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By Alex Neiten
August 20th 2024
The 2024 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car campaign rolls on into North Dakota this weekend.
The late summer stretch continues with the final visits to the “Peace Garden State” for the year. First up is a Friday, Aug. 23, trip to Grand Forks, ND’s River Cities Speedway. The quarter mile bullring always produces some of the most thrilling action of the season with its high banks and tight confines. Out of the more than 400 tracks he’s visited, longtime Series announcer Johnny Gibson ranks it as his favorite.
Then, it’s an hour south down I-29 to West Fargo, ND where Red River Valley Speedway awaits. The 3/8 mile is set to host The Greatest Show on Dirt for the 69th time on Saturday, Aug. 24, which will equal it with Eagle Raceway for the eighth most visited track in Series history.
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Let’s look at the weekend’s top storylines:
HOME SWEET HOME: The final weekend in North Dakota this season means the final chance for Donny Schatz to race in front of home state fans – something the 10-time Series champion has always excelled at doing.
Schatz’s River Cities numbers are staggering. He’s competed in all 32 World of Outlaws races contested at the bullring and made a dozen trips to Victory Lane – a 36% winning clip. Twenty-three of those 32 starts have resulted in podiums. Only three times has he missed the top five, and he’s never missed the top 10 with a worst result of eighth. His average finish is 2.7.
Over at Red River Valley, the track closest to his current home, Schatz hasn’t been quite as strong as he is at River Cities but still boasts a solid résumé. The driver of the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing No. 15 has made 46 Series appearances at Red River Valley and won six times. It’s where he made his World of Outlaws debut back in 1993.
Schatz could use a strong weekend on home turf as he looks to catch David Gravel in the battle for the championship. Gravel is currently 106 points ahead.
SHARK SWEEP: Last year, the August trip to North Dakota proved to be a fruitful one for Logan Schuchart.
He and the Shark Racing team swept the River Cities and Red River Valley weekend. The Hanover, PA native pulled off a late pass to steal the win. Then, the next night, he dominated by leading all 30 laps for his first Red River Valley checkered flag.
This year, Schuchart rolls into the “Peace Garden State” locked in a tight battle for a top five in the standings. He’s 40 markers behind Michael “Buddy” Kofoid who currently holds down the fifth spot, but he’s got Sheldon Haudenschild just 10 behind him. The stats stay Schuchart could piece together a productive weekend toward that effort.
GRAND FORKS GLORY: Schatz and Schuchart aren’t the only full-timers among the current crop of World of Outlaws competitors to enjoy success at River Cities. In fact, half of the roster has topped a Series race at the 1/4-mile dirt track.
Current point leader David Gravel owns a pair of River Cities trophies. Back in 2017 he took the CJB Motorsports No. 5 to a win and then added a second last year with Big Game Motorsports.
Two years ago, Carson Macedo took home his sole River Cities victory to date. It came aboard his current ride, the Jason Johnson Racing No. 41.
In 2012, Kraig Kinser made an impressive drive at River Cities to collect one of his 17 career wins. The Bloomington, IN native rolled from 10th to Victory Lane.
The latest to add his name to the list is Fresno, CA’s Giovanni Scelzi. The 22-year-old outdueled Sheldon Haudenschild and crossed the finish line first in the KCP Racing No. 18.
A MATTER OF TIME: Friday’s visit to River Cities looks like the perfect opportunity for Sheldon Haudenschild to break through into Victory Lane.
After topping seven of the first 27 World of Outlaws races this season, Haudenschild and the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing crew are now on a 19-race winless streak. This past weekend at Jackson, the hunger to win again intensified even more as he finished second both nights, his sixth and seventh podium efforts since his last victory.
Coincidentally, Haudenschild’s last two visits to River Cities have led to runner-up results. He’s come so close to a River Cities triumph with laps led in six different Features and three total second place finishes in his career at the North Dakota bullring. It’s a track where he’s undoubtedly ready to find a way to win.
BULLRING BREAKTHROUGH: Another driver that can be expected to be in contention at Friday’s River Cities tilt is Brock Zearfoss.
The “Jonestown Jet” might’ve developed his skills on the big tracks of Pennsylvania, but the bullring of River Cities has suited him well on the World of Outlaws tour. He’s raced there six times and come away with five top 10s. The last two visits have seen him drive from 22nd to 10th and 21st to ninth.
Zearfoss will head to River Cities already carrying some momentum. Since the break for Fourth of July weekend, he’s earned four top 10s in 11 Feature starts including a ninth in this past weekend’s Jackson Nationals finale.
NORTH DAKOTA KNOWLEDGE: North Dakota always offers up a solid collection of local talent ready to face off with the country’s best when the World of Outlaws come to town.
Mark Dobmeier headlines the North Dakota contingent. The Grand Forks, ND driver has been dominant at his home track to the tune of more than 100 career River Cities wins including six this year. He’s yet to beat the World of Outlaws there but has come close with a pair of podiums. Over at Red River Valley, Dobmeier is a former Northern Outlaw Sprint Association (NOSA) winner.
Fellow Grand Forks native and reigning NOSA champion, Jade Hastings, is another local to keep an eye on. He’s already topped four River Cities races this year. Hastings picked up a World of Outlaws top 10 at the 1/4-mile track in 2018.
The only person not named Dobmeier or Hastings to claim a River Cities NOSA race this season is Nick Omdahl. He’s from East Grand Forks, MN and frequently makes the trip across the Red River when the World of Outlaws visit. He also owns a pair of NOSA runner-ups at Red River Valley.
This trio is likely to be joined by additional local competitors including Brendan Mullen (Grand Forks, ND), Jack Croaker (East Grand Forks, MN), Adam Sobolik (Grand Forks, ND), and more.
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
WHEN AND WHERE
Friday, August 23 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, ND
Saturday, August 24 at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, ND
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CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (46/70 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports No. 2 (6364 PTS)
2. Donny Schatz – Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing No. 15 (-106 PTS)
3. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 (-142 PTS)
4. Giovanni Scelzi – KCP Racing No. 18 (-232 PTS)
5. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports No. 83 (-300 PTS)
6. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing No. 1S (-340 PTS)
7. Sheldon Haudenschild – Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing No. 17 (-350 PTS)
8. Bill Balog – B Squared Motorsports No. 17B (-812 PTS)
9. Brock Zearfoss – Brock Zearfoss Racing No. 3Z (-1052 PTS)
10. Kraig Kinser – Premier Motorsports No. 70 (-1316 PTS)
NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (16 Drivers):
13 Wins – David Gravel
7 Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
4 Wins – Carson Macedo, Donny Schatz
3 Wins – Giovanni Scelzi, Kyle Larson
2 Wins – Tyler Courtney, Rico Abreu
1 Win – Brad Sweet, Brent Marks, Brady Bacon, Michael Kofoid, Corey Day, Logan Schuchart, James McFadden, T.J. Stutts
FEATURE LAPS LED (22 Drivers):
317 Laps – David Gravel
257 Laps – Carson Macedo
178 Laps – Giovanni Scelzi
166 Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
132 Laps – Donny Schatz
97 Laps – Kyle Larson
75 Laps – Rico Abreu
49 Laps – Logan Schuchart
44 Laps – James McFadden
34 Laps – Brady Bacon, Michael Kofoid
25 Laps – Brad Sweet, T.J. Stutts
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 (16 Drivers):
9 Quick Times – Carson Macedo, David Gravel
5 Quick Times – Sheldon Haudenschild
4 Quick Times – Giovanni Scelzi, Michael Kofoid
3 Quick Times – Brent Marks
2 Quick Times – Daryn Pittman, Donny Schatz, Landon Crawley
1 Quick Time – Brian Brown, Aaron Reutzel, Brady Bacon, Cory Eliason, Brock Zearfoss, Rico Abreu, Chase Dietz, Matt Juhl
HEAT RACE WINNERS (48 Drivers):
26 Heat Wins – David Gravel
23 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
21 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
16 Heat Wins – Giovanni Scelzi
12 Heat Wins – Michael Kofoid
9 Heat Wins – Rico Abreu
7 Heat Wins – Brock Zearfoss, Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart
5 Heat Wins – Tyler Courtney, Brent Marks
4 Heat Wins – Bill Balog
3 Heat Wins – Daryn Pittman
2 Heat Wins – Brian Brown, Landon Crawley, Corey Day, Garet Williamson, Kyle Larson, Anthony Macri, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Austin McCarl, Aaron Reutzel
1 Heat Win – Justin Peck, Bill Rose, Ryan Timms, Danny Sams III, Emerson Axsom, Tim Shaffer, Nick Omdahl, Scott Bogucki, Brad Sweet, Spencer Bayston, Brady Bacon, Parker Price-Miller, Chase Dietz, T.J. Stutts, Kelby Watt, Jamie Ball, Chase Randall, Hunter Schuerenberg, Tasker Phillips, Ayrton Gennetten, Tanner Holmes, Kaleb Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Cole Macedo, Cale Thomas, Dusty Zomer
TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (59 Drivers):
35 Dashes – David Gravel
33 Dashes – Carson Macedo
30 Dashes – Giovanni Scelzi, Sheldon Haudenschild
23 Dashes – Michael Kofoid
20 Dashes – Donny Schatz
16 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
11 Dashes – Bill Balog
10 Dashes – Brock Zearfoss
9 Dashes – Rico Abreu
7 Dashes – Landon Crawley, Brent Marks
6 Dashes – Tyler Courtney, Emerson Axsom
5 Dashes – Corey Day, Aaron Reutzel
4 Dashes – Brian Brown, Brady Bacon, Anthony Macri, Garet Williamson
3 Dashes – Brad Sweet, Daryn Pittman, Justin Peck, James McFadden
2 Dashes – Cole Duncan, Cole Macedo, Kalib Henry, Danny Sams III, Kyle Larson, Parker Price-Miller, Chase Dietz, Ayrton Gennetten
1 Dash – Zeb Wise, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Bill Rose, Ryan Timms, Logan McCandless, Skylar Gee, Kody Hartlaub, 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, Troy Wagaman Jr., T.J. Stutts, Freddie Rahmer, Jacob Allen, Lance Dewease, Kelby Watt, Will Armitage, Dusty Zomer
MICRO-LITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (37 Drivers):
3 LCS Wins – Bill Balog, Anthony Macri, Landon Crawley
2 LCS Wins – Logan McCandless, Brock Zearfoss, Garet Williamson,
1 LCS Win – Austin McCarl, Corey Day, Kasey Kahne, Koty Adams, Jace Park, 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, Kody Hartlaub, Lucas Wolfe, Larry Wight, Kyle Larson, Jesse Attard, Dusty Zomer, Chris Windom, Ayrton Gennetten, Brad Sweet, Kelby Watt
KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (29 Drivers):
8 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz
6 Hard Chargers – Logan Schuchart
3 Hard Chargers – Carson Macedo
2 Hard Chargers – Aaron Reutzel, Michael Kofoid, Cale Thomas, Danny Dietrich
1 Hard Charger – Jace Park, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Brock Zearfoss, Chase Randall, Chris Windom, Noah Gass, Austin McCarl, Giovanni Scelzi, Sheldon Haudenschild, Landon Crawley, Sye Lynch, Bill Balog, Scotty Neitzel, Garet Williamson, Brent Marks, Larry Wight, Anthony Macri, James McFadden, Parker Price-Miller, Corey Day, Emerson Axsom, Tim Kaeding
PODIUM FINISHES (24 Drivers):
27 Podiums – David Gravel
20 Podiums – Carson Macedo
16 Podiums – Donny Schatz, Sheldon Haudenschild
12 Podiums – Michael Kofoid
8 Podiums – Giovanni Scelzi
6 Podiums – Kyle Larson
5 Podiums – Rico Abreu
3 Podiums – Brad Sweet, Tyler Courtney, Brent Marks
2 Podiums – Bill Balog, Aaron Reutzel, Logan Schuchart, Justin Peck, James McFadden, Corey Day
1 Podium – Anthony Macri, Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Parker Price-Miller, Ryan Timms, Emerson Axsom, T.J. Stutts
TOP 10 FINISHES (71 Drivers):
41 Top 10s – David Gravel
40 Top 10s – Donny Schatz
39 Top 10s – Giovanni Scelzi
36 Top 10s – Michael Kofoid, Carson Macedo
35 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart
32 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild
20 Top 10s – Bill Balog
12 Top 10s – Brock Zearfoss
10 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney
9 Top 10s – Rico Abreu
8 Top 10s – Brent Marks, Brad Sweet, James McFadden, Anthony Macri
7 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel
6 Top 10s – Kyle Larson, Corey Day
5 Top 10s – Brian Brown
4 Top 10s – Cole Macedo, Landon Crawley, Brady Bacon, Justin Peck, Garet Williamson, Emerson Axsom, Ryan Timms
3 Top 10s – Cole Duncan, Skylar Gee, Zeb Wise, Danny Dietrich, Jacob Allen
2 Top 10s – Chase Randall, Kraig Kinser, Cale Thomas, Parker Price-Miller, Cory Eliason, Chase Dietz, Troy Wagaman Jr., Daryn Pittman, Ayrton Gennetten, Scott Bogucki
1 Top 10 – Kasey Kahne, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Chris Windom, Joe B. Miller, Scotty Milan, Brandon Spithaler, Kalib Henry, Tim Shaffer, Zane DeVault, Sye Lynch, Travis Philo, Trey Jacobs, Scotty Thiel, Mark Dobmeier, Kaleb Johnson, Austin McCarl, Tim Kaeding, Christopher Thram, Landon Brooks, Greg Wilson, Spencer Bayston, Daison Pursley, Devon Borden, T.J. Stutts, Freddie Rahmer, Lance Dewease, Stewart Friesen, Jordan Poirier, Larry Wight, Kerry Madsen
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)
38. Wed, July 24 / BAPS Motor Speedway / York Haven, PA / James McFadden (1)
39. Fri, July 26 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / T.J. Stutts (1)
40. Sat, July 27 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / David Gravel (12)
41. Sun, July 28 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (13)
42. Fri, August 2 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Kyle Larson (1)
43. Sat, August 3 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Kyle Larson (2)
44. Sat, August 10 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Kyle Larson (3)
45. Fri, August 16 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Carson Macedo (4)
46. Sat, August 17 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Donny Schatz (4)
For the remaining 2024 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car schedule, CLICK HERE
