There are few things that race fans like better than when an underdog prevails. Logan Schuchart might not be your favorite driver, but you can’t argue the growth and success that we have witnessed over the last ten years from him and the Shark Racing team. On Thursday night, Schuchart made history, winning the largest paying sprint car race ever at Eldora Speedway.
The win was a popular one with the fans and even his competitors. A lot of the drivers on the World of Outlaws tour followed along with the Shark Racing Team that would show up to the track with one hauler for two cars and scrap and claw their way through the night just to keep the cars running. While Logan and the team have grown out of the underdog status, it will always be remembered where they started and how they got there.
In the FloRacing mini series, Sprint to the Million, Schuchart’s Shark Racing teammate, Jacob Allen, recalled the early days of his career when people in the pit area would laugh at their hauler and team pulling in. Allen, who also raced his way into the million A Main, has also grown into a driver that can win on any given night. The Shark Racing duo are now well-respected amongst their competitors.
A fan recalled on Twitter that at one point, there was a GoFundme account created to help the team repair their trailer in order to get to the races. Another fan mentioned that the team broke down on the way to the track one night and they had to call in a backup hauler to get them there. That second hauler also ended up breaking down. Luckily, the race that night was rained out or else the team would have never made it.
It is the stories like these that make this victory so much sweeter. Schuchart just became dirt racings latest millionaire. His Grandfather and car owner, legendary sprint car driver Bobby Allen, was quick to remind us that Logan will only receive half of the winnings. The rest will be funneled back in to the cars.
Bobby Allen took his team World of Outlaws racing in 2014 and it wasn’t until 2016 at Cedar Lake Speedway that Logan would get his first win. The Central PA team went from racing 358 sprints on the porch, to a full time 410 outlaws schedule. Schuchart and Allen may not have been ready at the time, but Bobby’s belief and vision got them to where they are today.
The story of Shark Racing, Bobby Allen, Logan Schuchart, and Jacob Allen will be one that sprint car fans and racing fans will always appreciate. It’s the hard work, determination and faith that makes underdog stories like this extra special. A true “rags to riches” moment and it could not have happened to a better team. I am so happy we all got to witness it.
Check out some older photos of Logan and the team below.
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