Hard Crash Deals Major Blow to JRD Championship Hopes
Photo by Luke Durda
Race Recap | August 28 | Delaware Speedway 🏁
JRD Motorsports and the Bingo Country, Jackpot Time No. 28 team returned to Delaware Speedway Friday night looking to make a strong push toward the championship as the 2026 season entered its final stretch.
The night started on a positive note, with Ryan Dyson and the No. 28 unloading with excellent speed. The team finished 3rd fastest in the lone practice session among 18 cars, giving the crew plenty of confidence heading into the heat race.
Starting 6th in the heat, Dyson quickly settled into a strong pace. As the race progressed, the front stagger closed up and the car became increasingly loose, making it difficult to maintain the same pace. Despite the handling challenge, the No. 28 battled to a 4th-place finish.
The team would roll off 6th for the 35-lap main event. Unfortunately, the promising night came to an abrupt end just a few laps into the race when the No. 28 was caught up in a hard crash.
The damage left the team unable to continue, resulting in a last-place finish and dealing a significant blow to the championship effort.
"It really sucks because we've worked so hard all year to put ourselves in this position, and the new format has made it extremely difficult for us," said Ryan Dyson.
"We've been punished for being consistent while other guys have been rewarded for the next 3 weeks for either being inconsistent or getting themselves penalized. We weren't able to build the points cushion we should have had because we spent the first half of the season starting 9th or 10th every week and having to drive through the field just to try and get the finishes we deserved.”
With the championship picture now taking a significant hit, the focus for JRD Motorsports immediately shifts to rebuilding the No. 28 and making the most of the final three races of the season. While the championship chase may have taken a major blow, the team remains determined to fight back and regain as many points as possible before the season comes to a close.