In a surprising turn of events that has sent ripples through the sprint car community, Shark Racing has officially parked its No. 1A team effective immediately. The move leaves 19-year-old touring rookie Ashton Torgerson without a ride, while the organization continues its World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series campaign with Logan Schuchart behind the wheel of the flagship No. 1S.
The decision, announced by team co-owner Jacob Allen, was shared in a statement released by Torgerson himself. The young driver had been sitting 13th in WoO points through 17 series races—a respectable position for a rookie navigating one of dirt racing's toughest circuits. The Hanover, Pennsylvania-based team has not yet clarified whether this is a temporary pause or a permanent shutdown of the No. 1A operation.
"This is a hard post for me to make, but effective immediately, Jacob Allen has made the decision to park the team," Torgerson wrote in a heartfelt social media statement. "I'm incredibly bummed, but more than anything, I'm thankful. I can't thank Bobby Allen and Jacob enough for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime—the chance to wheel the legendary Shark Racing 1A and chase my dream at the highest level. Together, we made memories I'll carry forever, shared a lot of laughs, and had some incredibly fast race cars along the way. For that, I'll always be grateful."
Shark Racing, founded by the late Bobby Allen—who passed away at 81 last October—had hired the Medford, Oregon teenager last April following Jacob Allen's retirement. The plan was to follow the entire WoO circuit this season, and the pairing showed promise early on. They captured their only victory together on April 27 at BAPS Motor Speedway, and over 77 races, they compiled six top-five finishes and 22 top-10s.
Despite the setback, Torgerson made it clear he has no intention of walking away from the sport. "To my crew, sponsors, fans, and everyone who believed in me through this journey—thank you for standing behind us every step of the way. Your support meant everything. With that being said, I'm not done. My goal is still to stay on tour with the World of Outlaws and continue chasing this dream."
For fans of dirt track racing, this development is a reminder of how quickly things can change in the high-octane world of sprint car competition. As the season rolls on, all eyes will be on where Torgerson lands next—and whether Shark Racing will return to a two-car operation in the future.