HOWDY COWBOY: A HISTORIC RETURN TO MESQUITE PRODUCES A CONSISTENT NIGHT OF COMPETITION TO BEGIN THE FINAL SPRINT CAR STAMPEDE AT DEVIL’S BOWL RESULTING IN A VICTORY FOR CARSON AND COMPANY

MESQUITE, TEXAS (October 20, 2023) – After racing in the state of Kansas last weekend, Philip Dietz along with Carson Macedo, Clyde Knipp, and Nathan Repetz headed south to “The Lone Star State” of Texas for the last ever weekend of competition at the historic and famous Devil’s Bowl Speedway. As the old saying goes, “All good things must come to an end,” which means we have to accept, not necessarily like, that even enjoyable experiences cannot last forever. After news that the facility was being sold, this event was added to the scheduled as it was here where the World of Outlaws got their start back in 1978 under the leadership and direction of Ted Johnson. How fitting that the proverbial loop of racing fate is closing where it began with some of the best in the business showcasing their talents at the high-banked, half-mile oval. The last time the team raced here to begin the month of April, Carson set quick time and proceeded to race to a third place finish. They were looking to repeat their speed and overall performance during their return visit to the track for the two-night Sprint Car Stampede curtain closing event hoping to leave with a cowboy hat befitted to the winners. A look around the pit area, located on the backstretch in front of the airstrip, revealed 31 teams that had success on their minds too as they rolled their speed chariots out of the back of their haulers for the night of action at Devil’s Bowl Speedway.   

Carson Macedo was poised and ready to go in the Albaugh – Your Alternative/WELD Racing/Engler Machine & Tool #41 after hot laps as he climbed into the office in his Maxim Racing chassis for Low-E Insulation Qualifying. He buckled in to his Crow Enterprizes safety harness as he ratcheted the belts tight for his two lap high speed adventure. Carson would be the eighth driver out on the track for his two circuits of speed. When Riley Goodno completed his timed laps in his Jimmy Boyd throwback paint scheme, it was Carson’s turn to race against the clock. The sprint car track record here was set back on April 27, 2018 by none other than Jason Johnson with a lap of 13.306 seconds. That was the mark each driver would be shooting for when they rolled onto the track. The Kistler Engines power under the hood of the Albaugh #41 fired and Carson was looking to maximize all of the power it was willing to deliver and convert it to speed. His right K1 Race Gear boot was planted and the engine was singing a smooth Southern R&B song as he took the green. He made his way around the 1/2-mile dirt oval in 14.026 seconds the first lap and was eager to see if he could improve time wise on his last lap. He maintained his rhythm and this time when he raced under the checkers the numbers on the stopwatch revealed a better time at 13.935 second. The faster of his two laps positioned him second quick overall on the night with Brad Sweet earning the Simpson Quick Time Award with a lap of 13.931 seconds.

With the heat race lineups posted based on each of the driver’s best lap time in qualifying for the three 8-lap heat races, Carson Macedo would get started from the pole position in the front row as he paced alongside James McFadden in the Roth Motorsports #83. The lineup was stout with talent from front to back with two rising stars, Blake Hahn and Tanner Holmes in row two, Kasey Kahne and Giovanni Scelzi in row three, with Ayrton Gennetten, Matt Covington, Scott Bogucki, and Dalton Stevens completing the starting grid. With the field lined up in sync they exited turn four with a roar with James McFadden getting the jump at the line. Carson drove the Tarlton and Son/T-FAB Custom Metal Fabrication/Tiger Towing #41 Maxim around the topside through the first set of turns and raced down the backstretch in the second position. McFadden led the opening lap with Macedo and Holmes digging in the dirt behind him. The running order was not changing as at the halfway point of the race the top five looked like this – James McFadden was pulling away from the field followed by Carson Macedo, Tanner Holmes, and Giovanni Scelzi. The entire field was fast and producing speed, but with two laps to go the yellow flag came out for Dalton Stevens who lost his right rear wheel in turn one. With two laps remaining, McFadden brought the field back up to speed with Macedo giving chase. James McFadden would not be denied and raced to the heat race win with Macedo bringing the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 home second. They both would move on to the dash later in the evening. Tanner Holmes came home third with Blake Hahn crossing the finish line fourth as Giovanni Scelzi and Matt Covington locked down the final two transfer spots to lock into the feature event.

Making his way into his 45th Toyota Dash in World of Outlaws (WoO) competition, Carson headed to the front straightaway to find out where he would start the 6-lap dash. When all the lucky pill drawers were done he would find himself on the outside of the front row beside polesitter Robbie Price. David Gravel and Spencer Bayston were lined up in row two with Brad Sweet and James McFadden in row three. These fast flyers were ready to go and when the green flag was waved it was Carson Macedo darting off the outside of the front row taking the lead by the flagstand over Price. David Gravel was running third and dove underneath Price entering turn three to take over the runner-up position. Philip Dietz, Clyde Knipp, and Nate Repetz gave Carson a fast Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/Pro Powder Coating (PPC)/Xtreme Body and Paint #41 as he started to check out in the clean air. He would never be challenged as he raced to the dash win ahead of David Gravel, Robbie Price and Spencer Bayston with James McFadden coming home fifth and Brad Sweet finishing sixth.

With the starting field now locked down for the opening night’s $12,000-to-win 25-lap NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Stampede feature, it was time to go racing at Devil’s Bowl Speedway . . . World of Outlaws (WoO) style! The crews on each team finished up their part of the speed equation as the 8-minute horn sounded throughout the pit area as their drivers completed their speed strategy. Clyde Knipp climbed onto the Honda four-wheeler to escort the Albaugh – Your Alternative/Liquid Trucking/Motor State Distributing #41 Maxim out to the track to sit patiently for the start of the money paying portion of the night.

The fans who had filled the stands were on their feet as the drivers went four-wide in the Whiskey Myers salute to each of those great fans for coming out to watch the high speed entertainment presented by the World of Outlaws. When the four-wide formation broke each driver raced back into their two-by-two starting spot to wait for the green flag. The flagman showed them the one-to-go sign as their fingers gripped the steering wheel. The next time around the front row of Carson Macedo and David Gravel showed the way off turn four as the full field pounded the loud pedal.

Carson was hustling the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 from the top spot and when the first lap was officially recorded the top three in the running order was Carson Macedo, David Gravel and Spencer Bayston with Brad Sweet sitting in the fourth position. The Lemoore, California driver of the forty-one was exercising his patience in the early going, but looking to maximize any emerging opportunities as 10-time WoO winner David Gravel was not going anywhere. The leaders were fast with Macedo showing the way and starting to put a little space between himself and Gravel’s Big Game Motorsports #2 in the early going.

On lap 5, the action was slowed when Ayrton Gennetten went over the banking in turn four and slowed as he re-entered the track. That would mean a side-by-side restart with Carson electing to start on the inside with Gravel to his outside. Carson was situating himself for the restart and when they came off turn four his Kistler Racing Engines power catapulted him down the frontstretch and back into the lead with Gravel, Sweet, Bayston and Price right behind. David Gravel was up on the wheel and staying close to the leader, but Macedo had the Albaugh #41 hustling.

At the halfway point of the race, Carson Macedo still was showing the way as he began to track down the rear of the field. He began navigating lap traffic allowing Gravel to close in a bit. Gravel though was battling with the hard charging Brad Sweet with Spencer Bayston in the mix too. Carson was doing a masterful job navigating the traffic and picking the right lane when needed. But so was Gravel who was right there with 5 laps to go. Carson raced a perfect remaining 2.5 miles to collect the win and a coveted cowboy hat as he crossed the finish line ahead of David Gravel, Brad Sweet and Spencer Bayston with Robbie Price rounding out the top five.

The driver of the forty-one was greeted by a happy Jaxx Johnson, the late Jason Johnson’s son, as the two exchange celebratory smiles and fist bumps before heading to the top wing to celebrate at Jason Johnson’s favorite track. It was Carson Macedo’s first win at the famed facility, and 35th career WoO win, and in victory lane he met with Chase Raudman to discuss the night. He started by stating, “It’s really special. Devil’s Bowl has got a lot of history. The Johnson family, a lot of them are from this area or close to it and it’s special for them. Craig and Debra are here – Jason’s parents. Bobbi and Jaxx, Jaxx was able to get up on the wing with me.” He continued, “My guys did just an incredible job. Philip and Brooke owning this #41 car, they give us first class equipment. And Philip, Clyde, and Nate just executed all night. I feel like we laid down a really respectable lap in qualifying. We were able to get into the dash, win the dash from second, and then capitalize on that pole starting spot and lead every lap of the feature.” A great night and run for Macedo and the forty-one!

Carson Macedo was Flying at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Friday Night as He Raced to Victory on the Opening Night of the Sprint Car Stampede! Photo Credit: Speedway Shots

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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.