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BAPS and Williams Grove rekindle the PA Posse rivalry before a Sunday visit to Weedsport
Trent Gower Photo
The summer stretch continues with another busy week of action for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars.
First, Sprint Car racing’s fiercest rivalry resumes with three races over four nights in Pennsylvania where the Posse awaits. Then, it’s north to New York for the season’s one visit to the “Empire State.”
The Greatest Show on Dirt gets the week started with a Wednesday, July 24, visit to York Haven, PA’s BAPS Motor Speedway for the Bricker’s Bash. The Series made a thrilling return to BAPS for the first time in 32 years last season. Then, the weekend brings the tour to the iconic Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA) for the C&D Rigging Summer Nationals on July 26-27. With weather wiping out the Morgan Cup finale in May, the traditional $5,000 bonus carries over to Friday’s opener, making it $17,000-to-win before a $20,000-to-win finale on Saturday.
After racing wraps up at “The Grove,” the teams will journey to New York’s Weedsport Speedway on Sunday, July 28. The Empire State Challenge will be 2024’s lone visit to New York for the World of Outlaws.
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Let’s take a look at the weekend’s top storylines:
FEELING LIKE A KING: There’s no denying David Gravel is atop the Sprint Car world. Last week he won three of the five races he contested including Eldora Speedway’s 41st running of the Kings Royal, pushing his 2024 earnings over half a million dollars. The Watertown, CT native hasn’t finished outside the top 10 since May 25 at Atomic Speedway. Gravel leads the Series standings by 66 markers as he chases his first title.
The stats suggest the hot streak could continue for Gravel and his Big Game Motorsports team with four races in five nights ahead. Last year, Gravel topped the return to BAPS in his debut at the facility. Williams Grove is the winningest track on his résumé as he’s taken eight trips to Victory Lane.
Weedsport has also been incredibly kind to the 32-year-old. Three of the last four races at the New York oval were topped by him, putting him in a tie with Steve Kinser and Donny Schatz for the most Weedsport wins. The one race he didn’t win was a runner-up in 2022.
NOT GOING QUIETLY: While Gravel may look unstoppable at the moment, Donny Schatz continues to lurk and won’t go down without a fight in the hunt for his 11th title. Gravel said it himself after the Kings Royal of Schatz, “You can’t put that guy away.”
Despite Gravel’s incredible week, Schatz only gave up eight points in the championship chase. He passed a combined 48 cars in the three Series races leading to finishes of second, fourth, and second and also grabbed a win a week and a half ago at Wilmot.
Schatz’s only BAPS start led to a 12th place run last season, but his success at Williams Grove is off the charts. The 10-time Series champion owns 21 World of Outlaws victories at the half mile, which ranks behind only Steve Kinser’s tally of 38. Over at Weedsport, the driver of the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing No. 15 hasn’t missed the top 10 in seven tries and has three victories (2015, 2016, 2022).
POSSE TURNED OUTLAWS: With the strong landscape of Sprint Car racing in Pennsylvania, the Posse often send stars to the national ranks. And such is the case for a pair of World of Outlaws stars returning to their roots this week.
Logan Schuchart is amid his 11th season with the World of Outlaws since departing the Hanover, PA porch for the tour in 2014. Last year, Schuchart got a long-awaited first Williams Grove victory when he pulled off a miracle last lap pass to top the Summer Nationals opener. The Shark Racing driver picked up a BAPS podium when the Series returned last year.
Jonestown, PA native Brock Zearfoss is taking on his fourth season with The Greatest Show on Dirt. In 2017, before he even became a full-time competitor, Zearfoss drove Aaron Long’s No. 58 to a World of Outlaws win at Williams Grove to represent the Posse. The “Jonestown Jet” owns four local podiums at BAPS.
CA POSSE: California is thousands of miles from Pennsylvania with dirt tracks characterized much differently, but a pair of current World of Outlaws drivers from the “Golden State” have excelled in PA.
Fresno, CA’s Giovanni Scelzi has won at both Pennsylvania tracks on the agenda. Two years ago, he and KCP Racing topped a local show before joining the World of Outlaws tour. Rewind the clock even further back to 2018 when “Hot Sauce” scored his first Series victory at Williams Grove to become the youngest winner in World of Outlaws history – a record that still stands.
Carson Macedo has collected a trio of Williams Grove trophies including the 2021 National Open, making him only the second Californian to claim the crown jewel. The Lemoore, CA driver is yet to win at BAPS in two attempts with a best of fourth last year.
PA PRIDE: As always when the World of Outlaws invade the “Keystone State,” the Posse will be ready to give their best to protect the porch. Pennsylvania always gives the nation’s best Sprint Car drivers some of the toughest competition they’ll face all year.
Anthony Macri (Dillsburg, PA) leads the way for the local contingent. His 12 wins in 2024 are tied for the most in the nation, and 10 of them have come within the borders of Pennsylvania including one at BAPS and a trio at Williams Grove. The “Concrete Kid” has beaten the World of Outlaws three times in his career, but those checkered flags came courtesy of Port Royal Speedway (twice) and Lincoln Speedway.
Gettysburg, PA’s Danny Dietrich is always a threat in the Gary Kauffman Racing No. 48 when the World of Outlaws come to town. A pair of his five career Series victories occurred at Williams Grove, and he’s topped a total of 31 races at the half mile, including two this year. He’s won twice locally at BAPS this year, upping his total there to 20.
Troy Wagaman Jr. (Hanover, PA) and Heffner Racing have proven to be a potent combo this season. Wagaman took the iconic No. 27 to Williams Grove Victory Lane on April 26, and he’s run on the podium in half of his 12 Feature starts there this season. He also won at BAPS last October and has finished sixth or better in four of his five tries at the York Haven, PA oval this year.
Expect these three to be joined by the likes of Freddie Rahmer (Salfordville, PA), Chase Dietz (York, PA), Dylan Norris (Hanover, PA), and many more at BAPS and Williams Grove.
EMPIRE STATE EXCELLENCE: While not as notorious as the PA Posse, New York boasts its own group of locals eager to have strong showings when the country’s top Sprint Car talent invades.
Sharon Springs, NY’s Danny Varin is always stout at Weedsport. He started on the pole of last year’s World of Outlaws visit, and he’s already an Empire Super Sprints (ESS) winner there in 2024, topping a race earlier this month.
Super DIRTcar Series star Larry Wight likes to trade the Big Block Modified for a Sprint Car when The Greatest Show on Dirt visits New York. “Lightning” has finished in the top 10 in his last three World of Outlaws runs at Weedsport and won there with ESS last October.
Matt Farnham (Tanawanda, NY) nearly won with the All-Stars at Weedsport last year, leading many laps before finishing fifth.
This trio along with more New Yorkers are expected to enter the Weedsport pit area on Sunday.
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
WHEN AND WHERE
Wednesday, July 24 at BAPS Motor Speedway in York Haven, PA
Friday-Saturday, July 26-27 at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, PA
Sunday, July 28 at Weedsport Speedway in Weedsport, NY
ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series
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YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws
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CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (37/73 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports No. 2 (5120 PTS)
2. Donny Schatz – Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing No. 15 (-66 PTS)
3. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 (-98 PTS)
4. Giovanni Scelzi – KCP Racing No. 18 (-140 PTS)
5. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports No. 83 (-158 PTS)
6. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing No. 1S (-232 PTS)
7. Sheldon Haudenschild – Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing No. 17 (-310 PTS)
8. Bill Balog – B Squared Motorsports No. 17B (-608 PTS)
9. Brock Zearfoss – Brock Zearfoss Racing No. 3Z (-856 PTS)
10. Landon Crawley – Sides Motorsports No. 7S (-1010 PTS)
NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (13 Drivers):
11 Wins – David Gravel
7 Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
3 Wins – Giovanni Scelzi, Carson Macedo, Donny Schatz
2 Wins – Tyler Courtney, Rico Abreu
1 Win – Brad Sweet, Brent Marks, Brady Bacon, Michael Kofoid, Corey Day, Logan Schuchart
FEATURE LAPS LED (20 Drivers):
287 Laps – David Gravel
214 Laps – Carson Macedo
166 Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
120 Laps – Giovanni Scelzi
80 Laps – Donny Schatz
75 Laps – Rico Abreu
49 Laps – Logan Schuchart
34 Laps – Brady Bacon, Michael Kofoid, Kyle Larson
25 Laps – Brad Sweet
15 Laps – Ryan Timms, Tyler Courtney
13 Laps – Anthony Macri
12 Laps – Emerson Axsom
11 Laps – Bill Balog
9 Laps – Parker Price-Miller, Corey Day
3 Laps – Brent Marks
1 Lap – Kalib Henry
SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (15 Drivers):
8 Quick Times – Carson Macedo
7 Quick Times – David Gravel
4 Quick Times – Giovanni Scelzi, Michael Kofoid
3 Quick Times – Sheldon Haudenschild
2 Quick Times – Brent Marks
1 Quick Time – Landon Crawley, Brian Brown, Aaron Reutzel, Brady Bacon, Donny Schatz, Daryn Pittman, Cory Eliason, Brock Zearfoss, Rico Abreu
HEAT RACE WINNERS (33 Drivers):
22 Heat Wins – David Gravel
16 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo, Sheldon Haudenschild
13 Heat Wins – Giovanni Scelzi
11 Heat Wins – Michael Kofoid
9 Heat Wins – Rico Abreu
7 Heat Wins – Brock Zearfoss
6 Heat Wins – Donny Schatz
5 Heat Wins – Tyler Courtney
4 Heat Wins – Brent Marks, Logan Schuchart
3 Heat Wins – Bill Balog
2 Heat Wins – Brian Brown, Landon Crawley, Corey Day, Garet Williamson, Kyle Larson
1 Heat Win – Justin Peck, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Bill Rose, Ryan Timms, Danny Sams III, Emerson Axsom, Anthony Macri, Tim Shaffer, Nick Omdahl, Daryn Pittman, Scott Bogucki, Austin McCarl, Brad Sweet, Spencer Bayston, Brady Bacon, Parker Price-Miller
TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (51 Drivers):
29 Dashes – David Gravel
27 Dashes – Carson Macedo
24 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
23 Dashes – Giovanni Scelzi
21 Dashes – Michael Kofoid
16 Dashes – Donny Schatz
11 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
10 Dashes – Bill Balog
9 Dashes – Rico Abreu
7 Dashes – Landon Crawley, Brock Zearfoss
6 Dashes – Brent Marks, Tyler Courtney
5 Dashes – Emerson Axsom
4 Dashes – Brian Brown, Brady Bacon, Corey Day
3 Dashes – Aaron Reutzel, Anthony Macri, Garet Williamson
2 Dashes – Brad Sweet, Cole Duncan, Cole Macedo, Kalib Henry, Daryn Pittman, Danny Sams III, Justin Peck, Kyle Larson, Parker Price-Miller
1 Dash – Zeb Wise, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Bill Rose, Ryan Timms, James McFadden, Logan McCandless, Ayrton Gennetten, Skylar Gee, Kody Hartlaub, Chase Dietz, Tim Shaffer, T.J. Michael, Craig Mintz, Brandon Spithaler, Sye Lynch, Cale Thomas, Kaleb Johnson, Nick Omdahl, Scott Bogucki, Austin McCarl, Christopher Thram, Kraig Kinser
MICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (28 Drivers):
3 LCS Wins – Bill Balog
2 LCS Wins – Logan McCandless, Brock Zearfoss, Garet Williamson, Landon Crawley
1 LCS Win – Austin McCarl, Corey Day, Kasey Kahne, Koty Adams, Jace Park, Anthony Macri, Landon Crawley, Kevin Newton, Brenham Crouch, Sheldon Haudenschild, Brandon Rahmer, David Gravel, Nate Dussel, Cole Macedo, Zeth Sabo, Brooke Tatnell, Donny Schatz, Brent Marks, Cory Eliason, Kerry Madsen, Creed Kemenah, Joel Myers Jr., Hunter Schuerenberg
KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (21 Drivers):
8 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz
6 Hard Chargers – Logan Schuchart
2 Hard Chargers – Carson Macedo, Aaron Reutzel, Michael Kofoid, Cale Thomas
1 Hard Charger – Jace Park, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Brock Zearfoss, Chase Randall, Chris Windom, Noah Gass, Austin McCarl, Giovanni Scelzi, Sheldon Haudenschild, Danny Dietrich, Landon Crawley, Sye Lynch, Bill Balog, Scotty Neitzel, Garet Williamson
PODIUM FINISHES (20 Drivers):
21 Podiums – David Gravel
16 Podiums – Carson Macedo
13 Podiums – Donny Schatz
12 Podiums – Michael Kofoid
11 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild
7 Podiums – Giovanni Scelzi
5 Podiums – Rico Abreu
3 Podiums – Brad Sweet, Tyler Courtney, Kyle Larson
2 Podiums – Brent Marks, Bill Balog, Aaron Reutzel, Logan Schuchart, Justin Peck
1 Podium – Anthony Macri, Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Parker Price-Miller, Ryan Timms, Emerson Axsom
TOP 10 FINISHES (60 Drivers):
33 Top 10s – Donny Schatz, David Gravel
32 Top 10s – Giovanni Scelzi, Michael Kofoid
29 Top 10s – Carson Macedo, Logan Schuchart
24 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild
18 Top 10s – Bill Balog
10 Top 10s – Brock Zearfoss
9 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney, Rico Abreu
7 Top 10s – Brad Sweet
6 Top 10s – Brent Marks, James McFadden
5 Top 10s – Anthony Macri, Aaron Reutzel, Corey Day
4 Top 10s – Cole Macedo, Landon Crawley, Brian Brown, Brady Bacon
3 Top 10s – Cole Duncan, Skylar Gee, Ryan Timms, Garet Williamson, Emerson Axsom, Kyle Larson, Zeb Wise
2 Top 10s – Chase Randall, Kraig Kinser, Cale Thomas, Jacob Allen, Justin Peck, Parker Price-Miller
1 Top 10 – Kasey Kahne, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Cory Eliason, Chris Windom, Joe B. Miller, Ayrton Gennetten, Scotty Milan, Troy Wagaman Jr., Danny Dietrich, Chase Dietz, Brandon Spithaler, Kalib Henry, Tim Shaffer, Zane DeVault, Sye Lynch, Travis Philo, Trey Jacobs, Scotty Thiel, Mark Dobmeier, Kaleb Johnson, Daryn Pittman, Scott Bogucki, Austin McCarl, Tim Kaeding, Christopher Thram, Landon Brooks, Greg Wilson, Spencer Bayston, Daison Pursley
2024 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)
16. Wed, May 1 / Jacksonville Speedway / Jacksonville, IL / David Gravel (4)
17. Fri, May 3 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Sheldon Haudenschild (4)
18. Sat, May 4 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / David Gravel (5)
19. Wed, May 8 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / David Gravel (6)
20. Fri, May 17 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Michael Kofoid (1)
21. Sat, May 18 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / David Gravel (7)
22. Fri, May 24 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / David Gravel (8)
23. Sat, May 25 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / Sheldon Haudenschild (5)
24. Mon, May 27 / Fremont Speedway / Fremont, OH / Carson Macedo (2)
25. Fri, May 31 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (6)
26. Fri, June 7 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Giovanni Scelzi (2)
27. Sat, June 8 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN / Sheldon Haudenschild (7)
28. Fri, June 14 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (9)
29. Sat, June 15 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Corey Day (1)
30. Wed, June 19 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Tyler Courtney (2)
31. Sat, June 29 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Logan Schuchart (1)
32. Wed, July 10 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Giovanni Scelzi (3)
33. Fri, July 12 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Carson Macedo (3)
34. Sat, July 13 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Donny Schatz (3)
35. Tues, July 16 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / David Gravel (10)
36. Fri, July 19 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (2)
37. Sat, July 20 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / David Gravel (11)
For the full 2024 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car schedule, CLICK HERE.
