TOP FIVE STORYLINES: Rivers Cities, Nodak Return Bring World of Outlaws to Schatz’s Home Turf

GRAND FORKS, ND (May 27, 2026) – North Dakota is ready to welcome The Greatest Show on Dirt for the first time in 2026 this weekend.

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will first visit Grand Forks’ River Cities Speedway on Friday, May 29, and then make its grand return to Minot’s Nodak Speedway.

River Cities has become a staple of the schedule since first appearing in 2007. The 1st Leg of the Northern Tour Don Mack Classic will be the tour’s 36th appearance. Longtime Series announcer Johnny Gibson calls River Cities his favorite track of the more than 400 he’s visited, thanks to the countless thrillers it’s served up over the years.

The teams will then take a day off before returning to action at Nodak for the Gerdau Metals Recycling Magic City Showdown. It’ll mark a popular return to the 3/8-mile dirt track after eight years away. Nodak has hosted the World of Outlaws 13 times in the past.

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Let’s look at the top stories to watch in North Dakota:

10-TIME’S TURF

The journey to cementing himself as one of the greatest to ever wheel a Sprint Car began in North Dakota for Donny Schatz. Going to the races with his family as a kid lit a fiery passion that powered him to 10 World of Outlaws championships and countless more accolades. Any trip home to race is special for the Fargo, ND driver, and he’s always seemed to find a little extra speed for his local fanbase.

The numbers for Schatz at River Cities look like he’s playing a video game set to easy mode. He’s competed in all 35 Series races, bagged a dozen victories, placed on the podium 24 times, tallied 31 top fives, and never finished worse than eighth. His average finish over that stretch is an astonishing 2.94.

It’s a similar story over at Nodak for Schatz. It took the 48-year-old seven tries to best the World of Outlaws at the track in the town where he was born, but once he did, he couldn’t be stopped. His 2012 victory was the first of five consecutive wins at Nodak. He was also on the podium in the two most recent visits of 2017 and 2018.

Schatz heads home with the momentum of five consecutive top 10s in the CJB Motorsports No. 15, including top fives in the last two races. He’s tied with Sheldon Haudenschild for fourth in points during his 30th season.

BUDDY’S BROOM

Michael “Buddy” Kofoid broke out the broom last year at River Cities.

The Penngrove, CA native got it done from the front row in the spring, outdueling David Gravel to make his first visit to Victory Lane in Grand Forks, ND. Fast forward to August, and Kofoid put on a spectacular show with a drive from ninth to victory in the Roth Motorsports No. 83. He joined Donny Schatz and Craig Dollansky as the third competitor to top two in a row at the bullring.

Friday presents the chance to put his name next to only Schatz, who is the lone driver to win three straight at River Cities. The 24-year-old is fresh off banking $20,000 by charging from seventh to the front on Monday at Huset’s Speedway for his Series-leading sixth score of the season. That equaled him with Carson Macedo for second in the standings, but he’s still got some work to do to chase down David Gravel (+118 points) for the championship lead.

HAUD’S HUNT

If there was ever a track that owed a driver a win, it may be River Cities Speedway to Sheldon Haudenschild.

The Wooster, OH native has had one taken from him in just about every conceivable fashion. Crashes, late passes, and more have prevented Haudenschild from parking in Victory Lane at the 1/4 mile. He’s led laps in seven different Features and finished on the podium four times, including a trio of runner-ups.

Haudenschild will see if a new team can turn his fortune around on Friday. The 32-year-old is having an impressive first season with KCP Racing so far. They’ve collected a win, 11 top fives, and 16 top 10s through 24 races this year.

DAKOTA DOUBLE

Aside from Schatz, the only other full-time World of Outlaws driver to double up with wins at both River Cities and Nodak is two-time and defending Series champion, David Gravel. Former Series regulars Craig Dollanksy, Joey Saldana, and Daryn Pittman also pulled it off during their time on tour.

Gravel first conquered River Cities in 2017 with CJB Motorsports and did so again six years later with Big Game Motorsports. Gravel’s Nodak victory came during the same season he got his first at River Cities. The Watertown, CT native is amid another excellent campaign with a 4.96 average finish so far in 2026 as he chases a third straight title.

Three drivers – Logan Schuchart, Carson Macedo, and Buddy Kofoid – will have the opportunity to add their name to the list of those with victories at both facilities on the agenda. Schuchart snagged a pair of River Cities scores (2019 and 2023) in the Shark Racing No. 1S. He’s tried five times at Nodak with a best of fourth in 2016. Macedo and Kofoid also have two River Cities trophies, but they’ll both be making their Nodak debuts.

NOSA NAMES

With North Dakota being a mainstay of the World of Outlaws tour, many locals look forward to the opportunity to battle the best on a big stage. Expect this weekend to be no different.

Donny Schatz’s nieces, Amelia and Laela Eisenschenk, made their World of Outlaws debuts last year and will be back for more this weekend aboard their uncle’s cars. Both have accumulated plenty of laps at River Cities over the last couple of years with several top 10s to show for it. They each raced at Nodak earlier this month with NOSA. Amelia finished fifth with Laela close behind in seventh.

Grand Forks, ND’s own Mark Dobmeier has been winning at River Cities since the turn of the century to the tune of more than 150 victories at his home track. A piece lacking from that résumé is one with the World of Outlaws, but he’s been close with six top fives, including a pair of podiums. Over at Nodak, he’s won five times with NOSA and was a World of Outlaws top-five finisher in 2010.

Fellow Grand Forks resident, Jade Hastings, has asserted himself as one of the best currently at River Cities. He claimed half of the track’s 12 NOSA events in 2025 and already won there again this year last week.

Fans can anticipate additional regulars from the region, including Jack Croaker (East Grand Forks, MN), Weston Olson (Warren, MN), Blake Egeland (Climax, MN), Nick and Zach Omdahl (East Grand Forks, MN), and more.

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE
Friday, May 29 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, ND
Sunday May 31 at Nodak Speedway in Minot, ND

AROUND THE TURN
Friday, June 5 at Hartford Speedway in Hartford, MI (TICKETS)
Saturday, June 6 at Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, WI (TICKETS)
Sunday, June 7 at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, WI (TICKETS)

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (24/84 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports No. 2 (3364 PTS)
2. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports No. 83 (-118 PTS)
3. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 (-118 PTS)
4. Sheldon Haudenschild – KCP Racing No. 18 (-188 PTS)
5. Donny Schatz – CJB Motorsports No. 15 (-188 PTS)
6. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing No. 1S (-252 PTS)
7. Garet Williamson – Fischer Motorsports No. 23 (-420 PTS)
8. Cole Macedo – TwoC Racing No. 2C (-450 PTS)
9. Spencer Bayston – Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing No. 17 (-498 PTS)
10. Chris Windom – Sides Motorsports No. 7S (-516 PTS)

NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (13 Drivers):
6 Wins – Michael Kofoid
5 Wins – David Gravel
2 Wins – Anthony Macri, Carson Macedo
1 Win – Spencer Bayston, Sheldon Haudenschild, Donny Schatz, Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne, Rico Abreu, Logan Schuchart, Aaron Reutzel

FEATURE LAPS LED (22 Drivers):
137 Laps Led – Michael Kofoid
126 Laps Led – David Gravel
65 Laps Led – Carson Macedo
44 Laps Led – Bill Balog
40 Laps Led – Anthony Macri
37 Laps Led – Tyler Courtney, Aaron Reutzel
35 Laps Led – Donny Schatz
33 Laps Led – Brady Bacon
28 Laps Led – Ryan Timms
26 Laps Led – Sheldon Haudenschild
25 Laps Led – Brad Sweet, Kasey Kahne
20 Laps Led – Logan Schuchart
17 Laps Led – Spencer Bayston
15 Laps Led – Rico Abreu
11 Laps Led – Giovanni Scelzi
10 Laps Led – Cole Macedo
7 Laps Led – Kasey Jedrzejek, Brian Brown
6 Laps Led – Brock Zearfoss
1 Lap Led – Christopher ThramPODIUM FINISHES (24 Drivers):
13 Podiums – David Gravel
10 Podiums – Carson Macedo, Michael Kofoid
5 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild
4 Podiums – Donny Schatz
3 Podiums – Anthony Macri, Ryan Timms, Spencer Bayston, Rico Abreu
2 Podiums – Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Aaron Reutzel
1 Podium – Ashton Torgerson, Bill Balog, Scott Bogucki, Tyler Courtney, Emerson Axsom, Brad Sweet, Chase Dietz, Kasey Kahne, Justin Whittall, Troy Wagaman Jr., Giovanni Scelzi, Logan Schuchart

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (13 Drivers):
9 Quick Times – David Gravel
3 Quick Times – Sheldon Haudenschild
2 Quick Times – Logan Schuchart
1 Quick Time – Ashton Torgerson, Kasey Jedrzejek, Brady Bacon, Will Armitage, Michael Kofoid, J.J. Hickle, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Rico Abreu, Aaron Reutzel

HEAT RACE WINNERS (31 Drivers):
18 Heat Wins – David Gravel
11 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
7 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
5 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart, Bill Balog
4 Heat Wins – Michael Kofoid, Donny Schatz
3 Heat Wins – Ashton Torgerson, Emerson Axsom, Rico Abreu, Cole Macedo
2 Heat Wins – Anthony Macri, Chase Dietz, Kasey Kahne, Aaron Reutzel
1 Heat Win – Chase Dietz, Justin Peck, Tanner Holmes, Scotty Thiel, Kasey Jedrzejek, Will Armitage, Rees Moran, Tyler Courtney, Brent Marks, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Justin Whittall, Chad Trout, Giovanni Scelzi, Joel Myers Jr., Spencer Bayston, Austin McCarl

TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (52 Drivers):
20 Dashes – David Gravel
18 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
15 Dashes – Michael Kofoid
9 Dashes – Carson Macedo
7 Dashes – Bill Balog
6 Dashes – Ashton Torgerson, Emerson Axsom, Logan Schuchart, Donny Schatz
5 Dashes – Cole Macedo, Garet Williamson
4 Dashes – Anthony Macri, Kasey Jedrzejek, Ryan Timms, Rico Abreu, Aaron Reutzel
3 Dashes – Brent Marks, Kerry Madsen, Chase Dietz, Tanner Holmes, Brian Brown, Spencer Bayston
2 Dashes – Scotty Thiel, Chris Windom, Kasey Kahne, Troy Wagaman Jr., Brady Bacon, Will Armitage, J.J. Hickle, Justin Henderson, Austin McCarl
1 Dash – Justin Peck, Parker Price-Miller, Brock Zearfoss, Bryce Lucius, Christopher Thram, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Rees Moran, Bryce Norris, Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet, Danny Dietrich, Logan Rumsey, Daryn Pittman, Kody Hartlaub, Freddie Rahmer, Justin Whittall, Chad Trout, Brenham Crouch, Giovanni Scelzi, Joel Myers Jr., Joe B. Miller

MICRO-LITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (18 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, Skylar Gee, Justin Henderson, Emerson Axsom

KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (15 Drivers):
5 Hard Chargers – Carson Macedo
3 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz
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, Emerson Axsom

ACME FASTEST LAP AWARDS (16 Drivers):
4 Fastest Laps – Michael Kofoid
2 Fastest Laps – Bill Balog, David Gravel, Brady Bacon, Carson Macedo, Aaron Reutzel
1 Fastest Lap – Anthony Macri, Brock Zearfoss, Sheldon Haudenschild, Cole Macedo, Ryan Timms, Kasey Jedrzejek, Brad Sweet, Kelby Watt, Kasey Kahne, Giovanni Scelzi

RACE READY CLOTHING HOTTEST LAP OF THE NIGHT AWARDS (13 Drivers):
7 Hottest Laps – David Gravel
3 Hottest Laps – Michael Kofoid
2 Hottest Laps – Logan Schuchart, Garet Williamson, Sheldon Haudenschild
1 Hottest Lap – Austin McCarl, Brent Marks, Cole Macedo, Emerson Axsom, Tyler Courtney, Ryan Timms, Daryn Pittman, Giovanni Scelzi

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 / Carson Macedo (2)
Sat, May 23 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Aaron Reutzel (1)
Sun, May 24 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (6)
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: Rivers Cities, Nodak Return Bring World of Outlaws to Schatz’s Home Turf