2023 Round 28 Cup Results
Pearson's Chase Recovery at Kansas
For the 2nd race of the chase, the sim racing series descended upon the Kansas Speedway for a 130-lap showdown. Barry Neale, showing impressive speed, took the pole position, joined by Andrew Dyson on the front row. Matthew Raymond began from 3rd place, with Steven Williams right behind in 4th. The third starting row featured Neil Pearson and Shayne Bowen, setting the stage for an action-packed race.
Early in the race, Phil Otto, who started 11th, opted for the low line to make up positions, while most drivers chose the high line to conserve their tire life. After 15 laps, those running the low line started to struggle, surrendering their early gains. Chase driver Lachlan Urquijo decided to drop down the order to conserve tires for a full stint of fuel.
Barry Neale led the opening laps, but on lap 21, Andrew Dyson seized the lead, with Pearson closely following in 2nd place. DPR displayed its strength early on, with four of its drivers’ securing positions within the top 6 in the initial 23 laps. Another standout performer was Ruben Phelps, who climbed up to 7th place after starting 18th, effectively making the low line work over the long haul.
Pearson made a decisive pass on Dyson to claim the race lead on lap 31, with Neale also trying to execute a pass on the low line, securing 3rd place. Lap 40 marked the first wave of cars entering pit lane for a fuel fill-up, fresh Goodyear tires, and pit stop adjustments. The leading cars, including Neale on lap 45, Pearson on lap 47, and Dyson/Schultz on lap 49, completed the pit stop cycle, all under green flag conditions. After the green flag pit stops, Worley emerged as the race leader, with Neale, Pearson, Dyson, and Phelps in pursuit.
The battle for the lead intensified on lap 74 when Pearson and Dyson engaged in a fierce duel. Dyson cleverly used a lapped car to pin Pearson behind, successfully making the pass. It was a strategic move with nothing amiss from the lapped car involved.
The second round of pit stops commenced on lap 85, with the green flag pit stop cycle concluding on lap 94 after Jaie Schultz pitted from the lead. With 27 laps remaining, Pearson retook the lead from Worley, with Dyson surging to 2nd position. As the race neared its end, the competition grew more aggressive, resulting in several instances of contact between the leaders. This heightened intensity spread across the field as drivers battled fiercely for positions.
However, the intense battle at the front took a dramatic turn as contact on the exit of turn 2 sent Dyson into the wall, triggering the race's first caution. While both cars sustained damage, it wasn't severe for either.
Upon the restart, Pearson led with 12 laps to go, setting the stage for a fierce top-eight battle. Unfortunately, Urquijo lost control on the exit of turn 2, receiving an innocent bump from Williams, which caused him to spin around and triggered the race's second caution, leading to a green-white-checkered finish.
On this caution, Dave Douglas opted to pit for fresh tires. If the final laps went green, this strategic move could have seen Douglas gain valuable positions and points for his chase.
In the end, Neil Pearson successfully completed his chase recovery mission, bouncing back from a challenging first race at Darlington, and secured the victory at Kansas. This win breathed new life into his chase hopes, allowing him to approach the next round with renewed confidence.
Race Statistics:
Total Laps: 134
Cautions: 3 for 9 laps
Lead Changes: 11
Top 10 Finishers:
1: Neil Pearson
2: Ruben Phelps
3: Andrew Dyson
4: Matthew Raymond
5: Phillip Worley
6: Ryan Jones
7: Steven Williams
8: Brenton Henderson
9: Shayne Bowan
10: Lachlan Urquijo
For the 2nd race of the chase, the sim racing series descended upon the Kansas Speedway for a 130-lap showdown. Barry Neale, showing impressive speed, took the pole position, joined by Andrew Dyson on the front row. Matthew Raymond began from 3rd place, with Steven Williams right behind in 4th. The third starting row featured Neil Pearson and Shayne Bowen, setting the stage for an action-packed race.
Early in the race, Phil Otto, who started 11th, opted for the low line to make up positions, while most drivers chose the high line to conserve their tire life. After 15 laps, those running the low line started to struggle, surrendering their early gains. Chase driver Lachlan Urquijo decided to drop down the order to conserve tires for a full stint of fuel.
Barry Neale led the opening laps, but on lap 21, Andrew Dyson seized the lead, with Pearson closely following in 2nd place. DPR displayed its strength early on, with four of its drivers’ securing positions within the top 6 in the initial 23 laps. Another standout performer was Ruben Phelps, who climbed up to 7th place after starting 18th, effectively making the low line work over the long haul.
Pearson made a decisive pass on Dyson to claim the race lead on lap 31, with Neale also trying to execute a pass on the low line, securing 3rd place. Lap 40 marked the first wave of cars entering pit lane for a fuel fill-up, fresh Goodyear tires, and pit stop adjustments. The leading cars, including Neale on lap 45, Pearson on lap 47, and Dyson/Schultz on lap 49, completed the pit stop cycle, all under green flag conditions. After the green flag pit stops, Worley emerged as the race leader, with Neale, Pearson, Dyson, and Phelps in pursuit.
The battle for the lead intensified on lap 74 when Pearson and Dyson engaged in a fierce duel. Dyson cleverly used a lapped car to pin Pearson behind, successfully making the pass. It was a strategic move with nothing amiss from the lapped car involved.
The second round of pit stops commenced on lap 85, with the green flag pit stop cycle concluding on lap 94 after Jaie Schultz pitted from the lead. With 27 laps remaining, Pearson retook the lead from Worley, with Dyson surging to 2nd position. As the race neared its end, the competition grew more aggressive, resulting in several instances of contact between the leaders. This heightened intensity spread across the field as drivers battled fiercely for positions.
However, the intense battle at the front took a dramatic turn as contact on the exit of turn 2 sent Dyson into the wall, triggering the race's first caution. While both cars sustained damage, it wasn't severe for either.
Upon the restart, Pearson led with 12 laps to go, setting the stage for a fierce top-eight battle. Unfortunately, Urquijo lost control on the exit of turn 2, receiving an innocent bump from Williams, which caused him to spin around and triggered the race's second caution, leading to a green-white-checkered finish.
On this caution, Dave Douglas opted to pit for fresh tires. If the final laps went green, this strategic move could have seen Douglas gain valuable positions and points for his chase.
In the end, Neil Pearson successfully completed his chase recovery mission, bouncing back from a challenging first race at Darlington, and secured the victory at Kansas. This win breathed new life into his chase hopes, allowing him to approach the next round with renewed confidence.
Race Statistics:
Total Laps: 134
Cautions: 3 for 9 laps
Lead Changes: 11
Top 10 Finishers:
1: Neil Pearson
2: Ruben Phelps
3: Andrew Dyson
4: Matthew Raymond
5: Phillip Worley
6: Ryan Jones
7: Steven Williams
8: Brenton Henderson
9: Shayne Bowan
10: Lachlan Urquijo
