Jake Finch Continues Hot Streak, Wins Allen Turner PLM Opener

Jake Finch's hot start to the 2026 season continued in Friday's Road to the Snowflake opener at Five Flags Speedway.

Finch entered the night undefeated in Pro Late Model competition on the year. The Florida driver has piloted the famed Ronnie Sanders Racing No. 18 to victories in the Alabama 200 at Montgomery Motor Speedway, the Baby Rattler at South Alabama Speedway, and a Pro Late Model win at Cordele Motor Speedway.

The winning streak continued on Friday, as Finch dominated the 100-lap contest to kick off the Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series at the Pensacola, Florida half-mile.

While Finch's car wasn't entirely to his liking, it was fast enough to lead from start to finish on Friday night.

"We struggled there a little bit," said Finch in victory lane. "We were pretty loose, but luckily better than most. Hats off to everybody on this Ronnie Sanders 18 team. Obviously, we had a really good race car."

Before heading to Pensacola, Finch was on track at Talladega Superspeedway, placing third in ARCA Menards Series practice. He will start 12th for Saturday's ARCA race, looking for another victory at the 2.66-mile facility and another trip to victory lane in 2026.

"We've had a good year thus far," said Finch. "Four-for-four on the year, not too bad. Hopefully, we can go to Talladega and get another one.

"So far, so good. We'll just keep our head down and try to keep doing the same, and hopefully get a few more this year. The job's not finished, right?"

Finch has now scored Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series wins in three consecutive seasons. Last year, he claimed the championship for the four-race series of Pro Late Model events that prepare competitors for the annual Allen Turner Hyundai Snowflake 125 in December.

While Finch's evening was uneventful, a chaotic final six laps shook up the final running order. After a spree of cautions and incidents, Zack Dixon escaped the fray with a second-place finish.

"We had a really good hot rod tonight," said Dixon. "It got a little tight at the end. We just had to get up on the wheel and manhandle it."

While Ronnie Sanders celebrated in victory lane with Finch, he also had a hand in Dixon's runner-up finish, as well as Hunter and Joanna Robbins.

"I want to thank Ronnie Sanders for letting me borrow a motor this weekend," said Dixon.

"They play a huge part. They can teach you as much as I can, at least, remember. I ask a lot of questions, and I retain it. It's fun, we had a fun night tonight, and hopefully we'll be back for the next one."

Luke Yarbrough rounded out the podium after battling throughout the top five for much of the second half of the race. The podium finish builds on the momentum of a sixth-place effort in last year's Snowflake 125.

"I just can't thank these Fr8 Racing guys enough," Yarbrough said. "They work so hard. We've been down here for the past year trying to get a good result. It feels really good to finally be able to do that."

Jim Wall finished fourth, with Cody Martell rounding out the top five.

Racing returns to Five Flags Speedway on May 1 for the track's annual Meet the Drivers Night. Outlaws, Pure Stocks, Crown Stocks and Legacy Cars will be in action on that Friday night, with a pre-race autograph session planned for fans to meet their favorite local competitors.

Road to the Snowflake #1 Unofficial Results