For each of the past five years and another five of the previous eight, no one in the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series has been able to run as consistently and as successfully as Donny Schatz. At least, not enough to take the series points championship away from the 10-time victor.
However, after a powerful summer run for the NAPA Auto Parts No. 49 team and Brad Sweet, we’re looking at the possibility of a new series champion with 11 nights of racing left to go.
Brad Sweet takes command of Points after Booming WoO Weekend
Going into the weekend, 24 points separated Schatz and Sweet for the lead in the points standings. The series would race at Eldora on Friday before heading to Lernerville for the final show of the weekend.
The battle between the two started in the first heat race of the weekend. The top five from each heat race transferred into the A-Main… Sweet crossed the line in the heat in fifth while Schatz was one spot back in sixth.
Schatz would go to the B-Main and take the final transfer spot into the feature, protecting himself from a major loss of points.
Although, Friday’s A-Main was really where Sweet jumped the shark this weekend.
Sweet rolled off P17 while Schatz started Friday night’s Feature P24. From the drop of the green flag, Sweet was off and running.
After 10 laps, Sweet had made it up to seventh and would eventually finish P6 after the race went caution free for the final 28 laps.
His run from 17th to sixth gave Sweet the KSE Hard Charger Award for the race as well as a four-point lead in the standings going into Saturday’s race at Lernerville.
It set up a text book start to the A-Main at Lernerville on Saturday.
Both drivers finished in the top two of their respective heat races and would transfer into the dash, where Sweet would be out Schatz for the pole.
The No. 49 and 15 led the field to the green flag in what was set up to be one of the best battles of the season.
Unfortunately, due to cautions, the pair didn’t get going too extensively. Sweet, though, held the lead early on.
That’s when Schatz’ car lost power.
The No. 15 team would prepare to work on the car in the infield work area and joined alongside numerous other teams from the World of Outlaws, including Sweet’s KKR team.
And @DonnySchatz is in the work area with an issue! Possibly a motor issue. pic.twitter.com/vEOTMoqlKT
— World of Outlaws (@WorldofOutlaws) September 29, 2019
The group would be able to get the car up and running again, but clearly it wasn’t 100%. Schatz went on to finish 18th.
The series will return to the track this weekend for a two-night event at Williams Grove.
Remaining 2019 WoO Schedule
Oct. 4-5 | Champion Racing Oil National Open @ Williams Grove
Oct. 12 | Wabash Clash @ Terre Haute
Oct. 13 | Tri-State Speedway
Oct. 18 | FVP Platinum Battery Showdown @ Lakeside
Oct. 19 | Jason Johnson Classic @ Lake Ozark
Oct. 25-26 | Nittany Showdown @ Port Royal
Nov. 7-9 | Can-Am World Finals @ The Dirt Track at Charlotte
| World of Outlaws Sprint Car Standings | |||
| Position | Driver | Points | Behind |
| 1 | Brad Sweet | 8898 | |
| 2 | Donny Schatz | 8858 | -40 |
| 3 | David Gravel | 8782 | -116 |
| 4 | Daryn Pittman | 8566 | -332 |
| 5 | Logan Schuchart | 8552 | -346 |
| 6 | Carson Macedo | 8322 | -576 |
| 7 | Shane Stewart | 8218 | -680 |
| 8 | Ian Madsen | 8204 | -694 |
| 9 | S. Haudenschild | 8132 | -766 |
| 10 | Brent Marks | 7848 | -1050 |
Brad Sweet takes command
