Ian Madsen and Donny Schatz closed out the 2018 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series 2018 season in fine form on Saturday at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.
Madsen wrapped up 2018 Rookie of the year honors by scoring the victory on Saturday afternoon, while Schatz closed the season with the win and the series title on Saturday night.
On Saturday afternoon, Madsen took control off turn four on the opening lap. Five laps later, Shane Stewart used the cushion to blast to the lead.
Stewart would hold the lead until lap 13, when bad luck struck in the form of a flat tire, drawing the caution.
Madsen inherited the lead for the restart, and would come under fire from Greg Wilson and Logan Schuart.
Madsen held the lead through a caution flag and a red flag condition en route to the victory.
“This is an awesome feeling. We’ve been coming to this event every year and it keeps getting bigger and bigger. It’s awesome to be a part of the World Finals,” a relieved Madsen said.
Shaffer finished in second, with Schuchart in third, Spencer Bayston in fourth and Greg Wilson in fifth.
On Saturday night, Schatz charged from the 10th starting spot to score the victory and put a bow on his 10th series championship.
Schuchart challenged Schatz coming to the white flag, exchanging slide jobs, but in the end had to settle for second.
Carson Macedo jumped to the early lead in the feature, with Schatz on the charge behind him.
Schatz inherited the lead after Macedo suffered a right tear tire with 23 laps complete. Schatz would hold on to the top spot, with Schuchart closing to set up the exciting finish.
“Hats off to my guys, they have worked their butts off all season. I’m the hardest guy in the pits to work for because if it’s not perfect, I’m not happy,” Schatz said. “These guys do an excellent job night in and night out. I felt great on that restart with seven to go and I knew it would take someone with a lot of speed to get by me and sure enough here comes the 1S.”
Brad Sweet finished in third, with Tim Shaffer and Giovanni Scelzi rounding out the top five.
For more information on the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series, visit WoOSprint.com.
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series
The Dirt Track at Charlotte – Concord, NC
World of Outlaws World Finals – November 3, 2018
Saturday Afternoon
1. 18-Ian Madsen
2. 49X-Tim Shaffer
3. 1S-Logan Schuchart
4. 39-Spencer Bayston
5. W20-Greg Wilson
6. 5-David Gravel
7. 83-Cory Eliason
8. 22-Carson Macedo
9. 87-Aaron Reutzel
10. 15-Donny Schatz
11. 49-Brad Sweet
12. 4-Kasey Kahne
13. 5M-Kerry Madsen
14. 9-Daryn Pittman
15. 71-Giovanni Scelzi
16. 11K-Kraig Kinser
17. 1A-Jacob Allen
18. 41-Joey Saldana
19. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild
20. 19-Brent Marks
21. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss
22. 13-Paul McMahan
23. 7S-Jason Sides
24. 44-Trey Starks
25. 71X-Dominic Scelzi
26. 71P-Parker Price-Miller
27. 19P-Paige Polyak
28. 2-Shane Stewart
29. 21-Brian Brown
Saturday Night
1. 15-Donny Schatz
2. 1S-Logan Schuchart
3. 49-Brad Sweet
4. 49X-Tim Shaffer
5. 71-Giovanni Scelzi
6. 39-Spencer Bayston
7. 5-David Gravel
8. 5M-Kerry Madsen
9. 41-Joey Saldana
10. 71P-Parker Price-Miller
11. 2-Shane Stewart
12. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild
13. 11K-Kraig Kinser
14. 18-Ian Madsen
15. 9-Daryn Pittman
16. 21-Brian Brown
17. 7S-Jason Sides
18. 71X-Dominic Scelzi
19. 87-Aaron Reutzel
20. 13-Paul McMahan
21. 19-Brent Marks
22. 83-Cory Eliason
23. W20-Greg Wilson
24. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss
25. 1A-Jacob Allen
26. 17A-Austin McCarl
27. 22-Carson Macedo
28. 15H-Sam Hafertepe
http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/11/732512/madsen-and-schatz-close-out-woo-season-at-charlotte