Sirois Survives Pocono Chaos to Capture Strategic Victory

Long Pond, PA — The Sim Gaming Expo ISRA Retro Series returned for Round 9 with a 75-minute showdown at Pocono Raceway, where the ground-effect Lotus 79s transformed the “Tricky Triangle” into a high-speed chess match of fuel management, drafting, and survival.

The unusual combination of a 1970s Formula car and Pocono’s three distinct corners created a unique challenge for the field. With Turn 1 inspired by the old Trenton layout, Turn 2 modeled after Indianapolis, and Turn 3 based on the Milwaukee Mile, drivers had to master three completely different sections of track in every lap.

To reduce extreme fuel-saving tactics, the series implemented a slightly larger 30% fuel cell for the event. However, drafting remained a critical part of the strategy as competitors searched for every possible advantage over the long Pocono straights.

Vern Hawkins captured the pole position, with Mike Goodman starting alongside on the front row. Mike Rigney and Lewis Hayes occupied the second row, while championship leader David Sirois began the race from seventh.

Lionel Calisto chose not to set a qualifying time, forcing the “Little Train” to start from the rear of the 19-car field.

When the green flag waved, Hawkins immediately took control, leading the field into Turn 1. The opening laps featured constant movement throughout the pack as drivers searched for clean air and the best drafting partners.

Chris Stofer quickly became one of the race’s biggest movers, climbing from 12th into the top ten during the opening laps. Meanwhile, Richie Hearn showcased the pace expected from his real-world IndyCar background, slicing through the field and moving into second place by Lap 14 as he began pressuring the leaders.

By Lap 25, the race had begun to settle into its first major rhythm. Chris Stofer completed an impressive charge through the field, eventually reaching the lead as the front pack continued to rotate positions through the draft.

The first pit cycle arrived around Lap 28, matching the expected fuel range of the Lotus 79. Vern Hawkins was among the first leaders to make his stop, while Craig Forsythe stretched his fuel run longer and inherited the lead once the cycle completed.

A major storyline during the middle portion of the race was the teamwork among the Chilean contingent of Hugo Galaz and Rodrigo Munoz, who worked together through the draft to close the gap to the leaders.

Matt Wagner, nicknamed the “Ovalmeister,” also enjoyed his time at the front, taking command on Lap 33 as the lead continued to change hands throughout the draft pack.

The second and final round of pit stops arrived with roughly 25 minutes remaining.

Several drivers committed to different strategies. David Sirois, Alex Guyon, and Lewis Hayes stayed out longer than much of the field, attempting to stretch their fuel window and avoid a late splash-and-dash stop.

Meanwhile, drivers who had committed earlier to pit road faced a difficult final stint, forced either to conserve fuel or surrender track position.

As the clock wound toward the final five minutes, the race transformed into a spectacular battle.

A 13-car train formed at the front, with the Lotus 79s racing inches apart at nearly 200 mph. The long Pocono straights produced multiple three-wide and four-wide battles as Lewis Hayes, Craig Forsythe, Lionel Calisto, and Mike Rigney fought for control of the lead pack.

The entire field appeared poised for a dramatic finish. Then everything changed. With less than a minute remaining, the lead group entered a furious four-wide battle for victory. Contact occurred in the pack, with Forsythe later describing the incident as a “netcode” issue.

The result was devastating. Lewis Hayes was launched upside down, while several other contenders scattered through the aftermath. The chaos unfolded directly in front of David Sirois, who had positioned himself perfectly to capitalize.

The caution flag flew as the race timer expired, freezing the running order and sending the field to the finish under yellow.

David Sirois captured the victory, extending his championship lead with a perfectly timed combination of strategy and survival.

Calisto’s podium performance was one of the standout drives of the afternoon. Starting from the rear of the field, the “Little Train” charged forward 15 positions to secure a top-three finish.

In post-race interviews, Sirois admitted that the victory had an element of fortune, explaining that being in the right place when the caution fell ultimately decided the race.

Forsythe reflected on the closing incident with frustration, believing Lewis Hayes had a legitimate opportunity for a podium finish before the late-race chaos unfolded.

Once again, Pocono proved that in the ISRA Retro Series, speed alone is never enough. At the Tricky Triangle, the winners are the drivers who can manage the fuel, the draft, and the madness when the final pieces of the puzzle fall into place.

Worrell Turns Strategy into Victory at New Hampshire

Loudon, NH — The Red Light Racing Checkered Flag Auto Supply Scrambler Series returned for Round 6 of the season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where the unpredictable ARCA cars tackled the notoriously flat “Magic Mile.” With minimal banking and a surface that demanded precise throttle control, drivers faced a race where patience, tire management, and strategy mattered just as much as raw speed.

The 1.058-mile oval offered little forgiveness. With banking ranging from only 2 to 7 degrees, the cars became difficult to handle through the corners, forcing competitors to carefully manage weight transfer and tire wear throughout the event.

Trent Potter led the field to the green flag from the pole position, joined on the front row by championship leader Zack Mitchell. Potter maintained control through the opening corner, but chaos erupted almost immediately behind him.

A three-wide battle exiting Turn 2 triggered a massive pileup that collected a large portion of the midfield. Jeffrey Souza and reigning series champion Maxime Theriault were among the many drivers caught in the opening wreck, setting an aggressive tone for the rest of the evening.

After the restart, Potter once again jumped to the lead, but the green flag run lasted only briefly. Another major accident erupted in Turn 3, with Theriault once again caught in the chaos. Sean Single suffered a particularly heavy impact after contact sent him into Matthew Duvall, further reducing the field.

By Lap 16, a third caution appeared after contact between Aiden Young and David Odendahl. The incident opened the door for early strategy moves, including Sean Butler making an aggressive pit call and attempting to position himself for a different fuel window.

Once the field finally settled into a sustained green-flag run, the battle at the front came alive. James Skelton showed impressive pace, pressuring Potter for the lead, but Zack Mitchell eventually found the opening he needed. Diving to the inside, Mitchell completed a powerful pass and took command of the race.

Behind the leaders, Ethan Troutman and Connor Blasco fought through traffic in a series of intense three-wide battles, searching for every available position on the difficult New Hampshire surface.

As the race passed halfway, green-flag pit stops became the next major storyline.

Mitchell and Skelton made their scheduled stops, while Potter suffered a costly mistake during his service, losing valuable time and falling behind Luke Logan Allen.

That opened the door for Chris Worrell, who had stayed on track after making his previous stop on Lap 15. The gamble was initially viewed as a risky move, but Worrell’s strategy began to reveal its potential as he inherited the race lead.

The question became simple: could the “Whirlwind” stretch the fuel and tires far enough to make the strategy work?

The answer came during the closing stages. Worrell maintained a lead of more than six seconds as the rest of the field attempted to chase him down on fresher tires. Zack Mitchell had one of the newest sets of tires among the frontrunners, but without a caution to reset the field, he had no opportunity to close the gap.

Meanwhile, Maxime Theriault completed one of the most impressive recoveries of the night. After being involved in multiple early accidents, the defending champion methodically climbed back through the field, using superior tire conservation to pick off struggling competitors and fight his way into podium contention.

At the checkered flag, Worrell’s gamble was fully validated. The No. 06 crossed the finish line 5.7 seconds ahead of the competition to claim his first victory of the season. In the post-race interview, Worrell explained that the strategy began almost accidentally. His early tire change was originally intended simply to “have some fun” with fresh rubber, but as the race progressed, he realized the fuel window could allow him to complete the event with one fewer stop than his rivals.

The Checkered Flag Auto Supply Scrambler Series now heads to Bristol Motor Speedway for Round 7, where the tight confines and high banks will provide a completely different challenge as the field returns to the O’Reilly cars.

Lowe Outduels Altice in Wild Myrtle Beach Thriller

Myrtle Beach, SC — The Bootleg Racing League Late Model Invitational Series returned to the legendary Myrtle Beach Speedway for Round 4 of Season 35, where the demanding “Turtle Town” oval once again lived up to its reputation. With no pit stops, no tire changes, and no fast repairs permitted during the 100-lap feature, drivers were forced to carefully manage their equipment while surviving one of the most caution-filled races of the season. When the dust finally settled, points leader James Lowe once again found himself in Victory Lane after another championship-caliber performance.

As is tradition in the BRL Late Model Invitational Series, the starting lineup was determined by inverting the top 13 finishers from the previous event. That placed defending series champion Ruben Altice on the pole alongside Donnie Moore, while Steve Hilbert and Kurt Smith occupied the second row.

When the green flag waved, Altice immediately took control of the race, but the battle behind him proved far more turbulent. The Myrtle Beach surface, famous for its unforgiving inside curbing known as the “turtles,” immediately became a major talking point as competitors fought to avoid upsetting their cars through the opening corners.

The cautions began almost immediately. Michael Goodman, Chris Haizlip, and Bobby Hayes were among the first drivers caught in early incidents as Turns 1 and 2 repeatedly claimed victims. The frequent yellow flags quickly interrupted any opportunity for the field to establish a rhythm.

One of the most remarkable recoveries of the opening half belonged to Kenny Allen. After experiencing technical issues that dropped him multiple laps behind the leaders, Allen methodically fought his way back onto the lead lap by receiving three Lucky Dog free passes during the caution-filled opening stages, keeping his hopes alive despite the early setbacks.

As the race settled into its middle stages, the battle at the front began to intensify. Steve Hilbert briefly became the pivotal figure in the event, using his defensive driving to hold off both James Lowe and Kurt Smith in a thrilling multi-car battle. Acting as the proverbial cork in the bottle, Hilbert forced Lowe to work relentlessly for every inch before the points leader finally cleared him and set his sights on Altice.

The race’s defining battle soon followed. For lap after lap, Lowe and Altice traded the lead in a classic short-track duel. Altice expertly utilized the outside lane to maintain momentum while Lowe relentlessly hugged the preferred bottom groove, searching for any opportunity to complete the pass. Neither driver was willing to concede an inch as they exchanged the lead in one of the season’s most memorable battles.

On Lap 79, patience finally paid off. Lowe completed the decisive pass to officially take over the lead, using superior tire conservation to gain the advantage as Altice’s grip began to fade during the closing stages.

The final laps, however, were anything but calm. A series of late-race incidents pushed the caution count into double digits, making it one of the most interruption-filled Late Model Invitational races in recent memory. The largest accident came when Kurt Smith, Kenny Allen, and Jeffrey Kemper became entangled in a violent crash that sent Kemper’s car tumbling, bringing out another caution and setting up a dramatic green-white-checkered finish.

Lowe responded with a flawless restart. Launching cleanly, he immediately created a comfortable advantage while John Wilson and Mike Holloway battled fiercely behind him for the remaining podium positions. A final spin involving Lowell Jewell near the back of the field brought the race to its conclusion, allowing Lowe to take the checkered flag after another dominant performance.

Perhaps most impressively, Lowe recorded his fastest lap of the race, a blistering 19.243-second circuit, during the closing laps despite having nearly 100 laps on his tires, highlighting just how effectively he had managed his equipment throughout the evening.

Following the race, Lowe credited his victory to patience and tire conservation, explaining that he intentionally drove well within the car’s limits during the opening stages while many of his competitors used their tires too aggressively.

Altice was pleased to salvage a runner-up finish, noting that although his original plan centered around saving his tires, Lowe’s relentless pressure forced him to race harder than intended during the decisive middle portion of the event.

Mike Holloway completed one of the night’s best recovery drives, charging from 20th on the grid to finish third. After surviving multiple accidents throughout the evening, Holloway described the podium as a race of persistence as much as outright speed.

With another victory added to his growing résumé, James Lowe further strengthened his championship lead as the BRL Late Model Invitational Series continued its march through an increasingly competitive Season 35.

Lowe Goes Back-to-Back with Myrtle Beach Masterclass

Myrtle Beach, SC — The Bootleg Racing League Bushtalk Radio Super Late Model Series rolled into the historic Myrtle Beach Speedway for Round 4 of Season 28, where the abrasive, low-grip oval challenged drivers to balance aggression with patience over 100 demanding laps. After the attrition-filled race at Five Flags Speedway one week earlier, competitors hoped for a cleaner evening. Instead, the ghosts of the previous round resurfaced almost immediately.

A unique pit road start placed Steve Hilbert and Chris Davis on the front row of the 17-car field. The race barely reached racing speed before trouble erupted. Entering the opening lap, contact from Davis sent Hilbert spinning, bringing out the first caution of the evening before the field had a chance to settle into rhythm.

The opening incident also proved costly for Luke Logan Allen. Damage sustained in the melee resulted in a mechanical black flag, ending the young driver’s night almost as soon as it had begun.

The caution count continued to rise before the race reached the ten-lap mark. A multi-car accident involving John Wilson, Joseph Snyder, and Ruben Altice further demonstrated just how unforgiving Myrtle Beach’s sandy racing surface could be. With limited grip and cold tires offering little forgiveness, several drivers found themselves sliding helplessly into one another.

When the dust settled, Joe Segalla inherited the race lead and looked poised to capitalize on the early chaos.

As the race progressed, the field finally found a rhythm, and attention shifted to an impressive charge from Chris Worrell. After steadily carving his way through the field, Worrell erased a significant deficit and caught Segalla, setting up one of the night’s most entertaining battles. The pair raced side-by-side for multiple laps, trading momentum as each searched for the slightest advantage.

Their duel came to an abrupt end when Segalla brushed the outside wall exiting Turn 3. What appeared to be minor contact had major consequences, as the infamous backstretch wall abruptly slowed his car, leading to contact with Donnie Moore and bringing out another caution. Throughout the evening, several competitors commented on the unusual way the Turn 3 wall seemed to “grab” cars, with even the slightest brush instantly scrubbing off speed.

While the spotlight remained on Worrell and Segalla, James Lowe quietly positioned himself for another late-race charge. After making an early pit stop, Lowe patiently worked his way back toward the front, conserving both his tires and his equipment while others battled aggressively around him.

At the same time, Louis Flowers mounted one of the strongest drives of the night. Starting from the rear of the field in 17th, Flowers steadily climbed the leaderboard and eventually entered the battle for the podium.

The decisive move came during the final quarter of the race.

Lowe completed the pass for the lead and immediately began pulling away from the field. Turning consistently smooth laps, he stretched his advantage beyond two seconds while the fight behind him intensified.

Worrell found himself under increasing pressure from Flowers, whose remarkable charge through the field continued into the closing laps. Repeated brushes with the unforgiving Turn 3 wall slowed Worrell just enough to allow Flowers to close the gap and briefly challenge for second, but Worrell held firm to secure the runner-up position.

Out front, Lowe remained untouchable. By avoiding the troublesome curbing in Turn 2 and steering clear of the notorious Turn 3 wall, he maintained a flawless pace over the closing laps to secure his second consecutive victory.

Although John Wilson maintained the championship lead leaving Myrtle Beach, Lowe’s second straight victory significantly tightened the title battle as the season continued to gather momentum.

Following the race, Lowe credited his success to remaining patient throughout the evening and resisting the temptation to flirt with the outside wall that claimed so many competitors.

With momentum firmly on Lowe’s side, the Bushtalk Radio Super Late Model Series now heads to Southern National Speedway for Round 5, where another classic short-track battle awaits.

Sirois Masters Fuel Strategy for Commanding Road America Victory

Plymouth, WI — The Sim Gaming Expo ISRA Retro Series returned to action for Round 8 of the championship with a visit to the legendary Road America. Trading the close confines of Gateway for the sweeping four-mile road course in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, the drivers faced a 55-minute sprint in the iconic Lotus 79. The race demanded equal measures of speed, patience, and fuel conservation, with strategy ultimately proving just as important as outright pace.

Championship leader David Sirois started from pole position alongside Richie Hearn and wasted little time asserting himself when the green flag waved. While the leaders negotiated the opening corners cleanly, Hugo Galaz endured a disastrous start after running off course on the opening lap. The excursion forced the Chilean driver to tow his Lotus back to pit lane before he could resume the race.

Out front, Sirois immediately settled into a smooth rhythm, opening a lead of nearly seven-tenths of a second by the completion of the first lap as the field wound its way around Road America’s fast straights and technical braking zones.

Early attrition soon claimed one of the championship’s biggest names. Matt Wagner suffered heavy damage after driving nose-first into the tire barriers, eventually receiving a mechanical black flag that ended his afternoon well before the halfway point.

Meanwhile, Lionel Calisto showed flashes of tremendous speed throughout the opening stint. Nicknamed the “Little Train,” Calisto posted several of the race’s quickest laps but repeatedly saw his progress undone by off-track excursions and spins that prevented him from mounting a challenge for the podium.

As the race reached the midway point, attention shifted from outright speed to fuel mileage.

Unlike the series’ traditional 75-minute oval races, the shorter road course format presented teams with a difficult strategic choice: attempt to stretch fuel on a risky one-stop strategy or commit to the safety of two pit stops.

Alex Guyon and Chris Stofer were among the first frontrunners to pit, while Sirois and Cristobal Valenzuela elected to extend their opening stints in search of track position.

The strategy proved risky.

Running comfortably inside the top five, Mike Goodman miscalculated his fuel window and ran dry on the front straight while attempting to reach pit road. Forced to coast to his stall, Goodman surrendered valuable track position and fell to 12th in the running order. Richie Hearn later admitted he had experienced a similar scare, revealing after the race that his Lotus ran out of fuel almost immediately after entering pit lane.

The battle behind Sirois became the race’s primary source of excitement.

Christopher Ragan emerged as a surprise contender after executing an exceptionally quick pit stop that vaulted him into podium contention. During the closing stages, Hearn relentlessly pressured both Ragan and Valenzuela in a thrilling fight for second place.

The decisive moment came approaching Turn 14. Valenzuela, struggling with a car that had become increasingly difficult to handle, was forced onto the defensive as Hearn attempted an outside move. Both drivers entered Turn 1 carrying too much speed, allowing the patient Ragan to slip clear and firmly establish himself in second place.

While the battle behind him intensified, Sirois remained in complete control.

Having carefully managed his fuel throughout the opening stint, the championship leader avoided the costly extra stop that had plagued him earlier in the season and cruised to another convincing victory.

Following the race, Sirois explained that his victory was built on disciplined fuel conservation during the opening half of the event, allowing him to execute the preferred strategy without unnecessary risk.

The post-race discussion quickly shifted from racing to food as drivers engaged in a spirited debate over pineapple on pizza. Sirois and Christopher Ragan enthusiastically defended the controversial topping, with Ragan even advocating for the addition of jalapeños, while Hearn and members of the broadcast booth remained firmly opposed. Despite the lighthearted disagreement, competitors universally praised the clean racing and once again celebrated Road America as one of sim racing’s true “National Parks of Speed.”

Blasco Uses Fuel Strategy to Capture Talladega Victory

Lincoln, AL — The Red Light Racing Checkered Flag Auto Supply Scrambler Series made its first superspeedway stop of Season 22 as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series machines thundered into Talladega Superspeedway for Round 5. What unfolded was a race defined by teamwork, fuel conservation, and disciplined drafting, with Connor Blasco emerging victorious after a perfectly executed strategy in the closing laps.

Seven-time series champion Maxime Theriault started from the pole in the No. 42 Ford, with Shawn Butler lining up alongside on the front row. At the drop of the green flag, the field quickly organized into a tightly packed draft along the bottom lane before the outside groove began to build momentum thanks to a strong push from Matthew Duvall, who briefly surged to the front.

Despite Talladega’s reputation for producing spectacular multi-truck accidents, the opening portion of the race remained remarkably composed. Drivers exercised patience while carefully managing the draft, fully aware that one mistake could trigger the infamous “Big One.”

One early concern came when Richard Murdock experienced connection issues that caused his truck to blink in and out of the racing surface. The uncertainty forced several drivers behind him to lift momentarily, avoiding what could have become a major incident.

The most chaotic moments of the afternoon arrived during the first cycle of green-flag pit stops around Lap 20.

As the field slowed from nearly 200 mph to pit road speed, several competitors struggled to navigate the crowded pit lane. Devin Visnaw and Chris Worrell made contact entering the service area, while additional trucks rubbed fenders throughout the tightly packed sequence. Fortunately, everyone escaped without race-ending damage, allowing the event to remain under green.

As the laps wound down, fuel mileage emerged as the defining storyline.

Teams calculated that three pit stops would normally be required to complete the race, but drivers who maximized the draft and carefully managed the throttle could significantly reduce the amount of fuel needed during the final stop, or potentially eliminate the need for one altogether.

Tony Strano spent much of the afternoon among the frontrunners, but his strategy ultimately came up short when he was forced to make a late splash for fuel, dropping him from contention for the victory.

With fewer than ten laps remaining, the strategic battle centered on Connor Blasco, Ethan Troutman, and Maxime Theriault. The trio had consistently stretched each fuel run one lap farther than most of the competition, positioning themselves to attack once the race entered its closing stages.

DJ Anderson and Shawn Butler controlled the field approaching the white flag, working together in a Toyota draft as the pack remained tightly bunched behind them.

Behind the leaders, David Odendahl spun into the inside wall on the backstretch during the final lap. Because the leaders had already taken the white flag, the race remained green, leaving the outcome to be decided at full speed.

Coming off the final corner, Ethan Troutman built an enormous run along the outside lane. Rather than attempting an aggressive three-wide move for the victory, Troutman made the calculated decision to stay tucked behind Blasco’s No. 95 Ford and deliver one final push.

Blasco expertly defended both lanes while maintaining his momentum to the finish line, edging the field to claim his first victory of the season in one of the cleanest superspeedway races of the year.

In Victory Lane, Blasco credited the teamwork between himself, Troutman, and Theriault for making the winning strategy possible. By carefully extending each fuel run throughout the afternoon, the trio was able to run flat out during the decisive closing laps while many of their rivals were forced to conserve fuel or make an additional stop.

With the superspeedway challenge complete, the Red Light Racing Checkered Flag Auto Supply Scrambler Series now heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where the drivers will trade the draft-heavy NASCAR Trucks for ARCA machinery on the demanding one-mile oval.

McArthur Dominates the Brickyard After Late-Race Drama at Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN — The OBRL YesterYear Racing Cup Series returned to one of motorsports’ most iconic venues as the championship visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Round 21 of the season. Eighty-five laps around the legendary Brickyard tested every driver’s patience and precision as the high-horsepower Gen 4 stock cars reached speeds approaching 200 mph on an older, bumpier surface that punished mistakes and rewarded disciplined tire management.

With track temperatures soaring to 111 degrees at the start of the race, competitors knew the slick racing surface would make conserving tires just as important as outright speed.

Dwayne McArthur earned the pole position and immediately established himself as the driver to beat. He launched cleanly at the green flag while a brief incident deeper in the field saw Andrew Medlin and Will Martin make contact, sending Martin through the infield grass. Despite the excursion, everyone continued and the race remained under green.

At the front, McArthur was joined by teammate Cortney Nelson, and the pair quickly settled into a measured pace as they worked together to preserve their tires during the opening stint. By Lap 15, the lead duo had opened a comfortable gap while Dave Matson and Matt Watkins remained within striking distance, carefully waiting for the race to come to them.

Green-flag pit stops began between Laps 25 and 30, immediately placing strategy at the forefront. Watkins elected to extend his opening run in hopes of gaining an advantage later in the race, but the plan unraveled when he overshot his pit stall. The mistake cost him valuable time and dropped him roughly a dozen positions in the running order.

McArthur, meanwhile, executed a flawless pit sequence and maintained control of the race. As cloud cover gradually rolled over the speedway, track temperatures dipped slightly to 109 degrees, giving drivers marginally improved grip for the second half of the event.

The second round of green-flag pit stops around Lap 58 briefly reshuffled the order. Eric Essary, nicknamed “The Iceman,” short-pitted the field with perfect timing and cycled into the race lead. His strategy was nearly flawless, but McArthur’s superior pace on fresher tires eventually allowed him to hunt down Essary and reclaim the top position.

For more than 70 laps, the race remained remarkably clean without a single caution.

That changed dramatically when Cortney Nelson and Matt Watkins came together while battling for position. Nelson attempted an aggressive crossover move but lost control, spinning to bring out the first yellow flag of the afternoon.

The caution immediately created another strategic crossroads. Essary, Greg McDaniel, and Jack Jagerman gambled on taking only two tires to gain valuable track position, while McArthur elected for four fresh tires, sacrificing the lead to restart third.

The gamble nearly paid off until another dramatic moment unfolded shortly after the restart.

A massive crash erupted entering Turn 2 involving Dave Matson, Andy Thomas, Patrick Martindale, and Andrew Medlin. Medlin’s machine was launched dramatically during the multi-car accident, while Allen Wannamaker produced one of the drives of the race by threading his way through the spinning cars without sustaining damage.

The late caution set up a thrilling five-lap sprint to the finish.

Essary led the field back to green on two fresh tires, but McArthur immediately showcased the advantage of his four-tire strategy. Charging to the outside entering Turn 1, McArthur powered past Essary and reclaimed the lead before steadily pulling away over the closing laps.

After controlling much of the afternoon, McArthur crossed the famed Yard of Bricks to earn a commanding victory at Indianapolis.

Essary’s impressive tire conservation allowed him to hold onto second despite mounting pressure from the field, while Watkins recovered from his costly pit road mistake to complete the podium with a determined third-place finish.

Tom Ogle’s ninth-place finish was among the day’s strongest recovery drives after overcoming both a pit road penalty and a start from the rear of the field.

With Round 21 complete, the OBRL YesterYear Racing Cup Series now heads into a two-week summer break before returning for the final stretch of the regular season at Watkins Glen International, where the championship battle is expected to intensify as the playoffs draw ever closer.

James Lowe Charges from 12th to Capture Five Flags Victory

Pensacola, FL — The Bootleg Racing League Late Model Invitational Series returned to Five Flags Speedway on Saturday, July 18, for Round 3 of its 2026 season. With 21 drivers taking the green flag for the 100-lap feature, the historic Pensacola half-mile once again rewarded patience, tire management, and discipline. Under the series’ “Big Boy Racing” rules, competitors were forced to complete the race without tire changes or fast repairs, making every decision behind the wheel carry added importance.

As is customary in the series, the starting lineup was determined by inverting the top 13 finishers from the previous race. That placed Joseph Snyder, affectionately known as the “Butcher of Baton Rouge,” on the pole alongside Lowell Jewell. Snyder wasted little time taking command, leading the opening five laps while the field settled into the demanding rhythm of Five Flags Speedway.

The early spotlight soon shifted to one of the youngest competitors in the field. Luke Logan Allen, nicknamed “Kid Lemon Lime,” wasted little time carving through traffic from the third row. While points leader Kenny Allen found himself trapped in the outside lane and losing ground in a long freight train of cars, Luke aggressively worked his way forward and claimed the lead after an impressive opening charge.

The race’s first half featured several cautions and shifting fortunes throughout the field. Kurt Smith brushed the outside wall twice during the opening stages, dropping well outside the top ten. A larger incident later involved Brennan Myers and Chris Worrell, forcing both drivers to recover after sustaining damage.

By Lap 17, Steve Hilbert had worked his way to the front, taking the lead away from Luke Logan Allen. The former police chief led 20 laps while showcasing remarkable consistency as competitors searched for grip across Five Flags’ widening racing grooves. Another caution involving Jeffrey Kemper and Matt Hoose briefly slowed the action, with the broadcast also noting a live audience approaching 1,000 viewers.

As the race entered its second half, the championship contenders began making their move. Chris Davis steadily worked his way through traffic, using the outside groove to his advantage before taking the lead from Luke Logan Allen on Lap 54. Close behind, three-time series champion James Lowe and teammate Chris Worrell quietly advanced through the field after both had spent much of the early race recovering from adversity.

The decisive moment came around Lap 70. As Davis’ tires began to lose their edge, Lowe’s measured approach paid dividends. Having carefully preserved his equipment throughout the race, Lowe executed a clean pass to move into the lead, becoming the fifth different driver to pace the field. Rather than overdriving the car, Lowe later explained that his strategy centered on hugging the bottom groove and avoiding unnecessary side-by-side battles that would overheat his right-front tire.

The final 20 laps brought a noticeable increase in intensity throughout the field. One of the race’s most memorable moments came when Brennan Myers found himself racing three-wide with Chris Davis and Kurt Smith. Somehow, all three drivers navigated multiple corners without contact, drawing praise from the broadcast booth for their remarkable car control.

While Lowe steadily extended his advantage at the front, the battle behind him remained fierce. Chris Worrell climbed into second place after overcoming earlier damage, while Luke Logan Allen fought an increasingly tight-handling race car that made every lap a challenge. On the final circuit, Davis spun into the outside wall after the white flag had already been displayed, allowing the race to finish under green.

Lowe crossed the finish line to earn another impressive victory after starting 12th on the grid. Worrell completed a remarkable recovery drive to finish second after starting 17th, while Luke Logan Allen held on for an outstanding third-place finish despite fading tires over the closing laps.

Following the race, Lowe credited his victory to patience and tire conservation, explaining that resisting the temptation to overdrive the car allowed him to have enough grip when it mattered most. Worrell admitted his arms were exhausted from wrestling a damaged race car through the final laps, while Luke Logan Allen embraced his podium finish despite fading late, acknowledging that battling the series veterans while his father, Kenny Allen, finished 17th made for a memorable chapter in the Allen family rivalry.

With another thrilling race in the books, the Bootleg Racing League Late Model Invitational Series now turns its attention to the next round of the championship, where patience, consistency, and tire management will once again be critical ingredients for victory.

James Lowe Capitalizes Late to Win Chaotic Five Flags Showdown

Pensacola, FL — The Bootleg Racing League Bushtalk Radio Super Late Model Series made its annual visit to the historic Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida, for Round 3 of Season 28. Home of the prestigious Snowball Derby, the demanding half-mile oval once again delivered a race that tested drivers’ patience, throttle control, and ability to survive. What began as a highly anticipated 100-lap feature quickly turned into a race of survival, with a string of cautions and heavy attrition eliminating many of the championship contenders long before the checkered flag.

Michael Goodman led the field to the green flag from the pole position alongside Todd Liston. Meanwhile, championship leader Chris Worrell rolled off 11th after the top 13 finishers from the previous round were inverted for the starting lineup.

The opening laps were clean, but the calm lasted only briefly. Mike Corriveau spun the No. 97 to bring out the evening’s first caution, foreshadowing the turbulent race that was about to unfold.

The complexion of the event changed dramatically on the second restart. Entering Turn 1, the field stacked up in a classic accordion effect, leaving several drivers with nowhere to go. Joseph Snyder made contact with the rear of Chris Worrell’s machine, collecting both Worrell and Charles Roth in a multi-car incident. The damage to the points leader proved too severe, forcing Worrell to retire from the race and opening the championship battle considerably.

As the race continued, yellow flags became the dominant theme. By Lap 17, the field had already slowed for its third caution of the evening. Brennan Myers, who was forced to start at the rear after receiving an end-of-line penalty before the green flag, quietly avoided the incidents and steadily worked his way into the top six simply by keeping his car clean.

The largest accident of the race erupted around Lap 34. While battling for position, Chris Davis and Ruben Altice locked bumpers, sending Davis hard into the outside wall. The incident quickly expanded into a multi-car pileup that also collected Michael Goodman and Luke Logan Allen, both of whom received meatball flags requiring repairs before they could continue.

By the halfway point, the race had become one of the most chaotic events in recent BRL memory. Only eight cars remained on the lead lap as the field was whittled down by repeated incidents in what many described as an unusually attrition-filled night.

With the cautions finally subsiding, the closing stages evolved into a strategic duel between Todd Liston and multi-time champion James Lowe.

Liston had controlled much of the race from the front, carefully protecting the preferred inside groove while managing tire temperatures during the extended green-flag run. Lowe remained content to shadow the leader, conserving his equipment while waiting for an opportunity to present itself.

Behind the lead pair, Ruben Altice and Brennan Myers engaged in an entertaining battle for the final podium position. Altice eventually secured third after Myers clipped the inside apron, but both drivers remained within striking distance should the leaders encounter trouble.

That opportunity came with just six laps remaining.

As Liston’s rear tires overheated, his Super Late Model drifted slightly up the racetrack exiting the corner. Lowe immediately capitalized, diving to the inside and completing the decisive pass for the lead. Once out front, Lowe quickly established a comfortable margin and drove away to earn another victory in the Bushtalk Radio Super Late Model Series.

Following the race, Lowe credited his victory to patience, explaining that while repeated cautions prevented significant tire wear, managing tire temperatures during the final green-flag run proved critical to making the winning pass.

Liston, meanwhile, revealed an emotional personal story after climbing from his car. He shared that he had raced while mourning the loss of his dog earlier that day, admitting the difficult circumstances may have influenced how aggressively he pushed during the closing laps.

Altice rounded out the podium after surviving the night’s relentless attrition, describing the event as a race where simply avoiding trouble was often as important as outright speed.

The victory further strengthened Lowe’s championship campaign as the Bushtalk Radio Super Late Model Series prepares for the next stop on its Season 28 schedule after one of the most chaotic nights the series has seen in recent memory.

Cristobal Valenzuela Scores Breakthrough Victory with Brilliant Fuel Strategy at Gateway

Madison, IL — The Sim Gaming Expo ISRA Retro Series visited Worldwide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, for Round 7 of the season, the St. Lawrence Occurrence. The 75-minute event featured the legendary Lotus 79 on Gateway’s unique egg-shaped oval, where the tight, narrow Turns 1 and 2 contrasted sharply with the sweeping, flatter Turns 3 and 4. The unusual layout rewarded drivers who could adapt their lines while balancing tire wear, fuel consumption, and outright speed.

Mike Goodman started from pole position alongside championship contender Matt Wagner. Goodman led the field to the green flag and controlled the opening lap, but Wagner quickly demonstrated superior pace by experimenting with the high groove through Turns 1 and 2. Carrying more momentum off the corner, Wagner reeled in Goodman and took over the race lead during the opening stages.

While the leaders established an early advantage, the battle throughout the midfield remained intense. Hugo Galaz, Richie Hearn, and David Dunwoody traded positions in a spirited fight as drivers discovered that although the inside lane shortened the distance around the speedway, the outside line often produced stronger exits and greater straightaway speed.

Although the race remained caution-free from start to finish, it was far from incident-free. Richie Hearn repeatedly flirted with the outside wall exiting Turn 2 before eventually making contact, triggering a chain reaction that also involved Ryan O’Donoghue and league newcomer Kobe Pierce. Fortunately, all three drivers were able to continue after repairs.

As the opening pit window approached around the 20-minute mark, strategy quickly became the defining storyline. Matt Wagner was the first among the frontrunners to make his opening stop, signaling a commitment to an aggressive three-stop strategy. Meanwhile, Mike Rigney surprised many by making an exceptionally quick stop, gaining valuable track position while raising questions about whether he would have enough fuel to comfortably complete his final stint.

One of the biggest movers throughout the evening was Lionel Calisto. Nicknamed the “Little Train,” Calisto gained nine positions by fearlessly utilizing the high groove through traffic, carrying momentum around the outside in a style reminiscent of modern oval specialists.

As the race entered its final 20 minutes, the field divided into two distinctly different approaches.

Wagner, who would ultimately lead an impressive 116 laps, continued to push at maximum pace alongside Jim Herrick. Both drivers committed to an all-out sprint, fully expecting to require a short splash of fuel before the checkered flag.

Meanwhile, Chilean teammates Cristobal Valenzuela and Hugo Galaz chose a completely different strategy. Electing to make only two pit stops, Valenzuela carefully monitored his fuel usage while quietly running inside the top ten. By manually tracking his fuel consumption and alternating between hard-charging laps and fuel-saving laps, he stretched his final tank farther than many believed possible.

The strategic gamble came to a dramatic conclusion in the closing minutes.

Herrick inherited the lead when Wagner made his final scheduled stop, but his hopes of victory quickly evaporated after receiving a meatball flag for damage, forcing an unscheduled return to pit road. Craig Forsythe also appeared capable of challenging for the win before a late meatball flag derailed his race.

With the clock winding toward zero, Wagner charged through the field after completing his final stop, posting some of the fastest laps of the race in an attempt to reclaim the lead. Despite his speed, the lost track position proved impossible to overcome.

Valenzuela continued nursing his Lotus 79 around the final circuits with virtually no fuel remaining, carefully bringing the car home to secure his first victory in the ISRA Retro Series. It was a textbook fuel-mileage performance, reminiscent of some of open-wheel racing’s most memorable strategic victories.

Wagner crossed the line in second after dominating much of the race, while championship leader David Sirois completed the podium in third. Jim Herrick recovered from his late setback to finish fourth, and Hugo Galaz capped off an outstanding evening for the Chilean contingent with a fifth-place finish.

Following the race, Wagner admitted that fuel-saving races were not his favorite style of competition but praised Valenzuela for executing the strategy to perfection. Valenzuela’s breakthrough victory also showcased the strength of the Chilean contingent heading into the next round at the legendary Road America, where road course specialists such as David Sirois and Alex Guyon will look to return to Victory Lane.