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Posts from the ‘PGRL Premier Series’ Category

13
Dec

PGRL S6 W13 Recap

12 December 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 13
Premier Series | North Wilkesboro Speedway

In an electrifying display of racing in the No Time for Cautions at North Wilkesboro, presented by Wrong Time Watch, on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, the Pretty Good Racing League (PGRL) delivered a high-octane event featuring back-to-back 85-lap races with the NASCAR Craftsman trucks.

The first race commenced with Scott Eckrich starting from the pole position alongside Jeff Ward. As the green flag signaled the start, Eckrich encountered trouble spinning his tires, allowing Ward to seize the lead in the opening laps. Despite Eckrich initially holding onto the 2nd spot, Michael Chrobok made a swift move to claim the position. Colton Salek showcased his racing prowess, gradually maneuvering through the field to battle Woody Mahan for 5th place.

Midway through the race, Eckrich struggled with the handling of his truck, ultimately facing a challenging situation that resulted in an over-rotation and hard contact with the wall, prematurely ending his race. Meanwhile, Ward established a commanding lead, stretching it to over six seconds ahead of Salek, who secured 2nd place in the final laps. Johnathon Caddell claimed the final podium spot after a fierce battle with Chrobok.

In the second race, the starting positions saw a complete inversion from the finishing order of the first race. Eckrich, having faced challenges in the initial race, found himself on the pole position this time. However, early chaos erupted when Salek maneuvered into a tight situation involving Chrobok and Caddell, leading to contact that sent Caddell and Chrobok spinning.

Salek continued his aggressive push through the field, aiming to reclaim lost ground, but misfortune struck again when he attempted a move on Mark Hertzog, resulting in contact that ended his night with a hard impact against the wall.

As the race progressed, Eckrich strategically opted for a pit stop for fresh tires, temporarily relinquishing the lead to Taylor, with Ward chasing closely in 2nd. Eckrich’s calculated strategy paid dividends as he fought his way back to the lead with 16 laps remaining, securing the victory in the second race.

Taylor impressively secured 2nd place, while Ward concluded the race in 3rd, showcasing remarkable consistency and competitive spirit throughout both races.

Despite the on-track battles and thrilling displays of racing prowess, Michael Chrobok continues to maintain a solid lead in the point standings, holding a 391-point advantage over Jeff Ward.

The PGRL next heads to Pocono Raceway for exhilarating duel 40-lap races on December 19th, promising more action-packed racing that will keep fans on the edge of their seats with the action going live at 8:50PM ET exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!

6
Dec

PGRL S6 W12 Recap

05 December 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 12
Premier Series | Dover Motor Speedway

At the Pretty Good Racing League’s event on December 5, 2023, held at Dover Motor Speedway, Colton Salek emerged triumphant after a thrilling battle in back-to-back 80-lap races featuring the NASCAR Cup Series Gen 4 stock cars.

In the initial race, Salek, starting from the pole position, showcased impressive defensive skills against challengers Braun Yaczik and Jeff Ward in the early laps. However, a caution on lap 17 involving Scott Eckrich and Ryan Zima disrupted potential pit strategies, with Zima being disqualified due to his involvement in the incident.

Resuming the race, Yaczik took the lead ahead of Michael Chrobok, but Eckrich, in a powerful recovery run, quickly surged ahead, overtaking the lead by running around the outside. Subsequent cautions in the latter part of the race intensified the competition as drivers made aggressive moves for position.

As the race neared its conclusion, Eckrich held the lead with Ward closing in. A late-race caution ended the race prematurely, allowing Eckrich to narrowly retain the lead ahead of Ward and Chrobok.

The second race saw a dynamic shift as Marc Cohn led the pack at the start, swiftly overtaken by Johnathon Caddell. A caution on lap 23 from contact between Eckrich and Yaczik led to pit stops. Salek capitalized on a fast pit stop, claiming the lead for the restart.

Chrobok, aiming for a strategic advantage, made a late pit stop, followed by others, creating a flurry of pit activity that shuffled the field. Despite Chrobok’s attempt to gain ground, Salek and Eckrich surged ahead in the final laps, engaging in an intense duel marked by multiple contacts.

In a strategic move, Salek tactfully maneuvered around Eckrich, who aggressively blocked, enabling Salek to secure the lead by taking the inside line and outmaneuvering Eckrich. Salek maintained his pace, ultimately outpacing Eckrich and claiming victory in a fiercely contested race.

Chrobok’s consistent performance keeps him at the top of the point standings, although he remains winless this season. His 390-point lead over Salek underscores his overall consistency.

The PGRL action continues with back-to-back 85-lap races at North Wilkesboro Speedway in the NASCAR Craftsman trucks on December 12th, promising another exhilarating showdown only on the Virtual Grip Network at 8:50 PM ET.

29
Nov

PGRL S6 W11 Recap

28 November 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 11
Premier Series | Charlotte Motor Speedway

The Pretty Good Racing League delivered a double dose of excitement with back-to-back 80-lap races at Charlotte Motor Speedway featuring the NASCAR Craftsman trucks for the “Tight on Time Twin 120’s” presented by Wrong Time Watch.

In the first race, Jeff Ward commenced from the pole position alongside Colton Salek. Ward dominated the early laps, while Scott Eckrich surprisingly struggled, consistently losing ground from his 3rd place starting position. Salek persistently pressured Ward for the lead, but despite his efforts, couldn’t make a decisive move.

A caution on lap 24 provided a window for the first round of pit stops, and Salek executed a flawless stop, overtaking Ward on pit road to assume control at the front. As Salek led, Mike Rasimas and Ward mounted a challenge, with Ward eventually opting for a pit stop on lap 56 to undercut Salek.

Fortune favored Ward as another caution emerged while he was on pit road. Beating the pace car when rejoining the track, Ward regained the lead as Salek and the rest of the field made their final stops. Ward maintained his position for the last 20 laps, claiming the checkered flag in an impressive display of strategy and pace.

The grid reset for the second race with Mark Poe starting on the pole. Michael Chrobok swiftly seized the lead within the initial 10 laps, with Thomas George trailing in 2nd. Amidst traffic challenges faced by potential race winners, Eckrich struggled, incurring a speeding penalty and retiring early from the event.

As the race progressed, Salek, making a charge from the top 8, steadily closed in on Chrobok for the lead. A perfectly executed pit stop aided Salek in overtaking the leader, allowing him to maintain a commanding lead for the final 10 laps, securing his second checkered flag of the night.

Chrobok, though maintaining an impressive 369-point lead over Salek in the standings, remains winless for the season. The upcoming race on December 5th at Dover Motor Speedway promises further exhilarating action as the PGRL returns, exclusively live on the Virtual Grip Network at 8:50 PM ET. The championship battle intensifies, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the thrilling clashes yet to come.

15
Nov

PGRL S6 W10 Recap

14 November 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 10
Premier Series | Michigan Int’l Speedway

The Pretty Good Racing League held an exciting event, the Wrong Time Watch Michigan Mix-Up presented by Wrong Time Watch, featuring back-to-back 40-lap races at Michigan International Speedway.

In the first race, Scott Eckrich started on the pole alongside Michael Chrobok. Chrobok claimed the lead from Eckrich early on, dominating a large portion of the race until a pivotal final pit stop with 10 laps to go. Jeff Ward, making a strong late-race charge, overtook Chrobok with four laps remaining, ultimately securing the victory in race one.

The second race saw Mike Rasimas leading the field at the start. Familiar names quickly ascended toward the front, including Eckrich, Chrobok, and Ward. Eckrich, displaying aggressive moves, took the lead early in the race. Bryan Yaczik also fought for the lead, but Chrobok emerged, making a significant maneuver on lap 18, surpassing several competitors to secure the lead.

Despite Ward’s attempts at pit strategy, Eckrich managed to reclaim the lead and maintain a dominant pace, crossing the finish line first in the second race of the night.

In the points standings, Michael Chrobok continues to maintain a substantial 405-point lead over Adam Jurski. The league’s next event is scheduled for November 28th, post-Thanksgiving holiday break, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Don’t miss the action, broadcasting exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network at 8:50 PM ET!

8
Nov

PGRL S6 W9 Recap

07 November 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 9
Premier Series | Talladega Superspeedway

In an action-packed night of racing, the Pretty Good Racing League (PGRL) ran back-to-back 40-lap races at Talladega Superspeedway for the Try Not to Go HardinTheWall Dega Duels, presented by HardinTheWall on Twitch. This event provided an evening of high drama and excitement for both drivers and fans.

The first race of the night began with Scott Eckrich starting from the pole position. The initial eight laps proceeded smoothly, with drivers making calculated moves to secure their positions. However, on the ninth lap, a major multi-car incident unfolded down the backstretch as drivers jockeyed for position, coming out of turn 2. Brian Yaczik received a challenging push, sending him into Eckrich on his inside, triggering a chain reaction that collected numerous other drivers.

Following the caution and a restack for the green flag, Marc Cohn displayed strategic prowess, maintaining his position near the front of the field. Cohn took the lead and held it as a late-race caution emerged with just three laps remaining. Since PGRL does not employ a Green-White-Checker finish rule, the caution marked the end of the first race. Cohn was leading the bottom line by a mere 0.025 seconds ahead of Michael Chrobok, who was positioned to his outside, making Cohn the race winner. A jubilant Cohn, upon speaking about his victory, exclaimed, “Oh my God. I can’t believe it, we won Talladega!” He shared his elation, emphasizing the strategic and strong run that led to this moment.

After a brief intermission, the field was inverted to determine the grid for the second race. This race, following the season’s pattern, proved to be more chaotic than the first, with early cautions complicating pit strategy for the drivers throughout the first half.

Following the final fuel stop, Ryan Zima, Michael Chrobok, and Jordan Harnish emerged as the frontrunners in a group by themselves, well ahead of the rest of the field. As the laps ticked down, it became apparent that they were in prime positions to vie for the win. However, a miscommunication between the leaders and lap traffic led to a sudden slowdown, enabling several other drivers to join the lead pack in the final laps.

Chrobok fought to maintain control of the lead as he emerged from the final corner, but Gael Brooks managed to get a nose ahead at the line, securing the checkered flag with a margin of just 0.000 seconds over Chrobok.

Chrobok continues to maintain a substantial lead in the point standings, with a 330-point advantage over Adam Jurski. As the season progresses, racing enthusiasts can look forward to Week 10, where PGRL will be taking on Michigan International Speedway on November 14th. Catch all the action live at 8:50 PM ET, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!

25
Oct

PGRL S6 W8 Recap

24 October 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 8
Premier Series | Watkins Glen Int’l

In the exciting double-header event titled “No Time for Bus Stops,” presented by Wrong Time Watch, the Pretty Good Racing League took on Watkins Glen in two intense 20-lap races. The first race kicked off with Scott Eckrich in the pole position and Matt Taylor alongside him on the front row. Eckrich made full use of his advantageous starting position, pulling ahead of the rest of the field early on with a dominant performance. As the race entered its second half, Eckrich was the first driver to opt for a pit stop to refuel, successfully holding off undercut attempts by his competitors. With his outstanding pace, Eckrich secured the lead unchallenged and crossed the finish line in first place. Colton Salek and Matt Taylor followed, finishing in second and third place, respectively.

For the second race, the entire field was inverted, giving Thomas George the chance to lead the pack to the green flag. However, George lost the lead to another driver early in the race. Salek, who had experienced misfortune in the previous race, was on a mission to make a comeback. He rapidly climbed the ranks and soon found himself in the top five. Meanwhile, some of the front-runners from the first race encountered incidents, including Eckrich and Jeff Ward.

On lap 7, Salek and Ryan Zima fought for the lead, with Zima ultimately coming out on top. In a surprising turn of events, Marc Cohn entered the battle for the lead, attempting to pass Salek multiple times but ultimately securing the third position. As the race progressed into its second half, after completing their pit stops, Salek took the lead ahead of Zima.

Zima remained hot on Salek’s heels, keeping the pressure high and taking advantage of a rare mistake from Salek with five laps to go, reclaiming the lead. Zima managed to pull away from Salek in the final laps, crossing the finish line as the winner.

Michael Chrobok, despite a relatively quiet night on the track, maintained his lead in the point standings, with a comfortable 236-point lead over Brian Yaczik.

The next round of the Pretty Good Racing League is scheduled for November 7th at Talladega Superspeedway for the “Try Not to Go HardInTheWall Dega Duels.” Don’t miss the action, going live at 8:50 PM ET exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!

18
Oct

PGRL S6 W7 Recap

17 October 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 7
Premier Series | Bristol Motor Speedway

The Pretty Good Racing League delivered two action-packed 100-lap races under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway, featuring the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks. It was a night filled with intense competition, frequent cautions, and gripping battles for position.

In the first race, Scott Eckrich started from the pole, with Jeff Ward alongside him on the front row. However, the drivers faced challenging loose conditions that prevented them from enjoying long green flag runs and finding a rhythm. Most of the cautions were triggered by drivers spinning their rear tires while navigating the corners.

Eckrich skillfully utilized the short runs and restarts to maintain his grip on the lead for the entire 100-lap race, ultimately taking the checkered flag. Meanwhile, the battle for second place was fiercely contested, with Michael Chrobok eager to claim the position from Ricky Hardin. Chrobok was able to execute the pass before a late caution brought an end to the race, allowing Eckrich to secure his win under yellow flag conditions.

In the second race, a full field invert placed Brian Greenlee on the pole. Colton Salek, who had opted to sit out the first race, made good use of the invert to secure a more favorable starting spot for the second race. Salek wasted no time, taking the lead from Greenlee within the first 20 laps and maintaining his position at the front for the remainder of the race.

However, like the first race, the second race was also marked by frequent cautions that disrupted the flow of the competition. Each restart saw familiar names aggressively charging through the field, and it was Brian Yaczik who emerged as the leader in the second half of the race. The short runs forced drivers to make increasingly aggressive moves to gain positions quickly before the next caution.

Yaczik held onto the lead, securing his victory under yellow flag conditions. The battle for second place heated up towards the end, with Salek fending off Ryan Zima for the position, which he managed to do thanks to another late-race caution.

As the championship chase continues, Michael Chrobok is the current points leader, boasting a 194-point lead over Yaczik. The next thrilling round is set for October 24th at Watkins Glen International, featuring the NASCAR Gen 4 stock cars. Don’t miss the live action at 8:50 PM ET, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network.

11
Oct

PGRL S6 W6 Recap

10 October 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 6
Premier Series | Texas Motor Speedway

Texas Motor Speedway hosted a spectacular doubleheader of racing as the Pretty Good Racing League unleashed the NASCAR Gen 4 stock cars for two 70-lap races in the much-anticipated MARSS Properties Texas Two-Step. The action was fast and fierce on the Lone Star State’s high-speed oval.

In the first race, it was Jeff Ward who had the honor of starting on the pole. Ward, however, quickly found himself under intense pressure from Saif Faries right from the green flag, with a hungry pack of racers nipping at their heels. As the race got underway, it seemed that Ward might be biding his time, allowing several competitors to slip by on the second lap, setting the stage for a captivating battle for the lead between Hardin and Faries.

The early excitement was soon tempered by an incident involving Drew White and Brian Yaczik, triggering the first caution just six laps into the race. After the restart, Ricky Hardin seized command, while Mike Rasimas, Jeff Ward, and Colton Salek held their ground, creating a gripping lead group. As the laps counted down, drivers began their pit stops for fresh tires and fuel, adopting a conservative two-stop strategy.

Through the pit cycle, Ryan Zima emerged as the man to beat. However, Zima’s strategy became evident to all as he opted for a daring one-stop approach, attempting to stretch his fuel farther than his competitors. Zima stayed out 15 laps longer than most of the field before pitting on lap 42, positioning himself to contend for the win.

In the final moments of the race, Colton Salek did his utmost to chase down Zima, but he couldn’t bridge the gap in time. Ryan Zima displayed strategic brilliance, securing his second victory of the season. With the field inverted for the second race, it was an entirely different challenge, one that rewarded Jeff Ward as he clinched victory.

For the second race, the field was inverted, with Isaiah Dupre securing pole position. Surprisingly, this race played out differently from the usual, featuring notably less aggression and fewer cautions. Jeff Ward seized the lead about 30 laps into the run and expertly kept his rivals at bay, even amidst green flag pit stops. The race concluded with Jeff Ward raising the checkered flag.

The current points leader, Johnathon Caddell, continues his reign, now with a 35-point lead over Michael Chrobok. Week 7 of the Pretty Good Racing League will unfold at Bristol Motor Speedway on October 17th. Tune in at 8:50 PM ET, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network, for more high-speed action on the track.

4
Oct

PGRL S6 W5 Recap

03 October 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 5
Premier Series | Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Las Vegas Motor Speedway played host to the Pretty Good Racing League’s latest racing spectacle, featuring two thrilling NASCAR Craftsman Trucks races in the MARSS Properties Vacation Rentals Voyage to Vegas.

In the first race, Scott Eckrich led the charge from the pole position, eager to prove his mettle on the famous Las Vegas track. Meanwhile, Colton Salek, starting in 14th place, wasted no time making audacious moves early in the race. Salek executed his strategy brilliantly, swiftly ascending through the field and positioning himself at the front of the pack.

Eckrich valiantly battled with Mike Rasimas to retain control of the race for the first half, with neither driver willing to yield. However, the course of the race was altered when a caution flag was unfurled. The caution was prompted by a collision between Adam Jurski and Thomas George on the front stretch, sending George into a spin and a hard impact with the outside wall.

The ensuing pit stops reshuffled the standings, pushing Eckrich far back in the field. Rasimas, now in the lead, faced relentless pressure from Salek as the race resumed. Another driver to capitalize on the situation was Michael Chrobok, who promptly overtook the front-runners to seize the lead. A fierce duel ensued between Chrobok and Ricky Hardin for the top spot, allowing Salek to lurk in third, waiting for the ideal moment to strike.

The opportune moment arrived in the final laps, as Salek masterfully maneuvered to claim the lead from Chrobok. With Chrobok and Hardin locked in their intense battle for second place, Salek capitalized and surged ahead, securing his fourth victory of the season in dramatic fashion.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the track lights illuminated the course, the stage was set for the second race of the night. Adam Jurski led the field to the green flag, launching another thrilling contest.

The second race of each evening in this season’s competition has consistently proven to be more aggressive, punctuated by frequent caution periods. Amidst the chaos, Mike Rasimas, who began the race in 30th place, quickly asserted his presence at the front of the field. In the latter part of the race, he engaged in a fierce battle for the lead with Gael Brooks and Travis McQuistion.

With the laps rapidly dwindling, Cody Dempser sought to join the lead battle, making a daring three-wide maneuver in the final laps. However, as the white flag waved, Rasimas had a firm grip on the lead, with McQuistion providing the necessary push to secure the checkered flag.

In the championship standings, Johnathon Caddell maintains his commanding lead, now sitting 76 points ahead of Chrobok. The action promises to intensify in the upcoming round at Texas Motor Speedway on October 10th, with all the excitement set to go live at 8:50 PM ET, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network.

27
Sep

PGRL S6 W4 Recap

26 September 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 4
Premier Series | Auto Club Speedway

In an evening characterized by foggy conditions and high humidity, the Pretty Good Racing League (PGRL) revved up the excitement with dual 40-lap races at Auto Club Speedway for the Route 66 Paint & Paper California Clash. Featuring the NASCAR Gen 4 stock cars, these races promised intense competition and thrilling action on the track.

The first race commenced with Jeff Ward from Loud Pedal Motorsports securing the pole position. As the green flag dropped, Ward immediately found himself locked in a fierce battle with Scott Eckrich for the lead. The duo showcased impressive pace, quickly distancing themselves from the pursuing pack led by Colton Salek and Michael Chrobok.

As laps ticked away, Ward’s superior speed became evident, allowing him to build a comfortable lead over his competitors. Ward’s strategic pit stop under green flag conditions on Lap 22, opting for fresh tires and fuel, provided a captivating twist. This pit strategy was an undercut attempt to gain an advantage over the rest of the field.

As the field cycled through their pit stops, Ward’s gamble paid off handsomely. He managed to re-emerge as the race leader with a commanding lead over Chrobok and Salek, a position he maintained with just 10 laps remaining. However, a late-race incident led to Ward taking the checkered flag under caution, concluding a mostly green-flag race on a somewhat unexpected note.

The second race of the night saw the field inverted from the previous round, placing Paul Pepper on the pole position. This race, in line with the season’s trend, proved to be more chaotic and aggressive as the faster drivers aggressively advanced through the field toward the front, resulting in early-race cautions.

Amid the chaos, Mike Rasimas engaged in a spirited battle with Colton Salek for the lead, with Salek managing to wrest control of the position on Lap 27. From that point onward, Salek displayed untouchable pace, steadily increasing his lead as the laps dwindled.

Rasimas, however, remained within striking distance of the lead in the final moments. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t quite close the gap sufficiently to mount a challenge, allowing Salek to cross the finish line and secure the checkered flag.

In the overall point standings, Johnathon Caddell continued to impress with consistently strong finishes, holding a 60-point lead over Ryan Zima as the season progressed. With the excitement and competition heating up, the next race is scheduled at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 3rd. Racing enthusiasts won’t want to miss a moment of the action, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network, with the broadcast set to go live at 8:50 PM ET.