| Double header is first two of five scheduled Eldora races in 2023ROSSBURG, OH (May 2, 2023) – Eldora Speedway has been a staple of the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car tour since its debut in 1978, and that trend will continue this weekend.“The Big E” will elevate its status as the most visited track in World of Outlaws history when The Greatest Show on Dirtreturns for #LetsRaceTwo Friday-Saturday, May 5-6. Eldora’s 230 races stand atop the list of tracks that the World of Outlaws have invaded, and that number will grow to 232 as Eldora continues to cement its significance in Sprint Car Racing history.Fans will see the top Winged Warriors and Non-Wing Warriors battling both nights as well with the United States Auto Club (USAC) Non-Wing Sprint Cars accompanying the World of Outlaws for the weekend.Let’s look at some of the weekend’s top storylines:CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE: The trio atop the World of Outlaws standings – Carson Macedo, Brad Sweet, and David Gravel – will carry their tight battle into Eldora, where they’ve all found success.Macedo leads the charge with six consecutive top fives entering the weekend aboard the Jason Johnson Racing #41. Eldora has been especially kind to Macedo in recent years. In his last 10 visits, the Lemoore, CA native has posted five podiums, a 4.4 average finish, and a pair of victories.Sweet and his Kasey Kahne Racing crew trail Macedo by only 12 markers. “The Big Cat” has visited Eldora Victory Lane on three occasions with the World of Outlaws, including two Kings Royals (’13 & ’19). While his recent results aren’t quite on par with Macedo, Sweet still has managed a trio of top fives in his last four starts at the Rossburg, OH oval.A DNF this past Saturday put Gravel 48 points out of the lead, but Eldora is a prime facility for the Big Game Motorsports driver to make up ground. Four of Gravel’s 80 career Series victories have occurred at “The House that Earl Built” including two last July. The Watertown, CT native also topped the All-Star Circuit of Champions’ Governor’s Reign for a $52,000 payday in 2020.LACK OF BACK TO BACK: Eldora has given fans a variety of winners over the last few years. In the track’s last 16 races, no driver has won consecutive trophies, even though four competitors have claimed more than one main event during that stretch.The man who will have the chance to break the trend this Friday is St. Helena, CA’s Rico Abreu. The 31-year-old topped last September’s BeFour the Crowns Showdown to collect his 10th career Series victory. Abreu has already won twice this season (Lincoln Speedway & 81 Speedway), and one more tally in the win column would be his personal best for one season with The Greatest Show on Dirt.ELDORA EXCELLENCE: It’s fitting that the most recent driver to go back-to-back at Eldora is the one who has dominated the ‘The Big E” over stints of his career – Donny Schatz.The 10-time Series champion has claimed a whopping 17 Eldora triumphs during his tenure with the World of Outlaws. It’s the third winningest track on his record, and only Steve Kinser (41 wins) and Sammy Swindell (30 wins) have been more successful at Eldora. During one remarkable stretch from 2016 to 2019, Schatz topped nine of 16 Eldora Features.This weekend presents Schatz with an opportunity to shake off a recent slump aboard the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15.SHARK STRENGTH: Eldora Speedway is a track that the Shark Racing duo of Logan Schuchart and Jacob Allen have found plenty of success at during their nine years on the tour.Schuchart has been especially strong. The Hanover, PA native has made three trips to Eldora Victory Lane – most recently in September of 2021. Schuchart has also podiumed in 10 of his last 24 Series appearances. He enters the weekend fourth in points.Allen has also been plenty productive. Of his 126 career top 10s, 10 of them have come at Eldora Speedway including a pair of top fives. Allen is fresh off his fifth best finish of the season and hopes to build more momentum at a track where he’s had speed in the past.BAYSTON’S PROGRESS: Eldora proved to be a struggle for Spencer Bayston in the early part of his career, but he’s turned that narrative around.In his first eight World of Outlaws starts at Eldora, Bayston wasn’t able to tally a top 10. In the six starts he’s made since, the CJB Motorsports pilot has missed the top 10 only twice and posted a best finish of fourth on two occasions. The Lebanon, IN native looks to continue improving and stand on the podium at least once this weekend. Bayston is also a former Eldora winner – topping a 2017 USAC Midget race at the track.EVERYBODY AT THE BIG E: On top of the strong crop of World of Outlaws full-timers, #LetsRaceTwo is expected to attract many more talented gassers.Last July, Brent Marks filled his wallet at Eldora by winning both The Historical Big One ($100,000) and Kings Royal ($175,000). Four of Marks’ 12 career World of Outlaws wins have come at Eldora (33%).Tyler Courtney is stout no matter the kind of vehicle he’s in at Eldora. “Sunshine” has racked up 13 wins at the half-mile between Winged Sprint Cars, Non-Wing Sprint Cars, Midgets, and Silver Crown Cars. Among those is a Kings Royal triumph – currently his lone World of Outlaws victory.Even Lance Dewease and the Kreitz Racing crew plan to depart from the porch in Pennsylvania to make the trip one state west. More invaders expected include Justin Peck, Buddy Kofoid, Anthony Macri, and many more.Local talents including the likes of Travis Philo, Cole Duncan, and others could also contend for impressive finishes.For tickets to #LetsRaceTwo, CLICK HERE.If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the action on DIRTVision.THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCEWHEN AND WHEREFriday and Saturday May 5-6 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OHON THE INTERNETWorld 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/monthCURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (15/81 Races)1. 41 – Carson Macedo (2110PTS) 2. 49 – Brad Sweet (-12PTS) 3. 2 – David Gravel (-48PTS) 4. 1S – Logan Schuchart (-74PTS) 5. 11 – Michael Kofoid (-94PTS) 6. 17 – Sheldon Haudenschild (-130PTS) 7. 83 – James McFadden (-182PTS) 8. 18 – Gio Scelzi (-190PTS) 9. 15 – Donny Schatz (-194PTS) 10. 5 – Spencer Bayston (-194PTS)NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (8 Drivers):4 wins – David Gravel (Big Game Motorsports #2)3 wins – Brad Sweet (Kasey Kahne Racing #49)2 wins – James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83), Rico Abreu (Rico Abreu Racing #24)1 win – Carson Macedo (Jason Johnson Racing #41), Buddy Kofoid (CMS Racing #11), Sheldon Haudenschild (Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing #17), Brady Bacon (TKH Motorsports #21)FEATURE LAPS LED (13 Drivers):92 laps – David Gravel79 laps – Brad Sweet63 laps – Carson Macedo60 laps – James McFadden46 laps – Buddy Kofoid43 laps – Rico Abreu37 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild15 laps – Logan Schuchart10 laps – Anthony Macri, Cory Eliason9 laps – Gio Scelzi, Brent Marks3 laps – Brady BaconSIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (9 Drivers):5 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo2 QuickTimes – David Gravel, Logan Schuchart1 QuickTime – Anthony Macri, Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, Buddy Kofoid, Rico Abreu, Gio ScelziHEAT RACE WINNERS (19 Drivers):8 Heat Wins – David Gravel, Carson Macedo6 Heat Wins – Buddy Kofoid4 Heat Wins – Brent Marks, Brad Sweet3 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart, Sheldon Haudenschild, Gio Scelzi2 Heat Wins – Spencer Bayston, Jacob Allen, Parker Price-Miller1 Heat Win – James McFadden, Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Rico Abreu, Brock Zearfoss, Cory EliasonTOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (28 Drivers):11 Dashes – David Gravel, Carson Macedo10 Dashes – Brad Sweet9 Dashes – Logan Schuchart6 Dashes – Buddy Kofoid, Jacob Allen, Gio Scelzi, Sheldon Haudenschild 5 Dashes – Spencer Bayston4 Dashes – Brent Marks, Rico Abreu, Donny Schatz3 Dashes – James McFadden, Brock Zearfoss2 Dashes – Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Cory Eliason, Parker Price-Miller, Robbie Price 1 Dash – Anthony Macri, Justin Peck, Kasey Kahne, Freddie Rahmer, Devon Borden, Garet Williamson, Aaron Reutzel, Tyler Courtney, Brady BaconMICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (13 Drivers):1 LCS Win – Brock Zearfoss, Parker Price-Miller, Sheldon Haudenschild, Gio Scelzi, Noah Gass, Hunter Schuerenberg, James McFadden, Wayne Johnson, Ryan Timms, Ayrton Gennetten, Robbie Price, Spencer Bayston, Logan SchuchartKSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (12 Drivers):2 Hard Chargers – Brock Zearfoss, James McFadden, Tyler Courtney1 Hard Charger – Donny Schatz, Gio Scelzi, Robbie Price, David Gravel, Logan Schuchart, Justin Peck, Blake Hahn, Buddy Kofoid, Joe B. MillerPODIUM FINISHES (17 Drivers):8 Podiums – Brad Sweet7 Podiums – David Gravel5 Podiums – Carson Macedo4 Podiums – Buddy Kofoid3 Podiums – James McFadden, Logan Schuchart, Sheldon Haudenschild2 Podiums – Jacob Allen, Rico Abreu1 Podium – Danny Dietrich, Brian Brown, Kasey Kahne, Devon Borden, Spencer Bayston, Brent Marks, Parker Price-Miller, Brady BaconTOP 10 FINISHES (30 Drivers):15 Top 10s – Carson Macedo13 Top 10s – Brad Sweet12 Top 10s – David Gravel, Logan Schuchart10 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild, Michael Kofoid9 Top 10s – Gio Scelzi8 Top 10s – Spencer Bayston, James McFadden6 Top 10s – Rico Abreu5 Top 10s – Donny Schatz, Justin Peck4 Top 10s – Brent Marks, Jacob Allen, Kasey Kahne, Tyler Courtney2 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Brock Zearfoss, Blake Hahn, Brady Bacon, Cory Eliason1 Top 10 – Robbie Price, Zeb Wise, Devon Borden, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Parker Price-Miller, Joe B. Miller, Hunter Schuerenberg 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) |
