Round 2 of the series started with another qualifying session that would not only seed the subsequent races but also decide the selection order for the latest MegaG+ 1.7 “paper” bodies from Hammerschlagen Fabrications. The fastest Sportsman driver, Jerry Pearson, clicked off a very nice 5-lap average time and got the first pick of the newly minted “paper” bodies for our new MG+ Modified class.
Grace Maddox qualified first and, of course, had the pole for a brief time before getting knocked off. She had a very nice run with no offs!
Shaylin Maddox and Eric Lane had the closest rivalry in qualifying with only a 4-mph difference in top speed.
Team Maddox was without Junior ace, Abe Maddox, this round due to a “contract” dispute forcing team management to suspend him for at least one event.
Qualifying (5-lap average, 2-lap warm-up)
| Track: SR3 Road Course Fast Esses (Chicane) | |||
| Date: Oct-28-2023 12:29 | |||
| Class: Mega-G+ 1.7 Support Class | |||
| Descr: F1/Indy bodies on “Lite: rules chassis | |||
| Name | Lap Time | Speed (Mph) | Place |
| Steve Stewart | 5.998 | 549 | 1 |
| Jerry Pearson | 6.427 | 512 | 2 |
| Aaron Castro | 6.928 | 475 | 3 |
| Kevin Webster | 7.157 | 460 | 4 |
| Shaylin Maddox | 8.04 | 409 | 5 |
| Eric Lane | 8.132 | 405 | 6 |
| Grace Maddox | 8.488 | 388 | 7 |
Team Maddox had to exit Round 2 just after qualifying and would not participate in the day’s points racing. Details
Race 1: MG+ 1.7 Vans c/o Eric “Fast” Lane’s stable
Wow, these cars were interesting. MegaG+ speed and power but with a very high and top-heavy van hardbody. This race was pretty much a battle between Home Cook’n and our newest club driver, Aaron Castro. Though Jerry Pearson was knocking on Aaron’s door quite a bit throughout the race. In the end, Aaron would win the Sportsman class and Jerry Pearson would bag second with just two points over Eric Lane. Very close racing and way fun cars! Details
| Place | Name | Laps | Points | Total Time |
| 1 | Steve Stewart | 125 | 80 | 2192.957 |
| 2 | Aaron Castro | 121 | 61 | 2235.927 |
| 3 | Jerry Pearson | 113 | 43 | 2231.131 |
| 4 | Eric Lane | 113 | 41 | 2238.855 |
| 5 | Kevin Webster | 112 | 40 | 2243.482 |
Race 2: Retro-Vipers with Maximum Leeway Lexan Bodies
This one was probably a poor choice by the Race Director. Lots of crashes and mayhem as all drivers struggled with the incredible power of the V-SPEC motor box and almost zero downforce. These cars are loose but very fast. This one was a battle between Home Cook’n and Aaron Castro most of the way. But that didn’t deter Jerry Pearson, who fought hard all the way to the end, finishing third overall with outstanding driving performance with this very difficult-to-driver cars. Webster Motorsports would abandon the race in frustration after just 5-laps into the third segment. Some guys just don’t like loose cars. Details
| Place | Name | Laps | Points | Total Time |
| 1 | Steve Stewart | 125 | 77 | 2331.13 |
| 2 | Aaron Castro | 121 | 63 | 2365.839 |
| 3 | Jerry Pearson | 111 | 55 | 2360.755 |
| 4 | Eric Lane | 105 | 39 | 2351.244 |
| 5 | Kevin Webster | 47 | 31 | 2393.731 |
Race 3: Viper V-SPEC “SPEC STOCK” Lexan Bodies
This is our newest class, which is a slightly different spin on HOPRA’s SPEC STOCK rules, which allows a Lexan body instead of the hard OEM plastic or resin bodies using a body clip.
This final race was very competitive with Aaron Castro putting in an amazing run against Home Cook’n, leading several segments for long periods and generally driving extremely well. Aaron would end up second in every segment but led much of each segment. Meanwhile, Jerry Pearson and Kevin Webster would have the battle royale fighting for the final spot on the podium.
End the end, Jerry would best Kevin by just two points even though Kevin had seven more total laps. This is a very competitive class, all drivers had some very good lap times and strong stints in the lead. Great racing by all! Details
| Place | Name | Laps | Points | Total Time |
| 1 | Steve Stewart | 150 | 80 | 1595.555 |
| 2 | Aaron Castro | 143 | 59 | 1617.635 |
| 3 | Jerry Pearson | 137 | 48 | 1626.956 |
| 4 | Kevin Webster | 144 | 46 | 1627.687 |
| 5 | Eric Lane | 121 | 32 | 1629.899 |
Round 2 Overall Results:
| Place | Name | Laps | Points | Total Time |
| 1 | Steve Stewart | 400 | 237 | 6119.642 |
| 1 | Aaron Castro | 385 | 183 | 6219.401 |
| 2 | Jerry Pearson | 361 | 146 | 6218.842 |
| 3 | Kevin Webster | 303 | 117 | 6264.9 |
| 4 | Eric Lane | 339 | 112 | 6219.998 |
Home Cook’n was the lone Expert driver in the field for Round 2 with experts, Brad Sandahl, George, Peters, and Jordan Walker all no-shows. New driver, Aaron Castro gets top honors in the Sportsman ranks with a very nice showing in his first official racing event at Stewart Raceway.
2023 50/50 Xtreme Series Standings as of Round 2:
| Place | Name | Laps | Points | Total Time |
| 1 | Steve Stewart* | 597 | 353 | 8381.957 |
| 1 | Kevin Webster | 491 | 214 | 8624.812 |
| 2 | Aaron Castro | 385 | 183 | 6219.401 |
| 3 | Jerry Pearson | 361 | 146 | 6218.842 |
| 4 | Eric Lane | 339 | 112 | 6219.998 |
| 5 | George Peters* | 190 | 102 | 2353.44 |
| 6 | Jordan Walker* | 141 | 75 | 2213.675 |
| 7 | Grace Maddox | 82 | 45 | 716.313 |
| 8 | Abe Maddox | 81 | 42 | 789.937 |
| 9 | Shaylin Maddox | 88 | 40 | 870.364 |
* Expert
The standings are a bit distorted due to the attendance of the first two events. However, it looks like there will be a fierce points battle in the Sportsman division between leader, Kevin Webster and chasers, Aaron Castro and Jerry Pearson. Of course, all that can change quickly but I’m sure our newest driver on the scene, Aaron Castro, is looking for not only race wins but a series win also.
Stay tuned for details on Round 3. I hope to continue the series this coming weekend if we can get enough attendance.
Okay, shut up and drive!
