BRL Late Model Invitational S25R02 | Stafford Motor Speedway
15 January 2024
The second race of Season 25 took place at Stafford Motor Speedway, a 0.5-mile asphalt oval track located in Stafford Springs, Connecticut. Ruben Altice and Joe Segalla led the race at the start, with Altice getting a good start and taking an easy lead. However, Segalla struggled on the outside, allowing Tre Blohm to maneuver underneath for 2nd. The rest of the bottom line followed suit, while Segalla tried to find breathing room to get inside. Finally, on Lap 3, Segalla managed to get inside and keep the fourth position.
Meanwhile, the top season standings leaders were fighting hard mid-pack, with some impressive driving skills on display. The race had single-file racing for a while, with the lead cars’ paces starting to fall back a little by lap 25. The veterans, however, were making positions and inching closer to the front, with some intense battles going on.
On Lap 35, Hardin, one of the veterans, made a move to the inside of Blohm to take second, followed by Segalla and Shepherd before settling down to the fifth position. On Lap 49, Hardin made a daring move to the inside of Altice, and the two cars were side by side down the backstretch. Hardin completed the pass for the lead, while Segalla also put his hat in the ring for second, completing the pass on Lap 52. On Lap 66, Shepherd made the pass for second from Segalla, and the top three cars continued to dominate the race.
However, lapped traffic added some drama to the latter third of the race, with Hardin and Shepherd battling in first and second with about a one-second lead over the rest of the field. Finally, coming down to the finish line, there was some impressive and intense racing between Hardin and Shepherd. On Lap 87, Shepherd started gaining some ground on the inside but wasn’t able to get enough momentum to pull to the side of Hardin. Shepherd was on the bumper of Hardin on Lap 91, and Hardin closed the door right away on Shepherd across the line for Lap 92. Shepherd went to the outside, and they were side by side going into Lap 93. They were still side by side in the corners, with a little contact between them. By the white flag, they were still side by side racing against each other, with the crowd on the edge of their seats.
Shepherd made a move to the inside and inched just in front of Hardin in turns 1 and 2, clinching the lead. However, he was still almost side by side, with Shepherd at least sideways across the finish line taking the win. For the final 20ish laps, there was some amazing and intense racing between the top two cars until the finish, with both drivers pushing their cars to the limit. Ultimately, J R Shepherd won the race, with Jeffrey Hardin taking second and Joseph Snyder taking third.
Overall, the entire race was run under green flag conditions, which is a remarkable feat and a testament to the drivers’ skills and professionalism. The fans witnessed some excellent racing, with some close calls and intense battles, making for an exciting and unforgettable night of racing. To keep up with the exciting racing, be sure to come back next Saturday, January 20th, at 8:55 pm ET for Round 3 racing at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
Highlights
🏆 J R Shepherd wins the BRL Late Model Invitational Series Season 25 Round 02 race at Stafford Motor Speedway.
🚀 J R Shepherd and Jason Menda were the biggest movers of the race, finishing in 1nd and 6th, both gaining 10 spots.
🏁 This race featured exciting 1st and 2nd battle for the lead for almost 20 laps and a caution free race
🌟 The race featured intense battles and impressive displays of skill from the drivers, with an interesting late-race tire twist that caused some drama and intense racing action.
BRL OUTLAWS S34 R2 Recap
12 January 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 34 | Round 2
Outlaw Modified Series | Stafford Motor Speedway
The Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series presented by the Skitter Creek Motorsports Group battled in a dramatic 100-lap race, challenging drivers to navigate a treacherous course where chaos and calculated moves shaped the competition.
Jeffery Hardin commenced the race from the pole position, flanked by Kurt Smith, setting the stage for an intense battle. As the green flag dropped, the opening laps were marred by incidents, showcasing the unforgiving nature of the event. Michael Goodman faced an early challenge when a touch from Chris Davis sent him spinning on the track. Steve Hilbert encountered trouble shortly after, getting turned around due to contact with the #22 car.
In another incident, Matt Hoose and Lowell Jewell found themselves entangled, costing Jewell valuable time as the field surged ahead. The cautions continued, underlining the difficulty of managing loose conditions on the track.
The restart on lap 36 marked the beginning of a notable green flag run. Hardin, previously in the lead, faced pressure from JR Shepherd on his outside and Hoose in 3rd, with Aiden Young and Chris Davis rounding out the top 5. On lap 42, Hardin experienced a challenging moment, getting loose and sliding into the grass, relinquishing the lead to Shepherd.
Further drama ensued as the lead pack navigated through lap traffic. Joe Segalla and Hoose both encountered issues, with Segalla going loose and Hoose reacting to the unfolding scene. While Hoose managed to save his car, Young capitalized on the opportunity, moving up to take 3rd place.
The second half of the race witnessed a stark contrast to the eventful first half, with no cautions to interrupt the proceedings. Shepherd steadily increased his lead, leaving the rest of the field in pursuit. Young maintained a secure 2nd place, and Hoose successfully defended the final podium spot against challenges from Chris Davis and Todd Liston.
In the closing moments, JR Shepherd emerged victorious, claiming the checkered flag with Aiden Young and Matt Hoose rounding out the podium. Hoose remains at the forefront of the points standings, holding a 3-point lead over Todd Liston.
The excitement continues with Round 3 scheduled for January 19th at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, promising another night of thrilling racing. Catch the action live at 8:55 PM ET, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network.
PGRL S6 W15 Recap
9 January 2024
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 15
Premier Series | Daytona Int’l Speedway
The Pretty Good Racing League (PGRL) held back-to-back 40-lap races featuring the NASCAR Craftsman trucks at the famed Daytona International Speedway. The first race commenced with Michael Chrobok starting from the pole position alongside Jeff Ward, setting the stage for a competitive battle among the contenders.
The field remained tightly packed and predominantly 2-wide, with drivers like Scott Eckrich and Ryan Zima challenging for the lead. Early risky maneuvers led to a caution on lap 11, initiated by a collision between Mark Poe and Creighton Carter, subsequently involving multiple drivers. As the incident aligned with the pit window, the entire field took the opportunity to pit for fuel before racing resumed.
The fight for the lead persisted, characterized by constant position changes and close calls. However, on lap 34, another caution reshuffled the pack dramatically when an incident triggered by an aggressive push involving Thomas George and Johnathon Caddell caused chaos, eliminating several front-runners.
This setup a three-lap shootout, which unfortunately culminated in another significant wreck on lap 39, collecting a majority of the field. Amidst the chaos, Johnathon Caddell navigated through the incidents and secured victory under yellow flag conditions.
The second race, with Ryan Keiss on pole, witnessed a more patient approach from drivers, focusing on pit strategy rather than risky maneuvers. Smaller incidents occurred, but the majority were handled without necessitating caution, allowing for a prolonged green flag run.
Chrobok, Ward, and Eckrich strategically worked together, navigating green flag pit cycles effectively and consistently maintaining their positions at the front. As the final lap approached, a duel between Chrobok and Eckrich seemed inevitable. However, a scramble for position ensued after contact between the two, allowing Adam Jurski to momentarily take the lead with teammate Thomas George trailing.
In a thrilling turn of events, George seized the moment, utilizing his momentum to surpass Jurski, securing victory right at the finish line. Chrobok extended his lead in the championship standings, holding a substantial 379-point advantage over Ward.
PGRL returns on Tuesday, January 16th, for the next event at Homestead Miami Speedway, promising more exhilarating action live on the Virtual Grip Network at 8:50 PM ET.
BRL LM S25R1 | Southern National Speedway
08 January 2024
Happy New Year, race fans!
The first race of 2024, Season 25 Round 1, of the BRL Late Model Invitational, took place at Southern National Speedway. Todd Liston and Joseph Snyder were at the front of the starting grid, and they began the season with an exciting start, making contact with each other fighting side by side for the lead. Snyder was able to briefly take the lead at the end of the first lap, but on Lap 4, Liston fought back to reclaim the lead. J R Shepherd followed closely behind and took second place. On Lap 6, Shepherd made a move on Liston and took the lead, making it three different leaders in the first seven laps of the race. By Lap 9, all the cars had settled down into single-file racing after the exciting start. The first caution of the season occurred on Lap 14.
Shepherd and Liston led the pack to restart on Lap 20, and they got off to a great start. Behind them, there was side-by-side racing for position. The second caution of the race occurred on Lap 42, and the green flag was waved again on Lap 47. However, a quick incident caused another caution just as we resumed. We went green again on Lap 52, with Shepherd and Liston still at the top of the leaderboard. For the remaining laps, most of the cars were in single file, with a few good side-by-side battles for position. As the checkered flag flew, J R Shepherd claimed the first win of Season 25 Late Model Invitational. Kurt Smith came in second and Austin Boelke finished in third place.
Highlights
🏆 J R Shepherd wins the BRL Late Model Invitational Series Season 25 Round 1 race at Southern National Speedway.
🚀 Jeffery Hardin and Matt Hoose were the biggest movers of the race, finishing in 6th and 7th, both up 9 spots.
🏁 J R Shepherd gets a win to start of strong in the season point standings for Season 25
🌟 The race featured intense battles and impressive displays of skill from the drivers.
BRL OUTLAWS S34 R1 Recap
5 January 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 34 | Round 1
Outlaw Modified Series | Southern National Speedway
In an electrifying 100-lap showdown, the new season’s opening round witnessed Jewell leading the pack from the pole, flanked by Goodman. However, early on, a loose track surface caused chaos, leading to Shepherd’s premature exit from the race due to significant damage sustained only five laps in.
As Jewell, Goodman, and Spies engaged in a heated battle for the lead, Boelke stealthily maneuvered through the field, making significant strides and breaking into the top five within the first 20 laps. Boelke’s persistent charge continued, capitalizing on an opportunity on lap 25 when Smith, under pressure, lost control of his car, allowing Boelke to advance to fourth.
Thirty laps into the night, Spies made a decisive move, attempting to overtake Jewell for the lead. Their intense battle led to slight contact, creating a gap that Boelke aimed to exploit. However, a three-wide skirmish ended in a chain reaction incident involving Boelke, Spies, and Jewell, leading to their unfortunate early exits from the race.
Through the latter half of the event, Boelke displayed remarkable control over his car, successfully defending challenges from Goodman. Meanwhile, Hoose surged through the ranks, claiming the final podium spot and setting his sights on overtaking Goodman for second place.
Despite Hoose’s persistent attempts to secure second position, he was unable to gather the momentum needed to complete the pass. Boelke, maintaining a comfortable lead, steered his way to victory, claiming the checkered flag in an impressive display of skill and control.
The season opener captivated audiences with intense on-track action. The upcoming round promises another thrilling showdown at Stafford Motor Speedway on January 12th, with the race action set to go live at 8:55 PM ET exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!
PGRL S6 W14 Recap
19 December 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 14
Premier Series | Pocono Raceway
A double-header at Pocono Raceway treated fans to intense racing action as the NASCAR Cup Series Gen 4 stock cars roared around the track in back-to-back 40-lap races. Jeff Ward started the first race on the pole, setting the stage for a night of thrilling battles.
In the initial race, Ward faced stiff competition from Brian Yaczik and Mike Rasimas in the early laps. However, Scott Eckrich made a remarkable charge from 14th to 5th, quickly asserting himself in the lead battle. By lap 13, Eckrich secured the second spot, eyeing Ward at the front. Despite Eckrich’s relentless pursuit, Ward showcased resilience and increased his pace to maintain a lead.
Colton Salek, a frequent winner in PGRL, made a late-race comeback, claiming a spot on the podium by overtaking Rasimas. Pit strategies played a crucial role as the field shuffled during pit cycles. A late caution added excitement, setting up a thrilling battle between Ward and Rasimas on the final lap. Ward held his ground, fending off Rasimas to secure the checkered flag in a dramatic finish.
The second race kicked off with Rooster Rodden on the pole, and early cautions mixed up pit strategies. Salek and Eckrich engaged in a fierce battle for the lead, with Eckrich eventually taking control. Pit strategies continued to evolve as drivers jockeyed for position under green flag conditions.
Ward reasserted himself in the lead with 15 laps to go but had to pit again for fuel, leaving the door open for drivers like Eckrich and Salek, who had enough fuel to reach the end. However, technical issues forced Eckrich to retire early, changing the complexion of the race.
Rasimas inherited the lead but needed one more fuel stop. Behind him, Chris Stofer battled Salek for the lead, ultimately making a decisive move with three laps to go. Matt Taylor capitalized on the leaders’ battles, securing the second position.
In a dramatic finish, Stofer held off Taylor’s late charge to take the checkered flag. Chrobok continued to lead in the point standings, holding a 362-point advantage over Ward.
After the holiday break, PGRL heads to Daytona International Speedway on January 9th, promising more exciting racing action. Happy holidays to all sim race fans from the Virtual Grip Network!
BRL LM S24R11 | Five Flags Speedway
18 December 2023
The final race of Season 24 was a thrilling event, with the top drivers of the season facing off against each other. The race started with Chris Davis and Kurt Smith taking the front-row positions. Davis was quick off the line, and Smith maneuvered from the top lane to the bottom to secure second place. The outside lane wasn’t working for anyone initially, so most drivers were forced to drive in single file, while some engaged in side-by-side racing, hoping to gain an advantage.
The first half of the race was particularly exciting, as Kenny Kibbey and J R Shepherd battled it out, moving their way up the positions on the track. By Lap 40, Kibbey and Shepherd had overtaken Smith for 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively, while Chris Davis held onto a 1.4-second lead. On Lap 64, Kibbey and Davis were neck and neck, with Shepherd and Smith closing in. Kibbey managed to complete the pass after an impressive battle with Davis. Shepherd then fought for 2nd place with Davis and managed to take it.
The top four drivers were now locked in a thrilling battle, with the rest of the field trailing about 2 seconds behind. On Lap 69, Shepherd dove down under Kibbey to take the lead, but Kurt Smith followed closely behind and also overtook Kibbey to take second place. On Lap 78, Jason Menda worked his way up to 3rd place, and there was an intense 3-car battle for the lead between Shepherd, Smith, and Menda. By Lap 81, Adam Schoen joined the fray, making it a four-car battle for first.
On Lap 83, Smith made a daring move and dove under Shepherd to take the lead, with Menda following suit. However, once Kurt Smith had taken the lead, there was no stopping him. He masterfully employed his driving skills and strategic prowess to create a 3-second lead over second place. A surprising turn of events occurred during the latter half of the race, where only 9 cars were on the lead lap at the end due to blown right front tires. Nevertheless, Kurt Smith emerged victorious, clinching the final race of the season. Jason Menda finished second, and Adam Schoen finished third, rounding out the podium.
Highlights
🏆 Kurt Smith wins the BRL Late Model Invitational Series Season 24 Round 11 race at Five Flags Speedway.
🚀 Jason Menda, Adam Schoen, and Darryl Wineinger were the biggest movers of the race, finishing in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, and all drivers had gained 13 spots from their starting positions.
🏁 Entering this race, the championships were pretty much decided, and Kenny Kibbey is your Season 24 Late Model Invitational Champion! Congrats to Kenny!
🌟 The race featured intense battles and impressive displays of skill from the drivers, with an interesting late-race tire twist that caused some drama and intense racing action.
A special shout out and thank you to Gargamel’s Kitchen for their support of BRL!
BRL OUTLAWS S33 R11 Recap
15 December 2023
Bootleg Racing League | Season 33 | Round 11
Outlaw Modified Series | Five Flags Speedway
The atmosphere was electric at Five Flags Speedway as the Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series reached its pinnacle in a gripping 100-lap showdown. Steve Hilbert, starting from the pole position alongside Chris Davis, initiated a thrilling battle in the opening laps. However, Hilbert’s hold on the lead was short-lived, conceding to Davis on lap 9, leading to a shuffle in the pack as competitors vied for advantageous positions.
As the race progressed, the front-runners emerged, with Kurt Smith narrowing the gap to Davis while Jason Menda applied pressure from third. The trio established a considerable lead over the rest of the field, intensifying the contest for the lead.
Drama struck on lap 48 as Menda and Smith made contact, causing a chain reaction that collected several drivers behind them, reshuffling the running order dramatically and setting the stage for a thrilling second half of the race.
Davis maintained his lead post-restart, closely pursued by Todd Liston and Stephen Spies. However, a quiet contender, Bruce Pearson, steadily ascended through the field. With 29 laps remaining, Pearson surged past Spies for third and subsequently overtook Liston for second on lap 86, setting his sights on Davis.
In a spectacular display of determination and skill, Pearson closed the gap to Davis with only 15 laps left. Engaging in a tense battle for supremacy, Pearson made a daring move on the inside, managing to surpass Davis after a series of intense exchanges.
Despite Davis’s valiant attempts to counter from the outside, Pearson’s sheer pace and determination prevailed. Taking the lead with three laps to go, Pearson defended his position staunchly, crossing the finish line triumphantly as the checkered flag waved.
The victory at the season 33 finale was a testament to Pearson’s skill and resolve, capping off an electrifying race at Five Flags Speedway.
Although Aiden Young faced adversity, finishing in 12th after an earlier incident, his consistent performance throughout the season secured him the championship title over Donny Moore.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming season, scheduled to commence on January 5th at Southern National Speedway, fans can expect more thrilling action broadcasted exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network at 8:55 PM ET. The Bootleg Racing League promises another exhilarating season of high-stakes racing and fierce competition.
PGRL S6 W13 Recap
12 December 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 13
Premier Series | North Wilkesboro Speedway
In an electrifying display of racing in the No Time for Cautions at North Wilkesboro, presented by Wrong Time Watch, on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, the Pretty Good Racing League (PGRL) delivered a high-octane event featuring back-to-back 85-lap races with the NASCAR Craftsman trucks.
The first race commenced with Scott Eckrich starting from the pole position alongside Jeff Ward. As the green flag signaled the start, Eckrich encountered trouble spinning his tires, allowing Ward to seize the lead in the opening laps. Despite Eckrich initially holding onto the 2nd spot, Michael Chrobok made a swift move to claim the position. Colton Salek showcased his racing prowess, gradually maneuvering through the field to battle Woody Mahan for 5th place.
Midway through the race, Eckrich struggled with the handling of his truck, ultimately facing a challenging situation that resulted in an over-rotation and hard contact with the wall, prematurely ending his race. Meanwhile, Ward established a commanding lead, stretching it to over six seconds ahead of Salek, who secured 2nd place in the final laps. Johnathon Caddell claimed the final podium spot after a fierce battle with Chrobok.
In the second race, the starting positions saw a complete inversion from the finishing order of the first race. Eckrich, having faced challenges in the initial race, found himself on the pole position this time. However, early chaos erupted when Salek maneuvered into a tight situation involving Chrobok and Caddell, leading to contact that sent Caddell and Chrobok spinning.
Salek continued his aggressive push through the field, aiming to reclaim lost ground, but misfortune struck again when he attempted a move on Mark Hertzog, resulting in contact that ended his night with a hard impact against the wall.
As the race progressed, Eckrich strategically opted for a pit stop for fresh tires, temporarily relinquishing the lead to Taylor, with Ward chasing closely in 2nd. Eckrich’s calculated strategy paid dividends as he fought his way back to the lead with 16 laps remaining, securing the victory in the second race.
Taylor impressively secured 2nd place, while Ward concluded the race in 3rd, showcasing remarkable consistency and competitive spirit throughout both races.
Despite the on-track battles and thrilling displays of racing prowess, Michael Chrobok continues to maintain a solid lead in the point standings, holding a 391-point advantage over Jeff Ward.
The PGRL next heads to Pocono Raceway for exhilarating duel 40-lap races on December 19th, promising more action-packed racing that will keep fans on the edge of their seats with the action going live at 8:50PM ET exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!
BRL LM S24R10 | Martinsville Speedway
11 December 2023
The 10th race of season 24 saw Todd Liston and Joseph Snyder battling it out in the first row to start out. Liston managed to take the lead after a lap of intense side-by-side racing. While the rest of the field settled into single-file racing, the drivers put up an impressive display of skill and speed. After 30 laps, the drivers resumed their side-by-side battles on lap 32, adding to the excitement of the race. The first caution of the night occurred on Lap 60, giving the field a chance to reset. The drivers put up a stunning display of driving for 60 green flag laps before racing resumed on Lap 65 with Shepherd and Liston in the front row. Shepherd got a great start, but a caution came out before the restart lap was completed.
Racing resumed on Lap 70 with Shepherd and Liston in the front row once again. Kibbey made a remarkable move to take the top line around Snyder and completed a rare outside pass at Martinsville for 3rd. Green racing resumed on Lap 82 with Shepherd and Liston in the front row.
Shepherd claimed his 3rd win of the season with a large 3-second lead over the points leader Kibbey in second and Liston in 3rd. The night’s big movers were Michael Goodman and Jeffery Hardin, who gained 13 spots each to finish 6th and 9th, respectively.
The final round of racing for the season will be held at Five Flags Speedway on Saturday, December 16th, at 8:55 pm ET. Make sure to mark your calendars and catch the high-speed action!
Highlights
🏆 J R Shepherd wins the BRL Late Model Invitational Series Season 24 Round 10 race at Martinsville Speedway.
🚀 Michael Goodman and Jeffery Hardin were the biggest movers of the race, finishing in 6th and 9th, both up 13 spots.
🏁 Barring a catastrophe and a bit of mathematics, Kenny Kibbey is on track to remain the points leader and win the Season 24 championship during the season finale next week December 16th.
🌟 The race featured intense battles and impressive displays of skill from the drivers with the longest green flag racing of the season.
Virtual Grip Network 