Donny Schatz claims the points lead from Brad Sweet who has led all season
KNOXVILLE, Iowa - June 10, 2016 - Terry McCarl dominated the Outlaws and Knoxville regulars in Friday night's Budweiser Night with the World of Outlaws at Knoxville Raceway as he scored his first World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season.
McCarl was the class of the field throughout much of the night in his No. 24 SnowPlow.com/Country Builders Maxim, claiming a spot in the Dash and the feature pole. McCarl held off reigning Knoxville Nationals champion Donny Schatz throughout the 25-lap feature.
"You know, it's David vs. Goliath," McCarl said. "We just beat the best team and driver in the world. For us to beat him one night is pretty amazing and we're pretty proud of it… This means a lot if you can win this thing. It makes you feel like you can be decent for the Nationals."
McCarl, a native of nearby Altoona, Iowa, tied Steve Kinser for third on the all-time Knoxville wins list. It was his first series win since March 5, 2015 when he won night two at the Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Justin Henderson kicked off the night for the Knoxville regulars as he picked up the quick time over 41 other cars. A full inversion of the Dash field put McCarl on the Dash pole, and he held off Schatz to take the top spot in the night's feature.
McCarl and Schatz led the field to the green flag. Kerry Madsen battled past Schatz on the start but Schatz fought back on the opening lap, reclaiming his starting position. McCarl widened his lead through the early laps, running the high line against the cushion, as Schatz looked low. As McCarl caught traffic, Schatz closed the gap.
By lap 10, Schatz had issues of his own as Madsen closed the gap on his second place No. 15 Bad Boy Off-Road J&J. The move however was short-lived as Madsen found trouble in traffic and flipped, bringing out a red flag short of the halfway point.
On the restart, Schatz took his shot. On lap 15, he slid McCarl off of two and briefly took over the lead, but McCarl, battled back, retaking the position before a lap could be completed.
As the battle up front unfolded, Dusty Zomer took over the third position on the restart and briefly challenged Schatz for second. It was current Knoxville 410 points leader Brian Brown though who was on the move. From a ninth place starting position he battled forward in his No 21 FVP/Casey's General Store Maxim and, with two to go, passed Zomer coming off of turn two.
When the checkered flag flew, it was McCarl, Schatz and Brown on the podium.
"I just kept telling myself, keep the tires underneath it," McCarl said. "I know Donny is really good at keeping the tires underneath it until traffic. When I got to traffic, I was happy because I moved down and felt really, really good. I knew (Schatz) was running the bottom there in (turns) one and two but it's hard to change your line when you're leading. To beat Donny Schatz at Knoxville is something we dream about. Pretty special for this team."
Schatz, the reigning and seven-time series champion, said McCarl just had the edge tonight.
"Terry was awful good," Schatz said. "This place is tough to be out front leading. Sometimes you're in the catbird seat in second. I thought I had the catbird seat but I didn't. Terry did a great job. He made all the right moves at the right times and I learned something from that."
For Schatz, the night was a season milestone as he became just the second driver to lead the points in 35 races. After tying Brad Sweet at Putnamville, Schatz took the lead outright tonight by a 32 point margin.
For Brown, the finish was a lesson in perseverance after trouble during qualifying early in the night.
"We had a little bit of a rough night but that's just this team - they worked hard and we were able to overcome," Brown said. "I really felt like we had something for these guys on that last red and I just made a mistake as a driver and spun the tires. I had to get back by Dusty Zomer and (David Gravel). To be on the podium with these two guys is nothing to be ashamed about. We'll come back tomorrow and try to get up front."
Shane Stewart was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 15 positions to finish in ninth after a wreck in his heat race forced his team to a backup.
The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series return to action tomorrow night for the second race in the Knoxville double-header. The Outlaws again battle it out with the Knoxville regulars in the Xtream Shootout powered by Mediacom. For more information and to learn how to purchase tickets, visit http://woosprint.com/knoxville-raceway.
Follow the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series on Twitter at Twitter.com/WorldofOutlaws, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/WorldofOutlaws, or check out the latest videos on YouTube at YouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws.
Knoxville Raceway Notebook
RACE NOTES: Terry McCarl scored his first World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series victory of the season and first series win since March 5, 2015… McCarl is the 13th different feature winner of the season and claimed in his 12th career series win… Shane Stewart was the night's KSE Racing Hard Charger, advancing 15 positions to finish in ninth… Brian Brown, who leads the Knoxville track 410 points, battled from ninth for his podium finish… Donny Schatz took the points lead outright following his second place finish Friday night. He now leads Brad Sweet by 32 points.
CONTINGENCY WINNERS - MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Kerry Madsen; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Terry McCarl; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; JE Pistons ($50 cash): David Gravel; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): Danny Lasoski; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Justin Henderson; Morton Buildings ($50 cash): Ian Madsen; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Sammy Swindell; Super Flow ($50 cash): Jamie Veal; Craftsman/Sears ($100 cash): Terry McCarl; KSE Racing Products ($100 product certificate): Shane Stewart; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Terry McCarl; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Lynton Jeffrey; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Jason Sides.
SEASON WINNERS: Donny Schatz - 8 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 4, Stockton Dirt Track on March 18, Stockton Dirt Track on March 19, Silver Dollar Speedway on April 2, Lincoln Speedway on May 19, Weedsport Speedway on May 22, Lincoln Park Speedway on June 8); Brad Sweet - 6 (Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 13, Volusia Speedway Park on Feb. 14, Cotton Bowl Speedway on Feb. 26, Ocean Speedway on April 1, Bakersfield Speedway on April 15, Plymouth Speedway on May 13); Daryn Pittman - 4 (Royal Purple Raceway on Feb. 27, Perris Auto Speedway on April 16, USA Raceway on April 18, New Egypt Speedway on May 24); David Gravel - 3 (Thunderbowl Raceway on March 12, Tri-State Speedway on May 14, I-96 Speedway on June 6); Joey Saldana - 3 (The Dirt Track at Las Vegas on March 3, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 22, Jacksonville Speedway on May 4); Shane Stewart - 3 (Arizona Speedway on March 6, Devil's Bowl Speedway on April 23, Lawrenceburg Speedway on May 30); Kerry Madsen - 2 (Eldora Speedway on May 6 and 7); Lance Dewease - 1 (Williams Grove Speedway on May 20); Chad Kemenah - 1 (Fremont Speedway on June 3); Jason Johnson - 1 (Placerville Speedway on March 24); Terry McCarl - 1 (Knoxville Raceway on June 10); Jason Sides - 1 (I-30 Speedway on April 26); Greg Wilson - 1 (The Dirt Track at Charlotte on May 27).