The Wooster, OH driver is enjoying every night at the track heading into the event he craves the most
ROSSBURG, OH (July 16, 2026) – Sheldon Haudenschild couldn’t have picked a better time to ride one of the best stretches of his career.
The Sprint Car world has converged on Rossburg, OH’s Eldora Speedway for the 43rd running of the Kings Royal, and Haudenschild is operating at a level above the rest. He’s taken the KCP Racing No. 18 to four victories in the last eight World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series races and 10 podiums over the last 13 Features. Outside of a night he got upside down, his average finish over that stretch is an impeccable 2.17.
So, what’s been going right that’s allowed Haudenschild to go on such a tear during his first season with the Matt Barbara and Bret Nehring-owned operation? It starts with simply enjoying the experience.
“I’m honestly just having fun and pretty stress free,” Haudenschild said. “I don’t really pay attention to the stretch of anything. I just kind of take it night by night, just stay focused each night and try to be fast right off the get go. Even if we get behind a little bit, I just try to make the most of it and keep going forward.”
But it’s a lot more than fun that makes a Sprint Car go fast. It’s a puzzle that must be put together. Haudenschild’s longtime crew chief Kyle Ripper made the move to KCP with him. Adam Clark has been a part of the organization for multiple years and continues to be an important piece. They added Dauson Heitritter for 2026. This group has taken little time to gel and are riding momentum into the Kings Royal.
Like most “Buckeyes” born in the Sprint Car world, Haudenschild’s ties to Eldora trace back to his earliest days. He grew up watching his father carve a legacy on the high banks of “The Big E.” Jac racked up nine of his 72 World of Outlaws victories at the Rossburg, OH track. The “Wild Child” is also a three-time Kings Royal champion. Fast forward to present day, and the fanbase Jac built thanks to his daring driving style now cheer for Sheldon as he cements his own place in the sport’s history.
“Eldora, I just grew up going there watching my dad,” Haudenschild said. “The fans have always been such a big part of it for my dad, and just to see them support me is awesome.”
The connection between Haudenschild and the iconic 1/2 mile has only grown as the years pass by. He’s picked up a pair of victories there, but the Kings Royal has eluded him thus far. He’s been in the top five four times, highlighted by an eighth to second drive in the 37th running. The hunger for the crown grows with each passing July. It’s the race he wants more than any other.
“For me, it is my Knoxville Nationals in a sense,” Haudenschild said of the Kings Royal. “It’s the race I want to win the most. They’re doing a great job there. They’ve got the pay up. It’s a big week of racing. It’s not like the Knoxville Nationals where it’s a prelim night and a night off. It’s full tilt for four nights straight. It’s just a lot of work too. It’s hot, and things can go downhill really quickly there. I’ve been on both sides of it at Eldora. It’ll teach you really quick. You’ve got to respect that place.”
The stage is set. Eldora awaits. Thousands of passionate fans that would erupt if Haudenschild were to win await. He may be looking at his best shot yet at being crowned King this weekend at “The House that Earl Built.” Haudenschild is ready to go out and do what he’s been doing – have fun.
“I think I’m just in a spot right now where I am having a lot of fun, and I think it shows on the racetrack,” Haudenschild said. “I’ve always known I’m capable. It’s just putting the pieces together and having the right people around you and all the right parts and pieces. It takes a village to run at the top level every single night. I think that’s what showing here at the 18 team. We’ve got a great group of people, a great group of sponsors. It’s just really enjoyable for me to show up at the races.”
Haudenschild and the KCP Racing crew take on Eldora Speedway’s 43rd Kings Royal this weekend (July 17-18) with a shot to win $200,000. For tickets, CLICK HERE.
Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.
Where can you see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.
HAVING FUN: Haudenschild Ready for Prime Shot at Coveted Kings Royal Crown
The Wooster, OH driver is enjoying every night at the track heading into the event he craves the most
ROSSBURG, OH (July 16, 2026) – Sheldon Haudenschild couldn’t have picked a better time to ride one of the best stretches of his career.
The Sprint Car world has converged on Rossburg, OH’s Eldora Speedway for the 43rd running of the Kings Royal, and Haudenschild is operating at a level above the rest. He’s taken the KCP Racing No. 18 to four victories in the last eight World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series races and 10 podiums over the last 13 Features. Outside of a night he got upside down, his average finish over that stretch is an impeccable 2.17.
So, what’s been going right that’s allowed Haudenschild to go on such a tear during his first season with the Matt Barbara and Bret Nehring-owned operation? It starts with simply enjoying the experience.
“I’m honestly just having fun and pretty stress free,” Haudenschild said. “I don’t really pay attention to the stretch of anything. I just kind of take it night by night, just stay focused each night and try to be fast right off the get go. Even if we get behind a little bit, I just try to make the most of it and keep going forward.”
But it’s a lot more than fun that makes a Sprint Car go fast. It’s a puzzle that must be put together. Haudenschild’s longtime crew chief Kyle Ripper made the move to KCP with him. Adam Clark has been a part of the organization for multiple years and continues to be an important piece. They added Dauson Heitritter for 2026. This group has taken little time to gel and are riding momentum into the Kings Royal.
Like most “Buckeyes” born in the Sprint Car world, Haudenschild’s ties to Eldora trace back to his earliest days. He grew up watching his father carve a legacy on the high banks of “The Big E.” Jac racked up nine of his 72 World of Outlaws victories at the Rossburg, OH track. The “Wild Child” is also a three-time Kings Royal champion. Fast forward to present day, and the fanbase Jac built thanks to his daring driving style now cheer for Sheldon as he cements his own place in the sport’s history.
“Eldora, I just grew up going there watching my dad,” Haudenschild said. “The fans have always been such a big part of it for my dad, and just to see them support me is awesome.”
The connection between Haudenschild and the iconic 1/2 mile has only grown as the years pass by. He’s picked up a pair of victories there, but the Kings Royal has eluded him thus far. He’s been in the top five four times, highlighted by an eighth to second drive in the 37th running. The hunger for the crown grows with each passing July. It’s the race he wants more than any other.
“For me, it is my Knoxville Nationals in a sense,” Haudenschild said of the Kings Royal. “It’s the race I want to win the most. They’re doing a great job there. They’ve got the pay up. It’s a big week of racing. It’s not like the Knoxville Nationals where it’s a prelim night and a night off. It’s full tilt for four nights straight. It’s just a lot of work too. It’s hot, and things can go downhill really quickly there. I’ve been on both sides of it at Eldora. It’ll teach you really quick. You’ve got to respect that place.”
The stage is set. Eldora awaits. Thousands of passionate fans that would erupt if Haudenschild were to win await. He may be looking at his best shot yet at being crowned King this weekend at “The House that Earl Built.” Haudenschild is ready to go out and do what he’s been doing – have fun.
“I think I’m just in a spot right now where I am having a lot of fun, and I think it shows on the racetrack,” Haudenschild said. “I’ve always known I’m capable. It’s just putting the pieces together and having the right people around you and all the right parts and pieces. It takes a village to run at the top level every single night. I think that’s what showing here at the 18 team. We’ve got a great group of people, a great group of sponsors. It’s just really enjoyable for me to show up at the races.”
Haudenschild and the KCP Racing crew take on Eldora Speedway’s 43rd Kings Royal this weekend (July 17-18) with a shot to win $200,000. For tickets, CLICK HERE.
Where can you watch every World of Outlaws race? Live on DIRTVision.
Where can you see the World of Outlaws in 2026? Click to see the full schedule.

Pato O’Ward (left), Josef Newgarden (center) and Will Power (right) share a podium at World Wide Technology Raceway At Gateway. The trio of drivers are have the most podiums for Team Chevy on short ovals since 2012.





Josh BerryAge: 35 (Oct. 22, 1990)Hometown: Hendersonville, TennesseeCrew Chief: Miles StanleyIG: @joshberry88X: @joshberry


LARSON’S STOUT SHORT-TRACK RESUMESince North Wilkesboro Speedway’s recent return to the NASCAR circuit, it has been a track that has fit right into Kyle Larson’s wheelhouse. Heading into the weekend, the California native is the only active driver that has a victory in both the Cup and Craftsman Truck Series – both of which were earned in the track’s revival season (2023). The weekend sweep was highlighted by his third, and most recent, All-Star Race victory – an effort that saw the two-time champion turn an early-race pit road penalty into a race-high 145 laps led en route to the one-million-dollar grand prize. One day prior, the Truck Series race saw a very similar outcome when Larson drove a Spire Motorsports-prepared Silverado RST to a race-high 138 laps led to capture his third of four career wins in the division. Larson’s short-track success really took off when he joined the Hendrick Motorsports stable. With six career short-track wins under his belt in NASCAR’s top division, five have been earned with Cliff Daniels and the No. 5 Chevrolet team. Overall, throughout his 66 short-track starts in the series, his wins have been accompanied by an impressive 22 top-fives and 36 top-10s.
IN-SEASON CHALLENGE: ELLIOTT ADVANCES TO ROUND FOURHendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott ended his homecoming weekend at EchoPark Speedway with a 13th-place result, but it was enough to knock his opponent, Chase Briscoe, out of the In-Season Challenge and advance into the semifinal round. Representing Team Chevy in Round Four at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Elliott will face off against the No. 25 seed Todd Gilliland. With his short-track statistics, Elliott is an arguable favorite to find his way into the finale race. A 23-time winner in NASCAR’s premier series, the Georgia native has earned two career short-track wins – one of which came earlier this season at Martinsville Speedway when he drove the new Camaro ZL1 racecar to its first win since its competition debut. His short-track prowess has paid dividends towards a stout North Wilkesboro resume, with Elliott earning a pair of top-fives and an eighth-place finish in the three All-Star events held at the track.
VAN GISBERGEN’S OVAL PROGRESSION CONTINUESIn the NASCAR Cup Series return visit to EchoPark Speedway, Shane van Gisbergen once again proved that he is getting his footing on the circuit’s oval tracks. With a solid points day on the agenda, the Stephen Doran-led team executed just that by earning points in Stage Two and the track position needed late in the race to contend for the win – ultimately settling for a strong sixth-place finish to maintain a spot above the Chase cutline. The New Zealand native has earned a top-15 finish in 50 percent of the points-paying races thus far this season, including his career-best oval result of fifth that came at Nashville Superspeedway at the start of the summer stretch. Van Gisbergen has made just one appearance at North Wilkesboro Speedway, which came in the 2025 All-Star event weekend. Despite just missing the transfer into the main event, the Trackhouse Racing driver was able to tally an impressive 54 laps led in the Open.
ENFINGER ENTERS THE CHASE PICTUREThe NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ trip to Lime Rock Park ended in a season turnaround performance by Grant Enfinger and the No. 9 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet team. Amidst the late-race chaos, the veteran driver capitalized on prime track position and a masterful restart to snap a 40-race winless streak and bring Chevrolet to just two wins away from its milestone 300th all-time victory in the division. On top of the win, it was the strong points day that the Alabama native needed as the series sits just four races away from the Chase. Enfinger put together a stellar 65-point race to vault up to ninth in the standings and make his first appearance above the cutline of the season. The race-winning momentum, on top of his robust North Wilkesboro history, serves as the perfect opportunity for the No. 9 team to continue its climb up the standings this weekend. Enfinger has finished in the top-10 in all three of his starts at the North Carolina short-track, with his best finish of second coming in the 2024 event. 



