PGRL S5 R11 Recap

08 August 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 5 | Round 11
Premier Series | Michigan International Speedway

Jeff Ward of Loud Pedal Motorsports emerged victorious at the exhilarating Yaz’s Sandwich’s & More 200 event held at Michigan International Speedway in the Pretty Good Racing League Premier Series. The race showcased intense battles, strategic maneuvers, and unexpected twists that kept fans enthralled from start to finish.

Brian Greenlee secured the pole position for the race, with Ward starting from 7th on the grid. The opening laps witnessed a dynamic exchange of the race lead among Greenlee, Adam Jurski, and Dee Damboise. However, Ward orchestrated a masterful ascent through the field, asserting his dominance by surging to the front on the 5th lap. Ward’s maneuver also propelled Brian Yaczik and Michael Chrobok into the lead pack.

Scott Eckrich, while initially positioned in 8th, displayed exceptional driving skills by threading his way through the lead group, ultimately seizing the lead from Yaczik on the 15th lap. Ward, however, executed a decisive move on the 26th lap, retaking the lead and relegating Eckrich to 2nd.

Around the 32-lap mark, drivers commenced their green-flag pit stops for refueling. Ward maintained his front-running position as the pit cycle concluded on the 40th lap, with Chrobok trailing in 2nd and Eckrich in 3rd behind Aaron Bean. A collision between Eckrich and Bean on the 44th lap prompted a caution flag, prematurely ending Eckrich’s race and reshaping the evening’s strategic landscape.

Ward continued to command the race in the latter half, with Chrobok in relentless pursuit of the lead. A second round of pit stops under green-flag conditions unfolded on the 72nd lap, with Ward setting the pace for pit entry and Chrobok following suit two laps later. As the field cycled through their pit stops, Chrobok strategically positioned himself behind Ward, making a determined bid to seize the lead.

As the race’s final laps ticked away, Ward maintained his steadfast position at the front of the pack, successfully fending off Chrobok’s pursuit. In a triumphant conclusion, Ward crossed the finish line to clinch victory in a race defined by fierce competition and strategic calculations.

Chrobok’s consistent performance throughout the season has allowed him to retain the points lead, with a 14-point advantage over Ward. The anticipation now heightens for the season’s grand finale, set to take place on August 15th at Iowa Speedway. Racing enthusiasts can expect an adrenaline-charged showdown as the championship title hangs in the balance. The dramatic culmination of the Premier Series promises to deliver unparalleled racing action, capturing the hearts of fans as the contenders vie for supremacy on the track. The event will be broadcast live at 8:55 PM ET exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network.