07/14/2026
Nice win Bricen James🏁
I-5 Silver Bullet Late Model Series
James Masters Historic First I-5 Silver Bullet Late Model Series Stop at Cottage Grove
By Ben Deatherage
Photo: OneLove Photography
COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (July 11, 2026) — Bricen James returned to the I-5 Silver Bullet Late Model Series presented by All In Property All-in Property Investments, LLC and Knuckle Buster Machine in dominant fashion, leading all 40 laps to win the inaugural series event at Cottage Grove Speedway.
The 40-lap feature, presented by Product41 and Zamp Racing, marked the first-ever I-5 Silver Bullet Late Model Series race at the historic Oregon oval. James, a two-time series champion from Albany, piloted the Schram Motorsports No. 13 to his first series victory of 2026 in his first series start of the season. It was the fifth series win of his career and his first since August 16, 2024, at Southern Oregon Speedway.
James outdueled Schram Motorsports teammate Collen Winebarger for the lead on the opening lap after the pair started on the front row. Once in clean air, James quickly established a comfortable advantage while Winebarger tried to keep pace.
Lapped traffic entered the picture before the first 10 laps were complete, but James sliced through slower cars with ease. A caution on lap 14 erased his lead, but he was flawless on the restart.
Defending series champion and 2026 Clair Cup winner Joey Tanner moved into third after the restart before another caution slowed the field on lap 16. Justin Duty regained the position on the ensuing green flag, but James again drove away from the field.
Lapped traffic became a factor once more on lap 24 before another caution on lap 26 appeared just as James was preparing to work through a heavy pack of slower cars.
The restart produced the race's best battle as Duty briefly took over second before Winebarger quickly reclaimed the spot. Another caution one lap later reset the field, and the pair continued their spirited battle for the runner-up position, allowing James to once again build a comfortable advantage.
Cautions with less than ten to go produced additional side-by-side racing between Winebarger and Duty, while Tanner joined the battle for the podium. Winebarger ultimately secured second, with Duty holding off Tanner for third.
James cruised over the closing laps to seal the historic victory. Winebarger finished second, followed by Duty, Tanner, and McLain Beaudoin.
James also swept several contingency awards during the evening, earning the Hoosier Tire West Tire Award, Driving Force Graphics Fastest Feature Lap Award with a 14.780-second circuit, the Bio-Med Testing Service Inc Halfway Leader Bonus, and a Penske Racing Shocks $100 gift certificate. Winebarger received a Penske Racing Shocks $75 gift certificate, while Duty collected the $50 Penske Racing Shocks certificate.
Keiron Cummings received both the Dynamic Drivelines "Shafted Award" and the Hard Luck Award, with series technical director Ed Waldrop adding a $100 bonus. Craig Hanson was selected by Jeremy Brehmeyer to receive a $100 bonus and a case of beer, while John Gamell earned the Jeremy Brehmeyer Locked-In $50 Bonus. Randy Barley charged from 16th to 11th to claim the James Gang Pizza Hard Charger Award worth $150.
Clark Guglielmoni picked up a Hoosier Tire West Tire Award, the Pratum Co-op Never Quit Award, and the Keizer Racing Wheels Back-Up Award. Beaudoin earned the Swift Springs Lucky 5 Award along with a Ho**er Harness "Hooked in Fifth" $100 certificate for already competing with Ho**er Harness equipment.
Tanner paced qualifying with a fast lap of 13.192 seconds, while Tanner, Ian Whisler and Eston Whisler each captured Left Coast Motorsports heat race victories.
A total of 22 cars signed in for the historic event.
Tanner leaves Cottage Grove atop the championship standings with a 12-point advantage over Duty. Brothers Ian and Eston Whisler rank third and fourth, respectively, while Beaudoin rounds out the top five in points.
The I-5 Silver Bullet Late Model Series next heads to Grays Harbor Raceway in Elma, Washington, for a two-night swing on Friday and Saturday, July 17-18.
