Lance Dewease and Giovanni Scelzi were both victorious during a very emotional National Open weekend at the famed Williams Grove Speedway in Pennsylvania with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. Dewease won the event for the fourth time in his career and pocketed an event-record $56,000 for the triumph. Scelzi won the opener of the two-night event, which was his first-ever win with the Outlaws. The series heads to Central New York this week as part of the festivities of NAPA Super Dirt Week.

Emotional win

Lance Dewease was very emotional in victory lane, following his win in the National Open. The veteran driver dedicated the win to Greg Hodnett and his family. Dewease spoke candidly about Hodnett as both a racer and a person. Dewease became the second driver ever to take home $56,000 at Williams Grove, with the late Jason Johnson accomplishing that feat in 2008 in the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Challenge at the half-mile.

Making history

Gio Scelzi became the youngest-ever winner with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series in the opener of the National Open at the tender age of 16. Scelzi, who was making his first-ever 410-sprint car start at Williams Grove, he did run a 360-sprint car there earlier this season, took the lead from pole sitter David Gravel on lap-16 and led the remainder of the 27-lap contest, which ran the extra two laps in honor of Greg Hodnett’s car number. Scelzi picked up where he left off in the finale, as he was fastest in the first flight of time trials.

Honoring a legend

The Heffner Racing No. 27 of Greg Hodnett paced the feature events both nights of the National Open, with Sean Michael behind the wheel. During the traditional 4-Wide Salute to the Fans, the missing man formation was in place as well, honoring both Hodnett and Jason Johnson. Also, Paul McMahan ran the No. 27 wing on his car at the National Open to honor Hodnett. On Saturday night, Sherry Hodnett, Greg’s wife, rode in the pace truck during the 4-Wide Salute to the Fans, as did Bobbi Johnson, wife of the late Jason Johnson and their son, Jaxx Johnson.

Well Represented

Drivers from the Pennsylvania Posse, World of Outlaws and “invaders” were all among the top-10 on both nights of the National Open.

In the finale, the Pennsylvania Posse earned the upper hand with Lance Dewease’s win, along with Brian Montieth finishing third, Ryan Smith fifth and T.J. Stutts seventh. Daryn Pittman was the highest finishing Outlaws driver in second, while Shane Stewart was ninth and Logan Schuchart 10^th. Tim Shaffer was the highest finishing “invader” in fourth, while Brian Brown was sixth and Paul McMahan eighth.

On the first night of the National Open, the top-10 finishing positions were split between World of Outlaws drivers, members of the Pennsylvania Posse and “invaders.” Scelzi scored a win for the “invaders” and was joined in the top-10 by Brian Brown. The Outlaws were represented by David Gravel in second, Shane Stewart in fifth, Brad Sweet in eighth and Donny Schatz in 10^th. The PA Posse had Lucas Wolfe in third, Freddie Rahmer in fourth, Trey Starks (a Washington native in a PA Posse car) in sixth and Brian Montieth in seventh.

Oh so close

Daryn Pittman finished second in the finale of the National Open for the fourth time in his career. The 2013 World of Outlaws champion started the 40-lap even in the eighth position and steadily worked his way to second. Pittman also gained ground in the standings on David Gravel who is third, and is now 68 markers out of that position with 10 nights of racing remaining this season.

On the podium

Brian Montieth earned his best-ever finish in the National Open, coming home third on Saturday night. The multi-time Lincoln Speedway track champion also had a solid night in the opener, crossing the line seventh. Montieth was one of just three drivers to finish in the top-10 on both nights, with Shane Stewart and Brian Brown, being the others.

A heartbreaker

Brock Zearfoss, who led the first 23 laps of the National Open, had something break on the his car while running second on a lap-25 restart, causing him to back it into the wall, ending his night. Zearfoss, who won his first-career World of Outlaws race last year at Williams Grove, won the first dash to earn the pole position for the 40-lap event.

Running the alphabet

Danny Dietrich advanced from the C-main to the B-main to the A-main in the opener of the National Open and Brent Marks repeated that feat in the finale. Dietrich worked his way from the 24^thstarting spot to finish 18^th, one lap off the pace on Friday night. Marks was able to complete all 40 laps on Saturday night, but was only able to advance two positions to finish 21^st.

Class acts

Gio Scelzi and Donny Schatz each received cash bonuses on the opening night of the National Open and both donated those awards to Sherry Hodnett and the Hodnett family. Scelzi received $327 for the Fast Tee’s Fast Time Award, while Schatz picked up $500 for being the night’s Hard Charger, coming from the B-main and then 22^ndto 10^thin the main event. Also on Saturday night, Ashley Cappetta presented Bobbi and Jaxx Johnson with a check for over $10,000 from the proceeds collected from Jason Johnson wristbands that were sold the last three months.

Extra cash

Gio Scelzi and Chad Trout each received additional cash awards following the finale of the National Open. Scelzi, who won on Friday night, was named the “Rookie of the Race,” which garnered him an extra $1,300. Trout, who was the first driver to not qualify for the main event on Saturday, received the “Camp Mayhem” Award, which was worth $1,527, which was more than the back half of the field received for starting the main event.

Points update

Donny Schatz extended his lead to 234 points over Brad Sweet in his quest for his 10^thWorld of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series championship. David Gravel sits third, with Daryn Pittman fourth and Shane Stewart fifth. Logan Schuchart is sixth in the standings, with Sheldon Haudenschild seventh, rookie Ian Madsen eighth and Brent Marks ninth. Jacob Allen moved back into the 10^thspot, four markers ahead of Kraig Kinser.

Up next

The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series heads to Fulton Speedway on Saturday, October 6 as part of Super Dirt Week. David Gravel won at Fulton last year, while Donny Schatz won at the track in 2016 as well as 2006. Daryn Pittman was a Fulton winner in 2014. A different winner has graced victory lane in five of the previous six World of Outlaws race at the three-eighths-mile.