Pittman Prevails at Chicagoland as Championship Battle Tightens
JOLIET, Ill. — Joshua Pittman delivered one of the drives of the season Wednesday night, charging from 15th on the starting grid to capture an impressive victory in the North Star Racing Cup Series at Chicagoland Speedway.
After 202 laps of strategy, tire management, and intense side-by-side racing, Pittman crossed the finish line just 0.255 seconds ahead of Cory Mott to earn his first victory of the season.
With the championship entering its final stretch before the Chase, the victory could prove to be one of the biggest turning points of the year.
A Race Filled with Action
Chicagoland Speedway produced one of the most entertaining races of the North Star Racing season. Ten cautions kept the field tightly packed throughout the evening while nearly twenty lead changes showcased just how competitive the field has become.
Alex M. Rogers appeared to have the race under control early, sweeping both Stage 1 and Stage 2 while leading 50 laps. Paul Irvin also displayed tremendous speed, pacing the field for a race-high 30 laps and recording the fastest lap of the event.
However, long-run speed ultimately proved to be the deciding factor.
Pittman patiently worked his way through the field after starting 15th, avoiding trouble while methodically picking off competitors throughout the evening. Once he reached the front during the closing stages, he never looked back.
Cory Mott kept the pressure on during the final laps, but Pittman never made the mistake Mott needed, holding on by just over two-tenths of a second for the victory.
Top Five Finishers
- Joshua Pittman
- Cory Mott
- Michael Deitch
- Paul Irvin
- Joe T. Wright
Stage Winners
Stage 1: Alex M. Rogers
Stage 2: Alex M. Rogers
Championship Picture
While Pittman celebrated in Victory Lane, the championship battle remains incredibly tight heading toward the Chase.
Nic Vasquez continues to lead the standings with 790 points, carrying three victories and five stage wins into the next race. Just 19 points behind sits Josh L. Stoltz, who remains well within striking distance of the championship lead.
Tyler Belanger and Stewart Harding Walker continue to keep pressure on the top two, while Steven Carlile rounds out the top five.
One of the biggest stories coming out of Chicagoland belongs to Zach Thomas Johnson, who climbed one position into sixth in the standings with 656 points after another consistent evening. Johnson now trails the top five by just eight points.
Pittman’s victory also paid dividends in the standings, moving him up two positions into 12th overall. Michael Deitch climbed to 11th following his podium finish, while Caleb Sheets and Cory Mott also gained valuable positions.
Updated Championship Standings
| Position | Driver | Points | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nic Vasquez | 790 | — |
| 2 | Josh L. Stoltz | 771 | — |
| 3 | Tyler Belanger | 714 | — |
| 4 | Stewart Harding Walker | 706 | — |
| 5 | Steven Carlile | 664 | — |
| 6 | Zach Thomas Johnson | 656 | ▲ 1 |
| 7 | John Connor10 | 649 | ▼ 1 |
| 8 | Vince Mitchell | 544 | — |
| 9 | Caleb Sheets | 533 | ▲ 1 |
| 10 | Tommy Krawczyk | 520 | ▼ 1 |
Biggest Movers
- Joshua Pittman ▲2 (12th)
- Michael Deitch ▲1 (11th)
- Zach Thomas Johnson ▲1 (6th)
- Caleb Sheets ▲1 (9th)
- Cory Mott ▲1 (16th)
- Paul Irvin ▲9 (30th after limited starts)
Looking Ahead
The North Star Racing Cup Series now shifts its focus to EchoPark Speedway, where another crucial chapter in the championship battle will unfold. As the regular season winds down, every point, stage finish, and race result carries even greater importance for drivers fighting to secure their position before the Chase.
Championship leader Nic Vasquez will look to extend his advantage over Josh L. Stoltz, while Tyler Belanger, Stewart Harding Walker, and Steven Carlile continue to keep the pressure on inside the top five. Just behind them, Zach Thomas Johnson continues to build momentum after climbing into sixth in the standings, and Joshua Pittman arrives at EchoPark Speedway riding the confidence of his breakthrough victory at Chicagoland.
EchoPark Speedway has a reputation for producing close racing, strategic pit calls, and dramatic finishes, making it another pivotal stop on the road to the North Star Racing Cup Series championship. If Chicagoland was any indication, fans should expect another night of intense battles as the playoff picture continues to take shape.
The race to the Chase continues next week under the lights at EchoPark Speedway heating up.
