PLMDS – Fall Nationals R6 Recap
by Ryan Senneker
17 Nov 2021
Pro Late Model Dirt Series | Round 6
Fall Nationals | Volusia Speedway
Ethan Toedter with Newton Cattle Farms Racing took home the checkered flag at the Pro Late Model Dirt Series Fall Nationals 30 lap event at Volusia Speedway, The Gobbler 30, ahead of Ryan Underwood and Justin Thompson. With a hard fought battle all the way to the end between Toedter, Underwood, and Cardwell, this was any drivers’ race to the very end. “I knew we were all going to be even, we all race together all of the time. So, I mean, we’re all going to race each other with respect.”, Toedter told us about the intense battle for the lead.
A late caution might have been frustrating for Toedter, but was exactly what Underwood and Cardwell needed as they had made contact and lost the momentum to stay with Toedter. This allowed them to close back up and try to battle for the lead again over a GWC finish, but Toedter held them off to the finish line and with that win took 1st place in the current points standings, Underwood sliding back into 2nd place. With tonight’s event awarding double points, the championship is still very much contested between Toedter and Underwood going into the final round.
Knowing he’d have to try something different to get an advantage over Underwood and Cardwell, Toedter explained, “Once I got behind both of them they started doing battle and, at that time, I knew I was going to be quicker because they were sitting there throwing sliders back and forth and whatever. So I honestly just started trying to figure out a line. So that’s when I just started rolling that slick both corners and it was really good.”
C2CRL Charity Event Recap
by Ryan Senneker
16 Nov 2021
Coast 2 Coast Racing League | Charity Event Finals
Disabled Veterans Charity Event | Knoxville Raceway
Kyle Moonen took the checkered flag at the Coast 2 Coast Racing League’s Disabled Veterans Charity Event at Knoxville Speedway, the culmination of four action packed nights of racing, ahead of Lane Snook and Ross Korynta. Tonight’s excitement involved several series of shorter races including a Veterans Only 20 lap race leading up to the 50 lap feature event to finish out the night. Starting off in 2nd place, Moonen seemed to hold back in the beginning while just holding his position for the first half. Securing the lead on lap 30 from Atkinson, Moonen took advantage of the lap traffic using the opportunity to create a gap between himself and the rest of the field.
To get into the C2CRL Disabled Veterans Charity Event, all drivers had to pay a minimum registration fee with all proceeds being donated to support Disabled American Veterans (dav.org) and Honour House Society (honourhouse.ca). Both charities support our military veterans and their families with a wide range of support programs. The night’s action consisted of several class main events, the top 4 finishers from each race moving up to the next level. The big movers throughout were Joe Canellas and Greg Parmalee who each joined us in the D Main race and made the transfer spots through to the B Main, running those three races one after another. The top 4 from the B Main advanced to the feature, along with the winner from the Veterans Only race. The feature opened with an impressive show of car control from the 27 driver field as they gave the fans and our nations’ heroes a flawless four wide salute in the 360 dirt sprints for a full lap around Knoxville Raceway.
With fuel conservation being a real concern for these drivers over the 50 laps we saw different strategies emerging as some chose to save early and some ran hard to the end. Moonen was confident that he could push it as he explained to us, “I wasn’t too worried about it. I knew at that last caution I had, you know, enough left. I was more worried about Lane [Snook] and the guys behind me, if they had enough, if they were saving up until then, that was kind of the trick of it.” Austin Stern showed us how close the drivers were on fuel as he ran out of fuel coming out of turn 4 around the final lap unfortunately dropping from 3rd to 8th coming across the finish line and giving up that podium finish to Korynta.
BRL GN S8 R7 Recap
by Ryan Senneker
13 Nov 2021
Bootleg Racing League | Season 8 | Round 7
Grand National Series | Myrtle Beach Speedway
James Lowe took home his first win of the season tonight at the Bootleg Racing League Grand National Series 100 lap event around Myrtle Beach Speedway ahead of J R Shepherd and Mathew Thunhorst. Lowe took the lead from Jeffery Hardin early in the race quickly getting into a comfortable groove and out pacing the rest of the field as the other championship drivers fought among themselves for the best possible finishing position they could secure. Thunhorst made a strong charge for the front after being involved in an incident on the first lap that essentially made him start the race from the back of the field.
J R Shepherd holds onto the points lead with a total of 273 points only 5 points ahead of Mathew Thunhorst and 12 points ahead of Justin Morton. Kenny Kibbey is still in 4th place in the standings sitting just 2 points behind Morton. With his win today, James Lowe now trails behind Shepherd by 66 points, still within reach of the championship battle if he continues to put on strong performances in the last 4 rounds of the season. Each of these driver have won one race this season with the exception of Thunhorst who took the checkered flag twice, once at Hickory Motor Speedway and again at Five Flags Speedway.
“Got a lot of good competition out there so it’s hard to get a win. So when you get one, you gotta feel good about it.”, Lowe commented with us while celebrating his win tonight. Thunhorst held no hard feelings with Justin Morton after contact sent him to the back of the field early in the race. He made an impressive run back to the front and finished in 3rd place in the end, “Can’t complain too much from that on lap 2 to sitting on the podium here on lap 100. So, a little rough, a little adversity, but you know, still a good day.”
BRL DSS S9 R7 Recap
by Ryan Senneker
12 Nov 2021
Bootleg Racing League | Season 9 | Round 7
Dirt Street Stock Series | Fairbury Speedway
William Hargreaves with the Dirt Panda Racing Team takes home their first win of the season ahead of Brandyn Proudfoot and Billy Northcutt at the Bootleg Racing League Dirt Street Stock Series feature event at Fairbury Speedway. J R Shepherd made a strong run early in the race with a great pace and staying with the front until unfortunate contact with Proudfoot sent him spinning into the infield. Proudfoot seemed to struggle early on finding his groove, but was able to make his way through the field and pressure Hargreaves for the lead coming across the finish line.
Proudfoot continues to gap the other drivers in the point standings now with 546 points putting him 53 points ahead of Billy Northcutt. Johnny Ratley, who did not race in this event, moved down to third in the standings now 113 points behind Proudfoot. Hargreaves holds onto 5th place trailing behind by 148 points. Simply winning more races won’t be enough to close the gap for Hargreaves. He’ll have to hope for some upsets in the field if he wants to challenge Proudfoot for the championship in the end.
“Once I got the lead it was pretty simple, just kind of lay back and do your thing and kind of keep hitting your marks until you feel some pressure.”, Hargreaves commented about holding control of the lead after a restart on lap 14 shook up the order up front. “Proudfoot, he had my heart thumping there at the end. I was able to ride so long there doing my own thing. He came on strong and got me going for sure, I thought he was going to get me.”
GUNR4sR Xfinity Recap
by Ryan Senneker
10 Nov 2021
GUNR4sR | Championship Race
Xfinity Series | Phoenix Raceway
Nick Snyder of Nick Snyder Motorsports took home the checkered flag after a chaotic race around Phoenix Raceway with the GUNR4sR (Guys Using NASCAR Rules for Sim Racing) Racing League. Starting out in 6th, Snyder was caught up in several early incidents that sent him to the back of the field. The pack seemed to settle in for the second half of the race and that’s when Snyder was able to work his way back into the lead and hold it ahead of Sebastian Marin and Brad Lane through a GWC finish. With Snyder’s win in the Cup Series the night prior, league rules made him ineligible for the Xfinity championship which means Lane, who finished the race in 3rd place, is your 2021 GUNR4sR Xfinity Series Champion!
The playoff drivers were being cautious for the first half, trying to avoid issues while racing in a partially unfamiliar field. Unfortunately, Snyder was caught out early and had to restart from 16th after a hard hit into the outside wall. “Didn’t start the night off pretty well. Got caught up in a wreck a couple times and just at the beginning I was just way too tight. And once the sun went down my car just came to life and I had to come through the field twice.” Snyder’s run to the front was a showcase of his talent as a driver who overcame adversity to take the checkered flag.
The first half of the event had frequent incidents and restarts that kept the playoff drivers on the defensive as Lane described the night as a “survival race”. By lap 60, most drivers had found their groove and settled in for a long green flag run. Lane held a position toward the front as the race went on and was able to get a podium finish by taking advantage where he could. “I went into this thinking I could win the race, but I just wanted to race it clean and at least get a second of third place finish.”
GUNR4sR Cup Series Recap
by Ryan Senneker
09 Nov 2021
GUNR4sR | Championship Race
Cup Series | Phoenix Raceway
As the 2021 season comes to a close for the GUNR4sR (Guys Using NASCAR Rules for Sim Racing) Racing League at Phoenix Raceway, Nicholas Snyder of Nick Snyder Motorsports claims the checkered flag as well as the season championship after a dominating performance ahead of Brad Lane and Brandon Shirley. Rich Reimuller finished in 4th with Chris Gilbert rounding out the top 5. Adam Monts De Oca, who was also a playoff driver, finished in 9th after a risky pit strategy did not pay off for him in the end.
“I kind of thought I gave it away when I didn’t take tires the first stop and was just too far behind the traffic when we were all on equal tires.”, Snyder commented on dropping back to the middle of the field after not taking new tires during an early caution on lap 15 and finishing the 40 lap stage in 6th. Different pit strategies were emerging as the race went on with many drivers choosing to pit under green for fuel late in the race.
“That first run was trying to just make it to the end of stage one and then we had that short fifteen lap run.” Snyder’s winning pit strategy was based around quick planning and reacting to the rest of the field, “When I saw the top 2 didn’t come in I figured I’d just do the opposite of them and it really played out because that last caution didn’t come out and I was five to the good (laps left of fuel) so I wouldn’t have to pit and I think Brad (Lane) and I were the only ones that were gonna make it.”
BRL GN S8 R6 Recap
by Ryan Senneker
06 Nov 2021
Bootleg Racing League | Season 8 | Round 6
Grand National Series | Southern National Speedway
Justin Morton with Total Downforce Racing took the checkered flag for the first time this season beating out J R Shepherd and Mathew Thunhorst with the Bootleg Racing League Grand National Series 100 lap event around Southern National Speedway. As the race went on with an 82 lap green flag run to the end, the leaders spread out away from each other as Morton showed his pace to be the dominate one crossing the finish line with more than a second gap ahead of Shepherd.
With his first victory for the season, Morton takes 3rd place back from Kenny Kibbey by 1 point in the standings. Shepherd still holds onto the lead, finishing 2nd in the race, with Thunhorst, who finished 3rd in the race, only 4 points behind and 10 points ahead of Morton. Now half way through the season, the race for the championship is still within reach of any of these four drivers as they continue to put on strong performances.
Justin Morton made his way to the front early and stayed there for the remainder of the event. “Once I got up there I sort of just settled into a groove, felt pretty good. I was a little worried I was killing my stuff a little bit but it seemed I was getting that right balance.” As the Bootleg Racing League prepares to head to Myrtle Beach Speedway next weekend, Morton is confident going back. “I love Myrtle Beach. It’s probably my favorite short track on the service right now.”
BRL DSS S9 R6 Recap
by Ryan Senneker
06 Nov 2021
Bootleg Racing League | Season 9 | Round 6
Dirt Street Stock Series | Lernerville Speedway
Brandyn Proudfoot took his Jim Beaver eSports machine to victory lane after a chaotic race with the Bootleg Racing League Dirt Street Stock Series around Lernerville Speedway. Multiple incidents in the middle of the field kept forcing the drivers to stack back together and prevented Proudfoot from ever getting very far ahead of the rest of the field.
This was Proudfoot’s 5th win of the season giving him a 33 point gap between himself and Johnny Ratley in 2nd place in the point standings. Billy Northcutt holds onto 3rd trailing by 50 points behind the lead. As Proudfoot builds himself a more comfortable gap, Ratley and Northcutt will have to put in some strong performances going forward to still have a chance at the championship before it becomes a complete shut out.
Proudfoot’s strong restarts made the race for him as he held the lead through nine cautions on his way to the checkered flag. “If you’re going at the same spot, everybody’s gonna try to anticipate.”, Proudfoot explained as he shared with us his restart strategies. “Just kind of stagger your starts, that’ll usually help you to try and get off on those better starts and keep your enemies on their toes.”
Pro Late Model Dirt Series – Fall Nationals R2 Recap
by Ryan Senneker
03 Nov 2021
Pro Late Model Dirt Series | Round 2
Fall Nationals | USA International Speedway
Davin Cardwell absolutely dominated the field at the Pro Late Model Dirt Series Fall Nationals event around USA International Speedway. The top qualifier, winning his 10 lap heat race, Cardwell led all 30 laps of the feature. With an impressive gap between Cardwell and Underwood, in second place, Cardwell had his victory in the bag until two late race cautions stacked the field back together with only 5 laps to go and then again with 4 laps to go.
Able to hold off both points leaders, Ryan Underwood and Ethan Toedter finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively, Cardwell was feeling the pressure through both restarts. Cardwell got great starts both times and held the lead, defending the inside as he crossed the finish line side by side with Underwood taking the checkered flag by only .06 ahead of Underwood. Underwood holds onto first place in the points standings going forward in the Fall Nationals, followed by Toedter and Cardwell.
“I have tons of respect for everyone in the race and, you know, everything just played out in my favor tonight.” Cardwell knew the last few laps weren’t going to be easy with Underwood and Toedter on top of him coming out of the restarts. “Underwood was really fast there and he was actually faster than us, but we were able to keep him behind us.”
BRL GN S8 R5 Recap
by Ryan Senneker
30 Oct 2021
Bootleg Racing League | Season 8 | Round 5
Grand National Series | South Boston Speedway
Kenny Kibbey took his Nocturnal Gaming Chevrolet to victory lane for the first time this season at the Bootleg Racing League Grand National Series 100 lap event around South Boston Speedway ahead of J R Shepherd and Mathew Thunhorst. Kibbey starting the race in 5th position and showed a lot of patience staying on Shepherd’s rear bumper and letting Shepherd use up his car gaining positions for both drivers for the first 50 laps.
Jeffery Hardin started on the pole and held the lead for the first 55 laps, but left just enough space on the inside for Kibbey to take advantage and run to the lead with Shepherd, Justin Morton, and Thunhorst following suit forcing Hardin back to 5th ahead of Bryan Dehn. A late race caution created a one lap shootout situation as the green and white flags came out together, but Kibbey was able to hold onto the lead from the restart for a memorable win.
With this win, Kibbey moves up to 3rd in the point standings with only 9 points separating himself from Shepherd in the lead. Thunhorst holds second place behind by 3 points. Justin Morton dropped down to 4th in the points trailing 11 points behind the lead. With the top 4 drivers this season all so close, this championship is still within reach of any one of these drivers.
“I came here kind of dreading it and I don’t really care for racing on this track and didn’t think it was one of my better ones, but here we are in victory lane.”, Kibbey commented about fighting his way around the track. “Hopefully this one opens the flood gates again because we really just needed to get that win, you know. Last week was a huge momentum boost getting second and we’re on the up and up so hopefully we can keep carrying this momentum.”
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