DRIVE FOR DUMBBELL TROPHY DEFLATES: CARSON MACEDO LED THE OPENING 39 LAPS OF THE IRONMAN 55 AT I-55 FEDERATED AUTO PARTS RACEWAY PARK BEFORE THE AIR GOES OUT OF THE RIGHT REAR ENDING IN A 12TH PLACE FINISH

PEVELY, MISSOURI (August 2, 2025) – After an eventful start to the night that began with a fire while getting heat in the engine, Carson Macedo and the team refocused and did a 180 degree turn as he drove a very patient race on Friday night to put the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 in victory lane in the Night Before the Ironman. Post race, Carson debriefed with Philip Dietz as they started to think through their setup and race strategy for day two of racing at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park, also referred to as simply Pevely, on Saturday night. The Ironman 55 was up next, a race which has grown into a signature event on the race schedule every year and comes with a barbell trophy that everyone wants for their trophy room. This race tests both the drivers and teams grit as it is the longest race based on feature laps – 55 laps – with the pit area filled with talent from one end to another. Some of the winners at this race include a bunch of impressive names like Craig Dollansky, Joey Saldana, Kyle Larson, Rico Abreu, Logan Schuchart, Sheldon Haudenschild, Shane Stewart, and a few others. With the summer sun shining overhead it was race day at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park – World of Outlaws style – for the Ironman 55. There were 38 stout race teams nestled into the pit area over the banking in turn two and halfway down the backstretch. The Xtreme Outlaw Midgets presented by Toyota joined the mighty World of Outlaws 410 sprint cars at Pevely. This duo never misses and always put on a great show for the fans.

Following WEDG High Performance Karts Hot Laps, the drivers in the first Qualifying Flight headed to the infield staging area for Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying to complete their timed session. It would be one driver on the track at a time to create speed around the high banks of this incredible one-third mile bullring. Carson would be the second driver out in Flight 2 aboard the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/LogoDaddy/Pro Powder Coating (PPC) #41 Maxim to take a shot against the quick moving numbers on the stopwatch. When Emerson Axsom in the orange KCP Racing #18 completed his laps, Carson powered up with the assistance of a push vehicle and rolled onto the banking between turns one and two. Carson pedaled down to get the Jason Johnson Racing (JJR) forty-one up to speed as he headed towards the waving green flag on the front straightaway. When he arrived at the start finish line, he darted through it and just like that he was already through the first set of turns and down the backstretch. He exited off turn four digging for more speed stopping the clock on lap one at 11.121 seconds. The California native stayed on the gas looking to carve some time off his first attempt if possible. He stayed in the accelerator and ripped around Pevely one last time. This time when he raced under the checkers the numbers that measured his performance were consistent but slightly slower at 11.193 seconds. The better of Carson’s two time trials laps was third quick overall in Flight 2 with Sheldon Haudenschild in the Stenhouse Jr/Marshall Racing/NOS Energy Drink #17 entry turning the quickest lap in that time trial qualifying session at 11.043 seconds. The fastest driver out of Flight 1, and quickest overall, was David Gravel in the Big Game Motorsports/Billion Automotive #2 scooting around I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park in 10.571 seconds. It was David Gravel’s WoO Series leading 14th Simpson Quick Time Award this season.

The World of Outlaws Timing and Scoring Officials immediately went to work compiling the starting grids for each of the four 10-lap Heat races based on where each driver timed in time trials. The drivers in Flight 1 would be assigned to one of the first two Heat race lineups with the drivers from Flight 2 assigned to the third and fourth Heat races. Based on his best lap time, Carson would get going from the second starting spot on the outside of the front row. He pulled up alongside Sheldon Haudenschild in the blue and orange NOS Energy Drink/Frozen Farmer #17 ready to put in the required work driving the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/Smiley’s Racing Products/Schoenfeld Headers #41 Maxim. Behind the two young guns were Donny Schatz #15 and Ayrton Gennetten #3 in row two with Cole Macedo #2c and Hunter Schuerenberg #55 wheeling in row three. Row four was home for Jake Neuman #3N and Mile Paules #98P with Rees Moran #22M and Brandon Hanks #84 scheduled to start from row five, but Hanks scratched for the night after a nasty flip in Hot Laps, so Moran was solo.

The powerful 410 cubic inch racing machines were slowly pacing in the traditional two-by-two starting formation ready to get after it as they raced for one of the five available transfer positions up for grabs in each race. The Toyota TRD pace truck exited the speedway and when the dirt flew off turn four polesitter Sheldon Haudenschild pounded the accelerator. Carson arched high off turn four at the chalk stripe and drag raced down the front straightaway with Haudenschild. Carson was high with Donny Schatz low and Sheldon Haudenschild in the middle entering turn one. Carson squeezed the forty-one through a small space between the NOS Energy Drink #17 and the cement outside retaining wall exiting turn two with the lead down the backstretch. He led Haudenschild, Schatz, Schuerenberg, and his brother Cole Macedo at the end of the first lap.

Carson worked the cushion on the high side of the track to carry his momentum forward with the field chasing the leader. The driver of the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 was fast and focused. He continued to hit his marks and power his way around Pevely extending his lead over Haudenschild.

Carson navigated through lap traffic with two laps to go but would never be seriously challenged as he took the Heat #3 race victory crossing the finish ahead of Sheldon Haudenschild who crossed the strip in the runner-up position. Those two drivers advanced onto the Toyota Dash. Donny Schatz in the Carquest #15 came home third with Hunter Schuerenberg wheeling the Vermeer Motorsports #55 and Cole Macedo in the TwoC Racing #2c completing the top five all earning guaranteed starting spots in the endurance feature later in the evening.

For the top two finishers in each of the qualifying races, they all received an opportunity to assess their luck drawing for a starting position number in the 8-lap Toyota Dash. Where you start is important, but it is where you finish that determines your starting spot in one of the first four rows of the money paying feature. The eight drivers headed to the infield platform in Victory Lane with the Heat race winners selecting the first four numbered pills out of the oversized NOS Energy Drink can and the second place finishers pulling the remaining four pills. When all the numbers were pulled, Carson was the second driver to gamble, and it worked out as he pulled the ‘1’ pill to earn the SPA Technique #1 Redraw Award for the second night in a row. He would get his Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 hotrod started from the pole position after selecting the lowest numbered pill where he would start on the front row beside Spencer Bayston driving the Sander Engineering #14. The remaining starters were Sheldon Haudenschild #17 and Skylar Gee #99 in row two, Zach Hampton #6 and David Gravel #2 paired together in row three, with Cory Eliason #45 and Michael “Buddy” Kofoid #83 side-by-side in row four.

The engines fired as the cars were nose-to-tail. The green lights turned on and the drivers responded as they pounded the loud pedal to start the race. Carson hustled into the early race lead while being stalked from behind by Bayston and Gravel at the end of lap one. Spencer Bayston kept the leader within striking distance as Gravel battled it out with Haudenschild for the show position. Gravel raced into third, but Haudenschild dove underneath the next time around to take the position back. The NOS Energy Drink #17 driver stayed on the hammer and began closing in on the second place running Bayston. He caught him and moved into the runner-up spot on lap 7.

Carson led from the drop of the green to the waving of the checkers to with the Dash with Sheldon Haudenschild coming home second. Spencer Bayston was third with David Gravel coming home fourth. Buddy Kofoid raced forward to claim fifth place with Eliason, Gee, and Hampton completing the Dash finishing order.

After extensive track work to ensure a great racing surface for the Ironman 55 event, the eight minute horn sounded throughout the pit area alerting the teams to wrap up the work on their end and start rolling their cars out onto the track to stage. The drivers climbed aboard their speed chariots and buckled in for the 55-lap Ironman 55 feature event in front of the largest crowd ever to witness an Ironman in history as shared by World of Outlaws announcer and Sprint Car Hall of Famer Johnny Gibson.

The drivers in this race were all proven and now they were prepared to chase the $25,000 winner’s check along with the cool dumbbell trophy that goes to the first driver under the checkered flag. The finishing order of the Toyota Dash set the starting grid for the first four rows of the feature. That meant Carson Macedo would get the Albaugh – Your Alternative/Tarlton and Son/Boltz Family #41 Maxim started from the pole position as he pulled into front row alongside Sheldon Haudenschild in the NOS Energy Drink #17.

The two talented racers from California and Ohio respectively would lead the field to the green flag. Like any competition, starting up front provides a short-term advantage but the drivers must seize the opportunity. Plus, with 55 laps, no matter where a driver starts the race, they have a chance to race forward through the field.

The grandstands at I-55 were packed full of diehard race fans while those that could not physically be at Pevely tuned in on DIRTVision. The World of Outlaws field went four-wide to salute all the fans and thank them for coming out and supporting The Greatest Show on Dirt. After racing back into their starting spots, it was time to go racing in Pevely, Missouri at the Ironman 55. The green flag waved as the running order changed to high-speed chaos – quickly. Carson led the opening lap with Spencer Bayston moving into second place with Sheldon Haudenschild tracking closely behind in third.

Carson had his right foot planted showing the way out front. He had a fast racecar and was taking advantage of the track prep work to grip it and rip it early. By the fifth circuit he was in lap traffic. He led the first six laps before the first yellow flag of the night was displayed for Bill Balog #17B who was slowing and headed pit side after bicycling it in turn two the lap before.

Carson restarted first with Bayston, Haudenschild, Kofoid, and Gravel behind coming back to the green flag. Carson maintained the lead over Bayston as David Gravel moved the Big Game Motorsports #2 by Kofoid for fourth place. The pace was fast as the leaders were catching up to the slower traffic in a hurry again.

On lap 12, the second caution of the race occurred when Spencer Bayston slows with a flat right rear tire after running at the front of the pack and looking great. When the yellow lights turned off, Carson would again get the field of stars back up to speed with Haudenschild, Gravel, Kofoid, and Hampton in hot pursuit. But it was 17th starting Tanner Thorson in the Rod Gross Motorsports/Smith TI #88 that caught everyone’s eye as he restarted from the sixth position. He was a beast and on the move.

The drivers at the front of the field were fully engaged when they went back to green flag racing. Carson was out front cruising in the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41. He was completing laps in clean air and again closing in on the back of the pack. He would soon have to start navigating the slower cars again,

On lap 18, the yellow lights illuminated again this time for Jake Neuman #3N who was off the pace. With 37 laps left to go it was Macedo, Haudenschild, Gravel, Kofoid, and Thorson in the top five. The green flag came out again with Hampton and Thorson swapping the fifth spot. The leaders were working different lines searching for speed.

On lap 25, the race slowed again under the caution for Christopher Thram #24T. He slowed and race officials used this slow down as an opportunity to throw a red flag for an Open Red. When the cars stopped on the backstretch the crews went to work to refuel and make minor adjustments for the remaining thirty laps.

Carson Macedo was the race leader with Sheldon Haudenschild, David Gravel, Buddy Kofoid, and Tanner Thorson behind to complete the top five when the realigned for the restart. Carson pedaled down again when the green flag came out to race off into the lead with Haudenschild staying closer this time. Sheldon was entering the turn slightly higher than Macedo. He was fast and started to challenge for the race lead, but Carson held him at bay. Buddy Kofoid in the Roth Enterprises #83 moved back into the third position as he raced by David Gravel.

Carson was still in command out front on lap 38, but the next time around the yellow flag was back out for Chris Windom #7s who had a flat right rear tire. Carson was your race leader, but he too had to head to the Federated Car Care Work Zone with a flat right rear. Cole Macedo also pulled the TwoC Racing entry into the work area with a flat right rear tire. Things certainly deflated quickly!

Sheldon Haudenschild inherited the race lead with Buddy Kofoid taking over the second spot followed by David Gravel, Tanner Thorson, and Zach Hampton. There were 16 laps to go. Carson was setting a good race pace and put several cars down a lap while he was leading the event, so he would restart at the tail of the lead lap cars.

When the green flag waved again Sheldon Haudenschild raced out front with Kofoid chasing. Carson quickly moved into 13th place on the scoreboard hoping to race forward to salvage a better finish. He continued to battle moving by Hunter Schuerenberg on lap 42 to move the forty-one up to 12th place. Tanner Thorson was still putting on a show as he moved into third behind Haudenschild and Kofoid.

On lap 52, Buddy Kofoid stole the lead from Sheldon Haudenschild and led the remaining laps to take the win at the Ironman 55. Tanner Thorson followed him by Haudenschild to take second with the driver of the NOS Energy Drink #17 finishing third. David Gravel and Zach Hampton rounded out the top five.

Carson finished in 12th place after leading the opening 39 laps at the Ironman 55. Carson and the team earned the Smith Titanium Brake of the Race for their misfortune. Disappointing for sure, but that is racing. You must take the bad with the good sometimes as hat keeps you humble and hungry. The man upstairs will have better luck in store this week for Carson Macedo and the JJR #41 team as they now turn their attention to a busy week in Central Iowa amongst the corn with the 13th Annual Capitani Classic (Knoxville Raceway on Sunday) and 30th Annual Front Row Challenge (Southern Iowa Speedway – Osky- Monday) on deck before the running of the 64th Annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville Raceway.  

Showing Strength and Perseverance through Disappointment in the Ironman 55 at I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park! Photo Credit: Cameron Saich – CS Productions

JJR’s Valued Sponsorship Partners for 2025: 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); RaceDiecast.com; 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; C&R Racing; Crow Enterprizes; CS Productions; Engler Machine & Tool, Inc.; Factory Kahne (FK Shocks); Fibreworks Composites; FK Rod Ends; Fuel Safe Racing Cells; Greber Racing Components; 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; 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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