March 2, 2025
Montgomery, AL — Years of frustration and knocking on the Alabama 200’s proverbial door have finally paid off for Jasper, Alabama’s John Bolen.
Bolen, a former Show Me The Money series champion at Montgomery Motor Speedway, always had the Alabama 200 as the lone box left unchecked on his to-do list. For most of Saturday’s race, it looked like that box would remain empty.
However, a late-race restart played into Bolen’s favor, allowing him to pass the dominant car of Carson Brown within the closing laps. While Brown led the most laps, Bolen surged to lead when it mattered most, taking home the win in the 61st annual Alabama 200.
An overjoyed Bolen made sure to give fans an additional show in the form of an exhilarating frontstretch burnout.
“That was definitely one of the hardest restarts ever, in all the years we’ve been racing,” said Bolen. “I knew it had to be flawless and we’d need a little luck on our side. When I was clear, I knew it had to be five perfect laps.”
“I think people know how hard it is to win this race and how long we as a family team have been trying to win it. We’ve been racing down here since the mid-2000’s. I couldn’t tell you how many times I finished second. To finally close the deal and to see all the support, it lets you know that you’ve put your time in the sport and everyone knows it was due for us.”
Carson Brown, who had speed all weekend long across multiple practice sessions and qualifying, looked poised to bring Anthony Campi Racing their second consecutive Alabama 200 victory.
Despite leading the overwhelming majority of the race and setting a blistering pace, Brown had to settle for second.
“We dominated most of the race, just had a really good car,” said Brown. “On that last restart, just got picked up in 1 and 2, and John Bolen was able to roll the outside on us and the top lane prevailed.”
“Strategy does play a pretty big role in this race as it is 200 laps. Luckily we all pitted around the same area. Anthony [Campi] and the team just worked their butts off. Just sucks to come up one spot short.”
For third place finisher Jim Wall, the search for that elusive first Show Me The Money win at Montgomery continues. Despite not taking home a win, Wall feels good about his team’s performance.
“It’s a great step in the right direction,” said Wall. David Ray and Augie [Grill] have hit on a bunch of stuff. The car’s very drivable. Lots of forward bite in it.”
“We finished second at the end of last year down here, finished third tonight. The car’s in one piece, we go to [South Alabama Speedway] in two weeks, confidence is up. We’re very underfunded compared to a lot of these guys, but to be in the ballpark and have a chance is a huge deal for us.”
Montgomery’s Show Me The Money Pro Late Model series returns to action on Saturday, April 5th.
61st Annual Alabama 200 Results
- John Bolen
- Carson Brown
- Jim Wall
- Aidan Potter
- Chase Pinsonneault
- Chris Davidson
- Jaxon Bishop
- Jarrett Butcher
- Spencer Davis -1 lap
- Gage Rodgers -2 laps
- Taylor Corum -3 laps
- Christopher Tullis -4 laps
- Gage Gilby -7 laps
- Dustin Smith -8 laps
- Matt Craig -48 laps
- Augie Grill -66 laps
- Steven Chunn -70 laps
- Jake Finch -78 laps
- Jason Furrow -90 laps
- Zach Johnson -122 laps
- Zack Dixon -124 laps
- John Heil -131 laps
- Chris Whorton -143 laps
- Cody Bentley -176 laps
- Tim Laurent -179 laps
- Clint Folsom – DNS
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Photo: Reid Scott
Liberty Racing Review 