The ICL Rallycross Lite Phoenix Championship opened at Phoenix Rallycross with Richard Hardman scoring his first career ICL win in his fifth career start. The new Phoenix series follows the same six-race Track Championship format as the previous ICL Rallycross Lite Charlotte Championship, and Race 1 immediately gave the field a strong opening storyline with a new winner, a fast qualifier facing trouble, and a points battle that already has several drivers within reach.
Hardman started second and finished the job, taking the Race 1 victory and putting himself on top of the first ICL Rallycross Lite Phoenix Championship standings. With the ICL points format paying 12 points to win, 11 points for second, and one fewer point for each position behind that, Hardman leaves Phoenix Rallycross with 12 points and the first championship lead of the season.
Brody Gunter showed speed early and earned the Quick Time bonus point, giving him one extra point toward the championship. Gunter was also the fastest driver in the race, setting the fastest lap with a 39.209 on lap 3. His race changed while leading, however, when he crashed out of the top spot and dropped to sixth in the final results. Even with the tough finish, the bonus point keeps Gunter tied for fifth in the standings with eight points.
Brayden E Carter put together a strong opening night by finishing second after starting fourth. Carter gained two positions and left the first race with 11 points, putting him only one point behind Hardman with five races still remaining. Jaden Bowles also moved forward from fifth to third, giving him 10 points and a strong start to the Phoenix championship.
Austin Derrick was the hard charger of the race after starting ninth and finishing fifth. Derrick gained four positions and turned that into an eight-point night, tying Gunter in the early standings. Joey Kirk2 finished fourth after starting third, while Nick Elliott2, Tyler C Carter, Chance Sizemore, Andrew Eads, and Travis Pittman completed the Race 1 finishing order.
The championship picture is still wide open after one race, but the opener already put pressure on the field. Hardman has the early lead, Carter and Bowles are within two points, and the tie between Derrick and Gunter adds another layer to the top five. With five races left in the ICL Rallycross Lite Phoenix Championship at Phoenix Rallycross, one strong finish or one missed opportunity could quickly change the standings.
Race Results
- Richard Hardman
- Brayden E Carter
- Jaden Bowles
- Joey Kirk2
- Austin Derrick
- Brody Gunter
- Nick Elliott2
- Tyler C Carter
- Chance Sizemore
- Andrew Eads
- Travis Pittman
Top 10 Points Standings
- Richard Hardman – 12
- Brayden E Carter – 11
- Jaden Bowles – 10
- Joey Kirk2 – 9
- Austin Derrick – 8
- Brody Gunter – 8
- Nick Elliott2 – 6
- Tyler C Carter – 5
- Chance Sizemore – 4
- Andrew Eads – 3
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