PGRL S6 W4 Recap

26 September 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 4
Premier Series | Auto Club Speedway

In an evening characterized by foggy conditions and high humidity, the Pretty Good Racing League (PGRL) revved up the excitement with dual 40-lap races at Auto Club Speedway for the Route 66 Paint & Paper California Clash. Featuring the NASCAR Gen 4 stock cars, these races promised intense competition and thrilling action on the track.

The first race commenced with Jeff Ward from Loud Pedal Motorsports securing the pole position. As the green flag dropped, Ward immediately found himself locked in a fierce battle with Scott Eckrich for the lead. The duo showcased impressive pace, quickly distancing themselves from the pursuing pack led by Colton Salek and Michael Chrobok.

As laps ticked away, Ward’s superior speed became evident, allowing him to build a comfortable lead over his competitors. Ward’s strategic pit stop under green flag conditions on Lap 22, opting for fresh tires and fuel, provided a captivating twist. This pit strategy was an undercut attempt to gain an advantage over the rest of the field.

As the field cycled through their pit stops, Ward’s gamble paid off handsomely. He managed to re-emerge as the race leader with a commanding lead over Chrobok and Salek, a position he maintained with just 10 laps remaining. However, a late-race incident led to Ward taking the checkered flag under caution, concluding a mostly green-flag race on a somewhat unexpected note.

The second race of the night saw the field inverted from the previous round, placing Paul Pepper on the pole position. This race, in line with the season’s trend, proved to be more chaotic and aggressive as the faster drivers aggressively advanced through the field toward the front, resulting in early-race cautions.

Amid the chaos, Mike Rasimas engaged in a spirited battle with Colton Salek for the lead, with Salek managing to wrest control of the position on Lap 27. From that point onward, Salek displayed untouchable pace, steadily increasing his lead as the laps dwindled.

Rasimas, however, remained within striking distance of the lead in the final moments. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t quite close the gap sufficiently to mount a challenge, allowing Salek to cross the finish line and secure the checkered flag.

In the overall point standings, Johnathon Caddell continued to impress with consistently strong finishes, holding a 60-point lead over Ryan Zima as the season progressed. With the excitement and competition heating up, the next race is scheduled at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 3rd. Racing enthusiasts won’t want to miss a moment of the action, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network, with the broadcast set to go live at 8:50 PM ET.