“Summer vacation” is a phrase seldom used by race car drivers in the middle of the World of Outlaws season.
For World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series competitors, the Fourth of July weekend was left open, giving drivers and teams a week to reset and recharge before a busy stretch that leads to the championship determining World of Outlaws World Finals in November.
Many are took the opportunity to spend time with family and friends away from the track, while others are doing what they know best – racing.
For championship points leader David Gravel, it was a chance to step away from the pressure of the title fight – currently 58 points ahead of 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz – and spend a few extra days at his Florida home.
“Definitely looked forward to a weekend off,” Gravel said. “I spent time going home and having a pool party. It was my birthday last week, so we had a little party down there. Hoped on the boat and road around in the coastal.”
Carson Macedo, who is currently 80 points behind Gravel in third, admitted he’s usually one to always race, even during the off season, spending most of it racing Midgets and Sprint Cars in Australia. But even he is took advantage of the “off week” to recharge with family.
“Obviously, it’s very busy when we come back, especially with Beaver Dam (Raceway) getting rescheduled,” Macedo said. “I think it is a good thing for all these race teams. It’s good to spend the Fourth of July off and spend time with family, something us racers don’t get to do that often. I think it’s good.
“The Tarlton family always usually [celebrates] Fourth of July, so I hung out with them. My parents were in town, my cousins and everybody, my brother,” Macedo added.
Series officials allowed teams to compete in any pre-existing race during the week and a few took the opportunity to do so. Logan Schuchart picked up a win at Grandview Speedway July 2 during Pennsylvania Speedweek – three days after winning his first World of Outlaws race of 2024 at Cedar Lake Speedway.
Fellow Pennsylvania-native Brock Zearfoss also made an appearance during PA Speedway and Giovanni Scelzi competed at Knoxville Raceway on July 6 for more practice laps before the NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals, Aug. 7-10.
Rookie of the Year contender Bill Balog considered making his way to a track this week, but with a new shop waiting and the World of Outlaws racing close to home next week, he opted to pause and reset.
“I think I’m still way behind since November,” Balog said. “I’m just going to keep hammering on it. We’ve got another car we have to start putting together in case something happens. Hopefully, as soon as we get back, I can move into my new shop. I’m pretty excited about that. It’ll cut down on some of the clean-up time. I’d like to go fishing once or twice maybe in the next week or two. Just work as much as we can.”
The World of Outlaws will spend next week in Wisconsin, returning to action at Beaver Dam Raceway – the site of Balog’s sole World of Outlaws win in 2016 – on Wednesday, July 10, for the $20,000-to-win Jim “JB” Boyd Memorial finale. Then, they’ll spend two days at Wilmot Raceway for the Federated Auto Parts Larry Hillerud Memorial Badger 40, Friday-Saturday, July 12-13.
All three races are a short drive for the Wisconsin resident, who is searching for his first win this season.
“Oh man, it is definitely a blessing for us,” Balog said about racing close to home. “We definitely needed this right now. It would be nice to go to a race this weekend and try something a little different with the car. But I think I’m just going to hold myself back as much as I can and take the weekend off and get ready to move. Being back in Wisconsin, we have a short drive home and Beaver Dam in Wisconsin is close to my house, so it couldn’t be any better for our team.”
On the Wilmot Raceway card as well will be Wisconsin AutoMeter Powered by Gandrud Performance/Wilmot Catalyst Exhibits WingLESS Sprints.
Wilmot wingless championship points are being headed by veteran campaigner John Fahl of Brown Deer with 512 points. Jimmy Sivia of Winthrop Harbor, IL, who is leading the Wisconsin traveling series, is second at Wilmot 16 points back. Second generation driver in his first full season, Tyler Kuxhouse of Antioch, IL, winner of his first ever Wilmot feature during July 1 Independence Celebration, is third 23 points back.
Another second generation driver Rusty Egan of Round Lake Beach, IL is fourth 37 points out of first. Veteran Tim Cox of Park City, IL rounds out top five 41 points behind Fahl.
In the IRA sanctioned traveling Wisconsin series, Sivia holds a 8-point lead over another second generation campaigner Ryan Marshall of Kansasville. Zach Raidert of Gurnee, IL is third 20 points behind. Kuxhouse fourth 39 points back from Sivia. Cambridge's Tristan Furseth, in his sophomore season with the wingless class, completes the top five 40 points out of first.
The Kenosha County Fair/Wilmot Raceway World of Outlaws weekend activities begin on Thursday, July 11 with a fish fry by Twisted Cuisine Catering 5 until 8 p.m.(or while supplies last), yard games along with Wilmot Raceway Grill and The Garage open for food and beverages. Music provided by Nick Gz 5:30-9:30 p.m. This event is open to the public as well as campers.
On Friday, July 12 will feature baked goods at the Wilmot Raceway Grill 7 until 9 a.m. Lunch will be available 1 until 5 p.m. at Raceway Grill with The Garage open. A scavenger hunt for youngsters is planned. Pits open at 2 p.m. with grandstands opening at 4 p.m.
Nashville recording artist Eli Agler & The Faster Horses will perform a concert commencing 30 minutes following conclusion of the race program.
Anderson's Pure Maple Syrup Pancake Breakfast at $10 per person ages 7 and over. Campers receive 4 complimentary pancake breakfast tickets.
Bill Balog, originally from Alaska now calling Hartland, Wis. home, World of Outlaws Rookie contender, 2023 Wilmot Raceway 410 Winged Sprint Car Champion, and 10-time IRA Winged Sprint Car Champion will have his car on display and sign autographs 8 until 9 a.m. Saturday.
Wilmot Raceway Grill and The Garage will be open serving lunch and beverages 2 until 5 p.m.
Each race day pits open at 2 p.m. with grandstands at 4 p.m. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with qualifying at 7 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday.
Best Dressed Race Gear Contest will be held when stands open Saturday.
Red Rock It Band will perform a concert 30 minutes following conclusion of the race program on Saturday.
For ticket or pit pass information, contact SLS promotions which is leasing the facility for the race event at slspromotions.com or 815-344-2023. For Festival updates check wilmotraceway.com or the official Wilmot Raceway Facebook page.
Wilmot track announcer Mike Babicz will host Let's Go Racing Motorsports Report podcast at a special time and day of 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, July 9 at American Tire & Auto Repair, 1890 E. Grand Ave., Lindenhurst, IL The program, supported in part by marketing partner Wilmot Raceway is broadcast live 216TheNet and Let's Go Racing Facebook Live plus 216 Creator Studio YouTube. The programs are archived and may be viewed anytime.
Submitted by Nick Graziano, World of Outlaws; & Mike Babicz, Wilmot Raceway
WORLD OF OUTLAWS FEDERATED AUTO PARTS LARRY HILLERUD MEMORIAL BADGER 40
Friday, July 12, 2024
Wilmot Raceway
30820 111th St
Wilmot, Wisconsin 53192
EVENT DESCRIPTION
The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series makes its final appearance of the year in Wisconsin - this time for the Badger 40.
SERIES RACING
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series
TO WIN AMOUNT
$12,000.00
EVENT SCHEDULE
Thursday, July 11
5PM-8PM Twisted Cuisine Catering: Fish Fry $14
5:30PM-9:30PM DJ Nick GZ, Bar, Concessions, Yard Games
Friday, July 12
7AM-9AM Baked Goods at Concessions
1PM-5PM Lunch/Drinks at Concessions & Kids Scavenger Hunt
2PM Pit Gates open
4PM Grandstand Gates open
6:30PM Hot Laps/Qualifying
7:30PM Opening Ceremonies – Racing to follow
-Concert (30 minutes after race): Eli Alger & The Faster Horses
Saturday, July 13
7AM-10AM Anderson's Pure Maple Syrup Pancake Breakfast
8AM-9AM Bill Balog autograph session
2PM-5PM Lunch/Drinks at Concessions
2PM Pit Gates open
4PM Grandstand Gates open
6:30PM Hot Laps/Qualifying
7:30PM Opening Ceremonies – Racing to follow
-Concert (30 minutes after race): Red Rock-It Band
Sunday, July 14
7AM-2PM Flea Market & Concessions
*All times Central
Photo Courtesy of KulasJr8 Racing Images