RPW Exclusive: PA Posse vs The Outlaws Recap

RPW EXCLUSIVE COLUMN BY: Race Nelson / RACEPROWEEKLY – MECHANICSBURG, PA  – The Outlaws vs. The Posse, probably the biggest rivalry in dirt track racing; and it’s nothing new to South Central Pa and Sprint Car fans. The rivalry is constant each season in both series’. The tension between the two gets stronger and more exciting to watch on track, and the first battle of the 2026 season was nothing short of that. There were earlier this month at Lincoln Speedway for the Gettysburg Clash and later in the week they competed again at Williams Grove Speedway for the Morgan Cup.

Kofoid keeping his streak.

Tuesday May 5th, the World of Outlaws put on a great show against the Posse at Lincoln Speedway for the Gettysburg Clash that paid $12,000 to win. There were 40, 410 Sprint Cars signed in for some weekday racing action. 20 Wingless Super Sportsman’s accompanied the 410’s, where Brett Perigo would go on to gain 4 positions in the feature and win!

In time-trials, Danny Dietrich climbed to the top of the charts, setting quick time throughout both flights. His fastest lap was his 2nd at 13.583 seconds. Buddy Kofoid took the lead later in the 35 Lap Feature, where he would move on to claim the Gettysburg Clash win for his 2nd year in a row.

With Kofoid putting the first point up on the scoreboard for the week, Tyler Ross also showed awesome speed in the feature representing the Posse. Ross started 24th in the feature and found his way to 7th. Gaining 17 positions, he was named the event’s Hard Charger. It was a good night in the Pigeon Hills. After the completion of the Gettysburg Clash the focus was directed to Williams Grove for the Morgan Cup!

Kasey Kahne Friday at the Clip.

Friday May 8th, 43 410’s signed in to Williams Grove Speedway between the Outlaws & the Posse. All geared up, the competition was ready to compete at Williams Grove Speedway for the preliminary night of the Morgan Cup. After the Outlaws took the first win on the week the Posse was hungry, and looking to even the scoreboard.

Kasey Kahne, aboard the Macri Motorsports #39m, took on qualifying and landed himself quick-time on his 2nd lap of 16.446 seconds. Aside Kasey’s efforts in leveling the score during qualifying, he went on to win his respective heat race. He was accompanied by Kody Hartlaub & T.J. Stutts, who finished 2nd and 3rd.

More Posse drivers dominated in other heats, such as Chase Dietz who won Heat 2, followed by Daryn Pittman, competing in the Posse owned Kreitz #69k. Troy Wagaman Jr finished 2nd in Heat 3, and Danny Dietrich finished 4th in Heat 4 adding pressure to the outlaws.

Dietz & Kahne led the dash, and later led the field to the green in the feature event. Kasey Kahne left Williams Grove Speedway Friday night as a First Time Career World of Outlaws Winner and leveled the score between the Outlaws & the Posse. Cameron Smith, another driver of the Posse in the RLM #75, gained 8 positions; starting 23rd & finishing 15th. Smith was crowned Hard Charger of the preliminary night of the Morgan Cup. Gaining confidence, the Posse was ready to take on the Outlaws for the final showdown of the Morgan Cup.

The Morgan Cup leaves the Porch. 

Saturday May 9th, the day of the Morgan Cup race. The Posse upped the ante, showing they were prepared to make an effort to keep the Cup on the porch following the preliminary race. The night started off with 40, 410’s sprints battling it out for the $12,000 winnings and the Morgan Cup!

David Gravel’s second lap in qualifying, of 16.431 seconds, scored him quick-time in Flight A & overall. Although the Outlaws came out on top in qualifying, the Posse didn’t let them get ahead too far in Heat Race action.

Troy Wagaman Jr. finished 2nd and Cameron Smith finished 5th in Heat 1. Kasey Kahne won Heat 2 with Dylan Norris finishing 5th. Justin Whitall won heat 3, and Kody Hartlaub finished 5th. Chad Trout won Heat 4, accompanied by Freddie Rahmer & Danny Dietrich who finished 2nd and 3rd. All of them representing the Pa Posse.

The Dash was fun to watch as the Posse was still giving the Outlaws a run for their money, however things soon changed in Morgan Cup Feature action. David Gravel went on to win the feature, and took the Morgan Cup back from the Posse. This made the final score of the week 2-1, giving the Outlaws bragging rights for the first head to head match for the rivalry of the season.

Ashton Torgerson showed improvement after joining forces with Kyle Moody in the  Moody Motorsports #99m for the Morgan Cup weekend, after the Shark Racing 1a was parked. Saturday was his second night in the #99m, and he finished 7th in the dash, and 8th in the feature; impressive for it being his 2nd time in the car. The Morgan Cup provided a good weekend of racing amongst the Outlaws & Posse.

Although the Outlaws won the week, the Posse still put on an entertaining battle. The rivalry is always fun to watch; it is truly something you have to be there to understand.

The Outlaws coming to town entices fans, and they love to watch them battle head to head with the Pa Posse. The environment turns electric, and importantly the drivers look forward to competing against the best of the best. You don’t want to miss the action when the World of Outlaws come back to town.

The first match against each other was a good one, and South Central Pa looks forward to the next. We will see the rivalry in action again on July 29th, where they will race at BAPS Motor Speedway for the Bricker’s Bash; and again that weekend on July 31st & August 1st for Summer Nationals at Williams Grove Speedway.