GOLDEN START: David Gravel Survives Superb Gold Cup Prelim
The Greatest Show on Dirt didn’t disappoint in quickly making up for the two-year abscence from California.
Four different leaders and eight unofficial lead changes wowed the Silver Dollar Speedway crowd on Friday night as the 67th running of the Gold Cup Race of Champions brought the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series back to town.
It was a long awaited return (728 days) for the Chico faithful, but it was an even longer awaited victory for David Gravel.
Specifically, it took eight years, 17 races, and 530 laps for the Watertown, CT native to break through at the 1/4-mile bullring and claim his first-career win at Silver Dollar Speedway. In the grand scheme of things, it marked nine wins in 2021 for the Big Game Motorsports #2 and gave Gravel 67 career wins with the Series, which moves him into 13th on the All-Time Wins List.
To get the job done, Gravel had to outlast Colby Copeland, Sheldon Haudenschild, and Brad Sweet through an intense four-war war for the top spot. He became the fourth and final leader on Lap 17, then survived lap traffic and the final restart to score the victory by 1.202-seconds.
“Man, I’ve been coming here for a long time,” Gravel said on his Silver Dollar history. “I’ve always struggled to qualify well here, but we timed in good tonight and that put us in a solid position. We’re constantly learning, I mean this is still our first year together. I think we’re really growing and everyone is meshing between Tod [Quiring], Cody [Jacobs], Trey [Bowman], and Scott [Vogelson]. Feels great to finally get a win here, especially in such an exciting race.”
Before Gravel’s glory, the spotlight was shined brightly on Colby Copeland of Roseville, CA. The 29-year-old, in his 17th World of Outlaws start, earned the pole position and put the country on upset alert as he eyed his first-career victory.
Copeland shot to the lead of the 35-lapper and controlled the opening 10 laps aboard the Laramie #16A. However, intense traffic created chaos and allowed outside polesitter Sheldon Haudenschild to close and eventually put the NOS Energy Drink #17 to the point on Lap 11.
Haudenschild’s reign was short-lived as he, Copeland and Brad Sweet took each other three-wide the next time by. Copeland slid through the middle across Haudenschild’s nose and Sweet capitalized, nailing the bottom and rolling on past to lead Lap 12.
Sweet’s shot at the top lasted two whole laps before Copeland built his momentum and whipped back by on the cushion. He would lead another three circuits before fifth-starting Gravel appeared from nowhere and drove by them all on the low line as Lap 17 clicked off.
The remains of lap traffic and the final restart with eight laps to go tried to derail Gravel, but he was not to be denied as he drove away with his first-career Silver Dollar triumph to kick off the Gold Cup.
“Tomorrow being 40 laps is pretty close to tonight’s length,” Gravel thought on track conditions. “I really hope they can give us the same surface, it was awesome. I think in open track the top was better, but traffic was crucial tonight and I hit the bottom at the perfect times behind those guys. Hopefully we put on another awesome show tomorrow night.”
Shattering his former career-best finish (13th) with the World of Outlaws, Roseville’s Colby Copeland crossed the line with a second-place effort and received a standing ovation from the Chico crowd as the leading Californian.
“Any driver when you lead laps you want to win, so there’s a bit of disapointment there,” Copeland noted. “But these guys are the best of the best. I’m out there ripping and they give there extra 10% and start blowing by me. It’s a whole different pace out here. I felt like we raced good, though. It was a lot of fun and all I can ask for is the same speed tomorrow night.”
Grass Valley’s Brad Sweet continued his consistent championship campaign with his 31st podium finish aboard the Kasey Kahne Racing, NAPA Auto Parts #49. He’s hoping that losing his streak of Gold Cup prelim wins will transition to finally scoring a Gold Cup title in the finale tomorrow.
“It was a great race track tonight, I thought,” Sweet said. “We were just a little off with the setup, but we have something to build on for tomorrow. Hopefully we can come back and get us a Gold Cup.”
Closing out the top-five on Friday night was Sheldon Haudenschild in the fourth spot and Kraig Kinser with his fourth top-five finish of the year.
Rounding out the top-10 at Silver Dollar was Shark Racing’s Jacob Allen in sixth, California’s Dominic Scelzi with a season-best seventh, Kasey Kahne Racing’s James McFadden in eighth, Roth Motorsports pilot Kasey Kahne in ninth, and KSE Hard Charger Carson Macedo in 10th-from-21st.
UP NEXT (Sat): The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series return to Chico, CA’s Silver Dollar Speedway tomorrow, Saturday, September 11 for the finale of the 67th Gold Cup Race of Champions. If you can’t be here, you can watch Every Lap LIVE on DIRTVision.
NOS Energy Drink Feature Results (35 Laps) – 1. 2-David Gravel [5][$10,000]; 2. 16A-Colby Copeland [1][$5,500]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$3,200]; 4. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$2,600]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3][$2,350]; 6. 1A-Jacob Allen [8][$2,150]; 7. 41S-Dominic Scelzi [17][$2,100]; 8. 9-James McFadden [12][$1,950]; 9. 83-Kasey Kahne [19][$1,900]; 10. 41-Carson Macedo [21][$1,850]; 11. 83T-Tanner Carrick [14][$1,400]; 12. 38B-Blake Carrick [6][$1,200]; 13. 15-Donny Schatz [22][$1,000]; 14. 7-Carson Short [10][$950]; 15. 88N-DJ Netto [23][$900]; 16. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [11][$900]; 17. 42X-Tim Kaeding [15][$900]; 18. 2K-JJ Ringo [16][$900]; 19. 7S-Jason Sides [20][$900]; 20. 37-Mitchell Faccinto [9][$900]; 21. 29-Willie Croft [13][$900]; 22. 93-Kalib Henry [24][$900]; 23. 53-Jessie Attard [18][$900]; 24. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7][$900]. Lap Leaders: Colby Copeland 1-10, 14-16; Sheldon Haudenschild 11; Brad Sweet 12-13; David Gravel 17-35. KSE Hard Charger Award: 41-Carson Macedo[+11]
NEW Championship Standings (67/80 races): 1. Brad Sweet (8,864); 2. David Gravel (-128); 3. Carson Macedo (-180); 4. Donny Schatz (-252); 5. Sheldon Haudenschild (-286); 6. Logan Schuchart (-360); 7. James McFadden (-736); 8. Kraig Kinser (-1022); 9. Brock Zearfoss (-1284); 10. Jacob Allen (-1548).
[Read More]| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | +4 | 2 | David Gravel | 35 | 0.000 | Running | 150 | $10,000 | |
| 2 | 1 | -1 | 16A | Colby Copeland | 35 | 0.000 | Running | 146 | $6,000 | |
| 3 | 4 | +1 | 49 | Brad Sweet | 35 | 0.000 | Running | 144 | $3,500 | |
| 4 | 2 | -2 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 35 | 0.000 | Running | 142 | $2,800 | |
| 5 | 3 | -2 | 11K | Kraig Kinser | 35 | 0.000 | Running | 140 | $2,500 | |
| 6 | 8 | +2 | 1A | Jacob Allen | 35 | 0.000 | Running | 138 | $2,300 | |
| 7 | 17 | +10 | 41S | Dominic Scelzi | 35 | 0.000 | Running | 136 | $2,200 | |
| 8 | 12 | +4 | 9 | James McFadden | 35 | 0.000 | Running | 134 | $2,100 | |
| 9 | 19 | +10 | 83 | Kasey Kahne | 35 | 0.000 | Running | 132 | $2,050 | |
| 10 | 21 | +11 | 41 | Carson Macedo | 35 | 0.000 | Running | 130 | $2,000 | |
| 11 | 14 | +3 | 83T | Tanner Carrick | 35 | 0.000 | Running | 128 | $1,600 | |
| 12 | 6 | -6 | 38B | Blake Carrick | 35 | 0.000 | Running | 126 | $1,400 | |
| 13 | 22 | +9 | 15 | Donny Schatz | 35 | 0.000 | Running | 124 | $1,200 | |
| 14 | 10 | -4 | 7 | Carson Short | 35 | 0.000 | Running | 122 | $1,100 | |
| 15 | 23 | +8 | 88N | D.J. Netto | 34 | -1 Laps | Running | 120 | $1,050 | |
| 16 | 11 | -5 | 3Z | Brock Zearfoss | 34 | -1 Laps | Running | 118 | $1,000 | |
| 17 | 15 | -2 | 42X | Tim Kaeding | 34 | -1 Laps | Running | 116 | $1,000 | |
| 18 | 16 | -2 | 2K | J.J. Ringo | 34 | -1 Laps | Running | 114 | $1,000 | |
| 19 | 20 | +1 | 7S | Jason Sides | 33 | -2 Laps | Running | 112 | $1,000 | |
| 20 | 9 | -11 | 37 | Mitchell Faccinto | 32 | -3 Laps | Running | 110 | $1,000 | |
| 21 | 13 | -8 | 29 | Willie Croft | 26 | -9 Laps | DNF | 108 | $1,000 | |
| 22 | 24 | +2 | 93 | Kalib Henry | 26 | -9 Laps | DNF | 106 | $1,000 | |
| 23 | 18 | -5 | 53 | Jessie Attard | 9 | -26 Laps | DNF | 104 | $1,000 | |
| 24 | 7 | -17 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | 0 | -35 Laps | DNF | 102 | $1,000 |
| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | +1 | 41 | Carson Macedo | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 2 | 4 | +2 | 15 | Donny Schatz | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 3 | 5 | +2 | 88N | D.J. Netto | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 4 | 12 | +8 | 93 | Kalib Henry | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 5 | 7 | +2 | 21 | Parker Price-Miller | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 90 | $110 | |
| 6 | 9 | +3 | 21P | Robbie Price | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 90 | $110 | |
| 7 | 10 | +3 | 2C | Wayne Johnson | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 90 | $110 | |
| 8 | 11 | +3 | 88 | Austin McCarl | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 90 | $110 | |
| 9 | 8 | -1 | 0 | Kyle Hirst | 0 | 0.000 | DNF | 90 | $110 | |
| 10 | 1 | -9 | 21X | Michael Ing | 0 | 0.000 | DNF | 90 | $110 | |
| 11 | 3 | -8 | 56 | Ryan Robinson | 0 | 0.000 | DNF | 90 | $110 | |
| 12 | 6 | -6 | 12J | John Clark | 0 | 0.000 | DNF | 90 | $110 |
| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 16A | Colby Copeland | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 3 | 4 | +1 | 11K | Kraig Kinser | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 4 | 3 | -1 | 49 | Brad Sweet | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 5 | 7 | +2 | 2 | David Gravel | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 6 | 6 | 0 | 38B | Blake Carrick | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 7 | 5 | -2 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 8 | 8 | 0 | 1A | Jacob Allen | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 |
| Pos. | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps Completed | Behind | Laps Led | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | +1 | 49 | Brad Sweet | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 2 | 1 | -1 | 1A | Jacob Allen | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 3 | 4 | +1 | 37 | Mitchell Faccinto | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 4 | 3 | -1 | 29 | Willie Croft | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 5 | 6 | +1 | 41S | Dominic Scelzi | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 6 | 5 | -1 | 41 | Carson Macedo | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 7 | 7 | 0 | 12J | John Clark | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 8 | 8 | 0 | 21P | Robbie Price | 0 | 0.000 | Running |
| Pos. | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps Completed | Behind | Laps Led | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | David Gravel | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 | Carson Short | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 4 | 6 | +2 | 83T | Tanner Carrick | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 5 | 8 | +3 | 53 | Jessie Attard | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 6 | 7 | +1 | 56 | Ryan Robinson | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 7 | 4 | -3 | 21X | Michael Ing | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 8 | 5 | -3 | 2C | Wayne Johnson | 0 | 0.000 | Running |
| Pos. | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps Completed | Behind | Laps Led | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | +1 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 2 | 1 | -1 | 16A | Colby Copeland | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 3 | 4 | +1 | 3Z | Brock Zearfoss | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 4 | 3 | -1 | 42X | Tim Kaeding | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 5 | 5 | 0 | 83 | Kasey Kahne | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 6 | 8 | +2 | 15 | Donny Schatz | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 | Parker Price-Miller | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 8 | 6 | -2 | 88 | Austin McCarl | 0 | 0.000 | Running |
| Pos. | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps Completed | Behind | Laps Led | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | +8 | 1A | Jacob Allen | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 1 | 2 | +1 | 38B | Blake Carrick | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 2 | 1 | -1 | 11K | Kraig Kinser | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 2 | 21 | +19 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 0 | -11.924 | Running | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 | James McFadden | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 3 | 24 | +21 | 16A | Colby Copeland | 0 | -11.978 | Running | |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 2K | J.J. Ringo | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 5 | 6 | +1 | 7S | Jason Sides | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 5 | 7 | +2 | 49 | Brad Sweet | 0 | -12.105 | Running | |
| 6 | 7 | +1 | 88N | D.J. Netto | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 6 | 22 | +16 | 2 | David Gravel | 0 | -12.116 | Running | |
| 7 | 8 | +1 | 0 | Kyle Hirst | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 7 | 17 | +10 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | 0 | -12.132 | Running | |
| 8 | 5 | -3 | 93 | Kalib Henry | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 9 | 28 | +19 | 29 | Willie Croft | 0 | -12.136 | Running | |
| 10 | 32 | +22 | 7 | Carson Short | 0 | -12.159 | Running | |
| 11 | 23 | +12 | 42X | Tim Kaeding | 0 | -12.161 | Running | |
| 13 | 31 | +18 | 37 | Mitchell Faccinto | 0 | -12.189 | Running | |
| 14 | 26 | +12 | 21X | Michael Ing | 0 | -12.192 | Running | |
| 15 | 27 | +12 | 3Z | Brock Zearfoss | 0 | -12.205 | Running | |
| 17 | 25 | +8 | 41 | Carson Macedo | 0 | -12.228 | Running | |
| 18 | 14 | -4 | 2C | Wayne Johnson | 0 | -12.239 | Running | |
| 19 | 4 | -15 | 83 | Kasey Kahne | 0 | -12.264 | Running | |
| 21 | 18 | -3 | 41S | Dominic Scelzi | 0 | -12.311 | Running | |
| 22 | 8 | -14 | 83T | Tanner Carrick | 0 | -12.351 | Running | |
| 23 | 16 | -7 | 88 | Austin McCarl | 0 | -12.367 | Running | |
| 25 | 30 | +5 | 12J | John Clark | 0 | -12.411 | Running | |
| 26 | 19 | -7 | 56 | Ryan Robinson | 0 | -12.425 | Running | |
| 27 | 15 | -12 | 21 | Parker Price-Miller | 0 | -12.452 | Running | |
| 29 | 11 | -18 | 21P | Robbie Price | 0 | -12.529 | Running | |
| 30 | 12 | -18 | 53 | Jessie Attard | 0 | -12.536 | Running |
Gold Cup Race of Champions
Friday, September 10, 2021
Silver Dollar Speedway
2343 Fair St.
Chico, California 95928
Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series
To Win Amount
$10,000.00
Event Schedule
Pit Gates: 4PM
Grandstands: 6PM
Qualifying: 6:30PM
Racing: 7PM
*All times Pacific
(530) 350-7275
Options And Prices
FRIDAY:
Reserved Seating – $45 Sold in four day package
Single Day Tickets Go On Sale August 14, 2019
General Admission: 4 day ticket $100 row I and below.
General Admission: row I and below individual ticket: Adults $30, Kids 11 and under $15
SATURDAY:
Reserved Seating – $55 Sold in four day package
Single Day Tickets Go On Sale August 14, 2019
General Admission: 4 day ticket $100 row I and below.
General Admission: row I and below individual ticket: Adults $40, Kids 11 and under $15
Grandstand Type
bleacher with some seat backs
Handicapped Seating Location
Below the main grandstand with the box seats, turn four. A reserved seat is required. Companion seating is available.
Pit Age Requirement
All persons must be at least 14 years of age to enter the pits. Persons 14-17 years of age need a signed and notarized parental consent form submitted to the office prior to entering pit area.
Parking Cost
Free
Camping Availability
electric hookup, non-electric, onsite
Camping Cost
Call 530-350-7275
$10,000.00
Type of Grandstand
bleacher with some seat backs
Handicapped Seating
Below the main grandstand with the box seats, turn four. A reserved seat is required. Companion seating is available.
Pit Age Limit
All persons must be at least 14 years of age to enter the pits. Persons 14-17 years of age need a signed and notarized parental consent form submitted to the office prior to entering pit area.
Personal Coolers
No personal coolers allowed
ATMs
1
Alcohol Sales
alcohol is available for purchase
Smoking Policy
no smoking in the grandstands
Parking Cost
Free
Camping Availability
electric hookup, non-electric, onsite
Camping Cost
Call 530-350-7275
Silver Dollar Speedway
2343 Fair St.
Chico, California 95928
Track Phone
(530) 891-6535
Ticket Phone
(530) 350-7275
Track Type
0.250; High-banked
Sprint Car Track Record
10.918 seconds by Daryn Pittman on 3/22/13
Closest Airport
Chico, CA (CIC / KCIC) Chico Municipal Airport
Other Airport
Sacramento, CA (SMF / KSMF) Sacramento International Airport
Track Map
THE DAY HAS ARRIVED: Corey Day Cruises to Gold Cup Win for First World of Outlaws Victory
SILVER DOLLAR THRILLER: Last Lap Pass Lifts Buddy Kofoid to Gold Cup Prelim Victory
HEROIC HOMECOMING: Late Pass Leads Kyle Larson to Second Straight Gold Cup Prelim Victory
2023 Gold Cup Format
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Silver Dollar’s Gold Cup Race of Champions Continues Return to Glory with 69th Running
1 MONTH ALERT: World of Outlaws Set to Swing Back Through California, Sept. 7-16
SUMMER OF MONEY: Big Paydays Ahead for World of Outlaws
