PGRL S6 W9 Recap
07 November 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 9
Premier Series | Talladega Superspeedway
In an action-packed night of racing, the Pretty Good Racing League (PGRL) ran back-to-back 40-lap races at Talladega Superspeedway for the Try Not to Go HardinTheWall Dega Duels, presented by HardinTheWall on Twitch. This event provided an evening of high drama and excitement for both drivers and fans.
The first race of the night began with Scott Eckrich starting from the pole position. The initial eight laps proceeded smoothly, with drivers making calculated moves to secure their positions. However, on the ninth lap, a major multi-car incident unfolded down the backstretch as drivers jockeyed for position, coming out of turn 2. Brian Yaczik received a challenging push, sending him into Eckrich on his inside, triggering a chain reaction that collected numerous other drivers.
Following the caution and a restack for the green flag, Marc Cohn displayed strategic prowess, maintaining his position near the front of the field. Cohn took the lead and held it as a late-race caution emerged with just three laps remaining. Since PGRL does not employ a Green-White-Checker finish rule, the caution marked the end of the first race. Cohn was leading the bottom line by a mere 0.025 seconds ahead of Michael Chrobok, who was positioned to his outside, making Cohn the race winner. A jubilant Cohn, upon speaking about his victory, exclaimed, “Oh my God. I can’t believe it, we won Talladega!” He shared his elation, emphasizing the strategic and strong run that led to this moment.
After a brief intermission, the field was inverted to determine the grid for the second race. This race, following the season’s pattern, proved to be more chaotic than the first, with early cautions complicating pit strategy for the drivers throughout the first half.
Following the final fuel stop, Ryan Zima, Michael Chrobok, and Jordan Harnish emerged as the frontrunners in a group by themselves, well ahead of the rest of the field. As the laps ticked down, it became apparent that they were in prime positions to vie for the win. However, a miscommunication between the leaders and lap traffic led to a sudden slowdown, enabling several other drivers to join the lead pack in the final laps.
Chrobok fought to maintain control of the lead as he emerged from the final corner, but Gael Brooks managed to get a nose ahead at the line, securing the checkered flag with a margin of just 0.000 seconds over Chrobok.
Chrobok continues to maintain a substantial lead in the point standings, with a 330-point advantage over Adam Jurski. As the season progresses, racing enthusiasts can look forward to Week 10, where PGRL will be taking on Michigan International Speedway on November 14th. Catch all the action live at 8:50 PM ET, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!
BRL S24R6 | Kern County Raceway Park
06 November 2023
Season 24 of BRL Gargamel’s Late Model Invitational has seen five rounds with five different winners: J R Shepherd, Kenny Kibbey, Aiden Young, Bryan Dehn, and Matt Hoose. Kibbey, has surrounded his first with additional top 5’s and placing him strongly in the season lead. Kern County Raceway Park had never hosted the BRL Late Models until tonight, and it provided some excellent racing.
Excitement was high during the inaugural bootleg racing league late model race at Kern County Raceway Park as Chris Davis and Bruce Pearson led the pack through the green. Davis had an impressive start and easily maintained his position, while Young attempted to compete for second place but was unable to overtake Pearson. However, a caution on Lap 4 slowed down the race and allowed the drivers to regroup.
After the race resumed, Davis once again started strong, forcing Young and Pearson to fight for second place. Young was finally able to secure second place from Pearson, with the inside line appearing to work better for the early part of the race. However, around Lap 18, the outside line started to work better as many drivers started to accumulate there, and the excitement level increased as drivers engaged in side-by-side racing.
There was a long green flag stretch of approximately 30 laps where Shepherd moved from 20th to 6th place when a caution was thrown causing the racers to regroup. On Lap 82, the green flag was waved once more with Kibbey and Davis again leading the pack, with only 19 laps to go. Kibbey started strong, but Davis was quick to jump down to the bottom line while Young, Shepherd and Dehn fiercely fought for 3rd place. Finally, Shepherd was able to take 3rd place from Young on lap 88, adding to the excitement of the race. Apart from that, the field was mostly single file.
Davis challenged Kibbey on Lap 97 in a thrilling side-by-side and back-and-forth racing until lap 98 where Davis grabbed the lead and kept it for the final two laps, clinching the win and becoming the 6th winner in 6 races for the 24th season of the BRL late model invitational. J R Shepherd finished second and Kenny Kibbey finished 3rd.
BRL fans should be sure to continue following their favorite racers and the exciting racing action of the Gargamel’s Late Model Invitational Season 24 Round 7 on next Saturday November 11th at 8:55pm ET where we will be at South Boston Speedway. Will we get 7 winners in 7 races? Or will we have the first repeat winner of the season. Be sure to tune in next Saturday!
Highlights
🏆 Chris Davis wins the BRL Late Model Invitational Series Season 24 race at Kern County Raceway.
🚀 J R Shepard makes an incredible comeback, finishing in second place after starting from 20th.
🏁 Kenny Kibbey secures a third-place finish and maintains his lead in the championship standings.
🌟 The race featured intense battles and impressive displays of skill from the drivers.
BRL OUTLAWS S33 R6 Recap
03 November 2023
Bootleg Racing League | Season 33 | Round 6
Outlaw Modified Series | Kern County Raceway
In a much-anticipated return to Friday nights, the renowned J R Shepherd of Different Path Motorsports secured the checkered flag in the Bootleg Racing League Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series at Kern County Raceway. Shepherd’s return to Friday nights followed a series of no-shows from track rival James Tiernan, and Shepherd’s remarkable performance was celebrated by the racing community.
The race commenced with Lowell Jewell in the pole position, while J R Shepherd started from the 16th spot. The evening’s racing was marked by chaos and frustration for many drivers as the field struggled to maintain a prolonged green flag run, with frequent incidents causing the action to unfold in short bursts, spanning just three or four laps at a time. Shepherd, a seasoned expert, navigated through the mayhem without incident, working his way toward the front.
As the race transitioned into its second half, Shepherd found himself in a fierce battle for the lead with Matt Hoose. Unfortunately, this battle ended with Hoose getting loose and making heavy contact with the inside wall, allowing Aiden Young to claim the second position. The lead exchanged hands multiple times between Shepherd and Young in the midst of several restarts. In the end, it was Shepherd who managed to maintain his position, crossing the finish line to secure the win.
Aiden Young continues to maintain a strong hold on the points lead, sitting 23 points ahead of Jeffery Hardin. Racing enthusiasts can look forward to the next round, scheduled for November 10th at South Boston Speedway. Tune in for the live action, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network at 8:55 PM ET!
BRL Late Model S24R5 | Bullring at Las Vegas
29 October 2023
The excitement was palpable at the Bullring in Vegas as the drivers revved up their engines for S24R5. The field was led by Matt Hoose and Mike Allen, but their hopes for a clean start were immediately dashed when a spin occurred in turn 1, forcing a restart. The race resumed on Lap 7, with the drivers eager to make up for lost time. Lap 18 saw a caution and green flag, and as the drivers raced towards turn 1, Mike Allen got sideways, causing a moment of panic for the rest of the field. However, Allen was able to save the car in an impressive display of driving skills and all other drivers avoided him, leading to some exciting and intense bunched-up racing off the restart.
A second caution occurred on Lap 23, adding to the already nerve-wracking atmosphere. But the drivers were determined to push on, knowing that every lap was crucial. On Lap 29, with Matt Hoose still leading all laps in first and Bryan Dehn in the front row, the race went green again. A caution on Lap 54, with a little under halfway remaining, reracked the field, but Hoose still held his first position.
J R Shepherd moved up to second and was on the front row with Hoose as the field went green on Lap 60. Hoose and Shepherd engaged in some back-and-forth cross-over battles, each driver diving under the other for a couple of laps, which was a thrilling display of skill and determination. Kenny Kibbey, meanwhile, crept up to put 1-3 positions under a blanket. On Lap 71, Kibbey was in second and putting some serious pressure on Hoose, who had led all laps in the race so far. But Hoose refused to give up his lead, determined to claim his first victory of Season 24 Round 5. In the end, Hoose dominated the entire race, leading all 100 laps and taking home the win.
Kenny Kibbey, the season points leader, took second place, with Kurt Smith claiming third and the last podium spot. It was an exciting race from start to finish, and fans were left in awe of the drivers’ skill and courage.
Don’t miss out on the action! Join us on Virtual Grip Network on Saturday, November 4th, at 8:55 pm ET for Round 6 of Season 24 racing at Kern County Raceway, a new track for the BRL. This promises to be another thrilling event that you won’t want to miss.
BRL OUTLAWS S33 R5 Recap
27 October 2023
Bootleg Racing League | Season 33 | Round 5
Outlaw Modified Series | The Bullring at Las Vegas
In a thrilling night of racing at The Bullring in Las Vegas, Aiden Young of Gambler Motorsports secured his third consecutive win in the Bootleg Racing League Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series. The race was nothing short of chaotic, featuring frequent caution flags throughout the 100-lap event. With ten caution periods, the event delivered a series of short, action-packed green flag runs, with drivers displaying heightened aggression as they battled for position, pushing their cars to the limit before the next caution.
The race began with Kurt Smith in the pole position, while Aiden Young started from the 12th spot. Early in the race, it was Chris Davis of Team CDR who took the lead and controlled the field, with Todd Liston applying constant pressure from second place. However, the first half of the race was marked by multiple drivers falling victim to bad luck, getting caught up in multi-car incidents as they fought for position.
As the race transitioned into its second half, Aiden Young began making calculated moves and leveraging the frequent restarts to advance through the field. With 30 laps remaining, Young was closely following Davis, the race leader. On lap 72, Young made a decisive move, diving to the inside of Davis in turn 3 and successfully securing the lead. From that point onward, Young proved untouchable, leading the remaining laps and crossing the finish line to claim the checkered flag. Donny Moore made a late-race surge, capturing second place from Davis in the final moments.
Aiden Young’s incredible performance extended his lead in the point standings, with a 13-point advantage over Jeffery Hardin. Racing fans can look forward to the next round scheduled for November 3rd at Kern County Raceway, marking the first time the Bootleg Racing League has raced at this venue. Don’t miss the action, going live at 8:55 PM ET exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!
PGRL S6 W8 Recap
24 October 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 8
Premier Series | Watkins Glen Int’l
In the exciting double-header event titled “No Time for Bus Stops,” presented by Wrong Time Watch, the Pretty Good Racing League took on Watkins Glen in two intense 20-lap races. The first race kicked off with Scott Eckrich in the pole position and Matt Taylor alongside him on the front row. Eckrich made full use of his advantageous starting position, pulling ahead of the rest of the field early on with a dominant performance. As the race entered its second half, Eckrich was the first driver to opt for a pit stop to refuel, successfully holding off undercut attempts by his competitors. With his outstanding pace, Eckrich secured the lead unchallenged and crossed the finish line in first place. Colton Salek and Matt Taylor followed, finishing in second and third place, respectively.
For the second race, the entire field was inverted, giving Thomas George the chance to lead the pack to the green flag. However, George lost the lead to another driver early in the race. Salek, who had experienced misfortune in the previous race, was on a mission to make a comeback. He rapidly climbed the ranks and soon found himself in the top five. Meanwhile, some of the front-runners from the first race encountered incidents, including Eckrich and Jeff Ward.
On lap 7, Salek and Ryan Zima fought for the lead, with Zima ultimately coming out on top. In a surprising turn of events, Marc Cohn entered the battle for the lead, attempting to pass Salek multiple times but ultimately securing the third position. As the race progressed into its second half, after completing their pit stops, Salek took the lead ahead of Zima.
Zima remained hot on Salek’s heels, keeping the pressure high and taking advantage of a rare mistake from Salek with five laps to go, reclaiming the lead. Zima managed to pull away from Salek in the final laps, crossing the finish line as the winner.
Michael Chrobok, despite a relatively quiet night on the track, maintained his lead in the point standings, with a comfortable 236-point lead over Brian Yaczik.
The next round of the Pretty Good Racing League is scheduled for November 7th at Talladega Superspeedway for the “Try Not to Go HardInTheWall Dega Duels.” Don’t miss the action, going live at 8:50 PM ET exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!
BRL Late Model Invitational Series | S24 R4 | Concord Speedway
22 September 2023
Round 4 of the BRL Late Model Invitational Series Season 24 took place at Concord Speedway. J R Shepherd was the dominant driver, leading all 100 laps and claiming the victory. Steven Spies finished in second place, while Austin Boelke fought hard to finish in third.
The race began with Stephen Spies and J R Shepherd starting in the front row. Spies had a good start and took the lead, but Shepherd quickly gained momentum and passed Spies in the first lap. The rest of the field had intense side-by-side racing, maneuvering through the tricky track. The race continued without any cautions until Lap 23 when a big wreck involving a good number of drivers occurred. The green flag racing resumed on Lap 28, with Shepherd and Spies back at the front row. Shortly after the restart, a spin on the front stretch on Lap 29 brought out a caution. The green flag racing resumed on Lap 35, with Shepherd and Spies still dominating at the front row. The race saw multiple cautions after that, on Laps 46, 58, 65, 85, 87, and 91. However, Shepherd maintained his lead throughout the race, leading all 100 laps to claim victory. Spies finished in second place, while Boelke fought hard to grab the final podium spot of third on Lap 56.
The race at Concord Speedway provided a lot of great racing, mostly with green flag racing for the first half of the race, and then with multiple cautions in the latter half. Nonetheless, the cautions provided some fortunate tire-cooling instances for drivers.
Fans can keep following the BRL Late Model action by tuning in to the next race at the Bullring in Las Vegas on Saturday, October 26th, at 8:55pm ET, presented by Gargamel’s Kitchen, and only on the Virtual Grip Network.
BRL OUTLAWS S33 R4 Recap
20 October 2023
Bootleg Racing League | Season 33 | Round 4
Outlaw Modified Series | Concord Speedway
Aiden Young of Gambler Motorsports delivered a thrilling performance tonight at Concord Speedway, claiming his second win of the season in the Bootleg Racing League Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series. Young, who started the race from the 11th position, showcased an impressive display of skill and determination.
The race began with Lowell Jewell on the pole, but it was Matt Hoose, starting on the outside of the front row, who made a bold move to seize the lead. Hoose’s aggressive start allowed him to outpace Jewell and take control of the field. During the first half of the race, Hoose continued to lead without encountering any serious challenges.
However, Aiden Young was making his way through the field further back. On lap 47, he successfully overtook Jewell to secure the second position. Young steadily closed the gap to Hoose, reaching his rear bumper by lap 51. In a daring move through turn 3, Young executed an aggressive inside pass, swiftly clearing Hoose to take the lead.
Although Hoose stayed in close pursuit and made several attempts to reclaim the lead, he was unable to execute a pass before Young surged across the finish line to claim the checkered flag.
With this remarkable victory, Aiden Young has now taken the lead in the point standings, holding a 6-point advantage over Jeffery Hardin, who secured fourth place in tonight’s race.
The Bootleg Racing League promises more intense action on October 27th, as the series heads to The Bullring at Las Vegas. Catch all the excitement, live at 8:55 PM ET, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!
PGRL S6 W7 Recap
17 October 2023
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 7
Premier Series | Bristol Motor Speedway
The Pretty Good Racing League delivered two action-packed 100-lap races under the lights at Bristol Motor Speedway, featuring the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks. It was a night filled with intense competition, frequent cautions, and gripping battles for position.
In the first race, Scott Eckrich started from the pole, with Jeff Ward alongside him on the front row. However, the drivers faced challenging loose conditions that prevented them from enjoying long green flag runs and finding a rhythm. Most of the cautions were triggered by drivers spinning their rear tires while navigating the corners.
Eckrich skillfully utilized the short runs and restarts to maintain his grip on the lead for the entire 100-lap race, ultimately taking the checkered flag. Meanwhile, the battle for second place was fiercely contested, with Michael Chrobok eager to claim the position from Ricky Hardin. Chrobok was able to execute the pass before a late caution brought an end to the race, allowing Eckrich to secure his win under yellow flag conditions.
In the second race, a full field invert placed Brian Greenlee on the pole. Colton Salek, who had opted to sit out the first race, made good use of the invert to secure a more favorable starting spot for the second race. Salek wasted no time, taking the lead from Greenlee within the first 20 laps and maintaining his position at the front for the remainder of the race.
However, like the first race, the second race was also marked by frequent cautions that disrupted the flow of the competition. Each restart saw familiar names aggressively charging through the field, and it was Brian Yaczik who emerged as the leader in the second half of the race. The short runs forced drivers to make increasingly aggressive moves to gain positions quickly before the next caution.
Yaczik held onto the lead, securing his victory under yellow flag conditions. The battle for second place heated up towards the end, with Salek fending off Ryan Zima for the position, which he managed to do thanks to another late-race caution.
As the championship chase continues, Michael Chrobok is the current points leader, boasting a 194-point lead over Yaczik. The next thrilling round is set for October 24th at Watkins Glen International, featuring the NASCAR Gen 4 stock cars. Don’t miss the live action at 8:50 PM ET, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network.
BRL Late Model Invitational Series | S24 R3 | Southern National Speedway
14 October 2023
The third round of Season 24 of the Gargamel’s Kitchen Late Model Invitational began with a lot of excitement as Stephen Spies and Tre Blohm led the field to green. However, the start of the race was marred by a caution due to a missed gear, which led to the race going under early caution.
When the race resumed on Lap 7, Spies and Blohm were still in the front row, and Spies had an excellent restart, allowing him to maintain his lead. Austin Boelke and Joe Segalla were in a heated battle for third place, racing side by side for a few laps until Boelke was able to make the pass on Lap 10, taking the position.
After that, the racers started driving in a single file until Lap 13 when battles began again throughout the field. The battles intensified on Lap 27, and there was a lot of side-by-side racing throughout the field. Unfortunately, the intense racing led to another caution on Lap 28.
The green flag was back out on Lap 33 with Spies still in the lead, having led all laps so far. Boelke was slowly putting pressure on Spies by Lap 40, and by the time the caution came out on Lap 51, Boelke was in second place. Kenny Kibbey was able to take the lead on Lap 65, ending Spies’ impressive 65-lap lead. Boelke followed into second place, and another caution was caused on Lap 66.
On Lap 71, Kibbey and Boelke led the pack with 29 laps to go. Another caution was caused on Lap 73, and the green flag resumed on Lap 78. The excitement continued until the last-minute caution that came out on Lap 97, setting up a Green-White-Checker scenario. Kibbey and Boelke started at the front, with Kibbey clearing in front of Boelke for the lead to the white flag, and side-by-side racing all the way back.
Kibbey, who started 11th, gained his first win of Season 24 Round 3, becoming the third winner in as many races this season. Boelke finished in second place, with Chris Davis in third place for the final podium spot.
Be sure to watch more thrilling racing from BRL, host of the Gargamel’s Kitchen Late Model Invitational. The next race of Season 24 Round 4 will take place at Concord Speedway on VGN on Saturday, October 21st at 8:55 pm ET.
Virtual Grip Network 