The West Coast Swing wrapped up for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series last weekend, with Brad Sweet, Daryn Pittman and Cory Eliason each picking up a win. Sweet was the biggest winner as he took home $20,000 in the 49er Gold Rush Classic at Placerville Speedway. Eliason banked $12,000 for winning the finale of the Wine Country Classic at Calistoga Speedway, while Pittman won the opener of that two-night event. The series now heads 2,300-plus miles to compete at the legendary Eldora Speedway as part of the Four Crown Nationals weekend.

A fast car and a little luck on their side

Daryn Pittman led all 25 laps of the opener at Calistoga Speedway and also had a little luck on his side. After taking the checkered flag for the win, the 2013 series champion had a right rear tire shred. For Pittman, it was his eighth win of the season, breaking a tie with his Kasey Kahne Racing teammate, Brad Sweet. The pair has combined to win 15 races this season.

In the finale at Calistoga, Cory Eliason also led all 25 laps and like Pittman, had a little luck play into his hands. Donny Schatz took the lead from Eliason as they came to the white flag, but a caution flag flew, before that lap was scored, keeping Eliason in the top spot. For the young driver from California, it was his second World of Outlaws win of the season.

Promoting and winning

Brad Sweet was the promotor of the 49er Gold Rush Classic at Placerville Speedway in his hometown on September 12 and ended up picking up the $20,000 win. The event, which was postponed by rain in the spring, was scheduled to run 49 laps, though a last lap caution flag, extended the race to an even 50 circuits. For Sweet, it was his seventh win of the season and second high-paying event, along with his Knoxville Nationals win.

On the podium

Logan Schuchart finished second on the first night at Calistoga Speedway and was back on the podium in third, during the finale. Schuchart was third-fastest in time trials in the opener and was fourth-quickest in the finale. The native of Hanover, PA is up to 19 top-five finishes this season, which continues to add to his new career-high. 

Representing the locals

Andy Forsberg had a career night with the World of Outlaws at Placerville Speedway. The veteran driver opened the night by turning the fastest lap in time trials, which earned him a $2,000 cash bonus, which was on the line for any local driver who set fast time. The native of Auburn, CA, proceeded to win the first heat race to lock himself in the dash, where he ran sixth. Forsberg wrapped up the night with a third-place finish in the main event.

A solid homecoming

Rico Abreu, who grew up less than 10 miles from Calistoga Speedway in St. Helena, had a solid weekend at his home track, finishing third in the opener and 10^thin the finale of the Wine Country Classic. Abreu’s family was instrumental in the resurgence of the historic half-mile over the last few years, including adding banking to the expansive half-mile.

Filing in

Giovanni Scelzi competed both nights at Calistoga, aboard the family-owned No. 41, filling in for his brother Dominic, who is healing up from a broken bone in his right leg. The younger Scelzi brother finished ninth in the opener and was fifth in the finale. G. Scelzi will compete with the Outlaws this coming weekend at Eldora Speedway in Ohio.

Defending their turf, yet again

The California contingent continued their strong showing at Placerville Speedway. Drivers from the Golden State claimed six spots in the top-10. Following Sweet, who won, Andy Forsberg was third, Tim Kaeding fourth, Cory Eliason fifth, Tanner Thorson sixth and Shane Golobic ninth.

Tough guy award

Kraig Kinser had to make a quick trip to the hospital, during the 49er Gold Rush Classic, after having a rock hit his nose in heat racing competition. After getting that stitched up, the native of Bloomington, IN, returned to the track for the B-main, coming up just one spot short of transferring to the main event.

Another solid night

Tim Kaeding continued to impress aboard the No. 3 machine for Sides Motorsports at Placerville Speedway. The veteran driver crossed the line fourth in the main event to earn his third straight finish of fourth or better to wrap up the West Coast Swing. Dating back to the finale of the Knoxville Nationals, Kaeding had four straight top-five finishes, driving for Jason Sides. Unfortunately, Kaeding suffered a broken ankle a few days later in a non-racing accident and will be out of action for the foreseeable future.

Points update

Brad Sweet cut into Donny Schatz’s lead a bit, as the margin between the two is now 224 points. David Gravel is third, Daryn Pittman closing in on him. Pittman is less than 50 points out of third. Shane Stewart remains fifth, followed by Logan Schuchart in sixth, Sheldon Haudenschild in seventh, Ian Madsen in eighth and Brent Marks in ninth. Jacob Allen moved back into the 10^thspot, 22 markers ahead of Kraig Kinser.

Up next

The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series heads to the famed Eldora Speedway in Ohio on Friday, September 21 for the Befour the Four Crown event. Donny Schatz has won four of the five races contested by the Outlaws at the half-mile this year, including winning the Kings Royal for the third consecutive year. Shane Stewart also has a win at Eldora this season. On Saturday, September 22 the series heads to Lernerville Speedway in Western Pennsylvania. Kyle Larson won at the track during the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup in July. Donny Schatz has eight-career Lernerville wins, while David Gravel has been victorious at the track twice.