Ogle Dominates Hickory, Caps Championship Season with Fifth Win in Zach Brewer Classic

Newton, NC – Tom Ogle, the newly crowned Yesteryear Tour Modified Series champion, ended his season in dominant fashion Saturday night, claiming victory in the Zach Brewer Classic at Hickory Motor Speedway. The 250-lap finale marked Ogle’s fifth win of the year, capping off a commanding season as he prepares to be awarded the coveted Old Red Boot championship trophy.

The race carried special meaning as it honored North Carolina Modified standout Zach Brewer, who passed away in 2024. In a touching tribute, Allen Wannamaker piloted Brewer’s familiar No. 79 Hillbilly Racing machine, giving the field extra motivation to put on a strong show in his memory.

The drivers faced a rough, character-filled Hickory surface—a bumpy, under 3/8-mile oval that has long tested the skill and patience of racers. The high-powered Modifieds danced across the worn asphalt, with even minor missteps threatening to upset the cars. From the drop of the green, it was clear that the track’s abrasive surface would be a major factor throughout the night.

Polesitter Scott Negus led the field to green with Ogle alongside and James Lowe starting third. But before a rhythm could form, an early caution on Lap 4 saw Brian Bianchi get loose in a three-wide battle and spin, serving as an early reminder that staying out of trouble would be key.

When racing resumed, Ogle quickly took control and established a steady lead, showing why he’s been the man to beat all season. As the laps wore on, the race became a battle of tire management and pit strategy. Around Lap 50, the first major caution brought nearly the entire lead pack to pit road for right-side tires and fuel. Negus clocked a lightning-fast 11.4-second stop to briefly retake the advantage, though some wondered if he had taken on enough fuel for the long haul. Lowe, meanwhile, lost a couple of spots on pit road in a costly but common example of how razor-thin margins can define the outcome at Hickory.

Through the middle stages, Ogle methodically worked his way back to the front, his car thriving on longer runs. Some drivers gambled by staying out on old tires, including Lowe and Bruce Pearson, but the strategy didn’t pay off. They fell back quickly, opening the door for Ogle and Bianchi to reclaim control of the race.

The complexion of the event changed dramatically on Lap 87 when Rex Hoyle and Torrance Childs made contact, spinning Childs directly in front of Ogle. The champion clipped the spinning car but managed to keep his composure, sustaining only light damage that was repaired on pit road. That pit cycle proved pivotal—Ogle won the race off pit road, while Bianchi jumped from ninth to second, setting up the duel that would define the remainder of the night.

Over the final 100 laps, Bianchi kept the pressure on Ogle, but the Ohio driver remained unshaken. The top two traded lap times within tenths of a second while Jerry Isaacs lurked just behind in third, unable to find a way past Bianchi despite having what appeared to be a quicker car in clean air. “It was so hard to pass,” Isaacs said afterward. “You could try to dive in, but you’d just get loose on entry or exit. I wasn’t going to end the season by wrecking someone.”

Bianchi admitted that the track’s ever-loosening condition made life difficult, saying he brushed the outside wall “about 50 times” trying to hang with Ogle. “It just kept getting freer every lap,” he said. “We only took rights, and by the end, it was all about survival.”

Despite the pressure from behind, Ogle kept his composure, managing the gap to perfection. He took the white flag with a comfortable margin and crossed the line to secure his fifth win of the year—his most impressive yet—bringing home both the race victory and the championship hardware. Behind Ogle, Bianchi earned a hard-fought runner-up finish, followed by Isaacs, Lowe, and Negus rounding out the top five.

Allen Wannamaker’s emotional run in Brewer’s No. 79 ended early after contact, but his tribute resonated deeply with the field and fans alike. Ogle, meanwhile, reflected on his remarkable season with gratitude. “Getting track position early made all the difference,” he said. “Once I was out front, I could pace myself and take care of the tires. Huge thanks to my teammates and to Allen and Torrance for putting on this awesome series.”

As the checkered flag waved over Hickory, the message was clear—Tom Ogle’s season was one for the ages. Five wins, a championship, and a dominant finale at one of short-track racing’s toughest bullrings cemented his place as the driver to beat in the Yesteryear Racing.