Aliquippa’s Tim Shaffer Takes World of Outlaws Win at Williams Grove

Nicole Signor Creative photo

Official Press Release by Pittsburgh Racing Now:

MECHANISCBURG, PA (Pittsburgh Racing Now) – Aliquippa’s Tim Shaffer held off David Gravel to win Round 1 of the 2019 World of Outlaws Summer Nationals Friday night at Williams Grove Speedway.

Shaffer started from the pole had built a lead of 3.870-seconds when the first caution flag flew with 11-laps to go for Daryn Pittman.  Donny Schatz was in second place after a fierce battle with Gravel and Freddie Rahmer.

Shaffer chose the inside line for the restart with Schatz outside and Gravel in third position. Shaffer hammered the throttle on the restart and quickly moved up to the top side with Gravel moving up on the inside of Schatz to take second place.

The caution flag flew again on lap 16 for Ian Madsen, who had come to a stop on the track.  On the single-file restart, Shaffer again went to the top and Gravel made his move to the bottom with Shaffer ahead down the backstretch.

Gravel got a great run off turn two on the next to the last lap and dove underneath Shaffer as the pair entered turn three.

Shaffer kept his foot in it off turn four as Gravel used every inch of race track in an attempt to slide up in front of the “Steel City Outlaw” but Gravel got loose and Shaffer held onto the lead, beating Gravel by .731-seconds to pick up his first win at Williams Grove since 2000.

“It was a close one, but we made it through,” said Shaffer.  “I had my eyes closed.”

Shaffer’s win was just the third win by an independent driver in 208-World of Outlaws races at Williams Grove Speedway since the series began racing at the track in the late 1970’s.

Schatz held on for third with Rahmer in fourth.  Danny Dietrich rounded out the Top 5.

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Photo Credit: Nicole Signor Creative
Scott Stiller
PGH Racing Now