RIPPING AROUND ROSSBURG: A 4TH PLACE RUN IN THE ALBAUGH FORTY-ONE HIGHLIGHTS THE NIGHT OF RACING FOR THE JASON JOHNSON RACING (JJR) TEAM AT ELDORA SPEEDWAY IN THE BEFOUR THE CROWNS SHOWDOWN

ROSSBURG, OHIO (September 22, 2023) – When the checkered flag was thrown at Placerville Speedway in California last Saturday night, where Carson and the JJR #41 team picked up a runner-up finish, Philip Dietz along with Nate Repetz and Clyde Knipp began their long drive back towards the east. After traveling over 2,200 miles the team found themselves at one of dirt track racing’s gems, a diamond in the rough if you will as it is surrounded by cornfields, the one and only Eldora Speedway. This beautiful high banked racing facility is absolutely one of the best in the nation. Tony Stewart takes great pride in owning this facility after buying it from the late and great Earl and Berneice Baltes. The haulers filled with each team’s speed machine rolled through the back gate and down the banking into the paved pit area so they could get unloaded in preparation for the BeFour the Crowns Showdown at the half mile oval. When the teams were counted there was a total of 47 sprint car teams on hand to compete for the trophy and winner’s check as the drivers headed to the driver’s meeting in the pit area.

With more than 38 sprint cars parked throughout the infield pit area, the field of competitors would be split into two separate groups for Low-E Insulation Qualifying. Carson Macedo, driving the Albaugh – Your Alternative/Winters Performance Products/Greber Racing Components (GRC) #41 Maxim, would be the fourth driver out on the track in Group A along with fellow Californian Rico Abreu for their two time trial laps. His Kistler Engines power fired as he rolled up onto the banking in turn one and got up to speed as he raced down the backstretch. Out of turn four he saw the green flag waving and was ready to battle the second hand of the stopwatch. The talented driver of the forty-one buzzed through the banking in the first set of turns and made quick work of the last set before charging under the waving white flag. His first lap was officially time in 13.073 seconds. He had his elbows up as he carried his momentum forward. Carson was making tracks and not looking back. He was smooth and fast throughout his second attempt against the clock and when he completed his final lap the numbers on the scoreboard read 13.036 seconds. The better of his two circuits in time trials was fifth quick overall in Group A. David Gravel was the fastest driver out of Group A and overall with the only sub-13 second lap at 12.983 seconds to earn his 11th Simpson Quick Time Award of the season.

When World of Outlaws Timing and Scoring officials completed the lineups for the 8-lap heat races Carson would find his car number and name in the first of four races where the top five finishers in each would lock themselves into the feature. Carson would roll the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/FK Rod Ends/RaceDiecast.com #41 into his third starting position beside on the inside of row two beside Tyler Courtney in the Clausen Marshall Racing #7BC. David Gravel and Sheldon Haudenschild were in the front row with Kerry Madsen and Chris Windom pacing behind Macedo and Courtney in row three. Tanner Holmes, Brock Zearfoss, Brian Paules, Creed Kemenah, J.J. Hickle, and Kyle Reinhardt filled in rows four through six for the start of the heat race.

With the starting lineup set, the field of speed stars slowly paced towards the chalk stripe in turn four. When they arrive they powered these beasts up to speed and down the frontstretch. David Gravel in the Big Game Motorsports #2 drove into the lead down the frontstretch as Carson stayed low and dove under Sheldon Haudenschild as they raced for the second spot behind Gravel. The two hard charging racers continued that battle down the backstretch and into turn three. Macedo was working the middle of the track with Haudenschild right up against the fence. Sheldon used his momentum to hold onto the second position over Macedo with Gravel racing in clean air out front. Tyler Courtney and Kerry Madsen were racing in the final two transfer positions, but Brock Zearfoss was putting on an impressive performance in the Moose’s LZ Bar & Grill #3z. David Gravel was in control of the lead and took the win by 1.017 seconds over Haudenschild and Macedo with Courtney coming home fourth. On the last lap though Zearfoss drove into turn three hard and ducked under Madsen to steal the fifth and final transfer position at the finish line. There was great racing throughout the field in heat race number one.

Missing an opportunity to race for one of the starting positions in the first four rows of the feature in the Toyota Dash by one spot, Carson the JJR #41 team monitored the racing and surface throughout the night as they prepared for a march forward in the feature. The air horn sounded as the cars began to line up in the staging lane to await a push to fire their engines for the 30-lap BeFour the Crowns Showdown feature. Logan Schuchart in the Shark Racing #1s and Rico Abreu aboard the #24 were on the front row and would lead the field to the green flag. Carson would get the Tarlton and Son/Complete Parts & Equipment Solutions/Durst Inc. Maxim moving from the ninth starting position on the inside of row five with Broken Arrow, Oklahoma’s Brady Bacon to his outside.

After the Whisky Myers four-wide salute to these awesome fans it was time to go racing at Eldora Speedway World of Outlaws style! The field was set. The drivers had sharpened their competitive edge. All that was left was the official signal to unleash the power in these hotrods. When they exited turn four the green flag was waving high overhead as the field screamed into turn one. Rico Abreu drove into the lead and exited turn two with the lead over Logan Schuchart and Giovanni Scelzi. Carson was wheeling the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 from the eighth spot and looking to advance forward.

On the next lap he did just that as he picked up two more spots after racing by Justin Peck and James McFadden to take over the sixth position with a lot of laps remaining to continue his forward progress. With 10 laps in the books it was Rico Abreu, Giovanni Scelzi, Logan Schuchart, David Gravel and Sheldon Haudenschild in the top five with Carson right behind in the sixth spot.

On lap 14, James McFadden was battling for position with Macedo. McFadden was working the high line as Carson was hustling on the low side. Carson was fast and not willing to give up his position. McFadden was relentless and continue his pursuit lap after lap to no avail.

With 10 laps to go it was still Rico Abreu up front ahead of Scelzi, Schuchart, Gravel, Haudenschild and Macedo. A lap later the action would be slowed for the first time. The yellow flag was out for James McFadden who got into the wall in turns three and four ending his night with front end and significant right side damage.

The green flag was back out with 9 laps to go as Abreu was showing the way ahead of Scelzi and Gravel. Carson was back in sync and two laps later moved by Sheldon Haudenschild’s NOS Energy Drink #17 into the top five. On lap 24, the yellow flag was back out, this time for Spencer Bayston who got into the wall in turns one and two.

Rico Abreu paced the field ahead of Scelzi, Gravel, Schuchart and Macedo. When they went back to green flag racing it was Abreu to the lead as David Gravel drove by Giovanni Scelzi into the runner-up position. Over the next two laps the two talented racers would swap the position back-and-forth before Gravel took command of it for good. Carson was back at work too as he moved the black Albaugh #41 by Logan Schuchart to take over the fourth position.

Rico Abreu would not be denied, even after a valiant last lap, last corner attempt by David Gravel who came home second with Giovanni Scelzi coming home third to round out the podium. Carson Macedo picked up five spots throughout the feature to come home fourth with Logan Schuchart rounding out the top five. Another good run for Carson Macedo and the forty-one!

Hustling All Night on the Banking at Eldora Speedway to Earn a Solid Top 5 Finish in the BeFour the Crowns Showdown to Start the Weekend in the Buckeye State! Photo Credit: CS Productions – Cameron Saich

Albaugh, LLC; Border International; Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT); Saich Family; Tarlton and Son Inc.; Boltz Family; Complete Parts & Equipment Solutions; Durst Inc.; Liquid Trucking; Bandy & Associates Accountancy Corporation; Buckwalter Trucking, LLC; Jansen Transportation; Larry Davis Farms; Meyers Constructors Inc.; Mr. Jim’s Racing; RaceDiecast.com; Sam I Am; Team Jack Foundation; Mark Burch Motorsports; T-FAB Custom Metal Fabrication; Tiger Towing; All Pro Aluminum Cylinder Heads; AutoMeter; Bell Helmets; BMRS (Brown & Miller Racing Solutions); BR Motorsports; C&R Racing; Crow Enterprizes; Engler Machine & Tool, Inc.; Factory Kahne (FK Shocks); Fibreworks Composites; FK Rod Ends; Greber Racing Components; High Performance Lubricants, LLC; Hoosier Racing Tire; Indy Performance Composites (IPC); ISC Racers Tape; K1 Race Gear; Kistler Racing Engines; KSE Racing Products; Maxim Racing; Motor State Distributing; Premium Coach Group; Pro Powder Coating (PPC); Saldana Racing Products; Schoenfeld Headers; Smith Titanium; Vortex Racing Products; Walker Performance Filtration; Weld Racing; Wilwood Racing; Winters Performance Products; and, Xtreme Body and Paint.

To stay connected with Jason Johnson Racing (JJR), go to www.jasonjohnsonracing.com.

To stay up-to-date with Carson Macedo and his success journey on and off the track, as well as to purchase his gear and merchandise directly, visit www.carsonmacedoracing.com.