World of Outlaws North Dakota swing tests title as Gravel leads
The World of Outlaws North Dakota swing will open Friday, May 29 at Grand Forks’ River Cities Speedway and will continue after an off day at Minot’s Nodak Speedway. The two-race stretch will serve as an early-season test in the championship battle. David Gravel tops the standings as he pursues a third straight series title, holding a 118-point lead and a 4.96 average finish this season. Michael “Buddy” Kofoid has the most wins this season, with six, and he is tied with Carson Macedo for second in the standings. River Cities will host the World of Outlaws for the 36th time since 2007, and Nodak returns to the schedule after an eight-year absence; Nodak previously hosted 13 World of Outlaws events. Donny Schatz, a Fargo native and 10-time series champion, has an extensive River Cities résumé: 12 wins in 35 starts, 24 podiums, 31 top-five finishes and a 2.94 average finish. He also owns five straight Nodak victories dating to 2012. Gravel is one of only two full-time drivers with wins at both River Cities and Nodak. Kofoid’s recent form includes a River Cities sweep in 2025 and a dramatic charge from seventh to victory at Huset’s this season. Sheldon Haudenschild, now with KCP Racing, has shown speed at River Cities—he has led seven Features there—but remains winless at the track despite multiple podiums and several lost opportunities. Local NOSA competitors Amelia Eisenschenk, Laela Eisenschenk, Mark Dobmeier and Jade Hastings are also names to watch during the North Dakota swing.
