ROSSBURG, OH (September 12, 2023) - Eldora Speedway hosted the debut of the VLR UMP Modified Series on iRacing, VLR's first series in over a year and did not disappoint the throng of fans who tuned into watch the 40-lap main event.
Starting from pole, Hayden Cardwell of Knoxville, TN dominated the majority of the race, leading all of the first 39 laps. His prowess was further highlighted when he set the fastest lap of the race, clocking a time of 16.213 seconds on his 11th lap. The race was slowed by only one caution the first 30 laps, and that occurred on lap 1.
It seemed that Cardwell was well on his way to his first VLR win in over two years before a series of late race cautions bunched the field up for a dramatic two lap shootout.
The final lap of the race unfurled a series of events that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Evan Seay's bid to take the lead from Cardwell in turn 1 resulted in slight contact which upset the #07 car of Cardwell and resulted in Seay, Cardwell and Logan Rumsey sailing off into turn three in an exhilarating three-wide showdown for the lead.
Amid the chaos, Rumsey found an opportunity, by sailing his 41 machine on the outside groove to power past both Seay and Cardwell. What followed in turn 4 was nothing short of dramatic, as a massive pileup at the checkered flag jumbled the final results.
Emerging from the dust, Rumsey celebrated his victory, crossing the finish line a mere two car lengths ahead of Evan Seay and Chase Barbara, who concluded their intense duel with Seay edging out Barbara in a photo finish for second.
The resilience of racers was evident as Tanner Tomasi, despite being involved in an accident on the very first lap, made a remarkable comeback from the rear of the field to clinch the 4th position. Josh Elee was the nights hard charger, racing from 22nd to 12th after 40 laps.
Next week, the UMP Modifieds power west to Kokomo Speedway in Kokomo, IN for Week #2 of 6 in what is guaranteed to be another spectacular race at the 1/4 mile bullring.
A Main Results (start position):
- Logan Rumsey (3rd)
- Evan Seay (4th)
- Chase Barbara (2nd)
- Tanner Tomasi (13th)
- Ethan Toedter (14th)
- Blake Matjoulis (12th)
- Hayden Cardwell (1st)
- Kyle Sirratt (17th)
- Jamie Massey (6th)
- Conner New (5th)
- Matthew Selby (15th)
- Josh Elee (22nd)
- Tyson Pankow (7th)
- Christopher Joy (20th)
- Kyle Moyer (21st)
- Casey Brunson (9th)
- James Braswell Jr (11th)
- Logan Herbert (24th)
- Robbie Buchanan Jr (18th)
- Blake Bailey (23rd)
- Keith Hackney (19th)
- Cody Nevin (8th)
- Talan Willis (16th)
- Dylan Houser (10th)