Ben Maier Scores Stunning SpeedFest Pro Late Model Win

The JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour SpeedFest Pro Late Model feature saw an upset winner and a dramatic finish, as Ben Maier sprinted to the checkered flag while a multi-car crash unfolded behind him on the final lap.

Maier battled side-by-side with two-time SpeedFest Pro Late Model winner Stephen Nasse on the closing laps, the slimmest of margins separating the two drivers as they flashed underneath the white flag. Exiting turn two, contact between Nasse and Seth Christensen on the outside line sent Nasse spinning, collecting several other cars in the process.

Meanwhile, Maier escaped the melee unscathed with Michael Hinde in tow, taking the victory in the prestigious Pro Late Model contest to open the 2025 season.

The teenager from Maryland has already amassed quite the resume, including multiple karting championships and a win in the Trans Am TA2 Series in 2024 at Worldwide Technology Raceway. However, Friday's race was Maier's first in a Pro Late Model, and he made the most of it.

“It’s a huge deal to be here," said Maier in victory lane. "It’s my third race in a Late Model and first race in a Pro Late Model. It’s a really good accomplishment for me.

Entering the final restart, Maier took the inside lane on the choose rule, hoping to keep Nasse pinned to the outside lane over the closing laps.

"I knew [Nasse] was faster on the bottom in three and four. I knew if I kept him on the outside of me for the last few laps, it would end pretty well. I tried to keep him on the outside, and it worked out well for me."

Even Maier had to confess he was surprised to be standing in victory lane so early in his Pro Late Model career, but thanked the Setzer Racing and Development team for helping him guide the No. 6 to the win.

“I have no idea. The car was amazing all weekend. The guys at Setzer set it up perfect. I had a little push in turns three and four, but other than that, it felt amazing."

Michael Hinde won last fall at Cordele Motor Speedway in the World Crown 300, but he's also a former SpeedFest Pro Late Model winner. Hinde enjoyed running the No. 69 Pro Late Model before climbing in his Super Late Model for 150 laps.

“That was a blast," said Hinde. "Every time we come here, I feel like we put on really good shows for the fans. That’s what we come here to do, so hopefully we did that for you guys.

“I started off running really good in the Pro ever since I hopped in one. It took me a lot longer to figure out how to run that Super, but it’s always fun to jump back in that Pro.”

T.J. DeCaire rounded out the podium, escaping the last-lap incident for a podium finish in a last-minute effort. DeCaire's offer to drive the TH Motorsports No. 15 came in the form of a private message on Facebook in the days leading up to the event.

“Practice, we were struggling a little bit. Qualifying, we got it headed in the right direction. I can’t thank Kyle [Hood] enough. He put his head down and worked all weekend, the entire TH Motorsports crew for that matter.

“It was actually a Facebook DM, and I’m happy I read it. Thank you to Jason for asking me to drive his car, and thank you to Kyle. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be here."

Despite the last-lap incident, Christensen and Nasse crossed the line fourth and fifth. However, Christensen was penalized for the last-lap contact, promoting Nasse to fourth with Harrison Halder rounding out the top five.

Maier inherited the lead just six laps shy of the finish after a battle for the lead went awry for Hudson Bulger and Luke Baldwin. Bulger set fast time in qualifying, but started eighth after a redraw from the top eight in the time trial session.

Baldwin took the lead from Tristan McKee with a three-wide move on lap 13, and maintained the top spot until Bulger muscled to the lead on lap 91. Baldwin and Bulger made contact three laps later as their battle for the lead continued, ending Bulger's race while Baldwin soldiered on to a seventh-place finish.

-Photo credit: Jason Reasin Photography

SpeedFest Pro Late Model Unofficial Results