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

GATOR HUNTERS: Schuchart wins DIRTcar Nationals finale, Sweet claims Big Gator championship
Logan Schuchart wins first Volusia Speedway Park Feature and Brad Sweet wins his second Big Gator

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 9, 2020 – The wild hunt commenced Sunday night at the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series finale at the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford.

The trophies: A golden gator. And a Big Gator.

Logan Schuchart put an assault on the 27-car field, in front of a packed house, to earn his first win at Volusia Speedway Park and Brad Sweet cruised to his third podium finish in-a-row, awarding him his second Big Gator championship. Sweet won his first Big Gator in 2016.

“It was a lot of fun,” Sweet said about the event. “I thought we had a lot of different tracks all week. The NAPA car was fast on all the different conditions, but we’ll take that… 2020 is looking to be a strong year for us.”

Schuchart, who had never finished inside the top-five and never led a lap at the half-mile speedway, ended his 2020 DIRTcar Nationals with three top-five finishes in-a-row and 50 laps led. He placed second the first night. Charged from 25th to fifth the second night. And won the DIRTcar Nationals Sprint Car Week finale.

“This place is just so tough,” Schuchart said. “You know, we come here, we learn, I watch videos in the wintertime. We just try to make our cars better as a whole.

“Just kind of studying the racetrack. Notes from the past. Watching the highlight videos from the past few years and what other people’s cars look like compared to ours and maybe what we could have done better to qualify and put us in better positions… First three races were awesome. To pull away with a win really helps our confidence.”

That confidence showed before the conclusion of Sunday night’s 30-lap Feature when the Hanover, PA driver powered his way underneath Daryn Pittman on Lap 2 to take the lead. From there, he never relinquished it, leading the final 29 laps. Although, those on the hunt behind him tested his poise.

Schuchart held a commanding lead on the field but as lap traffic continuously hindered his pace, Pittman closed in. With 10 laps to go, Schuchart got caught behind a slower car coming off Turn 2, allowing Pittman to close within a car length’s distance.

However, once Schuchart found his way back into clean air, Pittman was left having to fend off Cory Eliason and Sweet.

In the closing laps of the race, Eliason found another gear. With five laps to go he charged his way around the outside of Pittman for second and set his sights on Schuchart. Three laps later, with smoke billowing out of his exhaust, Eliason powered his way around Schuchart off Turn 2.

Not willing to forgo his first DIRTcar Nationals win, Schuchart threw a hold-your-breath-slide job on Eliason through Turns 3 and 4 to reclaim the lead.

A large cloud of smoke erupted from Eliason’s motor the next lap, ending his night. The yellow flag flew with one lap to go.

On the restart, with Pittman and Sweet breathing down his neck, Schuchart darted away from the field. No one could touch the red and white Drydene car. Pittman and Sweet had to settle for second and third, respectively.

“Just pissed off at myself,” Pittman said. “I feel like if I would have stayed second… Man, like on that white flag, I couldn’t believe how far back he (Schuchart) came to me and Cory (Eliason). Honestly, I think it was anybody’s race going down the backstretch there on the white flag lap. We were kind of nose to tail. I wish I would have been in second there, I think I would have had a shot.”

Behind the top-three, Sheldon Haudenschild had one of the most impressive runs of the race in his NOS Energy Drink #17 car. For the second time in three races during the DIRTcar Nationals, Haudenschild earned the KSE Hard Charger award, racing his way from 18th to fourth.

Ten-time Series champion Donny Schatz, who opened the 2020 World of Outlaws season with a win found himself having to settle for a seventh-place finish. He finished sixth the night before.

Sweet started the DIRTcar Nationals being presented his 2019 World of Outlaws championship ring and ended it being presented his second Big Gator trophy. He’ll also leave Florida with the Series points lead – two points ahead of Schuchart.

The championship is far out of Schuchart’s head with more than 80 races to go this season. He said his focus is just to win as many races as he can. Nabbing his first golden gator trophy is one he can finally cross of his list.

“I really wanted one of these gators,” Schuchart said. “I’m really glad we got one.”

UP NEXT

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series on Friday, March 13, will return to Cotton Bowl Speedway in Paige, TX. Get tickets and more information. www.worldofoutlaws.com/sprintcars/schedule/event-info/?event=55708

As always, if you can’t make it to the race, you can watch all of the action LIVE on www.DIRTVision.com.

RESULTS

NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps) – 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2][$10,000]; 2. 83-Daryn Pittman [1][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [5][$3,200]; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [18][$2,800]; 5. 2-Carson Macedo [3][$2,500]; 6. 41-David Gravel [7][$2,300]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$2,200]; 8. 9-James McFadden [16][$2,100]; 9. 7-Shane Stewart [6][$2,050]; 10. 87-Aaron Reutzel [14][$2,000]; 11. 48-Danny Dietrich [12][$1,500]; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen [8][$1,200]; 13. 18-Ian Madsen [17][$1,100]; 14. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [13][$1,050]; 15. 21-Brian Brown [10][$1,000]; 16. 57-Kyle Larson [21][$900]; 17. 2M-Kerry Madsen [15][$800]; 18. 14-Tim Shaffer [24][$800]; 19. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [23][$800]; 20. 15K-Chad Kemenah [19][$800]; 21. 4-Terry McCarl [20][$800]; 22. 7S-Jason Sides [26][$]; 23. 33M-Mason Daniel [27][$]; 24. 26-Cory Eliason [4][$800]; 25. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [22][$800]; 26. J4-John Garvin [11][$800]; 27. 11K-Kraig Kinser [25][$]; Lap Leaders: Daryn Pittman 1, Logan Schuchart 2-30; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[+14]

Qualifying – 1. 41-David Gravel, 13.351; 2. 2-Carson Macedo, 13.386; 3. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.417; 4. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.448; 5. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.465; 6. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.478; 7. 7-Shane Stewart, 13.491; 8. 83-Daryn Pittman, 13.515; 9. 39M-Anthony Macri, 13.56; 10. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.609; 11. 15H-Sam Hafertepe, 13.629; 12. 9-James McFadden, 13.653; 13. 26-Cory Eliason, 13.662; 14. 21-Brian Brown, 13.664; 15. J4-John Garvin, 13.705; 16. 48-Danny Dietrich, 13.709; 17. 57-Kyle Larson, 13.729; 18. 14P-Parker Price-Miller, 13.744; 19. 15K-Chad Kemenah, 13.747; 20. 13-Paul McMahan, 13.773; 21. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.797; 22. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.811; 23. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.816; 24. 4-Terry McCarl, 13.821; 25. 5-Brent Marks, 13.832; 26. 14-Tim Shaffer, 13.835; 27. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.856; 28. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 13.9; 29. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.97; 30. 3C-Cale Conley, 13.989; 31. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss, 14.02; 32. W20-Greg Wilson, 14.166; 33. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 14.184; 34. 33M-Mason Daniel, 14.189; 35. 6-Bill Rose, 14.263

DRYDENE Heat #1 (8 Laps) – Top 5 Transfer – 1. 41-David Gravel [1]; 2. 26-Cory Eliason [4]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [6]; 4. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [2]; 5. 18-Ian Madsen [8]; 6. 39M-Anthony Macri [3]; 7. 57-Kyle Larson [5]; 8. 5-Brent Marks [7]; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser [9]

DRYDENE Heat #2 (8 Laps) – Top 5 Transfer – 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2]; 2. 2-Carson Macedo [1]; 3. 21-Brian Brown [4]; 4. 87-Aaron Reutzel [6]; 5. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [3]; 6. 14P-Parker Price-Miller [5]; 7. 14-Tim Shaffer [7]; 8. 3C-Cale Conley [8]; 9. 33M-Mason Daniel [9]

DRYDENE Heat #3 (8 Laps) – Top 5 Transfer – 1. 7-Shane Stewart [2]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1]; 3. J4-John Garvin [4]; 4. 2M-Kerry Madsen [6]; 5. 15K-Chad Kemenah [5]; 6. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [8]; 7. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [3]; 8. 7S-Jason Sides [7]; 9. 6-Bill Rose [9]

DRYDENE Heat #4 (8 Laps) – Top 5 Transfer – 1. 83-Daryn Pittman [2]; 2. 1A-Jacob Allen [1]; 3. 48-Danny Dietrich [4]; 4. 9-James McFadden [3]; 5. 4-Terry McCarl [6]; 6. 13-Paul McMahan [5]; 7. 2C-Wayne Johnson [7]; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [8]

DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash (6 Laps) – 1. 83-Daryn Pittman [2]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [4]; 3. 2-Carson Macedo [1]; 4. 26-Cory Eliason [3]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [5]; 6. 7-Shane Stewart [6]; 7. 41-David Gravel [7]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [8]

Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) – Top 4 Transfer – 1. 57-Kyle Larson [6][-]; 2. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [2][-]; 3. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [4][-]; 4. 14-Tim Shaffer [7][-]; 5. 13-Paul McMahan [5][$300]; 6. 39M-Anthony Macri [1][$250]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [11][$225]; 8. 5-Brent Marks [9][$200]; 9. 2C-Wayne Johnson [8][$200]; 10. 33M-Mason Daniel [14][$200]; 11. 3C-Cale Conley [10][$200]; 12. W20-Greg Wilson [12][$200]; 13. 14P-Parker Price-Miller [3][$200]; 14. 6-Bill Rose [15][$200]; 15. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$200]

BIG GATOR CHAMPIONSHIP TOP 10

Rank-Driver-Points
1-Brad Sweet-1234
2-James McFadden-1186
3-Logan Schuchart-1180
4-Daryn Pittman-1180
5-Donny Schatz-1176
6-Carson Macedo-1166
7-Sheldon Haudenschild-1152
8-Cory Eliason-1118
9-Danny Dietrich-1112
10-Kerry Madsen-1112

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 Brad Sweet (Trent Gower Photo)

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 8, 2020 – Brad Sweet is beginning the 2020 season the same way he ended the last, as the top dog — or in his case, the Big Cat.

The reigning champion, of Grass Valley, CA, won Saturday’s second night of World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series action during the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford — after opening the season with a third-place run.

“It’s nice to get the first Outlaws win out of the way,” said an elated Sweet, holding his daughter in Victory Lane at Volusia Speedway Park.

Sweet has yet to finish outside the top-three throughout the Sprint Car races at the DIRTcar Nationals. He won the opening DIRTcar Nationals race with the All Star Circuit of Champions, finished second the next night with the All Stars, finished third in the season opener for the World of Outlaws and then found Victory Lane once again.

His path to his first World of Outlaws win of the year – and 51st career win overall – was not claimed with ease.

At the start of the 30-lap Feature, Sweet – who lined up second alongside polesitter Ian Madsen – found himself chasing the swift Australian in the opening laps. Madsen pulled ahead to almost a half straightaway lead over the 2019 champion.

Once Madsen reached lap traffic, Sweet began to slowly reel him in. On Lap 7 Sweet dove underneath Madsen into Turn One, taking the lead. As Sweet’s car drifted up the track off Turn 2, Madsen had a power run around the top, rapidly charging toward Sweet, and the two collided. Sweet’s right rear touched with Madsen’s left front, sending Madsen into the catchfence.

After the hard hit, Madsen later went to Twitter and said: “I take responsibility for the crash tonight. World of Outlaws wins are extremely hard to come by, and you can’t give an inch when racing for the win. That being said, I made a misjudgment which cost my team a car and a chance for the win.”

After an Open Red period to repair part of the Turn 2 fence, Sweet launched to the lead on the restart, pulling away from second-place Brian Brown by a half straightaway. Sweet’s Kasey Kahne Racing teammate James McFadden charged from fourth to second in two laps and began his hunt for the lead.

By the time McFadden comfortably placed himself in the runner-up position, Sweet had already pulled away to a straightaway lead. However, by Lap 16, McFadden cut Sweet’s lead in half.

McFadden closed within a car length of his teammate, but Sweet gave a masterclass in working through lap traffic, at times dodging cars like he saw the future and knew exactly where every car would be.

“He (Sweet) did a really good job there getting into (Turn) 3 and splitting those (lap) cars,” McFadden said. “I was actually thinking, ‘We’re pretty good here and might have a shot,’ but he got by those cars pretty quick and left me hanging.”

Sweet and McFadden gave Kasey Kahne Racing its first one-two finish since 2016 at Cotton Bowl Speedway.

“Early in the season, great way to start for the teams,” Kasey Kahne said. “Brad and the NAPA guys have been on every single night. It’s great to have James back in the #9. He did a great job for us last year and is back at it. It’s going to be a lot of fun this whole season.”

Last year’s DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator championship winner Daryn Pittman rounded out the top three.

A few spots back, Logan Schuchart put on the other show of the night. The Hanover, PA driver went from finishing second in the season opener, to having to use a provisional to start the Feature, but in the main event he made an impressive charge from 25th to fifth.

“I felt good all night,” Schuchart said. “I felt like I had a good car. We were really fast last night. I don’t know what we missed in qualifying. I’m still stumbled about that.”

Ten-time Series champion Donny Schatz, who won the season opening race, placed sixth after starting ninth.

Sweet is back in familiar territory, atop the World of Outlaws point standings – six points ahead of Schatz. He also leads the DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator championship points with one race remaining. McFadden is second, 38 points behind Sweet and Schatz is third, 50 points out of the lead. If he is able to secure the Big Gator on Sunday, it would his second – having one his first in 2016.

“They (KKR) have been giving me great race cars,” Sweet said. “We’ve been on the podium every single night, second win of the week. Hats off to them and hopefully we finish strong tomorrow.”

UP NEXT

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series on Feb. 9 returns to Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL for the final night of DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford action.

RESULTS

NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps) – 1. 49-Brad Sweet [2][$10,000]; 2. 9-James McFadden [7][$5,500]; 3. 83-Daryn Pittman [6][$3,200]; 4. 21-Brian Brown [3][$2,800]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25][$1,700]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$2,300]; 7. 2-Carson Macedo [5][$2,200]; 8. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [13][$2,100]; 9. 87-Aaron Reutzel [23][$2,050]; 10. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [4][$2,000]; 11. 5-Brent Marks [10][$1,500]; 12. 26-Cory Eliason [8][$1,200]; 13. 2M-Kerry Madsen [12][$1,100]; 14. 41-Parker Price-Miller [16][$1,050]; 15. 48-Danny Dietrich [17][$1,000]; 16. 7-Shane Stewart [15][$900]; 17. 3C-Cale Conley [20][$800]; 18. 7S-Jason Sides [26][$]; 19. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [22][$800]; 20. 11K-Kraig Kinser [24][$800]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [21][$800]; 22. 39M-Anthony Macri [18][$800]; 23. 57-Kyle Larson [19][$800]; 24. 2C-Wayne Johnson [27][$]; 25. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [14][$800]; 26. 18-Ian Madsen [1][$800]; 27. 14-Tim Shaffer [11][$800]:
Lap Leaders: Ian Madsen 1-7, Brad Sweet 8-30;
KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+20]

Qualifying – 1. 83-Daryn Pittman, 13.412; 2. 2-Carson Macedo, 13.454; 3. 14-Tim Shaffer, 13.465; 4. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.474; 5. 15H-Sam Hafertepe, 13.51; 6. 9-James McFadden, 13.54; 7. 21-Brian Brown, 13.579; 8. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.593; 9. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.597; 10. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.625; 11. 7-Shane Stewart, 13.659; 12. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss, 13.675; 13. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.68; 14. 5-Brent Marks, 13.682; 15. 26-Cory Eliason, 13.688; 16. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.701; 17. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.728; 18. 39M-Anthony Macri, 13.73; 19. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.736; 20. 41-Parker Price-Miller, 13.738; 21. 48-Danny Dietrich, 13.739; 22. 13-Paul McMahan, 13.751; 23. 57-Kyle Larson, 13.77; 24. 3C-Cale Conley, 13.81; 25. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 13.818; 26. J4-John Garvin, 13.885; 27. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.915; 28. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.928; 29. 4-Terry McCarl, 13.93; 30. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.933; 31. 15K-Chad Kemenah, 13.96; 32. 6-Bill Rose, 14.267; 33. 33M-Mason Daniel, 14.323; 34. 11K-Kraig Kinser, NT; 35. B15-Kurt Conklin, NT

DRYDENE Heat #1 (8 Laps) – 1. 83-Daryn Pittman [1]; 2. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [2]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [3]; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [5]; 5. 48-Danny Dietrich [6]; 6. 1A-Jacob Allen [4]; 7. 4-Terry McCarl [8]; 8. 2C-Wayne Johnson [7]; 9. 33M-Mason Daniel [9]

DRYDENE Heat #2 (8 Laps) – 1. 9-James McFadden [2]; 2. 2-Carson Macedo [1]; 3. 5-Brent Marks [4]; 4. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [3]; 5. 39M-Anthony Macri [5]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [8]; 7. 11K-Kraig Kinser [9]; 8. 13-Paul McMahan [6]; 9. J4-John Garvin [7]

DRYDENE Heat #3 (8 Laps) – 1. 26-Cory Eliason [4]; 2. 21-Brian Brown [2]; 3. 14-Tim Shaffer [1]; 4. 7-Shane Stewart [3]; 5. 57-Kyle Larson [6]; 6. 87-Aaron Reutzel [7]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5]; 8. 15K-Chad Kemenah [8]; 9. B15-Kurt Conklin [9]

DRYDENE Heat #4 (8 Laps) – 1. 18-Ian Madsen [2]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1]; 3. 2M-Kerry Madsen [4]; 4. 41-Parker Price-Miller [5]; 5. 3C-Cale Conley [6]; 6. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [3]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [7]; 8. 6-Bill Rose [8]

DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash (6 Laps) – 1. 18-Ian Madsen [1]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [7]; 3. 21-Brian Brown [3]; 4. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [2]; 5. 2-Carson Macedo [5]; 6. 83-Daryn Pittman [4]; 7. 9-James McFadden [6]; 8. 26-Cory Eliason [8]

Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) – 1. 1A-Jacob Allen [2][-]; 2. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [1][-]; 3. 87-Aaron Reutzel [4][-]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [6][-]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7][$300]; 6. 13-Paul McMahan [10][$250]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [3][$225]; 8. 7S-Jason Sides [8][$200]; 9. 2C-Wayne Johnson [9][$200]; 10. 15K-Chad Kemenah [11][$200]; 11. 33M-Mason Daniel [13][$200]; 12. 6-Bill Rose [12][$200]; 13. 4-Terry McCarl [5][$200]; 14. J4-John Garvin [14][$200]; 15. B15-Kurt Conklin [15][$200]

DIRTCAR NATIONALS BIG GATOR POINTS TOP 10

Postion-Driver-Points

1-Brad Sweet-990
2-Donny Schatz-952
3-Daryn Pittman-934
4-Logan Schuchart-930
5-Carson Macedo-926
6-Cory Eliason-916
7-Sheldon Haudenschild-910
8-Kerry Madsen
9-Parker Price-Miller
10-Tim Shaffer-886

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 Donny Schatz (Trent Gower Photo)

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 7, 2020 – Donny Schatz celebrated his 295th career World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series win Friday night during the season opening race at the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford like it was his first.

The smile that never left the 10-time Series champion’s face said more than the words he gave in Victory Lane at Volusia Speedway Park.

Schatz, of Fargo, ND, who in 2019 won 11 races and lost the championship by four points, admitted last year he faced mental blocks throughout the season – dealing with things in his personal life.

This year, though…

“Those are definitely gone,” Schatz said. “I had a lot of mental blocks. Yeah, they’re gone. I learned a lot of things through that process. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

“I’m here. I’m happy. These (Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing) guys are motivated. They’re doing everything right. We’re going to have a lot of fun. We may not win as many races as we like, but we’re going to have fun along the way. And that’s the name of the game.”

That new level of fun showed throughout the night with Schatz winning his Drydene Heat Race and making a power move on the first lap of the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash to take the lead and win — giving him the pole for the 30-lap Feature.

His biggest competition throughout the night was Hanover, PA driver Logan Schuchart. Coming off a career season in 2019, Schuchart gave a career best performance at Volusia Speedway Park Friday night.

After finishing second to Schatz in his Heat Race and the Dash, Schuchart outmuscled him on the start of the Feature to take the lead. However, a lap later Schatz powered back by. With lap traffic in Schatz’s way by Lap 4, Schuchart worked his way back to the lead two laps later.

While traffic helped Schuchart get the lead, it also led to his loss of it. While Schuchart lead for the next 20 laps, Schatz patiently and methodically worked his way back to the Shark Racing driver. He moved to the high side of the track once rubber built up and slid back by Schuchart for the lead, forcing him to take a runner-up finish – before the night, Schuchart had never led a lap at the half-mile speedway and had a best finish of seventh.

“When you got that car (Schatz) behind you nothing is ever wrapped up,” Schuchart said. “I know it was going to be close there. He showed his nose, five, six, seven laps to go. I knew he was there. He set me up just right. That’s why he’s so good.”

There was edge-of-your-seat and hold your breath close quarters racing among the top five throughout the entire race. Schatz and Schuchart even made contact racing side-by-side down the front stretch, which Schatz owned up to and admitted was a mistake.

Reigning champion Brad Sweet knocked on Schatz and Schuchart’s back door for the majority of the race. The Grass Valley, CA driver passed Schatz for second on Lap 10 but made a mistake and lost the position. Unable to make another run at the top two, he had to settle for third.

“It was an intense race,” Sweet said. “Lap traffic made it really interesting. That’s what wins and loses these races … We were probably a little too good too early and weren’t as good as we needed to be late.”

Despite missing out on the win, Sweet continues to lead the DIRTcar Nationals Big Gator championship points — having won the first Sprint Car race of the DIRTcar Nationals with the All Star Circuit of Champions and placing runner-up in the second All Star event. He currently leads David Gravel by 32 points. Sweet’s Kasey Kahne Racing teammate James McFadden is third, Schatz is fourth and Schuchart is fifth.

After practicing a Stock Car at Daytona International Speedway all day, Gravel showed up at Volusia claiming the first Quick Time of the year — after earning 21 in 2019 — and finished the night fifth.

Parker Price-Miller, driving for Dietz Motorsports — owned by Gravel’s crew chief Philip Dietz and making its World of Outlaws debut — had an impressive run, winning his Heat race and finishing fourth in the Feature.

Schatz is now only five wins away from his 300th career win and off to a good start in his hunt for his 11th Series title. However, to get his first Big Gator since 2018 and another Series championship, he knows the next race is still just as important as the first or last.

“It’s always good to win the first one,” Schatz said. “That means you’re going to have a good year, but it’s that two through eighty-four race that count more than the first and the last one.”

It’s probably safe to say, this year, he’ll be smiling all of the way through the season.

UP NEXT

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series on Saturday, Feb. 8 returns to Volusia Speedway Park for the fourth night of Sprint Car racing at the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Bozard Ford and second World of Outlaws race of the year. Get tickets and more information.

As always, if you can’t make it to the event, you can watch all of the action LIVE on www.DIRTVision.com.

RESULTS

NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps) – 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$10,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [6][$3,200]; 4. 14P-Parker Price-Miller [4][$2,800]; 5. 41-David Gravel [7][$2,500]; 6. 2M-Kerry Madsen [5][$2,300]; 7. 2-Carson Macedo [11][$2,200]; 8. 83-Daryn Pittman [3][$2,100]; 9. 14-Tim Shaffer [18][$2,050]; 10. 87-Aaron Reutzel [10][$2,000]; 11. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [22][$1,500]; 12. 9-James McFadden [14][$1,200]; 13. 7-Shane Stewart [13][$1,100]; 14. 26-Cory Eliason [9][$1,050]; 15. 33M-Mason Daniel [26][$200]; 16. 2C-Wayne Johnson [12][$900]; 17. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [8][$800]; 18. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [20][$800]; 19. 5-Brent Marks [27][$800]; 20. 48-Danny Dietrich [16][$800]; 21. 4-Terry McCarl [21][$800]; 22. 13-Paul McMahan [15][$800]; 23. 15K-Chad Kemenah [17][$800]; 24. 11K-Kraig Kinser [19][$800]; 25. 7S-Jason Sides [24][$]; 26. 1A-Jacob Allen [25][$]; 27. 21-Brian Brown [23][$800]; KSE Hard Charger Award: 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[+11]; Lap Leaders: Logan Schuchart 1, 7-26; Donny Schatz 2-6, 27-30

Qualifying – 1. 41-David Gravel, 13.015; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.132; 3. 14P-Parker Price-Miller, 13.161; 4. 83-Daryn Pittman, 13.17; 5. 2M-Kerry Madsen, 13.186; 6. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.188; 7. 49-Brad Sweet, 13.193; 8. 15H-Sam Hafertepe, 13.195; 9. 7-Shane Stewart, 13.237; 10. 87-Aaron Reutzel, 13.24; 11. 13-Paul McMahan, 13.24; 12. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.254; 13. 26-Cory Eliason, 13.259; 14. 39M-Anthony Macri, 13.291; 15. 2-Carson Macedo, 13.291; 16. 48-Danny Dietrich, 13.305; 17. 57-Kyle Larson, 13.319; 18. 9-James McFadden, 13.325; 19. 14-Tim Shaffer, 13.339; 20. 21-Brian Brown, 13.391; 21. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss, 13.411; 22. 15K-Chad Kemenah, 13.425; 23. 1A-Jacob Allen, 13.439; 24. 2C-Wayne Johnson, 13.465; 25. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild, 13.5; 26. 3C-Cale Conley, 13.524; 27. 5-Brent Marks, 13.537; 28. 18-Ian Madsen, 13.564; 29. 4-Terry McCarl, 13.564; 30. J4-John Garvin, 13.6; 31. 6-Bill Rose, 13.718; 32. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.867; 33. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.903; 34. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.978; 35. 33M-Mason Daniel, 14.495; 36. B15-Kurt Conklin, NT

DRYDENE Heat #1 (8 Laps) - 1. 2M-Kerry Madsen [2]; 2. 41-David Gravel [1]; 3. 26-Cory Eliason [4]; 4. 7-Shane Stewart [3]; 5. 57-Kyle Larson [5]; 6. 4-Terry McCarl [8]; 7. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [7]; 8. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [6]; 9. W20-Greg Wilson [9]

DRYDENE Heat #2 (8 Laps) - 1. 15-Donny Schatz [2]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1]; 3. 87-Aaron Reutzel [3]; 4. 9-James McFadden [5]; 5. 15K-Chad Kemenah [6]; 6. 39M-Anthony Macri [4]; 7. 3C-Cale Conley [7]; 8. 7S-Jason Sides [9]; 9. J4-John Garvin [8]

DRYDENE Heat #3 (8 Laps) - 1. 14P-Parker Price-Miller [1]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [2]; 3. 2-Carson Macedo [4]; 4. 13-Paul McMahan [3]; 5. 14-Tim Shaffer [5]; 6. 5-Brent Marks [7]; 7. 1A-Jacob Allen [6]; 8. 33M-Mason Daniel [9]; 9. 6-Bill Rose [8]

DRYDENE Heat #4 (8 Laps) - 1. 83-Daryn Pittman [1]; 2. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [2]; 3. 2C-Wayne Johnson [6]; 4. 48-Danny Dietrich [4]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8]; 6. 21-Brian Brown [5]; 7. 18-Ian Madsen [7]; 8. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [3]; 9. B15-Kurt Conklin [9]

DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash (6 Laps) – 1. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [2]; 3. 83-Daryn Pittman [6]; 4. 14P-Parker Price-Miller [1]; 5. 2M-Kerry Madsen [8]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [5]; 7. 41-David Gravel [7]; 8. 15H-Sam Hafertepe [3]

Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) - 1. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [1][-]; 2. 4-Terry McCarl [3][-]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [6][-]; 4. 21-Brian Brown [5][-]; 5. 57-Kyle Larson [Unable to start Feature][$300]; 6. 39M-Anthony Macri [2][$250]; 7. 3C-Cale Conley [7][$225]; 8. 18-Ian Madsen [9][$200]; 9. 1A-Jacob Allen [8][$200]; 10. 33M-Mason Daniel [12][$200]; 11. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [10][$200]; 12. 7S-Jason Sides [11][$200]; 13. 6-Bill Rose [15][$200]; 14. W20-Greg Wilson [13][$200]; 15. J4-John Garvin [14][$200]; 16. B15-Kurt Conklin [16][$200]

DIRTCAR NATIONALS POINTS TOP 10

Rank. Driver - Points

1. Brad Sweet – 740
2. David Gravel – 708
3. James McFadden – 706
4. Donny Schatz – 702
5. Logan Schuchart - 690
6. Carson Macedo -690
7. Daryn Pittman -690
8. Tim Shaffer -690
9. Cory Eliason -690
10. Sheldon Haudenschild -676