Brayden E Carter survived a relentless late challenge from championship leader Aidan Strawberry to capture Round 9 of the Modified National Tour at Huset’s Speedway. Carter took control after the opening portion of the 30-lap feature, led the final 20 laps and held Strawberry off by just 0.735 seconds to score another major ICL victory. The win was Carter’s 88th career ICL triumph and his second victory of the Modified National Tour season.
Thomas Smith IV started from the pole and controlled the opening 10 laps, earning the one-point qualifying fast-time bonus before Carter worked his way to the front. Once Carter took over, he remained the leader for the final 20 circuits, but the closing stages were anything but comfortable. Strawberry stayed glued to Carter’s rear bumper, pulled alongside several times and even made contact as the two fought for the win. Despite the pressure, Carter never surrendered the position and carried the lead to the finish.
Strawberry’s runner-up result was still another major night for his championship campaign. He collected 11 points and expanded his season total to 65, keeping him at the top of the Modified National Tour standings. Darren Diggs finished sixth and remains second with 56 points, leaving Strawberry with a nine-point advantage as the 21-race championship moves beyond the halfway point.
McGarren Butler completed the podium in third after starting third, while Smith finished fourth after leading the opening 10 laps. Andy Hunter rounded out the top five from fifth. Diggs followed in sixth, Justin Lind finished seventh, Andrew K. Bogusz eighth, Jordan Mitts2 ninth and Elliott Wyland completed the top 10.
Carter also recorded the fastest lap of the feature with a 12.982-second circuit, underlining the speed that allowed him to control the second half of the race. His victory produced a major move in the standings as well. Carter climbed two positions to third and now has 46 points, putting him 10 behind Diggs and 19 behind Strawberry. With 12 races still remaining, Carter has moved himself firmly into the championship conversation.
The battle farther down the standings remains extremely tight. Tanner Riedel sits fourth with 38 points, just two ahead of Doug Welch at 36. Andy Hunter climbed 10 positions in the standings and is now tied with Jensen Pray2 for sixth at 19. Tyler Bickford sits eighth with 16, while Kenny Douglas and Thomas Smith IV are tied for ninth at 14.
Nine rounds into Season 3, Strawberry continues to lead the Modified National Tour through consistency, but Carter’s Huset’s victory has added another layer to the championship fight. Strawberry leads Diggs by nine and Carter by 19, while the points format means a maximum 13-point swing can happen in a single race. With more than half the schedule still ahead, the championship remains far from settled.
FULL RACE RESULTS
- Brayden E Carter
- Aidan Strawberry
- McGarren Butler
- Thomas Smith IV
- Andy Hunter
- Darren Diggs
- Justin Lind
- Andrew K. Bogusz
- Jordan Mitts2
- Elliott Wyland
- Aiden Andrew
- Chase Hall3
- Doug Welch
- Camden Vanderheiden
TOP 10 IN STANDINGS
- Aidan Strawberry — 65
- Darren Diggs — 56
- Brayden E Carter — 46
- Tanner Riedel — 38
- Doug Welch — 36
- Andy Hunter — 19
- Jensen Pray2 — 19
- Tyler Bickford — 16
- Kenny Douglas — 14
- Thomas Smith IV — 14
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