By Alex Nieten
GRAND FORKS, ND (May 31, 2023) – For the first time in 2023, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are northbound.
After two consecutive weekends in Ohio followed by a Monday visit to Indiana, nearly 15 hours of driving will bring the tour to its next destination.
The Greatest Show on Dirt heads to River Cities Speedway (Grand Forks, ND) on Friday, June 2 for the Gerdau presents the 1st Leg of the Northern Tour followed by the Series debut at Ogilvie Raceway (Ogilvie, MN) on Saturday, June 3.
The weekend promises to bring plenty of excitement. River Cities is known for offering some of the most thrilling action with many grooves and plenty of space for sliders. The quarter mile bullring is known as longtime Series announcer, Johnny Gibson’s, favorite track for a reason.
Ogilvie provides the unknowns of a track new to the Series with no experience imbalance. No drivers will have an advantage in the laps department, and all will be vying for the right to be called the first winner in Series history at the Minnesota track at the Wagamon Brothers presents the Big O Showdown.
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Let’s look at the top storylines to watch this weekend:
MACEDO ON THE MOVE: After a short, rough stretch that saw Carson Macedo post an 11.5 average finish over four races, the Jason Johnson Racing driver has rebounded in a big way.
Macedo has earned top five finishes in five consecutive races with four podiums in that span. Over that stretch, his average finish sits at a superb 2.6. The recent performance has elevated him into a tie for the points lead with Brad Sweet.
River Cities on Friday presents the Lemoore, CA native with an opportunity to take sole possession of the top spot. In six starts in Grand Forks, Macedo has podiumed in half including a win last June.
DONNY’S DOMAIN: North Dakota is where Donny Schatz has called home all his life, and the Fargo driver has had quite the home field advantage in Grand Forks.
Schatz has appeared at all 29 Series visits to River Cities Speedway. In those starts, he’s won 12 times, landed on the podium on 21 occasions, and owns an astonishing 2.5 average finish. His only two finishes outside of the top five were a pair of sevenths. From 2015 to 2018, Schatz topped seven of eight River Cities races.
The 10-time Series champion cooled off slightly over Memorial Day Weekend from his recent hot streak but did still notch a podium on the second night at Atomic. He heads into the weekend aboard the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15 tied for fifth in points.
GRAND FORKS GLORY: While Schatz has made it difficult for others to experience Victory Lane at River Cities, a handful of other active competitors have conquered the quarter mile.
Four-time and reigning champion – Brad Sweet – is the defending River Cities race winner after claiming last August’s visit. “The Big Cat” has won two of the last three to make himself one of only five drivers with multiple triumphs at the facility. A third victory on Friday would equal him with Craig Dollansky for the second most River Cities wins.
The driver currently third in points – David Gravel – topped a 2017 visit to Grand Forks. While it has been six years since that victory, he’s been solid as of late with no finish worse than seventh in his past seven River Cities starts.
Two years after Gravel’s triumph, Shark Racing’s Logan Schuchart made the trip to River Cities Victory Lane. The win was one of four podiums that Schuchart has picked up at the facility in 15 attempts.
Kyle Larson snagged a 2020 World of Outlaws win at River Cities with a wild last lap, last corner pass.
EMPTY NOTEBOOKS: The debut at Ogilvie will present a unique set of circumstances for the drivers and teams. Occasionally, some drivers will have previous experience at a track before the World of Outlaws visit. But Ogilvie so seldom hosts winged Sprint Car racing that there haven’t been opportunities for laps. It will be as close to a clean slate race as you can get.
The most recent World of Outlaws track debut was last March when Brad Sweet bested the field at Vado Speedway Park in New Mexico.
Another recent Series track debut yielded a major milestone moment in the sport’s history when Donny Schatz collected his 300th World of Outlaws win at Dubuque Fairgrounds Speedway in 2021. That same year the World of Outlaws also had their first races at Magnolia Motor Speedway (won by Sheldon Haudenschild) and Dirt on The Rev (won by David Gravel).
ON THE GASS: During his time with the World of Outlaws tour, Noah Gass has proven River Cities to be one of his best tracks.
Two years ago was when the Mounds, OK native first tackled select Series events, and in 13 starts in 2021, Gass’ earned his best finish (12th) in Grand Forks. Then last year during his rookie campaign as a full-time competitor, Gass picked up one of his two top 10s on the year at the bullring.
Through 16 Feature starts in 2023, Gass’ best result is 14th in Pevely, MO, and he’ll look to better that mark Friday where he’s found past success.
NOSA NAMES: River Cities is a routine stop on the Northern Outlaws Sprint Association (NOSA) tour, meaning some of the top northern names may be in attendance looking to compete on home turf against the best.
Per usual, Mark Dobmeier leads the charge for the locals. Less than two weeks ago, the Grand Forks native collected his Series-best 176th career NOSA win at River Cities. Of his 44 career World of Outlaws top-10s, 20 have come at his home track including a pair of podiums.
Austin Pierce is another of the consistently strong local competitors. In the last two seasons he’s racked up 13 NOSA victories at River Cities, and the Grand Forks oval is home to his one career World of Outlaws top 10 (2016).
Other NOSA names to watch include Jade Hastings, Brendan Mullen, Greg Nikitenko, and more.
If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the action on DIRTVision.
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
WHEN AND WHERE
Friday, June 2 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, ND
Saturday, June 3 at Ogilvie Raceway in Ogilvie, MN
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 (24/80 Races):
1. 49 – Brad Sweet (3344PTS) 2. 41 – Carson Macedo (-3344PTS) 3. 2 – David Gravel (-8PTS) 4. 1S – Logan Schuchart (-148PTS) 5. 15 – Donny Schatz (-174PTS) 6. 17 – Sheldon Haudenschild (-174PTS) 7. 18 – Gio Scelzi (-254PTS) 8. 5 – Spencer Bayston (-280PTS) 9. 3Z – Brock Zearfoss (-434PTS) 10. 1A – Jacob Allen (-504PTS)