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!
BRL Late Model Invitational S25R10 | Lanier National Speedway
Season 25 Race 10 at Lanier National Speedway was an eventful race that saw J R Shepherd and Tre Blohm lead the field to green to start the race. Shepherd made an impressive start, quickly taking the lead. Tim Shinoski followed behind in second place, while Blohm settled for third. Behind them, Jeffery Hardin and Mike Allen engaged in a two-way battle for third place. However, by lap 8, the field had settled down to the inside line.
The first caution of the race came out on Lap 26, momentarily halting the action. Green flag racing resumed on Lap 32, with Shepherd and Blohm leading the field. Shepherd once again took the lead, while Blohm moved down to the bottom line for second place, with Hardin closely following in third. As the race progressed, the whole field moved to the bottom line if possible on that restart.
On Lap 60, Hardin made a move and overtook Blohm for second place. Adam Schoen quickly followed and raced on the inside, gaining an impressive 13 spots as of Lap 63. The race continued with about 30 laps of green flag racing before the next caution came out on Lap 90.
Green flag racing resumed on Lap 96, with Shepherd and Hardin leading the field to green. Shepherd once again took the lead, while Hardin managed to keep Schoen at bay. Altice and Spies engaged in an exciting battle for fourth place, with great side-by-side racing.
Finally, J R Shepherd emerged as the winner of the race, his seventh win of the season. Jeffrey Hardin followed closely in second place, with Adam Schoen taking third place. The BRL Late Model racing action continues next Saturday, March 16th at 8:55 pm ET for Round 11 at Five Flags Speedway, only on Virtual Grip Network!
Highlights
🏆 J R Shepherd wins the BRL Late Model Invitational Series Season 25 Round 10 race at Lanier National Speedway.
🚀 Adam Schoen was the biggest mover of the race, finishing in 3rd, up 13 spots!
🏁 With his 7th win of the season, J R Shepherd all but locked up his 18th Season Championship
🌟 The race featured intense battles and impressive displays of skill from the drivers.
*photo credit to Mike Goodman
PGRL S6 W22 Recap
05 March 2024
Pretty Good Racing League | Season 6 | Week 22
Premier Series | Kentucky Speedway
The Pretty Good Racing League revved up the excitement with twin 55-lap races at Kentucky Speedway, featuring the NASCAR Gen 4 stock cars in the thrilling Wrong Time Watch Kentucky Classic. Jeff Ward led the charge from the pole position in the first race, setting the stage for a high-octane showdown.
As the green flag waved, Ward maintained his lead in the early laps, but the field saw significant movement as Mike Rasimas surged from 5th to challenge for the lead. However, Ward’s fortunes took a turn when he received a pit road violation, dashing his hopes of victory. Rasimas capitalized on the opportunity, establishing a commanding lead over the pack.
Despite a brief caution period on lap 42, Rasimas held firm at the front, crossing the finish line with a commanding 1-second lead over his closest competitor, Colton Salek. Meanwhile, Ward staged a remarkable comeback, charging through the field to secure a commendable 4th-place finish.
The grid was inverted for the second race, with Thomas George leading the charge from the pole position. After a chaotic start that sent some drivers off track, George battled to maintain his lead against the relentless pressure from contenders like Rooster Rodden and Matt Taylor.
As the race progressed, Rasimas and Ward once again showcased their skill, climbing up the ranks to challenge for the lead. Taylor eventually wrestled the lead away from George, but Rasimas quickly closed in, seizing control of the race with a strategic pit stop.
With Rasimas dominating at the front, Taylor mounted a late charge but fell short as Rasimas stormed across the finish line to complete his sweep of the night at Kentucky Speedway.
Despite the thrilling battles on track, Michael Chrobok continued to assert his dominance in the standings, maintaining a substantial lead over Ward as the championship race heats up.
Next Tuesday promises more heart-pounding action as PGRL heads to Martinsville Speedway, with the NASCAR Craftsman trucks set to take center stage in another exhilarating showdown, exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!
BRL Late Model Invitational S25R09 | The Bullring at Las Vegas
The racetrack was set, and the drivers were ready for round 9 of the BRL Late Model racing action at the Bullring. Mike Allen and Joe Segalla led the field to the green flag, with Segalla attempting to hold on to his position despite the outside line proving to be quite challenging. However, Ruben Altice made his move and was able to secure the second position. The inside line proved to be the best option as the outside line kept falling back. The race started with an exciting, side-by-side battle and even some three-wide racing action, but an early caution on lap 7 slowed things down.
Allen and Altice brought the field back to green on lap 12, but another caution was thrown shortly after, due to a big pile-up in turn 4. This time, Allen and Goodman led the field to green on lap 19. However, Altice had a great inside move and was able to fend off Goodman to reclaim the second position, but another caution disrupted the racing action once again. The race resumed on lap 27 with Allen and Altice up front.
Matt Shinoski was the biggest mover of the race at the time, moving up 17 spots by taking the second position after the restart. Aiden Young was also making some impressive moves, racing in second after a succession of quick cautions on lap 39, despite starting back in 17th place, moving up 15 spots. On lap 42, Young made an incredible inside move under Allen to take the lead and held on until his eventual win.
At the halfway point, the top three drivers were Young, Boelke, and Goodman. The second half of the race was filled with cautions, but it allowed the same top three drivers from the halfway point to finish in the same order, with Aiden Young finishing first after moving up 16 spots, followed by Boelke in second and Goodman in third.
Don’t miss out on more exciting BRL Late Model racing action! Tune in next weekend on Saturday, March 9th, at 8:55 pm EST, for round 10 of season 25 at Lanier National Speedway, only on Virtual Grip Network!
Highlights
🏆 Aiden Young wins the BRL Late Model Invitational Series Season 25 Round 09 race at the Bullring at Las Vegas.
🚀 Aiden Young was the biggest mover of the race, finishing in 1st, up 16 spots.
🌟 The race featured intense battles and impressive displays of skill from the drivers.
BRL OUTLAWS S34 R9 Recap
01 March 2024
Bootleg Racing League | Season 34 | Round 9
Outlaw Modified Series | The Bullring at Las Vegas
On Friday, March 1st, the Bootleg Racing League Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series lit up the virtual tracks with a thrilling 100-lap feature presented by the Skitter Creek Motorsports Group. Mark Hertzog led the charge from the pole position, setting the stage for an action-packed showdown at The Bullring.
As the green flag dropped, drivers grappled with the tight confines of the circuit, resulting in frequent cautions and rapid-fire restarts. Amidst the chaos, Aiden Young and Todd Liston showcased their prowess, steadily carving their way to the front of the pack in the early stages. Meanwhile, Hertzog held firm at the front, fending off challenges to maintain his lead.
However, the battle for supremacy intensified as the race progressed, with Donny Moore applying relentless pressure on Hertzog. On lap 35, Moore executed a precise maneuver, nudging Hertzog aside to snatch the lead for himself. Yet, the tides quickly turned as Young seized an opportunity to surge past Moore and claim the lead just before another caution interrupted proceedings.
Entering the second half of the race, Liston emerged as a formidable contender, battling Hertzog for the runner-up position in a fierce exchange of positions. With the podium spots fiercely contested, Ricky Hardin made a late surge to snatch third place from Hertzog with just 10 laps remaining.
Undeterred by the challenges behind him, Young maintained his composure and stretched out his lead, navigating the treacherous track with precision. As the checkered flag beckoned, Young crossed the finish line in triumphant fashion, securing a well-deserved victory.
Behind him, Liston delivered a stellar performance to clinch second place, solidifying his position atop the championship standings with a 19-point lead over Matt Hoose.
The Outlaw SK Modified Invitational Series continues to deliver exhilarating racing action, promising more thrills and spills in the battles ahead. With only 2 rounds remaining, the series heads out to Lanier National Speedway next week on March 8th with the action going live at 8:55PM ET exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network!
Virtual Grip Network 