David Gravel Grabs Fourth Season Win As Chaos Erupts At Gator Motorplex
David Gravel Grabs Fourth Season Win As Chaos Erupts At Gator Motorplex
David Gravel beat Paul McMahan and Jason Sides for the inaugural Gator Bash trophy at Gator Motorplex in Willis, TX.
David Gravel may have started 10th on the grid Thursday night, but he did not languish in traffic for long.
In the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series' first visit to Gator Motorplex in Willis, Texas, Gravel quickly rose through the field and led the final 11 laps on the quarter-mile dirt track to walk away with his fourth win of the season.
While Gravel was forced to deal with Paul McMahan for the win, it was Jason Sides who grabbed an early lead from the pole. He lined up alongside visiting NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne on the front row and bolted when the green flag fell.
"I started 10th and was in second before I knew it," said Gravel. "I knew it was a 40-lap race. I tried to be really patient with Paul (McMahan). The curve got really really really tricky as the race went on, and I almost bit the wall a couple of times."
Gravel worked the high side through traffic, but he showed versatility by making his pass for the lead from the bottom.
The race was contested in thirds with Sides leading the first 13 laps, McMahan the next 16, and Gravel the last 11 of the 40-lapper.
The three leaders stayed up front and finished in the top three. McMahan and Sides crossed in second and third place, respectively.
Track position proved to be important for those at the front, because chaos was busy erupting behind them.
In fact, most eyes in the packed grandstand were focused deep in the field, as Sheldon Haudenschild was involved in three incidents. "Haud" flipped twice early in the Gator Bash and drew wild cheers when he returned both times.
A crash with four laps remaining was the final straw. He bounced off the wall and collected Brad Sweet on the frontstretch.
Sweet's attention was on Donny Schatz as they slugged it out for fourth. Schatz survived and finished there to maintain his points lead.
Haudenschild could take some consolation in the fact that even the best spin out occasionally.
Kahne, who was credited with a 20th-place finish, dropped back from his front row start but still had a decent result in sight until he spun out late in the race. Daryn Pittman and Dustin Gates flipped in the aftermath.
The Outlaws spent the night repairing their sprinters and will move up the road to Mesquite, Texas, for a two-night show on Friday, April 14, and Saturday, April 15, at Devil's Bowl Speedway.
Results
In the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series' first visit to Gator Motorplex in Willis, Texas, Gravel quickly rose through the field and led the final 11 laps on the quarter-mile dirt track to walk away with his fourth win of the season.
While Gravel was forced to deal with Paul McMahan for the win, it was Jason Sides who grabbed an early lead from the pole. He lined up alongside visiting NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne on the front row and bolted when the green flag fell.
"I started 10th and was in second before I knew it," said Gravel. "I knew it was a 40-lap race. I tried to be really patient with Paul (McMahan). The curve got really really really tricky as the race went on, and I almost bit the wall a couple of times."
Gravel worked the high side through traffic, but he showed versatility by making his pass for the lead from the bottom.
The race was contested in thirds with Sides leading the first 13 laps, McMahan the next 16, and Gravel the last 11 of the 40-lapper.
The three leaders stayed up front and finished in the top three. McMahan and Sides crossed in second and third place, respectively.
Track position proved to be important for those at the front, because chaos was busy erupting behind them.
In fact, most eyes in the packed grandstand were focused deep in the field, as Sheldon Haudenschild was involved in three incidents. "Haud" flipped twice early in the Gator Bash and drew wild cheers when he returned both times.
A crash with four laps remaining was the final straw. He bounced off the wall and collected Brad Sweet on the frontstretch.
Sweet's attention was on Donny Schatz as they slugged it out for fourth. Schatz survived and finished there to maintain his points lead.
Haudenschild could take some consolation in the fact that even the best spin out occasionally.
Kahne, who was credited with a 20th-place finish, dropped back from his front row start but still had a decent result in sight until he spun out late in the race. Daryn Pittman and Dustin Gates flipped in the aftermath.
The Outlaws spent the night repairing their sprinters and will move up the road to Mesquite, Texas, for a two-night show on Friday, April 14, and Saturday, April 15, at Devil's Bowl Speedway.
Results