Scott | Karnac Racing News

Stewart Takes Night One at Gold Cup

Bixby, Oklahoma’s Shane Stewart Kicks Off Gold Cup Race of Champions in Victory Lane at Silver Dollar Speedway

(by Gary Thomas) CHICO, Calif. — Sept. 9, 2016 — Putting a recent string of bad luck behind him Bixby, Oklahoma’s Shane Stewart proceeded to score an emphatic victory on opening night of the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series sanctioned Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway on Friday.

Stewart has shown immense speed during the Western Swing, and it paid off with his sixth victory of the 2016 season aboard the Larson Marks Racing No. 2 machine. It was also the second straight season he opened the Gold Cup Race of Champions in victory lane.

“This has always been one of those events that I’ve wanted to win, so hopefully we can come back tomorrow and do the same,” Stewart commented following the race. “We’ve had some tough luck, but have gained a lot of speed lately, which has given me a lot of confidence. These races are so hard to win with the competition that it’s always a big deal when you can do it. My guys have worked really hard so I can’t thank them enough. We got through traffic pretty well in the main event, and the cautions fell our way. We’ll now try and do it again tomorrow.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:15-04:00September 12th, 2016|Front Page News, National, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Super Matt is The Man To Beat

Clinches first Le RPM Speedway victory

lerpm_sheppard (By Mandee Pauch) ST. MARCEL DE RICHELIEU, QUE. – Sept. 9, 2016 – Matt Sheppard is no stranger to victory lane as he captured his third Super DIRTcar Series win in a row and his ninth overall Friday night at Le RPM Speedway.

“This car has been so good lately. We just unloaded it and it’s been fast all night. We set fast time, won the heat and drew a good starting spot for the feature. When you have a car that good it makes your life pretty easy,” Sheppard said.

Keith Flach and Sheppard led the 30-car field to the green. It didn’t take long for Sheppard to jump to an early lead as he pulled away from the field on the initial start.

It didn’t take long for Sheppard to catch lapped traffic on the ¼ mile as he caught the back end of the field on lap nine as he showed a comfortable lead over Flach.

A lap 21 restart saw Flach drive around the outside of Sheppard to take the top spot back.

Heavy lapped traffic got in the way of Flach as Sheppard took advantage and retook the lead off the bottom on lap 37. (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:15-04:00September 12th, 2016|Front Page News, National, Super DirtCar Series|Comments Off

Pierce and Pearson Jr. Earn Preliminary Wins

Mike Ruefer Photo

ROSSBURG, Ohio – September 9, 2016 – Bobby Pierce and Earl Pearson Jr. captured back-to-back checkered flags under the Friday night lights, each winning their 25-lap feature events on the second preliminary day of the World 100 weekend at Eldora Speedway. The 105 competitors were split into two feature groups – odd and even. On the line: $10,000 for the two drivers who outshined the field.

The first feature was an instant classic – multiple barn-burners merging into one giant shootout in the closing laps of the race. Menomonie, Wisc. driver Jimmy Mars started on the outside of the first row but roared down the backstretch into the lead within the first lap. While Mars built more than a one-second advantage over the 24-car field, Martinsville, Ind. driver Don O’Neal battled toward the front from 11th position.

O’Neal, who was the fast-timer earlier in the night, split Ade, Ohio native Jon Henry and Chickamauga, Ga. wheelman Dale McDowell for a three-way drag race to challenge Mars. Six laps into the feature, O’Neal wedged his car underneath Henry for the runner-up spot. (more…)

By Scott|2016-09-12T23:15:40-04:00September 12th, 2016|Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

Miller and O’Neal Share Opening Night Victories at Eldora

Photo Courtesy of Mike Campbell Photos

ROSSBURG, Ohio – September 8, 2016 – Matt Miller and Don O’Neal shared the spotlight Thursday night in a pair of features that showcased the talented 108-car field that came to compete during the 46th Annual World 100 weekend at Eldora Speedway. Each feature was 25 laps, with a $10,000 payout.

In the first of the twin-features, 2016 Dirt Late Model Dream winner Dennis Erb Jr. lost the battle of restarts. With two yellow flags within the first few laps, the No. 3 Rick Delong Racing/ Dominator Race Products Rocket car of Miller managed to overtake the Carpentersville, Ill. native for the top spot. Riding the cushion for the remainder of the race, Miller was only challenged at the checkered flag.

Like Miller, Shannon Babb held his ground in second place. That is, until Erb regained ground and created a three-way dash to the checkers. The trio stretched the width of turn four, grouped side-by-side. Carrying more momentum than the rest, Miller won the opening feature of the weekend by a 0.114-second margin. Babb was runner-up, while Erb rounded-out the podium.

Miller has not won a show at the World 100 since winning Friday’s preliminary in 2014. The Whitehouse, Ohio driver is also a past-winner of Eldora’s Dirt Late Model Dream (2005).

“It was kind of a struggle,” said Miller, gesturing to where he hit lapped traffic. “You get behind all that traffic there and you start to push. I knew they were closing in there. You don’t want to slide job to those guys up in the cushion. You just have to make yourself wide.” (more…)

By Scott|2016-09-10T03:53:42-04:00September 10th, 2016|Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

David Gravel Gets Out the Broom & Sweeps the Outlaw Energy Showdown at Skagit Speedway

(by Gary Thomas) ALGER, Wash. — Sept. 3, 2016 — After winning on opening night at the Skagit Speedway, Watertown, Connecticut’s David Gravel returned on Saturday with confidence and raced to an entertaining late-race victory for the second evening in a row with the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series.

The opener of the Outlaw Energy Showdown on Friday had seen Gravel claim a final corner thriller, and on Saturday he was able to take advantage of heavy lapped traffic with just six-laps remaining, scooping up the lead that he would never relinquish. It marked the ninth triumph of the season for the CJB Motorsports/ Big Game Tree Stands No. 5 team. The 35-lap feature went green for 33-laps and showcased some outstanding racing in traffic on the well prepared Skagit oval.

“The track was awesome tonight, I don’t think you can ask for anything better,” Gravel commented. “It’s been such a great year for us that it almost feels unreal. I want to thank the whole CJB Motorsports team for giving me the opportunity to drive the 5 car this season. Tonight I could put this thing anywhere on the track and that’s a testament to Barry Jackson and my team. The cushion was the place to be, but to win these races you have to be capable of moving around. Luckily we had a break when Joey (Saldana) got caught up in traffic and were able to take advantage it.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:15-04:00September 4th, 2016|Front Page News, National, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Out of this World: Mars wins at Lernerville’s Working Man

Bagley Records his Second Top Five Performance of 2016

090316_WOOLM_WM SARVER, Pa. – Sept. 3, 2016 – Jimmy Mars won the Working Man finale presented by GottaRace.com Saturday night at Lernerville Speedway. Mars started third in the 75-lap Craftsman Club® Feature, ultimately earning the $20,000 purse for the weekend.

“It’s awesome to be back at Lernerville,” Mars said. “We don’t get to race as much as we want to right now. Things are going good, and I have so many people to thank. We have a lot of great people behind us. Everything worked great.”

Mars’ last World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series victory came on July 2014. In a seven-caution spectacular, Mars fought a stout group of series regulars. Three-time Series Champion Josh Richards, who was seeking his record-breaking 18^th win of the season, swiftly led the 24-car field in the beginning laps of the race from fourth.

Richards led 64 laps of the main event, while the rest of the top five relentlessly battled for a chance to take on the red-hot driver out of Shinnston, W.V. Early on, it was Mars. Mars maintained a half-second behind Richards for the first eight laps. Thereon, he funneled back to as far as fourth place.

Mars’ greatest battle was between Defending Series Champion Shane Clanton. Clanton, who overtook Mars’ No. 28M Deppe Enterprises/ S&S Transport, Inc. MB Customs car on lap 67, began to trade third and fourth position with Mars. The Menomonie, Wisc. native solidified third on a lap 45 restart. Thereon, he looked toward 2011 Series Champion Rick Eckert for second place. Eckert earned one of the two $2,500-to-win qualifying features earlier in the weekend. (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:15-04:00September 4th, 2016|Front Page News, Late Models, National|Comments Off

DAVENPORT GOES BACK-TO-BACK IN BUCKEYE STATE; WINS AT PORTSMOUTH

Davenport Wins at Portsmouth PORTSMOUTH, OH (September 3, 2016) – Jonathan Davenport goes to victory lane in the state of Ohio for the second night in a row by winning the Pepsi 60 River Days Rumble at Portsmouth Raceway Park. Davenport started on the pole, but never led a lap until lap 42 when he took over the lead from Tim McCreadie. A huge crowd was on hand to watch four different leaders battle it out in tonight’s 60-lap race.

For the second night in a row, Dennis Erb, Jr. took runner-up honors. McCreadie finished third. He was followed by Earl Pearson Jr. and Rod Conley rounding out the top five.

Jackie Boggs darted from his fourth starting spot and electrified the home-track crowd by taking the lead on the first lap. Boggs then started to pull away from the field and expanded his lead to over a straightaway before misfortune struck Boggs, his night ending on lap 12, as the front nosepiece of his car folded under after he and a lap-car made contact.

With Boggs out of the race, Erb took over the point. A terrific battle ensued between Erb, McCreadie, and Davenport. A tight race for the lead would cover several laps. Erb held the lead until McCreadie went to the front on lap 30. Davenport began to track down McCreadie, and finally got by him for the top spot with 19 laps remaining.

“If all of you didn’t like that then you need to go have your head checked,” said the defending LOLMDS National Champion. “They made me work for this one! I don’t know why these tires didn’t fire-off. It kind of got me worried. I didn’t have any traction. I didn’t want to run the top early on like I had to because I didn’t want to blister my tires.”

“Jackie [Boggs] got off to a good start. We were three-wide on that first lap. I think he went with a little softer tire. I am not sure he could have run that pace the whole race, but we will never know. I can’t thank Kevin Rumley enough. He has turned this whole program around in the last few weeks; also thanks to the Labonte’s and Longhorn Chassis for building such a great race car. Thanks to Lee Roy Rumley. He is not with us again here tonight, and a special thanks to my dad, who showed up tonight for all of his support.” (more…)

By Scott|2016-09-04T17:52:53-04:00September 4th, 2016|Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series|Comments Off

Choquette Dominates Show at 5 Flags Results

Photo Courtesy: Speed51

It was a different car for driver Jeff Choquette, but the same result as he won both of the Allen Turner Pro Late Model Twin 50s on Friday night at Five Flags Speedway.

In June, the West Palm Beach driver won both Twin 50s driving a different car.

“It’s a different car, a different chassis, a different motor,” said Choquette. “It’s the second time I’ve raced it and we wanted to see how it would do here.”

It did just fine.

Choquette, returning this season after more than a year hiatus from racing, was the fastest qualifier for the first race and started eighth on the inverted start.

He worked his way to the front, going underneath leader Casey Roderick on lap 36 and taking the lead a half-lap later. Points leader Bret Holmes finished third.

That was the starting order for the second Twin 50s and it turned out to be the same finish.

Choquette led all 50 laps. The only threat was when he came upon some lapped cars, allowing Roderick to close in.

“A few of those lap cars, if they would have just stayed in their lane,” he said. “But Casey kept me really honest. We ran as hard as we could run smart.” (more…)

By Scott|2016-09-04T17:45:00-04:00September 4th, 2016|5 Flags Speedway, Front Page News|Comments Off

Gravel Steals Skagit

David Gravel Steals One from Logan Shuchart on the Final Corner to Claim Opening Night of the Outlaw Energy Showdown at Skagit Speedway on Friday

(By Gary Thomas) ALGER, Wash. — Sept. 2, 2016 — The World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series return to the Pacific Northwest on Friday culminated in thrilling fashion, with David Gravel carving his way under Logan Schuchart in traffic to claim a final corner victory on opening night at the Skagit Speedway.

Gravel had stalked Schuchart’s bumper over the final half of the race, before finally making the outstanding move coming down for the checkered flag, winning by just 0.249 seconds. It was a great way for the Watertown, Connecticut native to open the Western Swing, as he is currently locked in a tight three-way battle for the runner spot in the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series standings.

“That sure was an exciting finish tonight so I hope all the fans enjoyed that one,” commented the driver the CJB Motorsports/ Big Game Tree Stands No. 5 machine. “I got a run and saw the opening, so I just went for it. I’m pretty pumped we were able to finally park it for BC tonight. I can’t Barry Jackson, my entire crew and all our sponsors enough for working so hard and giving me great cars. I haven’t competed here at Skagit Speedway a whole lot, but it hasn’t seemed to be my best track. Tonight the third time was the charm I guess. If we get a similar track tomorrow that keeps our confidence up and I think we’ll have a good shot to be back up here.” (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:15-04:00September 4th, 2016|Front Page News, National, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

Outlaws Oust the Field

Eckert and Richards Win their Qualifying Features

090216_WOOLM_WM SARVER, Pa. – Sept. 2, 2016 – Rick Eckert and Josh Richards each led their qualifying features to the checkers Friday night, sharing victory lane for the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series’ opening night of Working Man weekend presented by GottaRace.com at Lernerville Speedway.

In a new format, two qualifying heats decided the 16 drivers who transfer to Saturday’s Craftsman Club® Feature. Eight drivers from each qualifying feature will transfer to Saturday’s 75-lap finale. Both Eckert and Richards earned $2,500 for their wins for the qualifying features.

The drivers that transfer to the redraw from the first qualifying feature include: Brian Shirley, Frank Heckenast Jr. and Morgan Bagley. Those moving to the redraw from the second qualifying feature include: Mike Norris, Jimmy Mars and Shane Clanton.

The redraw in Saturday’s program will determine where the eight drivers will start in the feature. Of the eight spots, six of them were solidified by series regulars; Norris, who was one of the two non-series competitors, hails from Sarver, Pa. (more…)

By Scott|2017-06-05T21:14:15-04:00September 4th, 2016|Front Page News, Late Models, National|Comments Off

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Bixby, Oklahoma’s Shane Stewart Kicks Off Gold Cup Race of Champions in Victory Lane at Silver Dollar Speedway

Clinches first Le RPM Speedway victory