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April 15th 2025
Trent Gower Photo
This weekend’s Premier Chevy Dealers Clash will serve up a potential Knoxville Nationals preview
There’s never a bad time to visit “The Sprint Car Capital of the World.”
The entire sport converges on Knoxville Raceway in August for the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s, but the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars make a pair of trips prior to “The Granddaddy of ‘Em All.”
The first is set for this weekend (April 18-19) as The Greatest Show on Dirt heads to the Marion County Fairgrounds for the first leg of the Premier Chevy Dealers Clash. Not only will it be the World of Outlaws’ first visit to the historic 1/2-mile this year, but it’ll also mark the first race of 2025 for Knoxville.
The fun starts before the racing even kicks off. On Thursday at 2 p.m. CT, fans can attend the grand opening of the Dennis Albaugh Suite Tower next to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum outside Turn 2. Then, later that night, engines will come to life as the track hosts a practice session that’s free for fans to attend.
A massive field of cars is expected to fill the pit area as Knoxville opens their gates for the first time this year. You can never get enough laps ahead of the Knoxville Nationals, and many teams plan to add to the notebook this weekend while chasing a pair of $12,000 paydays. Simply put, Knoxville, IA is the place to be this weekend.
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Let’s look at the top stories to watch at Knoxville:
SCHATZVILLE: For as long as Donny Schatz is racing Sprint Cars, he’ll always top the headlines when the World of Outlaws roll into Knoxville.
The 10-time Series champion owns 30 victories at “The Sprint Car Capital of the World.” Eleven of those are Knoxville Nationals titles, ranking second behind only Steve Kinser’s dozen. Outside of Nationals competition, Schatz has picked up another 11 World of Outlaws checkered flags in four different months including an April win in 2007.
Schatz carries the momentum of his best weekend of the year into the Premier Chevy Dealers Clash. He drove from 18th to sixth on night one at I-55 before taking the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing No. 15 to his first podium of the season on Saturday.
BUILDING MOMENTUM: David Gravel and Big Game Motorsports pulled ahead early, but as of late Carson Macedo and his Jason Johnson Racing crew may be the hottest team on tour.
They’ve put together six podiums in the last eight races with a 3.38 average finish over that stretch. Macedo is fresh off a win and a runner-up at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park. The recent speed has allowed the Lemoore, CA native to trim David Gravel’s lead atop the points down to 64 markers.
Knoxville is a special place for the JJR crew. Jason Johnson’s epic triumph in the 2016 Knoxville Nationals will never be forgotten. It’s also where Macedo took the No. 41 to Victory Lane in the team’s first race back during the 2018 360 Nationals after Johnson’s passing. Macedo owns four wins at the 1/2-mile, and they’ve all come with Jason Johnson Racing. Recently, he topped a 2023 Knoxville Nationals prelim. He also swept the 2021 June World of Outlaws weekend.
OUTLAW EXCELLENCE: Schatz and Macedo aren’t the only current World of Outlaws drivers who have experienced success at Knoxville.
David Gravel is a 12-time Knoxville winner, most notably taking the 2019 Knoxville Nationals title. Four of the current point leader’s victories have come since joining Big Game Motorsports including one last June.
Giovanni Scelzi may be a California native, but he now calls Iowa home and has stood in Knoxville Victory Lane on eight occasions. He beat the All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) in 2019 aboard the Indy Race Parts No. 71, topped his prelim and the finale of the 2021 360 Nationals with KCP Racing, and grabbed a 410 Nationals prelim last year in the KCP No. 18.
Logan Schuchart is the Series’ most recent winner entering the weekend after claiming the I-55 finale, and he’s got a trio of Knoxville scores under his belt. His first was the 2018 Hard Knox Night. In 2022, the Hanover, PA driver won the Capitani Classic and followed that up with a Nationals prelim win a few days later.
Garet Williamson may be a World of Outlaws rookie, but he’s got plenty of Knoxville experience. He claimed a pair of 360 Sprint Car wins at the half mile in 2023, and then last year with his current Fischer Motorsports team he got his first in a 410 there.
Sheldon Haudenschild thrilled in 2021 when he wheeled the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing/NOS Energy Drink No. 17 from 14th to his first Knoxville win at a local race. He’s still going after one in World of Outlaws competition on the Marion County Fairgrounds.
KNOCKING ON THE DOOR: There are a handful of World of Outlaws competitors who’ve come close but are still yet to enjoy the feeling of making that right turn into Knoxville Victory Lane. They’ll look to seal the deal this weekend.
A Knoxville win remains a missing piece from Michael “Buddy” Kofoid’s résumé. He’s been in the top 10 in half of his 14 starts, peaking with a runner-up in the Roth Motorsports ride against ASCoC in 2023.
Chris Windom was close to Knoxville glory in his wingless days. The current Sides Motorsports driver has been in the top five on five occasions with USAC including a pair of runner-up finishes.
Bill Balog, Cole Macedo, and Skylar Gee have also been in the top five at least once at Knoxville but not stood on the top step of the podium yet.
KNOXVILLE KNOWLEDGE: Knoxville has one of the healthiest weekly programs as a nation, and as a result many track regulars await to face off with the best in the business with hopes of performing under the bright lights.
Brian Brown calls Missouri home but has become synonymous with Knoxville Raceway. He’s a five-time track champion and Knoxville’s second winningest driver with 66 wins to his credit – three in World of Outlaws competition.
Austin McCarl continues the McCarl family tradition of performing at Knoxville. The Altoona, IA native claimed the two most recent track titles, bringing his total to a trio. One of his three career World of Outlaws top fives came at Knoxville.
Several other regulars are likely to be in attendance including Tasker Phillips (Pleasantville, IA), Cole Mincer (Burlington, IA), Jamie Ball (Knoxville, IA), and more.
NATIONALS PREVIEW: This weekend may not attract 100-plus entries like “The Granddaddy of ‘Em All” will in August, but a massive field is expected to invade and treat fans to a preview of the Knoxville Nationals. In addition to the stars of the World of Outlaws tour and the local contingent, several stout names are planning to join them.
After winning the NASCAR Cup race at Bristol over the weekend, Kyle Larson indicated he’ll be in attendance aboard the Silva Motorsports No. 57. Three of the last four Knoxville Nationals went to “Yung Money.” The Elk Grove, CA native owns 12 total wins on the Marion County Fairgrounds.
2013 World of Outlaws champion Daryn Pittman has joined forces with Lunstra Motorsports for select races including this weekend. The Owasso, OK driver is a three-time Knoxville Feature winner and sat on the front row of last year’s Nationals.
Tanner Holmes and the Tarlton Motorsports crew are hauling the black No. 21 from the West Coast to Iowa. The combo has already won at California’s Silver Dollar Speedway this year and nearly got another this past weekend. Holmes’ best Knoxville finish is eighth.
Other talented gassers planning on joining the weekend’s roster include Tyler Courtney (Indianapolis, IN), Ryan Timms (Oklahoma City, OK), Chase Randall (Waco, TX), Emerson Axsom (Franklin, IN), Aaron Reutzel (Clute, TX), and more.
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
WHEN AND WHERE
Friday-Saturday, April 18-19 at Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, IA
ON THE INTERNET
World 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/month
CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (15/86 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports No. 2 (2126 PTS)
2. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 (-64 PTS)
2. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing No. 1S (-74 PTS)
4. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports No. 83 (-128 PTS)
5. Sheldon Haudenschild – Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing No. 17 (-180 PTS)
6. Donny Schatz – Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing No. 15 (-212 PTS)
7. Giovanni Scelzi – KCP Racing No. 18 (-236 PTS)
8. Bill Balog – B2 Motorsports No. 17B (-248 PTS)
9. Chris Windom – Sides Motorsports No. 7S (-336 PTS)
10. Garet Williamson – Fischer Motorsports No. 23 (-338 PTS)
NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (8 Drivers):
5 Wins – David Gravel
2 Wins – Kyle Larson, Michael Kofoid, Carson Macedo
1 Win – Christopher Bell, Bill Balog, Giovanni Scelzi, Logan Schuchart
FEATURE LAPS LED (11 Drivers):
126 Laps – David Gravel
66 Laps – Logan Schuchart
65 Laps – Michael Kofoid
51 Laps – Kyle Larson
39 Laps – Giovanni Scelzi, Carson Macedo
19 Laps – Bill Balog
17 Laps – Emerson Axsom
16 Laps – Cole Macedo
9 Laps – Sam Hafertepe Jr.
8 Laps – Christopher Bell
SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (8 Drivers):
8 Quick Times – David Gravel
1 Quick Time – Emerson Axsom, Kyle Larson, Danny Sams III, Logan Schuchart, Anthony Macri, Carson Macedo, Aaron Reutzel
HEAT RACE WINNERS (22 Drivers):
9 Heat Wins – David Gravel
8 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
5 Heat Wins – Bill Balog
4 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart
3 Heat Wins – Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson
2 Heat Wins – Brian Brown, Jacob Allen, Michael Kofoid, Austin McCarl
1 Heat Win – Emerson Axsom, Hunter Schuerenberg, Anthony Macri, Garet Williamson, Bryce Lucius, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Conner Morrell, Donny Schatz, Danny Dietrich, Aaron Reutzel, Tanner Thorson
TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (33 Drivers):
14 Dashes – David Gravel
13 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
11 Dashes – Carson Macedo
7 Dashes – Bill Balog
6 Dashes – Michael Kofoid, Sheldon Haudenschild
5 Dashes – Emerson Axsom, Giovanni Scelzi
4 Dashes – Brian Brown
3 Dashes – Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Garet Williamson, Cole Macedo
2 Dashes – Danny Sams III, Jacob Allen, Anthony Macri, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Austin McCarl, Aaron Reutzel, Donny Schatz
1 Dash – Justin Peck, Brad Sweet, Ryan Timms, Tyler Courtney, Parker Price-Miller, Hunter Schuerenberg, Spencer Bayston, Conner Morrell, Bryce Lucius, Christopher Thram, Danny Dietrich, Rico Abreu, Tanner Thorson
MICRO-LITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (10 Drivers):
2 LCS Wins – Giovanni Scelzi, Donny Schatz, Christopher Thram, Ryan Timms, Garet Williamson
1 LCS Win – Chris Martin, Anthony Macri, Bryce Lucius, Conner Morrell, Blake Hahn
KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (10 Drivers):
3 Hard Chargers – Ryan Timms
2 Hard Chargers – Chris Windom, Skylar Gee, Garet Williamson
1 Hard Charger – Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart, Cole Macedo, Zach Hampton, Bill Balog, Hunter Schuerenberg
PODIUM FINISHES (14 Drivers):
11 Podiums – David Gravel
7 Podiums – Carson Macedo
6 Podiums – Logan Schuchart
4 Podiums – Kyle Larson, Michael Kofoid
3 Podiums – Giovanni Scelzi
2 Podiums – Christopher Bell, Sam Hafertepe Jr.
1 Podium – Aaron Reutzel, Jacob Allen, Bill Balog, Sheldon Haudenschild, Emerson Axsom, Donny Schatz
TOP 10 FINISHES (34 Drivers):
15 Top 10s – David Gravel
14 Top 10s – Carson Macedo, Logan Schuchart
11 Top 10s – Michael Kofoid
10 Top 10s – Donny Schatz
9 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild, Giovanni Scelzi
8 Top 10s – Bill Balog
5 Top 10s – Chris Windom
4 Top 10s – Kyle Larson, Cole Macedo, Hunter Schuerenberg, Emerson Axsom
3 Top 10s – Ryan Timms, Brad Sweet, Tyler Courtney, Justin Peck, Anthony Macri, Garet Williamson, Aaron Reutzel
2 Top 10s – Christopher Bell, Jacob Allen, Spencer Bayston, Sam Hafertepe Jr.
1 Top 10 – Danny Sams III, Brian Brown, Parker Price-Miller, Skylar Gee, Zach Hampton, Conner Morrell, Austin McCarl, Rico Abreu, Tanner Thorson, Kerry Madsen
2025 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR WINNERS:
No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Wed, Feb 7 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Carson Macedo (1)
2. Thurs, Feb 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Christopher Bell (1)
3. Fri, Feb 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Larson (1)
4. Sat, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Larson (2)
5. Sun, March 2 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1)
6. Mon, March 3 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (2)
7. Fri, March 7 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Bill Balog (1)
8. Sat, March 8 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / David Gravel (3)
9. Fri, March 14 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX / Giovanni Scelzi (1)
10. Sat, March 15 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX / Michael Kofoid (1)
11. Fri, March 21 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / David Gravel (4)
12. Sat, March 22 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / David Gravel (5)
13. Fri, March 28 / Lawton Speedway / Lawton, OK / Michael Kofoid (2)
14. Fri, April 11 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Carson Macedo (2)
15. Sat, April 12 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Logan Schuchart (1)
For the complete 2025 schedule, CLICK HERE.
