Mississippi Thunder Debut, North Dakota Weekend Ahead for World of Outlaws
Photo by Tyler Carr
FOUNTAIN CITY, Wisc.—Another busy week awaits as the home stretch for the 2025 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series season nears.
First, a new track is ahead as The Greatest Show on Dirt debuts at Mississippi Thunder Speedway on Tuesday, Aug. 19. The World of Outlaws Real American Beer Late Models have made 10 trips to the Fountain City, WI track, but it’ll be the first ever for their Sprint Car counterparts. The Interstate Racing Association (IRA) Sprint Cars have served up some thrillers at Mississippi Thunder, and fans should expect no different when the country’s top talent rolls into town.
Two off days follow the Mississippi Thunder debut before the tour invades North Dakota for two nights. The weekend opens with the 35th visit in Series history to Grand Forks, ND’s River Cities Speedway on Friday, Aug. 22. Of the more than 400 tracks longtime World of Outlaws announcer Johnny Gibson has visited, River Cities has the honor of being his favorite.
The three-race week wraps up at West Fargo, ND’s Red River Valley Speedway on Saturday, Aug. 23. It’ll be the 71st trip to the 3/8 mile as the track strengthens its status as the most visited within the borders of the “Peace Garden State.”
BUY MISSISSIPPI THUNDER TICKETS HERE
BUY RIVER CITIES TICKETS HERE
BUY RED RIVER VALLEY TICKETS HERE
WATCH LIVE ON DIRTVision
Let’s look at the week’s top storylines:
EMPTY NOTEBOOKS: The midweek stop at Mississippi Thunder may serve as a rare equalizer.
Even if a facility is new to The Greatest Show on Dirt, usually a driver’s early experience might lead them to a track before they embark on a full World of Outlaws tour, but that’s simply not the case in this instance. Nearly every single 2025 full-time competitor will be making their first laps there.
That means most teams will enter the pit area with empty notebooks. Nobody has pages filled out from dozens or even a few previous races. Could it offer a chance for a new winner to arise? Tuesday will answer that question.
NORTH POLE KNOWLEDGE: The exception to the previous section? That would be Bill Balog. Of the full-time World of Outlaws competitors, he’s the only one to have made laps at the Wisconsin track.
It hasn’t been many laps as he’s raced there on just one occasion, but the result was an encouraging one. The “North Pole Nightmare” won with IRA at Mississippi Thunder 13 years ago on the way to the fifth of his now 10 titles with the Series.
With just two races remaining in his home state this year, the Hartland, WI resident will be looking to celebrate a victory with the countless “Badgers” that support him. He’s won twice already this year (Talladega Short Track and Huset’s Speedway) and enters the week fresh off two top fives in Minnesota.
HOME SWEET HOME: The trip home to North Dakota over the weekend will look a little different for Donny Schatz. For the first time since 2007, he won’t be aboard a Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing entry as he continues his three-week stretch with Big Game Motorsports. The 10-time Series champion did have to hop in Dave Lunstra’s car this past Saturday at Jackson after a Friday crash at Ogilvie in the Big Game No. 15, but the plan is for him to be back in Tod Quiring’s car this week.
Schatz’s River Cities résumé is remarkable. He’s competed in all 34 World of Outlaws races at the 1/4 mile, won a dozen of them, and missed the top five on only three occasions. His worst River Cities finish? Eighth. He’s been plenty successful at Red River Valley as well with six victories with The Greatest Show on Dirt and was on the podium in the most recent visit in May.
While Schatz’s debut with Big Game didn’t go as he hoped, the Fargo, ND driver did rebound with a Jackson top 10 in Lunstra’s machine.
MINNESOTA MOMENTUM: There’s one man with all the momentum entering this week, and his name is Carson Macedo.
The Lemoore, CA driver and his Jason Johnson Racing team swept the Minnesota weekend at Ogilvie and Jackson, upping their total in the 2025 win column to nine. They’ve topped five of the last 12 races this year. Macedo is one checkered flag away from his fourth 10-win season.
Like the majority of the World of Outlaws competitors, Macedo will make his Mississippi Thunder debut Tuesday. He’s a two-time River Cities winner (2022 and 2024) and has finished sixth or better in his last eight visits to the quarter mile. He’s also topped Red River Valley twice and hasn’t finished worse than eighth in six tries.
Macedo is still looking to surpass Michael “Buddy” Kofoid for the runner-up spot in points. Currently 52 markers separate the two Californians.
HAUD’S HUNT: Earlier this year Sheldon Haudenschild checked off a track that had long eluded him when he finally won at Haubstadt, IN’s Tri-State Speedway, and he’s ready to replicate that at one of the ovals ahead.
It’s been a similar story for Haudenschild at River Cities. He’s made 15 trips to the Grand Forks, ND bullring without a trip to Victory Lane with several close calls. The Wooster, OH native has been a River Cities runner-up on three occasions (2021, 2023, and 2024), started on the front row five times, and led Feature laps six times.
Haudenschild is fresh off finishes of fifth and sixth at Ogilvie and Jackson with the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing/NOS Energy Drink team. He’s fifth in points and on the hunt for his first win since conquering Red River Valley on the final day of May.
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
WHEN AND WHERE
Tuesday, August 19 at Mississippi Thunder Speedway in Fountain City, WI
Friday, August 22 at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, ND
Saturday, August 23 at Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, ND
ON THE INTERNET
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series
X – @WorldofOutlaws
Instagram – @WoOSprint
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 (52/77 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports No. 2 (6662 PTS)
2. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports No. 83 (-168 PTS)
3. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 (-220 PTS)
4. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing No. 1S (-344 PTS)
5. Sheldon Haudenschild – Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing No. 17 (-422 PTS)
6. Donny Schatz – Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing No. 15 (-558 PTS)
7. Bill Balog – B2 Motorsports No. 17B (-770 PTS)
8. Chris Windom – Sides Motorsports No. 7S (-858 PTS)
9. Garet Williamson – Fischer Motorsports No. 23 (-886 PTS)
10. Cole Macedo – TwoC Racing No. 2C (-1020 PTS)
NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (14 Drivers):
11 Wins – David Gravel
9 Wins – Carson Macedo
8 Wins – Michael Kofoid
4 Wins – Kyle Larson
3 Wins – Rico Abreu, Anthony Macri
2 Wins – Logan Schuchart, Sheldon Haudenschild, Bill Balog
1 Win – Christopher Bell, Giovanni Scelzi, Brad Sweet, Corey Day, Ryan Timms
SPLIT-FIELD PRELIM NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (3 Drivers):
1 Win – Ryan Timms, Kyle Larson, David Gravel
FEATURE LAPS LED (25 Drivers):
261 Laps – Carson Macedo
257 Laps – David Gravel
245 Laps – Michael Kofoid
107 Laps – Bill Balog
105 Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
98 Laps – Kyle Larson
93 Laps – Anthony Macri
91 Laps – Logan Schuchart
82 Laps – Rico Abreu
62 Laps – Giovanni Scelzi
50 Laps – Ryan Timms
23 Laps – Kerry Madsen
17 Laps – Emerson Axsom, Brad Sweet, Corey Day
16 Laps – Cole Macedo
15 Laps – Spencer Bayston
14 Laps – Dylan Westbrook
12 Laps – Conner Morrell
11 Laps – Jordan Thomas
9 Laps – Sam Hafertepe Jr.
8 Laps – Christopher Bell, Aaron Reutzel
1 Lap – Donny Schatz, Garet Williamson
SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (23 Drivers):
15 Quick Times – David Gravel
6 Quick Times – Rico Abreu
3 Quick Times – Carson Macedo, Logan Schuchart
2 Quick Times – Sheldon Haudenschild, Giovanni Scelzi, Garet Williamson
1 Quick Time – Emerson Axsom, Kyle Larson, Danny Sams III, Anthony Macri, Aaron Reutzel, Michael Kofoid, Chase Dietz, Donny Schatz, Zach Hampton, Tyler Courtney, Austin McCarl, Kerry Madsen, Bill Balog, Lance Dewease, Brad Sweet, Ashton Torgerson
HEAT RACE WINNERS (42 Drivers):
30 Heat Wins – David Gravel
22 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
15 Heat Wins – Bill Balog
12 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart, Michael Kofoid
8 Heat Wins – Giovanni Scelzi
7 Heat Wins – Kyle Larson
6 Heat Wins – Chris Windom, Anthony Macri
4 Heat Wins – Christopher Bell, Tyler Courtney, Conner Morrell, Rico Abreu
3 Heat Wins – Garet Williamson, Brad Sweet, Brian Brown, Emerson Axsom, Danny Dietrich, Skylar Gee, Christopher Thram
2 Heat Wins – Jacob Allen, Austin McCarl, Ryan Timms, Hunter Schuerenberg, Zach Hampton, Ashton Torgerson, Donny Schatz
1 Heat Win – Bryce Lucius, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Aaron Reutzel, Tanner Thorson, Chase Dietz, Justin Whittall, Danny Sams III, Jy Corbet, Tim Kaeding, Andy Pake, Kasey Jedrzejek, Lance Dewease, Freddie Rahmer, Ryan Turner, Tanner Holmes, Kaleb Johnson, Landon Crawley, Chris Martin, Blake Hahn, Gage Pulkrabek, Tasker Phillips, Josh Schneiderman, Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Brandon Wimmer
TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (60 Drivers):
39 Dashes – David Gravel
30 Dashes – Carson Macedo
24 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
22 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
21 Dashes – Michael Kofoid
18 Dashes – Bill Balog
16 Dashes – Giovanni Scelzi
8 Dashes – Chris Windom, Emerson Axsom
7 Dashes – Kyle Larson, Anthony Macri, Donny Schatz
6 Dashes – Rico Abreu, Cole Macedo, Zach Hampton, Garet Williamson
5 Dashes – Brian Brown, Tyler Courtney, Aaron Reutzel, Hunter Schuerenberg
4 Dashes – Conner Morrell, Brad Sweet, Skylar Gee
3 Dashes – Christopher Bell, Danny Dietrich, Danny Sams III, Austin McCarl, Ryan Timms, Parker Price-Miller, Ashton Torgerson
2 Dashes – Jacob Allen, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Christopher Thram, Kelby Watt, Tanner Thorson, Kerry Madsen, Chase Dietz, Spencer Bayston
1 Dash – Justin Peck, Bryce Lucius, Carson McCarl, Brady Bacon, Lucas Wolfe, Justin Whittall, Jordan Thomas, Jonathan Preston, Dylan Westbrook, Cory Turner, Cole Duncan, Tim Kaeding, Justin Henderson, Scotty Thiel, Corey Day, Zane DeVault, Brent Marks, Freddie Rahmer, Ryan Smith, Lance Dewease, Ryan Turner, Cory Eliason
MICRO-LITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (36 Drivers):
3 LCS Wins – Giovanni Scelzi, Garet Williamson, Ashton Torgerson, Cole Macedo
2 LCS Wins – Donny Schatz, Christopher Thram, Ryan Timms, Bill Balog, Skylar Gee, Brad Sweet
1 LCS Win – Chris Martin, Anthony Macri, Bryce Lucius, Conner Morrell, Blake Hahn, J.J. Hickle, Zach Hampton, Emerson Axsom, Matt Campbell, Joe Trenca, Darin Naida, Mark Dobmeier, Tim Kaeding, Hunter Schuerenberg, Chris Windom, Sheldon Haudenschild, Brady Bacon, Landon Crawley, James McFadden, Logan Schuchart, Alex Therrien, Rico Abreu, Michael Kofoid, Justin Whittall, Brent Marks, Scott Broty
KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (27 Drivers):
5 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz
4 Hard Chargers – Logan Schuchart, Ryan Timms
3 Hard Chargers – Chris Windom, Garet Williamson, Cole Macedo, Sheldon Haudenschild, Michael Kofoid, Skylar Gee
2 Hard Chargers – Bill Balog, Tanner Thorson, David Gravel
1 Hard Charger – Zach Hampton, Hunter Schuerenberg, Lance Dewease, Dylan Westbrook, Kalib Henry, Cap Henry, Jade Hastings, Carson Macedo, Rico Abreu, Anthony Macri, Giovanni Scelzi, Danny Varin, Landon Crawley, Corey Day, Brad Sweet
PODIUM FINISHES (33 Drivers):
27 Podiums – David Gravel
21 Podiums – Michael Kofoid
19 Podiums – Carson Macedo
10 Podiums – Kyle Larson
9 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart
6 Podiums – Donny Schatz, Rico Abreu, Bill Balog
5 Podiums – Anthony Macri
3 Podiums – Giovanni Scelzi
2 Podiums – Christopher Bell, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Tyler Courtney, Kerry Madsen
1 Podium – Aaron Reutzel, Jacob Allen, Emerson Axsom, Brady Bacon, Cole Macedo, Chase Dietz, Danny Dietrich, Conner Morrell, Dylan Westbrook, Skylar Gee, Chris Windom, Cole Duncan, Brad Sweet, Corey Day, Spencer Bayston, Garet Williamson, Tanner Thorson
TOP 10 FINISHES (57 Drivers):
48 Top 10s – David Gravel
41 Top 10s – Michael Kofoid
37 Top 10s – Carson Macedo
36 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart
32 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild
28 Top 10s – Giovanni Scelzi
27 Top 10s – Donny Schatz
24 Top 10s – Bill Balog
17 Top 10s – Chris Windom, Garet Williamson
13 Top 10s – Cole Macedo
12 Top 10s – Anthony Macri
11 Top 10s – Brad Sweet, Kyle Larson, Hunter Schuerenberg, Emerson Axsom
10 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney, Rico Abreu
7 Top 10s – Ryan Timms
6 Top 10s – Zach Hampton, Skylar Gee, Kerry Madsen
5 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Tanner Thorson
4 Top 10s – Austin McCarl
3 Top 10s – Justin Peck, Parker Price-Miller, Conner Morrell, Spencer Bayston, Brady Bacon, Danny Dietrich, Ashton Torgerson, Corey Day
2 Top 10s – Christopher Bell, Jacob Allen, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Tim Kaeding, Brian Brown, Freddie Rahmer, Troy Wagaman Jr.
1 Top 10 – Danny Sams III, Chase Dietz, Justin Whittall, Jordan Thomas, Dylan Westbrook, Jordan Poirier, Kalib Henry, Cole Duncan, Kelby Watt, Tanner Holmes, Ryan Smith, Brent Marks, Ryan Turner, Zach Sobotka, Danny Varin, Cory Eliason, Landon Crawley
2025 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINT CAR WINNERS:
No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Wed, Feb 7 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Carson Macedo (1)
2. Thurs, Feb 8 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Christopher Bell (1)
3. Fri, Feb 9 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Larson (1)
4. Sat, Feb 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Larson (2)
5. Sun, March 2 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (1)
6. Mon, March 3 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / David Gravel (2)
7. Fri, March 7 / Talladega Short Track / Eastaboga, AL / Bill Balog (1)
8. Sat, March 8 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / David Gravel (3)
9. Fri, March 14 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX / Giovanni Scelzi (1)
10. Sat, March 15 / Kennedale Speedway Park / Kennedale, TX / Michael Kofoid (1)
11. Fri, March 21 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / David Gravel (4)
12. Sat, March 22 / Cotton Bowl Speedway / Paige, TX / David Gravel (5)
13. Fri, March 28 / Lawton Speedway / Lawton, OK / Michael Kofoid (2)
14. Fri, April 11 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Carson Macedo (2)
15. Sat, April 12 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Logan Schuchart (1)
16. Sat, April 19 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Rico Abreu (1)
17. Fri, April 25 / Jacksonville Speedway / Jacksonville, IL / Kyle Larson (3)
18. Sat, April 26 / Tri-State Speedway / Haubstadt, IN / Sheldon Haudenschild (1)
19. Fri, May 2 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / David Gravel (6)
20. Wed, May 7 / Lincoln Speedway / Abbottstown, PA / Michael Kofoid (3)
21. Sat, May 10 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Anthony Macri (1)
22. Wed, May 14 / Ohsweken Speedway / Ohsweken, ON / David Gravel (7)
23. Thurs, May 15 / Ohsweken Speedway / Ohsweken, ON / David Gravel (8)
24. Sat, May 24 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Logan Schuchart (2)
25. Mon, May 26 / Atomic Speedway / Chillicothe, OH / Carson Macedo (3)
26. Fri, May 30 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Michael Kofoid (4)
27. Sat, May 31 / Red River Valley Speedway / West Fargo, ND / Sheldon Haudenschild (2)
28. Wed, June 4 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Carson Macedo (4)
29. Fri, June 6 / Plymouth Dirt Track / Plymouth, WI / Rico Abreu (2)
30. Sat, June 7 / Beaver Dam Raceway / Beaver Dam, WI / Brad Sweet (1)
31. Fri, June 13 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel (9)
32. Sat, June 14 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Corey Day (1)
33. Wed, June 18 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Kyle Larson (4)
34. Thurs, June 19 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (5)
35. Fri, June 20 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Bill Balog (2)
36. Sat, June 21 / Huset’s Speedway / Brandon, SD / Michael Kofoid (6)
37. Fri, June 27 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / David Gravel (10)
38. Sat, June 28 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI / Carson Macedo (5)
39. Sat, July 12 / Wilmot Raceway / Wilmot, WI / Michael Kofoid (7)
40. Tues, July 15 / Attica Raceway Park / Attica, OH / Carson Macedo (6)
41. Fri, July 18 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (3)
42. Sat, July 19 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Anthony Macri (2)
43. Wed, July 23 / BAPS Motor Speedway / York Haven, PA / Anthony Macri (3)
44. Sun, July 27 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (11)
45. Fri, Aug 1 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Carson Macedo (7)
46. Sat, Aug 2 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO / Michael Kofoid (8)
47. Wed, Aug 6 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Ryan Timms*
48. Thurs, Aug 7 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Kyle Larson*
49. Fri, Aug 8 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / David Gravel*
50. Sat, Aug 9 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Ryan Timms (1)
51. Fri, Aug 15 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN / Carson Macedo (8)
52. Sat, Aug 15 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Carson Macedo (9)
*denotes unofficial split-field prelim race.
For the remaining 2025 schedule, CLICK HERE.
Our Partners
.png)
