Cornett Breaks Through at Richmond as Late Strategy Delivers B-Open Victory

RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond Raceway demanded patience for 175 laps. Chris Cornett had enough of it left when it mattered most.

Cornett captured his first victory of the season after a race that evolved from tire management into a late strategic battle, beating Brandon Hunsinger to the checkered flag by 2.573 seconds. Jacob Durbin completed the podium in third, followed by Dustin Coggin and James Beard.

For Cornett and Killswitch Motorsports, the victory was the breakthrough they had been building toward.

“I knew we were going in the right direction. I love this track. I kind of like these cars. I’m getting better at them.” — Chris Cornett

Cornett credited his team after the race for giving him the car and information he needed, particularly while navigating traffic during the closing run.

Hunsinger Takes Control

Ethan Thompson entered Richmond carrying momentum from his dominant Michigan victory and immediately looked capable of going back-to-back.

Starting from the pole, Thompson controlled the early portion of the race while Cornett and Hunsinger remained within striking distance. Richmond's abrasive surface quickly turned the race into a test of who could preserve the right-front tire without surrendering too much track position.

Hunsinger eventually showed his hand.

After stalking Thompson through the opening run, the No. 18 worked alongside him before completing the pass and taking the lead. Cornett followed through shortly afterward, dropping Thompson to third as the balance of power began shifting toward the two cars that would ultimately decide the race.

Hunsinger would lead a race-high 81 laps, establishing himself as the dominant driver for much of the night.

But Richmond wasn't finished changing the equation.

One Final Decision

A late caution created the defining strategic moment.

Hunsinger and several other contenders came to pit road, while others stayed out. Cornett knew immediately that the restart would require aggression without crossing the line into recklessness.

With Hunsinger restarting deeper in the field, Cornett's objective was simple: get ahead of the No. 18 before Hunsinger could capitalize on his tires.

“I got to get in front of him somehow,” Cornett explained afterward, while acknowledging that he couldn't afford to overdrive the car and create the mistake that would end his own race.

Cornett executed.

He worked his way into clean air and, once out front, never gave Hunsinger the opportunity to answer. The gap stretched through the final run, and after 33 laps led, Cornett crossed the line 2.573 seconds ahead to secure the Richmond victory.

Hunsinger settled for second after leading nearly half the race, while teammate Jacob Durbin finished third to give their organization two cars on the podium.

Beard Charges Through the Field

While the fight for the victory unfolded at the front, James Beard quietly authored one of the night's most impressive performances.

Beard failed to record a qualifying time and started 24th in the 25-car field, leaving him with virtually the entire field to navigate on a track where completing a pass could take several laps.

It didn't matter.

Beard was already up ten positions during the opening portion of the race and continued climbing throughout the night. By the finish, he had reached fifth place — a gain of 19 positions.

Dustin Coggin also produced a major charge, advancing from 14th to fourth.

A Costly Night for Thompson

For Ethan Thompson, Richmond represented a dramatic reversal from Michigan.

The pole sitter led 40 laps and was firmly in the fight for another victory during the opening stages. But his night unraveled before the finish, leaving Thompson credited with only 116 of the scheduled 175 laps and a 23rd-place finish.

The result carried significant championship implications.

Thompson entered Richmond second in the standings after his Michigan victory, while Hunsinger was among the drivers chasing him. With Hunsinger finishing second and Thompson deep in the order, the championship picture could look considerably different heading into the next round. The broadcast noted afterward that Hunsinger could potentially emerge as the new points leader once the results were made official.

For Cornett, Richmond was more than another strong performance. After entering the night just outside the championship cut line and telling the broadcast one week earlier that his team was getting closer, Round 5 finally produced the result they had been chasing.

This time, close became a win.

The MLSR B-Open Series now turns its attention to Chicagoland Speedway for Round 6, where a tightening championship battle moves from Richmond's three-quarter-mile short track to the season's first traditional mile-and-a-half oval