MERCED, Calif. — For the third time in three nights of the West Coast swing for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, a Californian walked away with the victory; only this time the winner was series regular Carson Macedo.
In true bullring fashion, Merced Speedway hosted its first series race in eight years and it featured a spectacular battle among California drivers Macedo, Brad Sweet and Giovanni Scelzi.
Friday’s 35-lapper officially saw two lead changes but featured off-the-charts action from green-to-checkered flag.
Among many highlights included Scelzi’s top-shelf pass for the lead, an intense lap traffic battle at the front, and several sliders shared by Macedo and Sweet.
Ultimately, the 25-year-old rising star (Macedo) welcomed every attack that the 36-year-old wily veteran (Sweet) threw his way in the late stages. Sweet tossed several scenarios his way, forcing Macedo to cross over, stay in it, and make every difficult decision you could imagine while manhandling a 900+ horsepower beast.
The duo was ultra-close as the white flag waved, but Macedo slightly gapped Sweet to cross the finish line ahead by 0.559 seconds.
The victory marks his second victory of the season aboard the Jason Johnson Racing, Albaugh No. 41, and brings Macedo to 19 career World of Outlaws wins with four of those coming in California.
“Wow, California Sprint Car Racing is awesome,” Macedo shouted. “It doesn’t get any better than bullrings like this. I was pushing it so damn hard those last 8-10 laps. I can’t tell you how nervewracking it is in lap traffic like that while you still have to battle for the lead. It’s a fine line between being aggressive enough to split cars, but patient enough to not give the win away.
“Racing at home is always so special. We’re not exactly down by Lemoore, but this is only an hour away and I still had so many people close to me make the drive up to support us. I’m thankful for every single one of these wins, especially ones like this.”
For the second time in as many races, Brad Sweet was again the bridesmaid, not the bride. The Kasey Kahne Racing, NAPA Auto Parts #49 controlled the opening 21 laps of the 35-lapper.
Choosing the inside on a double-file restart allowed Macedo to fire off on the outside and zoom by Sweet.
“That’s my fault for choosing the bottom,” Sweet admitted. “I had a few shots at him there near the end, and I definitely think we had a better car. A little bit of rubber came in and kind of took away the technical aspect of it. You have to be perfect to win these Outlaw races, though, so we just need to get a little better.”
Rounding out Friday’s California podium sweep was Scelzi aboard the KCP Racing No. 18. The 20-year-old shot by Sweet to take the lead on a lap-13 restart, but a poorly timed caution negated the pass and hurt his chances at a second win in three races.
“I hate getting beat like that,” Scelzi said. “I got out-raced fair and square. The yellow didn’t help, but man that sucks. I was hoping they would slow each other down and get me back in the hunt, but I can’t be too disappointed. We have a great car, great crew, and we’re only getting better.”
Tyler Courtney, aboard Kevin Kozlowski’s No. 57w and Spencer Bayston rounded out the top five.
The finish:
Feature (35 Laps):Â 1. 41-Carson Macedo (6); 2. 49-Brad Sweet (1); 3. 18-Giovanni Scelzi (2); 4. 57W-Tyler Courtney (3); 5. 5-Spencer Bayston (7); 6. 83JR-Kerry Madsen (8); 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart (13); 8. 41S-Dominic Scelzi (10); 9. 24-Rico Abreu (11); 10. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild (21); 11. 26-Cory Eliason (17); 12. 16A-Colby Copeland (15); 13. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss (18); 14. 14-Corey Day (22); 15. 2-David Gravel (5); 16. 17W-Shane Golobic (24); 17. 83-James McFadden (23); 18. 21-Mitchell Faccinto (14); 19. 88-Austin McCarl (20); 20. 1A-Jacob Allen (9); 21. 83T-Tanner Carrick (4); 22. 15-Donny Schatz (16); 23. 11K-Kraig Kinser (19); 24. 2X-Justin Sanders (12).
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