HOMETOWN DELIVERED: THE CENTRAL VALLEY CLASH WAS IN CARSON MACEDO’S BACKYARD ENABLING HIM TO KICK UP THE DIRT THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT IN FRONT OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT KINGS SPEEDWAY ENROUTE TO HIS SIXTH VICTORY OF THE SEASON

HANFORD, CALIFORNIA (September 22, 2026) – The smell of home cooking lingered in the air. Ah, it was nice to be back in California. Carson Macedo sure does love coming back home to the Central Valley of California. But what he enjoys just as much is when his job as a professional sprint car driver brings him into town to compete in front of his hometown friends and family. Carson grew up near Hanford, which is located just a short 15 minute drive from his hometown of Lemoore. The seeds were sowed in this area sprouting Carson’s passion for racing and his roots continue to grow deeper in this area. This place will always have a prominent part of his early career racing story. I am sure Carson, and his brother Cole who pilots the TwoC Racing machine on the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series tour, had a smile from ear-to-ear when Kings Speedway was added to the 2026 schedule. They circled it in permanent marker. Then highlighted it. And crossed off each race as they completed them throughout the season because it meant they were one step closer to their hometown showdown. With a mid-week stop in Hanford, California at Kings Speedway on an incredibly beautiful California day, there were 32 drivers and teams registered to race in the Central Valley Clash!

Following Race//Ready Hot Laps it was time to get down to business Cali style in Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying. With less than 38 cars in the pit area, the drivers would time individually against each other as one group in time trials. One stopwatch. Two laps. Three numbers following the decimal point measure their performance down to the thousandths of a second. No messing around. It is all about speeding in the least amount of time. After selecting the “23” pill at the Eloy Gutierrez Pill Draw, Carson would be the 13th driver to push off for his timed session of speed along with Bill Balog in the Save Mart/Anderson’s Pure Maple Syrup #17B. Carson did not waste any time getting the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/Schoenfeld Headers/Pro Powder Coating (PPC) #41 Maxim rolling as he darted by the waving green flag. As the numbers rolled by on the stopwatch, Carson did his thing from the confines of his Fibreworks Composites seat with his Sharp Advantage custom fitted insert. He stopped the clock after the first time around the track in 12.797 seconds. Carson kept his foot planted on the power pedal and was already well on his way around this 3/8-mile track during lap two. He powered his way out of the final turn and under the checkered flag in 13.051 seconds to end his second lap. The quicker of Carson’s two attempts stood as the second fastest time overall in time trials, just 0.020 seconds off the top spot. The driver at the very top of the speed charts though was Emerson Axsom wheeling the WCI Inc./Klaasmeyer Petry Motorsports (KPM) #27 earning the Simpson Quick Time Award with an impressive lap in 12.777 seconds.

The cars began to stage for the first of four 8-lapHeat races. The starting grid lined up according to their fastest time trial lap with the quickest two drivers on the front row as the racers near the back had some work to do when the green flag waved. The Jason Johnson Racing (JJR) entry of Carson Macedo would race in The Greatest Store on Dirt Heat Race #2. The Lemoore, California wheelman would get the Scott Boyd Family/Vortex Racing Products/ISC Racers Tape #41 started from the inside of the front row alongside his brother Cole Macedo in the TwoC Racing/Level Utilities LLC/Highside Racewear #2c. Behind them in row two was Chris Windom #7s and Skylar Gee #16c with Gauge Garcia #5K and Bryce Lucius #6 idling slowly in row three. Kaleb Montgomery #3 and Conner Morrell #28M were ready to get on the gas from the fourth and final row.

There were only five transfer spots into the A-Main available in each qualifying race and eight hungry drivers that wanted to consume one of them. The slow pace was quickly replaced by high speed action when the green flag waved. It was an all-Macedo front row as the two hometown boys drag raced down the frontstretch and through the first set of turns with Cole Macedo taking command of the lead by the end of lap one. Carson settled into the runner-up position racing hard between his brother and third place running Skylar Gee.

Cole immediately began putting distance between himself and his brother who was wheeling the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 as he was cutting through the clean air with speed and precision. Cole’s impressive run though unfortunately ended abruptly on the third lap when the engine under his hood expired as he rolled to a stop needing assistance back to the pit area.

Carson inherited the lead and when the drivers went back to green flag racing the action once again sped up before immediately being halted when Bryce Lucius’ right rear contacted Gauge Garcia’s left rear tire entering turn one sending them both flipping hard out into the stacked white safety tires piled up outside the first set of turns. Both drivers were ok but unable to rejoin the field again as both cars experienced severe damage.

There were five cars remaining as Carson stomped back on the accelerator as the field of competitors completed another lap around this lightning quick racing surface. The driver of the forty-one led Gee, Windom, Montgomery, and Morrell with half the laps completed and half of them remaining. Carson had a fast hotrod as he started to stretch his legs extending his lead over Gee throughout the remainder of the race. Carson raced to the win by 3.040 seconds over Skylar Gee as they both advanced into the Toyota Dash. Crossing the finish line in third place was Chris Windom with Kaleb Montgomery and Conner Morrell rounding out the top five locking into the final transfer spots.

When the eight drivers pulled their numbers out of the oversized NOS Energy Drink Can, the lineup was set for the 6-lap Toyota Dash. Starting on the SPA Technique #1 Redraw pole position was Corey Day #14 with David Gravel #2 to his outside on the front row. Pulling in behind in row two were Garet Williamson #27 and Emerson Axsom #27 as Steven Snyder Jr. #51 and Justin Sanders #2X paced from row three. By luck of the draw Carson Macedo in the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 and Skylar Gee #16c were the two unluckiest pill selectors putting them back in the fourth row at the start of the Dash. They were all racing for their starting spots in the feature when the green flag flew over the field of speed monsters.

After rolling in the bottom of the track, they were ready to boogie around Kings Speedway. The green flag was out! The green flag was quickly replaced by the yellow flag at the start because race officials did not like the initial start, but no one was penalized any positions. They re-aligned and were back on the gas the next time with Corey Day taking the lead over Gravel during the opening lap. Carson passed Steven Snyder Jr. to take the sixth position with his sights now set on fifth running Garet Williamson. The next lap the driver of the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 dove low into turn three and slid up across the track to assume fifth place. Corey Day was victorious winning the Dash over David Gravel with Justin Sanders coming home third, Emerson Axsom fourth, and Carson rounding out the to five followed by Garet Williamson, Steven Snyder Jr., and Skylar Gee.

The feature lineup for the 30-lap Central Valley Clash A-Main at Kings Speedway contained so many stars of the sport in this era. That list included David Gravel, Sheldon Haudenschild, Buddy Kofoid, Carson Macedo, Garet Williamson, Cole Macedo, Logan Schuchart, Emerson Axsom, Corey Day, Donny Schatz, Justin Sanders, Tim Kaeding, and so many more talented racers. They all were here to entertain the fans in California – World of Outlaws style – with unrivaled high speed performances! It was a packed house at Kings Speedway.

The airhorn sounded throughout the pit area as the crew members wrapped up their work before escorting their cars and drivers out onto the racing surface to stage for the primetime event. The fans in the grandstands were all on their feet waiting in anticipation of the start of the race.

Starting on the pole position was Corey Day piloting the Sander Engineering/Jason Meyers Racing #14 with David Gravel in the Big Game Motorsports #2 flanking his right side on the front row after the finished one-two in the Toyota Dash. Following close behind in row two were Justin Sanders #2X and Emerson Axsom #27 with Carson Macedo #41 and Garet Williamson #23 together in row three. Side-by-side in row four was Steven Snyder Jr. #51 and Skylar Gee #16c with Sheldon Haudenschild #18 and Chris Windom #7s situated behind in row five eager to go racing.

Carson has been looking forward to this race all season. He flipped the shield down on his Clem’s custom painted Real-Geese Decoys/Expert Gate Repair/Empire Machinery/KIWI Motorsports Bell Helmet. His Kistler Engines Ford Racing power came alive as he slowly made his way around the track. It was hard not to notice the support from the hometown fans as they all seemed to show up in support of racing returning to Kings Speedway. Carson was set to get his race for the checkers started from the inside of row three piloting the Albaugh – Your Alternative/FK Rod Ends/Smiley’s Racing Products #41 Maxim.

After the four-wide salute, the green flag waved with Corey Day wasting no time moving into the top spot ahead of Gravel and Axsom. Carson was on the gas racing by Justin Sanders to move up one position on the scoreboard as he took over the fourth position early. These athletes were flying.

On lap 6, the action slowed when Max Mittry #2XM slowed to a stop in turn two after bicycling on the cushion. The track was fast and technical with 24 more laps of entertainment waiting to unfold. Corey Day patiently waited and when the green lights turned on again he gassed her up and powered his way out in front of Gravel and Axsom as Steven Snyder Jr. used the restart to move by Carson into fourth place.

Carson was on a mission though and the next time when they entered turn three his aggressively moved by both Snyder Jr. and Axsom by the time they exited turn four. He was now running in the show position behind Corey Day and David Gravel. The Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 was fast, and Carson closed fast on the Big Game Motorsports #2. He was right there with 10 laps down and 20 to go.

But on the next lap, lap 11, the red flag stopped the drivers in their tracks when D.J. Netto flipped in turn two. His was alright, but his night of competing with the World of Outlaws was concluded.

Primed and ready to go again, Corey Day dropped his right foot as the talented driver from Clovis, California sprinted away. Carson used the restart to race Gravel for the second position making the pass and turning his attention to the race leader. The drivers at the front of the pack were making a ton of speed which enabled them to catch up to the car at the back of the pack quickly. They bobbed and weaved through traffic with eased.

On lap 16, the red flag was back out again. This time it was for ten-time World of Outlaws champion Donny Schatz who flipped hard down the backstretch. Schatz was ok but the same could not be said for his CJB #15.

After officials cleared the scene of the accident, the engines refired and these speed stars were ready to put on a show during the last 14 laps. Corey Day again set the early pace with Carson keeping him close. Another Californian, eleventh starting Buddy Kofoid, moved into third place racing by David Gravel with Sheldon Haudenschild in fifth place.

Corey Day looked invincible out front, but Carson stayed determined. He had a fast hotrod and began to narrow the gap between the leader and JJR’s Maxim Racing machine. With twenty laps in the books Carson was right there. He charged down the front straightaway and entered hard on the bottom in turn one sliding up in front of the leader. When they exited turn two, you had a new leader, and his name was Carson Macedo!

Corey Day was not just going to go away. He kept the pressure on with Buddy Kofoid just behind him. The three talented California drivers at the top of the running order were again challenged by lap traffic. They balanced their speed with courage taking chances not necessarily because they wanted to but because they had to be aggressive to fend off the competition.

Carson controlled the point when the white flag came out with Corey Day still within striking distance in his Sander Engineering speed machine. Carson drove the forty-one through the last set of turns with Day turning underneath him hoping for an opportunity to drive by and steal the lead late. Carson maintained the top spot racing under the checkered flag much to the delight of the fans. Corey Day came home second with Buddy Kofoid finishing third. It was an all-California podium at Hanford. What a race! Carson collected his sixth World of Outlaws win of the 2026 season and his 64th career WoO victory. He also turned the ACME Trading Company Fastest Lap of the Race at 15.121 seconds. It was also Jason Johnson Racing’s 88th career World of Outlaws victory since joining the traveling tour back in 2015.

Carson pulled the Albaugh – Your Alternative/Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/Tarlton and Son #41 Maxim into victory lane climbing out of the car to the roar of the fans as he shared hugs with his family and friends. He climbed up on top of the tail tank with the checkered flag in hand, his fists clenched as the confetti fell over him saluting the fans. After catching his breath, he said to Conner Wade, “What a race!” He continued, “My car was absolutely incredible. Philip Dietz just did a great job, and I think I’m super familiar with this place, turned a lot of laps here coming up to get this point in my career.” Smiling from ear-to-ear as the hometown fans continued to cheer, he stated, “It’s just a cool win. Corey Day is one of the best, so to be able to drive by him for the lead is not easy to do. I’m just super thankful. It’s awesome to be back home in Hanford.” By the roar again from the crowd, they wholeheartedly agreed. A great run for Macedo and the forty-one!

The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series competitors will now continue down the road in California for a Friday (9/25) night race at Bakersfield Speedway at Kevin Harvick’s Kern Raceway in Bakersfield California. Follow these stars as if they shine during their brief visit to the state or follow all the action on DIRTVision. #NashvilleWestShowdown

Performing in Front of the Hometown Crowd During the Central Valley Clash at Kings Speedway! 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.

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

Go to ShopJJR.com to look at all our offerings and buy your new JJR and Carson Macedo gear and merchandise.