Laird Scores a Dominant Win at Auto Club

JD Laird has showed speed every week to open the 2023 TNR Grand National Series sponsored by Schue Lawn Service. Laird has led over 60% of the laps run through the first three races of the season. The first two races of the season, including a dominant run at Phoenix, were unable to put a win in the scoring column for Laird. That changed in the NNSCRA Paint Designs 150 at Auto Club Speedway. In his home race, JD Laird finally broke through for his first win of 2023.

Laird was hungry for a win following a 4th place finish at Phoenix, a great result considering the significant damage the 46 car received in a wreck with Bill Edwards. Another driver hungry for a win, Philip Scott, started the race from the pole and led the opening 7 laps of the race. Although he jumped out to a large lead, Laird was able to quickly track down Scott and overtake him for the lead. After that, JD Laird would not look back, leading 62 of the 75 laps in the race. "Any league that I compete in, Auto Club is circled" Laird told WRN's Mitchell Adams in his post-race interview, "I need to perform here" when discussing what a win at his home racetrack means to him.

Also leading laps in the race were Alonso Chocano, who had another very fast racecar on route to a 4th place finish, and Jason Schue who picked up a lap led. Pit strategy seemed to be the only way drivers could get around Laird for laps led. Unfortunately for fans of the 46, JD Laird is unsure how much more he will be able to race in the 2023 season do to work and NACAR Coke Series commitments. The win did result in JD Laird jumping to the points lead with Mike Tellier, who has through the opening two races, 25 points behind.

Next week, the TNR Grand National Series sponsored by Schue Lawn Service heads to Kansas Speedway. The fast 1.5-mile racetrack is known for putting on entertaining multi-groove racing. TNR races air every night on WRN at 8:05 pm (EST). Also stay tuned for WRN's lap guides that release on our YouTube channel at noon (EST) where play-by-play commentator Mitchell Adams drives a qualifying run around each racetrack and shows what to look for in each race.