James Lowe Dominates New Smyrna, Extends Championship Lead

New Smyrna Beach, FL — In a night of tactical tire management, calculated aggression, and high-stakes short-track racing, James Lowe captured his fourth victory of Season 33 in Round 8 of the Bootleg Racing League Late Model Invitational Series at New Smyrna Speedway. Starting 12th due to the league’s inverted grid, Lowe methodically carved his way through the field, showcasing both patience and precision to reinforce his status as the championship favorite.

The race began with early drama at the front. Pole-sitter Adam Schoen appeared loose coming through the high-banked turns around lap 15 and made contact with Chris Worrell, sending Schoen into the inside wall and ending the pole-sitter’s night prematurely. Worrell inherited the lead temporarily, but Lowe was already on the move, gaining six positions in the opening laps with methodical, “two or three cars a lap” passes that highlighted his superior pace and track awareness.

By mid-race, Lowe had positioned himself within striking distance of the front runners. Following a restart, he utilized the high line to perfection, pinching Worrell and seizing the lead for good. Lowe later credited his success to early experimentation with the top groove, which, while tough on tires, allowed him to make the decisive passes needed to reach the front.

Behind the leader, battles raged for the remaining top positions. Ruben Altice, Todd Liston, and Tre Blohm engaged in a multi-lap skirmish for fourth place. Altice, who had climbed as high as second at one point, struggled with a loose car as tire wear mounted, eventually yielding positions to Liston and Bloom. Bloom, executing a late-race surge while preserving his equipment earlier, passed Liston to claim fourth, while Kenny Allen delivered one of the night’s standout drives, moving from 18th to finish sixth after navigating through attrition and heavy traffic.

The closing laps brought the most excitement behind Lowe. Ed Foster, known as “The Adelaide Blade,” applied relentless pressure on Worrell for second, engaging in a side-by-side battle down the stretch. Worrell managed to hold off Foster by just 0.005 seconds to claim the runner-up position, while Foster settled for third. Both drivers were pleased with their performances, with Foster noting he is still “90% of the way there” in mastering the late model car.

Lowe’s victory was nearly three seconds clear and came through a combination of skill, strategy, and composure. With the win, he extends his points lead over Foster as the series heads into its final three races, further cementing his position as the man to beat.

In his post-race interview, Lowe added a touch of humor to the night, famously opting for maple syrup over more “exotic” flavors, but the underlying message was serious: he is firmly in control of the championship hunt. As the BRL Late Model Invitational Series moves on to USA International Speedway next week, Lowe’s combination of speed, strategy, and savvy makes him the clear favorite for the Season 33 crown.