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Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals
Volusia Speedway Park | Barberville, Florida
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Race Recap  

GRABBIN’ GATORS: Sheldon Haudenschild Tops Wild DIRTcar Nationals Finale; David Gravel Secures Third Big Gator

Sheldon Haudenschild can’t help but make any race he wins exciting. Whether he’s leading the whole race and slicing through traffic or he’s working his way through the field, Haudenschild never fails to send thrills through the stands. And Saturday night at Volusia Speedway Park with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars was no different.

The 30-year-old started third, slipped to fourth early, and then pieced together a ferocious charge in the second half of the 30-lap Feature to arise victorious. Haudenschild sealed the deal with a Lap 24 slider on Anthony Macri to top the Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals finale and bank $20,000.

The fans roared for one of their favorites as Haudenschild rose atop the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing/NOS Energy Drink #17 machine in Victory Lane. His smile was ear to ear as he and the team bounced back in the best way possible from what had been a rough week.

The win marked the 35th of Haudenschild’s career with The Greatest Show on Dirt and third at “The World’s Fastest Half Mile.”

“Hats off to (Kyle) Ripper, Steve (Kinzer Dussel), and Luke (Vaughn),” Haudenschild said. “We had a hell of a week and a lot of work. They never gave up. We never give up and just keep on ripping.”

A little way behind Haudenschild, David Gravel had to make some moves of his own. The Big Game Motorsports driver entered the main event with a 14-point lead over Giovanni Scelzi in the Big Gator standings. But Scelzi started on the pole and led early while Gravel got stuck in eighth. If they finished in those two spots, Scelzi would’ve snatched the title and extra $3,000 prize.

But Gravel rallied as Scelzi faded late in the main event. The Big Game Motorsports driver worked his way up to sixth while Scelzi slipped to fourth when the checkered flag flew. The results gave Gravel his third Big Gator title, which equaled him with Daryn Pittman for the most. Consistency carried the Watertown, CT native. He finished no worse than sixth in four nights and highlighted the week with a win on Thursday.

“We battled hard. That was an intense Feature,” Gravel said. “I nearly got passed in the beginning by Sunshine (Tyler Courtney) and Donny (Schatz) but was able to get in front of them. My car really came to life there at the end of the Feature. I wish it was a 40-lap race.

“It was a really good week. Started the week off with a third and a first. Obviously, couldn’t ask for much better than that. And then last night with a fifth and tonight with a sixth. It was a very strong week and good way to start the year.”

David Gravel lifts the Big Gator trophy above his head
David Gravel has now tied Daryn Pittman for the most Big Gator titles with his third (Trent Gower Photo)

Before Haudenschild and Gravel made their moves forward, the race’s opening half was highlighted by plenty of action from other competitors up front.

Giovanni Scelzi led from the pole through the opening laps and held firm control of the top spot until a caution 10 laps in bunched the field together.

On the restart the outside-pole starter – Anthony Macri – powered by “Hot Sauce” on the outside to take the lead. Only a few laps later Michael “Buddy” Kofoid drove around Scelzi to grab second and began to reel in Macri.

Then the race moved beyond halfway, and it’s as if that was Haudenschild’s cue to go as he went to work on Scelzi for third. On Lap 17 he took the spot to climb into a podium position. A lap later Kofoid surrendered second to the Wooster, OH gasser.

Behind Haudenschild a fast-approaching Brad Sweet made his presence felt. He followed Haudenschild through the top five and claimed third on Lap 19. He even managed to drive by Haudenschild on the 20th circuit, but Haudenschild countered and was able to keep back around him – a move he knows was crucial.

“I was more worried about Brad than anything,” Haudenschild admitted. “I knew if he cleared me, he was probably winning that race. Me and him had a great race.”

After reclaiming second from “The Big Cat,” Haudenschild knew he needed to go and set the leading Macri in his crosshairs. On Lap 24, Haudenschild delivered the winning move with a slide job exiting Turn 4. He cruised through some lap traffic over the final six circuits and took the checkered flag on what was a tricky track to conquer.

“The #39(M) just missed the bottom a couple times, and I was able to get under him,” Haudenschild explained. “I was a little nervous of it (the cushion) in (Turns) 3 and 4. It’s gnarly up there. It’ll eat you up over there and the same over here. For the first five laps. I struggled in (Turns) 1 and 2. The bottom is just so much easier to run, and it was faster tonight.”

Macri made the Pennsylvania Posse fans proud with a valiant effort of leading 13 laps before finishing second. The Dillsburg, PA native thought the closing laps were a prime example of why it can be better to be running second in a Sprint Car race as he struggled to handle traffic.

“Obviously, he’s in the better position there running second,” Macri said. “I knew I needed to be on the bottom, but I didn’t want to risk following lapped cars on the bottom and have somebody blow around the top of me. I’m pretty sure I tripped on the curb the lap Sheldon got by me. He hammered it in there on the bottom and got by us, and that’s pretty much all she wrote.”

Brad Sweet completed the top three, notching his third podium of DIRTcar Nationals week. The five-time World of Outlaws champion thought he might have a shot at the win, but a slight hiccup in traffic allowed Haudenschild to put himself in a better position.

“I love coming here. It’s a lot of fun. It’s a high-speed chess match out there,” Sweet said. “Sheldon did a great job. He moved around, found some lines, and kind of kept me behind him. I finally got by him and thought we were going to have a chance at Anthony there. And I just got held up with a lapped car. I don’t know if I made a bad move there or what, but it opened the door back up for Sheldon, and he got really going there and was able to get through the lapped cars. Hats off to him. He drove a great race. We gave it our all, but sometimes you just don’t get it done.”

Giovanni Scelzi and Buddy Kofoid rounded out the top five.

Carson Macedo earned his second KSE Racing Hard Charger of the week with a drive from 23rd to 14th.

Brent Marks claimed his second straight Simpson Quick Time Award in Sea Foam Qualifying and the fifth of his career.

NOS Energy Drink Heats One, Three, and Four were topped by Sheldon Haudenschild, Rico Abreu, and Buddy Kofoid. Milton Hershey School Heat Two belonged to David Gravel.

Giovanni Scelzi won the Toyota Racing Dash.

Kasey Kahne claimed the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars take two weekends off before returning to Volusia Speedway Park for the Bike Week Jamboree (March 3-4). For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

RESULTS:

NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps): 1. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[3]; 2. 39M-Anthony Macri[2]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet[8]; 4. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[1]; 5. 83-Michael Kofoid[4]; 6. 2-David Gravel[7]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz[9]; 8. 24-Rico Abreu[5]; 9. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[10]; 10. 26-Zeb Wise[15]; 11. 19-Brent Marks[6]; 12. 1S-Logan Schuchart[11]; 13. 13-Justin Peck[16]; 14. 41-Carson Macedo[23]; 15. 5-Spencer Bayston[18]; 16. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[25]; 17. 9-Kasey Kahne[21]; 18. 14-Corey Day[12]; 19. 24D-Danny Sams III[24]; 20. 8-Cory Eliason[17]; 21. 21-Brian Brown[14]; 22. 7S-Landon Crawley[13]; 23. 1-Brenham Crouch[20]; 24. 17B-Bill Balog[19]; 25. 6-Bill Rose[26]; 26. (DNS) 48-Danny Dietrich

[Read More]
Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
13+217Sheldon Haudenschild 300.0007Running150$20,000
22039MAnthony Macri 30-2.55613Running146$10,000
38+549Brad Sweet 30-3.471Running144$5,500
41-318Giovanni Scelzi 30-4.17110Running142$4,500
54-183Michael Kofoid 30-4.782Running140$4,000
67+12David Gravel 30-5.100Running138$3,500
79+215Donny Schatz 30-5.653Running136$3,000
85-324Rico Abreu 30-6.805Running134$2,800
910+17BCTyler Courtney 30-7.810Running132$2,600
1015+526Zeb Wise 30-8.492Running130$2,400
116-519Brent Marks 30-8.861Running128$2,200
1211-11SLogan Schuchart 30-9.398Running126$2,000
1316+313Justin Peck 30-10.278Running124$1,800
1423+941Carson Macedo 30-11.250Running122$1,750
1518+35Spencer Bayston 30-11.394Running120$1,700
1625+93ZBrock Zearfoss 30-12.080Running118$350
1721+49Kasey Kahne 30-12.861Running116$1,600
1812-614Corey Day 30-13.436Running114$1,500
1924+524DDanny Sams III30-14.062Running112$1,500
2017-38Cory Eliason 29-1 LapsRunning110$1,500
2114-721Brian Brown 29-1 LapsRunning108$1,500
2213-97SLandon Crawley 29-1 LapsRunning106$1,500
2320-31Brenham Crouch 28-2 LapsRunning104$1,500
2419-517BBill Balog 27-3 LapsRunning102$1,500
2526+16Bill Rose 8-22 LapsDNF102$200
2622-448Danny Dietrich 0-30 LapsDNS102$1,500
KSE Hard Charger: Carson Macedo
Last Chance Showdown 1 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
13+29Kasey Kahne 120.00012Running0$0
22048Danny Dietrich 12-3.419Running0$0
34+141Carson Macedo 12-3.518Running0$0
46+224DDanny Sams III12-5.285Running0$0
511+688Austin McCarl 12-5.907Running90$500
67+11AJacob Allen 12-6.899Running90$400
78+111MBrendan Mullen 12-9.491Running90$350
810+244Chris Martin 12-9.868Running90$300
915+670Kraig Kinser 12-10.917Running90$300
1016+615KCreed Kemenah 12-14.214Running90$300
1112+197UKRyan Harrison 12-14.483Running90$200
125-73ZBrock Zearfoss 1-11 LapsDNF0$0
139-40Justin Whittall 1-11 LapsDNF90$200
141-1315HSam Hafertepe Jr0-12 LapsDNS90$200
1513-25TRyan Timms 0-12 LapsDNS90$200
1614-26Bill Rose 0-12 LapsDNS0$0
Dash 1 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11018Giovanni Scelzi 60.0006Running0$0
22039MAnthony Macri 6-1.933Running0$0
34+117Sheldon Haudenschild 6-2.858Running0$0
43-183Michael Kofoid 6101.806Running0$0
55024Rico Abreu 6-4.462Running0$0
66019Brent Marks 6-5.439Running0$0
7702David Gravel 6-6.444Running0$0
88049Brad Sweet 6-7.436Running0$0
C Main Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11070Kraig Kinser 80.0008Running0$0
22015KCreed Kemenah 8-2.747Running0$0
35+22CWayne Johnson 8-3.760Running90$150
44064Andy Pake 8-6.658Running90$150
511+66GBryan Gossel 8-9.158Running90$150
68+27BBen Brown 8-11.171Running90$125
79+216THKevin Newton 8-12.318Running90$125
87-116GAustyn Gossel 7-1 LapsRunning90$125
93-622Riley Goodno 0-8 LapsDNS90$125
106-410XReese Nowotarski 0-8 LapsDNS90$125
1110-19PParker Price-Miller 0-8 LapsDNS90$125
Heat 1 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+117Sheldon Haudenschild 80.0008Running
21-119Brent Marks 8-1.274Running
34+115Donny Schatz 8-2.777Running
43-17SLandon Crawley 8-4.534Running
56+18Cory Eliason 8-6.409Running
65-19Kasey Kahne 8-7.961Running
7701AJacob Allen 8-9.517Running
89+188Austin McCarl 8-9.741Running
98-170Kraig Kinser 8-10.897Running
1011+12CWayne Johnson 8-12.069Running
1110-116THKevin Newton 8-13.029Running
121206GBryan Gossel 8-14.271Running
Heat 2 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
1102David Gravel 80.0008Running
22018Giovanni Scelzi 8-2.015Running
36+31SLogan Schuchart 8-3.514Running
43-126Zeb Wise 8-4.572Running
510+517BBill Balog 8-6.310Running
65-13ZBrock Zearfoss 8-7.387Running
7700Justin Whittall 8-9.384Running
89+15TRyan Timms 8-11.289Running
98-122Riley Goodno 7-1 LapsRunning
1011+116GAustyn Gossel 3-5 LapsDNF
114-715HSam Hafertepe Jr0-8 LapsDNF
Heat 3 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+124Rico Abreu 80.0008Running
23+149Brad Sweet 8-1.959Running
34+17BCTyler Courtney 8-3.578Running
41-321Brian Brown 8-4.548Running
56+15Spencer Bayston 8-6.368Running
67+141Carson Macedo 8-7.715Running
711+411MBrendan Mullen 8-8.907Running
89+197UKRyan Harrison 8-10.226Running
98-115KCreed Kemenah 8-11.514Running
1010010XReese Nowotarski 8-13.266Running
115-648Danny Dietrich 6-2 LapsDNF
Heat 4 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+183Michael Kofoid 80.0008Running
21-139MAnthony Macri 8-2.389Running
34+114Corey Day 8-4.856Running
45+113Justin Peck 8-5.733Running
53-21Brenham Crouch 8-6.791Running
69+324DDanny Sams III8-8.808Running
77044Chris Martin 8-10.089Running
810+26Bill Rose 8-11.888Running
98-164Andy Pake 8-12.297Running
1011+17BBen Brown 7-1 LapsRunning
116-59PParker Price-Miller 0-8 LapsDNS
Qualifying Flight 1 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1719Brent Marks Myerstown, PA13.2230.000
252David Gravel Watertown, CT13.326-0.103
31817Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH13.382-0.159
42218Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA13.406-0.183
5197SLandon Crawley Benton, AR13.414-0.191
61426Zeb Wise Angola, IN13.432-0.209
72115Donny Schatz Fargo, ND13.452-0.229
8315HSam Hafertepe JrSunnyvale, TX13.465-0.242
929Kasey Kahne Enumclaw, WA13.478-0.255
10153ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA13.512-0.289
11208Cory Eliason Visalia, CA13.554-0.331
12161SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA13.563-0.340
13101AJacob Allen Hanover, PA13.582-0.359
1490Justin Whittall Vincentown, NJ13.612-0.389
15170Kraig Kinser Bloomington, IN13.619-0.396
161322Riley Goodno Knoxville, IA13.621-0.398
172388Austin McCarl Altoona, IA13.669-0.446
1865TRyan Timms Oklahoma City, OK13.712-0.489
191216THKevin Newton Terre Haute, IN13.715-0.492
20417BBill Balog North Pole, AK13.753-0.530
21112CWayne Johnson Oklahoma City, OK13.872-0.649
22816GAustyn Gossel Windsor, CO14.034-0.811
23176GBryan Gossel Windsor, CO14.215-0.992
Qualifying Flight 2 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1821Brian Brown Higginsville, MO13.2750.000
2239MAnthony Macri Dillsburg, PA13.358-0.083
32024Rico Abreu St. Helena, CA13.374-0.099
42283Michael Kofoid Penngrove, CA13.437-0.162
5449Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA13.452-0.177
6101Brenham Crouch Lubbock, TX13.467-0.192
7147BCTyler Courtney Indianapolis, IN13.479-0.204
8914Corey Day Clovis, CA13.524-0.249
9148Danny Dietrich Gettysburg, PA13.532-0.257
101813Justin Peck Monrovia, IN13.624-0.349
11125Spencer Bayston Lebanon, IN13.648-0.373
12139PParker Price-Miller Kokomo, IN13.702-0.427
131641Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA13.709-0.434
14544Chris Martin Ankeny, IA13.715-0.440
15615KCreed Kemenah Alvada, OH13.750-0.475
16364Andy Pake Felton, MN13.782-0.507
171797UKRyan Harrison Rothwell, NTH13.870-0.595
181924DDanny Sams IIINorth Port, FL13.896-0.621
191510XReese Nowotarski Leesport, PA13.972-0.697
20116Bill Rose Plainfield, IN13.980-0.705
212111MBrendan Mullen Grand Forks, ND14.074-0.799
2277BBen Brown Marshall, MO14.259-0.984
Hot Laps Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
14324Rico Abreu St. Helena, CA13.5080.000
23121Brian Brown Higginsville, MO13.730-0.222
34113Justin Peck Monrovia, IN13.833-0.325
4377BCTyler Courtney Indianapolis, IN13.888-0.380
53941Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA13.916-0.408
6331Brenham Crouch Lubbock, TX13.932-0.424
73214Corey Day Clovis, CA13.954-0.446
84224DDanny Sams IIINorth Port, FL13.960-0.452
9369PParker Price-Miller Kokomo, IN14.057-0.549
104411MBrendan Mullen Grand Forks, ND14.104-0.596
112539MAnthony Macri Dillsburg, PA14.114-0.606
122448Danny Dietrich Gettysburg, PA14.170-0.662
134097UKRyan Harrison Rothwell, NTH14.193-0.685
142218Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA14.211-0.703
15355Spencer Bayston Lebanon, IN14.244-0.736
162844Chris Martin Ankeny, IA14.248-0.740
17208Cory Eliason Visalia, CA14.263-0.755
18197SLandon Crawley Benton, AR14.266-0.758
192749Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA14.282-0.774
202115Donny Schatz Fargo, ND14.313-0.805
213810XReese Nowotarski Leesport, PA14.352-0.844
221817Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH14.409-0.901
232388Austin McCarl Altoona, IA14.425-0.917
242915KCreed Kemenah Alvada, OH14.456-0.948
25346Bill Rose Plainfield, IN14.458-0.950
26153ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA14.475-0.967
272664Andy Pake Felton, MN14.584-1.076
28101AJacob Allen Hanover, PA14.611-1.103
29307BBen Brown Marshall, MO14.709-1.201
30719Brent Marks Myerstown, PA14.762-1.254
31315HSam Hafertepe JrSunnyvale, TX14.772-1.264
3252David Gravel Watertown, CT14.784-1.276
331426Zeb Wise Angola, IN14.792-1.284
344583Michael Kofoid Penngrove, CA14.846-1.338
35112CWayne Johnson Oklahoma City, OK14.897-1.389
36161SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA15.055-1.547
371322Riley Goodno Knoxville, IA15.108-1.600
3865TRyan Timms Oklahoma City, OK15.190-1.682
39170Kraig Kinser Bloomington, IN15.276-1.768
401216THKevin Newton Terre Haute, IN15.293-1.785
4129Kasey Kahne Enumclaw, WA15.524-2.016
42176GBryan Gossel Windsor, CO15.639-2.131
4390Justin Whittall Vincentown, NJ15.690-2.182
44417BBill Balog North Pole, AK15.832-2.324
45816GAustyn Gossel Windsor, CO16.218-2.710
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals
Monday, February 5th to Saturday, February 17th
Volusia Speedway Park
1500 East State Road 40
Barberville, Florida 32130 

Event Description
Kick off the racing season with two full weeks of racing in Florida at the World's Fastest Half-Mile, Volusia Speedway Park!

Week 1: World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and DIRTcar UMP Modifieds
Week 2: World of Outlaws Late Models, DIRTcar Late Models, Super DIRTcar Series, USAC Non-Wing Sprint Cars


World of Outlaws Sprint Cars & Late Models: $12K, $12K, $20K to win!

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

Event Schedule
1PM Pit Gates open
4PM Grandstand Gates open
5:30PM Hot Laps/Qualifying
6:50PM Opening Ceremonies
Racing to follow

See Detailed Schedule
*All times Eastern

Event Hashtag
#FLinFeb

Related Documents
 https://dirtcarnationals.com/

Ticket Options  
Options And Prices
TICKETS

Grandstand Type
Bleachers, Chairbacks

Handicapped Seating Location
All Handicap seating is the first rows of each section

Pit Age Requirement
There is no age restriction in the pits. Anyone 17 years of age or younger will need to fill out a minor waiver form and be accompanied by an adult.

Pit Gate Location
East or West side of the Track.

Parking Cost
General Parking Free

Handicapped Parking Location
Handicap parking spots available. All spots are first come first serve.

Camping Availability
Electric Hookup, Non-Electric, Onsite, Sanitary Facility, Showers

Camping Cost
Single Day Dry Camp $30
Single Day Water/Electric $75 (Special Event $80)
Single Day Full Hook Up $100
Weekend Dry Camp $60
Weekend Electric/Water $150
Weekend Full Hook Up $200


Frequently Asked Questions  
Type of Grandstand
Bleachers, Chairbacks

Stadium Seating
Stadium seats are allowed as long as they don't conflict with the aisle behind you.

Handicapped Seating
All Handicap seating is the first rows of each section

Handicapped Parking
Handicap parking spots available. All spots are first come first serve.

Pit Age Limit
There is no age restriction in the pits. Anyone 17 years of age or younger will need to fill out a minor waiver form and be accompanied by an adult.

Pit Gate Location
East or West side of the Track.

Personal Coolers
Six-pack maximum cooler size. No alcohol. No glass.

ATMs
1

Alcohol Sales
Beer is available for purchase at the track.

Smoking Policy
No smoking in the Grandstands.


Parking Cost
General Parking Free

Camping Availability
Electric Hookup, Non-Electric, Onsite, Sanitary Facility, Showers

Camping Cost
Single Day Dry Camp $30
Single Day Water/Electric $75 (Special Event $80)
Single Day Full Hook Up $100
Weekend Dry Camp $60
Weekend Electric/Water $150
Weekend Full Hook Up $200


Track Info  

Volusia Speedway Park
1500 East State Road 40
Barberville, Florida 32130 

Track Phone
(386) 985-4402

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Size
0.482

Track Type
D-shaped oval

Closest Airport
Daytona International Airport

Other Airport
Orlando Sanford

Pit Gate Location
East or West side of the Track.

Track Map
Competitor Info  

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