SIGHTS SET IN SOUTH DAKOTA: CARSON MACEDO WAS HUNTING THE TROPHY DURING THE ACE READY MIX PRELIMINARY NIGHT OF ACTION AT THE HUSET’S HIGH BANK NATIONALS ULTIMATELY SCORING THE VICTORY!

BRANDON, SOUTH DAKOTA (August 31, 2024) – After scoring a seventh place finish in the Huset’s Hustle on Friday evening to open the three day race weekend at Huset’s Speedway, Carson and the Jason Johnson Racing (JJR) #41 sprint car team were excited to get back on the track to kick off Ace Ready Mix Night at the BillionAuto.com Huset’s High Bank Nationals. The track prep crew and officials had the surface at Huset’s Speedway in great shape for the second of three nights of intense sprint car competition with big money on the line each night . . . especially in the finale on Sunday. After the engines cooled following Friday night’s competition, the driver of the forty-one and the JJR crew were up early and back at it Saturday morning as they used the day to prepare their Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 Maxim for preliminary night action. Using the same format as they did for the Huset’s Hustle portion of the three-day race week, which awards points every time a driver hits the track to compete, it was time to continue the calculated fun in South Dakota. There were 41 drivers registered to race again at one of the absolute best bullring tracks in the country – Huset’s Speedway – World of Outlaws style!

With the size of the field of entrants for this event, race officials used the random draw to split the drivers into two equal groups for Sea Foam Qualifying. Each of the drivers would get two laps to go as fast as they could in their assigned group – A or B. Their fastest lap would then be ranked ordered, fastest to slowest, against each of the other drivers in their qualifying sessions. The driver of the forty-one car would be the first speed pilot out in qualifying Group A for his time trial laps. Carson was raring and ready to get to work from the comfort of his Fibreworks Composites seat with a Sharp Advantage custom fitted insert. The Kistler Engines power plant under the hood of the Albaugh – Your Alternative/Saldana Racing Products/SmithTI #41 Maxim fired and Carson dropped his right foot on the loud pedal. He was building up his speed and momentum and when he raced off turn four he was greeted by the waving green flag. Carson crossed the timing light at the starting line and triggered the clock to begin rolling. He was moving and grooving around the 1/3-mile, high-banked bullring looking for speed. His mission was to circle Huset’s in the least amount of time possible. When Carson completed his first circuit, he did so in 11.107 seconds. Never hesitating, Carson kept the fast button pressed as he tiptoed on the brake pedal only when needed and if necessary. He was searching for anything he may have missed time wise the first time around. When he exited turn four for the final time, he raced across the finish line stopping the clock this time at 11.128 seconds. The quicker of his two laps ended up being the second best time overall in the first qualifying group. For his time trial results, Carson earned 99 event points to start the night. Emerson Axsom was quicker by a mere 0.004 seconds than Carson and was the fastest driver out of that qualifying group recording a lap in 11.103 seconds. He collected 100 points for his effort and was the Simpson Quick Time Award recipient, the first of his career. Aaron Reutzel was the fastest driver out of Group B with a lap of 11.163 seconds. He also earned 100 points for his time trial results.

Deviating again from the usual and customary World of Outlaws heat race format that puts the fastest drivers up on the front row, there would be an inversion of four for each of the four 10-lap heat races. Those drivers who qualified in Group A would lineup in heat races one and two. Additionally, the cars that time trialed in Group B would comprise the starting grids in heat races three and four. This event format puts the top four fastest drivers from each of the separate qualifying groups on the outside of row two at the start of each of the heat races.

A little confusing at first but when the heat race lineups were finalized and posted it all became clearer with the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 driven by Carson Macedo beginning the second heat race from the fourth starting position based on his best time trial lap. He would roll into his starting position beside Kerry Madsen pacing in the #55. The front row starters in the heat race would be Kaleb Johnson #22K and Brock Zearfoss #3z. Row three would find Scott Winters #23W and Mark Dobmeier #13 with Tim Kaeding #3 and Dusty Zomer #3J in row four. In the last row, row five, it was Brooke Tatnell #16 and Jacob Peterson #80P.

All ten drivers had a job to do and were ready to execute on their plan when the green lights illuminated out of turn four. Passing cars was the name of the game. Polesitter Kaleb Johnson wasted no time stomping on the accelerator to drive into the lead on lap one. The leader was followed by Brock Zearfoss and Kerry Madsen as the fastest driver in this group from time trials, Carson Macedo, was being patient early while running in the fourth position.

With the first lap recorded, the yellow flag flew for Mark Dobmeier who got into the turn one wall after making contact with Tim Kaeding and hopping his right rear tire coming down the frontstretch sending him into the wall. The remaining cars paced slowly under the caution period while the cars were tended to and escorted to the work area.

When the field of drivers got back up to speed it was Kaleb Johnson showing the way as Brock Zearfoss hustled right behind him in second. Carson was up on his JOES Matador Steering Wheel and drove the Team Jack Foundation #41 into the show position on the fourth lap. He started to reel in Zearfoss quickly. Over the last half of the race Carson was throwing everything in the proverbial kitchen sink at Zearfoss trying to make his way by, but the driver from Jonestown, Pennsylvania held him off and successfully held onto the runner-up position.

Kaleb Johnson used that battle behind him to extend his lead and raced to the heat race victory by 1.275 seconds ahead of Zearfoss with Carson coming home third. Kerry Madsen was fourth with Brooke Tatnell completing the top five. When the checkered flag was displayed, Kalen Johnson earned the maximum 100 points that were up for grabs in the heat races with Brock Zearfoss collecting the second place points (97 points) and Carson Macedo (94 points) coming home third. Carson’s combined event point total following time trials and the heat races totaled 193 points, which was enough to make him one of the eight eligible drivers for the starting spot redraw.

While the top ten drivers in event points from each qualifying group, twenty in total, after time trials and the heat races were all locked into the feature only eight would get to redraw for their starting positions in one of the first four rows. There would be no Toyota Dash, so the top four in points from each of the qualifying groups were part of the Weikert’s Livestock Redraw to pick their starting position for the feature – or so they thought. Those eight drivers would be: Emerson Axsom #27; Donny Schatz #15; Carson Macedo #41; and Christopher Thram #24T from Group A, being joined by Sheldon Haudenschild #17; Chase Randall #14H; Hunter Schuerenberg #2KS; and Scott Bogucki #10 out of Group B.

There would be an interesting twist though with the redraw – it would be a revenge redraw where the number each driver chose would actually be given by them to another driver to determine their starting position. Emerson Axsom was first up and he drew the ‘7’ pill and gave it to Sheldon Haudenschild. Sheldon Haudenschild was up next and drew the ‘4’ pill and handed that over to Donny Schatz. Donny Schatz was next and drew the ‘2’ pill and chose to share that with Hunter Schuerenberg. Chase Randall was the next driver to put his hand in the oversized NOS Energy Dink can and he pulled out the ‘5’ pill which he quickly awarded to Christopher Thram. Carson Macedo was the next driver to select a pill and pulled out the ‘6’ pill which he gave to Emerson Axsom. Hunter Schuerenberg then picked the ‘1’ pill that he graciously gave to Chase Randall, the former driver of the #2KS that Schuerenberg was now wheeling, with a good hearted challenge to beat his former car. With the eight and three pills still remaining in the can, Christopher Thram walked up and pulled the higher numbered pill, the ‘8’ pill, and beelined over to the driver of the #41 to give it to Carson. Scott Bogucki was the last driver so he pulled the ‘3’ pill and got to keep it for himself. The drivers and teams had fun with it and did a great job.

When the remainder of the qualifying action now officially in the books, the rest of the 24 car feature field for the 35-lap Ace Ready Mix Night preliminary night of action at the BillionAuto.com Huset’s High Bank Nationals was set. Carson climbed into the cockpit of his Tarlton and Son/All Pro Aluminum Cylinder Heads/LogoDaddy #41 Maxim Racing machine. He buckled into his Crow Enterprizes safety belts and pulled them snug one last time. He would roll out onto the track where he would line up in the eighth starting position in row four alongside Friday night’s feature winner Sheldon Haudenschild in the Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing NOS Energy Drink entry.

When all the engines fired and the cars were rolling, Chase Randall and Hunter Schuerenberg paced the field from the front row with Scott Bogucki and Donny Schatz right behind them in row two. Christopher Thram and Emerson Axsom were sitting in row three with Haudenschild and Macedo right behind. It was time for some of the best sprint car drivers in the entire country to get to business at Huset’s Speedway as they showed off their talents behind the wheel.

The yellow lights were turned off and the green flag was out as Hunter Schuerenberg hustled into the early race lead with Chase Randall and Donny Schatz staying close and stalking him relentlessly from right behind the leader. Carson moved up one position at the end of the first circuit and was now running in the seventh spot aboard the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41. He was born and raised racing on these type of smaller, high speed bullrings, so he was in his glory racing here at Huset’s.

The action on the track was incredibly captivating for the fans in the stands as there was racing from the front of the field to the back of the field. So much so that there was no need to even keep the concession stands open because no one was about to leave their seat for fear of missing something. With three laps in the books Schuerenberg was still your race leader with Randall and Schatz still pursuing him with vigor. Meanwhile, Carson was battling with Haudenschild for the sixth spot in the running order and made it stick.

On lap 4, the yellow flag was thrown out for Scott Winters #23W as he sat backwards in turn two after spinning around. Hunter Schuerenberg was still out front and would bring the field back up to speed with Randall, Schatz, Bogucki, and Axsom anxious to make the leader uncomfortable at speed as they challenged him for the top spot. Chase Randall used the restart as an opportunity to take the lead and did just that when the next lap was recorded. Carson also gained a spot as he moved into the top five after racing by Emerson Axsom.

Another caution flag was thrown on lap 10, this time for Ryan Timms #5 who was facing in the wrong direction in turn two. That enable the field of cars to regroup for the restart side by side. Chase Randall stomped on the gas pedal and everyone followed his lead with Schuerenberg, Schatz, Bogucki, and now Macedo in chase mode.

The high speed action would not last long as two laps later the yellow lights were back on after Scott Bogucki and Sheldon Haudenschild made contact while they were racing for position. Both drivers sustained some damage and headed to the Federated Auto Parts Work Zone. After each of their crews assessed the related damage, Haudenschild’s team was able to make the necessary repairs for him to rejoin, but Bogucki’s race night was over as there was too much damage to continue.

The green flag was back out with 23 laps to go with Randall, Schuerenberg, Schatz, Macedo, and 17 starting Buddy Kofoid now all in the mix. Carson used the restart to move by Donny Schatz to take over third as he raced around the CARQUEST/Ford Performance #15 on the outside coming around turn four.

Carson had a really fast Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 hotrod and started to close the gap quickly on second place running Hunter Schuerenberg #2KS. It took him 11 laps, but he finally caught him and moved by into the runner-up position with leader Chase Randall now checked out over the field. He had built a sizeable lead that almost seemed insurmountable, but that is why they keep racing.

Carson needed a little help if he was going to catch your race leader and that assistance came via another yellow flag on lap 27 for Hunter Schuerenberg who spun in turns three and four after making contact with Giovanni Scelzi racing for the sixth position. That allowed Carson Macedo to close in on the rear nerf bar of your race leader with just eight laps remaining. Donny Schatz would restart third with Buddy Kofoid and Bill Balog right behind him.

There was two and two-thirds miles left to go when the green flag came out for the single file restart. Chase Randall got a great start while Carson spun a bit allowing the leader to build a quick lead that was just under a second over Macedo. Carson stayed calm and poised as he found his rhythm and started to carve some of the gap down with each passing lap. Meanwhile the leaders were tracking down the back of the field. Lap traffic would be a factor.

Chase Randall tracked down the slower cars as Carson Macedo used it as an opportunity to close some more space between himself and the leader. Mission accomplished as with three laps to go Carson had the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 right there with the driver at the front of the pack. The next time by the flagstand Carson was close enough to attempt a clean slide job entering turn one that stuck as he slid up in front of Randall to take over the lead momentarily. Randall turned back underneath him off turn two as they raced side by side down the back straightaway. Carson was on the high side. Randall was running underneath him as they headed towards turn three. Macedo used his momentum to circle around the top and lead lap 34 as the white flag came out. Carson never looked back though and raced to the preliminary night, $15,000 victory ahead of Chase Randall with Donny Schatz rounding out the podium. Buddy Kofoid finished fourth to complete a very impressive run forward from his 17th starting spot. Bill Balog rounding out the top five with a terrific drive forward too from his 16th starting spot.

After celebrating his seventh victory of the season, and 42nd career World of Outlaws win of his career, with confetti falling down a smiling Carson Macedo started by crediting his JJR teammates, “Hats off to this race team – Philip Dietz, Adam Zimmerman, and Robby McQuinn – they’ve been working really hard. It feels good to have a lot of speed here. That was fun, hard racing late in the race. No points on the line, just good, hard, authentic racing. Hats off to this race team.” He continued, “It feels good to have speed here. When you start eighth and drive by everybody to get the win, it makes you have a lot of confidence going into a night like tomorrow where it pays a hundred grand.” He concluded and acknowledged, “The caution helped a lot. I don’t think we would’ve ever got to him if we wouldn’t have had that restart there.”

After racing his behind off all night, the driver of the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 piloted his Maxim Racing speedster to the win, earning an additional 250 event points for his feature finish. Throughout the night of competition, Carson had accumulated a total of 443 event points, which positioned him at the top of the overall event point standings heading into Saturday night’s $100,000-to-win BillionAuto.com Huset’s High Bank Nationals finale. Another great night and run for Macedo and the forty-one!

The top ten in points heading into Saturday night’s $100,000 finale looks like this: (1st) Carson Macedo #41 with 443 points; (2nd) Chase Randall #14H with 441 points; (3rd) Donny Schatz #15 with 438 points; (4th) Giovanni Scelzi #18 with 427 points; (5th) Bill Balog #17B with 424 points; (6th) Buddy Kofoid #83 with 418 points; (7th) Garet Williamson with 415 points; (8th)Emerson Axsom #27 with 411 points; (9th) Kerry Madsen #55 with 409 points; and, in (10th) David Gravel #2 with 405 points.

A Late Race Caution and Pass Enables Carson Macedo and the JJR #41 Team to Collect their Seventh WoO Win of the Season at Huset’s Speedway! Photo Credit: Trent Gower Photography

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