PHOTO FINISH! Wake County Speedway Hosts Action-Packed 94.7 QDR 165 NASCAR Regional Event

RALEIGH, NC —

You can say there was electricity in the air at America’s Favorite Bullring Friday night, and I’m not just talking about the storms that hovered just north, within view of the track.

It was a hot but fantastic night for racing at Wake County Speedway for their 94.7 QDR 165 NASCAR Regional Event on September 4th, 2026. The ¼-mile asphalt oval, known as “America’s Favorite Bullring,” features 7.3–9.5-degree banking and has been NASCAR-sanctioned since 2020.

A hotbed for Bandoleros and Legends, the night included two Bandolero races (Beginners and Outlaws/Bandits), Legends, Bombers, Champ Karts, Mini Stock, and a Late Model feature event. Despite the bad weather looming, it was a packed house, as it seemed like everyone in the area wanted to check out some racing under the Friday Night Lights.

The Mini Stock feature saw AJ Sanders, hailing from Mocksville, NC, keeping his qualifying spot and taking the checkered flag in first. Chris Vestal would pick up a spot, finishing second, and Rick Mitchell would move from fifth to third. Lee Kozikowski, a track favorite for Mini Stocks who qualified second, would have problems mid-race and finish last.

For the Bombers, a packed field would prove a challenge, as Doug Smoot in the 88, from Clayton, NC, would start 10th and make his way through the field to finish at the top. Other noticeable finishes would be Dylan Page in the 82, moving from ninth to sixth, and Natt Allen III in the 3, moving from third down to seventh.

In Legends, it would seem like a repeat of the Mini Stocks, as Preston Wrisley, No. 35, of Mooresville, NC, would hold on to his No. 1 spot to take the win. Joel Smith, No. 72, also of Mooresville, would also hold on to his second-place qualifying spot. Notably, Sterling Wrisley would take his No. 9 from ninth to third, grabbing a podium finish.

For the Beginner Bandoleros, it was a wild ride, with Isabella Chriscoe, No. 32, and Evan Jernigan, No. 111, battling for the lead throughout the race. Contact would send Chriscoe into the wall and Jernigan to the back, giving Jolly Belfiore, No. 80, and William Rodriguez, No. 32, a chance to fight for the win. While they were battling for the lead, Evan Jernigan would make his way through the field, nearly stealing the win back from William Rodriguez, who would win by a photo finish at the line. This is Rodriguez’s first win in a Bandolero.

In the Outlaw/Bandit Bandolero race, Jack Acton, No. 59, would start second and dominate much of the race, occasionally battling Levi Pearson, No. 1. In a seven-car field, much didn’t change until Acton would spin out into the wall on the backstretch, ending his night. Levi Pearson would take this opportunity to take the checkered flag for a win.

Finally, the Late Models would head out for their feature. Carson Haislip, in his No. 08 Hooters Late Model, would start on the pole and ride the rail all the way to the finish line, leading every single lap. Daniel Vuncannon, who qualified second and was just 0.015 off the leader, would fall back to fourth.

Just as Haislip would finish his polish victory lap and take it to victory lane, rain would start to fall, just in time for the end of a great night of racing.

All results are considered unofficial until NASCAR officials certify results.