World Of Outlaws Notebook: Gravel, Schatz Pick Up Victories At Knoxville

World Of Outlaws Notebook: Gravel, Schatz Pick Up Victories At Knoxville

David Gravel and Donny Schatz split wins during the World of Outlaws Series' two-night event Knoxville Raceway in Iowa this past weekend.

Jul 2, 2018 by Tony Veneziano
World Of Outlaws Notebook: Gravel, Schatz Pick Up Victories At Knoxville

The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series was in action at the famed Knoxville Raceway in Iowa this past weekend, which marked the series' only visit of the season to the half-mile prior to the Knoxville Nationals in August. 

David Gravel and Donny Schatz split wins during the two-night event, with each dedicating his win to Jason Johnson. Schatz dominated the opener, while Gravel won a thriller in the finale.

The Outlaws continue their swing through the Midwest this weekend.

Missing man formation

The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series honored Jason Johnson on both nights at Knoxville, by utilizing the “Missing Man Formation,” during the traditional “4-Wide Salute to the Fans.” When using the Missing Man Formation, the pole position is left open, with three cars lined up in formation. Ironically, the driver on the pole both nights was Donny Schatz, who Johnson battled with and ultimately was victorious over in the 2016 Knoxville Nationals, which was the biggest win of his career. 

Unfinished business

Upon climbing out of his car in victory lane on Saturday night, David Gravel exclaimed, “Who’s ready for Nationals!” After putting up a perfect 500-point night last year on a qualifying night and then leading the 50-lap finale, only to suffer heartbreak in the form of engine woes, Gravel and his team have “unfinished business” at the Marion County Fairgrounds. The win on Saturday night, which saw him swoop by Donny Schatz and Brad Sweet on a lap-10 restart to move from third to first, was a good tune-up for August. In the opener on Friday night, Gravel powered his way from the 11th starting spot to a third-place finish.

Add another to the tally

With his win in the opener at Knoxville, Donny Schatz has now won 27 times in his career at the half-mile, which is 10th on the track’s all-time win list. A total of 10 of those victories have come in the Knoxville Nationals. The win was Schatz’s 12th of the season, which leads all drivers, as he chases his 10th World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series championship.

Season-best finish

Ian Madsen matched his best finish of the season on Friday night at Knoxville, crossing the line second. The two-time track champion, who is the leading contender for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series this season, started fifth, dropped back to sixth early on, and then ran fourth for a number of laps. Madsen worked his way to third just past the halfway point and worked his way into second on lap 20. Madsen opened the night by turning the fastest lap in Flight B of Time Trials.

Moving on up

Shane Stewart passed plenty of cars, both nights, at Knoxville. In the opener, he worked his way from the 20th starting spot to finish sixth. In the finale, the veteran driver came from 17th to seventh. 

Aussie invasion

On the opening night of the two-night event at Knoxville, a trio of Australians finished in the top 10. Ian Madsen led the way with a runner-up finish. Madsen’s brother Kerry was fourth, while Brooke Tatnell came home seventh, which vaulted him to the lead in the track’s weekly point standings. 

The Madsen brothers were fastest in each flight of time trials on Friday night, with Kerry Madsen being fastest overall. Also, Jordyn Brazier, son of six-time Australian national champion Garry Brazier, qualified for both main events. Fellow Aussie Lynton Jeffrey was second-fastest in Flight B of time trials in the opener and was battling Donny Schatz for the lead when contact led to a violent flip, which ended his night.

Shark attack

The Shark Racing duo of Logan Schuchart and Jacob Allen showed great speed all weekend. In the opener, Schuchart finished fifth. Allen was third fastest in Flight A of time trials that night, with Schuchart just one spot behind. Schuchart was second fastest in Flight B of time trials on Saturday night, with Allen in third. Schuchart was running among the top five in the main event on the final night when mechanical problems ended his run.

Plenty of passing in sprint car racing

In the finale at Knoxville, a handful of drivers made charges from the rear of the field. Davey Heskin powered his way from the 23rd starting spot to cross the line fifth, which earned him the KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award. Also, Ian Madsen came from 13th to sixth, while Shane Stewart gained 10 spots, coming from 17th to seventh. Brent Marks came from 24th to finish ninth.

Career-best finish

Austin McCarl finished eighth in the opener at Knoxville, which marked the best finish of his career with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. The third-generation driver has three wins this season in weekly competition at Knoxville and is currently second in points.

Hawaii Five-O

Jason Sides rolled out a second car on both nights at Knoxville for Keoni Texeira, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii. The car was aptly numbered 7S-5-0. For the Hawaiian, who used to be a regular at Knoxville in the 360 division weekly, it marked the first time he had driven a 410-sprint car in his career.

Change of plans

Clyde Knipp, who has spent the last two-plus seasons on the road with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series recently pulled off the tour. The 20-year-old will compete locally in Missouri, where he hails from. Knipp hit the road with the Outlaws in May of 2016, after graduating high school. He earned his best-career finish last year at Red River Valley Speedway in North Dakota, coming home ninth.

Points update

Donny Schatz extended his lead over Brad Sweet to 102 markers with 32 races completed. David Gravel remains in the third spot. Daryn Pittman is fourth, with Shane Stewart just two points behind him in fifth. Sheldon Haudenschild is sixth, followed by Logan Schuchart in seventh. Ian Madsen moved up to eighth, with Jason Johnson ninth. Brent Marks jumped back into the 10th spot, 12 markers ahead of Kraig Kinser.

Up next

The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series makes their annual appearance at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, WI, on Friday, July 6, and Saturday, July 7. Kerry Madsen won both nights last year at Cedar Lake. Donny Schatz leads all drivers at the track with five victories. Logan Schuchart scored his first career World of Outlaws win 2016 at Cedar Lake Speedway.