Tag: cupseries

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.

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

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.

    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.

    WHAT TO WATCH FOR: COTA

    Garth Griswold

    The Majors Garage Cup Series rolls into Austin, Texas, tonight, March 5, 2025, for the EchoPark Grand Prix at the COTA West track, promising a high-stakes showdown under the Texas sun. This condensed version of the Circuit of the Americas, with its tight corners, steep elevation changes, and technical demands, sets the stage for the Crown Jewel Racing league’s finest to battle it out. Tonight could redefine the 2025 standings—or deepen the struggles for those already on the ropes.

    WHOSE HOT

    Thomas Wolfe: The Road Course Redemption Story

    Thomas Wolfe enters COTA as a driver with something to prove—and a track record that’s starting to silence the doubters. Last year, skepticism swirled around Wolfe’s road course prowess, with analysts questioning whether he could handle the twists and turns that define circuits like this one. But the 2024 season told a different story. Wolfe stunned the field with victories at the Chicago Street Course and the Charlotte Roval, showcasing a newfound mastery of road racing. His ability to navigate tight corners and capitalize on late-race restarts turned heads, and now he’s a legitimate threat every time the schedule veers away from ovals. At COTA, Wolfe will look to carry that momentum forward. Can he cement his status as a road course elite? Keep an eye on his qualifying lap—starting near the front could set the tone for another statement win.

    Zach Saunders: Bouncing Back from a Rough Night

    Zach Saunders: Bouncing Back from a Rough Night
    Zach Saunders enters COTA West with a point to prove, carrying the confidence of a stellar 2024 season where he claimed victories at Sonoma and Watkins Glen and notched a hard-fought 4th at this very track. Last night’s race, however, left a sour note—Saunders disconnected after Stage 1, cutting his run short and igniting his hunger for redemption. Known for his aggressive yet precise driving, he excels on road courses that demand finesse, and COTA West’s blend of sweeping turns and heavy braking zones suits his style perfectly. The question is whether he can shrug off the sting of last night’s technical woes. If Saunders can tap into the form that dominated Sonoma and Watkins Glen while avoiding gremlins, he’ll be a contender. Watch for an early charge—he’s primed for a fierce rebound.

    Dallas Pataska: The Oval King Faces a New Challenge

    Fresh off a commanding victory at Atlanta last week, Dallas Pataska has the racing world buzzing. His dominance on ovals—where he’s proven he can turn left with the best of them—has put everyone on notice. But COTA isn’t Atlanta, and the question looms: can Pataska turn right as well as he turns left? Road courses like this one demand a different skill set—braking discipline, corner exits, and adaptability—and Pataska’s limited success on twisty tracks has some wondering if his oval brilliance will translate. Still, momentum is a powerful thing, and Pataska’s confidence is sky-high after Atlanta. His raw speed and fearless approach could make him a dark horse if he finds a rhythm early. Look for Pataska to either surprise the field or expose a weakness—there’s little in-between with a driver this bold.

    WHOSE NOT HOT

    Thomas Villano

    Thomas Villano’s 2025 Majors Garage Cup Series campaign has been a rollercoaster stuck in the wrong gear. As of March 5, 2025, the driver finds himself languishing in 35th place in the standings with just 8 points—a far cry from where he was last season. Villano’s early struggles have left fans and pundits alike wondering if the magic has run dry. Tonight’s EchoPark Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) West configuration could be his shot at redemption—or another chapter in a season spiraling out of control.

    Vince Mitchell

    Vince Mitchell’s 2025 Majors Garage Cup Series season has been a rocky adjustment since joining Palmetto Motorsports, leaving him mired in 31st place with just 15 points as of March 5, 2025. The transition to his new team hasn’t gone as hoped—early races have revealed struggles with pace and setup, far from the strong start he anticipated. Tonight’s EchoPark Grand Prix at COTA West could be a turning point, but with only 15 points and a 31st-place standing, Mitchell and Palmetto need a solid run to kickstart their season.

    Garth Griswold

    Garth Griswold’s 2025 Majors Garage Cup Series season has been a relentless string of misfortune, with the driver unable to shake what seems like a persistent curse. It started at the Clash at USA International, where he was wrecked during the heat races and then dumped on the last lap in the Last Chance Qualifier, ending his shot at the main event. The bad luck followed him to Daytona, where the season-opening chaos left his car in pieces, and then to Atlanta, where yet another wreck dashed his hopes of a clean finish. Griswold’s early season has been defined by crumpled sheet metal and missed opportunities, leaving him desperate to break the cycle at tonight’s EchoPark Grand Prix at COTA West.

    Garage Gossip Fuels Transfer Talk

    Whispers are swirling around the MGCS garage that Thomas Wolfe, the road course standout currently with Backroad Bandit Racing, might be on the move for 2025. Rumors suggest he’s been in talks with Palmetto Motorsports, a shift that could bump Jim Mott down to a full-time role in the Team Conti Sim-Performance Dash Series if it comes to fruition. Meanwhile, another rumor has Wolfe eyeing an open Cup seat at Hollywood Motorsports, potentially joining forces with Nathaniel Campbell’s racing outfit. As of March 5, 2025, nothing’s confirmed, but the paddock buzz has Wolfe weighing his options after a standout 2024 with Backroad Bandit Racing.

    WHAT TO WATCH FOR: ATLANTA

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

    STARTING OFF HOT!

    Cody Porter sits on top of the league table by securing the win at the Daytona 500 last week. Even with an early wreck that put the team of the 04 Toyota Camry into crisis mode, Cody was able to dig in and bring the first trophy of the year back to the Moonshine Motor Club garage.

    Tyler Belanger looked to bring the field to the checkered flag at the end of the Daytona 500 but with a late move by Cody Porter sent him home empty handed. The good news is that was the first race of the season not the last. If this is what Tyler and the 88 team are showing early this season, we can comfortably say that the 88 team will find their way into victory lane!

    A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS

    Top 20 finishers from the Daytona 500.
    Top 25 in the season standings.

    RECENT NEWS

    • A statement out of the Backroad Bandit’s garage have confirmed that Austin Runkel has been removed from the seat of the number 20 Chevy Camaro. The new face behind the wheel of the number 20 will be James Nesta. Backroad Bandits owner Nim Silva stated “We decided to part ways with Austin Runkel for purely playoff strategic wise, and no harm foul at all. Backroad hopes James Nesta takes the #20 Cup Charter to the playoffs”
    • Not long after the Factory Motorsports media team released their promo for tonight race. It has been confirmed that Zander Short will not be behind the wheel of the number 2 flo-racing Ford Mustang. It is unknown why he won’t be in attendance for tonight and Factory Motorsports owner Stephen Menke has declined to give a statement. Tyler Justice will be behind the wheel of the number 2 tonight. Sources inside the Factory motorsport garage haven’t been too informative about this driver, but it is known that him and Boyd Hoggan have raced together before. If he is cut from the same cloth, then Factory won’t have to worry about securing points tonight for the 2 car.

    Ambetter Health 350 Entry List

    Tyler Justice and the number 2 team will receive and EOL for driver swap. Austin Runkel, Josh Stoltz, Daulton Shearer, Nathan Barrows, Boyd Hoggan, and Justin Bell will be fighting to qualify in on time. The 6 drivers will be competing for 4 open spots in tonight’s race.

    DAYTONA: Cody Porter Edges Out Field in Thrilling Oval Showdown

    February 20, 2025 | Crown Jewel Media

    Garth Griswold

    In a race that showcased intense competition and razor-thin margins, Cody Porter emerged victorious in a nail-biting finish at the Daytona 500 on February 19, 2025. The 200-lap event, marked by 16 different leaders and 32 lead changes, kept fans on the edge of their seats.

    Stage Breakdown: Short Shines Early

    The race was a chaotic affair, with 11 cautions totaling 34 laps disrupting the flow and testing drivers’ adaptability. A field of 40 competitors traded positions relentlessly, with standout performances from Nic Vasquez (4th, led 11 laps) and Dallas Pataska (5th, led a race-high 35 laps). The fastest lap of the day belonged to Pataska at 45.288 seconds on lap 199, a testament to his pace. Zander Short, who dominated Stage 1 and Stage 2 with a combined 48 laps led, finished 10th after a mid-race setback but earned valuable bonus points for his efforts.

    Stage 1, a 65-lap sprint, saw Zander Short take control, leading 19 laps and fending off Boyd Hoggan by 0.090 seconds. Stephen Menke, Nic Vasquez, and Dallas Pataska also scored points in a relatively clean stage with just three cautions.

    Stage 2 upped the ante with five cautions and 11 lead changes over 65 laps. Short again asserted dominance, leading 29 laps and edging out Hoggan by 0.066 seconds. Nishil Condoor and Cory Mott also made their presence felt, finishing in the top 10 and setting up a strong run in the final stage.

    Final Stage Fireworks

    The final 70 laps became a survival test as drivers jostled for position and tried to manage their fuel usage. Porter’s late surge capitalized on a perfectly timed move, while Belanger’s remarkable climb through the field fell just short. Vasquez and Pataska, despite leading significant portions of the race, couldn’t reclaim the front in the closing laps.

    Starting from 15th on the grid, Porter methodically worked his way through the pack, showcasing patience and precision. He led just one lap—the most important—crossing the finish line a mere 0.022 seconds ahead of runner-up Tyler Belanger, who charged from 33rd to secure second place. Stewart Harding Walker rounded out the podium, finishing 0.125 seconds back after starting 23rd.
    “It was a wild one out there,” Porter said post-race. “The car was solid all day, and we just had to wait for the right moment.”

    Notable Performances and Struggles

    • Tyler Belanger: A 31-position gain from 33rd to 2nd highlighted his tenacity.
    • Zander Short: Despite a 10th-place finish, his stage wins and 49 laps led earned him 47 total points, second only to Vasquez’s 48.
    • Caleb Uberman Tipton: He finished last on a tough day after being involved in an incident on lap 25.
    • Thomas Wolfe: Starting 2nd but fading to 22nd, Wolfe led 20 laps but couldn’t maintain early momentum.

    With the season heating up, Porter’s win signals his intent to contend for the championship, while Belanger and Short’s performances prove the field is more profound than ever. The Oval delivered a classic, and if this race is any indication, fans are in for a thrilling year ahead. The Majors Garage Cup Series will be back in action next Wednesday night at Atlanta Motor Speedway.