The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car summer stretch rolls into another exciting doubleheader this weekend.
After two nights in Wisconsin, The Greatest Show on Dirt is bound for West Burlington, Iowa’s 34 Raceway on Friday, July 7, before returning to “The Badger State” on Saturday, July 8, for a stop at Wilmot Raceway where the Federated Auto Parts Larry Hillerud Memorial Badger 40 will take place. The latter will be the final series appearance of 2023 in the state of Wisconsin.
Both tracks are relatively new to the circuit. 34 Raceway first hosted the World of Outlaws in 2008 while Wilmot welcomed the nation’s top drivers for the first time in 2006. Friday will mark 34’s seventh World of Outlaws race, and Wilmot’s tally will grow to 11.
With a tight championship battle featuring a trio of drivers that refuse to back down, the weekend promises plenty of action. Brad Sweet continues to lead the standings but with a narrow four-point lead over David Gravel. Behind that duo, Carson Macedo remains within reach – 54 points to Sweet.
Let’s look at some of the weekend’s top storylines:
SUMMERTIME SIZZLE
Over the last few weeks, David Gravel has established himself as the hottest driver on tour.
In the last nine races, Gravel has posted a trio of wins, seven top two finishes, and a 2.1 average finish. The Watertown, Conn. native’s worst result over that stretch is fifth. The impressive batch of outings has pulled Gravel up to Brad Sweet’s tail tank in the title battle.
Looking ahead to this weekend, Gravel hasn’t won at 34 Raceway, but he’s been solid with three top 10s in four attempts including a 2021 podium. At Wilmot, the Big Game Motorsports driver has been dominant. In nine races at the Wisconsin one-third-mile, Gravel owns four wins including a previous run of three straight.
SIX RACES, SIX WINNERS
The World of Outlaws brief history at 34 Raceway has been defined by parity. Through six races, no driver has been able to win multiple times. Tony Bruce Jr. topped the series debut at 34 for his first career series victory. Since then, wins have been claimed by Joey Saldana (2009), Craig Dollansky (2013), Donny Schatz (2014), Parker Price-Miller (2020), and Brad Sweet (2021).
Schatz and Sweet will both be vying to become the first to a pair of 34 Raceway victories on Friday. Each half of the duo that’s combined for 14 titles has been close to breaking through for a second win. Schatz owns two runner-ups (2009 & 2020). In 2020, Sweet was right behind Schatz at the finish line finishing third.
WINNIN’ IN WISCONSIN
With Saturday’s visit to Wilmot being the last series race in Wisconsin for the year, it’s Brad Sweet’s final chance of the season to add to his astonishing “Badger State” résumé.
The four-time champion is fresh off a Friday triumph at Cedar Lake (Wis.) Speedway, giving him a dozen Wisconsin World of Outlaws wins.
“The Big Cat” hasn’t had quite the success at Wilmot like he has at Cedar Lake and Beaver Dam, but he does own a single Wilmot win – topping the 2021 World of Outlaws visit.
Sweet will be joined by fellow Wilmot winners – Carson Macedo (2022) and Donny Schatz (2019) – as they all three look to join David Gravel as multi-time World of Outlaws victors at the facility.
BANGING ON THE DOOR
The driver who appears most poised for a breakthrough victory this season is Spencer Bayston.
The Lebanon, IN native is on his best roll of the season by far. Bayston has put together nine consecutive top 10 finishes including podiums in two of the last four. During the most recent race, Bayston led 19 laps at Cedar Lake before finishing a season-best second.
The driver of the CJB Motorsports No. 5 has limited experience at both tracks ahead. Bayston has never competed with the World of Outlaws at 34, but he did pick up a 2021 top five there with the All-Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC). Last year at Wilmot with The Greatest Show on Dirt, Bayston started on row two but an opening lap crash ended his night.
JAWS MUSIC
With much of the Summer of Money still ahead, the Shark Racing cars are getting hot at the right time.
Logan Schuchart carries a streak of 12 consecutive top 10s into the weekend with a 5.2 average finish over that span. Seven of the top 10s have been inside the top five including a win at Huset’s. The Hanover, Pa. native looks to keep rolling at 34 Raceway – where his best finish is 10th – and Wilmot – where he’s podiumed twice.
In his last six feature events, Jacob Allen hasn’t missed the top 10 and is fresh off his third podium of the season on Saturday at Cedar Lake. Looking ahead to this weekend, Allen has earned one top five in three attempts. Wilmot hasn’t traditionally been his best track, but he did collect his first top 10 there during the 2022 visit.
LOCAL CROPS
With two tracks in two different states, each race is expected to attract a diverse group of supporting locals with some drivers attending both.
34 Raceway will welcome Knoxville regulars such as Austin McCarl and Chase Randall. McCarl already topped a race there this season in April co-sanctioned by the Interstate Racing Association (IRA) and Midwest Open Wheel Association (MOWA).
West Burlington’s own Josh Schneiderman plans to compete at his home track. Back in 2008 – making his first career World of Outlaws Feature start – Schneiderman earned a podium at 34 Raceway. His third place run that night remains his best career series finish.
Over at Wilmot, IRA regulars like Bill Balog and Blake Nimee could make some noise. Balog claimed Wilmot’s opening night this season. Nimee won an IRA race there in late May.