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!

BRL OUTLAWS S37 R2 Recap

05 October 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 37 | Round 2
Outlaw Modified Series | Slinger Speedway

On Saturday, October 5th, the Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series ran the second round of the season at Slinger Speedway, a night marred by chaos and excessive cautions that made it difficult for drivers to find their rhythm. Joe Segalla started on the pole, flanked by Steve Hilbert, and initially held strong, but the tone of the race was set early as several drivers lost control coming out of turn 4, sliding into the infield grass. This incident didn’t trigger a caution, but a yellow flag soon followed on lap 11, foreshadowing the caution-filled night ahead.

Despite the disruptive race flow, Segalla handled the restarts perfectly and held onto the lead through several short green flag runs. The constant reshuffling of the field with each restart prevented any long stretches of uninterrupted racing. As the second half of the race unfolded, Jeffery Hardin became the first real threat to Segalla’s dominance, overtaking him for the lead on lap 62 just moments before another caution flew. Unfortunately for Segalla, this restart placed him on the outside lane, and his strong run unraveled as he struggled with grip, watching car after car pass him from the inside.

With the race continuing under a stop-and-start rhythm, Hardin led the field into the final stages. In the closing 10 laps, Todd Liston, the defending champion, mounted a challenge for the lead. After a few intense laps, Liston managed to wrestle the lead away from Hardin, only for another caution to bring the action to a halt on lap 93. The final restart came on lap 99, and that’s when things took a shocking turn.

As Liston, Hardin, and Rubin Altice fought for the lead, contact between the trio set off a chain reaction that collected much of the field in a dramatic wreck. Ricky Hardin, running in fourth with a prime opportunity to capitalize, saw his chance at victory slip away when John Heyn, determined to push through the mayhem, collided with him, spinning him around and seizing the lead. In the final laps, Heyn emerged from the chaos to steal the win, capping off an unpredictable and messy night at Slinger.

With the chaotic Slinger Speedway race now behind them, the Bootleg Racing League heads to Langley Speedway for the third round of the season on Saturday, October 12th. Catch all the action live at 7:40 PM ET, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!

BRL Late Model Invitational S28R02 | Slinger Speedway

The race started with the Hilbert Bros leading the field. Steve was on the inside and Tom was on the outside. Steve took the lead, and Donny Moore moved into 2nd place ahead of Tom Hilbert. However, a caution soon brought the field to a halt. When racing resumed on Lap 13, Hilbert once again took the lead and Moore held onto the outside line in 2nd place. Tom Hilbert was in 3rd place, challenging Moore, while Joe Segalla moved into 4th. Another caution occurred on Lap 16. Racing resumed on Lap 22 with Hilbert and Moore at the front. Hilbert took the lead, but Moore stayed side by side with him into turn 1. Hilbert maintained the lead, and Moore settled for 2nd. Segalla and Tom Hilbert battled for 3rd, with Tom Hilbert ultimately prevailing. On Lap 30, Holloway moved into 2nd place, and Kurt Smith also gained a position, taking 3rd place from Moore. Holloway took the inside line off turn 4 on Lap 33 and claimed the lead. Smith moved up to 2nd place. There was a caution on Lap 61. Racing resumed on Lap 66 with Holloway and Smith at the front. They raced side by side into turn 1, but Holloway cleared the lead. Segalla battled for 2nd, but Smith held onto the position due to another caution. After a few more cautions, a green flag stint to the end allowed Holloway to pull away from the field, followed by Smith and Segalla. On the final lap, Mike Holloway took the checkered flag with plenty of room, Kurt Smith finished 2nd, and Allan Wannamaker came in 3rd.

Be sure to come back for more Bootleg Racing League Late Model action next Saturday, October 12^th, at 9:10 pm Eastern for Season 28 Round 3 action from Langley Speedway!

Highlights

🏆 Mike Holloway wins the BRL Late Model Invitational Series Season 28 Round 02 race at Slinger Speedway.

🚀 Allan Wannamaker was the biggest mover of the race, finishing in 3rd, up 11 spots.

🏁 There were 3 leaders with 3 lead changes. Mike Holloway led the most laps (68) followed by Steve Hilbert (31) and finally Kurt Smith (1).

🌟 The race featured intense battles and impressive displays of skill from the drivers.

BRL OUTLAWS S37 R1 Recap

28 September 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 37 | Opening Round
Outlaw Modified Series | North Wilkesboro Speedway

On Saturday, September 28th, the Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series kicked off its 37th season at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Bruce Pearson of Loose Luggs Racing started from pole position, with Tom Hilbert lining up alongside him. The season opener saw early action, as a caution flew on the first lap due to contact between Joe Segalla and Hilbert, shaking up the order.

When racing resumed, a fierce battle for second place ensued between John Heyn and Donny Moore. Moore, running the inside line, managed to defend his position, and soon the field settled into a single-file run with Pearson still leading the way. Moore, pressuring Pearson from behind, waited patiently for an opportunity. On lap 25, that opportunity arrived, and Moore dived low under Pearson to seize the lead. Pearson, however, quickly slotted back into second before Heyn could take advantage of the shuffle.

Behind the leaders, Todd Liston and Kurt Smith were locked in a battle for fourth, but contact between the two coming out of turn 2 triggered a multi-car incident, collecting much of the field and bringing out another caution. As the race transitioned into its second half, Moore continued to set the pace with Heyn hot on his heels. Meanwhile, Matt Hoose, charging through the field, reached Heyn’s bumper and applied pressure for second. In an attempt to make a pass, Hoose got loose, sliding through the grass and losing several positions, dropping to seventh place.

The green flag run continued as Heyn pursued Moore relentlessly, while Pearson tangled with Adam Schoen on lap 61, once again slowing the action. In the final 10 laps, Moore seemed to have the race in control, holding a 0.7-second lead over Heyn. However, a late-race caution caused by Kurt Smith and Schoen’s collision erased Moore’s advantage, setting up a thrilling finish.

With the field bunched back together, Heyn aggressively chased Moore in the closing laps. As the white flag waved, Heyn got a perfect run down the backstretch and dove to the inside of Moore, forcing him up the track. Coming out of the final corner, the two drivers raced side by side to the line, with Heyn narrowly edging out Moore by a mere hundredth of a second to claim the victory.

The Bootleg Racing League will return next weekend for the second round of the season at Slinger Speedway on Saturday, October 5th, with the action going live at 7:40 PM ET, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!

BRL Skitter Creek Shootout Recap

21 September 2024
Bootleg Racing League | 9th Annual Shootout
ARCA Stock Cars | Southern National Motorsports Park

On Saturday, September 21st, the Bootleg Racing League celebrated its 30th anniversary with the 9th annual Shootout from Southern National Motorsports Park, presented by Skitter Creek Outfitters. This 125-lap race featured past BRL champions, along with a few lucky drivers who earned their way in through a qualifier round earlier in the evening. The Shootout also differed from the usual BRL fare by featuring the ARCA stock car, a change from the SK Modifieds and Late Models the drivers typically compete in.

Jason Menda, with a strong qualifying performance, earned the pole position, with Matt Hoose starting alongside him on the front row. As the green flag dropped, Menda launched perfectly into the lead, while Hoose, fighting from the outside, faced immediate pressure from Rubin Altice in 3rd. However, Hoose showed strength early, making the outside line work to defend his position against Altice.

The ARCA car proved to be a challenge for the field, with its looser handling characteristics compared to the more familiar SK Modifieds and Late Models. This led to multiple cautions throughout the race as drivers struggled with grip and handling. One of these incidents nearly derailed Hoose’s night—on lap 20, he tried to overtake Menda on the outside but overcooked the entry into turn 3, sending his car sliding across the track on the backstretch. Fortunately, he avoided making contact with other cars, but the mistake relegated him to the back of the field.

Despite the setback, Hoose quietly began a determined charge through the field, finding speed on the outside line where others struggled. Meanwhile, Menda continued to dominate out front, fending off each challenge on restarts as his rivals attempted the same outside move that Hoose had tried earlier. But none could find the grip to unseat him from the lead.

The race appeared to be firmly in Menda’s control as the laps wound down, but on lap 112, the night took a dramatic turn. In a chaotic sequence down the backstretch, Mike Holloway and Todd Liston collided, triggering a multi-car pile-up that collected several top contenders. Hoose, avoiding the melee, moved up into the 2nd position as the field regrouped for the restart.

When the green flag waved again, Hoose made his move. He attacked Menda from the outside, finally inching ahead of him coming out of turn 2 just before the final caution of the night was triggered. With just a few laps remaining, Hoose now had the lead, and for the GWC (Green-White-Checkered) finish, he strategically chose to restart from the outside lane.

As the final restart unfolded, Menda spun his tires, losing valuable ground, and Matt Hoose with Team TCR blasted away from the pack, cruising to the checkered flag to win the 9th Annual Skitter Creek Shootout.

“I’ve been running with these [shootouts] since they started doing them, and this is the first one I’ve actually won, so I’m really excited about that,” Hoose said after the race. “I was just driving the car for all it was worth, but then some luck played out there towards the end.”

The Bootleg Racing League will kick off its next season on Saturday, September 28th, at North Wilkesboro Speedway with both the Outlaw SK Modified Series and Late Model Series, with live coverage beginning at 7:40PM ET exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!

BRL OUTLAWS S36 R11 Recap

14 September 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 36 | Final Round
Outlaw Modified Series | Five Flags Speedway

On Saturday, September 14th, the Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series concluded its 36th season at Five Flags Speedway. Todd Liston of INDY Autosport entered the season finale with a solid 9-point lead over Donny Moore, and he was determined to defend his championship lead, starting the night off strong by setting the fastest time in practice.

The race began with Lowell Jewell on the pole, flanked by Joe “Kingpin” Segalla. Donny Moore started in 7th, while Liston lined up 11th. As the green flag dropped, Jewell took off, pulling away from the field. Meanwhile, Liston wasted no time moving through the pack, and within just five laps, the three championship contenders—Liston, Moore, and Bruce Pearson—were running nose-to-tail in 5th, 6th, and 7th. Moore led the trio, but soon Stephen Spies, a known race winner, caught up to them and slipped past, with Liston wisely letting him by to avoid unnecessary risks.

The first caution came on lap 18 when Scott Negus and Tom Hilbert tangled just behind Liston. Once racing resumed on lap 24, Jewell maintained his lead, while Segalla was shuffled back as he struggled on the outside. Moore and Liston capitalized on this, advancing to 3rd and 4th. As the green flag run continued, Jewell extended his lead, but on lap 38, Liston made a bold move, diving under Moore to take the 3rd spot, with his sights set on Steve Hilbert in 2nd.

A long green flag run allowed Jewell to build a commanding 2-second lead. However, a caution on lap 67 caused by contact between John Heyn, Spies, and Pearson erased that advantage. The restart on lap 73 saw Liston now in 2nd place, right on Jewell’s bumper. It didn’t take long for Liston to find his way around Jewell, grabbing the race lead, while Spies followed suit, moving up to 2nd.

In the closing laps, Spies put intense pressure on Liston, managing to get inside on a few occasions. The two raced side-by-side for much of the final lap, but Liston, running the outside, managed to get a better exit off the final corner, edging Spies at the line by just 4 hundredths of a second. With the victory, Liston not only claimed his third win of the season but also secured the season championship in dramatic fashion.

The next season for the BRL Outlaw SK Modifieds is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, September 28th, at North Wilkesboro Speedway, with live coverage on the Virtual Grip Network starting at 7:40PM ET!