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Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals
Williams Grove Speedway | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Saturday, July 22, 2023
Race Recap  

CA CONQUERS PA: Rico Abreu Aces Williams Grove for Summer Nationals Victory

Not often do the Pennsylvania Posse fans embrace an outsider like one of their own. But not all outsiders are as beloved as Rico Abreu.

When Abreu stopped in front of the famed Beer Hill in Turn 3 after winning Saturday at Mechanicsburg, PA’s Williams Grove Speedway, the passionate fans cheered as if PA is listed next to his name instead of CA in the home state column. As he climbed the fence in front of them, the noise elevated from cheers to a roar.

The St. Helena, CA native led all 30 laps of the Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals finale, holding off a late David Gravel charge to collect a victory representing neither the World of Outlaws or PA Posse, but the Invaders. A $20,000 paycheck awaited Abreu for his efforts.

Abreu’s visit to Victory Lane was his fourth of 2023 with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars. It also marked his first career triumph at Williams Grove, making him the 53rd different driver to win at the half mile with The Greatest Show on Dirt. The 31-year-old has now won twice as an Invader in PA this year after topping Lincoln’s Spring Showdown race back in March.

For Abreu, the night marked yet another testament to the vast strides he’s made in 2023 as he continues what’s been an amazing season.

“That was really intense there at the end. It’s really hard to judge your pace. I really wasn’t catching traffic,” Abreu said. “I’m just thankful for this team. Everybody does an unbelievable job making the right decisions. The Dash Draw was really important tonight for us and the way the circumstances laid out in the race. I’m wore out from climbing the fence back there.

“This has been a really special racetrack to me. A very difficult racetrack as a race car driver coming from the west coast out here. Just totally different driving styles. It’s taken me a few years to really conquer this place and put a team behind me that developed me into a mature enough driver to be successful here. We haven’t ran out of the top five, I think, with Ricky (Warner, crew chief) here. It just shows how important your team is.”

As Abreu noted, the Dash Draw positioned him favorably as drawing the one lined him up first for the Toyota Racing Dash that he won to earn the pole of the Feature. The best starting spot in the field allowed him to pull ahead at the drop of the green flag.

Behind Abreu, Spencer Bayston held second while David Gravel and Brent Marks commenced a war for third. The two traded sliders and crossovers and even a little contact until Gravel finally secured the spot.

Only a few laps later, Gravel pulled up to the tail tank of Bayston to begin a battle for the runner-up position. On lap 12, Gravel ripped the cushion in Turns 1 and 2 to roll around Bayston. With Bayston unable to answer his move, Gravel put Abreu in the crosshairs.

Up front, Abreu worked smoothly through traffic as the race moved beyond halfway. Gravel steadily began to inch toward the top spot. While Abreu favored the bottom line around both ends of the paperclip-shaped track, Gravel opted for the top in Turns 1 and 2. Hitting the cushion perfectly allowed him to chip away at the lead until he was only a few car lengths back.

“I knew Gravel was pressuring me there the whole race,” Abreu noted. “You have to be very disciplined as a race car driver when you get put in those circumstances. You know there’s pressure and you get out of the groove and you lose a pass and that’s the race winning move.”

Rico Abreu races ahead of David Gravel
Rico Abreu held off a late challenge from David Gravel to claim his first Williams Grove win (Trent Gower Photo)

Once Gravel got close with less than 10 laps to go, it was as if he hit an invisible wall. Suddenly, the Big Game Motorsports #2 couldn’t close as Abreu continued to roll the bottom. Then one small mistake from Abreu nearly cost him the race. Exiting Turn 4 coming to three laps remaining, Abreu narrowly missed the grip, helping Gravel get a massive run. He peeked to Abreu’s outside heading down the front straightaway but wasn’t able to nose ahead entering Turn 1.

That move proved to be the final challenge as Abreu went on to cross the finish line with a little over a half a second advantage.

“I know my family is at home watching,” Abreu said. “And I know how much it means to them to be able to see us have success and the investment and time it takes to get a team to the elite level like this to compete against the World of Outlaws and Pennsylvania Posse. They’re all here this weekend.”

As for the celebration on Beer Hill? It was something he’d been planning for a while.

“I watched Fred Rahmer do it when he won the National Open, and I had a lot of respect for that,” Abreu said. “I’ve always said if I ever were to win a race here, I was going to make sure to stop over there. Those race fans don’t get a whole lot of love when it comes to Victory Lane, so it was important to me to stop over there and try to rowdy them up.”

Gravel came home second for his 14th top five in the last 16 races and 23rd podium of the season. The Watertown, CT native felt that timing wasn’t his friend. Whether it was his preferred line going away when he neared Abreu or the checkered flag flying right when he thought another opportunity to take the lead was coming together, time wasn’t on his side.

“I found the bottom early in (Turns) 3 and 4, and Rico was running high then he moved down at the right time,” Gravel said. “Then I found the top of (Turns) 1 and 2, and he didn’t, but that top got so far around and the bottom started cleaning up. I knew every lap the bottom was going to get faster and faster, so I knew I had to try really hard to get him as soon as possible. I got to his rear bumper here on the front stretch and did all I could and let it all out there… I wish it was like five more laps because if he got a little closer to lapped traffic in (Turns) 1 and 2, I think I would’ve had a little bit better shot on that last lap.”

Bringing home the final podium spot was the PA Posse’s leading representative – Brent Marks. The Myerstown, PA driver was happy with he and his Murray-Marks team’s performance in the main event and thought he could’ve finished a spot better had a couple things fallen his way.

“We had a really good car there the last half,” Marks said. “I ran those guys down. I was really hoping David would keep running the top down in (Turns) 1 and 2. It just felt like I could’ve squeezed by him there, but I guess he felt like he was losing some ground and moved down to the bottom there for the last few laps. On the last lap he tried another one around the top, and I was hoping I could get a run off of (Turn) 2 to squeeze by him to get to second but just wasn’t able to do it.”

Spencer Bayston and Justin Peck completed the top five.

Gravel’s runner-up coupled with Brad Sweet finishing eighth tied the two at the top of the championship standings as they continue their competitive title fight.

Carson Macedo picked up the KSE Racing Hard Charger with a run from 21st to 14th. Macedo also topped the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.

In Low-E Insulation Qualifying, Brad Sweet netted his first Simpson Performance Products QuickTime of the season and the 70th of his career.

CASE No.1 Engine Oil Heat One also went to Sweet (227th Heat Race win of career). NOS Energy Drink Heats Two through Four were claimed by Justin Peck (eighth of career), Spencer Bayston (18th of career), and James McFadden (42nd of career).

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars make their one trip to New York in 2023 as they invade Weedsport Speedway for the Empire State Challenge (July 29-30). The final night will serve as another “Summer of Money” stop with $20,000 going to the winner. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the action on DIRTVision.

RESULTS:

NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps): 1. 24-Rico Abreu[1]; 2. 2-David Gravel[3]; 3. 19-Brent Marks[6]; 4. 5-Spencer Bayston[2]; 5. 13-Justin Peck[8]; 6. 83-James McFadden[5]; 7. 11-Cory Eliason[4]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet[7]; 9. 15-Donny Schatz[10]; 10. 8-Freddie Rahmer[11]; 11. 1S-Logan Schuchart[9]; 12. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[15]; 13. 17B-Steve Buckwalter[16]; 14. 41-Carson Macedo[21]; 15. 44-Dylan Norris[13]; 16. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[12]; 17. 67-Justin Whittall[17]; 18. 2D-Chase Dietz[24]; 19. 69K-Lance Dewease[22]; 20. 99M-Kyle Moody[14]; 21. 11T-TJ Stutts[19]; 22. 48-Danny Dietrich[26]; 23. 5E-Brandon Rahmer[20]; 24. 5W-Lucas Wolfe[18]; 25. 7S-Robbie Price[23]; 26. (DNF) 23-Devon Borden[27]; 27. (DNF) 6-Bill Rose[25]

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Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11024Rico Abreu 300.00030Running150$20,000
23+12David Gravel 30-0.563Running146$12,000
36+319Brent Marks 30-1.507Running144$6,000
42-25Spencer Bayston 30-3.465Running142$5,250
58+313Justin Peck 30-4.716Running140$4,500
65-183James McFadden 30-5.567Running138$4,000
74-311Cory Eliason 30-6.821Running136$3,500
87-149Brad Sweet 30-7.642Running134$3,000
910+115Donny Schatz 30-8.534Running132$2,750
1011+18Freddie Rahmer 30-9.405Running130$2,500
119-21SLogan Schuchart 30-9.598Running128$2,300
1215+318Giovanni Scelzi 30-10.355Running126$2,250
1316+317BSteve Buckwalter 30-11.293Running124$2,000
1421+741Carson Macedo 30-12.383Running122$1,600
1513-244Dylan Norris 30-12.960Running120$1,500
1612-417Sheldon Haudenschild 30-13.651Running118$1,300
1717067Justin Whittall 30-14.472Running116$1,250
1824+62DChase Dietz 30-14.849Running114$1,150
1922+369KLance Dewease 30-15.705Running112$1,100
2014-699MKyle Moody 30-18.332Running110$1,100
2119-211TT.J. Stutts 30-18.620Running108$1,100
2226+448Danny Dietrich 30-19.120Running106$250
2320-35EBrandon Rahmer 30-20.037Running104$1,100
2418-65WLucas Wolfe 30-20.871Running102$1,100
2523-27SRobbie Price 29-1 LapsRunning102$1,100
2627+123Devon Borden 19-11 LapsDNF102$300
2725-26Bill Rose 15-15 LapsDNF102$200
KSE Hard Charger: Carson Macedo
Last Chance Showdown 1 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
13+241Carson Macedo 120.0004Running0$0
22069KLance Dewease 12-1.507Running0$0
31-27SRobbie Price 12-3.6148Running0$0
45+12DChase Dietz 12-3.987Running0$0
54-123Devon Borden 12-6.526Running0$0
67+148Danny Dietrich 12-7.938Running0$0
711+41ALandon Myers 12-9.121Running90$225
86-235Austin Bishop 12-10.753Running90$200
914+53ZBrock Zearfoss 12-14.128Running90$200
1013+339TCameron Smith 12-14.704Running90$200
118-320GNoah Gass 12-15.354Running90$200
1210-227Troy Wagaman Jr.9-3 LapsDNF90$200
1312-19Kasey Kahne 5-7 LapsDNF90$200
1415+112Billy Dietrich 5-7 LapsDNF90$200
159-615HSam Hafertepe Jr0-12 LapsDNS90$200
161606Bill Rose 0-12 LapsDNS0$0
Dash 1 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11024Rico Abreu 60.0006Running0$0
2205Spencer Bayston 6-0.391Running0$0
35+22David Gravel 6-2.687Running0$0
43-111Cory Eliason 6-3.787Running0$0
56+183James McFadden 6-4.532Running0$0
64-219Brent Marks 6-4.898Running0$0
78+149Brad Sweet 6-5.882Running0$0
87-113Justin Peck 6-6.643Running0$0
Heat 1 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11049Brad Sweet 80.0008Running
22011Cory Eliason 8-3.182Running
3301SLogan Schuchart 8-5.877Running
47+344Dylan Norris 8-7.018Running
54-167Justin Whittall 8-9.075Running
66041Carson Macedo 8-9.808Running
75-27SRobbie Price 8-11.013Running
88015HSam Hafertepe Jr8-11.919Running
99039TCameron Smith 8-13.053Running
Heat 2 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11013Justin Peck 80.0008Running
22019Brent Marks 8-2.268Running
33015Donny Schatz 8-4.390Running
47+399MKyle Moody 8-7.239Running
54-15WLucas Wolfe 8-8.284Running
66023Devon Borden 8-9.276Running
75-269KLance Dewease 8-9.476Running
88027Troy Wagaman Jr.8-11.358Running
9903ZBrock Zearfoss 7-1 LapsRunning
Heat 3 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+15Spencer Bayston 80.0008Running
23+12David Gravel 8-2.777Running
31-28Freddie Rahmer 8-3.592Running
44018Giovanni Scelzi 8-4.175Running
55011TT.J. Stutts 8-6.707Running
67+12DChase Dietz 8-8.166Running
78+148Danny Dietrich 8-8.213Running
86-21ALandon Myers 8-10.272Running
99012Billy Dietrich 8-11.765Running
Heat 4 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11083James McFadden 80.0008Running
22024Rico Abreu 8-1.628Running
34+117Sheldon Haudenschild 8-2.948Running
43-117BSteve Buckwalter 8-6.170Running
57+25EBrandon Rahmer 8-6.826Running
66035Austin Bishop 8-9.046Running
79+220GNoah Gass 8-10.500Running
8809Kasey Kahne 8-10.835Running
95-46Bill Rose 8-13.178Running
Qualifying Flight 1 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1349Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA17.6330.000
2213Justin Peck Monrovia, IN17.793-0.160
318Freddie Rahmer Salfordville, PA17.882-0.249
41983James McFadden Alice Springs, NT17.923-0.290
51311Cory Eliason Visalia, CA17.943-0.310
6719Brent Marks Myerstown, PA17.975-0.342
7125Spencer Bayston Lebanon, IN18.002-0.369
81424Rico Abreu St. Helena, CA18.015-0.382
9161SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA18.033-0.400
10515Donny Schatz Fargo, ND18.096-0.463
11362David Gravel Watertown, CT18.201-0.568
121817BSteve Buckwalter Royersford, PA18.238-0.605
131567Justin Whittall Vincentown, NJ18.292-0.659
1465WLucas Wolfe Mechanicsburg, PA18.309-0.676
152418Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA18.318-0.685
163517Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH18.324-0.691
1747SRobbie Price Cobble Hill, BC18.328-0.695
182269KLance Dewease Fayetteville, PA18.359-0.726
192311TT.J. Stutts Liverpool, PA18.396-0.763
2086Bill Rose Plainfield, IN18.399-0.766
212741Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA18.450-0.817
222823Devon Borden Raymond, WA18.450-0.817
23111ALandon Myers York, PA18.453-0.820
241735Austin Bishop Elverson, PA18.460-0.827
252144Dylan Norris Hanover, PA18.477-0.844
26999MKyle Moody Lewisberry, PA18.494-0.861
27102DChase Dietz York, PA18.504-0.871
28205EBrandon Rahmer Salfordville, PA18.525-0.892
292915HSam Hafertepe JrSunnyvale, TX18.581-0.948
303027Troy Wagaman Jr.Hanover, PA18.658-1.025
313448Danny Dietrich Gettysburg, PA18.709-1.076
32269Kasey Kahne Enumclaw, WA18.719-1.086
332539TCameron Smith Spring Grove, PA18.727-1.094
34323ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA18.756-1.123
353112Billy Dietrich Bilgerville, PA18.979-1.346
363320GNoah Gass Mounds, OK19.056-1.423
Hot Laps Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1349Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA17.5700.000
22741Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA17.610-0.040
31424Rico Abreu St. Helena, CA17.631-0.061
4213Justin Peck Monrovia, IN17.654-0.084
5515Donny Schatz Fargo, ND17.688-0.118
6719Brent Marks Myerstown, PA17.720-0.150
71983James McFadden Alice Springs, NT17.788-0.218
8362David Gravel Watertown, CT17.794-0.224
9125Spencer Bayston Lebanon, IN17.815-0.245
10161SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA17.860-0.290
112269KLance Dewease Fayetteville, PA17.864-0.294
123517Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH17.880-0.310
132418Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA17.904-0.334
142823Devon Borden Raymond, WA17.907-0.337
152915HSam Hafertepe JrSunnyvale, TX17.927-0.357
161311Cory Eliason Visalia, CA17.996-0.426
17999MKyle Moody Lewisberry, PA18.056-0.486
1818Freddie Rahmer Salfordville, PA18.066-0.496
192144Dylan Norris Hanover, PA18.081-0.511
202539TCameron Smith Spring Grove, PA18.087-0.517
211567Justin Whittall Vincentown, NJ18.104-0.534
222311TT.J. Stutts Liverpool, PA18.111-0.541
233448Danny Dietrich Gettysburg, PA18.112-0.542
24323ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA18.131-0.561
25205EBrandon Rahmer Salfordville, PA18.137-0.567
2686Bill Rose Plainfield, IN18.144-0.574
27102DChase Dietz York, PA18.210-0.640
28269Kasey Kahne Enumclaw, WA18.218-0.648
291735Austin Bishop Elverson, PA18.221-0.651
3047SRobbie Price Cobble Hill, BC18.231-0.661
313027Troy Wagaman Jr.Hanover, PA18.303-0.733
321817BSteve Buckwalter Royersford, PA18.361-0.791
3365WLucas Wolfe Mechanicsburg, PA18.443-0.873
343320GNoah Gass Mounds, OK18.618-1.048
35111ALandon Myers York, PA18.623-1.053
363112Billy Dietrich Bilgerville, PA19.337-1.767
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

Champion Racing Oil Summer Nationals

Friday, July 21st to Saturday, July 22nd

Williams Grove Speedway

1 Speedway Drive

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, 17055

Event Description
The Summer Nationals offers two nights of wheel-to-wheel action against Pennsylvania's best at Williams Grove. In 2022, Outlaw Brad Sweet & Posse leader Lance Dewease split this weekend.
Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

Event Schedule

4:00PM Pit Gates open to General Public
5:00PM Gates open
7:00PM Hot Laps
7:30 Opening Ceremonies and Racing to Follow

*All times Eastern

Ticket Options  
Ticket Phone
(844) 347-8849
Options And Prices
Friday GA: $35
Friday Reserved: $40
Saturday GA: $35
Saturday Reserved: $40

Camping is $40 for the weekend
Grandstand Type
Bleachers
Handicapped Seating Location
Front Stretch - Buddy Seats
Pit Age Requirement
NO children under 14 allowed in the Pit area. 14-17 must be accompanied by a parent/ guardian. Parent/Guardian must fill out & sign waiver for children 14-17
Pit Gate Location
North side of the track. NOTE: Will Call is located next to the office on the front stretch off of Park Place and Speedway Dr.
Parking Cost
Free
Handicapped Parking Location
Front stretch and limited parking on Beer Hill (Turn 3)
Camping Availability

On-site

Camping Cost
Call the track for details
Frequently Asked Questions  
Type of Grandstand
Bleachers
Stadium Seating
Seat cushions are permitted.
Handicapped Seating
Front Stretch - Buddy Seats
Handicapped Parking
Front stretch and limited parking on Beer Hill (Turn 3)
Pit Age Limit
NO children under 14 allowed in the Pit area. 14-17 must be accompanied by a parent/ guardian. Parent/Guardian must fill out & sign waiver for children 14-17
Pit Gate Location
North side of the track. NOTE: Will Call is located next to the office on the front stretch off of Park Place and Speedway Dr.
Personal Coolers
Coolers no larger that 18" are allowed. No glass containers.
ATMs
1
Alcohol Sales
No alcohol sold on site.
Smoking Policy

No smoking in the Grandstands or near food stands

Parking Cost
Free
Camping Availability

On-site

Camping Cost
Call the track for details
Track Info  

Williams Grove Speedway

1 Speedway Drive

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, 17055

Track Phone
(717) 697-5000
Ticket Phone
(844) 347-8849
Track Size
0.5
Track Type
Semi banked; paperclip oval
Closest Airport
Harrisburg Int
Other Airport
BWI
Pit Gate Location
North side of the track. NOTE: Will Call is located next to the office on the front stretch off of Park Place and Speedway Dr.
Track Map
Competitor Info  

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