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World of Outlaws World Finals
The Dirt Track at Charlotte | Concord, North Carolina
Thursday, November 02, 2023
Race Recap  

NOT DONE YET: Gravel Perfects the Low Line for World Finals Victory

All the focus entering the 2023 World Finals was squarely on Brad Sweet and David Gravel. The two rolled into The Dirt Track at Charlotte engaged in battle for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car championship for the third year in a row. Sweet held a solid but not insurmountable 50-point lead. Who would make the opening statement with three races ahead?

Give round one to Gravel.

The Watertown, CT native rolled the bottom of the Charlotte oval to perfection on Thursday night. He wheeled the Big Game Motorsports machine by Rico Abreu on the 14th circuit of the 25-lapper and held off Abreu’s late charge to secure the victory. The triumph coupled with Sweet’s fourth allowed Gravel to cut the margin down to 42 markers with two nights to go.

But Gravel isn’t looking at the points gap. His focus rests entirely on doing all he and the Big Game crew can do. And on the first night, they did absolutely everything they could do by maximizing points with a win.

“We just got to worry about winning races and having fun, and whatever happens happens,” Gravel said. “It’s good to get those extra two points for winning. Obviously, it’s still a bit of a long shot.

“I’m really glad they went and did that prep to the track. It maybe was a little bit dominant around the bottom there once it really came in, but it worked out for us.”

Gravel’s win moved him up to a dozen in 2023 with The Greatest Show on Dirt, which guarantees him at least a tie for the most this year. His 88th career World of Outlaws victory was also his 30th since joining Big Game Motorsports, the most any driver has tallied with Tod Quiring’s team that now owns 94 Series victories. It was also his sixth triumph at the Charlotte oval, giving him sole possession of the second most.

Gravel began the race in the third spot and slipped back fourth early while Rico Abreu rocketed by pole-sitter – Sheldon Haudenschild – to the early lead. Plenty of slicing and dicing took place for spots within the top five, and Gravel even fell back to fifth early on as Brad Sweet began to charge.

“The Big Cat” found the bottom line before any of the other competitors toward the front and quickly got to work. On the eighth circuit, Sweet powered the Kasey Kahne Racing #49 from fourth to second and set his sights on Abreu.

But before Sweet could get to Abreu’s tail tank, lapped traffic caused him to shift his lane. That opened the door for a fast-closing Gravel who mimicked Sweet’s early route on the bottom.

David Gravel driving the Big Game Motorsports #2 around The Dirt Track at Charlotte
David Gravel rolled to his 12th World of Outlaws win of the season at Charlotte as he looks to make a late run at the championship (Trent Gower Photo)

On Lap 14, Gravel looked under Sweet as they entered Turn 1. And he not only cleared Sweet down the back straightaway, he used his momentum to slip under Abreu heading into Turn 3 and snatch the lead.

“Brad found the bottom first, and then he kind of gave up on it,” Gravel explained. “I don’t know why nobody ran low on (corner) exits. I kind of had the exits to myself way low and used that drive to get down the straightaway. Cody (Jacobs), Scott (Vogelsong), and Zach (Patterson) gave me a great car.

“(Turns) 3 and 4 was a lot thinner than 1 and 2. It was a lot easier to hit it in 1 and 2, and when I missed it in 3 and 4, you about stopped. It feels terrible. You’ve got to make sure you slow down enough. So, I figured let me over-slow it to not miss it. I’d rather not miss it and go too slow than go too hard and miss it.”

After taking the top spot, Gravel began to put together a lead as he continued to roll the bottom and work through traffic. Carson Macedo looked poised to challenge Gravel when he rolled by Abreu for second with five laps remaining.

But then Abreu roared back around Macedo two laps later to reclaim runner-up. The St. Helena, CA driver managed to close in within a second, but Gravel held on to top the opening night of the World of Outlaws World Finals.

“We were okay early but great from halfway on,” Gravel said. “Our car was really, really good. It feels good to pass those guys and earn a win like that.”

Abreu took home the second spot aboard his own #24 machine. The result marked his 16th podium of the season with the World of Outlaws. Abreu felt happy with the speed of his car but felt he needed to navigate traffic better to have a better shot to win.

“You can judge a lot off lapped traffic,” Abreu said. “I felt like I needed to just be a little more patient in (Turns) 3 and 4. I was getting a little antsy when the #3 kept getting to my inside, and I tried running harder, and it just didn’t like that. We put ourselves in position, and track position was really key tonight. As a race leader you just work on processing those times when you’re leading and logging laps and trying to set a torrid pace. Your car gets so aero dependent when you catch traffic.”

Rounding out the top three was Carson Macedo aboard the Jason Johnson Racing #41. The Californian notched his 20th podium of the year, becoming the third driver to reach the mark. Macedo found the track conditions tricky especially early in the race in determining where to be.

“It just changed a lot,” Macedo noted. “You had to stay up on it, and it wasn’t easy. I feel like early in the race I thought the bottom was going to take over. I was able to get a good start and jump right there into third and got Sheldon (Haudenschild) on the bottom in (Turns) 3 and 4 and thought I’d just start plugging the bottom and catch him (Abreu). And then Sheldon went flying around me, and I thought the top had come in first. So, I got up, and then it was so quick. We got to traffic, and the bottom kind of gripped up. I couldn’t believe when I moved down in 3 and 4 how grippy it was down there for a little while.”

Sweet and Tyler Courtney completed the top five.

A massive drive from 26th to sixth earned James McFadden the KSE Racing Hard Charger.

Sheldon Haudenschild topped CASE No.1 Engine Oil Heat One (97th Heat Race win of career). NOS Energy Drink Heats Two through Four went to Rico Abreu (47th of career), Brad Sweet (238th of career), and David Gravel (239th of career).

Donny Schatz won the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars return to The Dirt Track at Charlotte for night two of the 2023 World Finals on Friday, Nov. 3 for another $15,000 to win Feature before Saturday’s $25,000 to win season finale. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch all of the action live on DIRTVision.

RESULTS:

NOS Energy Drink Feature (25 Laps): 1. 2-David Gravel[3]; 2. 24-Rico Abreu[2]; 3. 41-Carson Macedo[4]; 4. 49-Brad Sweet[6]; 5. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[8]; 6. 83-James McFadden[26]; 7. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[7]; 8. 1S-Logan Schuchart[14]; 9. 19-Brent Marks[11]; 10. 15-Donny Schatz[21]; 11. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[1]; 12. 13-Justin Peck[10]; 13. 14-Cole Macedo[5]; 14. 69K-Justin Henderson[15]; 15. 8-Cory Eliason[13]; 16. 1A-Jacob Allen[23]; 17. 39M-Anthony Macri[16]; 18. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr[9]; 19. 2MD-Cap Henry[20]; 20. 21-Brian Brown[12]; 21. 20G-Noah Gass[17]; 22. 9-Kasey Kahne[19]; 23. 42-Sye Lynch[22]; 24. 1T-Tanner Holmes[18]; 25. 5-Spencer Bayston[25]; 26. 7S-Robbie Price[27]; 27. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[24]

[Read More]
Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
13+22David Gravel 250.00012Running150$15,000
22024Rico Abreu 25-0.74013Running146$7,000
34+141Carson Macedo 25-1.272Running144$4,000
46+249Brad Sweet 25-2.386Running142$3,500
58+37BCTyler Courtney 25-3.817Running140$3,200
626+2083James McFadden 25-4.662Running138$2,000
77018Giovanni Scelzi 25-5.766Running136$2,700
814+61SLogan Schuchart 25-6.116Running134$2,500
911+219Brent Marks 25-6.465Running132$2,300
1021+1115Donny Schatz 25-7.119Running130$2,200
111-1017Sheldon Haudenschild 25-7.343Running128$2,100
1210-213Justin Peck 25-8.446Running126$2,000
135-814Cole Macedo 25-8.641Running124$1,700
1415+169KJustin Henderson 25-8.933Running122$1,600
1513-28Cory Eliason 25-9.982Running120$1,400
1623+71AJacob Allen 25-10.335Running118$1,300
1716-139MAnthony Macri 25-10.974Running116$1,200
189-915HSam Hafertepe Jr25-11.876Running114$1,200
1920+12MDCap Henry 25-12.361Running112$1,200
2012-821Brian Brown 25-13.574Running110$1,200
2117-420GNoah Gass 25-14.630Running108$1,200
2219-39Kasey Kahne 25-14.861Running106$1,200
2322-142Sye Lynch 25-15.522Running104$1,200
2418-61TTanner Holmes 24-1 LapsRunning102$1,200
252505Spencer Bayston 24-1 LapsRunning102$1,200
2627+17SRobbie Price 24-1 LapsRunning102$1,200
2724-33ZBrock Zearfoss 24-1 LapsRunning102$1,200
KSE Hard Charger: James McFadden
Last Chance Showdown Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
16+515Donny Schatz 00.000Running0$0
29+742Sye Lynch 0-3.158Running0$0
311+81AJacob Allen 0-4.375Running0$0
42-23ZBrock Zearfoss 0-4.556Running0$0
55055Hunter Schuerenberg 0-5.354Running90$300
614+8W20Greg Wilson 0-6.042Running90$250
7707SRobbie Price 0-6.592Running0$0
83-512Lance Dewease 0-8.121Running90$200
913+49RChase Randall 0-9.274Running90$200
1017+75Spencer Bayston 0-10.532Running0$0
1120+983James McFadden 0-11.238Running0$0
1215+347Eric Riggins Jr0-13.491Running90$200
1312-15DJacob Dykstra 0-14.078Running90$200
1419+522Riley Goodno 0-0.094Running90$200
1516+17NYMatt Farnham 0-0.779Running90$200
1618+228MConner Morrell 0-3.812Running90$200
1710-799Skylar Gee 046.146DNF90$200
188-1071Parker Price-Miller 098.692DNF90$200
194-156ZZane Devault 098.692DNF90$200
201-1926Zeb Wise 098.692DNS90$200
Dash 1 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11017Sheldon Haudenschild 00.000Running0$0
23+124Rico Abreu 0-1.991Running0$0
32-12David Gravel 0-3.570Running0$0
44041Carson Macedo 0-5.651Running0$0
56+114Cole Macedo 0-6.658Running0$0
65-149Brad Sweet 0-7.273Running0$0
78+118Giovanni Scelzi 0-8.217Running0$0
87-17BCTyler Courtney 0-8.353Running0$0
C Main Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+122Riley Goodno 00.000Running0$0
25+383James McFadden 0-4.938Running0$0
31-277Geoff Dodge 0-5.316Running90$150
48+420Tim Buckwalter 0-6.213Running90$150
53-233Derek Hauck 0-7.025Running90$150
64-224DDanny Sams III0-7.034Running90$125
710+323Devon Borden 0-8.143Running90$125
811+317HWout Hoffmans 0-8.231Running90$125
915+618RRyan Roberts 0-11.316Running90$125
1012+240George Hobaugh Jr0-12.294Running90$125
117-412SBrent Shearer 0-12.774Running90$125
129-314TTim Estenson 0-13.572Running90$125
1314+17NDarin Naida 0-14.735Running90$125
146-823MLance Moss 0-0.331Running90$125
1513-288Austin McCarl 0-0.331DNS90$0
Heat 1 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11017Sheldon Haudenschild 00.000Running
22041Carson Macedo 0-1.476Running
34+115HSam Hafertepe Jr0-3.451Running
43-18Cory Eliason 0-4.872Running
56+120GNoah Gass 0-7.927Running
68+212Lance Dewease 0-8.879Running
710+37SRobbie Price 0-10.913Running
87-11AJacob Allen 0-11.166Running
912+347Eric Riggins Jr0-13.277Running
1014+477Geoff Dodge 0-15.919Running
119-283James McFadden 03.152Running
1213+114TTim Estenson 0-0.065Running
135-826Zeb Wise 0-0.065DNF
1411-318RRyan Roberts 0-0.065DNF
Heat 2 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11024Rico Abreu 00.000Running
23+114Cole Macedo 0-2.681Running
32-119Brent Marks 0-3.877Running
44069KJustin Henderson 0-4.907Running
56+19Kasey Kahne 0-6.403Running
65-155Hunter Schuerenberg 0-8.061Running
710+342Sye Lynch 0-9.281Running
87-19RChase Randall 0-9.861Running
9905Spencer Bayston 0-11.307Running
1012+233Derek Hauck 0-12.581Running
1111012SBrent Shearer 00.366Running
1213+117HWout Hoffmans 0-1.002Running
138-588Austin McCarl 0-1.002DNF
Heat 3 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+149Brad Sweet 00.000Running
21-17BCTyler Courtney 0-1.337Running
34+113Justin Peck 0-2.573Running
43-11SLogan Schuchart 0-3.326Running
57+21TTanner Holmes 0-4.869Running
68+26ZZane Devault 0-6.571Running
79+271Parker Price-Miller 0-6.650Running
810+25DJacob Dykstra 0-8.087Running
912+37NYMatt Farnham 0-8.994Running
1011+122Riley Goodno 0-9.391Running
1113+223MLance Moss 0-10.306Running
126-623Devon Borden 0228.976DNF
135-83ZBrock Zearfoss 0228.683DNF
Heat 4 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
1102David Gravel 00.000Running
22018Giovanni Scelzi 0-2.021Running
33021Brian Brown 0-3.388Running
44039MAnthony Macri 0-4.764Running
5502MDCap Henry 0-5.996Running
66015Donny Schatz 0-6.929Running
78+199Skylar Gee 0-9.151Running
810+2W20Greg Wilson 0-10.026Running
97-228MConner Morrell 0-11.062Running
1012+224DDanny Sams III0-12.135Running
119-220Tim Buckwalter 0-13.263Running
1211-140George Hobaugh Jr0-13.900Running
131307NDarin Naida 013.299DNF
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

World of Outlaws World Finals
Thursday, November 02, 2023
The Dirt Track at Charlotte
5500 Concord Parkway S
Concord, North Carolina 28027 

Event Description
The most prestigious dirt racing event in the country lights up The Dirt Track at Charlotte with four days of heart-pounding, clay-slinging action on the lightning-fast, four-tenths mile oval. The World of Outlaws World Finals brings together the top series in the sport, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Model Series and the Super DIRTcar Series, for four full days of racing, culminating in the crowning of all three series champions.

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

Support Divisions
Super DIRTcar Series, World of Outlaws Late Model Series

To Win Amount
$15,000.00

Feature Laps Length
25

Event Schedule
Tuesday, Oct 31
9AM Hauler Staging (West Side zMax Dragway)
3PM Pit Pass Sales begin (Gate 2)
4-6PM Hauler Parking & Hauler Parade
6PM Millbridge Event

Wednesday, Nov 1
11AM Pit Pass Sales begin & Hauler Parking resumes
12PM FAN FEST
3PM Race Day Live on the Sage Fruit Stage
3:30PM Front Gate opens & Ticket Sales begin
5PM Hot Laps

Thursday, Nov 2
11AM Pit Pass Sales begin & Hauler Parking resumes
2:30PM Front Gate opens & Ticket Sales begin
2:30PM Race Day Live on the Sage Fruit Stage
4PM Opening Ceremonies

Friday, Nov 3
11AM Pit Pass Sales begin & Hauler Parking resumes
2:30PM Front Gate opens & Ticket Sales begin
2:30PM Race Day Live on the Sage Fruit Stage
4PM Opening Ceremonies

Saturday, Nov 4
10AM Pit Pass Sales begin
1:30PM Race Day Live on the Sage Fruit Stage
2PM Front Gate opens & Ticket Sales begin
3PM Opening Ceremonies

VIEW FULL SCHEDULE
*All times Eastern

Event Hashtag
#AllDirtRoads

Related Documents
 https://worldofoutlawsworldfinals.com/

Ticket Options  
Ticket Phone
(800) 455-3267

Options And Prices
4-Day Package: $139

Single Seat Tickets ON SALE October 30th

Wednesday: $40
Thursday: $60
Friday: $60
Saturday: $60




Grandstand Type
Bleacher with backs

Reserved Seating
all seating

Family Section Location
n/a

Handicapped Seating Location
Lower level and Second level - Reserved seating required - Companion seating is available

Pit Age Requirement
All ages allowed. Minors ages 17 and under must have a signed waiver sheet. ONE parent must be present OR waiver should be notarized with the required ONE parent signature. Call 1-800-455-FANS with questions.

Pit Gate Location
Pit gate is located at Gate 2 of the zMax Dragway

Parking Cost
FREE

Handicapped Parking Location
Designated handicap parking between the dirt track and zMax dragway

Camping Availability
electric hookup, non-electric, onsite, showers, waste services

Camping Cost
Contact the track for pricing

Frequently Asked Questions  
Support Divisions
Super DIRTcar Series, World of Outlaws Late Model Series

To Win Amount
$15,000.00

Reserved Seating
all seating

Type of Grandstand
Bleacher with backs

Stadium Seating
Not allowed

Handicapped Seating
Lower level and Second level - Reserved seating required - Companion seating is available

Handicapped Parking
Designated handicap parking between the dirt track and zMax dragway

Pit Age Limit
All ages allowed. Minors ages 17 and under must have a signed waiver sheet. ONE parent must be present OR waiver should be notarized with the required ONE parent signature. Call 1-800-455-FANS with questions.

Pit Gate Location
Pit gate is located at Gate 2 of the zMax Dragway

Personal Coolers
Fans can bring in a soft-sided cooler no bigger than 14x14x14 and a bag/backpack no bigger than 18x18x14. Hard coolers are not allowed through the gates. Coolers are not allowed in Suites.

ATMs
1

Credit Card Use
Concessions, Pit Gate, Ticket Window

Alcohol Sales
Alcohol is also sold at the track

Smoking Policy
designated smoking areas only

Family Section
n/a

Parking Cost
FREE

Camping Availability
electric hookup, non-electric, onsite, showers, waste services

Camping Cost
Contact the track for pricing

Track Info  

The Dirt Track at Charlotte
5500 Concord Parkway S
Concord, North Carolina 28027 

Track Phone
(704) 455-3200

Ticket Phone
(800) 455-3267

Track Type
0.400; semi banked

Sprint Car Track Record
11.880 seconds by Jeff Shepard on 10/6/01

Late Model Track Record
14.183 seconds by Kyle Larson on 11/5/20

Closest Airport
Concord-Padgett Regional Airport

Other Airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Pit Gate Location
Pit gate is located at Gate 2 of the zMax Dragway

Track Map
Competitor Info  
Competitor Downloads
 https://www.dirtcarmembers.com/downloads.php

Tire Rules
Left Front Tire: Hoosier (Open)
Left Rear & Right Front Tire: Hoosier (90) NLMT2, (90) NLMT3 Right Rear Tire: Hoosier (92) NLMT3, (92) NLMT4 **Grooving & Siping will be allowed**

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