Indianapolis, IN– In a race defined by attrition and daring strategy, Austin Collins (#74) emerged victorious at Indianapolis Raceway Park, securing his first Output Series win in a nail-biting finish. The second round of the season delivered edge-of-your-seat action with a record-breaking 16 cautions, an anomaly for a league accustomed to cleaner racing, and an improbable no-pit strategy propelling Collins to the checkered flag.

Early on, it seemed like Andrew Hennessy (#94) was poised to dominate, leading all 40 laps of the opening stage and building a comfortable lead as chaos reigned behind him. "The clean air is massive here,” said Hennessy, reflecting on his early dominance. “The car was very loose in the lead, but I was able to save tires pretty good.”

Unfortunately for Hennessy, a pit road miscue later in the race would derail his quest for victory lane. Meanwhile, Pocono winner Andrew Griesbaum (#21) saw his hopes of a repeat victory dashed early when contact on a lap 24 restart sent him spinning, causing significant damage that ultimately ended his race prematurely.

Adding to the tumultuous evening, a multi-car pileup on a lap 44 restart further shuffled the field. The incident, triggered by David Brown (#96) seemingly missing a shift, took out several contenders but miraculously resulted in only four drivers officially retiring, a testament to the resilience of the competitors and the quick work of the virtual crews.

As the race crossed the halfway point, tire strategy became a focal point as drivers grappled with whether to pit for fresh rubber or gamble on making it to the finish on worn tires. Austin Collins, sensing an opportunity, opted for the latter, staying out during a caution period while the majority of the field dove into the pits.

"I tried every strategy this week," laughed Collins after the race, "I'm going to be the one to throw my hat in.” Little did he know, that gamble would pay off handsomely.

His worn tires proved to be no match for his determination. Collins cycled to the lead and masterfully navigated multiple late-race restarts, holding off hard-charging challengers like Scott Rickard (#05) and Frederick Cremeens (#14) on fresher tires. The closing laps were a masterclass in tire conservation and defensive driving by Collins.

"I wasn’t sure if (the no-stop) would work or not,” admitted a jubilant Collins after the race. “It just came down to trying to stay up front, and that’s what got me the win tonight." He even managed to set the fastest lap of the race on the final lap, further proving his strategy's brilliance.

Hennessy, meanwhile, saw his early dominance evaporate after a costly pit road miscue. Undershooting his pit box during his sole pit stop, he became mired in traffic and could only salvage a third-place finish. “I should have just stayed out, honestly,” lamented Hennessy.

Cremeens continued his impressive start to the season with a well-earned second-place finish, showcasing his talent and composure amidst the chaos. “Those first two restarts I really botched 'em," confessed Cremeens, highlighting the steep learning curve. "Those restarts kind of helped me out because I got some good practice uh for the future."

Matt Sisoler (#93), starting in 27th, earned the Autism Awareness Hard Charger award with a gutsy drive to 13th. “It was a blast of a race tonight even with walking in fairly blind,” said Sisler, acknowledging his lack of practice at the track.

In the team standings, Team Watson Racing SJ Division extended their lead thanks to strong performances from Collins and Joe Slama (#9). They now sit 21 points ahead of Wolf Pack Racing.

The chaotic race had significant implications for the championship standings. Collins' win vaulted him to within one point of leader Hennessy. Rickard, Thomas Harmon, and Cremeens round out the top five.

With the series shifting gears to the high-banks of Daytona International Speedway next week, drivers and fans alike are bracing for another unpredictable showdown. Collins, riding high after his Indianapolis triumph, perfectly captured the anticipation: "Daytona is one of those tracks where it's…a whole lot of luck…Hopefully at the end, I'll be able to either be pushing somebody to the win or getting pushed to the win."