ENDURING IRONMAN 55: THE LEMOORE, CALIFORNIA CHAUFFEUR PILOTS THE LOGODADDY #41 MAXIM TO A PODIUM FINISH IN THE LONGEST SCHEDULED RACE OF THE YEAR AT I-55 FEDERATED AUTO PARTS RACEWAY

PEVELY, MISSOURI (August 8, 2026) – Following his sixth place finish on Friday night to kick off the Ironman weekend at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park, Carson Macedo and the Jason Johnson Racing (JJR) team prepared to get back at it in the longest scheduled race of the year – the Ironman 55. Fifty-five grueling laps at high speed against some of the best sprint car drivers in the country on the demanding one-third mile dirt oval in Pevely, Missouri. If that sounds like fun, it is because it is an incredible experience for these drivers and teams. These are the type of recurring events on the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series schedule that are circled because the track is racy and everyone wants to put on a show and be in contention to win the 55 pound barbell trophy. The sun was shining overhead throughout the day as the race teams washed and maintained their speed chariots. There were 31 eager drivers and teams lined up over the banking outside of turn three and halfway down the backstretch. The talented racers with the Xtreme Outlaw Midget Series joined them again after putting on one heck of a show for the fans on Friday night. It was race day at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park for the 18th Annual Ironman 55 – World of Outlaws (WoO) style!

As the crew members wrapped up their work as the cars were grouped together based on when they would go out for time trials began moving up the incline out of the pit area located outside the track as they made their way onto the racing surface for a couple laps at speed. After turning the fastest lap in Hot Laps to earn the Race/Ready Hottest Lap of the Night, Carson rolled down into the infield pit area to wait for their turn to make speed during Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying. Two laps racing against time in, hopefully in the shortest amount of time. Carson climbed into the Border International/Tarlton and Son/AutoMeter Maxim and buckled into his red Crow Enterprizes safety belts ready to get after it. When Kasey Jedrzejek #6 raced under the checkered flag to end his timed session, it was Carson’s time to turn up the wick making speed around this racy bullring. He would be the sixth driver out on the track after randomly drawing the ‘16’ pill at the beginning of the night. It did not take long for him to become a blur in the black and green Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 entry. Carson exited turn four with the green cloth fluttering in the wind. He was on the clock for his first lap. He made quick work of this place circling I-55 Raceway Park in 10.727 seconds. With his right K1 Race Gear boot still planted in the gas pedal he continued to make speed and hit his marks throughout his second attempt. This time when he triggered the timing light the clock read 10.794 seconds. His best qualifying lap was third quick overall at the end of the time trial session with Bill Balog in the Bosma/Ander’s Pure Maple Syrup #17B sitting at the top of the speed charts for the second night in a row hustling around the one-third mile in 10.670 seconds earning him the Simpson Quick Time Award.

The timing and scoring officials consolidated the starting lineups for each of the four 10-lap qualifying races. Carson earned a front row starting spot in WIX Filters Heat Race #3 where he would get the Complete Parts & Equipment Solutions/Sander Engineering/Team Jack Foundation #41 Maxim rolling from the pole position with Adel, Iowa’s Kelby Watt #1k to his outside. Together in row two were David Gravel #2 and Pennsylvania’s own Danny Dietrich #48 with Friday night’s winner Chris Windom in the Sides Motorsports #7s and Steven Snyder Jr. in the Three Stooges Racing #51 assigned to row three. Paired up in the fourth and final row was Missouri native Joe B. Miller #51B and Florida’s Conner Morrell #28M.

Five transfer positions with the top two finishers in each qualifying race moving into the Toyota Dash. There certainly was a lot up for grabs for each of the drivers. Carson flipped the shield down on his Expert Gate Repair/Clenin Farm Supply/Empire Machinery custom Bell Helmet with his eyes peering forward looking to execute early. The cars were nose-to-tail pacing slowly towards turn four. When the front row starters arrived, the engines roared with excitement as the Hoosier Racing Tires gripped the surface and catapulted the cars down the front straightaway. Kelby Watt used the outside line to build up his speed and carry his momentum off turn two into the race lead with Carson tucking the forty-one in right behind. Watt led the opening circuit with Macedo, Gravel, Dietrich, and Windom in tow.

The track surface was much wider and racier tonight for the teams, so the drivers could choose where they wanted to create speed. Watt was on rails out front and led the race from start to finish to collect the victory with Carson crossing the finish line in second place 1.2 seconds behind. Those two drivers advanced into the Toyota Dash with David Gravel coming home third, Chris Windom in fourth, and Danny Dietrich completing the top five to transfer to the A-Main.

When all the numbers were gone in the redraw for the 8-lap Toyota Dash, Logan Schuchart in the Federated Auto Parts/Shark Racing #1s sat on the pole with Emerson Axsom #27 sharing the front row with him. Carson Macedo would get the Albaugh – Your Alternative/BMRS/PWR Advanced Cooling Technology #41 started from the third spot with Cory Eliason in Shannon Wheatley’s #45 to his outside. Kelby Watt #1k started from the fifth position with Bill Balog #17B in sixth. Kasey Jedrzejek #6 and Cole Macedo in the TwoC Racing/Level Utilities #2c paired up in row four. The green flag came out with Schuchart accelerating into the lead with Axsom, Macedo, and Eliason chasing. Carson and Eliason were side by side entertaining as they dueled for the show position. By the second circuit, the driver of the forty-one took command of it with Eliason continuing to engage in chase mode. The driver of the Shark Racing #1s was in a different zip code as he drove through the clean air lap after lap. He was the first driver to see the checkered flag fly as he raced across the finish line 3.636 seconds ahead of second place finisher Emerson Axsom. Carson finished third ahead of Cory Eliason and Bill Balog with Kelby Watt, Cole Macedo, and Kasey Jedrzejek rounding out the finishing order in the Dash.

With 24 cars earning their way into the starting lineup the field of speed stars was now set for the 55-lap 18th Annual Ironman 55 A-Main feature event. This race is grueling. These drivers must be in peak shape to endure the rigors of a race like this around the I-55 bullring. A few drivers dedicate time to fitness which would be tested during this race. Leading the field to the green flag from the front row was a driver that embraces fitness in Logan Schuchart #1s as he shared the front row with Emerson Axsom #27. Carson Macedo #41 and Cory Eliason #45 trailed close behind in row two. Side by side in row three were Bill Balog #17B and Kelby Watt #1k with Cole Macedo #2c and Kasey Jedrzejek #6 together in row four. Each of those drivers earned those spots based on where they finished in the Toyota Dash.

Primed and ready to go in the third starting position in row two behind the wheel of the Albaugh – Your Alternative/CS Productions/Dale “Mickey” Snyder #41 Maxim, Carson wrapped his hands around his JOES Racing Products Matador steering wheel prepared to turn left and go fast.

The track was wide with grip strips available from the bottom of the track all the way up to the outside wall. The flagman showed the field the rolled up white flag indicating to the drivers they would see the green flag the next time by. Out of turn four the driver of the Shark Racing #1s throttled up and raced towards turn one with Emerson Axsom right beside him with Carson looking underneath both through the first set of turns. When they exited turn two Schuchart led the field with Carson scored in third place at the end of the first lap.

Logan Schuchart continued his dominance as he was out in front of the pack early. The driver of the forty-one had a fast Albaugh – Your Alternative hotrod though having the speed to stay right on Axsom rear bumper through the initial stages of the race. Macedo kept the pressure on.

On lap 9, Carson drove into the runner-up position but was over two seconds behind the race leader who was busy meticulously navigating through lap traffic. Not an easy task. Macedo had his sights set on tracking Schuchart down, but he had some work to do and fortunately some time to complete the mission.

The next time by though, on lap 10, the red flag flew for Danny Dietrich who flipped in turn one after the space between the race leader who was trying to work by him to put him a lap down and the outside wall got narrow. They two cars never touched, but Dietrich got up over the cushion and into the wall ending up upside down and upset as his night of racing was over after the two Pennsylvania natives got into a racing incident.

When they went back to green flag racing, Carson used the restart as an opportunity to attempt to steal the lead on the double file restart. He got up to speed and made his best effort to wrestle the lead away, but Schuchart reclaimed it. They would not get a full lap in though as sixth running Cory Eliason got into the outside wall in turn two folding his front end in to end his night.

The next restart would be single file with Logan Schuchart showing the way followed closely by Carson. Emerson Axsom was in third with Kelby Watt scored in fourth place. The driver on the move early though catching everyone’s attention was twelfth starting Sheldon Haudenschild who used the first eleven laps to gain seven positions and was now running in fifth place in the KCP Racing/NOS Energy Drink #18. The tenacious and talented Wooster, Ohio native stayed on the gas and five laps later was running on the show position behind the top two.

On lap 17, the yellow flag was back out this time for Kelby Watt who got into the outside retaining wall in turn four destroying his front end. He had flirted with the outside wall a few times before but this time the wall won ending his night. The restart order at the front of the field would be Schuchart, Macedo, Haudenschild, Axsom, and Schatz who started in the 14th position and was on the move too.

The green flag waved with Carson momentarily sliding by Schuchart through the first set of turns. Schuchart turned underneath him and retook the race lead with Haudenschild watching all of this unfold with bated breath. Donny Schatz moved up to fourth place followed by Bill Balog. Two laps later, Sheldon Haudenschild raced by Carson to take over the runner-up spot as he now was tasked with attempting to chase down the leader.

There was exciting action from the front of the field to the back of the pack. The driver catching everyone’s attention now was eighteenth starting Buddy Kofoid in the Mobil 1/Toyota Racing/Roth Enterprises #83. At the hallway point of the race he moved into fifth place behind Schuchart, Haudenschild, Macedo, and Schatz. He was on the move, and his drive forward was certainly worth the price of admission.

Logan Schuchart continued to be in sole control of the lead with his biggest challenge being choosing the right line to move by the fast cars he was trying to lap. There were still a lot of laps remaining but the navigation process for the leader enabled the drivers of the KCP Racing #18 and Jason Johnson Racing (JJR) #41 to close in on him with each completed lap. Buddy Kofoid was right there too looking for a chance.

Things were getting tight up front and with twelve laps remaining. Carson slid up across the nose of Haudenschild’s car making a clean pass with the slider on the entry into turn one. He drifted up across the track and bounced off the cushion in turn two sending his car down the track which created contact between the two racers. Sheldon tried to turn underneath the forty-one before making contact resulting in a broken front end which ended his night. An unfortunate outcome as the two talented and aggressive racers always put on a show.

For the restart with seven laps to go, Carson would start on the inside as the race leader chose the outside lane. The green flag was back out as Schuchart powered his way back into the race lead aboard the Shark Racing #1s. Buddy Kofoid seized the opportunity and drove the Roth Enterprises #83 by Macedo into the runner-up spot with Schatz and Axsom in the top five. Logan Schuchart cruised to the Ironman 55 win, the second of his career, winning by 2.251 seconds over Buddy Kofoid with Carson Macedo driving the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 home in third place. Donny Schatz finished fourth with Spencer Bayston rounding out the top five. Emerson Axsom raced home in sixth place with David Gravel coming home seventh, Chris Windom eighth, Bill Balog ninth, with Rees Moran completing the top ten.

With the red brake lights shining as the traffic lined up exiting this place, which is an extremely slow process, Philip Dietz, Robby McQuinn, and Adam Zimmerman loaded up their equipment for the long overnight haul up to Knoxville, Iowa for Sunday’s 14th Annual AVANTI Windows and Doors Capitani Classic to kick off the 65th running of the Knoxville Nationals week. Tune into DIRTVision to watch the event!

Standing on the Podium at the 18th Annual Ironman 55 Event at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park! Photo Credit: World of Outlaws

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.

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

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