Hearn Triumphs at Homestead: Flag-to-Flag Green Opens Retro Series Season

Homestead, FL — The opening round of the ISRA Retro Series Season 2 kicked off at the palm-tree-lined Homestead-Miami Speedway with a thrilling 75-minute timed showcase. This throwback campaign features the classic Lotus 79, a 1979 Formula 1 machine adapted for oval competition that rewards aerodynamic faith and high-speed commitment. Competitors raced with fixed setups, meaning they had no modern hybrid systems or push-to-pass tools, relying purely on race craft.

David Sirois secured the pole position, flanked by Chris Stofer in second. The green flag saw an immediate three-wide stampede into turn one as tires warmed up. While Sirois led the opening moments, Stofer executed an early pass to the inside to take the point. The racing quickly developed a pack-racing rhythm on the straights as drivers utilized the draft to save fuel. Matt Wagner, starting from the third row, mounted a strong charge to become the third distinct leader of the race by lap 28.

Because the Lotus 79 is equipped with a small fuel tank and a slow refueling rate, pit strategy became the deciding factor. The first pit window opened around lap 40, with Stofer and Christopher Ragan being the first to peel off. Hugo Galaz attempted an alternate strategy, pitting very early and falling two laps down in hopes of a caution that never came. Drivers faced the technical challenge of manually controlling their speed on pit road without pit limiters. Richie Hearn and Craig Forsythe gained an advantage during the mid-race cycles by staying out longer than Stofer.

Throughout the middle stages, Stofer and Forsythe engaged in a ferocious over-under battle for the lead, constantly swapping positions coming out of turn four. However, Stofer’s aggressive pace and early pit stops backfired. By the final stint, he had fallen back to lead the trailing pack, leaving the victory to be contested by Hearn, Forsythe, and Sirois.

In the final pit cycle, Richie Hearn made a decisive move by taking only a right-front tire to minimize his time stationary. David Sirois executed a lightning-fast 19-second stop to emerge as a major threat, while Craig Forsythe fell out of the lead battle after an over-fueling error cost him two seconds. Because it was a timed race, drivers had to calculate exactly when the white flag would fall to manage their remaining fuel. In a remarkable display of discipline, the entire 75-minute race ran flag-to-flag without a single caution flag.

Richie Hearn took the checkered flag, having led a race-high 63 laps. He credited his win to his pit strategy and precise fuel calculations. David Sirois finished a close second, followed by Craig Forsythe in third. Michael Goodman earned highest climber honors by advancing 12 spots to finish fourth, while Alex Guyon rounded out the top five. In post-race interviews, the podium finishers expressed their appreciation for the pure racing offered by the Lotus 79 over modern hybrid machinery. The series continues next Monday as the drivers transition to the road course at Watkins Glen.

Watkins Masters the Tricky Triangle: Late Restarts and Clean Air Steal Pocono Win

Long Pond, PA — The OBRL YesterYear Gen 4 Cup Series Round 14 at Pocono Raceway featured high-stakes strategy and a dramatic late-race shift in momentum during a 90-lap battle at the Tricky Triangle. Cortney Nelson started on the pole after a blistering qualifying lap, leading a field of 900-horsepower machines onto the new, smooth repave of the challenging three-turn circuit.

The action began immediately as Tom Ogle challenged Nelson on the opening lap, but the first caution flew almost instantly when a multi-car wreck erupted in turn one involving Kevin Strandberg and Rick Nitz. Once the race resumed, Nelson established himself as the class of the field, building a lead of nearly three seconds. Behind him, the race was characterized by extreme tire wear, forcing drivers to manage their equipment as the cars became greasy and slippery deep into the runs. While Nelson dominated the front, Dan Hill and Jack Jagerman provided the excitement in the mid-pack, both making massive climbs from the rear of the grid.

The race’s complexion changed during the final stint. A caution caused by an equipment failure for Gavin Adams bunched the field and set up a strategic gamble. On the ensuing pit stops, Greg McDaniel took only two tires to leapfrog into the lead, while the rest of the leaders, including Matt Watkins and Cortney Nelson, opted for four. On the restart with 14 laps to go, Watkins used his fresh rubber to muscle past McDaniel for the lead. Meanwhile, the longtime leader Nelson struggled significantly in dirty air and traffic for the first time all night, eventually falling all the way back to a 14th-place finish.

A late-race incident between Eric Essary and Robert Guarisco triggered a final yellow flag, setting up a high-tension Green-White-Checkered finish. Matt Watkins and Tom Ogle lined up on the front row for the two-lap dash. Watkins got a perfect jump on the restart, clearing Ogle into turn one and maintaining clean air to secure the victory.

Matt Watkins took the win, crediting a fast final pit stop and the advantage of clean air for his victory. Tom Ogle finished second, noting that while he was fast earlier in the race, he couldn’t overcome Watkins on the final restart. Dwayne McArthur rounded out the podium in third, surviving a terrible green-flag pit stop earlier in the night to finish strong. Dan Hill earned highest climber honors, finishing fourth after starting 27th—an impressive gain of 23 positions. Kelvin Masur completed the top five after a late-race surge. Despite leading the most laps, Cortney Nelson was the night’s biggest victim of the late-race cautions, proving that you only need to lead the final lap.

Schoen’s Patient Strategy Pays Off at Kern: Calculated Decline and Late Surge Secures First Win

Bakersfield, CA — The Bootleg Racing League Late Model Invitational Series visited Kern Raceway for Round 8 of Season 34. The event was marked by significant pre-race drama, as three-time champion James Lowe and current points leader Chris Worrell were both serving suspensions for unsportsmanlike behavior, leaving the championship race wide open for a new face to find victory lane on the high-banked short track.

The race format consisted of 100 laps with a 13-car invert based on previous results, placing Ruben Altice on the pole alongside Adam Schoen. When the green flag dropped, Altice jumped out to an early lead, while Tre Blohm quickly worked his way into second place, setting the fastest lap of the race early on. The initial stages saw a mix of strategies; while Altice held the point, Schoen deliberately drifted back through the field to conserve his tire equity for a late-race charge. The first caution came out when Kenny Allen spun after joining the race several laps late, and a second caution followed shortly after when Darryl Wineinger hit the wall in an incident involving Steve Hilbert.

As the race neared the halfway mark, Matt Hoose became the story of the night. Starting from the very back of the 15-car field, Hoose utilized an incredibly fast car to carve through the competition, moving up 12 spots into the top five. He challenged the leaders, including Todd Liston, who had taken the lead from Altice on lap 31. However, Hoose’s charge ended prematurely on lap 64 when he spun off turn two, bringing out the third caution of the night.

Following the restart, the race became a battle of attrition and tire management. Louis Flowers, looking to capitalize on Worrell’s absence to take over the points lead, moved into second and began hounding Liston. Meanwhile, Adam Schoen began his predicted climb back toward the front. The intensity peaked on lap 82 when Schoen and Altice collided while battling for position, sending Altice into a spin and bringing out another caution. While Altice argued he was in a controlled slide before the contact, Schoen maintained he had nowhere to go as Altice lost momentum.

The race restarted for a final sprint with only eight laps remaining. Liston, who had led for 67 laps, faced immediate pressure from Flowers and Schoen. In the closing stages, the battle turned into a door-to-door slugfest between Liston and Schoen. The two cars touched coming off turn four with three laps to go, causing Liston to lose momentum and allowing Schoen to power into the lead.

Adam Schoen cruised to his first victory of the season and the fourth of his career. Tre Blohm made a late charge to secure second place, finishing just 0.093 seconds behind the winner, while a disappointed Todd Liston settled for third. In post-race interviews, Schoen revealed the success of his patient strategy, noting he still had 80% of his tire life remaining at the finish. Liston acknowledged the nature of short-track racing, stating he ultimately couldn’t hold off Schoen’s fresher tires.

Hertzog Breaks Winless Streak at Kern County: Contact Defines Late-Race Short Track Duel

Bakersfield, CA — The Bootleg Racing League Super Late Model Series Round 8 at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway was marked by a significant pre-race development. Points leader Chris Worrell was suspended for the week due to a conduct violation regarding a practice incident, leaving the championship race wide open for the 14-car field. By the time the checkers flew on the high-banked short track, a long-standing winless streak was broken amidst intense short-track action.

Steve Hilbert started on the pole alongside John Wilson. While Hilbert maintained the early advantage, Kyle Feimster quickly surged from third to second to challenge for the front. Todd Liston gained two spots immediately on the start, but his momentum was cut short when his back end stepped out, resulting in a spin that forced him to the rear. On the subsequent restart, Feimster executed a brilliant move by ripping the top lane to take the lead from Hilbert. As the run progressed, tire management became the primary focus, as the high banking invited drivers to throttle up early, threatening to overheat the rear tires.

As the race hit its middle stages, Mark Hertzog emerged as a major factor. Starting 11th, Hertzog methodically climbed through the field to reach second place by lap 27. The race saw several cautions, including a spin for hometown favorite Jeffery Hardin, who managed to stay in the hunt. Louis Flowers also made an impressive recovery, returning to the lead lap after early-race issues to pick off positions in the final third of the event.

The final 30 laps centered on an intense, side-by-side battle between Feimster and Hertzog. While Feimster was strong on the high side, Hertzog pinned his car to the inside lane as the two veterans traded the lead multiple times. With only nine laps to go, the battle reached a boiling point. Hertzog and Feimster made contact as Hertzog pinched Feimster low on entry. Feimster got loose and spun, ending his chance for the win and bringing out a late caution in what the broadcast booth described as hard racing for the victory.

The race concluded with a natural Green-White-Checkered finish. Mark Hertzog executed a perfect restart to clear Chris Davis, who had gained 10 positions from his starting spot. Hertzog took the checkered flag to break a two-year winless streak dating back to January 2024. Chris Davis finished second to secure a podium after a rough season, while Jeffery Hardin recovered to finish third. Kyle Feimster and Lowell Jewell rounded out the top five. In victory lane, Hertzog expressed disappointment that the battle with Feimster ended in contact, noting he would have preferred to race him side-by-side to the line.

Bianchi Survives Irwindale Chaos: Late-Race Carnage Hands Victory to Final-Lap Charger

Irwindale, CA — The Round 6 of the YesterYear Racing Modified Series at Irwindale Speedway was a grueling 225-lap test of endurance and tire management known as the YesterYear Classic. The progressive-banked half-mile oval, notorious for high-line dominance and difficult passing, pushed the field to its limits as drivers managed a lone extra set of tires over the extended race distance.

Kenny Allen started on the pole alongside points leader James Lowe. While Allen led the opening lap, Lowe quickly utilized the progressive banking to seize the top spot. Behind them, the field settled into a high-line rhythm. The first major shake-up occurred when Lowe, who had opened a significant gap alongside Lloyd Moore, encountered lap traffic. Torrance Childs spun directly in front of the leaders, causing Lowe to collide with him. While Lowe initially continued, the damage combined with a subsequent black flag for jumping a restart severely compromised his race.

As the race crossed the halfway mark, strategy became the focal point. Tom Hilbert emerged as an unlikely leader by staying out on older tires while others pitted for fuel. However, Hilbert’s luck ran out when he got loose and triggered a multi-car wreck that ended the nights of Roger Hurley and Kenny Allen. Todd Liston then inherited the lead, showcasing a masterclass in tire conservation. Liston elected to stay out on aging rubber for over 130 laps, defending the top lane against drivers with fresh tires like Lloyd Moore and Jerry Isaacs. By lap 177, the track had become treacherous due to marbles accumulating in the lower lanes, making passing attempts high-risk gambles.

With fewer than 25 laps remaining, the intensity peaked. Lloyd Moore spun out of contention after contact while trying to pass Liston for the lead. Liston continued to control the point until lap 214, when he finally got loose and collected Chris Haizlip. The resulting heavy impact led to several disqualifications for exceeding maximum incident points, including Haizlip.

Brian Bianchi, who had quietly worked his way up from an eighth-place starting position, capitalized on the late-race carnage to take the lead with only 11 laps remaining. Bianchi held off a charging Jerry Isaacs and Luke Logan Allen to secure the victory. Isaacs finished second, followed by Luke Logan Allen in third, Brian Johnson in fourth, and Jeff LeMire rounding out the top five. Despite leading a race-high 101 laps, Liston finished seventh, while points leader James Lowe suffered a disappointing 16th-place finish following his multiple incidents.

Essary Masters the Monster Mile: Tire Management Secures Dover Victory

Dover, DE — The OBRL YesterYear Gen 4 Cup Series Round 13 at Dover Motor Speedway provided a masterclass in patience and mechanical sympathy as the field tackled the Monster Mile. In a race defined by extreme tire wear and high-stakes fuel management, Eric Essary emerged victorious after a relentless late-race charge on the track’s abrasive concrete surface.

Entering the 13th round of the championship, Kevin Strandberg held a narrow four-point lead over Tom Ogle in the standings. Ogle asserted his dominance early by claiming the pole position, with Roger Hurley lining up alongside him on the front row. Andy Thomas and Dwayne McArthur made up row two, followed by Essary and Cortney Nelson in row three. The qualifying session was remarkably tight, with the top 10 drivers separated by less than a tenth of a second.

The race began with a clean start, but the field quickly migrated to the preferred low line to preserve their equipment. Drivers focused heavily on throttle control to protect their right-rear tires, and McArthur made an early move past Ogle to take the lead. By lap 20, the field had spread out significantly, with the top 10 separated by five seconds. While some drivers like Robert Guarisco experimented with a high line to find a cooler track surface, most focused on hitting their marks. The first major casualty was Kelvin Masur, who was forced to take his car behind the wall early.

As the race neared the midpoint, the brutal nature of the track surfaced. Several drivers, including Andy Thomas and William Martin, suffered tire blowouts after staying out too long on worn rubber. The pit cycle proved pivotal; McArthur pitted on lap 73, handing the lead to Cortney Nelson, who briefly held the point before making his own stop. Meanwhile, Essary stayed out a few laps longer than McArthur, utilizing an overcut strategy to ensure he had fresher tires for the final stint.

After the pit stops cycled through, McArthur returned to the lead with a 2.5-second gap, but he was facing a severe fuel crisis. Forced to lift and coast for the entire second half of the race just to reach the finish line, McArthur’s pace dropped. This allowed Essary to systematically erase the gap, closing to McArthur’s bumper by lap 118. The two engaged in a side-by-side battle, with Essary using a high-entry line to generate massive momentum off the corners. With approximately 10 laps remaining, Essary cleared McArthur to take the lead for good.

Eric Essary took the checkered flag 1.5 seconds ahead of the field to secure the victory. Despite his severe fuel struggles, Dwayne McArthur managed to hold on for a stressful second-place finish, while Cortney Nelson rounded out the podium in third. Tom Ogle and Kevin Strandberg completed the top five. Due to the long green-flag runs and the blistering pace of the leaders, only six drivers finished on the lead lap.

Austin Wins the Finale as Williamson Secures Fifth Championship Title

Braselton, GA — The Season 15 finale of the Red Light Racing Modified Series at Lanier National Speedway delivered a historic night of racing. The event was a grueling 150-lap showdown—50 laps longer than a standard series race—and served as a high-stakes battleground for the championship between points leader Dalton Williamson and three-time defending champion Eric Stout.

The race began under the setting Georgia sun, which had previously created a blinding glare during qualifying. Hayden Austin claimed the pole position, flanked by Eric Stout on the outside, while Williamson started fifth, focused on a clean run to secure his fifth title. As the green flag dropped, Stout took the lead from Austin, who appeared to settle into a conservative pace. The first caution was triggered when Bradley Stefane looped his car, collecting Ricardo Cano in the process.

The midpoint of the race was defined by a series of cautions and impressive charges through the field. Chris Davis and Brian Bianchi were the big movers, with Davis climbing ten spots into third and Bianchi moving up eleven spots from the back of the grid early. Cautions continued to mount as Jeff LeMire and Bradley Stefane made contact in turn one. Kevin Alicea then went around after contact with Stefane, who admitted over the radio that he felt responsible after being involved in multiple incidents. Later, a multi-car mess involved Jeff Aho, Hayden Austin, and Mark Poe, though most were able to continue with minimal damage. During these breaks, Bill Benedict opted to stay out on older rubber to maintain track position, while Stefane gambled on a two-tire stop to help his car rotate better on the flat oval.

As the race entered its final third, the focus shifted to the two championship contenders. Running first and second, Stout and Williamson pulled away from the field by over a second, engaging in a high-stakes chess match. Williamson began applying heavy pressure to Stout’s bumper, which culminated in slight contact through the center of the corner that sent Stout spinning. While both cars avoided terminal damage, the incident reshuffled the lead. In the ensuing chaos of a late restart, a massive pile-up involving front-runners Chris Davis, Jeff Aho, and Bradley Stefane allowed Williamson to sneak through unscathed into the lead.

The final stages saw Hayden Austin utilize his fresher rubber to reclaim the lead from Williamson, who was struggling on worn tires. Behind them, Geoffrey Souza staged a remarkable comeback, slicing through the field from 14th to challenge for the win. In the closing laps, Austin managed to maintain a one-car-length gap over Souza to cross the finish line and secure his second win of the season.

Geoffrey Souza followed in second, with Patrick Stout rounding out the podium in third. Despite the late-race contact and falling to fourth in the final laps, Dalton Williamson did exactly what he needed to do to clinch his fifth career championship. Eric Stout finished sixth, unable to overcome the late-race spin to defend his title. The top ten was completed by Bradley Stefane, Jeff Aho, Ricardo Cano, Chris Davis, and Bill Benedict. Following the race, Williamson confirmed he is already looking ahead to next season, aiming for a sixth series crown.

Worrell Wins Under Contention at South Boston: Last-Lap Contact Denies Schoen Victory

South Boston, VA — The seventh round of the Bootleg Racing League Late Model Series at the historic South Boston Speedway was defined by a controversial overtime finish that shook up the podium. The event was framed by the absence of defending champion James Lowe, who was serving a suspension for poor sportsmanship last weekend at Stafford. This left the door open for points leader Chris Worrell to maintain his grip on the competition on the tight, high-falloff short track.

The race featured a 20-car field with the starting grid determined by a top-13 invert, placing Lowell Jewell on the pole alongside Todd Liston. As the green flag dropped, Liston immediately utilized the high line to seize the lead from Jewell. Early contenders included Mike Holloway, Jeffery Hardin, and Adam Schoen, the latter of whom quickly began muscling his way toward the front using a strong outside lane.

The race was governed by strict short-track rules meaning no tire changes or fast repairs were permitted, forcing drivers to manage their equipment over the long run. Liston and Holloway engaged in a fierce battle for the lead, at one point crossing the start-finish line in a dead heat. As the race progressed, Chris Davis surged forward 11 spots after starting near the back of the field, while Schoen became a dominant force by the midpoint, challenging Liston for the lead in a multi-lap, door-to-door battle.

The later stages were defined by a series of incidents that thinned the field. A major caution was triggered when Holloway hit the wall, causing a chain reaction that swept up Bobby Hayes, Allen Wannamaker, and Ed Foster. Foster suffered through a difficult night, enduring heavy body damage after being involved in multiple skirmishes. Following a restart, another multi-car wreck occurred when Liston and Kenny Allen made contact, sending several cars spinning and allowing Davis to weave through the carnage into a podium position.

The race reached a fever pitch during a Green-White-Checkered finish. Adam Schoen appeared to have the race won, leading the field into the final corners on the last lap. However, contact occurred between Schoen and Chris Worrell, sending Schoen spinning out of the lead while Worrell maintained control to take the checkered flag.

The final finishing order saw Chris Worrell secure the victory, followed by Lowell Jewell in second and Todd Liston in third. Joe Segalla and John Wilson rounded out the top five. In post-race interviews, the atmosphere was tense. Worrell defended his move, claiming Schoen attempted a block and that he had used his brakes to try and avoid the collision. Jewell expressed surprise at his runner-up finish after sustaining head-on damage in an earlier wreck, while Liston remained satisfied with his podium strategy. The series now enters the Memorial Day break before returning at Lanier International Speedway.

Allen Triumphs at South Boston: Chaotic Round 7 Reshapes the Championship Standings

South Boston, VA — The Bootleg Racing League Super Late Model Series Round 7 at South Boston Speedway delivered a night of high-intensity short-track racing defined by strategic tire management and a chaotic series of incidents. The event began under a cloud of controversy following a three-week suspension issued to defending champion James Lowe for unsportsmanlike conduct last week at Stafford during the BRL Late Model Invitational Series. This absence opened the door for points leader Chris Worrell to try and extend his advantage over Louis Flowers on the tight, high-falloff short track.

Charles Roth started on the pole alongside Steve Hilbert, with Luke Logan Allen and John Wilson making up the second row. Roth took the early lead, but the action was quickly interrupted on lap four when Jeffery Hardin and Tom Hilbert collided. The incident resulted in a rollover for Tom Hilbert and left Ruben Altice with heavy damage. Once racing resumed, Steve Hilbert muscled his way past Roth to take the point before a second caution involving Jeff Sharp and Kurt Smith forced points leader Chris Worrell to the pits, severely damaging his championship cushion.

The middle stages of the 100-lap feature saw Todd Liston and Steve Hilbert engage in a fierce duel for the top spot. Liston eventually took the lead, but Hilbert remained anchored to his bumper. Behind them, Louis Flowers climbed into the top three, eyeing the points lead. A fourth caution was triggered when Kurt Smith tapped Luke Logan Allen; while Allen made a spectacular save, the resulting check-up caused a pile-up that swept up several cars, including Worrell once again. On the restart, Adam Schoen made a bold charge toward the front before Flowers established himself firmly in third.

The race’s defining moment occurred in the final third of the event. While battling for the lead, Kyle Feimster and Steve Hilbert made contact, triggering a multi-car wreck that ensnared many of the fastest cars on the track, including Ed Foster and Adam Schoen. Amidst the carnage, Luke Logan Allen emerged unscathed to inherit the lead.

The final restart saw Allen leading a depleted field. While the young driver focused on maintaining his pace and saving his right-front tire, Chris Haizlip was putting on a clinic, charging all the way from 18th on the grid. Haizlip utilized the outside line to bypass Todd Liston and Ruben Altice to capture second, but he ran out of time to catch the leader. Luke Logan Allen crossed the finish line to claim his first-ever BRL win, while Chris Haizlip secured a series-best second-place finish, followed by Louis Flowers in third.

The fallout from South Boston was immense for the championship hunt. With his third-place finish and Worrell’s 10th-place result, Louis Flowers moved into a provisional tie for the points lead. Top finishers noted that extreme tire saving was the ultimate key to surviving the high-falloff surface, especially given the high frequency of restarts. The series now moves on to the next round of late model action with the championship battle closer than ever.

Williamson Dominates Oxford Plains: Title Lead Extends After Late-Race Drama

Oxford, ME — The penultimate round of the Red Light Racing Modified Series at Oxford Plains Speedway delivered a high-stakes showdown that solidified Dalton Williamson’s path toward a fifth championship. Entering the night with a slim three-point lead over defending champion Eric Stout, Williamson successfully navigated the unique challenges of the flat 3/8-mile oval, known for its lack of outside walls and treacherous inside curbs.

Dalton Williamson started the 100-lap feature on the pole, flanked by rookie Hayden Austin, while Eric Stout lined up seventh. The green flag had barely waved before a pile-up erupted on the opening lap. Brian Neff checked up, leading to contact from Stout that triggered a chain reaction. While Williamson escaped unscathed, Stout plummeted to 14th position. A second caution followed shortly after on lap six when Rex Hoyle and Mark Poe collided in the tight pack, further scattering the field.

Once the race settled into a long green-flag run, Williamson demonstrated his veteran capability, leading a train of cars and managing the gap to second-place Ethan Troutman to conserve his equipment. The middle stages highlighted several strong recoveries. Fred LeClair carved through the field from 15th to enter the top five by lap 14, while Luke Logan Allen remained a constant threat near the front. Eric Stout also mounted a furious rally, clawing his way back to sixth by the halfway mark.

The championship battle took another dramatic turn on lap 85. Stout, who had previously lost ground after clipping an inside curb, spun out on his own to bring out a caution. This forced him to gamble on a two-tire stop to stay on the lead lap. On the subsequent restart, further chaos ensued when Fred LeClair and Ethan Troutman collided in turn one, triggering a multi-car pile-up that also ensnared Rex Hoyle.

The race restarted for a final sprint on lap 93. Luke Logan Allen quickly cleared Hayden Austin to move into second, setting his sights on the leader. Known as Kid Lemon Lime, Allen pressured Williamson relentlessly on the high line but chose to race the leader cleanly without using the bumper. Williamson remained composed, opening a small gap as Allen’s momentum faded in the closing laps.

Dalton Williamson crossed the finish line first, leading all 100 laps to secure a dominant victory. Luke Logan Allen finished a career-best second, followed by Hayden Austin in third. Fred LeClair and Chris Davis rounded out the top five. Eric Stout finished a disappointing 15th, leaving him with a significant points deficit to overcome heading into the season finale.