The Midnight Rider Strikes Again as McLain Holds Off Miller in CST Thriller at Friendship
By Evan McCrory ELKIN, N.C. (Apr. 18, 2026) — A scorching April afternoon set the stage in the valleys of North Carolina as 16 RaceSaver IMCA Sprint Cars rolled into Friendship Motor Speedway for the Carolina Sprint Tour’s first appearance at the facility since 2021. The night opened with Radical Race Gear hot laps, where Pennsylvania’s Trevor Gach continued his early-season speed streak. Piloting the Carber Racing entry, Gach topped the charts for the second consecutive event with a blistering lap of 15.186 seconds. Heat race action proved eventful. Matthew Wall went for a tumble in turn three, bringing a collective pause from the crowd—fortunately, he emerged unharmed. In another incident, Robert Tyler and Ben McCall made contact entering turn one, collecting Gach in the process. When the dust settled, George Loux and Greg Smyre claimed heat race victories. Following a redraw of the top eight, Jake McLain and Robert Tyler led the field to green for the 25-lap, $1,000-to-win main event. McLain wasted no time asserting control, charging to the lead through the opening corners [Read More]