As NASCAR takes a two-week break for the Olympic Games, fans are finding their racing excitement in the zMAX CARS Tour. Co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., the series delivers all the action, drama, and rivalries that fans crave. The competition is so intense that although Ryan Millington was first to cross the finish line at Hickory Motor Speedway, it was third-place finisher Ronnie Bassett Jr. who was declared the winner!
Ronnie Bassett Jr., who began his career competing against his brother Dale Bassett in the Late Model Series, has returned to his roots. Reflecting on the fiercely competitive nature of the series co-owned by Dale Jr., Bassett Jr. highlighted the narrow margins between victory and defeat in the CARS Tour.
Bassett Jr. Triumphs with Perfect Timing
Ronnie Bassett Jr.’s victory in the Late Model Stock Car portion of the CARS Tour at Hickory Motor Speedway was shrouded in controversy. A post-race decision following an incident involving Ryan Millington and Connor Hall handed Bassett Jr. an emotional win. While some might attribute his success to being in the right place at the right time, the 28-year-old had consistently been in the top three for most of the 125-lap race. Given the close competition, the outcome could have easily gone another way.
In a discussion on the Dale Jr. Download, Ronnie Bassett Jr. elaborated on the competitive nature of the zMAX CARS Tour. Responding to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s assertion that nearly all 26 cars in the series are capable of winning, Bassett Jr. said, “Oh, it’s very competitive, I mean, like you just mentioned, the times are really close. You’re one-tenth off, you’re gonna start 15th, and with as tight as this field is, if you start that far back in the pack, it’s hard to be able to have a decent car. When you get hit with the fenders on it and the tow still straight, so it’s very tough and when you qualify decent, you need to be able to take advantage of it and like we were able to do on Saturday night. We qualified in the top five, we just managed our race car and we were in the right spot at the right time.”
Seizing the Opportunity
Having qualified well, Ronnie Bassett Jr. aimed for a top-three finish at Hickory Motor Speedway. Connor Hall led the opening laps, but Ryan Millington dominated from Lap 3 to 123. When Hall regained the lead with just one lap to go, Millington fought back, resulting in a collision that spun Hall out in the final corner. Although Millington crossed the finish line first, race officials penalized both drivers, awarding the win to Bassett Jr.
This victory was a significant moment for Ronnie Bassett Jr., marking a full-circle moment in his career. After facing numerous setbacks over the past few years, winning a Late Models race at Hickory Motor Speedway was a well-deserved outcome. His perseverance, experience, and hard work earned him 34 points and a $10,000 prize. Bassett Jr.’s triumph is a testament to his resilience and dedication to the sport.
A Hard-Fought Victory
The victory was especially emotional for Bassett Jr., who moved from third place in the final corner to first. This win marked his first return to Victory Lane since his family’s efforts to revive their NASCAR Xfinity Series team. Competing in the Late Models has been a challenging journey, but the CARS Tour has proven to be a formidable arena for Bassett Jr. His victory at Hickory Motor Speedway demonstrates his ability to rise to the challenge.
Speaking on the FloRacing broadcast in Victory Lane, Bassett Jr. said, “Any way you can win these races is awesome. It shows we were in contention and had a shot. We didn’t have the best car over a long run but we hung in there and kept fighting. We’ve had a stressful year and a half coming back Late-Model racing and we’re gradually getting better. It’s not that way you want to do it but anytime you can get one, you take it.”
Overcoming Adversity
The Bassett family has faced numerous challenges in recent years. In May 2016, a fire destroyed their race shop and all their cars. In 2020, an incident with Justin Allgaier in Kentucky wrecked their only family-owned car. Despite these obstacles, Ronnie Bassett Jr.’s return to Victory Lane signals a promising resurgence in his career.
With his recent win, the 28-year-old driver is poised to get his career back on track, proving that determination and hard work can overcome even the toughest setbacks.
