ROSSBURG, Ohio — Rico Abreu did a little showing off for his boss on Friday night.
The 34-year-old’s career took a major step forward when he joined forces with Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing ahead of 2026. Abreu merged his already top-tier team with one of the most accomplished organizations in sprint car racing history.
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series rolled into Eldora Speedway on Friday for the #LetsRaceTwo presented by LGMG opener, and it just so happens that “Smoke” owns Eldora. It marked Abreu’s first visit to the “Big E” since connecting with TSR, and the team didn’t let Stewart down.
Abreu came out on top of an absolute brawl at the historic half-mile. Brian Brown narrowly led the opening lap before Giovanni Scelzi snatched the top spot on the second circuit. It was Michael “Buddy” Kofoid’s turn to lead on Lap 13 as he moved ahead of Scelzi, and Abreu reeled them both in. A three-car battle broke out that saw Abreu make some wild moves including tapping the wall down the back straightaway at some point. When the fight calmed, Abreu stood atop the leaderboard and motored away to the checkered flag.
“This team, man, these guys,” Abreu said, quick to credit his crew led by Ricky Warner. “I know I talk about them a lot, but they’re the backbone of this sport. We had an unbelievable racetrack, multiple grooves. I was able to just float around the first 10 laps or so of the race and just really dissect my car. I was waiting for a little bit of fuel to burn off so I could be a little more aggressive on the entrance.”
The win pushed Abreu’s to 22 with The Greatest Show on Dirt, enough to give him sole possession of 30th most all-time. His already impressive Eldora résumé grew as Friday marked his 14th overall score at The House that Earl Built.
Six of those have come with the World of Outlaws, putting him alongside Mark Kinser and Kerry Madsen for ninth most. Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing has now claimed at least one World of Outlaws checkered flag in 25 seasons.
Kofoid brought the Roth Motorsports No. 83 home second after leading three laps. They’re up to nine podiums this season.
Giovanni Scelzi rounded out the podium in the Spire Motorsports No. 77. It’s “Hot Sauce’s” first top three with the tour since March of last year.
Aaron Reutzel and Logan Schuchart completed the top five.
The finish:
Feature (30 Laps): 1. 24-Rico Abreu[7]; 2. 83-Michael Kofoid[6]; 3. 77-Giovanni Scelzi[2]; 4. 87-Aaron Reutzel[12]; 5. 1S-Logan Schuchart[4]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz[5]; 7. 21-Brian Brown[1]; 8. 71-Parker Price Miller[9]; 9. 2C-Cole Macedo[16]; 10. 13-Tanner Holmes[8]; 11. 2-David Gravel[22]; 12. 41-Carson Macedo[18]; 13. 15K-Creed Kemenah[15]; 14. 26-Justin Peck[24]; 15. 18-Sheldon Haudenschild[11]; 16. 21H-Brady Bacon[23]; 17. 16C-Skylar Gee[19]; 18. 23-Garet Williamson[13]; 19. 9-Daison Pursley[10]; 20. 28M-Conner Morrell[14]; 21. 55-Kerry Madsen[21]; 22. 7S-Chris Windom[20]; 23. (DNF) 5-Brenham Crouch[3]; 24. (DNF) 42-Sye Lynch[17]
