CAPTIVATING PERFORMANCE IN A CROWN JEWEL: CARSON MACEDO AND THE ALBAUGH – YOUR ALTERNATIVE #41 TEAM PUT ALL THE PIECES TOGETHER AS THEY RACE TO VICTORY AT THE 62ND ANNUAL WEIS MARKETS NATIONAL OPEN FINALE AT WILLIAMS GROVE

MECHANICSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA (October 5, 2024) – When the powerful 410 engines quieted at Williams Grove Speedway after the conclusion of the preliminary action that was raced as a day show on Saturday afternoon, it was time to go racing for the big trophy as the sun began to set in the prestigious 62nd Annual WEIS Markets National Open. Carson Macedo earned the KSE Hard Charger award after salvaging a 12th place finish in the preliminary feature after using a provisional and starting in the 25th position.

After the crew went back to work preparing for more success on Saturday night, the JJR #41 team was parked in the infield pit area down towards turn four at the historic speedway that opened back in 1937. They were locked and loaded for another night of competition at the half-mile speed center. The stakes were raised considerably on the final night of the 62nd Annual WEIS Markets National Open presented by Sage Fruit as there was a coveted spot on the prestigious winner’s list open to go along with the $75,000 dollars winner’s share of the purse. Carson and the team were successful winning this race together back in 2021, and they would like nothing more than inking their name in the record books again as two-time winners. They were not alone though as there were 56 seasoned race teams registered at the back pit gate to race for all of the honors and the monetary reward. It was race day, part two, in Central PA at Williams Grove Speedway – World of Outlaws style!

There would be two separate groups for Sea Foam Qualifying again based on the car count at Williams Grove Speedway for this prestigious event. The one lap track record holder at “The Grove” is held by none other than Pennsylvania Posse member TJ Stutts with a fast paced lap of 16.089 seconds ran back on April 7, 2023. While everyone was looking to go fast, only the clock would tell the truth after each circuit was complete. Carson Macedo was slated to be the first driver out again for his two time trial laps in Qualifying Group B. Brad Sweet in the NAPA Auto Parts #49 would also be out on the track trying to make speed in two car qualifying. The Lemoore, California racer jumped on the gas to make speed at the start of his session around the half-mile speedway. He raced under the newly constructed bridge over the backstretch and made his way through turns three and four before crossing the timing stripe by the flagstand in 16.800 after his first lap. Carson stayed focused and determined as he made his way around Williams Grove again trying to defend against any unnecessary slivers of time. When he exited off turn four the driver of the forty-one was hammer down as he raced under the waving checkered flag to end his second lap in 16.729 seconds. The better of Carson’s two time trial attempts was good enough for quick time in Group B, but David Gravel in the Big Game Motorsports #2 was the quickest driver out of Group A to earn the Simpson Quick Time Award for the fastest lap of the night.

The lineups for the four 8-lap heat races were posted positioning Carson on the pole for the third heat race where he would start alongside Chase Dietz #2D. Chad Trout #1X and Brent Marks #19 would be behind them in row two with Lucas Wolfe #5W and T.J. Stutts #11 in row three. Conner Morrell #28M, Troy Wagaman Jr, #27, Kody Hartlaub #39, Devon Borden #23, and Danny Dietrich #48 would roll into their starting spots, too. It would be an eight lap battle for five transfer positions.

The green flag was out and Carson Macedo drove the Tarlton and Son/Kistler Racing Engines/Smith TI #41 Maxim into the lead ahead of Chase Dietz as they trucked down the front straightaway. He led lap one and had a fast hotrod. Carson was making quick work around the half-mile oval as he was riding the horsepower being generated under his Indy Performance Composites (IPC) hood. With each completed lap he extended his lead over the second place running Dietz. When he raced under the white flag he was primed for victory. Off turn four he saw the black and white cloth fly as he raced to the heat win by 2.745 seconds ahead of Chase Dietz who came home second. Those two drivers would advance to the Dash as Brent Marks, T.J. Stutts, and Chad Trout secured the final transfer spots out of the third heat race.

Carson along with the other six drivers, heat race winners and runner-ups, drew for their starting positions in the 6-lap Toyota Dash. Anthony Macri #39M and Brian Brown #21 had luck on their side as they would be paired up on the front row. Carson Macedo #41 and David Gravel #2 were fortunate too as they were together in row two. Skylar Gee #99 and Chase Dietz #2D were situated in row three with Sheldon Haudenschild #17 and James McFadden #83 in row four. They were racing for their starting spots in the feature. Where they finish in the Dash is where they would start in the feature. Side-by-side they paced to the chalk stripe. When they arrived Anthony Macri and Brian Brown were on the gas and they were up to speed. Unfortunately the yellow lights illuminated because officials called Brown for jumping the start. That moved Carson Macedo in the Albaugh –Your Alternative/Durst Inc./All Pro Aluminum Cylinder Heads #41 Maxim to the outside of the front row. They would try it again with Anthony Macri showing the way in the J&S #39M as Carson tucked in just behind. David Gravel was moving in the third position with Chase Dietz and Brian Brown rounding out the top five with one lap in the books. The next time around the yellow flag was displayed when Brian Brown spun in turns three and four. They would restart with Macri showing the way with Macedo, Gravel, and Dietz doing their best to keep pace with the talented Dillsburg, Pennsylvania driver. Anthony Macri led from start-to-finish to earn the pole position with Carson brining the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 home second. David Gravel was third, Chase Dietz was fourth, with Sheldon Haudenschild, James McFadden, Skylar Gee, and Brian Brown completing the finishing order.

When all of the qualification action was completed, the field was now set for the prestigious finale at the 40-lap 62nd Annual WEIS Markets National Open presented by Sage Fruit feature finale. It was the last crown jewel event scheduled this season in sprint car racing and every one of these drivers and teams that had worked hard and earned their way into the feature field. They wanted to capitalize on a chance to win the prestigious trophy along with $75,000 winner’s share of the purse.

Before climbing into the car, Carson debriefed with Philip, Robby, and Adam on their final race strategy. He knew he had a fast hotrod and was excited to take it on a ride. The previous race winner was eager to get started to see if he could collect another win in this event to go along with his 2021 National Open race victory. He would get his race started in the Albaugh – Your Alternative/Boltz Family/Ben Cook Race Car Parts #41 Maxim from the outside of the front row from the second starting spot. He shared that row with Anthony Macri #39M with David Gravel and Chase Dietz directly behind them at the start.

The front row starters paced the field under the bridge on the back straightaway as the nervous anticipation cascaded the entire facility. Who would come out on top? Out of turn four the engines roared as the drivers raced down the long frontstretch into turn one with Carson taking the lead over Macri. Unfortunately, the initial start of the race was called off and the realigned to try it again.

The next time they got up to speed when the green flag came out it was Anthony Macri racing into the lead with Carson Macedo almost sticking to the leader’s rear nerf bar. Macri was the first to exit off turn two as he would lead the first lap ahead of Macedo, Gravel, and Dietz early.

The leader was setting a quick pace with vapor trails coming off the cars right wing panels. Carson was in pursuit mode as he was tracking down Macri lap after lap looking for the right time to make a move. On lap 8, Macedo was right there with the man out front and moved by Macri for the lead with Chase Dietz, Sheldon Haudenschild, and James McFadden rounding out the top five.

On lap 12, the red flag was out stopping the high speed, on track action when Sheldon Haudenschild and Chase Dietz made contact in turn three racing for the third position. Chase Dietz flipped as Haudenschild spun and stopped under ref flag conditions.

The yellow lights were turned on and the engines fired back up. Carson would pull to the inside of the front row with Anthony Macri to his outside with 28 laps to go. The driver of the forty-one took off and was back into clean air moving in the Jason Johnson Racing (JJR) #41. Macri was still in contention with Haudenschild, McFadden, and Gravel hustling right behind. Sheldon moved into the runner-up position as he moved by Macri on lap 15 and began pacing the leader who was over one second ahead.

The planned mid-race stoppage occurred at the halfway point of the race with Carson Macedo as the leader followed by Sheldon Haudenschild with Anthony Macri, James McFadden, and David Gravel rounding out the top five. That is how they would restart for the second half of the race.

When the crew members completed their work and refueled the cars the horns sounded as the drivers were left alone to control their individual last half of the race competition. It would be the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 and the NOS Energy Drink #17 on the front row with the Roth Motorsports #83SR and the Macri Motorsports #39M right behind. The green flag was out with Carson regaining the lead as James McFadden moved by Haudenschild for second. Brad Sweet, who started on the outside of row six, was also on the move as he moved by David Gravel for the fifth position. The five-time World of Outlaws champion and 2024 High Limit champion continued to move forward as he gained another spot the next time around passing Anthony Macri to take over the fourth position.

Carson was in command with five laps to go as he had built a 1.283 second lead over Sheldon Haudenschild who passed McFadden back for the second spot. Macedo had a lap car between himself and the driver of the NOS Energy Drink #17, but as each lap was completed that lead was dwindling.

With three laps to go, Sheldon showed his nose underneath the leader and turn two. The race was on with Macedo defending his turf and Haudenschild looking to steal the win. Who would it be? Carson raced off turn four with the lead, but Sheldon was right there. The next time they exited turn for it was for all of the marbles. Carson slid up across the track and Sheldon turned underneath him. It was a drag race to the finish! Carson raced under the checkered flag first just 0.164 seconds ahead of Sheldon Haudenschild with Brad Sweet rounding out the podium.

After crossing the scales, Carson came to the frontstretch to celebrating his second Williams Grove Nation Open victory with his JJR team. After raising both arms atop his Vortex Racing Products top wing with the confetti flying, he came around the side of the car to speak with Conner Wade. With his signature smile, he explained, “Man, hats off to Philip Dietz (car owner and crew chief). That was incredible.” He continued, “The first half of the race was unbelievable. I’ve never had a car that was that good here. It could basically go anywhere that Anthony wasn’t and make more speed. I was just really stuck and really maneuverable. Hats off to Philip, Robby McQuinn, and Adam Zimmerman. They’ve worked their tails off. They came back from a rough night last night and the day show. We came back and won the National Open! That’s pretty special.”

He is just the 14th different driver with multiple victories in this prestigious race at Williams Grove. Carson explained, “It means a lot to be standing here. I never thought I’d be a two-time National Open champion. The first time I came here I was so bad, so to win the National Open twice is pretty incredible.”

The win moved him to double digits this year, 10 wins so far to date, as the team has been focused and on point since Knoxville in August. Another great run for Macedo and the forty-one! They will stay in Pennsylvania for the week as they wait patiently to get back on track at Lincoln Speedway for the World of Outlaws Keystone Showdown next Saturday night. Be sure to make plans to come out and support the drivers, teams, and track if you are in the area. If not, tune into DIRTVision to watch some of the best in the business do their thing against the always stout Pennsylvania Posse.

“All-In” at the 62 Annual WEIS Markets National Open at Williams Grove Speedway as Carson Macedo Drivers the JJR #41 to Victory in the Championship Finale! Photo Credit: World of Outlaws

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