EASTABOGA, Ala.  The Greatest Show on Dirt sets its sights on the Dirty South this weekend.

Many of the countrys top sprint car teams have left the Sunshine State with Alabama and Mississippi in their sights.

First up, the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars make a stop at Alabamas Talladega Short Track on Friday, March 7. The following night, the series visits Magnolia Motor Speedway in Mississippi.

Itll be the 13th visit in series history to Talladega while The Mag welcomes the World of Outlaws for just the third time.

HITTING THE ROAD

The first six races of the season kept the World of Outlaws firmly fixed in Florida, but now the real grind is set to begin.

The southern trip ahead marks the first of 17 consecutive weekends of action. The tour will visit five states before the month of March concludes.

During the upcoming stretch of non-stop sprint car racing the month of May features 13 races at 10 tracks, including a trip to Canada. Half miles, bullrings and everything in between await the nations top sprint car talent.

FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME

Fourteen years ago, Jason Meyers was at the height of his career the reigning World of Outlaws champion on his way to another title and amid a five-race winning streak. But a 19-year-old Connecticut kid brought the streak to a halt.

David Gravel bested Meyers in a duel at Talladega to bag his first series victory. It became the first of many as Gravel now owns 105 (tied seventh most all-time) and returns to the Alabama oval carrying the title of defending champion.

His two most recent victories came earlier this week when Gravel swept Volusias Bike Week Jamboree. He and the Big Game Motorsports team have five podiums and no finish worse than fourth through six races this season.

NEW RIDE, SAME RESULT?

Two seasons ago Michael Buddy Kofoid was still making a name for himself on the national sprint car scene. Hed come from a promising start in California before, focusing heavily on Midgets in 2020-2022, leading to consecutive USAC championships in 2021 and 2022.

Kofoids attention turned back to a primary sprint car focus in 2023. The Penngrove, Calif., native already had one World of Outlaws win under his belt (2022 at Husets Speedway) and steered to another at Talladega in March of 2023.

That win came with CMS Racing, and this weekend the 23-year-old heads back to Dega amid his sophomore World of Outlaws season aboard the Roth Motorsports No. 83. Hes now fully established himself as one of the sports top stars after one of the best rookie campaigns ever in 2024.

THE MAN AT THE MAG

Its tough to top Sheldons Haudenschilds record at Magnolia.

The Wooster, Ohio, native topped the series debut back in 2021. He followed that up by leading nine laps in 2023 before ultimately bringing the Stenhouse Jr.-Marshall Racing ride home with a podium. Haudenschilds average finish in two starts is second.

Hell be in search of similar speed this weekend as its been an up and down ninth season on tour so far. The last four races have led to finishes of ninth, 20th, fourth and 15th. Haudenschild currently sits seventh in points.

SEASONED SCHATZ

Theres one driver among the full-time 2025 World of Outlaws roster that has competed in every series race at both Talladega and Magnolia, and to no surprise his name is Donny Schatz.

The 10-time series champion will have the experience advantage when the tour rolls into Dega on Friday. Hes been in all 12 features the facility has hosted. Schatz is still after his first win there, but hes peaked at second twice (2002 & 2011), and hes been in the top five in half of his appearances.

His team, Tony Stewart/Curb Agajanian Racing, has won three times at Talladega with Danny Lasoski behind the wheel. Over at Magnolia, consistency has also been the story for the Fargo, N.D., driver. His two outings have led to a pair of fourth-place finishes.

Schatzs 2025 has unfolded similar to last year so far. Hes already passed 42 cars through six features, averaging advancing seven positions per main event. The charges have led him to four top 10s and sitting fourth in points.

LEADING THE ROOKIES

The Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year battle welcomed plenty of attention as the season began. Six rookies signed on, and the tour has since added another with Conner Morrell throwing his name into the mix before Bike Week. So far, its Chris Windom leading the way.

After recently welcoming his first child, Waylon, to the world, the USAC Triple Crown champion delivered a pair of impressive drives earlier this week.

Windom narrowly missed the Toyota Dash on Sunday before finishing eighth in the Feature. The following night, he wheeled the Sides Motorsports No. 7s from 22nd to 10th. Those results coupled with his DIRTcar Nationals efforts have him 10th in overall points and atop the rookie standings. The Canton, Ill., native will debut at both Talladega and Magnolia this weekend.

Behind Windom, its a 22-point gap back to his closest challenger Garet Williamson. Then, 16 points behind him is Hunter Schuerenberg. The two have previous laps at Talladega and Magnolia in World of Outlaws competition.