WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Deer Creek, Wilmot Kick Off Busy Stretch for World of Outlaws

by Alex Nieten

The Greatest Show on Dirt gets back in action in a big way after a week off

The holiday weekend off was nice, but it’s time to get back to business for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series.

The smoke has settled from Fourth of July fireworks, and the country’s best Sprint Car drivers are ready to get back on the dirt. A trio of nights in the USA’s northern reaches ignite the busiest stretch of the season for The Greatest Show on Dirt. The tour is set to take on a grueling 10 races in 18 days through five states.

It all kicks off Thursday, July 10, at Spring Valley, MN’s Deer Creek Speedway. The World of Outlaws head to the 3/8 mile for the first time since 2017 and the ninth time overall. Then, an overnight haul from the “Gopher State” to the “Badger State” leads to a weekend (July 11-12) at Wisconsin’s Wilmot Raceway for the Larry Hillerud Memorial Badger 40.

Stock up on NOS Energy Drink. Secure your seats. Get those DIRTVision subscriptions ready. Buckle up. Do what you need to do to get ready. The next few weeks are going to be wild.

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Let’s look at the top storylines to watch:

ANOTHER HOME WEEKEND: It would be difficult to pick a better pair of weekends to bookend the break for Bill Balog. Two nights at New Richmond, WI’s Cedar Lake Speedway sent the tour into the off week, and Wilmot means another weekend on home turf awaits.

The “North Pole Nightmare’s” résumé boasts 21 Wilmot wins with the Interstate Racing Association (IRA). Balog also owns a Wingless Sprint Car victory at the 1/3-mile dirt track. He nearly beat the All Star Circuit of Champions (ASCoC) at Wilmot in 2014 with a runner-up, and his best World of Outlaws finish there is seventh on two occasions. Balog’s four World of Outlaws races in Wisconsin this year have resulted in a trio of top 10s with a best of fifth at Cedar Lake.

Thursday’s destination might not be in Balog’s home state, but he does have Deer Creek experience. The “Gopher State” track is responsible for a pair of his more than 100 Feature wins with IRA.

A NEW WINNER: Fans watching Thursday’s return to Deer Creek are nearly guaranteed to witness a new winner at the track.

No current full-time competitor with the Series has topped a World of Outlaws Feature at the Spring Valley, MN oval. The first two belonged to Joey Saldana, and he’s since been joined on the win list by Steve Kinser, Craig Dollansky, Ian Madsen, Paul McMahan, Brad Sweet, and Kraig Kinser.

That means many titans of the sport will be looking to add their name to the list. Drivers such as David Gravel, Donny Schatz, Carson Macedo, Michael “Buddy” Kofoid, Sheldon Haudenschild, and more have the chance to etch themselves into the Deer Creek history books on Thursday, but there can only be one.

GRAVEL’S GROUND: Put David Gravel in any Sprint Car at Wilmot, and history suggests he’s going to be fast.

The defending World of Outlaws champion has raced at the Wisconsin track for five different teams and won with three of them. He took Roth Motorsports to Wilmot Victory Lane in 2014, won two in a row with CJB Motorsports in 2016 and 2017, and led all 40 laps in 2020 with Jason Johnson Racing.

Oddly enough, that leaves the team where he’s done the majority of his winning, Big Game Motorsports, off the list. The Watertown, CT native has made five Wilmot appearances since climbing aboard Tod Quiring’s No. 2 and collected three top fives with a best of third last year. He’ll have two chances to make Big Game the fourth team he’s won with this weekend. They’ve already topped 10 races together in 2025 as they pursue another title.

David Gravel is the only four-time World of Outlaws winner at Wilmot (Trent Gower Photo)

WINNING IN WILMOT: David Gravel may be the most dominant, but he’s not the only 2025 World of Outlaws driver with a Wilmot checkered flag in the collection.

Carson Macedo pieced together a statement stretch at the “Badger State” facility from 2022 through 2024. He and Jason Johnson Racing won three consecutive races as Macedo joined Gravel as the second competitor to take three straight. The Lemoore, CA native has finished in the top two in five of his last six Wilmot appearances.

Macedo’s streak was stopped by 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz. The 47-year-old dominated the Badger 40 finale last year aboard the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing No. 15. That marked his second Wilmot win to go along with one in 2019. Schatz hasn’t finished worse than ninth in 13 tries at the track and has been in the top five in nine of them.

CLOSE CALLS: The list of competitors among this year’s roster to have won at one or both tracks ahead may be short, but several of them have had performances that give reason for optimism.

Sheldon Haudenschild’s only trip to Deer Creek led to a 2017 top five. Over at Wilmot, he’s been in the top 10 during all 13 of his attempts, including four podiums, peaking at second in 2016 with ASCoC.

Logan Schuchart landed on the Wilmot podium twice. He was third in 2020 before improving to runner-up in 2021 with Shark Racing. The only spot on the podium left to reach is the top one.

Chris Windom’s Deer Creek experience is limited to the Non-Wing variety, picking up a top five there in 2014 with the USAC National Sprint Cars. With wings at Wilmot, “Big Daddy” has finished second in his last two appearances – 2021 with IRA and 2023 with ASCoC.

Hunter Schuerenberg finished one position behind Windom in 2014 with USAC at Deer Creek. He’s also been fast at Wilmot with three podium finishes and all of them coming with his current team, Vermeer Motorsports.

“Buddy” Kofoid has never been to Deer Creek, but his two previous Wilmot visits with Roth Motorsports resulted in top fives. Last year, he was runner-up on night one of the Badger 40 before leading laps and finishing fourth the following evening.

Sheldon Haudenschild has been in the top five at both Deer Creek and Wilmot but is still looking for a win at both tracks (Trent Gower Photo)

THE TIME IS NOW: Momentum is critical in the sport of Sprint Car racing, and now is the time for teams to begin building some if they haven’t already.

Some of the year’s biggest events are right around the corner. Next week features both the Ohio Logistics Brad Doty Classic presented by dac Vitamins and Minerals at Attica Raceway Park (July 15) and the 42nd running of the Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway (July 18-19). The latter will hand out a record $200,000 to the winner.

Just a little farther down the road is Williams Grove Speedway’s $20,000-to-win C&D Rigging Summer Nationals (July 25-26), which also serves as the final chance for the World of Outlaws to get laps at “The Grove” ahead of October’s $75,000-to-win National Open.

August opens with the Ironman 55 (Aug. 1-2) and a $25,000 check. Then, a week later, it’s the 64th NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s (Aug. 6-9) where Sprint Car immortality and $195,000 are on the line.

If you need speed, it’s time to find it.

THIS WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

WHEN AND WHERE 
Thursday, July 10 at Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, MN
Friday-Saturday, July 11-12 at Wilmot Raceway in Wilmot, WI

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CURRENT CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (38/81 Races):
1. David Gravel – Big Game Motorsports No. 2 (5192 PTS)
2. Michael Kofoid – Roth Motorsports No. 83 (-184 PTS)
3. Carson Macedo – Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 (-210 PTS)
4. Logan Schuchart – Shark Racing No. 1S (-280 PTS)
5. Sheldon Haudenschild – Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing No. 17 (-320 PTS)
6. Donny Schatz – Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing No. 15 (-426 PTS)
7. Giovanni Scelzi – KCP Racing No. 18 (-442 PTS)
8. Bill Balog – B2 Motorsports No. 17B (-628 PTS)
9. Chris Windom – Sides Motorsports No. 7S (-684 PTS)
10. Garet Williamson – Fischer Motorsports No. 23 (-708 PTS)

NOS ENERGY DRINK FEATURE WINNERS (13 Drivers): 
10 Wins – David Gravel
6 Wins – Michael Kofoid
5 Wins – Carson Macedo
4 Wins – Kyle Larson
2 Wins – Logan Schuchart, Sheldon Haudenschild, Rico Abreu, Bill Balog
1 Win – Christopher Bell, Giovanni Scelzi, Anthony Macri, Brad Sweet, Corey Day

FEATURE LAPS LED (24 Drivers):
221 Laps – David Gravel
172 Laps – Michael Kofoid
140 Laps – Carson Macedo
96 Laps – Kyle Larson, Bill Balog
91 Laps – Logan Schuchart
87 Laps – Sheldon Haudenschild
62 Laps – Giovanni Scelzi
52 Laps – Rico Abreu
29 Laps – Anthony Macri
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 (19 Drivers):
11 Quick Times – David Gravel
3 Quick Times – Rico Abreu
2 Quick Times – Logan Schuchart, Sheldon Haudenschild, Carson Macedo, 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

HEAT RACE WINNERS (37 Drivers): 
22 Heat Wins – David Gravel
18 Heat Wins – Carson Macedo
12 Heat Wins – Bill Balog
11 Heat Wins – Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart
8 Heat Wins – Giovanni Scelzi
5 Heat Wins – Kyle Larson, Michael Kofoid, Chris Windom
4 Heat Wins – Christopher Bell, Anthony Macri, Tyler Courtney, Conner Morrell
3 Heat Wins – Garet Williamson, Brad Sweet
2 Heat Wins – Brian Brown, Jacob Allen, Austin McCarl, Emerson Axsom, Danny Dietrich, Skylar Gee, Rico Abreu, Ryan Timms, Hunter Schuerenberg, Christopher Thram
1 Heat Win – Bryce Lucius, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Donny Schatz, Aaron Reutzel, Tanner Thorson, Zach Hampton, Chase Dietz, Justin Whittall, Danny Sams III, Jy Corbet, Tim Kaeding, Andy Pake

TOYOTA DASH APPEARANCES (53 Drivers):
30 Dashes – David Gravel
22 Dashes – Carson Macedo
19 Dashes – Logan Schuchart
18 Dashes – Sheldon Haudenschild
16 Dashes – Giovanni Scelzi
14 Dashes – Michael Kofoid, Bill Balog
7 Dashes – Chris Windom
6 Dashes – Emerson Axsom, Anthony Macri
5 Dashes – Brian Brown, Garet Williamson, Donny Schatz, Kyle Larson, Tyler Courtney, Rico Abreu
4 Dashes – Cole Macedo, Conner Morrell, Hunter Schuerenberg, Aaron Reutzel, Brad Sweet
3 Dashes – Christopher Bell, Danny Dietrich, Skylar Gee, Danny Sams III, Austin McCarl, Ryan Timms
2 Dashes – Jacob Allen, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Parker Price-Miller, Christopher Thram, Kelby Watt, Tanner Thorson, Zach Hampton, Kerry Madsen
1 Dash – Justin Peck, Spencer Bayston, Bryce Lucius, Carson McCarl, Brady Bacon, Ashton Torgerson, Lucas Wolfe, Chase Dietz, Justin Whittall, Jordan Thomas, Jonathan Preston, Dylan Westbrook, Cory Turner, Cole Duncan, Tim Kaeding, Justin Henderson, Scotty Thiel, Corey Day

MICRO-LITE LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (24 Drivers):
3 LCS Wins – Giovanni Scelzi, Garet Williamson
2 LCS Wins – Donny Schatz, Christopher Thram, Ryan Timms, Cole Macedo, Ashton Torgerson,
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, Bill Balog, Mark Dobmeier, Tim Kaeding, Hunter Schuerenberg, Chris Windom, Sheldon Haudenschild, Brad Sweet, Brady Bacon, Landon Crawley

KSE HARD CHARGER AWARDS (21 Drivers):
4 Hard Chargers – Logan Schuchart, Donny Schatz
3 Hard Chargers – Ryan Timms, Chris Windom, Garet Williamson, Cole Macedo
2 Hard Chargers – Skylar Gee, Sheldon Haudenschild, Bill Balog
1 Hard Charger – Zach Hampton, Hunter Schuerenberg, Michael Kofoid, Lance Dewease, Dylan Westbrook, Kalib Henry, Cap Henry, Jade Hastings, Carson Macedo, Tanner Thorson, Rico Abreu, Anthony Macri

PODIUM FINISHES (32 Drivers):
22 Podiums – David Gravel
15 Podiums – Michael Kofoid
13 Podiums – Carson Macedo
8 Podiums – Logan Schuchart, Kyle Larson
7 Podiums – Sheldon Haudenschild
4 Podiums – Bill Balog
3 Podiums – Giovanni Scelzi, Donny Schatz, Anthony Macri, Rico Abreu
2 Podiums – Christopher Bell, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Tyler Courtney, Kerry Madsen
1 Podium – Aaron Reutzel, Jacob Allen, Emerson Axsom, Brady Bacon, Donny Schatz, Cole Macedo, Chase Dietz, Danny Dietrich, Conner Morrell, Dylan Westbrook, Skylar Gee, Chris Windom, Cole Duncan, Brad Sweet, Corey Day, Spencer Bayston, Garet Williamson

TOP 10 FINISHES (46 Drivers): 
37 Top 10s – David Gravel
32 Top 10s – Michael Kofoid
28 Top 10s – Carson Macedo
27 Top 10s – Logan Schuchart
26 Top 10s – Giovanni Scelzi
25 Top 10s – Sheldon Haudenschild
22 Top 10s – Donny Schatz
19 Top 10s – Bill Balog
14 Top 10s – Chris Windom
12 Top 10s – Garet Williamson
10 Top 10s – Anthony Macri, Brad Sweet, Tyler Courtney
9 Top 10s – Hunter Schuerenberg
8 Top 10s – Kyle Larson, Cole Macedo
7 Top 10s – Emerson Axsom, Rico Abreu
6 Top 10s – Ryan Timms
5 Top 10s – Aaron Reutzel, Skylar Gee
4 Top 10s – Zach Hampton, Kerry Madsen, Tanner Thorson
3 Top 10s – Justin Peck, Parker Price-Miller, Conner Morrell, Austin McCarl, Spencer Bayston
2 Top 10s – Christopher Bell, Jacob Allen, Sam Hafertepe Jr., Brady Bacon, Danny Dietrich, Corey Day, Tim Kaeding
1 Top 10 – Danny Sams III, Brian Brown, Chase Dietz, Freddie Rahmer, Justin Whittall, Troy Wagaman Jr., Jordan Thomas, Dylan Westbrook, Jordan Poirier, Kalib Henry, Cole Duncan, Kelby Watt

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)

For the complete 2025 schedule, CLICK HERE.