Buddy Kofoid led all 35 laps at Talladega
Buddy Kofoid picked up his first career World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series last season and wasted little time in scoring his second victory on Friday night at the Talladega Sprint Car Showdown. It was the first visit to Talladega Short Track in 12 years for the tour.
After fighting off a challenge from four-time champion Brad Sweet, Kofoid was able to take control of the race and ultimately pull into victory lane at “The Hornet’s Nest”.
A total of 29 cars were signed in for competition
Qualifying Results: 1. David Gravel(11.909), 2. Spencer Bayston, 3. Brad Sweet, 4. Giovanni Scelzi, 5. Rico Abreu, 6. Buddy Kofoid, 7. Sheldon Haudenschild, 8. Donny Schatz, 9. Carson Macedo, 10. James McFadden
Heat 1 Results: 1. David Gravel, 2. Giovanni Scelzi, 3. Sheldon Haudenschild, 4. Brock Zearfoss, 5. Eric Riggins Jr., 6. James McFadden
Heat 2 Results: 1. Spencer Bayston, 2. Rico Abreu, 3. Donny Schatz, 4. Austin McCarl, 5. Aaron Reutzel, 6. Parker Price-Miller
Heat 3 Results: 1. Buddy Kofoid, 2. Brad Sweet, 3. Kasey Kahne, 4. Carson Macedo, 5. Hunter Schuerenberg, 6. Kraig Kinser
Last Chance Showdown Finish: 1. Noah Gass, 2. Bill Balog, 3. Logan Schuchart, 4. Jacob Allen, 5. Garet Williamson, 6. Bryce Norris
WoO Dash Finish: 1. Buddy Kofoid, 2. Rico Abreu, 3. Brad Sweet, 4. Giovanni Scelzi, 5. Spencer Bayston, 6. David Gravel
Feature Re-cap: The 35-lap feature took the green flag with Kofoid taking the lead ahead of Abreu, Sweet, Scelzi and Bayston trailing. However, a spin by Macedo on the second lap resulted in a yellow flag.
On the lap 2 restart, Sweet powered his way to second but Abreu would regain the spot one lap later. Further back, Bayston took fourth away from Scelzi but a spin by McFadden on lap 4 brought out another caution. Kofoid continued to lead over Abreu and sweet.
Gravel made his way to fifth on the restart then up to fourth around Bayston on lap 5 but Bayston took the position back on lap 6. Sweet again pulled up on Abreu and grabbed second but a lap 7 caution for a spin by Gass negated the move.
Sweet took second on the lap 7 restart pushing Abreu back to third. Another caution would be displayed on lap 8 for Schuerenberg but this time sweet’s move would count. Bayston passed Abreu for third when the race went back to green. At the same time, Schatz bolted into the top-5 then by Abreu to capture fourth.
McCarl spun to cause another yellow on lap 13 with Kofoid leading Sweet, Bayson, Schatz, Abreu and Gravel. On this restart it would be Gravel who moved forward as he got around Abreu for fifth. Bayston closed in to challenge Sweet for second at the halfway point.
Kofoid found himself fighting with slower traffic on lap 22 with Sweet and Bayston closing quickly. With just under 10 laps remaining, Kofoid held back the advances of Sweet to maintain the top spot. After fending off that challenge, Kofoid began to slip away from his pursuers as the laps clicked away.
In the end, Kofoid sailed under the checkered flag to claim the second World of Outlaws win of his career.
Feature Results: 1. Buddy Kofoid, 2. Brad Sweet, 3. Spencer Bayston, 4. David Gravel, 5. Donny Schatz. 6. Sheldon Haudenschild, 7, Rico Abreu, 8. Giovanni Scelzi, 9. Carson Macedo, 10. Kasey Kahne, 11. Brock Zearfoss, 12. Aaron Reutzel, 13. Parker Price-Miller, 14. Logan Schuchart, 15. Bill Balog, 16. Robbie Price, 17. Kraig Kinser, 18. Garet Williamson, 19. Noah Gass, 20. Jacob Allen, 21. Eric Riggins Jr., 22. James McFadden, 23. Austin McCarl, 24. Hunter Schuerenberg, 25. Bryce Norris
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