WHAT TO WATCH FOR: World of Outlaws Make First 2023 Trips to Attica, Sharon
The World of Outlaws transition to the second quarter of the campaign in Ohio
ATTICA, OH (May 16, 2023) – For the first time this year, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are heading to a pair of northern Ohio ovals.
The always exciting Attica Raceway Park hosts The Greatest Show on Dirt on Friday, May 19. The following night, it’s a two-and-a-half-hour drive east to Hartford, OH’s Sharon Speedway – owned by 1995 World of Outlaws champion Dave Blaney. The World of Outlaws have made 21 appearances at Attica while Saturday at Sharon will be the 12th trip to the 3/8-mile track.
The weekend will mark the transition to the second quarter of the 2023 campaign. Temperatures will rise. And the action will heat up as drivers continue to jockey for positioning in the championship pursuit during a busy summer stretch.
Let’s look at some of the weekend’s top storylines:
SWEET STRENGTH: Four-time and reigning champion Brad Sweet leads the championship charge into Ohio.
After a slight stumble out of the gate, the Grass Valley, CA native’s performance has been nearly impeccable with his Kasey Kahne Racing team. In the 14 starts since leaving Florida, Sweet has posted four wins, eight podiums, and a 3.9 average finish.
Sweet hopes to extend the advantage at a pair of tracks that he’s excelled at in recent years. While “The Big Cat” has never won at Attica, he hasn’t finished worse than fifth in his last four starts at the third mile. At Sharon, he’s the most recent winner – topping last September’s visit – and finished fifth in his one other Series start.
SUMMERTIME SCHATZ: Over the course of his career, Donny Schatz has consistently produced some of his best stretches during the summer. And while the seasonal change is still a month away on the calendar, early indicators are 2023 could continue the trend.
The 10-time champion has put together his best four-race stretch of the season over the past two weeks. At Eldora he picked up a pair of podiums including a season best second-place effort on the final night. Then, the Fargo, ND native followed that with another top three at Williams Grove.
Looking ahead to the weekend, Schatz is the winningest driver in Series history at Attica with four triumphs. He’s also only finished worse than eighth once in 15 starts. Schatz has competed in all 11 Series events at Sharon with a best finish of second on two occasions (2004 & 2022).
HAUD’S HOME: Any trip to Ohio is a welcome part of the schedule for Sheldon Haudenschild. The Wooster, OH native shaped his talents on state’s many ovals.
Before he even joined the World of Outlaws tour in 2017, Haudenschild topped a pair of All-Star Circuit of Champions races at Attica. At Sharon, he claimed the prestigious Lou Blaney Memorial in 2015. He’s yet to win at either track in World of Outlaws competition but has been close with a 2020 podium at Attica and podiums in the last two Series events at Sharon.
The 29-year-old heads into his home territory fifth in points.
BUCKEYE STATE BAYSTON: Spencer Bayston may call Indiana home, but he’s gotten quite comfortable at the racetracks located one state east of the Hoosier state over his career.
The first World of Outlaws win of Bayston’s career came at Attica in 2021, and he’s shown speed there no matter the car he’s been in. The World of Outlaws victory was behind the wheel of the Sam McGhee Motorsports #11. The Lebanon, IN native picked up an Attica All-Star win in 2017 wheeling the Swindell Speedlab #39. He’s also been in the top 10 aboard the Premier Motorsports #70.
At Sharon, it’s been a similar story for Bayston. He picked up an All-Star win with McGhee, a podium with Swindell, and a seventh-place effort with his current team – CJB Motorsports – at last year’s World of Outlaws race.
Bayston heads into Ohio hoping to add to his success in the state as he looks to climb from his current spot of seventh in points.
ATTICA-SHARON DOUBLE: Throughout their histories as tracks featured on the World of Outlaws tour, winning at both Attica and Sharon has been nearly impossible. Only Steve Kinser and Joey Saldana have pulled off the feat.
At Sharon, the only current full-time World of Outlaws driver with a victory is Brad Sweet, so a Friday win could add him to the list. The one other active driver with a Sharon triumph is Dave Blaney.
Over at Attica, Donny Schatz, David Gravel, and Spencer Bayston are the trio of current Series drivers that have visited Victory Lane. Other active drivers who’ve won at Attica are Kyle Larson and Dale Blaney.
Of course, a weekend sweep could be a shortcut to the feat for any driver yet to claim a checkered flag at either facility.
O-H! – I-O!: Ohio’s local competition may not have the same notoriety as other areas of the country, but their crop still features plenty of talent capable of contending with the World of Outlaws.
Gibsonburg, OH’s Craig Mintz already bested the All-Stars at Attica this season and would love to replicate that for his first World of Outlaws victory. Attica is home to Mintz’s one Series podium (2014).
Republic, OH native Cap Henry should be a threat at either track. A combined three of his eight career All-Star wins have occurred at Attica and Sharon. Attica is also home to one of his five career World of Outlaws top 10s.
Skylar Gee hails from Canada, but he spends plenty of time circling Ohio’s ovals. Gee is fresh off Attica-Fremont Championship Series win at Attica this past Friday.
If you can’t make it to the track, catch all the action live on DIRTVision.
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
WHEN AND WHERE
Friday, May 19 at Attica Raceway Park in Attica, OH
Saturday, May 20 at Sharon Speedway in Hartford, OH
ON THE INTERNET
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CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (19/80 Races):
- 49 – Brad Sweet (2664PTS) 2. 2 – David Gravel (-36PTS) 3. 41 – Carson Macedo (-46PTS) 4. 1S – Logan Schuchart (-126PTS) 5. 17 – Sheldon Haudenschild (-184PTS) 6. 15 – Donny Schatz (-186PTS) 7. 5 – Spencer Bayston (-236PTS) 8. 18 – Gio Scelzi (-244PTS) 9. 3Z – Brock Zearfoss (-388PTS) 10. 1A – Jacob Allen (-420PTS)
NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (10 Drivers):
4 wins – David Gravel (Big Game Motorsports #2), Brad Sweet (Kasey Kahne Racing #49)
3 wins – Rico Abreu (Rico Abreu Racing #24)
2 wins – James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83)
1 win – Carson Macedo (Jason Johnson Racing #41), Buddy Kofoid (CMS Racing #11), Sheldon Haudenschild (Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing #17), Brady Bacon (TKH Motorsports #21), Logan Schuchart (Shark Racing #1S), Anthony Macri (Macri Motorsports #39)
FEATURE LAPS LED (14 Drivers):
104 laps – Brad Sweet
92 laps – David Gravel
73 laps – Rico Abreu
63 laps – Carson Macedo
60 laps – James McFadden
46 laps – Buddy Kofoid
44 laps – Logan Schuchart
43 laps – Brent Marks
37 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
11 laps – Anthony Macri
10 laps – Cory Eliason
9 laps – Gio Scelzi
3 laps – Brady Bacon
1 lap – Donny Schatz
SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (9 Drivers):
5 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo
4 QuickTimes – David Gravel
3 QuickTimes – Logan Schuchart
2 QuickTimes – Anthony Macri
1 QuickTime – Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, Buddy Kofoid, Rico Abreu, Gio Scelzi
HEAT RACE WINNERS (21 Drivers):
10 Heat Wins – David Gravel, Carson Macedo
6 Heat Wins – Buddy Kofoid
5 Heat Wins – Brad Sweet, Logan Schuchart
4 Heat Wins – Brent Marks, Sheldon Haudenschild
3 Heat Wins – Gio Scelzi, Donny Schatz, Anthony Macri
2 Heat Wins – Spencer Bayston, Jacob Allen, Parker Price-Miller, Rico Abreu, Justin Peck
1 Heat Win – James McFadden, Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Brock Zearfoss, Cory Eliason
TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (30 Drivers):
14 Dashes – Carson Macedo, David Gravel, Brad Sweet
11 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
8 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
7 Dashes – Gio Scelzi, Rico Abreu, Donny Schatz
6 Dashes – Buddy Kofoid, Jacob Allen, Brent Marks
5 Dashes – Spencer Bayston
4 Dashes – Brock Zearfoss, Anthony Macri
3 Dashes – James McFadden, Justin Peck
2 Dashes – Brian Brown, Danny Dietrich, Cory Eliason, Parker Price-Miller, Robbie Price, Tyler Courtney
1 Dash – Kasey Kahne, Freddie Rahmer, Devon Borden, Garet Williamson, Aaron Reutzel, Brady Bacon, Chad Trout, Dylan Norris
MICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (15 Drivers):
2 LCS Wins – Robbie Price, Sheldon Haudenschild
1 LCS Win – Brock Zearfoss, Parker Price-Miller, Gio Scelzi, Noah Gass, Hunter Schuerenberg, James McFadden, Wayne Johnson, Ryan Timms, Ayrton Gennetten, Spencer Bayston, Logan Schuchart, Kraig Kinser, Freddie Rahmer
KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (16 Drivers):
2 Hard Chargers – Brock Zearfoss, James McFadden, Tyler Courtney
1 Hard Charger – Donny Schatz, Gio Scelzi, Robbie Price, David Gravel, Logan Schuchart, Justin Peck, Blake Hahn, Buddy Kofoid, Joe B. Miller, Kyle Larson, Hunter Schuerenberg, Kyle Moody, Freddie Rahmer
PODIUM FINISHES (19 Drivers):
9 Podiums – Brad Sweet, David Gravel
5 Podiums – Carson Macedo
4 Podiums – Buddy Kofoid, Logan Schuchart, Rico Abreu
3 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild, Brent Marks, Donny Schatz
2 Podiums – Jacob Allen, James McFadden
1 Podium – Danny Dietrich, Brian Brown, Kasey Kahne, Devon Borden, Spencer Bayston, Parker Price-Miller, Brady Bacon, Anthony Macri
TOP 10 FINISHES (35 Drivers):
17 Top 10s – Carson Macedo, Brad Sweet
16 Top 10s – David Gravel
14 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart
11 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild, Gio Scelzi
10 Top 10s – Michael Kofoid, Spencer Bayston
9 Top 10s – Rico Abreu
8 Top 10s – Donny Schatz, Justin Peck
7 Top 10s – James McFadden
6 Top 10s – Jacob Allen, Brent Marks
5 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney
4 Top 10s – Kasey Kahne
3 Top 10s – Brian Brown, Cory Eliason, Danny Dietrich
2 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Brock Zearfoss, Blake Hahn, Brady Bacon, Anthony Macri
1 Top 10 – Robbie Price, Zeb Wise, Devon Borden, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Parker Price-Miller, Joe B. Miller, Hunter Schuerenberg, Kyle Larson, Brandon Rahmer, Chad Trout, Lance Dewease
2023 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR SCHEDULE & WINNERS:
No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
- Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1)
- Fri, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (2)
- Sat, Feb 11* / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / James McFadden (1)
- Sun, March 5 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Carson Macedo (1)
- Mon, March 6 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (3)
- Sat, March 18 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Rico Abreu (1)
- Fri, March 24 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Buddy Kofoid (1)
- Sat, March 25 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / Brad Sweet (1)
- Fri, March 31 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / Brad Sweet (2)
- Sat, April 1 / Devil’s Bowl Speedway / Mesquite, TX / James McFadden (2)
- Fri, April 7 / U.S. 36 Raceway / Osborn, MO / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)
- Sat, April 8 / 81 Speedway / Wichita, KS / Rico Abreu (2)
- Fri, April 14 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Brad Sweet (3)
- Fri, April 28 / Tri-City Speedway / Granite City, IL / David Gravel (4)
- Sat, April 29 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Brady Bacon (1)
- Fri, May 5 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Logan Schuchart (1)
- Sat, May 6 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (3)
- Wed, May 10 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Anthony Macri (1)
- Fri, May 12 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brad Sweet (4)
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Founded in 1978, the World of Outlaws®, based in Concord, NC, is the premier national touring series for dirt track racing in North America, featuring the most powerful cars on dirt, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. Annually, the two series race nearly 140 times at tracks across the United States and Canada. CBS Sports Network is the official broadcast partner of the World of Outlaws. DIRTVision® also broadcasts all World of Outlaws events over the Internet to fans around the world. Learn more about the World of Outlaws.
Sources: Alex Nieten, World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series PR