Pressure mounts as the championship finale nears at Spring Mountain

The Spring Mountain Race Series kicked off the second half of its 2024-2025 Race Series on the 3.23-mile Charleston Peak Full Course. Much has been said about the new drivers performing well throughout the season, but many returning racers made their presence felt over the two-race weekend in February.

The Radical Cup Challenge racers faced various challenges during the opening race of the weekend. Multiple incidents and limited green-flag racing led to a difficult path for drivers heading into race two. Spring Mountain Racing worked late into the night to ensure everyone was back on track for Saturday, and by morning, everyone was ready to go except Nancy Bullock. Undeterred, the Bullocks purchased a Radical directly from the Spring Mountain Racing showroom, surprising everyone when she returned to the grid on Saturday. The gamble paid off as Bullock was able to salvage a Silver Class podium finish.

In the Gold Class, Nick Groat, Josh Esfahani, and Erik Davis returned to the Spring Mountain Race Series and delivered an intense battle for their positions, delighting spectators throughout. Despite narrowly missing the podium, their performance was notable. Taking third for the weekend was Steven Thomas, who excelled in race two, leading the front pack with determination and setting a new class track record. Doug Ramirez maintained his season-long consistency, finishing second and inching closer to a championship title. Tanner Harvey, who always delivers a strong performance, celebrated his first overall victory after making favorable adjustments to the car.

The battle for first in the Silver Class came down to one point, with Brian Reynolds emerging victorious by showcasing his endurance and skill. Jim Mason suffered an early retirement in race one, but his strong performance in race two helped him claim second overall.

In the Rookie Class, Sohaib Kureshi returned to the track after a couple of months away and achieved a strong second-place finish overall. However, it was Jason Horwitz who captured the spotlight, taking advantage of his extensive track time to secure pole positions and the fastest lap. With another dominating weekend, he continues his pursuit of the Rookie championship title.

The 19-car grid of Sports Car Series racers exhibited remarkable challenges across all classes. In GTU, the battle for podium positions was close, with Brian Reynolds securing third place through steady, consistent racing. Jeff Fraser has been closing in on the podium and finally met expectations, claiming second place overall and setting the fastest lap in race one. But it was Michael Reynolds who ended up standing atop the podium after an impressive weekend of driving and blistering lap times. With just a three-point gap now separating Michael and Brian in the championship standings, both drivers are engaged in a fierce effort to secure second place by the end of the season.

In the GT4 Class, a tie for third place had spectators captivated. With tie-breaking rules favoring the driver who finished higher in race two, Paul Chamberlain ultimately claimed the final spot on the podium. Newcomer John Mueller made an impressive debut, taking second place and demonstrating he’s one to watch. Nabbing first overall was Tom MacMillan, who dominated the class throughout the weekend. With extra points awarded for pole position and fastest lap in both races, MacMillan’s performance was masterful.

Chad Lancaster played the long game in the GTL Class, securing third place and accumulating points in his quest for a championship title. Meanwhile, the battle for first place came down to the wire—Blake Olsen and Randy Wonnenberg raced wheel-to-wheel in pursuit of the checkered flag. Wonnenberg made it tough, but Olsen’s faster lap times earned him crucial bonus points, pushing him just over the top for the victory.