The Eldora Million winner wants to sit atop the throne and add his name to the list of Kings
Last year Logan Schuchart forever cemented his place in racing history at Eldora Speedway. But he’s got his sights on more history at “The Big E” this Kings Royal week.
Every Sprint Car driver in the world wanted to be the first to claim a Sprint Car race that paid one million dollars to the winner. That honor belonged to Schuchart as he and Shark Racing punctuated the ultimate rags to riches story at the Eldora Million. From doubts that they’d complete their first season on the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car tour to Sprint Car millionaires 10 years later.
“Obviously, that was a big point in my career as a driver to win a race that paid a million dollars,” Schuchart said. “It was definitely one of my favorite racetracks before we won the Million, and it’s obviously my favorite now. I always enjoy going to Eldora.”
But like every true competitor, Schuchart wants more. He doesn’t want the Million to be the only defining moment of his career when all is said and done.
The Kings Royal is Eldora’s most prestigious Sprint Car race. Eldora founder Earl Baltes introduced it in 1984, and fittingly it was “The King” himself, Steve Kinser, wearing the first crown and banking $50,000.
The event has grown and grown through the decades and stands as one of the most coveted Crown Jewels in Sprint Car Racing. It now offers up a whopping $175,000 to the victor. Adding your name to the list of winners puts it in the company of legends. It’s a must-win for all the sport’s top drivers.
“I’ve said in the past it would mean a lot to me to win the Kings Royal,” Schuchart said. “There’s nobody in my family that has ever done it, so I could be the first to do that. It’s a Crown Jewel event. I’d like to win all of the Crown Jewel events as much as I can.”
Though Schuchart has plenty of success at Eldora under his belt, the Kings Royal crown has eluded him. Schuchart’s Eldora résumé speaks for itself. He’s topped four races with the World of Outlaws at “The House that Earl Built.” He’s also won four races at The Dirt Track at Charlotte and Jackson Motorplex. Last year’s Eldora Million was his fifth track triumph.
“In the last however many years we’ve kind of struck on something,” Schuchart said of his Eldora success. “I feel like I can really understand the car and understand the racetrack well to know what you need to do to get around that racetrack good. I always enjoy going there. I feel like we’re going to have a good shot to win. I just enjoy the racetrack. You’re never out of it no matter if you start 24th or not.
“I love that our Crown Jewel events, some of our biggest races of the year are obviously at some of the nicest facilities that we go to. But then also the racetracks can call for great racing, and the driver really has to be on top of their game to put their car up front.”
The piece that’s missing for Schuchart at Eldora is sitting atop the Kings Royal throne. He’s made six appearances in the Feature and come close to victory twice, especially in 2019. It only took 10 laps for Schuchart to charge his way from 12th to the lead. He paced 15 laps but was passed on a restart and had to settle for second.
It’s no easy task to claim the Kings Royal crown. Only 21 drivers can call themselves Kings through 40 runnings. The intensity level skyrockets for an event that puts so much prestige and money on the line. But Schuchart is ready. He’s prepared the chase the crown, sit atop the throne, and be forever known as King Logan.
“Things got to go right for you,” Schuchart said. “The format is tough. It’s hard to hit it right to get yourself starting up front. You saw it last year with the rain made it really tough. But then the Million just a few days earlier we started eighth in our Heat Race and won it, so it can be done. We can get ourselves starting up front if everything else goes right. It’s definitely tough, but there’s a reason it’s a fan favorite. It’s a favorite for a lot of drivers. Like I said, I love the racetrack. It’s a lot of fun to race on, and there’s a lot of money up for grabs.”
Kings Royal weekend at Eldora Speedway kicks off with the Knight Before on Friday, July 19. Then all the focus shifts to the 41st Kings Royal and a $175,000 payday on Saturday, July 20. For tickets, CLICK HERE.
If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.
