(Photo by Trent Gower Photography/World of Outlaws)
Inside Line Promotions – PARK CITY, Kan. (April 2, 2024) – David Gravel guided Big Game Motorsports to its second straight runner-up result last Saturday during the World of Outlaws Wichita Sprint Car Showdown at 81 Speedway.
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series weekend was cut in half after Friday’s show at Thunderbird Speedway in Muskogee, Okla., was cancelled because of high winds.
Gravel was efficient throughout Saturday’s event as he qualified second quickest in his group and won a heat race to advance into the dash. A fourth-place showing in the dash lined him up on the outside of the second row in the main event.
“I thought we were pretty good every time we hit the track,” he said. “I was happy with our qualifying lap and I felt I showed the guys where to run a fast lap. In the heat race we ran really well and we dashed pretty well. I wasn’t able to gain any spots, but I was really close to third.
“In the feature I was able to get to third right away. From there it was kind of hard for me to get to second. When I did the caution came out and I lost second on the restart to Donny (Schatz). I could pace him good. He got off the top with one lap to go and I was able to get a run on him and pass him on the last lap.”
The second-place outing was the team’s fourth podium and seventh top five of the season.
“I didn’t put myself in position to challenge for the win,” he said. “The week before I was a little bit too late. On Saturday when I did get to second I had a bad restart and should have done something different. Sometimes you’ll have that. Overall, it was a good night.”
Gravel leads the World of Outlaws championship standings by 18 points heading into two more races in the Midwest.
U.S. 36 Raceway near Osborn, Mo., hosts the World of Outlaws Wildcat Showdown on Friday with Arrowhead Speedway in Colcord, Okla., showcasing the World of Outlaws Jason Johnson Classic on Saturday. Gravel placed 21st at U.S. 36 Raceway last year. Saturday’s event marks his debut at Arrowhead Speedway.
“I’m eager to get back to U.S. 36 and get some redemption, and I hear good things about Arrowhead,” he said. “I’m excited to go to a new track and see what it brings.”
QUICK RESULTS –
March 30 – 81 Speedway in Park City, Kan. – Qualifying: 2; Heat race: 1 (1); Dash: 4 (4); Feature: 2 (4).
SEASON STATS –
9 races, 1 win, 7 top fives, 8 top 10s, 9 top 15s, 9 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Friday at U.S. 36 Raceway near Osborn, Mo., for the World of Outlaws Wildcat Showdown and Saturday at Arrowhead Speedway in Colcord, Okla., for the World of Outlaws Jason Johnson Classic with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series
MEDIA LINKS –
X: https://twitter.com/BigGameMotorspt
HUSET’S SPEEDWAY –
Huset’s Speedway is a dirt oval located in Brandon, S.D. The track opened in 1954 and has undergone a large renovation within the last few years, making it a premier destination for both marquee racing events and weekly programs. For more information, visit http://www.HusetsSpeedway.com.
JACKSON MOTORPLEX –
Jackson Motorplex is a 4/10-mile dirt oval located in Jackson, Minn. It hosts special events from May through August, including races with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, Midwest Power Series, Midwest Sprint Touring Series and more. For more information, visit http://www.JacksonMotorplex.com.
TICKET LINK –
To purchase online tickets for events at either Huset’s Speedway or at Jackson Motorplex, visit http://mpv.tickets.com/schedule/?agency=JKMV_PL_MPV&orgid=55369#/?view=list&includePackages=true.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports drivers, teams, sponsors, tracks, series, events, organizations and manufacturers. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
To meet the media relations needs of your program by joining Team ILP, contact Shawn at 541-510-3663 or Shawn@InsideLinePromotions.com. For more information on Inside Line Promotions, visit http://www.InsideLinePromotions.com.