(Sycamore, IL)--Jacob Irwin of Genoa City led flag to flag for his first ever 11-75 Sports Complex & Eatery 25-lap feature Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Sycamore Speedway highlighting the John Smith Memorial.
"It's unbelievable," said 16-year-old Irwin, joined by his family in victory lane. "I listened to a lot of people who kept giving me help along the way, and it finally all came together."
"I was actually kind of relieved to have the yellow come out so I was able to take some breaths and refocus," Irwin said, referring to the only break in the main which came on lap 8 when Mark Heinert of Waukesha, who was running in a battle for third at the time, looped in turn four.
Irwin started outside of row one, powering on the high side to take the point at the drop of the green after a ceremonial "missing man formation" with first year driver Jake Doyle of Kingston, IL pulling the familiar John Smith #59 to the point leading the field.
Nick Petska of Spring Grove, IL worked his way into contention, but could not seem to real in Irwin. Big Bend's Chad Stouthamer improved 8 spots to take Behling Race Equipment Hard Charger honors finishing third after starting 11th.
Bristol's Tucker Richards came across fourth in a tight battle with fifth finishing John Kirk of Johnsburg, IL.
Petska won the Fox Lake Harbor presents All Star Performance 1st Heat. Tim Brannam of Holiday Hills, IL took top honors in the Game Day Men's Health presents Rod End Supply 2nd Heat.
Brian Strane Jr. of Paris posted Body Craft qualifying fast time with a 14:581 seconds clocking.
Next up for the Lightning Sprints is joining the Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts 410 Winged Sprints and MSA 360 Sprints in the Jim Wipperfurth/Harry Neitzel Memorial at Beaver Dam Raceway on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
Submitted by Michael H. Babicz - IRA
Photos by Dan Simpson