NASCAR & ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Homestead & Five Flags)

Winners: Kyle Larson (Cup); Justin Allgaier (Xfinity); Kyle Larson (Trucks) plus Max Reaves (ARCA)

Recap Graphic by Rolando Ramirez - RTR Graphics

 

NASCAR Cup

Kyle Larson Surges Late at Homestead-Miami, Notches 30th Cup Series Win

 

Kyle Larson proved himself the weekend’s most dominant driver at Homestead-Miami Speedway, winning two of the three national series races, capping off the extraordinary three-day performance with his 30th NASCAR Cup Series victory in Sunday’s Straight Talk Wireless 400.

 

Larson seized upon a miscue by his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Alex Bowman, who put his pole-winning No. 48 Chevrolet in the outside retaining wall with six laps remaining Sunday. That contact allowed Larson’s No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to pass him for the race lead and jet off to a 1.205-second win — the 32-year-old Californian’s first Cup Series trophy of the year.

 

“I knew me coming towards those guys, they were going to start moving around and making mistakes, and I felt like if I could just keep pressure on Alex, he may make a mistake, and he caught the wall there, and I got around him easier than I expected to,” Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, said. “Still had to work hard, though. My balance in clean air was really loose, just like those guys were. Hats off to the whole team.”

 

This must be those Florida showers they always talk about 😉🍾#StraightTalkWireless400 pic.twitter.com/AltaGcK0I1

— Homestead-Miami Speedway (@HomesteadMiami) March 23, 2025

Pole: Alex Bowman

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 3:00 pm ET for the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway.

NASCAR Xfinity

Justin Allgaier Earns Second Straight Xfinity Win

 

In one of the most dramatic finishes of the season, JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier took the lead on the final lap of overtime and held off his former teammate Sam Mayer for the Xfinity Series win — the ultimate “Dash 4 Cash” in the Hard Rock Bet 300 Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

 

For much of the day, it looked like 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson would answer his win in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race Friday night. He led 132 of the 201 laps and held a 16-second advantage on the field when a caution flag flew with eight laps remaining, bunching up the field for that final overtime restart.

 

Larson chose the bottom lane for the restart, with second-place Mayer opting to pull his No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford directly behind Larson’s No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet instead of on the front row alongside him. Just as the green flag flew for that final two laps, Mayer’s car hit the rear of Larson’s and knocked Larson’s Chevrolet out of shape

 

As that happened, the outside line of Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Hill and Allgaier zoomed forward with Hill taking the race lead. A lap later, Allgaier caught Hill and got around him for the victory — his first top five in 16 Homestead races and the second straight win for the reigning series champion

 

Hill finished third after Mayer passed him as well on the last lap.

 

“Just a testament to this team,” the 39-year-old Allgaier said. “Honestly, it was looking like it was one those days that wasn’t our day. We got behind but were able to persevere and to get this Chevrolet to Victory Lane is special.

 

“I just feel like this place has gotten me so many times.”

 

“I was actually bummed to see the caution flag come out but it worked out in my favor,” Allgaier added. “I’m bummed I maybe got the [weekend] triple from Kyle [Larson] because I think he’s going to have a great shot at [winning] it tomorrow. But we were at the right place at the right time and I’m really proud of this race team.”

 

B2B ✌️ pic.twitter.com/YTYehrcTE3

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) March 22, 2025

Pole:  Taylor Gray

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 5:00 pm ET for the Marine Corps 250 at Martinsville Speedway.

NASCAR Trucks

Kyle Larson Pulls Unlikely Comeback Win

 

Kyle Larson made a dramatic run to the checkered flag, rallying from a late-race spinout to methodically race back through the field and pass the night’s most dominant trucks in the final 10 laps to claim victory in Friday’s Baptist Health 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

 

It was a fittingly remarkable end to a typically competitive night in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Larson spun his No. 07 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet with 45 laps remaining in the 134-lapper and dropped out of the top 20. But the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion drove back through the field and moved forward, picking off one frontrunner after another.

 

“I wasn’t exactly sure if I could get back up there,” said Larson, who has four wins in only 16 series starts — two in his last four races. “I didn’t have the restart I wanted, took a little bit too long to start picking them off and then just got ripping the wall and it paid dividends for me in [Turns] 1 and 2.”

 

Larson acknowledged that Heim — who won two of the first three races this season — looked tough all race and was unquestionably the truck to beat. There was a problem with Heim’s motor in the closing laps — his truck suddenly started intermittently shutting off then restoring power in the closing 20 laps.

 

“Not sure what happened to the 11 [Heim], but that worked out in our favor for sure,” Larson said. “I don’t think I would have gotten to him [otherwise]. Obviously, I would have gotten to second, probably, but that would have been tough to get to him. That last run was a lot of fun.”

 

"Just got rippin' the wall."

That's what @KyleLarsonRacin does. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/IXmGPV5sZQ

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) March 22, 2025

Pole: Corey Heim

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Friday, March 28, 2025 at 7:30 pm ET for the Boys and Girls Club of the Blue Ridge 200 at Martinsville Speedway.

ARCA

Max Reaves Prevails at Five Flags in His Debut ARCA Menards Series East Appearance

 

Another new driver in the No. 18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing produced a familiar, winning result in Saturday’s ARCA Menards Series East season opener at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.

 

Max Reaves enjoyed a near-flawless outing in his debut weekend with Gibbs’ esteemed ARCA Menards Series program. After posting the quickest times in both practice and qualifying, Reaves set a commanding pace for most of the Pensacola 150 to deliver Gibbs his fourth victory at Five Flags in the past five years.

 

Despite his dominance, a win was far from assured for Reaves. Facing challenges from drivers like Kole Raz and Connor Mosack while simultaneously dealing with copious lapped cars, Reaves stayed vigilant all evening and was ecstatic to see his composure pay off with a trip to Victory Lane.

 

“I’m speechless right now,” Reaves said. “I felt like Superman when I passed [Kole Raz for the lead] and passed lapped cars. It was awesome, and the car was awesome.”

 

"I'm speechless right now, but I felt like Superman when I passed the leader right here!" 😅

👏 Congratulations to Max Reaves for getting it done! pic.twitter.com/vyjFB7zWMC

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) March 23, 2025

Pole: Max Reaves

Click Here for Race Results

Next Race: The ARCA Series West will return on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. MT for the ARCA Menards Series 150 presented by the West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame at Tucson Speedway.

 

source: NASCAR Media

ARCA Schedule of Events

Pensacola 150 at Five Flags Speedway

ARCA Action returns on Saturday March 23 when the ARCA Menards Series East compete at Five Flags Speedway. Five Flags Speedway is a half-mile paved oval racetrack in Pensacola, Florida.

 

Schedule of events: Pensacola 150 at Five Flags Speedway

Time	Event
8 a.m. – 6 p.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Credentials Open
9:30 – 10 a.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Haulers Enter
10 a.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Garage Opens
10:05 a.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Crew Chief Meeting
10:45 – 11 a.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Driver/Spotter Meeting
11 a.m – 12 p.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Driver Head Shots
12:30 p.m.	Safety Communications Meeting
12:45 p.m.	Track Services Meeting
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Final Practice
5 – 5:30 p.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Qualifying (2 Laps)
6:15 – 7:05 p.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Autograph Session on Track
7:10 p.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Driver Introductions
7:20 p.m.	Invocation
7:21 p.m.	National Anthem
7:30 p.m.	Command to Start Engines
7:35 p.m.	ARCA Menards Series East Pensacola 150 (150 laps / 75 Miles)

East Series now preparing for launch 🚀

The opening race of the 2024 ARCA Menards Series East season takes place this Saturday at @5FlagsSpeedway. Find out everything you need to know before the Pensacola 150 ⬇️

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) March 18, 2024

 

source: ARCA Media 

NASCAR & ARCA Race Recaps (Cota & Five Flags)

Winners: Tyler Reddick (Cup); AJ Allmendinger (Xfinity); Zane Smith (Trucks) William Sawalich (ARCA East) 

 

NASCAR Cup

Tyler Reddick Scores First 2023 Win at COTA

 

Tyler Reddick prevailed in three NASCAR Overtime restarts to claim his first trophy of the year – and first with his new team, 23XI Racing, with a 1.411-second victory over two-time series champion Kyle Busch in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix – the NASCAR Cup Series’ first road course race of the season.

 

It was a field of international champions and NASCAR’s very best at the famed Circuit of The Americas course, but for most of the race, the outcome looked to be decided in a good ol’ Texas duel between the two fastest cars all weekend driven by Reddick and Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron. The pair exchanged the lead, lap after exciting lap for most of the afternoon.

 

And on the final two-lap restart, Reddick was able to put his No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota out front exiting Turn 1 – a tight left-hander – and power forward to the lead, while Busch and third-place finisher Alex Bowman, fourth-place finisher – and defending race winner – Ross Chastain and fifth-place Byron fought door-to-door, bumper-to-bumper as they chased after him.

 

“I’ve been wanting to win here in a Cup car for a long time,” Reddick, the 27-year-old Californian, said who now has four NASCAR Cup Series wins, but noted this was his first as a Toyota driver and with his 23XI Racing Team – co-owned by fellow competitor Denny Hamlin and NBA superstar Michael Jordan.

 

“It means the world,” said Reddick, who sat down on the track and leaned against his car with a bag of ice after winning to cool down on the typically Texas-hot afternoon. “This whole 23XI team has been working hard all winter long to make the road course program better and was extremely motivated to come in here and improve performance. Just so proud of this Monster Energy team and TRD (Toyota Racing Development). All the resources they’ve put in to turn around the road course program means a lot.”

 

RACE WINNER @COTA 🎉@TylerReddick and the No. 45 @MonsterEnergy team! pic.twitter.com/fm3MRnHs5A

— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) March 26, 2023

Pole: William Byron

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on Sunday, Apr. 2 3:30 PM ET for the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway. 

 

NASCAR Xfinity

AJ Allmendinger Scores Second Straight Xfinity Win at COTA

 

AJ Allmendinger started on the pole position and won the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pit Boss 250 presented by USA Today on Saturday at the world-renowned Circuit of The Americas road course.

 

The 46 laps between the green and checkered flags, however, were dramatic and full of emotional highs and lows for the veteran Allmendinger, who led 14 laps to start the race and the final 14 laps to close it out. The series’ all-time road course winner earned his 11th road course trophy (and 16th career Xfinity Series victory) despite having to navigate through the field after falling back to 25th place during mid-race green flag pit stops.

 

It was a major league road course lesson for the rest of the field as the 41-year-old Californian diced and sliced his way forward in the No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet to win this race for the second consecutive year. He ultimately took a 0.853-second victory over relentless Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron in the No. 17 Chevrolet.

 

“William Byron put his best foot forward, you’ve seen all the Cup races he’s winning,” Allmendinger said of the season’s two-race winner Byron. “I knew it was going to be tough just trying to fight to get back up to the front there. Hate that I had contact with Sheldon [Creed], he got under me, I was trying to stay off him, so I hate that happened but so proud of everyone at Kaulig Racing. The Celsius Chevy was really hooked up, and with all the damage we had, it didn’t hurt the car.”

 

“I spent a lot of years not winning anything, so I’m going to celebrate every one of them like it’s my last one,” Allmendinger added. “You never know. As much pressure as I put on myself, I’m always going to try to live up to it. The pit crew was awesome, and I’m so proud of everyone.”

 

🏁Ringer, ringer, ringer!@AJDinger goes back-to-back to win the #PitBoss250 at @NASCARatCOTA. pic.twitter.com/Frsk4UNzMa

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) March 25, 2023

Pole: AJ Allmendinger

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on Saturday, Apr. 1, 1:00 PM ET for the ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond Raceway. 

 

NASCAR Trucks

Zane Smith Goes Back-to-Back with TrucksWins at COTA

 

Zane Smith became the first repeat NASCAR winner at the famed Circuit of The Americas road course, the reigning series champion holding off veteran Kyle Busch to claim his second straight victory in Saturday‘s XPEL 225 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.

 

The 23-year-old Californian‘s No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford led the final 15 laps — a race best 16 of the 42 laps in all — and crossed the finish line 5.451 seconds ahead of the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Busch. The win makes Smith‘s Front Row Motorsports team a perfect 3-for-3 in Craftsman Truck Series races at COTA. Todd Gilliland won the 2021 inaugural event here.

 

It‘s the second victory of the year for Smith, who won the season-opener at Daytona, too — the same first two victories he earned in his 2022 championship season as well.

 

“Shout out to Chris Lawson for an amazing strategy,” said Smith, whose Ford F-150 had a small fire under it extinguished after his burnout.

 

“So cool for [sponsors] Speedco, Peak and all our partners. It was fast when it mattered. I just enjoy coming to all the road courses, especially here. So cool. Just a true testament to this team.”

 

“Once we got to that eight-to-go point and I was told Kyle [Busch] was in second, my heart rate went up a little bit, just because he‘s so good at managing his stuff when it mattered,” Smith continued. “So, I just tried not to make any mistakes.”

 

CHECKERED FLAG: @ZaneSmith goes back-to-back at @NASCARatCOTA! pic.twitter.com/WUlLtXEvqy

— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) March 25, 2023

Pole: Ross Chastain

Click Here for Race Results

 

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on Saturday, Apr. 1, 4:30 PM ET for the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway. 

 

ARCA East

William Sawalich Delivers a Dominant Run at Five Flags Speedway for his First ARCA Win

 

William Sawalich arrived at Five Flags Speedway for the Pensacola 200 with redemption on his mind.

 

A potential victory in his first ARCA Menards Series start on March 10 at Phoenix Raceway evaporated in the closing laps when Sawalich was turned by Bradley Erickson on a restart. The incident forced Sawalich to limp his battered No. 18 Starkey/ Sound Gear Toyota home with a disappointing 13th place run.

 

No such obstacle plagued Sawalich in his inaugural ARCA Menards Series East appearance Saturday, as he led every lap from the General Tire Pole to continue a pattern of success that’s followed the No. 18 on the ARCA platform over the past few years.

 

“I can’t thank this Joe Gibbs Racing team enough,” Sawalich said. “We had a really fast Toyota Camry here, and the team worked hard to make this car as good as it [was].”

 

The first of 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 for @WilliamSawalich!!🏆@starkeyhearing | @SoundGearHear | @ARCA_Racing pic.twitter.com/MPeZYuZWTZ

— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) March 27, 2023

Pole: William Sawalich

Click Here for Race Results 
Next Race: The ARCA Series (West) will return on Saturday, April 1, 10 p.m. ET at Irwindale Speedway.

 

source: NASCAR Media

Brad Keselowski Added to Snowball Derby Roster

Joins other #NASCAR Drivers including Erik Jones; Derek Kraus; Carson Hocevar; Chandler Smith; William Byron; Josh Berry; Noah Gragson; and Ty Majeski

 

NASCAR champion Brad Keselowski has successfully competed in a number of different series and events over his illustrious racing career, but never the Snowball Derby – the most prestigious event in super late model racing. That changes this year when Keselowski will take the wheel of the No. 6 Ford with sponsorship from long-time and significant racing supporter, Fr8Auctions. The 55th annual Snowball Derby is scheduled for November 30th – December 4th at Five Flags Speedway located in Pensacola, Florida.

 

“The Snowball Derby is essentially an all-star race as it attracts some of the biggest names in short track racing, as well as some of my competitors from NASCAR,” said Keselowski. “This is my first time behind the wheel at the Derby. I’m really looking forward to the race and very appreciative of Fr8Auctions coming on-board with me. Fr8Auctions has supported all levels of racing, so it’s great to partner with them for this particular event and bring together NASCAR and super late model racing.”

 

WATCH THE SNOWBALL DERBY
ON RACING AMERICA

 

For Keselowski, it marks his first partnership with Fr8Auctions, but not Fr8Auctions’ first partnership in motorsports.

 

"FR8Auctions is looking forward to growing our racing footprint while supporting grassroots events with different drivers across all levels of motorsports. Whether it's partnering with Championship Cup drivers in Crown Jewel events like the Snowball Derby or supporting the young up and coming drivers working their way through the ranks, FR8 is committed to the sport and its growth long term,” said Marcus Barela, Founder and CEO of Fr8Auctions.

 

"We are thrilled to continue to grow our footprint in all levels of racing by working with Brad in the Snowball Derby. This is a Crown Jewel event and we are excited to have such an accomplished driver representing us on and off the track.” "Brad is a champion and we are racing for the win,” added Matt Erickson, President of Fr8Auctions.

 

While a first participating in the Snowball Derby and a first with Fr8Auctions, the event will be a bit of homecoming of sorts for Keselowski where he will be driving a FURY Race Cars entry with Tony Eury Jr. serving as crew chief for the event. Keselowski and Eury Jr. partnered together in 2009 during Keselowski’s part-time schedule with Hendrick Motorsports.

 

“Having the opportunity to work together again Tony Jr. and Pops makes this whole program even more special,” added Keselowski. “This is going to be a lot fun to be sure, but we are all racers, so we’re headed down to Pensacola to compete for a win!”

 

The 55th annual Snowball Derby will be available via live pay-per-view exclusively on RacingAmerica.com. The Snowball Derby 300-lap feature race is scheduled for Sunday December 4th, 2022, at 2:00 pm ET.

 

About FR8Auction

 

Fr8Auctions partners with freight lines, distribution companies, and consumer product-based businesses to help sell excess, discontinued or damaged inventory outside of traditional distribution channels. Utilizing industry leading merchandising techniques, product presentations, and a competitive bidding environment, Fr8Auctions offers both their partners and buyer’s opportunities to maximize returns on their investments. Buyers can also access online (sealed bid) auctions to bid on the thousands of pallets of merchandise, which can range from gas grills to ceiling fans and various domestic and home improvement products. The integrity-based company is focused on building small businesses and lasting partnerships across all avenues of the asset recovery industry.

 

 

You know I couldn’t stay away from racing too long. Excited to make my #SnowballDerby debut!@fr8auctions | @RacingAmerica pic.twitter.com/HqHPE2nueo

— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) November 22, 2022

 

---

Snowball Entries

SNOWBALL DERBY ENTRIES AS OF SUNDAY 11/20
 

SNOWBALL 300
58 ENTERED

1 Michael House, Columbia, TN
2 John Bolen, Jasper, AL
2 William Sawalich, Eden Prairie, MN
4 Erik Jones Byron, MI
4 Luke Fenhaus, Wausau, WI
5 Casey Johnson, Edgerton, WI
8 Jase Hansen, Evans, CO
8 Nicholas Naugle, Muskegon, MI
9 Brandon Watson, Barrie Ont. Canada
9 Brad May, Ovido, FL
9 Derek Kraus, Stratford, WI
10 George Gorham Winter Haven, FL
12 Derek Griffith, Hudson, NH
14 Austin Nason, Roscoe, IL
14 Carson Hocevar, Portage, MI
16 Jacob Gomes, Manteca, CA
18 Chandler Smith, Talking Rock, GA
18 Hunter Robbins, Pensacola, FL
21 Corey Heim, Davidson, NC
21 Jesse Love, Redwood City, CA
22 Connor Okrzesik, Grand Bay, AL
22 Sammy Smith, Johnston, IA
23 Billy VanMeter, Muskegon, MI
24 Scott Sanchez, Bakersfield, CA
24 William Byron, Charlotte, NC
26 Bubba Pollard, Senoia, GA
26 Casey Roderick, Dayton, OH
26 Josh Berry, Statesville, NC
28 Connor Mosack, Mooresville, NC
30 Noah Gragson Mooresville, NC
32 Carson Kvapil, Mooresville, NC
32 Harold Crooms, Lakeland, FL
33 Dustin Smith, Mobile, AL
35 Jake Garcia, Monroe, GA
43 Daniel Dye, Deland, FL
43 Derek Thorn, Bakersfield, CA
44 Conner Jones, Fredericksburg, VA
44 Jeremy Doss, Upper Lake, CA
45 Michael Simko, Clarkson, MI
48 Preston Peltier, Brighton, CO
50 Jett Noland, Groveland, FL
51 Jake Finch, Lynn Haven, FL
51 Stephen Nasse, Pinellas Park, FL
53 Boris Jurkovic, Ft. Myers Bch, FL
53 Cole Butcher, Porters Lake, NS Canada
54 Johnny Clark, Farmingdale, ME
54 Matt Craig , Kannapolis, NC
55 Haeden Plybon, Deer Park, WA
57 Zach Telford, Middleton, ID
63 Trayten Tarr, Rathdrum, ID
65 Tyler Tanner, Mooresville, NC
69 Michael Hinde, Hernando, FL
79 Kyle Bryant Navarre, FL
91 Ty Majeski, Seymour, WI
98 Blaine Rocha, Oakdale, CA
98 Tommy Catalano, Ontario, NY
99 Linny White, Ontario, CA
112 Augie Grill, Hayden, AL

 

 

SNOWFLAKE 100
56 ENTERED

00 Cale Gale, Pfafftown, NC
0 Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, Ont. Canada
00 Anthony Cataldi, Umatilla, FL
1 Ryan Flemming, Cedarville, OH
2 John Bolen, Jasper, AL
3 Brad Adams, Greenbrier, TN
4 Elliott Massey, Lucedale, MS
4 Parker Eatmon, Wilson, NC
5 Jeremy Miller, Rockford, IL
7 Jackson Boone, Franklin, TN
10 Brittney Zamora, Troutman, NC
10 Johanna Long Robbins, Pensacola, FL
11 Brian Reeves, Enterprise, AL
11 Dylan Cappello, Charlotte, NC
11 Jolynn Wilkinson , Bessemer, AL
12 Bryson Shaffer, Milan, TN
12 Christopher Hogan, Alvin, TX
15 Mike Hopkins, Hermon, ME
18 Ryan Paul, Mobile, AL
22 Dylan Courtney, Citronelle, AL
22 Evan Szotko, Coopersville, MI
22 Augie Grill, Hayden, AL
22 Kyle Steckly, Milverton, Ont. Canada
24 Brent Crews, Cornelius, NC
25 Jake Bollman, Hunnington Bch, CA
26 Bubba Pollard, Senoia, GA
26 Cole Williams, Borden, IN
26 Casey Roderick, Dayton, OH
30 Alex Guenette, Mooresville, NC
33 Dustin Smith, Mobile, AL
33 Watson Griffith, Jr., Harvey, IN
35 Jake Garcia, Monroe, GA
42 Derek Thorn, Bakersfield, CA
44 Conner Jones, Fredericksburg, VA
45 Tony Cosentino, Statesville, NC
47 Dakota Stroup, Maceo, KY
48 Preston Peltier, Brighton, CO
50 Jett Noland, Groveland, FL
51 Stephen Nasse, Pinellas Park, FL
52 Leland Honeyman, Mooresville, NC
54 Grant Thompson, Mobile, AL
54 Jerrett Butcher, Dartmouth, NS Canada
62 Cody McCawley, Semmes, AL
67 Colin Allman, Plant City, FL
69 Michael Hinde, Hernando, FL
70 Gavin Graham, Polk City, FL
71 Katie Hettinger, Dryden, MI
75 Jeremy Doss, Upperlake, CA
77 Connor Okrzesik, Grand Bay, AL
81 Gio Ruggiero, Seekonk, MA
88 Boston Oliver, Murfreesboro, TN
89 Dylan Fetcho, Lebanon, TN
89 Chase Spradlin, Oak Grove, AL
90 Trevor Cristiani, Boise, ID
91 Jim Wall, Huntsville, AL
95 Derrick Griffin, Pensacola, FL

 

 

source: Brad Keselowski, Inc. Release

Castroneves Celebrates SRX 75 Victory by Climbing Five Flags Fence

 

Spider-Man scaled another wall Saturday night just like he has done countless times in a decorated IndyCar career. This time, though, four-time Indianapolis 500 champion Helio Castroneves was doing it in Pensacola. Climbing the catchfence. At Five Flags Speedway. Helio … Castroneves.

 

The Five Flags faithful—hot and sticky from a blistering Saturday afternoon—showered him with roars of approval. Castroneves pumped his fists skyward, which elicited more cheers from a thoroughly entertained and jam-packed crowd. To describe the scene as surreal would be to undersell the moment. It was exactly the chill-bumps picture the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX Series) envisioned when the star-studded series targeted short-track racing’s most iconic venues.

 

Castroneves, a late addition Friday night to make it a thirteen-car field, took control of the race from his IndyCar buddy Tony Kanaan on Lap 62 of the SRX 75 season opener and cruised to the checkered flag.

 

The win belongs to @h3lio!

He takes the checkered flag in the first main event of the @SRXracing season. pic.twitter.com/KHq3rmxb8g

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) June 19, 2022

 

“This is fantastic!” a genuinely giddy Castroneves said while being interviewed by Matt Yocum, as the race was televised live on CBS. “I don’t know what happened to Tony. It was super cool running side-by-side with him. At the end of the day, we worked really hard to be in Victory Lane.”

 

Late Model star and Five Flags favorite Bubba Pollard finished runner-up and 2008 Daytona 500 champion Ryan Newman rounded out the podium. Pollard more than held his own with the NASCAR, IndyCar and other motorsports champions. He won the night’s opening heat race and battled back to second after a flat tire cost him valuable track position early in the 75 lapper while running in the top-five. Pollard pitted and restarted tail end.

 

“I hate that I had a flat tire, but these (SRX) guys were good,” Pollard said. “It brought me back to my early Super Late Model days where you’re hanging on and doing all you gotta do.

 

“Hopefully, we made the short-track community proud. And to do it at Five Flags makes it so special. This is the place that taught me how to win at other places. Five Flags taught me patience and respect to my fellow racers.” Pollard started on the pole and led for most of the first 20 laps as he and Newman waged what was the first of many battles Saturday.

 

“Bubba gave me a heckuva run,” Newman said. “Thanks for all fans for coming out. It was hot for us; I can’t imagine how it was for them. I love this opportunity to race with the best.”

 

Kanaan took the lead from Pollard on Lap 18 and built a healthy lead until a caution stacked the field back up and allowed Castroneves to make his timely pass late in the race en route to the win.

source: 5 Flags Speedway

  

Gallery

Camping World SRX Series at 5 Flags

 

When the idea of a Superstar Racing Experience touring series was first tossed around a few years ago, the immediate goal was focusing on iconic short-track speedways.

 

As any Five Flags Speedway loyalist will attest, a list of historic short tracks would be incomplete if it didn’t include the famed half-mile asphalt oval tucked away two miles off I-10, on Pine Forest Road.

 

The 2022 @SRXracing season gets underway Saturday at @5FlagsSpeedway!

Take a look at which drivers will be taking part in the 2022 kickoff 👇https://t.co/Ct2AYAH9k2

— Racing America (@RacingAmerica) June 16, 2022

 

Cut to today and the Camping World SRX Series is opening its second season Saturday night at Five Flags with an otherworldly car collection of NASCAR legends, Indianapolis 500 winners and champions from other professional motorsports series. The 12-car field includes present and future Hall of Famers, such as Bill Elliott, Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti, Paul Tracy and others.

 

“We were humbled when we received the call that we were being considered for one of the six events,” Five Flags General Manager Tim Bryant said. “There are hundreds of short tracks around the country that would jump at a chance to host an SRX event. We are over-the-top excited to put on a great show for Pensacola and showcase our city.”

 

The 75-lap SRX race brings a CBS TV production crew, which will broadcast the two-hour event live to a national audience beginning at 7 p.m. District 1 and Board of Escambia County Commissioners Chairman Jeff Bergosh believes the two-hour Saturday primetime spotlight will enhance the city’s profile and deliver a “shot in the arm financially from all the visitors who attend.”

 

“This Saturday's arrival of the SRX series in Pensacola at Five Flags Speedway will be an incredible experience for Escambia County and District 1,” Bergosh continued. “With renowned drivers, this will be like an all-star event. I look forward to attending Saturday's race.”

 

General admission is $35 with advanced reserved seats $40 and $45 for reserved seats on race day. Grandstands open at 11 a.m. Saturday with a brief SRX autograph session beginning at 2:15 p.m. approximately. There will be a fan zone under a tent behind the grandstands and cooling misters sprinkled throughout the facility for fans to beat the blistering June heat.

 

The Faith Chapel Outlaws are the appetizer to SRX’s main course and will vie for a winner-take-all $3,000 in their 50-lap feature. At least 25 Outlaws will qualify at 4 p.m. Saturday before dropping the green flag at 5. Just a few years old, the Outlaws continue to be among the most competitive series at Pensacola’s high banks. Pensacola veteran Logan Boyett leads Panama City teenager Timothy Watson by a single point in the season standings heading into the big-dollar 50 lapper.

 

Included among the dozen SRX stars is Deep South Cranes Blizzard Series stud Bubba Pollard. Pollard earned his spot by having the best average finish (third) at the Pepperjack Kennels Twin Blizzard weekend in early April. Pollard is a machine at Five Flags with 24 Late Model career victories.

 

“(SRX’s) idea of adding a local into the field was really smart,” Bryant said. “It allows some of our regular race fans to identify with one of their own among the best of the best. We felt, with so many deserving drivers, the only fair way to do it was let them earn the right into the SRX race and that’s what Bubba did. I know a legion of fans from Senoia, Ga., are coming down and he already has a huge fan base here in Pensacola.”

 

SRX has eight full-time drivers for the 2022 season—those include Andretti, Labonte, Stewart, Daytona 500 winners Ryan Newman and Michael Waltrip and 2012 Indianapolis 500 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay. Elliott, Kanaan and Ernie Francis Jr. all raced with SRX last season.

 

“The list of drivers that SRX is bringing is incredible,” Bryant said. “It is an honor for any racetrack to host such legendary drivers. We’ve been working every day to wash, paint and spruce up this 60-year-old racetrack to make a good presentation before a nationally television audience.”

 

SRX Entry List for Five Flags

#1 - Ryan Hunter Reay #3 - Paul Tracy #5 - Ernie Francis Jr #6 - Tony Kannan #9 - Bill Elliott #14 - Tony Stewart #15 - Michael Waltrip #18 - Bobby Labonte #26 - Bubba Pollard #39 - Ryan Newman #69 - Greg Biffle #98 - Marco Andretti

 

source: Five Flags

NASCAR / ARCA Race Weekend Recap (Atlanta Motor Speedway & Five Flags Speedway)

Winners: William Byron (Cup); Ty Gibbs (Xfinity); Corey Heim (Trucks) Plus Sammy Smith (ARCA East)

 

NASCAR Cup (Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500)

William Byron Surges to Atlanta Win

 

It was superspeedway racing with all the trimmings.

 

“New” Atlanta Motor Speedway produced a fifth different 2022 winner — William Byron, who managed to keep an angry pack of drafting cars behind him for the final 10 laps of Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.

 

In a race that produced 46 lead changes among 20 drivers — both track records — Byron crossed the finish line .109 seconds ahead of Christopher Bell and .145 seconds ahead of Ross Chastain.

 

Bell, however, was penalized for passing below the boundary line on the backstretch on the final lap and was demoted to 23rd, the last position on the lead lap. That elevated Chastain to his second straight runner-up finish.

 

“It was so different,” said Byron, who collected his third NASCAR Cup Series victory, his first of the season and his first at Atlanta, which had undergone a major repaving and reconfiguration since the series raced at the 1.54-mile track last July. “Honestly, the last few laps there and trying to manage the gap to Bubba and trying to not get too far out front. You know, my spotter Brandon (Lines), his first win, so congrats to him. Thanks to this whole team. They’ve done a great job this year.

 

“Lots of changes with the Next Gen car. The (No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports) Chevrolet was awesome there. Worked hard overnight. Had a pretty rough practice and worked hard on it and got it handling well, like I told you. It was kind of an intermediate style with a little bit of speedway into it, so a lot of fun.”

 

Your #FOHQT500 winner @WilliamByron!! pic.twitter.com/ntx2rXGpvA

— Atlanta Motor Speedway (@amsupdates) March 21, 2022

 

Next Race: The Cup Series will return on 03/27/2022 for the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas.

Pole: Chase Briscoe
(Qualifying was canceled due to inclement weather.)

Click Here for Race Results

 

 

NASCAR Xfinity (Nalley Cars 250)

Ty Gibbs Earns Second Xfinity Series Victory of 2022

 

With a brilliant move to the inside of leader Ryan Sieg on the final lap of a second overtime, Ty Gibbs seized control of Saturday’s Nalley Cars 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway and won by 0.178 seconds over runner-up Austin Hill.

 

Overcoming a mistake on pit road, where he overshot his stall, Gibbs rallied to run near the front as the race reached the end of regulation and moved into overtime.

 

“What the heck? Oh, my gosh! I didn’t expect this at all,” said Gibbs, who at age 19 already is building a formidable legacy. “That’s one where I learned a big lesson-just never give up… Now I’m going to go party with the boys — let’s go!”

 

Let’s go! pic.twitter.com/rMUPL3gczW

— Ty Gibbs (@TyGibbs_) March 20, 2022

 

Next Race: The Xfinity Series will return on 03/26/2022 for the Pit Boss 250 at Circuit of The Americas.

Pole: Noah Gragson
(Qualifying was canceled due to inclement weather.)

Click Here for Race Results

 

 

NASCAR Trucks (FR8 208)

Corey Heim Snags First Truck Series Win at Atlanta

 

Moments after taking the white flag in Saturday’s FR8 208 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Corey Heim powered to the inside of Kyle Busch Motorsports teammate Chandler Smith, got a push from teammate John Hunter Nemechek and held on to win his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.

 

Heim’s No. 51 Toyota crossed the finish line 0.173 seconds ahead of the Toyota of Ben Rhodes, as Ty Majeski came home third and Smith slipped to fourth. Daytona International Speedway winner Zane Smith completed the top five on the repaved and reconfigured track.

 

“It’s awesome — I was at the right place at the right time,” said Heim, a 19-year-old from Marietta, Georgia, who won in his fifth Truck Series start. “Toyota Racing just helps us so much to get here and I’m just so glad to be here.”

 

Let’s go!!! Winners at my home track in the ATL! Thank you so much @kbmteam @toyotaracing!! My @JBLaudio #Tundra TRD Pro was awesome today. Looking forward to the next one! #TeamToyota pic.twitter.com/zcstQmzcgB

— Corey Heim (@CoreyHeim_) March 19, 2022

 

Next Race: The Truck Series will return on 03/26/2022 for the XPEL 225 at the Circuit of The Americas.

Pole: Chandler Smith
(Qualifying was canceled due to inclement weather.)

Click Here for Race Results

 

 

ARCA (Pensacola 200 )

Sammy Smith Cruises to Victory at Five Flags in Pensacola

 

The ARCA Menards Series East ventured back to Florida on Saturday for Round 2 of the 2022 season at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida.

 

While Sammy Smith was the driver who visited Victory Lane, it wasn’t without a fight from his chief rival, Taylor Gray. The two traded the lead multiple times in the final portion of the race, with Gray eventually fading to third after a late-race restart penalty.

 

“The whole time I felt good about it,” Smith said in Victory Lane. “Thanks to the whole team for making the car better all day. We struggled there in practice and really worked hard to get it good and here we are.”

 

The victory by Smith, combined with Gray’s third-place finish, means Smith has a 12-point edge in the battle for the East Series championship after two events.

 

To the point! @sammysmithSS takes the lead from @TaylorGray17_! @FloRacing | @5FlagsSpeedway pic.twitter.com/UFMoQJrWEc

— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) March 20, 2022

 

Next Race: The ARCA Series – West will return on O3/26/2022 for the NAPA Auto Parts 150 presented by West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame at Irwindale Speedway.

Pole: Leland Honeyman

Click Here for Race Results

 

source: NASCAR Media