HAMMERING IT HOME IN HANFORD: CARSON MACEDO WHEELS THE TARLTON AND SON #41 TO VICTORY AT KINGS SPEEDWAY IN THE 5TH ANNUAL TOM TARLTON CLASSIC AS HE BECOMES A THREE-TIME CHAMPION OF THE RACE

HANFORD, CALIFORNIA (September 7, 2024) – After finishing in the eighth position on Friday night down at the Stockton Dirt Track, Carson Macedo and the JJR #41 team traveled an hour or so north back to the Central Valley to Kings Speedway located in Hanford, California. This track is located very close, about 10 miles, from where Carson grew up in Lemoore. And this race is really special because it is in recognition of a family and an individual who he holds in very high regards and that helped get his racing career in sprint cars started – Tom Tarlton. The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series competitors were in The Golden State of California for the second of six scheduled races with the 5th Annual Tom Tarlton Classic on deck. Kings Speedway’s 3/8-mile oval is located on the grounds of the Kings County Fairgrounds and this event draws a great crowd since its inception. While all of those fans were milling around the merchandise trailers buying their favorite driver’s gear and finding their seats for the night, 29 race teams were registered to race with their crews busily preparing for the night of battle against some of the best competition in the country. It was time to go racing in the Central Valley – World of Outlaws style!

The evening’s schedule of events would kick off with Sea Foam Qualifying. While this part of the show may mistakenly seem pointless to some, the stakes are high because it can contribute to making or breaking a driver’s night. A good lap in qualifying on the clock can set a driver better than a bad one for sure. There is also a shamrock type of luck that goes along with this portion of the show as where a driver goes out in the time trial order can either assist them in their efforts to perform well . . . or, detract from it. It sometimes is all dependent upon where a driver goes out for their two laps. When the qualifying order was posted, Carson would be the 25th driver out for his two time trial laps aboard the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/Ben Cook Race Car Parts/BR Motorsports #41 Maxim. When Californian Gauge Garcia #2K completed his two laps and exited the track it was now Carson’s turn to see how much speed he could create in his race against time. He was going out late, but Carson lowered his right foot and pedaled his way up to speed as he took the green flag. He raced through the first set of turns and positioned himself down the backstretch to enter the last set. He finished his first lap in 13.194 seconds. Carson had one more circuit to see if he had anything else left up his sleeve. When the locally grown talent exited turn four he saw the black and white checkered cloth out as he raced across the finish line. The numbers that popped up on the scoreboard for lap two were 13.567 seconds. The faster of Carson’s two attempts, his first lap, though position him third quick overall on the speed charts. A good outcome that was worth the wait. The fastest driver of the night, earning the Simpson Quick Time Award, was Bill Balog in the Anderson’s Maple Syrup #17B with a quality lap in 13.170 seconds.

The World of Outlaws Timing and Scoring officials established the starting lineups for each of the three 8-lap heat races. After the lineups were posted it revealed that Carson would be in the third heat race base off of his qualifying lap. He would get his high speed pursuit started from the pole position. When it was his turn to race, after a little help getting started from the push truck, Carson slowly paced the Albaugh – Your Alternative/Motor State Distributing/CASM Safety Products #41 into his front row starting position with Sheldon Haudenschild’s NOS Energy Drink/Frozen Farmer #17 his outside. Behind those two speedster in row two were Cole Macedo in the Tarlton and Son #21 and D.J. Netto #88N with Dominic Scelzi #41S and Kraig Kinser #70 in row three. The fourth row featured Lachy McDonough #6 and Mariah Ede #14 with Gauge Garcia #2k alone in row five.

Carson was not about to rest on his laurels. When the green flag came out he pounded the loud pedal and drove ahead of the always formidable Haudenschild to take the race lead on the first circuit. D.J Netto slid into third followed by Cole Macedo.

The driver of the forty-one appeared to be on a mission as with each completed lap he extended his lead over the NOS Energy Drink #17. By the halfway point of the race, lap 4, Carson had built a 1.37 seconds lead over Haudenschild, but there is never enough margin with these hard chargers.

Carson completed the remaining four laps uncontested though to take the heat race win crossing the finish line ahead of Haudenschild and Netto with Cole Macedo, McDonough, and Scelzi locking down the final three transfer spots out of heat race number three.

Earning an opportunity to race in the 6-lap Toyota Dash for the 37 time in World of Outlaws competition, Carson headed to the frontstretch in front of the hometown fans to test his skills of luck. He would be the third of six drivers to draw for his starting spot in the Dash. As only luck would have it, when the local boy pulled his mitt out of the oversized NOS Energy Drink can he was holding the ‘1’ pill that put him in the pole position for the start of the Dash. He would be flanked on the front row by Sheldon Haudenschild #17. Friday night’s winner and fellow Californian, Buddy Kofoid, would share row two with another Golden State star Tim Kaeding. In row three, Jock Goodyer and Giovanni Scelzi paced and were ready to roll. Just like in his heat race, when the green flag waved Carson pushed the speed button and drove into the top spot ahead of Sheldon Haudenschild on the opening lap. Haudenschild though immediately had his hands full as he was contending with Kofoid for the runner-up position. Buddy Kofoid drove the Roth Motorsports/Mobil 1/Toyota TRD #83 by the NOS Energy Drink #17 driver down the backstretch to assume the runner-up position. Carson had a fast Tarlton and Son #41 and was not looking back as he made tracks in the surface of Kings Speedway. The hometown racer from Lemoore, California raced to the Dash victory ahead of Kofoid and Haudenschild with Scelzi, Kaeding, and Goodyer completing the finishing order.

The excitement was palpable in the stands as the 8-minute horn sounded throughout the pit area summoning all of the eligible cars to the track for the start of the $21,000-to-win, 35-lap 5th Annual Tom Tarlton Classic feature at Kings Speedway. Carson would get the Albaugh – Your Alternative/Brown & Miller Racing Solutions (BMRS)/Engler Machine & Tool #41 Maxim from the inside of the front row with Buddy Kofoid to his outside. These two California drivers have been red hot here of late winning seven of the last none WoO races dating back to the Jackson Nationals. Sheldon Haudenschild and Giovanni Scelzi would be right behind in row two as Tim Kaeding and Jock Good year paced in row three.

After the four-wide salute to these awesome race fans the racers pulled back into their starting spots. With all of the pomp and circumstance behind them it was time to go racing at Peter Murphy’s Kings Speedway. The green flag was out with Carson driving the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 into the lead as Sheldon Haudenschild darted by Kofoid into the runner-up position early.

They were setting a quick pace and before too long Carson was approaching the back of the pack and would begin to weave his way through the slower traffic. He was doing a good job, but had to slow just enough to allow Haudenschild to close the gap between himself and Macedo.

On lap 9, the first caution flag of the feature flew for Landon Crawley #7s who slowed on the track with a flat right rear tire. The running order for the restart would be Macedo, Haudenschild, Kofoid, Scelzi, and Goodyer. The green lights turned back on with 26 laps to go and Carson Macedo moved back to the point after choosing to restart from the inside lane with Haudenschild to his outside. Sheldon peaked under Macedo entering turn one and appeared to have a line to make the pass, but Carson darted off turn two with the lead.

The determined driver of the forty-one was fast and led the next six laps as he raced in lap traffic again before the yellow flag came back out on lap 14 for Tipton, California’s Dawson Faria #12B. Faria spun right in front of Macedo as Carson reacted quickly and took evasive action to avoid ruining his good run.

Carson reassumed the lead when they went back to green flag racing with 21 laps now to go. It was a drag race down the front straightaway with Sheldon Haudenschild to turn one. Entering turn one, Carson slid back into the top spot again as Buddy Kofoid also followed to take over the second spot from the driver of the NOS Energy Drink #17.

By lap 20, Carson was back in lap traffic with Kofoid and Haudenschild primed and ready to hound him again for the race lead. The top three drivers were all fast. On the next lap, lap 21, the caution flag was out for Bud Kaeding #29 who slowed on the track.

Carson Macedo would lead Buddy Kofoid, Sheldon Haudenschild, Giovanni Scelzi, and Tim Kaeding back up to speed with 14 laps to go. But before they could complete a lap the yellow lights were back on as Tim Kaeding and D.J. Netto made contact racing for the fifth as they exited turn four.

Because the yellow flag was thrown for contact on a restart, the field would now restart in single file formation with 14 laps still remaining. Off turn four Carson powered up his Kistler Engines and sailed off into the clean air at speed with Kofoid and Haudenschild still in hot pursuit.

With eight laps to go, Carson was back in traffic with Buddy Kofoid closing quickly. The driver of the Roth Motorsports #83 was cutting into the race leaders comfort zone as the end of the race was getting closer. That chase was paused again on lap 29 when the caution lights re-illuminated for a slowing Dominic Scelzi who rolled slowly off turn two and headed to the pit area.

There would be six laps to go when they went back to green. Carson hustled into the lead again out of the single file restart as Sheldon Haudenschild reclaimed the runner-up position as he moved by Buddy Kofoid. Haudenschild had a fast racecar and was now focused on tracking down Carson to contend for the race lead. Now with less than four laps to go things were getting competitive and interesting depending on your perspective. Haudenschild was right there, but Macedo was holding him off.

On lap 32, the final caution flag of the night flew for Cole Macedo #21 when he rolled to a stop off turn two. He would rejoin the field as they went back to high speed racing with three laps to go.

Carson jumped back on the accelerator and took command of the lead as he raced away from Haudenschild. The two laps to go signal was shown with Macedo in control as Haudenschild continued to chase him. Carson was on a mission in the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41. He raced under the white flag and led the last lap to take the victory at his hometown track to become a three-time champion at the Tom Tarlton Classic (2020, 2021, and 2024). Sheldon Haudenschild came home second with Buddy Kofoid rounding out the podium.

Carson exited the racecar to celebrate this special victory that celebrates his great uncle, Tom Tarlton, as he shared fist bumps and hugs with his team, family, and friends. He was smiling from ear-to-ear as he climbed to the top of his Vortex Racing Products wing to celebrate in the falling confetti at Kings Speedway. In victory lane he lamented, “Man, what a cool event. Hometown crowd at Hanford. It feels good to see all of these awesome fans here. You guys are the best in the country!” Carson continued, “It feels good to win this race for Tom Tarlton. The Tom Tarlton Classic is near and dear to my heart. Robby Tarlton, my grandfather, and Tom Tarlton is my great uncle and really the reason I am a sprint car driver today.” After a pause he continued, “My parents kind of got me going in the Micro ranks, and he was the one that gave me an opportunity. Had it not been for him I don’t think I ever would’ve had the chance to race a sprint car.”

It was Carson’s and the JJR team’s eighth WoO win of the season and the Lemoore, California driver’s 43 career win with the World of Outlaws. After a great race with two ultra-talented racers, Sheldon Haudenschild and Buddy Kofoid, Carson concluded, “Other than myself, I feel like they’re two of the most aggressive drivers on the tour. I knew they were going to be coming and coming hard. Little bit more money on the line. Everybody is running a little bit more up in the seat. Just had to switch up my game a little bit. Roll the dice a different direction, make sure they weren’t timing my restarts.” Another great run for Carson Macedo and the forty-one!

Carson Macedo Powers the Tarlton and Son #41 to the Win at the 5th Annual Tom Tarlton Classic! Photo Credit: Trent Gower Photography

JJR’s Valued Sponsorship Partners: 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; Buckwalter Trucking; CASM Safety Products; C&R Racing; ChalkStix; 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; Indy Performance Composites (IPC); ISC Racers Tape; Jansen Transportation; K1 Race Gear; KSE Racing Products; LogoDaddy; Motor State Distributing; Mr. Jim’s Racing; Premium Coach Group; Saldana Racing Products; Sam I Am; Schoenfeld Headers; Smith TI; Vortex Racing Products; Walker Performance Filtration; Wilwood Racing; and Winters Performance Products.

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