The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series stages a Dirty South doubleheader, visiting Talladega Short Track today and Magnolia Motor Speedway on March 7. These are the tour’s only stops in Alabama and Mississippi this season, mark the World of Outlaws’ 14th visit to Talladega and follow a Bike Week swing through Florida.

Both shows are designated First Responder Nights, offering $10 ticket discounts and 20% off merchandise as a community-promotion angle expected to boost fan attendance.

Key driver storylines for the weekend include David Gravel, the series points leader, a two-time World of Outlaws champion with 120 career wins and four straight podiums; he finished fourth at Talladega in 2023 and was runner-up there in 2025, and he won at Magnolia last year. Sheldon Haudenschild and KCP Racing arrive in strong form after Haudenschild led every lap for his 47th World of Outlaws victory at Volusia and has reached the podium in all three of the series’ visits to Magnolia. Nineteen-year-old Ashton Torgerson, who set Quick Time in the season opener and posted seventh- and second-place results during Bike Week, has emerged as a legitimate Rookie of the Year contender. Mechanical trouble and early-season struggles add stakes: Michael “Buddy” Kofoid suffered a mechanical meltdown at Volusia that forced a provisional start and a 27th-place finish, dropping him to fourth in the standings and 46 points behind Gravel, while last year’s Talladega winner Bill Balog has been off pace through the early season and remains outside the top 10 after five races. The doubleheader pairs local promotions with tight championship implications as the series’ brief southeastern run continues.

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