ATTICA, Ohio — The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is setting its clock back to Eastern time.
After spending the last several weeks in the central region of the country, The Greatest Show on Dirt is “Buckeye State” bound.
The action opens at Attica Raceway Park on May 1, with the Kistler Engines Classic. Eldora Speedway is the only Ohio track that’s brought the World of Outlaws to town more often, as the tour is set for its 28th Attica trip. It’s the first of two visits with the Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic presented by dac Pet Products slated for Tuesday, July 14.
The weekend closes in the northeast corner of the state at Hartford’s Sharon Speedway on May 2. It’s right behind Attica’s as Ohio’s third most visited track with 15 previous visits in the history books.
HEADING HOME
It’s year 10 on the road with the World of Outlaws for Sheldon Haudenschild, but he’ll always be a “Buckeye” at heart. The 32-year-old was born in Wooster, Ohio, and still calls the town home.
Ohio is where Haudenschild learned the ropes. He’s got plenty of laps at both tracks on the agenda as a result. Haudenschild has more than 60 appearances at Attica under his belt.
The third-mile is home to both his first 410 sprint car start (2009) and first 410 sprint car victory (2013). That was the first of three wins at Attica as he added a pair with the All Star Circuit of Champions (2015 and 2016).
Sharon hasn’t seen Haudenschild quite as often, with just a dozen previous visits. He won in his fourth appearance at the track, claiming the 2015 Lou Blaney Memorial. He’s been on the podium in four of his six World of Outlaws races at Sharon.
This weekend marks Haudenschild’s first racing trip to his home state since teaming with KCP Racing. The beginning of the partnership has proven fruitful with a win and 10 top 10s so far in 2026. The combination sits fifth in points.
Haudenschild isn’t the only World of Outlaws driver heading to familiar territory this year, as Lagrange’s Kasey Jedrzejek also heads home. The rookie is aboard Bill Rose’s No. 6 and already has a pair of top 10s to his credit this year. Like Haudenschild, his first 410 score came at Attica.
BESTING THE BUCKEYES
The home state heroes may headline the weekend, but a man from North Dakota is known to steal the show when the tour ventures into Ohio.
No driver is more successful in World of Outlaws action at Attica than Fargo’s Donny Schatz. He’s racked up five checkered flags, 11 podiums, and 19 top 10s in 21 tries. His average finish over that span is fifth on the dot. The speed hasn’t been quite the same at Sharon, but the 10-time champion is still stout. He won a 2008 American Sprint Car Series Regional race and topped a 2023 World of Outlaws visit. Three times he’s been a Sharon runner-up.
Schatz and CJB Motorsports head to Ohio aiming to continue their consistency. The Barry Jackson-wrenched No. 15 has been outside the top 10 just once in the last 11 races. Schatz is fourth in the standings, with Michael “Buddy” Kofoid only 24 markers ahead in third.
STRETCHING THE ADVANTAGE
Some early-season issues showed a potential chink in the armor, but Knoxville allowed David Gravel and Big Game Motorsports to stretch their advantage in the title fight.
With a massive 60-plus car field both nights over the weekend, the combination showed why they’re the best in the country. Gravel wheeled Tod Quiring’s No. 2 from sixth to second in the opener.
Then there was no stopping him the next night with a front-row starting spot as he led every lap to pick up his fourth win of the season. The two-time and defending champion is atop the standings with a 70-point lead.
The stats show no hints that Gravel may slow down this weekend. He’s bagged a trio of Attica trophies. Over at Sharon, he’s finished no worse than fourth in six tries since connecting with Big Game. The highlight is a 2024 win.
LINDERVILLE
The Linder family has become known for helping aspiring racers early in their careers, and a trio of current World of Outlaws California-born competitors made a stop at “Linderville” along the way, making Ohio a home away from home for them.
Carson Macedo was the first to come along. After driving for the Tarlton family in his home state, the Lemoore, Calif., driver packed his bags and headed east. Mike and Stephanie Linder welcomed Macedo as he carved out his path to the top in the 2010s.
Their hospitality helped him to his current place with Jason Johnson Racing and status as one of the best in the sport. The 29-year-old is up to 59 World of Outlaws wins. He’s been to Attica victory lane three times but is still chasing his first Sharon score, with a pair of ASCoC runner-ups being his best results.
Buddy Kofoid was the next to make his way from the “Golden State” to the “Buckeye State.” The Penngrove, Calif., phenom made his presence felt in Ohio with moments such as a 2020 Attica triumph. Kofoid won again at Attica in 2024, this time with the World of Outlaws and with his current Roth Motorsports team.
Carson’s brother, Cole Macedo, is the latest to pass through “Linderville” on the route to The Greatest Show on Dirt. He collected five victories at Attica over two seasons of local racing (2021 and 2022). Last fall he notched his best Sharon finish (sixth) aboard the TwoC Racing No. 2C.
O-H! I-O!
Ohio boasts one of the healthiest local sprint car scenes in the nation, meaning the World of Outlaws will have to face off with plenty of hungry natives to the region ready for a good showing under the bright lights.
All eyes will be on Dale Blaney Saturday at Sharon. Last fall, he drove from fifth to victory lane to become the oldest winner in series history at 61 years of age and deliver one of the most popular moments of the season at his home track that his family owns.
The No. 10 car owned by his brother Dave featured a unique wing and shock setup. We’ll see what the Blaneys have up their sleeve this weekend.
Over at Attica, Bellevue, OH’s Cap Henry is always one to watch. He already won the track’s season opener this year with ASCoC, his 29th win at the home of “Ohio’s Finest Racing.” With the World of Outlaws, Henry owns a pair of top 10s at Attica.
Findlay’s Bryce Lucius has been making a name for himself over the past couple years. He got his first 410 sprint car win at Attica in March of 2024 and added two more since. The 19-year-old posted podiums in the track’s two races so far this season.
Expect many more capable competitors to represent the local contingent at least one night this weekend, including Creed Kemenah, Craig Mintz, Zeth Sabo, Henry Malcuit, Jordan Ryan and Trey Jacobs.