Shark Racing Continuing Bobby Allen’s Dream Competing With The World Of Outlaws In 2021
Story By: SHARK RACING – HANOVER, PA – “Never Give Up” has always been the mantra for Bobby Allen. The Hall of Fame Sprint car driver and Shark Racing’s leader always wanted to be the best and for everyone that loves a feel good story, they are happy “Scruffy” has never given up his desire to do so.
One of the “Original Outlaws” will continue his passion for success competing with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series (WoO) this season with his son, Jacob Allen, and grandson, Logan Schuchart, at dirt tracks all across the United States.
Shark Racing begins its eighth year of competition with the Outlaws February 5, 2021 at Volusia Speedway Park near Barberville, Florida during the 50th DIRTcar Nationals where they will be looking add to their gator collection after Schuchart capped last year’s event with a thrilling triumph.
“This has been my dream to get these boys out here not only racing with the Outlaws, but competing for wins a championship,” said Allen. “It took everyone that ever helped me to get us here and I can’t thank them all enough. There were a lot of doubters when we came out here in 2014 that we could make. Like I said with the help of a lot people and the hard work of Logan and Jacob and the guys that we have had working for us, we are getting there. In 2017 and 2018, we started getting sponsors that helped us make a move upward and then in 2019 and 2020 when Dave Klinger and Drydene stepped up in a big way and we added NGK, Kevin and Doug from C&D last year, we proved we can compete at the highest level. I’m excited that we have added new partners like JVI this year and hopefully we can continue our climb.”
Schuchart’s 2020 opening weekend victory was a preview of what was to come for the central Pennsylvania-based team during a season that required a lot of perseverance. Schuchart was in the WoO championship mix throughout the campaign following his first Volusia triumph, leading the points standings in May and again in August.
The 28-year-old also scored his first crown jewel event triumph with his Jackson Nationals victory last June, a win that added Schuchart’s name to list of winners that includes his grandfather, who claimed the Jackson Nationals in 1986. In all, Schuchart captured seven WoO A-Main triumphs concluding the Outlaws season with a win at Charlotte last November. Schuchart wasn’t the only Drydene Performance Products driver to score a WoO A-Main victory in 2020. After numerous runner-up finishes, Jacob Allen became an Outlaw winner in September with his victory at Dodge City Raceway Park. The win was celebrated by almost everyone in motorsports as social media blew up after Allen crossed the finish line ahead of Schuchart on that fall Friday night.
The goal for Shark Racing is to continue climbing the ladder in one of racing’s premiere and, arguably, most grueling series. In 2021, the Shark Racing is looking to consistently compete for wins and a championship. Goals made possible through what they have learned during the past seven seasons on the road and also because of the people that support the team. A core group of crew members that includes Tyler Garber, Ronald Helmick, Ben Witman and Brendan Collum provides stability in a sport that has very unique challenges.
The right combination of partners, personnel and equipment are the key to maintaining Shark Racing’s trajectory towards the top.
DRYDENE MEANS BUSINESS
For the third consecutive season, Drydene Performance Products, who offers a full product line of motor and grease oils, transmission and hydraulic fluids and diesel exhaust fluids, will serve as the primary sponsor on Allen’s No. 1a and Schuchart’s 1s. Since first jumping on Schuchart’s No. 1s machine back in May 2018 at Charlotte, Drydene has become a prominent influence in grassroots racing, with major sponsorships in WoO Late Models including Ricky Weiss, Chris Madden, Scott Bloomquist and Rick Eckert, to being presenting sponsors of DIRTVision and official partners of both the WoO Sprint and Late Model series. Drydene’s commitment to Shark Racing has been a major factor in the teams ascension to the upper echelon of the WoO Sprint series.
The company’s commitment to Shark Racing and the sport runs deeper than just branding on the cars, uniforms, hats and t-shirts. In January 2019, Drydene began developing a racing oil, Drydene Racing Formulas (DRF), and worked closely with Newman’s Racing Engines analyzing both the on-track performance, Shark Racing has won 16 WoO A-Mains since they started exclusively using the racing oil, and improved engine and component wear. The results have proven to be everything Drydene was hoping for.
CONTINUITY FROM NGK, C&D RIGGING AND PELLS TIRE SERVICE
Partnerships have been vital for Logan and Jacob’s growth. Major Associate partners NGK Spark Plugs and C&D Rigging continue to be integral parts of Shark Racing. NGK has provided spark plugs for Shark Racing since 2018 and increased their support the past two seasons. Schuchart has enjoyed being an NGK brand ambassador and participated in several promotions with Team NGK. Shark Racing is looking forward to continuing to build this relationship in 2021.
Timing is everything and last January C&D Rigging Inc. owners Kevin Sassaman and Doug Hetrick attended SHARKFEST just weeks before the team headed to Florida. That’s all it took and they joined the team as sponsors before the event concluded. The company, a full service rigging and millwrighting contractor, was founded in April 2013 and provides scheduled maintenance, emergency services and new construction. Sassaman and Hetrick were in Volusia for Speedweeks and along with their families supported the team at a number of events throughout 2020 and the team is looking forward to having their friends from C&D at a number of races in 2021 as well.
For those that have followed Scruffy’s career, they’ll recognize Pell’s Tire Service. The Coldwarter, Michigan company owned by Mark Pell has supported Allen since he was driving and continued that from the moment Logan and Jacob began competing. Mark is at the track when the team is racing anywhere close to Michigan and reported that Pells Tire Service, just like Shark Racing, had an terrific year in 2020.
JVI GROUP BECOMES OFFICIAL TRANSPORTATION PARTNER FOR SHARK RACING
Successfully traveling across the country and competing in the demanding 90-plus nights of action can be one of the toughest parts about being a full time Outlaw. Anyone that knows the Shark Racing story can recall some of the challenges the team has faced during their time on the road. Shark Racing is proud to announce the addition of JVI Group as the official transportation partner of the team. JVI Group’s Sam Elicker is big supporter of short track racing and the team is excited to represent the Dillsburg, PA based company that offers a full range of construction services from excavation, paving, plowing and equipment hauling.
#IWANTTOPUSHSHARKRACING
Shark Racing is also pleased to announce the addition of Taggart’s Powersports Inc. as a Shark Racing supporter. The team will utilize a pair of 2021 Polaris Phoenix 200’s to get their cars to the staging lanes and pushed out for the A-Mains each night. Allen and Schuchart will also use the ATV’s to check out the tracks during race nights. Be on the lookout for news of a special promotion around this partnership being held in June.
PRODUCT PARTNERSHIPS REMAIN IN TACT
Bobby Allen has built his Shark Racing team over the years with hard work and collaborating with very smart people.
Shark Racing has their own dedicated engine program, which “Scruffy” admits is one of the main reasons Logan and Jacob can complete for wins every night. Michael Newman works closely with the team to stay ahead of the competition and has high-performing reliable engines. DRF, NGK, All-Pro Cylinder heads, BAM Lifters, Diamond Pistons, Engler Machine & Tool, Smith Titanium, Walker Filtration, Schoenfeld Headers, and Donovan all help keep Shark Racing near the top of the board each night.
Both drivers will continue running Triple X race cars and utilize a number of components from DMI, Smith Titanium and Moose Blocks, Inc. Factory Kahne shocks and Keizer Wheels are also key to the team’s success and both Logan and Jacob are protected by using products from Bell Helmets and K1 RaceGear.
