The 2024 sprint car season is just days away from getting underway. I have seen a lot of High Limit and World of Outlaws predictions floating around, so I thought I should do one for all of sprint car racing.
Donny Schatz Returns to Form
For most drivers, the season that Donny Schatz had in 2023 would have been a great year. However, for Schatz, it was a less than stellar season saved by a win at the Kings Royal. Many are saying that Schatz is starting to decline and that he just can’t put it all together with the Ford motor. I don’t think that is the case, as I think Schatz will return to form and contend for the World of Outlaws title.
Zeb Wise Secures a High Limit Charter
The battle to secure one of the five charters that will be handed out by High Limit Racing at the end of the season will be very interesting to watch. It adds interest in more than just the overall championship race. With a stacked roster, I have seen a lot of predictions that are leaving Zeb Wise out of the top five. I think that is wrong, as Wise has drastically improved each season during his time in the Rudeen no. 26. Wise has a chance to battle Corey Day, Tyler Courtney and Cory Eliason for one of the final charters.
The High Limit Season will be Plagued by Inconsistent Track Conditions
When you look at the High Limit schedule, one of the things that stick out to me are a few tracks that have a history of inconsistent track conditions/prep. Sure, you could say that about a lot of tracks on any schedule, but holding major events at the dirt track at Texas Motor Speedway is definitely risky business. I imagine that High Limit will do everything in their power to prevent this from happening, but sometimes these things are out of the sanctioning body’s control.
Anthony Macri wins 20+ Races
Last season was filled with drama for Anthony Macri and the Macri Motorsports team. It is drama that everyone wants to leave in the past and look forward to 2024. The team decided against joining High Limit or the Outlaws, and will continue their true “outlaw” schedule. With Brent Marks and Justin Peck going national, the door in Central PA is wide open for Macri to dominate. Look for him to bounce back and win a bunch of races.
The Winged Maverick Series will Average 35+ Cars
The new, Indiana based 410 Sprint Car series had nearly 50 cars attend their inaugural race last season. With guys like Hunter Schuerenberg, Emerson Axsom, Thomas Meseraull and Cale Thomas focusing on more regional racing, I expect to see the car counts for the Winged Maverick series to be very impressive. This series has potential to produce great racing and I am looking forward to watching it develop.
Toyota will flex their Muscle in 2024
It was heartbreak for Buddy Kofoid, Toyota, and Roth Motorsports last season when Kofoid’s motor expired while leading the $250,000 to win Huset’s High Bank Nationals. The failure led to a lot of questions surrounding the Toyota power plant, but I think that they have worked the bugs out and will be wicked fast all season. I think Kofoid and teammate James McFadden both enjoy impressive seasons with multiple wins each.
Sheldon Haudenschild Wins 9+ Races
2023 was not a good year for Sheldon Haudenschild and his Stenhouse Jr Marshall Race team. Haudenschild looked sharp racing in Australia during the off-season and I think he can carry that momentum into the 2024 season. I don’t think the consistency will be there to battle for a championship, but I do think we will see him in victory lane a lot more often.
Carson Macedo wins the World of Outlaws Title
David Gravel seems to be the consensus favorite heading into the new World of Outlaws season. Obviously, you cannot rule out Donny Schatz or Logan Schuchart either. Macedo looked dominant in Australia and I expect him and the Jason Johnson race team to come out swinging at Volusia. It will likely be a very close battle between Gravel and Macedo, but I think Macedo prevails.
Troy Wagaman Jr wins 5+ Races in Central PA
Last season, it seemed like Troy Wagaman Jr improved every single week behind the wheel of the Heffner no. 27. We all know what that car i capable of, and Wagaman already started winning some races in 2023. There is no reason why that success won’t continue into 2024, especially with all of the unknowns surrounding who will be racing where and how often.
Buddy Kofoid wins the Knoxville Nationals
Buddy Kofoid will finally be able to leave the Huset’s heartbreak in the past by winning the 2024 Knoxville Nationals. I think that Kofoid and the Roth Motorsports team will be especially strong this season, and it will be on full display by time the nationals roll around.
Subscribe to the Monday Methanol Newsletter. It is completely free and will go directly to your inbox every Monday!
