PGRL S6 W6 Recap

10 October 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 6
Premier Series | Texas Motor Speedway

Texas Motor Speedway hosted a spectacular doubleheader of racing as the Pretty Good Racing League unleashed the NASCAR Gen 4 stock cars for two 70-lap races in the much-anticipated MARSS Properties Texas Two-Step. The action was fast and fierce on the Lone Star State’s high-speed oval.

In the first race, it was Jeff Ward who had the honor of starting on the pole. Ward, however, quickly found himself under intense pressure from Saif Faries right from the green flag, with a hungry pack of racers nipping at their heels. As the race got underway, it seemed that Ward might be biding his time, allowing several competitors to slip by on the second lap, setting the stage for a captivating battle for the lead between Hardin and Faries.

The early excitement was soon tempered by an incident involving Drew White and Brian Yaczik, triggering the first caution just six laps into the race. After the restart, Ricky Hardin seized command, while Mike Rasimas, Jeff Ward, and Colton Salek held their ground, creating a gripping lead group. As the laps counted down, drivers began their pit stops for fresh tires and fuel, adopting a conservative two-stop strategy.

Through the pit cycle, Ryan Zima emerged as the man to beat. However, Zima’s strategy became evident to all as he opted for a daring one-stop approach, attempting to stretch his fuel farther than his competitors. Zima stayed out 15 laps longer than most of the field before pitting on lap 42, positioning himself to contend for the win.

In the final moments of the race, Colton Salek did his utmost to chase down Zima, but he couldn’t bridge the gap in time. Ryan Zima displayed strategic brilliance, securing his second victory of the season. With the field inverted for the second race, it was an entirely different challenge, one that rewarded Jeff Ward as he clinched victory.

For the second race, the field was inverted, with Isaiah Dupre securing pole position. Surprisingly, this race played out differently from the usual, featuring notably less aggression and fewer cautions. Jeff Ward seized the lead about 30 laps into the run and expertly kept his rivals at bay, even amidst green flag pit stops. The race concluded with Jeff Ward raising the checkered flag.

The current points leader, Johnathon Caddell, continues his reign, now with a 35-point lead over Michael Chrobok. Week 7 of the Pretty Good Racing League will unfold at Bristol Motor Speedway on October 17th. Tune in at 8:50 PM ET, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network, for more high-speed action on the track.