Stout Dominates Caffeine and Octane as Strategy Gambles Define Peachtree 150

Braselton, GA — On a cool Georgia night where the past met the present, Eric Stout delivered a masterclass in short-track racing, leading 129 of 150 laps to secure a commanding victory in the Peachtree 150 at Lanier National Speedway. Round 4 of the YesterYear Racing Modified Series lived up to its nickname, featuring high-intensity battles, cold-tire chaos, and a dramatic tire strategy split that reshaped the podium in the closing moments.

The night began with high expectations for the front row as Eric Stout claimed the pole, flanked by Roger Hurley. However, the green flag had barely waved before the sensitive handling of the Tour Modifieds—exacerbated by cooler night temperatures—claimed its first victim. On just the second lap, Brian Neff suffered a self-spin coming off the corner due to a lack of rear grip on cold tires. The resulting pile-up collected Chris Haizlip and several others, immediately testing the field’s patience.

As Stout settled into a rhythm at the front, the mid-race story belonged to the Allen family. Kenny Allen, starting fifth, proved to be one of the few drivers capable of making the outside line work, eventually powering around Hurley to pressure Stout for the lead. Meanwhile, his son, Luke Logan Allen, faced a steep climb after a poor qualifying effort left him starting 23rd. The younger Allen showcased incredible versatility, slicing through the field to enter the top 10 by lap 100.

The race reached a fever pitch around lap 102 when a caution for a Gavin Adams spin forced the leaders into a difficult choice: track position or fresh rubber. Stout, Kenny Allen, and Todd Liston elected to pit for their one allowed set of fresh tires. Conversely, James Lowe, Chris Worrell, and Eric Essary stayed out, gambling that the difficulty of passing at Lanier would allow them to defend their positions on worn tires.

Stout initially struggled with the roadblock created by the cars that stayed out, even making incidental contact with Chris Worrell during the frantic restart. However, the fresh rubber eventually proved superior. Stout later remarked that once the field migrated to the bottom, it felt like he had a jetpack on, allowing him to pass multiple cars by rolling the top.

The final stages were marred by a significant multicar accident involving Allen Wannamaker and Brian Johnson, which also swept up Luke Logan Allen and Robert Guarisco. This set the stage for a Green-White-Checker finish. Todd Liston, who had fought his way into the lead on fresh tires, appeared poised for victory until a heartbreaking late-race bobble shuffled him back. Despite the setback, Liston managed to salvage a podium finish.

At the front, Stout pulled away to secure the win, while James Lowe pulled off a minor miracle. Despite being the only driver among the leaders to never pit for tires, Lowe utilized the late-race cautions to manage his worn rubber and cross the line in second place, maintaining his grip on the points lead.

The victory served as a vital rebound for Stout, who remains focused on clawing back in the standings after a difficult previous round. For Lowe, the second-place finish was a testament to tire management, as he incredibly ran his fastest lap near the end of the event. The series now looks ahead to 200 laps at the daunting Stafford Motor Speedway.

Theriault Steals Round of 8 Opener as Potter Falls Short

Madison, IL — The quest for the Season 21 championship of the Red Light Racing Scrambler Series reached a fever pitch as the field arrived at Worldwide Technology Raceway for the Round of 8 kickoff. In a race defined by divergent pit strategies and late-race heroics, Maxime Theriault secured his place in the Championship 4, overcoming early struggles to snatch a victory from the dominant car of the evening, Trent Potter.

With the points reset, the eight remaining playoff contenders—James Skelton, Maxime Theriault, Chris Hammett, Zach Mitchell, Trent Potter, Bill Benedict, Ethan Troutman, and Connor Blasco—began their final push toward the championship. The unique, egg-shaped 1.25-mile oval presented a daunting challenge, featuring narrow, sharp turns in one and two compared to the wider, sweeping turns three and four.

The early portion of the 90-lap event belonged entirely to Trent Potter. Starting on the pole, Potter asserted his dominance immediately, opening a staggering five-second lead as the first green-flag run progressed. While Potter checked out, the battle raged behind him. Connor Blasco and Chris Hammett traded positions for second, while veterans like James Skelton and Zach Mitchell navigated the dirty air that made the nose of the Next Gen cars notoriously tight in the corners.

The race took its first dramatic turn during the initial green-flag pit cycle. While most leaders opted for a standard stop around lap 30, Bill Benedict stayed out, hoping for a caution. His gamble paid off when a yellow flag flew for Connor Blasco, who spun coming off turn four. The restart on lap 38 saw Potter regain the lead, but the field was now bunched. Ethan Troutman surged into second, while Maxime Theriault—who had survived an earlier spin—began a steady climb back through the top ten.

As the race entered its final third, strategies split once more. A second caution forced the leaders to choose between staying out on older rubber or pitting for fresh tires. Potter initially stayed out but eventually found himself a sitting duck as Ethan Troutman used fresher tires to blast past for the lead on lap 63. Realizing his predicament, Potter dove into the pits for a late-race charge, while Chris Hammett took the lead after a quick two-tire stop.

In the closing stages, the race became a tactical duel between Hammett and Theriault. Hammett, nursing older left-side tires, used every defensive move to hold off Theriault. The two traded paint coming off turn four, allowing a charging Potter to close within striking distance. However, Theriault’s four-tire advantage was too much to overcome. He cleared Hammett with six laps to go and held off a desperate final-lap surge from Potter.

Maxime Theriault crossed the line first, leading only the final six laps but securing the most important win of his season. Potter finished a heartbreaking second after leading a race-high 55 laps, with Chris Hammett salvaging a third-place finish. Bill Benedict and Zach Mitchell rounded out the top five. For Skelton, Troutman, and Blasco, the night resulted in a points deficit heading into the next round at the Magic Mile, where only three championship spots remain up for grabs.

Survival and Strategy: Sheppard Outsmarts the Field at Talladega

Talladega, AL — The OBRL YesterYear Gen 4 Cup Series took to the high banks of the 2.6-mile Talladega Superspeedway for Round 9, delivering a 100-lap spectacle defined by draft management, narrow escapes, and a brilliant tactical display from Ben Shepherd. Shifting from the tight confines of Martinsville to the high-stakes chess match of superspeedway racing, drivers focused on the relentless pursuit of momentum.

The race began with Andrew Medlin on the pole, flanked by Kenny Allen, but the stability of the pack was short-lived. On the very first lap, a caution flag flew when Clay Walker made heavy contact with the wall after contact involving Robert Guarisco. This early yellow prompted varied strategies, with drivers at the back of the pack, such as Gavin Adams, opting to pit immediately to gain a fuel advantage for later in the event.

As the race settled into a rhythm, momentum became the priority. In these Gen 4 Cup cars, losing the draft often meant falling a lap down immediately. Drivers like Tom Ogle and Andrew Medlin controlled the pace early, while the field contended with the air bubble effect that made bump-drafting difficult. By lap 30, the first cycle of green-flag pit stops began. Strategy proved critical; while Ogle led the first stint, he consumed more fuel, allowing Kenny Allen and Roger Hurley to stay out longer to shorten their final stops.

The delicate balance of the pack shattered on lap 52. A massive multi-car wreck erupted when Roger Hurley and Sean Foltz made contact, decimating the field and leaving only about 14 healthy cars to contest the win. In a remarkable display of instinct, William Martin managed to thread the needle through the smoke and wreckage to survive the chaos. Kenny Allen also narrowly escaped the carnage by diving to the outside line, keeping his championship hopes intact.

As the race neared its conclusion, Ben Sheppard, who had started 32nd after missing qualifying, emerged as a strategic leader. With approximately 16 laps to go, Sheppard found himself in a trailing five-car pack that was losing ground. He made a tactical move to widen his air bubble, helping the cars behind him latch on and creating a train that surged back toward the front. In the closing laps, Sheppard utilized Sean Foltz as a lead horse, staying glued to his bumper to maintain maximum speed.

Chris Bates attempted to time a run from second place but found no assistance on the outside line. Meanwhile, Dwayne McArthur was charging hard, closing the gap significantly in the final stages. Ultimately, McArthur ran out of time. Ben Shepherd crossed the finish line to take the checkered flag, holding off the field by a mere 0.8 seconds. Chris Bates secured second, with Dwayne McArthur rounding out the podium in third. Following the race, Sheppard credited his victory to the late-game decision to organize the second pack. The series now looks ahead to the wide-open spaces of Auto Club Speedway.

Lowe’s Masterclass: A Blackjack Charge to Victory at Five Flags

Pensacola, FL — On a night where the track was dimly lit and the racing was mean, the Bootleg Racing League Late Model Series delivered a 100-lap thriller at Five Flags Speedway for Round 3 of Season 34. In a display of veteran patience and surgical precision, three-time defending champion James Lowe charged from the 21st starting position—the blackjack spot—to claim his second victory of the season, maintaining his undefeated record in the races he has entered this year.

The race began with Bobby Hayes on the pole, but the early story was the rapid shuffle at the front of the field. Marino Valente quickly punched out to the lead before being overtaken by veteran Mike Holloway, a driver with a storied history at this half-mile oval. The early stages were characterized by a frantic pace, but the 100-lap distance loomed large; with no tire changes allowed, drivers had to balance aggression with conservation. By lap 13, Todd Liston surged past Holloway, and he and Kurt Smith eventually broke away from the pack to build a 1.5-second gap while navigating dense lap traffic.

As the leaders encountered a smorgasbord of lap cars, Ed Foster began a relentless charge. Foster utilized the chaos to reel in the leaders, briefly taking the lead. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Foster and Kurt Smith made contact while battling for the top spot. The incident sent Foster bouncing off the inside wall and out of contention, though Smith was remarkably able to hang onto his car and maintain his position at the front for a brief period.

While the leaders squabbled, James Lowe was putting on a full display of skill. Starting 21st, Lowe spent the first half of the race patiently following Chris Davis, using only partial throttle on the straightaways to save his equipment. His strategy paid off; as other drivers ran out of grip by the end of the long green-flag run, Lowe moved into the top five by lap 60 and eventually seized the lead with just 28 laps remaining.

The race’s long green-flag run ended abruptly in the closing stages. A massive pileup erupted in turn four, collecting multiple cars and nearly resulting in a car landing on its roof. Tre Blohm showcased his survival instincts, driving high against the wall to escape the wreckage. The chaos continued on subsequent restarts as Lowell Jewell was involved in an accordion effect incident that sent Chris Davis skidding on his roof. Later, early dominant force Todd Liston saw his night end after a tire failure led to a pit road visit.

The race concluded with a green-white-checker finish. James Lowe secured a perfect jump on the final restart, with teammate Chris Worrell slotting into second. Worrell, who had started the race at the back of the pack due to a penalty, was unable to mount a serious challenge in the final two corners. James Lowe took the checkered flag, followed by Worrell in second. Tre Blohm capped off a strategic night by nipping rookie points leader Louis Flowers at the line for third place, with Mike Holloway rounding out the top five.

With this victory, Lowe remains the man to beat in the championship hunt, though Louis Flowers and Chris Worrell continue to loom large. The series now looks ahead to the next round at Myrtle Beach.

Flowers Blooms at Five Flags for First Career Win

Pensacola, FL — The Bootleg Racing League Bushtalk Radio Super Late Model Series took to the high banks of Five Flags Speedway for Round 3 of Season 27, delivering a technical masterclass in short-track racing. In a race defined by tire preservation and strategic patience, Louis Flowers emerged from a mid-pack start to claim his first career victory in dominant fashion.

Heading into the 100-lap feature, the half-mile track required drivers to carry maximum momentum through the middle of the corners while remaining smooth on the throttle. Because league rules mandate the same set of tires for the entire race, tire management was the primary narrative of the evening.

The grid was set by inverting the top 13 finishers from the previous week, putting Tre Blohm on the pole with Ryan Rose on the outside of row one. As the green flag waved, Rose appeared to have a rocket-like launch, but the celebration was short-lived. Race control issued a black flag to Rose for jumping the start, effectively ending his night as he eventually retired his car. This gave the lead to Luke Logan Allen, who maintained a steady gap over the field for the first half of the race by utilizing a high line through turns one and two.

The middle stages were punctuated by several incidents. A multi-car mess involving Adam Schoen and Jeffery Hardin occurred on a corner exit, ending Schoen’s night due to heavy damage. On a subsequent restart, an accordion effect caused a stack-up that saw James Lowe—who had already charged from 20th to 7th—get punted and sent back to the rear of the field. Later, Benny Ellison was involved in a check-up entering the turn that resulted in contact from Brennan Myers, damaging Ellison’s chances for a podium.

As the race crossed the lap 60 mark, the lead battle intensified. Louis Flowers, who started seventh, began to apply immense pressure to Luke Logan Allen. While Allen stuck to the high line, Flowers found speed on the bottom and executed a clean pass for the lead around lap 70. As the run progressed, Allen’s tires began to fade, opening the door for Tre Blohm, Chris Worrell, and the resilient James Lowe to move past.

While the battle for the top five remained tight, Flowers checked out on the field. He extended his lead to over 2.5 seconds, a massive margin for short-track competition. Flowers later revealed he had focused his week on finding a setup that balanced speed with tire wear, finishing the race with significant life remaining on his right front tire. Chris Worrell, the series points leader, played the long game by intentionally falling back early to save his equipment, a strategy that secured him a third-place finish.

Louis Flowers crossed the finish line to secure his breakthrough win, followed by Tre Blohm in second and Chris Worrell in third. James Lowe completed a heroic recovery to finish fourth after being involved in the earlier wreck, while Ruben Altice used veteran tire-saving techniques to round out the top five. The series now looks ahead to next week, where the Super Late Models tackle the challenge of Myrtle Beach.

Papa Ken Tames the Magic Mile

Loudon, NH — In a race defined by tire conservation, drafting strategy, and a masterful display of low-line driving, Kenny Allen surged from a 10th-place starting position to claim a hard-fought victory in Round 13 of the Red Light Racing Modified Series at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The Magic Mile lived up to its reputation, delivering a high-stakes battle that reshaped the championship narrative between Eric Stout and Dalton Williamson.

The Tour Modifieds brought significant horsepower to the relatively flat New Hampshire layout, which features banking of only two to seven degrees. The lack of banking created a unique weight transfer challenge, making the cars feel loose on entry and exit while remaining tight through the center. With tire conservation being paramount, the bottom lane remained the primary tool for making passes throughout the event.

The race began with teammates Eric Stout and AJ Hamel on the front row. However, disaster struck Hamel early when he lost the handle on the top side coming out of turn two, resulting in a spin that forced the field to scramble and broke up the initial pack. This incident played into the hands of the championship leaders; Stout and Dalton Williamson found themselves nose-to-tail and formed an alliance, with Williamson choosing to push Stout to gap the field by over a second.

While the leaders looked to check out, Kenny Allen began a methodical march through the field. Starting in 10th, Allen found significant grip in the bottom lane. By the middle stages of the race, Allen was side-by-side with Stout, using an aggressive low entry to carry momentum. The battle between Allen’s low-line precision and Stout’s high-side momentum became the focal point of the race as Allen challenged for the lead without a drafting partner.

The intensity increased as the race progressed, leading to several major incidents. A significant wreck off turn four involving AJ Hamel, Bradley Stefane, and Hayden Austin ended the night for several front-runners. Late in the race, contact between Brian Bianchi and Patrick Stout collected Dalton Williamson, dealing a massive blow to Williamson’s title hopes as he limped to an 18th-place finish. During the cautions, some drivers like Fred LeClair opted for fresh rubber, taking only two tires to maintain track position.

The closing laps saw a dramatic three-way fight for the win between Kenny Allen, Eric Stout, and Jeff Aho. On lap 57, Allen finally secured the pass for the lead. Despite a light tap from Stout in the final corners, Allen committed to his line. Jeff Aho made a bold, three-wide move on the final lap to briefly take second before drifting high, allowing Stout to reclaim the runner-up spot. Kenny Allen crossed the finish line first, securing his second win of the season.

In victory lane, Allen credited his long-run setup, noting he was determined to win by his preferred line. Stout expressed joy for Allen’s victory despite settling for second, while Aho finished third to round out the podium. The top five was completed by Rob Higgins and Brian Bianchi. The series now looks ahead to the high-speed challenges of Talladega, where the draft will once again take center stage.

Klendworth Tames the Desert, Closes Points Gap with Dominant Phoenix Win

Phoenix, AZ — Kyle Klendworth reminded the field exactly why he’s the only champion in ISRA Open Wheel Series history, delivering a composed and calculated drive at Phoenix Raceway on April 15th to secure his third win of the season in Round 11 of the Sim Gaming Expo Open Wheel Series.

Matt Taylor brought the field to green from the pole and wasted no time asserting control, leading the opening 36 laps while trying to extend his 31-point advantage over Klendworth. Early on, it looked like Taylor might drive away from the field, but as the laps clicked off, the race began to shift from raw pace into a strategy-heavy contest, with drivers stretching their fuel windows well beyond the projected two-stop race in the Dallara IR18.

The first major shake-up came just past the halfway mark when Chris Stofer worked his way to the lead around lap 51, briefly taking control of the race and putting pressure on Taylor. But that momentum came to an abrupt halt after Stofer was issued a black flag for speeding on pit exit, dropping him out of contention and reshuffling the fight at the front.

That opening was all Kyle Klendworth needed. Pitting early in the green-flag cycle around lap 55, Klendworth executed a textbook undercut, maximizing clean air and leapfrogging Taylor once the pit sequence played out. From that point forward, Klendworth controlled the race, managing the gap while the field behind him struggled with tire wear and a tightening racing groove.

As the final laps wound down, both Klendworth and Taylor found themselves flirting with the limits, each brushing the “blue wall” while searching for grip on a surface that had become increasingly difficult to pass on. Taylor later noted the track had narrowed to essentially one lane, making any late-race charge nearly impossible once track position was lost.

At the checkered flag, Klendworth crossed the line just 0.7 seconds ahead of Taylor, sealing a critical victory in the championship fight. David Sirois completed the podium in third, opting for a conservative approach throughout the run as he battled a loose condition and focused on bringing the car home clean.

Just behind the podium, Alex Guyon delivered a steady and consistent performance to finish fourth, while Mike Rigney turned in one of the drives of the race, slicing through the field from last place to secure a fifth-place finish on the lead lap. Further back, Mason Mitchum showed resilience after early contact with the wall forced repairs, but despite returning to the track, his night ultimately ended in the pits.

In victory lane, Klendworth reflected on the balance battle he faced early in the run, joking, “First lap I was too loose. Second lap I was too tight. Third lap—just right,” a lighthearted summary of a night where adjustments and execution made all the difference. Despite the win, Klendworth knows there’s still work to be done as he continues to chip away at Taylor’s points lead.

For Taylor, a second-place finish keeps him firmly in control of the championship picture, maintaining a strong margin as the season begins to wind down. With only a handful of races remaining, every position continues to matter in the fight for the Season 3 title.

The series now heads to Kentucky Speedway next Wednesday at 9:15 p.m. ET, where the high-speed oval will present a very different challenge as the battle between Taylor and Klendworth continues to build toward its conclusion.

Theriault Triumphs at the Brickyard

Indianapolis, IN — The Red Light Racing Scrambler Series took to the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a high-stakes Round 13. This event served as the final cutoff race before the Round of 8, with James Skelton already locked into the next phase. A dozen drivers entered the 2.5-mile oval fighting for the remaining seven playoff spots in a race defined by drafting, tire management, and high-pressure pit strategy.

Trent Potter started the 60-lap, 90-mile event on the pole, but he was immediately challenged by Maxime Theriault, who took the lead by the end of the first lap. The early stages of the race saw a lead train of nearly 16 cars, where maintaining the draft was essential to avoid losing time. Precise driving was required through each of Indy’s four distinct corners to maintain momentum.

As the first fuel window approached around lap 15, Chris Hammett executed a bold undercut strategy, pitting early for fresh tires and fuel. This move allowed Hammett to cycle into a lead of over two seconds by lap 36, as those who stayed out longer, like Theriault and Zach Mitchell, lost ground on older rubber.

The race eventually boiled down to a tactical divide during the final round of pit stops. While Hammett’s early-pit strategy kept him in contention, Theriault’s raw pace allowed him to reel Hammett back in. In the final dash, the leaders split their strategies: Zach Mitchell and Trent Potter opted for two-tire stops to prioritize track position, while Maxime Theriault chose four fresh tires. Mitchell took the lead following the stops, but Theriault, armed with superior grip, began a relentless pursuit, erasing a 1.6-second gap in the closing laps.

The tension peaked in the final three laps as Theriault reached Mitchell’s bumper. Mitchell, fighting a car that was difficult to rotate, tried to block Theriault’s line, but a slight mistake coming off turn three on the penultimate lap gave Theriault the opening he needed. The two drivers engaged in a drag race to the white flag, where Theriault’s four-tire advantage proved decisive. Maxime Theriault claimed the checkered flag, followed by Zach Mitchell in second and Trent Potter in a solid third. Chris Hammett’s alternate strategy earned him a fourth-place finish, while James Skelton rounded out the top five.

While Theriault celebrated in victory lane, the drama intensified at the bottom of the standings. Connor Blasco and Ethan Troutman successfully secured their spots in the Round of 8. However, there was heartbreak for Luke Logan Allen, who finished sixth in the race but missed the playoff cut by a mere two points. Joining Allen in elimination were Geoffrey Souza, Tony Strano, and Kenny Allen.

Winner Maxime Theriault admitted he was surprised by his competitors’ two-tire gamble but felt confident his four-tire strategy would prevail. Second-place finisher Zach Mitchell acknowledged that the two-tire call was his only real shot at the win. Trent Potter echoed this sentiment, stating he was happy to secure a podium finish and advance in the championship. The series now moves on to the next round, with the top eight drivers set to battle at upcoming venues like Gateway and Five Flags Speedway.

Ogle Outsmarts Field Late to Win at Martinsville

Ridgeway, VA — The OBRL YesterYear Racing Cup Series rolled into Martinsville Speedway for Round 8 of the season, bringing a full 30-car field to the tight confines of the “Paperclip” for 200 laps of classic Gen 4 short track racing, presented by YesterYear Racing.

Ben Sheppard earned the pole position in his Seattle Mariners tribute machine and led the field to green alongside Roger Hurley. From the drop of the flag, Sheppard established himself as the driver to beat, jumping out to an early lead and controlling the pace with authority. However, the race quickly took on a chaotic tone, as a lap one incident involving Kevin Strandberg and Daniel Hill brought out the first caution before the field could even settle in.

That early wreck proved to be a sign of things to come. The opening half of the race was plagued by constant interruptions, with drivers struggling to find rhythm on the low-grip Martinsville surface. By lap 89, seven caution flags had already flown, stemming from a mix of spins, contact, and mechanical failures. Among the more notable moments were a restart miscue that led to a spin from Alan Wannamaker and a hardware issue that forced Scott Negus into trouble, further adding to the growing frustration up and down pit road.

Despite the stop-and-go nature of the race, Sheppard remained firmly in control through the early stages, leading the first 85 laps while managing restarts and navigating traffic. Behind him, the field began to experiment with strategy, knowing that passing under green conditions would be extremely difficult. Some drivers opted for two-tire stops to gain valuable track position, while others chose to prioritize fresh rubber in anticipation of longer green-flag runs.

As the race moved past the halfway point, tire wear began to play a decisive role. Sheppard’s early dominance started to fade as his aggressive corner exits took a toll on his right-side tires, allowing competitors to close the gap. One of those drivers was Tom Ogle, who started sixth and steadily worked his way forward. Showing patience and strong long-run speed, Ogle emerged as one of the fastest cars on track, eventually overtaking Sheppard for the lead as the pole-sitter slipped back into the top ten.

With track position at a premium, the race began to settle into longer green-flag runs, and Ogle took full advantage, maintaining the lead while managing his tires more effectively than those around him. However, the strategic element remained in play, particularly during late-race cautions. Daniel Hill made one of the boldest calls of the night, pitting for fresh tires in the closing stages and restarting deep in the lead lap. The move paid immediate dividends, as Hill carved his way through the field and re-entered the top five in the final laps.

Just as Ogle appeared poised to cruise to victory, a late-race incident involving Chris Bates and Scott Negus brought out another caution, setting up a green-white-checkered finish. With the field bunched tightly together for a two-lap sprint, the pressure was at its highest.

On the restart, Ogle executed flawlessly, timing his acceleration to maintain control and prevent any runs from forming behind him. Roger Hurley applied pressure in the closing laps, while Dwayne McArthur surged forward after an impressive drive through the field, gaining 14 positions over the course of the race. Despite the challenge, Ogle remained composed, hitting his marks and holding the preferred line to secure the win.

Tom Ogle crossed the line first, capturing a much-needed victory and boosting his momentum as the season continues. Hurley finished second with another consistent performance, while McArthur completed the podium in third after one of the strongest drives of the night. Eric Esser brought his car home in fourth, and Daniel Hill’s late-race strategy call resulted in a hard-fought fifth-place finish.

With Martinsville in the rearview mirror, the OBRL YesterYear Racing Cup Series now shifts gears to the high banks and pack racing of Talladega Superspeedway, where drafting strategy and survival will take center stage in the next round of the season.

Altice Capitalizes on Late Chaos to Win Martinsville Thriller

Ridgeway, VA — On a cool Saturday night in April 2026, the Bootleg Racing League Late Model Invitational Series rolled into Martinsville Speedway for Round 2 of Season 34, delivering a 100-lap battle where patience, tire conservation, and survival proved just as critical as outright speed. The absence of three-time defending champion James Lowe loomed large, as the previous week’s winner elected to take provisional points rather than tackle the tight confines of the “Paperclip,” leaving the door wide open for a new winner to emerge.

From the drop of the green flag, Todd Liston took full advantage of the inverted start, jumping out front and controlling the early portion of the race with authority. Liston methodically managed the opening run, building a comfortable gap while the field behind him wrestled with tight corners and limited racing room. Early contact between Adam Schoen, Ed Foster, and Tre Blohm set the tone for a night where tempers and sheet metal would both be tested, while Louis Flowers and Chris Worrell showed impressive speed advancing through the pack.

The first caution came after a stack-up involving Ruben Altice and Lowell Jewell sent John Wilson spinning, erasing Liston’s early advantage and tightening the field. From there, aggression escalated—most notably in a mid-pack incident when Ed Foster attempted a bold move on Chris Davis that went wrong, triggering a multi-car accident that collected several drivers, including Mike Holloway, and significantly thinned the field.

Despite the chaos unfolding behind him, Liston remained composed out front, leading a race-high 82 laps and appearing well on his way to victory. However, Martinsville’s unforgiving surface began to take its toll in the closing laps. As Liston’s tires faded, the metallic-blue No. 36 of Jeffery Hardin came alive. Hardin closed the gap and eventually made the pass for the lead, while Liston slipped backward as his worn tires could no longer keep pace.

A late incident involving Ed Foster and Chris Worrell—sparked by a failed block attempt—brought out a crucial caution and set the stage for a green-white-checkered finish.

On the final restart, Hardin led the field to green with Altice lined up in second after an impressive charge from 16th on the grid. As the green flag waved on the front stretch, Altice made an aggressive move low, attempting to tuck in behind Hardin to secure the position heading into Turn 1. However, the move developed too quickly. Carrying momentum and diving low early, Altice came down the track faster than anticipated and clipped the right rear of Hardin’s car.

The contact sent Hardin spinning down the front stretch, igniting chaos behind the leaders as the field scrambled to avoid the incident. Altice, able to gather his car and slip through the unfolding wreckage, emerged with the lead.

From there, Altice held on through the final lap to secure a dramatic and hard-fought victory, capping off one of the most chaotic finishes of the young season. Kurt Smith skillfully avoided the incident to finish second, while Adam Schoen completed an impressive drive from 19th on the grid to round out the podium.

In the end, Martinsville once again proved that survival is often just as important as speed. With worn tires, rising tempers, and no room for error, the absence of a champion created an opportunity—and Ruben Altice seized it in spectacular fashion as the series heads toward Round 3.