News Director 
Story By: COLBY GORNIEWICZ / WORLD OF OUTLAWS – LAWRENCEBURG, IN – In an action-packed 35-lap Feature at the Lawrenceburg Speedway, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series standout and Larson Marks Racing team owner, Kyle Larson used a line that no one dared to run, enabling him to the lead with over 10-laps remaining.
A mistake in traffic by Larson allowed his driver, Shane Stewart to get back by his Boss in lap-traffic for his second World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of the 2017 season at Lawrenceburg Speedway.
The fans at Lawrenceburg Speedway were treated to one of the best World of Outlaws races of the season. It was a day that had everything from, slide-job passes, several lead changes, drama and much more.
“Man, that was blast,” said Kyle Larson. “I hope you [fans] enjoyed that because that was awesome from my seat. That was one of the most intense Sprint Car races I’ve ran.”
With three-time Lawrenceburg Speedway winner, Donny Schatz starting on the front row of the 35-lap Feature, he knew he had to contend with some heavy-hitter drivers in the field such as Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, David Gravel, Shane Stewart and the rest of the 25-car field.
2016 Lawrenceburg Speedway winner, Shane Stewart started the day off on the wrong foot. During hot laps, the team found an oil leak, but wasn’t able to find the cause. The Larson Marks Racing team decided to change the powerplant on the No. 2 machine for precautionary reasons.
During the opening lap of the Feature event, Schatz rocketed out front but he was quickly challenged by Stewart, who started the race in the fourth position.
Schatz was able to hold the lead for the opening six laps, until the leaders got into slower lap traffic. Stewart, running second, was able to pounce on Schatz and overtake the No. 15 machine for the lead. The two would run side-by-side until the only yellow flag of the event was displayed on lap 13.
Stewart would hold the lead for the restart with Schatz in second. Kyle Larson who had started the event in the ninth spot had worked his way up to the sixth position.
A great restart by Larson propelled him from sixth to fourth but he didn’t settle there as he quickly worked his way up to the runner-up position.
“I found a line just before the caution, running just above the cushion in Turns 1 and 2 and do a little bit of the same in Turns 3 and 4; was able to get to the lead like that,” added Larson.
Larson Marks Racing co-owner didn’t take it easy on his driver, as the No. 57 of Larson and the No. 2 of Stewart came together battling for the lead in turn two.
“I feel like I race [Shane] harder, it’s always fun racing Shane,” said Larson.
“I was just out there for a cool drive, until [Larson] came up,” said Stewart. “I was shocked when [Larson] went by me up [top]; its Kyle Larson, what can you say?”
Larson would get by the No. 2 of Stewart for a couple laps as the two approached lap traffic.
“I got to lead there and made a mistake in traffic and [Shane] got back by,” said Larson. “I cut across [the cushion] a little too soon and got in the holes and starting bouncing, that was what allowed Shane to get back by me. I knew I showed [Shane] my line and what I was doing so it was going to be tough to get back by him. We had a couple more opportunities at [Shane] but we just ran out of time, but that how’s racing goes. I can’t wait to race Sprint Cars some more.”
After getting back by his Boss in lap traffic, Stewart was able to put a lap car between him and the No. 57 of Larson on the white flag lap giving Stewart the separation he needed to go on to repeat as winner at Lawrenceburg Speedway.
“It was fun racing against my car owner, definitely a fun race. I always enjoy coming here. The guys gave me a great car; they work endless hours to keep this car fast. I’m just the lucky man that gets to drive it.”
The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series returns to action for three-nights at the The 39thAnnual AGCO Jackson Nationals at the Jackson Motorplex in Jackson, MN on Thursday, June 1 – 3. Tickets can be purchased online at slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling SLS Promotions at 815-344-2023.
Lawrenceburg Speedway Notebook
Feature (35 Laps): 1. 2-Shane Stewart [4][$10,000]; 2. 57-Kyle Larson [9][$5,500]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz [1][$3,200]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet [10][$2,800]; 5. 4-Paul McMahan [2][$2,500]; 6. 24-Rico Abreu [11][$2,300]; 7. 9-Daryn Pittman [5][$2,200]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [6][$2,100]; 9. 18-Ian Madsen [3][$2,050]; 10. 5-David Gravel [19][$2,000]; 11. 2X-Parker Price-Miller [12][$1,500]; 12. 49X-Tim Shaffer [13][$1,200]; 13. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild [7][$1,100]; 14. 10H-Chad Kemenah [15][$1,050]; 15. 17-Joey Saldana [8][$1,000]; 16. A67-Brandon Wimmer [20][$900]; 17. 20N-Hunter Schuerenberg [14][$800]; 18. 11K-Kraig Kinser [22][$800]; 19. 7S-Jason Sides [23][$800]; 20. 3-Tim Kaeding [21][$800]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [18][$800]; 22. 67-Christopher Bell [17][$800]; 23. 99-Brady Bacon [16][$800]; 24. 12N-Cole Duncan [24][$800]; 25. 19-Brent Marks [25][$800];Lap Leaders: Donny Schatz 1-6; Shane Stewart 7-22, 25-35; Kyle Larson 23-24; KSE Hard Charger Award: 5-David Gravel[+9]
