Skelton Surges to Second Straight Win at North Wilkesboro Speedway

North Wilkesboro, NC — Under clear skies and rising playoff tension, James Skelton powered his way to a second consecutive victory in the Red Light Racing Checkered Flag Auto Supply Scrambler Series, conquering the freshly repaved North Wilkesboro Speedway in Round 9. In a 125-lap battle shaped by tire strategy, tricky pit entry, and postseason pressure, Skelton’s calculated approach delivered his third win of the season at precisely the right moment.

Trent Potter led the 16-car field to green after laying down a quick 19.2-second lap in qualifying, with Maxime Theriault lining up alongside him on the front row. Early on, Potter set the pace and showed strong control, eventually leading 44 laps, while drivers searched for grip across multiple lanes on the newly laid surface. The broadcast frequently highlighted the “sketchy” pit road entry, which loomed as a potential trouble spot throughout the night.

The race’s strategic chess match began early when a caution around lap 17 split the field. Several frontrunners, including Theriault, Geoffrey Souza, and Conner Blasco, elected to stay out on worn tires to protect track position, while others, including Skelton and Kenny Allen, opted to pit for fresh rubber. That decision quickly proved pivotal. As the run unfolded, Skelton’s fresh tires gave him a clear advantage, allowing him to charge through the field and eventually overtake Potter with a decisive move into the corners.

While Skelton surged forward, those who stayed out began to struggle. Blasco, despite a strong start, faded under the pressure of worn tires, illustrating just how punishing the short track had become. Behind them, the battle for the final playoff spot intensified. Tony Strano entered the night trailing Souza by seven points for the final transfer position and faced the challenge of starting last in 16th. Methodically, Strano worked his way through the field and even managed to lead a lap during a green-flag cycle, earning a valuable bonus point in the process.

Late-race drama added another twist when Kenny Allen and Souza became entangled in a synchronized spin, bringing out a caution that bunched the field once more. Despite the scare, Souza recovered well enough to maintain his advantage over Strano, with the two finishing nose-to-tail in eighth and ninth, respectively, keeping the playoff battle razor tight heading into the final round.

The closing laps brought heartbreak for Theriault, who saw his night unravel on the final restart. While battling inside the top five, he lost control and spun into the inside wall, ending any hopes of a strong finish. Up front, Skelton faced a determined challenge from Potter, but the veteran driver held firm. Potter later admitted he pushed hard in the closing laps but slid his tires just enough to lose ground, allowing Skelton to create a small but decisive gap.

At the checkered flag, Skelton secured his third win of the season and second in a row, continuing a late-season surge that has transformed him into one of the hottest drivers in the field. Potter finished second after another strong performance, while Luke Logan Allen rebounded from a difficult practice and recent frustrations to claim third, a result that surprised even him.

Conner Blasco crossed the line fourth as the highest points earner among drivers still searching for a win, followed by Ethan Troutman in fifth. Sean Single, Bill Benedict, Geoffrey Souza, Tony Strano, and Kenny Allen completed the top ten.

In victory lane, Skelton reflected on the delicate balance of tire strategy, calling it a “conundrum” and crediting the early caution for aligning the race in his favor. With only one race remaining before the playoffs begin at Daytona, the tension across the field has reached its peak, and every position will carry massive implications as the Scrambler Series prepares to lock in its championship contenders.