Hamrac Runs Wire to Wire in Modifieds of Mayhem Season Opening Victory

In his familiar number 8 owned by David Jones, Donnie Hamrac enjoys the rewards of winning the Alabama Bicentennial 50 at Montgomery Motor Speedway on March 2nd, 2019. (Daniel Vining/PixelatedSPEED)

By: Daniel Vining, Twitter: @danielvining

MONTGOMERY, Alabama (March 7, 2019) -- Donnie Hamrac led from start to finish in the Modifieds of Mayhem Tour 2019 season opener, the Alabama Bicentennial 50, at Montgomery Motor Speedway on March 2, 2019. Hamrac started on the pole and was in control of the pace for the entire event. His closest competition, Jim Walls, was able to catch up to Hamrac with ten laps to go, but Hamrac proved too strong -- pulling away to score the victory in convincing fashion.

“That’s a good way to start,” said Hamrac. “I thought Jim was gonna get us there at the end as our tires gave up, but right as he caught me he said his tires began to go away, so it all worked out.

There were no cautions in the race, and little lapped traffic to contend with, resulting in an all out sprint for 50 laps around the legendary half-mile circuit for the ten car field.

Jim Walls made a late run at Hamrac after conserving his car for the bulk of the race.

“We had a pretty good night,” said Walls. “We started fourth, got around Jordan (Key) for third and started saving tires for a good while there… ran pretty close with Jeff Letson and Zach Knowles for a little bit.”

“With about 20 to go I tried to go get Donnie,” he added. “I used up all I had and about the time I got to his bumper my tires had went away just like his did so we really didn’t have a chance to get him. I had fun racing with Donnie… it was good to run with him, and good to run with this bunch.”

The next stop on the Modifieds of Mayhem Tour is a visit to Crisp Motorsports Park in Cordele, Georgia on April 20th, then tic-tok with trips to Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida and back to Montgomery for a total of seven more events on the 2019 schedule. The season finale will once again be a part of the famed Snowball Derby weekend.

For more information, log on to http://www.montgomerymotorspeedway.org/modifieds-of-mayhem/

RESULTS:

1. 8 - Donnie Hamrac
2. 91 - Jim Walls
3. 131 - Jeff Letson
4. 51 - Zach Knowles
5. 12 - Justin Bonnett
6. 12b - Scooter Bates
7. 17 - Chuck Tuck
8. 0 - Jordan Key
9. 88 - Larry Hughes
10. 1 - Brandon Parker

PixelatedSPEED is a motorsports news and views website covering all things racing and has been “Bringing Pixels 2 Pavement Since 2018”. If you've made it this far into the post, thank you. Please consider sharing this content on the interwebs and following PixelatedSPEED on Facebook and Twitter and joining in on the conversation. http://facebook.com/PixelatedSPEED & http://twitter.com/PixelatedSPEED 

Augie Grill Dominates in 5th Alabama 200 Victory; Roderick Falls Short of Three-Peat

With his fist pumping out of the driver's window, Augie Grill flies across the finish line, winning a record-extending 5th Alabama 200 on March 2nd, 2019 at Montgomery Motor Speedway. (Daniel Vining/PixelatedSPEED.com)

By: Daniel Vining, Twitter: @danielvining

MONTGOMERY, Alabama (March 5, 2019) -- Augie Grill put the pedal to the metal at Montgomery Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 2nd, racking up his 5th win in the prestigious Alabama 200. Grill bested the two-time, and defending winner, Casey Roderick, and up-and-coming drivers Jackson Boone and Connor Okrzesik but spent much of the race battling Bubba Pollard for the top spot.

“A lot of hard work went into this weekend,” Grill told PixelatedSPEED after the race. “I’ve been working on a few different things on my car for a month leading up to Speedweeks (New Smyrna) and I think I finally hit on something to where it’s good again.”

“We made a few minor changes, but the thing was good since we unloaded and stayed good throughout the whole race, and hopefully it’s a good sign for what’s coming.”

Throughout practice, 2019 SpeedFest winner Connor Okrzesik found himself atop the scoring pylon, but come qualifying it was Georgia hotshoe Bubba Pollard rising to the top of the heap. Pollard was the only driver in the 26 car field to break below the 19 second barrier, with a fast time of 18.969 seconds. The redraw put Grill on the pole, with Roderick and Pollard behind.

The first two thirds in the “Hunt for the Bear” were highlighted by the battle between Grill and Pollard. The race saw multiple cautions, and with each ensuing restart, Grill and Pollard would break away from the pack and battle briefly before Grill would start to pull away.

On lap 162, Pollard fell off the pace, and pulled his machine behind the wall with mechanical failure.

Grill commented, “It was fun racing against Bubba tonight… I wish he would have finished so we could see how we would’ve stacked up in the end.”

Pollard, understandably, had no comment following the race.

After falling back at the start, Casey Roderick and crew took every opportunity available to work on the handling of their car. By race’s end, Roderick found himself on the tail of Grill, and within striking distance of his third straight win. Roderick came up just short of the feat, and although disappointed, was satisfied with the outcome given the night’s struggles.

“It was a serious problem, where the car wouldn’t handle,” said Roderick. “It was a fight from there… disappointed we missed three in a row by just a little bit, but earlier in the race we were way off… I don’t give up, I’m not a quitter, we keep diggin, and we fight back.”

“We made some adjustments when we stopped for fuel …  we waited about 20 laps later than everyone else to take tires and it ended up working out okay, but still we just weren’t quite strong enough to get there.”

Jackson Boone scored a podium finish after overcoming an incident on lap 140 involving Ryan Paul and others.

“I got a bad restart and the guys behind me just got under me and lifted my back tires off the ground … I spun my tires, and it was just an accordion effect and we all jumbled up … and somebody just nailed me… it was an intense night there at the end.”

After Pollard’s issues, Boone saw is opportunity.

“We were faster than Bubba and Augie, in my opinion,” he said. “It was like lap 160 and we were just pouncing on them… I was thinking if this thing goes green I can eat them alive, then Bubba fell out and I thought ‘even better’ we have a chance to pounce now.”

Boone was no match for the 20 lap fresher tires of Roderick, but held on to a strong third place.

“It gives me a lot of confidence,” said Boone. “If you look at the car behind me (points to his mangled racecar) and we probably had no left front downforce and we were able to finish the way we were. This team has put together a really good piece and I think we get back to the shop and get it reset and we can take it anywhere. It’s a winning car anywhere we go. We just have to contend, and it gives me a lot of confidence.

After showing a lot of speed in practice, Connor Okrzesik found himself running solidly in the top five all night long, coming away with a forth place result. In a post on his Facebook page, Okrzesik said that he was happy to be one of the 12 cars that finished out of the 26 that started.

In all, this year’s Alabama 200 proved to be a crowd pleaser. The stands were packed, the weather was very mild, and racing was solid. It looks as though putting this race at the front of the schedule as the season opener to the  Show Me the Money Pro Late Model Series has proven to be a success.

PixelatedSPEED will have much more from the Alabama 200 weekend, including a recap of the season opening Modifieds of Mayhem event, and look at some of the names deeper in the pack of the Hunt for the Bear, Alabama 200.

RESULTS:

1 112 Augie Grill
2 18 Casey Roderick
3 7 Jackson Boone
4 14c Connor Okrzesik
5 43 Justin South
6 11c Dylan Fetcho
7 35 Jake Garcia
8 5 Blaise Rutherford
9 21f Jason Furrow
10 4m Kyle McCallum
11 2d Jeff Dawkins
12 1 Michael House
13 2 John Bolen
14 26 Bubba Pollard
15 84 Martin Latulippe
16 14d Chris Davidson
17 21p Ryan Paul
18 81 Colby Howard
19 32 Nick Jenkins
20 21 Ryan Herbert
21 9 Michael Bolden
22 09 Daniel Bolden
23 51p Perry Patino
24 8x Aiden Eldridge
25 28 Jojo Wilkinson
26 14p Tyler Porter

PixelatedSPEED is a motorsports news and views website covering all things racing and has been “Bringing Pixels 2 Pavement Since 2018”. If you've made it this far into the post, thank you. Please consider sharing this content on the interwebs and following PixelatedSPEED on Facebook and Twitter and joining in on the conversation. http://facebook.com/PixelatedSPEED & http://twitter.com/PixelatedSPEED 

PixelatedSPEED is a part of the Gravel Network. Copyright - 2018, 2019

Pixelated RESULTS: Logano Wins and Busch Misses Out on Triple Sweep in First look at the New Aero Package in the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 03: Aric Almirola, driver of the #10 Smithfield Ford, leads Paul Menard, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford, and Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Pennzoil Oil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 3, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)

By: Daniel Vining, Twitter: @danielvining

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (March 3, 2019) -- This race debuted the full 2019 aero package for the NASCAR Cup Series, featuring front grille air ducts, a taller spoiler and tapered spacers in the motor. The result is lowered horsepower and a greater dependence on the draft.

Joey Logano used that draft, and an overall strong performing racecar, to capture the Pennzoil 400, his first win at Las Vegas in his 12th try… securing a spot in the playoffs and a run at defending his NASCAR Cup Series Championship.

"We've been so close to winning this race in Vegas for so long... we're proud to be able to deliver,” said Logano.

Logano led the final 20 laps, but had to fend off teammate Brad Keslowski, as he made a last lap charge, coming within a car length of Logano.

“His car kept getting bigger in the end,” he said “If it was a few more laps, he was going to get by me."

Brad Keselowski, “He pulled a slide job and I tried to pull it back and I was just a little too nice to him…  I'd like to have one more lap.”

The overwhelming opinion on social media immediately following the race was, “it sucks.” While it’s easy to come to that conclusion, I think that this race was a step in the right direction and I feel that there were areas to mention, both good and bad, to ponder on.

My early impressions were that cars would be able to get runs. The initial start, and subsequent restarts following stage breaks, showed a chaotic scene with racecars battling hard for the first few laps of the run. Slowly, however, the field would spread out and the familiar look of racing on intermediate race tracks surfaced… with one notable exception. The leader didn’t just drive away. Kevin Harvick amassed a four second lead briefly at the end of stage one, but aside from that, the leader remained within striking distance of second place throughout the entire event. This, in a race that saw zero “natural cautions”, with the yellow flag flying only for the stage breaks. That’s the first time that’s happened since October 2002.

Kyle Busch was the Pixelated PICK for this race, and looked to be in a position to capture his third triple sweep, after winning Friday’s Truck race, and Saturday’s Xfinity race. His hopes for that feat fell apart after a pit road speeding penalty put him a lap down, and it took the remainder of the race to work up to third by race’s end.

"If we didn't have the speeding penalty, we would have won this race,” said Busch.

"I was running 31-flats, but once I got within the vicinity of them (the leaders), I was running 31.4's.”

"The cars don't have any speed. You're just trying to draft off another car... They just don't maneuver…  I think we passed the most cars today but we don't have the trophy."

NASCAR executive Steve O’Donnell gave straight shooter answers to the media following the race. He said that the race was decent, but NASCAR is not satisfied with the racing, which he said is a season-long work in progress. He did say that he was relieved that stages two and three were better racing than stage one.

During stages two and three, there was a clear uptick in how racy the leaders were able to be. Much like the start of the race, the restarts were rather chaotic. There was plenty of movement throughout the field. At the start of the second stage, Aric Almirola jumped from 12th to 6th in no time, for example.

As the stages wore on, there was plenty of dancing for position among the leaders. Kevin Harvick and Busch were all over the Penske cars of Keselowski and Logano for the lead.

Aggressive moves by Kyle Busch prior to his pit road penalty racing Joey Logano for the lead put on a great show. Busch used traffic to get to Logano in traffic, and the two swapped the lead several times during that span. It was a fun battle to watch.

In the end, however, the field always managed to spread out and without the aid of cautions to reset them, we were left watching a familiar, and unpopular train.

While there are still plenty of flaws in this areo package, I believe more than anything that no matter what you do to the racecars, this is the kind of racing you will get at these, 1.5 mile, intermediate race tracks.

For what is was, I thought it was a decent race. I’m not going to cry, “it sucked.” Instead, I will continue to encourage everyone to keep a more positive attitude and maintain patience. Next week in Phoenix we will see yet another example of this new package has to offer. In time, and as needed, NASCAR will make adjustments. It’s just going to take time. I’m very confident that the sanctioning body is moving in a forward direction, and look forward to the next race.

PixelatedSPEED is a motorsports news and views website covering all things racing and has been “Bringing Pixels 2 Pavement Since 2018”. If you've made it this far into the post, thank you. Please consider sharing this content on the interwebs and following PixelatedSPEED on Facebook and Twitter and joining in on the conversation. http://facebook.com/PixelatedSPEED & http://twitter.com/PixelatedSPEED 

PixelatedSPEED is a part of the Gravel Network. Copyright - 2018, 2019

PixelatedPICK: Going for the Sweep in Vegas

With an astounding 197 wins across NASCAR national series competition, Kyle Busch is looking to achieve yet another triple win weekend, this time in Las Vegas. (Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

By: Daniel Vining, Twitter @danielvining

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (March 3, 2019) -- When you combine the raw talent, overall success, the new aero package, and the pure results over the last few seasons, this week's PixelatedPICK is almost a given.

In my mind, and the minds of many bookies in Las Vegas, Kyle Busch is the odds on favorite to win the Pennzoil 400 on Sunday.

Last week, Busch scored a record setting victory at Atlanta, becoming the all time wins leader in the NASCAR Truck Series after securing his 52nd career win. On Friday, Busch continued to add to that total with a dominant performance at Las Vegas, sweeping both stages en route to winning the Strat 200, his 53rd career Truck Series victory.

“It’s cool to win here in your hometown, being in Las Vegas, starting off a triple weekend,” said Busch. Hopefully, we can keep it going.”

Busch would keep it going, continuing his push for the weekend sweep by winning the Boyd Gaming 300, his 93rd career win in the Xfinity Series.

Busch had to overcome being a lap down early after a loose wheel sent him to pit road. It took awhile for Busch to get his lap back, and find the top spot. Once in the lead, Busch battled hard with Christopher Bell and Tyler Reddick, then had to defend against multiple overtime attempts, before narrowly edging out John Hunter Nemechek to score his 197th NASCAR victory (across all three series)

“I thought this would be the toughest of the three,” Busch said from Victory Lane after Saturday’s Xfinity Series event. “We had a fast race car but we could never get the balance even in the race right there. I was either way too tight or way too loose, I could never find a happy medium. Overall, I feel like the Cup car is pretty good. The M&M’s Chocolate Bar Camry got some speed to it as well and we ran a lot out there in traffic and the pack. So it will be interesting tomorrow.”

The new aero package being used in the NASCAR Cup Series has produced what looks to be a combination of the styles of racing seen in both the Truck Series and Xfinity Series. On throttle time has increased, and the draft plays a greater role than ever before on intermediate race tracks. I think this style of racing really suits Kyle Busch’s style and will play a huge factor in his journey to sweeping the weekend.

Sweeping races in NASCAR weekends is nothing new. Busch won all three races at Bristol, twice… in 2010 and 2017, and has done the double sweep on several occasions, winning a combo of Truck/Xfinity, Truck/Cup, Xfinity/Cup. Now, Busch has the opportunity to pick up his third triple-sweep, this time at his hometrack, Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“Overall, I feel like our Cup car is pretty good. The car has some speed. We ran a lot out there in the pack and in traffic, and it’s going to be an interesting race (on Sunday). Make sure everybody tunes in.”

The PixelatedPICK is a featured column of PixelatedSPEED showcasing the pick to win the race of the week. Usually centered on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the PixelatedPICK may also feature special events throughout the racing world. Readers are encouraged to share who they think will will the race in the comments section!

PixelatedSPEED is a motorsports news and views website covering all things racing and has been “Bringing Pixels 2 Pavement Since 2018”. If you've made it this far into the post, thank you. Please consider sharing this content on the interwebs and following PixelatedSPEED on Facebook and Twitter and joining in on the conversation. http://facebook.com/PixelatedSPEED & http://twitter.com/PixelatedSPEED 

PixelatedSPEED is a part of the Gravel Network. Copyright - 2018, 2019

Racecontrol: 55th Alabama 200 - Schedule, Entry List, How to Watch, Ticket Info & More

Montgomery Motor Speedway regular Justin South is attempting to capture his first Alabama 200. Seen here practicing during the 2018 event. (Speed 51/Speed51Photos.com)

By: Daniel Vining, Twitter: @danielvining

MONTGOMERY, Alabama (March 2, 2019) -- The 55th Annual Alabama 200 is set to kick off the 2019 racing season for Show Me the Money Pro Late Model Series at Montgomery Motor Speedway in Montgomery, Alabama on March 2, 2019.

Moving from it’s traditional fall date to this new, spring date provides an opportunity for this marquee event to shine and showcase some of the South’s premiere Pro Late Model talent.

TRACK ANALYSIS:

Montgomery Motor Speedway, located in the capital city of Montgomery, Alabama, is the state’s oldest track, opening for competition in 1953.

The half-mile oval is semi-banked. Turns 1 & 2 are 15 degrees and 3 & 4 are 13 degrees. It was last resurfaced in 2009, has 36 full size pit stalls and features MUSCO lighting (the same used at most NASCAR tracks).

NASCAR’s Cup Series, then the Grand National Series, raced at Montgomery six times between 1955 and 1968, and the NASCAR Southeast Series raced their eight time between 1991 and 2005. The ASA National Tour visited twice, in 2000 and 2001.

Currently, Montgomery Motor Speedway is home of the Show Me the Money Pro Late Model Series, the Modifieds of Mayhem Tour and plays host to the Rumble by the River 125 for the Southern Super Series.

PAST WINNERS:

Saturday’s 55th running of the Alabama 200 will feature several past winners of the event, including two-time defending champion Casey Roderick, four-time winner Augie Grill, and 2004 winner Hunter Robbins.

2018 - Casey Roderick
2017 - Casey Roderick
2016 - Donnie Wilson
2015 - Chase Elliott
2014 - Anderson Bowen
2013 - Chase Elliott
2012 - Mason Massey
2011 - Augie Grill
2010 - Augie Grill
2009 - Augie Grill
2008 - Augie Grill
2007 - Casey Smith
2005 - Jason Hogan, Ted Musgrave Jr.
2004 - Hunter Robbins
2000 - Gary Helton
1999 - Gary Jones
1996 - Dave Mader III
1995 - Junior Niedecken
1994 - Eddie Mercer
1993 - Bobby Gill
1992 - Mike Harmon
1991 - Clay Brown
1985 - Mike Alexander
1984 - Wayne Newton
1983 - Mike Oliver
1982 - Donnie Allison
1979 - Ronnie Sanders
1978 - Jody Ridley
1976 - Ronnie Sanders
1975 - Buck Simmons
1974 - Jody Ridley
1973 - Neil Bonnett
1972 - Ed Howe
1971 - Alton Jones
1970 - Red Farmer
1969 - Red Farmer
1968 - Bobby Allison
1967 - Richard Petty
1966 - No Info
1965 - Dave Mader
1964 - Joe Lee Johnson
1963 - Friday Hassler
1962 - Bobby Allison
1961 - Red Farmer
1960 - Crash Bond

EVENT SCHEDULE:

Saturday, March 2 (All Times Central)

10 a.m. - Pits Open
10:15 a.m. - Alabama 200 & Mods of Mayhem Pre-Tech / Registration
10:30 a.m. - Alabama 200 Tire Selection
12 p.m. - Mandatory Drivers / Crew Chief / Spotters Meeting
1 p.m. - Alabama 200 Practice
1:45 p.m. - Modifieds of Mayhem Practice
2:15 p.m. - Alabama 200 Practice
2:45 p.m. - Modifieds of Mayhem Practice
3 p.m. - Alabama 200 Pre-Qualifying Tech
4 p.m. - Grandstands Open
4:15 p.m. - Modifieds of Mayhem Qualifying
5 p.m. - Alabama 200 Qualifying
6 p.m. - Opening Ceremonies
Last Chance Transfer Race (If Needed)
Modified of Mayhem Feature (50 laps)
55th Alabama 200 "Hunt for the Bear" (200 laps)
Celebrity Bus Race

HOW TO WATCH:

While the best way to experience the Alabama 200 is to see it in person, that’s just not possible for everyone. Speed51 will be providing live streaming of this event. You can get your virtual ticket >> here.

PixelatedSPEED will be at the track covering this event and providing features, videos and more along the way. Follow @PixelatedSPEED on Twitter and Instagram throughout the day.

ENTRY LIST (Current as of March 1, 2019):

This year’s running of the Alabama 200 is stacked with a strong deck of drivers, including last year’s winner Casey Roderick and up and coming driver Connor Okrzesik, who won January’s SpeedFest in Cordele, Georgia. Bubba Pollard, coming off a stellar showing during Speedweeks at the World Series of Asphalt Racing in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, will be back behind the wheel of his familiar number 26 machine, attempting to score his first Hunt for the Bear trophy.

07 Blake Ferguson
09 Daniel Bolden
2 Jeff Dawkins
2 John Bolen
7 Jackson Boone
8x Aiden Eldridge
9 Michael Bolden
10 Hunter Robbins
11 JoJo Wilkinson
11 Stacey Crain
14 Ty Porter
14 Chris Davidson
14 Connor Okrzesik
18 Casey Roderick
21 Ryan Herbert
21 Ryan Paul
21 Jason Furrow
26 Bubba Pollard
32 Nick Jenkins
35 Jake Garcia
37 Kaden Honeycutt
43 Justin South
51 Perry Patino
62 William Hale
81 Colby Howard
112 Augie Grill

TICKET INFO:

Adults - $20, Seniors/Military - $15, Kids 6-12 - $5, Kids 5 and Under - Free
Pit Pass - $30

CONTACTING MONTGOMERY MOTOR SPEEDWAY:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MontgomerySpdwy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montgomeryspeedway/
Track Website: http://www.montgomerymotorspeedway.org/

Official Hashtag: #Alabama200

#AL200 - ALABAMA’S BICENTENNIAL

Fans will notice the logo of the Alabama Bicentennial around the Speedway. This is in celebration of Alabama’s 200th year in statehood, becoming a state on December 14, 1819. Learn all about this Alabama 200 at alabama200.org.

PixelatedSPEED is a motorsports news and views website covering all things racing and has been “Bringing Pixels 2 Pavement Since 2018”. If you've made it this far into the post, thank you. Please consider sharing this content on the interwebs and following PixelatedSPEED on Facebook and Twitter and joining in on the conversation. http://facebook.com/PixelatedSPEED & http://twitter.com/PixelatedSPEED 

PixelatedSPEED is a part of the Gravel Network. Copyright - 2018, 2019