WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Huset’s High Bank Nationals Set to Award Largest Payday in World of Outlaws History
The four-night event features a trio of $20,000-to-win prelims with a $250,000-to-win finale
BRANDON, SD (June 20, 2023) – History awaits. The richest payday for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series awaits.
The Billion Auto Huset’s High Bank Nationals presented by Menards is here.
Four days of racing (June 21-24) will begin with three preliminary nights that each award $20,000 to the winner. Those will set the stage for Saturday and the largest payday in World of Outlaws history. The driver who parks in Victory Lane when the dust settles on the finale will have a $250,000 check awaiting them.
The massive event has already drawn a pre-entry list of 56 of the nation’s best Sprint Car drivers. They’ll all converge in Brandon, SD to battle for a quarter of a million dollars and a place in Sprint Car history.
Let’s look at some of the weekend’s top storylines:
THE FORMAT: Such a special race calls for a unique format, and that’s exactly what’s been organized.
Points and inverts are the name of the game. Each of the three prelims will begin with points being awarded for Qualifying. Heat Races will be lined up with a six-car invert. The top 20 in combined Qualifying and Heat points will be locked into the Feature with the top eight heading to the redraw. The Last Chance Showdown and C-Main will be lined up by points with the top two from the “C” joining the Last Chance Showdown and the top four from that joining the Feature.
Each driver will get to drop their worst of the three prelim nights. Saturday’s format will feature a “King of the Hill” that includes top point earners from the prelims and the winners of either four or six (depending on car count) qualifiers. Those qualifiers will be lined up based on points and also help determine a majority of the finale’s lineup with the Last Chance Showdown supplying the final couple rows.
HIGH BANK HAUDENSCHILD: In last year’s High Bank Nationals finale, Sheldon Haudenschild lived up to his reputation of being one of the sport’s most exciting drivers. With five laps to go, he was sixth. When the white flag flew, he was third. In Turns 1 and 2 on the final circuit, he blasted to the lead and went on to claim the win and $100,000.
The Wooster, OH native looks to repeat in 2023 with more than double the money on the line. On top of last year’s High Banks glory, Haudenschild also topped a 2020 Series race at Huset’s.
He and his Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing crew enter the important week on the highest note possible as the most recent winner having triumphed this past Saturday at Beaver Dam Raceway.
BIG GAME HOME GAME: Plenty of eyes will be on David Gravel this week. The Watertown, CT pilots the Big Game Motorsports #2 owned by Huset’s Speedway owner – Tod Quiring.
Gravel enters the High Bank Nationals on a hot streak with three consecutive top-two finishes including a win at Knoxville. He’s also only 10 points behind Brad Sweet in the chase for the championship.
The 30-year-old has experienced plenty of success at Huset’s in his career. Gravel has topped a pair of World of Outlaws races at the 3/8-mile – both in 2021. In his 14 career Series starts at the Brandon, SD oval, he’s finished in the top-five eight times.
MACEDO MAGIC: One driver who may be most hungry for the $250,000 is Carson Macedo.
Last year, the Jason Johnson Racing pilot topped the penultimate night for his first Huset’s victory. Then on the final night, Macedo appeared headed for the checkered flag by starting from the pole and leading the first 34 circuits. But then he faded to fifth in the closing laps.
Macedo has been one of the fastest cars all season with a trio of wins under his belt, and he’ll go for redemption this week with even higher stakes than last year.
DONNY IN THE DAKOTAS: Any trip to the Dakotas is a special on for 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz. He may be from North Dakota, but he made plenty of trips to the south to Huset’s while cutting his teeth in Sprint Cars.
Schatz is a four-time World of Outlaws Feature winner at Huset’s – most recently claiming a 2016 visit. The Fargo, ND driver has struggled in recent appearances at the facility with no finish better than sixth in the last four races. But prior to that he had a stretch of five podiums in nine races.
It’s been an up and down 2023 so far for Schatz. The Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing driver has 13 finishes outside the top 10 but also owns seven podiums including a pair of wins through 30 races.
BAYSTON BREAKTHROUGH?: More than a quarter of the way through his second season with the World of Outlaws, Spencer Bayston is still chasing his first win of the year. Huset’s Speedway might be the place where he’s primed to breakthrough.
One of Bayston’s four career Series victories occurred at the 3/8-mile last year on opening night of the High Bank Nationals. The Lebanon, IN native also finished fourth there two nights later.
That victory last June remains the CJB Motorsports driver’s most recent with the Series – a fact he hopes to change this week.
BIG MONEY VICTORS: As expected, the lucrative event has attracted some of the sport’s top talent that plan to accompany the World of Outlaws full-timers.
Kyle Larson has entered in Paul Silva’s #57. The 28-time World of Outlaws Feature winner is no stranger to claiming high-paying Sprint Car races. Larson topped both the Kings Royal ($175,000) and Knoxville Nationals ($150,000 plus lap money) in 2021. The Elk Grove, CA native topped a 2020 World of Outlaws race at Huset’s.
One of the nation’s hottest drivers in the form of Rico Abreu is expected to make the trip to South Dakota. With Abreu gelling strongly with Ricky Warner, the team has been a nightly threat wherever the #24 shows up. Abreu already owns a trio of World of Outlaws wins in 2023.
Fresh off claiming an Ohio Sprint Speedweek title, Tyler Courtney plans to compete for the $250,000 prize with Clauson Marshall Racing. The two-time All-Star Circuit of Champion titlist’s one career World of Outlaws win came with big money on the line in the form of a $175,000-to-win Kings Royal.
MORE STARS: The entire list of entrants is filled with drivers who could make some noise.
Two of Mark Dobmeier’s three career World of Outlaws wins have come at Huset’s (2012 & 2014). The Grand Forks, ND native will look for more success this week.
Sandwiched between Dobmeier’s victories was a Tim Kaeding triumph in 2013. The Californian is fresh off finishing second in Sunday’s Border Battle at Huset’s aboard the Lunstra #3 – the same ride he’ll pilot during the High Bank Nationals.
Another former World of Outlaws winner at Huset’s – Aaron Reutzel – has the High Bank Nationals on his schedule. The Clute, TX native also topped a Huset’s NOSA race last September.
Riley Goodno impressed at last year’s High Bank Nationals – leading eight laps before finishing third on the second night. The budding talent from Knoxville, IA already picked up a Huset’s local win this month.
Ayrton Gennetten is the most recent Huset’s winner having claimed Sunday’s Border Battle. The Versailles, MO native has continued to show more and more improvement behind the wheel of a Sprint Car.
If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the action live on DIRTVision.
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
WHEN AND WHERE
Wednesday-Saturday, June 21-24 at Huset’s Speedway in Brandon, SD
ON THE INTERNET
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CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (30/80 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):
6 wins – David Gravel (Big Game Motorsports #2)
5 wins – Brad Sweet (Kasey Kahne Racing #49)
3 wins – Rico Abreu (Rico Abreu Racing #24), James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83), Carson Macedo (Jason Johnson Racing #41)
2 wins – Donny Schatz (Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15), Sheldon Haudenschild (Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing #17)
1 win – Buddy Kofoid (CMS Racing #11), Brady Bacon (TKH Motorsports #21), Logan Schuchart (Shark Racing #1S), Anthony Macri (Macri Motorsports #39), Brian Brown (Brian Brown Racing #21), Gio Scelzi (KCP Racing #18)
FEATURE LAPS LED (16 Drivers):
147 laps – Brad Sweet
131 laps – David Gravel
126 laps – Carson Macedo
115 laps – James McFadden
106 laps – Rico Abreu
70 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
46 laps – Buddy Kofoid
44 laps – Logan Schuchart
43 laps – Brent Marks
41 laps – Donny Schatz
39 laps – Gio Scelzi
24 laps – Brian Brown
11 laps – Anthony Macri
10 laps – Cory Eliason
3 laps – Brady Bacon
1 lap – Austin McCarl
SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (12 Drivers):
10 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo
6 QuickTimes – David Gravel
3 QuickTimes – Logan Schuchart
2 QuickTimes – Anthony Macri, Rico Abreu
1 QuickTime – Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, Buddy Kofoid, Gio Scelzi, James McFadden, Sheldon Haudenschild, Jacob Allen
HEAT RACE WINNERS (21 Drivers):
19 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
18 Heat Wins – David Gravel
8 Heat Wins – Buddy Kofoid, Donny Schatz
6 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart
5 Heat Wins – Brad Sweet, Rico Abreu, Gio Scelzi
4 Heat Wins – Brent Marks
3 Heat Wins – Anthony Macri, James McFadden, Brian Brown, Jacob Allen
2 Heat Wins – Spencer Bayston, Parker Price-Miller, Justin Peck, Brock Zearfoss,
1 Heat Win – Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Cory Eliason
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 (20 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
KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (22 Drivers):
3 Hard Chargers – Sheldon Haudenschild
2 Hard Chargers – Brock Zearfoss, James McFadden, Tyler Courtney, Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart, Brad Sweet
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
PODIUM FINISHES (22 Drivers):
15 Podiums – David Gravel
14 Podiums – Brad Sweet
10 Podiums – Carson Macedo
7 Podiums – Donny Schatz, Rico Abreu
5 Podiums – Logan Schuchart, Sheldon Haudenschild
4 Podiums – Buddy Kofoid, James McFadden
3 Podiums – Brent Marks, Brian Brown
2 Podiums – Jacob Allen
1 Podium – Danny Dietrich, Kasey Kahne, Devon Borden, Spencer Bayston, Parker Price-Miller, Brady Bacon, Anthony Macri, Kyle Larson, Garet Williamson, Gio Scelzi
TOP 10 FINISHES (42 Drivers):
27 Top 10s – Carson Macedo, Brad Sweet
26 Top 10s – David Gravel
23 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart
20 Top 10s – Gio Scelzi
19 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild
18 Top 10s – Spencer Bayston
17 Top 10s – Donny Schatz
16 Top 10s – James McFadden
13 Top 10s – Buddy Kofoid, Rico Abreu
10 Top 10s – Jacob Allen
8 Top 10s – Justin Peck
6 Top 10s – Brent Marks
5 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney, Brian Brown
4 Top 10s – Kasey Kahne, Danny Dietrich, Brock Zearfoss, Cory Eliason
3 Top 10s – Anthony Macri
2 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Blake Hahn, Brady Bacon, Kyle Larson, 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
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)
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink® Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: NOS Energy Drink (Official Energy Product), CASE Construction Equipment (Official Construction Equipment), CASE No.1 Engine Oil™ (Official Oil and Lubricant), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Simpson Performance Products (Preferred Safety Gear Partner), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider), Toyota (Official Vehicle), and VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel); contingency sponsors include ACME Trading, ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Federated Auto Parts, KSE Racing Products (Hard Charger Award), Lifeline USA, Low-E Insulation, Micro-Lite LLC, Milton Hershey School, MSD, and Whiskey Myers; manufacturer sponsors include, FIREBULL, Intercomp, Racing Electronics, and Sea Foam.
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