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World of Outlaws Sprint Car Stampede
Devil's Bowl Speedway | Mesquite, Texas
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Race Recap  

GOING OUT IN STYLE: Gravel Nips McFadden at Checkered Flag for Final Devil’s Bowl Victory

The anticipation was sky high. The final race at the birthplace of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars in 1978 – Devil’s Bowl Speedway. The stands were filled to capacity. Could the finale live up to the hype?

Absolutely it could.

After chasing James McFadden for the entirety of the 30-lap finale, David Gravel saw an opening on the final lap and capitalized. With the checkered flag in sight, Gravel slipped to McFadden’s outside coming out of Turn 4, the two touched wheels, and Gravel stole the victory at the finish line.

The thousands of fans rose to their feet to watch a photo finish with a .015 second margin of victory. Oddly enough, the lapped car right next to them was none other than Riley Goodno, who was driving a car that paid tribute to Kenny Woodruff’s machine that Jimmy Boyd took to Victory Lane in the first ever World of Outlaws race at Devil’s Bowl. The perfect punctuation to the decades of Devil’s Bowl history.

“What a way to send off Devil’s Bowl. How about that?” Gravel said., “I’m sick of running second. I saw a stat that I ran six seconds in the last 10 races, so that was way too many. I was sending it no matter what. I know Carson (Macedo) and Brad (Sweet) were having trouble, but at the end of the day, I’ve just got to try to win races no matter what they do. Happy to finally get one.”

Gravel’s win at Devil’s Bowl marked his first at the Mesquite, TX track in his 17th attempt with The Greatest Show on Dirt. The Watertown, CT’s 87th career Series victory gives him sole possession of 10th all-time, breaking a tie with Daryn Pittman. On the track’s final night of racing, the Big Game Motorsports driver became the 30th different competitor to win a World of Outlaws race at the birthplace of the Series.

Gravel started the race in the second spot with McFadden to his inside on the pole after the two ran first and second in the Toyota Racing Dash. McFadden jumped ahead early on, but a major moment in the race came on a restart with 2 laps complete. Lining up in the second row, teammates Brad Sweet and Kasey Kahne came together resulting in both of them flipping on the front straightaway.

Sweet, the points leader, brought the battered KKR #49 to the Federated Car Care Work Zone in need of many repairs. After non-stop thrashing on the Napa Auto Parts machine, Sweet was able to rejoin the field.

On the ensuing restart, McFadden again powered ahead of Gravel to maintain the top spot. Way back in the field, Sweet began picking through cars. But trouble struck again for the four-time champion as his left rear tire shredded on the eighth lap. Back to the Work Zone Sweet went, and back to the track be returned with a new tire.

The race endured a couple more yellow flags over the next dozen laps, and the last one helped set up a finish for the ages.

McFadden favored the low line of the racetrack in the latter stages while Gravel looked to the top to locate a potential lane by McFadden. As the laps dwindled, Gravel managed to continue cutting into McFadden’s advantage. When the two reached traffic with only a handful of laps to go, Gravel had his momentum built up and was ready to make a move.

On the final lap, McFadden found himself stuck behind a slower car in the preferred inside line. While the bottom might’ve been faster, Gravel had no intentions of staying behind and settling for second after posting six runner-ups in the previous 10 races.

As the two screamed out of Turn 4 on the last lap, Gravel found enough momentum and space to squeeze through to the outside. McFadden stayed heavily on the gas, but the momentum and win belonged to David Gravel and his Big Game Motorsports team by inches over McFadden.

Gravel put his name in the record books as the final driver to top a World of Outlaws race at Devil’s Bowl with an all-time finish.

David Gravel and James McFadden have a photo finish at Devil's Bowl
A photo finish between David Gravel (2) and James McFadden (83) decided the final Devil’s Bowl race with Riley Goodno just ahead in the Woodruff/Boyd #21W tribute car (Trent Gower Photo)

“Obviously, I wasn’t alive in 1978,” Gravel said. “But this is where it all started. It’s cool to put my stamp on the end of the race. What a great crowd tonight, probably the biggest crowd ever in the history of Devil’s Bowl.”

It was a bitter pill to swallow for McFadden who claimed the runner-up spot after leading the entire race except the final few feet in the Roth Motorsports #83. And even though disappointed, McFadden kept the larger perspective in mind of the fans being treated to a memorable conclusion to Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s last race.

“It sucks to lose it by a nose,” McFadden said. “But it’s a good way to send the place off. Hopefully the fans enjoyed that. My car was really, really good, but then sort of over the last eight laps I got really, really tight.”

Rounding out the final Devil’s Bowl podium was Donny Schatz aboard the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15. The 10-time champion moved forward from ninth and even passed Gravel at one point for second before slipping back a spot.

“We thought when we got racing with David there we were going to have a chance to get going,” Schatz explained. “I moved up the racetrack a little bit and got in his dirty air, and for some reason I was just stuck. I kept trying it. We got by him, but once I got myself back in clean air I was kind of in trouble and he went back by.”

Giovanni Scelzi and Cory Eliason completed the top five. Scelzi also claimed the KSE Racing Hard Charger after advancing from 15th to his fourth place finishing position.

After flipping and two trips to the Federated Car Care Work Zone, Brad Sweet managed to drive all the way back up to seventh. Gravel’s win brought him within 50 points of Sweet with only the World Finals remaining.

Sweet snagged the Simpson Performance Products QuickTime Award, his fourth in the last five races.

CASE No.1 Engine Oil Heat One went to Kasey Kahne. NOS Energy Drink Heats Two and Three were topped by Sheldon Haudenschild and Spencer Bayston.

Logan Schuchart won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars wrap up the 2023 season and crown a champion with four nights of World Finals action at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Nov. 1-4. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the action live on DIRTVision.

RESULTS:

NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps): 1. 2-David Gravel[2]; 2. 83-James McFadden[1]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz[9]; 4. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[15]; 5. 11-Cory Eliason[14]; 6. 5-Spencer Bayston[4]; 7. 49-Brad Sweet[3]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart[19]; 9. 7S-Robbie Price[20]; 10. 1-Brenham Crouch[16]; 11. 20G-Noah Gass[10]; 12. 4-Austin Mundie[22]; 13. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[11]; 14. 41-Carson Macedo[13]; 15. 1J-Danny Jennings[18]; 16. J2-John Carney II[8]; 17. 21W-Riley Goodno[21]; 18. (DNF) 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[17]; 19. (DNF) 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[5]; 20. (DNF) 95-Matt Covington[24]; 21. (DNF) 9-Kasey Kahne[6]; 22. (DNF) 84-Scott Bogucki[7]; 23. (DNF) 52-Blake Hahn[12]; 24. (DNF) 19-Ayrton Gennetten[23]

[Read More]
Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+12David Gravel 300.0001Running150$20,023
21-183James McFadden 30-0.01529Running146$10,000
39+615Donny Schatz 30-1.953Running144$4,800
415+1118Giovanni Scelzi 30-3.058Running142$3,800
514+911Cory Eliason 30-4.812Running140$2,800
64-25Spencer Bayston 30-5.774Running138$2,300
73-449Brad Sweet 30-6.915Running136$2,200
819+111SLogan Schuchart 30-8.107Running134$2,100
920+117SRobbie Price 30-8.776Running132$2,050
1016+61Brenham Crouch 30-10.251Running130$2,000
1110-120GNoah Gass 30-12.906Running128$1,978
1222+104Austin Mundie 30-14.214Running126$1,978
1311-23ZBrock Zearfoss 30-14.331Running124$1,978
1413-141Carson Macedo 30-14.951Running122$1,978
1518+31JDanny Jennings 30-16.118Running120$1,978
168-8J2John Carney II30-17.200Running118$1,978
1721+421WRiley Goodno 30-18.890Running116$1,978
1817-115HSam Hafertepe Jr20-10 LapsDNF114$1,978
195-1417Sheldon Haudenschild 9-21 LapsDNF112$1,978
2024+495Matt Covington 8-22 LapsDNF110$1,978
216-159Kasey Kahne 2-28 LapsDNF108$1,978
227-1584Scott Bogucki 2-28 LapsDNF106$1,978
2312-1152Blake Hahn 2-28 LapsDNF104$1,978
2423-119Ayrton Gennetten 1-29 LapsDNF102$1,978
KSE Hard Charger: Giovanni Scelzi
Last Chance Showdown Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+11SLogan Schuchart 120.00012Running0$0
21-17SRobbie Price 12-1.823Running0$0
34+121WRiley Goodno 12-2.644Running0$0
43-14Austin Mundie 12-3.587Running0$0
56+119Ayrton Gennetten 12-4.261Running0$0
612+695Matt Covington 12-4.551Running0$0
75-287JJace Park 12-5.413Running90$300
810+272Harli White 12-6.039Running90$250
97-299XDalton Stevens 12-6.847Running90$225
108-217XWout Hoffmans 11-1 LapsRunning90$200
119-22BBrett Becker 9-3 LapsDNF90$200
1211-11TTanner Holmes 0-12 LapsDNS90$200
Dash 1 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11083James McFadden 60.0006Running0$0
2202David Gravel 6-1.742Running0$0
34+149Brad Sweet 6-3.191Running0$0
43-15Spencer Bayston 6-4.316Running0$0
55017Sheldon Haudenschild 6-5.019Running0$0
6609Kasey Kahne 6-7.880Running0$0
Heat 1 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+19Kasey Kahne 80.0008Running
21-149Brad Sweet 8-0.228Running
33084Scott Bogucki 8-1.356Running
44020GNoah Gass 8-3.292Running
58+341Carson Macedo 8-4.048Running
6601Brenham Crouch 8-5.032Running
75-27SRobbie Price 8-5.949Running
87-121WRiley Goodno 8-7.679Running
99099XDalton Stevens 8-9.422Running
1010072Harli White 8-9.705Running
Heat 2 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+117Sheldon Haudenschild 80.0008Running
21-12David Gravel 8-0.381Running
330J2John Carney II8-1.742Running
4403ZBrock Zearfoss 8-2.618Running
56+111Cory Eliason 8-3.194Running
65-115HSam Hafertepe Jr8-3.683Running
79+24Austin Mundie 8-4.214Running
87-187JJace Park 8-4.760Running
910+117XWout Hoffmans 8-5.643Running
108-21TTanner Holmes 5-3 LapsDNF
Heat 3 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
1105Spencer Bayston 80.0008Running
22083James McFadden 8-2.248Running
33015Donny Schatz 8-4.155Running
44052Blake Hahn 8-6.945Running
56+118Giovanni Scelzi 8-7.070Running
610+41JDanny Jennings 8-8.617Running
75-21SLogan Schuchart 8-9.249Running
87-119Ayrton Gennetten 8-12.044Running
9902BBrett Becker 8-12.340Running
108-295Matt Covington 1-7 LapsDNF
Qualifying Flight 1 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
12849Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA14.2660.000
2192David Gravel Watertown, CT14.363-0.097
3135Spencer Bayston Lebanon, IN14.439-0.173
4229Kasey Kahne Enumclaw, WA14.447-0.181
5217Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH14.513-0.247
6883James McFadden Alice Springs, NT14.559-0.293
72784Scott Bogucki Mclaren Vale, SA14.675-0.409
86J2John Carney IIEl Paso, TX14.676-0.410
91415Donny Schatz Fargo, ND14.678-0.412
101520GNoah Gass Mounds, OK14.722-0.456
1173ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA14.740-0.474
121752Blake Hahn Sapulpa, OK14.772-0.506
1347SRobbie Price Cobble Hill, BC14.792-0.526
142015HSam Hafertepe JrSunnyvale, TX14.808-0.542
15111SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA14.812-0.546
16101Brenham Crouch Lubbock, TX14.818-0.552
17511Cory Eliason Visalia, CA14.819-0.553
182918Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA14.842-0.576
19321WRiley Goodno Knoxville, IA14.855-0.589
20987JJace Park Overland Park, KS14.921-0.655
211619Ayrton Gennetten Versailles, MO14.959-0.693
222541Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA15.017-0.751
23241TTanner Holmes Jacksonville, OR15.052-0.786
242695Matt Covington Glenpool, OK15.080-0.814
25199XDalton Stevens Scurry, TX15.117-0.851
26124Austin Mundie Crandall, TX15.161-0.895
27302BBrett Becker Odessa, TX15.209-0.943
281872Harli White Lindsay, OK15.266-1.000
292317XWout Hoffmans boxmeer, NB15.324-1.058
30211JDanny Jennings Norman, OK15.407-1.141
Hot Laps Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
12849Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA14.4340.000
2135Spencer Bayston Lebanon, IN14.571-0.137
3111SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA14.689-0.255
41415Donny Schatz Fargo, ND14.697-0.263
5101Brenham Crouch Lubbock, TX14.830-0.396
6883James McFadden Alice Springs, NT14.842-0.408
7217Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH14.876-0.442
82695Matt Covington Glenpool, OK14.883-0.449
947SRobbie Price Cobble Hill, BC14.901-0.467
101520GNoah Gass Mounds, OK14.905-0.471
11987JJace Park Overland Park, KS14.938-0.504
12229Kasey Kahne Enumclaw, WA14.961-0.527
131619Ayrton Gennetten Versailles, MO14.973-0.539
146J2John Carney IIEl Paso, TX14.985-0.551
15511Cory Eliason Visalia, CA14.986-0.552
1673ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA14.990-0.556
17321WRiley Goodno Knoxville, IA15.010-0.576
18192David Gravel Watertown, CT15.094-0.660
192541Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA15.141-0.707
20124Austin Mundie Crandall, TX15.147-0.713
211872Harli White Lindsay, OK15.295-0.861
222918Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA15.305-0.871
231752Blake Hahn Sapulpa, OK15.400-0.966
242784Scott Bogucki Mclaren Vale, SA15.461-1.027
25199XDalton Stevens Scurry, TX15.475-1.041
26211JDanny Jennings Norman, OK15.487-1.053
272015HSam Hafertepe JrSunnyvale, TX15.488-1.054
282317XWout Hoffmans boxmeer, NB15.594-1.160
29302BBrett Becker Odessa, TX16.052-1.618
30241TTanner Holmes Jacksonville, OR16.251-1.817
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Stampede
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Devil's Bowl Speedway
1711 Lawson Road
Mesquite, Texas 75181 

Event Description
The World of Outlaws return to where it all began at Devil's Bowl Speedway for the all new World of Outlaws Sprint Car Stampede. It'll mark the first time since 1980 that the track has hosted The Greatest Show on Dirt for four races in a year.

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

Event Schedule
Friday:
2:00PM Pit Gates open
5:00PM Grandstand Gates open
6:30PM Hot Laps/Qualifying with Opening Ceremonies and Racing to Follow

Saturday:
2:00PM Pit Gates open
5:00PM Grandstand Gates open
6:30PM Hot Laps/Qualifying with Opening Ceremonies and Racing to Follow
*All Times Central
*All times Central

Ticket Options  
Ticket Phone
(844) 347-8849

Options And Prices
2-Day Premium Reserved: $85 Advanced / $95 Day of
2-Day Reserved: $75 Advanced / $85 Day of
2-Day GA: $65 Advanced / $75 Day of
2-Day GA Child: $20
Single Day Premium Reserved: $45 Advanced / $50 Day of
Single Day Reserved: $40 Advanced / $45 Day of
Single Day GA: $35 Advanced / $40 Day of
Single Day Child GA: $10

Grandstand Type
Devils Bowl Speedway's grandstands are a mixture of bleachers and chair-back type seats.

Reserved Seating
Sections 1-7 highest row is 19 closest is 1. Sections 8-16 highest row is 28, closest is 1.

Family Section Location
N/A

Handicapped Seating Location
Handicap accessible seating is in the first row of each section.

Pit Age Requirement
There is not an age limit for the pit area at this event. Minors aged 17 and younger must submit a fully-executed minor “Parental Consent, Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement/Minor's Assumption of Risk and Release and Waiver of Liability by.” These will be available at the Pit Ticket Windows.

Pit Gate Location
outside turn 1

Parking Cost
VIP Pit Parking is $10 per day. Main Parking Lot and Overflow Parking Lot is free.

Handicapped Parking Location
Devil's Bowl Speedway offers handicap parking in the first row of the parking lot.

Camping Cost
No On-Site Camping

Frequently Asked Questions  
Reserved Seating
Sections 1-7 highest row is 19 closest is 1. Sections 8-16 highest row is 28, closest is 1.

Type of Grandstand
Devils Bowl Speedway's grandstands are a mixture of bleachers and chair-back type seats.

Stadium Seating
Stadium seats and lawn chairs are allowed in the grandstands.

Handicapped Seating
Handicap accessible seating is in the first row of each section.

Handicapped Parking
Devil's Bowl Speedway offers handicap parking in the first row of the parking lot.

Pit Age Limit
There is not an age limit for the pit area at this event. Minors aged 17 and younger must submit a fully-executed minor “Parental Consent, Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement/Minor's Assumption of Risk and Release and Waiver of Liability by.” These will be available at the Pit Ticket Windows.

Pit Gate Location
outside turn 1

Personal Coolers
No personal coolers allowed in the grandstands.

ATMs
1

Credit Card Use
Pit Gate, Ticket Window

Alcohol Sales
Devil's Bowl Speedway does sell alcohol at its concession stands.

Smoking Policy
Devil's Bowl Speedway has a no smoking policy in grandstands.

Family Section
N/A

Parking Cost
VIP Pit Parking is $10 per day. Main Parking Lot and Overflow Parking Lot is free.

Camping Cost
No On-Site Camping

Track Info  

Devil's Bowl Speedway
1711 Lawson Road
Mesquite, Texas 75181 

Track Phone
(972) 222-2421

Ticket Phone
(844) 347-8849

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Type
0.500; High-banked

Sprint Car Track Record
13.306 seconds by Jason Johnson on 4/27/18

Closest Airport
Dallas, TX (DAL / KDAL) Dallas Love Field

Other Airport
Dallas, TX (DFW / KDFW) Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

Pit Gate Location
outside turn 1

Track Map
Competitor Info  

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