Rookie Kyle Feimster Slays the Dragon at South Boston

South Boston, VA — South Boston Speedway played host to one of the most dramatic races of the Bootleg Racing League’s Late Model Invitational Series this season, as rookie Kyle Feimster stunned the field with his first-ever broadcast win. The race—sponsored by Tre Blohm in a heartfelt Thanksgiving tribute featuring a throwback A5 paint scheme honoring his grandfather—unfolded with equal parts chaos, heartbreak, and unexpected heroics. And at the center of it all stood a newcomer who managed to outwit the series’ most consistent veteran, points leader James Lowe.

Entering the weekend, Lowe had expanded his championship lead to a commanding 276 points over Chris Davis, despite not winning in the previous three rounds. South Boston’s starting grid inversion placed him mid-pack while John Wilson, “the Canadian Goose,” rolled off from the pole with Todd Liston alongside and Feimster slotted directly behind them in third. But the opening lap delivered instant turbulence. A tangle involving Lowe, Ruben Altice, and one of the Hilbert brothers folded the nose of Lowe’s No. 99 machine and knocked the toe out. Even as cars scattered and slowed, race control inexplicably swallowed the whistle and kept the field under green, sending Lowe tumbling back to 15th with a wounded race car.

While the early chaos set the tone, Wilson quickly established himself as the runaway favorite. With smooth laps and a steady rhythm, he built a small but stable lead and held it for nearly the entire race, ultimately pacing an incredible 92 of the 100 laps. Passing was nearly impossible on South Boston’s worn single-groove bottom lane, forcing drivers to search endlessly for grip and opportunities. Feimster, however, approached the situation with surprising maturity. Knowing the track would devour right-rear tires if pushed too hard, he spent the first half of the race easing into the throttle, preserving his equipment while quietly stalking the leaders.

Meanwhile, Lowe began his long, methodical climb back up the order. Even with his early damage, he carved his way forward with calculated inside-line pressure and stubborn persistence, including a stubborn duel with Altice, who refused to yield. Farther ahead, Tom Hilbert entertained the crowd with a determined scrap against Adam Schoen in a prolonged fight for fourth place. Hilbert eventually ceded the position but rallied later in the race to earn the better end of the family rivalry with a gritty top-five finish.

Everything changed in the closing laps. Following a late caution triggered by Kenny Allen and Schoen, the field reset for a sprint to the finish. On the Lap 92 restart, Mark Hertzog—who had charged from 14th and was positioned as the event’s biggest mover—got a run on Wilson and made contact that sent the race leader up the track and out of contention. And just like that, the “goose” was officially cooked. The door flew open for Feimster, who slipped through to take command, while Lowe seized second place and prepared for one final showdown.

The decisive moment arrived with a three-lap dash beginning on Lap 98. Feimster launched perfectly and immediately protected the bottom, refusing to surrender the preferred groove. Lowe tried everything—rolling the middle, diamonding the corner, pressuring the rookie’s bumper—but Feimster never cracked. With the poise of a seasoned veteran, he held firm over the final two circuits and even clocked the fastest lap of the race as he crossed the line two-tenths ahead of the points leader.

For a rookie to outduel a reigning powerhouse is rare enough. For him to do it in his first televised victory, in a holiday tribute event, after saving tires like a chess prodigy sacrificing pieces early to spring a late-game trap—that’s the stuff of sim-racing folklore. Even Lowe admitted afterward that he “didn’t have anything for Kyle there,” a testament to just how complete Feimster’s performance was.

Wilson’s misfortune relegated him to a 10th-place finish despite his 92 laps led, while consistent runs from names like Kurt Smith, Brennan Myers, and Todd Liston helped shape the overall complexion of the top ten. But the night belonged unmistakably to Feimster, a North Carolina racer and Army veteran, who summed up the evening with fitting simplicity: “It was a fun race—I mean, chaos.”

Chaos, yes. But also clarity—a moment where preparation, patience, and a perfectly timed opportunity allowed a rookie to slay the dragon and announce his arrival in spectacular fashion.

Schoen Holds Off Lowe in Southern National Thriller, Scores First Win of the Season

Lucama, NC — Adam Schoen delivered the performance of his season Saturday night, fending off a furious late-race charge from points leader and defending champion James Lowe to win Round 7 of the Bootleg Racing League’s Late Model Invitational Series. The 100-lap showdown at Southern National Motorsports Park produced one of the most dramatic finishes of Season 32, capped by a tense Green-White-Checker sprint that tested every ounce of Schoen’s defensive instincts.

The night began with big implications for the championship picture. Lowe entered the event with a strong points lead after winning the first four races and never finishing outside the top three all season. Chris Davis, sitting second in the standings, was forced to start 17th after missing the previous round, putting him on the back foot immediately. Meanwhile, Rubin Altice, fresh off a victory at Lanier, had climbed to third in points and looked poised to continue his momentum.

A baker’s dozen inversion from last week’s results placed former police chief Steve Hilbert on the pole with Schoen to his outside, while Lowe—despite posting the fastest practice lap—had to roll off from 10th. The shuffled field set the stage for an unpredictable opening stint. On Lap 1, Schoen slipped to third as Todd Liston surged forward, first snatching Schoen’s spot and then diving under Hilbert to take the early lead.

Liston controlled the early race, but trouble found him midway through the event. Running strong at the front, he plowed through a cloud of smoke caused by contact between Mark Hertzog and Ryan Senneker, collecting right-side damage that derailed his night. His wounded #87 quickly faded, allowing Schoen to pounce and take over the lead with authority. From that point forward, Schoen commanded the field, pacing the final 53 laps.

While Schoen controlled the clean air, Lowe was busy clawing through the pack behind him. He found himself repeatedly battling Rubin Altice and Kurt Smith, who both fought hard to keep their preferred low line. Passing proved difficult all night; drivers had to force opponents up the banking if they wanted any hope of getting by. Lowe made steady forward progress but even he wasn’t immune to mistakes, misjudging a gap at one point in what commentators labeled a rare error for the normally ice-cold #99.

The final laps devolved into chaos when Darryl Wineinger, enjoying a career-best run in fourth place, spun after contact with rookie Kyle Feimster, triggering the lone mandatory Green-White-Checker attempt. The restart set up a dramatic showdown—Schoen on the point, Lowe tucked tightly into second, both drivers hungry for the win.

When the green dropped, Lowe dove low looking for the opening, but Schoen slammed the door shut with precision, hugging the inside line with laser focus. He gave Lowe no daylight whatsoever, running what broadcasters called a “bikini-wax smooth” defensive line that prevented any opportunity for the champion to slip underneath. The two made slight contact as they wrestled through the final corner, but Schoen held strong and crossed the finish line first, sealing his breakthrough victory. Lowe settled for second, though he padded his championship lead in the process.

Behind them, the late-race chaos benefitted “Double Deuce” Bruce Pearson. Pearson avoided multiple spinning cars and opportunistically vaulted himself into third place, calling the finish a mix of luck and timing after nearly having to park the car to avoid the mess ahead. The Hilbert brothers—Tom in fourth and Steve in fifth—closed out one of their best combined outings in the season. Chris Davis recovered to finish 10th, a respectable salvage given his deep starting spot.

After the race, Schoen described the pressure-packed final moments with a laugh: “I think I had one eye straight and one eye in my rearview mirror. I just went low to cut him off. I had to do everything I could to keep him behind me—he’s fast.” Lowe echoed the sentiment, complimenting Schoen’s execution: “He had an awfully nice guy behind him. I gained points, so that’s always good. We’ll move on.”

The series now shifts to South Boston Speedway for Round 8, where the inversion will place John Wilson, the “Canadian Goose,” on the pole. With just a handful of races remaining and tension rising in the playoff chase, the stage is set for another dramatic chapter in Season 32 of the BRL Late Model Invitational Series.

Ogle Dominates Hickory, Caps Championship Season with Fifth Win in Zach Brewer Classic

Newton, NC – Tom Ogle, the newly crowned Yesteryear Tour Modified Series champion, ended his season in dominant fashion Saturday night, claiming victory in the Zach Brewer Classic at Hickory Motor Speedway. The 250-lap finale marked Ogle’s fifth win of the year, capping off a commanding season as he prepares to be awarded the coveted Old Red Boot championship trophy.

The race carried special meaning as it honored North Carolina Modified standout Zach Brewer, who passed away in 2024. In a touching tribute, Allen Wannamaker piloted Brewer’s familiar No. 79 Hillbilly Racing machine, giving the field extra motivation to put on a strong show in his memory.

The drivers faced a rough, character-filled Hickory surface—a bumpy, under 3/8-mile oval that has long tested the skill and patience of racers. The high-powered Modifieds danced across the worn asphalt, with even minor missteps threatening to upset the cars. From the drop of the green, it was clear that the track’s abrasive surface would be a major factor throughout the night.

Polesitter Scott Negus led the field to green with Ogle alongside and James Lowe starting third. But before a rhythm could form, an early caution on Lap 4 saw Brian Bianchi get loose in a three-wide battle and spin, serving as an early reminder that staying out of trouble would be key.

When racing resumed, Ogle quickly took control and established a steady lead, showing why he’s been the man to beat all season. As the laps wore on, the race became a battle of tire management and pit strategy. Around Lap 50, the first major caution brought nearly the entire lead pack to pit road for right-side tires and fuel. Negus clocked a lightning-fast 11.4-second stop to briefly retake the advantage, though some wondered if he had taken on enough fuel for the long haul. Lowe, meanwhile, lost a couple of spots on pit road in a costly but common example of how razor-thin margins can define the outcome at Hickory.

Through the middle stages, Ogle methodically worked his way back to the front, his car thriving on longer runs. Some drivers gambled by staying out on old tires, including Lowe and Bruce Pearson, but the strategy didn’t pay off. They fell back quickly, opening the door for Ogle and Bianchi to reclaim control of the race.

The complexion of the event changed dramatically on Lap 87 when Rex Hoyle and Torrance Childs made contact, spinning Childs directly in front of Ogle. The champion clipped the spinning car but managed to keep his composure, sustaining only light damage that was repaired on pit road. That pit cycle proved pivotal—Ogle won the race off pit road, while Bianchi jumped from ninth to second, setting up the duel that would define the remainder of the night.

Over the final 100 laps, Bianchi kept the pressure on Ogle, but the Ohio driver remained unshaken. The top two traded lap times within tenths of a second while Jerry Isaacs lurked just behind in third, unable to find a way past Bianchi despite having what appeared to be a quicker car in clean air. “It was so hard to pass,” Isaacs said afterward. “You could try to dive in, but you’d just get loose on entry or exit. I wasn’t going to end the season by wrecking someone.”

Bianchi admitted that the track’s ever-loosening condition made life difficult, saying he brushed the outside wall “about 50 times” trying to hang with Ogle. “It just kept getting freer every lap,” he said. “We only took rights, and by the end, it was all about survival.”

Despite the pressure from behind, Ogle kept his composure, managing the gap to perfection. He took the white flag with a comfortable margin and crossed the line to secure his fifth win of the year—his most impressive yet—bringing home both the race victory and the championship hardware. Behind Ogle, Bianchi earned a hard-fought runner-up finish, followed by Isaacs, Lowe, and Negus rounding out the top five.

Allen Wannamaker’s emotional run in Brewer’s No. 79 ended early after contact, but his tribute resonated deeply with the field and fans alike. Ogle, meanwhile, reflected on his remarkable season with gratitude. “Getting track position early made all the difference,” he said. “Once I was out front, I could pace myself and take care of the tires. Huge thanks to my teammates and to Allen and Torrance for putting on this awesome series.”

As the checkered flag waved over Hickory, the message was clear—Tom Ogle’s season was one for the ages. Five wins, a championship, and a dominant finale at one of short-track racing’s toughest bullrings cemented his place as the driver to beat in the Yesteryear Racing.

Altice Holds Off Lowe to Win Chaos-Filled BRL Late Model “Equator” Race at Lanier

Braselton, Georgia — The Bootleg Racing League’s Late Model Invitational Series hit its season midpoint with a wild and unpredictable showdown at Lanier National Speedway, where chaos, cautions, and tire wear ruled the night. When the dust settled, the ever-calm Rubin Altice delivered a masterclass in composure, leading every lap from the pole and fending off a late charge from points leader James Lowe to capture his first victory of Season 32.

The race marked the “equator” of the eleven-race season — round six, the dividing line between the front and back halves of the championship. Lowe entered the event as the clear favorite after winning four of the first five rounds, holding a narrow lead over Chris Davis in the standings. That lead only widened when Davis failed to make the grid, leaving Lowe free to strengthen his title position with another strong finish.

The field was set by the league’s traditional inversion of the top 13 finishers from the previous race — a format designed to mix things up and force the fast drivers to earn their way forward. The shuffle placed Altice on pole, while Lowe rolled off ninth. Adam Schoen started alongside Lowe, and Todd Liston lined up mid-pack, all with eyes on moving forward in the 100-lap feature. With no tire changes allowed, drivers knew their success would depend on managing grip over a long green-flag run.

When the green flag dropped, Altice immediately took command from the inside lane and never looked back. Behind him, the opening laps were anything but smooth. Allen Wannamaker nearly looped his car off Turn 2 on cold tires, gathering it up just in time to avoid a bigger incident but falling to the rear. Lowe, meanwhile, began carving his way through traffic with surgical patience, jumping from ninth to fifth in the early going without using up his tires.

The action intensified mid-race as Liston, Brennan Myers, and Bruce Pearson traded paint in a hard-fought battle for top-five positions. Lowe took advantage of the chaos to slip by when gaps opened, while Kurt Smith quietly picked his way forward from deep in the field, saving his tires for a late charge. Darryl Wineinger also made steady progress, running just outside the top five and keeping his car clean through the rough middle stages.

The first caution of the night flew after contact between Schoen and Myers triggered a chain reaction that collected John Wilson. Myers sustained right-front damage but managed to stay on the lead lap. The restart that followed reshuffled the order and ignited another round of drama. Altice held firm out front, while Wilson and Wineinger tangled in a hard-fought battle behind them that sent Wilson spinning, bringing out the second yellow.

That set the stage for a tense closing run. Lowe cleared traffic after the restart and began tracking down Altice, cutting into the lead with each lap as the field settled into a sprint to the finish. With ten laps to go, Lowe was glued to Altice’s rear bumper, searching for any opening. Altice, however, never wavered. Running a near-perfect line along the inside curb, he defended every corner with veteran precision.

Lowe tried the high side off Turn 2 in the final laps, but Lanier’s tight confines left him no room to complete the move. Altice held his ground, holding off Lowe by less than half a car length at the checkered flag to score his first win of the season. He later admitted the closing laps “felt like forever,” adding that he wasn’t sure he could’ve held Lowe off for another five.

Kurt Smith completed the podium after a patient and consistent drive from 13th, avoiding trouble and making his move late to secure third. John Wilson rebounded to finish fourth after his earlier spin, and Wineinger rounded out the top five with another solid run.

The win was a statement for Rubin Altice, who proved that calm execution can still trump chaos in the Bootleg Racing League. For James Lowe, the runner-up finish extended his championship advantage as the Late Model Invitational Series crossed its midpoint and headed into the backstretch run.

Isaacs Dominates Late at Atlanta as Ogle Locks Up Championship

Atlanta, GA— The OBRL Yester Year Tour Modified Series delivered one of its most grueling strategic tests of the season at Atlanta, and Jerry Isaacs rose to the occasion. After a relentless, full-distance 100-lap green flag battle, Isaacs executed a perfectly clean pit stop cycle and commanded the bottom lane over the closing laps to score his first win of the season — while Tom Ogle backed up his championship campaign with a deliberate, championship-minded second place finish that effectively sealed his path to the coveted “old red boot”.

The night began with major stakes. Double points were in play and Ogle entered the event with a 30-point cushion over primary rival Brian Johnson. Johnson came out swinging, taking the pole and controlling the entire first half of the race. Track conditions made tire conservation borderline desperate — this historic Atlanta layout chews up front tires and punishes excess wheel input — forcing most of the field to lock into long-run survival mode on a night where no cautions slowed the tempo.

When the green flag pit cycle began around halfway, everything flipped. The lead group attempted to hit pit road together, but several drivers — including Johnson, who had led every lap up to that moment — were penalized for pit road violations. Johnson’s black flag buried him multiple laps down, and with it went any realistic shot at the championship. Isaacs, Ogle, and Todd Liston executed flawless stops, merging cleanly into the lead draft with clear track ahead.

The race then tightened into one final chess match: Isaacs and Ogle worked the inside groove with discipline, while Liston and Scott Negus repeatedly tried to build momentum topside. Negus made multiple attempts to slingshot the high lane into contention, even leading brief attacks late, but the bottom lane simply carried too much speed down the straights. Ogle refused to move off the preferred line, knowing P2 under these conditions would lock down his season. He committed himself to ensuring Isaacs stayed in front, staying tucked behind him and never giving Negus the side draft runway needed to make a sustained charge.

Isaacs never cracked under pressure. Running flawlessly along the white line and never offering the outside lane an opening, he held the bottom all the way to the checkers to grab a statement win in one of the most mentally demanding races of the season. Ogle crossed right behind him in second — and with Johnson finishing two laps down in P13 — Ogle now heads to Hickory as a mere formality before taking home the championship title and legendary “Old Red Boot” trophy.

Foltz Captures OBRL YesterYear Cup Championship at Phoenix in Strategy-Driven Finale

Avondale, AZ — After 35 races and 4,777 total laps logged this season, the OBRL YesterYear Racing Cup crowned its new champion Saturday night in a 175-lap finale at Phoenix Raceway. In a race defined by tire conservation, pit execution, and long green-flag segments, Sean Foltz sealed the deal and clinched the championship, using a perfectly timed green-flag pit call to out-maneuver early dominator Andrew Kotska and overcome a costly pit mistake from James Hislop.

The final four championship contenders were Foltz, Hislop, Kotska, and Jerry Isaacs — and it was Kotska who rolled in with momentum. He set quick time, earned the pole, and immediately established control of the event, reinforcing his reputation as a Phoenix specialist. Isaacs’ title fight took an early hit, however, when he was forced to serve a green-flag pass-through penalty on lap one, dropping him nearly a lap down before even settling into race rhythm.

The race settled into the long-run Phoenix environment everyone expected. Hislop was smooth and steady while running the top lane with precision, and Foltz quietly kept himself within striking range while focusing on managing tire life rather than attacking early. The first caution arrived just before the race reached the 50-lap mark when Tommy Emasie, on fresh tires and closing rapidly on Dave Matson, made contact and sent Matson hard into the outside wall — a break that allowed Isaacs to climb back onto the lead lap.

On the subsequent restart, Kotska dramatically lost clean air and found himself locked in a fierce battle with Cortney Nelson, who surged to the lead for several laps. Unfortunately, Nelson’s bid to stay at the front ended in heartbreak — contact with the wall caused front suspension damage severe enough to force him backward through the field shortly after.

As the race crossed halfway, pit timing and tire delta became the entire difference maker. Foltz waited patiently, then committed to his call — short pitting two laps earlier than his title rivals. It was the turning point of the season. While Foltz maximized his out laps, both Kotska and Hislop struggled: Kotska barely missed his pit mark and had to reset, and Hislop’s overshoot was far more costly, forcing him to back up significantly in the box and losing multiple positions during the cycle.

When green flag stops completed, Foltz emerged with more than four seconds of advantage — a margin he defended with discipline in the closing run. Kotska and Hislop both chipped away at the deficit inside the final 15 laps, but damage and dirty air stalled the run. Hislop mounted one final push and closed the lead down to a single second with three laps remaining, but the math — and the laps — simply ran out.

Sean Foltz crossed the stripe to win the Phoenix finale and secure the OBRL YesterYear Cup Championship — a title won not on raw pace, but on a decisive strategic strike at exactly the right moment.

Kotska completed an impressive season turnaround by finishing third in the finale, while Isaacs clawed back for a top-six finish despite his early penalty. But this night belonged to Foltz — whose patience, timing, and execution delivered a champion’s closing statement.

Chris Davis Triumphs at Oswego, Ends James Lowe’s Bid for Perfect BRL Season

Oswego, NY – Chris Davis delivered under pressure in Round 5 of the Bootleg Racing League’s Late Model Invitational Series at Oswego Speedway, scoring his first win of the season and officially ending the perfect season streak attempt of points leader James Lowe. Coming into the night, Lowe had been undefeated through the first four races, but Oswego has historically been one of his tougher venues, and his flawless run finally came to an end.

The starting grid was set by the finishing order of the previous event, placing veteran Steve Hilbert on the pole. Allen Wannamaker elected to start from pit road. Hilbert got a strong launch to begin the 100-lap feature, but the opening lap immediately erupted into a major multi-car incident in Turns 3 and 4. John Wilson, Mike Holloway, Kurt Smith, and Chris Davis all became tangled in the chaos — but Lowe, starting deep in the order, showed the poise that put him atop the standings. He got hard on the brakes, waited for the smoke to clear, and navigated through the mess, jumping seven spots and putting himself right into early contention.

Once the race settled, Hilbert settled into a steady rhythm at the front, leading for 32 laps while holding off multiple pressure waves behind him. As the field began to compress mid-race, the battle for the lead intensified. Davis, who had rallied forward from 11th, worked his way into the top three, while Lowe climbed into second. In a pivotal three-wide fight entering Turn 1, Davis drove low underneath Hilbert, making contact that sent Hilbert spinning into the outside wall and forcing another caution.

The restart placed Davis and Lowe side-by-side. Davis grabbed command and the duel for the win was fully on — but the perfect season machine suddenly looked vulnerable. Lowe’s earlier contact resulted in a bent nose that hindered his handling, giving Davis just enough margin to hold firm. Meanwhile, Tre Blohm put on one of the biggest charges of the race. Starting 15th, he stormed through the field with the fastest lap of the night (19.252) and powered into the top three. He managed to muscle by Lowe, shrinking Davis’s lead down to half a second in the closing laps, but his tires finally surrendered with eight laps remaining and the forward drive evaporated.

A late caution involving Allen Wannamaker and Mike Holloway sent the race into a single Green-White-Checker shootout. Davis executed cleanly, while Adam Schoen made a final-lap surge to second. But before the field could mount one final strike, Rubin Altice spun, freezing the order and ending the race under yellow. Chris Davis crossed the line first, scoring the signature breakthrough win of his season — and the one that finally put a stop to Lowe’s perfect run.

Davis took the victory after starting 11th. Adam Schoen finished second, and James Lowe brought it home third. Tre Blohm’s charge ended with a fourth-place result after torching his right side tires late, while Ryan Senneker completed a standout run through the field from last on the grid to finish fifth.

Post-race, Davis admitted the final laps were nerve-wracking knowing Lowe was coming, but he was relieved to break through cleanly and confirmed he had escaped the opening chaos with no major damage — a stroke of luck that allowed him to save his equipment for the end. Davis’s win also activates another Mission 22 donation — $122 — tied to his season-long personal pledge in honor of his son recently earning Captain rank in the U.S. Army. Lowe, meanwhile, said he was satisfied salvaging third, comparing his night to feeling like a “ping-pong ball,” but happy simply to get Oswego behind him.

The BRL Late Model Series now shifts to Lanier National Speedway as Season 32 continues.

Shepherd Dominates Thompson to Clinch Inaugural YYR IROC Series Championship

Thompson, CT — J R Shepherd, known across the YesterYear Racing paddock as “Short Track Voldemort,” capped off a commanding campaign in the YYR IROC Racing Series by claiming both the race victory and the season championship in the finale at Thompson Speedway. Shepherd’s win marked his second triumph of the season and sealed the deal on a title battle that pitted him against rival Danger Josh Robinson, who finished second in both the race and the final points standings.

The Thompson showdown wrapped up the four-race series — a spirited homage to the 1985 International Race of Champions. The unique format brought together drivers from four different iRacing leagues, all competing in equally prepared Cadillac coupes. The result was a chaotic, entertaining, and decidedly unorthodox form of short track racing that left fans and drivers alike grinning. The prize? A championship bottle of whiskey from Garage Oil Spirits — fitting for a season that combined grit, luck, and a splash of chaos.

With no qualifying sessions, the starting grid was inverted based on points. Championship leader J R Shepherd rolled off 11th (last), while his closest pursuer Josh Robinson started just ahead in 10th. That inversion guaranteed early drama, and the cold tires of the Cadillacs ensured it would arrive quickly.

Jeff Aho grabbed the early lead from Bruce Pearson, but the stability of the rear-wheel-drive luxo-barges was short-lived. Tom Ogle, whom the series AI had pegged as a dark horse favorite, got loose off Turn 2, slammed the inside wall, and needed a tow — ending his night almost before it began. Moments later, Pearson and Christian Loschen spun in unison, bringing out the race’s first caution — the first yellow flag seen in the entire series after three clean rounds.

This early caution split strategies wide open. Shepherd and Robinson immediately dove to pit road to top off their fuel, anticipating a long green run to the end. The move proved pivotal. As Shepherd later explained, “That first stop gave us all the fuel we’d need. Once I realized others hadn’t come in, I knew they’d be in trouble later.”

Once racing resumed, Aho dominated, maintaining control through the first half of the 150-lap event. Behind him, attrition was mounting. Brian Bianchi brushed the wall multiple times before one final hit ended his night, trimming the field to single digits.

While Aho appeared untouchable up front, Shepherd and Robinson quietly stalked from mid-pack, both balancing fuel and tire management while also eyeing critical bonus points for laps led. The system awarded five points for the most laps led, three for second-most, and two for third — small numbers that could make or break a championship.

By Lap 75, Aho had led every circuit, locking in the maximum bonus and leaving Shepherd and Robinson to battle for the remaining points. As the race progressed, the two title contenders began slicing through the field, working the high line and eventually closing in on Aho’s bumper.

The turning point came when Aho made his green-flag pit stop, opting for four new tires. But his hopes unraveled instantly — John Wilson got loose, and he spun on corner exit, bringing out the caution and locking Aho a lap down and ending his shot at victory despite leading the first half of the race.

Moments later, Shepherd and Robinson hit pit road in unison, with the championship — and race — hanging in the balance. Shepherd played it safe, taking four tires and fuel. Robinson gambled, taking only two tires to gain track position. The move briefly gave Robinson a 10-second edge leaving pit road — but it didn’t last.

The two-tire strategy proved disastrous. The cold tires refused to bite, and Robinson’s Cadillac plowed like “a dump truck,” slamming the wall and losing all momentum. He fell behind both Shepherd and Todd Liston, watching his gamble unravel in seconds. Robinson later described it as “braking into a left turn that never wanted to end.”

With Robinson’s pace crippled, Shepard inherited the lead and never looked back. True to form, the veteran remained laser-focused, managing his tires and clicking off laps with precision. His lead stabilized around 1.5 seconds over Robinson, who could only watch as the title slipped away.

When the checkered flag waved, Shepherd crossed the line to take his second win of the season — and the first-ever YYR IROC Championship. The finish solidified Shepard’s reputation as one of the most disciplined short-track racers in sim racing today.

Post-race, Shepard reflected on the unique challenge of the series: “That car wasn’t meant to do what we just did, but that’s what made it fun. The early pit call made all the difference.”

Robinson, gracious in defeat, admitted his risky call was his only play: “We had to try something. Two tires was a gamble, and it bit us, but you can’t win a championship without swinging for it.”

Todd Liston, who rounded out the podium, praised the concept of the IROC revival: “These Cadillacs were wild. Everyone had to adapt — no setups, no comfort zones. It was a blast.”

The YYR IROC Series will return for Season 2 in 2026, with organizers hinting at a new lineup of classic machinery and tracks. But for now, J R Shepherd stands alone at the top — the undisputed IROC champion of YesterYear Racing.

Hislop Dominates Martinsville, Punches Ticket to Phoenix Finale in Clutch Performance

Martinsville, VA — The OBRL YesterYear Racing Cup Series rolled into Martinsville Speedway for the final playoff race of the round of 8 in the 2025 playoffs — a grueling 180-lap showdown that would determine who would advance to the Phoenix championship finale. The flat half-mile paperclip lived up to its reputation for punishing both patience and equipment, but on this night, it was all about one man: James Hislop, who entered the race 23 points below the cut line and needed nothing short of a win to stay alive. He did exactly that, delivering a masterclass in control, tire management, and timing to dominate from start to finish.

Coming into Martinsville, Sean Foltz and Jerry Isaacs were already locked into the finale thanks to prior playoff victories. Andrew Kotska carried an 18-point cushion above the cut line, while Tom Ogle clung to the final transfer spot by just six points over Daniel Hill, who ultimately failed to make the grid.

On the front row, Roger Hurley and Hislop set the tone early, while Ogle and Cortney Nelson lined up just behind them. For Ogle, the mission was simple — survive, stay clean, and hope circumstances fell his way.

From the drop of the green, the race settled into a steady, green-flag rhythm — a rarity at Martinsville. Hislop wasted little time stalking Hurley, finally taking command around Lap 16 with a bold move into Turn 1 that included just enough contact to make it memorable. Hurley’s car began to fade as Hislop pulled away, and before long, the #92 was setting a blistering pace at the front.

With long runs taking shape, tire conservation became the theme of the night. The outer groove grew treacherous with marbles, forcing drivers to hug the curbs and tiptoe through traffic. Hislop, ever calm, managed his tires to perfection, keeping Hurley and the rest of the field well behind.

By Lap 77, pit strategy loomed large. The consensus was clear — split the race roughly in half with a stop near Lap 90. Jerry Isaacs was among the first to blink, triggering a wave of pit activity. But timing proved cruel for some. Just as the cycle began, a caution flew after Dwayne MacArthur, Todd Cousins, and Isaacs tangled amid the chaos of fresh tires and heavy lap traffic.

The caution flipped the script. Some drivers caught the yellow perfectly, while others were trapped on track or down laps. The unluckiest of all was Tom Ogle, who had stayed out in hopes of a wave-around. Instead, he found himself two laps down after narrowly missing the pace car — a brutal twist that effectively ended his playoff hopes.

The final 25 laps were vintage Martinsville — elbows out, tempers flaring, and cautions breeding cautions. Hislop, however, looked untouchable. Each restart saw him launch flawlessly from the control position, building immediate breathing room while chaos erupted behind him.

At one point, Sean Foltz rolled the dice by staying out on older tires, briefly taking the lead before Hislop muscled back past. Meanwhile, McArthur and Cousins engaged in a fierce scrap for the Lucky Dog, with McArthur ultimately prevailing to regain the lead lap.

Greg McDaniel, who had been a serious threat early, faded dramatically past Lap 99 after overdriving the car. His night ended in heartbreak with a late spin on Lap 174 that relegated him to P20 — ending his championship aspirations.

The race’s conclusion came under a one-shot Green-White-Checker finish, extending the race to 181 laps. Hislop delivered one final statement, nailing the restart and immediately gapping the field. Behind him, Hurley and Chris Bates waged an intense fight for second, but neither had anything for the leader.

Hislop crossed the line unchallenged, completing a wire-to-wire masterpiece and punching his ticket to the Phoenix championship finale.

For Hislop, the win was the product of preparation and precision. “I probably ran about a thousand laps in practice this week,” he said. “I knew exactly what I needed out of the car tonight.”

Hurley, who finished second, credited his steady approach: “Don’t look in the mirror — hit your marks. That’s the only way to survive Martinsville.”

Bates, who surged from 15th to third, was candid in victory lane: “I messed up qualifying, plain and simple. I needed a yellow to have a shot, and somehow I got one.”

Rounding out the top five were Brian Lynch and Dwayne McArthur, both mounting impressive comebacks after being a lap down earlier in the race. Kotska’s steady 6th-place effort appeared enough to clinch the final playoff spot, while Ogle’s 12th-place result left him agonizingly short of the cut.

With Martinsville in the books, the OBRL YesterYear Racing Cup Series now sets its sights on Phoenix Raceway, where four drivers will battle for the 2025 championship crown in the desert.

Lowe Extends Perfect Season Streak in Caution-Free Las Vegas Thriller

Las Vegas, NV — James Lowe continued his unprecedented run of perfection in the Bootleg Racing League’s Late Model Invitational Series, claiming victory in Round 4 at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor. Lowe’s win marks his fourth consecutive victory to start Season 32. The race, which took place on Saturday night, October 25th, 2025, went the full distance of 100 laps entirely under green flag conditions, frustrating drivers who rely on cautions to close gaps.

The BRL’s “baker’s dozen” grid inversion doctrine once again forced the series champion and points leader, James Lowe, to start deep in the field—12th position, specifically. This format, a hallmark of Bootleg Racing League competition, keeps things interesting by rewarding consistency and giving fans a show as the fastest drivers work their way through the pack. It’s a system that ensures every lap matters and that even early-season dominance doesn’t make things predictable. Mike Holloway, 17th in points, was the beneficiary of the invert, starting on the pole position alongside Tom Hilbert. Despite predictions that passing would be tough at the Bullring, the early action proved surprisingly easy.

Holloway’s pole position start was short-lived. Early in the race, Ruben Altice, “the quiet man,” quickly utilized the inside line to move up, securing second place and then passing Holloway for the lead. Altice, who has a couple of victories in his career, is typically notorious for starting in the back, making his early run to the front unusual. While Altice maintained the lead, James Lowe began his steady march forward, climbing four spots by Lap 6. Chris Davis, starting in 11th, was the biggest early mover, advancing six positions.

Davis, known as “Mr. Aggressive,” then turned his focus on Altice. Davis worked both the inside and outside of the track, pushing hard to get around Altice cleanly, admitting later he did so to avoid being stuck between Altice and Lowe. Altice, noted for racing his line without being aggressive or “ugly,” yielded, and Davis claimed the lead around the 20-lap mark, immediately setting the fastest lap of the race.

By the time the race reached roughly one-third distance, Lowe had caught up to the back of Altice and soon dispatched the quiet man to claim second place. The stage was then set for a lengthy, clean duel between Lowe and Davis for the victory. As the race passed the halfway point (Lap 56), Davis began to show signs of tire wear, getting “wiggly” and loose. Davis confessed post-race that he had pushed too hard early on, burning up his right front tires, whereas Lowe did a much better job of saving his equipment.

The battle intensified around Lap 65, with Lowe sticking closely to Davis. Davis used his car’s sideways slide to take up horizontal track real estate, making Lowe’s path difficult. They bumped, banged, and slugged each other during their fight. Lowe attempted an early pass, but backed off to avoid taking Davis out, waiting several more laps before trying again.

Lowe finally made the pass stick around Lap 80. Lowe got side-by-side with Davis, forcing his nose underneath. Although Davis attempted a block, Lowe powered through and took the lead for good. From there, Lowe pulled away as Davis continued to struggle with his handling, admitting his car was “drifting” heavily.

A major narrative point throughout the broadcast was the lack of a caution flag. Aiden Young, who is fast and notorious for saving his equipment, needed a yellow flag to bunch up the field and utilize his fresh tires, but the yellow never appeared. Similarly, pole sitter Mike Holloway, confirmed to be the real driver, finally found speed late in the race but it was “too little too late.”

James Lowe secured the win, maintaining his perfect 4-0 season start. Chris Davis and Ruben Altice rounded out the podium, followed by John Wilson, “The Canadian Goose,” and Kurt Smith to complete the top five. Kyle Feimster had an impressive run, climbing from 13th to finish sixth. Aiden Young finished 10th, and Alan Wannamaker, who had a great run early, fell back to 12th. Due to the grid inversion, Steve Hilbert (who finished 13th) will start on the pole next week.

Lowe noted after the race that his strategy is simply “trying to get as low as fast as I can,” while crediting Davis for racing him clean and hard: “He was doing everything he had to do to keep me behind him.” Davis, who will donate $22 to Mission 22 for his second-place finish, admitted his biggest mistake was pushing too hard early to get around Altice, which cost him his tires in the closing laps. He praised the respect between himself and Lowe, saying, “A bump doesn’t mean that you know someone’s going to spin.” Altice, who finished third, shared that his plan after taking the lead was to ride and save tires, but he “didn’t have enough to hold them off” once Lowe and Davis came calling. Altice also revealed his unique hobby: slot car drag racing, where cars can reach over 100 mph actual speed in 0.3 seconds on tracks up to 55 feet long.

The BRL Late Model Series moves next week to Oswego Speedway on Saturday, November 1st.