Robinson Survives the Chaos to Win at Richmond

The OBRL YesterYear Racing Cup Series rolled into Richmond Raceway for Round 25 of the 2025 season, and fans were treated to a chaotic, tire-chewing showdown that tested every driver’s patience and skill. Defending champion Josh Robinson, already known for his cool-headed consistency, managed to outlast the carnage and claim another victory in what proved to be one of the most unpredictable races of the season.

Heading into the night, strategy was the hot topic. Tire wear—not fuel mileage—would dictate the race. Richmond’s abrasive surface meant drivers would need to manage their rubber carefully, and anyone pushing too hard too soon risked becoming a moving roadblock in the closing laps. On top of that, several drivers in the playoff bubble, like Chris Bates, were under pressure to gamble with “win or go home” strategies. Robinson started on pole with Jerry Isaacs alongside, and behind them were contenders Andrew Kotska, Dan Hill, and Dwayne MacArthur, all eyeing another race win.

The green flag dropped, and immediately the emphasis was on conservation. Drivers described the car as feeling like “driving on eggshells” on corner exit, forcing them to feather the throttle and tiptoe their way around the track. That patience didn’t last long, though, as the first caution flew only 3 laps into the race and the tone of the night was set: pit strategy and damage control were going to decide who survived.

Cortney Nelson’s night seemed doomed early after heavy left-front damage from a spin, but he became one of the stories of the race by clawing his way back onto the lead lap and salvaging a sixth-place finish. Meanwhile, the attrition rate grew higher as the laps wore on. Victor Lane, solid in the points picture, slammed into the wall mid-race and picked up a disqualification for exceeding his incident limit—a bitter pill that could shake up his playoff chances. Later, Jason Fellenbaum tried to throw a desperate block on Robinson and Kotska in the closing stages, sparking a multi-car wreck that left the broadcast crew predicting plenty of post-race committee reviews.

As if that wasn’t enough, Jerry Isaacs spun late, and Luke Lane followed him to the garage after racking up too many incident points. Cars limped, slid, and skated through the final stretch as drivers fought not just their competitors but also their worn-out tires. Through it all, Josh Robinson held steady, launching cleanly on every restart and managing his tires better than anyone else. Daniel Hill gave chase but admitted afterward that turn two was “an adventure every lap” and he needed Robinson to slip up to have any chance at the win.

At the checkered flag, Robinson crossed first, followed by Hill in second and Shawn Foltz in third after an inspired charge from the back. Greg McDaniel and Dwayne McArthur rounded out the top five, while Nelson’s comeback drive netted him sixth. For Robinson, the win was a mix of skill, strategy, and a little bit of luck. He admitted, in a few sketchy situations, he just “aimed the car and hoped for the best,” but his restarts and long-run pace proved unbeatable. With the playoffs looming and Daytona up next, Robinson made it clear he’s always racing for the win—but wouldn’t mind pushing a teammate across the line if the opportunity arises.