Carson Macedo has become one of the most formidable competitors on the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series scene since he joined the tour full time in 2019.
When it comes to the Outlaws next destination at Central Pennsylvania’s Williams Grove Speedway, Macedo’s record speaks for itself: two victories in 2021 including the highly sought after National Open, along with three top-10 finishes in five starts at The Grove last season.
He may be excited to head back to Mechanicsburg, Pa. on Friday, however, he felt differently about the half-track earlier in his career.
“I love going to Williams Grove now. It’s funny just saying that because a few years ago, I hated going to the place,” Macedo admitted. “I always hoped that something would bulldoze it over, so I didn’t have to go back.”
Though a light turned on for Macedo since he joined Jason Johnson Racing and crew chief and co-owner Philip Dietz prior to the 2021 season.
“Since basically 2020, I’ve been able to get a little bit more of a grasp on the place,” Macedo said. “I think linking up with JJR and Philip Dietz has helped a lot as well. Philip’s had a good package there for a few years now, (he) won a lot of races there with David Gravel.
Alongside Dietz and the JJR crew, Macedo’s comfort level at The Grove has astronomically grown.
“Myself and Phil, Clyde (Knipp, car chief) and Nate (Repetz, tire specialist) obviously as well. We’ve been able to have some success at Williams Grove,” Macedo said.
Friday’s Big Question — Tires
Ahead of Friday’s Low-E Insulation Spring Showdown at The Grove, the World of Outlaws has introduced new rear Hoosier tires, a requirement for all race cars.
With the new rear tires, along with a race track that hasn’t seen action since the end of October, brings a large unknown for all the drivers.
However, Macedo’s confidence hasn’t swayed.
“I’m personally really looking forward to it. I’m in a really good spot. I think my crew chief Philip Dietz is one of the best in the business,” Macedo said. “I think that he’s arguably one of the quickest at adapting to those conditions.
“I feel like it is going to change people’s packages quite a bit. I think that Phil is just so good at making sure that the tire doesn’t change what he does. I think he’s going to be able to move his package around.”
Macedo’s confidence despite the unknowns, comes in large part due to Dietz’s mechanical savviness with limiting the amount the new tires will affect the balance of the race car.
“Phil’s a mechanical engineer by trade, so he just has a lot of data points that he checks, and things that he made sure is right on our car to where the tires aren’t going to affect us too much,” Macedo said. “I’m looking forward to it. I wish they’d change tires every year.”
Though a confident driver goes a long way, having the right people working on specific areas becomes the x-factor. For JJR’s No. 41 team, Repetz handles the tires.
For better or worse, Repetz is anxious about the new rear tires.
“Hopefully we can come out swinging at Williams Grove, and Phil and I can both get a handle on it right away,” Macedo said. “I know Nate Repetz, our tire guy, he’s been stressing just because he’s got a whole new animal on his hands, and he’s got to make sure everything’s balanced and right.
“I know that he’s going to do a phenomenal job at getting everything prepared, we’ll see. I’m looking forward to The Grove. For so long, we’ve been on the H15 right rear tire, and I think it’s just time for a change. Hopefully, it shakes the game up a little bit.”
New Tires, More Competitive Racing?
For years, Williams Grove has been a track position-heavy race track. With the unique long straightaways paired with short, cookie-cutter corners, The Grove has been a place many teams pour a hefty amount of time into qualifying.
While the track may make it difficult to pass a large number of cars, Macedo points to the level of competition.
“I think what you see as far as the dash’s point of view, it’s just a competitive field nowadays,” Macedo said. “Ultimately, you go to a World of Outlaw racing, there are 15 guys that could easily win the race on any given night. When you’re in Pennsylvania, there are probably more.
“I think that’s why qualifying, the way the heats lineup after qualifying, it just makes it easier to get into that dash. Once you’re in the dash and in the top eight, your chances of winning the race from the top eight are so much higher than starting 16th, obviously, in a 30-lap race.”
Though it may not be a drastic change, Macedo feels the new rear tires may allow more passing opportunities at Williams Grove.
“These aren’t Cup races where we’ve got 500 laps, they’re fairly short races. I think that the tire could change that,” Macedo said. “From what I understand it’s a little bit of a harder compound than what we’ve been running.
“I guess I just don’t really know. I do think there is a lot more passing in the feature races. I feel like the heat races sometimes can be fast, especially in a place like Volusia (Speedway Park) or Williams Grove. But ultimately the fans come to see the feature event.”
In the last Outlaws event at Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park, Macedo worked his way from the back of the field with 12 laps to go to finish seventh.
While starting deeper in the field doesn’t make it impossible to make a run toward the front, earning a spot in the six-driver dash in qualifying is still the smoothest path to victory.
“I think, ultimately, if you want to win, that’s the place you need to be,” Macedo said. “Hopefully, the tire shakes it up, but at the moment, I think we’re all kind of in limbo, we really don’t know.”