PORT ROYAL, Pa. — After five years of trying, Anthony Macri can finally breathe a sigh of relief — he did it, he’s a World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series winner.
Before his latest accomplishment, the 23-year-old was already considered one of the most respected racers in the country. He’s a Tuscarora 50 champion, an 11-time winner with the All Star Circuit of Champions and the winningest sprint car driver in the country this year, however, a victory against The Greatest Show on Dirt had always eluded him.
Macri dominated all 25 laps Port Royal Speedway Friday night, running away from the likes of 10-time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz and PA Posse legend Lance Dewease to earn a long-awaited and much-appreciated first career win with the series.
Macri led a 1-2-3-4 finish for the PA Posse with Lance Dewease, Logan Wagner and Justin Whittall following the No. 39m to the line. It’s his 20th career 410 sprint car win at Port Royal
“It seems like Ryan [Hand] and I have hit on something here,” Macri said on his dominant race car. “We tried something in Hot Laps and Qualifying, but it wasn’t what we wanted and we switched back to our regular stuff and it felt stout from there. I just knew that I needed to keep my head on my shoulders for 25 laps and not do anything stupid tonight. I’m so glad it paid off.”
Macri was never challenged through the opening half, but the only caution of the race on Lap 16 changed all that. Restarting with nine laps left and 121-time Port Royal winner Dewease, hot on his heels, the kid knew he would have his hands full.
“I really, really didn’t want to see that caution,” Macri said “Knowing Lance [Dewease] was in second definitely got into my head a bit. I wasn’t sure what to do on that restart, but thankfully it worked out. He slid me that one point but I already decided there was no way I was lifting for this one. Once I realized the car was better on the bottom I felt more comfortable in the final few laps.”
Fending off two attempts for the lead from Dewease, Macri held on to become the 148th different winner in World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series history.
Falling short of back-to-back World of Outlaws wins, 57-year-old Dewease settled for runner-up honors aboard the Kreitz Racing No. 69k.
“Anthony [Macri] is really good around this place and what makes him dangerous is he can run the bottom now,” Dewease joked. “I had a lane through the middle of turns one and two where I could get runs at him, but I was no good in turns three and four. I actually thought I had him passed that one time, but there is nobody better at running the wall than him and he drove right around us. It’s a neat deal to race with him considering the age difference. I’m not upset with second tonight.”
Wagner rounded out the podium aboard the Zemco Racing No. 1.
“Could’ve, should’ve, would’ve,” Wagner noted. “More importantly, we got that PA Posse podium sweep tonight. I’m sure our fans are proud of that. This whole deal is a group effort and I can’t say thanks enough to the people who make this happen. I hope we can find a little something and come back stronger tomorrow.”
The finish:
Feature (25 Laps) – 1. 39M-Anthony Macri [1][$10,000]; 2. 69K-Lance Dewease [4][$5,500]; 3. 1-Logan Wagner [8][$3,200]; 4. 67-Justin Whittall [2][$2,600]; 5. 2-David Gravel [9][$2,350]; 6. 15-Donny Schatz [3][$2,150]; 7. 5-Spencer Bayston [5][$2,100]; 8. 42-Sye Lynch [7][$1,950]; 9. 6D-Ryan Smith [13][$1,900]; 10. 41-Carson Macedo [10][$1,850]; 11. 48-Danny Dietrich [15][$1,400]; 12. 83-James McFadden [6][$1,200]; 13. 49-Brad Sweet [11][$1,000]; 14. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [18][$950]; 15. 1A-Jacob Allen [14][$900]; 16. 18-Giovanni Scelzi [19][$900]; 17. 55-Mike Wagner [17][$900]; 18. 1S-Logan Schuchart [25][$]; 19. 17-Sheldon Haudenschild [23][$900]; 20. 5C-Dylan Cisney [26][$]; 21. 21-Brian Brown [21][$900]; 22. 23-Devon Borden [22][$900]; 23. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [16][$900]; 24. 7S-Robbie Price [20][$900]; 25. 17B-Steve Buckwalter [24][$900]; 26. 19-Brent Marks [12][$900]. Lap Leaders: Anthony Macri 1-25. KSE Hard Charger Award: 1S-Logan Schuchart[+7]