By Tony Veneziano

Daryn Pittman rebounded from a slow start to the 2018 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series season in a big way over the weekend, picking up a pair of wins. 

The 2013 series champion was victorious at Riverside International Speedway in Arkansas on Friday night and followed that up on Saturday night with a triumph at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Missouri, which marked the second straight race he has won at the track, dating back to last season.

As has become all too common this season, the final scheduled race of the weekend on Sunday at Tri-State Speedway in Indiana was postponed by rain, with a rescheduled date to be announced at a later time.

A Special Win

For Pittman, the win at Riverside International Speedway had special meaning for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, it was his first victory of the season aboard the No. 9 for Kasey Kahne Racing. In addition, Pittman had a large contingent of family and friends at the track, which was the place he first met his wife, Mandy, in 1997. The win at Riverside was the second for the veteran driver at the quarter-mile, as he was also victorious in 2007.

Racking Up Laps Led

Sheldon Haudenschild led laps at both Riverside International Speedway and Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55. The fourth-generation driver has now paced the field in eight of the 12 races contested this season, which leads all drivers. Haudenschild finished third at I-55 and was running among the top three at Riverside when contact with the wall led to his car tipping over. He ended finishing 19th in that race, after beginning the night as the fastest driver in time trials.

Passing Cars

David Gravel earned the Hard Charger Award at Riverside International Speedway, powering his way from the 21st starting spot to finish fifth. After having a DNF (did not finish) in the second heat race, he won the B-main to put himself in the main event. Gravel was able to pass cars at will and survive an attrition-filled race to garner the top five. Gravel bettered that finish the next night at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, coming home fourth as he continues to close in on his first win of the season.

Oh, So Close

Brad Sweet nearly stole the win at Riverside from his teammate Daryn Pittman. The California native closed the gap over the last couple of laps and nearly got a run on his teammate on the final circuit. For Sweet, it was his fourth top five finish of the season. He would find himself among the top five again the next night at I-55.

Consistency Is Key

While Donny Schatz didn’t pick up a win in the pair of races over the weekend, he recorded a trio of solid finishes to extend his lead in the series standings as he chases his 10th championship. At Riverside International Speedway, he came from the 16th starting spot to finish eighth. He improved six spots at I-55 as he crossed the lined second. 

On The Podium

Paul McMahan finished on the podium for the second time this year, after a third-place showing at Riverside International Speedway. After starting seventh, the veteran driver methodically worked his way forward and at one point was three-wide for second and was battling for the lead before a caution flag came out. McMahan earned his first podium finish of the season on opening night at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida, when he led 28 laps, only to have a tire go down in the late going, which caused him to have to limp home second.

Best Finish Of The Season

Rico Abreu picked up his best finish of the season with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in his first visit to Riverside International Speedway, taking the checkered flag in fourth. The Californian was third fastest in time trials and won the third heat race to secure a spot in the dash, which ensured him a top eight starting spot in the 40-lap main event.

Continuing To Build Momentum

Joey Saldana had another solid weekend, picking up a pair of top 10 finishes. He was sixth at Riverside and followed that up with a ninth at Pevely. Saldana has been among the top 10 in four straight races, including finishing a season-best second at Arizona Speedway on April 7. 

In The Top 10

Kraig Kinser picked up his first top 10 finish of the season at Riverside International Speedway. The third-generation driver ran a consistent 40 laps and was able to keep his nose clean en route to a 10th-place showing.

Another Hard Charger

Brent Marks picked up the Hard Charger Award at I-55. Coming through the B-main, he started 22nd and powered his way up to 10th at the finish. The night before at Riverside International Speedway, the Pennsylvania native had come from the 25th starting spot, after having to use a Provisional, and was running seventh when he had a flat tire.

Hard Work Paying Off

Hunter Schuerenberg recorded his first top 10 finish of the season with the Outlaws at Riverside, coming home seventh. The Missouri native won a thrilling second heat race on Friday night, which at times saw a three-wide battle for the lead. Schuerenberg ran fifth in the dash, which put him on the inside of the third row to start the 40-lap main event.

Quasi-Teammates

Derek Hagar leased an engine from Jason Sides for the weekend, making the pair quasi-teammates. At Riverside International Speedway, Hagar, who hails from Arkansas, finished 11th, with Sides one spot behind in 12th. On Friday night, Hagar finished second in a thrilling heat race to earn a spot in the dash, where he ran eighth. At I-55, Sides was fastest in time trials and finished sixth in the main event to earn his best result of the season.

Career Best

Cale Thomas earned his first career top 10 finish with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55. The run was also was his best ever with the Outlaws. The Indiana native traditionally competes with the series when it is in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and sometimes Ohio.

A Tough Debut

Chase Briscoe Racing made its winged sprint car debut at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55, with a two-car effort. Team owner Chase Briscoe piloted one car, and Christopher Bell drove the other. The pair ran on Friday night at Richmond Raceway in Virginia with the NASCAR Xfinity Series, with Bell picking up that win. At Pevely, Bell finished 12th with the Outlaws, while Briscoe did not qualify for the main event.

Points Update

Donny Schatz continues to lead the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series standings and extended his lead to 72 markers over Sheldon Haudenschild. Brad Sweet is currently third, just eight points out of second. Shane Stewart is fourth, 20 points behind Sweet, while Jason Johnson rounds out the top five. David Gravel is currently sixth, with Daryn Pittman moving up a spot to seventh. Paul McMahan and Cory Eliason are tied for eighth, with Joey Saldana rounding out the top 10.

Up Next

The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series heads to Texas for a trio of races. On Wednesday, April 25, the Outlaws invade Cotton Bowl Speedway in Paige for an event, which was postponed by rain in February. Brad Sweet won the series inaugural event at the track in 2016. 

The series then heads to the famed Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite on Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28, for the Texas Outlaw Nationals. The finale on Saturday night will pay $20,000 to the winner. Sweet won the finale at Devil’s Bowl last year, with Jason Johnson taking the opener. Donny Schatz, Shane Stewart, and Daryn Pittman are all also past winners at the half-mile.