From Alex Nieten
NEW RICHMOND, Wi. (June 27, 2023) — An Independence Day weekend tradition continues this week for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars.
After making its first appearance of 2023 in Wisconsin less than two weeks ago, The Greatest Show on Dirt is returning to “The Badger State.” Cedar Lake Speedway (New Richmond, WI) welcomes the World of Outlaws this weekend (June 30 – July 1) for the Independence Day Spectacular.
The doubleheader weekend boasts two $10,000-to-win events and brings the year to its halfway point, seeing Brad Sweet currently atop the points by a mere 10 points ahead of David Gravel in second and 40 points ahead of Carson Macedo in third.
Cedar Lake has hosted 49 Series races in the past, meaning Friday’s visit will make the 3/8-mile the 18th different track to reach 50 World of Outlaws races.
Let’s look at the top storylines to watch:
BROCK’S BREAKTHROUGH: Last year’s Independence Day Spectacular offered a memorable moment.
Brock Zearfoss’ perseverance paid off when he topped the final night. The win was his second with the World of Outlaws but first in five years and first with his family-owned team. The triumph led to an emotional Victory Lane.
The Jonestown, PA native returns to the site of that victory this weekend still seeking his first win of 2023. It’s been an up and down year for Zearfoss highlighted by a top-five effort at U.S. 36 Raceway in April. Repeating at Cedar Lake could serve as a boost for the remainder of his campaign as he continues his third year on tour.
BADGER BRAD: Brad Sweet owns a nearly impeccable résumé at Cedar Lake that he hopes to add to.
“The Big Cat” already owns the record for the most consecutive victories at the Wisconsin oval – topping a whopping five straight from July of 2019 to July of 2021. In 18 Series starts, Sweet owns six wins, 11 podiums, and has only missed the top 10 once. If he can collect another checkered flag this weekend, he’ll equal Sammy Swindell as the winningest Series driver at Cedar Lake with seven. A weekend sweep would give him sole possession of that honor.
The four-time and defending champion enters the weekend as the points leader, hoping to turn his past succession into a chance to grow that lead.
DOUBLE SHARKS: Cedar Lake Speedway is one of three tracks that both Shark Racing teammates – Logan Schuchart and Jacob Allen – have won at during their World of Outlaws careers.
For Schuchart, Cedar Lake is a special place. In 2016, the Hanover, PA native collected his first career victory with The Greatest Show on Dirt at the 3/8-mile. Schuchart is yet to claim another win there, but he’s been in the top five on three other occasions including twice in the last three races.
Allen’s Cedar Lake victory came last year as a part of his breakout 2022. The pilot of the Shark Racing #1A stood atop the podium on night one of the Independence Day Spectacular. Allen has also been consistent at Cedar Lake with nine top 10s in his last 11 starts.
WISCONSIN WINNERS: Two more current full-time Series competitors have found their way to Victory Lane at Cedar Lake – Donny Schatz and Sheldon Haudenschild.
Schatz is tied with Steve Kinser as the third winningest Cedar Lake driver with five victories apiece. The 10-time Series champion has won back-to-back races on two occasions and most recently triumphed in 2016.
Haudenschild, driver of the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing #17, found Victory Lane in 2019 and in his eight starts there since hasn’t finished worse than ninth.
GRAVEL’S MOMENTUM: There is no driver on the tour hotter than David Gravel right now.
The Watertown, CT native is fresh off earning the largest payday in Series history ($250,000) at the Billion Auto Huset’s High Bank Nationals presented by Menards. That win is part of a seven-race stretch consisting of two wins, six top-two finishes, and an average finish of 2.1 for Gravel.
Despite experiencing plenty of success at Cedar Lake, Gravel is yet to win at the facility. He has finished second on seven different occasions including during the most recent visit last year. Gravel looks for that elusive win this weekend as he continues to attempt to cut into Sweet’s championship lead.
Gravel’s race team – Big Game Motorsports – is no stranger to winning at Cedar Lake, though. They scored a Victory Lane there with Kerry Madsen in 2018.
BAYSTON BUILDING: An effective four nights at Huset’s have Spencer Bayston and CJB Motorsports on their best stretch of the season.
Bayston finished no worse than ninth at the Brandon, SD oval and collected his second podium of the season on the penultimate night. The Lebanon, IN native is now on a seven-race top-10 streak – his best of the season.
The 24-year-old has had mixed results in four starts at Cedar Lake with two finishes both inside and outside of the top 10.
GAINS FOR GASS: This past week at Huset’s provided Noah Gass with one of his most encouraging outings behind the wheel.
Facing off against a massive field of some of the sport’s most talented competitors, the World of Outlaws sophomore made the main event on three of the four nights including the finale. On Thursday, he matched his season high with a 12th-place effort. Then, his 14th on Saturday was enough to net him $5,200.
Gass now looks to keep rolling as he’ll take on Cedar Lake for the first time this weekend.
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-Saturday, June 30-July 1 at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, WI
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 (34/80 Races):
1. 49 – Brad Sweet (4196PTS) 3. 2 – David Gravel (-10PTS) 3. 41 – Carson Macedo (-40PTS) 4. 1S – Logan Schuchart (-176PTS) 5. 15 – Donny Schatz (-228PTS) 6. 17 – Sheldon Haudenschild (-248PTS) 7. 18 – Gio Scelzi (-268PTS) 8. 5 – Spencer Bayston (-352PTS) 9. 3Z – Brock Zearfoss (-562PTS) 10. 1A – Jacob Allen (-622PTS)
NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (13 Drivers):
7 wins – David Gravel (Big Game Motorsports #2)
5 wins – Brad Sweet (Kasey Kahne Racing #49)
4 wins – James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83)
3 wins – Rico Abreu (Rico Abreu Racing #24), Carson Macedo (Jason Johnson Racing #41)
2 wins – Donny Schatz (Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15), Sheldon Haudenschild (Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing #17), Logan Schuchart (Shark Racing #1S)
1 win – Buddy Kofoid (CMS Racing #11), Brady Bacon (TKH Motorsports #21), Anthony Macri (Macri Motorsports #39), Brian Brown (Brian Brown Racing #21), Gio Scelzi (KCP Racing #18), Kyle Larson (Silva Motorsports #57)
FEATURE LAPS LED (18 Drivers):
147 laps – Brad Sweet
144 laps – Rico Abreu
141 laps – David Gravel
133 laps – James McFadden
126 laps – Carson Macedo
93 laps – Buddy Kofoid
75 laps – Logan Schuchart
70 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
43 laps – Brent Marks
41 laps – Donny Schatz
39 laps – Gio Scelzi
24 laps – Brian Brown
11 laps – Anthony Macri
10 laps – Cory Eliason
7 laps – Kyle Larson
4 laps – Spencer Bayston
3 laps – Brady Bacon
1 lap – Austin McCarl
SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (12 Drivers):
10 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo
7 QuickTimes – David Gravel
4 QuickTimes – Logan Schuchart
2 QuickTimes – Anthony Macri, Rico Abreu, Sheldon Haudenschild
1 QuickTime – Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, Buddy Kofoid, Gio Scelzi, James McFadden, Jacob Allen
HEAT RACE WINNERS (32 Drivers):
20 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
18 Heat Wins – David Gravel
8 Heat Wins – Buddy Kofoid, Donny Schatz
6 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart, Brad Sweet, Gio Scelzi
5 Heat Wins – Rico Abreu
4 Heat Wins – Brent Marks, James McFadden, Jacob Allen
3 Heat Wins – Anthony Macri, Brian Brown, Spencer Bayston
2 Heat Wins – Parker Price-Miller, Justin Peck, Brock Zearfoss, Noah Gass
1 Heat Win – Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Cory Eliason, Tim Kaeding, Mark Dobmeier, Kasey Kahne, Austin McCarl, Lachlan McHugh, Bill Balog, Kerry Madsen, Ryan Timms, Tim Estenson, Sam Hafertepe Jr.
TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (34 Drivers):
25 Dashes – Carson Macedo
24 Dashes – David Gravel
20 Dashes – Brad Sweet
16 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
13 Dashes – Donny Schatz
12 Dashes – Gio Scelzi, Sheldon Haudenschild
11 Dashes – Rico Abreu
10 Dashes – James McFadden
8 Dashes – Buddy Kofoid, Spencer Bayston
7 Dashes – Jacob Allen
6 Dashes – Brent Marks
5 Dashes – Brock Zearfoss, Anthony Macri
4 Dashes – Brian Brown
3 Dashes – Justin Peck, Danny Dietrich, Cory Eliason
2 Dashes – Parker Price-Miller, Robbie Price, Tyler Courtney, Garet Williamson, Austin McCarl
1 Dash – Kasey Kahne, Freddie Rahmer, Devon Borden, Aaron Reutzel, Brady Bacon, Chad Trout, Dylan Norris, Cap Henry, Stuart Brubaker, Kyle Larson
MICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (24 Drivers):
4 LCS Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
2 LCS Wins – Robbie Price, Parker Price-Miller
1 LCS Win – Brock Zearfoss, Gio Scelzi, Noah Gass, Hunter Schuerenberg, James McFadden, Wayne Johnson, Ryan Timms, Ayrton Gennetten, Spencer Bayston, Logan Schuchart, Kraig Kinser, Freddie Rahmer, Henry Malcuit, Cole Macedo, Tim Estenson, Aaron Reutzel, Kerry Madsen, Sye Lynch, Cory Eliason, Donny Schatz, Tyler Courtney
KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (23 Drivers):
4 Hard Chargers – Sheldon Haudenschild
3 Hard Chargers – Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet
2 Hard Chargers – Brock Zearfoss, James McFadden, Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart
1 Hard Charger – Gio Scelzi, Robbie Price, David Gravel, Justin Peck, Blake Hahn, Buddy Kofoid, Joe B. Miller, Kyle Larson, Hunter Schuerenberg, Kyle Moody, Freddie Rahmer, Skylar Gee, Cole Duncan, Austin Pierce, Brenham Crouch, Tim Kaeding
PODIUM FINISHES (22 Drivers):
18 Podiums – David Gravel
14 Podiums – Brad Sweet
10 Podiums – Carson Macedo
9 Podiums – Rico Abreu
7 Podiums – Donny Schatz
6 Podiums – Buddy Kofoid, Logan Schuchart
5 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild, James McFadden
3 Podiums – Brent Marks, Brian Brown, Kyle Larson
2 Podiums – Jacob Allen, Spencer Bayston
1 Podium – Danny Dietrich, Kasey Kahne, Devon Borden, Parker Price-Miller, Brady Bacon, Anthony Macri, Garet Williamson, Gio Scelzi
TOP 10 FINISHES (45 Drivers):
30 Top 10s – Carson Macedo, Brad Sweet, David Gravel
27 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart
22 Top 10s – Gio Scelzi, Spencer Bayston
21 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild
17 Top 10s – Donny Schatz, James McFadden
16 Top 10s – Rico Abreu
15 Top 10s – Buddy Kofoid
12 Top 10s – Jacob Allen
8 Top 10s – Justin Peck
7 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney
6 Top 10s – Brent Marks, Brian Brown, Cory Eliason
4 Top 10s – Kasey Kahne, Danny Dietrich, Brock Zearfoss, Kyle Larson
3 Top 10s – Anthony Macri
2 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Blake Hahn, Brady Bacon, Parker Price-Miller, Robbie Price
1 Top 10 – Zeb Wise, Devon Borden, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Joe B. Miller, Hunter Schuerenberg, Brandon Rahmer, Chad Trout, Lance Dewease, Cap Henry, Cole Macedo, Stuart Brubaker, Skylar Gee, Cole Duncan, Austin McCarl, Garet Williamson, Tim Kaeding, Bill Balog, Chase Randall
2023 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:
No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1)
2. Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (2)
3. Sat, Feb 11* / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / James McFadden (1)
4. Sun, March 5 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Carson Macedo (1)
5. Mon, March 6 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (3)
6. Sat, March 18 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Rico Abreu (1)
7. Fri, March 24 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Buddy Kofoid (1)
8. Sat, March 25 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / Brad Sweet (1)
9. Fri, March 31 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / Brad Sweet (2)
10. Sat, April 1 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / James McFadden (2)
11. Fri, April 7 / U.S. 36 Raceway / Osborn, MO / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)
12. Sat, April 8 / 81 Speedway / Wichita, KS / Rico Abreu (2)
13. Fri, April 14 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Brad Sweet (3)
14. Fri, April 28 / Tri-City Speedway / Granite City, IL / David Gravel (4)
15. Sat, April 29 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Brady Bacon (1)
16. Fri, May 5 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Logan Schuchart (1)
17. Sat, May 6 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (3)
18. Wed, May 10 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Anthony Macri (1)
19. Fri, May 12 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brad Sweet (4)
20. Fri, May 19 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Donny Schatz (1)
21. Sat, May 20 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Donny Schatz (2)
22. Fri, May 26 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / Brad Sweet (5)
23. Sat, May 27 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / Carson Macedo (2)
24. Mon, May 29 / Lawrenceburg Speedway / Lawrenceburg, IN / James McFadden (3)
25. Fri, June 2 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / David Gravel (5)
26. Sat, June 3 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN / Carson Macedo (3)
27. Fri, June 9 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Brian Brown (1)
28. Sat, June 10 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (6)
29. Fri, June 16 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Gio Scelzi (1)
30. Sat, June 17 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Sheldon Haudenschild (2)
31. Wed, June 21 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Kyle Larson (1)
32. Thurs, June 22 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / James McFadden (4)
33. Fri, June 23 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Logan Schuchart (2)
34. Sat, June 24 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / David Gravel (7)