World of Outlaws head to Devil's Bowl one last time
Photo by Trent Gower
Mesquite, TX — The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars were born on March 18, 1978, at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. This weekend (Oct. 20-21), the Series’ long-standing history at the track will come to an end.
It all began with roughly 90 racers from across the country journeying to Mesquite, TX for a three-night event at the speedway, culminating in a $2,000-to-win finale.
That race, topped by Jimmy Boyd, was the first of what would become The Greatest Show on Dirt – the best drivers traveling the nation in search of Sprint Car stardom and big money.
This weekend, the Series heads to the Mesquite oval for the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Stampede. The pair of nights will be the final two races held at the historic track as track promoter Lanny Edwards recently confirmed the sale of the facility. The event will offer a special purse with Friday handing out $12,000 to the winner, and on Saturday, as a nod to both the first and last World of Outlaws visits, the Feature will pay $20,023-to-win and $1,978-to-start.
It's set to be an emotional weekend with competitors from all over making the trip to Texas to try and be the last driver to win at Devil’s Bowl Speedway.
BUY DEVIL’S BOWL TICKETS
EVENT NOTES: In addition to the on-track action, comedian Jerry Longmire will be at Devil’s Bowl Speedway all weekend and will be doing a meet and greet at the World of Outlaws souvenir trailer on Saturday at 5pm (CT).
Also, to accommodate the increased number of fans expected for the event, the camping lot will be used for parking and there will be no on-site camping. Spectators can also park in the pit area for $10 a day.
Let’s look at the weekend’s top stories:
WHO WILL BE THE LAST?: Jimmy Boyd forever etched his name in Sprint Car history with his win in the first World of Outlaws race at Devil’s Bowl in 1978. And now a hungry group of drivers will be vying for the honor of topping the final race at the half mile.
Sadly, Devil’s Bowl will join a list of iconic racetracks that have closed over the course of history. Jac Haudenschild was the last to win with the World of Outlaws at the famed San Jose Speedway in California (1999). Chad Kemenah claimed the final at Phoenix, AZ’s Manzanita Speedway. Only a year ago, David Gravel made the trip to Victory Lane in the I-80 Speedway sendoff in Greenwood, NE.
Winning the final World of Outlaws race at any track locks up a meaningful spot in the record books. And doing so at the place where it all began for The Greatest Show on Dirt would make that honor even more special.
MESQUITE MASTERS: While Sammy Swindell will go down as the king of Devil’s Bowl with his 18 victories, a pair of current World of Outlaws full-timers have stood out from the rest heading into the weekend. Both Donny Schatz and Logan Schuchart own a trio of Devil’s Bowl triumphs.
Schatz found his success during the 2010s. The 10-time Series champion picked up wins in 2014, 2015, and most recently in 2018. Schatz enters the weekend fresh off his fourth win of the season at Lakeside.
Schuchart owned the Mesquite oval from 2019-2021, stringing together three consecutive victories aboard the Shark Racing #1S. Schuchart is in the company of Sammy Swindell and Mark Kinser as the only drivers to ever win three straight.
A single victory would equal Schatz or Schuchart with Danny Lasoski for the fifth most Devil’s Bowl wins. A weekend sweep would place either alongside Texan Gary Wright for the fourth most.
COWBOY CAT: Brad Sweet is undoubtedly among the favorites to wear the final cowboy hat handed out at Devil’s Bowl.
“The Big Cat” picked up his second Devil’s Bowl win in March as a part of his remarkable résumé at the Texas oval. In 15 career World of Outlaws starts, Sweet owns eight top fives, a 5.07 average finish, and has only missed the top 10 once.
Sweet also enters the weekend amid the hunt for his fifth consecutive championship. He and his Kasey Kahne Racing crew sit 66 markers ahead of David Gravel with five races remaining.
LAST CHANCE: In addition to those who’ve already collected checkered flags at Devil’s Bowl, there are a handful looking for their first trip to Victory Lane before it’s too late.
Current runner-up in points – David Gravel – has been beating on the door of a win with two Devil’s Bowl second place runs to his credit (2017 & 2020). The Big Game Motorsports pilot also posted a pair of fourths in the spring.
Through six attempts, Carson Macedo is yet to finish worse than seventh at Devil’s Bowl, but he’s also yet to stand atop the podium. The driver of the Jason Johnson Racing #41 has been on the two other steps of the podium – third (2023) and second (2021).
Quietly, Spencer Bayston has been a consistent force in limited action at Devil’s Bowl. The Lebanon, IN has made a trio of starts at the half mile and never finished worse than ninth. The Series sophomore is looking for a strong finish to his season.
LONE STAR STATE STAR: There are no Texas natives following the World of Outlaws tour, but there’s one Lone Star wheelman that could represent the host state with a Victory Lane visit in the final Devil’s Bowl race.
Sunnyvale, TX is a mere 10-minute drive from Devil’s Bowl Speedway, and it’s where Sam Hafertepe Jr. calls home. Throughout his career, Hafertepe has experienced plenty of success at his home track. Among that success is many wins including a complete sweep of this past weekend’s final running of the Winter Nationals featuring the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS).
In World of Outlaws competition, Hafertepe has made 10 starts at the half mile. In those attempts he’s posted four top 10s with a best of sixth, which occurred earlier this year.
TRAVELIN’ TO TEXAS: In addition to the World of Outlaws full-time roster and a handful of Texas locals, drivers are expected to invade from other states for the special occasion.
Coming from Missouri will be Ayrton Gennetten aboard the Hayward Motorsports #19. Two years ago, Gennetten led 23 laps of a Devil’s Bowl World of Outlaws Feature before finishing a career best fourth.
Sapulpa, OK's Blake Hahn will make the trip one state south for the Sprint Car Stampede. Like Hafertepe, Hahn recently swept the Winter Nationals at Devil's Bowl, claiming both nights in 2022. Back in March, Hahn earned his first World of Outlaws top-10 at Devil's Bowl.
Cory Eliason plans to be in attendance behind the wheel of the Crouch Motorsports #11. The Visalia, CA native has made a pair of World of Outlaws starts at Devil’s Bowl, both in 2018, with a best run of 12th. In 2020, Eliason competed at the Mesquite track with the All-Star Circuit of Champions there and finished fourth.
If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the action live on DIRTVision.
THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE
WHEN AND WHERE
Friday & Saturday, Oct. 13-14 at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, TX
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 (66/71 Races):
1. 49 – Brad Sweet (8946PTS) 2. 2 – David Gravel (-66PTS) 3. 41 – Carson Macedo (-132PTS) 4. 18 – Gio Scelzi (-444PTS) 5. 1S – Logan Schuchart (-462PTS) 6. 15 – Donny Schatz (-502PTS) 7. 17 – Sheldon Haudenschild (-542PTS) 8. 5 – Spencer Bayston (-760PTS) 9. 3Z – Brock Zearfoss (-1300PTS) 10. 83 – James McFadden (-1792PTS)
NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (19 Drivers):
10 wins – David Gravel (Big Game Motorsports #2), Brad Sweet (Kasey Kahne Racing #49)
6 wins – James McFadden (Roth Motorsports #83), Carson Macedo (Jason Johnson Racing #41), Logan Schuchart (Shark Racing #1S), Rico Abreu (Rico Abreu Racing #24)
4 wins – Kyle Larson (Silva Motorsports #57), Donny Schatz (Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15)
3 wins – Sheldon Haudenschild (Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing #17)
2 wins – Buddy Kofoid (CMS Racing #11, Roth Motorsports #83JR)
1 win – Brady Bacon (TKH Motorsports #21), Anthony Macri (Macri Motorsports #39), Brian Brown (Brian Brown Racing #21), Gio Scelzi (KCP Racing #18), Spencer Bayston (CJB Motorsports #5), Corey Day (Jason Meyers Racing #14), Brent Marks (Murray-Marks #19), Tyler Courtney (Clauson Marshall Racing #7BC), Zeb Wise (Rudeen Racing #26)
FEATURE LAPS LED (25 Drivers):
335 laps – Brad Sweet
239 laps – James McFadden
234 laps – Rico Abreu
209 laps – David Gravel
195 laps – Carson Macedo
172 laps – Logan Schuchart
118 laps – Kyle Larson
114 laps – Buddy Kofoid
108 laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
104 laps – Donny Schatz
62 laps – Brent Marks
57 laps – Gio Scelzi
40 laps – Spencer Bayston, Corey Day
31 laps – Brian Brown
19 laps – Tyler Courtney
18 laps – Lance Dewease
15 laps – Cole Macedo
11 laps – Anthony Macri, Daryn Pittman
10 laps – Cory Eliason
3 laps – Brady Bacon, Danny Varin, Justin Peck
1 lap – Austin McCarl
SIMPSON PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS QUICKTIME AWARDS (17 Drivers):
14 QuickTimes – Carson Macedo
13 QuickTimes – David Gravel
5 QuickTimes – Logan Schuchart, Rico Abreu
4 QuickTimes – Brad Sweet
3 QuickTimes – Sheldon Haudenschild, Buddy Kofoid
2 QuickTimes – Anthony Macri, Bill Balog, Justin Peck, Gio Scelzi, Tanner Holmes
1 QuickTime – Brian Brown, Donny Schatz, James McFadden, Jacob Allen, Kyle Larson
HEAT RACE WINNERS (46 Drivers):
29 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
28 Heat Wins – David Gravel
20 Heat Wins – Brad Sweet
15 Heat Wins – Logan Schuchart
14 Heat Wins – Donny Schatz, James McFadden
13 Heat Wins – Buddy Kofoid, Gio Scelzi
12 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Rico Abreu
7 Heat Wins – Spencer Bayston
6 Heat Wins – Brian Brown
5 Heat Wins – Jacob Allen, Justin Peck, Brent Marks
4 Heat Wins – Cory Eliason
3 Heat Wins – Anthony Macri, Bill Balog, Parker Price-Miller
2 Heat Wins – Brock Zearfoss, Noah Gass, Kerry Madsen, Robbie Price, Tim Kaeding, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Tyler Courtney
1 Heat Win – Danny Dietrich, Freddie Rahmer, Mark Dobmeier, Kasey Kahne, Austin McCarl, Lachlan McHugh, Ryan Timms, Tim Estenson, Kyle Larson, Shane Stewart, Lance Dewease, Cole Macedo, Chase Randall, Ian Madsen, Tanner Holmes, Dominic Scelzi, Kalib Henry, Dylan Bloomfield, Justin Sanders, Zeb Wise
TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (51 Drivers):
44 Dashes – Carson Macedo
43 Dashes – David Gravel
41 Dashes – Brad Sweet
30 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
29 Dashes – Gio Scelzi
25 Dashes – James McFadden, Sheldon Haudenschild
23 Dashes – Donny Schatz
22 Dashes – Rico Abreu
18 Dashes – Spencer Bayston
17 Dashes – Buddy Kofoid
9 Dashes – Brent Marks
8 Dashes – Jacob Allen, Cory Eliason, Brock Zearfoss
7 Dashes – Justin Peck, Brian Brown
6 Dashes – Tyler Courtney
5 Dashes – Anthony Macri, Robbie Price, Kasey Kahne, Corey Day
4 Dashes – Justin Sanders, Parker Price-Miller
3 Dashes – Danny Dietrich, Kyle Larson, Cole Macedo, Tanner Holmes
2 Dashes – Garet Williamson, Austin McCarl, Bill Balog, Dominic Scelzi, Aaron Reutzel, Freddie Rahmer, Lance Dewease, Devon Borden
1 Dash – Brady Bacon, Chad Trout, Dylan Norris, Cap Henry, Stuart Brubaker, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Shane Stewart, Danny Varin, Ian Madsen, Shane Golobic, Kalib Henry, Dylan Bloomfield, Daryn Pittman, Sye Lynch, Zeb Wise
MICROLITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (37 Drivers):
4 LCS Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Spencer Bayston, Robbie Price
3 LCS Wins - Noah Gass, James McFadden, Gio Scelzi
2 LCS Wins – Parker Price-Miller, Logan Schuchart, Carson Macedo, Brock Zearfoss, Tim Estenson, Donny Schatz, Kerry Madsen
1 LCS Win – Hunter Schuerenberg, Wayne Johnson, Ryan Timms, Ayrton Gennetten, Kraig Kinser, Freddie Rahmer, Henry Malcuit, Cole Macedo, Aaron Reutzel, Sye Lynch, Cory Eliason, Tyler Courtney, Rico Abreu, Jacob Allen, Daryn Pittman, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Jamie Veal, Kaleb Johnson, Lachlan McHugh, Tanner Holmes, Austen Wheatley, Buddy Kofoid, Danny Dietrich, Dusty Zomer
KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (35 Drivers):
6 Hard Chargers – Sheldon Haudenschild, James McFadden
5 Hard Chargers – Donny Schatz
4 Hard Chargers – Brock Zearfoss, Rico Abreu, Tyler Courtney
3 Hard Chargers – Brad Sweet, Logan Schuchart, Danny Dietrich
2 Hard Chargers – Justin Peck, David Gravel, Spencer Bayston, Corey Day, Robbie Price
1 Hard Charger – Gio Scelzi, 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, Jacob Allen, Caden Englehart, Zeb Wise, Carson Macedo, Dale Blaney, Tasker Phillips, Brent Marks, Kaleb Johnson, Tanner Holmes
PODIUM FINISHES (30 Drivers):
32 Podiums – David Gravel
28 Podiums – Brad Sweet
18 Podiums – Carson Macedo
15 Podiums – Rico Abreu
14 Podiums – Logan Schuchart, Donny Schatz
10 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild, James McFadden
9 Podiums – Buddy Kofoid
7 Podiums – Gio Scelzi
6 Podiums – Kyle Larson, Brent Marks
4 Podiums – Spencer Bayston
3 Podiums – Brian Brown, Jacob Allen, Corey Day
2 Podiums – Tyler Courtney
1 Podium – Danny Dietrich, Kasey Kahne, Devon Borden, Parker Price-Miller, Brady Bacon, Anthony Macri, Garet Williamson, Dave Blaney, Tanner Holmes, Justin Sanders, Dominic Scelzi, Daryn Pittman, Zeb Wise
TOP 10 FINISHES (63 Drivers):
58 Top 10s – Brad Sweet
56 Top 10s – Carson Macedo
55 Top 10s – David Gravel
44 Top 10s – Gio Scelzi
42 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart, Sheldon Haudenschild
39 Top 10s – Donny Schatz
37 Top 10s – Spencer Bayston
36 Top 10s – James McFadden
33 Top 10s – Rico Abreu
25 Top 10s – Buddy Kofoid
15 Top 10s – Justin Peck
14 Top 10s – Jacob Allen, Brent Marks
11 Top 10s – Tyler Courtney, Kasey Kahne
10 Top 10s – Cory Eliason
8 Top 10s – Kyle Larson
7 Top 10s – Brock Zearfoss, Danny Dietrich, Brian Brown
6 Top 10s – Corey Day, Tanner Holmes
5 Top 10s – Dominic Scelzi, Justin Sanders
4 Top 10s – Zeb Wise, Lance Dewease
3 Top 10s – Anthony Macri, Bill Balog, Cole Macedo, Chase Randall, Freddie Rahmer, Parker Price-Miller
2 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Blake Hahn, Brady Bacon, Robbie Price, Tim Kaeding, Shane Golobic, Dave Blaney, Dale Blaney, Cole Duncan, Daryn Pittman
1 Top 10 – Devon Borden, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Joe B. Miller, Hunter Schuerenberg, Brandon Rahmer, Chad Trout, Cap Henry, Stuart Brubaker, Skylar Gee, Austin McCarl, Garet Williamson, Shane Stewart, Larry Wight, Noah Gass, Rusty Hickman, Kerry Madsen, Jason Solwold, Chase Johnson, T.J. Stutts, Scott Bogucki
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)
41. Thurs, July 20 / BAPS Motor Speedway / York Haven, PA / David Gravel (9)
42. Fri, July 21 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Logan Schuchart (3)
43. Sat, July 22 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Rico Abreu (4)
44. Sun, July 30 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, NY / David Gravel (10)
45. Fri, Aug 4 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Spencer Bayston (1)
46. Sat, Aug 5 / Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 / Pevely, MO / Kyle Larson (3)
47. Sat, Aug 12 / Knoxville Raceway / Knoxville, IA / Kyle Larson (4)
48. Thurs, Aug 17 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / James McFadden (5)
49. Fri, Aug 18 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / James McFadden (6)
50. Sat, Aug 19 / Jackson Motorplex / Jackson, MN / Carson Macedo (6)
51. Fri, Aug 25 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Logan Schuchart (4)
52. Sat, Aug 26 / Red River Valley Speedway / West Fargo, ND / Logan Schuchart (5)
53. Thurs, Aug 31 / Skagit Speedway / Burlington, WA / Sheldon Haudenschild (3)
54. Fri, Sept 1 / Skagit Speedway / Burlington, WA / Rico Abreu (5)
55. Sat, Sept 2 / Skagit Speedway / Burlington, WA / Brad Sweet (7)
56. Mon, Sept 4 / Grays Harbor Raceway / Elma, WA / Logan Schuchart (6)
57. Sat, Sept 9 / Silver Dollar Speedway / Chico, CA / Corey Day (1)
58. Fri, Sept 15 / Kings Speedway / Hanford, CA / Brad Sweet (8)
59. Sat, Sept 16 / Placerville Speedway / Placerville, CA / Buddy Kofoid (2)
60. Fri, Sept 22 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, OH / Rico Abreu (6)
61. Sat, Sept 23 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Brad Sweet (9)
62. Fri, Sept 29 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brad Sweet (10)
63. Sat, Sept 30 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, PA / Brent Marks (1)
64. Fri, Oct 6 / Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA / Tyler Courtney (1)
65. Sat, Oct 7 / Port Royal Speedway / Port Royal, PA / Zeb Wise (1)
66. Sat, Oct 14 / Lakeside Speedway / Kansas City, KS / Donny Schatz (4)
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