Monahan Motorsports CARS Tour Debut Recap at Southern National

Brody Monahan made his first appearance at Southern National Motorsports Park this past weekend, competing in the CARS Tour race #1 behind the wheel of the Whelen Engineering #31 for Monahan Motorsports. Despite limited track time and challenging weather conditions, Brody showed promise by qualifying 10th and running competitively in the top 10 for much of the race.

Brody Monahan's Whelen Engineering #31 car racing at Southern National Motorsports Park

A Weekend of Firsts and Challenges

Southern National Motorsports Park was new territory for Brody Monahan. This unfamiliarity with the track layout and conditions posed a significant challenge right from the start. The team’s preparation was further complicated when Friday’s practice session was completely rained out. This meant Monahan Motorsports had only a single one-hour practice session on Saturday morning to dial in the car before qualifying.

With limited track time, the team focused on gathering as much data as possible during that brief window. Brody used the session to get a feel for the track’s banking, braking points, and racing line, and it didn't take long for the team to get up to speed, ending the one practice session 5th on the scoring pylon of 25 PLM entries. The team’s adjustments aimed to balance speed with longevity to prepare for the 100-lap race later that day.

CARS Tour Qualifying and Race Recap

Brody and crew standing on the front stretch during opening ceremonies.

Brody qualified 10th, a solid starting position given the circumstances. "I pretty much sold qualifying right there. It was super free there," said Monahan, although he still claimed a starting spot inside the top 10. However, starting in the top 10 allowed him to avoid early traffic and potential incidents that could often be found around mid-pack. Once the green flag dropped, Brody ran consistently in and around the top 10 for the first 50 laps, making gains up to 6th by halfway.

As the race progressed, the team encountered some handling issues that caused Brody to slip back in the field. To address this, Monahan Motorsports crew chief Scott Anderson made a strategic decision to bring the car in for a late pit stop to make adjustments. These changes aimed to improve the car’s balance for the final 30 laps.

Despite the setback, Brody finished the race in 15th place. While not the result the team hoped for, it was a respectable finish considering challenges faced during the race.

Looking Ahead for Monahan Motorsports

Monahan Motorsports is still actively seeking a funded driver to take over the entry for the remainder of the CARS Tour Pro Late Model season. The team’s focus remains on building a strong presence in the series and competing for top finishes.

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About Monahan Motorsports Driver Development

Monahan Motorsports is a dedicated Pro Late Model development team based in Mooresville, NC. Our team is passionate about motorsports and strives for excellence in every competition. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of performance and achieving success on and off the racetrack.

With top-of-the-line equipment and a veteran crew chief, we are prepared to win races and championships from the moment the racecar unloads from the hauler.

Contact us to explore opportunities as a funded driver to race full time for Monahan Motorsports in 2026.