PEVELY, Mo. — The month of August has arrived and the tradition continues.
Before the Knoxville Nationals captivates the entire sprint car world next week, the Ironman 55 takes center stage on the first weekend of August.
The 13th annual race at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55Â offers a grueling test of 55 consecutive laps at the quarter-mile venue with $20,000 on the line.
From Craig Dollansky’s three-peat and Rico Abreu’s daring double to Sheldon Haudenschild’s masterclass in 2019 and Kyle Larson’s return to glory last year, this race has produced unforgettable moments
- Last weekend, the World of Outlaws returned to New York for the first time in three years, and it didn’t disappoint. Both races at Ransomville Speedway and Weedsport Speedway left fans stirring as late-race drama and exciting finishes capped each night. Aaron Reutzel continued his strong rookie season, collecting his fourth win of 2021 at Ransomville on Friday night. More drama ensued on Saturday when David Gravel became the third and final leader at Weedsport Speedway. Haudenschild had the race in the bag before spinning with two laps remaining. Gravel capitalized and scored his seventh win of 2021.
- Grass Valley, Calif., is where Brad Sweet calls home, but The Big Cat sure has taken a liking to the state of Missouri. Entering the Ironman 55, he’s undefeated in The Show-Me State this year with a perfect four-for-four record. The Kasey Kahne Racing with Mike Curb No. 49 swept both nights of the spring doubleheader at Pevely in April, then returned to the state for another sweep at Odessa’s I-70 Motorsports Park later that month. Sweet has claimed four of his 72 career wins at I-55, however, none of them have come in the Ironman 55. A weekend sweep would mean several things. He bats a perfect 1.000% in Missouri, he finally wins his first Ironman title, and he surpasses Steve Kinser, Craig Dollansky and Sammy Swindell as the winningest Outlaw in track history.
- Only three drivers in this weekend’s field will enter as a former champion of the Ironman 55 — Sheldon Haudenschild, Logan Schuchart and Rico Abreu. First ran as a 55-lap affair in 2009, the Ironman 55 has seen nine different drivers lift the dumbbell through 12 events. Only Craig Dollansky (2011-13) and Rico Abreu (2016-17) own multiple titles, let alone back-to-back scores. Haudenschild will be the most recent champion in attendance with his dominant 2019 title still fresh in everyone’s memory. Logan Schuchart and Shark Racing swam to Pevely glory the year before in 2018. Abreu will have a shot to equal Dollansky with the most titles in event history if he can conquer the quarter-mile again.
- Pennsylvania traveler Danny Dietrich is beginning his Knoxville trip a week early with an 800-mile detour to Pevely, Mo. The five-time World of Outlaws winner has left his porch as one of the PA Posse’s most respected competitors for Missouri’s bullring on five occasions in the past.The Gary Kauffman Racing No. 48 has faced plenty of ups and downs this year with The Greatest Show on Dirt. Dietrich was runner-up at Volusia’s DIRTcar Nationals and claimed $20,000 for second at the 38th Kings Royal, but has struggled on homeland with a best finish of 10th in five Outlaw starts in Pennsylvania