Haudenschild Drives To Emotional Mansfield Outlaws Victory

Sheldon Haudenschild in victory lane at Mansfield Speedway. (Tyler Carr photo)

By Alex Nieten, World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series PR

MANSFIELD, Ohio (Oct. 9, 2026) – Sheldon Haudenschild holds home close to his heart and showed why Friday night at Mansfield Speedway.

The 33-year-old is from Wooster, Ohio and still lives in the area to this day. He’s amassed legions of fans all across the country during his tenure with the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, but the Haudenschild shirts show up nowhere more than the Buckeye State.

Friday was a special day for Haudenschild before a car even hit the track, as his NOS Energy Drink Buckeye Brawl Weekend brought the tour back to Mansfield for the first time in 45 years.

Matt Tifft and his team revived Mansfield, and Haudenschild helped bring The Greatest Show on Dirt back to town in the track’s comeback season. Throw in a standing-room-only crowd, and it was guaranteed to be a great evening no matter the outcome for Haudenschild.

But those were only the opening pages of a story that couldn’t have been scripted better in fiction. The punctuation came Friday night when Haudenschild brought the packed house to their feet and sailed home to victory lane.

‘Lil Haud’ wheeled the KCP Racing No. 18 by Nate Dussel on lap 18 and set sail. Donny Schatz jumped into the runner-up spot late, but even the 10-time Outlaws champion couldn’t halt Haudenschild on this night. He took the checkered flag, and the roar in the stands could be heard over in Wooster.

“This race, it was like, ‘I’m just enjoying it no matter what, win or lose,’” Haudenschild said. “To see these fans show up, that’s what means the most. It’s just the cherry on top to be able to win this race. Thankful for Matt Tifft, the Outlaws, Lauren (Albano) at NOS Energy Drink for putting this whole thing on. It was just a pretty quick deal of throwing it out there, and they made it happen really fast.

“Man, I don’t think you could ask for a better racetrack.”

Haudenschild was right on that assessment, as a caution-free night for the 47-car field came with multiple-groove racing all program long, including several four-wide moments for position along the way.

It was also a special night on the statistical side for Haudenschild, as Friday gave him 10 wins this season, marking the first time he’s reached double digits during a World of Outlaws sprint car campaign. He’s the third different driver to hit 10 wins this season, joining Buddy Kofoid (15) and David Gravel (11).

Haudenschild’s 56th career series win puts him just two away from tying Jason Meyers for 17th all-time.

Schatz came home second in the CJB Motorsports No. 15 to notch his third podium in the last six races as the Fargo, N.D., native continues to build late-season momentum in his 30th year on tour.

Carson Macedo ripped a tricky cushion up to the third position aboard the Jason Johnson Racing No. 41, while series point leader Gravel and polesitter Emerson Axsom completed the top five.

The finish:

NOS Energy Drink Feature (30 laps): 1. 18-Sheldon Haudenschild [3]; 2. 15-Donny Schatz [4]; 3. 41-Carson Macedo [7]; 4. 2-David Gravel [6]; 5. 27-Emerson Axsom [1]; 6. 1-Nate Dussel [2]; 7. 83-Michael Kofoid [15]; 8. 2C-Cole Macedo [8]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [18]; 10. 23-Garet Williamson [19]; 11. W20-Greg Wilson [5]; 12. 71-Parker Price Miller [11]; 13. 17-Spencer Bayston [10]; 14. 45-Cale Thomas [20]; 15. 16C-Skylar Gee [14]; 16. 1A-Cameron Smith [12]; 17. 51-Steven Snyder Jr. [13]; 18. 24-Cole Duncan [22]; 19. 33W-Cap Henry [17]; 20. 15K-Creed Kemenah [9]; 21. 17B-Bill Balog [25]; 22. 7S-Chris Windom [21]; 23. 6-Bryce Lucius [16]; 24. 15C-Chris Andrews [23]; 25. 3Z-Brock Zearfoss [24].

ARTICLE CREDIT: World of Outlaws Communications