The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are ready for some California love.
The Greatest Show on Dirt is set to invade Chico, CA’s Silver Dollar Speedway this week for the Gold Cup Race of Champions. This year marks the 69th edition of the California crown jewel but only the second since the California-born trio of Brad Sweet, Kyle Larson, and Colby Copeland formed SLC Promotions and took the reins of the Nor-Cal bullring.
The three prioritized restoring Gold Cup’s former glory. And after a strong start to that mission in 2022, the historic west coast event is ready for another epic running in 2023. With more than 60 cars entered, this year’s edition will again offer the tradition of split field prelims on Thursday, Sept. 7, and Friday, Sept. 8. Saturday’s $2,000-to-start finale will send the winner home $25,000 richer. Fans can also catch the stars of California’s Sprint Car Challenge Tour (SCCT) 360 Sprints on Wednesday, Sept. 6.
Big money. Bullring racing. And plenty of fan festivities outside of the action on track will combine to create a can’t miss week in “The Golden State.”
Let’s look at the top storylines to watch at Gold Cup:
THE FORMAT: This year’s running of Gold Cup will feature a format similar to last year’s with an emphasis on inverts and accumulating points.
On the prelim nights, Qualifying will line up Heat Races with a six-car invert. The top five finishers from the Heats will move to the Feature, but each spot in the Heat will be for points. The Last Chance Showdown will be lined up by points with the top four finishers heading to the Feature. And the Feature finishing spots will be the last chance to earn points for the night. The top two points earners from each prelim will lock into Saturday’s Dash.
The next 40 in points behind the Dash lock-ins will head to four Heats. The cars behind them in points go to either one or two Non-Qualifier races that will set the remainder of the Heat lineups and a partial D-Main lineup based on the finish. In the Heats, the winner will join the Dash and the remainder of the finishers advancing to the Feature, Last Chance Showdown, C-Main, or D-Main.
After preliminary action sets the lineup for the main event, the drivers will duke it out for $25,000 and the coveted Gold Cup title.
GOING BACK TO CALI: Gold Cup presents three full-time World of Outlaws drivers with the opportunity to head to home turf. California has shaped plenty of the nation’s top talents over the years, including three of the current top five in Series points – Brad Sweet, Carson Macedo, and Giovanni Scelzi.
Sweet will wear two hats as a driver and promoter as he seeks his first title in the event he’s actively revitalizing. The Grass Valley, CA native has come close to Gold Cup glory in recent years. In 2018 and 2019, “The Big Cat” topped the opening night each year. Then, in 2019 and 2021, Sweet stood on the podium of the finale but not the top step.
Silver Dollar Speedway is an especially meaningful track for Macedo. Back in 2014, the then 18-year-old driver claimed the opening night of Gold Cup for his first World of Outlaws win driving for his uncle and cousin – Tom and Tommy Tarlton. Last year, with Jason Johnson Racing, the Lemoore, CA native won his prelim night before posting a personal best of third in the finale. This year, he looks to climb two steps on the podium for a Gold Cup title.
Scelzi rolls into his home state a rookie on the World of Outlaws tour. Oddly enough, this will mark the Fresno, CA driver’s first Gold Cup attempt. The KCP Racing pilot doesn’t have a ton of Silver Dollar laps but did finish second there in the 2017 David Tarter Memorial.
In addition to the full-time World of Outlaws competitors, Gold Cup will welcome another pair of national names that grew up in California. This year’s Knoxville Nationals front row – Kyle Larson and Rico Abreu – will be in action. Larson – a two-time Gold Cup champ (2011 & 2012) – comes in fresh off a Southern 500 win with the NASCAR Cup Series and will race Wednesday with SCCT and in Thursday’s prelim. Like Larson, Abreu owns a pair of Gold Cups (2016 & 2018), but the St. Helena, CA driver will be able to compete in the full event.
CHICO CHOMP: While Gold Cup puts the focus on California natives, the last two editions have belonged to a team from Pennsylvania – Shark Racing.
Logan Schuchart took the lead late in 2021 and held on to claim the Gold Cup back for PA. Then, last year, Jacob Allen ensured the trophy stayed in the Shark shop as he barely held off Schuchart and the teammates swept the top two spots.
This year the team looks slightly different. Schuchart remains aboard the #1S, while Jacksonville, OR’s Tanner Holmes is in the seat of the fellow car owned by Bobby Allen. Last year, Holmes looked strong in his Gold Cup prelim by contending for the lead early in the race. He’s been in the top five before at Silver Dollar, finishing fifth with SCCT last year.
CALI CLIQUE: Over the years Silver Dollar Speedway has presented California locals with a prime opportunity to upset the World of Outlaws. And many of “The Golden State’s” greatest gassers will hope to do so this week.
Shane Golobic has been to Victory Lane in three of Chico’s four Sprint Car races so far in 2023, and he’s the defending track champion. In World of Outlaws action at the quarter mile, Golobic has podiumed twice. He’ll be hoping to keep the Gold Cup in California this week wheeling the Matt Wood Racing #17W.
Corey Day stands out among the Californians hoping to visit Victory Lane. The second-generation driver rolls into Chico with the momentum of three consecutive top five finishes in Washington aboard the Jason Meyers Racing #14. Day is a former Silver Dollar winner with the Northern Auto Racing Club (NARC).
Justin Sanders is another to keep an eye on this week. The Aromas, CA driver owns his fair share of Chico wins including a pair in NARC action with a 410 under the hood. Sanders nearly won the 2017 Gold Cup, leading 11 laps before finishing second – a result that remains his best run with the World of Outlaws.
Chico’s very own Jonathan Allard will make his first Gold Cup appearance since 2019. He’ll climb aboard the Williams Motorsports #0. Back in 2014, Allard blew the roof off Silver Dollar Speedway when he made a last lap, last corner pass to win the 61st Gold Cup.
They join a long list of Californians looking to claim the Gold Cup.
FAMILIAR FACES, NEW PLACES: A few noteworthy driver-team combinations will be on display at the 69th Gold Cup.
While Bill Rose continues to recover from injuries sustained at Skagit, Tim Kaeding will fill in behind the wheel of Rose’s #6. The California legend is fourth on Silver Dollar’s all-time Sprint Car win list with 61 triumphs to his credit. “TK” is a two-time Gold Cup runner-up (2002 & 2018).
After impressing in the Midwest all year, Chase Randall has been tabbed to drive Kevin Kozlowski’s #57 with Paul Silva on the wrenches. The car has won with a variety of drivers in the seat over the past couple years along the west coast. The Waco, TX youngster has collected eight Sprint Car wins this season – four at Knoxville Raceway and four at Huset’s Speedway.
If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the racing live on DIRTVision.
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
WHEN AND WHERE
Thursday-Saturday, September 7-9 at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CA
ON THE INTERNET
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CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (56/75 Races):
1. 49 – Brad Sweet (6938PTS) 2. 2 – David Gravel (-82PTS) 3. 41 – Carson Macedo (-106PTS) 4. 1S – Logan Schuchart (-322PTS) 5. 18 – Gio Scelzi (-356PTS) 6. 15 – Donny Schatz (-358PTS) 7. 17 – Sheldon Haudenschild (-452PTS) 8. 5 – Spencer Bayston (-580PTS) 9. 3Z – Brock Zearfoss (-1040PTS) 10. 7S – Robbie Price (-1422PTS)
NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (15 Drivers):
10 wins – David Gravel (Big Game Motorsports #2)
7 wins – Brad Sweet (Kasey Kahne Racing #49)
6 wins – James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83), Carson Macedo (Jason Johnson Racing #41), Logan Schuchart (Shark Racing #1S)
5 wins – Rico Abreu (Rico Abreu Racing #24)
4 wins – Kyle Larson (Silva Motorsports #57)
3 wins – Donny Schatz (Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15), Sheldon Haudenschild (Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing #17)
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), Spencer Bayston (CJB Motorsports #5)
FEATURE LAPS LED (19 Drivers):
261 laps – Brad Sweet
209 laps – James McFadden
204 laps – Rico Abreu
195 laps – Carson Macedo
193 laps – David Gravel
172 laps – Logan Schuchart
118 laps – Kyle Larson
108 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
102 laps – Donny Schatz
93 laps – Buddy Kofoid
57 laps – Gio Scelzi
43 laps – Brent Marks
40 laps – Spencer Bayston
24 laps – Brian Brown
11 laps – Anthony Macri
10 laps – Cory Eliason
4 laps – Cole Macedo
3 laps – Brady Bacon, Danny Varin
1 lap – Austin McCarl
SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (17 Drivers):
13 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo
10 QuickTimes – David Gravel
5 QuickTimes – Logan Schuchart
4 QuickTimes – Rico Abreu
3 QuickTimes – Sheldon Haudenschild
2 QuickTimes – Anthony Macri, Bill Balog, Justin Peck, Gio Scelzi, Brad Sweet, Tanner Holmes
1 QuickTime – Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, Buddy Kofoid, James McFadden, Jacob Allen, Kyle Larson
HEAT RACE WINNERS (39 Drivers):
27 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
23 Heat Wins – David Gravel
15 Heat Wins – Brad Sweet
14 Heat Wins – Donny Schatz
12 Heat Wins – James McFadden, Buddy Kofoid
11 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart
10 Heat Wins – Gio Scelzi
9 Heat Wins – Rico Abreu
6 Heat Wins – Spencer Bayston
5 Heat Wins – Jacob Allen
4 Heat Wins – Brent Marks, Justin Peck, Cory Eliason
3 Heat Wins – Anthony Macri, Brian Brown, Bill Balog, Parker Price-Miller
2 Heat Wins – Brock Zearfoss, Noah Gass, Kerry Madsen, Robbie Price, Tim Kaeding, Sam Hafertepe Jr.
1 Heat Win – Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Mark Dobmeier, Kasey Kahne, Austin McCarl, Lachlan McHugh, Ryan Timms, Tim Estenson, Kyle Larson, Shane Stewart, Lance Dewease, Cole Macedo, Chase Randall, Ian Madsen, Tanner Holmes
TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (43 Drivers):
37 Dashes – Carson Macedo
36 Dashes – David Gravel
34 Dashes – Brad Sweet
26 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
25 Dashes – Gio Scelzi
22 Dashes – Donny Schatz
21 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
20 Dashes – James McFadden
18 Dashes – Rico Abreu
17 Dashes – Spencer Bayston
14 Dashes – Buddy Kofoid
8 Dashes – Jacob Allen, Brent Marks, Cory Eliason, Brock Zearfoss
5 Dashes – Anthony Macri, Justin Peck, Robbie Price, Kasey Kahne
4 Dashes – Brian Brown
3 Dashes – Danny Dietrich, Parker Price-Miller, Tyler Courtney, Kyle Larson
2 Dashes – Garet Williamson, Austin McCarl, Bill Balog, Cole Macedo, Tanner Holmes, Corey Day
1 Dash – Freddie Rahmer, Devon Borden, Aaron Reutzel, Brady Bacon, Chad Trout, Dylan Norris, Cap Henry, Stuart Brubaker, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Shane Stewart, Danny Varin, Justin Sanders, Ian Madsen
MICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (33 Drivers):
4 LCS Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Spencer Bayston, Robbie Price
2 LCS Wins – Parker Price-Miller, Noah Gass, Logan Schuchart, Carson Macedo, Brock Zearfoss, Tim Estenson, James McFadden
1 LCS Win – Gio Scelzi, Hunter Schuerenberg, Wayne Johnson, Ryan Timms, Ayrton Gennetten, Kraig Kinser, Freddie Rahmer, Henry Malcuit, Cole Macedo, Aaron Reutzel, Kerry Madsen, Sye Lynch, Cory Eliason, Donny Schatz, Tyler Courtney, Rico Abreu, Jacob Allen, Daryn Pittman, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Jamie Veal, Kaleb Johnson, Lachlan McHugh, Tanner Holmes, Austen Wheatley
KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (35 Drivers):
5 Hard Chargers – Sheldon Haudenschild
4 Hard Chargers – James McFadden
3 Hard Chargers – Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet, Logan Schuchart, Rico Abreu, Brock Zearfoss
2 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz, Danny Dietrich, Justin Peck, David Gravel, Spencer Bayston, Corey Day, Robbie Price
1 Hard Charger – Gio Scelzi, 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, Jacob Allen, Caden Englehart, Zeb Wise, Carson Macedo, Dale Blaney, Tasker Phillips, Brent Marks, Kaleb Johnson, Tanner Holmes
PODIUM FINISHES (25 Drivers):
26 Podiums – David Gravel
24 Podiums – Brad Sweet
16 Podiums – Carson Macedo
13 Podiums – Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart, Rico Abreu
10 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild
8 Podiums – James McFadden
7 Podiums – Buddy Kofoid
6 Podiums – Kyle Larson
5 Podiums – Brent Marks, Gio Scelzi
4 Podiums – Spencer Bayston
3 Podiums – Brian Brown, Jacob Allen
2 Podiums – Corey Day
1 Podium – Danny Dietrich, Kasey Kahne, Devon Borden, Parker Price-Miller, Brady Bacon, Anthony Macri, Garet Williamson, Dave Blaney, Tanner Holmes
TOP 10 FINISHES (58 Drivers):
50 Top 10s – Brad Sweet
48 Top 10s – Carson Macedo
47 Top 10s – David Gravel
40 Top 10s – Gio Scelzi
38 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart
36 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild
35 Top 10s – Donny Schatz
34 Top 10s – Spencer Bayston
32 Top 10s – James McFadden
28 Top 10s – Rico Abreu
22 Top 10s – Buddy Kofoid
14 Top 10s – Jacob Allen
11 Top 10s – Justin Peck, Brent Marks
10 Top 10s – Kasey Kahne
9 Top 10s – Cory Eliason
8 Top 10s – Kyle Larson
7 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney, Brock Zearfoss
6 Top 10s – Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich
4 Top 10s – Tanner Holmes, Corey Day
3 Top 10s – Anthony Macri, Bill Balog, Justin Sanders, Dominic Scelzi
2 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Blake Hahn, Brady Bacon, Parker Price-Miller, Robbie Price, Zeb Wise, Freddie Rahmer, Cole Macedo, Tim Kaeding
1 Top 10 – Devon Borden, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Joe B. Miller, Hunter Schuerenberg, Brandon Rahmer, Chad Trout, Lance Dewease, Cap Henry, Stuart Brubaker, Skylar Gee, Cole Duncan, Austin McCarl, Garet Williamson, Chase Randall, Shane Stewart, Dave Blaney, Larry Wight, Dale Blaney, Noah Gass, Rusty Hickman, Kerry Madsen, Jason Solwold
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)
37. Sat, July 8 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Carson Macedo (4)
38. Tues, July 11 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Kyle Larson (2)
39. Fri, July 14 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Carson Macedo (5)
40. Sat, July 15 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Donny Schatz (3)
41. Thurs, July 20 / BAPS Motor Speedway / York Haven, PA / David Gravel (9)
42. Fri, July 21 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Logan Schuchart (3)
43. Sat, July 22 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Rico Abreu (4)
44. Sun, July 30 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (10)
45. Fri, Aug 4 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Spencer Bayston (1)
46. Sat, Aug 5 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Kyle Larson (3)
47. Sat, Aug 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Kyle Larson (4)
48. Thurs, Aug 17 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / James McFadden (5)
49. Fri, Aug 18 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / James McFadden (6)
50. Sat, Aug 19 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Carson Macedo (6)
51. Fri, Aug 25 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Logan Schuchart (4)
52. Sat, Aug 26 / Red River Valley Speedway / West Fargo, ND / Logan Schuchart (5)
53. Thurs, Aug 31 / Skagit Speedway / Burlington, WA / Sheldon Haudenschild (3)
54. Fri, Sept 1 / Skagit Speedway / Burlington, WA / Rico Abreu (5)
55. Sat, Sept 2 / Skagit Speedway / Burlington, WA / Brad Sweet (7)
56. Mon, Sept 4 / Grays Harbor Raceway / Elma, WA / Logan Schuchart (6)
