BRL Late Model Series S27 R9 Recap

24 August 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 27 | Round 9
Late Model Series | South Boston Speedway

On Saturday, August 24th, the Bootleg Racing League’s Late Model Invitational Series took on South Boston Speedway for the 9th round of Season 27. John Wilson entered the night with a solid 11-point lead in the standings over Todd Liston, but his advantage would be put to the test on the tight, challenging short track.

As the green flag waved, Tom Hilbert and Chris Haizlip led the field from the front row. However, it was Jeffrey Kemper who quickly made his presence known. Starting from 3rd, Kemper wasted no time, making a bold move to pass Haizlip and secure the 2nd position in the opening laps. Just a few laps later, Kemper dived low under Hilbert, taking the race lead on lap 7. It was a strong start for Kemper, but the field behind him was packed with talent, as Bruce Pearson, Lowell Jewell, Mike Holloway, and Todd Liston began their charge toward the front.

The race saw its first major incident on lap 33 when Holloway spun on the backstretch, triggering the caution. Although most drivers managed to avoid serious contact, the yellow flag marked the beginning of a night filled with short green flag runs. The constant restarts played to Kemper’s advantage, allowing him to fend off Liston’s challenges and maintain his lead each time the field was reset.

As the laps ticked down, the tension on the track grew. With just a handful of laps remaining, Donny Moore and Kurt Smith made contact, bringing out a final caution just before the white flag. The stage was set for a dramatic Green-White-Checkered finish. Kemper, showing nerves of steel, got a perfect launch off the restart and held on to claim his first victory in the Late Model Series.

Meanwhile, John Wilson, who started the night with a comfortable points lead, found himself struggling throughout the race. A difficult night saw him finishing in 12th place, a result that significantly cut into his points advantage. Wilson now holds a precarious 1-point lead over Liston as the series heads into the next round.

The Bootleg Racing League’s Late Model Invitational Series will return on September 7th after the Labor Day weekend, with the action moving to Oswego Speedway. Be sure to catch all the excitement live at 9:10 PM ET on the Virtual Grip Network!