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By Alex Nieten
Trent Gower Photo
Two nights at “The Speed Palace” conclude with a $15,000 to win finale and wrap up 2023 Pennsylvania dates
The storied rivalry between the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars and Pennsylvania Posse turns the final page of another chapter this weekend.
The destination is Port Royal Speedway as The Greatest Show on Dirt invades the half mile for the Nittany Showdown. The two nights (October 6-7) will conclude with a $15,000 to win finale and punctuate the 2023 battle between the World of Outlaws and PA Posse. The weekend will mark the Series’ first visit to “The Speed Palace” of the season.
The atmosphere promises to be electric. A massive field of cars expected. The two sides of the rivalry aiming for one last statement victory. A slew of invaders looking to steal the show. It’s going to be a wild final weekend in PA.
ADVANTAGE OUTLAWS: Seven races have been contested in Pennsylvania this season, and the World of Outlaws hold the upper hand with four victories heading into the final two rounds.
Four-time and reigning Series champion – Brad Sweet – has led the way with a pair of victories, both at Williams Grove Speedway including one this past Saturday. “The Big Cat” has only missed the top five once through the seven PA appearances in 2023. David Gravel scored one for the World of Outlaws in July when the Series made their long-awaited return to BAPS Motor Speedway. Former Posse turned Outlaw – Logan Schuchart – went to Williams Grove Victory Lane in July.
On the Posse side, Anthony Macri made PA proud with a thrilling last lap pass at Lincoln Speedway in May for his third career Series win. Myerstown, PA’s Brent Marks is fresh off topping the Champion Racing Oil National Open at Williams Grove for a $75,000 score.
The other two races have been chalked up to the “invader” category as Californian Rico Abreu, who races all over the country, took wins at Lincoln in March and Williams Grove in July.
A win on either night for the World of Outlaws would give them bragging rights over the rivalry this year while the Posse would need to sweep the weekend to even the score and force both sides to settle for a tie.
HOME TURF: With the amount of talent PA produces, it inevitably sends some stars to the World of Outlaws tour meaning visits to tracks like Port Royal are trips to home turf for some. Third year driver on the tour – Brock Zearfoss – is one of a few who currently fall into that category.
Before embarking on the World of Outlaws tour, Zearfoss earned a 2017 track championship at Port Royal that saw him pick up five victories along the way. The “Jonestown Jet” is yet to win at his home state oval with the World of Outlaws, but it is the site of one of his nine career Series top fives.
Logan Schuchart is another Pennsylvanian touring with The Greatest Show on Dirt. The second win of the Shark Racing driver’s World of Outlaws career came at Port Royal in 2016. The Hanover, PA native is yet to revisit Port Royal Victory Lane but could become only the fourth driver with multiple World of Outlaws wins at the track this weekend.
BAYSTON’S BREAKTHROUGH: Before Spencer Bayston became a full-time World of Outlaws competitor last season with CJB Motorsports, the pairing linked toward the end of 2021. In only their fourth start as a full-time duo, Bayston and CJB broke through with a victory. The track they topped? Port Royal Speedway.
It was this same October weekend in 2021 when Bayston took the PA-based team to Victory Lane at the team’s home state track. At the time, that was Bayston’s second career World of Outlaws win, and he’s since added three more behind the wheel of the #5.
The two nights at the half mile could be a welcome weekend as Bayston is looking to rebound after a tough National Open weekend. In addition to his win, Bayston has been in the top 10 in half of his 16 Sprint Car starts at Port Royal.
THE CONCRETE KID: History was made at last year’s Nittany Showdown. Entering the weekend, Anthony Macri didn’t own a World of Outlaws win, but he changed that in a big way by sweeping the two races. With the pair of victories, Macri became the fourth driver in Series history and first since 1979 to earn their first two triumphs back-to-back.
While Macri has excelled at other tracks and regions of the country, his prowess at Port Royal has always stood out. At only 24 years old, Macri already owns more than 20 victories at the Juniata County oval including two this year.
This Friday, “The Concrete Kid” could make a little more history by joining Donny Schatz as the only driver to win three consecutive World of Outlaws races at Port Royal. Another weekend sweep would make him the only to top four straight.
POSSE POTENTIAL: In addition to Macri, multiple other Posse representatives could best the World of Outlaws this weekend. Last year proved as much when the PA locals took five of the six podium spots over the two nights at Port Royal.
Like any conversation about the Posse, this one isn’t complete without mentioning Lance Dewease. The Fayetteville, PA native owns a whopping 122 wins at Port Royal, most recently topping the Bob Weikert Memorial this year against the All-Star Circuit of Champions.
Five-time and defending Port Royal track champion – Logan Wagner – is on the hunt for his first World of Outlaws win. Last year the Harrisonville, PA native collected his first Series podium at “The Speed Palace,” and it’s also been the site of all three of his top 10 finishes.
Fresh off his National Open win, Brent Marks can’t be counted out to tally more victories for the Posse. The “Myerstown Missile” has never bested the World of Outlaws at Port Royal, but he’s been a runner-up twice including the most recent visit to the track last year.
If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the action live on DIRTVision.
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
WHEN AND WHERE
Friday and Saturday, October 6-7 at Port Royal Speedway in Port Royal, PA
ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series
Twitter – @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/month
CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (63/72 Races):
1. 49 – Brad Sweet (8536PTS) 2. 2 – David Gravel (-90PTS) 3. 41 – Carson Macedo (-130PTS) 4. 1S – Logan Schuchart (-432PTS) 5. 18 – Gio Scelzi (-448PTS) 6. 15 – Donny Schatz (-466PTS) 7. 17 – Sheldon Haudenschild (-504PTS) 8. 5 – Spencer Bayston (-708PTS) 9. 3Z – Brock Zearfoss (-1196PTS) 10. 7S – Robbie Price (-1696PTS)
NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (17 Drivers):
10 wins – David Gravel (Big Game Motorsports #2), Brad Sweet (Kasey Kahne Racing #49)
6 wins – James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83), Carson Macedo (Jason Johnson Racing #41), Logan Schuchart (Shark Racing #1S), Rico Abreu (Rico Abreu Racing #24)
4 wins – Kyle Larson (Silva Motorsports #57)
3 wins – Donny Schatz (Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15), Sheldon Haudenschild (Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing #17)
2 wins – Buddy Kofoid (CMS Racing #11, Roth Motorsports #83JR)
1 win – Brady Bacon (TKH Motorsports #21), Anthony Macri (Macri Motorsports #39), Brian Brown (Brian Brown Racing #21), Gio Scelzi (KCP Racing #18),
Spencer Bayston (CJB Motorsports #5), Corey Day (Jason Meyers Racing #14), Brent Marks (Murray-Marks #19)
FEATURE LAPS LED (22 Drivers):
335 laps – Brad Sweet
228 laps – James McFadden
234 laps – Rico Abreu
195 laps – Carson Macedo
193 laps – David Gravel
172 laps – Logan Schuchart
118 laps – Kyle Larson
114 laps – Buddy Kofoid
108 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
102 laps – Donny Schatz
62 laps – Brent Marks
57 laps – Gio Scelzi
40 laps – Spencer Bayston, Corey Day
24 laps – Brian Brown
15 laps – Cole Macedo
11 laps – Anthony Macri, Daryn Pittman
10 laps – Cory Eliason
5 laps – Tyler Courtney
3 laps – Brady Bacon, Danny Varin, Justin Peck
1 lap – Austin McCarl
SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (17 Drivers):
14 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo
12 QuickTimes – David Gravel
5 QuickTimes – Logan Schuchart, Rico Abreu
3 QuickTimes – Sheldon Haudenschild, Buddy Kofoid
2 QuickTimes – Anthony Macri, Bill Balog, Justin Peck, Gio Scelzi, Brad Sweet, Tanner Holmes
1 QuickTime – Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, James McFadden, Jacob Allen, Kyle Larson
HEAT RACE WINNERS (45 Drivers):
29 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
27 Heat Wins – David Gravel
17 Heat Wins – Brad Sweet
14 Heat Wins – Donny Schatz, James McFadden
13 Heat Wins – Buddy Kofoid, Logan Schuchart
12 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Gio Scelzi, Rico Abreu
7 Heat Wins – Spencer Bayston
5 Heat Wins – Jacob Allen, Justin Peck, Brent Marks
4 Heat Wins – Cory Eliason, Brian Brown
3 Heat Wins – Anthony Macri, Bill Balog, Parker Price-Miller
2 Heat Wins – Brock Zearfoss, Noah Gass, Kerry Madsen, Robbie Price, Tim Kaeding, Sam Hafertepe Jr.
1 Heat Win – Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Mark Dobmeier, Kasey Kahne, Austin McCarl, Lachlan McHugh, Ryan Timms, Tim Estenson, Kyle Larson, Shane Stewart, Lance Dewease, Cole Macedo, Chase Randall, Ian Madsen, Tanner Holmes, Dominic Scelzi, Kalib Henry, Dylan Bloomfield, Justin Sanders, Tyler Courtney
TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (48 Drivers):
42 Dashes – Carson Macedo
41 Dashes – David Gravel
38 Dashes – Brad Sweet
28 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
27 Dashes – Gio Scelzi
24 Dashes – James McFadden, Sheldon Haudenschild
22 Dashes – Donny Schatz, Rico Abreu
18 Dashes – Spencer Bayston
17 Dashes – Buddy Kofoid
9 Dashes – Brent Marks
8 Dashes – Jacob Allen, Cory Eliason, Brock Zearfoss
7 Dashes – Justin Peck
5 Dashes – Anthony Macri, Robbie Price, Kasey Kahne, Corey Day, Brian Brown, Tyler Courtney
4 Dashes – Justin Sanders
3 Dashes – Danny Dietrich, Parker Price-Miller, Kyle Larson, Cole Macedo, Tanner Holmes
2 Dashes – Garet Williamson, Austin McCarl, Bill Balog, Dominic Scelzi, AaronReutzel, Freddie Rahmer
1 Dash – Devon Borden, Brady Bacon, Chad Trout, Dylan Norris, Cap Henry, Stuart Brubaker, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Shane Stewart, Danny Varin, Ian Madsen, Shane Golobic, Kalib Henry, Dylan Bloomfield, Lance Dewease, Daryn Pittman
MICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (34 Drivers):
4 LCS Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Spencer Bayston, Robbie Price
3 LCS Wins – Noah Gass, James McFadden
2 LCS Wins – Parker Price-Miller, Logan Schuchart, Carson Macedo, Brock Zearfoss, Tim Estenson, Gio Scelzi, Donny Schatz, Kerry Madsen
1 LCS Win – Hunter Schuerenberg, Wayne Johnson, Ryan Timms, Ayrton Gennetten, Kraig Kinser, Freddie Rahmer, Henry Malcuit, Cole Macedo, Aaron Reutzel, Sye Lynch, Cory Eliason, Tyler Courtney, Rico Abreu, Jacob Allen, Daryn Pittman, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Jamie Veal, Kaleb Johnson, Lachlan McHugh, Tanner Holmes, Austen Wheatley, Buddy Kofoid
KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (35 Drivers):
6 Hard Chargers – Sheldon Haudenschild
5 Hard Chargers – James McFadden, Donny Schatz
4 Hard Chargers – Brock Zearfoss
3 Hard Chargers – Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet, Logan Schuchart, Rico Abreu, Danny Dietrich
2 Hard Chargers – Justin Peck, David Gravel, Spencer Bayston, Corey Day, Robbie Price
1 Hard Charger – Gio Scelzi, Blake Hahn, Buddy Kofoid, Joe B. Miller, Kyle Larson, Hunter Schuerenberg, Kyle Moody, Freddie Rahmer, Skylar Gee, Cole Duncan, Austin Pierce, Brenham Crouch, Tim Kaeding, Jacob Allen, Caden Englehart, Zeb Wise, Carson Macedo, Dale Blaney, Tasker Phillips, Brent Marks, Kaleb Johnson, Tanner Holmes
PODIUM FINISHES (28 Drivers):
30 Podiums – David Gravel
27 Podiums – Brad Sweet
18 Podiums – Carson Macedo
15 Podiums – Rico Abreu
13 Podiums – Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart
10 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild
9 Podiums – James McFadden, Buddy Kofoid
7 Podiums – Gio Scelzi
6 Podiums – Kyle Larson, Brent Marks
4 Podiums – Spencer Bayston
3 Podiums – Brian Brown, Jacob Allen, Corey Day
1 Podium – Danny Dietrich, Kasey Kahne, Devon Borden, Parker Price-Miller, Brady Bacon, Anthony Macri, Garet Williamson, Dave Blaney, Tanner Holmes, Justin Sanders, Dominic Scelzi, Daryn Pittman
TOP 10 FINISHES (61 Drivers):
56 Top 10s – Brad Sweet
53 Top 10s – Carson Macedo
52 Top 10s – David Gravel
42 Top 10s – Gio Scelzi
41 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild
40 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart
38 Top 10s – Donny Schatz
37 Top 10s – Spencer Bayston
34 Top 10s – James McFadden
31 Top 10s – Rico Abreu
25 Top 10s – Buddy Kofoid
14 Top 10s – Jacob Allen, Justin Peck
13 Top 10s – Brent Marks
10 Top 10s – Kasey Kahne
9 Top 10s – Cory Eliason, Tyler Courtney
8 Top 10s – Kyle Larson
7 Top 10s – Brock Zearfoss, Danny Dietrich
6 Top 10s – Brian Brown, Corey Day
5 Top 10s – Dominic Scelzi, Justin Sanders, Tanner Holmes
3 Top 10s – Anthony Macri, Bill Balog, Cole Macedo, Chase Randall, Zeb Wise, Freddie Rahmer
2 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Blake Hahn, Brady Bacon, Parker Price-Miller, Robbie Price, Tim Kaeding, Shane Golobic, Dave Blaney, Dale Blaney, Cole Duncan, Lance Dewease, Daryn Pittman
1 Top 10 – Devon Borden, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Joe B. Miller, Hunter Schuerenberg, Brandon Rahmer, Chad Trout, Cap Henry, Stuart Brubaker, Skylar Gee, Austin McCarl, Garet Williamson, Shane Stewart, Larry Wight, Noah Gass, Rusty Hickman, Kerry Madsen, Jason Solwold, Chase Johnson, T.J. Stutts
2023 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:
No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1)
2. Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (2)
3. Sat, Feb 11* / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / James McFadden (1)
4. Sun, March 5 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Carson Macedo (1)
5. Mon, March 6 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (3)
6. Sat, March 18 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Rico Abreu (1)
7. Fri, March 24 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Buddy Kofoid (1)
8. Sat, March 25 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / Brad Sweet (1)
9. Fri, March 31 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / Brad Sweet (2)
10. Sat, April 1 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / James McFadden (2)
11. Fri, April 7 / U.S. 36 Raceway / Osborn, MO / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)
12. Sat, April 8 / 81 Speedway / Wichita, KS / Rico Abreu (2)
13. Fri, April 14 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Brad Sweet (3)
14. Fri, April 28 / Tri-City Speedway / Granite City, IL / David Gravel (4)
15. Sat, April 29 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Brady Bacon (1)
16. Fri, May 5 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Logan Schuchart (1)
17. Sat, May 6 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (3)
18. Wed, May 10 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Anthony Macri (1)
19. Fri, May 12 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brad Sweet (4)
20. Fri, May 19 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Donny Schatz (1)
21. Sat, May 20 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Donny Schatz (2)
22. Fri, May 26 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / Brad Sweet (5)
23. Sat, May 27 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / Carson Macedo (2)
24. Mon, May 29 / Lawrenceburg Speedway / Lawrenceburg, IN / James McFadden (3)
25. Fri, June 2 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / David Gravel (5)
26. Sat, June 3 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN / Carson Macedo (3)
27. Fri, June 9 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brian Brown (1)
28. Sat, June 10 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (6)
29. Fri, June 16 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Gio Scelzi (1)
30. Sat, June 17 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (2)
31. Wed, June 21 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Kyle Larson (1)
32. Thurs, June 22 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / James McFadden (4)
33. Fri, June 23 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Logan Schuchart (2)
34. Sat, June 24 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / David Gravel (7)
35. Fri, June 30 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Brad Sweet (6)
36. Sat, July 1 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / David Gravel (8)
37. Sat, July 8 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Carson Macedo (4)
38. Tues, July 11 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Kyle Larson (2)
39. Fri, July 14 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Carson Macedo (5)
40. Sat, July 15 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Donny Schatz (3)
41. Thurs, July 20 / BAPS Motor Speedway / York Haven, PA / David Gravel (9)
42. Fri, July 21 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Logan Schuchart (3)
43. Sat, July 22 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Rico Abreu (4)
44. Sun, July 30 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (10)
45. Fri, Aug 4 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Spencer Bayston (1)
46. Sat, Aug 5 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Kyle Larson (3)
47. Sat, Aug 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Kyle Larson (4)
48. Thurs, Aug 17 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / James McFadden (5)
49. Fri, Aug 18 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / James McFadden (6)
50. Sat, Aug 19 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Carson Macedo (6)
51. Fri, Aug 25 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Logan Schuchart (4)
52. Sat, Aug 26 / Red River Valley Speedway / West Fargo, ND / Logan Schuchart (5)
53. Thurs, Aug 31 / Skagit Speedway / Burlington, WA / Sheldon Haudenschild (3)
54. Fri, Sept 1 / Skagit Speedway / Burlington, WA / Rico Abreu (5)
55. Sat, Sept 2 / Skagit Speedway / Burlington, WA / Brad Sweet (7)
56. Mon, Sept 4 / Grays Harbor Raceway / Elma, WA / Logan Schuchart (6)
57. Sat, Sept 9 / Silver Dollar Speedway / Chico, CA / Corey Day (1)
58. Fri, Sept 15 / Kings Speedway / Hanford, CA / Brad Sweet (8)
59. Sat, Sept 16 / Placerville Speedway / Placerville, CA / Buddy Kofoid (2)
60. Fri, Sept 22 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (6)
61. Sat, Sept 23 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Brad Sweet (9)
62. Fri, Sept 29 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brad Sweet (10)
63. Sat, Sept 30 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brent Marks (1)
