HAIL MARY: Carson Macedo makes miraculous last-lap pass over Brad Sweet for I-55 win
World of Outlaws Sprint Cars will take on 55 laps for $20,000 on Saturday
PEVELY, MO – August 5, 2022 – The check was practically made out by Brad Sweet name on friday when Carson Macedo came out of nowhere, threw a St. Louis slider and landed an all-time stunner to steal the victory on the night before Ironman.
After controlling the first 29 laps at Federated Auto Parts Circuit at I-55“The Big Cat” looked set to complete a full evening sweep and cash in on their third World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series win of the 2022 season. don’t pay you for the first 29 laps, they only pay you for those last few meters at the checkered flag that belonged to the #41 Jason Johnson Racing of Macedo.
Capitalizing on poor positioning in lap traffic, Macedo cut the 0.753-second gap at the white flag to virtually nothing when he made a full send on turn three and committed to clearing the three-time defending champion from the Serie. It all worked, however, as he hit the handle, slid over Sweet’s nose, whipped him under the roder, and raced through the checkered flag while most of the fans in attendance and those watching DIRTVision were still trying to process what had happened.
It was a decision that electrified the Pevely, MO crowd, sent social media into a frenzy, amplified Camp #41 and brought down Team #49. There was the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and the reasons it’s called The Greatest Show on Dirt.
“There was a bit of luck in that,” Macedo admitted after Sweet was held up. “I saw him get caught and then spin the tires in the backstretch and I knew there wasn’t a lot of grip where he was pointed. I had done that for much of the race where I ran into turn three as hard as I could towards the center and found a small strip of grip with my right-back. It would allow me to refocus and from there I could just hope that he was nervous and couldn’t contradict me.
Sensational win gives Macedo eight in 2022, tying him with Sheldon Haudenschild as the winningest driver on tour. The 25-year-old now has 25 career World of Outlaws wins, including 19 in the Jason Johnson Racing #41, which puts him tied with David Gravel as the winningest driver in Outlaws history. crew.
He has now won back-to-back World of Outlaws Features at I-55, and tomorrow is aiming for a $20,000 payday with his first career Ironman 55 title.
“Beating Brad, three-time champion and one of the best here, is really special,” added Macedo. “It was a very good race. That’s why we’re here, to put on amazing shows like this for you fans. This place is challenging, but it’s great fun. You really have to put your elbows up and go for it. Hopefully we can add an Ironman title tomorrow.
A heartbroken Brad Sweet, who was leading by 3.379 seconds at the halfway mark, spoke out during his final lap traffic incident at Victory Lane. The battle cost him his third win of the season, but he clinched his 16th podium and extended his championship lead over David Gravel.
“All you can do is hope that the roders will face you with respect,” Sweet said, expressing his displeasure. “I gave Marcus [Dumesny] plenty of room there and thought I would get more in return. You know, he was the warning before that and he spat on his own, and almost took us out too. Then he made it there on the last lap and I don’t think that’s how you race people. It is what it is, though, and I could have done a few different moves to not put myself in that position. It’s unfortunate for us, but Carson did a great job. We will be ready to clinch the Ironman title tomorrow.
Behind the chaos up front was James McFadden with his seventh podium of the season in third place. The native of Alice Springs, NT, Australia continues to show speed in Roth Motorsports #83, building momentum towards that long-awaited 99th World of Outlaws victory for car owners Dennis and Teresa Roth.
“We kept it on all four wheels and it’s kind of a win with how treacherous it is out there,” McFadden joked. “I thought I was going to bounce in the trailer at some point. We had a really good car I think, but I wasted too much time going back and forth with Sheldon [Haudenschild]. I love racing there, though. I think the fans really had fun watching that one. We’ll be back tomorrow ready for another 55.
Friday evening, the top five was completed by the double winner of the I-55, Donny Schatzin fourth position aboard the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #15, and 2018 Ironman 55 champion, Logan Schuchartin fifth place in Shark Racing #1S.
David Gravel, of Watertown, CT, Sheldon Haudenschild, of Wooster, OH, Justin Peck, of Monrovia, IN, Lachlan McHugh of Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, and Marcus Dumesny, of Nelson closed the top 10 in Pevely, MO. , NSW, Australia.
NEXT (Sat) – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series returns to Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Pevely, MO on Saturday August 6th. concludes. fans can BUY TICKETS HEREor watch every turn LIVE on DIRTVision.
NOS Energy Drink Function Results (30 rounds) – 1. 41-Carson Macedo [3][$10,000]; 2. 49-Brad Sweet [1][$5,500]; 3. 83-James McFadden [4][$3,200]; 4. 15-Donny Schatz [2][$2,600]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart [10][$2,350]; 6. 2-David Gravel [12][$2,150]; 7. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [6][$2,100]; 8. 13-Justin Peck [5][$1,950]; 9. 101-Lachlan McHugh [18][$1,900]; 10. 1AU-Marcus Dumesny [7][$1,850]; 11. 5-Spencer Bayston [17][$1,400]; 12. 55-Hunter Schuerenberg [21][$1,200]; 13. 20G-Noah Gass [24][$1,000]; 14. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [11][$950]; 15. 35-Zach Hampton [9][$900]; 16. Helt 22S-Slater [15][$900]; 17. 6-Bill Pink [23][$900]; 18. 51B-Joe B-Miller [20][$900]; 19. 7S-Robbie Prize [13][$900]; 20. 49J-Josh Schneiderman [19][$900]; 21. 1A-Jacob Allen [16][$900]; 22. 11K-Kraig Kinser [8][$900]; 23. 83JR-Kerry Madsen [14][$900]; 24. 25-JJ Hickle [22][$900]. Round leaders: Brad Sweet 1-29, Carson Macedo 30. ESC Hard Charger Price: 20G-Noé Gass[+11]
NEW Championship Ranking (After races 46/77) – 1. Brad Sweet (6,230); 2. David Gravel (-44); 3. Carson Macedo (-110); 4. Sheldon Haudenschild (-140); 5. Donny Schatz (-176); 6. Logan Schuchart (-190); 7. Spencer Bayston (-352); 8. James McFadden (-350); 9. Jacob Allen (-570); 10. Brock Zearfoss (-674).