T.J.’s Notebook: Rival for Schatz?

David Gravel. (Dan McFarland photo) By T.J. Buffenbarger (November 6, 2017) — With the 2017 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series coming to a close during the World Finals at the Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway Donny Schatz officially picked up another championship with the series. 2017 could also mark the year David Gravel solidified his position as Schatz’s primary rival for the next several seasons. Gravel will enter his third season with CJB Motorsports and crew chief Barry Jackson next season. History has shown one of the things that helps achieve long term success on the Outlaw tour is keeping a group of people that are running well together. So far the CJB team has managed to do so. Gravel’s 18 feature victories was second to Schatz who had 20. Gravel has been brilliant at times this season with moments such as winning the Williams Grove National Open and with his last lap pass of Schatz during the season’s final feature event in traffic for the win. One of the biggest differences in the 2017 season for Gravel’s championship run were the nights he was not winning. Schatz had 66 top five finishes while Brad Sweet had [...]