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Alex Nieten
Trent Gower Photo
A return to Stockton starts the Golden State stay before the $21,000-to-win Tom Tarlton Classic
The time has come for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car tour to venture west.
After wrapping up a major money Labor Day weekend at Huset’s Speedway, teams are trucking across the continental divide amid a 1,700-plus mile drive into California for a three-week stay in the “Golden State.”
First up is a return to Stockton Dirt Track on Friday, Sept. 6, after a five-year absence from the central valley oval. Stockton is ready to welcome the country’s best Sprint Car drivers since being reconfigured over the off-season.
Then, it’s south to Hanford, CA where Kings Speedway is ready to host The Greatest Show on Dirt for the 38th time. The Tom Tarlton Classic offers up a $21,000 payday to the winner as a nod to the iconic car owner’s number on his famous matte black Sprint Car.
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Let’s look at the weekend’s top storylines:
CALIFORNIA OUTLAWS: Three weeks in California means three weeks at home for a trio of current full-time World of Outlaws competitors.
Currently conquering his sixth year on tour, Lemoore, CA’s Carson Macedo is the longest tenured of the three. He’s never won at Stockton but owns a few podiums there with the Northern Auto Racing Club (NARC) and a World of Outlaws top five (2018). Saturday’s trip to Kings is always special for Macedo as the race honors his family member and a foundational figure in his career, Tom Tarlton. The Jason Johnson Racing pilot topped the first two runnings of the event for a pair of his four overall victories at the Hanford, CA oval.
Series sophomore Giovanni Scelzi also hails from the central valley, calling Fresno, CA home. The last time he visited Stockton, Scelzi swept a pair of Sprint Car Challenge Tour (SCCT) races in one weekend. The driver of the KCP Racing No. 18 will seek his first win at Kings as his best outing there is a 2020 runner-up in Kings of Thunder Sprint Car action.
Michael “Buddy” Kofoid completes the west coast trio. The town of Penngrove, nestled between Napa Valley and the Pacific Coast, is where Kofoid comes from. He’s fresh off banking $100,000 at Huset’s with Roth Motorsports. The pairing claimed a NARC race at Stockton last November. His best finish at Kings is fifth with SCCT in 2018.
CENTRAL VALLEY SHARK: The two tracks on the agenda this weekend have treated Logan Schuchart kindly over the years.
Courtesy of a win in September of 2019, Schuchart rolls into the weekend as the most recent victor at Stockton. That same season he claimed the spring visit as well with the Shark Racing team. A win on Friday would both equal him with Donny Schatz as the winningest Series driver at Stockton and make him the first to top three in a row.
The Hanover, PA native also owns a pair of Kings checkered flags. He put together a remarkable drive from 19th to victory in 2017. And then, in 2022, Schuchart topped the Tom Tarlton Classic with a charge from 10th. He’s only led a combined five laps at Kings but come away with two triumphs. A third on Saturday would put him alongside Stevie Smith and Danny Lasoski as the third winningest driver at the 3/8 mile.
NIGHTMARE MAKING NOISE: Things are clicking right now for Bill Balog as he navigates the second half of his rookie World of Outlaws campaign with his family-owned team.
He’s strung together five consecutive top 10 finishes, his longest streak so far of 2024. Three of those results were within the top five including a podium on the big stage of the High Bank Nationals finale this past Saturday.
While many tracks have been new to Balog this year, the “North Pole Nightmare” does have some laps at the two California tracks ahead. He’s been in the top five at Stockton on three occasions all aboard a Clayton Snow entry. Snow also put him in a car for three races at Kings in the past.
SHAKING THE SLUMP: Five consecutive top 10s isn’t a slump for most drivers and teams, but most teams aren’t David Gravel and Big Game Motorsports.
Gravel’s best finish over the past five races is a sixth at River Cities Speedway, marking his longest stretch outside the top five during what’s been a remarkable 2024. He still holds a healthy 110-point lead over Donny Schatz in the standings but shaking the current slump will help provide extra security.
The last time Gravel visited Stockton he scored a personal best third-place run. Friday will be his first Stockton trip with the Big Game crew. He’s a former winner at Kings, charging from seventh to victory with Jason Johnson Racing in 2019.
CALI CLIQUE: California is ready to send its strong contingent of locals to the national scene with hopes of defending home turf this weekend. The west coasters always put up a good fight when The Greatest Show on Dirt comes to town.
Justin Sanders has established himself as one of California’s top talents, and he’s hungry to add a World of Outlaws win to the résumé with Mittry Racing. The Aromas, CA native has already won twice at Stockton this year – once apiece with NARC and SCCT. His Kings accomplishments include a NARC victory last year and an eighth with the World of Outlaws in 2022.
Dominic Scelzi is another potent left coaster eying his first Series triumph. Gio’s brother has plenty of success at both tracks with a 410 under the hood, beating NARC three times at Stockton and five times at Kings. Scelzi podiumed last year in Hanford with the World of Outlaws.
Shane Golobic is already a two-time Series winner – 2013 at Antioch and 2019 at Placerville. The Rocklin, CA driver owns several Stockton scores wheeling both Sprint Cars and Midgets. He’s also topped NARC at Kings.
Before he joins the World of Outlaws tour next year with TwoC Racing, Cole Macedo eyes his first Series win during the California swing with Tarlton Motorsports. The pairing already visited Stockton Victory Lane earlier this year and topped Kings in the latter half of 2023.
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
WHEN AND WHERE
Friday, Sept. 6 at Stockton Dirt Track in Stockton, CA
Saturday, Sept. 7 at Kings Speedway in Hanford, CA
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CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (51/70 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports No. 2 (6906 PTS)
2. Donny Schatz – Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing No. 15 (-110 PTS)
3. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 (-114 PTS)
4. Giovanni Scelzi – KCP Racing No. 18 (-222 PTS)
5. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports No. 83 (-282 PTS)
6. Sheldon Haudenschild – Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing No. 17 (-332 PTS)
7. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing No. 1S (-340 PTS)
8. Bill Balog – B Squared Motorsports No. 17B (-812 PTS)
9. Brock Zearfoss – Brock Zearfoss Racing No. 3Z (-1062 PTS)
10. Kraig Kinser – Premier Motorsports No. 70 (-1346 PTS)
NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (16 Drivers):
13 Wins – David Gravel
8 Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
7 Wins – Carson Macedo
4 Wins – Donny Schatz
3 Wins – Giovanni Scelzi, Kyle Larson
2 Wins – Tyler Courtney, Rico Abreu, Michael Kofoid
1 Win – Brad Sweet, Brent Marks, Brady Bacon, Corey Day, Logan Schuchart, James McFadden, T.J. Stutts
FEATURE LAPS LED (24 Drivers):
338 Laps – Carson Macedo
317 Laps – David Gravel
178 Laps – Giovanni Scelzi
177 Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
132 Laps – Donny Schatz
97 Laps – Kyle Larson
75 Laps – Rico Abreu
65 Laps – Michael Kofoid
49 Laps – Logan Schuchart
44 Laps – James McFadden
36 Laps – Emerson Axsom
34 Laps – Brady Bacon
29 Laps – Chase Randall
25 Laps – Brad Sweet, T.J. Stutts
15 Laps – Ryan Timms, Tyler Courtney
13 Laps – Anthony Macri
11 Laps – Bill Balog
9 Laps – Parker Price-Miller, Corey Day
4 Laps – Hunter Schuerenberg
3 Laps – Brent Marks
1 Lap – Kalib Henry
SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (17 Drivers):
10 Quick Times – Carson Macedo
9 Quick Times – David Gravel
7 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, Emerson Axsom
HEAT RACE WINNERS (49 Drivers):
26 Heat Wins – David Gravel
25 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
23 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
17 Heat Wins – Giovanni Scelzi
14 Heat Wins – Michael Kofoid
9 Heat Wins – Rico Abreu, Logan Schuchart, Donny Schatz
7 Heat Wins – Brock Zearfoss
5 Heat Wins – Tyler Courtney, Brent Marks, Bill Balog
3 Heat Wins – Daryn Pittman, Garet Williamson, Kaleb Johnson
2 Heat Wins – Brian Brown, Landon Crawley, Corey Day, Kyle Larson, Anthony Macri, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Austin McCarl, Aaron Reutzel, Emerson Axsom, Scott Bogucki, Chase Randall
1 Heat Win – Justin Peck, Bill Rose, Ryan Timms, Danny Sams III, Tim Shaffer, Nick Omdahl, Brad Sweet, Spencer Bayston, Brady Bacon, Parker Price-Miller, Chase Dietz, T.J. Stutts, Kelby Watt, Jamie Ball, Hunter Schuerenberg, Tasker Phillips, Ayrton Gennetten, Tanner Holmes, Kasey Kahne, Cole Macedo, Cale Thomas, Dusty Zomer, Andy Pake
TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (60 Drivers):
36 Dashes – David Gravel
35 Dashes – Carson Macedo
32 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
31 Dashes – Giovanni Scelzi
24 Dashes – Michael Kofoid
20 Dashes – Donny Schatz
18 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
13 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, Garet Williamson
4 Dashes – Brian Brown, Brady Bacon, Anthony Macri
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, Scott Bogucki
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, Austin McCarl, Christopher Thram, Kraig Kinser, Troy Wagaman Jr., T.J. Stutts, Freddie Rahmer, Jacob Allen, Lance Dewease, Kelby Watt, Will Armitage, Dusty Zomer, Andy Pake
MICRO-LITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (41 Drivers):
3 LCS Wins – Bill Balog, Anthony Macri, Landon Crawley, Garet Williamson
2 LCS Wins – Logan McCandless, Brock Zearfoss
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, Scott Bogucki, Mark Dobmeier, Scott Winters, Christopher Thram
KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (31 Drivers):
8 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz
6 Hard Chargers – Logan Schuchart
3 Hard Chargers – Carson Macedo, Michael Kofoid
2 Hard Chargers – Aaron Reutzel, Cale Thomas, Danny Dietrich, Garet Williamson, Emerson Axsom
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, Brent Marks, Larry Wight, Anthony Macri, James McFadden, Parker Price-Miller, Corey Day, Tim Kaeding, Tim Estenson, David Gravel
PODIUM FINISHES (25 Drivers):
27 Podiums – David Gravel
24 Podiums – Carson Macedo
19 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild
17 Podiums – Donny Schatz
16 Podiums – Michael Kofoid
8 Podiums – Giovanni Scelzi
6 Podiums – Kyle Larson
5 Podiums – Rico Abreu
3 Podiums – Brad Sweet, Tyler Courtney, Brent Marks, Bill Balog
2 Podiums – Aaron Reutzel, Logan Schuchart, Justin Peck, James McFadden, Corey Day, Emerson Axsom
1 Podium – Anthony Macri, Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Parker Price-Miller, Ryan Timms, T.J. Stutts, Chase Randall
TOP 10 FINISHES (72 Drivers):
46 Top 10s – David Gravel
44 Top 10s – Giovanni Scelzi
43 Top 10s – Donny Schatz
41 Top 10s – Michael Kofoid, Carson Macedo
39 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart
36 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild
25 Top 10s – Bill Balog
14 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, Garet Williamson
7 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel
6 Top 10s – Kyle Larson, Corey Day, Emerson Axsom
5 Top 10s – Brian Brown, Ryan Timms
4 Top 10s – Cole Macedo, Landon Crawley, Brady Bacon, Justin Peck, Chase Randall
3 Top 10s – Cole Duncan, Skylar Gee, Zeb Wise, Danny Dietrich, Jacob Allen, Scott Bogucki
2 Top 10s – Kraig Kinser, Cale Thomas, Parker Price-Miller, Cory Eliason, Chase Dietz, Troy Wagaman Jr., Daryn Pittman, Ayrton Gennetten, Kerry Madsen, Tim Kaeding
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, 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, Andy Pake
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, Aug 2 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Kyle Larson (1)
43. Sat, Aug 3 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Kyle Larson (2)
44. Sat, Aug 10 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Kyle Larson (3)
45. Fri, Aug 16 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Carson Macedo (4)
46. Sat, Aug 17 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Donny Schatz (4)
47. Fri, Aug 23 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Carson Macedo (5)
48. Sat, Aug 24 / Red River Valley Speedway / West Fargo, ND / Carson Macedo (6)
49. Fri, Aug 30 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Sheldon Haudenschild (8)
50. Sat, Aug 31 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Carson Macedo (7)
51. Sun, Sept 1 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (2)
For the remaining 2024 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car schedule, CLICK HERE.
