Archive for October, 2017
THOMAS FINDS REDEMPTION AND $10K WITH “FALL NATIONALS” WIN AT THE BURG
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Contact: Richie Murray - USAC Media / richie@usacracing.com
THOMAS FINDS REDEMPTION AND $10K WITH "FALL NATIONALS" WIN AT THE BURG
By: Richie Murray - USAC Media
Lawrenceburg, Indiana.........Kevin Thomas, Jr. made all the right moves in Saturday night's Lawrenceburg Speedway "Fall Nationals," becoming $10,000 richer with a flawless drive for his fourth USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car points win of the season.
It was certainly a reversal of roles and fortunes for Thomas from the night before at Montpelier (Ind.) Motor Speedway when he pulled no punches in his post-race interview lamenting how he cost himself the race on the final lap due to his decision making.
Kevin Thomas, Jr. won $10,000 with Saturday night's 'Fall Nationals' victory
at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway.(Dallas Breeze Photo)
"Tonight, where there's a fine line, you have to know the racetrack you're racing on," Thomas begins. "Last night I did a poor job of that. Tonight, we knew we were catching lapped cars and we knew we had to put some distance between us and whoever was back there. I knew it either had to be (Justin) Grant or (C.J.) Leary. They're always good. It's not about racing the person behind you. It's about racing the people in front of you. Last night, I was racing people behind me and I made a mistake on the last lap that cost us the race. I had to be a little smarter tonight, a little bit more aggressive to know what I was dealing with."
Thomas has been one of the most scorching-hot drivers in the series since late July, running in the top-five night-after-night over the past two months. Yet, the Cullman, Alabama native seemed to show an extra sense of determination and focus Saturday night, when he disposed of fellow second row starter Leary, then front row combatants Robert Ballou and Justin Grant in a rapid-fire succession of precision with an outside move off turn two that propelled him from fourth to first.
"There was quite a bit of moisture coming off four at the start," Thomas detailed. "I peeked out a little bit and got a good run. I thought they were both going to slide each other, then I was going to try to slide them. Instead, they both went bottom/middle and left the top open for me and I took advantage of it."
"Starting fourth, you got to go," Thomas continued. "With Robert (Ballou) starting on the front row alongside Grant and Leary starting inside of you, there's no time to waste. With the way the track was, track position was really everything, especially timing yourself when you get to lap cars and trying to put cars between you and second. You can't just sit there and be patient. There's certain races where you can, but this just wasn't one of them."
Thomas quickly opened up a six to seven car-length lead by lap two when the race saw its first caution of the night as Chad Boespflug came to a stop on the front straightaway with the right front corner absent from his ride following contact with another car. He would not restart.
On the ensuing restart, previous night's winner Leary threw himself into contention by elbowing his way into second past Ballou between turns one and two for the third spot, dropping Ballou to sixth. Yet, one lap later, Dave Darland made a daring move into turn one, threading the eye of the needle between both Chris Windom and Leary to move into the top-three.
Meanwhile, Thomas had extended his lead to a commanding half-straightaway advantage that he constructed during the first ten laps as he moved his line from the bottom to the top.
"I was a little worried that we were too good too early," Thomas explained. "This place can get really black and icy. I'm just glad it held together and everything was nice and balanced for me because, in the beginning, I was running middle to bottom in turns three and four. It finally slowed up enough and I had to jump up to the top. It was good down on the bottom and good up there on the big ol' curb. That's all you can really ask for in a racecar."
Darland, though, seemed destined to throw a wrench into Thomas' plans when he secured the second position with a lap nine, turn one slider on Justin Grant.
'Tonight, where there's a fine line, you have to know the racetrack you're racing on. Last night I did a poor job of that. Tonight, we knew we were catching lapped cars and we knew we had to put some distance between us and whoever was back there. I knew it either had to be (Justin) Grant or (C.J.) Leary. They're always good. It's not about racing the person behind you. It's about racing the people in front of you. Last night, I was racing people behind me and I made a mistake on the last lap that cost us the race. I had to be a little smarter tonight, a little bit more aggressive to know what I was dealing with.' - Kevin Thomas, Jr. (Ryan Sellers Photo)
Up ahead, a logjam of lapped traffic gridlocked all lanes of the highway for Thomas as Darland deleted the space between first and second to close right on the tail of Thomas just before midway. As Darland seemed poised to make his bid for the lead, suddenly, he began to slow to a crawling pace off turn two with a broken U-joint, relegating him to the sidelines.
Thereafter, Leary reentered contention, first sliding across the nose of Grant for second in turn one for the second spot, yet remained a half-straightaway behind Thomas who was as precise as an X-ACTO Knife at the front.
Once again, lapped traffic was on the horizon and Leary managed to whittle Thomas' lead down to just a two car-length separation entering turn three with a couple laps remaining. Thomas amended his previous night's foible by going on the attack, diving to the bottom of three by the lapped car of Joss Moffatt to create separation between he and Leary which would not be overcome as Thomas raced to a half-second victory over Leary, Grant, Ballou and KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Tyler Courtney from 16th.
Thomas took the race into his own hands down the stretch in his KT Motorsports/Jeff's Jam-It-In Storage - Abreu Vineyards/DRC/Speedway Chevy, making the right decisions at the right moments to win for the 16th time in his career to tie Damion Gardner for 31st all-time on USAC's National Sprint Car win list.
"There's always a little bit of urgency here," Thomas noted. "When the track's fast like that, those guys run the cushion just as good as I do or, like Dave (Darland), he's the best at it. Whenever you're running the cushion that hard, you know somebody's going to be chasing you. Restarts bunch everybody up and put them right back on your tail. Whenever you see lap cars, you try your best to split 'em, slide 'em and do whatever you got to do. We just made the right moves at the right time. That's the luxury of leading. Some places it's good to be in the lead, some places it's not. Tonight, it was good. Tonight, timing was everything."
Greenfield, Indiana's C.J. Leary came just short of repeating his September magic once again, coming one spot shy of becoming the first driver in the series this season to win three-in-a-row, ultimately finishing second in his Leary Racing/Leary Construction - Highsmith Guns/DRC/1-Way Chevy.
"I wish it was a 40-lapper tonight," Leary lamented. "But, man, we just needed more time, or a yellow, there at the end to try and have something for him. I reeled him in from a straightaway back. I thought we had the better car at the end. It's just unfortunate we didn't have a chance to race him at the end. KT just timed that pass better than I did and made it to where I didn't have a shot at him."
"We weren't really happy with our racecar most of the night," Leary admitted. "We got through qualifying fourth quick and I felt like that was the hardest part of the night, which gave us an opportunity to start up front. In these races, it's so hard to pass because everyone's so fast. Tonight, Lawrenceburg was hammer down up on the fence, which made it really tough. We'll just continue on to Terre Haute (Oct. 14) and, hopefully, we can continue this momentum."
It wasn't quite a win for Justin Grant, but considering the tumultuous night he endured Friday at Montpelier in which he got upside down, a third-place result was a sigh of relief for the Ione, California driver who wheeled the Sam McGhee Motorsports/ProGlide Bearings - Mike McGhee & Associates/Maxim/Foxco to a solid finish to bump up his series point lead to 45 with just six races remaining.
"In the past, when I was tight on the curb, if I turned over, I turned over trying to win," Grant explained. "Setting out to chase the points deal, you have in your mind that you can't do that anymore. If I'm a third-place guy, I'm a third-place guy. It doesn't mean I don't want to win or that I'm not trying my hardest to win, but I also know I can't turn the car over when I shouldn't. That definitely plays on your mind and that mindset has made me a better all-around racer. Maybe I could have used that mindset a couple years ago and I'd be a little ahead of where I am now! You think about it a little bit, but you're still out to win races. The guys in the points behind you are trying to catch you just as hard as you're trying to go forward. You can't afford to ride around and let them catch you. Every car you pass means more points and it pays more money the closer to the top you are."
Contingency award winners Saturday night at Lawrenceburg Speedway included Dave Darland (ProSource Fast Qualifier), Tyler Courtney (Simpson Race Products Heat 1 Winner), Chase Stockon (Competition Suspension, Inc. Heat 2 Winner), Isaac Chapple (Chalk Stix/Indy Race Parts Heat 3 Winner), Tyler Courtney (KSE Racing Products Hard Charger) and Joss Moffatt (Wilwood Brakes 13th Place Finisher).
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USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE RESULTS: September 30, 2017 - Lawrenceburg Speedway - Lawrenceburg, Indiana - "Fall Nationals"
PROSOURCE QUALIFYING: 1. Dave Darland, 39G, Goodnight-14.016; 2. Chris Windom, 5, Baldwin-14.098; 3. Kevin Thomas, Jr., 9K, KT-14.160; 4. C.J. Leary, 30, Leary-14.185; 5. Justin Grant, 11, McGhee-14.197; 6. Robert Ballou, 12, Ballou-14.210; 7. Josh Hodges, 74x, Hodges-14.211; 8. Kyle Robbins, 17R, KR-14.237; 9. Brady Bacon, 63, Dooling/Hayward-14.283; 10. Shawn Westerfeld, 17GP, Dutcher-14.314; 11. Nick Bilbee, 17N, Bilbee-14.318; 12. Chad Boespflug, 69, Dynamics-14.345; 13. Joss Moffatt, 5J, Moffatt-14.355; 14. Chase Stockon, 32, 32 TBI-14.366; 15. Isaac Chapple, 52, LNR/Chapple-14.387; 16. Tyler Courtney, 23c, TOPP-14.431; 17. J.J. Hughes, 76, Hughes-14.515; 18. Garrett Abrams, 32A, Abrams-14.531; 19. Jon Stanbrough, 81, Stanbrough-14.689; 20. Jerry Coons, Jr., 21K, Krockenberger-14.692; 21. Tony McVey, 7m, McVey-14.863; 22. Scotty Weir, 22s, Simon-14.976; 23. Aric Gentry, 10, Gentry-NT; 24. Jarett Andretti, 18, Andretti-NT.
SIMPSON RACE PRODUCTS FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Courtney, 2. Moffatt, 3. Darland, 4. Hodges, 5. Leary, 6. Westerfeld, 7. Stanbrough, 8. Weir. 1:54.46
COMPETITION SUSPENSION (CSI) SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Stockon, 2. Bilbee, 3. Grant, 4. Windom, 5. Hughes, 6. Gentry, 7. Coons, 8. Robbins. NT
CHALK STIX/INDY RACE PARTS THIRD HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Chapple, 2. Boespflug, 3. Ballou, 4. Bacon, 5. Thomas, 6. McVey. 1:57.96
FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Kevin Thomas, Jr., 2. C.J. Leary, 3. Justin Grant, 4. Robert Ballou, 5. Tyler Courtney, 6. Brady Bacon, 7. Chris Windom, 8. Josh Hodges, 9. Jerry Coons, Jr., 10. Jon Stanbrough, 11. Nick Bilbee, 12. Scotty Weir, 13. Joss Moffatt, 14. Chase Stockon, 15. Kyle Robbins, 16. Isaac Chapple, 17. Garrett Abrams, 18. J.J. Hughes, 19. Tony McVey, 20. Dave Darland, 21. Aric Gentry, 22. Shawn Westerfeld, 23. Chad Boespflug. NT
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**Gentry flipped during practice.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1-30 Thomas.
KSE RACING PRODUCTS HARD CHARGER: Tyler Courtney (16th to 5th)
WILWOOD BRAKES 13TH PLACE FINISHER: Joss Moffatt
NEW USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: 1-Grant-1945, 2-Windom-1900, 3-Thomas Jr.-1809; 4-Courtney-1799, 5-Boespflug-1691, 6-Stockon-1669, 7-Leary-1617, 8-Ballou-1471, 9-Bacon-1470, 10-Darland-1300.
NEXT USAC AMSOIL SPRINT CAR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: October 14 - Terre Haute Action Track - Terre Haute, Indiana - "Tony Hulman/Don Smith Classic"
Hafertepe Knocks Down Win No. 15 With Fall Brawl Triumph at I-80 Speedway
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ASCS National Sprint Series
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Hafertepe Knocks Down Win No. 15 With Fall Brawl Triumph at I-80 Speedway
GREENWOOD, Neb. (September 30, 2017) Adding his name to the list of winners at yet another track, Sam Hafertepe, Jr. picked up his 15th Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network victory of the season with a $5,000 payday in the Casey's General Store Midwest Fall Brawl at I-80 Speedway.
Getting a monkey off his back with multiple crashes over the years at the four-tenths mile oval, Hafertepe led start to finish for his 18th overall win of the season.
"We've crashed here, I think, just about every time we've been here over the past few years, so to come out here with a car as fast as it was, pace that race like we needed to, and come out on top, means a lot to me. This is one of those places I've always wanted to win at, and I finally got it done," commented Hafertepe who has now tied Gary Wright's single-season win record that was set in 2003.
Dicing up the top-spot with Tim Kaeding during the opening laps, Sam finally gained the advantage over the Lunstra Motorsports No. 3. Caution on Lap 11 as Hafertepe had begun working through traffic, the restart put a trio of slower cars between the top-two spots.
Sam Hafertepe, Jr. scored his first career victory at I-80 Speedway in the 2017 Fall Brawl, and brought his National Tour win total to 15 on the season. (ASCS / Joe Orth Photo)
Picking his way past the slower cars, Kaeding would finally clear the final one after a Lap 17 restart as the track slowly saw the line shift from the top to the bottom. With tire conservation at play, Tim's night would end on Lap 28 as the right rear shredded. At the same time, Aaron Reutzel also lost a tire. Reporting to the work area, the caution lights went dark before the No. 87 was able to continue. Pushing to the track, officials ordered Aaron off the track, but the commands were ignored multiple times. The result was Reutzel being disqualified.
With the field back at speed, the final lap's checkered flag was replaced with a caution after Scott Bogucki got tangled entering the first turn, sending the No. 84 into the inside wall.
Reverting to a green, white, checkered finish, Seth Bergman gave it his all but was unable to catch the No. 15h making a mistake for the Washington native's 29th career podium finish. Thomas Kennedy piloted his No. 21k to the final podium step. Wayne Johnson was fourth with Seth Brahmer completing the top-five. Moving up from 10th, Matt Covington crossed sixth with Terry McCarl seventh. Johnny Herrera from 12th was eighth with Dustin Zomer following from 13th. Austin McCarl was tenth.
Picking an extra $1,000 from Searsboro Telephone. Co. was Ryan Roberts as the night's CP-Carrillo Hard Charger.
A field of 39 drivers checked in for the Fall Brawl with the Silver Dollar Nationals format producing two sets of Heat Race winners. In the first round, Cody Ledger, Blake Hahn, Tim Kaeding, and Wayne Johnson took wins. In the second flight, Thomas Kennedy, Skylar Gee, Dusty Zomer, and Terry McCarl earned wins. B-Mains were topped by Skylar Gee and Scott Bogucki. Provisionals numbered fourth with Jason Martin and Harli White taking ASCS point based Provisionals. The Nebraska 360 Sprint Series put John Klabunde and Jack Dover in the final two spots.
The Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network is on the road this week to El Paso County Raceway in Calhan, Colo. for the series debut on Friday, October 6 and Saturday, October 7. Tickets are on sale at www.bstpromotions.com.
For continued updates on the American Sprint Car Series, from the National Tour to any of the seven regional tours that make up the over 150 races across the ASCS Nation in 2017, log onto www.ascsracing.com. Make sure to like the American Sprint Car Series on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/LucasOilASCS, follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/LucasOilASCS, and check out our Instagram @LucasOilASCS.
Race Results:
Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour
Nebraska 360 Series
I-80 Speedway - Greenwood, Neb.
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Car Count: 39
Heat Races, Round 1
Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. 35L-Cody Ledger, [4]; 2. 45X-Johnny Herrera, [5]; 3. 23-Seth Bergman, [6]; 4. 21K-Thomas Kennedy, [8]; 5. 14X-Jody Rosenboom, [2]; 6. 40-Clint Garner, [7]; 7. 14-Joey Danley, [3]; 8. 51J-Ryan Jamison, [1]; 9. 681-Blain Petersen, [9]; 10. (DNF) 84-Scott Bogucki, [10]
Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. 52-Blake Hahn, [1]; 2. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr, [7]; 3. 18-Ryan Roberts, [4]; 4. 17W-Harli White, [2]; 5. 24-Terry McCarl, [8]; 6. 09-Matt Juhl, [6]; 7. 82X-Dusty Zomer, [9]; 8. 1-Jason Martin, [3]; 9. 99-Skylar Gee, [10]; 10. 23S-Stuart Snyder, [5]
Heat 3 (8 Laps): 1. 3-Tim Kaeding, [1]; 2. 2KS-Austin McCarl, [2]; 3. 11X-Gregg Bakker, [3]; 4. 44-Chris Martin, [6]; 5. 41P-Tadd Holliman, [5]; 6. 87-Aaron Reutzel, [9]; 7. 2-Don Droud Jr, [8]; 8. 57-TJ Artz, [4]; 9. 4X-Jason Danley, [10]; 10. 17B-Ryan Bickett, [7]
Heat 4 (8 Laps): 1. 2C-Wayne Johnson, [5]; 2. 13V-Seth Brahmer, [4]; 3. 82-Jordan Boston, [2]; 4. 95-Matt Covington, [9]; 5. 03-Shayle Bade, [6]; 6. 77-John Klabunde, [8]; 7. 24BH-Jamie Ball, [3]; 8. 612-Isaac Schreurs, [7]; 9. 53-Jack Dover, [1]
Heat Race, Round 2
Heat 1 - II (8 Laps): 1. 21K-Thomas Kennedy, [3]; 2. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr, [4]; 3. 13V-Seth Brahmer, [6]; 4. 2KS-Austin McCarl, [9]; 5. 35L-Cody Ledger, [7]; 6. 77-John Klabunde, [2]; 7. 1-Jason Martin, [8]; 8. 44-Chris Martin, [5]; 9. (DNF) 4X-Jason Danley, [1]
Heat 2 - II (8 Laps): 1. 99-Skylar Gee, [1]; 2. 87-Aaron Reutzel, [2]; 3. 3-Tim Kaeding, [10]; 4. 40-Clint Garner, [4]; 5. 09-Matt Juhl, [5]; 6. 14-Joey Danley, [8]; 7. 17W-Harli White, [9]; 8. 612-Isaac Schreurs, [3]; 9. 41P-Tadd Holliman, [6]; 10. 24BH-Jamie Ball, [7]
Heat 3 - II (8 Laps): 1. 82X-Dusty Zomer, [2]; 2. 23-Seth Bergman, [5]; 3. 84-Scott Bogucki, [1]; 4. 2-Don Droud Jr, [3]; 5. 82-Jordan Boston, [8]; 6. 23S-Stuart Snyder, [6]; 7. 14X-Jody Rosenboom, [9]; 8. 52-Blake Hahn, [10]; 9. 57-TJ Artz, [7]; 10. 03-Shayle Bade, [4]
Heat 4 - II (8 Laps): 1. 24-Terry McCarl, [3]; 2. 95-Matt Covington, [1]; 3. 2C-Wayne Johnson, [5]; 4. 11X-Gregg Bakker, [6]; 5. 53-Jack Dover, [9]; 6. 45X-Johnny Herrera, [4]; 7. 18-Ryan Roberts, [7]; 8. 17B-Ryan Bickett, [2]; 9. 51J-Ryan Jamison, [8]; 10. (DNF) 681-Blain Petersen, [10]
BMRS B-Main (Top 3 advance to the A-Feature)
B Feature 1 (12 Laps): 1. 99-Skylar Gee, [2]; 2. 2-Don Droud Jr, [3]; 3. 40-Clint Garner, [1]; 4. 53-Jack Dover, [6]; 5. 03-Shayle Bade, [8]; 6. 77-John Klabunde, [5]; 7. 41P-Tadd Holliman, [7]; 8. 57-TJ Artz, [10]; 9. 4X-Jason Danley, [11]; 10. (DNF) 612-Isaac Schreurs, [9]; 11. (DNF) 14X-Jody Rosenboom, [4]; (DNS) 681-Blain Petersen,
B Feature 2 (12 Laps): 1. 84-Scott Bogucki, [6]; 2. 18-Ryan Roberts, [1]; 3. 17B-Ryan Bickett, [10]; 4. 17W-Harli White, [2]; 5. 23S-Stuart Snyder, [8]; 6. 14-Joey Danley, [5]; 7. 44-Chris Martin, [4]; 8. 1-Jason Martin, [7]; 9. 51J-Ryan Jamison, [9]; 10. 09-Matt Juhl, [3]; (DNS) 24BH-Jamie Ball,
Protect the Harvest A-Feature:
A Feature (30 Laps): 1. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr, [1]; 2. 23-Seth Bergman, [4]; 3. 21K-Thomas Kennedy, [5]; 4. 2C-Wayne Johnson, [3]; 5. 13V-Seth Brahmer, [6]; 6. 95-Matt Covington, [10]; 7. 24-Terry McCarl, [8]; 8. 45X-Johnny Herrera, [12]; 9. 82X-Dusty Zomer, [13]; 10. 2KS-Austin McCarl, [9]; 11. 18-Ryan Roberts, [20]; 12. 99-Skylar Gee, [17]; 13. 52-Blake Hahn, [16]; 14. 40-Clint Garner, [21]; 15. 84-Scott Bogucki, [18]; 16. (DNF) 3-Tim Kaeding, [2]; 17. (DNF) 77-John Klabunde, [25]; 18. (DNF) 11X-Gregg Bakker, [11]; 19. (DNF) 35L-Cody Ledger, [7]; 20. (DNF) 17W-Harli White, [24]; 21. (DNF) 17B-Ryan Bickett, [22]; 22. (DNF) 82-Jordan Boston, [15]; 23. (DNF) 1-Jason Martin, [23]; 24. (DNF) 53-Jack Dover, [26]; 25. (DNF) 2-Don Droud Jr, [19]; (DQ) 87-Aaron Reutzel, [14]
Aaron Reutzel disqualified for defying orders to exit the track when told to do so by officials.
Lap Leader(s): Sam Hafertepe, Jr. 1-30
CP-Carrillo Hard Charger: Ryan Roberts +9
FSR High Point Driver: Sam Hafertepe, Jr.
Provisional(s): BDS Motorsports; Harli White; John Klabunde; Jack Dover
Year To Date:
2017 Lucas Oil ASCS A-Main Winner(s): Sam Hafertepe, Jr. - 15 (3/17 - Devil's Bowl Speedway; 3/18 - Devil's Bowl Speedway; 4/7 - Texas Motor Speedway; 4/8 - Texas Motor Speedway; 4/15 - Missouri State Fair Speedway; 6/13 - Devil's Bowl Speedway; 6/14 - Lawton Speedway; 6/23 - Skagit Speedway; 6/24 - Skagit Speedway; 7/14 - Black Hills Speedway; 8/20 - Missouri State Fair Speedway; 8/27 - Smoky Mountain Speedway; 9/2 - Jackson Motorplex; 9/23 - Lucas Oil Speedway; 9/30 - I-80 Speedway); Aaron Reutzel - 5 (5/11 - Lakeside Speedway; 6/15 - Creek County Speedway; 6/17 - Lucas Oil Speedway; 6/22 - Skagit Speedway; 7/15 - Black Hills Speedway); Wayne Johnson - 2 (7/7 - Gallatin Speedway; 7/8 - Gallatin Speedway); Sammy Swindell - 2 (9/21 - Lucas Oil Speedway; 9/22 - Lucas Oil Speedway); Jake Bubak - 1 (6/9 - West Texas Raceway); Kyle Bellm - 1(6/10 - Route 66 Motor Speedway); Brian Brown - 1 (6/16 - Randolph County Raceway); Matt Covington - 1 (6/30 - Grays Harbor Raceway); Roger Crockett - 1 (7/1 - Grays Harbor Raceway); Terry McCarl - 1 (7/29 - Knoxville Raceway); Gregg Bakker - 1 (7/30 - Mason City Motor Speedway); Tim Shaffer - 1 (8/3 - Knoxville Raceway); Greg Hodnett - 1 (8/4 - Knoxville Raceway); Clint Garner - 1 (8/5 - Knoxville Raceway); Tim Crawley - 1 (8/24 - Riverside International Speedway);
2017 Lucas Oil ASCS Driver Standings (Top 10): 1. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. 4,558; 2. Aaron Reutzel 4,153; 3. Wayne Johnson 4,123; 4. Matt Covington 4,075; 5. Johnny Herrera 4,051; 6. Seth Bergman 3,967; 7. Blake Hahn 3,865; 8. Skylar Gee 3,584; 9. Harli White 3,130, 10. Josh Baughman 1,855;
David Gravel, CJB Pocket $50,000 at Champion Racing Oil Williams Grove National Open
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World of Outlaws
Contact: Anthony Corini
World of Outlaws PR
408-825-3360 | acorini@dirtcar.com
Please click here for the original World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series article
David Gravel, CJB Pocket $50,000 at Champion Racing Oil Williams Grove National Open
Donny Schatz, James McFadden both lead laps but settle for 2nd and 3rd
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.
RESULTS FROM THE CHAMPION RACING OIL NATIONAL OPEN AT THE WILLIAMS GROVE SPEEDWAY - September 30, 2017:
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]
Qualifying: 1. 15-Donny Schatz , 1048; 2. 5-David Gravel , 1029; 3. 3-James McFadden , 1025; 4. 9-Daryn Pittman , 1024; 5. 69K-Lance Dewease , 1021; 6. 2M-Kerry Madsen , 1018; 7. 49-Brad Sweet , 1007; 8. 27-Greg Hodnett , 1002; 9. 2-Shane Stewart , 999; 10. 7S-Jason Sides , 988; 11. 24-Lucas Wolfe , 977; 12. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild , 972; 13. 18-Ian Madsen , 968; 14. 21-Brian Brown , 956; 15. 19-Brent Marks , 944; 16. 41-Jason Johnson , 920; 17. 58-Brock Zearfoss , 896; 18. 39-Cory Haas , 893; 19. 11K-Kraig Kinser , 892; 20. 1-Dale Blaney , 877; 21. 51-Freddie Rahmer , 867; 22. 21P-Brian Montieth , 864; 23. 94-Ryan Smith , 857; 24. 4-Parker Price-Miller , 840; 25. 11-T.J. Stutts , 838; 26. 48-Danny Dietrich , 835; 27. 87-Alan Krimes , 832; 28. 44-Trey Starks , 830; 29. 16-Matt Campbell , 815; 30. 39M-Anthony Macri , 776; 31. 17-Jac Haudenschild , 775; 32. 1S-Logan Schuchart , 750; 33. 1A-Jacob Allen , 722; 34. W20-Greg Wilson , 695; 35. 1X-Chad Trout , 686; 36. 44W-Rodney Westhafer , 639; 37. 13K-Jordan Givler , 631; 38. 45-Kyle Pruitt , 605; 39. 13-Clyde Knipp , 602; 40. 12W-Troy Fraker , 601; 41. 75-Nicole Bower , 601; 42. 17G-George Streaker , 294
Heat #1 (8 Laps) - Top 4 Transfer: 1. 2-Shane Stewart [2]; 2. 69K-Lance Dewease [1]; 3. 58-Brock Zearfoss [4]; 4. 18-Ian Madsen [3]; 5. 51-Freddie Rahmer [5]; 6. 16-Matt Campbell [7]; 7. 11-T.J. Stutts [6]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [8]; 9. 13K-Jordan Givler [9]; 10. 75-Nicole Bower [10]
Heat #2 (8 Laps) - Top 4 Transfer: 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen [1]; 2. 7S-Jason Sides [2]; 3. 21-Brian Brown [3]; 4. 48-Danny Dietrich [6]; 5. 39-Cory Haas [4]; 6. 21P-Brian Montieth [5]; 7. 39M-Anthony Macri [7]; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [8]; 9. 45-Kyle Pruitt [9]; 10. 17G-George Streaker [10]
Heat #3 (8 Laps) - Top 4 Transfer: 1. 24-Lucas Wolfe [2]; 2. 19-Brent Marks [3]; 3. 11K-Kraig Kinser [4]; 4. 17-Jac Haudenschild [7]; 5. 94-Ryan Smith [5]; 6. 13-Clyde Knipp [9]; 7. 1X-Chad Trout [8]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 9. 87-Alan Krimes [6]
Heat #4 (8 Laps) - Top 4 Transfer: 1. 27-Greg Hodnett [1]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7]; 4. 41-Jason Johnson [3]; 5. 4-Parker Price-Miller [5]; 6. 12W-Troy Fraker [9]; 7. 1-Dale Blaney [4]; 8. 44-Trey Starks [6]
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps): 1. 5-David Gravel [2]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [1]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [4]; 4. 69K-Lance Dewease [5]; 5. 2M-Kerry Madsen [6]; 6. 3-James McFadden [3]; 7. 2-Shane Stewart [8]; 8. 7S-Jason Sides [9]; 9. 27-Greg Hodnett [7]; 10. 24-Lucas Wolfe [10]
C-Main (10 Laps) - Top 2 Transfer: 1. 1A-Jacob Allen [1][-]; 2. W20-Greg Wilson [2][-]; 3. 1X-Chad Trout [3][$150]; 4. 13K-Jordan Givler [4][$150]; 5. 12W-Troy Fraker [6][$150]; 6. 45-Kyle Pruitt [7][$125]; 7. 17G-George Streaker [9][$125]; 8. 75-Nicole Bower [8][$125]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [5][$125]; 10. 44W-Rodney Westhafer [10][$125]
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - Top 4 Transfer: 1. 49-Brad Sweet [1][-]; 2. 39-Cory Haas [2][-]; 3. 21P-Brian Montieth [5][-]; 4. 1-Dale Blaney [3][-]; 5. 94-Ryan Smith [6][$300]; 6. 51-Freddie Rahmer [4][$250]; 7. 11-T.J. Stutts [8][$225]; 8. 39M-Anthony Macri [12][$200]; 9. 87-Alan Krimes [9][$200]; 10. 16-Matt Campbell [11][$200]; 11. 44-Trey Starks [10][$200]; 12. 4-Parker Price-Miller [7][$200]; 13. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$200]; 14. 1A-Jacob Allen [13][$200]
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignition ($25 cash): Kraig Kinser; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): David Gravel; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Daryn Pittman; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Sheldon Haudenschild; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Jason Sides; Extended Stay America ($50 cash): Lucas Wolfe; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Brent Marks; Super Flow ($50 cash): Freddie Rahmer; Craftsman Club ($100 cash): David Gravel, Daryn Pittman, Shane Stewart, Jason Sides; Sears ($100): Lance Dewease; KSE Hard Charger: Logan Schuchart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate: David Gravel; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Johnson and Shane Stewart
SEASON WINNERS:
Donny Schatz - 18 (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, Eldora Speedway on July 15, Lernerville Speedway on July 18, Knoxville Raceway on August 12 (NP), River Cities Speedway on August 18, Calistoga Speedway on September 16)
David Gravel - 16 (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, Hartford Speedway on July 28, Wilmot Raceway on July 29, August 20 at Nodak Speedway, Lernerville Speedway on September 23, Williams Grove Speedway on September 28, Williams Grove Speedway on September 30)
Shane Stewart - 8 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 29, West Liberty Raceway on June 23, Beaver Dam Raceway on June 24, Black Hills Speedway on August 25, Skagit Speedway on September 1, Grays Harbor on September 4, Silver Dollar Speedway on September 9)
Brad Sweet - 5 (Stockton Dirt Track on March 25, Devil's Bowl on April 15, Jackson Motorplex on June 3, Knoxville Raceway on June 9, Calistoga Speedway on September 15)
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 - 4 (Keller Auto Speedway on March 31, Eldora Speedway on May 12, Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26, Ohsweken Speedway on July 25)
Jason Johnson - 4 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 17, Devil's Bowl on April 14, Red River Valley Speedway on August 19, Willamette Speedway on September 6)
Daryn Pittman – 3 (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 on August 4, Billings Motorsports Park on August 26, Skagit Speedway on September 2nd)
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)
Christopher Bell - 1 (Eldora Speedway on July 14)
Brock Zearfoss - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on July 21)
Kyle Hirst - 1 (Silver Dollar Speedway on September 8)
Greg Hodnett – 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on September 28 – makeup from 7/22)
James McFadden – 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on September 29, 2017)
