Pittman Edges Schatz By A Whisker At Volusia

Daryn Pittman celebrates his win at Volusia. [Joe Jennings Photo]

Barberville, Fla. – In a thriller at Volusia Speedway Park on Thursday evening, Daryn Pittman edged hard-charging Donny Schatz to win the last of two UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions sprint-car feature races on the half-mile track.

The close finish had the Florida crowd on its feet for the final 10 laps and the margin of victory was a scant .079 seconds. A succession of yellow flags closed the field toward the end.

Schatz stormed from 15th while Pittman started from the front row.

“The yellows probably helped me,” Pittman said. “At the end, my tires were better when it was cooling down. These races are hard to win, and I had to work hard for it. This race might have an All-Star banner but it is the same as an (World of) Outlaws show. It is great to come down here to Florida and get started on a good note.

“When Donny (Schatz) drove in front of me down the backstretch, I knew he had caught up to me. I had seen him in turn 2 for a couple of laps, but my momentum was carrying me into turn 3 and then I bobbled in turn 4 taking the white flag. I knew he would have a run on mean and if it would have been anyone else, I would have had to lift but he drove me clean. It wasn’t over until we crossed the line. When you beat him, you know you have done it fair and square.” Pittman wheeled Kasey Kahne’s Great Clips/Sage Fruit/Team ASE/Curb Records winged-sprinter.

Starting from the front-row, Pittman soared to the front at the drop of the green and built up a commanding lead through the opening 14 laps. At that point, Brad Sweet caught the leader in traffic and held the point for two laps before Pittman regained the lead.

The pair ran together until the first of four caution flags dropped on lap 23.

At that point, Schatz had gone from 15th to sixth and was rapidly gaining on the leaders.

Three additional caution flags in the final 10 laps bunched the field even more with Schatz picking off four more to the delight of the crowd before overhauling Sweet for second with three to go.

Using the low line Schatz pulled alongside Pittman in the final two laps and momentarily gained the lead only to be repelled by the ultimate victor.

Sweet took third ahead of Wednesday night’s winner Greg Hodnett.

Fast-qualifier Kerry Madsen finished fifth ahead of Joey Saldana, David Gravel, Cody Darrah, Jason Sides and Terry McCarl.

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