John Forbes Jr. Wins Historic eNASCAR Race at Talladega

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The exhilarating finish of the eNASCAR College iRacing Series at Talladega Superspeedway.

News Summary

On February 5, 2025, Saddleback celebrated as John Forbes Jr. claimed his first victory in the eNASCAR College iRacing Series at Talladega Superspeedway. With a stunning finish just 0.001 seconds ahead of Daniel Faulkingham, the race featured dramatic moments, including 31 lead changes and several caution periods. This victory marks the fourth for Saddleback College, as Forbes Jr. joins the ranks of the series’ winners. The thrilling competition continues with the next event at Iowa Speedway.

Celebrations Erupt as John Forbes Jr. Claims Historic Victory in eNASCAR Series!

It was an exhilarating night on February 5, 2025, as the town of Saddleback erupted in joy following a stunning victory in the eNASCAR College iRacing Series. Local hero John Forbes Jr. crossed the finish line at the iconic Talladega Superspeedway, celebrated not only for the win but for achieving a feat that will be talked about for ages—a finish so close that it was essentially a photo finish!

Closest Race Finish in History

Forbes Jr. managed to clinch his very first victory in this thrilling series, marking a significant milestone after a total of 19 career starts. His finishing time was a nail-biting 0.001 seconds ahead of second-place driver Daniel Faulkingham from the University of Maine at Machias. Yes, you read that right—just a blink of an eye! This incredible finish holds the record for the closest in the history of the series, adding yet another exciting tale to the annals of competitive racing.

Action-Packed Race Day

The race was nothing short of dramatic, showcasing the intense competition that the eNASCAR series is known for. A total of 60 laps saw significant contact among the leading drivers, which led to a thrilling spectacle of overtaking and defending positions as they raced towards the finish line. There were three caution periods during the race, adding more spice to the action with an accumulated nine laps of caution, making drivers eager to reclaim their speed when the green flag waved again.

Excitingly, there were a staggering 31 lead changes recorded throughout the race, and it was Faulkingham who started from pole position. He and fellow racer Drew Jewah from Chattahoochee TC tied for the most laps led, each holding the lead for 12 laps. However, as the race neared its conclusion, a pivotal moment occurred just past the white flag when a massive wreck took out many trucks. Fortunately, the timing meant that race continuity remained unaffected, allowing the show to go on.

A New Chapter for Saddleback College

This momentous win not only adds a trophy to Forbes Jr.’s shelf but also represents the fourth victory for Saddleback College in the series. The previous three wins came from Logan Clampitt during the Spring season of 2023. Now, with Forbes Jr.’s triumph, he has become the 11th different winner in this series, adding a fresh perspective and excitement to the ongoing competition.

Forbes Jr. finished the race ahead of Faulkingham, followed closely by Nanney and Benjamin White from the University of West Florida. Just behind them was Arron Brown from Eastern Shore Community College, who showed great determination throughout the race.

Looking Ahead

As competitive as this race day was, it’s just the beginning! While some drivers, like Parker White and Steven Wilson, faced challenges and didn’t qualify for the A-Main, they are still leading the series standings after six races, taking full advantage of their drop weeks. The excitement isn’t going to slow down, though, with the next eNASCAR College iRacing Series event scheduled at Iowa Speedway. Mark your calendars—the qualifying “Time Attack” for Iowa will take place from February 18 through February 27, with the A-Main set for March 4, 2025.

This electrifying series, proudly sponsored by Playfly College Esports and Logitech G, is not just about the thrill of racing—it’s also about opportunities, offering a generous total of $60,000 in scholarships for participating college students in the US and Canada. With so much at stake, you can bet the competition is just heating up!

So, stay tuned, because the road ahead is filled with speed, strategy, and spectacular finishes that might just rival the incredible showdown we witnessed last night!