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Federated Auto Parts Showdown
Sharon Speedway | Hartford, Ohio
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Race Recap  

A SWEET SHOWDOWN: Brad Sweet Arises Victorious from Three-Man Sharon Speedway Battle

The box score from Saturday’s Federated Auto Parts Showdown at Sharon Speedway will simply show Brad Sweet led flag to flag. But the 30 laps were far from an easy cruise for “The Big Cat.”

The four-time and defending World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car champion took everything Giovanni Scelzi and David Gravel could throw at him. “The Big Cat” may have led every lap, but he had company challenging him for many of those trips around the Hartford, OH oval.

Early in the main event, Scelzi searched every bit of racetrack real estate for speed. He found momentum multiple times, but Sweet fended off each challenge. Then in the second half of the race it was Sweet’s championship rival – Gravel – surging into second and looking to steal the win. Gravel showed Sweet a nose multiple times, but the Grass Valley, CA native kept the door closed. Ultimately, Sweet dodged every punch the two had as he went on to grab his ninth win of the year with The Greatest Show on Dirt.

“I just didn’t know where to be sometimes. Lapped traffic was tough,” Sweet explained. “I was probably a little too free. I started off a little too good and got free pretty quick and was trying to use the wall on the (corner) exits to get me down the straightaways. I just was struggling a little bit, but we got into Victory Lane. That’s half the battle.”

Sweet’s ninth victory of the year moved him up to 88 for his career. The 37-year-old also joined Steve Kinser and Danny Lasoski as the only competitors with multiple World of Outlaws wins at Sharon through 13 Series visits to the 3/8-mile.

When the green flag dropped on the 30-lap Feature, Sweet led the way after topping the Toyota Racing Dash. The Napa Auto Parts #49 pulled ahead on the opening lap while Scelzi rocketed from fourth to second out of Turn 2 and down the back straightaway.

Early on in clean air, Sweet put a solid gap between himself and Scelzi, but the Fresno, CA driver wouldn’t allow Sweet to escape. Scelzi kept him well within his sights as they began to near traffic. While Sweet preferred the cushion all the way around Sharon as the race worked through its first third, Scelzi found speed rolling the bottom in Turns 3 and 4. The gap between the two began to vanish, and Scelzi began to show Sweet a nose repeatedly as they neared the halfway point.

After the cross flags were displayed, Scelzi ramped up the intensity in his pursuit of the lead. On Lap 19, Scelzi tried a slide job on Sweet in Turns 1 and 2 but came up slightly short as Sweet slipped back by on the outside. Two laps later, Scelzi hit the bottom perfectly in the same set of corners to nose ahead of Sweet as they hit the back straightaway. Sweet refused to go down, though, as he used the high side momentum to inch back in front heading into Turn 3 and protect the lead causing Scelzi to slip back.

With Scelzi losing ground to Sweet, he fell right into the clutches of a fast-closing Gravel who snuck by on the bottom on Lap 23 to take over runner-up. Up ahead, Sweet began to question where he needed to be as he struggled to move by a lapped car.

“I probably stayed up top a little too long, but I didn’t want to leave that lane open,” Sweet said. “With the lapped car there, I was just always kind of right off his right rear (tire)… Based off experiences kind of knowing how hard I was having to work to pass him on the top and what pace he was running. Once I got down to his pace, I knew someone would’ve had to really run the wall exceptionally well.”

Brad Sweet and David Gravel race side by side at Sharon Speedway.
David Gravel came oh so close to slipping by Brad Sweet late at Sharon Speedway (Trent Gower Photo)

Before Sweet wound up deciding to move to the bottom, Gravel gathered enough steam for one bid at the lead. On the 25th lap, Gravel used a strong run on the inside of Turns 1 and 2 to pull alongside Sweet and looked as if he may snatch the top spot. But heading into the next turn, Sweet slammed the door shut to maintain the lead as Gravel slipped back.

The move sealed the deal for Sweet who went on to cross the finish line with a half second advantage.

“I’m excited to get the win,” Sweet said. “It was a tough battle for sure. I saw Gio multiple times, I think, off of (Turn 2), or it could’ve been David. I just saw orange. It was a great race. The bottom got cleaned off. Once I found it, I knew if I was just patient and didn’t overdrive the car it would be really hard for someone to get by me.”

Gravel settled for second to net his 29th World of Outlaws podium of the season. While it was a strong run, he knows he needs to be finishing ahead of the Kasey Kahne Racing #49 if he wants a chance at running Sweet down in the title chase. Sweet’s victory grew the margin to 80 markers between the two.

“It was a good weekend,” Gravel said. “I just wish I could take that start back. I thought Brad was going to go to the top and he went to the middle and kind of confused me and Gio got by me. I thought Gio was really good early, and it looked like Brad was searching and didn’t know where to go as well. I thought the bottom was kind of the best place to be, but we were just a little too free down there. Then it started cleaning up, and our car really came to life when that bottom came in and the grip picked up and made our car sit right. We were alongside Brad there, and I guess I just wish I ran in harder than him and banged wheels and pushed him out of the way if I could do it over again. Obviously, we’ve got to beat him every night here moving forward. Obviously, if he wins, the best we can do is run second.”

After his early challenges for the lead, Giovanni Scelzi completed the podium aboard the KCP Racing #18. The World of Outlaws rookie knew he had a car capable of winning but simply came up short to two of the sport’s best at the top of their game.

“It was really good all night. I’m really proud of my guys. I can’t say enough about them,” a grateful Scelzi said. “I’m going to replay that one a lot in my head tonight and the next couple days. Brad and David are really good. They’re the two top guys out here, and they’re the most consistent guys to race against. You learn every time you race against them what moves to make. I just kind of panicked there. I didn’t realize it was cleaning off that much around the bottom. I saw Gravel try the top in (Turns) 3 and 4, and that was my chance to get him. Brad was playing the right game just staying the bottom.”

Tanner Holmes and Carson Macedo rounded out the top five.

Brock Zearfoss snagged KSE Racing Hard Charger honors with a 20th to 13th effort.

In Low-E Insulation Qualifying, Carson Macedo earned his 14th Simpson Performance Products QuickTime of the year and 33rd of his career.

CASE No. 1 Engine Oil Heat One went to David Gravel (235th Heat Race win of career). NOS Energy Drink Heats Two through Four were topped by Sheldon Haudenschild (96th of career), James McFadden (50th of career), and Giovanni Scelzi (35th of career).

Donny Schatz won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are Pennsylvania bound for one of the sport’s crown jewels. Mechanicsburg, PA’s Williams Grove Speedway is the destination next week (September 29-30) for the 61st Champion Racing Oil National Open. The winner of the finale will take home $75,000. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

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

RESULTS:

NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps): 1. 49-Brad Sweet[1]; 2. 2-David Gravel[2]; 3. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[4]; 4. 1T-Tanner Holmes[3]; 5. 41-Carson Macedo[8]; 6. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[6]; 7. 10-Dave Blaney[10]; 8. 32B-Dale Blaney[11]; 9. 5-Spencer Bayston[12]; 10. 22-Cole Duncan[9]; 11. 83-James McFadden[5]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart[17]; 13. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[20]; 14. 39M-Justin Sanders[7]; 15. 2F-AJ Flick[13]; 16. 15-Donny Schatz[21]; 17. 1M-Landon Myers[14]; 18. 13-Brandon Matus[16]; 19. 4-Danny Smith[23]; 20. 2X-Ricky Peterson[24]; 21. 5M-Jeremy Weaver[15]; 22. 11J-David Kalb[18]; 23. (DNF) 08-Danny Kuriger[22]; 24. (DNF) 6F-Bob Felmlee[19]

[Read More]
Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11049Brad Sweet 300.00030Running150$10,000
2202David Gravel 30-0.512Running146$6,000
34+118Giovanni Scelzi 30-1.238Running144$3,500
43-11TTanner Holmes 30-1.999Running142$2,800
58+341Carson Macedo 30-2.457Running140$2,500
66017Sheldon Haudenschild 30-3.456Running138$2,300
710+310Dave Blaney 30-5.975Running136$2,200
811+332BDale Blaney 30-6.682Running134$2,100
912+35Spencer Bayston 30-7.223Running132$2,050
109-122Cole Duncan 30-8.169Running130$2,000
115-683James McFadden 30-9.008Running128$1,600
1217+51SLogan Schuchart 30-9.414Running126$1,400
1320+73ZBrock Zearfoss 30-9.846Running124$1,200
147-739MJustin Sanders 30-10.247Running122$1,100
1513-22FA.J. Flick 30-10.901Running120$1,050
1621+515Donny Schatz 30-11.248Running118$1,000
1714-31MLandon Myers 30-12.220Running116$1,000
1816-213Brandon Matus 30-13.451Running114$1,000
1923+44Danny Smith 30-16.562Running112$1,000
2024+42XRicky Peterson 29-1 LapsRunning110$1,000
2115-65MJeremy Weaver 29-1 LapsRunning108$1,000
2218-411JDavid Kalb 29-1 LapsRunning106$1,000
2322-108Danny Kuriger 16-14 LapsDNF104$1,000
2419-56FBob Felmlee 14-16 LapsDNF102$1,000
KSE Hard Charger: Brock Zearfoss
Last Chance Showdown Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+115Donny Schatz 120.00012Running0$0
24+208Danny Kuriger 12-3.956Running0$0
35+24Danny Smith 12-5.705Running0$0
410+62XRicky Peterson 12-5.773Running0$0
56+140George Hobaugh Jr12-7.996Running90$300
61-57SRobbie Price 12-11.323Running90$250
79+281Lee Jacobs 12-11.860Running90$225
83-549XTim Shaffer 12-13.567Running90$200
97-246Michael Bauer 12-13.870Running90$200
1011+170Henry Malcuit 12-15.196Running90$200
118-323Darren Pifer 12-16.416Running90$200
1213+120GNoah Gass 12-17.461Running90$200
1314+147Brett Brunkenhoefer 12-18.873Running90$200
1412-233Brent Matus 11-1 LapsRunning90$200
1516+16Brian Paulus 11-1 LapsRunning90$200
1615-120Tim Buckwalter 0-12 LapsDNS90$200
Dash 1 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11049Brad Sweet 60.0006Running0$0
24+22David Gravel 6-1.816Running0$0
32-11TTanner Holmes 6-3.131Running0$0
45+118Giovanni Scelzi 6-4.326Running0$0
56+183James McFadden 6-4.508Running0$0
63-317Sheldon Haudenschild 6-5.791Running0$0
78+139MJustin Sanders 6-7.148Running0$0
87-141Carson Macedo 6-7.683Running0$0
Heat 1 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+12David Gravel 80.0008Running
21-141Carson Macedo 8-1.965Running
36+322Cole Duncan 8-6.629Running
4402FA.J. Flick 8-6.801Running
53-21SLogan Schuchart 8-7.436Running
65-115Donny Schatz 8-7.797Running
78+14Danny Smith 8-10.396Running
89+181Lee Jacobs 8-11.793Running
97-220GNoah Gass 8-13.110Running
Heat 2 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11017Sheldon Haudenschild 80.0008Running
22039MJustin Sanders 8-3.734Running
34+110Dave Blaney 8-4.702Running
43-11MLandon Myers 8-9.371Running
56+111JDavid Kalb 8-10.876Running
65-149XTim Shaffer 8-13.151Running
77040George Hobaugh Jr8-13.615Running
8802XRicky Peterson 8-15.196Running
99047Brett Brunkenhoefer 8-15.925Running
Heat 3 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11083James McFadden 80.0008Running
22049Brad Sweet 8-1.145Running
35+232BDale Blaney 8-2.207Running
43-15MJeremy Weaver 8-6.728Running
56+16FBob Felmlee 8-7.843Running
64-27SRobbie Price 8-11.180Running
78+146Michael Bauer 8-11.346Running
87-170Henry Malcuit 8-11.863Running
99020Tim Buckwalter 0-8 LapsDNS
Heat 4 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11018Giovanni Scelzi 80.0008Running
2201TTanner Holmes 8-4.005Running
3305Spencer Bayston 8-4.667Running
45+113Brandon Matus 8-8.183Running
54-13ZBrock Zearfoss 8-8.374Running
67+108Danny Kuriger 8-9.989Running
76-123Darren Pifer 8-12.161Running
88033Brent Matus 8-14.137Running
9906Brian Paulus 8-17.494Running
Qualifying Flight 1 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1241Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA14.7490.000
2317Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH14.844-0.095
3883James McFadden Alice Springs, NT14.938-0.189
41918Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA14.958-0.209
5282David Gravel Watertown, CT15.091-0.342
63139MJustin Sanders Aromas, CA15.232-0.483
72949Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA15.263-0.514
871TTanner Holmes Jacksonville, OR15.314-0.565
9151SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA15.334-0.585
10101MLandon Myers York, PA15.495-0.746
1115MJeremy Weaver Stoneboro, PA15.509-0.760
12305Spencer Bayston Lebanon, IN15.514-0.765
1362FA.J. Flick Apollo, PA15.621-0.872
142410Dave Blaney High Point, NC15.631-0.882
1557SRobbie Price Cobble Hill, BC15.721-0.972
16343ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA15.729-0.980
172315Donny Schatz Fargo, ND15.790-1.041
18449XTim Shaffer Aliquippa, PA15.794-1.045
193632BDale Blaney Hartford, OH15.812-1.063
20913Brandon Matus Wampum, PA15.863-1.114
211122Cole Duncan Circleville, OH15.875-1.126
223211JDavid Kalb Aurora, Ohio, OH15.885-1.136
23176FBob Felmlee Franklin, PA15.889-1.140
242223Darren Pifer Reynoldsville, PA15.952-1.203
251420GNoah Gass Mounds, OK16.007-1.258
263540George Hobaugh JrChicora, PA16.026-1.277
271670Henry Malcuit Strasburg, OH16.227-1.478
282608Danny Kuriger Rochester, PA16.247-1.498
29334Danny Smith Chillicothe, OH16.345-1.596
30182XRicky Peterson Rawson, OH16.345-1.596
312746Michael Bauer Eighty-Four, PA16.422-1.673
321333Brent Matus Wampum, PA16.481-1.732
331281Lee Jacobs Holmesville, OH16.535-1.786
342547Brett Brunkenhoefer Hubbard, OH16.686-1.937
352120Tim Buckwalter Douglassville, PA16.920-2.171
36206Brian Paulus Mooresville, IN17.193-2.444
Hot Laps Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1317Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH14.6820.000
2241Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA15.119-0.437
371TTanner Holmes Jacksonville, OR15.275-0.593
41918Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA15.334-0.652
5151SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA15.361-0.679
61122Cole Duncan Circleville, OH15.382-0.700
72410Dave Blaney High Point, NC15.396-0.714
8883James McFadden Alice Springs, NT15.423-0.741
9449XTim Shaffer Aliquippa, PA15.496-0.814
10282David Gravel Watertown, CT15.498-0.816
111420GNoah Gass Mounds, OK15.505-0.823
12913Brandon Matus Wampum, PA15.547-0.865
1357SRobbie Price Cobble Hill, BC15.573-0.891
142949Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA15.583-0.901
1515MJeremy Weaver Stoneboro, PA15.616-0.934
1662FA.J. Flick Apollo, PA15.645-0.963
172608Danny Kuriger Rochester, PA15.658-0.976
182315Donny Schatz Fargo, ND15.765-1.083
193632BDale Blaney Hartford, OH15.775-1.093
201333Brent Matus Wampum, PA15.821-1.139
21101MLandon Myers York, PA15.827-1.145
223139MJustin Sanders Aromas, CA15.833-1.151
231670Henry Malcuit Strasburg, OH15.953-1.271
24343ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA15.967-1.285
253211JDavid Kalb Aurora, Ohio, OH15.990-1.308
26305Spencer Bayston Lebanon, IN16.003-1.321
272746Michael Bauer Eighty-Four, PA16.117-1.435
282547Brett Brunkenhoefer Hubbard, OH16.155-1.473
29182XRicky Peterson Rawson, OH16.176-1.494
301281Lee Jacobs Holmesville, OH16.195-1.513
31206Brian Paulus Mooresville, IN16.278-1.596
32176FBob Felmlee Franklin, PA16.285-1.603
332223Darren Pifer Reynoldsville, PA16.365-1.683
343540George Hobaugh JrChicora, PA16.483-1.801
35334Danny Smith Chillicothe, OH16.486-1.804
362120Tim Buckwalter Douglassville, PA16.533-1.851
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

Federated Auto Parts Showdown
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Sharon Speedway
3241 Custer Orangeville Rd
Hartford, Ohio 44424 

Event Description
Dave Blaney's Sharon Speedway welcomes the World of Outlaws back for the second and final time this season. Can he top the regulars again?

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

Event Schedule
2:00PM Pit Gates open
4:00PM Grandstand Gates open
6:30PM Hot Laps/Qualifying with Opening Ceremonies to Follow

*All times Eastern

Ticket Options  
Ticket Phone
(844) 347-8849

Options And Prices
Adult Reserved: $40 Advanced / $45 Day of
Adult GA: $35 Advanced / $40 Day of
Child GA: $10


Grandstand Type
Bleachers - No backs

Reserved Seating
Frontstretch

Family Section Location
None

Handicapped Seating Location
Located on frontstretch and backstretch

Pit Pass Price
$45

Pit Age Requirement
No Age limit - All minor's require proper waiver

Parking Cost
None

Handicapped Parking Location
Front gate entrance

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite

Camping Cost
$25

Frequently Asked Questions  
Reserved Seating
Frontstretch

Type of Grandstand
Bleachers - No backs

Stadium Seating
Allowed

Handicapped Seating
Located on frontstretch and backstretch

Handicapped Parking
Front gate entrance

Pit Age Limit
No Age limit - All minor's require proper waiver

Personal Coolers
No coolers allowed

Credit Card Use
Concessions, Pit Gate, Ticket Window

Alcohol Sales
Not allowed in

Smoking Policy
No smoking allowed in grandstands

Family Section
None

Parking Cost
None

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite

Camping Cost
$25

Track Info  

Sharon Speedway
3241 Custer Orangeville Rd
Hartford, Ohio 44424 

Track Phone
(330) 772-5481

Ticket Phone
(844) 347-8849

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Size
0.375

Sprint Car Track Record
12.704 seconds by Danny Holtgraver on 8/20/13

Late Model Track Record
14.842 seconds by Brandon Sheppard on 4/21/17

Closest Airport
Youngstown

Other Airport
Cleveland

Track Map
Competitor Info  

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