TEXARKANA, Ark. — One couldn’t have written a more storybook script for Friday night at Texarkana 67 Speedway.
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series visited the Arkansas oval for the first time. A huge debut packed two events into one weekend for the best sprint car talent in the world, and it opened with the Jason Johnson Classic presented by FK Rod Ends.
It’s always a special night for Carson Macedo Jason Johnson Racing no matter what happens on track. It’s a celebration of their founder and one of the most admired men to ever grace the pit area. Family and friends of the “Ragin’ Cajun” flocked to Texarkana to celebrate the life of Johnson with a night of racing. And they got the perfect ending to the event they look forward to every year.
A chaotic and unforgettable 41-lap main event punctuated the evening. Early on it was Cole Macedo in control searching for his first series win. Then Logan Schuchart took command before a heartbreaking run in with a car spun in Turn 1. That gifted David Gravel the lead with only six circuits remaining and Carson Macedo in the Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 on his tail.
The green flag waved, and Macedo went on the attack right away with a slide job. Gravel countered with a crossover to take it back, but only a lap later Macedo ripped the cushion and squeezed by Gravel to snatch the lead and send the packed stands into a frenzy. Macedo held on during the final two circuits for a victory that made sure there wasn’t a dry eye at the track.
“Hats off to Philip Dietz,” Macedo said. “Man, what a cool deal. To win this race is really special to me. Jason Johnson built this team from the ground up. All of his family is here, his mom and dad, his son Jaxx. To be able to get on the wing with him was really special. Man, I couldn’t believe it. When I crossed the finish line, I was super pumped.”
It’s the seventh triumph of the campaign for Macedo and the JJR crew. Friday marked the second time that the team has topped the Jason Johnson Classic. The first came in the inaugural running in 2019 with David Gravel behind the wheel. The 65th World of Outlaws win of Macedo’s career moves him one away from tying both Bobby Davis Jr. and Craig Dollansky for 14th all-time.
David Gravel held on to the runner-up position for his 32nd podium of the season in the Big Game Motorsports No. 2.
Sheldon Haudenschild brought the KCP Racing No. 18 home third for his 28th top three of 2026.
Cole Macedo and Buddy Kofoid completed the top five.
The finish:
Feature (41 Laps): 1. 41-Carson Macedo[6]; 2. 2-David Gravel[4]; 3. 18-Sheldon Haudenschild[1]; 4. 2C-Cole Macedo[2]; 5. 83-Michael Kofoid[3]; 6. 19-Brent Marks[12]; 7. 27-Emerson Axsom[8]; 8. 45X-Ashton Torgerson[24]; 9. 7S-Chris Windom[19]; 10. 55-Brady Bacon[16]; 11. 7BC-Tyler Courtney[7]; 12. 15-Donny Schatz[9]; 13. 23-Garet Williamson[14]; 14. 17-Spencer Bayston[13]; 15. 17B-Bill Balog[10]; 16. 52-Blake Hahn[22]; 17. 1S-Logan Schuchart[5]; 18. 16C-Skylar Gee[18]; 19. 12X-Landon Crawley[20]; 20. 6-Bryce Lucius[21]; 21. (DNF) 40-Howard Moore[23]; 22. (DNF) 51B-Joe B Miller[17]; 23. (DNF) 22M-Rees Moran[11]; 24. (DNF) 5-Brenham Crouch[15]
