RALEIGH, N.C. — Prior to Saturday’s Accent Imaging 125 at Wake County Speedway, Mini Tyrrell had not won a zMAX CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour event since prevailing at Tri-County Motor Speedway on Sept. 11, 2021.
In the years since that triumph, Tyrrell has become a familiar, veteran presence on the CARS LMSC Tour despite only being 20 years old. Possessing over 70 starts to his name, Tyrrell gradually built his small program into a consistent frontrunner, with every strong showing only fueling his motivation to return to Cook Out Victory Lane.
The prolonged dry spell finally ended for Tyrrell in convincing fashion at Wake County. No one in the 27-car field could match the stellar pace established by Tyrrell, who proceeded to lead nearly the entire Accent Imaging 125 and earn his second LMSC Tour checkered flag after years of close calls.
Plenty of energy was emanating from Tyrrell as he climbed out of his No. 81 Convenience Tire & Auto Toyota in Cook Out Victory Lane at Wake County Speedway.
Tyrrell was patiently waiting for the day where the hard work exemplified by everyone on his program would culminate into a complete day at the track. The past several years have been frustrating for Tyrrell at times, which only made his efficient Wake County performance even more rewarding.
“This one speaks volumes to this race team,” Tyrrell said. “It’s been a while since we’ve been to victory lane, but I’m just so proud of my team. This one was well-fought, well-deserved and we’ve been working so hard. We had such a great year last year but had some bad luck. I can’t thank everybody enough.”
Since making his CARS LMSC Tour debut at South Boston Speedway back in 2018, every step of Tyrrell’s journey gradually built towards where he currently stands in Late Model Stocks.
Every season, including his part-time campaign in 2022, saw Tyrrell inch closer to the front of the LMSC Tour field. The 2024 campaign was his best on the CARS Tour platform to date, which saw him emerge as an early-season contender for the Late Model Stock title before settling for third in the final standings with seven top fives.
Although Tyrrell is always making strides with his program, that positive trajectory coincides with a growing LMSC Tour field dominated by parity. Nothing has come easy for Tyrrell in his pursuit of another victory, but with Wake County proving to be one of the best drives of his career, Tyrrell is confident more triumphs are ahead in 2025.
“This is definitely like a big monkey falling off our back,” Tyrrell said. “These races are so hard. Just getting the pole this weekend was a win. That was incredible because this field is so tight. Each and every year, there’s more competition and more cars that get sent home. I’m so proud of myself and my team. I’m blessed.”
After qualifying in the 13th position, Connor Hall had to methodically navigate his way around other competitors and the tight confines of Wake County to secure a second-place finish.
Hall’s night was not without contact, but he was determined to overcome a slow start to the weekend and build momentum from his New River All American Speedway win. Doug Barnes Jr. completed the top-three finishers.
