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Ironman 55
Saturday, August 05, 2023
Race Recap  

IRONMAN FOR THE AGES: Kyle Larson Tops Wild Duel with Schuchart for Ironman 55 Title

The 2023 Federated Auto Parts Ironman 55 won’t soon be forgotten.

The demanding race lived up to every bit of the hype. 55 intense laps. A bevy of bullring battling. And two Ironmen rising to the occasion to deliver a duel for the ages.

Kyle Larson and Logan Schuchart flexed every ounce of racing muscle as they battled for the title of Ironman on Saturday night. One corner it looked like Larson would win. The next it was Schuchart. When all was said and done, Larson edged out Schuchart by less than two tenths of a second in a finish that brought the huge Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 crowd to their feet.

Larson slapped the side of the Silva Motorsports #57 in excitement as he rolled into Victory Lane. “Yung Money” climbed all the way atop the wing to celebrate the $20,000 score as the fans roared.

“That was probably the most fun Sprint Car race I’ve ran maybe ever,” Larson said. “It was just a great race. I hope all of you fans enjoyed it. Even if you wanted anybody else to win, that was a damn good race. You can’t say enough about it. Thanks to Paul Silva and everybody on this car. This was a great race and I love I-55.”

The victory was Larson’s third of 2023 with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars and 31st of his career. Larson is now a three-time Feature winner at the Pevely, MO oval and a two-time Ironman. The Elk Grove, CA native joins Craig Dollansky, Rico Abreu, and Sheldon Haudenschild as multi-time Ironman winners.

Starting sixth on the grid, Larson faced a challenge to get to the front. James McFadden and Logan Schuchart led the field to green. The first two attempts at beginning the race were marred by cautions. But on the third try, Schuchart darted into the early lead. McFadden’s hopes were dashed when early contact with the Turn 2 wall spun him around and ended his night with a broken steering box.

When racing resumed following McFadden’s incident, a war broke out for the runner-up spot with Brad Sweet, David Gravel, and Carson Macedo trading slide jobs and crossovers. Sweet emerged with the position.

Once that trio settled into line, Larson began to pick his way toward the front. On Lap 7, Larson slid by Macedo for fourth. Fast forward 10 laps, and another slider elevated Larson onto the podium.

A lap later the yellow flag flew for a slowing Cole Macedo, and Larson capitalized on the ensuing restart by powering around Brad Sweet for the runner-up spot.

With second secured, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion began his pursuit of Schuchart. The driver of the Shark Racing #1S worked through traffic smoothly but Larson began to close in. Right before the halfway point Larson took his first swing at the lead with a slide job, but Schuchart was able to cross him over.

On the 34th circuit, Larson was able to wrestle away the top spot and defend Schuchart’s counter attack. From there, Larson began to put some distance between himself and Schuchart as the second half of the race unfolded. But a late caution set the stage for an 11-lap shootout for $20,000 and the title of Ironman.

Logan Schuchart and Kyle Larson battle at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55
Logan Schuchart and Kyle Larson battled all the way to the checkered flag for the Ironman 55 (Trent Gower Photo)

Larson pulled ahead on the start. But as he began to slice through traffic with less than 10 laps to go, Schuchart was able to show Larson a nose and pressure him into driving harder.

“I got stuck behind lappers in (Turns) 1 and 2 that really slowed me down, and I knew he’d be close,” Larson recalled. “I saw his nose in (Turns) 3 and 4. He could make up a lot of time on entry to just spook me enough to run harder and make some mistakes.”

Those minor mistakes were enough to set up a wild war to the checkered flag. Larson tripped up on the Turn 3 cushion coming to two laps to go allowing Schuchart to squeeze by as they roared out of Turn 4. Heading into Turn 3 on the next lap, Larson threw a huge slider that stuck, but Schuchart crossed over coming to the white flag. Schuchart slid ahead in Turns 1 and 2, and Larson responded by driving down the hill out of Turn 2 and sneaking under Schuchart for a slide job in the final set of corners. Schuchart tried to cross back under coming to the checkered flag but didn’t have the momentum he needed. Larson won by .166 seconds.

“I slid him coming to the white,” Larson explained. “I knew he was going to slide me in (Turn) 1, so I thought I’d run my diamond line in (Turns) 1 and 2 and just hope I could be there. I was further behind down the backstretch than I thought I could be or needed to be. I was praying he was going to leave just enough room to drive between the inside wall and him, and he did and we both chased it up the track coming for the win.”

Schuchart’s runner-up marked his 10th podium of the season, making him the fifth driver to reach double digit top threes so far this year. While the Shark Racing pilot would’ve preferred to win, he exited his car with a grin as wide as Larson’s after such a fun and fierce battle.

“I know you never want to run second, but as far as a fan event, fans are what make this deal happen, and you can’t ask for a better race,” Schuchart said. “Kyle’s a badass race car driver. He’s going to run aggressive. Once he passed me, I didn’t know exactly what he did to get there, but I just felt like I was going to gas it up a little bit… I did my best to put on a show, go up there and race for the win at Federated Auto Parts Raceway (at I-55). Definitely a really awesome race.”

Rounding out the top three for the second straight night was Brad Sweet aboard the Kasey Kahne Racing #49. The effort helped “The Big Cat” extend his lead in the points to 14 markers over David Gravel. In the closing laps Sweet found himself enjoying the fight for the win like the many fans in attendance.

“Man, Turn 4 coming to the checkered I was kind of a fan and wasn’t sure if they were going to make it out of it,” Sweet said. “So, I was trying to figure out if they do make contact what to do there. That was a heck of a race. I got to watch it up close and personal.”

Corey Day charged from 15th to fourth to earn the KSE Racing Hard Charger. Carson Macedo completed the top five.

Sheldon Haudenschild claimed the Simpson Performance Products QuickTime Award for the third time this year and 28th time of his career.

CASE No.1 Engine Oil Heat One went to Brad Sweet (230th Heat Race win of career). NOS Energy Drink Heats Two through Four were topped by James McFadden (44th of career), Robbie Price (first of career), and Logan Schuchart (115th of career).

James McFadden won the Toyota Racing Dash.

The Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown went to Brock Zearfoss.

UP NEXT: The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are bound for The Granddaddy of ‘Em All as Knoxville Raceway hosts the 62nd NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals presented by Casey’s General Store. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

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

RESULTS:

NOS Energy Drink Feature (55 Laps): 1. 57-Kyle Larson[5]; 2. 1S-Logan Schuchart[2]; 3. 49-Brad Sweet[4]; 4. 14-Corey Day[15]; 5. 41-Carson Macedo[6]; 6. 5-Spencer Bayston[11]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz[12]; 8. 83JR-Michael Kofoid[10]; 9. 2-David Gravel[3]; 10. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild[9]; 11. 7S-Robbie Price[8]; 12. 18-Giovanni Scelzi[16]; 13. 70-Kraig Kinser[14]; 14. 45-Rusty Hickman[18]; 15. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[21]; 16. 51B-Joe B Miller[20]; 17. 22-Riley Goodno[23]; 18. (DNF) 23B-Brian Bell[17]; 19. (DNF) 21T-Cole Macedo[7]; 20. (DNF) 20G-Noah Gass[13]; 21. (DNF) 6-Bill Rose[24]; 22. (DNF) 1A-Jacob Allen[22]; 23. (DNF) 83-James McFadden[1]; 24. (DNF) 101-Cody Maroske[19]

[Read More]
Results  
Feature Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
15+457Kyle Larson 550.00021Running150$20,000
2201SLogan Schuchart 55-0.16634Running146$6,000
34+149Brad Sweet 55-0.855Running144$3,500
415+1114Corey Day 55-3.345Running142$2,800
56+141Carson Macedo 55-4.201Running140$2,500
611+55Spencer Bayston 55-9.195Running138$2,300
712+515Donny Schatz 55-10.955Running136$2,200
810+283JRMichael Kofoid 55-11.499Running134$2,100
93-62David Gravel 55-11.569Running132$2,050
109-117Sheldon Haudenschild 55-12.061Running130$2,000
118-37SRobbie Price 55-12.325Running128$1,600
1216+418Giovanni Scelzi 54-1 LapsRunning126$1,400
1314+170Kraig Kinser 52-3 LapsRunning124$1,200
1418+445Rusty Hickman 52-3 LapsRunning122$1,100
1521+63ZBrock Zearfoss 51-4 LapsRunning120$1,050
1620+451BJoe B. Miller 51-4 LapsRunning118$1,000
1723+622Riley Goodno 51-4 LapsRunning116$1,000
1817-123BBrian Bell 39-16 LapsDNF114$1,000
197-1221TCole Macedo 16-39 LapsDNF112$1,000
2013-720GNoah Gass 16-39 LapsDNF110$1,000
2124+36Bill Rose 16-39 LapsDNF108$1,000
222201AJacob Allen 6-49 LapsDNF106$1,000
231-2283James McFadden 3-52 Laps1DNF104$1,000
2419-5101Cody Maroske 0-55 LapsDNF102$1,000
KSE Hard Charger: Corey Day
Last Chance Showdown Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
1103ZBrock Zearfoss 120.0008Running0$0
28+61AJacob Allen 12-1.1062Running0$0
34+122Riley Goodno 12-3.554Running0$0
42-26Bill Rose 12-6.6502Running0$0
53-271MCaden Englehart 12-6.927Running90$300
66096Jake Blackhurst 12-8.557Running90$250
75-297Scotty Milan 12-9.391Running90$225
87-137Ayden Gatewood 12-10.558Running90$200
910+12KKevin Ingle 1-11 LapsDNF90$200
109-131Zach Daum 0-12 LapsDNS90$0
111107DDylan Dejournett 0-12 LapsDNS90$0
Dash 1 Results
POSStart+/-#DriverLapsBehindLedStatusPointsMoney
11083James McFadden 80.0008Running0$0
2201SLogan Schuchart 8-1.724Running0$0
34+12David Gravel 8-5.385Running0$0
48+449Brad Sweet 8-5.707Running0$0
56+157Kyle Larson 8-6.650Running0$0
67+141Carson Macedo 8-8.026Running0$0
73-421TCole Macedo 8-9.350Running0$0
85-37SRobbie Price 8-10.677Running0$0
Heat 1 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+149Brad Sweet 100.00010Running
24+22David Gravel 10-0.600Running
31-217Sheldon Haudenschild 10-1.817Running
43-120GNoah Gass 10-3.452Running
56+123BBrian Bell 10-7.757Running
68+271MCaden Englehart 10-8.703Running
77037Ayden Gatewood 10-9.436Running
85-33ZBrock Zearfoss 4-6 LapsDNF
Heat 2 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
11083James McFadden 100.00010Running
22057Kyle Larson 10-0.907Running
34+183JRMichael Kofoid 10-2.676Running
43-170Kraig Kinser 10-7.087Running
55045Rusty Hickman 10-8.165Running
66022Riley Goodno 10-9.223Running
7701AJacob Allen 10-10.899Running
8802KKevin Ingle 9-1 LapsRunning
Heat 3 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
12+17SRobbie Price 100.00010Running
23+121TCole Macedo 10-0.891Running
31-25Spencer Bayston 10-1.508Running
44014Corey Day 10-2.310Running
57+2101Cody Maroske 10-5.675Running
66097Scotty Milan 10-6.793Running
75-26Bill Rose 10-8.812Running
8807DDylan Dejournett 4-6 LapsDNF
Heat 4 Results
Pos.Start+/-#DriverLaps CompletedBehindLaps LedStatus
1101SLogan Schuchart 100.00010Running
22041Carson Macedo 10-1.229Running
33015Donny Schatz 10-3.560Running
44018Giovanni Scelzi 10-4.864Running
56+151BJoe B. Miller 10-7.572Running
65-196Jake Blackhurst 9-1 LapsRunning
77031Zach Daum 7-3 LapsDNF
Qualifying Flight 1 Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
1817Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH10.8290.000
22983James McFadden Alice Springs, NT10.947-0.118
3185Spencer Bayston Lebanon, IN10.963-0.134
4101SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA10.989-0.160
51949Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA11.032-0.203
63157Kyle Larson Elk Grove, CA11.046-0.217
767SRobbie Price Cobble Hill, BC11.050-0.221
8241Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA11.081-0.252
92420GNoah Gass Mounds, OK11.103-0.274
10470Kraig Kinser Bloomington, IN11.115-0.286
11921TCole Macedo Lemoore, CA11.157-0.328
122215Donny Schatz Fargo, ND11.159-0.330
13162David Gravel Watertown, CT11.176-0.347
142883JRMichael Kofoid Penngrove, CA11.303-0.474
15714Corey Day Clovis, CA11.311-0.482
161518Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA11.391-0.562
17123ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA11.468-0.639
18145Rusty Hickman Tullamarine, VIC11.485-0.656
19116Bill Rose Plainfield, IN11.494-0.665
202396Jake Blackhurst Hanna City, IL11.529-0.700
212523BBrian Bell Arlington, TN11.595-0.766
222122Riley Goodno Knoxville, IA11.599-0.770
23397Scotty Milan Fort Collins, CO11.636-0.807
241451BJoe B. Miller Millersville, MO11.640-0.811
251737Ayden Gatewood Caruthersville, MO11.695-0.866
26271AJacob Allen Hanover, PA11.729-0.900
275101Cody Maroske Gold Coast, QLD11.798-0.969
282031Zach Daum Pocahontas, IL11.837-1.008
292671MCaden Englehart Terre Haute, IN12.040-1.211
30302KKevin Ingle Huron, SD12.633-1.804
31137DDylan Dejournett New Madrid, MO13.078-2.249
Hot Laps Results
POSStartCarDriverHometownTimeDifference
13157Kyle Larson Elk Grove, CA11.0720.000
22983James McFadden Alice Springs, NT11.175-0.103
3817Sheldon Haudenschild Wooster, OH11.194-0.122
4185Spencer Bayston Lebanon, IN11.211-0.139
52215Donny Schatz Fargo, ND11.225-0.153
6162David Gravel Watertown, CT11.267-0.195
7101SLogan Schuchart Hanover, PA11.328-0.256
82883JRMichael Kofoid Penngrove, CA11.389-0.317
91949Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA11.425-0.353
102031Zach Daum Pocahontas, IL11.509-0.437
11271AJacob Allen Hanover, PA11.513-0.441
122396Jake Blackhurst Hanna City, IL11.528-0.456
132523BBrian Bell Arlington, TN11.567-0.495
141518Giovanni Scelzi Fresno, CA11.584-0.512
152420GNoah Gass Mounds, OK11.727-0.655
162122Riley Goodno Knoxville, IA11.788-0.716
17470Kraig Kinser Bloomington, IN11.813-0.741
1867SRobbie Price Cobble Hill, BC11.822-0.750
19123ZBrock Zearfoss Jonestown, PA11.827-0.755
202671MCaden Englehart Terre Haute, IN11.870-0.798
211451BJoe B. Miller Millersville, MO11.948-0.876
221737Ayden Gatewood Caruthersville, MO11.983-0.911
23116Bill Rose Plainfield, IN11.988-0.916
24145Rusty Hickman Tullamarine, VIC12.086-1.014
25921TCole Macedo Lemoore, CA12.125-1.053
26241Carson Macedo Lemoore, CA12.130-1.058
275101Cody Maroske Gold Coast, QLD12.248-1.176
28302KKevin Ingle Huron, SD12.349-1.277
29714Corey Day Clovis, CA12.377-1.305
30397Scotty Milan Fort Collins, CO12.624-1.552
31137DDylan Dejournett New Madrid, MO13.446-2.374
DIRTVision Highlights  
Event Info  

Ironman 55
Saturday, August 05, 2023
Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55
1540 Herky-Horine
Pevely, Missouri 63070 

Event Description
Only the strongest and the fastest can prove they are worthy of the Ironman title in this grueling 55-lapper with $20,000-to-win on the line.

For the second consecutive year, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Sprint Cars are accompanied by the Xtreme Outlaw Midgets, battling for $4,000 on Friday and $5,000 on Saturday.

Series Racing
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series

Support Divisions
Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series

To Win Amount
$20,000.00

Feature Laps Length
55

Event Schedule
2PM Pit Gates open
5PM Grandstand Gates open on Friday
4PM Grandstand Gates open on Saturday
6:30PM Hot Laps/Qualifying with Opening Ceremonies and Racing to Follow
*All times Central

Ticket Options  
Ticket Phone
(844) 347-8849

Options And Prices
2-Day Adult Reserved: $80 Advanced / $85 Day of
2-Day Adult GA: $70 Advanced / $75 Day of
2-Day Kids GA (12 and under): $20
Single Day Adult Reserved: $40 Advanced / $45 Day of
Single Day Adult GA: $35 Advanced / $40 Day of
Single Day Kids GA (12 and under): $10

2-Day Pit Pass: $90
Pit pass: $45


Discounts
None

Grandstand Type
Bleachers

Reserved Seating
Sec ABC Sec K

Family Section Location
None

Handicapped Seating Location
End of all bleachers

Pit Age Requirement
No Age limit - All minor's require proper waiver

Pit Gate Location
Pit gate is located near the drag strip entrance

Handicapped Parking Location
In front of main Gate

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite

Camping Cost
Call track for details

Frequently Asked Questions  
Support Divisions
Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series

To Win Amount
$20,000.00

Reserved Seating
Sec ABC Sec K

Type of Grandstand
Bleachers

Stadium Seating
Stadium chairs allowed

Handicapped Seating
End of all bleachers

Handicapped Parking
In front of main Gate

Pit Age Limit
No Age limit - All minor's require proper waiver

Pit Gate Location
Pit gate is located near the drag strip entrance

Personal Coolers
No personal coolers allowed

Credit Card Use
Pit Gate, Ticket Window

Alcohol Sales
Alcohol is available for sale at the track

Smoking Policy
No smoking in grandstands

Family Section
None

Camping Availability
non-electric, onsite

Camping Cost
Call track for details

Track Info  

Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55
1540 Herky-Horine
Pevely, Missouri 63070 

Track Phone
(636) 479-3219

Ticket Phone
(844) 347-8849

Track Email
[email protected]

Track Type
0.333; High-banked

Sprint Car Track Record
9.995 seconds by Kyle Larson on 5/22/20

Late Model Track Record
12.081 seconds by Billy Moyer on 6/23/07

Closest Airport
Festus

Other Airport
St. Louis

Pit Gate Location
Pit gate is located near the drag strip entrance

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

Competitor Info
Midget Tire Rule:
Hoosier tires on all 4 corners.
LR must be D12 or harder.
RR MUST be (SP3 Only)
(Grooving and Siping is Allowed)
Teams can have (1) new and (2) used tires marked before Drivers meeting.

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