Veteran And Rookie Trade Wins In Inaugural Visit To Orange County

When the Saturday morning sun rose on Rougemont, NC, mist filled the air along with uncertainty. With pressing business matters over at ECC for second place points runner AJ Henriksen, the Illinois native had no choice but to stay home. That left an open seat in one of the most competitive cars in the field. Once the dust settled, the team chose team member and Micro Sprint racer Isaiah Hogan to fill in. Well, that started another conundrum: Who would drive the #54 usually driven by Hogan? A handful of last minute phone calls later and Legend Car standout Ryan Zima along with mentor Kerry Earnhardt entered the property. Throw in CRA Street Stock winner Cole Baxter in D2 Motorsports’ #23 machine and you’ve got a recipe for one of the most interesting nights of the year, kicked off with Jeremy Mayfield taking home yet another ChaLew Performance Pole Award.

After the invert, the #75 of Bob Schacht found himself starting first alongside Hogan. Taking advantage of Orange County’s multiple grooves behind however was Mayfield, looking the fastest he has all year long. His only obstacle blocking him from first was Jamie Mosley, leading the charge early in search of his first victory. Despite the #11’s efforts, Mayfield was able to make his way around before the lap 20 competition caution. After that, Mayfield’s car seemed to have gotten even faster. Behind however was an absolute thriller. Hogan with the biggest opportunity of his life versus the rocketing rookie of Zima. Through crossovers and near contact, the fans were on their feet for a great portion of the second half. Zima finally broke free of Hogan’s grasps and started to set a pace close to Mayfield’s. The laps just weren’t there though as Mayfield takes the dominant victory.

The #18 of Chris Burns led the field to green for race two and used his new setup to full effect, leading the most laps he has all year ahead of a charging Zima. A returning Jeff Thomas in the #15 is able to make a few laps before parking his machine as that team battled motor issues all day long. In the middle of the pack, Mayfield decided to take the conservative route, saving his tires and equipment in preparation for the final 30 lap run. Soon it was all Zima up front, putting on a performance reminiscent of Mayfield in race one. But before the race would end, he’d have to deal with said points leader. A late race caution involving Mosley set the stage: rookie versus veteran. But on the restart, Mayfield doesn’t get going like he wants, leaving Zima to clear along with Hogan. From there, the finish had been written, with Zima crossing the line first, breaking the Mayfield-Henriksen streak of 2025.

The drivers points battle has definitely been turned upside down with the absence of Henriksen, while the owners battle still rages between D2 and ECC Motorsports. Next on the docket is Lonesome Pine Motorsports Park on August 16th, the same place that Mayfield swept in 2024. Who knows what the Coeburn speed plant holds in 2025?

Orange County Twin 50 #1 Results:

1. #19 – Jeremy Mayfield
2. #54 – Ryan Zima
3. #46 – Isaiah Hogan
4. #11 – Jamie Mosley
5. #23 – Cole Baxter
6. #18 – Chris Burns
7. #75 – Bob Schacht
8. #62 – Dave Hutchinson
9. DNS – Jeff Thomas

Orange County Twin 50 #2 Results:

1. #54 – Ryan Zima
2. #46 – Isaiah Hogan
3. #19 – Jeremy Mayfield
4. #18 – Chris Burns
5. #11 – Jamie Mosley
6. #23 – Cole Baxter
7. #75 – Bob Schacht
8. #62 – Dave Hutchinson
9. #15 – Jeff Thomas