BRL SLM S22 R8 Recap

18 August 2023
Bootleg Racing League | Season 22 | Round 8
Super Late Model Series | Southern National Motorsports Park

In a showdown that lived up to its anticipation, J R Shepherd emerged triumphant in an exhilarating 200-lap battle against his chief rival, James Tiernan, at Southern National Motorsports Park in the Bootleg Racing League Super Late Model Series presented by Whiteriver LLC. The race commenced with Tom Hilbert at the pole position, while Shepherd launched from the sixth spot and Tiernan from the seventh.

Hilbert took charge during the initial 14 laps, but it was Wilson who executed a decisive move around the outside, snatching the lead. Shepherd and Tiernan strategically capitalized on the opportunity, seizing the chance to advance and securing podium positions behind Wilson. Rapidly navigating past Hilbert, Shepherd executed an audacious maneuver, diving beneath Tiernan and swiftly surging ahead to take the lead as lap 19 approached. Tiernan closely followed, slotting into second place, while Wilson settled into third.

Throughout the ensuing 200-lap spectacle, Shepherd found himself in a relentless tussle with Tiernan. The two competitors put on a dazzling display of skill, lapping the entire field while fiercely battling for supremacy on the track. As the event reached its midpoint, Wilson made a tactical decision to pit under green, aiming to gain an advantage through undercutting the leaders. However, Shepherd and Tiernan opted to stay out on the track, resulting in a protracted green flag run that persisted until the race’s conclusion.

Tiernan persistently attempted to find a vulnerable point to challenge Shepherd, but the latter held firm, skillfully fending off Tiernan’s advances. As the intense rivalry between the two drivers played out, the race witnessed a display of vocal discontent from several competitors who expressed their frustration at being overshadowed by the dueling dominance of Shepherd and Tiernan.

While the night was marked by the on-track rivalry, Shepherd ultimately secured the checkered flag, clinching victory after successfully defending against Tiernan’s spirited efforts. Tiernan, despite his strong performance, fell short in his quest to overtake Shepherd. With a commanding lead in the point standings, Tiernan heads into the final three rounds of the competition with a considerable advantage over Jeffery Hardin.

Racing enthusiasts can look forward to the next exhilarating event, scheduled for August 25th at Hickory Motor Speedway. The action is set to unfold live at 8:10 PM ET, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network, promising more heart-pounding moments and intense competition in the Bootleg Racing League Super Late Model Series.