WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Long-Awaited Return to BAPS, Williams Grove’s Summer Nationals Reignite World of Outlaws v.s. PA Posse Battle

First up is the Series’ return to BAPS Motor Speedway on Wednesday, July 19. The last time the World of Outlaws visited the York Haven, PA facility was 31 years ago on August 2, 1992. Since then, it has gone through several changes and upgrades – lead by track owner Scott Gobrecht and general manager Kolten Gouse.

Then after a one-day break, the teams roll to Mechanicsburg, PA where Williams Grove Speedway will host the Champion Oil Summer Nationals on July 21-22. The final night of the Summer Nationals serves as another stop during the “Summer of Money” as the winner is taking home $20,000.

The World of Outlaws will bring one of the most competitive championship fights in Series history to Pennsylvania with David Gravel leading Brad Sweet by a mere two points and Carson Macedo close behind 24 markers behind Gravel. Couple that with the always-intense Posse rivalry, and the three races promise to deliver plenty of action.

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

KNOTTED UP: Through the first three battles this year, the World of Outlaws and PA Posse have equaled each other in the win column.

The first visit to Pennsylvania this year resulted in neither a World of Outlaws or a Posse triumph. Back in March, an outsider in the form of Rico Abreu dropped in and stole the show at Lincoln Speedway.

Then, a thrilling battle between Anthony Macri and Brent Marks brought both Outlaw and Posse fans to their feet thanks to Marcri’s last lap, last corner pass on Marks for the win.

The most recent renewal of the rivalry saw the World of Outlaws come out on top. Two days after Macri won at Lincoln, Brad Sweet dominated the opening night of Williams Grove’s Morgan Cup for his second win at the half-mile.

This week will boast three more rounds for either the World of Outlaws or PA Posse to leave with an advantage.

FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME: It’s been 31 long years since the World of Outlaws have competed at BAPS Motor Speedway, and the York Haven, PA facility will be a welcome addition to the rotation of Pennsylvania stops.

When the Series last visited BAPS, eight of the current 14 full-time World of Outlaws drivers hadn’t yet been born. Current point leader – David Gravel – was just over a month old.

While the 4/10-mile hasn’t welcomed the World of Outlaws in more than three decades, it has been the site of a handful of Sprint Car races over the past few years featuring some of the drivers who will be in the pit area on Wednesday.

A trio of current World of Outlaws have visited BAPS Victory Lane. Before embarking on the tour this year, Gio Scelzi and KCP Racing topped a BAPS race nine months ago. Back in 2019, Roth Motorsports’ James McFadden claimed the Kevin Gobrecht Classic. Three years prior to that, Jacob Allen picked up his first career 410 win at BAPS with Shark Racing.

On the local side, Brent Marks has already won at BAPS this season and collected victories there in each of the previous two years. Anthony Macri, Devon Borden, and Kyle Reinhardt have also won at BAPS this season. Other recent winners who will be in attendance on Wednesday include Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, and Lance Dewease.

OUTLAW FAVORITES: The World of Outlaws have fared well plenty of times at Williams Grove thanks to a handful of names that are forces on tour.

Ten-time Series champion Donny Schatz is a master of the paper clip. There’s no track he’s won at more with the World of Outlaws, tallying 21 victories there. The Fargo, ND driver enters the week fresh off a sixth Kings Royal crowning at Eldora Speedway.

At the beginning of last year, not many would’ve considered Brad Sweet a favorite to drive to Williams Grove Victory Lane. But “The Big Cat” has quickly changed that narrative. Last July, after more than 50 tries, Sweet conquered the tricky paperclip for the first time. Then, it only took him three more tries for his second victory earlier this year in May.

David Gravel’s Williams Grove résumé suggests two nights there could contribute toward his championship pursuit. Like Schatz, it’s Gravel’s winningest World of Outlaws track. The Watertown, CT native owns eight victories.

THE GROVE FIRST-TIMERS: Despite being known as a difficult track to learn, Williams Grove has produced first-time Series wins for three current full-timers.

Back at the 2017 Summer Nationals, Brock Zearfoss – then a member of the Posse – drove Aaron Long’s #58 to a win in the opener. The Jonestown, PA native now rolls into Williams Grove as a junior on the World of Outlaws tour.

Two months after Zearfoss’ breakthrough, Australia’s James McFadden mastered the half-mile en route to his inaugural triumph with The Greatest Show on Dirt. He enters this week with four wins under his belt already in 2023 aboard the Roth Motorsports #83.

One year later, a rising star by the name of Gio Scelzi wheeled the Indy Race Parts #71 to a big upset over the World of Outlaws at Williams Grove. That night the Fresno, CA native became the youngest winner in Series history – a record that still stands.

POSSE POWER: Williams Grove is one of the primary racetracks where the Posse take pride in besting the World of Outlaws, and many talented drivers from the region will be looking to continue that tradition.

Lance Dewease always leads the way for the local contingent at Williams Grove. The Fayetteville, PA native has won twice at “The Grove” this year, upping his record total to 113. Dewease topped last year’s Summer Nationals opener. Of Dewease’s 20 World of Outlaws wins, 17 have been at the half-mile.

Current Williams Grove points leader – Freddie Rahmer – stands out as a favorite. He’s currently the nation’s winningest 410 Sprint Car driver with 10 wins, a pair of which have come at Williams Grove.

The most recent local Williams Grove winner heading into this weekend is Brent Marks. “The Myerstown Missile” was victorious during the June 30 PA Speedweek race. Marks is also the 2021 Summer Nationals champion.

Two-time track champion – Danny Dietrich – is always a threat when he rolls in the pits with the Gary Kauffman Racing team. Williams Grove is home to a pair of his five World of Outlaws victory including the 2015 Summer Nationals opener.

More Posse names to watch include Dylan Norris (Hanover, PA), Kyle Moody (Lewisberry, PA), T.J. Stutts (Liverpool, PA), and more.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the action on DIRTVision.

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE

Wednesday, July 19 at BAPS Motor Speedway in York Haven, PA

Friday-Saturday, July 21-22 at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, PA

ON THE INTERNET

World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series
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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 (40/79 Races):

1. 2 – David Gravel (5348PTS) 2. 49 – Brad Sweet (-2PTS) 3. 41 – Carson Macedo (-24PTS) 4. 1S – Logan Schuchart (-210PTS) 5. 17 – Sheldon Haudenschild (-250PTS) 6. 15 – Donny Schatz (-272PTS) 7. 18 – Gio Scelzi (-278PTS) 8. 5 – Spencer Bayston (-384PTS) 9. 3Z – Brock Zearfoss (-690PTS) 10. 1A – Jacob Allen (-708PTS)

NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (13 Drivers):

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

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

5 wins – Carson Macedo (Jason Johnson Racing #41)

4 wins – James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83)

3 wins – Rico Abreu (Rico Abreu Racing #24), Donny Schatz (Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15)

2 wins –Sheldon Haudenschild (Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing #17), Logan Schuchart (Shark Racing #1S), Kyle Larson (Silva Motorsports #57)

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)

FEATURE LAPS LED (18 Drivers):

187 laps – Carson Macedo

177 laps – Brad Sweet

149 laps – David Gravel

144 laps – Rico Abreu

133 laps – James McFadden

96 laps – Donny Schatz

93 laps – Buddy Kofoid

80 laps – Logan Schuchart

70 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild

47 laps – Kyle Larson

43 laps – Brent Marks

39 laps – Gio Scelzi

24 laps – Brian Brown

23 laps – Spencer Bayston

11 laps – Anthony Macri

10 laps – Cory Eliason

3 laps – Brady Bacon

1 lap – Austin McCarl

SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (15 Drivers):

11 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo

7 QuickTimes – David Gravel

5 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, Kyle Larson, Justin Peck

HEAT RACE WINNERS (34 Drivers):

23 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo

21 Heat Wins – David Gravel

10 Heat Wins – Donny Schatz

9 Heat Wins – Buddy Kofoid, Sheldon Haudenschild

8 Heat Wins – Brad Sweet

7 Heat Wins – Gio Scelzi

6 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart, Rico Abreu

5 Heat Wins – Jacob Allen, James McFadden

4 Heat Wins – Brent Marks, Spencer Bayston

3 Heat Wins – Anthony Macri, Brian Brown, Bill Balog, Parker Price-Miller

2 Heat Wins – Justin Peck, Brock Zearfoss, Noah Gass, Kerry Madsen

1 Heat Win – Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Cory Eliason, Tim Kaeding, Mark Dobmeier, Kasey Kahne, Austin McCarl, Lachlan McHugh, Ryan Timms, Tim Estenson, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Kyle Larson, Shane Stewart, Lance Dewease

TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (36 Drivers):

29 Dashes – Carson Macedo

28 Dashes – David Gravel

23 Dashes – Brad Sweet

19 Dashes – Logan Schuchart

16 Dashes – Gio Scelzi

15 Dashes – Donny Schatz

14 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild

13 Dashes – Rico Abreu

11 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, Parker Price-Miller, Tyler Courtney

2 Dashes – Garet Williamson, Austin McCarl, Kasey Kahne, Bill Balog, Kyle Larson

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

MICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (28 Drivers):

4 LCS Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild

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

1 LCS Win – Brock Zearfoss, Gio Scelzi, Hunter Schuerenberg, James McFadden, Wayne Johnson, Ryan Timms, Ayrton Gennetten, Spencer Bayston, 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, Carson Macedo, Daryn Pittman

KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (28 Drivers):

4 Hard Chargers – Sheldon Haudenschild

3 Hard Chargers – Tyler Courtney, Brad Sweet, James McFadden

2 Hard Chargers – Brock Zearfoss, 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, Zeb Wise, Rico Abreu

PODIUM FINISHES (22 Drivers):

21 Podiums – David Gravel

17 Podiums – Brad Sweet

13 Podiums – Carson Macedo

9 Podiums – Rico Abreu

8 Podiums – Donny Schatz

7 Podiums – Logan Schuchart, Sheldon Haudenschild

6 Podiums – Buddy Kofoid

5 Podiums – James McFadden

4 Podiums – Kyle Larson, Brent Marks

3 Podiums – Brian Brown, Jacob Allen, Spencer Bayston

2 Podiums – Gio Scelzi

1 Podium – Danny Dietrich, Kasey Kahne, Devon Borden, Parker Price-Miller, Brady Bacon, Anthony Macri, Garet Williamson

TOP 10 FINISHES (46 Drivers):

36 Top 10s – Carson Macedo, David Gravel

34 Top 10s – Brad Sweet

30 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart

27 Top 10s – Gio Scelzi, Sheldon Haudenschild

26 Top 10s – Spencer Bayston

23 Top 10s – James McFadden

21 Top 10s – Donny Schatz

18 Top 10s – Rico Abreu

16 Top 10s – Buddy Kofoid

14 Top 10s – Jacob Allen

9 Top 10s – Justin Peck

8 Top 10s – Brent Marks

7 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney

6 Top 10s – Brian Brown, Cory Eliason, Kyle Larson, Kasey Kahne

4 Top 10s – Danny Dietrich, Brock Zearfoss

3 Top 10s – Anthony Macri, Bill Balog

2 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Blake Hahn, Brady Bacon, Parker Price-Miller, Robbie Price, Zeb Wise

1 Top 10 – 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, Shane Stewart

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)

38. Tues, July 11 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Kyle Larson (2)

39. Fri, July 14 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Carson Macedo (5)

40. Sat, July 15 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Donny Schatz (3)