David Gravel of Watertown, CT Edges Kyle Larson to Win $52,000 at Eldora Speedway
ROSSBURG, OH – In a thrilling showdown at Eldora Speedway on Saturday night, David Gravel of Watertown, Connecticut, edged out NASCAR star Kyle Larson in a dramatic finish to capture the $52,000 prize at the prestigious sprint car event. The win adds another jewel to Gravel’s already impressive racing résumé and further solidifies his status as one of the premier drivers in the world of dirt track racing.
Gravel, driving for Big Game Motorsports, demonstrated poise, speed, and strategic brilliance over the 50-lap main event, holding off a hard-charging Larson in the final laps of the race. The two drivers put on a spectacular show for the packed grandstands at the iconic half-mile clay oval, exchanging the lead multiple times in the closing circuits.
“It means a lot to win here, especially with the competition the way it is,” said Gravel in Victory Lane. “Kyle [Larson] is one of the best out there, no matter what he’s driving. To beat him here at Eldora, in front of these fans, and take home $52,000 – it doesn’t get much better than this.”
Larson, who has won numerous high-profile sprint car events and is the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, congratulated Gravel after the race and acknowledged the intense battle. “We gave it everything we had,” Larson said. “David ran a great race, hit his marks, and made it tough to get around him. It was a blast racing that close at a place like Eldora.”
The race began with Larson on the front row alongside Logan Schuchart, but it didn’t take long for Gravel, who started in the second row, to make his presence felt. A handful of cautions bunched up the field throughout the race, giving Larson multiple opportunities to challenge for the lead. On lap 43, Larson made a bold move to briefly take the top spot, only for Gravel to retake it two laps later with a daring slide job in turn three.
The final restart came with just five laps to go, setting up a nail-biting finish. Gravel expertly navigated the cushion and lap traffic, keeping just enough distance between himself and Larson as the crowd roared with anticipation.
In addition to the $52,000 payday, the win adds momentum to Gravel’s 2025 World of Outlaws campaign, where he remains a top contender in the championship standings. It also marks another significant victory at Eldora, a venue known for hosting some of the biggest and most competitive dirt racing events in the world.
Rounding out the top five were Carson Macedo, Brad Sweet, and Logan Schuchart, each of whom showed strong pace throughout the evening but couldn’t match the blistering speed of the frontrunners.
As the summer schedule intensifies, all eyes will remain on Gravel and Larson as they continue their epic rivalry across America’s most storied dirt tracks.
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