WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Brad Doty Classic, Kings Royal Create Massive Ohio Week for World of Outlaws

Three races. Three big paydays. And securing a spot in Sprint Car history on the line.

First up is the Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic presented by Racing Optics on Tuesday, July 11 at Ohio’s Attica Raceway Park. The night salutes a man who has contributed so much to the sport and continues to do so today. Behind the wheel, Doty was one of the most promising talents in the 1980s before an injury ended his career prematurely. In the 35 years that have followed, the Apple Creek, OH native has found many avenues to remain an impactful figure. Tuesday’s winner will leave Attica with $15,000.

After “The Doty,” it’s a two-hour drive southwest where Eldora Speedway awaits. On Friday, July 14, “The Big E” welcomes The Greatest Show on Dirt for The Knight Before which awards $20,000 to the victor. Then, the next night, the historic half-mile hosts the 40th Kings Royal as the Crown Jewel of Sprint Car racing completes another decade of existence. The King who sits atop the throne on Saturday will take $175,000 back to their palace.

BUY ELDORA TICKETS

Tickets for the Brad Doty Classic will be available at the track on race day.

Let’s look at some of the week’s top storylines:

BACK-TO-BACK BDC?: The Brad Doty Classic has been contested for over three decades, but no driver has been able to claim the event twice in a row.

Kyle Larson could be the first. “Yung Money” won the Classic last year and in his last five Sprint Car starts at Attica, Larson owns four victories including a trio with the World of Outlaws.

Larson’s three Attica wins are enough to tie him for the second most in Series history through 22 visits, and he’ll chase the elusive back-to-back Brad Doty Classic accomplishment on Tuesday.

ATTICA EXPERTS: Aside from Larson, a handful of other drivers have proven to be potent when they roll in the Attica pit area.

Donny Schatz stands out the most among the group. Back in May, the Fargo, ND native collected his fifth Attica victory with the World of Outlaws – the most of all-time. Of Schatz’s four Brad Doty Classic wins, two (2016 & 2018) have been at Attica.

David Gravel rolled to the 2017 Brad Doty Classic win. A 2021 Attica World of Outlaws win also made him one of six drivers to have multiple Series victories at the 1/3-mile.

Spencer Bayston made his first trip to Victory Lane with the World of Outlaws at the 2021 Brad Doty Classic. The pilot of the CJB Motorsports #5 has also topped a pair of All-Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) races there.

Attica also features a stout crop of locals that will look to upset the World of Outlaws. Drivers such as Craig Mintz, Travis Philo, and Zeth Sabo all call “The Buckeye State” home and have won at the northern Ohio oval already this season.

CAST OF KINGS: Throughout the first 39 editions of the Kings Royal, 21 different drivers have claimed the crown. Unsurprisingly, “The King” himself – Steve Kinser – has donned the crown most often with seven titles to his credit. This week’s roster is expected to have eight former kings in competition.

King Donny: Among active drivers, Donny Schatz holds the most Kings Royal victories with five on his stout résumé. The driver of the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15 first wore the crown in 2007. A trio of Schatz’s wins came in back-to-back-to-back fashion (2016-2018), making him the only driver to claim two in a row and three in a row. Schatz will look to close within one of Kinser’s record tally this week.

King Brent: The most recent addition to the list of Kings is Brent Marks. The Myerstown, PA native topped the 39th running last year as a part of his massive week that also included driving to Victory Lane in the return of the Historical Big One. Marks’ triumph made him the second Pennsylvanian to win a Kings Royal, and this year he’ll attempt to become the first from “The Keystone State” to win multiple.

King Tyler: The one and only win of Tyler Courtney’s World of Outlaws career remains one of two Kings Royals completed in 2021. “Sunshine” wheeled the Clauson-Marshall Racing #7BC to victory during the daytime Feature and a healthy $175,000 payday. The Eldora ace returns this week with hopes of another six-digit paycheck.

King Kyle: After Courtney’s win during the daylight, it was Kyle Larson claiming the nighttime Kings Royal in 2021 for his first victory in the prestigious Crown Jewel. The former NASCAR Cup Series champion intends to be back behind the wheel of the Silva Motorsports #57 looking to become the ninth driver with multiple Kings Royal wins.

King Brad: Two-time Kings Royal winner – Brad Sweet – will be looking to become the fifth driver to ever claim at least a trio of crowns. Back in 2013, “The Big Cat” earned his second career Series win in the 30th Kings Royal. Six years later, Sweet was the first to sit atop the throne when the winner’s share was upped to its current total of $175,000.

King Shane: Bixby, OK’s Shane Stewart will be back for his first Kings Royal attempt since 2019. The 2015 winner has emerged from retirement to pilot Bernie Stuebgen’s Indy Race Parts #71 this week.

King Kerry: After multiple close calls, Kerry Madsen finally broke through for an elusive Kings Royal triumph in 2014. “The Mad Man” will return this week aboard the Vermeer Motorsports #55 in search of a second crown.

King Daryn: Making his 26th Kings Royal appearance will be 2008 winner – Daryn Pittman. The 2013 World of Outlaws champion has partnered with Alex Bowman Racing with hopes of qualifying for his 22nd Kings Royal main event.

CROWN CHASING: There are still many elite level Sprint Car talents pursuing their first Kings Royal title. And plenty will be in attendance this week hoping 2023 will be the year of their coronation.

David Gravel stands out among the favorites to claim his first Kings Royal. It’s the lone event of Sprint Car racing’s “Triple Crown” (Knoxville Nationals, Kings Royal, National Open) that Gravel is yet to top. In 14 attempts, Gravel’s best outing is a 2014 podium. If Gravel can pull it off, he’ll become the first driver with six-digit paydays at three different racetracks.

Logan Schuchart picked up his fourth career World of Outlaws win at Eldora this year. But the Shark Racing pilot is still chasing a Kings Royal. Schuchart narrowly missed out in 2019 when he charged from 12th to the lead and led 15 laps before slipping to second on a restart and finishing runner-up.

Carson Macedo is a two-time World of Outlaws winner at Eldora, topping a pair of shows during 2021 Kings Royal week, but he wasn’t able to capture the crown that season. The Lemoore, CA native has come close to a Kings Royal title recently with podiums in his last two attempts.

Sheldon Haudenschild is a three-time Kings Royal top five finisher looking for his first win to join his father – Jac Haudenschild (three-time winner) – on the list of Kings. The Wooster, OH native owns one Eldora triumph with the World of Outlaws – topping a race in May of 2021.

STACKED FIELD: On top of the many former Kings Royal winners and favorites to add their name to the list, many more talented drivers will be invading Eldora.

The remainder of the full-time group of World of Outlaws including Spencer Bayston, James McFadden, Gio Scelzi, and more will all be potential threats.

Rico Abreu has won two of the last three World of Outlaws races at Eldora. The St. Helena, CA native is also a three-time ASCoC winner at Eldora.

Some of the PA Posse’s top talent including the likes of Anthony Macri and Danny Dietrich will make their way one state west.

And many more strong names from all over the country such as Zeb Wise, Buddy Kofoid, Brian Brown, Hunter Schuerenberg, Aaron Reutzel, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Justin Peck, Cory Eliason, and many more plan to vie for the crown.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch all three races live on DIRTVision.

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE

Tuesday, July 11 at Attica Raceway Park in Attica, OH

Friday-Saturday, July 14-15 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OH

ON THE INTERNET

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Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsSprintCarSeries
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DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/month

CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (37/80 Races):

1. 49 – Brad Sweet (4990PTS) 3. 2 – David Gravel (-12PTS) 3. 41 – Carson Macedo (-50PTS) 4. 1S – Logan Schuchart (-202PTS) 5. 15 – Donny Schatz (-264PTS) 6. 17 – Sheldon Haudenschild (-264PTS) 7. 18 – Gio Scelzi (-290PTS) 8. 5 – Spencer Bayston (-368PTS) 9. 3Z – Brock Zearfoss (-614PTS) 10. 1A – Jacob Allen (-658PTS)

NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (13 Drivers):

8 wins – David Gravel (Big Game Motorsports #2)

6 wins – Brad Sweet (Kasey Kahne Racing #49)

4 wins – James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83), Carson Macedo (Jason Johnson Racing #41)

3 wins – Rico Abreu (Rico Abreu Racing #24)

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):

177 laps – Brad Sweet

157 laps – Carson Macedo

149 laps – David Gravel

144 laps – Rico Abreu

133 laps – James McFadden

93 laps – Buddy Kofoid

80 laps – Logan Schuchart

70 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild

56 laps – Donny Schatz

43 laps – Brent Marks

39 laps – Gio Scelzi

24 laps – Brian Brown

23 laps – Spencer Bayston

11 laps – Anthony Macri

10 laps – Cory Eliason

7 laps – Kyle Larson

3 laps – Brady Bacon

1 lap – Austin McCarl

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (13 Drivers):

11 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo

7 QuickTimes – David Gravel

4 QuickTimes – Logan Schuchart

2 QuickTimes – Anthony Macri, Rico Abreu, Sheldon Haudenschild, Bill Balog

1 QuickTime – Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, Buddy Kofoid, Gio Scelzi, James McFadden, Jacob Allen

HEAT RACE WINNERS (32 Drivers):

22 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo

20 Heat Wins – David Gravel

9 Heat Wins – Buddy Kofoid, Donny Schatz

7 Heat Wins – Brad Sweet, Gio Scelzi

6 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart

5 Heat Wins – Rico Abreu, Jacob Allen

4 Heat Wins – Brent Marks, James McFadden, Spencer Bayston

3 Heat Wins – Anthony Macri, Brian Brown, Bill Balog

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, Kerry Madsen, Ryan Timms, Tim Estenson, Sam Hafertepe Jr.

TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (36 Drivers):

27 Dashes – Carson Macedo, David Gravel

22 Dashes – Brad Sweet

18 Dashes – Logan Schuchart

15 Dashes – Donny Schatz

14 Dashes – Gio Scelzi

12 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild, Rico Abreu

10 Dashes – James McFadden, Spencer Bayston

9 Dashes – Buddy Kofoid

8 Dashes – Jacob Allen

6 Dashes – Brent Marks, Brock Zearfoss

5 Dashes – Anthony Macri

4 Dashes – Brian Brown

3 Dashes – Justin Peck, Danny Dietrich, Cory Eliason, Robbie Price

2 Dashes – Parker Price-Miller, Tyler Courtney, Garet Williamson, Austin McCarl, Kasey Kahne, Bill Balog

1 Dash – Freddie Rahmer, Devon Borden, Aaron Reutzel, Brady Bacon, Chad Trout, Dylan Norris, Cap Henry, Stuart Brubaker, Kyle Larson, Sam Hafertepe Jr.

MICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (26 Drivers):

4 LCS Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild

2 LCS Wins – Robbie Price, Parker Price-Miller, Noah Gass

1 LCS Win – Brock Zearfoss, Gio Scelzi, 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, Rico Abreu, Jacob Allen

KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (26 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, Spencer Bayston, Jacob Allen, Caden Englehart

PODIUM FINISHES (22 Drivers):

20 Podiums – David Gravel

16 Podiums – Brad Sweet

11 Podiums – Carson Macedo

9 Podiums – Rico Abreu

7 Podiums – Donny Schatz, Logan Schuchart

6 Podiums – Buddy Kofoid, Sheldon Haudenschild

5 Podiums – James McFadden

3 Podiums – Brent Marks, Brian Brown, Kyle Larson, 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):

33 Top 10s – Carson Macedo, Brad Sweet, David Gravel

29 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart

25 Top 10s – Gio Scelzi, Spencer Bayston

24 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild

20 Top 10s – James McFadden

19 Top 10s – Donny Schatz

16 Top 10s – Rico Abreu

15 Top 10s – Buddy Kofoid

14 Top 10s – Jacob Allen

8 Top 10s – Justin Peck

7 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney

6 Top 10s – Brent Marks, Brian Brown, Cory Eliason

5 Top 10s – Kasey Kahne

4 Top 10s – Danny Dietrich, Brock Zearfoss, Kyle Larson

3 Top 10s – Anthony Macri, Bill Balog

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, 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)

35. Fri, June 30 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Brad Sweet (6)

36. Sat, July 1 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / David Gravel (8)

37. Sat, July 8 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Carson Macedo (4)