PGRL S5 R5 Recap

27 June 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 5 | Round 5
Premier Series | Nashville Superspeedway

In a captivating display of skill and strategy, Jeff Ward of Loud Pedal Motorsports claimed his first victory of the season in the highly anticipated Mane ‘n Tail 200, the premier event of the Pretty Good Racing League. The race unfolded at the prestigious Nashville Superspeedway, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown among some of the league’s finest drivers.

Dee Damboise, representing Damboise Developments, secured the pole position for the evening, with Ward positioned alongside her in second place. As the green flag dropped, it was Ward who swiftly seized control of the race, making a bold move and taking the lead coming out of turn 2 on the very first lap.

The early stages of the race witnessed intense battles and strategic maneuvers among the drivers. Colton Salek of Norse Force Racing emerged as a formidable contender, keeping a close eye on Ward’s every move. However, despite his valiant efforts, Salek struggled to match the blistering pace set by the leader.

Meanwhile, Michael Chrobok, Ward’s teammate from Loud Pedal Motorsports, showcased impressive long-run speed, steadily closing the gap on Salek during a sustained green flag run. Sensing an opportunity to gain an advantage, Chrobok made a calculated decision and pitted under green flag conditions on lap 62, aiming to execute an undercut strategy on Salek and Ward.

Observing Chrobok’s move, both Ward and Salek decided to follow suit, entering pit road on laps 63 and 64 respectively. As the pit cycle concluded on lap 76, Ward reclaimed the lead, with Chrobok slotting into second place and Salek settling back into third.

The race progressed with a continued green flag run, and on lap 105, Salek opted to make his final pit stop in a bid to undercut both Ward and Chrobok, replicating the strategy Chrobok had employed earlier. Chrobok, on the other hand, made his final pit stop on lap 106, while Ward followed suit on lap 107.

During this pivotal pit cycle, Chrobok managed to take the lead, but Ward fought back fiercely, engaging in a thrilling side-by-side battle with Chrobok for several laps. Ultimately, Ward’s determination and skill prevailed as he regained the lead on lap 124, leaving Salek to bridge the gap to the frontrunners.

Despite Salek’s valiant efforts to close in on the leaders, he struggled to match their pace, and Ward and Chrobok eventually settled into a single-file formation, consolidating their positions at the front of the pack.

As the checkered flag loomed, it was Ward who emerged triumphant, crossing the finish line in first place, celebrating his well-deserved victory. Salek, although unable to challenge the leaders in the closing stages, managed to retain his points lead, albeit with Ward closing in, now trailing by a mere 11 points.

With the excitement of the Nashville Superspeedway in the rearview mirror, fans eagerly await the next round of the Pretty Good Racing League, scheduled to take place at Chicagoland Speedway on July 4th. This highly anticipated event promises another adrenaline-fueled spectacle, and fans can catch all the captivating action live at 8:55 PM ET, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network.