World of Outlaws

Contact: Nick Graziano
World of Outlaws PR
ngraziano@dirtcar.com

Please click here for the original World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series article

Winner Kerry Madsen (Frank Smith Photo)

KNOXVILLE, IA – Aug. 9, 2019 – A demon was exorcised from Kerry Madsen Friday night.

His relaxed body posture and ability to smile wide proved it. The stress of not being locked in the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals that possessed him was gone.

He won Knoxville Raceway’s Friday night “Hard Knox” race, leading all 25 laps, locking himself into the 21st starting spot for Saturday’s 59th annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores.

“It’s a big relief I’ll tell you that,” Madsen said in Victory Lane. “Not putting her in the show (in the preliminary race) Wednesday night, we just didn’t have a great night. We didn’t perform and we didn’t execute. Come out tonight and the car was a rocket ship all night.”

While Madsen was the one that got to do the wing dance and wave the checkered flag Friday night, there were three other drivers in Victory Lane that shared his solace and big smile. Logan Schuchart, Shane Stewart and Dominic Scelzi also transferred to Saturday’s Feature – starting 22nd, 23rd and 24th, respectively – by finishing in the top four.

All four fought to make that happen.

The initial start of the 25-lap Feature was plagued by several cars stacking up on the backstretch – one flipping on its side – due to Brian Brown slowing from a broken part. When the race went back green Madsen held on to the cushion and used the momentum it gave him to accelerate to the lead. He then moved to the bottom and continued to put distance between he and second-place.

Behind him, the Drydene No. 1s of Schuchart rocketed from his eighth-place starting position to second in one lap using the high side of the half-mile track. Scelzi also charged from fifth to third, and Stewart fell to fifth.

However, two laps later Stewart moved into fourth and then began to hunt down Scelzi. He passed him for third eight laps into the Feature. About the same time, Schuchart caught Madsen and attempted a pass underneath him in turn one, but the Aussie switched lanes to the high side and began to pull away again.

“It was a bit confusing early of which line would be dominant,” Madsen said. “Watching the B-Main it was the bottom. So, I worked the bottom early. I heard him (Schuchart) up there and thought ‘Sweet, right, I can get to the top and go.' So, that was nice.”

The top four then acted as an accordion throughout the Feature, closing the gap to each other then extending it. Scelzi passed Stewart for third in the closing laps, but Stewart took the position back the next corner.

Scelzi did the most battling of the night, having to fend of multiple attempts by drivers to steal the final transfer spot from him. Sammy Swindell pulled a slide job on the California driver to take fourth-place, but Scelzi didn’t let the veteran keep it for long. He quickly powered back by Swindell and held onto fourth-place for the remainder of the race. Austin McCarl and Spencer Bayston put pressure on him in the closing laps, though.

Stewart’s vision of starting up front for the Knoxville Nationals – one he saw possible after setting Quick Time during Thursday's preliminary race – vanished on the first lap of his Heat race that night when he over shot the cushion and flipped, ending his night.

His vision of transferring into the Feature almost vanished with nine laps to go Friday night. A car spun directly in front of him, missing his KI Crossbows No. 5 car by inches when he drove by. And then with four laps to go, his car started to run out of fuel.

“We were completely out of gas coming across the checkered flag, so I wouldn’t have made it one last corner,” Stewart said. “Very fortunate. Happy that the CJB car is in the show.”

Schuchart’s second-place run was in a different car than the one he ran during his preliminary Qualifying race. He and his Shark Racing team switched from a new car to the one he finished second with at the Kings Royal.

To Schuchart, a chassis is a chassis. The new one didn’t work because of adjustments made to it. But he said he believes confidence is key. So, if the team felt more confident in going to the old car, that’s what they were going to do. It worked.

Madsen, the 2005 Knoxville Raceway track champion, found the right set up and cruised to the Hard Knox victory. He couldn’t wait for the race to be over, however, and the stress to be gone.

“I think all four of us during the last few laps there were looking going, ‘We don’t really care about winning, just let this thing end and the checkered come out,’” Madsen said. “I can’t tell you how relieving it is.”

Now their attention is turned to Saturday. The $150,000-to-win Knoxville Nationals. With it, a new kind of stress. How are they going to make their way from the rear to the front in the 50-lap race?

For 21st-place starter Madsen:

“Honestly, just going to push hard the whole way. We’re going to have to race hard for fifty (laps). There’s going to be no kind of strategy, patience or pace yourself. It’s going to be go hard.”

For 22nd-place starter Schuchart:

“I think we’ll keep it pretty similar for the start of the [Feature] tomorrow and have some things ready, our guys will be ready to change if we feel like we need to change it. I feel like we have a great car and I feel like and hope we’ll be able to race our way up there tomorrow.”

For 23rd-place starter Stewart:

“It’s really two twenty-five lap Features. Starting in the back where we’re going to be, you can’t settle. You have to get after it and try to race as hard as you can all fifty laps and see how it all shakes out.

“We need to get a little bit more traction. I feel like Logan and the 2 was a little bit better than we were. The thing is there’s twenty-four good cars that’s going to be in that A-main and every spot is going to be a tough spot to get. Hopefully it works out.”

And for 24th-place starter Scelzi:

“I can’t go backwards,” Scelzi said. “We’re going to be plus positions regardless. Just got to be smart, race smart. And, in all honesty, my goal is a top-ten. I think it’s realistic. I think it’s possible. My goal is to stay on the lead lap for the first twenty-five (laps) and then the second twenty-five. Hopefully we’re around fifteenth, sixteenth and see what we can do.”

UP NEXT:

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series on Saturday, Aug. 10, will return to Knoxville Raceway for the 59th annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores. If you can’t be there, watch all of the action LIVE on www.DIRTVision.com.

Race Results: 8/9/19 - Knoxville Raceway

NOS Energy Feature (25 Laps): 1. Kerry Madsen (2); 2. Logan Schuchart (8); 3. Shane Stewart (3); 4. Dominic Scelzi (5); 5. Austin McCarl (9); 6. Spencer Bayston (17); 7. Josh Baughman (4); 8. Sammy Swindell (7); 9. Kraig Kinser (18); 10. Bill Balog (10); 11. Hunter Schuerenberg (1); 12. Terry McCarl (19); 13. Chad Kemenah (23); 14. Tasker Phillips (24); 15. Tyler Courtney (14); 16. Carson McCarl (20); 17. Sam Hafertepe Jr. (21); 18. Cale Thomas (6); 19. Travis Rilat (13); 20. Skylar Prochaska (22); 21. Thomas Kennedy (16); 22. Brian Brown (11); 23. Lynton Jeffrey

Qualifying Group A (2 laps): 1. 92, Sye Lynch, Apollo, PA (19), 16.151; 2. 48, Danny Dietrich, Gettysburg, PA (18), 16.153; 3. 11, Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO (8), 16.205; 4. 5, Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK (13), 16.229; 5. 41S, Dominic Scelzi, Fresno, CA (28), 16.229; 6. 4, Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA (27), 16.276; 7. 15H, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, TX (2), 16.288; 8. 39, Sammy Swindell, Lakeland, TN (4), 16.321; 9. 2KS, Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA (10), 16.340; 10. 21, Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO (15), 16.357; 11. 1, Travis Rilat, Heath, TX (21), 16.369; 12. 39M, Anthony Macri, Dillsburg, PA (22), 16.383; 13. 7X, Justin Henderson, Tea, SD (7), 16.426; 14. 7, Craig Dollansky, Elk River, MN (36), 16.443; 15. 5H, Spencer Bayston, Lebanon, IN (39), 16.470; 16. 18S, Jason Solwold, Mount Vernon, WA (5), 16.474; 17. 49J, Josh Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA (32), 16.481; 18. K4, Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH (35), 16.515; 19. 19T, Kevin Thomas Jr., Cullman, AL (14), 16.518; 20. 3C, Cale Conley, Vienna, WV (6), 16.547; 21. 51, Freddie Rahmer, Salfordville, PA (31), 16.556; 22. 7JS, Jason Sides, Bartlett, TN (1), 16.561; 23. 73AF, Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL (11), 16.599; 24. 5J, Jamie Ball, Knoxville, IA (12), 16.627; 25. 18R, Ryan Roberts, Aurora, NE (3), 16.679; 26. 28P, Brian Paulus, Mooresville, IN (29), 16.710; 27. 9X, Jake Bubak, Arvada, CO (26), 16.722; 28. 99X, Skylar Gee, Leduc, ALB, Can. (23), 16.724; 29. 70X, Justin Peck, Monrovia, IN (34), 16.777; 30. 45, Rusty Hickman, Bendigo, VIC, Aust. (25), 16.786; 31. 84, Tom Harris, Banbury, OXFD, UK (16), 16.801; 32. 33M, Mason Daniel, Springville, CA (30), 16.823; 33. 64, Scotty Thiel, Sheboygan, WI (24), 16.871; 34. 21P, Robbie Price, Cobble Hill, BC, Can (37), 16.874; 35. 2AU, Andrew Scheuerle, Toowoomba, QLD, Aust. (33), 16.907; 36. 2K, Kevin Ingle, Huron, SD (17), 17.415; 37. 56, Joe Simbro, Pleasantville, IA (9), 17.892; 38. 83C, Adam Cruea, Troy, OH (20), 18.021; 39. 2MM, Matt Moro, Polk City, IA (38), NT.

Qualifying Group B (2 laps): 1. 2M, Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust. (7), 16.292; 2. 17B, Josh Baughman, Odessa, TX (17), 16.363; 3. 91, Cale Thomas, Fairland, IN (2), 16.372; 4. 1S, Logan Schuchart, Hanover, PA (38), 16.401; 5. 17BX, Bill Balog, Hartland, WI (1), 16.474; 6. 44, Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA (32), 16.487; 7. 40, Clint Garner, Sioux Falls, SD (10), 16.505; 8. 35P, Skylar Prochaska, Lakefield, MN (12), 16.506; 9. 83J, Lynton Jeffrey, Sydney, NSW, Aust. (14), 16.534; 10. 71BC, Tyler Courtney, Indianapolis, IN (36), 16.562; 11. 21K, Thomas Kennedy, Winnipeg, MB, Can. (15), 16.578; 12. 11K, Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, IN (16), 16.628; 13. 17WX, Harli White, Lindsay, OK (11), 16.640; 14. 27, Carson McCarl, Altoona, IA (19), 16.679; 15. 7TAZ, Tasker Phillips, Pleasantville, IA (13), 16.681; 16. 20, AJ Moeller, Rockwell City, IA (28), 16.686; 17. 7SW, Jeff Swindell, Bartlett, TN (33), 16.686; 18. 14M, Marcus Dumesny, Sydney, NSW, Aust. (5), 16.725; 19. 10, RJ Johnson, Tampa, FL (20), 16.726; 20. 55, Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aust. (26), 16.731; 21. 17W, Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA (34), 16.736; 22. 1X, Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE (22), 16.750; 23. 3P, Sawyer Phillips, Pleasantville, IA (3), 16.790; 24. 11C, Roger Crockett, Broken Arrow, OK (23), 16.807; 25. 2C, Wayne Johnson, Tuttle, OK (29), 16.848; 26. 29, Willie Croft, Roseville, CA (25), 16.858; 27. 3H, Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, OH (27), 16.907; 28. J4, John Garvin, Sarver, PA (21), 16.921; 29. 99, Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK (35), 16.945; 30. 19P, Paige Polyak, Tiffin, OH (18), 16.948; 31. 56N, Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN (39), 16.953; 32. W20, Greg Wilson, Benton Ridge, OH (37), 16.971; 33. 68, Chase Johnson, Penngrove, CA (9), 17.021; 34. 85, Chase Wanner, Batavia, IA (6), 17.051; 35. 15M, Bobby Mincer, Burlington, IA (8), 17.096; 36. 9JR, Derek Hagar, Marion, AR (4), 17.222; 37. 75, Glen Saville, Razorback, NSW, Aust. (30), 17.248; 38. 17XL, Caleb Helms, Findlay, OH (31), 17.301; 39. 74, Brodie Tulloch, Upper Caboolture, QL (24), 18.075

Group A Drydene Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. Brian Brown (1); 2. Justin Henderson (5); 3. Shane Stewart (3) / 4. Sam Hafertepe Jr. (2); 5. Jason Sides (8); 6. Jason Solwold (6) 7. Sye Lynch (4); 8. Skylar Gee (10); 9. Kevin Thomas Jr. (7) / 10. Ryan Roberts (9); 11. Robbie Price (12); 12. Tom Harris (11); 13. Joe Simbro (13)

Group A Drydene Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. Travis Rilat (1); 2. Sammy Swindell (2); 3. Dominic Scelzi (3) / 4. Josh Schneiderman (6); 5. Craig Dollansky (5); 6. Justin Peck (10); 7. Cale Conley (7); 8. Mason Daniel (11); 9. Brian Paulus (9) / 10. Joey Moughan (8); 11. Adam Cruea (12); 12. Danny Dietrich (4) DNS – Andrew Scheurele

Group A Drydene Heat 3 (8 Laps): 1. Hunter Schuerenberg (4); 2. Austin McCarl (2); 3. Spencer Bayston (5) / 4. Anthony Macri (1); 5. Chad Kemenah (6); 6. Terry McCarl (3); 7. Freddie Rahmer (7); 8. Jamie Ball (8); 9. Jake Bubak (9) / 10. Rusty Hickman (10); 11. Scotty Thiel (11); 12. Kevin Ingle (12) DNS – Matt Moro

Group B Drydene Heat 1 (8 Laps): 1. Kerry Madsen (4); 2. Logan Schuchart (3); 3. Tyler Courtney (1) / 4. Harli White (5); 5. RJ Johnson (7); 6. Wayne Johnson (9); 7. Davey Heskin (11); 8. Don Droud Jr. (8); 9. Glen Saville (13) / 10. John Garvin (10); 11. Chase Wanner (12); 12. AJ Moeller (6); 13. Clint Garner (2)

Group B Drydene Heat 2 (8 Laps): 1. Thomas Kennedy (1); 2. Bill Balog (3); 3. Josh Baughman (4) / 4. Skylar Prochaska (2); 5. Brooke Tatnell (7); 6. Sawyer Phillips (8); 7. Jeff Swindell (6); 8. Brady Bacon (10); 9. Carson McCarl (5) / 10. Willie Croft (9); 11. Greg Wilson (11); 12. Caleb Helms (13); 13. Bobby Mincer (12)

Group B Drydene Heat 3 (8 Laps): 1. Kraig Kinser (1); 2. Lynton Jeffrey (2); 3. Cale Thomas (4) / 4. Tasker Phillips (5); 5. Shane Golobic (7); 6. Marcus Dumesny (6); 7. Chase Johnson (11); 8. Derek Hagar (12); 9. Brodie Tulloch (13) / 10. Chris Martin (3); 11. Jac Haudenschild (9); 12. Paige Polyak (10)

C-Main (10 Laps): 1. Chris Martin (1); 2. AJ Moeller (4); 3. Rusty Hickman (5); 4. Willie Croft (6); 5. Greg Wilson (12); 6. Robbie Price (10); 7. Ryan Roberts (3); 8. Joey Moughan (2) / 9. Scotty Thiel (8); 10. Caleb Helms (17); 11. Tom Harris (7); 12. Joe Simbro (13); 13. Bobby Mincer (16); 14. Kevin Ingle (11); 15. John Garvin (9); 16. Chase Wanner (14); 17. Adam Cruea (15); 18. Roger Crockett (18) DNS – Danny Dietrich, Clint Garner, Jac Haudenschild, Paige Polyak, Andrew Scheurele, Matt Moro

Last Chance Showdown 1 (12 Laps): 1. Terry McCarl (2); 2. Sam Hafertepe Jr. (3); 3. Chad Kemenah (8) / 4. Josh Schneiderman (7); 5. Anthony Macri (4); 6. Jason Solwold (6); 7. Sye Lynch (1); 8. Justin Peck (15); 9. Rusty Hickman (20); 10. Craig Dollansky (5); 11. Chris Martin (17); 12. Greg Wilson (19); 13. Skylar Gee (16); 14. Cale Conley (10); 15. Brian Paulus (14); 16. Ryan Roberts (21); 17. Jake Bubak (13); 18. Freddie Rahmer (11); 19. Jason Sides (12); 20. Mason Daniel (18); 21. Kevin Thomas Jr. (9) DNS – Jamie Ball

Last Chance Showdown 2 (12 Laps): 1. Carson McCarl (3); 2. Skylar Prochaska (1); 3. Tasker Phillips (4) / 4. Brady Bacon (13); 5. Jeff Swindell (5); 6. Marcus Dumesny (6); 7. RJ Johnson (7); 8. Don Droud Jr. (10); 9. Davey Heskin (14); 10. Shane Golobic (9); 11. Sawyer Phillips (11); 12. Chase Johnson (15); 13. Brooke Tatnell (8); 14. Wayne Johnson (12); 15. AJ Moeller (19); 16. Derek Hagar (16); 17. Willie Croft (20); 18. Robbie Price (21); 19. Joey Moughan (22); 20. Glen Saville (17); 21. Brodie Tulloch (18); 22. Harli White (2)

World of Outlaws

Contact: Nick Graziano
World of Outlaws PR
ngraziano@dirtcar.com

Please click here for the original World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series article

Winner David Gravel (DB3 Photo)

KNOXVILLE, IA – Aug. 8, 2019 – Knoxville Raceway has been on David Gravel’s mind for a while.

Particularly the 59th annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores.

Before even making a lap in his new No. 41 Jason Johnson Racing ride at the beginning of the 2019 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series season, Gravel couldn’t help but mention his excitement for going to the Iowa raceway with JJR.

“That car is extremely good at Knoxville,” Gravel had said.

Six months later, Gravel brought the Knoxville Raceway crowd to its feet Thursday night by claiming his second win in-a-row at the iconic track during the second Qualifying race for Saturday’s Knoxville Nationals – which he locked himself into and will start outside pole. He also won the raceway’s Capitani Classic on Sunday.

“I really feel good about where we’re at,” said Gravel, who was also sporting a blue and florescent colors for new sponsor Axalta. “I was nervous drawing the seventy-one today, out of seventy-five, but we’ve been qualifying well all year and was able to capitalize on that and qualifying good. It was an awesome night.”

Gravel and his JJR team have been stellar in Qualifying all year long, with 12 Quick Times, so far this season. He was the third to last car to qualify Thursday night but still managed to break into the top-10, qualifying ninth on the aged track.

That set him up to start seventh in his Heat race. He held the position for about the length of the front stretch before diving to the bottom in the first turn, passing four cars. He worked his way to leader Sye Lynch, but had to settle for second at the end.

The start of the 25-lap Feature mirrored Gravel’s performance in the Heat race. He started sixth, but again held the position for about a second. He out powered two cars down the front stretch to take fourth by turn one and then passed Cory Eliason for third exiting turn two. Brock Zearfoss had pulled away with the lead and Brad Sweet held second-place.

Nine laps into the Feature Gravel put Sweet within striking distance. He looked underneath Sweet going into turn one. Sweet slammed the door, almost making contact with Gravel. The next time around Gravel moved to the high side and found more speed.

With 19 laps to go, he placed his right rear against the outside cushion through turn one and then cut down to the middle of the track through turn two. The move rocketed his car off the corner like he found a secret line of grip, projecting him past Sweet for second-place.

With the fire lit, Gravel continued his strong run into turns three and four looking to end Zearfoss’ time up front. He closed to the bumper of the No. 70 car but couldn’t match Zearfoss’ traction off the corner.

The next circuit around Gravel went low in one and two, then high in three and four.

“You have to search around and find something that nobody else does,” Gravel said. “Like when Jason (Johnson) won the Nationals he kind of entered high and turned down. I was kind of able to do that a little bit, but I feel you could spin your tires quite a bit. I feel like on the bottom you kept your tires underneath you the best."

His search for grip put him to the outside of Zearfoss down the front stretch with 18 laps to go. Zearfoss fought back the next corner. He charged into the first turn and slid up in front of Gravel.

The two raced hard the next couple of corners, battling side-by-side, even splitting the lap car of Jacob Allen through turn two and remaining side-by-side off the turn. A caution with 16 laps to go for Lynch blowing a tire ended their battle. When the race went back green Zearfoss slowed due to an ignition box issue, handing the lead to Gravel.

The race wasn’t a sure win for Gravel at that point, though. The 2018 Knoxville Nationals champion was behind him, eager to capitalize on claiming another Knoxville Raceway win and earning as many points as possible.

However, Sweet had to worry about holding off third-place Cory Eliason, first. The two California-natives battled side-by-side for several laps. Sweet prevailed in the end, finding his line and his rhythm. With five laps to go, he was back to Gravel.

The Watertown, Conn.-native’s pace had slowed so much it seemed like there was an issue with the Axalta No. 41 car. Sweet was now breathing down Gravel's neck. However, Gravel didn’t know it. He didn’t want to know. He knew his last few laps weren’t the greatest.

“I was just trying not to crash or hit the berm too hard,” Gravel said. “The last five laps weren't very good. Just had to get the job done.”

Gravel focused on hitting his marks and bringing new sponsor – Axalta, which Jeff Gordon helped JJR secure for the Nationals – to Victory Lane in their first race together.

“We’ve got all of the Axalta people here, Jeff (Gordon), so it can’t get any better than this,” Gravel said.

Sweet knew he was closing on Gravel and had visions of challenging him for the lead, but had his own problems in the closing laps.

“I thought we were going to have a run on him late there,” Sweet said. “We got close, but he covered his lines and a couple of lap cars messed me up. And I honestly just missed my marks a little bit. I think if I was a little more on my game I could have given him a run for his money there. But it’s all about Saturday night.”

Gravel and Sweet’s performance locked them into the Knoxville Nationals Feature on Saturday, along with 14 other drivers who locked themselves in by collecting enough points on their race night to be in the top 16 of combined points between the two Qualifying races. Aaron Reutzel will be on the poll, with Gravel to his outside.

“Just because we won tonight, and the Capitani, doesn’t mean we don’t have to improve Saturday night and get the job done,” Gravel said.

“It’s fifty laps. You never know what can happen. Anything is possible. I feel like this is as good of a shot we’re ever going to have. You never know when your next chance is to win the Knoxville Nationals.”

All Gravel is looking for is a shot to win the race. And he knows he has it with his JJR car being “extremely good at Knoxville.”

UP NEXT:

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series on Friday, Aug. 9, will return to Knoxville Raceway for the “Hard Knox” race, giving drivers who haven’t transferred to Saturday’s Feature or Last Chance Showdown an opportunity to finish in the top four of the Hard Knox Feature and transfer to the rear of Saturday’s Feature.

If you can’t be there in person you can watch all of the action LIVE on www.DIRTVision.com.

Race Results: 8/8/19 - Knoxville Raceway

NOS Energy Drink Feature (25 Laps): 1. David Gravel (6); 2. Brad Sweet (3); 3. Carson Macedo (13); 4. Cory Eliason (2); 5. Rico Abreu (10); 6. Joey Saldana (7); 7. Tim Shaffer (21); 8. Parker Price-Miller (8); 9. Matt Juhl (5); 10. Daryn Pittman (22); 11. Jason Solwold (12); 12. Jason Sides (18); 13. Thomas Kennedy (17); 14. Lance Dewease (4); 15. Mason Daniel (20); 16. Kraig Kinser (15); 17. Scott Bogucki (23); 18. Brooke Tatnell (11); 19. Brock Zearfoss (1); 20. Clint Garner (9); 21. Jacob Allen (24); 22. Sye Lynch (14); 23. Harli White (19); 24. Tyler Courtney (16)

Qualifying: 1. 5, Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK (4), 15.679; 2. 49X, Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, PA (7), 15.685; 3. 71P, Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, IN (2), 15.706; 4. 83, Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK (16), 15.717; 5. 12N, Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN (27), 15.74; 6. 21, Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO (41), 15.759; 7. 1A, Jacob Allen, Hanover, PA (3), 15.76; 8. 28, Scott Bogucki, McLaren Vale, SA, Au (1), 15.763; 9. 41, David Gravel, Watertown, CT (54), 15.872; 10. 09, Matt Juhl, Tea, SD (14), 15.916; 11. 69K, Lance Dewease, Fayetteville, PA (24), 15.946; 12. 4, Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA (46), 15.987; 13. 17B, Josh Baughman, Odessa, TX (31), 16.018; 14. 91, Cale Thomas, Fairland, IN (8), 16.022; 15. 49, Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA (42), 16.037; 16. 26, Cory Eliason, Visalia, CA (45), 16.041; 17. 15H, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, TX (13), 16.048; 18. 70, Brock Zearfoss, Jonestown, PA (9), 16.049; 19. 40, Clint Garner, Sioux Falls, SD (18), 16.061; 20. 17BX, Bill Balog, Hartland, WI (26), 16.107; 21. 35P, Skylar Prochaska, Lakefield, MN (19), 16.111; 22. 24, Rico Abreu, St. Helena, CA (43), 16.117; 23. 55, Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aus (29), 16.127; 24. 39M, Anthony Macri, Dillsburg, PA (21), 16.139; 25. 18S, Jason Solwold, Mount Vernon, WA (20), 16.15; 26. 14M, Marcus Dumesny, Sydney, NSW, Aust. (15), 16.157; 27. 2, Carson Macedo, Lemoore, CA (35), 16.172; 28. 3C, Cale Conley, Vienna, WV (37), 16.194; 29. 92, Sye Lynch, Apollo, PA (38), 16.218; 30. 11T, TJ Stutts, Liverpool, PA (23), 16.242; 31. 11K, Kraig Kinser, Bloomington, IN (25), 16.249; 32. 71BC, Tyler Courtney, Indianapolis, IN (36), 16.264; 33. 21K, Thomas Kennedy, Winnipeg, MB, Can. (12), 16.27; 34. 2AU, Andrew Scheuerle, Toowoomba, QLD, Aust (6), 16.277; 35. 7, Craig Dollansky, Elk River, MN (44), 16.289; 36. 7JS, Jason Sides, Bartlett, TN (50), 16.29; 37. 17WX, Harli White, Lindsay, OK (56), 16.325; 38. 9JR, Derek Hagar, Marion, AR (11), 16.327; 39. 33M, Mason Daniel, Springville, CA (28), 16.353; 40. 3P, Sawyer Phillips, Pleasantville, IA (30), 16.38; 41. 29, Willie Croft, Roseville, CA (32), 16.425; 42. K4, Chad Kemenah, Alvada, OH (47), 16.438; 43. 18M, Lance Moss, Cherryville, NC (52), 16.484; 44. W20, Greg Wilson, Benton Ridge, OH (34), 16.487; 45. 53, Jack Dover, Springfield, NE (48), 16.497; 46. 49J, Josh Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA (10), 16.498; 47. 28P, Brian Paulus, Mooresville, IN (5), 16.504; 48. 15M, Bobby Mincer, Burlington, IA (51), 16.531; 49. 17W, Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA (55), 16.546; 50. 44, Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA (49), 16.56; 51. 84, Tom Harris, Banbury, OXFD, UK (39), 16.631; 52. 21P, Robbie Price, Cobble Hill, BC, Can (33), 16.64; 53. 2K, Kevin Ingle, Huron, SD (22), 17.036; 54. 10, RJ Johnson, Tampa, FL (40), No Time; 55. 83C, Adam Cruea, Troy, OH (17), No Time; 56. 17XL, Caleb Helms, Findlay, OH (53), No Time;

Drydene Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. Jason Sides (1); 2. Lance Dewease (6); 3. Kraig Kinser (2); 4. Cory Eliason (5); 5. Brian Brown (7); 6. Skylar Prochaska (4); 7. Josh Schneiderman (10); 8. Marcus Dumesny (3); 9. Willie Croft (9); 10. Shane Stewart (8);

Drydene Heat 2 (10 Laps):1. Harli White (1); 2. Rico Abreu (4); 3. Tyler Courtney (2); 4. Carson Macedo (3); 5. Tim Shaffer (8); 6. Terry McCarl (6); 7. Sam Hafertepe Jr. (5); 8. Jacob Allen (7); 9. Brian Paulus (10); 10. Chad Kemenah (9);

Drydene Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. Brock Zearfoss (5); 2. Thomas Kennedy (2); 3. Brooke Tatnell (4); 4. Parker Price-Miller (8); 5. Scott Bogucki (7); 6. Cale Conley (3); 7. Josh Baughman (6); 8. Lance Moss (9); 9. Bobby Mincer (10); 10. Derek Hagar (1);

Drydene Heat 4 (10 Laps): 1. Sye Lynch (3); 2. David Gravel (7); 3. Mason Daniel (1); 4. Clint Garner (5); 5. Daryn Pittman (8); 6. Anthony Macri (4); 7. Cale Thomas (6); 8. Shane Golobic (10); 9. Greg Wilson (9); 10. Andrew Scheuerle (2);

Drydene Heat 5 (10 Laps): 1. Brad Sweet (6); 2. Joey Saldana (8); 3. Jason Solwold (4); 4. Matt Juhl (7); 5. Jack Dover (9); 6. TJ Stutts (3); 7. Chris Martin (10); 8. Craig Dollansky (2); 9. Bill Balog (5); 10. Sawyer Phillips (1);

C-Main (10 Laps): 1. Bill Balog (1); 2. Greg Wilson (7); 3. Willie Croft (5); 4. Chad Kemenah (6); 5. Robbie Price (11); 6. Andrew Scheuerle (2); 7. Bobby Mincer (9); 8. Tom Harris (10); 9. Kevin Ingle (12); 10. Shane Stewart (14); 11. Derek Hagar (3); 12. Sawyer Phillips (4); 13. Brian Paulus (8); 14. RJ Johnson (15); 15. Adam Cruea (16); 16. Caleb Helms (13);

Heat Non-qualifiers: 1. Tom Harris (1); 2. Robbie Price (2); 3. Kevin Ingle (3); 4. RJ Johnson (4); 5. Adam Cruea (5); 6. Caleb Helms (6);

Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps): 1. Tim Shaffer (1); 2. Daryn Pittman (2); 3. Scott Bogucki (5); 4. Jacob Allen (4); 5. Terry McCarl (6); 6. Sam Hafertepe Jr. (9); 7. Josh Baughman (7); 8. Shane Golobic (19); 9. Brian Brown (3); 10. Anthony Macri (11); 11. Cale Thomas (8); 12. Cale Conley (13); 13. Bill Balog (21); 14. Marcus Dumesny (12); 15. Chad Kemenah (24); 16. Greg Wilson (22); 17. Skylar Prochaska (10); 18. Willie Croft (23); 19. Chris Martin (20); 20. Lance Moss (16); 21. TJ Stutts (14); 22. Jack Dover (17); 23. Craig Dollansky (15); 24. Josh Schneiderman (18);

World of Outlaws

Contact: Nick Graziano
World of Outlaws PR
ngraziano@dirtcar.com

Please click here for the original World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series article

Winner Trey Starks (DB3 Photo)

KNOXVILLE, IA – Aug. 7, 2019 – Dozens of people surrounded him. Four women dawning silver crowns and white sashes stood directly behind him like statues. To his right, the 2019 360 Knoxville Nationals winner James McFadden. To his left, the 2017 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Rookie of the Year Sheldon Haudenschild.

With the microphone up to his mouth Trey Starks admitted with a chuckle, “I don’t even know what’s going on right now.”

The Puyallup, Wash.-native had won his first race at the iconic Knoxville Raceway. Not just any race at the Iowa raceway, either. The Wednesday night event was the opening Qualifying race for the 59th annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Stores.

“I absolutely cannot believe it,” Starks said.

The victory was not only a celebration, but a relief. He and his team have been dealing with bad luck the past couple of weeks, he said. Recently, he failed to transfer to the Feature for Sunday’s Capitani Classic at the raceway, ran out of fuel before the end of Monday’s race at Southern Iowa Speedway and then blew the motor in his 360 Sprint Car on Tuesday at the same track.

Wednesday night was a different story.

He started the night qualifying 15th, which put him in the sixth starting position in the Heat race. He raced his way to fourth-place, grabbing the final transfer spot into the Feature – placing him fourth for the starting line-up.

When the green flag was presented in the Feature, polesitter Mark Dobmeier pulled away with the lead and extended it through turns one and two riding the low line. Behind him, hugging the cushion, Starks powered around the outside of Haudenschild and McFadden to go from fourth to second in the first corner.

Starks and Dobmeier then traded lines. Dobmeier began running high and Starks down low – a line he said he never runs at Knoxville. However, he was making it work. The black and yellow Buffalo Wild Wings No. 13 was growing bigger in his visor every lap.

Nine laps in to the 25-lap Feature Starks dove underneath Dobmeier into turn three and slid up in front of him by the exit of turn four. The lead was then officially his on Lap 10.

“I knew Mark was going to like the top,” Starks said. “I myself like the top. I hardly ever go to the bottom here. Frankly, I’m awful at it. I did OK tonight I guess.”

Starks built a gap between he and Dobmeier, each lap, continuing to run the bottom. And while he pulled away, Dobmeier was had pressure from McFadden for second.

McFadden had a run brewing to drive to the inside of Dobmeier exiting turn four with 13 laps to go, but a caution came out for Scotty Thiel, who spun in turn three.

A few laps after the restart, Dobmeier found himself back on Starks’ bumper. Finding more grip on the high side, Dobemeier went side-by-side with Starks down the front stretch with 10 laps to go.

However, Starks still found enough grip on the bottom to hold off Dobmeier’s attack. He changed his line in turns three and four, sliding up to the high side in front of Dobmeier, killing his run, and driving away.

Four laps later McFadden was able to build up a run again to challenge Dobmeier for second and this time complete the pass. The Australian was then on the hunt for Starks.

While Starks kept his E-Z-GO No. 44 up top, McFadden was slowly gaining on him by placing his Wicked Energy Gum No. 9 on the bottom of the track. However, he hit the inside berm with his left front wheel a couple of times, upsetting the car and hindering his charge for the win.

“We were there if Trey made a mistake, but he didn’t,” McFadden said. “I feel like if the race was longer we would have had a little bit more of a shot. But could’ve would’ve should’ve.”

McFadden ran out of time and had to settle for second. Haudenschild, after having to make a couple of big saves with his car during the race, snuck by Dobmeier in the closing laps to round out the podium. Starks went mistake free and saw the checkered flag for the first time at Knoxville Raceway

“We were solid in Qualifying, put ourselves in a decent spot,” Starks said. “We picked up the positions that we needed to in the Heat and I think we made the right adjustments and I made a couple of key decisions in the Feature that put us here where we are. It’s not miraculous what happened, it’s just not necessarily expected. We were just hoping for a solid night and build some good points.”

He did that, too.

His performance in qualifying, the Heat race and Feature earned him enough points – 463 – to be ranked fifth out of the 53 cars entered in Wednesday’s race.

Fifty-two more cars will compete Thursday night to also collect points. The top 16 in points, combined from the two nights, will lock themselves into the Knoxville Nationals Feature on Saturday. Aaron Reutzel is the current points leader – 487 points – with a second-place qualifying effort, runner-up finish in his Heat race and fifth-place finish in the Feature.

While points were important to Starks, his emotions were too focused on getting his first Knoxville win.

“I just cannot believe it,” an elated Starks said in Victory Lane. “I cannot believe it. We needed this one and tonight was the right time to do it.”

UP NEXT:

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series on Thursday, Aug. 8, will return to Knoxville Raceway for the second Knoxville Nationals Qualifying race. If you can’t be there, make sure to catch all of the action LIVE on www.DIRTVision.com.

Race Results: 8/7/19 - Knoxville Raceway

NOS Energy Drink Feature (25 Laps): 1. Trey Starks (4); 2. James McFadden (2); 3. Sheldon Haudenschild (3); 4. Mark Dobmeier (1); 5. Aaron Reutzel (8); 6. Brent Marks (6); 7. Tanner Thorson (10); 8. Jac Haudenschild (12); 9. Paul McMahan (7); 10. Tim Kaeding (21); 11. Donny Schatz (24); 12. Gio Scelzi (22); 13. Tasker Phillips (14); 14. Wayne Johnson (13); 15. Austin McCarl (16); 16. Ian Madsen (23); 17. Carson McCarl (15); 18. Spencer Bayston (17); 19. Skylar Gee (20); 20. Justin Peck (9); 21. Jamie Ball (11); 22. Paige Polyak (5); 23. Jeff Swindell (19); 24. Scotty Thiel (18)

Qualifying: 1. 18, Ian Madsen, St. Marys, NSW, Aust (7), 15.165; 2. 87, Aaron Reutzel, Clute, TX (22), 15.331; 3. 7S, Tim Kaeding, San Jose, CA (15), 15.418; 4. 48, Danny Dietrich, Gettysburg, PA (2), 15.476; 5. 99, Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK (17), 15.48; 6. 13X, Paul McMahan, Nashville, TN (18), 15.515; 7. 83J, Lynton Jeffrey, Sydney, NSW, Aust. (11), 15.523; 8. 71, Gio Scelzi, Fresno, CA (49), 15.548; 9. 57, Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA (27), 15.548; 10. 15, Donny Schatz, Fargo, ND (40), 15.567; 11. 19, Brent Marks, Myerstown, PA (14), 15.611; 12. 7X, Justin Henderson, Tea, SD (5), 15.626; 13. 11, Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO (33), 15.638; 14. 19P, Paige Polyak, Tiffin, OH (1), 15.674; 15. 44S, Trey Starks, Puyallup, WA (26), 15.714; 16. 2M, Kerry Madsen, St. Marys, NSW, Aust (46), 15.76; 17. 1S, Logan Schuchart, Hanover, PA (37), 15.765; 18. 17, Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, OH (21), 15.78; 19. 41S, Dominic Scelzi, Fresno, CA (32), 15.794; 20. 1, Travis Rilat, Heath, TX (47), 15.8; 21. 68, Chase Johnson, Penngrove, CA (6), 15.807; 22. 9, James McFadden, Warrnambool, VIC, Au (44), 15.838; 23. 13, Mark Dobmeier, Grand Forks, ND (8), 15.865; 24. 70X, Justin Peck, Monrovia, IN (10), 15.871; 25. 88, Tanner Thorson, Minden, NV (38), 15.88; 26. 5J, Jamie Ball, Knoxville, IA (4), 15.91; 27. 39, Sammy Swindell, Lakeland, TN (24), 15.925; 28. 11C, Roger Crockett, Broken Arrow, OK (41), 15.945; 29. 18R, Ryan Roberts, Aurora, NE (3), 15.948; 30. 20, AJ Moeller, Rockwell City, IA (23), 15.967; 31. 1X, Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE (12), 15.971; 32. 3H, Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, OH (19), 16.017; 33. 2C, Wayne Johnson, Tuttle, OK (43), 16.025; 34. 7TAZ, Tasker Phillips, Pleasantville, IA (35), 16.025; 35. 27, Carson McCarl, Altoona, IA (20), 16.026; 36. 2KS, Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA (50), 16.027; 37. 5H, Spencer Bayston, Lebanon, IN (52), 16.028; 38. 64, Scotty Thiel, Sheboygan, WI (25), 16.034; 39. 7SW, Jeff Swindell, Bartlett, TN (45), 16.061; 40. 99X, Skylar Gee, Leduc, ALB, Can. (28), 16.068; 41. 85, Chase Wanner, Batavia, IA (48), 16.071; 42. 51, Freddie Rahmer, Salfordville, PA (51), 16.122; 43. 19T, Kevin Thomas Jr., Cullman, AL (42), 16.184; 44. 45, Rusty Hickman, Bendigo, VIC, Aust. (13), 16.203; 45. 74, Brodie Tulloch, Upper Caboolture, QL (9), 16.21; 46. 73AF, Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL (31), 16.223; 47. J4, John Garvin, Sarver, PA (16), 16.228; 48. 56N, Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN (39), 16.268; 49. 56, Joe Simbro, Pleasantville, IA (29), 16.324; 50. 9X, Jake Bubak, Arvada, CO (34), 16.334; 51. 2MM, Matt Moro, Polk City, IA (36), 16.34; 52. 35, Zach Hampton, Plainfield, IN (30), 16.695; 53. 75, Glen Saville, Razorback, NSW, Aust (53), No Time

Drydene Heat 1 (10 Laps): 1. Jamie Ball (3); 2. Austin McCarl (1); 3. Brent Marks (6); 4. Paul McMahan (7); 5. Kerry Madsen (5); 6. Ian Madsen (8); 7. Chase Johnson (4); 8. Chase Wanner (9); 9. Don Droud Jr. (2); 10. Joey Moughan (10)

Drydene Heat 2 (10 Laps): 1. Jac Haudenschild (2); 2. Aaron Reutzel (8); 3. James McFadden (4); 4. Spencer Bayston (1); 5. Logan Schuchart (5); 6. Sammy Swindell (3); 7. Justin Henderson (6); 8. Lynton Jeffrey (7); 9. Freddie Rahmer (9); 10. John Garvin (10)

Drydene Heat 3 (10 Laps): 1. Wayne Johnson (2); 2. Scotty Thiel (1); 3. Mark Dobmeier (4); 4. Sheldon Haudenschild (5); 5. Tim Kaeding (8); 6. Gio Scelzi (7); 7. Kevin Thomas Jr. (9); 8. Roger Crockett (3); 9. Davey Heskin (10); 10. Hunter Schuerenberg (6)

Drydene Heat 4 (10 Laps): 1. Tasker Phillips (2); 2. Jeff Swindell (1); 3. Justin Peck (4); 4. Paige Polyak (6); 5. Dominic Scelzi (5); 6. Danny Dietrich (8); 7. Kyle Larson (7); 8. Ryan Roberts (3); 9. Joe Simbro (10); 10. Rusty Hickman (9)

Drydene Heat 5 (10 Laps): 1. Tanner Thorson (4); 2. Carson McCarl (2); 3. Skylar Gee (1); 4. Trey Starks (6); 5. Brady Bacon (8); 6. Donny Schatz (7); 7. Travis Rilat (5); 8. AJ Moeller (3); 9. Jake Bubak (10); 10. Brodie Tulloch (9)

C-Main (10 Laps): 1. Freddie Rahmer (3); 2. Jake Bubak (10); 3. Rusty Hickman (4); 4. Matt Moro (11); 5. Brodie Tulloch (5); 6. Joe Simbro (9); 7. John Garvin (7); 8. Glen Saville (13); 9. Joey Moughan (6); 10. Zach Hampton (12); 11. Hunter Schuerenberg (1); 12. Don Droud Jr. (2); 13. Davey Heskin (8);

Heat Non-qualifiers, 0 Laps, No Time: 1. Matt Moro (1); 2. Zach Hampton (2); 3. Glen Saville (3)

Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps): 1. Tim Kaeding (2); 2. Gio Scelzi (6); 3. Ian Madsen (1); 4. Donny Schatz (8); 5. Danny Dietrich (3); 6. Kyle Larson (7); 7. Kerry Madsen (10); 8. Brady Bacon (4); 9. Lynton Jeffrey (5); 10. Dominic Scelzi (12); 11. Justin Henderson (9); 12. Logan Schuchart (11); 13. Sammy Swindell (15); 14. Kevin Thomas Jr. (20); 15. Chase Johnson (14); 16. AJ Moeller (18); 17. Rusty Hickman (23); 18. Jake Bubak (22); 19. Ryan Roberts (17); 20. Travis Rilat (13); 21. Chase Wanner (19); 22. Freddie Rahmer (21); 23. Matt Moro (24); 24. Roger Crockett (16)