David Gravel guided Big Game Motorsports to a pair of top-five results last weekend in the South.
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series doubleheader kicked off on Friday at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala., during the Talladega Sprint Car Showdown. Gravel set quick time for the first time this season before winning a heat race. Unfortunately, a high dash draw lined him up on the last row.
“I hit some grease at the start of the dash and that cost us,” he said.
A sixth-place finish in the dash started Gravel on the outside of the third row in the A Main. He gained two positions for a fourth-place outing.
“I felt like we had a better car than it showed, but fourth was nothing to hang our head on,” he said. “We passed some good cars. We battled for that fourth. It was good for where we started and the conditions. I think if we started third or fourth or on the front row we would have had a shot to challenge up front.”
The action shifted to Magnolia Motor Speedway on Saturday for the World of Outlaws Black Ice Brawl. Gravel timed in 10th quickest overall, which started him fourth in a heat race. A wild opening lap featured Gravel battling for second place entering turn one before getting sideways and falling to eighth. He rallied to secure a fourth-place result to garner the 10th starting spot in the main event.
“There were some holes going into turn one,” he said. “I forced it nearly three wide and was going to try to split those guys. I turned the car and hit the hole and the slick spot in one shot. I went in aggressive and pretty much spun out. To make it back to fourth in the heat was huge. If you look at the box score that we ran fourth you’d think we weren’t that good in the heat, but we had a really good car.
“Starting 10th in the feature wasn’t terrible. We were able to get a good jump and get to fifth in a hurry, by Lap 3 I think. We kept moving forward and were able to get on the podium. We chose the right lanes and put ourselves in a good position. I think we had the fastest car on the race track. Being the fastest car on the track is a really good feeling for the team. When you can pass all the good cars like we did it’s definitely a confidence builder with this new tire. We’re constantly learning and hoping to be the first team to figure it out.”
The runner-up performance garnered the Hard Charger Award for passing the most cars and it helped Gravel continue to lead the World of Outlaws championship standings.
Next up for the team will be the Texas Outlaw Nationals this Friday and Saturday at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas. Gravel is seeking his first World of Outlaws win at the track.
“I’ve had some good runs and I believe I’ve finished second there twice,” he said. “It’s a tricky place. Track position is crucial. We’ll have to qualify well and put ourselves in position. I don’t think you’ll be able to go from 10th to second at that track.”
QUICK RESULTS –
March 24 – Talledega Short Track in Eastaboga, Ala. – Qualifying: 1; Heat race: 1 (1); Dash: 6 (5); Feature: 4 (6).
March 25 – Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss. – Qualifying: 10; Heat race: 4 (4); Feature: 2 (10).
SEASON STATS –
10 races, 3 wins, 7 top fives, 9 top 10s, 10 top 15s, 10 top 20s
UP NEXT –
Friday and Saturday at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, Texas, for the Texas Outlaw Nationals with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series
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