger deterrent.”
Drug Free Sport is a world-wide leader in the sport drug-testing industry, currently conducting drug testing management and/or education services for the NFL, MLB, NCAA, NBA, WNBA, NBA D-League, PGA Tour, LPGA, USGA, CrossFit Games, the Big Ten Conference, and more than 300 colleges, universities and amateur athletics organizations around the world.
“As a true independent third-party administrator, Drug Free Sport provides consistency to the process, an added layer of confidence, confidentiality, and skill, leveraging our technical expertise in industry-approved testing procedures and certified specimen collection,” said Chris Guinty, Drug Free Sport COO. “Our collectors and staff establish the tone within the industry of ensuring fair and safe sport for athletes, teams and fans.”
Random drug testing will begin at the onset of the 2017 season. Testing will apply to drivers only and will be conducted at a number of events throughout the season. Notification will not be given prior to any event. Drivers found in violation will be subject to suspension.
“We’re not looking for performance-enhancing drugs, as in other sports,” said World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter. “Regardless of your view on recreational drug use, we can all agree they have no place on the race track. We’re trying to keep our drivers safe.”
“The World of Outlaws run in close quarters at high speeds, and we will not allow anything that puts participants and fans at risk,” said Carter.
Saldana to Park It in 2017
Will drive the No. 17 for Matt Wood and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
CONCORD, N.C. – Nov. 28, 2016 – Joey Saldana is not only carrying on his family legacy into the 2017 racing season, but also living out the legacy left by the late Bryan Clauson. Saldana teamed up with Matt Wood and NASCAR star Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to pilot the Elk Grove Ford/ Roth Investments No. 17 racecar in the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series tour next season – an aspiration of Clauson’s since he first hopped into a 410 Sprint Car.
Saldana finished the 2016 season with Dennis Roth and Roth Motorsports amassing five wins, 31 top-five and 62 top-ten performances with 10 quick times in 81 points races. Saldana is nearing the 100-win milestone heading into his 18th consecutive season with the series; he stands at 99 wins, a mark that has taken the 1996 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year 19 seasons to build.
Saldana has finished within the top five in series championship point standings three of his last four seasons full-time. Roth Motorsports, which began its first World of Outlaw season in 1995, expected to carry its team’s momentum into the following season. However, a series of unfortunate events prompted Roth to take a step back and not field the No. 83 car in 2017. Saldana, 43, said he still has plenty of gas left in the tank but worried that this may have been “it.”
“If you’re going to compete and be a racecar driver, if you don’t do it 100 percent then why do it?” Saldana said. “I’m past the point of just racing. I want to race the best, or I really don’t want to do it. This is what you dream about when you’re 15 [years-old], and what you still dream about when you’re 43. It was unsettling because I don’t want to just step back. If I can’t race at this level – the ultimate level – then I’m not going to do it. If you’re going to put the effort into it you might as well race the best.”
While Roth is taking a more reserved role – still helping to fund the new team – Saldana’s racing career took an emotional turn and came full-circle. Saldana will not only represent Wood and Stenhouse on the track, but also keep the spirit of Clauson alive in the racing community. Saldana will have the chance to “Park it” for Clauson, his team and those who have supported him throughout the difficult transition. Clauson intended to join the Outlaws full-time in 2017, and Saldana said he knows he will be there to enjoy the ride.
“You want to ‘Park It,’” Saldana said. “[Clauson] made that phrase popular so when you did park it, it meant you did your job that night and won the race. We need to do that as many times as possible for him so we can be competitive. Just making that No. 17 car competitive every night would make Bryan proud because his whole goal was to run with the World of Outlaws.”
Not only were Saldana and Clauson connected through the racing family tree, but their friendship is also rooted by their own families. Clauson was there for Saldana’s sons, Reece and Ragan. To Saldana, the ride is “Bryan helping me take care of my kids.” It was not just his family. Clauson also kept Saldana’s wide-eyed love for racing strong. Clauson had a watchful eye on Saldana and vice-versa – for a different reason.
Through Saldana’s career, his goal was to always be the proven-dirt driver in the INDY 500 field. It was uncanny that while Saldana envied Clauson’s career, he was doing the same. It was Clauson’s goal to run full-time with the Outlaws but before he made the plans, he watched Saldana. The two admired each other’s paths in motorsports, no matter how different they were. It just so happened that they were both living each other’s dreams.
“It’s weird, Bryan was doing everything that I always wanted to do, and here he was wanting to do what I was doing,” Saldana said. “He did what all racecar drivers aspired to do and that was run the INDY 500, but still be a dirt track guy. That doesn’t happen anymore. You don’t see that. But Bryan Clauson did that. He was ready for that next challenge [The Outlaws]. In a weird way, it’s all come full circle.”
In 2017, Saldana will complete the circle when he barrels down the front stretch in the No. 17 car. Saldana has not taken his road for granted. He simply wants to do right by everyone, and make the season one to remember. Both parties are in it to create a championship contending team, enough to even move the once Missouri-based team to Brownsburg, Ind., the “Brownsburg Bullet’s” hometown. Tyler Swank will remain the crew chief.
“Hopefully, we’re going to be a first-class team that will compete with the Tony Stewart Racing, Kasey Kahne Racing and Larson-Marks Racing,” Saldana said. “Hopefully I can make Bryan proud, make the Wood/Stenhouse team proud and just be competitive. I want to make them proud that they made the right choice with the driver, and that I do the right things by them and everyone that’s involved with this team. I hope we can be the thorn in other teams’ sides.”
Schatz Sweetens the Season with Win
Gravel records career-best season on tour
CONCORD, N.C. – Oct. 29, 2016 – Donny Schatz orchestrated the celebration of his 229th career trip to victory lane differently Saturday night at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. The 20-year World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series superstar – as usual – hoisted the flag into an erupting confetti machine after the Bad Boy Off Road World Finals. But the thousands of fans erupted too when he casted the VP Racing Fuels checkered flag into the stands among the falling confetti.
Another extraordinary component to Schatz’s night-cap was his reflection on the other 24 wins during the season. Each victory added value to his season – alongside the 60 top-five’s and 77 top-10’s in a season with some-90 points races. Collectively, his consistent success throughout the rigor of one of the most premier national tours led to a dominant 314-point spread in the series’ points race. With the points lead, Schatz officially captured his eighth series championship; Schatz has won a championship in 40 percent of his seasons with the Outlaws.
“I know fans would have loved to see it go down to the wire,” said Schatz about his championship campaign. “It’s hard to say in this sport when you take 92 events coast-to-coast you have during the season. We left Florida to start this season 100-plus points in the hole. We had to win. We dug out of that hole –a 100-point deficit to a 300-point deposit with four DNFs along the way. To me, it was one of the hardest fought comebacks that we’ve had, and I’m really proud of my guys for that. After that, it says there’s nothing my guys can’t do.”
Like Schatz alluded to, he and his Tony Stewart Racing team encountered adversity at DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. Though he captured his first win of the season on the second night of the three-day event, Schatz did not make the feature in the opener and concluded the event placing outside of the top 10. For the reigning series champion, who won 31 races in 2015, he felt the pressure early-on.
“On paper, we won a lot of races and had no DNFs,” said Schatz recollecting on 2015. “The hardest thing you can ever do is come out of a hole. We came out of that hole, and had consistent top-five and top-three finishes. But, there were also some things we left on the table. We left a championship out of Knoxville [Nationals], but this championship somewhat makes up for that.”
This year’s championship and a victory at the highly-regarded King’s Royal at Eldora (Ohio) Speedway were two redeemable up-sides to the season. To him, those moments are still “hard to put into perspective.” In the 10-month span of preparation and competition, Schatz’s successes have yet to resonate with him. Though it will take Schatz some time to absorb the total success of the year, his triumph for the finale of World Finals was felt immediately in victory lane.
Schatz, who started fifth for the 30-lap feature, used his momentum from the previous night toward his 2016 season send-off. Schatz was honored with the KSE Hard Charger award the previous night, climbing 10 spots to a third place finish. Starting nine spots better than Friday’s feature, Schatz was in a better position to contend for the win.
Platinum driver David Gravel, who won his heat race and the Craftsman® Club Dash earlier in the program, was seeking his 10th win of the season; by doing so, he would have joined Schatz as the only two drivers in the series to record double-digit win totals. Gravel led the field into the green flag. From there he alternated from the top in turns one and two to the bottom in turns three and four to maintain the top spot.
The first of four cautions on the second lap not only diminished Gravel’s buffer, but also regrouped the field. On the restart, Schatz charged forward. He picked-up his podium spot then, thereon setting his sights on quick-timer Greg Hodnett and Gravel ahead of him. Schatz eventually used lapped traffic to take over the second spot on the backstretch. More importantly, a trend was developing: Schatz used the breaks in momentum from the cautions to his advantage.
The race’s second caution on the 13th lap again regrouped the field; the top-three was beginning to separate by half-second intervals before the yellow flag waved. His strategy of using cautions came into play three laps later when it paired him with Gravel. Gravel defended his top spot on the restart and more importantly in turns one and two. However, the following lap reopened the door in Schatz’s favor. Schatz, unable to get under Gravel the first time, made a successful move the second time around before another caution on the 15th lap.
Halfway home, Gravel dipped below Schatz in an attempt to reclaim the lead. But, a strong restart from Schatz made it an ill-attempt. Gravel stayed on pace with Schatz thereafter, maintaining a sub-second distance away from him. The race’s final caution with nine laps remaining gave Gravel another opportunity to strike.
Gravel, taking the same approach, tried to leverage his racecar underneath Schatz’s in turns three and four. However, Schatz’s raw speed kept the battle at bay; he led Gravel by 0.472 seconds with eight laps to go. Within those laps, Platinum driver Joey Saldana sealed the deal for third. Saldana started seventh in the feature.
“As the run went on, the more and more [Schatz] slipped off turn four,” said Gravel, explaining his strategy. “The bottom was definitely better there later, but I just could not keep up on the restarts. He just checked-out on the restarts, and I just couldn’t close the gap.”
While Schatz and Gravel protected their spots for the rest of the feature, Hodnett sought revenge. In the closing laps, Hodnett was able to reclaim the final podium spot. Even so, seven Outlaws finished inside the top 10. Schatz ultimately won the race by a 0.788-second margin.
“Joey races really hard, but I could squeeze in under him a couple of times enough to get out front,” Hodnett said. “But I’ll tell you what, hats-off to Schatz, Gravel and those guys. All these guys are really tough, and just to be able to half-ass compete with them, I’m just really proud of it. Would have liked the turn out to be better, but we’ll be back God-willing to see what we can do in front of these great fans.”
Gravel, the 2013 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year, recorded his best season with the Outlaws since joining the national tour. He improved on last year’s winless season, taking nine more checkered flags and earning 36 more top-five performances.
The Dirt Track at Charlotte Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz finished the 2016 season strong, winning the Bad Boy Off Road World Finals finale at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Starting fifth, Schatz used lapped traffic and a series of cautions to eventually overtake polesitter David Gravel. Greg Hodnett maintained his podium after a late push from Platinum driver Joey Saldana.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Greg Wilson; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Danny Lasoski; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Tim Shaffer; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Danny Dietrich; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): David Gravel, Shane Stewart, Joey Saldana; Craftsman/Sears: Ian Madsen; KSE Hard Charger: Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brad Sweet; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 25 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7, Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16, Lernerville Speedway on September 24, Fulton Speedway on October 8, The Dirt Track at Charlotte on October 28); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Shane Stewart - 8 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9; Hartford Speedway on September 22; Eldora Speedway on September 24); Brad Sweet - 8 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2; Lakeside Speedway on October 21); Daryn Pittman - 8 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22; Salina Highbanks Speedway on October 22); Joey Saldana - 5 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22, U.S. 36 Raceway on September 17); Jason Johnson - 4 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14, The Dirt Track at Charlotte on October 28); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Logan Schuchart - 2 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9; Port Royal Speedway on October 15); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27); Danny Dietrich - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on October 14)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; The Dirt Track at Charlotte, N.C.; Oct. 29, 2016
Feature - (30 Laps) -1. 15-Donny Schatz [5] [$12,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [1] [$5,500]; 3. 27-Greg Hodnett [3] [$3,200]; 4. 83-Joey Saldana [7] [$2,800]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [14] [$2,500]; 6. 21-Brian Brown [9] [$2,300]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [4] [$2,200]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [12] [$2,100]; 9. 10H-Chad Kemenah [13] [$2,050]; 10. 7S-Jason Sides [18] [$2,000]; 11. 49X-Tim Shaffer [6] [$1,500]; 12. 99-Brady Bacon [17] [$1,200]; 13. 41-Jason Johnson [10] [$1,100]; 14. 48-Danny Dietrich [11] [$1,050]; 15. 2L-Danny Lasoski [21] [$1,000]; 16. 49-Brad Sweet [16] [$1,000]; 17. 1B-Dale Blaney [20] [$1,000]; 18. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [23] [$1,000]; 19. 23-Trey Starks [24] [$1,000]; 20. 17B-Bill Balog [15] [$1,000]; 21. 71M-Dave Blaney [22] [$1,000]; 22. 7-Paul McMahan [25] [$]; 23. W20-Greg Wilson [26] [$]; 24. 18-Ian Madsen [2] [$1,000]; 25. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [8] [$1,000]; 26. 82-Sammy Swindell [19] [$1,000]Lap Leaders:David Gravel 1-14, Donny Schatz 15-30KSE Hard Charger Award:1S-Logan Schuchart [+9]
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 27-Greg Hodnett [1]; 2. 49X-Tim Shaffer [2]; 3. 21-Brian Brown [4]; 4. 10H-Chad Kemenah [5]; 5. 99-Brady Bacon [3]; 6. 3G-Carson Macedo [6]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8]; 8. 49H-Doug Esh [11]; 9. 23-Trey Starks [7]; 10. 4-Cole Duncan [10]; 11. 91-Chad Boespflug [12]; 12. 2MX-Hunter Schuerenberg [9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 18-Ian Madsen [1]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 3. 48-Danny Dietrich [4]; 4. 17B-Bill Balog [3]; 5. 82-Sammy Swindell [8]; 6. 17W-Kerry Madsen [9]; 7. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [5]; 8. 2M-Brent Marks [7]; 9. A67-Cale Conley [11]; 10. 23M-Lance Moss [12]; 11. 67-Tanner Thorson [10]; 12. 1A-Jac Haudenschild [6]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 2-Shane Stewart [1]; 2. 83-Joey Saldana [2]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [4]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [9]; 6. 19-Paige Polyak [6]; 7. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [8]; 8. 2L-Danny Lasoski [5]; 9. 77X-Parker Price-Miller [10]; 10. 94-Ryan Smith [7]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson [11]; 12. 27G-Jay Galloway [12]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 5-David Gravel [2]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [1]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [4]; 5. 1B-Dale Blaney [7]; 6. 51S-Stevie Smith [6]; 7. 7-Paul McMahan [8]; 8. 23C-Tyler Courtney [9]; 9. 71M-Dave Blaney [5]; 10. 25-Tyler Bear [10]; 11. 4S-Danny Smith [11]
Craftsman Club®Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) -1. 5-David Gravel [4]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [3]; 3. 27-Greg Hodnett [1]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [2]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [8]; 6. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5]; 7. 83-Joey Saldana [6]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7]
C-Main - (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the B-feature) -1. 4-Cole Duncan [1] [-]; 2. 23C-Tyler Courtney [2] [-]; 3. 49H-Doug Esh [5] [$150]; 4. 77X-Parker Price-Miller [4] [$150]; 5. 67-Tanner Thorson [3] [$150]; 6. 25-Tyler Bear [6] [$125]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [8] [$125]; 8. A67-Cale Conley [7] [$125]; 9. 91-Chad Boespflug [9] [$125]; 10. 23M-Lance Moss [11] [$125]; 11. 4S-Danny Smith [10] [$125]; 12. 27G-Jay Galloway [12] [$125]; 13. 1A-Jac Haudenschild [13] [$125]; 14. 13-Clyde Knipp [14] [$125]; 15. OO-Dane Lorenc [15] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 2L-Danny Lasoski [2] [-]; 2. 71M-Dave Blaney [4] [-]; 3. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [1] [-]; 4. 23-Trey Starks [5] [-]; 5. 3G-Carson Macedo [3] [$300]; 6. 51S-Stevie Smith [8] [$250]; 7. 2M-Brent Marks [7] [$225]; 8. 94-Ryan Smith [10] [$200]; 9. 7-Paul McMahan [14] [$200]; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser [9] [$200]; 11. 17W-Kerry Madsen [13] [$200]; 12. 2MX-Hunter Schuerenberg [11] [$200]; 13. 19-Paige Polyak [6] [$200]; 14. 4-Cole Duncan [15] [$200]; 15. 23C-Tyler Courtney [16] [$200]; 16. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [12] [$200]
Johnson Earns Fourth Series Win of 2016- Eight Outlaws finish inside the Top 10
CONCORD, N.C. – Oct. 28, 2016 – Jason Johnson set the tone for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Friday night, winning the first night of racing for the Bad Boy Off Road World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Johnson, who idled his winged sprint down victory lane for the fourth time this season, has made his victories count for the series’ most celebrated races in 2016.
“I’ll tell you what, these Priority Aviation/ Mesilla Valley Transportation guys have been doing a hell of a job all year long,” said Johnson, beaming on the front-stretch. “To cap it off at the end of the year with a victory in front of this great crowd…couldn’t say any more bout the facility at such an awesome event…to win is just an honor.”
Earlier in the year, Johnson recorded his second win at the prestigious 5-Hour Energy Knoxville Nationals presented byCasey's General Stores on August 13. At Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway, the Eunice, La. native battled wheel-to-wheel with points leader Donny Schatz for a valuable extension on the event’s 56-year history. Johnson encountered a similar situation at World Finals.
Johnson, who started fourth in the feature, preceded the feature with a heat win and second place finish in the second Craftsman® Club Dash; Dale Blaney finished ahead of him. With Blaney starting second and fellow Platinum driver Brad Sweet on the pole for the 30-lap feature, Johnson faced an uphill battle chock-full of the sport’s most proven drivers.
Sweet, riding the high of winning the first dash of the night, started strong into the green flag. However, Blaney superseded his prowess and managed to take the top spot in the opening laps. Within the first three laps, Blaney increased his lead to 2.044 seconds. Two laps later, Johnson caught his stride and undertook Sweet exiting turn one for the second spot.
Sweet did not go down without a fight; he redeemed his spot on the race’s ninth lap. The two drivers thereon jockeyed for the runner-up spot, both using an under-over maneuver on each other for the next two laps. Johnson got the best of the battle, securing the spot exiting turn four on the 11th lap.
From there, Sweet faded. Logan Schuchart, who started seventh on the night, got around Sweet for the final podium position. While Schuchart was solidifying his spot on the podium, Johnson was cutting into Blaney’s lead. With 10 laps remaining, Johnson came within 0.382 seconds before the race's first and only caution. By this time, the World of Outlaws regulars claimed six out of the top seven spots. Schatz was sitting in sixth.
“I’m very lucky to drive this racecar right now,” Schuchart said. “Our guys do a very great job, and it’s a fast car. I felt better as the race went on. I felt like it was the fastest car at the end of the race. The weather looks similar tomorrow so hopefully the track is similar.”
On the restart, Johnson closed the gap more than he had originally. Blaney and Johnson fought side-by-side, their cars parallel to each other exiting turn four with nine laps remaining. All the while, Schatz began his charge to the front. The seven-time series champion – soon to be eighth once he signs in for the event’s finale – made his way up to third with six laps left in the feature.
“These guys did an incredible job,” Schatz said. “The racetrack: you really didn’t know what was going to happen there. I’m glad those guys worked it. It made for a great race. I thought we were in really great shape coming through there. I tried to change and adapt to what I had. Tonight was definitely a big learning curve, and it’s definitely fun.”
Johnson proved to be too much for Blaney, and in the closing laps fell back. Johnson had sole possession of the lead. Schuchart and Schatz were able to get by Blaney, finishing one-two respectively behind Johnson. With Schatz’s charge, he recorded his 59th top-five performance of the year. Adding to the series’ success, the Outlaws placed in eight of the top-10 spots.
“We’re a privateer team, and we’re definitely financially driven,” said Johnson, earning the $12,000 purse. “So, it’s an honor to pull-off another victory.”
Schatz, who doubled-over into the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series, finished 15th in the 50-lap feature which preceded the Sprint class. Schatz said he is having “a lot of fun” dabbling in both classes, but his focus for the finale will be in sprint car.
“I don’t think I was cut-out to drive those cars,” Schatz said. “Those 50 laps seemed like 500 to me. It was brutal. Tomorrow will be a little better being able to run the sprint car first. So, we’ll see what happens with that.”
The Dirt Track at Charlotte Notebook
RACE NOTES: Jason Johnson, who started fourth in the feature, spent the majority of the 30-lap feature battling toward the front. Once the Platinum driver sealed the deal for the second position, he had his sights toward overtaking Dale Blaney for the lead. With six laps remaining, Johnson succeeded. Streaking Logan Schuchart replaced Blaney for the second spot in the closing laps. Donny Schatz, who started in 13th position, followed Schuchart into the podium. Schatz was honored with the KSE Hard Charger Award, climbing 10 positions in all.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Paul McMahan; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Brian Brown; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Brad Sweet, Shane Stewart, Logan Schuchart, David Gravel, Daryn Pittman, Jason Johnson, Joey Saldana; Craftsman/Sears: Greg Hodnett, Dale Blaney; KSE Hard Charger: Donny Schatz; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Jason Johnson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Danny Dietrich; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 24(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7, Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16, Lernerville Speedway on September 24, Fulton Speedway on October 8); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Shane Stewart - 8 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9; Hartford Speedway on September 22; Eldora Speedway on September 24); Brad Sweet - 8 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2; Lakeside Speedway on October 21); Daryn Pittman - 8 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22; Salina Highbanks Speedway on October 22); Joey Saldana - 5 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22, U.S. 36 Raceway on September 17); Jason Johnson - 4 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14, The Dirt Track at Charlotte on October 28); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Logan Schuchart - 2 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9; Port Royal Speedway on October 15); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27); Danny Dietrich - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on October 14)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; The Dirt Track at Charlotte, N.C.; Oct. 28, 2016
Feature - (30 Laps) - 1. 41-Jason Johnson [4] [$12,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7] [$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [13] [$3,200]; 4. 1B-Dale Blaney [2] [$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [1] [$2,500]; 6. 5-David Gravel [9] [$2,300]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [5] [$2,200]; 8. 10H-Chad Kemenah [6] [$2,100]; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman [11] [$2,050]; 10. 83-Joey Saldana [10] [$2,000]; 11. 21-Brian Brown [8] [$1,500]; 12. 2M-Brent Marks [15] [$1,200]; 13. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [17] [$1,100]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [23] [$1,050]; 15. 2L-Danny Lasoski [12] [$1,000]; 16. 71M-Dave Blaney [21] [$1,000]; 17. 18-Ian Madsen [19] [$1,000]; 18. 48-Danny Dietrich [14] [$1,000]; 19. 82-Sammy Swindell [18] [$1,000]; 20. W20-Greg Wilson [25] [$]; 21. 49X-Tim Shaffer [22] [$1,000]; 22. 7-Paul McMahan [24] [$1,000]; 23. 27-Greg Hodnett [3] [$1,000]; 24. 19-Paige Polyak [20] [$1,000]; 25. 51S-Stevie Smith [16] [$1,000] Lap Leaders: Dale Blaney 1-23, Jason Johnson 24-30 KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz[+10]
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 3 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2] ; 2. 27-Greg Hodnett [1] ; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [4] ; 4. 18-Ian Madsen [3] ; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5] ; 6. 17W-Kerry Madsen [7] ; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [6] ; 8. OO-Dane Lorenc [8] ; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 3 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1] ; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2] ; 3. 2M-Brent Marks [4] ; 4. 67-Tanner Thorson [6] ; 5. 19-Paige Polyak [3] ; 6. 17B-Bill Balog [8] ; 7. 49H-Doug Esh [5] ; 8. 23C-Tyler Courtney [7]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 3 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 5-David Gravel [2] ; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [1] ; 3. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [4] ; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [3] ; 5. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [5] ; 6. 3G-Carson Macedo [6] ; 7. 25-Tyler Bear [7] ; 8. 4S-Danny Smith [8]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 3 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 1B-Dale Blaney [1] ; 2. 83-Joey Saldana [2] ; 3. 48-Danny Dietrich [4] ; 4. 49X-Tim Shaffer [3] ; 5. 77X-Parker Price-Miller [7] ; 6. 94-Ryan Smith [6] ; 7. 4-Cole Duncan [5] ; 8. 91-Chad Boespflug [8]
Heat 5 - (8 Laps - Top 3 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 10H-Chad Kemenah [1] ; 2. 21-Brian Brown [3] ; 3. 51S-Stevie Smith [2] ; 4. 7-Paul McMahan [4] ; 5. 99-Brady Bacon [5] ; 6. 2MX-Hunter Schuerenburg [6] ; 7. 23M-Lance Moss [7] ; 8. A67-Cale Conley [8]
Heat 6 - (8 Laps - Top 3 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1] ; 2. 2L-Danny Lasoski [2] ; 3. 82-Sammy Swindell [7] ; 4. 71M-Dave Blaney [3] ; 5. 23-Trey Starks [6] ; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [4] ; 7. 1A-Jac Haudenschild [5] ; 8. 27G-Jay Galloway [8]
Craftsman® Club Dash 1 - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1] ; 2. 27-Greg Hodnett [4] ; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [2] ; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5] ; 5. 5-David Gravel [3] ; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [6]
Craftsman® Club Dash 2 - (6 Laps - Top finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 1B-Dale Blaney [1] ; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [3] ; 3. 10H-Chad Kemenah [2] ; 4. 21-Brian Brown [5] ; 5. 83-Joey Saldana [4] ; 6. 2L-Danny Lasoski [6]
C-Main - (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the B-feature) - 1. 67-Tanner Thorson [1] [-]; 2. 23-Trey Starks [6] [-]; 3. 3G-Carson Macedo [3] [$150]; 4. 94-Ryan Smith [2] [$150]; 5. 2MX-Hunter Schuerenburg [4] [$150]; 6. 17B-Bill Balog [13] [$125]; 7. 77X-Parker Price-Miller [8] [$125]; 8. 23C-Tyler Courtney [7] [$125]; 9. 25-Tyler Bear [9] [$125]; 10. A67-Cale Conley [14] [$125]; 11. 17W-Kerry Madsen [5] [$125]; 12. 27G-Jay Galloway [16] [$125]; 13. 23M-Lance Moss [10] [$125]; 14. 91-Chad Boespflug [12] [$125]; 15. 13-Clyde Knipp [17] [$125]; 16. OO-Dane Lorenc [11] [$125]; 17. 4S-Danny Smith [15] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 18-Ian Madsen [1] [-]; 2. 19-Paige Polyak [3] [-]; 3. 71M-Dave Blaney [4] [-]; 4. 49X-Tim Shaffer [2] [-]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [5] [-]; 6. 7-Paul McMahan [6] [-]; 7. 99-Brady Bacon [12] [$300]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [8] [$250]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [13] [$225]; 10. 49H-Doug Esh [9] [$200]; 11. 4-Cole Duncan [10] [$200]; 12. 23-Trey Starks [15] [$200]; 13. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [11] [$200]; 14. 1A-Jac Haudenschild [14] [$200]; 15. 67-Tanner Thorson [16] [$200]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7] [$200]
Bad Boy Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals: At A Glance
All Roads lead to The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway as the 2016 Season Comes to a Close
CONCORD, N.C. - October 24, 2016- The most prestigious dirt racing event in the country, the Bad Boy Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals, returns for three days of heart-pounding, clay-slinging action on the lightning-fast, half-mile oval on October 27-29. The Bad Boy Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals brings together the top series in the sport, the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series and the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds, for a full weekend of racing culminating in the crowning of all three series champions.
Nearly 200 entries among the three premier World Racing Groups divisions are expected. Top drivers such as Donny Schatz, Daryn Pittman, Josh Richards, Shane Clanton, Matt Sheppard, Brett Hearn, Stewart Friesen and many, many more all look to add their names to the Bad Boy Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals trophies.
The opportunity to gain bragging rights from winning one of the largest dirt events in the world is not the only challenge of the weekend. There are a number of championship point standings battles up for grabs as the season comes to a close this weekend at The Dirt Track at Charlotte.
World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series
Can Josh Richards re-write the record books by claiming the most single-season wins? Richards is sitting on win number 17. Gaining a win at the World Finals will eclipse the single-season win record by Darrell Lanigan set back in 2014.
With Richards' early untouchable 2016 World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series season, he all but has the championship wrapped up. Simply showing up to each day of the Bad Boy Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals will make it impossible for his nearest competitor to overtake him for the championship.
Points positions six through 10, however, are looking at a tight battle ahead. Steve Casebolt, Chub Frank, Brian Shirley, Frank Heckenast Jr., and Eric Wells are all separated by just 46 points. Each position could mean a big difference in the end-of-year Point Fund Awards.
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series has the closest points battle coming into the Bad Boy Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals. Donny Schatz has had another record-breaking year, putting in his grasp a third-straight, eighth-overall championship. However, positions two, three and four are up for grabs. Daryn Pittman, David Gravel and Brad Sweet are currently second through fourth in points respectively. Only 11 points separate the three drivers.
Joey Saldana is looking for his next win in order to cement his name in the history books. One more win will send him into an elite club of 100-plus career wins. He will join Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell, Donny Schatz, Mark Kinser and Doug Wolfgang as the only drivers to win 100 races or more.
Super DIRTcar Series
With Bad Boy Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals upon us, the stars of the Big-Block Modifieds from the Super DIRTcar Series will make the trek south to compete in front of thousands of fans.
Matt Sheppard, driver of the No. 9s Big-Block Modified, comes into the Bad Boy Off Road World Finals recording 10 wins, 19 top-five finishes and 20 top-10s out of 24 races. Sheppard is ahead of five-time NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week winner Stewart Friesen by 218 points.
The battle for the top five in the end-of-year point standings is where it really heats up. Only 11 points separate fifth-place Jimmy Phelps, sixth-place Brett Hearn and seventh-place Larry Wight.
Qualifying for Friday and Saturday's main events begins Thursday, Oct. 27th at 5:00pm. Friday Oct. 28th will include the first round of feature races, and Saturday, Oct. 29th will feature the final races for the 2016 season, after which three 2016 Champions will be crowned.
Tickets for the Bad Boy Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals can be purchased through the Charlotte Motor Speedway website, by calling: 1 (800) 455-FANS (3267), or through the ticket booths located at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
For the first time at the Dirt Track at Charlotte, children under 17 will be allowed in the pit area. Minors will be required to have a Charlotte Motor Speedway waiver signed by both parents or guardians in order to enter the pit area with a regularly priced pit pass. Please note that if both parents are not present at the event, the waiver must be completed in advance, signed by both parents or guardians and notarized.
Waivers are available at charlottemotorspeedway.com/waivers.
If you are unable to make it to the event, watch it LIVE on www.dirtvision.com
Pittman Returns to his Winning Ways at Salina
Led every lap in the feature
PRYOR, Okla. – Oct. 22, 2016 – Daryn Pittman returned to his winning ways on the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series tour Saturday night, winning the O'Reilly Auto Parts Twister Showdown at Salina Highbanks Speedway. Pittman’s trip down victory lane was his eighth of the season.
With the win, Pittman – like his teammate Brad Sweet the night before – shattered a winless streak that spanned four months. His last victory was at Williams Grove (Pa.) Speedway on July 22. Pittman made his return to victory lane convincing, as he led all 31 laps of the night’s feature in his No. 9 Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb GF1 car.
“We haven’t really been struggling, but I haven’t been able to finish the job and get the win,” Pittman said. “We’ve been there knocking on the door, and it’s the driver’s job to be able to finish and get the win. Our team has really been working hard and the car’s fast. It’s good to finally reward them with a win. It’s been too long. Hopefully we can use this momentum headed into Charlotte – we always seem to run well there – and get the win there.”
By the courtesy of the Craftsman Club® Draw, Pittman led the 24-car field into the green flag. Pittman held his ground in the opening laps. A notably shift in the podium was last year’s winner and Oklahoma-native Shane Stewart, who moved into the podium by passing David Gravel’s No. 5 CJB Motorsports GF1 racecar.
Two cautions on the seventh lap ultimately caused a single-file restart. While Pittman extended his lead to nearly a .400-second margin, the same interval separated Stewart and Gravel. The two battled side-by-side, until Gravel reclaimed third position.
Pittman consistently extended his lead. Pittman had a 2.323 advantage with 10 laps remaining, and behind him, the podium began to shuffle. Jason Johnson, who was forced to use a backup car because of a wreck the night before, began to charge to the front. Johnson solidified fourth position; he started eighth in the feature.
Pittman led as much as 3.799 seconds with six laps remaining, and was on his way to the checkers. But, the race’s final caution on the last lap of the race regrouped the field, giving hope to those drivers behind him. In a green-white-checkered scenario, Pittman led the single-file restart with Gravel behind him. Johnson’s No. 41 Jason Johnson Racing Maxim car was in fourth.
On the restart, Gravel dove to the bottom of the 3/8-mile oval to contend with Pittman for the lead. Pittman slammed the door on Gravel exiting turn four and turn two heading to the checkers. Though Gravel ran out of real estate, Johnson did not for third position. In the closing lap, Johnson made his move into the final podium position in turn three, redeeming the weekend from an 11th place finish on Friday night.
“This car is a car we ran previously this season,” Johnson said. “We had a lot of confidence in it, and all of our Maxim cars. We build a chain of them through the winter months, and they have a lot of similarities. Tonight, when we get in a predicament like that to get a car down, we know what to expect. We had to get down tonight after the wipeout last night in the heat race.”
Pittman joined fellow Kasey Kahne Racing teammate Sweet as the weekend’s feature winners. The duo ended their droughts that dated back to July. Both picked up their eighth win of the season.
Earlier in the program, Gravel recorded his second-consecutive quick time and heat win of the weekend – also in a backup ride. Gravel owed his strong performance to his engine, and said his consistently fast laps will give him momentum leading into the Bad Boy Off Road World Finals on October 27-29.
“Qualifying as good as we have, we keep putting ourselves in a good position,” said Gravel, visibly distraught that he could not get Pittman in the final laps for his 10th win. “We’ve had good motors, and we’re putting in the good, fresh ones now. They’re showing [up]. We just can’t get good feature finishes. So, glad to come home on the podium heading to Charlotte.”
Salina HighbanksSpeedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Daryn Pittman led every lap of the 31-lap feature, winning his eighth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series feature of the season. Pittman established his dominance early, but it was not until late in the race when he got challenged by David Gravel in the final two laps. In a green-white-checkered situation, Pittman fended-off Gravel. Jason Johnson, starting eighth in the feature, made a late push to round-out the podium.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Clyde Knipp; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Daryn Pittman, David Gravel, Shane Stewart, Logan Schuchart; Craftsman/Sears: Ian Madsen; KSE Hard Charger: Matt Covington; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Schuchart
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 24(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7, Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16, Lernerville Speedway on September 24, Fulton Speedway on October 8); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Shane Stewart - 8 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9; Hartford Speedway on September 22; Eldora Speedway on September 24); Brad Sweet - 8 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2; Lakeside Speedway on October 21); Daryn Pittman - 8 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22; Salina Highbanks Speedway on October 22); Joey Saldana - 5 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22, U.S. 36 Raceway on September 17); Jason Johnson - 3 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Logan Schuchart - 2 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9; Port Royal Speedway on October 15); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27); Danny Dietrich - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on October 14)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Salina Highbanks Speedway, Okla.; Oct. 22, 2016
Feature - (31 Laps due to green-white-checkered finish) -1. 9-Daryn Pittman [1] [$10,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [3] [$5,500]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [8] [$3,200]; 4. 18-Ian Madsen [2] [$2,800]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [4] [$2,500]; 6. 99-Brady Bacon [10] [$2,300]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [5] [$2,200]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [12] [$2,100]; 9. 83-Joey Saldana [7] [$2,050]; 10. 45X-Johnny Herrera [14] [$2,000]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson [9] [$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [13] [$1,200]; 13. 7-Paul McMahan [19] [$1,100]; 14. 82-Sammy Swindell [17] [$1,050]; 15. 12-Lynton Jeffrey [16] [$1,000]; 16. 95-Matt Covington [23] [$900]; 17. O9-Matt Juhl [20] [$800]; 18. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [18] [$800]; 19. 17W-Kerry Madsen [11] [$800]; 20. 1A-Jacob Allen [15] [$800]; 21. 71A-R.J. Johnson [22] [$800]; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6] [$800]; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp [24] [$800]; 24. 2C-Wayne Johnson [21] [$800] Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-31 KSE Hard Charger Award: 95-Matt Covington[+7]
Qualifying -1. 5-David Gravel, 11.688; 2. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.758; 3. 18-Ian Madsen, 11.778; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.849; 5. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.851; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.857; 7. 83-Joey Saldana, 11.886; 8. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.888; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.896; 10. 99-Brady Bacon, 11.899; 11. 17W-Kerry Madsen, 11.911; 12. W20-Greg Wilson, 11.931; 13. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.952; 14. 7-Paul McMahan, 11.972; 15. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.040; 16. 12-Lynton Jeffrey, 12.046; 17. 82-Sammy Swindell, 12.062; 18. O9-Matt Juhl, 12.157; 19. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 12.193; 20. 71A-R.J. Johnson, 12.210; 21. 5J-Jeremy Schultz, 12.218; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.238; 23. 45X-Johnny Herrera, 12.244; 24. 95-Matt Covington, 12.414; 25. 7W-Tasker Phillips, 12.722; 26. 53-Brett Wilson, 13.854
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 5-David Gravel [1] ; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2] ; 3. 83-Joey Saldana [3] ; 4. 99-Brady Bacon [4] ; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [5] ; 6. 12-Lynton Jeffrey [6] ; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [8] ; 8. 2C-Wayne Johnson [7] ; 9. 7W-Tasker Phillips [9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 2-Shane Stewart [1] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2] ; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [3] ; 4. 17W-Kerry Madsen [4] ; 5. 45X-Johnny Herrera [8] ; 6. 82-Sammy Swindell [6] ; 7. 71A-R.J. Johnson [7] ; 8. 53-Brett Wilson [9] ; 9. 7-Paul McMahan [5]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 18-Ian Madsen [1] ; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2] ; 3. W20-Greg Wilson [4] ; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [5] ; 5. 1A-Jacob Allen [3] ; 6. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [7] ; 7. O9-Matt Juhl [6] ; 8. 95-Matt Covington [8]
Craftsman Club® Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of A-feature) -1. 9-Daryn Pittman [1] ; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [2] ; 3. 5-David Gravel [4] ; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [3] ; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [5] ; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 7-Paul McMahan [1] [-]; 2. O9-Matt Juhl [2] [-]; 3. 2C-Wayne Johnson [3] [-]; 4. 71A-R.J. Johnson [4] [-]; 5. 95-Matt Covington [6] [-]; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [5] [-]; 7. 53-Brett Wilson [8] [$300]; 8. 7W-Tasker Phillips [7] [$250]
Sweet Silences the Field at Lakeside
Snaps more than four-month series winless streak
KANSAS CITY, Kans. – Oct. 21, 2016 – Brad Sweet steamrolled ahead Friday night to his eighth win of the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series season at Lakeside Speedway. The O'Reilly Auto Parts Rumble on the River did not only give Sweet an advantage to finish the season’s points race in the top-three, but the victory also snapped a 33-race drought for Sweet.
Sweet had not won a feature in the series since Badlands (S.D.) Motor Speedway on July 2. His best finish at Lakeside came in June 2014, when he placed sixth in the feature. Sweet started on the pole for this year’s 30-lapper, which initially put him in position to break his winless streak.
“It was a little bit frustrating after a while,” said Sweet, who also won the $10,000 purse. “We were off to a great start. Then we hit a slump and haven’t been in victory lane. But it feels like the monkey is off our back. It’s a bigger leap. Tonight we had a fast car, and we were able to move through lapped traffic.”
In the opening lap Ian Madsen, who started second in the feature, claimed Sweet’s spot in turns one and two. However in the five-caution feature frenzy, yellow flags prevented any of the three race-leaders throughout the race from putting any comfortable cushion between them and the 24-car feature. Though Madsen survived the race’s first restart on the third lap, it gave other drivers the chance to make their move.
In turn four of the best lap Joey Saldana, seeking his 100th career series win, joined Madsen and Sweet in a three-wide drag race down the front stretch for the top spot. Saldana managed to overtake both of them and led nearly the remainder of the first-half of the feature.
With two laps before the halfway point – and the race’s fourth caution – Sweet challenged Saldana riding the bottom of the track. Closing into the second half of the race, the front of the pack caught up to the back. Saldana, with less than a half-second lead at the time, got swept-up in the traffic, leaving Sweet enough room to claim the top spot.
The top-five underwent its biggest shuffle on the fourth restart, as Daryn Pittman led the charge into second position Pittman, who started third in the feature, regained a podium spot in turn two and through the backstretch overpowered Saldana. Logan Schuchart, with his most recent win the race before, followed Pittman’s charge in his No. 1s Bobby Allen Triple X racecar.
Though Pittman carried momentum through that sequence in his No. 9 Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb GF1 winged-sprint, the race’s final caution on lap 19 reset the field. From there, Pittman challenged Sweet, at times side-by-side and within a quarter of a second to the No. 49 Kasey Kahne Racing GF1 car. Sweet ultimately won by a half-second margin. Sweet and Pittman are fellow teammates on Kasey Kahne Racing.
“We ran some pretty hard tires, and [the track] was really abrasive on tires,” said Pittman, who thought the setup hurt him. “We gambled with some pretty hard tires, and the longer we ran the better we were. So I didn’t need to see the yellows. We were close. This is one of my favorite half-miles that we run. If we can’t win, I guess it’s okay to get beat by your teammate, but I thought I had a shot on the last lap. But, I got a little too close to the lap cars and got caught in their dirty air.”
Schuchart rounded-out the podium. Schuchart carries back-to-back podium finishes into the final regular series race, theO'Reilly Auto Parts Twister Showdown at Salina (Okla.) Highbanks Speedway.
“At first, I didn’t feel good at all,” Schuchart said. “We were really loose and all over the place. “But the longer we went, the more fuel I got out of it and it started leaning left a little more. It got off [the turns] better and better. We’re just happy to be out here. The car has been fast lately, and I thought we were going to have an off-night in the beginning, but it got better.”
Earlier in the racing program, David Gravel recorded the fastest time in hot laps and qualifying, and won his heat race. Gravel’s seventh quick time of the season was a 13.704 lap time. In the first heat, Gravel was the only driver to record a lap time below the 14-second mark.
Lakeside Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Brad Sweet took his eighth trip down victory this season Friday night, winning the O'Reilly Auto Parts Rumble on the River at Lakeside Speedway. Using his podium start, Sweet maintained his position up front, and passed Joey Saldana right before the race’s halfway mark. He never looked back. Though he had a late challenge by teammate Daryn Pittman, Sweet prevailed. With the win, he broke a winless streak that dates back to early-July.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): David Gravel; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Brad Sweet, Daryn Pittman, Joey Saldana, David Gravel; Craftsman/Sears: Ian Madsen; KSE Hard Charger: Shane Stewart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Brad Sweet; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Clyde Knipp; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 24 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7, Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16, Lernerville Speedway on September 24, Fulton Speedway on October 8); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Shane Stewart - 8 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9; Hartford Speedway on September 22; Eldora Speedway on September 24); Brad Sweet - 8 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2; Lakeside Speedway on October 21); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Joey Saldana - 5 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22, U.S. 36 Raceway on September 17); Jason Johnson - 3 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Logan Schuchart - 2 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9; Port Royal Speedway on October 15); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27); Danny Dietrich - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on October 14)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Lakeside Speedway, Kans.; Oct. 21, 2016
Feature - (30 Laps) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1] [$10,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [3] [$5,500]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [10] [$3,200]; 4. 83-Joey Saldana [4] [$2,800]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [19] [$2,500]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [12] [$2,300]; 7. 17W-Kerry Madsen [9] [$2,200]; 8. 82-Sammy Swindell [13] [$2,100]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [11] [$2,050]; 10. 2C-Wayne Johnson [21] [$2,000]; 11. 41-Jason Johnson [20] [$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [7] [$1,200]; 13. O9-Matt Juhl [16] [$1,100]; 14. 1A-Jacob Allen [15] [$1,050]; 15. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [23] [$1,000]; 16. 71A-R.J. Johnson [18] [$900]; 17. 13-Clyde Knipp [17] [$800]; 18. 18-Ian Madsen [2] [$800]; 19. 21-Brian Brown [6] [$800]; 20. 7-Paul McMahan [8] [$800]; 21. 5-David Gravel [5] [$800]; 22. 12-Lynton Jeffrey [14] [$800]; 23. 95-Matt Covington [22] [$800]; 24. 21X-Kameron Key [24] [$800] Lap Leaders: Ian Madsen 1-4, Joey Saldana 5-12, Brad Sweet 13-30 KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-Shane Stewart[+14]
Qualifying -1. 5-David Gravel, 13.704; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.919; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.928; 4. 83-Joey Saldana, 13.993; 5. 21-Brian Brown, 14.010; 6. 18-Ian Madsen, 14.037; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.066; 8. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.097; 9. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.151; 10. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.196; 11. 17W-Kerry Madsen, 14.274; 12. 82-Sammy Swindell, 14.293; 13. 7-Paul McMahan, 14.300; 14. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.339; 15. 7W-Tasker Phillips, 14.358; 16. 12-Lynton Jeffrey, 14.453; 17. 71A-R.J. Johnson, 14.510; 18. O9-Matt Juhl, 14.513; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.527; 20. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 14.712; 21. 95-Matt Covington, 14.753; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.781; 23. 5J-Jeremy Schultz, 14.826; 24. 21X-Kameron Key, 15.669; 25. 75-Glen Saville, 15.840; 26. 41-Jason Johnson, 14.082
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature)-1. 5-David Gravel [1] ; 2. 83-Joey Saldana [2] ; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [4] ; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3] ; 5. 82-Sammy Swindell [5] ; 6. O9-Matt Juhl [7] ; 7. 21X-Kameron Key [9] ; 8. 7W-Tasker Phillips [6] ; 9. 95-Matt Covington [8]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature)-1. 21-Brian Brown [2] ; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1] ; 3. 7-Paul McMahan [5] ; 4. W20-Greg Wilson [7] ; 5. 12-Lynton Jeffrey [6] ; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [8] ; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [4] ; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [3] ; 9. 75-Glen Saville [9]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature)-1. 9-Daryn Pittman [1] ; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [2] ; 3. 17W-Kerry Madsen [4] ; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [3] ; 5. 1A-Jacob Allen [5] ; 6. 71A-R.J. Johnson [6] ; 7. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [8] ; 8. 2C-Wayne Johnson [7]
Craftsman Club®Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of A-feature)-1. 49-Brad Sweet [2] ; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [1] ; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [4] ; 4. 83-Joey Saldana [3] ; 5. 5-David Gravel [6] ; 6. 21-Brian Brown [5]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 2-Shane Stewart [1] [-]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [8] [-]; 3. 2C-Wayne Johnson [3] [-]; 4. 95-Matt Covington [4] [-]; 5. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [5] [-]; 6. 21X-Kameron Key [6] [-]; 7. 75-Glen Saville [7] [$300]; 8. 7W-Tasker Phillips [2] [$250]
Dietrich with Dream Win at Williams Grove
Saldana one position shy of milestone
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. – Oct. 14, 2016 – A late push to the top Friday night ended in a victory lane celebration on the front stretch for Danny Dietrich, who won the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Champion Racing Oil National Open at Williams Grove Speedway. The Gettysburg, Pa. driver hoisted the $25,000 check in the air in front of a local crowd.
“This is pretty incredible,” Dietrich said. “This may have been one of the toughest races I’ve ever ran. They were setting a heck of a pace. It was no easy win. Props to those guys for racing me clean. I hope the fans got their money’s worth. These are the toughest guys to race against – ever. This is the National Open and people dream about winning this. But, dreams do come true.”
Dietrich, who finished on the podium in the series’ previous show at Fulton Speedway (N.Y.), finished mid-pack in qualifying earlier in the night’s program. Tim Wagaman recorded the fastest lap time at Williams Grove all season with a 16.314 in qualifying. Logan Schuchart, who set the track record at Fulton, was two-thousandths of a second slower than Wagaman in the following group.
It was Dietrich’s second place finish in the third heat that gave him a favorable starting spot for the feature. Dietrich finished sixth in the Craftsman Club® Dash and started in the spot for the 40-lap A-Main. However, he was not an outsider looking into the top five for long. When the green flag waved the 26-car field into the feature, Dietrich’s No. 48 car sprang into action.
In the opening lap, second place starter Brad Sweet moved to the inside of the half-mile oval; Dietrich followed suit, eventually challenging seven-time Series Champion Donny Schatz for fourth position in turn three of the second lap. Platinum driver David Gravel, who beat Dietrich in the heat race, was also in the mix.
Entering lapped traffic by the sixth lap, Gravel swapped third position with Schatz while Sweet briefly overtook pole-sitter Joey Saldana for first. Both Saldana and Schatz avenged their battles, and Schatz moved by Sweet with 21 laps remaining. On lap 23, Dietrich knocked Sweet’s No. 49 car out of his podium position before the feature’s first caution.
“We had the speed,” Sweet said. “You just need to get the track position. Things went right for us there. We were off the front row. I’m a little disappointed because I thought we had a car capable of winning the race. I felt like the driver gave it away a little there.”
The field endured an open red that allowed teams to refuel their winged-sprints. On the restart, Dietrich powered through Schatz into second position before the race’s second caution on lap 24. Including another yellow flag on lap 26, Saldana strung together a series of strong restarts to retain first position. Even so, Dietrich gained on Saldana with each lap. Dietrich consistently cut the corner in turn three, shaving seconds off Saldana’s half-second lead. Dietrich momentarily passed Saldana until the fourth caution on lap 27.
“These guys are really good out here when you come here to race,” Saldana said. “[Dietrich] snickered me on that restart there, and I just got lucky. We did have a good car. You have to come out here and perform.”
One more near-perfect restart from Saldana kept his No. 83 car in front of the field; however, Dietrich resumed his strategy by sticking to the inside groove. On lap 34, Dietrich was able to get under Saldana exiting turn four for the lead. Saldana fought back. In a back-and-forth, Saldana was back out front.
“I kept working the bottom there,” Dietrich said. “I really wasn’t good anywhere but the bottom, so I just kept working it. I felt I could keep-up better down there than running on the top. I was a little too loose to be running around the top. I just couldn’t get to the exit with speed like I needed to. If you told me by lap 10 I’d be standing up here [in victory lane], I would’ve laughed.”
In the final laps, Saldana moved to the bottom of the track to block a hard-charging Dietrich. With four laps remaining, Dietrich overpowered Saldana for the lead. Dietrich ultimately won the battle, while Saldana and Sweet rounded-out the podium. In victory lane – removing the storied Outlaws-PA Posse rivalry from the picture in that moment – the three joked and laughed. Surrounded by a packed front stretch, the crowd applauded the three for another instant-classic to be added into the event’s 54-year history.
Saldana, who won the dash and led the field into the green flag, was in position to win his 100th series race of his career. He was in contention to join Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell, Donny Schatz, Mark Kinser and Doug Wolfgang as the only series drivers to record 100-plus series wins.
“That’s something I want to accomplish before I’m done is to get at least 100 [wins],” said Saldana, who was not even thinking about his milestone during the race. “We were close tonight, just couldn’t get it done.”
Williams Grove Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES:Danny Dietrich used the bottom of William Grove Speedway’s half-mile oval to his advantage Friday night, capturing the 54th Annual Champion Racing Oil National Open. After battling pole-sitter Joey Saldana for much of the second half, Dietrich made a late push in the race’s closing laps to seal the deal.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Paul McMahan; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Danny Dietrich; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Dale Blaney; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Brad Sweet, David Gravel, Jason Sides; Craftsman/Sears: Dave Blaney; KSE Hard Charger: Doug Esh; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Danny Dietrich; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Johnson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 24 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7, Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16, Lernerville Speedway on September 24, Fulton Speedway on October 8); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Shane Stewart - 8 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9; Hartford Speedway on September 22; Eldora Speedway on September 24); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Joey Saldana - 5 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22, U.S. 36 Raceway on September 17); Jason Johnson - 3 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27); Danny Dietrich - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on October 14)
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Williams Grove Speedway, Pa.; Oct. 14, 2016
Feature - (40 Laps) -1. 48-Danny Dietrich [6] [$25,000]; 2. 83-Joey Saldana [1] [$12,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [2] [$6,000]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [4] [$5,250]; 5. 5-David Gravel [3] [$4,500]; 6. 27-Greg Hodnett [11] [$4,000]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$3,500]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [10] [$3,000]; 9. 69K-Lance Dewease [7] [$2,750]; 10. 7S-Jason Sides [8] [$2,500]; 11. 1B-Dale Blaney [16] [$2,300]; 12. 21-Brian Brown [12] [$2,250]; 13. 51-Freddie Rahmer [17] [$2,000]; 14. 51S-Stevie Smith [22] [$1,600]; 15. O7-Doug Esh [23] [$1,500]; 16. 41-Jason Johnson [24] [$1,300]; 17. 17W-Kerry Madsen [13] [$1,250]; 18. 2-Shane Stewart [19] [$1,050]; 19. 1-Lucas Wolfe [15] [$1,050]; 20. 1T-Tim Wagaman [9] [$1,050]; 21. 88-T.J. Stutts [21] [$1,000]; 22. 71M-Dave Blaney [5] [$1,000]; 23. 21P-Brian Montieth [25] [$]; 24. 70-Danny Holtgraver [20] [$1,000]; 25. 7-Paul McMahan [18] [$1,000]; 26. 11C-Cory Haas [26] [$]Lap Leaders:Joey Saldana 1-14, 16-38; Brad Sweet 15, Danny Dietrich 39-40 KSE Hard Charger Award:51S-Stevie Smith[+8]
Qualifying -1. 1T-Tim Wagaman, 16.314; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 16.348; 3. 71M-Dave Blaney, 16.413; 4. 7S-Jason Sides, 16.438; 5. 15-Donny Schatz, 16.463; 6. 27-Greg Hodnett, 16.468; 7. 17W-Kerry Madsen, 16.483; 8. 1-Lucas Wolfe, 16.499; 9. 88-T.J. Stutts, 16.536; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 16.537; 11. 51-Freddie Rahmer, 16.538; 12. 2-Shane Stewart, 16.548; 13. 19-Paige Polyak, 16.596; 14. 25-Aaron Ott, 16.714; 15. M1-Mark Smith, 16.721; 16. 11C-Cory Haas, 16.737; 17. 5G-Chase Dietz, 16.802; 18. 13X-Tim Shaffer, 16.891; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 16.935; 20. 69-Tim Glatfelter, 16.975; 21. 1X-Chad Trout, 16.991; 22. 71A-R.J. Johnson, 17.244; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp, 17.252; 24. 87-Alan Krimes, 17.777; 25. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 16.316; 26. 83-Joey Saldana, 16.408; 27. 48-Danny Dietrich, 16.485; 28. 69K-Lance Dewease, 16.502; 29. 9-Daryn Pittman, 16.515; 30. 21-Brian Brown, 16.517; 31. 5-David Gravel, 16.533; 32. 70-Danny Holtgraver, 16.574; 33. 51S-Stevie Smith, 16.586; 34. 1B-Dale Blaney, 16.652; 35. 7-Paul McMahan, 16.688; 36. 17BX-Steve Buckwalter, 16.702; 37. O7-Doug Esh, 16.779; 38. 41-Jason Johnson, 16.821; 39. 17B-Bill Balog, 16.862; 40. 21P-Brian Montieth, 16.890; 41. 19M-Brent Marks, 16.921; 42. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss, 16.928; 43. 94-Ryan Smith, 16.969; 44. 44W-Rodney Westhafer, 17.003; 45. 7W-Logan Wagner, 17.009; 46. 75-Nicole Bower, 17.067; 47. 49X-Craig Dollansky, 17.745; 48. 12W-Troy Fraker, 17.847
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 71M-Dave Blaney [2] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3] ; 3. 1T-Tim Wagaman [1] ; 4. 17W-Kerry Madsen [4] ; 5. 51-Freddie Rahmer [6] ; 6. 88-T.J. Stutts [5] ; 7. M1-Mark Smith [8] ; 8. 13X-Tim Shaffer [10] ; 9. 19-Paige Polyak [7] ; 10. 69-Tim Glatfelter [11] ; 11. 71A-R.J. Johnson [12] ; 12. 87-Alan Krimes [9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 49-Brad Sweet [1] ; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [2] ; 3. 27-Greg Hodnett [3] ; 4. 1-Lucas Wolfe [4] ; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [6] ; 6. 25-Aaron Ott [7] ; 7. 5G-Chase Dietz [9] ; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [10] ; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [5] ; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp [12] ; 11. 1X-Chad Trout [11] ; 12. 11C-Cory Haas [8]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. 5-David Gravel [4] ; 2. 48-Danny Dietrich [2] ; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] ; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [3] ; 5. 7-Paul McMahan [6] ; 6. 51S-Stevie Smith [5] ; 7. 19M-Brent Marks [9] ; 8. 94-Ryan Smith [10] ; 9. 17B-Bill Balog [8] ; 10. O7-Doug Esh [7] ; 11. 7W-Logan Wagner [11] ; 12. 49X-Craig Dollansky [12]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 83-Joey Saldana [1] ; 2. 69K-Lance Dewease [2] ; 3. 21-Brian Brown [3] ; 4. 1B-Dale Blaney [5] ; 5. 70-Danny Holtgraver [4] ; 6. 21P-Brian Montieth [8] ; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [7] ; 8. 17BX-Steve Buckwalter [6] ; 9. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [9] ; 10. 12W-Troy Fraker [12] ; 11. 44W-Rodney Westhafer [10] ; 12. 75-Nicole Bower [11]
Craftsman Club®Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) -1. 83-Joey Saldana [4] ; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [3] ; 3. 5-David Gravel [2] ; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [5] ; 5. 71M-Dave Blaney [1] ; 6. 48-Danny Dietrich [6] ; 7. 69K-Lance Dewease [8] ; 8. 7S-Jason Sides [7]
C-Main - (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the B-feature)- 1. 13X-Tim Shaffer [1] [-]; 2. 94-Ryan Smith [4] [-]; 3. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [2] [$150]; 4. 7W-Logan Wagner [8] [$150]; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [3] [$150]; 6. 1X-Chad Trout [7] [$125]; 7. 71A-R.J. Johnson [9] [$125]; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [11] [$125]; 9. 12W-Troy Fraker [14] [$125]; 10. 49X-Craig Dollansky [12] [$125]; 11. 69-Tim Glatfelter [5] [$125]; 12. 75-Nicole Bower [10] [$125]; 13. 44W-Rodney Westhafer [6] [$125]; 14. 87-Alan Krimes [13] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) -1. 88-T.J. Stutts [1] [-]; 2. 51S-Stevie Smith [2] [-]; 3. O7-Doug Esh [6] [-]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [8] [-]; 5. 17BX-Steve Buckwalter [4] [$300]; 6. 11C-Cory Haas [11] [$250]; 7. 19M-Brent Marks [14] [$225]; 8. 21P-Brian Montieth [12] [$200]; 9. 5G-Chase Dietz [13] [$200]; 10. M1-Mark Smith [9] [$200]; 11. 1A-Jacob Allen [3] [$200]; 12. 94-Ryan Smith [16] [$200]; 13. 17B-Bill Balog [10] [$200]; 14. 19-Paige Polyak [5] [$200]; 15. 25-Aaron Ott [7] [$200]; 16. 13X-Tim Shaffer [15] [$200]
National Open at Williams Grove Rescheduled for October 14
MECHANICSBURG, PA - Sept. 30, 2016 - Due to persistent rain, the running of the Champion Racing Oil National Open at Williams Grove Speedway has now been postponed to Friday, October 14.
The event will become a one-day World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series event with a $25,000-to-win, $1,000-to-start payoff for the 40-lap feature. Start time will be 7:30PM on Friday, October 14.
Fans who hold tickets to the National Open can either exchange them or use them for the new rain date. All tickets will be refunded as per back of ticket, and this week's camping passes will be honored on the rescheduled National Open date.
Please note, however, that the joint National Sprint Car Hall of Fame (NSCHoF)/Eastern Museum of Motor Racing (EMMR) benefit auction will continue as planned, tomorrow, Saturday, October 1, rain or shine.
Meanwhile, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series resumes its regular schedule on Saturday, October 8, at Fulton Speedway as part of NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, N.C., is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series. Annually, the two series race nearly 140 times at tracks across the United States and Canada. CBS Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of the World of Outlaws. DIRTVision® also broadcasts all World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.
Stewart Walks Tall at Eldora 4-Crown Nationals
Schuchart slides in for second in the final laps
ROSSBURG, Ohio – Sept. 23, 2016 – Shane Stewart successfully fended off the field Friday night, ultimately winning opening night of Four Crown Nationals Weekend at Eldora Speedway. Though the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series was only scheduled to compete in a one-day, 30-lap feature that paid $10,000, Stewart and company set the tone for the track’s 35th-running of the storied event.
The opening day of the two-day blockbuster began with the inaugural “BeFour The Crowns Showdown,” featuring the Outlaws and the region’s best Sprint car drivers. In a dramatic series of cautions, the 24 determined drivers tested the limits of their winged-sprints in the race’s opening laps.
On the “Big E’s” half-mile, two red flags and a yellow ultimately waved the feature into an “open red,” allowing teams to make certain adjustments to the car. The No. 2 Larson Marks Racing Cool racecar, which started fifth in the feature, shot out of a cannon on the final restart of the first lap. Stewart eventually solidified second place within the first three laps.
“I don’t know what to say,” Stewart said. “I was actually nervous in that race. I had one good restart, one bad restart and [finally] one good restart. On the open red I told my guys, ‘I don’t know if my car is going to be good enough or not.’ Usually you’re pretty good starting up-top, but the cushion was so high that if I started up there, [Pittman] would get a run on me coming out of [turn] one. It’s just all about hitting your marks after that.”
It did not take Stewart long to reel-in 2013 Series Champion Daryn Pittman, who led the lineup into the green flag courtesy of the Craftsman® Club Dash. Stewart, sweeping under Pittman, became the new race leader on the 11th lap. Thereon, Stewart made his time on the top of the cushion.
With 10 laps remaining, Stewart increased his advantage to 2.570 seconds, and he led by as many as 3.573 seconds. That was, until the race’s final red flag regrouped the field double-wide. Stewart held-off Pittman’s No. 9 Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb GF1 car once more, and Logan Schuchart got a jump on Defending Series Champion Donny Schatz for third.
“Yeah some restarts were good and some were bad,” Schuchart said. “I was surprised Shane took the bottom [on the final restart]. It was better for me to start on the outside. I feel like at Eldora last time we got to run down the hill and it really helps you. I just kind of got in my own way on the restart. It felt good behind Daryn running my line, seeing where he goes for a few laps before I felt like I could make a move. We weren’t good enough to beat Shane, but we’re happy to get a top three.”
Stewart extended his lead again to more than two seconds, finishing 2.359 seconds ahead of Schuchart. Schuchart made a last push on a fading Pittman with his No. 1S Bobby Allen Triple X car, eventually making the move in the final laps. Schuhart won his heat race earlier in the program.
“It just took forever to get going,” Pittman said. “I kind of figured how the track was and the way we were going, that we were almost going to go green-checked.We had nothing for the No. 2 car. Once he was in the lead, he checked out. We’ll just keep working hard and keep digging.”
The victory was Stewart’s second consecutive series win and his eighth of the season.
“To win two in a row, it’s just very special,” Stewart said. “It’s obviously pretty special to win here…any time you can win here. I just have to thank Tony Stewart and all the hardworking crew that takes care of this place. They always do a great job. I just have to thank everyone who’s involved with this team. Everyone puts in their little bits and pieces here, and I’m just blessed to be the driver.”
Eldora Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: In a stretch of four restarts with no completed laps, a three-way battle between Stewart, Pittman and Schatz ensued. But it was the strong restarts at the right times that catapulted Stewart into more than a three-second lead. Though late pushes from other series drivers chipped-away at his lead, Stewart ultimately won his eighth win of the season.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Sheldon Haudenschild; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Daryn Pittman, Logan Schuchart, Shane Stewart, David Gravel Craftsman/Sears: Ian Madsen; KSE Hard Charger: Brad Sweet; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Shane Stewart JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 22 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7), Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16; David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Shane Stewart - 8 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9; Hartford Speedway on September 22; Eldora Speedway on September 24); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Joey Saldana - 5 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22, U.S. 36 Raceway on September 17); Jason Johnson - 3 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Eldora Speedway, Pa.; Sept 23, 2016
Feature - (30 Laps)- 1. 2-Shane Stewart [5] [$10,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [4] [$5,500]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [1] [$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [2] [$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [7] [$2,500]; 6. 83-Joey Saldana [9] [$2,300]; 7. 17W-Kerry Madsen [6] [$2,200]; 8. 18-Ian Madsen [3] [$2,100]; 9. 49-Brad Sweet [20] [$2,050]; 10. 10H-Chad Kemenah [13] [$2,000]; 11. 41-Jason Johnson [15] [$1,500]; 12. 35-Jac Haudenschild [16] [$1,200]; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18] [$1,100]; 14. W20-Greg Wilson [21] [$1,050]; 15. 7C-Caleb Armstrong [17] [$1,000]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [11] [$900]; 17. 23C-Tyler Courtney [24] [$800]; 18. 7-Paul McMahan [14] [$800]; 19. 1ST-Gary Taylor [8] [$800]; 20. 1B-Dale Blaney [23] [$800]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [10] [$800]; 22. 49X-Tim Shaffer [12] [$800]; 23. 19-Paige Polyak [19] [$800]; 24. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [22] [$800];Lap Leaders:Daryn Pittman 1-10, Shane Stewart 11-30;KSE Hard Charger Award:49-Brad Sweet [+11]
Qualifying- 1. 1ST-Gary Taylor, 13.036; 2. 5-David Gravel, 13.108; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.135; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.153; 5. 83-Joey Saldana, 13.163; 6. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.186; 7. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 13.193; 8. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.198; 9. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.202; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.241; 11. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.276; 12. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.289; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.307; 14. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.314; 15. 17W-Kerry Madsen, 13.320; 16. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.325; 17. 1B-Dale Blaney, 13.349; 18. 7-Paul McMahan, 13.361; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.460; 20. 19-Paige Polyak, 13.374; 21. 23C-Tyler Courtney, 13.486; 22. 21C-Cap Henry, 13.495; 23. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.508; 24. 35-Jac Haudenschild, 13.531; 25. 7C-Caleb Armstrong, 13.570; 26. 7J-Joe Swanson, 13.583; 27. O9X-Carson Macedo, 13.588; 28. 6-Bill Rose, 13.637; 29. 11N-Randy Hannagan, 13.638; 30. 23-D.J. Foos, 13.643; 31. OO-Dane Lorenc, 13.649; 32. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.660; 33. 33M-Max Stambaugh, 13.664; 34. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg, 13.672; 35. 8M-T.J. Michael, 13.690; 36. 49D-Shawn Dancer, 13.743; 37. 99-Brady Bacon, 13.833; 38. 59-Ben Schmidt, 13.841; 39. O7-Jacob Wilson, 13.860; 40. 5B-Chad Blonde, 14.103; 41. 4-Danny Smith, nt; 42. 57X-Andrew Palker, nt
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. 5-David Gravel [1]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [4]; 3. 83-Joey Saldana [2]; 4. 10H-Chad Kemenah [3]; 5. 7C-Caleb Armstrong [7]; 6. 1B-Dale Blaney [5]; 7. 23C-Tyler Courtney [6]; 8. 23-D.J. Foos [8]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [9]; 10. 4-Danny Smith [11]; 11. 99-Brady Bacon [10]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [2]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [4]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [3]; 5. 19-Paige Polyak [5]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [6]; 7. 6-Bill Rose [7]; 8. OO-Dane Lorenc [8]; 9. O7-Jacob Wilson [10]; 10. 8M-T.J. Michael [9]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. 17W-Kerry Madsen [4]; 2. 1ST-Gary Taylor [1]; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen [2]; 4. 7-Paul McMahan [5]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3]; 6. 21C-Cap Henry [6]; 7. 11N-Randy Hannagan [8]; 8. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [9]; 9. 59-Ben Schmidt [10]; 10. 7J-Joe Swanson [7]; 11. 57X-Andrew Palker [11]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [1]; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer [3]; 4. 35-Jac Haudenschild [6]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [4]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [5]; 7. 33M-Max Stambaugh [8]; 8. 49D-Shawn Dancer [9]; 9. O9X-Carson Macedo [7]; 10. 5B-Chad Blonde [10]
Craftsman ClubDash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature)- 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [8]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 3. 18-Ian Madsen [7]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [5]; 6. 17W-Kerry Madsen [2]; 7. 5-David Gravel [1]; 8. 1ST-Gary Taylor [6]
C-Main - (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the Last Chance Showdown)- 1. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [2] [-]; 2. 59-Ben Schmidt [6] [-]; 3. 13-Clyde Knipp [1] [$150]; 4. O7-Jacob Wilson [7] [$150]; 5. 8M-T.J. Michael [3] [$150]; 6. 5B-Chad Blonde [8] [$125]; 7. 49D-Shawn Dancer [4] [$125]; 8. 99-Brady Bacon [5] [$125]; 9. 4-Danny Smith [9] [$125]; 10. 57X-Andrew Palker [10] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. W20-Greg Wilson [2] [-]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [5] [-]; 3. 1B-Dale Blaney [1] [-]; 4. 23C-Tyler Courtney [3] [-]; 5. 21C-Cap Henry [4] [$300]; 6. O9X-Carson Macedo [8] [$250]; 7. 23-D.J. Foos [9] [$225]; 8. 6-Bill Rose [7] [$200]; 9. OO-Dane Lorenc [11] [$200]; 10. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [13] [$200]; 11. 11N-Randy Hannagan [10] [$200]; 12. 33M-Max Stambaugh [12] [$200]; 13. 7J-Joe Swanson [6] [$200]; 14. 59-Ben Schmidt [14] [$200]
Five Finger Victory: Donny Schatz Steals Win in the Arnold Motor Supply Shootout at Clay County Fair Speedway
by Tony Veneziano
SPENCER, Iowa — Sept. 16, 2016 — Donny Schatz only led two laps on Friday night in the Arnold Motor Supply Shootout at Clay County Fair Speedway, but they were the most important two — the final two — as he picked up his fifth-career win at the track. Schatz used a strong restart on a green-white-checker finish to snatch the win from Daryn Pittman, who paced the opening 28 laps.
Pittman started on the pole and was the dominant car for the majority of the 30-lap race, opening big leads in lapped traffic on several occasions. On the green-white checker restart, Schatz dove low in turns one and two and cleared Pittman to take the lead. Pittman looked to the high side of turn four and then low in turns one and two on the white flag lap, to no avail as he tried to get back by Schatz.
“There was no game plan on the restart,” said Schatz. “The 9-car was a lot better than we were. He had a lot different line. He was going out in one and coming back across. I got the wing back on that last restart and figured if I could get the bottom, maybe he’d slip up and I could get there before he got back down. Then it was just do whatever you can to carry as much speed as you could. Without the restart, I definitely wouldn’t have won that thing.”
Schatz was part of a torrid battle for third early in the race with Jason Johnson and Danny Lasoski. The trio went three-wide into turn three on one occasion. After winning that round, Schatz then worked on Logan Schuchart for the second spot, before getting a chance at Pittman, when the second and final caution flag of the night flew.
“At one point, you couldn’t even see him, he was so far out front in traffic,” noted Schatz of Pittman’s lead. “When your car is as good as his was, you hate to see those yellows. You can’t control these yellows in racing. That’s the nature of the beast. Some days it bites you and some days it doesn’t. This race team does an amazing job. The car felt really good in the dash and we made some changes and maybe went the wrong way. That’s racing. We’ll get another shot at it tomorrow and we’ll try again.”
For Schatz, it was his fifth career win in the Arnold Motor Supply Shootout at Clay County Fair Speedway and his series-leading 22nd of the season as he continues to chase his eighth series title aboard the Bad Boy Off-Road J&J for Tony Stewart Racing. The veteran driver has finished in the top-10 at Clay County in all 10 World Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car series events at the track, dating back to 2007.
“The atmosphere here is incredible,” said Schatz. “I can remember the first time I came here in 1993 and was intimidated. The race track was a lot bigger and more flat back then. This is an incredible facility and the atmosphere at the fair is great. We were able to go out and enjoy some fair food before the races. The fans have always been great here and it’s great to come here.”
Pittman had to face a pair of restarts on Friday night. The first was of the double-file variety and he chose the low side, with Logan Schuchart lining up next to him. Schuchart looked low in turns one and two for the lead to no avail. On the green-white-checker finish, Pittman had Schatz starting on his bumper as the pair of champions battled for the $10,000 top prize.
“I was just thinking, ‘Finish the race and get the win,’” said Pittman of the green-white-checker finish. “We just didn’t get it done. It is what it is. The guy wins 30 races a year, because the rest of us aren’t smart enough to figure out how to win a race, myself included. We had a dominant car and just didn’t finish the job. At some point, hopefully we can learn something from it and get better. At this point, it’s just hard to swallow and we’ll move on.”
With his runner-up finish, Pittman moved to second in points. The driver of the Great Clips No. 9 for Kasey Kahne Racing has racked up 19 straight top-10 finishes, with 14 of those being top-five performances, with five runner-up finishes.
“The guys gave me a good car,” shared Pittman. “We had a really good car. I thought we were getting through traffic pretty well and it didn’t matter, because we finished second.”
Brad Sweet used a strong restart with two laps to go, as he got around Schuchart to take third. Sweet has now finished in the top-three in four of the last six races in the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet machine. He kept pace with his teammate Pittman, as the pair, along with David Gravel continues to battle for the second spot in points.
“It was a good race,” Sweet said. “The last two laps it was going to be tough. Donny (Schatz) got up on the wheel and Daryn (Pittman) had been very fast. We were able to get a good restart and got to third. We struggled in (turns) one and two. I just didn’t have the car to get down the back straightaway there. We were pretty good in (turns) three and four up on top. Hats off to my guys. We keep getting these top-three finishes and we’ll get the wins. We’ll move on to the next one tomorrow and hopefully we can get it done.”
Logan Schuchart, who was involved in great battles throughout the race, ended up fourth for the Shark Racing team. Shane Stewart crossed the line fifth, with Danny Lasoski, the reigning National Sprint League champion, in sixth. Jason Sides was seventh, followed by Jason Johnson in eighth, Kerry Madsen, picked up the the KSE Hard Charger Award, coming from 22nd to ninth, after having to change an engine, following a heat race. Terry McCarl rounded out the top-10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and National Sprint League return to action on Saturday, September 17 at U.S. 36 Raceway in Osborn, Mo., for the running of the FVP Missouri High Banked Nationals.
Clay County Fair Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Series points leader and defending champ Donny Schatz stole the finish from Daryn Pittman on a single-file restart with two laps to go. Pittman, who had held the lead throughout the race, staving off multiple attacks from Logan Schuchart, finished second, with Brad Sweet in third.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Brian Brown; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Terry McCarl; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Tim Kaeding; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): David Gravel; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Daryn Pittman, Jason Johnson, Logan Schuchart, Brad Sweet, Shane Stewart; Craftsman/Sears: Danny Lasoski; KSE Hard Charger: Kerry Madsen; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Joey Saldana; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Parker Price-Miller.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 22 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7), Clay County Fair Speedway on September 16; David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 6 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Jason Johnson - 3 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Clay County Fair Speedway; Sept 16, 2016
Feature - (30 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3] [$10,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [1] [$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [5] [$3,200]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [4] [$2,800]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [7] [$2,500]; 6. 2L-Danny Lasoski [6] [$2,300]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [12] [$2,200]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [2] [$2,100]; 9. 17W-Kerry Madsen [22] [$2,050]; 10. 24-Terry McCarl [13] [$2,000]; 11. 3-Tim Kaeding [23] [$1,500]; 12. 5-David Gravel [8] [$1,200]; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser [16] [$1,100]; 14. 17-Josh Baughman [10] [$1,050]; 15. 1A-Jacob Alen [21] [$1,000]; 16. 18-Ian Madsen [20] [$900]; 17. 83-Joey Saldana [9] [$800]; 18. O9-Matt Juhl [24] [$800]; 19. 7-Parker Price Miller [18] [$800]; 20. 7D-Dustin Selvage [14] [$800]; 21. 17B-Bill Balog [15] [$800]; 22. 2C-Wayne Johnson [11] [$800]; 23. 21-Brian Brown [19] [$800]; 24. 2KS-Craig Dollansky [17] [$800]; Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-28, Donny Schatz 29-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17W-Kerry Madsen [+13]
Qualifying - 1. 41-Jason Johnson; 2. 17W-Kerry Madsen; 3. 2-Shane Stewart; 4. 49-Brad Sweet; 5. 2L-Danny Lasoski; 6. 17-Josh Baughman; 7. 2C-Wayne Johnson; 8. 5-David Gravel; 9. 24-Terry McCarl; 10. 15-Donny Schatz; 11. 17B-Bill Balog; 12. 7S-Jason Sides; 13. 1A-Jacob Alen; 14. 7D-Dustin Selvage; 15. 9-Daryn Pittman; 16. 18-Ian Madsen; 17. 2KS-Craig Dollansky; 18. 7-Parker Price Miller; 19. 21-Brian Brown; 20. 11K-Kraig Kinser; 21. 83-Joey Saldana; 22. 7X-Kaley Gharst; 23. O9-Matt Juhl; 24. 3-Tim Kaeding; 25. 7W-Tasker Phillips; 26. 1S-Logan Schuchart; 27. 55-Brooke Tatnell; 28. 17BX-Ryan Bickett; 29. 10-Dakota Hendrickson; 30. 13-Clyde Knipp; 31. 19-Paige Polyak; 32. W20-Greg Wilson; 33. 71A-R.J. Johnson; 34. 22-Rager Phillips; 35. O-Branden Stevenson; 36. 19W-Bobby, nt
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1] ; 2. 2L-Danny Lasoski [2] ; 3. 83-Joey Saldana [6] ; 4. 24-Terry McCarl [3] ; 5. 2KS-Craig Dollansky [5] ; 6. 1A-Jacob Alen [4] ; 7. 7W-Tasker Phillips [7] ; 8. 71A-R.J. Johnson [9] ; 9. 10-Dakota Hendrickson [8]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3] ; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7] ; 3. 17-Josh Baughman [2] ; 4. 7D-Dustin Selvage [4] ; 5. 7-Parker Price Miller [5] ; 6. 7X-Kaley Gharst [6] ; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [8] ; 8. 22-Rager Phillips [9] ; 9. 17W-Kerry Madsen [1]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1] ; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [4] ; 3. 2C-Wayne Johnson [2] ; 4. 17B-Bill Balog [3] ; 5. 21-Brian Brown [5] ; 6. 55-Brooke Tatnell [7] ; 7. O9-Matt Juhl [6] ; 8. 19-Paige Polyak [8] ; 9. O-Branden Stevenson [9]
Heat 4 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1] ; 2. 5-David Gravel [2] ; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [3] ; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5] ; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [4] ; 6. 3-Tim Kaeding [6] ; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [8] ; 8. 17BX-Ryan Bickett [7] ; 9. 19W-Bobby [9]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [2] ; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [8] ; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [7] ; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3] ; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [5] ; 6. 2L-Danny Lasoski [4] ; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [6] ; 8. 5-David Gravel [1]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 1A-Jacob Alen [2] [-]; 2. 17W-Kerry Madsen [1] [-]; 3. 3-Tim Kaeding [5] [-]; 4. O9-Matt Juhl [4] [-]; 5. 55-Brooke Tatnell [7] [$300]; 6. 7X-Kaley Gharst [3] [$250]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [12] [$225]; 8. 7W-Tasker Phillips [6] [$200]; 9. 71A-R.J. Johnson [13] [$200]; 10. 10-Dakota Hendrickson [9] [$200]; 11. 19-Paige Polyak [11] [$200]; 12. 13-Clyde Knipp [10] [$200]; 13. 17BX-Ryan Bickett [8] [$200]; 14. 22-Rager Phillips [14] [$200]; 15. O-Branden Stevenson [15] [$200]; 16. 19W-Bobby [16] [$200]
Johnson King of the Mountain at El Paso
Schatz recovers from early trouble for second
CALHAN, Colo. – Sept. 14, 2016 – Jason Johnson dominated the 24-car field Wednesday night, winning The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series’ inaugural stop at El Paso County Raceway. Johnson led all 40 laps to take home the $10,000 purse.
In the series’ first stop in the state of Colorado since 2005, Johnson’s consistent performance landed him in the Craftsman Club® Dash. By virtue of the invert, Johnson’s No. 41 Jason Johnson Racing Maxim car led the six-car dash into the green flag; he did not forfeit his top-spot, which put him in the lead spot for the feature.
“I’m surrounded by a great group of guys…” said Johnson, beaming ear-to-ear. “…including Tim Engler. Because the altitude is so different here, we worked with Tim all last week preparing for tonight. He definitely helped us out to get our Kistler engine running pretty good.”
In a 40-lap thriller that had the track’s record-breaking crowd on the edge of their seats, the 2015 World of Outlaws Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year held his ground. But it was the unexpected that had the crowd in awe on the opening lap of the race. In a five caution showdown, the first caution included one of the series’ top juggernauts.
Defending Series Champion and current points leader Donny Schatz had a rare miscue barreling into turn four, overshooting the cushion. This set Schatz back. Schatz, who had 64 top ten finishes entering the day, was an outsider looking into the top ten at 15th place.
On the restart, Brad Sweet catapulted his No. 49 Kasey Kahne Racing GF1 racecar into second position from fourth. Sweet became the utmost threat for Johnson at this point in the race, as he began to chip away at Johnson’s lead. Like a teeter-totter, Johnson recovered his lead. He led by a 1.261-second margin 10 laps into the feature.
Sweet again charged ahead, diminishing Johnson’s lead to .657 seconds on lap 18. Schatz, who made his way to 12th, continued to rise up to seventh position before the race’s third caution. On the restart, the swiftness of Schatz’s No. 15 Tony Stewart/ Curb-Agajanian Racing J&J machine landed him a podium spot. While Schatz moved through the field, Johnson fended-off Sweet’s advances.
“I just stayed consistent and changed-up where I started,” Johnson said. “Brad was doing a hell of a job. Hats off to his race team. I saw Brad there the first restart in turns three and four, and he raced me clean. He’s a class-act. I can’t thank him enough. I want to thank the crowd. It’s nice to come to Colorado.”
With 15 laps remaining, 1.527 seconds separated Johnson from Sweet. Schatz, still gaining ground, was a within .400 seconds of Sweet. Though the race’s fourth caution regrouped the field – and more importantly the podium – the splits foreshadowed the impending battle between Sweet and Schatz.
“Jason always got a good run, and for the time we waited off turn two, with the angle of the track we just about ran into him,” Sweet said. “Then Donny snuck up on us at the end. We were just a little bit off. We didn’t know it was going to be this slick. [The track] slicked-off pretty early.”
Sweet and Schatz found themselves in a battle for the runner-up position. The two drag-raced side-by-side down the stretches of the quarter-mile oval, but it took Schatz seven more laps to get under Sweet. Schatz solidified second, while Johnson was on his way to a victory.
“I’m stuck in West Coast mode, I guess,” Schatz said. “I just made a mistake getting in there, and I’m lucky I didn’t go into the wall. I got back going, and it would have been nice to see that go without all the yellows. I started to pick them off pretty good. You make mistakes like that, and you get fired for mistakes like that. But, we got to rebound.”
Schatz, who cut Johnson’s lead from .665 seconds to .371 seconds in two laps, took a shot at the checkers. The fans cheered on the two 900-horsepower cars thundering down the front-stretch. But it was Johnson who got the best of Schatz. Sweet rounded-out the podium. Johnson was able to scale his car in victory lane with his son Jaxx, slapping a big smooch on the side of his face. The victory was Johnson’s third of the season.
“It’s fun to compete with the World of Outlaws and guys like Donny Schatz,” said Johnson. “The guys you look up to. It’s a great honor, and I want to thank you all for coming out.”
El Paso County Raceway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Jason Johnson led every lap of the 40-lap feature Wednesday night, enjoying his third win of the season. The victory was Johnson’s 16th top-five performance of 2016. His last victory was on August 13 at the famed 5-hour ENERGY Knoxville Nationals, where he also survived a push by Schatz.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Bud Kaeding; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Kalib Henry; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Sides, Justyn Cox; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Paul McMahan, Daryn Pittman, Brad Sweet, Jacob Allen; Craftsman/Sears: Austen Wheatley; KSE Hard Charger: Shane Stewart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brad Sweet.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 21 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 6 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Jason Johnson - 3 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13, El Paso County Raceway on September 14); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; El Paso County Raceway, Colo.; Sept 14, 2016
Feature - (40 Laps)- 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1] [$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2] [$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [4] [$3,200]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6] [$2,800]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [5] [$2,500]; 6. 5-David Gravel [3] [$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [7] [$2,200]; 8. 9X-Jake Bubak [15] [$2,100]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [14] [$2,050]; 10. 7-Parker Price-Miller [8] [$2,000]; 11. 83-Joey Saldana [12] [$1,500]; 12. 2-Shane Stewart [9] [$1,200]; 13. 1A-Jacob Allen [10] [$1,100]; 14. 21-Brian Brown [11] [$1,050]; 15. OJ-Jeremy McCune [18] [$1,000]; 16. 24-Rich Martin [20] [$900]; 17. O5-Justin Wolfe Medlock [19] [$800]; 18. 13-Clyde Knipp [13] [$800]; 19. 77-Damon McCune [17] [$800]; 20. 4P-JR Nelson [21] [$800]; 21. 14J-Jeff Hefner [16] [$800]; 22. 24X-Leroy Brush [22] [$800]; 23. 2N-Shad Peterson [23] [$800]; 24. 4N-John Nelson [24] [$800].Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-40;KSE Hard Charger Award: 9X-Jake Bubak [+7]
Qualifying- 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.608; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.656; 3. 5-David Gravel, 12.697; 4. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.716; 5. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.743; 6. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.761; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.805; 8. 7-Parker Price-Miller, 12.842; 9. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.859; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.887; 11. 21-Brian Brown, 13.044; 12. 83-Joey Saldana, 13.057; 13. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.101; 14. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.196; 15. 9X-Jake Bubak, 13.330; 16. 14J-Jeff Hefner, 13.374; 17. 24-Rich Martin, 13.500; 18. OJ-Jeremy McCune, 13.571; 19. O5-Justin Wolfe Medlock, 13.902; 20. 77-Damon McCune, 14.067; 21. 4P-JR Nelson, 14.685; 22. 24X-Leroy Brush, 13.981; 23. 2N-Shad Peterson, 14.341; 24. 4N-John Nelson, 25.928
Heat 1 - (10 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1] ; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [2] ; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [3] ; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen [4] ; 5. 13-Clyde Knipp [5] ; 6. 14J-Jeff Hefner [6] ; 7. O5-Justin Wolfe Medlock [7] ; 8. 24X-Leroy Brush [8]
Heat 2 - (10 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature)- 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2] ; 3. 7-Parker Price-Miller [3] ; 4. 21-Brian Brown [4] ; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [5] ; 6. 77-Damon McCune [7] ; 7. 24-Rich Martin [6] ; 8. 2N-Shad Peterson [8]
Heat 3 - (10 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 5-David Gravel [1] ; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [3] ; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [2] ; 4. 83-Joey Saldana [4] ; 5. 9X-Jake Bubak [5] ; 6. OJ-Jeremy McCune [6] ; 7. 4P-JR Nelson [7] ; 8. 4N-John Nelson [8]
Craftsman Club Dash - (8 Laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of A-feature)- 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2] ; 3. 5-David Gravel [4] ; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [6] ; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [3] ; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5]
California Native Rico Abreu Wins a Wild Gold Cup Race of Champions Finale at Silver Dollar Speedway
by Gary Thomas
CHICO, Calif. – Sept. 10, 2016 — For the sixth time in seven years the Gold Cup Race of Champions trophy is staying in the Golden State after Rutherford, California’s Rico Abreu dominated much of the feature on Saturday, before holding off a late charge from Daryn Pittman to score his first career win in the 63rd running of the prestigious event.
A wild and intense 40-lap Gold Cup finale was presented to fans on Saturday night in Chico. The victory marked Abreu’s fifth career World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series triumph aboard the Abreu Vineyards No. 24 machine. It was his second win of the season to go along with his victory at the Ironman 55 in Pevely during the month of August.
“This is pretty awesome and a special feeling to win the Gold Cup,” Abreu commented with a big smile after the race. “Hats off to my guys for all their hard work and for giving me a great car tonight. The track changed a lot over the course of the race, and the cautions definitely fell our way. Daryn [Pittman] was fast and gave me a good run there at the end. Moving up top on those later restarts helped us win this race. I’m glad to be back home racing in California and excited we could park it tonight in Chico.”
The main event started out with pole sitter & dash winner Paul McMahan of Nashville, Tennessee jumping into the lead of the race. Abreu showed his muscle early on however, by moving into second on lap-two and then claimed the top-spot on a lap five restart. Pittman battled his way forward at the same time to overtake McMahan for the runner up position on lap 12, before setting his sights on the leader. The track had widened out nicely for the main event and featured multi-groove racing throughout the field.
Pittman would challenge Abreu for the lead on lap 17, prior to a caution waving, which took the leaders out of traffic.
A number of stoppages plagued the flow of the feature, but through it all Abreu kept his composure out front. Towards the end of the race Pittman did find new life though and made a few bids at the lead, only to have the yellow flag wave on three separate occasions. Abreu wisely moved up to run the high-line on the final two restarts, giving him the chance to pull out to a large enough lead, ultimately coming out on top by just under half a second for the victory.
Dating back to 2010, he becomes the fourth different driver from California to win the Gold Cup Race of Champions.
Pittman crossed the stripe in second to cap a solid night for the Kasey Kahne Racing No. 9 team. The 2006 Gold Cup winner came close to adding a second victory at the event. The finish also moved him to third in the World of Outlaws standings, and he now sits just three-points out of second.
“We kept making gains on those restarts, but the cautions just didn’t fall my way tonight. Rico [Abreu] did a great job on the restarts though throughout the race, so I have to congratulate him on the win. My guys gave me a great car tonight, and I gave it my all in the feature but just came up a little short. We’ve been working hard all year, and I’m just trying to keep up with these kids out here. Huge thanks to everyone with KKR for allowing me to drive this car.”
Auburn, California’s Andy Forsberg had a tremendous run in the main event to round out the podium at the helm of the A&A Stepping Stone No. 92 mount. The former Silver Dollar Speedway track champ pressured Pittman at one point for second, before claiming third at the finish. It marked his second career podium result at the Gold Cup.
“This is almost unreal to be up here on the podium again at the Gold Cup Race of Champions,” Forsberg said. “To do this with the World of Outlaws is a big deal. I can’t thank my car owners enough for letting me come out and have fun with these guys. Thanks also to the fans that came out and supported this event.”
Bixby, Oklahoma’s Shane Stewart earned the KSE Hard Charger Award with a fine run from 16th to fourth in the feature, while Washington driver Austen Wheatley recorded his best career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series finish in fifth. The top-10 was rounded out by Watertown, Connecticut’s David Gravel; Wooster, Ohio’s Jac Haudenschild; St. Mary’s NSW, Australia’s Kerry Madsen; Hanover, Pennsylvania’s Logan Schuchart and Hanford, California’s DJ Netto.
The most serious incident during the feature occurred on lap 35 when McMahan got upside down in turn one after contact from another competitor. He emerged from the car alert, but complaining of neck pain. McMahan was then transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
Paradise, California’s Kyle Hirst won the night’s Last Chance Showdown, with British Columbia driver Robbie Price bringing home the win in the C-main. Four 10-lap heat races were held during the night and claimed by Rico Abreu, Brad Sweet, Paul McMahan and Austen Wheatley. Sweet’s night would come to a premature end when he lost a motor while battling in the top-five during the feature. Abreu started out the night by setting fast time with a blistering lap of 11.150 around the quarter-mile.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return to action this coming Wednesday night at the El Paso County Raceway in Calhan, Colorado.
Silver Dollar Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: California native Rico Abreu added his name to the list of Gold Cup Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway Saturday night after a long, collision-filled race. Daryn Pittman, all over Abreu for much of the 40-lap feature, finished second, bringing him back up to third in points standings. Local driver Andy Forsberg finished third.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Bud Kaeding; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Kalib Henry; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Sides, Justyn Cox; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Paul McMahan, Daryn Pittman, Brad Sweet, Jacob Allen; Craftsman/Sears: Austen Wheatley; KSE Hard Charger: Shane Stewart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brad Sweet.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 21 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28, Willamette Speedway on September 7); David Gravel - 9 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5, Skagit Speedway on Sept 2 and 3); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 6 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Rico Abreu - 2 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 10); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 2 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Silver Dollar Speedway, Calif.; Sept 10, 2016
Feature - (40 Laps) - 1. 24-Rico Abreu [4] [$12,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [3] [$5,700]; 3. 92-Andy Forsberg [6] [$3,500]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [16] [$3,000]; 5. 44W-Austen Wheatley [2] [$2,600]; 6. 5-David Gravel [10] [$2,400]; 7. 57-Jac Haudenschild [9] [$2,300]; 8. 83JR-Kerry Madsen [15] [$2,200]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11] [$2,150]; 10. 3C-DJ Netto [20] [$2,100]; 11. 83-Joey Saldana [19] [$1,600]; 12. M21-Kalib Henry [22] [$1,350]; 13. 29-Willie Croft [7] [$1,300]; 14. 31BC-Justyn Cox [12] [$1,200]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [13] [$1,100]; 16. OO-Cory Eliason [24] [$1,000]; 17. 77-Kyle Hirst [21] [$900]; 18. 15-Donny Schatz [17] [$850]; 19. 7-Paul McMahan [1] [$800]; 20. 49-Brad Sweet [5] [$800]; 21. 41-Jason Johnson [14] [$800]; 22. OOX-Jason Statler [18] [$800]; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen [8] [$800]; 24. O-Bud Kaeding [23] [$800]; Lap Leaders: Paul McMahan 1-5, Rico Abreu 6-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-Shane Stewart [+12]
Qualifying - 1. 24-Rico Abreu, 11.150; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.393; 3. 77-Kyle Hirst, 11.467; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.477; 5. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.486; 6. 92-Andy Forsberg, 11.487; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.495; 8. 44W-Austen Wheatley, 11.504; 9. 57-Jac Haudenschild, 11.578; 10. 5-David Gravel, 11.579; 11. 7-Paul McMahan, 11.635; 12. 3C-DJ Netto, 11.648; 13. M21-Kalib Henry, 11.676; 14. OO-Cory Eliason, 11.683; 15. 83JR-Kerry Madsen, 11.688; 16. O-Bud Kaeding, 11.689; 17. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.729; 18. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.741; 19. 29-Willie Croft, 11.749; 20. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.780; 21. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.822; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp, 11.842; 23. 83-Joey Saldana, 11.853; 24. 31BC-Justyn Cox, 11.880; 25. 41X-Dominic Scelzi, 11.893; 26. 11AU-Toby Bell Bowen, 11.952; 27. 12C-Brian Mcgahan, 11.998; 28. 75-Sean Becker, 12.001; 29. 22-Shane Golobic, 12.016; 30. OOX-Jason Statler, 12.025; 31. 19-Chase Majdic, 12.034; 32. 21-Robbie Price, 12.140; 33. 12-Jarrett Soares, 12.152; 34. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.188; 35. 1H-Billy Wallace, 12.348; 36. 98-Sean Watts, 12.569; 37. 22A-Cori Andrews, 13.444
Heat 1 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 24-Rico Abreu [1]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [2]; 3. 57-Jac Haudenschild [3]; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [5]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [6]; 6. M21-Kalib Henry [4]; 7. 22-Shane Golobic [8]; 8. 12-Jarrett Soares [9]; 9. 22A-Cori Andrews [10]; 10. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [7]
Heat 2 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 2. 92-Andy Forsberg [2]; 3. 5-David Gravel [3]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [5]; 5. OOX-Jason Statler [8]; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [6]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [9]; 8. OO-Cory Eliason [4]; 9. 11AU-Toby Bell Bowen [7]
Heat 3 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 7-Paul McMahan [3]; 2. 29-Willie Croft [5]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2]; 4. 83JR-Kerry Madsen [4]; 5. 83-Joey Saldana [6]; 6. 77-Kyle Hirst [1]; 7. 19-Chase Majdic [8]; 8. 1H-Billy Wallace [9]; 9. 12C-Brian Mcgahan [7]
Heat 4 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 44W-Austen Wheatley [2]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [1]; 3. 31BC-Justyn Cox [6]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [5]; 5. 3C-DJ Netto [3]; 6. 21-Robbie Price [8]; 7. 75-Sean Becker [7]; 8. O-Bud Kaeding [4]; 9. 98-Sean Watts [9]
Craftsman Club Dash - (8 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 7-Paul McMahan [2]; 2. 44W-Austen Wheatley [1]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [8]; 4. 24-Rico Abreu [4]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [3]; 6. 92-Andy Forsberg [6]; 7. 29-Willie Croft [7]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [5]
C-Main - (10 Laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the Last Chance Showdown) - 1. 21-Robbie Price [1] [-]; 2. 12-Jarrett Soares [2] [-]; 3. W20-Greg Wilson [3] [$150]; 4. 1H-Billy Wallace [4] [$150]; 5. 22A-Cori Andrews [6] [$150]; 6. 98-Sean Watts [5] [$125]; 7. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [7] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 77-Kyle Hirst [1] [-]; 2. M21-Kalib Henry [2] [-]; 3. O-Bud Kaeding [4] [-]; 4. OO-Cory Eliason [3] [-]; 5. 22-Shane Golobic [9] [$300]; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [5] [$250]; 7. 75-Sean Becker [8] [$225]; 8. 21-Robbie Price [11] [$200]; 9. 19-Chase Majdic [10] [$200]; 10. 12C-Brian Mcgahan [7] [$200]; 11. 11AU-Toby Bell Bowen [6] [$200]; 12. 12-Jarrett Soares [12] [$200]
Seven-Time Champ Donny Schatz Leads the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series into the Western Swing
Events include Skagit, Elma, Willamette & Chico
By Gary Thomas
Alger, Washington - August 31, 2016...On the strength of four wins in a row since the Knoxville Nationals Fargo, North Dakota's Donny Schatz leads the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series into the Western Swing, beginning this weekend at the Skagit Speedway in Alger, Washington.
The Western Swing in 2016 encompasses six nights of racing up and down the left coast, including events in Skagit; Elma; Lebanon, Oregon; and Chico, California.
Since finishing second at the Knoxville Nationals, Schatz has been on fire, claiming the last four series events at the helm of the Tony Stewart Racing No. 15 machine.
Schatz earned a sweep of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series events in Skagit during the 2014 season, in addition to winning the last three races at Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, the site of Monday night's race. To top it off he is also the defending Gold Cup champion at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico. His most recent win on Sunday night in his home state of North Dakota marked his 20th overall triumph this season.
The question everyone will be asking is can anyone beat Schatz? If someone can, it may very well be Bixby, Oklahoma's Shane Stewart, who captured last year's visit to Skagit Speedway and is a two-time Dirt Cup champion in his career at the track. Stewart has also won in the past at Willamette Raceway and scored opening night at the Gold Cup Race of Champions last season. He has scored five wins so far this season aboard the Larson Marks Racing No. 2 and hopes to add on to that during the Western Swing.
"We look forward to getting back to Skagit Speedway this weekend," Stewart commented. "After winning there last year it definitely gives us confidence going back this Friday & Saturday. Skagit has always been a good track for me and hopefully that will be the case this weekend. A strong run can certainly set the tone for the Western Swing. Everything sort of winds down after the swing as well, so we definitely look forward to having six nights of racing this next week."
Grass Valley, California's Brad Sweet is second in points going into the swing and will hope to bring home his first Gold Cup triumph at the end of the end of it. The driver of the Kasey Kahne Racing No. 49 has raced to seven victories so far this season. Owasso, Oklahoma's Daryn Pittman; Watertown, Connecticut's David Gravel & Brownsburg, Indiana's Joey Saldana round out the top-five in points going into the Western Swing.
Sweet, Pittman and Gravel are locked in a hotly contested battle for the runner up spot in the standings, as just seven-digits separate the trio. All three traditionally run strong on the West Coast. Completing the top-10 in the standings are Stewart; Eunice, Louisiana's Jason Johnson; Hanover, Pennsylvania's Logan Schuchart; Bartlett, Tennessee's Jason Sides and Nashville, Tennessee's Paul McMahan.
More drivers expected to take on the Western Swing will include Benton Ridge, Ohio's Greg Wilson; Hanover, Pennsylvania's Jacob Allen; Fresno's Dominic Scelzi; California, Missouri's Clyde Knipp and others.
The Skagit Speedway is located at 4796 Old Highway 99 North, Alger, WA 98233.
The Grays Harbor Raceway is located at 32 Elma McCleary Rd. Elma, WA 98541.
The Willamette Speedway is located at 36606 Airport Dr, Lebanon, OR 97355.
The Silver Dollar Speedway is located at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, a half-mile west of SR 99 on Park Ave in Chico, California.
The 2016 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Western Swing Schedule
Friday September 2: Skagit Speedway - Outlaw Energy Showdown presented by Outlaw Energy Drink
Saturday September 3: Skagit Speedway - Outlaw Energy Showdown presented by Outlaw Energy Drink
Monday September 5: Grays Harbor Raceway - Lucky Eagle Casino Grays Harbor Grudge Match presented by NAPA Auto Parts
Wednesday September 7: Willamette Speedway - Lebanon, Oregon
Friday September 9: Silver Dollar Speedway Chico, CA- 63rd annual Gold Cup Race of Champions
Saturday September 10: Silver Dollar Speedway Chico, CA- 63rd annual Gold Cup Race of Champions
World of Outlaws Brings 410 Sprint Cars Back to Colorado
Series takes on El Paso County Raceway for the first time ever on Sept 14
CONCORD, N.C. - Aug. 29, 2016 - The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series has partnered with Blood, Sweat and Tears (BST) Racing to bring 410 sprint car racing to El Paso County Raceway in Calhan, Colo. on Wednesday, Sept. 14.
The event will be the Outlaws' first time in Colorado since 2005, and the first-ever appearance at the semi-banked quarter-mile track.
"We are excited to join BST Racing for this great event and the opportunity to see the Outlaws take on El Paso County Raceway," said World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter. "It's been a long time since we've been in Colorado, and we're excited to bring 410 sprint cars back to them."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series hasn't been to Colorado since the Rocky Mountain National Speedway closed its doors (and was leveled for a housing project) at the end of the 2005 season. Danny Lasoski established the single-lap record of 12.014 seconds at the semi-banked 3/8-mile oval on Aug. 17, 2004. World of Outlaws A-feature winners include Craig Dollansky (2004), Donny Schatz (2003), Sammy Swindell (1995), Steve Kinser (1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1983), Dave Blaney (1993), Kenny Jacobs (1992), and Bobby Davis, Jr. (1990).
"This is five or six years of blood, sweat, and tears," said Raceway Manager and BST Racing Promoter Joe Bellm. "So it's nice to see this finally come to be. Plenty of times I was ready to throw in the towel. You know the obstacles we were all up against. But stubborn heads prevail!"
While 410 sprint car racing has been absent from the track in recent years, several local standouts are expected to make a play against the Outlaws, including local driver Jeff Heffner (a Knoxville 360 regular) and Justin Wolf Medlock (an ASCS local). Jeremy McCune, from Billings, Mont., has committed to going and is bringing up to four other cars with him. And word has it a couple of cars are coming from Wyoming as well.
Sharing the playing field with the Outlaws are the Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association (RMMRA) and the The Rocky Mountain Lightning Sprints (RMLSA).
The Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association began in 1940, and is the second oldest midget racing club in the country. Based out of Colorado, the RMMRA has a long standing fan base, history, and deep roots in open wheel competition allowing them to experience the evolution of midget racing.
"We are honored to run in support of the World of Outlaws and BST Promotions as they make their return to Colorado," said RMMRA President Chris Sheil. "It is nice to see Mr Bellm's hard work prevail in getting this show to reality here in Colorado. I know he has been working on it for some time now. And our great car count is due to all of his organization with the Colorado Dirt Track Alliance he put together. I can not say enough about the continued improvements Joe has done with El Paso County Raceway. It has truly become the greatest venue to race at in Colorado."
The Rocky Mountain Lightning Sprints is an association formed in 2011 by the merging of the RMMSA and COMSA to manage the 1000cc motorcycle-based winged and non winged open wheel division in Colorado and western Kansas. These cars use a midget chassis, powered by 1000-1200cc motorcycle engines. These are a great class for those drivers that later may want to race Midgets and Sprint cars.
"We race at several tracks in Colorado and Western Kansas, and were honored to be the support class," said RMLSA President Steve Becker. "El Paso County raceway is our home track, and we are excited to race at this improved facility operated by BST Promotions. With the continued support of our great car owners and drivers, as well as our local track promoters, we have had great car counts often exceeding 20 cars per night."
Race Central Television and Radio host Kurt Hansen - synonymous with all forms of local, national and international motor sports, and BST Racing's Official Dirt Track Announcer for all Colorado and BST Races - will share his usual post in the Tower with World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series announcer Johnny Gibson for this epic event.
"Kurt's edgy attitude and extensive racing knowledge will certainly bring a spark, energy, and angle never heard before at this event or any other," said Bellm. "It is no doubt that Kurt's enthusiasm and passion certainly made him our first choice for this Fall Classic not-to-be-missed Show."
Hansen and Bellm are expecting many gearhead fans to come out and see all Stars and Cars of the "The Greatest Show on Dirt."
"A lot of people are excited", said Bellm. "This is definitely going to be a big show."
Ticket Information can be found at woosprint.com.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, N.C., is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series. Annually, the two series race nearly 140 times at tracks across the United States and Canada. CBS Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of the World of Outlaws. DIRTVision® also broadcasts all World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.
High Five: Donny Schatz Wins Gerdau Magic City Showdown for Fifth Straight Year at Nodak Speedway
MINOT, N.D. - August 28, 2016 - It took Donny Schatz until his seventh start to win at his home track of Nodak Speedway in Minot, North Dakota with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. Since that victory in 2012, he been undefeated in the Gerdau Magic City Showdown. Schatz extended his win streak at Nodak Speedway to five, after leading flag-to-flag on Sunday night at the three-eighths-mile.
Schatz started second and on the initial start ran second to pole sitter Logan Schuchart, but the first caution flag of the night flew before the lap was complete. That led to a complete restart and on the second start, Schatz was able to dive under Schuchart on the front straightaway to officially lead the first lap. Schatz was in traffic just five laps into the race and like his win on Friday night at River Cities Speedway, he masterfully weaved his way through the lapped machines.
"They are all special and they are all good," said Schatz of his five wins at Nodak Speedway. "The trophies here are awesome and so are the people. Everything about this place is great. I'll tell you what's really great, and that is this race team. These guys (on my crew) deserve to be standing here. The race car they prepare each day is incredible. I'm the lucky guy that gets to drive it and looks good. Their hard work is what pays off and gets us to victory lane."
With just two laps remaining in the 35-lap contest, a red flag flew, setting up a green-white-checker restart to determine the outcome. Schatz would use a strong restart to stay out front and opened a bit of a lead on the final circuit.
"I was thinking, 'Air don't go out of these tires,'" said Schatz, of the red flag. "We run bleeders and when you get heat in the tires it lets the air down and the tires then cool down. They get a little wormy after that. They were a little wormy after that red flag, but they were able to get us a win anyway."
The win for Schatz helped him complete a sweep of the three races for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in his home state of North Dakota for the second straight. Schatz now has won 18 times overall with the series in North Dakota. The win was the 20th of the season for the seven-time and defending series champion, who has now won at least 20 races in four consecutive years.
"It doesn't get any better than that," said Schatz of winning in North Dakota. "When you are a kid, like these kids here in the crowd and you dream of doing something, that's me. I'm standing here living my dream. Everybody all the times asks me how I am doing and I'm living my dream. Thank you fans for being part of it."
Jason Johnson lined up eighth and used a late-race charge to finish second. A strong restart on lap-10, moved him up a couple of spots and pit him in a torrid battle with David Gravel for third. Johnson was able to take third on lap-15 and began to work on Schuchart for second. Another strong restart propelled Johnson to second as he set his sights on Schatz.
"We started a little bit further back, so we gambled with set-up," said Johnson of his Priority Aviation team. "We've been searching a little bit and the guys definitely hit it right tonight. We had a really fast Maxim race car. Once we got to second, I was definitely wanting a restart. Donny (Schatz) is one of the best in the industry right now and he's tough. He definitely makes us step up our game each night."
On the green-white-checker restart, Johnson was able to look under Schatz in turns one and two, as he about pulled even with the leader, but could quite get enough of a run to attempt a pass. The second-place finish for Johnson was his 13thtop-five finish of the season.
"I needed to get to him and I couldn't quite clear him," shared the 2016 Knoxville Nationals winner. "One thing about Donny is that he'll race you clean, so I wanted to race him clean. Once we came down the back straightaway he had a little more momentum and our only chance was maybe if he would have bobbled, but that doesn't happen very often."
Daryn Pittman, who fell back to seventh at one point, during the 35-lap race, also made a late-race charge to finish third in the Great Clips No. 9. Pittman started sixth and over the second half of the race was able to pick up a number of positons on his way to his 36th top-five finish of the season.
"That was a fun race tonight," said Pittman. "It was great track prep. From the driver's seat it was pretty exciting and a lot of fun to drive. It took me too long to run the top in (turns) one and two. Once I was able to do that, I was making a lot of speed and down the back straight with a lot more mile an hour."
Logan Schuchart continued his strong 2016 season by finishing fourth, which was his 10th top-five finish of the season. David Gravel crossed the line fifth, with Brad Sweet sixth. Joey Saldana was seventh, followed by Jacob Allen, who turned in an eighth-place run to put both Shark Racing cars in the top-10. Paul McMahan was ninth, with Dominic Scelzi rounding out the top-10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Friday, September 2 and Saturday, September 3 in the Outlaw Energy Showdown at Skagit Speedway in Alger, Washington.
Nodak Speedway Notebook
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Clyde Knipp; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jordon Adams; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Logan Schuchart, Brad Sweet, David Gravel, Shane Stewart; Daryn Pittman; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Kyle Fedyk; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Clyde Knipp.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 20 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26, Nodak Speedway on August 28); David Gravel - 7 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Rico Abreu - 1(Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 2 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Nodak Speedway, N.D.; Augst 28, 2016
A-Main - (35 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2] [$10,000]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [8] [$5,500]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [6] [$3,200]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] [$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [4] [$2,500]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [3] [$2,300]; 7. 83-Joey Saldana [7] [$2,200]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [12] [$2,100]; 9. 7-Paul McMahan [9] [$2,050]; 10. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [13] [$2,000]; 11. 20A-Jordan Adams [11] [$1,500]; 12. W20-Greg Wilson [17] [$1,200]; 13. 5G-Dave Glennon [19] [$1,100]; 14. 99-Jordan Graham [21] [$1,050]; 15. 7T-Trent Stengl [16] [$1,000]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [10] [$900]; 17. 2-Shane Stewart [5] [$800]; 18. 91K-Kyle Fedyk [18] [$800]; 19. 21-Ryder Olson [20] [$800]; 20. 8B-Jack Croaker [22] [$800]; 21. 20-Kevin Lawson [23] [$800]; 22. 20L-Dusty Lawson [24] [$800]; 23. 6N-Greg Nikitenko [14] [$800]; 24. 13-Clyde Knipp [15] [$800]. Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-35. KSE Hard Charger Award: 99-Jordan Graham [+7]
Qualifying - 1. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.039; 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.072; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.112; 4. 5-David Gravel, 13.123; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.155; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.247; 7. 83-Joey Saldana, 13.281; 8. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.311; 9. 7-Paul McMahan, 13.335; 10. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.343; 11. 20A-Jordan Adams, 13.469; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.482; 13. 41X-Dominic Scelzi, 13.523; 14. 6N-Greg Nikitenko, 13.611; 15. 91K-Kyle Fedyk, 13.882; 16. 21-Ryder Olson, 13.966; 17. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.006; 18. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.103; 19. 7T-Trent Stengl, 14.117; 20. 5G-Dave Glennon, 14.207; 21. 99-Jordan Graham, 14.345; 22. 20-Kevin Lawson, 14.697; 23. 17M-Todd Mickelson, 14.825; 24. 8B-Jack Croaker, 15.059; 25. 90-Randy Blotsky, 15.254; 26. 20L-Dusty Lawson, 15.375
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1] ; 2. 5-David Gravel [2] ; 3. 83-Joey Saldana [3] ; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [4] ; 5. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [5] ; 6. 7T-Trent Stengl [7] ; 7. 21-Ryder Olson [6] ; 8. 90-Randy Blotsky [9] ; 9. 20-Kevin Lawson [8]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [2] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [1] ; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [3] ; 4. 20A-Jordan Adams [4] ; 5. 6N-Greg Nikitenko [5] ; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [6] ; 7. 5G-Dave Glennon [7] ; 8. 17M-Todd Mickelson [8] ; 9. 20L-Dusty Lawson [9]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2] ; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] ; 3. 7-Paul McMahan [3] ; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen [4] ; 5. 13-Clyde Knipp [6] ; 6. 91K-Kyle Fedyk [5] ; 7. 99-Jordan Graham [7] ; 8. 8B-Jack Croaker [8]
Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2] ; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [4] ; 4. 5-David Gravel [3] ; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [6] ; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [5]
B-Main - (12 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 5G-Dave Glennon [2] [-]; 2. 21-Ryder Olson [1] [-]; 3. 99-Jordan Graham [3] [-]; 4. 8B-Jack Croaker [6] [-]; 5. 20-Kevin Lawson [4] [-]; 6. 20L-Dusty Lawson [8] [-]; 7. 90-Randy Blotsky [7] [$300]; 8. 17M-Todd Mickelson [5] [$250]
Home State Sweep
Donny Schatz Wins for Eighth Time at River Cities Speedway
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - August 26, 2016 - Donny Schatz scored a pair of sweeps on Friday night with the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series at River Cities Speedway in his home state of North Dakota. First, he completed a clean sweep of the night, setting fast time, winning a heat race, winning the dash and winning the 40-lap A-Feature. Second, he completed a sweep of both legs of the Gerdau Northern Tour at River Cities Speedway for 2016.
The win for Schatz was his fourth straight with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at the high-banked, action-packed bullring. In his career, the seven-time and defending Outlaws champion has now won eight times with the series at the track.
"This race team is incredible, it's not me," said Schatz of his success at River Cities Speedway. "The things they think of to make this race car better is amazing. I just have a habit of having a dumb way of driving it. I like it laying on the right rear like the late model. It really works, especially here. Sunday at Angell Park, I thought I had the best race car I had ever driven. That thing was awesome, but tonight, it was unbelievable. I think one of my eight-year-old nieces could have won that race in that race car. This race team is on their game. It's what they do, day in and day out. I'm just the lucky guy that gets to drive it."
Schatz started on the pole and led from the drop of the green flag. The first caution of the night fell on the second lap. He chose the low side of the track on the double file restart and opened a quick lead, as Logan Schuchart, Brad Sweet and David Gravel waged a side-by-side battle for the second spot for several laps. The second and final yellow flag of the night flew on lap-13, with the remainder of the race going green, putting Schatz in heavy lapped traffic for most of the duration of the 40-lap contest in his Bad Boy Off-Road J&J.
"It was fun in traffic," said Schatz. "If you're not leading and in second or third, you want to use that traffic to your advantage to try to move around. When you are leading, it's what you look forward to and try not to make mistakes, because it can gap you between yourself and the field. I could run the top and the bottom and threw enough stuff off the bottom that you could run in the middle. We were lapping some really, really good cars."
Schatz now has won 17 A-Feature events in his career with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in his home state of North Dakota, at four different tracks. He has one more chance to add to that on Sunday at his home track of Nodak Speedway in Minot.
"I'm a damn proud North Dakotan," said Schatz. "This state is where I grew up. We are fortunate in North Dakota to have a lot of great race tracks. Everybody needs to keep that in mind and keep supporting them. This is a part of the country that still has a lot of dirt track racing and it's disappearing in other parts of the country. It's strong here and let's keep it that way."
Brad Sweet picked up his third consecutive podium finish over the last week and a half, as he crossed the line second. After battling Schuchart and Gravel in the early going, Sweet moved into second on the seventh lap. He was able to gain a little ground on Schatz in traffic in the middle portions of the race, but was never able to gain enough ground to make a bit for the lead.
"Donny (Schatz) was awfully good, like he's been the last four or five times here," Sweet shared. "It's tough to beat him at one of his home state tracks, just like any other place. We are pretty happy with how the car handled tonight. To be up here on the front straightaway with Donny is all good. We are still chasing him and trying to get our program a little better so we can win these races."
Sweet started fourth and was able to quickly move forward and maintain his spot near the front of the field aboard the Ollie's Bargain Outlet machine. With his runner-up finish, Sweet moved into the second spot in points.
"We had great speed all night," said Sweet. "Getting through lapped traffic, Donny was just a little bit better. He was able to go in the middle and do a few things we weren't able to do. We'll go back and do our homework. I have to thank my guys for working hard."
Mark Dobmeier, who hails from Grand Forks, made a late-race charge to finish third. Dobmeier started seventh and fell back a few spots early in the race, before gaining quite a few positions in the final 20 laps of the 40-lap race.
"About halfway through, the car really came on," explained Dobmeier. "I knew it was a long race and I had to save my (right rear) tire a little bit. I saved it up for a bit. I don't know if it was me getting on the gas or these fans, but we got some electricity going and this thing was charging forward. We turning as fast of laps as we could. We just needed a caution or something at the end to bunch them up again. That's what you get for starting sixth, but I got up on the wheel and got it going."
Dobmeier, who is the winningest sprint car driver in River Cities Speedway history, has been close on several occasions to scoring a win with the series at his home track. While he has three career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series wins on his resume, one at River Cities is what still eludes him.
"I would give up a Knoxville Nationals win to win one here with the Outlaws," said Dobmeier. "I've won a couple in Sioux Falls, which is kind of a second home track to me, and the crowd gets electric, but it cannot beat the crowd at Grand Forks when these guys get on their feet and cheering."
Logan Schuchart finished fourth on Friday night to earn his second straight top-five finish at River Cities. Joey Saldana was fifth, with Daryn Pittman coming home sixth. Jason Johnson was seventh, while David Gravel was eighth, Shane Stewart ninth and Dusty Zomer 10th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Sunday, August 28 at Nodak Speedway in Minot, North Dakota, with the running of the Gerdau Magic City Showdown.
River Cities Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz's dominance of River Cities Speedway continued Friday night as he led every lap of the feature en route to his 19th World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of 2016. Brad Sweet, Mark Dobmeier, Logan Schuchart, and Joey Saldana rounded out the top five.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Aaron Reutzel; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): David Gravel; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Joey Saldana, Logan Schuchart, Brad Sweet, David Gravel, Shane Stewart; Craftsman/Sears($100 cash): Mark Dobmeier; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Terry McCarl; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Cory Mack.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 19 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21, River Cities Speedway on August 26); David Gravel - 7 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Rico Abreu - 1(Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 2 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; River Cities Speedway, N.D.; Augst 26, 2016
A-Main - (40 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz[1][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet[4][$5,500]; 3. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier[6][$3,200]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart[3][$2,800]; 5. 83-Joey Saldana[2][$2,500]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman[10][$2,300]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson[12][$2,200]; 8. 5-David Gravel[5][$2,100]; 9. 2-Shane Stewart[8][$2,050]; 10. 82-Dusty Zomer[7][$2,000]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson[19][$1,500]; 12. 7-Paul McMahan[16][$1,200]; 13. 1A-Jacob Allen[21][$1,100]; 14. 2A-Austin Pierce[24][$1,050]; 15. 41X-Dominic Scelzi[23][$1,000]; 16. 8-Casey Mack[15][$900]; 17. 24-Terry McCarl[17][$800]; 18. 7S-Jason Sides[18][$800]; 19. 3-Tim Kaeding[14][$800]; 20. 20A-Jordan Adams[20][$800]; 21. 25-Cory Mack[13][$800]; 22. 9N-Wade Nygaard[9][$800]; 23. 87-Aaron Reutzel[22][$800]; 24. 2L-Logan Forler[11][$800] Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-40. KSE Hard Charger Award: 2A-Austin Pierce[+10].
Qualifying - 1. 15-Donny Schatz, 10.027; 2. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 10.064; 3. 82-Dusty Zomer, 10.065; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 10.161; 5. 9N-Wade Nygaard, 10.180; 6. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 10.212; 7. 25-Cory Mack, 10.287; 8. 2L-Logan Forler, 10.316; 9. 17A-Austin McCarl, 10.339; 10. W20-Greg Wilson, 10.342; 11. 24-Terry McCarl, 10.430; 12. O-Nick Omdahl, 10.554; 13. 7T-Trent Stengl, 10.614; 14. 8-Casey Mack, 10.670; 15. 13T-Ty Hanten, 10.716; 16. 8B-Jack Croaker, 10.863; 17. 91M-Jackson Moffett, 10.936; 18. 99-Jordan Graham, 11.092; 19. 14-Tom Egeland, 11.301; 20. 83-Joey Saldana, 10.177; 21. 49-Brad Sweet, 10.187; 22. 5-David Gravel, 10.190; 23. 2-Shane Stewart, 10.224; 24. 9-Daryn Pittman, 10.240; 25. 41-Jason Johnson, 10.282; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen, 10.323; 27. 7-Paul McMahan, 10.329; 28. 7S-Jason Sides, 10.414; 29. 20A-Jordan Adams, 10.422; 30. 41X-Dominic Scelzi, 10.486; 31. 21K-Thomas Kennedy, 10.530; 32. 3-Tim Kaeding, 10.543; 33. 2A-Austin Pierce, 10.586; 34. 6N-Greg Nikitenko, 10.681; 35. 5G-Dave Glennon, 10.840; 36. 13-Clyde Knipp, 10.987; 37. 8H-Jade Hastings, 11.057; 38. 31-Shane Roemeling, 11.250; 39. 10TRB-Bob Martin, 11.330; 40. 26-Blake Egeland, 11.453
Heat 1 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz[1] ; 2. 82-Dusty Zomer[2] ; 3. 9N-Wade Nygaard[3] ; 4. 25-Cory Mack[4] ; 5. 24-Terry McCarl[6] ; 6. 17A-Austin McCarl[5] ; 7. 14-Tom Egeland[10] ; 8. 91M-Jackson Moffett[9] ; 9. 13T-Ty Hanten[8] ; 10. 7T-Trent Stengl[7]
Heat 2 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart[2] ; 2. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier[3] ; 3. 2L-Logan Forler[4] ; 4. 8-Casey Mack[7] ; 5. W20-Greg Wilson[5] ; 6. O-Nick Omdahl[6] ; 7. 8B-Jack Croaker[8] ; 8. 99-Jordan Graham[9] ; 9. 87-Aaron Reutzel[1]
Heat 3 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 83-Joey Saldana[1] ; 2. 5-David Gravel[2] ; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman[3] ; 4. 3-Tim Kaeding[7] ; 5. 7S-Jason Sides[5] ; 6. 41X-Dominic Scelzi[6] ; 7. 6N-Greg Nikitenko[8] ; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen[4] ; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp[9] ; 10. 31-Shane Roemeling[10] ; 11. 26-Blake Egeland[11]
Heat 4 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet[1] ; 2. 2-Shane Stewart[2] ; 3. 41-Jason Johnson[3] ; 4. 7-Paul McMahan[4] ; 5. 20A-Jordan Adams[5] ; 6. 10TRB-Bob Martin[10] ; 7. 21K-Thomas Kennedy[6] ; 8. 8H-Jade Hastings[9] ; 9. 5G-Dave Glennon[8] ; 10. 2A-Austin Pierce[7]
Craftsman Club Dash - (8 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz[1] ; 2. 83-Joey Saldana[2] ; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart[3] ; 4. 49-Brad Sweet[4] ; 5. 5-David Gravel[6] ; 6. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier[7] ; 7. 82-Dusty Zomer[5] ; 8. 2-Shane Stewart[8]
C Main - (10 laps - Top 2 finishers transfer to the B-Feature) - 1. 8B-Jack Croaker[1] [-]; 2. 5G-Dave Glennon[2] [-]; 3. 91M-Jackson Moffett[3] [$150]; 4. 8H-Jade Hastings[6] [$150]; 5. 10TRB-Bob Martin[9] [$150]; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp[4] [$125]; 7. 99-Jordan Graham[5] [$125]; 8. 31-Shane Roemeling[8] [$125]; 9. 14-Tom Egeland[7] [$125]; 10. 26-Blake Egeland[10] [$125]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 1A-Jacob Allen[2] [-]; 2. 87-Aaron Reutzel[1] [-]; 3. 41X-Dominic Scelzi[4] [-]; 4. 2A-Austin Pierce[8] [-]; 5. 21K-Thomas Kennedy[6] [$300]; 6. 17A-Austin McCarl[3] [$250]; 7. O-Nick Omdahl[5] [$225]; 8. 6N-Greg Nikitenko[10] [$200]; 9. 8B-Jack Croaker[11] [$200]; 10. 13T-Ty Hanten[9] [$200]; 11. 5G-Dave Glennon[12] [$200]; 12. 7T-Trent Stengl[7] [$200]
At a Glance: Schatz on the Homefront
Outlaws to engage in Midwestern Melee in North Dakota
CONCORD, N.C. - Aug. 23, 2016 - Current points leader and season-standout Donny Schatz is headed home for a tour through North Dakota. Schatz, a Grand Forks, N.D. native, will lead the charge as the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series invades River Cities Speedway on Friday, August 26 and Nodak Speedway on Sunday, August 28.
During Schatz's 2015 31-win season, three of his wins came from his home state. Schatz swept the board, winning River Cities Speedway twice and capping-off the Outlaws' tour through North Dakota with a trip down victory lane at Nodak Speedway. From there, Schatz extended his winning streak to four.
Though Schatz has been victorious in one-third of the trips to River Cities since 2007, five other drivers have beaten the pack to the checkers. Schatz is seeking his fifth consecutive win at Nodak since 2012.
Schatz is streaking in 2016, having won more than one-quarter of the events. Finding himself in a similar situation, Schatz will seek to extend his two-race win streak in the Midwest's weekend swing. Despite being in familiar territory, Schatz does not see these races as any more important than the rest.
"There's not any [race] that stands out to win," Schatz said. "You have to have the attitude that you can win them all. Reality says you can't win them all, but you never tell yourself that before you walk out of the gate at the end of the night."
Fellow Platinum driver Joey Saldana was one of the last drivers to win at Nodak before Schatz's four-year streak, and he sees the defending series champion as the man to beat. Saldana is currently in the top five in points, but has his eyes locked-in on a top three performance in 2016.
"Everyone's main competition has to be Donny Schatz because he is the class of the field," Saldana said. "But you can't focus on one driver or one car. You just have to race your own car every night."
Get more information and to learn how to purchase tickets to River Cities Speedway on Friday, August 26. Get more information and learn how to purchase tickets to the World of Outlaws event at Nodak Speedway on Sunday, August 28.
ABOUT THE TRACK:
RIVER CITIES SPEEDWAY is a high-banked, 3/10-mile oval. The track record of 9.269 seconds was established by Jason Meyers on October, 21, 2009.
Previous A-Feature winners:
2015 - Donny Schatz on June 29
2014 - Daryn Pittman on August 15
2013 - Cody Darrah on June 21
2012 - Kraig Kinser on June 15
2011 - Craig Dollansky on June 15, Craig Dollansky on June 16; Steve Kinser on August 19
2010 - Steve Kinser on June 19, Joey Saldana on June 20
2009 - Donny Schatz on June 19, Craig Dollansky on August 21
2008 - Donny Schatz on June 27
2007 - Joey Saldana on June 29
NODAK SPEEDWAY is a high-banked, 3/8-mile oval. The track record of 12.991seconds was established By Paul McMahan on August 18, 2014.
Previous A-Feature winners:
2015 - Donny Schatz on June 23
2014 - Donny Schatz on August 17
2013 - Donny Schatz on August 18
2012 - Donny Schatz on August 19
2010 - Joey Saldana on August 20, Craig Dollansky on August 21
2009 - Danny Lasoski on June 21
2008 - Jason Meyerson August 17
DRIVER INFO
The following World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series drivers maintain websites:
Jacob Allen - Shark1s1a.com
David Gravel - DavidGravel89.com
Jason Johnson - JasonJohnsonRacing.com
Paul McMahan - PaulMcMahanRacing.com
Daryn Pittman - DarynPittman.com
Joey Saldana - JoeySaldanaRacing.com
Donny Schatz - DonnySchatz.com
Logan Schuchart - Shark1s1a.com
Jason Sides - SidesMotorsports.com
Shane Stewart - ShaneStewart.com
Brad Sweet - Bradsweetracing.com
Greg Wilson - GregWilsonRacing.com
For more driver information, visit: WoOsprint.com
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 18 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21);David Gravel - 7 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Rico Abreu - 1 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 2 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Raceway on August 13);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1(I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
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COMING UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series heads to Alger, Wash. Friday, Sept. 3 and Saturday, Sept. 4 for the Monster Meltdown at Skagit Speedway.
Schatz Wins Inaugural World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Event at Angell Park Speedway
SUN PRAIRIE, Wisc. - August 21, 2016 -Donny Schatz has won at some of the most historic tracks in sprint car racing over the course of his 20 seasons on the road with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. The seven-time and defending series champion added the legendary Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin to that list on Sunday night as he picked up the win in the Sun Prairie Sprint Car Classic, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Car Series in a co-sanctioned event.
For Schatz, it was his series-leading 18th win of the season as he added to his point lead, as he chases his eighth series title. Schatz has now won at 79 different tracks in his career with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. In five starts in the state of Wisconsin this year, he finished on the podium in all five, including picking up a pair of wins.
"This place has a ton of history and is very unique," said Schatz. "It threw us for a loop with gear and everything. This race team is unreal with what they do with this race car when they unload every night. It was fast right out of the box and got us qualified well and we normally don't qualify that well. It feels good to finally have your name on a track record."
Schatz started second and battled Daryn Pittman in the early going, nearly taking the lead a couple of times. Schatz got by Pittman on the back straightaway on lap-17, but Pittman re-took the top spot before that lap was official. On the following circuit, Schatz used a strong restart, following a red flag, to power his way to the lead, on the low side of the track, exiting turn-two. He would pace the remainder of the 40-lap contest.
"The car worked better on the bottom," he noted. "The top, I would get rolled over and a little bit too tight. I've been driving a late model the last three nights and I think that gave me a heads up on what rolling on the right rear feels like. The top was tricky. In (turns) one and two it was right up against the fence and you had to hit it just right to be able to keep your speed. The race track was just awesome. We had a good race with Daryn (Pittman). He had a good pace early and I wasn't sure if we would be able to keep up with him. The longer we went, the better the car got."
The 40-lap main event got off to a slow start, with a caution flag flying on the second lap, followed by a red flag, after a restart on that same circuit. Pittman led from the pole on the initial start as well as the ensuing two restarts. Schatz, who started third, moved into second on the opening lap and kept pace with Pittman, as the leaders encountered lapped traffic just five laps into the race.
"This is a fun place," said Schatz. "I didn't really know what the track was going to do. There was a top for a little bit and then a bottom. We were actually able to make the middle work as well. It was great to see a great crowd here tonight on such a short notice for a race. It was great to see all of the people and enthusiasm."
Just past the halfway point of the race, the leaders were in heavy lapped traffic, with Pittman closing back in on Schatz, who got hung up by a couple of slower machines. With 10 laps to go, Pittman was right on Schatz, but once the latter was able to clear a couple of lapped machines, he was able to pull away in the late going. Pittman led the first 17 laps from the pole.
"I just got beat," said Pittman. "I had a good car early and a pretty decent car late and the track changed a lot and got really slick on the top to a huge curb. Like Donny (Schatz) said, it just wanted to get you rolled up into it, especially off (turn) two. We hung with him for the longest time and then he cleared a few of those lapped cars with five or six (laps) to go and pulled away. This is a fun race track. It was great to see a big crowd. It's always fun to run in front of capacity crowds at these race tracks."
Brad Sweet started on the outside of the front row and fell back a spot on the opening lap. For the second straight race, he had a spirited battle with David Gravel. This time it was for the third position. Sweet would claim the spot to secure two position on the podium for Kasey Kahne Racing.
"This place is known for getting that huge curb, right up by the wall," said Sweet. "That creates great racing. It was really technical and you had to really watch for the lapped cars and try not to mess up. It seemed like with that curb, if you messed up you were basically in the wall. Thanks to all of the fans for coming out on short notice. We appreciate it."
Gravel finished fourth to pick up his 35th top-five finish of the season. Logan Schuchart charged from the 11th starting spot to finish fifth. Shane Stewart crossed the line sixth, with Jason Johnson in seventh. Joey Saldana was eighth, with Jacob Allen ninth, to put both Shark Racing cars in the top-10. Paul McMahan rounded out the top-10. Mike Reinke was the highest finishing Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Car Series driver, crossing the line 12th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Friday, August 26 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, North Dakota, for the Second Leg of the Gerdau Northern Tour.
Angell Park Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz and Daryn Pittman battled it out for the lead at the World of Outlaw Craftsman® Sprint Car Series debut visit to Angell Park Speedway. Ultimately, it was Schatz who broke away from Pittman and claimed his 18th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season, along with a new track record.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Scotty Thiel; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Scotty Thiel.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 18 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26, Junction Motor Speedway on August 16, Angell Park Speedway on August 21); David Gravel - 7 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Rico Abreu - 1(Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 2 (Placerville Speedway on March 24, Knoxville Nationals on August 13);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Angel Park Speedway, Wisc.; Augst 21, 2016
A-Main - (40 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz[3][$10,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman[1][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet[2][$3,200]; 4. 5-David Gravel[4][$2,800]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart[11][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart[8][$2,300]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson[7][$2,200]; 8. 83-Joey Saldana[5][$2,100]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen[10][$2,050]; 10. 7-Paul McMahan[13][$2,000]; 11. 7S-Jason Sides[6][$1,500]; 12. O2-Mike Reinke[15][$1,200]; 13. 2W-Scotty Neitzel[9][$1,100]; 14. 17B-Bill Balog[19][$1,050]; 15. 41X-Dominic Scelzi[20][$1,000]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson[23][$900]; 17. 80K-Mike Kertscher[16][$800]; 18. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[21][$800]; 19. 99-Kyle Marten[24][$800]; 20. 2X-Parker Price-Miller[18][$800]; 21. 65-Jordon Goldesberry[12][$800]; 22. 64-Scotty Thiel[17][$800]; 23. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[22][$800]; 24. 73-Brandon McMullen[14][$800]. Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-17, Donny Schatz 18-40. KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+7].
Qualifying - 1. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.718; 2. 5-David Gravel, 11.812; 3. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.881; 4. 83-Joey Saldana, 11.926; 5. 7-Paul McMahan, 11.977; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.004; 7. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.016; 8. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.031; 9. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.036; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.052; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.067; 12. 65-Jordon Goldesberry, 12.090; 13. 64-Scotty Thiel, 12.195; 14. 73-Brandon McMullen, 12.208; 15. 17B-Bill Balog, 12.281; 16. 80K-Mike Kertscher, 12.308; 17. 2W-Scotty Neitzel, 12.319; 18. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 12.331; 19. O2-Mike Reinke, 12.405; 20. 59-Ben Schmidt, 12.426; 21. 5J-Jeremy Schultz, 12.341; 22. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski, 12.452; 23. 1M-Phillip Mock, 12.465; 24. 41X-Dominic Scelzi, 12.469; 25. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.578; 26. 99-Kyle Marten, 12.623; 27. 68-Dave Uttech, 12.666; 28. 23B-Russell Borland, 12.675; 29. 7U-Scott Uttech, 12.732; 30. 53W-Bill Wirth, 12.751; 31. 12-Mike Decker, 12.772; 32. 4K-Kris Spitz, 12.844; 33. 79-Blake Nimee, 12.944; 34. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.967; 35. 10V-Matt Vandervere, 13.099; 36. 41D-Dennis Spitz, 13.155; 37. 7V-Tim Vandervere, 13.260
Heat 1 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz[1]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet[3]; 3. 2W-Scotty Neitzel[5]; 4. 7-Paul McMahan[2]; 5. 64-Scotty Thiel[4]; 6. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[6]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson[7]; 8. 7U-Scott Uttech[8]; 9. 79-Blake Nimee[9]; 10. 7V-Tim Vandervere[10]
Heat 2 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 5-David Gravel[1]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman[2]; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen[3]; 4. 73-Brandon McMullen[4]; 5. 2X-Parker Price-Miller[5]; 6. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[6]; 7. 99-Kyle Marten[7]; 8. 53W-Bill Wirth[8]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp[9]
Heat 3 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart[1]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson[2]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart[3]; 4. O2-Mike Reinke[5]; 5. 17B-Bill Balog[4]; 6. 1M-Phillip Mock[6]; 7. 10V-Matt Vandervere[9]; 8. 68-Dave Uttech[7]; 9. 12-Mike Decker[8]
Heat 4 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 83-Joey Saldana[1]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides[2]; 3. 65-Jordon Goldesberry[3]; 4. 80K-Mike Kertscher[4]; 5. 41X-Dominic Scelzi[6]; 6. 59-Ben Schmidt[5]; 7. 23B-Russell Borland[7]; 8. 4K-Kris Spitz[8]; 9. 41D-Dennis Spitz[9]
Craftsman Club Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 9-Daryn Pittman[1]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet[2]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz[6]; 4. 5-David Gravel[5]; 5. 83-Joey Saldana[3]; 6. 7S-Jason Sides[8]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson[7]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart[4]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 5J-Jeremy Schultz[2] [-]; 2. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski[3] [-]; 3. W20-Greg Wilson[5] [-]; 4. 99-Kyle Marten[6] [-]; 5. 59-Ben Schmidt[1] [$300]; 6. 1M-Phillip Mock[4] [$250]; 7. 7U-Scott Uttech[9] [$225]; 8. 79-Blake Nimee[13] [$200]; 9. 23B-Russell Borland[8] [$200]; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp[14] [$200]; 11. 10V-Matt Vandervere[15] [$200]; 12. 53W-Bill Wirth[10] [$200]; 13. 4K-Kris Spitz[12] [$200]; 14. 41D-Dennis Spitz[16] [$200]; 15. 7V-Tim Vandervere[17] [$200]; 16. 68-Dave Uttech[7] [$200]; 17. 12-Mike Decker[11] [$200]
DOMINANT DONNY
Schatz wins at Junction Motor Speedway
MCCOOL JUNCTION, Neb. - August 16, 2016 - Entering the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series event at Junction Motor Speedway on Tuesday night, Donny Schatz had never finished off the podium in five career starts at the 3/8-mile. The seven-time and defending series champion extended that streak, while adding to his win total at the track, as he dominated the 30-lap main event.
Schatz started second and took the lead on the top side of the track from pole sitter Joey Saldana. Schatz would go on to lead all 30 laps aboard the Bad Boy Off-Road J&J for Tony Stewart Racing.
"You definitely had to be up front tonight, because the track was so fast," said Schatz. "When it started moving it went right to the top. When we got to lapped traffic we had trouble getting by guys, but they were fast cars we were trying to get by. The start is always important and you never really try to push the issue."
The race was slowed by a pair of cautions, both on the second lap. On the first restart, which was a double file restart, Schatz chose the high side of the track and shot out to a lead. Following the second caution, officials elected to go with single file restarts the remainder of the night. On that restart, Schatz again used a strong run to quickly open a gap on David Gravel, who had moved into second, after Joey Saldana suffered a broken rear end while running second.
Late in the race, Schatz caught lapped traffic, and with how fast the track was it took several laps to get around a couple of cars. That allowed Gravel to close as the leader was not able to get around those machines. With six laps remaining, Schatz was able to get around the two cars he had been trying to lap and pulled away.
"My crew did a great job," he said. "Tony Stewart Racing has such a good group of guys and they keep doing such a great job with the race car. When the race car is like that, they are fun to drive. It helps when you get yourself in a good position on the front row."
For Schatz, the win was his 17th of the season and his third triumph at Junction Motor Speedway. He is the only driver that has won more than once at Junction Motor Speedway. The win also helped him extend his lead in the championship standings as he chases his eighth title.
"There is a lot expected out of us, and I expect a lot out of myself as well as my race team at any race track we go to," noted Schatz. "After 20 years, you'd think you'd be able to figure some stuff out. I think it's more of that than anything. It's not a confidence thing. These guys know what they are doing. Some days I may look like I know what I am doing, and some days I actually know what I'm doing. Today we seemed to get everything lined up just right."
Gravel was able to get side-by-side with Schatz coming off turn-four on lap-23, but was not able to make a pass. Late in the race, Gravel had to fend off several charges by Brad Sweet as the pair battled for the second spot. The runner-up finish for Gravel was his 34th top-five finish of the season.
"I had a shot for one lap and then Donny (Schatz) got by Paul (McMahan) and set sail," said Gravel. "I think we got a little free at the end and I got the wing back probably too far to roll that fast of a race track. We're happy with second. We started second in the dash and gained a row there and gained another row in the feature, so I can't complain with that. I would have liked to have won, but it just wasn't in the cards tonight, so we'll move on to Sunday."
Sweet started third and fell back to fifth early, before making a late-race charge. While the lead duo was negotiating the couple of lapped cars during the last 10 laps, Sweet was able to close in on Gravel, but couldn't quite get enough of a run to make a pass.
"It was awfully hard to get by the traffic, because there was so much grip there, three-quarters of the way up the track with that cushion," explained Sweet. "The lapped cars were just fast enough that you couldn't clear them. I would get a run on David (Gravel), but he covered it up pretty good and he was getting good enough runs off the exit that we weren't able to get the right run to make the pass."
The third-place finish for Sweet was his 33rd top-five of the season as he kept pace with Gravel in the point standings. The pair is separated by just three markers.
"You'll have nights like these and you have to be happy with a podium finish," Sweet said. "The Ollie's Bargain Outlet car has been fast and we didn't get the right draw, but Donny (Schatz) did a great job in traffic clearing those couple guys. It got close for a second. That's what he does really well and we have to do a little better. We'll keep working on it and hopefully we can get some wins."
Daryn Pittman finished fourth, after a side-by-side battle with Shane Stewart, who crossed the line fifth. Logan Schuchart finished sixth, with Jason Sides seventh and Jason Johnson eighth. Ian Madsen, who opened the night by setting a new track record in time trials finished ninth. Paul McMahan rounded out the top-10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Sunday, August 21 at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, along with Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprints.
Junction Motor Speedway Notebook:
A-Main - (30 Laps) 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2] [$6,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [4] [$3,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3] [$2,000]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [6] [$1,800]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [7] [$1,500]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5] [$1,400]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [8] [$1,350]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [16] [$1,300]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [9] [$1,250]; 10. 7-Paul McMahan [11] [$1,200]; 11. 1M-Danny Lasoski [12] [$900]; 12. W20-Greg Wilson [13] [$800]; 13. 1A-Jacob Allen [17] [$700]; 14. 53-Jack Dover [15] [$650]; 15. 83-Joey Saldana [1] [$600]; 16. 1X-Don Droud Jr [10] [$550]; 17. 13-Clyde Knipp [14] [$500]. Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-30. KSE Hard Charger Award: 41-Jason Johnson [+8]
Qualifying - 1. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.518; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.561; 3. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.563; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.619; 5. 5-David Gravel, 13.668; 6. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.693; 7. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.706; 8. 83-Joey Saldana, 13.712; 9. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.725; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.756; 11. 1M-Danny Lasoski, 13.781; 12. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.830; 13. 1X-Don Droud Jr, 13.924; 14. 7-Paul McMahan, 14.048; 15. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.061; 16. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.519; 17. 53-Jack Dover, 15.019.
Heat 1 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4] ; 3. 5-David Gravel [3] ; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [5] ; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [1] ; 6. 1X-Don Droud Jr [7] ; 7. 1M-Danny Lasoski [6] ; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [8] ; 9. 53-Jack Dover [9]
Heat 2 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2] ; 2. 83-Joey Saldana [4] ; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [1] ; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [3] ; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [6] ; 6. 7-Paul McMahan [7] ; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [5] ; 8. 13-Clyde Knipp [8]
Heat 3 - (8 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [2] ; 2. 5-David Gravel [1] ; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [3]; 4. 7S-Jason Sides [6] ; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [5] ; 6. 1X-Don Droud Jr [7] ; 7. 7-Paul McMahan [8] ; 8. 1M-Danny Lasoski [9]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [11] ; 10. 13-Clyde Knipp [12] ; 11. 53-Jack Dover [13] ; 12. 41-Jason Johnson [4] ; 13. 1A-Jacob Allen [10]
Dash - (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of A-feature) 1. 83-Joey Saldana [1] ; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2] ; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [4] ; 4. 5-David Gravel [6] ; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3] ; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [5]
World of Outlaws Partner with IRA Sprint Car Series for Cornfest
Series takes on Angell Park Speedway for the first time ever on Aug. 21
CONCORD, N.C. - Aug. 10, 2016 - The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series has partnered with the Bumper-to-Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Car Series for the Cornfest on Sunday, Aug. 21 at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis.
The event, which takes place during the annual Sweet Corn Festival, will be the Outlaws first ever appearance at the historic, 1/3-mile Angell Park.
"We are excited to join the IRA Sprints for this great event and the opportunity to see the Outlaws take on Angell Park," said World Racing Group CEO Brian Carter. "The IRA regulars provide the Outlaw regulars some of their toughest competition all season. I have no doubt, Cornfest will be one to remember."
Earlier this season, IRA regular Bill Balog dominated the World of Outlaws event at Beaver Dam (Wis.) Raceway, scoring his first ever series win.
"Having the Outlaws join the IRA at Cornfest marks the continuation of a great relationship between these two series," said IRA Sprint Car Series President Steve Sinclair. "We are excited at the opportunity to make Cornfest even bigger this year with the addition of the World of Outlaws."
Joining the Outlaws and IRA Sprints for Cornfest will be the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association. This will be the second time this season the series has joined the Outlaws, after taking on Rockford Speedway in June.
Tickets for Cornfest will be available soon at SLSPromotions.com.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Rico Abreu the Strongest Man in Ironman 55 Win
Becomes the sixth different event winner and 16th series winner of the season
PEVELY, Mo. - Aug. 6, 2016 - Rico Abreu proved to be the strongest man Saturday night at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 as he powered forward and battled to the lead scoring his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season and the Federated Auto Parts Ironman 55 presented by Walker.
Abreu, a NASCAR Truck Series regular, slipped back to fifth early but battled back into the top three after a lap 26 restart. He worked his way around the No. 9 of Daryn Pittman then set his sights on the No. 49 of Brad Sweet. Sweet bobbled coming off of turn four and Abreu raced past him onto the front straight.
Through traffic, the then leader Kerry Madsen lost ground to Abreu and Sweet. On lap 38 Abreu threw a slider on Madsen through turns three and four, but Madsen held. What commenced though was a two-lap, three-way battle for the lead. Abreu eventually got around and through restarts, traffic and a brush with the wall on the final lap, Abreu cruised to the Ironman 55 win.
"It's really important. These big ones is what it comes down to. All that hard work all year that these guys have done," Abreu said. "I raced my ass off. It's fun, it all pays off."
Abreu is the 16th different winner of the season and the sixth different driver to score the Ironman 55 title. Since 2009, Craig Dollansky is the only driver to repeat.
Sweet kicked off the night with his second straight quick time award in qualifying. His 11th quick time made him the season's leading qualifier, surpassing Joey Saldana who held the distinction through much of the year.
Madsen, the 2014 Ironman 55 winner, started on the feature pole with with 2015's Ironman winner, Shane Stewart, on his outside.
When the green flag fell, Sweet, who started fourth, battled forward, taking over third on the initial start and then racing Stewart, side-by-side on lap 10 for second. Two laps later, as Madsen worked his way through traffic, Sweet closed the gap on the leader and began challenging him for the lead.
A caution flew and on the restart Madsen pulled away, this time maintaining his top spot through the traffic. When the next caution flag fell on lap 26, Madsen had lapped up to 16th position.
Abreu, who had been sitting in fourth through much of the feature, got his chance on the restart, as he took over third from Pittman and then took advantage of Sweet's mistake on the exit of four to take over second.
On lap 39, again slowed by traffic, Abreu caught Madsen and slid him through turns three and four. It was not enough that lap, but setup a three-way battle for position with Sweet mixing it up, nearly side-by-side-by-side across the line on lap 40. Abreu displayed masterful maneuvering across the track as he took over the lead and, in spite of the strong challenge from Madsen and near disaster at the end, crossed the finish line in first.
To chants of, "Rico, Rico, Rico," from a packed Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, Abreu hoisted the coveted dumbbell trophy and claimed the $20,000 prize.
"We started off pretty tight in the beginning of the race. The tighter our car is, it tends to bog our engine which makes it confusing to know what to do," Abreu said. "I was just trying to maintain my tires underneath me. When I got to those guys I made sure I didn't race them too hard. You can get in an intense battle and heat your tires up and end up running fifth or sixth. I just made sure I hit my marks. The restarts were really important tonight."
Abreu ended the two-year run of Kings Royal winners also taking the Ironman victory. The win is his fourth career series win.
Madsen, who looked to become just the second repeat winner of the Ironman 55, led the first 40 laps of the grueling 55-lap feature. In the end though, Abreu had the edge.
"The guys gave me a fantastic racecar. Just got into traffic there and I just - guy had been running the top and I thought I had him and then he chopped the front and Rico was there to take advantage. This race is always one of our favorites of the year - the fan interaction is fantastic."
Stewart battled past Sweet through the closing laps and took home the final spot on the night's podium. He said the podium finish was needed for his Larson Marks crew as their performance has not been where they want it to be.
"We've been on struggle street really badly lately," Stewart said. "It was a really great race. Normally you try to pace yourself a little but there was no pacing. This is a great event, it's a special race to win. Hats off to Rico, he does a great job."
"Hopefully we can carry this momentum, not only into Knoxville, but into the rest of the season."
Joey Saldana was the KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing nine positions to finish fifth.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series rolls into the biggest week of the season as the series takes on the 5-Hour ENERGY Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey's General Store at Knoxville Raceway, Wednesday, Aug. 10 to Saturday, Aug. 13. To learn more about the Knoxville Nationals, visit WoOSprint.com/Knoxville-Nationals.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook atFacebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at YouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 Notebook
RACE NOTES: Brad Sweet picked up his 11th quick time of the season after taking the qualifying quick time at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55. He is now the season's leading qualifier… Rico Abreu is the 16th different series winner of 2016 and the sixth different winner of the Ironman 55 since the inaugural event in 2009. Craig Dollansky remains the only repeat winner of the event… Joey Saldana was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing nine positions to finish in fifth.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Brent Marks; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): David Gravel;Edelbrock ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Comp Cams ($50 cash): David Gravel; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): James McFadden; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Craftsman/Sears($100 cash): Rico Abreu; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Joey Saldana; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Kerry Madsen; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brent Marks.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 16 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26);David Gravel - 7 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Rico Abreu - 1 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 6); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1(I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55; Pevely, Mo.; Aug. 6, 2016
A-Main - (55 Laps) - 1. 24-Rico Abreu [3] [$20,000]; 2. 29-Kerry Madsen [1] [$6,000]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [2] [$3,750]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [4] [$3,250]; 5. 83-Joey Saldana [14] [$2,750]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [6] [$2,500]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [9] [$2,400]; 8. 7-Paul McMahan [8] [$2,300]; 9. 15-Donny Schatz [17] [$2,200]; 10. 5-David Gravel [10] [$2,100]; 11. 3H-James McFadden [12] [$1,700]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [21] [$1,400]; 13. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [5] [$1,300]; 14. 1A-Jacob Allen [7] [$1,200]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [19] [$1,100]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson [22] [$1,000]; 17. 65-Jordon Goldesberry [15] [$1,000]; 18. 42-Andy McElhannon [23] [$1,000]; 19. O5-Brad Loyet [11] [$1,000]; 20. 19M-Brent Marks [16] [$1,000]; 21. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13] [$1,000]; 22. 84-Brandon Hanks [24] [$1,000]; 23. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [20] [$1,000]; 24. 5D-Zach Daum [18] [$1,000]. Lap Leaders: Kerry Madsen 1-40, Rico Abreu 41-55. KSE Hard Charger Award: 83-Joey Saldana [+9]
Qualifying - 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.023; 2. 83-Joey Saldana, 12.152; 3. 24-Rico Abreu, 12.177; 4. 2X-Parker Price-Miller, 12.259; 5. 29-Kerry Madsen, 12.311; 6. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.325; 7. 7-Paul McMahan, 12.345; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.355; 9. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.411; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.419; 11. O5-Brad Loyet, 12.499; 12. 19M-Brent Marks, 12.521; 13. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.534; 14. 5-David Gravel, 12.575; 15. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.637; 16. 3H-James McFadden, 12.691; 17. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.697; 18. 5D-Zach Daum, 12.738; 19. 65-Jordon Goldesberry, 12.781; 20. 51B-Joe B Miller, 12.860; 21. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.871; 22. 42-Andy McElhannon, 12.962; 23. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.002; 24. 84-Brandon Hanks, 13.060; 25. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.084; 26. 1M-Jim Moughan, 13.193; 27. 79J-Jacob Patton, 13.256; 28. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg, 13.394; 29. 14T-Jimmy Bridgeman, 13.611; 30. 28AM-Brian Paulus, 13.667; 31. 28-Jonathan Cornell, 14.146; 32. 10P-Jim Perricone, 14.213; 33. 44-A.J. Bruns, 20.091
Heat 1 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 29-Kerry Madsen [2]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [4]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [6]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [3]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5]; 7. 13-Clyde Knipp [7]; 8. 14T-Jimmy Bridgeman [8]; 9. 44-A.J. Bruns [9]
Heat 2 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 2-Shane Stewart [2]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [3]; 3. 5-David Gravel [4]; 4. 83-Joey Saldana [1]; 5. 5D-Zach Daum [5]; 6. 42-Andy McElhannon [6]; 7. 1M-Jim Moughan [7]; 8. 28AM-Brian Paulus [8]
Heat 3 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 24-Rico Abreu [1]; 2. 7-Paul McMahan [2]; 3. O5-Brad Loyet [3]; 4. 65-Jordon Goldesberry [5]; 5. 7S-Jason Sides [4]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [6]; 7. 28-Jonathan Cornell [8]; 8. 79J-Jacob Patton [7]
Heat 4 - (10 Laps - Top 5 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [1]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [2]; 3. 3H-James McFadden [4]; 4. 19M-Brent Marks [3]; 5. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [7]; 6. 84-Brandon Hanks [6]; 7. 10P-Jim Perricone [8]; 8. 51B-Joe B Miller [5]
Dash - (8 Laps, finishing order determined first 8 starting positions of A-feature) - 1. 29-Kerry Madsen [1]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [2]; 3. 24-Rico Abreu [3]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [5]; 5. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [4]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [8]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [6]; 8. 7-Paul McMahan [7]
Last Chance Showdown - (12 Laps - Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1] [-]; 2. W20-Greg Wilson [4] [-]; 3. 42-Andy McElhannon [3] [-]; 4. 84-Brandon Hanks [5] [-]; 5. 28-Jonathan Cornell [11] [$300]; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [6] [$250]; 7. 44-A.J. Bruns [13] [$225]; 8. 28AM-Brian Paulus [10] [$200]; 9. 79J-Jacob Patton [8] [$200]; 10. 1M-Jim Moughan [7] [$200]; 11. 10P-Jim Perricone [12] [$200]; 12. 51B-Joe B Miller [2] [$200]; 13. 14T-Jimmy Bridgeman [9] [$200]
Gravel Battles Rain, Restarts for Prelude to the Ironman Win
Scores his second straight win and seventh of the season
PEVELY, Mo. - Aug. 5, 2016 - Neither rain nor restarts could dampen David Gravel's Friday night as he dominated the Monroe Shocks and Struts Prelude to the Ironman at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 and scored his second straight and seventh overall World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
Off-and-on light rain fell on the 1/3 mile, bullring in Pevely, Mo. throughout the feature, but Gravel was the class of the field in his No. 5 Big Game Treestands machine. Multiple restarts hit in the middle of the 35-lap main event, but Gravel held off the competition behind and cruised to the finish. He has led the last 75 laps of World of Outlaws competition.
"We're really rolling right now," Gravel said in victory lane. "It was a really fast race track around the top and the rain made the top even better and tighter as the race went on… We've won a rain-shortened race so you don't want to get too many of those. You want to earn them. You needed that 35-lap workout because 55 laps tomorrow is going to be tough, for sure."
Brad Sweet helped kick off the night by claiming his 10th quick time award, for being the fastest qualifier, this season. He and Joey Saldana are now tied for the most in 2016.
Gravel was the beneficiary of the Dash inversion draw and started on the Dash pole next to Jacob Allen. The two drivers finished first and second and started in the same positions in the feature.
When the green flag waved, Gravel quickly built up a lead as Allen held off Donny Schatz. When Gravel caught the tail end of the field, he had 1.5 second lead.
The first caution flag of the night flew on lap 9 as James McFadden spun through turns one and two. On the restart, Gravel jumped forward, but the next five positions behind jumbled up as Allen and Sweet made contact, opening the door for Donny Schatz and Daryn Pittman. Schatz quickly took over second as Pittman battled Allen side-by-side through turns one and two and took over third as they entered on to the back straight.
Through a spate of cautions in the middle of the feature, Daryn Pittman, who nearly lost third to his Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb teammate, Brad Sweet, battled past Schatz for second as Sweet and Schatz engaged in a multi-lap battle for the third position.
"Once Donny took a few slide jobs at me and I got my momentum going and cleared him," Sweet said. "I'm sure he was right there with me, but there wasn't much you could do with the lapped cars on the bottom."
Sweet eventually took over the position in his No. 49 Ollies Bargain Outlet car.
Through the closing laps, Pittman tried to find a line around Gravel in his No. 9 Great Clips car but was only able to slightly lessen the gap.
Gravel, Pittman and Sweet all now have seven wins on the season. Gravel sits second in the championship standings, 235 points out of the lead.
"Just glad to hang on," Gravel said. "I've got to thank (my crew) Barry, Derek and Austin, they do a great job, (my CJB Motorsports team owners) Chad and Jenn Clemens for this opportunity. It's been an awesome season. Hopefully, we can keep doing what we're doing."
Pittman said the restarts were key throughout the night - for him the most consequential was the first one that helped him into the podium positions.
"We got a good restart there on Donny and we were lucky - we had a lot of breaks go our way tonight," Pittmans said. "We had a restart where I started sixth and got to third on that one, so that helped a ton. I thought I actually had a shot on Gravel, but didn't feel like I had him cleared so I had to leave him some room. Good effort by my guys and a good finish for us."
Sweet said Schatz made it challenging through the middle portion of the race but once he got on the high line, he felt good about his position.
"There were a lot of restarts. It was just a matter of some worked for me and some didn't," Sweet said. "If we had anymore yellows or lapped traffic to get in the way of Daryn and David for us to have a shot at them - just a tricky, rough track. Glad we came out in third. We'll come back tomorrow and hopefully run a good 55 laps."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action Saturday at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 for the $20,000-to-win, Federated Auto Parts Ironman 55 presented by Walker. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit WoOSprint.com/Ironman-55.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 Notebook
RACE NOTES: David Gravel has led the last 75 laps of World of Outlaws competition. He has two straight wins where he led flag-to-flag… Brad Loyet was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 10 positions to finish in 10th… All three of the night's podium finishers, David Gravel, Daryn Pittman and Brad Sweet all have seven wins… Brad Sweet and Joey Saldana are now tied for the most quick time awards this season with 10 apiece.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Paul McMahan; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): David Gravel; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Parker Price-Miller;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Brad Loyet; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): David Gravel; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brent Marks.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 16 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26); David Gravel - 7 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30, Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on Aug. 5); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22);Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1(Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Wilmot Warrior: David Gravel wins O’Reilly Auto Parts Badger 40 at Wilmot Raceway
Scores his sixth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season
By Tony Veneziano
WILMOT, Wisc. - July 30, 2016 - David Gravel has been under the weather over the course of the last week, but he didn't let that slow him down on Saturday night in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Badger 40 at Wilmot Raceway in Wisconsin. The native of Watertown, Connecticut, led all 40 laps to claim his sixth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of the season.
Gravel has now won in both of his starts with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Wilmot Raceway and has 13 career wins with the series.
"It's been a rough last six or seven days for me and I'm just starting to feel better," said Gravel, who drives the Big Game Treestands machine for CJB Motorsports. "The car was just awesome. I've only had one other car ever that has driven perfect like that. There was a lot of yellows and that gave Donny (Schatz) a lot of shots at me and chances to try to change it up a little bit."
Gravel started on the pole and withstood five cautions flags. On four of the double-file restarts, he had seven-time and defending World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion Donny Schatz lining up beside him. Gravel used strong restarts each time to sprint to a sizeable lead in open track.
"Some yellows helped me not have to deal with lapped traffic," explained Gravel. "There at the end, I passed a couple of lapped cars and had a pocket with about five to go. I think I saw Donny poke his nose, and I knew I had to get going and that gave me a little cushion. Our car was so good on the top that it just drove itself, really. Typically, we struggle on restarts with tire pressure and laying over on the right rear. That car was great tonight."
The win for Gravel was his sixth of the season, which surpasses his previous career-high of five, which he set in 2014. The 24-year-old has now won four times on short tracks this year, after conquering the third-mile Wilmot Raceway.
"I wanted to beat the five wins I had a few years ago and did that tonight," he noted. "Hopefully we'll be able to keep this rolling the rest of the year."
The race got off to a rocky start, with the yellow flag waving three times in the first dozen laps. The first yellow of the race came out on the second lap, when Jacob Allen, who was running second, spun. Just past the halfway point of the race, while in traffic, Schatz was able to get his nose under Gravel in turns three and four, but wasn't able to make a pass. The final 19 laps of the race went caution-free, putting the leaders into lapped traffic, some of which was heavy at times.
Schatz, who started sixth, ran the high side of the track most of the 40-lap race. With just a handful of laps remaining he gained ground on Gravel in lapped traffic, at one point, splitting two slower machines coming off turn four, but was never quite able to get a run on the leader.
"I'm happy to get a good finish," said Schatz, driver of the Bad Boy Off-Road J&J for Tony Stewart Racing. "Riding the rim is not really my game, but I can make it my game if I have to. I just kind of bouncing off the cushion in (turns) four and two. I thought I had a good shot at him, but if I got off the cushion, I couldn't go anywhere. Getting there was one thing and passing was another."
The O'Reilly Auto Parts Badger 40 wrapped up a busy month of July for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and Schatz finished first or second in 10 of 13 races in the month, with his lowest finish in that span being a seventh-place effort.
"These guys did a pretty good job here and we had an incredible July," said Schatz. "Tomorrow July is over, so the next time we get to race is August and we are worried about the big races next weekend and beyond."
Joey Saldana finished third on Saturday night, after starting fourth. The veteran driver battled Schatz for the second spot throughout the second half of the race, getting several runs, but was unable to make a pass. For Saldana, the third-place showing was his third-straight top-five finish at Wilmot.
"This is a great team and I am lucky enough to drive this car," said Saldana. "Everyone is working hard and we are hanging in there. We are just missing something little. Being on the front straightaway, hopefully you can win some of these races. We'll keep doing what are doing and try to stay as positive as possible. It's easy to get down and beat up. We'll take this and go on to Pevely and hopefully get a couple of spots better."
Brad Sweet finished fourth on Saturday night, with his Kasey Kahne Racing teammate Daryn Pittman rounding out the top-five. Sweet opened the night by setting fast time for the ninth time this season. Shane Stewart finished sixth, with Jason Johnson seventh and Jason Sides, who ran in the top-three for a portion of the race, finishing eighth. Greg Wilson picked up the KSE Hard Charger Award, coming from 17th to ninth. Logan Schuchart rounded out the top-10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series enters the final stretch of the 'Month of Money' on Friday, Aug. 5 as the series kicks off the Ironman weekend at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 weekend. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit WoOSprint.com/Ironman-55.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Wilmot Raceway Notebook
RACE NOTES: David Gravel scored his second career win at Wilmot Raceway on Saturday night. He has the last two victories for the series at the track… Leading rookie of the year candidate Greg Wilson was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing eight positions to finish in ninth… Brad Sweet picked up his ninth quick time award of the season. He is now one quick time away from matching the season's leading qualifier Joey Saldana… Outlaws drivers occupied all the first 12 finishing positions.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Matt Vandevere; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): David Gravel; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Super Flow ($50 cash): Ben Schmidt; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): N/A; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): David Gravel;JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Dane Lorenc; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Matt Vandevere.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 16 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); David Gravel - 6 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19, Wilmot Raceway on July 30);Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 2 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
World of Outlaws at Hartford Postponed Until September 21
Series returns to action tomorrow night at Wilmot (Wis.) Raceway
HARTFORD, Mich. - July 29, 2016 - The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series event at Hartford Speedway has been rained out Friday night following the second Qualifier event.
The series will return to action at the track on Wednesday, Sept. 21 for a full event, including hot laps, qualifying and heat races.
All tickets and pit passes from tonight's race will be honored for the re-scheduled event on Wednesday, September 21, so fans are asked to keep their tickets and pit passes.
The series heads east tomorrow night, Saturday, July 30, for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Badger 40 at Wilmot (Wis.) Speedway. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visitWoOSprint.com/Wilmot-Raceway.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Schatz Comes Out On Top of Three-Way Battle at Ohsweken
Scores his 16th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season
OHSWEKEN, Ont. - July 26, 2016 - A three-way battle for the lead dominated Tuesday night's Six Nations Showdown at Ohsweken Speedway with Donny Schatz, Jacob Allen and Brad Sweet jockeying for the top spot. Ultimately, it was Schatz who broke away from the pack and claimed his 16th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
The win was the third in the last four seasons for Schatz at Ohsweken - the series' only stop in Canada this season.
"Always good to get a win," Schatz said. "Canada has been very good to me. I love coming up here… Glad to be at Ohsweken tonight. We're going to go back to the (United) States and try to win some more."
On the drop of the green flag, Jason Johnson very quickly shot out front but the move was short-lived as Schatz battled by off of turn four and led the first lap. As Schatz moved, Sweet followed with Allen in hot pursuit.
On lap three, Allen battled past Sweet for second off of turn two as Schatz tried to gain distance on the drivers - Sweet charged back.
As Schatz caught lapped traffic an already short-distance between first and second closed even tighter. On lap eight, Sweet took over the lead in his No. 49 Ollie's Bargain Outlet car from Schatz. Schatz was not ready to give up as the two-way battle extended to a three-way battle with Allen still in the mix. Schatz retook the lead from Sweet off turn four.
Next it was Allen's turn as he took over second in his No. 1A Mark Pell Tire Service/Marty Thompson Investments car and began challenging Schatz for the lead. He stayed close through the succeeding laps and on lap 18, Allen took advantage of lapped traffic and pulled side-by-side with the No. 15 Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance car. As the two drag raced into turns one and two, Allen threw the slider, trying to close off of two. Schatz however had the advantage on the exit and held on to the top spot.
The first and only caution of the night flew on lap 26. As the field took the green flag one last time, single-file, Schatz led Allen, Sweet, Pittman and Johnson.
Allen again tried to get around Schatz with a slider in turns one and two but Schatz again held the top spot. Two laps later, it was Sweet with the slider around Allen to take over the second position. Sweet worked to run down Schatz in the closing laps as Allen had his hands full with his teammate Logan Schuchart, who was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 10 positions to finish in fourth.
At the line it was Schatz, Sweet and Allen, who had to close the door on the car behind him through the final distance to finish on the podium.
"There was times that we had to move around the race track and I could get by guys on the race track," Schatz said. "That's what keeps it fun. Those other guys got to us and you kind of just had to keep moving around and stay patient. I didn't want to see that yellow at the end. I knew I just to carry my speed."
Schatz extended his lead after the night's feature to 245 over second place Daryn Pittman.
For Sweet, the second-place finish was a good momentum builder after a tough month that has not gone as planned.
"Donny is always going to be tough. I got by him there for one second. In lapped traffic I was a little too committed to the top. I just couldn't quite roll the middle as good as him. Jacob had the car for maneuvering around the race track."
"It's been a long month for us, so it's nice to get some momentum on our side."
Allen rolled onto the front stretch in third after what has been a good month for his Shark Racing team, including a win for his teammate Logan Schuchart at Cedar Lake Speedway two and a half weeks ago. The finish is the second podium run of the season for Allen.
"Down in one and two at the beginning it was a little tricky. You had to slow up a lot but coming off it was really nice and it seemed like they were getting loose hanging off. That went away down in one and two and they were getting around the top really good and that was the place to be.
It was a really fun race. And I'm just really blessed to be up here and race with those guys. My team does such a great job and I can't thank my dad and those guys enough for what they do. I'm blessed to be out here and having a lot of fun."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series rolls to Michigan as the series takes on Hartford Motor Speedway for the first time since 2011 on Friday, July 29. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit WoOSprint.com/Hartford-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Ohsweken Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Tonight's win was Donny Schatz's third win at Ohsweken Speedway in the last four seasons. He now has four total Outlaws wins at the track. Schatz stood in victory lane at the track in 2015, 2014 and 2010… NASCAR star and Outlaws team owner Kasey Kahne made his second series start this season. After winning the previous night's 360 sprint car feature, Kahne finished 14th with the Outlaws… Logan Schuchart was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 10 positions to finish in fourth… Jacob Allen picked up his second podium finish of the season with a third place run.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Dane Lorenc; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Craig Dollansky; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Craig Dollansky; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Dane Lorenc.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 16 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16, Ohsweken Speedway on July 26); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); David Gravel - 5 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1(Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is br
A Little Luck and A Lot of Skill Help Lance Dewease to Summer Nationals Win
Retains coveted Morgan Cup trophy for the Pennsylvania Posse and pockets $25,000
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - July 23, 2016 - Lance Dewease's World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory in the the Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals finale at Williams Grove Speedway on Saturday night took a lot of hard work and a little good luck.
Dewease, who spent much of the first two-thirds of the feature looking for a line around Joey Saldana, battled to the lead on one restart, had do it again after the caution flew before a lap was completed and then, after the caution flew on the final lap for Aaron Ott, who spun near the start/finish line, ran out of fuel as the open red was called.
"I was out (of fuel) about six laps before that," Dewease said. "It kept shutting off going down the straight away. I just slowed way out of the throttle so I could try to make it to the end, took the white, it sputtered a little going up the back stretch, I thought I was good and we come of four for the checkered and the yellow comes out. I thought, man, we're done… Everything went our way tonight."
In addition to claiming $25,000, Dewease also kept the Morgan Cup at Williams Grove for the local, Pennsylvania Posse fans. The win is the second of the season for Dewease who stood in victory lane at Williams Grove on May 20.
Notably, the win was the 10th series victory of Dewease's career which tied him with Johnny Herrera and his car owner Don Kreitz Jr. for 33rd on the all-time wins list.
Daryn Pittman, who won the previous night, had the early momentum as he scored the quick time award, a Heat race win and the Dash win which put him on the pole of the 30-lap feature.
It was Joey Saldana though who jumped out to the early lead in his No. 83 Roth Motorsports car. Dewease, who started in fourth got around Greg Hodnett for third on lap seven and then, on a restart, powered his No. 69K Kreitz Oval Track Parts/Sharman Builders car around the No. 9 Great Clips car of Daryn Pittman to take over second.
Through multiple restarts, Saldana held off Dewease. With 11 laps remaining, the No. 48 of Danny Dietrich brought out the caution after spinning on the front straight. When the field returned to green Dewease battled to the lead but before a lap could be completed, the caution again flew after a large piece of a nose wing ended up in the middle of the racing groove in turn two.
Saldana took the lead back but was not able to hold off Dewease, as the No. 69K again battled to the lead. As Saldana fell off Pittman took over the second and David Gravel took over third.
Dewease cruised through the final laps, building a large lead on Pittman in second. As Dewease rounded the final corner, the caution again flew for Ott who had spun and stopped at the start/finish line.
Just as series officials called the open red after hitting the maximum number of laps on a fuel load, Dewease ran out of fuel. After refueling for the final start, the field restacked single file with Dewease leading Pittman, and by that point, the No. 51S Trans East Equipment/Miller Bros. Chevrolet car of Stevie Smith.
Dewease easily retained the top spot on the green-white-checkered. As he crossed the finish line much of the front grandstand rose to their feet to cheer for the No. 69K. Pittman, a former regular in Central Pennsylvania, finished in second with Smith in third.
With Kreitz and Hall-of-Fame mechanic Davey Brown at his side, Dewease celebrated the win.
"Everything is about (Don Kreitz) and (Davey Brown) on this deal," Dewease said. "I'm just the guy driving it and I'm just having so much fun this year. It's just a pleasure."
For their part, Brown and Kreitz were jubilant in victory lane.
"I just couldn't ask for a better driver," Brown said. "He's just so good, I can't believe it."
"I can hardly talk," Kreitz said. "I've got tears in my eyes. Lance did a hell of a job driving the car and the moves he made in it."
The win ties the Outlaws vs. Pennsylvania Posse battle at two wins to two wins. The two sides will pick up the battle again at the end of September for the National Open at Williams Grove.
Pittman, who closed out the weekend with a win and second place, said he just was not quite quick enough to start the feature, but commended his Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb team for a solid weekend.
"We got beat by a better car and that car has been hard to beat all year," Pittman said of Dewease. "We got one on him last night by starting in front of him. I finally found a decent line there at the end and felt like I could at least maintain with him and sort of keep his pace but at the end of the day he was just quicker than us."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series head north of the border on Tuesday to Ohsweken (Ont.) Speedway for the Six Nations Showdown - the Outlaws only appearance in Canada this season. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit WoOSprint.com/Ohsweken-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Williams Grove Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Tonight's win was the second of the World of Outlaws season for Lance Dewease who last stood in victory lane at Williams Grove on May 20… Lance Dewease scored his 10th career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory which ties him for 33rd with Johnny Herrara and his car owner, Don Kreitz Jr…. Kerry Madsen was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 13 positions to finish in ninth... The Outlaws and Pennsyvlania Posse are now tied two to two for wins on the season.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jason Johnson; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Super Flow ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Greg Hodnett;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Kerry Madsen; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Tim Shaffer.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 15 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); David Gravel - 5 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Williams Grove Speedway on July 23); Kerry Madsen - 2(Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Daryn Pittman Pounces on the Posse at Williams Grove Summer Nationals
Posse regulars Dewease and Hodnett round out the podium
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - July 22, 2016 - Daryn Pittman held off the Pennsylvania Posse in Friday night's Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals opener at Williams Grove Speedway to score his seventh World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
Posse regulars Lance Dewease and Greg Hodnett both tried to run down the No. 9 Great Clips car, but Pittman held tough and gave the Outlaws their second win in Posse territory this season.
"I don't know if I'm more nervous with (Hodnett) behind me or (Dewease) - neither one of them you want to see on the scoreboard," Pittman said in victory lane. "Man, we won again at Williams Grove… this is a special race track to win at."
Pittman was fast all night taking a late run in the qualifying flight two that catapulted him to the top of the charts and his fifth quick time award of the season. After a second place finish in Heat three, Pittman was poised to start the Dash in sixth until the Dash inversion draw which ultimately put Pittman on the Dash pole.
When the initial green fell on the night's 25-lap feature, Pittman jumped out to a strong early lead as Hodnett battled past Aaron Ott to take over the second position. Through a series of early cautions, Jason Johnson battled into the third position and then had to deal with a challenge from Dewease who drove his No. 69K Henry R. Sharman Builders, Kreitz Racing machine into the third spot and then second following a mid-race caution.
When the field returned to green, contact between Schatz and Johnson caused Johnson to flip and brought out a red flag, the final stoppage of the night.
Through the remaining laps, Pittman built up a nearly two second lead as Dewease worked to run him. Lapped traffic on the final lap was nearly problematic for Pittman as Dewease closed the gap but Pittman escaped and earned the win at Williams Grove.
"You knew the 69K came from a ways back and I wasn't sure what (crew chief Kale Kahne) was going to tell me to do under the red. I was kind of thinking 'man, I need to change my line.' And he said, 'just keeping running the top.' And I was like, 'man. are you sure?' That 69, I guarantee he's not running the top," Pittman said. "We got hung up in some lap traffic on the last lap and I felt like I made a pretty bad corner but luckily was able to hold onto it down the backstretch and was able to slide myself through three and four."
The win gives Pittman his seventh of the season, good enough for the second-mostand propelled him to third in the championship point standings over his teammate Brad Sweet. The win is also the second for the Outlaws, who, with Schatz's victory at Lincoln Speedway earlier in the season, now have a two-to-one lead over the Pennsylvania Posse.
Dewease, who finished in second and is the owner of the other series race win at Williams Grove this season, said the unusual track conditions were a challenge for he and his team all night.
"(This track) isn't my type of deal, this (car) likes it real slick. (The car) was really nice all night. Davey does a wonderful job. This is a new car - this is only like the third race on it. Davey and Donny, they work their butts off and I couldn't be happier to drive it as hard as I can for those guys."
Hodnett, who finished in third, said his No. 27 Heffner Racing /Trone Outdoors car was not quite where it needed to be tonight.
"We were really disappointed. We just weren't good to run the cushion all night and I don't know why," Hodnett said. "We were just balled up on it and loose off of it. We just weren't good enough to to run anywhere but on it and then not very good on it. The track was pretty different than what it had been all year so we've got a little work to do. Thankful to be on the front stretch with this group of competitors we have here."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continue their battle with the Pennsylvania Posse tonight as the two close out the Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals at Williams Grove Speedway. One driver will take home $25,000 and claim the coveted Morgan Cup Trophy for the Outlaws and Posse. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit WoOSprint.com/Summer-Nationals.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Williams Grove Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Daryn Pittman picked up his seventh World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway and first at the track since 2014… Pennsylvania Posse regulars claimed the most top-10 positions with five while Outlaws regulars took three spots in the top-ten… Brent Marks was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 12 positions to finish in 12th… Tonight's pole position was Daryn Pittman's 11th of the season. He is the season's leading pole sitter.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jacob Allen; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; Edelbrock ($50 cash): James McFadden; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Aaron Ott; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Brent Marks; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Schuchart.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 15 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 7 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Williams Grove Speedway on July 22); David Gravel - 5 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
David Gravel Battles to Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup Victory
Picks up his fifth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season
SARVER, Pa. - July 19, 2016 - Donny Schatz did not make it easy, but David Gravel proved up to the task as he battled to his fifth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season in the 25th Annual Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup at Lernerville Speedway on Tuesday night.
Gravel started from the front, but did not have an easy road as Schatz moved forward early and then began challenging the Watertown, Conn.-native for the lead. Through lapped traffic, Schatz closed the distance and then battled by Gravel. Gravel kept up the pressure though and, the next lap by, was in position when Schatz bobbled on the cushion. He took back the top spot and held off challenges through the end of the 40-lap feature.
"Donny is really good - Dale (Blaney) and Donny at this type of race track," Schatz said. "I tried to keep my pace up as good as I can but it got harder and harder and harder to run. When Donny showed his nose there and passed me, I got the wing back and tried a different line down the back stretch and was able to get underneath him and slide him back and slide a lapped car. That was the winning move there really."
The win comes less than a week after Gravel last stood in victory lane with his CJB Motorsports team - that time at the inaugural Jokers Wild at Eldora Speedway. It is Gravel's first ever win at Lernerville and moved him past Brad Sweet and into the second position in championship standings. He is now 226 points behind Schatz.
The No. 5 Big Game Treestands started out the night taking the quick time award - his fourth of the season.
Gravel shared the front row of the feature with Blaney, who stood in victory lane at the Silver Cup in 2015. Through the opening laps, Gravel pulled out to a strong lead over Blaney.
Schatz quickly battled to third and after an early caution pulled wheel-to-wheel with Blaney for second. Blaney however held the spot through the first 10 laps. Another caution brought the field together and after several laps, Schatz battled past Blaney for second.
As Gravel worked his way through traffic, Schatz began closing on the No. 5 car, from an over two second lead, Schatz brought it down to .603 seconds by lap 23. As rode the cushion around the top of the track, Schatz brought his No. 15 Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance J&J close but could not find a way by.
Gravel again pulled away but Schatz again closed the gap. This time, Schatz got around Gravel after sliding him through turns one and two for the lead. The reigning series champion's hold on the top spot was tenuous though as the No. 5 car took advantage of a mistake and retook the top spot. Though Schatz stayed close, it was smooth sailing to the end.
"Donny was really good there at the end. I could hear him," Gravel said. "And the cushion pushed the edge of the track off of four and I was just happy to hang on."
Schatz, fresh off his $50,000 Kings Royal victory was disappointed by the second place run.
"I shoved over the edge, that's just the way it goes," Schatz said. "Winning the Kings Royal and then coming and running second kind of feels like I let my race team down. I did everything I could. I know they did too… That's just the way this sport is. Some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield."
He extended his lead over second place in the championship standings to 226 points. Following the Silver Cup in 2015, Schatz had a larger 294-point lead over the then second-place team of Shane Stewart.
Blaney, who came into the night as the past winner of the event, sad he was disappointed with the finish for his No. 1B GoMuddy.com team.
"It felt like we had a really good car all night," Blaney said. "Man, I just couldn't get maneuverable in that race at all. I couldn't float the corner. Just really disappointed… we've run so good here. We've run really good when the track gets like this but we just missed it a little bit in the feature."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues through the 'Month of Money' as it heads east this week to Pennsylvania Posse territory to take on Williams Grove Speedway for the Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals. Learn more about the Summer Nationals, visit WoOSprint.com/Summer-Nationals.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Lernerville Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Tonight's win was the fifth of the season for David Gravel and second in the last week. Gravel last won on Thursday at the inaugural Jokers Wild at Eldora Speedway… Kraig Kinser was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 10 positions to finish in fourth… The win is the second biggest of Gravel's career after the $50,000-to-win National Open at Williams Grove Speedway in 2014… Brad Sweet fell to third in the championship standings as Gravel took over the second position, 226 points out of the lead.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 15 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 6 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15); David Gravel - 5 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14, Lernerville Speedway on July 19);Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Logan Schuchart - 1(Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1(The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Eldora Speedway Crowns King Donny XXXIII at Kings Royal
Schatz scores his third Kings Royal title and 15th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the year
ROSSBURG, Ohio - July 16, 2016 - It has been nearly a decade since he last stood in victory lane at the Kings Royal, but Donny Schatz looked like a natural as he was crowned King Donny XXXIII - his third Kings Royal title since 2007 - on Saturday night at Eldora Speedway.
Schatz who drew number 15 in the qualifying pill draw and was looking to get his 15th World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season had the luck on his side, he just needed the hard work to push him through - and that's exactly what he and his team did.
"This is unbelievable," Schatz said. "It's been a challenge here all weekend and it's one of them places, we felt like we've been good at the Royal and we've maybe just done the wrong things. But not tonight. We were awesome all night. These guys got the car qualified well, got through the Heat, the car was awesome in the Heat races. It's such a blast."
The $50,000 win comes as Schatz and his No. 15 Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance team finds its stride and rolls through the critical 'Month of Money.' Since June 1, Schatz has racked up eight series wins and built up a 186 point lead in the championship standings over second place Brad Sweet.
Schatz, who finished both the Jokers Wild and Knight Before the Kings Royal at Eldora in second, credited his Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing team for helping put him in position.
"I know I get to stand here but this race team is what wins these races," Schatz said. "These guys are incredible in what they do. You can't say enough about them. They are the ones that need to be wearing this uniform. They are the ones responsible for making that racecar."
Kerry Madsen kicked off the night with the qualifying quick time but under the special Kings Royal format, it was the Heat races that were critical for the night. With a five car inversion, Schatz, who qualified fourth, was in the middle of the pack of his Heat race but battled forward to take the win.
On the initial start of the 40-lap feature, it was second-place starter Brian Brown who jumped out to the early lead. Brown though had his hands full immediately with three-time Kings Royal champion Sammy Swindell. Swindell battled Brown with intense pressure through the first eight laps and then found a line around on lap nine.
Swindell's lead was short-lived though as a hard-charging Brad Sweet battled past Brown for third and then set his sights on Swindell. As the two drivers worked to complete lap 12, Sweet cleared the No. 1 Big Game Treestands car off of turn four.
But like the leader before, Sweet shortly had company with Schatz and Christopher Bell.
"We were a little too good, too early," Sweet said. "I was smiling in the first 20 laps when we drove to the lead there. But I know how long this race is and I didn't get through lapped cars there in the beginning. Slipped my tires a few times and Donny and (Christopher Bell) got by me. Once they had the position on me, I thought they were a little bit better at the end."
With Schatz around on lap 20, Bell tried to make a move but, while driving second, got into the turn four wall, briefly climbed it and caught the fence before settling on track. A red flag later, Bell's night was done.
On the restart, it was Rico Abreu on the move in his No. 24 Abreu Vineyards car. He threw the slider on Schatz into turns one and two but Schatz held him off. Through the closing laps, Abreu shortened the distance to Schatz and with just two laps remaining, he made a last ditch effort to get around the No. 15, pulling even with Schatz off of turn four, but Schatz pulled away, scoring his 15th victory of the season.
"I figured (Rico) had to be close," Schatz said. "(Kerry Madsen) was on the top and someone else was on the bottom and I tried to float through the middle there of one and two but I just couldn't keep the tires underneath me like I knew I could, so I knew someone was coming. Rico is a hell of a racer, he's going to give it his all, all of the time. I knew I was going to have to do what I could. I knew I missed the corner and that probably gave him a real good shot to get close but standing here, we're going to enjoy the hell of out of this."
Abreu, who finished behind Schatz in third the two previous nights at Eldora, said he has to get smarter at the end of the races to make sure he is in contention.
"We've been right there putting ourselves in position, it's just baby steps that separate the men from the boys in winning these races," Abreu said. "Paul Silva, Trevor, Matt, Bubba, they all do a great job preparing this race car and it builds a lot of confidence in the last few weeks, how competitive we've been.
"Donny's right there, he's the guy to beat every night. It makes you race a lot harder, it makes you think a lot smarter. Getting around him, watching him race. That's why he's on the podium."
For Sweet, his finish was a good step forward after he and his No. 49 Ollie's Bargain Outlet team struggled in the opening nights at Eldora. He said, ultimately, he was too good, too early in the night's feature event.
"I was smiling in the first 20 laps when we drove to the lead there," Sweet said. "But I know how long this race is and I didn't get through lapped cars there in the beginning. Slipped my tires a few times and Donny and Bell got by me. Once they had the position on me, I thought they were a little bit better at the end. The way the weekend went, it's nice to be up here on the podium and actually contending for the Kings Royal."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action Tuesday at Lernerville Speedway for the $25,000-to-win Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup. Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the event and learn more by visiting WoOSprint.com/Silver-Cup.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Eldora Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz scored his third career Kings Royal victory. He previously won the Kings Royal in 2007 and 2009… The night's win was Schatz's 15th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season… Daryn Pittman, who won the Knight Before the Kings Royal the previous night at Eldora Speedway, captured the KSE Racing Hard Charger award, advancing 16 positions to finish in seventh… Kerry Madsen scored his second quick time award of the season - notable tonight as a rebound from a crash that sidelined Madsen the night before in qualifying.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 15 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12, Eldora Speedway on July 16); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 6 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); David Gravel - 4 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22);Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Daryn Pittman Tops in Knight Before the Kings Royal Victory
Donny Schatz and Rico Abreu repeat their previous night’s performance
ROSSBURG, Ohio - July 15, 2016 - Daryn Pittman dominated the Knight Before the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway on Friday night, as he cruised to his sixth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
For Pittman, the win was his first at the historic half-mile oval in Rossburg, Ohio since May 4, 2013. Even with the victory, Saturday night's $50,000-to-win Kings Royal, one of the most coveted wins in all of motorsports, was on Pittman's mind.
"Hats off to this Great Clips team. We had a really great car," Pittman said. "It doesn't matter how good you are tonight. We can't do exactly what we did, tomorrow night. Tomorrow night is a new race track. Try to go after my second Kings Royal. It was a pretty special win in 2008."
The win did not come without a little adversity for the No. 9 Great Clips team though. Pittman, started on the outside front row and battled to the lead on the opening lap. As he put distance between he and second-place Joey Saldana, he bounced off the wall in turn four.
"I was out front and I was slow and I didn't think I was getting through three and four fast enough and tried to pick up the pace a little bit," Pittman said. "I didn't think I was close to the fence, and I hit it and hit it hard. I ran about the next three laps thinking I was going to have a flat or did some damage but luckily the car held on."
Donny Schatz was charging in his No. 15 Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance/J&J. After dispensing with Shane Stewart, Schatz caught the No. 83 of Joey Saldana and looked for a line around. The two were side-by-side as they worked to complete lap 10 but Saldana held the spot. A lap later, Schatz got another run on Saldana and took over second as the two dove into turn three.
As Pittman worked his way through traffic, Schatz closed the gap briefly but then Pittman began to pull away again.
"The (No. 9) car was awful good," Schatz said. "I couldn't even get through traffic… (We were gaining on Pittman) until the fuel load came off."
Rico Abreu, who started ninth in his No. 24 Abreu Vineyards machine, worked his way through the field and by lap 16 was challenging Saldana for third. Three laps later, Abreu got around Saldana to take over the final podium position.
"I searched around and searched around and found the happy medium on my car," Abreu said. "I moved the wing back a little sooner than some other cars and that's how I gained those spots."
Through the closing laps, Pittman adeptly worked his way through traffic and built a sizeable gap on Schatz, Abreu and the field.
When the checkered flag fell, Pittman scored his sixth win of the season. Schatz and Abreu matched their finishing positions from the night before at Eldora.
"It's a dream come true to come drive for this team and I'm just doing my part to try to stay in it," Pittman said of Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb. "It was a great win for us."
Schatz said his Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing team tried some things in the Dash that did not quite work out. He said that coupled with a slick racing surface made for a challenging night.
"You never know what tomorrow night will bring. We'll look forward to a good day tomorrow," Schatz said.
David Gravel, who won the inaugural Jokers Wild on Thursday night scored his third quick time award of the season on Friday after posting a qualifying lap of 13.600 seconds. Brad Sweet was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing eight positions to finish in fifth.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series takes on the 33rd Annual Kings Royal on Saturday night. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Eldora Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Daryn Pittman's win tonight was the sixth of the season for his Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb team… Pittman last stood in victory lane at the legendary Eldora Speedway on May 4, 2013… Donny Schatz continued to extend his points lead on Friday night. He now leads Brad Sweet in second by 186 points… Brad Sweet was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing eight positions to finish in 12th… Donny Schatz and Rico Abreu repeated their performances from the Jokers Wild the night before, standing in victory lane in the second and third positions… David Gravel picked up his third quick time award of the season after posting a lap of 13.600 seconds around the half-mile oval.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Brent Marks; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Chad Kemenah; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Trey Starks; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Super Flow ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Bryan Clauson/Trey Starks; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Brad Sweet; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brent Marks.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 14 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 6(Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24, Eldora Speedway on July 15); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); David Gravel - 4 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22);Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1(Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
David Gravel Is Nobody’s Fool in Jokers Wild Win at Eldora Speedway
Captures his fourth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season
ROSSBURG, Ohio - July 14, 2016 - David Gravel had his hands full through much of Thursday night's inaugural Jokers Wild at Eldora Speedway, but the 24-year-old driver held tough and scored his fourth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
"It's awesome. It's pretty friggin' surreal," Gravel said in victory lane.
The 24-year-old driver kicked off his dominant run by powering past Donny Schatz in the Dash to take the feature pole position.
Through the opening laps of the 30-lap main event, Gravel pulled out to a steady lead over second place Brian Brown. Through early cautions the field tightened back up.
NASCAR Truck Series stand out and two-time World of Outlaws winner Christopher Bell, who started fourth, powered forward, slipped back and then again made the charge to the front. He had taken over the second spot with the leader in his sights when the caution flew and Bell was forced to the pits with a mechanical issue.
On the restart, Gravel had his hands full with Schatz who looked for a way around the No. 5 Big Game Treestands car. Schatz slid through turns one and two but Gravel held him off. Through three and four, Schatz again slid through the corner and the two crossed each other down the front. Gravel still held the lead.
Through the middle of the feature, the fight for third and fourth heated up as Kerry Madsen worked to hold on to the final podium position and Logan Schuchart and Rico Abreu fought to take it away. Schuchart looked to have a chance but Abreu powered forward on a late restart and with a slider, took over third.
As the laps ticked away, the leaders, Gravel, Schatz and Abreu spread out. That did not last long though as Gravel worked his way through traffic in the final 10 laps, Schatz closed the distance and began looking for a line around.
"Lapped traffic really slowed me down," Gravel said. "I just tried to keep my pace up. I slid (Randy) Hannagan and I know I lost all my speed there."
Schatz continued the assault through the remaining six laps, getting his No. 15 Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance car side-by-side with Gravel but Gravel held on.
On lap 28, as the white flag flew signaling the final lap, Schatz gave it one last chance. Staying close off of turn two, Schatz slid Gravel through three and four and nearly got around him, but Gravel powered his CJB Motorsports car across the line. Just .03 seconds separated first and second.
"Donny made me get my elbows up there," Gravel said. "I had to run the top of three and four there and keep my speed up. We got a power steering leak - the power steering was going away and I was getting tired there at the end with my power steering going away.
"I can't thank my team enough - Derek, Barry and Austin. Chad and Jenn Clemens put me in this car. It's been a great season - we've had three bad nights all year. We were good here last time, we tried something a little different and won here tonight. Hopefully we can carry that on all weekend."
Schatz said he thought he had his opportunity at the end of the feature.
"That last corner there I thought we would be able to clear (Gravel) but I didn't use him up - I tried to do the right thing coming to the checkered."
"These guys did an awesome job - it's consistent, it's balanced, so the next couple of nights we'll have a chance."
For Abreu, Eldora has been a place of consistent improvement for him and his No. 24 Abreu Vineyards team. Abreu said the momentum and the seat time would help as they went through the Kings Royal weekend and the upcoming NASCAR truck series race.
"It's good, you've got to keep plugging away. We're right there. It's just one position, one restart away from winning. Really good restarts, really good racecars," Abreu said. "We've got a lot of racing with two more and then the truck race and this track is already badass."
Greg Wilson was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 14 positions to finish in 10th. Kerry Madsen picked up his first quick time award of the season after turning a lap of 13.488 seconds.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to Eldora Speedway Friday night for the Knight Before the Kings Royal. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visitWoOSprint.com/Knight-Before-the-Kings-Royal.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Eldora Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: David Gravel's win tonight was his fourth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season and his first ever at Eldora Speedway… Greg Wilson was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 14 positions to finish in 10th… Kerry Madsen picked up his first quick time of the season with a lap of 13.488 seconds around the half-mile track… Tonight's Jokers Wild was the first ever running of the event at Eldora Speedway.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Brent Marks; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): David Gravel; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Chad Kemenah; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Super Flow ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Brian Brown;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): David Gravel; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Brent Marks; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): N/A.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 14 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9, Attica Raceway Park on July 12); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 5(Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); David Gravel - 4 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6, Eldora Speedway on July 14);Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1(Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Donny Schatz Scores Lucky No. 13 at FVP Outlaws at Cedar Lake
Scores his fifth career Outlaws win at Cedar Lake
NEW RICHMOND, Wisc. - July 9, 2016 - Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet battled throughout much of Saturday night's FVP Outlaws at Cedar Lake feature at Cedar Lake Speedway, as they traded the lead back and forth through lapped traffic and cautions, but it was Schatz who held tough to score his 13th World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
"I've got to thank these guys," Schatz said. "They're incredible in what they do."
Schatz, who closed out the previous night at Cedar Lake with a close second place run, jumped out to an early lead in Saturday night's main event with Sweet hot on his trail. Through the first five laps, Sweet looked for a way around but Schatz held tough.
The first caution of the night came out on lap 13 and on the restart, Schatz and Sweet resumed their battle as David Gravel began challenging Willie Croft for third. Gravel eventually took over the third spot with a pass on the high side off of turn two.
Meanwhile, Sweet was throwing sliders on Schatz through turns one and two. On lap 13, he made it stick but Schatz battled back by. The next lap, Sweet did it again, but this time, held the position.
World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Cedar Lake Speedway; New Richmond, Wisc.; July 9, 2016.
A-Main - (35 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1]; 2. 5-David Gravel [3]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [9]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [5]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [4]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8]; 7. 24-Rico Abreu [6]; 8. 83-Joey Saldana [15]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [20]; 10. 2-Shane Stewart [12]; 11. 29-Kerry Madsen [18]; 12. 7-Paul McMahan [21]; 13. 21K-Thomas Kennedy [7]; 14. 21-Brian Brown [10]; 15. 17B-Bill Balog [14]; 16. 26-Willie Croft [2]; 17. 41X-Dominic Scelzi [13]; 18. 7S-Jason Sides [16]; 19. 1A-Jacob Allen [19]; 20. 16-Travis Whitney [22]; 21. 19-Paige Polyak [23]; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp [17]; 23. 5G-Dave Glennon [24]; 24. 64-Scotty Thiel [11]. Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-14, 16, 24-35; Brad Sweet 15, 17-23. KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson [+11]
Through traffic though, Schatz again pulled even with the No. 49 Ollies Bargain Outlet car of Sweet, and led again briefly. Through the next six laps, Sweet held a precarious lead on Schatz, as the reigning and seven time series champion bided his time.
Sweet gave Schatz a chance as he slipped up coming off of turn four and Schatz, glued to the low line, got around him. The next time into turns one and two, Sweet again took an aggressive line that cost him momentum. This time, it was third running David Gravel who took his chance and battled forward for the second spot in his No. 5 Big Game Treestands car.
Through several late race cautions, Sweet hand his hands full with a number of drivers including his own Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb teammate, Daryn Pittman. Pittman found his way by in the waning laps to take the final position on the podium.
Schatz crossed the line in first, his fifth career Outlaws win at Cedar Lake. Gravel closed out the night and the weekend double-heading in second with Pittman in third. Despite the success at the track, Schatz said Cedar Lake has always been challenging for him.
"We never really can seem to get a good feel here," Schatz said. "I don't know what it is… we just had to bide our time, we were awfully tight in the beginning. I guess when you know you can't do better, you just try to save your tires. Last night I just killed the tires. We had a way better racecar at the end and that's what counts."
For Gravel, the finish is his third podium run in the last five races. He currently sits fifth in the championship standings, just two points out of fourth and six points out of third.
"We qualified well tonight so we put ourselves in a lot better position," Gravel said. "I think I finished second here three times so Cedar Lake has been pretty good to me. Donny was really good - I think we needed lapped traffic.
"We'll take second tonight. We've had a lot of podium finishes. Hopefully we can get some wins here.
Pittman battled late and fought hard to take home his first podium finish in nearly two weeks.
"It's a good result, good finish for our Great Clips team," Pittman said. "We've just got to figure out what's going on the first 10 laps of the race. I feel like we've been the fastest car on the race track the last 10 laps of the last couple of races. Tonight we were really good - we just gave up too many spots early. The last 10 laps were a lot of fun, we got it going in the right direction and we'll keep working at it."
Sweet scored his eighth quick time award of the season after a lap of 11.581. Greg Wilson was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 11 positions to finish in ninth.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series takes on the Brad Doty Classic at Attica (Ohio) Raceway Park on Tuesday, July 12. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visitWoOSprint.com/Brad-Doty-Classic.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Cedar Lake Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Brad Sweet added another quick time award in 2016 - his eighth of the season… One night after finishing second, Schatz scored his 13th win of the season… The win tonight is Schatz's fifth career Outlaws win at Cedar Lake. He won on night two last season… Greg Wilson was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 11 positions to finish in ninth.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Clyde Knipp; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): David Gravel; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Willie Croft;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Greg Wilson; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Sides; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Clyde Knipp.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 13 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3, Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 5 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Schuchart Holds off Schatz at Cedar Lake to Score First Career Win
Joins Bill Balog as the only other first time winner, so far, in 2016
NEW RICHMOND, Wisc. - July 8, 2016 - It was not easy but Logan Schuchart did what he had to Friday night at Cedar Lake Speedway to score his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory as he battled past Joey Saldana and held off Donny Schatz to win the FVP Outlaws at Cedar Lake.
Schuchart, who started the feature on the front row with Shane Stewart, jumped out to the lead early but succumbed to Joey Saldana's charge on a lap seven restart. Schuchart battled back as the two drivers worked their way through traffic and despite strong advances from Donny Schatz late, Schuchart held tough.
"I'm proud of our team. We've gotten close a couple of times and I can tell the disappointment when we come back," Schuchart said. "I told everybody, 'we're going to get one of these after a while.' You know how hard it is racing with the Outlaws and how difficult it is every night, but I believed we were going to get it done and sooner or later it was going to start clicking.
"I promised my little brother, two years ago, he said, 'how come you don't win anymore?' I said, 'well, what do you want me to do? The next time I win, I'm going to stand on the wing.' He said, 'alright.' So tonight, I had to fulfill that promise to my little brother. That felt great."
After three podium finishes so far this season, the win was a long time coming for Schuchart and his No. 1S Mark Pell Tire Service/Marty Thompson Investments Shark Racing team, owned by his grandfather, sprint car legend Bobby Allen.
"Just our team, my grandpa, never quit attitude. The guy just keeps going, never quits. I owe everything to him. The rest of my team, Jake, Joe, Aiden, Jacob - we all work hard."
A Feature (35 Laps): 1. 1s-Logan Schuchart (2); 2. 15-Donny Schatz (4); 3. 83-Joey Saldana (3); 4. 2-Shane Stewart (1); 5. 24r-Rico Abreu (6); 6. 2ks-Craig Dollansky (8); 7. 9-Daryn Pittman (5); 8. 5-David Gravel (15); 9. 49-Brad Sweet (17); 10. 21-Brian Brown (9); 11. 26-Willie Croft (12); 12. 7-Paul McMahan (23); 13. 18-Ian Madsen (16); 14. 2l-Danny Lasoski (13); 15. 55-Brooke Tatnell (11); 16. 9x-Paul Nienhiser (19); 17. 17b-Bill Balog (20); 18. W20-Greg Wilson (18); 19. 29-Kerry Madsen (7); 20. 19p-Paige Polyak (24); 21. 1a-Jacob Allen (14); 22. 56n-Davey Heskin (21); 23. 7s-Jason Sides (10); 24. 41x-Dominic Scelzi (22). Laps led: Logan Schuchart 1-6, 16-35; Joey Saldana 7-15.
Rico Abreu helped kick off the night as he scored his first quick time award of the season. Stewart led the field to the green in the 35-lap feature - just his second pole position of 2016.
Schuchart jumped out to an early lead but as he caught traffic, Saldana closed the gap. A caution flag flew on lap seven and on the restart, Saldana jumped out to the lead. A battle heated up behind those two between Schatz, Daryn Pittman and Stewart for the third, fourth and fifth positions. Ultimately, Schatz held onto the third spot as Stewart held fourth.
As the leaders again caught traffic, Schuchart closed the gap on Saldana and found an opening. Schuchart dove into turn one as the field worked to complete lap 16, pulled side-by-side with Saldana and beat him onto the back straight. Saldana charged back, throwing the slider into turn three, but Schuchart maintained the top spot.
By lap 20, Schatz, then running third in his No. 15 Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance J & J, was catching Saldana. Two laps later, Schatz found his way around Saldana and set his sights on the leader. Schuchart got caught up by lapped traffic three laps later and Schatz cut his second and a half lead to almost nothing.
The final caution flag of the night fell with eight laps remaining. On the restart, Schuchart powered forward and with a clear track ahead, he built an insurmountable lead on Schatz.
Schuchart was the 15th different winner of the season.
"Anytime you have Donny starting next to you to end the race, it's going to make you nervous," Schuchart said. "I was just trying to not let the butterflies get to me. I felt like I was running my race. I felt like not being in lap traffic would help me, so as long as I could get the lead and get in my line he was going to have a hard time passing me. Those guys were good, but tonight we were just a little bit better."
Schatz, who extended his lead in the championship standings to 109 points over Brad Sweet, scored his season leading 21st podium finish of 2016. Schatz congratulated Schuchart following the feature.
"Happy for Logan," Schatz said. "Logan's been knocking on the door looking for a win for a long time so good to see him get a win there.
"I felt like we had a good shot there on the yellow but I killed us. I don't know if I heated up the tires too much after that or what happened. (Schuchart) was able to move around in the middle of one and two and that's where I needed to be. We didn't run all that great but we felt that way last year and run second the first night and won the second night. So we'll take that tonight as long as we can reverse that tomorrow night."
For Saldana, the finish extends a solid run for the No. 83 Roth Motorsports car. Like Schatz, Saldana too had kudos for Schuchart and his Shark team.
"I want to congratulate Logan and the Shark team," Saldana said. "Winning your first one means so much. He'll win many more. It was nice to see them finally get something rewarding. You put a lot of work to run with the World of Outlaws and run these teams.
"Good effort by the whole Roth team. We missed it just a little bit. We built a new car and we were just off a little bit… hopefully we come back here tomorrow night and get a little bit better."
Paul McMahan was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 11 positions to finish in 12th after he transferred out of the Last Chance Showdown.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series wraps up its FVP Outlaws at Cedar Lake double-header at Cedar Lake Speedway Saturday night. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit WoOSprint.com/Cedar-Lake-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Cedar Lake Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Rico Abreu scored his first quick time award of the season at Cedar Lake after a qualifying lap of 11.247… Logan Schuchart became the second driver of the season to score his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory. He joins Bill Balog on the list of new winners… Paul McMahan was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 11 positions to finish in 12th… In addition to being the season's leading qualifier, Joey Saldana is also the season's leading Heat race winner. After tonight he now has 24 Heat races win on the season.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jason Sides; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman;VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): David Gravel; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Willie Croft; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Super Flow ($50 cash): Paul Nienhiser; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Rico Abreu; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Paul McMahan; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul Nienhiser; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 12 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 5 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1(Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Logan Schuchart - 1 (Cedar Lake Speedway on July 9); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Record $320,975 Posted For 33rd Annual Kings Royal Weekend At Eldora
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Return For Expanded Three-Day Event July 14-15-16
ROSSBURG, Ohio - July 7, 2016 - The 33rd running of Kings Royal Weekend, expanded this year to include a full World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series race on Thursday, July 14, already promises fans more racing and Eldora Speedway officials today announced more prize money for the racers.
Saturday's tradition of $50,000-to-win and the pomp and circumstance that surrounds racing's most unique victory remains untouched - but that is the only position that does not see a major increase for 2016. Over half of the 40-lap Kings Royal finishers will earn double the money posted in previous years. Highlights include: 2nd) $20,000; 5th) $10,000; 10th) $5,000; 24th) $3,000 and the first non-transfer from the B-Feature will receive $2,000. All B-Feature and C-Feature positions received healthy increases as well.
Thursday's "Jokers Wild" will pay $10,000 to the winner while Friday night's "The Knight Before" has been increased to $12,000-to-win.
Eight different drivers have won the Kings Royal over the past eight years. Shane Stewart is the defending winner of both the Kings Royal and The Knight Before.
Tickets and camping for all three nights of the 33rd Kings Royal Weekend, sprint car racing's annual showcase featuring the stars of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series versus Ohio's best, including the Arctic Cat All Star Circuit of Champions, are available now at www.EldoraSpeedway.com or by phone at (937) 338-3815.
About Eldora Speedway:
Since carved from a cornfield in the natural amphitheater that existed between the Eldora Ballroom and the Wabash River by bandleader Earl Baltes in 1954, Eldora Speedway has grown to be a frontrunner in motorsports growth and stability. Baltes chose to sell the legendary high-banked clay oval to motorsports entrepreneur and NASCAR, IndyCar and USAC champion Tony Stewart in 2004. Celebrating its 63nd season in 2016, Eldora hosts the biggest events in short-track racing including the 22nd annual Dirt Late Model Dream by Ferris Mowers; the 33rd annual Kings Royal Weekend; the fourth NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on dirt - the Aspen Dental Eldora Dirt Derby; and the 46th annual World 100. The complete schedule for Eldora's 63rd consecutive season, including ticket and campsite information, is available at www.EldoraSpeedway.com and can be requested by phone at (937) 338-3815. Fans can get behind-the-scenes access of Eldora Speedway by following @EldoraSpeedway on Twitter, hitting 'Like' at www.facebook.com/EldoraSpeedway and onwww.youtube.com/EldoraSpeedway.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Celebrate 25 Years! Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup
What?
The Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup returns to Lernerville Speedway in July for the 25th running of the event in the midst of the Month of Money. Watch as the Greatest Show on Dirt battles for one of season's most coveted trophies.
Where?
Lernerville Speedway, 313 N Pike Rd, Sarver, PA 16055; 724-353-1511; 724-353-2650. General parking for the day is free. Camping is also available and free (dry camping only). For reserved camping, call 724-353-1511.
When?
Tuesday, July 19
Get Your Tickets
General Admission Advance $35. Advance Reserved Seating $39.
Donny Schatz Makes It an Even Dozen with Badlands Win
Saldana and Gravel finish second and third both nights
BRANDON, S.D. - July 3, 2016 - Donny Schatz made it an even dozen wins on Sunday night as he battled forward from a fifth place starting position and powered past Joey Saldana at Badlands Motor Speedway to score his 12th World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
Schatz, who last stood in victory lane with his No. 15 Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance team earlier this week at Rockford Speedway, won at Badlands with the Outlaws in 2015.
"I feel awesome," Schatz said. "It feels great to drive Tony Stewart's racecar. These guys are incredible at what they do."
The previous night's winner, Brad Sweet, kicked off the second night of the double-header at Badlands by taking the quick time award in qualifying with a lap of 10.924.
Saldana was the beneficiary in the Dash inversion draw and after winning the eight lap Dash race, started on the feature pole in his No. 83 Roth Motorsports car with Dusty Zomer on his outside.
Through the early laps of the feature, Zomer and Rico Abreu traded the second position through several laps as Saldana put distance on the field. Eventually, Abreu threw a slider on Zomer on lap five and took over the second spot as the drivers exited on to the front straight.
Feature results HERE.
As Saldana began working his way through traffic, Abreu closed on the leader. Behind him, Schatz was making moves, passing Zomer for third on lap 16.
Past the halfway point, Saldana continued to work his way through traffic as Abreu and Schatz closed the distance. Abreu, who crashed the previous night while leading the feature, made his move on lap 24 with the slider through turns three and four. Abreu got side-by-side with Saldana but bounced off the wall and allowed Saldana to retake the spot. The next lap, Abreu had Saldana again, side-by-side on the front straight, but he jumped the cushion through turns one and two, giving Schatz an opening to take the second position.
With Schatz in second, it was less than a lap before he found his way around Saldana for the lead.
Through the remaining laps and one caution, Saldana tried to run down Schatz as David Gravel pulled into third with his No. 5 Big Game Treestands/CJB Motorsports car but Schatz pulled away to claim the win. Saldana and Gravel repeated their previous night's finish of second and third.
"We just haven't had the feel we've been looking for," Schatz said. "Every night we get closer to it. The racecar was really good on the bottom, middle and top, and that's why we were able to get through traffic the way we did. Hats off to this Tony Stewart, Bad Boy Off Road, Chevrolet Performance team. I'm just the lucky guy that gets to drive it."
Schatz extended his lead in the championship standings to 95 points over Sweet.
Saldana was disappointed in his finish following the feature, in which he led the first 26 laps, but admitted the weekend was a success for his team.
"It was a good solid weekend for us - two seconds," Saldana said. "We were close. I just kept running the top which killed my tires. We'll come back next week and hopefully do a better job."
Gravel, who claimed his 15th consecutive top-10 finish, said the final caution killed his momentum.
"We had a really, really good car there late in the race," Gravel said. "I just wish we didn't have a caution. It seemed like, this weekend, every time we had a caution, the tires aren't the same after that. We'll try to figure that part out. We were really, really good in that long green flag run. I thought we had something for those guys but we're happy with another podium."
Jason Sides, who battled Rico Abreu late for the fourth place position, scored the KSE Racing Hard Charger award after climbing five positions in the feature to finish in fifth.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series kicks off the 'Month of Money' this week as it heads to Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. for the FVP Outlaws at Cedar Lake on Friday, July 8 and Saturday, July 9. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visitWoOSprint.com/Cedar-Lake-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Badlands Motor Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz scored his 12th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season Sunday night - the most of any driver this season… David Gravel has fifteen straight top-ten finishes with the World of Outlaws… Gravel and Joey Saldana scored the same finishes both nights at Badlands Motor Speedway. A second for Saldana and third for Gravel… Jason Sides was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing five positions to finish in fifth… One night after a crash sent him to the hospital, Jason Johnson rebounded to take the quick time in the second qualifying flight.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Cory Mack; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Sides; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Tim Kaeding; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Paul Nienhiser; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Paul Nienhiser; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Mark Dobmeier; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Dusty Zomer;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Jason Sides; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Aaron Reutzel.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 12 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 3); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 5 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1(Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Brad Sweet Has a Good Night at Badlands Motor Speedway
Chips away at Donny Schatz’s points lead
BRANDON, S.D. - July 2, 2016 - Brad Sweet led early and led often at Badlands Motor Speedway on Saturday night as he found luck and persevered to score his seventh World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
Sweet, who took the checkered flag at the track for the first time in his career, lost the lead to Rico Abreu on lap 10. When Abreu got too low on the track and caught a tire barrier sending him flipping on to the front straight, Sweet regained the lead. Through a couple of close calls, it was smooth sailing to the end.
Sweet's win is his first since May 13 at Plymouth Speedway.
"It feels good. This team needed that win - we've been in a bit of a slump," Sweet said. "We just haven't been able to compete for wins over the last 10 or 15 races. We started out the season really strong and then kind of fell off there. So it's nice to get back to victory lane and give these guys some confidence."
Matt Juhl kicked off the night by scoring his first ever World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series quick time award. It was the second series event in a row where the quick time award was presented to a driver who had never received it before.
Sweet led early in the feature as the battle behind him turned intense. Joey Saldana battled to fifth by lap three while Kerry Madsen moved in to second. A charging Abreu though was the man to watch as he picked off multiple positions and set his sights on Sweet. As Sweet worked his way through lapped traffic with eight laps complete, Abreu caught Sweet and then passed him as the two worked their way off of turn three.
Feature Results here.
Abreu's lead was short-lived though as he dove low off of turn four he caught a tire barrier which sent him flipping. Abreu was OK but his night was over.
When the field returned to green, Sweet retook the lead as the jockeying for the second and third place positions got underway. Saldana got around Kerry Madsen for third and then Jason Johnson began his assault on the top spots.
Johnson took over third on lap 16 and then took over second on lap 30. As the field bunched up in traffic, Johnson looked to have a shot at Sweet in the lead but a tire gave way, sending Johnson into the turn one wall. Johnson was alert following the crash but was transported to an area hospital for further evaluation.
When the field returned to green, Sweet built up a strong lead over Saldana and David Gravel.
"The Ollie's Bargain Outlet car was phenomenal all night long," Sweet said. "In the A main we could really get moving around the top. We could move around too. I was just waiting to see if someone was going to show me a nose.
"40 laps around here is a long race. It's a California kind of race. It's short and you've got to attack the corners. I'm really proud of my guys."
With his win, Sweet chipped away at Donny Schatz' championship points lead, bringing the lead to 72.
Saldana, who had an issue late, ran near the front most the night in his No. 83 Roth Motorsports car and closed out the night in second.
"Definitely very lucky tonight. About five or six to go my belts came undone," Saldana said. "So I'm just trying to finish the race and then Jason crashes in front of me. So that's not what you want to see - hopefully he's OK. Luckily we finished the night on the front straightaway. We'll take it and come back tomorrow."
Gravel, who closed out the night in third had his sights set on Sunday at Badlands and improving on the team's podium finish.
"We didn't get in the Dash like we wanted to so to finish on the podium is great," Gravel said. We had a really good car there in the middle of the race. We faded a little bit late but Brad and Joey had really good cars. We probably had a third or fourth place car but with Jason blowing a tire that put us third. We're really happy with third."
Donny Schatz was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 12 positions to finish in seventh.
he World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series wraps up its double header at Badlands Motor Speedway tomorrow, Sunday, July 3. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visitWoOSprint.com/Badlands-Motor-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Badlands Motor Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Matt Juhl picked up his first ever World of Outlaws victory tonight after a qualifying quick time of 10.820… Ian Madsen was the night's highest finishing non-Outlaw driver. He finished the night in eighth… Brad Sweet chipped away at Donny Schatz's points lead, bringing the separation to just 72 points… Tonight's win was the seventh of the season for Sweet and his first ever at Badlands Motor Speedway… Tonight's feature was the 40th World of Outlaws feature completed at the track.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Logan Schuchart; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Paul Nienhiser; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Paul Nienhiser; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Super Flow ($50 cash): Terry McCarl; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Rico Abreu; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Donny Schatz; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Brad Sweet; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Austin McCarl; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Schuchart.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 11 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29); Brad Sweet - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13, Badlands Motor Speedway on July 2); Daryn Pittman - 5(Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Donny Schatz Holds Tough at Rockford Speedway
Holds off David Gravel on the final lap to win 11th of the season
ROCKFORD, Ill. - June 29, 2016 - As the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series feature field rounded the final lap of the inaugural Outlaw Clay Classic at Rockford Speedway on Wednesday night, Donny Schatz looked poised to win. But David Gravel was charging and as Schatz rounded the final turns, maneuvering through traffic, Gravel dove low as Schatz hugged the cushion. Side-by-side off the corner, Schatz edged Gravel to score his 11th win of the season.
The history-making victory as the sprint cars kicked off the Outlaw Clay Classic on the normally-paved quarter-mile oval was the 215th victory of Schatz's career.
"Catching someone on that is one thing - getting by them is completely different," Schatz said of Gravel catching him in the final laps. "I don't know if I had a tire going down… but I started getting tight and rolled up and just couldn't turn the corner… we at least got the win."
Parker Price-Miller kicked off the special event by taking the qualifying quick time with a lap of 11.806 seconds. It was the first World of Outlaws quick time for Price-Miller and set the dirt record at the 69-year-old Rockford Speedway which was covered in eight inches of Illinois river clay - the first time the track has ever had dirt on it.
FEATURE RESULTS
Challenging track conditions set up an especially tough 30-lap inaugural feature for the Outlaws. Schatz led the field to the green with Daryn Pittman, Gravel and Ian Madsen behind.
Schatz opened up a strong lead through the first 10 laps, catching the tail end of the field by lap three.
NASCAR stand-out and two-time series winner Christopher Bell brought out the first caution of the night. While battling Shane Stewart he got caught in the cushion and ended up on his side.
As the field returned to green Schatz again extended his lead as Madsen tried to get around Gravel for third. One more caution flag flew on lap 16 which bunched the field back up. Madsen and Gravel recommenced their battle but Gravel pulled away.
Taking an aggressive line through a rough turns one and two, Gravel began challenging Pittman in second. Back and forth they battled until Pittman was knocked off kilter through turns one and two. Pittman faded following as Shane Stewart battled past Brad Sweet for third.
With second in his grip Gravel looked to Schatz in the lead. On the second-to-last lap, Schatz got caught up in traffic and Gravel closed the gap. He challenged hard on the closing lap, but Schatz hung on to win.
"It's typically not the type of race track that we're good on but these guys go to work and try to make me as comfortable as they can. I was in the air, sideways, doing wheelies. Some laps I didn't know if I was going to come out the other end. It was a crapshoot."
Schatz rolls out of Rockford with an 86-point lead over Sweet in the championship standings.
For Gravel, the finish continues a strong run through the last month and momentum as the series prepares to kick off the 'Month of Money.'
"I had a shot," Gravel said of his last lap battle with Schatz. "When you enter the corner high and chop down low, you get a really good run down the straightaway and I just tried to poke my nose. Just happy to finish second."
Shane Stewart, who has five wins on the season, notched his 14th podium finish with a strong run from an eighth-place starting position. After Pittman and Madsen struggled late, Stewart took advantage.
"On nights like this you've got to be patient and hopefully some of the guys mess up in front of you and you can take advantage of that and we were able to do that. A podium finish is a great night for us starting eighth. We'll carry this into the weekend and hopefully we can pick up another win."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series rolls south for the Fourth of July weekend to Badlands Motor Speedway on Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit WoOSprint.com/Badlands-Motor-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Rockford Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz picked up his 11th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season and 215th career win tonight at Rockford Speedway… Jason Johnson was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 10 positions to finish in sixth… Schatz extended his points lead over Brad Sweet to 86… Parker Price-Miller scored his first ever World of Outlaws quick time with a lap of 11.806 seconds. In the track's first ever dirt event, Price-Miller becomes the dirt record holder at the track.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 11 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17, Rockford Speedway on June 29); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 5 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); David Gravel - 3(Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25);Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Balog Bests Outlaws at Beaver Dam Raceway
Captures first series victory in Jim “JB” Boyd Memorial presented by Karavan Trailers
BEAVER DAM, Wis. - June 25, 2016 - Hartland, Wis. -native Bill Balog outdueled 2013 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion Daryn Pittman early, then held him off on a final green-white-checkered finish to capture his first series victory in the Jim "JB" Boyd Memorial presented by Karavan Trailers at Beaver Dam Raceway on Saturday night.
Balog, who is only the fifth non-Outlaw driver to win in 2016, captured the lead from Pittman on lap three after starting the feature in the second position.
"Now I feel like I have a home track advantage," Balog said as the Wisconsin fans cheered. "We have won a few here, but not really dominating wins. I got a lot of Wisconsin people here behind me, so I got to thank all of you guys.
"Maybe they didn't think we could do it, but we did it and it's an awesome, awesome night."
Pittman, who was victorious in a green-white-checkered finish on Friday night at Jackson Motorplex, tried everything possible to muscle the victory away from Balog, but came up one spot short of claiming back-to-back victories.
"I gave everything I had," Pittman said. "I had it all planned out perfectly in my head, but it didn't go that way. Nothing went the way I thought; we had that red flag, and I think my tire went down a little bit...think if my tire was low enough, I probably could've stuck it, because after the checkered I hit it really good down there, but too little, too late.
"Congrats to Bill and his team, they did a great job and he ran a great race, so they deserve to win. I just needed to make some better decisions and get to the top of the track quicker and hang on to the lead a little longer."
The night kicked-off with Joey Saldana picking up his 10th quick-time award of the season, when he paced qualifying with a lap of 11.895 seconds. Saldana continued to flash speed early as he accompanied Jason Johnson and David Gravel as heat race winners in the dash.
The dash inversion draw was not Saldana's friend, as a complete inversion of the six-car field placed Saldana at the rear and put Balog on the pole position.
Balog, in the Buesser Concrete/Extreme Stainless No. 17B, could not capitalize on the lucky break, as he lost the lead early to Pittman, who started the six-lap race in the third spot. Pittman easily scored the dash victory, which placed him on the pole position for the 40-lap feature.
Feature Results HERE
As soon as the green flag dropped for the feature, Pittman, in the Great Clips/Sage Fruit No. 9, jumped out to an early lead on Balog. Pittman held on to the top spot for the opening two laps, but Balog charged his way back to the front of the field and retook the lead on lap three.
The race began with a 23-lap green flag run which allowed Balog to extend his lead on Pittman as the two battled through lapped traffic. Pittman kept within striking distance of the leader, before a caution with 17 to-go hampered his plans.
When the green flag came back out, Balog again escaped the grip of the World of Outlaws regulars, as Pittman suddenly fell victim to a red-hot David Gravel, who started in the third position and remained there through most of the race.
Gravel slid in front of Pittman for second before turning his attention to the leader. Gravel appeared to have the faster car as he tried the infamous dirt track slide-job for the lead, but came up just short as Balog again pulled away from the field.
The caution was displayed again with 10 laps to go, as Brad Sweet, who currently sits second in the championship standings and was running the top five, suffered a mechanical problem and had to take his car to the work area. Sweet later returned, but finished in the 19th position.
On the ensuing restart, Pittman worked his way back around Gravel for the second, but still did not have enough speed to catch the leader.
While the top three remained glued bumper-to-bumper, a familiar face lurked just behind them. Seven-time series champion Donny Schatz, in the Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance No. 15, charged his way from the 14th starting position to crack the top five with just five laps remaining. Schatz appeared to be peaking too late as the had a sizeable deficit to overcome to contend for the win, but a final caution on the white-flag lap changed the outlook of the race.
Balog restarted the race ahead of 2013 series champion Pittman, 1996 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Joey Saldana and seven-time series champion Schatz, who have combined to win 19 races this season.
Over the final two laps, Saldana and Schatz battled hard for the third position while Pittman tried everything possible to disrupt Balog and steal the victory.
In the end, the local driver kept his car glued on the outside line, which prevented Pittman from building up enough momentum to clear him for the lead. Balog held on to the lead and defeated the World of Outlaws to score the victory in his home state of Wisconsin.
"What a race, I have to thank everybody that helped me out," Balog said. "It's a really good feeling - we were in a similar position a couple of years ago and kind of gave it away, so I wanted to make sure that didn't happen again.
"We could restart really well off of the bottom, so I knew if I could just get up to the cushion and beat the slide job - I didn't know if Daryn [Pittman] was running the bottom or not. [The Outlaws] are the best of the best, so it's a pleasure to race with them really."
Pittman held off Schatz for the runner-up position, as he picked up his 17th podium finish of the 2016 season.
"I had a plan thinking [Balog] might slide himself, or short slide himself and cheat his entry into one and I was just going to try to hit as good a lap around the top," Pittman added. "I was killing him off of four on the bottom, so if I could get close enough off of two then I could get him. He ended up having a good two or three car lengths on me off of two and there wasn't enough time to get back to him.
"I had a good run going there and tried to pull the slider too early, with probably five or six to go, and then lost a lot of ground, but made it back up. It was a good effort, but I'm frustrated to run second."
Schatz, who finished sixth on Friday night at Jackson Motorplex, rebounded for his eighth top-three finish in the month of June and 18th of the season.
"Tony Stewart's guys are awesome at what they do," Schatz said. "The way the races play out, our cars just get better and better. Great job to be able to come through there and it was a respectable finish, but I think the two cars in front of us were a little better.
"You never know, the race tracks change and sometimes they change towards you and sometimes they change against you. I don't know if it went either way for us but we were lucky to pick up the spots that we did."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will invade the newly dirt renovated Rockford Speedway for the first ever Outlaw Clay Classic on Wednesday, June 29. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit: www.WoOSprint.com/Rockford-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Beaver Dam Raceway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Bill Balog captured his first career World of Outlaws victory...Joey Saldana claimed his series-leading 10th quick-time award of the season with a lap of 11.895 seconds...Daryn Pittman continues to lead the series in feature pole positions, after he scored his 10th of the season tonight.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Russell Borland; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul Nienhiser; Super Flow ($50 cash): Scott Thiel; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Bill Balog; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Donny Schatz; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Russell Borland; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Scotty Neitzel.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 10 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 5 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4(The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22);David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Bill Balog - 1 (Beaver Dam Raceway on June 25); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Pittman Returns to Victory Lane at Jackson Motorplex
Scores fifth win of 2016 in the series’ first trip to the track since 2014
JACKSON, Minn. - June 24, 2016 - 2013 World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series champion, Daryn Pittman, started on the pole position and captured the lead from Joey Saldana on lap two, then held off a hard-charging Kerry Madsen on a green-white-checkered finish to score his fifth victory of the season at Jackson Motorplex on Friday night.
Pittman, who also claimed the quick-time award and dash victory to complete the sweep of the night, joined 20-time series champion, Steve Kinser, and seven-time series champion, Donny Schatz, as the only drivers to win multiple races at Jackson after he also won in 2005.
"I wouldn't say winning twice makes you good at a place," Pittman said. "They don't call him "Mad Man" for nothing. He's earned his nickname and you know he is going to give it everything he's got to try and get by you.
"I felt like I had a pretty good green flag lap up until coming back for the white. I slipped up a little bit in one and two and I thought I could hear him on my outside exiting two - I don't know if he was there or not, but it sounded like he was pretty close."
Pittman looked to be cruising to an easy victory until a caution with just two laps remaining brought Madsen, in the Keneric Healthcare/American Racing Wheels No. 29, to the leader's rear bumper. Madsen tried everything he could to wrestle the victory from Pittman in a green-white-checkered finish, but settled for a second-place finish following a last lap duel.
"I had such a good restart on that final one," Madsen said. "I knew I had one shot so I ripped it in there wide open, never lifted, and it caught and cut the front on me and I lost a little bit of time.
"It just wasn't enough. Everything was going to have to be absolutely perfect to get the job done. But it was a heck of a run - I couldn't have drove any harder, so it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed it."
Pittman, in the Great Clips/Sage Fruit No. 9, flashed speed early and often, as he paced qualifying with a lap of 15.746 seconds to claim his sixth quick time of the season. Pittman continued his early night success with a victory in his heat race to earn admittance into the dash.
As if he needed it, Pittman received a lucky break when a dash inversion of zero was drawn, which kept him on the pole position for the six-lap race. Pittman led every lap to capture the dash victory and the pole position for the 30-lap feature.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW FEATURE RESULTS
When the green flag dropped, second-place starter Saldana rocketed around Pittman for the lead on the opening lap. Saldana, who claimed the most recent victory at Jackson in 2014, led the first lap, but did not hold on to the top spot for long. On lap two, Pittman surged back to the front of the field and reclaimed the lead.
Saldana remained glued to the leader's bumper, but following cautions on lap 10 and 15, Pittman appeared to have an easy control on the top spot.
By the halfway point in the race, Madsen, who started in the 12th position, had climbed to the sixth spot. With a little over 10 laps remaining, Madsen was in the second position with the leader in his crosshairs.
Madsen, who has found victory lane twice this year with the World of Outlaws when he swept the #LetsRaceTwo events at Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7, caught a lucky break of his own when a caution came out on lap 20.
When the race restarted, following an open red flag that allowed teams to refuel their cars for the final dash to the finish, Madsen was challenged by David Gravel for the second position, which allowed Pittman to escape his pursuers.
Pittman appeared to be cruising to the $10,000 prize until a caution came out on lap 29, which set up a shootout to the finish.
On the final restart, Madsen started just behind Pittman and quickly charged to his outside in turn one. Pittman held strong and kept his car out front, but he had one more lap to hold off the "Mad Man."
Madsen tried everything he could on the final lap to throw Pittman off his line, but in the end, the Owasso, Okla. -native held on to the lead and scored the victory.
"I know [Kerry] Madsen and [David] Gravel were throwing everything they had at us tonight," Pittman added. "Hats off to this whole Great Clips crew, they have been working their tails off. I felt like we have been in a slump this last month - we have been fast but have had things happen... but it's a long season and I'm glad we could get a win.
"It feels like it's been a long time since we have been here. Our car is fast and I am looking forward to tomorrow, [Beaver Dam Raceway] is one of my favorite tracks on the schedule and I have a pretty good record there, and really looking forward to that one."
Madsen captured the KSE Hard Charger Award after started the feature in the 12th position and finished in second, his 10th top-five finish of the season on a limited schedule.
"I was thinking if I could stay up there and keep my tires warm, we would be golden when we got to traffic, but it didn't quite happen," Madsen said. "That's just racing and I am just glad we went fast."
Finishing third, Shane Stewart, in the American Born Moonshine/Eneos Oil No. 2, returned to the podium following a seventh-place finish at I-80 Speedway on Wednesday night.
"I'm pleased [with how things are going]," Stewart said. "I'm just really shocked we ran third tonight, to be honest. We really didn't have a third-place car, but we just had a really restart that one time and that saved us.
"My guys continue to work hard and we're okay. We keep winning races and we have some big races coming up, and hopefully we can win some of those too. I have to thank Justin [Marks] and Kyle [Larson] for the great opportunity, and all of our great sponsors that help us, and all of the great fans that came out tonight."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will voyage over 350 miles east overnight to Beaver Dam, Wis. for the Jim "JB" Boyd Memorial presented by Karavan Trailers at Beaver Dam Raceway on Saturday night. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit:www.WoOSprint.com/Beaver-Dam-Raceway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Jackson Motorplex Notebook
RACE NOTES: Daryn Pittman scored his fifth win of the season and first since New Egypt on May 24...Pittman has now started on the pole position in 9 races this season, five more than any other driver...Kerry Madsen picked up his second KSE Hard Charger Award of the season after picking up 10 spots to finish second.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Sammy Swindell; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Tim Kaeding; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Super Flow ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Ian Madsen; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Kerry Madsen; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Terry McCarl; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Schuchart.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 10 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 5 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24, Jackson Motorplex on June 24); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Joey Saldana - 4(The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22);David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1(Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Saldana Scores Thrilling NAPA Auto Parts Outlaw Showdown Victory
Snaps 18-race winless streak and remains only series driver to win at I-80 Speedway
GREENWOOD, Neb. - June 22, 2016 - Joey Saldana captured the lead on the opening lap from David Gravel and held off Donny Schatz on a green-white-checkered finish to score his fourth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season in the NAPA Auto Parts Outlaw Showdown at I-80 Speedway on Wednesday night.
Saldana, who snapped an 18-race winless streak that stretched back to Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, remains the only series driver to win on the 4/10-mile track after also winning this event in 2014.
"In means a lot [to win at I-80 Speedway]," Saldana said. "Before my grandpa passed away, this was one of the last race tracks he got to come to and watch me race. I would say he was riding with me tonight because I haven't been that good all month, so to win this race, not just because I needed to win it for Roth Motorsports, but I needed to win it for my family and myself.
Saldana's victory did not come easy. After capturing the lead on the opening lap, the driver of the Roth Enterprises/HR Livestock No. 83 had to hold off a hard-charging Donny Schatz, who had charged from his ninth starting position to crack the top five by the halfway point, then made his way to second with just 10 laps to go.
"[On that restart with two laps to go] I knew I was in trouble," Schatz said. "I just couldn't get off the corner, and just can't get anything to accelerate right now. That's the way it goes, these guys will work on it. Tony Stewart has a great group of guys.
"We were one guy short tonight; we had a guy burned changing an engine, so he's headed to the hospital and it kind of puts things in perspective for you as to how important each and every one of these guys are."
To start the night, Gravel paced qualifying and captured the quick-time award with a lap of 14.125 seconds. Gravel was unable to carry his speed into the heat races as he was defeated by Kerry Madsen in the first heat to join Daryn Pittman and Saldana as heat race winners.
In the dash, Gravel returned to the top spot, when he started from the pole position, after a favorable inversion draw. Gravel led every lap to capture the victory in the dash which placed him on the pole position for the 40-lap feature. Gravel became the first driver since Greg Hodnett at New Egypt Speedway on May 24 to claim quick time and start on the pole in the feature.
Feature Results Here.
When the green flag dropped, second-place starter, Saldana, rocketed around Gravel for the top spot and quickly escaped to an early lead. By the halfway point, Saldana had built a comfortable gap of over a second on Gravel and Logan Schuchart, who started in the fourth position and ran third for much of the night.
With just 12 laps remaining, the first caution came out as third place Schuchart lost a wheel entering turn three, which sent his car tumbling into the outside fence. Fortunately, Schuchart walked away from the crash safely, but his night was over.
On the ensuing restart, Schatz, in the Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance No. 15, muscled his way into the second position, as Gravel slipped further back into the field. With just 10 laps to go, Schatz had his sights set on Saldana for the lead.
Saldana had a comfortable lead on the rest of the field by the time Schatz had made his way into the runner-up position, but a caution just a few laps later allowed Schatz to line up on the leader's rear bumper with less than 10 laps to go.
When the race went back to green, Schatz suffered an uncharacteristically bad restart, which allowed Jason Johnson and Brad Sweet to slip by. Sweet, who had started the feature in the 17th position, managed to claw his way into a battle with Schatz for the third position, until another caution came out, this time with just two laps left.
The caution was displayed when second place, Johnson, suffered a flat left rear tire, which sent him to the rear of the field and resulted in a 14th-place finish for the driver that captured a win earlier this year at Placerville Speedway on March 24.
Johnson's misfortune proved to be Schatz's lucky break, as the current point's leader had just made his way around Sweet's Ollie's Bargain Outlet/Sage Fruit No. 49 for third. Schatz now lined up on Saldana's rear bumper for a green-white-checkered finish.
On the final restart, Schatz pressured Saldana for the lead, but the leader adjusted his line to maintain control of the top spot. Saldana pulled away from Schatz over the final two laps to capture his fourth victory of the season, and second at I-80 Speedway in three years.
"It just builds confidence, and it's definitely easy to lose your confidence out here," Saldana added. "I've lost so many races by just going straight to the top, so I just took the bottom and the middle to take the grove away [on the final restart], so they didn't have it, then I got back on the top and held on.
"I can't thank Dennis and Teresa Roth enough for giving me this opportunity. There's a lot of times that you think about quitting, and you sacrifice a lot with your kids and your wife, but this definitely makes it worth your while - but there's also more to life than winning races."
Schatz, who held on to the runner-up position, claimed his seventh podium finish in nine races in the month of June.
"You have to have your driver help, and I don't have a clue as to what I am doing until you get me in the car," Schatz said. "We felt like we had a chance there, but I could not get off the corner at all. It felt like I had three or four race cars tied to the back bumper. We will work on that and try again on Friday."
Sweet, who now trails Schatz by just 20 points in the championship standings, finished in the third position and claimed the KSE Hard Charger Award after he advanced 14 spots from his 17th-place start.
"A lot of those restarts played into our favor, which is nice when you start in the back," Sweet said. "We got ourselves behind in time trials and I messed up in the heat race, so that's what teamwork is all about. We never give up on this Ollie's Bargain Outlet car, we dug deep tonight, had a few breaks go our way and I had a really fast car."
"Hats off to my guys for sticking by me and all of our sponsors. We will take the podium tonight, it feels like a win after coming from 17th, and we will try not to build such a deep hole next time."
2016 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contended, Clyde Knipp, who finished in the 17th position, improved on his previous best finish of 18th at Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will utilize Thursday as a travel day, as the series returns to Jackson (Minn.) Motorplex for the first time since 2014 on Friday, June 24. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit: www.WoOSprint.com/Jackson-Motorplex.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
I-80 Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Joey Saldana remains only World of Outlaws series driver to win at I-80 Speedway...Donny Schatz continues his podium ownership after finishing in the top-three positions in seven of nine June races...David Gravel becomes first driver since Greg Hodnett at New Egypt Speedway on May 24 to capture quick time and the pole for the feature in same event...2016 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Contender, Clyde Knipp, recorded his best finish of the season.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jacob Allen; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): David Gravel; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Tasker Phillips; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Kerry Madsen; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Brad Sweet; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Joey Saldana; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Clyde Knipp; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Kevin Ingle.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 10 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Daryn Pittman - 4(Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); Joey Saldana - 4 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4, I-80 Speedway on June 22); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Stewart Scores Father’s Day Victory
Captures fifth win of the season in series return to Brown County Speedway
ABERDEEN, S.D. - June 19, 2016 - The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series returned to Brown County Speedway for the first time since 1985 on Sunday night, as Shane Stewart started on the pole and led wire-to-wire to claim his fifth checkered flag of the season.
Stewart, whose wife and young daughter joined him in victory lane, captured the Father's Day victory after he built sizeable lead on Joey Saldana and Donny Schatz while navigating through heavy lapped traffic all night.
"[Having my daughter and wife out here] makes it that much more special," Stewart, who now sits third in the championship standings, said. "It's my second Father's Day, so it's cool to have them with me - and happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.
"I wish my dad could be here to celebrate with us - but a lot of love is sending back to them. I am very happy we could get the win on Father's Day."
To start the night, Jason Sides scored his second quick-time award of the season, while also establishing a new track record at Brown County with a lap of 10.961 seconds. Sides continued to show speed early in the night, as he joined Saldana and Brad Sweet as the three heat race winners.
Sides had the speed, but the luck was not on his side, as a dash inversion draw of six placed South Dakota native, Dusty Zomer, on the pole for the six-lap race.
Zomer held on to the top spot for just the opening lap, as second-place starter, Stewart, in the American Born Moonshine/Eneos Oil No. 2, muscled his way to the lead. Stewart held on to the lead for the remaining laps of the dash to earn the victory and the pole position for the 35-lap feature.
Once the green flag dropped for the feature, Stewart rocketed out to an early lead as Zomer, who started second, quickly fell off the pace, allowing third-place starter, Pittman, to squeeze into second. Zomer's night went further downhill, as he caused the races second caution when he slipped off the track on lap four and came to a stop. The home state driver never recovered, as he finished in the 16th position.
Up front, Saldana, who started the race in the fifth position, and Schatz, who started seventh, quickly cracked the top three by lap 10. The two drivers, who have combined to win 13 of the 39 races this year, applied pressure on the leader early.
The leaders encountered slower lapped traffic early and often at the tight 1/3-mile, circular-shaped track. Stewart had an easier time slicing his way through the traffic as Saldana, in the Roth Enterprises/HR Livestock No. 83, and Schatz, in the Bad Boy Off Road/Chevrolet Performance No. 15, not only battled lapped cars, but each other as well.
As Stewart continued to pad his lead, Saldana and Schatz swapped the runner-up position back-and-forth. Neither driver could capture the position and pull away from the other as the dense traffic played a role in the battle.
Finally, in the closing laps, Saldana put some space between him and the seven-time series champion, and set his sights on the leader. Unfortunately for Saldana, Stewart had amassed over a five second lead by that point.
In the final 10 laps, Saldana was able to shave a second off of Stewart's lead, but time was not on his side. Stewart was able join Sammy Swindell as the only drivers to win a World of Outlaws race at Brown County, as he dominated all 35 laps to capture the checkered flag.
"Track position was just everything, honestly," Stewart added. "We usually have double-file restarts, and it can create a lot of chaos in our races, but having single-file restarts tonight helped me being out front. My guys gave me a great car all night long, and we finally got a dash draw that benefitted us and we were able to take advantage of it.
"I just can't thank everyone that is involved with this team enough. We have hit on a little streak here and hopefully we can keep it going all summer. It's a pleasure to come drive this thing day-in and day-out, it's really a dream come true."
Saldana was able to score his 10th podium finish of the season and his first since winning at Jacksonville Speedway on May 4.
"Wow - for us to be standing here with these guys on the front straightaway, that's like a win," Saldana said. "I can't thank Teresa and Dennis Roth enough for giving me the opportunity; this is a tough, tough series, so when you get knocked down, it's tough to get back up.
"The longer the race went, it started to clean off a little bit in turn three and four, so you couldn't move around like you could in one and two...Just a very good effort by the whole team, they worked real hard tonight. Hopefully we can build on this and get better at I-80 Speedway in a few days."
Donny Schatz extended his slim point lead on Brad Sweet, as he continued his hot streak in the month of June with his sixth top-three finish in eight races this month.
"These guys did an awesome job, we just didn't get around here as quick as we needed to," Schatz said. "Shane [Stewart] was awful good, and we were trying to race with Joey [Saldana] there, but we just weren't quite good enough.
"That's the way it goes in racing - some day's you're good, and some days you not. A top three is still pretty respectable, like I said my guys do a remarkable job and we will get another crack at it on Wednesday."
Tonight's KSE Hard Charger, David Gravel, advanced eight positions to finish sixth, coming up one spot short of capturing his seventh top-five finish in eight June races.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues their trek through the heartland of the United States, as they head to Greenwood, Neb. for the NAPA Auto Parts Outlaw Showdown at I-80 Speedway on Wednesday night. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit:www.WoOSprint.com/I-80-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Brown County Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Shane Stewart captured his fifth win of the season, which is third most of any driver in 2016...Jason Sides scored his second quick-time award of the season and established a new track record at Brown County Speedway...2016 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Contender, Clyde Knipp, qualified for his fourth A-Main of the season.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Casey Mack; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Sides; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Aaron Reutzel; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Aaron Reutzel; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Super Flow ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Dusty Zomer;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): David Gravel; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Shane Stewart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Cory Mack; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Trent Stengl.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 10 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Shane Stewart - 5 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15, Brown County Speedway on June 19); Daryn Pittman - 4(Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Joey Saldana - 3 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4);Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3);Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Schatz Continues River Cities Speedway Dominance
Claims 10th victory of the season and series points lead from Brad Sweet
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - June 17, 2016 - Seven-time World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series champion, Donny Schatz, continued his dominance of River Cities Speedway on Friday night, as he passed Logan Schuchart with 19 laps left in the First Leg of the Northern Tour to score his fifth victory in seven races at the track since 2013.
Schatz, who is a native of nearby Fargo, N.D., put on a show for his family and friends in attendance, as he started the feature in the seventh position and charged his way to the lead just past the halfway point to score his series-leading 10th victory of the season and the series points lead.
"This is what racing is all about - having your family here is cool - to be here and see it and experience it with us," an emotional Schatz said. "The fans are just as important too, so I am glad to see everyone here tonight and glad they stuck it out. It turned out to be a great night for us and I am happy to be here and look forward to Sunday."
Schatz's remarkable feat can only be matched by the driver he defeated, as David Gravel scored his fifth podium finish in seven races in the month of June.
"Donny [Schatz] was really good late in that race," Gravel said. "I thought I had one of the best cars early, but as the race went on, Donny got better. It was a good race and I am happy with second."
The night started with Brad Sweet capturing his seventh quick-time award of the season, which is second-most among all drivers in 2016, just one behind Joey Saldana. Sweet, Jacob Allen, Daryn Pittman and Gravel all scored heat wins to transfer to the dash.
In the six-lap dash, Allen's Shark Racing teammate, Logan Schuchart, in the No. 1S Mark Pell Tire Service/Marty Thompson Investments car, started on the pole and dominated the race to score his first dash victory and feature pole-position of the season.
When the green flag dropped for the 40-lap feature, Schuchart easily pulled away from second-place starter Pittman, but he could never get in a rhythm as the race was plagued early by accidents that caused temporary stoppages in the race. Allen, Jason Johnson and Mark Dobmeier all encountered trouble early and had to retire in the opening laps.
As the race progressed, drivers began to settle in which allowed for a green-flag run during the middle stages of the race. The run, which lasted over 20 laps, allowed Schatz to climb up the leader board, as he moved into the runner-up position just before the halfway point in the race.
On lap 21, Schatz utilized slower lapped traffic to made his way around Schuchart for the race lead. Schuchart remained glued to the defending champion's bumper, as the two diced through slowed lapped traffic.
With just seven laps remaining, another red-flag caused a stoppage in action, as Jordan Adams lost control of his car on the front stretch and flipped. Adams was fine and walked away from his car, but the red flag set the field up for a final dash for the $10,000 paycheck.
On the final restart, Schatz pulled away from Schuchart, as the Hanover, Pa. -native had his hands full with the No. 5 Big Game Treestands/JRC Transportation car of Gravel. Gravel muscled his way around Schuchart for second and set his sights on the Schatz for the lead.
Gravel did not have enough time to catch the leader, as Schatz cruised in the final seven laps to claim the First Leg of the Northern Tour victory at River Cities.
"Man, these guys worked their tails off to get this race in and thanks [to all the fans] for sticking with us, I know we had a late start but it could've been a heck-of-a lot worse," Schatz said referring to the two hour delay as track and series officials worked to prepare the track following overnight rains. "Tony Stewart's Bad Boy Off Road guys are incredible...getting through traffic was a lot of fun, being in the right spot at the right time played a role in it too. We were lucky we didn't get caught up in a crash in the first corner on the first lap - that's the way it goes, you have to be lucky some days.
"As I get older it seems like biding your time is something you try to do less and less. You just got to keep pushing. Like I said, these guys work their tails off to give me the best car they can, and I do my best to give them the best I can."
Gravel settled for the runner-up finish, the second time he has done so to Schatz in the month of June, with the other coming at Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8.
"Logan [Schuchart] was really strong tonight, but Donny just got the best of us - he's really good here," Gravel added. "We had a pretty good restart there and kept up with him for a couple of laps, but he's just so consistent hitting his marks and you can't keep up because you can't make any mistakes either.
"We'll take second tonight, you always want a win, but we'll take second and look forward to Sunday."
Schuchart captured his fourth top-five of the season and his third podium finish, with the other two coming at Ocean Speedway on April 1 and Weedsport Speedway on May 22.
"The driver didn't make good calls before the race, but we were close," Schuchart said. "It was a very good run, I felt like I really didn't need that last yellow. I felt like I was catching Donny a little bit before that last caution and then I just got a bad restart.
"I'm just proud of my guys and they deserve a win, so we're going to keep working hard and working at it. We're definitely a lot faster this year than we have been the last two years, so if we keep working at it, we're going to get there."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will travel to Aberdeen, S.D. for a Sunday showdown at Brown County Speedway. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit:www.WoOSprint.com/Brown-County-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
River Cities Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz scores his series-leading 10th win of the season, and reclaims the points lead from Brad Sweet...Schatz has now won five of the last seven races held at River Cities Speedway...Brad Sweet's seven quick-time awards places him just one behind Joey Saldana for most this season...Logan Schuchart captures his first pole-position for a feature this season.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Jason Johnson; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman;VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Cory Mack; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Cory Mack; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jade Hastings; Super Flow ($50 cash): Casey Mack; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): N/A;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Jade Hastings; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 10 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11, River Cities Speedway on June 17); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 4(Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); Shane Stewart - 4 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Joey Saldana - 3 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1(Fremont Speedway on June 3);Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1(The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Shane Stewart Hangs Tough at Granite City
Brad Sweet claims one-point lead after Donny Schatz has DNF
SAUK RAPIDS, Minn. - June 15, 2016 - Shane Stewart proved to be like a rock Wednesday night at Granite City Speedway as he battled past Kerry Madsen and held off Brad Sweet to win his fourth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series feature of the season.
Kerry Madsen led the first third of the feature, which was rain postponed to Wednesday, with Stewart in hot pursuit. As Madsen encountered traffic, Stewart closed the gap in his No. 2 Eneos/GoPro car. On lap 10, Stewart dove low into turn three and got around Madsen. Madsen countered, taking the spot back, sliding Stewart through turns one and two. Stewart though made a similar move as the previous lap and took the position back through turns three and four. Through one restart, Stewart held the position and scored the win.
It was a triumphant trip to victory lane following a difficult weekend at Knoxville Raceway and the knowledge that last season, he was leading at Granite City with three laps to go and did not see a similar end.
"I was actually getting really nervous," Stewart said. "The guys gave me a really great car. Obviously being out front, you're kind of a sitting duck. I felt like I was getting through lapped traffic OK, but you never can tell with the guys behind you. I know Brad is really good in lapped traffic and so is Kerry. I just had to keep my nose clean and be as patient as possible."
Second-place finisher Sweet claimed a narrow one-point lead in the championship points standings over Donny Schatz who had a did-not-finish result.
Schatz had a mechanical issue on lap 13 and slowed on the track. Greg Wilson was caught up and had his night ended after his car ended up on its side, wedged against an infield tire. Schatz was pushed to the infield after dropping oil on the track and did not return.
Joey Saldana kicked off the night, the Outlaws' second ever event at Granite City Speedway, by claiming a season-leading ninth quick time award with a lap of 11.227 seconds.
After winning the dash, Madsen started on the pole of the feature with Stewart in second. At the green flag, Madsen jumped out to an early lead as Brad Sweet powered forward in his No. 49 Ollie's Bargain Outlet car, using the high line through turns three and four to take the third position.
Madsen caught the tail end of the field and began working his way forward. Stewart closed the gap over the next five laps and battled around Madsen. As Stewart took over the lead, Sweet got around Madsen on the next lap for second.
Following the red flag for Schatz and Wilson, Sweet tried to get around Stewart as he threw a slider through turns one and two and pulled event with the leader, but was unable to hang on to the back straight. Sweet tried again on the next lap, but Stewart again maintained the position.
Stewart caught the tail end of the field on lap 18 and Sweet briefly closed the gap but he was not able to get around.
The win was Stewart's first since Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30.
"I just know when you're leading these races you can't hesitate on lapped cars because you're going to get passed," Stewart said. "I've been able to do that a couple of other times to win a race and I felt like if I could get back to curb as quickly as I could and scrub off as little speed as I could that I'd be OK… to win these races is very hard and I'm just happy to be standing here."
Sweet said he felt like he and Stewart were on par throughout the night but lapped cars played a pivotal role and Stewart was able to clear them successfully throughout the 30 laps.
"He did a really good job of just always keeping his car in the right position," Sweet said. "A couple of times I thought he was going to slip up there off of four and he went low and I thought I would get a run high and a lapped car slid up in front of me. Lapped traffic just didn't play in our part but that's how you win and lose these races."
Madsen, who led the first 10 laps of the feature in his No. 29 Keneric Healthcare car, said he felt like he was making the right moves but realized that he could have played them differently.
"On the last red and we had a short run afoot, I got by Brad and I thought I might have something to play with but Shane had a better racecar and probably deserved to win the race," Madsen said. "We had a bit of bad luck last weekend. We've had great racecars the last two months and we're excited for the next two months… I think we'll be here a bit more often."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its swing through the Upper Midwest with a stop of River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D. on Friday, June 17. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit WoOSprint.com/River-Cities-Speedway-June.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Granite City Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Brad Sweet took over the points lead following a DNF for Donny Schatz during the feature. Sweet now leads Schatz by one points… Tonight's win was the fourth for Shane Stewart this season. His last win came at Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30… Joey Saldana scored a season-leading ninth quick time tonight at Granite City Speedway… Logan Schuchart was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing seven positions to finish in seventh.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Greg Wilson; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Ian Madsen; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Super Flow ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Kerry Madsen; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Shane Stewart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Clyde Knipp; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Rob Caho.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 9 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); Shane Stewart - 4 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30, Granite City Speedway on June 15); David Gravel - 3(Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Joey Saldana - 3 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7);Lance Dewease - 1(Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3);Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10);Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
World of Outlaws at Granite City Speedway Postponed Until Wednesday
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series presented by Marthaler Chevrolet of Glenwood returns to action Wednesday night
SAUK RAPIDS, Minn. - June 14, 2016 - With pending inclement weather on Tuesday, the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series event at Granite City Speedway, presented by Marthaler Chevrolet of Glenwood, has been postponed until tomorrow, Wednesday, June 15.
Pit gates will open on Wednesday at 2 p.m. with grandstands open at 4 p.m. Racing starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visitSLSPromotions.com, or call 320-252-6122. Additional event information can be found at WoOSprint.com/Granite-City-Speedway.
For more information on the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series visit WorldofOutlaws.com. Follow the series on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atwww.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, Sweet Manufacturing and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Donny Schatz Wins Wild One for #TeamOutlaws
Claims ninth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season
KNOXVILLE, Iowa - June 11, 2016 - Wrecked cars and flared tempers could not hold back reigning World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series champion Donny Schatz on Saturday night at Knoxville Raceway as he barely avoided an early multi-car crash and battled past Jamie Veal to score his ninth series win of the season during the Xtream Shootout powered by Mediacom.
Schatz, who started fifth, battled Shane Stewart early for fourth. After a crash on lap five caught up several of the front runners, Schatz restarted in third and then fought his way around second place Ian Madsen. As Veal worked his way through traffic, Schatz closed the distance, then commenced to battle Veal, side-by-side, lap-after-lap for the lead. Veal held tough but Schatz got around off of turn four with just three laps remaining to take the top spot.
"This place has been very, very good to me," Schatz said. "I've been very blessed to not get hurt here and have the success I've had. This team is incredible. We can always go back to the same old setup but it's kind of fun to try new things and try to get better. We keep playing around and we make a lot of gains and we make a lot of steps backwards but the racecar just kept getting better and better as the race went on."
The win is Schatz's 24th career 410 win at Knoxville. The reigning and nine-time Knoxville Nationals champion is 11th on the all-time wins list at the track.
Brad Sweet kicked off the night, scoring his fifth quick time award of the season. Sweet, Schatz, Danny Lasoski and Shane Stewart all picked up Heat race wins, while Veal battled past Ian Madsen to take the Dash win and the pole for the night's feature.
On the green flag, Veal, a native of Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, who has just come off a red-hot sprint car season in Australia including a World Series Sprintcar championship, jumped out to an early and commanding lead over Ian Maden and Brian Brown. Schatz battled Stewart in fourth. The first caution flew on lap five as the top wing sideboard on Tasker Phillips came off in turn three.
On the restart, Madsen, in third moved down the track going into turn one, caught the right front tire of Stewart which sent Stewart into Brown and set off a multi-car crash that collected as many as 10 cars. Schatz barely made it through. Among the most heavily damaged were Brown, Stewart, Greg Wilson, Joey Saldana, Daryn Pittman, Craig Dollansky, Scott Bogucki and Davey Heskin. After a long red flag, racing resumed with four fewer cars on track.
Veal again jumped out to a strong lead as Schatz worked to get around Madsen for second. Madsen held the position after a two lap battle. Schatz though wasn't done as he got side-by-side with Madsen on lap 15 and eventually took over the position as the two drivers dove into turn three.
Schatz quickly caught Veal as he worked his way through traffic. With seven laps remaining, Schatz nearly got around Veal but Veal held the top spot and shifted his line to the bottom of the track. The position was short-lived though as Schatz's relentless pursuit paid off. As the two worked to complete lap 22, Schatz got the better of Veal off of turn four and took over the lead.
Veal, meanwhile, slipped back, giving second to Lasoski, who was charging forward and third to David Gravel.
As the Knoxville crowd booed, Schatz climbed from his No. 15 Bad Boy Off-Road J&J victorious.
"At the end of the race things changed a lot," Schatz said. "The track started moving around. The top of three and four was really good but you could even get through the middle. (The track) threw some crumbs up from time-to-time, so you just had to be cautious and not hit it too hard. I did it a few times.
"I'm pretty fortunate to be standing up here next to the Hall of Fame flagman (Doug Clark). I wanted to stand next to him last night but tonight's the night."
For Lasoski, the 2001 World of Outlaws champion and all-time wins leader at Knoxville, the second place finish was part good luck, part experience.
"I want to thank (crew chief) Guy Forbrook for this thing," Lasoski said. "We've been struggling the last month, month and a half and he's definitely got it better and better. I hate to see what happened on that crash, it took a couple of good competitors out. I don't know how we would have stacked up then."
With three wins so far on the season, David Gravel and his No. 5 Big Game Treestands, CJB Motorsports team continue to build on momentum as the series heads into the crucial summer months.
"We didn't qualify like we wanted to but got through the heat race and got really lucky to get through that crash," Gravel said. "Obviously, a lot of guys wrecked. A little luck. We were sixth after the crash and we had a really good restart and got up to third but then fell back a little bit. We actually had a really good car. Took a couple of corners a little different and maybe we could have been second or maybe win the race. I'm really happy, we made improvements over last night, we finished fifth, and we're looking forward to coming back here (for the Knoxville Nationals)."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series returns to action Tuesday at Granite City Speedway in Sauk Rapids, Minn. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visitWoOSprint.com/Granite-City-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube atYouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Knoxville Raceway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz claimed his ninth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season. His last win came at Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8… Tonight's win was the 24th career win for Schatz at Knoxville. He is the reigning and nine-time Knoxville Nationals Champion… Paul McMahan became the second driver of the season to take a provisional. He was also the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 14 positions to finish in 11th.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Greg Wilson; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Super Flow ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Jamie Veal; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Paul McMahan; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Joey Saldana; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 9 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8, Knoxville Raceway on June 11); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Joey Saldana - 3 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4); Shane Stewart - 3 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24);Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off-Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Schatz Scores Thrilling Win at Lincoln Park Speedway
Claims eighth victory of the season and ties Brad Sweet for point lead
PUTNAMVILLE, Ind. - June 8, 2016 - Seven-time World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series champion Donny Schatz held off a red-hot David Gravel on a green-white-checkered finish to claim his eighth victory of the season at Lincoln Park Speedway on Wednesday night.
Making their first trip since 1988 to the track located just an hour from Indianapolis, the World of Outlaws returned with a thrilling show that saw Schatz hold on to the lead for all 40 laps to claim the victory and tie Brad Sweet atop the championship standings.
"I wasn't here in '88 but I am feeling old tonight," Schatz said. "This place takes its toll on you - it's a neat little place, very tricky...I'd rather it went right to the end, but I knew [David Gravel] is a racer and he is going to try something - wherever I am at he is going to try and go somewhere else.
"It's a bonus [to be tied in the championship standings]. We are here to win races, and that's what this team has always stood for...we have never been point's racers and I am not going to start that now. We're in a better position than we were a month ago and I know these guys are going to go work their hearts out."
Gravel, who captured the checkered flag the last time the series was on track at I-96 Speedway on Sunday, finished in the runner-up position after he challenged Schatz all night for the win.
"It was really fun racing with the best," Gravel said. "Kyle [Larson] gave us a run for our money there early, and Donny [Scahtz] is a really smart racer and it's hard to go around him, especially with this tight track.
"We will take second tonight, but I really would've liked to win. I would've liked to see how that last lap would've finished instead of having the red flag."
To start the night, NASCAR star, and Larson Marks Racing co-owner, Kyle Larson, captured quick time in qualifying. Larson's time was just a tenth of a second slower than the track record for a winged 410 sprint car set by Danny Lasoski in 2006.
Larson's speed continued into his heat race in which he beat Schatz and the No. 15 Bad Boy/Chevrolet Performance car, who finished second. Gravel and Daryn Pittman claimed wins in the other two heat races, granting them spots in the six-lap dash.
Unfortunately for Larson, his luck did not match his speed as a four was drawn for the dash inversion, placing Schatz on the pole and sliding Larson to the fourth starting position.
In what became a preview for the feature, Schatz and Gravel battled back-and-forth for the victory in the dash, with Schatz prevailing for the win and the pole position for the feature. The only other time Schatz has started on the pole for a feature in 2016 was when he won at Lincoln Speedway on May 19.
When the green flag dropped for the 40-lap A-Main, Schatz jumped out to an early lead over Gravel, who started second in the Big Game Treestands/Nyce Crete & Landis No. 5. Meanwhile, Larson, who started in the sixth position, charged his way to the front of the field quickly. By lap five, Larson had made his way to the third position just behind Schatz and Gravel.
The three drivers remained nose-to-tail, even as they started dicing through heavy lapped traffic. Gravel eventually made his way around Schatz to lead a lap at the halfway point in the race, but Schatz motored back to the top spot the following lap.
All the while, Larson lurked behind the leaders.
The third-place car tried every move imaginable to work his way around Gravel for a shot at Schatz for the lead, but he could never build up enough speed to sling-shot around the second-place car.
Larson's willingness to try anything to get to the front became his downfall. With less than 20 to go, Larson pushed his car onto the cushion exiting turn four causing him to lose control and flip in front of oncoming traffic.
Luckily, the driver avoided collecting other cars and was okay after the crash. Larson retired to his trailer and became a spectator for the final laps.
When the green flag came back out, Schatz again held off Gravel, who stayed glued to the leader's bumper while searching for the right line to make his move to the lead.
As the laps flew by, Schatz and Gravel navigated their way through the lapped traffic while also battling for the top spot. Eventually, with just a few laps remaining the tug-of-war for the lead hit a boiling point.
As the leaders took the white flag for the final lap, Paul McMahan flipped on the front stretch, causing a red flag and a temporary stoppage to the race. McMahan was okay and continued the race, but the stoppage set up a green-white-checkered finish to conclude an already thrilling race.
Over the final two laps, Gravel tried everything he could to steal the victory from Schatz. In the end, Gravel came up just short as Schatz captured the checkered flag and the $6,000 paycheck at Lincoln Park.
"Racing in the lapped traffic was fun, that's what a driver lives for," Scahtz added. "I hope the fans had as much fun with it as I did. It's always nice to come out on the better end of it.
"Tony Stewart's guys are phenomenal, I keep getting a better race car each night and it makes it more fun for me to keep getting in it...more importantly, I think we learned more here tonight that we have in 20 races this year."
Gravel, who sits sixth in the points, just 153 markers behind Schatz and Sweet, scored his 18th top-five of the season and his 13th podium finish.
"It's been a pretty good year so far; we have been fast lately," Gravel said. "Finishing on the podium with two past champions - and I am just a kid - so hopefully we can stay up here and see what happens."
While most of the attention was on the two leaders at the end of the race, Daryn Pittman, in the Great Clips/Sage Fruit No. 9, quietly started and finished in the third position to pick up his series-leading 15th top-three finish of the season.
"It's always nice to race this close to home and sleep in your own bed," Pittman said, who is from Owasso, Okla. but lives less than an hour from Lincoln Park. "This is pretty cool, I came out here and watched a Midget Week race last Thursday and that was the first time I have ever seen the place. This was a cool race to watch and fun to be a part of.
"The guys worked really hard this week and built a brand new car, and we were pretty decent with it. This is the type of racetrack that isn't my best so for us to come out of here with a third, and be solid and right there as the night went on, I am pretty proud of that."
Brad Sweet, who came into the night with a slim point lead, started the feature in the 13th position and charged his way to a seventh-place finish, which earned him the KSE Hard Charger Award for the night.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will head to historical Knoxville Raceway for the Budweiser Night with the World of Outlaws on Friday, June 10 and Xtreme Shootout powered by Mediacom on Saturday, June 11. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit:www.WoOSprint.com/Knoxville-Raceway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Lincoln Park Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz picks up series-leading eighth win of the season and passes Brad Sweet for the points lead...Schatz started on the pole position for the feature for just the second time in 2016...NASCAR star, and Larson Marks Racing co-owner, Kyle Larson captured his first quick time of the season.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Bill Rose; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): David Gravel; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jamie Veal; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser;Super Flow ($50 cash): Kody Kinser; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Kyle Larson; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Brad Sweet; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Dominic Scelzi; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Parker Price-Miller.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 8 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6);Joey Saldana - 3 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4);Shane Stewart - 3 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30);Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1(Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Mother Nature Helps Gravel to I-96 Speedway Victory
Dominates rain shortened Rumble in Michigan for third win of the season
LAKE ODESSA, Mich. - June 5, 2016 - Pesky and persistent weather did not put a damper on David Gravel's night, as he led all 17 laps and scored his third World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season in a rain shortened Rumble in Michigan at I-96 Speedway on Sunday night.
Gravel has now won the dash and led the most feature laps in two consecutive races after doing so at Fremont Speedway on Friday night.
"Crazy weekend here - getting rained out and having a rough track tonight," Gravel said. I saw the rain flying there during that red flag, so it's pretty cool that they called it early. I'll take any win I can get - it still pays the same and counts the same, so we will take it."
Gravel's victory was not easy, as he had to hold off Shane Stewart, who charged from a sixth starting position to the leader's back bumper before the rain moved in.
"I had a good car, and I felt like we had a chance if we could get to [David] Gravel in lapped traffic," Stewart said. "Obviously, when you get to lapped traffic, it's about navigating through and hitting the ruts just right.
"There was a couple of times [Gravel] bounced around a little bit and I was able to close up on him, but we never got the chance to really go after it."
Action on Sunday started a dim forecast as thick, dark clouds blanketed the sky early in the afternoon. Fortunately, before cars even hit the track, the clouds cleared and allowed rare rays of sunshine to break through and create a picturesque day.
The sunshine, coupled with an extremely fast track, allowed eventual third-place finisher finisher, Brad Sweet, in the Ollie's Bargain Outlet/Sage Fruit, to set a new track record with a time of 13.585 seconds, eclipsing Jason Sides' record of 13.746 seconds from 2015.
"Our car was really fast tonight," Sweet said. "You can't control Mother Nature, and we're disappointed we couldn't get it in, but it was still a good night for us finishing on the podium and bringing the car home in one piece."
Of the three heat races, Outlaw drivers swept two of them, while All Start Circuit of Champions driver, Kraig Kinser, won the third. The heat finishes created a split of four Outlaw drivers versus two non-Outlaws in the dash.
An inversion draw of six placed non-Outlaw driver, and Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia -native, James McFadden, on the pole for the six-lap race. Eventual winner, Gravel, in the Big Game Treestands/JRC No. 5, started on his outside and quickly took the lead on the start.
Gravel's dominance of the dash placed him on the pole position for the 35-lap feature. Gravel took full advantage of the front-row starting position as he jumped out to an early lead when the green flag dropped.
Only two caution flags slowed the rain-shortened feature, with the final coming on lap 17 just before the showers moved in.
Ever-changing track conditions allowed drivers like Stewart, in the American Born Moonshine/Eneos Oil No. 2, and seven-time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz, who started in the tenth position, to charge to the front of the field.
As the race progressed, Stewart managed to work his way to the second position, as the leader battled through lapped traffic. Stewart closed on Gravel just as the final caution flew on lap 17, but never had the chance to challenge for the lead.
"It was getting to be a good race," Stewart added. "Obviously, we can't help Mother Nature had a different plan for us. I am happy they made it official - it was a great point night for us - we had a mishap in the dash and were able to come back and finish on the podium."
Gravel was able to control the top position for the entire feature, as he held off Stewart until the rain started to fall and secured the $10,000 to-win checkered flag at I-96 Speedway.
"Everybody that supports this team, thank you very much," Gravel said. "It's just a dream come true to get our third win of the season, and hopefully there's more to come. We have been very good over the last couple of weeks, so hopefully we keep it going."
Sweet, who has seen his point lead disappear in recent weeks, captured his best finish since New Egypt on May 24, and padded his championship lead on Schatz, who finished fourth.
"We were able to figure some things out tonight," Sweet added. "We will go back to work this week and try to build on our run tonight and get ready for Lincoln Park Speedway on Wednesday."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series travels to the Hoosier State for the final time this season when the series invades Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Ind. on Wednesday, June 8. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit: www.WoOSprint.com/Lincoln-Park-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
I-96 Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Brad Sweet set a new track record at 13.585 seconds, beating Jason Sides' record of 13.746 seconds set in 2015...David Gravel won the dash and led the most laps in the second consecutive race in-a-row...Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender, Clyde Knipp, qualified for his second feature of 2016.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Clyde Knipp; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): David Gravel; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Sides; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Chad Kemenah; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Kraig Kinser; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Super Flow ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): James McFadden; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Chad Kemenah; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): David Gravel; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Clyde Knipp.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22); Brad Sweet - 6(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13);Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6);Joey Saldana - 3 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4);Shane Stewart - 3 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30);Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Lance Dewease - 1(Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Kemenah Defeats Outlaws at Fremont Speedway
All Star Circuit of Champions driver holds off series regulars to win Kistler Engines Smackdown
FREMONT, Ohio - June 3, 2016 - With family and friends cheering him on, Chad Kemenah, became just the third non-World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series driver to defeat the series regulars after he held off seven-time series champion Donny Scahtz to win the Kistler Engines Smackdown at Fremont (Ohio) Speedway on Friday night.
Kemenah, an Elvada, Ohio -native who had not made a World of Outlaws feature at Fremont since 1993, motored around David Gravel just after the halfway point in the 40-lap feature race, then held off a hard-charging Schatz in the final laps to capture the checkered flag.
"That was a hell of a show for the fans," Kemenah said after exiting his car. "I don't know how close it was there at the end, but I am pretty sure the fans were in the cockpit there with me. We were the first ones to the checkered flag tonight, and my wife and kids were here to watch it, so this is cool.
"I just can't thank my whole team enough, they have worked their tails off this year. I have great car owners in Rod and Rita Hunter, and unfortunately Rob wasn't here to watch this one since he has never won an Outlaw's show before."
Schatz, the 2013 and 2014 winner of this race, started fifth and charged his way to a runner-up finish, his best finish since winning at Weedsport Speedway over a week ago.
"40 laps here was enough - Chad just did a good job," Schatz said. "It's a work in progress, and every day is a new day to work on it. Tony Stewart's got the best guys in the business to do that, so we will just keep plugging away.
"All you can do is your best every night. We had a pretty solid night, obviously we wanted to win, but we just got beat. So some nights you just have to lick your wounds and learn from it."
Shane Stewart kicked-off the night by capturing his third consecutive quick-time award when he clocked the fastest time in flight one of qualifying at 12.734 seconds. Flight two was led by local driver, Rob Chaney at 13.141 seconds.
Qualifying set up the night-long war between the Outlaws and Ohio drivers, as the series regulars drew first blood by dominating three of the four heat races. Stewart, Joey Saldana and Gravel each won their heat race, while Kemenah was the lone Ohioan to upset the Outlaws when he won the final heat.
The Outlaws continued their early-night ownership of victory lane as Gravel, in the Big Game Treestands/JRC No. 5, outdueled Kemenah to win the six-lap dash, which placed the Watertown, Conn. driver on the pole for the feature.
When the feature started, the opening laps established a precedent for the remainder of the night as drivers battled a challenging, slick track, which created cautions early and often.
Gravel, who was glued to the bottom of the track, held on to the lead through a handful of early cautions as second place starter, Kemenah, in the Brillex LLC/Seneca Energy No. 10H, challenged the leader but could never complete the pass.
While Gravel and Kemenah jockeyed over the top position, Schatz lurked in his Bad Boy/Chevrolet Performance No. 15 just behind them in the third position.
Kemenah finally built up enough of a run on the outside of Gravel to capture the lead on lap 23, but the Ohioan's path to victory was not an easy one in the final 18 laps.
Kemenah began to approach lapped traffic, as the race began a final green-flag run. Once Kemenah hit the slower traffic, Schatz started to close in on the leader. The Fargo, N.D. -native made his way around Gravel, who slipped to third, and placed the Kemenah in his crosshairs.
A regular of the All Star Circuit of Champions, which is owned by Tony Stewart, Kemenah had to hold off Scahtz, who drives for Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing over the final laps, as the reigning series champion eyed his third win at the track in four years.
Schatz closed to Kemenah's back bumper but could never get close enough to make a move, as the Ohioan controlled the top spot over the final 18 laps to become just the third non-Outlaw driver to capture the checkered flag in a series race.
"I am just speechless right now - I have to thank everyone that's here," Kemenah added. "If you're a member of this team or have been a part of it, you should be really, really proud because this is a hell of a race team.
"We've been pretty good, but last week we had a driver that didn't feel like qualifying good, which turned into a terrible weekend. I can't thank David [Gravel] and Donny [Schatz] enough, they raced here like true professionals - they're the best in the business."
Schatz, who admittedly isn't watching the point's battle just yet, has cut Brad Sweet's point lead to just 11 after Sweet struggled to a 15th-place finish.
"You guys look at the points - I don't care, I am just about winning races," Schatz said. "That's how I have won what I have won, so I am just going to do that.
"We need to get back to winning races, that's for sure. We're going to go back and figure out what we could've done to be better. We have another race tomorrow so we have another shot at it."
Gravel, who led the most laps tonight, slipped to third in the second half of the race, but still picked up his second podium finish in-a-row.
"I have never got a win here, and I really wanted one tonight," Gravel said. "We probably had the best car the first half of the race but I just faded there late. I had the wing back all the way and that was all I had there, so we will settle for a third.
"You never want to back up in the feature, but people like Donny Schatz and Chad Kemenah beat you on a very slick race track, and they're some of the best on the slick tracks. We have a little bit of work to do, but we have been trying stuff and this is something new for us that we are getting better at every week. We've been running really well, we just have to keep it up and the wins will come."
2016 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender Greg Wilson, who is a Benton Ridge, Ohio -native, rebounded from a missed feature at Lawrenceburg Speedway on Monday to finish fourth tonight, which is his third top-five finish of the season.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will migrate 200 miles overnight to Lake Odessa, Mich. for the Rumble in Michigan at I-96 Speedway on Saturday. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit: www.WoOSprint.com/I-96-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Fremont Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Shane Stewart captured his third quick time in-a-row after also having the fastest qualifying lap at The Dirt Track at Charlotte and Lawrenceburg Speedway...Chad Kemenah made his first World of Outlaws feature at Fremont Speedway since 1993...Kemenah is just the third non-Outlaw driver to win a feature in 2016, joining Kerry Madsen and Lance Dewease.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Tim Shaffer; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Chad Kemenah; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Kerry Madsen; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Super Flow ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Chad Kemenah; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Brent Marks; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Chad Kemenah; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Shane Stewart.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22); Brad Sweet - 6(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13);Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); Joey Saldana - 3 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4);Shane Stewart - 3(Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30); David Gravel - 2 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on May 3); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Consistent Rain Showers Postpone Rumble in Michigan
Series will return to I-96 Speedway for a Sunday night showdown
LAKE ODESSA, Mich. - June 4, 2016 - Mother Nature was not a fan of the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series on Saturday night at I-96 Speedway, as persistent rain started falling during hot laps and never allowed the drivers to return the track.
The series will resume action in Lake Odessa, Mich. at the same time tomorrow night.
Fans who purchased tickets for the grandstands will be able to redeem their tickets for entry on Sunday. Fans with pit passes are asked to keep their wristbands on for tomorrow's race in order to gain access to the pits.
For any additional information and questions on the rain makeup date, fans can visitwww.SLSPromotions.com.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Stewart Slides to Victory at Lawrenceburg Speedway
Holds off challenges from David Gravel and Rico Abreu in Memorial Day thriller
LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. - May 30, 2016 - After dominating on Friday night at The Dirt Track at Charlotte and coming up one spot short of the win, Shane Stewart managed to overcome the heartache to score his third World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the 2016 season on Monday night in a Memorial Day thriller at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway.
Stewart, whose most recent win came at Devil's Bowl Speedway over a month ago, had to hold off challenges from NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver, Rico Abreu, and David Gravel to capture the checkered flag.
"I try to drive hard every night, and sometimes it probably doesn't look like it," Stewart said. "I'm just happy I can win on Memorial Day - I know it's a special weekend for some and probably not so special for others, but I just got to thank all the men and women that served our country and have given us the opportunity to come out here and do what we love."
With just a handful of laps remaining, Gravel in the Big Game Treestands/JRC No. 5, muscled his way around Abreu for the second position and challenged Stewart for the win, but came up just short of the victory as he captured his second podium finish since winning at Tri-State Speedway on May 14.
"We have a lot of podium finishes this year, it seems every time we start on the front row, we win," Gravel said. "Hopefully we can get a win when we don't start on the front row, but I think we found something tonight and I am really happy how we ended the feature there."
Abreu, who joined NASCAR stars Kyle Larson, Kasey Kahne and Christopher Bell in the feature at Lawrenceburg, finished third, which is his best World of Outlaws finish of the season.
"I was just really searching [at the end of the race]," Abreu said. "You can't really run the same line as these guys - it's really hard because of all the turbulence these wings make. You just have to search and that's the benefit of running second, because you can see what the guy in front of you is doing."
To start the night, Joey Saldana claimed his series-leading seventh quick time award when he bested Gravel and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, and Larson Marks Racing co-owner, Kyle Larson, with a lap of 12.185 seconds.
When the heat races started, the first three were dominated by the driver that started on the pole as the track continued to rubber up. The final heat race provided a better preview of the racing to come later in the night as Stewart, in the American Born Moonshine/Eneos Oil No. 2, rocketed around pole-sitter Daryn Pittman to score the win.
Finishing second in the fourth heat proved to be a lucky break for Pittman, as an invert draw of eight placed the Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb driver on the pole for the six-lap dash. Again, Pittman could not capitalize on the front-row starting position, as he finished second to Abreu, who utilized the famous dirt track slide job to score the victory and the pole for the 35-lap feature.
Abreu started on the pole for the feature race, with Pittman starting to his outside, but when the green flag dropped, it was Pittman who jumped out front. Even with two early cautions, Pittman was able to control the top spot for the beginning of the race.
Pittman led the opening four laps, but fell victim to changing track conditions, as he was passed by Stewart, who had made his way to the top spot from the third starting position.
Déjà vu began to set in for the native of Bixby, Okla., as he dominated the mid-stages of the race before he hit lapped traffic, which allowed second place Abreu, in the Abreu Vineyards/Alpine Stars No. 24, to close the gap.
Stewart could not hold off Abreu who took the lead on lap 25. Unlike a few nights earlier at The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Stewart did not fade down the stretch, instead he stayed glued to Abreu's rear bumper and took the lead back on lap 27.Over the course of five laps, Stewart and Abreu swapped the lead back-and-forth four times before Stewart captured the lead for the final time on lap 29.
"My car was pretty good but my right rear tire was shot, and I knew that," Stewart said. "I felt pretty good in one and two, but I was a lot in three and four, and just when I thought I had a little bit of breathing room, here came Rico again, throwing me a slider.
"That's the thing, you can't relax, and I did when we got to lapped traffic. Sometimes you're a sitting duck when you're the leader and you don't know how far to pace yourself and you kind of have to judge off of lapped cars. It got to a point where I wasn't getting around them and I started taking a little rubber off the cushion one and two, and that honestly saved me."
Stewart did not have the luxury of coasting to his third World of Outlaws victory of the season, as a hard-charging Gravel made his way around Abreu for second and quickly closed in on the leader.
In the end, Stewart was able to hold off a last lap charge by Gravel to secure the checkered flag in a Memorial Day thriller at Lawrenceburg Speedway.
"These young kids are so good, and as you can tell they just have tons of talent," Stewart said. "It doesn't matter what they jump into, they're going to be competitive.
"I knew Kyle [Larson] and Christopher [Bell] were coming to run with us - they do a heck of a job and they made me earn that one for sure."
Gravel returns to the podium following a two-race skid in which the Watertown, Conn. driver failed to finish inside the top five.
"Rico and Shane were putting on a hell of a battle and I was just kind of watching those guys," Gravel said. "I found something down low - it was taking a little bit of rubber - and if we had another lap or two I think I could've gotten him. We were all over him there at the checkered, but just a little too late.
Abreu led laps early and was the highest finishing NASCAR star, as Larson (fifth), Bell (seventh) and Kahne (14th) each started the feature but did not finish as well as the St. Helena, Calif. driver.
"Thanks to all the fans, you know its Memorial Day and a Monday night and there's a lot of dedicated fans here," Abreu added. "I'm happy to be able to race in front of all you guys, and once again, thank you all for coming out."
Seven-time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz continues to cut into points leader Brad Sweet's lead, as he finished sixth while Sweet finished eighth. Sweet now sits just 37 points ahead of Schatz.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will travel into the Buckeye State for the Kistler Engines Smackdown at Fremont (Ohio) Speedway on Friday, June 3. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit: www.WoOSprint.com/Fremont-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Lawrenceburg Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Joey Saldana captures his series-leading seventh quick time award...Within the last two events, Shane Stewart has led 53 total laps which gives him 82 laps led so far in 2016, the fourth most among all drivers...Since winning at Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Donny Schatz has an average finish of seventh over the last three races.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Paul McMahan; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Brady Bacon; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Rico Abreu;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Gary Taylor; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Shane Stewart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Johnson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Paul McMahan.
SEASON WINNERS: ); Donny Schatz - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22); Brad Sweet - 6(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13);Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); Shane Stewart - 3 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30); David Gravel - 2(Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14); Joey Saldana - 2 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Off Road (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Wilson Wins Wild Race at The Dirt Track at Charlotte
Captures Circle K/NOS Energy Drink Outlaw Showdown for second career series win
CONCORD, N.C. - May 27, 2016 - A caution with six-laps remaining helped propel 2016 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender Greg Wilson to his second career World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory in the Circle K/NOS Energy Drink Outlaw Showdown at The Dirt Track at Charlotte on Friday night.
Wilson, who won his first World of Outlaws race at the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway in 2015, led just one lap of the 30-lap feature, after he passed race leader Shane Stewart on the final lap to capture the checkered flag.
"I've never dreamt in my wildest dreams that I would ever get this opportunity," Wilson said. "I have been blessed to run with the World of Outlaws this year. To do this in Charlotte, in front of all these fans, this is badass and that's all there is to it!"
Stewart, who led a race-high 25 laps, settled for a runner-up finish after he easily controlled the top spot for much of the feature.
"Greg [Wilson] is new to the Outlaw deal and it's always cool to see someone get their first Outlaw win - I'm not sure if he's won an Outlaw race before or not," Stewart said. "We hated to lose a race like that, but hats off to Greg."
Earlier in the night, Stewart, in the No. 2 American Born Moonshine/Eneos Oil car, captured his first quick-time of the 2016 season when he clocked in at 13.913 seconds. In his heat race, Stewart finished second to Wilson, which created a preview for the feature later in the night.
Both drivers earned positions in the six-lap dash, but an unfortunate invert draw of six sent Wilson to the rear and placed Paul McMahan on the pole.
McMahan did not hold the top spot in the dash once the green flag dropped, as Daryn Pittman, who started in the fourth position, rocketed to the front of the field. Pittman, the most recent winner on the World of Outlaws tour at New Egypt Speedway on Tuesday night, claimed the dash victory which placed him on the pole position for the feature.
Even though Pittman started on the pole-position, he never led a lap as second-place starter Cole Duncan, in the Helms Construction/Motor City Auto Transport No. 22, took the lead when the green flag fell.
Duncan, a Lockbourne, Ohio -native, controlled the top spot for the opening four laps until Stewart, who started in the fourth position, utilized the outside line to build up enough momentum to capture the lead on lap five.
Stewart opened up a sizeable lead early in the race, and held off challenges on a mid-race caution on lap 12. Stewart appeared to be cruising to his third victory in 2016, but a caution with six laps left created late-race drama.
The Hercules Tire/Ohio Logistics No. W20 driven by Wilson restarted in the third position behind Duncan and Stewart. The top three remained glued nose-to-tail with little room separating the three drivers from the top spot.
Wilson, who found grip on the bottom of the track, powered around Duncan for second and set his sights on the leader with just a few laps remaining. When the white flag was displayed, Wilson had Stewart firmly in his crosshairs for a race-winning pass.
Exiting turn two, Wilson accelerated in front of Stewart and captured the lead with only two turns to go in the feature. Wilson held off Stewart and claimed his first checkered flag of his rookie campaign in 2016.
"It's a little surreal right at the moment...I'm just in shock," An emotional Wilson said. "I am racing with the best sprint car drivers in the world, night-in and night-out. We missed that show in New Egypt and looked like maybe we shouldn't even be out here, and then we turned it around tonight.
"That's dedicated work by our team and all of the people that are a part of this. I am truly grateful. Once again, if you're not a Wilson fan, thank you for spending your hard-earned money to be here tonight."
Even though Stewart was hoping for a win, a second-place finish was well deserved after a rough stretch of races through Indiana and Pennsylvania, in which the driver wrecked his primary car and only scored two top-tens in four races.
"It was good to have Justin [Marks] and Kyle [Larson] in the house, and to have a good finish for them," Stewart added. "There's a lot of Eneos Oil people back at the trailer too, so just a good solid finish for everybody at Larson Marks Racing. I love all these fans - it's always a joy to come here to Charlotte."
Completing an Ohioan domination of the podium, Duncan secured the third-place finish after leading laps early.
"We're just proud to be here, and thanks to all the fans for coming out," Duncan said. "We rolled across the scales with a flat tire - it was starting to go there at the end. It might've cost us one but I am happy for Greg, if anybody deserves to win one, it's him.
"We've been fast all year but just can't seem to find victory lane yet, but they got to be coming. We are pretty consistent and we keep putting the time and effort in. We'll go back to the drawing board, we don't have to change much but just try to figure out how to keep the tires on there."
Point's leader Brad Sweet finished in the 10th position, five positions behind Donny Schatz who is now just 41 markers behind Sweet for the top spot in the championship battle.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will march back into the Hoosier State for a Memorial Day showdown at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway on Monday, May 30. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit: www.WoOSprint.com/Lawrenceburg-Speedway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
The Dirt Track at Charlotte Notebook
RACE NOTES: Greg Wilson captured his second career World of Outlaws victory and becomes the 10th different winner in 2016...Shane Stewart scored his first quick-time of the season...Brent Marks picked up 11 spots to score tonight's KSE Hard Charger Award, which is the most spots gained by a driver since David Gravel advanced 11 spots at Plymouth Speedway exactly two weeks ago.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Wayne Dadetto; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): David Gravel; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul McMahan;Super Flow ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Cole Duncan; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Brent Marks; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Greg Wilson;JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Tim Shaffer; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Clyde Knipp.
SEASON WINNERS: ); Donny Schatz - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22); Brad Sweet - 6(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13);Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); David Gravel - 2 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14); Joey Saldana - 2 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22); Shane Stewart - 2 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20);Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1(The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).
Pittman Rallies for Fourth Consecutive Win at New Egypt
Charges from third starting spot to claim Jersey Outlaw Classic
NEW EGYPT, N.J. - May 24, 2016 - It wasn't easy, but 2013 World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series champion Daryn Pittman managed to charge his way from the third starting position to claim his fourth Jersey Outlaw Classic win in-a-row on Tuesday night at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway.
Pittman, who won this event in 2013, '14 and '15, secured his fourth win of the season and first since USA Raceway in Tucson, Ariz. on April 18.
"I've been really frustrated with myself with how many front-row starts I've had this year and as few wins," Pittman said. "I got up this morning and thought 'Man, third is where I want to start' - I just had that feeling this morning that if I start third I was going to win.
"Things went our way and we ended up starting third."
Pittman had to work around race-long leader Greg Hodnett, who had dominated the feature and the preliminary races up to that point.
"It was a little bit disappointing seeing the late race caution," Hodnett said. "[Pittman] was definitely better than us in traffic, and I was kind of glued to the bottom in turn one and two and he motored around the top.
"I didn't go up there until he passed and then I realized there was a whole other track to run on. fWe kind of caught him again in traffic and passed a couple lapped cars, but we just needed to keep running. He was definaetely the faster car, we just needed him to slow down a little bit through some lapped traffic."
At the start of the night, Hodnett, in the Lelands.com/Eagle Steel No. 27, was the first car out for qualifying and established the quickest lap of the night at 13.926 seconds.
Hodnett continued his early-night dominance by leading every lap of his heat race and advancing to the dash. As if he needed it, Hodnett then received a lucky invert draw of zero, keeping him on the pole-position for the six-lap race.
The Pennsylvania driver kept his clean sweep of the events going by leading every lap and winning the dash to place himself on the pole for the 30-lap feature.
When the green flag dropped, Hodnett again appeared to be the driver to beat, as he easily controlled the top spot and pulled away from his competition to start the race.
As the race marched on, Pittman, in the Great Clips/Sage Fruit No. 9, had trouble advancing from his third-starting position. When the leaders hit lapped traffic around lap 10, Pittman began his charge.
Pittman's first victim was second-place starter Mark Smith in the Mach 1 Chassis No. M1. Smith, who was making his first start with the Outlaws in 2016, fell to the third position with points-leader Brad Sweet close behind him.
It wasn't long before Pittman reeled in the leader and was challenging for the lead near the halfway point in the race. With 14-laps remaining, Pittman rocketed around Hodnett for the lead.
Pittman dictated the top spot for the remainder of the race, as he held off Hodnett and Smith on a late-race caution with just four laps left, to capture the checkered flag at New Egypt for the fourth year in-a-row.
"We haven't been struggling by any means, but we needed a win," Pittman said. "This really makes me feel good, and makes them feel good going back home to Charlotte this week. We've had some pretty bad finishes but hopefully this can erase that and we can get on a better streak of just running up front.
"I felt like I was struggling [later in the race]...Those last four laps, I didn't feel like I made any of them very good, so I wasn't breathing good until I saw them throw the checkered."
Hodnett held onto the runner-up position, as he finished in the second position for the second time in the four days after finishing behind Lance Dewease at Williams Grove Speedway on May, 20.
"It might be an advantage to see what I am doing...I think it's an advantage in one way, but for us to have the lead and give it away, it's very disappointing. We did the same thing Friday [at Williams Grove Speedway] to Lance [Dewease].
In his first race with the Outlaws in 2016, Smith showed speed all night, as he qualified second, won his heat race, finished second in the dash and finished on the podium in the feature.
"I was hoping to come down here and just get a top five, but we got a top three and we're up here on the podium." Smith said. "I kept trying different lanes to try and make some time up on Greg [Hodnett], then I heard somebody, that ended up being Daryn.
"He was a lot better than us and drove by us. We were about the same speed as Greg, but we just couldn't go through lapped traffic like Daryn could."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series continues their southern migration as the series heads to The Dirt Track at Charlotte for the Circle K/NOS Energy Drink Outlaw Showdown on Friday, May 27. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit:www.CharlotteMotorSpeedway.com.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
New Egypt Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Daryn Pittman wins at New Egypt Speedway for the fourth consecutive year...Donny Schatz's 10th-place finish is his worst finish since missing the feature at Thunderbowl Raceway on March 13...Brad Sweet's fourth-place finish is his first top-five since winning at Plymouth Speedway on May 13.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Logan Wagner; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Brent Marks; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Tim Shaffer; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Paul McMahan; Super Flow ($50 cash): Danny Dietrich; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Greg Hodnett; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Daryn Pittman; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Logan Wagner.
SEASON WINNERS: ); Donny Schatz - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22); Brad Sweet - 6(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13);Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); David Gravel - 2 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14); Joey Saldana - 2 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22); Shane Stewart - 2 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Buggies (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Schuchart Dominates Weedsport, Schatz Steals Victory
Schatz passes Schuchart with five laps remaining to win Empire State Challenge
WEEDSPORT, N.Y. - May 22, 2016 - Logan Schuchart led a race high 30 laps but fell victim to a hard-charging Donny Schatz, who climbed from the ninth starting position to take the lead and score the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory in the Empire State Challenge at Weedsport Speedway on Sunday night.
The seven-time series champion defeated stiff competition and Mother Nature to capture his second win in-a-row at Weedsport, and his season-leading seventh checkered flag of the season.
"I got all the faith in the world in this race team - Tony [Stewart] has assembled an awesome group of guys," Schatz said, as raindrops started to fall from the sky. "These guys are unbelievable and we have a lot of fun together. I'm sure they're ready to get off the east coast because I have been riding in the truck with them and I think they're ready to get rid of me for a while and have a break."
Schuchart, who already has one second-place finish this season in the Ocean Outlaw Showdown at Ocean Speedway on April 1, once again finished in the runner-up position, just shy of the illusive first series win.
"I just didn't have the car at the end, we started to get too loose," Schuchart said. "It's a great run, the guys did a great job. We came up one spot short but it's nothing to hang our heads about. We have a great team and we're learning - but we're a little disappointed.
"There's a great group of people that get us here and sooner or later we are going to get them in victory lane."
To start the night, a threat of rain loomed over the track located just outside of Syracuse, N.Y., as drivers, teams and series officials watched the weather forecast with hopes of escaping a second straight rainout.
Luckily, Mother Nature decided to spare the World of Outlaws, as the night kicked-off with a bang as 23 of 27 drivers qualifyied under the previous track record of 13.401 seconds set by Greg Hodnett last year. Joey Saldana, for the second race in-a-row, set quick-time and established a new track record of 12.274 seconds.
Schuchart, in the Mark Pell Tire Service/Marty Thompson Investments No. 1S, set the third fastest time, placing him in the first starting position for heat three. Schuchart dominated his heat to transfer to the dash, in which he started second after a four was drawn for the invert.
The Shark Racing driver wasted to time finding his way to the front of the dash, as he worked his way around pole-sitter Daryn Pittman to take the lead, and the victory, in the six-lap race.
Schuchart took the green flag for the 35-lap feature from the pole-position and easily pulled away from the field. Even after a rash of early-race cautions, Schuchart appeared to have the car to beat.
All the while, Schatz, in the Bad Boy/Chevrolet Performance No. 15 lurked. Schatz started the feature in the ninth position but quickly cracked the top five before the halfway point in the race. By lap 25, Schatz had worked his way to second and was closing on the leader.
To that point in the race, Schuchart had commanded the top spot with little challenge from any other competitor. Unfortunately for the Hanover, Pa. -native, a red-hot Schatz had him in his crosshairs.
Schatz worked his way up to the leader's rear bumper and around Schuchart within six laps to take the lead with just four laps remaining. Schuchart, who was battling a loose racecar by the end of the race, settled into second, as he watched Schatz drive off.
Schatz extended his lead over the final laps, as he held off Schuchart and David Gravel to continue his dominance at Weedsport. Schatz has now won both series races held at the track since 1993.
"We did go back to the notes from last year, but for some reason we can't go back to that stuff, it doesn't seem to work," Schatz said. "If you look at tonight, I think the track record was broke by 23 cars, compared to last year we were rolling around a second slower, so that changes the dynamic of the car a little. You just have to stay on top of it and I have a great group of guys to do that.
"I don't know if we have hit our stride yet, like I've said, we gain in one area and make ourselves better but we might lose a little in other spots. It's a challenge, definitely fun at the moment trying to get a handle on it."
Schuchart's second-place finish is his third top-five of the season and 10th top-10.
"I couldn't tell you [what happened at the end]," Schuchart said. "I got really lose, and before I even saw a numbered car beside of me, I knew it was the 15 car. He's really hard to beat on these types of racetracks and I feel like these are the types of tracks I shine on - when it gets slick.
"These guys are tough, so to run second against these guys and just keep getting better is what's important."
Since his victory over a week ago at Tri-State Speedway, Gravel, in the Big Game Treestands/JRC No. 5, has admittedly struggled through the Pennsylvania stretch, as he finished 12th and 21st in the two races held in the Keystone State.
"We've been running really well, then went to PA and struggled a couple of nights, so it's good to back on the podium," Gravel said. "It was a tricky track here tonight, and we were good at the end of the race. I got to thank all my guys - Austin, Derek, Barry - they worked their butts off on the long haul here."
Following a day for travel, the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series will enter New Jersey for the only time in 2016, as the series heads to New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway for the Jersey Outlaw Classic on Tuesday, May 24. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit:www.WoOSprint.com/New-Egypt-Speedway
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Weedsport Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Joey Saldana sets a new track record in qualifying at 12.274 seconds...Donny Schatz, after winning in 2015, has now won both series races held at Weedsport since 1993...After leading 30 laps tonight, Logan Schuchart has led the 7th most laps this season with 51.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Tim Shaffer; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Shane Stewart;VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jacob Allen; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Greg Hodnett; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Donny Schatz; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jacob Allen; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Tim Shaffer.
SEASON WINNERS: ); Donny Schatz - 7 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22); Brad Sweet - 6(Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13);Daryn Pittman - 3 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18); David Gravel - 2 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14); Joey Saldana - 2 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22); Shane Stewart - 2 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Buggies (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Consistent Rain Cancels Saturday Night of Morgan Cup at Williams Grove
Morgan Cup battle moves to Saturday, July 23
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - May 21, 2016 - Moisture moved in early on Saturday morning forcing World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series to cancel today's action at Williams Grove Speedway. The annual battle between the Outlaws and Pennsylvania Posse for the prestigious Morgan Cup will move to the final night of the Champion Oil Summer Nationals on Saturday, July 23.
The new date introduces a winner-take-all Saturday night showdown with the driver who claims the checkered flag not only taking home the heavily sought after Morgan Cup trophy, but also an additional $5,000, making the total purse $25,000.
Fans who purchased tickets for tonight's race can visit www.WilliamsGrove.com for any questions and ticket redemption options.
The World of Outlaws will continue their swing through the northeast as the series heads to Weedsport (N.Y.) Speedway on Sunday, May 22 for the Empire State Challenge. Following action at Weedsport, and a day for travel, the series will head south to New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway for the Jersey Outlaw Classic on Tuesday, May 24.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Buggies (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Dewease Dominates Opening Night at Williams Grove Speedway
Defeats Outlaws to even the score in fiercely contested annual feud
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - May 20, 2016 - Lance Dewease exited his car to loud cheers from the Pennsylvania Posse-favored crowd after he dominated the final 15 laps of the 25-lap feature to claim the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory at Williams Grove Speedway on Friday night.
Dewease, who passed fellow Posse driver Greg Hodnett for the win, became just the second non-Outlaw driver to capture a checkered flag in a series race this year, joining Kerry Madsen who swept the Eldora Speedway races earlier this month.
"It feels great [to win at Williams Grove]," Dewease, a Fayetville, Pa. -native said. "It's been a long time coming here, and like I said, I can't thank these guys enough - they have done a great job over the winter getting prepared for each race. We're only going to run about 30 shows, which suits me and suits them, and we have to stay prepared and fresh for that.
"A lot of guys win at 50 - I never said this was a young man's sport. It's a blessing to drive this thing, and I say that every time. I am just very blessed and honored that they gave me a shot and I can't thank Donny and Linda Kreitz enough.
Posse fans were especially jubilant as second-place finisher Hodnett held off Thursday night's winner Donny Schatz to give the Pennsylvanian drivers the sweep of the top two finishing positions.
"We just came up a little short," Hodnett, a Spring Grove, Pa. -native said. "Lance [Dewease] and those guys have been good and I just needed to do something different - not sure what.
"The guys did a good job with the car, I just let them down."
The feud kicked-off early in the night when the Outlaws and Posse split the quick-time awards with Joey Saldana fastest in the first flight and Hodnett fastest in the second.
The back-and-forth battle did not end there, as the two fierce rivals split the victories in the heat races evenly with the Outlaws and Posse each scoring two apiece.
For the second night in-a-row, the Outlaws were aided by the luck of the dash invert draw, as Saldana remained on the pole-position following an invert of zero. Unfortunately for Saldana, he was unable to hold off Hodnett in the six-lap race, as the Posse driver claimed the victory and the pole for the feature.
When the green-flag fell for the feature, Hodnett, in the Lelands.com/Eagle Steel No. 27 jumped out to an early lead, as second-place starter Saldana slid back. Daryn Pittman, who started fourth, quickly moved up to the runner-up position and applied pressure on Hodnett for the top spot.
Towards the halfway point in the race, Pittman's car started to fade as No. 69K Kreitz Oval Track Parts/Sharman Builders car of Dewease quietly worked his way around the Outlaw driver for second.
Dewease, who started in the third position, bided his time in the early stages of the race and then turned on the speed in the latter half to challenge Hodnett for the lead.
Once Dewease got to the rear bumper of the leader, he was able to muscle his way around Hodnett for the top position with only 15 laps left in the feature.
The Posse driver turned on cruise control for the remaing laps, as he maintained a comfortable lead over Hodnett, who had his hands full with the No. 15 Bad Boy/Chevrolet Performance of Schatz.
Hodnett held off Schatz but was never able to challenge Dewease, who dominated the final 15 laps to capture the checkered flag on the opening night of the Morgan Cup weekend at Williams Grove Speedway.
"I had to move around and that's how I caught [Greg Hodnett]," Dewease said. "Greg was just kind of sitting there, and when you're leading it's so hard to move around, so the guy in second has all the advantage.
"Greg was pretty good all night, we just got to him before it could rubber up and got around him on the bottom. At the end I was struggling a little bit in the lapped cars - I didn't know if Greg could do anything outside of the rubber, so the last few laps I just made sure I didn't get right on somebodies bumper."
For the second year in-a-row, Hodnett led laps early but had to settle for the runner-up position.
"I was trying to run the top down here and kind of float around and it was working okay, just not quite good enough," Hodnett said. "Lance and those guys have been doing good and they deserve to win. Hopefully we get our car better and maybe contend with them."
Winner of this event in 2015, seven-time World of Outlaws champion Schatz scored his second podium finish in two nights after being barred from a top-three finish since USA Raceway on April 18.
"Third is not where we wanted to be, we wanted to win the race," Schatz said. "We weren't good enough to win the race, Lance was awfully good and Greg was good. 25-laps was what it was, maybe tomorrow night will be a little bit longer and we will have a little better shot at it.
"The guys did an awesome job trying to get me a better car than what we had earlier in the night. We got ourselves qualified well, that's so important now. We're just going to work hard tonight and come back tomorrow and be better."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series wraps up the weekend action at Williams Grove Speedway with the prestigious Morgan Cup on Saturday night. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit: www.WoOSprint.com/Williams-Grove.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Williams Grove Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Lance Dewease becomes just the second non-Outlaw driver to win in 2016...Brad Sweet finished outside of the top 10 for just the third time all season...Joey Saldana ties Daryn Pittman for most quick-time awards this season at five.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Tim Shaffer; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Danny Dietrich; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Ryan Smith; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Aaron Ott; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Super Flow ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Greg Hodnett;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Aaron Ott; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Lance Dewease; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Sides; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Johnson.
SEASON WINNERS: ); Donny Schatz - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 3 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18); David Gravel - 2(Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14); Joey Saldana - 2 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22); Shane Stewart - 2 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26).
Schatz Captures Gettysburg Clash at Lincoln Speedway
Outlaws land first blow in year-long war with Pennsylvania Posse
ABBOTTSTOWN, Pa. - May 19, 2016 - Seven-time World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion Donny Schatz managed to do something that only one other series driver has been able to do since 1997: out-muscle the Pennsylvania Posse on their home turf and claim the Gettysburg Clash at Lincoln Speedway.
Schatz's victory, his sixth of the season, gives the Outlaw drivers the upper hand as the annual feud over sprint car supremacy has officially kicked-off.
"We want to win everywhere we go, but man when you come to Pennsylvania the fans here are feisty and you hear a lot of swear words directed to you - that's what this is about," Schatz said. "This is a free country and I am glad there are people who can voice their opinion that they hate you or love you.
"It makes such a great comradery and it lifts up the competition level of the PA Posse racing on a weekly level and the World of Outlaws' racing. That's what this is about, to keep pushing each other to get better, and that's what makes our sport what it is and makes it as dynamic as it is."
The Posse members did not make it easy on the Outlaw driver as they fiercely fought all night to protect their home turf from the invaders, eventually placing two drivers on the podium, Danny Dietrich and Brent Marks.
"We just go to every race and try to win like a normal Friday or Saturday night," Dietrich, a Gettysburg, Pa. -native said. "The biggest prize right now is Knoxville Speedway is offering some beer for the first Posse driver to win an Outlaw show.
"All jokes aside though, we want to get a win against these guys - it would mean a lot."
A Meyerstown, Pa. -native, third-place finisher Brent Marks added:
"The rivalry between us means a lot because they're the best in the business and you have to race so much more aggressively against these guys because that's how they race, and it is really tough. Its respect on both sides, we race them hard and they race us hard back. It's cool, the fans are really into it and it's a cool atmosphere to be a part of and that's what makes racing in Pennsylvania so much fun when the Outlaws come into town."
When the night started, the fight for quick-time was a one sided affair, as the Posse members swept both flights of qualifying with Danny Dietrich fastest in the first and Lucas Wolfe fastest in the second.
However, as the night progressed, the Outlaw drivers continued to encroach on the Posse dominance at the top of the charts, as the two split the four heat races with each winning two.
After showing they could challenge the Posse in the speed department, the Outlaws were aided by a little luck as the dash invert draw placed Schatz, in the Bad Boy/Chevy Performance No. 15, on the pole for the six-lap race, while sliding Dietrich, in the Sandoe's Fruit Market/Hickory Run Orchards No. 48, to the fourth position.
Dietrich rallied in the dash to finish second, but he could not catch Schatz, who dominated the race and landed on the pole-position for the 35-lap feature race.
Once the green flag dropped in the feature, Schatz managed to escape from Dietrich and Joey Saldana who started third. Saldana slipped back in the opening laps as a hard-charging Marks, in the M&M Painting and Construction/Weaver's Body Shop No. 19M, made his way to the front of the field from his sixth starting position.
The feature ran caution free for all 35 laps, but Dietrich and Marks did not need the yellow flag to reel in the leader.
In the closing stages of the race, both Posse members had managed to close to Schatz's back bumper for the lead as they fought through heavy lapped traffic.
The race came down to the final lap, as second-place Dietrich pulled to the inside of Schatz exiting turn four but came up just short of muscling around the leader, as Schatz was able to hold on and claim the opening round of the Outlaws vs. Pennsylvania Posse rivalry at Lincoln Speedway.
"It's great to win here at Lincoln, especially after never winning here before," Schatz said. "Everybody was pretty equal and you can see that because not too many cars got lapped during the race and that's just the nature of the beast. That front-row starting spot was key, as it has been at a lot of races this year, and I am glad I could capitalize on it.
"The expectation is you want to win every night, and it's not going to happen. We haven't been that bad but for the standards this team has put forth the last several years, it kind of seems that way. We have tried several things, and I guess to be in the situation we are in right now where we can try these new things and make ourselves better, that's going to pay off for us at the end of the year."
Dietrich, who won beat the Outlaws on a Summer Nationals night at Williams Grove Speedway in 2015, came up just short of winning the race he dominated in 2012 and 2013.
"This was a good run for the team," Dietrich said. "To be able to run second out of 38 or 39 cars it's definitely a good feeling. We're satisfied with our finish tonight, just too bad it couldn't be one position better.
"Donny [Schatz] is a heck of a racer, catching him and passing him was going to be a whole other problem. He was in the preferred on the start so that made things a little tougher, but congrats to him and we're going to move on to The Grove tomorrow."
Marks podium finish gives the Posse drivers two of the three top spots, and three of the top-five finishing positions.
"We had a pretty good run tonight," Marks said. "We haven't been too good here the past couple of years, so to run like we did here was pretty good for us.
"I got to second there, got past Danny [Dietrich] in turn three, and I thought he was going to slide me back, so I drove it in too hard and just got over the ledge a little bit and he got back by me. I felt like I blew the race there because I felt like we had a good enough car that if we got some laps we could run down Donny. Don't know if I could have done anything - maybe shown him my nose and put some pressure on him, but never got the opportunity. Other than that, I felt like we had a good run against the Outlaws and I can't complain."
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series continue their swing through the Keystone State as the series heads to Mechanicsburg for a double-header weekend at Williams Grove Speedway on Friday, May 20 and Saturday May 21. For more race information and ticket purchasing options, visit:www.WoOSprint.com/Williams-Grove.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at www.youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Lincoln Speedway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Donny Schatz becomes just the second Outlaw driver to win at Lincoln Speedway since 1997...Logan Schuchart captured his second top-five of the season...Joey Saldana picked up his 10th heat win this year, just one behind Brad Sweet's series-leading 11.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Shane Stewart; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Brent Marks; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Dustin Hogue; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Joey Saldana; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): David Gravel; Super Flow ($50 cash): Greg Wilson; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Danny Dietrich;KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Dustin Hogue; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Greg Wilson; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Sides.
SEASON WINNERS: ); Donny Schatz - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 3 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18); David Gravel - 2(Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14); Joey Saldana - 2 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22); Shane Stewart - 2 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26).
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Bad Boy Buggies (Official Side-by-Side Vehicle), Craftsman (Official Tool), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Morton Buildings (Official Building), Sears (Official Home Store), The Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience (Official Racing Experience) and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD, Penske Shocks, and Superflow Dynos; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.
Gravel Defeats Non-Outlaws in Barn Burner at Tri-State Speedway
Holds off challenges from Brady Bacon and Parker Price-Miller for second win of the season
HAUBSTADT, Ind. - May 14, 2016 - David Gravel utilized his speed, and a touch of luck, Saturday night as he clawed his way around pole-sitter Kerry Madsen on the opening lap of the feature, then held off another non-Outlaw, Brady Bacon, in the closing laps to score his second World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind.
Gravel controlled the top spot for all 40-laps, but his victory did not come easily, as he had to battle through lapped traffic while also trying to hold off a hard charging Bacon for the win.
"The CJB Motorsports car is obviously pretty good here after Paul [McMahan] won the two years previously, so I had to back that up," Gravel said. "Hopefully, this leads to more wins to come and a g