S.M.A.S.H iRacing Cup Series: Patrick Hernandez Takes Control at North Wilkesboro

By S.M.A.S.H — April 18, 2026

Saturday night at North Wilkesboro belonged to Patrick Hernandez.

In the latest S.M.A.S.H Cup Series race, Hernandez delivered a commanding performance over 175 laps, taking the win after leading 141 laps and turning the fastest lap of the race with a 18.6178. It was the kind of run that never really let the rest of the field settle in, and by the end, Hernandez had made the No. 91 the clear story of the night.

A Race Defined at the Front

North Wilkesboro is a track that rewards control, and Hernandez had it from the moment it mattered most. Starting fourth, he worked his way forward and took over the race, leading the overwhelming majority of the event while keeping the car clean the entire night with 0 incidents.

That kind of race matters at a place like North Wilkesboro. Over 175 laps, rhythm and discipline carry more weight than one aggressive move, and Hernandez had both.

Trammell Finishes Second, Oconnor Lands on the Podium

Behind the winner, Chris Trammell crossed the line in second after starting from pole and leading 10 laps of his own. Cody Oconnor finished third after another steady run, while

Shane Marcum and Austin Gum completed the top five.

The Top 5 order was:

1. Patrick Hernandez

2. Chris Trammell

3. Cody Oconnor

4. Shane Marcum

5. Austin Gum

   
   

Qualifying Set the Tone, but the Race Changed It

Chris Trammell opened the night with the pole, posting a 18.8476 in qualifying, while

Shane Marcum lined up second. But once the race settled in, Hernandez proved to have the strongest overall pace, eventually taking over the event and controlling it for most of the night.

The race itself featured 8 lead changes and 1 caution for 4 laps, which kept the flow intact and made long-run speed a major factor.

A Strong Night for the Winner

Hernandez did not just win. He won with authority.

Leading 141 laps, recording the best lap in the race, and finishing incident-free is about as complete a performance as you can put together at North Wilkesboro. In a Cup race where every mistake costs time, he gave almost nothing away.

Final Word

North Wilkesboro demands patience, precision, and the ability to stay locked in over a full run.

On Saturday night, Patrick Hernandez checked every box.

From the middle of the starting order to the front of the field, he put together the strongest race of the night and left North Wilkesboro with a well-earned S.M.A.S.H Cup Series win.