HARVEST HEIST: Donny Schatz Steals Lakeside Victory with Pass Coming to White Flag
Time and time again in his career Donny Schatz has proven he can’t be counted out. The savvy veteran has found late race magic many times throughout the years. And on Saturday at Lakeside Speedway, “Don Don” delivered the latest testament to that ability.
A win looked nearly out of reach for Schatz late in the 25-lap finale of the Micro-Lite Harvest Rumble. Schatz sat third with eight laps remaining, and even when he moved to the runner-up spot on the next circuit, leader David Gravel appeared potentially out of reach.
But then little by little the lead began to vanish. And as the white flag was shown, Schatz capitalized when Gravel got stuck behind a lapped car to roll by for the lead. When the checkered flag flew, it was Schatz leading the pack to seal the victory with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars.
After a pair of sub-20th place finishes last weekend at Port Royal, the night served as a revitalizing boost to Schatz and his crew.
“Nights like tonight help us,” Schatz said. “We tore up a car last week at Port Royal pretty bad. These guys put a new car together, and it’s that time of year where you’ve got to start trying some things, and obviously it was pretty good. The goal is consistency. We’ve got a lot of great partners here, and we want to win races and do the best we can for them.”
The win marked Schatz’s third with The Greatest Show on Dirt at Lakeside. He’s now up to 311 for his career with the World of Outlaws. Schatz snapped a 26-race winless streak dating back to July’s Kings Royal.
The path to Victory Lane was up and down for Schatz aboard the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15. A second place effort in the Toyota Racing Dash lined him up on the front row of the main event. But after two laps, Schatz had fallen down the order to sixth.
Pole-sitter Brian Brown powered ahead to the early advantage. Brown rolled the Casey General Store #21 around the low line of the Kansas City, KS oval.
Fifth starting David Gravel quickly began to climb as he jumped into the runner-up spot on Lap 4. Right after taking over second, the Watertown, CT native began chopping into Brown’s advantage. While “Blackjack” remained committed to the bottom, Gravel opted for the cushion all the way around the 4/10-mile. The gap between the two on the fifth circuit was 1.2 seconds. Only two laps later, Gravel had slashed a full second off the margin. Then on the next trip around, Gravel ripped around Brown on the top.
Once he snatched the top spot, Gravel began to construct a solid advantage as Schatz began to crawl back toward the front. On Lap 9 Schatz moved back into the top five. In two more laps he was up into fourth.
With 10 laps remaining, Schatz engaged in a battle with Brad Sweet and Giovanni Scelzi for the runner-up spot. Schatz slipped ahead of Scelzi for third then traded second with Sweet multiple times over the next few circuits. On Lap 18, Schatz secured the spot and set his sights on Gravel.
As the race dwindled, Schatz closed in. Gravel was forced to navigate traffic in the late stages causing his lead to slip away. Then coming to the white flag, Gravel found himself stuck behind a slower car on the top side.
With Gravel being held up, Schatz saw his opportunity and pounced. The Fargo, ND native aimed the #15 machine low and rolled right by Gravel as he couldn’t find his way by the lapped car. By the time they reached the white flag, Schatz already led by roughly three quarters of a second and stretched the advantage even farther on the last circuit before taking the checkered flag.
“I started out good. The guys unloaded, and we were right up there hot lapping and qualifying, so that always helps,” Schatz said. “It was really greasy on the top, and I knew it was going to come in at some point, but I don’t want to be the guy to find out. I’ve tore up enough stuff. I had to work the bottom in, and thank god we got it in before the rain. It worked out for us tonight.
After leading laps 8-23, Gravel settled for a runner-up result, his Series leading 32nd podium of the World of Outlaws season. Gravel and his Big Game crew continue to put out their best efforts with their fifth second place finish in the last nine races as they try to chase down Brad Sweet in the championship battle.
And speaking of Brad Sweet, “The Big Cat” rounded out the Micro-Lite Harvest Rumble podium on Saturday night. Sweet wheeled the Kasey Kahne Racing #49 to a third place run which allowed Gravel to only cut two points off the margin between the duo in the standings. The gap between them now sits at 66 markers.
Giovanni Scelzi and Carson Macedo completed the top five.
A 14th to seventh drive earned James McFadden the KSE Racing Hard Charger.
Brad Sweet nabbed his fourth Simpson Performance Products QuickTime of the year and the 73rd of his career.
CASE No.1 Engine Oil Heat One went to Brad Sweet. NOS Energy Drink Heats Two and Three were topped by Brian Brown and Giovanni Scelzi.
Dusty Zomer won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.
UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars head to Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, TX for two final nights at the iconic track. The birthplace of the Outlaws welcomes the Series on Oct. 20-21 for the Sprint Car Stampede – the final event to be hosted by Devil’s Bowl. For tickets, CLICK HERE.
If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all the action live on DIRTVision.
RESULTS:
NOS Energy Drink Feature (25 Laps): 1. 15-Donny Schatz[2]; 2. 2-David Gravel[5]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet[3]; 4. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[4]; 5. 41-Carson Macedo[7]; 6. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[6]; 7. 83-James McFadden[14]; 8. 21-Brian Brown[1]; 9. 9-Kasey Kahne[8]; 10. 84-Scott Bogucki[9]; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart[11]; 12. 5-Spencer Bayston[10]; 13. 83JR-Michael Kofoid[12]; 14. 12X-Garet Williamson[21]; 15. 1T-Tanner Holmes[17]; 16. 3J-Dusty Zomer[19]; 17. 7S-Robbie Price[15]; 18. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[18]; 19. 81-Jack Dover[23]; 20. 99-Skylar Gee[22]; 21. 20G-Noah Gass[13]; 22. 19-Ayrton Gennetten[16]; 23. (DNF) 22X-Kameron Key[24]; 24. (DNF) 7W-Tasker Phillips[20]
[Read More]| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | +1 | 15 | Donny Schatz | 25 | 0.000 | 2 | Running | 150 | $10,000 |
| 2 | 5 | +3 | 2 | David Gravel | 25 | -1.076 | 16 | Running | 146 | $6,000 |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 49 | Brad Sweet | 25 | -1.627 | Running | 144 | $3,500 | |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 18 | Giovanni Scelzi | 25 | -2.101 | Running | 142 | $2,800 | |
| 5 | 7 | +2 | 41 | Carson Macedo | 25 | -4.427 | Running | 140 | $2,500 | |
| 6 | 6 | 0 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 25 | -4.687 | Running | 138 | $2,300 | |
| 7 | 14 | +7 | 83 | James McFadden | 25 | -6.528 | Running | 136 | $2,200 | |
| 8 | 1 | -7 | 21 | Brian Brown | 25 | -6.929 | 7 | Running | 134 | $2,100 |
| 9 | 8 | -1 | 9 | Kasey Kahne | 25 | -8.485 | Running | 132 | $2,050 | |
| 10 | 9 | -1 | 84 | Scott Bogucki | 25 | -9.116 | Running | 130 | $2,000 | |
| 11 | 11 | 0 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | 25 | -9.155 | Running | 128 | $1,600 | |
| 12 | 10 | -2 | 5 | Spencer Bayston | 25 | -10.277 | Running | 126 | $1,400 | |
| 13 | 12 | -1 | 83JR | Michael Kofoid | 25 | -10.875 | Running | 124 | $1,200 | |
| 14 | 21 | +7 | 12X | Garet Williamson | 25 | -11.120 | Running | 122 | $1,100 | |
| 15 | 17 | +2 | 1T | Tanner Holmes | 25 | -12.180 | Running | 120 | $1,050 | |
| 16 | 19 | +3 | 3J | Dusty Zomer | 25 | -13.707 | Running | 118 | $1,000 | |
| 17 | 15 | -2 | 7S | Robbie Price | 25 | -14.741 | Running | 116 | $1,000 | |
| 18 | 18 | 0 | 3Z | Brock Zearfoss | 25 | -15.399 | Running | 114 | $1,000 | |
| 19 | 23 | +4 | 81 | Jack Dover | 25 | -16.187 | Running | 112 | $1,000 | |
| 20 | 22 | +2 | 99 | Skylar Gee | 24 | -1 Laps | Running | 110 | $1,000 | |
| 21 | 13 | -8 | 20G | Noah Gass | 24 | -1 Laps | Running | 108 | $1,000 | |
| 22 | 16 | -6 | 19 | Ayrton Gennetten | 24 | -1 Laps | Running | 106 | $1,000 | |
| 23 | 24 | +1 | 22X | Kameron Key | 15 | -10 Laps | DNF | 104 | $1,000 | |
| 24 | 20 | -4 | 7W | Tasker Phillips | 11 | -14 Laps | DNF | 102 | $1,000 |
| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 3J | Dusty Zomer | 10 | 0.000 | 10 | Running | 0 | $0 |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 7W | Tasker Phillips | 10 | -0.594 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 3 | 4 | +1 | 12X | Garet Williamson | 10 | -1.145 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 4 | 5 | +1 | 99 | Skylar Gee | 10 | -5.755 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 5 | 3 | -2 | 81 | Jack Dover | 10 | -6.908 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 6 | 6 | 0 | 22X | Kameron Key | 10 | -9.766 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 7 | 11 | +4 | 7B | Ben Brown | 10 | -12.451 | Running | 90 | $300 | |
| 8 | 7 | -1 | 14T | Tim Estenson | 10 | -12.599 | Running | 90 | $250 | |
| 9 | 8 | -1 | 1K | Kelby Watt | 10 | -14.262 | Running | 90 | $225 | |
| 10 | 9 | -1 | 74 | Xavier Doney | 10 | -16.789 | Running | 90 | $200 | |
| 11 | 10 | -1 | 6 | Bill Rose | 10 | -17.241 | Running | 90 | $200 |
| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | +1 | 21 | Brian Brown | 6 | 0.000 | 5 | Running | 0 | $0 |
| 2 | 1 | -1 | 15 | Donny Schatz | 6 | -1.939 | 1 | Running | 0 | $0 |
| 3 | 4 | +1 | 49 | Brad Sweet | 6 | -2.423 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 4 | 3 | -1 | 18 | Giovanni Scelzi | 6 | -3.116 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 5 | 6 | +1 | 2 | David Gravel | 6 | -4.204 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 6 | 5 | -1 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 6 | -5.029 | Running | 0 | $0 |
| Pos. | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps Completed | Behind | Laps Led | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 49 | Brad Sweet | 8 | 0.000 | 8 | Running |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 15 | Donny Schatz | 8 | -2.301 | Running | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 41 | Carson Macedo | 8 | -3.695 | Running | |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 5 | Spencer Bayston | 8 | -5.251 | Running | |
| 5 | 5 | 0 | 20G | Noah Gass | 8 | -7.741 | Running | |
| 6 | 6 | 0 | 19 | Ayrton Gennetten | 8 | -8.664 | Running | |
| 7 | 9 | +2 | 81 | Jack Dover | 8 | -9.502 | Running | |
| 8 | 8 | 0 | 22X | Kameron Key | 8 | -11.628 | Running | |
| 9 | 10 | +1 | 1K | Kelby Watt | 8 | -12.785 | Running | |
| 10 | 7 | -3 | 7W | Tasker Phillips | 8 | -13.341 | Running |
| Pos. | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps Completed | Behind | Laps Led | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 21 | Brian Brown | 8 | 0.000 | 8 | Running |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | David Gravel | 8 | -0.117 | Running | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | Kasey Kahne | 8 | -1.319 | Running | |
| 4 | 5 | +1 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | 8 | -2.344 | Running | |
| 5 | 4 | -1 | 83 | James McFadden | 8 | -4.723 | Running | |
| 6 | 8 | +2 | 1T | Tanner Holmes | 8 | -5.585 | Running | |
| 7 | 7 | 0 | 12X | Garet Williamson | 8 | -5.645 | Running | |
| 8 | 6 | -2 | 3J | Dusty Zomer | 8 | -7.617 | Running | |
| 9 | 9 | 0 | 74 | Xavier Doney | 8 | -10.640 | Running | |
| 10 | 10 | 0 | 7B | Ben Brown | 8 | -13.824 | Running |
| Pos. | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps Completed | Behind | Laps Led | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 18 | Giovanni Scelzi | 8 | 0.000 | 8 | Running |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 8 | -2.739 | Running | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 84 | Scott Bogucki | 8 | -3.846 | Running | |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 83JR | Michael Kofoid | 8 | -8.531 | Running | |
| 5 | 5 | 0 | 7S | Robbie Price | 8 | -8.987 | Running | |
| 6 | 6 | 0 | 3Z | Brock Zearfoss | 8 | -10.002 | Running | |
| 7 | 7 | 0 | 99 | Skylar Gee | 8 | -11.514 | Running | |
| 8 | 9 | +1 | 14T | Tim Estenson | 8 | -13.190 | Running | |
| 9 | 8 | -1 | 6 | Bill Rose | 8 | -18.322 | Running |
| POS | Start | Car | Driver | Hometown | Time | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19 | 49 | Brad Sweet | Grass Valley, CA | 14.499 | 0.000 |
| 2 | 24 | 21 | Brian Brown | Higginsville, MO | 14.675 | -0.176 |
| 3 | 10 | 18 | Giovanni Scelzi | Fresno, CA | 14.678 | -0.179 |
| 4 | 17 | 15 | Donny Schatz | Fargo, ND | 14.731 | -0.232 |
| 5 | 13 | 2 | David Gravel | Watertown, CT | 14.756 | -0.257 |
| 6 | 2 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | Wooster, OH | 14.835 | -0.336 |
| 7 | 1 | 41 | Carson Macedo | Lemoore, CA | 14.857 | -0.358 |
| 8 | 9 | 9 | Kasey Kahne | Enumclaw, WA | 14.865 | -0.366 |
| 9 | 21 | 84 | Scott Bogucki | Mclaren Vale, SA | 14.879 | -0.380 |
| 10 | 23 | 5 | Spencer Bayston | Lebanon, IN | 14.945 | -0.446 |
| 11 | 22 | 83 | James McFadden | Alice Springs, NT | 14.952 | -0.453 |
| 12 | 11 | 83JR | Michael Kofoid | Penngrove, CA | 14.961 | -0.462 |
| 13 | 8 | 20G | Noah Gass | Mounds, OK | 14.968 | -0.469 |
| 14 | 16 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | Hanover, PA | 14.980 | -0.481 |
| 15 | 12 | 7S | Robbie Price | Cobble Hill, BC | 15.002 | -0.503 |
| 16 | 28 | 19 | Ayrton Gennetten | Versailles, MO | 15.187 | -0.688 |
| 17 | 6 | 3J | Dusty Zomer | Brandon, SD | 15.216 | -0.717 |
| 18 | 18 | 3Z | Brock Zearfoss | Jonestown, PA | 15.216 | -0.717 |
| 19 | 3 | 7W | Tasker Phillips | Plesantville, IA | 15.279 | -0.780 |
| 20 | 20 | 12X | Garet Williamson | Columbia, MO | 15.290 | -0.791 |
| 21 | 15 | 99 | Skylar Gee | Leduc, AB | 15.361 | -0.862 |
| 22 | 14 | 22X | Kameron Key | Warrensburg, MO | 15.372 | -0.873 |
| 23 | 25 | 1T | Tanner Holmes | Jacksonville, OR | 15.393 | -0.894 |
| 24 | 5 | 6 | Bill Rose | Plainfield, IN | 15.419 | -0.920 |
| 25 | 4 | 81 | Jack Dover | Springfield, NE | 15.523 | -1.024 |
| 26 | 7 | 74 | Xavier Doney | Odessa, MO | 15.553 | -1.054 |
| 27 | 29 | 14T | Tim Estenson | Fargo, ND | 15.588 | -1.089 |
| 28 | 27 | 1K | Kelby Watt | Adel, IA | 15.618 | -1.119 |
| 29 | 26 | 7B | Ben Brown | Marshall, MO | 16.313 | -1.814 |
| POS | Start | Car | Driver | Hometown | Time | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 | 2 | David Gravel | Watertown, CT | 14.750 | 0.000 |
| 2 | 17 | 15 | Donny Schatz | Fargo, ND | 14.839 | -0.089 |
| 3 | 10 | 18 | Giovanni Scelzi | Fresno, CA | 14.929 | -0.179 |
| 4 | 9 | 9 | Kasey Kahne | Enumclaw, WA | 15.043 | -0.293 |
| 5 | 2 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | Wooster, OH | 15.052 | -0.302 |
| 6 | 19 | 49 | Brad Sweet | Grass Valley, CA | 15.053 | -0.303 |
| 7 | 23 | 5 | Spencer Bayston | Lebanon, IN | 15.080 | -0.330 |
| 8 | 21 | 84 | Scott Bogucki | Mclaren Vale, SA | 15.121 | -0.371 |
| 9 | 16 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | Hanover, PA | 15.153 | -0.403 |
| 10 | 12 | 7S | Robbie Price | Cobble Hill, BC | 15.193 | -0.443 |
| 11 | 15 | 99 | Skylar Gee | Leduc, AB | 15.240 | -0.490 |
| 12 | 11 | 83JR | Michael Kofoid | Penngrove, CA | 15.259 | -0.509 |
| 13 | 18 | 3Z | Brock Zearfoss | Jonestown, PA | 15.299 | -0.549 |
| 14 | 28 | 19 | Ayrton Gennetten | Versailles, MO | 15.411 | -0.661 |
| 15 | 22 | 83 | James McFadden | Alice Springs, NT | 15.435 | -0.685 |
| 16 | 24 | 21 | Brian Brown | Higginsville, MO | 15.535 | -0.785 |
| 17 | 1 | 41 | Carson Macedo | Lemoore, CA | 15.570 | -0.820 |
| 18 | 14 | 22X | Kameron Key | Warrensburg, MO | 15.688 | -0.938 |
| 19 | 25 | 1T | Tanner Holmes | Jacksonville, OR | 15.725 | -0.975 |
| 20 | 7 | 74 | Xavier Doney | Odessa, MO | 15.789 | -1.039 |
| 21 | 26 | 7B | Ben Brown | Marshall, MO | 15.805 | -1.055 |
| 22 | 6 | 3J | Dusty Zomer | Brandon, SD | 15.817 | -1.067 |
| 23 | 29 | 14T | Tim Estenson | Fargo, ND | 15.901 | -1.151 |
| 24 | 27 | 1K | Kelby Watt | Adel, IA | 15.913 | -1.163 |
| 25 | 20 | 12X | Garet Williamson | Columbia, MO | 15.972 | -1.222 |
| 26 | 8 | 20G | Noah Gass | Mounds, OK | 15.999 | -1.249 |
| 27 | 5 | 6 | Bill Rose | Plainfield, IN | 16.022 | -1.272 |
| 28 | 3 | 7W | Tasker Phillips | Plesantville, IA | 16.322 | -1.572 |
| 29 | 4 | 81 | Jack Dover | Springfield, NE | 0.000 | 14.750 |
Micro-Lite Harvest Rumble
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Lakeside Speedway
5615 Wolcott Dr.
Kansas City, Kansas 66109
Event Description
Kansas City's Lakeside Speedway will try to top last year's remarkable race, which saw James McFadden outlast Logan Schuchart and Giovanni Scelzi.
Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series
Event Schedule
2PM Pit Gates open
5PM Grandstand Gates open
6PM Hot Laps
7:30PM Racing
*All times Central
Adult Pit Combo $48 (Pit pass and reserved seat-if purchased in advance online)
Child Pit Combo (Ages 12-under): $32
Adult Reserved: $45
Child Reserved: $20
Adult General Admission: $40
Child (6-12) General Admission: $20
Kids 5 and under FREE GA
Race Day Adult Pit Pass $45
Race Day Child Pit Pass $30
TICKET INFO
Grandstand Type
bleacher with some seat backs
Family Section Location
No
Handicapped Seating Location
Upon entry at top of Sections B & C and D & E
Pit Age Requirement
There is not an age limit for the pit area at this event. Minors aged 17 and younger must submit a fully-executed minor “Parental Consent, Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement/Minor's Assumption of Risk and Release and Waiver of Liability by.” These will be available at the Pit Ticket Windows.
Parking Cost
$0.00
Camping Availability
onsite
bleacher with some seat backs
Stadium Seating
Seats are allowed
Handicapped Seating
Upon entry at top of Sections B & C and D & E
Pit Age Limit
There is not an age limit for the pit area at this event. Minors aged 17 and younger must submit a fully-executed minor “Parental Consent, Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement/Minor's Assumption of Risk and Release and Waiver of Liability by.” These will be available at the Pit Ticket Windows.
Personal Coolers
No coolers allowed
Alcohol Sales
Alcohol is available
Smoking Policy
No smoking in grandstand. Smoking permitted in designated areas.
Family Section
No
Parking Cost
$0.00
Camping Availability
onsite
Lakeside Speedway
5615 Wolcott Dr.
Kansas City, Kansas 66109
Track Phone
(913) 299-9206
Track Type
0.400; Semi-banked
Closest Airport
Kansas City, MO (MCI / KMCI) Kansas City International Airport
Other Airport
Topeka, KS (FOE / KFOE) Forbes Field
Track Map
HARVEST HEIST: Donny Schatz Steals Lakeside Victory with Pass Coming to White Flag
YOUNG WRENCH TO HEAD WRENCH: How Adam Clark Found His Way to Being KCP Racing’s Crew Chief
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: 81, Lakeside Welcome World of Outlaws for Final Midwest Visit of 2023
1 MONTH ALERT: Kansas Doubleheader Brings World of Outlaws to 81, Lakeside
2023 SCHEDULE: 87-Race Slate Features Spring PA Swing, New Tracks, Multiple High-Dollar Crown Jewels
ROTH RETURNS: James McFadden Delivers 99th World of Outlaws Win for Roth Motorsports
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: World of Outlaws Making Final Midwest Stop at I-80, Lakeside
