Season 2 Kicks Off with a Bang: Nocturnal NASCAR Takes on Daytona!
The lights were bright, the engines were loud, and the tension was palpable as Nocturnal NASCAR officially launched Season 2 at the iconic Daytona International Speedway. If this first event is any indication of what’s to come, sim racing fans are in for a wild ride.
From high-speed qualifying to a "Big One" in the final turn, here is the full breakdown of how the season opener unfolded.
The Road to the Main: Qualifying & Duels
The night began with drivers hunting for pure speed.
The PRS Setup Shop Pole Award: Josh Adams (#26) proved to be the fastest man on campus, laying down a blistering 2-lap qualifying run. By clinching the Pole, Adams bypassed the chaos of the Duels, securing his spot at the front of the Feature grid.
The Duels: With the rest of the field fighting for position, two 10-lap sprint races determined the starting order. Donald Kight (#66) flexed his muscles to take the win in Duel #1, while Spencer Moody (#41) showcased expert drafting to claim Duel #2.
Feature Recap: 50 Laps of High-Stakes Drafting
The 50-lap Main Event was a tactical chess match at 200 mph. The pack remained relatively disciplined early on, with the first caution not waving until Lap 28. However, once that first yellow flew, the intensity shifted.
Donald Kight was the dominant force for the majority of the night. Commanding the draft with precision, he led a staggering 28 laps, making him the clear favorite as the laps ticked down. But at Daytona, no lead is ever safe.
A string of late-race cautions shuffled the running order and set the stage for a dramatic, white-knuckle finish.
The Final Turn Chaos
As the field thundered toward the checkered flag, disaster struck in the final corner. A massive multi-car incident swept up several front-runners, including Austin Hobert, Donald Kight, Jared Skinner, Nick Hapiak, and Jarett Bolton.
Emerging from the smoke and flying debris like a rocket, Jaymin Bernhardt (#12) threaded the needle to take the checkered flag! Bernhardt becomes the first driver of Season 2 to celebrate in "Sick Trophies Victory Lane."
Noteworthy Performances
Hard Charger: While Bernhardt took the glory, Colin Guyer (#11) and Craig Martin (#22) navigated the final-lap carnage perfectly to round out the podium.
The Speedster: Bryce Keegan (#21) may have finished 5th, but he officially clocked the Fastest Lap of the Race, proving he has the raw speed to contend all season long.
Clean Air: Despite the late-race heartbreak, Donald Kight’s 28 laps led served notice to the rest of the league that the #66 is the car to beat.
Official Feature Results
1st Jaymin Bernhardt#12Winner - Sick Trophies Victory Lane
2nd Colin Guyer#11
3rd Craig Martin#22
4th Andrew Lewis#98
5th Bryce Keegan#21Fastest Lap Award
6th Ryan Castleberry#23
7th Terry Vincent#1
8th Chris Hodges#71
9th Justin Fisher#2
10th Hunter Senior#33
11th Jarett Bolton#24 Involved in Final Lap Crash
12th Jared Skinner#7 Involved in Final Lap Crash
13th Nick Hapiak#06Involved in Final Lap Crash
14th Austin Hobert#51 Involved in Final Lap Crash
15th Patrick O'Toole#44
16th Brett Meyers#8
17th Spencer Moody#41Duel #2 Winner
18th Donald Kight#66Most Laps Led (28) / Duel #1 Winner
19th Josh Adams#26PRS Setup Shop Pole Winner
