MESQUITE, Texas — As a little boy, Logan Schuchart was always in awe of his grandfather. The trophies, the stories and the legend of “Scruffy” Bobby Allen drew Schuchart to follow his family’s path through the sprint car racing world.
He wanted to be just like grandpa and now he is.
The 28-year-old driver collected his 30th career victory on Saturday night, equaling his grandfather and tied for 20thon the all-time World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series wins list.
All 30 of Schuchart’s victories have come behind the wheel of the Shark Racing No. 1s fielded by his grandfather.
“He’s my mentor, he’s my hero, he’s the guy I’ve looked up to since I was a little kid,” Schuchart said. “I always wanted to be like him when I was growing up, I mean he was a legend. To reach 30n wins and tie him at a track like Devil’s Bowl with so much history is just awesome. This is a special one.”
“I’m so proud of that boy,” Bobby Allen said of his grandson. “I want to see him win another hundred races.”
Charging from eighth to first to score the Texas Outlaw Nationals, Schuchart joined icons Sammy Swindell and Mark Kinser as the only three men to ever win three-straight at in World of Outlaws competition at the legendary half-mile track.
Ascending forward in rapid succession, Schuchart drove by Sheldon Haudenschild for third on lap 19, then whipped by Carson Macedo for second on lap 23, and already snookered Ayrton Gennetten one lap later to take command on lap 24.
“That’s the thing about this Drydene crew, we never give up,” Schuchart said. “I was running third when I glanced at the board with I think 21 down and knew it was time to go. I was waiting for those guys to make some mistakes while they were racing each other. I got caught in the wrong spot last night, but we’re back in victory lane tonight.”
The $20,000 victory was Schuchart’s seventh win of the season.
With Schuchart’s success came Ayrton Gennetten’s grief. The 22-year-old Missouri native earned the pole in only his 28th career start with the series and led the opening 23 laps.
Willing to accept and fend off several challenges by Macedo, the budding pilot appeared poised for a first-career win until Schuchart came to life in the late stages.
By the checkered flag, Gennetten slipped back to finish a career-best fourth in his first race at Devil’s Bowl.
“It was pretty cool,” Gennetten noted. “Not a lot of people expect you to lead laps, especially that many. It’s something you work for and dream of competing for World of Outlaws wins as a kid. I wish we could’ve capitalized, but there’ll be the next time.”
Carson Macedo finished second and Sheldon Haudenschild was third.
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