Race Winner:  Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)

Stage 1 Winner:  Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)

Stage 2 Winner:  Christopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota)

SHR Race Finish:            

●  Ryan Preece (Started 17th, Finished 12th / Running, completed 499 of 500 laps)

●  Aric Almirola (Started 26th, Finished 18th / Running, completed 499 of 500 laps)

●  Chase Briscoe (Started 14th, Finished 27th / Running, completed 495 of 500 laps)  

●  Kevin Harvick (Started 21st, Finished 29th / Running, completed 495 of 500 laps)

SHR Points:

●  Kevin Harvick (14th with 2,071 points, four points below top-12 cutoff)

●  Aric Almirola (22nd with 510 points)

●  Ryan Preece (24th with 484 points)

●  Chase Briscoe (30th with 383 points)

Playoff Standings to Begin Round of 12:

1.    William Byron (3,036 points)

2.    Martin Truex Jr. (3,036 points)

3.    Denny Hamlin (3,032 points) -4

4.    Kyle Larson (3,023 points) -13

5.    Chris Buescher (3,021 points) -15

6.    Kyle Busch (3,019 points) -17

7.    Christopher Bell (3,016 points) -20

8.    Tyler Reddick (3,014 points) -22

9.    Ross Chastain (3,011 points) -25

10.  Brad Keselowski (3,011 points) -25

11.  Ryan Blaney (3,008 points) -28

12.  Bubba Wallace (3,000 points) -36

Failed to Advance to Round of 12:

13.  Joey Logano (2,071 points)

14.  Kevin Harvick (2,071 points)

15.  Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2,068 points)

16.  Michael McDowell (2,059 points)

SHR Notes:        

●  This was Preece’s fifth straight top-20 at Bristol. His average finish at the track is 15th in six career starts.

●  Preece finished ninth in Stage 2 to earn two bonus points.

●  This was Almirola’s fourth straight top-20. He finished third Aug. 26 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, 14th Sept. 3 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway and 17th last Sunday at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City.

Race Notes:       

●  Denny Hamlin won the Bass Pro Shops Night to score his 51st career NASCAR Cup Series victory, his third of the season and his third at Bristol. His margin over second-place Kyle Larson was 2.437 seconds.

●  There were six caution periods for a total of 53 laps.

●  Only 10 of the 36 drivers in the race finished on the lead lap.

Sound Bites:

“We just need speed. Our long run isn’t terrible, but we struggled to fire off to where we could be aggressive and then once you get your track position, you can hold it. Gotta find the grip and the speed, and that’ll change our days.” – Ryan Preece, driver of the No. 41 International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Ford Mustang

“We’ve been like that all year. We’ve been hit or miss. Tonight we just missed by a mile. I’ve had some good days and bad days (at Bristol), but that’s definitely the worst one I’ve had with fenders on it. I didn’t really have many expectations (for the playoffs) with as up and down as the year has been. It is what it is. It’s probably about what we deserve.” – Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 GEARWRENCH Ford Mustang

Next Up:

The next event on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule is the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 on Sunday, Sept. 24 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. The fourth race in the 10-race NASCAR Playoffs starts at 3:30 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by USA and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

SHR PR

2022 Lunkerdaddy Pro Late Model champion Kyle Keller of Las Vegas became the second repeat winner of the 2023 campaign, claiming Saturday’s round eight from Madera Speedway. The MAVTV-televised race served as the penultimate round for the closely contested championship and had many twists and turns over its 80-lap distance.
 
Keller topped qualifying as the first repeat fast-timer this season then drew ninth in the redraw. Points leader Tyler Herzog of Fresno drew fifth while second in points Jacob Smith of Eagle, Idaho had to march from tenth.
 
Opening night winner Robbie Kennealy of Madera led the opening lap of the race before a quick caution. Multi-time champion Matt Erickson and Kennealy locked horns for the lead on the restart. Erickson led lap three. Kennealy slid through the infield in turn three after contact, falling back to fourth but the race stayed green.
 
The caution fell on lap 11 for Trevor Schlundt spinning in turn three. Herzog drove underneath round seven winner Shelden Cooper of Clovis for second. Two more cautions slowed the action and the subsequent restart scrambles allowed 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model standout Chase Hand of Wilton to knife into second. Hand then challenged Erickson from the inside for the lead on a lap 17 restart. Erickson and Hand collided heading into turn one, sending both into a slide to bring out the caution.
 
Tenth-starting Smith inherited the lead after the early-race fireworks and led lap 20. Herzog tried the outside of Cooper for second to no avail. Hand then tangled with Schlundt on lap 32, relegating him to restart at the rear of the field for a second time.
 
Cooper slowed with sparks underneath his machine on lap 33 for a caution flag. He was able to rejoin the race but was penalized a lap for drawing the caution.
 
Loomis’ Kenna Mitchell battled with Erickson before they came together as well, sending both into a spin on the front stretch. Mitchell was unable to continue in the race with damage.
 
Kennealy had oil pan damage from his lap four spin that eventually erupted, sparking a multi-car crash in turn one in the fluid on lap 48. Fresno’s Rick Thompson suffered heavy damage that dropped him out of the top-five. Bass Lake’s Mike Hensley and Schlundt were eliminated from the race. Fourth-running Glen Cook of Mariposa also had a leak in the rear end but he was able to make repairs during the Mission Racing Style Tortilla Chips break.
 
When racing resumed, Cook unfortunately spun after contact from 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model points leader Vito Cancilla of Martinez on lap 51. The following restart was an exciting one with two-by-two action at the front between Smith, Herzog, Keller, and Hand. Herzog and Smith made contact twice, with the second contact sending the duo spinning down the front stretch for a caution on lap 56.
 
The final caution of the event flew on lap 77 when Thompson and Erickson had a coming together on the front stretch while Erickson attempted to lap Thompson.
 
Keller prevailed over the numerous restarts and excitement to win the feature. Smith charged around Hand for second position. Herzog and Cook rounded out the top-five. Herzog will lead Smith by just ten points heading into the season finale: the $10,000-to-win Short Track Shootout on October 7.
 
Martinez’ Vito Cancilla eclipsed 400-laps led in the 51FIFTY Jr. Late Model Series in 2023, muscling past season-long challenger Chase Hand of Wilton, Calif. for Cancilla’s seventh triumph of the season as he moves closer to the championship.
 
Hand had won the fast-time award in the last two races and was seven-for-seven on runner-up finishes heading into round eight. Cancilla answered by topping qualifying then drawing the pole position during the redraw. Hand drew second for a heads-up duel of the top two in the series in a 70-lap race for drivers ages 10-16.
 
Cancilla leapt to the lead while Castro Valley’s Cam Carraway battled with Madera’s Joey Kennealy for third. Lincoln’s Kylie Glick slid through the infield to fall to the back of the pack on lap seven.
 
Carraway got loose in a tight battle with Texan Tristan Pena in turn two, with Pena spinning to avoid for the first caution on lap 24. Hand challenged Cancilla for the lead on the outside while Kennealy challenged Bakersfield’s Taylor Mayhew on the outside for third as well.
 
Hand led lap 27 before Cancilla led lap 28. Hand wrestled the lead back on lap 29. Kennealy won the side-by-side battle for third, nabbing the position on lap 35.
 
Reno’s Mia Wright spun on the front stretch on lap 36 to bring the race to its Mission Racing Style Tortilla Chips race break. Hand led Cancilla, Kennealy, Mayhew, and Carraway into the break for adjustments and interviews.
 
Mayhew fell backwards on the outside line on the restart while Cancilla ran all over the back bumper of Hand. Cancilla tried to muscle Hand in turn four on laps 49 and 51 to no avail. Cancilla finally muscled his way to the inside in turn two on lap 52, taking over the top spot on lap 53.
 
Hand tried to answer back on the outside before crossing over to the inside of Cancilla on the frontstretch on lap 54. Cancilla held court, taking the coveted seventh victory of the season followed by Hand, Kennealy, Mayhew, and Carraway.
 
Tyler Ridley won the 30-lap MST feature in which ten Mini Super Toyotas took the green flag. Tim Kammerer, Rian Bowman, and Patrick Geiger each led a lap during the first three laps of competition. Geiger paced Ridley throughout the main event. Lapped traffic reared its head, allowing Ridley to sweep past Geiger on the outside to lead lap 29.
 
Ridley led Geiger, Joseph Holliday, Kyle Labrie, and Thomas Magray at the checkered flag.
 
In INEX Bandolero competition, Kaine Bettancourt topped Andrew Williams in a 20-lap race.
 
Madera Speedway competes again on September 29 and 30 with the Harvest Classic, including the Speed Tour Super Modifieds on Saturday night.
 
For more information about the Madera Speedway including how to advertise with a race team on MAVTV please visit www.racemadera.com or call the race office at 209-356-1968.

The 2023 season would not be possible without the support of Lunkerdaddy Fishing Lures, 51FIFTY LTM, Mission Foods, 805 Beer, Race 2B Drug Free, Competition Carburetion, Hoosier Tires, and Sunoco Race Fuel.
 
Madera Racing on MAVTV airs Monday nights at 5:00pm Pacific and 8:00pm Eastern.
 
2023 MADERA MAVTV LATE MODEL SCHEDULE
March 18 - $5,000-to-win
April 8
April 29
May 20 – Military Tribute Night
June 24 – Reverend Ron Spencer Red, White Blue Classic
July 22 - $5,000-to-win
August 26
September 16
October 7 - $10,000-to-win Short Track Shootout

Madera Speedway PR

The next racing action at Grandview Speedway will be next Saturday, September 23, and will feature Round 8 with the Outlaw Racing Series Enduro and Outlaw Racing Series Vintage Cars in action along with the Xcel 600 Modifieds starting at 7 pm. Pit gates open at 2 pm., Grandstand gates open at 6 pm. Grandstand admission will be $10, with children ages 12 and under admitted for free. Pit admission is $30.

Since the 1960’s, Grandview Speedway has been presenting exciting wheel to wheel NASCAR stock car racing every Saturday Night starting in April and running through October, plus special events. Grandview Speedway is located at 43 Passmore Road, Bechtelsville, Pa. 19505, just off Route 100, ten miles north of Pottstown, Pa.

Information is always available at www.grandviewspeedway.com or on Facebook, or by telephone at 610.754.7688.

T.P. TRAILER NASCAR MODIFIED FREEDOM 76 FEATURE FINISH (76 laps): RYAN GODOWN, Doug Manmiller, Mike Gular, Rick Laubach, Craig Von Dohren, Duane Howard, Ryan Watt, Brett Kressley, Brandon Grosso, Briggs Danner, Billy Pauch Jr., Louden Reimert, Jordan Watson, Eddie Strada, Jeff Strunk, Corey Cormier, Addison Meitzler, Jimmy Leiby, Paul Mancini, Ryan Krachun, Eric Biehn, Frank Cozze, Joseph Watson, Sam Martz Sr., Kevin Hirthler, John Willman, Bobby Trapper Jr., Nate Brinker, Bobby Gunther-Walsh, Craig Whitmoyer, Tim Buckwalter, Ray Swinehart, Jared Umbenhauer, Jesse Leiby

DID NOT QUALIFY: Brian Hirthler, Kevin Graver Jr., Matt Stangle, Mark Kratz, Billy Osmun III, Corey Renninger, Adrianna Delliponti, Sam Martz Jr., Logan Bauman, Matt Yoder, Chris Gambler, Eric Kormann, Darrin Schuler, Mike Lisowski, Mark Malcolm, Aleia Geisler, Ryan Grim, WB James, Ken Eckert Jr., Kyle Smith, Mike Laise, Nathan Mohr, Jesse Hirthler, Dylan Swinehart, Ron Haring Jr., Lex Shive, Anthony Tramontana, Justin Grim, Bobby Trapper Sr., Chris Eposito, Jack Butler, Joe Funk, Bryan Rhoads, Ryan Beltz, Cale Ross, Kyle Weiss, Nick Rochinski, Logan Watt

SCHAEFFER RACING MINUTEMAN 20: (Top 5 to Freedom 76): BOOBY TRAPPER JR., Paul Mancini, John Willman, Jared Umbenhauer, Jimmy Leiby, Kyle Smith, Jesse Hirthler, Eric Kormann, Cale Ross, Logan Watt, Anthony Tramontana, Ken Eckert Jr., Billy Osmun III, Ray Swinehart, Sam Martz Jr., Adrianna Delliponti, Kevin Graver Jr., Jack Butler, Justin Grim, Ron Haring Jr.

HEAT RACE WINNERS: Eddie Strada, Sam Martz Sr., Duane Howard, Joseph Watson, Ryan Godown, Billy Pauch Jr.

CONSOLATION WINNERS: Billy Osmun III, Jared Umbenhauer

NASCAR ADVANCE AUTO PARTS WEEKLY SERIES WINNER BONUS ($1000): Ryan Godown

BOB HILBERT SPORTSWEAR CUSTOM WINNER’S JACKET – Ryan Godown

LOW DOWN & DIRTY CASH DASH - $1371.76 – Duane Howard

BOBBY GUNTHER-WALSH AND SPONSORS (Res Q Natural Supplements, Just Born Candies - Mike and Ike and Hot Tamales, Marshmallow Peeps) HARD CHARGER $661 – Brett Kressley +16

LYNN HIMES GREAT EFFORT AWARD FROM T.P. TRAILERS & TRUCK EQUIPMENT – HIGHEST FINISHER NOT TOP TEN GRANDVIEW POINTS ($100): Ryan Godown

TRACK OFFICIALS HARD LUCK AWARD - $225 – Kyle Smith

COMPETITION CARBURETION FASTEST LAP OF FEATURE CERTIFICATE - $100 – Rick Laubach – 14.927

UPCOMING EVENTS –

Saturday, September 23 – Outlaw Racing Series Enduro, Outlaw Racing Series Vintage, Xcel 600 Modifieds – 7 pm

Friday, October 13 – Outlaw Racing Series Enduro, Outlaw Racing Series Vintage, Linda’s Speedway Chargers – 7 pm.

Saturday, October 14 – Outlaw Racing Series Enduro, Outlaw Racing Series Vintage, Xcel 600 Modifieds – 5 pm.

Grandview Speedway PR

Tri-State Speedway has been very, very good to Brady Bacon in 2023.

In April, the Broken Arrow, Okla. native earned his first World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car win at the track, and on Saturday night, he raced to a first career Haubstadt Hustler victory in the richest event ever held at the Haubstadt, Indiana dirt oval worth $20,000.

The 16th running of the event, co-sanctioned by the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship and the Midwest Sprint Car Series, came down to a duel between Bacon and four-time Haubstadt Hustler victor Kevin Thomas Jr. en route to Bacon’s 40-lap triumph at a track he’s admittedly struggled at in the past and hadn’t won a USAC race at since the spring of 2015.

Wheeling his Dynamics, Inc./4-Wide Salute Podcast – Tel-Star Technologies – DriveWFX.com/Triple X/Rider Chevy, Bacon’s victory was a major milestone, providing him with his 53rd career USAC National Sprint Car feature win and giving him sole possession of second place on the all-time list ahead of 1978 series champion Tom Bigelow. Now, Bacon trails only Dave Darland’s record of 62 series wins, which sits number one all-time.

Utilizing the MSCS format of group qualifying, a four-car heat race invert and a redraw for position to set the feature lineup, the USAC National Sprint Car points race was on hiatus for the evening with every licensed driver and entrant with the series receiving 50 appearance points across the board regardless of finishing position. For four-time USAC champion Bacon, it was a nice change of pace amidst the pressurized title race of which he trails Justin Grant by nine with only five events left to go.

“It was kind of nice,” Bacon admitted. “It’s been pretty stressful I’m sure for him and I both to get through each night, but tonight, I finally got to try something different, and obviously, it paid off. It’s the biggest race here and at a place where we have admittedly struggled in the past. It was good to me earlier this year with my first World of Outlaws win and this is a pretty special one tonight. It’s been a lot of years since I’ve last won here in a non-wing sprint car.”

Bacon started from the pole position and immediately engaged in a tumultuous opening lap scuffle with outside front row starter Robert Ballou. As Bacon worked the middle line and Ballou the outside, the two came together at the exit of turn four, smacking wheels together as they crossed the stripe to complete lap one. To begin lap two, chrome-to-chrome contact was on the docket between Ballou’s front bumper and Bacon’s rear bumper which sent Bacon sideways in turn one. However, Bacon mashed the gas and was able to escape unscathed after the early race attack from Ballou.

By lap 10, Bacon had entered lapped traffic with a full second lead over Ballou. However, on lap 13, Ballou’s car suddenly lost power, knocking him out of the race and relegating him to watching the rest of the race from the infield with an unsavory 22nd place result.

Dustin Beck was the beneficiary of Ballou’s misfortune with the former modified standout and Tri-State Speedway regular moving up to second in only his fourth career USAC feature start. He split through traffic and kept pace with Bacon for the lead, albeit about five car lengths back as the race neared the midway point.

Trouble hit fourth running Justin Grant on the 20th lap when he suddenly slowed with a broken tie-rod. He was able to make it back to the Indy Metal Finishing Work Area for repairs and returned to the tail of the field for the restart before going on to race his way back to an eighth-place result.

On the race’s resumption, ninth starting Kevin Thomas Jr. darted into the second position when Beck slid high in turn two on the 22nd lap. Now down a half-straightaway to Bacon for the lead, it was “game on” for the stalwarts of the sport who own a whopping 92 USAC National Sprint Car features between the two.

The gap was closed even further at the front of the field on lap 24 when the caution flag was displayed after Carson Short and Jadon Rogers found calamity in the corner amid a tussle for the seventh spot. The two drivers connected wheels in turn two with Short nearly getting upside before landing on all fours and stopping with extensive damage to his car, ending his fantastic charge from the 17th starting position. Three laps later, Rogers slowed to bring out the caution, prematurely ending the defending Haubstadt Hustler champion’s reign.

Down the stretch, the unflappable Bacon kept Thomas Jr. at arm’s length. For the most part. With five laps remaining, Bacon had his rhythm disrupted when he went low off turn four to overtake the lapped car of Andy Bradley. In doing so, Bacon’s car slipped completely sideways. Second running Thomas Jr. closed in and made slight contact with the rear of Bacon’s machine, but both managed to continue without harm or foul.

With three laps to go, third-running Beck was in the camera frame, running just a few car lengths from the tail tank of Thomas Jr. However, he soon skated up the track in turn two and caught the outside wall, resulting in the loss of a full-straightaway of ground.

Moments later, 16th running Kayla Roell walked away from a wild flip in turn one, ending her first Haubstadt Hustler run on lap 38.  For the feature, she was behind the wheel of KO Motorsports teammate Daison Pursley's backup car after earlier trouble in her primary ride.

At the front of the field, Bacon had a bit of anxiousness, but at this point in his career, he’d seen it all and was prepared for the final stretch run at a major payday.

“I was a little concerned because I was actually tight,” Bacon remembered. “Sitting under the red, I was worried that my tire was going to go down a little bit. I just drove it as hard as I could, and I knew if I could get a couple laps in, the bottom gets slower, and you can get your momentum going on the top.”

On Bacon’s rear bumper for the late-race restart was Kevin Thomas Jr., one of the best in the business and a driver who’s tied for the all-time lead in USAC National Sprint Car victories (6) at the venue known as The Class Track.

“On the green-white-checker, he’s one of the best here, and I just tried to not make any mistakes,” Bacon explained. “I was getting kind of sloppy there catching a lapped car and about spun out.  Once we could get rolling on the top, I felt really good. I’ve never been that good on the top here like that.  I was struggling a little bit in lapped traffic, which is usually where I’m good at on the bottom. I just had a lot of speed on the top.”

That’s where Bacon stayed for the remaining two laps, never straying from the high line. Thomas Jr. was able to pull even with Bacon for a fleeting moment in turn four on the final lap, but Bacon’s momentum propelled him ahead to the win by a 0.289 second margin.

Thomas Jr. ran second ahead of Dustin Beck in third with Mitchel Moles fourth and Kyle Cummins fifth, who earned hard charger honors after officially starting 15th, but dropped to as far back as 22nd after an opening lap skirmish into the infield sent him nearly all the way back to the tail.

Kevin Thomas Jr. (Cullman, Ala.) made his first USAC run in Kevin Newton’s No. 16 a successful one as he turned in his best finish of the USAC season to finish second, his sixth career top-two Haubstadt Hustler finish aboard the Honest Abe Roofing – Benic Enterprises/DRC/Claxton Chevy.

“I felt like we were pretty equal there,” Thomas Jr. said of he and Bacon’s late-race battle. “On the long runs, I could search around. He was leading, so it’s hard to move around. He was running the top there and it was a little lippy on the edge of wanting to push. The way you run this track is very inconsistent as a driver. But he’s one of the best at being consistent. I gave it everything I’ve got, but I think I maybe needed a little bit of lapped traffic and some more laps. I mean, they gave us 40, so how much more can you ask for?”

Dustin Beck (Petersburg, Ind.) recorded his best career USAC National Sprint Car result in a fine drive in the seat of his Hensen-Rupp/Royal Express Car Wash – Clark’s Commercial Services/Maxim/SPEC Chevy. The finish came on the heels of his best performance in a sprint car just two weeks earlier with a similar third place run in MSCS competition at Tri-State.

“I actually podiumed for the first time here two weeks ago and that really hasn’t sunk in yet either,” Beck revealed. “This is definitely a confidence builder. I think we can run with these guys, and we’ve hit on something lately that’s working, so I’m confident now running here.”

In Honest Abe Roofing Qualifying, Mitchel Moles (Raisin City, Calif.) posted his 10th career fast time in USAC National Sprint Car competition. That moved him to 50th place all-time alongside Sonny Ates, Jim Hurtubise, Thomas Meseraull and Jake Swanson.

Tenth place finishing driver C.J. Leary reached a milestone with his 400th career USAC National Sprint Car feature start, becoming just the ninth driver to reach the mark. Dave Darland holds the all-time record of 797 starts ahead of Tracy Hines (484), Brady Bacon (473), Robert Ballou (470), Chris Windom (470), Jon Stanbrough (448), Tom Bigelow (447) and Chase Stockon (440).

USAC PR

Following another classic duel, Ryan Godown of Ringoes, N.J. was able to hold off the challenges of several drivers including Doug Manmiller of Shoemakersville, Pa. during the later stages of the race, to score his second win in the 53^rd annual Freedom 76 T.P. Trailer Modified Championship Saturday night at Grandview Speedway.

Rolling off the starting grid in sixth position, Godown was able to run the top lane of the speedway and take the lead from Rick Laubach of Quakertown, Pa. coming out of turn four to score lap twelve. Once in the lead, Godown had to fight hard to maintain the top spot while Laubach kept the pressure on him. Once they reached lapped traffic, Manmiller joined the action making for an unbelievable three car battle for the top spot.

By the mid-point of the race Craig Von Dohren of Oley, Pa. and Mike Gular of Boyertown, Pa. were in the hunt for the top spot as well, but Godown repelled all challengers to score his second win the in annual classic, having won the event in 2021.

The win paid $30,061 to win plus an additional bonus from the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series of $1000, a custom winners jacket from Bob Hilbert Sportswear of Boyertown, Pa., $100 Lynn Himes great effort award from T.P. Trailers and Truck Equipment (highest finishing driver not in top ten in track points), plus Godown led laps 12-76 and picked up $2629 in lap money for a total of $33,790 for the win!

The evening began by honoring the 2023 track champions in Victory Lane following warmups, since the final night of points racing was rained out last Saturday night. Brett Kressley of Orefield, Pa. was crowned T.P. Trailer Modified Track Champion, while Logan Watt of Boyertown, Pa. was crowned T.P. Truck Equipment Sportsman Champion. For both drivers it was their first point titles at the speedway.

Veteran Frank Cozze of Wind Gap, Pa. started on the pole and led the 34-car starting field to Starter Ray Kemp’s green flag to start the 53^rd annual Freedom 76. Cozze would lead under heavy pressure from Laubach, Brandon Grosso of Belle Meade, N.J. and Billy Pauch Jr. of Frenchtown, N.J.

Laubach would make an outside lane pass of Cozze to grab the lead exiting turn four to score lap seven and take command of the race. Godown, after starting in sixth, was working the top side of the speedway, and would quickly advance to second, eventually catching and passing Laubach with an outside pass exiting turn four to score lap twelve.

Following a lap ten caution, the race would run an exciting stretch of green flag racing with some tremendous action all through the field until the next slowdown on lap 38.

During these competitive laps, Godown would lead, Laubach second, Grosso was in third, followed by a super battle for position between Cozze, Von Dohren, Pauch Jr., Manmiller, and Ryan Watt of Boyertown, Pa.

Godown would hit lapped traffic by lap 20, and Laubach moved back in to challenge to regain the lead, getting under Godown a couple of times in traffic. Eventually Godown would struggle with some lapped cars who were racing two wide in front of him, and Laubach, Von Dohren, Grosso, and Manmiller were suddenly in a five-car tussle for the lead in and out of lapped traffic.

At the same time as this was happening, another great battle for position was happening between Watt, Pauch Jr., Mike Gular of Boyertown, Pa. up from 18^th starting spot, Duane Howard of Oley, Pa. up from 20^th starting spot, and Brett Kressley who was advancing from 24^th starting position.

Manmiller and Von Dohren swapped third position several times before Manmiller would secure the spot on lap 39, and join the race for the lead with Godown and Laubach. From laps 38 until the next caution for a three car mishap on the front straightaway on lap 45, the three leaders staged a tremendous 3-way tussle for the lead.

Godown would change lanes every other lap on each end of the speedway trying to keep Manmiller and Laubach at bay. When Godown would run the bottom, Laubach would challenge the other two on the top lane, and when Godown would run the bottom, Manmiller would slide underneath the both of them almost sneaking by for the top spot. You could practically put a blanket over the three of them, they were so close at times in the fan pleasing battle for the lead. While this was happening Von Dohren and Gular were battling for fourth.

 Following the lap 45 caution, things changed somewhat, with Godown and Manmiller breaking into a two-car duel for the top spot, and Laubach and Gular were battling for the next two positions.. Further back Track Champion Kressley was in a tussle for top ten spots with Grosso and Briggs Danner of Allentown, Pa. who was driving a Jason Miller owned race car as a teammate to Manmiller.

From lap 45 to the end, the race would stay green putting leader Godown in more lapped traffic. Godown would at this point of the race have a much easier time with the lapped cars, and slowly worked through the field, eventually putting a little distance between himself and Manmiller.

Manmiller then locked into a battle with Gular for second, running side by side for several laps in traffic by lap 65, with Manmiller repelling all attempts by Gular. Laubach would also be involved in a battle for top five positions with Von Dohren and Howard who traded spots right to the finish.

Manmiller would eventually fight off Gular’s challenge and fight through the lapped traffic. After losing ground on Godown for a period of time, Manmiller would slowly close back in on the leader in the closing laps, but ran out of time to make a serious challenge for the win.

At the wave of the checkered flag, Godown scored the win and the huge payday, which was his 6^th career Saturday night NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series win at Grandview Speedway, and overall his 9^th career win at the track.

Following Godown at the finish were Manmiller, Gular, Laubach, Von Dohren, Howard, Watt, Kressley, Grosso, and Danner.

A massive field of 72 T.P. Trailer Modifieds attempted to qualify for the Freedom 76 through six qualifying heats, with Eddie Strada of Lake Ariel, Pa., Sam Martz Sr. of Somerville, N.J., Duane Howard, Joseph Watson of Milford, De., Ryan Godown, and Billy Pauch Jr. of Frenchtown, N.J. all scoring heat race wins. Two consolations were run, qualifying cars to the Schaeffer Racing Minuteman 20, with Billy Osmun III of Bloomsbury, N.J. and Jared Umbenhauer of Richland, Pa. picking up the wins.

The Schaeffer Racing Minuteman 20 was run following the consolations and qualified the final five starters to the Freedom 76. Bobby Trapper Jr. of Scranton, Pa. made an outside lane pass of Paul Mancini of Mt. Gretna, N.J. on lap eleven, then survived several caution flags to go on and score the victory, and gain a starting spot in the Freedom 76.

Mancini would avoid a lap twelve accident to finish second, John Willman of Birdsboro, Pa. up from seventh position would finish third, Jared Umbenhauer who qualified from the consolation to make the Minuteman would score fourth, and Jimmy Leiby of West Milford, N.J. who also came from the consolation and an 18^th place starting spot finished fifth to qualify.

The Low Down and Dirty Radio show sponsored a cash dash for heat race winners and guaranteed starters, which would pay $1371.76. Duane Howard, who was a winner in heat race number three, outran Brett Kressley on the start and scored the 10-lap Cash Dash victory.

Bobby Gunther-Walsh of Allentown, Pa. and his sponsors Res-Q-Natural Supplement, Just Born Candies sponsored the Hard Charger award won by Kressley who advanced 16 positions to pick up an added $661.

Competition Carburetion sponsored a $100 bonus to the driver turning the fastest lap in the feature race, and Rick Laubach picked up the award after turning a lap of 14.927 seconds.

Modified division sponsor T.P. Trailers and Truck Equipment provided a $100 bonus in memory of Lynn Himes, a long-time supporter of Grandview Speedway to the highest finishing driver that was not in the top ten in track points, with that bonus going to winner Ryan Godown.

The Grandview Track Officials sponsored a Hard Luck award presented to a driver of their choice. Kyle Smith just missed qualifying in the Minuteman 20, and will receive a free engine re-sealing (value $225) for next season.

The next racing action at Grandview Speedway will be next Saturday, September 23, and will feature Round 8 with the Outlaw Racing Series Enduro and Outlaw Racing Series Vintage Cars in action along with the Xcel 600 Modifieds starting at 6 pm. Pit gates open at 2 pm., Grandstand gates open at 5 pm. Grandstand admission will be $10, with children ages 12 and under admitted for free. Pit admission is $30.

Since the 1960’s, Grandview Speedway has been presenting exciting wheel to wheel NASCAR stock car racing every Saturday Night starting in April and running through October, plus special events. Grandview Speedway is located at 43 Passmore Road, Bechtelsville, Pa. 19505, just off Route 100, ten miles north of Pottstown, Pa.

Information is always available at www.grandviewspeedway.com or on Facebook, or by telephone at 610.754.7688.

T.P. TRAILER NASCAR MODIFIED FREEDOM 76 FEATURE FINISH (76 laps): RYAN GODOWN, Doug Manmiller, Mike Gular, Rick Laubach, Craig Von Dohren, Duane Howard, Ryan Watt, Brett Kressley, Brandon Grosso, Briggs Danner, Billy Pauch Jr., Louden Reimert, Jordan Watson, Eddie Strada, Jeff Strunk, Corey Cormier, Addison Meitzler, Jimmy Leiby, Paul Mancini, Ryan Krachun, Eric Biehn, Frank Cozze, Joseph Watson, Sam Martz Sr., Kevin Hirthler, John Willman, Bobby Trapper Jr., Nate Brinker, Bobby Gunther-Walsh, Craig Whitmoyer, Tim Buckwalter, Ray Swinehart, Jared Umbenhauer, Jesse Leiby

DID NOT QUALIFY: Brian Hirthler, Kevin Graver Jr., Matt Stangle, Mark Kratz, Billy Osmun III, Corey Renninger, Adrianna Delliponti, Sam Martz Jr., Logan Bauman, Matt Yoder, Chris Gambler, Eric Kormann, Darrin Schuler, Mike Lisowski, Mark Malcolm, Aleia Geisler, Ryan Grim, WB James, Ken Eckert Jr., Kyle Smith, Mike Laise, Nathan Mohr, Jesse Hirthler, Dylan Swinehart, Ron Haring Jr., Lex Shive, Anthony Tramontana, Justin Grim, Bobby Trapper Sr., Chris Eposito, Jack Butler, Joe Funk, Bryan Rhoads, Ryan Beltz, Cale Ross, Kyle Weiss, Nick Rochinski, Logan Watt

SCHAEFFER RACING MINUTEMAN 20: (Top 5 to Freedom 76): BOOBY TRAPPER JR., Paul Mancini, John Willman, Jared Umbenhauer, Jimmy Leiby, Kyle Smith, Jesse Hirthler, Eric Kormann, Cale Ross, Logan Watt, Anthony Tramontana, Ken Eckert Jr., Billy Osmun III, Ray Swinehart, Sam Martz Jr., Adrianna Delliponti, Kevin Graver Jr., Jack Butler, Justin Grim, Ron Haring Jr.

HEAT RACE WINNERS: Eddie Strada, Sam Martz Sr., Duane Howard, Joseph Watson, Ryan Godown, Billy Pauch Jr.

CONSOLATION WINNERS: Billy Osmun III, Jared Umbenhauer

NASCAR ADVANCE AUTO PARTS WEEKLY SERIES WINNER BONUS ($1000): Ryan Godown

BOB HILBERT SPORTSWEAR CUSTOM WINNER’S JACKET – Ryan Godown

LOW DOWN & DIRTY CASH DASH - $1371.76 – Duane Howard

BOBBY GUNTHER-WALSH AND SPONSORS (Res Q Natural Supplements, Just Born Candies - Mike and Ike and Hot Tamales, Marshmallow Peeps) HARD CHARGER $661 – Brett Kressley +16

LYNN HIMES GREAT EFFORT AWARD FROM T.P. TRAILERS & TRUCK EQUIPMENT – HIGHEST FINISHER NOT TOP TEN GRANDVIEW POINTS ($100): Ryan Godown

TRACK OFFICIALS HARD LUCK AWARD - $225 – Kyle Smith

COMPETITION CARBURETION FASTEST LAP OF FEATURE CERTIFICATE - $100 – Rick Laubach – 14.927

UPCOMING EVENTS –

Saturday, September 23 – Outlaw Racing Series Enduro, Outlaw Racing Series Vintage, Xcel 600 Modifieds – 6 pm

Friday, October 13 – Outlaw Racing Series Enduro, Outlaw Racing Series Vintage, Linda’s Speedway Chargers – 7 pm.

Saturday, October 14 – Outlaw Racing Series Enduro, Outlaw Racing Series Vintage, Xcel 600 Modifieds – 5 pm.

NOTE: HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR A SUPER SUCCESSFUL FREEDOM 76 WEEKEND, AND FOR YOUR SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE SEASON FROM GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY!!!!

Grandview Speedway PR

Race of Champions Weekend witnessed a great deal of close competition on Saturday with the running of the “prelude” events leading up to the 73^rd Annual Race of Champions 250. Well over 110 cars jammed the pit area in North East, Pa., at Lake Erie Speedway to participate in the festivities and when the final checkered flag waved several new faces visited victory lane along with some cagy and popular veterans of the sport.

Andy Jankowiak of Buffalo, N.Y., captured the victory in the “ESC 73” in recognition of the Erie Sports Commission for the Race of Champions Sportsman Modified Series.

Jankowiak’s cousin, Matt Druar of Clarence, N.Y., scored his first Race of Champions Weekend victory in the “National Parts Peddler 40” for the Race of Champions Super Stock Series.

Other winners included Dave Heitzhaus of Strykersville, N.Y., in the Race of Champions Late Model Series where he was also crowned the Series champion. Alyssa Leaty of Williamson, N.Y., scored the win in the Rocket Performance Race of Champions 602 Sportsman Modified Series event. Jeff Szafraniec of Akron, N.Y., went back-to-back in the Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Dash Series. Dave Wollaber of Tonawanda, N.Y., won the WNY Mighty TQ Midget Feature.

Full results can be found here for Friday; www.rocmodifiedseries.com/schedules/event/432432 and Saturday; www.rocmodifiedseries.com/schedules/event/432435

Sunday is the final day for the Race of Champions Weekend featuring the grand finale event, “The Greatest Tradition in Modified Racing” the 73^rd Annual Lucas Oil Race of Champions 250. The race is set to begin at 4:30pm and will be the only asphalt modified race of it’s type telecast live on linear television during the 2023 season on MAVTV. The Race of Champions Street Stock, Race of Champions FOAR SCORE Dash Series and WNY TQ Mighty Midget races will be streamed live on www.rocmodifiedseries.tv

Start times for racing on Sunday, September 17 are practice at 11:00am, Qualifying Racing at 1:15pm and the 73^rd Annual Race of Champions 250 at 4:30pm.

The official hotel for the event is the Days Inn; 6101 Wattsburg Road, Erie, Pennsylvania 16509. Phone Number: 732 749 0110. Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.wyndhamhotels.com/days-inn/erie-pennsylvania/days-inn-erie/overview

Over $100,000 in purse money is available for participants at Race of Champions Weekend. All race winners will receive the traditional Race of Champions Silver Bowl.

Great seats remain for todays event as well as a VIP room experience. Tickets may be purchased for the weekend and will be available at the Lake Erie Speedway ticket office or at www.lakeeriespeedway.com/schedule. Don’t miss “The Greatest Tradition in Modified Racing”.

Team registration for the race and pit parking is open on MyRacePass; https://www.myracepass.com/series/1810/registrations

Where: Lake Erie Speedway, North East, Pa.

When: Friday, September 15; Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17, 2023.

Directions: The track is located just twenty minutes of East Erie, Pa., minutes from Interstate 90 and directly of Interstate 86 at 10700 Delmas Drive, North East, Pa., 16428

What: Race of Champions Weekend; the 73^rd Annual Lucas Oil Race of Champions 250

More Information: www.lakeeriespeedway.com (Track Phone: 814.725.3303) / www.rocmodifiedseries.com         

ROC Mods PR

Madera’s Logan Trevino, Sacramento’s Austin Wood, Rancho Murieta’s Lucas Mauldin, and Manteca’s Briggs Davis rolled to victories in Saturday’s Micro Sprint competition at Stockton’s Delta Speedway presented by Valley Strong Credit Union. The penultimate round of the championship saw Wood and Davis move closer to coveted $1000 to win championships in their respective divisions on the 1/7^th mile dirt oval at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds.
 
In Winged Super 600 action, Izaak Sharp of Grass Valley was the top qualifier in a narrow time trial session. Nate Matherly of San Jose and Brentwood’s Jeffrey Pahule earned the ten-lap heat race triumphs. The invert placed Trevino on the pole, which he capitalized on by leading all 30-laps for his first Delta $500 win of the season. Points leader Wood, Rocklin’s Tucker LaCaze, Sharp, and Matherly rounded out the top-five.
 
Non-Wing was a challenge for Austin Wood to score his sixth win of the season but he overcame a fourth-starting position to earn the critical win. Wood was the fastest qualifier while Fresno’s Mattix Salmon and LaCaze claimed the heat races.
 
Pahule and Sharp were the front row starters for the 30-lap feature. Third-starting Carsen Perkins of Red Bluff worked up the inside to take the early lead with Wood following him into second.
 
Wood then swept around the outside of Perkins to lead lap seven. Wood never relinquished the top spot, leading Perkins, Salmon, Madera Ranchos’ Dalton Hill, and Sharp as the top-five finishers.
 
2022 Restricted champion Lucas Mauldin of Rancho Murieta drove back to victory lane in a $300-to-win, 25-lap contest. Points leader Nathan Ward of Bakersfield was the fastest in qualifying. Josiah Vega of Antioch and TK O’Brien of Manteca won the heat race competition.
 
Mauldin slotted into the pole position alongside Aubri Huckleberry in the main event. He paced the main event wire-to-wire. Hayden Stepps of Oakdale finished second, 3.241 seconds in arrears. Vega, Manteca’s Brody Rubio, and Stockton’s Vito Celli rounded out the top-five.
 
2022 Jr. Sprints champion Briggs Davis has now won nine features in the 2023 title defending season. Connor Penix of Clovis, Davis, Maya Mauldin, and Heston Stepps won the heat races.
 
Davis led all 20-laps for the $200 feature win. Mauldin was second ahead of Penix, Stepps, and Clayton’s David Anderson.
 
Delta Speedway presented by Valley Strong Credit Union will crown its champions on October 7!
 
Delta Speedway Stockton thanks Valley Strong Credit Union, Interstate Truck Center, Pape Kenworth, Hoosier Tire, Scully’s Air, Rancho San Miguel Markets, Eagle Grit, Winner’s Bingo, Genova Bakery, Belkorp Ag, Van De Pol Petroleum, Baker Roofing, Clean Brothers, and RacingJunk for their support!
 
Delta Speedway Results – September 16, 2023 Points Race No. 13
 
SUPER 600 (30 LAPS)
1. 7T-Logan Trevino[1]; 2. 2-Austin Wood[2]; 3. 19X-Tucker LaCaze[3]; 4. 24S-Izaak Sharp[4]; 5. 19-Nate Matherly[7]; 6. 73-Nikko Panella[5]; 7. 44X-Jeffery Pahule[6]; 8. 32A-Colton Huelsmann[8]; 9. 5-Mattix Salmon[11]; 10. 12-Alex Panella[9]; 11. 33-Andrew Smith[12]; 12. 15K-Kyle Cravotta[13]; 13. (DNS) 27-Brandon Carey
 
NON-WING (30 LAPS)
1. 2-Austin Wood[4]; 2. 35-Carsen Perkins[3]; 3. 5-Mattix Salmon[5]; 4. 20-Dalton Hill[9]; 5. 24S-Izaak Sharp[2]; 6. 19-Tucker LaCaze[6]; 7. 37H-Ryan Holden[12]; 8. 8G-Teddy Bivert[7]; 9. 25-Braydin Abrew[11]; 10. 44X-Jeffery Pahule[1]; 11. 99R-Buddy Chappell[13]; 12. (DNS) 13D-Drew Laeber; 13. (DNS) 52-Joe Silva
 
RESTRICTED (25 LAPS)
1. 55X-Lucas Mauldin[1]; 2. 98-Hayden Stepps[3]; 3. 75-Josiah Vega[7]; 4. 25R-Brody Rubio[5]; 5. 29V-Vito Celli `[6]; 6. 76-TK OBrien[8]; 7. 9J-Levi Osborne[9]; 8. 95-Nathan Ward[4]; 9. 10J-Aubri Huckleberry[2]
 
JR SPRINTS (20 LAPS)
1. 96-Briggs Davis[1]; 2. 55X-Maya Mauldin[3]; 3. 3P-Connor Penix[2]; 4. 99-Heston Stepps[4]; 5. 3D-David Anderson[6]; 6. 117-Alex Ranuio[8]; 7. 12-Haven Sherman[10]; 8. 11E-Easton Wright[7]; 9. 55J-Jayden Carey[9]; 10. 25DD-Samantha Dozier[5]
 
2023 Delta Speedway Schedule (Subject to Change)
 
April 8 Opening Day
April 22 Race #2
May 6 Race #3
May 20 Race #4
June 23 & 24 Race #5 & 6
July 4 Speedweek**
July 8 Race #7
July 22 Race #8
July 29 Race #9
August 19 Race #10
September 2 & 3 Race #11 & 12
September 16 Race #13
October 7 Race #14
October 27 & 28 Turkey Bowl XXIV**
 
**Non-points races

Delta Speedway PR

NASCAR is saddened to learn of the passing of Sherry Pollex, whose fight against cancer and determination to help others through the Sherry Strong Foundation was an inspiration to all who knew her. NASCAR and the NASCAR Foundation’s thoughts and prayers are with Sherry’s family and friends.

NASCAR PR

Nine years ago, Macon Speedway’s racing community was in grief over the loss of one of their racing favorites, Kerby Damery. The Macon driver passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer. Kerby’s widow Nikki made sure that her late husband’s honor would carry on through the KerbyStrong Foundation as well as a special night at his favorite racetrack that would be named KerbyStrong.

One of the premier divisions at Macon Speedway is the Decatur Building Trades Pro Late Models. The Late Models saw Damery win the championship in 2004. Braden Johnson has been pursuing a championship after constant top five finishes and three feature wins. Johnson rolled out to a front row outside starting spot and blasted out to the lead. With green flag laps mounting and Johnson stretching his lead, things were on cruise control for him. Then, a caution flag came and buttoned up the line. That allowed Dakota Ewing, Chris Dick, Jarod Shasteen and Blaise Baker a chance run closer to the leader. Only Ewing was able to stay close to Johnson as they ran the top side of the track but ran out of time as Johnson claimed his fourth feature of the season.

Kerby Damery was a Sportsman track champion in 1990 and is one of Macon Speedway’s top classes in 2023 as it relates to car count. Another solid car count saw the Weddle Performance Engines Sportsman class bring Steven Mattingly to the winner’s circle. Mattingly, from Chenoa, raced in the lead with Scott Landers and had a charging Wes O’Dell coming to the front. Landers came solidly to fight for the lead as they ran through the turns but Mattingly was too strong on the straightaways as he grabbed the checkered flag.

The final class that Kerby Damery raced was the Modifieds. Though he never experienced a lot of success, he did get the checkered flag a few times. Tim Luttrell has started to build a resume with a lot of checkered flags, especially recently in the Red’s Place Modifieds, and continued to add to that total with his fifth feature win of the season. The race started off with Zach Rhodes in control. A caution flag gathered the field together and then Austin Lynn made his move to make the pass with more than half the race complete. Lynn looked to headed back to victory lane but with two laps remaining, Luttrell charged up to the front and passed for the lead.

Dalton Ewing returned to dominance in the Pro-Modified class as he notched his sixth feature win of the 2023 campaign. The race was hard-fought as Guy Taylor, Zach Taylor and Kevin Crowder came running to the lead. Ewing kept his distance during green flag laps and made it an easy race.

Hayden Harvey came through the final turn to pass Hunter Pruitt for the checkered flag in the Pure Max Racing Oil HART Non-Wing Micro Sprints Presented by Bailey Chassis. For Harvey, it was his second win of the 2023 season in the Micro Sprints.

The final race of 2023 KerbyStrong was the Hornet feature which saw Billy Mason pull away from Tristin Quinlan and Allan Harris for the feature race win. Mason scored his fourth feature win of the year.

Macon Speedway thanks Nikki Damery, the Damery family and the KerbyStrong Foundation for their continued support for the event—the 9^th Annual KerbyStrong at Macon Speedway. One final night of racing awaits the drivers and fans for 2023 and it’s the Brandt Championship Night with the Diane Bennett Memorial with Tom Bennett Fan Giveback. Decatur Building Trades Pro Late Models, Red’s Place Modifieds, Weddle Performance Engines Sportsman, Street Stocks, Pro Modifieds, Micro Sprints Presented by Bailey Chassis and Hornets will be on hand to wrap up the season.

Decatur Building Trades Big Ten Pro Late Models

1. 14J-Braden Johnson[2]; 2. 25-Dakota Ewing[6]; 3. 22-Chris Dick[4]; 4. 77-Blaise Baker[3]; 5. M77-Joe Rokos[8]; 6. 11-Ryan Miller[10]; 7. 14S-Derek Smith[7]; 8. 32M-Cody Maguire[5]; 9. 21-Jarod Shasteen[1]; 10. 9B-Brandon Miller[12]

Red’s Place Big Ten Modifieds

1. 99-Tim Luttrell[4]; 2. 18-Jarrett Stryker[3]; 3. 58R-Ryan Hamilton[12]; 4. 9-Austin O'Dell[2]; 5. 71-Jeff Graham[7]; 6. Z24-Guy Taylor[14]; 7. 87C-Alan Crowder[10]; 8. 00S-Cody Stilwell[5]; 9. 14K-Shane Kelley[16]; 10. 72A-Austin Lynn[6]

DIRTcar Pro Mods

1. 27-Dalton Ewing[1]; 2. 4T-Guy Taylor[4]; 3. Z24-Zach Taylor[3]; 4. 15C-Kevin Crowder[6]; 5. 117-Jeremy Sebens[5]; 6. 324-Brady Reed[9]; 7. 33-Timmy Dick[2]; 8. 22H-Hudson Dick[16]; 9. 78-Maxx Emerson[7]; 10. 36-Bobby Fowler[13]

Weddle Performance Engines Sportsman

1. 7-Steven Mattingly[1]; 2. 41-Scott Landers[3]; 3. 87-Wes O'Dell[5]; 4. 46-Randy Huffman[4]; 5. 07-Phil Moreland[8]; 6. 14-Cole Landers[7]; 7. 55-Tim Riech[12]; 8. 5S-Ronald Bacon[9]; 9. 75-Jeff Gill[6]; 10. 11-Roy Magee[10]

DIRTcar Hornets

1. 357-Billy Mason[4]; 2. 95Q-Tristin Quinlan[2]; 3. 23H-Allan Harris[6]; 4. 13G-Gage Rusher[1]; 5. 7-John Bright Jr[3]; 6. 37-Lukas Robison[8]; 7. 04-Steve Stine[7]; 8. 10-Colin Reed[11]; 9. 51R-Roger Reed[9]; 10. 56-Jacob Doolen[13]

PureMax Racing Oil HART Non-Wing Micros

1. 55H-Hayden Harvey[3]; 2. 72H-Hunter Pruitt[2]; 3. 43-Parker Perry[4]; 4. 16W-Hunter Walker[1]; 5. 14-Cale Goodwin[6]; 6. 4R-Kameron Romack[5]; 7. 6-Cliff Powell[8]; 8. 96-Alex Burgener[7]; 9. 41-Josiah Wellwood[9]

Macon Speedway PR

Justin Allgaier used bold strategy and fresh tires to top the field in the Food City 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Allgaier, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, gave up the lead under caution with less than 50 laps to go to put on four fresh tires while his main rivals remained on the track. Methodically picking his way through the field, Allgaier had a thrilling side-by-side battle with Daniel Hemric before pulling away and clinching postseason advancement after taking the checkered flag in the debut race of the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs.

“I’m speechless - we won Bristol,” said Allgaier, who led a race-high 110 laps, collected his second Bristol victory, third win of the season and 22nd of his Xfinity Series career. “This team has done such an amazing job at this racetrack. The fans were unbelievable.

“The pit strategy – coming down pit road all by myself was nerve-wracking.”
Winning owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., making his first Bristol start since 2017, also had an eventful night, leading 47 laps and thrilling thousands of fans before a mechanical issue caused a fire under the hood and a hole in his firesuit.

“Somehow or another the shifter caught on fire,” said the NASCAR Hall of Famer, who finished 30th. “I smelled it and said hopefully that’s not me. My uniform was burning up. We were going to finish top 5 or top 10.

“I had a blast and Justin wins. Thanks to all the fans. We had a great crowd tonight. It makes me want to do it more.”

Hemric was 1.695 seconds behind as the runner-up, followed by fellow championship contenders John Hunter Nemechek in third, Cole Custer (109 laps led) in fourth and rookie Chandler Smith in fifth.

“Clean air was king,” Hemric said. “We had just enough race car there and once the top [groove] came in I had to live with it. [Allgaier’s] tires were just too much at the end. We came a long way from the drop of the green flag to the checkered flag.”

Hot tempers flared throughout, as is typical at Bristol. What was unusual was they stemmed from not-so-friendly-fire incidents between teammates in championship contention, with JR Motorsports drivers Josh Berry and Sam Mayer bumping on Lap 166 and Richard Childress Racing’s Sheldon Creed tapping Austin Hill along the frontstretch on Lap 216.

Hill finished 33rd while Mayer wound up 35th and Berry placed 36th.
Among other playoff contenders, Sammy Smith finished ninth, Creed placed 11th and Parker Kligerman was 31st.

Allgaier averaged 85.521 mph around the .533-mile concrete oval at The Last Great Colosseum, completing the 300 laps in 1 hour, 52 minutes and 11 seconds. Six caution periods took up 48 laps, with 14 drivers finishing on the lead lap and five drivers exchanging the lead eight times.

“The pit stops were amazing,” Allgaier said. “I don’t know if this is shots fired for the playoffs but it feels good.”

RACE SCHEDULE
The remaining NASCAR Playoff Weekend schedule includes:

• Saturday, Sept. 16: Bass Pro Shops Night Race (6:30 p.m., USA Network, PRN Radio).

FAN ACTIVITIES
Off-track activities for the weekend include:

• Saturday, Sept. 16: Kenny Wallace and John Roberts host Trackside Live (Food City Fan Zone Stage, 3 p.m.)
• Saturday, Sept. 16: Midland concert (4:15 p.m.)
• Saturday, Sept. 16: BMS tradition-rich driver intros with host Michael Buffer (5:45 p.m.)

See a full entertainment schedule on www.BristolMotorSpeedway.com.

TICKETS
To purchase tickets, visit www.BristolMotorSpeedway.com or call (866) 415-4158.

BMS PR