Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p44G0U4sLCE
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DK: And tonight is the night that we'll find out who truly is the best around in the FAST Modified Division as the 9 drivers in this inaugural season will fire up one more time for the Hagerty 250! Hello again, everyone, I'm Dave Knight and joining me is Hick Strutlin. Welcome to the track they call the paperclip, the Martinsville Speedway in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
HS: Dave, the top 5 in points are only separated by 11 points. The maximum points you can make up in a race is 12 which means the man in fifth, who happens to be on the pole for tonight's race, could mathematically still win it if the if the top 4 finish in reverse order at the back of the field. As unlikely as that is, I've learned that almost nothing is impossible in racing.
DK: Indeed. JR "Razorback" Sealey has a 4 point adventage over 2nd place Jerry Lawley. Sealey essentially has to finish 2nd or win the race to clinch the title so he's not out of the woods by a long shot.
HS: And the 5 bonus points for Best in Show go to Steve Hutson which moves him up to 7th in points.
DK: And with that, it's time to go down to Johnny Johnson with the command!
JJ: Martinsville, are you ready for some championship racing!? Well then let's get this show on the road! GENTLEMEN, START YOUR ENGINES!!!!
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Green Flag
HS: And we're rockin' and rollin' championship style in Martinsville!
DK: Bob Herrin hammers into turns 1 and 2 for the first time. The track looks flat but there is actually 12 degrees of banking.
HS: It feels like it may as well be 0 as Herrin gets a little loose out of 2 as Randy McGillicuddy is gonna try and get a nose under him down the back stretch.
DK: Herrin puts the pressure on as he dives into turn 3. Not able to shut the door. McGillicuddy to the inside! They'll get side-by-side out of 4. Herrin to the line first by about a fender!
Lap 50
DK: And we've got a car on pit road! Rattlecan Dan is in. He's gonna go ahead and fuel that Ford early in this event. The fuel window is actually right around 200 laps at this half mile facility. He's away and back on track.
HS: And Hutson's coming in for service too. Cutting it right as the window opens.
DK: And we've got a car off the pace. The yellow is out and it's for the 46 of Sealey! He's around and stalled in turn 3!
HS: And if you look under that Chevy, that tells the story. Obviously some kind of fluid leak. Might've busted an oil line.
DK: And he just came over the radio to "Farmer John" Killigrew that he lost all the oil pressure so looks like that's exactly what happened.
HS: Big blow to that team. Hate to see the boss go down like that. His championship hopes are done.
Lap 117
DK: Rattlecan Dan goes to the inside of Steve Hutson for 2nd. He makes it happen in turn 3. Dan to 2nd!
Lap 159
HS: We've got a car in the wall in turn 2! Speedracer backed it in. I don't think he got a ton of damage though. He bent the rear bumper in but I think that's the worst of it.
Lap 201
HS: Man, Rattlecan Dan has been reeling that 2 car in. He's gained a couple tenths over the last several laps.
DK: Now only 2 car lengths separate the top spots.
HS: He's tied with Lawley in points who continues to run 5th. However, Lawley would have the tie breaker by virtue of having 2 wins to Dan's 1. We've got just under 50 to go here though.
Lap 225
DK: And as they come up on the lapped car of Speedracer, Rattlecan Dan gets a nose under Herrin. He's gonna use the 54 as a pick! He played the early pit strategy, beat the caution, and lost the lead to Herrin on the restart but he has muscled his way back to the front. He'll come off of turn 2 with the lead!
HS: And look who also want's a piece of this action. Steve Hutson's got a few moves for Herrin. He's not gonna quite get there but he's not letting him out of the crosshairs.
White Flag
DK: And we've got one lap to go at Martinsville! Rattlecan Dan started the day 4th in points, needed a miracle, and now leads the field and the points over Jerry Lawley in 5th. Steve Hutson runs 2nd on track followed by Herrin.
HS: And Dan's got no pressure from behind as he comes out of 2.
DK: A pit strategy play paired with a timely caution for points leader JR Sealey vaulted the 76 from last to the front. He'll sail through turns 3 and 4 for the final time. Donato DiRenzo a.k.a. Rattlecan Dan wins the Hagerty 250 and the inaugural FAST Modified Division championship!
HS: Wow! What a drive and way to bookend the season with wins and bring home the gold!
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HS: Well, Dave, I don't know about you but I'm so wound up that I might not sleep for a week! What a season!
DK: It certainly was. Rattlecan Dan wins the opener at Stafford and caps the season off with a win at Martinsville. Congratulations to the 76 team and thanks to each and every one of you for joining us on the Fantasy Racing Network. For Hick Strutlin, I'm Dave Knight. We'll see you in the spring for the 2026 Fantasy Cup Series!
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I'd like to thank each of the competitors for their awesome builds as well as everyone who read along. Looking forward to doing it all again in 2026!!
It doesn't get any better than this! So proud of this team for all the work and stick-to-itivness they have displayed. A little luck and great strategy by crew chief Mario puts the trophy on our shelf. Thanks to all the worthy opponents and all the great racing." Pop them corks!" Big time partying at the #76 pit. Free drinks and eats. Welcome all. Thanks, gang.
Congrats, man! The first round of Martinsville hot dogs are on me!! ;D