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Shark Racing takes a bite out of the record books at Devil's Bowl
MESQUITE, TX – April 12, 2019 – Logan Schuchart totaled two wins in the 2018 World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series season. He now has two wins in just 12 races this year.
He wrote his name into the record books Friday night, claiming his first win at the historic Devil's Bowl Speedway – the site of the inaugural World of Outlaws race in 1978 – and his 10th Series win overall.
"I've watched old videos of my grandfather (Bobby Allen) running good here and winning races," Schuchart said. "Now, I get to put my name in the history books and this team gets to put its name in the history books."
Not only did he claim the win for the Pennsylvania-based Shark Racing team – owned by his grandfather – his teammate Jacob Allen led 10 laps of the 25-lap Feature and finished third – his first top-five this season.
"I love it," said Bobby Allen, who won at Devil's Bowl in 1986. "That's what we're here for. We got a first and a third, so we're real happy... Happier."
Schuchart had to "cowboy up" for his first win of the season at the Stockton Dirt Track, wrestling with rough track conditions. He had to do the same again at Devil's Bowl, but not because of the track. The competition.
After finding their way into the top-10 for the first time this season at Arizona Speedway, Kraig Kinser started on the pole for the Feature – after winning the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash – and Jacob Allen started second. The two were the class of the field at the start of the race.
When the green flag flew, Kinser pulled away to the early lead. Allen nearly ended his race before it started. He had a slow start, allowing Daryn Pittman to get by him for second and was side by side with Schuchart for third going down the front stretch. But Allen was hooked on the high side of the track.
He bested his teammate through turns one and two, and nearly came side by side with Pittman down the backstretch before Pittman blocked his run. The next lap, Allen didn't give Pittman the chance to pull the same move twice. He made his way by Pittman and set his sight on Kinser.
Allen took the lead by Lap four and began to put about a car length distance between he and the second-place car every lap. However, his pace put him in traffic by Lap seven.
Behind him, Schuchart and Pittman traded slide jobs turn after turn, lap after lap, fighting to claim third. Schuchart was the victory and led the train of he and Pittman to the front.
While the high side led Allen to the lead, it became his downfall. Schuchart and Pittman both found grip on the bottom of the track and made their way by Kinser and Allen.
"It made it tough trying to take the lead away from Jake," Schuchart said about passing his teammate, who was going for his first win. "I'm going to race him just as hard as anybody else. He's going to get his first win. He's getting better and better every year. That breakthrough win is going to happen for this team."
Pittman didn't care about either of them winning. The Owasso, Okla. native wanted another win at the track just a few hours from his home. With about 10 laps to go, Schuchart slid up the track off of turn two, allowing Pittman to get a run underneath him and take the lead. But a lap later, Pittman made the same mistake, allowing Schuchart to get back by and charge to his first Texas Outlaw Nationals win.
"Gave that one away," Pittman said. "The bottom just took off. It got so much faster in a hurry. Pretty frustrated, but we had a good car."
It was Pittman's first top-five finish since finishing second to David Gravel at Keller Auto Speedway last month.
He continues to sit third in points, but now just six points behind leader Brad Sweet. Donny Schatz is second, two points behind Sweet. Rookie Carson Macedo, continues to impress, remaining fourth in points – 84 points behind Sweet – and Schuchart sits fifth – 90 points behind the lead.
After missing three Features early this season, Allen is starting to find consistency, winning two Drydene Heat races in-a-row, making his way into the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash and earning two top-10 finishes in-a-row.
"Obviously I want to win more than anything," Allen said. "It is what it is, but I had fun. It's really good to see Logan win and both Shark Racing cars on the podium. We work hard at this and this is what it's about."
Schuchart was the king shark Friday night, and even though he's already matched his 2018 win total, he said that won't change his approach to the rest of the season.
"We just want to win races," a grinning Schuchart said. "We just want to get out there and win races every time we go."
The Greatest Show on Dirt will make its next stop Saturday, April 13, at the historic Devil's Bowl Speedway for the second night of the Texas Outlaw Nationals.
As always, you can catch all World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.
For tickets and more information, go to www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (25 Laps) - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$8,000]; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman [4][$4,000]; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen [2][$2,500]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [1][$2,200]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$2,100]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$2,000]; 7. 2-Carson Macedo [5][$1,800]; 8. 1B-Travis Rilat [8][$1,600]; 9. 41-David Gravel [12][$1,500]; 10. 5-Shane Stewart [11][$1,300]; 11. 2M-Kerry Madsen [15][$1,200]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [7][$1,100]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [14][$1,000]; 14. 1-Sammy Swindell [19][$700]; 15. 45-Chad Kemenah [18][$600]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [20][$600]; 17. 28-Scott Bogucki [13][$600]; 18. 55-Danny Wood [22][$600]; 19. 33M-Mason Daniel [21][$600]; 20. 99X-Dalton Stevens [24][$600]; 21. 12H-Tony Bruce [23][$600]; 22. 2C-Wayne Johnson [16][$600]; 23. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [10][$600]; 24. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [17][$600]; Lap Leaders: Kraig Kinser 1-3, Jacob Allen 4-13, Logan Schuchart 14-15, 17-25; Daryn Pittman 16; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1-Sammy Swindell[+5]
Qualifying - 1. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.699; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman, 13.76; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.792; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.879; 5. 1B-Travis Rilat, 13.909; 6. 2-Carson Macedo, 13.934; 7. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.942; 8. 19-Brent Marks, 13.957; 9. 41-David Gravel, 13.976; 10. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.992; 11. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.105; 12. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.135; 13. 1-Sammy Swindell, 14.138; 14. 5-Shane Stewart, 14.142; 15. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 14.149; 16. 28-Scott Bogucki, 14.166; 17. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.201; 18. 45-Chad Kemenah, 14.365; 19. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 14.442; 20. 33M-Mason Daniel, 14.442; 21. 21P-Robbie Price, 14.466; 22. 55-Danny Wood, 14.563; 23. 15H-Sam Hafertepe, 14.595; 24. 12H-Tony Bruce, 14.689; 25. 2X-Tucker Doughty, 15.119; 26. 99X-Dalton Stevens, 15.313; 27. 10P-Jim Perricone, 16.028
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Allen, Kinser, Marks look to continue strong finishes at Devil's Bowl after finding the top-10 in Arizona
MESQUITE, TX – While Brad Sweet and David Gravel are carrying winning momentum into this weekend's doubleheader at Devil's Bowl Speedway, a few drivers are carrying the relieving momentum of getting their first top-10 of the year.
Before entering the Arizona races at USA Raceway and Arizona Speedway last weekend, Brent Marks had finished no better than 11th, Kraig Kinser 15th and Jacob Allen 21st. Kinser had also missed transferring to one Feature, Marks two and Allen three – in the first nine races of the season.
But their fortune turned in the desert. Marks finished 6th at USA Raceway, and followed it up with an 11th place finish at Arizona Speedway the next night. Kinser and Allen finished 16th and 19th respectively at USA Raceway, but then Allen made his way to seventh and Kinser eighth at Arizona Speedway.
"I think things will start going our way," Marks said, after claiming his first top-10 of the year.
The Myerstown, Pa., native is coming off of his best season, finishing ninth in points with three victories. He said his team has been working hard on the car each week to get it back to its competitive nature. Putting together a good race day starts with good time trial results, he said.
"We're getting ourselves better there," Marks said. "Just need to get ourselves better in race trim, too."
Kinser – son of 20-time Series champion Steve Kinser – also credited good Qualifying results as the key to securing his first top-10 of the season.
"It just worked out in our favor," Kinser said, sweat drenched across his face after the Arizona Speedway Feature. "We've been working on our car about every week. Some big changes, some little changes."
Kinser has 17 career wins, but has not won since 2017. He's looking to carry and build momentum into Devil's Bowl Speedway and beyond. It's his goal to be running up front every week.
"We struggled pretty hard in the West Coast swing," the Bloomington, Ind.-native said. Now we're getting back toward the Midwest and back closer to home and hopefully we'll start picking up and this is a good start to that."
A seventh-place finish at Arizona Speedway is the confidence booster Allen needed.
"It definitely feels good," Allen said. "I know I can do it."
He started off his night at Arizona Speedway winning his first Drydene Heat race of the year, putting him in the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash where he finished third.
Allen, who is still looking for his first career World of Outlaws win, credits some of his success to having a better understanding of different set-ups for different track conditions.
"Last year, I kind of stuck to one set-up," said Allen, of Hanover, Pa. "It would work on certain race tracks at certain times for the year, but I'm just learning more of the set-ups."
His struggle this year has been keeping up with the car's set-up throughout the night.
"Sometimes I just struggle," he said. "Other times I can Qualify good and then I go out there and mess with the set-up for a Heat race and it just makes me feel uncomfortable. I can't race it the way I want to."
Now after putting together a successful race throughout the whole night, he has momentum to build off of with his Shark Racing team going into the doubleheader at Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas, Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13.
"To get back up front with everybody and not fall, and just to compete and feel that good is definitely rewarding," Allen said.
The last time the Series visited Devil's Bowl Speedway, Kinser and Marks both finished in the top-10, while Allen finished 11th.
Don't miss a second of the action at Devil's Bowl, get your tickets by going to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or call 844-DIRT-TIX. If you can't make it to the track, be sure to watch the race LIVE on DIRTVISION.com.
Shane Stewart looks to build momentum at Devil's Bowl with new CJB Motorsports team
MESQUITE, TX – April 8, 2019 – Oklahoma native Shane Stewart is looking forward to heading home this weekend — kind of.
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is returning to historic Devil's Bowl Speedway, Friday April 12, and Saturday, April 13 — a track Stewart now considers home and has circled on his calendar.
The Mesquite, Texas track — where the inaugural World of Outlaws race was held in 1978 — is about four hours away from Stewart's hometown of Bixby, Okla. With most tracks in Oklahoma either torn down, or a distant memory, Devil's Bowl Speedway has become his surrogate hometrack. However, it's more than just a hometrack.
"Devil's Bowl has always been one of those bigger races on the schedule," Stewart said. "Back when I was growing up, Devil's Bowl, besides Knoxville, was always it for me. If you look at the drivers that have won there, especially Outlaw drivers, the list is pretty deep, with a lot of history there. It's definitely a track that everybody wants to win at."
He won at the track in 2016 and had a podium finish at the second race there last year. After an up and down early start to the season, Stewart's hoping for similar results this year as he and his new CJB Motorsports team continue to learn each other.
Stewart started off the World of Outlaws season strong, finishing second on the opening night of racing at Volusia Speedway Park, but then finished 19th and 21st the next two races. Since then his results have been a mix of top-15 and top-10 finishes — placing him currently eighth in Series points.
"Our finishes haven't really shown how we've been," Stewart said. "I feel like we've been in contention to win three races, and I let one of them sneak away at Volusia, and we were leading the other night and had a flat at Stockton. When we Qualify in the right spot, put ourselves in the Dash, we've been in contention to win."
He spent the past five years driving for Kyle Larson Racing, and while each team is unique with its own personality, Stewart said there's been no difficulties adjusting to driving the No. 5 car with 2017 Crew Chief of the Year Barry Jackson.
Jackson agrees.
"He (Shane) and I, we communicate real well, and relate real well," Jackson said.
David Gravel, who moved over to Jason Johnson Racing this year, spent the last three years as Jackson's driver, and while they found success winning more than 30 races and finishing third in points all three years together, Jackson said it's easier to connect with Stewart.
"I think with Shane and I, we come from a little bit more similar background," Jackson said, "We're closer in age. It's a little harder for the older guys to work with the real young guys, at least for me. And Shane and I have a lot of similarities, and we're clicking pretty good in that department."
What's hindered the team this year is consistency with races, bad luck and the team's engine program, Jackson said.
After 12 years of working with Kistler Engines, Jackson said, at USA Raceway, he made the difficult decision to switch to engines from Gray Motorsports — which races in the NHRA Pro Stock division.
"We kind of had some issues, kind of going on for about a year," Jackson said about the team's engine program. "It's going to be a little bit of a learning experience for both them and myself. They're great engine builders, but it's like me going over there to try and work on a Pro Stock car or a Funny Car. It's a whole different ball game."
He made the decision to switch engine builders after the second race at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas — where Stewart finished 21st — after about 15 hours of talking over the decision with several people. However, Jackson said he's not sure if the engine switch is his final decision, though. Stewart finished 10th at USA Raceway and 12th at Arizona Speedway last weekend.
But if there was a time to have a slow run in the season, Jackson said he wants it to be now.
"Sometimes you've just got to get the season rolling," Jackson said. "I don't feel like we've got a chance to do that yet with all of the rain outs. If I'm going to have a little bit of a slow time in the season, as far as performance, I want it to be now. Because whenever May rolls around and you start looking at the races we have in May and the races we have in June, July and August, that's where I want to get on a roll. Hopefully we're getting this stuff out of the way now and we'll be set to roll real soon."
Having run well at Devil's Bowl Speedway previously, Stewart looks for the team chemistry and momentum to grow this weekend.
"Going to different race tracks and putting yourself in different situations, knowing how to communicate with each other is one of the things that we continue to work on," Stewart said. "I feel like we're heading in the right direction."
NEWS & NOTES
• PARTY TIME AT LAKE OZARK: The night before the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series stars battle at Lake Ozark Speedway, fans have the unique opportunity meet several of the racers from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, at Fat Polly's Pub next to The Lodge at Port Arrowhead. The event will feature live music and a chance to see some of the cars up close and meet some of the drivers. Plus, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series souvenir trailer will have all of the latest specials, too. Tickets for the race are available at WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
• MULTIPLE WINS: When David Gravel won on Saturday night at Arizona Speedway, he became only the second driver with more than one victory this season, joining Daryn Pittman, who won the first two Features of the year.
• MR. CONSISTENCY: Brad Sweet, who won at USA Raceway on Friday and was second on Saturday at Arizona Speedway has taken over the championship lead. He's finished in the top-five in six of his past seven races — four of which have been podium finishes, and one a victory. That's placed him as the current Series points leader, four points ahead of reigning champion Donny Schatz.
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
WHEN & WHERE
Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13, at Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas for the Texas Outlaw Nationals
-Grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. with Hot Laps at 7 p.m., Time Trials at 7:30 p.m. and Racing at 8 p.m.
ABOUT THE TRACK
Devil's Bowl Speedway is a half-mile, high-banked track. The track record is 13.530 sec. by Mark Kinser on April 24, 1999.
Online – DevilsBowl.com
Phone – (972) 222-2421
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased by going to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
1/2-mile winners
There have been five races on a 1/2-mile track this season. Daryn Pittman won at Volusia Speedway on Feb. 8-9. Tim Shaffer won at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on Feb. 27 and Donny Schatz won in Las Vegas on Feb. 28. Aaron Reutzel won at Perris Auto Speedway on March 30.
DEVIL'S BOWL SPEEDWAY PREVIOUS WINNERS
2018 – Daryn Pittman on April 27, Donny Schatz on April 28
2017 - Jason Johnson on April 14, Brad Sweet on April 15
2016 - Joey Saldana on April 22, Shane Stewart on April 23
2015 - Donny Schatz on April 25
2014 - Donny Schatz on April 18, Daryn Pittman on April 19
2003 - Tyler Walker on March 15
2002 - Joey Saldana on March 16
2001 - Craig Dollansky on March 10, Joey Saldana on October 27
2000 - Danny Lasoski on March 11, Sammy Swindell on October 28
1999 - Danny Lasoski on April 24, Sammy Swindell on April 24 (1998 Winter Nat'ls finale), Gary Wright on October 15
1998 - Steve Kinser on March 21
1997 - Mark Kinser on March 22, Mark Kinser on October 18
1996 - Steve Kinser on March 23, Mark Kinser on October 19
1995 - Gary Wright on March 18, Stevie Smith on July 29, Gary Wright on October 21
1994 - Andy Hillenburg on March 19, Steve Kinser on July 30, Sammy Swindell on October 23
1993 - Steve Kinser on March 20, Gary Wright on July 31, Dave Blaney on October 23
1992 - Stevie Smith on March 21, Sammy Swindell on June 13, Steve Kinser on October 24
1988 - Dave Blaney on March 19, Steve Kinser on June 18
1987 - Sammy Swindell on March 15, Bobby Davis, Jr., on June 20
1986 - Bobby Allen on March 9, Sammy Swindell on June 21
1985 - Steve Kinser on March 3, Sammy Swindell on June 21
1984 - Steve Kinser on March 4, Bobby Davis, Jr., on May 4, Jeff Swindell on June 22
1983 - Doug Wolfgang on April 22, Ron Shuman on June 24
1982 - Bobby Davis, Jr., on March 20, Steve Kinser on June 25
1981 - Danny Smith on March 14, Doug Wolfgang on March 21, Ron Shuman on June 26
1980 - Doug Wolfgang on March 15, Sammy Swindell on March 22, Sammy Swindell on June 27, Sammy Swindell on September 13
1979 - Steve Kinser on March 31, Sammy Swindell on September 8
1978 - Jimmy Boyd on March 18, Sammy Swindell on September 16
ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series – Woosprint.com
Twitter – Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws - @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOSprint - @woosprint
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws
YouTube – YouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – Dirtvision.com – Get your Fast Pass to watch all races LIVE for only $39/month
Twitter – Twitter.com/DIRTVision - @DIRTVision
Facebook – Facebook.com/WatchDIRTVision
DRIVER INFO
Follow World of Outlaws full-time drivers on Twitter:
Brad Sweet – @BradSweet49
Brent Marks – @bmracing19
Carson Macedo – @carson_macedo
Daryn Pittman – @darynpittman
Donny Schatz – @donnyschatz
Ian Madsen – @IanMadsen
Jacob Allen – @JacobAllen1A
Jason Sides – SidesMotorsports.com (not on Twitter)
Kraig Kinser – @KraigKinser11k
Logan Schuchart – @Lschuchart1s
Shane Stewart – @shanestewart_5
Sheldon Haudenschild – @Haudenschild_17
AROUND THE TURN: After a week off, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will continue its Spring tour Friday, April 26, at Lake Ozark Speedway in Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., Saturday, April 27, at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo. and Sunday, April 28, at Jacksonville Speedway in Jacksonville, Ill.
2019 STATS
There have been 11 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Feature events this season.
FEATURE WINNERS (9 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 2
– David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 2
2 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
-- Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
-- Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
DRYDENE HEAT RACE WINNERS (23 different winners)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 5
2 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 4
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 4
3 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 3
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 3
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 3
4 – Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 2
– Rico Abreu, St. Helena, Calif. – 2
– Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 2
-- Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 2
5 – Spencer Bayston, Lebanon, Ind. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Giovanni Scelzi, Fresno, Calif. – 1
– Jason Sides, Bartlett, Tenn. – 1
– Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, Calif. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 1
– Cory Eliason, Visalia, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Willie Croft, Roseville, Calif. – 1
-- Brent Marks, Myerstown, Pa. – 1
-- David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
-- Jacob Allen, Hanover, Pa. – 1
DIRTVISION FAST PASS DASH WINNERS (9 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 2
-- Sheldon Haundenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 2
2 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
-- Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (9 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Cale Conley, Vienna, W.Va. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 1
– David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Terry McCarl, Altoona, Iowa – 1
-- Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 1
-- Brent Marks, Myerstown, Pa. – 1
C-MAIN WINNERS (1 driver)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
PODIUM FINISHES (15 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of podiums
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 5
2 – Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 4
3 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 3
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 3
-- David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 3
4 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 2
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 2
– Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 2
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 2
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 2
4 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
-- Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
-- Rico Abreu, St. Helena, Calif. – 1
HARD CHARGER AWARD (10 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C. Awards
1 – Cory Eliason, Santa Cruz, Calif. – 2
2 – David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Chad Kemenah, Alveda, Ohio – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
-- Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
-- Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, Ind. – 1
– Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, Mo. – 1
-- Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
TOTAL LAPS LED (12 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps
1– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 53
2 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 36
3 – Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 32
– Sheldon Haundenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 32
4 – David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 31
5 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 30
-- Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 30
6 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 29
7 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 25
8 – Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 18
9 – Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 15
10 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 14
QUALIFYING QUICK TIME (8 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs
1 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
– Jacob Allen, Hanover, Pa. – 2
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 2
2 – Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, Ind. – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
FASTEST IN PRACTICE (8 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of times fastest
1 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 3 (Two sets of Hot Laps at Arizona Speedway)
2 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 2
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 2
3 – Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
2019 World of Outlaws Schedule & Winners
No./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Friday, Feb. 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (1)
2. Saturday, Feb. 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (2)
3. Sunday, Feb. 10 / Volusia Speedway Park/ Baberville, Fla. / Rainout-Canceled
4. Friday, Feb. 22 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
5. Saturday, Feb. 23 / LoneStar Speedway / Kilgore, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
6. Wednesday, Feb. 27 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Tim Shaffer (1)
7. Thursday, Feb. 28 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Donny Schatz (1)
8. Friday, March 8 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Rainout-Canceled
9. Saturday, March 9 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Ian Madsen (1)
10. Friday, March 15 / Silver Dollar Speedway / Chico, Calif. / Carson Macedo (1)
11. Saturday, March 16 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, Calif. / Logan Schuchart (1)
12. Friday, March 22 / Ocean Speedway / Watsonville, Calif. / Rainout-Canceled
13. Saturday, March 23 / Placerville Speedway / Placerville, Calif. / Rainout-Rescheduled for Sept. 11
14. Friday, March 29 / Keller Auto Speedway / Hanford, Calif. / David Gravel (1)
15. Saturday, March 30 / Perris Auto Speedway / Perris, Calif. / Aaron Reutzel (1)
16. Friday, April 5 / USA Raceway / Tucson, Ariz. / Brad Sweet (1)
17. Saturday, April 6 / Arizona Speedway / Queen Creek, Ariz. / David Gravel (2)
David Gravel claims 41st World of Outlaws victory in Jason Johnson Racing's #41 car
QUEEN CREEK, AZ – April 6, 2019 – David Gravel's first win of the season last month with his new Jason Johnson Racing team was sentimental for several reasons. His second win, Saturday night at Arizona Speedway, was no different.
Not only did he win on his sister Victoria's birthday, he claimed his 41st career World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series win in the #41 car – the number chosen by the late Jason Johnson to run.
"I've kind of forgot about it, because if you try too hard to win a race, you know, it's not going to come," Gravel said about looking for win number 41. "I knew the next one was going to be 41, but it didn't really all click. I'm glad to win on my sister's birthday and it's cool to be my 41st win. All of those things coming together, I guess it was meant to be."
Win 41 was no easier than win 40, though.
Starting fourth in the 30-Lap Arizona Desert Shootout Feature, Gravel had his work cut out for him. He made his way by third-place Jacob Allen in a lap, but then had to contend with 2017 Rookie of the Year, Sheldon Haudenschild, and Friday night's Feature winner Brad Sweet – the two fastest cars of the night.
Sweet was a tenth of a second off setting a new track record in Qualifying, and then went on to win his Drydene Heat race. He took the early lead in the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash, but Haudenschild showed his muscle in the closing laps, powering by Sweet on the high side for the win.
Haudenschild then continued where he left off in the Dash, cruising to the lead in the Feature and pulling away from the field. His blistering pace put him in lap traffic a third of the way through the caution-free Feature, allowing Sweet and Gravel to get close enough to taste the lead.
Sweet used lap traffic to his advantage the night prior, besting Ian Madsen in the game of maneuverability through slower cars. That looked to be his fortune once again, until Gravel continued to make ground on him. While Sweet reeled in Haudenschild, Gravel had Sweet locked in his visor.
The two battled side by side for about four laps, swapping lanes every corner. By Lap 13, Gravel mastered the bottom of the tacky track through turns three and four, clearing Sweet down the front stretch and maintaining the position with a run on the high side of turns one and two.
That run not only cleared him of the blue Kasey Kahne Racing car, it put him in striking distance of Haudenschild's car. While Haudenschild tried to maneuver around a lap car in turns three and four, Gravel pulled the same move on him that he pulled on Sweet, claiming the lead on Lap 14 and never relinquishing it.
"He (Haudenschild) didn't hit his exit, and that just opened the door for me," Gravel said. "Luckily, it all worked out. Whatever lane I went, I seemed to be faster."
Haudenschild concurred with Gravel's assessment of the race, acknowledging he made a mistake.
"I figured if I could just rip the cushion and make consistent laps, I'd be alright," said Haudeschild, who ended up third. "Once I got to lappers and the guy was running the top, I really didn't make a good move. Like David said, I lost my run off the exit."
After starting the season with four finishes in-a-row outside the top-12, the Wooster, Ohio native has found consistency. He's finished in the top-10 in his last five races – two of which have been top-five finishes.
"It's been kind of a rocky start, but we've been building momentum here in these last few races," Haudenschild said.
On a more consistent run is second-place finisher, Sweet. He's finished in the top-five in six of his last seven races – four of which have been podium finishes, and one a victory. That's placed him as the current Series points leader – four points ahead of reigning champion Donny Schatz.
"It's always cool to lead the points, but I don't even think we're a tenth of the way through the season," Grass Valley, Calif. native, Sweet said. "It's going to be a long summer. As long as we keep getting better and standing on the podium, the points will shake out how they will at the end."
Gravel, of Watertown, Conn., became only the second driver this year to claim more than one victory – Daryn Pittman was the first winning both races at Volusia Speedway Park.
With win number two out of the way, Gravel looks for more consistency with his Jason Johnson Racing team.
"We struggled, got a win, the next day ran 12th," Gravel said. "Now, this weekend (in Arizona) we went third and first. As a team, that's what you're looking for, is having podiums and top-fives. That's what makes a good season."
The Greatest Show on Dirt will make its next stop Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13, at the historic Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas.
As always, you can catch all World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.
For tickets and more information, go to www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 41-David Gravel [4][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$5,500]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [1][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [13][$2,800]; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [6][$2,500]; 6. 83-Daryn Pittman [7][$2,300]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [3][$2,200]; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser [11][$2,100]; 9. 2-Carson Macedo [10][$2,050]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [15][$2,000]; 11. 19-Brent Marks [8][$1,500]; 12. 5-Shane Stewart [14][$1,200]; 13. 45-Chad Kemenah [12][$1,100]; 14. 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg [5][$1,050]; 15. 24-Rico Abreu [19][$1,000]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [18][$900]; 17. 33M-Mason Daniel [20][$800]; 18. 13-Mark Dobmeier [17][$800]; 19. 21-Brian Brown [9][$800]; 20. 11-Mike Kuemper [21][$800]; 21. 21P-Robbie Price [16][$800]; Lap Leaders: Sheldon Haudenschild 1-13, David Gravel 14-30; KSE Hard Charger Award:15-Donny Schatz[+9]Qualifying - 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.452; 2. 18-Ian Madsen, 12.573; 3. 41-David Gravel, 12.601; 4. 2-Carson Macedo, 12.625; 5. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.644; 6. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.685; 7. 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg, 12.686; 8. 19-Brent Marks, 12.704; 9. 21-Brian Brown, 12.718; 10. 83-Daryn Pittman, 12.759; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.766; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.767; 13. 24-Rico Abreu, 12.796; 14. 5-Shane Stewart, 12.845; 15. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.859; 16. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.859; 17. 33M-Mason Daniel, 12.875; 18. 45-Chad Kemenah, 12.962; 19. 21P-Robbie Price, 12.968; 20. 13-Mark Dobmeier, 13.104; 21. 11-Mike Kuemper, 13.573
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
'Big Cat' Brad Sweet claims Wildcat Shootout at USA Raceway
TUCSON, AZ – April 5, 2019 – With five laps to go in the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Wildcat Shootout at USA Raceway Friday night, Brad Sweet's victory was far from certain.
Sweet had command of the race, having stolen the lead from Ian Madsen just before a Lap 19 caution. However, Madsen did not let the blue Kasey Kahne Racing car of Sweet out of his sight.
With lap traffic in Sweet's windshield, Madsen used it to his advantage turning a car length distance between them into half a car length. Then a quarter. The laps were winding down in a hurry, but the race was far from over.
That is until the lap traffic that was helping Madsen catch Sweet, ended up killing his momentum with a lap to go, putting more than a car length back between he and Sweet, who went on to claim his first win of the 2019 season – his 35th career win overall.
"I was just kind of lucky to get through a few of those guys, just mistakes in lap traffic and we were in the right spot to capitalize," said Grass Valley, Calif. native Sweet. "The car was superfast and made the opportunities for us to take advantage of those opportunities."
His night didn't start off looking like he would claim his second win at the raceway – his first coming in 2014. He broke down at the start of Hot Laps, but his KKR team got him back on track in time for Qualifying, ending up fifth. Sweet then went on to finish second in his Heat race – to winner Madsen. However, he then struggled in the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash, finishing last.
That resulted in Sweet starting sixth for the 30-lap Feature, while Madsen, who fared better in the Dash, started on the outside pole.
When the green flag flew, Madsen, last year's Rookie of the Year, shot by polesitter Donny Schatz and ran away with the lead.
"Everyone's always better in clean air," said Madsen, who ended up second. "It just kind of got pretty tricky there in the middle of the race. We got stuck behind some lap cars and we just weren't as good as Brad tonight to maneuver around to get past the lap cars."
Madsen's blistering pace at the start of the race put him in lap traffic by Lap five. While the Australian hustled his way around the slower cars, Sweet – with a little bit of luck on his side – methodically moved his way to the front, lap by lap.
"I think we were in the right place at the right time a lot of the time and we were able to capitalize," Sweet said. "Coming from sixth to win is hard in these things, especially on a pretty fast track. We'll take it any way we can get it."
Luck wasn't the only factor that helped him to the front. A little bit of skill, knowing where to put his car helped, too.
"Luckily for me, I kind of found a low line in turn one, and kind of low down the front stretch," Sweet said. "If I could get off (turn) four equal or a little better than the guy in front of me, I could go low in turn one and it seemed like I could carry more speed. That's where I made all of my passes."
While Sweet and Madsen stole the show, Brent Marks raced his way to his best finish so far this year – sixth. Prior to that his best finish this year had been 11th in Las Vegas. After that he missed two races and had finished no better than 12th. But now, momentum is on his side going forward.
"I know my results through California don't really show, but we've been getting our car really good," said Marks after his first race at USA Raceway. "We'll just keep plugging away and fine tuning this race car and try to have a little bit better luck on our side. Excited we got a good run tonight."
Sweet is the ninth different winner this season in 10 races. Both Madsen and third-place finisher David Gravel, claimed a victory during the Series' March California swing. While Sweet didn't claim a victory during the swing, he had one of the best performances during it. He finished in the top-10 in all five races – four of them top-five finishes. And had the best average finish of 4.4.
That consistency, in addition to Friday night's win, has left him tied for the points lead with 10-times Series champion, Schatz. Daryn Pittman, who was tied for the points lead with Schatz coming into the race is now third – just six points behind the two.
"It's nice to get the first win and hopefully we can carry the momentum going forward," Sweet said. "It's a long season. We're 10 races into a 94-race schedule, so hopefully this is good signs to come for us."
The Greatest Show on Dirt will make its next stop Saturday, April 6, at Arizona Speedway in Queen Creek, Ariz.
As always, you can catch all World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.
For tickets and more information, go to www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [6][$10,000]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [2][$5,500]; 3. 41-David Gravel [4][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$2,800]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [5][$2,500]; 6. 19-Brent Marks [3][$2,300]; 7. 83-Daryn Pittman [10][$2,200]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [12][$2,100]; 9. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$2,050]; 10. 5-Shane Stewart [8][$2,000]; 11. 13-Mark Dobmeier [16][$1,500]; 12. 24-Rico Abreu [15][$1,200]; 13. 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg [19][$1,100]; 14. 2-Carson Macedo [13][$1,050]; 15. 45-Chad Kemenah [9][$1,000]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [14][$900]; 17. 21P-Robbie Price [17][$800]; 18. 33M-Mason Daniel [18][$800]; 19. 1A-Jacob Allen [20][$800]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [11][$800]; 21. 7-Gravy Fairfield [21][$800]; Lap Leaders: Ian Madsen 1-18, Brad Sweet 19-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg[+6]
Qualifying - 1. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.234; 2. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.272; 3. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.279; 4. 21-Brian Brown, 13.295; 5. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.302; 6. 41-David Gravel, 13.321; 7. 83-Daryn Pittman, 13.339; 8. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.368; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.39; 10. 19-Brent Marks, 13.432; 11. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.433; 12. 45-Chad Kemenah, 13.472; 13. 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg, 13.505; 14. 5-Shane Stewart, 13.518; 15. 33M-Mason Daniel, 13.592; 16. 2-Carson Macedo, 13.619; 17. 21P-Robbie Price, 13.648; 18. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.76; 19. 13-Mark Dobmeier, 13.84; 20. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.866; 21. 7-Gravy Fairfield, 18.4
Gravel, Macedo hope their winning momentum carries into this week's events in Arizona
TUCSON, AZ – With the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series California swing now concluded, David Gravel and Carson Macedo are looking to ride the momentum of their recent strong finishes into this weekend's doubleheader in Arizona.
The swing wrapped up last Friday at Keller Auto Speedway, where Gravel claimed his first win of the season, and last Saturday at Perris Auto Speedway, where rookie Carson Macedo got his second podium finish of the year.
For Macedo and his Kyle Larson Racing team it was the continuation of an impressive stretch of races — finishing in the top-10 in all five races during the California swing, including claiming his second career win at Silver Dollar Speedway — while for Gravel, his win was finally the end to a stretch of three races in-a-row without a top-10 finish.
The win was needed, Gravel said.
"We started off the season pretty good at Volusia and kind of laying an egg since," Gravel said.
He finished third in points with CJB Motorsports last year, but Gravel and the team decided to part ways. That opened the door for him to join Jason Johnson Racing this year. While he and his new team have found success, Gravel admitted the transition hasn't been entirely smooth.
"I made a couple of mistakes as a driver," Gravel said about the season so far. "Growing pains with the new team. Hopefully we hit our stride here and get on a role."
After claiming an emotional win for the JJR team in Hanford, Calif. — the team's first World of Outlaws win since Jason Johnson died last year — he was unable to make it back in the top-10 the next day at Perris Auto Speedway. But he said he is looking forward to the Arizona races, having run decent at them in the past.
He finished sixth at Arizona Speedway last year and had a top-10 run at USA Raceway the last time the Series visited the track in 2016 — that race won by Daryn Pittman, who is currently tied for the Series points lead with 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz. Gravel is currently seventh in points, 92-points behind the two champions.
Macedo was not at either of those races, but also said he is looking forward to the doubleheader in Arizona. He's raced at both Arizona tracks before and hopes to use that experience to his advantage as well as he did during the California swing.
"I knew the West Coast was going to be, hopefully, one of our strong suits," said Macedo, who is now fourth in points after the California swing. "So, to kind of put that together and get a win, put strong runs up on the board and leave the West Coast I pretty good shape is big for this (Kyle Larson Racing) team. Especially being in the rookie year."
While the California native lacks World of Outlaws experience at the two Arizona tracks, his KLR team has years of it. Successful years of it. The team won the first Series race at Arizona Speedway in 2016 with Shane Stewart and haven't finished outside the top-10 at the track since. KLR also finished in the top-five with Stewart at the last Series race at USA Raceway.
"I'm looking forward to it all," Macedo said.
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
WHEN & WHERE
Friday, April 5, at USA Raceway in Tucson, Ariz. for the Wildcat Shootout
-Grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 5 p.m. with Hot Laps and Time Trials at 6 p.m. and Racing will start at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 6, at Arizona Speedway in Queen Creek, Ariz. for the Arizona Desert Shootout
-Grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 5 p.m. with Hot Laps and Time Trials at 6 p.m. and Racing will start at 7:30 p.m.
ABOUT THE TRACKS
USA Raceway is a 3/8-mile, semi-banked track. The track record is 12.076 sec. by Paul McMahan on March 9, 2013.
Online – RaceUSARaceway.com
Phone – 520-664-2074
Arizona Speedway is a 1/3-mile, high-banked track. The track record is 12.361 sec. by Brian Brown on March 6, 2016.
Online – ArizonaSpeedway.net
Phone – 480-926-6688
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased by going to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
3/8-mile and 1/3-mile winners
There have been two races on a 3/8-mile track so far this year. Logan Schuchart won at the Stockton Dirt Track on March 16, and David Gravel won at Keller Auto Speedway on March 29.
There has been one race on a 1/3-mile track so far this year. Ian Madsen won at Thunderbowl Raceway on March 9.
USA RACEWAY PREVIOUS WINNERS
2016 - Daryn Pittman on April 18
2015 - Brian Brown on March 7
2014 - Brad Sweet on March 8
2013 - Daryn Pittman on March 9
2007 - Steve Kinser on March 2
2006 - Paul McMahan on March 4, Donny Schatz on Oct. 21
ARIZONA SPEEDWAY PREVIOUS WINNERS
2018 - Donny Schatz on April 7
2017 - Rico Abreu on April 8
2016 - Shane Stewart on March 6
ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series – Woosprint.com
Twitter – Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws - @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOSprint - @woosprint
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws
YouTube – YouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – Dirtvision.com – Get your Fast Pass to watch all races LIVE for only $39/month
Twitter – Twitter.com/DIRTVision - @DIRTVision
Facebook – Facebook.com/WatchDIRTVision
DRIVER INFO
Follow World of Outlaws full-time drivers on Twitter:
Brad Sweet – @BradSweet49
Brent Marks – @bmracing19
Carson Macedo – @carson_macedo
Daryn Pittman – @darynpittman
Donny Schatz – @donnyschatz
Ian Madsen – @IanMadsen
Jacob Allen – @JacobAllen1A
Jason Sides – SidesMotorsports.com (not on Twitter)
Kraig Kinser – @KraigKinser11k
Logan Schuchart – @Lschuchart1s
Shane Stewart – @shanestewart_5
Sheldon Haudenschild – @Haudenschild_17
AROUND THE TURN: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series heads to Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas on Friday April 12-13.
2019 STATS
There have been nine World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Feature events this season.
FEATURE WINNERS (8 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 2
2 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
-- David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
-- Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
DRYDENE HEAT RACE WINNERS (21 different winners)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 5
2 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 4
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 3
3 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 2
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 2
– Rico Abreu, St. Helena, Calif. – 2
4 – Spencer Bayston, Lebanon, Ind. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Giovanni Scelzi, Fresno, Calif. – 1
– Jason Sides, Bartlett, Tenn. – 1
– Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, Calif. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 1
– Cory Eliason, Visalia, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Willie Croft, Roseville, Calif. – 1
-- Brent Marks, Myerstown, Pa. – 1
-- David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
-- Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
DIRTVISION FAST PASS DASH WINNERS (9 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
-- Sheldon Haundenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
-- Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (9 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Cale Conley, Vienna, W.Va. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 1
– David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Terry McCarl, Altoona, Iowa – 1
-- Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 1
-- Brent Marks, Myerstown, Pa. – 1
C-MAIN WINNERS (1 driver)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
PODIUM FINISHES (15 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of podiums
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 5
2 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 3
3 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 2
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 2
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 2
– Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 2
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 2
4 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
-- David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
-- Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
-- Rico Abreu, St. Helena, Calif. – 1
HARD CHARGER AWARD (8 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C. Awards
1 – Cory Eliason, Santa Cruz, Calif. – 2
2 – David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Chad Kemenah, Alveda, Ohio – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
-- Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
-- Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, Ind. – 1
TOTAL LAPS LED (12 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 36
2 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 35
3 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 30
-- Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 30
4 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 29
5 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 25
6 – Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 20
7 – Sheldon Haundenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 19
8 – Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 18
9 – Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 15
10 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 14
– David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 14
QUALIFYING QUICK TIME (7 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs
1 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
– Jacob Allen, Hanover, Pa. – 2
2 – Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, Ind. – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
FASTEST IN PRACTICE (8 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of times fastest
1 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 2
2 – Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
2019 World of Outlaws Schedule & Winners
No./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Friday, Feb. 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (1)
2. Saturday, Feb. 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (2)
3. Sunday, Feb. 10 / Volusia Speedway Park/ Baberville, Fla. / Rainout-Canceled
4. Friday, Feb. 22 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
5. Saturday, Feb. 23 / LoneStar Speedway / Kilgore, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
6. Wednesday, Feb. 27 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Tim Shaffer (1)
7. Thursday, Feb. 28 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Donny Schatz (1)
8. Friday, March 8 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Rainout-Canceled
9. Saturday, March 9 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Ian Madsen (1)
10. Friday, March 15 / Silver Dollar Speedway / Chico, Calif. / Carson Macedo (1)
11. Saturday, March 16 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, Calif. / Logan Schuchart (1)
12. Friday, March 22 / Ocean Speedway / Watsonville, Calif. / Rainout-Canceled
13. Saturday, March 23 / Placerville Speedway / Placerville, Calif. / Rainout-Rescheduled for Sept. 11
14. Friday, March 29 / Keller Auto Speedway / Hanford, Calif. / David Gravel (1)
15. Saturday, March 30 / Perris Auto Speedway / Perris, Calif. / Aaron Reutzel (1)
Texan Reutzel Dominates Every Phase of Perris SoCal Showdown
PERRIS, CA – MARCH 30, 2019 – Aaron Reutzel wrote an eloquent ending to the eventful and riveting story of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series' California swing, ending it Saturday night in similar fashion to how it began.
Last year's Rookie of the Year Ian Madsen opened the swing in early March at Thunderbowl Raceway — where Reutzel won his first ever World of Outlaws race last year during the swing — winning everything he could: fastest in practice, Quick Time, Heat win, drew the pole for the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash, won the Dash, lead every lap in the Feature and won it.
Reutzel did exactly the same at the half-mile Perris Auto Speedway. He was fastest in practice. Quick Time. Won his Heat race. Drew the pole for the Dash. Won the Dash. Lead every lap in the 30-lap Feature and claimed his second World of Outlaws win at the SoCal Showdown.
"Unbelievable," the Clute, Texas native said, having to pause afterward, as if to try and grasp the dominance himself.
Coming into the Perris race, Reutzel had a top-five and two top-10 finishes in the California swing and sat seventh in Series points, ahead of full-time World of Outlaws drivers such as Shane Stewart and Madsen. But to Reutzel, he was having a terrible year and it was time for a change.
He and his Baughman-Reutzel Motorsports team made one the morning of the race. It worked.
"We just went back to everything we were doing last year," Reutzel said. "We just made one little change and it made the difference."
That little change; ditching a newly built car to put an old car back together.
"There's nothing different between them," Reutzel said. "Sometimes you just get a car that doesn't work, and that might have been one that doesn't work. Everything else exactly them same. It just worked out for us."
With the car he's been running, Reutzel said it felt like he and his team were always playing catch up when it came to the Feature and could never qualify well anymore.
"That's something you can't do with these (World of Outlaws) guys," Reutzel said.
Now, his confidence is back. It showed on track, holding off two California natives who grew up racing on the California swing tracks — rookie Carson Macedo and Rico Abreu.
In the early stage of the Feature, Macedo presented himself as a possible threat to Reutzel, inching in on him lap after lap. After an early red flag, for a flip involving Brent Marks, Reutzel had his biggest challenge yet with Macedo starting next to him and Abreu behind them. But when the green flag dropped, Macedo and Abreu were left trading slide jobs to determine who would finish second while Reutzel sailed away. It was the same story with on another restart a couple of laps later.
"I felt like I had a couple of runs at him on a couple of restarts, and it just seemed like... It's just the way it went," said Macedo, who finished second. "Aaron did a good job all night. I felt like we had a good race car. I felt like we had a good package all night."
Macedo has had one of the best California swings out of all full-time World of Outlaws drivers, having finished in the top-10 in all five races and got his first win of the season at Silver Dollar Speedway.
"We're having a lot of fun right now," Macedo said. "We're putting good runs up on the board and that's what it's all about with the Outlaws."
In line with Macedo and Madsen, Reutzel is the eighth different winner this year in the past nine races. And even though it's his second ever Series win, it's still as special as the first.
"Whether you have 100 (wins) or your Donny Schatz getting another one or me getting my second one, just winning an Outlaw race is huge in general," Reutzel said. "It feels really good to get it."
Reutzel's win closes the story of the 2019 World of Outlaws Spring Break California swing, but the Series continues next weekend on Friday, April 5, for the Wildcat Shootout at USA Raceway in Tucson, Ariz. and on Saturday, April 6, for the Arizona Desert Shootout at Arizona Speedway in Queen Creek, Ariz.
The Texan's next chapter with the World of Outlaws will begin in May at Eldora Speedway.
As always, you can catch all the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.
For tickets and more information, go to www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps)
1. 87-Aaron Reutzel [1][$10,000]; 2. 2-Carson Macedo [3][$5,500]; 3. 24-Rico Abreu [2][$3,200]; 4. 49X-Tim Shaffer [6][$2,800]; 5. 26-Cory Eliason [7][$2,500]; 6. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [8][$2,300]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [5][$2,200]; 8. 5-Shane Stewart [10][$2,100]; 9. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$2,050]; 10. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi [14][$2,000]; 11. 45-Chad Kemenah [4][$1,500]; 12. 41-David Gravel [11][$1,200]; 13. 83-Daryn Pittman [12][$1,100]; 14. 18-Ian Madsen [18][$1,050]; 15. 1S-Logan Schuchart [16][$1,000]; 16. 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg [13][$900]; 17. 21-Brian Brown [17][$800]; 18. 71P-Parker Price-Miller [24][$800]; 19. 7S-Jason Sides [23][$800]; 20. 11K-Kraig Kinser [22][$800]; 21. 21P-Robbie Price [20][$800]; 22. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [15][$800]; 23. 19-Brent Marks [19][$800]; 24. 33M-Mason Daniel [21][$800]; Lap Leaders: Aaron Reutzel 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 71P-Parker Price-Miller[+6]
Qualifying - 1. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 14.377; 2. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.398; 3. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.409; 4. 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg, 14.418; 5. 24-Rico Abreu, 14.546; 6. 2-Carson Macedo, 14.559; 7. 26-Cory Eliason, 14.585; 8. 21-Brian Brown, 14.59; 9. 83-Daryn Pittman, 14.592; 10. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 14.653; 11. 45-Chad Kemenah, 14.671; 12. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.672; 13. 19-Brent Marks, 14.681; 14. 41-David Gravel, 14.684; 15. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.719; 16. 5-Shane Stewart, 14.724; 17. 33M-Mason Daniel, 14.732; 18. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.732; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.748; 20. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi, 14.785; 21. 18-Ian Madsen, 14.809; 22. 21P-Robbie Price, 14.832; 23. 71P-Parker Price-Miller, 14.842; 24. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 14.845; 25. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.929; 26. 13-Mark Dobmeier, 15.399
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Gravel rides low groove to victory for Jason Johnson Racing's first World of Outlaws win since Johnson's death
HANFORD, CA – MARCH 29, 2019 – Nothing was going to stop David Gravel from jumping out of his car.
Out of breath with a wide grin on his face, he high-fived and hugged his crew members while en route to a bath of confetti when he stood on the back of his car and pointed to the sky.
Not only was he celebrating his first win of the season at Keller Auto Speedway, his 40th World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series win and his first win with his new Jason Johnson Racing team, he honored the man whose car he drives.
This is the first World of Outlaws win for the Jason Johnson Racing team since co-owner and driver Jason Johnson died in a crash last June at Beaver Dam Raceway in Wisconsin.
"It's definitely special," said Gravel, almost lost for words.
The start of his night did not signal a potential victory, with the luck of the draw sending him out last for qualifying. He managed a 15th-place qualifying effort on a track several drivers called "tricky" due to its slick condition.
It didn't take long for Gravel to figure out the trick, winning his Heat race.
"It really set us up for the rest of the night," Gravel said. "I knew the bottom was going to be a factor."
Gravel's crew chief, Philip Dietz, said Gravel called his shot before the Feature. He was going to stick to the bottom until he figured it out. And he did.
Starting from the pole, Sheldon Haudenschild shot to the early lead of the Feature, riding the high side of the slick track. While he led, the hoard of drivers behind him were rarely in the same lane or position lap after lap. They tried high. They tried low. Wherever there was grip, they made sure to use up every inch of it.
Closing in on halfway through the 35-lap Feature, the bottom proved to be the preferred line of choice. Shane Stewart, who faced heart-break last race at the Stockton Dirt Track after blowing a tire while leading with five laps to go, looked to have his sight set on redemption, reeling in the 2017 Rookie of the Year.
Stewart took the lead on lap 20, but his hope for redemption was short lived as Gravel had been working the bottom of the track to perfection and was not far behind. He took the lead from Stewart – driving for Gravel's former team, CJB Motorsports – two laps later.
"Honestly, I just didn't have the patients to run the bottom in turns 1 and 2," said Stewart, who ended up third. "Driver instincts, you just don't know what to do at times. Once David went by me, I tried to run the bottom again, and missed it a couple of times. I thought I should get back up to the top and then (Daryn) Pittman got me."
Pittman, who extended his points lead over second-place Donny Schatz to 12 points by finishing second, was still all smiles after his third runner-up finish of the year.
"I would have never guessed from the beginning of that race that we would be just putting around the bottom," Pittman said. "We were not set up for that at all. I honestly thought the top would stay dominate. It never crossed my mind that we would be running the bottom."
Like he planned it himself, Gravel said he knew other drivers would burn off the top of the track and the bottom would be the dominate line. He just had to stay patient enough to remain there throughout the race.
Although he did go to the top one lap, but he said that was only because the bottom was crowded. He ran his race.
"I was just trying to run my line," Gravel said. "I knew if I missed up one corner and was still in the lead, I knew I wouldn't have gotten passed if I just hit my marks after that. Luckily we were able to hang on and win."
It was a special win to him and his crew.
"It's definitely different," said Tyler Elliott, the car chief for the Jason Johnson Racing team. "It's not the same. But it's exciting. Overwhelming."
After three races in-a-row without a top-10 finish, Elliot said the win is well needed.
Dietz added its "definitely an emotional night" for the team.
"This is one track we've struggled at over the years," he said. "We knew we had to up our game when we came in tonight. To go out and pick up a win for JJR and all of our sponsors, you know, we couldn't ask for a better night."
Nothing was going to stop Dietz and the Jason Johnson team from celebrating in Victory Lane with an out of breath and wide grinning Gravel.
The Series will wrap up its Spring Break tour through California Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, Calif.
As always, you can catch all the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.
For tickets and more information, go to www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (35 Laps)
1. 41-David Gravel [7][$10,000]; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman [5][$5,500]; 3. 5-Shane Stewart [3][$3,200]; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [1][$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [17][$2,500]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$2,300]; 7. 17W-Shane Golobic [8][$2,200]; 8. 2-Carson Macedo [6][$2,100]; 9. 21-Brian Brown [11][$2,050]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [22][$2,000]; 11. 87-Aaron Reutzel [23][$1,500]; 12. 26-Cory Eliason [12][$1,200]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [4][$1,100]; 14. 18-Ian Madsen [24][$1,050]; 15. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [15][$1,000]; 16. 7S-Tim Kaeding [21][$900]; 17. 71P-Parker Price-Miller [16][$800]; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$800]; 19. 88N-DJ Netto [19][$800]; 20. 45-Chad Kemenah [18][$800]; 21. 7-Jason Sides [10][$800]; 22. O-Bud Kaeding [14][$800]; 23. 24-Rico Abreu [20][$800]; 24. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi [9][$800]; Lap Leaders: Sheldon Haudenschild 1-19, Shane Stewart 20-21, David Gravel 22-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 49-Brad Sweet[+12]
Qualifying – 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.531; 2. 19-Brent Marks, 14.609; 3. 21-Brian Brown, 14.799; 4. 17W-Shane Golobic, 14.853; 5. 18-Ian Madsen, 15.048; 6. 21P-Robbie Price, 15.125; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen, 15.133; 8. 83-Daryn Pittman, 15.178; 9. 2-Carson Macedo, 15.207; 10. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 15.217; 11. 15-Donny Schatz, 15.228; 12. 7S-Tim Kaeding, 15.287; 13. 5-Shane Stewart, 15.308; 14. 7-Jason Sides, 15.312; 15. 41-David Gravel, 15.333; 16. 26-Cory Eliason, 15.363; 17. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 15.37; 18. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 15.43; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 15.479; 20. 71P-Parker Price-Miller, 15.526; 21. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 15.535; 22. 45-Chad Kemenah, 15.571; 23. 68-Chase Johnson, 15.617; 24. 24-Rico Abreu, 15.618; 25. 33M-Mason Daniel, 15.627; 26. O-Bud Kaeding, 15.643; 27. 88N-DJ Netto, 15.663; 28. 21X-Ryan Bernal, 15.696; 29. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi, 15.703; 30. 98-Sean Watts, 15.709; 31. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 15.743; 32. 28-Nathan Rolfe, 15.95
ON TOP OF THE WORLD
Pittman Still Leading Standings with Two Races Left on California Spring Break
HANFORD, CA – Fresno, Calif.-based Roth Motorsports went into the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series' month-long California swing with the points lead for the first time in its historic career and may leave with it.
The team's new driver, 2013 Series champion Daryn Pittman, currently holds the points lead going into the final two races of the swing — Friday, March 29, at Keller Auto Speedway and Saturday, March 30, at Perris Auto Speedway.
Pittman started off the season in his new #83 Roth Sprint Car winning the two season-opening races at Volusia Speedway Park — claiming his third DIRTcar Nationals championship, and Roth's first. He then followed that up with a top-10 and runner-up finish in Las Vegas, giving him a four-point advantage over reigning champion Donny Schatz going into the California swing.
Three races into the swing, Pittman still leads Schatz by just four points. However, points are the last thing on his mind.
"Truthfully, I don't put a lot of thought to it," Pittman said. "Obviously, it's better to lead than to be chasing. And I do know it will mean something to (car owners) Dennis and Teresa (Roth) for us to be leading. But if something happens and we're not, I have no doubt we have some better tracks for me and our team coming up."
The Owasso, Okla.-native has produced a podium and a couple of top-10 finishes in the three California swing races, so far. Looking ahead to Friday night, he said the 3/8-mile Keller Auto Speedway has been hit-or-miss for him. His results show it.
He finished 20th the last time the Series raced at the track in 2017 – the race won by the Series' most recent winner Logan Schuchart. Prior to that he had a top-10, a 17th place finish and a top-five, respectively.
Like all tracks, Pittman said he wants to perform well in Hanford, but this year he has extra motivation to do so. The speedway is about 40 minutes from the Roth Motorsports shop.
Of the final two races in the California swing, Perris Auto Speedway is the one he's looking forward to the most. He's won at the track three times — most recently in 2016 — and before the Series revised its wins list last year, it was the site of his first Series win.
"Perris has always been a place that's been pretty special to me," Pittman said. "For years it was considered my first win. I beat Steve Kinser to the line by about half a car length. I couldn't ask for it to happen in more of a dramatic fashion, for my first win to come against the greatest to ever sit behind a Sprint Car."
Not only is Pittman looking forward to going to the half-mile Perris Auto Speedway because he's won there before, he's had the most success this year on half-mile tracks. In the four races on half-mile tracks this year, Pittman has two wins, three podiums and four top-10 finishes.
"Right now, I'm really excited for the half-mile stuff," Pittman said. "I think our engine program is really good. I think our cars are really good."
His love for the half-mile tracks is new found this year. When he drove for Kasey Kahne Racing last year, Pittman said he almost dreaded going to half-mile tracks because he didn't have speed at them.
While he's performed better on the half-miles, so far this year, he doesn't dread short tracks. His second-place run at the third-mile Thunderbowl Speedway shows he and his team can still be a threat on the smaller tracks. There is room for improvement on them, though, Pittman said.
"Right now, just based on performance wise, the half-mile stuff has been more suited for our team right now," he said.
With seven races down, Pittman said he and the Roth Motorsports crew are happy where they're at as a team. One of his early season goals was to perform well at Volusia. Mission accomplished.
He has several other goals he's set for himself to put together a successful year with his new team and try to secure a second championship. Leaving the California swing with the points lead, while ideal, isn't necessarily one of them.
"I try not to focus on them (points) too much, just focus on each race for what it is and try to win races," Pittman said. "It's definitely always good to be up front. It gives everyone something to talk about, but it's definitely not something we're really focused on right now."
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
WHEN & WHERE
Friday, March 29, at Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds in Hanford, Calif.
-Grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 5 p.m. with Hot Laps and Time Trials at 6 p.m. and Racing will start at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 30, at Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, Calif.
-Grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. with Hot Laps and Time Trials at 6 p.m. and Racing will start at 7:30 p.m.
ABOUT THE TRACKS
Keller Auto Speedway is a 3/8-mile, semi-banked track. The track record is 12.293 sec. by Joey Saldana on Feb. 23, 2001.
Online – RaceKingsSpeedway.com
Phone – 559-584-7223
Perris Auto Speedway is a half-mile, semi-banked track. The track record is 13.875 sec. by Danny Lasoski on Feb. 23, 2002.
Online – PerrisAutoSpeedway.com
Phone – 800-595-4849
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased by going to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
3/8-mile and 1/2-mile winners
There has been one race on a 3/8-mile track so far this year at the Stockton Dirt Track. Logan Schuchart was the winner on Saturday, March 16.
There have been four races on a 1/2-mile track so far this year, two at Volusia Speedway Park and two at the Dirt Track at Las Vegas. Daryn Pittman won the two races at Volusia on Friday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 9. Tim Shaffer won the first race in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Feb. 27, and Donny Schatz won the second on Thursday, Feb. 28.
KELLER AUTO SPEEDWAY PREVIOUS WINNERS
2017 - Logan Schuchart on March 31
2015 - Shane Stewart on April 17
2014 - Cody Darrah on April 11
2013 - Donny Schatz on April 12
2003 - Tim Kaeding on Feb. 21
2002 - Danny Lasoski on Feb. 22
2001 - Andy Hillenburg on Feb. 23, Stevie Smith on Aug. 28
2000 - Johnny Herrera on Feb. 25, Joey Saldana on Sept. 8
1999 - Danny Lasoski on Feb. 19, Steve Kinser on Sept. 10
1998 - Steve Kinser on Sept. 11
1997 - Sammy Swindell on Sept. 12
1996 - Sammy Swindell on Sept. 11
1995 - Danny Lasoski on Sept.6
1994 - Dave Blaney on Sept. 7
1993 - Stevie Smith on Sept. 1
1992 - Stevie Smith on March 4, Sammy Swindell on Sept. 2
1991 - Dave Blaney on Sept. 18
1990 - Steve Kinser on Feb. 28, Steve Kinser on Sept. 19
1989 - Joe Gaerte on March 8, Bobby Davis Jr. on Sept. 19
1988 - Doug Wolfgang on Feb. 24, Steve Kinser on Sept. 20
1987 - Bobby Davis Jr. on Feb. 25, Steve Kinser on Sept. 9
1986 - Brad Doty on Feb. 26, Steve Kinser on Sept. 27
1985 - Jeff Swindell on Sept. 25
PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY PREVIOUS WINNERS
2017 - David Gravel on April 1
2016 - Daryn Pittman on April 16
2015 – Paul McMahan on April 18
2014 - Joey Saldana on April 12
2013 - Daryn Pittman on April 13
2012 - Joey Saldana on March 10
2007 - Kerry Madsen on Oct. 20
2004 - Jason Meyers on Feb. 28
2003 - Danny Lasoski on Feb. 23
2002 - Daryn Pittman on Feb. 23
2000 - Danny Lasoski on Feb. 26
1999 - Johnny Herrera on Feb. 20, Craig Dollansky on Oct. 30
1998 - Mark Kinser on Oct. 31, Mark Kinser on Oct. 31
1997 - Mark Kinser on Feb. 15, Mark Kinser on Oct. 26
1996 - Mark Kinser on Nov. 1
ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series – Woosprint.com
Twitter – Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws - @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOSprint - @woosprint
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws
YouTube – YouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – Dirtvision.com – Get your Fast Pass to watch all races LIVE for only $39/month
Twitter – Twitter.com/DIRTVision - @DIRTVision
Facebook – Facebook.com/WatchDIRTVision
DRIVER INFO
Follow World of Outlaws full-time drivers on Twitter:
Brad Sweet – @BradSweet49
Brent Marks – @bmracing19
Carson Macedo – @carson_macedo
Daryn Pittman – @darynpittman
Donny Schatz – @donnyschatz
Ian Madsen – @IanMadsen
Jacob Allen – @JacobAllen1A
Jason Sides – SidesMotorsports.com (not on Twitter)
Kraig Kinser – @KraigKinser11k
Logan Schuchart – @Lschuchart1s
Shane Stewart – @shanestewart_5
Sheldon Haudenschild – @Haudenschild_17
AROUND THE TURN: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series heads to USA Raceway in Tucson, Ariz. on Friday April 5, and then to Arizona Speedway in Queen Creek, Ariz. on Saturday April 6.
2019 STATS
There have been seven World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Feature events this season.
FEATURE WINNERS (6 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 2
2 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
HEAT RACE WINNERS (18 different winners)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 4
2 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 3
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 3
3 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 2
4 – Spencer Bayston, Lebanon, Ind. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Giovanni Scelzi, Fresno, Calif. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Jason Sides, Bartlett, Tenn. – 1
– Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, Calif. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Rico Abreu, St. Helena, Calif. – 1
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 1
– Cory Eliason, Visalia, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Willie Croft, Roseville, Calif. – 1
DIRTVISION FAST PASS DASH WINNERS (7 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (7 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Cale Conley, Vienna, W.Va. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 1
– David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Terry McCarl, Altoona, Iowa – 1
C-MAIN WINNERS (1 driver)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
PODIUM FINISHES (12 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of podiums
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 4
2 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 3
3 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 2
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 2
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 2
4 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
HARD CHARGER AWARD (6 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C. Awards
1 – Cory Eliason, Santa Cruz, Calif. – 2
2 – David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Chad Kemenah, Alveda, Ohio – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
TOTAL LAPS LED (9 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 36
2 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 35
3 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 30
4 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 27
5 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 25
6 – Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 20
7 – Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 18
8 – Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 15
9 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 14
QUALIFYING QUICK TIME (5 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs
1 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
– Jacob Allen, Hanover, Pa. – 2
2 – Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, Ind. – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
FASTEST IN PRACTICE (6 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of times fastest
1 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 2
2 – Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
2019 World of Outlaws Schedule & Winners
No./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Friday, Feb. 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (1)
2. Saturday, Feb. 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (2)
3. Sunday, Feb. 10 / Volusia Speedway Park/ Baberville, Fla. / Rainout-Canceled
4. Friday, Feb. 22 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
5. Saturday, Feb. 23 / LoneStar Speedway / Kilgore, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
6. Wednesday, Feb. 27 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Tim Shaffer (1)
7. Thursday, Feb. 28 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Donny Schatz (1)
8. Friday, March 8 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Rainout-Canceled
9. Saturday, March 9 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Ian Madsen (1)
10. Friday, March 15 / Silver Dollar Speedway / Chico, Calif. / Carson Macedo (1)
11. Saturday, March 16 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, Calif. / Logan Schuchart (1)
12. Friday, March 22 / Ocean Speedway / Watsonville, Calif. / Rainout-Canceled
13. Saturday, March 23 / Placerville Speedway / Placerville, Calif. / Rainout-Rescheduled for Sept. 11
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Rain, Saturated Grounds Cancel Ocean and Placerville Events
Placerville Speedway race rescheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 11
CONCORD, NC – March 20, 2019 — Persistent rain showers and saturated grounds at Ocean Speedway and Placerville Speedway have forced World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and track officials to cancel Friday's event at Ocean and reschedule Saturday's event at Placerville to Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Those who purchased tickets to Placerville's event will have their tickets automatically moved to the rescheduled date in September. Those with tickets to Friday's event at Ocean Speedway will receive a full ticket-value credit to their MyDirtTickets.com account to be used towards any World of Outlaws event available at WorldofOutlaws.com/tix. Fans unable to attend the rescheduled Placerville event have 30 days to call 844-DIRT-TIX to speak with a customer service representative about their options.
Two of those events include next weekend's conclusion to The Greatest Show on Dirt's month-long swing through California on Friday, March 29, at Keller Auto Speedway in Hanford and Saturday, March 30, at Perris Auto Speedway in Perris. Both are sure to be exciting races with the last three California events producing three different winners and the battle for the Series championship points lead down to just four points between leader Daryn Pittman and reigning champion Donny Schatz.
Rain hasn't completely washed out all motorsports activity this week in Placerville, either. Last year's Knoxville Nationals winner Brad Sweet and NHRA Funny Car World Champion Ron Capps will still make an appearance rain or shine at Riebes NAPA AUTO PARTS in Placerville from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21.
For the latest on the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars, make sure to follow on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and at www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
Schuchart bucks wild Stockton to become sixth different winner in seven races
STOCKTON, CA — MARCH 16, 2019 — Blue and orange confetti painted the landscape around Logan Schuchart, who climbed to the top wing of his Shark Racing Sprint Car with the checkered flag in one hand and other pointing to the sky.
Thousands of fans cheered, and the first-time winner this season, Schuchart, cheered with them in Victory Lane at the Stockton Dirt Track.
It was a scene that could have looked much different for Schuchart until about five laps to go in Saturday night's World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series 30-lap FVP Platinum Battery Showdown.
Shark Racing showed they were the apex predator from the start of the event. Hanover, Pa. native Schuchart was quickest in practice, and backed that up qualifying second behind teammate Jacob Allen. He then won his Heat race and drew the pole for the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash, which he also won.
At the start of the Feature, Schuchart and Allen dueled side-by-side in front for less than half a lap before Schuchart shot to the lead. Four cautions in the first six laps never allowed him to get into a rhythm, but he maintained the lead each restart.
Lurking behind him, though, was Bixby, Okla., native Shane Stewart — equally as hungry for his first Series win of the season, after finishing outside the top-10 the day prior. When restarting on lap six, Stewart did not let Schuchart out of his sight. With each passing lap he inched closer and closer to the red-and-white Drydene-sponsored #1s.
Coming off of turn four on lap 11, Schuchart, who had kept his car on the high side of the track, hit a rut, about bounced his car completely off the ground and into the wall, and lost the lead to Stewart.
"I was running pretty hard when I was out by myself," Schuchart said. "That's what kind of got me in trouble. I almost flipped the thing, bouncing around, jumping up and down."
He added to stay consistent on the rough track conditions you had to "cowboy up."
While Stewart began to pull away to close to a half a track lead, Schuchart didn't lose hope. He knew Stewart would face the same rough conditions running the top side of the track — providing the potential for his own mistake.
But he never made one. Even when navigating lap traffic. Schuchart still didn't give up hope.
"I knew he was going to have the same issues, he's going to want to get out front and stand on it," Schuchart said. "You can count on probably some more yellows, because we were having one right after the other."
On lap 23, he got one. Kasey Kahne stopped on the front stretch when his right rear tire gave up, with debris left in turn four. When the race went back green, Stewart maintained the point once again. Until a lap later. His paced slowed, and Schuchart shot by Stewart for the lead with Brad Sweet following to surge into second place. Shortly after, Stewart was off the track in turn three with a flat right rear tire.
"They were saying some stuff may have broke off of Kasey's (Kahne) car when I was trying to get around him, and I must have ran something over," Stewart said. "Just one of those deals."
When the race went back green, Schuchart took command of the lead once again and drove his car into Victory Lane, claiming his ninth World of Outlaws win.
"I thought his (Stewart's) right rear looked a little low, but I'm not going to be the guy running second and tell him his tire is low, but I knew he wasn't going to give up," Schuchart said. "I'm just happy for this whole team. It's very rewarding for all of their hard work to be able to get a win this early in the season."
Schuchart is the sixth different Series winner this year in seven races. Carson Macedo, who was the fifth different winner this season Friday night at Silver Dollar Speedway pulled off another impressive run finishing seventh after starting 23rd – making him the KSE Hard Charger of the night.
Having as equally of an impressive run was Sheldon Haudenschild, who started 25th using a provisional and finished 10th.
Even though Stewart's promising night ended with disappointment, he is still leaving with newfound confidence.
"I think we made some big gains throughout the night and learned a lot of stuff," Stewart said. "We continue to learn. Even Barry (Jackson), you know, he's been out here a long, long time. But he is dealing with a new driver, so we're still trying to learn each other. We're getting better."
Schuchart's win moves him to fourth in the Series' championship points – tied with Macedo, 58 points behind leader Daryn Pittman. The Oklahoma driver finished 11th for his California-based Roth Motorsports team, allowing 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz, who finished 8th, to continue to close the points deficit to just four points.
Quietly closing on the two points leaders is Sweet, who finished second two nights in a row – now 10 points behind Pittman.
"Tonight, it took some juevos, you had to get up on the wheel and try to hammer through the holes (in the track)," Sweet said. "Logan did a good job. It was kind of survival there... Two seconds place, we're knocking on the door (of the points lead)."
While Sweet took his second-place finish with stride, Schuchart basked in the glory of his win in Victory Lane, confetti still floating to the ground and fans still cheering.
"The fans are awesome (in California)," Schuchart said. "They're very passionate. It's awesome to win in front of this great crowd."
The Series will make its next stop on the California tour Saturday, March 22, at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, Calif. and Saturday, March 23, at Placerville Speedway in Placerville, Calif.
As always, you can catch all the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.
For tickets and more information, go to www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$5,500]; 3. 7S-Tim Kaeding [13][$3,200]; 4. 87-Aaron Reutzel [12][$2,800]; 5. 88N-DJ Netto [9][$2,500]; 6. 24-Rico Abreu [14][$2,300]; 7. 2-Carson Macedo [23][$2,200]; 8. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$2,100]; 9. 26-Cory Eliason [8][$2,050]; 10. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [25][$1,200]; 11. 83-Daryn Pittman [16][$1,500]; 12. O-Bud Kaeding [24][$1,200]; 13. 5-Shane Stewart [4][$1,100]; 14. 17W-Shane Golobic [18][$1,050]; 15. 41-David Gravel [20][$1,000]; 16. 18-Ian Madsen [22][$900]; 17. 71P-Parker Price-Miller [6][$800]; 18. 45-Chad Kemenah [15][$800]; 19. 29-Willie Croft [5][$800]; 20. 9-Kasey Kahne [11][$800]; 21. 5H-Cole Macedo [17][$800]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [2][$800]; 23. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [3][$800]; 24. 4-Terry McCarl [21][$800]; 25. 21-Brian Brown [19][$800]; Lap Leaders: Logan Schuchart 1-11, 24-30, Shane Stewart 12-23; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-Carson Macedo[+16]
Qualifying - 1. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.873; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.889; 3. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.895; 4. 29-Willie Croft, 12.9; 5. 26-Cory Eliason, 12.95; 6. 71P-Parker Price-Miller, 12.985; 7. 5-Shane Stewart, 13.011; 8. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 13.056; 9. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.057; 10. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.059; 11. 9-Kasey Kahne, 13.061; 12. 41-David Gravel, 13.064; 13. 4-Terry McCarl, 13.092; 14. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.133; 15. 45-Chad Kemenah, 13.135; 16. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.14; 17. 7S-Tim Kaeding, 13.16; 18. 17W-Shane Golobic, 13.175; 19. 21-Brian Brown, 13.197; 20. 83-Daryn Pittman, 13.201; 21. 5H-Cole Macedo, 13.229; 22. 31C-Justyn Cox, 13.268; 23. 16A-Colby Copeland, 13.273; 24. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.287; 25. 88N-DJ Netto, 13.289; 26. 2-Carson Macedo, 13.313; 27. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.34; 28. 19-Brent Marks, 13.353; 29. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.394; 30. 7-Jason Sides, 13.397; 31. 21P-Robbie Price, 13.433; 32. O-Bud Kaeding, 13.529; 33. 33M-Mason Daniel, 13.58; 34. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi, 13.637; 35. 83T-Tanner Carrick, 14.15
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
California rookie Macedo conquers Mini Gold Cup with veteran moves
CHICO, CA — March 15, 2019 — "Rookie" is a title Carson Macedo will hear before his name throughout the 2019 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series tour, but at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif., it should be "veteran."
Or "winner."
Lemoore, Calif., native, Macedo, bested 34-time Series winner, and Grass Valley, Calif., native, Brad Sweet in a spectacular dual on Friday night at the quarter-mile speedway, to claim his second ever Series win and second at the track — his first win came in 2014.
His advantage; it's a track he grew up racing on. Local knowledge that paid off as he led an all-Outlaw podium sweep in the Mini Gold Cup presented by Riebes NAPA AUTO PARTS.
"I've raced here so much and just know the characteristics of it," Macedo said. "It's not a big part of winning these races, but it gives you that edge. It's a home track for me."
Sweet is no stranger to Silver Dollar Speedway, though. He, too, grew up racing at the track, and won a race there last year.
Having led more than half the race, Sweet looked to be en route to his second win at the speedway. Last week's Feature winner at Thunderbowl Raceway, Ian Madsen – who ended up third – hunted Sweet for most of the race with enough speed to potentially make his own challenge for the lead. But then came Macedo.
From his seventh starting spot, Macedo raced much like his car owner Kyle Larson so often does — on the cushion lap after lap. Never considering another line. That confidence almost cost him, though. About half way through the race, he hit a rut on the high side of the track, throwing his car of balance and dropping from fourth to fifth.
That didn't deter the young rookie's victory lust. Continuing to stick to the high side of the track, he fought his way into the top three and then traded slide jobs with Madsen for second. In the lead Sweet had a different mentality then Macedo. He stuck to the bottom of the track — a move that ultimately proved to be his downfall.
On a restart with 15 laps to, Macedo got a strong enough run off turn four to slide under Sweet going into turn one and steal the lead. Madsen, on the bottom of the track, tried to best them both, edging Macedo for the lead out of turn two. He couldn't compete with Macedo's strength on the high side, though. Once Macedo cleared Madsen, the race was his.
"I had been getting some pretty good runs off of four on the top, with people in front of me, so I knew without anyone there I could get a run on him (Sweet) going down the front stretch," Macedo said.
Sweet knows his rookie mistake was staying on the bottom of the track.
"Obviously, I made a mistake there, and stayed on the bottom probably one or two restarts too long," Sweet said. "It was just really hard to get me to change my mind because I kept winning the restarts. But I really felt vulnerable on the restart, so it was no surprise when Carson got by me. You have to be perfect to win these races."
Madsen went into the Series' month-long California tour unsure how he'll perform at the Golden State short tracks, claiming he's not good at them. In two races, he's secured two podium finishes — one being a victory.
"It's (California) has been really good to us, so far," Madsen said. "We've had an awesome race car ever since we got here. I just have to thank my crew for that."
Macedo also credited his crew for his winning performance, including his crew chief Joe Gaerte, who he called "his hero." Macedo drove for Gaerte in the All Star Circuit of Champions Series last year, finishing second in points.
With a win in the first six races of the more than 90 race World of Outlaws schedule, Macedo said it won't change how he approaches the remainder of the season.
"I think I'm just going to race exactly the same," he said. "Just drive every lap like it's my last. Wherever the cards fall at the end of the year at the banquet, that's what they'll be."
He currently sits fourth in the Series' championship points — 66 points behind leader Daryn Pittman.
Pittman, who was coming off two second place finishes in a row, managed to salvage a ninth-place finish after starting 18th. He continues to lead the championship standings for California car owners Dennis and Teresa Roth over second place Donny Schatz, who finished fourth and cut his points deficit in half, now only 10 points behind Pittman.
The Series will make its next stop on the California tour Saturday, March 16, at the Stockton Dirt Track in Stockton, Calif., where Macedo hopes to utilize his veteran California track skills to once again be called, "winner."
As always, you can catch all the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.
For tickets and more information, go to www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (35 Laps) - 1. 2-Carson Macedo [7][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$5,500]; 3. 18-Ian Madsen [4][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [13][$2,800]; 5. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [14][$2,500]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11][$2,300]; 7. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5][$2,200]; 8. 17W-Shane Golobic [12][$2,100]; 9. 83-Daryn Pittman [18][$2,050]; 10. 24-Rico Abreu [6][$2,000]; 11. 87-Aaron Reutzel [24][$1,500]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [17][$1,200]; 13. 16A-Colby Copeland [23][$1,100]; 14. 5-Shane Stewart [25][$250]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [15][$1,000]; 16. 41-David Gravel [21][$900]; 17. 88N-DJ Netto [19][$800]; 18. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi [10][$800]; 19. 9-Kasey Kahne [22][$800]; 20. 26-Cory Eliason [16][$800]; 21. 121-Justin Sanders [8][$800]; 22. 71P-Parker Price-Miller [9][$800]; 23. 7S-Tim Kaeding [3][$800]; 24. 92-Andy Forsberg [20][$800]; 25. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$800]; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen [26][$]; Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-20, Carson Macedo 21-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 87-Aaron Reutzel[+13]
Qualifying Flight-A - 1. 2-Carson Macedo, 11.536; 2. 9-Kasey Kahne, 11.553; 3. 71P-Parker Price-Miller, 11.597; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.692; 5. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.717; 6. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 11.759; 7. 121-Justin Sanders, 11.762; 8. 83T-Tanner Carrick, 11.768; 9. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.772; 10. 88N-DJ Netto, 11.778; 11. 19-Brent Marks, 11.853; 12. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.895; 13. O-Bud Kaeding, 11.903; 14. 21-Brian Brown, 11.943; 15. 21P-Robbie Price, 11.955; 16. 5-Shane Stewart, 11.969; 17. 5H-Cole Macedo, 12.118; 18. 21W-Jake Wheeler, 12.17; 19. 28-Mark Herz, 14.325; 20. 1S-Logan Schuchart, NT
Qualifying Flight-B - 1. 24-Rico Abreu, 11.551; 2. 7S-Tim Kaeding, 11.56; 3. 83-Daryn Pittman, 11.575; 4. 17W-Shane Golobic, 11.671; 5. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi, 11.682; 6. 92-Andy Forsberg, 11.682; 7. 18-Ian Madsen, 11.695; 8. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.7; 9. 29-Willie Croft, 11.744; 10. 41-David Gravel, 11.768; 11. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 11.794; 12. 26-Cory Eliason, 11.867; 13. 45-Chad Kemenah, 11.874; 14. 16A-Colby Copeland, 11.96; 15. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 12.067; 16. 33M-Mason Daniel, 12.231; 17. 4-Terry McCarl, 12.335; 18. 7-Jason Sides, 12.346; 19. 31C-Justyn Cox, NT
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
Kasey Kahne talks new life racing with World of Outlaws
Kasey Kahne Adds This Week's Silver Dollar, Stockton Events to His Huge Sprint Car Schedule
CONCORD, N.C. – Kasey Kahne's race days have always been a bit noisy. Dozens of crews scurrying around a nearly two-ton Stock Car for days, wrenching and tuning. Hundreds of fans walking through the garage area, determined to get a picture or autograph. Media and cameras at every turn, questioning every detail of the weekend.
Now, that noise has been turned down, but just a bit.
In the pit area of a World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car event, like the ones this Friday at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif., or Saturday at The Stockton (Calif.) Dirt Track, Kahne is surrounded by only a couple of crew members, who tweak on his 1,400 lb. Sprint Car. A few dozen fans meandering up and down the pits — some looking for a quick picture or a handshake. And a handful of media members, the majority just looking to take pictures.
Turning the volume down was not entirely voluntary. It was forced upon him by a health issue that caused him to put an early end to his NASCAR career.
While he was not medically cleared to race again in NASCAR, he's found a new challenge focusing on racing Sprint Cars – a division he's loved since a kid.
"It's like the first thing I really got into at a young age," Kahne says kneeling next his to orange #9 Sprint Car. "Because I got into it at a young age, and liked it so much, whether I was watching or racing myself, I've been hooked."
Kahne began racing Sprint Cars as a teenager in his home state of Washington. He eventually moved into the USAC ranks, winning a championship in 2000. Then a couple of years later made his move to NASCAR.
A few years into his NASCAR career Kahne formed his own World of Outlaws Sprint Car team, Kasey Kahne Racing (KKR), which helped keep him in touch with the Series — along with running a few races himself.
"I've had a blast with all that over the years, whether I was at a NASCAR race watching the DIRTVision part of it or actually traveling and watching the races with the guys," Kahne says. "I've always stayed really close to it and enjoyed it."
Since its inception in 2005, KKR has amassed one World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championship — in 2013 with Daryn Pittman — and more than 170 Series wins among several drivers, including last year's Knoxville Nationals championship with Brad Sweet.
Of the drivers that have won a Series race for the team, Kahne is not one of them. He would like to be.
"When I knew I was done with the NASCAR deal, I thought I would give it a shot (driving Sprint Cars) for a little while, you know, and kind of see how it goes and see if I can't figure it out and get competitive driving these cars," Kahne says.
NASCAR was his job. Sprint Cars... well, Kahne says he doesn't really know what it is right now.
"I hope that I actually feel like it's a bit of a job," Kahne says, following up with a joke that racing is never really a job.
But he wants to work at it.
"I want to feel like I'm working at it to make it work and do the things I want and then when we do have success it'll feel that much better," Kahne says. "I want to put the time in. I want to put the effort in. No matter what it is, to try and have that success. Doing that is definitely a little bit of work."
He knows he has a bit of homework to do, too.
Kahne didn't qualifying for the season opening race at Volusia Speedway Park and has cracked the top-15 twice so far this season.
"I didn't feel that my performance was good at all (at Volusia)," Kahne says. "I thought the track was really tough... It was slick and it was greasy all in the same corner. Around the whole track just about. It was tough to learn and figure out."
None of it had to do with his health, and he doesn't expect it to ever be an issue with Sprint Car racing. Kahne says his issue is driving a car for an hour or two hours straight in humid weather. He would sweat a lot, get dehydrated and cramp up.
He knows the temperature during mid-summer World of Outlaws races can get humid, but he is only in the car for 30 to 40 minutes. He says he felt fine after racing in Florida and expects to the rest of this season.
His issue is seat time.
When he first started in NASCAR, Kahne regularly made time to race Sprint Cars, but over time put more focus on his Cup Series car. Leaving less time for Sprint Cars.
"I feel like now is by far the most difficult time I've had learning Sprint Cars," Kahne says. "I've been so focused on the other style and it's so much different than this (Sprint Car racing). The feel side of it I'm lacking a little bit and have to do a better job with my feet and my hands in different situations. And I think that's all just laps. Once I figure that out, I'll feel a lot more comfortable night in and night out."
His teammate, and last year's runner-up in Series points, Brad Sweet understands Kahne's struggles well, having raced in NASCAR for three seasons then transitioning to the World of Outlaws full-time.
"It's relearning a lot of things and retraining himself," Sweet says. "It's just a completely different discipline."
Sweet is happy to see his car owner racing with the Series though, citing Kahne's deep passion for the sport and love for driving the cars.
Kahne has scheduled more than 50 Sprint Car races – 44 of which, so far, are World of Outlaws races – for himself this year, but says he could easily add more, bringing his schedule to about 70 races. Kahne says he chose that schedule to ease into Sprint Car racing this year, giving himself time to formulate what he wants to do in 2020.
There's not one race he's looking forward to more than the other. He's eager for them all. When the Texas races rained out in late February, Kahne says he was ready to race in the rain.
"I don't like racing in the rain, mud, and all that, but I was like let's do it, I'll race," Kahne says, grinning ear to ear.
In the quiet pit area, kneeling next to his car with a couple of crew guys leisurely working around it, Kahne says he knows the new atmosphere and traveling schedule will be a big adjustment.
"It's a different type of pressure," Kahne says. "There's so many differences to it. I'm not doing normal things each week I would normally be doing the last 15, 17 years. Everything is different week to week, day to day for what it's been in the past."
While 50 races are close to half of the World of Outlaws schedule, it's about a quarter longer than NASCAR's. There are weekday races, and doubleheader weekend races – sometimes at two different tracks, and sometimes in two different states.
Instead of large team debriefs, it's now just he and a few crew guys. Instead of hundreds of fans, a handful walk by on a race night, some just looking for a quick picture or handshake. And the media mostly is photographers looking for a picture.
"So, it's a much different day to day than what I've done for a long time," Kahne says. "I think as we go, I'll get more and more use to this and just really, really enjoy it."
To see Kahne take on the Outlaws this weekend (or any of the events on his schedule below), go to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix, or call 844-DIRT-TIX to reserve your seat.
Kasey Kahne's Remaining World of Outlaws schedule:
March 15 – Silver Dollar Speedway
March 16 – Stockton Dirt Track
May 10 – Eldora Speedway
May 11 – Eldora Speedway
May 15 – Lincoln Speedway
May 17 – Williams Grove Speedway
May 18 – Williams Grove Speedway
May 19 – Weedsport Speedway
May 21 – Bridgeport Speedway
May 24 – Dirt Track at Charlotte
May 25 – Dirt Track at Charlotte
May 31 – Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway
June 1 – Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway
June 4 – Fairbury American Legion Speedway
June 7 – River Cities Speedway
June 8 – Granite City Speedway
June 14 – Knoxville Raceway
June 15 – Knoxville Raceway
June 21 – Farley Speedway
June 22 – Beaver Dam Raceway
June 27 – Jackson Motorplex
June 28 – Jackson Motorplex
June 29 – Jackson Motorplex
July 3 – Brown County Speedway
July 5 – Cedar Lake Speedway
July 6 – Cedar Lake Speedway
July 16 – Attica Raceway Park
July 18 – Eldora Speedway
July 19 – Eldora Speedway
July 20 – Eldora Speedway
July 23 – Lernerville Speedway
Oct. 25 – Port Royal Speedway
Oct. 26 – Port Royal Speedway
Nov. 7 – Dirt Track at Charlotte
Nov. 8 – Dirt Track at Charlotte
Nov. 9 – Dirt Track at Charlotte
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
HOPEFUL HEALING... World of Outlaws 'California Fire Relief Tour' opening eyes to devastating wildfires
CHICO, CA – Racing is not the only focus of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series this weekend.
The Series' California Fire Relief Tour kicks off Friday at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif., and Saturday at Stockton Dirt Track in Stockton, Calif., in an effort to assist the thousands of Northern and Southern California residents still healing from last year's devastating wildfires.
From Silver Dollar Speedway on Friday, March 15, to Saturday, March 30, at Perris Auto Speedway, $1 of every ticket sold will be donated directly to California fire relief. Also, $5 from each Outlaws California Fire Relief Tour shirt sold will be donated to California fire relief, which helps those effected by the fire.
Many effected by the fire thought they'd return to a normal life, having lived through fires before.
Kyle Hirst, who won his first World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series race at Silver Dollar Speedway in 2017, heard what he thought was rain, not thinking the wildfire was near his Paradise, Calif., home. It wasn't rain. It was ash. He and his wife packed up what they needed and left with their daughter.
When they eventually returned, among the ashes of what were once homes, they were fortunate to be one of the lucky ones to return to a home. However, Hirst's shop behind the house was not as fortunate. Race suits, helmets, stacks of trophies, including from his win at Silver Dollar Speedway, and more gone. Now just a few pieces of burnt scrap metal.
He said fortunately for him, he races for Roth Motorsports, so he didn't have cars or too many tools in the shop when the fire came through. Just stacks of he and his dad's trophies. Years of memories he said he can no longer share with his kid.
But he still has a home to return to. Just not for a while, though, due to contaminated water in the area. For now, Hirst said he is able to rent a home from a friend. He plans to return, but knows it'll take months and years before the rubble of burned homes around his are cleaned up.
"I'll be outside playing with my daughter and this is what she'll see," Hirst said, pointing out the charred debris across the street from him.
The majority of the damage throughout Paradise, Calif., happened in the first 12 hours of the fire, according to firemen at the Chico Fire Department, who bravely battled the fire. They were donated tickets to Friday's race at Silver Dollar Speedway, and more tickets throughout the Tour will be donated to local firemen.
Fans unable to attend the races in California that would like to participate can purchase the Outlaws California Fire Relief Tour shirt online at store.worldofoutlaws.com and are able to purchase additional tickets to donate to local firemen at WorldofOutlaws.com/tix.
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
Home-field Advantage - California drivers eager to race at Silver Dollar Speedway, Stockton Dirt Track
CONCORD, N.C. – California natives conquered the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series' tour through the Golden State last year and are hoping to repeat that success going into this weekend's races at Silver Dollar Speedway and the Stockton Dirt Track.
Grass Valley, Calif. native Brad Sweet and St. Helena, Calif. native Rico Abreu found victory at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif., while Visala, Calif. native Cory Eliason claimed his first Series win at the Stockton Dirt Track in Stockton, Calif., last year.
For Sweet, it was his first win at the quarter-mile Chico track, but no matter if the win was in Chico or Stockton, he said it is always satisfying to win in front of family and friends.
"The biggest thing for me is I grew up here (in California) racing, so they're home tracks," Sweet said. "There's always something about where you learned and where you grew up racing that is special. You know, I hadn't had a lot of luck at Chico in the last few years, but last year I was able to get a win there, so I feel a little bit more confident going back there and excited."
Sweet started off Series' month-long swing through California strong with a top-five finish at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif, leaving him third in the Series' points standing – 42 points behind leader Daryn Pittman.
Abreu hasn't been as fortunate, unable to qualify for the Feature in Tulare. But like Sweet, he said he is looking forward to going back to Silver Dollar Speedway – a track he has won at twice now with the World of Outlaws. He also has one Series win at the 3/8-mile Stockton Dirt Track.
He cites the Chico and Stockton tracks as two of his most successful tracks, having grown up racing at them.
"I've ran probably the majority of my California races at those two tracks," Abreu said. "I've just made sure my cars are close every time we get there and where it puts the ball in my court where I can maneuver my car around. I like going to those tracks."
Eliason has had a solid start to the season, claiming three top-10s and two KSE Hard Charger awards in the first five races of the season, placing him fifth in points. He is coming off a seventh-place finish at Thunderbowl Raceway and hitting his stride just in time for his favorite part of the year.
"The whole California swing is (a confidence booster), just because that's where I grew up racing," Eliason said. "I think we finished inside the top-five every time we were in California last year, in the March and the September swings. There's a lot of confidence just being able to roll out here and know, even if it's not perfect, we can still make something of it just because of knowing the race tracks and being from around here."
Having raced, and won, at the tracks before, Eliason said that knowledge not only helps him, but his crew. He can confidently relay to his team what he needs in his car, making their job easier.
"Every race is hard with these (World of Outlaws) guys, but it should at least level the playing field back to normal with them, instead of going somewhere where we haven't been and they dominate instead of us," Eliason said.
Sweet said, for some drivers the California swing is hard traveling from the East Coast to the West Coast and missing their families. For the California drivers, they have the advantage of staying home with their family about every night throughout the swing.
"There's just something to be said about that," Sweet said. "I, obviously, love the beginning of the year West Coast swing."
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
WHEN & WHERE
Friday, March 15, at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif. and Saturday March 16, at the Stockton Dirt Track in Stockton, Calif.
For Silver Dollar Speedway, gates are scheduled to open at 3 p.m. with Time Trials at 6 p.m. and Racing will start at 7:30 p.m.
Stockton Dirt Track is on a Flex Schedule approach. Gates will open at 3 p.m. with Time Trials at 5 p.m. and Racing at 6 p.m. If the temperature rises, gates will still open at 3 p.m., but Time Trials will shift to 6 p.m. and Racing will start at 7 p.m.
ABOUT THE TRACK
Silver Dollar Speedway is a high-banked, quarter-mile oval. The track record is 10.918 sec. by Daryn Pittman on March 22, 2013.
Online – SilverDollarSpeedway.com
Phone – 916-969-7484
Tickets at WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or 844-DIRT-TIX.
Stockton Dirt Track is a semi-banked 3/8-mile oval. The track record is 12.566 by Donny Schatz on March 21, 2015.
Online – Stockton99.com
Phone – 209-466-9999
Tickets at WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or 844-DIRT-TIX.
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased by going to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
3/8-mile and 1/4-mile winners
This will be the first World of Outlaws Features this year on tracks that size.
SILVER DOLLAR SPEEDWAY PREVIOUS WINNERS
2018 – Brad Sweet on Sept. 7, Rico Abreu on Sept. 8
2017 - Kyle Hirst on Sept. 8, Shane Stewart on Sept.9
2016 - Donny Schatz on April 2, Shane Stewart on Sept. 9, Rico Abreu on Sept. 10
2015 - Donny Schatz on March 28, Shane Stewart on Sept. 11, Donny Schatz on Sept. 12
2014 - Carson Macedo on Sept. 5, Jonathan Allard on Sept. 6
2013 - Paul McMahan on March 23, Joey Saldana on Sept. 6, Jason Meyers on Sept. 7
2012 - Donny Schatz on March 23, Donny Schatz on Sept. 6, Sean Becker on Sept. 7, Kyle Larson on Sept. 8
2011 - Craig Dollansky on March 12, Paul McMahan on Sept. 9, Kyle Larson on Sept. 10
2010 - Jason Meyers on Sept. 11
2009 - Joey Saldana on March 13, Jason Meyers on March 14, Joey Saldana on Sept. 12
2008 - Jac Haudenschild on Sept. 6
2007 - Joey Saldana on Sept. 8
2006 - Daryn Pittman on Sept. 9
2005 - Steve Kinser on Sept. 10
2004 - Donny Schatz on Sept. 11
2003 - Steve Kinser on Sept. 6
2002 - Steve Kinser on Sept. 7
2001 - Mark Kinser on Sept. 8
2000 - Danny Lasoski on Sept. 16
1999 - Jac Haudenschild on Sept. 18
1998 - Jac Haudenschild on Sept. 19
1997 - Dave Blaney on Sept. 20
1996 - Jeff Swindell on Sept. 21
1995 - Andy Hillenburg on Sept. 16
1994 - Andy Hillenburg on Sept. 17
1993 - Stevie Smith on Sept. 18
1992 - Steve Kinser on March 13, Steve Kinser on Sept. 19
1991 - Brent Kaeding on March 16, Joe Gaerte on Sept. 14
1990 - Bobby Davis, Jr., on March 11, Steve Kinser on Sept. 15
1989 - Jac Haudenschild on March 11, Darrell Hanestad on Sept. 20
1988 - Jimmy Sills on March 5, Steve Kinser on Sept. 17
1987 - Jac Haudenschild on March 7, Steve Kinser on Sept. 19
1986 - Steve Kinser on Sept. 21
1985 - Danny Smith on Sept. 21
1984 - Steve Kinser on Sept. 22
1983 - Steve Kinser on Sept. 24
STOCKTON DIRT TRACK PREVIOUS WINNERS
2018 – Cory Eliason on March 17
2017 - Brad Sweet on March 25
2016 - Donny Schatz on March 18, Donny Schatz on March 19
2015 - Donny Schatz on March 21, Rico Abreu on March 22
2014 - Kerry Madsen on March 22
2013 - Kyle Larson on March 22
ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series – Woosprint.com
Twitter – Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws - @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOSprint - @woosprint
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws
YouTube – YouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – Dirtvision.com – Get your Fast Pass to watch all races LIVE for only $39/month
Twitter – Twitter.com/DIRTVision - @DIRTVision
Facebook – Facebook.com/WatchDIRTVision
DRIVER INFO
Follow World of Outlaws full-time drivers on Twitter:
Brad Sweet – @BradSweet49
Brent Marks – @bmracing19
Carson Macedo – @carson_macedo
Daryn Pittman – @darynpittman
Donny Schatz – @donnyschatz
Ian Madsen – @IanMadsen
Jacob Allen – @JacobAllen1A
Jason Sides – SidesMotorsports.com (not on Twitter)
Kraig Kinser – @KraigKinser11k
Logan Schuchart – @Lschuchart1s
Shane Stewart – @shanestewart_5
Sheldon Haudenschild – @Haudenschild_17
AROUND THE TURN: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series heads to Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, Calif. on Friday March 22, and then to the Placerville Speedway in Placerville, Calif. on Saturday March 23.
2019 STATS
There have been four World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Feature events this season.
FEATURE WINNERS (4 drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 2
2 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
HEAT RACE WINNERS (13 different winners)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 3
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 3
2 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 2
3 – Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
– Spencer Bayston, Lebanon, Ind. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Giovanni Scelzi, Fresno, Calif. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Jason Sides, Bartlett, Tenn. – 1
– Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, Calif. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
DIRTVISION FAST PASS DASH WINNERS (5 different drivers)
1 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (5 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Cale Conley, Vienna, W. Va. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 1
PODIUM FINISHES (8 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of podiums
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 4
2 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 3
3 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 2
4 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
HARD CHARGER AWARD (4 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C. Awards
1 – Cory Eliason, Santa Cruz, Calif. – 2
2 – David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Chad Kemenah, Alveda, Ohio – 1
TOTAL LAPS LED (6 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 36
2 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 35
3 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 30
4 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 25
5 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 15
6 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 14
POLE POSITIONS (4 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Poles
1 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
2 – Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, Ind. – 1
– Jacob Allen, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
FASTEST IN PRACTICE (4 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of times fastest
1 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 2
2 – Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
2019 World of Outlaws Schedule & Winners
No./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Friday, Feb. 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (1)
2. Saturday, Feb. 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (2)
3. Sunday, Feb. 10 / Volusia Speedway Park/ Baberville, Fla. / Rainout-Canceled
4. Friday, Feb. 22 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
5. Saturday, Feb. 23 / LoneStar Speedway / Kilgore, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
6. Wednesday, Feb. 27 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Tim Shaffer (1)
7. Thursday, Feb. 28 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Donny Schatz (1)
8. Friday, March 8 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Rainout-Canceled
9. Saturday, March 9 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Ian Madsen (1)
Madsen Dominates World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars in Tulare
TULARE, CA – March 9 – Last year's World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Ian Madsen claims one of his weak points has been short tracks.
Not anymore.
The Australian won everything there was to win at the third-mile Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif., Saturday night. Not even a couple of rain showers could slow him down.
His team has been working hard to get the KCP Racing car better on the California short tracks, and "it showed tonight," said Madsen, as he earned his first victory of the season with championship leader Daryn Pittman second and Sheldon Haudenschild in third.
Madsen, who hails from St. Mary's, NSW, Australia, started the night fastest in practice — three tenths faster than second fastest Donny Schatz. He followed that up by claiming his second pole of the season.
Then he dominated the first Heat race of the night, crossing the line about one second ahead of second place Tim Kaeding. That led to him being the first driver to draw for the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash and leaving seven other drivers disappointed by drawing the pole.
A heavy rain shower lingered over the track for about 15 minutes in between Madsen's Heat and the Dash. It only made him faster. Again, in dominating fashion, he led every lap of the Dash, this time finishing close to two seconds ahead of second-place Pittman.
While he already dominated everything up to the Feature, Madsen showed his true speed in the final 35 laps of the night. He pulled away to an early lead, but "The Steel City Outlaw" Tim Shaffer showed muscle early on, keeping pace with Madsen. It didn't last though.
By lap 10, Pittman slid his way underneath Shaffer for second and began to hunt Madsen. Pittman, coming off a heartbreaking runner-up finish in Las Vegas, looked to be the only driver all night who could contend with Madsen. While Madsen battled lap traffic, Pittman closed the gap between them to about a couple of car lengths.
And that was as close as he was going to get to the #18's bumper. Madsen found his rhythm in lap traffic, pulling away to about a four second lead over Pittman, whose #83 Roth Motorsports car was able to close on Madsen again, but only to a second-and-a-half gap.
"Ian was good. We just got beat," said Pittman, of Owasso, Okla. "I liked the track conditions before it rained, but it is what it is."
Like Madsen, Pittman was unsure how he would perform at the Tulare short track, coming off strong performances at half-mile speedways.
"We were kind of curious how our car was going to shake out at a smaller place," he said. "We kind of got both spectrums there of super dry early in the night and pretty wet after the rain and the car was really good."
Both Madsen and Pittman drive a KPC Chassis, which is located nearby in Fresno, Calif.
Aside from leading every lap, Madsen's dominance was showcased by him lapping the field up to 11th-place and catching 10th-place Donny Schatz toward the end of the race.
"It was just unreal," Madsen said in almost disbelief, standing on the front stretch podium. "To get the clean sweep tonight is pretty awesome."
Madsen's best finish at Thunderbowl Raceway had been 12th. Of his previous three wins, the smallest track he had won at is the 3/8th-mile Deer Creek Speedway in Minnesota.
"I feel like we've been working hard toward this for the last two years," Madsen said. "It's really good to see some good results pay off."
While Pittman finished second, he said he won't hang his head on the finish. He continues to lead the Series' championship standings over second-place Donny Schatz — adding 16 points to his cushion between the 10-time Series champion. This is the first time in the storied history of the California-based Roth Motorsports team it continues to lead the points through the Series month-long California swing.
The Series continues its trek through California next weekend on Friday, March 15, at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif., and March 16 at the Stockton Dirt Track in Stockton, Calif.
Even though Madsen began the California tour dominating Thunderbowl Raceway, to him there is still a question on how he'll perform at the upcoming races.
"We ran good at Stockton last year and Chico we've been hit or miss, so we'll see what happens," Madsen said. "Hopefully we can keep it (momentum) going through the Cali-swing."
As always, you can catch all the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Race Report
NOS Energy Drink Feature (35 Laps) — 1. 18-Ian Madsen [1][$10,000]; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman [2][$5,500]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$2,800]; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer [3][$2,500]; 6. 5-Shane Stewart [10][$2,300]; 7. 26-Cory Eliason [11][$2,200]; 8. 2-Carson Macedo [7][$2,100]; 9. 87-Aaron Reutzel [14][$2,050]; 10. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$2,000]; 11. O-Bud Kaeding [15][$1,500]; 12. 41-David Gravel [12][$1,200]; 13. 9-Kasey Kahne [8][$1,100]; 14. 4-Terry McCarl [16][$1,050]; 15. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [22][$1,000]; 16. 45-Chad Kemenah [24][$900]; 17. 68-Chase Johnson [17][$800]; 18. 19-Brent Marks [20][$800]; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25][$]; 20. 7S-Tim Kaeding [6][$800]; 21. 17W-Shane Golobic [13][$800]; 22. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi [23][$800]; 23. 88N-DJ Netto [19][$800]; 24. 11K-Kraig Kinser [21][$800]; 25. 16A-Colby Copeland [18][$800]; Lap Leaders: Ian Madsen 1-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 45-Chad Kemenah[+8]
Qualifying — 1. 18-Ian Madsen, 14.404; 2. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.467; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 14.488; 4. 2-Carson Macedo, 14.532; 5. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.532; 6. 83-Daryn Pittman, 14.539; 7. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.559; 8. 9-Kasey Kahne, 14.561; 9. 7S-Tim Kaeding, 14.571; 10. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 14.572; 11. 26-Cory Eliason, 14.575; 12. 41-David Gravel, 14.576; 13. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 14.592; 14. 5-Shane Stewart, 14.605; 15. O-Bud Kaeding, 14.61; 16. 4-Terry McCarl, 14.612; 17. 17W-Shane Golobic, 14.613; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.663; 19. 88N-DJ Netto, 14.667; 20. 19-Brent Marks, 14.675; 21. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi, 14.714; 22. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.715; 23. 45-Chad Kemenah, 14.775; 24. 71P-Parker Price-Miller, 14.777; 25. 24-Rico Abreu, 14.835; 26. 7-Jason Sides, 14.913; 27. 33M-Mason Daniel, 14.93; 28. 29-Willie Croft, 14.964; 29. 68-Chase Johnson, 15.054; 30. 16A-Colby Copeland, 15.067; 31. 21-Brian Brown, 15.128; 32. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 15.18; 33. 1A-Jacob Allen, 15.187
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
World of Outlaws Racers See Positives in Competing with NASCAR Drivers
CONCORD, N.C. – Peanut butter and jelly. Movies and popcorn. Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus ... well, maybe not that last one.
But World of Outlaws and NASCAR?
Even though three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart won a World of Outlaws crown with Danny Lasoski in 2001 and a truckload of titles and trophies with Donny Schatz, the two series being mentioned in the same sentence has become more commonplace of late. Most recently with the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and NASCAR K&N Pro Series West being paired together for the first time at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas.
The race drew a crowd of thousands, a larger media presence and NASCAR drivers. Some drivers were in the stands watching, and a few in the Sprint Car race themselves. Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson and retired NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne joined the stars of the World of Outlaws for the doubleheader race at the Las Vegas Dirt Track last week and will continue to compete periodically with the Series throughout the season.
When the NASCAR stars join the Series, the media spotlight is usually turned on them for the night. But that's not an issue to some of the Series regulars.
"I don't mind it at all," said Series veteran Kraig Kinser, the 2005 Knoxville Nationals champion and son of Steve Kinser, the legendary King of the Outlaws. "The exposure they (NASCAR drivers) bring is always a plus. Anything that can highlight our Sprint Car racing is always a positive."
From a veteran to a rookie, the opinion stays the same. Rookie contender Carson Macedo, who drives for Kyle Larson Racing, enjoys when his boss and others come to race with the World of Outlaws.
"I love it," Macedo said. "I always said if you want to be the best, you got to race with the best. And those guys are proven to be some of the best in the world. That's what's unique about racing in the World of Outlaws, you never know who is going to show up to give you a run for your money every night."
Bell, Kahne and Larson grew up racing Sprint Cars. It's what they love, and they take every opportunity they get to drive one.
"I just love Sprint Car racing in general," Larson said. "To me the Outlaws are the toughest series to race with, that's why I really like competing with them. I hit a lot of different races, but I always have the most fun racing the Outlaw stuff."
Kahne, who like Larson owns a World of Outlaws Sprint Car team, said he became enamored with Sprint Cars at a young age and never lost that passion. Even during his years in NASCAR when he wasn't able to run many Sprint Car races. Through his Kasey Kahne Racing team, and watching the races on DIRTVision, he said he always stayed connected to it. He's enjoyed watching his team's accomplishments, such as winning the 2013 World of Outlaws championship and 2018 Knoxville Nationals crown.
This year Kahne is scheduled to run about 50 Sprint Car races. Bell is hoping to do about 20 to 25. And Larson sneaks in Sprint Car races to his schedule whenever he can.
"I just hit whatever is available," Larson said. "I don't have many days throughout the year that I can go race."
Larson and Bell both stated while there may not be much of a comparison between a Stock Car and a Sprint Car, more seat time never hurts.
"The biggest thing for me is, the way I get better is by racing cars," Bell said. "If I'm sitting on the couch, I'm not becoming a better race car driver."
Larson echoed Bell saying, anytime he gets to race, he feels like he becomes a better driver.
"It's why I try to run a lot," Larson said.
Kinser said it is nice to be able to race with the NASCAR drivers while they're in the peak of their career. And while they bring a lot of positive exposure to the sport, he said the Series is full of diehard fans that fill the stands most nights.
Unlike some other forms of motorsports, Kinser said World of Outlaws drivers are easily accessible to the fans right at their trailer.
"A lot of older fans know you can come down into the pit area afterwards, a lot of newer ones don't realize that," Kinser said. "It's always nice to speak with the fans and get face time with them. That's a positive for our sport, too."
When Bell, Kahne or Larson attend a Series race, they're just as accessible as Kinser or Macedo, making the World of Outlaws and NASCAR a favorable combination, like peanut butter and jelly or movies and popcorn.
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Sprint Cars continue their West Coast Spring Break Tour this weekend at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif., before heading north to Silver Dollar Speedway on Friday March 15 in Chico, Calif., and Saturday, March 16 in Stockton, Calif.
The next time the World of Outlaws and NASCAR intersect will be during Memorial Day Weekend, when the inaugural two-day World of Outlaws Patriot Nationals takes over The Dirt Track at Charlotte during the nights on May 24-25 while NASCAR runs its Coca-Cola 600 events during the day at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
Kyle Larson's Rookie Macedo Taking Aim at His Native California Bullrings
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Sprint Cars Begin March Through Golden State on Friday
CONCORD, N.C. — March 4, 2019 — World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series champions Daryn Pittman and Donny Schatz have solidified themselves as early favorites this season, winning three of the four races this year combined. But a new favorite may emerge during this month's California swing.
Rookie contender, and Lemoore, Calif. native, Carson Macedo has put together an impressive start to the season with his Kyle Larson Racing team, claiming three top-10 finishes and two Heat wins in the first four races.
While he's found speed on the bigger half-mile tracks of Volusia Speedway Park and The Dirt Track at Las Vegas, he's most comfortable on short tracks — like the ones he grew up racing on in California.
"My whole life I feel like I've been better on the short tracks than the big tracks," said Macedo, 22. "Lately over the past couple of years I've been able to be a little bit better on those (bigger) tracks to try and carry that balance. When you race with the World of Outlaws, you've got to be good everywhere."
Going home to tracks he grew up racing on also adds another level of confidence.
"You know what to expect, and how the race tracks are going to change," Macedo said. "A lot of the time, for me, going to a track I'm comfortable at, it's usually a huge advantage, because you're usually a little bit quicker right out of the gate."
He used that extra level of confidence to his advantage in 2014 when he won his first World of Outlaws race at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif. — a track the Series will return to this year on March 15, and again later in the year Sept. 6-7.
Macedo is still looking for his second Series win, having mostly raced with the All Star Circuit of Champions the last couple of years. And while he's won at Silver Dollar Speedway before, Macedo said he is most looking forward to going to Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif. — the next track on the Series' schedule March 8-9.
"It's probably the track I've gotten along with the most," said Macedo, who finished fifth at the track last year. "The past few years it seems like I've always been able to put together some good runs there."
To Macedo, Thunderbowl Raceway's best characteristic is the cushion builds up along the fence, allowing drivers to enter and drive through the turns aggressively.
Aggressiveness is a trait Macedo's car owner, Kyle Larson said he sees in the rookie.
"He's fun to watch," Larson said. "I think he'll have a good season (being paired with experienced crew chief Joe Gaerte)."
Macedo said he is looking forward to getting to the familiar California tracks and continue his early season success, which has currently left him sixth in the Series championship standings.
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
WHEN & WHERE
Friday, March 8, and Saturday, March 9, at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif. Gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. with Hot Laps starting at 5 p.m., Time Trials at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.
ABOUT THE TRACK
Thunderbowl Raceway is a high-banked, 1/3-mile oval. The track record is 12.582 sec. by Brad Sweet on March 13, 2015.
Online – ThunderbowlRaceway.com
Phone – 559-688-0909
TICKETS
Tickets for Thunderbowl Raceway are available by calling the track at 559-688-0909. Tickets for the rest of the events on the California swing can be purchased by going to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
1/3-MILE WINNERS
This will be the first World of Outlaws Feature on a track that size this year.
PREVIOUS TRACK WINNERS
2018 – Aaron Reutzel on March 9
2017 - David Gravel on March 17, Donny Schatz on March 18
2016 - David Gravel on March 12
2015 - Tim Kaeding on March 13, Rico Abreu on March 14
2014 - Daryn Pittman on March 14, Rico Abreu on March 15
2013 - Tim Kaeding on March 15, Craig Dollansky on March 16
2012 - Tim Kaeding on March 16
2011 - Joey Saldana on March 19
2010 - Jason Meyers on March 5, Joey Saldana on March 6
2009 - Randy Hannagan on March 20, Joey Saldana on March 21
2008 - Jac Haudenschild on Oct. 18
2007 - Joey Saldana on Feb. 23, Tim Kaeding on Feb. 24, Donny Schatz on Oct. 13
2005 - Tim Shaffer on Feb. 25, Sammy Swindell on Oct. 15
2004 - Terry McCarl on Nov. 1
2003 - Steve Kinser on Sept. 2
ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series – Woosprint.com
Twitter – Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws - @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOSprint - @woosprint
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws
YouTube – YouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – Dirtvision.com – Get your Fast Pass to watch all races LIVE for only $39/month
Twitter – Twitter.com/DiRTVision - @DIRTVision
Facebook – Facebook.com/WatchDIRTVision
DRIVER INFO
Follow World of Outlaws full-time drivers on Twitter:
Brad Sweet – @BradSweet4
Brent Marks – @BrentMarks19
Carson Macedo – @carson_macedo
Daryn Pittman – @darynpittman
Donny Schatz – @donnyschatz
Ian Madsen – @IanMadsen
Jacob Allen – @JacobAllen1A
Jason Sides – SidesMotorsports.com (not on Twitter)
Kraig Kinser – @KraigKinser11k
Logan Schuchart – @Lschuchart1s
Shane Stewart – @shanestewart_5
Sheldon Haudenschild – @Haudenschild_17
AROUND THE TURN: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series heads to Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif. on Friday March 15, and then to the Stockton Dirt Track in Stockton, Calif. on Saturday March 16.
2019 STATS
There have been four World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Feature events this season.
FEATURE WINNERS (3 drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 2
2 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
HEAT RACE WINNERS (12 different winners)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 3
2 – Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 2
3 – Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
– Spencer Bayston, Lebanon, Ind. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Giovanni Scelzi, Fresno, Calif. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Jason Sides, Bartlett, Tenn. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, Calif. – 1
DIRTVISION FAST PASS DASH WINNERS (4 different drivers)
1 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (4 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Cale Conley, Vienna, W. Va. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
PODIUM FINISHES (6 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of podiums
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 3
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 3
2 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 2
3 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. -1
HARD CHARGER AWARD (3 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C. Awards
1 – Cory Eliason, Santa Cruz, Calif. – 2
2 – David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
TOTAL LAPS LED (5 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 36
2 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 30
3 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 25
4 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 15
5 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 14
POLE POSITIONS (4 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Poles
1 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, Ind. – 1
– Jacob Allen, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
FASTEST IN PRACTICE (3 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of times fastest
1 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 2
2 – Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
2019 World of Outlaws Schedule & Winners
No./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Friday, Feb. 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (1)
2. Saturday, Feb. 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (2)
3. Sunday, Feb. 10 / Volusia Speedway Park/ Baberville, Fla. / Canceled
4. Friday, Feb. 22 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, Texas / Canceled
5. Saturday, Feb. 23 / LoneStar Speedway / Kilgore, Texas / Canceled
6. Wednesday, Feb. 27 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Tim Shaffer (1)
7. Thursday, Feb. 28 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Donny Schatz (1)
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
Schatz defies odds in Sin City
LAS VEGAS, NV – Feb. 28, 2019 – The final night of racing at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas was Donny Schatz's to lose. He was hundredths of a second away from winning his Heat race, he won the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash, and he pulled away with the lead at the start of the Feature in front of thousands that came to see a historic night of racing that paired the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West.
But on lap 14 he lost it. Series points leader Daryn Pittman had inched closer and closer to Schatz every lap, eventually finding grip in the middle of the track and darting by him.
He stretched the lead of the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown presented Star Nursery between he and Schatz to about a straightaway's length. Even with multiple cautions, and an Open Red, allowing teams to refuel their car, Pittman never fluttered, always knowing where to find grip on the rubbered down track, gradually moving from the top of the track at the beginning of the race to the bottom of the track by the end. The race was then his to lose.
And on the final lap of the race, he lost it. Blocked by a slower lap car – a situation Pittman used to his advantage to win his first race of the season – Schatz took advantage of a clear opening on the high side of the track to get his Tony Stewart Racing car back by Pittman and then held him off to claim a victory he thought he lost.
"I didn't think we'd get him (Pittman)," said 10-time Series Champion Schatz. "But we hit traffic on the last corner. He went there (low), and I was going the other place. It was either win it or wear it, and lucky we won it."
Lady Luck was good to Schatz. Not only did he find luck in lap traffic, he found luck in his tires holding on until the end of the 30-lap Feature, extended by multiple cautions – as his right rear tire could have been mistaken for a slick stock car tire by the end of the race. Pittman cited drivers' fear of blowing a tire is why he caught lap traffic in five laps after a late race caution, leading to him losing the race.
"We were lapping really good cars. The problem was everybody's pace was off, because I think everybody was afraid of blowing tires," Pittman said. "They were just going slower than I thought they would. Honestly if I could have replayed it, I probably would have just slowed down from the time we went green with five to go."
However, Pittman acknowledged he couldn't slow down too much because Schatz "will blow his tire trying to win a race and not think twice about it."
The victory is Schatz's 13th win at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas and his 284th World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series victory. He went winless in the first three races of the season for the first time since 2013 – a stat he laughed off, but is glad to get past.
"I went three races without a win. Holy hell, I'm glad we're over that hump," Schatz said.
Looking to spoil the Schatz and Pittman battle for the lead, which ended with a 0.071-sec. gap, was third place finisher Logan Schuchart. He quietly worked his way through the field, from 10th, getting to third by lap 13. He stalked the two Series champions throughout the race, staying close enough to pounce if one bobbled, but neither did.
"I thought I might have a shot right there at the end with both of them," Schuchart said. "But these guys are World of Outlaws champions. They're going to be tough to beat and they're not going to make many mistakes."
He too was worried about his tires at the end of the race, stating he slowed his pace a little to not blow one.
Tires plagued Cory Eliason's night with his right rear tire blowing in the closing laps of the race, but he still managed to be the KSE Hard Charger for the second night in a row. He finished 13th after starting 24th.
While Schatz claimed the victory at the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown, Pittman remains the points leader – by just four points over Schatz.
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series actions resumes March 8-9 at ThunderbowlRaceway in Tulare, CA. As always, you can catch all the action on DIRTVision.com.
Historic wins
Donny Schatz's last lap pass to claim his 284th win came on an historic night for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Car Series. For the first time, the World of Outlaws and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West were paired together for a thrilling night of racing at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas.
It was an event that drew a crowd of thousands in the stands and attracted a wide range of media attention.
"I'm glad to see a lot of the NASCAR fans here," Schatz said. "We met a lot of NASCAR people the last couple of days, people who have never seen a Sprint Car before. So hopefully it opens their eyes to new things."
Echoing the heart-pounding finish to the World of Outlaws race, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West put on an equally exciting show, with rising NASCAR star Hailie Deegan making a last lap pass for the win in the 100-lap Star Nursery 100. While the 17-year-old is paving a bright future for herself in NASCAR, she couldn't help but be drawn to the "gnarly" Sprint Cars.
"It's sick," Deegan said about NASCAR racing with the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars. "At Volusia (Speedway Park) was the first time I saw Outlaw racing, and man, I wanted to get into a car so bad... I think coming out here with the Sprint Cars definitely made for a good show."
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
Lady Luck on Shaffer's side in Vegas
LAS VEGAS, NV – Feb. 27, 2019 – Tim Shaffer was in route to a dominating performance at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas for the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown presented by Star Nursery, leading every lap, but with five laps to go worry set in.
He could hear his motor sputtering. There was no doubt in his mind he was going to run out of fuel, with Giovanni Scelzi and Tim Kaeding – who made their first World of Outlaws appearance this season – breathing down his neck for the lead.
"I knew the laps had to be getting close," Shaffer said, as the 30-lap Feature saw eight cautions by lap 26.
After multiple attempts of restarting the race on lap 26, Series officials called for an Open Red, stopping the cars on the front stretch and allowing the teams to refuel their cars.
"Everything worked out, the cautions, the red flag," Shaffer said. "It was our night."
After the cars were refueled, and the race went back to green on lap 26, Shaffer acted like nothing changed, commanding the lead once again all the way to victory lane – claiming his 26th World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series win and his fourth win at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas.
While everything worked in Shaffer's favor, Fresno, Calif. native Giovanni Scelzi was not as fortunate. After falling to fourth, from third, at the beginning of the race, he worked his way to second place by lap 10 and began closing in on Shaffer while he entered lap traffic. Scelzi in the #83JR for Roth Motorsports never let Shaffer out of his sight in the closing laps of the race. He even stole the lead from him on one of the restart attempts on lap 26, but a caution was thrown before the field could complete at lap, putting him back in second place.
Once the field took the green flag, after stopping to refuel, Scelzi stayed on pace with Shaffer until entering turns three and four too aggressively, hitting the cushion and falling back two positions.
"I blistered my tires really, and kind of just overdrove the car and made some mistakes," Scelzi said. "But first night in this car, it's a good start with a top five."
Roth Motorsports has had a strong start to the season with Daryn Pittman winning the two season opening races at Volusia Speedway Park – also resulting in his third DIRTcar Nationals championship and Roth Motorsport's first. Pittman finished seventh, maintaining his points lead from Florida, now eight points ahead of second place Donny Schatz.
Schatz also had a strong run coming from 11th to third – his second podium finish in three races.
"That's the best we could do there," Schatz said. "We're gaining on things and feeling a little bit better."
Like Schatz, Kaeding had to climb his way through the field, finishing second after starting 10th. When Shaffer entered lapped traffic, you could throw a blanket over he, Scelzi and Kaeding. While Scelzi stocked Shaffer, Kaeding in his Sides Motorsports car was close behind stocking them both.
After Scelzi bounced off the cushion, the 21-time Series winner capitalized on the opportunity, darting by the black #83JR to take second place. With a clear track in front of him he could focus on hunting down Shaffer. The only problem was Shaffer had mastered the high line of the track, keeping more than a second between himself and Kaeding by the end of the race.
"I think we just ran out of time," Kaeding said "Right before that red flag came out, I knew something was wrong, he might run out of fuel."
Understanding how to drive the Las Vegas track was key to winning, Shaffer said.
"It's a tricky track," Shaffer said. "It's demanding. You know, you've got to be on your game. This place is so tough. You've got to be good in the slick to get to the tacky (spots). When your car is evil here, it's a handful."
He credits his team for giving him a good handling car that could handle the track conditions.
While Shaffer has more than 20 wins, and has raced with the Series for several years, beating the star-studded field of World of Outlaws drivers is still special to him.
"It's just awesome to be competing with them (the Outlaws)," Shaffer said. "To come here and win this deal is pretty awesome."
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action at the DIRTcar Nationals resumes tomorrow at The DIRT Track at Las Vegas. As always, you can catch all the action from the Nationals and the World of Outlaws on DIRTVision.com.
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Sprint Cars Shift Placerville Event to Saturday, March 23
'The Greatest Show on Dirt' invades Golden State for entire month of March
CONCORD, NC – Feb. 18, 2019 – The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will make California its home in March, competing on eight nights at seven different Golden State tracks throughout the month. Among those is the 49er Gold Rush Classic presented by Riebes NAPA at Placerville Speedway, which will now be on Saturday, March 23.
The Series will commence its West Coast tour – featuring some of the toughest local competition the Outlaws see all season – March 8 at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif., and will cap the run off on March 30 at Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, Calif.
Brad Sweet, a native of Grass Valley, Calif., will aim to hold off the competition in his home state to add to his win list. However, Series points leader Daryn Pittman and 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz won't make it easy, with strong runs to open the season in Florida.
Last year, Sweet won at Placerville Speedway after a tight race-long battle with Rico Abreu. The Series will return to the high-octane quarter-mile oval this year on the new date.
"We have had great crowds and support at Placerville and we want to keep it growing," Sweet said. "Our goal is to keep making this event bigger and bigger as time goes on."
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are also returning to the Mini Gold Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, and Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds in Hanford. The Series last visited the Hanford track in 2017, when Logan Schuchart scored the win.
Last March in California was a success for first-time winners.
Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare saw a fierce battle between the No. 87 of Aaron Reutzel and the No. 83 of Cory Eliason, as the two traded the lead for several laps with both in search of their first Series win. With four laps to go, Reutzel was able to overpower Eliason and make his first trip to victory lane.
Eliason had his day in the sun just a couple of weeks later, commanding the Stockton Dirt Track race from start to finish. No one had anything for the California-native as he become the second driver that month to earn his first Series win.
Tickets are now on sale for all West Coast swing races at WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX. For the races at Thunderbowl Raceway call 559-688-0909.
A portion of proceeds from tickets and a special t-shirt will benefit the California Fire Foundation as the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Sprint Cars looked for ways to give back to those affected by California wildfires over the winter.
California Spring Break Tour
March 8 – Thunderbowl Raceway, Tulare, Calif.
March 9 – Thunderbowl Raceway, Tulare, Calif.
March 15 – Silver Dollar Speedway, Chico, Calif.
March 16 – Stockton Dirt Track, Stockton, Calif.
March 22 – Ocean Speedway, Watsonville, Calif.
March 23 – Placerville Speedway, Placerville, Calif.
March 29 – Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds, Hanford, Calif.
March 30 – Perris Auto Speedway, Perris, Calif.
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Pittman Claims Third Golden Gator
BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 10, 2019 – Mother Nature put a halt to Daryn Pittman's quest for three wins in a row at Volusia Speedway Park, canceling Sunday's Sprint Car event, but handed him his third DIRTcar Nationals championship. And the first for his new Roth Motorsports team.
"To do it with a different team makes it that much more special," Pittman said about getting another golden gator. "For us to come out here and be as fast and consistent every time we hit the track just speaks volumes for the guys working on this team."
Pittman won two thrilling shows during Friday and Saturday nights' World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series race at Volusia and finished on the podium during the Tuesday and Wednesday night Ollie's Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions Presented by Mobil 1 races. His consistency gave him a 28-point lead over Brad Sweet coming into Sunday night's race, and now his third DIRTcar Nationals championship – his two previous were in 2013 and 2015.
Last year, in his No. 9 Kasey Kahne Racing ride, Pittman never cracked the top-11 during the three Volusia Speedway Park DIRTcar Nationals races.
"To be able to bounce back this year and dominate the way that we did, by being the most consistent car every night, is pretty good redemption for myself, personally," Pittman said. "There were a lot of questions about my move and changing teams, and you want to get off to a strong start. We'll see what the rest of the year holds."
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will trek forward with the schedule to Texas Friday Feb. 22 at Cotton Bowl Speedway and Saturday Feb. 23 at LoneStar Speedway for the East Texas Lonestar Shootout. As always, you can catch all the action from the DIRTcar Nationals and the World of Outlaws on DIRTVision.com.
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit to the World of Outlaws woosprint.com.
Pittman Goes Two-for-Two at Volusia Speedway Park's DIRTcar Nationals
BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 9, 2019 – One of Daryn Pittman's favorite drivers growing up was Stevie Smith. By capturing his 83rd win – in the 83 car – during the second night of World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series at the DIRTcar Nationals he is now just one win away from tying his childhood hero.
"Just that number (83 wins) to me is pretty staggering," Pittman said after winning his second race in a row at Volusia Speedway Park. To him, it's surreal he would ever get close to Smith's record.
He cruised to win number 82 Friday night, making each pass with ease on the bottom of the track. Win 83 wasn't as easy. NASCAR Xfinity Series star Christopher Bell made sure of it.
Bell pulled to the lead at the start of the race and held it until lap 18 when Pittman's quest for the top spot finally reached the No. 39 Swindell SpeedLab car. The two traded the lead five times – three times in the last five laps.
By the time Bell and Pittman began battling for the lead, lapped traffic came into play. The slower cars worked in Pittman's favor Friday night, as leader Shane Stewart got hung up behind one, allowing Pittman to shoot by.
They weren't an issue for Bell, maneuvering around them like an obstacle course he designed. If Pittman wanted the win, he had to outpower Bell without help.
Pittman was able to make the bottom of the track work for him early, clearing Bell on lap 19. But Bell fought back, reclaiming the lead just a lap later. Pittman was forced to regroup and try another method of catching Bell and getting back by him.
It took six laps to do so, using the high side and middle of the track as his path back to Bell's bumper. Pittman was able to again clear him for the lead, but Bell was resilient, throwing his car to the bottom of turn one and again reclaiming the lead.
After trading slide jobs in the last five laps of the race, by lap 28 the No. 83 Roth Motorsports car finally found enough grip on the high side of turns one and two to clear Bell and pull away. However, he didn't know he created gap between himself and Bell.
"As a driver I felt like once I got the lead that should have been the end of it, because I felt like my car was better, so once I gave it back, I thought I might be in trouble," Pittman said. "Honestly I thought he passed me back on the last lap. I thought I gave the race away because I completely missed the bottom on the white flag lap, and I guess it was a lapped car."
While Bell is happy with the speed he's shown this week, finishing third in Friday's Feature and winning Saturday night's DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash, he's left wondering what he could have done better.
"Most of the time, I feel like in winged cars, especially on half miles, you get beat in lapped traffic," Bell said. "In this scenario, I didn't really get beat in lap traffic. He (Pittman) was obviously better than me, somehow, some way, so just go back and watch what he was doing to make up time on me. It sucks because most of the time you don't get beat in an open track like that."
Pittman credits some of the early success his team has shown to the ideas his Crew Chief Brent Ventura has provided, and that he has more say with adjustments than he did with the No. 9 Kasey Kahne Racing car. While he is coming off two wins in a row, Pittman is not taking his latest wins for granted.
"Every win is special," Pittman said. "Eighty-two is great. Eighty-three is awesome. You never know when your last one is going to be. We'll enjoy this one, and hopefully we have a lot more left in us."
If he wins the Series' finale to the DIRTcar Nationals Sunday, not only will he claim his third DIRTcar Nationals championship, he'll tie his childhood hero, Stevie Smith.
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will wrap up its DIRTcar Nationals championship tomorrow at Volusia Speedway Park. As always, you can catch all the action from the DIRTcar Nationals and the World of Outlaws on DIRTVision.com.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps): 1. 83-Daryn Pittman [3][$10,000]; 2. 39-Christopher Bell [1][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [7][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$2,800]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [2][$2,500]; 6. 41-David Gravel [15][$2,300]; 7. 87-Aaron Reutzel [8][$2,200]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$2,100]; 9. 7S-Jason Sides [9][$2,050]; 10. 2-Carson Macedo [6][$2,000]; 11. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [10][$1,500]; 12. 49X-Tim Shaffer [13][$1,200]; 13. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [12][$1,100]; 14. 26-Cory Eliason [14][$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18][$1,000]; 16. 71-Parker Price-Miller [5][$900]; 17. 13-Paul McMahan [17][$800]; 18. 70X-Spencer Bayston [11][$800]; 19. 5-Shane Stewart [21][$800]; 20. 9-Kasey Kahne [20][$800]; 21. 7K-Cale Conley [16][$800]; 22. 19-Brent Marks [25][$]; 23. 70-Brock Zearfoss [24][$800]; 24. 17W-Shane Golobic [23][$800]; 25. 18-Ian Madsen [22][$800]; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen [26][$]
Lap Leaders: Christopher Bell 1-18, 20-25, 27; Daryn Pittman 19, 26, 28-30
KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+11]
Qualifying: 1. 71-Parker Price-Miller, 12.849; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman, 13.011; 3. 21-Brian Brown, 13.013; 4. 2-Carson Macedo, 13.015; 5. 39-Christopher Bell, 13.065; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.073; 7. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.126; 8. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.147; 9. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.151; 10. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.151; 11. 70X-Spencer Bayston, 13.162; 12. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.173; 13. 9-Kasey Kahne, 13.176; 14. 26-Cory Eliason, 13.217; 15. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.222; 16. 7K-Cale Conley, 13.24; 17. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.248; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.249; 19. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.266; 20. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.292; 21. 41-David Gravel, 13.319; 22. 70-Brock Zearfoss, 13.329; 23. 13-Paul McMahan, 13.347; 24. 5-Shane Stewart, 13.389; 25. 17W-Shane Golobic, 13.426; 26. 33M-Mason Daniel, 13.532; 27. 48-Danny Dietrich, 13.6; 28. K4-Chad Kemenah, 13.641; 29. 47-Brant O'Banion, 13.817; 30. 19-Brent Marks, NT; 31. 84-Tom Harris, NT
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit: World of Outlaws woosprint.com.
Pittman Powers to Opening Night Victory at Volusia Speedway Park's DIRTcar Nationals
BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 8, 2019 – Daryn Pittman is no stranger to winning at Volusia Speedway Park. However, when he pulled his Sprint Car into Victory Lane during the opening night of the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series at the DIRTcar Nationals it was like a first win.
NOS Energy Drink dawned Victory Lane for the first time as the new title sponsor of the Series, but the biggest change for Pittman was the car he drove to the win – the legendary Roth Motorsports No. 83.
"There is nothing better than starting the year off with a win," said Pittman, who won for the 82nd time in his World of Outlaws career. "It's hard to do. Everyone of these wins is hard to come by. But to start the season off like this, I don't think we could have scripted it any better."
For the past six years, Pittman drove the No. 9 for Kasey Kahne Racing – winning his only Series championship in 2013, his first year with the team. He lost that ride at the end of 2018, as car owner Kasey Kahne planned to run more Sprint Car races this year. Losing that ride didn't put any more pressure on him to perform, though. The pressure is always there.
"I put enough pressure on myself every day, no matter who I'm driving for or what I'm racing," Pittman said. "At my age (40), I'm not young anymore. The truth is, you have too many bad seasons and you get to my age, people start wondering 'Man has he lost it or not?'. I just have pressure on myself to get out there and perform."
Pittman added his goal with Roth Motorsports is to build a long-lasting, competitive program.
He showed speed all day, qualifying second, finishing second in his Heat Race and finishing third in the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash – behind fellow Oklahoma-natives Shane Stewart in the CJB Motorsports No. 5 car and Christopher Bell in the Swindell SpeedLab No. 39 car, who he battled for the win during the 30-lap caution free Feature.
Stewart, who is also in a new ride this year with the CJB Motorsports team, shot to the lead on the opening lap of the Feature. He utilized the top side of the track to his advantage most of the night, holding off attacks by Bell and Pittman for the lead. He switched to the bottom of the track for a few laps, allowing Bell, on the high side, to make his best attempt to steal the lead. Bell was able to pull side-by-side with Stewart, but never able to clear him.
Bell and Pittman traded second-place a few times throughout the race. By lap 15, Pittman was able to clear Bell for second, utilizing the traction at the bottom of the track.
Sticking to the bottom, Pittman began to reel in Stewart, who had entered lap traffic. With 10 laps to go, Stewart looked to have the race under control, keeping a healthy distance between he and Pittman while maneuvering through lap cars. Until five laps later.
Coming off turn four on the high side, Stewart's run was disrupted by a slower lap car, allowing Pittman to get underneath him in turn one, then clearing him on the backstretch. Once Pittman stole the lead, Stewart was unable to challenge for it back and had to settle for second.
"I wish I had a couple of them laps back," Stewart said. "I got caught behind (Jason) Sides, and I wasn't really sure what to do. And to win these races you can't make little mistakes like that. We had a solid night. This car has been fast since I've set foot in it and I'm really excited about this year."
Bell finished third, ahead of Brad Sweet in fourth and Donny Schatz in fifth. However, Schatz and David Gravel – also in a new ride this year – tied coming to the line for fifth. Schatz was awarded fifth, because per Series rules, going back to the previous lap Schatz was ahead of Gravel.
Gravel did earn the KSE Racing Hard Charger honor, coming from 17th to sixth.
For Pittman, while he is dealing with a lot of new, Friday night's win is the start to showing people he will be a threat to win every night, he said.
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action at the DIRTcar Nationals resumes tomorrow at Volusia Speedway Park. As always, you can catch all the action from the Nationals and the World of Outlaws on DIRTVision.com.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 83-Daryn Pittman [3][$10,000]; 2. 5-Shane Stewart [1][$5,500]; 3. 39-Christopher Bell [2][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$2,800]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$2,500]; 6. 41-David Gravel [17][$2,300]; 7. 21-Brian Brown [4][$2,200]; 8. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [6][$2,100]; 9. 2-Carson Macedo [8][$2,050]; 10. 26-Cory Eliason [11][$2,000]; 11. 87-Aaron Reutzel [12][$1,500]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [14][$1,200]; 13. 71-Parker Price-Miller [16][$1,100]; 14. 13-Paul McMahan [13][$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [23][$1,000]; 16. 70X-Spencer Bayston [7][$900]; 17. 18-Ian Madsen [9][$800]; 18. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [25][$]; 19. 17W-Shane Golobic [19][$800]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [22][$800]; 21. 7K-Cale Conley [21][$800]; 22. 19-Brent Marks [26][$]; 23. 70-Brock Zearfoss [15][$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [24][$800]; 25. 33M-Mason Daniel [20][$800]; 26. 49X-Tim Shaffer [18][$800]
Lap Leaders: Shane Stewart 1-15, Daryn Pittman 16-30
KSE Hard Charger Award: 41-David Gravel [+12]
Qualifying: 1. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.024; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman, 13.097; 3. 70X-Spencer Bayston, 13.11; 4. 39-Christopher Bell, 13.121; 5. 2-Carson Macedo, 13.133; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.188; 7. 21-Brian Brown, 13.225; 8. 1K-Kyle Larson, 13.238; 9. 13-Paul McMahan, 13.302; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.309; 11. 26-Cory Eliason, 13.341; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.405; 13. 5-Shane Stewart, 13.433; 14. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.439; 15. 7K-Cale Conley, 13.441; 16. 33M-Mason Daniel, 13.52; 17. 41-David Gravel, 13.501; 18. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.535; 19. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.552; 20. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.598; 21. 9-Kasey Kahne, 13.601; 22. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.634; 23. 17W-Shane Golobic, 13.706; 24. 71-Parker Price-Miller, 13.752; 25. 19-Brent Marks, 13.77; 26. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.771; 27. 48-Danny Dietrich, 13.786; 28. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.859; 29. J4-John Garvin, 13.875; 30. 84-Tom Harris, 13.898; 31. 70-Brock Zearfoss, 14.055; 32. K4-Chad Kemenah, 14.079; 33. 47-Brant O'Banion, 14.259.
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
World of Outlaws - woosprint.com.
Schatz Wins Thriller From 10th in 2018 Season Finale at Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, NC – November 3, 2018 – In fitting fashion, Donny Schatz came from 10th at The Dirt Track at Charlotte to win the final night of the World Finals presented by Can-Am. Schatz wrapped up his 10th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Championship on Thursday. Logan Schuchart, who exchanged slide jobs with Schatz coming to the White Flag, settled for second with ninth-starting Brad Sweet completing the podium.
Spencer Bayston, in search of his first career World of Outlaws win, won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 30-lap Feature alongside Carson Macedo, who won the second Dash.
It was Macedo, who will join the Outlaws full-time with Kyle Larson Racing in 2019, getting the jump on the initial start to lead the opening circuit. Bayston remained in tow as fifth-starting Logan Schuchart darted to third on the second lap.
Schuchart, who came from 20th to complete the podium Saturday afternoon, took second from Bayston on Lap 8 and set his eyes on Macedo.
Schuchart went for the lead on Lap 9 with a big slide job in turn four, but Macedo powered around the Shark Racing No.1S. Schuchart took the lead on Lap 11 with a slide job in turn two but once again Macedo was ready with a slide job of his own out of turn four to lead the lap.
Jason Sides brought out the first caution of the event on Lap 14. Schatz, who started 10th, went from sixth to fourth on the restart before Sheldon Haudenschild slowed on the following lap.
On that restart Schatz maneuvered by Bayston and Schuchart for the runner-up position and began closing in on Macedo.
Macedo set a strong pace and looked poised out front in his second night racing for KLR but it was not meant to be as a flat right rear tire sent the Lemoore, CA native into the wall with 23 laps complete.
Schatz inherited the lead, but his job was far from done as a determined Schuchart stayed right with the Champion on the restart. As Schuchart closed in on Schatz, the sellout crowd roared in anticipation of an upset victory.
With two laps remaining, Schuchart pulled the big slide job through turn one and two but Schatz returned the favor on the other end to remain in command coming to the White Flag.
A last-ditch effort from Schuchart came up just short as Schatz went on to win his 22nd Feature of the season.
When asked about the pace set by young guns Macedo and Schuchart, Schatz said, “The sport’s pretty damn bright. Even the old guys can still get it done.”
“Hats off to my guys, they have worked their butts off all season. I’m the hardest guy in the pits to work for because if it’s not perfect, I’m not happy,” Schatz said with a smile next to his Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing No.15. “These guys do an excellent job night in and night out. I felt great on that restart with seven to go and I knew it would take someone with a lot of speed to get by me and sure enough here comes the 1S.”
Before celebrating his victory, Schatz showed true sportsmanship going over and congratulating Schuchart on a great, clean race.
“I knew it was going to be tough to beat him. I had one shot and couldn’t make it stick but it is great to be able to have a good, clean race with the 10-time Champion,” Schuchart said.
When asked about the progress of Shark Racing, who just secured Drydene Performance as a title sponsor, Schuchart couldn’t help but get emotional, “We have grown tremendously, and it all starts with [Bobby Allen]. I’m so proud to be his grandson,” Schuchart said to a huge ovation.
Brad Sweet clawed his way forward from ninth to finish on the podium. “We’ve been in the hunt all year long. It was a great season and it was nice to end on the podium,” Sweet, who enjoyed a career-best season, said.
Tim Shaffer finished fourth, his second top-five of the day, with 11th-starting Gio Scelzi completing the top-five.Kraig Kinser earned KSE Hard Charger honors, advancing 13 positions after taking a Provisional.
The 2018 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series 40th Anniversary officially comes to an end tomorrow evening with the Awards Banquet. DIRTVision.com will be live streaming both the Sprint Car and Late Model banquets for free.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$12,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$3,200]; 4. 49X-Tim Shaffer [3][$2,800]; 5. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [11][$2,500]; 6. 39-Spencer Bayston [1][$2,300]; 7. 5-David Gravel [6][$2,200]; 8. 5M-Kerry Madsen [4][$2,100]; 9. 41-Joey Saldana [13][$2,050]; 10. 71P-Parker Price-Miller [7][$2,000]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [8][$1,500]; 12. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [20][$1,200]; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser [25][$100]; 14. 18-Ian Madsen [19][$1,050]; 15. 9-Daryn Pittman [24][$1,000]; 16. 21-Brian Brown [21][$1,000]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [27][$]; 18. 71X-Dominic Scelzi [18][$1,000]; 19. 87-Aaron Reutzel [14][$1,000]; 20. 13-Paul McMahan [12][$1,000]; 21. 19-Brent Marks [17][$1,000]; 22. 83-Cory Eliason [22][$1,000]; 23. W20-Greg Wilson [28][$]; 24. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [16][$1,000]; 25. 1A-Jacob Allen [26][$]; 26. 17A-Austin McCarl [15][$1,000]; 27. 22-Carson Macedo [2][$1,000]; 28. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [23][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Carson Macedo 1-23, Donny Schatz 24-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 11K-Kraig Kinser[+12]
Ian Madsen Gets First Win of Season During Saturday Afternoon Portion of World Finals at Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, NC – November 3, 2018 – Australian Ian Madsen will be named the 2018 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year and accentuated that honor with his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature win of the year Saturday afternoon during World Finals presented by Can-Am action at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Tim Shaffer surged late to finish second with 20th-starting Logan Schuchart completing the podium.
Tim Shaffer and Aaron Reutzel led the field to Green on the daytime dry, slick racing surface but it was Madsen taking control off of turn four to lead the opening lap.
Shane Stewart, who started beside Madsen in row two, found speed on the cushion blasting to the lead on Lap 5.
It’s no secret it’s been a challenging year for Shane Stewart and that continued Saturday afternoon as a flat tire on the Kyle Larson Racing No.2 on Lap 13 summarized their 2018 season.
Madsen inherited the lead for the double-file restart, but all eyes were on 20th-starting Logan Schuchart and 17th-starting Greg Wilson who made their way into the top-five before the half-way point.
The ensuing restart saw Brian Brown go for a vicious ride through turn one and two. Brown was uninjured in the accident.
When action resumed, Wilson and Schuchart jockeyed for the runner-up position as they both reeled in the KCP Racing No.18.
With Madsen out front, Wilson glued to the bottom and Schuchart banging down the cushion, the capacity crowd at The Dirt Track at Charlotte roared with excitement as they nearly went 3-wide for the lead.
With five laps remaining a caution for Brent Marks halted the torrid battle for the lead with Madsen out front followed by Schuchart and Wilson. The single-file restart gave Schuchart the opportunity to set up a pass for the lead, but Madsen powered away convincingly.
Tim Shaffer reclaimed third from Wilson before the Red Flag flew with three laps remaining for Parker Price-Miller, who tipped lightly on his side.
With one last restart, Schuchart again looked to the bottom side for the lead but brushed off his speed and allowed Tim Shaffer to regain second as Ian Madsen went on to win his third career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature.
“This is an awesome feeling. We’ve been coming to this event every year and it keeps getting bigger and bigger. It’s awesome to be a part of the World Finals,” a relieved Madsen said.
“Day-time racing is tricky, especially when the preferred racing line kept changing. I saw Logan behind me and I know he’s particularly good on these type of race tracks,” the Australian added before thanking his KCP Racing Team and saying hello to all of his family, friends and car owner, who are scattered around the world.
Tim Shaffer and 20th-starting Schuchart completed the podium. Shaffer found speed late, said he wished there were 10 more laps and referenced how strong he felt when he pulled the wing all the way back.
Schuchart, who earned KSE Hard Charger honors, emphasized that he wanted to get the win for Drydene Performance, who announced Thursday a multi-year partnership with both Shark Racing cars and the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series.
12th-starting Spencer Bayston charged to fourth with Greg Wilson fading late, but still officially being scored with a strong 17th to fifth run. The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series completes its 40th Anniversary Season with the night portion of the World Finals presented by Can-Am double-header at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway! As always, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature: (30 Laps): 1. 18-Ian Madsen [3][$12,000]; 2. 49X-Tim Shaffer [1][$5,500]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [20][$3,200]; 4. 39-Spencer Bayston [12][$2,800]; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$2,500]; 6. 5-David Gravel [10][$2,300]; 7. 83-Cory Eliason [15][$2,200]; 8. 22-Carson Macedo [8][$2,100]; 9. 87-Aaron Reutzel [2][$2,050]; 10. 15-Donny Schatz [21][$2,000]; 11. 49-Brad Sweet [18][$1,500]; 12. 4-Kasey Kahne [13][$1,200]; 13. 5M-Kerry Madsen [11][$1,100]; 14. 9-Daryn Pittman [25][$50]; 15. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [14][$1,000]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [27][$]; 17. 1A-Jacob Allen [28][$]; 18. 41-Joey Saldana [24][$1,000]; 19. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$1,000]; 20. 19-Brent Marks [26][$]; 21. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [16][$1,000]; 22. 13-Paul McMahan [5][$1,000]; 23. 7S-Jason Sides [29][$]; 24. 44-Trey Starks [23][$1,000]; 25. 71X-Dominic Scelzi [22][$1,000]; 26. 71P-Parker Price-Miller [19][$1,000]; 27. 19P-Paige Polyak [9][$1,000]; 28. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$1,000]; 29. 21-Brian Brown [6][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Ian Madsen 1-4, 13-30; Shane Stewart 5-12; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+17]
Afternoon Rain and Track Curfew Force Friday’s World Finals Features to Saturday Afternoon
CHARLOTTE, NC – November 2, 2018 – Heavy afternoon rain and a midnight curfew at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway allowed the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, Late Model Series and Super DIRTcar Series to get everything in except the Features on Night Two of the World Finals presented by Can-Am. Friday's Super DIRTcar Series Feature will take place Saturday afternoon at 1:30 with the Late Model and Sprint Car Features to follow. Saturday’s portion of the event will kick-off with Opening Ceremonies at 4:45pm.
Paige Polyak, Tim Shaffer, Ian Madsen, Aaron Reutzel, Spencer Bayston and David Gravel won the six World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Heat Races before Gerard McIntyre won the C Main and fast timer Parker Price-Miller won the Last Chance Showdown.
Shaffer and Reutzel drew the pole and won their respective Sears Craftsman Dashes to earn the front row for the 30-lap, $12,000 to win, $1,000 to start Feature. Shaffer will look for his first Outlaw triumph of the season while Reutzel will be in search of his second, after scoring his first career World of Outlaws win at Tulare in March.
Ian Madsen and Shane Stewart will occupy the second row. Madsen, who will be crowned 2018 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year, would love nothing more to accentuate that honor with his first win of the season. Stewart’s five-year tenure with Kyle Larson Racing will come to a close tomorrow and a victory would be a strong ending to a challenging year.
David Gravel entered the evening 24 points ahead of Daryn Pittman for third in the Series Point Standings. Gravel was strong winning his Heat Race and will lineup 10th, while Pittman struggled and was forced to use a Provisional, meaning he will start 25th.
Donny Schatz Nets $51,000 with Tuscarora 50 Triumph at Port Royal Speedway
PORT ROYAL, PA – October 28, 2018 – Donny Schatz continued his remarkable 2018 campaign with a $51,000 payday at Port Royal Speedway, passing Brad Sweet on Lap 32 to win the Tuscarora 50. Freddie Rahmer surged from 16th to finish second with Daryn Pittman charging from 23rd to third on the excellent daytime racing surface.
The ‘Kings Royal’ type format saw four cars inverted in six Heat Races. Lucas Wolfe and Brad Sweet won their respective Heats to earn the front row for the 50-Lap, $51,000 to win Feature.
Sweet led the opening circuit before a nasty crash involving Port Royal’s Track Champion Logan Wagner and Tim Shaffer, halted action with one complete. Both drivers were uninjured in the accident but done for the afternoon.
Sweet was strong on the restart and didn’t reach traffic before Logan Schuchart’s night came to an end on Lap 6, stopping on the front stretch.
Lucas Wolfe remained in second on the ensuing restart, looking for a way around the 2018 Knoxville Nationals Champion. Donny Schatz worked his way forward to third from his fifth starting position and remained within striking distance of Sweet and Wolfe.
Consecutive cautions on Lap 16 and 17 allowed Wolfe to set up an attack for the lead on the restart. As Sweet brought the field back to Green on the 18th circuit, Wolfe blasted to the top side of the racing surface and took control of the field down the backstretch to a large roar from the Port Royal faithful, only to have the pass negated by a caution for a stopped Ian Madsen.
The following restart Sweet was prepared and fended off Wolfe’s charge before the caution flew on Lap 21 for the designated fuel stop.
When action resumed, Donny Schatz moved into second and began closing in on Sweet for the lead. Schatz found grip on the bottom and got underneath Sweet to lead the 32nd lap before the caution flew for fourth-place running Gio Scelzi.
Schatz ran away on the restart as Wolfe began going to work on the cushion, closing in on Sweet, eventually reclaiming the second position on Lap 38. At this point, 16th-starting Freddie Rahmer had climbed to fourth with 23rd-starting Daryn Pittman coming forward to sixth.
A caution with eight laps remaining bunched the field together and gave Wolfe a chance to steal the victory from Schatz.
Schatz powered away on the restart, completing a lap before the Yellow Flag flew for debris, as the hood flew off seventh-place running TJ Stutts’ car, ending his evening.
Schatz again blasted away on the restart, leaving no doubt who the class of the field was, en route to his 21st World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018.
“That felt like a 500-miler,” Schatz said with a chuckle in Victory Lane about the caution-filled race, next to his Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing No.15. As always, Schatz deflected the credit of the victory his crew, “These guys are incredible at what they do, it’s pretty cool to win that big money. Anytime you win in Pennsylvania it’s big and this is a big one.”
“We decided we better start testing out the 2019 rule changes and since we’ve done that, we haven’t finished worse than second and that’s really important,” Schatz, who was sporting a special Arctic Cat paint scheme, added before expressing his gratitude to Port Royal Speedway for not giving in to Mother Nature this weekend.
Freddie Rahmer continued his impressive 2018 season, surging from 16th to finish second. “My car was really good, I could really move around. They did a great job with the track,” Rahmer, who scored his first career World of Outlaws victory earlier this year in July, said in appreciation of Port Royal.
Daryn Pittman, who charged from 23rd to complete the podium, echoed the sentiments about Port Royal Speedway, “Hats off to Port Royal, they could’ve easily thrown in the towel for this weekend. They did a really nice job widening out the track. It’s always a pleasure to come back to this place and see the improvements they do on a weekly basis.”
“To start 23rd and end up on the podium says a lot about how great my race car was and the track. I wish we would have been a little stronger earlier in the night to get a better starting position,” Pittman, who earned KSE Hard Charger honors added.
Brad Sweet finished fourth with 17th-starting David Gravel completing the top five.
Persistent rain and cold temperatures led to the cancellation of Friday and Saturday’s program, forcing the World of Outlaws and Port Royal to use the Sunday rain date.
The program was moved forward in the afternoon; a good decision by all parties, as heavy rain began to fall less than an hour after the Feature concluded.
Brian Brown bested the 51-car field in Qualifying and broke the Track Record in Qualifying with a lap of 14.868. In total, seven drivers in Qualifying went under the existing record and for the first time in track history a sub-15-second lap was run.
With the unique format, the Tuscarora 50 was show-up points only for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series teams.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series finishes off its 40th Anniversary Season with the World Finals presented by Can-Am at The Dirt Track at Charlotte next Thursday, Friday, Saturday, November 1st-3rd. Tickets still remain for one of dirt track racing’s biggest spectacles as the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Cars and Late Models and Super DIRTcar Series Big Block-Modifieds crown their champions.
If you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (50 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [5][$51,513]; 2. 51-Freddie Rahmer [16][$12,000]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [23][$5,000]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$4,437]; 5. 5-David Gravel [17][$3,000]; 6. 24-Lucas Wolfe [1][$2,500]; 7. 48-Danny Dietrich [6][$2,300]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$2,200]; 9. 21-Brian Brown [14][$2,100]; 10. 7S-Jason Sides [10][$2,000]; 11. 18-Ian Madsen [21][$1,900]; 12. 58-Jim Siegel [15][$1,500]; 13. 5C-Dylan Cisney [25][$300]; 14. 41-Carson Macedo [7][$1,250]; 15. 11-T.J. Stutts [19][$1,200]; 16. 17B-Steve Buckwalter [12][$1,150]; 17. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [11][$1,100]; 18. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [3][$1,075]; 19. 71X-Dominic Scelzi [8][$1,050]; 20. 5T-Tyler Reeser [18][$1,025]; 21. 39M-Anthony Macri [13][$1,000]; 22. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [22][$1,000]; 23. 1S-Logan Schuchart [9][$1,000]; 24. 49X-Tim Shaffer [20][$1,000]; 25. 1-Logan Wagner [24][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-31, Donny Schatz 32-50; KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman[+20]
Qualifying Flight-A: 1. 41-Carson Macedo, 14.891; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.905; 3. 11-T.J. Stutts, 14.929; 4. 1-Logan Wagner, 14.968; 5. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.969; 6. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss, 14.98; 7. 15-Donny Schatz, 15.017; 8. 39M-Anthony Macri, 15.028; 9. 58-Jim Siegel, 15.036; 10. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 15.037; 11. 71-Giovanni Scelzi, 15.063; 12. 24-Lucas Wolfe, 15.083; 13. 5-David Gravel, 15.091; 14. 83-Cory Eliason, 15.121; 15. 5C-Dylan Cisney, 15.126; 16. 69K-Lance Dewease, 15.131; 17. 5M-Kerry Madsen, 15.132; 18. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 15.163; 19. 55-Mike Wagner, 15.233; 20. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 15.299; 21. 35-Justin Henderson, 15.393; 22. 33-Jared Esh, 15.44; 23. 1R-Kyle Reinhardt, 15.442; 24. W20-Greg Wilson, 15.465; 25. 29-Brent Shearer, 16.543; 26. 12W-Troy Fraker, 16.712
Qualifying Flight-B: 1. 21-Brian Brown, 14.868; 2. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 15.046; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman, 15.099; 4. 18-Ian Madsen, 15.116; 5. 71X-Dominic Scelzi, 15.134; 6. 51-Freddie Rahmer, 15.165; 7. 48-Danny Dietrich, 15.184; 8. 19-Brent Marks, 15.233; 9. 49-Brad Sweet, 15.233; 10. 7S-Jason Sides, 15.238; 11. 2-Shane Stewart, 15.264; 12. 17B-Steve Buckwalter, 15.28; 13. 94-Ryan Smith, 15.295; 14. O7-Gerard McIntyre, 15.297; 15. 55K-Robbie Kendall, 15.305; 16. 7K-Cale Conley, 15.322; 17. 44-Trey Starks, 15.347; 18. 39C-Cory Haas, 15.367; 19. 39-Spencer Bayston, 15.374; 20. 5T-Tyler Reeser, 15.481; 21. 21X-Brian Montieth, 15.512; 22. 91-Tony Fiore, 15.534; 23. 70-Dave Blaney, 15.591; 24. 10K-Joe Kata, 16.009; 25. 47K-Kody Lehman, 16.174
Donny Schatz Hits 20-Win Mark for Sixth Consecutive Season with Dodge City Victory
DODGE CITY, KS – October 20, 2018 – Donny Schatz passed Ian Madsen on Lap 9 in lapped traffic and held off Madsen’s late race surge to win his 20th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series of 2018, Saturday at Dodge City Raceway Park. Madsen, in his first visit to Dodge City, settled for second with Daryn Pittman completing the podium.
Ian Madsen set a new Dodge City track record in Qualifying, won his Heat and the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 30-lap Feature. Madsen got a strong initial start to lead the opening lap. The Australian, who will be crowned as the 2018 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year at the years end, reached lapped traffic by the fourth circuit on the lightning-fast racing surface.
Madsen cleared the first slower car, but was held up by local Steven Richardson, allowing Schatz to close the gap. Madsen remained behind Richardson as Schatz got a strong run entering turn one to take the lead down the backstretch on the ninth circuit.
Schatz officially led the ninth lap before the caution flew for third-place running Sheldon Haudenschild. Haudenschild, who was also making his Dodge City debut, was able to return at the rear of the field.
The ensuing double-file restart saw Schatz and Madsen race away from the field, establishing themselves as the class of the field. Similar to Madsen early in the race, Schatz’ pace slowed dramatically when he reached lapped traffic. Madsen closed in on the nine-time Series Champion, and took a look underneath for the lead, but couldn’t complete the pass.
A sputtering Adam Gullion brought out the caution with 18 laps complete, giving the leaders a clear track. Two laps later, Jade Hastings blew up, setting up a ten-lap sprint to the finish.
Schatz and Madsen again pulled away from the field, as Kasey Kahne Racing teammates Daryn Pittman and Brad Sweet jockeyed for third. Schatz reached traffic and again was forced to slow his pace on the tacky racing surface. Madsen closed in once again but came up .279 short, as Schatz took the Checkered Flag for the 20th time in 2018.
When asked about the difficulties of lapped traffic, Schatz said with a smile, “It’s how I got the lead and it’s how I almost lost it. They didn’t do anything wrong, but it was definitely tough to get by them.”
The win was Schatz and his Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing No.15 team 20th win of the year, marking the sixth consecutive season they’ve reached that total. “It’s a testament to how great this team is, but we’re never satisfied. 20 wins isn’t enough, 40 wins isn’t enough, that’s what makes this team so great,” Schatz said about reaching the 20-win plateau.
“It’s a privilege to be able to drive for this great team against the greatest drivers in the world at the nicest facilities in the country,” Schatz said as a dual-compliment to the World of Outlaws competition and Dodge City Raceway Park.
Ian Madsen was obviously disappointed to not finish the job but remained in good spirits. “It was a great night for this KCP team, I had a lot of family and friends here tonight and our car owner was here as well, so it was great to have a good finish for all of them. I just read lapped traffic wrong, hopefully we can pick up a win here in the last two weeks,” Madsen said.
Daryn Pittman, fresh off his Lakeside victory a night ago, completed the podium and continued his recent hot streak. “We’re really happy where this team is right now, it’s a shame the year is coming to an end,” Pittman said next to his Ionomy-sponsored KKR No.9.
Brad Sweet and 12th-starting Brian Brown completed the top-five. Sam Hafertepe Jr. earned KSE Hard Charger honors, coming from last to 15th.
A chilly evening and good air had Dodge City Raceway Park in unchartered territory as 22 of the 23 cars signed in broke the 13-year-old track record. Ian Madsen’s Quick Time was nearly a half-second quicker than the existing fastest lap. The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series has two weekends left in its 40th Anniversary Season.
Next weekend, the Series heads back to Central Pennsylvania for the Tuscarora 50 at Port Royal Speedway. Saturday’s 50-lap Feature will pay $51,000 to the winner. Following that, the Outlaws will conclude the year at the World Finals presented by Can-Am at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$10,000]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [1][$5,500]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [6][$2,800]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [12][$2,500]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [9][$2,300]; 7. 19-Brent Marks [5][$2,200]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [8][$2,100]; 9. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [11][$2,050]; 10. 5-David Gravel [14][$2,000]; 11. 41-Joey Saldana [15][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [7][$1,200]; 13. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$1,100]; 14. 4-Brock Zearfoss [10][$1,050]; 15. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [23][$1,000]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [16][$900]; 17. 1X-Don Droud [19][$800]; 18. 8H-Jade Hastings [18][$800]; 19. 91-Adam Gullion [20][$800]; 20. W20-Greg Wilson [13][$800]; 21. O-Steven Richardson [21][$800]; 22. 2C-Wayne Johnson [22][$800]; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen [17][$800]; Lap Leaders: Ian Madsen 1-8, Donny Schatz 9-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 15H-Sam Hafertepe[+8]
Daryn Pittman Convincingly Scores 9th Win of 2018 in FVP Platinum Battery Shootout at Lakeside Speedway
KANSAS CITY, KS – October 19, 2018 – Daryn Pittman scored his ninth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature win of the season in convincing fashion, leading every lap of the FVP Platinum Battery Shootout at Lakeside Speedway. Donny Schatz extended his points lead with a runner-up finish and Sheldon Haudenschild completed the podium. It was Pittman’s 81st career World of Outlaws win and second at Lakeside with his prior triumph coming 15 years ago in 2003.
Pittman won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 30-lap Feature, alongside Logan Schuchart. Pittman held off an early charge from Schuchart to take command of the field.
A fast racing surface allowed Pittman to reach lapped traffic on Lap 8. The Oklahoma veteran negotiated traffic well, before the lone caution flag of the Feature fell on Lap 12 as heartbreak struck second-place running Logan Schuchart. Schuchart smoked down the frontstretch before coming to stop in turn one, ending his evening.
Sheldon Haudenschild assumed second place alongside Pittman with Jason Sides and Donny Schatz in row two of the double-file restart.
Pittman powered away from the field with a strong restart as Haudenschild and Schatz waged war for the second spot with the nine-time and defending Series Champion taking the position for good on Lap 16.
Schatz narrowed Pittman’s lead, but the Kasey Kahne Racing, Ionomy-sponsored No.9 remained proficient through traffic.
The best battle on the race track was between Jason Sides, Brad Sweet and Joey Saldana, aboard the Jason Johnson Racing No.41, as the trio utilized the entire the Lakeside Speedway racing surface battling for the fifth position.
Back up front, Schatz continued to close in on Pittman, but time was running out. With five laps remaining, Pittman maintained good speed on the cushion as Schatz was a car-length lower than him, desperately trying to reel him in.
Pittman stayed strong up top and rode the cushion to victory, a mere .586 seconds ahead of Schatz.
“This place is always been a track I’ve enjoyed coming to. If your car is good, you can get by guys and as a racer that’s all you can ask for,” Pittman said speaking fondly of Lakeside Speedway.
“Hats off to my guys, my car was great. It was a lot of fun, lapped traffic was tight, but I could move around and maintain speed everywhere. Man, these wins are hard to come by. I’ve been doing this a long time and they never get easier,” Pittman said with a smile next to his KKR No.9.
Schatz settled for second and kept things simple after the race, “That’s the way it goes sometimes. We got ourselves up there to compete for the win but didn’t get it. We’ll try again tomorrow.”
In his second career Lakeside appearance, Sheldon Haudenschild landed on the podium for the second consecutive year, finishing third. “The 9 and 15 were good, I like this place, it’s wide and fast. It’s definitely cool to have Ricky [Stenhouse Jr.] here and a couple of the NASCAR boys, we’ll try again tomorrow,” Haudenschild said next to his NOS Energy Drink sponsored Stenhouse Jr-Marshall No.17.
Shane Stewart was strong all night and finished fourth with Joey Saldana finishing fifth in his debut aboard the JJR No.41.
Brad Sweet, Jason Sides, Ian Madsen, Kraig Kinser and Brent Marks completed the all-Outlaw top-ten. Brock Zearfoss, in his Lakeside debut, earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from the LCS to finish 11th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season tomorrow with a return to Dodge City Raceway Park in Dodge City, KS. Weather has prevented the Series from racing there since 2015, don’t miss this year’s Boot Hill Showdown. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [1][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [7][$5,500]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,800]; 5. 41-Joey Saldana [8][$2,500]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$2,300]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [6][$2,200]; 8. 18-Ian Madsen [10][$2,100]; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser [9][$2,050]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [13][$2,000]; 11. 4-Brock Zearfoss [19][$1,500]; 12. 2M-Kerry Madsen [11][$1,200]; 13. 21-Brian Brown [12][$1,100]; 14. 5-David Gravel [15][$1,050]; 15. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [18][$1,000]; 16. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [14][$900]; 17. 1A-Jacob Allen [20][$800]; 18. 35L-Cody Ledger [24][$800]; 19. 33M-Mason Daniel [17][$800]; 20. W20-Greg Wilson [22][$800]; 21. 2C-Wayne Johnson [23][$800]; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2][$800]; 23. 12-Lynton Jeffrey [21][$800]; 24. 1X-Don Droud [16][$800]; Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 4-Brock Zearfoss[+8]
Qualifying: 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.626; 2. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.734; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.744; 4. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.758; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.76; 6. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.764; 7. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.799; 8. 41-Joey Saldana, 13.814; 9. 21-Brian Brown, 13.831; 10. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.833; 11. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.844; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.909; 13. 1X-Don Droud, 13.964; 14. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.969; 15. 5-David Gravel, 13.98; 16. 19-Brent Marks, 13.985; 17. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg, 13.997; 18. 4-Brock Zearfoss, 14.022; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.024; 20. 12-Lynton Jeffrey, 14.04; 21. 15H-Sam Hafertepe, 14.117; 22. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 14.123; 23. 33M-Mason Daniel, 14.226; 24. 35L-Cody Ledger, 14.302; 25. 8H-Jade Hastings, 14.395; 26. 91-Adam Gullion, 14.853; 27. 91X-Riley Kreisel, 15.125
Christopher Bell Dominates Eldora Speedway for Fourth Career Outlaw Win
ROSSBURG, OH – October 14, 2018 – Christopher Bell pounded the cushion to perfection up against the Eldora Speedway wall to win his fourth career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature, but first of 2018, Sunday evening at the Ohio half-mile. Bell fell as far back as eighth but took the lead on Lap 14 and never looked back. Donny Schatz extended his Series points lead finishing second for a Tony Stewart Racing/Curb-Agajanian Racing one-two punch. Parker Price-Miller, who led the first 13 laps, completed the podium.
Tim Shaffer won the Sears Craftsman Dash and led the field down the backstretch, but a strong sweeping move across the racing surface from Parker Price-Miller saw the youngster lead the opening lap by a nose.
Carson Macedo, aboard the Jason Johnson Racing No.41, took second from Shaffer on Lap 9 and began closing in on Price-Miller for the lead.
Christopher Bell fell back from his fifth-starting spot on the initial start, but began his cushion-pounding charge forward immediately. As Macedo passed Shaffer for second on the ninth circuit, Bell re-entered the top five. Two laps later, Bell was third and visibly closing on the leaders. Bell passed Macedo for second on Lap 13 and took the lead the following lap from Price-Miller in turn one.
From there, Bell set sail, rim riding his way to a sizable advantage through lapped traffic.
Donny Schatz worked his way forward from his eighth starting spot to take third just past the halfway point.
The lone caution of the event flew on Lap 21 for a slowing Aaron Reutzel, setting up a double-file restart.
Price-Miller, who had fallen back to fourth, got an excellent restart and challenged Bell for the lead before settling into second. Bell once again powered away from the field, establishing a sizeable lead over the field.
Schatz went to work on Price-Miller for second, completing the pass with one to go. At this point, his TSR teammate was gone, as Bell cruised to win by over four seconds.
“I’m very grateful to run this thing, it’s a rocket every time I come to this place. It was so fast on the top, I could zoom right around,” Bell said in Victory Lane.
When asked about riding the wall at Eldora with a near-perfect race car, Bell didn’t hold back, saying, “It’s the most fun thing you’ll ever do.”
“It’s a dream come true to be able to win World of Outlaws races at Eldora,” Bell, who was making his fifth Outlaw start of the season, added with a smile.
Donny Schatz settled for second for the second consecutive night and was pleased with his car, “My car was really good. These guys keep working on it and making some gains, it was great to have some grip out there.”
Parker Price-Miller, in one of three Indy Race Parts entries, held off Macedo to complete the podium, “We were really good. When you are out front, you don’t know how strong you really are, and Christopher blew my doors off. He was the class of the field. I can’t thank Bernie and Betsy enough for giving me this opportunity.”
Macedo, who will return to the JJR No.41 at Port Royal in two weeks, finished fourth with Ian Madsen completing the top five.
Brent Marks came forward from 12th to sixth with Joey Saldana, in another Indy Race Parts car, was strong finishing seventh.
Sheldon Haudenschild charged from 18th to eighth and Logan Schuchart earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 20th to ninth. Pennsylvanian Brock Zearfoss, who will finish out the season following the Outlaw tour, completed the top-ten.
A night after breaking a 19-year-old track record at Terre Haute, teenager Gio Scelzi was within striking distance of the 16-year-old Eldora track record in Qualifying, missing it by seven hundredths of a second.
It was an early start at Eldora, which was coming off a double-header World 100 program the night before, with the Outlaw Feature ending before 7:30 on a brisk October evening.
A rare off-weekend for the NASCAR Xfinity Series allowed Bell to compete back in his dirt track roots. Bell currently leads Xfinity points and recently set the single-season win record for a rookie with six. Bell finished 11th last night at Terre Haute.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action next weekend with a pair of dates in Kansas, starting Friday, October 19 at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City for the FVP Platinum Battery Shootout and concluding Saturday, October 20 at Dodge City Raceway Park in Dodge City, KS. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 14B-Christopher Bell [5][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [8][$5,500]; 3. 71P-Parker Price-Miller [2][$3,200]; 4. 41-Carson Macedo [4][$2,800]; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [3][$2,500]; 6. 19-Brent Marks [12][$2,300]; 7. 71X-Joey Saldana [6][$2,200]; 8. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [18][$2,100]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [20][$2,050]; 10. 4-Brock Zearfoss [10][$2,000]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [15][$1,500]; 12. 21-Brian Brown [14][$1,200]; 13. 49-Brad Sweet [13][$1,100]; 14. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [9][$1,050]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [7][$1,000]; 16. 39-Spencer Bayston [17][$900]; 17. 5-David Gravel [16][$800]; 18. 9-Daryn Pittman [22][$800]; 19. 7S-Jason Sides [19][$800]; 20. 81-Chad Kemenah [24][$800]; 21. 49X-Tim Shaffer [1][$800]; 22. 87-Aaron Reutzel [11][$800]; 23. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [21][$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [23][$800]; Lap Leaders: Parker Price-Miller 1-13, Christopher Bell 14-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+11]
Brad Sweet Continues Career Year with Terre Haute Triumph
TERRE HAUTE, IN – October 13, 2018 – Brad Sweet’s added another page to his unforgettable 2018 season with a flag-to-flag victory at the historic Terre Haute Action Track, his ninth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the year. Donny Schatz charged from 12th to second, getting by Tim Shaffer, who completed the podium, on the Green-White-Checkered finish.
Brad Sweet and Kasey Kahne Racing teammate Daryn Pittman put on a show on the final lap of the Sears Craftsman Dash finishing side-by-side. Sweet edged Pittman by 0.054 to earn the pole for the 30-Lap Feature.
Sweet powered to the lead on the initial start to lead the opening circuit and reached lapped traffic on Lap 9 at the spacious Indiana half-mile. Pittman and 2001 Terre Haute Outlaw winner Tim Shaffer were in tow.
At the halfway point, Donny Schatz had worked forward from his 12th-starting spot to sixth aboard the Tony Stewart Racing/Curb-Agajanian No.15. By lap 19, the nine-time Series Champion and current points leader had maneuvered to fourth.
Sweet continued to work his way through traffic as Schatz closed the gap on Pittman and Shaffer for the runner-up position.
Lap 27 saw Shaffer and Schatz get by Pittman for position down the backstretch and through turn three, respectively.
As the White Flag flew for Brad Sweet, he would not be caught, as he had multiple lapped cars between himself and Shaffer and Schatz, who were in a torrid battle for second.
It wouldn’t be that easy for the driver known as ‘The Big Cat’, however, as the caution flew for a stopped Ian Madsen as Sweet was about to take the Checkered.
The caution set up a single-file, Green, White, Checkered finish with Shaffer, who was ahead of Schatz at the last completed lap, in second and Schatz in third.
On the restart, Schatz quickly disposed of Shaffer in turn one and set his eyes on Sweet for his 20th victory of the season. Schatz closed the gap in each corner, but it wasn’t enough, as Sweet went on to win by .686 seconds.
When asked about the late restart, Brad Sweet chuckled and said with a smile, “Well, I’ve been getting used to it. Knoxville, Black Hills, Chico and Lernerville have all had late race restarts and sometimes it’s not bad to get a clean track. I think we were just good enough to hold these guys off tonight.”
“Lapped traffic was tricky. I think I made a few mistakes, but I guess I had a big enough lead,” Sweet said of the long Green Flag period to open the race, before thanking his NAPA Auto Parts crew for their continued hard work.
“Terre Haute is a special place. I’ve won a non-wing USAC race here, so it’s cool to come back here and win with the World of Outlaws,” the Grass Valley, CA native added.
Donny Schatz, who had passed Tim Shaffer for second on the final lap but had to go back to third for the Green-White-Checkered finish, was obviously disappointed to come up just short.
“We did what we could, the car was obviously rolling to get up there on an open race track. My guys did an incredible job, we wanted to get a win,” Schatz, who earned KSE Hard Charger honors for his efforts, said.
Tim Shaffer’s excellent 2018 season continued with a podium finish and he was pleased, “We had a great car, it kept coming in little by little as the race went on.”
Pittman settled for fourth with Sheldon Haudenschild charging from 15th to complete the top-five.
A week of rain and frigid temperatures had Terre Haute Action Track in unchartered territory during Qualifying, as 19 of the 32 cars signed in broke the existing track record set back in 1999. Brian Brown, who went out late, ended up establishing the new Terre Haute track record at 16.028, nearly a half-second faster than the existing record.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season tomorrow evening at Eldora Speedway with an early start time. Drivers Meeting is scheduled for 3:30pm, tickets for the The Greatest Show on Dirt’s final appearance of the year at ‘The Big E’ can be found here. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (31 Laps due to green-white-checkered finish): 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [12][$5,500]; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer [3][$3,200]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [2][$2,800]; 5. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [15][$2,500]; 6. 71X-Joey Saldana [6][$2,300]; 7. 21-Brian Brown [5][$2,200]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [10][$2,100]; 9. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [7][$2,050]; 10. 5-David Gravel [4][$2,000]; 11. 14B-Christopher Bell [8][$1,500]; 12. 2-Shane Stewart [18][$1,200]; 13. 41-Carson Macedo [16][$1,100]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [14][$1,050]; 15. 4-Brock Zearfoss [9][$1,000]; 16. 39-Spencer Bayston [21][$900]; 17. 19-Brent Marks [20][$800]; 18. 83-Cory Eliason [22][$800]; 19. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [23][$800]; 20. W20-Greg Wilson [19][$800]; 21. 7S-Jason Sides [13][$800]; 22. 18-Ian Madsen [11][$800]; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen [24][$800]; 24. 99-Brady Bacon [17][$800]; Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-31; KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz[+10]
Schuchart Dominant at Fulton for Second Win of Year
FULTON, NY – October 6, 2018 – Logan Schuchart dominated all 30 laps to win Saturday Night at Fulton Speedway as the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series invaded Super DIRT Week in New York. Sheldon Haudenschild charged late to second with Donny Schatz completing the podium.
Kraig Kinser won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 30-lap affair, in search of his first win of the season, alongside Schuchart.
Schuchart's forgettable Qualifying laps put him 15th quick, forcing him to start fifth in his Heat. Methodically, Schuchart worked his way by three cars in the eight-lap event to excitingly secure that all-important spot in the Sears Craftsman Dash.
In the Feature, Schuchart got the initial jump to lead the opening lap. The Hanover, PA native reached lapped traffic quickly around the 3/8th mile and maneuvered it well.
Nine-time and defending Series Champion Donny Schatz moved by Kinser for second on Lap 12 and began closing in on Schuchart as the leaders navigated traffic.
While most drivers were fighting for the bottom, Sheldon Haudenschild, to no one’s surprise, went to work on the cushion in exciting fashion. Haudenschild got to fourth on Lap 16 and was visibly closing in on Kinser and Schatz, who both remained loyal to the bottom.
Haudenschild roared around Kinser for third on Lap 22 and caught Schatz quickly after. Sheldon used a big run out of turn two to cross-under Schatz for second into turn three.
In need of a Yellow, Haudenschild closed in on Schuchart but the latter powered away on the final lap and went on to win his second Feature of the year.
“I’m really proud of this team, we’ve been really strong this year, especially lately, with a handful of Quick Times and consistently in the top five. We just haven’t been able to pull off a lot of wins this year. This Drydene Performance/Shark Racing team is really strong, we just keep growing and keep getting better and I can’t wait for what is in store," Schuchart, who currently sits a career-high sixth in the Series Points Standings, said.
"The bossman Bobby Allen does a great job with this two-car operation and I’m proud to have him as my grandfather,” Schuchart, who holds the Fulton Speedway track record from back in 2016, added in Victory Lane.
Sheldon Haudenschild settled for second and walked through his charge forward, “I kind of had to wait until it cleaned off a little bit [before I could get going up top]. I committed to going up a groove in traffic and my car was really good up there.”
“I was praying for a Yellow, but we didn’t have any all night, the whole field did a good job. We have some really good tracks coming up, hopefully we can pull off a couple more wins and cap off a good season,” the Wooster, OH native said about this Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall No.17.
Donny Schatz extended his Series points lead with his podium finish. “With the finishes we’ve had lately, third is like a win. We had a decent run and traffic made it fun. The younger guys are getting their game on and making us old guys look silly,” Schatz said with a smile next to his Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing No.15 machine.
Shane Stewart, who set Quick Time, finished fourth with Kinser rounding out the top five. Larry Wight, who arrived late after competing during the day at Oswego Speedway, earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 18th to ninth.
As Haudenschild mentioned, the entire World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series program went caution-free. With Mother Nature threatening the area all evening, a successful accelerated program was run, with both racing divisions done by 9pm.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action for a triple-header weekend starting Friday, October 12 with a makeup date at Jacksonville Speedway in Illinois before heading to Terre Haute Action Track Saturday and Eldora Speedway Sunday. If you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2][$10,000]; 2. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [5][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [6][$2,800]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [1][$2,500]; 6. 5-David Gravel [10][$2,300]; 7. 18-Ian Madsen [11][$2,200]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [8][$2,100]; 9. 99L-Larry Wight [18][$2,050]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [7][$2,000]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$1,500]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [9][$1,200]; 13. 1A-Jacob Allen [12][$1,100]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [3][$1,050]; 15. 49K-Scott Kreutter [13][$1,000]; 16. 10K-Joe Kata [15][$900]; 17. 90-Matt Tanner [16][$800]; 18. 3-Denny Peebles [20][$800]; 19. 98-Joe Trenca [17][$800]; 20. 45-Chuck Hebing [19][$800]; 21. 54J-Steven Hutchinson [21][$800]; Lap Leaders: Logan Schuchart 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 99L-Larry Wight[+9]
Lance Dewease Wins Emotional Williams Grove National Open Worth $56,000
MECHANICSBURG, PA – September 29, 2018 – The all-time Williams Grove win leader, Lance Dewease, passed Brock Zearfoss on Lap 24 and never looked back to win his 15th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of his career. Dewease, full of emotion in Victory Lane, dedicated the $56,000 Champion Racing Oil National Open win to the late, great Greg Hodnett. Daryn Pittman came from eighth to second with Brian Montieth completing the podium at the famous Williams Grove Speedway.
Zearfoss won the first of two Sears Craftsman Dashes to earn the pole for the 40-Lap Feature alongside Dewease, who won the second Dash. Zearfoss, who scored his first career World of Outlaws win last year at Williams Grove, got a strong start and led the opening lap.
Dewease didn’t let Zearfoss out of his sights, as Brian Montieth passed Brian Brown for third on Lap 7. Zearfoss reached the back of field on Lap 8 and began to maneuver through traffic before the caution flew Brad Sweet and Donny Schatz, as the top two in World of Outlaws in points sat atop turn two, with 12 laps complete. Schatz returned at the rear but Sweet was done for the evening.
The ensuing double-file restart saw Zearfoss maintain control and turn under a Dewease slide job on Lap 15 to retain the lead. Dewease was determined and not going away, chipping away on the bottom at Zearfoss’ lead.
As Zearfoss once again reached traffic, Dewease got a huge run through the middle of turn one to pull even with Zearfoss down the backstretch and take command of the field to lead Lap 24.
At Lap 25, World of Outlaws and Williams Grove officials made the decision to throw the caution flag to prevent a majority of teams from running out of fuel. The decision was based on the fact the air quality was so good and that there were extra parade laps in honor of Hodnett and Johnson.
Following the Open Red, Zearfoss had something break on the car entering turn one and he came to a stop at the end of the frontstretch. Understandably disappointed, Zearfoss walked away from his car under his own power.
Brian Montieth assumed second and threatened Dewease for the lead on the restart running his typical cushion-pounding line.
Daryn Pittman found speed on the bottom and got by Monteith for second on Lap 27.
At this point, Dewease had established he was the class of the field and powered away from the field, navigating traffic with ease. Pittman was formidable and quick, but never got within striking distance of Dewease as the Hall of Famer went on to win his 92nd Feature at Williams Grove and fourth National Open.
“This is for Greg [Hodnett]. This whole week is about Greg. Everyone that knew him knows how great of a racer is, but he was an even better person,” Dewease said holding back tears in Victory Lane. “No one understands how difficult this week has been,” Dewease added somberly. “I wanted this one bad for this team. You always want to run well at this race, we had some bad luck last year,” Dewease said about his Kreitz Racing No.69K team.
Daryn Pittman was strong and finished runner-up at the National Open for the fourth time in his career. “This weekend wasn’t about Posse or Outlaws, it was about honoring Greg and it was great to see Bobbi and Jaxx Johnson as well,” the well-spoken Oklahoman said. “I feel that were at the same pace as the 69K and that’s an accomplishment in its own right,” Pittman said with a grin.
Local fan-favorite Brian Montieth finished third, the best of his National Open career, and was pleased, “We were pretty good, I’m sitting here, real proud.”
Tim Shaffer finished fourth with Ryan Smith completing the top-five. Shane Stewart earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 22nd to ninth.
Gio Scelzi was awarded $1300 from the Beerhill Gang as the National Open Rookie of the Year and Chad Trout earned $1527 from Dirt Track Digest and SprintCarUnlimited.com with the ‘Just Missed Award’.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season next Saturday, October 6 at Fulton Speedway in New York during NAPA Super DIRT Week. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 69K-Lance Dewease [2][$56,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [8][$12,000]; 3. 21X-Brian Montieth [5][$7,500]; 4. 49X-Tim Shaffer [10][$4,000]; 5. 94-Ryan Smith [12][$3,500]; 6. 21-Brian Brown [4][$3,000]; 7. 11-T.J. Stutts [9][$2,700]; 8. 27-Paul McMahan [15][$2,500]; 9. 2-Shane Stewart [22][$2,200]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11][$2,100]; 11. O7-Gerard McIntyre [13][$2,000]; 12. 39-Cory Haas [16][$1,650]; 13. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [3][$1,550]; 14. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$1,200]; 15. 51-Freddie Rahmer [28][$100]; 16. 5-David Gravel [19][$1,050]; 17. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [20][$1,000]; 18. 24-Lucas Wolfe [26][$]; 19. 18-Ian Madsen [24][$1,000]; 20. 41-Carson Macedo [18][$1,000]; 21. 19-Brent Marks [23][$1,000]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [25][$]; 23. 55K-Robbie Kendall [14][$1,000]; 24. 11K-Kraig Kinser [27][$]; 25. 15G-Jordan Givler [17][$1,000]; 26. 4-Brock Zearfoss [1][$1,000]; 27. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$1,000]; 28. 1-Logan Wagner [21][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Brock Zearfoss 1-23, Lance Dewease 24-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-Shane Stewart[+13]
Gio Scelzi Becomes Youngest World of Outlaws Winner in Series History on Night One of the Williams Grove National Open
MECHANICSBURG, PA – September 28, 2018 – On an emotional night in Pennsylvania Posse country, it was neither the locals or Outlaws in Victory Lane, as California phenom Gio Scelzi passed two-time National Open Champion David Gravel to lead Lap 16 and never looked back to win his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Victory on the opening night of the Champion Racing Oil Williams Grove National Open. Scelzi becomes the youngest driver to ever win a World of Outlaws race at the ripe age of 16 years old. Gravel settled for second with Lucas Wolfe completing the podium.
Gravel won the first of two Sears Craftsman Dashes to the earn the pole for the Feature, which went 27 laps in honor of five-time Williams Grove Track Champion and 1993 World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year, Greg Hodnett. Gio Scelzi won the second Dash to start outside the front row.
Gravel got the jump on the initial start and led the opening circuit with Scelzi in tow. Logan Schuchart, while running third, brought out the first caution of the evening, coming to a stop on the backstretch with five laps complete. That set up the first of three double-file restarts. Gravel elected the bottom on this one, putting Scelzi to his outside.
Gravel remained out front on the restart, but it was evident that Scelzi was a threat as he stayed right with the CJB Motorsports No.5 around the paperclip shaped half-mile. 2017 Track Champion Freddie Rahmer maneuvered his way into third from eighth and tried to close in on the lead duo.
Sheldon Haudenschild brought out the caution with 11 laps complete and this time Gravel elected the top on the double-file restart.
Again, Gravel remained out front as Scelzi took a peak underneath for the lead once again.
Carson Macedo, aboard the Jason Johnson Racing No.41, brought out the final caution of the evening on Lap 15. Gravel elected the bottom on the double-file restart, once again giving Scelzi the outside. Gravel entered high into turn one and tried to catch momentum to get a run off of turn two.
Scelzi pitched his Indy Race Parts No.71 hard to the bottom, couldn’t complete the slide job, but maintained speed on the bottom and pulled even with Gravel under the bridge and edged in front heading into turn three.
Scelzi, now in command of the field, powered away to lead Lap 16.
Lucas Wolfe moved by Freddie Rahmer into third and set his eyes on the leaders. For the first time, the leaders would reach lapped traffic as Gio Scelzi’s job was far from done. Scelzi approached traffic and Gravel closed in, looking to steal a win from the young California native.
With two to go, Gravel was within three car lengths as Scelzi continued to run the cushion through traffic. Gravel pitched the car hard into turn three before coming to the White Flag.
With Scelzi carrying speed on the cushion and a lapped on the bottom, there was no room for Gravel to make a last-ditch effort, as Gio Scelzi crossed under the Checkered Flag .732 seconds ahead of Gravel to become the youngest World of Outlaws winner in the Series 40-year history.
“I don’t think I am ever going to believe this one,” Scelzi said in Victory Lane when track announcer Bruce Ellis asked him about the night. “I was so good at the beginning, I was afraid I wouldn’t be any good at the end. David is good here, he’s a two-time National Open winner,” Scelzi, engulfed in positive emotion, said.
“I don’t know what to say, we could work anywhere. Hopefully we can Qualify good tomorrow and see what we can do,” Scelzi, who was grinning cheek-to-cheek, added about his chances tomorrow for the $56,000 payday.
David Gravel settled for second and was understandably disappointed.
“I didn’t know what to do on the restarts, I tried both lanes. When I was on the outside, I didn’t take off as well as I would have liked, so I went back to the bottom to try and protect myself from the slide job,” Gravel said of the pass for the lead. “Congrats to Gio, that first career win is hard to get, especially at Williams Grove,” Gravel added in good spirits. “Tomorrow is 13 more laps and pays a lot more to win, so hopefully we can finish one spot better.”
Lucas Wolfe was the highest finishing local and also applauded young Scelzi, “What a tremendous result for him, congrats to him. It wasn’t a bad night for us, we passed some good cars to get up here and hopefully we can do a little better tomorrow,” Wolfe said.
After Scelzi, Gravel and Wolfe crossed the finish line, Freddie Rahmer and Tim Shaffer got together battling for fourth, resulting in Shaffer ending up backwards at the bottom of turn four, bringing out the Yellow and Checkered simultaneously. Unfortunately for Shaffer, who was a couple hundred feet from a top-five finish, as the cause of the yellow, he was scored as the last car on the lead lap, which was 21st.
Freddie Rahmer officially finished fourth with 12th-starting Shane Stewart completing the top-five. Donny Schatz earned KSE Hard Charger Honors coming from 22nd to complete the top ten.
Logan Schuchart set Quick Time over an outstanding field of 50 cars, worth $327 courtesy of Fast Tee’s. Schuchart generously donated his bonus to Sherry Hodnett. Schatz’s effort also earned him a $500 bonus courtesy of Wicked Cushion, which he generously donated to the Hodnett family as well.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to Williams Grove Speedway tomorrow night for the $56,000 to win Champion Racing Oil National Open. Tonight’s results have no bearing on tomorrow’s program. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (27 Laps): 1. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [2][$10,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [1][$5,000]; 3. 24-Lucas Wolfe [5][$3,000]; 4. 51-Freddie Rahmer [8][$2,700]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [12][$2,500]; 6. 44-Trey Starks [6][$2,200]; 7. 21X-Brian Montieth [3][$2,000]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [17][$1,800]; 9. 21-Brian Brown [7][$1,600]; 10. 15-Donny Schatz [22][$1,450]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [13][$1,300]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [23][$1,200]; 13. 18-Ian Madsen [11][$1,100]; 14. 69K-Lance Dewease [19][$1,000]; 15. 27-Paul McMahan [21][$950]; 16. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [25][$200]; 17. 11-T.J. Stutts [14][$850]; 18. 48-Danny Dietrich [24][$750]; 19. 1X-Chad Trout [27][$25]; 20. 1A-Jacob Allen [10][$700]; 21. 49X-Tim Shaffer [9][$700]; 22. O7-Gerard McIntyre [18][$700]; 23. 39-Cory Haas [26][$]; 24. 55K-Robbie Kendall [20][$700]; 25. 41-Carson Macedo [15][$700]; 26. 94-Ryan Smith [16][$700]; 27. 1S-Logan Schuchart [4][$700]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-15, Giovanni Scelzi 16-27 KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz[+12]
Brad Sweet Tames Lernerville for Exciting Commonwealth Clash Victory
SARVER, PA – September 23, 2018 - Brad Sweet’s fantastic 2018 season continued Saturday night at Lernerville Speedway when he passed Donny Schatz on Lap 28 to become the fourth and final different leader of the 2018 Commonwealth Clash for his eighth win on the year. Schatz settled for second with former Lernerville track champion Tim Shaffer completing the podium.
Daryn Pittman won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 35-Lap Feature, alongside Tim Shaffer. Pittman jumped out to the early lead through a caution-filled first few laps. Brent Marks fell off the race track in turn three on the opening lap, leaving David Gravel nowhere to go as the two made contact, resulting in terminal front end damage for Marks
After consecutive Yellows on Lap 1, the field lined up single-file. Shaffer went for the slide job to take the lead on the restart, but Pittman turned it back under to maintain control.
Shaffer was relentless in pursuit of Pittman and took the lead off of turn four to lead Lap 6 to the delight of the hometown crowd.
During the long Green Flag stretch, Shaffer established a healthy lead through the heavy traffic. Donny Schatz got underneath Pittman to take second on Lap 18 and set his eyes on Shaffer.
Sweet continued his way forward getting by Pittman and getting an up-close look on the battle for the lead between Schatz and Shaffer. Schatz got a good run off the cushion in turn four to slide Shaffer into turn one to take command on Lap 22.
A lap later Sweet slid in front of Shaffer as the top two in Outlaw points established themselves as the class of the field as they have so many times this season.
Sweet got a massive run on the nine-time Series Champion out of turn two and blasted underneath to take the lead down the backstretch and officially lead Lap 28. Sweet powered away and looked to be well on his way to his eighth victory of the year, but a caution for sixth-place running Sheldon Haudenschild with three laps to go put the celebration on hold.
With less than five to go in the Feature World of Outlaws rules dictate a single-file restart, which allowed Schatz to attempt a slide job for the lead. Sweet powered around the Schatz slider to maintain the lead down the backstretch and go on to win his first Outlaw Feature at Lernerville.
“I struggled for the first few years of my career at this track, it’s nice to come here and be as fast we’ve been this year. The track was great, there were so many options of where to go in lapped traffic. You could rimride on that thin ledge or get going around the bottom,” Sweet said in Victory Lane in appreciation of the racing surface.
“This one is for Greg Hodnett, he was a good friend of mine. It’s been a tough year. We’ll celebrate this one a little for him and move on to the next one,” Sweet said with his heart on his sleeve.
Donny Schatz bounced back from an uncharacteristic bad night at Eldora to finish second.
“The track was tricky tonight, second isn’t bad, especially considering the night we had last night,” Schatz, who was forced into a Provisional for the first time in 2018 last night, said with a little grin.
When asked about the late-race restart, Schatz was honest. “I didn’t have much grip and I’m not going to use Brad up or run myself off the track. Luckily, I have these [crew] guys behind me and we’ll have more grip next time we come back,” Schatz said positively.
Tim Shaffer completed the podium and complimented Sweet and Schatz. “Those guys are on their game and third isn’t too bad against these guys. Those [pointing at Sweet and Schatz’ team] teams are what we are trying to build up this team up to,” Shaffer said next to his DR Racing No.49X.
Logan Schuchart was strong for the second consecutive night coming home fourth with Daryn Pittman completing the top-five. Central Pennsylvania invader Danny Dietrich earned KSE Hard Charger Honors coming from 14th to sixth.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series heads into Central Pennsylvania next weekend for the Champion Racing Oil National Open against the Pennsylvania Posse at Williams Grove Speedway. Saturday’s Feature at The Grove will pay $56,000 to win, making it the second-highest paying event on the World of Outlaws schedule in 2018. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (35 Laps): 1. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$5,500]; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer [2][$3,200]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6][$2,800]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [1][$2,500]; 6. 48-Danny Dietrich [14][$2,300]; 7. 18-Ian Madsen [12][$2,200]; 8. 5-David Gravel [9][$2,100]; 9. 21-Brian Brown [8][$2,050]; 10. W20-Greg Wilson [16][$2,000]; 11. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$1,500]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [15][$1,200]; 13. 35-Justin Henderson [20][$1,100]; 14. 2-Shane Stewart [10][$1,050]; 15. 11-Carl Bowser [19][$1,000]; 16. O7-Gerard McIntyre [13][$900]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [18][$800]; 18. 29-Dan Shetler [17][$800]; 19. C1-Clayton Riney [23][$800]; 20. 2L-Sye Lynch [21][$800]; 21. 40-George Hobaugh [22][$800]; 22. O8-Dan Kuriger [24][$800]; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen [7][$800]; 24. 19-Brent Marks [11][$800] Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-5, Tim Shaffer 6-21, Donny Schatz 22-27, Brad Sweet 28-35 KSE Hard Charger Award: 48-Danny Dietrich[+8]
Brent Marks Caps Emotional Evening with Thrilling Eldora Triumph
ROSSBURG, OH - September 21, 2018 — On an emotional night at one of the most famous dirt tracks in the world, Brent Marks won a thrilling race, passing fellow Central Pennsylvania Outlaw Logan Schuchart for the lead on Lap 23 and holding off a furious charge from 13th-starting Dave Blaney, Schuchart and 23rd-starting Greg Wilson. It was Marks' third career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory and first at the historic Eldora Speedway. Marks dedicated the win to Greg Hodnett, who passed tragically the night before in an unsanctioned race in Pennsylvania.
Logan Schuchart won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 30-Lap Feature, alongside David Gravel. Schuchart darted out to the early lead and Brent Marks, who started third, blasted around the bottom to take second down the backstretch.
Schuchart set a torrid pace out front as Marks went to war with Kraig Kinser for the runner-up position. With Marks banging down the cushion and Kinser catfishing around the bottom, the duo battled side-by-side for the better part of five laps.
As Schuchart reached heavy lapped traffic, Kinser and Marks’ battle continued and they both closed in on the Shark Racing No.1S. Kinser edged Marks by a nose at the line on Lap 12, which would prove crucial as the caution would fly for Parker Price-Miller, who lost a left rear tire running in the top ten.
Schuchart elected the bottom on the double-file restart, moving Kinser to his outside. Kinser, who was glued to the bottom prior to the caution, fell back on the start, as Marks moved back into second. Some contact the following lap between a slew of cars in the top ten, sent Gio Scelzi high into turn one, grazing the wall. Scelzi came down off the wall and got together with Daryn Pittman, resulting in the Kasey Kahne Racing No.9 upside down. Both drivers were uninjured but done for the evening.
The ensuing double-file restart saw Schuchart again choose the bottom with Marks to his outside this time. Schuchart remained in command with Marks in tow. 13th-starting Dave Blaney threw his name in the ring, battling Gravel and Kinser for the third position, three-wide at times.
Simultaneously, 23rd-starting Greg Wilson was coming, in typical Greg Wilson Eldora fashion, glued to the inside guard rail.
Back up front, Marks was closing in on Schuchart and threw a slide job for the lead into turn one on Lap 23. Schuchart fought back underneath Marks to maintain the lead going into turn three, where he went to the bottom. Marks put his family-owned No.19 right up against the wall, grabbing the cushion off of turn four and taking command of the field to lead the lap.
Marks powered away from Schuchart, who now had his hands full with the hard-charging Blaney and Wilson. Blaney took second from Schuchart and set his sights on Marks. After Marks got held up ever so slightly in traffic, Blaney attempted a slide job in turn three with three laps remaining, but Marks stayed on the gas and powered around the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame member to maintain control.
Blaney’s slide job attempt for the lead cost him momentum as Wilson and Schuchart, who found late race speed right up against the outside wall, caught and surpassed the veteran by the White Flag.
But tonight, there was no catching Brent Marks, as the Myerstown, PA native went on to win his third World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of the season and of his career.
“We’re all really thinking about Greg [Hodnett] and his family, he’s somebody I’ve respected tremendously throughout my whole career and was always a fan of growing up in Central Pennsylvania. This race is for him and his whole family and everyone back in Pennsylvania mourning his loss,” an emotional Marks said to a large applause from the Eldora Speedway crowd.
“This is awesome, I can’t believe I won a race at Eldora. This is my first Outlaw win that my Mom and Dad were able to see. I can’t thank my guys Jesse and Dallas enough, and we just added Jim Shuttlesworth. Last week was our first weekend together, we kept talking and improving throughout the night and working together well. This is special, I can’t believe I’m standing in Victory Lane at Eldora,” Marks added.
When asked about the race itself, Marks talked about the tricky cushion, “I knew I needed to be more aggressive on the wall, but the top was right up against the wall and I didn’t want to tear this thing up. I changed my entry into turn three and Logan started coming to me,”
“I can’t believe it’s my sophomore season with the World of Outlaws and I have three wins now, I can’t thank everyone who helps out with this operation enough,” Marks concluded.
Fellow Central Pennsylvania native Logan Schuchart settled for second after leading 22 laps, “It’s tough, lapped cars are so hard to judge. It’s hard leading a race and knowing where to go, I didn’t feel as comfortable up top and I felt I was slowing down, so I moved down. Brent drove a great race.”
“This is all for the Heffner Racing No.27 team and everybody back home, we’ve got a couple of PA boys up front and this is all for them,” Schuchart added with emotion.
The obvious KSE Hard Charger was 23rd-starting Greg Wilson who finished on the podium for the second time this year at Eldora.
“We’re good when it slicks off. This is how the tracks need to be. The race track was awesome tonight, there was passing,” Wilson said before reflecting about the recent tragedy in Sprint Car Racing.
“My heart goes out to the Hodnett family. I woke up this morning and looked at my wife and girls and wondered if I should keep doing this. I love it, though. I wouldn’t trade this opportunity to race with my wife and kids at Eldora in front of all you fans for anything,” Wilson, the Ohio native, said to a thunderous roar from the crowd.
Dave Blaned faded to fourth in the closing laps, still no small feat coming from 13th, with Gravel completing the top five.
Kraig Kinser was strong all evening and settled for sixth with Hunter Schuerenburg, who set Quick Time, and Sheldon Haudenschild finishing seventh and eighth, respectively. Rico Abreu charged from 21st to ninth with 17th-starting Jason Sides completing the top-ten.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series makes the trek to Western Pennsylvania tomorrow night, September 22 with the running of the Commonwealth Clash in Sarver, PA. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 19-Brent Marks [3][$10,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1][$5,500]; 3. W20-Greg Wilson [23][$3,200]; 4. 70-Dave Blaney [13][$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [2][$2,500]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5][$2,300]; 7. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [4][$2,200]; 8. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$2,100]; 9. 24-Rico Abreu [21][$2,050]; 10. 7S-Jason Sides [17][$2,000]; 11. 3G-Carson Macedo [24][$1,500]; 12. 49-Brad Sweet [10][$1,200]; 13. 15-Donny Schatz [25][$300]; 14. 4-Brock Zearfoss [15][$1,050]; 15. 12N-Cole Duncan [20][$1,000]; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen [26][$100]; 17. 2-Shane Stewart [9][$800]; 18. 18-Ian Madsen [22][$800]; 19. 49X-Tim Shaffer [19][$800]; 20. 71P-Parker Price-Miller [11][$800]; 21. 3-Jac Haudenschild [12][$800]; 22. 17X-Aaron Reutzel [14][$800]; 23. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [6][$800]; 24. 9-Daryn Pittman [16][$800]; 25. 19P-Paige Polyak [18][$800]; 26. 13-Paul McMahan [8][$800]; Lap Leaders: Logan Schuchart 1-22, Brent Marks 23-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+20]
Eliason Gets Second Career Outlaw Win at Calistoga
CALISTOGA, CA – September 15, 2018 – An opportune Yellow Flag allowed Cory Eliason to officially lead all 25 laps Saturday night at Calistoga Speedway for his second career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory. Donny Schatz took the lead off of turn four coming to the White Flag, but the caution negated the pass, forcing Schatz to be relegated back to second, where he finished. Logan Schuchart finished third, his second podium in as many nights at Calistoga.
Eliason won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for 25-Lap Feature alongside his good friend and fellow California native Giovanni Scelzi. Eliason and Scelzi waged war on the opening lap, with Eliason turning under a Scelzi slide job to lead Lap 1.
Eliason, who scored his first career Outlaw win earlier this year at Stockton, powered away from the field as Scelzi, Schatz and Schuchart captivated the large Calistoga Speedway audience with their battle for second.
Schatz, who won the Wine Country Outlaw Showdown last year, moved by Schuchart into third on Lap 10 and set his eyes on young Scelzi, who was in search of his first career Outlaw triumph. Schatz edged in front of the youngster on Lap 11, but the Fresno, CA teenager battled back underneath the nine-time Series Champion to grab the runner-up position back.
Despite Scelzi’s resilience, Schatz wrestled the position away for good on Lap 14 as the Fargo, ND native focused his sights on Eliason. Schatz gradually cut into Eliason’s lead, setting up some potential late race fireworks. With five to go, Schuchart got by Scelzi for third as Schatz had all but erased Eliason’s lead.
Coming to the White Flag, Eliason slipped out of the rubber in turn three, opening the door for Schatz. Schatz got underneath Eliason, who was desperately trying to get back into the groove and the two made slight contact, resulting with Schatz having the advantage coming to the White Flag.
It was all for nothing as the caution flew for Brent Marks who came to a stop atop turn two, ending his charge forward.
The caution set up a Green-White-Checkered finish, and after getting a second chance at it, Eliason wasn’t going to make a mistake this time. The Visalia, CA native went on to win his second World of Outlaws Feature of the year and his career.
“I got out of the rubber and saw [Schatz] underneath me and thought was it, I’m going to finish second,” a jubilant Eliason said.
Eliason, who was making his 43rd Outlaw start of the season, has spent the majority of the 2018 season in the Midwest and East Coast and has valued his time at new race tracks. “I can’t thank Dennis and Theresa Roth enough, it’s absolutely been beneficial to be out on the road this year and I think our speed these few weeks at home show that,” Eliason added.
Donny Schatz was understandably disappointed to see the Yellow Flag fly, preventing his 20th win of the year. “That’s part of racing. Sometimes the Yellows fall your way, sometimes they don’t. We’ll take second and move on to Eldora on Friday,” Schatz said.
Logan Schuchart was pleased to be on the podium once again and gain momentum heading back East, “Being out here all the way from Pennsylvania, it’s great to finish on the podium back-to-back nights here, it says a lot about this team and how hard they work. Hopefully we can pick up some more wins to finish off the season,” Schuchart said positively.
Brad Sweet got by Gio Scelzi on the late restart to finish fourth with Scelzi matching his career-best Outlaw finish in fifth. Greg Wilson earned KSE Hard Charger honors.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series makes the cross-country trek to Eldora Speedway to compete Friday, September 21 before returning to Sarver, PA and Lernerville Speedway for the Commonwealth Clash Saturday, September 22. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (25 Laps): 1. 83-Cory Eliason [1][$12,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$5,700]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$3,500]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [6][$3,000]; 5. 41S-Giovanni Scelzi [2][$2,600]; 6. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [10][$2,400]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [5][$2,300]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [7][$2,200]; 9. 5-David Gravel [9][$2,150]; 10. 24-Rico Abreu [12][$2,100]; 11. 18-Ian Madsen [14][$1,600]; 12. 17W-Shane Golobic [15][$1,350]; 13. 29-Willie Croft [11][$1,300]; 14. 26-Joey Saldana [13][$1,200]; 15. 88N-DJ Netto [17][$1,100]; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen [8][$1,000]; 17. 68-Chase Johnson [19][$900]; 18. W20-Greg Wilson [23][$850]; 19. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18][$800]; 20. O-Bud Kaeding [20][$800]; 21. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$800]; 22. 19-Brent Marks [21][$800]; 23. 45-Austen Wheatley [24][$800]; 24. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [22][$800] Lap Leaders: Cory Eliason 1-25 KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+5]
Daryn Pittman Scores 8th Win of 2018 in Dramatic Fashion at Calistoga
CALISTOGA, CA – September 14, 2018 – Daryn Pittman held off Logan Schuchart by a car-length to win his 8th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018 Friday night at Calistoga Speedway. Pittman led all 25 laps but shredded a right rear immediately after the checkered and limped his Kasey Kahne Racing No.9 to the scales and to Victory Lane. Schuchart settled for second, just 0.133 seconds behind Pittman, with Rico Abreu completing the podium.
Daryn Pittman drew the pole for the Sears Craftsman Dash and won the six-lap event to earn the pole for the 25-Lap Feature. Pittman used a strong start to lead the first two laps before a Red Flag for Sheldon Haudenschild and Willie Croft halted the action. Both drivers were uninjured. Haudenschild was able to return and run a few laps but was forced back to the pits with lingering issues.
The ensuing double-file restart saw Donny Schatz get by Logan Schuchart for third and begin to put pressure on Abreu for second. Cory Eliason brought out the Yellow with seven laps complete running sixth. As Pittman and Abreu powered away from the field, Schuchart was able to get back by Schatz for third on the restart down the backstretch.
The remaining 18 laps went non-stop allowing Pittman to reach the back of the field, forcing the Owasso, OK native to slow his pace out front. Abreu, Schuchart and Schatz closed in on Pittman as the racing surface became locked down. Schatz took third back from Schuchart with five laps remaining and looked poised to make a late-race charge.
With two laps remaining, the top four were nose-to-tail entering turn one. Schuchart muscled his way underneath Schatz to take third down the backstretch, then hit the rubber perfectly off of turn four to take second from Abreu coming to the White Flag.
Schuchart got a big run off turn two and took a peak underneath Pittman for the lead down the backstretch but thought better of it entering turn three. Schuchart turned the car hard left off turn four to try and steal the win but came up .133 short as Pittman collected his 8th win of 2019.
As Pittman went into turn one after the Checkered, his right rear tire blew, and he had to limp his KKR No.9 to the scales.
“I knew something was wrong the last three laps, I must have hit something,” Pittman said about the dramatic ending. “Hopefully we can continue to pick up wins and land a sponsor on this thing, it’s been a good stretch for Kasey Kahne Racing, Brad [Sweet] has obviously been really good this year. I’m so blessed to be able to be out here with my family doing this for a living,” Pittman said as his two daughters hugged him.
Logan Schuchart matched his career-best at the historic Calistoga Speedway with a second-place finish, “It was one of those deals where you wish it would have been one more lap,” the Hanover, PA native said with a smile. “I’m really proud of this team and hopefully we can finish one spot better tomorrow.”
Rico Abreu was the highest finishing local, coming home third with Donny Schatz, who set Fast Time and Brad Sweet completing the top-five.
Joey Saldana was strong all evening finishing sixth with Shane Stewart, 14th-starting Brent Marks, Gio Scelzi and Jacob Allen completing the top-ten. Shane Golobic earned KSE Hard Charger honors, coming from 19th to finish 12th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series concludes the West Coast portion of its 40th Anniversary Season at Calistoga Speedway tomorrow evening. Tickets are still available. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (25 Laps): 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [1][$8,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$4,000]; 3. 24-Rico Abreu [2][$2,500]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$2,200]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$2,100]; 6. 26-Joey Saldana [7][$2,000]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$1,800]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [14][$1,600]; 9. 41S-Giovanni Scelzi [10][$1,500]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [8][$1,300]; 11. 18-Ian Madsen [11][$1,200]; 12. 17W-Shane Golobic [19][$1,100]; 13. 5-David Gravel [13][$1,000]; 14. O-Bud Kaeding [12][$700]; 15. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [18][$600]; 16. 83-Cory Eliason [9][$600]; 17. 11K-Kraig Kinser [22][$600]; 18. 88N-DJ Netto [24][$600]; 19. 45-Austen Wheatley [23][$600]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$600]; 21. 37-Mitchell Faccinto [21][$600]; 22. W20-Greg Wilson [20][$600]; 23. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [17][$600]; 24. 29-Willie Croft [15][$600]; Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17W-Shane Golobic[+7]
Brad Sweet Masters Lapped Traffic En Route to $20,000 Placerville Victory
PLACERVILLE, CA – September 12, 2018 – Brad Sweet passed Rico Abreu on Lap 8, was masterful through heavy lapped traffic, and held off Sheldon Haudenschild in a Green-White-Checkered finish to win the 49er Gold Rush Classic Presented by Riebes NAPA Auto Parts at Placerville Speedway. The win was Sweet’s 7th of the season and worth $20,000. Haudenschild kept the fans on the edge of their seat and came home second with local Andy Forsberg, who scored $2000 for setting Quick Time earlier in the evening, completing the podium.
Rico Abreu, fresh off his Gold Cup Race of Champions victory Saturday at Chico, won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 49-Lap Feature alongside Sweet. Abreu got a good initial start and led the opening circuit and paced the field before Jason Sides brought out the first caution of the event with three laps complete.
Abreu powered away on the restart and reached lapped traffic quickly around the quarter-mile, high-banked oval. Sweet hawked Abreu as the latter entered traffic and made the move to take command of the field off of turn four to lead Lap 8.
A Red Flag for Brent Marks on Lap 14 halted action and took the leaders out of heavy traffic. Marks, who had come forward seven positions to 11th, was uninjured, but done for the evening.
The next 34 laps went non-stop allowing the leaders to endure as heavy of lapped traffic as they will see all season.
Sheldon Haudenschild, who started third, fell back to fifth at the time of the Red Flag for Marks but became the show on the restart. Haudenschild’s go to line was entering high into turn one and diamonding off the bottom of turn two. Haudenschild took fourth with that line from Pittman on the restart. Five laps later Haudenschild got by Eliason off of turn two to grab third and set his eyes on Abreu and leader Brad Sweet.
Abreu bobbled in turn four on the cushion on Lap 28, allowing Haudenschild to move into second. But Haudenschild made the same mistake the following lap as Abreu slid back in front of the young Wooster, OH native to reclaim second at the line.
By Lap 35, there were lapped cars scattered all over the racing surface in front of Sweet, forcing him to slow his pace and allowing the pack to close in. Abreu took a couple of looks underneath Sweet, but the latter remained in the gas and never gave Abreu a chance to slide him.
Lap 45 saw Sweet trying his best to navigate traffic on the cushion with Abreu looking desperately for a way by him and Haudenschild looming as the leaders were nose to tail down the backstretch.
Sweet had a strong three laps, putting two lapped cars in between himself and Abreu and Haudenschild coming to the White Flag. Haudenschild grabbed second at the White Flag and then slid to the top of turn one to maintain momentum. Stuck with nowhere to go, lapped car Jacob Allen flipped off of the top of turn one. Allen was uninjured with the Red Flag setting up a Green-White-Checkered finish.
As the cars came to a stop for the Red Flag, Abreu uncharacteristically rolled into Haudenschild. Abreu got out of his car and informed World of Outlaws officials that the steering broke on his family-owned No.24 and his night was over.
Sweet got an excellent restart, thwarting any chance of Haudenschild’s late race heroics as Sweet went to win, the, now, 50-Lap Feature, by 0.611 seconds.
Sweet, who was a co-promoter of the event, was visibly excited to get the big win in his hometown. “I don’t know if that’s cool or not [that I won my own race], but $20,000 was on the line. It’s great to get the NAPA car in Victory Lane in the Riebes NAPA Auto Parts Race,” Sweet said next to his Kasey Kahne, who was in attendance, owned No.49.
“It’s awesome to come back here in my hometown in front of all my friends and family and get the win. Lapped traffic was really tough, I hope you guys enjoyed the show. We’ll be back next year,” Sweet added.
When asked about the hectic lapped traffic, Sweet said, “I thought I covered most of my lines, but I knew someone was close. You just try to keep your composure and pick off the lapped cars the best you can. The cushion was tricky, kudos to the Russell family, they do a great job here every week and we get to play in their playground once a year.”
Sweet ended with a heartfelt statement, “I have so many people to thank for helping put on this show and I’m very appreciative.”
Sheldon Haudenschild finished second and was equally as appreciative. “Brad did a great job and a huge thanks to him for putting this race on. Thanks to the fans for coming out on a weekday, I know it’s difficult and we appreciate it. Hopefully you all enjoyed the show, I had a blast. This is a beautiful track. I’m definitely grateful to be in this position and to be able to race Sprint Cars for a living,” Haudenschild said next to his NOS Energy Sponsored, Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall No.17.
Andy Forsberg, the current Placerville Speedway 360 Sprint Car points leader, led the local charge finishing third, his third top-ten against the Outlaws in as many starts this season. “This is a 2009 chassis and the youngest guy on my crew is 54 years old and they work their tails off,” Forsberg, who will wrap his 20th points title as a driver this Saturday at Placerville, said with a big smile. “Every once in a while, you can sneak a good run against the Outlaws,” Forsberg added before stating how proud he was of his team for their runs against The Greatest Show on Dirt this week.
Tim Kaeding continued his outstanding success in a second Sides Motorsports entry coming from 10th to fourth with Eliason settling for fifth. David Gravel crashed in the Heat Race was forced to take a Provisional and earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming forward to 13th.
Shane Stewart and Justin Sanders flipped in the Sears Craftsman Dash, forcing Stewart to a backup car and to start at the rear while Sanders start and parked because of the damage. High Sierra Industries put up $1000 cash if a World of Outlaws driver set Quick Time and doubled that if a non-Outlaw set Quick Time, which sent Forsberg home with $2000 extra in his pocket for his 10.282 lap around the bullring.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series concludes its California swing this weekend September 14 and 15 at the beautiful historic Calistoga Speedway. Tickets for the Wine Country Classic are still available. If you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (50 Laps due to green-white-checkered finish) 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$20,000]; 2. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$6,000]; 3. 92-Andy Forsberg [6][$3,750]; 4. 3-Tim Kaeding [10][$3,250]; 5. 83-Cory Eliason [4][$2,750]; 6. 3C-Tanner Thorson [11][$2,500]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [5][$2,400]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7][$2,300]; 9. 17W-Shane Golobic [13][$2,200]; 10. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$2,100]; 11. 18-Ian Madsen [21][$1,700]; 12. 22-Mason Moore [8][$1,400]; 13. 5-David Gravel [24][$300]; 14. 31C-Justyn Cox [15][$1,200]; 15. 2-Shane Stewart [23][$1,100]; 16. 25-Bobby McMahan [19][$1,000]; 17. 1A-Jacob Allen [12][$1,000]; 18. 24-Rico Abreu [1][$1,000]; 19. 7-Scott Bogucki [17][$1,000]; 20. 88N-DJ Netto [14][$1,000]; 21. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$1,000]; 22. 19-Brent Marks [18][$1,000]; 23. O-Bud Kaeding [22][$1,000]; 24. 29-Willie Croft [20][$1,000]; 25. 121-Justin Sanders [25][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Rico Abreu 1-7, Brad Sweet 8-50; KSE Hard Charger Award: 5-David Gravel[+11]
Rico Abreu Pockets $15,000 in Gold Cup Thriller
CHICO, CA – September 8, 2018 – Rico Abreu went from third to first to lead Lap 26 and never looked back, securing his second Gold Cup title in a slide job war Saturday Night at Silver Dollar Speedway. Tim Kaeding, in a second Sides Motorsports entry, finished second for the second consecutive night with Cory Eliason completing the all-California podium.
16-year-old Buddy Kofoid won the Sears Craftsman Dash by 4.921 seconds to earn the pole for the 40-Lap Gold Cup Race of Champions alongside Justin Sanders, both drivers in search of their first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victories.
Kofoid and Sanders set a slow pace as the field came to Green and Kofoid slipped off the bottom, opening the door for third-starting Cory Eliason to blast into the lead and take command.
With three provisionals being used, there were 27 410 Sprint Cars blasting around the tight-quartered Silver Dollar Speedway. Eliason, aboard the famous Roth Motorsports No.83, reached lapped traffic on Lap 5 around the bullring oval. Cars were littered all around the racing surface as Eliason worked through traffic to extend his lead.
Tanner Thorson established himself as a threat, coming forward from his seventh starting position to grab second on Lap 10 as he set his eyes on Eliason in search of his first career Outlaw win. Rico Abreu, who came from eighth to fifth in the Dash, moved into third on Lap 12, shuffling young Kofoid back to fourth with Sanders in fifth.
As Eliason negotiated heavy lapped traffic, Thorson closed in on Lap 18 and took a peak underneath the Roth Motorsports No.83. The duo battled hard, allowing Abreu to clear slower cars and reel both of them in.
Thorson used a big slider in three and four on Eliason to take the lead on Lap 25. Eliason tried to get back by into turn one, but left the door open for Abreu who took second down the backstretch and then went for the home run slider in turn three and completed it to take the lead from Thorson and lead Lap 26 with the crowd on their feet.
Eliason and Thorson continued to battle it out for second with the pair making contact with 27 laps complete, resulting in a broken front axle of Thorson’s No.3C. Thorson’s night was done, moving ninth-starting Tim Kaeding into third and defending Gold Cup Champion Shane Stewart into fourth.
The first caution of the event allowed the fans and drivers to catch their breath after an action-packed first 27 laps. A pair of cautions on the ensuing double-file restart and two laps later kept the action tame.
When action resumed Abreu darted away from the field as Kaeding and Eliason waged for second. The duo made contact coming off of turn four on Lap 31, allowing Stewart to get to third in front of Kaeding. The final caution of the evening flew for Outlaw Rookie Ian Madsen with front end damage with nine laps remaining.
Again, Abreu blasted away from the field as Kaeding, Eliason and Stewart battled for position behind him. The trio of cars battling allowed Abreu to run and hide en route to his second Outlaw win of the season in popular fashion and be crowned Gold Cup Champion for the second time in his career.
“It is so much fun to drive when your car is like it was tonight,” Abreu said in compliments of his young team, which features no one older than 23 years old.
“They are a young group, but they are becoming the best in the business. It’s hard to find a group of young guys that want to work. They all want to race, but my guys want to work. Drivers can showcase their talents when their cars are fast,” Abreu added speaking highly of his crew headlined by Ricky Warner’s son, Drew.
“I grew up racing here every Friday night in Sprint Cars, so this track is close to home to me. It’s great to get a win, especially when you beat the Outlaws,” Abreu said with a big smile to a huge roar from the crowd.
Tim Kaeding edged in front Eliason for good to secure second on back-to-back nights. “I have to thank Jason Sides and everyone that came on board for this deal. They let me have fun and that’s the one thing that has been lacking the past few years,” Kaeding said.
“That was one hell of a race from my point of view, I hope you fans enjoyed it, because that was fun,” Kaeding added to another large applause from the engaged crowd.
Cory Eliason completed the all-California podium and took the time to apologize to Thorson. “I want to apologize to Tanner for getting into him,” Eliason said humbly. “Tim and I got into each other, but we both kept going and you get that racing hard on a slick track. It was a great week,” Eliason, who finished fifth Friday, added.
Shane Stewart was the highest finishing Outlaw, coming home fourth with young Kofoid netting a career-best fifth. Justin Sanders finished sixth with 13th-starting Shane Golobic coming forward to seventh, as California was well-represented up front for the second night in a row.
Outlaws Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet charged forward from 19th and 16th, respectively, to finish eighth and ninth with track champion Andy Forsberg completing the top ten. DJ Netto garnered KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 24th to finish 12th. Brent Marks made noise by running the alphabet, transferring from the C to the Feature, where he came home 17th in his second weekend at Silver Dollar. Joey Saldana set Quick Time over the 41-car field but was on the wrong end of contact in his Heat Race, sending him to the LCS, which he won and then came forward to 15th in the Feature.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and California locals get three days off before heading to Placerville for the $20,000 to win 49er Gold Rush Classic on Wednesday, September 12. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, catch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 24-Rico Abreu [5][$15,000]; 2. 3-Tim Kaeding [9][$5,700]; 3. 83-Cory Eliason [3][$3,500]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [6][$3,000]; 5. 4S-Michael Kofoid [1][$2,600]; 6. 121-Justin Sanders [2][$2,400]; 7. 17W-Shane Golobic [13][$2,300]; 8. 15-Donny Schatz [19][$2,200]; 9. 49-Brad Sweet [16][$2,150]; 10. 92-Andy Forsberg [4][$2,100]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [10][$1,600]; 12. 88N-DJ Netto [24][$1,350]; 13. O-Bud Kaeding [15][$1,300]; 14. 5-David Gravel [20][$1,200]; 15. 26-Joey Saldana [21][$1,100]; 16. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [11][$1,000]; 17. 19-Brent Marks [23][$900]; 18. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [14][$850]; 19. 45-Austen Wheatley [12][$800]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [27][$]; 21. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18][$800]; 22. 21P-Robbie Price [22][$800]; 23. 29-Willie Croft [17][$800]; 24. 18-Ian Madsen [8][$800]; 25. 3C-Tanner Thorson [7][$800]; 26. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25][$]; 27. 1A-Jacob Allen [26][$]; Lap Leaders: Cory Eliason 1-24, Tanner Thorson 25, Rico Abreu 26-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 88N-DJ Netto[+12]
Brad Sweet Gets His 6th of the Year in Front of Hometown Crowd at Silver Dollar Speedway
CHICO, CA – September 7, 2018 – Grass Valley, California native Brad Sweet passed Tim Kaeding on Lap 17 and powered around a Kaeding slide job in the Green-White-Checkered finish to win his sixth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018. Tim Kaeding, aboard a second Sides Motorsports entry, settled for second and his brother Bud Kaeding completed the podium.
Tim Kaeding, fresh off of a fifth-place finish at the Knoxville Nationals, won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 30-Lap Feature alongside fellow California native Cory Eliason. Eliason powered off the cushion of turn four to lead the opening lap with Kaeding in tow.
Eliason, aboard the famous Roth Motorsports No.83, reached traffic quickly around the quarter-mile oval and Kaeding took advantage with a slider in turn one to lead Lap 9. Meanwhile, Brad Sweet worked his way forward from his fifth-starting spot to third on Lap 10.
Sweet battled with Eliason for second for a couple circuits before securing the position for good on Lap 14. Sweet set his eyes on Kaeding and reeled him in quickly in heavy lapped traffic before completing the slide job for the lead in turn one to lead Lap 17.
As Sweet motored away, Kaeding and Eliason waged war for second with the latter taking the position at the conclusion of the 18th circuit. Bud Kaeding closed in on his brother and Eliason making it a three-car battle for the runner-up position. Tim Kaeding established the position and tried to reel Sweet back in as the leaders sliced and diced their way through traffic around the bullring.
Sweet had a comfortable lead coming to the White Flag, but a caution for Buddy Kofoid put the celebration on hold. A Green-White-Checkered finish would end the race, officially making the event 31 laps.
Tim Kaeding threw a big slider into turn one, but Sweet stayed on the gas, powered around him down the backstretch and went on to win his sixth Feature of 2018.
“I’ve been coming here since I was a kid and it’s cool to get a win here. It’s all about tomorrow night now, it would be awesome to get a Gold Cup victory tomorrow, that’s something I dreamed about as a kid,” Sweet said next to his NAPA Racing, Kasey Kahne No.49.
When prompted about the late restart, Sweet didn’t hold back, “I made a mistake and I will learn from it in the future. I think I had the best car, but you’ve got to finish races and I was fortunate to survive that restart,” the Grass Valley, CA native added.
Tim Kaeding continued his impressive week coming home second in the Sides Motorsports No.3.
“It’s a privilege to be able to drive for Jason. Jason is a great guy and one of the last true guys in the sport. It’s great to be competitive with the Outlaws again,” Kaeding said.
When asked about the last restart Kaeding chuckled and said, “10 years ago I probably would have crashed both of us.”
The San Jose, CA fan-favorite concluded the interview by encouraging the large crowd to get some cold beer and go to the annual Chili Feed.
Tim’s brother, Bud, was pleased to be on the podium aboard the famous Williams No.0. “I don’t think I’ve ever been on the podium with the Outlaws. Morrie and Kate Williams have been doing this a long time and I can’t thank them enough,” Bud said in appreciation before thanking the fans for supporting Gold Cup and dirt track racing.
10th-starting Shane Golobic, who competed last night in the BC39 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, finished fourth with Eliason fading to fifth.
Following Sweet to the line were seven California locals, meaning the first eight finishers were California natives to the delight of the hometown crowd. Outlaws Ian Madsen and Shane Stewart completed the top-ten. Daryn Pittman garnered KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 18th to 11th.
The Gold Cup Race of Champions concludes Saturday, September 8, 2018 with a $15,000 top prize on the line. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$8,000]; 2. 3-Tim Kaeding [1][$4,000]; 3. O-Bud Kaeding [4][$2,500]; 4. 17W-Shane Golobic [10][$2,200]; 5. 83-Cory Eliason [2][$2,100]; 6. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [6][$2,000]; 7. 121-Justin Sanders [13][$1,800]; 8. 92-Andy Forsberg [9][$1,600]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [14][$1,500]; 10. 2-Shane Stewart [11][$1,300]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [18][$1,200]; 12. 15-Donny Schatz [17][$1,100]; 13. 16A-Colby Copeland [3][$1,000]; 14. 88N-DJ Netto [12][$700]; 15. 24-Rico Abreu [15][$600]; 16. 3C-Tanner Thorson [19][$600]; 17. 45-Austen Wheatley [8][$600]; 18. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [16][$600]; 19. 11K-Kraig Kinser [20][$600]; 20. 5-David Gravel [21][$600]; 21. 26-Joey Saldana [23][$600]; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25][$]; 23. 22-Mason Moore [24][$600]; 24. 4S-Michael Kofoid [7][$600]; 25. 19-Brent Marks [26][$]; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen [22][$600]; Lap Leaders: Cory Eliason 1-8, Tim Kaeding 9-16, Brad Sweet 17-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman[+7]
Donny Schatz Does It Again at Willamette Speedway
LEBANON, OR – September 5, 2018 – Donny Schatz won for the second time in 48 hours, passing Logan Schuchart on Lap 14 to win his 19th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018 Wednesday at Willamette Speedway in the Series lone visit to Oregon. Schuchart, who passed Schatz on Lap 4 and led 10 laps, settled for second with David Gravel completing the podium.
Overcoming a mediocre Qualifying effort, Schatz was able to come from fourth to second in his Heat Race to earn a spot in the Sears Craftsman Dash. Schatz drew the one for the Dash and won it to earn the pole for the 30-Lap Feature, alongside David Gravel.
Schatz got the jump on the initial start and led the opening lap. Logan Schuchart and Shane Stewart fought their way to second and third, with Gravel getting shuffled back to fourth. Brent Marks came to a stop on Lap 2, bringing out the caution and setting up a double-file restart.
Schatz chose the bottom and stayed committed down there as Schuchart got a run to his outside. Schuchart used a big surge off the cushion of turn four to lead the fourth circuit. Schuchart reached lapped traffic on Lap 9 and negotiated it well, but Schatz stayed right with him. Schatz continued to stalk Schuchart through traffic.
Schuchart followed the slower car of Willie Croft on the bottom into turn one on Lap 13 and then slipped up on the bottom off of turn four and that was all the nine-time Series Champion needed to steal the top spot back and lead Lap 14.
A long Green Flag run allowed Schatz to show his prowess in lapped traffic as he built a sizable advantage over Schuchart. Behind Schuchart a slew of cars were littered across the racing surface, waging war for third through sixth.
Ian Madsen brought out the Yellow Flag with 26 laps complete and four laps to run, giving Schuchart and company one last chance to get Schatz for the win. Schuchart followed Schatz into turn one on the bottom and tried to get a run off of turn four to no avail, as Schatz powered away and won by 1.804 seconds for the 19th time in 2018.
“I was a little evil early, I was trying to burn off the fuel and the more I did, the better I got. My car was really good, hats off to my guys, they are the ones that should be standing here,” Schatz said of his Tony Stewart Racing No.15 crew.
When asked about the long Green Flag run, Schatz said, “That’s what you live for when you are running second, or when you are leading. If you can get out front and you do the right things in lapped traffic, you know it.”
“There were a lot of grooves out there, a top, a bottom and a middle sometimes. Hats off to the track crew for providing an excellent race track,” Schatz, who also won at Willamette in 2016, said of the racing surface.
Schuchart settled for second and wasted no time complimenting Schatz. “Props to the 15 team, they do a great job every night and Donny drove a great race. Second-place is still pretty good and this Team Drydene, Shark Racing No.1S is really fast right now. I’m proud of where we are at,” Schuchart said with confidence.
After starting on the front row David Gravel fell as far back as sixth before finding speed on the top side of the racing surface to surge back to third. “We tried to run the bottom early and I went backwards so I had to move up and make some of that ground back up. It’s good to be on the podium, but when you start up front you want to get some wins. Hopefully we can keep this momentum going,” Gravel said next to his CJB Motorsports No.5 machine.
2014 Willamette winner Shane Stewart finished fourth with Sheldon Haudenschild rim-riding his way to fifth.
13th-starting Kyle Larson, in his 8th Outlaw start of the year, came forward to sixth with his brother-in-law Brad Sweet finishing seventh. Daryn Pittman, Joey Saldana, who set Quick Time to open the evening, and 20th-starting Rico Abreu completed the top-ten. Abreu’s efforts were good enough to garner KSE Hard Charger honors in his first visit to Willamette Speedway.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return to California this weekend at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CA with the running of the Gold Cup Race of Champions. Saturday’s Feature will pay $15,000 to win. Wednesday, September 12 the Outlaws stop at Placerville Speedway for the 49er Gold Rush Classic, which will pay $20,000 to win and $1,000 to take the Green. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$8,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$4,000]; 3. 5-David Gravel [2][$2,500]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$2,200]; 5. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [6][$2,100]; 6. 57-Kyle Larson [13][$2,000]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$1,800]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [9][$1,600]; 9. 26-Joey Saldana [7][$1,500]; 10. 24-Rico Abreu [20][$1,300]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson [10][$1,200]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [11][$1,100]; 13. 7S-Jason Sides [12][$1,000]; 14. 1A-Jacob Allen [16][$700]; 15. 18-Ian Madsen [14][$600]; 16. 45-Austen Wheatley [15][$600]; 17. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [8][$600]; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser [21][$600]; 19. 55-Trey Starks [19][$600]; 20. 29-Willie Croft [18][$600]; 21. 96-Andy Caruana [22][$600]; 22. 21P-Robbie Price [17][$600]; Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-3, 14-30; Logan Schuchart 4-13; KSE Hard Charger Award: 24-Rico Abreu[+10]
Donny Schatz Scores 18th Victory of 2018 at Grays Harbor
ELMA, WA – September 3, 2018 – Donny Schatz continued his recent dominance at Grays Harbor Raceway, leading all 30 laps en route to his 18th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Victory of the 2018 season and fourth in his last five starts at Grays Harbor. Daryn Pittman threw everything he had at Schatz but settled for second with David Gravel surging late to complete the podium.
Schatz won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 30-lap affair around the high-banked 3/8th oval alongside Sheldon Haudenschild, who was making just his second start at the Elma, WA facility. Schatz and Sheldon put on a show battling for the lead throughout the first five laps, exchanging slide jobs, trading lines and using the entire racing surface.
The caution came out with five laps complete for Brent Marks, who hit the infield tire and busted his front axle, ending his night. Although Haudenschild led momentarily on two occasions, Schatz officially led all of the first five laps and maintained the lead on the double-file restart.
Schatz elected the bottom, putting Haudenschild on the cushion. Haudenschild ventured out wide and tried to get a run on the restart but subsequently left the door open for Logan Schuchart, who restarted fourth, to cut to the middle and halt Haudenschild’s momentum causing him to fall back to fifth as Schuchart, Daryn Pittman and Brad Sweet passed the young Wooster, OH native by the backstretch.
As Sheldon tried to recover, Sweet, Pittman and Schuchart waged war for the second spot, allowing Schatz to pull away. Pittman established himself in the position by Lap 7 and set his eyes on Schatz.
With a long Green Flag run, Schatz was able to showcase his premier ability to navigate lapped traffic. Schatz was strong on both the cushion and down low hugging the berm, allowing him to move through traffic at a quick pace. Pittman was equally strong though, closing the gap on the nine-time Series Champion ever so slightly each lap.
The caution flew with eight laps remaining for Andy Caruana, who fell off the pace down the backstretch.
The ensuing double-file restart saw Pittman go for gold into turn one and attempt to slide Schatz. Pittman couldn’t clear the Tony Stewart Racing No.15 and left the bottom open off turn two for Sweet to get a run. Pittman fended off his fellow Kasey Kahne Racing teammate to secure the second spot, but the laps were winding down to reel in Schatz.
As Pittman tried to chase down Schatz, Logan Schuchart and Brad Sweet had a hellacious battle going for third, with Schuchart sliding in front for good with four to go.
As the leaders were coming to the White Flag, Caruana slowed drastically on the frontstretch, forcing both Schuchart and Sweet to take evasive action. Both Schuchart and Sweet did 360’s in the infield and kept going while Caruana brought out the Yellow. Sweet and Schuchart both had wing panel damage and unfortunately for Schuchart, he also had a flat left rear that would force him to the pits, relinquishing third. The caution was for Caruana and Sweet never came to a stop, so he was given his spot back, with noticeable wing damage.
With less than five to go in the Feature, the restart was single-file giving Pittman one last chance to steal the win from Schatz. Schatz entered turn one high and Pittman followed him, leaving the bottom open for David Gravel, who surged from fourth across the bottom. Pittman checked up anticipating a full slider from Gravel, allowing Schatz to secure the victory for the fourth time in the last five Outlaw visits to Grays Harbor.
“The track was really good, you had to move around to get through traffic. I actually wish we would have stayed in lapped traffic more, that’s when it gets really fun,” Schatz said in Victory Lane. “I don’t know any driver that wants cautions,” Schatz added about the Green-White-Checkered finish. “I was hoping we could stay in lapped traffic because my car was good all over the race track and that I can attribute to my guys.”
Pittman, who won Saturday at Skagit, settled for second and kept it simple. “He’s tough to beat. I was hoping he would get slowed up behind the 96 and I would be able to get a run, but then it took me longer to get by him than I would have liked,” Pittman said about the lapped traffic before thanking his crew and car owner Kasey Kahne for the opportunity.
David Gravel was pleased with third, but wish he had 10 more laps to work with. “The track was really fast, hopefully we can get some momentum and build on this. I have two new crew guys - Tyler and Andy - so I thank them and Barry for their hard work,” Gravel said in good spirits.
Sheldon Haudenschild charged late to fourth with Brad Sweet fading to fifth with his damaged car. Greg Wilson picked up KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 17th to ninth. Logan Schuchart set a New Track Record in Qualifying with a lap of 11.699 and was poised for a podium finish before getting into the lapped car of Caruana.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season with the Series lone visit to Oregon on Wednesday, September 5 when The Greatest Show on Dirt stops at Willamette Speedway in Lebanon. Tickets are still available for the event here. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$8,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$4,000]; 3. 5-David Gravel [6][$2,500]; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$2,200]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$2,100]; 6. 26-Joey Saldana [7][$2,000]; 7. 18-Ian Madsen [10][$1,800]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [8][$1,600]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$1,500]; 10. 24-Rico Abreu [12][$1,300]: 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [16][$1,200]; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen [13][$1,100]; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$1,000]; 14. 21P-Robbie Price [9][$700]; 15. 29-Willie Croft [11][$600]; 16. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [14][$600]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [20][$600]; 18. 55-Trey Starks [21][$600]; 19. 33V-Henry VanDam [15][$600]; 20. 45-Austen Wheatley [19][$600]; 21. 96-Andy Caruana [22][$600]; 22. 19-Brent Marks [18][$600]; Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+8]
Daryn Pittman Goes Flag-to-Flag at Skagit for 7th Win of 2018
ALGER, WA – September 1, 2018 – Daryn Pittman led all 40 laps to score his 7th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season on the second night of the Outlaw Energy Showdown at Skagit Speedway. Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet exchanged the runner-up position multiple times in the closing stages with Schatz grabbing the position and Sweet settling for third.
Pittman won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole of the 40-lap Feature, alongside Schatz. Pittman controlled the initial start and led the opening lap as Schatz and Logan Schuchart jockeyed for the runner-up position before a Red Flag halted action. A handful of slowed cars littered the racing surface, resulting in Dominic Scelzi getting upside down. Scelzi was alert and talking to the safety crew but was transported to the local hospital with a hip injury.
Friday night’s winner Sheldon Haudenschild spun to a stop on Lap 3, ending his top-ten run and bunching the field back together. The next 10 laps allowed the leaders to delve into lapped traffic. With the preferred racing line up on the cushion, Pittman was able to methodically work his way through traffic efficiently with calculated slide jobs.
Buddy Kofoid’s good run came to an end on Lap 13, when he stopped in turn one. On the ensuing restart, Brad Sweet went to work on Schuchart, as the duo exchanged slide jobs for third. Schuchart resisted, but Sweet was able to wrestle the position away for good on Lap 15 and began to close in on Pittman and Schatz.
As lapped traffic picked up, Pittman was forced to slow his pace around the cushion, allowing Schatz and Sweet to knock on the door. The best racing action of the night came on Lap 27 through 30 as Pittman remained committed to the top, Schatz found some traction on the bottom and Sweet was looking for a way around both of them. The trio were within inches for the better part of those laps, exciting the large Skagit Speedway crowd.
Donny Schatz bobbled on the tricky cushion off of turn two on Lap 31, allowing Sweet to steal the runner-up position and, more importantly, allow Pittman to extend his advantage. Sweet began to close in on his Kasey Kahne Racing teammate, potentially setting up another nail-biting finish. Although, unlike last night, this time the battle was for second, as Schatz and Sweet waged war in lapped traffic, ultimately allowing Daryn Pittman to pull further away and pocket the $12,000 payday at Skagit Speedway for the second consecutive year.
“My guys did a good job. Glad to get the Adams family a win, Justin lost his Grandfather the other day and he’s been doing a great job for us this year, so this one was for him,” Pittman said sincerely in the Victory Lane. “It’s great to get another win, you cherish every one of this because you never know when your next one is going to come,” Pittman, who collected his 79th career Outlaw win, added humbly.
“I am so grateful to have my family here and that they can travel with me. I’m far from my home but there’s obviously a lot of Kasey Kahne fans here in Washington, so I’m glad to get this win for him,” Pittman said to a large cheer from the crowd.
When asked about his game plan starting on the front row, Pittman was honest. “My plan was if the 15 got under me, I better get my butt in gear,” the Owasso, OK native said with a smile.
Schatz got back by Sweet coming to the White Flag and held on for second. “It’s not where anyone wants to be, but you have to take it some days,” Schatz said of his runner-up finish. “40 laps is 40 laps, I felt like I needed it to be 100 laps to win tonight,” the Fargo, ND native added with a grin.
Brad Sweet came home third and talked about the three-car battle for the lead. “It was a good battle, I was trying to give it all I’ve got, I thought we had a really good car. It’s a little disappointing to give that spot back to Donny on the last lap, but still a good run for this team and to end the weekend on the podium is nothing to be ashamed of,” Sweet said in good spirits.
Logan Schuchart was strong all evening and finished fourth, with Ian Madsen completing the top-five in his second-ever weekend at Skagit Speedway.
Brent Marks earned a career-best Skagit finish in sixth with Shane Stewart finishing seventh. Washington’s own Trey Starks finished eighth. David Gravel earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 16th to ninth while Kraig Kinser completed the top ten.
Sheldon Haudenschild Wins Thriller on Night One at Skagit on his 25th Birthday
ALGER, WA – August 31, 2018 – Sheldon Haudenschild celebrated his 25th birthday in style, sliding Shane Stewart for the lead coming to the White Flag on Night One of the Outlaw Energy Showdown at Skagit Speedway to win his 5th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018. Stewart did everything in his power to get back by Haudenschild but settled for second in the thrilling finish.Rico Abreu completed the podium in his first Outlaw start at Skagit.
California fan favorite Rico Abreu won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 30-Lap Feature alongside Shane Stewart. Abreu got the jump on the initial start to lead the opening lap before action was halted for a backwards Jacob Allen, who spun to avoid a logjam of cars with one lap complete.
Abreu chose the bottom on the ensuing double-file restart and led the field down the backstretch but Shane Stewart, a two-time Outlaw winner at Skagit, got a massive run on the cushion off of turn four to lead Lap 2. As Abreu searched around the race track, Sheldon Haudenschild snuck by into second on Lap 4 and began closing in on Stewart.
Stewart and Haudenschild gave the Skagit Speedway fans a glimpse of what was to come on Lap 7 as Sheldon got underneath Stewart to lead down the backstretch, only to have Stewart blast back around to lead the lap at the line by a hair.
The intense action halted on Lap 10 when Keoni Texeira spun to a stop. On the opposite end of the track, Jason Solwold’s eventful evening continued as he stopped with a flat right front tire. Solwold would return, but Texeira would not.
The ensuing double-file restart saw contact in the back of the pack and Austen Wheatley end up in the infield with damage that would end his evening. Following that, the decision was made to conduct single-file restarts the rest of the evening.
Lap 13 saw Solwold’s night go from bad to worse as his No.18S went end-over-end down the backstretch into turn three after incidental contact with Jacob Allen. Solwold walked away from his mangled car under his own power.
The remaining 17 laps went Green-to-Checkered and they did not disappoint. Haudenschild hawked the veteran Stewart through heavy lapped traffic, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seat as the drivers navigated a tacky racing surface.
Haudenschild looked to be within striking distance multiple times, but remained patient until the perfect opportunity, which came on Lap 28. Stewart bobbled ever-so-slightly on the treacherous cushion off of turn four, opening a narrow window for Haudenschild to pounce and the young Wooster, OH native did just that.
Haudenschild threw his NOS Energy Sponsored, Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall racing No.17 hard into the corner and inched in front of Stewart at the edge of turn four. Stewart and Haudenschild made slight contact after the slide job but both drivers kept going under the White Flag. Stewart tried one last ditch effort to get the lead back coming to the checkered, but to no avail as he would finish .311 behind Haudenschild in an exciting Feature.
“I knew I was running out of time and had to make something happen. I don’t think my slider was dirty, you kind of had to stop his momentum to pull it off. I know he bumped by back bumper but on a small track like this, I think you’re going to have some wheel-banging and the track tonight was beautiful,” Haudenschild said in Victory Lane.
Shane Stewart despite the tough finish remained in good spirits, “I thought we were going to have one, I knew Sheldon was going to be tough. I thought I was getting through lapped cars pretty good, but I jumped the cushion just a little bit coming to the White and allowed Sheldon to get a good run on me. That’s how these races go, you can’t stub your toe, can’t slow down at all or you’re going to get passed.”
Rico Abreu, who has been following the Outlaws back to his home state of California since Knoxville, came home third in his first Outlaw start at Skagit. “This place races great. I didn’t get to the top soon enough on that restart and that’s where we lost the race. My car was perfect and I’m excited for tomorrow,” an upbeat Abreu said.
Though it was Sheldon Haudenschild’s fifth win of the 2018 Season, it was his first since Fairbury back on June 5th. “To get a win after not winning for a while feels really good. I can’t thank Ricky [Stenhouse Jr.], the Marshall family, our sponsors and my crew guys enough,” Haudenschild added in Victory Lane.
Joey Saldana was strong all night and finished fourth with Brad Sweet completing the top five. Ian Madsen, in his first look at Skagit Speedway, earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming forward 10 positions to 12th.
Washington’s own and former World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series regular Jason Solwold had a night he will certainly never forget, for all the wrong reasons. Solwold set Quick Time over the field, only to have a water pump issue on his team’s only 410 motor. The team was forced to change to their 360ci engine for the Heat Race, where he fended off numerous charges to finish second to advance to the Dash. While that was ongoing and during the intermission and dash draw, Solwold and the team successfully scrambled to fix the water pump issue on the 410 in time for the Feature. All for the Burlington, WA native to get a flat tire 10 laps into the Feature while running eighth and go for a wild ride down the backstretch three laps later. Fortunately, Solwold was uninjured in the accident, but the rest of his weekend remains in jeopardy.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season back at Skagit Speedway Saturday, September 1, 2018 before heading over to Elma, WA on Monday, September 3 for an appearance at the Grays Harbor Raceway. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$8,000]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [2][$4,000]; 3. 24-Rico Abreu [1][$2,500]; 4. 26-Joey Saldana [3][$2,200]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [8][$2,100]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$2,000]; 7. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [5][$1,800]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [7][$1,600]; 9. 5-David Gravel [16][$1,500]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [17][$1,300]; 11. 19-Brent Marks [9][$1,200]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [22][$1,100]; 13. W20-Greg Wilson [18][$1,000]; 14. 29-Willie Croft [11][$700]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [23][$600]; 16. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [21][$600]; 17. 1A-Jacob Allen [15][$600]; 18. 55-Trey Starks [19][$600]; 19. 18S-Jason Solwold [6][$600]; 20. 45-Austen Wheatley [13][$600]; 21. 7S50-Keoni Texeira [12][$600]; 22. 7S-Jason Sides [20][$600]; 23. 21P-Robbie Price [14][$600]; 24. 8R-Michael Kofoid [24][$600]; Lap Leaders: Rico Abreu 1, Shane Stewart 2-28, Sheldon Haudenschild 29-30 KSE Hard Charger Award: 18-Ian Madsen[+10]
Pittman Goes Back-To-Back at Big Sky Speedway for 6th Win of Season
BILLINGS, MT – August 25, 2018 – Daryn Pittman got by Jacob Allen on a double-file restart halfway through the race and never looked back, scoring his second consecutive win at Big Sky Speedway and capturing his sixth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of 2018. Allen settled for second with Donny Schatz completing the podium.
For the second consecutive night, Jacob Allen won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 35-Lap Feature. Allen drag raced with fellow front row starter Pittman the entire opening lap and edged ahead off of turn four to lead Lap 1.
The first 15 laps went non-stop, forcing Allen to negotiate lapped traffic and allowing Pittman and Schatz to close in. Brent Marks had a right rear explode, bringing out the first of a handful of cautions.
The ensuing double-file restart saw Allen elect the top of the speedway. Allen fought off two Pittman slidejobs to maintain control and lead Lap 16 before the yellow flew for Dominic Scelzi, who lost the handle of his family-owned machine off of turn one.
The caution restacked the field double-file once again, but this time the veteran Pittman prevailed over young Allen, controlling the field off of turn two to lead Lap 17.
A pair of cautions for Alan Gilbertson and Jason Sides gave Allen ample opportunity to steal the lead back from Pittman, but the Owasso, OK native was too strong on the double-file restarts and motored away.
The final caution of the evening came with four to go as Sheldon Haudenschild’s engine gave out. With less than five laps to go in the Feature, Outlaw rules dictate single-file restarts, giving Allen a different chance to wrestle the lead back. Allen stayed with Pittman on the restart, but couldn’t mount a serious challenge as Pittman went on to win by .904 seconds.
“To get this win the way the last few months have been is really something special. Man, our last win was tough,” Pittman said solemnly before thanking his Kasey Kahne Racing crew for their continued support.
“There’s nothing better than winning these races, you never know when your last one is going to be,” Pittman, who now has 78 career Outlaw wins, added. "As you can see there’s nothing on the side of this car and there’s no better way to sign a sponsor than by winning races. That’s my job, to go out there and focus on putting this car in Victory Lane so I can keep this job and keep doing what I love,” Pittman said before thanking the sellout crowd at Big Sky Speedway.
Jacob Allen’s first World of Outlaws win continues to elude him, but the young Hanover, PA native remains in good spirits. “Leading laps and running up front is a lot of fun. Obviously, I want to get that first win, but to be able to be on the podium, finish top-five and contend for a win against these guys is something to be proud of and I’m proud of my race team,” Allen said positively.
Donny Schatz was pleased to come home third but wished the race got into more lapped traffic. “It’s fun to be in traffic, but that wasn’t in the cards tonight. Third is pretty respectable, the race track was fun and that’s all you can ask for as a racer. Full house tonight, thank you guys for being here, it was an awesome night for all of us,” Schatz said in good spirits.
Brad Sweet picked up KSE Hard Charger honors coming forward to fourth with Kraig Kinser completing the top five.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its trek west to Washington and has a pair of dates at Skagit Speedway this upcoming weekend Friday, August 31 and Saturday, September 1 in Alger, WA. Following that, the Series will head to Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma on Monday, September 3rd before making its lone appearance in Oregon at Willamette Speedway on Wednesday, September 5.
If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (35 Laps): 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [2][$10,000]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [1][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$2,800]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8][$2,500]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [10][$2,300]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,200]; 8. 5-David Gravel [3][$2,100]; 9. 19-Brent Marks [7][$2,050]; 10. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [12][$2,000]; 11. 18-Ian Madsen [6][$1,500]; 12. W20-Greg Wilson [16][$1,200]; 13. 24-Rico Abreu [15][$1,100]; 14. 99-Skylar Gee [13][$1,050]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [11][$1,000]; 16. 97-Alan Gilbertson [17][$900]; 17. 37-Trever Kirkland [19][$800]; 18. 9K-Kory Wermling [22][$800]; 19. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [14][$800]; 20. 2JR-Kelly Miller [18][$800]; 21. 27DD-David Hoiness [20][$800]; 22. 77-Damon McCune [21][$800]; Lap Leaders: Jacob Allen 1-16, Daryn Pittman 17-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 49-Brad Sweet[+5]
Brad Sweet Steals Black Hills Win on Late Restart
RAPID CITY, SD – August 24, 2018 – Brad Sweet used a double-file restart with seven laps remaining to get by race-long leader Jacob Allen and win his fifth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of the 2018 season Friday night at Black Hills Speedway. Schatz used that same restart to surge from ninth to finish second with Dominic Scelzi completing the podium.
Jacob Allen won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 25-lap Feature alongside 2018 Knoxville Nationals Champion, Brad Sweet. The initial start saw David Gravel blast from fourth to the lead down the backstretch, but Allen muscled his Shark Racing No.1A underneath Gravel’s CJB No.5 off of turn four to lead the opening lap.
The first of two cautions in the Feature flew with two laps complete as Sheldon Haudenschild spun to a stop after battling for fifth. Haudenschild’s crew thrashed to get the Stenhouse Jr-Marshall No.17 back out, which would prove crucial later. The ensuing double-file restart saw 2017 Black Hills winner Shane Stewart move into second as Gravel got shuffled back to fifth.
Allen, in search of his first career Outlaw triumph, motored away from the field as the rest of the field waged war behind him. Intense racing action on Lap 4 saw Sweet move into second, Dominic Scelzi into third as Stewart got shuffled back to fourth. Scelzi, also in search of his first Outlaw triumph, pounded the cushion in turn one and two, to get by fellow California native Sweet for second on Lap 7 and set his eyes on Allen.
Allen navigated lapped traffic like a veteran and appeared to be on his way for the long-awaited first Outlaw win. Sweet worked back by Scelzi on Lap 17 for second and the next lap Sheldon Haudenschild brought out the final caution of the evening with seven laps remaining.
The caution erased the 2 and half-second lead Allen had accumulated and put one of Sprint Car Racing’s elite talents right next to him for the double-file restart.
Allen elected the bottom, but Sweet was able to remain even for the lead on the restart. Sweet edged in front to lead Lap 19, but a determined Allen threw a slide job to grab the lead momentarily off of turn two.
While all eyes were on Sweet and Allen’s torrid battle for the lead, Donny Schatz surged forward from ninth to third.
Back up front, Sweet’s momentum allowed him to regain control down the backstretch and into turn three and four. As a last-ditch effort to get the lead back, Allen threw the car low, but spun the tires off turn four, scrubbing his speed and allowing Donny Schatz and Dominic Scelzi to split him down the frontstretch for position.
Scelzi and Schatz jockeyed for position briefly, allowing Sweet to extend his lead and go on to win his fifth Feature of the year.
“I kinda feel bad for Jacob, he’s been working really hard and has a really fast car. He was probably the guy to beat, sometimes those late restarts will get you. I’ve been fortunate to have been out here a couple of more years and the experience can help in those situations,” Sweet said honestly.
“My car was really good, I just lost some track position on the start. It was nice to get back into second right when we did to get that shot on the restart,” Sweet added next to his NAPA Auto Parts, Kasey Kahne Racing No.49 in Victory Lane.
Donny Schatz, who was coming off a weekend sweep in his home state, settled for second after his surge on the Lap 18 restart.
“Hats off to my guys they always give me a good race car and we were pretty good at the end. I felt like we were running 43rd most of the race,” Schatz said with a smile.
It was all smiles for Dominic Scelzi, who completed the podium, tying his career-best Outlaw finish. “I had a dream of a race car to drive. We’ve had a heck of a last few months and to be on the podium with the Outlaws is awesome. We were fast at Billings last year, hopefully we can finish one or two spots better tomorrow,” Scelzi, who is following the World of Outlaws back to his home-state of California, said.
Logan Schuchart came forward to fourth with his Shark Racing teammate Allen settling for fifth. Greg Wilson earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 17th to finish sixth.
For the second consecutive year, the Black Hills Speedway track record fell, this year to Daryn Pittman, who paced the full-field of cars in Qualifying with a blistering 14.813 seconds, just a fraction off of Shane Stewart’s time last year.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season Saturday, August 25 at Big Sky Speedway in Billings, MT. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (25 Laps): 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$5,500]; 3. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [7][$3,200]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8][$2,800]; 5. 1A-Jacob Allen [1][$2,500]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [6][$2,200]; 8. 5-David Gravel [4][$2,100]; 9. 19-Brent Marks [13][$2,050]; 10. 2-Shane Stewart [3][$2,000]; 11. 18-Ian Madsen [9][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [11][$1,200]; 13. 24-Rico Abreu [15][$1,100]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [12][$1,050]; 15. 99-Skylar Gee [16][$1,000]; 16. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [5][$900]; 17. 97-Alan Gilbertson [14][$800]; 18. 2JR-Kelly Miller [18][$800]; 19. 88-Travis Reber [19][$800]; 20. 2K-Kevin Ingle [20][$800]; 21. 14-Ben Holmberg [21][$800]; 22. 4-Adam Speckman [23][$800]; 23. 3-Mike Pennel [22][$800]; 24. O-Ned Powers [24][$800] Lap Leaders: Jacob Allen 1-18, Brad Sweet 19-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+11]
Qualifying: 1. 9-Daryn Pittman, 14.813; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.817; 3. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.836; 4. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.838; 5. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.862; 6. 5-David Gravel, 14.931; 7. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.979; 8. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.999; 9. 18-Ian Madsen, 15.053; 10. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 15.055; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 15.064; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 15.068; 13. 19-Brent Marks, 15.162; 14. W20-Greg Wilson, 15.271; 15. 24-Rico Abreu, 15.328; 16. 99-Skylar Gee, 15.369; 17. 97-Alan Gilbertson, 15.677; 18. 2JR-Kelly Miller, 16.236; 19. 88-Travis Reber, 16.758; 20. 4-Adam Speckman, 16.945; 21. 14-Ben Holmberg, 16.971; 22. 3-Mike Pennel, 17.104; 23. 2K-Kevin Ingle, 17.18; 24. O-Ned Powers, NT
Donny Schatz Sweeps Weekend at Home with 17th Win of 2018 at Red River Valley
WEST FARGO, ND – August 18, 2018 – Donny Schatz completed the weekend sweep of his home state of North Dakota, taking the lead on Lap 23 to win his 17th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018 Saturday night at Red River Valley Speedway. Jacob Allen finished second as he continues to close in on his first career Outlaw win with Kerry Madsen completing the podium for the second consecutive night.
David Gravel won the Sears Craftsman Dash to the earn the pole for the 30-lap Feature alongside Shane Stewart. Gravel got the jump on the initial start and led the opening circuit. Jacob Allen worked his way forward from fourth to take second away from Donny Schatz on Lap 5 and two laps later Allen got by Gravel to take command of the field.
Allen led for four laps before bobbling in lapped traffic, trying to split a pair of lapped cars, on Lap 12, allowing Gravel to steal the lead back and Schatz to move into second. The trio captivated the large Red River Valley Speedway crowd as they jockeyed for the lead.
Gravel worked his way through traffic, before the first caution of the event flew for Thomas Kennedy, who ended up backwards in turn one after battling with Sides for sixth with 18 laps complete.
Allen edged back in front of Schatz on the restart, but Schatz slid the young Hanover, PA native to take second back at the line. A lap later, Ian Madsen slowed with a flat tire, ending his top-ten run. Brad Sweet also headed pit side with a flat tire.
With tires going down, the decision was made to go with single-file restarts the rest of the night, which allowed David Gravel to steadily lead with 11 to go. Schatz reeled in Gravel with a big run off of turn two and shot underneath him down the backstretch to take the lead on Lap 23. As it turns out, Gravel was nursing an ailing tire as he slowed with a flat right rear the next lap, bringing out the final caution of the evening.
Allen stayed right with Schatz on the restart and looked for a way around the nine-time Series Champion, to no avail. Schatz hit his marks, didn’t make any mistakes and went on to win his 17th Feature of the season and extend his points lead.
When asked about what it means to win in front of his hometown crowd, Schatz kept it simple, “It’s what you live for. You hope when you roll near home to put on a good show, have some good runs and win some races.” “I’m so fortunate for my team, they are the reason I’m standing here. We’ve been together for a long time and we have a lot of fun doing this,” Schatz added before thanking the track crew for their efforts to provide a multiple-groove racing surface and the large crowd for coming out and supporting.
Jacob Allen continues to impress, finishing second and while he was a little disappointed to not seal the deal, he was still pleased with the run.
“Donny is a legend and to compete with him for a win was a lot of fun. I’ve ran second quite a few times this year and I want to win one so bad. One of these days, I’m going to bag on,” Allen said convincingly.
For the second consecutive night, Kerry Madsen completed the podium and was in good spirts. “I’ve always loved coming up here [to North Dakota]. My team works really hard and we’re happy with two podiums this weekend,” Madsen said before thanking the fans for coming out, letting them know his appreciation for the racing support in the area.
Greg Wilson was humming on the bottom of the speedway and charged from 13th to fourth. Logan Schuchart went up in smoke in his Heat, relegating him to the Last Chance Showdown, which he won with ease. Schuchart charged from 19th to complete the top five in the Feature, earning KSE Hard Charger Honors.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season with a return to the Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City, SD next Friday, August 24 before making the trek over to Big Sky Speedway in Billings, MT on Saturday, August 25. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$10,000]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [4][$5,500]; 3. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5][$3,200]; 4. W20-Greg Wilson [13][$2,800]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [2][$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$2,200]; 8. 24-Rico Abreu [8][$2,100]; 9. 7S-Jason Sides [7][$2,050]; 10. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [15][$2,000]; 11. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [17][$1,500]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [21][$1,200]; 13. 13-Mark Dobmeier [11][$1,100]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18][$1,050]; 15. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$1,000]; 16. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [10][$900]; 17. 18-Ian Madsen [6][$800]; 18. 5-David Gravel [1][$800]; 19. 13T-Ty Hanten [23][$800]; 20. 9N-Wade Nygaard [20][$800]; 21. 8H-Jade Hastings [16][$800]; 22. 20A-Jordan Adams [24][$800]; 23. 21K-Thomas Kennedy [12][$800]; 24. 19P-Paige Polyak [22][$800]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-7, 12-22; Jacob Allen 8-11; Donny Schatz 23-30 KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+14]
Donny Schatz Scores 16th Win of 2018 Season at River Cities and Adds a Late Model Win for Extra Measure
GRAND FORKS, ND – August 17, 2018 – Donny Schatz took the lead on Lap 28, after Brad Sweet spun while leading, and held off 17th-starting Mark Dobmeier to win his 16th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018 and seventh in his last eight River Cities Speedway starts. Kerry Madsen completed the podium. Schatz also won the Late Model portion of the event.
Sheldon Haudenschild won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 40-lap Feature alongside recent Knoxville Nationals winner Brad Sweet. Haudenschild led the opening lap before a Red Flag for Logan Schuchart, Wade Nygaard and Brent Marks halted the action with one lap complete. All drivers were uninjured, but only Marks returned.
Haudenschild continued to pace the field as he reached lapped traffic quickly around the ¼ bullring. Sweet stalked the Ohio native and took the lead on Lap 12 on the bottom, in heavy lapped traffic.
Jordan Adams, who flipped earlier in the night but repaired his car to transfer out of the LCS, brought out the caution with 15 laps complete.
A caution on the ensuing double-file restart, set up a single-file restart. Four laps later, Ian Madsen was involved in his second incident of the Feature, this time with too much damage to continue, bringing out Open Red conditions.
When action resumed, Sheldon Haudenschild got shuffled back to fourth behind Kerry Madsen and Donny Schatz, who moved into second. Schatz set his eyes on Sweet and closed in as the duo raced through heavy traffic.
As Schatz went high to challenge for the lead, Sweet entered low into turn one and lost the handle of his No.49, spinning to a stop. Schatz assumed the lead alongside Kerry Madsen.
Schatz stormed away on the restart as the rest of the field, especially 17th-starting Mark Dobmeier, used every inch of real estate around the River Cities Speedway to advance forward.
The final restart flew with four to go and by this time Dobmeier, the all-time winning Feature leader at River Cities Speedway, had worked his way to second, trailing Schatz. The capacity crowd was bubbling with anticipation of the finish as the two North Dakota natives led the field back to Green.
Schatz pulled away in convincing fashion for his 16th Outlaw win of the year and seventh in his last eight starts at River Cities Speedway as Dobmeier finished second, picking up KSE Hard Charger honors for advancing 15 positions.
“I’m just a lucky guy. To drive for the for the best guys in the pit area, the best owner in the country and the people that build these cars. They stand behind us through thick and then,” Schatz said of his Textron Off Road-sponsored crew, Tony Stewart and J & J Chassis.
“Mark [Dobmeier] had a good run, I saw the 13 on the board and I thought, oh boy, here we go. He’s pretty good around here,” Schatz said of his fellow North Dakota native.
“Lapped traffic definitely made your hair stand up tonight, we might not have been the best car tonight, but I’m glad we could get it done in Grand Forks,” Schatz, who also won the NLRA Late Model Feature, added in Victory Lane.
The massive crowd at River Cities was pleased to see six-time winner at River Cities in 2018, Dobmeier finish second. “It’s great to have the crowd cheer like this, this is why we do it,” Dobmeier said. “I wish I didn’t use up all my tires at the beginning of the race, I wanted to start in the Dash and start in the top-ten and get that track position early, but we didn’t have it early, so I had to dig deep, I gave everything I had. Considering we got to second to this guy [pointing at Schatz], I feel pretty good about that run,” Dobmeier said with a smile.
Kerry Madsen finished on the podium once again at River Cities, “I had a big plan on the double-file restart with six to go and it didn’t work and I lost a spot,” Madsen said with a grin before complimenting River Cities Speedway. “They do such a good job with the track here, I love coming to Grand Forks.”
14th-starting Daryn Pittman finished fourth with Brad Sweet charging back to fifth. Shane Stewart, who was involved in two accidents, recovered to finish sixth. David Gravel stayed out of trouble and finished seventh.
21st-starting Brent Marks recovered from a Lap One accident to finish eighth, Hunter Schuerenburg, who went to the work area running sixth early in the race, came back to ninth with local Jade Hastings, who brought out the Yellow with 6 laps left, completing the top-ten, the first of his World of Outlaws career.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action in West Fargo tomorrow night, Saturday, August 18, 2018 at Red River Valley Speedway. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [5][$10,000]; 2. 13-Mark Dobmeier [17][$5,500]; 3. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4][$3,200]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [12][$2,300]; 7. 5-David Gravel [13][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [21][$2,100]; 9. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [10][$2,050]; 10. 8H-Jade Hastings [16][$2,000]; 11. 1A-Jacob Allen [11][$1,500]; 12. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [15][$1,200]; 13. 7S-Jason Sides [9][$1,100]; 14. 24-Terry McCarl [6][$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [22][$1,000]; 16. 20A-Jordan Adams [24][$900]; 17. W20-Greg Wilson [8][$800]; 18. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [1][$800]; 19. 24R-Rico Abreu [3][$800]; 20. 17A-Austin McCarl [23][$800]; 21. 18-Ian Madsen [7][$800]; 22. 9N-Wade Nygaard [18][$800]; 23. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$800]; 24. 21K-Thomas Kennedy [20][$800]; Lap Leaders: Sheldon Haudenschild 1-11, Brad Sweet 12-27, Donny Schatz 28-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 13-Mark Dobmeier[+15]
MESQUITE, TX – April 12, 2019 – Logan Schuchart totaled two wins in the 2018 World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series season. He now has two wins in just 12 races this year.
He wrote his name into the record books Friday night, claiming his first win at the historic Devil's Bowl Speedway – the site of the inaugural World of Outlaws race in 1978 – and his 10th Series win overall.
"I've watched old videos of my grandfather (Bobby Allen) running good here and winning races," Schuchart said. "Now, I get to put my name in the history books and this team gets to put its name in the history books."
Not only did he claim the win for the Pennsylvania-based Shark Racing team – owned by his grandfather – his teammate Jacob Allen led 10 laps of the 25-lap Feature and finished third – his first top-five this season.
"I love it," said Bobby Allen, who won at Devil's Bowl in 1986. "That's what we're here for. We got a first and a third, so we're real happy... Happier."
Schuchart had to "cowboy up" for his first win of the season at the Stockton Dirt Track, wrestling with rough track conditions. He had to do the same again at Devil's Bowl, but not because of the track. The competition.
After finding their way into the top-10 for the first time this season at Arizona Speedway, Kraig Kinser started on the pole for the Feature – after winning the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash – and Jacob Allen started second. The two were the class of the field at the start of the race.
When the green flag flew, Kinser pulled away to the early lead. Allen nearly ended his race before it started. He had a slow start, allowing Daryn Pittman to get by him for second and was side by side with Schuchart for third going down the front stretch. But Allen was hooked on the high side of the track.
He bested his teammate through turns one and two, and nearly came side by side with Pittman down the backstretch before Pittman blocked his run. The next lap, Allen didn't give Pittman the chance to pull the same move twice. He made his way by Pittman and set his sight on Kinser.
Allen took the lead by Lap four and began to put about a car length distance between he and the second-place car every lap. However, his pace put him in traffic by Lap seven.
Behind him, Schuchart and Pittman traded slide jobs turn after turn, lap after lap, fighting to claim third. Schuchart was the victory and led the train of he and Pittman to the front.
While the high side led Allen to the lead, it became his downfall. Schuchart and Pittman both found grip on the bottom of the track and made their way by Kinser and Allen.
"It made it tough trying to take the lead away from Jake," Schuchart said about passing his teammate, who was going for his first win. "I'm going to race him just as hard as anybody else. He's going to get his first win. He's getting better and better every year. That breakthrough win is going to happen for this team."
Pittman didn't care about either of them winning. The Owasso, Okla. native wanted another win at the track just a few hours from his home. With about 10 laps to go, Schuchart slid up the track off of turn two, allowing Pittman to get a run underneath him and take the lead. But a lap later, Pittman made the same mistake, allowing Schuchart to get back by and charge to his first Texas Outlaw Nationals win.
"Gave that one away," Pittman said. "The bottom just took off. It got so much faster in a hurry. Pretty frustrated, but we had a good car."
It was Pittman's first top-five finish since finishing second to David Gravel at Keller Auto Speedway last month.
He continues to sit third in points, but now just six points behind leader Brad Sweet. Donny Schatz is second, two points behind Sweet. Rookie Carson Macedo, continues to impress, remaining fourth in points – 84 points behind Sweet – and Schuchart sits fifth – 90 points behind the lead.
After missing three Features early this season, Allen is starting to find consistency, winning two Drydene Heat races in-a-row, making his way into the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash and earning two top-10 finishes in-a-row.
"Obviously I want to win more than anything," Allen said. "It is what it is, but I had fun. It's really good to see Logan win and both Shark Racing cars on the podium. We work hard at this and this is what it's about."
Schuchart was the king shark Friday night, and even though he's already matched his 2018 win total, he said that won't change his approach to the rest of the season.
"We just want to win races," a grinning Schuchart said. "We just want to get out there and win races every time we go."
The Greatest Show on Dirt will make its next stop Saturday, April 13, at the historic Devil's Bowl Speedway for the second night of the Texas Outlaw Nationals.
As always, you can catch all World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.
For tickets and more information, go to www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (25 Laps) - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$8,000]; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman [4][$4,000]; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen [2][$2,500]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [1][$2,200]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$2,100]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$2,000]; 7. 2-Carson Macedo [5][$1,800]; 8. 1B-Travis Rilat [8][$1,600]; 9. 41-David Gravel [12][$1,500]; 10. 5-Shane Stewart [11][$1,300]; 11. 2M-Kerry Madsen [15][$1,200]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [7][$1,100]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [14][$1,000]; 14. 1-Sammy Swindell [19][$700]; 15. 45-Chad Kemenah [18][$600]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [20][$600]; 17. 28-Scott Bogucki [13][$600]; 18. 55-Danny Wood [22][$600]; 19. 33M-Mason Daniel [21][$600]; 20. 99X-Dalton Stevens [24][$600]; 21. 12H-Tony Bruce [23][$600]; 22. 2C-Wayne Johnson [16][$600]; 23. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [10][$600]; 24. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [17][$600]; Lap Leaders: Kraig Kinser 1-3, Jacob Allen 4-13, Logan Schuchart 14-15, 17-25; Daryn Pittman 16; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1-Sammy Swindell[+5]
Qualifying - 1. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.699; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman, 13.76; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.792; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.879; 5. 1B-Travis Rilat, 13.909; 6. 2-Carson Macedo, 13.934; 7. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.942; 8. 19-Brent Marks, 13.957; 9. 41-David Gravel, 13.976; 10. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.992; 11. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.105; 12. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.135; 13. 1-Sammy Swindell, 14.138; 14. 5-Shane Stewart, 14.142; 15. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 14.149; 16. 28-Scott Bogucki, 14.166; 17. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.201; 18. 45-Chad Kemenah, 14.365; 19. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 14.442; 20. 33M-Mason Daniel, 14.442; 21. 21P-Robbie Price, 14.466; 22. 55-Danny Wood, 14.563; 23. 15H-Sam Hafertepe, 14.595; 24. 12H-Tony Bruce, 14.689; 25. 2X-Tucker Doughty, 15.119; 26. 99X-Dalton Stevens, 15.313; 27. 10P-Jim Perricone, 16.028
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Allen, Kinser, Marks look to continue strong finishes at Devil's Bowl after finding the top-10 in Arizona
MESQUITE, TX – While Brad Sweet and David Gravel are carrying winning momentum into this weekend's doubleheader at Devil's Bowl Speedway, a few drivers are carrying the relieving momentum of getting their first top-10 of the year.
Before entering the Arizona races at USA Raceway and Arizona Speedway last weekend, Brent Marks had finished no better than 11th, Kraig Kinser 15th and Jacob Allen 21st. Kinser had also missed transferring to one Feature, Marks two and Allen three – in the first nine races of the season.
But their fortune turned in the desert. Marks finished 6th at USA Raceway, and followed it up with an 11th place finish at Arizona Speedway the next night. Kinser and Allen finished 16th and 19th respectively at USA Raceway, but then Allen made his way to seventh and Kinser eighth at Arizona Speedway.
"I think things will start going our way," Marks said, after claiming his first top-10 of the year.
The Myerstown, Pa., native is coming off of his best season, finishing ninth in points with three victories. He said his team has been working hard on the car each week to get it back to its competitive nature. Putting together a good race day starts with good time trial results, he said.
"We're getting ourselves better there," Marks said. "Just need to get ourselves better in race trim, too."
Kinser – son of 20-time Series champion Steve Kinser – also credited good Qualifying results as the key to securing his first top-10 of the season.
"It just worked out in our favor," Kinser said, sweat drenched across his face after the Arizona Speedway Feature. "We've been working on our car about every week. Some big changes, some little changes."
Kinser has 17 career wins, but has not won since 2017. He's looking to carry and build momentum into Devil's Bowl Speedway and beyond. It's his goal to be running up front every week.
"We struggled pretty hard in the West Coast swing," the Bloomington, Ind.-native said. Now we're getting back toward the Midwest and back closer to home and hopefully we'll start picking up and this is a good start to that."
A seventh-place finish at Arizona Speedway is the confidence booster Allen needed.
"It definitely feels good," Allen said. "I know I can do it."
He started off his night at Arizona Speedway winning his first Drydene Heat race of the year, putting him in the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash where he finished third.
Allen, who is still looking for his first career World of Outlaws win, credits some of his success to having a better understanding of different set-ups for different track conditions.
"Last year, I kind of stuck to one set-up," said Allen, of Hanover, Pa. "It would work on certain race tracks at certain times for the year, but I'm just learning more of the set-ups."
His struggle this year has been keeping up with the car's set-up throughout the night.
"Sometimes I just struggle," he said. "Other times I can Qualify good and then I go out there and mess with the set-up for a Heat race and it just makes me feel uncomfortable. I can't race it the way I want to."
Now after putting together a successful race throughout the whole night, he has momentum to build off of with his Shark Racing team going into the doubleheader at Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas, Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13.
"To get back up front with everybody and not fall, and just to compete and feel that good is definitely rewarding," Allen said.
The last time the Series visited Devil's Bowl Speedway, Kinser and Marks both finished in the top-10, while Allen finished 11th.
Don't miss a second of the action at Devil's Bowl, get your tickets by going to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or call 844-DIRT-TIX. If you can't make it to the track, be sure to watch the race LIVE on DIRTVISION.com.
Shane Stewart looks to build momentum at Devil's Bowl with new CJB Motorsports team
MESQUITE, TX – April 8, 2019 – Oklahoma native Shane Stewart is looking forward to heading home this weekend — kind of.
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is returning to historic Devil's Bowl Speedway, Friday April 12, and Saturday, April 13 — a track Stewart now considers home and has circled on his calendar.
The Mesquite, Texas track — where the inaugural World of Outlaws race was held in 1978 — is about four hours away from Stewart's hometown of Bixby, Okla. With most tracks in Oklahoma either torn down, or a distant memory, Devil's Bowl Speedway has become his surrogate hometrack. However, it's more than just a hometrack.
"Devil's Bowl has always been one of those bigger races on the schedule," Stewart said. "Back when I was growing up, Devil's Bowl, besides Knoxville, was always it for me. If you look at the drivers that have won there, especially Outlaw drivers, the list is pretty deep, with a lot of history there. It's definitely a track that everybody wants to win at."
He won at the track in 2016 and had a podium finish at the second race there last year. After an up and down early start to the season, Stewart's hoping for similar results this year as he and his new CJB Motorsports team continue to learn each other.
Stewart started off the World of Outlaws season strong, finishing second on the opening night of racing at Volusia Speedway Park, but then finished 19th and 21st the next two races. Since then his results have been a mix of top-15 and top-10 finishes — placing him currently eighth in Series points.
"Our finishes haven't really shown how we've been," Stewart said. "I feel like we've been in contention to win three races, and I let one of them sneak away at Volusia, and we were leading the other night and had a flat at Stockton. When we Qualify in the right spot, put ourselves in the Dash, we've been in contention to win."
He spent the past five years driving for Kyle Larson Racing, and while each team is unique with its own personality, Stewart said there's been no difficulties adjusting to driving the No. 5 car with 2017 Crew Chief of the Year Barry Jackson.
Jackson agrees.
"He (Shane) and I, we communicate real well, and relate real well," Jackson said.
David Gravel, who moved over to Jason Johnson Racing this year, spent the last three years as Jackson's driver, and while they found success winning more than 30 races and finishing third in points all three years together, Jackson said it's easier to connect with Stewart.
"I think with Shane and I, we come from a little bit more similar background," Jackson said, "We're closer in age. It's a little harder for the older guys to work with the real young guys, at least for me. And Shane and I have a lot of similarities, and we're clicking pretty good in that department."
What's hindered the team this year is consistency with races, bad luck and the team's engine program, Jackson said.
After 12 years of working with Kistler Engines, Jackson said, at USA Raceway, he made the difficult decision to switch to engines from Gray Motorsports — which races in the NHRA Pro Stock division.
"We kind of had some issues, kind of going on for about a year," Jackson said about the team's engine program. "It's going to be a little bit of a learning experience for both them and myself. They're great engine builders, but it's like me going over there to try and work on a Pro Stock car or a Funny Car. It's a whole different ball game."
He made the decision to switch engine builders after the second race at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas — where Stewart finished 21st — after about 15 hours of talking over the decision with several people. However, Jackson said he's not sure if the engine switch is his final decision, though. Stewart finished 10th at USA Raceway and 12th at Arizona Speedway last weekend.
But if there was a time to have a slow run in the season, Jackson said he wants it to be now.
"Sometimes you've just got to get the season rolling," Jackson said. "I don't feel like we've got a chance to do that yet with all of the rain outs. If I'm going to have a little bit of a slow time in the season, as far as performance, I want it to be now. Because whenever May rolls around and you start looking at the races we have in May and the races we have in June, July and August, that's where I want to get on a roll. Hopefully we're getting this stuff out of the way now and we'll be set to roll real soon."
Having run well at Devil's Bowl Speedway previously, Stewart looks for the team chemistry and momentum to grow this weekend.
"Going to different race tracks and putting yourself in different situations, knowing how to communicate with each other is one of the things that we continue to work on," Stewart said. "I feel like we're heading in the right direction."
NEWS & NOTES
• PARTY TIME AT LAKE OZARK: The night before the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series stars battle at Lake Ozark Speedway, fans have the unique opportunity meet several of the racers from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, at Fat Polly's Pub next to The Lodge at Port Arrowhead. The event will feature live music and a chance to see some of the cars up close and meet some of the drivers. Plus, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series souvenir trailer will have all of the latest specials, too. Tickets for the race are available at WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
• MULTIPLE WINS: When David Gravel won on Saturday night at Arizona Speedway, he became only the second driver with more than one victory this season, joining Daryn Pittman, who won the first two Features of the year.
• MR. CONSISTENCY: Brad Sweet, who won at USA Raceway on Friday and was second on Saturday at Arizona Speedway has taken over the championship lead. He's finished in the top-five in six of his past seven races — four of which have been podium finishes, and one a victory. That's placed him as the current Series points leader, four points ahead of reigning champion Donny Schatz.
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
WHEN & WHERE
Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13, at Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas for the Texas Outlaw Nationals
-Grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. with Hot Laps at 7 p.m., Time Trials at 7:30 p.m. and Racing at 8 p.m.
ABOUT THE TRACK
Devil's Bowl Speedway is a half-mile, high-banked track. The track record is 13.530 sec. by Mark Kinser on April 24, 1999.
Online – DevilsBowl.com
Phone – (972) 222-2421
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased by going to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
1/2-mile winners
There have been five races on a 1/2-mile track this season. Daryn Pittman won at Volusia Speedway on Feb. 8-9. Tim Shaffer won at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on Feb. 27 and Donny Schatz won in Las Vegas on Feb. 28. Aaron Reutzel won at Perris Auto Speedway on March 30.
DEVIL'S BOWL SPEEDWAY PREVIOUS WINNERS
2018 – Daryn Pittman on April 27, Donny Schatz on April 28
2017 - Jason Johnson on April 14, Brad Sweet on April 15
2016 - Joey Saldana on April 22, Shane Stewart on April 23
2015 - Donny Schatz on April 25
2014 - Donny Schatz on April 18, Daryn Pittman on April 19
2003 - Tyler Walker on March 15
2002 - Joey Saldana on March 16
2001 - Craig Dollansky on March 10, Joey Saldana on October 27
2000 - Danny Lasoski on March 11, Sammy Swindell on October 28
1999 - Danny Lasoski on April 24, Sammy Swindell on April 24 (1998 Winter Nat'ls finale), Gary Wright on October 15
1998 - Steve Kinser on March 21
1997 - Mark Kinser on March 22, Mark Kinser on October 18
1996 - Steve Kinser on March 23, Mark Kinser on October 19
1995 - Gary Wright on March 18, Stevie Smith on July 29, Gary Wright on October 21
1994 - Andy Hillenburg on March 19, Steve Kinser on July 30, Sammy Swindell on October 23
1993 - Steve Kinser on March 20, Gary Wright on July 31, Dave Blaney on October 23
1992 - Stevie Smith on March 21, Sammy Swindell on June 13, Steve Kinser on October 24
1988 - Dave Blaney on March 19, Steve Kinser on June 18
1987 - Sammy Swindell on March 15, Bobby Davis, Jr., on June 20
1986 - Bobby Allen on March 9, Sammy Swindell on June 21
1985 - Steve Kinser on March 3, Sammy Swindell on June 21
1984 - Steve Kinser on March 4, Bobby Davis, Jr., on May 4, Jeff Swindell on June 22
1983 - Doug Wolfgang on April 22, Ron Shuman on June 24
1982 - Bobby Davis, Jr., on March 20, Steve Kinser on June 25
1981 - Danny Smith on March 14, Doug Wolfgang on March 21, Ron Shuman on June 26
1980 - Doug Wolfgang on March 15, Sammy Swindell on March 22, Sammy Swindell on June 27, Sammy Swindell on September 13
1979 - Steve Kinser on March 31, Sammy Swindell on September 8
1978 - Jimmy Boyd on March 18, Sammy Swindell on September 16
ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series – Woosprint.com
Twitter – Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws - @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOSprint - @woosprint
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws
YouTube – YouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – Dirtvision.com – Get your Fast Pass to watch all races LIVE for only $39/month
Twitter – Twitter.com/DIRTVision - @DIRTVision
Facebook – Facebook.com/WatchDIRTVision
DRIVER INFO
Follow World of Outlaws full-time drivers on Twitter:
Brad Sweet – @BradSweet49
Brent Marks – @bmracing19
Carson Macedo – @carson_macedo
Daryn Pittman – @darynpittman
Donny Schatz – @donnyschatz
Ian Madsen – @IanMadsen
Jacob Allen – @JacobAllen1A
Jason Sides – SidesMotorsports.com (not on Twitter)
Kraig Kinser – @KraigKinser11k
Logan Schuchart – @Lschuchart1s
Shane Stewart – @shanestewart_5
Sheldon Haudenschild – @Haudenschild_17
AROUND THE TURN: After a week off, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will continue its Spring tour Friday, April 26, at Lake Ozark Speedway in Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., Saturday, April 27, at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo. and Sunday, April 28, at Jacksonville Speedway in Jacksonville, Ill.
2019 STATS
There have been 11 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Feature events this season.
FEATURE WINNERS (9 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 2
– David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 2
2 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
-- Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
-- Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
DRYDENE HEAT RACE WINNERS (23 different winners)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 5
2 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 4
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 4
3 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 3
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 3
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 3
4 – Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 2
– Rico Abreu, St. Helena, Calif. – 2
– Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 2
-- Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 2
5 – Spencer Bayston, Lebanon, Ind. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Giovanni Scelzi, Fresno, Calif. – 1
– Jason Sides, Bartlett, Tenn. – 1
– Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, Calif. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 1
– Cory Eliason, Visalia, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Willie Croft, Roseville, Calif. – 1
-- Brent Marks, Myerstown, Pa. – 1
-- David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
-- Jacob Allen, Hanover, Pa. – 1
DIRTVISION FAST PASS DASH WINNERS (9 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 2
-- Sheldon Haundenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 2
2 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
-- Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (9 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Cale Conley, Vienna, W.Va. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 1
– David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Terry McCarl, Altoona, Iowa – 1
-- Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 1
-- Brent Marks, Myerstown, Pa. – 1
C-MAIN WINNERS (1 driver)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
PODIUM FINISHES (15 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of podiums
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 5
2 – Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 4
3 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 3
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 3
-- David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 3
4 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 2
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 2
– Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 2
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 2
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 2
4 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
-- Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
-- Rico Abreu, St. Helena, Calif. – 1
HARD CHARGER AWARD (10 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C. Awards
1 – Cory Eliason, Santa Cruz, Calif. – 2
2 – David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Chad Kemenah, Alveda, Ohio – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
-- Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
-- Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, Ind. – 1
– Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, Mo. – 1
-- Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
TOTAL LAPS LED (12 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps
1– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 53
2 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 36
3 – Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 32
– Sheldon Haundenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 32
4 – David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 31
5 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 30
-- Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 30
6 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 29
7 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 25
8 – Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 18
9 – Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 15
10 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 14
QUALIFYING QUICK TIME (8 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs
1 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
– Jacob Allen, Hanover, Pa. – 2
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 2
2 – Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, Ind. – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
FASTEST IN PRACTICE (8 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of times fastest
1 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 3 (Two sets of Hot Laps at Arizona Speedway)
2 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 2
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 2
3 – Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
2019 World of Outlaws Schedule & Winners
No./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Friday, Feb. 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (1)
2. Saturday, Feb. 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (2)
3. Sunday, Feb. 10 / Volusia Speedway Park/ Baberville, Fla. / Rainout-Canceled
4. Friday, Feb. 22 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
5. Saturday, Feb. 23 / LoneStar Speedway / Kilgore, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
6. Wednesday, Feb. 27 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Tim Shaffer (1)
7. Thursday, Feb. 28 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Donny Schatz (1)
8. Friday, March 8 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Rainout-Canceled
9. Saturday, March 9 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Ian Madsen (1)
10. Friday, March 15 / Silver Dollar Speedway / Chico, Calif. / Carson Macedo (1)
11. Saturday, March 16 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, Calif. / Logan Schuchart (1)
12. Friday, March 22 / Ocean Speedway / Watsonville, Calif. / Rainout-Canceled
13. Saturday, March 23 / Placerville Speedway / Placerville, Calif. / Rainout-Rescheduled for Sept. 11
14. Friday, March 29 / Keller Auto Speedway / Hanford, Calif. / David Gravel (1)
15. Saturday, March 30 / Perris Auto Speedway / Perris, Calif. / Aaron Reutzel (1)
16. Friday, April 5 / USA Raceway / Tucson, Ariz. / Brad Sweet (1)
17. Saturday, April 6 / Arizona Speedway / Queen Creek, Ariz. / David Gravel (2)
David Gravel claims 41st World of Outlaws victory in Jason Johnson Racing's #41 car
QUEEN CREEK, AZ – April 6, 2019 – David Gravel's first win of the season last month with his new Jason Johnson Racing team was sentimental for several reasons. His second win, Saturday night at Arizona Speedway, was no different.
Not only did he win on his sister Victoria's birthday, he claimed his 41st career World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series win in the #41 car – the number chosen by the late Jason Johnson to run.
"I've kind of forgot about it, because if you try too hard to win a race, you know, it's not going to come," Gravel said about looking for win number 41. "I knew the next one was going to be 41, but it didn't really all click. I'm glad to win on my sister's birthday and it's cool to be my 41st win. All of those things coming together, I guess it was meant to be."
Win 41 was no easier than win 40, though.
Starting fourth in the 30-Lap Arizona Desert Shootout Feature, Gravel had his work cut out for him. He made his way by third-place Jacob Allen in a lap, but then had to contend with 2017 Rookie of the Year, Sheldon Haudenschild, and Friday night's Feature winner Brad Sweet – the two fastest cars of the night.
Sweet was a tenth of a second off setting a new track record in Qualifying, and then went on to win his Drydene Heat race. He took the early lead in the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash, but Haudenschild showed his muscle in the closing laps, powering by Sweet on the high side for the win.
Haudenschild then continued where he left off in the Dash, cruising to the lead in the Feature and pulling away from the field. His blistering pace put him in lap traffic a third of the way through the caution-free Feature, allowing Sweet and Gravel to get close enough to taste the lead.
Sweet used lap traffic to his advantage the night prior, besting Ian Madsen in the game of maneuverability through slower cars. That looked to be his fortune once again, until Gravel continued to make ground on him. While Sweet reeled in Haudenschild, Gravel had Sweet locked in his visor.
The two battled side by side for about four laps, swapping lanes every corner. By Lap 13, Gravel mastered the bottom of the tacky track through turns three and four, clearing Sweet down the front stretch and maintaining the position with a run on the high side of turns one and two.
That run not only cleared him of the blue Kasey Kahne Racing car, it put him in striking distance of Haudenschild's car. While Haudenschild tried to maneuver around a lap car in turns three and four, Gravel pulled the same move on him that he pulled on Sweet, claiming the lead on Lap 14 and never relinquishing it.
"He (Haudenschild) didn't hit his exit, and that just opened the door for me," Gravel said. "Luckily, it all worked out. Whatever lane I went, I seemed to be faster."
Haudenschild concurred with Gravel's assessment of the race, acknowledging he made a mistake.
"I figured if I could just rip the cushion and make consistent laps, I'd be alright," said Haudeschild, who ended up third. "Once I got to lappers and the guy was running the top, I really didn't make a good move. Like David said, I lost my run off the exit."
After starting the season with four finishes in-a-row outside the top-12, the Wooster, Ohio native has found consistency. He's finished in the top-10 in his last five races – two of which have been top-five finishes.
"It's been kind of a rocky start, but we've been building momentum here in these last few races," Haudenschild said.
On a more consistent run is second-place finisher, Sweet. He's finished in the top-five in six of his last seven races – four of which have been podium finishes, and one a victory. That's placed him as the current Series points leader – four points ahead of reigning champion Donny Schatz.
"It's always cool to lead the points, but I don't even think we're a tenth of the way through the season," Grass Valley, Calif. native, Sweet said. "It's going to be a long summer. As long as we keep getting better and standing on the podium, the points will shake out how they will at the end."
Gravel, of Watertown, Conn., became only the second driver this year to claim more than one victory – Daryn Pittman was the first winning both races at Volusia Speedway Park.
With win number two out of the way, Gravel looks for more consistency with his Jason Johnson Racing team.
"We struggled, got a win, the next day ran 12th," Gravel said. "Now, this weekend (in Arizona) we went third and first. As a team, that's what you're looking for, is having podiums and top-fives. That's what makes a good season."
The Greatest Show on Dirt will make its next stop Friday, April 12, and Saturday, April 13, at the historic Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas.
As always, you can catch all World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.
For tickets and more information, go to www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 41-David Gravel [4][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$5,500]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [1][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [13][$2,800]; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [6][$2,500]; 6. 83-Daryn Pittman [7][$2,300]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [3][$2,200]; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser [11][$2,100]; 9. 2-Carson Macedo [10][$2,050]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [15][$2,000]; 11. 19-Brent Marks [8][$1,500]; 12. 5-Shane Stewart [14][$1,200]; 13. 45-Chad Kemenah [12][$1,100]; 14. 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg [5][$1,050]; 15. 24-Rico Abreu [19][$1,000]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [18][$900]; 17. 33M-Mason Daniel [20][$800]; 18. 13-Mark Dobmeier [17][$800]; 19. 21-Brian Brown [9][$800]; 20. 11-Mike Kuemper [21][$800]; 21. 21P-Robbie Price [16][$800]; Lap Leaders: Sheldon Haudenschild 1-13, David Gravel 14-30; KSE Hard Charger Award:15-Donny Schatz[+9]Qualifying - 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.452; 2. 18-Ian Madsen, 12.573; 3. 41-David Gravel, 12.601; 4. 2-Carson Macedo, 12.625; 5. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.644; 6. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.685; 7. 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg, 12.686; 8. 19-Brent Marks, 12.704; 9. 21-Brian Brown, 12.718; 10. 83-Daryn Pittman, 12.759; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.766; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.767; 13. 24-Rico Abreu, 12.796; 14. 5-Shane Stewart, 12.845; 15. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.859; 16. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.859; 17. 33M-Mason Daniel, 12.875; 18. 45-Chad Kemenah, 12.962; 19. 21P-Robbie Price, 12.968; 20. 13-Mark Dobmeier, 13.104; 21. 11-Mike Kuemper, 13.573
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
'Big Cat' Brad Sweet claims Wildcat Shootout at USA Raceway
TUCSON, AZ – April 5, 2019 – With five laps to go in the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Wildcat Shootout at USA Raceway Friday night, Brad Sweet's victory was far from certain.
Sweet had command of the race, having stolen the lead from Ian Madsen just before a Lap 19 caution. However, Madsen did not let the blue Kasey Kahne Racing car of Sweet out of his sight.
With lap traffic in Sweet's windshield, Madsen used it to his advantage turning a car length distance between them into half a car length. Then a quarter. The laps were winding down in a hurry, but the race was far from over.
That is until the lap traffic that was helping Madsen catch Sweet, ended up killing his momentum with a lap to go, putting more than a car length back between he and Sweet, who went on to claim his first win of the 2019 season – his 35th career win overall.
"I was just kind of lucky to get through a few of those guys, just mistakes in lap traffic and we were in the right spot to capitalize," said Grass Valley, Calif. native Sweet. "The car was superfast and made the opportunities for us to take advantage of those opportunities."
His night didn't start off looking like he would claim his second win at the raceway – his first coming in 2014. He broke down at the start of Hot Laps, but his KKR team got him back on track in time for Qualifying, ending up fifth. Sweet then went on to finish second in his Heat race – to winner Madsen. However, he then struggled in the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash, finishing last.
That resulted in Sweet starting sixth for the 30-lap Feature, while Madsen, who fared better in the Dash, started on the outside pole.
When the green flag flew, Madsen, last year's Rookie of the Year, shot by polesitter Donny Schatz and ran away with the lead.
"Everyone's always better in clean air," said Madsen, who ended up second. "It just kind of got pretty tricky there in the middle of the race. We got stuck behind some lap cars and we just weren't as good as Brad tonight to maneuver around to get past the lap cars."
Madsen's blistering pace at the start of the race put him in lap traffic by Lap five. While the Australian hustled his way around the slower cars, Sweet – with a little bit of luck on his side – methodically moved his way to the front, lap by lap.
"I think we were in the right place at the right time a lot of the time and we were able to capitalize," Sweet said. "Coming from sixth to win is hard in these things, especially on a pretty fast track. We'll take it any way we can get it."
Luck wasn't the only factor that helped him to the front. A little bit of skill, knowing where to put his car helped, too.
"Luckily for me, I kind of found a low line in turn one, and kind of low down the front stretch," Sweet said. "If I could get off (turn) four equal or a little better than the guy in front of me, I could go low in turn one and it seemed like I could carry more speed. That's where I made all of my passes."
While Sweet and Madsen stole the show, Brent Marks raced his way to his best finish so far this year – sixth. Prior to that his best finish this year had been 11th in Las Vegas. After that he missed two races and had finished no better than 12th. But now, momentum is on his side going forward.
"I know my results through California don't really show, but we've been getting our car really good," said Marks after his first race at USA Raceway. "We'll just keep plugging away and fine tuning this race car and try to have a little bit better luck on our side. Excited we got a good run tonight."
Sweet is the ninth different winner this season in 10 races. Both Madsen and third-place finisher David Gravel, claimed a victory during the Series' March California swing. While Sweet didn't claim a victory during the swing, he had one of the best performances during it. He finished in the top-10 in all five races – four of them top-five finishes. And had the best average finish of 4.4.
That consistency, in addition to Friday night's win, has left him tied for the points lead with 10-times Series champion, Schatz. Daryn Pittman, who was tied for the points lead with Schatz coming into the race is now third – just six points behind the two.
"It's nice to get the first win and hopefully we can carry the momentum going forward," Sweet said. "It's a long season. We're 10 races into a 94-race schedule, so hopefully this is good signs to come for us."
The Greatest Show on Dirt will make its next stop Saturday, April 6, at Arizona Speedway in Queen Creek, Ariz.
As always, you can catch all World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.
For tickets and more information, go to www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [6][$10,000]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [2][$5,500]; 3. 41-David Gravel [4][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$2,800]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [5][$2,500]; 6. 19-Brent Marks [3][$2,300]; 7. 83-Daryn Pittman [10][$2,200]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [12][$2,100]; 9. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$2,050]; 10. 5-Shane Stewart [8][$2,000]; 11. 13-Mark Dobmeier [16][$1,500]; 12. 24-Rico Abreu [15][$1,200]; 13. 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg [19][$1,100]; 14. 2-Carson Macedo [13][$1,050]; 15. 45-Chad Kemenah [9][$1,000]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [14][$900]; 17. 21P-Robbie Price [17][$800]; 18. 33M-Mason Daniel [18][$800]; 19. 1A-Jacob Allen [20][$800]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [11][$800]; 21. 7-Gravy Fairfield [21][$800]; Lap Leaders: Ian Madsen 1-18, Brad Sweet 19-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg[+6]
Qualifying - 1. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.234; 2. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.272; 3. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.279; 4. 21-Brian Brown, 13.295; 5. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.302; 6. 41-David Gravel, 13.321; 7. 83-Daryn Pittman, 13.339; 8. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.368; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.39; 10. 19-Brent Marks, 13.432; 11. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.433; 12. 45-Chad Kemenah, 13.472; 13. 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg, 13.505; 14. 5-Shane Stewart, 13.518; 15. 33M-Mason Daniel, 13.592; 16. 2-Carson Macedo, 13.619; 17. 21P-Robbie Price, 13.648; 18. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.76; 19. 13-Mark Dobmeier, 13.84; 20. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.866; 21. 7-Gravy Fairfield, 18.4
Gravel, Macedo hope their winning momentum carries into this week's events in Arizona
TUCSON, AZ – With the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series California swing now concluded, David Gravel and Carson Macedo are looking to ride the momentum of their recent strong finishes into this weekend's doubleheader in Arizona.
The swing wrapped up last Friday at Keller Auto Speedway, where Gravel claimed his first win of the season, and last Saturday at Perris Auto Speedway, where rookie Carson Macedo got his second podium finish of the year.
For Macedo and his Kyle Larson Racing team it was the continuation of an impressive stretch of races — finishing in the top-10 in all five races during the California swing, including claiming his second career win at Silver Dollar Speedway — while for Gravel, his win was finally the end to a stretch of three races in-a-row without a top-10 finish.
The win was needed, Gravel said.
"We started off the season pretty good at Volusia and kind of laying an egg since," Gravel said.
He finished third in points with CJB Motorsports last year, but Gravel and the team decided to part ways. That opened the door for him to join Jason Johnson Racing this year. While he and his new team have found success, Gravel admitted the transition hasn't been entirely smooth.
"I made a couple of mistakes as a driver," Gravel said about the season so far. "Growing pains with the new team. Hopefully we hit our stride here and get on a role."
After claiming an emotional win for the JJR team in Hanford, Calif. — the team's first World of Outlaws win since Jason Johnson died last year — he was unable to make it back in the top-10 the next day at Perris Auto Speedway. But he said he is looking forward to the Arizona races, having run decent at them in the past.
He finished sixth at Arizona Speedway last year and had a top-10 run at USA Raceway the last time the Series visited the track in 2016 — that race won by Daryn Pittman, who is currently tied for the Series points lead with 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz. Gravel is currently seventh in points, 92-points behind the two champions.
Macedo was not at either of those races, but also said he is looking forward to the doubleheader in Arizona. He's raced at both Arizona tracks before and hopes to use that experience to his advantage as well as he did during the California swing.
"I knew the West Coast was going to be, hopefully, one of our strong suits," said Macedo, who is now fourth in points after the California swing. "So, to kind of put that together and get a win, put strong runs up on the board and leave the West Coast I pretty good shape is big for this (Kyle Larson Racing) team. Especially being in the rookie year."
While the California native lacks World of Outlaws experience at the two Arizona tracks, his KLR team has years of it. Successful years of it. The team won the first Series race at Arizona Speedway in 2016 with Shane Stewart and haven't finished outside the top-10 at the track since. KLR also finished in the top-five with Stewart at the last Series race at USA Raceway.
"I'm looking forward to it all," Macedo said.
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
WHEN & WHERE
Friday, April 5, at USA Raceway in Tucson, Ariz. for the Wildcat Shootout
-Grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 5 p.m. with Hot Laps and Time Trials at 6 p.m. and Racing will start at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 6, at Arizona Speedway in Queen Creek, Ariz. for the Arizona Desert Shootout
-Grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 5 p.m. with Hot Laps and Time Trials at 6 p.m. and Racing will start at 7:30 p.m.
ABOUT THE TRACKS
USA Raceway is a 3/8-mile, semi-banked track. The track record is 12.076 sec. by Paul McMahan on March 9, 2013.
Online – RaceUSARaceway.com
Phone – 520-664-2074
Arizona Speedway is a 1/3-mile, high-banked track. The track record is 12.361 sec. by Brian Brown on March 6, 2016.
Online – ArizonaSpeedway.net
Phone – 480-926-6688
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased by going to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
3/8-mile and 1/3-mile winners
There have been two races on a 3/8-mile track so far this year. Logan Schuchart won at the Stockton Dirt Track on March 16, and David Gravel won at Keller Auto Speedway on March 29.
There has been one race on a 1/3-mile track so far this year. Ian Madsen won at Thunderbowl Raceway on March 9.
USA RACEWAY PREVIOUS WINNERS
2016 - Daryn Pittman on April 18
2015 - Brian Brown on March 7
2014 - Brad Sweet on March 8
2013 - Daryn Pittman on March 9
2007 - Steve Kinser on March 2
2006 - Paul McMahan on March 4, Donny Schatz on Oct. 21
ARIZONA SPEEDWAY PREVIOUS WINNERS
2018 - Donny Schatz on April 7
2017 - Rico Abreu on April 8
2016 - Shane Stewart on March 6
ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series – Woosprint.com
Twitter – Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws - @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOSprint - @woosprint
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws
YouTube – YouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – Dirtvision.com – Get your Fast Pass to watch all races LIVE for only $39/month
Twitter – Twitter.com/DIRTVision - @DIRTVision
Facebook – Facebook.com/WatchDIRTVision
DRIVER INFO
Follow World of Outlaws full-time drivers on Twitter:
Brad Sweet – @BradSweet49
Brent Marks – @bmracing19
Carson Macedo – @carson_macedo
Daryn Pittman – @darynpittman
Donny Schatz – @donnyschatz
Ian Madsen – @IanMadsen
Jacob Allen – @JacobAllen1A
Jason Sides – SidesMotorsports.com (not on Twitter)
Kraig Kinser – @KraigKinser11k
Logan Schuchart – @Lschuchart1s
Shane Stewart – @shanestewart_5
Sheldon Haudenschild – @Haudenschild_17
AROUND THE TURN: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series heads to Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas on Friday April 12-13.
2019 STATS
There have been nine World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Feature events this season.
FEATURE WINNERS (8 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 2
2 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
-- David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
-- Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
DRYDENE HEAT RACE WINNERS (21 different winners)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 5
2 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 4
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 3
3 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 2
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 2
– Rico Abreu, St. Helena, Calif. – 2
4 – Spencer Bayston, Lebanon, Ind. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Giovanni Scelzi, Fresno, Calif. – 1
– Jason Sides, Bartlett, Tenn. – 1
– Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, Calif. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 1
– Cory Eliason, Visalia, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Willie Croft, Roseville, Calif. – 1
-- Brent Marks, Myerstown, Pa. – 1
-- David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
-- Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
DIRTVISION FAST PASS DASH WINNERS (9 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
-- Sheldon Haundenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
-- Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (9 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Cale Conley, Vienna, W.Va. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 1
– David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Terry McCarl, Altoona, Iowa – 1
-- Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 1
-- Brent Marks, Myerstown, Pa. – 1
C-MAIN WINNERS (1 driver)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
PODIUM FINISHES (15 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of podiums
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 5
2 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 3
3 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 2
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 2
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 2
– Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 2
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 2
4 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
-- David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
-- Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
-- Rico Abreu, St. Helena, Calif. – 1
HARD CHARGER AWARD (8 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C. Awards
1 – Cory Eliason, Santa Cruz, Calif. – 2
2 – David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Chad Kemenah, Alveda, Ohio – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
-- Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
-- Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, Ind. – 1
TOTAL LAPS LED (12 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 36
2 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 35
3 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 30
-- Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 30
4 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 29
5 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 25
6 – Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 20
7 – Sheldon Haundenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 19
8 – Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 18
9 – Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 15
10 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 14
– David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 14
QUALIFYING QUICK TIME (7 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs
1 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
– Jacob Allen, Hanover, Pa. – 2
2 – Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, Ind. – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
FASTEST IN PRACTICE (8 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of times fastest
1 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 2
2 – Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
2019 World of Outlaws Schedule & Winners
No./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Friday, Feb. 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (1)
2. Saturday, Feb. 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (2)
3. Sunday, Feb. 10 / Volusia Speedway Park/ Baberville, Fla. / Rainout-Canceled
4. Friday, Feb. 22 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
5. Saturday, Feb. 23 / LoneStar Speedway / Kilgore, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
6. Wednesday, Feb. 27 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Tim Shaffer (1)
7. Thursday, Feb. 28 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Donny Schatz (1)
8. Friday, March 8 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Rainout-Canceled
9. Saturday, March 9 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Ian Madsen (1)
10. Friday, March 15 / Silver Dollar Speedway / Chico, Calif. / Carson Macedo (1)
11. Saturday, March 16 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, Calif. / Logan Schuchart (1)
12. Friday, March 22 / Ocean Speedway / Watsonville, Calif. / Rainout-Canceled
13. Saturday, March 23 / Placerville Speedway / Placerville, Calif. / Rainout-Rescheduled for Sept. 11
14. Friday, March 29 / Keller Auto Speedway / Hanford, Calif. / David Gravel (1)
15. Saturday, March 30 / Perris Auto Speedway / Perris, Calif. / Aaron Reutzel (1)
Texan Reutzel Dominates Every Phase of Perris SoCal Showdown
PERRIS, CA – MARCH 30, 2019 – Aaron Reutzel wrote an eloquent ending to the eventful and riveting story of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series' California swing, ending it Saturday night in similar fashion to how it began.
Last year's Rookie of the Year Ian Madsen opened the swing in early March at Thunderbowl Raceway — where Reutzel won his first ever World of Outlaws race last year during the swing — winning everything he could: fastest in practice, Quick Time, Heat win, drew the pole for the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash, won the Dash, lead every lap in the Feature and won it.
Reutzel did exactly the same at the half-mile Perris Auto Speedway. He was fastest in practice. Quick Time. Won his Heat race. Drew the pole for the Dash. Won the Dash. Lead every lap in the 30-lap Feature and claimed his second World of Outlaws win at the SoCal Showdown.
"Unbelievable," the Clute, Texas native said, having to pause afterward, as if to try and grasp the dominance himself.
Coming into the Perris race, Reutzel had a top-five and two top-10 finishes in the California swing and sat seventh in Series points, ahead of full-time World of Outlaws drivers such as Shane Stewart and Madsen. But to Reutzel, he was having a terrible year and it was time for a change.
He and his Baughman-Reutzel Motorsports team made one the morning of the race. It worked.
"We just went back to everything we were doing last year," Reutzel said. "We just made one little change and it made the difference."
That little change; ditching a newly built car to put an old car back together.
"There's nothing different between them," Reutzel said. "Sometimes you just get a car that doesn't work, and that might have been one that doesn't work. Everything else exactly them same. It just worked out for us."
With the car he's been running, Reutzel said it felt like he and his team were always playing catch up when it came to the Feature and could never qualify well anymore.
"That's something you can't do with these (World of Outlaws) guys," Reutzel said.
Now, his confidence is back. It showed on track, holding off two California natives who grew up racing on the California swing tracks — rookie Carson Macedo and Rico Abreu.
In the early stage of the Feature, Macedo presented himself as a possible threat to Reutzel, inching in on him lap after lap. After an early red flag, for a flip involving Brent Marks, Reutzel had his biggest challenge yet with Macedo starting next to him and Abreu behind them. But when the green flag dropped, Macedo and Abreu were left trading slide jobs to determine who would finish second while Reutzel sailed away. It was the same story with on another restart a couple of laps later.
"I felt like I had a couple of runs at him on a couple of restarts, and it just seemed like... It's just the way it went," said Macedo, who finished second. "Aaron did a good job all night. I felt like we had a good race car. I felt like we had a good package all night."
Macedo has had one of the best California swings out of all full-time World of Outlaws drivers, having finished in the top-10 in all five races and got his first win of the season at Silver Dollar Speedway.
"We're having a lot of fun right now," Macedo said. "We're putting good runs up on the board and that's what it's all about with the Outlaws."
In line with Macedo and Madsen, Reutzel is the eighth different winner this year in the past nine races. And even though it's his second ever Series win, it's still as special as the first.
"Whether you have 100 (wins) or your Donny Schatz getting another one or me getting my second one, just winning an Outlaw race is huge in general," Reutzel said. "It feels really good to get it."
Reutzel's win closes the story of the 2019 World of Outlaws Spring Break California swing, but the Series continues next weekend on Friday, April 5, for the Wildcat Shootout at USA Raceway in Tucson, Ariz. and on Saturday, April 6, for the Arizona Desert Shootout at Arizona Speedway in Queen Creek, Ariz.
The Texan's next chapter with the World of Outlaws will begin in May at Eldora Speedway.
As always, you can catch all the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.
For tickets and more information, go to www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps)
1. 87-Aaron Reutzel [1][$10,000]; 2. 2-Carson Macedo [3][$5,500]; 3. 24-Rico Abreu [2][$3,200]; 4. 49X-Tim Shaffer [6][$2,800]; 5. 26-Cory Eliason [7][$2,500]; 6. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [8][$2,300]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [5][$2,200]; 8. 5-Shane Stewart [10][$2,100]; 9. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$2,050]; 10. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi [14][$2,000]; 11. 45-Chad Kemenah [4][$1,500]; 12. 41-David Gravel [11][$1,200]; 13. 83-Daryn Pittman [12][$1,100]; 14. 18-Ian Madsen [18][$1,050]; 15. 1S-Logan Schuchart [16][$1,000]; 16. 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg [13][$900]; 17. 21-Brian Brown [17][$800]; 18. 71P-Parker Price-Miller [24][$800]; 19. 7S-Jason Sides [23][$800]; 20. 11K-Kraig Kinser [22][$800]; 21. 21P-Robbie Price [20][$800]; 22. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [15][$800]; 23. 19-Brent Marks [19][$800]; 24. 33M-Mason Daniel [21][$800]; Lap Leaders: Aaron Reutzel 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 71P-Parker Price-Miller[+6]
Qualifying - 1. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 14.377; 2. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.398; 3. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.409; 4. 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg, 14.418; 5. 24-Rico Abreu, 14.546; 6. 2-Carson Macedo, 14.559; 7. 26-Cory Eliason, 14.585; 8. 21-Brian Brown, 14.59; 9. 83-Daryn Pittman, 14.592; 10. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 14.653; 11. 45-Chad Kemenah, 14.671; 12. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.672; 13. 19-Brent Marks, 14.681; 14. 41-David Gravel, 14.684; 15. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.719; 16. 5-Shane Stewart, 14.724; 17. 33M-Mason Daniel, 14.732; 18. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.732; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.748; 20. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi, 14.785; 21. 18-Ian Madsen, 14.809; 22. 21P-Robbie Price, 14.832; 23. 71P-Parker Price-Miller, 14.842; 24. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 14.845; 25. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.929; 26. 13-Mark Dobmeier, 15.399
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Gravel rides low groove to victory for Jason Johnson Racing's first World of Outlaws win since Johnson's death
HANFORD, CA – MARCH 29, 2019 – Nothing was going to stop David Gravel from jumping out of his car.
Out of breath with a wide grin on his face, he high-fived and hugged his crew members while en route to a bath of confetti when he stood on the back of his car and pointed to the sky.
Not only was he celebrating his first win of the season at Keller Auto Speedway, his 40th World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series win and his first win with his new Jason Johnson Racing team, he honored the man whose car he drives.
This is the first World of Outlaws win for the Jason Johnson Racing team since co-owner and driver Jason Johnson died in a crash last June at Beaver Dam Raceway in Wisconsin.
"It's definitely special," said Gravel, almost lost for words.
The start of his night did not signal a potential victory, with the luck of the draw sending him out last for qualifying. He managed a 15th-place qualifying effort on a track several drivers called "tricky" due to its slick condition.
It didn't take long for Gravel to figure out the trick, winning his Heat race.
"It really set us up for the rest of the night," Gravel said. "I knew the bottom was going to be a factor."
Gravel's crew chief, Philip Dietz, said Gravel called his shot before the Feature. He was going to stick to the bottom until he figured it out. And he did.
Starting from the pole, Sheldon Haudenschild shot to the early lead of the Feature, riding the high side of the slick track. While he led, the hoard of drivers behind him were rarely in the same lane or position lap after lap. They tried high. They tried low. Wherever there was grip, they made sure to use up every inch of it.
Closing in on halfway through the 35-lap Feature, the bottom proved to be the preferred line of choice. Shane Stewart, who faced heart-break last race at the Stockton Dirt Track after blowing a tire while leading with five laps to go, looked to have his sight set on redemption, reeling in the 2017 Rookie of the Year.
Stewart took the lead on lap 20, but his hope for redemption was short lived as Gravel had been working the bottom of the track to perfection and was not far behind. He took the lead from Stewart – driving for Gravel's former team, CJB Motorsports – two laps later.
"Honestly, I just didn't have the patients to run the bottom in turns 1 and 2," said Stewart, who ended up third. "Driver instincts, you just don't know what to do at times. Once David went by me, I tried to run the bottom again, and missed it a couple of times. I thought I should get back up to the top and then (Daryn) Pittman got me."
Pittman, who extended his points lead over second-place Donny Schatz to 12 points by finishing second, was still all smiles after his third runner-up finish of the year.
"I would have never guessed from the beginning of that race that we would be just putting around the bottom," Pittman said. "We were not set up for that at all. I honestly thought the top would stay dominate. It never crossed my mind that we would be running the bottom."
Like he planned it himself, Gravel said he knew other drivers would burn off the top of the track and the bottom would be the dominate line. He just had to stay patient enough to remain there throughout the race.
Although he did go to the top one lap, but he said that was only because the bottom was crowded. He ran his race.
"I was just trying to run my line," Gravel said. "I knew if I missed up one corner and was still in the lead, I knew I wouldn't have gotten passed if I just hit my marks after that. Luckily we were able to hang on and win."
It was a special win to him and his crew.
"It's definitely different," said Tyler Elliott, the car chief for the Jason Johnson Racing team. "It's not the same. But it's exciting. Overwhelming."
After three races in-a-row without a top-10 finish, Elliot said the win is well needed.
Dietz added its "definitely an emotional night" for the team.
"This is one track we've struggled at over the years," he said. "We knew we had to up our game when we came in tonight. To go out and pick up a win for JJR and all of our sponsors, you know, we couldn't ask for a better night."
Nothing was going to stop Dietz and the Jason Johnson team from celebrating in Victory Lane with an out of breath and wide grinning Gravel.
The Series will wrap up its Spring Break tour through California Saturday night at Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, Calif.
As always, you can catch all the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.
For tickets and more information, go to www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (35 Laps)
1. 41-David Gravel [7][$10,000]; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman [5][$5,500]; 3. 5-Shane Stewart [3][$3,200]; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [1][$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [17][$2,500]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$2,300]; 7. 17W-Shane Golobic [8][$2,200]; 8. 2-Carson Macedo [6][$2,100]; 9. 21-Brian Brown [11][$2,050]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [22][$2,000]; 11. 87-Aaron Reutzel [23][$1,500]; 12. 26-Cory Eliason [12][$1,200]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [4][$1,100]; 14. 18-Ian Madsen [24][$1,050]; 15. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [15][$1,000]; 16. 7S-Tim Kaeding [21][$900]; 17. 71P-Parker Price-Miller [16][$800]; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$800]; 19. 88N-DJ Netto [19][$800]; 20. 45-Chad Kemenah [18][$800]; 21. 7-Jason Sides [10][$800]; 22. O-Bud Kaeding [14][$800]; 23. 24-Rico Abreu [20][$800]; 24. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi [9][$800]; Lap Leaders: Sheldon Haudenschild 1-19, Shane Stewart 20-21, David Gravel 22-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 49-Brad Sweet[+12]
Qualifying – 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.531; 2. 19-Brent Marks, 14.609; 3. 21-Brian Brown, 14.799; 4. 17W-Shane Golobic, 14.853; 5. 18-Ian Madsen, 15.048; 6. 21P-Robbie Price, 15.125; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen, 15.133; 8. 83-Daryn Pittman, 15.178; 9. 2-Carson Macedo, 15.207; 10. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 15.217; 11. 15-Donny Schatz, 15.228; 12. 7S-Tim Kaeding, 15.287; 13. 5-Shane Stewart, 15.308; 14. 7-Jason Sides, 15.312; 15. 41-David Gravel, 15.333; 16. 26-Cory Eliason, 15.363; 17. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 15.37; 18. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 15.43; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 15.479; 20. 71P-Parker Price-Miller, 15.526; 21. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 15.535; 22. 45-Chad Kemenah, 15.571; 23. 68-Chase Johnson, 15.617; 24. 24-Rico Abreu, 15.618; 25. 33M-Mason Daniel, 15.627; 26. O-Bud Kaeding, 15.643; 27. 88N-DJ Netto, 15.663; 28. 21X-Ryan Bernal, 15.696; 29. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi, 15.703; 30. 98-Sean Watts, 15.709; 31. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 15.743; 32. 28-Nathan Rolfe, 15.95
ON TOP OF THE WORLD
Pittman Still Leading Standings with Two Races Left on California Spring Break
HANFORD, CA – Fresno, Calif.-based Roth Motorsports went into the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series' month-long California swing with the points lead for the first time in its historic career and may leave with it.
The team's new driver, 2013 Series champion Daryn Pittman, currently holds the points lead going into the final two races of the swing — Friday, March 29, at Keller Auto Speedway and Saturday, March 30, at Perris Auto Speedway.
Pittman started off the season in his new #83 Roth Sprint Car winning the two season-opening races at Volusia Speedway Park — claiming his third DIRTcar Nationals championship, and Roth's first. He then followed that up with a top-10 and runner-up finish in Las Vegas, giving him a four-point advantage over reigning champion Donny Schatz going into the California swing.
Three races into the swing, Pittman still leads Schatz by just four points. However, points are the last thing on his mind.
"Truthfully, I don't put a lot of thought to it," Pittman said. "Obviously, it's better to lead than to be chasing. And I do know it will mean something to (car owners) Dennis and Teresa (Roth) for us to be leading. But if something happens and we're not, I have no doubt we have some better tracks for me and our team coming up."
The Owasso, Okla.-native has produced a podium and a couple of top-10 finishes in the three California swing races, so far. Looking ahead to Friday night, he said the 3/8-mile Keller Auto Speedway has been hit-or-miss for him. His results show it.
He finished 20th the last time the Series raced at the track in 2017 – the race won by the Series' most recent winner Logan Schuchart. Prior to that he had a top-10, a 17th place finish and a top-five, respectively.
Like all tracks, Pittman said he wants to perform well in Hanford, but this year he has extra motivation to do so. The speedway is about 40 minutes from the Roth Motorsports shop.
Of the final two races in the California swing, Perris Auto Speedway is the one he's looking forward to the most. He's won at the track three times — most recently in 2016 — and before the Series revised its wins list last year, it was the site of his first Series win.
"Perris has always been a place that's been pretty special to me," Pittman said. "For years it was considered my first win. I beat Steve Kinser to the line by about half a car length. I couldn't ask for it to happen in more of a dramatic fashion, for my first win to come against the greatest to ever sit behind a Sprint Car."
Not only is Pittman looking forward to going to the half-mile Perris Auto Speedway because he's won there before, he's had the most success this year on half-mile tracks. In the four races on half-mile tracks this year, Pittman has two wins, three podiums and four top-10 finishes.
"Right now, I'm really excited for the half-mile stuff," Pittman said. "I think our engine program is really good. I think our cars are really good."
His love for the half-mile tracks is new found this year. When he drove for Kasey Kahne Racing last year, Pittman said he almost dreaded going to half-mile tracks because he didn't have speed at them.
While he's performed better on the half-miles, so far this year, he doesn't dread short tracks. His second-place run at the third-mile Thunderbowl Speedway shows he and his team can still be a threat on the smaller tracks. There is room for improvement on them, though, Pittman said.
"Right now, just based on performance wise, the half-mile stuff has been more suited for our team right now," he said.
With seven races down, Pittman said he and the Roth Motorsports crew are happy where they're at as a team. One of his early season goals was to perform well at Volusia. Mission accomplished.
He has several other goals he's set for himself to put together a successful year with his new team and try to secure a second championship. Leaving the California swing with the points lead, while ideal, isn't necessarily one of them.
"I try not to focus on them (points) too much, just focus on each race for what it is and try to win races," Pittman said. "It's definitely always good to be up front. It gives everyone something to talk about, but it's definitely not something we're really focused on right now."
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
WHEN & WHERE
Friday, March 29, at Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds in Hanford, Calif.
-Grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 5 p.m. with Hot Laps and Time Trials at 6 p.m. and Racing will start at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 30, at Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, Calif.
-Grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. with Hot Laps and Time Trials at 6 p.m. and Racing will start at 7:30 p.m.
ABOUT THE TRACKS
Keller Auto Speedway is a 3/8-mile, semi-banked track. The track record is 12.293 sec. by Joey Saldana on Feb. 23, 2001.
Online – RaceKingsSpeedway.com
Phone – 559-584-7223
Perris Auto Speedway is a half-mile, semi-banked track. The track record is 13.875 sec. by Danny Lasoski on Feb. 23, 2002.
Online – PerrisAutoSpeedway.com
Phone – 800-595-4849
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased by going to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
3/8-mile and 1/2-mile winners
There has been one race on a 3/8-mile track so far this year at the Stockton Dirt Track. Logan Schuchart was the winner on Saturday, March 16.
There have been four races on a 1/2-mile track so far this year, two at Volusia Speedway Park and two at the Dirt Track at Las Vegas. Daryn Pittman won the two races at Volusia on Friday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 9. Tim Shaffer won the first race in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Feb. 27, and Donny Schatz won the second on Thursday, Feb. 28.
KELLER AUTO SPEEDWAY PREVIOUS WINNERS
2017 - Logan Schuchart on March 31
2015 - Shane Stewart on April 17
2014 - Cody Darrah on April 11
2013 - Donny Schatz on April 12
2003 - Tim Kaeding on Feb. 21
2002 - Danny Lasoski on Feb. 22
2001 - Andy Hillenburg on Feb. 23, Stevie Smith on Aug. 28
2000 - Johnny Herrera on Feb. 25, Joey Saldana on Sept. 8
1999 - Danny Lasoski on Feb. 19, Steve Kinser on Sept. 10
1998 - Steve Kinser on Sept. 11
1997 - Sammy Swindell on Sept. 12
1996 - Sammy Swindell on Sept. 11
1995 - Danny Lasoski on Sept.6
1994 - Dave Blaney on Sept. 7
1993 - Stevie Smith on Sept. 1
1992 - Stevie Smith on March 4, Sammy Swindell on Sept. 2
1991 - Dave Blaney on Sept. 18
1990 - Steve Kinser on Feb. 28, Steve Kinser on Sept. 19
1989 - Joe Gaerte on March 8, Bobby Davis Jr. on Sept. 19
1988 - Doug Wolfgang on Feb. 24, Steve Kinser on Sept. 20
1987 - Bobby Davis Jr. on Feb. 25, Steve Kinser on Sept. 9
1986 - Brad Doty on Feb. 26, Steve Kinser on Sept. 27
1985 - Jeff Swindell on Sept. 25
PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY PREVIOUS WINNERS
2017 - David Gravel on April 1
2016 - Daryn Pittman on April 16
2015 – Paul McMahan on April 18
2014 - Joey Saldana on April 12
2013 - Daryn Pittman on April 13
2012 - Joey Saldana on March 10
2007 - Kerry Madsen on Oct. 20
2004 - Jason Meyers on Feb. 28
2003 - Danny Lasoski on Feb. 23
2002 - Daryn Pittman on Feb. 23
2000 - Danny Lasoski on Feb. 26
1999 - Johnny Herrera on Feb. 20, Craig Dollansky on Oct. 30
1998 - Mark Kinser on Oct. 31, Mark Kinser on Oct. 31
1997 - Mark Kinser on Feb. 15, Mark Kinser on Oct. 26
1996 - Mark Kinser on Nov. 1
ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series – Woosprint.com
Twitter – Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws - @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOSprint - @woosprint
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws
YouTube – YouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – Dirtvision.com – Get your Fast Pass to watch all races LIVE for only $39/month
Twitter – Twitter.com/DIRTVision - @DIRTVision
Facebook – Facebook.com/WatchDIRTVision
DRIVER INFO
Follow World of Outlaws full-time drivers on Twitter:
Brad Sweet – @BradSweet49
Brent Marks – @bmracing19
Carson Macedo – @carson_macedo
Daryn Pittman – @darynpittman
Donny Schatz – @donnyschatz
Ian Madsen – @IanMadsen
Jacob Allen – @JacobAllen1A
Jason Sides – SidesMotorsports.com (not on Twitter)
Kraig Kinser – @KraigKinser11k
Logan Schuchart – @Lschuchart1s
Shane Stewart – @shanestewart_5
Sheldon Haudenschild – @Haudenschild_17
AROUND THE TURN: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series heads to USA Raceway in Tucson, Ariz. on Friday April 5, and then to Arizona Speedway in Queen Creek, Ariz. on Saturday April 6.
2019 STATS
There have been seven World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Feature events this season.
FEATURE WINNERS (6 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 2
2 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
HEAT RACE WINNERS (18 different winners)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 4
2 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 3
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 3
3 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 2
4 – Spencer Bayston, Lebanon, Ind. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Giovanni Scelzi, Fresno, Calif. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Jason Sides, Bartlett, Tenn. – 1
– Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, Calif. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Rico Abreu, St. Helena, Calif. – 1
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 1
– Cory Eliason, Visalia, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Willie Croft, Roseville, Calif. – 1
DIRTVISION FAST PASS DASH WINNERS (7 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (7 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Cale Conley, Vienna, W.Va. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 1
– David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Terry McCarl, Altoona, Iowa – 1
C-MAIN WINNERS (1 driver)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
PODIUM FINISHES (12 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of podiums
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 4
2 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 3
3 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 2
– Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 2
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 2
4 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
HARD CHARGER AWARD (6 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C. Awards
1 – Cory Eliason, Santa Cruz, Calif. – 2
2 – David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Chad Kemenah, Alveda, Ohio – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
TOTAL LAPS LED (9 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 36
2 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 35
3 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 30
4 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 27
5 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 25
6 – Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 20
7 – Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 18
8 – Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 15
9 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 14
QUALIFYING QUICK TIME (5 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs
1 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
– Jacob Allen, Hanover, Pa. – 2
2 – Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, Ind. – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 1
FASTEST IN PRACTICE (6 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of times fastest
1 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 2
2 – Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
2019 World of Outlaws Schedule & Winners
No./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Friday, Feb. 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (1)
2. Saturday, Feb. 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (2)
3. Sunday, Feb. 10 / Volusia Speedway Park/ Baberville, Fla. / Rainout-Canceled
4. Friday, Feb. 22 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
5. Saturday, Feb. 23 / LoneStar Speedway / Kilgore, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
6. Wednesday, Feb. 27 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Tim Shaffer (1)
7. Thursday, Feb. 28 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Donny Schatz (1)
8. Friday, March 8 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Rainout-Canceled
9. Saturday, March 9 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Ian Madsen (1)
10. Friday, March 15 / Silver Dollar Speedway / Chico, Calif. / Carson Macedo (1)
11. Saturday, March 16 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, Calif. / Logan Schuchart (1)
12. Friday, March 22 / Ocean Speedway / Watsonville, Calif. / Rainout-Canceled
13. Saturday, March 23 / Placerville Speedway / Placerville, Calif. / Rainout-Rescheduled for Sept. 11
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Rain, Saturated Grounds Cancel Ocean and Placerville Events
Placerville Speedway race rescheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 11
CONCORD, NC – March 20, 2019 — Persistent rain showers and saturated grounds at Ocean Speedway and Placerville Speedway have forced World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and track officials to cancel Friday's event at Ocean and reschedule Saturday's event at Placerville to Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Those who purchased tickets to Placerville's event will have their tickets automatically moved to the rescheduled date in September. Those with tickets to Friday's event at Ocean Speedway will receive a full ticket-value credit to their MyDirtTickets.com account to be used towards any World of Outlaws event available at WorldofOutlaws.com/tix. Fans unable to attend the rescheduled Placerville event have 30 days to call 844-DIRT-TIX to speak with a customer service representative about their options.
Two of those events include next weekend's conclusion to The Greatest Show on Dirt's month-long swing through California on Friday, March 29, at Keller Auto Speedway in Hanford and Saturday, March 30, at Perris Auto Speedway in Perris. Both are sure to be exciting races with the last three California events producing three different winners and the battle for the Series championship points lead down to just four points between leader Daryn Pittman and reigning champion Donny Schatz.
Rain hasn't completely washed out all motorsports activity this week in Placerville, either. Last year's Knoxville Nationals winner Brad Sweet and NHRA Funny Car World Champion Ron Capps will still make an appearance rain or shine at Riebes NAPA AUTO PARTS in Placerville from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21.
For the latest on the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars, make sure to follow on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and at www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
Schuchart bucks wild Stockton to become sixth different winner in seven races
STOCKTON, CA — MARCH 16, 2019 — Blue and orange confetti painted the landscape around Logan Schuchart, who climbed to the top wing of his Shark Racing Sprint Car with the checkered flag in one hand and other pointing to the sky.
Thousands of fans cheered, and the first-time winner this season, Schuchart, cheered with them in Victory Lane at the Stockton Dirt Track.
It was a scene that could have looked much different for Schuchart until about five laps to go in Saturday night's World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series 30-lap FVP Platinum Battery Showdown.
Shark Racing showed they were the apex predator from the start of the event. Hanover, Pa. native Schuchart was quickest in practice, and backed that up qualifying second behind teammate Jacob Allen. He then won his Heat race and drew the pole for the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash, which he also won.
At the start of the Feature, Schuchart and Allen dueled side-by-side in front for less than half a lap before Schuchart shot to the lead. Four cautions in the first six laps never allowed him to get into a rhythm, but he maintained the lead each restart.
Lurking behind him, though, was Bixby, Okla., native Shane Stewart — equally as hungry for his first Series win of the season, after finishing outside the top-10 the day prior. When restarting on lap six, Stewart did not let Schuchart out of his sight. With each passing lap he inched closer and closer to the red-and-white Drydene-sponsored #1s.
Coming off of turn four on lap 11, Schuchart, who had kept his car on the high side of the track, hit a rut, about bounced his car completely off the ground and into the wall, and lost the lead to Stewart.
"I was running pretty hard when I was out by myself," Schuchart said. "That's what kind of got me in trouble. I almost flipped the thing, bouncing around, jumping up and down."
He added to stay consistent on the rough track conditions you had to "cowboy up."
While Stewart began to pull away to close to a half a track lead, Schuchart didn't lose hope. He knew Stewart would face the same rough conditions running the top side of the track — providing the potential for his own mistake.
But he never made one. Even when navigating lap traffic. Schuchart still didn't give up hope.
"I knew he was going to have the same issues, he's going to want to get out front and stand on it," Schuchart said. "You can count on probably some more yellows, because we were having one right after the other."
On lap 23, he got one. Kasey Kahne stopped on the front stretch when his right rear tire gave up, with debris left in turn four. When the race went back green, Stewart maintained the point once again. Until a lap later. His paced slowed, and Schuchart shot by Stewart for the lead with Brad Sweet following to surge into second place. Shortly after, Stewart was off the track in turn three with a flat right rear tire.
"They were saying some stuff may have broke off of Kasey's (Kahne) car when I was trying to get around him, and I must have ran something over," Stewart said. "Just one of those deals."
When the race went back green, Schuchart took command of the lead once again and drove his car into Victory Lane, claiming his ninth World of Outlaws win.
"I thought his (Stewart's) right rear looked a little low, but I'm not going to be the guy running second and tell him his tire is low, but I knew he wasn't going to give up," Schuchart said. "I'm just happy for this whole team. It's very rewarding for all of their hard work to be able to get a win this early in the season."
Schuchart is the sixth different Series winner this year in seven races. Carson Macedo, who was the fifth different winner this season Friday night at Silver Dollar Speedway pulled off another impressive run finishing seventh after starting 23rd – making him the KSE Hard Charger of the night.
Having as equally of an impressive run was Sheldon Haudenschild, who started 25th using a provisional and finished 10th.
Even though Stewart's promising night ended with disappointment, he is still leaving with newfound confidence.
"I think we made some big gains throughout the night and learned a lot of stuff," Stewart said. "We continue to learn. Even Barry (Jackson), you know, he's been out here a long, long time. But he is dealing with a new driver, so we're still trying to learn each other. We're getting better."
Schuchart's win moves him to fourth in the Series' championship points – tied with Macedo, 58 points behind leader Daryn Pittman. The Oklahoma driver finished 11th for his California-based Roth Motorsports team, allowing 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz, who finished 8th, to continue to close the points deficit to just four points.
Quietly closing on the two points leaders is Sweet, who finished second two nights in a row – now 10 points behind Pittman.
"Tonight, it took some juevos, you had to get up on the wheel and try to hammer through the holes (in the track)," Sweet said. "Logan did a good job. It was kind of survival there... Two seconds place, we're knocking on the door (of the points lead)."
While Sweet took his second-place finish with stride, Schuchart basked in the glory of his win in Victory Lane, confetti still floating to the ground and fans still cheering.
"The fans are awesome (in California)," Schuchart said. "They're very passionate. It's awesome to win in front of this great crowd."
The Series will make its next stop on the California tour Saturday, March 22, at Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, Calif. and Saturday, March 23, at Placerville Speedway in Placerville, Calif.
As always, you can catch all the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.
For tickets and more information, go to www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$5,500]; 3. 7S-Tim Kaeding [13][$3,200]; 4. 87-Aaron Reutzel [12][$2,800]; 5. 88N-DJ Netto [9][$2,500]; 6. 24-Rico Abreu [14][$2,300]; 7. 2-Carson Macedo [23][$2,200]; 8. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$2,100]; 9. 26-Cory Eliason [8][$2,050]; 10. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [25][$1,200]; 11. 83-Daryn Pittman [16][$1,500]; 12. O-Bud Kaeding [24][$1,200]; 13. 5-Shane Stewart [4][$1,100]; 14. 17W-Shane Golobic [18][$1,050]; 15. 41-David Gravel [20][$1,000]; 16. 18-Ian Madsen [22][$900]; 17. 71P-Parker Price-Miller [6][$800]; 18. 45-Chad Kemenah [15][$800]; 19. 29-Willie Croft [5][$800]; 20. 9-Kasey Kahne [11][$800]; 21. 5H-Cole Macedo [17][$800]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [2][$800]; 23. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [3][$800]; 24. 4-Terry McCarl [21][$800]; 25. 21-Brian Brown [19][$800]; Lap Leaders: Logan Schuchart 1-11, 24-30, Shane Stewart 12-23; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-Carson Macedo[+16]
Qualifying - 1. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.873; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.889; 3. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.895; 4. 29-Willie Croft, 12.9; 5. 26-Cory Eliason, 12.95; 6. 71P-Parker Price-Miller, 12.985; 7. 5-Shane Stewart, 13.011; 8. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 13.056; 9. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.057; 10. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.059; 11. 9-Kasey Kahne, 13.061; 12. 41-David Gravel, 13.064; 13. 4-Terry McCarl, 13.092; 14. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.133; 15. 45-Chad Kemenah, 13.135; 16. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.14; 17. 7S-Tim Kaeding, 13.16; 18. 17W-Shane Golobic, 13.175; 19. 21-Brian Brown, 13.197; 20. 83-Daryn Pittman, 13.201; 21. 5H-Cole Macedo, 13.229; 22. 31C-Justyn Cox, 13.268; 23. 16A-Colby Copeland, 13.273; 24. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.287; 25. 88N-DJ Netto, 13.289; 26. 2-Carson Macedo, 13.313; 27. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.34; 28. 19-Brent Marks, 13.353; 29. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.394; 30. 7-Jason Sides, 13.397; 31. 21P-Robbie Price, 13.433; 32. O-Bud Kaeding, 13.529; 33. 33M-Mason Daniel, 13.58; 34. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi, 13.637; 35. 83T-Tanner Carrick, 14.15
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
California rookie Macedo conquers Mini Gold Cup with veteran moves
CHICO, CA — March 15, 2019 — "Rookie" is a title Carson Macedo will hear before his name throughout the 2019 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series tour, but at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif., it should be "veteran."
Or "winner."
Lemoore, Calif., native, Macedo, bested 34-time Series winner, and Grass Valley, Calif., native, Brad Sweet in a spectacular dual on Friday night at the quarter-mile speedway, to claim his second ever Series win and second at the track — his first win came in 2014.
His advantage; it's a track he grew up racing on. Local knowledge that paid off as he led an all-Outlaw podium sweep in the Mini Gold Cup presented by Riebes NAPA AUTO PARTS.
"I've raced here so much and just know the characteristics of it," Macedo said. "It's not a big part of winning these races, but it gives you that edge. It's a home track for me."
Sweet is no stranger to Silver Dollar Speedway, though. He, too, grew up racing at the track, and won a race there last year.
Having led more than half the race, Sweet looked to be en route to his second win at the speedway. Last week's Feature winner at Thunderbowl Raceway, Ian Madsen – who ended up third – hunted Sweet for most of the race with enough speed to potentially make his own challenge for the lead. But then came Macedo.
From his seventh starting spot, Macedo raced much like his car owner Kyle Larson so often does — on the cushion lap after lap. Never considering another line. That confidence almost cost him, though. About half way through the race, he hit a rut on the high side of the track, throwing his car of balance and dropping from fourth to fifth.
That didn't deter the young rookie's victory lust. Continuing to stick to the high side of the track, he fought his way into the top three and then traded slide jobs with Madsen for second. In the lead Sweet had a different mentality then Macedo. He stuck to the bottom of the track — a move that ultimately proved to be his downfall.
On a restart with 15 laps to, Macedo got a strong enough run off turn four to slide under Sweet going into turn one and steal the lead. Madsen, on the bottom of the track, tried to best them both, edging Macedo for the lead out of turn two. He couldn't compete with Macedo's strength on the high side, though. Once Macedo cleared Madsen, the race was his.
"I had been getting some pretty good runs off of four on the top, with people in front of me, so I knew without anyone there I could get a run on him (Sweet) going down the front stretch," Macedo said.
Sweet knows his rookie mistake was staying on the bottom of the track.
"Obviously, I made a mistake there, and stayed on the bottom probably one or two restarts too long," Sweet said. "It was just really hard to get me to change my mind because I kept winning the restarts. But I really felt vulnerable on the restart, so it was no surprise when Carson got by me. You have to be perfect to win these races."
Madsen went into the Series' month-long California tour unsure how he'll perform at the Golden State short tracks, claiming he's not good at them. In two races, he's secured two podium finishes — one being a victory.
"It's (California) has been really good to us, so far," Madsen said. "We've had an awesome race car ever since we got here. I just have to thank my crew for that."
Macedo also credited his crew for his winning performance, including his crew chief Joe Gaerte, who he called "his hero." Macedo drove for Gaerte in the All Star Circuit of Champions Series last year, finishing second in points.
With a win in the first six races of the more than 90 race World of Outlaws schedule, Macedo said it won't change how he approaches the remainder of the season.
"I think I'm just going to race exactly the same," he said. "Just drive every lap like it's my last. Wherever the cards fall at the end of the year at the banquet, that's what they'll be."
He currently sits fourth in the Series' championship points — 66 points behind leader Daryn Pittman.
Pittman, who was coming off two second place finishes in a row, managed to salvage a ninth-place finish after starting 18th. He continues to lead the championship standings for California car owners Dennis and Teresa Roth over second place Donny Schatz, who finished fourth and cut his points deficit in half, now only 10 points behind Pittman.
The Series will make its next stop on the California tour Saturday, March 16, at the Stockton Dirt Track in Stockton, Calif., where Macedo hopes to utilize his veteran California track skills to once again be called, "winner."
As always, you can catch all the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.
For tickets and more information, go to www.WorldofOutlaws.com.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (35 Laps) - 1. 2-Carson Macedo [7][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$5,500]; 3. 18-Ian Madsen [4][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [13][$2,800]; 5. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [14][$2,500]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11][$2,300]; 7. 49X-Tim Shaffer [5][$2,200]; 8. 17W-Shane Golobic [12][$2,100]; 9. 83-Daryn Pittman [18][$2,050]; 10. 24-Rico Abreu [6][$2,000]; 11. 87-Aaron Reutzel [24][$1,500]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [17][$1,200]; 13. 16A-Colby Copeland [23][$1,100]; 14. 5-Shane Stewart [25][$250]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [15][$1,000]; 16. 41-David Gravel [21][$900]; 17. 88N-DJ Netto [19][$800]; 18. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi [10][$800]; 19. 9-Kasey Kahne [22][$800]; 20. 26-Cory Eliason [16][$800]; 21. 121-Justin Sanders [8][$800]; 22. 71P-Parker Price-Miller [9][$800]; 23. 7S-Tim Kaeding [3][$800]; 24. 92-Andy Forsberg [20][$800]; 25. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$800]; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen [26][$]; Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-20, Carson Macedo 21-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 87-Aaron Reutzel[+13]
Qualifying Flight-A - 1. 2-Carson Macedo, 11.536; 2. 9-Kasey Kahne, 11.553; 3. 71P-Parker Price-Miller, 11.597; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.692; 5. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.717; 6. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 11.759; 7. 121-Justin Sanders, 11.762; 8. 83T-Tanner Carrick, 11.768; 9. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.772; 10. 88N-DJ Netto, 11.778; 11. 19-Brent Marks, 11.853; 12. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.895; 13. O-Bud Kaeding, 11.903; 14. 21-Brian Brown, 11.943; 15. 21P-Robbie Price, 11.955; 16. 5-Shane Stewart, 11.969; 17. 5H-Cole Macedo, 12.118; 18. 21W-Jake Wheeler, 12.17; 19. 28-Mark Herz, 14.325; 20. 1S-Logan Schuchart, NT
Qualifying Flight-B - 1. 24-Rico Abreu, 11.551; 2. 7S-Tim Kaeding, 11.56; 3. 83-Daryn Pittman, 11.575; 4. 17W-Shane Golobic, 11.671; 5. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi, 11.682; 6. 92-Andy Forsberg, 11.682; 7. 18-Ian Madsen, 11.695; 8. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.7; 9. 29-Willie Croft, 11.744; 10. 41-David Gravel, 11.768; 11. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 11.794; 12. 26-Cory Eliason, 11.867; 13. 45-Chad Kemenah, 11.874; 14. 16A-Colby Copeland, 11.96; 15. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 12.067; 16. 33M-Mason Daniel, 12.231; 17. 4-Terry McCarl, 12.335; 18. 7-Jason Sides, 12.346; 19. 31C-Justyn Cox, NT
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
Kasey Kahne talks new life racing with World of Outlaws
Kasey Kahne Adds This Week's Silver Dollar, Stockton Events to His Huge Sprint Car Schedule
CONCORD, N.C. – Kasey Kahne's race days have always been a bit noisy. Dozens of crews scurrying around a nearly two-ton Stock Car for days, wrenching and tuning. Hundreds of fans walking through the garage area, determined to get a picture or autograph. Media and cameras at every turn, questioning every detail of the weekend.
Now, that noise has been turned down, but just a bit.
In the pit area of a World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car event, like the ones this Friday at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif., or Saturday at The Stockton (Calif.) Dirt Track, Kahne is surrounded by only a couple of crew members, who tweak on his 1,400 lb. Sprint Car. A few dozen fans meandering up and down the pits — some looking for a quick picture or a handshake. And a handful of media members, the majority just looking to take pictures.
Turning the volume down was not entirely voluntary. It was forced upon him by a health issue that caused him to put an early end to his NASCAR career.
While he was not medically cleared to race again in NASCAR, he's found a new challenge focusing on racing Sprint Cars – a division he's loved since a kid.
"It's like the first thing I really got into at a young age," Kahne says kneeling next his to orange #9 Sprint Car. "Because I got into it at a young age, and liked it so much, whether I was watching or racing myself, I've been hooked."
Kahne began racing Sprint Cars as a teenager in his home state of Washington. He eventually moved into the USAC ranks, winning a championship in 2000. Then a couple of years later made his move to NASCAR.
A few years into his NASCAR career Kahne formed his own World of Outlaws Sprint Car team, Kasey Kahne Racing (KKR), which helped keep him in touch with the Series — along with running a few races himself.
"I've had a blast with all that over the years, whether I was at a NASCAR race watching the DIRTVision part of it or actually traveling and watching the races with the guys," Kahne says. "I've always stayed really close to it and enjoyed it."
Since its inception in 2005, KKR has amassed one World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championship — in 2013 with Daryn Pittman — and more than 170 Series wins among several drivers, including last year's Knoxville Nationals championship with Brad Sweet.
Of the drivers that have won a Series race for the team, Kahne is not one of them. He would like to be.
"When I knew I was done with the NASCAR deal, I thought I would give it a shot (driving Sprint Cars) for a little while, you know, and kind of see how it goes and see if I can't figure it out and get competitive driving these cars," Kahne says.
NASCAR was his job. Sprint Cars... well, Kahne says he doesn't really know what it is right now.
"I hope that I actually feel like it's a bit of a job," Kahne says, following up with a joke that racing is never really a job.
But he wants to work at it.
"I want to feel like I'm working at it to make it work and do the things I want and then when we do have success it'll feel that much better," Kahne says. "I want to put the time in. I want to put the effort in. No matter what it is, to try and have that success. Doing that is definitely a little bit of work."
He knows he has a bit of homework to do, too.
Kahne didn't qualifying for the season opening race at Volusia Speedway Park and has cracked the top-15 twice so far this season.
"I didn't feel that my performance was good at all (at Volusia)," Kahne says. "I thought the track was really tough... It was slick and it was greasy all in the same corner. Around the whole track just about. It was tough to learn and figure out."
None of it had to do with his health, and he doesn't expect it to ever be an issue with Sprint Car racing. Kahne says his issue is driving a car for an hour or two hours straight in humid weather. He would sweat a lot, get dehydrated and cramp up.
He knows the temperature during mid-summer World of Outlaws races can get humid, but he is only in the car for 30 to 40 minutes. He says he felt fine after racing in Florida and expects to the rest of this season.
His issue is seat time.
When he first started in NASCAR, Kahne regularly made time to race Sprint Cars, but over time put more focus on his Cup Series car. Leaving less time for Sprint Cars.
"I feel like now is by far the most difficult time I've had learning Sprint Cars," Kahne says. "I've been so focused on the other style and it's so much different than this (Sprint Car racing). The feel side of it I'm lacking a little bit and have to do a better job with my feet and my hands in different situations. And I think that's all just laps. Once I figure that out, I'll feel a lot more comfortable night in and night out."
His teammate, and last year's runner-up in Series points, Brad Sweet understands Kahne's struggles well, having raced in NASCAR for three seasons then transitioning to the World of Outlaws full-time.
"It's relearning a lot of things and retraining himself," Sweet says. "It's just a completely different discipline."
Sweet is happy to see his car owner racing with the Series though, citing Kahne's deep passion for the sport and love for driving the cars.
Kahne has scheduled more than 50 Sprint Car races – 44 of which, so far, are World of Outlaws races – for himself this year, but says he could easily add more, bringing his schedule to about 70 races. Kahne says he chose that schedule to ease into Sprint Car racing this year, giving himself time to formulate what he wants to do in 2020.
There's not one race he's looking forward to more than the other. He's eager for them all. When the Texas races rained out in late February, Kahne says he was ready to race in the rain.
"I don't like racing in the rain, mud, and all that, but I was like let's do it, I'll race," Kahne says, grinning ear to ear.
In the quiet pit area, kneeling next to his car with a couple of crew guys leisurely working around it, Kahne says he knows the new atmosphere and traveling schedule will be a big adjustment.
"It's a different type of pressure," Kahne says. "There's so many differences to it. I'm not doing normal things each week I would normally be doing the last 15, 17 years. Everything is different week to week, day to day for what it's been in the past."
While 50 races are close to half of the World of Outlaws schedule, it's about a quarter longer than NASCAR's. There are weekday races, and doubleheader weekend races – sometimes at two different tracks, and sometimes in two different states.
Instead of large team debriefs, it's now just he and a few crew guys. Instead of hundreds of fans, a handful walk by on a race night, some just looking for a quick picture or handshake. And the media mostly is photographers looking for a picture.
"So, it's a much different day to day than what I've done for a long time," Kahne says. "I think as we go, I'll get more and more use to this and just really, really enjoy it."
To see Kahne take on the Outlaws this weekend (or any of the events on his schedule below), go to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix, or call 844-DIRT-TIX to reserve your seat.
Kasey Kahne's Remaining World of Outlaws schedule:
March 15 – Silver Dollar Speedway
March 16 – Stockton Dirt Track
May 10 – Eldora Speedway
May 11 – Eldora Speedway
May 15 – Lincoln Speedway
May 17 – Williams Grove Speedway
May 18 – Williams Grove Speedway
May 19 – Weedsport Speedway
May 21 – Bridgeport Speedway
May 24 – Dirt Track at Charlotte
May 25 – Dirt Track at Charlotte
May 31 – Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway
June 1 – Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway
June 4 – Fairbury American Legion Speedway
June 7 – River Cities Speedway
June 8 – Granite City Speedway
June 14 – Knoxville Raceway
June 15 – Knoxville Raceway
June 21 – Farley Speedway
June 22 – Beaver Dam Raceway
June 27 – Jackson Motorplex
June 28 – Jackson Motorplex
June 29 – Jackson Motorplex
July 3 – Brown County Speedway
July 5 – Cedar Lake Speedway
July 6 – Cedar Lake Speedway
July 16 – Attica Raceway Park
July 18 – Eldora Speedway
July 19 – Eldora Speedway
July 20 – Eldora Speedway
July 23 – Lernerville Speedway
Oct. 25 – Port Royal Speedway
Oct. 26 – Port Royal Speedway
Nov. 7 – Dirt Track at Charlotte
Nov. 8 – Dirt Track at Charlotte
Nov. 9 – Dirt Track at Charlotte
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
HOPEFUL HEALING... World of Outlaws 'California Fire Relief Tour' opening eyes to devastating wildfires
CHICO, CA – Racing is not the only focus of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series this weekend.
The Series' California Fire Relief Tour kicks off Friday at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif., and Saturday at Stockton Dirt Track in Stockton, Calif., in an effort to assist the thousands of Northern and Southern California residents still healing from last year's devastating wildfires.
From Silver Dollar Speedway on Friday, March 15, to Saturday, March 30, at Perris Auto Speedway, $1 of every ticket sold will be donated directly to California fire relief. Also, $5 from each Outlaws California Fire Relief Tour shirt sold will be donated to California fire relief, which helps those effected by the fire.
Many effected by the fire thought they'd return to a normal life, having lived through fires before.
Kyle Hirst, who won his first World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series race at Silver Dollar Speedway in 2017, heard what he thought was rain, not thinking the wildfire was near his Paradise, Calif., home. It wasn't rain. It was ash. He and his wife packed up what they needed and left with their daughter.
When they eventually returned, among the ashes of what were once homes, they were fortunate to be one of the lucky ones to return to a home. However, Hirst's shop behind the house was not as fortunate. Race suits, helmets, stacks of trophies, including from his win at Silver Dollar Speedway, and more gone. Now just a few pieces of burnt scrap metal.
He said fortunately for him, he races for Roth Motorsports, so he didn't have cars or too many tools in the shop when the fire came through. Just stacks of he and his dad's trophies. Years of memories he said he can no longer share with his kid.
But he still has a home to return to. Just not for a while, though, due to contaminated water in the area. For now, Hirst said he is able to rent a home from a friend. He plans to return, but knows it'll take months and years before the rubble of burned homes around his are cleaned up.
"I'll be outside playing with my daughter and this is what she'll see," Hirst said, pointing out the charred debris across the street from him.
The majority of the damage throughout Paradise, Calif., happened in the first 12 hours of the fire, according to firemen at the Chico Fire Department, who bravely battled the fire. They were donated tickets to Friday's race at Silver Dollar Speedway, and more tickets throughout the Tour will be donated to local firemen.
Fans unable to attend the races in California that would like to participate can purchase the Outlaws California Fire Relief Tour shirt online at store.worldofoutlaws.com and are able to purchase additional tickets to donate to local firemen at WorldofOutlaws.com/tix.
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
Home-field Advantage - California drivers eager to race at Silver Dollar Speedway, Stockton Dirt Track
CONCORD, N.C. – California natives conquered the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series' tour through the Golden State last year and are hoping to repeat that success going into this weekend's races at Silver Dollar Speedway and the Stockton Dirt Track.
Grass Valley, Calif. native Brad Sweet and St. Helena, Calif. native Rico Abreu found victory at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif., while Visala, Calif. native Cory Eliason claimed his first Series win at the Stockton Dirt Track in Stockton, Calif., last year.
For Sweet, it was his first win at the quarter-mile Chico track, but no matter if the win was in Chico or Stockton, he said it is always satisfying to win in front of family and friends.
"The biggest thing for me is I grew up here (in California) racing, so they're home tracks," Sweet said. "There's always something about where you learned and where you grew up racing that is special. You know, I hadn't had a lot of luck at Chico in the last few years, but last year I was able to get a win there, so I feel a little bit more confident going back there and excited."
Sweet started off Series' month-long swing through California strong with a top-five finish at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif, leaving him third in the Series' points standing – 42 points behind leader Daryn Pittman.
Abreu hasn't been as fortunate, unable to qualify for the Feature in Tulare. But like Sweet, he said he is looking forward to going back to Silver Dollar Speedway – a track he has won at twice now with the World of Outlaws. He also has one Series win at the 3/8-mile Stockton Dirt Track.
He cites the Chico and Stockton tracks as two of his most successful tracks, having grown up racing at them.
"I've ran probably the majority of my California races at those two tracks," Abreu said. "I've just made sure my cars are close every time we get there and where it puts the ball in my court where I can maneuver my car around. I like going to those tracks."
Eliason has had a solid start to the season, claiming three top-10s and two KSE Hard Charger awards in the first five races of the season, placing him fifth in points. He is coming off a seventh-place finish at Thunderbowl Raceway and hitting his stride just in time for his favorite part of the year.
"The whole California swing is (a confidence booster), just because that's where I grew up racing," Eliason said. "I think we finished inside the top-five every time we were in California last year, in the March and the September swings. There's a lot of confidence just being able to roll out here and know, even if it's not perfect, we can still make something of it just because of knowing the race tracks and being from around here."
Having raced, and won, at the tracks before, Eliason said that knowledge not only helps him, but his crew. He can confidently relay to his team what he needs in his car, making their job easier.
"Every race is hard with these (World of Outlaws) guys, but it should at least level the playing field back to normal with them, instead of going somewhere where we haven't been and they dominate instead of us," Eliason said.
Sweet said, for some drivers the California swing is hard traveling from the East Coast to the West Coast and missing their families. For the California drivers, they have the advantage of staying home with their family about every night throughout the swing.
"There's just something to be said about that," Sweet said. "I, obviously, love the beginning of the year West Coast swing."
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
WHEN & WHERE
Friday, March 15, at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif. and Saturday March 16, at the Stockton Dirt Track in Stockton, Calif.
For Silver Dollar Speedway, gates are scheduled to open at 3 p.m. with Time Trials at 6 p.m. and Racing will start at 7:30 p.m.
Stockton Dirt Track is on a Flex Schedule approach. Gates will open at 3 p.m. with Time Trials at 5 p.m. and Racing at 6 p.m. If the temperature rises, gates will still open at 3 p.m., but Time Trials will shift to 6 p.m. and Racing will start at 7 p.m.
ABOUT THE TRACK
Silver Dollar Speedway is a high-banked, quarter-mile oval. The track record is 10.918 sec. by Daryn Pittman on March 22, 2013.
Online – SilverDollarSpeedway.com
Phone – 916-969-7484
Tickets at WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or 844-DIRT-TIX.
Stockton Dirt Track is a semi-banked 3/8-mile oval. The track record is 12.566 by Donny Schatz on March 21, 2015.
Online – Stockton99.com
Phone – 209-466-9999
Tickets at WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or 844-DIRT-TIX.
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased by going to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
3/8-mile and 1/4-mile winners
This will be the first World of Outlaws Features this year on tracks that size.
SILVER DOLLAR SPEEDWAY PREVIOUS WINNERS
2018 – Brad Sweet on Sept. 7, Rico Abreu on Sept. 8
2017 - Kyle Hirst on Sept. 8, Shane Stewart on Sept.9
2016 - Donny Schatz on April 2, Shane Stewart on Sept. 9, Rico Abreu on Sept. 10
2015 - Donny Schatz on March 28, Shane Stewart on Sept. 11, Donny Schatz on Sept. 12
2014 - Carson Macedo on Sept. 5, Jonathan Allard on Sept. 6
2013 - Paul McMahan on March 23, Joey Saldana on Sept. 6, Jason Meyers on Sept. 7
2012 - Donny Schatz on March 23, Donny Schatz on Sept. 6, Sean Becker on Sept. 7, Kyle Larson on Sept. 8
2011 - Craig Dollansky on March 12, Paul McMahan on Sept. 9, Kyle Larson on Sept. 10
2010 - Jason Meyers on Sept. 11
2009 - Joey Saldana on March 13, Jason Meyers on March 14, Joey Saldana on Sept. 12
2008 - Jac Haudenschild on Sept. 6
2007 - Joey Saldana on Sept. 8
2006 - Daryn Pittman on Sept. 9
2005 - Steve Kinser on Sept. 10
2004 - Donny Schatz on Sept. 11
2003 - Steve Kinser on Sept. 6
2002 - Steve Kinser on Sept. 7
2001 - Mark Kinser on Sept. 8
2000 - Danny Lasoski on Sept. 16
1999 - Jac Haudenschild on Sept. 18
1998 - Jac Haudenschild on Sept. 19
1997 - Dave Blaney on Sept. 20
1996 - Jeff Swindell on Sept. 21
1995 - Andy Hillenburg on Sept. 16
1994 - Andy Hillenburg on Sept. 17
1993 - Stevie Smith on Sept. 18
1992 - Steve Kinser on March 13, Steve Kinser on Sept. 19
1991 - Brent Kaeding on March 16, Joe Gaerte on Sept. 14
1990 - Bobby Davis, Jr., on March 11, Steve Kinser on Sept. 15
1989 - Jac Haudenschild on March 11, Darrell Hanestad on Sept. 20
1988 - Jimmy Sills on March 5, Steve Kinser on Sept. 17
1987 - Jac Haudenschild on March 7, Steve Kinser on Sept. 19
1986 - Steve Kinser on Sept. 21
1985 - Danny Smith on Sept. 21
1984 - Steve Kinser on Sept. 22
1983 - Steve Kinser on Sept. 24
STOCKTON DIRT TRACK PREVIOUS WINNERS
2018 – Cory Eliason on March 17
2017 - Brad Sweet on March 25
2016 - Donny Schatz on March 18, Donny Schatz on March 19
2015 - Donny Schatz on March 21, Rico Abreu on March 22
2014 - Kerry Madsen on March 22
2013 - Kyle Larson on March 22
ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series – Woosprint.com
Twitter – Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws - @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOSprint - @woosprint
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws
YouTube – YouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – Dirtvision.com – Get your Fast Pass to watch all races LIVE for only $39/month
Twitter – Twitter.com/DIRTVision - @DIRTVision
Facebook – Facebook.com/WatchDIRTVision
DRIVER INFO
Follow World of Outlaws full-time drivers on Twitter:
Brad Sweet – @BradSweet49
Brent Marks – @bmracing19
Carson Macedo – @carson_macedo
Daryn Pittman – @darynpittman
Donny Schatz – @donnyschatz
Ian Madsen – @IanMadsen
Jacob Allen – @JacobAllen1A
Jason Sides – SidesMotorsports.com (not on Twitter)
Kraig Kinser – @KraigKinser11k
Logan Schuchart – @Lschuchart1s
Shane Stewart – @shanestewart_5
Sheldon Haudenschild – @Haudenschild_17
AROUND THE TURN: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series heads to Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, Calif. on Friday March 22, and then to the Placerville Speedway in Placerville, Calif. on Saturday March 23.
2019 STATS
There have been four World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Feature events this season.
FEATURE WINNERS (4 drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 2
2 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
HEAT RACE WINNERS (13 different winners)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 3
– Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 3
2 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 2
3 – Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
– Spencer Bayston, Lebanon, Ind. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Giovanni Scelzi, Fresno, Calif. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Jason Sides, Bartlett, Tenn. – 1
– Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, Calif. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
DIRTVISION FAST PASS DASH WINNERS (5 different drivers)
1 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (5 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Cale Conley, Vienna, W. Va. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 1
PODIUM FINISHES (8 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of podiums
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 4
2 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 3
3 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 2
4 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
HARD CHARGER AWARD (4 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C. Awards
1 – Cory Eliason, Santa Cruz, Calif. – 2
2 – David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Chad Kemenah, Alveda, Ohio – 1
TOTAL LAPS LED (6 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 36
2 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 35
3 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 30
4 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 25
5 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 15
6 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 14
POLE POSITIONS (4 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Poles
1 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 2
2 – Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, Ind. – 1
– Jacob Allen, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
FASTEST IN PRACTICE (4 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of times fastest
1 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 2
2 – Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
2019 World of Outlaws Schedule & Winners
No./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Friday, Feb. 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (1)
2. Saturday, Feb. 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (2)
3. Sunday, Feb. 10 / Volusia Speedway Park/ Baberville, Fla. / Rainout-Canceled
4. Friday, Feb. 22 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
5. Saturday, Feb. 23 / LoneStar Speedway / Kilgore, Texas / Rainout-Canceled
6. Wednesday, Feb. 27 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Tim Shaffer (1)
7. Thursday, Feb. 28 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Donny Schatz (1)
8. Friday, March 8 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Rainout-Canceled
9. Saturday, March 9 / Thunderbowl Raceway / Tulare, Calif. / Ian Madsen (1)
Madsen Dominates World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars in Tulare
TULARE, CA – March 9 – Last year's World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Ian Madsen claims one of his weak points has been short tracks.
Not anymore.
The Australian won everything there was to win at the third-mile Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif., Saturday night. Not even a couple of rain showers could slow him down.
His team has been working hard to get the KCP Racing car better on the California short tracks, and "it showed tonight," said Madsen, as he earned his first victory of the season with championship leader Daryn Pittman second and Sheldon Haudenschild in third.
Madsen, who hails from St. Mary's, NSW, Australia, started the night fastest in practice — three tenths faster than second fastest Donny Schatz. He followed that up by claiming his second pole of the season.
Then he dominated the first Heat race of the night, crossing the line about one second ahead of second place Tim Kaeding. That led to him being the first driver to draw for the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash and leaving seven other drivers disappointed by drawing the pole.
A heavy rain shower lingered over the track for about 15 minutes in between Madsen's Heat and the Dash. It only made him faster. Again, in dominating fashion, he led every lap of the Dash, this time finishing close to two seconds ahead of second-place Pittman.
While he already dominated everything up to the Feature, Madsen showed his true speed in the final 35 laps of the night. He pulled away to an early lead, but "The Steel City Outlaw" Tim Shaffer showed muscle early on, keeping pace with Madsen. It didn't last though.
By lap 10, Pittman slid his way underneath Shaffer for second and began to hunt Madsen. Pittman, coming off a heartbreaking runner-up finish in Las Vegas, looked to be the only driver all night who could contend with Madsen. While Madsen battled lap traffic, Pittman closed the gap between them to about a couple of car lengths.
And that was as close as he was going to get to the #18's bumper. Madsen found his rhythm in lap traffic, pulling away to about a four second lead over Pittman, whose #83 Roth Motorsports car was able to close on Madsen again, but only to a second-and-a-half gap.
"Ian was good. We just got beat," said Pittman, of Owasso, Okla. "I liked the track conditions before it rained, but it is what it is."
Like Madsen, Pittman was unsure how he would perform at the Tulare short track, coming off strong performances at half-mile speedways.
"We were kind of curious how our car was going to shake out at a smaller place," he said. "We kind of got both spectrums there of super dry early in the night and pretty wet after the rain and the car was really good."
Both Madsen and Pittman drive a KPC Chassis, which is located nearby in Fresno, Calif.
Aside from leading every lap, Madsen's dominance was showcased by him lapping the field up to 11th-place and catching 10th-place Donny Schatz toward the end of the race.
"It was just unreal," Madsen said in almost disbelief, standing on the front stretch podium. "To get the clean sweep tonight is pretty awesome."
Madsen's best finish at Thunderbowl Raceway had been 12th. Of his previous three wins, the smallest track he had won at is the 3/8th-mile Deer Creek Speedway in Minnesota.
"I feel like we've been working hard toward this for the last two years," Madsen said. "It's really good to see some good results pay off."
While Pittman finished second, he said he won't hang his head on the finish. He continues to lead the Series' championship standings over second-place Donny Schatz — adding 16 points to his cushion between the 10-time Series champion. This is the first time in the storied history of the California-based Roth Motorsports team it continues to lead the points through the Series month-long California swing.
The Series continues its trek through California next weekend on Friday, March 15, at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif., and March 16 at the Stockton Dirt Track in Stockton, Calif.
Even though Madsen began the California tour dominating Thunderbowl Raceway, to him there is still a question on how he'll perform at the upcoming races.
"We ran good at Stockton last year and Chico we've been hit or miss, so we'll see what happens," Madsen said. "Hopefully we can keep it (momentum) going through the Cali-swing."
As always, you can catch all the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action on DIRTVision.com.
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Race Report
NOS Energy Drink Feature (35 Laps) — 1. 18-Ian Madsen [1][$10,000]; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman [2][$5,500]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$2,800]; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer [3][$2,500]; 6. 5-Shane Stewart [10][$2,300]; 7. 26-Cory Eliason [11][$2,200]; 8. 2-Carson Macedo [7][$2,100]; 9. 87-Aaron Reutzel [14][$2,050]; 10. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$2,000]; 11. O-Bud Kaeding [15][$1,500]; 12. 41-David Gravel [12][$1,200]; 13. 9-Kasey Kahne [8][$1,100]; 14. 4-Terry McCarl [16][$1,050]; 15. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [22][$1,000]; 16. 45-Chad Kemenah [24][$900]; 17. 68-Chase Johnson [17][$800]; 18. 19-Brent Marks [20][$800]; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25][$]; 20. 7S-Tim Kaeding [6][$800]; 21. 17W-Shane Golobic [13][$800]; 22. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi [23][$800]; 23. 88N-DJ Netto [19][$800]; 24. 11K-Kraig Kinser [21][$800]; 25. 16A-Colby Copeland [18][$800]; Lap Leaders: Ian Madsen 1-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 45-Chad Kemenah[+8]
Qualifying — 1. 18-Ian Madsen, 14.404; 2. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.467; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 14.488; 4. 2-Carson Macedo, 14.532; 5. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.532; 6. 83-Daryn Pittman, 14.539; 7. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.559; 8. 9-Kasey Kahne, 14.561; 9. 7S-Tim Kaeding, 14.571; 10. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 14.572; 11. 26-Cory Eliason, 14.575; 12. 41-David Gravel, 14.576; 13. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 14.592; 14. 5-Shane Stewart, 14.605; 15. O-Bud Kaeding, 14.61; 16. 4-Terry McCarl, 14.612; 17. 17W-Shane Golobic, 14.613; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.663; 19. 88N-DJ Netto, 14.667; 20. 19-Brent Marks, 14.675; 21. 83JR-Giovanni Scelzi, 14.714; 22. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.715; 23. 45-Chad Kemenah, 14.775; 24. 71P-Parker Price-Miller, 14.777; 25. 24-Rico Abreu, 14.835; 26. 7-Jason Sides, 14.913; 27. 33M-Mason Daniel, 14.93; 28. 29-Willie Croft, 14.964; 29. 68-Chase Johnson, 15.054; 30. 16A-Colby Copeland, 15.067; 31. 21-Brian Brown, 15.128; 32. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 15.18; 33. 1A-Jacob Allen, 15.187
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
World of Outlaws Racers See Positives in Competing with NASCAR Drivers
CONCORD, N.C. – Peanut butter and jelly. Movies and popcorn. Jimmie Johnson and Chad Knaus ... well, maybe not that last one.
But World of Outlaws and NASCAR?
Even though three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart won a World of Outlaws crown with Danny Lasoski in 2001 and a truckload of titles and trophies with Donny Schatz, the two series being mentioned in the same sentence has become more commonplace of late. Most recently with the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and NASCAR K&N Pro Series West being paired together for the first time at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas.
The race drew a crowd of thousands, a larger media presence and NASCAR drivers. Some drivers were in the stands watching, and a few in the Sprint Car race themselves. Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson and retired NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne joined the stars of the World of Outlaws for the doubleheader race at the Las Vegas Dirt Track last week and will continue to compete periodically with the Series throughout the season.
When the NASCAR stars join the Series, the media spotlight is usually turned on them for the night. But that's not an issue to some of the Series regulars.
"I don't mind it at all," said Series veteran Kraig Kinser, the 2005 Knoxville Nationals champion and son of Steve Kinser, the legendary King of the Outlaws. "The exposure they (NASCAR drivers) bring is always a plus. Anything that can highlight our Sprint Car racing is always a positive."
From a veteran to a rookie, the opinion stays the same. Rookie contender Carson Macedo, who drives for Kyle Larson Racing, enjoys when his boss and others come to race with the World of Outlaws.
"I love it," Macedo said. "I always said if you want to be the best, you got to race with the best. And those guys are proven to be some of the best in the world. That's what's unique about racing in the World of Outlaws, you never know who is going to show up to give you a run for your money every night."
Bell, Kahne and Larson grew up racing Sprint Cars. It's what they love, and they take every opportunity they get to drive one.
"I just love Sprint Car racing in general," Larson said. "To me the Outlaws are the toughest series to race with, that's why I really like competing with them. I hit a lot of different races, but I always have the most fun racing the Outlaw stuff."
Kahne, who like Larson owns a World of Outlaws Sprint Car team, said he became enamored with Sprint Cars at a young age and never lost that passion. Even during his years in NASCAR when he wasn't able to run many Sprint Car races. Through his Kasey Kahne Racing team, and watching the races on DIRTVision, he said he always stayed connected to it. He's enjoyed watching his team's accomplishments, such as winning the 2013 World of Outlaws championship and 2018 Knoxville Nationals crown.
This year Kahne is scheduled to run about 50 Sprint Car races. Bell is hoping to do about 20 to 25. And Larson sneaks in Sprint Car races to his schedule whenever he can.
"I just hit whatever is available," Larson said. "I don't have many days throughout the year that I can go race."
Larson and Bell both stated while there may not be much of a comparison between a Stock Car and a Sprint Car, more seat time never hurts.
"The biggest thing for me is, the way I get better is by racing cars," Bell said. "If I'm sitting on the couch, I'm not becoming a better race car driver."
Larson echoed Bell saying, anytime he gets to race, he feels like he becomes a better driver.
"It's why I try to run a lot," Larson said.
Kinser said it is nice to be able to race with the NASCAR drivers while they're in the peak of their career. And while they bring a lot of positive exposure to the sport, he said the Series is full of diehard fans that fill the stands most nights.
Unlike some other forms of motorsports, Kinser said World of Outlaws drivers are easily accessible to the fans right at their trailer.
"A lot of older fans know you can come down into the pit area afterwards, a lot of newer ones don't realize that," Kinser said. "It's always nice to speak with the fans and get face time with them. That's a positive for our sport, too."
When Bell, Kahne or Larson attend a Series race, they're just as accessible as Kinser or Macedo, making the World of Outlaws and NASCAR a favorable combination, like peanut butter and jelly or movies and popcorn.
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Sprint Cars continue their West Coast Spring Break Tour this weekend at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif., before heading north to Silver Dollar Speedway on Friday March 15 in Chico, Calif., and Saturday, March 16 in Stockton, Calif.
The next time the World of Outlaws and NASCAR intersect will be during Memorial Day Weekend, when the inaugural two-day World of Outlaws Patriot Nationals takes over The Dirt Track at Charlotte during the nights on May 24-25 while NASCAR runs its Coca-Cola 600 events during the day at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
Kyle Larson's Rookie Macedo Taking Aim at His Native California Bullrings
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Sprint Cars Begin March Through Golden State on Friday
CONCORD, N.C. — March 4, 2019 — World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series champions Daryn Pittman and Donny Schatz have solidified themselves as early favorites this season, winning three of the four races this year combined. But a new favorite may emerge during this month's California swing.
Rookie contender, and Lemoore, Calif. native, Carson Macedo has put together an impressive start to the season with his Kyle Larson Racing team, claiming three top-10 finishes and two Heat wins in the first four races.
While he's found speed on the bigger half-mile tracks of Volusia Speedway Park and The Dirt Track at Las Vegas, he's most comfortable on short tracks — like the ones he grew up racing on in California.
"My whole life I feel like I've been better on the short tracks than the big tracks," said Macedo, 22. "Lately over the past couple of years I've been able to be a little bit better on those (bigger) tracks to try and carry that balance. When you race with the World of Outlaws, you've got to be good everywhere."
Going home to tracks he grew up racing on also adds another level of confidence.
"You know what to expect, and how the race tracks are going to change," Macedo said. "A lot of the time, for me, going to a track I'm comfortable at, it's usually a huge advantage, because you're usually a little bit quicker right out of the gate."
He used that extra level of confidence to his advantage in 2014 when he won his first World of Outlaws race at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif. — a track the Series will return to this year on March 15, and again later in the year Sept. 6-7.
Macedo is still looking for his second Series win, having mostly raced with the All Star Circuit of Champions the last couple of years. And while he's won at Silver Dollar Speedway before, Macedo said he is most looking forward to going to Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif. — the next track on the Series' schedule March 8-9.
"It's probably the track I've gotten along with the most," said Macedo, who finished fifth at the track last year. "The past few years it seems like I've always been able to put together some good runs there."
To Macedo, Thunderbowl Raceway's best characteristic is the cushion builds up along the fence, allowing drivers to enter and drive through the turns aggressively.
Aggressiveness is a trait Macedo's car owner, Kyle Larson said he sees in the rookie.
"He's fun to watch," Larson said. "I think he'll have a good season (being paired with experienced crew chief Joe Gaerte)."
Macedo said he is looking forward to getting to the familiar California tracks and continue his early season success, which has currently left him sixth in the Series championship standings.
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
WHEN & WHERE
Friday, March 8, and Saturday, March 9, at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif. Gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. with Hot Laps starting at 5 p.m., Time Trials at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.
ABOUT THE TRACK
Thunderbowl Raceway is a high-banked, 1/3-mile oval. The track record is 12.582 sec. by Brad Sweet on March 13, 2015.
Online – ThunderbowlRaceway.com
Phone – 559-688-0909
TICKETS
Tickets for Thunderbowl Raceway are available by calling the track at 559-688-0909. Tickets for the rest of the events on the California swing can be purchased by going to WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX.
1/3-MILE WINNERS
This will be the first World of Outlaws Feature on a track that size this year.
PREVIOUS TRACK WINNERS
2018 – Aaron Reutzel on March 9
2017 - David Gravel on March 17, Donny Schatz on March 18
2016 - David Gravel on March 12
2015 - Tim Kaeding on March 13, Rico Abreu on March 14
2014 - Daryn Pittman on March 14, Rico Abreu on March 15
2013 - Tim Kaeding on March 15, Craig Dollansky on March 16
2012 - Tim Kaeding on March 16
2011 - Joey Saldana on March 19
2010 - Jason Meyers on March 5, Joey Saldana on March 6
2009 - Randy Hannagan on March 20, Joey Saldana on March 21
2008 - Jac Haudenschild on Oct. 18
2007 - Joey Saldana on Feb. 23, Tim Kaeding on Feb. 24, Donny Schatz on Oct. 13
2005 - Tim Shaffer on Feb. 25, Sammy Swindell on Oct. 15
2004 - Terry McCarl on Nov. 1
2003 - Steve Kinser on Sept. 2
ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series – Woosprint.com
Twitter – Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws - @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOSprint - @woosprint
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws
YouTube – YouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – Dirtvision.com – Get your Fast Pass to watch all races LIVE for only $39/month
Twitter – Twitter.com/DiRTVision - @DIRTVision
Facebook – Facebook.com/WatchDIRTVision
DRIVER INFO
Follow World of Outlaws full-time drivers on Twitter:
Brad Sweet – @BradSweet4
Brent Marks – @BrentMarks19
Carson Macedo – @carson_macedo
Daryn Pittman – @darynpittman
Donny Schatz – @donnyschatz
Ian Madsen – @IanMadsen
Jacob Allen – @JacobAllen1A
Jason Sides – SidesMotorsports.com (not on Twitter)
Kraig Kinser – @KraigKinser11k
Logan Schuchart – @Lschuchart1s
Shane Stewart – @shanestewart_5
Sheldon Haudenschild – @Haudenschild_17
AROUND THE TURN: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series heads to Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif. on Friday March 15, and then to the Stockton Dirt Track in Stockton, Calif. on Saturday March 16.
2019 STATS
There have been four World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Feature events this season.
FEATURE WINNERS (3 drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 2
2 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
HEAT RACE WINNERS (12 different winners)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 3
2 – Carson Macedo, Lemoore, Calif. – 2
3 – Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, Calif. – 1
– Spencer Bayston, Lebanon, Ind. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Giovanni Scelzi, Fresno, Calif. – 1
– Aaron Reutzel, Clute, Texas – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Jason Sides, Bartlett, Tenn. – 1
– Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, Calif. – 1
DIRTVISION FAST PASS DASH WINNERS (4 different drivers)
1 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 1
LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (4 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Wins
1 – Cale Conley, Vienna, W. Va. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, Wash. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
PODIUM FINISHES (6 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of podiums
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 3
– Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 3
2 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 2
3 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 1
– Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 1
– Tim Kaeding, San Jose, Calif. -1
HARD CHARGER AWARD (3 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C. Awards
1 – Cory Eliason, Santa Cruz, Calif. – 2
2 – David Gravel, Watertown, Conn. – 1
– Logan Schuchart, Hanover, Pa. – 1
TOTAL LAPS LED (5 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps
1 – Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 36
2 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 30
3 – Christopher Bell, Norman, Okla. – 25
4 – Shane Stewart, Bixby, Okla. – 15
5 – Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. – 14
POLE POSITIONS (4 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Poles
1 – Ian Madsen, St. Mary's, NSW, Australia – 1
– Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, Ind. – 1
– Jacob Allen, Hanover, Pa. – 1
– Daryn Pittman, Owasso, Okla. – 1
FASTEST IN PRACTICE (3 different drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown - # of times fastest
1 – Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, Pa. – 2
2 – Brian Brown, Higginsville, Mo. – 1
– Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, Ohio – 1
2019 World of Outlaws Schedule & Winners
No./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Friday, Feb. 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (1)
2. Saturday, Feb. 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, Fla. / Daryn Pittman (2)
3. Sunday, Feb. 10 / Volusia Speedway Park/ Baberville, Fla. / Canceled
4. Friday, Feb. 22 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, Texas / Canceled
5. Saturday, Feb. 23 / LoneStar Speedway / Kilgore, Texas / Canceled
6. Wednesday, Feb. 27 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Tim Shaffer (1)
7. Thursday, Feb. 28 / The Dirt Track at Las Vegas / Las Vegas, Nev. / Donny Schatz (1)
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
Schatz defies odds in Sin City
LAS VEGAS, NV – Feb. 28, 2019 – The final night of racing at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas was Donny Schatz's to lose. He was hundredths of a second away from winning his Heat race, he won the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash, and he pulled away with the lead at the start of the Feature in front of thousands that came to see a historic night of racing that paired the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West.
But on lap 14 he lost it. Series points leader Daryn Pittman had inched closer and closer to Schatz every lap, eventually finding grip in the middle of the track and darting by him.
He stretched the lead of the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown presented Star Nursery between he and Schatz to about a straightaway's length. Even with multiple cautions, and an Open Red, allowing teams to refuel their car, Pittman never fluttered, always knowing where to find grip on the rubbered down track, gradually moving from the top of the track at the beginning of the race to the bottom of the track by the end. The race was then his to lose.
And on the final lap of the race, he lost it. Blocked by a slower lap car – a situation Pittman used to his advantage to win his first race of the season – Schatz took advantage of a clear opening on the high side of the track to get his Tony Stewart Racing car back by Pittman and then held him off to claim a victory he thought he lost.
"I didn't think we'd get him (Pittman)," said 10-time Series Champion Schatz. "But we hit traffic on the last corner. He went there (low), and I was going the other place. It was either win it or wear it, and lucky we won it."
Lady Luck was good to Schatz. Not only did he find luck in lap traffic, he found luck in his tires holding on until the end of the 30-lap Feature, extended by multiple cautions – as his right rear tire could have been mistaken for a slick stock car tire by the end of the race. Pittman cited drivers' fear of blowing a tire is why he caught lap traffic in five laps after a late race caution, leading to him losing the race.
"We were lapping really good cars. The problem was everybody's pace was off, because I think everybody was afraid of blowing tires," Pittman said. "They were just going slower than I thought they would. Honestly if I could have replayed it, I probably would have just slowed down from the time we went green with five to go."
However, Pittman acknowledged he couldn't slow down too much because Schatz "will blow his tire trying to win a race and not think twice about it."
The victory is Schatz's 13th win at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas and his 284th World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series victory. He went winless in the first three races of the season for the first time since 2013 – a stat he laughed off, but is glad to get past.
"I went three races without a win. Holy hell, I'm glad we're over that hump," Schatz said.
Looking to spoil the Schatz and Pittman battle for the lead, which ended with a 0.071-sec. gap, was third place finisher Logan Schuchart. He quietly worked his way through the field, from 10th, getting to third by lap 13. He stalked the two Series champions throughout the race, staying close enough to pounce if one bobbled, but neither did.
"I thought I might have a shot right there at the end with both of them," Schuchart said. "But these guys are World of Outlaws champions. They're going to be tough to beat and they're not going to make many mistakes."
He too was worried about his tires at the end of the race, stating he slowed his pace a little to not blow one.
Tires plagued Cory Eliason's night with his right rear tire blowing in the closing laps of the race, but he still managed to be the KSE Hard Charger for the second night in a row. He finished 13th after starting 24th.
While Schatz claimed the victory at the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown, Pittman remains the points leader – by just four points over Schatz.
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series actions resumes March 8-9 at ThunderbowlRaceway in Tulare, CA. As always, you can catch all the action on DIRTVision.com.
Historic wins
Donny Schatz's last lap pass to claim his 284th win came on an historic night for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Car Series. For the first time, the World of Outlaws and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West were paired together for a thrilling night of racing at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas.
It was an event that drew a crowd of thousands in the stands and attracted a wide range of media attention.
"I'm glad to see a lot of the NASCAR fans here," Schatz said. "We met a lot of NASCAR people the last couple of days, people who have never seen a Sprint Car before. So hopefully it opens their eyes to new things."
Echoing the heart-pounding finish to the World of Outlaws race, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West put on an equally exciting show, with rising NASCAR star Hailie Deegan making a last lap pass for the win in the 100-lap Star Nursery 100. While the 17-year-old is paving a bright future for herself in NASCAR, she couldn't help but be drawn to the "gnarly" Sprint Cars.
"It's sick," Deegan said about NASCAR racing with the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars. "At Volusia (Speedway Park) was the first time I saw Outlaw racing, and man, I wanted to get into a car so bad... I think coming out here with the Sprint Cars definitely made for a good show."
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
Lady Luck on Shaffer's side in Vegas
LAS VEGAS, NV – Feb. 27, 2019 – Tim Shaffer was in route to a dominating performance at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas for the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown presented by Star Nursery, leading every lap, but with five laps to go worry set in.
He could hear his motor sputtering. There was no doubt in his mind he was going to run out of fuel, with Giovanni Scelzi and Tim Kaeding – who made their first World of Outlaws appearance this season – breathing down his neck for the lead.
"I knew the laps had to be getting close," Shaffer said, as the 30-lap Feature saw eight cautions by lap 26.
After multiple attempts of restarting the race on lap 26, Series officials called for an Open Red, stopping the cars on the front stretch and allowing the teams to refuel their cars.
"Everything worked out, the cautions, the red flag," Shaffer said. "It was our night."
After the cars were refueled, and the race went back to green on lap 26, Shaffer acted like nothing changed, commanding the lead once again all the way to victory lane – claiming his 26th World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series win and his fourth win at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas.
While everything worked in Shaffer's favor, Fresno, Calif. native Giovanni Scelzi was not as fortunate. After falling to fourth, from third, at the beginning of the race, he worked his way to second place by lap 10 and began closing in on Shaffer while he entered lap traffic. Scelzi in the #83JR for Roth Motorsports never let Shaffer out of his sight in the closing laps of the race. He even stole the lead from him on one of the restart attempts on lap 26, but a caution was thrown before the field could complete at lap, putting him back in second place.
Once the field took the green flag, after stopping to refuel, Scelzi stayed on pace with Shaffer until entering turns three and four too aggressively, hitting the cushion and falling back two positions.
"I blistered my tires really, and kind of just overdrove the car and made some mistakes," Scelzi said. "But first night in this car, it's a good start with a top five."
Roth Motorsports has had a strong start to the season with Daryn Pittman winning the two season opening races at Volusia Speedway Park – also resulting in his third DIRTcar Nationals championship and Roth Motorsport's first. Pittman finished seventh, maintaining his points lead from Florida, now eight points ahead of second place Donny Schatz.
Schatz also had a strong run coming from 11th to third – his second podium finish in three races.
"That's the best we could do there," Schatz said. "We're gaining on things and feeling a little bit better."
Like Schatz, Kaeding had to climb his way through the field, finishing second after starting 10th. When Shaffer entered lapped traffic, you could throw a blanket over he, Scelzi and Kaeding. While Scelzi stocked Shaffer, Kaeding in his Sides Motorsports car was close behind stocking them both.
After Scelzi bounced off the cushion, the 21-time Series winner capitalized on the opportunity, darting by the black #83JR to take second place. With a clear track in front of him he could focus on hunting down Shaffer. The only problem was Shaffer had mastered the high line of the track, keeping more than a second between himself and Kaeding by the end of the race.
"I think we just ran out of time," Kaeding said "Right before that red flag came out, I knew something was wrong, he might run out of fuel."
Understanding how to drive the Las Vegas track was key to winning, Shaffer said.
"It's a tricky track," Shaffer said. "It's demanding. You know, you've got to be on your game. This place is so tough. You've got to be good in the slick to get to the tacky (spots). When your car is evil here, it's a handful."
He credits his team for giving him a good handling car that could handle the track conditions.
While Shaffer has more than 20 wins, and has raced with the Series for several years, beating the star-studded field of World of Outlaws drivers is still special to him.
"It's just awesome to be competing with them (the Outlaws)," Shaffer said. "To come here and win this deal is pretty awesome."
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action at the DIRTcar Nationals resumes tomorrow at The DIRT Track at Las Vegas. As always, you can catch all the action from the Nationals and the World of Outlaws on DIRTVision.com.
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit- World of Outlaws woosprint.com
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Sprint Cars Shift Placerville Event to Saturday, March 23
'The Greatest Show on Dirt' invades Golden State for entire month of March
CONCORD, NC – Feb. 18, 2019 – The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will make California its home in March, competing on eight nights at seven different Golden State tracks throughout the month. Among those is the 49er Gold Rush Classic presented by Riebes NAPA at Placerville Speedway, which will now be on Saturday, March 23.
The Series will commence its West Coast tour – featuring some of the toughest local competition the Outlaws see all season – March 8 at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif., and will cap the run off on March 30 at Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, Calif.
Brad Sweet, a native of Grass Valley, Calif., will aim to hold off the competition in his home state to add to his win list. However, Series points leader Daryn Pittman and 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz won't make it easy, with strong runs to open the season in Florida.
Last year, Sweet won at Placerville Speedway after a tight race-long battle with Rico Abreu. The Series will return to the high-octane quarter-mile oval this year on the new date.
"We have had great crowds and support at Placerville and we want to keep it growing," Sweet said. "Our goal is to keep making this event bigger and bigger as time goes on."
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are also returning to the Mini Gold Cup at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, and Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds in Hanford. The Series last visited the Hanford track in 2017, when Logan Schuchart scored the win.
Last March in California was a success for first-time winners.
Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare saw a fierce battle between the No. 87 of Aaron Reutzel and the No. 83 of Cory Eliason, as the two traded the lead for several laps with both in search of their first Series win. With four laps to go, Reutzel was able to overpower Eliason and make his first trip to victory lane.
Eliason had his day in the sun just a couple of weeks later, commanding the Stockton Dirt Track race from start to finish. No one had anything for the California-native as he become the second driver that month to earn his first Series win.
Tickets are now on sale for all West Coast swing races at WorldofOutlaws.com/tix or by calling 844-DIRT-TIX. For the races at Thunderbowl Raceway call 559-688-0909.
A portion of proceeds from tickets and a special t-shirt will benefit the California Fire Foundation as the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Sprint Cars looked for ways to give back to those affected by California wildfires over the winter.
California Spring Break Tour
March 8 – Thunderbowl Raceway, Tulare, Calif.
March 9 – Thunderbowl Raceway, Tulare, Calif.
March 15 – Silver Dollar Speedway, Chico, Calif.
March 16 – Stockton Dirt Track, Stockton, Calif.
March 22 – Ocean Speedway, Watsonville, Calif.
March 23 – Placerville Speedway, Placerville, Calif.
March 29 – Keller Auto Speedway at Kings Fairgrounds, Hanford, Calif.
March 30 – Perris Auto Speedway, Perris, Calif.
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Pittman Claims Third Golden Gator
BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 10, 2019 – Mother Nature put a halt to Daryn Pittman's quest for three wins in a row at Volusia Speedway Park, canceling Sunday's Sprint Car event, but handed him his third DIRTcar Nationals championship. And the first for his new Roth Motorsports team.
"To do it with a different team makes it that much more special," Pittman said about getting another golden gator. "For us to come out here and be as fast and consistent every time we hit the track just speaks volumes for the guys working on this team."
Pittman won two thrilling shows during Friday and Saturday nights' World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series race at Volusia and finished on the podium during the Tuesday and Wednesday night Ollie's Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions Presented by Mobil 1 races. His consistency gave him a 28-point lead over Brad Sweet coming into Sunday night's race, and now his third DIRTcar Nationals championship – his two previous were in 2013 and 2015.
Last year, in his No. 9 Kasey Kahne Racing ride, Pittman never cracked the top-11 during the three Volusia Speedway Park DIRTcar Nationals races.
"To be able to bounce back this year and dominate the way that we did, by being the most consistent car every night, is pretty good redemption for myself, personally," Pittman said. "There were a lot of questions about my move and changing teams, and you want to get off to a strong start. We'll see what the rest of the year holds."
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will trek forward with the schedule to Texas Friday Feb. 22 at Cotton Bowl Speedway and Saturday Feb. 23 at LoneStar Speedway for the East Texas Lonestar Shootout. As always, you can catch all the action from the DIRTcar Nationals and the World of Outlaws on DIRTVision.com.
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit to the World of Outlaws woosprint.com.
Pittman Goes Two-for-Two at Volusia Speedway Park's DIRTcar Nationals
BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 9, 2019 – One of Daryn Pittman's favorite drivers growing up was Stevie Smith. By capturing his 83rd win – in the 83 car – during the second night of World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series at the DIRTcar Nationals he is now just one win away from tying his childhood hero.
"Just that number (83 wins) to me is pretty staggering," Pittman said after winning his second race in a row at Volusia Speedway Park. To him, it's surreal he would ever get close to Smith's record.
He cruised to win number 82 Friday night, making each pass with ease on the bottom of the track. Win 83 wasn't as easy. NASCAR Xfinity Series star Christopher Bell made sure of it.
Bell pulled to the lead at the start of the race and held it until lap 18 when Pittman's quest for the top spot finally reached the No. 39 Swindell SpeedLab car. The two traded the lead five times – three times in the last five laps.
By the time Bell and Pittman began battling for the lead, lapped traffic came into play. The slower cars worked in Pittman's favor Friday night, as leader Shane Stewart got hung up behind one, allowing Pittman to shoot by.
They weren't an issue for Bell, maneuvering around them like an obstacle course he designed. If Pittman wanted the win, he had to outpower Bell without help.
Pittman was able to make the bottom of the track work for him early, clearing Bell on lap 19. But Bell fought back, reclaiming the lead just a lap later. Pittman was forced to regroup and try another method of catching Bell and getting back by him.
It took six laps to do so, using the high side and middle of the track as his path back to Bell's bumper. Pittman was able to again clear him for the lead, but Bell was resilient, throwing his car to the bottom of turn one and again reclaiming the lead.
After trading slide jobs in the last five laps of the race, by lap 28 the No. 83 Roth Motorsports car finally found enough grip on the high side of turns one and two to clear Bell and pull away. However, he didn't know he created gap between himself and Bell.
"As a driver I felt like once I got the lead that should have been the end of it, because I felt like my car was better, so once I gave it back, I thought I might be in trouble," Pittman said. "Honestly I thought he passed me back on the last lap. I thought I gave the race away because I completely missed the bottom on the white flag lap, and I guess it was a lapped car."
While Bell is happy with the speed he's shown this week, finishing third in Friday's Feature and winning Saturday night's DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash, he's left wondering what he could have done better.
"Most of the time, I feel like in winged cars, especially on half miles, you get beat in lapped traffic," Bell said. "In this scenario, I didn't really get beat in lap traffic. He (Pittman) was obviously better than me, somehow, some way, so just go back and watch what he was doing to make up time on me. It sucks because most of the time you don't get beat in an open track like that."
Pittman credits some of the early success his team has shown to the ideas his Crew Chief Brent Ventura has provided, and that he has more say with adjustments than he did with the No. 9 Kasey Kahne Racing car. While he is coming off two wins in a row, Pittman is not taking his latest wins for granted.
"Every win is special," Pittman said. "Eighty-two is great. Eighty-three is awesome. You never know when your last one is going to be. We'll enjoy this one, and hopefully we have a lot more left in us."
If he wins the Series' finale to the DIRTcar Nationals Sunday, not only will he claim his third DIRTcar Nationals championship, he'll tie his childhood hero, Stevie Smith.
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will wrap up its DIRTcar Nationals championship tomorrow at Volusia Speedway Park. As always, you can catch all the action from the DIRTcar Nationals and the World of Outlaws on DIRTVision.com.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps): 1. 83-Daryn Pittman [3][$10,000]; 2. 39-Christopher Bell [1][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [7][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$2,800]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [2][$2,500]; 6. 41-David Gravel [15][$2,300]; 7. 87-Aaron Reutzel [8][$2,200]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$2,100]; 9. 7S-Jason Sides [9][$2,050]; 10. 2-Carson Macedo [6][$2,000]; 11. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [10][$1,500]; 12. 49X-Tim Shaffer [13][$1,200]; 13. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [12][$1,100]; 14. 26-Cory Eliason [14][$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18][$1,000]; 16. 71-Parker Price-Miller [5][$900]; 17. 13-Paul McMahan [17][$800]; 18. 70X-Spencer Bayston [11][$800]; 19. 5-Shane Stewart [21][$800]; 20. 9-Kasey Kahne [20][$800]; 21. 7K-Cale Conley [16][$800]; 22. 19-Brent Marks [25][$]; 23. 70-Brock Zearfoss [24][$800]; 24. 17W-Shane Golobic [23][$800]; 25. 18-Ian Madsen [22][$800]; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen [26][$]
Lap Leaders: Christopher Bell 1-18, 20-25, 27; Daryn Pittman 19, 26, 28-30
KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+11]
Qualifying: 1. 71-Parker Price-Miller, 12.849; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman, 13.011; 3. 21-Brian Brown, 13.013; 4. 2-Carson Macedo, 13.015; 5. 39-Christopher Bell, 13.065; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.073; 7. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.126; 8. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.147; 9. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.151; 10. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.151; 11. 70X-Spencer Bayston, 13.162; 12. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.173; 13. 9-Kasey Kahne, 13.176; 14. 26-Cory Eliason, 13.217; 15. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.222; 16. 7K-Cale Conley, 13.24; 17. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.248; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.249; 19. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.266; 20. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.292; 21. 41-David Gravel, 13.319; 22. 70-Brock Zearfoss, 13.329; 23. 13-Paul McMahan, 13.347; 24. 5-Shane Stewart, 13.389; 25. 17W-Shane Golobic, 13.426; 26. 33M-Mason Daniel, 13.532; 27. 48-Danny Dietrich, 13.6; 28. K4-Chad Kemenah, 13.641; 29. 47-Brant O'Banion, 13.817; 30. 19-Brent Marks, NT; 31. 84-Tom Harris, NT
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
Article credit: World of Outlaws woosprint.com.
Pittman Powers to Opening Night Victory at Volusia Speedway Park's DIRTcar Nationals
BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 8, 2019 – Daryn Pittman is no stranger to winning at Volusia Speedway Park. However, when he pulled his Sprint Car into Victory Lane during the opening night of the World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series at the DIRTcar Nationals it was like a first win.
NOS Energy Drink dawned Victory Lane for the first time as the new title sponsor of the Series, but the biggest change for Pittman was the car he drove to the win – the legendary Roth Motorsports No. 83.
"There is nothing better than starting the year off with a win," said Pittman, who won for the 82nd time in his World of Outlaws career. "It's hard to do. Everyone of these wins is hard to come by. But to start the season off like this, I don't think we could have scripted it any better."
For the past six years, Pittman drove the No. 9 for Kasey Kahne Racing – winning his only Series championship in 2013, his first year with the team. He lost that ride at the end of 2018, as car owner Kasey Kahne planned to run more Sprint Car races this year. Losing that ride didn't put any more pressure on him to perform, though. The pressure is always there.
"I put enough pressure on myself every day, no matter who I'm driving for or what I'm racing," Pittman said. "At my age (40), I'm not young anymore. The truth is, you have too many bad seasons and you get to my age, people start wondering 'Man has he lost it or not?'. I just have pressure on myself to get out there and perform."
Pittman added his goal with Roth Motorsports is to build a long-lasting, competitive program.
He showed speed all day, qualifying second, finishing second in his Heat Race and finishing third in the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash – behind fellow Oklahoma-natives Shane Stewart in the CJB Motorsports No. 5 car and Christopher Bell in the Swindell SpeedLab No. 39 car, who he battled for the win during the 30-lap caution free Feature.
Stewart, who is also in a new ride this year with the CJB Motorsports team, shot to the lead on the opening lap of the Feature. He utilized the top side of the track to his advantage most of the night, holding off attacks by Bell and Pittman for the lead. He switched to the bottom of the track for a few laps, allowing Bell, on the high side, to make his best attempt to steal the lead. Bell was able to pull side-by-side with Stewart, but never able to clear him.
Bell and Pittman traded second-place a few times throughout the race. By lap 15, Pittman was able to clear Bell for second, utilizing the traction at the bottom of the track.
Sticking to the bottom, Pittman began to reel in Stewart, who had entered lap traffic. With 10 laps to go, Stewart looked to have the race under control, keeping a healthy distance between he and Pittman while maneuvering through lap cars. Until five laps later.
Coming off turn four on the high side, Stewart's run was disrupted by a slower lap car, allowing Pittman to get underneath him in turn one, then clearing him on the backstretch. Once Pittman stole the lead, Stewart was unable to challenge for it back and had to settle for second.
"I wish I had a couple of them laps back," Stewart said. "I got caught behind (Jason) Sides, and I wasn't really sure what to do. And to win these races you can't make little mistakes like that. We had a solid night. This car has been fast since I've set foot in it and I'm really excited about this year."
Bell finished third, ahead of Brad Sweet in fourth and Donny Schatz in fifth. However, Schatz and David Gravel – also in a new ride this year – tied coming to the line for fifth. Schatz was awarded fifth, because per Series rules, going back to the previous lap Schatz was ahead of Gravel.
Gravel did earn the KSE Racing Hard Charger honor, coming from 17th to sixth.
For Pittman, while he is dealing with a lot of new, Friday night's win is the start to showing people he will be a threat to win every night, he said.
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action at the DIRTcar Nationals resumes tomorrow at Volusia Speedway Park. As always, you can catch all the action from the Nationals and the World of Outlaws on DIRTVision.com.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 83-Daryn Pittman [3][$10,000]; 2. 5-Shane Stewart [1][$5,500]; 3. 39-Christopher Bell [2][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$2,800]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$2,500]; 6. 41-David Gravel [17][$2,300]; 7. 21-Brian Brown [4][$2,200]; 8. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [6][$2,100]; 9. 2-Carson Macedo [8][$2,050]; 10. 26-Cory Eliason [11][$2,000]; 11. 87-Aaron Reutzel [12][$1,500]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [14][$1,200]; 13. 71-Parker Price-Miller [16][$1,100]; 14. 13-Paul McMahan [13][$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [23][$1,000]; 16. 70X-Spencer Bayston [7][$900]; 17. 18-Ian Madsen [9][$800]; 18. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [25][$]; 19. 17W-Shane Golobic [19][$800]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [22][$800]; 21. 7K-Cale Conley [21][$800]; 22. 19-Brent Marks [26][$]; 23. 70-Brock Zearfoss [15][$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [24][$800]; 25. 33M-Mason Daniel [20][$800]; 26. 49X-Tim Shaffer [18][$800]
Lap Leaders: Shane Stewart 1-15, Daryn Pittman 16-30
KSE Hard Charger Award: 41-David Gravel [+12]
Qualifying: 1. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.024; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman, 13.097; 3. 70X-Spencer Bayston, 13.11; 4. 39-Christopher Bell, 13.121; 5. 2-Carson Macedo, 13.133; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.188; 7. 21-Brian Brown, 13.225; 8. 1K-Kyle Larson, 13.238; 9. 13-Paul McMahan, 13.302; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.309; 11. 26-Cory Eliason, 13.341; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.405; 13. 5-Shane Stewart, 13.433; 14. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.439; 15. 7K-Cale Conley, 13.441; 16. 33M-Mason Daniel, 13.52; 17. 41-David Gravel, 13.501; 18. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.535; 19. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.552; 20. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.598; 21. 9-Kasey Kahne, 13.601; 22. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.634; 23. 17W-Shane Golobic, 13.706; 24. 71-Parker Price-Miller, 13.752; 25. 19-Brent Marks, 13.77; 26. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.771; 27. 48-Danny Dietrich, 13.786; 28. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.859; 29. J4-John Garvin, 13.875; 30. 84-Tom Harris, 13.898; 31. 70-Brock Zearfoss, 14.055; 32. K4-Chad Kemenah, 14.079; 33. 47-Brant O'Banion, 14.259.
The World of Outlaws NOS® Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Drydene (Official Motor Oil), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Morton Buildings (Official Building), NGK Spark Plugs (Official Spark Plug), NOS Energy (Official Energy Product), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, DART, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products and MSD; manufacturer sponsors include FireAde, Impact Racing Products, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and TNT Rescue.
Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings 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.
World of Outlaws - woosprint.com.
Schatz Wins Thriller From 10th in 2018 Season Finale at Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, NC – November 3, 2018 – In fitting fashion, Donny Schatz came from 10th at The Dirt Track at Charlotte to win the final night of the World Finals presented by Can-Am. Schatz wrapped up his 10th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Championship on Thursday. Logan Schuchart, who exchanged slide jobs with Schatz coming to the White Flag, settled for second with ninth-starting Brad Sweet completing the podium.
Spencer Bayston, in search of his first career World of Outlaws win, won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 30-lap Feature alongside Carson Macedo, who won the second Dash.
It was Macedo, who will join the Outlaws full-time with Kyle Larson Racing in 2019, getting the jump on the initial start to lead the opening circuit. Bayston remained in tow as fifth-starting Logan Schuchart darted to third on the second lap.
Schuchart, who came from 20th to complete the podium Saturday afternoon, took second from Bayston on Lap 8 and set his eyes on Macedo.
Schuchart went for the lead on Lap 9 with a big slide job in turn four, but Macedo powered around the Shark Racing No.1S. Schuchart took the lead on Lap 11 with a slide job in turn two but once again Macedo was ready with a slide job of his own out of turn four to lead the lap.
Jason Sides brought out the first caution of the event on Lap 14. Schatz, who started 10th, went from sixth to fourth on the restart before Sheldon Haudenschild slowed on the following lap.
On that restart Schatz maneuvered by Bayston and Schuchart for the runner-up position and began closing in on Macedo.
Macedo set a strong pace and looked poised out front in his second night racing for KLR but it was not meant to be as a flat right rear tire sent the Lemoore, CA native into the wall with 23 laps complete.
Schatz inherited the lead, but his job was far from done as a determined Schuchart stayed right with the Champion on the restart. As Schuchart closed in on Schatz, the sellout crowd roared in anticipation of an upset victory.
With two laps remaining, Schuchart pulled the big slide job through turn one and two but Schatz returned the favor on the other end to remain in command coming to the White Flag.
A last-ditch effort from Schuchart came up just short as Schatz went on to win his 22nd Feature of the season.
When asked about the pace set by young guns Macedo and Schuchart, Schatz said, “The sport’s pretty damn bright. Even the old guys can still get it done.”
“Hats off to my guys, they have worked their butts off all season. I’m the hardest guy in the pits to work for because if it’s not perfect, I’m not happy,” Schatz said with a smile next to his Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing No.15. “These guys do an excellent job night in and night out. I felt great on that restart with seven to go and I knew it would take someone with a lot of speed to get by me and sure enough here comes the 1S.”
Before celebrating his victory, Schatz showed true sportsmanship going over and congratulating Schuchart on a great, clean race.
“I knew it was going to be tough to beat him. I had one shot and couldn’t make it stick but it is great to be able to have a good, clean race with the 10-time Champion,” Schuchart said.
When asked about the progress of Shark Racing, who just secured Drydene Performance as a title sponsor, Schuchart couldn’t help but get emotional, “We have grown tremendously, and it all starts with [Bobby Allen]. I’m so proud to be his grandson,” Schuchart said to a huge ovation.
Brad Sweet clawed his way forward from ninth to finish on the podium. “We’ve been in the hunt all year long. It was a great season and it was nice to end on the podium,” Sweet, who enjoyed a career-best season, said.
Tim Shaffer finished fourth, his second top-five of the day, with 11th-starting Gio Scelzi completing the top-five.Kraig Kinser earned KSE Hard Charger honors, advancing 13 positions after taking a Provisional.
The 2018 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series 40th Anniversary officially comes to an end tomorrow evening with the Awards Banquet. DIRTVision.com will be live streaming both the Sprint Car and Late Model banquets for free.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$12,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$3,200]; 4. 49X-Tim Shaffer [3][$2,800]; 5. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [11][$2,500]; 6. 39-Spencer Bayston [1][$2,300]; 7. 5-David Gravel [6][$2,200]; 8. 5M-Kerry Madsen [4][$2,100]; 9. 41-Joey Saldana [13][$2,050]; 10. 71P-Parker Price-Miller [7][$2,000]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [8][$1,500]; 12. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [20][$1,200]; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser [25][$100]; 14. 18-Ian Madsen [19][$1,050]; 15. 9-Daryn Pittman [24][$1,000]; 16. 21-Brian Brown [21][$1,000]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [27][$]; 18. 71X-Dominic Scelzi [18][$1,000]; 19. 87-Aaron Reutzel [14][$1,000]; 20. 13-Paul McMahan [12][$1,000]; 21. 19-Brent Marks [17][$1,000]; 22. 83-Cory Eliason [22][$1,000]; 23. W20-Greg Wilson [28][$]; 24. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [16][$1,000]; 25. 1A-Jacob Allen [26][$]; 26. 17A-Austin McCarl [15][$1,000]; 27. 22-Carson Macedo [2][$1,000]; 28. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [23][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Carson Macedo 1-23, Donny Schatz 24-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 11K-Kraig Kinser[+12]
Ian Madsen Gets First Win of Season During Saturday Afternoon Portion of World Finals at Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, NC – November 3, 2018 – Australian Ian Madsen will be named the 2018 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year and accentuated that honor with his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature win of the year Saturday afternoon during World Finals presented by Can-Am action at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Tim Shaffer surged late to finish second with 20th-starting Logan Schuchart completing the podium.
Tim Shaffer and Aaron Reutzel led the field to Green on the daytime dry, slick racing surface but it was Madsen taking control off of turn four to lead the opening lap.
Shane Stewart, who started beside Madsen in row two, found speed on the cushion blasting to the lead on Lap 5.
It’s no secret it’s been a challenging year for Shane Stewart and that continued Saturday afternoon as a flat tire on the Kyle Larson Racing No.2 on Lap 13 summarized their 2018 season.
Madsen inherited the lead for the double-file restart, but all eyes were on 20th-starting Logan Schuchart and 17th-starting Greg Wilson who made their way into the top-five before the half-way point.
The ensuing restart saw Brian Brown go for a vicious ride through turn one and two. Brown was uninjured in the accident.
When action resumed, Wilson and Schuchart jockeyed for the runner-up position as they both reeled in the KCP Racing No.18.
With Madsen out front, Wilson glued to the bottom and Schuchart banging down the cushion, the capacity crowd at The Dirt Track at Charlotte roared with excitement as they nearly went 3-wide for the lead.
With five laps remaining a caution for Brent Marks halted the torrid battle for the lead with Madsen out front followed by Schuchart and Wilson. The single-file restart gave Schuchart the opportunity to set up a pass for the lead, but Madsen powered away convincingly.
Tim Shaffer reclaimed third from Wilson before the Red Flag flew with three laps remaining for Parker Price-Miller, who tipped lightly on his side.
With one last restart, Schuchart again looked to the bottom side for the lead but brushed off his speed and allowed Tim Shaffer to regain second as Ian Madsen went on to win his third career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature.
“This is an awesome feeling. We’ve been coming to this event every year and it keeps getting bigger and bigger. It’s awesome to be a part of the World Finals,” a relieved Madsen said.
“Day-time racing is tricky, especially when the preferred racing line kept changing. I saw Logan behind me and I know he’s particularly good on these type of race tracks,” the Australian added before thanking his KCP Racing Team and saying hello to all of his family, friends and car owner, who are scattered around the world.
Tim Shaffer and 20th-starting Schuchart completed the podium. Shaffer found speed late, said he wished there were 10 more laps and referenced how strong he felt when he pulled the wing all the way back.
Schuchart, who earned KSE Hard Charger honors, emphasized that he wanted to get the win for Drydene Performance, who announced Thursday a multi-year partnership with both Shark Racing cars and the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series.
12th-starting Spencer Bayston charged to fourth with Greg Wilson fading late, but still officially being scored with a strong 17th to fifth run. The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series completes its 40th Anniversary Season with the night portion of the World Finals presented by Can-Am double-header at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway! As always, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature: (30 Laps): 1. 18-Ian Madsen [3][$12,000]; 2. 49X-Tim Shaffer [1][$5,500]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [20][$3,200]; 4. 39-Spencer Bayston [12][$2,800]; 5. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$2,500]; 6. 5-David Gravel [10][$2,300]; 7. 83-Cory Eliason [15][$2,200]; 8. 22-Carson Macedo [8][$2,100]; 9. 87-Aaron Reutzel [2][$2,050]; 10. 15-Donny Schatz [21][$2,000]; 11. 49-Brad Sweet [18][$1,500]; 12. 4-Kasey Kahne [13][$1,200]; 13. 5M-Kerry Madsen [11][$1,100]; 14. 9-Daryn Pittman [25][$50]; 15. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [14][$1,000]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [27][$]; 17. 1A-Jacob Allen [28][$]; 18. 41-Joey Saldana [24][$1,000]; 19. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$1,000]; 20. 19-Brent Marks [26][$]; 21. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [16][$1,000]; 22. 13-Paul McMahan [5][$1,000]; 23. 7S-Jason Sides [29][$]; 24. 44-Trey Starks [23][$1,000]; 25. 71X-Dominic Scelzi [22][$1,000]; 26. 71P-Parker Price-Miller [19][$1,000]; 27. 19P-Paige Polyak [9][$1,000]; 28. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$1,000]; 29. 21-Brian Brown [6][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Ian Madsen 1-4, 13-30; Shane Stewart 5-12; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+17]
Afternoon Rain and Track Curfew Force Friday’s World Finals Features to Saturday Afternoon
CHARLOTTE, NC – November 2, 2018 – Heavy afternoon rain and a midnight curfew at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway allowed the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, Late Model Series and Super DIRTcar Series to get everything in except the Features on Night Two of the World Finals presented by Can-Am. Friday's Super DIRTcar Series Feature will take place Saturday afternoon at 1:30 with the Late Model and Sprint Car Features to follow. Saturday’s portion of the event will kick-off with Opening Ceremonies at 4:45pm.
Paige Polyak, Tim Shaffer, Ian Madsen, Aaron Reutzel, Spencer Bayston and David Gravel won the six World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Heat Races before Gerard McIntyre won the C Main and fast timer Parker Price-Miller won the Last Chance Showdown.
Shaffer and Reutzel drew the pole and won their respective Sears Craftsman Dashes to earn the front row for the 30-lap, $12,000 to win, $1,000 to start Feature. Shaffer will look for his first Outlaw triumph of the season while Reutzel will be in search of his second, after scoring his first career World of Outlaws win at Tulare in March.
Ian Madsen and Shane Stewart will occupy the second row. Madsen, who will be crowned 2018 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year, would love nothing more to accentuate that honor with his first win of the season. Stewart’s five-year tenure with Kyle Larson Racing will come to a close tomorrow and a victory would be a strong ending to a challenging year.
David Gravel entered the evening 24 points ahead of Daryn Pittman for third in the Series Point Standings. Gravel was strong winning his Heat Race and will lineup 10th, while Pittman struggled and was forced to use a Provisional, meaning he will start 25th.
Donny Schatz Nets $51,000 with Tuscarora 50 Triumph at Port Royal Speedway
PORT ROYAL, PA – October 28, 2018 – Donny Schatz continued his remarkable 2018 campaign with a $51,000 payday at Port Royal Speedway, passing Brad Sweet on Lap 32 to win the Tuscarora 50. Freddie Rahmer surged from 16th to finish second with Daryn Pittman charging from 23rd to third on the excellent daytime racing surface.
The ‘Kings Royal’ type format saw four cars inverted in six Heat Races. Lucas Wolfe and Brad Sweet won their respective Heats to earn the front row for the 50-Lap, $51,000 to win Feature.
Sweet led the opening circuit before a nasty crash involving Port Royal’s Track Champion Logan Wagner and Tim Shaffer, halted action with one complete. Both drivers were uninjured in the accident but done for the afternoon.
Sweet was strong on the restart and didn’t reach traffic before Logan Schuchart’s night came to an end on Lap 6, stopping on the front stretch.
Lucas Wolfe remained in second on the ensuing restart, looking for a way around the 2018 Knoxville Nationals Champion. Donny Schatz worked his way forward to third from his fifth starting position and remained within striking distance of Sweet and Wolfe.
Consecutive cautions on Lap 16 and 17 allowed Wolfe to set up an attack for the lead on the restart. As Sweet brought the field back to Green on the 18th circuit, Wolfe blasted to the top side of the racing surface and took control of the field down the backstretch to a large roar from the Port Royal faithful, only to have the pass negated by a caution for a stopped Ian Madsen.
The following restart Sweet was prepared and fended off Wolfe’s charge before the caution flew on Lap 21 for the designated fuel stop.
When action resumed, Donny Schatz moved into second and began closing in on Sweet for the lead. Schatz found grip on the bottom and got underneath Sweet to lead the 32nd lap before the caution flew for fourth-place running Gio Scelzi.
Schatz ran away on the restart as Wolfe began going to work on the cushion, closing in on Sweet, eventually reclaiming the second position on Lap 38. At this point, 16th-starting Freddie Rahmer had climbed to fourth with 23rd-starting Daryn Pittman coming forward to sixth.
A caution with eight laps remaining bunched the field together and gave Wolfe a chance to steal the victory from Schatz.
Schatz powered away on the restart, completing a lap before the Yellow Flag flew for debris, as the hood flew off seventh-place running TJ Stutts’ car, ending his evening.
Schatz again blasted away on the restart, leaving no doubt who the class of the field was, en route to his 21st World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018.
“That felt like a 500-miler,” Schatz said with a chuckle in Victory Lane about the caution-filled race, next to his Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing No.15. As always, Schatz deflected the credit of the victory his crew, “These guys are incredible at what they do, it’s pretty cool to win that big money. Anytime you win in Pennsylvania it’s big and this is a big one.”
“We decided we better start testing out the 2019 rule changes and since we’ve done that, we haven’t finished worse than second and that’s really important,” Schatz, who was sporting a special Arctic Cat paint scheme, added before expressing his gratitude to Port Royal Speedway for not giving in to Mother Nature this weekend.
Freddie Rahmer continued his impressive 2018 season, surging from 16th to finish second. “My car was really good, I could really move around. They did a great job with the track,” Rahmer, who scored his first career World of Outlaws victory earlier this year in July, said in appreciation of Port Royal.
Daryn Pittman, who charged from 23rd to complete the podium, echoed the sentiments about Port Royal Speedway, “Hats off to Port Royal, they could’ve easily thrown in the towel for this weekend. They did a really nice job widening out the track. It’s always a pleasure to come back to this place and see the improvements they do on a weekly basis.”
“To start 23rd and end up on the podium says a lot about how great my race car was and the track. I wish we would have been a little stronger earlier in the night to get a better starting position,” Pittman, who earned KSE Hard Charger honors added.
Brad Sweet finished fourth with 17th-starting David Gravel completing the top five.
Persistent rain and cold temperatures led to the cancellation of Friday and Saturday’s program, forcing the World of Outlaws and Port Royal to use the Sunday rain date.
The program was moved forward in the afternoon; a good decision by all parties, as heavy rain began to fall less than an hour after the Feature concluded.
Brian Brown bested the 51-car field in Qualifying and broke the Track Record in Qualifying with a lap of 14.868. In total, seven drivers in Qualifying went under the existing record and for the first time in track history a sub-15-second lap was run.
With the unique format, the Tuscarora 50 was show-up points only for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series teams.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series finishes off its 40th Anniversary Season with the World Finals presented by Can-Am at The Dirt Track at Charlotte next Thursday, Friday, Saturday, November 1st-3rd. Tickets still remain for one of dirt track racing’s biggest spectacles as the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Cars and Late Models and Super DIRTcar Series Big Block-Modifieds crown their champions.
If you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (50 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [5][$51,513]; 2. 51-Freddie Rahmer [16][$12,000]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [23][$5,000]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$4,437]; 5. 5-David Gravel [17][$3,000]; 6. 24-Lucas Wolfe [1][$2,500]; 7. 48-Danny Dietrich [6][$2,300]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$2,200]; 9. 21-Brian Brown [14][$2,100]; 10. 7S-Jason Sides [10][$2,000]; 11. 18-Ian Madsen [21][$1,900]; 12. 58-Jim Siegel [15][$1,500]; 13. 5C-Dylan Cisney [25][$300]; 14. 41-Carson Macedo [7][$1,250]; 15. 11-T.J. Stutts [19][$1,200]; 16. 17B-Steve Buckwalter [12][$1,150]; 17. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [11][$1,100]; 18. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [3][$1,075]; 19. 71X-Dominic Scelzi [8][$1,050]; 20. 5T-Tyler Reeser [18][$1,025]; 21. 39M-Anthony Macri [13][$1,000]; 22. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [22][$1,000]; 23. 1S-Logan Schuchart [9][$1,000]; 24. 49X-Tim Shaffer [20][$1,000]; 25. 1-Logan Wagner [24][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-31, Donny Schatz 32-50; KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman[+20]
Qualifying Flight-A: 1. 41-Carson Macedo, 14.891; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.905; 3. 11-T.J. Stutts, 14.929; 4. 1-Logan Wagner, 14.968; 5. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.969; 6. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss, 14.98; 7. 15-Donny Schatz, 15.017; 8. 39M-Anthony Macri, 15.028; 9. 58-Jim Siegel, 15.036; 10. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 15.037; 11. 71-Giovanni Scelzi, 15.063; 12. 24-Lucas Wolfe, 15.083; 13. 5-David Gravel, 15.091; 14. 83-Cory Eliason, 15.121; 15. 5C-Dylan Cisney, 15.126; 16. 69K-Lance Dewease, 15.131; 17. 5M-Kerry Madsen, 15.132; 18. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 15.163; 19. 55-Mike Wagner, 15.233; 20. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 15.299; 21. 35-Justin Henderson, 15.393; 22. 33-Jared Esh, 15.44; 23. 1R-Kyle Reinhardt, 15.442; 24. W20-Greg Wilson, 15.465; 25. 29-Brent Shearer, 16.543; 26. 12W-Troy Fraker, 16.712
Qualifying Flight-B: 1. 21-Brian Brown, 14.868; 2. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 15.046; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman, 15.099; 4. 18-Ian Madsen, 15.116; 5. 71X-Dominic Scelzi, 15.134; 6. 51-Freddie Rahmer, 15.165; 7. 48-Danny Dietrich, 15.184; 8. 19-Brent Marks, 15.233; 9. 49-Brad Sweet, 15.233; 10. 7S-Jason Sides, 15.238; 11. 2-Shane Stewart, 15.264; 12. 17B-Steve Buckwalter, 15.28; 13. 94-Ryan Smith, 15.295; 14. O7-Gerard McIntyre, 15.297; 15. 55K-Robbie Kendall, 15.305; 16. 7K-Cale Conley, 15.322; 17. 44-Trey Starks, 15.347; 18. 39C-Cory Haas, 15.367; 19. 39-Spencer Bayston, 15.374; 20. 5T-Tyler Reeser, 15.481; 21. 21X-Brian Montieth, 15.512; 22. 91-Tony Fiore, 15.534; 23. 70-Dave Blaney, 15.591; 24. 10K-Joe Kata, 16.009; 25. 47K-Kody Lehman, 16.174
Donny Schatz Hits 20-Win Mark for Sixth Consecutive Season with Dodge City Victory
DODGE CITY, KS – October 20, 2018 – Donny Schatz passed Ian Madsen on Lap 9 in lapped traffic and held off Madsen’s late race surge to win his 20th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series of 2018, Saturday at Dodge City Raceway Park. Madsen, in his first visit to Dodge City, settled for second with Daryn Pittman completing the podium.
Ian Madsen set a new Dodge City track record in Qualifying, won his Heat and the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 30-lap Feature. Madsen got a strong initial start to lead the opening lap. The Australian, who will be crowned as the 2018 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year at the years end, reached lapped traffic by the fourth circuit on the lightning-fast racing surface.
Madsen cleared the first slower car, but was held up by local Steven Richardson, allowing Schatz to close the gap. Madsen remained behind Richardson as Schatz got a strong run entering turn one to take the lead down the backstretch on the ninth circuit.
Schatz officially led the ninth lap before the caution flew for third-place running Sheldon Haudenschild. Haudenschild, who was also making his Dodge City debut, was able to return at the rear of the field.
The ensuing double-file restart saw Schatz and Madsen race away from the field, establishing themselves as the class of the field. Similar to Madsen early in the race, Schatz’ pace slowed dramatically when he reached lapped traffic. Madsen closed in on the nine-time Series Champion, and took a look underneath for the lead, but couldn’t complete the pass.
A sputtering Adam Gullion brought out the caution with 18 laps complete, giving the leaders a clear track. Two laps later, Jade Hastings blew up, setting up a ten-lap sprint to the finish.
Schatz and Madsen again pulled away from the field, as Kasey Kahne Racing teammates Daryn Pittman and Brad Sweet jockeyed for third. Schatz reached traffic and again was forced to slow his pace on the tacky racing surface. Madsen closed in once again but came up .279 short, as Schatz took the Checkered Flag for the 20th time in 2018.
When asked about the difficulties of lapped traffic, Schatz said with a smile, “It’s how I got the lead and it’s how I almost lost it. They didn’t do anything wrong, but it was definitely tough to get by them.”
The win was Schatz and his Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing No.15 team 20th win of the year, marking the sixth consecutive season they’ve reached that total. “It’s a testament to how great this team is, but we’re never satisfied. 20 wins isn’t enough, 40 wins isn’t enough, that’s what makes this team so great,” Schatz said about reaching the 20-win plateau.
“It’s a privilege to be able to drive for this great team against the greatest drivers in the world at the nicest facilities in the country,” Schatz said as a dual-compliment to the World of Outlaws competition and Dodge City Raceway Park.
Ian Madsen was obviously disappointed to not finish the job but remained in good spirits. “It was a great night for this KCP team, I had a lot of family and friends here tonight and our car owner was here as well, so it was great to have a good finish for all of them. I just read lapped traffic wrong, hopefully we can pick up a win here in the last two weeks,” Madsen said.
Daryn Pittman, fresh off his Lakeside victory a night ago, completed the podium and continued his recent hot streak. “We’re really happy where this team is right now, it’s a shame the year is coming to an end,” Pittman said next to his Ionomy-sponsored KKR No.9.
Brad Sweet and 12th-starting Brian Brown completed the top-five. Sam Hafertepe Jr. earned KSE Hard Charger honors, coming from last to 15th.
A chilly evening and good air had Dodge City Raceway Park in unchartered territory as 22 of the 23 cars signed in broke the 13-year-old track record. Ian Madsen’s Quick Time was nearly a half-second quicker than the existing fastest lap. The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series has two weekends left in its 40th Anniversary Season.
Next weekend, the Series heads back to Central Pennsylvania for the Tuscarora 50 at Port Royal Speedway. Saturday’s 50-lap Feature will pay $51,000 to the winner. Following that, the Outlaws will conclude the year at the World Finals presented by Can-Am at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$10,000]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [1][$5,500]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [6][$2,800]; 5. 21-Brian Brown [12][$2,500]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [9][$2,300]; 7. 19-Brent Marks [5][$2,200]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [8][$2,100]; 9. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [11][$2,050]; 10. 5-David Gravel [14][$2,000]; 11. 41-Joey Saldana [15][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [7][$1,200]; 13. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$1,100]; 14. 4-Brock Zearfoss [10][$1,050]; 15. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [23][$1,000]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [16][$900]; 17. 1X-Don Droud [19][$800]; 18. 8H-Jade Hastings [18][$800]; 19. 91-Adam Gullion [20][$800]; 20. W20-Greg Wilson [13][$800]; 21. O-Steven Richardson [21][$800]; 22. 2C-Wayne Johnson [22][$800]; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen [17][$800]; Lap Leaders: Ian Madsen 1-8, Donny Schatz 9-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 15H-Sam Hafertepe[+8]
Daryn Pittman Convincingly Scores 9th Win of 2018 in FVP Platinum Battery Shootout at Lakeside Speedway
KANSAS CITY, KS – October 19, 2018 – Daryn Pittman scored his ninth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature win of the season in convincing fashion, leading every lap of the FVP Platinum Battery Shootout at Lakeside Speedway. Donny Schatz extended his points lead with a runner-up finish and Sheldon Haudenschild completed the podium. It was Pittman’s 81st career World of Outlaws win and second at Lakeside with his prior triumph coming 15 years ago in 2003.
Pittman won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 30-lap Feature, alongside Logan Schuchart. Pittman held off an early charge from Schuchart to take command of the field.
A fast racing surface allowed Pittman to reach lapped traffic on Lap 8. The Oklahoma veteran negotiated traffic well, before the lone caution flag of the Feature fell on Lap 12 as heartbreak struck second-place running Logan Schuchart. Schuchart smoked down the frontstretch before coming to stop in turn one, ending his evening.
Sheldon Haudenschild assumed second place alongside Pittman with Jason Sides and Donny Schatz in row two of the double-file restart.
Pittman powered away from the field with a strong restart as Haudenschild and Schatz waged war for the second spot with the nine-time and defending Series Champion taking the position for good on Lap 16.
Schatz narrowed Pittman’s lead, but the Kasey Kahne Racing, Ionomy-sponsored No.9 remained proficient through traffic.
The best battle on the race track was between Jason Sides, Brad Sweet and Joey Saldana, aboard the Jason Johnson Racing No.41, as the trio utilized the entire the Lakeside Speedway racing surface battling for the fifth position.
Back up front, Schatz continued to close in on Pittman, but time was running out. With five laps remaining, Pittman maintained good speed on the cushion as Schatz was a car-length lower than him, desperately trying to reel him in.
Pittman stayed strong up top and rode the cushion to victory, a mere .586 seconds ahead of Schatz.
“This place is always been a track I’ve enjoyed coming to. If your car is good, you can get by guys and as a racer that’s all you can ask for,” Pittman said speaking fondly of Lakeside Speedway.
“Hats off to my guys, my car was great. It was a lot of fun, lapped traffic was tight, but I could move around and maintain speed everywhere. Man, these wins are hard to come by. I’ve been doing this a long time and they never get easier,” Pittman said with a smile next to his KKR No.9.
Schatz settled for second and kept things simple after the race, “That’s the way it goes sometimes. We got ourselves up there to compete for the win but didn’t get it. We’ll try again tomorrow.”
In his second career Lakeside appearance, Sheldon Haudenschild landed on the podium for the second consecutive year, finishing third. “The 9 and 15 were good, I like this place, it’s wide and fast. It’s definitely cool to have Ricky [Stenhouse Jr.] here and a couple of the NASCAR boys, we’ll try again tomorrow,” Haudenschild said next to his NOS Energy Drink sponsored Stenhouse Jr-Marshall No.17.
Shane Stewart was strong all night and finished fourth with Joey Saldana finishing fifth in his debut aboard the JJR No.41.
Brad Sweet, Jason Sides, Ian Madsen, Kraig Kinser and Brent Marks completed the all-Outlaw top-ten. Brock Zearfoss, in his Lakeside debut, earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from the LCS to finish 11th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season tomorrow with a return to Dodge City Raceway Park in Dodge City, KS. Weather has prevented the Series from racing there since 2015, don’t miss this year’s Boot Hill Showdown. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [1][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [7][$5,500]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,800]; 5. 41-Joey Saldana [8][$2,500]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$2,300]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [6][$2,200]; 8. 18-Ian Madsen [10][$2,100]; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser [9][$2,050]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [13][$2,000]; 11. 4-Brock Zearfoss [19][$1,500]; 12. 2M-Kerry Madsen [11][$1,200]; 13. 21-Brian Brown [12][$1,100]; 14. 5-David Gravel [15][$1,050]; 15. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [18][$1,000]; 16. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [14][$900]; 17. 1A-Jacob Allen [20][$800]; 18. 35L-Cody Ledger [24][$800]; 19. 33M-Mason Daniel [17][$800]; 20. W20-Greg Wilson [22][$800]; 21. 2C-Wayne Johnson [23][$800]; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2][$800]; 23. 12-Lynton Jeffrey [21][$800]; 24. 1X-Don Droud [16][$800]; Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 4-Brock Zearfoss[+8]
Qualifying: 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.626; 2. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.734; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.744; 4. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.758; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.76; 6. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.764; 7. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.799; 8. 41-Joey Saldana, 13.814; 9. 21-Brian Brown, 13.831; 10. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.833; 11. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.844; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.909; 13. 1X-Don Droud, 13.964; 14. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.969; 15. 5-David Gravel, 13.98; 16. 19-Brent Marks, 13.985; 17. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg, 13.997; 18. 4-Brock Zearfoss, 14.022; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.024; 20. 12-Lynton Jeffrey, 14.04; 21. 15H-Sam Hafertepe, 14.117; 22. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 14.123; 23. 33M-Mason Daniel, 14.226; 24. 35L-Cody Ledger, 14.302; 25. 8H-Jade Hastings, 14.395; 26. 91-Adam Gullion, 14.853; 27. 91X-Riley Kreisel, 15.125
Christopher Bell Dominates Eldora Speedway for Fourth Career Outlaw Win
ROSSBURG, OH – October 14, 2018 – Christopher Bell pounded the cushion to perfection up against the Eldora Speedway wall to win his fourth career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature, but first of 2018, Sunday evening at the Ohio half-mile. Bell fell as far back as eighth but took the lead on Lap 14 and never looked back. Donny Schatz extended his Series points lead finishing second for a Tony Stewart Racing/Curb-Agajanian Racing one-two punch. Parker Price-Miller, who led the first 13 laps, completed the podium.
Tim Shaffer won the Sears Craftsman Dash and led the field down the backstretch, but a strong sweeping move across the racing surface from Parker Price-Miller saw the youngster lead the opening lap by a nose.
Carson Macedo, aboard the Jason Johnson Racing No.41, took second from Shaffer on Lap 9 and began closing in on Price-Miller for the lead.
Christopher Bell fell back from his fifth-starting spot on the initial start, but began his cushion-pounding charge forward immediately. As Macedo passed Shaffer for second on the ninth circuit, Bell re-entered the top five. Two laps later, Bell was third and visibly closing on the leaders. Bell passed Macedo for second on Lap 13 and took the lead the following lap from Price-Miller in turn one.
From there, Bell set sail, rim riding his way to a sizable advantage through lapped traffic.
Donny Schatz worked his way forward from his eighth starting spot to take third just past the halfway point.
The lone caution of the event flew on Lap 21 for a slowing Aaron Reutzel, setting up a double-file restart.
Price-Miller, who had fallen back to fourth, got an excellent restart and challenged Bell for the lead before settling into second. Bell once again powered away from the field, establishing a sizeable lead over the field.
Schatz went to work on Price-Miller for second, completing the pass with one to go. At this point, his TSR teammate was gone, as Bell cruised to win by over four seconds.
“I’m very grateful to run this thing, it’s a rocket every time I come to this place. It was so fast on the top, I could zoom right around,” Bell said in Victory Lane.
When asked about riding the wall at Eldora with a near-perfect race car, Bell didn’t hold back, saying, “It’s the most fun thing you’ll ever do.”
“It’s a dream come true to be able to win World of Outlaws races at Eldora,” Bell, who was making his fifth Outlaw start of the season, added with a smile.
Donny Schatz settled for second for the second consecutive night and was pleased with his car, “My car was really good. These guys keep working on it and making some gains, it was great to have some grip out there.”
Parker Price-Miller, in one of three Indy Race Parts entries, held off Macedo to complete the podium, “We were really good. When you are out front, you don’t know how strong you really are, and Christopher blew my doors off. He was the class of the field. I can’t thank Bernie and Betsy enough for giving me this opportunity.”
Macedo, who will return to the JJR No.41 at Port Royal in two weeks, finished fourth with Ian Madsen completing the top five.
Brent Marks came forward from 12th to sixth with Joey Saldana, in another Indy Race Parts car, was strong finishing seventh.
Sheldon Haudenschild charged from 18th to eighth and Logan Schuchart earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 20th to ninth. Pennsylvanian Brock Zearfoss, who will finish out the season following the Outlaw tour, completed the top-ten.
A night after breaking a 19-year-old track record at Terre Haute, teenager Gio Scelzi was within striking distance of the 16-year-old Eldora track record in Qualifying, missing it by seven hundredths of a second.
It was an early start at Eldora, which was coming off a double-header World 100 program the night before, with the Outlaw Feature ending before 7:30 on a brisk October evening.
A rare off-weekend for the NASCAR Xfinity Series allowed Bell to compete back in his dirt track roots. Bell currently leads Xfinity points and recently set the single-season win record for a rookie with six. Bell finished 11th last night at Terre Haute.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action next weekend with a pair of dates in Kansas, starting Friday, October 19 at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City for the FVP Platinum Battery Shootout and concluding Saturday, October 20 at Dodge City Raceway Park in Dodge City, KS. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 14B-Christopher Bell [5][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [8][$5,500]; 3. 71P-Parker Price-Miller [2][$3,200]; 4. 41-Carson Macedo [4][$2,800]; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [3][$2,500]; 6. 19-Brent Marks [12][$2,300]; 7. 71X-Joey Saldana [6][$2,200]; 8. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [18][$2,100]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [20][$2,050]; 10. 4-Brock Zearfoss [10][$2,000]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [15][$1,500]; 12. 21-Brian Brown [14][$1,200]; 13. 49-Brad Sweet [13][$1,100]; 14. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [9][$1,050]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [7][$1,000]; 16. 39-Spencer Bayston [17][$900]; 17. 5-David Gravel [16][$800]; 18. 9-Daryn Pittman [22][$800]; 19. 7S-Jason Sides [19][$800]; 20. 81-Chad Kemenah [24][$800]; 21. 49X-Tim Shaffer [1][$800]; 22. 87-Aaron Reutzel [11][$800]; 23. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [21][$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [23][$800]; Lap Leaders: Parker Price-Miller 1-13, Christopher Bell 14-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+11]
Brad Sweet Continues Career Year with Terre Haute Triumph
TERRE HAUTE, IN – October 13, 2018 – Brad Sweet’s added another page to his unforgettable 2018 season with a flag-to-flag victory at the historic Terre Haute Action Track, his ninth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the year. Donny Schatz charged from 12th to second, getting by Tim Shaffer, who completed the podium, on the Green-White-Checkered finish.
Brad Sweet and Kasey Kahne Racing teammate Daryn Pittman put on a show on the final lap of the Sears Craftsman Dash finishing side-by-side. Sweet edged Pittman by 0.054 to earn the pole for the 30-Lap Feature.
Sweet powered to the lead on the initial start to lead the opening circuit and reached lapped traffic on Lap 9 at the spacious Indiana half-mile. Pittman and 2001 Terre Haute Outlaw winner Tim Shaffer were in tow.
At the halfway point, Donny Schatz had worked forward from his 12th-starting spot to sixth aboard the Tony Stewart Racing/Curb-Agajanian No.15. By lap 19, the nine-time Series Champion and current points leader had maneuvered to fourth.
Sweet continued to work his way through traffic as Schatz closed the gap on Pittman and Shaffer for the runner-up position.
Lap 27 saw Shaffer and Schatz get by Pittman for position down the backstretch and through turn three, respectively.
As the White Flag flew for Brad Sweet, he would not be caught, as he had multiple lapped cars between himself and Shaffer and Schatz, who were in a torrid battle for second.
It wouldn’t be that easy for the driver known as ‘The Big Cat’, however, as the caution flew for a stopped Ian Madsen as Sweet was about to take the Checkered.
The caution set up a single-file, Green, White, Checkered finish with Shaffer, who was ahead of Schatz at the last completed lap, in second and Schatz in third.
On the restart, Schatz quickly disposed of Shaffer in turn one and set his eyes on Sweet for his 20th victory of the season. Schatz closed the gap in each corner, but it wasn’t enough, as Sweet went on to win by .686 seconds.
When asked about the late restart, Brad Sweet chuckled and said with a smile, “Well, I’ve been getting used to it. Knoxville, Black Hills, Chico and Lernerville have all had late race restarts and sometimes it’s not bad to get a clean track. I think we were just good enough to hold these guys off tonight.”
“Lapped traffic was tricky. I think I made a few mistakes, but I guess I had a big enough lead,” Sweet said of the long Green Flag period to open the race, before thanking his NAPA Auto Parts crew for their continued hard work.
“Terre Haute is a special place. I’ve won a non-wing USAC race here, so it’s cool to come back here and win with the World of Outlaws,” the Grass Valley, CA native added.
Donny Schatz, who had passed Tim Shaffer for second on the final lap but had to go back to third for the Green-White-Checkered finish, was obviously disappointed to come up just short.
“We did what we could, the car was obviously rolling to get up there on an open race track. My guys did an incredible job, we wanted to get a win,” Schatz, who earned KSE Hard Charger honors for his efforts, said.
Tim Shaffer’s excellent 2018 season continued with a podium finish and he was pleased, “We had a great car, it kept coming in little by little as the race went on.”
Pittman settled for fourth with Sheldon Haudenschild charging from 15th to complete the top-five.
A week of rain and frigid temperatures had Terre Haute Action Track in unchartered territory during Qualifying, as 19 of the 32 cars signed in broke the existing track record set back in 1999. Brian Brown, who went out late, ended up establishing the new Terre Haute track record at 16.028, nearly a half-second faster than the existing record.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season tomorrow evening at Eldora Speedway with an early start time. Drivers Meeting is scheduled for 3:30pm, tickets for the The Greatest Show on Dirt’s final appearance of the year at ‘The Big E’ can be found here. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (31 Laps due to green-white-checkered finish): 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [12][$5,500]; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer [3][$3,200]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [2][$2,800]; 5. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [15][$2,500]; 6. 71X-Joey Saldana [6][$2,300]; 7. 21-Brian Brown [5][$2,200]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [10][$2,100]; 9. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [7][$2,050]; 10. 5-David Gravel [4][$2,000]; 11. 14B-Christopher Bell [8][$1,500]; 12. 2-Shane Stewart [18][$1,200]; 13. 41-Carson Macedo [16][$1,100]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [14][$1,050]; 15. 4-Brock Zearfoss [9][$1,000]; 16. 39-Spencer Bayston [21][$900]; 17. 19-Brent Marks [20][$800]; 18. 83-Cory Eliason [22][$800]; 19. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [23][$800]; 20. W20-Greg Wilson [19][$800]; 21. 7S-Jason Sides [13][$800]; 22. 18-Ian Madsen [11][$800]; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen [24][$800]; 24. 99-Brady Bacon [17][$800]; Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-31; KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz[+10]
Schuchart Dominant at Fulton for Second Win of Year
FULTON, NY – October 6, 2018 – Logan Schuchart dominated all 30 laps to win Saturday Night at Fulton Speedway as the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series invaded Super DIRT Week in New York. Sheldon Haudenschild charged late to second with Donny Schatz completing the podium.
Kraig Kinser won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 30-lap affair, in search of his first win of the season, alongside Schuchart.
Schuchart's forgettable Qualifying laps put him 15th quick, forcing him to start fifth in his Heat. Methodically, Schuchart worked his way by three cars in the eight-lap event to excitingly secure that all-important spot in the Sears Craftsman Dash.
In the Feature, Schuchart got the initial jump to lead the opening lap. The Hanover, PA native reached lapped traffic quickly around the 3/8th mile and maneuvered it well.
Nine-time and defending Series Champion Donny Schatz moved by Kinser for second on Lap 12 and began closing in on Schuchart as the leaders navigated traffic.
While most drivers were fighting for the bottom, Sheldon Haudenschild, to no one’s surprise, went to work on the cushion in exciting fashion. Haudenschild got to fourth on Lap 16 and was visibly closing in on Kinser and Schatz, who both remained loyal to the bottom.
Haudenschild roared around Kinser for third on Lap 22 and caught Schatz quickly after. Sheldon used a big run out of turn two to cross-under Schatz for second into turn three.
In need of a Yellow, Haudenschild closed in on Schuchart but the latter powered away on the final lap and went on to win his second Feature of the year.
“I’m really proud of this team, we’ve been really strong this year, especially lately, with a handful of Quick Times and consistently in the top five. We just haven’t been able to pull off a lot of wins this year. This Drydene Performance/Shark Racing team is really strong, we just keep growing and keep getting better and I can’t wait for what is in store," Schuchart, who currently sits a career-high sixth in the Series Points Standings, said.
"The bossman Bobby Allen does a great job with this two-car operation and I’m proud to have him as my grandfather,” Schuchart, who holds the Fulton Speedway track record from back in 2016, added in Victory Lane.
Sheldon Haudenschild settled for second and walked through his charge forward, “I kind of had to wait until it cleaned off a little bit [before I could get going up top]. I committed to going up a groove in traffic and my car was really good up there.”
“I was praying for a Yellow, but we didn’t have any all night, the whole field did a good job. We have some really good tracks coming up, hopefully we can pull off a couple more wins and cap off a good season,” the Wooster, OH native said about this Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall No.17.
Donny Schatz extended his Series points lead with his podium finish. “With the finishes we’ve had lately, third is like a win. We had a decent run and traffic made it fun. The younger guys are getting their game on and making us old guys look silly,” Schatz said with a smile next to his Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing No.15 machine.
Shane Stewart, who set Quick Time, finished fourth with Kinser rounding out the top five. Larry Wight, who arrived late after competing during the day at Oswego Speedway, earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 18th to ninth.
As Haudenschild mentioned, the entire World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series program went caution-free. With Mother Nature threatening the area all evening, a successful accelerated program was run, with both racing divisions done by 9pm.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action for a triple-header weekend starting Friday, October 12 with a makeup date at Jacksonville Speedway in Illinois before heading to Terre Haute Action Track Saturday and Eldora Speedway Sunday. If you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2][$10,000]; 2. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [5][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [6][$2,800]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [1][$2,500]; 6. 5-David Gravel [10][$2,300]; 7. 18-Ian Madsen [11][$2,200]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [8][$2,100]; 9. 99L-Larry Wight [18][$2,050]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [7][$2,000]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$1,500]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [9][$1,200]; 13. 1A-Jacob Allen [12][$1,100]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [3][$1,050]; 15. 49K-Scott Kreutter [13][$1,000]; 16. 10K-Joe Kata [15][$900]; 17. 90-Matt Tanner [16][$800]; 18. 3-Denny Peebles [20][$800]; 19. 98-Joe Trenca [17][$800]; 20. 45-Chuck Hebing [19][$800]; 21. 54J-Steven Hutchinson [21][$800]; Lap Leaders: Logan Schuchart 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 99L-Larry Wight[+9]
Lance Dewease Wins Emotional Williams Grove National Open Worth $56,000
MECHANICSBURG, PA – September 29, 2018 – The all-time Williams Grove win leader, Lance Dewease, passed Brock Zearfoss on Lap 24 and never looked back to win his 15th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of his career. Dewease, full of emotion in Victory Lane, dedicated the $56,000 Champion Racing Oil National Open win to the late, great Greg Hodnett. Daryn Pittman came from eighth to second with Brian Montieth completing the podium at the famous Williams Grove Speedway.
Zearfoss won the first of two Sears Craftsman Dashes to earn the pole for the 40-Lap Feature alongside Dewease, who won the second Dash. Zearfoss, who scored his first career World of Outlaws win last year at Williams Grove, got a strong start and led the opening lap.
Dewease didn’t let Zearfoss out of his sights, as Brian Montieth passed Brian Brown for third on Lap 7. Zearfoss reached the back of field on Lap 8 and began to maneuver through traffic before the caution flew Brad Sweet and Donny Schatz, as the top two in World of Outlaws in points sat atop turn two, with 12 laps complete. Schatz returned at the rear but Sweet was done for the evening.
The ensuing double-file restart saw Zearfoss maintain control and turn under a Dewease slide job on Lap 15 to retain the lead. Dewease was determined and not going away, chipping away on the bottom at Zearfoss’ lead.
As Zearfoss once again reached traffic, Dewease got a huge run through the middle of turn one to pull even with Zearfoss down the backstretch and take command of the field to lead Lap 24.
At Lap 25, World of Outlaws and Williams Grove officials made the decision to throw the caution flag to prevent a majority of teams from running out of fuel. The decision was based on the fact the air quality was so good and that there were extra parade laps in honor of Hodnett and Johnson.
Following the Open Red, Zearfoss had something break on the car entering turn one and he came to a stop at the end of the frontstretch. Understandably disappointed, Zearfoss walked away from his car under his own power.
Brian Montieth assumed second and threatened Dewease for the lead on the restart running his typical cushion-pounding line.
Daryn Pittman found speed on the bottom and got by Monteith for second on Lap 27.
At this point, Dewease had established he was the class of the field and powered away from the field, navigating traffic with ease. Pittman was formidable and quick, but never got within striking distance of Dewease as the Hall of Famer went on to win his 92nd Feature at Williams Grove and fourth National Open.
“This is for Greg [Hodnett]. This whole week is about Greg. Everyone that knew him knows how great of a racer is, but he was an even better person,” Dewease said holding back tears in Victory Lane. “No one understands how difficult this week has been,” Dewease added somberly. “I wanted this one bad for this team. You always want to run well at this race, we had some bad luck last year,” Dewease said about his Kreitz Racing No.69K team.
Daryn Pittman was strong and finished runner-up at the National Open for the fourth time in his career. “This weekend wasn’t about Posse or Outlaws, it was about honoring Greg and it was great to see Bobbi and Jaxx Johnson as well,” the well-spoken Oklahoman said. “I feel that were at the same pace as the 69K and that’s an accomplishment in its own right,” Pittman said with a grin.
Local fan-favorite Brian Montieth finished third, the best of his National Open career, and was pleased, “We were pretty good, I’m sitting here, real proud.”
Tim Shaffer finished fourth with Ryan Smith completing the top-five. Shane Stewart earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 22nd to ninth.
Gio Scelzi was awarded $1300 from the Beerhill Gang as the National Open Rookie of the Year and Chad Trout earned $1527 from Dirt Track Digest and SprintCarUnlimited.com with the ‘Just Missed Award’.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season next Saturday, October 6 at Fulton Speedway in New York during NAPA Super DIRT Week. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 69K-Lance Dewease [2][$56,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [8][$12,000]; 3. 21X-Brian Montieth [5][$7,500]; 4. 49X-Tim Shaffer [10][$4,000]; 5. 94-Ryan Smith [12][$3,500]; 6. 21-Brian Brown [4][$3,000]; 7. 11-T.J. Stutts [9][$2,700]; 8. 27-Paul McMahan [15][$2,500]; 9. 2-Shane Stewart [22][$2,200]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11][$2,100]; 11. O7-Gerard McIntyre [13][$2,000]; 12. 39-Cory Haas [16][$1,650]; 13. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [3][$1,550]; 14. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$1,200]; 15. 51-Freddie Rahmer [28][$100]; 16. 5-David Gravel [19][$1,050]; 17. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [20][$1,000]; 18. 24-Lucas Wolfe [26][$]; 19. 18-Ian Madsen [24][$1,000]; 20. 41-Carson Macedo [18][$1,000]; 21. 19-Brent Marks [23][$1,000]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [25][$]; 23. 55K-Robbie Kendall [14][$1,000]; 24. 11K-Kraig Kinser [27][$]; 25. 15G-Jordan Givler [17][$1,000]; 26. 4-Brock Zearfoss [1][$1,000]; 27. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$1,000]; 28. 1-Logan Wagner [21][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Brock Zearfoss 1-23, Lance Dewease 24-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-Shane Stewart[+13]
Gio Scelzi Becomes Youngest World of Outlaws Winner in Series History on Night One of the Williams Grove National Open
MECHANICSBURG, PA – September 28, 2018 – On an emotional night in Pennsylvania Posse country, it was neither the locals or Outlaws in Victory Lane, as California phenom Gio Scelzi passed two-time National Open Champion David Gravel to lead Lap 16 and never looked back to win his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Victory on the opening night of the Champion Racing Oil Williams Grove National Open. Scelzi becomes the youngest driver to ever win a World of Outlaws race at the ripe age of 16 years old. Gravel settled for second with Lucas Wolfe completing the podium.
Gravel won the first of two Sears Craftsman Dashes to the earn the pole for the Feature, which went 27 laps in honor of five-time Williams Grove Track Champion and 1993 World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year, Greg Hodnett. Gio Scelzi won the second Dash to start outside the front row.
Gravel got the jump on the initial start and led the opening circuit with Scelzi in tow. Logan Schuchart, while running third, brought out the first caution of the evening, coming to a stop on the backstretch with five laps complete. That set up the first of three double-file restarts. Gravel elected the bottom on this one, putting Scelzi to his outside.
Gravel remained out front on the restart, but it was evident that Scelzi was a threat as he stayed right with the CJB Motorsports No.5 around the paperclip shaped half-mile. 2017 Track Champion Freddie Rahmer maneuvered his way into third from eighth and tried to close in on the lead duo.
Sheldon Haudenschild brought out the caution with 11 laps complete and this time Gravel elected the top on the double-file restart.
Again, Gravel remained out front as Scelzi took a peak underneath for the lead once again.
Carson Macedo, aboard the Jason Johnson Racing No.41, brought out the final caution of the evening on Lap 15. Gravel elected the bottom on the double-file restart, once again giving Scelzi the outside. Gravel entered high into turn one and tried to catch momentum to get a run off of turn two.
Scelzi pitched his Indy Race Parts No.71 hard to the bottom, couldn’t complete the slide job, but maintained speed on the bottom and pulled even with Gravel under the bridge and edged in front heading into turn three.
Scelzi, now in command of the field, powered away to lead Lap 16.
Lucas Wolfe moved by Freddie Rahmer into third and set his eyes on the leaders. For the first time, the leaders would reach lapped traffic as Gio Scelzi’s job was far from done. Scelzi approached traffic and Gravel closed in, looking to steal a win from the young California native.
With two to go, Gravel was within three car lengths as Scelzi continued to run the cushion through traffic. Gravel pitched the car hard into turn three before coming to the White Flag.
With Scelzi carrying speed on the cushion and a lapped on the bottom, there was no room for Gravel to make a last-ditch effort, as Gio Scelzi crossed under the Checkered Flag .732 seconds ahead of Gravel to become the youngest World of Outlaws winner in the Series 40-year history.
“I don’t think I am ever going to believe this one,” Scelzi said in Victory Lane when track announcer Bruce Ellis asked him about the night. “I was so good at the beginning, I was afraid I wouldn’t be any good at the end. David is good here, he’s a two-time National Open winner,” Scelzi, engulfed in positive emotion, said.
“I don’t know what to say, we could work anywhere. Hopefully we can Qualify good tomorrow and see what we can do,” Scelzi, who was grinning cheek-to-cheek, added about his chances tomorrow for the $56,000 payday.
David Gravel settled for second and was understandably disappointed.
“I didn’t know what to do on the restarts, I tried both lanes. When I was on the outside, I didn’t take off as well as I would have liked, so I went back to the bottom to try and protect myself from the slide job,” Gravel said of the pass for the lead. “Congrats to Gio, that first career win is hard to get, especially at Williams Grove,” Gravel added in good spirits. “Tomorrow is 13 more laps and pays a lot more to win, so hopefully we can finish one spot better.”
Lucas Wolfe was the highest finishing local and also applauded young Scelzi, “What a tremendous result for him, congrats to him. It wasn’t a bad night for us, we passed some good cars to get up here and hopefully we can do a little better tomorrow,” Wolfe said.
After Scelzi, Gravel and Wolfe crossed the finish line, Freddie Rahmer and Tim Shaffer got together battling for fourth, resulting in Shaffer ending up backwards at the bottom of turn four, bringing out the Yellow and Checkered simultaneously. Unfortunately for Shaffer, who was a couple hundred feet from a top-five finish, as the cause of the yellow, he was scored as the last car on the lead lap, which was 21st.
Freddie Rahmer officially finished fourth with 12th-starting Shane Stewart completing the top-five. Donny Schatz earned KSE Hard Charger Honors coming from 22nd to complete the top ten.
Logan Schuchart set Quick Time over an outstanding field of 50 cars, worth $327 courtesy of Fast Tee’s. Schuchart generously donated his bonus to Sherry Hodnett. Schatz’s effort also earned him a $500 bonus courtesy of Wicked Cushion, which he generously donated to the Hodnett family as well.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to Williams Grove Speedway tomorrow night for the $56,000 to win Champion Racing Oil National Open. Tonight’s results have no bearing on tomorrow’s program. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (27 Laps): 1. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [2][$10,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [1][$5,000]; 3. 24-Lucas Wolfe [5][$3,000]; 4. 51-Freddie Rahmer [8][$2,700]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [12][$2,500]; 6. 44-Trey Starks [6][$2,200]; 7. 21X-Brian Montieth [3][$2,000]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [17][$1,800]; 9. 21-Brian Brown [7][$1,600]; 10. 15-Donny Schatz [22][$1,450]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [13][$1,300]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [23][$1,200]; 13. 18-Ian Madsen [11][$1,100]; 14. 69K-Lance Dewease [19][$1,000]; 15. 27-Paul McMahan [21][$950]; 16. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [25][$200]; 17. 11-T.J. Stutts [14][$850]; 18. 48-Danny Dietrich [24][$750]; 19. 1X-Chad Trout [27][$25]; 20. 1A-Jacob Allen [10][$700]; 21. 49X-Tim Shaffer [9][$700]; 22. O7-Gerard McIntyre [18][$700]; 23. 39-Cory Haas [26][$]; 24. 55K-Robbie Kendall [20][$700]; 25. 41-Carson Macedo [15][$700]; 26. 94-Ryan Smith [16][$700]; 27. 1S-Logan Schuchart [4][$700]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-15, Giovanni Scelzi 16-27 KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz[+12]
Brad Sweet Tames Lernerville for Exciting Commonwealth Clash Victory
SARVER, PA – September 23, 2018 - Brad Sweet’s fantastic 2018 season continued Saturday night at Lernerville Speedway when he passed Donny Schatz on Lap 28 to become the fourth and final different leader of the 2018 Commonwealth Clash for his eighth win on the year. Schatz settled for second with former Lernerville track champion Tim Shaffer completing the podium.
Daryn Pittman won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 35-Lap Feature, alongside Tim Shaffer. Pittman jumped out to the early lead through a caution-filled first few laps. Brent Marks fell off the race track in turn three on the opening lap, leaving David Gravel nowhere to go as the two made contact, resulting in terminal front end damage for Marks
After consecutive Yellows on Lap 1, the field lined up single-file. Shaffer went for the slide job to take the lead on the restart, but Pittman turned it back under to maintain control.
Shaffer was relentless in pursuit of Pittman and took the lead off of turn four to lead Lap 6 to the delight of the hometown crowd.
During the long Green Flag stretch, Shaffer established a healthy lead through the heavy traffic. Donny Schatz got underneath Pittman to take second on Lap 18 and set his eyes on Shaffer.
Sweet continued his way forward getting by Pittman and getting an up-close look on the battle for the lead between Schatz and Shaffer. Schatz got a good run off the cushion in turn four to slide Shaffer into turn one to take command on Lap 22.
A lap later Sweet slid in front of Shaffer as the top two in Outlaw points established themselves as the class of the field as they have so many times this season.
Sweet got a massive run on the nine-time Series Champion out of turn two and blasted underneath to take the lead down the backstretch and officially lead Lap 28. Sweet powered away and looked to be well on his way to his eighth victory of the year, but a caution for sixth-place running Sheldon Haudenschild with three laps to go put the celebration on hold.
With less than five to go in the Feature World of Outlaws rules dictate a single-file restart, which allowed Schatz to attempt a slide job for the lead. Sweet powered around the Schatz slider to maintain the lead down the backstretch and go on to win his first Outlaw Feature at Lernerville.
“I struggled for the first few years of my career at this track, it’s nice to come here and be as fast we’ve been this year. The track was great, there were so many options of where to go in lapped traffic. You could rimride on that thin ledge or get going around the bottom,” Sweet said in Victory Lane in appreciation of the racing surface.
“This one is for Greg Hodnett, he was a good friend of mine. It’s been a tough year. We’ll celebrate this one a little for him and move on to the next one,” Sweet said with his heart on his sleeve.
Donny Schatz bounced back from an uncharacteristic bad night at Eldora to finish second.
“The track was tricky tonight, second isn’t bad, especially considering the night we had last night,” Schatz, who was forced into a Provisional for the first time in 2018 last night, said with a little grin.
When asked about the late-race restart, Schatz was honest. “I didn’t have much grip and I’m not going to use Brad up or run myself off the track. Luckily, I have these [crew] guys behind me and we’ll have more grip next time we come back,” Schatz said positively.
Tim Shaffer completed the podium and complimented Sweet and Schatz. “Those guys are on their game and third isn’t too bad against these guys. Those [pointing at Sweet and Schatz’ team] teams are what we are trying to build up this team up to,” Shaffer said next to his DR Racing No.49X.
Logan Schuchart was strong for the second consecutive night coming home fourth with Daryn Pittman completing the top-five. Central Pennsylvania invader Danny Dietrich earned KSE Hard Charger Honors coming from 14th to sixth.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series heads into Central Pennsylvania next weekend for the Champion Racing Oil National Open against the Pennsylvania Posse at Williams Grove Speedway. Saturday’s Feature at The Grove will pay $56,000 to win, making it the second-highest paying event on the World of Outlaws schedule in 2018. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (35 Laps): 1. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$5,500]; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer [2][$3,200]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6][$2,800]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [1][$2,500]; 6. 48-Danny Dietrich [14][$2,300]; 7. 18-Ian Madsen [12][$2,200]; 8. 5-David Gravel [9][$2,100]; 9. 21-Brian Brown [8][$2,050]; 10. W20-Greg Wilson [16][$2,000]; 11. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$1,500]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [15][$1,200]; 13. 35-Justin Henderson [20][$1,100]; 14. 2-Shane Stewart [10][$1,050]; 15. 11-Carl Bowser [19][$1,000]; 16. O7-Gerard McIntyre [13][$900]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [18][$800]; 18. 29-Dan Shetler [17][$800]; 19. C1-Clayton Riney [23][$800]; 20. 2L-Sye Lynch [21][$800]; 21. 40-George Hobaugh [22][$800]; 22. O8-Dan Kuriger [24][$800]; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen [7][$800]; 24. 19-Brent Marks [11][$800] Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-5, Tim Shaffer 6-21, Donny Schatz 22-27, Brad Sweet 28-35 KSE Hard Charger Award: 48-Danny Dietrich[+8]
Brent Marks Caps Emotional Evening with Thrilling Eldora Triumph
ROSSBURG, OH - September 21, 2018 — On an emotional night at one of the most famous dirt tracks in the world, Brent Marks won a thrilling race, passing fellow Central Pennsylvania Outlaw Logan Schuchart for the lead on Lap 23 and holding off a furious charge from 13th-starting Dave Blaney, Schuchart and 23rd-starting Greg Wilson. It was Marks' third career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory and first at the historic Eldora Speedway. Marks dedicated the win to Greg Hodnett, who passed tragically the night before in an unsanctioned race in Pennsylvania.
Logan Schuchart won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 30-Lap Feature, alongside David Gravel. Schuchart darted out to the early lead and Brent Marks, who started third, blasted around the bottom to take second down the backstretch.
Schuchart set a torrid pace out front as Marks went to war with Kraig Kinser for the runner-up position. With Marks banging down the cushion and Kinser catfishing around the bottom, the duo battled side-by-side for the better part of five laps.
As Schuchart reached heavy lapped traffic, Kinser and Marks’ battle continued and they both closed in on the Shark Racing No.1S. Kinser edged Marks by a nose at the line on Lap 12, which would prove crucial as the caution would fly for Parker Price-Miller, who lost a left rear tire running in the top ten.
Schuchart elected the bottom on the double-file restart, moving Kinser to his outside. Kinser, who was glued to the bottom prior to the caution, fell back on the start, as Marks moved back into second. Some contact the following lap between a slew of cars in the top ten, sent Gio Scelzi high into turn one, grazing the wall. Scelzi came down off the wall and got together with Daryn Pittman, resulting in the Kasey Kahne Racing No.9 upside down. Both drivers were uninjured but done for the evening.
The ensuing double-file restart saw Schuchart again choose the bottom with Marks to his outside this time. Schuchart remained in command with Marks in tow. 13th-starting Dave Blaney threw his name in the ring, battling Gravel and Kinser for the third position, three-wide at times.
Simultaneously, 23rd-starting Greg Wilson was coming, in typical Greg Wilson Eldora fashion, glued to the inside guard rail.
Back up front, Marks was closing in on Schuchart and threw a slide job for the lead into turn one on Lap 23. Schuchart fought back underneath Marks to maintain the lead going into turn three, where he went to the bottom. Marks put his family-owned No.19 right up against the wall, grabbing the cushion off of turn four and taking command of the field to lead the lap.
Marks powered away from Schuchart, who now had his hands full with the hard-charging Blaney and Wilson. Blaney took second from Schuchart and set his sights on Marks. After Marks got held up ever so slightly in traffic, Blaney attempted a slide job in turn three with three laps remaining, but Marks stayed on the gas and powered around the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame member to maintain control.
Blaney’s slide job attempt for the lead cost him momentum as Wilson and Schuchart, who found late race speed right up against the outside wall, caught and surpassed the veteran by the White Flag.
But tonight, there was no catching Brent Marks, as the Myerstown, PA native went on to win his third World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of the season and of his career.
“We’re all really thinking about Greg [Hodnett] and his family, he’s somebody I’ve respected tremendously throughout my whole career and was always a fan of growing up in Central Pennsylvania. This race is for him and his whole family and everyone back in Pennsylvania mourning his loss,” an emotional Marks said to a large applause from the Eldora Speedway crowd.
“This is awesome, I can’t believe I won a race at Eldora. This is my first Outlaw win that my Mom and Dad were able to see. I can’t thank my guys Jesse and Dallas enough, and we just added Jim Shuttlesworth. Last week was our first weekend together, we kept talking and improving throughout the night and working together well. This is special, I can’t believe I’m standing in Victory Lane at Eldora,” Marks added.
When asked about the race itself, Marks talked about the tricky cushion, “I knew I needed to be more aggressive on the wall, but the top was right up against the wall and I didn’t want to tear this thing up. I changed my entry into turn three and Logan started coming to me,”
“I can’t believe it’s my sophomore season with the World of Outlaws and I have three wins now, I can’t thank everyone who helps out with this operation enough,” Marks concluded.
Fellow Central Pennsylvania native Logan Schuchart settled for second after leading 22 laps, “It’s tough, lapped cars are so hard to judge. It’s hard leading a race and knowing where to go, I didn’t feel as comfortable up top and I felt I was slowing down, so I moved down. Brent drove a great race.”
“This is all for the Heffner Racing No.27 team and everybody back home, we’ve got a couple of PA boys up front and this is all for them,” Schuchart added with emotion.
The obvious KSE Hard Charger was 23rd-starting Greg Wilson who finished on the podium for the second time this year at Eldora.
“We’re good when it slicks off. This is how the tracks need to be. The race track was awesome tonight, there was passing,” Wilson said before reflecting about the recent tragedy in Sprint Car Racing.
“My heart goes out to the Hodnett family. I woke up this morning and looked at my wife and girls and wondered if I should keep doing this. I love it, though. I wouldn’t trade this opportunity to race with my wife and kids at Eldora in front of all you fans for anything,” Wilson, the Ohio native, said to a thunderous roar from the crowd.
Dave Blaned faded to fourth in the closing laps, still no small feat coming from 13th, with Gravel completing the top five.
Kraig Kinser was strong all evening and settled for sixth with Hunter Schuerenburg, who set Quick Time, and Sheldon Haudenschild finishing seventh and eighth, respectively. Rico Abreu charged from 21st to ninth with 17th-starting Jason Sides completing the top-ten.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series makes the trek to Western Pennsylvania tomorrow night, September 22 with the running of the Commonwealth Clash in Sarver, PA. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 19-Brent Marks [3][$10,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1][$5,500]; 3. W20-Greg Wilson [23][$3,200]; 4. 70-Dave Blaney [13][$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [2][$2,500]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5][$2,300]; 7. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [4][$2,200]; 8. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$2,100]; 9. 24-Rico Abreu [21][$2,050]; 10. 7S-Jason Sides [17][$2,000]; 11. 3G-Carson Macedo [24][$1,500]; 12. 49-Brad Sweet [10][$1,200]; 13. 15-Donny Schatz [25][$300]; 14. 4-Brock Zearfoss [15][$1,050]; 15. 12N-Cole Duncan [20][$1,000]; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen [26][$100]; 17. 2-Shane Stewart [9][$800]; 18. 18-Ian Madsen [22][$800]; 19. 49X-Tim Shaffer [19][$800]; 20. 71P-Parker Price-Miller [11][$800]; 21. 3-Jac Haudenschild [12][$800]; 22. 17X-Aaron Reutzel [14][$800]; 23. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [6][$800]; 24. 9-Daryn Pittman [16][$800]; 25. 19P-Paige Polyak [18][$800]; 26. 13-Paul McMahan [8][$800]; Lap Leaders: Logan Schuchart 1-22, Brent Marks 23-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+20]
Eliason Gets Second Career Outlaw Win at Calistoga
CALISTOGA, CA – September 15, 2018 – An opportune Yellow Flag allowed Cory Eliason to officially lead all 25 laps Saturday night at Calistoga Speedway for his second career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory. Donny Schatz took the lead off of turn four coming to the White Flag, but the caution negated the pass, forcing Schatz to be relegated back to second, where he finished. Logan Schuchart finished third, his second podium in as many nights at Calistoga.
Eliason won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for 25-Lap Feature alongside his good friend and fellow California native Giovanni Scelzi. Eliason and Scelzi waged war on the opening lap, with Eliason turning under a Scelzi slide job to lead Lap 1.
Eliason, who scored his first career Outlaw win earlier this year at Stockton, powered away from the field as Scelzi, Schatz and Schuchart captivated the large Calistoga Speedway audience with their battle for second.
Schatz, who won the Wine Country Outlaw Showdown last year, moved by Schuchart into third on Lap 10 and set his eyes on young Scelzi, who was in search of his first career Outlaw triumph. Schatz edged in front of the youngster on Lap 11, but the Fresno, CA teenager battled back underneath the nine-time Series Champion to grab the runner-up position back.
Despite Scelzi’s resilience, Schatz wrestled the position away for good on Lap 14 as the Fargo, ND native focused his sights on Eliason. Schatz gradually cut into Eliason’s lead, setting up some potential late race fireworks. With five to go, Schuchart got by Scelzi for third as Schatz had all but erased Eliason’s lead.
Coming to the White Flag, Eliason slipped out of the rubber in turn three, opening the door for Schatz. Schatz got underneath Eliason, who was desperately trying to get back into the groove and the two made slight contact, resulting with Schatz having the advantage coming to the White Flag.
It was all for nothing as the caution flew for Brent Marks who came to a stop atop turn two, ending his charge forward.
The caution set up a Green-White-Checkered finish, and after getting a second chance at it, Eliason wasn’t going to make a mistake this time. The Visalia, CA native went on to win his second World of Outlaws Feature of the year and his career.
“I got out of the rubber and saw [Schatz] underneath me and thought was it, I’m going to finish second,” a jubilant Eliason said.
Eliason, who was making his 43rd Outlaw start of the season, has spent the majority of the 2018 season in the Midwest and East Coast and has valued his time at new race tracks. “I can’t thank Dennis and Theresa Roth enough, it’s absolutely been beneficial to be out on the road this year and I think our speed these few weeks at home show that,” Eliason added.
Donny Schatz was understandably disappointed to see the Yellow Flag fly, preventing his 20th win of the year. “That’s part of racing. Sometimes the Yellows fall your way, sometimes they don’t. We’ll take second and move on to Eldora on Friday,” Schatz said.
Logan Schuchart was pleased to be on the podium once again and gain momentum heading back East, “Being out here all the way from Pennsylvania, it’s great to finish on the podium back-to-back nights here, it says a lot about this team and how hard they work. Hopefully we can pick up some more wins to finish off the season,” Schuchart said positively.
Brad Sweet got by Gio Scelzi on the late restart to finish fourth with Scelzi matching his career-best Outlaw finish in fifth. Greg Wilson earned KSE Hard Charger honors.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series makes the cross-country trek to Eldora Speedway to compete Friday, September 21 before returning to Sarver, PA and Lernerville Speedway for the Commonwealth Clash Saturday, September 22. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (25 Laps): 1. 83-Cory Eliason [1][$12,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$5,700]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$3,500]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [6][$3,000]; 5. 41S-Giovanni Scelzi [2][$2,600]; 6. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [10][$2,400]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [5][$2,300]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [7][$2,200]; 9. 5-David Gravel [9][$2,150]; 10. 24-Rico Abreu [12][$2,100]; 11. 18-Ian Madsen [14][$1,600]; 12. 17W-Shane Golobic [15][$1,350]; 13. 29-Willie Croft [11][$1,300]; 14. 26-Joey Saldana [13][$1,200]; 15. 88N-DJ Netto [17][$1,100]; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen [8][$1,000]; 17. 68-Chase Johnson [19][$900]; 18. W20-Greg Wilson [23][$850]; 19. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18][$800]; 20. O-Bud Kaeding [20][$800]; 21. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$800]; 22. 19-Brent Marks [21][$800]; 23. 45-Austen Wheatley [24][$800]; 24. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [22][$800] Lap Leaders: Cory Eliason 1-25 KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+5]
Daryn Pittman Scores 8th Win of 2018 in Dramatic Fashion at Calistoga
CALISTOGA, CA – September 14, 2018 – Daryn Pittman held off Logan Schuchart by a car-length to win his 8th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018 Friday night at Calistoga Speedway. Pittman led all 25 laps but shredded a right rear immediately after the checkered and limped his Kasey Kahne Racing No.9 to the scales and to Victory Lane. Schuchart settled for second, just 0.133 seconds behind Pittman, with Rico Abreu completing the podium.
Daryn Pittman drew the pole for the Sears Craftsman Dash and won the six-lap event to earn the pole for the 25-Lap Feature. Pittman used a strong start to lead the first two laps before a Red Flag for Sheldon Haudenschild and Willie Croft halted the action. Both drivers were uninjured. Haudenschild was able to return and run a few laps but was forced back to the pits with lingering issues.
The ensuing double-file restart saw Donny Schatz get by Logan Schuchart for third and begin to put pressure on Abreu for second. Cory Eliason brought out the Yellow with seven laps complete running sixth. As Pittman and Abreu powered away from the field, Schuchart was able to get back by Schatz for third on the restart down the backstretch.
The remaining 18 laps went non-stop allowing Pittman to reach the back of the field, forcing the Owasso, OK native to slow his pace out front. Abreu, Schuchart and Schatz closed in on Pittman as the racing surface became locked down. Schatz took third back from Schuchart with five laps remaining and looked poised to make a late-race charge.
With two laps remaining, the top four were nose-to-tail entering turn one. Schuchart muscled his way underneath Schatz to take third down the backstretch, then hit the rubber perfectly off of turn four to take second from Abreu coming to the White Flag.
Schuchart got a big run off turn two and took a peak underneath Pittman for the lead down the backstretch but thought better of it entering turn three. Schuchart turned the car hard left off turn four to try and steal the win but came up .133 short as Pittman collected his 8th win of 2019.
As Pittman went into turn one after the Checkered, his right rear tire blew, and he had to limp his KKR No.9 to the scales.
“I knew something was wrong the last three laps, I must have hit something,” Pittman said about the dramatic ending. “Hopefully we can continue to pick up wins and land a sponsor on this thing, it’s been a good stretch for Kasey Kahne Racing, Brad [Sweet] has obviously been really good this year. I’m so blessed to be able to be out here with my family doing this for a living,” Pittman said as his two daughters hugged him.
Logan Schuchart matched his career-best at the historic Calistoga Speedway with a second-place finish, “It was one of those deals where you wish it would have been one more lap,” the Hanover, PA native said with a smile. “I’m really proud of this team and hopefully we can finish one spot better tomorrow.”
Rico Abreu was the highest finishing local, coming home third with Donny Schatz, who set Fast Time and Brad Sweet completing the top-five.
Joey Saldana was strong all evening finishing sixth with Shane Stewart, 14th-starting Brent Marks, Gio Scelzi and Jacob Allen completing the top-ten. Shane Golobic earned KSE Hard Charger honors, coming from 19th to finish 12th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series concludes the West Coast portion of its 40th Anniversary Season at Calistoga Speedway tomorrow evening. Tickets are still available. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (25 Laps): 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [1][$8,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$4,000]; 3. 24-Rico Abreu [2][$2,500]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$2,200]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$2,100]; 6. 26-Joey Saldana [7][$2,000]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$1,800]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [14][$1,600]; 9. 41S-Giovanni Scelzi [10][$1,500]; 10. 1A-Jacob Allen [8][$1,300]; 11. 18-Ian Madsen [11][$1,200]; 12. 17W-Shane Golobic [19][$1,100]; 13. 5-David Gravel [13][$1,000]; 14. O-Bud Kaeding [12][$700]; 15. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [18][$600]; 16. 83-Cory Eliason [9][$600]; 17. 11K-Kraig Kinser [22][$600]; 18. 88N-DJ Netto [24][$600]; 19. 45-Austen Wheatley [23][$600]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$600]; 21. 37-Mitchell Faccinto [21][$600]; 22. W20-Greg Wilson [20][$600]; 23. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [17][$600]; 24. 29-Willie Croft [15][$600]; Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17W-Shane Golobic[+7]
Brad Sweet Masters Lapped Traffic En Route to $20,000 Placerville Victory
PLACERVILLE, CA – September 12, 2018 – Brad Sweet passed Rico Abreu on Lap 8, was masterful through heavy lapped traffic, and held off Sheldon Haudenschild in a Green-White-Checkered finish to win the 49er Gold Rush Classic Presented by Riebes NAPA Auto Parts at Placerville Speedway. The win was Sweet’s 7th of the season and worth $20,000. Haudenschild kept the fans on the edge of their seat and came home second with local Andy Forsberg, who scored $2000 for setting Quick Time earlier in the evening, completing the podium.
Rico Abreu, fresh off his Gold Cup Race of Champions victory Saturday at Chico, won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 49-Lap Feature alongside Sweet. Abreu got a good initial start and led the opening circuit and paced the field before Jason Sides brought out the first caution of the event with three laps complete.
Abreu powered away on the restart and reached lapped traffic quickly around the quarter-mile, high-banked oval. Sweet hawked Abreu as the latter entered traffic and made the move to take command of the field off of turn four to lead Lap 8.
A Red Flag for Brent Marks on Lap 14 halted action and took the leaders out of heavy traffic. Marks, who had come forward seven positions to 11th, was uninjured, but done for the evening.
The next 34 laps went non-stop allowing the leaders to endure as heavy of lapped traffic as they will see all season.
Sheldon Haudenschild, who started third, fell back to fifth at the time of the Red Flag for Marks but became the show on the restart. Haudenschild’s go to line was entering high into turn one and diamonding off the bottom of turn two. Haudenschild took fourth with that line from Pittman on the restart. Five laps later Haudenschild got by Eliason off of turn two to grab third and set his eyes on Abreu and leader Brad Sweet.
Abreu bobbled in turn four on the cushion on Lap 28, allowing Haudenschild to move into second. But Haudenschild made the same mistake the following lap as Abreu slid back in front of the young Wooster, OH native to reclaim second at the line.
By Lap 35, there were lapped cars scattered all over the racing surface in front of Sweet, forcing him to slow his pace and allowing the pack to close in. Abreu took a couple of looks underneath Sweet, but the latter remained in the gas and never gave Abreu a chance to slide him.
Lap 45 saw Sweet trying his best to navigate traffic on the cushion with Abreu looking desperately for a way by him and Haudenschild looming as the leaders were nose to tail down the backstretch.
Sweet had a strong three laps, putting two lapped cars in between himself and Abreu and Haudenschild coming to the White Flag. Haudenschild grabbed second at the White Flag and then slid to the top of turn one to maintain momentum. Stuck with nowhere to go, lapped car Jacob Allen flipped off of the top of turn one. Allen was uninjured with the Red Flag setting up a Green-White-Checkered finish.
As the cars came to a stop for the Red Flag, Abreu uncharacteristically rolled into Haudenschild. Abreu got out of his car and informed World of Outlaws officials that the steering broke on his family-owned No.24 and his night was over.
Sweet got an excellent restart, thwarting any chance of Haudenschild’s late race heroics as Sweet went to win, the, now, 50-Lap Feature, by 0.611 seconds.
Sweet, who was a co-promoter of the event, was visibly excited to get the big win in his hometown. “I don’t know if that’s cool or not [that I won my own race], but $20,000 was on the line. It’s great to get the NAPA car in Victory Lane in the Riebes NAPA Auto Parts Race,” Sweet said next to his Kasey Kahne, who was in attendance, owned No.49.
“It’s awesome to come back here in my hometown in front of all my friends and family and get the win. Lapped traffic was really tough, I hope you guys enjoyed the show. We’ll be back next year,” Sweet added.
When asked about the hectic lapped traffic, Sweet said, “I thought I covered most of my lines, but I knew someone was close. You just try to keep your composure and pick off the lapped cars the best you can. The cushion was tricky, kudos to the Russell family, they do a great job here every week and we get to play in their playground once a year.”
Sweet ended with a heartfelt statement, “I have so many people to thank for helping put on this show and I’m very appreciative.”
Sheldon Haudenschild finished second and was equally as appreciative. “Brad did a great job and a huge thanks to him for putting this race on. Thanks to the fans for coming out on a weekday, I know it’s difficult and we appreciate it. Hopefully you all enjoyed the show, I had a blast. This is a beautiful track. I’m definitely grateful to be in this position and to be able to race Sprint Cars for a living,” Haudenschild said next to his NOS Energy Sponsored, Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall No.17.
Andy Forsberg, the current Placerville Speedway 360 Sprint Car points leader, led the local charge finishing third, his third top-ten against the Outlaws in as many starts this season. “This is a 2009 chassis and the youngest guy on my crew is 54 years old and they work their tails off,” Forsberg, who will wrap his 20th points title as a driver this Saturday at Placerville, said with a big smile. “Every once in a while, you can sneak a good run against the Outlaws,” Forsberg added before stating how proud he was of his team for their runs against The Greatest Show on Dirt this week.
Tim Kaeding continued his outstanding success in a second Sides Motorsports entry coming from 10th to fourth with Eliason settling for fifth. David Gravel crashed in the Heat Race was forced to take a Provisional and earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming forward to 13th.
Shane Stewart and Justin Sanders flipped in the Sears Craftsman Dash, forcing Stewart to a backup car and to start at the rear while Sanders start and parked because of the damage. High Sierra Industries put up $1000 cash if a World of Outlaws driver set Quick Time and doubled that if a non-Outlaw set Quick Time, which sent Forsberg home with $2000 extra in his pocket for his 10.282 lap around the bullring.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series concludes its California swing this weekend September 14 and 15 at the beautiful historic Calistoga Speedway. Tickets for the Wine Country Classic are still available. If you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (50 Laps due to green-white-checkered finish) 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$20,000]; 2. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$6,000]; 3. 92-Andy Forsberg [6][$3,750]; 4. 3-Tim Kaeding [10][$3,250]; 5. 83-Cory Eliason [4][$2,750]; 6. 3C-Tanner Thorson [11][$2,500]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [5][$2,400]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7][$2,300]; 9. 17W-Shane Golobic [13][$2,200]; 10. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$2,100]; 11. 18-Ian Madsen [21][$1,700]; 12. 22-Mason Moore [8][$1,400]; 13. 5-David Gravel [24][$300]; 14. 31C-Justyn Cox [15][$1,200]; 15. 2-Shane Stewart [23][$1,100]; 16. 25-Bobby McMahan [19][$1,000]; 17. 1A-Jacob Allen [12][$1,000]; 18. 24-Rico Abreu [1][$1,000]; 19. 7-Scott Bogucki [17][$1,000]; 20. 88N-DJ Netto [14][$1,000]; 21. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$1,000]; 22. 19-Brent Marks [18][$1,000]; 23. O-Bud Kaeding [22][$1,000]; 24. 29-Willie Croft [20][$1,000]; 25. 121-Justin Sanders [25][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Rico Abreu 1-7, Brad Sweet 8-50; KSE Hard Charger Award: 5-David Gravel[+11]
Rico Abreu Pockets $15,000 in Gold Cup Thriller
CHICO, CA – September 8, 2018 – Rico Abreu went from third to first to lead Lap 26 and never looked back, securing his second Gold Cup title in a slide job war Saturday Night at Silver Dollar Speedway. Tim Kaeding, in a second Sides Motorsports entry, finished second for the second consecutive night with Cory Eliason completing the all-California podium.
16-year-old Buddy Kofoid won the Sears Craftsman Dash by 4.921 seconds to earn the pole for the 40-Lap Gold Cup Race of Champions alongside Justin Sanders, both drivers in search of their first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victories.
Kofoid and Sanders set a slow pace as the field came to Green and Kofoid slipped off the bottom, opening the door for third-starting Cory Eliason to blast into the lead and take command.
With three provisionals being used, there were 27 410 Sprint Cars blasting around the tight-quartered Silver Dollar Speedway. Eliason, aboard the famous Roth Motorsports No.83, reached lapped traffic on Lap 5 around the bullring oval. Cars were littered all around the racing surface as Eliason worked through traffic to extend his lead.
Tanner Thorson established himself as a threat, coming forward from his seventh starting position to grab second on Lap 10 as he set his eyes on Eliason in search of his first career Outlaw win. Rico Abreu, who came from eighth to fifth in the Dash, moved into third on Lap 12, shuffling young Kofoid back to fourth with Sanders in fifth.
As Eliason negotiated heavy lapped traffic, Thorson closed in on Lap 18 and took a peak underneath the Roth Motorsports No.83. The duo battled hard, allowing Abreu to clear slower cars and reel both of them in.
Thorson used a big slider in three and four on Eliason to take the lead on Lap 25. Eliason tried to get back by into turn one, but left the door open for Abreu who took second down the backstretch and then went for the home run slider in turn three and completed it to take the lead from Thorson and lead Lap 26 with the crowd on their feet.
Eliason and Thorson continued to battle it out for second with the pair making contact with 27 laps complete, resulting in a broken front axle of Thorson’s No.3C. Thorson’s night was done, moving ninth-starting Tim Kaeding into third and defending Gold Cup Champion Shane Stewart into fourth.
The first caution of the event allowed the fans and drivers to catch their breath after an action-packed first 27 laps. A pair of cautions on the ensuing double-file restart and two laps later kept the action tame.
When action resumed Abreu darted away from the field as Kaeding and Eliason waged for second. The duo made contact coming off of turn four on Lap 31, allowing Stewart to get to third in front of Kaeding. The final caution of the evening flew for Outlaw Rookie Ian Madsen with front end damage with nine laps remaining.
Again, Abreu blasted away from the field as Kaeding, Eliason and Stewart battled for position behind him. The trio of cars battling allowed Abreu to run and hide en route to his second Outlaw win of the season in popular fashion and be crowned Gold Cup Champion for the second time in his career.
“It is so much fun to drive when your car is like it was tonight,” Abreu said in compliments of his young team, which features no one older than 23 years old.
“They are a young group, but they are becoming the best in the business. It’s hard to find a group of young guys that want to work. They all want to race, but my guys want to work. Drivers can showcase their talents when their cars are fast,” Abreu added speaking highly of his crew headlined by Ricky Warner’s son, Drew.
“I grew up racing here every Friday night in Sprint Cars, so this track is close to home to me. It’s great to get a win, especially when you beat the Outlaws,” Abreu said with a big smile to a huge roar from the crowd.
Tim Kaeding edged in front Eliason for good to secure second on back-to-back nights. “I have to thank Jason Sides and everyone that came on board for this deal. They let me have fun and that’s the one thing that has been lacking the past few years,” Kaeding said.
“That was one hell of a race from my point of view, I hope you fans enjoyed it, because that was fun,” Kaeding added to another large applause from the engaged crowd.
Cory Eliason completed the all-California podium and took the time to apologize to Thorson. “I want to apologize to Tanner for getting into him,” Eliason said humbly. “Tim and I got into each other, but we both kept going and you get that racing hard on a slick track. It was a great week,” Eliason, who finished fifth Friday, added.
Shane Stewart was the highest finishing Outlaw, coming home fourth with young Kofoid netting a career-best fifth. Justin Sanders finished sixth with 13th-starting Shane Golobic coming forward to seventh, as California was well-represented up front for the second night in a row.
Outlaws Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet charged forward from 19th and 16th, respectively, to finish eighth and ninth with track champion Andy Forsberg completing the top ten. DJ Netto garnered KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 24th to finish 12th. Brent Marks made noise by running the alphabet, transferring from the C to the Feature, where he came home 17th in his second weekend at Silver Dollar. Joey Saldana set Quick Time over the 41-car field but was on the wrong end of contact in his Heat Race, sending him to the LCS, which he won and then came forward to 15th in the Feature.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series and California locals get three days off before heading to Placerville for the $20,000 to win 49er Gold Rush Classic on Wednesday, September 12. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, catch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 24-Rico Abreu [5][$15,000]; 2. 3-Tim Kaeding [9][$5,700]; 3. 83-Cory Eliason [3][$3,500]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [6][$3,000]; 5. 4S-Michael Kofoid [1][$2,600]; 6. 121-Justin Sanders [2][$2,400]; 7. 17W-Shane Golobic [13][$2,300]; 8. 15-Donny Schatz [19][$2,200]; 9. 49-Brad Sweet [16][$2,150]; 10. 92-Andy Forsberg [4][$2,100]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [10][$1,600]; 12. 88N-DJ Netto [24][$1,350]; 13. O-Bud Kaeding [15][$1,300]; 14. 5-David Gravel [20][$1,200]; 15. 26-Joey Saldana [21][$1,100]; 16. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [11][$1,000]; 17. 19-Brent Marks [23][$900]; 18. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [14][$850]; 19. 45-Austen Wheatley [12][$800]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [27][$]; 21. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18][$800]; 22. 21P-Robbie Price [22][$800]; 23. 29-Willie Croft [17][$800]; 24. 18-Ian Madsen [8][$800]; 25. 3C-Tanner Thorson [7][$800]; 26. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25][$]; 27. 1A-Jacob Allen [26][$]; Lap Leaders: Cory Eliason 1-24, Tanner Thorson 25, Rico Abreu 26-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 88N-DJ Netto[+12]
Brad Sweet Gets His 6th of the Year in Front of Hometown Crowd at Silver Dollar Speedway
CHICO, CA – September 7, 2018 – Grass Valley, California native Brad Sweet passed Tim Kaeding on Lap 17 and powered around a Kaeding slide job in the Green-White-Checkered finish to win his sixth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018. Tim Kaeding, aboard a second Sides Motorsports entry, settled for second and his brother Bud Kaeding completed the podium.
Tim Kaeding, fresh off of a fifth-place finish at the Knoxville Nationals, won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 30-Lap Feature alongside fellow California native Cory Eliason. Eliason powered off the cushion of turn four to lead the opening lap with Kaeding in tow.
Eliason, aboard the famous Roth Motorsports No.83, reached traffic quickly around the quarter-mile oval and Kaeding took advantage with a slider in turn one to lead Lap 9. Meanwhile, Brad Sweet worked his way forward from his fifth-starting spot to third on Lap 10.
Sweet battled with Eliason for second for a couple circuits before securing the position for good on Lap 14. Sweet set his eyes on Kaeding and reeled him in quickly in heavy lapped traffic before completing the slide job for the lead in turn one to lead Lap 17.
As Sweet motored away, Kaeding and Eliason waged war for second with the latter taking the position at the conclusion of the 18th circuit. Bud Kaeding closed in on his brother and Eliason making it a three-car battle for the runner-up position. Tim Kaeding established the position and tried to reel Sweet back in as the leaders sliced and diced their way through traffic around the bullring.
Sweet had a comfortable lead coming to the White Flag, but a caution for Buddy Kofoid put the celebration on hold. A Green-White-Checkered finish would end the race, officially making the event 31 laps.
Tim Kaeding threw a big slider into turn one, but Sweet stayed on the gas, powered around him down the backstretch and went on to win his sixth Feature of 2018.
“I’ve been coming here since I was a kid and it’s cool to get a win here. It’s all about tomorrow night now, it would be awesome to get a Gold Cup victory tomorrow, that’s something I dreamed about as a kid,” Sweet said next to his NAPA Racing, Kasey Kahne No.49.
When prompted about the late restart, Sweet didn’t hold back, “I made a mistake and I will learn from it in the future. I think I had the best car, but you’ve got to finish races and I was fortunate to survive that restart,” the Grass Valley, CA native added.
Tim Kaeding continued his impressive week coming home second in the Sides Motorsports No.3.
“It’s a privilege to be able to drive for Jason. Jason is a great guy and one of the last true guys in the sport. It’s great to be competitive with the Outlaws again,” Kaeding said.
When asked about the last restart Kaeding chuckled and said, “10 years ago I probably would have crashed both of us.”
The San Jose, CA fan-favorite concluded the interview by encouraging the large crowd to get some cold beer and go to the annual Chili Feed.
Tim’s brother, Bud, was pleased to be on the podium aboard the famous Williams No.0. “I don’t think I’ve ever been on the podium with the Outlaws. Morrie and Kate Williams have been doing this a long time and I can’t thank them enough,” Bud said in appreciation before thanking the fans for supporting Gold Cup and dirt track racing.
10th-starting Shane Golobic, who competed last night in the BC39 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, finished fourth with Eliason fading to fifth.
Following Sweet to the line were seven California locals, meaning the first eight finishers were California natives to the delight of the hometown crowd. Outlaws Ian Madsen and Shane Stewart completed the top-ten. Daryn Pittman garnered KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 18th to 11th.
The Gold Cup Race of Champions concludes Saturday, September 8, 2018 with a $15,000 top prize on the line. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$8,000]; 2. 3-Tim Kaeding [1][$4,000]; 3. O-Bud Kaeding [4][$2,500]; 4. 17W-Shane Golobic [10][$2,200]; 5. 83-Cory Eliason [2][$2,100]; 6. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [6][$2,000]; 7. 121-Justin Sanders [13][$1,800]; 8. 92-Andy Forsberg [9][$1,600]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [14][$1,500]; 10. 2-Shane Stewart [11][$1,300]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [18][$1,200]; 12. 15-Donny Schatz [17][$1,100]; 13. 16A-Colby Copeland [3][$1,000]; 14. 88N-DJ Netto [12][$700]; 15. 24-Rico Abreu [15][$600]; 16. 3C-Tanner Thorson [19][$600]; 17. 45-Austen Wheatley [8][$600]; 18. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [16][$600]; 19. 11K-Kraig Kinser [20][$600]; 20. 5-David Gravel [21][$600]; 21. 26-Joey Saldana [23][$600]; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25][$]; 23. 22-Mason Moore [24][$600]; 24. 4S-Michael Kofoid [7][$600]; 25. 19-Brent Marks [26][$]; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen [22][$600]; Lap Leaders: Cory Eliason 1-8, Tim Kaeding 9-16, Brad Sweet 17-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman[+7]
Donny Schatz Does It Again at Willamette Speedway
LEBANON, OR – September 5, 2018 – Donny Schatz won for the second time in 48 hours, passing Logan Schuchart on Lap 14 to win his 19th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018 Wednesday at Willamette Speedway in the Series lone visit to Oregon. Schuchart, who passed Schatz on Lap 4 and led 10 laps, settled for second with David Gravel completing the podium.
Overcoming a mediocre Qualifying effort, Schatz was able to come from fourth to second in his Heat Race to earn a spot in the Sears Craftsman Dash. Schatz drew the one for the Dash and won it to earn the pole for the 30-Lap Feature, alongside David Gravel.
Schatz got the jump on the initial start and led the opening lap. Logan Schuchart and Shane Stewart fought their way to second and third, with Gravel getting shuffled back to fourth. Brent Marks came to a stop on Lap 2, bringing out the caution and setting up a double-file restart.
Schatz chose the bottom and stayed committed down there as Schuchart got a run to his outside. Schuchart used a big surge off the cushion of turn four to lead the fourth circuit. Schuchart reached lapped traffic on Lap 9 and negotiated it well, but Schatz stayed right with him. Schatz continued to stalk Schuchart through traffic.
Schuchart followed the slower car of Willie Croft on the bottom into turn one on Lap 13 and then slipped up on the bottom off of turn four and that was all the nine-time Series Champion needed to steal the top spot back and lead Lap 14.
A long Green Flag run allowed Schatz to show his prowess in lapped traffic as he built a sizable advantage over Schuchart. Behind Schuchart a slew of cars were littered across the racing surface, waging war for third through sixth.
Ian Madsen brought out the Yellow Flag with 26 laps complete and four laps to run, giving Schuchart and company one last chance to get Schatz for the win. Schuchart followed Schatz into turn one on the bottom and tried to get a run off of turn four to no avail, as Schatz powered away and won by 1.804 seconds for the 19th time in 2018.
“I was a little evil early, I was trying to burn off the fuel and the more I did, the better I got. My car was really good, hats off to my guys, they are the ones that should be standing here,” Schatz said of his Tony Stewart Racing No.15 crew.
When asked about the long Green Flag run, Schatz said, “That’s what you live for when you are running second, or when you are leading. If you can get out front and you do the right things in lapped traffic, you know it.”
“There were a lot of grooves out there, a top, a bottom and a middle sometimes. Hats off to the track crew for providing an excellent race track,” Schatz, who also won at Willamette in 2016, said of the racing surface.
Schuchart settled for second and wasted no time complimenting Schatz. “Props to the 15 team, they do a great job every night and Donny drove a great race. Second-place is still pretty good and this Team Drydene, Shark Racing No.1S is really fast right now. I’m proud of where we are at,” Schuchart said with confidence.
After starting on the front row David Gravel fell as far back as sixth before finding speed on the top side of the racing surface to surge back to third. “We tried to run the bottom early and I went backwards so I had to move up and make some of that ground back up. It’s good to be on the podium, but when you start up front you want to get some wins. Hopefully we can keep this momentum going,” Gravel said next to his CJB Motorsports No.5 machine.
2014 Willamette winner Shane Stewart finished fourth with Sheldon Haudenschild rim-riding his way to fifth.
13th-starting Kyle Larson, in his 8th Outlaw start of the year, came forward to sixth with his brother-in-law Brad Sweet finishing seventh. Daryn Pittman, Joey Saldana, who set Quick Time to open the evening, and 20th-starting Rico Abreu completed the top-ten. Abreu’s efforts were good enough to garner KSE Hard Charger honors in his first visit to Willamette Speedway.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will return to California this weekend at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CA with the running of the Gold Cup Race of Champions. Saturday’s Feature will pay $15,000 to win. Wednesday, September 12 the Outlaws stop at Placerville Speedway for the 49er Gold Rush Classic, which will pay $20,000 to win and $1,000 to take the Green. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$8,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$4,000]; 3. 5-David Gravel [2][$2,500]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$2,200]; 5. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [6][$2,100]; 6. 57-Kyle Larson [13][$2,000]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$1,800]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [9][$1,600]; 9. 26-Joey Saldana [7][$1,500]; 10. 24-Rico Abreu [20][$1,300]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson [10][$1,200]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [11][$1,100]; 13. 7S-Jason Sides [12][$1,000]; 14. 1A-Jacob Allen [16][$700]; 15. 18-Ian Madsen [14][$600]; 16. 45-Austen Wheatley [15][$600]; 17. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [8][$600]; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser [21][$600]; 19. 55-Trey Starks [19][$600]; 20. 29-Willie Croft [18][$600]; 21. 96-Andy Caruana [22][$600]; 22. 21P-Robbie Price [17][$600]; Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-3, 14-30; Logan Schuchart 4-13; KSE Hard Charger Award: 24-Rico Abreu[+10]
Donny Schatz Scores 18th Victory of 2018 at Grays Harbor
ELMA, WA – September 3, 2018 – Donny Schatz continued his recent dominance at Grays Harbor Raceway, leading all 30 laps en route to his 18th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Victory of the 2018 season and fourth in his last five starts at Grays Harbor. Daryn Pittman threw everything he had at Schatz but settled for second with David Gravel surging late to complete the podium.
Schatz won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 30-lap affair around the high-banked 3/8th oval alongside Sheldon Haudenschild, who was making just his second start at the Elma, WA facility. Schatz and Sheldon put on a show battling for the lead throughout the first five laps, exchanging slide jobs, trading lines and using the entire racing surface.
The caution came out with five laps complete for Brent Marks, who hit the infield tire and busted his front axle, ending his night. Although Haudenschild led momentarily on two occasions, Schatz officially led all of the first five laps and maintained the lead on the double-file restart.
Schatz elected the bottom, putting Haudenschild on the cushion. Haudenschild ventured out wide and tried to get a run on the restart but subsequently left the door open for Logan Schuchart, who restarted fourth, to cut to the middle and halt Haudenschild’s momentum causing him to fall back to fifth as Schuchart, Daryn Pittman and Brad Sweet passed the young Wooster, OH native by the backstretch.
As Sheldon tried to recover, Sweet, Pittman and Schuchart waged war for the second spot, allowing Schatz to pull away. Pittman established himself in the position by Lap 7 and set his eyes on Schatz.
With a long Green Flag run, Schatz was able to showcase his premier ability to navigate lapped traffic. Schatz was strong on both the cushion and down low hugging the berm, allowing him to move through traffic at a quick pace. Pittman was equally strong though, closing the gap on the nine-time Series Champion ever so slightly each lap.
The caution flew with eight laps remaining for Andy Caruana, who fell off the pace down the backstretch.
The ensuing double-file restart saw Pittman go for gold into turn one and attempt to slide Schatz. Pittman couldn’t clear the Tony Stewart Racing No.15 and left the bottom open off turn two for Sweet to get a run. Pittman fended off his fellow Kasey Kahne Racing teammate to secure the second spot, but the laps were winding down to reel in Schatz.
As Pittman tried to chase down Schatz, Logan Schuchart and Brad Sweet had a hellacious battle going for third, with Schuchart sliding in front for good with four to go.
As the leaders were coming to the White Flag, Caruana slowed drastically on the frontstretch, forcing both Schuchart and Sweet to take evasive action. Both Schuchart and Sweet did 360’s in the infield and kept going while Caruana brought out the Yellow. Sweet and Schuchart both had wing panel damage and unfortunately for Schuchart, he also had a flat left rear that would force him to the pits, relinquishing third. The caution was for Caruana and Sweet never came to a stop, so he was given his spot back, with noticeable wing damage.
With less than five to go in the Feature, the restart was single-file giving Pittman one last chance to steal the win from Schatz. Schatz entered turn one high and Pittman followed him, leaving the bottom open for David Gravel, who surged from fourth across the bottom. Pittman checked up anticipating a full slider from Gravel, allowing Schatz to secure the victory for the fourth time in the last five Outlaw visits to Grays Harbor.
“The track was really good, you had to move around to get through traffic. I actually wish we would have stayed in lapped traffic more, that’s when it gets really fun,” Schatz said in Victory Lane. “I don’t know any driver that wants cautions,” Schatz added about the Green-White-Checkered finish. “I was hoping we could stay in lapped traffic because my car was good all over the race track and that I can attribute to my guys.”
Pittman, who won Saturday at Skagit, settled for second and kept it simple. “He’s tough to beat. I was hoping he would get slowed up behind the 96 and I would be able to get a run, but then it took me longer to get by him than I would have liked,” Pittman said about the lapped traffic before thanking his crew and car owner Kasey Kahne for the opportunity.
David Gravel was pleased with third, but wish he had 10 more laps to work with. “The track was really fast, hopefully we can get some momentum and build on this. I have two new crew guys - Tyler and Andy - so I thank them and Barry for their hard work,” Gravel said in good spirits.
Sheldon Haudenschild charged late to fourth with Brad Sweet fading to fifth with his damaged car. Greg Wilson picked up KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 17th to ninth. Logan Schuchart set a New Track Record in Qualifying with a lap of 11.699 and was poised for a podium finish before getting into the lapped car of Caruana.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season with the Series lone visit to Oregon on Wednesday, September 5 when The Greatest Show on Dirt stops at Willamette Speedway in Lebanon. Tickets are still available for the event here. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$8,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$4,000]; 3. 5-David Gravel [6][$2,500]; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$2,200]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$2,100]; 6. 26-Joey Saldana [7][$2,000]; 7. 18-Ian Madsen [10][$1,800]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [8][$1,600]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$1,500]; 10. 24-Rico Abreu [12][$1,300]: 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [16][$1,200]; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen [13][$1,100]; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$1,000]; 14. 21P-Robbie Price [9][$700]; 15. 29-Willie Croft [11][$600]; 16. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [14][$600]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [20][$600]; 18. 55-Trey Starks [21][$600]; 19. 33V-Henry VanDam [15][$600]; 20. 45-Austen Wheatley [19][$600]; 21. 96-Andy Caruana [22][$600]; 22. 19-Brent Marks [18][$600]; Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+8]
Daryn Pittman Goes Flag-to-Flag at Skagit for 7th Win of 2018
ALGER, WA – September 1, 2018 – Daryn Pittman led all 40 laps to score his 7th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season on the second night of the Outlaw Energy Showdown at Skagit Speedway. Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet exchanged the runner-up position multiple times in the closing stages with Schatz grabbing the position and Sweet settling for third.
Pittman won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole of the 40-lap Feature, alongside Schatz. Pittman controlled the initial start and led the opening lap as Schatz and Logan Schuchart jockeyed for the runner-up position before a Red Flag halted action. A handful of slowed cars littered the racing surface, resulting in Dominic Scelzi getting upside down. Scelzi was alert and talking to the safety crew but was transported to the local hospital with a hip injury.
Friday night’s winner Sheldon Haudenschild spun to a stop on Lap 3, ending his top-ten run and bunching the field back together. The next 10 laps allowed the leaders to delve into lapped traffic. With the preferred racing line up on the cushion, Pittman was able to methodically work his way through traffic efficiently with calculated slide jobs.
Buddy Kofoid’s good run came to an end on Lap 13, when he stopped in turn one. On the ensuing restart, Brad Sweet went to work on Schuchart, as the duo exchanged slide jobs for third. Schuchart resisted, but Sweet was able to wrestle the position away for good on Lap 15 and began to close in on Pittman and Schatz.
As lapped traffic picked up, Pittman was forced to slow his pace around the cushion, allowing Schatz and Sweet to knock on the door. The best racing action of the night came on Lap 27 through 30 as Pittman remained committed to the top, Schatz found some traction on the bottom and Sweet was looking for a way around both of them. The trio were within inches for the better part of those laps, exciting the large Skagit Speedway crowd.
Donny Schatz bobbled on the tricky cushion off of turn two on Lap 31, allowing Sweet to steal the runner-up position and, more importantly, allow Pittman to extend his advantage. Sweet began to close in on his Kasey Kahne Racing teammate, potentially setting up another nail-biting finish. Although, unlike last night, this time the battle was for second, as Schatz and Sweet waged war in lapped traffic, ultimately allowing Daryn Pittman to pull further away and pocket the $12,000 payday at Skagit Speedway for the second consecutive year.
“My guys did a good job. Glad to get the Adams family a win, Justin lost his Grandfather the other day and he’s been doing a great job for us this year, so this one was for him,” Pittman said sincerely in the Victory Lane. “It’s great to get another win, you cherish every one of this because you never know when your next one is going to come,” Pittman, who collected his 79th career Outlaw win, added humbly.
“I am so grateful to have my family here and that they can travel with me. I’m far from my home but there’s obviously a lot of Kasey Kahne fans here in Washington, so I’m glad to get this win for him,” Pittman said to a large cheer from the crowd.
When asked about his game plan starting on the front row, Pittman was honest. “My plan was if the 15 got under me, I better get my butt in gear,” the Owasso, OK native said with a smile.
Schatz got back by Sweet coming to the White Flag and held on for second. “It’s not where anyone wants to be, but you have to take it some days,” Schatz said of his runner-up finish. “40 laps is 40 laps, I felt like I needed it to be 100 laps to win tonight,” the Fargo, ND native added with a grin.
Brad Sweet came home third and talked about the three-car battle for the lead. “It was a good battle, I was trying to give it all I’ve got, I thought we had a really good car. It’s a little disappointing to give that spot back to Donny on the last lap, but still a good run for this team and to end the weekend on the podium is nothing to be ashamed of,” Sweet said in good spirits.
Logan Schuchart was strong all evening and finished fourth, with Ian Madsen completing the top-five in his second-ever weekend at Skagit Speedway.
Brent Marks earned a career-best Skagit finish in sixth with Shane Stewart finishing seventh. Washington’s own Trey Starks finished eighth. David Gravel earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 16th to ninth while Kraig Kinser completed the top ten.
Sheldon Haudenschild Wins Thriller on Night One at Skagit on his 25th Birthday
ALGER, WA – August 31, 2018 – Sheldon Haudenschild celebrated his 25th birthday in style, sliding Shane Stewart for the lead coming to the White Flag on Night One of the Outlaw Energy Showdown at Skagit Speedway to win his 5th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018. Stewart did everything in his power to get back by Haudenschild but settled for second in the thrilling finish.Rico Abreu completed the podium in his first Outlaw start at Skagit.
California fan favorite Rico Abreu won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 30-Lap Feature alongside Shane Stewart. Abreu got the jump on the initial start to lead the opening lap before action was halted for a backwards Jacob Allen, who spun to avoid a logjam of cars with one lap complete.
Abreu chose the bottom on the ensuing double-file restart and led the field down the backstretch but Shane Stewart, a two-time Outlaw winner at Skagit, got a massive run on the cushion off of turn four to lead Lap 2. As Abreu searched around the race track, Sheldon Haudenschild snuck by into second on Lap 4 and began closing in on Stewart.
Stewart and Haudenschild gave the Skagit Speedway fans a glimpse of what was to come on Lap 7 as Sheldon got underneath Stewart to lead down the backstretch, only to have Stewart blast back around to lead the lap at the line by a hair.
The intense action halted on Lap 10 when Keoni Texeira spun to a stop. On the opposite end of the track, Jason Solwold’s eventful evening continued as he stopped with a flat right front tire. Solwold would return, but Texeira would not.
The ensuing double-file restart saw contact in the back of the pack and Austen Wheatley end up in the infield with damage that would end his evening. Following that, the decision was made to conduct single-file restarts the rest of the evening.
Lap 13 saw Solwold’s night go from bad to worse as his No.18S went end-over-end down the backstretch into turn three after incidental contact with Jacob Allen. Solwold walked away from his mangled car under his own power.
The remaining 17 laps went Green-to-Checkered and they did not disappoint. Haudenschild hawked the veteran Stewart through heavy lapped traffic, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seat as the drivers navigated a tacky racing surface.
Haudenschild looked to be within striking distance multiple times, but remained patient until the perfect opportunity, which came on Lap 28. Stewart bobbled ever-so-slightly on the treacherous cushion off of turn four, opening a narrow window for Haudenschild to pounce and the young Wooster, OH native did just that.
Haudenschild threw his NOS Energy Sponsored, Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall racing No.17 hard into the corner and inched in front of Stewart at the edge of turn four. Stewart and Haudenschild made slight contact after the slide job but both drivers kept going under the White Flag. Stewart tried one last ditch effort to get the lead back coming to the checkered, but to no avail as he would finish .311 behind Haudenschild in an exciting Feature.
“I knew I was running out of time and had to make something happen. I don’t think my slider was dirty, you kind of had to stop his momentum to pull it off. I know he bumped by back bumper but on a small track like this, I think you’re going to have some wheel-banging and the track tonight was beautiful,” Haudenschild said in Victory Lane.
Shane Stewart despite the tough finish remained in good spirits, “I thought we were going to have one, I knew Sheldon was going to be tough. I thought I was getting through lapped cars pretty good, but I jumped the cushion just a little bit coming to the White and allowed Sheldon to get a good run on me. That’s how these races go, you can’t stub your toe, can’t slow down at all or you’re going to get passed.”
Rico Abreu, who has been following the Outlaws back to his home state of California since Knoxville, came home third in his first Outlaw start at Skagit. “This place races great. I didn’t get to the top soon enough on that restart and that’s where we lost the race. My car was perfect and I’m excited for tomorrow,” an upbeat Abreu said.
Though it was Sheldon Haudenschild’s fifth win of the 2018 Season, it was his first since Fairbury back on June 5th. “To get a win after not winning for a while feels really good. I can’t thank Ricky [Stenhouse Jr.], the Marshall family, our sponsors and my crew guys enough,” Haudenschild added in Victory Lane.
Joey Saldana was strong all night and finished fourth with Brad Sweet completing the top five. Ian Madsen, in his first look at Skagit Speedway, earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming forward 10 positions to 12th.
Washington’s own and former World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series regular Jason Solwold had a night he will certainly never forget, for all the wrong reasons. Solwold set Quick Time over the field, only to have a water pump issue on his team’s only 410 motor. The team was forced to change to their 360ci engine for the Heat Race, where he fended off numerous charges to finish second to advance to the Dash. While that was ongoing and during the intermission and dash draw, Solwold and the team successfully scrambled to fix the water pump issue on the 410 in time for the Feature. All for the Burlington, WA native to get a flat tire 10 laps into the Feature while running eighth and go for a wild ride down the backstretch three laps later. Fortunately, Solwold was uninjured in the accident, but the rest of his weekend remains in jeopardy.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season back at Skagit Speedway Saturday, September 1, 2018 before heading over to Elma, WA on Monday, September 3 for an appearance at the Grays Harbor Raceway. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$8,000]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [2][$4,000]; 3. 24-Rico Abreu [1][$2,500]; 4. 26-Joey Saldana [3][$2,200]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [8][$2,100]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$2,000]; 7. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [5][$1,800]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [7][$1,600]; 9. 5-David Gravel [16][$1,500]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [17][$1,300]; 11. 19-Brent Marks [9][$1,200]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [22][$1,100]; 13. W20-Greg Wilson [18][$1,000]; 14. 29-Willie Croft [11][$700]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [23][$600]; 16. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [21][$600]; 17. 1A-Jacob Allen [15][$600]; 18. 55-Trey Starks [19][$600]; 19. 18S-Jason Solwold [6][$600]; 20. 45-Austen Wheatley [13][$600]; 21. 7S50-Keoni Texeira [12][$600]; 22. 7S-Jason Sides [20][$600]; 23. 21P-Robbie Price [14][$600]; 24. 8R-Michael Kofoid [24][$600]; Lap Leaders: Rico Abreu 1, Shane Stewart 2-28, Sheldon Haudenschild 29-30 KSE Hard Charger Award: 18-Ian Madsen[+10]
Pittman Goes Back-To-Back at Big Sky Speedway for 6th Win of Season
BILLINGS, MT – August 25, 2018 – Daryn Pittman got by Jacob Allen on a double-file restart halfway through the race and never looked back, scoring his second consecutive win at Big Sky Speedway and capturing his sixth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of 2018. Allen settled for second with Donny Schatz completing the podium.
For the second consecutive night, Jacob Allen won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 35-Lap Feature. Allen drag raced with fellow front row starter Pittman the entire opening lap and edged ahead off of turn four to lead Lap 1.
The first 15 laps went non-stop, forcing Allen to negotiate lapped traffic and allowing Pittman and Schatz to close in. Brent Marks had a right rear explode, bringing out the first of a handful of cautions.
The ensuing double-file restart saw Allen elect the top of the speedway. Allen fought off two Pittman slidejobs to maintain control and lead Lap 16 before the yellow flew for Dominic Scelzi, who lost the handle of his family-owned machine off of turn one.
The caution restacked the field double-file once again, but this time the veteran Pittman prevailed over young Allen, controlling the field off of turn two to lead Lap 17.
A pair of cautions for Alan Gilbertson and Jason Sides gave Allen ample opportunity to steal the lead back from Pittman, but the Owasso, OK native was too strong on the double-file restarts and motored away.
The final caution of the evening came with four to go as Sheldon Haudenschild’s engine gave out. With less than five laps to go in the Feature, Outlaw rules dictate single-file restarts, giving Allen a different chance to wrestle the lead back. Allen stayed with Pittman on the restart, but couldn’t mount a serious challenge as Pittman went on to win by .904 seconds.
“To get this win the way the last few months have been is really something special. Man, our last win was tough,” Pittman said solemnly before thanking his Kasey Kahne Racing crew for their continued support.
“There’s nothing better than winning these races, you never know when your last one is going to be,” Pittman, who now has 78 career Outlaw wins, added. "As you can see there’s nothing on the side of this car and there’s no better way to sign a sponsor than by winning races. That’s my job, to go out there and focus on putting this car in Victory Lane so I can keep this job and keep doing what I love,” Pittman said before thanking the sellout crowd at Big Sky Speedway.
Jacob Allen’s first World of Outlaws win continues to elude him, but the young Hanover, PA native remains in good spirits. “Leading laps and running up front is a lot of fun. Obviously, I want to get that first win, but to be able to be on the podium, finish top-five and contend for a win against these guys is something to be proud of and I’m proud of my race team,” Allen said positively.
Donny Schatz was pleased to come home third but wished the race got into more lapped traffic. “It’s fun to be in traffic, but that wasn’t in the cards tonight. Third is pretty respectable, the race track was fun and that’s all you can ask for as a racer. Full house tonight, thank you guys for being here, it was an awesome night for all of us,” Schatz said in good spirits.
Brad Sweet picked up KSE Hard Charger honors coming forward to fourth with Kraig Kinser completing the top five.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its trek west to Washington and has a pair of dates at Skagit Speedway this upcoming weekend Friday, August 31 and Saturday, September 1 in Alger, WA. Following that, the Series will head to Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma on Monday, September 3rd before making its lone appearance in Oregon at Willamette Speedway on Wednesday, September 5.
If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (35 Laps): 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [2][$10,000]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [1][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$2,800]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8][$2,500]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [10][$2,300]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,200]; 8. 5-David Gravel [3][$2,100]; 9. 19-Brent Marks [7][$2,050]; 10. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [12][$2,000]; 11. 18-Ian Madsen [6][$1,500]; 12. W20-Greg Wilson [16][$1,200]; 13. 24-Rico Abreu [15][$1,100]; 14. 99-Skylar Gee [13][$1,050]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [11][$1,000]; 16. 97-Alan Gilbertson [17][$900]; 17. 37-Trever Kirkland [19][$800]; 18. 9K-Kory Wermling [22][$800]; 19. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [14][$800]; 20. 2JR-Kelly Miller [18][$800]; 21. 27DD-David Hoiness [20][$800]; 22. 77-Damon McCune [21][$800]; Lap Leaders: Jacob Allen 1-16, Daryn Pittman 17-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 49-Brad Sweet[+5]
Brad Sweet Steals Black Hills Win on Late Restart
RAPID CITY, SD – August 24, 2018 – Brad Sweet used a double-file restart with seven laps remaining to get by race-long leader Jacob Allen and win his fifth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of the 2018 season Friday night at Black Hills Speedway. Schatz used that same restart to surge from ninth to finish second with Dominic Scelzi completing the podium.
Jacob Allen won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 25-lap Feature alongside 2018 Knoxville Nationals Champion, Brad Sweet. The initial start saw David Gravel blast from fourth to the lead down the backstretch, but Allen muscled his Shark Racing No.1A underneath Gravel’s CJB No.5 off of turn four to lead the opening lap.
The first of two cautions in the Feature flew with two laps complete as Sheldon Haudenschild spun to a stop after battling for fifth. Haudenschild’s crew thrashed to get the Stenhouse Jr-Marshall No.17 back out, which would prove crucial later. The ensuing double-file restart saw 2017 Black Hills winner Shane Stewart move into second as Gravel got shuffled back to fifth.
Allen, in search of his first career Outlaw triumph, motored away from the field as the rest of the field waged war behind him. Intense racing action on Lap 4 saw Sweet move into second, Dominic Scelzi into third as Stewart got shuffled back to fourth. Scelzi, also in search of his first Outlaw triumph, pounded the cushion in turn one and two, to get by fellow California native Sweet for second on Lap 7 and set his eyes on Allen.
Allen navigated lapped traffic like a veteran and appeared to be on his way for the long-awaited first Outlaw win. Sweet worked back by Scelzi on Lap 17 for second and the next lap Sheldon Haudenschild brought out the final caution of the evening with seven laps remaining.
The caution erased the 2 and half-second lead Allen had accumulated and put one of Sprint Car Racing’s elite talents right next to him for the double-file restart.
Allen elected the bottom, but Sweet was able to remain even for the lead on the restart. Sweet edged in front to lead Lap 19, but a determined Allen threw a slide job to grab the lead momentarily off of turn two.
While all eyes were on Sweet and Allen’s torrid battle for the lead, Donny Schatz surged forward from ninth to third.
Back up front, Sweet’s momentum allowed him to regain control down the backstretch and into turn three and four. As a last-ditch effort to get the lead back, Allen threw the car low, but spun the tires off turn four, scrubbing his speed and allowing Donny Schatz and Dominic Scelzi to split him down the frontstretch for position.
Scelzi and Schatz jockeyed for position briefly, allowing Sweet to extend his lead and go on to win his fifth Feature of the year.
“I kinda feel bad for Jacob, he’s been working really hard and has a really fast car. He was probably the guy to beat, sometimes those late restarts will get you. I’ve been fortunate to have been out here a couple of more years and the experience can help in those situations,” Sweet said honestly.
“My car was really good, I just lost some track position on the start. It was nice to get back into second right when we did to get that shot on the restart,” Sweet added next to his NAPA Auto Parts, Kasey Kahne Racing No.49 in Victory Lane.
Donny Schatz, who was coming off a weekend sweep in his home state, settled for second after his surge on the Lap 18 restart.
“Hats off to my guys they always give me a good race car and we were pretty good at the end. I felt like we were running 43rd most of the race,” Schatz said with a smile.
It was all smiles for Dominic Scelzi, who completed the podium, tying his career-best Outlaw finish. “I had a dream of a race car to drive. We’ve had a heck of a last few months and to be on the podium with the Outlaws is awesome. We were fast at Billings last year, hopefully we can finish one or two spots better tomorrow,” Scelzi, who is following the World of Outlaws back to his home-state of California, said.
Logan Schuchart came forward to fourth with his Shark Racing teammate Allen settling for fifth. Greg Wilson earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 17th to finish sixth.
For the second consecutive year, the Black Hills Speedway track record fell, this year to Daryn Pittman, who paced the full-field of cars in Qualifying with a blistering 14.813 seconds, just a fraction off of Shane Stewart’s time last year.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season Saturday, August 25 at Big Sky Speedway in Billings, MT. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (25 Laps): 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$5,500]; 3. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [7][$3,200]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8][$2,800]; 5. 1A-Jacob Allen [1][$2,500]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [6][$2,200]; 8. 5-David Gravel [4][$2,100]; 9. 19-Brent Marks [13][$2,050]; 10. 2-Shane Stewart [3][$2,000]; 11. 18-Ian Madsen [9][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [11][$1,200]; 13. 24-Rico Abreu [15][$1,100]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [12][$1,050]; 15. 99-Skylar Gee [16][$1,000]; 16. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [5][$900]; 17. 97-Alan Gilbertson [14][$800]; 18. 2JR-Kelly Miller [18][$800]; 19. 88-Travis Reber [19][$800]; 20. 2K-Kevin Ingle [20][$800]; 21. 14-Ben Holmberg [21][$800]; 22. 4-Adam Speckman [23][$800]; 23. 3-Mike Pennel [22][$800]; 24. O-Ned Powers [24][$800] Lap Leaders: Jacob Allen 1-18, Brad Sweet 19-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+11]
Qualifying: 1. 9-Daryn Pittman, 14.813; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.817; 3. 49-Brad Sweet, 14.836; 4. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.838; 5. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.862; 6. 5-David Gravel, 14.931; 7. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.979; 8. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.999; 9. 18-Ian Madsen, 15.053; 10. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 15.055; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 15.064; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 15.068; 13. 19-Brent Marks, 15.162; 14. W20-Greg Wilson, 15.271; 15. 24-Rico Abreu, 15.328; 16. 99-Skylar Gee, 15.369; 17. 97-Alan Gilbertson, 15.677; 18. 2JR-Kelly Miller, 16.236; 19. 88-Travis Reber, 16.758; 20. 4-Adam Speckman, 16.945; 21. 14-Ben Holmberg, 16.971; 22. 3-Mike Pennel, 17.104; 23. 2K-Kevin Ingle, 17.18; 24. O-Ned Powers, NT
Donny Schatz Sweeps Weekend at Home with 17th Win of 2018 at Red River Valley
WEST FARGO, ND – August 18, 2018 – Donny Schatz completed the weekend sweep of his home state of North Dakota, taking the lead on Lap 23 to win his 17th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018 Saturday night at Red River Valley Speedway. Jacob Allen finished second as he continues to close in on his first career Outlaw win with Kerry Madsen completing the podium for the second consecutive night.
David Gravel won the Sears Craftsman Dash to the earn the pole for the 30-lap Feature alongside Shane Stewart. Gravel got the jump on the initial start and led the opening circuit. Jacob Allen worked his way forward from fourth to take second away from Donny Schatz on Lap 5 and two laps later Allen got by Gravel to take command of the field.
Allen led for four laps before bobbling in lapped traffic, trying to split a pair of lapped cars, on Lap 12, allowing Gravel to steal the lead back and Schatz to move into second. The trio captivated the large Red River Valley Speedway crowd as they jockeyed for the lead.
Gravel worked his way through traffic, before the first caution of the event flew for Thomas Kennedy, who ended up backwards in turn one after battling with Sides for sixth with 18 laps complete.
Allen edged back in front of Schatz on the restart, but Schatz slid the young Hanover, PA native to take second back at the line. A lap later, Ian Madsen slowed with a flat tire, ending his top-ten run. Brad Sweet also headed pit side with a flat tire.
With tires going down, the decision was made to go with single-file restarts the rest of the night, which allowed David Gravel to steadily lead with 11 to go. Schatz reeled in Gravel with a big run off of turn two and shot underneath him down the backstretch to take the lead on Lap 23. As it turns out, Gravel was nursing an ailing tire as he slowed with a flat right rear the next lap, bringing out the final caution of the evening.
Allen stayed right with Schatz on the restart and looked for a way around the nine-time Series Champion, to no avail. Schatz hit his marks, didn’t make any mistakes and went on to win his 17th Feature of the season and extend his points lead.
When asked about what it means to win in front of his hometown crowd, Schatz kept it simple, “It’s what you live for. You hope when you roll near home to put on a good show, have some good runs and win some races.” “I’m so fortunate for my team, they are the reason I’m standing here. We’ve been together for a long time and we have a lot of fun doing this,” Schatz added before thanking the track crew for their efforts to provide a multiple-groove racing surface and the large crowd for coming out and supporting.
Jacob Allen continues to impress, finishing second and while he was a little disappointed to not seal the deal, he was still pleased with the run.
“Donny is a legend and to compete with him for a win was a lot of fun. I’ve ran second quite a few times this year and I want to win one so bad. One of these days, I’m going to bag on,” Allen said convincingly.
For the second consecutive night, Kerry Madsen completed the podium and was in good spirts. “I’ve always loved coming up here [to North Dakota]. My team works really hard and we’re happy with two podiums this weekend,” Madsen said before thanking the fans for coming out, letting them know his appreciation for the racing support in the area.
Greg Wilson was humming on the bottom of the speedway and charged from 13th to fourth. Logan Schuchart went up in smoke in his Heat, relegating him to the Last Chance Showdown, which he won with ease. Schuchart charged from 19th to complete the top five in the Feature, earning KSE Hard Charger Honors.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season with a return to the Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City, SD next Friday, August 24 before making the trek over to Big Sky Speedway in Billings, MT on Saturday, August 25. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$10,000]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [4][$5,500]; 3. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5][$3,200]; 4. W20-Greg Wilson [13][$2,800]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [2][$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$2,200]; 8. 24-Rico Abreu [8][$2,100]; 9. 7S-Jason Sides [7][$2,050]; 10. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [15][$2,000]; 11. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [17][$1,500]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [21][$1,200]; 13. 13-Mark Dobmeier [11][$1,100]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18][$1,050]; 15. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$1,000]; 16. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [10][$900]; 17. 18-Ian Madsen [6][$800]; 18. 5-David Gravel [1][$800]; 19. 13T-Ty Hanten [23][$800]; 20. 9N-Wade Nygaard [20][$800]; 21. 8H-Jade Hastings [16][$800]; 22. 20A-Jordan Adams [24][$800]; 23. 21K-Thomas Kennedy [12][$800]; 24. 19P-Paige Polyak [22][$800]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-7, 12-22; Jacob Allen 8-11; Donny Schatz 23-30 KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+14]
Donny Schatz Scores 16th Win of 2018 Season at River Cities and Adds a Late Model Win for Extra Measure
GRAND FORKS, ND – August 17, 2018 – Donny Schatz took the lead on Lap 28, after Brad Sweet spun while leading, and held off 17th-starting Mark Dobmeier to win his 16th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018 and seventh in his last eight River Cities Speedway starts. Kerry Madsen completed the podium. Schatz also won the Late Model portion of the event.
Sheldon Haudenschild won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 40-lap Feature alongside recent Knoxville Nationals winner Brad Sweet. Haudenschild led the opening lap before a Red Flag for Logan Schuchart, Wade Nygaard and Brent Marks halted the action with one lap complete. All drivers were uninjured, but only Marks returned.
Haudenschild continued to pace the field as he reached lapped traffic quickly around the ¼ bullring. Sweet stalked the Ohio native and took the lead on Lap 12 on the bottom, in heavy lapped traffic.
Jordan Adams, who flipped earlier in the night but repaired his car to transfer out of the LCS, brought out the caution with 15 laps complete.
A caution on the ensuing double-file restart, set up a single-file restart. Four laps later, Ian Madsen was involved in his second incident of the Feature, this time with too much damage to continue, bringing out Open Red conditions.
When action resumed, Sheldon Haudenschild got shuffled back to fourth behind Kerry Madsen and Donny Schatz, who moved into second. Schatz set his eyes on Sweet and closed in as the duo raced through heavy traffic.
As Schatz went high to challenge for the lead, Sweet entered low into turn one and lost the handle of his No.49, spinning to a stop. Schatz assumed the lead alongside Kerry Madsen.
Schatz stormed away on the restart as the rest of the field, especially 17th-starting Mark Dobmeier, used every inch of real estate around the River Cities Speedway to advance forward.
The final restart flew with four to go and by this time Dobmeier, the all-time winning Feature leader at River Cities Speedway, had worked his way to second, trailing Schatz. The capacity crowd was bubbling with anticipation of the finish as the two North Dakota natives led the field back to Green.
Schatz pulled away in convincing fashion for his 16th Outlaw win of the year and seventh in his last eight starts at River Cities Speedway as Dobmeier finished second, picking up KSE Hard Charger honors for advancing 15 positions.
“I’m just a lucky guy. To drive for the for the best guys in the pit area, the best owner in the country and the people that build these cars. They stand behind us through thick and then,” Schatz said of his Textron Off Road-sponsored crew, Tony Stewart and J & J Chassis.
“Mark [Dobmeier] had a good run, I saw the 13 on the board and I thought, oh boy, here we go. He’s pretty good around here,” Schatz said of his fellow North Dakota native.
“Lapped traffic definitely made your hair stand up tonight, we might not have been the best car tonight, but I’m glad we could get it done in Grand Forks,” Schatz, who also won the NLRA Late Model Feature, added in Victory Lane.
The massive crowd at River Cities was pleased to see six-time winner at River Cities in 2018, Dobmeier finish second. “It’s great to have the crowd cheer like this, this is why we do it,” Dobmeier said. “I wish I didn’t use up all my tires at the beginning of the race, I wanted to start in the Dash and start in the top-ten and get that track position early, but we didn’t have it early, so I had to dig deep, I gave everything I had. Considering we got to second to this guy [pointing at Schatz], I feel pretty good about that run,” Dobmeier said with a smile.
Kerry Madsen finished on the podium once again at River Cities, “I had a big plan on the double-file restart with six to go and it didn’t work and I lost a spot,” Madsen said with a grin before complimenting River Cities Speedway. “They do such a good job with the track here, I love coming to Grand Forks.”
14th-starting Daryn Pittman finished fourth with Brad Sweet charging back to fifth. Shane Stewart, who was involved in two accidents, recovered to finish sixth. David Gravel stayed out of trouble and finished seventh.
21st-starting Brent Marks recovered from a Lap One accident to finish eighth, Hunter Schuerenburg, who went to the work area running sixth early in the race, came back to ninth with local Jade Hastings, who brought out the Yellow with 6 laps left, completing the top-ten, the first of his World of Outlaws career.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action in West Fargo tomorrow night, Saturday, August 18, 2018 at Red River Valley Speedway. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [5][$10,000]; 2. 13-Mark Dobmeier [17][$5,500]; 3. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4][$3,200]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [12][$2,300]; 7. 5-David Gravel [13][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [21][$2,100]; 9. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [10][$2,050]; 10. 8H-Jade Hastings [16][$2,000]; 11. 1A-Jacob Allen [11][$1,500]; 12. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [15][$1,200]; 13. 7S-Jason Sides [9][$1,100]; 14. 24-Terry McCarl [6][$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [22][$1,000]; 16. 20A-Jordan Adams [24][$900]; 17. W20-Greg Wilson [8][$800]; 18. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [1][$800]; 19. 24R-Rico Abreu [3][$800]; 20. 17A-Austin McCarl [23][$800]; 21. 18-Ian Madsen [7][$800]; 22. 9N-Wade Nygaard [18][$800]; 23. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$800]; 24. 21K-Thomas Kennedy [20][$800]; Lap Leaders: Sheldon Haudenschild 1-11, Brad Sweet 12-27, Donny Schatz 28-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 13-Mark Dobmeier[+15]
Logan Schuchart Tames Pevely for $20,000 Ironman 55 Victory
PEVELY, MO – August 4, 2018 – Logan Schuchart passed Daryn Pittman on Lap 15 and never looked back to claim the 2018 Ironman 55 at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, worth $20,000. The final 42 laps went non-stop as Schuchart negotiated lap traffic to claim his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018. Kasey Kahne Racing teammates Brad Sweet and Daryn Pittman completed the podium.
Schuchart won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 55-Lap Feature alongside Daryn Pittman. Pittman, who won at Pevely in April, got the jump on the initial start to lead the opening circuit.
Pittman reached lapped traffic by Lap 5 around the tight-quartered bullring with Schuchart close in tow. Schuchart pulled even with the 2013 Outlaw Champion on Lap 9, but couldn’t make the pass. Pittman and Schuchart were side-by-side for the better part of the next four laps, before the lone caution of the event flew with 13 complete for Aaron Reutzel.
Pittman maintained control on the restart, but Schuchart remained persistent and took command of the field on Lap 15 through turn two. Pittman tried to get back by the No.1S, but ended up losing second to his teammate Brad Sweet in the process.
Following Reutzel’s caution, the remaining 42 laps went non-stop as the Ironman 55 lived up to its name as the most grueling event on the World of Outlaws schedule. Schuchart navigated lapped traffic like a veteran. As rubber began to set in around the I-55 Raceway in the closing laps, Schuchart made the decision to follow lapped traffic and force Sweet and Pittman to find a way around him.
“I tried to hold my line as the rubber set in and force someone to go around me,” Schuchart said in reference to the closing laps.
Sweet and Pittman closed in on Schuchart, but could do nothing but watch the Shark Racing No.1S capture his first win of the season. Both Sweet and Pittman were within a second of Schuchart at the checkered flag.
“Man, this is awesome. I feel like we have the best team we’ve ever had. This is Drydene Performance’s first Outlaw win and we can’t thank them enough for their support,” an exhausted, but elated, Schuchart said in Victory Lane.
“This is one of the big ones – Ironman 55. It’s tough, it wears you out. It’s awesome to get one of these wins and a big one at that,” Schuchart added.
Sweet settled for second but was pleased with his car speed. “I was biding my time, waiting to see if he was going to make a mistake and he never gave us a real good shot to get by him, he set a really good pace up top,” Sweet said before expressing his excitement to get to Knoxville for the Nationals.
Pittman led early and finished on the podium with his KKR teammate. “My car was getting better as the race went on, I’m a little frustrated with myself,” Pittman said. “I wasn’t quite quick enough on top on that restart and then I broke my momentum and Brad got by me. I’m really happy with our car right now, we’ll take third and go to Knoxville and try and improve there,” Pittman added in good spirits.
James McFadden came from 11th to finish fourth with Schuchart’s teammate Jacob Allen completing the top five. Brent Marks earned KSE Hard Charger honors surging from 22nd to ninth.
It was announced that tonight was the largest crowd in Ironman 55 history and the World of Outlaws will return once again to Pevely on August 2nd and 3rd of 2019. Next up for The Greatest Show on Dirt is a trip to the Sprint Car Capitol of the World for the biggest race of the year – the Knoxville Nationals, which will pay $150,000 to the winner. After Nationals, the Outlaws will begin a trek to the West Coast starting in North and South Dakota.
Feature (55 Laps): 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1][$20,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$6,000]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [2][$3,750]; 4. 3H-James McFadden [11][$3,250]; 5. 1A-Jacob Allen [6][$2,750]; 6. 18-Ian Madsen [10][$2,500]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$2,400]; 8. 5-David Gravel [9][$2,300]; 9. 19-Brent Marks [22][$2,200]; 10. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [14][$2,100]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [21][$1,700]; 12. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$1,400]; 13. 24-Rico Abreu [13][$1,300]; 14. 49X-Tim Shaffer [8][$1,200]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [23][$1,100]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$1,000]; 17. 48-Danny Dietrich [20][$1,000]; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser [12][$1,000]; 19. 51B-Joe B [15][$1,000]; 20. 21X-Carson Short [18][$1,000]; 21. 91-Cale Thomas [19][$1,000]; 22. 87-Aaron Reutzel [7][$1,000]; 23. 79J-Jacob Patton [24][$1,000]; 24. 35-Jamie Veal [16][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-14, Logan Schuchart 15-55; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+13]
Qualifying: 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.668; 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.742; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.772; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.795; 5. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.862; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.895; 7. 18-Ian Madsen, 11.912; 8. 48-Danny Dietrich, 11.924; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.928; 10. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 11.93; 11. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 11.948; 12. 5-David Gravel, 11.95; 13. 91-Cale Thomas, 12.005; 14. 3H-James McFadden, 12.011; 15. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.019; 16. 24-Rico Abreu, 12.028; 17. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.029; 18. 21X-Carson Short, 12.072; 19. 19-Brent Marks, 12.149; 20. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.15; 21. 71M-Paul May, 12.164; 22. 35-Jamie Veal, 12.168; 23. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 12.197; 24. 51B-Joe B, 12.552; 25. 15M-Steve Short, 13.144; 26. 79J-Jacob Patton, 13.192; 27. 28AU-Allan Woods, NT
Rico Abreu Wins Second Consecutive Ironman at I-55
PEVELY, MO – August 4, 2018 – Rico Abreu took the lead away from Kraig Kinser on Lap 21 and held off charges from Tim Shaffer and David Gravel to win his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of the 2018 season. Abreu survived two Gravel slide jobs in the closing laps and held off the Connecticut driver for his second consecutive Ironman 55 triumph for a $20,000 payday. Jacob Allen completed the podium.
Rico Abreu won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 55-Lap Feature, alongside Outlaw veteran Kraig Kinser. Kinser got the jump on the initial start and powered away in search of his first victory of the season.
Kinser reached lapped traffic on Lap 5 on the high-banked ¼ mile and negotiated it well, establishing an early lead.
Kinser turned under an Abreu slide job on Lap 17 to maintain the race lead. Abreu cleared Kinser to take the lead two laps later, but a caution for a slowing Joe B. Miller negated the pass and allowed Kinser to maintain the lead with 36 laps remaining.
The ensuing restart saw Kinser and Abreu exchange slide jobs for the lead with Kinser holding the lead on Lap 20, but Abreu wrestling it away the following circuit.
Brent Marks brought out the caution on Lap 27 with a flat right rear, setting up the first of many double-file restarts where Abreu would be in control. Each time, Abreu elected the bottom.
Tim Shaffer, who originally started 12th, charged from fourth on the restart to second and took a look under Abreu for the lead with a brilliant restart, but settled for second as Abreu powered away.
The action was halted for Hunter Schuerenburg, who got upside in turn two, on Lap 33. Schuerenburg was uninjured, but was done for the event. Turn two proved treacherous for both Paul Nienhiser and Sheldon Haudenschild as well, as both drivers ended the evening on the hook after contact with the wall.
Haudenschild’s incident was on Lap 42, which set up a 13-lap dash to the finish for $20,000.
Abreu powered away on the restart in clean air, but would need to navigate lapped traffic one more time to secure the victory.
With five laps remaining, Abreu approached heavy lapped traffic, allowing Gravel to close in. Gravel attempted slide jobs on Lap 50 and 51, but Abreu stayed in the gas and powered around the CJB Motorsports No.5 to maintain the lead. Abreu’s margin of victory was .655 seconds, as he claimed the Ironman 55 trophy for the second consecutive time.
“Man, that was a lot of fun. Hats off to my guys, that was the best I’ve felt in a long time. It’s all about working together and getting chemistry,” Abreu said in Victory Lane. “Back-to-back Ironman wins is awesome, but we’re not done yet, we’ve got another one tonight,” the St. Helena, CA native added with a smile.
Abreu applauded David Gravel for racing him clean at the end, “If the roles were reversed, it would be the same way."
Being so close to victory, Gravel was understandably disappointed to come up short. “I really thought I had him cleared and he got back by me. I’m a little mad at myself for not winning this, it sucks to finish second. But I am really happy for Drew [Warner] for him to get his first career Outlaw victory and for Rico,” Gravel added in good spirits. Drew Warner is the crew chief for Rico and is the son of Ricky Warner, the long-time wrench for Donny Schatz.
Jacob Allen continues to chip away in search of his first career Outlaw victory and scored another podium finish. “This is a great race track and I think most drivers would agree it’s a lot of fun. Congrats to Rico and David, it was a good race for 55 laps,” Allen said in Victory Lane.
Allen’s Shark Racing teammate finished fourth with Tim Shaffer coming home fifth. Shaffer’s efforts were good enough to earn KSE Hard Charger honors.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 tomorrow evening, Saturday, August 4, 2018 for another 55-Lap, $20,000 to win Feature. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (55 Laps): 1. 24-Rico Abreu [1][$20,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [6][$6,000]; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen [7][$3,750]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$3,250]; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer [12][$2,750]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [8][$2,500]; 7. 19-Brent Marks [13][$2,400]; 8. 3H-James McFadden [15][$2,300]; 9. 15-Donny Schatz [5][$2,200]; 10. 18-Ian Madsen [10][$2,100]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [11][$1,700]; 12. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$1,400]; 13. 91-Cale Thomas [14][$1,300]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2][$1,200]; 15. 71M-Paul May [21][$1,100]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$1,000]; 17. W20-Greg Wilson [4][$1,000]; 18. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [19][$1,000]; 19. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [20][$1,000]; 20. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [18][$1,000]; 21. 51B-Joe Miller [22][$1,000]; 22. 87-Aaron Reutzel [17][$1,000]; 23. 1M-James Moughan [24][$1,000]; 24. 65-Jordon Goldesberry [23][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Kraig Kinser 1-20, Rico Abreu 21-55 KSE Hard Charger Award: 49X-Tim Shaffer[+7]
Qualifying: 1. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.709; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.77; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 11.894; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.903; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.908; 6. 24-Rico Abreu, 11.936; 7. 5-David Gravel, 11.947; 8. 91-Cale Thomas, 11.955; 9. 3H-James McFadden, 11.98; 10. 71M-Paul May, 12.031; 11. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.046; 12. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.1; 13. 19-Brent Marks, 12.11; 14. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 12.145; 15. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.178; 16. 18-Ian Madsen, 12.218; 17. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.23; 18. 1M-James Moughan, 12.235; 19. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 12.259; 20. 21X-Carson Short, 12.26; 21. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.293; 22. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.47; 23. 65-Jordon Goldesberry, 12.494; 24. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg, 12.504; 25. 51B-Joe Miller, 12.523; 26. 48-Danny Dietrich, 12.567; 27. 35-Jamie Veal, 12.678; 28. 79J-Jacob Patton, 12.879; 29. 28AU-Allan Woods, 12.936; 30. 15M-Steve Short, 13.693; 31. 9T-Dylan Tuxhorn, 13.893
David Gravel Tames Ransomville for Fifth Victory of 2018
RANSOMVILLE, NY – July 27, 2018 – David Gravel fought off multiple charges from Brad Sweet to lead all 30 laps and claim his fifth win of the 2018 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series 40th Anniversary Season at Ransomville Speedway. Sweet took the lead on two occasions but settled for second for the second consecutive year at Ransomville. Polesitter Donny Schatz completed the podium.
Donny Schatz won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 30 Lap Feature, in search of his 16th victory of the year.
Action was halted on the opening lap after Paulie Colagiovanni went for a wild ride up and over the turn three and four wall. Colagiovanni was uninjured and walked away from the incident under his own power to a large roar from the massive Ransomville Speedway crowd.
David Gravel powered around Donny Schatz to pace the field down the backstretch and lead the opening lap. Brad Sweet went around Schatz to take second on Lap 3.
Another Red Flag halted action as Daryn Pittman got upside down battling for position inside the top ten on Lap 4. Pittman walked away from the incident under his own power.
A long stretch of Green Flag laps allowed Gravel and Sweet to reach heavy lapped traffic. The duo sliced and diced through cars littered around the 3/8th mile. Sweet cleared Gravel with a slide job on Lap 10, but Gravel turned back underneath to edge Sweet at the line.
As the duo continued to navigate traffic, Sweet edged in front of Gravel once again down the backstretch on Lap 17, but once again Gravel willed his CJB Motorsports No.5 back in front at the stripe.
One lap later the final caution of the night flew for an ailing Dan Bennett, taking the leaders out of traffic with 12 laps remaining. Gravel motored away with a clear track in front of him.
Gravel would be forced to clear a pair of lapped cars running side-by-side and he did so with relative ease, axing any chance of late race heroics from Sweet.
“I was being a little cautious, I blew a tire here last year and I didn’t want to do that again this year. When Brad showed his nose, I knew I had to step up my game and luckily, I was able to get back by him,” Gravel said in Victory Lane.
“We’ve been fast here the past couple of weeks, it’s good to get another win. This is our first win in a CJB house car, Barry [Jackson] has put a lot of hours in to make these things go fast,” Gravel added.
Sweet settled for second and complimented Gravel. “David did a nice job getting through traffic, especially with the lapped cars battling side-by-side. I think we were pretty equal with him, my guys gave me a great car,” Sweet said next to his Kasey Kahne Racing No.49.
After starting on the pole, Schatz was disappointed to fade to third, but made no excuses. “We weren’t good enough to compete for the win, you lick your wounds some days and come back stronger,” Schatz said before thanking his crew for their continued effort.
Kraig Kinser had a season-best fourth place finish with Logan Schuchart completing the top five.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season Sunday, July 29 at Weedsport Speedway with the Empire State Challenge. Following that, the Series will head to Pevely, MO for two 55-lap, $20,000 to win Ironman 55 Features at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55! If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 5-David Gravel [2][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$3,200]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3][$2,800]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7][$2,500]; 6. 49X-Tim Shaffer [6][$2,300]; 7. 19-Brent Marks [9][$2,200]; 8. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [19][$2,100]; 9. 2-Shane Stewart [8][$2,050]; 10. 18-Ian Madsen [5][$2,000]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson [11][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [21][$1,200]; 13. 35-Jared Zimbardi [20][$1,100]; 14. 18X-Ryan Susice [16][$1,050]; 15. 1A-Jacob Allen [22][$1,000]; 16. 36-Matt Billings [15][$900]; 17. 54JR-Scott Just [18][$800]; 18. 54J-David Just [13][$800]; 19. X-Dan Bennett [23][$800]; 20. 9-Daryn Pittman [10][$800]; 21. 49K-Scott Kreutter [14][$800]; 22. 33-Mike Mahaney [17][$800]; 23. 10-Paul Colagiovanni [12][$800]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[+11]
Qualifying: 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.9; 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.077; 3. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.153; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.157; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.184; 6. 18-Ian Madsen, 14.195; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman, 14.22; 8. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.278; 9. 5-David Gravel, 14.28; 10. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 14.302; 11. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.38; 12. 19-Brent Marks, 14.405; 13. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.532; 14. 33-Mike Mahaney, 14.663; 15. 10-Paul Colagiovanni, 14.805; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.965; 17. 49K-Scott Kreutter, 15.031; 18. 36-Matt Billings, 15.133; 19. 18X-Ryan Susice, 15.215; 20. 35-Jared Zimbardi, 15.268; 21. 54JR-Scott Just, 15.335; 22. 54J-David Just, 15.38; 23. X-Dan Bennett, 15.695
Lance Dewease Becomes Winningest Driver in Williams Grove History with World of Outlaws Triumph on Night One of Summer Nationals
MECHANICSBURG, PA – July 20, 2018 – Lance Dewease got better with each restart and passed Donny Schatz on Lap 20 to win his 91st career Feature at Williams Grove Speedway and 14th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series triumph. Schatz settled for second with Brian Montieth completing the podium.
Lucas Wolfe won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 25-Lap Feature, but it was fellow front row starter, Donny Schatz that got the jump on the initial start to lead the opening lap.
Ian Madsen brought out the first caution of the evening on Lap 3. Lance Dewease, who started fourth, used the restart to move into second by Wolfe. Greg Hodnett moved by Wolfe into third a lap later.
Dewease closed in on Schatz as the duo established themselves as the class of the field. Schatz negotiated lapped traffic with ease, before a caution for Sheldon Haudenschild on Lap 16 bunched the field together.
Schatz cleared Dewease on the following double-file restart, but a caution for Jim Siegel set up a single-file restart. Dewease took a look underneath Schatz for the top spot, but couldn’t make it stick. A lap later Jacob Allen went up in smoke, setting up another double-file restart.
Once again, Schatz kept Dewease at bay on the restart. One lap later, Trey Starks was backwards, setting up the final restart with seven laps remaining.
This time, Dewease stayed right Schatz. Dewease followed Schatz on the top for a lap before making his move with a slide job in turn one to lead down the backstretch to the delight of the large Williams Grove Speedway crowd.
Dewease extended the lead and went on to win by 1.201 seconds for his 14th career Outlaw win and to become the winningest driver in Williams Grove history.
“It just feels great to be in Victory Lane and to beat Donny Schatz, he’s one of the best racers to ever drive these cars and he races you as clean as anybody.
I hope my pass on him was as clean as he races all of us,” Dewease said in Victory Lane, deflecting the attention away from his record-breaking win at the facility. Dewease acknowledged his great car owners and teams that have helped him to get to this point in his career, including his current team which is assembled with 3 Hall of Famers – himself, Car Owner Don Kreitz, Jr. and Crew Chief Davey Brown.
“Every start I got a little better off of four and I finally got a big run at him,” Dewease said of his winning pass on Schatz. “For all of you fans that come out and support us every week, this is for you,” Dewease added to a chorus of “Posse” chants from the local faithful.
“If you come around here and race with Lance for the win, you’re doing something right. No excuses, he beat us,” Schatz said to track announcer Bruce Ellis. “You do the best you can and tonight was second. It was still a good night for us.”
Brian Montieth finished third and was in good spirits, “We got going a little better at the end, my guys gave me a great car. Hats off to them, we wrecked a car last week and had to build a new one and it paid off.”
Hodnett finished fourth with 11th-starting Logan Schuchart completing the top five.
Wolfe finished sixth with Outlaw Regulars 15th-starting David Gravel, Brad Sweet, Daryn Pittman and Shane Stewart completing the top ten. The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to Williams Grove Speedway tomorrow night for the conclusion of the Summer Nationals, which will pay $20,000 to the winner.If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (25 Laps): 1. 69K-Lance Dewease [4][$13,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$4,000]; 3. 21-Brian Montieth [5][$2,500]; 4. 27-Greg Hodnett [3][$2,200]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11][$2,100]; 6. 24-Lucas Wolfe [1][$2,000]; 7. 5-David Gravel [15][$1,800]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$1,600]; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman [12][$1,500]; 10. 2-Shane Stewart [7][$1,300]; 11. 3-James McFadden [10][$1,200]; 12. 17B-Steve Buckwalter [17][$1,100]; 13. 48-Danny Dietrich [13][$1,000]; 14. 19-Brent Marks [24][$700]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18][$600]; 16. 58-Jim Siegel [25][$600]; 17. 55K-Robbie Kendall [14][$600]; 18. 39M-Anthony Macri [21][$600]; 19. 7S-Jason Sides [22][$600]; 20. 44-Trey Starks [6][$600]; 21. 18-Ian Madsen [16][$600]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [8][$600]; 23. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [20][$600]; 24. 39-Cory Haas [19][$600]; 25. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [23][$600]; Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-17, Lance Dewease 18-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+10]
Freddie Rahmer Sends Lincoln Speedway into Pandemonium with First Career Outlaw Win
ABBOTTSTOWN, PA – July 19, 2018 – Freddie Rahmer got by David Gravel on a double-file restart with nine laps remaining to win the Gettysburg Clash at Lincoln Speedway for the Pennsylvania Posse. Rahmer, joining his father Fred, became the sixth father-son duo to win World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Features. Gravel and Daryn Pittman completed the podium.
Last year’s Gettysburg Clash winner David Gravel won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 35-Lap Feature. Gravel got the jump on the start while Daryn Pittman got around front row starter Alan Krimes for second down the backstretch.
Gravel reached heavy lapped traffic on Lap 8 allowing Pittman, Krimes and company to close in. Two laps later, James McFadden brought out the Yellow Flag, giving Gravel a clear track. On the restart, Krimes took second from Pittman down the backstretch briefly, only to have Pittman power back to the runner-up position coming back to the line.
Rahmer, who started sixth, worked by Krimes for third on Lap 13 with a slider and set his sets on the lead duo. As Gravel and Pittman worked through heavy traffic, Rahmer closed in and moved by Pittman for second on Lap 20.
Danny Dietrich, a five-time Lincoln winner in 2018, worked his way into third by Pittman and began reeling in Rahmer and Gravel. In heavy lapped traffic, Dietrich threw a massive slider for second on Rahmer in turn three, but lost the handle and spun, leaving fourth-place running Brad Sweet nowhere to go. Neither were able to continue, a crushing blow to Sweet’s Championship efforts.
The caution also negated Gravel’s sizable lead. The double-file restart with nine laps remaining lined up Rahmer to the outside of Gravel. Rahmer used a brilliant run, glued to the middle, to take the lead down the backstretch, sending the Pennsylvania fans into a frenzy anticipating a hometown win.
Rahmer extended the lead and was just reaching the back of the field as he took the checkered for the first time as a World of Outlaws winner and sent Lincoln Speedway into pandemonium.
After collecting his breath, Rahmer said, “We work so hard for this, I knew if we got into position, we could win one of these races. I didn’t know if they were close the last two laps, but we got it done.”
Freddie and Fred Rahmer joined racing royalty as just the sixth father-son duo to win World of Outlaws Features, joining the Kinser, Swindell, Haudenschild, Smith and Kaeding families.
“Of all the things that have happened in racing, this is the coolest,” National Sprint Car Hall of Famer member Fred Rahmer, who is the all-time leading Feature winner at Lincoln Speedway, said while holding back tears in Victory Lane. “It took me a lot damn longer to win one of these races than him,” Rahmer added with a smile.
David Gravel was understandably disappointed after leading 26 laps to come home second, but wished his best on Freddie Rahmer and congratulated him on his first victory. “I didn’t need that yellow, but that’s racing. It’s a tough one to swallow, you lead that many laps, you want to win,” Gravel said.
Daryn Pittman completed the podium after a torrid battle with Donny Schatz for third and also congratulated the Rahmer family, “Congrats to Fred and Freddie, what an amazing performance from them. We were really good in the beginning, but kind of faded at the end. The last few laps with Donny were excellent, he ran me clean as always. This is a good run for this whole team and we’ll see what we have at The Grove.”
Schatz came from 11th to finish fourth with Lucas Wolfe completing the top five.
Greg Wilson came forward to sixth with Brian Montieth finishing seventh. Brent Marks earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 21st to eighth, Krimes faded to ninth and 20th-starting Logan Schuchart completed the top ten.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season this weekend at Williams Grove Speedway with two increased purses. Friday, July 20th’s Feature will carry the $5,000 bonus of the Morgan Cup, meaning the winner will take home $13,000. Saturday, July 21st’s Feature will pay $20,000 to the winner. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (35 Laps): 1. 51-Freddie Rahmer [6][$10,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [1][$5,500]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [11][$2,800]; 5. 24-Lucas Wolfe [8][$2,500]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [10][$2,300]; 7. 21-Brian Montieth [9][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [21][$2,100]; 9. 87-Alan Krimes [2][$2,050]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [20][$2,000]; 11. O7-Gerard McIntyre [12][$1,500]; 12. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [25][$400]; 13. 39-Cory Haas [22][$1,100]; 14. 55K-Robbie Kendall [19][$1,050]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [3][$1,000]; 16. 27-Greg Hodnett [13][$900]; 17. 39M-Anthony Macri [28][$]; 18. 2-Shane Stewart [14][$800]; 19. 3-James McFadden [16][$800]; 20. 18-Ian Madsen [27][$]; 21. 1X-Chad Trout [18][$800]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [15][$800]; 23. 1XX-Tim Wagaman [24][$800]; 24. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [17][$800]; 25. 11K-Kraig Kinser [23][$800]; 26. 48-Danny Dietrich [7][$800]; 27. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$800]; 28. 59-Jim Siegel [26][$]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-26, Freddie Rahmer 27-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+13]
Kyle Larson Dominates Silver Cup at Lernerville for $25,000 Payday
SARVER, PA – July 17, 2018 – Kyle Larson started fourth and worked his way by Ian Madsen on Lap 9 and never looked back to win his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of the year and sixth in his career. Larson also set Quick Time over the 37-car field and won his Heat Race. Brad Sweet finished second with Donny Schatz coming from ninth to complete the podium at the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup at Lernerville Speedway.
Western Pennsylvania’s own Tim Shaffer won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 40-lap Feature. Shaffer, the 1993 Lernerville Track Champion and two-time Silver Cup winner, led the opening four laps before Brandon Spithaler spun off the track, bringing out the only caution of the event.
World of Outlaws rookie Ian Madsen took advantage of the double-file restart to take the lead from Shaffer down the backstretch. Madsen led lap five and Larson took second from Shaffer a lap later.
Larson slid Madsen for the lead on Lap 8, but the Australian turned back underneath Larson’s No.57 to lead into turn three. It was short-lived, however, as Larson pounded the cushion and blasted around Madsen to lead the ninth circuit.
Larson established he was the class of the field and quickly built up a lead as the field stretched out around the 4/10th oval.
Brad Sweet, fresh off his runner-up finish at the Kings Royal, began making the top work and moved by Shaffer for third on Lap 26 and then used the same line to move by Madsen for second a lap later. Simultaneously, Donny Schatz began making the bottom work. Schatz worked his way into third on Lap 31.
As Larson diced through heavy traffic, Sweet began to close in on Larson as the large crowd at Lernerville Speedway watched closely to see if the driver referred to as ‘The Big Cat’ could make a move. Larson was flawless through traffic, re-extending his lead and going on to win by 1.893 seconds over his brother-in-law, Sweet.
“I was able to get through traffic pretty well. There was a strip of moisture in turns three and four. I was trying to check the board because I knew if [Schatz] was coming, I was going to have to do some searching,” Larson said in Victory Lane.
Larson was making his first start at Lernerville in five years, he came from 24th to second in the 2013 Silver Cup. “I didn’t think we were that great in the Dash, but Paul Silva was able to tune it up and I knew right away in the Feature I had a good shot of winning this one.”
“These Outlaw races are so hard to win. I was able to get an Outlaw win for Ricky [Stenhouse] last year, but it has been a couple years since I got an Outlaw win in the No.57,” Larson added.
"It’s great to see a packed house, I was only able to get here five minutes before engine heat because of plane troubles, but I’m glad we made it. We couldn’t be out here without all you fans,” Larson, who won everything but the Sears Craftsman Dash, said to a loud applause.
Brad Sweet settled for second and referenced how similar tonight was to Saturday’s Kings Royal, where he was trying to chase down Schatz on the cushion.
“You know [Larson] is going to be tough to beat out front, I wasn’t making as much speed once the top in turns one and two went away. I kind of saw Donny coming at the end so I moved down on the race track,” Sweet said in good spirits.
"The past few races the tracks have been slick and technical with a lot of Green Flag laps, it’s been a lot of fun. We’ve been right in the hunt throughout this Month of Money and hopefully we can pick up some more wins here soon,” Sweet added.
Schatz came from ninth to complete the podium and referenced his slow start, “We were a little better at the end than at the beginning, but we’ve got to be better earlier. It wasn’t a bad night or a bad finish, it was just one of those nights,” Schatz, who had won three of the last four races prior to tonight, said.
David Gravel came from 10th to finish fourth with Ian Madsen fading to fifth. Kasey Kahne made a last-lap pass in the Last Chance Showdown to make the Feature and earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming to 17th at the Checkered Flag.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season with a trio of dates with the Pennsylvania Posse starting Thursday, July 19 at Lincoln Speedway before heading over to Williams Grove Speedway for the Summer Nationals. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 57-Kyle Larson [4][$25,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$7,000]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$5,000]; 4. 5-David Gravel [10][$4,000]; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [2][$3,000]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [5][$2,900]; 7. 49X-Tim Shaffer [1][$2,800]; 8. 2M-Kerry Madsen [7][$2,700]; 9. 10H-Chad Kemenah [14][$2,600]; 10. 7K-Cale Conley [6][$2,500]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [13][$2,400]; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen [11][$2,300]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [15][$2,200]; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8][$2,100]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [20][$2,000]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$1,500]; 17. 4K-Kasey Kahne [24][$1,300]; 18. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [19][$1,200]; 19. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17][$1,200]; 20. 83-Cory Eliason [21][$1,200]; 21. 39-Spencer Bayston [12][$1,200]; 22. 22-Brandon Spithaler [22][$1,200]; 23. 40-George Hobaugh [18][$1,200]; 24. 4-Parker Price-Miller [23][$1,200]; 25. 2AJ-A.J. Flick [25][$]; 26. 51-John Garvin [26][$]; Lap Leaders: Tim Shaffer 1-4, Ian Madsen 5-8, Kyle Larson 9-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 4K-Kasey Kahne[+7]
Donny Schatz Wins Third Consecutive Kings Royal to Become King Donny the 35th
ROSSBURG, OH – July 14, 2018 – Donny Schatz started fourth, took the lead on Lap 15 and never looked back, leading the rest of the way to win his 15th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018 and third consecutive Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway, worth $50,000. Brad Sweet surged late and came within half of a car-length at the checkered flag, finishing behind Schatz by just 0.189 seconds. Cory Eliason, in his first career Kings Royal start, completed the podium.
With the unique Kings Royal format, the six Heat Race winners occupied the first three rows for the 40-lap Feature. Trey Starks won Heat 6, earning the pole in his first Kings Royal start alongside Heat 5 winner, Paul McMahan. A caution on the initial start involving Hunter Schuerenburg, Sheldon Haudenschild and Brock Zearfoss brought out the only stoppage of the event.
The complete restart saw Starks shoot to the lead, in search of his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature victory in a big way. Schatz and McMahan battled for second with Schatz taking the position on Lap 3 and setting his sights on Starks. Schatz took a look underneath Starks on Lap 14 and completed the pass for the lead one lap later down the backstretch.
Cory Eliason, who started sixth after winning Heat 1, established himself as a threat moving by Starks into second on Lap 16. Eliason actually slid Schatz for position, but was never able to maintain momentum and stay in front of the Tony Stewart Racing No.15.
Brad Sweet maneuvered into third on Lap 17 and showed a lot of speed pounding the cushion. As Sweet closed in on Eliason for second, Donny Schatz extended his margin out front. Sweet would get by Eliason for second on Lap 27 and begin cutting into Schatz’ sizable advantage.
As Schatz searched for grip the last 10 laps, Sweet really closed in. Sweet got hung up behind Daryn Pittman in lapped traffic and finally cleared him with five to go, setting up one last charge at Schatz. And charge he did.
On the absolute cushion of the racing surface, Sweet closed in on Schatz, setting up a hectic finish. Sweet cut the gap to five car-lengths down the backstretch on the final lap and ended up just half a car-length short from his second career Kings Royal triumph.
Schatz acknowledged that he was searching for speed the last 10 laps, “I knew someone had to be coming. I was hanging the last 10 laps, I could not get stuck anywhere. I’m lucky it wasn’t 41 laps tonight, because obviously the No.49 was coming there at the end,” Schatz said in Victory Lane.
“Lapped traffic was tough tonight, it was tricky and slick. I feel like I completely failed in Qualifying going 21st quick, but the way format works tonight it put us in the right position,” Schatz said before thanking all the fans, even the ones that boo him, for coming out and praising the track crew given the high temperatures all weekend.
Brad Sweet was obviously disappointed but was pleased with the speed he showed.
“I came up one lap short, some of those lapped cars didn’t cut me a break. Coming to the checkered, I was cussing because I wanted it to be the White Flag,” Sweet said with a smirk. “To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best and the way [Schatz] shows up at these big money events, is why he’ll down in history as one of, if not the best of all time. This NAPA racing team has nothing to be ashamed of tonight, I just wish it was one more lap tonight,” Sweet added before encouraging the huge crowd to come to the pits and introduce themselves.
Cory Eliason was extremely pleased with his third-place run, “That was a great learning experience. I got to follow and watch Donny and Brad tonight and they are the two best out here right now. There is a huge learning curve coming to these tracks and to go out and be competitive is awesome.”
“After not making the first two shows of the weekend, to finish third behind Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet, feels like a win for this team,” Eliason added in good spirits after the race.
Lee Jacobs represented the Buckeye State coming from 16th to finish fourth with Kraig Kinser coming from 13th to complete the top five.
12th-starting Jacob Allen finished sixth with Paul McMahan coming home seventh. 16th-starting David Gravel finished eighth with Rico Abreu coming from 24th to ninth, earning KSE Hard Charger Honors. Outlaw rookie Ian Madsen completed the top ten, coming from 23rd.
Christopher Bell set Quick Time over the 51-car field and was running in the top five, when he pulled pit side with 14 laps remaining. After the caution on the initial start, the race went non-stop.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season and Month of Money with the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup at Lernerville Speedway, which will pay $25,000 to the winner. Following that the Outlaws will head to Central Pennsylvania to take on the Pennsylvania Posse at Lincoln and Williams Grove Speedway. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com.
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$50,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$20,000]; 3. 83-Cory Eliason [6][$15,000]; 4. 81-Lee Jacobs [16][$12,500]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$10,000]; 6. 1A-Jacob Allen [12][$7,500]; 7. 13-Paul McMahan [2][$6,500]; 8. 5-David Gravel [14][$6,000]; 9. 24-Rico Abreu [24][$5,500]; 10. 18-Ian Madsen [23][$5,000]; 11. 44-Trey Starks [1][$4,750]; 12. 2M-Kerry Madsen [15][$4,500]; 13. W20-Greg Wilson [21][$4,000]; 14. 94-Ryan Smith [8][$3,750]; 15. 2-Shane Stewart [9][$3,500]; 16. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [18][$3,450]; 17. 4-Parker Price-Miller [3][$3,400]; 18. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [22][$3,350]; 19. 9-Daryn Pittman [17][$3,300]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [19][$3,250]; 21. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [20][$3,200]; 22. 17B-Bill Balog [10][$3,150]; 23. 14-Christopher Bell [7][$3,100]; 24. 49X-Tim Shaffer [11][$3,000]; Lap Leaders: Trey Starks 1-14, Donny Schatz 15-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 24-Rico Abreu[+15]
Donny Schatz Wins Knight Before Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway
ROSSBURG, OH – July 13, 2018 – Donny Schatz passed Brian Brown on Lap 10 and never looked back en route to his Knight Before the Kings Royal victory at Eldora Speedway. It was Schatz’ 275th career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory. Greg Wilson charged from 14th to finish second, with Sheldon Haudenschild completing the podium in the non-stop Feature.
Brian Brown won the first Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 30-Lap Feature, alongside Hunter Schuerenburg, who won the second Dash. Brown, in search of his fifth career Outlaw victory, set the pace out front of the field as Schuerenburg remained within striking distance.
Donny Schatz, who started third, recovered from his start and got by Tim Shaffer for third on Lap 5, but not without making heavy contact with the outside retaining wall in turn two. The contact didn’t faze Schatz at all as he began chasing down Schuerenburg and Brown for the lead.
On Lap 9, Schatz ducked underneath Schuerenburg for second and one lap later, using the same line, Schatz took the lead from Brown. From there, Schatz began to work through lapped traffic in an attempt to extend his lead while all eyes were on Greg Wilson.
Wilson, a former Outlaw Eldora winner, was charging forward from his 14th-starting spot. Wilson took third from Schuerenburg on Lap 21 and surpassed Brown a lap later for the runner-up position. Wilson, glued to the extreme bottom of the racing surface, then set his sights on Schatz. Sheldon Haudenschild was in hot pursuit of Wilson running the polar opposite line, banging down the cushion. Haudenschild worked by Schuerenburg and Brown on Lap 23 to move into third. Wilson closed slightly in traffic, but Schatz had built too much of an advantage and went on to win his 14th Feature of the season by 2.273 seconds.
“It got real slick,” Schatz said after the race. “I think my car was best in the middle and it’s not exactly my bag of tea to bounce off the cushion every lap,”
Schatz added with a smile. “Greg [Wilson] is really good when the track gets like that. I know if I do everything right, there’s not many people that will pass this 15 car, but Greg is one of them. We’ve got to a get a little bit better tomorrow for 10 more laps or Greg will kick all our asses,” Schatz said in good spirits.
Wilson had high praise for Schatz following his personal season-best finish. “That 15 car man, he’s the best out here and the cleanest race car driver I have ever raced with,” Wilson said before thanking the Eldora Speedway track crew for providing an excellent dry-slick racing surface.
Sheldon Haudenschild was pleased with his third-place finish and looks forward to Saturday’s King’s Royal.
“My crew has done a phenomenal job and I think we’ll be right there tomorrow. I can’t thank the fans for being great all weekend,” Sheldon said.
Early race leader Brian Brown fell to fourth at the checkered flag with Dave Blaney charging from 22nd to complete the top five and earn KSE Hard Charger Honors. Heading into Saturday’s Kings Royal event, Shane Stewart and Donny Schatz, with their wins on the first two nights of the weekend, have earned the right to go out in Qualifying wherever they please during Saturday’s $50,000 to win program.
With the unique Kings Royal format being utilized, Saturday’s event will be show up points only for the World of Outlaws regulars. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com as the 35th Annual Kings Royal crowns a champion.
Feature: 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$12,000]; 2. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$5,700]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$3,500]; 4. 21-Brian Brown [1][$3,000]; 5. 70-Dave Blaney [22][$2,600]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [5][$2,400]; 7. 3G-Carson Macedo [8][$2,300]; 8. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [2][$2,200]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [13][$2,150]; 10. 87-Aaron Reutzel [6][$2,100]; 11. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$1,600]; 12. 49X-Tim Shaffer [4][$1,350]; 13. 5-David Gravel [18][$1,300]; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart [21][$1,200]; 15. 18-Ian Madsen [25][$300]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [26][$200]; 17. 24-Rico Abreu [10][$900]; 18. 10H-Chad Kemenah [11][$850]; 19. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [24][$800]; 20. 12N-Cole Duncan [20][$800]; 21. 4-Parker Price-Miller [16][$800]; 22. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [15][$800]; 23. 2-Shane Stewart [17][$800]; 24. 44-Trey Starks [19][$800]; 25. 26-Joey Saldana [23][$800]; 26. 13-Paul McMahan [12][$800]; Lap Leaders: Brian Brown 1-9, Donny Schatz 10-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 70-Dave Blaney[+17]
Brad Sweet Sweeps Night One of the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown at Cedar Lake
NEW RICHMOND, WI – July 6, 2018 - Brad Sweet completed a clean sweep of the opening night of the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown with his third win of the season at Cedar Lake Speedway. A late race caution took Sweet out of heavy lapped traffic and gave him a clean track and clean air with eight laps remaining. David Gravel and Brent Marks completed the podium.
Sweet started the night off right, setting fast time over the field before edging Gravel in a potential Heat Race of the year. Sweet started second in the Sears Craftsman Dash and won that to earn the pole for the 35-lap Feature.
While it may have looked easy on paper, it was far from it. Sweet, driver of the Kasey Kahne Racing No.49, grabbed the lead early and distanced himself, while Gravel and Marks battled for the runner-up position.
Sweet reached traffic by Lap 6 and negotiated the slower cars well. Marks, while running third, made contact with the slower car of Jason Tostenson and lost the third spot to Sheldon Haudenschild in the process.
As traffic intensified, Gravel and company closed in looking to steal the victory away from Sweet.
Sweet, at this point, was lapping some impressive race cars. As the Grass Valley, CA native tried to put Kerry Madsen, who swept both nights of the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown last year, and Cory Eliason, who has an Outlaw win this year, Gravel, Haudenschild and Marks closed significantly. Haudenschild bobbled on the bottom of one and two and relinquished the third spot back to Marks on Lap 22.
Just as Gravel and Marks were closing in, ready to pounce, debris in turn four forced a caution on Lap 27.
With eight laps remaining and a clean track, Sweet was never truly challenged and went on to win by .968 seconds.
“I’ve never done a clean sweep before. That’s a heck of a way to start the weekend,” Sweet said in Victory Lane before giving a shout out to Bobbi and Jaxx Johnson.
“Lapped traffic was tough tonight, but it’s what wins and loses races. We needed a win, it’s been a while. These NAPA Auto Parts guys have been working hard and they deserve more of these wins,” Sweet, who continues to sit second in the Series Point Standings added.
David Gravel finished a nose ahead of Marks for third, after getting held up with a lapped car coming to the checkered.
“I definitely didn’t want to see that yellow. My car was getting better as the race went on, luckily, tomorrow’s race is 41 laps. Hopefully we can finish one position better,” the driver of the CJB Motorsports No.5 said in good spirits.
Second-year Outlaw Brent Marks was very pleased with his evening, “I was surprised tonight, we weren’t very good here last year but we were excellent tonight. I’m really proud of my guys and I’m excited to be up here on the podium.
After not getting a Qualifying lap and starting last in his Heat Race, Donny Schatz picked up KSE Hard Charger honors, finishing fourth in the Feature from 11th. Sheldon Haudenschild completed the top-five.
The FVP Platinum Battery Showdown concludes Saturday evening at Cedar Lake Speedway. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Abbreviated Results from Cedar Lake Speedway - July 7, 2018:
Feature (35 Laps): 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$10,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [2][$5,000]; 3. 19-Brent Marks [3][$3,000]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [11][$2,700]; 5. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$2,500]; 6. 1A-Jacob Allen [5][$2,200]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7][$2,000]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [14][$1,800]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [8][$1,600]; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser [6][$1,450]; 11. 7S-Jason Sides [9][$1,300]; 12. 21-Brian Brown [10][$1,200]; 13. 9-Daryn Pittman [13][$1,100]; 14. 55-Brooke Tatnell [12][$1,000]; 15. 83H-Justin Henderson [16][$950]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson [15][$900]; 17. 83-Cory Eliason [21][$850]; 18. 2M-Kerry Madsen [19][$750]; 19. 13-Mark Dobmeier [20][$725]; 20. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [17][$700]; 21. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [18][$700]; 22. 19L-RJ Johnson [22][$700]; 23. 97-Alan Gilbertson [24][$700]; 24. 36-Jason Tostenson [23][$700]; Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz[+7]
Pittman Powers to 4th Win of Season at Nodak
MINOT, ND – June 17, 2018 – Daryn Pittman passed Cory Eliason on Lap 22 and never looked back, winning his fourth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018 Sunday evening at Nodak Speedway. Pittman hounded the California native for the majority of the race before making the race-winning move in turn one. Pittman’s Kasey Kahne Racing teammate Brad Sweet finished second with Donny Schatz completing the podium.
Eliason won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole of the 30-lap Feature in his first career start at Nodak Speedway. Eliason powered away on the initial start, as Pittman maneuvered underneath front row starter David Gravell to take command of second down the backstretch of the opening circuit.
The lone caution of the event flew for Jack Croaker on Lap 5. Eliason again motored away on the ensuing restart as Pittman had his hands full with his KKR teammate Sweet. Sweet had the second position at the line on Lap 6, but Pittman muscled back underneath to take the position back the next lap.
Eliason set a strong pace out front in search of his second career Outlaw triumph. But as Eliason worked lapped traffic, the rest of the field closed in. At the halfway point, a blanket could be thrown over the top five.
Pittman reached Eliason’s tail tank on multiple occasions, looking for a way around the Roth Motorsports No.83. Pittman pulled even with Eliason in turn one on Lap 18, but the latter maintained the lead with momentum around the top down the backstretch.
Pittman got another run, this time on the top of three and four, that propelled his Ionomy-sponsored No.9 to the lead into turn one on Lap 22. From there, Pittman proved he was the class of the field, distancing himself and getting through lapped traffic like the veteran he is.
While Pittman pulled away, the war continued behind him. Sweet, Eliason, Schatz and Gravel all jockeyed for position in heavy traffic. Sweet, who at this point had lost his brakes completely, and Schatz shuffled Eliason back to fourth on Lap 25.
Out front though, it was all Daryn Pittman, who went on to win by more than three seconds for his fourth win of the year.
“My car was really good all night long from the moment we unloaded,” Pittman, who set Quick Time and won his Heat Race, said.
“The last few weeks we’ve really been hitting stride. I love winning before we have a week off and I love winning on Father’s Day, I am extremely blessed to travel with my wife and kids out here,” Pittman, the 2007 Outlaw winner at Nodak, added before thanking the large crowd for coming out on a Sunday.
Sweet was pleased with another runner-up finish.
“We were battling with Daryn and Cory the whole race, I actually lost brakes with around ten laps to go and I was just hanging on. You don’t realize how much you need brakes until they are gone,” Sweet said with a smile. “We’ll take another second place and move on to next week,” the Grass Valley, CA native added.
North Dakota’s own Donny Schatz was in good spirits after finishing third and thanked the large crowd for coming out on Father’s Day. “Obviously, we would have liked to get a win, but to be out here on Father’s Day in Minot was great. Thanks to all the fans for their support these past 25 years and for supporting dirt track racing,” Schatz added.
Last year’s winner at Nodak, David Gravel settled for fourth with Eliason getting shuffled back to fifth. Sheldon Haudenschild earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 13th to finish sixth. Logan Schuchart, Brent Marks, Ian Madsen and Dominic Scelzi completed the top ten at Nodak.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season with its first trip to the newly-reconfigured Farley Speedway in Iowa in over 20 years Friday, June 22 before heading back into Wisconsin for a date at Beaver Dam Raceway on Saturday, June 23rd. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [3][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$3,200]; 4. 5-David Gravel [2][$2,800]; 5. 83-Cory Eliason [1][$2,500]; 6. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [13][$2,300]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [12][$2,100]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [5][$2,050]; 10. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [8][$2,000]; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [11][$1,500]; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen [10][$1,200]; 13. 41-Jason Johnson [15][$1,100]; 14. 2-Shane Stewart [9][$1,050]; 15. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [17][$1,000]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$900]; 17. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [18][$800]; 18. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$800]; 19. 6N-Greg Nikitenko [19][$800]; 20. 20A-Jordan Adams [21][$800]; 21. 9N-Wade Nygaard [20][$800]; 22. 8-Jack Croaker [22][$800]; 23. 20L-Dusty Lawson [23][$800]; 24. 20-Kevin Lawson [24][$800]; Lap Leaders: Cory Eliason 1-21, Daryn Pittman 22-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[+7]
Qualifying: 1. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.467; 2. 5-David Gravel, 13.507; 3. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.521; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.535; 5. 83-Cory Eliason, 13.588; 6. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.6; 7. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.651; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.651; 9. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.71; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.79; 11. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 13.793; 12. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.793; 13. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.795; 14. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.842; 15. 19-Brent Marks, 13.842; 16. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.904; 17. 6N-Greg Nikitenko, 13.938; 18. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.944; 19. 20A-Jordan Adams, 13.984; 20. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 14.085; 21. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg, 14.109; 22. 9N-Wade Nygaard, 14.175; 23. 8-Jack Croaker, 14.337; 24. 20L-Dusty Lawson, 15.285; 25. 14-Bill Holler, 15.792; 26. 20-Kevin Lawson, 16.052
Donny Schatz Continues Dominance at River Cities
GRAND FORKS, ND – June 15, 2018 – North Dakota’s own Donny Schatz continued his dominance at River Cities Speedway, passing race-long leader Kerry Madsen on Lap 25 to win his 11th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018. It was Schatz’s sixth win in his last seven starts at the bullring. Brad Sweet came forward to finish second with Madsen settling for third.
The “Mad Man” Kerry Madsen won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 40-lap Feature alongside Schatz. Local driver Austin Pierce brought out the first of many cautions in the lengthy event, flipping off the banking on the opening lap. Pierce, the 2017 NOSA Sprints Champion, was uninjured in the accident.
Madsen got the jump on the start once again, utilizing the bottom of the speedway as Schatz pounded the cushion. Lap 6 saw third-starting Austin McCarl go for a light tumble in turn four, bringing out the Red Flag once again. McCarl completed the race with a damaged top wing.
Four laps later, Cory Eliason and Jade Hastings bounced off the racing surface, bringing out another caution and keeping the leaders out of lapped traffic. On each restart, Schatz, on the top, was able to stay with Madsen for a lap or two before the Australian would distance himself on the bottom.
Sheldon Haudenschild’s Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing No.17 lost power while running sixth on Lap 17, bringing out the caution. A caution on the ensuing double-file restart brought the field back to Green under single-file conditions.
Following that caution, for the first time, the leaders reached traffic on the bullring. Lapped cars were littered all over the racing surface. Madsen was able to clear the first few cars getting underneath them while remaining committed to the bottom. Schatz would follow suit on the bottom by some of the lappers, but the entire capacity crowd at River Cities Speedway knew the Tony Stewart Racing No.15 would be able to maintain speed on the cushion as well.
Schatz capitalized on Madsen’s inability to clear a slower car on the backstretch, powering around the No.2M off of turn four to lead Lap 25. Schatz used the same line to clear the lapped car before getting back to the bottom to protect the lead.
Brad Sweet followed Schatz on the cushion around Madsen as well and would line up next to Schatz with eight laps remaining after the caution flew for Jason Johnson. Schatz motored away on the restart and did the same thing on the final restart with four laps to go to win his 11th Feature of the 2018 campaign and extend his lead atop the Point Standings.
Sweet would finish 2.369 seconds behind the Fargo, ND native with Madsen settling for third.
“I kept trying that top and I knew if we got into traffic I might be able to make it work,” Schatz said in Victory Lane. When asked about the multitude of cautions, Schatz simply cited that they are part of racing, but the early cautions had him wondering how the track would change as the race would go on. The North Dakota native savored the emotion of the hometown victory saying, “You never know when your last win is going to be.”
Brad Sweet was upbeat about his runner-up finish. “We were fast, I had a couple of lines working in one and two. I would have liked to give Donny a better run for his money, but he never missed a mark out front. Eventually, we’ll figure out how to beat him here,” Sweet added with a smile.
Kerry Madsen led the first 24 laps but settled for third after losing the lead in lapped traffic. “I didn’t do a good enough job. I became immobile in traffic. I tried to play a patient game and I should have been more aggressive,” Madsen said honestly before thanking his team for giving him a great car.
Shane Stewart had a strong run coming from 11th to finish fourth with Daryn Pittman completing the top five. Dominic Scelzi charged from 21st to sixth, but Mark Dobmeier grabbed KSE Hard Charger honors coming from a provisional starting 25th to finish ninth. The massive crowd at River Cities was engaged all evening, especially when track regular Thomas Kennedy set Quick Time and won his Heat Race.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season Sunday at Nodak Speedway in Minot, ND. If you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$5,500]; 3. 2M-Kerry Madsen [1][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [11][$2,800]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [9][$2,500]; 6. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [21][$2,300]; 7. 18-Ian Madsen [16][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [13][$2,100]; 9. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [25][$1,250]; 10. 5-David Gravel [10][$2,000]; 11. 83-Cory Eliason [4][$1,500]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [14][$1,200]; 13. 1A-Jacob Allen [6][$1,100]; 14. W20-Greg Wilson [24][$1,050]; 15. 21K-Thomas Kennedy [8][$1,000]; 16. 1S-Logan Schuchart [17][$900]; 17. 19L-R.J. Johnson [22][$800]; 18. 17A-Austin McCarl [3][$800]; 19. 8H-Jade Hastings [18][$800]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [20][$800]; 21. 27-Chris Ranten [23][$800]; 22. 41-Jason Johnson [15][$800]; 23. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$800]; 24. 9N-Wade Nygaard [26][$]; 25. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [19][$800]; 26. 2A-Austin Pierce [12][$800]
Qualifying: 1. 21K-Thomas Kennedy, 10.367; 2. 17A-Austin McCarl, 10.434; 3. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 10.444; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen, 10.482; 5. 15-Donny Schatz, 10.502; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 10.509; 7. 27-Chris Ranten, 10.519; 8. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 10.537; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman, 10.544; 10. 5-David Gravel, 10.567; 11. 83-Cory Eliason, 10.58; 12. 19L-R.J. Johnson, 10.639; 13. 19-Brent Marks, 10.669; 14. 8H-Jade Hastings, 10.671; 15. 2-Shane Stewart, 10.724; 16. 18-Ian Madsen, 10.75; 17. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 10.755; 18. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 10.779; 19. 41-Jason Johnson, 10.799; 20. W20-Greg Wilson, 10.799; 21. 6N-Greg Nikitenko, 10.804; 22. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 10.807; 23. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg, 10.81; 24. 2A-Austin Pierce, 10.835; 25. 10TRB-Bob Martin, 10.896; 26. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 10.897; 27. 20A-Jordan Adams, 10.976; 28. 26-Blake Egeland, 10.998; 29. 13-Clyde Knipp, 11.098; 30. 9N-Wade Nygaard, 11.103; 31. 55-Nick Ranten, 11.226; 32. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.339; 33. 8-Jack Croaker, 11.429; 34. 1AJ-Trevor Mell, 11.578; 35. 14-Tom Egeland, NT
Haudenschild Wins Inaugural FVP Platinum Battery Showdown at Fairbury
FAIRBURY, IL – June 5, 2018 – Sheldon Haudenschild took the lead on a Lap 3 restart and never looked back, scoring his fourth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season in the Series inaugural visit to Fairbury American Legion Speedway in the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown. Jacob Allen matched his career-best with a runner-up finish with Kyle Larson completing the podium.
The night didn’t start off as planned for Haudenschild, as Sheldon was just 21st quick in Qualifying and started seventh in his Heat. Haudenschild, in true Haudenschild fashion, charged from seventh to second in his Heat to secure a spot in the Sears Craftsman Dash.
Sheldon Haudenschild went on to win the Dash, earning the pole for the 40-lap Feature but it was fellow front row starter Hunter Schuerenburg getting the jump at the drop of the Green. Schuerenburg, in search of his first career Outlaw triumph, paced the field, pounding the cushion before a caution on Lap 3 for a backwards Shane Stewart halted action.
Schuerenburg elected the top on the double-file restart, but his No.20 machine stumbled on the restart as Haudenschild, who restarted alongside him, powered to the lead. Schuerenburg drastically fell to the back of the field with a flat tire. Things went from bad to worse as Tanner Thorson jumped Schuerenburg’s rear tire and went for a tumble. Thorson was uninjured in the accident and the Red Flag allowed Schuerenburg to change his tire and restart at the rear of the field.
When action resumed, Haudenschild motored away from the field and reached lapped traffic quickly around the bullring. Jacob Allen, who shattered the FALS track record in Qualifying, moved into second with his Shark Racing teammate, Logan Schuchart in tow running third. Haudenschild put on a lapped traffic clinic, slicing and dicing his way through the field.
A hellacious battle between Kyle Larson and Brent Marks for fifth was momentarily halted when a lapped car got loose and forced both Larson and Marks to take evasive action with 17 laps remaining. The duo did synchronized 360’s, but kept going, in turn two, forcing the rest of the field to check up. Greg Wilson had nowhere to go and got upside down. Gio Scelzi and Paul Nienhiser’s top-ten runs also came to an end in the accident. Wilson was uninjured but done for the evening while both Scelzi and Nienhiser tagged the rear.
With rubber prominent on the high line, World of Outlaws officials ruled single-file restarts for the remainder of the evening. Haudenschild continued to show the way as he reached traffic with the rest of the field directly on his tail.
With eight laps remaining, Schuchart pulled a slider on his teammate Allen to secure second and set his sights on Haudenschild. Haudenschild remained locked down in the rubber as Schuchart looked for a way to steal the lead. Schuchart peeked a car-length higher than Haudenschild in turn two with three laps remaining, but that was the end of Schuchart’s night as a flat tire on the No.1S brought out the final caution of the evening.
Haudenschild distanced himself from Allen, who was in search of his first career Outlaw win, on the late restart while Larson and Cory Eliason waged war for third. The pair of Californian’s exchanged sliders back and forth with Larson grabbing the final podium spot.
Sheldon Haudenschild went on to win his fourth Feature of the year aboard the NOS Energy Drink sponsored Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall No.17.
“My car was really good early and really good in the rubber,” Haudenschild said with a smile in Victory Lane. “I was able to get good drive on the early restart, grab the lead and get to the top. Other than a couple of times where I tagged the wall, I felt really good and felt like I was making good laps in traffic,” the Wooster, OH native added.
Allen’s second-place finish tied a career-best and was his first top-ten finish of 2018. “My team has worked really hard. Sheldon’s been one of my best friends for a long time, obviously I would have liked to get my first Outlaw win, but I’m extremely happy with second,” Allen said. When asked about racing with his teammate and relative Schuchart, Allen explained, “We’ll race each other hard, but clean. We both want to win, it’s unfortunate he got a flat tire ending his night. It’s always fun running up front with Logan.”
Kyle Larson, who slipped out of the top ten early, was pleased to get back to the podium. “I was pretty good as the race went on. I’m really loose until the fuel burns off, I was happy to get back to third after our start,” Larson said. Cory Eliason settled for fourth with Saturday’s winner in Wisconsin Brent Marks coming from 14th to fifth. The finish was Marks’ third consecutive top-five finish. KSE Hard Charger honors went to David Gravel and CJB Motorsports, as they came from 22nd to complete the top ten.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season this weekend with the 40th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals. Saturday’s Feature at Jackson will pay a whopping $40,000 to win. If you can’t make it out to Jackson, MN be sure to watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [1][$10,000]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [4][$5,500]; 3. 57-Kyle Larson [6][$3,200]; 4. 83-Cory Eliason [8][$2,800]; 5. 19-Brent Marks [14][$2,500]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [7][$2,300]; 7. 4-Parker Price-Miller [5][$2,200]; 8. 15-Donny Schatz [13][$2,100]; 9. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$2,050]; 10. 5-David Gravel [22][$2,000]; 11. 41-Jason Johnson [12][$1,500]; 12. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [10][$1,200]; 13. 20-Hunter Schuerenberg [2][$1,100]; 14. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [11][$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [23][$1,000]; 16. 10V-Matt Vandervere [18][$900]; 17. 2-Shane Stewart [17][$800]; 18. 7S-Jason Sides [15][$800]; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$800]; 20. 21X-Carson Short [21][$800]; 21. W20-Greg Wilson [20][$800]; 22. 25-Jacob Blackhurst [16][$800]; 23. 18-Ian Madsen [24][$800]; 24. 3C-Tanner Thorson [19][$800]; Lap Leaders: Hunter Schuerenberg 1-3, Sheldon Haudenschild 4-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 5-David Gravel[+12]
Qualifying: 1. 1A-Jacob Allen, 10.893; 2. 57-Kyle Larson, 11.193; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.278; 4. 4-Parker Price-Miller, 11.313; 5. 21-Brian Brown, 11.336; 6. 3C-Tanner Thorson, 11.354; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.354; 8. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 11.377; 9. 21X-Carson Short, 11.39; 10. 25-Jacob Blackhurst, 11.435; 11. 20-Hunter Schuerenberg, 11.437; 12. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.439; 13. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.449; 14. 19-Brent Marks, 11.476; 15. 10V-Matt Vandervere, 11.477; 16. 71-Giovanni Scelzi, 11.495; 17. 83-Cory Eliason, 11.533; 18. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.544; 19. 5-David Gravel, 11.544; 20. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.598; 21. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.613; 22. 18-Ian Madsen, 11.636; 23. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.657; 24. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.682; 25. W20-Greg Wilson, 11.703; 26. 98-Clinton Boyles, 11.917; 27. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.083
Brad Sweet Wins Memorial Day Thriller at Lawrenceburg
LAWRENCEBURG, IN – May 28, 2018 – Brad Sweet came from eighth and passed Donny Schatz on Lap 26 to take the lead in a thriller at Lawrenceburg Speedway and never looked back for his second win of the 2018 season. Schatz, who led 15 laps, settled for second with David Gravel completing the podium in the Memorial Day Spectacular presented by KOI Auto Parts.
Paul McMahan won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole of the 35 lap Feature alongside Jason Johnson as both veterans looked for their first Outlaw wins of the year. McMahan led the opening circuit and continued to lead through a pair of cautions in the first handful of laps.
The tricky Lawrenceburg cushion got the better of Sheldon Haudenschild after the young Wooster, OH native pulled a massive slider for fourth on Lap 3.
When action resume, McMahan led as Schatz and Kyle Larson stalked closely behind. Brad Sweet established himself as a threat early moving by his good friend and fellow California native Larson for third on Lap 5.
As lapped traffic intensified, Paul McMahan bobbled out of turn two on the ninth circuit and Schatz and Sweet both pounced, shuffling the Nashville, TN driver back to third. Larson and McMahan waged war for the third position as Sweet began chasing down Schatz.
As is typical at The Burg, slide jobs were plentiful as The Greatest Show on Dirt lived up to its name in the fullest on Memorial Day. Schatz was masterful in traffic as always, but Sweet was just as good as the duo sliced and diced their way through slower traffic. Simultaneously, McMahan and Larson exchanged multiple slide jobs for the third position, with Larson finally wrestling the position away on Lap 21.
After clearing a handful of lapped cars, the top three were nose-to-tail with 10 laps remaining. Sweet gained on Schatz on an open track and made multiple bids for the lead, before completing the pass on the nine-time Series Champion in turn two to lead Lap 26.
A lap later Larson battled hard with Schatz for the runner-up position and had it as they crossed the line. Larson and Schatz continued to battle, but the Lawrenceburg cushion got the better of the California phenom as Larson spun in turn four, leaving fourth-place running McMahan nowhere to go as the caution waved with seven circuits remaining.
On the restart, Sweet showed the speed that got him to the lead from eighth and powered away from the field as David Gravel went side-by-side with Schatz for second and grabbed the position before the final caution flew with three laps remaining for Ian Madsen, who succumbed to a flat tire ending his top-ten run.
Gravel took a look underneath Sweet on the restart, opening the door for Schatz to steal second back from the CJB Motorsports No.5. Schatz had nothing left in the tank to come back after Sweet, as ‘The Big Cat’ crossed the line 1.460 seconds ahead of the Series Points Leader.
“I had a really good race car. It’s better to be in second sometimes, it allows you to move around,” Sweet said in Victory Lane about his pass for the lead. “We were terrible in the Dash going from sixth to eighth, but I was able to try some different lines, allowing us to make some changes for the Feature. We kept getting better and better as the race went on. It’s great to get this NAPA Auto Parts team in Victory Lane where they belong, hopefully we can keep this momentum up in the upcoming summer months,” Sweet said with positivity.
Schatz settled for second and endlessly thanked his Textron Off Road team for their continued work and was thankful to finally have the whole crew back, a rare occasion this season.
“I tried to go for the lead on the restart and lost a spot. We’ll take third, I can’t thank my guys and car owners enough for this opportunity,” Gravel, who set fast time during Qualifying, said. “Hopefully we can continue to qualify well and build off of this going forward.
Shane Stewart finished fourth, ending his winning streak at Lawrenceburg with Parker Price-Miller coming from 16th to complete the top five. Aaron Reutzel earned KSE Hard Charger honors advancing 15 positions, from 22nd to finish seventh.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season Wednesday, May 30 with the Series’ inaugural visit to Fairbury American Legion Speedway (FALS) in Illinois. Tickets for the can’t miss event at FALS can be purchased here. The Series then treks to I-96 Speedway in Michigan on Friday before heading to Wilmot in Wisconsin to conclude the weekend. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (35 Laps): 1. 49-Brad Sweet [8][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$5,500]; 3. 5-David Gravel [5][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [7][$2,800]; 5. 4-Parker Price-Miller [16][$2,500]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [2][$2,300]; 7. 87-Aaron Reutzel [22][$2,200]; 8. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [14][$2,100]; 9. 5B-Christopher Bell [10][$2,050]; 10. 26-Joey Saldana [21][$2,000]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [17][$1,500]; 12. 99-Brady Bacon [18][$1,200]; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$1,100]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [9][$1,050]; 15. 7K-Cale Conley [20][$1,000]; 16. 18-Ian Madsen [12][$900]; 17. 57-Kyle Larson [4][$800]; 18. 13X-Paul McMahan [1][$800]; 19. 1A-Jacob Allen [11][$800]; 20. A79-Brandon Wimmer [24][$800]; 21. 49X-Tim Shaffer [23][$800]; 22. 11-Dominic Scelzi [15][$800]; 23. 20-Hunter Schuerenberg [13][$800]; 24. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [6][$800]; 25. 13-Clyde Knipp [25][$800]; Lap Leaders: Paul McMahan 1-9, Donny Schatz 10-25, Brad Sweet 26-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 87-Aaron Reutzel[+15]
Qualifying: 1. 5-David Gravel, 11.835; 2. 57-Kyle Larson, 11.847; 3. 13X-Paul McMahan, 11.89; 4. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.947; 5. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.961; 6. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.972; 7. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.974; 8. 15-Donny Schatz, 12; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.032; 10. 71-Giovanni Scelzi, 12.034; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.037; 12. 4-Parker Price-Miller, 12.054; 13. 20-Hunter Schuerenberg, 12.063; 14. 5B-Christopher Bell, 12.081; 15. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.11; 16. 18-Ian Madsen, 12.114; 17. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 12.133; 18. 5X-Justin Peck, 12.146; 19. 11-Dominic Scelzi, 12.174; 20. 26-Joey Saldana, 12.183; 21. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 12.185; 22. 99-Brady Bacon, 12.207; 23. 3-Jac Haudenschild, 12.208; 24. 7K-Cale Conley, 12.23; 25. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.235; 26. A79-Brandon Wimmer, 12.249; 27. 19P-Paige Polyak, 12.286; 28. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.294; 29. 19-Brent Marks, 12.318; 30. 30-CJ Leary, 12.459; 31. 2S-Nathan Skaggs, 12.463; 32. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.522; 33. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.802; 34. 21X-Carson Short, NT
Donny Schatz Sweeps Outlaw Portion of Let’s Race Two Weekend at Eldora
ROSSBURG, OH – May 12, 2018 – The man is on a roll. Donny Schatz completed the weekend sweep of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series portion of Let’s Race Two at Eldora Speedway holding off Logan Schuchart for the second consecutive night. It was Schatz’ eighth win of the 2018 season and fourth in his last five starts as he continues to extend his lead atop the Series Point Standings in search of his 10th Outlaw Championship.
Schatz won the Sears Craftsman Dash and shared the front row with Parker Price-Miller. It was PPM getting the jump on the start as the Indiana native set the pace for the first four laps on the cushion before Schatz took command of the field on the fifth circuit on the bottom.
Schuchart just barely edged Price-Miller to the line on Lap 7, which was significant because the caution flew for Sheldon Haudenschild, lining Schuchart to the outside of Schatz. Haudenschild, who entered the evening third in the World of Outlaws Point Standings, was unable to return to action.
The restart saw Schatz and Schuchart put a straightaway back to the rest of the field, as the duo, who finished first and second a night ago, were once again the class of the field. Schuchart was able to keep his Shark Racing No.1S glued to the bottom of the Eldora Speedway racing surface and close in on Schatz.
But, catching Donny Schatz and passing Donny Schatz are two entirely different things. Every time it appeared Schuchart may have a run to get underneath Schatz, the Fargo, ND native would go to the bottom, forcing Schuchart to the top. Schuchart’s No.1S was not as strong on the cushion, allowing Schatz to maintain the lead each time.
With consecutive Green Flag action, lapped traffic played a factor. Schatz reminded everyone why he is the nine-time and defending Series Champion with his prowess through a maze of lapped cars. Schuchart, an Outlaw winner at Eldora last year, stayed right with Schatz every step and just as he was about to pull even with the Champion, the caution flew for an ailing Spencer Bayston with five laps remaining.
With five or fewer laps remaining in the Feature, the start was single-file. Schuchart and third-place running Aaron Reutzel both stayed with Schatz on the restart, but Donny was too strong and went on to take the checkered flag 1.536 seconds ahead of Schuchart.
“We love lapped traffic. That’s where races are won and lost,” Schatz said in Victory Lane when prompted about the close-quartered racing action. “My guys are incredible. We keep working, keep digging and keep finding ways to be up here at the end of the night,” Schatz added before expressing his thanks to the fans for coming out and thanking the track and officials for running an accelerated program to beat Mother Nature.
When asked about the close racing with Schuchart, Schatz referenced an old tale from his father, “If you are worried about what is behind you, you are going to have a hell of a time handling what’s in front of you. I’ve always raced like that and tonight was no different.”
Schuchart was pleased with his second consecutive runner-up finish. “It was a lot of fun racing up there. I know my heart was pumping, it was hard to stay calm,” the upbeat Hanover, PA native said. “What a great weekend for us. Two podiums and if you are going to finish second to someone, that’s a hell of a team to finish behind. They are incredible, but we are going to try and keep working hard to beat them,” Schuchart added.
Reutzel’s 2018 speed continued as he followed up last night’s disappointment of wrecking while leading with a podium finish. “I probably should have been a little more aggressive on the top, but we definitely wanted to finish after last night,” the Texan and current All-Star point leader said.
Kraig Kinser had an impressive 15th to fourth run for his best finish of the season with Tim Shaffer completing the top five. Early race leader Parker Price-Miller settled for sixth with Kerry Madsen, 17th-starting Brad Sweet, 22nd-starting Ian Madsen and 24th-starting Daryn Pittman completing the top ten. Pittman claimed KSE Hard Charger honors for the second consecutive night.
The Greatest Show on Dirt continues its 40th Anniversary Season with a haul to the Hoosier State for a third-attempt at racing at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, IN tomorrow evening Sunday, May 13. After that, the Series will head to Central Pennsylvania to take on the tough Pennsylvania Posse at Lincoln Speedway on May 16 and at Williams Grove on May 18 and 19. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Abbreviated Results from Eldora Speedway: May 12, 2018
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$10,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$5,000]; 3. 87-Aaron Reutzel [4][$3,000]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [15][$2,700]; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer [6][$2,500]; 6. 4-Parker Price-Miller [2][$2,200]; 7. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5][$2,000]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [17][$1,800]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [22][$1,600]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [24][$1,450]; 11. 7S-Jason Sides [8][$1,300]; 12. 41-Jason Johnson [10][$1,200]; 13. 99-Brady Bacon [23][$1,100]; 14. 5-David Gravel [7][$1,000]; 15. 2-Shane Stewart [19][$950]; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen [18][$900]; 17. 26-Joey Saldana [14][$850]; 18. 24-Rico Abreu [13][$750]; 19. 13X-Paul McMahan [9][$725]; 20. 10H-Chad Kemenah [20][$700]; 21. 19-Brent Marks [21][$700]; 22. 39-Spencer Bayston [16][$700]; 23. 12N-Cole Duncan [12][$700]; 24. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [11][$700]; Lap Leaders: Parker Price-Miller 1-4, Donny Schatz 5-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman[+14]
Schatz Scores Third Win in Last Four Starts on Night One of Let’s Race Two at Eldora
ROSSBURG, OH – May 11, 2018 – Donny Schatz inherited the lead on Lap 14 and held off a late race charge from Logan Schuchart to claim the victory on the opening night of the Let’s Race Two weekend at Eldora Speedway. It was Schatz’ 7th win of the 2018, extending his point lead atop the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Point Standings. Schuchart finished second with Brad Sweet finishing third.
Ohio native Cole Duncan set fast time over the 37-car field, won his heat race and was victorious in the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 30-lap Feature. Duncan, in search of his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory, shared the front row with legend and fellow Buckeye Jac Haudenschild, who was seeking his 74th career Outlaw victory.
It was Haudenschild getting the jump at the tip of the Green and leading the opening circuit. Third-starting Donny Schatz swooped underneath Duncan to take second the following lap. Haudenschild, or more often referred to as ‘The Wild Child’, lived up to his nickname every bit as he flirted with the dangerous cushion and was up against the wall fending off Schatz narrowly at the line for the first five laps in exciting fashion.
A Lap 6 caution for Hunter Schuerenberg halted the action and bunched the field together. On the restart, Schatz, on the bottom, remained right with Haudenschild, but this time sixth-starting Aaron Reutzel was right in tow. The trio sliced and diced their way as they battled for the lead, utilizing every inch of the Eldora Speedway racing surface.
On Lap 11, Reutzel made an eye-catching move going around the nine-time Series Champion before going wheel-to-wheel with Haudenschild and pulling even with The Wild Child on the front stretch, trailing him by .005 at the conclusion of the 11th circuit. Reutzel would take command of the field on Lap 12.
Schatz continued to jockey with Haudenschild, which allowed Reutzel, who scored his first career Outlaw win earlier this season at Tulare, to put a couple car-lengths between himself and Schatz and Haudenschild. Schatz finally wrestled the runner-up spot away from Haudenschild on Lap 13 and set his eyes on the Texas native for the lead on what promised to be a great battle.
Disaster struck for Reutzel on Lap 14, as he bobbled just enough on the thin Eldora Speedway cushion to lose the handle on his No.87, before making heavy contact with the outside retaining wall, ending his night. Schatz and Haudenschild both showed their veteran prowess avoiding Reutzel’s ailing machine as it bounced back into the racing line. Reutzel was uninjured in the accident and expressed his apologies to his race team stating the dangerous Eldora cushion got the better of him tonight.
One lap later, David Gravel was left nowhere to go and spun in turn two, creating a logjam that included Carson Macedo, Rico Abreu and Joey Saldana. Gravel and Abreu were able to make repairs, but Macedo and Saldana’s nights both came to an end.
The action remained intense on the restart as cars scattered around the Eldora racing surface. Brad Sweet had an excellent restart and moved into the runner-up position and nearly completed a slider on Schatz for the lead, to no avail as the Fargo, ND native powered around Sweet on the cushion.
Eighth-starting Logan Schuchart began making the bottom work and took the runner-up spot away from Sweet with eight laps remaining. Schuchart closed in on Schatz, who made a daring move splitting lapped cars, to extend the lead once again just as Schuchart was preparing to bid for the lead. Schuchart, who won during last year’s Let’s Race Two event at Eldora, closed in one last time with two laps remaining, but Schatz was too strong and took the checkered flag 1.041 seconds in front of the Hanover, PA native with Sweet completing the podium.
“I had a good car, we played around a little and tried something different, but this team just continues to work. We probably weren’t the best car tonight, but we are here standing with the checkered flag,” Schatz said in Victory Lane. When asked about Reutzel’s move for the lead and crash, Schatz said, “He was really fast, but he wore it out. That’s the big part of racing with the World of Outlaws. You’ve got to finish races to win the Championship and sometimes you can’t go as hard to make sure you finish these races.
Schatz also praised the Eldora Speedway track crew, “Everyone has a different perspective of what is a good race or not. There were multiple grooves and guys were making moves all over the place and that’s really all you can ask for.”
Jac Haudenschild settled for fourth with Duncan completing the top five. Gary Taylor, who was as high as second at one point, faded late to sixth. Sheldon Haudenschild came forward to seventh with 14th-starting Jason Johnson, 26th-starting Daryn Pittman and Kerry Madsen completing the top ten. Pittman’s effort was good enough to earn KSE Hard Charger honors, advancing 17 positions. Brady Bacon was the lone driver to compete in both portions of the Let’s Race Two. Bacon was victorious with USAC by nearly five seconds and finished 16th with the wing on in the Feature.
The Let’s Race Two weekend at Eldora Speedway wraps up tomorrow night Saturday, May 12. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to catch all the action live on DIRTVision.com!
Abbreviated Results from Eldora Speedway: May 11, 2018
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$10,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8][$5,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$3,000]; 4. 3-Jac Haudenschild [2][$2,700]; 5. 12N-Cole Duncan [1][$2,500]; 6. 57-Gary Taylor [7][$2,200]; 7. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [11][$2,000]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [14][$1,800]; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman [26][$900]; 10. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4][$1,450]; 11. 83-Cory Eliason [19][$1,300]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [27][$500]; 13. 5-David Gravel [12][$1,100]; 14. 49X-Tim Shaffer [17][$1,000]; 15. 10H-Chad Kemenah [10][$950]; 16. 99-Brady Bacon [21][$900]; 17. 13X-Paul McMahan [20][$850]; 18. 18-Ian Madsen [9][$750]; 19. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [16][$725]; 20. 39-Spencer Bayston [13][$700]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [24][$700]; 22. 2-Shane Stewart [25][$]; 23. 4-Parker Price-Miller [15][$700]; 24. 24-Rico Abreu [22][$700]; 25. 21B-Carson Macedo [18][$700]; 26. 26-Joey Saldana [23][$700]; 27. 87-Aaron Reutzel [6][$700]; 28. 7S-Jason Sides [28][$] Lap Leaders: Jac Haudenschild 1-11, Aaron Reutzel 12, Donny Schatz 13-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman[+17]
Schatz Thrills Massive Crowd at Devil’s Bowl with Late Race Pass Worth $20,000
MESQUITE, TX – April 28, 2018 – “I heard Ted Johnson telling me to get my ass in gear,” an elated Donny Schatz said after making a late race pass on Brad Sweet to capture the finale of the Texas Outlaw Nationals at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. Sweet led the first 25 laps, but settled for second with Shane Stewart completing the podium.
For the second night in a row, Jason Johnson paced the field in Qualifying and won his heat race. Brad Sweet edged his boss Kasey Kahne to take the Craftsman Club Dash, earning the pole for the 30-lap Feature. Sweet set a torrid pace as Schatz and Stewart waged war for the runner-up position.
Schatz wrestled the runner-up position away from Stewart on the eighth circuit and set his eyes on the leader. The lone caution during the race flew on Lap 11 as Tucker Klaasmeyer lost the handle on his Keith Kunz No.67K.
Stewart edged in front of Schatz on the double-file restart, but Schatz re-gained control of second down the backstretch. Sweet continued to lead and navigated traffic at a quick pace, but Schatz stayed with the Grass Valley, CA native through traffic and began to close on the bottom side of the speedway.
Sweet, who won the Texas Outlaw Nationals last year, continued to pound the cushion as Schatz showed his nose underneath him. With anticipation building amongst the crowd, Schatz powered off of the bottom of turn four to take command of the top spot and never look back.
“What an awesome race track. They gave us a top and bottom, the bottom was tricky, but if it was easy, everyone would be doing it,” Schatz said. The win for Schatz was his fifth of the 2018 season and was worth $20,000 and the Ted Johnson Memorial trophy.
“Ted looked after his people, he had great relationships with his guys. He had a serious passion, not only for his guys, but for putting on a great race. I remember watching him bounce up and down because Steve [Kinser] and Sammy [Swindell] were putting on a show,” Schatz reminisced about the late great Johnson. “He was a race fan.”
Sweet settled for second and was in good spirits, but understandably disappointed as he was searching for the first win of the season. “That’s the difference between winning and losing and Donny’s the best at it. The race track was great, it slicked off with multiple grooves,” Sweet said.
Shane Stewart was pleased with his podium finish, “This is a special place for me. I have a lot of friends and family out here, so to finish on the podium is special. I wish we could have been fighting for the lead up there, it was a great race, I watched it.”
Logan Schuchart charged from 12th to finish fourth for his second consecutive top-five finish with crowd favorite Jason Johnson completing the top five. After changing motors after his Heat, David Gravel bounced back with the KSE Hard Charger award coming from 19th to complete the top ten.
World of Outlaws hits the track at Salina Highbanks Speedway on May 5
SALINA, Okla. — April 26, 2018 — The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series makes their annual appearance at Salina Highbanks Speedway in Salina, Okla., on Saturday, May 5 for the running of the Twister Showdown. The event will mark the seventh time the series has raced at the ultra-high-banked three-eighths-mile.
Kerry Madsen was victorious last year at Salina over Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet. Madsen took the lead from Sweet on lap-23 and held off several charges from Sweet, Schatz and Shane Stewart in the late going to pick up the win. For Madsen, it was his first win at Salina.
Daryn Pittman scored a very popular win in 2016 at Salina Highbanks Speedway. The victory was the second straight for an Oklahoma native at the track, as Stewart was victorious in the 2015 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series event at Salina.
Leading the way into Salina Highbanks Speedway this season is Schatz, who has four wins and is on top of the point standings as he chases his 10th series title. Salina Highbanks Speedway is one of the few tracks on the circuit that he has never won at. The North Dakota native has a pair of runner-up showings among his five top-10 finishes in six starts at Salina.
Brad Sweet has finished on the podium in two of the last three years at Salina, including a third-place effort last year, which saw him lead the first 22 laps of the main event. The California native is currently third in points as he chases his first win of the season.
David Gravel has four top-10 finishes in five starts at Salina, including a runner-up performance in 2016. The 25-year-old was battling for the lead on the opening lap last season, when contact led him getting upside and ending his night. Gravel, who won a career-high 18 races last season is currently sixth in points as he chases his first win of 2018.
Pittman, who recently scored back-to-back wins in Arkansas and Missouri, is the only driver who has finished in the top-10 in all previous six World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series races at Salina. Fellow Oklahoman Shane Stewart has three top-10 finishes in four starts at the track.
Jason Johnson has finished in the top-five in each of the last two World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series races at Salina. Fellow veteran drivers who will be in attendance include Kraig Kinser, Greg Wilson and Jason Sides, as well as youngsters Logan Schuchart, Jacob Allen and Clyde Knipp.
Sheldon Haudenschild and Brent Marks each visited Salina for the first time last year. Haudenschild, who scored his first-career win on opening night in Florida this season, has added a couple of more victories and is currently second in points.
Ian Madsen, who is in his first full year on the road with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series has two straight top-10 finishes with the series at Salina. The Australian ran sixth last year and was fourth in 2016. Dane Lorenc, a rookie driver from New York, will be the lone driver making his debut at the track this year.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series raced for the first time at Salina Highbanks Speedway in 2011, with Craig Dollansky picking up the win. The veteran driver would win again in 2013 at the high-banked oval. Joey Saldana was victorious at Salina Highbanks Speedway in 2014.
Tickets for the Twister Showdown, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Salina Highbanks Speedway in Oklahoma on Saturday, May 5 can be purchased online at https://slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling 815-344-2023 and at the track on race day.
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Pittman Goes Back-to-Back with Second Consecutive Win at Pevely
PEVELY, MO – April 21, 2018 - Daryn Pittman got underneath Sheldon Haudenschild to lead Lap 31 en route to his second consecutive World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win of the weekend and second in a row at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, MO. Donny Schatz finished second and long-time race leader Sheldon Haudenschild completed the podium.
Donny Schatz won the Craftsman Club Dash and earned the pole of the 40-lap Feature alongside Ian Madsen. But it was Madsen who powered around Schatz to lead the opening circuit of the Feature. Sheldon Haudenschild used every bit of the racing surface to quickly take second from Schatz and begin chasing down Madsen for the lead. Just as Haudenschild was ready to make a move on Ian Madsen for the lead on the sixth circuit, the caution flew Ian’s older brother, Kerry, who was facing traffic on the backstretch.
Ian Madsen was able to turn under a pair of Sheldon sliders, before Haudenschild took command to lead Lap 8. As Haudenschild navigated heavy traffic, both Madsen and Pittman were able to erase Sheldon's lead. Daryn Pittman made an eye-catching three-wide pass for the lead down the backstretch on Lap 13, only for it to be negated by a yellow for Cory Eliason.
As the rubber became more prominent on the racing surface, experience became a factor. Pittman and Schatz quickly closed in on Haudenschild for the lead. Haudenschild had a minor hiccup in turn one and missed the rubber by no more than a car length, but that was all Pittman needed as the 2013 Series Champion stuffed his Kasey Kahne Racing No.9 car underneath Haudenschild to take command down the backstretch. A couple laps later Haudenschild hiccupped in turn one again and Schatz was able to sneak by for second.
Ian Madsen’s top-five run came to an end with five laps remaining, due to a flat tire. A clear track ahead of Pittman allowed the veteran driver to hit his marks en route to his 74th career Outlaw victory.
“Man, this is starting to be fun again. It’s been a frustrating start to the season, but this car has been a blast to drive the past two nights,” Pittman said upon exiting his Ionomy sponsored KKR No.9 machine.
“This is the way we envisioned we would start the year. We are really happy with where we are at right now, this is why you never give up,” an enthusiastic Pittman added. Pittman eluded to the harder tire compound his team elected to go with before thanking his car owner, Kasey Kahne, and all of his sponsorship partners. When asked about the negated three-wide pass for the lead, Pittman said, “I thought that was the end of our chance to win it. This really was a great team win.”
Donny Schatz also went with a harder tire compound. “I was way too loose in the beginning and we had to pay the price, but we made it back it up. All in all, it was a great night,” Schatz said in good spirits.
After leading 22 laps, Sheldon Haudenschild had all the reason to be dejected, but that was not the case. “We definitely want to win these races, but we want to finish them too. I’m happy with a podium. The guys worked really hard after tearing a car up last night. I missed the rubber twice and I got passed twice,” Sheldon, who continues to sit second in the Series Point Standings, said.
David Gravel and Brad Sweet completed the all-Outlaw top five. Nine of the top ten were World of Outlaws regulars, including Brent Marks who came from 22nd to 10th, earning KSE Hard Charger honors. Indiana youngster Cale Thomas was the lone non-Outlaw regular in the top-ten, finishing eighth. Jason Sides set fast-time over the 44-car field for the first time this season.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series completes its three-race bullring weekend Sunday evening at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, IN. Another strong car count is expected, and all the action can be watched live on DIRTVision.com. Next week, the Outlaws ramp up its 40th Anniversary Celebration with three races in four days in Texas, capped off at the Series birthplace, Devil’s Bowl Speedway.
Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55:
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [6][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$5,500]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$3,200]; 4. 5-David Gravel [7][$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$2,500]; 6. 7S-Jason Sides [5][$2,300]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [8][$2,200]; 8. 91-Cale Thomas [14][$2,100]; 9. 26-Joey Saldana [15][$2,050]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [22][$2,000]; 11. 45-Paul McMahan [10][$1,500]; 12. 5C-Christopher Bell [12][$1,200]; 13. 99-Brady Bacon [16][$1,100]; 14. 41-Jason Johnson [13][$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [23][$1,000]; 16. 24-Rico Abreu [17][$900]; 17. 21-Brian Brown [24][$800]; 18. 2M-Kerry Madsen [9][$800]; 19. 83-Cory Eliason [20][$800]; 20. 18-Ian Madsen [2][$800]; 21. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25][$]; 22. 21X-Carson Short [18][$800]; 23. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [19][$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [11][$800]; 25. 3-Sammy Swindell [21][$800] Lap Leaders: Ian Madsen 1-7, Sheldon Haudenschild 8-30, Daryn Pittman 31-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+12]
Qualifying Flight-A: 1. 7S-Jason Sides, 10.764; 2. 5-David Gravel, 10.809; 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 10.828; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen, 10.861; 5. 18-Ian Madsen, 10.899; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman, 10.943; 7. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 10.998; 8. 21-Brian Brown, 11.011; 9. 24-Rico Abreu, 11.053; 10. 26-Joey Saldana, 11.092; 11. 3-Sammy Swindell, 11.105; 12. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 11.113; 13. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg, 11.225; 14. 1M-James Moughan, 11.256; 15. O1-Matt Vandervere, 11.342; 16. OO-Dane Lorenc, 11.348; 17. 51B-Joe Miller, 11.495; 18. W20-Greg Wilson, 11.503; 19. 9JR-Derek Hagar, 11.539; 20. 8S-Steve Short, 11.683; 21. 10P-Jim Perricone, 12.327
Qualifying Flight-B: 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 10.808; 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 10.961; 3. 91-Cale Thomas, 10.997; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.056; 5. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.059; 6. 5C-Christopher Bell, 11.061; 7. 45-Paul McMahan, 11.085; 8. 83-Cory Eliason, 11.094; 9. O5-Gary Taylor, 11.104; 10. 99-Brady Bacon, 11.156; 11. 19-Brent Marks, 11.207; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.248; 13. 21X-Carson Short, 11.452; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.506; 15. 64-Scotty Thiel, 11.514; 16. 13-Clyde Knipp, 11.554; 17. 25-Jacob Blackhurst, 11.896; 18. 5B-Chase Briscoe, 11.987; 19. 12-Robert Ballou, 11.994; 20. 79J-Jacob Patton, 12.153; 21. 14T-Jimmy Bridgeman, 12.176; 22. 71M-Andy Bradley, 12.193
Schatz Storms from 12th for Fourth Win of Young Season
QUEEN CREEK, AZ – Donny Schatz started 12th and passed Shane Stewart on a Lap 20 restart to score his first career victory at Arizona Speedway Saturday Night in front of a standing room only crowd. It was Schatz, who was the fourth and final driver to lead a lap in the Feature, fourth win of the season as he extended his early season points lead in his quest for his tenth Series Championship.
California native Cory Eliason continued to show impressive speed winning the Craftsman Club Dash and leading the opening lap of the 30 lap Arizona Desert Shootout. That lead was short-lived, however, as Sheldon Haudenschild slid in front of the Roth Motorsports No.83 to lead the second circuit. Haudenschild, who entered the evening second in points and tied with Schatz with three wins, appeared to be the man to beat, extending his lead to a sizeable margin through lapped traffic.
A Lap 13 caution bunched the field together and Haudenschild extended the lead once again. The move of the restart, which proved to be crucial at the race’s end, was Donny Schatz powering from eighth to third on the bottom off of turn four.
Lap 16 saw disaster strike for Sheldon as the thin cushion in turn four got the better of the young Wooster, OH native. It was the second time in the young 2018 campaign that Haudenschild has brought out the yellow while leading. Unlike at Tulare, this time there was no damage to the NOS Energy Drink No.17 machine and he was able to restart at the rear of the field.
Sheldon’s misfortune moved Shane Stewart, who advanced forward from his fifth starting position, to the point. By Lap 20, when the thin cushion claimed two more victims – Brad Sweet and Brian Brown, Schatz had worked by Joey Saldana for the runner-up position and was ready to pounce on the next restart.
Pounce he did, as Schatz shot underneath Stewart and led down the backstretch only to have the pass negated by another caution. That set up a single-file restart and Stewart went to the bottom entering turn one, only to see Schatz, this time on the outside of the speedway, roll by him down the backstretch once again. In an attempt to get the lead back from Schatz, Stewart allowed Saldana to regain the runner-up spot.
A pair of late race restarts allowed the field to have a crack at Schatz and Saldana had the crowd holding their breath with two to go as he narrowed the gap to three car-lengths. A valiant effort was not meant to be for the “Brownsburg Bullet” as he finished 0.821 seconds behind the Tony Stewart Racing No.15.
Schatz first order of business in Victory Lane was to express his thoughts to the Humboldt Broncos community following their hockey team’s tragic accident Friday evening. Additionally, the Tony Stewart Racing No.15 team had a little bit of a different look in the pit area tonight. “We were minus the backbone of our team tonight, Scuba broke his ankle at Bakersfield and is on the couch for a while,” Schatz explained.
“We’ve won in Arizona before, but not at this place. My race car was awesome all over the race track tonight, a true testament to my team’s excellence,” the Fargo, ND native said. When asked about the multitude of late-race restarts, Schatz chuckled and said, “I’m getting older and the older I get, the more patient I am.” It was Schatz’s 265th World of Outlaws victory in his illustrious career.
Saldana, who finished fourth last outing at Bakersfield, was pleased with his car speed once again. “Kevin Rudeen gives us a great car, with great equipment. We have everything we need to succeed and it’s starting to show. Hopefully we can win one of these soon, we’ve been real close the last two weeks.”
“It’s hard to win these races and it’s hard to win against guys like Donny Schatz. When you can finish on the front stretch, it’s a solid night,” Saldana added.
The KSE Hard Charger award went to Logan Schuchart, who charged from 16th to finish third. “What an improvement that was from our Qualifying effort. I can’t thank my guys enough. Our team never gives up,” a pleased Schuchart said.
Stewart settled for a fourth-place finish, his third straight top-five outing with Eliason rounding out the top five. Despite spinning past the halfway point of the race, Sheldon Haudenschild charged back to finish seventh at the checkered flag.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series heads to the Midwest next week with a date at the Jacksonville Speedway in Illinois on Friday, April 13th before heading to Haubstadt, IN the following night to compete at the Tri-State Speedway. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [12][$10,000]; 2. 26-Joey Saldana [2][$5,500]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [16][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,800]; 5. 83-Cory Eliason [1][$2,500]; 6. 5-David Gravel [9][$2,300]; 7. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$2,200]; 8. 45-Paul McMahan [11][$2,100]; 9. 41-Jason Johnson [8][$2,050]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [17][$2,000]; 11. 49-Brad Sweet [10][$1,500]; 12. 24-Rico Abreu [19][$1,200]; 13. 18-Ian Madsen [4][$1,100]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [15][$1,050]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [21][$1,000]; 16. OO-Dane Lorenc [18][$900]; 17. 11K-Kraig Kinser [22][$800]; 18. 2B-Billy Chester [23][$800]; 19. 90-Randy Waitman [24][$800]; 20. 9-Daryn Pittman [13][$800]; 21. 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg [7][$800]; 22. 21-Brian Brown [6][$800]; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp [20][$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [14][$800] Lap Leaders: Cory Eliason 1, Sheldon Haudenschild 2-16, Shane Stewart 17-20, Donny Schatz 21-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+13]
Qualifying: 1. 18-Ian Madsen, 12.96; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.96; 3. 83-Cory Eliason, 12.978; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.994; 5. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.006; 6. 21-Brian Brown, 13.06; 7. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.098; 8. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.103; 9. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.129; 10. 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg, 13.144; 11. 26-Joey Saldana, 13.15; 12. 5-David Gravel, 13.155; 13. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.163; 14. 19-Brent Marks, 13.223; 15. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.243; 16. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.263; 17. 45-Paul McMahan, 13.272; 18. OO-Dane Lorenc, 13.272; 19. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.308; 20. 2B-Billy Chester, 13.312; 21. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.347; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.425; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.691; 24. 90-Randy Waitman, 21.534
SLS Promotions & River Cities Speedway announce ticket updates for World of Outlaws events
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — April 6, 2018 -- A pair of changes are on the horizon for tickets and the seating arrangement at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D., for both World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series events in 2018.
First and foremost, all reserved seats will be enlarged to 20-inches in width to provide a more spacious and fan-friendly atmosphere in the grandstands. After this process is complete, the seat numbering of rows will be updated to reflect this change. In addition, advance ticket sales for both World of Outlaws events this year will be handled predominately by SLS Promotions.
To ensure a smooth transition, patrons who purchased advance tickets last year from River Cities Speedway, will have the opportunity to purchase those same seats, before they go on sale to the general public. SLS Promotions will work to accommodate patrons to place them in the same seats or as close as possible to that patron's seating preference from 2017. A limited number of reserved seats will be available for purchase from River Cities Speedway.
Patrons will receive an email or phone call with further instructions in regards to renewing their tickets from last year.
The 1st Leg of the Gerdau Recycling Northern Tour for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at River Cities Speedway is set for Friday, June 15, with the 2nd Leg of the Northern Tour hitting the track on Friday, August 17.
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World of Outlaws tickets on sale for I-96 Speedway on June 1
LAKE ODESSA, Mich. — April 2, 2018 -- Tickets are now on sale for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series return to I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Mich., on Friday, June 1. Tickets can be purchased online at slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023. The event will be the series only race of the season in the state of Michigan.
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In the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series most recent visit to I-96 Speedway in 2016, David Gravel was victorious. Brad Sweet, who drives for Kasey Kahne Racing, won at I-96 Speedway for the first time in his career in 2015. Donny Schatz, the nine-time and defending series champion, won his first race at I-96 Speedway in 2014. A total of seven different drivers have visited victory lane in the last seven events for the series at I-96 Speedway.
Battling Schatz, Gravel and Sweet in 2017 is a talented group of full-time competitors, including Sheldon Haudenschild, who already has three wins this season and is second in points, Daryn Pittman, the 2013 series champion, Shane Stewart, who is a past winner in the state of Michigan, Jason Johnson, the 2016 winner of the Knoxville Nationals, fan favorite Jason Sides, third-generation driver Kraig Kinser, Tim Shaffer, who won the Knoxville Nationals in 2010 and Greg Wilson, the Outlaws top rookie in 2016.
Logan Schuchart, who picked up four wins last season, leads the next generation of drivers, along with his Shark Racing teammate Jacob Allen, as well teenager Clyde Knipp from Missouri and sophomore driver and Brent Marks. Ian Madsen and Dane Lorenc are each in the midst of their first full season on the road with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series.
Tickets for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series return to I-96 Speedway on Friday, June 1 for the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event at I-96 Speedway can purchased online at slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by phone by calling: 815-344-2023.
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Sheldon Haudenschild Continues Torrid Start to 2018; Captures Third Win of Season at Bakersfield
BAKERSFIELD, CA – March 24, 2018 – Last year’s Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Sheldon Haudenschild means business in 2018, as the young Wooster, OH native scored his third World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the young 2018 season at Bakersfield Speedway. Haudenschild stormed to the front of the Feature from ninth and was undoubtedly the class of the field, winning by nearly three and a half seconds despite a late caution. Shane Stewart came from seventh for his second consecutive podium finish with early race leader Jason Johnson completing the all World of Outlaws regulars podium.
Johnson was attempting to pull a clean sweep of the program after setting fast time, winning his Heat and taking the Craftsman Club Dash, earning the pole for the 35-lap Feature. Johnson set a fast pace, surviving a couple of cautions and leading the first 14 laps.
2016 Bakersfield winner Brad Sweet appeared to be the man to beat when he took the lead, to a huge applause, on the 15th circuit from his fifth-starting position, after exchanging multiple slide jobs with Johnson. Disaster struck three laps later for Sweet as he did a full 360 rotation and a massive wheelie before his NAPA Auto Parts No.49 machine came to a stop in turn two.
That allowed Johnson to re-assume the lead with Haudenschild right beside him on the double-file restart. Johnson kept Sheldon at bay for a couple of laps as the duo traded the lead each corner for a handful of laps enthralling the large Bakersfield Speedway crowd once again. Haudenschild officially led Lap 23 and was never truly challenged after that point.
The excitement didn’t stop there though for the driver of the NOS Energy Drink, Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall No.17 as Sheldon asserted his dominance over the field by lapping cars at a rapid pace, throwing massive slide jobs along the way.
On Lap 29, Sheldon saw a four-second lead erased for one final caution. Sheldon powered away on the restart, with no challenge going to win by 3.446 seconds.
Haudenschild was the topic amongst the crowd all night after coming from 10th in his Heat Race, after spinning, to finish third. “It just shows how good my guys are,” Haudenschild said in reference to his recovery from the Heat Race blunder. “A lot of guys were fighting for the bottom and I just went where the track was free,” Haudenschild added about his cushion-pounding move in the qualifying event. “It feels really good to a get a third win this early on in the season. This NOS Energy Drink No.17 was on a rail all night,” Haudenschild said in Victory Lane.
Shane Stewart secured his second consecutive podium finish on the strength of restarts. “[Double-file restarts] are one of the crazy and cool things about the World of Outlaws and I’ve been on the wrong end of them before, but tonight they worked out for us. Hopefully we can get a win here real soon,” Stewart said after exiting his DC Solar sponsored Kyle Larson Racing No.2 machine.
Jason Johnson was in good spirits with his third-place finish despite leading a large portion of the race. “We came up a little bit short, we were a little too free once the fuel burned off, but still a very good night for this team. It’s always good to be on the podium,” the Eunice, LA native said.
Joey Saldana came from 14th to finish fourth with Ian Madsen coming from 16th to complete the top five. Neither of those efforts were good enough to secure KSE Hard Charger honors as that belonged to Donny Schatz, who came from 21st to finish sixth. The first six finishers, and eight of the first nine across the line, were World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series regulars.
The Series takes next weekend off as the Series allows its drivers, crews and teams a weekend to observe the Easter Holiday. The Greatest Show on Dirt continues its 40th Anniversary Season at Arizona Speedway on April 7, tickets can be purchased here. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to tune into DIRTVision.com to watch all the action live!
Feature: (35 Laps) 1. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [9][$10,000]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [7][$5,500]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$3,200]; 4. 26-Joey Saldana [14][$2,800]; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [16][$2,500]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [21][$2,300]; 7. 21X-Carson Macedo [10][$2,200]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [19][$2,100]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11][$2,050]; 10. 7S-Tim Kaeding [4][$2,000]; 11. 24-Rico Abreu [23][$1,500]; 12. 5-David Gravel [18][$1,200]; 13. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$1,100]; 14. 19-Brent Marks [15][$1,050]; 15. 83-Cory Eliason [6][$1,000]; 16. 57-Giovanni Scelzi [13][$900]; 17. O-Bud Kaeding [2][$800]; 18. 7SS-Jason Sides [8][$800]; 19. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [24][$800]; 20. 87-Aaron Reutzel [22][$800]; 21. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [3][$800]; 22. 49X-Tim Shaffer [20][$800]; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen [12][$800]; 24. 45-Paul McMahan [17][$800]; Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-14, 19-22; Brad Sweet 15-18; Sheldon Haudenschild 23-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz[+15]
Qualifying: 1. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.271; 2. 7S-Tim Kaeding, 11.362; 3. 7SS-Jason Sides, 11.388; 4. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 11.393; 5. O-Bud Kaeding, 11.405; 6. 83-Cory Eliason, 11.472; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.506; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.519; 9. 57-Giovanni Scelzi, 11.519; 10. 26-Joey Saldana, 11.527; 11. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.53; 12. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.548; 13. 45-Paul McMahan, 11.561; 14. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.573; 15. 29-Willie Croft, 11.576; 16. 18-Ian Madsen, 11.592; 17. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.6; 18. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 11.617; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.633; 20. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 11.658; 21. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.604; 22. 5-David Gravel, 11.698; 23. 19-Brent Marks, 11.74; 24. 24-Rico Abreu, 11.75; 25. 22-Shane Golobic, 11.798; 26. 21X-Carson Macedo, 11.813; 27. 98-Sean Watts, 11.944; 28. 83JR-Kyle Hirst, 11.962; 29. W20-Greg Wilson, 11.979; 30. OO-Dane Lorenc, 11.995; 31. 88N-DJ Netto, 12.005; 32. 68-Chase Johnson, 12.052; 33. 16A-Colby Copeland, 12.077; 34. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.109; 35. 86-Chris Ennis, 12.333; 36. 10-Matthew Moles, 12.612; 37. 28-Nathan Rolfe, 12.633
World of Outlaws tickets on sale for the Badger 40 at Wilmot Raceway
WILMOT, Wisc. — March 19, 2018 -- Tickets are now on sale for the Badger 40, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wisconsin on Saturday, June 2 and can be purchased online atslspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023.
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David Gravel remained undefeated in World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series competition at Wilmot Raceway in 2017, by winning the Badger 40. Gravel has won each of the last three Outlaws races at Wilmot. Last season, he was victorious in a thriller over Shane Stewart and Brad Sweet. That trio traded the lead five times in the last 11 laps of the 40-lap race. Gravel also won at Wilmot with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in 2014 and 2016.
Daryn Pittman, the 2013 series champion, is a past winner at Wilmot Raceway, taking the checkered flag in 2008. In the inaugural event for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at the third-mile bullring in 2006, Mark Dobmeier was victorious, which marked his first-career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win.
Battling Gravel, Pittman, Stewart and Sweet in 2017 is another stout group of full-time competitors including nine-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz, as well as fellow veteran drivers Jason Johnson, Tim Shaffer Kraig Kinser, Jason Sides and Greg Wilson.
Logan Schuchart, who won four races last year, along with his Shark Racing teammate Jacob Allen are back on the road again this season, as is teenager Clyde Knipp from Missouri. Sheldon Haudenschild and Brent Marks who battled for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award last year, are back on the Outlaws trail this season. Haudenschild has visited victory twice thus far in 2018 and is currently second in points.
Ian Madsen, Parker Price-Miller and Dane Lorenc are all in the midst of their first full season on the tour.
Tickets for the Badger 40, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wisconsin on Saturday, June 2 and can be purchased online at slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023. Also in action will be the Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Series and the Wisconsin Illinois Mini Sprints.
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Cory Eliason Leads All 30 Laps to Score First Career Outlaw Victory at Stockton
STOCKTON, CA - March 17, 2018 – California native Cory Eliason, aboard the famed Roth Motorsports No.83, dominated the FVP Platinum Battery Western Spring Shootout at Stockton to score his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory. Eliason, who scored a career-high second place finish last weekend at Tulare, survived numerous cautions to secure the hometown victory. Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Contender Ian Madsen finished second with Shane Stewart completing the podium.
Eliason won the Craftsman Club Dash, earning the pole for the 30-lap Feature alongside FVP-sponsored driver Brian Brown. Eliason powered out to the early lead on the 'elbows up' surface and reached lapped traffic on the fourth circuit.
The first of a handful of cautions came on lap 10, as the hole in turn three swallowed up Brown while he was running second. That allowed Rico Abreu to assume second on the restart. Three laps later, during a caution for Parker Price-Miller, Abreu surrendered his runner-up position and pulled into the work area.
When action resumed, Madsen found himself in second looking for a way around Eliason. But the Selma, CA native was masterful in traffic, never allowing the field to mount a serious challenge. The closest call of the night for Eliason was entering turn one on lap 24, as his No.83 car hit a rut and bobbled heavily.
Brad Sweet, while running in the top five, slowed to a stop with three laps remaining giving the field one last chance to steal a victory from Eliason. It was not meant to be tonight, Eliason was the class of the field as he distanced himself from the field on the restart to win by nearly two seconds.
“It feels great to finally get an Outlaw win. And at home, too,” an out-of-breath Eliason said in Victory Lane. “That track was technical and it definitely wore me out. Hopefully, we can another one next weekend,” Eliason added.
Ian Madsen was pleased with his runner-up finish, “We had nothing for those guys. Congrats to Cory on his first career win. This was a great night for our KCP team. We haven’t had much luck to start the season, so it’s great to a good night under our belt.”
Likewise, Shane Stewart was also happy for his first podium finish of 2018. “I don’t think it was the prettiest third-place run, but we’ll take it,” Stewart said with a chuckle. “We need some good runs to get our momentum rolling.” 10th-starting Carson Macedo followed up his top-five at Tulare with an impressive fourth-place finish. Tim Kaeding, aboard Jason Sides No. 7S, came from 13th to complete the top five.
During intermission, the World of Outlaws announced that the Brad Sweet Placerville Short Track Showdown has been postponed to Wednesday, September 12. The Outlaws continue their 40th Anniversary Season Friday, March 23 at Ocean Speedway before heading south to Bakersfield Speedway on Saturday, March 24. Tickets for both events are still available at woosprint.com. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to tune into DIRTVision.com for live video of every World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series race in 2018.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 83-Cory Eliason [1][$10,000]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [3][$5,500]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [6][$3,200]; 4. 21X-Carson Macedo [10][$2,800]; 5. 7S-Tim Kaeding [13][$2,500]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [11][$2,300]; 7. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [12][$2,200]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [20][$2,100]; 9. 5-David Gravel [5][$2,050]; 10. 29-Willie Croft [15][$2,000]; 11. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [21][$1,500]; 12. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$1,200]; 13. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [9][$1,100]; 14. 15-Donny Schatz [16][$1,050]; 15. 45-Paul McMahan [17][$1,000]; 16. 4-Parker Price-Miller [22][$900]; 17. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8][$800]; 18. 3C-Tanner Thorson [18][$800]; 19. 57-Giovanni Scelzi [23][$800]; 20. 87-Aaron Reutzel [14][$800]; 21. 24-Rico Abreu [4][$800]; 22. 21-Brian Brown [2][$800]; 23. 49X-Tim Shaffer [19][$800]; 24. 19-Brent Marks [24][$800]; 25. OO-Dane Lorenc [25][$]; Lap Leaders: Cory Eliason 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman[+12]
Qualifying Flight-A: 1. 21-Brian Brown, 13.007; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.111; 3. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.16; 4. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.202; 5. 45-Paul McMahan, 13.208; 6. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.245; 7. 83JR-Kyle Hirst, 13.25; 8. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.255; 9. 57-Giovanni Scelzi, 13.276; 10. 29-Willie Croft, 13.299; 11. 7S-Tim Kaeding, 13.319; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.37; 13. 7SS-Jason Sides, 13.403; 14. 68-Chase Johnson, 13.41; 15. 88N-DJ Netto, 13.45; 16. 7-John Carney, 13.693; 17. 22-Shane Golobic, 13.7; 18. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.889; 19. 28-Nathan Rolfe, NT; 20. OO-Dane Lorenc, 13.482
Qualifying Flight-B: 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.129; 2. 5-David Gravel, 13.132; 3. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.176; 4. 83-Cory Eliason, 13.178; 5. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.178; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.213; 7. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.231; 8. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 13.237; 9. 4-Parker Price-Miller, 13.251; 10. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.252; 11. 21X-Carson Macedo, 13.342; 12. 19-Brent Marks, 13.406; 13. 37-Mitchell Faccinto, 13.492; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.504; 15. 26-Joey Saldana, 13.55; 16. 5H-Michael Kofoid, 13.612; 17. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.777; 18. 98-Sean Watts, 13.822; 19. 3C-Tanner Thorson, 13.835
Reutzel Earns First Outlaw Win in Thunderbowl Thriller
TULARE, CA - March 9, 2018 - Texas native Aaron Reutzel scored his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory in thrilling fashion after exchanging multiple slide jobs with local driver Cory Eliason. A lap 20 yellow for then race leader Sheldon Haudenschild bunched the field together and Reutzel began picking off the leaders in exciting fashion. Eliason settled for second with Donny Schatz completing the podium.
Eliason, aboard the famed Roth Motorsports No.83, won the Craftsman Club Dash, earning the pole for the 35-lap Feature alongside fellow California native Jason Meyers. Eliason, in search of his first Outlaw victory, set the pace for the first 11 laps before giving way to red-hot Sheldon Haudenschild on the 12th circuit.
Sheldon, who set a new Tulare track record in qualifying, seemingly had the fastest car on the track and maneuvered the heavy lapped traffic well as he continued to extend his lead. Coming off of turn four on lap 18, Haudenschild got into the back of a lapped car and the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall No.17 never settled down. Haudenschild muscled his ill-handling machine through turn one and two, before making heavy contact with the frontstretch wall at the completion of the lap, ending the young gun's bid for his third win of the young season.
Eliason assumed the lead, but this time with nine-time Series Champion Donny Schatz alongside of him. The young Visalia, CA native got a strong restart and established a sizeable lead over the veteran. Reutzel, who restarted sixth, came to life as he pounded the cushion, weaving in and out of cars grabbing third on lap 23 and passing Schatz two circuits later to claim the second spot.
Reutzel arrived at leader Eliason on lap 28 and the duo waged war for the top spot, as you would expect of two drivers looking for their first World of Outlaws victory. The duo exchanged sliders in each corner exciting the large Thunderbowl Raceway crowd. Reutzel secured the victory on lap 31 as he powered his Baughman/Reutzel owned No.87 around Eliason down the backstretch and pulled away for his first career Outlaw triumph.
"This is a dream come true. I've led a handful of Outlaw shows in the past, but never been able to finish the job; you start doubting yourself. It's something you don't think will ever happen," a jubilant Reutzel said. "It all played out perfect tonight. This track is truly special. It fits my driving style - gas it up on the fence. I am so lucky to have the people behind me that I do," the former 360-winged sprint car ace added.
Eliason settled for second and was in good spirits, "It's always tough when you are out front in traffic. Aaron drove a great race. Hopefully, the weather cooperates and we get another chance at it tomorrow," the Visalia, CA native said.
Schatz was also pleased with his podium finish as he extended his early Series points lead, "A top-three finish is very respectable for us at Tulare. We usually don't run too well on tracks like this."
Dominic Scelzi and 12th-starting Carson Macedo completed the top five. Tim Kaeding, aboard the Sides Motorsports No.7S, earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 16th to finish eighth in his first start for Sides. Action continues Saturday night at the Thunderbowl Raceway as the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series tackles the high-banked bullring once again.
Abbreviated Results from Thunderbowl Raceway - March 9, 2018
Feature (35 Laps): 1. 87-Aaron Reutzel [4][$10,000]; 2. 83-Cory Eliason [1][$5,000]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [5][$3,000]; 4. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [8][$2,700]; 5. 21X-Carson Macedo [12][$2,500]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [10][$2,200]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [6][$2,000]; 8. 7S-Tim Kaeding [16][$1,800]; 9. 14-Jason Meyers [2][$1,600]; 10. 24-Rico Abreu [11][$1,450]; 11. 57-Giovanni Scelzi [7][$1,300]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [14][$1,200]; 13. 45-Paul McMahan [17][$1,100]; 14. 29-Willie Croft [21][$1,000]; 15. 4-Parker Price-Miller [9][$950]; 16. 2-Shane Stewart [19][$900]; 17. 41-Jason Johnson [20][$850]; 18. 21-Brian Brown [18][$750]; 19. 5-David Gravel [13][$725]; 20. 26-Joey Saldana [26][$]; 21. OO-Dane Lorenc [28][$]; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25][$]; 23. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$700]; 24. 49X-Tim Shaffer [23][$700]; 25. 88N-DJ Netto [22][$700]; 26. 13-Clyde Knipp [27][$]; 27. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [15][$700]; 28. 1A-Jacob Allen [24][$700]; Lap Leaders: Cory Eliason 1-11, 20-30; Sheldon Haudenschild 12-19, Aaron Reutzel 31-35 KSE Hard Charger Award: 7S-Tim Kaeding[+8]
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Returns to Bakersfield Speedway March 24th
PETERSEN MEDIA- After a successful showing during the 2016 season, the famed World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series is set to return to Bakersfield Speedway on March 24th in an event that will mark their final race in the Golden State before returning later this fall.
During the 2016 event, the stars and cars of the series made their return to the Central CA bullring a memorable one as California product, Brad Sweet, fended off challenges from Joey Saldana, who was behind the wheel of a California based Roth Motorsports entry, to claim the popular win in front of a capacity crowd.
Not hosting the series in 2017, Bakersfield Speedway is eagerly awaiting a return appearance by 'The Greatest Show on Dirt' on March 24th as over 20 National drivers with a mix of California's best are expected to be on hand for a great show.
With five World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series races ran thus far in 2018, the story has been all about multi-time Series Champion, Donny Schatz, and second year WoO driver Sheldon Haudenschild. The duo has been the only two to win to date as Schatz has picked off three feature event wins, and Haudenschild has scored two victories.
Tickets for the Bakersfield Speedway World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series event are now on sale, and fans can purchase their $40 reserved seating seats by calling 1-844-Dirt-Tix (347-8849). General Admission Tickets will be available for $35. Fans can also click over to http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?orgid=52711&agency=WRG_SNG&pid=8525932 the purchase tickets.
STAY CONNECTED: Stay connected to the Bakersfield Speedway for more information on this event by following on twitter @BakoSpeedway, 'Liking' the track on Facebook at www. Facebook.com/Bakersfield.Speedway, or by clicking over to www.bakersfieldspeedway.com.
The Bakersfield Speedway is located at 5001 N. Chester Ext. Bakersfield, CA 93308.
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Tim Shaffer: Full-Time Outlaw for 2018
CONCORD, NC – March 4, 2018 – The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series is thrilled to announce that TheSteel City Outlaw Tim Shaffer and car owner Jeff Rudzik have signed on as full-time Outlaws for the 2018 40th Anniversary Season in the familiar No.49X machine.
Shaffer has been a staple with The Greatest Show on Dirt since scoring his first career victory 20 years ago in Elma, WA at Grays Harbor Raceway in 1998. A year later, Tim Shaffer was crowned the 1999 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year with the World of Outlaws before spending the better part of the next decade as a Series regular.
“We feel extremely competitive and I don’t how many years left I have doing this. Most importantly, I am enjoying myself out here,” Shaffer, who scored two Outlaw wins in 2017, cited as his main reason for joining the Outlaws full-time. “I work really with Cody Jacobs as my crew chief and we have had a lot of speed, while also enjoying ourselves,” Shaffer added with a smile.
Shaffer will land in the Sprint Car Hall of Fame when he chooses to retire on the strength of his 25 Outlaw wins, 60 All-Star Circuit of Champion triumphs, hundreds of regional victories and, of course, his unforgettable 2010 Knoxville Nationals Championship.
“I was on the road for about 10 years and I bet it has been about 10 years since I was last out here. I absolutely love it,” the Aliquippa, PA native said.
During those 10 years when Shaffer was not a full-time Outlaw, he re-established himself as a dominant force in Pennsylvania and Ohio amidst capturing four consecutive All-Star Championships.
Shaffer’s addition brings the current total of full-time Outlaws to a whopping 19 as they head West for California. Tim Shaffer left us with this parting thought, “This is really exciting. I feel at home again.”
Catch Shaffer and the rest of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series next at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, CA March 9 and 10. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVision.com.
Schatz Masters Lapped Traffic to Capture Second Consecutive Win and First DIRTcar Nationals Championship
BARBERVILLE, FL – February 11, 2018 – Donny Schatz is starting 2018 firing on all cylinders, which is bad news for the rest of the competition. Schatz fought off a pesky Brian Brown early in the race and held off charges from Sheldon Haudenschild and Brad Sweet late to capture his fourth win in five nights at Volusia Speedway Park. Schatz, who has won just about everything to win in Sprint Car racing, captured his first ever DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator Championship.
Brian Brown won the Craftsman Club Dash earning the pole of the 30-lap Feature alongside Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender Parker Price-Miller. Brown was strong leading the opening circuit before Schatz flew underneath the FVP No.21 to lead lap two.
Rico Abreu brought out the lone yellow flag of the Feature on lap six. On the ensuing restart, Brown muscled his way back by Schatz to lead laps seven and eight before Schatz overtook him once again to lead lap nine and the rest of the way, despite challenges from Haudenschild and Sweet.
“We slowed down in traffic a lot,” Schatz said in Victory Lane. “We thought we had a solid car in the Dash, but this is the time to learn,” said the driver who won four of five Features at DIRTcar Nationals. “Sometimes you win some you shouldn’t, I think we were lucky we started up front,” a humble Schatz added before being awarded his first ever Big Gator trophy.
Friday night’s Feature winner Sheldon Haudenschild worked forward from his 13th starting spot into the top three on lap 12 and moved by Brown into second on lap 16. Haudenschild, who is in his first year with the Stenhouse Jr. – Marshall Racing No.17, brought the capacity crowd to their feet as he closed in on the Tony Stewart Racing No.15 but couldn’t pull the trigger.
“Catching Donny Schatz and passing Donny Schatz are two completely different things,” Sheldon said with a smile. While Sheldon had his eyes set on the No.15, Brad Sweet powered his NAPA Racing No.49 around the cushion, eventually overtaking Sheldon in turn two with five laps remaining.
Sweet closed on Schatz, but was never able to mount a series charge and settled for second - his fourth podium in five nights. “My guys worked hard all week and we are still chasing the 15. He makes us better though and we’ll take second,” Sweet said.
Jason Johnson finished his strong week with a fourth-place finish and 15th-starting Chad Kemenah completed the top five. Haudenschild picked up KSE Hard Charger honors advancing 10 positions.
That completes the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series portion of the 47th Annual DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. The Outlaws return to action in two weeks in Texas at the Cotton Bowl Speedway in Paige, TX on Friday, February 23, 2018 and then LoneStar Speedway in Kilgore, TX the following night Saturday, February 24. If you can’t make it to the track, you can catch all the action live on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$5,500]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [13][$3,200]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$2,800]; 5. 10H-Chad Kemenah [15][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,300]; 7. 21-Brian Brown [1][$2,200]; 8. 13X-Paul McMahan [6][$2,100]; 9. 5-David Gravel [18][$2,050]; 10. 4-Parker Price-Miller [2][$2,000]; 11. 49X-Tim Shaffer [16][$1,500]; 12. 27-Greg Hodnett [8][$1,200]; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser [22][$1,100]; 14. 18-Ian Madsen [14][$1,050]; 15. 26-Joey Saldana [11][$1,000]; 16. 2M-Kerry Madsen [20][$900]; 17. 9-Daryn Pittman [25][$]; 18. 1K-Kyle Larson [10][$800]; 19. 7S-Jason Sides [17][$800]; 20. 1S-Logan Schuchart [21][$800]; 21. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [24][$800]; 22. 70-Dave Blaney [12][$800]; 23. W20-Greg Wilson [26][$]; 24. 44-Trey Starks [19][$800]; 25. 24-Rico Abreu [7][$800]; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen [23][$800]; 27. 13-Clyde Knipp [27][$] Lap Leaders Brian Brown 1, 7-8 Donny Schatz 2-6, 9-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[+10]
Qualifying: 1. 13X-Paul McMahan, 13.058; 2. 21-Brian Brown, 13.083; 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.198; 4. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.22; 5. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.238; 6. 4-Parker Price-Miller, 13.268; 7. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.29; 8. 27-Greg Hodnett, 13.348; 9. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 13.349; 10. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.367; 11. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.428; 12. 70-Dave Blaney, 13.44; 13. 44-Trey Starks, 13.458; 14. 26-Joey Saldana, 13.471; 15. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.529; 16. 1K-Kyle Larson, 13.577; 17. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.598; 18. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.635; 19. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.638; 20. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.644; 21. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.648; 22. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.664; 23. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.681; 24. 5-David Gravel, 13.698; 25. 19-Brent Marks, 13.749; 26. OO-Dane Lorenc, 13.799; 27. 83-Cory Eliason, 13.815; 28. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.84; 29. 30-CJ Leary, 13.965; 30. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.093; 31. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.220
Donny Schatz outduels Jason Johnson for 250th Career WoO victory
BARBERVILLE, FL – February 10, 2018 – Clearly, Donny Schatz has a flair for the dramatic in 2018. After sweeping All-Stars competition with a pair of thrilling victories, Schatz excited the DIRTcar Nationals standing room only crowd once again Saturday night, exchanging slide jobs with Jason Johnson en route to his 250th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature victory. Johnson settled for second with Tim Shaffer, who rebounded from a nasty crash last night, completing the podium.
Johnson won the Craftsman Club Dash and set a torrid pace from the drop of the green. Paul McMahan and Tim Shaffer continued their fantastic battle from the Dash and went side-by-side for multiple laps battling for the runner-up position. That battle allowed Schatz to close in from his sixth position.
By the halfway point, Shaffer had established the position and Schatz had worked into third. Johnson continued to lead, maneuvering lapped traffic at a rapid pace. A lap 17 yellow for 2018 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender Parker Price-Miller cleared Johnson from the heavy traffic but allowed Schatz to restart on his bumper.
On the restart, Schatz quickly disposed of Shaffer and set his eyes on the Eunice, LA native. Johnson was able to keep Schatz at bay in clean air, but in traffic Schatz narrowed the gap quickly.
With three laps to go, Schatz engaged Johnson with a big slider arousing the huge DIRTcar Nationals crowd. Johnson turned back underneath the nine-time Series Champion, but Schatz prevailed to lead the white flag lap and never look back.
“That is what we live for,” Schatz said in reference of the slide job exchange with Johnson. “It had my heart pumping,” Donny added before asking the crowd if they enjoyed the show. “Good. Come back tomorrow, it will be even better.”
Johnson, despite leading 28 laps, was in good spirits, “I hesitated too long in traffic and Donny never hesitates. He is one of the toughest in the business,” Johnson said before praising his crew for their efforts.
Tim Shaffer and the Demyan-Rudzik Racing, who will follow the World of Outlaws through the entire month of March, put together a new car after flipping last night and Shaffer cited the quick turnaround was a part of racing. 10th-starting Brad Sweet and 18th-starting David Gravel had strong runs to complete the top five. Last night's winner, Sheldon Haudenschild picked up KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 21st to seventh.
Schatz’ victory extends his DIRTcar Nationals points lead to a monumental margin heading into the final night of Sprint Car racing at Volusia Sunday evening. As always, if you cannot make it to the track, watch live on DIRTVision.com.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$10,000]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$5,500]; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer [2][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [10][$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [18][$2,500]; 6. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4][$2,300]; 7. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [21][$2,200]; 8. 10H-Chad Kemenah [12][$2,100]; 9. 13X-Paul McMahan [3][$2,050]; 10. 2-Shane Stewart [8][$2,000]; 11. 26-Joey Saldana [22][$1,500]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$1,200]; 13. 9-Daryn Pittman [11][$1,100]; 14. 19-Brent Marks [14][$1,050]; 15. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [20][$1,000]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [19][$900]; 17. 83-Cory Eliason [24][$800]; 18. 70-Dave Blaney [9][$800]; 19. 4K-Kasey Kahne [13][$800]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [23][$800]; 21. 44-Trey Starks [17][$800]; 22. W20-Greg Wilson [25][$]; 23. 4-Parker Price-Miller [15][$800]; 24. 27-Greg Hodnett [16][$800]; 25. 13-Clyde Knipp [26][$]; 26. 21-Brian Brown [7][$800] Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-28, Donny Schatz 29-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[+14]
Qualifying: 1. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.959; 2. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.037; 3. 21-Brian Brown, 13.038; 4. 13X-Paul McMahan, 13.058; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.061; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.09; 7. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.113; 8. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.114; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.155; 10. 5-David Gravel, 13.16; 11. 4-Parker Price-Miller, 13.164; 12. 27-Greg Hodnett, 13.173; 13. 70-Dave Blaney, 13.186; 14. 19-Brent Marks, 13.188; 15. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.209; 16. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 13.223; 17. 4K-Kasey Kahne, 13.275; 18. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.278; 19. 83-Cory Eliason, 13.284; 20. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.31; 21. 44-Trey Starks, 13.31; 22. 26-Joey Saldana, 13.322; 23. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.329; 24. 7K-Cale Conley, 13.345; 25. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.363; 26. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.372; 27. OO-Dane Lorenc, 13.437; 28. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.438; 29. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.472; 30. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.474; 31. 30-CJ Leary, 13.481; 32. 17C-Caleb Helms, 13.684; 33. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.702
Sheldon Haudenschild scores first career WoO win
BARBERVILLE, FL - February 9, 2018 - Sheldon Haudenschild passed race-long leader Paul McMahan on a Lap 27 restart to win his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature in thrilling fashion at the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. Haudenschild, in his first Outlaw start with the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing No.17, assumed the runner-up position with three laps remaining after Ian Madsen caught the rut in turn one and landed on his side. The 2017 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year muscled his way underneath McMahan, who was nursing a flat tire, on the restart and never looked back for a popular victory in front of the standing room only crowd. McMahan held on for second with Shane Stewart completing the podium.
McMahan won the Craftsman Club Dash, earning him the pole on the opening night of the 2018 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series 40th Anniversary Season alongside Madsen. McMahan, in search of his first Outlaw win since 2015, was strong all night and led the opening lap before a Red Flag for David Gravel and Tim Shaffer halted the action. Gravel and Shaffer were both uninjured, but the accident scene took some time to clean up, providing the first Open Red of the 2018 Season.
When action resumed, McMahan continued to show the way in his new ride for 2018, the Tom Buch 13. McMahan navigated traffic masterfully and survived another restart with 11 to go as Madsen threatened to take the lead.
With three laps remaining Madsen bounced hard in the looming rut in turn one and lost the handle of the KCP Racing No.18. That was all that Sheldon Haudenschild needed. Haudenschild pounced on McMahan down the backstretch, overtook the veteran and went on to win by 1.418 seconds.
“That was the plan. I saw [McMahan] had a tire going down. I wanted to square the car up and get underneath him on the backstretch,” an elated Haudenschild said in Victory Lane. “This team works incredibly hard. I can’t thank Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall and NOS Energy enough,” Sheldon added.
Obviously disappointed, McMahan also referenced his flat tire but credited Haudenschild for driving a great race. Stewart, who failed to qualify for last night’s All-Star Feature, was pleased with his team’s rebound effort. “I’ll take a podium finish on the first night. That is way better than we have been here in the past,” Stewart said with a smile.
Donny Schatz maintained his DIRTcar Nationals points lead coming from 14th to fourth with California’s Cory Eliason coming home an impressive fifth.
A DIRTcar Nationals event high 35 cars signed into action with Logan Schuchart setting fast time with a blistering lap of 12.975. Brent Marks scored the KSE Hard Charger Award coming from 25th to finish in the top ten.
Action resumes tomorrow at the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. As always, you can catch all the action from DIRTcar Nationals and the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series 40th Anniversary Season on DIRTVision.com.
Abbreviated Results from Volusia Speedway Park - February 9, 2018
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [6][$10,000]; 2. 13X-Paul McMahan [1][$5,500]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [14][$2,800]; 5. 83-Cory Eliason [10][$2,500]; 6. 24-Rico Abreu [4][$2,300]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [18][$2,200]; 8. 2M-Kerry Madsen [12][$2,100]; 9. 27-Greg Hodnett [21][$2,050]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [25][$1,200]; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$1,500]; 12. 9-Daryn Pittman [15][$1,200]; 13. 21-Brian Brown [11][$1,100]; 14. 49-Brad Sweet [19][$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17][$1,000]; 16. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [24][$900]; 17. 4-Parker Price-Miller [7][$800]; 18. 7S-Jason Sides [23][$800]; 19. 7K-Cale Conley [16][$800]; 20. W20-Greg Wilson [26][$]; 21. 4K-Kasey Kahne [13][$800]; 22. 18-Ian Madsen [2][$800]; 23. 70-Dave Blaney [20][$800]; 24. 5-David Gravel [8][$800]; 25. 49X-Tim Shaffer [9][$800]; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen [22][$800] Lap Leaders: Paul McMahan 1-28, Sheldon Haudenschild 29-30 KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+15]
Qualifying: 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.975; 2. 83-Cory Eliason, 12.98; 3. 21-Brian Brown, 12.993; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.041; 5. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.054; 6. 4-Parker Price-Miller, 13.059; 7. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.069; 8. 13X-Paul McMahan, 13.072; 9. 4K-Kasey Kahne, 13.075; 10. 27-Greg Hodnett, 13.163; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.166; 12. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.183; 13. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.241; 14. 5-David Gravel, 13.271; 15. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.276; 16. 7K-Cale Conley, 13.285; 17. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.312; 18. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.317; 19. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.319; 20. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.362; 21. 30-CJ Leary, 13.382; 22. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.417; 23. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.449; 24. 70-Dave Blaney, 13.472; 25. 19-Brent Marks, 13.522; 26. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 13.523; 27. 26-Joey Saldana, 13.602; 28. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.603; 29. 48-Danny Dietrich, 13.645; 30. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.665; 31. 44-Trey Starks, 13.673; 32. OO-Dane Lorenc, 13.71; 33. 17C-Caleb Helms, 13.837; 34. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.858; 35. 40-George Hobaugh, 14.249
Gravel Thrills Sellout World Finals Crowd with Last Lap Pass on Schatz
Charlotte, NC - November 4, 2017 – David Gravel couldn’t clear Donny Schatz with seven to go, but would not be denied, scoring the victory in a thriller with a last-lap pass of Schatz. It was Gravel and CJB Motorsports 18th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win of the season, doubling their total from last season. Schatz and Brian Brown completed the podium on the final night of the Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Ryan Smith led the opening lap of the 30-lap Feature, before Brian Brown took control on lap two with a slide job. Brad Sweet brought out the first of a handful of cautions on lap two, as he faced backwards in turn two.
Schatz worked by Smith for second on the ensuing restart before another caution on lap four halted competition. Schatz was strong on the restart once again, this time sliding Brown for the top spot to lead lap five.
Lap five saw a scary incident in turn two with Jason Johnson, Shane Stewart, Greg Hodnett, Sheldon and Jac Haudenschild creating a pileup and bringing out an #OpenRed with 25 to go. All drivers were okay.
On the restart, Brown kept pace with Schatz as the duo reached traffic before the final caution of the event flew; this time for Kraig Kinser with 14 laps to go. Gravel pounced on the restart, with a big slider on Brown to claim second as he begun to chase down Schatz with 10 laps remaining.
With seven to go, Gravel and Schatz exchanged sliders with the latter maintaining the advantage at the line. With five to go, Gravel pounded the cushion to try and get one more shot at the Series Champion. He got his shot and he took advantage of it. The Watertown, Connecticut driver brought the sold-out Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals crowd to their feet with a thrilling last-lap pass to score the victory.
“That was a blast. I hope this crowd enjoyed it,” an elated Gravel said in Victory Lane. “Barry Jackson, Derek and Zach give me an awesome car every night. It’s been a badass year,” Gravel, who will return to CJB Motorsports in 2018, added.
While Gravel may have won the battle, Schatz won the war – again. “It’s been a great year. This race team is phenomenal. We are top three seemingly every night and the car does not drop out of races,” Schatz said after the race. After being awarded the Championship hardware for the ninth time in his career and asked about how long he can enjoy this title he said, “You enjoy it. But as long as you’re an active race car driver, you continue to put it in the back of your mind.”
Brian Brown completed the podium and put it simply, “We got beat by two of the best drivers in the world.”
Kerry Madsen, a five-time World of Outlaws winner this season, finished fourth with 2017 IRA Champion, Bill Balog completing the top five.
Logan Schuchart started 22nd and made it to sixth to earn KSE Hard Charger honors. Daryn Pittman, Cole Duncan, Brent Marks and Smith completed the top ten.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Banquet is Sunday, November 5 and puts the bowtie on the end of what was a fantastic 2017 season. The offseason is much needed but soon enough, it will be time to go racing once again in Florida. Stay tuned to all World of Outlaws social media channels for breaking news on 2018 drivers, the schedule and much more.
Feature (30 Laps) 1. 5-David Gravel [5][$12,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$5,500]; 3. 21-Brian Brown [1][$3,200]; 4. 2M-Kerry Madsen [7][$2,800]; 5. 17B-Bill Balog [6][$2,500]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [22][$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$2,200]; 8. 12N-Cole Duncan [9][$2,100]; 9. 19-Brent Marks [14][$2,050]; 10. 59-Ryan Smith [2][$2,000]; 11. 49-Brad Sweet [17][$1,500]; 12. 44-Trey Starks [12][$1,200]; 13. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [21][$1,100]; 14. 2-Shane Stewart [19][$1,050]; 15. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [23][$1,000]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson [28][$]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [26][$]; 18. 19P-Paige Polyak [15][$1,000]; 19. 13M-Paul McMahan [8][$1,000]; 20. 18-Ian Madsen [11][$1,000]; 21. 4-Parker Price-Miller [27][$]; 22. 11K-Kraig Kinser [25][$]; 23. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [16][$1,000]; 24. 71-Joey Saldana [10][$1,000]; 25. 41-Jason Johnson [18][$1,000]; 26. 27-Greg Hodnett [13][$1,000]; 27. 71M-Dave Blaney [24][$1,000]; 28. 17-Jac Haudenschild [20][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Ryan Smith 1, Brian Brown 2-4, Donny Schatz 5-29, David Gravel 30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+16]
Schatz Reaches 20-Win Plateau for Fifth Straight Year with Win at Textron Off Road World Finals
CHARLOTTE, NC – November 3, 2017 – No matter who is in the pits, it’s tough to bet against Donny Schatz. That proved true on Night Two of the Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway, as Schatz bested a stout field of 53 cars from across the world to win his 20th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2017. Ian Madsen and 10th-starting Dave Blaney completed the podium.
The 2017 IRA Champion, Bill Balog, grabbed the early lead from fellow front row starter, Ian Madsen. Balog, a one-time World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Winner in his career, led the first nine laps of the Feature before extremely heavy lapped traffic slowed his torrid pace. Balog was stalked by the Madsen Brothers in the early going, but it was Donny Schatz that made a three-wide pass for the lead down the backstretch to lead lap 10.
As Balog went high to navigate the lapped cars, Schatz made a jaw-dropping move. The, now nine-time, Series Champion glued his car to the bottom to work by Balog, Kerry Madsen and the lapped car of Parker Price-Miller off of turn two for the lead.
Lap 11 saw a pair of World of Outlaws young guns, Sheldon Haudenschild and David Gravel, succumb to flat right rear tires. Gravel was running third at the time of the misfortune.
The ensuing restart saw Ian Madsen maneuver his way back into the runner-up position. The Australian actually closed significantly on Schatz for the lead, coming as close as a car-length back of the Tony Stewart Racing No. 15.
With six laps remaining, Daryn Pittman’s top five run came to an end due to a flat tire. This set up a double-file restart with Ian to the outside of Schatz. Schatz got a brilliant restart and paced the field comfortably the final six circuits to score the victory.
The first thing Schatz mentioned in Victory Lane was the outstanding World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Feature that was held beforehand. “That [Feature] was pretty cool to watch. It got me motivated to get it done as well,” Schatz, who is doing double-duty this weekend, said.
“My team has worked awful hard lately. We’ve been stuck on 19 wins for a long time, so it was great to finally reach 20. It sucks the season is over, because we are rolling right now,” Schatz added. Tonight’s win marked the fifth consecutive season that Schatz has won at least 20 Features.
Ian Madsen, the 2017 Knoxville Raceway Track Champion, finished second with 1995 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Champion, Dave Blaney coming from 10th to complete the podium.
“It’s pretty cool to be able to run up front with these guys. I thought we had a shot for the lead a couple of times. It was a lot of fun out there,” Madsen said. Schatz echoed Madsen’s statement about the track conditions, “I thought the track would rubber up, but it really cleaned off and made it a lot of fun as a driver.”
Blaney cited restarts being a focal point to his success on the evening. “The car really took off on the starts and restarts. Going forward in the Heat Races is very important with this format,” the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Member said.
Kerry Madsen and Joey Saldana completed the top five. Balog, 20th-starting Logan Schuchart, Jason Johnson, 25th-starting Brad Sweet and Tim Shaffer completed the top ten. Sweet’s effort was good enough to earn KSE Hard Charger Honors.
The 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series concludes tomorrow with the finale of the Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to tune in to DIRTVision.com for LIVE VIDEO of all the action
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$12,000]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [1][$5,500]; 3. 71M-Dave Blaney [10][$3,200]; 4. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4][$2,800]; 5. 71-Joey Saldana [5][$2,500]; 6. 17B-Bill Balog [2][$2,300]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [20][$2,200]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [12][$2,100]; 9. 49-Brad Sweet [25][$1,050]; 10. 49X-Tim Shaffer [9][$2,000]; 11. 13M-Paul McMahan [11][$1,500]; 12. 21-Brian Brown [19][$1,200]; 13. 12N-Cole Duncan [23][$1,100]; 14. 2-Shane Stewart [15][$1,050]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [28][$]; 16. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [26][$]; 17. 5-David Gravel [7][$1,000]; 18. 3-Sammy Swindell [16][$1,000]; 19. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [6][$1,000]; 20. 17-Jac Haudenschild [29][$]; 21. 14-Tony Stewart [18][$1,000]; 22. 9-Daryn Pittman [8][$1,000]; 23. 44-Trey Starks [13][$1,000]; 24. 11K-Kraig Kinser [24][$1,000]; 25. 24-Terry McCarl [14][$1,000]; 26. 19-Brent Marks [27][$]; 27. 59-Ryan Smith [22][$1,000]; 28. 4-Parker Price-Miller [30][$]; 29. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [21][$1,000]; 30. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Bill Balog 1-9, Donny Schatz 10-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 49-Brad Sweet[+16]
Gravel, Starks Claim Top Qualifying Honors on Opening Night of World Finals; Schatz Clinches 2017 Title
CHARLOTTE, NC – November 2, 2017 – David Gravel and Trey Starks topped Friday and Saturday Qualifying, respectively, but it was Donny Schatz stealing the show on the opening night of the Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Schatz clinched his ninth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Championship by taking the Green Flag in Hot Laps.
In true The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway fashion, the track surface held its condition throughout the evening. David Gravel set fast-time for Friday’s program with a lap of 12.530, over two hours and thousands of laps later, Trey Starks set fast-time for Saturday’s program with a lap of 12.606; a true accolade to The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway track preparation crew. Additionally, Starks was the second to last car, out of the 52 sprint cars signed in, to take time for Saturday’s program.
“It’s really nice to see the track didn’t change with all the laps put on it. As a driver, especially when you don’t draw well, that’s all you can ask for. The track being equal for everyone is a big key when you have a big car count,” Starks, who was fourth quick in Friday’s program, said following his Saturday fast-time effort.
“Fast time is obviously how you want to start any night. Hopefully we can park this CJB Motorsports on the frontstretch a couple of times this weekend,” Gravel, who was also third quick in Saturday’s program, said.
Daryn Pittman had a strong evening, setting fast time in Flight B for Friday’s program as well as going second quick for Saturday’s program. 2018 IRA Champion, Bill Balog cashed in with a pair of third place Qualifying runs.
Additionally, Joey Saldana, Kerry Madsen and Paul McMahan all set themselves up nicely with front row Heat Race positions for both nights. McMahan is making his first starts of the season in the Tom Buch owned No.13.
As for Donny Schatz, all the North Dakota native needed to do was take the Green in hot laps to clinch his ninth Series Championship. Schatz did more than just that, securing second quick for both programs this weekend. Schatz will seek his 20th win of the season this weekend at the Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Racing action for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series begins at the Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals tomorrow evening. You can catch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com; don’t miss a second of the action.
Outlaw Boot Hill Showdown at Dodge City Raceway Park Cancelled
CONCORD, NC — The arrival of Winter and the frigid northern cold blast has prompted an early cancellation of this weekend’s World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Outlaw Boot Hill Showdown at Dodge City Raceway Park.
“The Outlaw Boot Hill Showdown is traditionally an outstanding event that everyone looks forward to attending, however, in the best interest of the fans and racers that we have decided to cancel this weekend’s event at Dodge City Raceway Park,” said Series Director Carlton Reimers.
Track and Series officials are working together to determine a 2018 date for the Outlaw Boot Hill Showdown at Dodge City Raceway Park. Stay tuned to the World of Outlaws website and social media for future announcements of the Outlaw Boot Hill Showdown 2018 date.
All advanced tickets purchases will be honored at the 2018 date when announced. Ticket holders may request a refund by mailing their ticket stub back to World Racing Group office 7575 W Winds Blvd NW D, Concord, NC 28027 for a refund; refunds will not be issued at the track.
Dodge City Raceway Park has concluded the 2017 season.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series heads to The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the final weekend of the 2017 season. The most prestigious dirt racing event in the country, the Textron Off Road World Finals returns Nov. 2-4 for three days of heart-pounding, clay-slinging action on the lightning-fast, four-tenths mile oval. The Textron Off Road 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
Kerry Madsen Wins Outstanding Salina Highbanks Feature
SALINA, OK. – October 21, 2017 – Kerry Madsen had over an eight second lead last night at Lakeside Speedway before spinning in heavy lapped traffic. Tonight, the ‘Mad Man’ made sure he parked his GoMuddy.com No.2M where it belonged – on the frontstretch. In thrilling fashion, Madsen went from third to the lead in half a lap and went on to win his fifth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of the season. Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet completed the podium at the Salina Highbanks Speedway.
With severe weather looming in the area, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series was in a race against Mother Nature all night. David Gravel won the Craftsman Club Dash, but blew up coming to the checkered. Gravel and his CJB Motorsports No.5 scrambled to swap motors before the Feature and did so successfully.
Gravel edged fellow front row starter Brad Sweet down the backstretch on the opening lap. Sweet went for the lead with a slide job into turn three and made contact with Gravel at the exit of turn four, ending the CJB No.5’s evening.
“We were racing for inches at 130MPH and neither of us gave an inch,” Gravel said post-race in regard to the incident. “There just wasn’t enough room.”
Sweet survived the incident unscathed and led the field back to Green. Sweet pounded the cushion through lapped traffic as Kerry Madsen and Shane Stewart waged war for second.
At the halfway point, Sweet was in heavy lapped traffic and Stewart had wrestled second from Madsen. Sweet split two lapped cars on lap 19 and had a straightaway of clear track ahead of him.
By this point, the Salina Highbanks crowd was on their feet and with good reason as there were cars all over the racing surface throwing slide jobs in every corner.
On lap 24, Kerry Madsen used a big run down the backstretch to get back by Stewart for second and then threw a huge slider on Sweet to take the lead down the frontstretch. Sweet tried to return the favor as Donny Schatz stuck himself in the mix as well. A blanket could have been thrown over the top four, as they battled for the race lead.
Race action was halted on lap 28 when RJ Johnson took a vicious crash into the frontstretch guardrail. Johnson was uninjured in the incident and walked away under his own power.
The Red Flag allowed fans and drivers alike to catch their breath and set up a single-file restart with two to go.
Madsen powered away on the restart and went on to score the victory. “We gave one away last night,” the Australian said. “I’m glad I was able to put this car where it belongs. It is an absolute joy to drive every night.”
“Salina is always exciting and I thought that was pretty exciting. I hope the fans did as well,” Madsen added.
Schatz settled for second with Sweet completing the podium. “It’s tough with a single-file restart with two to go, you almost are just hoping to hang on for second,” Schatz said. “We’ll come back and try and pick up a pair of wins next weekend.”
Sweet led the first 23 laps and was understandably a little disappointed. “I was surprised I hit him. I was expecting him to turn back underneath me,” he said in reference to the lap one incident with Gravel. “I’ll have to go back and watch it.”
Shane Stewart and Jason Johnson completed the top five.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action next weekend at the Dodge City Raceway Park before wrapping up the 2017 season at the Textron Offroad World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen [2][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [5][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$2,800]; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$2,500]; 6. 18-Ian Madsen [9][$2,300]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [7][$2,100]; 9. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [8][$2,050]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [13][$2,000]; 11. 99-Brady Bacon [11][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [12][$1,200]; 13. W20-Greg Wilson [16][$1,100]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [19][$1,050]; 15. 4-Parker Price-Miller [15][$1,000]; 16. 13-Clyde Knipp [18][$900]; 17. 17B-Ryan Bickett [20][$800]; 18. 71A-R.J. Johnson [14][$800]; 19. 17-Jac Haudenschild [10][$800]; 20. 1P-Curtis Evans [21][$800]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [17][$800]; 22. 5-David Gravel [22][$800]; 23. 3-Sammy Swindell [23][$800] Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-22, Kerry Madsen 23-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 11K-Kraig Kinser[+5]
Brian Brown Thrills Hometown Crowd with Outlaw Win at Lakeside
KANSAS CITY, KS – October 20, 2017 – Brian Brown led the first seven laps before Kerry Madsen took command on the eighth circuit. Brown inherited the lead with 10 to go after Madsen got spun around in lapped traffic. ‘BlackJack’ went on to score a popular hometown win in the FVP Platinum Battery Shootout at the Lakeside Speedway. Sheldon Haudenschild and 12th starting Donny Schatz completed the podium.
Brown, who is sponsored by FVP, passed Brent Marks in his Heat Race to score the victory and came from third to win the Craftsman Club Dash to earn the pole of the FVP Platinum Battery Shootout.
Brown survived multiple slide job attempts from both Jac and Sheldon Haudenschild to maintain the early lead as he reached traffic on lap six. By lap eight, Kerry Madsen had worked his way forward from his fifth starting position, surpassed both Haudenschild’s and swooped underneath Brown for the lead.
Madsen, who has four World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series wins to his credit this season, clearly established himself as the car to beat once he took command. While Madsen stretched his lead, complete mayhem took place behind him with drivers utilizing all the real estate Lakeside Speedway had to offer. Sheldon Haudenschild and Brown continued their battle for the runner-up position, exchanging the spot multiple times.
Madsen was well on his way to scoring his fifth Outlaw win of the season before disaster struck on lap 20. Madsen got turned around in turn three and ended up with a flat right rear tire. At the time of the accident, Madsen had seven lapped cars and over 8.5 seconds in between himself and the rest of the field.
The see-saw battle between Sheldon and Brown saw the latter assume the lead on lap 20. On the ensuing restart, Schatz and Sheldon waged war for the runner-up position allowing Brown to extend his lead. Brown wouldn’t relinquish the lead twice on one night as he was masterful in lapped traffic the last few laps en route to the popular victory.
“My guys did a phenomenal job. These Outlaw races are so tough to win. You can feel the pressure in lapped traffic,” a jubilant Brown said in Victory Lane.
“I’ve won with the Outlaws in Arizona and North Carolina so I’ve never really been able to celebrate. To do it here, with all the FVP guys in attendance – we’ll celebrate with a few beers tonight,” the Grain Valley, Missouri native said to a big ovation from the crowd.
Sheldon, who remains the leading contender for Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year, settled for second once again as he continues to knock on the door of his first career win with the Series. Schatz, Jason Johnson and Kerry Madsen, with a remarkable comeback completed the top five.
Madsen restarted 14th with ten laps to go and showed the same speed he had while leading, sliding his way forward back to fifth at the finish line.
After the race, Madsen was in good spirits, “Obviously it’s a huge disappointment when you have a car that good, but that’s racing. We’ll try again next time.”
Sheldon cited the great racing between he and Brown, although most of it was when they were battling for second. “We had some really good racing going on back there. I threw a couple of good sliders in the middle of the race but could never make it stick,” Sheldon said. He then added with a smile, “The track was absolutely perfect.”
Shane Stewart, David Gravel, Brad Sweet, Daryn Pittman and 21st-starting Logan Schuchart, who earned KSE Hard Charger honors, completed the top ten.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series is in action Saturday night, October 21, at the Salina Highbanks Speedway in Salina, Oklahoma. If you can’t make it to the track, DIRTVision.com will have live video coverage of The Greatest Show on Dirt from the high banks of Salina. For more information on Saturday’s event at the Salina Highbanks, click here.
Feature: (30 Laps) 1. 21-Brian Brown [1][$10,000]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [12][$3,200]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$2,800]; 5. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [2][$2,300]; 7. 5-David Gravel [11][$2,200]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$2,100]; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman [7][$2,050]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [21][$2,000]; 11. 18-Ian Madsen [17][$1,500]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [8][$1,200]; 13. 99-Brady Bacon [13][$1,100]; 14. 17-Jac Haudenschild [3][$1,050]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$1,000]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [15][$900]; 17. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [22][$800]; 18. 82-Dusty Zomer [10][$800]; 19. 4-Parker Price-Miller [23][$800]; 20. W20-Greg Wilson [25][$]; 21. 55-Brooke Tatnell [18][$800]; 22. 3-Sammy Swindell [19][$800]; 23. 14-Tony Stewart [14][$800]; 24. 12-Lynton Jeffrey [20][$800]; 25. 1A-Jacob Allen [24][$800]; 26. 13-Clyde Knipp [26][$]: Lap Leaders: Brian Brown 1-7, 21-30; Kerry Madsen 8-20KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+11]
Tim Shaffer Goes Flag-to-Flag at Ransomville
RANSOMVILLE, New York – October 16, 2017 - The ‘Steel City Outlaw’ Tim Shaffer led flag-to-flag in the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series first visit to the Ransomville Speedway in 20 years. Shaffer fell off the narrow frontstretch in lapped traffic with two to go, but was able to corral his No. 49X and pilot it to his second World of Outlaws Feature win of the year. Brad Sweet and Shane Stewart completed the podium at ‘The Big R Outlaw Shootout’ presented by Budweiser.
The Craftsman Club Dash inversion was zero lining Shaffer on the pole of the Dash, which he would win to earn the pole of the 30-lap Feature.
Shaffer reached lapped traffic quickly and was nearly taken out by a spinning Dane Lorenc on lap eight. “I have no idea how we missed the 00,” was the first thing Shaffer mentioned after the race.
Sheldon Haudenschild brought out the only other caution on lap ten, as he was battling inside the top ten before a broken front axle sidelined the No.93.
Shaffer was untouchable in open air and had a commanding lead with ten to go with Brad Sweet and David Gravel waiting for lapped traffic to make their move in on the ‘Steel City Outlaw’. With three to go, Shaffer had to slow his pace significantly with a hoard of lapped cars battling for position in front him. Shaffer actually slipped off the frontstretch into the small moat with three to go, allowing Sweet and Gravel to close in. Shaffer recovered quickly and went to claim the win .581 seconds in front of Sweet.
“I thought I was in trouble when I slid off, but here we are,” the Aliquippa, Pennsylvania native said. Quite possibly the most remarkable feat of the victory was it was just Tim and his crew chief, Cody Jacobs, tonight at Ransomville. “Hats off to Cody, he gave me a great race car that was a lot of fun to drive,” Shaffer said sincerely in Victory Lane.
It was Shaffer’s second World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win in the past month as he scored a victory at Eldora in late September. Shaffer hinted that he and his Demyan-Rudzik Racing No.49X may head West with the Series to Kansas next week.
Sweet settled for second “My one shot was when Tim went off the edge. I’d like to do that lap over again,” the Grass Valley, California native cited. “It’s nice to be on the podium, we’ll keep pushing to get some wins,” Sweet added.
David Gravel blew a tire running third, coming to the checkered, allowing Shane Stewart to inherit the final podium spot. “Lately, I’ve been the one blowing tires,” Stewart said with a smile as he expressed his condolences to Gravel. “I’m thankful to be here, we’ll settle for third and move forward,” Stewart added.
Donny Schatz finished fourth with Gravel limping the CJB Motorsports No.5 to the finish to complete the top five.
Schatz set fast time over the 32-car field in qualifying at a 12.629 easily establishing a new Ransomville Track Record. The previous track record was 14.360 set by Mark Kinser back in 1997.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series schedule is winding down, as the Series makes one final trek West to compete at the Lakeside Speedway Friday October 20 and the Salina Highbanks Speedway the following night. After that, The Greatest Show on Dirt has two dates at the Dodge City Raceway Park on October 27-28 before heading to The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the World of Outlaws World Finals on November 2-4.
Feature (30 laps): 1. 49X-Tim Shaffer [2][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$5,500]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [3][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [5][$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [4][$2,500]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [6][$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [7][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [8][$2,100]; 9. 17-Jac Haudenschild [17][$2,050]; 10. 41-Jason Johnson [15][$2,000]; 11. 4-Parker Price-Miller [10][$1,500]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [14][$1,200]; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart [13][$1,100]; 14. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [9][$1,050]; 15. 1A-Jacob Allen [12][$1,000]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [19][$900]; 17. 10-Paul Colagiovanni [24][$800]; 18. 49K-Scott Kreutter [16][$800]; 19. W20-Greg Wilson [23][$800]; 20. 13-Clyde Knipp [21][$800]; 21. 5B-Justin Barger [20][$800]; 22. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [11][$800]; 23. OO-Dane Lorenc [22][$800]; 24. 19P-Paige Polyak [18][$800]; Lap Leaders: Tim Shaffer 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17-Jac Haudenschild[+8]
Qualifying: 1. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.629; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.738; 3. 5-David Gravel, 12.877; 4. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.956; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 12.97; 6. 4-Parker Price-Miller, 12.973; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.002; 8. 19-Brent Marks, 13.022; 9. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.057; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.094; 11. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.113; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.185; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.193; 14. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.216; 15. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.262; 16. 49K-Scott Kreutter, 13.264; 17. 17-Jac Haudenschild, 13.267; 18. 19P-Paige Polyak, 13.273; 19. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.342; 20. 5R-Tyler Ross, 13.432; 21. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.462; 22. OO-Dane Lorenc, 13.524; 23. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.562; 24. 5B-Justin Barger, 13.575; 25. 19JK-Joe Kubiniec, 13.801; 26. 10-Paul Colagiovanni, 13.814; 27. 18X-Ryan Susice, 13.927; 28. 7K-Dan Shetler, 14; 29. 98-Joeseph Trenca, 14.165; 30. 36-Matt Billings, 14.413; 31. 58-Joe Lockhart, 14.54; 32. 54J-Scott Just, 14.654
Donny Schatz Downs ‘The Posse’ and Claims 19th Win of Season at Port Royal
PORT ROYAL, PA – October 14, 2017 – Donny Schatz passed Port Royal Speedway Track Champion, Brock Zearfoss on lap 18 and survived a late charge from Lance Dewease to extend his points lead atop the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Point Standings and score his 19th win of the season. Dewease and 10th starting Daryn Pittman completed the podium at Port Royal.
The Craftsman Club Dash Inversion was eight, putting Zearfoss on the pole. Zearfoss, who scored his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory back in July at Williams Grove, led all six laps of the Dash to earn the pole of the 30-lap Feature.
Zearfoss edged fellow front row starter, Jason Sides to lead lap one. As Zearfoss extended his lead, Schatz worked by Sides for the runner-up position on lap three. It didn’t take long for the leaders to catch traffic as Zearfoss did so on lap six. The Jonestown, Pennsylvania native was strong in traffic, utilizing the top of the Speedway to clear the first five or so lapped cars. Just as Schatz began cutting into Zearfoss’ lead, last year’s event winner, Logan Schuchart came to a stop with 14 laps complete.
On the ensuing double-file restart, Zearfoss choose the bottom but quickly made his way back to the top of the racing surface. Schatz attempted a pair of sliders in turn one, but Zearfoss never lifted and maintained the lead. On lap 18, Zearfoss went a couple car lengths lower in turns one and two allowing Schatz to get enough momentum down the backstretch and take command going into turn three.
A lap later, Tim Shaffer brought out the yellow with 11 laps remaining with Schatz as your leader. Schatz, who chose the inside for the double-file restart, got a good restart, allowing Lance Dewease to work by Zearfoss for second. As Dewease and Schatz put distance between themselves and the rest of the field, Zearfoss began to fade, eventually bringing out the caution with two to go, out of fuel.
The restart gave Pennsylvania Posse member Lance Dewease one last chance to steal the victory for the hometown crowd. Dewease stayed right on the back bumper of the Tony Stewart Racing No.15 on the restart and brought the crowd to their feet with a slide job into turn one. Schatz stayed on the hammer and powered back in front down the backstretch and went to win by .792 seconds.
When asked about the restart with two go Schatz said, “I knew [Lance] was going to try something. We weren’t the greatest on the start, but once we got up to speed I could move around the racetrack. He races clean. He gave me just enough room to get by. We come here for excitement and that got me excited so I hope it got the crowd into it too.”
Schatz, who is en route to his ninth Series Championship, was pleased to get his first win since the West Coast swing, “We need to get these wins. It seems like it’s been a while. With the season coming to an end, we’ve got to get these wins. It’s good to get one in PA.”
Dewease, who has 106 career Port Royal Speedway victories, was happy with second. “That’s all we had,” he said in regard to the late race restart slider. “[Donny] was really good all night. We’re happy to end the year with a ninth to second run against these guys,” Dewease added.
Before Daryn Pittman could comment on his 10th to third run, he applauded the Port Royal Speedway. “Our guys work really hard on our racecars, so it’s fun to go to tracks that you can see the effort they put into the track. For a driver that only gets here once a year, you see the huge differences and improvements,” Pittman, who spent a handful of years racing as a local in Central Pennsylvania, said.
“With the way we started, we’ll take third,” Pittman, who fell as far back as 11th, said. “Late restarts went our way and some holes opened up. The track was nice and wide for the Feature, the best cars ended up winning and running up front. As a racer, that’s all you can ask for,” the Oklahoma native added.
Schatz echoed the positive statements about the improvements. “This place is incredible. The improvements, the lighting, everything. It’s crazy the amount of work and financial effort Port Royal is putting in. When you come here, you know the parking lot will be full; the pits will be full and you’ll see a race,” the eight-time series Champion said to a nice applause from the Pennsylvania fans.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action in New York Sunday evening at the Weedsport Speedway and again at the Ransomville Speedway Monday night. Both races are makeup rain dates from earlier this year. DIRTVision.com will have live video coverage of all the action from Weedsport Sunday. For more information about the Empire State Challenge at the Weedsport Speedway, click here.
Feature: (30 Laps) 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$10,000]; 2. 69K-Lance Dewease [9][$5,500]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [10][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$2,800]; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$2,500]; 6. 71M-Dave Blaney [4][$2,300]; 7. 48-Danny Dietrich [8][$2,200]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$2,100]; 9. 17-Jac Haudenschild [13][$2,050]; 10. 5-David Gravel [22][$2,000]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [25][$700]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [21][$1,200]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [14][$1,100]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [11][$1,050]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [2][$1,000]; 16. 20-Ryan Taylor [12][$900]; 17. 11-T.J. Stutts [18][$800]; 18. 19P-Paige Polyak [15][$800]; 19. 14-Tony Stewart [20][$800]; 20. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$800]; 21. 4-Parker Price-Miller [16][$800]; 22. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [1][$800]; 23. 49X-Tim Shaffer [23][$800]; 24. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$800]; 25. 39-Cory Haas [24][$800]; 26. 24-Lucas Wolfe [26][$]; Lap Leaders: Brock Zearfoss 1-17, Donny Schatz 18-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-Shane Stewart[+14]
David Gravel, CJB Score 17th Win of Season at Fulton
FULTON, NY – October 7, 2017 – David Gravel inherited the lead on lap nine after race leader Daryn Pittman got into the back of a slower car and spun to a stop. Gravel survived a multitude of restarts and held off Jason Johnson and Donny Schatz to score his career-best 17th win of the season for CJB Motorsports at the Fulton Speedway Saturday night in conjunction with NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week.
Daryn Pittman muscled his way from fourth to second in his heat race, setting him up perfectly for the Craftsman Club Dash inversion of four. Pittman outdueled Jac Haudenschild in an entertaining Dash to earn the pole of the 25-lap Feature.
At the drop of the Green, Pittman and fellow front row starter Jason Johnson preferred the bottom line, while David Gravel was banging down the cushion. Pittman had a healthy lead when he reached lapped traffic before disaster struck. Clyde Knipp was trying to pull off the racing surface, got on the brakes and Pittman hit the back of the Knipp and spun to a stop in front of the field off of turn four with eight laps complete. Pittman went to the work area and re-joined the field while Knipp called it a night.
Gravel assumed the lead and battled hard with Johnson on the ensuing restart as Donny Schatz maneuvered his way from his eighth-starting position to third. Another caution flag flew on lap 11 with Scott Kreutter, Parker Price-Miller and Paige Polyak, who qualified for her first ever Craftsman Club Dash earlier in the night, stopped in turn four.
Gravel continued to show the way on restarts and utilized the entire racing surface searching for the fastest way around.
A pair of yellows on lap 21 and 24 gave Johnson and the rest of the field chances to steal the win, to no avail as Gravel took the checkered flag nearly a second in front of Johnson and Schatz.
“The track got so technical. The top was good, then the bottom was good, then I thought the bottom was too slow,” Gravel explained in Victory Lane.
“I ran just about every line you could run tonight,” the driver of the CJB Motorsports No.5 said with a smile.
Greg Wilson charged from 14th to fourth with ‘The Wild Child’ Jac Haudenschild completing the top five. World of Outlaws Rookie Brent Marks had a strong night coming home sixth with 13th-starting Kraig Kinser finishing seventh.
Jason Johnson was pleased with his team’s runner-up efforts. “We gave it our best shot tonight. I did my best to race clean and hard and finishing between [Gravel and Schatz] is an accomplishment in itself,” Johnson said.
Brad Sweet, 22nd-starting Mike Mahaney and Sheldon Haudenschild completed the top ten. Mahaney, who is qualified for Sunday’s Billy Whittaker Cars and Trux 200 at the Oswego Speedway, picked up the KSE Hard Charger award.
Donny Schatz, who extended his points lead, said, “We battled the best we could. That’s what you have to do to win a championship.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action next Saturday at the Port Royal Speedway for one final date with the Pennsylvania Posse before returning to New York for a pair of rain date events at the Weedsport Speedway and Ransomville Speedway Sunday and Monday October 15 and 16, respectively. Information on all three of these events are available on the World of Outlaws website.
NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week concludes Sunday afternoon at the Oswego with Championship events for the Big Block Modifieds, Sportsman Modifieds and Pro Stocks. Sunday’s Billy Whittaker Cars and Trux 200 for the Big Blocks will pay a hefty $50,000 to the winner. For all things, Super DIRT Week, vist SuperDIRTWeekOnline.com!
Feature: (26 Laps due to green-white-checkered finish) 1. 5-David Gravel [4][$10,000]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [2][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [8][$3,200]; 4. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$2,800]; 5. 17-Jac Haudenschild [3][$2,500]; 6. 19-Brent Marks [9][$2,300]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$2,200]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$2,100]; 9. 33-Mike Mahaney [22][$2,050]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [16][$2,000]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [10][$1,200]; 13. 1A-Jacob Allen [21][$1,100]; 14. 4-Parker Price-Miller [20][$1,050]; 15. 9-Daryn Pittman [1][$1,000]; 16. 10-Paul Colagiovanni [19][$900]; 17. 49K-Scott Kreutter [15][$800]; 18. 87-Jason Barney [23][$800]; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11][$800]; 20. 99L-Larry Wight [12][$800]; 21. 7-Ed Aikin [18][$800]; 22. 19P-Paige Polyak [6][$800]; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp [24][$800]; 24. 10K-Joe Kata [17][$800]; Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-8, David Gravel 9-26; KSE Hard Charger Award: 33-Mike Mahaney[+13]
David Gravel, CJB Pocket $50,000 in Williams Grove National Open Victory
MECHANICSBURG, PA – September 30, 2017 – David Gravel passed Donny Schatz for the lead on lap six and went on to capture his 16th win of the season aboard the CJB Motorsports entry. It was Gravel’s second career Champion Racing Oil National Open win at Williams Grove worth $50,000. Schatz and James McFadden completed the podium.
David Gravel was second in National Open event points, lining him up second in the Craftsman Club Dash. Gravel went on to win the event, lining him up on the pole of the $50,000 to win, 40-lap Feature.
Donny Schatz got the jump on the initial start and led the first five laps before Gravel took the lead on the front stretch, leading lap six. Friday night’s winner, James McFadden worked by Schatz on lap 18 just before the yellow came out for a slowing Brian Montieth.
On the ensuing double-file restart, Gravel opted for the top giving McFadden the bottom, a somewhat unexpected move.
“I made a mistake and gave McFadden the bottom, luckily I was able to get around him on the top in three and four,” a relieved Gravel said in Victory Lane.
McFadden hit the rubber off of turn two and took the lead down the backstretch and led lap 19, before Gravel powered back around the Australian the following lap. The next circuit Shane Stewart shredded a tire running sixth bringing out another yellow.
Schatz worked by McFadden on the restart and set his eyes on the CJB Motorsports No.5. A red flag on lap 28 for Jason Johnson, Kraig Kinser and Shane Stewart brought out an open red. All drivers were okay.
With the bottom being the preferred line around, Gravel was forced to slow his pace as he closed in on the back of the field. Schatz cut the lead down and was on Gravel’s bumper as they received the two to go signal. Before Schatz could make a move, the final yellow of the night flew for Brian Brown, who cut down a tire running in the top ten.
The caution gave Gravel an open track which secured the $50,000 payday for he and the CJB Motorsports No.5 team.
“It’s been a special year. I’m happy to solidify my place here with 3 wins at Williams Grove this season,” Gravel said. “I wish we could have raced a little more tonight, but I’ll take it.”
Schatz settled for second. “We hit traffic and needed to stay there if we wanted a chance to get back by for the lead. We’ll try and pick up some more wins this year and get that Championship,” the eight-time and defending and current Series point leader said.
McFadden wished he would have been more aggressive once taking the lead, but was nonetheless happy with his weekend. His finish was easily good enough to secure the National Open Rookie Award worth $2,250 thanks to BeerHill Gang TV.
20th-starting Logan Schuchart earned the KSE Hard Charger award coming to fourth with Daryn Pittman completing the top five. Greg Hodnett, Kerry Madsen, Sheldon Haudenschild, 16th starting Brock Zearfoss and Jason Sides completed the top ten.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action next Saturday October 7 at the Fulton Speedway in New York before returning to Central Pennsylvania the following weekend at the Port Royal Speedway.
Feature: (40 Laps) 1. 5-David Gravel [1][$50,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$12,000]; 3. 3-James McFadden [6][$7,500]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [20][$4,000]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [3][$3,500]; 6. 27-Greg Hodnett [9][$3,000]; 7. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5][$2,700]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [11][$2,500]; 9. 58-Brock Zearfoss [16][$2,200]; 10. 7S-Jason Sides [8][$2,100]; 11. 24-Lucas Wolfe [10][$2,000]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [14][$1,650]; 13. 18-Ian Madsen [12][$1,550]; 14. 51-Freddie Rahmer [25][$300]; 15. 39-Cory Haas [22][$1,100]; 16. 1-Dale Blaney [24][$1,050]; 17. 41-Jason Johnson [15][$1,000]; 18. 48-Danny Dietrich [18][$950]; 19. 49-Brad Sweet [21][$950]; 20. 17-Jac Haudenschild [19][$950]; 21. 21-Brian Brown [13][$900]; 22. 2-Shane Stewart [7][$900]; 23. 69K-Lance Dewease [4][$900]; 24. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17][$900]; 25. 11-T.J. Stutts [26][$]; 26. 21P-Brian Montieth [23][$900]; Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-5; David Gravel 6-18, 20-40; James McFadden 19; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart [+16]
Australian James McFadden Scores First Career World of Outlaws Victory at Williams Grove
MECHANICSBURG, PA – September 29, 2017 – Australian James McFadden scored his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win in exciting fashion holding off Greg Hodnett and Donny Schatz to win the second night of the Williams Grove Champion Racing Oil National Open. Heading into tomorrow's finale, Donny Schatz leads the National Open points and will be locked in to tomorrow’s Craftsman Club Dash. David Gravel, McFadden and Daryn Pittman are also locked in to tomorrow’s Dash.
McFadden, who has spent the majority of the past two Summer's running in Central Pennsylvania for Matt Highlands, won his heat race and the Craftsman Club Dash to earn the pole of the 25-lap Feature.
Racing was delayed twice due to rain throughout the evening, once during the C Main and again after the initial start of the Feature.
After the final rain delay, McFadden got the jump on the complete restart over fellow front row starter, Greg Hodnett. A lap three red flag for Jac Haudenschild, who went for a wild ride after Danny Dietrich and Trey Starks got together, halted the action. Haudenschild walked away from the incident. On the ensuing double-file restart, Dale Blaney received contact and ended up on the hook setting up a single-file start.
McFadden once again was strong extending his lead as he approached traffic. McFadden had no problems with the first few lapped cars but was slowed significantly as he approached Alan Krimes, on the bottom, and Brian Brown, on the cushion.
“The track was equal. The bottom and the top were nearly the same speed. Krimes kept hitting the bottom perfectly and Brown was flirting with that cushion. I nearly destroyed myself and ended up in the trees trying to get by them,” McFadden said.
McFadden followed Krimes and Brown for the better part of the last ten laps, waiting to make a move. McFadden eventually got around Krimes but then was pinched hard by Brown, forcing him across the track allowing Krimes to get back by down low and more importantly allow Greg Hodnett and Donny Schatz to be on the leader’s back bumper.
Luckily for McFadden, he was able to work through lapped traffic and fend off a late race effort from both Hodnett and Schatz to score both his first career World of Outlaws and Williams Grove win.
“This is pretty amazing. I have never won on a half-mile before and to do so in Pennsylvania is pretty crazy,” an elated McFadden said in Victory Lane. The result was good enough for McFadden to lock into tomorrow’s Craftsman Club Dash as he sits third in event points.
Hodnett, who finished just .244 behind McFadden, and Schatz completed the podium. Brad Sweet and Shane Stewart completed the top five.
The Champion Racing Oil National Open comes down to Saturday night where the winner will take home a hefty $50,000 check.
Feature: (25 Laps) 1. 3-James McFadden [1][$10,000]; 2. 27-Greg Hodnett [2][$5,000]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$3,000]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [6][$2,700]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,500]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$2,200]; 7. 18-Ian Madsen [8][$2,000]; 8. 24-Lucas Wolfe [7][$1,800]; 9. 2M-Kerry Madsen [10][$1,600]; 10. 5-David Gravel [12][$1,450]; 11. 69K-Lance Dewease [21][$1,300]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [11][$1,200]; 13. 9-Daryn Pittman [20][$1,100]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [9][$1,000]; 15. 11-T.J. Stutts [15][$950]; 16. 58-Brock Zearfoss [16][$900]; 17. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [23][$850]; 18. 94-Ryan Smith [17][$750]; 19. 21-Brian Brown [18][$725]; 20. 87-Alan Krimes [24][$700]; 21. 11K-Kraig Kinser [19][$700]; 22. 44-Trey Starks [14][$700]; 23. 21P-Brian Montieth [27][$]; 24. 48-Danny Dietrich [13][$700]; 25. 1-Dale Blaney [22][$700]; 26. 17-Jac Haudenschild [25][$]; 27. 51-Freddie Rahmer [26][$]; Lap Leaders: James McFadden 1-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 69K-Lance Dewease[+10]
Greg Hodnett Pockets $20,000 in Summer Nationals Makeup Feature
MECHANICSBURG, PA – Greg Hodnett’s eventful evening was capped off in style as he led all 30 laps to score the $20,000 Summer Nationals Makeup Feature from July. Lucas Wolfe came from eighth to finish second with Donny Schatz completing the podium.
Hodnett started on the front row and was strong from the drop of the green edging fellow front row starter, David Gravel early on. Gravel and Danny Dietrich had a spirited battle for second with the eventually latter taking over. Dietrich was strong on the cushion in turns one and two and closed on Hodnett significantly as the Heffner Racing No.27 was stuck in lapped traffic.
On lap 13, Dietrich got another big run coming off of turn two and dove to the inside of Hodnett down the long Williams Grove backstretch. Hodnett slammed the door on Dietrich, with the two making contact and Dietrich ending up backwards atop turn three. Brian Montieth, who was running sixth, was left with nowhere to go and was collected in the accident. Hodnett’s car was unscathed as he continued to lead.
The ensuing restart saw Lucas Wolfe charge into second with Donny Schatz following him into third. By the end of the 30-lap Feature the racing surface was exhausted with the bottom being the preferred line for most drivers. Hodnett went on to win over Wolfe, Schatz, Daryn Pittman and Gravel completing the top five.
“Didn’t want to crash in the first Feature. After that, the last thing I wanted to do was get together with Danny [Dietrich] in this one. I’m very fortunate to be standing here now,” Hodnett said in Victory Lane.
Wolfe, who came forward from eighth, said, “We were able to get going up top early, but once we got to the front we couldn’t get close enough to make a run for the lead. This was a good way to end the night. Hopefully we can be back up here tomorrow.”
For the second time in the evening, Freddie Rahmer was the KSE Hard Charger, this time coming from 26th to 11th.
Racing action continues in the Champion Racing Oil National Open Friday evening with another complete program. DIRTVision.com has you covered with live video of all the action if you can’t make it to the track.
Feature: (30 Laps)1. 27-Greg Hodnett [1][$20,000]; 2. 24-Lucas Wolfe [8][$12,000]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$6,000]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [6][$5,250]; 5. 5-David Gravel [2][$4,500]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$4,000]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [10][$3,500]; 8. 69K-Lance Dewease [11][$3,000]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$2,750]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [15][$2,500]; 11. 51-Freddie Rahmer [26][$2,300]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [7][$2,250]; 13. 41-Jason Johnson [16][$2,000]; 14. 44-Trey Starks [14][$1,600]; 15. 3H-James McFadden [19][$1,500]; 16. 1-Dale Blaney [18][$1,300]; 17. 16-Matt Campbell [13][$1,250]; 18. 19-Brent Marks [17][$1,050]; 19. 4-Parker Price-Miller [23][$1,050]; 20. 11K-Kraig Kinser [25][$50]; 21. 29-Danny Dietrich [3][$1,000]; 22. 21-Brian Montieth [12][$1,000]; 23. 39M-Anthony Macri [20][$1,000]; 24. 17B-Steve Buckwalter [24][$1,000]; 25. 25-Aaron Ott [22][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Greg Hodnett 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 51-Freddie Rahmer[+15]
David Gravel Wins Opening Night of Champion Racing Oil National Open
Mechanicsburg, PA – September 29, 2017 – David Gravel assumed the lead after race leaders Greg Hodnett and Shane Stewart got together on lap nine. Gravel led the rest of the way, but not without a fight from Daryn Pittman and Lance Dewease, who finished second and third. Pittman and Dewease finished within a second of Gravel at the finish.
Greg Hodnett set fast time overall, won his heat and the Craftsman Club Dash and led the opening nine laps of the Feature. Hodnett’s lead dwindled as Shane Stewart closed in on the bottom of the half-mile. Stewart made his move for the lead off of turn four coming to the line on lap ten but made contact with Hodnett sending the Heffner Racing No.27 into the front stretch guardrail spinning. Hodnett miraculously kept the car going and was able to restart in second after the caution was thrown.
On the ensuing restart, Hodnett tried to slide Stewart for the lead in turns one and two pushing the Larson/Marks No.2 up the track. Stewart maintained the lead underneath the famous backstretch Williams Grove bridge. Hodnett drove into turn three hard making heavy contact with Stewart sending both cars into the fence hard. A costly move for both drivers in the National Open weekend point standings. Stewart was able to restart, but Hodnett was not.
Gravel, who narrowly missed being collected in the aforementioned accident, assumed the lead as Pittman and Dewease waged war behind him for the runner-up spot. As Gravel closed in on traffic, Pittman and Dewease closed in, to no avail as the CJB Motorsports No.5 collected their 15th win of the season. Donny Schatz and local Cory Haas completed the top five. Williams Grove point leader Freddie Rahmer picked up KSE Hard Charger Award coming from 21st to eighth.
“I don’t know how I didn’t crash,” Gravel said in Victory Lane referencing the Stewart/Hodnett accident. “I can’t thank all guys, sponsors and everyone that makes this CJB team so strong enough.”
Pittman, who came close to Gravel in the closing laps, was pleased with his night, “We had a really solid night. Hopefully we can qualify well tomorrow again and be up front. Saturday is where our focus is at.”
Feature: 1. 5-David Gravel [4][$10,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [3][$5,000]; 3. 69K-Lance Dewease [5][$3,000]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$2,700]; 5. 39-Cory Haas [7][$2,500]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [8][$2,200]; 7. 2M-Kerry Madsen [12][$2,000]; 8. 51-Freddie Rahmer [21][$1,800]; 9. 21-Brian Brown [11][$1,600]; 10. 49-Brad Sweet [19][$1,450]; 11. 19-Brent Marks [18][$1,300]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [9][$1,200]; 13. 48-Danny Dietrich [26][$400]; 14. 21P-Brian Montieth [13][$1,000]; 15. 3-James McFadden [14][$950]; 16. 4-Parker Price-Miller [10][$900]; 17. 1-Dale Blaney [23][$850]; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser [20][$750]; 19. 18-Ian Madsen [16][$725]; 20. 24-Lucas Wolfe [22][$700]; 21. 41-Jason Johnson [25][$]; 22. 2-Shane Stewart [2][$700]; 23. 39M-Anthony Macri [27][$]; 24. 16-Matt Campbell [17][$700]; 25. 58-Brock Zearfoss [24][$700]; 26. 17-Jac Haudenschild [15][$700]; 27. 27-Greg Hodnett [1][$700] Lap Leaders: Greg Hodnett 1-9, Shane Stewart 10, David Gravel 11-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 51-Freddie Rahmer[+13]
Gravel On Top At Lernerville
SARVER, PA – David Gravel survived a pair of late caution flags and held off Brad Sweet to pick up his 14th victory of the season at Lernerville in the running of the Commonwealth Clash. Gravel saw the white flag on two separate occasions only to see a caution come out both times. Gravel led all 37 (extended because of the yellows) laps over Sweet and Donny Schatz.
Gravel and the CJB Motorsports team, who did a scheduled engine change after Qualifying, won their heat race before finishing second in the Craftsman Club Dash.
Gravel got the jump on fellow front row starter Brad Sweet and led the opening three laps before a Red Flag for Jason Sides, who took a wild crash on the front stretch and off of turn one, stopped the action. Thankfully, Sides walked away from the accident under his own power.
On the ensuing restart, Sweet took the lead from Gravel down the backstretch but a caution for Lernerville Track Champion AJ Flick, who had major front end damage, negated the pass.
On lap eight, fourth-place running Daryn Pittman jumped the tricky cushion in turn four bringing out the caution. A handful of laps later Brent Marks, who was running in the top ten, suffered the same fate.
Brad Sweet fell off the banking in turn two allowing Sheldon Haudenschild to take over the second spot at the time of the open red flag on lap 14. Sheldon began closing in on Gravel, before making the same mistake as Sweet off of two and letting the aforementioned re-gain second.
As laps winded down, Gravel grappled with heavy lapped traffic allowing Sweet to close in. Sweet lurked behind the CJB Motorsports No.5 before making a bid for the lead with a slide job attempt off of turn four, to no avail. The unsuccessful slider allowed Gravel to pull away.
On the final circuit, Danny Holtgraver ended up backwards in turn two setting up a Green, White, Checkered finish. Gravel again commanded control on the restart before taking the white flag, only to see another caution. Gravel was strong once again on the restart and this time went on to pick up the victory.
“I didn’t really know what to do. I knew I didn’t want to give the bottom away,” Gravel said about the multiple restarts. “I saw Brad stick his nose under me early and I knew I had to step it up,” the Watertown, CT native said in Victory Lane.
“Once David got control, it was tough to get by him. We had lots of chances in lapped traffic, but could not get the job done,” Sweet said following his runner-up finish.
Donny Schatz quietly worked his way forward from seventh to complete the podium. Shane Stewart and Friday’s winner at Eldora, Tim Shaffer completed the top five. Kraig Kinser, Jason Johnson, Daryn Pittman (from the rear), Logan Schuchart and Chris Andrews completed the top ten. Danny Holtgraver picked up the KSE Hard Charger award.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action this Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the heart of Pennsylvania Posse country, at the Williams Grove Speedway. The unique 3-day Champion Racing Oil National Open awaits The Greatest Show on Dirt. Saturday’s National Open finale pays a whopping $50,000 to win.
Lernerville Speedway – September 23, 2017
Feature - (37 Laps due to green-white-checkered restarts): 1. 5-David Gravel [2][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [7][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,800]; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer [10][$2,500]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [6][$2,300]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [11][$2,200]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$2,100]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [13][$2,050]; 10. 16-Chris Andrews [18][$2,000]; 11. D4-Danny Holtgraver [20][$1,500]; 12. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$1,200]; 13. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$1,100]; 14. 19-Brent Marks [12][$1,050]; 15. 98-Carl Bowser [15][$1,000]; 16. 17-Jac Haudenschild [8][$900]; 17. 42-Sye Lynch [21][$800]; 18. 13-Clyde Knipp [16][$800]; 19. 7K-Dan Shetler [22][$800]; 20. 4-Parker Price-Miller [9][$800]; 21. 40-George Hobaugh [23][$800]; 22. 58-Joe Lockhart [24][$800]; 23. 76-David Jones [25][$]; 24. 2F-A.J. Flick [14][$800]; 25. 7S-Jason Sides [19][$800]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-37; KSE Hard Charger Award: D4-Danny Holtgraver[+9]
Shaffer Scores At Eldora
ROSSBURG, OH – September 22, 2017 - The ‘Steel City Outlaw’ Tim Shaffer held off Donny Schatz to win the Night Before the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora. Shaffer was strong all night going second quick in his Flight in qualifying, winning his heat and scoring the Craftsman Club Dash victory. As laps winded down, Schatz closed significantly in on Shaffer, but couldn’t pull ahead. The margin of victory was .227 seconds. Joey Saldana came forward to complete the podium.
Shaffer earned the pole by winning the Craftsman Club Dash, where Shane Stewart moved from fourth to second to earn the other front row starting spot. Shaffer, who has an Eldora win earlier this year with the Arctic Cat All-Star Circuit of Champions got the early jump in the Feature working the top side of the famous half-mile. Stewart was closing in on Shaffer before shredding a right rear tire on lap 13. It was the second consecutive night, dating back to last weekend at Calistoga, Stewart lost a tire running in second.
Schatz assumed second as Shaffer once again stretched his lead. With ten laps to go, Shaffer had a comfortable lead as he reached traffic. Schatz began working the line a car-length off of the cushion and closing on the leader, noticeably in turns three and four.
With two to go, Schatz looked poised to make his bid for the lead, but Shaffer’s momentum on the top side of the Speedway was too much as he became the 18th different winner with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in 2017.
“That’s a great team,” Shaffer said in Victory Lane in regards to Donny Schatz / Tony Stewart Racing No.15 group. “We have a great team too, we keep building and getting better. We’ve got wins all over this year, but to get an Outlaw win at Eldora is really special. This is one tough place,” Shaffer said upon exiting his Demyan-Rudzik Racing No.49X.
Schatz credited Shaffer, “Second sucks, we just couldn’t find a way around them. They were really good. We’ll take it and move on.”
Joey Saldana completed the podium in the Indy Race Parts No.71. “We had a really good car. I felt like I could move around in lapped traffic. The track was so fast. We had a lot of fun,” the Brownsburg, Indiana native said.
Jason Johnson and David Gravel completed the top five. Brent Marks picked up KSE Hard Charger Honors coming from 22nd to finish eighth. Early race contender Shane Stewart made it back to 13th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series travels to Western Pennsylvania Saturday evening for the Commonwealth Clash at the Lernerville Speedway in Sarver.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 49X-Tim Shaffer [1][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$5,500]; 3. 71-Joey Saldana [6][$3,200]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [7][$2,500]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [11][$2,300]; 7. 24-Rico Abreu [5][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [22][$2,100]; 9. 10H-Chad Kemenah [19][$2,050]; 10. 17-Jac Haudenschild [13][$2,000]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [15][$1,500]; 12. 2-Shane Stewart [2][$1,200]; 13. 18-Ian Madsen [9][$1,100]; 14. W20-Greg Wilson [10][$1,050]; 15. 12N-Cole Duncan [21][$1,000]; 16. 1ST-Gary Taylor [12][$900]; 17. 4-Parker Price-Miller [24][$800]; 18. 7S-Jason Sides [18][$800]; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart [17][$800]; 20. 5T-Travis Philo [23][$800]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [16][$800]; 22. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [14][$800]; 23. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8][$800]; 24. 99-Brady Bacon [20][$800]; Lap Leaders: Tim Shaffer 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+14]
Schatz back on top
CALISTOGA, CA – September 16, 2017 – Donny Schatz passed Brad Sweet on lap 25 to pick up his 18th win of the season Saturday night at Calistoga Speedway. Sweet, who swept Friday’s event, held off a charge from Shane Stewart, who succumbed to a flat tire, before giving way to Schatz in heavy lapped traffic. Daryn Pittman surged late for second while Sweet settled for third.
It has been far from easy the last two weeks for the eight-time and defending champion. Schatz was forced to use a provisional both nights at Chico last weekend and had to switch to a backup car last night. It was evident Schatz wanted to wrap up the West Coast swing on a good note.
Schatz assumed second on lap 10 after Shane Stewart was forced pit-side with a flat tire and lurked behind Sweet’s Ollie’s Bargain Outlet No.49 as he maneuvered through lapped traffic around the half-mile. Sweet hiccupped in traffic on lap 22, allowing the rest of the field to close in. As Schatz began to make the bottom work, Jason Johnson pulled outside of Schatz looking to make a move of his own.
“I knew someone was outside of me. I had to go,” Schatz said. Go he did, as Schatz darted to the bottom and slid up on Sweet to take command on lap 25. Sweet tried to return the favor but incidentally let Johnson get by for second.
An open red on lap 27 set up a three-lap dash to the finish. Schatz was strong on the restart as Pittman, who restarted fourth, slid underneath Johnson and Sweet to take second. The maneuvering behind him allowed Schatz to go unchallenged the final three laps and score his 18th victory of the season.
When asked about his troubles last night, Schatz said, “It was just one of those nights. You don’t know if it’s a nightmare or a freak show.” “That’s racing, you have to battle through adversity. These guys never stopped working and here we are,” he added.
Pittman, who was working out the bugs of a new car, was happy with the progress his Great Clips No.9 made throughout the evening, “We didn’t start off where we needed to be. But these guys worked really hard and made some great changes for the Feature. We’ll take this and build on it heading back East.”
Sweet, who set fast time and won his heat for the second night in a row, said, “I was trying to get runs on the lapped cars and I opened up the door for Donny. Still, it was a great weekend overall.”
Johnson settled for fourth with David Gravel completing the top five. Shane Stewart made it back up to tenth from the rear. Austen Wheatley picked up KSE Hard Charger honors.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series now heads East and will compete Friday, September 22 at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio before heading to the Lernerville Speedway Saturday the 23rd for the running of the Commonwealth Clash.
Abbreviated Results from Calistoga Speedway - September 16, 2017
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$12,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$5,700]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$3,500]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$3,000]; 5. 5-David Gravel [9][$2,600]; 6. 24-Rico Abreu [10][$2,400]; 7. 17-Jac Haudenschild [5][$2,300]; 8. 35-Jamie Veal [15][$2,200]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$2,150]; 10. 2-Shane Stewart [1][$2,100]; 11. 7S-Jason Sides [7][$1,600]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [18][$1,350]; 13. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [8][$1,300]; 14. 44W-Austen Wheatley [22][$1,200]; 15. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [16][$1,100]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [12][$1,000]; 17. 83-Kyle Hirst [11][$900]; 18. 3C-DJ Netto [17][$850]; 19. 22-Shane Golobic [21][$800]; 20. O-Bud Kaeding [19][$800]; 21. 20-Cory Eliason [23][$800]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [13][$800]; 23. 29-Willie Croft [24][$800]; 24. 4-Paul McMahan [20][$800]; 25. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25][$] Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-23, Donny Schatz 24-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 44W-Austen Wheatley[+8]
SWEET SWEEPS NIGHT 1 AT CALISTOGA
CALISTOGA, CA – September 15, 2017 – California native Brad Sweet swept the program on Night 1 of the Wine Country Outlaw Showdown at Calistoga Speedway. Sweet passed Rico Abreu on lap three and withstood a charge from Abreu in lapped traffic to pick up his fifth win of the Season. Abreu was light at the scales after running out of fuel. 13th starting Logan Schuchart finished second with Shane Stewart completing the podium.
Sweet actually took the lead from Abreu on lap two but a caution flag gave the lead back to the Abreu Vineyards No.24. Sweet dove to the inside of Abreu to officially lead lap three and while he statistically led the rest of the way, it was not easy. Heavy lapped traffic allowed Abreu to pull side by side with Sweet on lap 11. Sweet would clear a lapped car and re-extend his lead. While Abreu stayed within striking distance for much of the race, Sweet was able to capture his fifth win of the season.
“I just tried to get through lapped traffic as good as I could. I knew Rico would be charging,” Sweet said upon exiting his Ollie’s Bargain Outlet No.49. “We have a lot of podiums, it’s nice to be on the top step tonight where this team belongs,” he added.
Numerous cautions, including one for fifth place running Kyle Hirst, led to a handful of teams running out of fuel coming to the finish. World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series officials allocated for 60 combined green/yellow flag laps before a fuel stop and that is exactly how many laps the teams ran as they took the checkered. One more caution would have forced a fuel stop. Abreu, who crossed the line second, was one of the teams that was out of fuel and subsequently his No. 24 was light at the scales. David Gravel, who was running in the top five all race, was another competitor to slow on the final lap.
Logan Schuchart charged forward from his 13th starting position to finish second officially, “This Shark Racing team did a great job giving me a fast car. It was a lot of fun,” Schuchart, who also came forward four positions in his heat race, said.
Gold Cup Champion Shane Stewart finished on the podium once again and was quick to thank his Larson/Marks team for their continued hard work.
Donny Schatz battled issues all night. He did not run hot laps, time trials and limped through his heat race before switching to a backup car for the Last Chance Showdown, where he came from ninth to fourth. Schatz muscled his way through the field in the early stages, cracking the top ten (from 22nd) in under five laps. The eight-time Series champion crossed the line fourth. Daryn Pittman completed the all World of Outlaws top five.
Kraig Kinser, 20th starting Bud Kaeding, 23rd starting Brent Marks, Jamie Veal and Jason Johnson completed the top ten.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to the Calistoga Speedway Saturday night for the completion of the Wine Country Outlaw Showdown. Once again, DIRTVision.com will have live video coverage of the event.
Feature (25 Laps) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$8,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [13][$4,000]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [3][$2,500]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [22][$2,200]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [10][$2,100]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8][$2,000]; 7. O-Bud Kaeding [20][$1,800]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [23][$1,600]; 9. 35-Jamie Veal [11][$1,500]; 10. 41-Jason Johnson [5][$1,300]; 11. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [16][$1,200]; 12. 83-Kyle Hirst [9][$1,100]; 13. 4-Paul McMahan [12][$1,000]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [6][$700]; 15. 20-Cory Eliason [15][$600]; 16. 3C-DJ Netto [18][$600]; 17. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [14][$600]; 18. 5-David Gravel [4][$600]; 19. 44W-Austen Wheatley [19][$600]; 20. 29-Willie Croft [17][$600]; 21. 68-Chase Johnson [24][$600]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [21][$600]; 23. 17-Jac Haudenschild [7][$600]; 24. 24-Rico Abreu [2][$600]; Lap Leaders: Rico Abreu 1-2, Brad Sweet 3-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz[+18]
SHANE STEWART CLAIMS DESIRED GOLD CUP RACE OF CHAMPIONS VICTORY
CHICO, CA – September 9, 2017 – Shane Stewart passed local driver Justin Sanders to win his eighth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of the season, but his first Gold Cup Race of Champions. Sanders finished a career-best second with Friday’s winner Kyle Hirst completing the podium.
Before the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Feature pushed off, Stewart already knew that team owner Kyle Larson picked up the NASCAR victory. Stewart, who is no stranger to Victory Lane at Silver Dollar Speedway, can finally cross off the Gold Cup Race of Champions off of his bucket list.
“When you retire, you are only remembered for the big races you win and this was one that I’ve always wanted to win. We’ve been close the last few years and to finally get it means so much to me,” Stewart said.
Sanders, in search of his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory, was strong all weekend. Sanders led the first 11 laps before Stewart got grip on the bottom of turn four to take the lead. Stewart never looked back.
As lapped traffic became heavier Sanders closed back in on Stewart looking to make a move but a caution on lap 28 gave Stewart a clear track sealing the victory for the Larson/Marks Racing No.2
“Before this weekend, if you would have told me that I was going to run second and fifth with the Outlaws, I would have been ecstatic,” Sanders said. “I made one mistake in traffic, it’s heartbreaking. We are happy no doubt, but we’re bummed at the same time.
Kyle Hirst was all smiles after finishing on the podium and thanked the California faithful multiple times for packing the stands all weekend at the Gold Cup Race of Champions.
Australian Jamie Veal finished fourth with 11th starting Willie Croft completing the top five. Brad Sweet was strong coming from 13th to sixth with Carson Macedo coming home seventh. 14th starting Mitchell Faccinto, Jac Haudenschild and 18th starting Logan Schuchart completed the top ten. Donny Schatz, who was forced to use a provisional for the second consecutive night, scored KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 25th to 11th.
Abbreviated Results from Silver Dollar Speedway September 9, 2017
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 2-Shane Stewart [3][$12,000]; 2. 121-Justin Sanders [1][$5,700]; 3. 83-Kyle Hirst [4][$3,500]; 4. 35-Jamie Veal [6][$3,000]; 5. 29-Willie Croft [11][$2,600]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [13][$2,400]; 7. 21X-Carson Macedo [8][$2,300]; 8. 37-Mitchell Faccinto [12][$2,200]; 9. 17-Jac Haudenschild [2][$2,150]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [18][$2,100]; 11. 15-Donny Schatz [25][$800]; 12. 41-Jason Johnson [10][$1,350]; 13. O-Bud Kaeding [14][$1,300]; 14. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [9][$1,200]; 15. 9-Daryn Pittman [17][$1,100]; 16. 3C-DJ Netto [21][$1,000]; 17. 7-Kalib Henry [16][$900]; 18. 5-David Gravel [22][$850]; 19. 21W-Jake Wheeler [23][$800]; 20. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [26][$]; 21. 24-Rico Abreu [7][$800]; 22. 20-Cory Eliason [5][$800]; 23. 83JR-Jonathan Allard [15][$800]; 24. 75-Sean Becker [20][$800]; 25. 19-Brent Marks [19][$800]; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen [24][$800]; Lap Leaders: Justin Sanders 1-11, Shane Stewart 12-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz[+14]
Qualifying Flight-A: 1. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 11.694; 2. 20-Cory Eliason, 11.723; 3. 83-Kyle Hirst, 11.745; 4. 29-Willie Croft, 11.783; 5. 35-Jamie Veal, 11.788; 6. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.799; 7. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.855; 8. 21W-Jake Wheeler, 11.914; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.951; 10. 22-Shane Golobic, 11.958; 11. 5-David Gravel, 11.964; 12. 83JR-Jonathan Allard, 11.987; 13. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.992; 14. 19-Brent Marks, 12.057; 15. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.174; 16. 19X-Chase Majdic, 12.19; 17. 26-Tayler Malsam, 12.228; 18. 7B-Brent Bjork, 12.617; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.684; 20. 98-Sean Watts, 12.736
Qualifying Flight-B: 1. 17-Jac Haudenschild, 11.521; 2. 24-Rico Abreu, 11.581; 3. 21X-Carson Macedo, 11.714; 4. 121-Justin Sanders, 11.775; 5. 3C-DJ Netto, 11.794; 6. 7-Kalib Henry, 11.805; 7. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.816; 8. 37-Mitchell Faccinto, 11.846; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.854; 10. 75-Sean Becker, 11.86; 11. O-Bud Kaeding, 11.926; 12. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.012; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.049; 14. 22M-Mason Moore, 12.055; 15. 92-Andy Forsberg, 12.074; 16. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.077; 17. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.136; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.173; 19. 18-Jennafer Frazier, 12.935; 20. 44W-Austen Wheatley, NT
KYLE HIRST THRILLS HOMETOWN CROWD IN FIRST CAREER WORLD OF OUTLAWS WIN AT SILVER DOLLAR
CHICO, CA – Kyle Hirst is no stranger to Victory Lane, especially in California. Hirst outdueled Shane Stewart in a thrilling finish Friday at the Silver Dollar Speedway on the opening night of the Gold Cup Race of Champions. It was Hirst's first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature Win. Dominic Scelzi came home third, a career-best for him as well.
Hirst was victorious in Heat 4 after leader Kalib Henry lost power steering and that was crucial as the Craftsman Club Dash Inversion was four, lining Hirst up on the front row of that event. Hirst would walk away with the aforementioned Dash with Shane Stewart coming from fifth to second.
Hirst took command from the drop of the green and led the first six laps before Stewart closed in as traffic thickened. Stewart and Hirst made contact the following lap with the Larson/Marks Racing No.2 leading lap seven. As Stewart navigated traffic, Hirst and Scelzi remained within striking distance.
Coming off of turn four on the 11th circuit, Stewart bobbled on the cushion and allowed Hirst to re-take the lead on lap 12. A caution for Sheldon Haudenschild the following lap allowed everyone to catch their breath.
The lone Red Flag for the evening came on lap 16 when Bud Kaeding got sideways and collected Daryn Pittman and Paul McMahan. All drivers were uninjured in the accident. On the ensuing restart, Jac Haudenschild got contact from another competitor ending his night. Jac was running 5th at the time.
The final 14 laps went non-stop with Hirst and Stewart exchanging slide jobs for the lead multiple times. On two occasions, Stewart cleared Hirst off of turn four for the lead but Hirst turned it under and re-gained command into turn one.
Hirst’s win was a popular one among the California faithful and led to an emotion-filled Victory Lane with his Roth Motorsports No. 83 team. “I’ve been racing for 15 years and I’ve finally snagged one of these World of Outlaw wins. That’s for Chico, California,” an exuberant Hirst said in Victory Lane.
Stewart and Scelzi completed the podium. “Coming home second is nothing to shake your head at. We continue to have fast a car and that’s a testament to my guys. I feel like we have a shot to win every time we roll out,” Stewart said.
Cory Eliason and Justin Sanders completed the top five. California drivers took six of the top seven positions as Jonathan Allard, in the second Roth Motorsports entry, and 14th starting Shane Golobic crossed the line next.
David Gravel picked up KSE Hard Charger Honors with an impressive 24th to eighth run. Donny Schatz used a provisional to start 25th and made it up to ninth. Sheldon Haudenschild recovered from a spin mid-race to complete the top ten.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to the Silver Dollar Speedway Saturday night for the conclusion of the 64th Annual Gold Cup Race of Champions. DIRTVision.com will have Live Video of the event and if it is anything like it was tonight, you don’t want to miss a second of the action.
Abbreviated Results from Silver Dollar Speedway – September 9, 2017
Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 83-Kyle Hirst [1][$8,000]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [2][$4,000]; 3. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [3][$2,500]; 4. 20-Cory Eliason [5][$2,200]; 5. 121-Justin Sanders [4][$2,100]; 6. 83JR-Jonathan Allard [11][$2,000]; 7. 22-Shane Golobic [14][$1,800]; 8. 5-David Gravel [24][$1,600]; 9. 15-Donny Schatz [25][$900]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [16][$1,300]; 11. 35-Jamie Veal [18][$1,200]; 12. 22M-Mason Moore [13][$1,100]; 13. 49-Brad Sweet [21][$1,000]; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart [26][$100]; 15. 3C-DJ Netto [15][$600]; 16. O-Bud Kaeding [9][$600]; 17. 37-Mitchell Faccinto [20][$600]; 18. 9-Daryn Pittman [7][$600]; 19. 7S-Jason Sides [17][$600]; 20. 11K-Kraig Kinser [19][$600]; 21. 17-Jac Haudenschild [6][$600]; 22. 4-Paul McMahan [8][$600]; 23. 24-Rico Abreu [12][$600]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [10][$600]; 25. 29-Willie Croft [22][$600]; 26. 92-Andy Forsberg [23][$600] Lap Leaders: Kyle Hirst 1-6, 12-30; Shane Stewart 7-1; KSE Hard Charger Award: 5-David Gravel[+16]
JASON JOHNSON SCORES WILLAMETTE VICTORY IN LAPPED TRAFFIC
LEBANON, OR – September 6, 2017 – Jason Johnson took the lead from Daryn Pittman on lap 15 in heavy traffic and never looked back. Just two laps earlier Pittman snuck under race-long leader Shane Stewart, who succumbed to a flat tire later in the race. Pittman settled for second with his Kasey Kahne Racing teammate, Brad Sweet coming home third to complete the podium at Willamette Speedway.
Heading into tonight’s action, Shane Stewart and Daryn Pittman had collectively won the last five World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Features and it looked early on as if though one of them would claim the victory again. Stewart won the Craftsman Club Dash and led the first 12 laps in search for his second consecutive victory. Stewart navigated the top of the 3/10th mile oval masterfully and looked strong. Pittman began making the bottom work in second and closed in as lapped traffic thickened.
Pittman got underneath Stewart in turn three and led for two laps before getting hung up behind lapped traffic allowing both Stewart and Jason Johnson to close in. The three drivers waged war for the top spot with Johnson taking the position coming to the line on the 15th circuit.
Johnson took the lead and extended it quickly. He survived a trio of cautions in the final six laps, including one for early race leader Stewart, in route to his fourth win of the 2017 Season.
“That was a lot of fun. I thought the track was great. I know it was a little wet early on but come Feature time it had two lanes,” an elated Johnson said in Victory Lane while holding his son, Jaxx. Johnson was, as always, thankful for his entire crew’s effort and sponsors that allow him to get up and down the road with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series.
Pittman settled for second with Brad Sweet coming on late to finish on the podium once again. Kraig Kinser, who set fast time in Qualifying, and Donny Schatz completed the top five.
Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contenders Sheldon Haudenschild and Brent Marks had strong runs finishing sixth and seventh, respectively. Logan Schuchart finished eighth with 19th-starting David Gravel and 20th-starting Jamie Veal completing the top ten. Gravel picked up KSE Hard Charger honors.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues their West Coast swing at the 64th Annual Gold Cup Race of Champions on Friday and Saturday at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California. The Outlaws conclude their West Coast swing the following weekend at the scenic Calistoga Speedway. For information on this weekend’s Gold Cup Race of Champions, click here.
Abbreviated Results from Willamette Speedway September 6, 2017:
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 41-Jason Johnson [2][$6,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [3][$3,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [6][$2,000]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [4][$1,800]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$1,500]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$1,400]; 7. 19-Brent Marks [13][$1,350]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11][$1,300]; 9. 5-David Gravel [19][$1,250]; 10. 35-Jamie Veal [20][$1,200]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [1][$900]; 12. 4-Paul McMahan [8][$800]; 13. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [15][$700]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [5][$650]; 15. 44W-Austen Wheatley [12][$600]; 16. 18S-Jason Solwold [14][$550]; 17. 55-Trey Starks [24][$500]; 18. W20-Greg Wilson [21][$500]; 19. 17-Jac Haudenschild [10][$500]; 20. 7N-Roger Crockett [18][$500]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [17][$500]; 22. 21W-Jake Wheeler [22][$500]; 23. 5X-Brian Boswell [23][$500]; 24. 13-Clyde Knipp [16][$500]; Lap Leaders: Shane Stewart 1-12, Daryn Pittman 13-14, Jason Johnson 15-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 5-David Gravel[+10]
STEWART SURVIVES LATE CHARGE FROM SWEET FOR 7TH WIN OF SEASON AT GRAYS HARBOR
ELMA, WA – September 4, 2017 - Shane Stewart led all 30 laps at Grays Harbor Raceway, but it wasn’t easy. With five lapped cars battling for position directly in front of the leaders in the closing laps, Brad Sweet stalked the Larson/Marks Racing No. 2 before pitching his No. 49 to the bottom off of turn four coming to checkered. Sweet led momentarily, but Stewart’s momentum on the cushion was enough to cross the line .205 seconds in front of Sweet. David Gravel charged late to land on the podium for the second consecutive race.
Stewart started third and won a hectic Craftsman Club Dash that saw the front row starters end up finishing at the rear and Sweet come from fifth to second.
The lone caution flag of the Feature came on lap 15 when Jacob Allen suffered front end damage, spinning his No. 1A to safety on the bottom of the track. The caution erased Stewart’s sizeable lead, but also gave him a clear track with no lapped cars in sight.
By lap 20 Stewart had once again stretched his lead to over two seconds. However, it was inevitable that he would reach the back of the field before the conclusion of the Feature. He did, in a big way.
“I was trapped. I could not get a good enough run to split the two lapped cars in front of me,” Stewart said in Victory Lane about the stressful final laps.
“My car has been really good lately and that is a testament to Lee, Heath and Dennis. It’s a tough gig out here. Lots of miles on the road and countless hours spent maintaining these cars to compete at this level. I wouldn’t be here without these guys,” a thankful Stewart said.
Stewart’s boldest move was on the final circuit where he was forced to come off his preferred line, the cushion, entering turn one. The aforementioned allowed Sweet to get a run down the backstretch to make his challenge for the lead, to no avail.
“I wish I could redo that last corner. I might have done something different,” Sweet said following yet another runner-up finish. “Overall, it was a good night. We like to be on the front stretch at the end of the night, but we have a lot of second places this year. This West Coast swing is usually pretty for good us, I’m back at my hometown tracks so hopefully we can get this Ollie’s Bargain Outlet where it belongs,” the Grass Valley, California native said.
While all eyes focused on Sweet chasing down Stewart, David Gravel might have had the fastest car on the track in the closing laps. “We were really good there at the end. We just need to do a better job in the heat races and put ourselves up front in the Feature. We’ve been really strong the last two nights,” Gravel said after coming from his eighth starting position tonight.
Jason Johnson and Daryn Pittman, who established a new Grays Harbor Track Record in Qualifying, completed the top five. Dominic Scelzi picked up KSE Hard Charger Honors coming forward to 11th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series travels to Oregon to race at the Willamette Speedway on Wednesday, September 6. For more information on Wednesday’s event, click here. After that the Series will continue to trek South for the Gold Cup Race of Champions at the Silver Dollar Speedway over the weekend.
Abbreviated Results from Grays Harbor Raceway - September 4, 2017
Feature (30 laps) 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1][$6,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$3,500]; 3. 5-David Gravel [8][$2,000]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$1,800]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$1,500]; 6. 17-Jac Haudenschild [6][$1,400]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$1,350]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [13][$1,300]; 9. 18S-Jason Solwold [9][$1,250]; 10. 4-Paul McMahan [11][$1,200]; 11. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [18][$900]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17][$800]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [19][$700]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [5][$650]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$600]; 16. 35-Jamie Veal [12][$550]; 17. 55-Trey Starks [23][$500]; 18. 7N-Roger Crockett [22][$500]; 19. 33V-Henry VanDam [20][$500]; 20. 1S-Logan Schuchart [21][$500]; 21. 44W-Austen Wheatley [16][$500]; 22. 21P-Robbie Price [24][$500]; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen [7][$500]; 24. 26-Tayler Malsam [15][$500]; Lap Leaders: Shane Stewart 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 41S-Dominic Scelzi[+7]
PITTMAN SURGES LATE IN THRILLING WIN AT SKAGIT
Alger, WA – September 2, 2017 – Former World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Champion Daryn Pittman is hitting stride and that is not a good sign for the rest of the competition. A night after being collected in an accident going for the lead, Pittman convincingly charged forward late to pocket $12,000 in the Outlaw Energy Showdown at Skagit Speedway. David Gravel picked up KSE Hard Charger honors finishing second with Brad Sweet completing the podium.
In open air, Jason Johnson set a torrid pace. Timely caution flags helped Johnson led the first 34 laps before giving way to Pittman on the 35th circuit. The longer the race stayed under Green Flag conditions, the better Pittman was. Pittman’s surge to the front happened in a matter of laps. With the top five cars under a blanket, Pittman surged from fourth to the lead in a span of six laps around the tight 3/10th racing surface.
“Man, I can’t say enough about this Great Clips team. I messed up early and kept losing spots on those restarts,” Pittman said upon exiting his Kasey Kahne Racing No.9 machine.
One of the biggest storylines of the 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series was Pittman having no wins heading into the month of August. Now, Pittman has three wins – the most of any driver since August – to his credit. “I’m not sure I’ve ever had more fun driving this race car. It’s fast every time it hits the track,” a relieved Pittman said in a rare appearance racing in front of his friends and family.
Pittman excelled in turns three and four after getting a big run down the short backstretch. I saw Jason [Johnson] was struggling in traffic. When I got in opening in [turn] three and four, I took it and luckily it was good enough to hold on,” the Owasso, OK native said about his race-winning pass.
As Pittman made his charge to the lead, Gravel was equally as fast coming from fifth to second in a span of three laps. By the time Gravel reached second on lap 38, Pittman had already extended a sizeable lead. “We were able to really charge at the end. First through sixth was a hell of a battle and a lot of fun as a race car driver. Just happy to end the race on a good note,” Gravel said.
Brad Sweet and Johnson settled for third and fourth respectively with Donny Schatz completing the top five. Shane Stewart, Sheldon Haudenschild, Jason Sides, Paul McMahan and Logan Schuchart completed the all World of Outlaws regular top ten. There was an open red for a fuel leakage on lap 15 after Skagit 360 Sprint Car points leader Robbie Price had nowhere to go after Clyde Knipp and Jacob Allen got together battling. All three were uninjured in the accident.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series stays in Washington with an appearance at the Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma on Labor Day - Monday, September 4th. For information on the Grays Harbor event, click here.
Abbreviated Results from Skagit Speedway September 2, 2017:
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [5][$12,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [8][$5,700]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$3,500]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$3,000]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$2,600]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$2,400]; 7. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [11][$2,300]; 8. 7S-Jason Sides [6][$2,200]; 9. 4-Paul McMahan [12][$2,150]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [14][$2,100]; 11. 35-Jamie Veal [7][$1,600]; 12. 18S-Jason Solwold [10][$1,350]; 13. 17-Jac Haudenschild [15][$1,300]; 14. W20-Greg Wilson [16][$1,200]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [9][$1,100]; 16. 19-Brent Marks [17][$1,000]; 17. 44W-Austen Wheatley [13][$900]; 18. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [22][$850]; 19. 59-Eric Fisher [19][$800]; 20. 26-Tayler Malsam [18][$800]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [20][$800]; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp [23][$800]; 23. 21P-Robbie Price [21][$800]; 24. 11EH-Marc Duperron [24][$800]; Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-34, Daryn Pittman 35-40, KSE Hard Charger Award: 5-David Gravel[+6]
STEWART CAPITALIZES ON MISFORTUNE; CLAIMS 6TH WIN OF 2017
ALGER, WA - September 1, 2017 - Brad Sweet led the first eight laps before getting together with a slower car and collecting second place running Daryn Pittman. Shane Stewart assumed the lead and never looked back, scoring his sixth win of the 2017 season. Jason Johnson and Jac Haudenschild completed the podium on Night 1 of the Outlaw Energy Showdown at Skagit Speedway with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Cars.
With an inversion of six, Sweet and Kraig Kinser shared the front row of the Craftsman Club Dash. In an action-packed event Sweet powered around Kinser earning the pole position for the 30-lap Feature.
In the Feature, Sweet was strong early as was his Kasey Kahne Racing teammate, Pittman. Pittman made his bid for the lead on the backstretch of the eighth circuit but Sweet muscled back ahead to lead the lap.
The following lap, off of turn four, a chain reaction sent the slower car of Austen Wheatley into the front end of Brad Sweet's Ollie's Bargain Outlet No. 49 ultimately sending the car down the track into his teammate Pittman. Pittman and Clyde Knipp, who was also a lapped down, had nowhere to go on the tight 3/10th mile racing surface.
Both Pittman and Sweet were able to make repairs and return to the rear of the field. Shane Stewart, who was just inches away from being collected as well, assumed the lead with Kinser, Jason Johnson and Jac Haudenschild in tow. 'The Wild Child' used a great restart on the top to shoot into the runner-up position and begin chasing down Stewart for the lead.
A pair of double-file restarts, for cautions on lap 10 and 18 respectively, gave Haudenschild a chance for the lead but the Wooster, Ohio veteran couldn't get close enough to mount a serious challenge. With seven to go, Haudenschild took a chance ultimately opening the door for Johnson to squeeze by for second.
A yellow with five to go gave the field one last chance to steal the win from Stewart. To no avail as the Bixby, OK native piloted the Larson/Marks Racing No.2 to Victory Lane for the sixth time in 2017. Johnson, who has never finished worse than fourth at Skagit, settled for second with Haudenschild scoring a strong podium finish in the Stenhouse Jr./Wood Racing No. 17. Donny Schatz and Jac's son, Sheldon, completed the top five. Greg Wilson picked up KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 14th to sixth. Pittman and Sweet made it back forward to tenth and 12th, respectively.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to the Skagit Speedway Saturday evening for the conclusion of the Outlaw Energy Showdown. For more information and a link to purchase tickets, click here. The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to the Skagit Speedway Saturday evening for the conclusion of the Outlaw Energy Showdown. For more information and a link to purchase tickets, click here.
Abbreviated Results From Skagit Speedway September 1, 2017:
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 2-Shane Stewart [4]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [5]; 3. 17-Jac Haudenschild [6]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [7]; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [10]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [14]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2]; 8. 5-David Gravel [8]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [3]; 11. 4-Paul McMahan [17]; 12. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [21]; 14. 1A-Jacob Allen [19]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [9]; 16. 35-Jamie Veal [12]; 17. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [15]; 18. 59-Eric Fisher [20]; 19. 44W-Austen Wheatley [22]; 20. 18S-Jason Solwold [16]; 21. 21P-Robbie Price [18]; 22. 26-Tayler Malsam [13]; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp [24]; 24. 11EH-Marc Duperron [23]; Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-8, Shane Stewart 9-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+8]
Qualifying: 1. 2-Shane Stewart, 10.894; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.062; 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.108; 4. 17-Jac Haudenschild, 11.118; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.123; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.162; 7. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.202; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.263; 9. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.266; 10. 26-Tayler Malsam, 11.312; 11. 5-David Gravel, 11.321; 12. 35-Jamie Veal, 11.328; 13. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.334; 14. 4-Paul McMahan, 11.365; 15. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 11.422; 16. 18S-Jason Solwold, 11.442; 17. W20-Greg Wilson, 11.451; 18. 44W-Austen Wheatley, 11.467; 19. 59-Eric Fisher, 11.473; 20. 19-Brent Marks, 11.548; 21. 13-Clyde Knipp, 11.55; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.614; 23. 11EH-Marc Duperron, 11.677; 24. 21P-Robbie Price, 11.789; 25. 5X-Brian Boswell, 12.614
Gravel Scores 13th Win of Season at Nodak
MINOT, ND – August 20, 2017 – After a pair of pedestrian finishes Friday and Saturday, David Gravel and the CJB Motorsports No.5 team switched cars and scored their 13th victory of the season Sunday night at Nodak Speedway. Gravel’s win stopped Donny Schatz, who finished second, five-race win streak at the Minot oval. Brad Sweet challenged Gravel for the lead early, but ended up settling for third.
Gravel led all 35 laps, although it was not easy. The Nodak Speedway track crew watered the track prior to the Feature, leaving the surface faster and heavier than many teams anticipated.
The inside row got a good intial start, allowing third place starting Brad Sweet to be second by the backstretch. Schatz got in line in third as the track continued to widen out as the Feature progressed. Sweet pulled even with Gravel for the lead multiple times coming off of turn four, but could never pull ahead.
The first caution of the event came for Jason Sides, who was backwards in turn four, on lap 24. Sheldon Haudenschild made contact with the wall and spun on the ensuing restart. Sheldon was running sixth at the time.
Gravel extended his lead once again, made the right decisions in lapped traffic and picked up the victory without seeing another serious challenge. When asked about stopping Schatz five race win streak at Nodak, Gravel said with a smile, “He wins too much. I want some wins too.”
“We brought this car down and I’m glad we got it done tonight because we were not very good the last two nights. This is three straight wins for this car,” the Watertown, CT native said upon exiting his No.5 machine.
Like many, Schatz anticipated the track would slow down earlier in the race. “We got going at the end. I think I used way too much of my tires to get there, though. We did the best we could and sometimes you are going to have that,” a content Schatz said.
Schatz scored at least a top-five finish in every start this season in his home state of North Dakota. He spoke highly about the North Dakota faithful, who packed the grandstands for the third consecutive night, “North Dakota has a huge presence with the World of Outlaws and I don’t think anyone realizes how big it is. Thank you to the fans, without you guys we would not have nearly as much fun as we do.”
Brad Sweet picked up his 44th top-five of the finish of the season, completing the podium. “We were right there a lot of the race. David never made any mistakes and then I made one and Donny got by me,” Sweet said. “All in all it was a good night.”
Shane Stewart and Daryn Pittman completed the top five. Saturday’s Feature winner at Red River Valley, Jason Johnson, picked up the KSE Hard Charger award in sixth.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series takes a few days off before returning to the Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City, SD Friday August 25th. For more information about the Black Hills event click here.
Abbreviated Results from Nodak Speedway:
Feature (35 Laps) 1. 5-David Gravel [1][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$2,800]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [7][$2,500]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [12][$2,300]; 7. 17-Jac Haudenschild [5][$2,200]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [10][$2,100]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [9][$2,050]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [15][$2,000]; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$1,500]; 12. 3-Tim Kaeding [18][$1,200]; 13. 35-Jamie Veal [6][$1,100]; 14. 4-Paul McMahan [14][$1,050]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$1,000]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [11][$900]; 17. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [16][$800]; 18. 13-Clyde Knipp [20][$800]; 19. 7T-Trent Stengl [24][$800]; 20. 21-Ryder Olson [23][$800]; 21. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [8][$800]; 22. 6N-Greg Nikitenko [19][$800]; 23. 20-Kevin Lawson [22][$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [21][$800]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 41-Jason Johnson[+6]
Qualifying: 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.477; 2. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.544; 3. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.565; 4. 5-David Gravel, 13.576; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.604; 6. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.611; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.642; 8. 17-Jac Haudenschild, 13.654; 9. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.656; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.672; 11. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.713; 12. 35-Jamie Veal, 13.738; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.741; 14. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.796; 15. 19-Brent Marks, 13.852; 16. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.866; 17. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.931; 18. 6N-Greg Nikitenko, 14.026; 19. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 14.059; 20. 21-Ryder Olson, 14.141; 21. 3-Tim Kaeding, 14.166; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.251; 23. 91K-Kyle Fedyk, 14.289; 24. 7T-Trent Stengl, 14.444; 25. 10-Tyson Turnbull, 14.91; 26. 90-Randy Blotsky, 15.384; 27. 20-Kevin Lawson, 15.852; 28. 20L-Dusty Lawson, 15.945; 29. 14-Bill Holler, 16.1; 30. 17M-Todd Mickelson, NT
Jason Johnson Goes Flag to Flag
WEST FARGO, ND - August 19, 2017 - Jason Johnson started on the outside of the front row, took command down the backstretch on the opening circuit and never looked back to score his third win of the season Saturday at Red River Valley Speedway. Johnson survived heavy traffic and multiple restarts to pick up the popular victory. Australian Kerry Madsen and Shane Stewart completed the podium.
Johnson got the jump on pole-sitter Kraig Kinser and established a healthy advantage before a caution for a slowing Jamie Veal on lap four. On the ensuing restart, Dominic Scelzi and Brent Marks took a wild ride on the front stretch. Both drivers were uninjured in the accident.
Shane Stewart got underneath Kraig Kinser for second and began chasing down Johnson as lapped traffic intensified. Kerry Madsen began his charge on the bottom of the racing surface as he surged by both Kinser and Thomas Kennedy to move into third.
Johnson battled with the slower car of David Gravel, allowing Stewart and Madsen to close in. Once Johnson cleared Gravel, he re-extended his lead and drove away from the field for the victory.
“My guys never give up. During the ‘Month of Money’, the tracks got a little slick and we struggled a bit. But this is my type of race track. Cowboy up,” an elated Johnson said upon climbing out of his Priority Aviation, Mesilla Valley Transportation backed No. 41.
“With the World of Outlaws, these guys are so tough night in and night out, to win one of these races speaks magnitudes about this team,” Johnson reiterated.
Kerry Madsen praised his team once again after landing on the podium for the second consecutive night. “It was a fun race, bouncing around and driving hard,” the hard-nosed Australian said.
Shane Stewart, who is now the new track record holder at the Red River Valley Speedway, came home third after grappling with pesky lapped traffic. “Quick time, which I’m usually not, a new track record, which is cool, and a podium finish. We’ll just carry this on to tomorrow and hopefully keep the momentum going,” the Bixby, OK native said following his strong, consistent evening.
Kinser and Donny Schatz completed the top five. Tim Kaeding was the KSE Hard Charger. Clyde Knipp scored his first career top-ten with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series with a 9th place finish.
Sunday night the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series concludes a three-race swing through North Dakota in Minot at the Nodak Speedway. For more information on Sunday’s event click here.
ABBREVIATED RESULTS FROM: Red River Valley Speedway
Feature (30 Laps) 1. 41-Jason Johnson [2][$10,000]; 2. 2M-Kerry Madsen [6][$5,500]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [3][$3,200]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [1][$2,800]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [7][$2,500]; 6. 17-Jac Haudenschild [8][$2,300]; 7. 21K-Thomas Kennedy [4][$2,200]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$2,100]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [12][$2,050]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [10][$2,000]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [9][$1,200]; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart [16][$1,100]; 14. 3-Tim Kaeding [22][$1,050]; 15. 18-Ian Madsen [13][$1,000]; 16. 5-David Gravel [21][$900]; 17. 24-Terry McCarl [15][$800]; 18. 4-Paul McMahan [19][$800]; 19. 35-Jamie Veal [18][$800]; 20. 7T-Trent Stengl [24][$800]; 21. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [17][$800]; 22. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [11][$800]; 23. 19-Brent Marks [20][$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [23][$800]
Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-30
KSE Hard Charger Award: 3-Tim Kaeding[+8]
Qualifying
1. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.925; 2. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 12.043; 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.079; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.114; 5. 21K-Thomas Kennedy, 12.116; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.148; 7. 18-Ian Madsen, 12.195; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.208; 9. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.221; 10. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.233; 11. 17-Jac Haudenschild, 12.25; 12. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.26; 13. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.277; 14. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 12.338; 15. 24-Terry McCarl, 12.339; 16. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.342; 17. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 12.405; 18. 35-Jamie Veal, 12.431; 19. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.432; 20. 5-David Gravel, 12.439; 21. 3-Tim Kaeding, 12.493; 22. 19-Brent Marks, 12.52; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.632; 24. 8-Casey Mack, 12.688; 25. 7T-Trent Stengl, 12.694; 26. 6N-Greg Nikitenko, 12.73; 27. 82-Dusty Zomer, 12.857; 28. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.866; 29. 13X-Ty Hanten, 13.4; 30. 91M-Jackson Moffett, 13.414; 31. 17M-Todd Mickelson, 15.218
Double Duty Donny
GRAND FORKS, ND – August 18, 2017 - Six days after winning sprint car’s biggest prize – the 5-Hour ENERGY Knoxville Nationals - for the 10th time, Donny Schatz landed in Victory Lane in his home state, twice. Schatz outdueled Brad Sweet to win his 17th feature of the 2017 season at River Cities. To make things sweeter, Schatz also picked up the NLRA Late Model feature earlier in the night.
When asked if he learned anything from winning the 25-lap Late Model feature, Schatz said with a smile, “I learned that I am not in as good of shape as I think I am.”
Sheldon Haudenschild led the first eight laps, in search of his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory, before getting loose off of turn two and losing the lead to Brad Sweet. Schatz worked underneath Haudenschild shortly after and was second when the red flag flew for Canadian driver Thomas Kennedy, who was uninjured in the accident, on lap 12.
Sweet led the next three laps before Schatz pulled ahead with grip on the bottom on the 16th circuit. A lap 17 yellow for sixth place running Dominic Scelzi was the final stoppage of the event. Following the caution, Schatz and Sweet continued their duel and were side by side for multiple laps with Sweet being scored as the leader on the 18th lap. Schatz regained the lead on lap 19 and never looked back masterfully maneuvering through lapped traffic.
“It’s a huge weekend for this race team. Speaking of this race team…it is incredible what they do and an honor to drive their race car,” Schatz said.
Sweet settled for second. “The Ollie’s Bargain Outlet car was fast all night. I probably should have ran the bottom, but it’s hard to judge traffic when you are the leader. Donny’s always the guy to beat here, we’ll take our second and move on,” the Grass Valley, CA native said.
Australian Kerry Madsen finished on the podium, thanked his GoMuddy.com team and Guy Forbook for a great race car and praised River Cities Speedway with the statement, “Grand Forks never disappoints.”
Daryn Pittman and Jason Johnson completed the top five. Mark Dobmeier was the KSE Hard Charger coming from 21st to finish sixth.
Daryn Pittman Scores First Victory of 2017 at I-55
PEVELY, MO - August 5, 2017 - It’s been a long time coming for Daryn Pittman, who secured his first win of the season Friday night at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55. The 2014 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Champion has had a trying season by his standards. Friday night, he was able to fend off the eight-time and defending Series Champion Donny Schatz, including on a late-race restart with six laps to go.
“Man, I needed that. I think this team needed that,” a relieved Daryn Pittman said upon exiting his Great Clips No. 9 for his first win of the 2017 season Friday night at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55.
The Craftsman Club Dash draw was four putting Sheldon Haudenschild and Paul McMahan on the front row. Haudenschild and McMahan led laps in the dash before giving way to Pittman on the third circuit.
“I’m blessed to be able to drive for Kasey [Kahne],” Pittman said in Victory Lane. “I was on the phone with him all night. He worked on this thing during the week and put in a setup that I would have bet everything in the world would not have worked,” Pittman said with a smile. “Thanks to DIRTVision.com for the great coverage so he could watch up in New York.”
Although, Pittman led all 35 laps it was far from an easy victory. Donny Schatz stalked the Owasso, Oklahoma-native for the majority of the race.
“You get nervous when you’re leading, even when it is hard to pass, when that No. 15 car is behind you. He has stolen more than one rubber race away from me pretty late,” Pittman said of the eight-time series champion, Schatz.
Schatz took a peak to the outside of the Kasey Kahne Racing No. 9 momentarily in turn three, “You got to try something if given the opportunity,” the current Series point leader said.” All around it’s a decent finish. We haven’t been in the top three here in a little bit, so I’m glad to get to a good finish.”
Sheldon Haudenschild came home third, in what was his Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 debut. “I’m happy. I feel like we haven’t been on the podium since California,” Haudenschild said jokingly. Although it was Sheldon’s first visit to Pevely, his crew chief Bonzai and father, Jac, have many laps around the bullring. “Having Bonzai on our team for these tracks I’ve never been to has been huge,” Sheldon, the leading contender for Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year, reiterated.
Kraig Kinser and Brad Sweet completed the top five. The first twelve drivers across the finish line were World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series regulars, with last year’s Ironman 55 winner, Rico Abreu, finishing 13th. Brandon Hanks was the KSE Hard Charger coming from 23rd to 16th aboard his No. 84 machine.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to the Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 Saturday night August 5th for the running of the Ironman 55, which pays $20,000 to win. Grandstands open at 2pm.
FEATURE (35 Laps): 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [1][$8,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$4,000]; 3. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$2,500]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2][$2,200]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$2,100]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$2,000]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [10][$1,800]; 8. 17-Jac Haudenschild [8][$1,600]; 9. 4-Paul McMahan [7][$1,500]; 10. 7S-Jason Sides [12][$1,300]; 11. 19-Brent Marks [17][$1,200]; 12. 5-David Gravel [9][$1,100]; 13. 24-Rico Abreu [13][$1,000]; 14. O5-Brad Loyet [16][$700]; 15. 3-James McFadden [20][$600]; 16. 84-Brandon Hanks [23][$600]; 17. 1S-Logan Schuchart [24][$600]; 18. 91-Cale Thomas [11][$600]; 19. 48-Danny Dietrich [18][$600]; 20. 1A-Jacob Allen [21][$600]; 21. 2-Shane Stewart [15][$600]; 22. 3G-Carson Macedo [14][$600]; 23. 17B-Bill Balog [19][$600]; 24. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [22][$600];Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 84-Brandon Hanks[+7]
Three-Peat: David Gravel Wins again at Wilmot Raceway in a thriller
WILMOT, Wisc. — July 29, 2017 — If it was up to David Gravel he would race at Wilmot Raceway every week if he could. At least that’s what he jokingly said after winning for the third time in the same number of starts with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Wilmot on Saturday night in the Badger 40. Gravel remains undefeated in three starts with the Outlaws at the third-mile in Southern Wisconsin.
Gravel used some late race heroics for the second straight night to take the lead with just two laps remaining en route to a thrilling win over Shane Stewart. That pair traded the lead four times officially, but unofficially swapped the lead numerous times in the late-going, with Gravel running the top of the track and Stewart a little lower.
“It’s been awesome racing here,” said Gravel. “Wisconsin is great. It doesn’t matter if we are at Beaver Dam (Raceway) or Cedar Lake (Speedway), the stands are always packed. They are just as good as Pennsylvania fans. It was racing with Shane. We both raced real hard.”
Gravel led on three separate occasions on Saturday night for a total of five laps, but for the second straight night, he led the most important one, the white flag lap. Gravel took the lead for the first time on lap-29 when Brad Sweet made contact with an infield tire, which dropped him from the point to third. Shane Stewart also moved up a spot at that point in time.
Stewart took the top spot on the very next lap and would remain out front for six circuits. Gravel got back by on lap-36 and was out front for two laps, before Stewart took the lead again on lap 38. Gravel moved back to the lead on lap-39 and paced the final two laps to secure his 12th win of the season.
“I think I may have been to patient and Shane (Stewart) got by us,” shared Gravel. “Luckily Brad (Sweet) got into the infield tire and that gave us track position. I know we had a really good car. The track was awesome. The bottom was good and so was the top. It was even. The curb got out there really gnarly at the end and bit me a couple of times, but I knew that was the fastest place. I just had to play Russian roulette with the curb those last few laps and it worked out.”
Stewart started fourth and was up to third on the second lap and kept pace with Sweet and Gravel in the early going. With six laps to go the caution flag flew, which set up one final double-file restart with Stewart choosing the low side and Gravel up top. Following that unfurling of the green flag, the duo waged war, trading the lead at both ends of the track a number of times.
“It was exciting,” said Stewart. “I honestly felt like I drove a little too cautious there at the end. I was trying to block him and hit my lines. That team has been really, really good here lately and we were close. We were a lot closer than we have been lately. My guys continue to work crazy hours to make sure the car is ready each and every night. We just came up a little short tonight, but it was a fun race.
Stewart ran among the top-three for just about the duration of the 40-lap race. Late in the race, Stewart seemed to have an advantage on the lows sides of turns one and two, with Gravel getting the upper hand on the top side of turns three and four.
“I think that race could have gone anyway,” noted Stewart. “Obviously the little issue Brad had with the infield tire made it a lot more interesting. We’ll keep on digging and hopefully we can click off a few more wins before the Knoxville Nationals.”
Sweet took the lead on the opening lap in turns one and two from Paul McMahan, who started on the pole. He was just about to get to lapped traffic, when the first caution flag of the night flew on the eighth lap. Sweet chose the low line for the ensuing double file restart, with Gravel moving up to second and taking a peek for the lead on the high side of turn four. Sweet was able to maintain his lead in lapped traffic near the halfway point of the race. Gravel got a good run on Sweet on lap-28, with Sweet getting out of shape on the next lap, after contact with the infield tire in turn two.
“I’m tired of making mistakes,” said Sweet. “The NAPA guys are giving me a great race car each and every night. We are in contention to win every night. This one tonight is on me. It was driver error. I was trying to get through lapped cars. We were setting a good pace. The car felt great and I didn’t really have anything to complain about. Once you make a mistake with these guys they do a great job and Shane was right there. They capitalized on my mistake. I’m just happy it didn’t knock the front axle out and end out night.”
Sweet would end up finishing third, which was his 41st top-five finish of the season, which keeps him tied with eight-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz for the series lead in that department. Following a caution with just six laps remaining, Sweet was nearly three-wide for the lead with Gravel and Stewart going into turn one as he looked to rebound from the mishap earlier in the race.
“We’ll take a third and everyone needs to get home and get a break for a minute and regroup,” noted Sweet. “We have some of the biggest races coming up. We’ll keep our heads up and try o look forward and be positive and try to win some more of these races.”
Sheldon Haudenschild finished fourth, after lining up on the outside of the fifth row. Schatz worked his way to a fifth-place showing, after starting 13th. Logan Schuchart continued his recent string of strong finished with a sixth-place run. Jason Johnson crossed the line seventh, with McMahan in eighth, Daryn Pittman ninth and Brent Marks 10th.
Blake Nimee picked up tonight’s KSE Hardcharger award after qualifying for the Badger 40 Feature from the Last Chance Showdown. Nimbee started 24th and finished 14th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Friday, August 4 with the Night Before the Ironmanat Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo., followed by the $20,000-to-win Ironman 55 on Saturday, August 5.
FEATURE (40 Laps): 1. 5-David Gravel [3][$10,000]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$3,200]; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [12][$2,800]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [13][$2,500]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11][$2,300]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [5][$2,200]; 8. 4-Paul McMahan [1][$2,100]; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman [9][$2,050]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [7][$2,000]; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [10][$1,200]; 13. W20-Greg Wilson [15][$1,100]; 14. 79-Blake Nimee [24][$1,050]; 15. 17B-Bill Balog [6][$1,000]; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen [23][$900]; 17. 64-Scott Thiel [8][$800]; 18. 65-Jordon Goldesberry [22][$800]; 19. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski [18][$800]; 20. 17-Jac Haudenschild [16][$800]; 21. 3G-Carson Macedo [14][$800]; 22. 29-Joey Moughan [20][$800]; 23. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [19][$800]; 24. 23-Russel Borland [21][$800]; Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-28; David Gravel 29, 36-37, 39-40; Shane Stewart 30-35, 38; KSE Hard Charger Award: 79-Blake Nimee[+10]
Patience Pays Off: David Gravel wins at Hartford Speedway
By: Tony Veneziano
HARTFORD, Mich. — July 28, 2017 — Patience was certainly a must on Friday night in the Battle of Michigan for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series. David Gravel showed the patience of a true veteran, enduring five cautions and one red flag period en route to winning at the re-configured Hartford Speedway.
Gravel, who started third, was able to get by Brad Sweet in lapped traffic with just three laps remaining, after erasing a sizeable lead that Sweet had as the laps wound down in the 30-lapper. For Gravel, it was his 11th win of the season for the CJB Motorsports team. He credited the changes his team made during a lap-17 open red flag to helping him reach victory lane.
“I think it was better running second,” said Gravel. “It was a lot of fun. We raced real hard, even with how slick it was. It was very technical out there. We had the red flag and I think we made the car better during it. We were really tight, but you needed to be on a slick track like this. Thanks to my guys for busting their butts and I’m happy we could get another one.”
Brad Sweet jumped out to the lead on the start, after lining up on the outside of the front row. He paced the field for the first eight laps, with Gravel taking the lead on the top side of turn two. Sweet returned to the point on a lap-11 restart using the high groove. Gravel ran side-by-side with Sweet through three and four with four laps to go and took the top spot on the very next lap.
“When I was second, I had a really good restart and got the lead,” explained Gravel. “Then when I was leading, I lost the lead on a restart, so they went both ways tonight. It was tough to get going on the starts. You kind of had to ease on the throttle on the straightaway to get into turn one.”
Sweet, who led 25 total laps in the 30-lapper, finished second to earn his 40th top-five finish of the season, which is tied for the series lead in that category with eight-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz.
“I got a little free at the end and just didn’t cover the lines well enough in traffic,” said Sweet. “I got to the first lapped car and we just weren’t good enough to pass him. If I could have moved around, I think I could have held David (Gravel) off. It just got super technical and line-sensitive. I just made too many mistakes and gave the race away late. We’ll keep fighting and hopefully we can get this NAPA Auto Parts car to victory lane where it belongs. The car is good enough to win, we just need to make it happen.”
Logan Schuchart followed up a win earlier this week at Ohsweken Speedway in Canada with a third-place finish. The Pennsylvania native battled for a large portion of the race with Gravel, while the eventual winner was running second. Since debuting a new car, the driver of the No. 1S for Shark Racing hasn’t finished off the podium.
“We wanted a better car about a month ago,” said Schuchart. “The one we were running was worn out. This one is brand new and has a first and a third. I can’t say enough about the guys who put this car on the race track. It was a fast race car when we got it and its rolling good. This is a good time of the year to be rolling good and be fast. We just have to keep it up and make the right changes at the right times.”
Brent Marks, one of the contenders for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award, finished a season-best fourth at Hartford Speedway. For the Pennsylvania native, it was his first top-five finish of the season.
Kraig Kinser crossed the line fifth, with Donny Schatz sixth. Daryn Pittman recovered from a trip to the work area on the 11th lap to weave his way back through the field to finish seventh. Sheldon Haudenschild was eighth with fellow Ohioan Greg Wilson ninth. Wilson was the KSE Hard Charger, after taking a provisional to start 25th. Shane Stewart rounded out the top-10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Saturday, July 29 at Wilmot Raceway in Wisconsin for the running of the Badger 40.
FEATURE (30 Laps): 1. 5-David Gravel [3][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$5,500]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8][$3,200]; 4. 19-Brent Marks [15][$2,800]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7][$2,500]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [12][$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [10][$2,200]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [9][$2,100]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [25][$1,250]; 10. 2-Shane Stewart [1][$2,000]; 11. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$1,500]; 12. 3G-Carson Macedo [19][$1,200]; 13. 71-Joey Saldana [16][$1,100]; 14. 17M-Max McGhee [21][$1,050]; 15. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [11][$1,000]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [4][$900]; 17. 17-Jac Haudenschild [13][$800]; 18. 16-Ryan Ruhl [14][$800]; 19. 4-Paul McMahan [5][$800]; 20. 27Z-Sean Zemunik [23][$800]; 21. 7J-Joe Swanson [22][$800]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [18][$800]; 23. 5B-Chad Blonde [17][$800]; 24. 13-Clyde Knipp [20][$800]; 25. 10S-Jason Steinebach [24][$800], Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-8, 11-27; David Gravel 9-10, 28-30, KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+16]
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
· 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.
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 Jo
PEVELY, MO – August 4, 2018 – Logan Schuchart passed Daryn Pittman on Lap 15 and never looked back to claim the 2018 Ironman 55 at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, worth $20,000. The final 42 laps went non-stop as Schuchart negotiated lap traffic to claim his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018. Kasey Kahne Racing teammates Brad Sweet and Daryn Pittman completed the podium.
Schuchart won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 55-Lap Feature alongside Daryn Pittman. Pittman, who won at Pevely in April, got the jump on the initial start to lead the opening circuit.
Pittman reached lapped traffic by Lap 5 around the tight-quartered bullring with Schuchart close in tow. Schuchart pulled even with the 2013 Outlaw Champion on Lap 9, but couldn’t make the pass. Pittman and Schuchart were side-by-side for the better part of the next four laps, before the lone caution of the event flew with 13 complete for Aaron Reutzel.
Pittman maintained control on the restart, but Schuchart remained persistent and took command of the field on Lap 15 through turn two. Pittman tried to get back by the No.1S, but ended up losing second to his teammate Brad Sweet in the process.
Following Reutzel’s caution, the remaining 42 laps went non-stop as the Ironman 55 lived up to its name as the most grueling event on the World of Outlaws schedule. Schuchart navigated lapped traffic like a veteran. As rubber began to set in around the I-55 Raceway in the closing laps, Schuchart made the decision to follow lapped traffic and force Sweet and Pittman to find a way around him.
“I tried to hold my line as the rubber set in and force someone to go around me,” Schuchart said in reference to the closing laps.
Sweet and Pittman closed in on Schuchart, but could do nothing but watch the Shark Racing No.1S capture his first win of the season. Both Sweet and Pittman were within a second of Schuchart at the checkered flag.
“Man, this is awesome. I feel like we have the best team we’ve ever had. This is Drydene Performance’s first Outlaw win and we can’t thank them enough for their support,” an exhausted, but elated, Schuchart said in Victory Lane.
“This is one of the big ones – Ironman 55. It’s tough, it wears you out. It’s awesome to get one of these wins and a big one at that,” Schuchart added.
Sweet settled for second but was pleased with his car speed. “I was biding my time, waiting to see if he was going to make a mistake and he never gave us a real good shot to get by him, he set a really good pace up top,” Sweet said before expressing his excitement to get to Knoxville for the Nationals.
Pittman led early and finished on the podium with his KKR teammate. “My car was getting better as the race went on, I’m a little frustrated with myself,” Pittman said. “I wasn’t quite quick enough on top on that restart and then I broke my momentum and Brad got by me. I’m really happy with our car right now, we’ll take third and go to Knoxville and try and improve there,” Pittman added in good spirits.
James McFadden came from 11th to finish fourth with Schuchart’s teammate Jacob Allen completing the top five. Brent Marks earned KSE Hard Charger honors surging from 22nd to ninth.
It was announced that tonight was the largest crowd in Ironman 55 history and the World of Outlaws will return once again to Pevely on August 2nd and 3rd of 2019. Next up for The Greatest Show on Dirt is a trip to the Sprint Car Capitol of the World for the biggest race of the year – the Knoxville Nationals, which will pay $150,000 to the winner. After Nationals, the Outlaws will begin a trek to the West Coast starting in North and South Dakota.
Feature (55 Laps): 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1][$20,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$6,000]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [2][$3,750]; 4. 3H-James McFadden [11][$3,250]; 5. 1A-Jacob Allen [6][$2,750]; 6. 18-Ian Madsen [10][$2,500]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$2,400]; 8. 5-David Gravel [9][$2,300]; 9. 19-Brent Marks [22][$2,200]; 10. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [14][$2,100]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [21][$1,700]; 12. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$1,400]; 13. 24-Rico Abreu [13][$1,300]; 14. 49X-Tim Shaffer [8][$1,200]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [23][$1,100]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$1,000]; 17. 48-Danny Dietrich [20][$1,000]; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser [12][$1,000]; 19. 51B-Joe B [15][$1,000]; 20. 21X-Carson Short [18][$1,000]; 21. 91-Cale Thomas [19][$1,000]; 22. 87-Aaron Reutzel [7][$1,000]; 23. 79J-Jacob Patton [24][$1,000]; 24. 35-Jamie Veal [16][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-14, Logan Schuchart 15-55; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+13]
Qualifying: 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.668; 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.742; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.772; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.795; 5. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.862; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.895; 7. 18-Ian Madsen, 11.912; 8. 48-Danny Dietrich, 11.924; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.928; 10. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 11.93; 11. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 11.948; 12. 5-David Gravel, 11.95; 13. 91-Cale Thomas, 12.005; 14. 3H-James McFadden, 12.011; 15. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.019; 16. 24-Rico Abreu, 12.028; 17. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.029; 18. 21X-Carson Short, 12.072; 19. 19-Brent Marks, 12.149; 20. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.15; 21. 71M-Paul May, 12.164; 22. 35-Jamie Veal, 12.168; 23. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 12.197; 24. 51B-Joe B, 12.552; 25. 15M-Steve Short, 13.144; 26. 79J-Jacob Patton, 13.192; 27. 28AU-Allan Woods, NT
Rico Abreu Wins Second Consecutive Ironman at I-55
PEVELY, MO – August 4, 2018 – Rico Abreu took the lead away from Kraig Kinser on Lap 21 and held off charges from Tim Shaffer and David Gravel to win his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of the 2018 season. Abreu survived two Gravel slide jobs in the closing laps and held off the Connecticut driver for his second consecutive Ironman 55 triumph for a $20,000 payday. Jacob Allen completed the podium.
Rico Abreu won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 55-Lap Feature, alongside Outlaw veteran Kraig Kinser. Kinser got the jump on the initial start and powered away in search of his first victory of the season.
Kinser reached lapped traffic on Lap 5 on the high-banked ¼ mile and negotiated it well, establishing an early lead.
Kinser turned under an Abreu slide job on Lap 17 to maintain the race lead. Abreu cleared Kinser to take the lead two laps later, but a caution for a slowing Joe B. Miller negated the pass and allowed Kinser to maintain the lead with 36 laps remaining.
The ensuing restart saw Kinser and Abreu exchange slide jobs for the lead with Kinser holding the lead on Lap 20, but Abreu wrestling it away the following circuit.
Brent Marks brought out the caution on Lap 27 with a flat right rear, setting up the first of many double-file restarts where Abreu would be in control. Each time, Abreu elected the bottom.
Tim Shaffer, who originally started 12th, charged from fourth on the restart to second and took a look under Abreu for the lead with a brilliant restart, but settled for second as Abreu powered away.
The action was halted for Hunter Schuerenburg, who got upside in turn two, on Lap 33. Schuerenburg was uninjured, but was done for the event. Turn two proved treacherous for both Paul Nienhiser and Sheldon Haudenschild as well, as both drivers ended the evening on the hook after contact with the wall.
Haudenschild’s incident was on Lap 42, which set up a 13-lap dash to the finish for $20,000.
Abreu powered away on the restart in clean air, but would need to navigate lapped traffic one more time to secure the victory.
With five laps remaining, Abreu approached heavy lapped traffic, allowing Gravel to close in. Gravel attempted slide jobs on Lap 50 and 51, but Abreu stayed in the gas and powered around the CJB Motorsports No.5 to maintain the lead. Abreu’s margin of victory was .655 seconds, as he claimed the Ironman 55 trophy for the second consecutive time.
“Man, that was a lot of fun. Hats off to my guys, that was the best I’ve felt in a long time. It’s all about working together and getting chemistry,” Abreu said in Victory Lane. “Back-to-back Ironman wins is awesome, but we’re not done yet, we’ve got another one tonight,” the St. Helena, CA native added with a smile.
Abreu applauded David Gravel for racing him clean at the end, “If the roles were reversed, it would be the same way."
Being so close to victory, Gravel was understandably disappointed to come up short. “I really thought I had him cleared and he got back by me. I’m a little mad at myself for not winning this, it sucks to finish second. But I am really happy for Drew [Warner] for him to get his first career Outlaw victory and for Rico,” Gravel added in good spirits. Drew Warner is the crew chief for Rico and is the son of Ricky Warner, the long-time wrench for Donny Schatz.
Jacob Allen continues to chip away in search of his first career Outlaw victory and scored another podium finish. “This is a great race track and I think most drivers would agree it’s a lot of fun. Congrats to Rico and David, it was a good race for 55 laps,” Allen said in Victory Lane.
Allen’s Shark Racing teammate finished fourth with Tim Shaffer coming home fifth. Shaffer’s efforts were good enough to earn KSE Hard Charger honors.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 tomorrow evening, Saturday, August 4, 2018 for another 55-Lap, $20,000 to win Feature. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (55 Laps): 1. 24-Rico Abreu [1][$20,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [6][$6,000]; 3. 1A-Jacob Allen [7][$3,750]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$3,250]; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer [12][$2,750]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [8][$2,500]; 7. 19-Brent Marks [13][$2,400]; 8. 3H-James McFadden [15][$2,300]; 9. 15-Donny Schatz [5][$2,200]; 10. 18-Ian Madsen [10][$2,100]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [11][$1,700]; 12. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$1,400]; 13. 91-Cale Thomas [14][$1,300]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2][$1,200]; 15. 71M-Paul May [21][$1,100]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$1,000]; 17. W20-Greg Wilson [4][$1,000]; 18. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [19][$1,000]; 19. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [20][$1,000]; 20. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [18][$1,000]; 21. 51B-Joe Miller [22][$1,000]; 22. 87-Aaron Reutzel [17][$1,000]; 23. 1M-James Moughan [24][$1,000]; 24. 65-Jordon Goldesberry [23][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Kraig Kinser 1-20, Rico Abreu 21-55 KSE Hard Charger Award: 49X-Tim Shaffer[+7]
Qualifying: 1. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.709; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.77; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 11.894; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.903; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.908; 6. 24-Rico Abreu, 11.936; 7. 5-David Gravel, 11.947; 8. 91-Cale Thomas, 11.955; 9. 3H-James McFadden, 11.98; 10. 71M-Paul May, 12.031; 11. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.046; 12. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.1; 13. 19-Brent Marks, 12.11; 14. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 12.145; 15. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.178; 16. 18-Ian Madsen, 12.218; 17. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.23; 18. 1M-James Moughan, 12.235; 19. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 12.259; 20. 21X-Carson Short, 12.26; 21. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.293; 22. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.47; 23. 65-Jordon Goldesberry, 12.494; 24. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg, 12.504; 25. 51B-Joe Miller, 12.523; 26. 48-Danny Dietrich, 12.567; 27. 35-Jamie Veal, 12.678; 28. 79J-Jacob Patton, 12.879; 29. 28AU-Allan Woods, 12.936; 30. 15M-Steve Short, 13.693; 31. 9T-Dylan Tuxhorn, 13.893
David Gravel Tames Ransomville for Fifth Victory of 2018
RANSOMVILLE, NY – July 27, 2018 – David Gravel fought off multiple charges from Brad Sweet to lead all 30 laps and claim his fifth win of the 2018 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series 40th Anniversary Season at Ransomville Speedway. Sweet took the lead on two occasions but settled for second for the second consecutive year at Ransomville. Polesitter Donny Schatz completed the podium.
Donny Schatz won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 30 Lap Feature, in search of his 16th victory of the year.
Action was halted on the opening lap after Paulie Colagiovanni went for a wild ride up and over the turn three and four wall. Colagiovanni was uninjured and walked away from the incident under his own power to a large roar from the massive Ransomville Speedway crowd.
David Gravel powered around Donny Schatz to pace the field down the backstretch and lead the opening lap. Brad Sweet went around Schatz to take second on Lap 3.
Another Red Flag halted action as Daryn Pittman got upside down battling for position inside the top ten on Lap 4. Pittman walked away from the incident under his own power.
A long stretch of Green Flag laps allowed Gravel and Sweet to reach heavy lapped traffic. The duo sliced and diced through cars littered around the 3/8th mile. Sweet cleared Gravel with a slide job on Lap 10, but Gravel turned back underneath to edge Sweet at the line.
As the duo continued to navigate traffic, Sweet edged in front of Gravel once again down the backstretch on Lap 17, but once again Gravel willed his CJB Motorsports No.5 back in front at the stripe.
One lap later the final caution of the night flew for an ailing Dan Bennett, taking the leaders out of traffic with 12 laps remaining. Gravel motored away with a clear track in front of him.
Gravel would be forced to clear a pair of lapped cars running side-by-side and he did so with relative ease, axing any chance of late race heroics from Sweet.
“I was being a little cautious, I blew a tire here last year and I didn’t want to do that again this year. When Brad showed his nose, I knew I had to step up my game and luckily, I was able to get back by him,” Gravel said in Victory Lane.
“We’ve been fast here the past couple of weeks, it’s good to get another win. This is our first win in a CJB house car, Barry [Jackson] has put a lot of hours in to make these things go fast,” Gravel added.
Sweet settled for second and complimented Gravel. “David did a nice job getting through traffic, especially with the lapped cars battling side-by-side. I think we were pretty equal with him, my guys gave me a great car,” Sweet said next to his Kasey Kahne Racing No.49.
After starting on the pole, Schatz was disappointed to fade to third, but made no excuses. “We weren’t good enough to compete for the win, you lick your wounds some days and come back stronger,” Schatz said before thanking his crew for their continued effort.
Kraig Kinser had a season-best fourth place finish with Logan Schuchart completing the top five.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season Sunday, July 29 at Weedsport Speedway with the Empire State Challenge. Following that, the Series will head to Pevely, MO for two 55-lap, $20,000 to win Ironman 55 Features at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55! If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 5-David Gravel [2][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$3,200]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3][$2,800]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7][$2,500]; 6. 49X-Tim Shaffer [6][$2,300]; 7. 19-Brent Marks [9][$2,200]; 8. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [19][$2,100]; 9. 2-Shane Stewart [8][$2,050]; 10. 18-Ian Madsen [5][$2,000]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson [11][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [21][$1,200]; 13. 35-Jared Zimbardi [20][$1,100]; 14. 18X-Ryan Susice [16][$1,050]; 15. 1A-Jacob Allen [22][$1,000]; 16. 36-Matt Billings [15][$900]; 17. 54JR-Scott Just [18][$800]; 18. 54J-David Just [13][$800]; 19. X-Dan Bennett [23][$800]; 20. 9-Daryn Pittman [10][$800]; 21. 49K-Scott Kreutter [14][$800]; 22. 33-Mike Mahaney [17][$800]; 23. 10-Paul Colagiovanni [12][$800]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[+11]
Qualifying: 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.9; 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 14.077; 3. 7S-Jason Sides, 14.153; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 14.157; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.184; 6. 18-Ian Madsen, 14.195; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman, 14.22; 8. 2-Shane Stewart, 14.278; 9. 5-David Gravel, 14.28; 10. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 14.302; 11. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.38; 12. 19-Brent Marks, 14.405; 13. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 14.532; 14. 33-Mike Mahaney, 14.663; 15. 10-Paul Colagiovanni, 14.805; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.965; 17. 49K-Scott Kreutter, 15.031; 18. 36-Matt Billings, 15.133; 19. 18X-Ryan Susice, 15.215; 20. 35-Jared Zimbardi, 15.268; 21. 54JR-Scott Just, 15.335; 22. 54J-David Just, 15.38; 23. X-Dan Bennett, 15.695
Lance Dewease Becomes Winningest Driver in Williams Grove History with World of Outlaws Triumph on Night One of Summer Nationals
MECHANICSBURG, PA – July 20, 2018 – Lance Dewease got better with each restart and passed Donny Schatz on Lap 20 to win his 91st career Feature at Williams Grove Speedway and 14th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series triumph. Schatz settled for second with Brian Montieth completing the podium.
Lucas Wolfe won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 25-Lap Feature, but it was fellow front row starter, Donny Schatz that got the jump on the initial start to lead the opening lap.
Ian Madsen brought out the first caution of the evening on Lap 3. Lance Dewease, who started fourth, used the restart to move into second by Wolfe. Greg Hodnett moved by Wolfe into third a lap later.
Dewease closed in on Schatz as the duo established themselves as the class of the field. Schatz negotiated lapped traffic with ease, before a caution for Sheldon Haudenschild on Lap 16 bunched the field together.
Schatz cleared Dewease on the following double-file restart, but a caution for Jim Siegel set up a single-file restart. Dewease took a look underneath Schatz for the top spot, but couldn’t make it stick. A lap later Jacob Allen went up in smoke, setting up another double-file restart.
Once again, Schatz kept Dewease at bay on the restart. One lap later, Trey Starks was backwards, setting up the final restart with seven laps remaining.
This time, Dewease stayed right Schatz. Dewease followed Schatz on the top for a lap before making his move with a slide job in turn one to lead down the backstretch to the delight of the large Williams Grove Speedway crowd.
Dewease extended the lead and went on to win by 1.201 seconds for his 14th career Outlaw win and to become the winningest driver in Williams Grove history.
“It just feels great to be in Victory Lane and to beat Donny Schatz, he’s one of the best racers to ever drive these cars and he races you as clean as anybody.
I hope my pass on him was as clean as he races all of us,” Dewease said in Victory Lane, deflecting the attention away from his record-breaking win at the facility. Dewease acknowledged his great car owners and teams that have helped him to get to this point in his career, including his current team which is assembled with 3 Hall of Famers – himself, Car Owner Don Kreitz, Jr. and Crew Chief Davey Brown.
“Every start I got a little better off of four and I finally got a big run at him,” Dewease said of his winning pass on Schatz. “For all of you fans that come out and support us every week, this is for you,” Dewease added to a chorus of “Posse” chants from the local faithful.
“If you come around here and race with Lance for the win, you’re doing something right. No excuses, he beat us,” Schatz said to track announcer Bruce Ellis. “You do the best you can and tonight was second. It was still a good night for us.”
Brian Montieth finished third and was in good spirits, “We got going a little better at the end, my guys gave me a great car. Hats off to them, we wrecked a car last week and had to build a new one and it paid off.”
Hodnett finished fourth with 11th-starting Logan Schuchart completing the top five.
Wolfe finished sixth with Outlaw Regulars 15th-starting David Gravel, Brad Sweet, Daryn Pittman and Shane Stewart completing the top ten. The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to Williams Grove Speedway tomorrow night for the conclusion of the Summer Nationals, which will pay $20,000 to the winner.If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (25 Laps): 1. 69K-Lance Dewease [4][$13,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$4,000]; 3. 21-Brian Montieth [5][$2,500]; 4. 27-Greg Hodnett [3][$2,200]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11][$2,100]; 6. 24-Lucas Wolfe [1][$2,000]; 7. 5-David Gravel [15][$1,800]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$1,600]; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman [12][$1,500]; 10. 2-Shane Stewart [7][$1,300]; 11. 3-James McFadden [10][$1,200]; 12. 17B-Steve Buckwalter [17][$1,100]; 13. 48-Danny Dietrich [13][$1,000]; 14. 19-Brent Marks [24][$700]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [18][$600]; 16. 58-Jim Siegel [25][$600]; 17. 55K-Robbie Kendall [14][$600]; 18. 39M-Anthony Macri [21][$600]; 19. 7S-Jason Sides [22][$600]; 20. 44-Trey Starks [6][$600]; 21. 18-Ian Madsen [16][$600]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [8][$600]; 23. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [20][$600]; 24. 39-Cory Haas [19][$600]; 25. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [23][$600]; Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-17, Lance Dewease 18-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+10]
Freddie Rahmer Sends Lincoln Speedway into Pandemonium with First Career Outlaw Win
ABBOTTSTOWN, PA – July 19, 2018 – Freddie Rahmer got by David Gravel on a double-file restart with nine laps remaining to win the Gettysburg Clash at Lincoln Speedway for the Pennsylvania Posse. Rahmer, joining his father Fred, became the sixth father-son duo to win World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Features. Gravel and Daryn Pittman completed the podium.
Last year’s Gettysburg Clash winner David Gravel won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 35-Lap Feature. Gravel got the jump on the start while Daryn Pittman got around front row starter Alan Krimes for second down the backstretch.
Gravel reached heavy lapped traffic on Lap 8 allowing Pittman, Krimes and company to close in. Two laps later, James McFadden brought out the Yellow Flag, giving Gravel a clear track. On the restart, Krimes took second from Pittman down the backstretch briefly, only to have Pittman power back to the runner-up position coming back to the line.
Rahmer, who started sixth, worked by Krimes for third on Lap 13 with a slider and set his sets on the lead duo. As Gravel and Pittman worked through heavy traffic, Rahmer closed in and moved by Pittman for second on Lap 20.
Danny Dietrich, a five-time Lincoln winner in 2018, worked his way into third by Pittman and began reeling in Rahmer and Gravel. In heavy lapped traffic, Dietrich threw a massive slider for second on Rahmer in turn three, but lost the handle and spun, leaving fourth-place running Brad Sweet nowhere to go. Neither were able to continue, a crushing blow to Sweet’s Championship efforts.
The caution also negated Gravel’s sizable lead. The double-file restart with nine laps remaining lined up Rahmer to the outside of Gravel. Rahmer used a brilliant run, glued to the middle, to take the lead down the backstretch, sending the Pennsylvania fans into a frenzy anticipating a hometown win.
Rahmer extended the lead and was just reaching the back of the field as he took the checkered for the first time as a World of Outlaws winner and sent Lincoln Speedway into pandemonium.
After collecting his breath, Rahmer said, “We work so hard for this, I knew if we got into position, we could win one of these races. I didn’t know if they were close the last two laps, but we got it done.”
Freddie and Fred Rahmer joined racing royalty as just the sixth father-son duo to win World of Outlaws Features, joining the Kinser, Swindell, Haudenschild, Smith and Kaeding families.
“Of all the things that have happened in racing, this is the coolest,” National Sprint Car Hall of Famer member Fred Rahmer, who is the all-time leading Feature winner at Lincoln Speedway, said while holding back tears in Victory Lane. “It took me a lot damn longer to win one of these races than him,” Rahmer added with a smile.
David Gravel was understandably disappointed after leading 26 laps to come home second, but wished his best on Freddie Rahmer and congratulated him on his first victory. “I didn’t need that yellow, but that’s racing. It’s a tough one to swallow, you lead that many laps, you want to win,” Gravel said.
Daryn Pittman completed the podium after a torrid battle with Donny Schatz for third and also congratulated the Rahmer family, “Congrats to Fred and Freddie, what an amazing performance from them. We were really good in the beginning, but kind of faded at the end. The last few laps with Donny were excellent, he ran me clean as always. This is a good run for this whole team and we’ll see what we have at The Grove.”
Schatz came from 11th to finish fourth with Lucas Wolfe completing the top five.
Greg Wilson came forward to sixth with Brian Montieth finishing seventh. Brent Marks earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 21st to eighth, Krimes faded to ninth and 20th-starting Logan Schuchart completed the top ten.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season this weekend at Williams Grove Speedway with two increased purses. Friday, July 20th’s Feature will carry the $5,000 bonus of the Morgan Cup, meaning the winner will take home $13,000. Saturday, July 21st’s Feature will pay $20,000 to the winner. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (35 Laps): 1. 51-Freddie Rahmer [6][$10,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [1][$5,500]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [11][$2,800]; 5. 24-Lucas Wolfe [8][$2,500]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [10][$2,300]; 7. 21-Brian Montieth [9][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [21][$2,100]; 9. 87-Alan Krimes [2][$2,050]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [20][$2,000]; 11. O7-Gerard McIntyre [12][$1,500]; 12. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [25][$400]; 13. 39-Cory Haas [22][$1,100]; 14. 55K-Robbie Kendall [19][$1,050]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [3][$1,000]; 16. 27-Greg Hodnett [13][$900]; 17. 39M-Anthony Macri [28][$]; 18. 2-Shane Stewart [14][$800]; 19. 3-James McFadden [16][$800]; 20. 18-Ian Madsen [27][$]; 21. 1X-Chad Trout [18][$800]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [15][$800]; 23. 1XX-Tim Wagaman [24][$800]; 24. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [17][$800]; 25. 11K-Kraig Kinser [23][$800]; 26. 48-Danny Dietrich [7][$800]; 27. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$800]; 28. 59-Jim Siegel [26][$]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-26, Freddie Rahmer 27-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+13]
Kyle Larson Dominates Silver Cup at Lernerville for $25,000 Payday
SARVER, PA – July 17, 2018 – Kyle Larson started fourth and worked his way by Ian Madsen on Lap 9 and never looked back to win his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of the year and sixth in his career. Larson also set Quick Time over the 37-car field and won his Heat Race. Brad Sweet finished second with Donny Schatz coming from ninth to complete the podium at the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup at Lernerville Speedway.
Western Pennsylvania’s own Tim Shaffer won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 40-lap Feature. Shaffer, the 1993 Lernerville Track Champion and two-time Silver Cup winner, led the opening four laps before Brandon Spithaler spun off the track, bringing out the only caution of the event.
World of Outlaws rookie Ian Madsen took advantage of the double-file restart to take the lead from Shaffer down the backstretch. Madsen led lap five and Larson took second from Shaffer a lap later.
Larson slid Madsen for the lead on Lap 8, but the Australian turned back underneath Larson’s No.57 to lead into turn three. It was short-lived, however, as Larson pounded the cushion and blasted around Madsen to lead the ninth circuit.
Larson established he was the class of the field and quickly built up a lead as the field stretched out around the 4/10th oval.
Brad Sweet, fresh off his runner-up finish at the Kings Royal, began making the top work and moved by Shaffer for third on Lap 26 and then used the same line to move by Madsen for second a lap later. Simultaneously, Donny Schatz began making the bottom work. Schatz worked his way into third on Lap 31.
As Larson diced through heavy traffic, Sweet began to close in on Larson as the large crowd at Lernerville Speedway watched closely to see if the driver referred to as ‘The Big Cat’ could make a move. Larson was flawless through traffic, re-extending his lead and going on to win by 1.893 seconds over his brother-in-law, Sweet.
“I was able to get through traffic pretty well. There was a strip of moisture in turns three and four. I was trying to check the board because I knew if [Schatz] was coming, I was going to have to do some searching,” Larson said in Victory Lane.
Larson was making his first start at Lernerville in five years, he came from 24th to second in the 2013 Silver Cup. “I didn’t think we were that great in the Dash, but Paul Silva was able to tune it up and I knew right away in the Feature I had a good shot of winning this one.”
“These Outlaw races are so hard to win. I was able to get an Outlaw win for Ricky [Stenhouse] last year, but it has been a couple years since I got an Outlaw win in the No.57,” Larson added.
"It’s great to see a packed house, I was only able to get here five minutes before engine heat because of plane troubles, but I’m glad we made it. We couldn’t be out here without all you fans,” Larson, who won everything but the Sears Craftsman Dash, said to a loud applause.
Brad Sweet settled for second and referenced how similar tonight was to Saturday’s Kings Royal, where he was trying to chase down Schatz on the cushion.
“You know [Larson] is going to be tough to beat out front, I wasn’t making as much speed once the top in turns one and two went away. I kind of saw Donny coming at the end so I moved down on the race track,” Sweet said in good spirits.
"The past few races the tracks have been slick and technical with a lot of Green Flag laps, it’s been a lot of fun. We’ve been right in the hunt throughout this Month of Money and hopefully we can pick up some more wins here soon,” Sweet added.
Schatz came from ninth to complete the podium and referenced his slow start, “We were a little better at the end than at the beginning, but we’ve got to be better earlier. It wasn’t a bad night or a bad finish, it was just one of those nights,” Schatz, who had won three of the last four races prior to tonight, said.
David Gravel came from 10th to finish fourth with Ian Madsen fading to fifth. Kasey Kahne made a last-lap pass in the Last Chance Showdown to make the Feature and earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming to 17th at the Checkered Flag.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season with a trio of dates with the Pennsylvania Posse starting Thursday, July 19 at Lincoln Speedway before heading over to Williams Grove Speedway for the Summer Nationals. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 57-Kyle Larson [4][$25,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$7,000]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$5,000]; 4. 5-David Gravel [10][$4,000]; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [2][$3,000]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [5][$2,900]; 7. 49X-Tim Shaffer [1][$2,800]; 8. 2M-Kerry Madsen [7][$2,700]; 9. 10H-Chad Kemenah [14][$2,600]; 10. 7K-Cale Conley [6][$2,500]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [13][$2,400]; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen [11][$2,300]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [15][$2,200]; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8][$2,100]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [20][$2,000]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$1,500]; 17. 4K-Kasey Kahne [24][$1,300]; 18. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [19][$1,200]; 19. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17][$1,200]; 20. 83-Cory Eliason [21][$1,200]; 21. 39-Spencer Bayston [12][$1,200]; 22. 22-Brandon Spithaler [22][$1,200]; 23. 40-George Hobaugh [18][$1,200]; 24. 4-Parker Price-Miller [23][$1,200]; 25. 2AJ-A.J. Flick [25][$]; 26. 51-John Garvin [26][$]; Lap Leaders: Tim Shaffer 1-4, Ian Madsen 5-8, Kyle Larson 9-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 4K-Kasey Kahne[+7]
Donny Schatz Wins Third Consecutive Kings Royal to Become King Donny the 35th
ROSSBURG, OH – July 14, 2018 – Donny Schatz started fourth, took the lead on Lap 15 and never looked back, leading the rest of the way to win his 15th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018 and third consecutive Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway, worth $50,000. Brad Sweet surged late and came within half of a car-length at the checkered flag, finishing behind Schatz by just 0.189 seconds. Cory Eliason, in his first career Kings Royal start, completed the podium.
With the unique Kings Royal format, the six Heat Race winners occupied the first three rows for the 40-lap Feature. Trey Starks won Heat 6, earning the pole in his first Kings Royal start alongside Heat 5 winner, Paul McMahan. A caution on the initial start involving Hunter Schuerenburg, Sheldon Haudenschild and Brock Zearfoss brought out the only stoppage of the event.
The complete restart saw Starks shoot to the lead, in search of his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature victory in a big way. Schatz and McMahan battled for second with Schatz taking the position on Lap 3 and setting his sights on Starks. Schatz took a look underneath Starks on Lap 14 and completed the pass for the lead one lap later down the backstretch.
Cory Eliason, who started sixth after winning Heat 1, established himself as a threat moving by Starks into second on Lap 16. Eliason actually slid Schatz for position, but was never able to maintain momentum and stay in front of the Tony Stewart Racing No.15.
Brad Sweet maneuvered into third on Lap 17 and showed a lot of speed pounding the cushion. As Sweet closed in on Eliason for second, Donny Schatz extended his margin out front. Sweet would get by Eliason for second on Lap 27 and begin cutting into Schatz’ sizable advantage.
As Schatz searched for grip the last 10 laps, Sweet really closed in. Sweet got hung up behind Daryn Pittman in lapped traffic and finally cleared him with five to go, setting up one last charge at Schatz. And charge he did.
On the absolute cushion of the racing surface, Sweet closed in on Schatz, setting up a hectic finish. Sweet cut the gap to five car-lengths down the backstretch on the final lap and ended up just half a car-length short from his second career Kings Royal triumph.
Schatz acknowledged that he was searching for speed the last 10 laps, “I knew someone had to be coming. I was hanging the last 10 laps, I could not get stuck anywhere. I’m lucky it wasn’t 41 laps tonight, because obviously the No.49 was coming there at the end,” Schatz said in Victory Lane.
“Lapped traffic was tough tonight, it was tricky and slick. I feel like I completely failed in Qualifying going 21st quick, but the way format works tonight it put us in the right position,” Schatz said before thanking all the fans, even the ones that boo him, for coming out and praising the track crew given the high temperatures all weekend.
Brad Sweet was obviously disappointed but was pleased with the speed he showed.
“I came up one lap short, some of those lapped cars didn’t cut me a break. Coming to the checkered, I was cussing because I wanted it to be the White Flag,” Sweet said with a smirk. “To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best and the way [Schatz] shows up at these big money events, is why he’ll down in history as one of, if not the best of all time. This NAPA racing team has nothing to be ashamed of tonight, I just wish it was one more lap tonight,” Sweet added before encouraging the huge crowd to come to the pits and introduce themselves.
Cory Eliason was extremely pleased with his third-place run, “That was a great learning experience. I got to follow and watch Donny and Brad tonight and they are the two best out here right now. There is a huge learning curve coming to these tracks and to go out and be competitive is awesome.”
“After not making the first two shows of the weekend, to finish third behind Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet, feels like a win for this team,” Eliason added in good spirits after the race.
Lee Jacobs represented the Buckeye State coming from 16th to finish fourth with Kraig Kinser coming from 13th to complete the top five.
12th-starting Jacob Allen finished sixth with Paul McMahan coming home seventh. 16th-starting David Gravel finished eighth with Rico Abreu coming from 24th to ninth, earning KSE Hard Charger Honors. Outlaw rookie Ian Madsen completed the top ten, coming from 23rd.
Christopher Bell set Quick Time over the 51-car field and was running in the top five, when he pulled pit side with 14 laps remaining. After the caution on the initial start, the race went non-stop.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season and Month of Money with the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup at Lernerville Speedway, which will pay $25,000 to the winner. Following that the Outlaws will head to Central Pennsylvania to take on the Pennsylvania Posse at Lincoln and Williams Grove Speedway. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com.
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$50,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$20,000]; 3. 83-Cory Eliason [6][$15,000]; 4. 81-Lee Jacobs [16][$12,500]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$10,000]; 6. 1A-Jacob Allen [12][$7,500]; 7. 13-Paul McMahan [2][$6,500]; 8. 5-David Gravel [14][$6,000]; 9. 24-Rico Abreu [24][$5,500]; 10. 18-Ian Madsen [23][$5,000]; 11. 44-Trey Starks [1][$4,750]; 12. 2M-Kerry Madsen [15][$4,500]; 13. W20-Greg Wilson [21][$4,000]; 14. 94-Ryan Smith [8][$3,750]; 15. 2-Shane Stewart [9][$3,500]; 16. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [18][$3,450]; 17. 4-Parker Price-Miller [3][$3,400]; 18. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [22][$3,350]; 19. 9-Daryn Pittman [17][$3,300]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [19][$3,250]; 21. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [20][$3,200]; 22. 17B-Bill Balog [10][$3,150]; 23. 14-Christopher Bell [7][$3,100]; 24. 49X-Tim Shaffer [11][$3,000]; Lap Leaders: Trey Starks 1-14, Donny Schatz 15-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 24-Rico Abreu[+15]
Donny Schatz Wins Knight Before Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway
ROSSBURG, OH – July 13, 2018 – Donny Schatz passed Brian Brown on Lap 10 and never looked back en route to his Knight Before the Kings Royal victory at Eldora Speedway. It was Schatz’ 275th career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory. Greg Wilson charged from 14th to finish second, with Sheldon Haudenschild completing the podium in the non-stop Feature.
Brian Brown won the first Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 30-Lap Feature, alongside Hunter Schuerenburg, who won the second Dash. Brown, in search of his fifth career Outlaw victory, set the pace out front of the field as Schuerenburg remained within striking distance.
Donny Schatz, who started third, recovered from his start and got by Tim Shaffer for third on Lap 5, but not without making heavy contact with the outside retaining wall in turn two. The contact didn’t faze Schatz at all as he began chasing down Schuerenburg and Brown for the lead.
On Lap 9, Schatz ducked underneath Schuerenburg for second and one lap later, using the same line, Schatz took the lead from Brown. From there, Schatz began to work through lapped traffic in an attempt to extend his lead while all eyes were on Greg Wilson.
Wilson, a former Outlaw Eldora winner, was charging forward from his 14th-starting spot. Wilson took third from Schuerenburg on Lap 21 and surpassed Brown a lap later for the runner-up position. Wilson, glued to the extreme bottom of the racing surface, then set his sights on Schatz. Sheldon Haudenschild was in hot pursuit of Wilson running the polar opposite line, banging down the cushion. Haudenschild worked by Schuerenburg and Brown on Lap 23 to move into third. Wilson closed slightly in traffic, but Schatz had built too much of an advantage and went on to win his 14th Feature of the season by 2.273 seconds.
“It got real slick,” Schatz said after the race. “I think my car was best in the middle and it’s not exactly my bag of tea to bounce off the cushion every lap,”
Schatz added with a smile. “Greg [Wilson] is really good when the track gets like that. I know if I do everything right, there’s not many people that will pass this 15 car, but Greg is one of them. We’ve got to a get a little bit better tomorrow for 10 more laps or Greg will kick all our asses,” Schatz said in good spirits.
Wilson had high praise for Schatz following his personal season-best finish. “That 15 car man, he’s the best out here and the cleanest race car driver I have ever raced with,” Wilson said before thanking the Eldora Speedway track crew for providing an excellent dry-slick racing surface.
Sheldon Haudenschild was pleased with his third-place finish and looks forward to Saturday’s King’s Royal.
“My crew has done a phenomenal job and I think we’ll be right there tomorrow. I can’t thank the fans for being great all weekend,” Sheldon said.
Early race leader Brian Brown fell to fourth at the checkered flag with Dave Blaney charging from 22nd to complete the top five and earn KSE Hard Charger Honors. Heading into Saturday’s Kings Royal event, Shane Stewart and Donny Schatz, with their wins on the first two nights of the weekend, have earned the right to go out in Qualifying wherever they please during Saturday’s $50,000 to win program.
With the unique Kings Royal format being utilized, Saturday’s event will be show up points only for the World of Outlaws regulars. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com as the 35th Annual Kings Royal crowns a champion.
Feature: 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$12,000]; 2. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$5,700]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$3,500]; 4. 21-Brian Brown [1][$3,000]; 5. 70-Dave Blaney [22][$2,600]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [5][$2,400]; 7. 3G-Carson Macedo [8][$2,300]; 8. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [2][$2,200]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [13][$2,150]; 10. 87-Aaron Reutzel [6][$2,100]; 11. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$1,600]; 12. 49X-Tim Shaffer [4][$1,350]; 13. 5-David Gravel [18][$1,300]; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart [21][$1,200]; 15. 18-Ian Madsen [25][$300]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [26][$200]; 17. 24-Rico Abreu [10][$900]; 18. 10H-Chad Kemenah [11][$850]; 19. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [24][$800]; 20. 12N-Cole Duncan [20][$800]; 21. 4-Parker Price-Miller [16][$800]; 22. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [15][$800]; 23. 2-Shane Stewart [17][$800]; 24. 44-Trey Starks [19][$800]; 25. 26-Joey Saldana [23][$800]; 26. 13-Paul McMahan [12][$800]; Lap Leaders: Brian Brown 1-9, Donny Schatz 10-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 70-Dave Blaney[+17]
Brad Sweet Sweeps Night One of the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown at Cedar Lake
NEW RICHMOND, WI – July 6, 2018 - Brad Sweet completed a clean sweep of the opening night of the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown with his third win of the season at Cedar Lake Speedway. A late race caution took Sweet out of heavy lapped traffic and gave him a clean track and clean air with eight laps remaining. David Gravel and Brent Marks completed the podium.
Sweet started the night off right, setting fast time over the field before edging Gravel in a potential Heat Race of the year. Sweet started second in the Sears Craftsman Dash and won that to earn the pole for the 35-lap Feature.
While it may have looked easy on paper, it was far from it. Sweet, driver of the Kasey Kahne Racing No.49, grabbed the lead early and distanced himself, while Gravel and Marks battled for the runner-up position.
Sweet reached traffic by Lap 6 and negotiated the slower cars well. Marks, while running third, made contact with the slower car of Jason Tostenson and lost the third spot to Sheldon Haudenschild in the process.
As traffic intensified, Gravel and company closed in looking to steal the victory away from Sweet.
Sweet, at this point, was lapping some impressive race cars. As the Grass Valley, CA native tried to put Kerry Madsen, who swept both nights of the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown last year, and Cory Eliason, who has an Outlaw win this year, Gravel, Haudenschild and Marks closed significantly. Haudenschild bobbled on the bottom of one and two and relinquished the third spot back to Marks on Lap 22.
Just as Gravel and Marks were closing in, ready to pounce, debris in turn four forced a caution on Lap 27.
With eight laps remaining and a clean track, Sweet was never truly challenged and went on to win by .968 seconds.
“I’ve never done a clean sweep before. That’s a heck of a way to start the weekend,” Sweet said in Victory Lane before giving a shout out to Bobbi and Jaxx Johnson.
“Lapped traffic was tough tonight, but it’s what wins and loses races. We needed a win, it’s been a while. These NAPA Auto Parts guys have been working hard and they deserve more of these wins,” Sweet, who continues to sit second in the Series Point Standings added.
David Gravel finished a nose ahead of Marks for third, after getting held up with a lapped car coming to the checkered.
“I definitely didn’t want to see that yellow. My car was getting better as the race went on, luckily, tomorrow’s race is 41 laps. Hopefully we can finish one position better,” the driver of the CJB Motorsports No.5 said in good spirits.
Second-year Outlaw Brent Marks was very pleased with his evening, “I was surprised tonight, we weren’t very good here last year but we were excellent tonight. I’m really proud of my guys and I’m excited to be up here on the podium.
After not getting a Qualifying lap and starting last in his Heat Race, Donny Schatz picked up KSE Hard Charger honors, finishing fourth in the Feature from 11th. Sheldon Haudenschild completed the top-five.
The FVP Platinum Battery Showdown concludes Saturday evening at Cedar Lake Speedway. If you can’t make it to the track, watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Abbreviated Results from Cedar Lake Speedway - July 7, 2018:
Feature (35 Laps): 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$10,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [2][$5,000]; 3. 19-Brent Marks [3][$3,000]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [11][$2,700]; 5. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$2,500]; 6. 1A-Jacob Allen [5][$2,200]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7][$2,000]; 8. 2-Shane Stewart [14][$1,800]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [8][$1,600]; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser [6][$1,450]; 11. 7S-Jason Sides [9][$1,300]; 12. 21-Brian Brown [10][$1,200]; 13. 9-Daryn Pittman [13][$1,100]; 14. 55-Brooke Tatnell [12][$1,000]; 15. 83H-Justin Henderson [16][$950]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson [15][$900]; 17. 83-Cory Eliason [21][$850]; 18. 2M-Kerry Madsen [19][$750]; 19. 13-Mark Dobmeier [20][$725]; 20. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [17][$700]; 21. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [18][$700]; 22. 19L-RJ Johnson [22][$700]; 23. 97-Alan Gilbertson [24][$700]; 24. 36-Jason Tostenson [23][$700]; Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz[+7]
Pittman Powers to 4th Win of Season at Nodak
MINOT, ND – June 17, 2018 – Daryn Pittman passed Cory Eliason on Lap 22 and never looked back, winning his fourth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018 Sunday evening at Nodak Speedway. Pittman hounded the California native for the majority of the race before making the race-winning move in turn one. Pittman’s Kasey Kahne Racing teammate Brad Sweet finished second with Donny Schatz completing the podium.
Eliason won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole of the 30-lap Feature in his first career start at Nodak Speedway. Eliason powered away on the initial start, as Pittman maneuvered underneath front row starter David Gravell to take command of second down the backstretch of the opening circuit.
The lone caution of the event flew for Jack Croaker on Lap 5. Eliason again motored away on the ensuing restart as Pittman had his hands full with his KKR teammate Sweet. Sweet had the second position at the line on Lap 6, but Pittman muscled back underneath to take the position back the next lap.
Eliason set a strong pace out front in search of his second career Outlaw triumph. But as Eliason worked lapped traffic, the rest of the field closed in. At the halfway point, a blanket could be thrown over the top five.
Pittman reached Eliason’s tail tank on multiple occasions, looking for a way around the Roth Motorsports No.83. Pittman pulled even with Eliason in turn one on Lap 18, but the latter maintained the lead with momentum around the top down the backstretch.
Pittman got another run, this time on the top of three and four, that propelled his Ionomy-sponsored No.9 to the lead into turn one on Lap 22. From there, Pittman proved he was the class of the field, distancing himself and getting through lapped traffic like the veteran he is.
While Pittman pulled away, the war continued behind him. Sweet, Eliason, Schatz and Gravel all jockeyed for position in heavy traffic. Sweet, who at this point had lost his brakes completely, and Schatz shuffled Eliason back to fourth on Lap 25.
Out front though, it was all Daryn Pittman, who went on to win by more than three seconds for his fourth win of the year.
“My car was really good all night long from the moment we unloaded,” Pittman, who set Quick Time and won his Heat Race, said.
“The last few weeks we’ve really been hitting stride. I love winning before we have a week off and I love winning on Father’s Day, I am extremely blessed to travel with my wife and kids out here,” Pittman, the 2007 Outlaw winner at Nodak, added before thanking the large crowd for coming out on a Sunday.
Sweet was pleased with another runner-up finish.
“We were battling with Daryn and Cory the whole race, I actually lost brakes with around ten laps to go and I was just hanging on. You don’t realize how much you need brakes until they are gone,” Sweet said with a smile. “We’ll take another second place and move on to next week,” the Grass Valley, CA native added.
North Dakota’s own Donny Schatz was in good spirits after finishing third and thanked the large crowd for coming out on Father’s Day. “Obviously, we would have liked to get a win, but to be out here on Father’s Day in Minot was great. Thanks to all the fans for their support these past 25 years and for supporting dirt track racing,” Schatz added.
Last year’s winner at Nodak, David Gravel settled for fourth with Eliason getting shuffled back to fifth. Sheldon Haudenschild earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 13th to finish sixth. Logan Schuchart, Brent Marks, Ian Madsen and Dominic Scelzi completed the top ten at Nodak.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season with its first trip to the newly-reconfigured Farley Speedway in Iowa in over 20 years Friday, June 22 before heading back into Wisconsin for a date at Beaver Dam Raceway on Saturday, June 23rd. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [3][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$3,200]; 4. 5-David Gravel [2][$2,800]; 5. 83-Cory Eliason [1][$2,500]; 6. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [13][$2,300]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [12][$2,100]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [5][$2,050]; 10. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [8][$2,000]; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [11][$1,500]; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen [10][$1,200]; 13. 41-Jason Johnson [15][$1,100]; 14. 2-Shane Stewart [9][$1,050]; 15. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [17][$1,000]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$900]; 17. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [18][$800]; 18. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$800]; 19. 6N-Greg Nikitenko [19][$800]; 20. 20A-Jordan Adams [21][$800]; 21. 9N-Wade Nygaard [20][$800]; 22. 8-Jack Croaker [22][$800]; 23. 20L-Dusty Lawson [23][$800]; 24. 20-Kevin Lawson [24][$800]; Lap Leaders: Cory Eliason 1-21, Daryn Pittman 22-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[+7]
Qualifying: 1. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.467; 2. 5-David Gravel, 13.507; 3. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.521; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.535; 5. 83-Cory Eliason, 13.588; 6. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.6; 7. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.651; 8. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.651; 9. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.71; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.79; 11. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 13.793; 12. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.793; 13. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.795; 14. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.842; 15. 19-Brent Marks, 13.842; 16. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.904; 17. 6N-Greg Nikitenko, 13.938; 18. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.944; 19. 20A-Jordan Adams, 13.984; 20. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 14.085; 21. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg, 14.109; 22. 9N-Wade Nygaard, 14.175; 23. 8-Jack Croaker, 14.337; 24. 20L-Dusty Lawson, 15.285; 25. 14-Bill Holler, 15.792; 26. 20-Kevin Lawson, 16.052
Donny Schatz Continues Dominance at River Cities
GRAND FORKS, ND – June 15, 2018 – North Dakota’s own Donny Schatz continued his dominance at River Cities Speedway, passing race-long leader Kerry Madsen on Lap 25 to win his 11th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2018. It was Schatz’s sixth win in his last seven starts at the bullring. Brad Sweet came forward to finish second with Madsen settling for third.
The “Mad Man” Kerry Madsen won the Sears Craftsman Dash, earning the pole for the 40-lap Feature alongside Schatz. Local driver Austin Pierce brought out the first of many cautions in the lengthy event, flipping off the banking on the opening lap. Pierce, the 2017 NOSA Sprints Champion, was uninjured in the accident.
Madsen got the jump on the start once again, utilizing the bottom of the speedway as Schatz pounded the cushion. Lap 6 saw third-starting Austin McCarl go for a light tumble in turn four, bringing out the Red Flag once again. McCarl completed the race with a damaged top wing.
Four laps later, Cory Eliason and Jade Hastings bounced off the racing surface, bringing out another caution and keeping the leaders out of lapped traffic. On each restart, Schatz, on the top, was able to stay with Madsen for a lap or two before the Australian would distance himself on the bottom.
Sheldon Haudenschild’s Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing No.17 lost power while running sixth on Lap 17, bringing out the caution. A caution on the ensuing double-file restart brought the field back to Green under single-file conditions.
Following that caution, for the first time, the leaders reached traffic on the bullring. Lapped cars were littered all over the racing surface. Madsen was able to clear the first few cars getting underneath them while remaining committed to the bottom. Schatz would follow suit on the bottom by some of the lappers, but the entire capacity crowd at River Cities Speedway knew the Tony Stewart Racing No.15 would be able to maintain speed on the cushion as well.
Schatz capitalized on Madsen’s inability to clear a slower car on the backstretch, powering around the No.2M off of turn four to lead Lap 25. Schatz used the same line to clear the lapped car before getting back to the bottom to protect the lead.
Brad Sweet followed Schatz on the cushion around Madsen as well and would line up next to Schatz with eight laps remaining after the caution flew for Jason Johnson. Schatz motored away on the restart and did the same thing on the final restart with four laps to go to win his 11th Feature of the 2018 campaign and extend his lead atop the Point Standings.
Sweet would finish 2.369 seconds behind the Fargo, ND native with Madsen settling for third.
“I kept trying that top and I knew if we got into traffic I might be able to make it work,” Schatz said in Victory Lane. When asked about the multitude of cautions, Schatz simply cited that they are part of racing, but the early cautions had him wondering how the track would change as the race would go on. The North Dakota native savored the emotion of the hometown victory saying, “You never know when your last win is going to be.”
Brad Sweet was upbeat about his runner-up finish. “We were fast, I had a couple of lines working in one and two. I would have liked to give Donny a better run for his money, but he never missed a mark out front. Eventually, we’ll figure out how to beat him here,” Sweet added with a smile.
Kerry Madsen led the first 24 laps but settled for third after losing the lead in lapped traffic. “I didn’t do a good enough job. I became immobile in traffic. I tried to play a patient game and I should have been more aggressive,” Madsen said honestly before thanking his team for giving him a great car.
Shane Stewart had a strong run coming from 11th to finish fourth with Daryn Pittman completing the top five. Dominic Scelzi charged from 21st to sixth, but Mark Dobmeier grabbed KSE Hard Charger honors coming from a provisional starting 25th to finish ninth. The massive crowd at River Cities was engaged all evening, especially when track regular Thomas Kennedy set Quick Time and won his Heat Race.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season Sunday at Nodak Speedway in Minot, ND. If you can’t make it to the track, watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$5,500]; 3. 2M-Kerry Madsen [1][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [11][$2,800]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [9][$2,500]; 6. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [21][$2,300]; 7. 18-Ian Madsen [16][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [13][$2,100]; 9. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [25][$1,250]; 10. 5-David Gravel [10][$2,000]; 11. 83-Cory Eliason [4][$1,500]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [14][$1,200]; 13. 1A-Jacob Allen [6][$1,100]; 14. W20-Greg Wilson [24][$1,050]; 15. 21K-Thomas Kennedy [8][$1,000]; 16. 1S-Logan Schuchart [17][$900]; 17. 19L-R.J. Johnson [22][$800]; 18. 17A-Austin McCarl [3][$800]; 19. 8H-Jade Hastings [18][$800]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [20][$800]; 21. 27-Chris Ranten [23][$800]; 22. 41-Jason Johnson [15][$800]; 23. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$800]; 24. 9N-Wade Nygaard [26][$]; 25. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg [19][$800]; 26. 2A-Austin Pierce [12][$800]
Qualifying: 1. 21K-Thomas Kennedy, 10.367; 2. 17A-Austin McCarl, 10.434; 3. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 10.444; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen, 10.482; 5. 15-Donny Schatz, 10.502; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 10.509; 7. 27-Chris Ranten, 10.519; 8. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 10.537; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman, 10.544; 10. 5-David Gravel, 10.567; 11. 83-Cory Eliason, 10.58; 12. 19L-R.J. Johnson, 10.639; 13. 19-Brent Marks, 10.669; 14. 8H-Jade Hastings, 10.671; 15. 2-Shane Stewart, 10.724; 16. 18-Ian Madsen, 10.75; 17. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 10.755; 18. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 10.779; 19. 41-Jason Johnson, 10.799; 20. W20-Greg Wilson, 10.799; 21. 6N-Greg Nikitenko, 10.804; 22. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 10.807; 23. 97G-Hunter Schuerenberg, 10.81; 24. 2A-Austin Pierce, 10.835; 25. 10TRB-Bob Martin, 10.896; 26. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 10.897; 27. 20A-Jordan Adams, 10.976; 28. 26-Blake Egeland, 10.998; 29. 13-Clyde Knipp, 11.098; 30. 9N-Wade Nygaard, 11.103; 31. 55-Nick Ranten, 11.226; 32. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.339; 33. 8-Jack Croaker, 11.429; 34. 1AJ-Trevor Mell, 11.578; 35. 14-Tom Egeland, NT
Haudenschild Wins Inaugural FVP Platinum Battery Showdown at Fairbury
FAIRBURY, IL – June 5, 2018 – Sheldon Haudenschild took the lead on a Lap 3 restart and never looked back, scoring his fourth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season in the Series inaugural visit to Fairbury American Legion Speedway in the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown. Jacob Allen matched his career-best with a runner-up finish with Kyle Larson completing the podium.
The night didn’t start off as planned for Haudenschild, as Sheldon was just 21st quick in Qualifying and started seventh in his Heat. Haudenschild, in true Haudenschild fashion, charged from seventh to second in his Heat to secure a spot in the Sears Craftsman Dash.
Sheldon Haudenschild went on to win the Dash, earning the pole for the 40-lap Feature but it was fellow front row starter Hunter Schuerenburg getting the jump at the drop of the Green. Schuerenburg, in search of his first career Outlaw triumph, paced the field, pounding the cushion before a caution on Lap 3 for a backwards Shane Stewart halted action.
Schuerenburg elected the top on the double-file restart, but his No.20 machine stumbled on the restart as Haudenschild, who restarted alongside him, powered to the lead. Schuerenburg drastically fell to the back of the field with a flat tire. Things went from bad to worse as Tanner Thorson jumped Schuerenburg’s rear tire and went for a tumble. Thorson was uninjured in the accident and the Red Flag allowed Schuerenburg to change his tire and restart at the rear of the field.
When action resumed, Haudenschild motored away from the field and reached lapped traffic quickly around the bullring. Jacob Allen, who shattered the FALS track record in Qualifying, moved into second with his Shark Racing teammate, Logan Schuchart in tow running third. Haudenschild put on a lapped traffic clinic, slicing and dicing his way through the field.
A hellacious battle between Kyle Larson and Brent Marks for fifth was momentarily halted when a lapped car got loose and forced both Larson and Marks to take evasive action with 17 laps remaining. The duo did synchronized 360’s, but kept going, in turn two, forcing the rest of the field to check up. Greg Wilson had nowhere to go and got upside down. Gio Scelzi and Paul Nienhiser’s top-ten runs also came to an end in the accident. Wilson was uninjured but done for the evening while both Scelzi and Nienhiser tagged the rear.
With rubber prominent on the high line, World of Outlaws officials ruled single-file restarts for the remainder of the evening. Haudenschild continued to show the way as he reached traffic with the rest of the field directly on his tail.
With eight laps remaining, Schuchart pulled a slider on his teammate Allen to secure second and set his sights on Haudenschild. Haudenschild remained locked down in the rubber as Schuchart looked for a way to steal the lead. Schuchart peeked a car-length higher than Haudenschild in turn two with three laps remaining, but that was the end of Schuchart’s night as a flat tire on the No.1S brought out the final caution of the evening.
Haudenschild distanced himself from Allen, who was in search of his first career Outlaw win, on the late restart while Larson and Cory Eliason waged war for third. The pair of Californian’s exchanged sliders back and forth with Larson grabbing the final podium spot.
Sheldon Haudenschild went on to win his fourth Feature of the year aboard the NOS Energy Drink sponsored Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall No.17.
“My car was really good early and really good in the rubber,” Haudenschild said with a smile in Victory Lane. “I was able to get good drive on the early restart, grab the lead and get to the top. Other than a couple of times where I tagged the wall, I felt really good and felt like I was making good laps in traffic,” the Wooster, OH native added.
Allen’s second-place finish tied a career-best and was his first top-ten finish of 2018. “My team has worked really hard. Sheldon’s been one of my best friends for a long time, obviously I would have liked to get my first Outlaw win, but I’m extremely happy with second,” Allen said. When asked about racing with his teammate and relative Schuchart, Allen explained, “We’ll race each other hard, but clean. We both want to win, it’s unfortunate he got a flat tire ending his night. It’s always fun running up front with Logan.”
Kyle Larson, who slipped out of the top ten early, was pleased to get back to the podium. “I was pretty good as the race went on. I’m really loose until the fuel burns off, I was happy to get back to third after our start,” Larson said. Cory Eliason settled for fourth with Saturday’s winner in Wisconsin Brent Marks coming from 14th to fifth. The finish was Marks’ third consecutive top-five finish. KSE Hard Charger honors went to David Gravel and CJB Motorsports, as they came from 22nd to complete the top ten.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season this weekend with the 40th Annual AGCO Jackson Nationals. Saturday’s Feature at Jackson will pay a whopping $40,000 to win. If you can’t make it out to Jackson, MN be sure to watch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [1][$10,000]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [4][$5,500]; 3. 57-Kyle Larson [6][$3,200]; 4. 83-Cory Eliason [8][$2,800]; 5. 19-Brent Marks [14][$2,500]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [7][$2,300]; 7. 4-Parker Price-Miller [5][$2,200]; 8. 15-Donny Schatz [13][$2,100]; 9. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$2,050]; 10. 5-David Gravel [22][$2,000]; 11. 41-Jason Johnson [12][$1,500]; 12. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [10][$1,200]; 13. 20-Hunter Schuerenberg [2][$1,100]; 14. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [11][$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [23][$1,000]; 16. 10V-Matt Vandervere [18][$900]; 17. 2-Shane Stewart [17][$800]; 18. 7S-Jason Sides [15][$800]; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$800]; 20. 21X-Carson Short [21][$800]; 21. W20-Greg Wilson [20][$800]; 22. 25-Jacob Blackhurst [16][$800]; 23. 18-Ian Madsen [24][$800]; 24. 3C-Tanner Thorson [19][$800]; Lap Leaders: Hunter Schuerenberg 1-3, Sheldon Haudenschild 4-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 5-David Gravel[+12]
Qualifying: 1. 1A-Jacob Allen, 10.893; 2. 57-Kyle Larson, 11.193; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.278; 4. 4-Parker Price-Miller, 11.313; 5. 21-Brian Brown, 11.336; 6. 3C-Tanner Thorson, 11.354; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.354; 8. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 11.377; 9. 21X-Carson Short, 11.39; 10. 25-Jacob Blackhurst, 11.435; 11. 20-Hunter Schuerenberg, 11.437; 12. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.439; 13. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.449; 14. 19-Brent Marks, 11.476; 15. 10V-Matt Vandervere, 11.477; 16. 71-Giovanni Scelzi, 11.495; 17. 83-Cory Eliason, 11.533; 18. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.544; 19. 5-David Gravel, 11.544; 20. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.598; 21. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.613; 22. 18-Ian Madsen, 11.636; 23. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.657; 24. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.682; 25. W20-Greg Wilson, 11.703; 26. 98-Clinton Boyles, 11.917; 27. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.083
Brad Sweet Wins Memorial Day Thriller at Lawrenceburg
LAWRENCEBURG, IN – May 28, 2018 – Brad Sweet came from eighth and passed Donny Schatz on Lap 26 to take the lead in a thriller at Lawrenceburg Speedway and never looked back for his second win of the 2018 season. Schatz, who led 15 laps, settled for second with David Gravel completing the podium in the Memorial Day Spectacular presented by KOI Auto Parts.
Paul McMahan won the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole of the 35 lap Feature alongside Jason Johnson as both veterans looked for their first Outlaw wins of the year. McMahan led the opening circuit and continued to lead through a pair of cautions in the first handful of laps.
The tricky Lawrenceburg cushion got the better of Sheldon Haudenschild after the young Wooster, OH native pulled a massive slider for fourth on Lap 3.
When action resume, McMahan led as Schatz and Kyle Larson stalked closely behind. Brad Sweet established himself as a threat early moving by his good friend and fellow California native Larson for third on Lap 5.
As lapped traffic intensified, Paul McMahan bobbled out of turn two on the ninth circuit and Schatz and Sweet both pounced, shuffling the Nashville, TN driver back to third. Larson and McMahan waged war for the third position as Sweet began chasing down Schatz.
As is typical at The Burg, slide jobs were plentiful as The Greatest Show on Dirt lived up to its name in the fullest on Memorial Day. Schatz was masterful in traffic as always, but Sweet was just as good as the duo sliced and diced their way through slower traffic. Simultaneously, McMahan and Larson exchanged multiple slide jobs for the third position, with Larson finally wrestling the position away on Lap 21.
After clearing a handful of lapped cars, the top three were nose-to-tail with 10 laps remaining. Sweet gained on Schatz on an open track and made multiple bids for the lead, before completing the pass on the nine-time Series Champion in turn two to lead Lap 26.
A lap later Larson battled hard with Schatz for the runner-up position and had it as they crossed the line. Larson and Schatz continued to battle, but the Lawrenceburg cushion got the better of the California phenom as Larson spun in turn four, leaving fourth-place running McMahan nowhere to go as the caution waved with seven circuits remaining.
On the restart, Sweet showed the speed that got him to the lead from eighth and powered away from the field as David Gravel went side-by-side with Schatz for second and grabbed the position before the final caution flew with three laps remaining for Ian Madsen, who succumbed to a flat tire ending his top-ten run.
Gravel took a look underneath Sweet on the restart, opening the door for Schatz to steal second back from the CJB Motorsports No.5. Schatz had nothing left in the tank to come back after Sweet, as ‘The Big Cat’ crossed the line 1.460 seconds ahead of the Series Points Leader.
“I had a really good race car. It’s better to be in second sometimes, it allows you to move around,” Sweet said in Victory Lane about his pass for the lead. “We were terrible in the Dash going from sixth to eighth, but I was able to try some different lines, allowing us to make some changes for the Feature. We kept getting better and better as the race went on. It’s great to get this NAPA Auto Parts team in Victory Lane where they belong, hopefully we can keep this momentum up in the upcoming summer months,” Sweet said with positivity.
Schatz settled for second and endlessly thanked his Textron Off Road team for their continued work and was thankful to finally have the whole crew back, a rare occasion this season.
“I tried to go for the lead on the restart and lost a spot. We’ll take third, I can’t thank my guys and car owners enough for this opportunity,” Gravel, who set fast time during Qualifying, said. “Hopefully we can continue to qualify well and build off of this going forward.
Shane Stewart finished fourth, ending his winning streak at Lawrenceburg with Parker Price-Miller coming from 16th to complete the top five. Aaron Reutzel earned KSE Hard Charger honors advancing 15 positions, from 22nd to finish seventh.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues its 40th Anniversary Season Wednesday, May 30 with the Series’ inaugural visit to Fairbury American Legion Speedway (FALS) in Illinois. Tickets for the can’t miss event at FALS can be purchased here. The Series then treks to I-96 Speedway in Michigan on Friday before heading to Wilmot in Wisconsin to conclude the weekend. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (35 Laps): 1. 49-Brad Sweet [8][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$5,500]; 3. 5-David Gravel [5][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [7][$2,800]; 5. 4-Parker Price-Miller [16][$2,500]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [2][$2,300]; 7. 87-Aaron Reutzel [22][$2,200]; 8. 71-Giovanni Scelzi [14][$2,100]; 9. 5B-Christopher Bell [10][$2,050]; 10. 26-Joey Saldana [21][$2,000]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [17][$1,500]; 12. 99-Brady Bacon [18][$1,200]; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$1,100]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [9][$1,050]; 15. 7K-Cale Conley [20][$1,000]; 16. 18-Ian Madsen [12][$900]; 17. 57-Kyle Larson [4][$800]; 18. 13X-Paul McMahan [1][$800]; 19. 1A-Jacob Allen [11][$800]; 20. A79-Brandon Wimmer [24][$800]; 21. 49X-Tim Shaffer [23][$800]; 22. 11-Dominic Scelzi [15][$800]; 23. 20-Hunter Schuerenberg [13][$800]; 24. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [6][$800]; 25. 13-Clyde Knipp [25][$800]; Lap Leaders: Paul McMahan 1-9, Donny Schatz 10-25, Brad Sweet 26-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 87-Aaron Reutzel[+15]
Qualifying: 1. 5-David Gravel, 11.835; 2. 57-Kyle Larson, 11.847; 3. 13X-Paul McMahan, 11.89; 4. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.947; 5. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.961; 6. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.972; 7. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.974; 8. 15-Donny Schatz, 12; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.032; 10. 71-Giovanni Scelzi, 12.034; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.037; 12. 4-Parker Price-Miller, 12.054; 13. 20-Hunter Schuerenberg, 12.063; 14. 5B-Christopher Bell, 12.081; 15. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.11; 16. 18-Ian Madsen, 12.114; 17. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 12.133; 18. 5X-Justin Peck, 12.146; 19. 11-Dominic Scelzi, 12.174; 20. 26-Joey Saldana, 12.183; 21. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 12.185; 22. 99-Brady Bacon, 12.207; 23. 3-Jac Haudenschild, 12.208; 24. 7K-Cale Conley, 12.23; 25. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.235; 26. A79-Brandon Wimmer, 12.249; 27. 19P-Paige Polyak, 12.286; 28. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.294; 29. 19-Brent Marks, 12.318; 30. 30-CJ Leary, 12.459; 31. 2S-Nathan Skaggs, 12.463; 32. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.522; 33. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.802; 34. 21X-Carson Short, NT
Donny Schatz Sweeps Outlaw Portion of Let’s Race Two Weekend at Eldora
ROSSBURG, OH – May 12, 2018 – The man is on a roll. Donny Schatz completed the weekend sweep of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series portion of Let’s Race Two at Eldora Speedway holding off Logan Schuchart for the second consecutive night. It was Schatz’ eighth win of the 2018 season and fourth in his last five starts as he continues to extend his lead atop the Series Point Standings in search of his 10th Outlaw Championship.
Schatz won the Sears Craftsman Dash and shared the front row with Parker Price-Miller. It was PPM getting the jump on the start as the Indiana native set the pace for the first four laps on the cushion before Schatz took command of the field on the fifth circuit on the bottom.
Schuchart just barely edged Price-Miller to the line on Lap 7, which was significant because the caution flew for Sheldon Haudenschild, lining Schuchart to the outside of Schatz. Haudenschild, who entered the evening third in the World of Outlaws Point Standings, was unable to return to action.
The restart saw Schatz and Schuchart put a straightaway back to the rest of the field, as the duo, who finished first and second a night ago, were once again the class of the field. Schuchart was able to keep his Shark Racing No.1S glued to the bottom of the Eldora Speedway racing surface and close in on Schatz.
But, catching Donny Schatz and passing Donny Schatz are two entirely different things. Every time it appeared Schuchart may have a run to get underneath Schatz, the Fargo, ND native would go to the bottom, forcing Schuchart to the top. Schuchart’s No.1S was not as strong on the cushion, allowing Schatz to maintain the lead each time.
With consecutive Green Flag action, lapped traffic played a factor. Schatz reminded everyone why he is the nine-time and defending Series Champion with his prowess through a maze of lapped cars. Schuchart, an Outlaw winner at Eldora last year, stayed right with Schatz every step and just as he was about to pull even with the Champion, the caution flew for an ailing Spencer Bayston with five laps remaining.
With five or fewer laps remaining in the Feature, the start was single-file. Schuchart and third-place running Aaron Reutzel both stayed with Schatz on the restart, but Donny was too strong and went on to take the checkered flag 1.536 seconds ahead of Schuchart.
“We love lapped traffic. That’s where races are won and lost,” Schatz said in Victory Lane when prompted about the close-quartered racing action. “My guys are incredible. We keep working, keep digging and keep finding ways to be up here at the end of the night,” Schatz added before expressing his thanks to the fans for coming out and thanking the track and officials for running an accelerated program to beat Mother Nature.
When asked about the close racing with Schuchart, Schatz referenced an old tale from his father, “If you are worried about what is behind you, you are going to have a hell of a time handling what’s in front of you. I’ve always raced like that and tonight was no different.”
Schuchart was pleased with his second consecutive runner-up finish. “It was a lot of fun racing up there. I know my heart was pumping, it was hard to stay calm,” the upbeat Hanover, PA native said. “What a great weekend for us. Two podiums and if you are going to finish second to someone, that’s a hell of a team to finish behind. They are incredible, but we are going to try and keep working hard to beat them,” Schuchart added.
Reutzel’s 2018 speed continued as he followed up last night’s disappointment of wrecking while leading with a podium finish. “I probably should have been a little more aggressive on the top, but we definitely wanted to finish after last night,” the Texan and current All-Star point leader said.
Kraig Kinser had an impressive 15th to fourth run for his best finish of the season with Tim Shaffer completing the top five. Early race leader Parker Price-Miller settled for sixth with Kerry Madsen, 17th-starting Brad Sweet, 22nd-starting Ian Madsen and 24th-starting Daryn Pittman completing the top ten. Pittman claimed KSE Hard Charger honors for the second consecutive night.
The Greatest Show on Dirt continues its 40th Anniversary Season with a haul to the Hoosier State for a third-attempt at racing at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, IN tomorrow evening Sunday, May 13. After that, the Series will head to Central Pennsylvania to take on the tough Pennsylvania Posse at Lincoln Speedway on May 16 and at Williams Grove on May 18 and 19. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com!
Abbreviated Results from Eldora Speedway: May 12, 2018
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$10,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$5,000]; 3. 87-Aaron Reutzel [4][$3,000]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [15][$2,700]; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer [6][$2,500]; 6. 4-Parker Price-Miller [2][$2,200]; 7. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5][$2,000]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [17][$1,800]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [22][$1,600]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [24][$1,450]; 11. 7S-Jason Sides [8][$1,300]; 12. 41-Jason Johnson [10][$1,200]; 13. 99-Brady Bacon [23][$1,100]; 14. 5-David Gravel [7][$1,000]; 15. 2-Shane Stewart [19][$950]; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen [18][$900]; 17. 26-Joey Saldana [14][$850]; 18. 24-Rico Abreu [13][$750]; 19. 13X-Paul McMahan [9][$725]; 20. 10H-Chad Kemenah [20][$700]; 21. 19-Brent Marks [21][$700]; 22. 39-Spencer Bayston [16][$700]; 23. 12N-Cole Duncan [12][$700]; 24. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [11][$700]; Lap Leaders: Parker Price-Miller 1-4, Donny Schatz 5-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman[+14]
Schatz Scores Third Win in Last Four Starts on Night One of Let’s Race Two at Eldora
ROSSBURG, OH – May 11, 2018 – Donny Schatz inherited the lead on Lap 14 and held off a late race charge from Logan Schuchart to claim the victory on the opening night of the Let’s Race Two weekend at Eldora Speedway. It was Schatz’ 7th win of the 2018, extending his point lead atop the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Point Standings. Schuchart finished second with Brad Sweet finishing third.
Ohio native Cole Duncan set fast time over the 37-car field, won his heat race and was victorious in the Sears Craftsman Dash to earn the pole for the 30-lap Feature. Duncan, in search of his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory, shared the front row with legend and fellow Buckeye Jac Haudenschild, who was seeking his 74th career Outlaw victory.
It was Haudenschild getting the jump at the tip of the Green and leading the opening circuit. Third-starting Donny Schatz swooped underneath Duncan to take second the following lap. Haudenschild, or more often referred to as ‘The Wild Child’, lived up to his nickname every bit as he flirted with the dangerous cushion and was up against the wall fending off Schatz narrowly at the line for the first five laps in exciting fashion.
A Lap 6 caution for Hunter Schuerenberg halted the action and bunched the field together. On the restart, Schatz, on the bottom, remained right with Haudenschild, but this time sixth-starting Aaron Reutzel was right in tow. The trio sliced and diced their way as they battled for the lead, utilizing every inch of the Eldora Speedway racing surface.
On Lap 11, Reutzel made an eye-catching move going around the nine-time Series Champion before going wheel-to-wheel with Haudenschild and pulling even with The Wild Child on the front stretch, trailing him by .005 at the conclusion of the 11th circuit. Reutzel would take command of the field on Lap 12.
Schatz continued to jockey with Haudenschild, which allowed Reutzel, who scored his first career Outlaw win earlier this season at Tulare, to put a couple car-lengths between himself and Schatz and Haudenschild. Schatz finally wrestled the runner-up spot away from Haudenschild on Lap 13 and set his eyes on the Texas native for the lead on what promised to be a great battle.
Disaster struck for Reutzel on Lap 14, as he bobbled just enough on the thin Eldora Speedway cushion to lose the handle on his No.87, before making heavy contact with the outside retaining wall, ending his night. Schatz and Haudenschild both showed their veteran prowess avoiding Reutzel’s ailing machine as it bounced back into the racing line. Reutzel was uninjured in the accident and expressed his apologies to his race team stating the dangerous Eldora cushion got the better of him tonight.
One lap later, David Gravel was left nowhere to go and spun in turn two, creating a logjam that included Carson Macedo, Rico Abreu and Joey Saldana. Gravel and Abreu were able to make repairs, but Macedo and Saldana’s nights both came to an end.
The action remained intense on the restart as cars scattered around the Eldora racing surface. Brad Sweet had an excellent restart and moved into the runner-up position and nearly completed a slider on Schatz for the lead, to no avail as the Fargo, ND native powered around Sweet on the cushion.
Eighth-starting Logan Schuchart began making the bottom work and took the runner-up spot away from Sweet with eight laps remaining. Schuchart closed in on Schatz, who made a daring move splitting lapped cars, to extend the lead once again just as Schuchart was preparing to bid for the lead. Schuchart, who won during last year’s Let’s Race Two event at Eldora, closed in one last time with two laps remaining, but Schatz was too strong and took the checkered flag 1.041 seconds in front of the Hanover, PA native with Sweet completing the podium.
“I had a good car, we played around a little and tried something different, but this team just continues to work. We probably weren’t the best car tonight, but we are here standing with the checkered flag,” Schatz said in Victory Lane. When asked about Reutzel’s move for the lead and crash, Schatz said, “He was really fast, but he wore it out. That’s the big part of racing with the World of Outlaws. You’ve got to finish races to win the Championship and sometimes you can’t go as hard to make sure you finish these races.
Schatz also praised the Eldora Speedway track crew, “Everyone has a different perspective of what is a good race or not. There were multiple grooves and guys were making moves all over the place and that’s really all you can ask for.”
Jac Haudenschild settled for fourth with Duncan completing the top five. Gary Taylor, who was as high as second at one point, faded late to sixth. Sheldon Haudenschild came forward to seventh with 14th-starting Jason Johnson, 26th-starting Daryn Pittman and Kerry Madsen completing the top ten. Pittman’s effort was good enough to earn KSE Hard Charger honors, advancing 17 positions. Brady Bacon was the lone driver to compete in both portions of the Let’s Race Two. Bacon was victorious with USAC by nearly five seconds and finished 16th with the wing on in the Feature.
The Let’s Race Two weekend at Eldora Speedway wraps up tomorrow night Saturday, May 12. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to catch all the action live on DIRTVision.com!
Abbreviated Results from Eldora Speedway: May 11, 2018
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$10,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8][$5,000]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$3,000]; 4. 3-Jac Haudenschild [2][$2,700]; 5. 12N-Cole Duncan [1][$2,500]; 6. 57-Gary Taylor [7][$2,200]; 7. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [11][$2,000]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [14][$1,800]; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman [26][$900]; 10. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4][$1,450]; 11. 83-Cory Eliason [19][$1,300]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [27][$500]; 13. 5-David Gravel [12][$1,100]; 14. 49X-Tim Shaffer [17][$1,000]; 15. 10H-Chad Kemenah [10][$950]; 16. 99-Brady Bacon [21][$900]; 17. 13X-Paul McMahan [20][$850]; 18. 18-Ian Madsen [9][$750]; 19. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [16][$725]; 20. 39-Spencer Bayston [13][$700]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [24][$700]; 22. 2-Shane Stewart [25][$]; 23. 4-Parker Price-Miller [15][$700]; 24. 24-Rico Abreu [22][$700]; 25. 21B-Carson Macedo [18][$700]; 26. 26-Joey Saldana [23][$700]; 27. 87-Aaron Reutzel [6][$700]; 28. 7S-Jason Sides [28][$] Lap Leaders: Jac Haudenschild 1-11, Aaron Reutzel 12, Donny Schatz 13-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman[+17]
Schatz Thrills Massive Crowd at Devil’s Bowl with Late Race Pass Worth $20,000
MESQUITE, TX – April 28, 2018 – “I heard Ted Johnson telling me to get my ass in gear,” an elated Donny Schatz said after making a late race pass on Brad Sweet to capture the finale of the Texas Outlaw Nationals at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. Sweet led the first 25 laps, but settled for second with Shane Stewart completing the podium.
For the second night in a row, Jason Johnson paced the field in Qualifying and won his heat race. Brad Sweet edged his boss Kasey Kahne to take the Craftsman Club Dash, earning the pole for the 30-lap Feature. Sweet set a torrid pace as Schatz and Stewart waged war for the runner-up position.
Schatz wrestled the runner-up position away from Stewart on the eighth circuit and set his eyes on the leader. The lone caution during the race flew on Lap 11 as Tucker Klaasmeyer lost the handle on his Keith Kunz No.67K.
Stewart edged in front of Schatz on the double-file restart, but Schatz re-gained control of second down the backstretch. Sweet continued to lead and navigated traffic at a quick pace, but Schatz stayed with the Grass Valley, CA native through traffic and began to close on the bottom side of the speedway.
Sweet, who won the Texas Outlaw Nationals last year, continued to pound the cushion as Schatz showed his nose underneath him. With anticipation building amongst the crowd, Schatz powered off of the bottom of turn four to take command of the top spot and never look back.
“What an awesome race track. They gave us a top and bottom, the bottom was tricky, but if it was easy, everyone would be doing it,” Schatz said. The win for Schatz was his fifth of the 2018 season and was worth $20,000 and the Ted Johnson Memorial trophy.
“Ted looked after his people, he had great relationships with his guys. He had a serious passion, not only for his guys, but for putting on a great race. I remember watching him bounce up and down because Steve [Kinser] and Sammy [Swindell] were putting on a show,” Schatz reminisced about the late great Johnson. “He was a race fan.”
Sweet settled for second and was in good spirits, but understandably disappointed as he was searching for the first win of the season. “That’s the difference between winning and losing and Donny’s the best at it. The race track was great, it slicked off with multiple grooves,” Sweet said.
Shane Stewart was pleased with his podium finish, “This is a special place for me. I have a lot of friends and family out here, so to finish on the podium is special. I wish we could have been fighting for the lead up there, it was a great race, I watched it.”
Logan Schuchart charged from 12th to finish fourth for his second consecutive top-five finish with crowd favorite Jason Johnson completing the top five. After changing motors after his Heat, David Gravel bounced back with the KSE Hard Charger award coming from 19th to complete the top ten.
World of Outlaws hits the track at Salina Highbanks Speedway on May 5
SALINA, Okla. — April 26, 2018 — The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series makes their annual appearance at Salina Highbanks Speedway in Salina, Okla., on Saturday, May 5 for the running of the Twister Showdown. The event will mark the seventh time the series has raced at the ultra-high-banked three-eighths-mile.
Kerry Madsen was victorious last year at Salina over Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet. Madsen took the lead from Sweet on lap-23 and held off several charges from Sweet, Schatz and Shane Stewart in the late going to pick up the win. For Madsen, it was his first win at Salina.
Daryn Pittman scored a very popular win in 2016 at Salina Highbanks Speedway. The victory was the second straight for an Oklahoma native at the track, as Stewart was victorious in the 2015 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series event at Salina.
Leading the way into Salina Highbanks Speedway this season is Schatz, who has four wins and is on top of the point standings as he chases his 10th series title. Salina Highbanks Speedway is one of the few tracks on the circuit that he has never won at. The North Dakota native has a pair of runner-up showings among his five top-10 finishes in six starts at Salina.
Brad Sweet has finished on the podium in two of the last three years at Salina, including a third-place effort last year, which saw him lead the first 22 laps of the main event. The California native is currently third in points as he chases his first win of the season.
David Gravel has four top-10 finishes in five starts at Salina, including a runner-up performance in 2016. The 25-year-old was battling for the lead on the opening lap last season, when contact led him getting upside and ending his night. Gravel, who won a career-high 18 races last season is currently sixth in points as he chases his first win of 2018.
Pittman, who recently scored back-to-back wins in Arkansas and Missouri, is the only driver who has finished in the top-10 in all previous six World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series races at Salina. Fellow Oklahoman Shane Stewart has three top-10 finishes in four starts at the track.
Jason Johnson has finished in the top-five in each of the last two World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series races at Salina. Fellow veteran drivers who will be in attendance include Kraig Kinser, Greg Wilson and Jason Sides, as well as youngsters Logan Schuchart, Jacob Allen and Clyde Knipp.
Sheldon Haudenschild and Brent Marks each visited Salina for the first time last year. Haudenschild, who scored his first-career win on opening night in Florida this season, has added a couple of more victories and is currently second in points.
Ian Madsen, who is in his first full year on the road with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series has two straight top-10 finishes with the series at Salina. The Australian ran sixth last year and was fourth in 2016. Dane Lorenc, a rookie driver from New York, will be the lone driver making his debut at the track this year.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series raced for the first time at Salina Highbanks Speedway in 2011, with Craig Dollansky picking up the win. The veteran driver would win again in 2013 at the high-banked oval. Joey Saldana was victorious at Salina Highbanks Speedway in 2014.
Tickets for the Twister Showdown, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Salina Highbanks Speedway in Oklahoma on Saturday, May 5 can be purchased online at https://slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling 815-344-2023 and at the track on race day.
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Pittman Goes Back-to-Back with Second Consecutive Win at Pevely
PEVELY, MO – April 21, 2018 - Daryn Pittman got underneath Sheldon Haudenschild to lead Lap 31 en route to his second consecutive World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win of the weekend and second in a row at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, MO. Donny Schatz finished second and long-time race leader Sheldon Haudenschild completed the podium.
Donny Schatz won the Craftsman Club Dash and earned the pole of the 40-lap Feature alongside Ian Madsen. But it was Madsen who powered around Schatz to lead the opening circuit of the Feature. Sheldon Haudenschild used every bit of the racing surface to quickly take second from Schatz and begin chasing down Madsen for the lead. Just as Haudenschild was ready to make a move on Ian Madsen for the lead on the sixth circuit, the caution flew Ian’s older brother, Kerry, who was facing traffic on the backstretch.
Ian Madsen was able to turn under a pair of Sheldon sliders, before Haudenschild took command to lead Lap 8. As Haudenschild navigated heavy traffic, both Madsen and Pittman were able to erase Sheldon's lead. Daryn Pittman made an eye-catching three-wide pass for the lead down the backstretch on Lap 13, only for it to be negated by a yellow for Cory Eliason.
As the rubber became more prominent on the racing surface, experience became a factor. Pittman and Schatz quickly closed in on Haudenschild for the lead. Haudenschild had a minor hiccup in turn one and missed the rubber by no more than a car length, but that was all Pittman needed as the 2013 Series Champion stuffed his Kasey Kahne Racing No.9 car underneath Haudenschild to take command down the backstretch. A couple laps later Haudenschild hiccupped in turn one again and Schatz was able to sneak by for second.
Ian Madsen’s top-five run came to an end with five laps remaining, due to a flat tire. A clear track ahead of Pittman allowed the veteran driver to hit his marks en route to his 74th career Outlaw victory.
“Man, this is starting to be fun again. It’s been a frustrating start to the season, but this car has been a blast to drive the past two nights,” Pittman said upon exiting his Ionomy sponsored KKR No.9 machine.
“This is the way we envisioned we would start the year. We are really happy with where we are at right now, this is why you never give up,” an enthusiastic Pittman added. Pittman eluded to the harder tire compound his team elected to go with before thanking his car owner, Kasey Kahne, and all of his sponsorship partners. When asked about the negated three-wide pass for the lead, Pittman said, “I thought that was the end of our chance to win it. This really was a great team win.”
Donny Schatz also went with a harder tire compound. “I was way too loose in the beginning and we had to pay the price, but we made it back it up. All in all, it was a great night,” Schatz said in good spirits.
After leading 22 laps, Sheldon Haudenschild had all the reason to be dejected, but that was not the case. “We definitely want to win these races, but we want to finish them too. I’m happy with a podium. The guys worked really hard after tearing a car up last night. I missed the rubber twice and I got passed twice,” Sheldon, who continues to sit second in the Series Point Standings, said.
David Gravel and Brad Sweet completed the all-Outlaw top five. Nine of the top ten were World of Outlaws regulars, including Brent Marks who came from 22nd to 10th, earning KSE Hard Charger honors. Indiana youngster Cale Thomas was the lone non-Outlaw regular in the top-ten, finishing eighth. Jason Sides set fast-time over the 44-car field for the first time this season.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series completes its three-race bullring weekend Sunday evening at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, IN. Another strong car count is expected, and all the action can be watched live on DIRTVision.com. Next week, the Outlaws ramp up its 40th Anniversary Celebration with three races in four days in Texas, capped off at the Series birthplace, Devil’s Bowl Speedway.
Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55:
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [6][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$5,500]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$3,200]; 4. 5-David Gravel [7][$2,800]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$2,500]; 6. 7S-Jason Sides [5][$2,300]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [8][$2,200]; 8. 91-Cale Thomas [14][$2,100]; 9. 26-Joey Saldana [15][$2,050]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [22][$2,000]; 11. 45-Paul McMahan [10][$1,500]; 12. 5C-Christopher Bell [12][$1,200]; 13. 99-Brady Bacon [16][$1,100]; 14. 41-Jason Johnson [13][$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [23][$1,000]; 16. 24-Rico Abreu [17][$900]; 17. 21-Brian Brown [24][$800]; 18. 2M-Kerry Madsen [9][$800]; 19. 83-Cory Eliason [20][$800]; 20. 18-Ian Madsen [2][$800]; 21. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25][$]; 22. 21X-Carson Short [18][$800]; 23. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [19][$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [11][$800]; 25. 3-Sammy Swindell [21][$800] Lap Leaders: Ian Madsen 1-7, Sheldon Haudenschild 8-30, Daryn Pittman 31-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+12]
Qualifying Flight-A: 1. 7S-Jason Sides, 10.764; 2. 5-David Gravel, 10.809; 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 10.828; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen, 10.861; 5. 18-Ian Madsen, 10.899; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman, 10.943; 7. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 10.998; 8. 21-Brian Brown, 11.011; 9. 24-Rico Abreu, 11.053; 10. 26-Joey Saldana, 11.092; 11. 3-Sammy Swindell, 11.105; 12. 9X-Paul Nienhiser, 11.113; 13. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg, 11.225; 14. 1M-James Moughan, 11.256; 15. O1-Matt Vandervere, 11.342; 16. OO-Dane Lorenc, 11.348; 17. 51B-Joe Miller, 11.495; 18. W20-Greg Wilson, 11.503; 19. 9JR-Derek Hagar, 11.539; 20. 8S-Steve Short, 11.683; 21. 10P-Jim Perricone, 12.327
Qualifying Flight-B: 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 10.808; 2. 15-Donny Schatz, 10.961; 3. 91-Cale Thomas, 10.997; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.056; 5. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.059; 6. 5C-Christopher Bell, 11.061; 7. 45-Paul McMahan, 11.085; 8. 83-Cory Eliason, 11.094; 9. O5-Gary Taylor, 11.104; 10. 99-Brady Bacon, 11.156; 11. 19-Brent Marks, 11.207; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.248; 13. 21X-Carson Short, 11.452; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.506; 15. 64-Scotty Thiel, 11.514; 16. 13-Clyde Knipp, 11.554; 17. 25-Jacob Blackhurst, 11.896; 18. 5B-Chase Briscoe, 11.987; 19. 12-Robert Ballou, 11.994; 20. 79J-Jacob Patton, 12.153; 21. 14T-Jimmy Bridgeman, 12.176; 22. 71M-Andy Bradley, 12.193
Schatz Storms from 12th for Fourth Win of Young Season
QUEEN CREEK, AZ – Donny Schatz started 12th and passed Shane Stewart on a Lap 20 restart to score his first career victory at Arizona Speedway Saturday Night in front of a standing room only crowd. It was Schatz, who was the fourth and final driver to lead a lap in the Feature, fourth win of the season as he extended his early season points lead in his quest for his tenth Series Championship.
California native Cory Eliason continued to show impressive speed winning the Craftsman Club Dash and leading the opening lap of the 30 lap Arizona Desert Shootout. That lead was short-lived, however, as Sheldon Haudenschild slid in front of the Roth Motorsports No.83 to lead the second circuit. Haudenschild, who entered the evening second in points and tied with Schatz with three wins, appeared to be the man to beat, extending his lead to a sizeable margin through lapped traffic.
A Lap 13 caution bunched the field together and Haudenschild extended the lead once again. The move of the restart, which proved to be crucial at the race’s end, was Donny Schatz powering from eighth to third on the bottom off of turn four.
Lap 16 saw disaster strike for Sheldon as the thin cushion in turn four got the better of the young Wooster, OH native. It was the second time in the young 2018 campaign that Haudenschild has brought out the yellow while leading. Unlike at Tulare, this time there was no damage to the NOS Energy Drink No.17 machine and he was able to restart at the rear of the field.
Sheldon’s misfortune moved Shane Stewart, who advanced forward from his fifth starting position, to the point. By Lap 20, when the thin cushion claimed two more victims – Brad Sweet and Brian Brown, Schatz had worked by Joey Saldana for the runner-up position and was ready to pounce on the next restart.
Pounce he did, as Schatz shot underneath Stewart and led down the backstretch only to have the pass negated by another caution. That set up a single-file restart and Stewart went to the bottom entering turn one, only to see Schatz, this time on the outside of the speedway, roll by him down the backstretch once again. In an attempt to get the lead back from Schatz, Stewart allowed Saldana to regain the runner-up spot.
A pair of late race restarts allowed the field to have a crack at Schatz and Saldana had the crowd holding their breath with two to go as he narrowed the gap to three car-lengths. A valiant effort was not meant to be for the “Brownsburg Bullet” as he finished 0.821 seconds behind the Tony Stewart Racing No.15.
Schatz first order of business in Victory Lane was to express his thoughts to the Humboldt Broncos community following their hockey team’s tragic accident Friday evening. Additionally, the Tony Stewart Racing No.15 team had a little bit of a different look in the pit area tonight. “We were minus the backbone of our team tonight, Scuba broke his ankle at Bakersfield and is on the couch for a while,” Schatz explained.
“We’ve won in Arizona before, but not at this place. My race car was awesome all over the race track tonight, a true testament to my team’s excellence,” the Fargo, ND native said. When asked about the multitude of late-race restarts, Schatz chuckled and said, “I’m getting older and the older I get, the more patient I am.” It was Schatz’s 265th World of Outlaws victory in his illustrious career.
Saldana, who finished fourth last outing at Bakersfield, was pleased with his car speed once again. “Kevin Rudeen gives us a great car, with great equipment. We have everything we need to succeed and it’s starting to show. Hopefully we can win one of these soon, we’ve been real close the last two weeks.”
“It’s hard to win these races and it’s hard to win against guys like Donny Schatz. When you can finish on the front stretch, it’s a solid night,” Saldana added.
The KSE Hard Charger award went to Logan Schuchart, who charged from 16th to finish third. “What an improvement that was from our Qualifying effort. I can’t thank my guys enough. Our team never gives up,” a pleased Schuchart said.
Stewart settled for a fourth-place finish, his third straight top-five outing with Eliason rounding out the top five. Despite spinning past the halfway point of the race, Sheldon Haudenschild charged back to finish seventh at the checkered flag.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series heads to the Midwest next week with a date at the Jacksonville Speedway in Illinois on Friday, April 13th before heading to Haubstadt, IN the following night to compete at the Tri-State Speedway. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to watch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [12][$10,000]; 2. 26-Joey Saldana [2][$5,500]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [16][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,800]; 5. 83-Cory Eliason [1][$2,500]; 6. 5-David Gravel [9][$2,300]; 7. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$2,200]; 8. 45-Paul McMahan [11][$2,100]; 9. 41-Jason Johnson [8][$2,050]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [17][$2,000]; 11. 49-Brad Sweet [10][$1,500]; 12. 24-Rico Abreu [19][$1,200]; 13. 18-Ian Madsen [4][$1,100]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [15][$1,050]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [21][$1,000]; 16. OO-Dane Lorenc [18][$900]; 17. 11K-Kraig Kinser [22][$800]; 18. 2B-Billy Chester [23][$800]; 19. 90-Randy Waitman [24][$800]; 20. 9-Daryn Pittman [13][$800]; 21. 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg [7][$800]; 22. 21-Brian Brown [6][$800]; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp [20][$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [14][$800] Lap Leaders: Cory Eliason 1, Sheldon Haudenschild 2-16, Shane Stewart 17-20, Donny Schatz 21-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+13]
Qualifying: 1. 18-Ian Madsen, 12.96; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.96; 3. 83-Cory Eliason, 12.978; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.994; 5. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.006; 6. 21-Brian Brown, 13.06; 7. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.098; 8. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.103; 9. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.129; 10. 19AZ-Hunter Schuerenberg, 13.144; 11. 26-Joey Saldana, 13.15; 12. 5-David Gravel, 13.155; 13. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.163; 14. 19-Brent Marks, 13.223; 15. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.243; 16. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.263; 17. 45-Paul McMahan, 13.272; 18. OO-Dane Lorenc, 13.272; 19. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.308; 20. 2B-Billy Chester, 13.312; 21. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.347; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.425; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.691; 24. 90-Randy Waitman, 21.534
SLS Promotions & River Cities Speedway announce ticket updates for World of Outlaws events
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — April 6, 2018 -- A pair of changes are on the horizon for tickets and the seating arrangement at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D., for both World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series events in 2018.
First and foremost, all reserved seats will be enlarged to 20-inches in width to provide a more spacious and fan-friendly atmosphere in the grandstands. After this process is complete, the seat numbering of rows will be updated to reflect this change. In addition, advance ticket sales for both World of Outlaws events this year will be handled predominately by SLS Promotions.
To ensure a smooth transition, patrons who purchased advance tickets last year from River Cities Speedway, will have the opportunity to purchase those same seats, before they go on sale to the general public. SLS Promotions will work to accommodate patrons to place them in the same seats or as close as possible to that patron's seating preference from 2017. A limited number of reserved seats will be available for purchase from River Cities Speedway.
Patrons will receive an email or phone call with further instructions in regards to renewing their tickets from last year.
The 1st Leg of the Gerdau Recycling Northern Tour for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at River Cities Speedway is set for Friday, June 15, with the 2nd Leg of the Northern Tour hitting the track on Friday, August 17.
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World of Outlaws tickets on sale for I-96 Speedway on June 1
LAKE ODESSA, Mich. — April 2, 2018 -- Tickets are now on sale for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series return to I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Mich., on Friday, June 1. Tickets can be purchased online at slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023. The event will be the series only race of the season in the state of Michigan.
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In the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series most recent visit to I-96 Speedway in 2016, David Gravel was victorious. Brad Sweet, who drives for Kasey Kahne Racing, won at I-96 Speedway for the first time in his career in 2015. Donny Schatz, the nine-time and defending series champion, won his first race at I-96 Speedway in 2014. A total of seven different drivers have visited victory lane in the last seven events for the series at I-96 Speedway.
Battling Schatz, Gravel and Sweet in 2017 is a talented group of full-time competitors, including Sheldon Haudenschild, who already has three wins this season and is second in points, Daryn Pittman, the 2013 series champion, Shane Stewart, who is a past winner in the state of Michigan, Jason Johnson, the 2016 winner of the Knoxville Nationals, fan favorite Jason Sides, third-generation driver Kraig Kinser, Tim Shaffer, who won the Knoxville Nationals in 2010 and Greg Wilson, the Outlaws top rookie in 2016.
Logan Schuchart, who picked up four wins last season, leads the next generation of drivers, along with his Shark Racing teammate Jacob Allen, as well teenager Clyde Knipp from Missouri and sophomore driver and Brent Marks. Ian Madsen and Dane Lorenc are each in the midst of their first full season on the road with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series.
Tickets for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series return to I-96 Speedway on Friday, June 1 for the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series event at I-96 Speedway can purchased online at slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by phone by calling: 815-344-2023.
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Sheldon Haudenschild Continues Torrid Start to 2018; Captures Third Win of Season at Bakersfield
BAKERSFIELD, CA – March 24, 2018 – Last year’s Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Sheldon Haudenschild means business in 2018, as the young Wooster, OH native scored his third World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the young 2018 season at Bakersfield Speedway. Haudenschild stormed to the front of the Feature from ninth and was undoubtedly the class of the field, winning by nearly three and a half seconds despite a late caution. Shane Stewart came from seventh for his second consecutive podium finish with early race leader Jason Johnson completing the all World of Outlaws regulars podium.
Johnson was attempting to pull a clean sweep of the program after setting fast time, winning his Heat and taking the Craftsman Club Dash, earning the pole for the 35-lap Feature. Johnson set a fast pace, surviving a couple of cautions and leading the first 14 laps.
2016 Bakersfield winner Brad Sweet appeared to be the man to beat when he took the lead, to a huge applause, on the 15th circuit from his fifth-starting position, after exchanging multiple slide jobs with Johnson. Disaster struck three laps later for Sweet as he did a full 360 rotation and a massive wheelie before his NAPA Auto Parts No.49 machine came to a stop in turn two.
That allowed Johnson to re-assume the lead with Haudenschild right beside him on the double-file restart. Johnson kept Sheldon at bay for a couple of laps as the duo traded the lead each corner for a handful of laps enthralling the large Bakersfield Speedway crowd once again. Haudenschild officially led Lap 23 and was never truly challenged after that point.
The excitement didn’t stop there though for the driver of the NOS Energy Drink, Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall No.17 as Sheldon asserted his dominance over the field by lapping cars at a rapid pace, throwing massive slide jobs along the way.
On Lap 29, Sheldon saw a four-second lead erased for one final caution. Sheldon powered away on the restart, with no challenge going to win by 3.446 seconds.
Haudenschild was the topic amongst the crowd all night after coming from 10th in his Heat Race, after spinning, to finish third. “It just shows how good my guys are,” Haudenschild said in reference to his recovery from the Heat Race blunder. “A lot of guys were fighting for the bottom and I just went where the track was free,” Haudenschild added about his cushion-pounding move in the qualifying event. “It feels really good to a get a third win this early on in the season. This NOS Energy Drink No.17 was on a rail all night,” Haudenschild said in Victory Lane.
Shane Stewart secured his second consecutive podium finish on the strength of restarts. “[Double-file restarts] are one of the crazy and cool things about the World of Outlaws and I’ve been on the wrong end of them before, but tonight they worked out for us. Hopefully we can get a win here real soon,” Stewart said after exiting his DC Solar sponsored Kyle Larson Racing No.2 machine.
Jason Johnson was in good spirits with his third-place finish despite leading a large portion of the race. “We came up a little bit short, we were a little too free once the fuel burned off, but still a very good night for this team. It’s always good to be on the podium,” the Eunice, LA native said.
Joey Saldana came from 14th to finish fourth with Ian Madsen coming from 16th to complete the top five. Neither of those efforts were good enough to secure KSE Hard Charger honors as that belonged to Donny Schatz, who came from 21st to finish sixth. The first six finishers, and eight of the first nine across the line, were World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series regulars.
The Series takes next weekend off as the Series allows its drivers, crews and teams a weekend to observe the Easter Holiday. The Greatest Show on Dirt continues its 40th Anniversary Season at Arizona Speedway on April 7, tickets can be purchased here. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to tune into DIRTVision.com to watch all the action live!
Feature: (35 Laps) 1. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [9][$10,000]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [7][$5,500]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$3,200]; 4. 26-Joey Saldana [14][$2,800]; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [16][$2,500]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [21][$2,300]; 7. 21X-Carson Macedo [10][$2,200]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [19][$2,100]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11][$2,050]; 10. 7S-Tim Kaeding [4][$2,000]; 11. 24-Rico Abreu [23][$1,500]; 12. 5-David Gravel [18][$1,200]; 13. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$1,100]; 14. 19-Brent Marks [15][$1,050]; 15. 83-Cory Eliason [6][$1,000]; 16. 57-Giovanni Scelzi [13][$900]; 17. O-Bud Kaeding [2][$800]; 18. 7SS-Jason Sides [8][$800]; 19. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [24][$800]; 20. 87-Aaron Reutzel [22][$800]; 21. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [3][$800]; 22. 49X-Tim Shaffer [20][$800]; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen [12][$800]; 24. 45-Paul McMahan [17][$800]; Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-14, 19-22; Brad Sweet 15-18; Sheldon Haudenschild 23-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz[+15]
Qualifying: 1. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.271; 2. 7S-Tim Kaeding, 11.362; 3. 7SS-Jason Sides, 11.388; 4. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 11.393; 5. O-Bud Kaeding, 11.405; 6. 83-Cory Eliason, 11.472; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.506; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.519; 9. 57-Giovanni Scelzi, 11.519; 10. 26-Joey Saldana, 11.527; 11. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.53; 12. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.548; 13. 45-Paul McMahan, 11.561; 14. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.573; 15. 29-Willie Croft, 11.576; 16. 18-Ian Madsen, 11.592; 17. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.6; 18. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 11.617; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.633; 20. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 11.658; 21. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.604; 22. 5-David Gravel, 11.698; 23. 19-Brent Marks, 11.74; 24. 24-Rico Abreu, 11.75; 25. 22-Shane Golobic, 11.798; 26. 21X-Carson Macedo, 11.813; 27. 98-Sean Watts, 11.944; 28. 83JR-Kyle Hirst, 11.962; 29. W20-Greg Wilson, 11.979; 30. OO-Dane Lorenc, 11.995; 31. 88N-DJ Netto, 12.005; 32. 68-Chase Johnson, 12.052; 33. 16A-Colby Copeland, 12.077; 34. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.109; 35. 86-Chris Ennis, 12.333; 36. 10-Matthew Moles, 12.612; 37. 28-Nathan Rolfe, 12.633
World of Outlaws tickets on sale for the Badger 40 at Wilmot Raceway
WILMOT, Wisc. — March 19, 2018 -- Tickets are now on sale for the Badger 40, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wisconsin on Saturday, June 2 and can be purchased online atslspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023.
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David Gravel remained undefeated in World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series competition at Wilmot Raceway in 2017, by winning the Badger 40. Gravel has won each of the last three Outlaws races at Wilmot. Last season, he was victorious in a thriller over Shane Stewart and Brad Sweet. That trio traded the lead five times in the last 11 laps of the 40-lap race. Gravel also won at Wilmot with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in 2014 and 2016.
Daryn Pittman, the 2013 series champion, is a past winner at Wilmot Raceway, taking the checkered flag in 2008. In the inaugural event for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at the third-mile bullring in 2006, Mark Dobmeier was victorious, which marked his first-career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win.
Battling Gravel, Pittman, Stewart and Sweet in 2017 is another stout group of full-time competitors including nine-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz, as well as fellow veteran drivers Jason Johnson, Tim Shaffer Kraig Kinser, Jason Sides and Greg Wilson.
Logan Schuchart, who won four races last year, along with his Shark Racing teammate Jacob Allen are back on the road again this season, as is teenager Clyde Knipp from Missouri. Sheldon Haudenschild and Brent Marks who battled for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award last year, are back on the Outlaws trail this season. Haudenschild has visited victory twice thus far in 2018 and is currently second in points.
Ian Madsen, Parker Price-Miller and Dane Lorenc are all in the midst of their first full season on the tour.
Tickets for the Badger 40, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, Wisconsin on Saturday, June 2 and can be purchased online at slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023. Also in action will be the Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint Series and the Wisconsin Illinois Mini Sprints.
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Cory Eliason Leads All 30 Laps to Score First Career Outlaw Victory at Stockton
STOCKTON, CA - March 17, 2018 – California native Cory Eliason, aboard the famed Roth Motorsports No.83, dominated the FVP Platinum Battery Western Spring Shootout at Stockton to score his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory. Eliason, who scored a career-high second place finish last weekend at Tulare, survived numerous cautions to secure the hometown victory. Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Contender Ian Madsen finished second with Shane Stewart completing the podium.
Eliason won the Craftsman Club Dash, earning the pole for the 30-lap Feature alongside FVP-sponsored driver Brian Brown. Eliason powered out to the early lead on the 'elbows up' surface and reached lapped traffic on the fourth circuit.
The first of a handful of cautions came on lap 10, as the hole in turn three swallowed up Brown while he was running second. That allowed Rico Abreu to assume second on the restart. Three laps later, during a caution for Parker Price-Miller, Abreu surrendered his runner-up position and pulled into the work area.
When action resumed, Madsen found himself in second looking for a way around Eliason. But the Selma, CA native was masterful in traffic, never allowing the field to mount a serious challenge. The closest call of the night for Eliason was entering turn one on lap 24, as his No.83 car hit a rut and bobbled heavily.
Brad Sweet, while running in the top five, slowed to a stop with three laps remaining giving the field one last chance to steal a victory from Eliason. It was not meant to be tonight, Eliason was the class of the field as he distanced himself from the field on the restart to win by nearly two seconds.
“It feels great to finally get an Outlaw win. And at home, too,” an out-of-breath Eliason said in Victory Lane. “That track was technical and it definitely wore me out. Hopefully, we can another one next weekend,” Eliason added.
Ian Madsen was pleased with his runner-up finish, “We had nothing for those guys. Congrats to Cory on his first career win. This was a great night for our KCP team. We haven’t had much luck to start the season, so it’s great to a good night under our belt.”
Likewise, Shane Stewart was also happy for his first podium finish of 2018. “I don’t think it was the prettiest third-place run, but we’ll take it,” Stewart said with a chuckle. “We need some good runs to get our momentum rolling.” 10th-starting Carson Macedo followed up his top-five at Tulare with an impressive fourth-place finish. Tim Kaeding, aboard Jason Sides No. 7S, came from 13th to complete the top five.
During intermission, the World of Outlaws announced that the Brad Sweet Placerville Short Track Showdown has been postponed to Wednesday, September 12. The Outlaws continue their 40th Anniversary Season Friday, March 23 at Ocean Speedway before heading south to Bakersfield Speedway on Saturday, March 24. Tickets for both events are still available at woosprint.com. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to tune into DIRTVision.com for live video of every World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series race in 2018.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 83-Cory Eliason [1][$10,000]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [3][$5,500]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [6][$3,200]; 4. 21X-Carson Macedo [10][$2,800]; 5. 7S-Tim Kaeding [13][$2,500]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [11][$2,300]; 7. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [12][$2,200]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [20][$2,100]; 9. 5-David Gravel [5][$2,050]; 10. 29-Willie Croft [15][$2,000]; 11. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [21][$1,500]; 12. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$1,200]; 13. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [9][$1,100]; 14. 15-Donny Schatz [16][$1,050]; 15. 45-Paul McMahan [17][$1,000]; 16. 4-Parker Price-Miller [22][$900]; 17. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8][$800]; 18. 3C-Tanner Thorson [18][$800]; 19. 57-Giovanni Scelzi [23][$800]; 20. 87-Aaron Reutzel [14][$800]; 21. 24-Rico Abreu [4][$800]; 22. 21-Brian Brown [2][$800]; 23. 49X-Tim Shaffer [19][$800]; 24. 19-Brent Marks [24][$800]; 25. OO-Dane Lorenc [25][$]; Lap Leaders: Cory Eliason 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman[+12]
Qualifying Flight-A: 1. 21-Brian Brown, 13.007; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.111; 3. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.16; 4. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.202; 5. 45-Paul McMahan, 13.208; 6. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.245; 7. 83JR-Kyle Hirst, 13.25; 8. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.255; 9. 57-Giovanni Scelzi, 13.276; 10. 29-Willie Croft, 13.299; 11. 7S-Tim Kaeding, 13.319; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.37; 13. 7SS-Jason Sides, 13.403; 14. 68-Chase Johnson, 13.41; 15. 88N-DJ Netto, 13.45; 16. 7-John Carney, 13.693; 17. 22-Shane Golobic, 13.7; 18. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.889; 19. 28-Nathan Rolfe, NT; 20. OO-Dane Lorenc, 13.482
Qualifying Flight-B: 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.129; 2. 5-David Gravel, 13.132; 3. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.176; 4. 83-Cory Eliason, 13.178; 5. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.178; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.213; 7. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.231; 8. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 13.237; 9. 4-Parker Price-Miller, 13.251; 10. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.252; 11. 21X-Carson Macedo, 13.342; 12. 19-Brent Marks, 13.406; 13. 37-Mitchell Faccinto, 13.492; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.504; 15. 26-Joey Saldana, 13.55; 16. 5H-Michael Kofoid, 13.612; 17. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.777; 18. 98-Sean Watts, 13.822; 19. 3C-Tanner Thorson, 13.835
Reutzel Earns First Outlaw Win in Thunderbowl Thriller
TULARE, CA - March 9, 2018 - Texas native Aaron Reutzel scored his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory in thrilling fashion after exchanging multiple slide jobs with local driver Cory Eliason. A lap 20 yellow for then race leader Sheldon Haudenschild bunched the field together and Reutzel began picking off the leaders in exciting fashion. Eliason settled for second with Donny Schatz completing the podium.
Eliason, aboard the famed Roth Motorsports No.83, won the Craftsman Club Dash, earning the pole for the 35-lap Feature alongside fellow California native Jason Meyers. Eliason, in search of his first Outlaw victory, set the pace for the first 11 laps before giving way to red-hot Sheldon Haudenschild on the 12th circuit.
Sheldon, who set a new Tulare track record in qualifying, seemingly had the fastest car on the track and maneuvered the heavy lapped traffic well as he continued to extend his lead. Coming off of turn four on lap 18, Haudenschild got into the back of a lapped car and the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall No.17 never settled down. Haudenschild muscled his ill-handling machine through turn one and two, before making heavy contact with the frontstretch wall at the completion of the lap, ending the young gun's bid for his third win of the young season.
Eliason assumed the lead, but this time with nine-time Series Champion Donny Schatz alongside of him. The young Visalia, CA native got a strong restart and established a sizeable lead over the veteran. Reutzel, who restarted sixth, came to life as he pounded the cushion, weaving in and out of cars grabbing third on lap 23 and passing Schatz two circuits later to claim the second spot.
Reutzel arrived at leader Eliason on lap 28 and the duo waged war for the top spot, as you would expect of two drivers looking for their first World of Outlaws victory. The duo exchanged sliders in each corner exciting the large Thunderbowl Raceway crowd. Reutzel secured the victory on lap 31 as he powered his Baughman/Reutzel owned No.87 around Eliason down the backstretch and pulled away for his first career Outlaw triumph.
"This is a dream come true. I've led a handful of Outlaw shows in the past, but never been able to finish the job; you start doubting yourself. It's something you don't think will ever happen," a jubilant Reutzel said. "It all played out perfect tonight. This track is truly special. It fits my driving style - gas it up on the fence. I am so lucky to have the people behind me that I do," the former 360-winged sprint car ace added.
Eliason settled for second and was in good spirits, "It's always tough when you are out front in traffic. Aaron drove a great race. Hopefully, the weather cooperates and we get another chance at it tomorrow," the Visalia, CA native said.
Schatz was also pleased with his podium finish as he extended his early Series points lead, "A top-three finish is very respectable for us at Tulare. We usually don't run too well on tracks like this."
Dominic Scelzi and 12th-starting Carson Macedo completed the top five. Tim Kaeding, aboard the Sides Motorsports No.7S, earned KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 16th to finish eighth in his first start for Sides. Action continues Saturday night at the Thunderbowl Raceway as the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series tackles the high-banked bullring once again.
Abbreviated Results from Thunderbowl Raceway - March 9, 2018
Feature (35 Laps): 1. 87-Aaron Reutzel [4][$10,000]; 2. 83-Cory Eliason [1][$5,000]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [5][$3,000]; 4. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [8][$2,700]; 5. 21X-Carson Macedo [12][$2,500]; 6. 9-Daryn Pittman [10][$2,200]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet [6][$2,000]; 8. 7S-Tim Kaeding [16][$1,800]; 9. 14-Jason Meyers [2][$1,600]; 10. 24-Rico Abreu [11][$1,450]; 11. 57-Giovanni Scelzi [7][$1,300]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [14][$1,200]; 13. 45-Paul McMahan [17][$1,100]; 14. 29-Willie Croft [21][$1,000]; 15. 4-Parker Price-Miller [9][$950]; 16. 2-Shane Stewart [19][$900]; 17. 41-Jason Johnson [20][$850]; 18. 21-Brian Brown [18][$750]; 19. 5-David Gravel [13][$725]; 20. 26-Joey Saldana [26][$]; 21. OO-Dane Lorenc [28][$]; 22. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25][$]; 23. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$700]; 24. 49X-Tim Shaffer [23][$700]; 25. 88N-DJ Netto [22][$700]; 26. 13-Clyde Knipp [27][$]; 27. 83JR-Kyle Hirst [15][$700]; 28. 1A-Jacob Allen [24][$700]; Lap Leaders: Cory Eliason 1-11, 20-30; Sheldon Haudenschild 12-19, Aaron Reutzel 31-35 KSE Hard Charger Award: 7S-Tim Kaeding[+8]
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Returns to Bakersfield Speedway March 24th
PETERSEN MEDIA- After a successful showing during the 2016 season, the famed World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series is set to return to Bakersfield Speedway on March 24th in an event that will mark their final race in the Golden State before returning later this fall.
During the 2016 event, the stars and cars of the series made their return to the Central CA bullring a memorable one as California product, Brad Sweet, fended off challenges from Joey Saldana, who was behind the wheel of a California based Roth Motorsports entry, to claim the popular win in front of a capacity crowd.
Not hosting the series in 2017, Bakersfield Speedway is eagerly awaiting a return appearance by 'The Greatest Show on Dirt' on March 24th as over 20 National drivers with a mix of California's best are expected to be on hand for a great show.
With five World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series races ran thus far in 2018, the story has been all about multi-time Series Champion, Donny Schatz, and second year WoO driver Sheldon Haudenschild. The duo has been the only two to win to date as Schatz has picked off three feature event wins, and Haudenschild has scored two victories.
Tickets for the Bakersfield Speedway World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series event are now on sale, and fans can purchase their $40 reserved seating seats by calling 1-844-Dirt-Tix (347-8849). General Admission Tickets will be available for $35. Fans can also click over to http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?orgid=52711&agency=WRG_SNG&pid=8525932 the purchase tickets.
STAY CONNECTED: Stay connected to the Bakersfield Speedway for more information on this event by following on twitter @BakoSpeedway, 'Liking' the track on Facebook at www. Facebook.com/Bakersfield.Speedway, or by clicking over to www.bakersfieldspeedway.com.
The Bakersfield Speedway is located at 5001 N. Chester Ext. Bakersfield, CA 93308.
PETERSEN MEDIA: Petersen Media is a promotional agency that can handle your public relations, marketing, and any other promotional needs. Petersen Media utilizes multiple tactics to help you reach your intended audience, and boost awareness.
For more information contact sales@petersenmediainc.com, by phone at 916-342-3424, visit www.petersenmediainc.com, www.facebook.com/PetersenMedia, or follow www.twitter.com/petersen_media.
Tim Shaffer: Full-Time Outlaw for 2018
CONCORD, NC – March 4, 2018 – The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series is thrilled to announce that TheSteel City Outlaw Tim Shaffer and car owner Jeff Rudzik have signed on as full-time Outlaws for the 2018 40th Anniversary Season in the familiar No.49X machine.
Shaffer has been a staple with The Greatest Show on Dirt since scoring his first career victory 20 years ago in Elma, WA at Grays Harbor Raceway in 1998. A year later, Tim Shaffer was crowned the 1999 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year with the World of Outlaws before spending the better part of the next decade as a Series regular.
“We feel extremely competitive and I don’t how many years left I have doing this. Most importantly, I am enjoying myself out here,” Shaffer, who scored two Outlaw wins in 2017, cited as his main reason for joining the Outlaws full-time. “I work really with Cody Jacobs as my crew chief and we have had a lot of speed, while also enjoying ourselves,” Shaffer added with a smile.
Shaffer will land in the Sprint Car Hall of Fame when he chooses to retire on the strength of his 25 Outlaw wins, 60 All-Star Circuit of Champion triumphs, hundreds of regional victories and, of course, his unforgettable 2010 Knoxville Nationals Championship.
“I was on the road for about 10 years and I bet it has been about 10 years since I was last out here. I absolutely love it,” the Aliquippa, PA native said.
During those 10 years when Shaffer was not a full-time Outlaw, he re-established himself as a dominant force in Pennsylvania and Ohio amidst capturing four consecutive All-Star Championships.
Shaffer’s addition brings the current total of full-time Outlaws to a whopping 19 as they head West for California. Tim Shaffer left us with this parting thought, “This is really exciting. I feel at home again.”
Catch Shaffer and the rest of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series next at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, CA March 9 and 10. As always, if you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVision.com.
Schatz Masters Lapped Traffic to Capture Second Consecutive Win and First DIRTcar Nationals Championship
BARBERVILLE, FL – February 11, 2018 – Donny Schatz is starting 2018 firing on all cylinders, which is bad news for the rest of the competition. Schatz fought off a pesky Brian Brown early in the race and held off charges from Sheldon Haudenschild and Brad Sweet late to capture his fourth win in five nights at Volusia Speedway Park. Schatz, who has won just about everything to win in Sprint Car racing, captured his first ever DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator Championship.
Brian Brown won the Craftsman Club Dash earning the pole of the 30-lap Feature alongside Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender Parker Price-Miller. Brown was strong leading the opening circuit before Schatz flew underneath the FVP No.21 to lead lap two.
Rico Abreu brought out the lone yellow flag of the Feature on lap six. On the ensuing restart, Brown muscled his way back by Schatz to lead laps seven and eight before Schatz overtook him once again to lead lap nine and the rest of the way, despite challenges from Haudenschild and Sweet.
“We slowed down in traffic a lot,” Schatz said in Victory Lane. “We thought we had a solid car in the Dash, but this is the time to learn,” said the driver who won four of five Features at DIRTcar Nationals. “Sometimes you win some you shouldn’t, I think we were lucky we started up front,” a humble Schatz added before being awarded his first ever Big Gator trophy.
Friday night’s Feature winner Sheldon Haudenschild worked forward from his 13th starting spot into the top three on lap 12 and moved by Brown into second on lap 16. Haudenschild, who is in his first year with the Stenhouse Jr. – Marshall Racing No.17, brought the capacity crowd to their feet as he closed in on the Tony Stewart Racing No.15 but couldn’t pull the trigger.
“Catching Donny Schatz and passing Donny Schatz are two completely different things,” Sheldon said with a smile. While Sheldon had his eyes set on the No.15, Brad Sweet powered his NAPA Racing No.49 around the cushion, eventually overtaking Sheldon in turn two with five laps remaining.
Sweet closed on Schatz, but was never able to mount a series charge and settled for second - his fourth podium in five nights. “My guys worked hard all week and we are still chasing the 15. He makes us better though and we’ll take second,” Sweet said.
Jason Johnson finished his strong week with a fourth-place finish and 15th-starting Chad Kemenah completed the top five. Haudenschild picked up KSE Hard Charger honors advancing 10 positions.
That completes the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series portion of the 47th Annual DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. The Outlaws return to action in two weeks in Texas at the Cotton Bowl Speedway in Paige, TX on Friday, February 23, 2018 and then LoneStar Speedway in Kilgore, TX the following night Saturday, February 24. If you can’t make it to the track, you can catch all the action live on DIRTVision.com!
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$5,500]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [13][$3,200]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$2,800]; 5. 10H-Chad Kemenah [15][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,300]; 7. 21-Brian Brown [1][$2,200]; 8. 13X-Paul McMahan [6][$2,100]; 9. 5-David Gravel [18][$2,050]; 10. 4-Parker Price-Miller [2][$2,000]; 11. 49X-Tim Shaffer [16][$1,500]; 12. 27-Greg Hodnett [8][$1,200]; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser [22][$1,100]; 14. 18-Ian Madsen [14][$1,050]; 15. 26-Joey Saldana [11][$1,000]; 16. 2M-Kerry Madsen [20][$900]; 17. 9-Daryn Pittman [25][$]; 18. 1K-Kyle Larson [10][$800]; 19. 7S-Jason Sides [17][$800]; 20. 1S-Logan Schuchart [21][$800]; 21. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [24][$800]; 22. 70-Dave Blaney [12][$800]; 23. W20-Greg Wilson [26][$]; 24. 44-Trey Starks [19][$800]; 25. 24-Rico Abreu [7][$800]; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen [23][$800]; 27. 13-Clyde Knipp [27][$] Lap Leaders Brian Brown 1, 7-8 Donny Schatz 2-6, 9-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[+10]
Qualifying: 1. 13X-Paul McMahan, 13.058; 2. 21-Brian Brown, 13.083; 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.198; 4. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.22; 5. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.238; 6. 4-Parker Price-Miller, 13.268; 7. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.29; 8. 27-Greg Hodnett, 13.348; 9. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 13.349; 10. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.367; 11. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.428; 12. 70-Dave Blaney, 13.44; 13. 44-Trey Starks, 13.458; 14. 26-Joey Saldana, 13.471; 15. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.529; 16. 1K-Kyle Larson, 13.577; 17. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.598; 18. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.635; 19. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.638; 20. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.644; 21. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.648; 22. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.664; 23. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.681; 24. 5-David Gravel, 13.698; 25. 19-Brent Marks, 13.749; 26. OO-Dane Lorenc, 13.799; 27. 83-Cory Eliason, 13.815; 28. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.84; 29. 30-CJ Leary, 13.965; 30. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.093; 31. 13-Clyde Knipp, 14.220
Donny Schatz outduels Jason Johnson for 250th Career WoO victory
BARBERVILLE, FL – February 10, 2018 – Clearly, Donny Schatz has a flair for the dramatic in 2018. After sweeping All-Stars competition with a pair of thrilling victories, Schatz excited the DIRTcar Nationals standing room only crowd once again Saturday night, exchanging slide jobs with Jason Johnson en route to his 250th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature victory. Johnson settled for second with Tim Shaffer, who rebounded from a nasty crash last night, completing the podium.
Johnson won the Craftsman Club Dash and set a torrid pace from the drop of the green. Paul McMahan and Tim Shaffer continued their fantastic battle from the Dash and went side-by-side for multiple laps battling for the runner-up position. That battle allowed Schatz to close in from his sixth position.
By the halfway point, Shaffer had established the position and Schatz had worked into third. Johnson continued to lead, maneuvering lapped traffic at a rapid pace. A lap 17 yellow for 2018 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contender Parker Price-Miller cleared Johnson from the heavy traffic but allowed Schatz to restart on his bumper.
On the restart, Schatz quickly disposed of Shaffer and set his eyes on the Eunice, LA native. Johnson was able to keep Schatz at bay in clean air, but in traffic Schatz narrowed the gap quickly.
With three laps to go, Schatz engaged Johnson with a big slider arousing the huge DIRTcar Nationals crowd. Johnson turned back underneath the nine-time Series Champion, but Schatz prevailed to lead the white flag lap and never look back.
“That is what we live for,” Schatz said in reference of the slide job exchange with Johnson. “It had my heart pumping,” Donny added before asking the crowd if they enjoyed the show. “Good. Come back tomorrow, it will be even better.”
Johnson, despite leading 28 laps, was in good spirits, “I hesitated too long in traffic and Donny never hesitates. He is one of the toughest in the business,” Johnson said before praising his crew for their efforts.
Tim Shaffer and the Demyan-Rudzik Racing, who will follow the World of Outlaws through the entire month of March, put together a new car after flipping last night and Shaffer cited the quick turnaround was a part of racing. 10th-starting Brad Sweet and 18th-starting David Gravel had strong runs to complete the top five. Last night's winner, Sheldon Haudenschild picked up KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 21st to seventh.
Schatz’ victory extends his DIRTcar Nationals points lead to a monumental margin heading into the final night of Sprint Car racing at Volusia Sunday evening. As always, if you cannot make it to the track, watch live on DIRTVision.com.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$10,000]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$5,500]; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer [2][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [10][$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [18][$2,500]; 6. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4][$2,300]; 7. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [21][$2,200]; 8. 10H-Chad Kemenah [12][$2,100]; 9. 13X-Paul McMahan [3][$2,050]; 10. 2-Shane Stewart [8][$2,000]; 11. 26-Joey Saldana [22][$1,500]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$1,200]; 13. 9-Daryn Pittman [11][$1,100]; 14. 19-Brent Marks [14][$1,050]; 15. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [20][$1,000]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [19][$900]; 17. 83-Cory Eliason [24][$800]; 18. 70-Dave Blaney [9][$800]; 19. 4K-Kasey Kahne [13][$800]; 20. 7S-Jason Sides [23][$800]; 21. 44-Trey Starks [17][$800]; 22. W20-Greg Wilson [25][$]; 23. 4-Parker Price-Miller [15][$800]; 24. 27-Greg Hodnett [16][$800]; 25. 13-Clyde Knipp [26][$]; 26. 21-Brian Brown [7][$800] Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-28, Donny Schatz 29-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[+14]
Qualifying: 1. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.959; 2. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.037; 3. 21-Brian Brown, 13.038; 4. 13X-Paul McMahan, 13.058; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.061; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.09; 7. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.113; 8. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.114; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.155; 10. 5-David Gravel, 13.16; 11. 4-Parker Price-Miller, 13.164; 12. 27-Greg Hodnett, 13.173; 13. 70-Dave Blaney, 13.186; 14. 19-Brent Marks, 13.188; 15. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.209; 16. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 13.223; 17. 4K-Kasey Kahne, 13.275; 18. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.278; 19. 83-Cory Eliason, 13.284; 20. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.31; 21. 44-Trey Starks, 13.31; 22. 26-Joey Saldana, 13.322; 23. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.329; 24. 7K-Cale Conley, 13.345; 25. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.363; 26. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.372; 27. OO-Dane Lorenc, 13.437; 28. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.438; 29. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.472; 30. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.474; 31. 30-CJ Leary, 13.481; 32. 17C-Caleb Helms, 13.684; 33. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.702
Sheldon Haudenschild scores first career WoO win
BARBERVILLE, FL - February 9, 2018 - Sheldon Haudenschild passed race-long leader Paul McMahan on a Lap 27 restart to win his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature in thrilling fashion at the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. Haudenschild, in his first Outlaw start with the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing No.17, assumed the runner-up position with three laps remaining after Ian Madsen caught the rut in turn one and landed on his side. The 2017 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year muscled his way underneath McMahan, who was nursing a flat tire, on the restart and never looked back for a popular victory in front of the standing room only crowd. McMahan held on for second with Shane Stewart completing the podium.
McMahan won the Craftsman Club Dash, earning him the pole on the opening night of the 2018 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series 40th Anniversary Season alongside Madsen. McMahan, in search of his first Outlaw win since 2015, was strong all night and led the opening lap before a Red Flag for David Gravel and Tim Shaffer halted the action. Gravel and Shaffer were both uninjured, but the accident scene took some time to clean up, providing the first Open Red of the 2018 Season.
When action resumed, McMahan continued to show the way in his new ride for 2018, the Tom Buch 13. McMahan navigated traffic masterfully and survived another restart with 11 to go as Madsen threatened to take the lead.
With three laps remaining Madsen bounced hard in the looming rut in turn one and lost the handle of the KCP Racing No.18. That was all that Sheldon Haudenschild needed. Haudenschild pounced on McMahan down the backstretch, overtook the veteran and went on to win by 1.418 seconds.
“That was the plan. I saw [McMahan] had a tire going down. I wanted to square the car up and get underneath him on the backstretch,” an elated Haudenschild said in Victory Lane. “This team works incredibly hard. I can’t thank Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall and NOS Energy enough,” Sheldon added.
Obviously disappointed, McMahan also referenced his flat tire but credited Haudenschild for driving a great race. Stewart, who failed to qualify for last night’s All-Star Feature, was pleased with his team’s rebound effort. “I’ll take a podium finish on the first night. That is way better than we have been here in the past,” Stewart said with a smile.
Donny Schatz maintained his DIRTcar Nationals points lead coming from 14th to fourth with California’s Cory Eliason coming home an impressive fifth.
A DIRTcar Nationals event high 35 cars signed into action with Logan Schuchart setting fast time with a blistering lap of 12.975. Brent Marks scored the KSE Hard Charger Award coming from 25th to finish in the top ten.
Action resumes tomorrow at the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park. As always, you can catch all the action from DIRTcar Nationals and the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series 40th Anniversary Season on DIRTVision.com.
Abbreviated Results from Volusia Speedway Park - February 9, 2018
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [6][$10,000]; 2. 13X-Paul McMahan [1][$5,500]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [14][$2,800]; 5. 83-Cory Eliason [10][$2,500]; 6. 24-Rico Abreu [4][$2,300]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [18][$2,200]; 8. 2M-Kerry Madsen [12][$2,100]; 9. 27-Greg Hodnett [21][$2,050]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [25][$1,200]; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart [3][$1,500]; 12. 9-Daryn Pittman [15][$1,200]; 13. 21-Brian Brown [11][$1,100]; 14. 49-Brad Sweet [19][$1,050]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17][$1,000]; 16. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [24][$900]; 17. 4-Parker Price-Miller [7][$800]; 18. 7S-Jason Sides [23][$800]; 19. 7K-Cale Conley [16][$800]; 20. W20-Greg Wilson [26][$]; 21. 4K-Kasey Kahne [13][$800]; 22. 18-Ian Madsen [2][$800]; 23. 70-Dave Blaney [20][$800]; 24. 5-David Gravel [8][$800]; 25. 49X-Tim Shaffer [9][$800]; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen [22][$800] Lap Leaders: Paul McMahan 1-28, Sheldon Haudenschild 29-30 KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+15]
Qualifying: 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.975; 2. 83-Cory Eliason, 12.98; 3. 21-Brian Brown, 12.993; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.041; 5. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.054; 6. 4-Parker Price-Miller, 13.059; 7. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.069; 8. 13X-Paul McMahan, 13.072; 9. 4K-Kasey Kahne, 13.075; 10. 27-Greg Hodnett, 13.163; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.166; 12. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.183; 13. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 13.241; 14. 5-David Gravel, 13.271; 15. 24-Rico Abreu, 13.276; 16. 7K-Cale Conley, 13.285; 17. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.312; 18. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.317; 19. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.319; 20. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.362; 21. 30-CJ Leary, 13.382; 22. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.417; 23. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.449; 24. 70-Dave Blaney, 13.472; 25. 19-Brent Marks, 13.522; 26. 10H-Chad Kemenah, 13.523; 27. 26-Joey Saldana, 13.602; 28. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.603; 29. 48-Danny Dietrich, 13.645; 30. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.665; 31. 44-Trey Starks, 13.673; 32. OO-Dane Lorenc, 13.71; 33. 17C-Caleb Helms, 13.837; 34. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.858; 35. 40-George Hobaugh, 14.249
Gravel Thrills Sellout World Finals Crowd with Last Lap Pass on Schatz
Charlotte, NC - November 4, 2017 – David Gravel couldn’t clear Donny Schatz with seven to go, but would not be denied, scoring the victory in a thriller with a last-lap pass of Schatz. It was Gravel and CJB Motorsports 18th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win of the season, doubling their total from last season. Schatz and Brian Brown completed the podium on the final night of the Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Ryan Smith led the opening lap of the 30-lap Feature, before Brian Brown took control on lap two with a slide job. Brad Sweet brought out the first of a handful of cautions on lap two, as he faced backwards in turn two.
Schatz worked by Smith for second on the ensuing restart before another caution on lap four halted competition. Schatz was strong on the restart once again, this time sliding Brown for the top spot to lead lap five.
Lap five saw a scary incident in turn two with Jason Johnson, Shane Stewart, Greg Hodnett, Sheldon and Jac Haudenschild creating a pileup and bringing out an #OpenRed with 25 to go. All drivers were okay.
On the restart, Brown kept pace with Schatz as the duo reached traffic before the final caution of the event flew; this time for Kraig Kinser with 14 laps to go. Gravel pounced on the restart, with a big slider on Brown to claim second as he begun to chase down Schatz with 10 laps remaining.
With seven to go, Gravel and Schatz exchanged sliders with the latter maintaining the advantage at the line. With five to go, Gravel pounded the cushion to try and get one more shot at the Series Champion. He got his shot and he took advantage of it. The Watertown, Connecticut driver brought the sold-out Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals crowd to their feet with a thrilling last-lap pass to score the victory.
“That was a blast. I hope this crowd enjoyed it,” an elated Gravel said in Victory Lane. “Barry Jackson, Derek and Zach give me an awesome car every night. It’s been a badass year,” Gravel, who will return to CJB Motorsports in 2018, added.
While Gravel may have won the battle, Schatz won the war – again. “It’s been a great year. This race team is phenomenal. We are top three seemingly every night and the car does not drop out of races,” Schatz said after the race. After being awarded the Championship hardware for the ninth time in his career and asked about how long he can enjoy this title he said, “You enjoy it. But as long as you’re an active race car driver, you continue to put it in the back of your mind.”
Brian Brown completed the podium and put it simply, “We got beat by two of the best drivers in the world.”
Kerry Madsen, a five-time World of Outlaws winner this season, finished fourth with 2017 IRA Champion, Bill Balog completing the top five.
Logan Schuchart started 22nd and made it to sixth to earn KSE Hard Charger honors. Daryn Pittman, Cole Duncan, Brent Marks and Smith completed the top ten.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Banquet is Sunday, November 5 and puts the bowtie on the end of what was a fantastic 2017 season. The offseason is much needed but soon enough, it will be time to go racing once again in Florida. Stay tuned to all World of Outlaws social media channels for breaking news on 2018 drivers, the schedule and much more.
Feature (30 Laps) 1. 5-David Gravel [5][$12,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$5,500]; 3. 21-Brian Brown [1][$3,200]; 4. 2M-Kerry Madsen [7][$2,800]; 5. 17B-Bill Balog [6][$2,500]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [22][$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$2,200]; 8. 12N-Cole Duncan [9][$2,100]; 9. 19-Brent Marks [14][$2,050]; 10. 59-Ryan Smith [2][$2,000]; 11. 49-Brad Sweet [17][$1,500]; 12. 44-Trey Starks [12][$1,200]; 13. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [21][$1,100]; 14. 2-Shane Stewart [19][$1,050]; 15. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [23][$1,000]; 16. W20-Greg Wilson [28][$]; 17. 7S-Jason Sides [26][$]; 18. 19P-Paige Polyak [15][$1,000]; 19. 13M-Paul McMahan [8][$1,000]; 20. 18-Ian Madsen [11][$1,000]; 21. 4-Parker Price-Miller [27][$]; 22. 11K-Kraig Kinser [25][$]; 23. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [16][$1,000]; 24. 71-Joey Saldana [10][$1,000]; 25. 41-Jason Johnson [18][$1,000]; 26. 27-Greg Hodnett [13][$1,000]; 27. 71M-Dave Blaney [24][$1,000]; 28. 17-Jac Haudenschild [20][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Ryan Smith 1, Brian Brown 2-4, Donny Schatz 5-29, David Gravel 30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+16]
Schatz Reaches 20-Win Plateau for Fifth Straight Year with Win at Textron Off Road World Finals
CHARLOTTE, NC – November 3, 2017 – No matter who is in the pits, it’s tough to bet against Donny Schatz. That proved true on Night Two of the Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway, as Schatz bested a stout field of 53 cars from across the world to win his 20th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of 2017. Ian Madsen and 10th-starting Dave Blaney completed the podium.
The 2017 IRA Champion, Bill Balog, grabbed the early lead from fellow front row starter, Ian Madsen. Balog, a one-time World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Winner in his career, led the first nine laps of the Feature before extremely heavy lapped traffic slowed his torrid pace. Balog was stalked by the Madsen Brothers in the early going, but it was Donny Schatz that made a three-wide pass for the lead down the backstretch to lead lap 10.
As Balog went high to navigate the lapped cars, Schatz made a jaw-dropping move. The, now nine-time, Series Champion glued his car to the bottom to work by Balog, Kerry Madsen and the lapped car of Parker Price-Miller off of turn two for the lead.
Lap 11 saw a pair of World of Outlaws young guns, Sheldon Haudenschild and David Gravel, succumb to flat right rear tires. Gravel was running third at the time of the misfortune.
The ensuing restart saw Ian Madsen maneuver his way back into the runner-up position. The Australian actually closed significantly on Schatz for the lead, coming as close as a car-length back of the Tony Stewart Racing No. 15.
With six laps remaining, Daryn Pittman’s top five run came to an end due to a flat tire. This set up a double-file restart with Ian to the outside of Schatz. Schatz got a brilliant restart and paced the field comfortably the final six circuits to score the victory.
The first thing Schatz mentioned in Victory Lane was the outstanding World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Feature that was held beforehand. “That [Feature] was pretty cool to watch. It got me motivated to get it done as well,” Schatz, who is doing double-duty this weekend, said.
“My team has worked awful hard lately. We’ve been stuck on 19 wins for a long time, so it was great to finally reach 20. It sucks the season is over, because we are rolling right now,” Schatz added. Tonight’s win marked the fifth consecutive season that Schatz has won at least 20 Features.
Ian Madsen, the 2017 Knoxville Raceway Track Champion, finished second with 1995 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Champion, Dave Blaney coming from 10th to complete the podium.
“It’s pretty cool to be able to run up front with these guys. I thought we had a shot for the lead a couple of times. It was a lot of fun out there,” Madsen said. Schatz echoed Madsen’s statement about the track conditions, “I thought the track would rubber up, but it really cleaned off and made it a lot of fun as a driver.”
Blaney cited restarts being a focal point to his success on the evening. “The car really took off on the starts and restarts. Going forward in the Heat Races is very important with this format,” the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Member said.
Kerry Madsen and Joey Saldana completed the top five. Balog, 20th-starting Logan Schuchart, Jason Johnson, 25th-starting Brad Sweet and Tim Shaffer completed the top ten. Sweet’s effort was good enough to earn KSE Hard Charger Honors.
The 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series concludes tomorrow with the finale of the Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. If you can’t make it to the track, be sure to tune in to DIRTVision.com for LIVE VIDEO of all the action
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$12,000]; 2. 18-Ian Madsen [1][$5,500]; 3. 71M-Dave Blaney [10][$3,200]; 4. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4][$2,800]; 5. 71-Joey Saldana [5][$2,500]; 6. 17B-Bill Balog [2][$2,300]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [20][$2,200]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [12][$2,100]; 9. 49-Brad Sweet [25][$1,050]; 10. 49X-Tim Shaffer [9][$2,000]; 11. 13M-Paul McMahan [11][$1,500]; 12. 21-Brian Brown [19][$1,200]; 13. 12N-Cole Duncan [23][$1,100]; 14. 2-Shane Stewart [15][$1,050]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [28][$]; 16. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [26][$]; 17. 5-David Gravel [7][$1,000]; 18. 3-Sammy Swindell [16][$1,000]; 19. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [6][$1,000]; 20. 17-Jac Haudenschild [29][$]; 21. 14-Tony Stewart [18][$1,000]; 22. 9-Daryn Pittman [8][$1,000]; 23. 44-Trey Starks [13][$1,000]; 24. 11K-Kraig Kinser [24][$1,000]; 25. 24-Terry McCarl [14][$1,000]; 26. 19-Brent Marks [27][$]; 27. 59-Ryan Smith [22][$1,000]; 28. 4-Parker Price-Miller [30][$]; 29. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [21][$1,000]; 30. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Bill Balog 1-9, Donny Schatz 10-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 49-Brad Sweet[+16]
Gravel, Starks Claim Top Qualifying Honors on Opening Night of World Finals; Schatz Clinches 2017 Title
CHARLOTTE, NC – November 2, 2017 – David Gravel and Trey Starks topped Friday and Saturday Qualifying, respectively, but it was Donny Schatz stealing the show on the opening night of the Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Schatz clinched his ninth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Championship by taking the Green Flag in Hot Laps.
In true The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway fashion, the track surface held its condition throughout the evening. David Gravel set fast-time for Friday’s program with a lap of 12.530, over two hours and thousands of laps later, Trey Starks set fast-time for Saturday’s program with a lap of 12.606; a true accolade to The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway track preparation crew. Additionally, Starks was the second to last car, out of the 52 sprint cars signed in, to take time for Saturday’s program.
“It’s really nice to see the track didn’t change with all the laps put on it. As a driver, especially when you don’t draw well, that’s all you can ask for. The track being equal for everyone is a big key when you have a big car count,” Starks, who was fourth quick in Friday’s program, said following his Saturday fast-time effort.
“Fast time is obviously how you want to start any night. Hopefully we can park this CJB Motorsports on the frontstretch a couple of times this weekend,” Gravel, who was also third quick in Saturday’s program, said.
Daryn Pittman had a strong evening, setting fast time in Flight B for Friday’s program as well as going second quick for Saturday’s program. 2018 IRA Champion, Bill Balog cashed in with a pair of third place Qualifying runs.
Additionally, Joey Saldana, Kerry Madsen and Paul McMahan all set themselves up nicely with front row Heat Race positions for both nights. McMahan is making his first starts of the season in the Tom Buch owned No.13.
As for Donny Schatz, all the North Dakota native needed to do was take the Green in hot laps to clinch his ninth Series Championship. Schatz did more than just that, securing second quick for both programs this weekend. Schatz will seek his 20th win of the season this weekend at the Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Racing action for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series begins at the Textron Off Road World of Outlaws World Finals tomorrow evening. You can catch all the action LIVE on DIRTVision.com; don’t miss a second of the action.
Outlaw Boot Hill Showdown at Dodge City Raceway Park Cancelled
CONCORD, NC — The arrival of Winter and the frigid northern cold blast has prompted an early cancellation of this weekend’s World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series Outlaw Boot Hill Showdown at Dodge City Raceway Park.
“The Outlaw Boot Hill Showdown is traditionally an outstanding event that everyone looks forward to attending, however, in the best interest of the fans and racers that we have decided to cancel this weekend’s event at Dodge City Raceway Park,” said Series Director Carlton Reimers.
Track and Series officials are working together to determine a 2018 date for the Outlaw Boot Hill Showdown at Dodge City Raceway Park. Stay tuned to the World of Outlaws website and social media for future announcements of the Outlaw Boot Hill Showdown 2018 date.
All advanced tickets purchases will be honored at the 2018 date when announced. Ticket holders may request a refund by mailing their ticket stub back to World Racing Group office 7575 W Winds Blvd NW D, Concord, NC 28027 for a refund; refunds will not be issued at the track.
Dodge City Raceway Park has concluded the 2017 season.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series heads to The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the final weekend of the 2017 season. The most prestigious dirt racing event in the country, the Textron Off Road World Finals returns Nov. 2-4 for three days of heart-pounding, clay-slinging action on the lightning-fast, four-tenths mile oval. The Textron Off Road 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
Kerry Madsen Wins Outstanding Salina Highbanks Feature
SALINA, OK. – October 21, 2017 – Kerry Madsen had over an eight second lead last night at Lakeside Speedway before spinning in heavy lapped traffic. Tonight, the ‘Mad Man’ made sure he parked his GoMuddy.com No.2M where it belonged – on the frontstretch. In thrilling fashion, Madsen went from third to the lead in half a lap and went on to win his fifth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of the season. Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet completed the podium at the Salina Highbanks Speedway.
With severe weather looming in the area, the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series was in a race against Mother Nature all night. David Gravel won the Craftsman Club Dash, but blew up coming to the checkered. Gravel and his CJB Motorsports No.5 scrambled to swap motors before the Feature and did so successfully.
Gravel edged fellow front row starter Brad Sweet down the backstretch on the opening lap. Sweet went for the lead with a slide job into turn three and made contact with Gravel at the exit of turn four, ending the CJB No.5’s evening.
“We were racing for inches at 130MPH and neither of us gave an inch,” Gravel said post-race in regard to the incident. “There just wasn’t enough room.”
Sweet survived the incident unscathed and led the field back to Green. Sweet pounded the cushion through lapped traffic as Kerry Madsen and Shane Stewart waged war for second.
At the halfway point, Sweet was in heavy lapped traffic and Stewart had wrestled second from Madsen. Sweet split two lapped cars on lap 19 and had a straightaway of clear track ahead of him.
By this point, the Salina Highbanks crowd was on their feet and with good reason as there were cars all over the racing surface throwing slide jobs in every corner.
On lap 24, Kerry Madsen used a big run down the backstretch to get back by Stewart for second and then threw a huge slider on Sweet to take the lead down the frontstretch. Sweet tried to return the favor as Donny Schatz stuck himself in the mix as well. A blanket could have been thrown over the top four, as they battled for the race lead.
Race action was halted on lap 28 when RJ Johnson took a vicious crash into the frontstretch guardrail. Johnson was uninjured in the incident and walked away under his own power.
The Red Flag allowed fans and drivers alike to catch their breath and set up a single-file restart with two to go.
Madsen powered away on the restart and went on to score the victory. “We gave one away last night,” the Australian said. “I’m glad I was able to put this car where it belongs. It is an absolute joy to drive every night.”
“Salina is always exciting and I thought that was pretty exciting. I hope the fans did as well,” Madsen added.
Schatz settled for second with Sweet completing the podium. “It’s tough with a single-file restart with two to go, you almost are just hoping to hang on for second,” Schatz said. “We’ll come back and try and pick up a pair of wins next weekend.”
Sweet led the first 23 laps and was understandably a little disappointed. “I was surprised I hit him. I was expecting him to turn back underneath me,” he said in reference to the lap one incident with Gravel. “I’ll have to go back and watch it.”
Shane Stewart and Jason Johnson completed the top five.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action next weekend at the Dodge City Raceway Park before wrapping up the 2017 season at the Textron Offroad World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen [2][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [5][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$2,800]; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$2,500]; 6. 18-Ian Madsen [9][$2,300]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [6][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [7][$2,100]; 9. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [8][$2,050]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [13][$2,000]; 11. 99-Brady Bacon [11][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [12][$1,200]; 13. W20-Greg Wilson [16][$1,100]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [19][$1,050]; 15. 4-Parker Price-Miller [15][$1,000]; 16. 13-Clyde Knipp [18][$900]; 17. 17B-Ryan Bickett [20][$800]; 18. 71A-R.J. Johnson [14][$800]; 19. 17-Jac Haudenschild [10][$800]; 20. 1P-Curtis Evans [21][$800]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [17][$800]; 22. 5-David Gravel [22][$800]; 23. 3-Sammy Swindell [23][$800] Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-22, Kerry Madsen 23-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 11K-Kraig Kinser[+5]
Brian Brown Thrills Hometown Crowd with Outlaw Win at Lakeside
KANSAS CITY, KS – October 20, 2017 – Brian Brown led the first seven laps before Kerry Madsen took command on the eighth circuit. Brown inherited the lead with 10 to go after Madsen got spun around in lapped traffic. ‘BlackJack’ went on to score a popular hometown win in the FVP Platinum Battery Shootout at the Lakeside Speedway. Sheldon Haudenschild and 12th starting Donny Schatz completed the podium.
Brown, who is sponsored by FVP, passed Brent Marks in his Heat Race to score the victory and came from third to win the Craftsman Club Dash to earn the pole of the FVP Platinum Battery Shootout.
Brown survived multiple slide job attempts from both Jac and Sheldon Haudenschild to maintain the early lead as he reached traffic on lap six. By lap eight, Kerry Madsen had worked his way forward from his fifth starting position, surpassed both Haudenschild’s and swooped underneath Brown for the lead.
Madsen, who has four World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series wins to his credit this season, clearly established himself as the car to beat once he took command. While Madsen stretched his lead, complete mayhem took place behind him with drivers utilizing all the real estate Lakeside Speedway had to offer. Sheldon Haudenschild and Brown continued their battle for the runner-up position, exchanging the spot multiple times.
Madsen was well on his way to scoring his fifth Outlaw win of the season before disaster struck on lap 20. Madsen got turned around in turn three and ended up with a flat right rear tire. At the time of the accident, Madsen had seven lapped cars and over 8.5 seconds in between himself and the rest of the field.
The see-saw battle between Sheldon and Brown saw the latter assume the lead on lap 20. On the ensuing restart, Schatz and Sheldon waged war for the runner-up position allowing Brown to extend his lead. Brown wouldn’t relinquish the lead twice on one night as he was masterful in lapped traffic the last few laps en route to the popular victory.
“My guys did a phenomenal job. These Outlaw races are so tough to win. You can feel the pressure in lapped traffic,” a jubilant Brown said in Victory Lane.
“I’ve won with the Outlaws in Arizona and North Carolina so I’ve never really been able to celebrate. To do it here, with all the FVP guys in attendance – we’ll celebrate with a few beers tonight,” the Grain Valley, Missouri native said to a big ovation from the crowd.
Sheldon, who remains the leading contender for Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year, settled for second once again as he continues to knock on the door of his first career win with the Series. Schatz, Jason Johnson and Kerry Madsen, with a remarkable comeback completed the top five.
Madsen restarted 14th with ten laps to go and showed the same speed he had while leading, sliding his way forward back to fifth at the finish line.
After the race, Madsen was in good spirits, “Obviously it’s a huge disappointment when you have a car that good, but that’s racing. We’ll try again next time.”
Sheldon cited the great racing between he and Brown, although most of it was when they were battling for second. “We had some really good racing going on back there. I threw a couple of good sliders in the middle of the race but could never make it stick,” Sheldon said. He then added with a smile, “The track was absolutely perfect.”
Shane Stewart, David Gravel, Brad Sweet, Daryn Pittman and 21st-starting Logan Schuchart, who earned KSE Hard Charger honors, completed the top ten.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series is in action Saturday night, October 21, at the Salina Highbanks Speedway in Salina, Oklahoma. If you can’t make it to the track, DIRTVision.com will have live video coverage of The Greatest Show on Dirt from the high banks of Salina. For more information on Saturday’s event at the Salina Highbanks, click here.
Feature: (30 Laps) 1. 21-Brian Brown [1][$10,000]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [4][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [12][$3,200]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$2,800]; 5. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5][$2,500]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [2][$2,300]; 7. 5-David Gravel [11][$2,200]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [9][$2,100]; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman [7][$2,050]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [21][$2,000]; 11. 18-Ian Madsen [17][$1,500]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [8][$1,200]; 13. 99-Brady Bacon [13][$1,100]; 14. 17-Jac Haudenschild [3][$1,050]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [16][$1,000]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [15][$900]; 17. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [22][$800]; 18. 82-Dusty Zomer [10][$800]; 19. 4-Parker Price-Miller [23][$800]; 20. W20-Greg Wilson [25][$]; 21. 55-Brooke Tatnell [18][$800]; 22. 3-Sammy Swindell [19][$800]; 23. 14-Tony Stewart [14][$800]; 24. 12-Lynton Jeffrey [20][$800]; 25. 1A-Jacob Allen [24][$800]; 26. 13-Clyde Knipp [26][$]: Lap Leaders: Brian Brown 1-7, 21-30; Kerry Madsen 8-20KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+11]
Tim Shaffer Goes Flag-to-Flag at Ransomville
RANSOMVILLE, New York – October 16, 2017 - The ‘Steel City Outlaw’ Tim Shaffer led flag-to-flag in the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series first visit to the Ransomville Speedway in 20 years. Shaffer fell off the narrow frontstretch in lapped traffic with two to go, but was able to corral his No. 49X and pilot it to his second World of Outlaws Feature win of the year. Brad Sweet and Shane Stewart completed the podium at ‘The Big R Outlaw Shootout’ presented by Budweiser.
The Craftsman Club Dash inversion was zero lining Shaffer on the pole of the Dash, which he would win to earn the pole of the 30-lap Feature.
Shaffer reached lapped traffic quickly and was nearly taken out by a spinning Dane Lorenc on lap eight. “I have no idea how we missed the 00,” was the first thing Shaffer mentioned after the race.
Sheldon Haudenschild brought out the only other caution on lap ten, as he was battling inside the top ten before a broken front axle sidelined the No.93.
Shaffer was untouchable in open air and had a commanding lead with ten to go with Brad Sweet and David Gravel waiting for lapped traffic to make their move in on the ‘Steel City Outlaw’. With three to go, Shaffer had to slow his pace significantly with a hoard of lapped cars battling for position in front him. Shaffer actually slipped off the frontstretch into the small moat with three to go, allowing Sweet and Gravel to close in. Shaffer recovered quickly and went to claim the win .581 seconds in front of Sweet.
“I thought I was in trouble when I slid off, but here we are,” the Aliquippa, Pennsylvania native said. Quite possibly the most remarkable feat of the victory was it was just Tim and his crew chief, Cody Jacobs, tonight at Ransomville. “Hats off to Cody, he gave me a great race car that was a lot of fun to drive,” Shaffer said sincerely in Victory Lane.
It was Shaffer’s second World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win in the past month as he scored a victory at Eldora in late September. Shaffer hinted that he and his Demyan-Rudzik Racing No.49X may head West with the Series to Kansas next week.
Sweet settled for second “My one shot was when Tim went off the edge. I’d like to do that lap over again,” the Grass Valley, California native cited. “It’s nice to be on the podium, we’ll keep pushing to get some wins,” Sweet added.
David Gravel blew a tire running third, coming to the checkered, allowing Shane Stewart to inherit the final podium spot. “Lately, I’ve been the one blowing tires,” Stewart said with a smile as he expressed his condolences to Gravel. “I’m thankful to be here, we’ll settle for third and move forward,” Stewart added.
Donny Schatz finished fourth with Gravel limping the CJB Motorsports No.5 to the finish to complete the top five.
Schatz set fast time over the 32-car field in qualifying at a 12.629 easily establishing a new Ransomville Track Record. The previous track record was 14.360 set by Mark Kinser back in 1997.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series schedule is winding down, as the Series makes one final trek West to compete at the Lakeside Speedway Friday October 20 and the Salina Highbanks Speedway the following night. After that, The Greatest Show on Dirt has two dates at the Dodge City Raceway Park on October 27-28 before heading to The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the World of Outlaws World Finals on November 2-4.
Feature (30 laps): 1. 49X-Tim Shaffer [2][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$5,500]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [3][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [5][$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [4][$2,500]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [6][$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [7][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [8][$2,100]; 9. 17-Jac Haudenschild [17][$2,050]; 10. 41-Jason Johnson [15][$2,000]; 11. 4-Parker Price-Miller [10][$1,500]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [14][$1,200]; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart [13][$1,100]; 14. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [9][$1,050]; 15. 1A-Jacob Allen [12][$1,000]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [19][$900]; 17. 10-Paul Colagiovanni [24][$800]; 18. 49K-Scott Kreutter [16][$800]; 19. W20-Greg Wilson [23][$800]; 20. 13-Clyde Knipp [21][$800]; 21. 5B-Justin Barger [20][$800]; 22. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [11][$800]; 23. OO-Dane Lorenc [22][$800]; 24. 19P-Paige Polyak [18][$800]; Lap Leaders: Tim Shaffer 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17-Jac Haudenschild[+8]
Qualifying: 1. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.629; 2. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.738; 3. 5-David Gravel, 12.877; 4. 2-Shane Stewart, 12.956; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 12.97; 6. 4-Parker Price-Miller, 12.973; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.002; 8. 19-Brent Marks, 13.022; 9. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.057; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.094; 11. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.113; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.185; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.193; 14. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.216; 15. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.262; 16. 49K-Scott Kreutter, 13.264; 17. 17-Jac Haudenschild, 13.267; 18. 19P-Paige Polyak, 13.273; 19. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.342; 20. 5R-Tyler Ross, 13.432; 21. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.462; 22. OO-Dane Lorenc, 13.524; 23. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.562; 24. 5B-Justin Barger, 13.575; 25. 19JK-Joe Kubiniec, 13.801; 26. 10-Paul Colagiovanni, 13.814; 27. 18X-Ryan Susice, 13.927; 28. 7K-Dan Shetler, 14; 29. 98-Joeseph Trenca, 14.165; 30. 36-Matt Billings, 14.413; 31. 58-Joe Lockhart, 14.54; 32. 54J-Scott Just, 14.654
Donny Schatz Downs ‘The Posse’ and Claims 19th Win of Season at Port Royal
PORT ROYAL, PA – October 14, 2017 – Donny Schatz passed Port Royal Speedway Track Champion, Brock Zearfoss on lap 18 and survived a late charge from Lance Dewease to extend his points lead atop the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Point Standings and score his 19th win of the season. Dewease and 10th starting Daryn Pittman completed the podium at Port Royal.
The Craftsman Club Dash Inversion was eight, putting Zearfoss on the pole. Zearfoss, who scored his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory back in July at Williams Grove, led all six laps of the Dash to earn the pole of the 30-lap Feature.
Zearfoss edged fellow front row starter, Jason Sides to lead lap one. As Zearfoss extended his lead, Schatz worked by Sides for the runner-up position on lap three. It didn’t take long for the leaders to catch traffic as Zearfoss did so on lap six. The Jonestown, Pennsylvania native was strong in traffic, utilizing the top of the Speedway to clear the first five or so lapped cars. Just as Schatz began cutting into Zearfoss’ lead, last year’s event winner, Logan Schuchart came to a stop with 14 laps complete.
On the ensuing double-file restart, Zearfoss choose the bottom but quickly made his way back to the top of the racing surface. Schatz attempted a pair of sliders in turn one, but Zearfoss never lifted and maintained the lead. On lap 18, Zearfoss went a couple car lengths lower in turns one and two allowing Schatz to get enough momentum down the backstretch and take command going into turn three.
A lap later, Tim Shaffer brought out the yellow with 11 laps remaining with Schatz as your leader. Schatz, who chose the inside for the double-file restart, got a good restart, allowing Lance Dewease to work by Zearfoss for second. As Dewease and Schatz put distance between themselves and the rest of the field, Zearfoss began to fade, eventually bringing out the caution with two to go, out of fuel.
The restart gave Pennsylvania Posse member Lance Dewease one last chance to steal the victory for the hometown crowd. Dewease stayed right on the back bumper of the Tony Stewart Racing No.15 on the restart and brought the crowd to their feet with a slide job into turn one. Schatz stayed on the hammer and powered back in front down the backstretch and went to win by .792 seconds.
When asked about the restart with two go Schatz said, “I knew [Lance] was going to try something. We weren’t the greatest on the start, but once we got up to speed I could move around the racetrack. He races clean. He gave me just enough room to get by. We come here for excitement and that got me excited so I hope it got the crowd into it too.”
Schatz, who is en route to his ninth Series Championship, was pleased to get his first win since the West Coast swing, “We need to get these wins. It seems like it’s been a while. With the season coming to an end, we’ve got to get these wins. It’s good to get one in PA.”
Dewease, who has 106 career Port Royal Speedway victories, was happy with second. “That’s all we had,” he said in regard to the late race restart slider. “[Donny] was really good all night. We’re happy to end the year with a ninth to second run against these guys,” Dewease added.
Before Daryn Pittman could comment on his 10th to third run, he applauded the Port Royal Speedway. “Our guys work really hard on our racecars, so it’s fun to go to tracks that you can see the effort they put into the track. For a driver that only gets here once a year, you see the huge differences and improvements,” Pittman, who spent a handful of years racing as a local in Central Pennsylvania, said.
“With the way we started, we’ll take third,” Pittman, who fell as far back as 11th, said. “Late restarts went our way and some holes opened up. The track was nice and wide for the Feature, the best cars ended up winning and running up front. As a racer, that’s all you can ask for,” the Oklahoma native added.
Schatz echoed the positive statements about the improvements. “This place is incredible. The improvements, the lighting, everything. It’s crazy the amount of work and financial effort Port Royal is putting in. When you come here, you know the parking lot will be full; the pits will be full and you’ll see a race,” the eight-time series Champion said to a nice applause from the Pennsylvania fans.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action in New York Sunday evening at the Weedsport Speedway and again at the Ransomville Speedway Monday night. Both races are makeup rain dates from earlier this year. DIRTVision.com will have live video coverage of all the action from Weedsport Sunday. For more information about the Empire State Challenge at the Weedsport Speedway, click here.
Feature: (30 Laps) 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$10,000]; 2. 69K-Lance Dewease [9][$5,500]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [10][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$2,800]; 5. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$2,500]; 6. 71M-Dave Blaney [4][$2,300]; 7. 48-Danny Dietrich [8][$2,200]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$2,100]; 9. 17-Jac Haudenschild [13][$2,050]; 10. 5-David Gravel [22][$2,000]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [25][$700]; 12. 18-Ian Madsen [21][$1,200]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [14][$1,100]; 14. 11K-Kraig Kinser [11][$1,050]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [2][$1,000]; 16. 20-Ryan Taylor [12][$900]; 17. 11-T.J. Stutts [18][$800]; 18. 19P-Paige Polyak [15][$800]; 19. 14-Tony Stewart [20][$800]; 20. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$800]; 21. 4-Parker Price-Miller [16][$800]; 22. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [1][$800]; 23. 49X-Tim Shaffer [23][$800]; 24. 1S-Logan Schuchart [19][$800]; 25. 39-Cory Haas [24][$800]; 26. 24-Lucas Wolfe [26][$]; Lap Leaders: Brock Zearfoss 1-17, Donny Schatz 18-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-Shane Stewart[+14]
David Gravel, CJB Score 17th Win of Season at Fulton
FULTON, NY – October 7, 2017 – David Gravel inherited the lead on lap nine after race leader Daryn Pittman got into the back of a slower car and spun to a stop. Gravel survived a multitude of restarts and held off Jason Johnson and Donny Schatz to score his career-best 17th win of the season for CJB Motorsports at the Fulton Speedway Saturday night in conjunction with NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week.
Daryn Pittman muscled his way from fourth to second in his heat race, setting him up perfectly for the Craftsman Club Dash inversion of four. Pittman outdueled Jac Haudenschild in an entertaining Dash to earn the pole of the 25-lap Feature.
At the drop of the Green, Pittman and fellow front row starter Jason Johnson preferred the bottom line, while David Gravel was banging down the cushion. Pittman had a healthy lead when he reached lapped traffic before disaster struck. Clyde Knipp was trying to pull off the racing surface, got on the brakes and Pittman hit the back of the Knipp and spun to a stop in front of the field off of turn four with eight laps complete. Pittman went to the work area and re-joined the field while Knipp called it a night.
Gravel assumed the lead and battled hard with Johnson on the ensuing restart as Donny Schatz maneuvered his way from his eighth-starting position to third. Another caution flag flew on lap 11 with Scott Kreutter, Parker Price-Miller and Paige Polyak, who qualified for her first ever Craftsman Club Dash earlier in the night, stopped in turn four.
Gravel continued to show the way on restarts and utilized the entire racing surface searching for the fastest way around.
A pair of yellows on lap 21 and 24 gave Johnson and the rest of the field chances to steal the win, to no avail as Gravel took the checkered flag nearly a second in front of Johnson and Schatz.
“The track got so technical. The top was good, then the bottom was good, then I thought the bottom was too slow,” Gravel explained in Victory Lane.
“I ran just about every line you could run tonight,” the driver of the CJB Motorsports No.5 said with a smile.
Greg Wilson charged from 14th to fourth with ‘The Wild Child’ Jac Haudenschild completing the top five. World of Outlaws Rookie Brent Marks had a strong night coming home sixth with 13th-starting Kraig Kinser finishing seventh.
Jason Johnson was pleased with his team’s runner-up efforts. “We gave it our best shot tonight. I did my best to race clean and hard and finishing between [Gravel and Schatz] is an accomplishment in itself,” Johnson said.
Brad Sweet, 22nd-starting Mike Mahaney and Sheldon Haudenschild completed the top ten. Mahaney, who is qualified for Sunday’s Billy Whittaker Cars and Trux 200 at the Oswego Speedway, picked up the KSE Hard Charger award.
Donny Schatz, who extended his points lead, said, “We battled the best we could. That’s what you have to do to win a championship.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action next Saturday at the Port Royal Speedway for one final date with the Pennsylvania Posse before returning to New York for a pair of rain date events at the Weedsport Speedway and Ransomville Speedway Sunday and Monday October 15 and 16, respectively. Information on all three of these events are available on the World of Outlaws website.
NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week concludes Sunday afternoon at the Oswego with Championship events for the Big Block Modifieds, Sportsman Modifieds and Pro Stocks. Sunday’s Billy Whittaker Cars and Trux 200 for the Big Blocks will pay a hefty $50,000 to the winner. For all things, Super DIRT Week, vist SuperDIRTWeekOnline.com!
Feature: (26 Laps due to green-white-checkered finish) 1. 5-David Gravel [4][$10,000]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [2][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [8][$3,200]; 4. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$2,800]; 5. 17-Jac Haudenschild [3][$2,500]; 6. 19-Brent Marks [9][$2,300]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$2,200]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [7][$2,100]; 9. 33-Mike Mahaney [22][$2,050]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [16][$2,000]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [10][$1,200]; 13. 1A-Jacob Allen [21][$1,100]; 14. 4-Parker Price-Miller [20][$1,050]; 15. 9-Daryn Pittman [1][$1,000]; 16. 10-Paul Colagiovanni [19][$900]; 17. 49K-Scott Kreutter [15][$800]; 18. 87-Jason Barney [23][$800]; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11][$800]; 20. 99L-Larry Wight [12][$800]; 21. 7-Ed Aikin [18][$800]; 22. 19P-Paige Polyak [6][$800]; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp [24][$800]; 24. 10K-Joe Kata [17][$800]; Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-8, David Gravel 9-26; KSE Hard Charger Award: 33-Mike Mahaney[+13]
David Gravel, CJB Pocket $50,000 in Williams Grove National Open Victory
MECHANICSBURG, PA – September 30, 2017 – David Gravel passed Donny Schatz for the lead on lap six and went on to capture his 16th win of the season aboard the CJB Motorsports entry. It was Gravel’s second career Champion Racing Oil National Open win at Williams Grove worth $50,000. Schatz and James McFadden completed the podium.
David Gravel was second in National Open event points, lining him up second in the Craftsman Club Dash. Gravel went on to win the event, lining him up on the pole of the $50,000 to win, 40-lap Feature.
Donny Schatz got the jump on the initial start and led the first five laps before Gravel took the lead on the front stretch, leading lap six. Friday night’s winner, James McFadden worked by Schatz on lap 18 just before the yellow came out for a slowing Brian Montieth.
On the ensuing double-file restart, Gravel opted for the top giving McFadden the bottom, a somewhat unexpected move.
“I made a mistake and gave McFadden the bottom, luckily I was able to get around him on the top in three and four,” a relieved Gravel said in Victory Lane.
McFadden hit the rubber off of turn two and took the lead down the backstretch and led lap 19, before Gravel powered back around the Australian the following lap. The next circuit Shane Stewart shredded a tire running sixth bringing out another yellow.
Schatz worked by McFadden on the restart and set his eyes on the CJB Motorsports No.5. A red flag on lap 28 for Jason Johnson, Kraig Kinser and Shane Stewart brought out an open red. All drivers were okay.
With the bottom being the preferred line around, Gravel was forced to slow his pace as he closed in on the back of the field. Schatz cut the lead down and was on Gravel’s bumper as they received the two to go signal. Before Schatz could make a move, the final yellow of the night flew for Brian Brown, who cut down a tire running in the top ten.
The caution gave Gravel an open track which secured the $50,000 payday for he and the CJB Motorsports No.5 team.
“It’s been a special year. I’m happy to solidify my place here with 3 wins at Williams Grove this season,” Gravel said. “I wish we could have raced a little more tonight, but I’ll take it.”
Schatz settled for second. “We hit traffic and needed to stay there if we wanted a chance to get back by for the lead. We’ll try and pick up some more wins this year and get that Championship,” the eight-time and defending and current Series point leader said.
McFadden wished he would have been more aggressive once taking the lead, but was nonetheless happy with his weekend. His finish was easily good enough to secure the National Open Rookie Award worth $2,250 thanks to BeerHill Gang TV.
20th-starting Logan Schuchart earned the KSE Hard Charger award coming to fourth with Daryn Pittman completing the top five. Greg Hodnett, Kerry Madsen, Sheldon Haudenschild, 16th starting Brock Zearfoss and Jason Sides completed the top ten.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action next Saturday October 7 at the Fulton Speedway in New York before returning to Central Pennsylvania the following weekend at the Port Royal Speedway.
Feature: (40 Laps) 1. 5-David Gravel [1][$50,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$12,000]; 3. 3-James McFadden [6][$7,500]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart [20][$4,000]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [3][$3,500]; 6. 27-Greg Hodnett [9][$3,000]; 7. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5][$2,700]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [11][$2,500]; 9. 58-Brock Zearfoss [16][$2,200]; 10. 7S-Jason Sides [8][$2,100]; 11. 24-Lucas Wolfe [10][$2,000]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [14][$1,650]; 13. 18-Ian Madsen [12][$1,550]; 14. 51-Freddie Rahmer [25][$300]; 15. 39-Cory Haas [22][$1,100]; 16. 1-Dale Blaney [24][$1,050]; 17. 41-Jason Johnson [15][$1,000]; 18. 48-Danny Dietrich [18][$950]; 19. 49-Brad Sweet [21][$950]; 20. 17-Jac Haudenschild [19][$950]; 21. 21-Brian Brown [13][$900]; 22. 2-Shane Stewart [7][$900]; 23. 69K-Lance Dewease [4][$900]; 24. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17][$900]; 25. 11-T.J. Stutts [26][$]; 26. 21P-Brian Montieth [23][$900]; Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-5; David Gravel 6-18, 20-40; James McFadden 19; KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart [+16]
Australian James McFadden Scores First Career World of Outlaws Victory at Williams Grove
MECHANICSBURG, PA – September 29, 2017 – Australian James McFadden scored his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win in exciting fashion holding off Greg Hodnett and Donny Schatz to win the second night of the Williams Grove Champion Racing Oil National Open. Heading into tomorrow's finale, Donny Schatz leads the National Open points and will be locked in to tomorrow’s Craftsman Club Dash. David Gravel, McFadden and Daryn Pittman are also locked in to tomorrow’s Dash.
McFadden, who has spent the majority of the past two Summer's running in Central Pennsylvania for Matt Highlands, won his heat race and the Craftsman Club Dash to earn the pole of the 25-lap Feature.
Racing was delayed twice due to rain throughout the evening, once during the C Main and again after the initial start of the Feature.
After the final rain delay, McFadden got the jump on the complete restart over fellow front row starter, Greg Hodnett. A lap three red flag for Jac Haudenschild, who went for a wild ride after Danny Dietrich and Trey Starks got together, halted the action. Haudenschild walked away from the incident. On the ensuing double-file restart, Dale Blaney received contact and ended up on the hook setting up a single-file start.
McFadden once again was strong extending his lead as he approached traffic. McFadden had no problems with the first few lapped cars but was slowed significantly as he approached Alan Krimes, on the bottom, and Brian Brown, on the cushion.
“The track was equal. The bottom and the top were nearly the same speed. Krimes kept hitting the bottom perfectly and Brown was flirting with that cushion. I nearly destroyed myself and ended up in the trees trying to get by them,” McFadden said.
McFadden followed Krimes and Brown for the better part of the last ten laps, waiting to make a move. McFadden eventually got around Krimes but then was pinched hard by Brown, forcing him across the track allowing Krimes to get back by down low and more importantly allow Greg Hodnett and Donny Schatz to be on the leader’s back bumper.
Luckily for McFadden, he was able to work through lapped traffic and fend off a late race effort from both Hodnett and Schatz to score both his first career World of Outlaws and Williams Grove win.
“This is pretty amazing. I have never won on a half-mile before and to do so in Pennsylvania is pretty crazy,” an elated McFadden said in Victory Lane. The result was good enough for McFadden to lock into tomorrow’s Craftsman Club Dash as he sits third in event points.
Hodnett, who finished just .244 behind McFadden, and Schatz completed the podium. Brad Sweet and Shane Stewart completed the top five.
The Champion Racing Oil National Open comes down to Saturday night where the winner will take home a hefty $50,000 check.
Feature: (25 Laps) 1. 3-James McFadden [1][$10,000]; 2. 27-Greg Hodnett [2][$5,000]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$3,000]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [6][$2,700]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,500]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$2,200]; 7. 18-Ian Madsen [8][$2,000]; 8. 24-Lucas Wolfe [7][$1,800]; 9. 2M-Kerry Madsen [10][$1,600]; 10. 5-David Gravel [12][$1,450]; 11. 69K-Lance Dewease [21][$1,300]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [11][$1,200]; 13. 9-Daryn Pittman [20][$1,100]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [9][$1,000]; 15. 11-T.J. Stutts [15][$950]; 16. 58-Brock Zearfoss [16][$900]; 17. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [23][$850]; 18. 94-Ryan Smith [17][$750]; 19. 21-Brian Brown [18][$725]; 20. 87-Alan Krimes [24][$700]; 21. 11K-Kraig Kinser [19][$700]; 22. 44-Trey Starks [14][$700]; 23. 21P-Brian Montieth [27][$]; 24. 48-Danny Dietrich [13][$700]; 25. 1-Dale Blaney [22][$700]; 26. 17-Jac Haudenschild [25][$]; 27. 51-Freddie Rahmer [26][$]; Lap Leaders: James McFadden 1-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 69K-Lance Dewease[+10]
Greg Hodnett Pockets $20,000 in Summer Nationals Makeup Feature
MECHANICSBURG, PA – Greg Hodnett’s eventful evening was capped off in style as he led all 30 laps to score the $20,000 Summer Nationals Makeup Feature from July. Lucas Wolfe came from eighth to finish second with Donny Schatz completing the podium.
Hodnett started on the front row and was strong from the drop of the green edging fellow front row starter, David Gravel early on. Gravel and Danny Dietrich had a spirited battle for second with the eventually latter taking over. Dietrich was strong on the cushion in turns one and two and closed on Hodnett significantly as the Heffner Racing No.27 was stuck in lapped traffic.
On lap 13, Dietrich got another big run coming off of turn two and dove to the inside of Hodnett down the long Williams Grove backstretch. Hodnett slammed the door on Dietrich, with the two making contact and Dietrich ending up backwards atop turn three. Brian Montieth, who was running sixth, was left with nowhere to go and was collected in the accident. Hodnett’s car was unscathed as he continued to lead.
The ensuing restart saw Lucas Wolfe charge into second with Donny Schatz following him into third. By the end of the 30-lap Feature the racing surface was exhausted with the bottom being the preferred line for most drivers. Hodnett went on to win over Wolfe, Schatz, Daryn Pittman and Gravel completing the top five.
“Didn’t want to crash in the first Feature. After that, the last thing I wanted to do was get together with Danny [Dietrich] in this one. I’m very fortunate to be standing here now,” Hodnett said in Victory Lane.
Wolfe, who came forward from eighth, said, “We were able to get going up top early, but once we got to the front we couldn’t get close enough to make a run for the lead. This was a good way to end the night. Hopefully we can be back up here tomorrow.”
For the second time in the evening, Freddie Rahmer was the KSE Hard Charger, this time coming from 26th to 11th.
Racing action continues in the Champion Racing Oil National Open Friday evening with another complete program. DIRTVision.com has you covered with live video of all the action if you can’t make it to the track.
Feature: (30 Laps)1. 27-Greg Hodnett [1][$20,000]; 2. 24-Lucas Wolfe [8][$12,000]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$6,000]; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman [6][$5,250]; 5. 5-David Gravel [2][$4,500]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$4,000]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [10][$3,500]; 8. 69K-Lance Dewease [11][$3,000]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$2,750]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [15][$2,500]; 11. 51-Freddie Rahmer [26][$2,300]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [7][$2,250]; 13. 41-Jason Johnson [16][$2,000]; 14. 44-Trey Starks [14][$1,600]; 15. 3H-James McFadden [19][$1,500]; 16. 1-Dale Blaney [18][$1,300]; 17. 16-Matt Campbell [13][$1,250]; 18. 19-Brent Marks [17][$1,050]; 19. 4-Parker Price-Miller [23][$1,050]; 20. 11K-Kraig Kinser [25][$50]; 21. 29-Danny Dietrich [3][$1,000]; 22. 21-Brian Montieth [12][$1,000]; 23. 39M-Anthony Macri [20][$1,000]; 24. 17B-Steve Buckwalter [24][$1,000]; 25. 25-Aaron Ott [22][$1,000]; Lap Leaders: Greg Hodnett 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 51-Freddie Rahmer[+15]
David Gravel Wins Opening Night of Champion Racing Oil National Open
Mechanicsburg, PA – September 29, 2017 – David Gravel assumed the lead after race leaders Greg Hodnett and Shane Stewart got together on lap nine. Gravel led the rest of the way, but not without a fight from Daryn Pittman and Lance Dewease, who finished second and third. Pittman and Dewease finished within a second of Gravel at the finish.
Greg Hodnett set fast time overall, won his heat and the Craftsman Club Dash and led the opening nine laps of the Feature. Hodnett’s lead dwindled as Shane Stewart closed in on the bottom of the half-mile. Stewart made his move for the lead off of turn four coming to the line on lap ten but made contact with Hodnett sending the Heffner Racing No.27 into the front stretch guardrail spinning. Hodnett miraculously kept the car going and was able to restart in second after the caution was thrown.
On the ensuing restart, Hodnett tried to slide Stewart for the lead in turns one and two pushing the Larson/Marks No.2 up the track. Stewart maintained the lead underneath the famous backstretch Williams Grove bridge. Hodnett drove into turn three hard making heavy contact with Stewart sending both cars into the fence hard. A costly move for both drivers in the National Open weekend point standings. Stewart was able to restart, but Hodnett was not.
Gravel, who narrowly missed being collected in the aforementioned accident, assumed the lead as Pittman and Dewease waged war behind him for the runner-up spot. As Gravel closed in on traffic, Pittman and Dewease closed in, to no avail as the CJB Motorsports No.5 collected their 15th win of the season. Donny Schatz and local Cory Haas completed the top five. Williams Grove point leader Freddie Rahmer picked up KSE Hard Charger Award coming from 21st to eighth.
“I don’t know how I didn’t crash,” Gravel said in Victory Lane referencing the Stewart/Hodnett accident. “I can’t thank all guys, sponsors and everyone that makes this CJB team so strong enough.”
Pittman, who came close to Gravel in the closing laps, was pleased with his night, “We had a really solid night. Hopefully we can qualify well tomorrow again and be up front. Saturday is where our focus is at.”
Feature: 1. 5-David Gravel [4][$10,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [3][$5,000]; 3. 69K-Lance Dewease [5][$3,000]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [6][$2,700]; 5. 39-Cory Haas [7][$2,500]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [8][$2,200]; 7. 2M-Kerry Madsen [12][$2,000]; 8. 51-Freddie Rahmer [21][$1,800]; 9. 21-Brian Brown [11][$1,600]; 10. 49-Brad Sweet [19][$1,450]; 11. 19-Brent Marks [18][$1,300]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [9][$1,200]; 13. 48-Danny Dietrich [26][$400]; 14. 21P-Brian Montieth [13][$1,000]; 15. 3-James McFadden [14][$950]; 16. 4-Parker Price-Miller [10][$900]; 17. 1-Dale Blaney [23][$850]; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser [20][$750]; 19. 18-Ian Madsen [16][$725]; 20. 24-Lucas Wolfe [22][$700]; 21. 41-Jason Johnson [25][$]; 22. 2-Shane Stewart [2][$700]; 23. 39M-Anthony Macri [27][$]; 24. 16-Matt Campbell [17][$700]; 25. 58-Brock Zearfoss [24][$700]; 26. 17-Jac Haudenschild [15][$700]; 27. 27-Greg Hodnett [1][$700] Lap Leaders: Greg Hodnett 1-9, Shane Stewart 10, David Gravel 11-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 51-Freddie Rahmer[+13]
Gravel On Top At Lernerville
SARVER, PA – David Gravel survived a pair of late caution flags and held off Brad Sweet to pick up his 14th victory of the season at Lernerville in the running of the Commonwealth Clash. Gravel saw the white flag on two separate occasions only to see a caution come out both times. Gravel led all 37 (extended because of the yellows) laps over Sweet and Donny Schatz.
Gravel and the CJB Motorsports team, who did a scheduled engine change after Qualifying, won their heat race before finishing second in the Craftsman Club Dash.
Gravel got the jump on fellow front row starter Brad Sweet and led the opening three laps before a Red Flag for Jason Sides, who took a wild crash on the front stretch and off of turn one, stopped the action. Thankfully, Sides walked away from the accident under his own power.
On the ensuing restart, Sweet took the lead from Gravel down the backstretch but a caution for Lernerville Track Champion AJ Flick, who had major front end damage, negated the pass.
On lap eight, fourth-place running Daryn Pittman jumped the tricky cushion in turn four bringing out the caution. A handful of laps later Brent Marks, who was running in the top ten, suffered the same fate.
Brad Sweet fell off the banking in turn two allowing Sheldon Haudenschild to take over the second spot at the time of the open red flag on lap 14. Sheldon began closing in on Gravel, before making the same mistake as Sweet off of two and letting the aforementioned re-gain second.
As laps winded down, Gravel grappled with heavy lapped traffic allowing Sweet to close in. Sweet lurked behind the CJB Motorsports No.5 before making a bid for the lead with a slide job attempt off of turn four, to no avail. The unsuccessful slider allowed Gravel to pull away.
On the final circuit, Danny Holtgraver ended up backwards in turn two setting up a Green, White, Checkered finish. Gravel again commanded control on the restart before taking the white flag, only to see another caution. Gravel was strong once again on the restart and this time went on to pick up the victory.
“I didn’t really know what to do. I knew I didn’t want to give the bottom away,” Gravel said about the multiple restarts. “I saw Brad stick his nose under me early and I knew I had to step it up,” the Watertown, CT native said in Victory Lane.
“Once David got control, it was tough to get by him. We had lots of chances in lapped traffic, but could not get the job done,” Sweet said following his runner-up finish.
Donny Schatz quietly worked his way forward from seventh to complete the podium. Shane Stewart and Friday’s winner at Eldora, Tim Shaffer completed the top five. Kraig Kinser, Jason Johnson, Daryn Pittman (from the rear), Logan Schuchart and Chris Andrews completed the top ten. Danny Holtgraver picked up the KSE Hard Charger award.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action this Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the heart of Pennsylvania Posse country, at the Williams Grove Speedway. The unique 3-day Champion Racing Oil National Open awaits The Greatest Show on Dirt. Saturday’s National Open finale pays a whopping $50,000 to win.
Lernerville Speedway – September 23, 2017
Feature - (37 Laps due to green-white-checkered restarts): 1. 5-David Gravel [2][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [7][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [5][$2,800]; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer [10][$2,500]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [6][$2,300]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [11][$2,200]; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$2,100]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [13][$2,050]; 10. 16-Chris Andrews [18][$2,000]; 11. D4-Danny Holtgraver [20][$1,500]; 12. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$1,200]; 13. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$1,100]; 14. 19-Brent Marks [12][$1,050]; 15. 98-Carl Bowser [15][$1,000]; 16. 17-Jac Haudenschild [8][$900]; 17. 42-Sye Lynch [21][$800]; 18. 13-Clyde Knipp [16][$800]; 19. 7K-Dan Shetler [22][$800]; 20. 4-Parker Price-Miller [9][$800]; 21. 40-George Hobaugh [23][$800]; 22. 58-Joe Lockhart [24][$800]; 23. 76-David Jones [25][$]; 24. 2F-A.J. Flick [14][$800]; 25. 7S-Jason Sides [19][$800]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-37; KSE Hard Charger Award: D4-Danny Holtgraver[+9]
Shaffer Scores At Eldora
ROSSBURG, OH – September 22, 2017 - The ‘Steel City Outlaw’ Tim Shaffer held off Donny Schatz to win the Night Before the 4-Crown Nationals at Eldora. Shaffer was strong all night going second quick in his Flight in qualifying, winning his heat and scoring the Craftsman Club Dash victory. As laps winded down, Schatz closed significantly in on Shaffer, but couldn’t pull ahead. The margin of victory was .227 seconds. Joey Saldana came forward to complete the podium.
Shaffer earned the pole by winning the Craftsman Club Dash, where Shane Stewart moved from fourth to second to earn the other front row starting spot. Shaffer, who has an Eldora win earlier this year with the Arctic Cat All-Star Circuit of Champions got the early jump in the Feature working the top side of the famous half-mile. Stewart was closing in on Shaffer before shredding a right rear tire on lap 13. It was the second consecutive night, dating back to last weekend at Calistoga, Stewart lost a tire running in second.
Schatz assumed second as Shaffer once again stretched his lead. With ten laps to go, Shaffer had a comfortable lead as he reached traffic. Schatz began working the line a car-length off of the cushion and closing on the leader, noticeably in turns three and four.
With two to go, Schatz looked poised to make his bid for the lead, but Shaffer’s momentum on the top side of the Speedway was too much as he became the 18th different winner with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in 2017.
“That’s a great team,” Shaffer said in Victory Lane in regards to Donny Schatz / Tony Stewart Racing No.15 group. “We have a great team too, we keep building and getting better. We’ve got wins all over this year, but to get an Outlaw win at Eldora is really special. This is one tough place,” Shaffer said upon exiting his Demyan-Rudzik Racing No.49X.
Schatz credited Shaffer, “Second sucks, we just couldn’t find a way around them. They were really good. We’ll take it and move on.”
Joey Saldana completed the podium in the Indy Race Parts No.71. “We had a really good car. I felt like I could move around in lapped traffic. The track was so fast. We had a lot of fun,” the Brownsburg, Indiana native said.
Jason Johnson and David Gravel completed the top five. Brent Marks picked up KSE Hard Charger Honors coming from 22nd to finish eighth. Early race contender Shane Stewart made it back to 13th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series travels to Western Pennsylvania Saturday evening for the Commonwealth Clash at the Lernerville Speedway in Sarver.
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 49X-Tim Shaffer [1][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$5,500]; 3. 71-Joey Saldana [6][$3,200]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$2,800]; 5. 5-David Gravel [7][$2,500]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [11][$2,300]; 7. 24-Rico Abreu [5][$2,200]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [22][$2,100]; 9. 10H-Chad Kemenah [19][$2,050]; 10. 17-Jac Haudenschild [13][$2,000]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [15][$1,500]; 12. 2-Shane Stewart [2][$1,200]; 13. 18-Ian Madsen [9][$1,100]; 14. W20-Greg Wilson [10][$1,050]; 15. 12N-Cole Duncan [21][$1,000]; 16. 1ST-Gary Taylor [12][$900]; 17. 4-Parker Price-Miller [24][$800]; 18. 7S-Jason Sides [18][$800]; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart [17][$800]; 20. 5T-Travis Philo [23][$800]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [16][$800]; 22. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [14][$800]; 23. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8][$800]; 24. 99-Brady Bacon [20][$800]; Lap Leaders: Tim Shaffer 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 19-Brent Marks[+14]
Schatz back on top
CALISTOGA, CA – September 16, 2017 – Donny Schatz passed Brad Sweet on lap 25 to pick up his 18th win of the season Saturday night at Calistoga Speedway. Sweet, who swept Friday’s event, held off a charge from Shane Stewart, who succumbed to a flat tire, before giving way to Schatz in heavy lapped traffic. Daryn Pittman surged late for second while Sweet settled for third.
It has been far from easy the last two weeks for the eight-time and defending champion. Schatz was forced to use a provisional both nights at Chico last weekend and had to switch to a backup car last night. It was evident Schatz wanted to wrap up the West Coast swing on a good note.
Schatz assumed second on lap 10 after Shane Stewart was forced pit-side with a flat tire and lurked behind Sweet’s Ollie’s Bargain Outlet No.49 as he maneuvered through lapped traffic around the half-mile. Sweet hiccupped in traffic on lap 22, allowing the rest of the field to close in. As Schatz began to make the bottom work, Jason Johnson pulled outside of Schatz looking to make a move of his own.
“I knew someone was outside of me. I had to go,” Schatz said. Go he did, as Schatz darted to the bottom and slid up on Sweet to take command on lap 25. Sweet tried to return the favor but incidentally let Johnson get by for second.
An open red on lap 27 set up a three-lap dash to the finish. Schatz was strong on the restart as Pittman, who restarted fourth, slid underneath Johnson and Sweet to take second. The maneuvering behind him allowed Schatz to go unchallenged the final three laps and score his 18th victory of the season.
When asked about his troubles last night, Schatz said, “It was just one of those nights. You don’t know if it’s a nightmare or a freak show.” “That’s racing, you have to battle through adversity. These guys never stopped working and here we are,” he added.
Pittman, who was working out the bugs of a new car, was happy with the progress his Great Clips No.9 made throughout the evening, “We didn’t start off where we needed to be. But these guys worked really hard and made some great changes for the Feature. We’ll take this and build on it heading back East.”
Sweet, who set fast time and won his heat for the second night in a row, said, “I was trying to get runs on the lapped cars and I opened up the door for Donny. Still, it was a great weekend overall.”
Johnson settled for fourth with David Gravel completing the top five. Shane Stewart made it back up to tenth from the rear. Austen Wheatley picked up KSE Hard Charger honors.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series now heads East and will compete Friday, September 22 at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio before heading to the Lernerville Speedway Saturday the 23rd for the running of the Commonwealth Clash.
Abbreviated Results from Calistoga Speedway - September 16, 2017
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$12,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$5,700]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$3,500]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$3,000]; 5. 5-David Gravel [9][$2,600]; 6. 24-Rico Abreu [10][$2,400]; 7. 17-Jac Haudenschild [5][$2,300]; 8. 35-Jamie Veal [15][$2,200]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$2,150]; 10. 2-Shane Stewart [1][$2,100]; 11. 7S-Jason Sides [7][$1,600]; 12. 19-Brent Marks [18][$1,350]; 13. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [8][$1,300]; 14. 44W-Austen Wheatley [22][$1,200]; 15. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [16][$1,100]; 16. 11K-Kraig Kinser [12][$1,000]; 17. 83-Kyle Hirst [11][$900]; 18. 3C-DJ Netto [17][$850]; 19. 22-Shane Golobic [21][$800]; 20. O-Bud Kaeding [19][$800]; 21. 20-Cory Eliason [23][$800]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [13][$800]; 23. 29-Willie Croft [24][$800]; 24. 4-Paul McMahan [20][$800]; 25. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25][$] Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-23, Donny Schatz 24-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 44W-Austen Wheatley[+8]
SWEET SWEEPS NIGHT 1 AT CALISTOGA
CALISTOGA, CA – September 15, 2017 – California native Brad Sweet swept the program on Night 1 of the Wine Country Outlaw Showdown at Calistoga Speedway. Sweet passed Rico Abreu on lap three and withstood a charge from Abreu in lapped traffic to pick up his fifth win of the Season. Abreu was light at the scales after running out of fuel. 13th starting Logan Schuchart finished second with Shane Stewart completing the podium.
Sweet actually took the lead from Abreu on lap two but a caution flag gave the lead back to the Abreu Vineyards No.24. Sweet dove to the inside of Abreu to officially lead lap three and while he statistically led the rest of the way, it was not easy. Heavy lapped traffic allowed Abreu to pull side by side with Sweet on lap 11. Sweet would clear a lapped car and re-extend his lead. While Abreu stayed within striking distance for much of the race, Sweet was able to capture his fifth win of the season.
“I just tried to get through lapped traffic as good as I could. I knew Rico would be charging,” Sweet said upon exiting his Ollie’s Bargain Outlet No.49. “We have a lot of podiums, it’s nice to be on the top step tonight where this team belongs,” he added.
Numerous cautions, including one for fifth place running Kyle Hirst, led to a handful of teams running out of fuel coming to the finish. World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series officials allocated for 60 combined green/yellow flag laps before a fuel stop and that is exactly how many laps the teams ran as they took the checkered. One more caution would have forced a fuel stop. Abreu, who crossed the line second, was one of the teams that was out of fuel and subsequently his No. 24 was light at the scales. David Gravel, who was running in the top five all race, was another competitor to slow on the final lap.
Logan Schuchart charged forward from his 13th starting position to finish second officially, “This Shark Racing team did a great job giving me a fast car. It was a lot of fun,” Schuchart, who also came forward four positions in his heat race, said.
Gold Cup Champion Shane Stewart finished on the podium once again and was quick to thank his Larson/Marks team for their continued hard work.
Donny Schatz battled issues all night. He did not run hot laps, time trials and limped through his heat race before switching to a backup car for the Last Chance Showdown, where he came from ninth to fourth. Schatz muscled his way through the field in the early stages, cracking the top ten (from 22nd) in under five laps. The eight-time Series champion crossed the line fourth. Daryn Pittman completed the all World of Outlaws top five.
Kraig Kinser, 20th starting Bud Kaeding, 23rd starting Brent Marks, Jamie Veal and Jason Johnson completed the top ten.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to the Calistoga Speedway Saturday night for the completion of the Wine Country Outlaw Showdown. Once again, DIRTVision.com will have live video coverage of the event.
Feature (25 Laps) - 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$8,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [13][$4,000]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [3][$2,500]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [22][$2,200]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [10][$2,100]; 6. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8][$2,000]; 7. O-Bud Kaeding [20][$1,800]; 8. 19-Brent Marks [23][$1,600]; 9. 35-Jamie Veal [11][$1,500]; 10. 41-Jason Johnson [5][$1,300]; 11. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [16][$1,200]; 12. 83-Kyle Hirst [9][$1,100]; 13. 4-Paul McMahan [12][$1,000]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [6][$700]; 15. 20-Cory Eliason [15][$600]; 16. 3C-DJ Netto [18][$600]; 17. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [14][$600]; 18. 5-David Gravel [4][$600]; 19. 44W-Austen Wheatley [19][$600]; 20. 29-Willie Croft [17][$600]; 21. 68-Chase Johnson [24][$600]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [21][$600]; 23. 17-Jac Haudenschild [7][$600]; 24. 24-Rico Abreu [2][$600]; Lap Leaders: Rico Abreu 1-2, Brad Sweet 3-25; KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz[+18]
SHANE STEWART CLAIMS DESIRED GOLD CUP RACE OF CHAMPIONS VICTORY
CHICO, CA – September 9, 2017 – Shane Stewart passed local driver Justin Sanders to win his eighth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature of the season, but his first Gold Cup Race of Champions. Sanders finished a career-best second with Friday’s winner Kyle Hirst completing the podium.
Before the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Feature pushed off, Stewart already knew that team owner Kyle Larson picked up the NASCAR victory. Stewart, who is no stranger to Victory Lane at Silver Dollar Speedway, can finally cross off the Gold Cup Race of Champions off of his bucket list.
“When you retire, you are only remembered for the big races you win and this was one that I’ve always wanted to win. We’ve been close the last few years and to finally get it means so much to me,” Stewart said.
Sanders, in search of his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory, was strong all weekend. Sanders led the first 11 laps before Stewart got grip on the bottom of turn four to take the lead. Stewart never looked back.
As lapped traffic became heavier Sanders closed back in on Stewart looking to make a move but a caution on lap 28 gave Stewart a clear track sealing the victory for the Larson/Marks Racing No.2
“Before this weekend, if you would have told me that I was going to run second and fifth with the Outlaws, I would have been ecstatic,” Sanders said. “I made one mistake in traffic, it’s heartbreaking. We are happy no doubt, but we’re bummed at the same time.
Kyle Hirst was all smiles after finishing on the podium and thanked the California faithful multiple times for packing the stands all weekend at the Gold Cup Race of Champions.
Australian Jamie Veal finished fourth with 11th starting Willie Croft completing the top five. Brad Sweet was strong coming from 13th to sixth with Carson Macedo coming home seventh. 14th starting Mitchell Faccinto, Jac Haudenschild and 18th starting Logan Schuchart completed the top ten. Donny Schatz, who was forced to use a provisional for the second consecutive night, scored KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 25th to 11th.
Abbreviated Results from Silver Dollar Speedway September 9, 2017
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 2-Shane Stewart [3][$12,000]; 2. 121-Justin Sanders [1][$5,700]; 3. 83-Kyle Hirst [4][$3,500]; 4. 35-Jamie Veal [6][$3,000]; 5. 29-Willie Croft [11][$2,600]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [13][$2,400]; 7. 21X-Carson Macedo [8][$2,300]; 8. 37-Mitchell Faccinto [12][$2,200]; 9. 17-Jac Haudenschild [2][$2,150]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [18][$2,100]; 11. 15-Donny Schatz [25][$800]; 12. 41-Jason Johnson [10][$1,350]; 13. O-Bud Kaeding [14][$1,300]; 14. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [9][$1,200]; 15. 9-Daryn Pittman [17][$1,100]; 16. 3C-DJ Netto [21][$1,000]; 17. 7-Kalib Henry [16][$900]; 18. 5-David Gravel [22][$850]; 19. 21W-Jake Wheeler [23][$800]; 20. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [26][$]; 21. 24-Rico Abreu [7][$800]; 22. 20-Cory Eliason [5][$800]; 23. 83JR-Jonathan Allard [15][$800]; 24. 75-Sean Becker [20][$800]; 25. 19-Brent Marks [19][$800]; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen [24][$800]; Lap Leaders: Justin Sanders 1-11, Shane Stewart 12-40; KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz[+14]
Qualifying Flight-A: 1. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 11.694; 2. 20-Cory Eliason, 11.723; 3. 83-Kyle Hirst, 11.745; 4. 29-Willie Croft, 11.783; 5. 35-Jamie Veal, 11.788; 6. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.799; 7. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.855; 8. 21W-Jake Wheeler, 11.914; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.951; 10. 22-Shane Golobic, 11.958; 11. 5-David Gravel, 11.964; 12. 83JR-Jonathan Allard, 11.987; 13. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.992; 14. 19-Brent Marks, 12.057; 15. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.174; 16. 19X-Chase Majdic, 12.19; 17. 26-Tayler Malsam, 12.228; 18. 7B-Brent Bjork, 12.617; 19. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.684; 20. 98-Sean Watts, 12.736
Qualifying Flight-B: 1. 17-Jac Haudenschild, 11.521; 2. 24-Rico Abreu, 11.581; 3. 21X-Carson Macedo, 11.714; 4. 121-Justin Sanders, 11.775; 5. 3C-DJ Netto, 11.794; 6. 7-Kalib Henry, 11.805; 7. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.816; 8. 37-Mitchell Faccinto, 11.846; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.854; 10. 75-Sean Becker, 11.86; 11. O-Bud Kaeding, 11.926; 12. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.012; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.049; 14. 22M-Mason Moore, 12.055; 15. 92-Andy Forsberg, 12.074; 16. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.077; 17. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.136; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.173; 19. 18-Jennafer Frazier, 12.935; 20. 44W-Austen Wheatley, NT
KYLE HIRST THRILLS HOMETOWN CROWD IN FIRST CAREER WORLD OF OUTLAWS WIN AT SILVER DOLLAR
CHICO, CA – Kyle Hirst is no stranger to Victory Lane, especially in California. Hirst outdueled Shane Stewart in a thrilling finish Friday at the Silver Dollar Speedway on the opening night of the Gold Cup Race of Champions. It was Hirst's first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Feature Win. Dominic Scelzi came home third, a career-best for him as well.
Hirst was victorious in Heat 4 after leader Kalib Henry lost power steering and that was crucial as the Craftsman Club Dash Inversion was four, lining Hirst up on the front row of that event. Hirst would walk away with the aforementioned Dash with Shane Stewart coming from fifth to second.
Hirst took command from the drop of the green and led the first six laps before Stewart closed in as traffic thickened. Stewart and Hirst made contact the following lap with the Larson/Marks Racing No.2 leading lap seven. As Stewart navigated traffic, Hirst and Scelzi remained within striking distance.
Coming off of turn four on the 11th circuit, Stewart bobbled on the cushion and allowed Hirst to re-take the lead on lap 12. A caution for Sheldon Haudenschild the following lap allowed everyone to catch their breath.
The lone Red Flag for the evening came on lap 16 when Bud Kaeding got sideways and collected Daryn Pittman and Paul McMahan. All drivers were uninjured in the accident. On the ensuing restart, Jac Haudenschild got contact from another competitor ending his night. Jac was running 5th at the time.
The final 14 laps went non-stop with Hirst and Stewart exchanging slide jobs for the lead multiple times. On two occasions, Stewart cleared Hirst off of turn four for the lead but Hirst turned it under and re-gained command into turn one.
Hirst’s win was a popular one among the California faithful and led to an emotion-filled Victory Lane with his Roth Motorsports No. 83 team. “I’ve been racing for 15 years and I’ve finally snagged one of these World of Outlaw wins. That’s for Chico, California,” an exuberant Hirst said in Victory Lane.
Stewart and Scelzi completed the podium. “Coming home second is nothing to shake your head at. We continue to have fast a car and that’s a testament to my guys. I feel like we have a shot to win every time we roll out,” Stewart said.
Cory Eliason and Justin Sanders completed the top five. California drivers took six of the top seven positions as Jonathan Allard, in the second Roth Motorsports entry, and 14th starting Shane Golobic crossed the line next.
David Gravel picked up KSE Hard Charger Honors with an impressive 24th to eighth run. Donny Schatz used a provisional to start 25th and made it up to ninth. Sheldon Haudenschild recovered from a spin mid-race to complete the top ten.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to the Silver Dollar Speedway Saturday night for the conclusion of the 64th Annual Gold Cup Race of Champions. DIRTVision.com will have Live Video of the event and if it is anything like it was tonight, you don’t want to miss a second of the action.
Abbreviated Results from Silver Dollar Speedway – September 9, 2017
Feature (30 Laps) - 1. 83-Kyle Hirst [1][$8,000]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [2][$4,000]; 3. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [3][$2,500]; 4. 20-Cory Eliason [5][$2,200]; 5. 121-Justin Sanders [4][$2,100]; 6. 83JR-Jonathan Allard [11][$2,000]; 7. 22-Shane Golobic [14][$1,800]; 8. 5-David Gravel [24][$1,600]; 9. 15-Donny Schatz [25][$900]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [16][$1,300]; 11. 35-Jamie Veal [18][$1,200]; 12. 22M-Mason Moore [13][$1,100]; 13. 49-Brad Sweet [21][$1,000]; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart [26][$100]; 15. 3C-DJ Netto [15][$600]; 16. O-Bud Kaeding [9][$600]; 17. 37-Mitchell Faccinto [20][$600]; 18. 9-Daryn Pittman [7][$600]; 19. 7S-Jason Sides [17][$600]; 20. 11K-Kraig Kinser [19][$600]; 21. 17-Jac Haudenschild [6][$600]; 22. 4-Paul McMahan [8][$600]; 23. 24-Rico Abreu [12][$600]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [10][$600]; 25. 29-Willie Croft [22][$600]; 26. 92-Andy Forsberg [23][$600] Lap Leaders: Kyle Hirst 1-6, 12-30; Shane Stewart 7-1; KSE Hard Charger Award: 5-David Gravel[+16]
JASON JOHNSON SCORES WILLAMETTE VICTORY IN LAPPED TRAFFIC
LEBANON, OR – September 6, 2017 – Jason Johnson took the lead from Daryn Pittman on lap 15 in heavy traffic and never looked back. Just two laps earlier Pittman snuck under race-long leader Shane Stewart, who succumbed to a flat tire later in the race. Pittman settled for second with his Kasey Kahne Racing teammate, Brad Sweet coming home third to complete the podium at Willamette Speedway.
Heading into tonight’s action, Shane Stewart and Daryn Pittman had collectively won the last five World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Features and it looked early on as if though one of them would claim the victory again. Stewart won the Craftsman Club Dash and led the first 12 laps in search for his second consecutive victory. Stewart navigated the top of the 3/10th mile oval masterfully and looked strong. Pittman began making the bottom work in second and closed in as lapped traffic thickened.
Pittman got underneath Stewart in turn three and led for two laps before getting hung up behind lapped traffic allowing both Stewart and Jason Johnson to close in. The three drivers waged war for the top spot with Johnson taking the position coming to the line on the 15th circuit.
Johnson took the lead and extended it quickly. He survived a trio of cautions in the final six laps, including one for early race leader Stewart, in route to his fourth win of the 2017 Season.
“That was a lot of fun. I thought the track was great. I know it was a little wet early on but come Feature time it had two lanes,” an elated Johnson said in Victory Lane while holding his son, Jaxx. Johnson was, as always, thankful for his entire crew’s effort and sponsors that allow him to get up and down the road with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series.
Pittman settled for second with Brad Sweet coming on late to finish on the podium once again. Kraig Kinser, who set fast time in Qualifying, and Donny Schatz completed the top five.
Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contenders Sheldon Haudenschild and Brent Marks had strong runs finishing sixth and seventh, respectively. Logan Schuchart finished eighth with 19th-starting David Gravel and 20th-starting Jamie Veal completing the top ten. Gravel picked up KSE Hard Charger honors.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series continues their West Coast swing at the 64th Annual Gold Cup Race of Champions on Friday and Saturday at the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California. The Outlaws conclude their West Coast swing the following weekend at the scenic Calistoga Speedway. For information on this weekend’s Gold Cup Race of Champions, click here.
Abbreviated Results from Willamette Speedway September 6, 2017:
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 41-Jason Johnson [2][$6,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [3][$3,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [6][$2,000]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [4][$1,800]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$1,500]; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$1,400]; 7. 19-Brent Marks [13][$1,350]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11][$1,300]; 9. 5-David Gravel [19][$1,250]; 10. 35-Jamie Veal [20][$1,200]; 11. 2-Shane Stewart [1][$900]; 12. 4-Paul McMahan [8][$800]; 13. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [15][$700]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [5][$650]; 15. 44W-Austen Wheatley [12][$600]; 16. 18S-Jason Solwold [14][$550]; 17. 55-Trey Starks [24][$500]; 18. W20-Greg Wilson [21][$500]; 19. 17-Jac Haudenschild [10][$500]; 20. 7N-Roger Crockett [18][$500]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [17][$500]; 22. 21W-Jake Wheeler [22][$500]; 23. 5X-Brian Boswell [23][$500]; 24. 13-Clyde Knipp [16][$500]; Lap Leaders: Shane Stewart 1-12, Daryn Pittman 13-14, Jason Johnson 15-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 5-David Gravel[+10]
STEWART SURVIVES LATE CHARGE FROM SWEET FOR 7TH WIN OF SEASON AT GRAYS HARBOR
ELMA, WA – September 4, 2017 - Shane Stewart led all 30 laps at Grays Harbor Raceway, but it wasn’t easy. With five lapped cars battling for position directly in front of the leaders in the closing laps, Brad Sweet stalked the Larson/Marks Racing No. 2 before pitching his No. 49 to the bottom off of turn four coming to checkered. Sweet led momentarily, but Stewart’s momentum on the cushion was enough to cross the line .205 seconds in front of Sweet. David Gravel charged late to land on the podium for the second consecutive race.
Stewart started third and won a hectic Craftsman Club Dash that saw the front row starters end up finishing at the rear and Sweet come from fifth to second.
The lone caution flag of the Feature came on lap 15 when Jacob Allen suffered front end damage, spinning his No. 1A to safety on the bottom of the track. The caution erased Stewart’s sizeable lead, but also gave him a clear track with no lapped cars in sight.
By lap 20 Stewart had once again stretched his lead to over two seconds. However, it was inevitable that he would reach the back of the field before the conclusion of the Feature. He did, in a big way.
“I was trapped. I could not get a good enough run to split the two lapped cars in front of me,” Stewart said in Victory Lane about the stressful final laps.
“My car has been really good lately and that is a testament to Lee, Heath and Dennis. It’s a tough gig out here. Lots of miles on the road and countless hours spent maintaining these cars to compete at this level. I wouldn’t be here without these guys,” a thankful Stewart said.
Stewart’s boldest move was on the final circuit where he was forced to come off his preferred line, the cushion, entering turn one. The aforementioned allowed Sweet to get a run down the backstretch to make his challenge for the lead, to no avail.
“I wish I could redo that last corner. I might have done something different,” Sweet said following yet another runner-up finish. “Overall, it was a good night. We like to be on the front stretch at the end of the night, but we have a lot of second places this year. This West Coast swing is usually pretty for good us, I’m back at my hometown tracks so hopefully we can get this Ollie’s Bargain Outlet where it belongs,” the Grass Valley, California native said.
While all eyes focused on Sweet chasing down Stewart, David Gravel might have had the fastest car on the track in the closing laps. “We were really good there at the end. We just need to do a better job in the heat races and put ourselves up front in the Feature. We’ve been really strong the last two nights,” Gravel said after coming from his eighth starting position tonight.
Jason Johnson and Daryn Pittman, who established a new Grays Harbor Track Record in Qualifying, completed the top five. Dominic Scelzi picked up KSE Hard Charger Honors coming forward to 11th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series travels to Oregon to race at the Willamette Speedway on Wednesday, September 6. For more information on Wednesday’s event, click here. After that the Series will continue to trek South for the Gold Cup Race of Champions at the Silver Dollar Speedway over the weekend.
Abbreviated Results from Grays Harbor Raceway - September 4, 2017
Feature (30 laps) 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1][$6,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$3,500]; 3. 5-David Gravel [8][$2,000]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [3][$1,800]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [4][$1,500]; 6. 17-Jac Haudenschild [6][$1,400]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [10][$1,350]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [13][$1,300]; 9. 18S-Jason Solwold [9][$1,250]; 10. 4-Paul McMahan [11][$1,200]; 11. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [18][$900]; 12. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17][$800]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [19][$700]; 14. 7S-Jason Sides [5][$650]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$600]; 16. 35-Jamie Veal [12][$550]; 17. 55-Trey Starks [23][$500]; 18. 7N-Roger Crockett [22][$500]; 19. 33V-Henry VanDam [20][$500]; 20. 1S-Logan Schuchart [21][$500]; 21. 44W-Austen Wheatley [16][$500]; 22. 21P-Robbie Price [24][$500]; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen [7][$500]; 24. 26-Tayler Malsam [15][$500]; Lap Leaders: Shane Stewart 1-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 41S-Dominic Scelzi[+7]
PITTMAN SURGES LATE IN THRILLING WIN AT SKAGIT
Alger, WA – September 2, 2017 – Former World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Champion Daryn Pittman is hitting stride and that is not a good sign for the rest of the competition. A night after being collected in an accident going for the lead, Pittman convincingly charged forward late to pocket $12,000 in the Outlaw Energy Showdown at Skagit Speedway. David Gravel picked up KSE Hard Charger honors finishing second with Brad Sweet completing the podium.
In open air, Jason Johnson set a torrid pace. Timely caution flags helped Johnson led the first 34 laps before giving way to Pittman on the 35th circuit. The longer the race stayed under Green Flag conditions, the better Pittman was. Pittman’s surge to the front happened in a matter of laps. With the top five cars under a blanket, Pittman surged from fourth to the lead in a span of six laps around the tight 3/10th racing surface.
“Man, I can’t say enough about this Great Clips team. I messed up early and kept losing spots on those restarts,” Pittman said upon exiting his Kasey Kahne Racing No.9 machine.
One of the biggest storylines of the 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series was Pittman having no wins heading into the month of August. Now, Pittman has three wins – the most of any driver since August – to his credit. “I’m not sure I’ve ever had more fun driving this race car. It’s fast every time it hits the track,” a relieved Pittman said in a rare appearance racing in front of his friends and family.
Pittman excelled in turns three and four after getting a big run down the short backstretch. I saw Jason [Johnson] was struggling in traffic. When I got in opening in [turn] three and four, I took it and luckily it was good enough to hold on,” the Owasso, OK native said about his race-winning pass.
As Pittman made his charge to the lead, Gravel was equally as fast coming from fifth to second in a span of three laps. By the time Gravel reached second on lap 38, Pittman had already extended a sizeable lead. “We were able to really charge at the end. First through sixth was a hell of a battle and a lot of fun as a race car driver. Just happy to end the race on a good note,” Gravel said.
Brad Sweet and Johnson settled for third and fourth respectively with Donny Schatz completing the top five. Shane Stewart, Sheldon Haudenschild, Jason Sides, Paul McMahan and Logan Schuchart completed the all World of Outlaws regular top ten. There was an open red for a fuel leakage on lap 15 after Skagit 360 Sprint Car points leader Robbie Price had nowhere to go after Clyde Knipp and Jacob Allen got together battling. All three were uninjured in the accident.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series stays in Washington with an appearance at the Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma on Labor Day - Monday, September 4th. For information on the Grays Harbor event, click here.
Abbreviated Results from Skagit Speedway September 2, 2017:
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [5][$12,000]; 2. 5-David Gravel [8][$5,700]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$3,500]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [1][$3,000]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$2,600]; 6. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$2,400]; 7. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [11][$2,300]; 8. 7S-Jason Sides [6][$2,200]; 9. 4-Paul McMahan [12][$2,150]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [14][$2,100]; 11. 35-Jamie Veal [7][$1,600]; 12. 18S-Jason Solwold [10][$1,350]; 13. 17-Jac Haudenschild [15][$1,300]; 14. W20-Greg Wilson [16][$1,200]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [9][$1,100]; 16. 19-Brent Marks [17][$1,000]; 17. 44W-Austen Wheatley [13][$900]; 18. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [22][$850]; 19. 59-Eric Fisher [19][$800]; 20. 26-Tayler Malsam [18][$800]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [20][$800]; 22. 13-Clyde Knipp [23][$800]; 23. 21P-Robbie Price [21][$800]; 24. 11EH-Marc Duperron [24][$800]; Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-34, Daryn Pittman 35-40, KSE Hard Charger Award: 5-David Gravel[+6]
STEWART CAPITALIZES ON MISFORTUNE; CLAIMS 6TH WIN OF 2017
ALGER, WA - September 1, 2017 - Brad Sweet led the first eight laps before getting together with a slower car and collecting second place running Daryn Pittman. Shane Stewart assumed the lead and never looked back, scoring his sixth win of the 2017 season. Jason Johnson and Jac Haudenschild completed the podium on Night 1 of the Outlaw Energy Showdown at Skagit Speedway with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Cars.
With an inversion of six, Sweet and Kraig Kinser shared the front row of the Craftsman Club Dash. In an action-packed event Sweet powered around Kinser earning the pole position for the 30-lap Feature.
In the Feature, Sweet was strong early as was his Kasey Kahne Racing teammate, Pittman. Pittman made his bid for the lead on the backstretch of the eighth circuit but Sweet muscled back ahead to lead the lap.
The following lap, off of turn four, a chain reaction sent the slower car of Austen Wheatley into the front end of Brad Sweet's Ollie's Bargain Outlet No. 49 ultimately sending the car down the track into his teammate Pittman. Pittman and Clyde Knipp, who was also a lapped down, had nowhere to go on the tight 3/10th mile racing surface.
Both Pittman and Sweet were able to make repairs and return to the rear of the field. Shane Stewart, who was just inches away from being collected as well, assumed the lead with Kinser, Jason Johnson and Jac Haudenschild in tow. 'The Wild Child' used a great restart on the top to shoot into the runner-up position and begin chasing down Stewart for the lead.
A pair of double-file restarts, for cautions on lap 10 and 18 respectively, gave Haudenschild a chance for the lead but the Wooster, Ohio veteran couldn't get close enough to mount a serious challenge. With seven to go, Haudenschild took a chance ultimately opening the door for Johnson to squeeze by for second.
A yellow with five to go gave the field one last chance to steal the win from Stewart. To no avail as the Bixby, OK native piloted the Larson/Marks Racing No.2 to Victory Lane for the sixth time in 2017. Johnson, who has never finished worse than fourth at Skagit, settled for second with Haudenschild scoring a strong podium finish in the Stenhouse Jr./Wood Racing No. 17. Donny Schatz and Jac's son, Sheldon, completed the top five. Greg Wilson picked up KSE Hard Charger honors coming from 14th to sixth. Pittman and Sweet made it back forward to tenth and 12th, respectively.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to the Skagit Speedway Saturday evening for the conclusion of the Outlaw Energy Showdown. For more information and a link to purchase tickets, click here. The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to the Skagit Speedway Saturday evening for the conclusion of the Outlaw Energy Showdown. For more information and a link to purchase tickets, click here.
Abbreviated Results From Skagit Speedway September 1, 2017:
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 2-Shane Stewart [4]; 2. 41-Jason Johnson [5]; 3. 17-Jac Haudenschild [6]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [7]; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [10]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [14]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2]; 8. 5-David Gravel [8]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11]; 10. 9-Daryn Pittman [3]; 11. 4-Paul McMahan [17]; 12. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 13. 19-Brent Marks [21]; 14. 1A-Jacob Allen [19]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [9]; 16. 35-Jamie Veal [12]; 17. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [15]; 18. 59-Eric Fisher [20]; 19. 44W-Austen Wheatley [22]; 20. 18S-Jason Solwold [16]; 21. 21P-Robbie Price [18]; 22. 26-Tayler Malsam [13]; 23. 13-Clyde Knipp [24]; 24. 11EH-Marc Duperron [23]; Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-8, Shane Stewart 9-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+8]
Qualifying: 1. 2-Shane Stewart, 10.894; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman, 11.062; 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 11.108; 4. 17-Jac Haudenschild, 11.118; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 11.123; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 11.162; 7. 15-Donny Schatz, 11.202; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 11.263; 9. 7S-Jason Sides, 11.266; 10. 26-Tayler Malsam, 11.312; 11. 5-David Gravel, 11.321; 12. 35-Jamie Veal, 11.328; 13. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 11.334; 14. 4-Paul McMahan, 11.365; 15. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 11.422; 16. 18S-Jason Solwold, 11.442; 17. W20-Greg Wilson, 11.451; 18. 44W-Austen Wheatley, 11.467; 19. 59-Eric Fisher, 11.473; 20. 19-Brent Marks, 11.548; 21. 13-Clyde Knipp, 11.55; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen, 11.614; 23. 11EH-Marc Duperron, 11.677; 24. 21P-Robbie Price, 11.789; 25. 5X-Brian Boswell, 12.614
Gravel Scores 13th Win of Season at Nodak
MINOT, ND – August 20, 2017 – After a pair of pedestrian finishes Friday and Saturday, David Gravel and the CJB Motorsports No.5 team switched cars and scored their 13th victory of the season Sunday night at Nodak Speedway. Gravel’s win stopped Donny Schatz, who finished second, five-race win streak at the Minot oval. Brad Sweet challenged Gravel for the lead early, but ended up settling for third.
Gravel led all 35 laps, although it was not easy. The Nodak Speedway track crew watered the track prior to the Feature, leaving the surface faster and heavier than many teams anticipated.
The inside row got a good intial start, allowing third place starting Brad Sweet to be second by the backstretch. Schatz got in line in third as the track continued to widen out as the Feature progressed. Sweet pulled even with Gravel for the lead multiple times coming off of turn four, but could never pull ahead.
The first caution of the event came for Jason Sides, who was backwards in turn four, on lap 24. Sheldon Haudenschild made contact with the wall and spun on the ensuing restart. Sheldon was running sixth at the time.
Gravel extended his lead once again, made the right decisions in lapped traffic and picked up the victory without seeing another serious challenge. When asked about stopping Schatz five race win streak at Nodak, Gravel said with a smile, “He wins too much. I want some wins too.”
“We brought this car down and I’m glad we got it done tonight because we were not very good the last two nights. This is three straight wins for this car,” the Watertown, CT native said upon exiting his No.5 machine.
Like many, Schatz anticipated the track would slow down earlier in the race. “We got going at the end. I think I used way too much of my tires to get there, though. We did the best we could and sometimes you are going to have that,” a content Schatz said.
Schatz scored at least a top-five finish in every start this season in his home state of North Dakota. He spoke highly about the North Dakota faithful, who packed the grandstands for the third consecutive night, “North Dakota has a huge presence with the World of Outlaws and I don’t think anyone realizes how big it is. Thank you to the fans, without you guys we would not have nearly as much fun as we do.”
Brad Sweet picked up his 44th top-five of the finish of the season, completing the podium. “We were right there a lot of the race. David never made any mistakes and then I made one and Donny got by me,” Sweet said. “All in all it was a good night.”
Shane Stewart and Daryn Pittman completed the top five. Saturday’s Feature winner at Red River Valley, Jason Johnson, picked up the KSE Hard Charger award in sixth.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series takes a few days off before returning to the Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City, SD Friday August 25th. For more information about the Black Hills event click here.
Abbreviated Results from Nodak Speedway:
Feature (35 Laps) 1. 5-David Gravel [1][$10,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$3,200]; 4. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$2,800]; 5. 9-Daryn Pittman [7][$2,500]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [12][$2,300]; 7. 17-Jac Haudenschild [5][$2,200]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart [10][$2,100]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [9][$2,050]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [15][$2,000]; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$1,500]; 12. 3-Tim Kaeding [18][$1,200]; 13. 35-Jamie Veal [6][$1,100]; 14. 4-Paul McMahan [14][$1,050]; 15. W20-Greg Wilson [17][$1,000]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [11][$900]; 17. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [16][$800]; 18. 13-Clyde Knipp [20][$800]; 19. 7T-Trent Stengl [24][$800]; 20. 21-Ryder Olson [23][$800]; 21. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [8][$800]; 22. 6N-Greg Nikitenko [19][$800]; 23. 20-Kevin Lawson [22][$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [21][$800]; Lap Leaders: David Gravel 1-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 41-Jason Johnson[+6]
Qualifying: 1. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.477; 2. 2-Shane Stewart, 13.544; 3. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.565; 4. 5-David Gravel, 13.576; 5. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.604; 6. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.611; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman, 13.642; 8. 17-Jac Haudenschild, 13.654; 9. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.656; 10. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.672; 11. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.713; 12. 35-Jamie Veal, 13.738; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.741; 14. 4-Paul McMahan, 13.796; 15. 19-Brent Marks, 13.852; 16. 13-Clyde Knipp, 13.866; 17. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.931; 18. 6N-Greg Nikitenko, 14.026; 19. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 14.059; 20. 21-Ryder Olson, 14.141; 21. 3-Tim Kaeding, 14.166; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen, 14.251; 23. 91K-Kyle Fedyk, 14.289; 24. 7T-Trent Stengl, 14.444; 25. 10-Tyson Turnbull, 14.91; 26. 90-Randy Blotsky, 15.384; 27. 20-Kevin Lawson, 15.852; 28. 20L-Dusty Lawson, 15.945; 29. 14-Bill Holler, 16.1; 30. 17M-Todd Mickelson, NT
Jason Johnson Goes Flag to Flag
WEST FARGO, ND - August 19, 2017 - Jason Johnson started on the outside of the front row, took command down the backstretch on the opening circuit and never looked back to score his third win of the season Saturday at Red River Valley Speedway. Johnson survived heavy traffic and multiple restarts to pick up the popular victory. Australian Kerry Madsen and Shane Stewart completed the podium.
Johnson got the jump on pole-sitter Kraig Kinser and established a healthy advantage before a caution for a slowing Jamie Veal on lap four. On the ensuing restart, Dominic Scelzi and Brent Marks took a wild ride on the front stretch. Both drivers were uninjured in the accident.
Shane Stewart got underneath Kraig Kinser for second and began chasing down Johnson as lapped traffic intensified. Kerry Madsen began his charge on the bottom of the racing surface as he surged by both Kinser and Thomas Kennedy to move into third.
Johnson battled with the slower car of David Gravel, allowing Stewart and Madsen to close in. Once Johnson cleared Gravel, he re-extended his lead and drove away from the field for the victory.
“My guys never give up. During the ‘Month of Money’, the tracks got a little slick and we struggled a bit. But this is my type of race track. Cowboy up,” an elated Johnson said upon climbing out of his Priority Aviation, Mesilla Valley Transportation backed No. 41.
“With the World of Outlaws, these guys are so tough night in and night out, to win one of these races speaks magnitudes about this team,” Johnson reiterated.
Kerry Madsen praised his team once again after landing on the podium for the second consecutive night. “It was a fun race, bouncing around and driving hard,” the hard-nosed Australian said.
Shane Stewart, who is now the new track record holder at the Red River Valley Speedway, came home third after grappling with pesky lapped traffic. “Quick time, which I’m usually not, a new track record, which is cool, and a podium finish. We’ll just carry this on to tomorrow and hopefully keep the momentum going,” the Bixby, OK native said following his strong, consistent evening.
Kinser and Donny Schatz completed the top five. Tim Kaeding was the KSE Hard Charger. Clyde Knipp scored his first career top-ten with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series with a 9th place finish.
Sunday night the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series concludes a three-race swing through North Dakota in Minot at the Nodak Speedway. For more information on Sunday’s event click here.
ABBREVIATED RESULTS FROM: Red River Valley Speedway
Feature (30 Laps) 1. 41-Jason Johnson [2][$10,000]; 2. 2M-Kerry Madsen [6][$5,500]; 3. 2-Shane Stewart [3][$3,200]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [1][$2,800]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [7][$2,500]; 6. 17-Jac Haudenschild [8][$2,300]; 7. 21K-Thomas Kennedy [4][$2,200]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$2,100]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [12][$2,050]; 10. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [10][$2,000]; 11. 9-Daryn Pittman [14][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [9][$1,200]; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart [16][$1,100]; 14. 3-Tim Kaeding [22][$1,050]; 15. 18-Ian Madsen [13][$1,000]; 16. 5-David Gravel [21][$900]; 17. 24-Terry McCarl [15][$800]; 18. 4-Paul McMahan [19][$800]; 19. 35-Jamie Veal [18][$800]; 20. 7T-Trent Stengl [24][$800]; 21. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier [17][$800]; 22. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [11][$800]; 23. 19-Brent Marks [20][$800]; 24. 1A-Jacob Allen [23][$800]
Lap Leaders: Jason Johnson 1-30
KSE Hard Charger Award: 3-Tim Kaeding[+8]
Qualifying
1. 2-Shane Stewart, 11.925; 2. 41S-Dominic Scelzi, 12.043; 3. 41-Jason Johnson, 12.079; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 12.114; 5. 21K-Thomas Kennedy, 12.116; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 12.148; 7. 18-Ian Madsen, 12.195; 8. 9-Daryn Pittman, 12.208; 9. 7S-Jason Sides, 12.221; 10. 15-Donny Schatz, 12.233; 11. 17-Jac Haudenschild, 12.25; 12. 13-Clyde Knipp, 12.26; 13. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.277; 14. 13JT-Mark Dobmeier, 12.338; 15. 24-Terry McCarl, 12.339; 16. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 12.342; 17. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 12.405; 18. 35-Jamie Veal, 12.431; 19. 4-Paul McMahan, 12.432; 20. 5-David Gravel, 12.439; 21. 3-Tim Kaeding, 12.493; 22. 19-Brent Marks, 12.52; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen, 12.632; 24. 8-Casey Mack, 12.688; 25. 7T-Trent Stengl, 12.694; 26. 6N-Greg Nikitenko, 12.73; 27. 82-Dusty Zomer, 12.857; 28. W20-Greg Wilson, 12.866; 29. 13X-Ty Hanten, 13.4; 30. 91M-Jackson Moffett, 13.414; 31. 17M-Todd Mickelson, 15.218
Double Duty Donny
GRAND FORKS, ND – August 18, 2017 - Six days after winning sprint car’s biggest prize – the 5-Hour ENERGY Knoxville Nationals - for the 10th time, Donny Schatz landed in Victory Lane in his home state, twice. Schatz outdueled Brad Sweet to win his 17th feature of the 2017 season at River Cities. To make things sweeter, Schatz also picked up the NLRA Late Model feature earlier in the night.
When asked if he learned anything from winning the 25-lap Late Model feature, Schatz said with a smile, “I learned that I am not in as good of shape as I think I am.”
Sheldon Haudenschild led the first eight laps, in search of his first career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory, before getting loose off of turn two and losing the lead to Brad Sweet. Schatz worked underneath Haudenschild shortly after and was second when the red flag flew for Canadian driver Thomas Kennedy, who was uninjured in the accident, on lap 12.
Sweet led the next three laps before Schatz pulled ahead with grip on the bottom on the 16th circuit. A lap 17 yellow for sixth place running Dominic Scelzi was the final stoppage of the event. Following the caution, Schatz and Sweet continued their duel and were side by side for multiple laps with Sweet being scored as the leader on the 18th lap. Schatz regained the lead on lap 19 and never looked back masterfully maneuvering through lapped traffic.
“It’s a huge weekend for this race team. Speaking of this race team…it is incredible what they do and an honor to drive their race car,” Schatz said.
Sweet settled for second. “The Ollie’s Bargain Outlet car was fast all night. I probably should have ran the bottom, but it’s hard to judge traffic when you are the leader. Donny’s always the guy to beat here, we’ll take our second and move on,” the Grass Valley, CA native said.
Australian Kerry Madsen finished on the podium, thanked his GoMuddy.com team and Guy Forbook for a great race car and praised River Cities Speedway with the statement, “Grand Forks never disappoints.”
Daryn Pittman and Jason Johnson completed the top five. Mark Dobmeier was the KSE Hard Charger coming from 21st to finish sixth.
Daryn Pittman Scores First Victory of 2017 at I-55
PEVELY, MO - August 5, 2017 - It’s been a long time coming for Daryn Pittman, who secured his first win of the season Friday night at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55. The 2014 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Champion has had a trying season by his standards. Friday night, he was able to fend off the eight-time and defending Series Champion Donny Schatz, including on a late-race restart with six laps to go.
“Man, I needed that. I think this team needed that,” a relieved Daryn Pittman said upon exiting his Great Clips No. 9 for his first win of the 2017 season Friday night at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55.
The Craftsman Club Dash draw was four putting Sheldon Haudenschild and Paul McMahan on the front row. Haudenschild and McMahan led laps in the dash before giving way to Pittman on the third circuit.
“I’m blessed to be able to drive for Kasey [Kahne],” Pittman said in Victory Lane. “I was on the phone with him all night. He worked on this thing during the week and put in a setup that I would have bet everything in the world would not have worked,” Pittman said with a smile. “Thanks to DIRTVision.com for the great coverage so he could watch up in New York.”
Although, Pittman led all 35 laps it was far from an easy victory. Donny Schatz stalked the Owasso, Oklahoma-native for the majority of the race.
“You get nervous when you’re leading, even when it is hard to pass, when that No. 15 car is behind you. He has stolen more than one rubber race away from me pretty late,” Pittman said of the eight-time series champion, Schatz.
Schatz took a peak to the outside of the Kasey Kahne Racing No. 9 momentarily in turn three, “You got to try something if given the opportunity,” the current Series point leader said.” All around it’s a decent finish. We haven’t been in the top three here in a little bit, so I’m glad to get to a good finish.”
Sheldon Haudenschild came home third, in what was his Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 debut. “I’m happy. I feel like we haven’t been on the podium since California,” Haudenschild said jokingly. Although it was Sheldon’s first visit to Pevely, his crew chief Bonzai and father, Jac, have many laps around the bullring. “Having Bonzai on our team for these tracks I’ve never been to has been huge,” Sheldon, the leading contender for Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year, reiterated.
Kraig Kinser and Brad Sweet completed the top five. The first twelve drivers across the finish line were World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series regulars, with last year’s Ironman 55 winner, Rico Abreu, finishing 13th. Brandon Hanks was the KSE Hard Charger coming from 23rd to 16th aboard his No. 84 machine.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to the Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 Saturday night August 5th for the running of the Ironman 55, which pays $20,000 to win. Grandstands open at 2pm.
FEATURE (35 Laps): 1. 9-Daryn Pittman [1][$8,000]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4][$4,000]; 3. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$2,500]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [2][$2,200]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$2,100]; 6. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$2,000]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [10][$1,800]; 8. 17-Jac Haudenschild [8][$1,600]; 9. 4-Paul McMahan [7][$1,500]; 10. 7S-Jason Sides [12][$1,300]; 11. 19-Brent Marks [17][$1,200]; 12. 5-David Gravel [9][$1,100]; 13. 24-Rico Abreu [13][$1,000]; 14. O5-Brad Loyet [16][$700]; 15. 3-James McFadden [20][$600]; 16. 84-Brandon Hanks [23][$600]; 17. 1S-Logan Schuchart [24][$600]; 18. 91-Cale Thomas [11][$600]; 19. 48-Danny Dietrich [18][$600]; 20. 1A-Jacob Allen [21][$600]; 21. 2-Shane Stewart [15][$600]; 22. 3G-Carson Macedo [14][$600]; 23. 17B-Bill Balog [19][$600]; 24. 9X-Paul Nienhiser [22][$600];Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1-35; KSE Hard Charger Award: 84-Brandon Hanks[+7]
Three-Peat: David Gravel Wins again at Wilmot Raceway in a thriller
WILMOT, Wisc. — July 29, 2017 — If it was up to David Gravel he would race at Wilmot Raceway every week if he could. At least that’s what he jokingly said after winning for the third time in the same number of starts with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Wilmot on Saturday night in the Badger 40. Gravel remains undefeated in three starts with the Outlaws at the third-mile in Southern Wisconsin.
Gravel used some late race heroics for the second straight night to take the lead with just two laps remaining en route to a thrilling win over Shane Stewart. That pair traded the lead four times officially, but unofficially swapped the lead numerous times in the late-going, with Gravel running the top of the track and Stewart a little lower.
“It’s been awesome racing here,” said Gravel. “Wisconsin is great. It doesn’t matter if we are at Beaver Dam (Raceway) or Cedar Lake (Speedway), the stands are always packed. They are just as good as Pennsylvania fans. It was racing with Shane. We both raced real hard.”
Gravel led on three separate occasions on Saturday night for a total of five laps, but for the second straight night, he led the most important one, the white flag lap. Gravel took the lead for the first time on lap-29 when Brad Sweet made contact with an infield tire, which dropped him from the point to third. Shane Stewart also moved up a spot at that point in time.
Stewart took the top spot on the very next lap and would remain out front for six circuits. Gravel got back by on lap-36 and was out front for two laps, before Stewart took the lead again on lap 38. Gravel moved back to the lead on lap-39 and paced the final two laps to secure his 12th win of the season.
“I think I may have been to patient and Shane (Stewart) got by us,” shared Gravel. “Luckily Brad (Sweet) got into the infield tire and that gave us track position. I know we had a really good car. The track was awesome. The bottom was good and so was the top. It was even. The curb got out there really gnarly at the end and bit me a couple of times, but I knew that was the fastest place. I just had to play Russian roulette with the curb those last few laps and it worked out.”
Stewart started fourth and was up to third on the second lap and kept pace with Sweet and Gravel in the early going. With six laps to go the caution flag flew, which set up one final double-file restart with Stewart choosing the low side and Gravel up top. Following that unfurling of the green flag, the duo waged war, trading the lead at both ends of the track a number of times.
“It was exciting,” said Stewart. “I honestly felt like I drove a little too cautious there at the end. I was trying to block him and hit my lines. That team has been really, really good here lately and we were close. We were a lot closer than we have been lately. My guys continue to work crazy hours to make sure the car is ready each and every night. We just came up a little short tonight, but it was a fun race.
Stewart ran among the top-three for just about the duration of the 40-lap race. Late in the race, Stewart seemed to have an advantage on the lows sides of turns one and two, with Gravel getting the upper hand on the top side of turns three and four.
“I think that race could have gone anyway,” noted Stewart. “Obviously the little issue Brad had with the infield tire made it a lot more interesting. We’ll keep on digging and hopefully we can click off a few more wins before the Knoxville Nationals.”
Sweet took the lead on the opening lap in turns one and two from Paul McMahan, who started on the pole. He was just about to get to lapped traffic, when the first caution flag of the night flew on the eighth lap. Sweet chose the low line for the ensuing double file restart, with Gravel moving up to second and taking a peek for the lead on the high side of turn four. Sweet was able to maintain his lead in lapped traffic near the halfway point of the race. Gravel got a good run on Sweet on lap-28, with Sweet getting out of shape on the next lap, after contact with the infield tire in turn two.
“I’m tired of making mistakes,” said Sweet. “The NAPA guys are giving me a great race car each and every night. We are in contention to win every night. This one tonight is on me. It was driver error. I was trying to get through lapped cars. We were setting a good pace. The car felt great and I didn’t really have anything to complain about. Once you make a mistake with these guys they do a great job and Shane was right there. They capitalized on my mistake. I’m just happy it didn’t knock the front axle out and end out night.”
Sweet would end up finishing third, which was his 41st top-five finish of the season, which keeps him tied with eight-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz for the series lead in that department. Following a caution with just six laps remaining, Sweet was nearly three-wide for the lead with Gravel and Stewart going into turn one as he looked to rebound from the mishap earlier in the race.
“We’ll take a third and everyone needs to get home and get a break for a minute and regroup,” noted Sweet. “We have some of the biggest races coming up. We’ll keep our heads up and try o look forward and be positive and try to win some more of these races.”
Sheldon Haudenschild finished fourth, after lining up on the outside of the fifth row. Schatz worked his way to a fifth-place showing, after starting 13th. Logan Schuchart continued his recent string of strong finished with a sixth-place run. Jason Johnson crossed the line seventh, with McMahan in eighth, Daryn Pittman ninth and Brent Marks 10th.
Blake Nimee picked up tonight’s KSE Hardcharger award after qualifying for the Badger 40 Feature from the Last Chance Showdown. Nimbee started 24th and finished 14th.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Friday, August 4 with the Night Before the Ironmanat Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, Mo., followed by the $20,000-to-win Ironman 55 on Saturday, August 5.
FEATURE (40 Laps): 1. 5-David Gravel [3][$10,000]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$3,200]; 4. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [12][$2,800]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [13][$2,500]; 6. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11][$2,300]; 7. 41-Jason Johnson [5][$2,200]; 8. 4-Paul McMahan [1][$2,100]; 9. 9-Daryn Pittman [9][$2,050]; 10. 19-Brent Marks [7][$2,000]; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [17][$1,500]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [10][$1,200]; 13. W20-Greg Wilson [15][$1,100]; 14. 79-Blake Nimee [24][$1,050]; 15. 17B-Bill Balog [6][$1,000]; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen [23][$900]; 17. 64-Scott Thiel [8][$800]; 18. 65-Jordon Goldesberry [22][$800]; 19. 14AJ-Wayne Modjeski [18][$800]; 20. 17-Jac Haudenschild [16][$800]; 21. 3G-Carson Macedo [14][$800]; 22. 29-Joey Moughan [20][$800]; 23. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [19][$800]; 24. 23-Russel Borland [21][$800]; Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-28; David Gravel 29, 36-37, 39-40; Shane Stewart 30-35, 38; KSE Hard Charger Award: 79-Blake Nimee[+10]
Patience Pays Off: David Gravel wins at Hartford Speedway
By: Tony Veneziano
HARTFORD, Mich. — July 28, 2017 — Patience was certainly a must on Friday night in the Battle of Michigan for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series. David Gravel showed the patience of a true veteran, enduring five cautions and one red flag period en route to winning at the re-configured Hartford Speedway.
Gravel, who started third, was able to get by Brad Sweet in lapped traffic with just three laps remaining, after erasing a sizeable lead that Sweet had as the laps wound down in the 30-lapper. For Gravel, it was his 11th win of the season for the CJB Motorsports team. He credited the changes his team made during a lap-17 open red flag to helping him reach victory lane.
“I think it was better running second,” said Gravel. “It was a lot of fun. We raced real hard, even with how slick it was. It was very technical out there. We had the red flag and I think we made the car better during it. We were really tight, but you needed to be on a slick track like this. Thanks to my guys for busting their butts and I’m happy we could get another one.”
Brad Sweet jumped out to the lead on the start, after lining up on the outside of the front row. He paced the field for the first eight laps, with Gravel taking the lead on the top side of turn two. Sweet returned to the point on a lap-11 restart using the high groove. Gravel ran side-by-side with Sweet through three and four with four laps to go and took the top spot on the very next lap.
“When I was second, I had a really good restart and got the lead,” explained Gravel. “Then when I was leading, I lost the lead on a restart, so they went both ways tonight. It was tough to get going on the starts. You kind of had to ease on the throttle on the straightaway to get into turn one.”
Sweet, who led 25 total laps in the 30-lapper, finished second to earn his 40th top-five finish of the season, which is tied for the series lead in that category with eight-time and defending series champion Donny Schatz.
“I got a little free at the end and just didn’t cover the lines well enough in traffic,” said Sweet. “I got to the first lapped car and we just weren’t good enough to pass him. If I could have moved around, I think I could have held David (Gravel) off. It just got super technical and line-sensitive. I just made too many mistakes and gave the race away late. We’ll keep fighting and hopefully we can get this NAPA Auto Parts car to victory lane where it belongs. The car is good enough to win, we just need to make it happen.”
Logan Schuchart followed up a win earlier this week at Ohsweken Speedway in Canada with a third-place finish. The Pennsylvania native battled for a large portion of the race with Gravel, while the eventual winner was running second. Since debuting a new car, the driver of the No. 1S for Shark Racing hasn’t finished off the podium.
“We wanted a better car about a month ago,” said Schuchart. “The one we were running was worn out. This one is brand new and has a first and a third. I can’t say enough about the guys who put this car on the race track. It was a fast race car when we got it and its rolling good. This is a good time of the year to be rolling good and be fast. We just have to keep it up and make the right changes at the right times.”
Brent Marks, one of the contenders for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award, finished a season-best fourth at Hartford Speedway. For the Pennsylvania native, it was his first top-five finish of the season.
Kraig Kinser crossed the line fifth, with Donny Schatz sixth. Daryn Pittman recovered from a trip to the work area on the 11th lap to weave his way back through the field to finish seventh. Sheldon Haudenschild was eighth with fellow Ohioan Greg Wilson ninth. Wilson was the KSE Hard Charger, after taking a provisional to start 25th. Shane Stewart rounded out the top-10.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action on Saturday, July 29 at Wilmot Raceway in Wisconsin for the running of the Badger 40.
FEATURE (30 Laps): 1. 5-David Gravel [3][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$5,500]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [8][$3,200]; 4. 19-Brent Marks [15][$2,800]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7][$2,500]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [12][$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [10][$2,200]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [9][$2,100]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [25][$1,250]; 10. 2-Shane Stewart [1][$2,000]; 11. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$1,500]; 12. 3G-Carson Macedo [19][$1,200]; 13. 71-Joey Saldana [16][$1,100]; 14. 17M-Max McGhee [21][$1,050]; 15. 5J-Jeremy Schultz [11][$1,000]; 16. 7S-Jason Sides [4][$900]; 17. 17-Jac Haudenschild [13][$800]; 18. 16-Ryan Ruhl [14][$800]; 19. 4-Paul McMahan [5][$800]; 20. 27Z-Sean Zemunik [23][$800]; 21. 7J-Joe Swanson [22][$800]; 22. 1A-Jacob Allen [18][$800]; 23. 5B-Chad Blonde [17][$800]; 24. 13-Clyde Knipp [20][$800]; 25. 10S-Jason Steinebach [24][$800], Lap Leaders: Brad Sweet 1-8, 11-27; David Gravel 9-10, 28-30, KSE Hard Charger Award: W20-Greg Wilson[+16]
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
· 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.
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 Jo