Brayden E Carter wasted no time making a statement in the iRacing Champions League Pro Late Model West Regional Championship, winning the opening round at Lucas Oil Speedway. Carter started from the pole, led all 30 laps, earned the race win, and added the bonus point to leave Missouri with the maximum 13-point night. It was also a major milestone, giving Carter career win number 81 in ICL competition.
The win gives Carter the early lead in the Pro Late Model West Regional Championship standings with six races remaining. With each race paying 1 bonus point for quick time, 12 points to win, and then one fewer point for every position behind the winner, a perfect night can make a big difference early in a seven-race series. Carter now leaves Lucas Oil Speedway with a two-point advantage over Nik Camper, who finished second and kept the pressure on as the only driver to remotely challenge Carter during the race.
Camper’s runner-up finish was a major storyline on its own. In his 13th career start, Camper scored his best career finish and opened the championship with 11 points. Taylor Garberich also delivered a strong night, finishing third in just his third career start while also recording his best finish. Garberich ended the night third in the standings with 10 points, giving the early championship picture a mix of proven front-runners and drivers putting together breakout runs.
Michael D Carter finished fourth after starting second, while Devin Branon rounded out the top five. Richie Gaines put together one of the best drives through the field, moving from 11th to sixth, while Ethan G Miller finished seventh after starting 10th. George Salyers, Jacob Owens, and Dusty Fincher completed the top 10 at Lucas Oil Speedway.
The biggest mover of the race was Austin Davis6, who gained seven spots from 18th to 11th. Gaines also made a strong charge forward by gaining five positions, while Salyers and Brandon Kelly3 each picked up four spots. On the speed side, Garberich recorded the fastest lap of the race at 14.738, narrowly quicker than Carter’s 14.741, showing how close the pace was near the front even with Carter controlling the race.
With six races left, Carter has the first advantage, but the points battle is far from settled. Camper sits only two points back, Garberich is three behind, and Michael D Carter is four back after a solid fourth-place run. The championship now moves from Lucas Oil Speedway to Cedar Lake Speedway, where the second race of the Pro Late Model West Regional Championship will give the early contenders their first chance to either close the gap or extend their advantage.
What’s Next
The Pro Late Model West Regional Championship continues with Round 2 at Cedar Lake Speedway in Wisconsin. After Carter’s perfect opening night at Lucas Oil Speedway, the next stop becomes the first major test of whether Camper, Garberich, Michael D Carter, or another contender can tighten the early points race.
Full Race Results
- Brayden E Carter, 2) Nik Camper, 3) Taylor Garberich, 4) Michael D Carter, 5) Devin Branon, 6) Richie Gaines, 7) Ethan G Miller, 8) George Salyers, 9) Jacob Owens9, 10) Dusty Fincher, 11) Austin Davis6, 12) Connor D Thompson, 13) Brandon Kelly3, 14) Gabe Griffin, 15) Mason Attwood, 16) Tate Vaugh4, 17) Chance Sealy2, 18) Kody E McDonald
Top 10 Points Standings
- Brayden E Carter – 13, 2) Nik Camper – 11, 3) Taylor Garberich – 10, 4) Michael D Carter – 9, 5) Devin Branon – 8, 6) Richie Gaines – 7, 7) Ethan G Miller – 6, 8) George Salyers – 5, 9) Jacob Owens9 – 4, 10) Dusty Fincher – 3
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