The DIRT Network: Weekend Review: Familiar Faces Find Victory Lane

Chad Kemenah won the ASCoC opener after charging from 17th to 1st

An eclectic mix of drivers made their way to Ocala, FL to kick off the North American sprint car season with three $5,000-to-win All Star Circuit of Champions events at Bubba Raceway Park. Thirty-five drivers signed in, but it was familiar faces with the series that found success.

On Night 1, six-time and defending series champion Chad Kemenah was the show as he charged forward from the 17th starting spot to pick up the win. The win for the driver of the Hunter Racing #10H was his 34th career series win, but surprisingly it also marked his first win in the state of Florida.

On Night 2, long-time series regular Tim Shaffer piloted his Demyan-Rudzik Racing machine from his outside pole starting position to claim the win. The Aliquippa, PA native scored countless strong runs as he and the team competed in a "true outlaw" schedule last season. After being able to gel as a team, they are back and committed to following the All Stars in 2018. Look for Shaffer to make some noise all season long as he looks to deny Kemenah of claiming his 7th title.

On Night 3, Ohio hotshoe Sheldon Haudenschild took advantage of his pole position. After leading wire-to-wire in the 30-lap event, Lil' Haud took the #17 Stenhouse Jr./Marshall Racing car to victory lane in just his third career start with the team. Haudenschild cut his teeth on the Ohio bullrings before competing with the All Star Circuit of Champions for a few years in his family-owned #93. Last season he was named the World of Outlaws Rookie of the Year. He'll again be a part of The Greatest Show on Dirt in 2018.

With such little Sprint Car racing going on at this point in the season, we'll combine our Weekend Review and Weekend Preview until the season ramps up in March.

Looking forward to the weekend ahead, 410 Sprint cars will finish out their Florida expedition with five straight nights of racing at Volusia Speedway Park as a headliner of the DIRTcar Nationals. Wednesday and Thursday will be sanctioned by the All Stars, while Friday-Sunday will be run under the World of Outlaws banner as they start off their season.

Who to Expect: Brad Sweet, Brent Marks, Brian Brown, Caleb Helms, Chad Kemenah, Danny Dietrich, Daryn Pittman, Dave Blaney, David Gravel, Donny Schatz, Greg Hodnett, Greg Wilson, Ian Madsen, Jason Johnson, Jason Sides, Joey Saldana, Kasey Kahne, Kerry Madsen, Kraig Kinser, Kyle Larson, Logan Schuchart, Parker Price-Miller, Paul McMahan, Rico Abreu, Shane Stewart, Sheldon Haudenschild, Terry McCarl, Tim Shaffer, Tony Stewart and Trey Starks.

What to Expect: The large contingent of World of Outlaws drivers will be looking to get off to a hot start as Friday, Saturday and Sunday mark their first points races of the grueling season. Although it's a long year, with nearly 90 shows taking place between now and the World Finals in Charlotte, expect these anxious drivers to take every inch as they look to set the tone for their respective campaigns. The biggest question remains...will anyone be able to dethrone Donny Schatz and deny him of yet another World of Outlaws championship?

Last year, five features were completed as Saturday's washout forced a doubleheader on Sunday. Over the course of the weekend, Donny Schatz scored 3 wins and a runner-up in ASCoC & WoO action. Jason Johnson and David Gravel followed that up with each claiming a 1st and 2nd apiece. Also making appearances on the podium was Kyle Larson (2nd), Brad Sweet (2nd, 3rd), Chad Kemenah (3rd - twice), Christopher Bell (3rd) and Daryn Pittman (3rd).

5 Bold Predictions for Volusia (Last Week - 1 for 5):