HIT THE TRIFECTA: The Big Cat Stuns Lil Haud in Final Mile at I-70
In Kentucky, iconic trainer Bob Baffert rode the coattails of Medina Spirit to his record seventh Kentucky Derby crown. In Missouri, Kasey Kahne witnessed hired gun Brad Sweet deliver his eighth win of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series season.
On Churchill Downs’ hollowed grounds, jockey John Velazquez circled 10 furlongs in exactly two minutes and one second. At the revamped I-70 Motorsports Park, Crew Chief Eric Prutzman watched his NAPA Auto Parts #49 rip off 13.5 miles in just 11 minutes and 31 seconds.
There were odds on Sweet of course, but front row starters Brock Zearfoss and Sheldon Haudenschild shouldered most of the load when the exacta bets came in. When the 30-lap feature went live, all props were on Lil Haud, who amassed a six-second lead in Saturday’s sprint. However, a sudden stoppage allowed The Big Cat to close down the homestretch and sneak away with a stunning victory.
It wasn’t a crown jewel on the level of the Kentucky Derby, but Saturday’s sweep was still meaningful for Sweet, who continues building his championship lead and building momentum with the summer of money approaching.
“Sheldon was way better than us throughout most of that race, but you have to finish these off,” Sweet said. “He left a little opening and got the tires spinning down the front stretch and I saw a gap to shoot. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how you get there, just as long as you get there first.”
The Wooster, OH pilot of the NOS Energy Drink, Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing #17 was in a league of his own from the start. He beat pole sitter Brock Zearfoss into turn one with a big slider and then threw the deuces out and built a massive six-second lead. He mastered traffic and was poised to celebrate a third win of the year until a spinning Tim Kaeding halted his torrid pace with three to go.
As untimely as it was, it didn’t help anymore that two-time and defending Series champion Brad Sweet had just taken second away from Zearfoss. That put the feared #49 hot on the heels of the #17 with a three-lap sprint to the checkered flag upcoming.
All it took was a stellar restart to offer Sweet the launch he needed into turn one to clear Haudenschild with a slider for the lead. From there, he survived an additional two laps and crossed the stripe with an advantage of 1.508-seconds over Carson Macedo, who snookered Haudenschild as well.
The win marked Sweet’s third in three nights, his fifth in five Missouri races, his eighth in 18 season events, and the 66th of his World of Outlaws career, which ties him with Craig Dollansky and Bobby Davis Jr. for 12th all-time.
“We’ve still got a long summer ahead of us with a lot of big races left,” Sweet said on their early success. “We’ve got to keep our heads down, keep capitalizing, keep executing, and keep winning. We’re the best team out here and I feel like I’m at the highest level I’ve ever been at as a driver. I want to win as many as possible this year.”
Following Sweet by Haudenschild to take second on the final restart was Carson Macedo, who drove the Jason Johnson Racing #41 to his tenth consecutive top-10 finish.
“Our car was really good, but I just felt like there were parts where we fell in in line and I couldn’t make something happen,” Macedo noted on his race. “I found the rubber before Brock [Zearfoss] because of a lapper, and then Sheldon [Haudenschild] got so tight on the bottom I got by him. Looking forward to a weekend at Eldora next!”
The story of the race ultimately ended up third as Haudenschild faded to the show position on the final restart.
“We just got beat,” Haudenschild admitted. “I let my guys down. We had the winning car, but the driver didn’t get it done. It doesn’t matter how many you lead, we have to hang on for that last lap. I got too snug on that restart and let Brad get by. He’s the guy to beat right now and that’s really motivating us to get better.”
Closing out the top ten on night two of the FVP Platinum Battery Showdown was Kyle Larson in fourth, Donny Schatz in fifth, Brian Brown in sixth, Brock Zearfoss in seventh, Giovanni Scelzi in eighth, David Gravel in ninth, and Logan Schuchart in tenth.
UP NEXT – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will make their first appearance of the season at Ohio’s Eldora Speedway next Friday and Saturday, May 7-8. Let’s Race Two features the USAC National Sprint Cars on both nights at the 1/2-mile.
NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps) – 1. 49-Brad Sweet [4][$10,000]; 2. 41-Carson Macedo [6][$6,000]; 3. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [2][$3,500]; 4. 57-Kyle Larson [8][$2,800]; 5. 15-Donny Schatz [12][$2,500]; 6. 21-Brian Brown [3][$2,300]; 7. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [1][$2,200]; 8. 18-Giovanni Scelzi [5][$2,100]; 9. 2-David Gravel [19][$2,050]; 10. 1S-Logan Schuchart [14][$2,000]; 11. 11K-Kraig Kinser [9][$1,600]; 12. 14-Tim Kaeding [10][$1,400]; 13. 9-James McFadden [7][$1,200]; 14. 83-Aaron Reutzel [15][$1,100]; 15. 1A-Jacob Allen [20][$1,050]; 16. 19-Parker Price-Miller [17][$1,000]; 17. 27-Tucker Klaasmeyer [24][$1,000]; 18. 3-Ayrton Gennetten [18][$1,000]; 19. 24-Rico Abreu [11][$1,000]; 20. 20G-Noah Gass [23][$1,000]; 21. 35-Zach Hampton [22][$1,000]; 22. 2C-Wayne Johnson [13][$1,000]; 23. 31-Joe B-Miller [16][$1,000]; 24. 24W-Garet Williamson [21][$1,000]. Lap Leaders: Sheldon Haudenschild 1-27, Brad Sweet 28-30. KSE Hard Charger Award: 2-David Gravel[+10]
[Read More]| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | +3 | 49 | Brad Sweet | 30 | 0.000 | 3 | Running | 150 | $10,000 |
| 2 | 6 | +4 | 41 | Carson Macedo | 30 | 0.000 | Running | 146 | $6,000 | |
| 3 | 2 | -1 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 30 | 0.000 | 27 | Running | 144 | $3,500 |
| 4 | 8 | +4 | 57 | Kyle Larson | 30 | 0.000 | Running | 142 | $2,800 | |
| 5 | 12 | +7 | 15 | Donny Schatz | 30 | 0.000 | Running | 140 | $2,500 | |
| 6 | 3 | -3 | 21 | Brian Brown | 30 | 0.000 | Running | 138 | $2,300 | |
| 7 | 1 | -6 | 3Z | Brock Zearfoss | 30 | 0.000 | Running | 136 | $2,200 | |
| 8 | 5 | -3 | 18 | Giovanni Scelzi | 30 | 0.000 | Running | 134 | $2,100 | |
| 9 | 19 | +10 | 2 | David Gravel | 30 | 0.000 | Running | 132 | $2,050 | |
| 10 | 14 | +4 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | 30 | 0.000 | Running | 130 | $2,000 | |
| 11 | 9 | -2 | 11K | Kraig Kinser | 30 | 0.000 | Running | 128 | $1,600 | |
| 12 | 10 | -2 | 14 | Tim Kaeding | 30 | 0.000 | Running | 126 | $1,400 | |
| 13 | 7 | -6 | 9 | James McFadden | 29 | -1 Laps | Running | 124 | $1,200 | |
| 14 | 15 | +1 | 83 | Aaron Reutzel | 29 | -1 Laps | Running | 122 | $1,100 | |
| 15 | 20 | +5 | 1A | Jacob Allen | 29 | -1 Laps | Running | 120 | $1,050 | |
| 16 | 17 | +1 | 19 | Parker Price-Miller | 29 | -1 Laps | Running | 118 | $1,000 | |
| 17 | 24 | +7 | 27 | Tucker Klaasmeyer | 29 | -1 Laps | Running | 116 | $1,000 | |
| 18 | 18 | 0 | 3 | Ayrton Gennetten | 29 | -1 Laps | Running | 114 | $1,000 | |
| 19 | 11 | -8 | 24 | Rico Abreu | 29 | -1 Laps | Running | 112 | $1,000 | |
| 20 | 23 | +3 | 20G | Noah Gass | 29 | -1 Laps | Running | 110 | $1,000 | |
| 21 | 22 | +1 | 35 | Zach Hampton | 29 | -1 Laps | Running | 108 | $1,000 | |
| 22 | 13 | -9 | 2C | Wayne Johnson | 25 | -5 Laps | Running | 106 | $1,000 | |
| 23 | 16 | -7 | 31 | Joe B. Miller | 8 | -22 Laps | DNF | 104 | $1,000 | |
| 24 | 21 | -3 | 24W | Garet Williamson | 0 | -30 Laps | DNF | 102 | $1,000 |
| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | David Gravel | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 1A | Jacob Allen | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 3 | 4 | +1 | 24W | Garet Williamson | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 4 | 9 | +5 | 35 | Zach Hampton | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 5 | 7 | +2 | 20G | Noah Gass | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 90 | $110 | |
| 6 | 6 | 0 | 27 | Tucker Klaasmeyer | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 90 | $110 | |
| 7 | 8 | +1 | 1X | Jake Bubak | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 90 | $110 | |
| 8 | 5 | -3 | 7B | Ben Brown | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 90 | $110 | |
| 9 | 3 | -6 | 7S | Jason Sides | 0 | 0.000 | DNF | 90 | $110 |
| POS | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps | Behind | Led | Status | Points | Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 3Z | Brock Zearfoss | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 21 | Brian Brown | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 4 | 5 | +1 | 49 | Brad Sweet | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 5 | 4 | -1 | 18 | Giovanni Scelzi | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 | |
| 6 | 6 | 0 | 41 | Carson Macedo | 0 | 0.000 | Running | 0 | $0 |
| Pos. | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps Completed | Behind | Laps Led | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 2 | 3 | +1 | 49 | Brad Sweet | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 3 | 2 | -1 | 9 | James McFadden | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 4 | 5 | +1 | 14 | Tim Kaeding | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 5 | 6 | +1 | 2C | Wayne Johnson | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 6 | 8 | +2 | 31 | Joe B. Miller | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 7 | 7 | 0 | 1A | Jacob Allen | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 8 | 9 | +1 | 7B | Ben Brown | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 9 | 4 | -5 | 2 | David Gravel | 0 | 0.000 | DNF |
| Pos. | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps Completed | Behind | Laps Led | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 21 | Brian Brown | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 3Z | Brock Zearfoss | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 3 | 6 | +3 | 57 | Kyle Larson | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 24 | Rico Abreu | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 5 | 5 | 0 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 6 | 3 | -3 | 19 | Parker Price-Miller | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 7 | 8 | +1 | 7S | Jason Sides | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 8 | 7 | -1 | 27 | Tucker Klaasmeyer | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 9 | 9 | 0 | 1X | Jake Bubak | 0 | 0.000 | Running |
| Pos. | Start | +/- | # | Driver | Laps Completed | Behind | Laps Led | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 41 | Carson Macedo | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 1 | 2 | +1 | 17 | Sheldon Haudenschild | 0 | 0.000 | Running | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 18 | Giovanni Scelzi | 0 | 13.525 | Running | |
| 2 | 8 | +6 | 21 | Brian Brown | 0 | -0.124 | Running | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 11K | Kraig Kinser | 0 | 13.525 | Running | |
| 4 | 6 | +2 | 15 | Donny Schatz | 0 | 13.525 | Running | |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 9 | James McFadden | 0 | -0.175 | Running | |
| 5 | 4 | -1 | 83 | Aaron Reutzel | 0 | 13.525 | Running | |
| 5 | 6 | +1 | 3Z | Brock Zearfoss | 0 | -0.206 | Running | |
| 6 | 5 | -1 | 3 | Ayrton Gennetten | 0 | 13.525 | Running | |
| 7 | 19 | +12 | 49 | Brad Sweet | 0 | -0.323 | Running | |
| 7 | 8 | +1 | 24W | Garet Williamson | 0 | 13.525 | Running | |
| 8 | 7 | -1 | 20G | Noah Gass | 0 | 13.525 | Running | |
| 8 | 1 | -7 | 19 | Parker Price-Miller | 0 | -0.335 | Running | |
| 9 | 9 | 0 | 35 | Zach Hampton | 0 | 13.525 | Running | |
| 10 | 23 | +13 | 2 | David Gravel | 0 | -0.365 | Running | |
| 11 | 17 | +6 | 24 | Rico Abreu | 0 | -0.365 | Running | |
| 13 | 15 | +2 | 14 | Tim Kaeding | 0 | -0.390 | Running | |
| 14 | 25 | +11 | 1S | Logan Schuchart | 0 | -0.403 | Running | |
| 16 | 14 | -2 | 2C | Wayne Johnson | 0 | -0.430 | Running | |
| 17 | 26 | +9 | 57 | Kyle Larson | 0 | -0.473 | Running | |
| 19 | 20 | +1 | 1A | Jacob Allen | 0 | -0.625 | Running | |
| 20 | 9 | -11 | 27 | Tucker Klaasmeyer | 0 | -0.639 | Running | |
| 22 | 10 | -12 | 31 | Joe B. Miller | 0 | -0.766 | Running | |
| 23 | 27 | +4 | 7S | Jason Sides | 0 | -0.801 | Running | |
| 25 | 22 | -3 | 7B | Ben Brown | 0 | -0.880 | Running | |
| 26 | 21 | -5 | 1X | Jake Bubak | 0 | -1.052 | Running |
Missouri Outlaw Showdown
Saturday, May 01, 2021
I-70 Motorsports Park
Interstate 70
Odessa, Missouri 64076
Event Description
After a more than 30 year absence, the World of Outlaws returns to a new state-of-the-art I-70 Speedway.
Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series
To Win Amount
$10,000.00
Event Schedule
Pit Gate: 2 pm
Grandstands: 4 pm
Hot Laps: 6:45 pm
Racing: 8 pm
*All times Central
Advanced Reserved: $40
Advanced General Admission: $35
Advanced Kids (12 and under) General Admission: FREE!
Day of Race:
Reserved: $45
General Admission: $40
Kids (12 and under) General Admission: FREE
Grandstand Type
Stadium Seating
Pit Pass Price
Single day: $50 Two day: $100
Camping Availability
onsite
Camping Cost
Camping available, no hookups, on-sale at later date
$10,000.00
Type of Grandstand
Stadium Seating
Camping Availability
onsite
Camping Cost
Camping available, no hookups, on-sale at later date
I-70 Motorsports Park
Interstate 70
Odessa, Missouri 64076
Track Email
[email protected]
Closest Airport
KCI - Kansas City International
Other Airport
FOE - Topeka Regional Airport
Track Map
HIT THE TRIFECTA: The Big Cat Stuns Lil Haud in Final Mile at I-70
SWEET RE-OPENING: I-70 Comes Back to Life as Sweet Soars to Seventh Win
NOTHING LEFT UNTURNED: Countless hours, effort go into every World of Outlaws/DIRTcar event
Checkered Past: Eye Seventy
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: World of Outlaws Set for Jacksonville & I-70 Doubleheader
COMING SOON: One Month Away from Midwest Triple-Header at Jacksonville & I-70
I-70 Motorsports Park Doubleheader Postponed To 2021
