AOLL INDY 250

25 May 2024
AOLL Racing League | Palmetto Racing
Special Event | Indianapolis Motor Speedway

On Saturday, May 25th, the AOLL Racing League hosted the highly anticipated INDY 250 presented by Palmetto Racing. This half-length event, mirroring the real-world INDY 500, brought together drivers from multiple leagues, creating a unique and competitive atmosphere. The combination of various driving styles and the Dallara IR-18—a car unfamiliar to many participants—contributed to a night filled with short green flag runs and intense battles, keeping the field closely packed and providing an exciting spectacle for fans.

John Poole III secured the pole with a blistering lap time of 39.956 seconds during qualifying, earning the top starting position and the privilege of leading the field to the green flag. Lining up beside him on the front row was Blake Trawick, poised to challenge for the lead from the outset. As the race began, Poole maintained his lead, with Trawick and Marcellus Breuning closely following in second and third, respectively. The opening laps saw Poole demonstrating his pace and control, but the race was far from settled.

The initial 20 laps featured several cautions, causing frequent restarts and shuffling the running order. These cautions led many drivers, including the leaders, to take strategic pit stops. As a result, Dave Wright found himself in the lead, pursued by Johnie Downey. Downey soon capitalized on his position, overtaking Wright and attempting to break away from the pack. However, Ed Sprenger was not far behind, moving up to challenge Downey for the lead. By lap 27, Sprenger had successfully maneuvered around Downey, taking control of the race.

While Sprenger led the field, the initial front-runners—Poole, Breuning, and Trawick—began their climb back through the dense traffic. The frequent cautions kept the field bunched together, allowing these drivers to methodically work their way forward. Poole’s determination paid off as he reclaimed the lead by the halfway mark, demonstrating his resilience and skill. Meanwhile, other notable drivers, such as Joe Dinsmore and Derrek Shilling, were quietly making their way toward the front, employing patient and strategic driving to avoid the chaos.

As the race approached its second half, Steve Boyer emerged as a strong contender, taking over the second spot and positioning himself as a significant threat to Poole’s lead. The pit strategy continued to play a crucial role, with DeShawn Gorham briefly taking the lead with 30 laps to go. However, Poole’s relentless pace saw him retake the lead, as the aggression in the field heightened with the laps winding down.

With 20 laps remaining, the intensity reached a peak. Boyer, capitalizing on a strong run out of turn 2, overtook Poole down the backstretch to seize the lead. The final stages of the race were marked by a late caution, which brought the field back together for an 8-lap sprint to the finish. Boyer faced immense pressure from Gorham, while Trawick, who had been quietly advancing through the field, moved into second place and began closing the gap on Boyer with blistering lap times.

As the race neared its conclusion, the tension was palpable. Trawick’s charge in the final laps brought him within striking distance of Boyer, setting up a dramatic finish. Despite Trawick’s relentless pursuit, Boyer managed to maintain his composure and held on to his lead, crossing the finish line just two-tenths of a second ahead of Trawick. The narrow margin of victory underscored the fierce competition and skill displayed by the drivers throughout the event.

The INDY 250 showcased not only the drivers’ talent and strategic acumen but also the unpredictable nature of racing, where anything can happen, and every decision counts.