BARBERVILLE, Fla. — There’s no denying that 2026 didn’t get off to exactly the start Sheldon Haudenschild would’ve liked.
A fresh start brought hope. The 32-year-old headed to KCP Racing for his 10th year with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars. Longtime crew chief came along to join him on the next chapter after a successful tenure at Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing.
But the new pairing stumbled out of the gate. Haudenschild’s best finish in three nights at February’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals was 11th, and his average result was 16.33.
A few weeks off allowed the KCP crew to regroup, and they came back swinging as the tour returned to Volusia Speedway Park Sunday night for the Bike Week Jamboree. Haudenschild unloaded with speed and never slowed down. He wound up with the pole for the 25-lap feature and never looked back once the green flag flew. Lapped traffic offered some obstacles, but nothing was stopping Haudenschild on his way to victory lane.
“It’s just rewarding honestly” Haudenschild said. “(Kyle) Ripper and Adam (Clark), they put the work in this winter. These are the nicest race cars I’ve ever driven. From every nut and bolt to every component on that car, it’s top of the line and put together well. I cannot thank Ripper, Adam, and Dauson (Heitritter) enough. That was Ripper’s win right there. That car was dialed in and rolling good. Huge win to get going with a new team.
“It feels so good to get this win out of the way this week. I’m motivated. My next 10 to 15 years of racing is what I’ve got to take advantage of.”
Haudenschild is up to 47 career victories with The Greatest Show on Dirt. Four of those have come at Volusia, making it the second winningest track on his résumé behind only Beaver Dam Raceway. The Wooster, Ohio, native becomes the third different driver to top a World of Outlaws race with KCP Racing, joining Giovanni Scelzi (eight wins) and Ian Madsen (four wins).
David Gravel recorded his third consecutive runner-up finish as he and Big Game Motorsports took the point lead. Carson Macedo finished third aboard the Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 to remain the only competitor to stand on the podium through all four races of 2026.
Michael “Buddy” Kofoid and Daison Pursley completed the top five.
The finish:
Feature (25 Laps): 1. 18-Sheldon Haudenschild[1]; 2. 2-David Gravel[3]; 3. 41-Carson Macedo[2]; 4. 83-Michael Kofoid[12]; 5. 9-Daison Pursley[8]; 6. 39M-Anthony Macri[15]; 7. 1A-Ashton Torgerson[6]; 8. 13-Tanner Holmes[5]; 9. 19-Brent Marks[13]; 10. 7S-Chris Windom[14]; 11. 23-Garet Williamson[21]; 12. 88-Austin McCarl[10]; 13. 15-Donny Schatz[18]; 14. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss[17]; 15. 17B-Bill Balog[25]; 16. 17-Spencer Bayston[22]; 17. 2C-Cole Macedo[24]; 18. 1S-Logan Schuchart[7]; 19. 51-Scott Bogucki[27]; 20. 32-Bryce Lucius[11]; 21. 16C-Scotty Thiel[9]; 22. 6-Kasey Jedrzejek[26]; 23. 27-Emerson Axsom[20]; 24. 4-Cameron Martin[19]; 25. (DNF) 55-Kerry Madsen[4]; 26. (DNF) 15K-Creed Kemenah[23]; 27. (DNS) 69K-Daryn Pittman
