BRL Late Model Invitational S31R11 | New Smyrna Speedway

Season 31 of the BRL Late Model Invitational featured its Championship night for Season 31, Round 11, racing at New Smyrna Speedway. Chris Haizlip and Tom Hilbert led the field to green. A caution came out on Lap 1. Racing resumed on Lap 6 with Haizlip and Hilbert at the front. The #25 moved up to second on Lap 6. Kurt Smith passed Hilbert for third on Lap 7. Smith then overtook Hilbert on Lap 9, and Ruben Altice advanced to third. Smith passed Haizlip on Lap 10 for the lead, with Altice moving into second. Haizlip was stuck on the outside line, dropping back. By Lap 14, the field was single-file.

On Lap 18, Altice tried to find a lane past Smith but lacked enough momentum. Bruce Pearson got alongside Hilbert on Lap 23 but couldn’t make the move to third. Pearson tried again on Lap 24. James Lowe also threatened to go low for a three-wide attempt, but everyone settled back into position. The race continued single file on Lap 28, with Smith and Altice starting to pull away from the pack. On Lap 30, Pearson looked inside Hilbert off turn 2 but still lacked enough momentum. Lowe got inside Pearson on turn 3 of Lap 32, racing side by side for fourth. Lowe completed the pass on Lap 33, then immediately set his sights on Hilbert, getting to the inside on the backstretch of Lap 35. However, Lowe didn’t have enough to complete the move.

The leaders shortened their lead on Lap 37, with Lowe finding room inside Hilbert on turn 4 to take third. Lowe quickly pursued Altice on the backstretch of Lap 39, challenging for second, but Altice defended his position. Lowe attempted to get underneath Altice on Lap 45 but was shut out again. On Lap 48, Lowe successfully got inside Altice, leading to a battle for position that was halted by a caution. Racing resumed on Lap 53 with Smith and Altice at the front. Smith got a great start, allowing Lowe to duel with Altice into turns 1 and 2. Lowe passed Altice for second, and Altice then had to fend off Chris Davis for third. A caution was called on Lap 53.

Racing resumed on Lap 59 with Smith and Lowe at the front. Lowe then overtook Smith in Turn 3 on Lap 61, taking the lead on Lap 62. Smith stayed on the outside and had Altice pass by for second, while Chris Davis moved into third. By Lap 73, Lowe had established an almost one-second lead over Altice. Caution again on Lap 76. Racing resumed on Lap 82 with Lowe and Altice at the front. Lowe’s strong restart allowed Davis to challenge Altice on the inside. Altice used the outside line effectively to pass Davis and maintain his second position.

After the restart, on Lap 82, Lowe continued to extend his lead, with over a second advantage as the white flag flew. James Lowe won Season 31, Round 11, at New Smyrna Speedway. Ruben Altice finished second, and Chris Davis came in third. Kurt Smith ran a solid race and is well-positioned to defend his points and be crowned the Season 31 Late Model Invitational Champion!

Highlights

🏆 James Lowe wins the BRL Late Model Invitational Series Season 31 Round 11 race at New Smyrna Speedway.

🚀 Chris Davis was the biggest mover, gaining nine spots, racing from 12^th to 3^rd!

🏁 Kurt Smith is the Season 31 BRL Late Model Invitational Champion!