BELLEVILLE, Ill. — The gloves came off Saturday night at Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Park Speedway.
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series invaded the brand new Illinois bullring for the first time. Anticipation was sky high for the best sprint car drivers in the world to put on a show at the quarter-mile, and the fans were not let down.
Michael “Buddy” Kofoid and Garet Williamson delivered an unforgettable duel. The two good friends went to war through the opening half of the 40-lap feature. One would fire a slide job, and the other would counter with a crossover. One would find a groove of grip and slip by, then the other would use a lapped car as a pick to retake the position.
Ultimately, Kofoid finally gained the upper hand for good on the 18th circuit after several lead changes. The Penngrove, Calif., native wrestled the top spot away and built a commanding lead in the Roth Motorsports No. 83. A late red flag for Williamson flipping gave the resurging Parker Price-Miller a shot with 11 laps to go, but he was no match as Kofoid powered away and sliced through traffic on his way to victory lane and hoisting the Battle at Belle-Clair championship belt.
“That was some of the best racing I’ve been a part of this whole year, maybe even some of the best in the last three years I’ve been with the Outlaws,” Kofoid said. “Definitely special to do it alongside him (Williamson). They were very, very good. I told myself if we stay in traffic, I think I’ll be okay even though I lost it those couple times. Bummer to see what happened to him. It would’ve been nice to be up here with him.”
Kofoid extended his series-best win tally in 2026 to 16. That ensures he’ll at least tie for the most victories this season, and he’ll own sole possession of that title as long as David Gravel or Sheldon Haudenschild don’t win the final five races of the season. The mark of 16 matches the most triumphs in one season for Roth Motorsports, equaling Danny Lasoski’s total he reached with Dennis and Teresa Roth’s team in 1999.
Parker Price-Miller started on the pole, slipped back as far as sixth, and then rallied to the runner-up position in the Indy Race Parts No. 71.
Karter Sarff made the home state proud by rounding out the Belle-Clar podium for his first World of Outlaws top three in only his third feature appearance.
Sheldon Haudenschild and Spencer Bayston completed the top five.
The finish:
Feature (40 Laps): 1. 83-Michael Kofoid[3]; 2. 71-Parker Price Miller[1]; 3. 21K-Karter Sarff[4]; 4. 18-Sheldon Haudenschild[24]; 5. 17-Spencer Bayston[8]; 6. 41-Carson Macedo[11]; 7. 1S-Logan Schuchart[16]; 8. 27-Emerson Axsom[13]; 9. 15-Donny Schatz[15]; 10. 2-David Gravel[5]; 11. 51-Steven Snyder Jr[23]; 12. 16C-Skylar Gee[12]; 13. 17B-Bill Balog[7]; 14. 6-Bryce Lucius[19]; 15. 79-Gage Montgomery[20]; 16. 2C-Cole Macedo[10]; 17. 7S-Chris Windom[14]; 18. 51B-Joe B Miller[18]; 19. 2MD-Darin Naida[22]; 20. 37-Bryce Norris[21]; 21. (DNF) 23-Garet Williamson[2]; 22. (DNF) 7A-Will Armitage[9]; 23. (DNF) 87-Austin Hartmann[17]; 24. (DNF) 92-Zach Daum[6]
