The ICL 305 Sprint National Tour returns to where its history began as Season 3 heads to Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 for Round 2. Following a commanding opening victory at Knoxville Raceway, Brayden E Carter leads the championship into a venue that produced two different winners in the tour’s first two seasons.
Carter opened his campaign on September 21 by earning Quick Time with a 17.2266-second qualifying lap, starting on the pole and leading all 30 laps. The victory was his 92nd career ICL win and his first in the 305 division. His 13-point haul gives him a two-point advantage over Jaxon Raudabaugh entering the second round.
Raudabaugh finished second at Knoxville after starting third, while Michael Nolf completed the podium in his first recorded ICL start. With 11 and 10 points respectively, both are positioned to challenge Carter’s early championship lead. I-55 presents their next opportunity to turn a strong opening result into a victory.
Several drivers farther down the opening grid also made their presence felt. Reece Raudabaugh advanced from 10th to fourth, tying his best recorded ICL finish. Javontae Bennett climbed from 13th to fifth for a new career best in the approved archive. They enter Round 2 fourth and fifth in points, just four and five points behind Carter.
Andrew K. Bogusz brings another reason for optimism after recording Knoxville’s fastest race lap at 17.2482 seconds and finishing sixth. Scott Hindera earned Hard Charger honors by advancing 11 positions, from 18th to seventh, in his first recorded ICL start. Those performances give the championship story plenty of depth beyond the opening podium.
I-55 already holds a special place in National Tour history. On February 27, 2023, Ryan Hodge won the series’ inaugural race at the venue, advancing from fifth and leading five of the 15 laps. Tyler McKim led eight laps and finished second, while polesitter Randy Shreves led two and completed the podium. Seth Gregory and Solomon Boerschinger rounded out the top five.
The Season 2 visit on July 24, 2024, belonged to Aidan Strawberry. The eventual two-time National Tour champion started first, led all 18 laps and recorded the race’s fastest lap at 11.611 seconds. Derek Sellers advanced from fifth to second, with Brian Moore Sr gaining five positions to finish third. Brian Moore Jr and Brandon Holtmeier completed the top five.
Those two previous races offer different examples of how to win at I-55: Hodge worked forward from the third row, while Strawberry controlled his race from the pole. For the Season 3 field, qualifying speed and the ability to gain positions will both be worth watching. Carter has already demonstrated the value of a complete night, collecting both the Knoxville victory and the Quick Time bonus.
With only one round complete, the championship remains closely grouped. Carter arrives with the early advantage, but the next result could quickly reshape the standings. I-55 will determine whether the Knoxville winner can make it two straight—or whether another driver will join Hodge and Strawberry on the track’s National Tour winners list.
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Top 10 in Points Entering Round 2
- Brayden E Carter — 13
- Jaxon Raudabaugh — 11
- Michael Nolf — 10
- Reece Raudabaugh — 9
- Javontae Bennett — 8
- Andrew K. Bogusz — 7
- Scott Hindera — 6
- Jordan Mitts2 — 5
- Parker Mcdougall — 4
- Cooper Anderson2 — 3
Previous I-55 National Tour Results
Season 1 — February 27, 2023 — 15 laps
- Ryan Hodge
- Tyler McKim
- Randy Shreves
- Seth Gregory
- Solomon Boerschinger
- Connor Dougherty
- Cole Jarratt
- Zach Willingham
- Cameron D Perez
- Larry Adams
- Dean Reynolds
- Bradly Gossert
Season 2 — July 24, 2024 — 18 laps
- Aidan Strawberry
- Derek Sellers
- Brian Moore Sr
- Brian Moore Jr
- Brandon Holtmeier
- Jake Erickson
- Darin Naida
- Paul Ripley
- Emily Easley
- Brenden McGlothlin
