The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car summer stretch rolls into another exciting doubleheader this weekend.
After two nights in Wisconsin, The Greatest Show on Dirt is bound for West Burlington, IA’s 34 Raceway on Friday, July 7, before returning to “The Badger State” on Saturday, July 8, for a stop at Wilmot Raceway where the Federated Auto Parts Larry Hillerud Memorial Badger 40 will take place. The latter will be the final Series appearance of 2023 in the state of Wisconsin.
Both tracks are relatively new to the circuit. 34 Raceway first hosted the World of Outlaws in 2008 while Wilmot welcomed the nation’s top drivers for the first time in 2006. Friday will mark 34’s seventh World of Outlaws race, and Wilmot’s tally will grow to 11.
With a tight championship battle featuring a trio of drivers that refuse to back down, the weekend promises plenty of action. Brad Sweet continues to lead the standings but with a narrow four-point lead over David Gravel. Behind that duo, Carson Macedo remains within reach – 54 points to Sweet.
Let’s look at some of the weekend’s top storylines:
SUMMERTIME SIZZLE: Over the last few weeks, David Gravel has established himself as the hottest driver on tour.
In the last nine races, Gravel has posted a trio of wins, seven top two finishes, and a 2.1 average finish. The Watertown, CT native’s worst result over that stretch is fifth. The impressive batch of outings has pulled Gravel up to Brad Sweet’s tail tank in the title battle.
Looking ahead to this weekend, Gravel hasn’t won at 34 Raceway, but he’s been solid with three top 10s in four attempts including a 2021 podium. At Wilmot, the Big Game Motorsports driver has been dominant. In nine races at the Wisconsin 1/3-mile, Gravel owns four wins including a previous run of three straight.
SIX RACES, SIX WINNERS: The World of Outlaws brief history at 34 Raceway has been defined by parity. Through six races, no driver has been able to win multiple times. Tony Bruce Jr. topped the Series debut at 34 for his first career Series victory. Since then, wins have been claimed by Joey Saldana (2009), Craig Dollansky (2013), Donny Schatz (2014), Parker Price-Miller (2020), and Brad Sweet (2021).
Schatz and Sweet will both be vying to become the first to a pair of 34 Raceway victories on Friday. Each half of the duo that’s combined for 14 titles has been close to breaking through for a second win. Schatz owns two runner-ups (2009 & 2020). In 2020, Sweet was right behind Schatz at the finish line finishing third.
WINNIN’ IN WISCONSIN: With Saturday’s visit to Wilmot being the last Series race in Wisconsin for the year, it’s Brad Sweet’s final chance of the season to add to his astonishing “Badger State” résumé.
The four-time champion is fresh off a Friday triumph at New Richmond, WI’s Cedar Lake Speedway, giving him a dozen Wisconsin World of Outlaws wins.
“The Big Cat” hasn’t had quite the success at Wilmot like he has at Cedar Lake and Beaver Dam, but he does own a single Wilmot win – topping the 2021 World of Outlaws visit.
Sweet will be joined by fellow Wilmot winners – Carson Macedo (2022) and Donny Schatz (2019) – as they all three look to join David Gravel as multi-time World of Outlaws victors at the facility.
BANGING ON THE DOOR: The driver who appears most poised for a breakthrough victory this season is Spencer Bayston.
The Lebanon, IN native is on his best roll of the season by far. Bayston has put together nine consecutive top 10 finishes including podiums in two of the last four. During the most recent race, Bayston led 19 laps at Cedar Lake before finishing a season-best second.
The driver of the CJB Motorsports #5 has limited experience at both tracks ahead. Bayston has never competed with the World of Outlaws at 34, but he did pick up a 2021 top five there with the All-Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC). Last year at Wilmot with The Greatest Show on Dirt, Bayston started on row two but an opening lap crash ended his night.
JAWS MUSIC: With much of the Summer of Money still ahead, the Shark Racing cars are getting hot at the right time.
Logan Schuchart carries a streak of 12 consecutive top 10s into the weekend with a 5.2 average finish over that span. Seven of the top 10s have been inside the top five including a win at Huset’s. The Hanover, PA native looks to keep rolling at 34 Raceway – where his best finish is 10th – and Wilmot – where he’s podiumed twice.
In his last six Feature events, Jacob Allen hasn’t missed the top 10 and is fresh off his third podium of the season on Saturday at Cedar Lake. Looking ahead to this weekend, Allen has earned one top five in three attempts. Wilmot hasn’t traditionally been his best track, but he did collect his first top 10 there during the 2022 visit.
LOCAL CROPS: With two tracks in two different states, each race is expected to attract a diverse group of supporting locals with some drivers attending both.
34 Raceway will welcome Knoxville regulars such as Austin McCarl and Chase Randall. McCarl already topped a race there this season in April co-sanctioned by the Interstate Racing Association (IRA) and Midwest Open Wheel Association (MOWA).
West Burlington’s own Josh Schneiderman plans to compete at his home track. Back in 2008 – making his first career World of Outlaws Feature start – Schneiderman earned a podium at 34 Raceway. His third place run that night remains his best career Series finish.
Over at Wilmot, IRA regulars like Bill Balog and Blake Nimee could make some noise. Balog claimed Wilmot’s opening night this season. Nimee won an IRA race there in late May.
If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the action on DIRTVision.
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
WHEN AND WHERE
Friday, July 7 at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, IA
Saturday, July 8 at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, WI
ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series
Twitter – @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – @WoOSprint
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsSprintCarSeries
YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/month
CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (36/80 Races):
1. 49 – Brad Sweet (4844PTS) 3. 2 – David Gravel (-4PTS) 3. 41 – Carson Macedo (-54PTS) 4. 1S – Logan Schuchart (-182PTS) 5. 15 – Donny Schatz (-260PTS) 6. 17 – Sheldon Haudenschild (-262PTS) 7. 18 – Gio Scelzi (-280PTS) 8. 5 – Spencer Bayston (-354PTS) 9. 3Z – Brock Zearfoss (-596PTS) 10. 1A – Jacob Allen (-636PTS)
NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (13 Drivers):
8 wins – David Gravel (Big Game Motorsports #2)
6 wins – Brad Sweet (Kasey Kahne Racing #49)
4 wins – James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83)
3 wins – Rico Abreu (Rico Abreu Racing #24), Carson Macedo (Jason Johnson Racing #41)
2 wins – Donny Schatz (Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15), Sheldon Haudenschild (Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing #17), Logan Schuchart (Shark Racing #1S)
1 win – Buddy Kofoid (CMS Racing #11), Brady Bacon (TKH Motorsports #21), Anthony Macri (Macri Motorsports #39), Brian Brown (Brian Brown Racing #21), Gio Scelzi (KCP Racing #18), Kyle Larson (Silva Motorsports #57)
FEATURE LAPS LED (18 Drivers):
177 laps – Brad Sweet
149 laps – David Gravel
144 laps – Rico Abreu
134 laps – Carson Macedo
133 laps – James McFadden
93 laps – Buddy Kofoid
80 laps – Logan Schuchart
70 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
43 laps – Brent Marks
41 laps – Donny Schatz
39 laps – Gio Scelzi
24 laps – Brian Brown
23 laps – Spencer Bayston
11 laps – Anthony Macri
10 laps – Cory Eliason
7 laps – Kyle Larson
3 laps – Brady Bacon
1 lap – Austin McCarl
SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (13 Drivers):
11 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo
7 QuickTimes – David Gravel
4 QuickTimes – Logan Schuchart
2 QuickTimes – Anthony Macri, Rico Abreu, Sheldon Haudenschild
1 QuickTime – Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, Buddy Kofoid, Gio Scelzi, James McFadden, Jacob Allen, Bill Balog
HEAT RACE WINNERS (32 Drivers):
21 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
20 Heat Wins – David Gravel
9 Heat Wins – Buddy Kofoid
8 Heat Wins – Donny Schatz
7 Heat Wins – Brad Sweet, Gio Scelzi
6 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart
5 Heat Wins – Rico Abreu
4 Heat Wins – Brent Marks, James McFadden, Jacob Allen, Spencer Bayston
3 Heat Wins – Anthony Macri, Brian Brown
2 Heat Wins – Parker Price-Miller, Justin Peck, Brock Zearfoss, Noah Gass, Bill Balog
1 Heat Win – Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Cory Eliason, Tim Kaeding, Mark Dobmeier, Kasey Kahne, Austin McCarl, Lachlan McHugh, Kerry Madsen, Ryan Timms, Tim Estenson, Sam Hafertepe Jr.
TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (36 Drivers):
26 Dashes – Carson Macedo, David Gravel
21 Dashes – Brad Sweet
18 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
14 Dashes – Donny Schatz, Gio Scelzi
12 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild, Rico Abreu
10 Dashes – James McFadden
9 Dashes – Buddy Kofoid, Spencer Bayston
7 Dashes – Jacob Allen
6 Dashes – Brent Marks, Brock Zearfoss
5 Dashes – Anthony Macri
4 Dashes – Brian Brown
3 Dashes – Justin Peck, Danny Dietrich, Cory Eliason, Robbie Price
2 Dashes – Parker Price-Miller, Tyler Courtney, Garet Williamson, Austin McCarl
1 Dash – Kasey Kahne, Freddie Rahmer, Devon Borden, Aaron Reutzel, Brady Bacon, Chad Trout, Dylan Norris, Cap Henry, Stuart Brubaker, Kyle Larson, Bill Balog, Sam Hafertepe Jr.
MICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (26 Drivers):
4 LCS Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
2 LCS Wins – Robbie Price, Parker Price-Miller
1 LCS Win – Brock Zearfoss, Gio Scelzi, Noah Gass, Hunter Schuerenberg, James McFadden, Wayne Johnson, Ryan Timms, Ayrton Gennetten, Spencer Bayston, Logan Schuchart, Kraig Kinser, Freddie Rahmer, Henry Malcuit, Cole Macedo, Tim Estenson, Aaron Reutzel, Kerry Madsen, Sye Lynch, Cory Eliason, Donny Schatz, Tyler Courtney, Rico Abreu, Jacob Allen
KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (25 Drivers):
4 Hard Chargers – Sheldon Haudenschild
3 Hard Chargers – Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet
2 Hard Chargers – Brock Zearfoss, James McFadden, Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart
1 Hard Charger – Gio Scelzi, Robbie Price, David Gravel, Justin Peck, Blake Hahn, Buddy Kofoid, Joe B. Miller, Kyle Larson, Hunter Schuerenberg, Kyle Moody, Freddie Rahmer, Skylar Gee, Cole Duncan, Austin Pierce, Brenham Crouch, Tim Kaeding, Spencer Bayston, Jacob Allen
PODIUM FINISHES (22 Drivers):
20 Podiums – David Gravel
15 Podiums – Brad Sweet
10 Podiums – Carson Macedo
9 Podiums – Rico Abreu
7 Podiums – Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart
6 Podiums – Buddy Kofoid
5 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild, James McFadden
3 Podiums – Brent Marks, Brian Brown, Kyle Larson, Jacob Allen, Spencer Bayston
1 Podium – Danny Dietrich, Kasey Kahne, Devon Borden, Parker Price-Miller, Brady Bacon, Anthony Macri, Garet Williamson, Gio Scelzi
TOP 10 FINISHES (45 Drivers):
32 Top 10s – Carson Macedo, Brad Sweet, David Gravel
29 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart
24 Top 10s – Gio Scelzi, Spencer Bayston
23 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild
19 Top 10s – James McFadden
18 Top 10s – Donny Schatz
16 Top 10s – Rico Abreu
15 Top 10s – Buddy Kofoid
14 Top 10s – Jacob Allen
8 Top 10s – Justin Peck
7 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney
6 Top 10s – Brent Marks, Brian Brown, Cory Eliason
4 Top 10s – Kasey Kahne, Danny Dietrich, Brock Zearfoss, Kyle Larson
3 Top 10s – Anthony Macri
2 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Blake Hahn, Brady Bacon, Parker Price-Miller, Robbie Price, Bill Balog
1 Top 10 – Zeb Wise, Devon Borden, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Joe B. Miller, Hunter Schuerenberg, Brandon Rahmer, Chad Trout, Lance Dewease, Cap Henry, Cole Macedo, Stuart Brubaker, Skylar Gee, Cole Duncan, Austin McCarl, Garet Williamson, Tim Kaeding, Chase Randall
2023 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:
No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1)
2. Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (2)
3. Sat, Feb 11* / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / James McFadden (1)
4. Sun, March 5 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Carson Macedo (1)
5. Mon, March 6 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (3)
6. Sat, March 18 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Rico Abreu (1)
7. Fri, March 24 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Buddy Kofoid (1)
8. Sat, March 25 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / Brad Sweet (1)
9. Fri, March 31 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / Brad Sweet (2)
10. Sat, April 1 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / James McFadden (2)
11. Fri, April 7 / U.S. 36 Raceway / Osborn, MO / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)
12. Sat, April 8 / 81 Speedway / Wichita, KS / Rico Abreu (2)
13. Fri, April 14 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Brad Sweet (3)
14. Fri, April 28 / Tri-City Speedway / Granite City, IL / David Gravel (4)
15. Sat, April 29 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Brady Bacon (1)
16. Fri, May 5 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Logan Schuchart (1)
17. Sat, May 6 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (3)
18. Wed, May 10 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Anthony Macri (1)
19. Fri, May 12 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brad Sweet (4)
20. Fri, May 19 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Donny Schatz (1)
21. Sat, May 20 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Donny Schatz (2)
22. Fri, May 26 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / Brad Sweet (5)
23. Sat, May 27 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / Carson Macedo (2)
24. Mon, May 29 / Lawrenceburg Speedway / Lawrenceburg, IN / James McFadden (3)
25. Fri, June 2 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / David Gravel (5)
26. Sat, June 3 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN / Carson Macedo (3)
27. Fri, June 9 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brian Brown (1)
28. Sat, June 10 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (6)
29. Fri, June 16 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Gio Scelzi (1)
30. Sat, June 17 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (2)
31. Wed, June 21 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Kyle Larson (1)
32. Thurs, June 22 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / James McFadden (4)
33. Fri, June 23 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Logan Schuchart (2)
34. Sat, June 24 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / David Gravel (7)
35. Fri, June 30 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Brad Sweet (6)
36. Sat, July 1 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / David Gravel (8)
