MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — The pinnacle of sprint car racing’s biggest rivalry is here.
All eyes are on Williams Grove Speedway for the 63rd running of the J&S Classics National Open. The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is making its way to the historic track, the Pennsylvania Posse are gearing up to defend home turf on the biggest stage, and many invaders from all over are hoping to spoil the party for both sides.
Fans are ready to pack Williams Grove this weekend (Oct. 3-4) and create an atmosphere unlike any other. Expect boos to rain down on World of Outlaws drivers when they roll by Beerhill and cheers for the locals. Week-to-week favorites are set aside for the “Natty O.” Normally, don’t cheer for Freddie Rahmer? Doesn’t matter. Normally, don’t cheer for Danny Dietrich? Doesn’t matter. The Pennsylvania fans want one thing this week, and that’s to see one of their own in victory lane.
It’s more than bragging rights on the line in the “Keystone State.” Saturday’s finale boasts a $75,000-to-win/$2,500-to-start purse. Overall, more than $260,000 is up for grabs over the two nights of racing.
ADVANTAGE POSSE
Mother Nature has limited the number of battles between the World of Outlaws and PA Posse this season, but the locals hold the advantage heading into the National Open.
The World of Outlaws reopened the rivalry on top when Michael “Buddy” Kofoid claimed May’s Gettysburg Clash at Lincoln Speedway. Three days later, Anthony Macri evened the score by keeping the Morgan Cup at Williams Grove. July brought the third and most recent showdown as the sides met at BAPS Motor Speedway, and it was Macri again going to victory lane and putting the Posse ahead.
THE OUTLAWS’ OPEN
The Posse might lead this year’s edition of the rivalry, but it’s the World of Outlaws with National Open bragging rights entering the weekend.
That’s thanks to Carson Macedo and the Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 crew. Last year, the Lemoore, Calif., native passed Anthony Macri and held off a late charge from Sheldon Haudenschild to secure his second win in the crown jewel.
Macedo and the JJR team will look to defend their title this weekend. If they can, Macedo would become the first repeat winner of the event in 20 years. Donny Schatz topped two in a row in 2004-2005. A third National Open title for Macedo would make him the eighth driver in history to win at least a trio.
DOMINANT DONNY
It’s also a World of Outlaws driver that holds the record for the most National Open triumphs, and his name is Donny Schatz.
The 10-time series champion has claimed Williams Grove’s crown jewel on six occasions (2000, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2020). He’s been close to adding even more to that total, finishing runner-up four times. The Fargo, N.D., driver goes for a record-extending seventh crown this weekend.
It’s been an up-and-down few weeks for Schatz as he’s navigated splitting with Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing in August. He drove for Big Game Motorsports and Lunstra Motorsports over the Northern swing before hopping in Kevin Kozlowski’s Works Limited Sprint Car out west. Now, he’s locked down a ride for the remainder of his 29th World of Outlaws campaign.
Schatz climbed aboard a second Sides Motorsports entry over the weekend in Ohio, posting a pair of top 10s in his first two nights aboard the car in which he’ll complete the season.
GRAVEL AT THE GROVE
Schatz might have the best résumé, but David Gravel may be the favorite among the current World of Outlaws roster this weekend.
The defending series champion has been nearly flawless in 2025 as he rolls toward a second consecutive title with Big Game Motorsports. They’ve topped 15 races, earned 51 top fives, and only missed the top 10 twice through 59 races. Gravel’s average finish is a stout 3.51. Entering the weekend, the Watertown, Conn., native has been on the podium in eight of the last 10 features.
Williams Grove has been one of Gravel’s best tracks throughout his career. He won the National Open in 2014 with Roth Motorsports and again in 2017 with CJB Motorsports. The half-mile is responsible for nine of his 118 career World of Outlaws victories, which ranks as the most out of the 54 tracks where he’s won.
NEW CHAMP?
A few current competitors among The Greatest Show on Dirt give fans reason to believe they could see a new National Open champion arise Saturday.
Sheldon Haudenschild has been in the top five in four of the last five runnings, including a second-place result last year. Haudenschild has one Williams Grove trophy in his collection, taking the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing No. 17 to victory lane in 2021.
Logan Schuchart graduated from the PA Posse and is now a 12-year veteran on the World of Outlaws tour who would love to claim his home state’s biggest race. He’s been on the National Open podium three times, finishing third in 2015 and 2020 before improving to runner-up in 2021.
Michael “Buddy” Kofoid and the Roth Motorsports crew have proven they should be favorites anywhere they go this year. They’ve won 11 World of Outlaws races this year and haven’t finished outside the top five in the last 12 races. Kofoid got his first Williams Grove win at last year’s National Open prelim.
POSSE POWER
There’s no race that the PA Posse want more than the National Open, and as always, several talented “Keystone State” locals will be looking to make the home fans proud.
Posse legend Lance Dewease will be looking to make history in the Barry Shearer Racing No. 12. Williams Grove’s winningest driver ever owns five National Open titles, and a sixth would equal him with Schatz for the most. The Fayetteville, Pa., native beat the All Star Circuit of Champions at Williams Grove this year, upping his checkered flag total at the half-mile to 116.
Danny Dietrich (must be considered among the local favorites. He’s already got one National Open triumph on his résumé, taking the Gary Kauffman Racing No. 48 to Williams Grove glory in 2016. Dietrich’s 2025 stat sheet boasts a dozen victories, including a pair at “The Grove.”
Chase Dietz has been banging on the door of a World of Outlaws victory, and what better time than National Open weekend to pull it off. He’s yet to win at Williams Grove this year aboard the Stehman Motorsports No. 23, but he has topped seven 410 races overall in Pennsylvania this year. Last year, Dietz podiumed in the National Open prelim.
Freddie Rahmer will look to join his legendary father, Fred, as a National Open champion. He’s won 19 times in his career at Williams Grove, including one less than two weeks ago.
These four will be joined by several other potent Pennsylvanians, including Troy Wagaman Jr., T.J. Stutts, Brock Zearfoss, Lucas Wolfe, Cameron Smith and more.
KEYSTONE INVASION
The focus isn’t only on the World of Outlaws and Pennsylvania Posse as many capable invaders who don’t fit in either category will roll into the pits this weekend.
2025 Knoxville Nationals champion Ryan Timms intends to make his National Open debut in the Liebig Motorsports No. 10. Timms already topped one of Pennsylvania’s most prestigious races this year, claiming the Tuscarora 50 at Port Royal Speedway.
Daryn Pittman occupies a strange space this week in terms of how he’ll be categorized. He calls Oklahoma home, but he’ll pilot one of Pennsylvania’s most iconic cars. The 2013 World of Outlaws champion is again partnered with Kreitz Racing as he chases his first National Open title. Pittman has been so close with six runner-ups, including one two years ago in Kreitz’s No. 69k.
Corey Day has the National Open on his calendar with the Jason Meyers Racing team. It’ll mark the Clovis, Calif., phenom’s Williams Grove debut. He’s won seven sprint car races in 2025 running a limited schedule due to NASCAR obligations.
Giovanni Scelzi plans to be at Williams Grove this weekend. The track is where he became the youngest winner in World of Outlaws history in 2018. It’ll mark Scelzi’s eighth National Open attempt but first since joining Clauson Marshall Racing.
