Sheldon Haudenschild chases Buddy Kofoid Wednesday at Huset’s Speedway.

By Jacob Seelman, SWN News Editor

BRANDON, S.D. (June 18, 2026) – What will it take to beat Buddy Kofoid during BillionAuto.com Huset’s High Bank Nationals week at Huset’s Speedway?

If anyone knows or has the formula to come close, it’s Sheldon Haudenschild.

The second-generation driver from Wooster, Ohio stormed from sixth to second in 35 laps during Wednesday’s Hefty Seed Huset’s Hustle opener at the third-mile dirt oval, and for a moment looked as if he might be the one to finally stop Kofoid’s dominance with a late run in traffic.

But Kofoid’s Roth Motorsports No. 83 was just a little bit better, scooting away over the final eight laps and forcing Haudenschild and KCP Racing to rethink their plan of attack going into the rest of the week.

“I think I was probably just trying more in [turns] three and four, just to try and gain some ground,” said Haudenschild, who visibly lacked a bit of forward drive on corner exit at that end of the racetrack.

Haudenschild’s near-moment in the sun came as Kofoid was working to lap both Chris Windom and Sam Hafertepe Jr., who were racing for position and side by side, clogging both lanes ahead of the leader.

That allowed Haudenschild to close from nearly two seconds back, once he’d gotten to second place, to Kofoid’s rear nerf bar on lap 28. He just didn’t have quite enough steam to dispatch Kofoid before the eventual winner escaped traffic and rebuilt his advantage.

“Once we got into some open track, I felt like I got to him, and the [Nos.] 7s [of Windom] and the 15H [of Hafertepe] … man, they were racing side by side. Buddy struggled with him, and then I struggled with him again [once Kofoid got clear],” Haudenschild reflected.

“But hats off to this whole NOS Energy Drink, KCP Racing, Aspen Aire, Royal Flooring, Bobcat, Logan Contractors team and all our guys, man. We got a crew here this week, and I just want to run good for them,” he added. “I’m happy with the night.”

Wednesday night gave Haudenschild his fourth straight top-five finish at Huset’s in Outlaws competition, with runs of fifth, fourth, third, and second during that span.

It’s a track where he’s won three times, and Haudenschild knows what it will take to complete the cycle and bank a six-figure payday before the end of the week.

But solely winning to win wasn’t his focus after the Huset’s Hustle kickoff. Haudenschild, like the rest of the field, wants to win to dethrone Kofoid’s recent dominance in South Dakota – even if he already feels he’s the best-equipped driver to do so.

“Buddy’s really good here, and I feel like honestly, it’s me and Buddy [as the current favorites at this track],” said Haudenschild. “Every once in a while, I feel like we’ll get one of these other guys running with us.

“But I’m happy with where our car’s at and the whole night.”

Haudenschild and the rest of the World of Outlaws field return to action Thursday night at Huset’s Speedway for the $150,000-to-win Hefty Seed Huset’s Hustle finale, followed by the $300,000-to-win BillionAuto.com Huset’s High Bank Nationals on Friday and Saturday.

Every lap of the World of Outlaws season can be streamed live with a DIRTvision subscription.