Sprint Cars

TOP FIVE STORYLINES: Huge Field Heading to Knoxville for Premier Chevy Dealers Clash

World of Outlaws Four-Wide Salute at Knoxville Raceway

Tyler Carr Photo

An important trip to Iowa is ahead for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.

All eyes are on the “Hawkeye State” as a massive collection of Sprint Cars is ready to invade Knoxville Raceway for the final leg of the Premier Chevy Dealers Clash this weekend (June 12-13).

For the full-timers on the World of Outlaws tour, it’s the final official tune-up ahead of the 65th running of the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s (Aug. 12-15) – an opportunity to see how you stack up against one of the toughest fields of the year, made up of regional and national talent.

Knoxville, IA is the place to be for any Sprint Car fan this weekend.

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CHAMPS AT THE CAPITAL

Two of the most successful drivers at Knoxville are the two champions on the World of Outlaws tour, Donny Schatz and David Gravel.

Schatz’s Knoxville résumé is among the greatest to ever turn a lap on the Marion County Fairgrounds. Among his 30 victories are 11 Knoxville Nationals titles, which trails only Steve Kinser’s 12 for the most all-time. Schatz’s three trips to Knoxville this year in the CJB Motorsports No. 15 have resulted in finishes of ninth, 10th, and second. The 10-time champion is looking to rebound this weekend after a DNF at Angell Park Speedway.

Gravel’s Knoxville speed has surged considerably since teaming with Big Game Motorsports. The pairing has won seven times at the Iowa oval together, including one earlier this year, bringing Gravel’s career total there to 15. The two-time and defending titlist hasn’t finished worse than fourth in his last seven Knoxville Features.

Donny Schatz in his fire suit
Donny Schatz aims to add to his already historic Knoxville stats this weekend (Emily Schwanke Photo)

CLOSING IN

They’ve still got some work to do, but the Wisconsin weekend allowed a few competitors to make up significant ground on Gravel in the championship battle as he suffered his first DNF since the season opener.

Carson Macedo is the hottest driver on tour with three wins in the last six races aboard the Jason Johnson Racing No. 41. His drive from 16th to fifth at Plymouth and his Angell Park victory shrank Gravel’s advantage from 114 markers to 70. The Lemoore, CA native has five career wins at “The Sprint Car Capital of the World.”

Third-running Michael “Buddy” Kofoid took a sizeable chunk out, shrinking his gap from 126 to 86 points. The Roth Motorsports No. 83 is the winningest car on tour in 2026 with six trips to Victory Lane, but Kofoid is still in search of his first-ever Knoxville checkered flag.

Macedo may be stealing the headlines for racking up wins in recent weeks, but Sheldon Haudenschild and the KCP Racing crew have been the most consistent combination during the stretch. They’ve finished no worse than seventh in the last seven races and have bagged eight top fives over the last 10. Haudenschild is still fourth in points but chopped 50 markers off his distance to Gravel, narrowing it from 194 to 144. The Wooster, OH native topped a local Knoxville race in 2021.

Carson Macedo standing on the Jason Johnson Racing trailer
Carson Macedo took a big chunk out of David Gravel‘s point lead in Wisconsin as he goes after his first title (Emily Schwanke Photo)

DEFENDING THE FAIRGROUNDS

Knoxville boasts one of the strongest weekly programs in the country, and several of its regular competitors plan to be in action with hopes of defending the Marion County Fairgrounds.

Ryan Timms may be from Oklahoma City, OK and Liebig Motorsports may be based in Rapid City, SD, but the pairing has become synonymous with Knoxville. Timms has taken the No. 10 to Victory Lane in half of his last 10 races at Knoxville, including a current streak of three in a row. He may have the best shot at a win this weekend among the track’s weekly competitors.

He’s yet to make a trip to Victory Lane this season, but 69-time Knoxville winner Brian Brown can never be overlooked. A trio of those came against the World of Outlaws (2019, 2022, and 2023). The Higginsville, MO driver was fifth at the track’s regular show over the weekend.

J.J. Hickle is originally from Washington but shifted his racing focus to the Midwest in recent years with an emphasis on Knoxville. He’s turned heads aboard Matt Moro’s No. 2M this year with five top-five finishes at the 1/2 mile already, including a pair with the World of Outlaws. Hickle drove from 12th to second this past Saturday at Knoxville.

This trio will be a few of the many weekly Knoxville participants battling the best.

FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA

The Premier Chevy Dealers Clash is attracting talent from all over the country to face off with the World of Outlaws and Knoxville regulars.

A pair of famed Pennsylvania cars are making their way off the porch with Knoxville in the GPS. Macri Motorsports is heading west with Kasey Kahne. The two sides partnered in May and gelled quickly as Kahne got his first career World of Outlaws win at Williams Grove Speedway after nearly three decades of trying. They decided to tack on some more races as Anthony Macri continues to heal. Kreitz Racing will also be in attendance with Daryn Pittman behind the wheel. The 2013 World of Outlaws champion put the blue No. 69K on the front row of the Knoxville Nationals two years ago. Pittman owns three career Feature wins at the 1/2 mile.

Aaron Retuzel, the nation’s winningest Sprint Car driver this year with 10 triumphs, will be in action this weekend. One of those came at Knoxville with the World of Outlaws during May’s Stars and Stripes Salute, the Clute, TX native’s 28th overall victory at the 1/2 mile.

St. Helena, CA’s Rico Abreu topped five Knoxville races last year, including one against The Greatest Show on Dirt in April. He brought the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing No. 24 home third last month at Knoxville and will be back for more at the Premier Chevy Dealers Clash.

Additional drivers expected include Giovanni Scelzi (Fresno, CA), Parker Price-Miller (Kokomo, IN), Tanner Holmes (Jacksonville, OR), Tyler Courtney (Indianapolis, IN), and many more.

Daryn Pittman driving the Kreitz Racing No. 69K
Pennsylvania’s famed Kreitz Racing No. 69K will make the trip to Knoxville with Daryn Pittman (Tyler Carr Photo)

HUSET’S AHEAD

While Knoxville can’t be overlooked, a massive week of racing awaits the World of Outlaws once the weekend ahead wraps up. Knoxville serves as the last chance to get the car dialed in ahead of the BillionAuto.com Huset’s High Bank Nationals (June 17-20).

Huset’s Speedway continues to elevate the sport by offering up life-changing money. Next week packs two events into one with the Hefty Seed Huset’s Hustle (June 17-18), dishing out $150,000 to the winner. Then, the slate is wiped clean for High Bank Nationals (June 19-20) as teams will contend for the largest winner’s share in Series history, $300,000. Huset’s also announced a bounty for an extra $100,000 if any competitor that isn’t full-time with the World of Outlaws can take down the country’s best drivers. Add it all up, and nearly $1 million in purse money will be handed out at Huset’s. If someone can cash in on the bounty, it’ll push the total north of $1 million.

Knoxville and Huset’s may share few similarities in terms of size and shape, but it never hurts to get a little confidence and momentum rolling into one of the biggest events of the year.

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE 
Friday-Saturday, June 12-13 at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, IA

AROUND THE TURN
Wednesday-Saturday, June 17-20 at Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, SD (TICKETS)

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (27/84 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports No. 2 (3756 PTS)
2. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 (-70 PTS)
3. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports No. 83 (-86 PTS)
4. Sheldon Haudenschild – KCP Racing No. 18 (-144 PTS)
5. Donny Schatz – CJB Motorsports No. 15 (-214 PTS)
6. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing No. 1S (-236 PTS)
7. Garet Williamson – Fischer Motorsports No. 23 (-410 PTS)
8. Cole Macedo – TwoC Racing No. 2C (-440 PTS)
9. Chris Windom – Sides Motorsports No. 7S (-506 PTS)
10. Spencer Bayston – Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing No. 17 (-522 PTS)

NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (13 Drivers):
6 Wins – Michael Kofoid
5 Wins – David Gravel
4 Wins – Carson Macedo
2 Wins – Anthony Macri, Sheldon Haudenschild
1 Win – Spencer Bayston, Donny Schatz, Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne, Rico Abreu, Logan Schuchart, Aaron Reutzel

FEATURE LAPS LED (23 Drivers):
174 Laps Led – David Gravel
141 Laps Led – Michael Kofoid
81 Laps Led – Carson Macedo
44 Laps Led – Bill Balog
40 Laps Led – Anthony Macri
37 Laps Led – Tyler Courtney, Aaron Reutzel
35 Laps Led – Donny Schatz
33 Laps Led – Brady Bacon
31 Laps Led – Sheldon Haudenschild
28 Laps Led – Ryan Timms, Garet Williamson
25 Laps Led – Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne
21 Laps Led – Kasey Jedrzejek
20 Laps Led – Logan Schuchart
17 Laps Led – Spencer Bayston
15 Laps Led – Rico Abreu
11 Laps Led – Giovanni Scelzi
10 Laps Led – Cole Macedo
7 Laps Led – Brian Brown
6 Laps Led – Brock Zearfoss
1 Lap Led – Christopher Thram

PODIUM FINISHES (26 Drivers):
14 Podiums – David Gravel
12 Podiums – Carson Macedo
11 Podiums – Michael Kofoid
7 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild
4 Podiums – Donny Schatz
3 Podiums – Anthony Macri, Ryan Timms, Spencer Bayston, Rico Abreu
2 Podiums – Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Aaron Reutzel, Bill Balog
1 Podium – Ashton Torgerson, Scott Bogucki, Tyler Courtney, Emerson Axsom, Brad Sweet, Chase Dietz, Kasey Kahne, Justin Whittall, Troy Wagaman Jr., Giovanni Scelzi, Logan Schuchart, Kasey Jedrzejek, Garet Williamson

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (14 Drivers):
11 Quick Times – David Gravel
3 Quick Times – Sheldon Haudenschild
2 Quick Times – Logan Schuchart
1 Quick Time – Ashton Torgerson, Kasey Jedrzejek, Brady Bacon, Will Armitage, Michael Kofoid, J.J. Hickle, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Rico Abreu, Aaron Reutzel, Bill Balog

HEAT RACE WINNERS (33 Drivers):
18 Heat Wins – David Gravel
13 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
7 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo, Bill Balog
5 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart, Donny Schatz
4 Heat Wins – Michael Kofoid, Cole Macedo
3 Heat Wins – Ashton Torgerson, Emerson Axsom, Rico Abreu, Kasey Jedrzejek
2 Heat Wins – Anthony Macri, Chase Dietz, Kasey Kahne, Aaron Reutzel, Spencer Bayston
1 Heat Win – Chase Dietz, Justin Peck, Tanner Holmes, Scotty Thiel, Will Armitage, Rees Moran, Tyler Courtney, Brent Marks, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Justin Whittall, Chad Trout, Giovanni Scelzi, Joel Myers Jr., Austin McCarl, Andy Pake, Garet Williamson

TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (54 Drivers):
22 Dashes – David Gravel
21 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
16 Dashes – Michael Kofoid
10 Dashes – Carson Macedo
9 Dashes – Bill Balog
8 Dashes – Garet Williamson
7 Dashes – Ashton Torgerson, Donny Schatz, Cole Macedo
6 Dashes – Emerson Axsom, Logan Schuchart, Kasey Jedrzejek
4 Dashes – Anthony Macri, Ryan Timms, Rico Abreu, Aaron Reutzel, Spencer Bayston
3 Dashes – Brent Marks, Kerry Madsen, Chase Dietz, Tanner Holmes, Brian Brown
2 Dashes – Scotty Thiel, Chris Windom, Kasey Kahne, Troy Wagaman Jr., Brady Bacon, Will Armitage, J.J. Hickle, Justin Henderson, Austin McCarl, Joe B. Miller
1 Dash – Justin Peck, Parker Price-Miller, Brock Zearfoss, Bryce Lucius, Christopher Thram, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Rees Moran, Bryce Norris, Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet, Danny Dietrich, Logan Rumsey, Daryn Pittman, Kody Hartlaub, Freddie Rahmer, Justin Whittall, Chad Trout, Brenham Crouch, Giovanni Scelzi, Joel Myers Jr., Conner Morrell, Andy Pake

MICRO-LITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (19 Drivers):
3 LCS Wins – Donny Schatz
2 LCS Wins – Michael Kofoid, Chris Windom, Garet Williamson, Spencer Bayston
1 LCS Wins – Cameron Martin, Bill Balog, Blake Hahn, Landon Crawley, Bryce Norris, Giovanni Scelzi, Logan Schuchart, Doug Hammaker, Daryn Pittman, Kerry Madsen, Skylar Gee, Justin Henderson, Emerson Axsom, Joel Myers Jr.

KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (16 Drivers):
6 Hard Chargers – Carson Macedo
3 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz
2 Hard Chargers – Garet Williamson, Michael Kofoid, Spencer Bayston, Chris Windom
1 Hard Charger – Giovanni Scelzi, Ryan Timms, Logan Schuchart, Brady Bacon, Sheldon Haudenschild, Tyler Ross, Cameron Smith, David Gravel, Emerson Axsom, Logan Julien

ACME FASTEST LAP AWARDS (17 Drivers):
4 Fastest Laps – Michael Kofoid
3 Fastest Laps – David Gravel
2 Fastest Laps – Bill Balog, Brady Bacon, Carson Macedo, Aaron Reutzel, Kasey Jedrzejek
1 Fastest Lap – Anthony Macri, Brock Zearfoss, Sheldon Haudenschild, Cole Macedo, Ryan Timms, Brad Sweet, Kelby Watt, Kasey Kahne, Giovanni Scelzi, Garet Williamson

RACE READY CLOTHING HOTTEST LAP OF THE NIGHT AWARDS (14 Drivers):
8 Hottest Laps – David Gravel
3 Hottest Laps – Michael Kofoid, Sheldon Haudenschild
2 Hottest Laps – Logan Schuchart, Garet Williamson
1 Hottest Lap – Austin McCarl, Brent Marks, Cole Macedo, Emerson Axsom, Tyler Courtney, Ryan Timms, Daryn Pittman, Giovanni Scelzi, Carson Macedo

2026 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:
Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner
Wed, Feb 4 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Spencer Bayston (1)
Fri, Feb 6 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Michael Kofoid (1)
Sat, Feb 7 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Anthony Macri (1)
Sun, March 1 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)
Mon, March 2 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Anthony Macri (2)
Fri, March 6 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Donny Schatz (1)
Fri, March 13 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX / David Gravel (1)
Fri, March 20 / Lawton Speedway / Lawton, OK / David Gravel (2)
Sat, March 21 / Creek County Speedway / Sapulpa, OK / David Gravel (3)
Fri, March 27 / US 36 Raceway / Osborn, MO / Carson Macedo (1)
Sat, March 28 / 81 Speedway / Park City, KS / Michael Kofoid (2)
Fri, April 10 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Michael Kofoid (3)
Sat, April 11 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Michael Kofoid (4)
Sun, April 19 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Tyler Courtney (1)
Fri, April 24 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brad Sweet (1)
Sat, April 25 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (4)
Tues, May 5 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Michael Kofoid (5)
Fri, May 8 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Kasey Kahne (1)
Sat, May 9 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / David Gravel (5)
Fri, May 15 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (1)
Sat, May 16 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Logan Schuchart (1)
Tues, May 19 / Jacksonville Speedway / Jacksonville, IL / Carson Macedo (2)
Sat, May 23 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Aaron Reutzel (1)
Mon, May 25 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (6)
Fri, May 29 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Carson Macedo (3)
Sat, June 6 / Plymouth Dirt Track / Plymouth, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (2)
Sun, June 7 / Angell Park Speedway / Sun Prairie, WI / Carson Macedo (4)
Fri, June 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA
Sat, June 13 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA
Wed, June 17 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Thurs, June 18 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Fri, June 19 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Sat, June 20 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Fri, June 26 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Sat, June 27 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Thurs, July 9 / Hartford Speedway / Hartford, MI
Fri, July 10 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI
Sat, July 11 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI
Tues, July 14 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH
Fri, July 17 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH
Sat, July 18 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH
Tues, July 21 / Ohsweken Speedway / Ohsweken, ON, Canada
Wed, July 22 / Ohsweken Speedway / Ohsweken, ON, Canada
Sat, July 25 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY
Sun, July 26 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY
Wed, July 29 / BAPS Motor Speedway / York Haven, PA
Fri, July 31 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Sat, Aug 1 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Fri, Aug 7 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Sat, Aug 8 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Wed, Aug 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA*
Thurs, Aug 13 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA*
Fri, Aug 14 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA*
Sat, Aug 15 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA
Fri, Aug 21 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN
Sat, Aug 22 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN
Fri, Aug 28 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND
Sat, Aug 29 / Red River Valley Speedway / West Fargo, ND
Sun, Aug 30 / Nodak Speedway / Minot, ND
Fri, Sept 4 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Sat, Sept 5 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Sun, Sept 6 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Fri, Sept 11 / Belleville High Banks / Belleville, KS
Sat, Sept 12 / Dodge City Raceway Park / Dodge City, KS
Mon, Sept 14 / El Paso County Raceway / Calhan, CO
Fri, Sept 18 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, CA
Sat, Sept 19 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, CA
Tues, Sept 22 / Kings Speedway / Hanford, CA
Fri, Sept 25 / Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway / Bakersfield, CA
Sat, Sept 26 / Ventura Raceway / Ventura, CA
Fri, Oct 2 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Sat, Oct 3 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Thurs, Oct 8 / Millstream Speedway / Findlay, OH
Fri, Oct 9 / Mansfield Speedway / Mansfield, OH
Sat, Oct 10 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH
Fri, Oct 16 / Lincoln Park Speedway / Putnamville, IN
Sat, Oct 17 / TBA
Fri, Oct 23 / Texarkana 67 Speedway / Texarkana, AR
Sat, Oct 24 / Texarkana 67 Speedway / Texarkana, AR
Wed, Nov 4 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Thurs, Nov 5 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Fri, Nov 6 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Sat, Nov 7 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC

*denotes unofficial split-field prelim race.