BRL SLM S22 R1 Recap

23 June 2023
Bootleg Racing League | Season 22 | Round 1
Super Late Model Series | New Smyrna Speedway

In an electrifying start to the Bootleg Racing League Super Late Model Series Season 22, J R Shepherd of Different Path Motorsports claimed victory in the opening event at New Smyrna Speedway, presented by Whiteriver LLC. The race was filled with intense battles, strategic pit stops, and captivating moments.

John Wilson, representing Team CDR, led the field to the green flag from the pole position, while Shepherd and James Tiernan faced the challenging task of starting further back in 12th and 16th place, respectively. Wilson held onto the lead for the first few laps until Stephen Spies, racing for Gambler Motorsports, made a strong move to take control of the field.

Spies quickly built a significant lead, distancing himself from the pack with over a four-second gap to Matt Shinoski by the 50-lap mark. Meanwhile, Shepherd was on a determined charge, aggressively working his way through the field while fending off pressure from Tiernan, who was also making his way forward.

On lap 83, Shepherd and Tiernan found themselves running in close quarters for 3rd and 4th positions. Tiernan seized an opportunity, diving low to overtake Shepherd. Despite Shepherd’s attempts to retaliate with a crossover move, Tiernan managed to pull away and secure 3rd place.

However, a turning point came on lap 91 when a caution flag was triggered by Lowell Jewell, who lost control coming out of turn 4 and slid across the infield down the front stretch. This caution allowed the field to make pit stops for fuel and fresh tires. Kurt Smith emerged as the leader after the pit stops, with Shepherd in 2nd and Tiernan in 4th.

Racing resumed on lap 97, and Shepherd wasted no time making his move. Going into lap 103, he snatched the lead away from Smith, while Tiernan faced a challenging situation trying to navigate through traffic and make up ground. Unfortunately, Tiernan’s aggressive attempt to split between Stephen Spies and Smith resulted in contact, triggering another caution. Aiden Young and Jeffery Hardin were unfortunate victims of the incident, as they made contact with the inside wall while trying to avoid the incident.

With the green flag waving once again on lap 109, Shepherd found himself back in the lead, with Tiernan in 5th place. Undeterred, Tiernan quickly mounted a charge, working his way up to 2nd on lap 119. The battle for the lead intensified as Tiernan relentlessly pressured Shepherd, attempting several unsuccessful overtaking maneuvers. Shepherd showcased his defensive skills, successfully fending off Tiernan’s advances and ultimately securing the well-deserved victory.

Round 2 of the Super Late Model Series is scheduled to take place at Myrtle Beach Speedway on July 7th. Fans can look forward to witnessing more thrilling action and intense battles as the competitors strive to outdo each other on the track. The race will be broadcast live at 8:10 PM ET exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network, providing fans with front-row seats to all the excitement.