WHAT TO WATCH FOR: World of Outlaws California Swing Begins with Bakersfield, Perris Visits

A two-week stay in the “Golden State” starts with a new track and a SoCal staple

BAKERSFIELD, CA (September 9, 2025) – California’s land may be known for coastal cliffs, vast mountain ranges, and sweltering deserts, but among its diverse topography is an abundance of dirt tracks.

Sprint Car history in the “Golden State” is as rich as the Central Valley’s soil, and the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is featured in many of the chapters. The state has hosted more than 400 nights of racing with The Greatest Show on Dirt, ranking second behind only Pennsylvania. The tradition of the country’s best Sprint Car drivers journeying to the west coast is set to continue.

A two-week stay in California begins this weekend for the World of Outlaws. First a new track awaits the Series as Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway welcomes the tour for the first time on Friday, Sept. 12. The 1/3 mile will become the state’s 20th different track to host the World of Outlaws. Then it’s south Perris Auto Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 13 for the 23rd race at the “PAS.”

The west coast is calling, and the nation’s top Sprint Car talent is on the way.

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Let’s look at the weekend’s top storylines:

GOLDEN STATE BROS: It’ll be a special swing through California for Carson Macedo and Cole Macedo. This will mark the first time the two come home to compete as full-time World of Outlaws drivers, a childhood dream for both. It’s a race in front of their closest family and friends as they continue to carve out their paths in the sport.

The two call Lemoore, CA home and cut their teeth in the “Golden State” before national Sprint Car stardom. Carson has competed on three occasions at Bakersfield including a Northern Auto Racing Club (NARC) in his 2017 track debut. He’s made a trio of World of Outlaws appearances at Perris highlighted by podiums in the most recent two.

Four times Cole has raced at Bakersfield in NARC action, collecting a pair of top 10s in the process. Saturday is set to mark his Perris debut.

Carson heads to California sitting third in points with the Jason Johnson Racing team. They’ve racked up 10 victories this year. The next one for Carson will be the 58th of his career and equal him with fellow Californian Jason Meyers for 16th all-time. Cole is 10th in points and third in the battle for Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year. He’s taken the TwoC Racing ride to four top fives and 14 top 10s, and he’s led the most laps of the rookies with 16.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: The Macedo brothers aren’t the only World of Outlaws competitors with California roots. The next two weeks also mean a return home for Michael “Buddy” Kofoid.

The Penngrove, CA native was getting laps behind the wheel of a Sprint Car in California before he was even a teenager, eventually leading him to The Greatest Show on Dirt. Kofoid’s home state has always been kind to him since advancing his career to the highest level. Four of his first eight career World of Outlaws wins came within California’s borders. He won half of the six-race “Golden State” swing in 2024.

Kofoid’s laps are limited at the two tracks on this weekend’s agenda. He’s been to Bakersfield twice with NARC, peaking at second in 2023. The 23-year-old will make his Perris debut on Saturday.

This stretch also signifies a return to familiar territory for Kofoid’s team, the Fresno, CA-based Roth Motorsports. While Saturday will be Kofoid’s first visit to Perris, Danny Lasoski took Dennis and Teresa Roth’s team to Victory Lane with the World of Outlaws at the Southern California track in 2000.

PERRIS PROWESS: When it comes to winning at Perris Auto Speedway, nobody compares to Mark Kinser who claimed the Series’ first seven visits. But there’s a pair of current World of Outlaws competitors that have also conquered the “PAS.”

He didn’t start the year on tour, but Kerry Madsen has occupied the seat of the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing No. 15 since the team split with Donny Schatz last month as the “Madman” intends to complete the campaign with them. Madsen won his Perris debut back in 2007 aboard the Selma Shell Racing No. 11H. He’s been back five times since then with a best of fifth.

David Gravel is the most recent Perris victor, taking the checkered flag with Big Game Motorsports in 2022. The defending Series champion was also a Perris winner in 2017 with CJB Motorsports. Gravel is one of five multi-time Perris winners and could tie Daryn Pittman for the second most with a third on Saturday.

STOP THE SLUMP: Perris Auto Speedway occupies an unusual position on the legendary résumé that Donny Schatz has constructed over his nearly 30-year career with the World of Outlaws.

There are only two tracks where the 10-time Series champion has been more than 20 times without a win. One is Haubstadt, IN’s Tri-State Speedway, and the other is Perris. Schatz has been in attendance for all 22 Series visits to the half mile and bagged top 10s in half including a pair of podiums, but he’s never been able to stand atop the podium.

Saturday supplies Schatz with another opportunity to stop the slump in a capable ride. He’ll continue his stint aboard Kevin Kozlowski’s Works Limited Sprint Car. The pairing debuted with an 11th place finish last weekend at Vado Speedway Park.

CALI CLIQUE: California always provides some of the toughest local competition the World of Outlaws face and expect this trip to be no different.

Dominic Scelzi is one of many “Golden State” gassers ready to battle the best over the next two weeks. The “Dominator” topped a pair of NARC races at Bakersfield in 2019 and a 360 race in 2021. The Fresno, CA native was running in the top five during the last World of Outlaws visit to Perris before a late spin.

Fans can likely expect left coast legend Tim Kaeding to be in attendance with the Williams Motorsports team. The pairing were NARC winners at Bakersfield last October. “TK” owns a World of Outlaws runner-up at Perris (2013), and he also finished second there without wings in 2007 with USAC CRA.

Templeton, CA’s Kaleb Montgomery has several laps at Bakersfield both with and without a wing including an Ultimate Sprint Car Series (USCS) victory last year. He was also in the top five in his Perris debut in March.

Other probable entries from the local contingent include D.J. Netto (Hanford, CA), Dominic Gorden (Clovis, CA), Gauge Garcia (Lemoore, CA), and more.

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE
Friday, September 12 at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield, CA
Saturday, September 13 at Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, CA

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CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (57/75 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports No. 2 (7398 PTS)
2. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports No. 83 (-176 PTS)
3. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 (-244 PTS)
4. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing No. 1S (-366 PTS)
5. Sheldon Haudenschild – Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing No. 17 (-526 PTS)
6. Donny Schatz – Works Limited No. W (-648 PTS)
7. Bill Balog – B2 Motorsports No. 17B (-838 PTS)
8. Garet Williamson – Fischer Motorsports No. 23 (-946 PTS)
9. Chris Windom – Sides Motorsports No. 7S (-992 PTS)
10. Cole Macedo – TwoC Racing No. 2C (-1136 PTS)

NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (14 Drivers):
13 Wins – David Gravel
10 Wins – Carson Macedo, Michael Kofoid
4 Wins – Kyle Larson
3 Wins – Rico Abreu, Anthony Macri
2 Wins – Logan Schuchart, Sheldon Haudenschild, Bill Balog
1 Win – Christopher Bell, Giovanni Scelzi, Brad Sweet, Corey Day, Ryan Timms

SPLIT-FIELD PRELIM NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (3 Drivers):
1 Win – Ryan Timms, Kyle Larson, David Gravel

FEATURE LAPS LED (26 Drivers):
331 Laps – David Gravel
272 Laps – Michael Kofoid
263 Laps – Carson Macedo
135 Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
110 Laps – Bill Balog
108 Laps – Logan Schuchart
98 Laps – Kyle Larson
93 Laps – Anthony Macri
82 Laps – Rico Abreu
62 Laps – Giovanni Scelzi
50 Laps – Ryan Timms
33 Laps – Kerry Madsen
19 Laps – Emerson Axsom
17 Laps – Brad Sweet, Corey Day
16 Laps – Cole Macedo
15 Laps – Spencer Bayston
14 Laps – Dylan Westbrook
12 Laps – Conner Morrell
11 Laps – Jordan Thomas
9 Laps – Sam Hafertepe Jr.
8 Laps – Christopher Bell, Aaron Reutzel
5 Laps – Christopher Thram
1 Lap – Donny Schatz, Garet Williamson

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (23 Drivers):
18 Quick Times – David Gravel
6 Quick Times – Rico Abreu
5 Quick Times – Carson Macedo
3 Quick Times – Logan Schuchart
2 Quick Times – Sheldon Haudenschild, Giovanni Scelzi, Garet Williamson
1 Quick Time – Emerson Axsom, Kyle Larson, Danny Sams III, Anthony Macri, Aaron Reutzel, Michael Kofoid, Chase Dietz, Donny Schatz, Zach Hampton, Tyler Courtney, Austin McCarl, Kerry Madsen, Bill Balog, Lance Dewease, Brad Sweet, Ashton Torgerson

HEAT RACE WINNERS (55 Drivers):
35 Heat Wins – David Gravel
26 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
16 Heat Wins – Bill Balog
15 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
14 Heat Wins – Michael Kofoid
12 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart
8 Heat Wins – Giovanni Scelzi
7 Heat Wins – Kyle Larson
6 Heat Wins – Chris Windom, Anthony Macri
4 Heat Wins – Christopher Bell, Tyler Courtney, Conner Morrell, Rico Abreu
3 Heat Wins – Garet Williamson, Brad Sweet, Brian Brown, Emerson Axsom, Danny Dietrich, Skylar Gee, Christopher Thram
2 Heat Wins – Jacob Allen, Austin McCarl, Ryan Timms, Hunter Schuerenberg, Zach Hampton, Ashton Torgerson, Donny Schatz
1 Heat Win – Bryce Lucius, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Aaron Reutzel, Tanner Thorson, Chase Dietz, Justin Whittall, Danny Sams III, Jy Corbet, Tim Kaeding, Andy Pake, Kasey Jedrzejek, Lance Dewease, Freddie Rahmer, Ryan Turner, Tanner Holmes, Kaleb Johnson, Landon Crawley, Chris Martin, Blake Hahn, Gage Pulkrabek, Tasker Phillips, Josh Schneiderman, Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Brandon Wimmer, Kerry Madsen, Mark Dobmeier

TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (64 Drivers):
44 Dashes – David Gravel
35 Dashes – Carson Macedo
27 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
26 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
23 Dashes – Michael Kofoid
19 Dashes – Bill Balog
16 Dashes – Giovanni Scelzi
9 Dashes – Chris Windom, Emerson Axsom
7 Dashes – Kyle Larson, Anthony Macri, Donny Schatz
6 Dashes – Rico Abreu, Cole Macedo, Zach Hampton, Garet Williamson, Skylar Gee
5 Dashes – Brian Brown, Tyler Courtney, Aaron Reutzel, Hunter Schuerenberg, Kerry Madsen
4 Dashes – Conner Morrell, Brad Sweet, Ryan Timms
3 Dashes – Christopher Bell, Danny Dietrich, Danny Sams III, Austin McCarl, Parker Price-Miller, Ashton Torgerson, Christopher Thram
2 Dashes – Jacob Allen, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Kelby Watt, Tanner Thorson, Chase Dietz, Spencer Bayston, Sam Henderson
1 Dash – Justin Peck, Bryce Lucius, Carson McCarl, Brady Bacon, Lucas Wolfe, Justin Whittall, Jordan Thomas, Jonathan Preston, Dylan Westbrook, Cory Turner, Cole Duncan, Tim Kaeding, Justin Henderson, Scotty Thiel, Corey Day, Zane DeVault, Brent Marks, Freddie Rahmer, Ryan Smith, Lance Dewease, Ryan Turner, Cory Eliason, Andy Pake, Mark Dobmeier, Riley Goodno

MICRO-LITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (36 Drivers):
3 LCS Wins – Giovanni Scelzi, Garet Williamson, Ashton Torgerson, Cole Macedo, Christopher Thram
2 LCS Wins – Donny Schatz, Ryan Timms, Bill Balog, Skylar Gee, Brad Sweet, Conner Morrell, Zach Hampton, Chris Windom
1 LCS Win – Chris Martin, Anthony Macri, Bryce Lucius, Blake Hahn, J.J. Hickle, Emerson Axsom, Matt Campbell, Joe Trenca, Darin Naida, Mark Dobmeier, Tim Kaeding, Hunter Schuerenberg, Sheldon Haudenschild, Brady Bacon, Landon Crawley, James McFadden, Logan Schuchart, Alex Therrien, Rico Abreu, Michael Kofoid, Justin Whittall, Brent Marks, Scott Broty

KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (27 Drivers):
6 Hard Chargers – Logan Schuchart
5 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz
4 Hard Chargers – Ryan Timms, Michael Kofoid, Cole Macedo
3 Hard Chargers – Chris Windom, Garet Williamson, Sheldon Haudenschild, Skylar Gee
2 Hard Chargers – Bill Balog, Tanner Thorson, David Gravel, Hunter Schuerenberg
1 Hard Charger – Zach Hampton, Lance Dewease, Dylan Westbrook, Kalib Henry, Cap Henry, Jade Hastings, Carson Macedo, Rico Abreu, Anthony Macri, Giovanni Scelzi, Danny Varin, Landon Crawley, Corey Day, Brad Sweet

PODIUM FINISHES (33 Drivers):
32 Podiums – David Gravel
24 Podiums – Michael Kofoid
22 Podiums – Carson Macedo
11 Podiums – Logan Schuchart
10 Podiums – Kyle Larson, Sheldon Haudenschild
6 Podiums – Donny Schatz, Rico Abreu, Bill Balog
5 Podiums – Anthony Macri
3 Podiums – Giovanni Scelzi, Kerry Madsen
2 Podiums – Christopher Bell, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Tyler Courtney
1 Podium – Aaron Reutzel, Jacob Allen, Emerson Axsom, Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Chase Dietz, Danny Dietrich, Conner Morrell, Dylan Westbrook, Skylar Gee, Chris Windom, Cole Duncan, Brad Sweet, Corey Day, Spencer Bayston, Garet Williamson, Tanner Thorson

TOP 10 FINISHES (59 Drivers):
53 Top 10s – David Gravel
46 Top 10s – Michael Kofoid
42 Top 10s – Carson Macedo
41 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart
35 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild
29 Top 10s – Donny Schatz
28 Top 10s – Giovanni Scelzi, Bill Balog
21 Top 10s – Garet Williamson
19 Top 10s – Chris Windom
14 Top 10s – Cole Macedo
13 Top 10s – Hunter Schuerenberg
12 Top 10s – Anthony Macri, Emerson Axsom
11 Top 10s – Brad Sweet, Kyle Larson
10 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney, Rico Abreu
9 Top 10s – Kerry Madsen
8 Top 10s – Ryan Timms, Skylar Gee
6 Top 10s – Zach Hampton
5 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Tanner Thorson
4 Top 10s – Austin McCarl
3 Top 10s – Justin Peck, Parker Price-Miller, Conner Morrell, Spencer Bayston, Brady Bacon, Danny Dietrich, Ashton Torgerson, Corey Day, Mark Dobmeier
2 Top 10s – Christopher Bell, Jacob Allen, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Tim Kaeding, Brian Brown, Freddie Rahmer, Troy Wagaman Jr., Landon Crawley
1 Top 10 – Danny Sams III, Chase Dietz, Justin Whittall, Jordan Thomas, Dylan Westbrook, Jordan Poirier, Kalib Henry, Cole Duncan, Kelby Watt, Tanner Holmes, Ryan Smith, Brent Marks, Ryan Turner, Zach Sobotka, Danny Varin, Cory Eliason, Kaleb Johnson

2025 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR WINNERS:
No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Wed, Feb 7 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Carson Macedo (1)
2. Thurs, Feb 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Christopher Bell (1)
3. Fri, Feb 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Larson (1)
4. Sat, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Larson (2)
5. Sun, March 2 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1)
6. Mon, March 3 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (2)
7. Fri, March 7 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Bill Balog (1)
8. Sat, March 8 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / David Gravel (3)
9. Fri, March 14 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX / Giovanni Scelzi (1)
10. Sat, March 15 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX / Michael Kofoid (1)
11. Fri, March 21 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / David Gravel (4)
12. Sat, March 22 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / David Gravel (5)
13. Fri, March 28 / Lawton Speedway / Lawton, OK / Michael Kofoid (2)
14. Fri, April 11 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Carson Macedo (2)
15. Sat, April 12 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Logan Schuchart (1)
16. Sat, April 19 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Rico Abreu (1)
17. Fri, April 25 / Jacksonville Speedway / Jacksonville, IL / Kyle Larson (3)
18. Sat, April 26 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)
19. Fri, May 2 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / David Gravel (6)
20. Wed, May 7 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Michael Kofoid (3)
21. Sat, May 10 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Anthony Macri (1)
22. Wed, May 14 / Ohsweken Speedway / Ohsweken, ON / David Gravel (7)
23. Thurs, May 15 / Ohsweken Speedway / Ohsweken, ON / David Gravel (8)
24. Sat, May 24 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Logan Schuchart (2)
25. Mon, May 26 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / Carson Macedo (3)
26. Fri, May 30 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Michael Kofoid (4)
27. Sat, May 31 / Red River Valley Speedway / West Fargo, ND / Sheldon Haudenschild (2)
28. Wed, June 4 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Carson Macedo (4)
29. Fri, June 6 / Plymouth Dirt Track / Plymouth, WI / Rico Abreu (2)
30. Sat, June 7 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Brad Sweet (1)
31. Fri, June 13 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (9)
32. Sat, June 14 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Corey Day (1)
33. Wed, June 18 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Kyle Larson (4)
34. Thurs, June 19 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (5)
35. Fri, June 20 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Bill Balog (2)
36. Sat, June 21 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (6)
37. Fri, June 27 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / David Gravel (10)
38. Sat, June 28 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Carson Macedo (5)
39. Sat, July 12 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Michael Kofoid (7)
40. Tues, July 15 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Carson Macedo (6)
41. Fri, July 18 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (3)
42. Sat, July 19 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Anthony Macri (2)
43. Wed, July 23 / BAPS Motor Speedway / York Haven, PA / Anthony Macri (3)
44. Sun, July 27 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (11)
45. Fri, Aug 1 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Carson Macedo (7)
46. Sat, Aug 2 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Michael Kofoid (8)
47. Wed, Aug 6 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Ryan Timms*
48. Thurs, Aug 7 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Kyle Larson*
49. Fri, Aug 8 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel*
50. Sat, Aug 9 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Ryan Timms (1)
51. Fri, Aug 15 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN / Carson Macedo (8)
52. Sat, Aug 16 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Carson Macedo (9)
53. Tues, Aug 19 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI / David Gravel (12)
54. Fri, Aug 22 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Michael Kofoid (9)
55. Sat, Aug 23 / Red River Valley Speedway / West Fargo, ND / Carson Macedo (10)
56. Sun, Aug 31 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (10)
57. Fri, Sept 5 / Vado Speedway Park / Vado, NM / David Gravel (13)

*denotes unofficial split-field prelim race.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: World of Outlaws California Swing Begins with Bakersfield, Perris Visits