Scelzi, Schuchart the first winners at Charlotte’s Patriot Nationals

A new event debuted on the World of Outlaws Sprint Car circuit this season as the series went to the Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway for Memorial Day weekend and it didn’t disappoint.

The new event was headlined with unique trophies and a $15,000 purse to the winner of each night – both were surprises.

Scelzi, Schuchart the first winners at Charlotte’s Patriot Nationals

On Night 1, Giovanni Scelzi – a California native and youngest winner ever in the World of Outlaws – passed NASCAR veteran Kyle Larson in the closing laps to capture the first win in Charlotte’s Patriot Nationals history.

Scelzi had to battle with David Gravel early on in the 30-lap feature race before chasing Larson, who held the lead.

On lap 25, Scelzi finally had enough to use a slide job to get around Larson, pulling away to earn his first Outlaws win of the year.

The victory was Scelzi’s first in the series since he became the youngest winner in WoO history at Williams Grove in late September last season.

Night 2, however, was even more unpredictable than the first.

With five laps to go in the A-Main, Logan Schuchart sat in fifth. He trailed some big names: David Gravel, Brad Sweet, Kraig Kinser, and 10-time series champion Donny Schatz all sat in front of him.

On lap 27, Schuchart went to the inside to pass Gravel, but after a caution came out later in the lap, Schuchart would restart behind the No. 41.

The ensuing restart saw Kinser taken out of contention due to a flat right rear tire, bringing out the caution.

The next restart took out Schatz.

Finally, Gravel slowed to bring out a third-straight caution. All due to flat right rear tires.

The cars slowed to lineup again, Sweet and Schuchart were leading the field. Then Sweet went down.

It was one of the most unpredictable sequences that found Schuchart leading the field to green with three laps to go… with a scuffed right rear tire on his car.

The caution would fly one more time, giving James McFadden a shot to pass the Shark Racing driver, but Schuchart held on to go to victory lane for a series best third time this season.

Used RR got the job done tonight! Always love coming here but man my nerves were going those last few laps. Feels great to be back in VL with my @TeamDrydene guys! Love this place

— Logan Schuchart (@LSchuchart1s) May 26, 2019

The Outlaws will return to the track for the Memorial Day Spectacular at Lawrenceberg Speedway in Indiana on Monday. That was a site of Sweet vs. Schatz last season, and both drivers could really use a win.

As always, the race will be live streamed by Dirt Vision for those interested in watching the action live.