Davis Defends the Apron at Lanier, Lowe Slips Into Points Lead

Braselton, GA — The Bootleg Racing League Late Model Invitational Series brought the thunder to Lanier National Speedway on a simulated Valentine’s Day, serving up 100 laps of short track intensity on the tight third-mile Georgia oval. Entering the night, the championship gap between Brennan Myers and James Lowe was just two points. By the end of the evening, that margin had flipped like a well-timed crossover.

The 20-car field was set by a Baker’s Dozen inversion, placing John Wilson, affectionately dubbed “The Canadian Goose,” on the pole alongside Chris Haizlip. When the green flag waved, Wilson took command early, but it did not take long for Chris Davis, known around the paddock as “Mr. Aggressive,” to loom large in the mirrors.

By the quarter-mark, Davis made his move. With conviction and precision, he dove deep into turn one and cleared Wilson for the lead, planting his Late Model firmly at the point.

The race featured just three cautions, a welcome calm compared to the prior evening’s Super Late Model chaos. The first came when Todd Liston was sent spinning after light contact with Lowell Jewell. The second flew after an incident between Allen Wannamaker and Bobby Hayes left Hayes pointed the wrong direction and headed pitward. The third caution involved Benny Ellison, who had topped the practice charts, after contact with Jewell despite the pair appearing to have cleared one another.

Amid the restarts and reshuffles, the championship fight simmered. Myers and Lowe spent much of the race in a tight duel for third position. Myers initially held serve, but Lowe methodically worked his way forward and eventually slipped past, swinging the virtual championship advantage as laps dwindled.

Up front, the final run evolved into a tense three-car chess match between Davis, Lowe, and Kyle Feimster, who had surged forward ten positions from his starting spot. Lowe stalked Davis lap after lap, probing for weakness, but found the outside lane offered little reward. These Late Models simply did not have the horsepower to make that path stick.

Davis, meanwhile, was dancing on worn rubber. Post-race, he revealed his right-front tire had fallen to 46 percent. To compensate, he hugged an ultra-low line, even dipping onto the apron to help rotate the car through the corners. It was a calculated risk that paid off.

When the checkered flag flew, Davis stood tall. The runner-up finish was enough to push Lowe into a slim points lead heading into Round 6 at Concord Speedway, a track he proudly calls his hometown battleground.

Notable drives included Mark Hertzog and Ruben Altice, who both charged through the field to finish seventh and eighth after gaining more than ten positions each. Wilson, who led the opening segment, faded to 13th after sustained battles took their toll.

In victory lane, Davis addressed the contrast between his nickname and his approach, emphasizing his commitment to clean racing and respect on track. Lowe, meanwhile, made it clear he has Concord circled in bold ink. Season 33 continues to tighten like lug nuts on a final pit stop. And now, the championship chase has officially changed hands.