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#LetsRaceTwo
Eldora Speedway | Rossburg, Ohio
Saturday, May 06, 2023
Race Recap  

ROSSBURG REDEMPTION: Rico Abreu Roars to Eldora World of Outlaws Win

The #LetsRaceTwo World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car weekend at Eldora Speedway proved to be a tale of two nights for Rico Abreu.

During Friday’s opener, Abreu was the hunter. In Saturday’s finale, he was being hunted.

Friday resulted in a near-miss at the Rossburg, OH oval. After running second a majority of the race, Abreu took the lead from Logan Schuchart coming to the white flag but relinquished the top spot on the final circuit. The next night it was Abreu who held the lead when a challenger in the form of Donny Schatz arose late in the going to try and steal the win.

But after victory slipped away the first night, Abreu would not be denied on night two. The St. Helena, CA native survived a Schatz slider by slipping back by with 12 laps to go and powering to the checkered flag. Redemption for Friday’s heartbreak came only 24 hours later.

“I knew he (Schatz) was there,” Abreu said. “I was just searching. It’s hard leading to know where to run. I got up in (Turns) 3 and 4, and I knew that my car had a ton more grip. On the restarts, with the lower tire pressures, I could rip the bottom pretty good.

I just really focused on hitting my marks. You can get a little excited when someone like that pressures you, and it takes away from the drivability of your car just by applying that much more throttle. You’ve just got to cool everything back down and run your own race.”

The triumph marked Abreu’s third of the season, 12th of his career with The Greatest Show on Dirt, and his second in his last three starts at The House that Earl Built after topping last September’s BeFour The Crowns Showdown. The 31-year-old moved into a tie with Tim Green and Tyler Walker for the sixth most winningest World of Outlaws driver from California.

With Abreu’s history at Eldora and the big stage that The Big E presents for Sprint Car drivers, Abreu felt moved to be standing in the coveted Victory Lane once again.

“It’s a special place for me to race at,” Abreu said. “I have a lot of ups and downs here and a lot of respect for this place. When you line up next to guys like (David) Gravel, Schatz, (Brad) Sweet, Sheldon (Haudenschild), and everybody. Those are the best in the business. That’s what they do for a living. It’s just an unbelievable job by my team.”

Abreu didn’t start from the pole position, but he wasted no time claiming lead from his second starting spot. When the green flag waved on the 30 lap Feature, the race’s pole sitter – Sheldon Haudenschild – slid ahead of Abreu in Turns 1 and 2. Abreu answered by using his momentum on the top to turn under the Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing #17 coming down the backstretch and take command in Turns 3 and 4.

From there, Abreu maintained a solid advantage while working through a handful of early caution periods.

Eldora Feature Green Flag
Rico Abreu started second and led all but one lap Saturday at Eldora (Trent Gower Photo)

As Abreu paced the field, Schatz was charging through it. In signature Schatz style, the 10 time Series champion had the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing #15 rolling through the slick as he advanced from 11th into the top five less than 10 laps into the Feature. By halfway, Schatz was second. On lap 18, he pounced for the lead.

Schatz capitalized on a massive run out of Turn 2 to pull alongside Abreu then slide ahead in Turns 3 and 4. Like Schuchart did to him the night before, Abreu found enough speed to crossover the leader and reclaim the top spot with a slide job in the next set of corners.

Once Abreu reclaimed the lead, he began to pull away amid traffic. Schatz made one final run, closing in as the laps waned, but was unable to mount enough of a charge to make a true attempt at a pass. Abreu won with slightly more than a half second advantage.

With Ricky Warner leading the way on the wrenches along with a solid supporting cast, Abreu and his #24 team continued to show they’re one of the best in the country early this year.

“Ricky just made great decisions,” Abreu said. “He bounces things off Zack (Middlebrooks) and Brady (Forbrook) that help educate them quickly, and that comes with experience. It’s been a pleasure for me to understand his (Warner’s) concepts. I’m really lucky to race with such an experienced crew chief.”

Claiming the second spot on the podium was Schatz. The result marked his best finish of the season and second straight podium effort aboard the Carquest #15. After a tough recent stretch, the pair of top threes were a welcome boost for him and the team.

“This is a decent weekend – third and second,” Schatz said. “Hopefully we can get a win here soon. Things were feeling pretty decent here this weekend. We’ve always had pretty decent finishes here at Eldora.

You’ve got to get going and get momentum. On my end, I’ve been doing this a long time. I’ve been kicked in the head a lot. I’ve been kicked in the guts a lot. I’m used to it. That’s what drivers do. That’s what gets you to win championships. These guys work hard. My guys needed this – to get a good finish and get that momentum back going and the confidence back and everything.”

Completing the top three aboard the Big Game Motorsports #2 was David Gravel. The effort marked his eighth podium of the season (tied for the Series lead in 2023) as he continues to try to gain ground on the two above him in points.

“We had an awesome car there early on, definitely had the most maneuverable car and were really good early on,” Gravel said. “Wherever they went, I kind of did the opposite and passed guys. It was a solid weekend.”

Completing the top five was Brian Brown (from 13th) and Justin Peck (from 15th).

Brad Sweet slipped back to eighth from fifth, but the points leader – Carson Macedo – had an even tougher outing with a third to 13th showing. The top spot in the championship standings changed hands as Sweet moved ahead but only by two points.

With a 23rd to 12th charge, Hunter Schuerenberg was the night’s KSE Racing Hard Charger.

To begin the night, David Gravel claimed his third Simpson QuickTime Award of the season and a milestone 100th of his career.

CASE #No1EngineOil Heat One was topped by Carson Macedo (86th Heat win of career). NOS Energy Drink Heats Two through Four were claimed by Anthony Macri (sixth of career), David Gravel (210th of career), and Logan Schuchart (106th of career).

Robbie Price won the night’s MicroLite Last Chance Showdown. 

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars head to “They Keystone State” to take on the PA Posse on Wednesday, May 10 at Lincoln Speedway (Abbottstown, PA) and May 12-13 at Williams Grove Speedway (Mechanicsburg, PA). For tickets, CLICK HERE.

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

RESULTS:

A Feature (30 Laps): 1. 24-Rico Abreu[2]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz[11]; 3. 2-David Gravel[7]; 4. 21-Brian Brown[13]; 5. 13-Justin Peck[15]; 6. 1A-Jacob Allen[10]; 7. 5-Spencer Bayston[12]; 8. 49-Brad Sweet[5]; 9. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[4]; 10. 71-Cory Eliason[9]; 11. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[1]; 12. 55-Hunter Schuerenberg[23]; 13. 41-Carson Macedo[3]; 14. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[22]; 15. 39M-Anthony Macri[6]; 16. 42-Sye Lynch[17]; 17. 19-Brent Marks[18]; 18. 69K-Lance Dewease[19]; 19. 49X-Cale Thomas[16]; 20. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[20]; 21. 21H-Brady Bacon[14]; 22. 20G-Noah Gass[25]; 23. 4-Chris Windom[24]; 24. 1S-Logan Schuchart[8]; 25. 7S-Robbie Price[21]

[Read More]
Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+124Rico Abreu 300.00029Running150$10,000
211+915Donny Schatz 30-0.6781Running146$6,000
37+42David Gravel 30-3.365Running144$3,500
413+921Brian Brown 30-4.662Running142$2,800
515+1013Justin Peck 30-5.486Running140$2,500
610+41AJacob Allen 30-6.306Running138$2,300
712+55Spencer Bayston 30-7.246Running136$2,200
85-349Brad Sweet 30-9.210Running134$2,100
94-57BCTyler Courtney 30-9.899Running132$1,050
109-171Cory Eliason 30-10.349Running130$2,000
111-1017Sheldon Haudenschild 30-10.722Running128$1,600
1223+1155Hunter Schuerenberg 30-11.763Running126$1,400
133-1041Carson Macedo 30-12.155Running124$1,200
1422+818Giovanni Scelzi 30-12.844Running122$1,100
156-939MAnthony Macri 30-14.194Running120$1,050
1617+142Sye Lynch 30-14.837Running118$1,000
1718+119Brent Marks 30-15.706Running116$1,000
1819+169KLance Dewease 29-1 LapsRunning114$1,000
1916-349XCale Thomas 29-1 LapsRunning112$1,000
202003ZBrock Zearfoss 29-1 LapsRunning110$1,000
2114-721HBrady Bacon 29-1 LapsRunning108$1,000
2225+320GNoah Gass 29-1 LapsRunning106$200
2324+14Chris Windom 13-17 LapsDNF104$1,000
248-161SLogan Schuchart 6-24 LapsDNF102$1,000
2521-47SRobbie Price 0-30 LapsDNS102$1,000
KSE Hard Charger: Hunter Schuerenberg
Last Chance Showdown Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
1107SRobbie Price 100.000Running0$0
25+318Giovanni Scelzi 0-10 LapsRunning0$0
32-155Hunter Schuerenberg 0-10 LapsRunning0$0
43-14Chris Windom 0-10 LapsRunning0$0
54-111Michael Kofoid 0-10 LapsRunning90$300
67+115HSam Hafertepe Jr0-10 LapsRunning90$250
78+152Blake Hahn 0-10 LapsRunning90$225
815+714Cole Macedo 0-10 LapsRunning90$200
912+35TRyan Timms 0-10 LapsRunning90$200
101006BBrandon Wimmer 0-10 LapsRunning90$200
1111035Zach Hampton 0-10 LapsRunning90$200
1221+920GNoah Gass 0-10 LapsRunning0$0
1319+6101Kraig Kinser 0-10 LapsRunning90$200
1413-197J.J. Hickle 0-10 LapsRunning90$200
1518+3W20Greg Wilson 0-10 LapsRunning90$200
1614-26Bill Rose 0-10 LapsRunning90$200
1720+319PSean Rayhall 0-10 LapsRunning90$200
186-1229Parker Price-Miller 0-10 LapsRunning90$200
199-1070Scotty Thiel 0-10 LapsRunning90$200
2016-470MHenry Malcuit 0-10 LapsRunning90$200
2117-41MLandon Myers 0-10 LapsRunning90$200
Dash 1 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
12+117Sheldon Haudenschild 60.000Running0$0
23+124Rico Abreu 0-6 LapsRunning0$0
31-241Carson Macedo 0-6 LapsRunning0$0
4407BCTyler Courtney 0-6 LapsRunning0$0
58+349Brad Sweet 0-6 LapsRunning0$0
66039MAnthony Macri 0-6 LapsRunning0$0
7702David Gravel 0-6 LapsRunning0$0
85-31SLogan Schuchart 0-6 LapsRunning0$0
Heat 1 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11041Carson Macedo 80.000Running
22024Rico Abreu 0-8 LapsRunning
33071Cory Eliason 0-8 LapsRunning
44021Brian Brown 0-8 LapsRunning
56+142Sye Lynch 0-8 LapsRunning
68+24Chris Windom 0-8 LapsRunning
75-27SRobbie Price 0-8 LapsRunning
89+170Scotty Thiel 0-8 LapsRunning
910+197J.J. Hickle 0-8 LapsRunning
1011+11MLandon Myers 0-8 LapsRunning
117-420GNoah Gass 0-8 LapsRunning
Heat 2 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11039MAnthony Macri 80.000Running
2207BCTyler Courtney 0-8 LapsRunning
34+115Donny Schatz 0-8 LapsRunning
46+213Justin Peck 0-8 LapsRunning
53-269KLance Dewease 0-8 LapsRunning
65-118Giovanni Scelzi 0-8 LapsRunning
79+215HSam Hafertepe Jr0-8 LapsRunning
88035Zach Hampton 0-8 LapsRunning
910+114Cole Macedo 0-8 LapsRunning
107-3101Kraig Kinser 0-8 LapsRunning
Heat 3 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
1102David Gravel 80.000Running
22049Brad Sweet 0-8 LapsRunning
35+21AJacob Allen 0-8 LapsRunning
46+221HBrady Bacon 0-8 LapsRunning
57+219Brent Marks 0-8 LapsRunning
64-211Michael Kofoid 0-8 LapsRunning
73-455Hunter Schuerenberg 0-8 LapsRunning
8806BBrandon Wimmer 0-8 LapsRunning
9906Bill Rose 0-8 LapsRunning
10100W20Greg Wilson 0-8 LapsRunning
Heat 4 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
1101SLogan Schuchart 80.000Running
22017Sheldon Haudenschild 0-8 LapsRunning
3305Spencer Bayston 0-8 LapsRunning
44049XCale Thomas 0-8 LapsRunning
5503ZBrock Zearfoss 0-8 LapsRunning
67+129Parker Price-Miller 0-8 LapsRunning
710+352Blake Hahn 0-8 LapsRunning
86-25TRyan Timms 0-8 LapsRunning
99070MHenry Malcuit 0-8 LapsRunning
108-219PSean Rayhall 0-8 LapsRunning
Qualifying Flight 1 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1441Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA12.8440.000
21339MAnthony Macri Dillsburg, PA12.846-0.002
3724Rico Abreu St. Helena, CA12.859-0.015
427BCTyler Courtney Indianapolis, IN12.859-0.015
51871Cory Eliason Visalia, CA12.902-0.058
6869KLance Dewease Fayetteville, PA12.909-0.065
7321Brian Brown Higginsville, MO12.923-0.079
8915Donny Schatz Fargo, ND12.923-0.079
9217SRobbie Price Cobble Hill, BC12.944-0.100
101518Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA12.948-0.104
111042Sye Lynch Cowansville, PA12.972-0.128
121413Justin Peck Monrovia, IN12.978-0.134
131920GNoah Gass Mounds, OK13.026-0.182
1411101Kraig Kinser Bloomington, IN13.055-0.211
15174Chris Windom Canton, IL13.075-0.231
161235Zach Hampton Mooresville, IN13.100-0.256
17670Scotty Thiel Sheboygan, WI13.107-0.263
182015HSam Hafertepe JrSunnyvale, TX13.154-0.310
19197J.J. Hickle Quilcene, WA13.198-0.354
201614Cole Macedo Lemoore, CA13.259-0.415
2151MLandon Myers York, PA13.428-0.584
Qualifying Flight 2 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1182David Gravel Watertown, CT12.7140.000
221SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA12.795-0.081
3749Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA12.823-0.109
4117Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH12.827-0.113
51155Hunter Schuerenberg Sikeston, MO12.834-0.120
6175Spencer Bayston Lebanon, IN12.908-0.194
71911Michael Kofoid Penngrove, CA12.940-0.226
81049XCale Thomas Fairland, IN12.941-0.227
9161AJacob Allen Hanover, PA12.965-0.251
1053ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA13.024-0.310
111221HBrady Bacon Broken Arrow, OK13.031-0.317
1285TRyan Timms Oklahoma City, OK13.062-0.348
13419Brent Marks Myerstown, PA13.070-0.356
14629Parker Price-Miller Kokomo, IN13.132-0.418
15206BBrandon Wimmer Fairmount, IN13.260-0.546
161419PSean Rayhall Boston, MA13.270-0.556
17136Bill Rose Plainfield, IN13.271-0.557
18970MHenry Malcuit Strasburg, OH13.272-0.558
193W20Greg Wilson Benton Ridge, OH13.334-0.620
201552Blake Hahn Sapulpa, OK13.575-0.861
Hot Laps Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1392David Gravel Watertown, CT12.8540.000
24011Michael Kofoid Penngrove, CA12.989-0.135
33149XCale Thomas Fairland, IN13.053-0.199
4385Spencer Bayston Lebanon, IN13.064-0.210
52849Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA13.088-0.234
6231SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA13.095-0.241
72217Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH13.157-0.303
8371AJacob Allen Hanover, PA13.216-0.362
9295TRyan Timms Oklahoma City, OK13.246-0.392
101871Cory Eliason Visalia, CA13.255-0.401
111518Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA13.257-0.403
123255Hunter Schuerenberg Sikeston, MO13.270-0.416
133321HBrady Bacon Broken Arrow, OK13.311-0.457
142729Parker Price-Miller Kokomo, IN13.314-0.460
152519Brent Marks Myerstown, PA13.320-0.466
162015HSam Hafertepe JrSunnyvale, TX13.376-0.522
171042Sye Lynch Cowansville, PA13.396-0.542
18174Chris Windom Canton, IL13.419-0.565
191614Cole Macedo Lemoore, CA13.423-0.569
20263ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA13.436-0.582
21869KLance Dewease Fayetteville, PA13.459-0.605
22346Bill Rose Plainfield, IN13.460-0.606
231235Zach Hampton Mooresville, IN13.521-0.667
24915Donny Schatz Fargo, ND13.523-0.669
25416BBrandon Wimmer Fairmount, IN13.530-0.676
261413Justin Peck Monrovia, IN13.535-0.681
2724W20Greg Wilson Benton Ridge, OH13.538-0.684
281339MAnthony Macri Dillsburg, PA13.547-0.693
293070MHenry Malcuit Strasburg, OH13.554-0.700
303519PSean Rayhall Boston, MA13.560-0.706
313652Blake Hahn Sapulpa, OK13.572-0.718
32441Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA13.660-0.806
33321Brian Brown Higginsville, MO13.869-1.015
3427BCTyler Courtney Indianapolis, IN13.880-1.026
3511101Kraig Kinser Bloomington, IN13.901-1.047
36670Scotty Thiel Sheboygan, WI13.936-1.082
37724Rico Abreu St. Helena, CA13.939-1.085
38197J.J. Hickle Quilcene, WA14.102-1.248
3951MLandon Myers York, PA14.216-1.362
40217SRobbie Price Cobble Hill, BC14.216-1.362
411920GNoah Gass Mounds, OK14.216-1.362
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

#LetsRaceTwo
Saturday, May 06, 2023
Eldora Speedway
13929 State Route 118
Rossburg, Ohio 45348 

Event Description
The Greatest Show on Dirt makes a doubleheader trip to "The Big E" in this #LetsRaceTwo weekend.

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

To Win Amount
$10,000.00

Feature Laps Length
30

Event Schedule
Friday, May 5

1:30PM Ticket Sales Begin (Main Gate, Turn 4, Pit Gate)
2PM Spectator Gates Open
6PM Hot Laps
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Hot Laps
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Low-E Insulation Qualifying
USAC Sprint Car Hot Laps
USAC Sprint Car Qualifying
Opening Ceremonies
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Non-Qualifier Race(s) (8 Laps)(If Needed)
USAC Sprint Car Heat Races
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Heat Races (8 Laps)
USAC Sprint Car C-Main (If Needed)
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Toyota Dash Draw
USAC Sprint Car B-Main
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car C-Main (10 Laps)(If Needed)
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Toyota Dash (6 Laps)
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps)
USAC Sprint Car Feature
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Feature (30 Laps)

Saturday, May 6

1:30PM Ticket Sales Begin (Main Gate, Turn 4, Pit Gate)
2PM Spectator Gates Open
6PM Hot Laps
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Hot Laps
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Low-E Insulation Qualifying
USAC Sprint Car Hot Laps
USAC Sprint Car Qualifying
Opening Ceremonies
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Non-Qualifier Race(s) (8 Laps)(If Needed)
USAC Sprint Car Heat Races
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Heat Races (8 Laps)
USAC Sprint Car C-Main (If Needed)
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Toyota Dash Draw
USAC Sprint Car B-Main
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car C-Main (10 Laps)(If Needed)
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Toyota Dash (6 Laps)
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown (12 Laps)
USAC Sprint Car Feature
World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Feature (30 Laps)
*All times Eastern

Event Hashtag
#LetsRaceTwo

Ticket Options  
Reserved Seating
Top 11 rows of Main Grandstand, Patio seats, NTW, plus NTA, NTB & ST (bring your lawn chair)

Handicapped Seating Location
The top row of main grandstand and terrace sections. Reserved seats are recommended. Companion seating is available, please request when ordering tickets. Chair not provided.

Pit Age Requirement
Must be 14 years of age or older. Minors aged 14 through 17 require fully completed Minor Waiver & Parental Consent form.

Parking Cost
$10 or FREE

Handicapped Parking Location
Main parking lot (entry off of State Route 118) and outside of the Turn 4 admission gate.

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

Camping Cost
$49

Frequently Asked Questions  
To Win Amount
$10,000.00

Reserved Seating
Top 11 rows of Main Grandstand, Patio seats, NTW, plus NTA, NTB & ST (bring your lawn chair)

Stadium Seating
Seat cushions are permitted. Stadium style seats may NOT exceed 18 inches, cannot have arms/armrests. No high back seats.

Handicapped Seating
The top row of main grandstand and terrace sections. Reserved seats are recommended. Companion seating is available, please request when ordering tickets. Chair not provided.

Handicapped Parking
Main parking lot (entry off of State Route 118) and outside of the Turn 4 admission gate.

Pit Age Limit
Must be 14 years of age or older. Minors aged 14 through 17 require fully completed Minor Waiver & Parental Consent form.

Personal Coolers
Yes, personal coolers are allowed in the track. Maximum size is 14" in any direction. Glass items are prohibited. Fans cannot bring in their own alcohol.

ATMs
1

Credit Card Use
Concessions, Ticket Window

Alcohol Sales
Alcohol is available at the track

Smoking Policy
State law prohibits smoking in all spectator areas, buildings, structures and lines. Smoking permitted in designated areas only.

Parking Cost
$10 or FREE

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

Camping Cost
$49

Track Info  

Eldora Speedway
13929 State Route 118
Rossburg, Ohio 45348 

Track Phone
(937) 338-3815

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Type
0.500; high banked

Sprint Car Track Record
12.599 seconds by David Gravel on 9/23/20

Late Model Track Record
14.761 seconds by Brandon Sheppard on 10/12/18

Closest Airport
Dayton, OH (DAY / KDAY) James M. Cox Dayton International Airport

Other Airport
Fort Wayne, IN (FWA / KFWA) Fort Wayne International Airport

Track Map
Competitor Info  

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