TOP FIVE STORYLINES: Jacksonville, New Look Memorial Day Weekend Ahead for World of Outlaws

JACKSONVILLE, IL (May 19, 2026) – A big Midwestern week awaits the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.

Three races. Three tracks. Three states. Four days.

First up, the Series sets course for a midweek battle in Illinois at Jacksonville Speedway for the Hy-Vee Perks 40 on Thursday, May 21.

Then, a freshened Memorial Day weekend trip takes center stage as the Stars and Stripes Salute sends The Greatest Show on Dirt to a pair of the country’s most famed facilities. First up is Iowa’s Knoxville Raceway on Saturday, May 23. Then comes the first visit of 2026 to Brandon, SD’s Huset’s Speedway on Sunday, May 24. Both nights will send the winner home with $20,000.

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Let’s look at the top stories to watch this week:

BULLRING BOYS

Only two current full-time Series competitors have been able to conquer a Jacksonville World of Outlaws race.

The first was Lemoore, CA’s Carson Macedo. He topped the 2019 visit in the Kyle Larson Racing No. 2 but is still after one with his current Jason Johnson Racing team. Together, they’ve collected finishes of fourth, fourth, and third at Jacksonville.

David Gravel emerged victorious from the 2024 race of the year at Jacksonville after a race-long war for the top spot. Since climbing aboard the Big Game Motorsports No. 2, the Watertown, CT native hasn’t been outside the top five at Jacksonville in three tries.

While Macedo and Gravel may be the only two with World of Outlaws scores at Jacksonville, they’re not the only two full-timers to have won at the 1/4 mile in some fashion. Both Michael “Buddy” Kofoid and Spencer Bayston have visited Victory Lane in POWRi Midget action.

CONQUERING THE CAPITAL

Knoxville Raceway is unanimously viewed as one of the toughest tracks to learn in the sport, but David Gravel and his Big Game Motorsports team have something figured out.

Gravel has made 25 Feature starts at Knoxville in the Cody Jacobs-wrenched car and finished on the podium 14 times, including his last four appearances. The two-time and defending champion enters the week as the most recent Series winner in Knoxville, IA, thanks to topping the finale of the Premier Chevy Dealers Clash opening leg last month. “The Sprint Car Capital of the World” always brings a stacked field, and Gravel almost always rises to the occasion.

The 33-year-old heads into the trio of races amid somewhat of a slump by his standards. Gravel finished 11th from 22nd on Friday before moving from 11th to sixth Saturday at Eldora. You don’t often see the No. 2 outside the top five in consecutive races these days, and Gravel is sure to be hungry to get back up front where he’s grown accustomed to competing.

BUDDY AND BILL’S BANK

There is no driver and team combination looking forward to getting back to Huset’s Sunday more than Buddy Kofoid and Roth Motorsports.

After suffering through the lowest of lows at the 2023 BillionAuto.com Huset’s High Bank Nationals, they’ve risen to the highest of highs. Huset’s has hosted a trio of six-figure payday races since then, and Kofoid and the No. 83 crew won all of them. They also added a $25,000 score at last fall’s Huset’s Shootout for good measure. The South Dakota oval might as well be Kofoid’s personal bank. He’s been on the podium in 10 of his last 13 races there, including a current streak of six in a row. Kofoid enters this week needing a boost with two results outside the top 10 in the last three races this season.

He may have not made as big of a withdrawal as Kofoid, but Bill Balog had a lucrative week of his own last summer at Huset’s. The “North Pole Nightmare” collected a win, a pair of runner-ups, and a seventh during the High Bank Nationals. Add it all up, and he wound up with a nearly $100,000 trip. Balog hasn’t finished outside the top 10 in his eight most recent Huset’s races. The 46-year-old is still after his first checkered flag of 2026.

NEW LOOK, NEW KNOWLEDGE

There’s no doubt that the World of Outlaws teams are grateful for the new look Memorial Day weekend. Not only does it present the chance to chase a pair of $20,000 paydays, but the Stars and Stripes Salute also gives teams extra laps at two of the most important tracks on the schedule.

Hands will be furiously taking notes this weekend at Knoxville and Huset’s. The two ovals are home to some of the most prestigious events on the calendar. Knoxville is the site of the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s (Aug. 12-15). It’s the race atop every Sprint Car driver’s bucket list and is set to pay a record $200,000 to the champion at the top of the most generous purse in the sport that awards $15,000 for just making the show. Huset’s is upping the ante once again with the BillionAuto.com Huset’s High Bank Nationals (June 17-20). The four nights pack two events into one with the Hefty Seed Huset’s Hustle (June 17-18) handing out $150,000 to the winner. Then teams will contend for the highest winner’s share in World of Outlaws history ($300,000) to wrap up High Bank Nationals week on June 19-20.

This weekend is an extra night at both tracks that teams aren’t accustomed to having, and you can never get enough laps at the dirt ovals that serve up life-changing money and legacy-cementing opportunities. If a team wants to try something outside the box, the Stars and Stripes Salute may be the time to do so.

FLYIN’ RYAN

Among the region’s regulars to watch over the weekend at Knoxville and Huset’s, there’s no doubt that Ryan Timms stands out as a favorite to contend for victory.

The Oklahoma City, OK native put the Liebig Motorsports No. 10 on the podium both nights of April’s portion of the Premier Chevy Dealers Clash with the World of Outlaws. Timms then won the track’s first weekly program and came home runner-up the following week. And of course, he’s the defending Knoxville Nationals champion. The combination of Timms and Liebig may have cemented themselves as the crew to beat at the Marion County Fairgrounds.

Timms was also poised to win the Huset’s season opener on May 10 before an incident while leading in lapped traffic. The 19-year-old won six times at the Brandon, SD oval last year on the way to the track title.

While Timms may stand out, he’s far from the only regular to keep an eye on over the weekend. Names like Austin McCarl (Altoona, IA), Kaleb Johnson (Sioux Falls, SD), Brian Brown (Higginsville, MO), Kelby Watt (Adel, IA), Christopher Thram (Sanborn, MN), and plenty more are also expected to be in action.

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE
Thursday, May 21 at Jacksonville Speedway in Jacksonville, IL
Saturday, May 23 at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, IA
Sunday, May 24 at Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, SD

AROUND THE TURN
Friday, May 29 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, ND (TICKETS)
Sunday May 31 at Nodak Speedway in Minot, ND (TICKETS)

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (21/84 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports No. 2 (2940 PTS)
2. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 (-104 PTS)
3. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports No. 83 (-116 PTS)
4. Donny Schatz – CJB Motorsports No. 15 (-186 PTS)
5. Sheldon Haudenschild – KCP Racing No. 18 (-188 PTS)
6. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing No. 1S (-210 PTS)
7. Garet Williamson – Fischer Motorsports No. 23 (-374 PTS)
8. Cole Macedo – TwoC Racing No. 2C (-410 PTS)
9. Chris Windom – Sides Motorsports No. 7S (-448 PTS)
10. Spencer Bayston – Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing No. 17 (-470 PTS)

NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (12 Drivers):
5 Wins – Michael Kofoid, David Gravel
2 Wins – Anthony Macri
1 Win – Spencer Bayston, Sheldon Haudenschild, Donny Schatz, Carson Macedo, Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne, Rico Abreu, Logan Schuchart

FEATURE LAPS LED (21 Drivers):
126 Laps Led – David Gravel
114 Laps Led – Michael Kofoid
44 Laps Led – Bill Balog
40 Laps Led – Anthony Macri
37 Laps Led – Tyler Courtney
35 Laps Led – Donny Schatz
33 Laps Led – Brady Bacon
32 Laps Led – Carson Macedo
28 Laps Led – Ryan Timms
26 Laps Led – Sheldon Haudenschild
25 Laps Led – Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne
20 Laps Led – Logan Schuchart
15 Laps Led – Rico Abreu
11 Laps Led – Giovanni Scelzi
10 Laps Led – Spencer Bayston, Cole Macedo
7 Laps Led – Kasey Jedrzejek, Brian Brown
6 Laps Led – Brock Zearfoss
1 Lap Led – Christopher ThramPODIUM FINISHES (23 Drivers):
13 Podiums – David Gravel
9 Podiums – Carson Macedo, Michael Kofoid
4 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild
3 Podiums – Anthony Macri, Donny Schatz, Ryan Timms
2 Podiums – Spencer Bayston, Rico Abreu, Brady Bacon
1 Podium – Ashton Torgerson, Bill Balog, Scott Bogucki, Cole Macedo, Tyler Courtney, Emerson Axsom, Brad Sweet, Chase Dietz, Kasey Kahne, Justin Whittall, Troy Wagaman Jr., Giovanni Scelzi, Logan Schuchart

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (12 Drivers):
8 Quick Times – David Gravel
2 Quick Times – Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart
1 Quick Time – Ashton Torgerson, Kasey Jedrzejek, Brady Bacon, Will Armitage, Michael Kofoid, J.J. Hickle, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Rico Abreu

HEAT RACE WINNERS (28 Drivers):
16 Heat Wins – David Gravel
9 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
6 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
5 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart
4 Heat Wins – Michael Kofoid, Bill Balog
3 Heat Wins – Ashton Torgerson, Emerson Axsom, Donny Schatz, Rico Abreu
2 Heat Wins – Anthony Macri, Cole Macedo, Chase Dietz, Kasey Kahne
1 Heat Win – Chase Dietz, Justin Peck, Tanner Holmes, Scotty Thiel, Kasey Jedrzejek, Will Armitage, Rees Moran, Tyler Courtney, Brent Marks, Aaron Reutzel, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Justin Whittall, Chad Trout, Giovanni Scelzi

TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (49 Drivers):
17 Dashes – David Gravel
16 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
13 Dashes – Michael Kofoid
8 Dashes – Carson Macedo
6 Dashes – Ashton Torgerson, Bill Balog, Emerson Axsom, Logan Schuchart
4 Dashes – Anthony Macri, Kasey Jedrzejek, Cole Macedo, Ryan Timms, Donny Schatz, Garet Williamson
3 Dashes – Brent Marks, Kerry Madsen, Chase Dietz, Tanner Holmes, Brian Brown, Rico Abreu
2 Dashes – Scotty Thiel, Spencer Bayston, Chris Windom, Aaron Reutzel, Kasey Kahne, Troy Wagaman Jr., Brady Bacon
1 Dash – Justin Peck, Parker Price-Miller, Brock Zearfoss, Bryce Lucius, Christopher Thram, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Will Armitage, Rees Moran, Bryce Norris, Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet, Justin Henderson, J.J. Hickle, Danny Dietrich, Logan Rumsey, Daryn Pittman, Kody Hartlaub, Freddie Rahmer, Justin Whittall, Chad Trout, Brenham Crouch, Giovanni Scelzi

MICRO-LITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (15 Drivers):
3 LCS Wins – Donny Schatz
2 LCS Wins – Michael Kofoid, Chris Windom, Garet Williamson
1 LCS Wins – Cameron Martin, Bill Balog, Blake Hahn, Landon Crawley, Bryce Norris, Giovanni Scelzi, Logan Schuchart, Doug Hammaker, Daryn Pittman, Kerry Madsen, Spencer Bayston

KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (14 Drivers):
3 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz, Carson Macedo
2 Hard Chargers – Garet Williamson, Michael Kofoid, Spencer Bayston
1 Hard Charger – Chris Windom, Giovanni Scelzi, Ryan Timms, Logan Schuchart, Brady Bacon, Sheldon Haudenschild, Tyler Ross, Cameron Smith, David Gravel

ACME FASTEST LAP AWARDS (15 Drivers):
4 Fastest Laps – Michael Kofoid
2 Fastest Laps – Bill Balog, David Gravel, Brady Bacon
1 Fastest Lap – Anthony Macri, Brock Zearfoss, Sheldon Haudenschild, Carson Macedo, Cole Macedo, Ryan Timms, Kasey Jedrzejek, Brad Sweet, Kelby Watt, Kasey Kahne, Giovanni Scelzi

RACE READY CLOTHING HOTTEST LAP OF THE NIGHT AWARDS (12 Drivers):
7 Hottest Laps – David Gravel
3 Hottest Laps – Michael Kofoid
2 Hottest Laps – Logan Schuchart
1 Hottest Lap – Austin McCarl, Brent Marks, Cole Macedo, Emerson Axsom, Tyler Courtney, Ryan Timms, Daryn Pittman, Giovanni Scelzi, Garet Williamson

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 / Michael Kofoid (3)
Sat, April 11 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Michael Kofoid (4)
Sun, April 19 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Tyler Courtney (1)
Fri, April 24 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brad Sweet (1)
Sat, April 25 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (4)
Tues, May 5 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Michael Kofoid (5)
Fri, May 8 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Kasey Kahne (1)
Sat, May 9 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / David Gravel (5)
Fri, May 15 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (1)
Sat, May 16 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Logan Schuchart (1)
Tues, May 19 / Jacksonville Speedway / Jacksonville, IL
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
Tues, Sept 22 / Kings Speedway / Hanford, 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: Jacksonville, New Look Memorial Day Weekend Ahead for World of Outlaws