BATTLING IN IOWA: WITH THE PEDAL TO THE METAL FROM THE DROP OF THE GREEN TO THE CHECKERS, CARSON WHEELS THE ALBAUGH – YOUR ALTERNATIVE #41 TO A 12TH PLACE FINISH IN THE OPENING NIGHT AT KNOXVILLE RACEWAY

KNOXVILLE, IOWA (April 24, 2026) – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series schedule enables the teams to travel across the country each season visiting cool places along the way. When asked where the next race is on the schedule and they respond by saying “Knoxville” the individuals who do not follow the sport closely immediately think Tennessee – home of the Tennessee Volunteers. But for sprint car fans their minds immediately head to the Midwest wandering through the endless cornfields ultimately ending up in central Iowa at a beautiful town that recorded a population of 7,373 in 2026 – Knoxville, Iowa. Look around and you cannot miss Knoxville Raceway – The Sprint Car Capital of the World – that sits right off Highway 14 (1000 North Lincoln Street) on the Marion County Fairgrounds. On a beautiful Friday afternoon, 65 race haulers began to line up at the pit entrance in turn four ready to pull across the famous half-mile racetrack for the first of two nights of racing in the Premier Chevy Dealers Clash. It was race day for the tour’s first visit to Knoxville this season with the pit area packed with sprint cars best!

Based on the considerable number of entries, the qualifying field split into two groups for Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying. With 33 cars in Flight A and 32 cars in Flight B, the goal was to run a time that finished in one of the top four spots to earn a front row starting position in one of the four Heat races. Assigned to Flight A based on his random pill of ‘147’ in the Eloy Gutierrez Pill Draw, Carson began preparing for his high speed adventure as he would go out late as the 26th car out on the track. When it was his turn to make tracks, Carson joined Scotty Johnson #44x on the racing surface with two cars qualifying. When the race official waved them onto the track the driver of the Albaugh – Your Alternative/Durst Inc./BR Motorsports #41 Maxim began to build up his speed and momentum as he roared off turn four towards the waving green flag to start his session. This oval may be big, but any small bobble costs the driver time. When lap one ended the clock displayed 15.346 seconds. The California driver kept his foot planted the next time around hoping to carve off a little bit of time during his second lap. When he raced under the checkers, this time the clock recorded his work in 15.283 seconds. The quicker of Carson’s two laps ended the night 14th quick overall in Flight A. J.J. Hickle in the Matt Moro owned Phillip’s Flooring/Academy Roofing #2M was the fastest driver in Flight A also earning the Simpson Quick Time Award moving around Knoxville Raceway in 14.980 seconds. Two-time and Defending World of Outlaws champion David Gravel in the Big Game Motorsports #2 was the quickest speed chauffeur in Flight B with a lap of 15.250 seconds.

With time trials now in the books, things were about to begin to ratchet up in intensity in the four 8-lap Heat Races. There were only five transfer positions to the feature available in each qualifying race, so it was gas and go time for the drivers and teams. Carson would start from the seventh position behind the wheel of the Tarlton and Son/Winters Performance Products/CS Productions #41 in The Greatest Show on Dirt Heat Race #2 pulling into row four alongside Austin McCarl #88. Justin Henderson #11 and Aaron Reutzel #87 made up the front row with Tanner Holmes #13 and Cole Macedo #2c in row two. Sheldon Haudenschild #18 and R.J. Johnson #121 (scratched) sat in row three with Bill Balog #17B and Scott Bogucki #51 side-by-side in row five and Cameron Martin slated to start eleventh.

It is a long way around this place, but these speed athletes make quick work of it. So, when the green flag comes out they must make hay and make it fast. When Polesitter Justin Henderson powered out of turn four it was a drag race down the front straightaway into turn one. When they exited turn two it was Aaron Reutzel in the Folken Bros. Trucking #87 leading Justin Henderson with Cole Macedo, Tanner Thorsen, and Carson Macedo trucking down the back straightaway. Carson Macedo had the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT) #41 moving with a big run into turn three. He was hugging the inside berm and rolled by Holmes and slid up in front of Cole Macedo off turn three to finish the two car pass for position as he took over the third position at the end of the first lap.

With one lap in the books the red flag flew when Cameron Martin #4 got up over the cushion in turn one and flipped hard along the outside wall. He was ok.

After the accident scene cleared Aaron Reutzel stepped on the gas, and they were racing again at Knoxville Raceway. Carson was following Justin Henderson closely looking to move up another position. He was running around the top generating speed while looking for an opportunity to make a move for the runner-up position.

Carson was right there when the crossed flags flew at the halfway point of the race but could not make the pass. Aaron Reutzel led the remainder of the competition with Justin Henderson finishing second. Those two drivers moved onto the Toyota Dash with Carson Macedo coming home third followed by Cole Macedo and Tanner Holmes as the remaining three drivers earning transfer spots in the A-Main feature.

The incredible field of stars of the sport were all locked and loaded for the opening night of the 25-lap Premier Chevy Dealers Clash feature at Knoxville Raceway. Brad Sweet in the Paul Silva owned Finley Farms/JVI Group #94 and Justin Henderson in the McGhee #11 would lead the field to the green flag from the front row. Carson was slowly pacing around the iconic track in the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/Border International/Motor State Distributing #41 Maxim from his 11th starting position in row six with the Kistler Engines Chevy power rumbling under the hood. He locked in and ready to work as he rolled to the inside of Donny Schatz behind the wheel of the Hi-Plains Building Division/CJB #15.

It was now time to go racing World of Outlaws style at Knoxville Raceway as Brad Sweet stomped on the gas out of turn four to get the high speed festivities started. He led the opening lap with J.J. Hickle #2M and Justin Henderson #11 in tow as sixth starting David Gravel moved into fourth place.

Carson settled into the eleventh position in the running order dueling with Donny Schatz for position. Over the next five laps he would advance as far up as the ninth spot as he was racing with Buddy Kofoid, Logan Schuchart, and Donny Schatz for the better position in the running order.

David Gravel continued to move forward as he advanced into the runner-up position with Brad Sweet still out in front of the pack. Carson continued to battle for track position.

The entire feature went from start to finish without a caution flag as Brad Sweet raced to the win ahead of David Gravel who just beat 2025 Knoxville Nationals champion Ryan Timms to the line with Brent Marks and J.J. Hickle completing the top five. Aaron Reutzel raced home sixth followed by Justin Henderson, Buddy Kofoid, Donny Schatz, and Emerson Axsom in the top ten. Carson held on to finish in the 12th spot behind Logan Schuchart I the Shark Racing #1s.

Following the post-race activities, the teams turned their attention to Saturday night’s finale of the Premier Chevy Dealers Clash at Knoxville Raceway. Never miss any of the World of Outlaws action – Tune into DIRTVision!

Carson Macedo Picks Up a 12th Place Finish on the Opening Night at the Premier Chevy Dealers Clash! Photo Credit: Tyler Carr

JJR’s Valued Sponsorship Partners for 2026: Albaugh, LLC; Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT); Border International; Scott Boyd Family; Saich Family; Tarlton and Son Inc.; Complete Parts & Equipment Solutions; Durst Inc.; High Performance Lubricants, LLC; Kistler Racing Engines; Maxim Racing; Sander Engineering; Bandy & Associates Accountancy Corporation; Boltz Family; Pro Powder Coating (PPC); Team Jack Foundation; Mark Burch Motorsports; T-FAB Custom Metal Fabrication; Xtreme Body and Paint; All Pro Aluminum Cylinder Heads; AutoMeter; Bell Helmets; Ben Cook Race Car Products; BlackBeard LTD; BMRS (Brown & Miller Racing Solutions); BR Motorsports; CASM Safety Products; Crow Enterprizes; CS Productions; Dale “Mickey” Snyder; Engler Machine & Tool, Inc.; Factory Kahne (FK Shocks); Fibreworks Composites; FK Rod Ends; Greber Racing Components (GRC); Hoosier Racing Tire; ISC Racers Tape; Jansen Transportation; K1 Race Gear; KSE Racing Products; LogoDaddy; Motor State Distributing; Mr. Jim’s Racing; Prime Composite Innovations; PWR Advanced Cooling Technology; Saldana Racing Products; Sam I Am; Schoenfeld Headers; Smiley’s Racing Products; Smith TI; Vortex Racing Products; Walker Performance Filtration; Wilwood Racing; and Winters Performance Products.

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