Saturday, November 4th the World Finals wrapped up at the Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Saturday program would be similar to Friday night's show with the only difference being that the Sprint Cars and Late Models would flip flop the running order for their division's program with the Late Model feature being the last event on the card while on Friday night the Sprint Cars would be the last event on the card. Big Blocks would again run double Last Chance events while the other two classes would run a full program of heats, last chance events and then their main events.
The field of race cars was very similar to Friday night's event, with only a handful of cars not running as the result of either serious mechanical failures or from crashes. Friday night's worst accident saw Sadie Siegel pound the first turn wall with her Sprint Car and a walk through the pits before the racing started revealed that the car had already been stripped down to its bare frame. Blown motors on Friday night also took care of several Late Models, Big Blocks and a couple of Sprint Cars too.
Perhaps track management took to heart all the complaints about the horrible dusty conditions that prevailed on Friday night as the track was considerably wetter to start the racing on Saturday night. Of course that didn't last too long but even in the long run it made the track better which the drivers commented on throughout the night. The weather conditions were different too which probably played a part in the different track conditions. It was cooler on Saturday and heavily overcast, two things that certainly would help the track.
For those of us sitting on the back chute, we were certainly grateful for a strong Northeast breeze which sent the dust rolling into the main grandstand. Those folks weren't too pleased however and a number of them filtered around to the back chute to watch the show. Persistent horrible dust conditions seem to be a staple of this track and despite trying all manner of things to reduce the problem, it still remains just as bad as it has always been.
The Big Blocks came to the grid first for their main event. The Super Dirt title was still in the balance as the last feature of their season began, but Matt Sheppard was not about to let it slip from his fingers. After being fortunate enough to redraw the pole, he led all the way in the forty lap main to win both the feature race and guarantee himself the Super Dirt title. He had some pressure in the early going from Keith Flach with three yellows in the first sixteen laps keeping things pretty bunched.
However, the last twenty four laps went green and Sheppard pulled away from the pack as he won rather comfortably. This was not the greatest weekend for the Big Blocks as quite frankly, their racing was much of the follow the leader variety and the side by side racing was at a minimum.
Donny Schatz had already guaranteed the Sprint Car title but he was aiming for his two hundred and fiftieth Outlaw win, which would have been quite the way to wrap up his season. Schatz took the lead early after starting third but he wasn't able to shake Brian Brown and David Gravel. The first few laps were plenty rocky with several crashed that included a four car flip in turn one after a stacked up restart.
The last half of the race went nonstop and Schatz seemed to be in control, even though Gravel was running him close. David made a couple of slider attempts to pass in the last five laps and nearly pulled off the move, but each time Schatz would regain the lead.
Schatz' biggest problem at the end was a couple of lapped cars that didn't seem to be able to decide where they wanted to run. Schatz had to pause briefly and Gravel used the opportunity to shoot past for the lead. Schatz tried to come back using the low side off turn two but there was nothing there and he lost ground as Gravel drove on for the win. Of course most in the crowd were pleased as Schatz wins too much for some, but I prefer that exceptionalism be rewarded, not scorned. For those that hope for Schatz' Outlaw win streak to be put to an end in 2018, Gravel is likely their best hope.
Despite the last lap pass for the win in the Sprint Car main, for the second straight night the Late Models put on the best show from start to finish. The Late Model feature was another dandy with five cars in the lead pack right down to the finish, just like on Friday night. Again it was Mike Marlar that led from the start with the field again chasing him. Shane Clanton and Dale McDowell were the early drivers chasing Marlar but then they were exchanged for Jimmy Owens and Brandon Sheppard. With most of the drivers running the low side, Sheppard was pounding the cushion, short track Illini style. He made have made it work for the second straight night but for the fact that he got way too high in turn four and gave up one position and a bunch of time. Owens took Sheppard's place ramming the cushion but he could only make it work to a fashion that allowed him to retain his place.
Marlar started to slow a bit just as he had the night before but after fighting off a couple challenges, it looked like on this night he might be able to hold on. However, Dennis Erb really picked up the pace and he was able to get under Marlar off turn two with just a few laps left. Just as Erb does in winning most of his races, he's never spectacular or "showy" but more often than not, he's there at the end. If ever there was a "Mr. Consistency," it would be Erb. It proved to be a great win for him and an excellent way to wrap up the season, although on a roll, Erb will likely head to Alabama for racing next weekend at a track that fits his style.
Just as surprising as the strong runs both nights by Marlar, Erb and Owens were the poor showings by Don O'Neal, Darrell Lanigan and Scott Bloomquist among others.
This event continues to grow every year. It was announced that Thursday night's crowd was the largest ever for the Thursday night race, the Friday night race was a near sellout and Saturday the place was a complete sellout of tickets. While off the top of my head I don't know what the grandstand seats, it is a huge grandstand and the number of people in the pits also is astronomical.
This event has to be a huge money maker for the World Racing Group as I would guess that the only races that perhaps have more people in attendance are some of the events at Eldora and while this race pays a nice purse, it doesn't come anywhere close to what those races pay. It would be nice if the management would thank the racers by upping the purse for next year's event as there seems to be no indication that the spectator turnout will start to level off.
For those that have not been to this race as of yet, I can't think of a better chance to see the three biggest divisions that the World Racing Group sanctions all together on one big stage. Most of the best cars in all three classes are on hand and this is one of the few race tracks in the country that can properly present such a race. There are also tons of other racing related things to do in the greater Charlotte area.
I need to sent out a special thanks to Shaun Johnson of the Charlotte Motor Speedway staff for his help setting me up for the weekend and also Don Stodola of G Force Racing Gear for his help too.
One last thing to be noted. I'm typing this from the passenger seat of a car as we hurtle our way home from North Carolina on some of the roughest interstate roads known to mankind, so if you find an occasional keyboarding gaff or spelling error, take pity.
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