BRL OUTLAWS S37 R11 Recap

14 December 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 37 | Round 11
Outlaw Modified Series | Five Flags Speedway

The Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series wrapped up an electrifying season 37 on Saturday, December 14th, at Five Flags Speedway. All eyes were on the championship battle as John Heyn entered the finale holding a slim 4-point lead over defending champion Todd Liston. With everything on the line, the 24-car field lined up under the lights for one last night of 2024 racing.

James Lowe led the charge from the pole, quickly establishing himself as the car to beat while Ruben Altice and Lowell Jewell fought fiercely for 2nd. Liston, starting from 5th, immediately began working his way forward, gaining a slight edge over Heyn, who methodically climbed the order in pursuit of his rival. By lap 20, Liston had settled into 2nd, just behind Lowe, with Heyn hot on his heels in 3rd.

Frequent early cautions provided plenty of restarts, with Heyn strategically positioning himself to avoid risk while staying close enough to maintain his championship hopes. However, on lap 30, disaster struck. Heading into turn 3, Liston checked up to avoid contact with Lowe, and Heyn couldn’t react in time. He collided with Liston, spinning out and becoming entangled in a multi-car pileup. Heyn’s race—and his championship hopes—were effectively dashed, as significant damage relegated him to the rear of the field.

With his closest competitor out of contention, Liston shifted to a conservative strategy. He allowed Kurt Smith to move past and challenge Lowe for the lead, focusing on keeping his car clean and maintaining a podium position. The race saw an extended green flag run to the finish, with Lowe dominating up front and cruising to victory. Behind him, Liston stayed out of trouble, shadowing Smith to secure a 3rd-place finish and, more importantly, his 3rd Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series championship.

The dramatic season finale solidified Todd Liston’s legacy in the series, capping off a season filled with fierce competition and unpredictable moments. The Bootleg Racing League will return after the holidays, kicking off the new season on Saturday, January 4th, 2025. Catch all the action live at 7:40 PM ET on the Virtual Grip Network!

BRL OUTLAWS S37 R10 Recap

07 December 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 37 | Round 10
Outlaw Modified Series | Hickory Motor Speedway

The Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series stormed into Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, December 7th, for the penultimate round of season 37. With Todd Liston holding a razor-thin 1-point lead over John Heyn in the championship standings, every lap carried enormous weight as the series neared its conclusion.

Donny Moore led the 22-car field to the green flag, with Stephen Spies quickly slotting into 2nd and applying early pressure for the lead. Allen Wannamaker, still mathematically in the championship hunt, started strong in 3rd, just ahead of his ToyMaker Racing teammate Chris Haizlip. Meanwhile, Liston found himself deep in the field, battling through intense traffic as the top four began to break away from the pack.

By lap 37, Spies capitalized on Moore’s defensive driving, taking over the lead. Moore attempted a crossover move but couldn’t complete it, settling into 2nd ahead of Wannamaker as the laps ticked toward the halfway point. Heyn, running in 5th, struggled to keep pace with the leaders and came under fire from Scott Negus, who eventually overtook him and began carving his way up the field, reaching 4th by passing Haizlip.

As the race wound down, it seemed the action had plateaued until chaos erupted on lap 94. A massive pileup exiting turn four brought out the caution and set the stage for a dramatic green-white-checkered finish. Spies, who had dominated much of the night, now faced the daunting task of defending his lead one final time.

At the drop of the final green flag, Spies launched perfectly to hold the top spot. Behind him, Moore fought hard to maintain 2nd but was overtaken by a determined Wannamaker coming to the white flag. Spies maintained his composure to claim his second win of the season, crossing the line ahead of Wannamaker, who delivered a strong 2nd-place finish to tighten the championship battle.

Heyn’s 5th-place finish was enough to reclaim the points lead, now holding a slim margin over Liston, who endured a frustrating night, finishing 10th. Wannamaker’s runner-up finish also kept his championship hopes alive, just 8 points adrift of Heyn heading into the final round.

The season finale is set for Saturday, December 14th, with all the action going live at 7:40 PM ET on the Virtual Grip Network. Don’t miss the thrilling conclusion to season 37!

BRL OUTLAWS S37 R9 Recap

23 November 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 37 | Round 9
Outlaw Modified Series | Kern Raceway

The Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series brought the action to Kern Raceway on Saturday, November 23rd, for round 9 of season 37. With John Heyn clinging to a narrow 2-point lead over Bruce Pearson in the championship standings, the stakes were high as the series inched closer to its finale.

Lowell Jewell led the field to the green flag, flanked by Jason Menda. The race started chaotically, with multiple incidents in the opening laps shaking up the field and taking a toll on championship contenders, including Heyn, who was caught in an incident just nine laps into the race. Following the flurry of cautions, the race finally settled into a rhythm after a restart on lap 31, setting the stage for a long green flag run.

Mark Hertzog took command of the race following the restart, but lurking in the pack was Aiden Young, steadily working his way forward with impressive pace. After a tense, side-by-side battle, Young overtook Hertzog on lap 46 to seize the race lead. As the second half unfolded, Young displayed exceptional patience and control, methodically extending his lead as the laps ticked down.

Behind him, Hertzog held firm in the second spot while defending champion Todd Liston was on the move. Keeping his car clean amid the early chaos, Liston worked his way past Ricky Hardin in the closing laps to secure a podium finish in third place.

Aiden Young crossed the finish line with a commanding lead to claim his first victory of the season, while Liston’s consistent performance earned him a critical advantage in the championship battle. Heyn’s difficult night ended with a 10th-place finish, allowing Liston to take over the points lead heading into the final two rounds of the season.

The BRL will return after the holiday break on Saturday, December 7th, at Hickory Motor Speedway, with live coverage starting at 7:40 PM ET on the Virtual Grip Network!

BRL LATE MODELS S28 R8 Recap

16 November 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 28 | Round 8
Late Model Series | Indianapolis Raceway Park

The Bootleg Racing League’s Late Model Invitational Series delivered high drama on Saturday, November 16th, as the 8th round of the season unfolded at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Mike Holloway entered the night with a slim 1-point lead over Todd Liston in the championship battle, but by the end of the chaotic evening, the standings would see a significant shakeup.

Allen Wannamaker started on the pole alongside Ruben Altice, using the clean air to break away early. Meanwhile, Liston adopted a cautious approach, saving his equipment toward the back of the field in anticipation of late-race cautions. Altice, however, bided his time, gradually closing the gap to Wannamaker as the leader’s aggressive pace began to take its toll on his tires. Holloway played the long game, carefully climbing through the field to keep himself in contention.

The race ran green through the first half until contact between Steve Hilbert and Joseph Snyder brought out a caution just before the halfway point. This reset the field and set the stage for a series of chaotic restarts. While Altice capitalized on one such restart to wrestle the lead away from Wannamaker on lap 58, the battle behind him intensified. Wannamaker found himself under fire from Kurt Smith and Jason Menda, and after a daring move, Menda took over second, bringing Adam Schoen with him.

Tensions boiled over when contact between Schoen and Wannamaker sent Wannamaker into Holloway, who slammed into the wall, ending the points leader’s night. As Holloway’s car was towed away, Liston was still in the thick of the action, charging through the chaos in an effort to seize the points advantage. However, Liston’s night unraveled late when a collision with Menda dashed his hopes, leaving him out of contention.

The final restart saw Altice maintain control, holding off Schoen to claim his first win of the season in dominant fashion. Despite his late-race misfortune, Liston’s earlier efforts paid off, allowing him to take over the championship lead, now 4 points ahead of a tie for second between Holloway and Smith.

The BRL Late Model Invitational Series heads to Kern Raceway next Saturday, November 23rd, with live coverage beginning at 9:10 PM ET exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!

BRL OUTLAWS S37 R8 Recap

16 November 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 37 | Round 8
Outlaw Modified Series | Indianapolis Raceway Park

The Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series roared into Lucas Oil Raceway on Saturday, November 16th, for the 8th round of the season. With only three races left, defending champion Todd Liston entered the night holding a slim 2-point lead over Bruce Pearson in the championship standings. Jeffery Hardin started on the pole alongside Donny Moore, setting the stage for an eventful evening.

The race opened with drivers struggling to handle loose conditions. Early troubles struck Liston on lap 24 when he was involved in an incident with Matt Hoose, sustaining significant damage to his left front and putting his championship hopes on the back foot. The caution-heavy first half of the race allowed Hardin to fend off persistent pressure from Moore for the lead, while further back, Lowell Jewell launched a spirited charge through the field, battling John Wilson for third. After an intense multi-lap duel, Wilson secured the position, enabling Adam Schoen to slip past Jewell, who fell to fifth.

Approaching the halfway mark, Wilson closed in on Moore, successfully executing a pass on lap 43 to claim second. Moore attempted an immediate crossover but misjudged the move, forcing Schoen to check up and triggering chaos that prematurely ended Jewell’s promising run. The ensuing reshuffle elevated John Heyn into fourth, and he wasted no time capitalizing. On the restart, Heyn surged past both Moore and Wilson to take second.

With 40 laps remaining, Heyn challenged Hardin for the lead, diving to the inside and forcing Hardin up the track. Once clear, Heyn controlled the race while Stephen Spies worked his way through the field, determined to challenge for the win. Spies caught Heyn’s bumper on lap 69 and made several attempts to overtake, but Heyn held firm, demonstrating exceptional defensive driving. Coming out of turn 4, John Heyn crossed the finish line to claim his third victory of the season, solidifying his status as a championship contender.

The win propels Heyn to the top of the standings, now leading Bruce Pearson by 2 points with two rounds remaining. The BRL heads to Kern Raceway next Saturday, November 23rd, with live coverage starting at 7:40 PM ET on the Virtual Grip Network!

BRL OUTLAWS S37 R7 Recap

09 November 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 37 | Round 7
Outlaw Modified Series | Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway

On Saturday, November 9th, the Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series took on the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, drawing a season-high field of 22 cars. Stephen Spies launched from the pole, setting a quick pace from the start, while points leader Allen Wannamaker faced an uphill battle starting in 10th. Wannamaker’s night took a turn when he got caught in a multi-car incident coming out of turn 4, sustaining significant damage to his right front. Undeterred, he stayed on track, hoping to salvage points with the large field.

As Spies controlled the front, the rest of the pack wrestled with the track’s unique two-lane racing challenge, trying everything to make overtakes. A few bold drivers took to the outside, managing to gain ground by using momentum on the straights, but for most, overtaking remained a struggle. John Wilson and Bruce Pearson battled over second, briefly easing the pressure on Spies. However, as John Heyn advanced into fourth, he intensified his charge, and Pearson ramped up his aggression to hold position.

After a restart on lap 64, Heyn capitalized, moving past Pearson on the outside for third, with his sights set on Wilson. Heyn stayed persistent, making multiple attempts to pass Wilson. Finally, on lap 81, he executed a decisive dive to the inside, engaging in an intense multi-lap battle before successfully taking second.

With the race nearing its end, Spies held an insurmountable lead, allowing him to cruise to victory, having led every lap. Mike Holloway benefited most from Wannamaker’s misfortune, seizing the points lead, just one point ahead of defending champion Todd Liston. The BRL returns next Saturday, November 16th, at Lucas Oil Raceway, with live coverage starting at 7:40 PM ET on the Virtual Grip Network!

BRL OUTLAWS S37 R6 Recap

02 November 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 37 | Round 6
Outlaw Modified Series | Martinsville Speedway

On Saturday, November 2nd, the Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series took to the track for the sixth round of season 37 at Martinsville Speedway. Chris Haizlip started on pole with Steve Hilbert alongside him on the front row. The night got off to a chaotic start, with several short green flag runs shuffling the field and ultimately paving the way for Todd Liston to work his way up to the front as several contenders faced misfortune.

When racing resumed on lap 44, Liston held onto the lead, but Kurt Smith had moved up to challenge him, closely followed by VGN’s own Ricky Hardin, who had climbed into third. The drivers anticipated a long green flag stretch and began making strategic moves for track position. On lap 51, a small error from Liston opened the door for Smith, who swiftly dove to the inside and captured the lead. Hardin quickly followed, pushing Liston back to third. Unwilling to settle, Hardin immediately went after Smith, taking control of the lead with 40 laps to go, while Liston fought to retain third from Jeffery Hardin.

As the laps counted down under green, Ricky Hardin consistently widened his lead, even navigating through lap traffic, and ultimately maintained his pace to secure a dominant win. He crossed the finish line 1.2 seconds ahead of Smith, with Liston rounding out the podium in third.

The Bootleg Racing League continues its season next Saturday, November 9th, from the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, with the action going live at 7:40 PM ET, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!

BRL OUTLAWS S37 R5 Recap

26 October 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 37 | Round 5
Outlaw Modified Series | Southern National Speedway

On Saturday, October 26th, the Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series took to Southern National Speedway for the Stand Up To Cancer 100, an event dedicated to raising funds and awareness for cancer research through Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C). This organization supports collaborative cancer research and initiatives, and donations can be made at standuptocancer.org.

Starting from pole was Steve Hilbert, joined by Chris Haizlip on the front row. Jeffery Hardin, starting in third, wasted no time, diving under Hilbert on the opening lap to claim the lead. An early caution came when Matt Hoose was spun toward the back but, fortunately, without damage. The night turned into a caution-filled battle, with frequent restarts keeping the field in flux while Hardin fought to maintain control at the front. Donny Moore and Brennen Myers attempted to challenge Hardin, but the short green-flag runs kept them from making sustained passes.

In the race’s second half, Myers worked his way to Hardin’s inside, making repeated attempts to steal the lead. Their battle drew more competitors into the mix, including defending champion Todd Liston and recent race winner Allen Wannamaker. Hardin held his ground on the outside until lap 59, when he lost control coming out of turn 4, sliding into Myers and triggering a multi-car collision. Out of the chaos, Donny Moore emerged as the new race leader, with Matt Hoose—who had quietly worked his way back through the field after early trouble—now sitting in second.

On the restart, Hoose made a daring outside move on Moore, battling side by side for several laps before finally clearing Moore on lap 68. Once out front, Hoose checked out, pulling away from the pack to secure his first win of the season in commanding fashion.

The Bootleg Racing League will be back in action on Saturday, November 2nd, at Martinsville Speedway. Catch the live action at 7:40 PM ET on the Virtual Grip Network!

BRL OUTLAWS S37 R4 Recap

19 October 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 37 | Round 4
Outlaw Modified Series | Oswego Speedway

On Saturday, October 19th, the Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series ran the fourth round of the season under the lights at Oswego Speedway. Tom Hilbert started the night from pole, flanked by his brother, Steve Hilbert, on the front row. However, the sibling rivalry flared up early, as Steve delivered a hip check to Tom in the opening laps, forcing him up the track and taking control of the race lead. Joe Segalla was quick to capitalize and began closing in on Steve.

On lap 10, Segalla saw an opportunity, charging down the front stretch with a strong run. He attempted to dive to the inside going into turn 1, but the move backfired, resulting in contact between him and Steve Hilbert. Segalla got loose, sliding across the track and collecting several cars behind him, including Lowell Jewell, who had been running in third, triggering a multi-car pileup.

When racing resumed, Allen Wannamaker took advantage of the chaos and moved into second place, setting his sights on Steve Hilbert. Wannamaker bided his time, patiently waiting for the right moment to strike. On lap 33, he made his move, cleanly passing Hilbert for the race lead. Now in command, Wannamaker found himself under pressure from defending champion Todd Liston, who was hunting for his second win of the season.

The long green flag run allowed Wannamaker to dictate the pace of the race, forcing Liston to back off in the corners and making it difficult for him to find an opening. Going into the second half of the night, Stephen Spies made his way up to challenge Liston, taking over second place and turning his focus to Wannamaker. However, Spies faced the same difficulty as Liston, struggling to make any significant headway as Wannamaker consistently held the inside line.

Spies and Liston traded the second spot multiple times, both drivers making repeated attempts to unseat Wannamaker. But with each lap, Wannamaker remained steady, hitting his marks and maintaining control of the race. A late-race caution set the stage for a dramatic dash to the finish, bunching up the field for the final laps.

With the checkered flag in sight, Spies made a last-ditch effort on the final lap, getting his nose to the inside of Wannamaker going into turn 3. However, Wannamaker held firm, fending off the charge and crossing the line just 0.1 seconds ahead of Spies to claim the victory.

The Bootleg Racing League will be back in action for round 5 on Saturday, October 26th, with all the excitement broadcast live at 7:40 PM ET exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!

BRL OUTLAWS S37 R3 Recap

12 October 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 37 | Round 3
Outlaw Modified Series | Langley Speedway

On Saturday, October 12th, the Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series continued its season with the third round at Langley Speedway. Tom Hilbert began the night from pole position, with Donny Moore starting alongside him. Hilbert initially defended well against Moore’s early advances, benefiting from an early caution that kept the field tight. However, once racing resumed on lap 8, Moore quickly took control, making a decisive move around the outside to snatch the lead, leaving Hilbert to fend off Todd Liston behind him.

By lap 14, Liston found a way through, diving to the inside of Hilbert to claim the second spot, bringing Jeffery Hardin with him just before another caution briefly interrupted the action. When racing resumed, Moore held the lead under intense pressure from Liston, but by lap 42, Liston made his move, pulling alongside Moore on the backstretch and securing the top spot. Moore wisely conceded the position to close the door on Hardin, preventing him from advancing further.

Once in the lead, Liston began to stretch out a gap, steadily pulling away as Moore focused on defending his second-place position from a persistent Hardin. The long green flag run allowed Liston to build a commanding 1.7-second lead as the race entered its second half. However, a caution on lap 72 brought the field back together, erasing Liston’s lead and positioning Moore on the outside for the restart.

As the green flag flew again, Moore slipped back to third while Hardin tried to mount a challenge for the lead. Despite Hardin’s efforts, Liston proved too strong, gradually extending his lead in the closing laps. Meanwhile, Moore found himself in a tight battle for third with Rubin Altice, but the real focus was on Liston, who had the pace to maintain control of the race.

In the end, defending champion Todd Liston of INDY Autosport cruised to his first victory of the season, putting on a dominant display at Langley. The Bootleg Racing League will return for round 4 at Oswego Speedway on Saturday, October 19th, with all the action broadcast live exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!