Search
Close this search box.
World of Outlaws Texas Two-Step
Cotton Bowl Speedway | Paige, Texas
Friday, March 15, 2024
Race Recap  

BIGGER IN TEXAS: Brent Marks Comes Out on Top of Wild Cotton Bowl Thriller

They say everything is bigger in Texas. And the action on track Friday night at Cotton Bowl Speedway lived up to that reputation.

Sliders everywhere. Crossovers everywhere. Mind-blowing saves. A late pass for the win. The racing couldn’t have been any bigger and better at the Paige, TX oval.

When the checkered flag waved on the 30-lap thriller, it was Brent Marks who arose victorious after a spirited charge from the fourth row. The “Myerstown Missile” worked his way forward in the Murray-Marks #19 and sealed the deal by topping a wild late-race duel with Carson Macedo. The winner of night one of the Texas Two Step rolled into Victory Lane and celebrated in front of a roaring crowd.

“It was a lot of fun,” Marks said. “Hats off to this team. They just have worked their butts off all year so far. We’ve been qualifying a little bit better but haven’t been good in our race trim, and we just made the necessary changes coming into this weekend, and here we are. This is amazing.”

The victory was Marks’ 15th with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars and second in the state of Texas. He became the fifth different driver to top a race with The Greatest Show on Dirt. Marks also continued the early streak of no repeat winners as six different competitors have topped the first six races of the year. It’s only the sixth time in Series history we’ve seen that accomplished. The record is eight winners in the first eight races (2015).

A front row consisting of Sheldon Haudenschild and Carson Macedo brought the field to green. It was two-time Cotton Bowl winner – Haudenschild – darting out to the early advantage.

Haudenschild pulled ahead in the opening laps and quickly began to approach the tail of the field. Right as the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing pilot started to navigate traffic, disaster nearly struck. Haudenschild got sideways in Turns 3 and 4 and nearly spun the NOS Energy Drink #17. The Wooster, OH native managed to hang on and also maintain the lead. Right after Haudenschild’s save, the race’s first yellow came out for two cars spinning in Turns 1 and 2.

On the ensuing restart Macedo took a shot at Haudenschild with a slide job in the first corner. Macedo managed to clear him, but Haudenschild promptly countered with a crossover down the back straightaway to regain the lead. The yellow came back out with eight laps complete for Jacob Allen spinning in Turn 4.

The next restart saw Macedo snatch the lead from Haudenschild as he was able to dip under the #17 exiting Turn 2 and drive by heading down the back straightaway. Giovanni Scelzi briefly squeezed ahead of Haudenschild in Turns 3 and 4, but Haudenschild powered back by exiting the corner.

The methodical Brent Marks had worked his way from seventh to third by the halfway point and began closing on the top two of Macedo and Haudenschild. Once the leaders entered traffic, the action warmed up.

Marks threw a slider at Haudenschild in Turns 3 and 4. Haudenschild not only crossed him over, but he also found the speed to launch a slide job at Macedo for the lead in Turns 1 and 2. Macedo crossed back over to retake the lead. On the next circuit, Marks attempted a slider on Haudenschild but made contact with a lapped car. Both held on, but behind them a three-car crash that involved point leader David Gravel, Donny Schatz, and Sam Hafertepe Jr. brought out the red flag.

When racing resumed Marks used a huge run on the bottom to roll ahead of Haudenschild for second entering the first set of corners and immediately set his sights on Macedo. Marks could move his machine anywhere on the racetrack and began to track down the Jason Johnson Racing #41 primarily by using a unique line in Turns 3 and 4.

Brent Marks slides ahead of Carson Macedo
Friday at Cotton Bowl came down to a late race duel between Brent Marks and Carson Macedo (Trent Gower Photo)

As the race dipped inside 10 laps to go, a war between Macedo and Marks began. Marks used his line in Turns 3 and 4 to get a run on Macedo down the front straightaway and toss multiple sliders at him in Turns 1 and 2. Macedo used multiple crossovers to maintain the top spot. But with only three laps remaining, Marks found the momentum he needed and made a slide job stick that Macedo couldn’t counter.

“It was just about finding enough grip there on exit,” Marks explained. “That was a pretty wild race. That was really fun, especially when we got in lapped traffic there. Hats off to the Cotton Bowl track crew for doing an amazing job.”

The yellow flag flew one lap after Marks secured the top spot setting up a two-lap dash to the finish, but Marks had no plans of an exciting final restart. He mashed the gas when the green lights flashed and pulled away to victory.

“It was just really about finding the right line that worked best for my car,” Marks said. “Carson was really good. I was able to roll the middle really well down here through (Turns) 3 and 4, but once we got to exit it was hard to get ahold of anything. I showed my nose to Carson a couple times, and he started taking my line there, so I had to try to get creative a little bit. I started coming off of (Turn) 4 a little higher sooner and catch the moisture right up against the wall just enough to shoot me down the front stretch and get some runs on him. That was a hard fought race.”

Macedo held on for the second spot after leading 20 laps aboard the Albaugh #41. The result marked his second consecutive podium as he and the JJR crew begin to get some momentum rolling. Macedo felt he did all he could to hold off Marks but just didn’t have quite enough.

“I feel like we were pretty solid,” Macedo said. “Once we took the lead I thought it would be really tough to get by us. And then he started pressuring me, and I could see him almost the first run he made at me. I was trying everything I could. I felt like I was moving around, trying different lines, trying to get my wing back a little bit. Then I felt I’d get a little tight in (Turns) 1 and 2, so it was like a give and take. He just did a good job. His car was really good there at the end. My guys did an incredible job, too.”

Rounding out the top three was Giovanni Scelzi as he put the KCP Racing #18 on the podium for the first time this year. The Fresno, CA driver made an incredible save early in the race that saw him drive off the wall on the back straightaway. Scelzi’s strong effort combined with Gravel’s misfortune gave him the points lead for the first time in his career.

“Man, it’s awesome,” Scelzi said of taking the point lead. “I escaped death a few times there. My car was awesome all night. This place seemed to give me some fits over the last couple years we’ve been here. Hats off to my guys… It’s cool to be as consistent as we’ve been just kind of rolling with the punches right now I feel like. We’re making Dashes and putting ourselves in position.”

Logan Schuchart and Aaron Reutzel completed the top five. Reutzel drove all the way from 22nd to fifth, giving him the night’s KSE Racing Hard Charger.

Reutzel also snagged his ninth career Simpson Quick Time in Sea Foam Qualifying.

NOS Energy Drink Heats One and Three belonged to Bill Balog (eighth Heat Race win of career) and Sam Hafertepe Jr. (52nd of career). Milton Hershey School Heat Two went to Sheldon Haudenschild (102nd of career).

Haudenschild also topped the Toyota Racing Dash.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars finish up the Texas Two-Step at Cotton Bowl Speedway on Saturday, March 16. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

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

FEATURE RESULTS:

NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps): 1. 19-Brent Marks[7]; 2. 41-Carson Macedo[2]; 3. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[3]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart[4]; 5. 87-Aaron Reutzel[22]; 6. 1A-Jacob Allen[17]; 7. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[1]; 8. 17B-Bill Balog[5]; 9. 15-Donny Schatz[10]; 10. 83-Michael Kofoid[9]; 11. 41S-Dominic Scelzi[14]; 12. 2-David Gravel[8]; 13. 95-Matt Covington[11]; 14. 70-Kraig Kinser[20]; 15. 23-Garet Williamson[13]; 16. 7S-Landon Crawley[12]; 17. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[15]; 18. 45X-Jace Park[18]; 19. 6-Bill Rose[23]; 20. 25B-Blaine Baxter[19]; 21. 16TH-Kevin Newton[16]; 22. 42P-Preston Perlmutter[21]; 23. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[6]

For full results, CLICK HERE.

[Read More]
Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
17+619Brent Marks 300.0003Running150$12,000
22041Carson Macedo 30-1.84520Running146$8,000
33018Giovanni Scelzi 30-2.242Running144$5,000
4401SLogan Schuchart 30-3.193Running142$3,200
522+1787Aaron Reutzel 30-3.705Running140$2,800
617+111AJacob Allen 30-4.255Running138$2,600
71-617Sheldon Haudenschild 30-4.4997Running136$2,400
85-317BBill Balog 30-5.085Running134$2,300
910+115Donny Schatz 30-5.173Running132$2,200
109-183Michael Kofoid 30-6.127Running130$2,000
1114+341SDominic Scelzi 30-6.799Running128$1,800
128-42David Gravel 30-6.944Running126$1,600
1311-295Matt Covington 30-7.207Running124$1,400
1420+670Kraig Kinser 30-7.365Running122$1,200
1513-223Garet Williamson 30-7.733Running120$1,200
1612-47SLandon Crawley 30-8.571Running118$1,200
1715-23ZBrock Zearfoss 30-8.925Running116$1,200
1818045XJace Park 30-9.383Running114$1,200
1923+46Bill Rose 29-1 LapsRunning112$1,200
2019-125BBlaine Baxter 29-1 LapsRunning110$1,200
2116-516THKevin Newton 29-1 LapsRunning108$1,200
2221-142PPreston Perlmutter 21-9 LapsDNF106$1,200
236-1715HSam Hafertepe Jr18-12 LapsDNF104$1,200
KSE Hard Charger: Aaron Reutzel
Dash 1 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11017Sheldon Haudenschild 60.0006Running0$0
22041Carson Macedo 6-1.543Running0$0
33018Giovanni Scelzi 6-2.387Running0$0
4401SLogan Schuchart 6-3.569Running0$0
56+117BBill Balog 6-4.725Running0$0
65-115HSam Hafertepe Jr6-7.137Running0$0
Heat 1 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+117BBill Balog 80.0008Running
23+11SLogan Schuchart 8-0.971Running
34+119Brent Marks 8-2.200Running
45+115Donny Schatz 8-3.809Running
56+123Garet Williamson 8-4.558Running
68+216THKevin Newton 8-7.167Running
77025BBlaine Baxter 8-7.691Running
81-787Aaron Reutzel 4-4 LapsDNF
Heat 2 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11017Sheldon Haudenschild 80.0008Running
22018Giovanni Scelzi 8-1.549Running
3302David Gravel 8-2.371Running
46+295Matt Covington 8-6.083Running
55041SDominic Scelzi 8-8.840Running
64-21AJacob Allen 8-9.722Running
78+170Kraig Kinser 8-12.716Running
87-16Bill Rose 8-13.770Running
Heat 3 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11015HSam Hafertepe Jr80.0008Running
24+241Carson Macedo 8-1.588Running
33083Michael Kofoid 8-2.447Running
45+17SLandon Crawley 8-5.309Running
52-33ZBrock Zearfoss 8-6.555Running
66045XJace Park 8-7.413Running
77042PPreston Perlmutter 8-9.844Running
Qualifying Flight 1 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1287Aaron Reutzel Clute, TX14.1940.000
21217Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH14.329-0.135
3415HSam Hafertepe JrSunnyvale, TX14.383-0.189
4317BBill Balog North Pole, AK14.409-0.215
51318Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA14.418-0.224
663ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA14.429-0.235
7191SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA14.457-0.263
8182David Gravel Watertown, CT14.472-0.278
92183Michael Kofoid Penngrove, CA14.493-0.299
101519Brent Marks Myerstown, PA14.506-0.312
1111AJacob Allen Hanover, PA14.531-0.337
122041Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA14.763-0.569
13515Donny Schatz Fargo, ND14.777-0.583
14941SDominic Scelzi Fresno, CA14.815-0.621
15237SLandon Crawley Benton, AR14.902-0.708
16823Garet Williamson Columbia, MO15.007-0.813
171195Matt Covington Glenpool, OK15.251-1.057
182245XJace Park Overland Park, KS15.350-1.156
191625BBlaine Baxter Liberty Hill, TX15.373-1.179
20176Bill Rose Plainfield, IN15.394-1.200
211042PPreston Perlmutter San Antonio, TX15.471-1.277
221416THKevin Newton Terre Haute, IN15.512-1.318
23770Kraig Kinser Bloomington, IN15.531-1.337
Hot Laps Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1182David Gravel Watertown, CT14.4640.000
2191SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA14.604-0.140
32183Michael Kofoid Penngrove, CA14.691-0.227
42041Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA14.691-0.227
51217Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH14.696-0.232
6317BBill Balog North Pole, AK14.736-0.272
7515Donny Schatz Fargo, ND14.802-0.338
8287Aaron Reutzel Clute, TX14.899-0.435
9941SDominic Scelzi Fresno, CA14.911-0.447
101519Brent Marks Myerstown, PA14.915-0.451
11770Kraig Kinser Bloomington, IN14.935-0.471
121318Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA14.971-0.507
13415HSam Hafertepe JrSunnyvale, TX15.119-0.655
14823Garet Williamson Columbia, MO15.345-0.881
151416THKevin Newton Terre Haute, IN15.364-0.900
161625BBlaine Baxter Liberty Hill, TX15.486-1.022
17237SLandon Crawley Benton, AR15.538-1.074
182245XJace Park Overland Park, KS15.644-1.180
191195Matt Covington Glenpool, OK15.700-1.236
201042PPreston Perlmutter San Antonio, TX15.880-1.416
21176Bill Rose Plainfield, IN15.895-1.431
2263ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA0.00014.464
2311AJacob Allen Hanover, PA0.00014.464
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

World of Outlaws Texas Two-Step
Friday, March 15th to Saturday, March 16th
Cotton Bowl Speedway
1175 Co Rd 202
Paige, Texas 78659 

Event Description
The start to a double barrel Texas weekend for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

To Win Amount
$12,000.00

Event Schedule
2PM Gates Open
5PM Grandstand Gates Open
6:30PM Hot Laps/Qualifying
Opening Ceremonies
and Racing to follow
*All times Central

Event Hashtag
#TexasTwostep

Ticket Options  
Ticket Phone
(844) 347-8849

Options And Prices
2-Day Reserved: $75 Advanced / $85 Day of
2-Day Adult GA: $65 Advanced / $75 Day of
2-Day Child GA: (6-12): $20
Single Day Reserved: $40 Advanced / $45 Day of
Single Day Adult GA: $35 Advanced / $40 Day of
Single Day Child GA (6-12): $10



Discounts
None

Grandstand Type
Bleachers

Reserved Seating
Top 7 Rows of Sections A-I

Handicapped Seating Location
Front Stretch

Pit Pass Price
2-Day Pits- $90 Single Day Pits- $45

Pit Age Requirement
There is not an age limit for the pit area at this event. Minors 17 and younger must submit a Parental Consent, Release and Waiver of Liability.

Parking Cost
$5 day of event, $6 credit card day of event

Camping Availability
offsite, onsite

Camping Cost
$100 in advance, $125 at the Gate (Cash ONLY) 512-944-9212

Frequently Asked Questions  
To Win Amount
$12,000.00

Reserved Seating
Top 7 Rows of Sections A-I

Type of Grandstand
Bleachers

Handicapped Seating
Front Stretch

Pit Age Limit
There is not an age limit for the pit area at this event. Minors 17 and younger must submit a Parental Consent, Release and Waiver of Liability.

Personal Coolers
Coolers with beer are allowed for $10. No other food or drinks allowed. Coolers must not be bigger than 10"X13"X9". All Coolers are subject to inspection upon entering the facility.

Alcohol Sales
CBS does not sell alcohol at the track. Coolers no bigger than 10"X13"X9" are allowed in with beer only for $10. No glass bottles.

Smoking Policy
No smoking in the Grandstands

Parking Cost
$5 day of event, $6 credit card day of event

Camping Availability
offsite, onsite

Camping Cost
$100 in advance, $125 at the Gate (Cash ONLY) 512-944-9212

Track Info  

Cotton Bowl Speedway
1175 Co Rd 202
Paige, Texas 78659 

Track Phone
(512) 944-9212

Ticket Phone
(844) 347-8849

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Size
0.375

Track Type
High-banked

Closest Airport
Austin, TX (AUS / KAUS) Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

Other Airport
College Station, TX (CLL / KCLL) Easterwood Airport

Track Map
Competitor Info  

Which Schedule Would You like to Print?

2022_CASE_LMS_LOGO.png