ATTICA, OH (May 14, 2024) - The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are ready to kick off a two-week stay in the “Buckeye State.”
Ohio welcomes The Greatest Show on Dirt for two nights at two tracks this weekend. First up is the 24th visit in Series history to Attica Raceway Park on Friday, May 17. The following night it’s an eastward trip to Hartford, OH’s Sharon Speedway.
The pair of races are the first two of five consecutive in the state of Ohio with Atomic Speedway (May 24-25) and Fremont Speedway (May 27) on the horizon.
The slick ovals of Ohio routinely produce some of the season’s most exciting racing, and the upcoming slate should be no different. A strong crop of Buckeye based talent is ready to face off with the stars of the World of Outlaws tour.
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Let’s look at the weekend’s top storylines:
HAUD’S HOME: Trips to Ohio are always circled on Sheldon Haudenschild’s calendar. The 30-year-old calls Wooster, OH home, and it’s where he cut his teeth in Sprint Cars. He’ll roll into home territory with four victories under his belt already in 2024.
Attica is home to two of Haudenschild’s 17 career All-Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) victories. The Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing driver is yet to bag a World of Outlaws win at Attica, but he’s been banging on the door with three top fives in his last four tries including a runner-up at last year’s Brad Doty Classic.
Over at Sharon, it’s a similar story for the son of Jac Haudenschild. He topped the 2015 Lou Blaney Memorial in ASCoC competition. Victory Lane has narrowly eluded him with the World of Outlaws as he owns three podiums in four tries piloting the NOS Energy Drink #17.
BIG GAME BRILLIANCE: The combination of David Gravel and Big Game Motorsports are borderline unbeatable right now. Three of the last four races have belonged to the potent pairing as they’ve claimed wins at Jacksonville, Eldora and Lincoln. The most recent made Tod Quiring the sixth owner in Series history to reach 100 wins. The No. 2 has finished in the top two in nine of the last 12 main events. Gravel came into the year as a premier championship favorite, and he’s showing why.
The numbers show no reason for Gravel to slow this weekend in Ohio. The Watertown, CT native three most recent visits to Attica have resulted in top fives. He’s also bagged a pair of Series victories at the 1/3-mile (2017 & 2021).
Over at Sharon, Gravel is yet to make a trip to Victory Lane, but he’s been remarkably consistent. His four starts there with the Big Game Motorsports team have led to a pair of runner-ups, no result worse than fourth, and an average finish of third.
Gravel heads to Ohio atop the standings with a 58-point advantage over Donny Schatz.
OHIO EXPERTISE: There’s no doubt this coming stretch of Ohio races is circled on Donny Schatz’s calendar as he chases an 11th World of Outlaws title. The Fargo, ND native has won at least once at all four tracks within the “Buckeye State” borders over the next couple weeks.
It begins this weekend at Attica where Schatz has excelled. In 17 Attica starts, Schatz owns five wins, nine podiums, and a 4.53 average finish. A DNF in 2009 caused his only result outside the top 10. Last May Schatz picked up his first Series victory at Sharon to complete a weekend sweep at the two tracks ahead this weekend.
Schatz heads to Attica sitting second in the points amid what’s been a resurgent season. He’s already bagged a pair of victories along with seven podiums, and the only occurrences he’s missed the top-10 have been a trio of 11ths.
READY TO WIN: There are two notable names on the 2024 roster still chasing a victory with the season nearly a quarter complete – Logan Schuchart and Michael “Buddy” Kofoid.
Schuchart and the Shark Racing crew have been consistent all year long with an average finish of 7.21, and they’ve completed every lap of Feature competition through 19 events. None of Schuchart’s 41 career wins have come at Attica or Sharon, but like the story of his 2024 campaign, he’s been close. His last seven outings at Attica have led to top 10s including a trio of top fives. Four of his five Sharon finishes have been inside the top 10.
Kofoid rolls to Ohio on a streak of 14 straight top 10s including six podiums with Roth Motorsports. But none of those top three efforts placed the Penngrove, CA native atop the podium. Kofoid owns plenty of Attica laps courtesy of moving from California to Ohio when his Sprint Car career was blooming. He’s made 11 appearances on the Attica podium highlighted by a 2020 local win. The 22-year-old’s Sharon experience is much more limited, but he did pick up a top five in a 2022 ASCoC race.
The pair currently reside as neighbors in the points with Schuchart in fifth, 18 markers ahead of Kofoid.
BUCKEYE PROUD: With plenty of racing on a weekly basis, Ohio offers up many local talents that are expected to battle the World of Outlaws this weekend.
Bryce Lucius (Findlay, OH), Cap Henry (Bellevue, OH), and Craig Mintz (Gibsonburg, OH) are all Buckeyes who’ve already made visits to Attica Victory Lane in 2024. Greg Wilson is a 25-time Attica Feature winner (tied 16th-most) and is fresh off a runner-up finish at the 3/8-mile this past weekend. The Benton Ridge, OH driver picked up an Attica top five with the World of Outlaws back in 2005.
Sharon may share the state with Attica, but its location being about 150 miles east typically means the local contingent looks a little different. Dave Blaney owns the racetrack and often finds success when he brings his No. 10 out for battle. Last year, the 1995 Series champion collected a trio of Sharon checkered flags, and it’s also the site of his most recent World of Outlaws win came at Sharon in 2021 with a dramatic last lap pass. Dave’s brother – Dale Blaney – is also strong at the Ohio oval. He matched Dave’s 2023 Sharon win tally with three victories of his own.
Sharon also often invites a western Pennsylvania presence including the likes of A.J. Flick (Apollo, PA), George Hobaugh (Chicora, PA), Brandon Matus (Wampum, PA), and more.
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
WHEN AND WHERE
Friday, May 17 at Attica Raceway Park in Attica, OH
Saturday, May 18 at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, OH
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CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (19/78 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports #2 (2692 PTS)
2. Donny Schatz – Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15 (-58 PTS)
3. Giovanni Scelzi – KCP Racing #18 (-62 PTS)
4. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing #41 (-80 PTS)
5. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing #1S (-116 PTS)
6. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports #83 (-134 PTS)
7. Sheldon Haudenschild – Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing #17 (-180 PTS)
8. Bill Balog – B Squared Motorsports #17B (-324 PTS)
9. Brock Zearfoss – Brock Zearfoss Racing #3Z (-462 PTS)
10. Landon Crawley – Sides Motorsports #7S (-538 PTS)
NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (10 Drivers):
6 Wins – David Gravel
4 Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild
2 Wins – Donny Schatz
1 Win – Brad Sweet, Tyler Courtney, Brent Marks, Giovanni Scelzi, Carson Macedo, Rico Abreu, Brady Bacon
FEATURE LAPS LED (14 Drivers):
160 Laps – David Gravel
107 Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
56 Laps – Giovanni Scelzi
55 Laps – Carson Macedo
54 Laps – Rico Abreu
47 Laps – Donny Schatz
29 Laps – Kyle Larson
26 Laps – Brady Bacon
25 Laps – Brad Sweet
13 Laps – Anthony Macri, Michael Kofoid
11 Laps – Bill Balog
3 Laps – Brent Marks
1 Lap – Tyler Courtney
SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (10 Drivers):
4 Quick Times – Carson Macedo, David Gravel
2 Quick Times ��� Brent Marks, Michael Kofoid, Giovanni Scelzi
1 Quick Time – Landon Crawley, Brian Brown, Aaron Reutzel, Brady Bacon, Donny Schatz
HEAT RACE WINNERS (23 Drivers):
12 Heat Wins – David Gravel
8 Heat Wins – Giovanni Scelzi, Carson Macedo
6 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Michael Kofoid
5 Heat Wins – Rico Abreu
4 Heat Wins – Brent Marks
3 Heat Wins – Donny Schatz
2 Heat Wins – Brian Brown, Tyler Courtney, Landon Crawley
1 Heat Win – Corey Day, Justin Peck, Bill Balog, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Brock Zearfoss, Logan Schuchart, Bill Rose, Ryan Timms, Danny Sams III, Kyle Larson, Emerson Axsom, Anthony Macri
TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (35 Drivers):
16 Dashes – David Gravel
14 Dashes – Giovanni Scelzi, Carson Macedo
12 Dashes – Michael Kofoid
11 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
8 Dashes – Donny Schatz
7 Dashes – Rico Abreu, Bill Balog
6 Dashes – Landon Crawley
5 Dashes – Brent Marks, Logan Schuchart
4 Dashes – Tyler Courtney, Brian Brown
3 Dashes – Emerson Axsom
2 Dashes – Brad Sweet, Aaron Reutzel, Brock Zearfoss, Anthony Macri
1 Dash – Justin Peck, Zeb Wise, Corey Day, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Bill Rose, Ryan Timms, Garet Williamson, James McFadden, Logan McCandless, Ayrton Gennetten, Brady Bacon, Danny Sams III, Cole Macedo, Kyle Larson, Skylar Gee, Kody Hartlaub, Chase Dietz
MICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (15 Drivers):
2 LCS Wins – Logan McCandless
1 LCS Win – Austin McCarl, Bill Balog, Corey Day, Kasey Kahne, Koty Adams, Jace Park, Anthony Macri, Landon Crawley, Garet Williamson, Brock Zearfoss, Kevin Newton, Brenham Crouch, Sheldon Haudenschild, Brandon Rahmer
KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (14 Drivers):
3 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart
2 Hard Chargers – Carson Macedo
1 Hard Charger – Aaron Reutzel, Jace Park, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Brock Zearfoss, Chase Randall, Chris Windom, Noah Gass, Austin McCarl, Giovanni Scelzi, Sheldon Haudenschild, Danny Dietrich
PODIUM FINISHES (16 Drivers):
11 Podiums – David Gravel
7 Podiums – Donny Schatz, Carson Macedo
6 Podiums – Michael Kofoid
5 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild, Giovanni Scelzi
3 Podiums – Brad Sweet, Rico Abreu
2 Podiums – Tyler Courtney, Brent Marks
1 Podium – Justin Peck, Anthony Macri, Aaron Reutzel, Bill Balog, Brady Bacon, Kyle Larson
TOP 10 FINISHES (43 Drivers):
18 Top 10s – Giovanni Scelzi
17 Top 10s – David Gravel
16 Top 10s – Donny Schatz, Michael Kofoid
15 Top 10s – Carson Macedo, Logan Schuchart
13 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild
9 Top 10s – Bill Balog
6 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney
5 Top 10s – Brent Marks, Rico Abreu, Brock Zearfoss, Anthony Macri
4 Top 10s – Brad Sweet
3 Top 10s – Brian Brown, Aaron Reutzel, Cole Macedo
2 Top 10s – Ryan Timms, Chase Randall, Kraig Kinser, Landon Crawley, Corey Day, James McFadden
1 Top 10 – Justin Peck, Kasey Kahne, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Zeb Wise, Cory Eliason, Jacob Allen, Chris Windom, Garet Williamson, Joe B. Miller, Ayrton Gennetten, Brady Bacon, Emerson Axsom, Scotty Milan, Cale Thomas, Cole Duncan, Kyle Larson, Skylar Gee, Troy Wagaman Jr., Danny Dietrich, Chase Dietz
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)
For the full 2024 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car schedule, CLICK HERE.
Story - World of Outlaws
Photo - Trent Gower
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