Ronnie Williams Takes First World Series Win, Championship with Richie Evans Memorial Triumph

Timing was everything for Ronnie Williams in the Richie Evans Memorialon Friday night at New Smyrna Speedway.

Despite nine top-five finishes and 21 top-10s in 33 starts, Williams had never won a World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing event in the Tour-type Modified division. That changed on Friday night, as Williams claimed the elusive checkered flag in the 100-lap finale for the division.

The win in the prestigious Richie Evans Memorial was Williams' first in the World Series at New Smyrna Speedway. It also secured a hard-fought Tour-type Modified championship for the Connecticut native.

Coming off a disappointing loss to Patrick Emerling on Thursday night, Williams earned his first World Series victory in 34 starts, dating back to 2018.

"It feels good. We had the whole thing that happened yesterday," said Williams. "Things happen for a reason. I'm a big believer in that. That's why we keep coming back, and that's why we love this sport, right?"

Williams paced himself in the first half, working his way to fourth at the mid-race after running as far back as 10th. Following the halfway caution, Williams turned up the pressure, taking the lead from Jimmy Blewett on lap 63.

The mid-race caution proved to be the only time the yellow flag was displayed in the 100-lap contest. One night after late cautions undid a potential Williams win, there would be no such hurdle this time. The 2019 Tri-Track Modified Series champion cruised to a win by 3.6 seconds over Emerling.

"Car was good at the beginning," Williams said. "Just biding our time, following Emerling through. I knew he'd probably be a good one to judge how much we could use our stuff. Adam just went to work on the pit stop, made the thing better so I can drive it."

After building his lead, Williams just hoped another late-race caution wouldn't slow the pace and erase the advantage as it had done the night before.

"Going into the last four laps, I was just hoping there wasn't going to be another caution. I was like, just get through this minute here."

Emerling won the 2025 Tour-type Modified championship in the World Series of Asphalt, and put himself in position to contend for another title in spite of missing Monday's opener with engine issues. However, he had no answer for Williams on Friday night.

"The 50 was freaking rolling," said Emerling. "He ran a really smart, good race. Congrats to those guys and that whole crew. They busted their butts and had her dialed the last two nights.

"We were good. We were just a little bit off. He could just roll the center just a little bit better.

"This Richie Evans race, I think I've finished second over five times over the past many years. This is the one, I've never quite got it, but we'll be back again next year."

After spending time at the front of the field, Jimmy Blewett finished third. Coming off a year away from racing while battling health issues, scoring two podium finishes and four top-10s in five races during the World Series was an unbelievable feeling for the veteran racer.

"We have nothing to hang our heads about this week," said Blewett. "We ran up front, you know, pretty much the majority of the week. They knew we were here, 100 percent. We were just lacking that little bit. After the pit stop, the stagger just didn't come in where I hoped it would.

"I sure as hell know when I do win, that victory lane is going to be full. Not just my crew, but a lot of fans from the stands. I couldn't have made it through without all you guys, everybody back home, the list goes on. So many people reached out and kept in contact with me.

"Taking a full year off and then coming back to compete, contend with the best, you know? Patrick is one of the best, Ronnie's one of the best. They're powerhouse teams. We took this small team here out of Long Island with Joe's trailer from 1984 that he bought brand-new. Got a good car here. We came out, we contended, and they knew we were here."

Cam McDermott finished fourth, while 602 Modified World Series champion Paulie Hartwig, III rounded out the top five.

-Photo: Screenshot from FloRacing Broadcast

Richie Evans Memorial Unofficial Results