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MECHANICSBURG -- Shane Stewart almost quit sprint car racing at the end of last season, but even without a full-time ride, the veteran driver decided to continue racing this season.
Piecing together a schedule with a few different rides, Stewart's perseverance paid off with an $8,000 win Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway in the Summer Nationals preliminary feature sanctioned by the World of Outlaws.
"There's no better feeling than beating the Outlaws at Williams Grove," Stewart said following his second career Grove win. "This isn't my best track and I haven't had a lot of success here. I felt like I've had some good runs, but could never capitalize on a win. I'm happy to be here.
"After last year, I was honestly thinking about quitting. Bernie (Stuebgen) called and said he wanted to put together a small schedule and I wanted to seize that opportunity."
While Stewart has been fast all season, it was his first win in the Indy Race Parts No. 71.
"I wouldn't have guessed that our first win would come at this race track," Stewart said. "I'm very thankful. This car has been fast all summer. It's unfortunate that we can't race every weekend, but every time I get in this car, it's always running up front."
Stewart, of Bixby, Okla., started on the pole and raced into the lead to start the 25-lap Summer Nationals preliminary feature for the World of Outlaws sprint car series. He was followed by Anthony Macri. Donny Schatz passed Daryn Pittman for third spot. Lance Dewease was fifth.
A third turn crash stopped the race with two laps completed. Wayne Johnson and Landon Myers were involved in the crash. They were uninjured.
Pittman passed Schatz back as Stewart controlled the restart.
Stewart quickly stretched his lead over Marci and Pittman and Schatz continued to battle for third spot with Dewease and David Gravel right behind.
He had a 1.4-second lead when he caught slower traffic at the back of the field. Stewart was boxed in with Macri closing quickly.
Brian Montieth stopped in turn four with 12 laps completed giving Stewart a clear track once again.
Macri took a shot at the lead in turn one on the restart. He cleared the slider, but Stewart turned back under Macri's to lead off turn two.
Macri then had an inside challenge from Schatz in turns three and four, but he maintained his spot.
Stewart began to pull away from Macri, but Dewease stopped bringing out the yellow with nine laps to go.
Stewart got a much better restart this time and blasted around the cushion in one and two. Schatz used the bottom to pass Marci for second. Macri tried to take it back the next time around, but Schatz secured the spot.
Stewart pulled away to a 1.7-second lead with five laps left. He was flawless over the final laps beating Schatz for the victory. Macri, Pittman, and Brock Zearfoss completed the top five. Gravel, Brad Sweet, 21st starter Logan Schuchart, Carson Macedo and 24th starter Sheldon Haudenschild rounded out the top 10.
Dewease set quick time over the 35-car field with a lap of 17.025. Dewease, Gravel, Stewart and Pittman won the heat races. Stewart won the dash. Schuchart won the Last Chance Showdown.
Williams Grove Speedway
Sprint cars (25 laps)
1. Shane Stewart. 2. Donny Schatz. 3. Anthony Macri. 4. Daryn Pittman. 5. Brock Zearfoss. 6. David Gravel. 7. Brad Sweet. 8. Logan Schuchart. 9. Carson Macedo. 10. Sheldon Haudenschild. 11. Freddie Rahmer. 12. Jacob Allen. 13. Steve Buckwalter. 14. Tim Shaffer. 15. Brent Marks. 16. Danny Dietrich. 17. T.J., Stutts. 18. Lucas Wolfe. 19. Kraig Kinser. 20. Lance Dewease. 21. Brian Montieth. 22. Kyle Reinhardt. 23. Ryan Smith. 24. Landon Myers. 25. Wayne Johnson.