Jackson Mourad delivered a headline-making performance in Race 3 of the West Regional Series, turning a return appearance into a breakthrough win that immediately shook up the championship picture. With the points format paying 12 points to win, one less per position behind, and 1 bonus point for qualifying fast time, every race has a “big swing” built into it—and this week proved exactly how quickly the standings can change with four races still remaining in the 7-race season.

From the start, Mourad was in full control. In his first start since July 2025, he led the way from the pole and led 30 laps, scoring his first career ICL win in just his 5th career start. Mourad also cashed in the extra point on offer by earning the qualifying fast time bonus, giving him the maximum 13-point night. It was a complete statement: lead every lap, claim the biggest points payout possible, and instantly put his name into the title conversation.

The battle for second built steadily as the race developed, and Joseph Grandy made it count late. Grandy was able to close in the final stretch after Mourad made contact with the wall, but the deficit was simply too large to erase in time. Grandy still walked away with a strong runner-up finish worth 11 points in what was his first start of the season, while Aidan Strawberry continued his consistency run with a third-place finish and 10 points, keeping his season momentum intact.

Behind the podium, there were several drives that mattered just as much for the standings as they did for the finishing order. T. Beau Brannon made the most of the night in just his second career start—his last start came back in October 2022—and came home fourth for 9 points. Brenden McGlothlin backed that up with a crucial fifth-place finish worth 8 points, a result that became even bigger once the points table updated. Even in a race dominated at the front, the fight for points through the top five was tight, and every position carried championship value.

If you’re looking for the hard-charger spotlight, it belongs to Brayden E Carter. Carter started 14th and drove forward to finish 6th, gaining 8 positions—the biggest charge among the drivers who reached the finish—and banked 7 points that keep him firmly within striking distance of the championship lead. Doug Welch also delivered a major gain, advancing from 15th to 8th (+7) to add another solid points night to his season total. On the flip side, the toughest swing among the front runners belonged to Brannon, who slipped one spot from 3rd to 4th but still converted it into a valuable top-five points haul.

After three races, the standings are exactly where you want them for a title chase. Strawberry moves back into the points lead with 31, and Carter sits just two points back at 29—a gap that can flip in a single finishing position any week. The “new winner pressure” is also real now: Mourad jumps straight to 13 points in one start, tying Dylan VannyK3 on the season total despite Dylan also only having one start so far. With four races left, a single maximum-points night can change the entire complexion of the standings, and the early theme is clear: consistency keeps you in front, but wins (plus the qualifying bonus) can launch you forward in a hurry.

RESULTS (Race 3)

  1. Jackson Mourad, 2) Joseph Grandy, 3) Aidan Strawberry, 4) T. Beau Brannon, 5) Brenden McGlothlin, 6) Brayden E Carter, 7) Brandon Dittmer, 8) Doug Welch, 9) Zach Ellisz

TOP 10 STANDINGS (After Race 3 — including ties)

  1. Aidan Strawberry — 31, 2) Brayden E Carter — 29, 3) Seth Gregory — 15, 4) Jackson Mourad — 13, 5) Dylan VannyK3 — 13, 6) Kason Capps — 11, 7) Joseph Grandy — 11, 8) Parker Leek — 10, 9) T. Beau Brannon — 9, 10) Trevor Egbert — 9, 11) Brenden McGlothlin — 9

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