PEVELY, MO (October 10, 2023) - As the field lined up at I-55 Speedway for the penultimate round of the VLR UMP Modified Series, few could have predicted the final results. With only one race left in the championship, every move on the track had even more impact than usual.
From the get-go, Christopher Joy and Conner New captured everyone's attention with an intense battle for the lead. They raced side by side for nearly half of the 50-lap race, in a thrilling duel that had spectators glued to the live broadcast. Finally, on lap 26, the young and comparatively inexperienced Conner New managed to get ahead and hold the lead for good, but not without constant pressure from a bevy of drivers on his bumper.
New went on to survive a flurry of late race cautions to hold off Joy and others to earn his first career VLR win by less than a car length over Joy.
In a season marked by veteran dominance, the story of the night was undoubtedly Conner New's breakthrough win. At just 13 years old and new to the VLR series, New defied expectations by outdueling seasoned competitors to cross the finish line first.
It wasn't just New who provided a shock; Christopher Joy, who finished second, was also a surprise. The second place finish at I-55 marked Joy's best VLR finish to date, making the night one for the underdogs in a season that had been dominated by the wily veterans to this point.
As the race progressed, the track conditions evolved. While the surface got progressively slicker, it retained two grooves, allowing for close racing and drivers to move up through the pack. This, combined with the caution flags, often involving rivals Matt Selby and Cody Nevin, made for an unpredictable race, especially in the back part of the field.
In a night where the usual frontrunners like Evan Seay, Chase Barbara, and Logan Rumsey had to settle for less flashy finishes, the spotlight shifted to the emerging talents shaking up the status quo.
As the series heads to Lucas Oil Speedway for the final showdown, the Point Standings continue to be shuffled every week, despite Evan Seay having a stranglehold on the rest of the field. Tune in next week to catch the season finale LIVE on our Facebook page!