Category: Cup

Silly Season Heats Up in Majors Garage Cup Series with Rule Changes and Charter Chaos

Darlington, SC – April 08, 2025 – The Majors Garage Cup Series (MGCS) Silly Season roared back into the spotlight last night, as Crown Jewel Racing Executives dropped a double dose of chaos following a tense board meeting. The result? Sweeping rule changes to race control and a wild reshuffling of charters that have teams and drivers buzzing ahead of tomorrow’s Goodyear 400 at Darlington.

The rulebook got a major facelift, starting with clearer guidelines on racing incidents. Crown Jewel Racing unveiled a system to judge fault based on where contact happens—corner entry, center, exit, or straightaways—using a driver’s “predictable line” from their prior three laps as the benchmark. Penalties range from 1 to 2 RC points for infractions like unsafe apron re-entries or late blocks, with shared fault splitting the difference at 1 point each. Race lengths also stretched from 80% to a full 100% for the season’s remainder, pushing driver stamina to the limit. Meanwhile, the RC penalty ceiling tightened suspensions now kick in at 6 points (down from 8), qualifying bans at 4, and suspended drivers reset to 3 points post-ban. It’s a stricter leash for a wild field. Read all about the Rule Updates here.

The bigger shockwave, though, was the axing of open cars from MGCS. These developmental slots will stick around in the Conti Sim-Performance Dash Series and VRS Truck Series, but their four Cup Series spots were snatched up overnight by new charter teams, keeping the field capped at 40. Here’s the rundown on the charter scramble:

Moonshine Motorsports Expands with XPress eSports
Cody Porter, already behind the wheel for Moonshine Motorsports, secured the first charter and launched XPress eSports to bolster his operation. The #63 Ford Mustang hits the track this week, and rumors are swirling that Porter’s move is a bold play to bring back Johnny Avila—last season’s VRS Truck Series dominator who vanished into the shadows. A superhero sequel in the making?

Majors Garage eSports Doubles Down
Charter number two went to Majors Garage eSports, where points leader Dallas Pataska welcomed a teammate to his arsenal. Nathan Fuller takes the #7 Chevrolet into Darlington, but speculation swirls: will Fuller lock down the seat, or will Pataska shuffle his roster of aces to keep rivals on edge?

Gateway Racing Rises
The third charter landed with Garth Griswold (yours truly), who’d been stalking a charter since Silly Season sparked last month. With slim pickings and charters flying to heavyweights like THW Motorsports, Griswold pounced, forming Gateway Racing. The #10 Chevrolet evens out the manufacturer mix and opens doors for hungry talent. “We’re at the Gateway to the Future,” Griswold declared. “I’m thrilled to be apart of this.”

Patriot Motorsports Bolsters the Ranks
Patriot Motorsports snagged the fourth charter, as team owner Zach Johnson paired #94 driver Thomas Wolfe with a new ally. Early reports confirmed a bombshell: Hollywood Motorsports’ #5 driver Allen Phillips ditched a resignation letter on owner Nathaniel Campbell’s desk this morning, bolting to Patriot’s #42 car. Campbell had just revived Mike Burnett for the #16 last week, but Phillips saw greener pastures elsewhere.

Sources said that Hollywood’s #5 Chevrolet won’t stay vacant long. Sources are saying that Campbell gave Jacob Quill the nod once again, who drove for the team at Phoenix, to step in. No official word yet, but insiders peg Quill as the full-time fix for the season.

With rules sharpened, charters reshuffled, and drivers on the move, MGCS Silly Season is a runaway freight train. Will these changes tame the chaos or fuel the fire? Darlington’s green flag tomorrow holds the answers—strap in.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: MARTINSVILLE

The Majors Garage Cup Series presented by Crown Jewel Racing Network is live tonight from Martinsville speedway. Green Flag flies at 8:15pm est. WATCH HERE

TOO HOT TO HANDLE

  • Boyd Hoggan has finally done the inevitable, win a race. Look we all knew this would happen and happen soon based on his performance so far this season, but now that the pressure is off and the playoff spot has been secured, the question is how many can he win?
  • Allen Phillips has snuck himself up into the 12th spot in the points standings with 3 top 15 finishes in a row. Looks as if the number 5 team have learned to calmed down from the early season nerves and settled into place for the dog days of summer.
  • Nic Vasquez still hasn’t lost his touch from last season it seems. With all the rumors and turmoil going on he still hasn’t finished outside of the top 15 all year. He may have a new owner and home at Palmetto Motorsports, but it seems this dog and the 22 team still knows its tricks.

EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!

  • This season has been the gift that has not stopped giving. The latest news happened to be a purchase and three-way trade of charters. To sum it all up, Nic Vasquez and the 22 car now finds themselves under the Toyota umbrella over at Palmetto Motorsports, Vince Mitchell and the 18 car returns home to Tipton Harding Motorsports, and Factory Motorsports bolsters its roster after acquiring the 95 charter and fill it with Tyler Justice. Only time to determine which teams are playing chess and which teams are playing checkers with all these moves. Will Factory Motorsports become the Iracing version of Hendrick Motorsports, or will all the talent and personalities implode under one roof? Will Vasquez feel appreciated now and grow with Palmetto as they plan? Will Vince’s return home to THM spark the fire under him and that whole team now that the band is back together again? Only time will tell, and Martinsville seems like the first official test.
  • No, you aren’t dreaming, this is not a fire drill, and you aren’t being punked. Mike Burnett will be returning to the Majors Garage Cup Series, driving the number 16 car for Hollywood Motorsports. Many are excited, some are nervous, but us here at Crown Jewel Racing Network are ready for the show. Sources have told us that there were a few possible suitors for Burnett’s return, which would have likely been in the Team Conti Sim Performance Dash Series. Some thought his extended time away from the cup series could have caused him to lose his edge, but executives at Hollywood Motorsports thought otherwise. Burnett will stay loyal and remain in the Chevy camp which made this decision to sign a heck of a lot easier to facilitate. There is no official date on when Burnett will be in the seat of the 16 car even though the team has been assembled, but sources inside of Hollywood Motorsports have told us that meetings have been taking place all week and sim work will be conducted this weekend. We should expect to see him on the track possibly by Darlington.

Silly Season Shakes Up MGCS: Vasquez, Mitchell, and Morales Headline Latest Moves

Columbia, SC – March 28, 2025 – The Majors Garage Cup Series’ Silly Season is proving it’s far from over, with a flurry of driver and charter moves sending shockwaves through the paddock ahead of this weekend’s race at Martinsville. The latest news broke early Friday, confirming that Nic Vasquez, driver of the #22 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, is packing his bags and heading to Palmetto Motorsports. Vasquez isn’t traveling light—he’s bringing his charter with him, and the #22 will trade its Ford roots for a Toyota Camry starting this week.

But Palmetto Motorsports’ team owner, Cory Mott, wasn’t done shaking up the roster. Sources reveal Mott had his sights set on Hollywood Motorsports’ Garth Griswold, hoping to lure the veteran driver to “the dark side.” After intense negotiations, Griswold opted to stay put, citing potential legal headaches from a breach of contract with Hollywood Motorsports. It seems the bright lights of Tinseltown still shine too strong for Griswold to leave.

With Vasquez making the trek from Texas to the Carolinas, Palmetto faced a numbers crunch. The odd man out? None other than Vince Mitchell, the rookie who joined the team just six races ago. Mitchell’s stint at Palmetto was anything but a fairy tale—amassing a mere 52 points, including a lone stage win worth 10. Sitting 32nd in the standings, the homesick driver is returning to his old stomping grounds at Tipton Harding Motorsports (THM), taking the #18 charter with him.

That homecoming, however, spelled tough news for someone at THM. When pressed for comment, team co-owner Stewart Harding struggled to articulate the difficult decision. Eventually, the bombshell dropped: Pete Morales, driver of the #95 charter, is out. The #95 is being transferred to Factory Motorsports, where Dash Series standout Tyler Justice—whose promotion was predicted by insiders—will step into the Cup Series spotlight. Justice takes over the vacancy left by Vasquez, sliding into the #95 seat like a hand in a glove.

For Morales, currently 22nd in the standings, the news stings. Being replaced by a driver currently sitting 32nd in the standings is a bitter pill to swallow. Morales now finds himself without a Cup ride, his future uncertain as Silly Season churns on.

The league’s relentless nature is on full display, and these moves raise the question: Is this the grand finale of Silly Season, or just the opening act of an even wilder shake-up? With charters swapping hands and drivers on the move, the Majors Garage Cup Series is proving once again that nothing is set in stone until the checkered flag falls.

Stay tuned as the drama unfolds at Martinsville this weekend.

Factory Motorsports Sweeps Top Four in Blistering Heat at Homestead

Garth Griswold

Homestead, FL – The Majors Garage Cup Series roared into Homestead-Miami Speedway on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, under the blistering heat of the day, and Factory Motorsports turned up the temperature even further with an unprecedented 1-2-3-4 finish in the Straight Talk Wireless 350. Boyd Hoggan led the charge, securing his first Cup Series win in dominant fashion, leading 218 of 234 laps. He was followed by open-car teammate Tyler Justice in second, team owner/driver Stephen Menke in third, and Zander Short in fourth. The team’s worst finish of the night was Nic Vasquez in 15th—a result many squads would envy—making Factory Motorsports’ performance less of a domination and more of a masterclass.

The 2-hour, 29-minute race featured 10 cautions for 22 laps and five lead changes among four drivers, but the real story early on was the struggle many teams faced with the unexpected heat. The scorching conditions caught drivers off guard at the start, forcing constant adjustments throughout Stage 1 as they battled to find speed while maintaining control. Hoggan, starting from the pole, set the pace with a fastest lap of 32.495 seconds on lap 208 and led all 70 laps of the opening stage, but others weren’t so fortunate.

“The heat was brutal, and it took everything to keep the car hooked up,” Hoggan said. “Once we got it dialed in, it was a dream day—to get my first Cup win and have the team lock out the top four is unreal.”

Thomas Wolfe of Patriot Motorsports rounded out the top five with a gritty performance, gaining 24 positions from his 29th starting spot to finish fifth—earning him the hard charger honors. His team owner, Zach Johnson of Palmetto Motorsports, salvaged a ninth-place finish, securing a top-10 despite a tough day for the team.

Dallas Pataska crossed the line sixth, tying for the second-highest points total of the night with 47, but even that couldn’t significantly dent Factory’s lead. His open-car teammates at Majors Garage Esports, Colby Decarlo and Nathan Fuller, finished 11th and 16th, respectively, adding solid points after battling the early conditions.

For some, the heat and race circumstances proved too much to overcome. Cody Porter, who ran strong early, lost power mid-race and disconnected after 151 laps, dropping to 34th. Zack Saunders wrecked out after 107 laps, finishing 35th, while Ben Lawson suffered a blown engine after 99 laps, forcing him back to the RIP CO garage in 36th.

The series now shifts to Martinsville Speedway for its next battle, where the Factory boys will look to keep their hot streak alive, and struggling teams hope to rebound. The Majors Garage Cup Series will be back in action on Wednesday night, April 2, 2025, at Martinsville Speedway for some short-track carnage in the Cookout 250.

Updated Majors Garage Cup Series Owners Standings (Top 10)

Following the Straight Talk Wireless 350, Majors Esports Garage holds the lead in the owners standings with 277 points, but Factory Motorsports is closing in fast, occupying four of the top seven spots. Here are the top 10 teams:

Car #TeamRankRace PointsPenalty PointsTotal Points
17Majors Esports Garage12770277
2Factory Motorsports21950195
94Patriot Motorsports31900190
6Factory Motorsports41830183
20Factory Motorsports51680168
04Moonshine Motorclub51680168
22Factory Motorsports71660166
29Tipton-Harding Motorsports81600160
9Tipton-Harding Motorsports91460146
1Zandervolt Unlimited Inc.91460146

Race Details:

  • Date: March 26, 2025
  • Time: 8:15 PM
  • Duration: 2h 29m
  • Laps: 234
  • Cautions: 10 (22 laps)
  • Leaders: 4
  • Lead Changes: 5
  • Venue: Homestead-Miami Speedway
  • Conditions: Daytime, blistering heat

SILLY SEASON: FACTORY MOTORSPORTS FACES EGO CLASH

Garth Griswold

The Majors Garage Cup Series is only six races into the 2025 season, and already the paddock is buzzing with drama that suggests the Silly Season is far from over. This time, the turbulence isn’t about driver suspensions or off-track antics—it’s brewing inside one of the sport’s powerhouse teams, Factory Motorsports. After a seismic shakeup earlier this year, the garage is once again a hotbed of tension, and it’s all boiling down to a clash of egos among some of the series’ brightest talents.

The latest chapter in this saga began when veteran driver Ben Lawson parted ways with Factory Motorsports to strike out on his own, forming the independent Rip CO Racing team. His departure left a vacancy in the Factory lineup, promptly filled by newcomer Boyd Hoggan. Hoggan wasted no time making his mark, piloting the #20 Ford Mustang Dark Horse to victory in last night’s thriller at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It was a statement win for the rookie, but sources close to the team suggest that his rapid rise has only intensified an already volatile dynamic within the garage.

Factory Motorsports, led by owner and driver Stephen Menke, has assembled a formidable roster for 2025. Alongside Menke in the #6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, the team boasts Hoggan, the steady Zander Short in the #2, and the seasoned Nic Vasquez rounding out the quartet in the #22. On paper, it’s a dream team capable of dominating the Cup Series. But as Menke himself acknowledged post-race, talent of this magnitude comes with its own set of challenges.

“When you have this much talent on the team, it’s inevitable that drivers are going to bump heads from time to time,” Menke said after Hoggan’s Homestead triumph. “We are just going to work through this and figure it out going forward.”

The friction reportedly stems from early-season accusations and critiques about unequal treatment in the garage, particularly regarding setup changes. Sources indicate that not all drivers felt they were getting the same level of attention or resources during race weekends. Whispers of favoritism and disagreements over car setups have fueled tensions, with some insiders pointing to Hoggan’s arrival as a tipping point. His win at Homestead may have solidified his standing, but it’s also amplified the spotlight on the team’s internal dynamics.

Adding to the pressure, Factory Motorsports is locked in a fierce chase to catch Dallas Pataska, who has stormed out to a commanding lead in the standings behind the wheel of the #17 Majors Garage Esports entry. Pataska’s consistency and speed have set a blistering pace, leaving Menke’s squad scrambling to close the gap. Hoggan’s victory at Homestead was a step in the right direction, but the team knows it’ll take a unified effort to dethrone Pataska, whose early-season dominance has made him the man to beat.

Hoggan, for his part, has remained tight-lipped about the rumors, focusing instead on his on-track performance. “I’m here to race and win,” he said in the victory lane. “The rest is just noise.” Meanwhile, Short and Vasquez have kept a lower profile, though their silence hasn’t quelled speculation about where they stand in the growing rift.

If the ego battles weren’t enough, Menke might soon have another option to consider. Tyler Justice, a rising star in the Team Conti Sim Performance Dash Series, has been turning heads with back-to-back victories—first at Las Vegas and then again on Tuesday night at Homestead. Justice’s success in the feeder series has put him on the radar as a potential call-up if Factory Motorsports decides to shake things up further. With his stock rising, Justice could be the wildcard Menke needs to either unify his current lineup or send a message to his feuding drivers.

Six races into the season, Factory Motorsports is sitting pretty in the standings, thanks in large part to Hoggan’s win and consistent performances from Menke, Short, and Vasquez. But beneath the surface, the battle of egos threatens to derail what could be a championship-caliber campaign—especially with Pataska pulling away in the points. Menke’s leadership will be tested as he navigates this storm, balancing the personalities and ambitions of his star-studded roster while keeping the #17 in their sights.

For now, the team is focused on the next race, but the paddock is watching closely. Will Factory Motorsports resolve its internal strife and harness its potential to challenge Pataska, or will the Silly Season chaos spill over into more roster changes? One thing is clear: with talent this explosive, the drama is far from over.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: HOMESTEAD

The Majors Garage Cup Series hits Homestead-Miami Speedway tonight, March 26, 2025, for a high-stakes battle where tire management and avoiding wrecks will determine the winner on this challenging 1.5-mile oval. With six races down for most drivers, the standings reveal the season’s standout performers and those yet to hit their stride. Here’s a breakdown of three drivers thriving, two struggling through all six starts, a key absence, and a wild card pick to take the victory tonight.

Top Performers to Watch

  1. Dallas Pataska – The Season’s Dominant Force
    Leading the pack with 230 points, Dallas Pataska has been unstoppable in his NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. With four wins, four poles, and five top-five finishes in six starts, he’s the man to beat. His smooth driving could be a game-changer at Homestead, where saving tires is paramount.
  2. Cody Porter – A Rising Contender
    Sitting second with 158 points, Cody Porter has shone in his NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen Toyota Camry. One win, two top-fives, and a stage win in five starts highlight his potential. Porter’s stamina suits Homestead’s long runs, and a smart tire strategy could propel him to the front.
  3. Thomas Wolfe – The Stage Master
    Third with 147 points, Thomas Wolfe (NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Toyota Camry) has notched two stage wins and a pole in six starts. As the 2024 champion, Wolfe’s experience with tire management could pay dividends tonight.

Struggling Drivers in Need of a Turnaround

  1. Jim Mott – Fighting to Stay Relevant
    Languishing in 32nd with 43 points, Jim Mott (NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen Toyota Camry) has yet to score a win, top-five, or stage win in six starts. He’s hanging in there, but he’ll need to master tire wear at Homestead to turn his season around.

2. Thomas Villano – Searching for Speed
33rd with 41 points, Thomas Villano (NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen Toyota Camry) has also run all six races without a win, top-five, or stage victory. His perseverance is clear, but he’ll need a clean, tire-savvy run tonight to climb the order.

    Notable Absence: Stewart Harding Walker Sidelined

    Seventh-place Stewart Harding Walker (133 points) will miss tonight’s race, attending anger management after a recent outburst. His two top-fives and three top-10s in his NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen Ford Mustang won’t be in play, giving others a chance to gain ground.

    Wild Card Pick: Boyd Hoggan

    Prediction: Boyd Hoggan wins tonight. Currently 14th with 100 points, Boyd Hoggan (NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen Ford Mustang and Toyota Camry) is my wild card to claim victory at Homestead. Why? Hoggan’s four top-fives, four top-10s, and three stage wins in six starts prove he’s got the speed and versatility to contend. His ability to rack up stage points suggests he can stay up front, and his knack for long-run consistency aligns perfectly with Homestead’s tire-wear demands. With Walker absent and the spotlight on Pataska, Hoggan could sneak through with a disciplined race plan to grab his first win of 2025. “We’ve been knocking on the door,” Hoggan said recently. “It’s time to kick it down.”

    What to Expect at Homestead

    Tonight’s race will test drivers’ ability to preserve tires on Homestead’s abrasive surface while steering clear of trouble. Pataska, Porter, and Wolfe headline the favorites, while Mott and Villano look to salvage their seasons. Hoggan, the wild card, could upset the field with a breakout performance. Catch the Majors Garage Cup Series action at 7:15 PM EST!

    WHAT TO WATCH FOR: LAS VEGAS

    The Majors Garage Cup Series presented by Crown Jewel Racing is live from Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Green flag flies tonight at 8:15pm EST. WATCH HERE

    HOT DRIVERS

    • Dallas Pataska holds onto the number one spot after securing his third straight win at Phoenix last week. Dallas seems to be a man on a mission and the driver everyone in the league is trying to beat. If he can keep this form well into the season it seems like Dallas is on a historic run.
    • Zander Short has overcame he poor qualifying in last week’s race to finish on the podium (3rd). It seems like the uptick in competition has brought back out the fire in Zander. Let’s see if the number 2 team has what it takes to get the win in Vegas tonight.
    • Zach Johnson has taken the crown of Mr. Consistent this year and he is holding onto it for dear life. With an array of stage points and his latest back-to-back top 15 finishes he continues to ride the line of the top 10 in points. Let’s see if he will be complacent or push for the front.

    NOT DRIVERS

    • Steven Carlile has had his consistent crown snagged from him. Easily one of the most consistent drivers of 2024 has been on a bit of a rollercoaster. With only 2 top ten finishes out of the first 4 races and an early exit at Phoenix (37th), Steven has fallen out of the top ten in driver standings (15th). One thing we think we know is that this won’t be a trend for the 81 team, and everyone expect to see them back in the fight tonight.
    • Vince Mitchell’s rocky start is leaving the palmetto garage in somewhat of a confused state. One of their hottest prospects coming into 2025 just hasn’t been able to show his worth to the team. Currently sitting in 36th with no top 20 finishes through the first 4 races, meetings have been taking place in the palmetto headquarters on how to fix this issue and fix it fast. We will see if a resolution has been made tonight or will more drastic actions be needed in the near future.

    RUMOR HAS IT

    • After seeing last night’s entry list of the Team Conti Sim Performance Dash series race at Las Vegas one person seemed to be missing. That person was Jacob Quill. The driver of the 39 car was replaced by Haden Higginbotham. We reached out to Jacob for a statement, and he kept it brief that he has been released from Tipton-Harding Motorsports development team for the Dash series. After learning this breaking news our team then reached out to co-owner Stewart Harding-Walker for a comment. “That rookie didn’t appreciate being part of a team and disrespected our alliance and entire team during and post-race at Phoenix, I’m putting someone who deserves a ride in one of my cars into the 39. I don’t care if your Dallas Pataska, if you disrespect your teammates, you can go find another ride.”- Stewart. Sources have said an altercation broke out between the co-owner and Jacob after the race near the 29’s hauler. No media was around to witness but it was confirmed by sources that it was all verbal and did not get physical but was bad enough that the driver was removed from the team indefinitely. This has caused an uproar amongst team owners again with one of the hottest rookies and now free agents back on the market. WRL co-owner and principal owner of Leach Brother Motorsports, Cody Leach was heard saying ” I don’t care what kind of the mouth the kid has on him; he can wheel a car and if we had an extra seat he’d have it.” Sources have also said that Factory motorsports wouldn’t mind beefing up their roster with him and word out of the Palmetto shop is that he could end up being either full time in their all-star TCSPDS car or arrangements could be made for him to take the seat of the struggling 18 car. We should know in the coming weeks if not days where Jacob will call home for the remainder of the season.

    Driver Spotlight: Noah Spaulding

    Noah Spaulding – Eternal Phoenix Motorsports
    TikTok/Instagram: NoahLycan66
    Facebook: Noah Lycan

    Where are you from, and what do you do for a living?
    From Waynesville, Missouri. I am a Stocking 1 & Health and Beauty Associate for Walmart.

    Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of sim racing?
    I love to go plane spotting and fishing with my friends!

    What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
    I am a Los Angeles Chargers Fan!

    What got you into sim racing, and how long have you been racing?
    Stewart Harding as well as myself. I wanted to try something new and it has been a journey. I’ve been sim racing for almost a year now.

    Do you have any real-life racing experience, or is sim racing your main focus?
    Sim racing is my main focus but I’d love to drive a real race car one day.

    Do you have a favorite car or track to race on?
    I love the cup car and my favorite track is Kansas.

    What inspired you to join this online racing league?
    Stewart Harding had mentioned it when I was asking around about leagues to join and I saw how awesome the people were!

    Do you have a particular racing style (aggressive, strategic, defensive)?
    I would say I’m all three. I’m more strategic although I make sure moves are smart and safe but I’ll play offense and defense if needed.

    Are there any real-life drivers or teams that influence your approach to racing?
    Jeff Gordon was my favorite driver who inspired me. In terms of teams, a lot of small teams inspire me watching them go from underdogs to winning races!

    What has been your most memorable race or moment in the league?
    My most memorable moment for me was finishing 3rd in The Dash series race at Kansas. Also, as a funny one finishing 9th at Bristol in the same series being 131 laps down.

    Have you won any championships or notable races in the league?
    I have not, but I am trying to use all the opportunities I can to learn.

    What do you think makes this league special compared to others?
    The people that run in it and the work that’s been put in by admins and Cory.

    What kind of equipment do you use (wheel, pedals, rig, etc.)?
    I use a Thrustmaster TMX Force Feedback wheel with paddle shifters and a gas and brake pedal. I am working on upgrading it when more funds become available.

    What’s your pre-race routine or superstition?
    Listening to Battle Tapes and clearing my mind, also making sure my team is ready for the race!

    If you could race on any real-world track, which one would it be and why?
    Kansas Speedway! I Love the speed and it’s a mile and a half!

    What is your favorite track to go to or that you want to go to?
    I wanna go to Daytona at some point if funds become available!

    What’s one piece of advice you’d give to new racers joining the league?
    Learn the car and don’t try to be a hero in it every week. Also, make sure to practice!

    How do you balance racing with work, family, or other responsibilities?
    I usually try to do stuff first before I race.

    Would You Rather race in pouring rain on a road course with poor windshield wipers OR race on a superspeedway at night with flickering headlights?
    Road course with poor windshield wipers because at least I’d be able to see.

    Think you’ve got what it takes to be in the next Driver Spotlight? Fill out this form to have a chance to be selected! Whether you’re a racing pro or just really good at pretending to be one, we want to hear from you!

    Pataska Crushes Shriners 250, Wins 3rd in Cup Chaos

    Garth Griswold

    March 13, 2025 – The Majors Garage Cup Series delivered another electrifying chapter in the Crown Jewel Racing League last night with the Shriners Children’s 250, a race that will be remembered for Dallas Pataska’s continued dominance, a stellar Factory Motorsport showing, and a chaotic night of wrecks that decimated several playoff hopefuls from last season. The 251-lap event was a rollercoaster of action, featuring 32 cautions across 82 laps, five different leaders, and 12 lead changes under clear skies and the Arizona sun.

    Dallas Pataska cemented his status as the man to beat, securing his third consecutive victory in the series. Starting third, Pataska led a race-high 85 laps and held off a fierce challenge from Factory Motorsport’s Boyd Hoggan in the final moments, crossing the finish line just 0.340 seconds ahead. His triumph adds to an already impressive streak, making him the driver to watch as the season progresses. “Three in a row feels unreal,” Pataska said post-race. “The team gave me a rocket ship, and we just kept pushing through all the chaos out there.”

    Factory Motorsport celebrated a strong night with Hoggan and Zander Short rounding out the podium in second and third, respectively. For Hoggan, it was a dream debut as a full-time driver with the team. Starting second and leading an astounding 142 laps, he showcased his potential by winning both Stage 1 and Stage 2, only to be edged out by Pataska’s late-race mastery. “First race full-time with Factory, and to get a podium like this—it’s huge,” Hoggan said. “Dallas was just a tick better tonight, but we’re coming for him.” Short, starting 16th, quietly climbed through the field to finish 0.644 seconds behind Pataska, marking a breakout performance for the Factory squad.

    One of the night’s standout stories was Logan Giesbrecht, who earned hard-charger honors with an incredible drive from 37th to 13th. Battling through the carnage, Giesbrecht navigated the wrecks and restarts with precision, finishing just over two seconds off the lead. His climb through the field was a testament to resilience on a night where survival was as critical as speed.

    The Shriners Children’s 250 lived up to its billing as a demolition derby, with wrecks and attrition taking a heavy toll. Several of last season’s playoff drivers saw their nights end prematurely in the chaos. Thomas Wolfe (finished 25th, -41 laps), Caleb “Uberman” Tipton (24th, -8 laps), Ben Lawson (27th, -60 laps), Vince Mitchell (32nd, -136 laps), Garth Griswold (36th, -215 laps), and Steven Carlile (37th, -220 laps) were among the casualties, caught in a series of multi-car incidents that littered the track with debris and frustration. The 32 cautions—spanning over a third of the race distance—kept the field on edge and the tow trucks busy.

    Pole-sitter Jacob Quill arrived with momentum after winning the Team Conti-Performance Dash Series race the previous night, but his Shriners Children’s 250 ended in disappointment. Starting from the top spot and showing early promise, Quill’s night took a turn for the worse when he was caught in a wreck before the halfway mark, forcing him out after just 113 laps. The incident left him with a 33rd-place finish, a bitter pill to swallow after his midweek triumph. “Winning last night felt great, but tonight was brutal,” Quill said. “We had the car to beat until the wreck took us out.”

    Nick Basden (4th) and Noah M. Hamilton (5th) wrapped up the top five, while Stewart Harding Walker (6th) staged an incredible comeback to join Josh L. Stoltz (7th), Nishil Condoor (8th), Tyler Belanger (9th), and Zach Thomas Johnson (10th) in the top 10. Walker’s night started with a nightmare scenario, falling four laps down early in the race, but he battled back through the mayhem of 32 cautions to secure a remarkable sixth-place finish. The three-hour-plus event pushed every driver to the brink, with only 23 of the 37 starters enduring the full 251 laps.

    Next up, the Majors Garage Cup Series heads to Las Vegas, where Pataska will look to extend his winning streak and Factory Motorsport aims to build on their momentum. After last night’s carnage, the field will be eager for redemption—and a cleaner race—under the bright lights of Sin City.

    For full race results, click here.

    WHAT TO WATCH FOR: PHOENIX

    The Majors Garage Cup Series comes to you live from Pheonix Raceway for the Shriners Children’s 250. Green flag flies tonight at 8:15pm est. WATCH HERE

    HOT ONES

    • Dallas Pataska currently sits 43 points to the good in the top spot of the series standings. Coming off back-to-back wins at Atlanta and COTA, tonight we will see if this hot streak continues.
    • Steven Carlile has shown us that his consistency wasn’t a fluke last season. Some may have questioned it with his early exit from the Daytona 500(29th), but with his back-to-back top 10 finishes, seems like Old Dogs don’t forget their tricks.

    ANOTHER BAD START

    • Cody Leach has been off the mark since his duels win. This seems to be the case for the driver of the 23 Toyota Camry. Last season he didn’t find his footing until Richmond, which then sparked a flurry of top 5 finishes helping secure himself into the playoffs. From conversations with the 23 team and the WRL camp, they seem not to be worried about this early season funk. They keep referring to the dog days of summer as what they are looking forward to. They have also stated testing went well for phoenix and they are eager for tonight’s race.
    • Cory Mott, our 2024 regular season champion currently sits 22nd in the standings through our first 3 races. This also may be a little case of Deja Vu from last season. Cory was only able to obtain 2 top 10 finishes in the first 7 races last season. The only difference this season is that Cory has not been able to finish inside of the top 15 with his worst finish being 37th at Atlanta. If anyone knows the team over at Palmetto Motorsports, you know they won’t go down without a fight and we except to see him and the rest of the Palmetto Motorsports camp put up more of a fight here in the coming weeks.

    SHOW ME THE CHARTERS!

    • This past weekend in the early hours of the morning, we were informed that Nim Silva has dissolved all of Back Road Bandits Cup assets and boy were the sharks feasting on the scraps. For more in depth information on the all the moving parts READ HERE.
    • Some may say the biggest news out of all of this information is that the #94 team will join the Toyota Gazoo Racing umbrella driving for patriot motorsports. Patriot is a one car team but get this, they are owned by driver Zach Johnson of Palmetto Motorsports. All of the resources available by Palmetto will now be available to Thomas Wolfe, which should give him a better chance at defending his title of Cup Series Champion.
    • The inevitable happened during all the madness last weekend, Boyd Hoggan and Factory Motorsports secured a full time Cup series charter by the way of the 20. The 20 car will now rebrand to a Ford Performance Mustang, and it might be a metaphor that Boyd and mustangs are both bad fast. With what Boyd has shown us so far this season, we believe that even starting at zero points in the cup standings, there is no reason why he doesn’t launch his way up through the standings and find himself in the playoffs at the end of the season. Currently he sits as our favorite tonight to win at Phoenix at +388.