David Gravel had one podium during this year’s World of Outlaws season coming into the weekend at Bristol, but after a wild four days on and off the track, he’s headed home with both of the Bristol swords that were up for grabs.
The Watertown, Connecticut native made his race-wining move as the field came out of turn four coming to the white flag of the 25-lap race.
He had no idea how many laps were left, though.
“I couldn’t see the flagstand,” Gravel said. “It’s not very prompt. It seems like the flagman blends into the stands. I didn’t know how many laps there were to go when that caution came out.”
Gravel made the pass on race leader Logan Schuchart before the 1S crossed the finish line to take the white flag.
Schuchart pulled off the track with mechanical issues to bring out the yellow flag that set up a green-white-checkered finish, with an extra lap tacked on to the end of the race.
While drivers tried to find their way around the top of the race track with little luck finding speed, Gravel went to the inside to pass.
. @dirtvision REPLAY: @DavidGravel uses a late-race move on Logan Schuchart to take the victory and the sweep of the #BristolThrowdown at @BMSupdates! pic.twitter.com/TkuUEmiwOq
— World of Outlaws (@WorldofOutlaws) April 25, 2021
“I don’t know what happened to Schuchart,” Gravel said after the race. “I just know I passed him before he broke.”
Gravel’s win brings him within 60 points of defending champion Brad Sweet in the points standings and also gives him three victories on the season.
It’s a long year, but Gravel established himself in the race over the course of the weekend.
“It puts us in contention and its a super long season, so so much could happen,” Gravel said. “It’s a little bit pressing when you’re down 100 points already that early in the season. So, to probably gain about half of that back in a weekend feels really good.”
Donny Schatz ends his day one spot away from getting that elusive win No. 300 while Aaron Reutzel ended on the podium for the second-straight race.
Carson Macedo was one spot away from a third-straight top-five finish, but still improves to third in the points standings.
Now, the focus turns to a couple of Midwest tracks leading up to Eldora’s May weekend – where Gravel wants to hone down his program for the twin Kings Royals we’ll see there this summer.
“As far as big enough wins, it’s amazing to be on the list of Bristol winners. Next thing on the list is the Kings Royal. Other than that I’ve kind of gotten a lot of the big ones, so hopefully I get a Kings Royal one day.
Gravel and the World of Outlaws will get right back to action this week, beginning a three-day weekend in the heartland on Thursday at Jacksonville Speedway in Illinois. As always all of the action can be seen live on DirtVision.
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Results
Bristol Throwdown
1. David Gravel
2. Donny Schatz
3. Aaron Reutzel
4. Gio Scelzi
5. Paul McMahan
6. Carson Macedo
7. Brock Zearfoss
8. Spencer Bayston
9. James McFadden
10. Cory Eliason
11. Brad Sweet
12. Tyler Courtney
13. Wayne Johnson
14. Sheldon Haudenschild
15. Ryan Taylor
16. Parker Price-Miller
17. Derek Hagar
18. Kraig Kinser
19. Logan Schuchart
20. Jac Haudenschild
21. Rico Abreu
22. Tim Shaffer
23. Jason Sides
24. Sam Hafertepe Jr.
| World of Outlaws Sprint Car Standings | ||||
| Position | Driver | Points | Behind | |
| 1 | Brad Sweet | 2142 | – | |
| 2 | David Gravel | 2082 | -60 | |
| 3 | Carson Macedo | 2048 | -94 | |
| 4 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 2038 | -104 | |
| 5 | Aaron Reutzel ® | 2036 | -106 | |
| 6 | Logan Schuchart | 1992 | -150 | |
| 7 | Donny Schatz | 1982 | -160 | |
| 8 | Kraig Kinser | 1882 | -260 | |
| 9 | Brock Zearfoss ® | 1828 | -314 | |
| 10 | Jason Sides | 1724 | -418 | |
