TRACKING ROYALTY: CARSON MACEDO AND THE JASON JOHNSON RACING (JJR) #41 TEAM GAVE IT A VALIANT EFFORT CHASING AFTER THE GEM STUDDED CROWN AT “THE HOUSE THAT EARL BUILT” IN THE 43RD EDITION OF THE KINGS ROYAL

ROSSBURG, OHIO (July 18, 2026) – Over the last 72 hours, there has been tremendous racing action at Eldora Speedway producing high speed entertainment that attracts sprint car fans from around the world to the small town of Rossburg, Ohio. Back in 1954, Earl Baltes had a dream that resulted in him carving a racetrack into the remote cornfields in northwestern Ohio. The track originally started as a semi-banked quarter-mile oval known as New Bremen Speedway and expanded to three-eighths of a mile in 1956. Then in 1958 it was again enlarged to a high-banked, half-mile racing venue and since that time has evolved into one of the premier dirt tracks in the country that hosts extraordinary events like the Dirt Late Model Dream (late model event), World 100 (late model event), Eldora Million (sprint car event), and of course the prestigious Kings Royal (sprint car event). Through the years the likes of Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, Jeff Gordon, Steve Kinser, Ken Shrader, Dave Blaney, Kyle Larson, Rico Abreu, and Donny Schatz have had success racing around this joint. The infield pit area was bumper-to-bumper with haulers as 57 race teams were looking to add their names to the historic list of Kings Royal winners. It was Crown Jewel time at Eldora Speedway – World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Print Car Series style – where the drivers were racing for the opportunity to be crowned the race champion to go along with the $200,000 winner’s check!

After flipping hard on the opening lap and getting back into the race driving to a 14th place finish during the Knight Before the Kings Royal on Friday night, Carson Macedo was ready to get back behind the wheel of the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 for another competitive night of sprint car racing. There was a lot at stake, but in these competitors’ minds it was just another race. The format at this event is quite different than any other race, but that is what makes it unique, exciting, and frustrating depending on how it impacts each team. It starts though by following the normal script with each driver getting a couple of laps around Eldora in Race//Ready Hot Laps before officially hitting the track in time trials.

The special qualifying format has been in place since the inaugural event that took place back in 1984 won by none other than “The King” – Steve Kinser. Unlike the normal WoO format, there is no split field for time trials if there are 38 cars or more. All the entrants qualify against each other in one group during Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying no matter how many cars are registered to compete. The order in which they would hit the track was determined at the beginning of the night when each team randomly selected a numbered pill during the Eloy Gutierrez Pill Draw. Race officials then arranged those numbers lowest to highest to set the qualifying order.

Back in 2020, David Gravel while driving the Jason Johnson Racing #41 set the all-time one lap track record at 12.599 seconds. This racing venue is fast and that was the mark the drivers were shooting for when they were on the clock. The Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT)/High Performance Lubricants/Kistler Engines #41 Maxim of Carson Macedo would be the seventh car to roll onto the racing surface. The California speed chauffeur would be joined out on the half mile by Pennsylvania’s T.J. Stutts behind the wheel of the Village Square Plaza #11 in two car qualifying. With the assistance of a push truck, Carson motor came alive as he rolled up the banking in turn one. Locked and loaded, Carson focused on cranking up the RPMs and making speed. Out of turn four the flagman showed the green flag putting him on the clock. He artfully made his way around Eldora for the first time in 14.769 seconds. No sandbagging, just foot in the throttle type effort. He had one more circuit to pick up any time he may have potentially left out there the first time around. Only the clock would tell how he did and when he crossed the finish line under the checkers the numbers read 14.761 seconds for his second circuit. The best of his two attempts ended up being the 19th quickest lap overall in qualifying. Chase Dietz in the Stehman Motorsports/Treyco Manufacturing #23D turned the quickest lap of the night around the “Big E” at 14.141 seconds earning the Simpson Quick Time Award.

The twists and turns related to the event format continued as the program moved away from time trial qualifying and into the qualifying races. Unlike in the past when the pre-determined top 36 coming out of Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying being inverted for each of the six Heat races, the Wheel of Misfortune now determines the inversion after time trials are over. The fastest overall driver in time trials has the good fortune of spinning the wheel. Where it stops nobody knows, but you must give it a whirl. Speedy Chase Dietz stepped up and sent the circle spinning. When the circle stopped it landed on the number “4” plastered on the wheel. The result was that the top four quickest drivers in each of the six 10-lap Heat races were inverted with only the top three finishers securing transfer positions out of each of the qualifying races.

Each of the Heat race winners would earn starting positions one through six in the feature with the runner-up finishers assigned behind them in positions seven through twelve. Then each of the drivers who finished in the show position would fill positions thirteen through eighteen. The fastest two drivers in time trials that did not advance through Heat race action would fill row ten, the 19th and 20th starting spots, with the last four spot in the starting grid going to the drivers advancing into the feature from the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown (LCS).

Phew . . . that certainly is a lot to chew on and comprehend. This format is the epitome of tough! It is the same for everyone though, so both the drivers and teams must adapt and focus all the same. There certainly is little room, if any, for error when they drop the green flag until the checkered flag flies in these qualifying races.

Carson would get his chance to perform and overcome obstacles behind the wheel of the Scott Boyd Family/Smiley’s Racing Products/Xtreme Body & Paint #41 Maxim starting from the pole position on the front row in NOS Energy Drink Heat Race #1. Sharing the space in that row with the driver of the forty-one was Brian Brown #21 as the two speedsters paced slowly in front of row two starters Donny Schatz #15 and Chase Dietz #23d. Spencer Bayston #17 and Brock Zearfoss #17GP populated row three with T.J. Stutts #11 and Zane DeVault #14Z occupying row four and Skylar Gee #16c and Gage Pulkrabek #G5 together in row five. These Heat race lineups were loaded with the best sprint car drivers on the planet!

As the yellow lights dimmed the drivers’ right feet started to jitter with anticipation as they paced towards the chalk stripe in turn four. Carson inherited the right to stomp on the gas first with outside front row starter Brian Brown following suit. The engines roared with energy as the cars made their way down the front straightaway and through the first set of turns. Carson Macedo made quick work of the opening lap leading the field in the Albaugh – Your Alternative #41 followed by Donny Schatz with Brian Brown settling into the third position. The top three in the running order were still close enough yet to exchange some snacks for the remainder of the ride.

Carson began to tighten his grip in the top spot with each completed lap and by the halfway point of the race he established a comfortable lead over Schatz and Brown. The driver of the Casey’s/FVP/Andy’s Frozen Custard #21 was doing his best to hold off quick timer Chase Dietz. The Lemoore, California born racer never looked back taking the win in the opening Heat race by 1.712 seconds over Donny Schatz with Brian Brown successfully finishing in third place ahead of Chase Dietz. The other Heat race winners were Kerry Madsen #55 (Heat #2), Garet Williamson #23 (Heat #3), Chris Windom #7s (Heat #4), Brent Marks #19 (Heat #5), and Anthony Macri #39M (Heat #6).

Following the completion of the Micro-Lite Last Chance Showdown (LCS), the twenty-four car starting field was locked in for the 40-lap 43rd Annual Kings Royal A-Main feature. Perched in Victory Lane was the wooden throne awaiting its’ new king as each driver got to sit in the seat during pre-race introductions. But only one driver would be siting in that prestigious seat at the end of forty laps with royalty bestowed upon him by the 2026 Royal Sovereign – Sir Dave Argabright.

The winner’s list of this race is a “Who’s Who” list for the sport with names etched in the record books like: Steve Kinser (8 wins); Donny Schatz (6 wins); Jac Haudenschild and Sammy Swindell (3 wins each); with Doug Wolfgang, Brad Sweet, and Joey Saldana all being crowned twice at the Kings Royal. Other greats including Donald Krietz Jr. (1986); Bobby Davis Jr. (1989); Mark Kinser (2001); Jason Sides (2004); Daryn Pitman (2008); Shane Stewart (2015); Kyle Larson (2021); Brent Marks (2022); David Gravel (2024); and Anthony Macri (2025) all have their names linked to victories in this Crown Jewel event.

Enough talk. After the cool drone show it was showtime in “The Buckeye State” of Ohio! It was now time to go racing at Eldora Speedway! The engines fired with an all-Pennsylvania front row featuring Anthony Macri #39M and Brent Marks pulling into their front row starting positions followed by Chris Windom #7s and Garet Williamson #23 in row two. Carson pulled into the sixth starting position peering through the rock screen from the outside of row three aboard the Albaugh – Your Alternative/Smith TI/Motor State Distributing #41 Maxim with Kerry Madsen #55 to his inside. Donny Schatz #15 and Giovanni Scelzi #77 were side-by-side in row four with Corey Day #14M and Rico Abreu #14 close behind in row five. The drivers went four wide as the fireworks illuminated the night following the incredible drone show which both added to the festivities of the night.

Polesitter Anthony Macri stepped on the gas in the J&S Classics/Randy Shearer Plumbing and Heating #39M when the green flag waved and the race was on with Brent Marks and Garet Williamson in full chase mode down the front straightaway. Carson used the outside lane to drive by Madsen and Windom into fourth place at the end of lap one. He carried his momentum forward and was closing in on Williamson’s rear nerf bar the next time by.

On lap 7, Garet Williamson moved by Brent Marks into the runner-up position with Rico Abreu moving into the top five behind Macedo who was running in fourth place. Williamson had the Fischer Motorsports #23 machine moving. Five laps later he was right on the leader’s tail tank. Rico Abreu drove the Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) #14 by Carson into fourth with his sights set on the show position that Brent Marks currently occupied.

One lap later, on lap 13, Garet Williamson muscled his way into the lead in the CSC Group #23 racing by Macri into the top spot. Corey Day was now on the move and relegated Carson back to the sixth position. Throughout the next five laps Corey Day and Rico Abreu were exchanging body blows lap after lap with each driver standing tall. One lap Abreu had the lead. The next time by it was Day ahead of Abreu. Carson watched this all unfold from the catbird seat running in the sixth position.

At the halfway point of the race, it was Garet Williamson still out in front of Anthony Macri and Rico Abreu with Brent Marks locked down in fourth place. Carson dove underneath Corey Day to regain fifth place. Behind Day was Giovanni Scelzi, Chris Windom, Sheldon Haudenschild, and Tanner Holmes.

Locked in, Carson carried all his speed forward and the next time around passed Brent Marks to move into the fourth position. He was trucking in the Mesilla Valley Transportation (MVT) #41 and began to close in on the top three in the running order. Corey Day followed him and was the last car in the top five.

With ten laps to go, Garet Williamson was driving the race of a lifetime and earning all the accolades thrown his way. Rico Abreu was in second place followed by Macri, Macedo, and Day.

On lap 33, the caution flag flew for Chris Windom as the front nose wing of the NOS Energy Drink #7s was askew. He headed to the Federated Car Care Work Zone to attempt to make the necessary repairs. Since the race was beyond the halfway point there was no two minutes of time for repairs to be made.

With seven laps to go, the green lights turned on with Garet Williamson trying valiantly to hold off Anthony Macri and Rico Abreu. Corey Day and Giovanni Scelzi both drove by Carson on the low side to put the driver of the forty-one back into the sixth spot on the scoreboard.

On lap 38, Anthony Macri retook the lead from Williamson. He led that lap and raced by the waving white flag one last time. Or so he thought as the yellow flag came out late for Spencer Bayston who rolled to a stop trying to coast off the track on the backstretch as he entered the pit opening.

It would be a green-white-checkered restart. The yellow lights turned off, but almost immediately turned back on as Carson began to slow as he ran out of fuel. The yellow lights were replaced by the red ones as race officials called for an “Open Red” for the teams to refuel as they reached the pre-determined 55 lap mark including pre-race and laps ran under caution. Unfortunately for Carson, who was running in sixth place, race officials made the decision that the yellow flag was for him putting him back to the end of the lead lap cars for the restart.

The engines began to fire, and the green flag was soon back out. Anthony Macri covered the remaining mile of racing to collect his second consecutive Kings Royal with Rico Abreu racing home second and Giovanni Scelzi capturing third place ahead of Corey Day and Logan Schuchart who rounded out the top five.

Carson was able to race back for a 14th place finish after running up front for the whole race at the 43rd Annual Kings Royal. Learning lessons as this sport has so many ways of humbling, even the best.

There is no rest for the weary competitors and crews following the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series tour as the resume their regularly programmed schedule now which takes the teams north of the border to Oshweken Speedway in Ohsweken, Ontario, Canada for the two-day Federated Auto Parts Six Nations Showdown on Tuesday (7/21) and Wednesday (7/22) night. Do not fret if you will not be making the trek to Canada as you can catch all the WoO action night-in and night-out on DIRTVision. #SixNationsShowdown

Racing “All-Out” in The Buckeye State throughout the 43rd Annual Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway! Photo Credit: Cameron Saich – CS Productions

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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