Deitz’s Motorsports News and Notes: March 13

Fight in Vegas, INDYCAR Opens, Green Flag Set to Fly at Atomic; Motorsports News and Notes

Martin Truex Jr. completed the sweep Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway winning both stages and the race. The win is the first of 2017 for Truex Jr. who sits 4th in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series standings.

A scrap on pit road after the race left Kyle Busch bloody. Busch and Joey Logano made contact in turn four on the final lap of the race as they challenged for positon. Busch spun to the entrance of pit lane and finished 22nd, Logano finished 4th. After the race Busch left his car and made his way down pit road. Busch walked up to Logano and threw a punch which lead to a brawl on pit road. Logano saying after the race that the incident wasn’t intentional while Busch said that’s how Logano races and that “he’s gonna get it.”

INDY Opens in St. Pete

Despite a crash in qualifying that forced him to the back of the field to start the race, Sebastien Bourdais made his way to the front and won the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Bourdais lead three times for 69 laps on his way to victory in the Verizon INDYCAR Series opener. New Albany, Ohio native Graham Rahal finished 17th.

Dirt Set to Fly at Atomic

Dirt racing fans in Ohio can get their fix for the first time this year Friday night when the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series visits Atomic Speedway for the Third Annual Buckeye Spring 50. As we told you last week, car count could impact the purse. If the total car count for super late models reaches 75, the winner of the Buckeye Spring 50 would go home with $12,000, up from the current $10,000 to win purse. Modifieds are also on the card Friday paying $1,000 to win.

Some of the drivers who have confirmed per the Atomic Speedway Facebook page include Josh Richards, Scott Bloomquist, Earl Pearson Jr. and Jimmy Owens. Regional drivers who have committed include Doug Drown, Freddie Carpenter, Tyler Carpenter and Jackie Boggs.

Outlaws Out West

The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series is out west. The series ran twice last week at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Wooster, Ohio native Sheldon Haudenschild finished 10th in the feature last Thursday and came home 19th in Fridays feature. The 23-year-old sits 12th in the points as the Outlaws make their way through California to close out the month.

Schatz Keeps Winning

After 3 wins and a pair of runner up finishes with the All Star Circuit of Champions during their Florida swing in February, Donny Schatz has picked up where he left off with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series. Schatz, who runs with the Outlaws full-time, has 5 wins in 6 races. Schatz has a 74 point lead over Jason Johnson in The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series.

iRacing, World of Outlaws Announce Partnership

The deal that was announced last week makes iRacing, the World of Outlaws exclusive online racing partner. iRacing is preparing to launch dirt racing on its popular platform with sprint cars, super late models and street stocks on March 29th.

Tough Finish for Matt Tifft

After qualifying 6th in Las Vegas, the Hinckley, Ohio native finished 34th in last Saturdays Boyd Gaming 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Tifft brought out the caution after spinning and brushing the wall in the 2nd stage.

New Truck Series

Look for the Coyote Racing Series to hit a local short track near you this summer. After the ARCA Truck Series folded at the start of the year, Billy Strehle has worked to get the CRS up and running. Among the tracks the series plans to visit: Lorain County Speedway, Sandusky Speedway, Barberton Speedway and Midvale Speedway. The series opener is set for April 22nd at Lorain County Speedway. More on this series later.