Peacock Premium becomes homes for IndyCar practice, qualifications & more for 2021 season
Peacock Premium becomes the new streaming home of NTT INDYCAR SERIES coverage beginning with the 2021 season. NBC Sports’ exclusive streaming coverage will move from NBC Sports Gold’s “IndyCar Pass,” to Peacock Premium, which is available for $4.99 per month.
Peacock Premium will provide fans in the U.S. with live coverage of 2021 INDYCAR qualifying and practice sessions as well as coverage surrounding the 105th Running of the Indianapolis 500, Indy Lights races, race-day warmups and full-event replays of INDYCAR races in 2021. Peacock Premium will surround the 105th Indianapolis 500 with exclusive practice and qualifying coverage as well as ancillary content.
“Peacock Premium will offer NTT INDYCAR SERIES fans in-demand track action at tremendous value,” said Penske Entertainment Corp. President & CEO Mark Miles. “Alongside NBC Sports, we’re providing comprehensive coverage of practice and qualifications throughout our season, while also connecting to a larger platform with a world-class roster of programming.”
INDYCAR on Peacock Premium will also feature INDYCAR archival and library content, and other motorsports shoulder programming.
As previously announced, all 2021 INDYCAR races, along with select additional Race Weekend sessions, will be broadcast on either NBC or NBCSN.
INDYCAR will join a robust library of live sports on Peacock Premium. Highlights of Peacock Premium’s live sports offerings include Premier League, a Sunday NFL Wild Card playoff game, U.S. Open golf, U.S. Women’s Open golf, and upcoming Olympics and Paralympics coverage, plus the Peacock Originals Lost Speedways, hosted by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and In Deep with Ryan Lochte. For more information, click here.
Viewers can sign up for Peacock at peacocktv.com. Peacock is currently available on the Roku platform; Apple devices including iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD; Google platforms and devices including Android™, Android TV™ devices, Chromecast and Chromecast built-in devices; Microsoft’s Xbox One family of devices, including Xbox One S and Xbox One X; Sony PlayStation4 and PlayStation 4 Pro; and VIZIO SmartCast™ TVs and LG Smart TVs. Comcast’s eligible Xfinity X1 and Flex customers, as well as eligible Cox Contour customers, enjoy Peacock Premium included with their service at no additional cost.
NBC Sports PR
Timothy Peters to drive for Rackley W.A.R.
Rackley W.A.R., co-owned by Willie Allen and Curtis Sutton, announced today that their newly-formed team will field the No. 25 Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) with driver Timothy Peters. The team will begin full-time series competition at the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
“It has always been a dream to be a NASCAR owner,” Allen said. “We are excited about the all-star team we have assembled. I am thankful to have partnered with Curtis Sutton, as we both are driven to succeed. Our team is assembled with very humble and hungry individuals, and we are a close family who want to achieve greatness.”
In December, the duo announced a partnership to form Rackley W.A.R., a new team in Tennessee with an unparalleled portfolio of experience in motorsports and marketing.
“I am excited and looking forward to this opportunity as an owner to help lead the No. 25 Rackley Roofing Chevrolet Silverado team to be competitive every single week,” Sutton said. “After being a sponsor (Rackley Roofing) for the last two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series seasons, I felt an obligation to my family, my co-workers and my friends to help build a competitive team.
“The pieces have been put together for our first season. Our focus was to find humble individuals that are proven winners at the highest level to join our team. There is a lot of excitement around bringing experienced crew chief Chad Kendrick and driver Timothy Peters to the team. I am confident Rackley W.A.R. has been assembled as leaders in each of our fields of expertise. Our goal is to be competitive in 2021, and the years to come with the goal towards bringing a championship to Tennessee.”
Peters has signed a deal to drive for the single-entry NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team. He enters his 17th season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season. In 248 series starts, Peters has amassed 11 wins, 59 top-five finishes, and 129 top-10 finishes. In addition, the accomplished driver has one start in the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and eight starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS).
“The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series has always been special, and to have the opportunity to return to full time competition is a blessing,” Peters said. “I am very grateful to Willie Allen and Curtis Sutton for the opportunity to represent Rackley Roofing and W.A.R. Shocks. Both gentlemen are top-notch people with a singular determination to win on and off the track.”
The 40-year-old Virginia native has been humble throughout his career. Now, he has secured a ride and will be a full-time competitor in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for the first time since 2016.
Rackley W.A.R. will enter its inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season with an integrated technical and operational partnership with the reigning championship-winning team GMS Racing. The agreement with GMS Racing will allow Rackley W.A.R. to purchase chassis and other services developed over their years of championship-caliber competition. As is the case with many other alliances within NASCAR, technical information and communication amongst the teams will be encouraged to help improve performance.
“Mike Beam (president of GMS Racing) and I have been friends for a long time,” Allen said. “I could not imagine a better team and program to be aligned with.”
The Centerville, Tenn.,-based team will be powered by Ilmor.
Kendrick will join the organization as crew chief of the No. 25 Rackley Roofing Chevrolet Silverado for Peters. In 2009, Kendrick and Peters shared a career-first series NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory at the Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. That season, the pair earned five top-five finishes and 13 top-ten finishes, while leading 143 laps. Together for three seasons (2008, 2009, and 2017), they have collected one win, six top-five finishes, and 18 top-ten finishes and one pole award (Nashville).
“This season is going to be a dream come true,” Kendrick said. “Being paired with a winning driver and two of the most successful, humble owners, the expectations are high, but also realistic. Rackley W.A.R. is building from the ground up, and while we may hit some tough times ahead, I am sure we will be able to make it through anything.”
Kendrick has previously manned the helm for drivers Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Daniel Hemric, Brad Keselowski, and Joey Logano. As a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series 13-year veteran crew chief, Kendrick is credited with six victories.
With Peters behind the wheel, Rackley W.A.R. makes its official NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start in the NextEra Energy 250 at the Daytona International Speedway on February 12.
Rackley W.A.R. PR
Jordan Anderson and Bommarito Automotive Group to Run for 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year
Jordan Anderson Racing (JAR) announced today that the team will expand operations to race full-time in the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) competing for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors with owner/driver Jordan Anderson from Forest Acres, SC in the No. 31 Bommarito Automotive Group Chevrolet Camaro SS.
The team will operate under the Chevrolet banner with cars acquired from Richard Childress Racing powered by ECR engines. Artie Haire will serve as crew chief for the organization after joining the team during the summer of 2020.
With a previous season that saw NASCAR teams fight through many obstacles pertaining to COVID-19, JAR was able to come away from 2020 with various positives; collecting multiple top-ten finishes, nearly claiming its first victory with a photo finish at Daytona, and the ability to build momentum and garner new partner relationships.
After competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) for the last three seasons, 2021 was the right time for JAR to grow, and set its sights on the next level.
“It is absolutely amazing to see the doors that God has opened for us and this journey continues as we expand our organization to compete within the NASCAR Xfinity Series this year” said JAR owner/driver Jordan Anderson.
“Our team has been incredibly blessed to have an amazing support group behind us that believe in what we are trying to build and develop for the future. Everyone within our team has worked tirelessly to put all these pieces together and I have faith that the effort will show when we compete at Daytona – and beyond. I am thankful to John Bommarito and the entire Bommarito family for their vision in making this new chapter possible, along with every single one of our team partners, as well as everyone at RCR and Chevrolet for their help in assisting us assemble a solid foundation for our team to start with.”
The JAR entry will carry the No. 31 on both sides of the sleek red, white, and black Chevrolet Camaro SS. Bommarito Automotive Group will return for the sixth consecutive year as a primary marketing partner of Anderson. Details of other partners on the JAR No. 31 to be announced at a later date.
The No. 31 is a special combination of the No. 3, JAR and Anderson have competed with in the NCWTS the last three years, and the No. 1 from when the Bommarito Automotive Group joined Anderson’s efforts in 2017 full time while racing in the NCWTS as well.
Based in St. Louis, Mo., Bommarito Automotive Group has been a mainstay in the St. Louis marketplace for 50 years. Led by President John Bommarito, and his over 900 team members, the Bommarito Automotive Group operates 20 automotive franchises and multiple collision centers throughout St. Louis making a Bommarito purchase experience possible in every St. Louis neighborhood.
“At the Bommarito Automotive Group we firmly believe in the power of teamwork and the unstoppable force it creates” stated Bommarito President, John Bommarito.
“To be a part of the growth and journey that Jordan Anderson and his team has been on is very special – his team exemplifies everything our family of employees prides itself in – a strong and continuous work ethic, honesty, integrity, a desire for excellence, and a never give up attitude. Our family of employees and customers are honored, and excited, to have the Bommarito brand carried upon his No. 31 Chevrolet Camaro SS this season. We have an amazing group of strategic corporate partners that are joining us as we bring this vision to life and put a fast Chevrolet on the race track.”
Look for the No. 31 Bommarito.com Chevrolet Camaro SS to make its debut on track in the NXS season opening Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner 300 at Daytona International Speedway, February 13, 2021. Coverage of the race will be shown LIVE on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), and the FoxSports App at 5:00 PM ET.
In addition to the full NXS schedule, JAR will continue to field the No. 3 Chevrolet Silverado with leadership from Bruce Cook in the NCWTS for select drivers throughout the season, starting with Jordan Anderson at the season opening NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway. Plans for other drivers competing in the JAR No. 3 will be announced at a later date.
For more information on JAR visit jordanandersonracing.com, and be sure to follow along all season on the JAR social channels at facebook.com/
Jordan Anderson Racing PR
2021 NASCAR Cup Series Stage Lengths
2021 NASCAR Cup Series | |||
Track | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Final Stage |
(ends on lap) | (ends on lap) | (ends on lap) | |
Daytona International Speedway | 65 | 130 | 200 |
Daytona International Speedway- Road Course | 16 | 34 | 70 |
Homestead-Miami Speedway | 80 | 160 | 267 |
Las Vegas Motor Speedway | 80 | 160 | 267 |
Phoenix Raceway | 75 | 190 | 312 |
Atlanta Motor Speedway | 105 | 210 | 325 |
Bristol Motor Speedway- Dirt | 75 | 150 | 250 |
Martinsville Speedway | 130 | 260 | 500 |
Richmond Raceway | 80 | 235 | 400 |
Talladega Superspeedway | 60 | 120 | 188 |
Kansas Speedway | 80 | 160 | 267 |
Darlington Raceway | 90 | 185 | 293 |
Dover International Speedway | 120 | 240 | 400 |
Circuit of the Americas | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Charlotte Motor Speedway | Stage 1 - 100, Stage 2 - 200, Stage 3 - 300, Final Stage - 400 | ||
Sonoma Raceway | 20 | 40 | 90 |
Texas Motor Speedway- All Star | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Nashville | 90 | 185 | 300 |
Pocono Raceway | 25 | 77 | 130 |
Pocono Raceway II | 30 | 85 | 140 |
Road America | 14 | 29 | 62 |
Atlanta Motor Speedway II | 80 | 160 | 260 |
New Hampshire Motor Speedway | 75 | 185 | 301 |
Watkins Glen International | 20 | 40 | 90 |
Indianapolis Motor Speedway- Road Course | 15 | 35 | 82 |
Michigan International Speedway | 60 | 120 | 200 |
Daytona International Speedway II | 50 | 100 | 160 |
Darlington Raceway II | 115 | 230 | 367 |
Richmond Raceway II | 80 | 235 | 400 |
Bristol Motor Speedway | 125 | 250 | 500 |
Las Vegas Motor Speedway II | 80 | 160 | 267 |
Talladega Superspeedway II | 60 | 120 | 188 |
Charlotte Motor Speedway- Road Course | 25 | 50 | 109 |
Texas Motor Speedway | 105 | 210 | 334 |
Kansas Speedway II | 80 | 160 | 267 |
Martinsville Speedway II | 130 | 260 | 500 |
Phoenix Raceway II | 75 | 190 | 312 |
Please note the Final Stage may be extended as outlined in Section 10.11 Official Completion. |
2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Stage Lengths
2021 NASCAR XFINITY Series | |||
Track | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Final Stage |
(ends on lap) | (ends on lap) | (ends on lap) | |
Daytona International Speedway | 30 | 60 | 120 |
Daytona International Speedway- Road Course | 15 | 30 | 52 |
Homestead-Miami Speedway | 40 | 80 | 167 |
Las Vegas Motor Speedway | 45 | 90 | 200 |
Phoenix Raceway | 45 | 90 | 200 |
Atlanta Motor Speedway | 40 | 80 | 163 |
Martinsville Speedway | 60 | 120 | 250 |
Talladega Superspeedway | 25 | 50 | 113 |
Darlington Raceway | 45 | 90 | 147 |
Dover International Speedway | 45 | 90 | 200 |
Circuit of the Americas | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Charlotte Motor Speedway | 45 | 90 | 200 |
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course | 25 | 50 | 75 |
Texas Motor Speedway | 40 | 80 | 167 |
Nashville | 45 | 95 | 188 |
Pocono Raceway | 20 | 40 | 90 |
Road America | 14 | 29 | 45 |
Atlanta Motor Speedway II | 40 | 80 | 163 |
New Hampshire Motor Speedway | 45 | 90 | 200 |
Watkins Glen International | 20 | 40 | 82 |
Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Road Course | 20 | 40 | 62 |
Michigan International Speedway | 30 | 60 | 125 |
Daytona International Speedway II | 30 | 60 | 100 |
Darlington Raceway II | 45 | 90 | 147 |
Richmond Raceway | 75 | 150 | 250 |
Bristol Motor Speedway | 85 | 170 | 300 |
Las Vegas Motor Speedway II | 45 | 90 | 200 |
Talladega Superspeedway II | 25 | 50 | 113 |
Charlotte Motor Speedway - Road Course | 20 | 40 | 67 |
Texas Motor Speedway II | 45 | 90 | 200 |
Kansas Speedway | 45 | 90 | 200 |
Martinsville Speedway | 60 | 120 | 250 |
Phoenix Raceway II | 45 | 90 | 200 |
Please note the Final Stage may be extended as outlined in Section 10.11 Official Completion. |
2021 NASCAR Truck Series Stage Lengths
2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series | |||
Track | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Final Stage |
(ends on lap) | (ends on lap) | (ends on lap) | |
Daytona International Speedway | 20 | 40 | 100 |
Daytona International Speedway- Road Course | 12 | 25 | 44 |
Las Vegas Motor Speedway | 30 | 60 | 134 |
Atlanta Motor Speedway | 30 | 60 | 130 |
Bristol Motor Speedway- Dirt | 40 | 90 | 150 |
Richmond Raceway | 70 | 140 | 250 |
Kansas Speedway | 30 | 60 | 134 |
Darlington Raceway | 45 | 90 | 147 |
Circuit of the Americas | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Charlotte Motor Speedway | 30 | 60 | 134 |
Texas Motor Speedway | 35 | 70 | 147 |
Nashville | 45 | 95 | 150 |
Pocono Raceway | 15 | 30 | 60 |
Knoxville Speedway | 40 | 90 | 150 |
Watkins Glen International | 20 | 45 | 72 |
Gateway Motorsports Park | 55 | 110 | 160 |
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park | 20 | 40 | 64 |
Bristol Motor Speedway | 55 | 110 | 200 |
Las Vegas Motor Speedway II | 30 | 60 | 134 |
Talladega Superspeedway | 20 | 40 | 94 |
Martinsville Speedway | 50 | 100 | 200 |
Phoenix Raceway II | 45 | 90 | 150 |
Please note the Final Stage may be extended as outlined in Section 10.11 Official Completion. |
NASCAR, SPEED SPORT Continue Streaming Partnership For 2021
NASCAR and SPEED SPORT, America’s Motorsports authority since 1934, today announced they will continue their streaming partnership started last year. SPEED SPORT Network will again distribute select NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series events in 2021.
NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series tracks that choose to participate can work directly with SPEED SPORT Network to distribute their events. TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold will continue to show NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series races and coordinate with SPEED SPORT Network to deliver an even wider variety of quality broadcasts on both platforms.
“We’re excited to continue our partnership with SPEED SPORT following its success last season,” said Dan Barker, NASCAR senior director of media strategy. “It offers NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series tracks another revenue stream and provides race fans more access to high quality live grassroots racing.”
Fans can continue to catch select NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series races live and on-demand via TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold. NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series races are part of the NASCAR Roots package for $2.99/month. The full TrackPass package, which includes NASCAR Roots, IMSA and American Flat Track events is available for $4.99/month. TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold is available on desktop web browsers and via the NBC Sports app on iOS and Android phones and tablets, Apple TV (Gen 4), Roku, Amazon Fire TV, AndroidTV, Xfinity X1, Xfinity Flex and Chromecast devices connected via HDMI.
NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series tracks and SPEED SPORT Network are working to roll out more broadcast plans. Fans should follow their favorite track’s news for event announcements. All content will also be available on-demand on SPEEDSPORT.tv, home to the widest variety of motorsports events, award-winning shows and exclusive features. SPEED SPORT TV offers plans for $134.99/annually and $14.99/monthly. SPEED SPORT TV is available on web browsers on most connected devices, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, iOS and Android.
“We look forward to building on what we started last year,” said Joe Tripp, CEO and managing partner at SPEED SPORT. “Our approach gives NASCAR weekly tracks another tool for monetizing and marketing their events – which couldn’t have come at a better time. Our partnership with NASCAR’s TrackPass on NBC Sports Gold is a great example of how we can work together to support and grow grassroots racing.”
NASCAR PR
Stefan Parsons and BJ McLeod Motorsports announced today that Sokal Media Group (Sokal Digital), a leader in automobile advertising from North Carolina, will adorn the No. 99 Chevrolet Camaro as a primary sponsor for the February 13th NXS opener at Daytona International Speedway. Springrates Automotive Suspension is also onboard the car for the season’s opener in Daytona as an associate sponsor.
“I can’t thank Sokal Media Group and Sean Taylor from Springrates Automotive Suspension enough,” said Parsons. “I’m really looking forward to representing the Sokal Media Group this season, and what better way to kick it off than at Daytona! Sokal came onboard my car last year at Las Vegas (Motor Speedway) and we were able to give them a solid run, finishing in the top 20. I scored my career best finish of P12 in 2019 at Daytona, I believe we can better that this year!”
“We are so happy to be partnering with Stefan Parsons this coming season and really looking forward to seeing him compete for BJ McLeod Motorsports,” said Mark Sokal, owner of Sokal Media Group.”
With headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina, and offices stretching from up and down the east coast to Texas, Sokal is the area’s largest advertising agency focusing on automotive advertising. Sokal is dedicated to growing business for their clientele through multiple marketing and advertising services. As a full-service agency, they manage the entire project from start to finish. The company executes everything from media buying, radio and television production, ad design, direct mail, search engine marketing, website design, website maintenance, and much more, while currently managing well over 350 clients across the country.
In addition to a primary sponsorship at Daytona International Speedway on February 13th, Sokal Media Group will be onboard as a primary sponsor throughout the season, with their next primary at the spring race in Martinsville Speedway.
The 33-race NXS season will begin with the NASCAR Racing Experience 300 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. ET live on FS1 and MRN Radio.
BJMM PR
Jean-Philippe Bergeron and Mario Gosselin practiced a Super Late Model at New Smyrna Speedway. Bergeron made his first laps of the year on this same track in a Pro Late Model during the 2021 Red Eye 50/50, a Pro Late Model entry fielded by Race Car Solutions (RCS). The driver from Quebec, Canada, was surprised to see the difference between the cars he typically drives in Quebec and the Pro Late Model he finished 5th in earlier this year. "It's a lot faster than what I'm used to driving," exclaimed the young driver.
After getting his feet wet with a Pro Late Model, Gosselin suggested Bergeron try a Super Late Model. A Super Late Model develops about 260 more horsepower than a Late Model in Quebec and can reach top speeds of 220 km/h at New Smyrna Speedway. Bergeron took advantage of a rare free day on the New Smyrna Speedway calendar to do private testing, adjust to the car and accumulate seat time. Gosselin, the man who spends most of his time preparing cars and playing the role of crew chief, also found himself behind the wheel, but he didn't lose his touch. Gosselin and Bergeron set rather similar times around 17.7 seconds, which is comparable to Super Late Model pole times.
On February 13, Gosselin will compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series NASCAR Racing Experience 300 at the World Center of Racing, Daytona International Speedway. After a four-year hiatus from behind the wheel, Gosselin will pilot DGM Racing’s No. 91 Chevrolet Camaro bearing the colors of AP Sports Regimen, Rousseau Métal and Sleep Well. Bergeron is preparing for Speedweeks at New Smyrna Speedway from February 4 to 13. The Canadian driver will be at the wheel of the RCS team's No. 51 Pro Late Model car, undertaking eight races in only 10 days. "It's the first time I'm going to do so many races in such a short period of time. It's a great experience for me and I'm looking forward to a podium finish, " says the driver proudly.
Jean-Philippe Bergeron PR
With just two laps to go, it appeared Kevin Adams was setting up for a high-flying pass on Jason Hughes for the win. Then, the yellow flag came out.
“I had him coming for the white, and then the yellow came out. I’ve got knuckle marks on my roof because I was so mad that it came out,” Adams said.
A green-white-checkered finish was now all that stood between Adams, of Cameron, WI, and a DIRTcar UMP Modified Winternationals finale victory at East Bay Raceway Park. A great start for Hughes set Adams back a little, but he made the most out of the high line, powering around the outside of Hughes and just nipping him at the stripe by .037 seconds to win his second consecutive Winternationals finale.
“I knew it was gonna be close,” Adams said. “Any racer that’s ever had a photo finish, you kinda just get his peripheral feeling if you got him or not. Sometimes the scoring loop isn’t where the finish line is, so I was thinking, ‘oh sh** oh sh**’ and then I looked up at the scoreboard and it had me ahead of him.”
Hughes, of Watts, OK, was looking for his first win in the event and was devising a plan under yellow before the G-W-C finish to ensure he got it.
“There was a lot of stuff going through my head,” Hughes said. “Whether I needed to hit the top and try to mess [Adams] up a little bit. I ran the top a little bit earlier and I wasn’t that good up there, but I probably wasn’t all the way up against the wall like he was.”
The green flag dropped, and the field stomped on the gas. Hughes got a terrific start and put a bit of distance between he and Adams, but Buzzy was hammer-down on the cushion. Maybe even a little bit too much so.
“I have a 9,000 [RPM] chip in it and it was on about 8,900 the last 16 laps, so it was either wreckers or checkers for this guy,” Adams joked.
Coming back to the line to take the white flag, Adams closed the gap to just four-tenths of a second as he swung it hard into Turn 1. Hughes looked strong on the bottom, but Adams got a huge blast off Turn 2 and pulled even with him as they reached Turn 3.
“I got a good start and thought, ‘well, if I don’t blow the cushion in [Turns] 1 and 2, I think we got a chance,’” Adams said.
The two maintained their lines through the apex of the turn, and just when it looked as though Hughes was going to sneak on by, Adams was shot out of a cannon in Turn 4. He ramped-off the cushion and flew by the start/finish line as the infield scoreboard lit up with “40” at the top. Adams had pulled it off and won the $5,000 finale for the second year in-a-row. This time, by leading just one lap the entire race.
“I’ve been trying for 12 years to win that finale, been second a few times, and last year was definitely pretty neat to do it,” Adams said. “This year was even crazier because, for one, it’s exciting to win a last-lap pass. I don’t care if it’s a Heat Race that pays nothing. It’s fun, it’s adrenaline.”
The pass was indeed exciting, bringing the East Bay crowd to their feet at the checkers. But it was also clean; neither driver made contact with the other in the race to the line, displaying the true competitive spirit and professional conduct that exists between the two marquee dirt racers.
“Jason Hughes is a class act. He could have drifted and pinched me, and I know he could hear me. That’s why he’s been a Mod racer for 30 years, he’s a professional and it shows. I gotta thank him for being so respectful,” Adams said.
Both drivers ran up front the entire race and properly paced themselves in the 75-lap event. After the fuel stop at the halfway mark, Hughes was sitting third behind Tuesday/Friday night winner Drake Troutman and teammate Lucas Lee. Hughes made the pass for the lead on Lap 38 and held the spot until the final circuit.
Hughes didn’t appear to have a rough Lap 75, but he was able to pinpoint one mistake he made that may have been the difference maker.
“I didn’t get down the front-straightaway very good coming to the white flag. I missed the line just a little bit and it spun the tires. That would have been plenty enough to get me back up where I needed to be. It was my mistake,” Hughes said.
“It’s kind of disappointing, but it happens.”
After all was said and done, Hughes crossed in second while Shane Burrows brought it home third from his 23rd starting position. Drake Troutman wrapped up a stellar first trip to East Bay with yet another top-five finish, marking him overall Winternationals event champion.
UMP Modified Feature (75 Laps) 1. Kevin Adams Cameron, Wi. 2. Jason Hughes Watts, Ok. 3. Shane Burrows Valrico, Fl. 4. Devin Dixon Brandon, Fl. 5. Drake Troutman Hyndman, Pa. 6. Seth Daniels Jackson, Oh. 7. Lucas Lee Paris, Tn. 8. Mike Potosky Guys Mills, Pa. 9. Spencer Hughes Meridian, Ms. 10. Jeff Mathews Riverview, Fl. 11. Brad Deyoung Wheatfield, In. 12. Dale Kelley Plant City, Fl. 13. Nick Allen Wheatfield, In. 14. Jimmy Lennex Jr Maysville, Ky. 15. Lj Grimm Seffner, Fl. 16. Devin Wright Rensselaer, In. 17. Travis Varnadore Plant City, Fl. 18. Eric Moon Zephyrhills, Fl. 19. Beau Deyoung Demotte, In. 20. Tyler Nicely Owensboro, Ky. 21. Chris Wilson Louisa, Ky. 22. Brayden Berry West Portsmouth, Oh. 23. Dave Hess Jr Waterford, Pa. 24. Mavrick Varnadore Dover, Fl. 25. Bryan Bernhardt Clearwater, Fl. 26. David Pollen Lakeland, Fl.
DIRTcar Series PR