BRL LM S24R8 | Lanier National Speedway

19 November 2023

At the start of the race, Bruce Pearson and Joseph Snyder were positioned at the front row, eagerly waiting for the green flag to wave. As the flag dropped, Pearson was quick off the mark and managed to secure the lead, while Todd Liston, starting from third, took advantage of Snyder’s slow start and jumped under him to take second place. The inside line proved to be the most efficient at the start of the race, and really throughout, with some drivers engaging in side-by-side racing. However, the drivers in the bottom line had the upper hand and were able to take consistently win the position battle.

As the race progressed and the drivers settled into their rhythm, Todd Liston made a daring move and overtook Pearson to claim the lead. The race started with 27 green flag laps before the first caution came out on Lap 28, allowing the drivers to regroup. As the race resumed on Lap 32, Todd Liston and Bruce Pearson occupied the front row, with Liston getting an excellent start, allowing Kurt Smith to follow the inside lane and take second. Nonetheless, the outside line was still not working, forcing Pearson and others in the outside lane to wait for their turn to get into the inside line and avoid losing positions.

On Lap 41, a caution came out, and the drivers had to slow down once again. As the race restarted on Lap 46, Liston and Smith were at the front row, and J R Shepherd was able to take second place from Smith, who was on the outside. However, Smith was quick to shut the door on Pearson, who was in third place, to avoid losing too many positions. Another caution came out on Lap 53, and as the race resumed on Lap 58, Liston and Shepherd were at the front row. Liston got a great start, but Smith challenged the inside lane under Shepherd. Despite Smith’s efforts, Shepherd kept enough momentum to regain the inside line and stay in second place. The top five drivers were all incredibly close by Lap 65, and Shepherd was able to peak to the inside of Liston, taking the first place. Kurt Smith passed under Liston for second, with Liston fighting to get back on the inside.

The race continued with intense side-by-side racing, with the drivers pushing their limits. On Lap 77, another caution came out, and when the race restarted on Lap 83, Shepherd and Smith were at the front row. Shepherd got a great start, and Matt Hoose also followed behind with a good start to take second from Smith. Lowell Jewell made his way up under Smith on that fast inside line to take 3rd. Another caution came out on Lap 89, and as the race resumed on Lap 95, Shepherd and Hoose were at the front. Shepherd got another great start, allowing plenty of room for Hoose to jump inside right away. Jewell was in 3rd, and behind him was side-by-side racing, and a quick caution came out on lap 97. The race was set up for a Green-White-Checker shootout on Lap 102, with Shepherd getting another great start, followed by Hoose and Jewell. The race finished in that podium order, with the rest of the field fighting hard side-by-side after the shootout to claim their spots.

Highlights

🏆 J R Shepherd wins the BRL Late Model Invitational Series Season 24 race at Lanier for his 3^rd win of the season.

🚀 Lowell Jewell was the biggest mover of the race, finishing in third place after starting from 17th.

🏁 J R Shepherd’s victory gave a big point boost for his battle for the season championship

🌟 The race featured intense battles and impressive displays of skill from the drivers.