BATAVIA, Ohio (May 8, 2024) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will return to a pair of iconic Midwest venues this week as part of the 3rd Annual Illinois Speedweek. The four-race swing through the Land of Lincoln begins with Spoon River Speedway on Wednesday, May 8 before invading Lincoln Speedway on Thursday, May 9. Both of those events, sanctioned by the FloRacing Night in America tour, feature a $20,000-to-win / $1,000-to-start program for Super Late Models. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will sanction rounds three and four of the third annual Illinois Speedweek on Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11. The Farmer City 74 will be a complete program for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, including Dirt Draft Hot Laps, Allstar Performance Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains, and a 74-lap, $25,000-to-win A-Main. The Modifieds ($2,000-to-win) and Kids Modifieds will join the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series at Farmer City Raceway. Farmer City Raceway is a 1/4-mile, high banked dirt oval located on the Fairgrounds in Farmer City, Illinois, just off I-74 at Exit 159. On Friday, May 10 all gates will open at 4:00PM CT. The on-track action is slated to begin at 6:00PM CT with Hot Laps. For more information, visit www.farmercityracing.com. Fairbury Speedway’s FALS Spring Shootout presented by Titan Industries will cap off the Illinois Speedweek. The $30,000 to win main event is preceded by a complete program of Dirt Draft Hot Laps, Allstar Performance Time Trials, Heat Races, and B-Mains for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series. The Modifieds are also on the docket, chasing a $2,000 top prize. Fairbury Speedway is a 1/4-mile semi-banked oval located at the Fairbury, Illinois fairgrounds. The Speedway is located three blocks south of U.S. 24 on 3rd Street. All gates at Fairbury Speedway will open at 12:00PM CT (noon) on Saturday, May 11. Hot Laps will begin at 6:00PM CT with racing to follow. For more information, please visit www.fairburyspeedway.com. Both Lucas Oil-sanctioned events are part of the Sunoco Race Fuels Road to Wheatland program. Sunoco Race Fuels will pay out $16,000 in bonus money to the top 15 drivers in the series point standings with perfect attendance at the Show-Me 100 on Memorial Day weekend at Lucas Oil Speedway. Ricky Thornton Jr. is atop the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship – presented by ARP standings, followed by Jonathan Davenport and Devin Moran. Mike Marlar and Hudson O’Neal round out the top five in the championship point standings. For the latest news, results, championship standings and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, please visit www.lucasdirt.com. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Purses:Farmer City Raceway – May 101. $25,000, 2. $10,000, 3. $6,000, 4. $4,000, 5. $3,500, 6. $2,700, 7. $2,500, 8. $2,300, 9. $2,200, 10. $2,100, 11. $2,000, 12. $1,900, 13. $1,800, 14. $1,700, 15. $1,600, 16. $1,500, 17. $1,500, 18. $1,500, 19. $1,500, 20. $1,500, 21. $1,500, 22. $1,500, 23. $1,500, 24. $1,500 = Total $82,800 Fairbury Speedway – May 111. $30,000, 2. $15,000, 3. $7,000, 4. $5,500, 5. $4,500, 6. $3,500, 7. $3,000, 8. $2,500, 9. $2,400, 10. $2,300, 11. $2,200, 12. $2,100, 13. $2,000, 14. $1,900, 15. $1,800, 16. $1,750, 17. $1,700, 18. $1,650, 19. $1,600, 20. $1,550, 21. $1,550, 22. $1,500, 23. $1,500, 24. $1,500 = Total $100,000 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire Rule:Friday – Saturday, May 10-11Left Rear/Fronts – Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) NLMT3 Right Rear – Hoosier (92) NLMT3, (92) NLMT4

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TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE: DARLINGTON RACEWAY

May 8, 2024 ARP Trish

Darlington, South CarolinaMay 10-12, 2024

THROWBACK AT “THE LADY IN BLACK”The next stop of the 2024 NASCAR season will see all three national series compete at one of the sport’s most historic ovals: Darlington Raceway. The three-day event will mark the 10th time the 1.366-mile South Carolina oval will host the sport’s annual “Throwback Weekend”, with drivers and teams across the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS), NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) sporting unique liveries honoring the sport’s history. For the fourth consecutive season, Darlington Raceway will play host to NASCAR for two event weekends, with the NCS and NXS returning to “The Lady in Black” in September. A shift in the schedule has made the South Carolina oval the new home for the 2024 regular-season finale for NASCAR’s premier series. In six tripleheader weekends this season, Chevrolet is the only manufacturer to achieve a sweep of the wins across all three NASCAR national series – accomplishing the feat three times (Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway).

In the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington:
Since hosting NASCAR’s inaugural event in 1950, the 1.366-mile South Carolina oval has hosted 125 races for NASCAR’s top division. Chevrolet leads the series with 44 all-time NASCAR Cup Series victories at Darlington Raceway, with the manufacturer looking to make it four-straight trips to victory lane at the track in Sunday’s Goodyear 400. There have been 23 different drivers that have earned a victory for Chevrolet at “The Lady in Black”. That list includes Herb Thomas, who produced the Bowtie brand’s inaugural win at the track on Sept. 5, 1955.

In the Next Gen Era at Darlington:
Since the introduction of the Next Gen vehicles to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022, Chevrolet leads the way with victories in three of the four races held at Darlington Raceway – all recorded in the series’ last three appearances at the track. The manufacturer’s three-peat at the South Carolina oval started with a victory by Erik Jones behind the wheel of a Petty-GMS Camaro ZL1 in Sept. 2022, with Hendrick Motorsports teammates William Byron (May 2023) and Kyle Larson (Sept. 2023) sweeping the events last season.

MILESTONE MEMORIESChevrolet heads to Darlington Raceway with an active streak of three-straight trips to victory lane in NASCAR’s top division, with each of those victories holding a monumental significance for the team. The first two of those triumphs came with Erik Jones and William Byron behind the wheel of two of the sport’s most iconic car numbers – both of which were milestone victories with Jones giving the No. 43 its 200th all-time win (Sept. 2022) and Byron taking the No. 24 to its 100th all-time win (May 2023). Most recently in Sept. 2023, Kyle Larson’s victory in the series’ playoff opener delivered the Hendrick Motorsports engine shop its 500th win in the NASCAR national ranks.

BYRON, KVAPIL HIGHLIGHTS DARLINGTON NXS ENTRY LISTSlated to join Team Chevy’s full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series contenders at Darlington Raceway include William Byron and Carson Kvapil.

HITTING THE HALFWAY POINTWith eight races complete, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series has officially hit the halfway point of its regular season. Chevrolet has posted a powerhouse performance throughout the 2024 season, with the manufacturer heading into the second-half of the regular-season leading nearly all major statistical categories:
Four drivers from three different Chevrolet teams have earned a combined six victories including Spire Motorsports with three wins (Kyle Busch – two wins; Rajah Caruth – one win); McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Christian Eckes with two wins; and Rev Racing’s Nick Sanchez with one win.
Chevrolet has recorded a series-leading six pole wins – each of which have been recorded by a different Team Chevy driver.
Chevrolet leads its manufacturer competitors with wins in 12 of the 16 stages thus far this season.In each of Chevrolet’s six victories this season, the Bowtie brand has claimed at least 50 percent of the top-10 finishing positions, including a season-high seven top-10s on two separate occasions (Daytona International Speedway and Martinsville Speedway).Chevrolet – the defending NCTS Manufacturer Champion – has remained atop the series’ manufacturer points standings throughout the entirety of the season thus far. Entering the second-half of the regular-season, Chevrolet holds a 28-point advantage over its manufacturer competitors – a lead nearly triple in size compared to its lead at this time last season.

BOWTIE BULLETS:·       With 30 races complete across NASCAR’s three national series this season, Chevrolet has a winning percentage of 60% with 18 victories (NASCAR Cup Series – seven wins; NASCAR Xfinity Series – five wins; NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – six wins).
·       Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Darlington Raceway:    Kyle Larson – one win (Sept. 2023)William Byron – one win (May 2023) Kyle Busch – one win (May 2008)
·       In 125 NASCAR Cup Series races at Darlington Raceway, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 44 victories. In four events in the series’ Next Gen era at the 1.366-mile South Carolina oval, Chevrolet has earned three victories – each recorded in the series’ last three appearances at the track.
·       Team Chevy’s William Byron is the only driver to have a double-digit win record in the NASCAR Cup Series’ Next Gen era – with his victory at Martinsville Speedway marking his 11th all-time victory in the Next Gen Camaro ZL1.
·       In 84 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 44 victories – a winning percentage of 52.4%.
·       In six tripleheader weekends this season, Chevrolet is the only manufacturer to reel off a weekend sweep – accomplishing the feat three times (Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway).
·       With its 42 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 858 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

TUNE-IN:NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400Sunday, May 12, at 3 p.m. ET(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Xfinity SeriesCrown Royal Purple Bag Project 200Saturday, May 11, at 1:30 p.m. ET(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck SeriesBuckle Up South Carolina 200Friday, May 10, at 7:30 pm. ET(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

QUOTABLE QUOTES:ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 BUSCH LIGHT THROWBACK CAMARO ZL1What is the difference between running really well at Darlington and finishing well?“I wish I knew the answer to that (laughs). Finishing well is keeping the car intact and not hitting the wall too hard. Keeping the wheel straight, keeping paint out of the wheels as much as you can if you hit the wall, have the suspension the same way you went to the track with it at lap 495…those are all the reasons of finishing well instead of just running well.”
Does Darlington hold any special significance to you since you kind of burst onto the scene there and everyone took notice of you there?“There’s so much about that CGR No. 42 Xfinity car. The year before at Darlington was when a sponsor saw me dumping the honey tank from the camper and that led me to driving for Chip. Yes, that weekend going down the backstretch and feeling the horsepower of the 42 car, the grip in the corners, qualifying, the race and the ending, obviously. Yes, so much about that is so vivid in my memory. It was a real turning point in my career and my life. My life has forever been changed because of that one weekend at Darlington. I was going to head-to-head with two Cup champions. Racing with those guys was the first time I had done it. Yes, I remember a lot about that weekend.”
Darlington is known to be one of the toughest tracks on the circuit, why is that?“Darlington is the most difficult oval to me. The ends being so different and the speed being up by the wall, you’re going to hit the wall if you overstep. It’s a high commitment track. At the end of a run at Darlington you’re running so much slower than the start of a run but you have to be so precise. You put tires on at Darlington and you’re going so much faster than you were. The way you have to adjust your driving at Darlington throughout a run makes it very challenging.”
How does it feel to be making your 200th Cup start?“Well, I can definitely remember making my first Cup start at Dover. I was nervous to be in a Cup car, nervous to be doing it at Dover, all of the things that come with it. It’s great to be doing it at Darlington because it’s a track that I really like. I hope to be driving a Cup car and winning for several more hundred starts.”

AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 BASS PRO SHOPS CAMARO ZL1400 miles at Darlington Raceway is grueling. How do you stay focused?“We always have a long, hot race at Darlington Raceway. Keeping hydrated is key leading up to the event, and working out in the gym and running laps on the simulator helps me maintain focus during 400 miles. I am looking forward to racing at Darlington Raceway. This is one of my favorite tracks. I have finished second here in the past, so we want to improve on that. We need to qualify well on Saturday because track position is extremely important and a good pit stall can make the difference during the race.”
Do you enjoy racing at Darlington?“I enjoy racing at Darlington Raceway. It’s challenging. The track gets slick and wears tires quite a bit. The key to Darlington is trying to race the track and not the competition. It would be nice to knock off another Crown Jewel. I have two of them, and another one would be very special.”

KYLE BUSCH, NO. 8 ZONE CAMARO ZL1Has the Next Gen car changed how you race at Darlington?“I don’t know that it’s really changed the race a whole lot at Darlington. I think we’ve always kind of had trouble passing there to begin with anyways because the track is so narrow and it’s really, really tough to pass regardless. The Next Gen car has definitely created more gaps between the cars, so it is harder to get to the back of the guy in front of you.”
Do you still have the same approach where you have to keep the car off the wall and stay out of trouble?“It’s changed a little bit too with the ability of being able to lean up against the wall and be closer to the wall with the body because the flange fit body allows it to flex in and flex out. But the car is still very brittle with the components to it. You can bend a toe-link pretty easy.”
How challenging is entering pit road off the track between Turns 3 and 4?“Pit Road entry in the middle of Turns 3 and 4 is not really that bad. You just have to know where it’s at. Experience is obviously the best key. You have to maintain that slowing down time up on top of the racetrack and then the turning down. You’re only running between 45 and 50 laps on tires versus years ago you’d run 60 or so. The tires are old and worn out and they feel bad but they’re not as bad as they could be.”
Do you enjoy the challenge of racing at Darlington? “I do feel like Darlington has its own unique challenges and those challenges are pretty fun. It kind of gives to that old school nature of NASCAR but yet still has its own unique differences between any of the other one-mile or mile-and-a-half racetracks that we go to.”

DANIEL HEMRIC, NO. 31 BLACK’S TIRE CAMARO ZL1“Darlington is such a wildcard for everyone. This track is always evolving so fast, and these Next Gen cars allow for more versatility, as far as not having to be in one particular lane. There’s a lot of room for opportunity there. I’m also looking forward to having Black’s Tire on our No. 31 Camaro ZL1 and remembering the time I spent alongside Ricky [Benton] during my early racing career.”

ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY THROWBACK CAMARO ZL1Bowman on racing at Darlington Raceway:“Darlington (Raceway) is such a tough place to put an entire day together. The race is super long and you kind of have to run that place in a high risk space for the entire day. It’s hard to do that for that long without mentally making a mistake or kind of overstepping the boundaries and hurting your race car. It’s a tough place for sure, but a challenge that I look forward to tackling this weekend with the Ally Racing team. We’re running a special throwback on our team’s Chevy this weekend too. It will be cool to run the scheme from Jimmie (Johnson)’s rookie year in 2002. Jimmie (Johnson) has always been a great Ally and is a large piece of the history and success behind the No. 48.”

BLAKE HARRIS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 48 ALLY THROWBACK CAMARO ZL1Harris on racing at Darlington Raceway: “With running the Ally throwback scheme this weekend, it would be great to get the No. 48 back in victory lane. Darlington (Raceway) is a tough track and honestly, I feel like our team has some unfinished business there (Darlington Raceway) from last fall. We crashed there in the late stages while we were right there around the top five. So, I’m looking forward to getting back to competing at “The Lady in Black” with Alex (Bowman).”

CARSON HOCEVAR, NO. 77 PREMIER SECURITY / NLEOMF.ORG CAMARO ZL1“I am so excited for this weekend at Darlington. It’s a really cool scheme on my Premier Security Chevy for an even better cause and we’re racing for a lot of people this weekend. To be a part of this with a longtime sponsor, supporting something that means so much to not only Dave Forystek (CEO of Premier Security) but also myself and my family, I couldn’t be happier. I’m thrilled to go to a place where I can be versatile. I’m ready to put together a really good run for a lot of really great men and women who serve us and our community.”

DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 QUAKER STATE CAMARO ZL1Suárez on the throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway:“It’s special because it’s the only weekend of the entire year of almost 40 races that we get to play around with throwbacks to recognize not just all the generations of drivers, but teams, paint schemes and everything, really. It’s a lot of fun to celebrate the history of NASCAR, teams and drivers. I enjoy it a lot.”
What makes Darlington Raceway so tough?“Darlington (Raceway) is one of the toughest racetracks. The reason for that is because it’s tough on tires. It’s only one lane, maybe two at times, in (turns) three and four, and one-and-a-half in one and two. It’s a tricky one. You have to be very precise. It’s a long race, as well. 400 miles, 500 miles, 600 miles – whatever that may be, Darlington is a long race. It’s way different to run 500 miles at Daytona (International Speedway) than it is to run 500 miles at Darlington. At Darlington, it feels like it goes forever.
It’s a tough task, but I enjoy it. I enjoy the challenge. We’ve run well there in the past, and we’re looking forward to putting a very special paint scheme upfront – honoring Adrián Fernández with his Quaker State IndyCar scheme from 20 years ago. Hopefully, we can have a good run with it.”

BAYLEY CURREY, NO. 41 AUTOVENTIVE / PRECISION SILVERADO RSTDoes the excessive tire falloff help overcome the battle for clean air or does that make it more important?“I think it makes it that much more important. Without the clean air, you’re using mechanical grip more than you’re using aero, so you’re just shredding your tires even more. You have to get that track position early while you have the grip, because once you lose it, it’s pretty much impossible.”

MATT MILLS, NO. 42 J.F. ELECTIC / UTILITRA SILVERADO RSTHow difficult is it to run inches from the wall here in Darlington?“Darlington will be a new one for me as far as going there in a truck. I’ve got Xfinity starts there, and in those cars, you can be a little bit more aggressive running the wall because the composite body can take more of a beating. So, the truck will be a little more interesting there, I’ll definitely have to watch out for the risk vs. reward for sure.”

ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 45 BUCKLE UP SOUTH CAROLINA SILVERADO RSTOf all the tracks on the Truck Series calendar, why did you choose to add Darlington to your schedule?“Darlington has always been one of my favorite tracks because of how challenging it is on us drivers. I love the tracks that you have to manage all the little details because it feels so rewarding when you hit everything right. Phil Gould and this team have shown a lot of speed at this place over the past few years. Every time I get the chance to drive for Al Niece, I feel confident that we have a shot to contend for the win, but even more so especially at a track where they’ve had recent success at. I’m looking forward to racing there and encouraging everyone to buckle up.”

Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics Manufacturers Championships:Total (1949-2023): 42First title for Chevrolet: 1958Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15) Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023 Drivers Championships:Total (1949-2021): 33First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021) Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021 Event Victories:Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007) 2024 STATISTICS: Wins: 7Poles: 5Laps Led: 1,302Top-five finishes: 26Top-10 finishes: 47Stage wins: 7· Chase Elliott: 1 · Kyle Larson: 6· Ross Chastain: 1 CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:Total Chevrolet race wins: 858 (1949 to date)Poles won to date: 748Laps led to date: 250,477Top-five finishes to date: 4,324Top-10 finishes to date: 8,908 Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date: General Motors: 1,192 Chevrolet: 858 Pontiac: 154 Oldsmobile: 115 Buick: 65 Ford: 828 Ford: 728 Mercury: 96 Lincoln: 4 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467 Dodge: 217 Plymouth: 191 Chrysler: 59 Toyota: 185

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REAPING THE WIN: Ryan Gustin Wins Dairyland Showdown Thriller Over Bobby Pierce

May 8, 2024 ARP Trish

The Reaper wins his sixth career Feature and brings Todd Cooney his first World of Outlaws win as an owner

FOUNTAIN CITY, WI (May 4, 2024) – The conclusion of this year’s Dairyland Showdown at Mississippi Thunder Speedway announced the rise of a new empire. One led by Ryan Gustin and Todd Cooney Racing.

Since joining forces at the beginning of 2024, Gustin and his new team have been collecting trophies throughout the first quarter of the season. And on Saturday night, they added their biggest one yet: a $25,000 Dairyland Showdown victory with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models – Gustin’s sixth Series win and Todd Cooney Racing’s first.

The Marshalltown, IA driver began the night setting a new track record (13.417 sec.) at the Fountain City, WI track – his first Simpson Quick Time Award of the year. Then, he followed that up by winning Heat 1.

Gustin’s good fortunes continued by drawing the Bilstein Pole Award for the 50-lap finale – leading the field to the Gorsuch Performance green flag alongside New Waverly, TX driver Tyler Erb.

He commanded the field in the first half while a wave of cautions and a hornet’s nest of talented drivers traded positions across the top five that included Erb, reigning Series champion Bobby Pierce, Friday night Dairyland Showdown winner Nick Hoffman, and four-time Series champion Brandon Sheppard.

The two fierce rivals in Erb and Pierce exchanged multiple slide-job moves on each other – with Pierce eventually clearing the driver of the #1T for the second-place spot.

Halfway into the Feature, Pierce made his chance for the lead come to fruition – sliding his way by Gustin to take the lead.

Lapped traffic played a heavy hand in deciding the night’s winner as the leaders attempted every inch of the 3/8-mile track to find clean air to navigate through the cars. The top two in Pierce and Gustin used these chances to try and one-up each other in the closing stages.

With four laps to go in the $25,000-to-win competition, Gustin made his chance for the win on Pierce with a run down the front stretch. Using the lapped car of Daniel Hilsabeck as a pick, Gustin slid up through Turns 1 and 2 to take the lead with sparks flying off the back of the #19R from hitting the wall.

Scurrying away from Pierce after the lead change, Gustin crossed under the flagstand to claim his first Dairyland Showdown Feature at a track that has seen him win five races previously with USMTS.

“Well, this big ol’ Jay Dickens engine showed out to keep the tires pretty good,” Gustin said. “I was trying to pace myself there in the first half of (the Feature), then I let Bobby get a big ol’ run on me and slide on me and I knew I had to get up, follow him, and hopefully he had to slide somebody and that’s how it all worked out. You win and lose by lap traffic, I’ve lost a fair share and I’m sure he has too, so that’s how it all goes.

“Everybody at Wells Motorsports has been great to us and I gotta shoutout Brandon Overton for helping us at Smoky Mountain Speedway and this thing has been on rails. My guys at (Todd Cooney Racing) have been working extremely hard and I can’t thank everyone enough for that.”

Pierce, in an attempt to catch Gustin on the final lap, slid up the track and smacked the Turn 2 wall. This opened the door for Hoffman to slide under “The Smooth Operator” to finish the night in second.

“I knew I wasn’t gonna pass Bobby and Ryan on the cushion,” Hoffman said. “I made a little bit of speed in the middle of the track when I needed to get back to fourth at that point. Once the top began to slow down and getting right against the wall, that bottom-to-middle came back into play. That’s how I won last night and that’s what we were set for tonight. The racetrack had a little more grip with the rain we had, and the (track crew) did a fantastic job to give us a track where we could race all around.”

“When they started sliding each other, it got me back to them. I was gonna settle for third, but Bobby hit the fence on the last lap. I tried biding my time, stayed in fifth for a while battling with the guys and it got the tires hot, but I had enough left towards the end and if we got a caution with a few laps to go, we could’ve won again. To win once and run second the next like Farmer City is badass.”

Pierce’s costly mistake had him finish on the last spot of the podium – a move he knows could have been avoided in his efforts to chase the lead back from Gustin.

“It was definitely a heartbreaker for us,” Pierce said. “I thought I had it in the bag, but I caught the lap traffic with awkward timing. The top was kind of getting slower, but yet, it was still there. The way those guys ahead of me raced mattered a lot and messed up the air there. Just did the dip when I should’ve made a dive and Gustin capitalized on it. I wish I held onto second, but of course tried to get the lead and jumped the cushion. I’ll be kicking myself in the butt for a while for that. But it’s just one of them deals and who knows what could’ve been.”

Sheppard’s consistent run inside the top five rewarded the current Series points leader with a fourth-place finish, while Erb managed to save his tires to complete the Feature’s top five finishers.

Sheppard continues to lead the Series’ standings with a 24-point lead over Hoffman. Gustin is now eighth in points with a 136-point deficit.

An 11-place climb rewarded Winona, MN driver Jake Timm with Saturday’s FOX Factory Hard Charger Award.

RECAP NOTES:
Dirt King Simulator Hottest Hot Lap of the Night Award Winner – Cade Dillard
Bilstein Pole Award Winner – Ryan Gustin
Simpson Quick Time Award Winner – Ryan Gustin
CASE Heat Winners – Gustin (Heat 1), Erb (Heat 2), Pierce (Heat 3), and Cade Dillard (Heat 4).
CASE Last Chance Showdown Winners – Dennis Erb Jr. and Sam Mars
FOX Factory Hard Charger Award Winner – Jake Timm

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models return to racing in the month of May with a swing through Ohio and Pennsylvania in two weeks – beginning with Raceway 7 (May 16), Bedford Speedway (May 17), Marion Center Raceway (May 18), and Path Valley Speedway (May 19). For more information about each of the races and ticket options, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model race live on DIRTVision.

Feature Results

CASE Late Model Feature (50 Laps): 1. 19R-Ryan Gustin[1]; 2. 9-Nick Hoffman[5]; 3. 32-Bobby Pierce[3]; 4. B5-Brandon Sheppard[9]; 5. 1-Tyler Erb[2]; 6. 19-Dustin Sorensen[12]; 7. 40B-Kyle Bronson[8]; 8. 16-Tyler Bruening[6]; 9. 3S-Brian Shirley[10]; 10. 49-Jake Timm[21]; 11. 22*-Max McLaughlin[15]; 12. B1-Brent Larson[22]; 13. 18-Shannon Babb[13]; 14. 97-Cade Dillard[4]; 15. 20TC-Tristan Chamberlain[25]; 16. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[17]; 17. 22P-Nick Panitzke[16]; 18. 28M-Sam Mars[18]; 19. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[19]; 20. 30-Todd Cooney[23]; 21. 97C-Cody Overton[11]; 22. 14W-Dustin Walker[24]; 23. 77-Jordan Yaggy[20]; 24. 88-Chad Mahder[14]; 25. 44-Chris Madden[7]

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BIG E BARNBURNER: David Gravel Bests Donny Schatz in Last Lap Eldora Thriller

May 8, 2024 ARP Trish

The point leader moves Big Game Motorsports to 99 World of Outlaws wins with wild Eldora victory

ROSSBURG, OH (May 4, 2024) – Eldora Speedway showed exactly why it’s known as “The World’s Greatest Dirt Track” on Saturday night.

The #LetsRaceTwo finale for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars gave fans a main event they couldn’t look away from. It was everything you could ask for. A 10-time champion battling a driver eying his first. A tricky racing surface with multiple grooves. Several late passes for the lead including one last move to secure the victory on the last lap.

The combatants came in the form of David Gravel and Donny Schatz, and they threw everything they had at each other. Hammering the top. Tiptoeing the bottom. Rolling the middle. Slide jobs. Nothing was left on the table. In the end, Gravel grabbed the checkered flag by powering ahead of Schatz down the back straightaway on the 30th and final lap and holding him off to the finish line. Gravel put the punctuation mark on a clean sweep at “The Big E” as he also set Simpson Quick Time and won both his NOS Energy Drink Heat Race and the Toyota Racing Dash.

“With the lower air pressure and lower tire temps we were really, really good,” Gravel said. “I got my wing so far back I couldn’t steer it, and on the restarts I would move it forward. But then as the run went on I got really loose. Once I got to that lapped traffic, my car kind of stalled out. That’s why I grabbed the wing, but then it made it where I couldn’t move around. I just had to hold the car straight. I couldn’t maneuver. Donny was definitely more maneuverable, but I think in open air we were probably a little bit faster.

“It’s really hard to beat Donny Schatz in the slick like that. He was running really hard in (Turns) 1 and 2 and running the cushion and just hang a little bit off of (Turn) 2. And luckily, we were able to get just better runs down the backstretch each time and get position on him. It feels really good to get another win. Starting on the front row two nights in a row and getting no wins would’ve been very disappointing. Really happy to get this one.”

Gravel grabbed sole possession of the most World of Outlaws wins in 2024 with his fifth. He also moved Big Game Motorsports one step away from a major milestone. Tod Quiring’s team is at 99 victories with The Greatest Show on Dirt. A 100th would make him only the sixth car owner to reach the impressive feat. Five of Gravel’s 93 career triumphs have come at Eldora, putting it in a tie for the third winningest track on his résumé.

The 30-lap Feature was brought to green by Gravel with Michael “Buddy” Kofoid alongside. Kofoid looked under Gravel on the opening circuit but couldn’t find enough speed to make a run at the lead, and Gravel began to pad his early advantage.

It didn’t take long for Gravel to near traffic as third-running Donny Schatz began to close on Kofoid for second. On the eighth circuit, Schatz tried a slider in Turns 1 and 2 and couldn’t clear Kofoid. But in the next set of corners, the 10-time champion rolled the low line to snatch the runner-up spot from the Roth Motorsports #83.

Schatz wasted no time closing on Gravel. He was a second behind the lap he passed Kofoid, and one rotation later it was slashed to six tenths of a second. Then on the 14th lap Schatz found the run he needed and used the low side of Turns 3 and 4 to slip ahead of Gravel and lead the lap.

A slowing Kalib Henry set up a restart on the 17th lap and opened the door again for Gravel. The Huset’s Speedway #2 got a huge run down the back straightaway and slid ahead of Schatz in the third turn to regain the lead.

Over the next several circuits Gravel pulled away and looked as if he was heading to a comfortable win at Eldora. The gap grew to nearly two seconds on Lap 19, but with less than 10 laps to go the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15 came to life as traffic became more and more of a factor.

By Lap 25 the lead was back under a second and shrinking with every corner. A few laps later the war began. Schatz dipped beneath Gravel in Turns 3 and 4 on Lap 28 and narrowly grabbed the spot on the front straightaway. Gravel returned fire with a slider in Turns 1 and 2 that Schatz countered with a crossover and took the lead back. In Turns 3 and 4 Gravel went low as Schatz opted for the middle, and just as the white flag was within sight the red lights flashed for a flipping Bryce Lucius.

Schatz held the lead for the restart, and the battle immediately resumed when the green lights returned. Gravel got a head of steam exiting the second corner and slid ahead of Schatz in Turns 3 and 4. Schatz turned under him to drive back ahead and lead at the white flag. Like the lap before, Gravel got a run out of Turn 2 and dove under Schatz in the final set of corners. But this time he stuck to the bottom and didn’t leave Schatz the lane to crossover. It proved to be the winning move as he came out on top.

“I just tried to go a car width lower or higher than him (Schatz) on the start and was able to get alongside him,” Gravel said. “And then when I slid across, I slid way too hard across all the way to the fence. I should’ve backpedaled, kept the tires underneath me, and put myself in better shape in (Turns) 1 and 2. But luckily, we were able to get a good run. Cody (Jacobs), Zach (Patterson), and Stephen (Hamm-Reilly) have been working really hard.”

Schatz brought home the runner-up spot after the hard-fought battle aboard the Carquest #15. The Fargo, ND native notched back-to-back podium finishes during the #LetsRaceTwo weekend and is up to seven top threes in 2024. Schatz felt he might’ve been standing in Victory Lane if it wasn’t for the red flag coming to the last lap.

“He ran away on that one restart,” Schatz said. “He drove by us and ran away. And then we caught back up and got back by. So, I guess if we wouldn’t have had the red, it may have been a different story.”

Carson Macedo brought the Jason Johnson Racing #41 home third to complete the top three. The Californian has now bagged six podiums this season. He fought within the top five throughout the entire race and climbed his way onto the podium with a strong run late in the going.

“I think I just had a really good final restart there,” Macedo explained. “Everybody kind of went to the top, and I sort of filled through the middle and felt really good. It’s a testament to Philip Dietz, Robby McQuinn, and Adam Zimmerman. They gave me a great car there. I thought there were points in the race where I had a really, really good car and then faded a little, and then I got good there at the end. I feel like we gain some momentum with that kind of a race car.”

Giovanni Scelzi and Logan Schuchart completed the top five.

A 21st to ninth drive earned Sheldon Haudenschild the KSE Racing Hard Charger.

David Gravel claimed his fourth Simpson Quick Time of 2024 and the 114th of his career in Sea Foam Qualifying.

NOS Energy Drink Heats One, Three, and Four went to David Gravel (252nd Heat Race win of career), Giovanni Scelzi (46th of career), and Emerson Axsom (first of career). Milton Hershey School Heat Two belonged to Buddy Kofoid (21stof career).

Gravel also topped the Toyota Racing Dash.

Sheldon Haudenschild won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.

Bryce Lucius was awarded the Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars head to Pennsylvania for the first three battles with the PA Posse. First up is Lincoln Speedway’s (Abbottstown, PA) Federated Auto Parts Gettysburg Clash on Wednesday, May 8. Then the weekend takes the tour to Mechanicsburg, PA’s Williams Grove Speedway for the HVAC Distributors Morgan Cup on May 10-11. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

FEATURE RESULTS:

NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps): 1. 2-David Gravel[1]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz[4]; 3. 41-Carson Macedo[6]; 4. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[5]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart[11]; 6. 83-Michael Kofoid[2]; 7. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[7]; 8. 99-Skylar Gee[3]; 9. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[21]; 10. 22-Cole Duncan[13]; 11. 27-Emerson Axsom[8]; 12. 23J-Cale Thomas[9]; 13. 21H-Brady Bacon[23]; 14. 7S-Landon Crawley[15]; 15. 17B-Bill Balog[17]; 16. 1-Nate Dussel[24]; 17. 42-Sye Lynch[20]; 18. 101-Kalib Henry[16]; 19. 23-Garet Williamson[22]; 20. 24D-Danny Sams III[19]; 21. 55T-McKenna Haase[18]; 22. 32-Bryce Lucius[10]; 23. 24-Logan Seavey[14]; 24. 49X-Tim Shaffer[12]

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NARC NEWSLINE – May 4, 2024

May 8, 2024 ARP Trish

NARC NEWSLINE – May 4, 2024, By Jim Allen … I’m sure we all agree when I say it’s been a rough start to the 2024 season. Not just with the NARC schedule, but with just about every dirt track north of the grapevine in California. Mother Nature came bouncing out of her corner like a heavyweight champ with something to prove and pummeled motorsports into submission with wet weather. If the current trend continues, on a prorated basis, NARC would feature a whopping eight races in 2024. The worse thing about it is the weather has typically been perfect all week long, getting everybody excited, before bad weather rolls in on Friday and Saturdays. And not to leave the rest of the country out of the loop, the Outlaws and High Limit also know how to quickly find their rain gear. Because of the choppiness of the schedule, few in open wheel racing have been able to establish any real kind of “weekly” routine, making the natives restless and much of social media poison with the alleged expert opinions of the week.One driver and team that does have their act together this season is Cole Macedo and the Tarlton Motorsports team. Two-fer-two! They survived the unpredictable Battle Royale at Chico and mastered the newly remodeled Stockton Dirt Track before anybody else could. The Tarlton-team, with Drew Werner on the wrenches, is looking for their first NARC title since 2016. By the way, both NARC races had a “Road House” feel to them as only 10 of 24 starters finished at Chico, and 13 at Stockton. Silver Dollar Speedway was described as 1990’s “old-school” rough, leaving aspiring drivers born in this century to struggle and figure it out. As luck would have it, Floracing capitalized on the Chico carnage for its ever-popular weekly crash highlight video … just from that one show. Man, that’s an ego killer! But like clockwork, history always repeats itself. There’s always a couple of events each year that look absolutely perfect on paper and then have you yelling at the steering wheel on the way home. The good news, those two are now behind us (fingers-crossed.)So with that, the NARC schedule has endured the the cancelation of the Dave Helm Memorial (3/9) and Peter Murphy Classic (4/13) in Hanford, the March Madness event at Merced (3/23), a postponement of the April 27th race at Stockton, and the postponement (yes, postponement) of today’s Tulare’s Chris & Brian Faria Memorial. So if you are keeping score, it’s Mother Nature – 5, Cole Macedo and NARC – 2.Speaking of Stockton, everybody got their first glimpse on April 6th when the former 4/10’s mile oval transitioned into a quarter-mile D-shaped bullring. As expected, the opinions were brutal despite the fact that it took a mad scramble to make the race happen in the first place. It also rained for two straight days leading up to the race and that didn’t help the cause. It took a while to get the “new” Dirt Track raceable and the NARC heats didn’t push off until 8:00 p.m. and the main at 11:13 p.m. (Our goal is to be done by 9:30 p.m.) Also in the pits was SCCT and they had their issues as well, including a longer than normal main event. When you added it all up, the NARC feature was called 27-laps complete at the stroke of midnight. For all of the conspiracy addicts out there, the drivers were informed by radio during the previous caution period that the scheduled 30-lapper was going to be considered complete at midnight no matter what happened. It “happened” with a multi-car crash and wasn’t the way anybody wanted to end a chilly night. As Colt’s Hall of Fame football coach Tony Dungy says in his book, “nothing good happens after midnight.” Especially in Stockton!When all was said and done, the overall opinion of drivers and teams leaned more positive than negative and suggested improvements to make it even better. That’s great news as promoterTony Noceti is committed to the further evolution and improvement of the facility. After the show, he committed to building wider turns with more banking and a backstretch wall from turn two to four. Unfortunately, that turned out to be a ton of work and the weather didn’t cooperate (try to act surprised) to allow those upgrades to be completed before our scheduled April 27th race. This postponed the event to a highly-anticipated Sunday Twilight Show on May 19th, the day after the NARC sprint cars invade Thunderbowl Raceway. (Twilight = Qualifying at 4:00 p.m.) That beats the tarnation out of another cancellation. We really need fans and teams to support this show as it could start a new trend and give race promoters another viable option.Other observers thought the Stockton postponement was the perfect opportunity for Peter Murphy to maneuver his April 13th rainout, better known as the Peter Murphy Classic, back into the schedule. However, Murphy already had a weekly show booked on that date. A few racing peeps wanted NARC to invade Kings Speedway which wasn’t going to happen because the Central California locals barely have enough opportunities to race already. Not to mention, the PMC, an event filled with auctions, pageantry, and a pole shuffle, features a $50,000+ purse and needs avid fan support to support that obligation. When you figure in liability insurance, water, lights, marketing, track prep, security, garbage, officials and the like, the total expenses are closer to $70,000. And I’m being conservative. While many open wheel loyalists would attend a 7:00 a.m. Christmas morning sprint car show on short notice, the average fan which makes up 65% of any crowd would be home unwrapping gifts. In hindsight, the April 27th Kings crowd was average at best meaning a high-dollar PMC would have been a financial blood bath. It was the right call.With that being said, there is no official date for rescheduling the 10th anniversary of the PMC. Murphy has run the gauntlet to squeeze it in somewhere, but others barked back about conflicts. It appears that California promoters are battling for the same 1500 core fans. Let’s hope we can figure this thing out.CALISTOGA SPEEDWAY: Some fans may have had unrealistic expectations that a race schedule would be released soon after the City of Calistoga and Napa County worked out their differences and finalized the sale of the fairgrounds. In reality that was just the starting point and best-case scenario, nobody will see a schedule until 2025. Tommy Hunt said way back in February that it would take his HMC Promotions team about six-months to promote and orchestrate the activities that surround the awesome two-day Louie Vermeil Classic weekend. Once racing is officially on the agenda, expectations will be at a Mount Everest-level as local politicians have the place under a microscope to make sure they made the right choice. That means an infield pit area packed with sprint cars, an overflowing grandstand, a Gold Cup type of feel, and race fans spending their money downtown. Otherwise, all of the pot-banging we did to get the historic half-mile reopened would have been for naught. All those who agree, say YAH!By the way, Tommy Hunt is undergoing serious health issues these days, and we wish him a speedy recovery.NARC NOTES: There are about 15 laps remaining to be sponsored for the June 1st Dave Bradway Jr. Memorial race in Placerville. Contact Karen Bradway-Tuccelli on Facebook if you are interested in sponsoring a lap in the 40-lap feature or 12-lap semi. … An entire nation gasped (on Floracing) when Ryan Robinson clipped the tractor tire coming out of turn two and flipped violently while leading at Silver Dollar Speedway at the Mini-Gold Cup NARC opener. While everybody, including wife Kylie, was attempting to comprehend what had just happened, Ryan had already managed to climb out of the Antaya Motorsports #16A and was stepping slowly to the pit area. His movements were purely instinctual as his eyes saw nothing but black after suffering his fifth racing-related concussion. Luckily, the safety crews caught up with him shortly thereafter. Ryan made an announcement a couple of days later that he is retiring from racing. You know it was a tough decision, but it was the right one. He knows that you can only scramble the eggs so many times. Never forget that this is a dangerous sport. … Willie Croft will be battling for the Skagit Speedway championship in Washington this year with “Rudeen” backing on his number 29 sprint car. He will be attempting to dethrone the defending champ, Trey Starks. …… Only six drivers have finished in the top ten in both races. Can you name them? How about … obviously Cole Macedo … Tanner Carrick, Bud Kaeding, Nick Parker, and rookies Gauge Garcia and Cadeen Steele. Carrick may be the most underrated driver in California with a sixth and third place finish in NARC competition, as well as two Ocean 360 wins to his credit. He is overdue to post his first NARC career victory. … Dominic Scelzi is back in California. He was planning to miss the first six NARC shows of the season while he was chasing races around the Midwest with the Outlaws and High Limit. As it turns out, he only missed two. He will be a “wild card” the rest of the season, attempting to steal victories as others chase the championship. … All, like in every single one of our events are on Floracing.com … David Castenada reports that work is underway at Santa Maria Speedway. After sitting dormant for a couple of years, the track needs serious love to make it race ready. Tony Pombo, who signed a lease-agreement for the place, is actively involved in the process. NARC invades Santa Maria on July 27th – right about the time temperatures hit 110 degrees in the Central Valley. … Justyn Cox cracked three ribs at the Chico opener. You know it was bad when he couldn’t golf! …… The new NARC 65th Anniversary Coloring Book is hot off the press. Thank you to Creative Finishes Plus and Andy & Candace Forsberg for sponsoring this project. Also, thanks to my wife Carol who did all of the artwork. We will pass them out to kids at upcoming events. … Which reminds me of a quick story from the last time we had a NARC coloring book in 2019. While handing them out to excited kids in Tulare, one impatient attractive woman (40ish) insisted on getting one for herself. I politely told her it’s kids first, since we need to keep them engaged so their parents continue to bring them to the races. I said if there are any left, I would hook her up. A minute or two later, she impatiently works her way back in line and offers to flip up her shirt and show me the goods if I give her one. Excuse me, did I hear that right? Now I’m not going to say what actually happened at that point, but she walked away with crayons also. …THE ROAD TO THE DIRT CUP: It’s hard to believe the Fastest Five Days in Motorsports are only about 40-days away. Based on phone calls, emails, and DM, there is going to be a large contingent of fans making this stellar road trip. It’s going to be a parade going up Interstate 5. If you haven’t locked down your tickets yet, each track’s website is ready to serve them up. By the way, the five FFDM shows pay $5,000 to win and $600 to start the A. The Northwest Focus Midgets will be the support division for the first four events. They put on a great show.From the FFDM Father’s Day finale at Grays Harbor Raceway, we continue North to the Jim Raper Memorial Super Dirt Cup. That group is busy putting together fan engagement activities for this showcase event. I’m spearheading the Super Dirt Cup Charity Golf Tournament on Wednesday, June 19th – the day BEFORE the three-days of racing kicks off. We are looking to accomplish two things … build on the “Club” in Northern Auto Racing Club by having an enjoyable day at the nearby Avalon Golf Links. And two, raise money for the NARC Benevolent Fund and the Rayce Rudeen Foundation. Please join us, no matter what your skill level. Off the record, this may become more of a drinking event than a birdie event. (#justsaying) Sign-ups are only $100 and that include golf, cart, box lunch, gift bag and a chance to claim a bunch of prizes and awards. Here is the only caveat: You have to sign-up and pay before June 5th. … We are also looking for hole sponsors. Call me! … Who is your pick to walk away with a $62,000 payday at this year’s Super Dirt Cup?And the hot news of the moment … We have rescheduled the Chris & Brian Faria Memorial for October 12th at Tulare, which is the weekend before the Trophy Cup. It is now part of a great show that also includes the Sprint Car Challenge Tour. It’s shaping up to be a terrific October.With that, prepare to get busy because there are 13 NARC shows scheduled in the next 50 or so days. It’s going to flash by in the blink of an eye so get your travel plans dialed in. Coming to you live from Auburn, CA! May the Fourth be with you. See ya!

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FUELING THE THUNDER: Nick Hoffman Wins Third World of Outlaws Feature of 2024 at Mississippi Thunder

May 8, 2024 ARP Trish

Hoffman leads the final 45 laps to score his fourth career Feature with the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models

FOUNTAIN CITY, WI (May 3, 2024) –

Nick Hoffman has continued to show that he is a threat for the 2024 World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models championship with his performance on Friday night at Mississippi Thunder Speedway.

The Mooresville, NC driver began the night by going fastest in his group of Sea Foam Qualifying, then followed up by winning his Heat race by over four seconds.

Hoffman started the Feature on the outside of the front row alongside Bilstein Pole Winner Brian Shirley for the 50-lap battle – sliding into second from the drop of the green flag.

On lap five, Hoffman powered his NOS Energy Drink #9 down the bottom of the front stretch to power by Shirley for the lead into Turn 1.

During the stretch of green flag racing, Hoffman had to navigate the continuous packs of lap traffic while fighting to stay at the front of a revolving door of contenders for the win that included Oakwood, IL driver Bobby Pierce, New Berlin, IL driver Brandon Sheppard and Robeline, LA driver Cade Dillard.

The sole caution of the Feature for a flat tire on Rochester, MN driver Dustin Sorensen’s machine on lap 35 gave the field their only sniff at competing against Hoffman for the win.

On the ensuing restart, Hoffman got the jump on the restart on the field into Turn 1 – leaving Pierce and Sheppard to fight for second place while new faces in Marshalltown, IA driver Ryan Gustin and Gray Court, SC’s Chris Madden fought their way inside the top five in the closing stages of the Feature.

With a clear track and twin checkered flags flying high in the air – Hoffman crossed the finish line with his fist high in the air to celebrate winning the largest purse of his racing career.

“This is the biggest money win I’ve ever had in my career,” Hoffman said. “Right now, we need every dollar we can get in building a new shop and everything. This is more of my style of racing right there and what I’ve made a living doing in my Modified by running through the middle of the race track when it’s slick and slow. So, I’m super pumped to race for another $25,000 tomorrow night.

“I can’t thank everyone enough. Darien and Zach have done a great job for me, along with NOS Energy Drink, C&W Trucking, Peteroff Towing, Bilstein, Longhorn, and Clements Racing Engines. To get our third win of the year and fourth Outlaw win is special and we gotta keep it rolling because these guys are gonna be hot on our tail all year and I fully believe this points battle will go all the way down to Charlotte.”

Pierce finished second after starting the Feature in eighth place. The reigning Series champion is happy with the result – accepting that he used up the tires on his #32 machine in his quest towards the Hoffman.

“This track moves around a lot,” Pierce said. “In the beginning stages, everyone was running the middle to bottom, and then once the top got clean enough, everyone jumped up there. But, with the new dirt, it had some spots that were flatter than it used to be, so it made it tough to enter the corner and get a good run on the top side because it felt like as flat as can be.

“Nick had a really good car, he could pace himself in that middle line and I know I was hurting my tires in the charge to the front – especially the runs I had on Dillard and Sheppard, I knew I abused the tires getting around them. Once I got to second (place), I knew I didn’t have much left for Nick because he had it dialed. I’m pretty happy with second, but we’ll see what we can do to work on it and I know they’re gonna make the track more tacky tomorrow because it rubbered up down the back. You gotta stay on your toes at this place.”

Sheppard crossed the line to finish third and cap off a night that saw improvements from the Longhorn Factory Team #B5 – winning his Heat race and sitting inside the top-five for all 50 laps.

“It was definitely different than the last few years,” Sheppard said. “They did a good job prepping the track all night and it was definitely slick all night long. It was drier than what I anticipated. The car had good balance and we were able to drive nicely all night long and came up a little short tonight. I probably could’ve been more aggressive at the start, but Nick’s been rolling really good so we just gotta keep working and catch up to him.”

Gustin finished just short of the podium to take a fourth-place while Madden followed suit to finish out Friday’s top-five finishers.

Climbing 11 spots to earn the Feature’s Fox Factory Hard Charger Award was won by Lake Elmo, MN driver Brent Larson.

Dillard won his first Simpson Quick Time Award of 2024 with a 13.596 lap time around the 3/8-mile facility.

Heat race winners from Friday night included Dillard in Heat 1, Shirley in Heat 2, Hoffman in Heat 3, and Sheppard in Heat 4.

Jake Timm and Jordan Yaggy claimed the wins in two Last Chance Showdown races.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models cap off the weekend at Mississippi Thunder Speedway with racing on Saturday night, May 4. Like Friday, the Feature will go for 50 laps with $25,000 on the line for the winner. For more information about the event, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model race live on DIRTVision.

Feature Results:

CASE Late Model Feature (50 Laps): 1. 9-Nick Hoffman[2]; 2. 32-Bobby Pierce[8]; 3. B5-Brandon Sheppard[4]; 4. 19R-Ryan Gustin[5]; 5. 44-Chris Madden[9]; 6. 16-Tyler Bruening[7]; 7. 97-Cade Dillard[3]; 8. 40B-Kyle Bronson[10]; 9. 3S-Brian Shirley[1]; 10. 1-Tyler Erb[11]; 11. 97C-Cody Overton[14]; 12. B1-Brent Larson[23]; 13. 19-Dustin Sorensen[13]; 14. 22*-Max McLaughlin[6]; 15. 49-Jake Timm[17]; 16. 22P-Nick Panitzke[21]; 17. 28-Dennis Erb Jr[16]; 18. 11H-Lance Hofer[12]; 19. 77-Jordan Yaggy[18]; 20. 88-Chad Mahder[22]; 21. 20TC-Tristan Chamberlain[26]; 22. 22-Daniel Hilsabeck[19]; 23. 14W-Dustin Walker[25]; 24. 30-Todd Cooney[24]; 25. 18-Shannon Babb[15]; 26. 90-Lance Matthees[20]

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RIGHT AT HOME: Sheldon Haudenschild Rips the Eldora Cushion to Victory on Home Turf

May 8, 2024 ARP Trish

The Wooster, OH native eclipses his 2023 win total with fourth victory of 2024

ROSSBURG, OH (May 3, 2024) – Sheldon Haudenschild was right at home in more ways than one on Friday night at Eldora Speedway.

First, he was literally on home turf as the Rossburg, OH oval is only a few hours from his hometown of Wooster, OH. Second, he used the part of the racetrack where he feels right at home to drive to Victory Lane.

Haudenschild started on the pole and drove a masterful 30 laps inches from the intimidating fence at the fast half mile. The 30-year-old sliced his way through traffic and held off multiple challenges from Donny Schatz and Giovanni Scelzi to claim the checkered flag. A proud crowd enthusiastically welcomed one of their own to Victory Lane as Haudenschild climbed atop the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing #17 and took a celebratory swig of NOS Energy Drink.

Back in 2021 Haudenschild picked up his first Eldora win during #LetsRaceTwo, but he felt that Friday’s triumph validated the prior victory.

“I don’t really ever count first wins,” Haudenschild said. “I feel like they don’t mean much until you back them up. I’ve been really good here in the past. The Kings Royal I ran behind (Kyle) Larson. Even last year I was pretty good here but just haven’t finished the job off. I feel like we just struggled to make a full Feature really smooth, and we did it tonight. I feel like that was a perfect race. A perfect race car. (Kyle) Ripper busts his ass all the time. We were up until two in the morning last night fixing stuff like old times and running on very little sleep. It feels good. Luke (Vaughn), Kinzer (Dussel), everybody has been putting in the work. Can’t ask for much more.”

The fourth win of the season for Haudenschild already elevated his total beyond the three reached in 2023. He’s up to 38 for his career, and Eldora is the eighth track where he’s won multiple times with The Greatest Show on Dirt. It also marked Haudenschild’s fourth victory in his home state of Ohio.

The path to victory required an incredible early effort from Haudenschild before the Feature even started. His Qualifying effort left him starting fifth in a stacked Heat Race. The two rows ahead of him consisted of nothing but star power – Donny Schatz, Giovanni Scelzi, Logan Schuchart, and Michael “Buddy” Kofoid.”

But Haudenschild did what Haudenschild does. He put on a show with a great start to get to third by Lap 3. And then he snatched the final transfer to the Toyota Racing Dash from Scelzi on the final lap of the Heat.

In the Dash, Haudenschild lined up third and drove by David Gravel and Schatz to earn the pole for the 30-lap Feature.

Even though he had the best seat in the house for the green flag of the main event, it would prove to be no easy drive to the winner’s circle. He pulled ahead of David Gravel in the early part of the race, but it wasn’t long before traffic became a factor.

But traffic didn’t seem to phase Haudenschild. While the top was his preferred line, he could move the NOS Energy Drink #17 anywhere necessary to pass cars. At one point he stared down lapped cars racing three-wide ahead and made a daring move to split between two and give himself a little more breathing room from those in pursuit.

The red flag flew with 11 laps remaining for a flipping Garet Williamson. Under the red, heartbreak struck the runner-up Gravel as his right rear tire went down, forcing him to the Federated Car Care Work Zone for a new one.

On the ensuing restart Schatz blasted from fourth to second and hung right with Haudenschild looking to challenge. Schatz kept the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15 rolling through the middle while Haudenschild never wavered from the top. After nearly pulling alongside Haudenschild multiple times, Schatz began to slip back as the laps faded.

Scelzi ripped by Schatz to take over second on the white flag with Haudenschild within sight, but it was too little, too late as Haudenschild crossed the finish line with half a second advantage to make his home state proud.

“Hats off to this whole NOS Energy Drink team,” Haudenschild said. “All these guys have been putting in the work. Happy to be in this.”

Scelzi brought the KCP Racing #18 home P2 for his fourth podium of the season and first since Arrowhead Speedway a month ago. The Fresno, CA native used the low line to make up most of his ground as he moved forward from ninth but found himself wishing he would’ve moved to the cushion sooner after finding speed there late in the race.

“The motor we put in was incredible,” Scelzi said. “I’m kicking myself because I wish I would’ve moved up a couple laps sooner because I think I would’ve maybe slid Sheldon for the lead. But he did his job in the Heat Race and did a great job all night. I tried to do my best Greg Wilson impression around the bottom for most of the race and gave up on it there with two to go and should’ve done it sooner.”

Rounding out the top three was Donny Schatz. The 10-time Series champion put together a productive night for his sixth podium of the 2024 World of Outlaws campaign.

“I thought we were going to have a chance at them there at the end,” Schatz said. “And then as we went by the end, they’d left us hanging again. Either way it was a decent finish. Started there and finished there. Went back and came back forward again.”

Logan Schuchart and Carson Macedo completed the top five.

After going to a backup car, Logan Schuchart drove from 24th to fourth to earn the KSE Racing Hard Charger.

David Gravel claimed his third Simpson Quick Time of 2024 and the 113th of his career.

NOS Energy Drink Heats One and Three went to David Gravel (251st Heat Race win of career) and Donny Schatz (523rdof career). Milton Hershey Heat Two went to Carson Macedo (120th of career).

Sheldon Haudenschild topped the Toyota Racing Dash.

Logan McCandless won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.

After a flat tire derailed a potential challenge for the win and left him with an ninth place finish, David Gravel was awarded the Smith Titanium Brake Systems Break of the Race.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are back at Eldora Speedway on Saturday, May 4 for the #LetsRaceTwo finale. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

FEATURE RESULTS:

NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 Laps): 1. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[1]; 2. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[9]; 3. 15-Donny Schatz[3]; 4. 1S-Logan Schuchart[24]; 5. 41-Carson Macedo[4]; 6. 83-Michael Kofoid[14]; 7. 70-Kraig Kinser[11]; 8. 23J-Cale Thomas[7]; 9. 2-David Gravel[2]; 10. 7S-Landon Crawley[6]; 11. 42-Sye Lynch[19]; 12. 27-Emerson Axsom[5]; 13. 101-Kalib Henry[8]; 14. 99-Skylar Gee[10]; 15. 29-Logan McCandless[18]; 16. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[21]; 17. W20-Greg Wilson[20]; 18. 17B-Bill Balog[15]; 19. 55T-McKenna Haase[16]; 20. 5T-Travis Philo[17]; 21. 6-Bill Rose[23]; 22. 15K-Creed Kemenah[22]; 23. 23-Garet Williamson[12]; 24. 21H-Brady Bacon[13]

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Austin Prock living up to his ‘Prock Rocket’ nickname in first season in Funny Car

May 3, 2024 ARP Trish

Points leader is driving with the savvy of a veteran Funny Car driver, with one win, two runners-up and three No. 1 qualifiers in first 5 races

For Immediate Release
Austin Prock has been one of the most pleasant surprises thus far in the 2024 NHRA season.
After four seasons of driving a Top Fuel dragster for John Force Racing, including compiling four wins and eight final round appearances, Prock was shifted by team owner John Force to pilot the Cornwell Tools/AAA Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car for this season.
Prock has long aspired to drive a Funny Car and the situation couldn’t be better for the Grand Rapids, Mich. native. His crew chief and assistant crew chief are his father Jimmy and brother Thomas, respectively, and the nicknamed “Prock Rocket” has been nothing short of outstanding behind the wheel.
Through the first five races of the 20-race NHRA season, the 28-year-old Prock:
* Won his first-ever start in a Funny Car, capturing a preseason exhibition event in Bradenton, Fla.
* Reached the final round of his first NHRA event piloting a Funny Car in the season-opening race at Gainesville, Florida.
* Earned his first Funny Car “Wally” winner’s trophy just three races into his new career, capturing the Arizona Nationals victory last month. In so doing, Prock became only the 19th driver in NHRA history to earn victories in the sport’s top two nitro classes, namely, Top Fuel and Funny Car.
* His win in Arizona was made all the more sweeter as that same weekend as his boss, Force, also won the Funny Car crown for the Winternationals, which were rescheduled/relocated to Phoenix from its traditional home in Pomona, Calif., due to the final round there being rained out.
* He’s been the No. 1 Funny Car qualifier in three of the first five races thus far.
* He’s also reached the finals in three of those five events, including runner-up showings at both Gainesville and Las Vegas, and the aforementioned win in Phoenix.
* And to top things off, Prock has been the Funny Car points leader following the last two races.
That’s obviously not bad for a guy who’s considered a rookie once again this year in a new racing class.
When asked if he’s surprised at the great achievements he’s amassed in such a short period of time in his initial Funny Car season, Prock demurs.
“It still really hasn’t hit me, I’m like living a fairy tale right now,” Prock said. “But I think it’s a good thing that it hasn’t hit me. We just need to keep our head down and keep focused and keep doing the job we’re doing because it’s been working.
“So don’t get too high, don’t get too low, but we’ve definitely got to celebrate the year we’ve had so far.”
Prock, who is a trained chef off the track, has definitely been doing a lot of cooking on-track, as well. His aggressive style, cat-like reflexes at the starting line and a never-give-up attitude have helped him become the biggest story in Funny Car in the first quarter of the season.
“I’m finally getting comfortable in the race car enough to where I feel like I can go up there and attack,” Prock said. “That’s definitely a confidence booster for myself, and if we get all our ducks lined up in a row and I can drive like that, this category might be in for a world of hurt. That’s obviously our goal every weekend. We’ve just got to keep picking away at it.
“Yes, I’m still a rookie and I’m still learning and I only have ambitions to get better and better every weekend. People may not see it from the outside, but personally I feel like I’m getting better and better, getting more comfortable and that’s a good sign. So it’s a long year ahead and we’re just going to attack it one weekend at a time.”
Prock has gone from Florida to California, Phoenix to Las Vegas, Charlotte and will be in Chicago in two weeks.
“Every track I’ve been to so far has been totally different driving this Funny Car,” Prock said. “There are so many different things going on, like the altitude and things like that. For example, it’s a huge change for the crew chiefs. In Vegas, we’re halfway to Denver (altitude-wise), whereas in Charlotte we’re pretty close to sea level.
“I’m looking forward to Chicago. I think we’ll pick up right where we’ve been and we’ll be just fine.”
Speaking of Chicago, Prock will travel to the Windy City entering his third consecutive race as the Funny Car points leader in his trusty Chevrolet.
“I don’t think I’ve ever held the points lead this long, so that’s something to be proud about,” Prock said. “This team is just doing a great job. When we falter, we just come back and attack and everything seems to work out.
“You’re only as good as your last run and we go back and prove that. It’s been a great year.”
Prock concedes that one of the biggest keys to his success this season has been working with his father and brother, making it a true family affair.
“You know, work and family are two separate things, but it sure is fun racing with my family, it’s been a blast,” Prock said. “I’ve been oddly comfortable in this race car right from the very beginning.
“I don’t know if it’s just because I’m meant to be in a Funny Car or if it’s because my dad’s giving me a head nod and rolling off after he’s setting the barrel valve. So I’m really, really blessed to race with my dad and brother and this entire team. I’ve known a lot of the guys for a long time and we’re all kind of like brothers. So it’s pretty cool to be in this pit.”
Prock was originally slated to be solely a crew member on the Cornwell team this season until three-time NHRA Funny Car champion Robert Hight yielded his seat in mid-January, prompting Force to ask Prock to take over driving duties for the Cornwell car.
But Prock has not forgotten his crew member training over the years. He’s one of only a handful of drivers in the nitro ranks who still works on his car when he’s not driving it.
Doing so not only keeps Prock on top of all the workings of his Funny Car, but also keeps the very humble individual grounded, so to speak. And even with his early success this season, Prock is the first to admit he still has a lot to learn in driving a Funny Car.
“Nobody really understands unless you’re sitting behind the wheel,” he said. “These things are just so tough to drive. They’re beasts and every lap they’re doing something different. It’s been like that everywhere I’ve gone so far. It’s just been a different challenge.
“But it’s fun. I love the challenge, I love racing with this team, I love racing with Cornwell Tools, and I hope we can keep it going.”
Keeping it going is at the top of Prock’s to-do list.
“Yes, I do believe we can keep it going, I don’t see why not,” Prock said. “You know, this team is just honed in right now. And our package is working. We’ve just got to keep making smart decisions. And I’ve got to keep making smart decisions driving this thing and we’ll see our cards fall.
“But like I’ve said all year, if everybody does their best over here, we’re going to be hard to beat every weekend.”

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Zizzo Racing Hooks up with Master Truck & Trailer for 2024 Campaign

May 3, 2024 ARP Trish

CHICAGO, IL (May 4, 2024) — Zizzo Racing will begin their 2024 season competing at the highest level on the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series at the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 NHRA Nationals, May 17-19 with new associate sponsor Master Truck & Trailer (MTT). The Waukegan, Illinois based company has enjoyed a long-standing professional and personal relationship with team owner Tony Zizzo as well as driver TJ Zizzo which will now manifest itself into branding on the Zizzo Racing 12,000 horsepower Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster.

“My dad has known John Pinkley at MTT for years and the opportunity to add their company to our race team is a perfect arrangement,” said TJ Zizzo, driver of the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel dragster. “You can’t live in the Lake County area and not hear the incredibly catchy MTT commercials on the radio and everyone at Zizzo Racing is ‘down with MTT.’ On a serious note the quality of products MTT is providing to their customers is amazing and we want to highlight their company at the track and across the country.”

TJ Zizzo and the Rust-Oleum Top Fuel will be back on track at Route 66 Raceway in May, photo credit Auto Imagery

Master Truck & Trailer will be an associate sponsor for Zizzo Racing at the Route 66 Nationals in Chicago (May 17-19), the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio (June 28-30), the Night Under Fire specialty race in Norwalk (August 2-3), the US Nationals in Indianapolis (August 29-September 2) and the Midwest Nationals in St. Louis (September 27-29).

“We love what Tony and Zizzo Racing stand for,” said John Pinkley, owner of MTT. “They love what they do, and they are doing it the right way. We are a local family-owned business and so are they. Being able to support Zizzo Racing is a privilege. I also know that every racer that brings their race car to the track uses a trailer hitch or a fifth wheel and that is our business. I am looking forward to watching Zizzo Racing succeed with our employees and customers at the track.”

Locally owned and operated, Master Truck & Trailer, in Waukegan, Illinois, is a one stop shop for all truck accessories, trailer repair, hitches, and other towing needs. They also sell and service a full line of salt spreaders for vehicles, including Boss Plows and Sno-Way products such as heavy-duty snow and ice control equipment including snowplows, snowplow accessories, and salt spreaders.

Zizzo Racing will be making more announcements about their 2024 NHRA season in the coming weeks. Their debut race of the 2024 season will be the Gerber Collision & Glass Route 66 Nationals at their home track Route 66 Raceway outside of Joliet, Illinois. Last season Zizzo raced to the semifinals at this event and the ever-improving team will be looking for more success this season.

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Kansas Sweep Helped Establish Chase McDermand as National Midget Series Contender

May 3, 2024 ARP Trish

Xtreme Outlaw Series star prepares return to Humboldt, 81 next weekend after sweeping both races in 2023

CONCORD, NC (May 2, 2024) – Chase McDermand’s sweep of both races with the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota last year in Kansas was special. Not for what it did for him in the stats column, but for what it showed about his abilities and his place in the open-wheel racing world.

McDermand, the 23-year-old family-team racer from Springfield, IL, came to Humboldt Speedway and 81 Speedway for the first time last May and walked out of both with the checkered flag in hand — his first career sweep of a national Midget series weekend.

As he prepares to return to both tracks with the Series next Friday and Saturday, May 10-11, he recalled the joy of those triumphs and how much it fueled his drive to compete for the Series championship in 2023.

“It helped our team a lot as far as the confidence goes and the knowledge that came with that,” McDermand said. “It was really just a good building weekend for all of us early in the season to have that success.”

Though he came up short in the points standings with a fifth-place finish, McDermand — like several others — cemented his place in the national Midget ranks as a star of the Xtreme Outlaw Series and with the others ushered in a brand-new era of talent.

Midget goliaths of USAC in the late 2010s — Seavey, Thorson, Courtney, Windom — have gone on to broaden their open-wheel racing horizons, opening the door for the present-day roster of stars — McDermand, McIntosh, Daum, Timms, among others — to make their mark aboard the Xtreme Outlaw Series.

McDermand — a multi-time regional Midget champion at the turn of the decade — spent many years watching the USAC and POWRi greats, dreaming of the day he’d make his mark on the national Midget scene. Now a three-year regular on the Xtreme Outlaw Series, that day has dawned, and he’s never been happier now that it’s here.

“It feels good as a driver to know that I’m a contender,” McDermand said. “It goes back to maybe six or eight years ago sitting in the stands watching the national Midget races with the guys that were in that position that I am.

“It’s really come full circle for me as a driver to be fortunate enough to be in that position. I think [that] says a lot about me and who surrounds me with the team and my family and stuff. It means a lot to all of us to be able to have that privilege throughout the year. I’m just looking forward to making everybody happy, hopefully.”

For the past three seasons, McDermand has enjoyed continued success with support from Oklahoma-based Mounce/Stout Motorsports, who he renewed his partnership with in early 2024. Together, they’ve won seven Xtreme Outlaw Series races — tied with Jade Avedisian for most all-time.

“It’s been good so far; it just feels like home again,” McDermand said. “We work well together. Last year showed that.

“It’s been helpful to have the same notebook as last year. I don’t have to learn a different engine platform and stuff like that, so that’s really helped me get back on the right foot.”

His reunion with team owners Jay Mounce and Gavin Stout came after a sudden change from his original plans for 2024. McDermand announced in November he had entered into a deal with Dave Mac-Dalby Motorsports (DMD) to pilot team owner Dave McIntosh’s flagship car and chase the Xtreme Outlaw Series championship.

However, McDermand was forced to make other arrangements before the season opener in March after McIntosh informed him that he would not be able to continue operations at DMD in 2024, and so he picked up the phone.

“I feel like I had a good plan moving forward to better myself and my racing career,” McDermand said. “The way things played out — the economy isn’t as good as it once was, and [McIntosh] decided it was better to close the doors on his racing program, at least for now.

“The way things played out so far is probably the best that could’ve happened. I feel like the speed we’ve had already this season shows that. Now, it’s just all focus on the season ahead.”

McDermand has built his racing mentality on forward thinking. He’s back in his comfort zone at Mounce/Stout, looking forward to getting his first win of the year and defending his 2023 victories next weekend at Humboldt and 81. Though it’s been a year since those wins, he’s accepting of the challenge.

“Obviously, it’s a little bit of pressure that I put on myself to go back to place that you had good speed at before — you’re kind of expected to have that same speed again,” McDermand said. “In racing, it’s hard to stay on top of a mountain for a while, especially 365 days later.”

He currently sits 56 points behind leader Cannon McIntosh in the standings with 24 races left on the schedule. With plenty of time left, McDermand said it’s a gap he can make up in pursuit of his first career national Midget series championship.

“I definitely think that we’re a contender; that’s our number-one goal and focus,” McDermand said. “To be honest, anything less than that would probably be a disappointment to us.”

Don’t miss McDermand and Mounce/Stout back in action with the Xtreme Outlaw Series next Friday-Saturday, May 10-11, at Humboldt Speedway and 81 Speedway in Kansas. Tickets for both events will be on sale at the gate. If you can’t be there to watch in person, stream every lap live on DIRTVision.

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BIG IN THE BUCKEYE STATE: Ohio’s Long Connection with the World of Outlaws

May 3, 2024 ARP Trish

The World of Outlaws are ready for a heavy dose of Ohio that will add to the significant history between the Series and State ROSSBURG, OH (May 2, 2024) – From border to boarder, roughly 40,000 square miles of Ohio’s land is dotted with dirt tracks. And the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars have a long and heavy history spread across that terrain. It’s a history that will grow healthily in 2024. The Greatest Show on Dirt is about to embark on a 25-day stretch that features seven races in the “Buckeye State” at five different tracks. It begins with two nights at Eldora Speedway (May 3-4) and leads to stops at Attica Raceway Park (May 17), Sharon Speedway (May 18), Atomic Speedway (May 24-25), and Fremont Speedway (May 27).The seven nights will add to the immense list of Ohio races in Series history. With more than 300 total trips, it’s the third most visited state since Ted Johnson unleashed the band of travelers in 1978. It didn’t take long for the band to roll into Ohio. The second ever World of Outlaws race was contested at Earl Baltes’ Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, OH). Pennsylvanian Bobby Allen went to Victory Lane.“The Big E” welcomed the World of Outlaws eight more times during their debut campaign. Ohio’s own Rick Ferkel made fellow Buckeyes proud by claiming four. Eldora’s nine appearances on the first schedule set the stage for a long and fruitful connection between the track and Series. Two more Ohio ovals hosted the nation’s best Sprint Car drivers in 1978. Limaland Motorsports Park was first conquered by Ferkel. And the Series first and only visit to Wauseon, OH’s Oakshade Raceway went to New Oxford, PA’s Steve Smith. A total of 13 races were contested in the state in 1978 – the most of any as the Series came to life.Each of the first four seasons of World of Outlaws action saw Ohio lead the way in terms of the state with the most events. Eldora remained a mainstay while Wayne County Speedway (Orrville, OH), New Bremen Speedway, Mansfield Motor Speedway, and Millstream Speedway (Findlay, OH) joined the fray during that four-year run.Throughout the 1980s Eldora remained a staple of the schedule, routinely hosting several races per season. Millstream and Wayne County held occasional dates, but it wasn’t until the turn of the decade that two new facilities were added. Attica Raceway Park and Fremont Speedway joined for a debut weekend in May of 1990 swept by Steve Kinser. On July 15, 1990 Millstream Speedway hosted Ohio’s 100th overall World of Outlaws Race. The 1990s also marked another major moment in the connection when the World of Outlaws became part of the Kings Royal – a tradition that continues today as the Series will roll into Eldora on July 19-20 for the 41st edition with $175,000 going to the King.It took another dozen years for the next new track to come along when Danny Lasoski topped the Series debut at Hartford’s Sharon Speedway in 2002. The following season Atomic Speedway – then K-C Raceway – hosted The Greatest Show on Dirt for the first time, bringing the total of tracks visited to 11.As a result of the state’s many racetracks, Ohio has also turned many of its local talents into national stars with the World of Outlaws. Of the 152 drivers to win World of Outlaws races, 16 are Buckeyes.Hartford, OH’s Dave Blaney leads the way with 95 World of Outlaws victories (eighth all-time). His first came at Tri-City Speedway (Granite City, IL) in 1985. In the mid-1990s Blaney became a dominant force teamed with Casey Luna, topping 56 Features from 1993 through 1996 that also included the 1995 championship. The Wooster, OH father-son duo of Jac and Sheldon Haudenschild are the next two most successful Ohioans. Jac’s famous driving style earned him the nickname “The Wild Child” and led him to 72 checkered flags. He won with a record 15 different car owners and enjoyed the most success aboard Jack Elden’s #22, which he wheeled to 32 wins. Sheldon has picked up 37 checkered flags, all since joining Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing in 2018 including a trio already in 2024.The state’s first winner – Rick Ferkel – is next on the list. “The Ohio Traveler” racked up 21 triumphs, eight of which came in his home state. Millersburg, OH’s Brad Doty collected 18 checkered flags before his career got cut short in 1988.Other Ohio winners include Dale Blaney (Hartford), Danny Smith (Chillicothe), Kenny Jacobs (Holmesville), Chad Kemenah (Findlay), Jack Hewitt (Troy), Frankie Kerr (Fremont), Greg Wilson (Benton Ridge), Randy Ford (Elmore), Johnny Beaber (Gibsonburg), Rick Ungar (Belpree), and Dean Jacobs (Wooster).Only a day remains before the World of Outlaws invade Eldora to continue growing the Series’ history in Ohio. With 235 previous trips, Eldora is already the most visited track for the nation’s top talent. Five more nights of Ohio racing in May await after Eldora along with a trio in July and two more in September including a return to Wayne County Speedway. Overall, the 2024 calendar boasts 12 Ohio races at six racetracks – all adding new chapters to the long and impactful history between the World of Outlaws and the “Buckeye State.”WORLD OF OUTLAWS 2024 OHIO RACESMay 3-4 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OH (TICKETS)
May 17 at Attica Raceway Park in Attica, OH (TICKETS)
May 18 at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, OH (TICKETS)
May 24-25 at Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe, OH (TICKETS)
May 27 at Fremont Speedway in Fremont, OH (TICKETS)
July 16 at Attica Raceway Park in Attica, OH (TICKETS)
July 19-20 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OH (TICKETS)
September 27 at Wayne County Speedway in Orrville, OH (TICKETS)
September 28 at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, OH (TICKETS)If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

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TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE: KANSAS SPEEDWAY

May 1, 2024 ARP Trish

Kansas City, KansasMay 4-5, 2024

KICKING-OFF MAY IN THE MIDWESTThe NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) will take its turn to contest in a doubleheader weekend with the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) as both series will make their way to Kansas Speedway for the series’ first trip to the Midwest this season. The 1.5-mile Kansas oval will again hold two race weekends for the NCS and NCTS this season, with the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) joining in on the action as all three series will return to the track in September for a postseason tripleheader.

Chevrolet at Kansas Speedway

TWO-FOR-TWOThe NASCAR Cup Series has contested on two non-drafting 1.5-mile tracks thus far this season – both ending with a Chevrolet-powered machine in victory lane.

Next Gen Numbers on 1.5-Mile TracksHeading to the heartland for this weekend’s event, Chevrolet owns a winning percentage of 50 percent on non-drafting 1.5-mile tracks in the Next Gen era with eight victories in 16 races. Three of those victories were accompanied by a podium sweep by Team Chevy drivers – twice at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Mar. 2022 and Mar. 2023), as well as a one-two-three-four finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Oct. 2022. Chevrolet’s Next Gen Wins on Non-Drafting 1.5-Mile Tracks: · Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Alex Bowman (Mar. 6, 2022) · Texas Motor Speedway – Tyler Reddick (Sept. 25, 2022) · Homestead-Miami Speedway – Kyle Larson (Oct. 23, 2022) · Las Vegas Motor Speedway – William Byron (Mar. 5, 2023)· Texas Motor Speedway – William Byron (Sept. 24, 2023)· Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Kyle Larson (Oct. 15, 2023)· Las Vegas Motor Speedway – Kyle Larson (Mar. 3, 2024)· Texas Motor Speedway – Chase Elliott (Apr. 14, 2024)

CARRYING MOMENTUM IN THE NCTSComing off a two-week break, Chevrolet drivers and teams in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will return to competition this weekend for five-straight weeks of racing. The Bowtie brand is carrying the momentum of a near dominant season as the series nears the halfway point of its regular-season. With seven races complete, four different Team Chevy drivers have earned a combined six wins. In addition, the manufacturer has tallied a series-leading five pole wins – each recorded by a different Team Chevy driver – and accumulated 11 of 14 stage wins thus far this season. Among each of those victories, Chevrolet claimed at least 50 percent of the top-10 finishing positions, including a season-high seven top-10s on two different occasions (Daytona International Speedway and Martinsville Speedway).

Looking Back at a Kansas Sweep

Team Chevy’s Grant Enfinger and Christian Eckes powered the Silverado RST to a sweep of the NCTS races at Kansas Speedway last season. Enfinger is the defending winner of the track’s spring date – with the triumph earning his playoff berth that ultimately led to a runner-up finish in the series’ final points standings. Returning to the 1.5-mile Kansas oval for the series’ Playoffs Round of 10 elimination race, Eckes took the lead on the final restart – leading just the final two circuits to steal the victory. Efinger and Eckes are two of just three former NCTS winners at Kansas Speedway entered for Saturday’s event.

BOWTIE BULLETS:·       With 28 races complete across NASCAR’s three national series this season, Chevrolet has a winning percentage of 60.7% with 17 victories (NASCAR Cup Series – six wins; NASCAR Xfinity Series – five wins; NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – six wins).
·       Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Kansas Speedway:  Kyle Busch – two wins (2021, 2016)Kyle Larson – one win (2021) Chase Elliott – one win (2018)
·       In 36 NASCAR Cup Series races at Kansas Speedway, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 13 victories and 13 poles.
·       Chevrolet won the inaugural race at Kansas Speedway in both the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, courtesy of Jeff Gordon (NCS – Sept. 2001) and Ricky Hendrick (NCTS – July 2001).
·       In four NASCAR Cup Series races this season, Chevrolet has earned at least 50 percent of the top-10 finishing results – three of which have come in the series’ past three events (Texas Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and Dover Motor Speedway). In each of those events, at least three different Chevrolet organizations were represented in the top-10.
·       Team Chevy’s William Byron is the only driver to have a double-digit win record in the NASCAR Cup Series’ Next Gen era – with his victory at Martinsville Speedway marking his 11th all-time victory in the Next Gen Camaro ZL1.
·       In 83 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 43 victories – a winning percentage of 51.8%.
·       With its 42 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 857 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

TUNE-IN:NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400Sunday, May 5, at 3 p.m. ET(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck SeriesHeart of America 200 Saturday, May 4, at 8 pm. ET(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

QUOTABLE QUOTES:ROSS CHASTAIN, NO. 1 BUSCH LIGHT CROCS CAMARO ZL1What is racing at like at Kansas?“Kansas was built like other mile-and-a-half tracks but it doesn’t race like them. It has progressive banking where it gets steeper the further up the track you go up closer to the wall. The winters in Kansas can be tough so that has a big bearing on how the track ages each year. I’ve only raced on the current pavement. I went there the first year of the current pavement in the Truck Series. I’ve gotten to progress with the asphalt there as it ages from super good stuff to where you wanted to stay in the rubber and now you’re looking to get away from the rubber. Now, you want to drive anywhere but where the vehicle in front of you is or where most cars aren’t running. I love the Kansas track. Sometimes I feel like I have to hang on to something so the wind doesn’t blow me away, and sometimes you feel like you’re going to get shoved in the wall because the wind gusts are so strong.”
What are restarts like at Kansas?“Restarts at Kansas are wild. We have to stay above the white line until the start/finish line and then you can bail to the bottom. Going back to racing in the truck series, I’ve made plenty of three-wide going to the bottom to get position on guys. I’ve ripped the top, getting a run drafting in turn 1 and pulling out and being able to run wide open up there and get to the right rear quarter panel and get the pass done. Most vehicles you’re a lot of throttle all of the way to turn 3 on the restart.”

COREY LAJOIE, NO. 7 GAINBRIDGE CAMARO ZL1You had a decent run last Sunday at Dover and Spire Motorsports’ intermediate-track package has been trending in the right direction. It feels like the team is making some gains as we head for Kansas Speedway.“We’re headed to Kansas this weekend looking to make some more positive gains with our Gainbridge Chevrolet. Kansas Speedway has become one of my favorite mile-and-a-halves so this weekend is another great opportunity to create some positive momentum.”

KYLE BUSCH, NO. 8 CHEDDAR’S SCRATCH KITCHEN CAMARO ZL1You ran well in the spring race last year at Kansas. How did that affect your performance in the fall event where you scored a seventh-place finish?“We had a really good car in the spring race at Kansas last year. I felt like we were a top three car for sure and to be able to bring that same speed back the second time to Kansas was really helpful. I think we learned a lot the first race we had there last year.”
What is so challenging about Turn 2 at Kansas? There have been eight cautions at that end of the track over the last three races.“Kansas is tough all around and a lot of it has to do with the wind. The wind can really play havoc on the car’s handling by which direction it’s blowing. I would say that you are trying to maximize your speed at all areas of the track and sometimes when you’re running high against the wall you overstep those bounds and you get in trouble.”

ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1Bowman on racing at Kansas Speedway: “Kansas (Speedway) was one of the first intermediate tracks I got to race at way back in ARCA. I got a lot of laps there and for whatever reason have been pretty naturally successful there (Kansas Speedway) right off the bat, even in the (NASCAR) Cup (Series) car. Obviously we haven’t won there- but we’ve had a lot of good days there. I’m looking forward to getting back to Kansas (Speedway). It’s a fun racetrack that I enjoy going to.”

BLAKE HARRIS, CREW CHIEF, NO. 48 ALLY CAMARO ZL1Harris on racing at Kansas Speedway: “I think our team has had some good intermediate runs this year. Our No. 48 Ally Racing team has carried mostly good momentum the past couple of months and we don’t really expect anything different this weekend in Kansas. I’d say Kansas (Speedway) is easily one of Alex (Bowman)’s top five (performing) tracks. I know he really enjoys going there (Kansas Speedway) and has had some good runs and led some laps. We expect to go compete in the top five this weekend and aim for a shot to win.”

ZANE SMITH, NO. 71 FOCUSED HEALTH CAMARO ZL1Your primary sponsor, Focused Health, is debuting a new paint scheme this weekend. What are your thoughts on the scheme?“I’m pumped for this new paint scheme. When I first saw the renderings, I wanted to run it as soon as possible. It is a scheme that will stand out and everyone will be able to spot easily on the track. I think a new, bright design like this is significant as we progress through the rest of the season. I’m thankful for Focused Health’s support for me and this No.71 team. I am excited to get to Kansas and show it off. Hopefully we will be at the front of the field, and everyone will see it.”

CARSON HOCEVAR, NO. 77 DELAWARE LIFE/CREATIVE ONE CAMARO ZL1Kansas is a track you’ve raced at plenty of times in your career. How are you feeling this week headed back there, this time racing full time in the Cup series for Spire Motorsports?“I really like Kansas and it’s a lot of fun running around the top of the racetrack. Another mile-and-a-half, which seems to be our strong suit. I’m looking forward to racing somewhere where you can move around and try different racing grooves. It’s shaping up to be a good weekend with the 77 team.”

DANIEL SUAREZ, NO. 99 CHOICE PRIVILEGES CAMARO ZL1What do think about racing at Kansas?“Kansas is going to be fun. It’s a mile-and-a-half track that produces great racing because you have the option of going to the bottom or going to the top. It’s a mile-and-a-half but it feels smaller because you can run everywhere.
Our mile-and-a-half program has been pretty good this season. I think that will show this weekend.”

BAYLEY CURREY, NO. 41 AUTOVENTIVE/PRECISION SILVERADO RSTWith three intermediate tracks in a row, how important is it to string together a solid opening race in Kansas?“I think obviously it’s super important. We’re probably going to turn this truck around to race somewhere soon, whether that be in Darlington or Charlotte. So, being able to start off with momentum and build some confidence heading into this string of races will be important. I feel like we’ve had speed at the other mile-and-a-half tracks with our No. 41 Chevy, so I don’t see anything different here.”

MATT MILLS, NO. 42 J.F. ELECTIC/UTILITRA SILVERADO RSTYou’ve had experience in several types of vehicles at this track before, so what are some of the characteristics that make Kansas fun to race on?“I think it’s fun because of the fact that it’s got a lot of grip. You can move around throughout the whole race depending on what your car or truck is doing. Obviously, ripping around the fence is the biggest thrill for us drivers if everything’s working right. Going there in a truck is a little bit more risky to get close to the wall, so hopefully we’ll have a good enough truck to be able to move around and make time so we can race a little more than some of the other mile-and-a-half tracks.”

KADEN HONEYCUTT, NO. 45 NIECE PRODUCTS OF KANSAS SILVERADO RSTWhat are some of the most important driving techniques that you’ve been able to pick up while racing on a mile-and-a-half track compared to the short tracks that you’re accustomed to?“I feel like one of the biggest things I’ve learned is getting used to the dirty air. You have to run opposite lanes and make stuff work, while sure you’re not directly behind someone entering the corner. I feel like Kansas is really good for two-lane racing, especially the bottom was good last year. It changes so much, but that was one of the biggest things was making sure I’m out of line from the truck in front. On the restarts, you need to be in the lane to move to the front on either the top or the bottom lane, whichever is moving forward. You’re just having to constantly search for the air that’s making ground up.”

Chevrolet NASCAR Cup Series Statistics Manufacturers Championships:Total (1949-2023): 42First title for Chevrolet: 1958Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-15) Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023 Drivers Championships:Total (1949-2021): 33First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005-11)Most Recent: Kyle Larson (2021) Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2021 Event Victories:Record for total race wins in single season: 26 (2007) 2024 STATISTICS: Wins: 6Poles: 5Laps Led: 1,175Top-five finishes: 24Top-10 finishes: 43Stage wins: 7· Chase Elliott: 1 · Kyle Larson: 6· Ross Chastain: 1 CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:Total Chevrolet race wins: 857 (1949 to date)Poles won to date: 748Laps led to date: 250,350Top-five finishes to date: 4,322Top-10 finishes to date: 8,904 Total NASCAR Cup Wins by Corporation, 1949 to Date: General Motors: 1,191 Chevrolet: 857 Pontiac: 154 Oldsmobile: 115 Buick: 65 Ford: 828 Ford: 728 Mercury: 96 Lincoln: 4 Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: 467 Dodge: 217 Plymouth: 191 Chrysler: 59 Toyota: 185

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Lucas Oil Late Models Bring Horsepower to the Bluegrass State

May 1, 2024 ARP Trish

BATAVIA, Ohio (May 1, 2024) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will spend the weekend in the Bluegrass state with a visit to Ponderosa Speedway in Junction City, KY on Friday, May 3 and Florence Speedway in Union, KY on Saturday, May 4. Ponderosa Speedway, a unique D-shaped 3/8th mile oval, known as “Kentucky’s Baddest Bullring”, will host the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series for the Billy Todd Classic. The event will include a complete program of: Allstar Performance Time Trials, Heat Races, B-Mains, and a 50-lap, $12,000-to-win main event. Also, in competition on Friday night will be the Crate Late Models, Modifieds, and Hobby Stocks. Ponderosa Speedway is located at 365 Phillips Lane in Junction City, Kentucky. The pit gates will open at 2:30PM followed by general admission gates at 3:00PM with Hot Laps beginning at 7:00PM. For more information about Ponderosa Speedway, visit www.ponderosaspeedway.net. On Saturday, May 4, race teams will vie for a $15,000 top prize in the 38th Annual Ralph Latham Memorial at Florence Speedway. Pit gate opens at 3:00PM on Saturday, with the main and back gates opening at 5:30PM. Hot laps begin at 7:00PM. In addition to the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, the Crate Late Models and Modifieds. Florence Speedway is located in Northern Kentucky off Interstate 71/75, approximately 25 miles south of Cincinnati, Ohio. Take KY exit 180 off I-71/75; west on US 42, nine miles to the track on the left. Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://florencesp.webtix.coor onsite the day of the event. For other information concerning Florence Speedway, visit www.florencespeedway.com. Ricky Thornton Jr. is atop the Big River Steel Chase for the Championship – presented by ARP standings, followed by Jonathan Davenport and Devin Moran. Mike Marlar and Hudson O’Neal round out the top five in the championship point standings. For the latest news, results, championship standings and more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, please visit www.lucasdirt.com. Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series PursesPonderosa Speedway – May 3: 1. $12,000, 2. $6,000, 3. $3,500, 4. $2,800, 5. $2,500, 6. $2,300, 7. $2,200, 8. $2,100, 9. $2,050, 10. $2,000, 11. $1,600, 12. $1,400, 13. $1,200, 14. $1,100, 15. $1,050, 16. $1,000, 17. $1,000, 18. $1,000, 19. $1,000, 20. $1,000, 21. $1,000, 22. $1,000, 23. $1,000, 24. $1,000 = Total $52,800 Florence Speedway – May 4: 1. $15,000, 2. $7,000, 3. $5,000, 4. $4,000, 5. $3,000, 6. $2,500, 7. $2,400, 8. $2,300, 9. $2,200, 10. $2,100, 11. $2,000, 12. $1,800, 13. $1,600, 14. $1,500, 15. $1,400, 16. $1,300, 17. $1,200, 18. $1,100, 19. $1,000, 20. $1,000, 21. $1,000, 22. $1,000, 23. $1,000, 24. $1,000, = Total $63,400 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Tire RuleFriday-Saturday, May 3-4:Left Rear/Fronts – Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) NLMT3 Right Rear – Hoosier (92) NLMT3, (92) NLMT4

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1 MONTH ALERT: Xtreme Outlaw Midgets Set For Massive Three-Day Weekend in Missouri, Illinois

May 1, 2024 ARP Trish

CONCORD, NC (May 1, 2024) – The Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series presented by Toyota returns to Missouri and Illinois for a three-day weekend to cap off May and kick-start June.

Spanning Thursday through Saturday, the Series will visit Doe Run Raceway (Doe Run, MO) on May 30, Coles County Speedway (Mattoon, IL) on May 31 and Wayne County Speedway (Wayne City, IL) on June 1.

The visits to Doe Run and Wayne County will be the Series’ second consecutive year visiting both tracks, while the stop at Coles County’s 1/8-mile track will be the Series’ first.

Last year, 2022 Series champion Zach Daum, of Pocahontas, IL, locked up Victory Lane at Doe Run and both races at Wayne County. Searching for a second title, Daum will be back to defend his wins with Trifecta Motorsports.

When the Series debuts at Coles County Speedway, it’ll also be the track’s first national Midget race, having recently opened in 2019.

The events at Doe Run and Coles County will also count toward the Xtreme Outlaw-POWRi Challenge Series, seeing Xtreme Outlaw and POWRi stars going head to head for the Challenge championship – won by last year by Daum, who’s also the current Challenge Series points leader.

EVENT INFO FOR DOE RUN
Date – Thursday, May 30
Location – Doe Run, MO

Times (CT) –
2PM Pit Gates Open
5PM Grandstand Gates Open
6:30PM Hot Laps & Qualifying
-Racing to follow

Tickets – Available at track.
How to Watch – Can’t make it? You can watch all the action live on DIRTVision.

Last Race Video Recap (July 21, 2023) –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UymwSRgLQg

Previous Xtreme Outlaw winner at Doe Run –
2023 – Zach Daum on July 21

EVENT INFO FOR COLES COUNTY
Date – Friday, May 31
Location – Mattoon, IL

Times (CT) –
2PM Pit Gates Open
5PM Grandstand Gates Open
6:30PM Hot Laps & Qualifying
-Racing to follow

Tickets – Available at track.
How to Watch – Can’t make it? You can watch all the action live on DIRTVision.

EVENT INFO FOR WAYNE COUNTY
Date – Saturday, June 1
Location – Wayne City, IL

Times (CT) –
2PM Pit Gates Open
5PM Grandstand Gates Open
6:30PM Hot Laps & Qualifying
-Racing to follow

Tickets – Available at track.
How to Watch – Can’t make it? You can watch all the action live on DIRTVision.Last Race Video Recap (June 3, 2023) –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDp0L1R1Yrs

Previous Xtreme Outlaw winner at Wayne County –
2023 – Zach Daum on June 2 & June 3

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Tickets for 77th SC2 Peoria TT Now on Sale

May 1, 2024 ARP Trish

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 1, 2024) – Tickets are now on sale for the 77th running of the World Famous SC2 Peoria TT presented by Backyards Saloon, Round 11 of the 2024 Progressive American Flat Track season, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. The world’s greatest motorcycle dirt track racers will compete for glory at one of the sport’s most fabled races on Sunday, July 28. The thousands of fans who flock to line the hillsides at the Peoria Motorcycle Club’s natural amphitheater will be treated to a race more difficult to predict than any in recent memory. Mission SuperTwins king Jared Mees is seeking to at last add a Peoria TT triumph to his record-setting résumé after finishing second in the race on no less than seven occasions, while title rival and local hero Dallas Daniels looks to fulfill his destiny at the race he dreamed of conquering as a youngster. Both will need to overcome 2019 Peoria TT winner Briar Bauman, who headlines a long list of talented riders with designs on claiming the coveted prize in 2024. That sense of unpredictability extends to the Parts Unlimited AFT Singles presented by KICKERclass, where all of its recent winners have since graduated to the premier class. General Admission Grandstand tickets are just $35 (kids 12 and under free with a paid adult General Admission ticket), while VIP Pass tickets, which include admission to the Turn 1 VIP lounge are $150 (all ages). The Pit Pass Upgrade grants access to the pit area for $40 ($20 for kids 12 and under). Visit https://www.tixr.com/groups/peoriamotorcycleclub/events/peoria-tt-2024-80043 to reserve your seats today.
For more information on Progressive AFT visit https://www.americanflattrack.com.

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Brandon Sheppard Hoping ‘Change of Pace’ With World of Outlaws Sprint Car Debut Leads to Late Model Success

May 1, 2024 ARP Trish

JACKSONVILLE, IL (May 1, 2024) – Brandon Sheppard is getting back to his roots of “put a race car in front of him and he’ll drive it.”This time, it’s a Sprint Car. A 410 Sprint Car with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.The four-time World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series champion will make his debut with the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars at Jacksonville Speedway on Wednesday, May 1, during the Hy-Vee Perks 40.“Initially, everyone was surprised that I done it because they’ve offered me a few times over the years and just never had any intentions on doing anything,” Sheppard said. “This year, I just kind of thought it was time to change it up and do something different. Kind of get back to my roots a little bit. I used to drive whatever they put in front of me.”While the No. B5 Sprint Car he’ll drive for his relatives, Jake and Jim Neuman, bears no comparison to his Sheppard Riggs Racing No. B5 Late Model – other than the design of the number – there’s still benefits he can take away from the experience.“Definitely hasn’t been the year we wanted in the Late Model,” Sheppard said. “So, just kind of clear my head and change the pace a little bit and see if it helps us out in the Late Model.”About 36 hours after running the Sprint Car, he’ll jump back behind the wheel of his Longhorn Chassis Factory Team car to compete with the World of Outlaws Late Models at Mississippi Thunder Speedway for the Dairyland Showdown, May 3-4 – still looking for his first win this year with the Series.That quick change of race car diversity is one of the reasons Sheppard agreed to run the Sprint Car, pointing to how similar situations have helped other drivers.“Anytime you can drive different cars… I mean, look at Kyle Larson, for example,” Sheppard said. “He’s so good at everything he gets in. I think he’d credit the same thing, that getting to get in and drive all these different cars and do all this different stuff; I feel like that helps him not get too complacent with one thing.“A lot of times, you get in these cars, and you do the same thing week in and week out, and you get into bad habits. Then, the next thing you know you’re doing bad habits at every track you go to. When you drive different stuff, it helps keep you on your toes and have a little bit different feel. Obviously, the feel is going to be different than anything I’d feel in a Late Model, but it’s just the fact of getting in something and going fast in a different kind of car. Really clearing my head of all things Late Model for one night and just go have fun and see what we can do. Then, hopefully go into Mississippi Thunder fresh and ready to go.”The New Berlin, IL native will have a large fanbase at Jacksonville, IL track, having grown up about 20 minutes from the speedway and made several laps there in various cars – including a 410 Sprint Car more than a decade ago.“We do the Outlaw event as really just sort of something fun for our fans to take in during the season and, obviously, having Brandon in a Sprint Car has it have even more interest,” said Jacksonville Speedway promoter Kenny Dobson – who once fielded a Midget for Sheppard. “It gets national interest because Brandon is a national brand, but here, locally, Brandon is Brandon. He just has a huge fanbase. I think everyone around here is pretty confident Brandon can get a Sprint Car around Jacksonville Speedway just fine.”Sheppard’s first laps around Jacksonville in a Neuman car made him internet famous for the night, pulling a photo-worthy wheelie with the nose to sky.“It literally was on the first lap,” Sheppard said with a chuckle. “I went out there… I knew it wasn’t doing to do me any good to pace around there for two laps, so I got out there and got after it and it stood up on me there. It was definitely crazy, but like I said, the only way to get the feel for it is to jump right in and go do it.”After the excitement, he began turning decent laps, Jake Neuman said. Sheppard’s car will be one of Neuman’s backups with the Illinois-based team’s standard Jacksonville set up.“I don’t see a problem with him not making the show,” Neuman said. “Our stuff runs good enough. We get around there pretty good and he can in a Late Model and basically anything he’s ever been in, so I think we’ll be OK.”After Jacksonville, don’t expect to see Sheppard become a Sprint Car regular. For now, it’s a one-time deal, he said. Maybe another Sprint Car run next year. But being a guy that’ll drive anything you put in front of him, he made sure to add… “You never know.”Grandstand tickets for the Hy-Vee Perks 40 at Jacksonville Speedway are sold out, however, you can still purchase a pit pass. Gates open at 4 p.m. (CT) with Hot Laps scheduled for 6 p.m.Or, if you plan on attending the Dairyland Showdown at Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, WI, boasting two $25,000-to-win Features, tickets are available at the track. Gates open at 5 p.m. (CT) with Hot Laps scheduled for 6:30 p.m.If you can’t make it to the tracks, you can watch both races live on DIRTVision.

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WHAT TO WATCH FOR: World of Outlaws Return to Wisconsin For Duel $25K Paydays at Dairyland Showdown

May 1, 2024 ARP Trish

The event returns as a two-day battle next to the Mississippi River, May 3-4

FOUNTAIN CITY, WI (April 30, 2024) – Mississippi Thunder Speedway is back to kick off May racing for the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models with a Dairyland Showdown doubleheader.

Now a two-day event (May 3-4) after Mother Nature canceled Thursday’s race, Friday and Saturday’s events will see drivers duel in 50-lap Features for a $25,000 payday each night.

Local division Modifieds will share the track with the “Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet” to round out the twin days of racing.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the track on race day, with grandstand gates opening at 3 p.m. CT. For more information about the Dairyland Showdown, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch every World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model race live on DIRTVision.

Here are the top storylines to look out for this weekend:

Sprint to Thunder: Prior to joining the World of Outlaws Late Models at Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Brandon Sheppard will make his World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series debut at Jacksonville Speedway on Wednesday, May 1 – a chance for him to have a little fun before returning to his day job.

Sheppard holds the title for most Series wins all-time at Mississippi Thunder with two points wins and one preliminary Feature win.

When Sheppard won his fourth Series title in 2021, he was leading the points visiting Mississippi Thunder and won his first race of the season. With the same circumstances appearing in 2024, does the trend continue?

Double Duty Bobby: Reigning World of Outlaws champion Bobby Pierce enters Mississippi Thunder Speedway poised to claim his second win at the track in two years.

The Oakwood, IL driver hopes to leave the weekend as both a Series winner and Modified winner as he will strap into Jimmy Mars’ UMP Modified for the Modified portion of the Dairyland Showdown.

The “Smooth Operator” has recorded wins in a UMP Modified, but this will be his first time piloting one at Mississippi Thunder Speedway.

He’s the most recent Feature points winner with the Series, having won at Farmer City Raceway – now sitting eighth in points, 122 points back from the lead.

Thunderous History: With Ryan Gustin, Chris Madden and Cade Dillard looking for their first World of Outlaws CASE Late Models win in 2024, Mississippi Thunder may present a good opportunity as all three have found success there.

Madden won with the Series at Mississippi Thunder in 2021.

Before racing with the Series, Gustin recorded five wins with USMTS at Mississippi Thunder. “The Reaper” also enters with momentum from winning his first race with the Hunt the Front Super Dirt Series aboard his Todd Cooney Motorsports Infinity Chassis.

Dillard won his first race at Mississippi Thunder last season after a wheel-to-wheel battle with Brent Larson in the closing laps.

Mad Max’s Momentum: Max McLaughlin has finally arrived. The MD3 Rookie of the Year contender caught a giant wave with his first win at the Talladega Short Track in a rain-shortened Feature.

The Mooresville, NC native has expressed that the dirt Late Model has been his biggest challenge to drive and is eager to keep improving after each outing.

McLaughlin and team owner GR Smith are hoping to show that the Talladega win was not a fluke as they continue their maiden season together.

The One That Got Away: Brent Larson and Tyler Bruening, who have both seen wins at Mississippi Thunder slip away, look for redemption this weekend as they each hope to attain their first career Series win.

Larson led last year’s prelim Feature until he and Cade Dillard collided and sent the #B1 into the wall. The Wisconsin track is one of two sites where Larson scored his Series-high Feature finish of second place.

The same can be said for Bruening, who missed out on the inaugural Feature win at Mississippi Thunder after starting from the pole. The driver of the Skyline Motorsports #16 sits fifth in the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models standings – 82 points back of Sheppard.

Friday and Saturday’s Purse – 50 Laps

$25,000
$12,000
$6,500
$5,250
$4,500
$4,000
$3,500
$3,250
$3,000
$2,800
$2,500
$2,300
$2,200
$2,100
$2,000
$1,900
$1,850
$1,800
$1,750
$1,750
$1,750
$1,750
$1,750
$1,750

WHEN AND WHERE

Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, WI

ABOUT THE TRACK

Mississippi Thunder Speedway is a 0.375-mile high-banked oval

TRACK RECORD

13.441 seconds by Dennis Erb Jr on 5/5/2022

ONLINE
Mississippi Thunder Speedway at https://mississippithunder.com/

ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws CASE Late Models Series
X – Twitter.com/WoOLateModels – @WoOLateModels
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOLateModels – @woolatemodels
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsLateModelSeries
YouTube – YouTube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/month

AROUND THE TURN

The World of Outlaws CASE Late Models travel to a four-day string of races in Ohio and Pennsylvania on May 16-19, visiting Raceway 7 (May 16), Bedford Speedway (May 17), Marion Center Raceway (May 18), and Path Valley Speedway (May 19).

FEATURE WINNERS: (3 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 2
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 2
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 1
Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 1

HEAT RACE WINNERS (12 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 4
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 3
Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 3
Cade Dillard – Robeline, LA – 3
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 3
Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – 3
Dale McDowell – Chickamauga, GA – 2
Ricky Thornton Jr – Martinsville, IN – 2
Shannon Babb – Moweaqua – IL -1
Dennis Erb Jr – Carpentersville, IL – 1
Drake Troutman – Hyndman, PA – 1
Tyler Bruening – Decorah, IA – 1
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 1
Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 1
Garrett Smith – Eatonton, GA – 1

LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (6 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 3
Jimmy Owens – Newport, TN – 2
Dustin Sorensen – Rochester, MN – 2
Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA – 1
Dennis Erb Jr – Carpentersville, IL – 1
Cody Overton – Thomson, GA – 1
Frank Heckenast Jr – Frankfort, IL – 1
Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 1
Chase Junghans – Manhattan, KS – 1
Boom Briggs – Bear Lake, PA – 1
Tripp Gerrald – Versailles, KY – 1

PODIUM FINISHES (5 Drivers)
Rank – Driver – Hometown – Podiums

Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 4
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 3
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 3
Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 2
Cade Dillard – Robeline, LA – 1
Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX – 1
Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 1
Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL – 1
Ricky Thornton Jr – Martinsville, IN – 1
Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 1

FOX FACTORY HARD CHARGER (3 Drivers)
Rank – Driver – Hometown – H.C.

Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL – 2
Max Blair – Centerville, PA – 2
Ricky Thornton Jr – Martinsville, IN – 1
Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 1

SIMPSON RACING PRODUCTS QUICK TIMES (3 Drivers)
Rank – Driver – Hometown – QTs

Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 2
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 1
Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY – 1
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 1

MD3 ROOKIE OF THE RACE AWARD (2 Drivers)

Rank – Driver – Hometown – Wins

Cody Overton – Evans, GA – 4
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 1
Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA – 1

BILSTEIN REDRAW POLE AWARD (4 Drivers)

Rank – Driver – Hometown – Poles

1.Cade Dillard – Robeline, LA – 2

Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 1
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 1
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 1
Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN – 1

CASE FEATURE LAP LEADERS (7 Drivers)
Rank – Driver – Hometown – Laps Led

Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL – 48
Devin Moran – Dresden, OH – 47
Nick Hoffman – Mooresville, NC – 40
Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN – 29
Chris Madden – Gray Court, SC – 27
Ricky Thornton Jr – Martinsville, IN – 16
Cade Dillard – Robeline, LA – 15
Ethan Dotson – Bakersfield, CA – 6

2024 World of Outlaws Late Model Schedule & Winners

Friday, Jan. 19/Vololusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Devin Moran
Saturday, Jan. 20/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Hudson O’Neal
Thursday, Feb. 15 /Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Nick Hoffman
Friday, Jan. 19/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Devin Moran (2)
Friday, Apr. 12/Farmer City Raceway/Farmer City, IL/Nick Hoffman (2)
Saturday, Apr. 13/Farmer City Raceway/Farmer City, IL/Bobby Pierce

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1 MONTH ALERT: Big Payouts on Tap at Two-Day Beaver Dam Special For World of Outlaws

May 1, 2024 ARP Trish

BEAVER DAM, WI (April 30, 2024) – When the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series returns to Beaver Dam Raceway for the two-day Jim “JB” Boyd Memorial, May 31-June 1, two big checks will be on the line.First, drivers will contend for a $12,000 payday on Friday. Then, $20,000 will be on the line for Saturday’s Feature.The weekend will be the Series’ first of six races in the “Badger State” this year. And the first of six chances for Wisconsin resident Bill Balog to score a home win.

Balog, who’s one of the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year contenders, has 22 victories at the 1/3-mile track, including a win with the World of Outlaws in 2016 – his first and only with the Series.Last year, Giovanni Scelzi and Sheldon Haudenschild each picked up a Series win at Beaver Dam. Haudenschild has won four of the last five races there.

EVENT INFO
Date – Friday-Saturday, May 31-June 1
Location – Beaver Dam, WI
Track Record – 11.025 sec. by Sheldon Haudenschild on June 30, 2021

Times (CT) –
2PM Pit Gates open
4PM Grandstand Gates open
6:30PM Hot Laps & Qualifying
-Racing to follow

Tickets – Available at SLSPromotions.com.
How to Watch – Can’t make it? Watch every lap live on DIRTVision.

Last Race Video Recap (June 17, 2023) –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXcyZAZ8eaAPrevious World of Outlaws winners at Beaver Dam –
2023 – Gio Scelzi on June 16, Sheldon Haudenschild on June 17
2022 – Sheldon Haudenschild on June 17 & June 18
2021 – Sheldon Haudenschild on June 19
2020 – Brad Sweet on June 5 & June 6
2019 – Brad Sweet on June 22
2018 – Daryn Pittman on June 23
2017 – Shane Stewart on June 24
2016 – Bill Balog on June 25
2015 – Donny Schatz on June 27
2014 – Brad Sweet on June 28
2013 – Craig Dollansky on June 29
2012 – Kraig Kinser on July 7
2011 – Joey Saldana on July 9
2010 – Joey Saldana on July 10
2009 – Danny Lasoski on July 11
2008 – Steve Kinser on Aug. 2
2007 – Jason Solwold on Aug. 3, Daryn Pittman on Sept. 16
2006 – Jac Haudenschild on June 14
2005 – Craig Dollansky on July 6, Daryn Pittman on Sept. 24
2004 – Tim Shaffer on Sept. 25, Steve Kinser on June 12
2003 – Joey Saldana on April 22, Daryn Pittman on Aug. 3
2002 – Donny Schatz on July 10
1998 – Jac Haudenschild on June 17
1997 – Mark Kinser on May 4, Dave Blaney on June 18
1996 – Dave Blaney on May 5

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WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Three Races in Four Nights Bring World of Outlaws to Jacksonville, Eldora

May 1, 2024 ARP Trish

The Greatest Show on Dirt returns to an Illinois bullring before heading to one of the country’s most famed half miles JACKSONVILLE, IL (April 30, 2024) – An action-packed trio of races are next for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars.A stretch of three races in four nights this week kicks off with a highly anticipated bullring battle at Illinois’ Jacksonville Speedway on Wednesday, May 1, for the Hy-Vee Perks 40. The 1/4 mile in the Land of Lincoln never fails to deliver thrilling action with its tight confines. The Greatest Show on Dirt has made four previous trips to Jacksonville, most recently in 2021.It’s a diverse week in terms of the style of racetracks. After the midweek stop at Jacksonville, the tour rolls to Rossburg, OH where the wide, high banked, 1/2 mile that is Eldora Speedway awaits. With 235 previous visits, “The Big E” is the most visited track in Series history and will add two more tallies to that total on May 3-4. #LetsRaceTwo gives winged and wingless Sprint Car fans everything they could want as the World of Outlaws are joined by the USAC National Sprint Cars both nights.BUY JACKSONVILLE TICKETS HERE
BUY FRIDAY ELDORA TICKETS HERE
BUY SATURDAY ELDORA TICKETS HEREWATCH LIVE ON DIRTVisionLet’s look at the week’s top storylines:MACEDO’S MOMENT: The 2024 season has been an uphill battle for Carson Macedo and Jason Johnson Racing since beginning the year with four straight finishes outside the top 10. They’ve clawed their way forward with 11 consecutive top 10s including five podiums, and this week presents an excellent opportunity to gain more ground.Macedo will be the only driver in the pit area this week with a World of Outlaws win at both Jacksonville and Eldora. Back in 2019 Macedo topped the Jacksonville visit for his fifth career Series victory. Eldora is equaled for the winningest track on Macedo’s World of Outlaws résumé. The Lemoore, CA native has topped a trio of races at “The Big E,” all aboard the JJR #41. The most recent was last year’s Knight Before the Kings Royal.Three nights at two tracks that have been kind to Macedo offers the chance to make up more ground as he chases a title. He’s currently fifth in points, only four markers behind fourth and 68 behind David Gravel for the top spot. ELDORA EXCELLENCE: There’s something about Eldora Speedway that seems to perfectly suit Donny Schatz. Maybe he likes to up his game at his race team’s boss – Tony Stewart’s – racetrack. Whatever it is, you can almost always count on Schatz to be up front at Eldora.The historic half mile is responsible for 18 of Schatz’s 313 career World of Outlaws victories, most recently claiming his sixth Kings Royal crown last July. The 10-time Series champion has 19 total Eldora triumphs having also topped the 2002 Historical Big One. It’s not just about winning for Schatz at Eldora. He’s also extraordinarily consistent. In his last 90 Eldora Feature starts, Schatz has missed the top 10 only eight times. Exactly half of those starts (45) have resulted in podiums. BIG E VICTORY: Macedo and Schatz aren’t the only current full-time World of Outlaws competitors with Eldora success under their belt.The Ohio oval is home to four of Logan Schuchart’s 41 career Series wins. The Shark Racing pilot picked up the most recent of those four during last year’s #LetsRaceTwo opener. Schuchart also famously topped the Eldora Million last July to take home the biggest payday in Sprint Car history.Current Series point leader David Gravel also owns four Series triumphs at Eldora. They’ve been spread between three teams with a 2014 win with Roth Motorsports, one in 2016 with CJB Motorsports, and a pair in 2022 with his current team – Big Game Motorsports. The Watertown, CT native also scored $52,000 with the All-Star Circuit of Champions at Eldora in 2020.Ohio’s own Sheldon Haudenschild has made one previous trip to Eldora Speedway Victory Lane, driving the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing #17 to the win during 2021’s #LetsRaceTwo. With three victories already in 2024, he’s currently tied with Gravel as the Series leader in wins this season.BSHEPP’S CROSSOVER: Wednesday’s visit to Jacksonville will serve up one of the most interesting World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car debuts in Series history. Four-time World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model champion – Brandon Sheppard – is trading the fenders for some open-wheel action.Sheppard is jumping in an entry fielded by his cousins – Jake and Jim Neuman – that will have his familiar #B5 on the wing. It’s set to be a home game Series debut as Sheppard calls New Berlin, IL home – a mere 20 miles from Jacksonville.The all-time winningest driver with the World of Outlaws Late Models isn’t entirely unfamiliar with Sprint Cars. Sheppard turned some laps from time to time near the end of the 2000s and the beginning of the 2010s.DIVERSE FIELD: On top of the unique addition of Sheppard to Wednesday’s roster, the Jacksonville pit area is expected to fill with a variety of drivers to create a diverse field.Chase Briscoe intends to make his first World of Outlaws Sprint Car appearance since a 2018 trip to Tri-State Speedway. The NASCAR Cup Series full-timer is fresh off picking up a Sprint Car win as a car owner as Karter Sarff claimed the Midwest Open Wheel Association (MOWA) checkered flag at Red Hill Raceway aboard the CBR #5 three nights ago. Now, it’s Briscoe’s turn to have some fun behind the wheel at Jacksonville.On the local side, Pocahontas, IL’s Zach Daum plans to make his second Series appearance of the season. Daum owns plenty of Midget laps around Jacksonville including a POWRi win back in 2016. It’s also home to his one career World of Outlaws top 10 in 2019.Logan Seavey will be back in the World of Outlaws pit area for the first time in two years as he hops aboard a Landon Simon Racing entry for Wednesday. The Sutter, CA native is a familiar face to Jacksonville fans as he’s won five times at the Illinois oval in POWRi Midget action. Seavey has also raced there twice in a Sprint Car with MOWA, finishing third and fifth.This trio will be accompanied by many others ready to battle the World of Outlaws in some midweek bullring action.THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCEWHEN AND WHERE Wednesday, May 1 at Jacksonville Speedway in Jacksonville, IL
Friday-Saturday, May 3-4 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OHON THE INTERNETWorld of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series
X – @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – @WoOSprint
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsSprintCarSeries
YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/monthCURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (15/80 Races):1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports #2 (2110 PTS)
2. Donny Schatz – Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15 (-34 PTS)
3. Giovanni Scelzi – KCP Racing #18 (-52 PTS)
4. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing #1S (-64 PTS)
5. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing #41 (-68 PTS)
6. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports #83 (-108 PTS)
7. Sheldon Haudenschild – Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing #17 (-154 PTS)
8. Bill Balog – B Squared Motorsports #17B (-210 PTS)
9. Brock Zearfoss – Brock Zearfoss Racing #3Z (-314 PTS)
10. Landon Crawley – Sides Motorsports #7S (-388 PTS)NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (10 Drivers): 3 Wins – David Gravel, Sheldon Haudenschild
2 Wins – Donny Schatz
1 Win – Brad Sweet, Tyler Courtney, Brent Marks, Giovanni Scelzi, Carson Macedo, Rico Abreu, Brady BaconFEATURE LAPS LED (13 Drivers):94 Laps – David Gravel
77 Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
56 Laps – Giovanni Scelzi
55 Laps – Carson Macedo
54 Laps – Rico Abreu
42 Laps – Donny Schatz
26 Laps – Brady Bacon
25 Laps – Brad Sweet
13 Laps – Anthony Macri, Michael Kofoid
11 Laps – Bill Balog
3 Laps – Brent Marks
1 Lap – Tyler Courtney SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (8 Drivers):4 Quick Times – Carson Macedo
2 Quick Times – Brent Marks, Michael Kofoid, Giovanni Scelzi, David Gravel
1 Quick Time – Landon Crawley, Brian Brown, Aaron ReutzelHEAT RACE WINNERS (20 Drivers): 8 Heat Wins – David Gravel
6 Heat Wins – Giovanni Scelzi, Sheldon Haudenschild
5 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo, Michael Kofoid
4 Heat Wins – Brent Marks, Rico Abreu
2 Heat Wins – Brian Brown, Tyler Courtney, Landon Crawley
1 Heat Win – Corey Day, Justin Peck, Bill Balog, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Brock Zearfoss, Logan Schuchart, Bill Rose, Ryan Timms, Donny Schatz, Danny Sams IIITOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (30 Drivers):12 Dashes – David Gravel
11 Dashes – Giovanni Scelzi
10 Dashes – Carson Macedo
9 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild, Michael Kofoid
7 Dashes – Rico Abreu, Bill Balog
5 Dashes – Brent Marks, Donny Schatz, Landon Crawley, Logan Schuchart
4 Dashes – Tyler Courtney, Brian Brown
2 Dashes – Brad Sweet, Aaron Reutzel
1 Dash – Anthony Macri, Justin Peck, Zeb Wise, Corey Day, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Brock Zearfoss, Bill Rose, Ryan Timms, Garet Williamson, James McFadden, Logan McCandless, Ayrton Gennetten, Brady Bacon, Emerson Axsom, Danny Sams IIIMICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (12 Drivers):1 LCS – Austin McCarl, Bill Balog, Corey Day, Kasey Kahne, Koty Adams, Jace Park, Anthony Macri, Landon Crawley, Logan McCandless, Garet Williamson, Brock Zearfoss, Kevin NewtonKSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (12 Drivers):2 Hard Chargers – Carson Macedo, Logan Schuchart, Donny Schatz
1 Hard Charger – Aaron Reutzel, Jace Park, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Brock Zearfoss, Chase Randall, Chris Windom, Noah Gass, Austin McCarl, Giovanni ScelziPODIUM FINISHES (15 Drivers):8 Podiums – David Gravel
5 Podiums – Donny Schatz, Carson Macedo, Michael Kofoid
4 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild
3 Podiums – Brad Sweet, Rico Abreu, Giovanni Scelzi
2 Podiums – Tyler Courtney, Brent Marks
1 Podium – Justin Peck, Anthony Macri, Aaron Reutzel, Bill Balog, Brady BaconTOP 10 FINISHES (36 Drivers): 14 Top 10s – Giovanni Scelzi
13 Top 10s – Donny Schatz, David Gravel, Logan Schuchart
12 Top 10s – Michael Kofoid
11 Top 10s – Carson Macedo
9 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild, Bill Balog
6 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney
5 Top 10s – Brent Marks, Rico Abreu
4 Top 10s – Anthony Macri, Brock Zearfoss
3 Top 10s – Brad Sweet, Brian Brown, Aaron Reutzel
2 Top 10s – Ryan Timms, Chase Randall, Cole Macedo
1 Top 10 – Justin Peck, Kasey Kahne, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Zeb Wise, Corey Day, Cory Eliason, Landon Crawley, Jacob Allen, Chris Windom, Garet Williamson, James McFadden, Joe B. Miller, Kraig Kinser, Ayrton Gennetten, Brady Bacon, Emerson Axsom, Scotty Milan2024 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)1. Wed, Feb 7 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brad Sweet (1)
2. Thurs, Feb 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1)
3. Fri, Feb 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Tyler Courtney (1)
4. Sat, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)
5. Mon, March 4 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Donny Schatz (1)
6. Fri, March 15 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / Brent Marks (1)
7. Sat, March 16 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / Giovanni Scelzi (1)
8. Sat, March 23 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX / Carson Macedo (1)
9. Sat, March 30 / 81 Speedway / Wichita, KS / Rico Abreu (1)
10. Fri, April 5 / US 36 Raceway / Osborn, MO / David Gravel (2)
11. Sat, April 6 / Arrowhead Speedway / Colcord, OK / Sheldon Haudenschild (2)
12. Fri, April 12 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / David Gravel (3)
13. Sat, April 13 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Donny Schatz (2)
14. Fri, April 19 / Paducah International Raceway / Paducah, KY / Sheldon Haudenschild (3)
15. Sat, April 20 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Brady Bacon (1)For the full 2024 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car schedule, CLICK HERE.

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Dominic Scelzi Receives Confidence Boost Following First Win of the Season

May 1, 2024 ARP Trish

Inside Line Promotions – HANFORD, Calif. (April 30, 2024) – Dominic Scelzi captured his first victory of the season last Saturday at Kings Speedway.

“I feel like for the first time in a long time I rolled into Hanford with less confidence than I’ve had in a long time because we didn’t seem to do much right during our couple of months in the Midwest,” he said. “It didn’t help in qualifying on Saturday when I jumped the cushion. I was trying too hard to maximize what I could get out of the race car.”

Scelzi kicked off his first race of the season in his home state of California by qualifying sixth quickest. He then won every race he entered the remainder of the night.

“In the heat race I knew we’d be pretty good starting on the bottom,” he said. “In the dash when we won it Cole (Macedo) started sixth and got to second. I knew he’d be on his game and really good in the feature. In my opinion it’d be the two fastest cars racing it out.”

Scelzi led nearly the entire main event, but he was passed for the top spot near the midpoint.

“We led the first half and I was searching in traffic,” he said. “Macedo got by on the bottom. I slid a lapped car in turns three and four. Cole passed me and the lapped car on the bottom. He led that lap and the bottom of turns one and two. He followed a lapped car into the bottom of turns three and four. I powered around the both of them. I ran the middle of turns one and two and he slid me in turns three and four the next lap, but I turned under him and stuck the bottom the rest of the race.”

The triumphant performance was significant in more ways than one for Scelzi.

“It was the confidence boost I needed as a driver,” he said. “I think that was my 13 ^th win overall in Hanford, which I believe is in the top 10 of all-time wins there. That means a lot for it being one of my home tracks.”

Scelzi will return to Kings Speedway this Friday before running double duty in a 410ci winged sprint car and 360ci winged sprint on Saturday at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif.

“My biggest goal is to qualify well during all three races this weekend,” he said. “I think if we can do that we’ll put ourselves in a good position to win.”

QUICK RESULTS –

April 27 – Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. – Qualifying: 6; Heat race: 1 (1); Dash: 1 (1); Feature: 1 (1).

SEASON STATS –

16 races, 1 win, 3 top fives, 3 top 10s, 11 top 15s, 15 top 20s

UP NEXT –

Friday at Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif., and Saturday at Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare, Calif., with the NARC 410 Sprint Car Series

MEDIA LINKS –

Website: http://www.GaryScelziMotorsports.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Scelzi41

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