CONCORD, N.C. Theres one thing on Carson Macedos mind entering 2025 a World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car championship.

The Lemoore, Calif. native is officially set for his seventh full-time campaign with The Greatest Show on Dirt and fifth since joining forces with Jason Johnson Racing. Macedo and JJR finished third in points each season from 2021 to 2023. They rose to second in 2024. Now, theres only one more spot to climb.

I think its very important to all of our sponsors and partners. Its very important to myself, JJR, Philip (Dietz), Macedo said. I think we all share that same common goal of trying to win a World of Outlaws championship. When youre a kid and youre growing up running Micros and stuff like that, you just never think that its even possible to be out on the World of Outlaws tour let alone battling for a championship. I pinch myself every day to be in the position Im in to be with such a great team with sponsors and partners and people inside the team that really care about you.

The 2024 season produced the best year of Macedos career. The 28-year-old tallied career highs in wins (12), podiums (34), top fives (47), and average finish (5.06). He shined under the bright lights more than once, banking his second National Open for $75,000 at Williams Grove Speedway along with an $83,000 Dennis Roth Classic score in his home state at Thunderbowl Raceway.

Im confident with the way we ended 2024, Macedo said. The second half of the year was by far better than our first half. It gives me a little bit of hope going into 2025 that we can continue that form.

The last several years racing for the Ragin Cajuns team has allowed Macedo to climb up the World of Outlaws record books. Macedos 47 victories rank 18th all-time as he approaches the 50-win club. For a kid that grew up hardly thinking one was possible, its a dream come true to be competing at such a high level and establishing his name among the greats.

Seeing that my name is getting closer and closer to the top is pretty cool, Macedo said. I remember my first win that I got there at Chico (Silver Dollar Speedway) that I got on a prelim night to Gold Cup. I won that race and looking at the World of Outlaws win list one of my heroes out in California at the time was Tim Kaeding. I think he had like 20-something wins, and I remember thinking that would never be possible to win that many races. To look back now and be close to 50 is awesome, and hopefully with the help of JJR and being in such a good position, I can continue to add to it here in the future.

The focus for Macedo and the No. 41 crew is now entirely fixed on a World of Outlaws title. Its what Macedo dreamed of growing up. Its the main goal Jason Johnson had in mind when he established his organization.

The team will have chemistry on their side entering 2025. Two key contributors departed at the end of 2023, leading to Adam Zimmerman and Robby McQuinn filling the vacancies last year. Those two return alongside team leader and crew chief Philip Dietz ready to chase a championship.

But they know it wont be easy. Last year David Gravel finally made his way to the mountaintop after finishing second three times and is in no hurry to relinquish the top spot. Macedo and his crew are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling battle all season long.

I think its just gotten to a completely different level, Macedo said of the competition to win a title. Theres a part of me in my head that thought if I could run in the top five more than anyone else and have no DNFs, it would be pretty tough to beat somebody like that with those kind of statistics for the championship. But we did that and still didnt win it. Youve got to be in the top five, and if youre not in the top five, you better be in the top 10 and knocking down wins as well.

You cant have DNFs which is tough to do. Push it but not push too hard is a fine balance.