TOP FIVE STORYLINES: World of Outlaws Season Refires with I-55’s Federated Auto Parts Spring Classic

PEVELY, MO (April 7, 2026) – I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park is perfect for Sprint Car racing.

A high-banked bullring that produces blistering 10-second laps early in the night before slicking off and widening out to leave plenty of room for huge slide jobs and crossovers. What more could you ask for?

All eyes are on the Pevely, MO 1/3-mile dirt track as it’s this weekend’s target for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series. The Federated Auto Parts Spring Classic brings the world’s best Sprint Car drivers to I-55 for two nights (April 10-11) of action. I-55 is currently tied with Silver Dollar Speedway as the sixth most visited track in Series history with 79 races and will take sole possession of that spot this weekend.

The event brings the tour back to life after taking Easter off and signals the start of a huge stretch of racing as the World of Outlaws is busy for the next 12 consecutive weekends as the season ramps up.

Along with the action on track, there will be plenty for fans to enjoy off track too. There will be an autograph session in the midway from 4-4:30 p.m. with several drivers at their merchandise trailers. Comedian Jerry Wayne Longmire will be at the track all weekend, and will hold a meet and greet at the World of Outlaws merchandise trailer on Saturday from 4-4:30 p.m.

Following the autograph session, Wes Irwin will host interviews in the midway from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. with Longmire, Carson Macedo, and Donny Schatz.

BUY TWO-DAY I-55 TICKET PACKAGE HERE
BUY FRIDAY I-55 TICKETS HERE
BUY SATURDAY I-55 TICKETS HERE

WATCH LIVE ON DIRTVision

Let’s check out the biggest stories to watch at I-55:

MACEDO ON THE MOVE

Carson Macedo needed a good weekend after a disastrous trip to Oklahoma, and that’s exactly what he got.

The Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 won on Friday at US 36 Raceway. A night later, Macedo overcame a rough Qualifying effort by ripping from 22nd to fourth. The most important part of that huge charge? He passed David Gravel, who finished sixth. The two nights allowed Macedo to chop 10 points out of Gravel’s championship lead. The Lemoore, CA native now trails the two-time and defending titlist by 48.

I-55 ranks among Macedo’s best tracks and gives him a chance to cut into Gravel’s advantage even more. He’s finished on the podium in 10 of his last 14 tries there, including four victories. A pair of those triumphs came last year.

BUDDY’S COMING BACK

Macedo isn’t the only competitor clawing his way toward Gravel. Many circled Michael “Buddy” Kofoid and Roth Motorsports as the combination most capable of potentially dethroning Gravel and Big Game Motorsports in 2026, but the month of March didn’t quite start according to plan.

Mechanical woes on the final night of Volusia Speedway Park’s Bike Week Jamboree left them with a 27th-place result. A crash while leading late at Kennedale Speedway Park dropped Kofoid to 20th. Then, more issues with the No. 83 at Lawton Speedway forced them to salvage an 11th. The trio of results dropped them to sixth in points, staring down nearly a 100-point gap to Gravel atop the standings.

But since then, Kofoid and the Roth crew have built some serious momentum. The night after Lawton, the Penngrove, CA native came home second at Creek County Speedway. Then came another runner-up at US 36 Raceway before a thrilling victory at 81 Speedway. That gave Kofoid three straight top two finishes and allowed him to climb to fourth in the standings with the margin between he and Gravel down to 82 markers.

And now, Kofoid heads to a track where he’s the most recent winner, looking to keep chipping away. The 24-year-old topped last year’s Ironman 55 for his first score at I-55. He’s also only missed the top 10 there once in his last nine tries.

PEVELY PROWESS

Along with Macedo and Kofoid, several more current World of Outlaws drivers have enjoyed success at I-55.

Among them is the man they’re all chasing, David Gravel. The Watertown, CT native owns a pair of Pevely checkered flags. The first came in 2016 with CJB Motorsports. The most recent was in 2024 with his current Big Game bunch.

There was a time when Sheldon Haudenschild was just about unbeatable at I-55. During a stretch from 2019 to 2021, Haudenschild claimed four races in nine tries. This weekend will mark his first visit to the facility since joining forces with KCP Racing.

Donny Schatz has a trio of I-55 triumphs under his belt. The first was with his family-owned organization in 2006. The next two (2015 and 2024) were aboard the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing No. 15. This weekend, he’ll aim to park the CJB Motorsports ride in Victory Lane.

Logan Schuchart has twice conquered I-55. The Hanover, PA driver hoisted the Ironman 55 dumbbell in 2018 before taking the Federated Auto Parts No. 1S back to Victory Lane in last year’s Spring Classic finale.

Spencer Bayston topped the Night Before the Ironman in 2023 during his days with CJB Motorsports. The Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing pilot also won an I-55 POWRi Midget race in 2020.

NEARLY KNOTTED UP

Emerson Axsom and Ashton Torgerson have asserted themselves as the early favorites for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year presented by Five Star Bodies, and the battle looks destined to be a fight all the way to World Finals.

The two have traded the lead multiple times over the past few weeks. Currently, Axsom leads Torgerson by a slim two markers. Both have had a handful of impressive outings. Axsom and the Klaasmeyer/Petry Motorsports crew have gotten rolling lately with three top 10s in the last five races, including a fifth at US 36 Raceway. Torgerson started strong with a trio of top 10s at Volusia, highlighted by a runner-up in the Bike Week Jamboree finale.

The two rookies have made four appearances at I-55 apiece. Torgerson’s are split between Sprint Cars and Midgets. The Glendale, AZ native took the Shark Racing No. 1A to a pair of top 10s during last year’s Ironman 55 weekend and did the same in a Keith Kunz Motorsports ride with the Xtreme Outlaw Midgets presented by Toyota in 2024. All four of Axsom’s I-55 efforts have been aboard a Sprint Car, with his top result being a seventh with KCP Racing in 2025.

FULL HOUSE

In addition to the 17 full-time World of Outlaws drivers, fans can expect many more competitors to pack the I-55 pit area. Last year’s Spring Classic welcomed a whopping 62 entries.

After nearly securing his second World of Outlaws win at 81 Speedway, Ryan Timms plans to be in action again this weekend. While his I-55 Sprint Car experience is limited, the Knoxville Nationals champion does boast a trio of Xtreme Outlaw Midget podiums at the 1/3 mile.

Missouri’s own Brian Brown has the Federated Auto Parts Spring Classic on his schedule. “Blackjack” was on the I-55 podium with the World of Outlaws in 2012.

Tanner Thorson is expected to invade I-55 in the Rod Gross Motorsports No. 88. The Minden, NV native claimed a POWRi Midget race at the Pevely, MO oval in 2015 and drove from 17th to second in last year’s Ironman 55 finale.

Sioux Falls, SD’s Kaleb Johnson will debut with Heidbreder Motorsports this weekend. The former Huset’s Speedway track champion got his first look at I-55 last year and will be back for more laps.

These four will be joined by many more in Pevely, MO this weekend.

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE
Friday-Saturday, April 10-11 at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park in Pevely, MO

AROUND THE TURN
Friday, April 17 at Jacksonville Speedway in Jacksonville, IL (TICKETS)
Saturday, April 18 at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, IN (CALL 812-768-6025 FOR TICKETS)

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (11/85 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports No. 2 (1532 PTS)
2. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 (-48 PTS)
3. Sheldon Haudenschild – KCP Racing No. 18 (-74 PTS)
4. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports No. 83 (-82 PTS)
5. Donny Schatz – CJB Motorsports No. 15 (-90 PTS)
6. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing No. 1S (-108 PTS)
7. Garet Williamson – Fischer Motorsports No. 23 (-160 PTS)
8. Chris Windom – Sides Motorsports No. 7S (-188 PTS)
9. Cole Macedo – TwoC Racing No. 2C (-196 PTS)
10. Bill Balog – B2 Motorsports (-196 PTS)

NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (7 Drivers):
3 Wins – David Gravel
2 Wins – Anthony Macri, Michael Kofoid
1 Win – Spencer Bayston, Sheldon Haudenschild, Donny Schatz, Carson Macedo

FEATURE LAPS LED (15 Drivers):
44 Laps Led – Bill Balog
40 Laps Led – Anthony Macri
36 Laps Led – Michael Kofoid
35 Laps Led – Donny Schatz
34 Laps Led – David Gravel
32 Laps Led – Carson Macedo
28 Laps Led – Ryan Timms
25 Laps Led – Sheldon Haudenschild
18 Laps Led – Brady Bacon
10 Laps Led – Spencer Bayston, Cole Macedo
6 Laps Led – Brian Brown, Brock Zearfoss
5 Laps Led – Logan Schuchart
1 Lap Led – Christopher Thram

PODIUM FINISHES (13 Drivers):
8 Podiums – David Gravel
6 Podiums – Carson Macedo
5 Podiums – Michael Kofoid
3 Podiums – Anthony Macri
2 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild, Donny Schatz
1 Podium – Spencer Bayston, Ashton Torgerson, Bill Balog, Scott Bogucki, Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Ryan Timms

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (6 Drivers):
5 Quick Times – David Gravel
2 Quick Times – Sheldon Haudenschild
1 Quick Time – Logan Schuchart, Ashton Torgerson, Kasey Jedrzejek, Brady Bacon

HEAT RACE WINNERS (15 Drivers):
9 Heat Wins – David Gravel
5 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
3 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart, Carson Macedo, Ashton Torgerson, Michael Kofoid, Bill Balog
2 Heat Wins – Anthony Macri, Donny Schatz, Cole Macedo
1 Heat Win – Chase Dietz, Justin Peck, Tanner Holmes, Scott Thiel, Emerson Axsom

TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (29 Drivers):
10 Dashes – David Gravel
9 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
7 Dashes – Michael Kofoid
5 Dashes – Carson Macedo
4 Dashes – Anthony Macri, Logan Schuchart, Ashton Torgerson, Bill Balog
3 Dashes – Emerson Axsom, Donny Schatz
2 Dashes – Brent Marks, Tanner Holmes, Garet Williamson, Kasey Jedrzejek, Scotty Thiel, Ryan Timms, Kerry Madsen, Cole Macedo
1 Dash – Brian Brown, Chase Dietz, Justin Peck, Parker Price-Miller, Brock Zearfoss, Bryce Lucius, Spencer Bayston, Christopher Thram, Brady Bacon, Chris Windom, Sam Hafertepe Jr.

MICRO-LITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (6 Drivers):
3 LCS Wins – Donny Schatz
2 LCS Wins – Michael Kofoid, Chris Windom
1 LCS Wins – Cameron Martin, Bill Balog, Blake Hahn

KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (7 Drivers):
2 Hard Chargers – Garet Williamson, Donny Schatz, Michael Kofoid, Carson Macedo
1 Hard Charger – Chris Windom, Giovanni Scelzi, Spencer Bayston

ACME FASTEST LAP AWARDS (9 Drivers):
2 Fastest Laps – Michael Kofoid, Bill Balog
1 Fastest Lap – Anthony Macri, Brock Zearfoss, Sheldon Haudenschild, Carson Macedo, Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Ryan Timms

RACE READY CLOTHING HOTTEST LAP OF THE NIGHT AWARDS (7 Drivers):
3 Hottest Laps – David Gravel
2 Hottest Laps – Logan Schuchart, Michael Kofoid
1 Hottest Lap – Austin McCarl, Brent Marks, Cole Macedo, Emerson Axsom

2026 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:
Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner
Wed, Feb 4 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Spencer Bayston (1)
Fri, Feb 6 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Michael Kofoid (1)
Sat, Feb 7 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Anthony Macri (1)
Sun, March 1 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)
Mon, March 2 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Anthony Macri (2)
Fri, March 6 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Donny Schatz (1)
Fri, March 13 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX / David Gravel (1)
Fri, March 20 / Lawton Speedway / Lawton, OK / David Gravel (2)
Sat, March 21 / Creek County Speedway / Sapulpa, OK / David Gravel (3)
Fri, March 27 / US 36 Raceway / Osborn, MO / Carson Macedo (1)
Sat, March 28 / 81 Speedway / Park City, KS / Michael Kofoid (2)
Fri, April 10 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Sat, April 11 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Fri, April 17 / Jacksonville Speedway / Jacksonville, IL
Sat, April 18 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN
Fri, April 24 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA
Sat, April 25 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA
Fri, May 1 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH
Sat, May 2 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH
Tues, May 5 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA
Fri, May 8 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Sat, May 9 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Fri, May 15 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH
Sat, May 16 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH
Sat, May 23 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA
Sun, May 24 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Fri, May 29 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND
Sun, May 31 / Nodak Speedway / Minot, ND
Fri, June 5 / Hartford Speedway / Hartford, MI
Sat, June 6 / Plymouth Dirt Track / Plymouth, WI
Sun, June 7 / Angell Park Speedway / Sun Prairie, WI
Fri, June 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA
Sat, June 13 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA
Wed, June 17 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Thurs, June 18 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Fri, June 19 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Sat, June 20 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Fri, June 26 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Sat, June 27 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Fri, July 10 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI
Sat, July 11 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI
Tues, July 14 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH
Fri, July 17 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH
Sat, July 18 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH
Tues, July 21 / Ohsweken Speedway / Ohsweken, ON, Canada
Wed, July 22 / Ohsweken Speedway / Ohsweken, ON, Canada
Sat, July 25 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY
Sun, July 26 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY
Wed, July 29 / BAPS Motor Speedway / York Haven, PA
Fri, July 31 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Sat, Aug 1 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Fri, Aug 7 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Sat, Aug 8 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Wed, Aug 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA*
Thurs, Aug 13 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA*
Fri, Aug 14 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA*
Sat, Aug 15 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA
Fri, Aug 21 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN
Sat, Aug 22 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN
Fri, Aug 28 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND
Sat, Aug 29 / Red River Valley Speedway / West Fargo, ND
Fri, Sept 4 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Sat, Sept 5 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Sun, Sept 6 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD
Fri, Sept 11 / Belleville High Banks / Belleville, KS
Sat, Sept 12 / Dodge City Raceway Park / Dodge City, KS
Mon, Sept 14 / El Paso County Raceway / Calhan, CO
Fri, Sept 18 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, CA
Sat, Sept 19 / Stockton Dirt Track / Stockton, CA
Fri, Sept 25 / Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway / Bakersfield, CA
Sat, Sept 26 / Ventura Raceway / Ventura, CA
Fri, Oct 2 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Sat, Oct 3 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA
Thurs, Oct 8 / Millstream Speedway / Findlay, OH
Fri, Oct 9 / Mansfield Speedway / Mansfield, OH
Sat, Oct 10 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH
Fri, Oct 16 / Lincoln Park Speedway / Putnamville, IN
Sat, Oct 17 / TBA
Fri, Oct 23 / Texarkana 67 Speedway / Texarkana, AR
Sat, Oct 24 / Texarkana 67 Speedway / Texarkana, AR
Wed, Nov 4 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Thurs, Nov 5 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Fri, Nov 6 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Sat, Nov 7 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC

*denotes unofficial split-field prelim race.

TOP FIVE STORYLINES: World of Outlaws Season Refires with I-55’s Federated Auto Parts Spring Classic