Race Recap NextGen
Auto Club Speedway
Fri, Apr 17, 2026Round 5
Wild Ride at Auto Club Speedway: Dynda Survives 8-Caution Thriller
Race at a Glance
🏁Field Size
23
🔄Laps
104
⏱Avg Lap Time
53.626
🟡Cautions
8
⚠️Caution Laps
24
🔀Lead Changes
8
🛡️Clean Runners
2
🏎️Lead Lap Finishers
15
Winner Spotlight
Max Dynda
P1 Finish
Max Dynda
Started P4 • Inc 1
Nicolas Deal
Started P15 • Inc 1
Brandon Cotten
Started P1 • Inc 1
Race Story
Max Dynda captured the victory at Auto Club Speedway in DES NextGen action, navigating 8 lead changes across a competitive field of 23 cars to take the checkered flag from P4.
After starting in the 4 position, Max Dynda methodically worked through the field, making strategic passes and capitalizing on opportunities to reach victory lane.
Nicolas Deal secured second place, just behind Max Dynda. Brandon Cotten rounded out the podium in third.
The hard charger award goes to Thomas Long6, who gained 15 positions from the starting grid to the checkered flag.
The race saw 8 caution periods, covering 24 laps, while 2 of 23 drivers completed the event without a single incident.
With the win, Max Dynda adds another trophy to the cabinet. Full results below.
Top Movers
Thomas Long23
▲ +15Nicolas Deal10
▲ +13Jamie Howell98
▲ +13Finishing Order
| Finish | Start | +/- | Car # | Driver | Inc | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | +3 | 48 | Max Dynda | 1x | — |
| 2 | 15 | +13 | 10 | Nicolas Deal | 1x | — |
| 3 | 1 | -2 | 71 | Brandon Cotten | 1x | — |
| 4 | 3 | -1 | 45 | Tiyler Walts | 4x | — |
| 5 | 12 | +7 | 5 | Brandon M Hinton | 4x | — |
| 6 | 19 | +13 | 98 | Jamie Howell | 0x | — |
| 7 | 9 | +2 | 81 | Dylan Hinton | 5x | — |
| 8 | 23 | +15 | 23 | Thomas Long | 4x | — |
| 9 | 21 | +12 | 84 | Jeff Dynda | 2x | — |
| 10 | 11 | +1 | 74 | Tyler Smith | 4x | — |
| 11 | 14 | +3 | 99 | Christian Clark | 9x | — |
| 12 | 13 | +1 | 1 | Gerry Bergeron | 12x | — |
| 13 | 16 | +3 | 25 | Donald Ristau | 8x | — |
| 14 | 17 | +3 | 47 | Paul Mrzywka | 1x | — |
| 15 | 7 | -8 | 69 | Todd Parent | 12x | — |
| 16 | 20 | +4 | 82 | Jacob Akers | 4x | — |
| 17 | 8 | -9 | 20 | Robert Sanders | 11x | — |
| 18 | 2 | -16 | 79 | Michael Scimia | 10x | — |
| 19 | 10 | -9 | 12 | Ryan Godfrey | 14x | — |
| 20 | 6 | -14 | 24 | Brock Santa Maria | 8x | — |
| 21 | 5 | -16 | 97 | Jonathon Howell | 4x | — |
| 22 | 18 | -4 | 63 | Craig Knoll | 9x | — |
| 23 | 22 | -1 | 73 | John W Crosby | 0x | — |