Esserie Masters the Monster Mile: Tire Management Secures Dover Victory

Dover, DE — The OBRL YesterYear Gen 4 Cup Series Round 13 at Dover Motor Speedway provided a masterclass in patience and mechanical sympathy as the field tackled the Monster Mile. In a race defined by extreme tire wear and high-stakes fuel management, Eric Essary emerged victorious after a relentless late-race charge on the track’s abrasive concrete surface.

Entering the 13th round of the championship, Kevin Strandberg held a narrow four-point lead over Tom Ogle in the standings. Ogle asserted his dominance early by claiming the pole position, with Roger Hurley lining up alongside him on the front row. Andy Thomas and Dwayne McArthur made up row two, followed by Essary and Cortney Nelson in row three. The qualifying session was remarkably tight, with the top 10 drivers separated by less than a tenth of a second.

The race began with a clean start, but the field quickly migrated to the preferred low line to preserve their equipment. Drivers focused heavily on throttle control to protect their right-rear tires, and McArthur made an early move past Ogle to take the lead. By lap 20, the field had spread out significantly, with the top 10 separated by five seconds. While some drivers like Robert Guarisco experimented with a high line to find a cooler track surface, most focused on hitting their marks. The first major casualty was Kelvin Masur, who was forced to take his car behind the wall early.

As the race neared the midpoint, the brutal nature of the track surfaced. Several drivers, including Andy Thomas and William Martin, suffered tire blowouts after staying out too long on worn rubber. The pit cycle proved pivotal; McArthur pitted on lap 73, handing the lead to Cortney Nelson, who briefly held the point before making his own stop. Meanwhile, Essary stayed out a few laps longer than McArthur, utilizing an overcut strategy to ensure he had fresher tires for the final stint.

After the pit stops cycled through, McArthur returned to the lead with a 2.5-second gap, but he was facing a severe fuel crisis. Forced to lift and coast for the entire second half of the race just to reach the finish line, McArthur’s pace dropped. This allowed Essary to systematically erase the gap, closing to McArthur’s bumper by lap 118. The two engaged in a side-by-side battle, with Essary using a high-entry line to generate massive momentum off the corners. With approximately 10 laps remaining, Essary cleared McArthur to take the lead for good.

Eric Essary took the checkered flag 1.5 seconds ahead of the field to secure the victory. Despite his severe fuel struggles, Dwayne McArthur managed to hold on for a stressful second-place finish, while Cortney Nelson rounded out the podium in third. Tom Ogle and Kevin Strandberg completed the top five. Due to the long green-flag runs and the blistering pace of the leaders, only six drivers finished on the lead lap.

Austin Wins the Finale as Williamson Secures Fifth Championship Title

Braselton, GA — The Season 15 finale of the Red Light Racing Modified Series at Lanier National Speedway delivered a historic night of racing. The event was a grueling 150-lap showdown—50 laps longer than a standard series race—and served as a high-stakes battleground for the championship between points leader Dalton Williamson and three-time defending champion Eric Stout.

The race began under the setting Georgia sun, which had previously created a blinding glare during qualifying. Hayden Austin claimed the pole position, flanked by Eric Stout on the outside, while Williamson started fifth, focused on a clean run to secure his fifth title. As the green flag dropped, Stout took the lead from Austin, who appeared to settle into a conservative pace. The first caution was triggered when Bradley Stefane looped his car, collecting Ricardo Cano in the process.

The midpoint of the race was defined by a series of cautions and impressive charges through the field. Chris Davis and Brian Bianchi were the big movers, with Davis climbing ten spots into third and Bianchi moving up eleven spots from the back of the grid early. Cautions continued to mount as Jeff LeMire and Bradley Stefane made contact in turn one. Kevin Alicea then went around after contact with Stefane, who admitted over the radio that he felt responsible after being involved in multiple incidents. Later, a multi-car mess involved Jeff Aho, Hayden Austin, and Mark Poe, though most were able to continue with minimal damage. During these breaks, Bill Benedict opted to stay out on older rubber to maintain track position, while Stefane gambled on a two-tire stop to help his car rotate better on the flat oval.

As the race entered its final third, the focus shifted to the two championship contenders. Running first and second, Stout and Williamson pulled away from the field by over a second, engaging in a high-stakes chess match. Williamson began applying heavy pressure to Stout’s bumper, which culminated in slight contact through the center of the corner that sent Stout spinning. While both cars avoided terminal damage, the incident reshuffled the lead. In the ensuing chaos of a late restart, a massive pile-up involving front-runners Chris Davis, Jeff Aho, and Bradley Stefane allowed Williamson to sneak through unscathed into the lead.

The final stages saw Hayden Austin utilize his fresher rubber to reclaim the lead from Williamson, who was struggling on worn tires. Behind them, Geoffrey Souza staged a remarkable comeback, slicing through the field from 14th to challenge for the win. In the closing laps, Austin managed to maintain a one-car-length gap over Souza to cross the finish line and secure his second win of the season.

Geoffrey Souza followed in second, with Patrick Stout rounding out the podium in third. Despite the late-race contact and falling to fourth in the final laps, Dalton Williamson did exactly what he needed to do to clinch his fifth career championship. Eric Stout finished sixth, unable to overcome the late-race spin to defend his title. The top ten was completed by Bradley Stefane, Jeff Aho, Ricardo Cano, Chris Davis, and Bill Benedict. Following the race, Williamson confirmed he is already looking ahead to next season, aiming for a sixth series crown.

Worrell Wins Under Contention at South Boston: Last-Lap Contact Denies Schoen Victory

South Boston, VA — The seventh round of the Bootleg Racing League Late Model Series at the historic South Boston Speedway was defined by a controversial overtime finish that shook up the podium. The event was framed by the absence of defending champion James Lowe, who was serving a suspension for poor sportsmanship last weekend at Stafford. This left the door open for points leader Chris Worrell to maintain his grip on the competition on the tight, high-falloff short track.

The race featured a 20-car field with the starting grid determined by a top-13 invert, placing Lowell Jewell on the pole alongside Todd Liston. As the green flag dropped, Liston immediately utilized the high line to seize the lead from Jewell. Early contenders included Mike Holloway, Jeffery Hardin, and Adam Schoen, the latter of whom quickly began muscling his way toward the front using a strong outside lane.

The race was governed by strict short-track rules meaning no tire changes or fast repairs were permitted, forcing drivers to manage their equipment over the long run. Liston and Holloway engaged in a fierce battle for the lead, at one point crossing the start-finish line in a dead heat. As the race progressed, Chris Davis surged forward 11 spots after starting near the back of the field, while Schoen became a dominant force by the midpoint, challenging Liston for the lead in a multi-lap, door-to-door battle.

The later stages were defined by a series of incidents that thinned the field. A major caution was triggered when Holloway hit the wall, causing a chain reaction that swept up Bobby Hayes, Allen Wannamaker, and Ed Foster. Foster suffered through a difficult night, enduring heavy body damage after being involved in multiple skirmishes. Following a restart, another multi-car wreck occurred when Liston and Kenny Allen made contact, sending several cars spinning and allowing Davis to weave through the carnage into a podium position.

The race reached a fever pitch during a Green-White-Checkered finish. Adam Schoen appeared to have the race won, leading the field into the final corners on the last lap. However, contact occurred between Schoen and Chris Worrell, sending Schoen spinning out of the lead while Worrell maintained control to take the checkered flag.

The final finishing order saw Chris Worrell secure the victory, followed by Lowell Jewell in second and Todd Liston in third. Joe Segalla and John Wilson rounded out the top five. In post-race interviews, the atmosphere was tense. Worrell defended his move, claiming Schoen attempted a block and that he had used his brakes to try and avoid the collision. Jewell expressed surprise at his runner-up finish after sustaining head-on damage in an earlier wreck, while Liston remained satisfied with his podium strategy. The series now enters the Memorial Day break before returning at Lanier International Speedway.

Allen Triumphs at South Boston: Chaotic Round 7 Reshapes the Championship Standings

South Boston, VA — The Bootleg Racing League Super Late Model Series Round 7 at South Boston Speedway delivered a night of high-intensity short-track racing defined by strategic tire management and a chaotic series of incidents. The event began under a cloud of controversy following a three-week suspension issued to defending champion James Lowe for unsportsmanlike conduct last week at Stafford during the BRL Late Model Invitational Series. This absence opened the door for points leader Chris Worrell to try and extend his advantage over Louis Flowers on the tight, high-falloff short track.

Charles Roth started on the pole alongside Steve Hilbert, with Luke Logan Allen and John Wilson making up the second row. Roth took the early lead, but the action was quickly interrupted on lap four when Jeffery Hardin and Tom Hilbert collided. The incident resulted in a rollover for Tom Hilbert and left Ruben Altice with heavy damage. Once racing resumed, Steve Hilbert muscled his way past Roth to take the point before a second caution involving Jeff Sharp and Kurt Smith forced points leader Chris Worrell to the pits, severely damaging his championship cushion.

The middle stages of the 100-lap feature saw Todd Liston and Steve Hilbert engage in a fierce duel for the top spot. Liston eventually took the lead, but Hilbert remained anchored to his bumper. Behind them, Louis Flowers climbed into the top three, eyeing the points lead. A fourth caution was triggered when Kurt Smith tapped Luke Logan Allen; while Allen made a spectacular save, the resulting check-up caused a pile-up that swept up several cars, including Worrell once again. On the restart, Adam Schoen made a bold charge toward the front before Flowers established himself firmly in third.

The race’s defining moment occurred in the final third of the event. While battling for the lead, Kyle Feimster and Steve Hilbert made contact, triggering a multi-car wreck that ensnared many of the fastest cars on the track, including Ed Foster and Adam Schoen. Amidst the carnage, Luke Logan Allen emerged unscathed to inherit the lead.

The final restart saw Allen leading a depleted field. While the young driver focused on maintaining his pace and saving his right-front tire, Chris Haizlip was putting on a clinic, charging all the way from 18th on the grid. Haizlip utilized the outside line to bypass Todd Liston and Ruben Altice to capture second, but he ran out of time to catch the leader. Luke Logan Allen crossed the finish line to claim his first-ever BRL win, while Chris Haizlip secured a series-best second-place finish, followed by Louis Flowers in third.

The fallout from South Boston was immense for the championship hunt. With his third-place finish and Worrell’s 10th-place result, Louis Flowers moved into a provisional tie for the points lead. Top finishers noted that extreme tire saving was the ultimate key to surviving the high-falloff surface, especially given the high frequency of restarts. The series now moves on to the next round of late model action with the championship battle closer than ever.

Williamson Dominates Oxford Plains: Title Lead Extends After Late-Race Drama

Oxford, ME — The penultimate round of the Red Light Racing Modified Series at Oxford Plains Speedway delivered a high-stakes showdown that solidified Dalton Williamson’s path toward a fifth championship. Entering the night with a slim three-point lead over defending champion Eric Stout, Williamson successfully navigated the unique challenges of the flat 3/8-mile oval, known for its lack of outside walls and treacherous inside curbs.

Dalton Williamson started the 100-lap feature on the pole, flanked by rookie Hayden Austin, while Eric Stout lined up seventh. The green flag had barely waved before a pile-up erupted on the opening lap. Brian Neff checked up, leading to contact from Stout that triggered a chain reaction. While Williamson escaped unscathed, Stout plummeted to 14th position. A second caution followed shortly after on lap six when Rex Hoyle and Mark Poe collided in the tight pack, further scattering the field.

Once the race settled into a long green-flag run, Williamson demonstrated his veteran capability, leading a train of cars and managing the gap to second-place Ethan Troutman to conserve his equipment. The middle stages highlighted several strong recoveries. Fred LeClair carved through the field from 15th to enter the top five by lap 14, while Luke Logan Allen remained a constant threat near the front. Eric Stout also mounted a furious rally, clawing his way back to sixth by the halfway mark.

The championship battle took another dramatic turn on lap 85. Stout, who had previously lost ground after clipping an inside curb, spun out on his own to bring out a caution. This forced him to gamble on a two-tire stop to stay on the lead lap. On the subsequent restart, further chaos ensued when Fred LeClair and Ethan Troutman collided in turn one, triggering a multi-car pile-up that also ensnared Rex Hoyle.

The race restarted for a final sprint on lap 93. Luke Logan Allen quickly cleared Hayden Austin to move into second, setting his sights on the leader. Known as Kid Lemon Lime, Allen pressured Williamson relentlessly on the high line but chose to race the leader cleanly without using the bumper. Williamson remained composed, opening a small gap as Allen’s momentum faded in the closing laps.

Dalton Williamson crossed the finish line first, leading all 100 laps to secure a dominant victory. Luke Logan Allen finished a career-best second, followed by Hayden Austin in third. Fred LeClair and Chris Davis rounded out the top five. Eric Stout finished a disappointing 15th, leaving him with a significant points deficit to overcome heading into the season finale.

Hammett Masters the Iowa Oval: Strategy and Speed Secure Round 2 Victory

Newton, IA — The second round of the YesterYear Racing IROC Championship took place at Iowa Speedway, bringing 15 drivers together in equally prepared Cadillac Touring Sedans for a 150-lap battle. Known for being a challenging car-to-track combination, the race required drivers to manage a tight chassis setup and avoid burning up their right front tires to maintain turning capability on the short track.

With the grid based on an inversion of the previous round’s results, Andrew Kotska and Chris Worrell led the field to the green flag. Worrell quickly asserted himself, taking the lead from Kotska early on. Behind them, the field settled into a single-file rhythm as drivers looked to preserve their equipment. Matt Watkins and Greg McDaniel were among the early movers, with Watkins aggressively picking up positions while McDaniel utilized the bottom lane to move into the top five. Defending champion J R Shepherd began a methodical climb through the field from 12th, utilizing a slide job to clear Jerry Isaacs on lap 32.

The race was defined by a long green-flag run, forcing teams to make critical strategy calls regarding their one extra set of tires. Around lap 70, the pit cycle began. Chris Worrell, who had dominated the first half by leading 61 laps, saw his chances vanish when he was hit with a speeding penalty on pit road. This shifted the lead to Chris Hammett, who executed a successful overcut strategy by remaining on track longer than his rivals. Hammett emerged from his pit stop on lap 75 with a commanding lead, eventually building an eight-second gap over the field while James Lowe experimented with an alternate pit strategy.

In the final third of the race, J R Shepherd moved into second place after passing McDaniel but found himself facing a massive deficit to the leader. Shepherd, racing with a broken finger, admitted post-race that he had misread the strategy, losing too much time on track before his stop to mount a serious challenge. The anticipated caution flags never flew, leaving the leaders to navigate lap traffic.

Chris Hammett took the checkered flag to secure the Round 2 victory, leading a total of 62 laps. In victory lane, Hammett expressed surprise at his success, noting he didn’t expect his road-course skills to translate so well to the Iowa oval. J R Shepherd finished second, while Greg McDaniel rounded out the podium in third, noting that he pushed his fuel window to the limit. Andrew Kotska and Roger Hurley completed the top five. The series now looks ahead to Round 3, which will take the drivers to Japan for an oval event.

Sheppard Dominates Charlotte: A Masterclass in the Carolina Heat

Concord, NC — The OBRL YesterYear Gen 4 Cup Series Round 12 at Charlotte Motor Speedway provided a 210-mile masterclass in domination by Ben Sheppard, though the race was far from a simple Sunday drive. With track temperatures reaching a blistering 112°F, the 140-lap event was defined by extreme tire falloff and high-stakes strategy under the Carolina sun.

The race began with immediate drama when Clay Walker spun his tires on the initial start and slammed into the outside wall. The resulting chain reaction ensnared several contenders, most notably Dwayne McArthur and Cortney Nelson. While Nelson escaped with minor damage, McArthur’s car was severely hobbled, forcing him to spend much of the race a lap down.

As the race settled into a long green-flag run, tire management became the primary narrative. The extreme heat caused lap times to fall off by nearly two seconds, forcing a strategic split between a risky one-stop and a more standard two-stop strategy. Most of the field, including the leader Ben Sheppard, eventually committed to two stops. Meanwhile, Matt Watkins utilized an early-pitting strategy to surge from the back of the pack to second place, pressuring Sheppard for the lead.

The relative calm was shattered late in the race when a hard hit by Rick Nitz triggered a caution that erased Sheppard’s comfortable lead. The ensuing restart became a frantic shootout as Kevin Strandberg and Todd Cousins gambled by staying out on old tires, only to be overwhelmed by the cars on fresh rubber. The intensity spiked further when Cortney Nelson and Matt Watkins made contact in the tri-oval, sending Watkins spinning and ending the strong run of Allen Wannamaker, who had nowhere to go.

The race concluded with a 21-lap sprint to the finish. Tom Ogle gained critical track position to start on the front row alongside Sheppard for the final restart. Despite a fierce challenge from Nelson, Ben Sheppard maintained his composure and utilized a middle line to provide superior drive-off from the corners. He successfully defended his position and crossed the line to take a dominating victory, having led the vast majority of the 140 laps.

Beyond the competition, the race served a higher purpose. The OBRL donated 5 cents for every lap completed by each driver in the 36-car field to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation, with many drivers sporting pink liveries in honor of Mother’s Day.

Worrell Wins the Holly 100: A Poignant Victory at Stafford

Stafford Springs, CT — The Holly 100 at Stafford Motor Speedway, round six of the Bootleg Racing League’s Late Model Invitational Series, was a poignant tribute to Holly Wenzlick, the late partner of longtime league member Matt Hoose. On a night where the community’s emotional bonds were on full display, the 100-lap event provided a masterclass in short-track strategy, tire management, and late-race drama.

The narrow and challenging bullring set the stage with a mandatory same-tire rule and a top-13 invert from the previous race. This placed Tom Hilbert on the pole, while dominant drivers James Lowe and Chris Worrell started on the sixth row. Matt Hoose, despite being the fastest in practice, started 18th due to the inversion.

When the green flag dropped, Hilbert seized the early advantage, leading the opening 27 laps before his tires eventually began to fade. John Wilson briefly took the lead before Kenny Allen, known as Papa Kenny, surged ahead for 23 laps.

As the race crossed the halfway point, the duo of Chris Worrell and James Lowe began a methodical march through the field. Using a “shake and bake” strategy, Lowe followed Worrell through traffic. By lap 61, Lowe—seeking his fourth consecutive win—caught Kenny Allen and took the race lead. Behind them, Adam Schoen and Ed Foster mounted a methodical charge as Lowe’s tires began to overheat.

In a surprising twist, Chris Worrell passed his teammate Lowe for the lead with 22 laps remaining. Lowe’s tires were spent, and he settled into a defensive role to protect Worrell from the charging Schoen and Foster. The race seemed destined to end under green until lap 98, when Adam Schoen spun after contact with Ed Foster, triggering a multi-car pileup and setting up a Green-White-Checkered finish.

On the restart, Chris Worrell executed a perfect jump to maintain the lead. Ruben Altice, who had recovered from an early-race spin, made a daring low-line move in the final turn to steal second place, narrowly edging out Ed Foster. Chris Worrell crossed the finish line to claim his first victory of the season, a win he dedicated to the Hoose family.

In a heartwarming finish, Matt Hoose successfully navigated the late-race carnage to finish in sixth place, having gained 12 positions from his starting spot. The night concluded with the BRL community reflecting on the strength of their virtual family and the memory of Holly Wenzlick.

Feimster’s Flawless Stafford Run: First Super Late Model Win in Historic Green-Flag Event

Stafford Springs, CT — The sixth round of the Bootleg Racing League Super Late Model Series at Stafford Motor Speedway delivered a historic performance, marked by a rare flag-to-flag green-flag run. The 100-lap feature at the legendary half-mile track—often called the home of the modifieds—emphasized track position and methodical tire management, as the 18-car field faced narrow racing surfaces and difficult passing conditions.

Per league rules, the grid was set using a top-13 invert, placing Tom Hilbert on the pole with Kurt Smith to his outside. At the drop of the green flag, Smith attempted a high-side challenge but was unable to clear Hilbert. While the front runners settled in, Trey Blohm was forced to start from pit road, and Adam Schoen suffered an early spin into the infield; however, because he did not impede traffic, the race remained under green-flag conditions.

The early stages were dominated by a battle between Hilbert and John Wilson. Wilson utilized the low line to eventually seize the lead, forcing Hilbert into the marbles. Jeffery Hardin, a two-time winner at Stafford, remained a constant threat by utilizing a wider arc to straighten his corner exits. By lap 31, Hardin successfully executed a pass on Wilson to take the lead.

While the leaders battled, Kyle Feimster began a calculated climb from eighth. Feimster spent the first 25 laps saving his tires while others, like Luke Logan Allen, began to overheat theirs. As the race passed the halfway point, Feimster moved into second and began pressuring Hardin. Around lap 60, Hardin drifted slightly high, leaving a gap on the apron that Feimster seized to take the lead. Once out front, Feimster managed a gap of nearly four seconds, backing off his throttle intermittently to cool his rubber before a final push.

The difficulty of passing became increasingly apparent as the track rubbered up. James Lowe and points leader Chris Worrell fought through traffic to reach the front, with Lowe eventually moving into second after Hardin lost momentum late in the race. Worrell followed suit, moving into third in the final five laps as Hardin’s tires faded. Further back, Ed Foster and Luke Logan Allen made contact in turn one, but the race continued without interruption.

Kyle Feimster crossed the finish line to claim his first career Super Late Model win, finishing 2.8 seconds ahead of the field in a race that went 100 laps without a single yellow flag. James Lowe and Chris Worrell followed in second and third, with Jeffery Hardin and Louis Flowers rounding out the top five. In victory lane, Feimster credited tire conservation for the win, while Worrell noted that the lack of restarts prevented him from fully utilizing his saved equipment. Worrell exits Stafford with an extended points lead heading into next week’s race at South Boston Speedway.

Stout Triumphs in Richmond Overtime: Points Gap Narrows After Short Track Duel

Richmond, VA — Round 16 of the Red Light Racing Modified Series at Richmond Raceway delivered a high-stakes showdown between the series’ heavyweights, characterized by heavy tire wear and a dramatic overtime finish. Entering the 80-lap event, Dalton Williamson held the points lead, looking to defend his position against Eric Stout in a battle that combined tactical patience with aggressive short-track maneuvers.

Rookie Hayden Austin began the night on the pole, but his lead was short-lived. On the opening lap, Stout pressured Austin, who wiggled and opened the door for Stout to seize the lead immediately. The race was quickly interrupted by a massive multi-car pileup that collected nearly a dozen drivers, including Jeff Aho, Fred LeClair, and Kevin Alicea. As the race settled into a green-flag run, tire management became the primary focus. Austin managed to reclaim the lead from Stout by utilizing a unique high racing line in turns three and four to carry more momentum onto the straightaway.

The complexion of the race changed just past the halfway point when Geoffrey Souza spun, triggering a caution. While the leaders—including Stout, Austin, and Williamson—pitted for fresh right-side tires, Mark Poe and Joshua Buckley stayed out to gain track position. Stout and Williamson quickly carved through the field on their fresher rubber, with Stout reclaiming the lead after Poe yielded the position. Meanwhile, Rex Hoyle emerged as a major factor, charging from 17th into the top five.

The final segment saw a fierce three-way battle between Stout, Williamson, and Ethan Troutman. During a series of restarts, Troutman briefly took the lead by diving three-wide to the inside, but Williamson eventually executed a patient pass to take the top spot. With fewer than ten laps to go, Stout harassed Williamson, making contact that momentarily sent the leader out of shape. A late-race disaster for Rex Hoyle ended his impressive run in a wreck that also involved Austin and Bill Benedict, setting the stage for a Green-White-Checker finish.

The overtime period was marked by a crucial timing loop decision. Stout and Williamson were racing side-by-side when another caution flew; despite Williamson appearing to have the momentum, the lead was awarded back to Stout based on the last completed timing loop. On the final restart, Stout used his position to pin Williamson to the bottom, allowing Glenn Jamieson to make a sensational move from fourth to second place.

Eric Stout held on to take the victory, significantly narrowing the points gap with Williamson, who finished second. Glenn Jamieson finished third after starting 23rd, while Kenny Allen and Rob Higgins rounded out the top five. In post-race interviews, Stout emphasized the importance of the win following recent technical difficulties, while Williamson remained focused on the championship despite the frustrating overtime circumstances.