Back-to-Back Podiums Put JRD Motorsports in Points Lead
Image by Luke Durda
JRD Motorsports and the Bingo Country, Jackpot Time #28 team continued their strong start to the 2026 season Friday night at Delaware Speedway, earning a second consecutive podium finish and taking over the championship points lead for the first time in team history.
The #28 unloaded with speed right off the trailer, showing strong pace from the moment it hit the racetrack. Ryan Dyson and the team ended the evening's lone practice session 3rd fastest, giving the crew confidence heading into the rest of the program.
Following practice, Delaware Speedway hosted an autograph session where the team had the opportunity to meet fans, sign hero cards, t-shirts, flags, and other memorabilia. The support from fans throughout the evening was greatly appreciated.
Once the autograph session concluded, the crew returned to work, analyzing data and reviewing driver feedback to further improve the car. Working closely with Velocity Race Cars, the team made several setup adjustments to ensure the #28 was prepared for the night's racing action.
Under Delaware Speedway's new 2026 handicapping format, top teams are challenged by starting deeper in the field based on their position in the standings. As a result of the team's strong opening night performance, Dyson lined up 7th for the heat race.
When the green flag dropped, the #28 immediately began working its way forward. Dyson put on an impressive charge through the field, making passes on both the high and low side of the racetrack. With only a handful of laps remaining, the #28 had advanced to 2nd and closed in on race leader Jay Cox in the #00. The two drivers battled side-by-side for the final two laps, with Dyson narrowly coming up short at the finish line by just 0.164 seconds.
While the heat race result earned valuable championship points, it also meant the team would face another challenge in the feature event. Due to the handicapping format, the #28 was set to start 9th in the 35-lap main event.
Undeterred, Dyson wasted little time moving forward when the green flag waved. The #28 quickly advanced into 7th before an early caution created another opportunity on the restart. Taking advantage of the inside lane, Dyson gained additional positions and moved into the top five.
Over the next several laps, the #28 continued its march toward the front, eventually breaking into the top three and putting itself in contention for another podium finish. A late-race restart with just over 10 laps remaining saw the team post lap times equal to—and in some cases faster than—the two leaders ahead.
Despite having one of the fastest cars on the track in the closing stages, the effort required to charge through the field ultimately took its toll on the tires and overall balance of the race car. The #28 continued to push to the finish, securing an impressive 3rd place result for the second consecutive race.
“It was a really solid night for everyone involved,” said driver Ryan Dyson. “The car was fast from the time we unloaded, and the team made all the right adjustments throughout the night. To come from 9th and finish on the podium again says a lot about the group we have. Being able to leave here as the points leader is something we're very proud of, but there's still a long season ahead and we're focused on keeping the momentum going.”
With back-to-back podium finishes to open the season, JRD Motorsports now sits atop the Delaware Speedway Super Stock championship standings for the first time in team history. The result marks another major step toward the team's goal of competing for its first track championship.