Shane Stewart Caps Run Through Central PA With Williams Grove Morgan Cup Win
Column By: RUSTY RHOADES / RPW – MECHANICSBURG, PA – It has grown into one of the most heated rivalries in the racing world. Outlaws vs. Posse. When the biggest touring sprint car series in the country makes its way back into the Keystone State, they are well aware of both the level of local competition and the passionate, loyal and vocal environment that always awaits the invading drivers and teams.
The local central Pennsylvania 410 sprint car contingent has experienced unmatched success against the series over the years, and the overwhelming majority of Outlaw regulars will tell you there’s no harder place in the country to go into and consistently impose their will.
However, this past week during the first of a trio of trips into hostile PA Posse territory, they did exactly that. Three nights at two of the marquee Posse strongholds yielded an Outlaw sweep of victories, including this year’s battle for the highly coveted Williams Grove Morgan Cup trophy, in which Shane Stewart claimed for The World of Outlaws in dominant fashion Saturday night. It was also Stewart’s first victory at the famed half-mile “paper clip”.
An unexpectedly brisk, overcast afternoon and early evening greeted both the competitors and throngs of fans making their way into the sprawling Mechanicsburg facility on the second night of the battle for early season winged 410 bragging rights. The track surface was heavier as a result, and qualifying times reflected it. The top 12 times during Saturday qualifying were all faster than quick time from the previous night. Fittingly, the top two times of the 37 cars on hand were posted by a series regular, Jason Johnson, and a local powerhouse in Lance Dewease. The heat races were fast paced and didn’t include much passing, as Johnson, Dewease, Jason Sides and Logan Schuchart all won their heats from the pole position. An eight was pulled for the dash inversion, which put Shane Stewart and local TJ Stutts on the front row. They would finish one – two in the dash and represent each side of the rivalry accordingly on the front row of the Morgan Cup A-Main lineup.
The A-Main field roared down the long front straightaway toward the initial green flag spread out across the track looking for a quick position or two while also preparing for a deliberate and cautious entry into what seemed to be a tricky first turn throughout the evening. Stutts set the early pace with Stewart in tow. The opening 11 laps were run under green, with Stewart reeling TJ in and pulling alongside him down the front stretch before the first caution came out for a stopped Sheldon Haudenschild in between turns 3 and 4. Sheldon miraculously escaped from bringing out a caution just a few laps earlier after losing control of his 93 in turn 1 and doing a complete 360° spin with contact to an infield tire and somehow continuing on under green flag conditions.
Shane Stewart powered into the lead off turn 2 of the following restart, while Pennsylvania native and rising series regular Logan Schuchart put his Shark Racing entry into position 3 on the following lap. The race’s second yellow came at halfway, with Brent Marks getting out of shape in turn 2 and leaving Brian Montieth with nowhere to go. Both cars were unable to continue on after the collision. Stewart chose the outside lane and set sail on the restart, showing that it was going to be extremely difficult for anyone to even chase the Larson-Marks Racing machine down, let alone make a winning pass under green.
Meanwhile, another car owned by a NASCAR regular was showing the ability to make passes up front. The Kasey Kahne Racing Great Clips entry, wheeled by Daryn Pittman, was picking off one driver after another under this green flag stint. When the final caution for a slowing Kraig Kinser came out on lap 21, Pittman had moved from 8th spot up into the top 4 in the 6 laps between yellow flags. This meant he would now be within striking distance of the lead with 9 laps remaining.
On the evening’s final restart, Shane Stewart expertly displayed the timing, focus and poise befitting of the talented and successful wheelman he has become. He dictated the pace of the field perfectly into the restart area, got an outstanding jump out of turn 4 and was gone by the first turn. TJ Stutts, conversely, had trouble getting a quality jump and lost several spots as a result. Pittman took full advantage, rocketing into the runner-up spot immediately followed by Tim Shaffer taking over 3rd position. Pittman could not track down the former Kings Royal winner and Outlaw Rookie of the Year, and Shane Stewart rolled to the first Williams Grove win of his career while scooping up $17,000 and the Morgan Cup trophy for his team and the entire World of Outlaws series to carry with them for the next 12 months.
In victory lane, Stewart credited track position from the fortunate dash draw that set his memorable night in motion. He admitted the struggles both he and the Larson-Marks team have had coming East in the past, and added that it only makes this win even more satisfying for him. He was also quick to commend and compliment the Pennsylvania fans and the enormous rivalry that they help create and sustain. This was also surprisingly the first series win of the season for Stewart and Larson-Marks Racing.
Pittman finished a solid second place, followed by Tim Shaffer, Lance Dewease as the highest finishing Posse driver and Logan Schuchart. Sixth and seventh were taken by Stutts and Ryan Taylor, both very commendable efforts from Williams Grove non-regulars. Eighth went to the winner of the other 2 previous PA shows, David Gravel, while Jason Johnson and Brad Sweet rounded out the top 10. Series point leader and all-everything, Donny Schatz, struggled throughout the night and finished 14th.
The World of Outlaw invaders were exceptionally impressive during this first confrontation of the year with the Pennsylvania Posse, garnering all the victories and runner-up finishes across the three event matchup. The rivalry will be renewed in July during the Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals.
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Statistical Report; Williams Grove Speedway, PA; May 20, 2017
Feature (30 Laps) – 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1][$17,000]; 2. 9-Daryn Pittman [12][$5,700]; 3. 49X-Tim Shaffer [4][$3,500]; 4. 69K-Lance Dewease [7][$3,000]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5][$2,600]; 6. 11-T.J. Stutts [2][$2,400]; 7. 20-Ryan Taylor [9][$2,300]; 8. 5-David Gravel [10][$2,200]; 9. 41-Jason Johnson [8][$2,150]; 10. 49-Brad Sweet [20][$2,100]; 11. 1-Dale Blaney [14][$1,600]; 12. 48-Danny Dietrich [15][$1,350]; 13. 24-Lucas Wolfe [19][$1,300]; 14. 15-Donny Schatz [16][$1,200]; 15. 7S-Jason Sides [6][$1,100]; 16. 88-Brandon Rahmer [22][$1,000]; 17. 17-Joey Saldana [11][$900]; 18. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [3][$850]; 19. 44-Trey Starks [18][$800]; 20. 39M-Anthony Macri [24][$800]; 21. 11K-Kraig Kinser [13][$800]; 22. 27-Greg Hodnett [17][$800]; 23. 19-Brent Marks [21][$800]; 24. 21-Brian Montieth [23][$800]. Lap Leaders: T.J. Stutts 1-11, Shane Stewart 12-30. KSE Hard Charger Award: 9-Daryn Pittman [+10].
Qualifying – 1. 41-Jason Johnson, 16.402; 2. 69K-Lance Dewease, 16.456; 3. 7S-Jason Sides, 16.462; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 16.465; 5. 49X-Tim Shaffer, 16.501; 6. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 16.551; 7. 11-T.J. Stutts, 16.577; 8. 2-Shane Stewart, 16.578; 9. 20-Ryan Taylor, 16.589; 10. 1-Dale Blaney, 16.595; 11. 17-Joey Saldana, 16.602; 12. 49-Brad Sweet, 16.614; 13. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 16.644; 14. 5-David Gravel, 16.652; 15. 48-Danny Dietrich, 16.654; 16. 9-Daryn Pittman, 16.66; 17. 27-Greg Hodnett, 16.668; 18. 44-Trey Starks, 16.697; 19. 19-Brent Marks, 16.721; 20. 15-Donny Schatz, 16.75; 21. 88-Brandon Rahmer, 16.791; 22. 87-Alan Krimes, 16.804; 23. 39M-Anthony Macri, 16.809; 24. 39-Cory Haas, 16.846; 25. 21-Brian Montieth, 16.885; 26. 4-Paul McMahan, 16.918; 27. 17B-Steve Buckwalter, 16.929; 28. 1A-Jacob Allen, 16.937; 29. 58-Brock Zearfoss, 16.951; 30. 51-Freddie Rahmer, 16.98; 31. 24-Lucas Wolfe, 16.985; 32. 71M-Dave Blaney, 16.986; 33. O7-Doug Esh, 17.035; 34. 75-Frankie Herr, 17.135; 35. W20-Greg Wilson, 17.14; 36. 13-Clyde Knipp, 17.2; 37. 12W-Troy Fraker, 18.087.
Heat #1 – (8 Laps) – Top 5 Transfer – 1. 41-Jason Johnson [1]; 2. 49X-Tim Shaffer [2]; 3. 20-Ryan Taylor [3]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [4]; 5. 27-Greg Hodnett [5]; 6. 21-Brian Montieth [7]; 7. 58-Brock Zearfoss [8]; 8. 88-Brandon Rahmer [6]; 9. 12W-Troy Fraker [10]; 10. O7-Doug Esh [9].
Heat #2 – (8 Laps) – Top 5 Transfer – 1. 69K-Lance Dewease [1]; 2. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [2]; 3. 5-David Gravel [4]; 4. 1-Dale Blaney [3]; 5. 44-Trey Starks [5]; 6. 4-Paul McMahan [7]; 7. 87-Alan Krimes [6]; 8. 51-Freddie Rahmer [8]; 9. 75-Frankie Herr [9].
Heat #3 – (8 Laps) – Top 5 Transfer – 1. 7S-Jason Sides [1]; 2. 11-T.J. Stutts [2]; 3. 17-Joey Saldana [3]; 4. 48-Danny Dietrich [4]; 5. 24-Lucas Wolfe [8]; 6. 39M-Anthony Macri [6]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [9]; 8. 17B-Steve Buckwalter [7]; 9. 19-Brent Marks [5].
Heat #4 – (8 Laps) – Top 5 Transfer – 1. 1S-Logan Schuchart [1]; 2. 2-Shane Stewart [2]; 3. 9-Daryn Pittman [4]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [5]; 5. 49-Brad Sweet [3]; 6. 71M-Dave Blaney [8]; 7. 39-Cory Haas [6]; 8. 1A-Jacob Allen [7]; 9. 13-Clyde Knipp [9].
Craftsman Club Dash (6 Laps) – 1. 2-Shane Stewart [1]; 2. 11-T.J. Stutts [2]; 3. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [3]; 4. 49X-Tim Shaffer [4]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [5]; 6. 7S-Jason Sides [6]; 7. 69K-Lance Dewease [7]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [8].
Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps) – Top 4 Transfer – 1. 19-Brent Marks [1][-]; 2. 88-Brandon Rahmer [2][-]; 3. 21-Brian Montieth [6][-]; 4. 39M-Anthony Macri [4][-]; 5. 51-Freddie Rahmer [11][$300]; 6. 87-Alan Krimes [3][$250]; 7. 39-Cory Haas [5][$225]; 8. 17B-Steve Buckwalter [8][$200]; 9. 71M-Dave Blaney [12][$200]; 10. O7-Doug Esh [13][$200]; 11. 58-Brock Zearfoss [10][$200]; 12. 1A-Jacob Allen [9][$200]; 13. W20-Greg Wilson [15][$200]; 14. 75-Frankie Herr [14][$200]; 15. 12W-Troy Fraker [17][$200]; 16. 4-Paul McMahan [7][$200]; 17. 13-Clyde Knipp [16][$200].
CONTINGENCY WINNERS: MSD Ignitions ($25 cash): Brent Marks; MSD Ignitions ($50 cash): Shane Stewart; Penske Shocks ($50 cash): TJ Stutts; JE Pistons ($50 cash): Logan Schuchart; VP Racing Fuels ($50 cash): David Gravel; Edelbrock ($50 cash): Jason Johnson; Comp Cams ($50 cash): Brad Sweet; Extended Stay America ($50 cash): Dale Blaney; Cometic Gasket ($50 cash): Danny Dietrich; Super Flow ($50 cash): Donny Schatz; Craftsman Club Fast Five ($100 cash): Shane Stewart, Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart, Jason Sides, Jason Johnson; Craftsman/Sears: TJ Stutts; KSE Hard Charger: Daryn Pittman; Comp Cams ($50 product certificate): Shane Stewart; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Joey Saldana; JE Pistons (Set of Rings): Kraig Kinser.
