MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — The biggest week in sprint car racing’s fiercest rivalry is here.
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is making the long haul from California to Pennsylvania, where the PA Posse are battening down the hatches.
The final battle of the year between the two sides shines the spotlight on Williams Grove Speedway for the 64th running of the J&S Classics National Open. The action opens on Friday, Oct. 2, before Saturday’s finale serves up major bragging rights and $75,000 to the winner.
The World of Outlaws and PA Posse have been squaring off for decades in the fall at the iconic half-mile. The more pages added to the history books, the more the intensity grows. The next chapter is about to be written. It’s time for the National Open.
SIX PACK
When it comes to the National Open, Donny Schatz has been breaking Beerhill Gang hearts for years.
It began in 2000 when Schatz topped the event during only his fourth year on tour. He went on to add five more (2004, 2005, 2007, 2012, and 2020) and holds the record for the most wins in the famed event with six. That mark could be much higher considering he’s also finished second on four occasions and third three times.
The 10-time series champion heads to Pennsylvania in search of a record-extending seventh National Open. This year will be his first try since joining forces with the PA-based CJB Motorsports. The combination is fresh off a Bakersfield victory in California. They’ve struggled a bit at Williams Grove this year with a best result of 10th through four tries.
OUTLAW THREE-PEAT
There are bragging rights to hold on to for the World of Outlaws, having walked away with the big check the last two years.
Rewind to 2024 when Carson Macedo collected his second National Open title with Jason Johnson Racing. This year offers Macedo the chance to become the seventh driver with a trio of triumphs in the crown jewel.
Sheldon Haudenschild took the glory in 2025 by making a late pass on Bill Balog to win the 63rd running. That was with Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing, and he’ll look to become the 14th different multi-time victor aboard the KCP Racing No. 18 this week.
Those two will have fellow former National Open champion for the World of Outlaws, David Gravel, joining them. He first claimed the crown jewel in 2014 with Roth Motorsports and returned to victory lane in 2017 with CJB Motorsports.
In addition to going for a three-peat, the World of Outlaws is also looking to lock up season-long bragging rights in the rivalry with the Posse. The 2026 scoreboard currently reads 4-2 with The Greatest Show on Dirt holding the advantage.
NEW THREATS
Former winners may headline the World of Outlaws roster, but a few more members of the traveling talent can’t be overlooked as they search for their first National Open triumph.
Michael “Buddy” Kofoid certainly stands out among those looking to add their name to the history books.
The Penngrove, Calif., native boasts a pair of checkered flags at “The Grove,” including one earlier this year in July. His best National Open finish through three tries is fifth last year.
He may be from Hanover, Pa., but Logan Schuchart is a certified World of Outlaws representative as he navigates his 13th consecutive year on tour. The history of his home region is important to him, and he’d love nothing more than to join the list of National Open champions. He’s been close with a trio of podiums, including a runner-up in 2021.
Bill Balog came so close to securing the Williams Grove crown jewel a year ago. The “North Pole Nightmare” led the most laps before Sheldon Haudenschild slipped by in the final circuits. He’ll be hungry for redemption following 2025’s runner-up.
THE POSSE
The PA Posse may present many capable competitors, but there’s no doubt that Chase Dietz leads the charge into the National Open.
It’s been nothing short of a dream season for the York, Pa., native and the Stehman Motorsports crew. They’ve won a nation-leading 22 410 sprint car races in 2026. One of those came against the World of Outlaws in July at BAPS. They also picked up a stout $50,019 payday at Lincoln’s Steve Smith Tribute Race. Outside of winning, Dietz traveled off the porch and qualified for both the Kings Royal and Knoxville Nationals, posting a top 10 in the latter.
A National Open would no doubt top Dietz’s extensive list of wins this year. His first World of Outlaws trophy came courtesy of opening night of the National Open last year. That’s one of eight Williams Grove victories for Dietz, and three of those have come this season.
PA PRIDE
Expect plenty more potent Pennsylvanians to join Dietz in the quest to defend the porch and bank Saturday’s stout payday.
Anthony Macri is expected to return to action after a crash at Knoxville in August left him sidelined with injuries. It should come as no surprise if the “Concrete King” knocks off the rust fast and is a contender. The Dillsburg, Pa., native a 16-time feature winner at Williams Grove.
Fayetteville’s Lance Dewease is always among those to watch. His 118 wins there are by far and away the most of all-time at the track. Five of those came at the National Open, so the chance to equal Donny Schatz for the most lies ahead aboard the Rich Eichelberger No. 8 this weekend for Dewease.
Danny Dietrich eyes a second National Open 10 years after earning his first. The Gettysburg, Pa., native owns 36 career Williams Grove victories (tied for 11th most), and two of those came this year in the Gary Kauffman Racing No. 48.
Oklahoma’s Daryn Pittman may not officially be Posse, but there’s no doubt PA will claim him should he win this weekend considering his ride. The 2013 World of Outlaws champ is set to wheel the famed Kreitz Racing No. 69k.
Pittman took the powder blue machine to a runner-up three years ago, his sixth second-place finish in the crown jewel.
These four will be joined by many more hoping to make Pennsylvania proud including Troy Wagaman Jr., Freddie Rahmer, Brock Zearfoss, Cameron Smith, T.J. Stutts and Dylan Norris.
