Dale Earnhardt Jr. couldn’t hide his enthusiasm after Saturday’s zMAX CARS Tour event at Orange County Speedway. The race, which ended earlier than typical events, showcased Jared Fryar’s dominant Late Model Stock Car win and Ryan Newman’s long-awaited CARS Tour debut. For Earnhardt, the night underscored the series’ growing appeal and his desire to attract more NASCAR legends to its roster.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Praises CARS Tour’s Precision and Passion
Earnhardt’s praise wasn’t just about the racing. The NASCAR veteran and series co-owner took to social media, praising the night’s swift conclusion and thrilling action.
“Holy smokes, the @CARSTour was done at 9:15 ET tonight,” he tweeted. “Great, efficient job by our staff, drivers, and spotters. Some solid racing at @OCS_Track as usual. Awesome track.”
Holy smokes, the @CARSTour was done at 9:15ET tonight. Great efficient job by our staff, drivers, and spotters. Some solid racing at @OCS_Track as usual. Awesome track.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr)
The efficiency of the event, a rarity in motorsports, stood out. Orange County Speedway’s 250-lap feature wrapped before 9:30 p.m. ET, a feat Earnhardt credited to collaboration between officials, drivers, and spotters.
“We had good tires, a good car. Good restarts. Things just fell right in order for us to win,” Fryar said post-race, echoing the seamless execution.
But the night wasn’t without drama. Points leader Connor Hall survived an early spin, while Mini Tyrrell’s title hopes faded after a hard crash. Ryan Newman, making his CARS Tour debut, navigated the chaos to finish 14th.
“Ryan (Newman) is coming here with so much experience in not only his Cup career but also other short track racing he’s been doing lately. He can say some areas we can clean up, or do some things differently,” Earnhardt said, hinting at broader ambitions.
“I extend an invitation to Matt Kenseth, Clint Bowyer, and Kasey Kahne, and all kinds of drivers because we’d love to have them drop in, run a race, and learn from their experience.”
The 2008 Daytona 500 winner’s quiet run contrasted with Fryar’s fireworks. Yet Newman’s presence signaled Earnhardt’s vision: blending rising talent with veteran star power.
Jared Fryar’s Gritty Win Caps Orange County Speedway Thriller
Fryar’s victory lane emotion said it all. The 2020 CARS Tour champion hadn’t won a Late Model race since 2023, making Saturday’s triumph a redemption arc. “It feels so special, man,” he said after passing Layne Riggs on Lap 65 and fending off restarts. “Everything’s gotta go right. Tonight was a testament to that.”
Kade Brown and Kaden Honeycutt rounded out the podium, while Chase Burrow’s late-race defense secured a top-10 finish. But Fryar’s dominance and the race’s crisp pacing stole headlines. Meanwhile, Luke Baldwin’s Pro Late Model win added to the night’s highlights, with Keelan Harvick, son of NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick, rallying to sixth after a mid-race wreck.
For Earnhardt, the event reinforced the CARS Tour’s potential. As Fryar celebrated, the Hall of Famer’s tweet buzzed with excitement. Fans and drivers alike now await the next chapter — and perhaps the arrival of more NASCAR icons.
With Earnhardt’s vision and Fryar’s resurgence, Orange County proved once again why short-track racing remains NASCAR’s beating heart.
Nascar ruining races too many penalties silly ones at that