Search
Close this search box.
Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals
Skagit Speedway | Burlington, Washington
Friday, September 01, 2023
Race Recap  

SKAGIT SAGE: Rico Abreu Aces Skagit for Victory on Night Two of Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals

The magical 2023 season for Rico Abreu continues.

Since he won his first Sprint Car race of 2023 back in March at Lincoln Speedway, Abreu hasn’t slowed down as he’s put together a career year. The trend continued on Friday at Skagit Speedway as the St. Helena, CA native controlled all 30 laps of the Feature to top night two of the Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals.

With renowned crew chief – Ricky Warner – leading a crew filled out by Zack Middlebrooks and Brady Forbrook, Abreu and company have been one of the fastest cars in the nation. And Abreu was quick to show appreciation for their efforts in helping him continue to arrive in Victory Lane.

“Hats off to my incredible team. Their critical thinking is unbelievable and they just execute when the time matters,” Abreu said. “Like I said, Ricky Warner, Zack, and Brady they work really good together. It’s a really cool time for me to be a part of such an unbelievable team that believes in me.”

Abreu is now up to five World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car victories this year, moving his career total up to 14, enough for 37th on the all-time win list. In overall Sprint Car competition this year, Abreu is up to 10 triumphs. Skagit became the 10th different track that Abreu has won at with The Greatest Show on Dirt.

After topping the Toyota Racing Dash, David Gravel led the field to green with Abreu to his outside. Abreu used the outside line to his advantage as he ripped the top to take the top spot and lead the opening circuit.

A Lap 2 red flag re-racked the field for an early restart. Abreu chose the outside and again pulled ahead of the field.

While Abreu extended his advantage in the early going, the action heated up behind him for spots inside the top five. Corey Day and Donny Schatz engaged in a war for the fourth spot in the early stages. Day opted for the top while Schatz rolled the bottom. The duo exchanged the position multiple times before Day maintained control.

Ahead of Day and Schatz, Thursday’s winner – Sheldon Haudenschild – closed on Gravel for the runner-up spot. On the 10th circuit Haudenschild pulled the trigger on a slide job to take over second. A lap later, Day moved by Gravel to climb onto the podium.

Rico Abreu races at Skagit
Rico Abreu maintained control during the 30-lap Feature on Friday at Skagit on his way to victory (Trent Gower Photo)

A few laps after passing Gravel for second, Haudenschild began to cut into Abreu’s advantage. On lap 13 he slashed the nearly two second gap almost in half. Four laps later, the Wooster, OH driver trimmed it down to seven tenths of a second.

But right as it appeared a battle for the lead might be brewing, Abreu found his rhythm and began to inch away again. Right after Haudenschild had closed in, Abreu pushed his advantage back over a second in one lap, and it continued to grow as he navigated traffic.

“I really tried to judge my pace in traffic,” Abreu explained. “I just noticed the more I spun my tires, the more the lapped cars drove away from me. The top would get dirty as guys were running down there, so I ran down a few laps just to see if I could maintain pace. Once guys started really slowing down at the end, I could really move up and make some steam. I started cheating it in (Turns) 1 and 2. You judge your pace off lapped traffic and try to listen behind you. I knew the 17 or the 2 was probably running it just as hard as I was and I wasn’t passing lapped cars. You just have to process things while you’re racing. I just kept my tires underneath me and everything cooled down and my car just kept getting better and better.”

Abreu’s continually improving race car proved to be too much for the competition to overcome. His lead continued to grow and eclipsed two seconds on Lap 25. Over the final five laps the gap hovered around that margin until Abreu took the checkered flag to seal a commanding win at an event he’s had his eyes on for a while.

“It’s just an amazing racetrack,” Abreu said. “Kevin Rudeen and everybody do an unbelievable job here. I know Peter Murphy and Chuck with Sage (Fruit) do great for this event. I made sure to mark it down on our calendar to be here and to be a part of this. I really love racing on the west coast.”

Haudenschild’s bid for back-to-back wins came up a spot short as he brought the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing/NOS Energy Drink #17 home second. The result marked his third podium in the last four races and 10th overall of the year, making him the seventh driver to reach double digit top threes. Haudenschild felt it took him a little too long to get going early in the race to have a chance at challenging Abreu.

“I don’t know if his car was better,” Haudenschild said. “I think Rico did a really good job. He was hammering it right from the get go. I probably waited 10 or 12 laps until I really got with it there.”

Rounding out the top three was Clovis, CA phenom – Corey Day – aboard the Jason Meyers Racing #14. “The Golden State” teenager was making only his 16th career World of Outlaws Feature start and notched his third podium. It served as a revitalizing result for Day after getting caught up in a wreck during Thursday’s opener. Day also continued his trend of success at Skagit after topping both prelims of Dirt Cup in June with the Northern Auto Racing Club (NARC) before running third in the finale.

“Last night didn’t go our way. I felt like we had a really good car and just wasn’t really given the chance there to see what we could do,” Day said. “To come here and run good with NARC is one thing, but to come here and run good with the Outlaws is a completely different thing. These are the best guys in the country.”

Donny Schatz and David Gravel completed the top five. With his fifth place run and Brad Sweet coming home 10th, Gravel chipped 10 points off Sweet’s championship lead. The margin now sits at 68 markers.

Gravel also claimed the Simpson Performance Products QuickTime Award, his 10th of the season and 107th of his career.

Robbie Price wheeled the Sides Motorsports #7S from 25th to 15th for the KSE Racing Hard Charger.

CASE No.1 Engine Oil Heat One was topped by David Gravel (233rd Heat Race win of career). NOS Energy Drink Heats Two through Four went to Spencer Bayston (19th of career), Donny Schatz (521st of career), and Rico Abreu (41st of career).

James McFadden won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.

The Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race went to Trey Starks. After a Heat Race crash ended his Thursday night early, Starks was caught up in a Feature crash on Friday to end his main event.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are at Skagit Speedway for the third straight night on Saturday, September 2 for the $26,000-to-win finale of the Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals. 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. 24-Rico Abreu[2]; 2. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[3]; 3. 14-Corey Day[6]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz[5]; 5. 2-David Gravel[1]; 6. 9-Kasey Kahne[8]; 7. 41S-Dominic Scelzi[12]; 8. 41-Carson Macedo[13]; 9. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[4]; 10. 49-Brad Sweet[9]; 11. 2X-Justin Sanders[10]; 12. 83-James McFadden[21]; 13. 83JR-Michael Kofoid[17]; 14. 1S-Logan Schuchart[23]; 15. 7S-Robbie Price[25]; 16. 5-Spencer Bayston[7]; 17. 1T-Tanner Holmes[22]; 18. 21-Cole Macedo[11]; 19. 18S-Jason Solwold[20]; 20. 21S-Jesse Schlotfeldt[16]; 21. 99-Eric Fisher[19]; 22. 19-Colby Thornhill[24]; 23. 9A-Luke Didiuk[18]; 24. 95-Justin Youngquist[15]; 25. (DNF) 55-Trey Starks[14]

[Read More]
Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+124Rico Abreu 300.00030Running150$10,000
23+117Sheldon Haudenschild 30-2.226Running146$5,500
36+314Corey Day 30-2.773Running144$3,200
45+115Donny Schatz 30-4.101Running142$2,600
51-42David Gravel 30-4.423Running140$2,350
68+29Kasey Kahne 30-5.388Running138$2,150
712+541SDominic Scelzi 30-6.693Running136$2,100
813+541Carson Macedo 30-8.528Running134$1,950
94-518Giovanni Scelzi 30-9.641Running132$1,900
109-149Brad Sweet 30-10.363Running130$1,850
1110-12XJustin Sanders 30-11.244Running128$1,400
1221+983James McFadden 30-11.607Running126$1,200
1317+483JRMichael Kofoid 30-11.748Running124$1,000
1423+91SLogan Schuchart 30-12.296Running122$1,000
1525+107SRobbie Price 30-12.816Running120$0
167-95Spencer Bayston 30-12.967Running118$1,000
1722+51TTanner Holmes 30-13.871Running116$1,000
1811-721Cole Macedo 29-1 LapsRunning114$1,000
1920+118SJason Solwold 29-1 LapsRunning112$1,000
2016-421SJesse Schlotfeldt 29-1 LapsRunning110$1,000
2119-299Eric Fisher 29-1 LapsRunning108$1,000
2224+219Colby Thornhill 29-1 LapsRunning106$1,000
2318-59ALuke Didiuk 29-1 LapsRunning104$1,000
2415-995Justin Youngquist 29-1 LapsRunning102$1,000
2514-1155Trey Starks 1-29 LapsDNF102$1,000
KSE Hard Charger: Robbie Price
Last Chance Showdown Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11083James McFadden 120.00012Running0$0
24+21TTanner Holmes 12-1.451Running0$0
3301SLogan Schuchart 12-2.084Running0$0
42-219Colby Thornhill 12-6.497Running0$0
510+517SCam Smith 12-7.368Running90$300
68+220GNoah Gass 12-7.779Running90$250
7703ZBrock Zearfoss 12-8.533Running90$225
86-27SRobbie Price 12-8.909Running0$200
95-496Greg Hamilton 12-10.126Running90$200
109-114BBailey Jean 12-11.918Running90$200
111103AUKarl Hoffmans 12-13.857Running90$200
1213+16Bill Rose 11-1 LapsRunning90$200
1312-196AUAndy Caruana 11-1 LapsRunning90$200
Dash 1 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+12David Gravel 60.0006Running0$0
21-124Rico Abreu 6-0.861Running0$0
33017Sheldon Haudenschild 6-1.705Running0$0
44018Giovanni Scelzi 6-3.130Running0$0
56+115Donny Schatz 6-3.787Running0$0
65-114Corey Day 6-3.943Running0$0
78+15Spencer Bayston 6-5.130Running0$0
87-19Kasey Kahne 6-6.293Running0$0
Heat 1 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
1102David Gravel 80.0008Running
26+417Sheldon Haudenschild 8-0.735Running
37+449Brad Sweet 8-2.898Running
42-241Carson Macedo 8-3.947Running
58+383JRMichael Kofoid 8-4.810Running
65-11SLogan Schuchart 8-5.634Running
73-483James McFadden 8-6.073Running
84-419Colby Thornhill 8-8.258Running
9906Bill Rose 8-8.350Running
Heat 2 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
1105Spencer Bayston 80.0008Running
23+114Corey Day 8-0.405Running
32-12XJustin Sanders 8-4.049Running
44055Trey Starks 8-4.357Running
56+19ALuke Didiuk 8-4.879Running
67+11TTanner Holmes 8-7.105Running
75-23ZBrock Zearfoss 8-7.361Running
88017SCam Smith 8-7.746Running
Heat 3 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
14+315Donny Schatz 80.0004Running
21-19Kasey Kahne 8-1.2244Running
32-121Cole Macedo 8-3.812Running
43-195Justin Youngquist 8-5.174Running
56+199Eric Fisher 8-6.800Running
65-196Greg Hamilton 8-7.169Running
78+120GNoah Gass 8-7.567Running
87-13AUKarl Hoffmans 8-8.685Running
Heat 4 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11024Rico Abreu 80.0008Running
22018Giovanni Scelzi 8-1.022Running
33041SDominic Scelzi 8-1.659Running
47+321SJesse Schlotfeldt 8-2.977Running
54-118SJason Solwold 8-3.340Running
65-17SRobbie Price 8-3.456Running
76-114BBailey Jean 8-5.355Running
88096AUAndy Caruana 8-6.050Running
Qualifying Flight 1 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
152David Gravel Watertown, CT11.7380.000
265Spencer Bayston Lebanon, IN11.803-0.065
379Kasey Kahne Enumclaw, WA11.838-0.100
41524Rico Abreu St. Helena, CA11.958-0.220
5341Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA11.965-0.227
6112XJustin Sanders Aromas, CA12.041-0.303
71421Cole Macedo Lemoore, CA12.067-0.329
8918Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA12.085-0.347
92183James McFadden Alice Springs, NT12.107-0.369
101814Corey Day Clovis, CA12.127-0.389
11895Justin Youngquist Burlington, WA12.151-0.413
121241SDominic Scelzi Fresno, CA12.175-0.437
13419Colby Thornhill Enumclaw, WA12.218-0.480
141955Trey Starks Puyallup, WA12.263-0.525
151015Donny Schatz Fargo, ND12.269-0.531
161618SJason Solwold Burlington, WA12.315-0.577
17261SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA12.330-0.592
18223ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA12.336-0.598
191796Greg Hamilton Burlington, WA12.340-0.602
20237SRobbie Price Cobble Hill, BC12.408-0.670
213017Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH12.442-0.704
22209ALuke Didiuk Vancouver, BC12.446-0.708
231399Eric Fisher Mount Vernon, WA12.455-0.717
24214BBailey Jean Granite Falls, WA12.460-0.722
253149Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA12.476-0.738
26291TTanner Holmes Jacksonville, OR12.536-0.798
2713AUKarl Hoffmans Bundauba, QLD12.550-0.812
283221SJesse Schlotfeldt Arlington, WA12.568-0.830
293383JRMichael Kofoid Penngrove, CA12.671-0.933
302717SCam Smith Mill Creek, WA12.728-0.990
312420GNoah Gass Mounds, OK12.815-1.077
322896AUAndy Caruana Melbourne, VIC13.021-1.283
33256Bill Rose Plainfield, IN13.032-1.294
Hot Laps Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
152David Gravel Watertown, CT11.7210.000
279Kasey Kahne Enumclaw, WA11.846-0.125
3223ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA11.861-0.140
41814Corey Day Clovis, CA11.898-0.177
53017Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH11.979-0.258
61015Donny Schatz Fargo, ND11.985-0.264
7341Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA12.003-0.282
81524Rico Abreu St. Helena, CA12.025-0.304
93383JRMichael Kofoid Penngrove, CA12.029-0.308
103149Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA12.031-0.310
1165Spencer Bayston Lebanon, IN12.048-0.327
121421Cole Macedo Lemoore, CA12.054-0.333
131955Trey Starks Puyallup, WA12.096-0.375
14112XJustin Sanders Aromas, CA12.120-0.399
152896AUAndy Caruana Melbourne, VIC12.120-0.399
161241SDominic Scelzi Fresno, CA12.127-0.406
17261SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA12.165-0.444
18419Colby Thornhill Enumclaw, WA12.184-0.463
191618SJason Solwold Burlington, WA12.200-0.479
201399Eric Fisher Mount Vernon, WA12.238-0.517
21918Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA12.257-0.536
221796Greg Hamilton Burlington, WA12.281-0.560
23237SRobbie Price Cobble Hill, BC12.303-0.582
24895Justin Youngquist Burlington, WA12.333-0.612
25209ALuke Didiuk Vancouver, BC12.467-0.746
26291TTanner Holmes Jacksonville, OR12.480-0.759
273221SJesse Schlotfeldt Arlington, WA12.489-0.768
282717SCam Smith Mill Creek, WA12.490-0.769
292183James McFadden Alice Springs, NT12.553-0.832
302420GNoah Gass Mounds, OK12.620-0.899
31214BBailey Jean Granite Falls, WA12.677-0.956
3213AUKarl Hoffmans Bundauba, QLD12.713-0.992
33256Bill Rose Plainfield, IN12.980-1.259
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals
Friday, September 01, 2023
Skagit Speedway
4796 Old Hwy 99 N
Burlington, Washington 98233 

Event Description
The World of Outlaws return to Washington for a scenic swing that starts with the annual Sage Fruit Skagit Nationals for three nights on a tight track.

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

Event Schedule
1PM Pit Gates open
5PM Grandstand Gates open
6:30PM Hot Laps/Qualifying
7:30PM Opening Ceremonies
*All times Pacific

Event Hashtag
#SkagitNats

Ticket Options  
Options And Prices
Three Day Pass:
Adult (18-61): $130
Junior (7-17) / Senior (62+) / Military: $110
Child (3-6): $30

Thursday: Adult $40, Jr/Sr/ Military $35, Child $10
Friday: Adult $40, Jr/Sr/ Military $35, Child $10
Saturday: Adult $50, Jr/Sr/ Military $40, Child $10

Two and under: FREE

PIT PASS PRICE - THURS - FRI - SAT:
$50 / $50 / $60

Discounts
Military, Senior, Student

Grandstand Type
bleacher

Reserved Seating
all seating is reserved

Family Section Location
SECTIONS: A - B - H - J, non-smoking, non-alcohol.

Handicapped Seating Location
SECTIONS: H & M

Pit Age Requirement
NO AGE REQUIREMENT - MUST HAVE MINOR RELEASE

Parking Cost
$0.00

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite

Camping Cost
$50 PER NIGHT OR $200 FOR THE WEEK (MON-SUN) for Nationals

Frequently Asked Questions  
Reserved Seating
all seating is reserved

Type of Grandstand
bleacher

Stadium Seating
Stadium seats are allowed

Handicapped Seating
SECTIONS: H & M

Pit Age Limit
NO AGE REQUIREMENT - MUST HAVE MINOR RELEASE

Personal Coolers
No coolers allowed

ATMs
1

Credit Card Use
Concessions, Pit Gate, Ticket Window

Alcohol Sales
Alcohol is permitted in beer gardens sections F & G.

Smoking Policy
smoking are permitted in beer gardens sections F & G.

Family Section
SECTIONS: A - B - H - J, non-smoking, non-alcohol.

Parking Cost
$0.00

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite

Camping Cost
$50 PER NIGHT OR $200 FOR THE WEEK (MON-SUN) for Nationals

Track Info  

Skagit Speedway
4796 Old Hwy 99 N
Burlington, Washington 98233 

Track Phone
(360) 724-3567

Track Type
0.300; High-banked

Sprint Car Track Record
10.578 seconds by David Gravel

Closest Airport
Bellingham, WA (BLI / KBLI) Bellingham International Airport

Track Map
Competitor Info  

Which Schedule Would You like to Print?

2022_CASE_LMS_LOGO.png

Which Schedule Would You like to Add to Your Calendar

2022_CASE_LMS_LOGO