MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Sprint car racing’s fiercest rivalry reaches its peak this week.
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars are set to venture into Pennsylvania where the PA Posse await to defend home turf on the biggest stage.
The two sides will converge on Mechanicsburg, Pa.’s Williams Grove Speedway this weekend (Oct. 4-5) for the 62nd running of the Weis Markets National Open presented by Sage Fruit. The crown jewel elevates even more in 2024 with nearly $300,000 in purse money up for grabs over the two nights, all culminating in a $75,000-to-win/$2,500-to-start finale.
But it’s not only about the massive money on the line this weekend, it’s about the prestige. It’s being able to forever call yourself a National Open champion. It’s the World of Outlaws invaders ready to face off with the country’s toughest locals. It’s the Posse ready put up their best defense. It’s a collection of invaders aiming to steal the glory. It’s thousands of fans creating a fierce atmosphere.
The next chapter of National Open history is ready to be written.
Let’s look at the weekend’s top storylines:
DONNY’S DOMINANCE
Williams Grove Speedway may be the pinnacle of Posse country, but no driver has experienced greater success at the National Open than 10-time World of Outlaws champion and North Dakota native Donny Schatz.
The 47-year-old owns a record six titles (2000, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2020) in the crown jewel. In addition to the four victories, Schatz has also bagged four runner-ups and a trio of thirds, giving him 13 podiums in 25 attempts. His average finish in the event is a stout 5.96.
Schatz’s strength at Williams Grove doesn’t stop with the “Natty O.” The half mile is home to 21 of his 315 career Series triumphs, which is more than any other track on his list and ranks behind only Steve Kinser’s massive tally of 38.
This weekend supplies Schatz the chance to extend his record with a seventh National Open win in the Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing No. 15.
GRAVEL’S GROUND
With a hometown of Watertown, Conn., David Gravel may not quite come from a PA Posse background, but Williams Grove Speedway is a special place for him.
READ: National Open: A Look At The History At Williams Grove
It’s where he first raced a Sprint Car. It’s where he burst onto the scene with a 2014 National Open victory before adding another in 2017. Earlier this year, Williams Grove became home to his 100th career World of Outlaws checkered flag. The Mechanicsburg, Pa. oval is also most responsible for getting Gravel to triple digits as nine of his now 102 victories with The Greatest Show on Dirt have occurred there.
Gravel can further cement his place in the Williams Grove history books this weekend. Only seven legendary drivers – Donny Schatz, Lance Dewease, Steve Kinser, Kenny Weld, Steve Smith, Doug Wolfgang, and Stevie Smith – have a least a trio of National Open trophies. Gravel could join the exclusive club this weekend aboard the Big Game Motorsports No. 2. A win on either night would make him only the sixth different driver with double digit World of Outlaws scores at the historic facility.
GLORY AT THE GROVE
Schatz and Gravel aren’t the only two current World of Outlaws competitors to visit Williams Grove Victory Lane.
Carson Macedo is the one other full-timer with a National Open title. The Lemoore, Calif. native topped the 2021 running with Jason Johnson Racing for a $75,000 payday. Another on Saturday would make him the 14th different multi-time champion of the event.
Fellow Californian Giovanni Scelzi scored at Williams Grove in 2018. The current driver of the KCP Racing No. 18 steered the Indy Race Parts No. 71 to victory to become the youngest winner in Series history – a record that still stands.
Back before he even joined the World of Outlaws tour, Brock Zearfoss upset the World of Outlaws in 2017 at the Mechanicsburg, PA oval.
Another Pennsylvania native, Logan Schuchart, finally broke through last year after more than 50 Williams Grove attempts when he claimed the Morgan Cup for the World of Outlaws.
And lastly, Sheldon Haudenschild has one Williams Grove triumph, taking the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing/NOS Energy Drink No. 17 across the finish line first in July 2021.
MAYOR OF THE OUTLAWS
As Bill Rose continues to heal from injuries sustained earlier this year, Dylan Cisney has been tabbed as the driver of the No. 6 machine for the remainder of the World of Outlaws campaign.
The partnership was supposed to begin this past weekend in Ohio, but Mother Nature had other plans. So, Cisney’s stint with Rose is set to begin on home turf this weekend for the Port Royal, Pa. native.
“The Mayor” is yet to win at Williams Grove, but he did collect local runner-up finishes in 2019 and 2022. He’s won once in 2024, topping a Port Royal Speedway race on April 20.
POSSE PRIDE
There’s no event on the calendar that the Pennsylvania Posse want more than the National Open. It’s the ultimate stage to represent the home state, make the fans proud, and compete for major cash. As always, the Pennsylvania contingent boasts a stout set of locals ready to square off with the World of Outlaws.
Anthony Macri stands out as a prime candidate to make the Posse proud. He’s tied as the nation’s winningest Sprint Car driver this year with 15 wins under his belt including four at Williams Grove. The Dillsburg, Pa. driver has never beaten the World of Outlaws at “The Grove,” but he’s been knocking on the door with 10 top fives.
Fayetteville, PA’s Lance Dewease may have the best résumé in the history of Williams Grove Speedway. His record 115 total victories outrank the second most by 25. Seventeen of those wins have come against the World of Outlaws including five National Open championships. A sixth this weekend would equal him with Schatz for the most.
Danny Dietrich (Gettysburg, Pa.) already toppled the World of Outlaws for a “Natty O” title in 2016 with Gary Kauffman Racing. A trio of his 11 victories this season have happened at Williams Grove.
In July, Liverpool, PA’s T.J. Stutts stunned the World of Outlaws by holding off David Gravel to grab the Morgan Cup. He’s tallied two more Williams Grove trophies on a local level this year amid what’s been a resurgent season for the 44-year-old.
These four are expected to be joined by several others including Freddie Rahmer (Salfordville, Pa.), Troy Wagaman Jr. (Hanover, Pa.), Lucas Wolfe (Mechanicsburg, Pa.), Steve Buckwalter (Royersford, Pa.) and more.
INVADERS
The World of Outlaws and the PA Posse won’t be the only groups to keep an eye on this weekend. A cast of invaders with no current connections to either group will be shooting to steal the show.
Daryn Pittman invades from Owasso, Okla. but may serve as honorary Posse as he will again get behind the wheel of the iconic Kreitz Racing No. 69K. Last year, Kreitz became the fifth different car Pittman has taken to a runner-up finish in the National Open. The pairing won a local Williams Grove race earlier this year, and Pittman is hungry to seal the deal on his first “Natty O” title.
Brent Marks calls Pennsylvania home but now races nationally. The defending National Open champion will head back to familiar territory looking to become the first back-to-back winner since Donny Schatz in 2004-2005.
Tyler Courtney is expected to bring some “Sunshine” to Williams Grove this weekend with the Clauson Marshall Racing crew. He debuted at the National Open last year with a top 10, and the team NOS Energy Drink driver has a best finish of fourth (twice) at the half mile.