Cunningham Breaks Through at Texas for First C-Open Victory

FORT WORTH, Texas — Connor Cunningham entered Tuesday night sitting directly on the early-season playoff cutline. He left Texas Motor Speedway with something considerably more valuable: his first Major League Sim Racing C-Open Series victory.

Cunningham put together his strongest performance of the season in Round 5, leading 50 of 136 laps and holding off a charging Shawn Hook to score the victory by just 0.108 seconds.

The final margin told only part of the story.

Texas produced long green-flag stretches, changing track conditions, pit strategy and a constantly evolving battle at the front before Cunningham ultimately emerged with control when it mattered most.

A Race That Changed Early

Adam Ramsey started from the pole for Team Ignition, but Spectre Speed immediately made its presence known.

Max Ford grabbed the opening lap with Timothy Harper and Cunningham behind him, briefly putting three Spectre Speed trucks at the front. Ramsey quickly fought back, eventually reclaiming the lead as the opening portion of the race developed into a multi-truck battle involving Cunningham, Zack Domer, Shawn Hook and others.

An early caution shuffled the running order and put Cunningham at the head of the field for the restart. He fired away with a strong jump, but Ramsey worked his way back alongside and reclaimed the lead around Lap 15.

From there, Texas began showing what would define the night: long runs and strategy.

With fuel estimated at roughly 28–32 laps, the first cycle of green-flag stops became a major factor. Ramsey was among the early leaders to commit to pit road, temporarily handing the lead to Hook as teams began choosing between the undercut, track position and stretching their fuel window.

Cunningham Emerges

As the race developed, Cunningham continued putting himself back into contention.

The No. 84 had started sixth and remained a factor throughout the night before becoming the dominant truck statistically. By the finish, Cunningham had accumulated 50 laps led — more than any other driver in the field.

But he wasn't alone.

Hook methodically worked forward from the 11th starting position, while John Williams continued another impressive C-Open performance after rolling off 10th. Howard Peeples remained in contention, and Christian Barnes — winner of the previous three C-Open races — climbed from 13th despite facing the deepest starting position of the primary contenders.

The result was a loaded group fighting for the victory as the race moved toward its conclusion.

One Final Restart

The deciding moment came late.

Cunningham controlled the restart and immediately began building an advantage while Hook moved into pursuit. Williams secured third as the leaders separated themselves from the traffic behind.

With the white flag approaching, Cunningham had only one job left: keep the No. 84 underneath him.

Behind the leaders, the field was slipping and sliding as drivers fought for every remaining position.

Hook closed.

But he ran out of time.

Cunningham carried the No. 84 through Turns 3 and 4 for the final time and crossed the line 0.108 seconds ahead of Hook, securing his first victory through the opening five races of MLSR's inaugural C-Open season.

Williams crossed just 0.378 seconds behind the winner, completing an exceptionally tight podium.

For Cunningham, the victory also carried significant championship implications after beginning the night around the playoff cutline.

Hook Nearly Steals His Home Race

One of the night's biggest performances belonged to Shawn Hook.

Starting 11th, Hook steadily worked toward the front, spent time leading during the green-flag pit cycle and ultimately put himself in position to challenge Cunningham for the victory.

Hook's night was made more impressive by the adversity he described afterward, including an incident and connection issues. Despite those problems, he recovered to finish second in what he called a meaningful result at his home race in Texas.

Williams' third-place finish continued his own surge. After the race, he noted that Texas marked his second consecutive C-Open podium, establishing the No. 57 as another driver beginning to find consistency as the season develops.

The Top Five

Cunningham took the victory ahead of Hook and Williams, while Howard Peeples finished fourth after leading 17 laps.

Barnes completed the top five after starting 13th, ending his remarkable three-race winning streak but still collecting another strong result.

Ramsey finished sixth after winning the pole and leading 19 laps. Richard Wilson Jr. finished seventh, Chris Romano eighth, Chris Etchepare ninth and Austin Craven completed the top 10 in his C-Open debut.

For Cunningham, though, Texas represented something bigger than another good points night.

Five races into Season 1, the No. 84 is officially an MLSR winner.