🚨 RACE SUMMARY & TECHNICAL OVERVIEW: Carson Brown, piloting the No. 28 Klean Freak Chevrolet for Pinnacle Racing Group, completed a sweep of the DuQuoin weekend by setting the fastest lap in practice, winning the Sioux Chief PowerPEX Pole Award, and leading a race-high 90 of 100 laps to capture his second national ARCA Menards Series victory of 2026.
The Why: Brown’s crew chief Steven Dawson dialed in a soft front-spring rate and low roll-center chassis setup that allowed the No. 28 Chevrolet to absorb the heavy clay ruts without bottoming out. While the car suffered temporary handling instability in dirty air on restarts, its long-run mechanical grip on clean pavement-like clay was unmatched.
So What? This victory delivers back-to-back DuQuoin triumphs for Pinnacle Racing Group (following Brenden Queen's 2025 win) and slashes Joe Gibbs Racing's lead in the national ARCA Owner Championship standings down to just 5 points. Meanwhile, runner-up Jake Bollman extended his driver championship points lead over Nitro Motorsports teammate Thomas Annunziata to 8 points with three races remaining.
The Why: Brown’s crew chief Steven Dawson dialed in a soft front-spring rate and low roll-center chassis setup that allowed the No. 28 Chevrolet to absorb the heavy clay ruts without bottoming out. While the car suffered temporary handling instability in dirty air on restarts, its long-run mechanical grip on clean pavement-like clay was unmatched.
So What? This victory delivers back-to-back DuQuoin triumphs for Pinnacle Racing Group (following Brenden Queen's 2025 win) and slashes Joe Gibbs Racing's lead in the national ARCA Owner Championship standings down to just 5 points. Meanwhile, runner-up Jake Bollman extended his driver championship points lead over Nitro Motorsports teammate Thomas Annunziata to 8 points with three races remaining.
Post Race Analysis: Clay Mechanics, Dirty Air & Restart Dynamics
Comprehensive technical and competitive analysis of the dirt-mile finale at DuQuoin.
Dirty Air Aerodynamics on Unpaved Surfaces: As the 100-lap event progressed, heat and racing traffic baked the moisture out of DuQuoin's clay, creating a thick layer of fine dust and loose clods along the outside cushion.
Why? When cars ran nose-to-tail on restarts, the trailing car experienced severe aerodynamic understeer ("aero-push") as dirt-laden air disrupted splitter downforce, while loose dust reduced right-rear tire contact patches.
So What? Carson Brown ran wide off Turn 4 on Lap 85 due to this dirty air instability, allowing Gavan Boschele (#25) to slip under him and take the lead on Lap 87. However, when Chase Buscaglia's spin brought out Caution #7, ARCA enforced single-file restarts inside 10 laps to go. This gave Brown a clear, dust-free view of Turns 3 and 4, enabling him to execute a precise bump-and-run maneuver on Boschele to reclaim the lead on Lap 93 and pull away by 4.137 seconds.
High Attrition & Thermal Expansion: Typical of mile-dirt ovals under night lights, the Audubon Park 100 saw high mechanical attrition, with only 10 of the 24 starters finishing on the lead lap.
Why? Fine clay dust caked into radiator ducts, causing rapid thermal expansion and water temperature spikes, while heavy cornering ruts stressed steering tie-rods and wheel bearings.
So What? Key contenders suffered catastrophic mechanical failures, including Max Reaves (#18), who crashed hard into the Turn 2 wall on Lap 78 while chasing the $20,000 Audubon Park Dirt Double bonus, and Chase Buscaglia (#11), Sean Corr (#8), Jeff Maconi (#86), Nate Moeller (#06), Tim Monroe (#10), Michael Maples (#99), Dale Shearer (#98), Brad Smith (#48), and Kevin Campbell (#81), all of whom retired prematurely.
Official Technical Insights:
- General Tire Clay Compound Footprint: Teams ran cold inflation pressures between 20–25 psi. The lower inflation allowed sidewall flex to grab mechanical traction on loose dirt, but drivers who hit heavy ruts risked unseating tire beads under lateral loads.
- 12-Tire Usage Allocation: Per the ARCA Rulebook, teams were restricted to a maximum of 12 tires for the entire event. Drivers who spun their right-rear tires excessively during early caution restarts bled lap-time pace during the final 15-lap green-flag stretch.
- CGS Imaging Four Crown Championship: By finishing 10th in the No. 91 Maples Motorsports Chevrolet, Ryan Vargas officially clinched the 2026 CGS Imaging Four Crown title, aggregating performance across Talladega, Toledo, Watkins Glen, and DuQuoin.
Post Race Top 10 Finishers: Technical Factors
| Pos | No. | Driver | Organization / Team | Key Aspect of Placement | Race Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 | Carson Brown* | Pinnacle Racing Group | Long-run mechanical grip & clean-air aerodynamic stability. | Swept practice, qualifying, and led 90 laps; executed late bump-and-run on Boschele to win by 4.137s. |
| 2 | 20 | Jake Bollman* | Nitro Motorsports | Aggressive throttle control & lane protection. | Finished 2nd; extended championship points lead over Annunziata to 8 points. |
| 3 | 16 | Kelly Kovski | Kelly Kovski Racing | Expert knowledge of blue-groove clay traction. | Claimed a emotional 3rd-place podium in his final career ARCA Menards Series dirt start. |
| 4 | 25 | Gavan Boschele* | Nitro Motorsports | Opportunistic restart entry in loose cushion. | Passed Brown for the lead on Lap 87; led 6 laps before finishing 4th after late single-file restart. |
| 5 | 70 | Thomas Annunziata | Nitro Motorsports | Consistent low-groove rotation & points protection. | Led Lap 6 early; rounded out top 5 to keep championship hopes alive heading to Salem. |
| 6 | 77 | Taylor Reimer* | Pinnacle Racing Group | High-cushion momentum & Free Pass recovery profile. | Recovered from qualifying spin and early 2-lap overheating deficit to finish 6th. |
| 7 | 97 | Jason Kitzmiller | CR7 Motorsports | Conservative line selection & equipment preservation. | Avoided multi-car spin traffic to lead father-son tandem in 7th. |
| 8 | 79 | Isaac Kitzmiller* | A.L.L. Construction Racing | Patience through dusty traffic pockets. | Ran steady lap times on 25-psi tire setups to claim 8th. |
| 9 | 89 | Chase Howard* | Rise Racing | Smooth throttle modulation on dry clay. | Scored a standout top-10 finish in his special appearance entry for Tim Goulet. |
| 10 | 91 | Ryan Vargas | Maples Motorsports | Consistent Four-Crown points management. | Finished 10th to officially secure the 2026 CGS Imaging Four Crown Championship. |
Post Race Play By Play: Chronological Forensic Intelligence Log
Complete technical chronology containing exactly 7 Cautions and exactly 8 Lead Changes.
7
Cautions
39
Yellow Laps
8
Lead Changes
5
Lead Drivers
4.137s
Margin of Victory
🏁 LAP 1: START OF RACE
Pole-sitter Carson Brown (#28) leads field to green.
Why: Brown launched cleanly off the inside front row, utilizing maximum bite on fresh clay.
So What? Established immediate clean-air vision, avoiding blinding dust pockets entering Turn 1.
Why: Brown launched cleanly off the inside front row, utilizing maximum bite on fresh clay.
So What? Established immediate clean-air vision, avoiding blinding dust pockets entering Turn 1.
⚠️ LAPS 2–6: CAUTION #1 (Turn 4 Spin)
Primary Drivers Impacted: Jason Kitzmiller (#97), Kevin Campbell (#81).
Why: Jason Kitzmiller lost right-rear traction on the entry to Turn 4, spinning across the track. Kevin Campbell suffered early mechanical failure on Lap 7 and retired.
So What? Stacked the field early; no Free Pass recipient awarded.
Why: Jason Kitzmiller lost right-rear traction on the entry to Turn 4, spinning across the track. Kevin Campbell suffered early mechanical failure on Lap 7 and retired.
So What? Stacked the field early; no Free Pass recipient awarded.
🚀 LAP 6: LEAD CHANGE #1
Thomas Annunziata (#70) takes the lead.
Why: Annunziata executed a sharp low-side slide job on the restart into Turn 1.
So What? Secured 1 lap led for valuable championship bonus points before Brown countered.
Why: Annunziata executed a sharp low-side slide job on the restart into Turn 1.
So What? Secured 1 lap led for valuable championship bonus points before Brown countered.
🏁 LAP 7: LEAD CHANGE #2
Carson Brown (#28) regains the lead.
Why: Brown drove deep into Turn 3, utilizing the outside cushion momentum to clear Annunziata.
So What? Re-established race control, stretching a 2-second lead over Boschele and Annunziata.
Why: Brown drove deep into Turn 3, utilizing the outside cushion momentum to clear Annunziata.
So What? Re-established race control, stretching a 2-second lead over Boschele and Annunziata.
⚠️ LAPS 11–16: CAUTION #2 (Turn 3 Spin)
Primary Drivers Impacted: Max Reaves (#18), Michael Maples (#99), Brad Smith (#48).
Why: Max Reaves got loose in Turn 3 and spun. Brad Smith retired on Lap 12 with mechanical failure, while Michael Maples retired on Lap 11.
So What? Reaves was forced to restart at the tail end, hindering his quest for the Dirt Double.
Why: Max Reaves got loose in Turn 3 and spun. Brad Smith retired on Lap 12 with mechanical failure, while Michael Maples retired on Lap 11.
So What? Reaves was forced to restart at the tail end, hindering his quest for the Dirt Double.
🚀 LAP 17: LEAD CHANGE #3
Jake Bollman (#20) takes the lead.
Why: Bollman timed the restart shift perfectly on the low groove to surge ahead of Brown.
So What? Clinched 1 lap led to bolster his championship points cushion over Annunziata.
Why: Bollman timed the restart shift perfectly on the low groove to surge ahead of Brown.
So What? Clinched 1 lap led to bolster his championship points cushion over Annunziata.
🏁 LAP 18: LEAD CHANGE #4
Carson Brown (#28) regains the lead.
Why: Brown crossed under Bollman off Turn 2, regaining momentum down the backstretch. Dale Shearer (#98) retired with mechanical trouble.
So What? Brown resumed dominance, pacing the field through Lap 52.
Why: Brown crossed under Bollman off Turn 2, regaining momentum down the backstretch. Dale Shearer (#98) retired with mechanical trouble.
So What? Brown resumed dominance, pacing the field through Lap 52.
⚠️ LAPS 26–30: CAUTION #3 (Turn 4 Spin)
Primary Drivers Impacted: Michael Maples (#99), John Kennedy (#00), Nate Moeller (#06).
Why: Michael Maples spun in Turn 4. Nate Moeller retired on Lap 29 due to mechanical failure.
So What? John Kennedy (#00) earned the Free Pass to return to the lead lap.
Why: Michael Maples spun in Turn 4. Nate Moeller retired on Lap 29 due to mechanical failure.
So What? John Kennedy (#00) earned the Free Pass to return to the lead lap.
⚠️ LAPS 34–39: CAUTION #4 (Turn 4 Accident)
Primary Drivers Impacted: Tim Monroe (#10), Jason Kitzmiller (#97), Michael Maples (#99).
Why: Tim Monroe and Jason Kitzmiller made contact in Turn 4, spinning into Maples. Monroe retired on Lap 33.
So What? Reduced the active field density; no Free Pass awarded.
Why: Tim Monroe and Jason Kitzmiller made contact in Turn 4, spinning into Maples. Monroe retired on Lap 33.
So What? Reduced the active field density; no Free Pass awarded.
⚠️ LAPS 50–54: CAUTION #5 (SCHEDULED INTERMISSION BREAK)
Primary Drivers Impacted: Full Field, Taylor Reimer (#77), Jeff Maconi (#86).
Why: Official mid-race intermission break at Lap 50 per ARCA dirt procedures. Jeff Maconi retired on Lap 41.
So What? Allowed teams to add fuel, adjust steel-bodied shocks, and bolt on fresh General Tires. Taylor Reimer (#77) earned the Free Pass to get 1 lap back after early overheating issues.
Why: Official mid-race intermission break at Lap 50 per ARCA dirt procedures. Jeff Maconi retired on Lap 41.
So What? Allowed teams to add fuel, adjust steel-bodied shocks, and bolt on fresh General Tires. Taylor Reimer (#77) earned the Free Pass to get 1 lap back after early overheating issues.
🚀 LAP 53: LEAD CHANGE #5
John Kennedy (#00) takes the lead.
Why: Kennedy stayed out during the initial break pit transition to lead Laps 53–54.
So What? Kennedy secured 2 laps led in his series debut before pitting for service.
Why: Kennedy stayed out during the initial break pit transition to lead Laps 53–54.
So What? Kennedy secured 2 laps led in his series debut before pitting for service.
🏁 LAP 55: LEAD CHANGE #6
Carson Brown (#28) regains the lead.
Why: Brown launched clean on fresh tires off the front row on the Lap 55 green flag.
So What? Controlled the next 32 laps comfortably as the track dried into a blue-groove line.
Why: Brown launched clean on fresh tires off the front row on the Lap 55 green flag.
So What? Controlled the next 32 laps comfortably as the track dried into a blue-groove line.
⚠️ LAPS 78–84: CAUTION #6 (Turn 2 Crash — Dirt Double Elimination)
Primary Drivers Impacted: Max Reaves (#18), Ryan Vargas (#91), Sean Corr (#8).
Why: Max Reaves lost right-rear side-force while running in the top 5, crashing heavily into the Turn 2 wall. Sean Corr retired on Lap 81 with mechanical damage.
So What? Reaves suffered terminal damage (credited with P17 DNF), officially ending his bid for the $20,000 Audubon Park Dirt Double sweep. Ryan Vargas (#91) earned the Free Pass.
Why: Max Reaves lost right-rear side-force while running in the top 5, crashing heavily into the Turn 2 wall. Sean Corr retired on Lap 81 with mechanical damage.
So What? Reaves suffered terminal damage (credited with P17 DNF), officially ending his bid for the $20,000 Audubon Park Dirt Double sweep. Ryan Vargas (#91) earned the Free Pass.
🚀 LAP 87: LEAD CHANGE #7
Gavan Boschele (#25) takes the lead.
Why: Carson Brown ran wide into the loose Turn 4 cushion on Lap 85 due to dirty air understeer, allowing Boschele to dive underneath on Lap 87.
So What? Boschele led 6 laps (Laps 87–92), putting Pinnacle Racing Group’s victory in jeopardy.
Why: Carson Brown ran wide into the loose Turn 4 cushion on Lap 85 due to dirty air understeer, allowing Boschele to dive underneath on Lap 87.
So What? Boschele led 6 laps (Laps 87–92), putting Pinnacle Racing Group’s victory in jeopardy.
⚠️ LAPS 87–91: CAUTION #7 (Turn 4 Spin)
Primary Drivers Impacted: Chase Buscaglia (#11), Taylor Reimer (#77).
Why: Chase Buscaglia spun off Turn 4 on Lap 84 (retired P15).
So What? Set up a single-file restart inside 10 laps to go. Taylor Reimer earned her second Free Pass, returning to the lead lap to complete her charge to 6th.
Why: Chase Buscaglia spun off Turn 4 on Lap 84 (retired P15).
So What? Set up a single-file restart inside 10 laps to go. Taylor Reimer earned her second Free Pass, returning to the lead lap to complete her charge to 6th.
🏁 LAP 93: LEAD CHANGE #8 (THE WINNING MOVE)
Carson Brown (#28) takes the lead.
Why: Brown timed the single-file restart perfectly, nudging Boschele out of the bottom groove in Turns 3 and 4 to retake the lead.
So What? Brown pulled away over the final 8 laps to win by 4.137 seconds over Jake Bollman.
Why: Brown timed the single-file restart perfectly, nudging Boschele out of the bottom groove in Turns 3 and 4 to retake the lead.
So What? Brown pulled away over the final 8 laps to win by 4.137 seconds over Jake Bollman.