David Gravel First to the Punch in Volusia World of Outlaws Opener

As lightning and rain clouds threatened the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series opener at Volusia Speedway Park, David Gravel remained calm and collected.

Starting outside row two, Gravel launched his Sprint Car into third on the start, then whizzed by the second-place car of Danny Dietrich on lap two. Anthony Macri, who won the dash, was out to a solid lead by that point, but Gravel began chipping away at it immediately. By lap nine Gravel began to challenge Macri as they began to encounter lapped traffic. Gravel then entered turn three on the high side and ran a cut-down line into turn four, putting Macri away. Gravel never looked back after that.

Most of the field ran single file until lap 18 when the first yellow of the race appeared for Bill Balog whose car had stalled on the back stretch. Fans were surprised to see Macri pull into the pits, handing second place over to Danny Dietrich. The final caution of the race came out on lap 20 for the car of Noah Gass.

One of the high points in the race was when Buddy Kofoid shot to the low side of the track and passed Danny Dietrich for second place with only three laps to go. It was Kofoid’s first race at Volusia Speedway.

Dietrich finished third with Sheldon Haudenschild in fourth and Logan Schuchart in fifth place.

Kofoid, Gravel, Shuchart and Brent Marks all claimed wins in the heat races. Spencer Bayston was victorious in the Last Chance Consi.

Here’s the top 10 rundown:

1. David Gravel
2. Buddy Kofoid
3. Danny Dietrich
4. Sheldon Haudenschild
5. Logan Schuchart
6. Robbie Price
7. Zeb Wise
8. Carson Macedo
9. Aaron Reutzel