The All American Racing Network’s O’Reilly’s Series Presented by Ideal Pests Management LLC opened its inaugural season in dramatic fashion Monday night at Daytona International Speedway, where Chris Romano emerged from a tightly contested draft to claim victory in a photo-finish margin over Lucas Bray.
Romano, who started second, executed late when it mattered most, narrowly defeating Bray by just 0.110 seconds at the stripe to secure the first win in series history.
Early Control Sets the Tone
Polesitter Gary May led the field to green from the inside lane, pacing the opening laps of the 90-lap event. May’s early control, however, proved difficult to maintain in the tightly packed draft, as the lead began to shuffle frequently among the front-running group.
As expected at Daytona, track position remained fluid, with multiple drivers cycling to the front through the opening and middle portions of the race. Chris Romano quickly established himself as a contender, spending significant time at the front and ultimately leading a race-high 38 laps.
Mid-Race Shuffle Keeps Field Tight
Through the middle stages, the draft remained the dominant factor, allowing drivers deeper in the field to work their way forward. Lucas Bray, who started seventh, steadily climbed into contention and positioned himself as Romano’s primary challenger.
Howard Peeples made one of the most notable moves of the race, advancing from 17th on the grid into the lead pack. Peeples led 11 laps during the race and remained a factor deep into the closing stages, showcasing both patience and late-race execution.
Meanwhile, Joseph Essenberg and Justin Youngalso took turns at the front, each logging laps led as the race continued to cycle through multiple leaders.
Late-Race Execution Decides the Outcome
As the laps wound down, the field tightened once again, setting up a decisive run to the finish. Romano and Bray separated themselves as the primary contenders, with both drivers demonstrating strong drafting partners and positioning.
Bray, who led 24 laps, appeared poised to challenge for the win in the closing laps, but Romano’s ability to control the draft and maintain momentum proved decisive. Holding the lead in the final sequence, Romano defended successfully to the checkered flag.
Behind them, Peeples completed his charge through the field to finish third, while Essenberg secured fourth after leading laps earlier in the race. Joshua Hyatt rounded out the top five with a clean and steady run from 19th on the grid.
Movement Through the Field and Notable Runs
Several drivers delivered strong positional gains over the course of the race. Peeples’ climb from 17th to third stood out as one of the most significant advances in the field, while Hyatt’s run from 19th to fifth highlighted a disciplined approach in the draft.
Conversely, multiple drivers who started near the front were unable to maintain track position. May, despite starting on pole, fell back to seventh by the finish. Ryan Testa and Nick Steinseifer also experienced setbacks relative to their starting positions.
Further down the order, incident counts and attrition appeared to impact several competitors, contributing to laps lost and shaping the final running order. A handful of drivers were unable to complete the full distance, including Marc Bender, John Cook, and Isaac Mykel, who were listed as disconnected.
Top 10 Finishers
- Chris Romano
- Lucas Bray
- Howard Peeples
- Joseph Essenberg
- Joshua Hyatt
- Gerrad Essenberg
- Gary May
- Chris Etchepare
- Art Milne
- Justin Young
Race Stat Box
Track: Daytona International Speedway (Oval)
Series: AARN O’Reilly’s Series Presented by Ideal Pests Management LLC
Race Length: 90 laps
Winner: Chris Romano
Pole Sitter: Gary May
Fastest Lap: Joshua Hyatt (47.391)
Most Laps Led: Chris Romano (38)
Notable Stats:
- Closest Finish: 0.110 seconds (Romano over Bray)
- Biggest Mover: Howard Peeples (17th → 3rd)
- Cleanest Top-5 Run: Joshua Hyatt (0 laps led, 5th place, low incident count)
- Highest Incident Count (Lead Lap): Howard Peeples (16 incidents)
Conclusion
In a race defined by pack racing dynamics and constant lead changes, execution in the closing laps proved to be the difference. Romano’s ability to control the draft and maintain position under pressure set the benchmark in the season opener.
With a deep field and multiple drivers demonstrating front-running speed, the opening race at Daytona established an early tone for what appears to be a highly competitive inaugural season in the AARN O’Reilly’s Series.
All American Racing Network 
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