Season Opening Blowout presented by Leapfrog Lawncare & Landscaping Hickory Motor Speedway
Back at Hickory to Kick Off 2026
Hickory Motor Speedway has always been a track I look forward to. There is something about that place that gets me fired up, and coming into the Season Opening Blowout presented by Leapfrog Lawncare & Landscaping, I was ready to put together a strong run.
We qualified sixth for the 75-lap Big 10 race. Not bad at all for how the night started.
The First Half Was Exactly What We Were After
Once the green flag dropped, the car felt really good. I was working through traffic, making some clean moves, and honestly running a tenth or two faster than the leaders through a good chunk of the first 50 laps.
I was managing the tires, keeping the car underneath me, and trusting the pace we had built. The plan was working. We were in a solid spot heading toward the midpoint of the race.
Then the caution came out.
The Restart Changed Everything
That caution was the turning point of the night. When you put your tires through a heat cycle, sometimes they come back right where you need them. Sometimes they don’t.
Mine didn’t.
Off the restart, the car was loose. Not just a little loose either. I was fighting it off the corners, and it kept getting worse. By the time we hit the final laps, it was uncontrollable to the point where I was losing ground I had worked hard to gain.
We finished 10th. Not what I came here for, but I will own it.
What I’m Taking Away From This
I could have made adjustments. Rear brake bias, a different setup call, something. That is on me, and I know it. That is also exactly what you learn by being in the car.
Speaking of being in the car, this week I got three days of seat time. Three. There is no substitute for that kind of experience, especially at this stage of my career. Every lap teaches you something, even the ones that don’t go your way.
I can’t thank my dad enough, and everyone who put in the work to get this car on the track. None of this happens without them.
Ready for What’s Next
I’m not dwelling on this one. The speed was there. The car was there. I picked up something valuable that I am going to take with me into the next race.
Hickory 2026 is just getting started. I’ll be back.
