- Xfinity 250 - Martinsville Speedway - 1. (#91) Zack Saunders - 2. (#1) Cory Mott - 3. (#29) Steward Harding Walker - 4. (#69) Caleb Tipton - 5. (#94) Thomas Wolfe - 6. (#22) Nic Vasquez - 7. (#6) Stephen Menke - 8. (#3) Ben Lawson - 9. (#37) Joe T. Wright - 10. (#16) Nathaniel Campbell - 11. (#57) Michael Deitch - 12. (#00) Garth Griswold - 13. (#11) Nishil Condoor - 14. (#7) Steven Carlile - 15. (#8) Zach Johnson - 16. (#99) Justin Bell - 17. (#74) Caleb Sheets - 18. (#30) Mason Hoeffner - 19. (#96) Vince Mitchell
Thomas Wolfe emerged victorious in a thrilling showdown at the iconic Indianapolis Speedway on Wednesday, July 24th, as he clinched the prestigious Brickyard 400 title and secured the Mid-Season Tournament crown. Wolfe has been red hot through the summer and has emerged as the new alpha male in the CJR Circuit Cup Series.
The high track temperatures on race day presented a challenging environment for the drivers, leading to low grip levels and creating an electrifying atmosphere for fans. Despite the difficult conditions, the drivers showcased their skills and determination, resulting in a total of 14 lead changes. As track temperatures dropped speed and aggressive driving increased causing a lot of turmoil in the field with 17 Cautions throughout the race and completing 45 laps under the yellow flag.
PORTER DOMINATES STAGE 1-2
Cody Porter delivered a standout performance by clinching first place in Stage 1, with Oskar Jensen and Wyatt Sadler taking the second and third spots, respectively. Porter continued his strong showing by winning Stage 2, with Thomas Wolfe and Oskar Jensen finishing in second and third place, respectively.
Cody Porter, who led an impressive 72 laps, had a strong start as it seems to be the weekly norm, but would get caught up in some trouble at the end causing Porter to finish outside the Top 10 for the first time this year. Oskar Jensen also demonstrated his prowess behind the wheel by leading 67 laps, putting up a tough fight until the very end.
CAUTIONS LEAD TO THRILLING FINISH
The race was not without its fair share of drama with multiple wrecks occurring down the stretch, as a wreck on lap 139 ignited tensions between drivers Stewart Harding Walker and Michael Deitch, culminating in a heated exchange and post-race confrontations. Security was tight to avoid any brawls from breaking out in the pits, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this new fierce rivalry remerges later in the season.
With 7 to go the racing got wild in the front. Porter and Wolfe were battling hard for the second-place spot behind Jensen. Porter and Wolfe would make contact in the short shoot of turns 1-2 sending Porter sliding across the nose of Wolfe and the yellow flag would come out which was the one thing Jensen did not want as he was in control out front. CJR Officials would rack’em and stack’em for a G/W/C Finished but another caution would fly on the restart as the field would get stacked up in the back.
Jensen and Wolfe would bring it to the green flag for the 2nd overtime and both would get a great jump off the line. By the time the leaders hit the backstretch they had a half second lead on the field and would go door to door down the back stretch and Wolfe would get put into the wall entering Turn 3, but Jensen overdrove the entry giving Wolfe room to crossover and take back the lead going into Turn 4 where both drivers would send it in both slightly overdriving the exit sending Wolfe into the wall and Jensen on his rear quarter panel catches all of that momentum off the wall and shoots him sliding into the inside wall, but Barney doesn’t take out the yellow flag and the race would stay green.
RACE TO THE LINE
Wolfe would take the white flag, after being involved in incidents with the Top 2 leaders of the race, its now his turn to fight off a charging Steven Carlile not only for the race win, but for the Mid-Season Tournament win. Carlile who has been drooling over a win has finished 6th, 2nd, and 3rd in the last three races and would try to catch Wolfe going into Turn 1. Carlile would be side by side coming out of Turn 2, but then Allen Phillips would catch Carlile out of Turn 4 and would take the momentum off Carlile allowing Wolfe to run away with the win. Phillips and Carlile would go door to door for 2nd place with Phillips edging out Carlile by 0.018.
“It was a great point day for me, especially with being on the bubble for the playoffs, I will take a 2nd place finish at this point in the season. Big shoutout to my spotter Jay, and my team owner Nathan for giving me the opportunity to have a great finish this week.”
Allen Phillips #5 Hollywood Motorsports Chevrolet
Carlile who is probably disappointed with not being able to secure that win once again can’t hang his head on the valiant effort. Carlile has now finished Top 5 in the last 3 races and has 6 Top 10 finishes in the last 9 races since winning the All-Star Open Race at North Wilkesboro.
Wolfe who has been holding down the Backroad Bandit Racing team it seems for the last month continues his hot streak through the summer with his 3rd win of the regular season winning 2 out of the last 3 races. It would seem that Wolfe is challenging for his alpha male role at the front of the pack. Wolfe was last seen leaving the track at Indianapolis with a big $50 Check tucked under his arm and a big smile on his face.
“Normally the luck does not swing my way, so this was a welcomed change. I think after Chicago happened everything else is just a bonus, winning the Brickyard 400 is certainly a nice one.”
Thomas Wolfe #94 Backroad Bandit Racing Chevrolet
The Circuit Cup Series will take a 2-week break before resuming the racing action for the Cookout 250 at America’s Premier Short Track Richmond Raceway. With 4 races to go in the chase for a playoff spot, drivers are feeling the pressure to perform at a high level which leads to tensions in the garage. Relax for two weeks and be ready to come back for a thrilling end to the regular season folks!