ABL S36 W3 Recap
31 March 2024
Absolute Beginners League | Season 36 | Week 3
FIA F4 Series Formula Neagle | Sebring Int’l Raceway
In a high-octane showcase of skill and strategy, the Absolute Beginners League (ABL) delivered a thrilling 40-minute endurance race at Sebring International Raceway on Sunday, March 31st. The event, featuring the FIA F4 Formula Neagle, saw seasoned competitors battle it out on the challenging circuit, with Marcus Byfeldt emerging as the dominant force.
From the outset, Byfeldt asserted his dominance by starting the race from pole position. However, Christian Hengst, positioned alongside Byfeldt on the front row, wasted no time in challenging for the lead. In a series of gripping exchanges, Hengst briefly seized the top spot before Byfeldt swiftly reclaimed his position at the front of the pack.
Throughout the race, the field witnessed intense battles for position, with drivers navigating the twists and turns of the Sebring circuit in a bid for supremacy. Michael Haflidason, running in 3rd place, faced relentless pressure from competitors behind him, engaging in a fierce battle for 4th place that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Despite the competitive field, Byfeldt demonstrated exceptional pace and consistency, maintaining his lead and effectively managing lap traffic. As strategic pit stops came into play around the halfway mark, Haflidason opted for an early pit stop to gain a potential advantage.
Byfeldt’s decisive pit strategy paid dividends, as he made a flawless pit stop with roughly 12 minutes remaining in the race. Meanwhile, Hengst chose to stay out for an additional lap before making his stop, allowing Byfeldt to regain the lead after the pit sequence and extend his advantage over his rivals.
With the checkered flag in sight, Byfeldt continued to set blistering lap times, maintaining a comfortable lead over Hengst. In a display of skill and composure, Byfeldt crossed the finish line to claim a commanding victory, further solidifying his position as a formidable competitor in the ABL.
The podium was rounded out by Christian Hengst, who delivered a strong performance to secure 2nd place, and Michael Haflidason, who secured a podium finish and moved up in the championship standings.
With his victory at Sebring, Marcus Byfeldt extended his lead in the championship standings, now holding a 22-point advantage over his nearest rival, Michael Haflidason. As the ABL continues its racing action, fans can anticipate more thrilling battles and strategic showdowns in the races to come.
The next event on the ABL calendar will take place at Road America in the GT3 Series Andy Morgan Cup on Sunday, April 7th. Racing enthusiasts can catch all the action live on the Virtual Grip Network at 1:55 PM ET as the ABL’s Season 36 championship continues to unfold.
ABL S36 R2 Recap
24 March 2024
Absolute Beginners League | Season 36 | Round 2
GT3 Series Andy Morgan Cup | Autódromo José Carlos Pace
On Sunday, March 24th, the Autódromo José Carlos Pace witnessed an exhilarating display of skill and speed as the Absolute Beginners League took to the track for back-to-back 20-minute races featuring GT3 cars. Marcus Byfeldt, representing StreetTrends Simracing, led the charge from the pole position, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown.
In the early stages of the first race, Byfeldt quickly asserted his dominance, leaving the rest of the field in his dust. Behind him, Josh Brain valiantly defended second place from relentless attacks by Wojtek Potoczek and David Burns. After a series of intense battles, Potoczek emerged victorious, swiftly snatching second place from Brain and setting his sights on Byfeldt.
By the halfway mark, Byfeldt had built a substantial lead of nearly three seconds, while Brain and Burns continued to trade blows in their fight for the final podium spot. Despite their best efforts, Potoczek could do little to slow Byfeldt’s relentless pace, as the latter crossed the finish line just shy of six seconds ahead of the pack.
As the field regrouped for the second race, with the top five finishers inverted, Potoczek found himself on pole position. However, Byfeldt wasted no time in making his presence felt, quickly climbing into the top five and setting his sights on Neil Bamber in fourth.
At the front, Potoczek surged ahead, building a commanding lead over Ludwig Sauer in second. Byfeldt and Burns relentlessly chipped away at the gap to Potoczek, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.
In the closing laps, Potoczek expertly defended his position, holding off the advances of Burns and Byfeldt to secure victory in the second race of the evening.
With the dust settling at Autódromo José Carlos Pace, anticipation mounts for the next installment of the Absolute Beginners League, as drivers gear up to tackle the FIA F4 Series in the Formula Neagle at Sebring International Speedway. Don’t miss a moment of the action, streaming live on the Virtual Grip Network next Sunday, March 31st, at 2:00 PM ET!
BRL Late Model Invitational S26R01 | Southern National Speedway
The BRL Late Model Invitational has kicked off a new season with thrilling racing at Southern National Speedway! The race began with Kurt Smith and Mike Holloway leading the field. Smith had a strong start, with Holloway swiftly moving to the inside to secure second place and avoid losing positions on the outside. Meanwhile, John Wilson and Jeffery Hardin were locked in a side-by-side battle for third. After five laps, the top five drivers settled into single file, with much of the field following suit. Holloway made a move on lap 6, overtaking Smith and claiming the lead on lap 7. Throughout the race, it was challenging to pass on the inside line, as cars struggled to maintain momentum and stability compared to those on the high side. The drivers impressively completed 68 green flag laps before the first caution. When racing resumed on lap 73, Holloway and Smith led the pack, with Hardin seizing the opportunity to pass Smith on the inside. However, a caution on lap 77 interrupted their battle, with Smith in second place when the caution flag was raised. After the restart on lap 81, another caution quickly followed on lap 82. Racing resumed on lap 87, with Holloway and Hardin at the front. Smith managed to hold his position on the inside, engaging in a battle with Hardin for second place. Behind them, Mike Goodman and Adam Schoen were fighting for third. With 10 laps to go, Smith secured second place, leaving Hardin in third. As the white flag waved, Holloway and Smith surged ahead, with Holloway widening the gap to claim the first victory of Season 26. Kurt Smith finished in second place, with Jeffery Hardin in third. BRL will take a break for Easter, and the racing action will resume on April 6th at 8:55pm EDT at Martinsville Speedway.Highlights
🏆 Mike Holloway wins the BRL Late Model Invitational Series Season 26 Round 01 race at Southern National Speedway.
🚀 Jeffrey Kemper was the biggest mover of the race, finishing in 12, up 7 spots.
🏁 Mike Holloway begins Season 26 first in points and led a convincing 95 laps to start the season out
🌟 The race featured intense battles and impressive displays of skill from the drivers.
*photo credit = Mike Goodman
BRL OUTLAWS S35 R1 Recap
22 March 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 35 | Round 1
Outlaw Modified Series | Southern National Speedway
On Friday night, the Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series hosted a thrilling 100-lap feature event, with Todd Liston leading the field to the green flag from the pole. Bruce Pearson secured the second position, as the leaders quickly broke away from the pack, which was embroiled in intense side-by-side battles.
Throughout the race, the close-quarters racing led to multiple caution periods, but Liston managed to maintain his lead during the opening stages. Pearson briefly lost the second position to Stephen Spies after one restart, but he managed to regain his position before Brennen Myers could capitalize. Despite Myers’ relentless attempts to overtake Pearson, he lost momentum and eventually fell victim to Matt Hoose, who moved into third place.
As the laps progressed, Hoose successfully made his way past Pearson to claim third, and a subsequent caution brought him back within striking distance of the leaders. When racing resumed, Hoose made a bold move to the inside of Spies, securing the second position. However, his fortunes took a turn for the worse approaching the halfway mark, as he lost traction and slid into the inside wall, relegating him to the rear of the field.
Liston continued to dominate the race until tragedy struck with just 17 laps remaining, as he lost control of his car, relinquishing the lead to Jason Menda. Menda capitalized on the opportunity, pulling away from the pursuing pack and ultimately crossing the finish line to claim victory.
The thrilling race showcased the skill and determination of the competitors, as they battled for position on the challenging track. Following a brief hiatus for the Easter holiday, the Bootleg Racing League will return for round 2 at Martinsville Speedway on April 5th. Fans can catch all the action live at 8:55 PM ET, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!
PGRL S6 W24 Recap
19 March 2024
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 24
Premier Series | Richmond Raceway
On Tuesday, March 19th, the Pretty Good Racing League concluded its pre-chase season with two exhilarating 80-lap races at Richmond Raceway, aptly named the “No Time For Cautions at Richmond Raceway” presented by Wrong Time Watch. The unique twist of the races staying under green regardless of on-track incidents added an extra layer of excitement to the competition.
Race 1 saw Matt Press securing pole position, with Michael Chrobok alongside him on the front row as the green flag waved. Press and Chrobok quickly established themselves at the front of the pack, building a considerable lead over the pursuing field. Meanwhile, Jeff Ward engaged in a fierce battle with Woody Mahan for the third position, while Scott Eckrich made impressive progress through the field from a deep starting position.
As the laps unfolded, Chrobok intensified his pursuit of Press, ultimately executing a daring move to seize the lead. However, Ward and Eckrich were hot on their heels, closing in rapidly. The pit cycle commenced just before the halfway mark, with Chrobok and Ward engaged in a strategic battle for track position. Despite a valiant effort from Ward, Chrobok managed to retain his lead, but with Ward relentlessly closing the gap.
With 18 laps remaining, Ward made a decisive move to overtake Chrobok, ultimately claiming victory in an impressive display of skill and determination.
For race 2, the finishing order from the first race was inverted, placing Kyle Hosely on the pole. However, it was Eckrich who quickly asserted his dominance, swiftly taking control of the race lead in the opening laps. Ward, eager to challenge Eckrich once again, swiftly navigated through the field, ultimately securing second place just before the halfway point.
Despite Ward’s efforts to close the gap, Eckrich maintained a commanding lead throughout the race, running unchallenged and ultimately clinching victory in dominant fashion. Ward attempted to utilize strategic pit stops to bridge the distance, but Eckrich’s superior pace proved insurmountable.
With the conclusion of the pre-chase season, drivers now prepare to enter the championship chase, commencing on April 2nd at Kansas Speedway. Fans can expect more thrilling action as the championship battle heats up, with live coverage exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network at 8:50 PM ET!
ABL S36 R1 Recap
17 March 2024
Absolute Beginners League | Season 36 | Round 1
FIA F4 Series Formula Neagle | Red Bull Ring
The Absolute Beginners League kicked off its highly anticipated Season 36 with a thrilling opening round at the Red Bull Ring, featuring back-to-back 20-minute races in the FIA F4 Series Formula Neagle. Philipp Hammer, representing Impulse Racing, secured pole position for the first race, setting the stage for an action-packed evening of racing.
As the lights went out, Hammer wasted no time asserting his dominance, quickly pulling away with the lead. Behind him, a fierce battle ensued for the remaining podium positions, with Erik Blixt facing relentless pressure in his defense of second place from contenders Michael Haflidason, Marcus Byfeldt, Eero Nõmm, and Wojtek Potoczek.
Haflidason successfully maneuvered past Blixt to claim second position, but Hammer had already established a significant lead, leaving the rest of the field in his wake. Meanwhile, the battle for second intensified, with positions constantly changing as drivers jostled for position.
By the halfway mark, Byfeldt managed to secure second place from Haflidason, gradually closing the gap between himself and Hammer. As the race entered its final lap, Byfeldt launched a fierce challenge for the lead, closing in on Hammer and attempting to snatch victory. However, Hammer maintained his composure and successfully defended his position, crossing the finish line to claim a well-deserved victory after leading every lap of the race.
With the top five finishers inverted for the second race, Eero Nõmm found himself starting from pole position, eager to capitalize on his advantageous position. However, Haflidason wasted no time in seizing the lead, with Nõmm hot on his heels.
The battle for the lead intensified in the opening laps, reaching its climax when contact between Haflidason and Nõmm resulted in both drivers going off-track, collecting Blixt in the chaos. While Haflidason managed to recover and continue, Nõmm’s race came to an untimely end due to the damage sustained in the incident.
With the collision gifting Hammer the lead once again, Byfeldt seized the opportunity to challenge him for the top spot. In a nail-biting finale, Byfeldt made a decisive move on the final lap, overtaking Hammer in the closing corners to clinch victory in a dramatic fashion.
The ABL’s next event promises to deliver further excitement, as the GT3 Series Andy Morgan Cup heads to Autódromo José Carlos Pace on Sunday, March 24th. Don’t miss the action, streaming live exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network at 2:50 PM ET!
BRL Late Model Invitational S25R11 | Five Flags Speedway
The final round of Season 25 at Five Flags Speedway was led by Todd Liston and John Heyn. The drivers started well at the drop of the flag and were side by side into turn 1 before settling down into line, while many drivers behind them did the same before more side-by-side racing back in 12th between Ruben Altice and Jason Menda. On Lap 5, Tre Blohm made a move on the inside of John Heyn for second, but a wreck occurred behind them to bring out the first caution of the race. Racing resumed on Lap 11 with Liston and Blohm up front. Liston made a great jump and pulled away from the pack, and Blohm was able to get down to the inside, but another caution came out to disrupt the racing action.
Racing resumed on Lap 17, with Liston and Blohm still leading the pack. Liston restarted well, and Heyn behind him took the second position from Blohm. The inside line kept rolling by those stuck on the outside line. On Lap 20, Adam Schoen was able to get inside of John Heyn for second, and then Matt Hoose followed suit to fight for the third position. By Lap 33, the whole field was pretty much single file, possibly doing a bit of tire saving for the moment and waiting for opportunities to pass.
A caution on lap 37 was followed by a green flag on Lap 42 with Liston and Schoen on the front row. On lap 46, Schoen got a nose to the inside of Liston to fight for the lead, and they battled side by side for a couple of laps until the pass was completed on Lap 49. But then Liston did the ol’ over and under and got back to the inside of Schoen and claimed the lead again on Lap 51. Now, J R Shepherd was in third and starting to reel in the leaders.
A caution on Lap 59 was followed by a green flag on lap 65 with Liston and Schoen up front. Schoen slammed the door on Shepherd to come down to the inside for 2nd in front of Shepherd in 3rd. Another caution on lap 66 was followed by a restart on Lap 72 with Liston and Schoen again, but Schoen almost jumped the start, having to slow down, which allowed Shepherd to jump to 2nd and leaving Schoen in that difficult outside line. Shepherd got to the inside of Liston on Lap 75 and claimed the lead on lap 76 from Liston.
Matt Hoose, in 3rd, was starting to put pressure on Liston, battling for second. Jason Menda made a pass on Hoose on Lap 80 for 3rd. A caution on Lap 85 was followed by a green flag on Lap 90 with Shepherd and Liston on the front row. Shepherd got a great start, and Menda stayed to the inside of Liston to fight for second. Behind them, Hoose and Schoen had a side-by-side battle for 4th. On Lap 92, Mike Holloway accomplished his 10,000th lap in BRL, making him 6th all-time!
As the remaining laps went on, J R Shepherd claimed the 8th victory of the season and his 18th BRL Late Model Championship. Jason Menda brought home 2nd, and Matt Hoose took 3rd. Season 25 is in the books, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more racing action! Come back for the start of Season 26 Round 1 at Southern National Speedway on Saturday, March 23rd, at 8:55 pm EDT!
Highlights
🏆 J R Shepherd wins the BRL Late Model Invitational Series Season Round 25 race at 11.
🚀 Jason Menda was the biggest mover of the race, finishing in 2nd after starting 19th, up 17 spots.
🏁 J R Shepherd is the Season 25 Champion, his 18th championship. Congrats J R!
🌟 The race featured 3 leaders with 3 lead changes. Todd Liston led the most laps at 71, followed by J R Shepherd with 26 and Adam Schoen with 3 laps.
*Photo credit: Mike Goodman
BRL OUTLAWS S34 R11 Recap
15 March 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 34 | Round 11
Outlaw Modified Series | Five Flags Speedway
On Friday, March 15th, the Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series, presented by the Skitter Creek Motorsports Group, reached its thrilling conclusion with a 100-lap season finale. The stage was set with Matt Hoose on the pole position, ready to lead the field to the green flag.
From the outset, Hoose showcased his prowess, holding the lead in the opening laps amidst pressure from Jason Menda and Aiden Young in second and third, respectively. The SK modifieds, running practically full throttle around the track, made passing a challenging feat, leading drivers to fiercely defend their positions along the inside line.
Intermittent cautions peppered the race as drivers attempted aggressive moves to secure the inside line, resulting in sporadic contact throughout the night. However, each restart provided brief opportunities for drivers to gain ground before the field settled into single-file formation once again.
Thirty laps into the race, Menda capitalized on a restart to snatch the lead from Hoose. Despite Young’s attempts to capitalize on the opening, another quick caution allowed Hoose to maintain his grip on the second position. Menda asserted his dominance in the lead as the race entered its second half, with Donny Moore climbing up to challenge for second.
As the laps dwindled, Moore searched for an opening to overtake Menda, but the latter staunchly defended his position, fending off Moore’s advances. Behind them, a fierce battle for third unfolded briefly between Hoose, Young, and John Wilson, ultimately resolved with Hoose maintaining his position amidst lap traffic.
With the white flag signaling the final lap, Menda maintained his composure and held off Moore’s relentless pursuit to cross the finish line and claim the checkered flag.
While Menda celebrated his victory, Todd Liston emerged as the season champion, despite a relatively quiet race.
The excitement doesn’t end here, as the next season of the Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series kicks off on Friday, March 22nd. Don’t miss the action, streaming live at 8:55 PM ET exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!
PGRL S6 W23 Recap
12 March 2024
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 23
Premier Series | Martinsville Speedway
On Tuesday, March 12th, the Pretty Good Racing League revved up the excitement with back-to-back 100-lap races featuring the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks at Martinsville Speedway. Dubbed the “No Time For Cautions at Martinsville” and presented by Wrong Time Watch, this unique event promised non-stop action on the track.
The green flag dropped for the first race with Matt Taylor leading the charge from the pole position. Taylor showcased impressive speed early on, pulling away from the pack as Scott Eckrich settled into second place. The field quickly fell into single file, with drivers jockeying for position in the opening laps.
However, Eckrich and Mike Rasimas soon closed in on Taylor, setting the stage for an intense battle at the front. On lap 39, Taylor’s grip slipped in turn 1, allowing Eckrich and Rasimas to make their move and seize control of the race. The majority of drivers opted to pit around the halfway mark, shuffling the running order.
As the pit cycle concluded, Matt Press briefly took the lead before Eckrich reclaimed the top spot with Rasimas hot on his heels. Eckrich surged ahead, building a comfortable lead and ultimately securing the victory in the first race of the night.
With the field inverted for the second race, Brian Yaczik led the charge from the pole position. As expected, the chaotic nature of the race intensified, with faster drivers navigating through traffic to reclaim their positions at the front.
Meanwhile, Taylor adopted a strategic approach, focusing on fuel conservation from the outset. Despite fierce competition, Taylor maintained a steady pace to stretch out his fuel window to incredible lengths.
Thomas George briefly took the lead from Yaczik before heading to pit road, allowing Yaczik to regain the top spot. Eckrich, in pursuit of another victory, battled through traffic to challenge for the lead.
As the laps dwindled, Taylor’s calculated strategy paid off, allowing him to take the lead after the pit cycle over Eckrich and cross the finish line victorious, securing a remarkable win at Martinsville.
In the championship standings, Michael Chrobok continued to dominate, maintaining a significant lead over Jeff Ward. As anticipation builds for the upcoming championship chase, the action shifts to the final pre-chase weekend at Richmond Raceway on Tuesday, March 19th, promising another thrilling showdown exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!
BRL OUTLAWS S34 R10 Recap
08 March 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 34 | Round 10
Outlaw Modified Series | Lanier National Speedway
The Bootleg Racing League’s Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series, presented by the Skitter Creek Motorsports Group, delivered an intense 100-lap feature at the virtual track. Tom Hilbert led the pack from the pole position, with Chris Davis hot on his heels from the start.
Davis wasted no time in asserting his dominance, swiftly maneuvering past Hilbert to claim the lead by lap 4. However, the race took a dramatic turn just 10 laps in when an incident in turn 4 caused chaos, ensnaring many frontrunners and reshuffling the field.
Despite the disruption, Davis emerged unscathed and resumed his position at the front of the pack as racing resumed on lap 16. With Donny Moore and Bruce Pearson in hot pursuit, Davis faced mounting pressure from behind.
As the laps dwindled, Moore made a bold move to challenge Davis for the lead, but contact between the two allowed Jason Menda to capitalize, surging into contention. Davis, determined to maintain his position, faced relentless pressure from the pack behind him, with frustrations running high.
The battle for supremacy intensified as Moore once again closed in on Davis, eager to snatch the lead. However, a contentious maneuver by Davis resulted in a collision, scattering the field and further fueling the tension on track.
Despite the tumultuous final laps, Davis held his ground, crossing the finish line under caution after a series of late-race incidents. Todd Liston emerged as the unofficial season champion, holding a commanding lead in the standings heading into the final round at Five Flags Speedway.
The stage is set for an exhilarating season finale on March 15th, promising more adrenaline-fueled action and fierce competition, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!
Virtual Grip Network 