by Kyle McFadden

Rossburg, Ohio – Logan Schuchart personifies the spirit of the Eldora Million. A decade ago, the Hanover, Pa., native and his family team were the prototypical weekly racer, driven by aspirations to one day strike it big on the grandest of stages in Sprint Car racing.

On Thursday at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, the Shark Racing driver arrived on the biggest stage of them all as the winner of the Eldora Million and its coveted $1,002,023 top prize. When Tony Stewart, Eldora Speedway and FloRacing announced the race last December, serving everyman dirt racers like Schuchart trying to make a good living was the overarching reason.

Through the euphoria that overflowed from winning the richest event in Sprint Car racing history came Schuchart’s testimony of just how far he and the family team — owned by his Hall of Fame grandfather, Bobby Allen — have come.

“This team has come such a long way and I know I say it time and time again, but I hope any kid or person in general can know what I’m feeling right now, to win a race like this,” Schuchart said. “If anybody ever tells you you can’t do anything, I know you hear that a lot. There’s lots of nights I sat there thinking, should I do something else? I don’t know if I’m good enough for this. I ran second in every major event and what if I never win one of these big races?

“I ask God every night before I start this race, watch over myself and my competitors, keep everybody safe, just help me to drive to the best of my ability. The man upstairs sure did that tonight.”

Before this week, Schuchart had finished second in all three of Sprint Car racing’s traditional Crown Jewels the past four years: the 2021 Williams Grove National Open, 2019 Kings Royal and ’19 Knoxville Nationals.

Last year, he even finished third in the Knoxville Nationals and fourth in the Kings Royal. Case in point, Schuchart’s been too close all these years, ever since he became a World of Outlaws traveler in 2014, to not eventually bust through in a Crown Jewel event. The Eldora Million so happened to be the event where everything fell Schuchart’s fell way.

After coming two markers shy of top points earner Carson Macedo following Wednesday’s prelims, Schuchart toughed out the victory in Thursday’s second heat race. The heat victory, though a sizable one over Rico Abreu, was anything but easy because of a broken power steering pump line. Schuchart’s odds to win the Eldora Million then increased all the more when he drew the pole position for the 50-lap main event.

From there, Schuchart controlled his destiny and never faced a true challenge from someone behind, not even runner-up Macedo or Brad Sweet.

Schuchart’s only real scare of the race happened during a caution period following a crash that wiped out Aaron Reutzel, Kyle Larson, Lachlan McHugh, Giovanni Scelzi and Spencer Bayston.

One of Schuchart’s brake rotors lit up inside the wheel well so brightly Sweet the No. 1S car had caught fire.

“It looked like he kind of flamed up for a second under that caution,” Sweet said. “I thought, ‘Oh that might change the outcome of the race.’ But hats off to them. They showed up and came out and executed.

“Honestly, I think Logan had the best car. I thought he was probably the best car all weekend. I knew of he got in front, he’d be hard to pass.”

Schuchart ended up winning the race by 2.706 seconds, a comfortable margin that was never really in question down the stretch. When Schuchart got to victory lane, his crew, needless to say, joined in on the celebration. No Shark Racing team member was prouder than Allen, though, the 69-year-old whose grandson delivered a victory that no other driver in the history of Sprint Car racing can say they’ve won.

“If this man wasn’t around, I would have never been introduced and got in a race car to begin with,” Schuchart said of Allen. “The amount of love our family has of bond and passion for this sport, I couldn’t ask for a better man to guide me. I got all my family here, this is an amazing moment.

“It’s an awesome race car. We’ve been struggling a little bit at points this year. I’ll admit, this man right here next to me (Allen) when told me about a month ago, ‘I don’t know about the season Im going to have. I don’t feel real confident in what we’re doing.’ He goes, ‘Yeah, well you’re going to win the Million.’ And, man he was right.”

Shark Racing Team Scores First World of Outlaws Win of 2023

ROSSBURG, OHIO – Logan Schuchart loves racing at historic Eldora Speedway in western Ohio and Friday night he was the class of the field in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series #LetsRaceTwo opener. Schuchart led 29 of the 30 laps behind the wheel of the Drydene/DuraMAX C&D Rigging Federated Auto Parts Shark Racing No. 1s to score his first WoO triumph of 2023 and 36th of his career. 

“I love racing at Eldora,” said Schuchart. “My guys Brendon Collum and Lonnie Judy worked hard this week putting a new car together and it was a rocket. We were fast from when we unloaded and just kept getting better. This team is here to win races and we’re making big gains on it. This place is going to have some pretty big races in July and we want to be right there battling for wins. Racing with the World of Outlaws prepares you for those big shows. Every night, every spot is so tough. Cherish the win and move to the next race, because it’s going to take everything going right to get that one.”

Schuchart was fast out of the box earning his second fast qualifier of the year before winning the third heat. He finished third in the Toyota Dash to start the 30-lap main on the inside of row two. He wasted no time taking the lead on the opening lap. The Hanover, PA native set a torrid pace and maneuvered traffic to perfection during the main event. Late in the race, Rico Abreu slid Schuchart to lead lap 29, but Schuchart made a turn one pass to retake the lead and drove away to score his fourth win at Tony Stewart’s half-mile dirt oval. 

“Really happy to get everyone that helps us a win,” continued Schuchart. “Obviously, that first one always seems to be the hardest. We couldn’t do this without great partners like Drydene, DuraMax, C&D Rigging, Federated Auto Parts, Shiloh Paving & Excavating and Williams Grading. They all love this sport and have been right there with us. We’re going to do everything we can to keep getting them in victory lane.” 

On Saturday, Schuchart was extremely fast as he qualified second in the field of 41 cars, won the third heat race to earn a spot in the Toyota Dash. After finishing eighth in the six-lap dash, he lined up for the feature outside of row four. The feature didn’t go as planned with Schuchart unknowingly running over debris in the early laps causing his right rear tire to explode seven laps into the race. The explosion sent Schuchart into the turnout wall. Despite a heroic effort to get repairs made, Schuchart wasn’t able to return to action and was credited with a 24th place finish. 

After 17 of 81 scheduled races, Schuchart ranks fourth in the World of Outlaws championship standings. He turns his focus to his hometown track, Lincoln Speedway, for Wednesday night’s WoO Gettysburg Clash. A pair of races at historic Williams Grove Speedway Friday and Saturday concludes the Outlaws second of four visits to the Keystone state in 2023. 

SCHUCHART OPENS SPRINT CAR SEASON IN FLORIDA
World of Outlaws Star Scores Three Top-Fives 

Consistency was a stated goal for World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series driver Logan Schuchart entering the 2023 campaign. The driver of the Drydene/DuraMax backed Shark Racing 1s kicked off the 2023 racing season at the 52nd Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park near Barberville, Florida with four nights of action this past week. The Hanover, PA native earned finishes of second, ninth, fifth and third before Saturday’s finale was postponed because of rain to March 5. 

“We wanted to get out of the box with some good runs and be consistent every night,” said Schuchart. “We are down here chasing trophies. We didn’t get one yet, but we’re competing for them. The guys did a great job getting us ready to come down here.  They also did a good job working together each night at the races too. We had to battle the weather a little bit, but hats off to track guys for giving us a good surface to race on. All of us are excited to get back down here in March get back on the track. We have another good opportunity and will keep digging.”

The week of action was filled with several highlights for Schuchart including: storming from fourth to first during the opening lap of Tuesday’s All-Star Circuit of Champions main event, winning Outlaw heat races Thursday, Friday and Saturday and earning top qualifying honors on Friday night.

Schuchart ranks second in the DIRTcar Nationals “Big Gator” Championship, trailing David Gravel by 12 markers with only the finale remaining to determine the winner. Schuchart won the “Big Gator” in 2021. 

KNOXVILLE, IOWA (Aug. 9, 2022) – World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series star Logan Schuchart will be doing more than just chasing one of the biggest trophies in all of motorsports this week at the 61st NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals in Knoxville, Iowa. The Hanover, PA native will help military members through a donation push for Roots for Boots, the grassroots non-profit whose Mission is to meet the current needs and challenges of our veterans, active duty and military families. 

Each year during the Nationals several teams will debut new car designs with the event providing the sport its biggest stage. Instead of debuting a new car this year, Schuchart will debut a new custom suit built by K1 Racegear. The all-white with red and blue accented suit, gloves and custom-painted helmet honor America and the 29-year-old is looking to pay tribute to all current and former U.S. soldiers, including his father, Marine Craig Schuchart.

“I’m so proud to be an American and we are blessed to have the men and women of our military protect us every day,” said Schuchart. “I get to live my dream and race sprint cars thanks to the great people that surround me. My grandfather built a race team for me. We’ve been able to work with great partners like Drydene, DuraMAX, C&D Rigging, NGK, Williams Grading and L&M Tire and Wheel this year. Without all of them this wouldn’t be possible… exactly like without all the men and women that have served this country, we all couldn’t be living the lives we are. My dad instilled in me many traits he learned while serving our country and this week I have an opportunity to help serve my country without serving and that means a lot.”

Shark Racing Apparel will sell Logan Schuchart t-shirts named “Nationals” this week at the event and a percentage of these shirts sold will be going to Roots for Boots. The shirt includes his No. 1s racecar and an image of his new helmet, which honors a special marine.

“It’s a privledge to help those that have and still are protecting our freedom,” continued Schuchart, who won Sunday’s Captani Classic at Knoxville Raceway. “I have a great opportunity to reach fans and people out there that want to help this cause because of the popularity of our sport. Racing fans are the best and really support programs like this. I’m excited to have the chance to get involved.”

Along with several public appearances in Knoxville this week, Schuchart will meet with the special soldier he’s honoring on his helmet Thursday, Aug. 11. Be sure to follow Logan on his social media outlets (FB: LoganSchuchart1s, Twitter @LSchuchart1s & Instagram: @loganschuchart to see the helmet and moments from the reveal. 

How to help the cause:

1) Purchase shirt during Knoxville Nationals

2) Donate to Roots for Boots directly – follow the QR Code link

About Roots for Boots

Roots for Boots is a grassroots non-profit whose Mission is to meet the current needs and challenges of our veterans, active duty and military families.  We are 100% volunteer and are funded by the community.

Some of our accomplishments include the following:

• Assisting with payment for medical appointments outside of the VA
• Repairing and securing automobiles 
• Providing heating oil and paying utility bills
• Assisting with home repairs and lawncare
• Constructing ramps for wheelchairs
• Providing all terrain Action trackchairs 
• Assisting veterans with VA issues and employment
• Assisting homeless veterans with supplies when moving into permanent housing (beds, dressers, kitchen supplies, etc)
• Supporting soldiers/Marines and their families during deployments
• Providing educational programs for the library, local schools/universities

Roots for Boots enthusiastically invites community members to share their gifts, talents and resources with us.   Ordinary citizens are given opportunities to serve their country by supporting our Mission.  We cannot do the work we do without the generous support of the community.  

Facebook and Instagram: roots_for_boots

For more information or to donate, visit the roots for boots website at www.rootsforboots.com

Barberville, FL – Feb. 8, 2022 – There are a lot of details that must come together for a project like Logan’s 2022 Shark Racing scheme and just importantly a lot of people that help make it happen.  When the Shark Racing 1s rolled out of the trailer at Volusia Speedway Park for the 51st annual DIRTcar Nationals yesterday, it marked the completion of the 2022 1s brand build for the World of Outlaws season. 

HOW WE GOT HERE

When checkered flag fell in Charlotte on the 2021 season and the work to build the 2022 program was in full speed. Shark Racing worked with all of their partners from 2021 to continue their partnerships for the 2022 season. We are pleased to have all of them back involved with Logan’s team and we worked hard to provide them great spaces on the racecar, drivers suit/crew uniforms and transporter. 

With Drydene’s new ownership, RelaDyne, also promoting the DuraMAX brand, the Lakeside Apparel & Graphics design team of Zack Barber and Aaron Ott where able to add some blue into the already red, white and black color pallet. We asked for five different schemes and they provided us some great options, but one design jumped out at us. It was ultimately tweaked slightly and became what you will see hit the track this week for the first time. 

It was a very involved process and the Lakeside team delivered in a very tight time frame. They were able to get us a completely wrapped car ready in less than a day so that Logan’s car could be displayed in Bridgeport’s Speedway booth at the Motorsports Show near Philly. 

Once all the decal’s were applied it was time for Nate Berwager and his group at RA Smith and Sons to put the final touches on it. A clear coating of all the body panels gives it an incredible shine and provides an added layer of protection. 

One the biggest branding tools a World of Outlaws team has is its 53’ foot traveling billboard. RelaDyne’s Dan Oehler and Al Johnson really liked the idea of utilizing a fresh wrap on Logan’s hauler. Lakeside designed a scheme that gives both Drydene and DuraMAX great exposure, but also includes the stars and stripes that are also part of Logan’s car design. 

Before the trailer could go to Brandon Rahmer of Chop Designs for the install, four layers of old vinyl had to be stripped off. Shane Eisenhart of Iron Stag Crane Services opened his shop up on a weekend and a great group of guys spent the day getting the trailer back to it’s original skin. You could even see the Mopar imprints from it’s first few seasons on the road with Mark Kinser. Eddie Foit also help with the final details on the following Sunday. 

Our crewman Ben Witman delivered the trailer to Reading on a Thursday night and Rahmer worked for three days and did an outstanding job. We are extremely excited to see the rig travel the country providing Drydene, DuraMAX and C&D Rigging great exposure pulling into dirt tracks from coast to coast. 

In their 2022 concept package, Lakeside provided some sample uniforms that were passed along to Jacob Brown and the team members at K1 RaceGear. K1 also took advantage of the added colors from the DuraMAX brand and built Logan four awesome suits and the crew new jerseys to wear too. 

Mark Clemmons, of Clems Designs, has been painting Logan’s helmets the past two years and designed a helmet that of course includes the shark teeth painted by Logan’s grandfather Gene Schuchart and follows the WW2 fighter pilot theme. A bomber girl is also part of the design. Clem does terrific work and we’re excited to see his next creation for Logan. 

A big thank you to all of our crew members – Ron Helmick, Ben Witman, Jack Eckard and Tyler Garber for working hard to get everything built and to Florida safely. 

It’s been an incredible experience working with all of these great people. It takes being surrounded by great people to pull off something special. Everyone at Shark Racing is excited about the 2022 season we’re excited that we can bring Lakeside, K1, Chop Designs, Clem Designs and RA Smith & Sons along for the ride with us.