Jake Finch captured a long-awaited win at the Alabama 200 held on Saturday night at Montgomery Motor Speedway, marking his first victory in this prestigious event. Racing for Ronnie Sanders Racing, Finch showcased his experience on the track where he has completed more laps than at any other circuit in his career.
Finch’s team, Ronnie Sanders Racing, had previously claimed the Show Me the Money track championship at Montgomery in 2024 and finished as runner-up in last year’s Alabama 200. With the 62nd running of the race, Finch and his team seemed prepared to seize the top spot after near-misses in past attempts.
Race Performance and Key Moments
Finch earned the fastest time during qualifying but started third due to an inversion of the field. He said,
“I felt like we had a really good race car,”
reflecting on his performance.
“We showed our speed in qualifying and it was no different during the race. It was just as good of a car, and really, one of the best cars I have ever driven. We just had whatever I needed to get out front. From there, it was just a matter of controlling the pace and controlling the race I’m just really proud of everyone at Ronnie Sanders Racing and the No. 18 car.”
During the race, Finch regained the lead on lap 53 after the invert and repeatedly moved back to the front following various tire strategy changes. He took a decisive lead for good with 49 laps remaining by overtaking Dylan Fetcho.
Dylan Fetcho and other contenders like Kaden Honeycutt and Luke Yarbrough had different tire strategies; Honeycutt and Yarbrough delayed taking their extra tires, hoping for a caution that did not come soon enough. Fetcho chose to pit earlier. A late caution with eight laps left occurred after competitors John Bolen, the defending champion, and Steven Chunn both fell off the pace.
Chaos in Late Stages and Restart Drama
The restart following the caution saw a multi-car incident involving Malcolm Spears, Connor Shelton, and Jim Wall, a troublesome event in a day marked by multiple crashes for Wall, the reigning Show Me the Money champion. Despite the challenges, Finch skillfully handled subsequent restarts and pulled away to secure the win. He earned his first hand-carved bear trophy, symbolizing the Alabama 200 victory.
Fetcho managed to regain second place late in the final stage but expressed dissatisfaction with finishing behind Finch. He remarked,
“Overall pretty good. After that pit stop, we were pretty good but ultimately just a little too tight to hold Jake off.”
– Dylan Fetcho
Fetcho noted the tactical nature of the pit stop, stating,
“There were guys who didn’t stop, thinking it was going to rain, It really screwed them because they never got tires.”
– Dylan Fetcho
Strategic Gambles Influence Outcome
John Bolen was the only driver whose raw speed rivaled Finch’s throughout the race. Bolen, who started last, climbed steadily to challenge for the lead. However, he took a calculated risk by postponing a tire change until late in the race. This gamble backfired during a long green-flag run, leaving him the sole driver on his original tires and out of sync with competitors who had fresher rubber. In a dramatic twist, Bolen caused the late caution by running out of fuel in the closing laps, dashing his own chances of victory.
Other top finishers included Gage Gilby, Presley Johnson, and Christopher Tullis, filling out the top five after a fiercely contested race.
Significance and Future Prospects for the Series
Finch’s win reinforces his and Ronnie Sanders Racing’s stature at Montgomery Motor Speedway, highlighting their continued success at this historic venue. This victory adds to owner Sanders’ legacy, marking his fifth Alabama 200 win—two as a driver in the 1970s and three more as an owner through partnerships with Casey Roderick and Finch.
The Show Me the Money Series will return to Montgomery Motor Speedway for its second round on May 2 with the highly anticipated Spring Explosion 100, where Finch and his rivals will have another chance to prove their skill on this competitive track.
