Schatz escapes the Posse’s lasso at Weedsport
Weedsport ,May 22nd The battle continued at Weedsport and the Posse was strengthen by the appearance of Greg Hodnett.All the talk continued around the Outlaw Posse Challenge but it was Logan Schuchart who took control of the 35 lap A main for 31 laps.
Schatz struggled early and missed a start in the dash. Starting in P9 the seven times Champ had plenty of work ahead.Even though Schatz had had indifferent form this year he sits clearly in second place in the series and coming off a last start win at the Grove the Bad Boys /Chevrolet Performance #15 looked a threat from the green. Quickly moving through the pack Schatz had made the top 5 by the half way point of the race. Once into second the #15 ate up the gap quickly to close on Schuchart.
Schuchart had the hopes of the PA crowd on his shoulders as the Hanover hotshot went looking for his maiden Outlaw win.When Schatz has you in his sights it signals danger and despite withstanding all other challenges he could not withstand the final Schatz charge and the racer from Fargo North Dakota moved into the race lead with 4 laps to run.
The disappointment was evident when Schuchart spoke with the press .This was his second runner up spot with the Outlaws this year but the racer from Hanover is close to his maiden Outlaw win, it’s not far off judging by his form this year.Following Schatz and Schuchart home was the ever constant David Gravel in his CJB Big Game #5.Gravel has been steady all year and is quietly moving up the standing with 2 wins, 14 top 5 and 20 top 10 finishes.
The Outlaws will next go around on May 24 at New Egypt, New Jersey and Schatz will trail Brad Sweet by slender 39 points and the message to Sweet is clear the Bad Boy is coming and FAST.
Driver quotes
Donny Schatz “I got all the faith in the world in this race team – Tony [Stewart] has assembled an awesome group of guys,” Schatz said, as raindrops started to fall from the sky. “These guys are unbelievable and we have a lot of fun together. I’m sure they’re ready to get off the east coast because I have been riding in the truck with them and I think they’re ready to get rid of me for a while and have a break.
“We did go back to the notes from last year, but for some reason we can’t go back to that stuff, it doesn’t seem to work,” Schatz said. “If you look at tonight, I think the track record was broke by 23 cars, compared to last year we were rolling around a second slower, so that changes the dynamic of the car a little. You just have to stay on top of it and I have a great group of guys to do that.
“I don’t know if we have hit our stride yet, like I’ve said, we gain in one area and make ourselves better but we might lose a little in other spots. It’s a challenge, definitely fun at the moment trying to get a handle on it.”
Logan Schuchart “I just didn’t have the car at the end, we started to get too loose,” Schuchart said. “It’s a great run; the guys did a great job. We came up one spot short but it’s nothing to hang our heads about. We have a great team and we’re learning – but we’re a little disappointed.
“I couldn’t tell you [what happened at the end],” Schuchart said. “I got really lose, and before I even saw a numbered car beside of me, I knew it was the 15 car. He’s really hard to beat on these types of racetracks and I feel like these are the types of tracks I shine on – when it gets slick.
“These guys are tough, so to run second against these guys and just keep getting better is what’s important
David Gravel “We’ve been running really well, then went to PA and struggled a couple of nights, so it’s good to back on the podium,” Gravel said. “It was a tricky track here tonight, and we were good at the end of the race. I got to thank all my guys – Austin, Derek, Barry – they worked their butts off on the long haul here.”
A Main results 35 laps 1. 15-Donny Schatz [9][$10,000]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1][$5,500]; 3. 5-David Gravel [8][$3,200]; 4. 83-Joey Saldana [5][$2,800]; 5. 2-Shane Stewart [6][$2,500]; 6. 49-Brad Sweet [3][$2,300]; 7. 7-Paul McMahan [10][$2,200]; 8. W20-Greg Wilson [14][$2,100]; 9. 41-Jason Johnson [15][$2,050]; 10. 7S-Jason Sides [13][$2,000]; 11. 19M-Brent Marks [7][$1,500]; 12. 9-Daryn Pittman [2][$1,200]; 13. 48-Danny Dietrich [11][$1,100]; 14. 1Z-Lucas Wolfe [12][$1,050]; 15. 35-Jared Zimbardi [17][$1,000]; 16. 5T-Tyler Ross [22][$900]; 17. 53-Shawn Donath [24][$800]; 18. 5B-Justin Barger [21][$800]; 19. 1A-Jacob Allen [16][$800]; 20. 33-Bryan Holland [20][$800]; 21. 1F-Stewart Friesen [18][$800]; 22. 27-Greg Hodnett [4][$800]; 23. 98-Joe Trenca [23][$800]; 24. 13X-Tim Shaffer [19][$800]. Lap Leaders: Logan Schuchart 1-30, Donny Schatz 31-35. KSE Hard Charger Award: 15-Donny Schatz [+8].
