Lowe Outlasts Early Leaders to Solidify Points Lead

Under the eerie glow of a Halloween night sky at Lanier National Speedway, the Bootleg Racing League Late Model Invitational Series rolled out a healthy 15-car field for Round 5 of Season 36 prepared to battle around Lanier’s tight 0.375-mile short-track oval. Operating under strict BRL regulations, competitors faced a grueling 100-lap feature with no tire changes allowed during pit stops, a single lucky dog rule, and zero fast repairs. Equipment preservation was paramount, as set tires had to last the full distance, making right-front tire heat management and controlled throttle roll-offs the single critical key to surviving the long haul. Kurt Smith launched cleanly at the green flag drop, commandeering the preferred inside groove. As outside-lane starters struggled for grip on the slick upper line, Smith dictated a smooth pace in clean air out front, executing textbook corner entries to lead the opening 14 laps of the race.

The battle for the point intensified on Lap 15 when Todd Liston mounted a sharp entry attack, swooping underneath Kurt Smith to snatch the race lead. Once out front, Liston established a dominant 43-lap stint at the head of the field. In a mid-race radio check-in with the broadcast booth, Liston reported that his primary focus was keeping pace while nursing his right-front tire temperatures to ensure he had rubber left for the finish. Behind the leader, Lanier’s continuous circular motion sparked heavy short-track aggression and multiple caution flags. Chris Davis clipped the inside apron on corner exit, making contact with Louis Flowers and turtling his car onto its roof—falling two laps down and sweeping both Tom Hilbert and Chris Haizlip into the fray. On the resulting restart, secondary chaos erupted in an accordion-effect caution when Tom Hilbert checked up to avoid forward contact, leaving Flowers unable to hit the binders in time and triggering a mid-pack pileup. Unfazed by the stoppages, points leader James Lowe mounted a methodical climb from his 11th starting spot, slicing past Donnie Moore, Jeff Sharp, and Steve Hilbert. Meanwhile, 13-year-old sensation Luke Logan Allen—dubbed “Kid Lemon Lime”—carved aggressively through the field using a loose, tail-happy driving style. Further back, Steve Hilbert got loose off the turn exit and looped his machine to the inside, while former leader Kurt Smith, racing out of his mid-pack comfort zone, spun out after clipping Allen’s front bumper.

The critical momentum shift of the feature arrived on Lap 68. As the pace car veered off toward pit lane, James Lowe anticipated the restart perfectly, dropping the hammer early right as the pace car cleared and jumping out ahead of Todd Liston before Liston could react. Luke Logan Allen charged behind them, diving onto the low apron to snatch 2nd place. Charles Roth enjoyed a stellar top-five run until late-race contact with Liston turned Roth sideways into Turn 1, triggering a late caution flag that left Roth screaming for yellow as his car sat stranded in the groove. When racing resumed, Liston’s front tires began fading severely after leading 43 laps, allowing both Donnie Moore and Jeff Sharp to push past Liston’s sliding car and break into the top five.

During the final 10-lap stretch, Luke Logan Allen found himself in survival mode. On Lap 91, Allen had suffered a wild loose moment through Turn 2, and by staying pinned in the throttle to save time, he completely baked his right-rear tire, leaving his car handling like it was driving on sheets of ice. As Allen slid around to hold 2nd place, the broadcast booth lightheartedly joked about whether the 13-year-old was going to throw on a bathrobe and go trick-or-treating after the checkered flag. Just behind Allen, an intense battle for 3rd brewed between Ruben Altice and John Wilson. Wilson, who had entered Round 5 declaring his primary goal was simply “don’t hit Kurt Smith” following their previous tangle at Myrtle Beach, stalked Altice’s bumper before executing a clean, textbook pass with two laps remaining, showing trademark Canadian sportsmanship by securing the final podium spot without making contact. Up front, James Lowe cruised smoothly through the final corners to claim the checkered flag, earning his 4th victory of Season 36 and extending his championship lead. Luke Logan Allen crossed the line in 2nd place, followed by John Wilson in 3rd.