One of the greatest rags-to-riches story in World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series history will continue in 2023 as Shark Racing returns for a 10th full-time season with The Greatest Show on Dirt.
Led by Bobby Allen, their National Sprint Car Hall of Fame patriarch, Logan Schuchart (grandson) and Jacob Allen (son) are more poised than ever to offer a career-year for the Hanover, PA operation. It all begins next week with the 52nd Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals at Barberville, FL’s Volusia Speedway Park on Thursday-Saturday, February 9-11.
The family-owned team, which first hit the road full-time nine years ago in 2014, has slowly but surely risen into a powerhouse through all the trials and tribulations. Last year alone, Schuchart and Allen combined for a career-best 11 wins including a monumental sweep of the Knoxville Nationals preliminaries and an unforgettable 1-2 photo finish at the Gold Cup Race of Champions.
In 2023, the goals are quite simple – more wins and more points.
“We had a really great year last year, but I also think we left a lot on the table,” Schuchart said looking back. “Once you compete for a championship, especially after 2020 for us, that becomes the standard for every season. We had our moments with big wins and performances at the Crown Jewels, but certain issues really hurt us in the long run. Finishing sixth in points was a bit of a culture shock, so we’re focused on getting back toward the top.”
Schuchart’s DuraMAX Oil, Drydene Performance Products #1S Team topped five official World of Outlaws Features last year including a $25,000 Bristol Bash victory, openers to the Jackson Nationals, Skagit Nationals, and World Finals, and a $21,000 Tom Tarlton Classic win in California.
Allen’s Pell’s Tire Service, Low-E Insulation #1A Team earned a career-best four scores with the Series, striking at the Lake Ozark’s Jason Johnson Classic, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Clash, Cedar Lake’s Independence Day Spectacular, and Silver Dollar’s Gold Cup.
“Last year was like a dream,” Allen said. “Winning races against the best in the world with my dad by my side, that’s all I could ever ask for. Being able to race side-by-side with Logan for a few of them made it even more special, too. Hopefully this year is just as good.”
Entering 2023, Schuchart’s career numbers read as follows: 647 Starts, 35 Feature Wins, 120 Podiums, 197 Top Fives, 367 Top 10s, 31 Quick Times, and 106 Heat Wins. At 30 years old, he currently sits 20th on the All-Time Win List with a realistic chance to pass Shane Stewart (36) and Andy Hillenburg (42) this year.
For Allen, his stats read as follows: 505 Starts, 5 Feature Wins, 22 Podiums, 38 Top Fives, 122 Top 10s, 15 Quick Times, and 52 Heat Wins. The 28-year-old is currently tied for 62nd on the All-Time Win List alongside Danny Wood, Johnny Anderson, Brian Paulus, Brad Furr, Danny Dietrich, Christopher Bell, Giovanni Scelzi, and James McFadden.
Shark Racing’s 10th year on the World of Outlaws tour officially begins with the season-opening Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals next week at Volusia Speedway Park on February 9-11. Schuchart is a three-time winner at the track and won the 2021 Big Gator Championship, while Allen broke through for his first-career top-five finish at The World’s Fastest Half-Mile last year.
To watch Logan, Jacob, and the rest of the Outlaws all year, get tickets HERE or watch every race live on DIRTVision.