MVRL ARCA SERIES S1 R5 Recap
29 April 2025
Maximum Velocity Racing League | Season 1 | Round 5
ARCA Series | USA International Speedway
On Monday, April 28th, the Maximum Velocity Racing League’s ARCA Series roared into USA International Speedway for Round 5 of Season 1, bringing with it a massive 40-car field to the tight confines of the ¾-mile oval. The night kicked off with Justin Michael on the pole after laying down a fast qualifying lap of 20.672 seconds, with Heath Smith starting alongside him on the front row.
James Lehman, who rolled off in 3rd, wasted no time taking advantage of the preferred inside line. By the time the opening laps were complete, he had slipped under Smith to grab 2nd and set his sights on Michael for the race lead.
The first half of the race was a stop-and-go affair, plagued by a series of cautions that repeatedly reset the field. While it made it difficult for drivers to find rhythm early on, it also opened up a variety of pit strategy opportunities, as many came down pit road multiple times for fresh tires and fuel, shaking up any long-run plans they may have had.
But just past halfway, the complexion of the race changed. The field finally settled in for a long green-flag stretch, allowing drivers to get into a rhythm and show their true pace. At the front, Michael and Lehman engaged in an intense battle for the lead, with Lehman throwing everything he had at Michael lap after lap. Michael stood firm, defending the top spot despite relentless pressure.
Behind them, Scott Patten quietly made his way up into 3rd and began showing strong pace. Though he couldn’t quite keep up with the top two, he smartly held a few car lengths back — a decision that would later prove pivotal.
As the run continued, lap traffic became a critical factor. With 40 cars on track, it was like navigating rush hour for the leaders. Michael and Lehman were forced to slice through slower cars while still fighting each other for the top spot. On lap 95, the intensity peaked — the two went side-by-side through traffic, refusing to give an inch.
Just a few laps later, the moment of the race arrived. Michael was forced low to avoid a slower car, just as Lehman dove back underneath him trying to reclaim the lead. The two made contact, and both were sent hard into the inside wall with 23 laps to go, bringing out a race-altering caution. Michael took the worst of it and was forced to retire early, while Lehman limped back out, trying to recover what he could.
With the front two suddenly out of the picture, Scott Patten, who had wisely stayed out of the hornet’s nest up front, inherited the race lead. On the restart, Patten showed no signs of nerves and led the remaining laps uncontested to score a smart, well-timed victory at USA International.
Next up, the MVRL ARCA Series heads west for Round 6 at Kern Raceway on Monday, May 5th — another short track sure to bring fireworks. Tune in at 9:30 PM ET, live and exclusive on the Virtual Grip Network!
OBRL CUP SERIES S8 R10 Recap
27 April 2025
OBRL Presented by VCTRYLNSPRTS | Season 8 | Round 10
YesterYear Cup Series | Talladega Superspeedway
On Sunday, April 27th, the OBRL presented by VCTRYLNSPRTS, brought the action to Talladega Superspeedway for Round 8 of Season 10 in the YesterYear Racing Cup Series. A strong 43-car field lined up for the night, and it was Dan Hill who claimed the pole with a qualifying time of 53.532 seconds, joined on the front row by Mark Fisch, already a proven threat at the superspeedways after his earlier win at Daytona.
When the green flag dropped, the tone was set early. Despite the size of the field, the drivers showed a lot of patience, working together to keep the draft intact rather than forcing risky moves. Through the opening stages, the massive pack stretched out, condensed, and stretched again, each driver balancing aggression with survival.
As the race approached the first cycle of green flag pit stops around lap 38, most of the field was lined up nose-to-tail in a long, single-file train. The majority of drivers came down pit road together, but a few — including Hill — chose to run an extra lap, hoping to gain ground with the alternate strategy. After the pit stops cycled through, the field was temporarily fractured into smaller groups, each scrambling to link back up and chase down Christian Loschen, who emerged at the front.
Just as the groups were beginning to reform into a larger pack, the night’s only caution waved when Jerry Isaacs and Andrew Medlin came together in a precarious four-wide situation, collecting Bryan Lynch and sending him hard into the outside wall. Fortunately, most of the field was able to steer clear, avoiding a larger pileup.
On the ensuing restart, it was Sean Foltz leading the charge. As the second half of the race unfolded, familiar names started to creep their way toward the front of the lead pack, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. The final round of pit stops began around lap 75, with a large group diving to pit road cleanly. Once again, pit strategy briefly scattered the field into smaller pods around the track.
Out front, Tom Ogle and Dan Hill linked up and tried to break away, but without a larger draft behind them, they couldn’t match the pace of the larger lead pack. Before long, the lead group reeled them back in, and the intensity ratcheted up as the laps ticked down.
Inside 10 laps to go, it looked like Kelvin Masur, with a strong push from Andrew Kotska, was poised to wrestle the lead away from Foltz along the inside lane. As the white flag waved, Masur surged ahead down the backstretch, and it seemed like the win might be his. But coming out of turn four and through the trioval, Kotska made his move — darting to the outside with a head of steam and nosing ahead right at the line, stealing the victory by just 0.105 seconds!
With the thrilling Talladega race in the books, the OBRL YesterYear Racing Cup Series now heads to Texas Motor Speedway next Sunday, May 4th, with the action going live at 8:00 PM ET, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!
BRL Late Model Invitational S30R05 | Stafford Motor Speedway
The fifth round of Season 30 unfolded at Stafford Motor Speedway with an exhilarating battle for the lead. John Wilson and Ed Sprenger lined up front as the race kicked off, with Wilson making a powerful start to take the lead while Sprenger secured second place. The early excitement was briefly interrupted by a caution on Lap 2, regrouping the field.
As the green flag waved again on Lap 7, Wilson and Sprenger surged ahead, with Wilson maintaining a solid advantage by the time they entered Turn 1. Sprenger comfortably held onto second, while Tom Hilbert trailed closely behind. On Lap 11, Jeffery Hardin managed to pull off a pass to move into third, but another caution halted the action on Lap 20.
Racing resumed on Lap 24, with Wilson again demonstrating his strength on the restart, allowing him to regain the lead and Sprenger to nestle into second. Hardin fought hard to reclaim third from Hilbert, leading to another caution on Lap 25.
By Lap 29, the tension was palpable as Wilson and Sprenger continued to dominate. Wilson employed a slightly delayed start strategy, which paid off by allowing him to sprint into the lead. Meanwhile, Hardin and Hilbert vied for third, with Bruce Pearson side by side with Hilbert, but Pearson ultimately took fourth place.
The race heated up on Lap 39 when Hardin attempted to pass Sprenger on the inside, successfully capturing second place. Pearson then clashed with Sprenger in a fierce battle, but both drivers managed to keep it steady, with Pearson moving into third. By Lap 42, James Lowe joined the fray, working his way up to challenge Pearson and ultimately claiming third on Lap 43.
The top three drivers distanced themselves from the pack, racing with precision. On Lap 64, Lowe surged inside Hardin, taking over second place, just as another caution flag waved on Lap 65.
Restarting on Lap 70, Lowe and Wilson positioned themselves in front, with Wilson quickly establishing his lead. However, cautions continued to plague the race, interrupting the flow on Lap 71 and Lap 76, before action resumed again.
On Lap 80, Wilson and Lowe were back in their familiar spots at the front, and again Wilson’s restart skills shone through. The tension built as cautions kept reappearing, leading to a Green-White-Checker finish.
As the race came to a thrilling conclusion, the tension peaked with Wilson and Lowe battling side by side. They raced neck and neck through the final laps, with Lowe pulling ahead on the backstretch. In an exhilarating finish, Lowe claimed victory by a mere 0.058 seconds over Wilson, with Hardin finishing strong in third.
Join us for more thrilling racing action at Season 30 Round 06 at Myrtle Beach Speedway, scheduled for Saturday, May 3rd at 9:10pm ET on VGN!
Highlights
🏆 James Lowe wins the BRL Late Model Invitational Series Season 30 Round 05 race at Stafford Motor Speedway, making it four wins in a row!
🚀 Kurt Smith was the biggest mover, gaining 9 spots, racing from 13th to 4th!
🏁 The race featured two leaders with one lead change. John Wilson led 102 laps followed by James Lowe with one lap.
BRL OUTLAWS S39 R5 Recap
26 April 2025
Bootleg Racing League | Season 39 | Round 5
Outlaw Modified Series | Stafford Motor Speedway
On Saturday, April 26th, the Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series made the trip to Stafford Motor Speedway for round 5 of Season 39. Coming into the night, James Lowe held a slim 6-point advantage over John Wilson in the standings, and with the season nearing its halfway point, every position on track was crucial.
At the drop of the green, Bobby Hayes and Ed Sprenger led the field to green, while Lowe had some work to do from his 9th-place starting spot. Hayes controlled the lead early, but there was chaos just behind him with drivers fighting tooth and nail for every inch of real estate. Todd Liston was one of the early movers, charging through the pack and quickly closing in on Sprenger for second. Not far behind, Wilson was working hard too, picking off positions in a hurry.
By lap 5, Liston muscled his way underneath Sprenger and took over the 2nd spot. Just three laps later, he carried that momentum straight past Hayes to grab the race lead. Meanwhile, Wilson and Lowe found themselves in a tight battle deeper in the field. Disaster struck Wilson a few laps later when contact with Rubin Altice dropped him out of contention for a strong points night.
As the race unfolded, Chris Davis emerged as a contender, climbing into the top five and eventually joining the lead battle alongside Lowe. Sprenger was doing his best to defend the runner-up spot, but on lap 30, a mistake opened the door — Davis slipped past, bringing Lowe with him as they moved onto the podium.
Lowe wasn’t done yet. He methodically tracked down Davis and took over 2nd place, setting his sights on Liston, who had built up a small gap at the front. For lap after lap, Lowe stalked the leader, looking for any opportunity. With 31 laps remaining, Lowe got the run he needed — diving under Liston down the backstretch and completing the pass coming off of turn four.
From there, Lowe checked out, putting on a masterclass as he steadily pulled away to take another convincing victory and further extend his championship lead. With the win, James Lowe now sits 10 points ahead of Todd Liston in the standings as we head into the second half of the season.
The Bootleg Racing League will be back in action next Saturday, May 3rd, from Myrtle Beach Speedway, with coverage going live at 7:40PM ET — only on the Virtual Grip Network!
Red Light Racing Finale
Skitter Creek SK Modifieds
Season 13 Race 16
Martinsville Speedway
April 24, 2025
by Tim Corder
Martinsville Speedway hosted the Culpeppers Bakery and Cafe 100, the final race of Season 13 of Red Light Racing’s Skitter Creek SK Modifieds on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Eric Stout came into the race with an unbreakable grip on the championship trophy. In a storyline common for this season, he claimed the pole and went on to lead 98 of the 100 laps to also take home the checkered flag. Stout’s teammate AJ Hamel kept Stout honest, the pair running nose-to-tail for much of the latter half of the race. Hamel appeared at times to have the quicker pace, but, the two raced respectfully and finished as they qualified at the top of leader board. Kenny Allen joined Hamel and Stout on the podium with a strong 3rd place run. Completing the top-5 were Chad Alcares and Joshua Buckley.
Stout claimed the pole with a 19.142 second lap in qualifying. Hamel, Alcares, Luke Logan Allen, and Rob Higgins started second through fifth on the RaceDayCT.com starting grid, respectively.
The race saw 3 cautions in the early laps before running under the green for the last 66 laps of the event. Kenny Allen picked up the most spots of any driver, four, in finishing third after qualifying seventh. Hamel was the only other lap leader beside Stout, Hamel led two laps during restarts in the early running. Hamel also had the fastest lap of the race, turning lap 12 in just 19.218 seconds. Nine of the 15 drivers completed the race without any incident points.
Stout, Bradley Stefane and Kenny Allen were first through third coming into the race in the championship and remained that way after the checkered flag wave. The race did have implications for several spots in the top 10 of the championship. Chad Alcares took over 4th place from Luke Logan Allen, Luke falling to 8th in the final standings. Josh Buckley took over 5th from Fred Leclair who slid down to 6th in the standings. Jeff Aho finished the season in 7th with Rob Higgins and TJ Henson completing the top 10 in 9th and 10th respectively.
As for season stats, five drivers competed in all 16 races of the season, those being Stout, Kenny Allen, LeClair, Aho, and Luke Logan Allen. Eight different drivers were winners this season. Stout took home 9 checkered flags and Stefane, LeClair, Aho, Henson, Brian Bianchi, Brandon Feeney and Hamel claimed a win each. In addition to the most wins in the season, Stout also claimed the most top-5s (11) and the most top-10s (13). Luke Logan Allen finished the most laps of all drivers, completing 1,614 laps. Of the drivers competing in all 16 events, Jeff Aho received the fewest incident points of all drivers (90 total incident points.)
The drivers take a break for the next few weeks before beginning season 14 on Thursday, May 22nd at Phoenix Raceway. The green flag will drop at 7:55 PM Eastern. Catch all the action LIVE on Virtual Grip Network.
YYR Tour Modified Series S2R4 | Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway
The excitement was palpable as Tom Ogle and Ryan Pittman thundered to the green flag for Season 2 Round 04 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, ready to battle it out for the Flameless 300. The race kicked off with thrilling side-by-side action, but soon the leaders settled into a single-file line, carefully working their tires to find the right temperature. However, the caution flag waved on Lap 8, bringing the field to a brief halt.
Racing resumed on Lap 12 with Ogle commanding the lead, and a flurry of green flag laps spread the field apart, although lapped traffic added a tactical layer to the competition. The first wave of pit stops occurred under caution on Lap 64 as drivers scrambled for fresh tires, gearing up for the next phase of the race.
As the green flag waved on Lap 69, Ogle maintained his front position, but just two laps later, another caution flew on Lap 71. The tension built as racing restarted on Lap 75, with the top three drivers breaking away from the pack. The excitement surged, but caution returned again on Lap 98, allowing Ryan Pittman and Chris Haizlip to stay out and take control.
Pittman led when racing resumed on Lap 103, but caution struck once more on Lap 105. On Lap 124, Ken Allen made a bold move to snag third place from Haizlip, while the race continued to unfold with another caution on Lap 130. The tension peaked as racing resumed on Lap 135, and Ogle reclaimed the lead. However, caution reappeared on Lap 168, leading to a frenzy of pit stops. Scott Negus emerged from the chaos to assume the lead on Lap 173.
With the top three – Negus, Ogle, and Rex Hoyle – pulling away by two seconds, the battle intensified. Ogle relentlessly pressured Negus, making daring attempts to take the lead as the laps ticked down. On Lap 198, Ogle began his assault, battling side by side with Negus through Lap 202. Although he briefly fell back to second, Ogle’s determination surged on Lap 219.
As the race approached the final laps, Ogle launched a fierce attack but still had to settle for second as Hoyle sought to capitalize on the situation. Finally, on Lap 242, Ogle dove deep and executed a brilliant pass on Negus, claiming the lead! Hoyle attempted to overtake Negus for second, while Pittman found himself in a tight battle. Disaster struck as Pittman collided with the wall, forcing caution with just 24 laps remaining.
With the restart only 18 laps to go, Pittman emerged in front, flanked by Ogle and Darryl Wineinger. Pittman shot ahead, establishing a full-second lead before Ogle closed the gap, diving inside with just 12 laps to go! Ogle made the decisive pass around Pittman, seizing control with 11 laps remaining. Wineinger executed a similar move, capturing second as Pittman slipped back.
In a breathtaking finish, Tom Ogle crossed the checkered flag first, securing victory at the 300-lap race at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Darryl Wineinger showcased an impressive run to finish second, while Ryan Pittman rounded out the top three. What an unforgettable race!
Highlights
🏆 Tom Ogle wins the YYR Tour Modified Series Season 2 Round 04 race at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
🚀 Darryl Wineinger was the biggest mover, gaining 16 spots, racing from 18th to 2nd!
MVRL ARCA SERIES S1 R3 Recap
21 April 2025
Maximum Velocity Racing League | Season 1 | Round 4
ARCA Series | Las Vegas Motor Speedway
On Monday, April 21st, the Maximum Velocity Racing League’s ARCA Series rolled into Las Vegas Motor Speedway for round 4 of season 1, with points leader Charlie Widner carrying an 8-point advantage into the night. But by the end of 100 fast-paced laps, it was Justin Michael who put together a statement win to take control of the standings.
James Lehman led the field to green with a blistering 30.381 in qualifying, flanked by Michael on the front row. When the green dropped, Michael held steady on the outside and cleared Lehman for the top spot by lap 2. Behind them, the battle for second intensified with Lehman, Rob Haynes, and Greg Maul going at it. Haynes showed strong pace, eventually taking the spot and closing the gap to Michael with Maul and Lehman in tow.
But Haynes’ promising run came to a sudden end on lap 11 when contact with Chris Howell sent him hard into the outside wall. That brought out the first major caution, shaking up the rhythm early.
The real turning point came on lap 24. Nearly the entire field ducked onto pit road for fresh tires and fuel — all except Lehman and Tuffy Casey, who stayed out to grab critical bonus points by running 1-2 across the stage break one lap later. Michael crossed in third and rejoined the hunt after pitting.
Lehman and Casey hoped for more cautions to follow, but that restart on lap 31 turned into a long green flag run, putting their strategy in jeopardy. Forced to pit under green on lap 44, both drivers went a lap down while Michael cycled back to the lead and never looked back.
A caution with 26 laps to go gave the field one last shot — fresh tires for everyone, and a lucky break for Lehman and Casey who got back on the lead lap. But Michael proved untouchable. On the restart, he broke the draft and drove away from the field with authority, closing out a dominant performance under the lights.
The win vaults Justin Michael into the points lead, now 8 points ahead of Tuffy Casey, with Widner slipping to third after a quiet night.
The MVRL ARCA Series continues next Monday, April 28th, from USA International Speedway. Don’t miss it — the action goes live at 9:30PM ET, only on the Virtual Grip Network!
MVRL ARCA SERIES S1 R3 Recap
14 April 2025
Maximum Velocity Racing League | Season 1 | Round 3
ARCA Series | Richmond Raceway
On Monday, April 14th, the Maximum Velocity Racing League’s ARCA Series stormed into Richmond Raceway for round 3 of season 1 — and fans were treated to a photo finish for the ages.
Justin Michael led the field to green with a 21.586 pole time, and he looked dominant early on, keeping James Lehman and the rest of the field at bay. Lehman fought hard to grab 2nd from Heath Smith, while Scott Patten quietly worked into 3rd as Smith dropped through the field.
The first half was filled with strategy options thanks to a handful of cautions, but it was Zack Saunders who turned heads by staying out on older tires and taking the lead into the second half. He made it work, holding strong out front until Michael and Lehman — on fresher rubber — came charging back with 30 laps to go.
A late caution reset the field again. Michael stayed out and regained the lead, but Charles Widner took it from him on the restart — only for another yellow to freeze the field with Widner narrowly ahead. When they went back green, Saunders muscled his way underneath both Widner and Michael to retake the lead, with Lehman following him through into 2nd.
The closing laps were wild. Lehman stalked Saunders but couldn’t find a way by — until the final corner on the final lap when he launched it around the outside in a last-ditch move. At the line, it was Lehman by inches, stealing the win in dramatic fashion.
Widner finished 5th, just enough to take over the points lead, now 8 points ahead of Tuffy Casey.
The MVRL ARCA Series returns Monday, April 21st, from Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Catch all the action live at 9:30PM ET, only on the Virtual Grip Network!
OBRL CUP SERIES S8 R9 Recap
13 April 2025
OBRL Presented by VCTRYLNSPRTS | Season 8 | Round 9
YesterYear Cup Series | Bristol Motor Speedway
On Sunday, April 13th, the OBRL YesterYear Racing Cup Series brought the thunder to Bristol Motor Speedway for round 9 of season 8, and it turned into one of the most unpredictable nights yet.
Tom Ogle sat on pole with a 14.411 and was in full control early, quickly establishing himself as the car to beat. Behind him, things got messy fast. Dwayne McArthur worked past Josh Robinson in the opening laps, and a string of early cautions — including a solo spin by Cortney Nelson — kept the field from getting into rhythm.
Ogle pitted early but stormed back to the lead, holding steady through the midpoint of the race while McArthur, Robinson, and a hard-charging Andrew Kotska jockeyed for position behind him. Nelson, after his early scare, found speed on fresh tires and worked his way into the top 5, eventually chasing down Ogle in the closing stages.
But the twist came after a late caution on lap 217. Jerry Isaacs stayed out while most of the field pitted for their final set of tires. On the restart, Isaacs threw a block on Ogle that triggered chaos — Ogle got out of shape and a multi-car crash on the front stretch ended his night just 26 laps from the finish.
That opened the door for McArthur, who had seen it coming and jumped to the high side on the restart. He took the lead and never looked back, surviving a few more short runs to claim his first win of the season.
Despite the heartbreak, Ogle still sits 2nd in points, 43 markers behind Josh Robinson, who continues to lead the championship heading into the Easter break. The series returns Sunday, April 27th from Talladega Superspeedway — catch all the high-speed action live at 8PM ET only on the Virtual Grip Network!
BRL Late Model Invitational S30R04 | Oxford Plains Speedway
The long-awaited Season 30 Round 04 racing at Oxford Plains Speedway kicked off with Tom Hilbert and Kurt Smith leading the pack to green. Hilbert claimed the lead right from the start, with Smith settling into second place while Steve Hilbert edged up to third. Todd Liston attempted to take the outside line, resulting in thrilling side-by-side racing until a caution flew on Lap 4.
Once the race resumed on Lap 9, T. Hilbert and Smith remained at the front. Hilbert surged ahead again, giving Liston an opportunity to challenge Smith for second; however, another caution halted the action. On Lap 14, as the race restarted, Hilbert continued his strong performance, but Smith managed to fend off Liston’s attempts at taking second.
The battles resumed on Lap 19, where Hilbert kept his lead with Smith trailing. After a strategic delay, Hilbert began again, allowing Smith to capitalize on his momentum and pass for the lead on Lap 23. Liston and James Lowe quickly joined the fray, pushing Hilbert to the outside.
Caution came out on Lap 39, but it was renewed excitement on Lap 43 when Smith and Liston took the lead once more. Lowe aggressively challenged Smith, leading to contact that brought out caution on Lap 45.
As racing resumed on Lap 50, Lowe surged forward, leaving Hilbert trailing, but John Wilson’s dive moved him into second place. Meanwhile, Tre Blohm aggressively fought with Wilson for position, capturing second by Lap 62.
By Lap 64, Lowe had pulled ahead with a notable lead of 1.6 seconds. However, with just three laps remaining, a decisive late-race caution erased Lowe’s 8.6-second advantage.
The final showdown for a Green-White-Checker restart featured Lowe and Blohm on the front row. Lowe maintained his composure, securing a remarkable start while Blohm fiercely contended for the inside line. In the final moments, Ruben Altice and Steve Hilbert battled it out for third, but Hilbert ultimately retained his position across the finish line.
In a thrilling conclusion, James Lowe clinched victory, marking his third consecutive win in the Late Model Invitational. Tre Blohm finished strong in second, with Steve Hilbert rounding out the top three.
Fans should note that BRL will observe a week off for Easter, returning for Season 30 Round 05 racing on Saturday, April 26th, at 9:10pm ET, featuring Stafford Motor Speedway!
Highlights
🏆 James Lowe wins the BRL Late Model Invitational Series Season 30 Round 04 race at Oxford Plains Speedway.
🚀 Ruben Altice was the biggest mover, gaining 9 spots, racing from 14th to 5th!
🏁 The race featured three leaders with two lead changes. James Lowe led 61 laps followed by Tom Hilbert with 22 and Kurt Smith with 21 laps.
Virtual Grip Network 