Larson holds off Schatz for 2nd Brad Doty Classic win at Attica

By Brian Liskai

ATTICA, Ohio – Kyle Larson held off a late race charge from ninth starter Donny Schatz to claim his second Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic Presented by Racing Optics title Tuesday, July 12 at Attica Raceway Park. It was the Elk Grove, California native’s third World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series win of 2022, two of which have come at Attica.

Larson, the defending NASCAR champion, took the lead from his brother-in-law Brad Sweet on a lap 13restart and seemed to have the race in hand until lapped traffic came into play on lap 27. Schatz, the 10 time World of Outlaws champion, had worked his way to third by lap 21 and took second from Sweet on lap 29. In just six laps Schatz cut Larson’s lead in half. The huge crowd were on their feet as Schatz pulled under Larson on several occasions, but Larson made some daring moves in traffic to seal the $15,000 win, the fifth overall victory at Attica in his career.

“I found the top there a couple of laps before that caution. He (Sweet) was protecting on the restart and I felt that I could carry my momentum off of there. I felt really good but we got into traffic and it was hard to see. I could see Donny (Schatz) was running the bottom in one and two and I wasn’t really sure where he would be in three and four. I was kind of struggling when I caught Cap (Henry) and I missed the bottom a little bit and I knew Donny was right there,” said Larson beside his Finley Farms, Tarlton and Son, Folkens Bros. Trucking, FloRacing, JVI Group backed #57.

“Thankfully Donny is the cleanest racer in the world really and you can always trust him when you’re racing with him. I don’t know if there’s a lot of midget guys watching right now with a USAC race going on, but if they are take notes off of Donny Schatz. He’s a clean as it gets. A lot of people have lost respect so take notes from that guy,” added Larson.

For Schatz, his charge to the front gives him a lot of optimism heading to Eldora Speedway the rest of the week.

“The guys have definitely found a lot of things to get this thing a lot better. Everybody at Ford worked extra hard to get it where I can keep it on the end of my foot and control it a lot better. We had a decent run the other night and tonight it was good. We were racing for the win finally. That feels good. Kyle did a great job and I just had to go where he wasn’t and my car was decent everywhere. I feel like I didn’t fade throughout the race and I didn’t take off great but I didn’t fade at the end,” said Schatz of his Carquest, Ford Performance, Sage Fruit, Digital Ally, Curb, J&J Auto Racing backed #15.

“Everyone has their own characteristics in racing and I’ve been around a long time and I think everybody knows I’m not that way and I’m not about to be that way. It’s just the way I was brought up and raised and I’m proud of that fact. I’m going to stay that way and I guess I’ll end that way. If it bites me it bites me but it’s going to be my forte,” added Schatz.

Attica Raceway Park will be back in action Friday, July 22 with the All Pro Aluminum Cylinder Heads/Kistler Racing Products Attica Fremont Championship Series presented by the Baumann Auto Group 410 sprints, the NAPA of Bryan AFCS presented by Jason Dietsch Trailer Sales 305 sprints and the UMP Late Models in action.

For more information go to www.atticaracewaypark.com or follow the track on Twitter @atticaracewyprk or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/atticaracewaypark and Instagram at attica_raceway_park.

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