Jared Fryar, Luke Baldwin take home checkered flags at Orange County

The journey back to victory for 2020 zMAX CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour champion Jared Fryar was a challenging one.

An offseason leg fracture before 2024 limited Fryar to only two CARS LMSC Tour appearances that year, both resulting in top five finishes. These strong performances motivated Fryar, who was keen to demonstrate the speed of Jimmy Mooring’s Late Model Stock during a part-time 2025 schedule.

Fryar delivered one of his finest performances in a Late Model Stock by dominating the latter half of the Folsom Fence Supply 250, ending a nearly two-year winless streak. Luke Baldwin joined Fryar in Cook Out Victory Lane on Saturday evening for his first CARS PLM Tour victory.

The last time Fryar won a CARS LMSC Tour event at Caraway Speedway in 2023, he did so despite not being the first to cross the finish line.

Layne Riggs initially won at Caraway that night until Fryar inherited the victory when Riggs was disqualified due to a post-race technical violation. Riggs was the competitor Fryar had to overtake at Orange County Speedway on Saturday for a meaningful victory that reinforced Fryar’s confidence.

“I’m incredibly fortunate to win at this level,” Fryar said. “I don’t get to race as often as I’d like, but we make the most of it and I have a great team behind me. Winning these races is very special and they’re incredibly tough. When everything aligns like it did [on Saturday], it means a lot to me and my team.”

Even before his leg injury, Fryar had already begun reducing his racing schedule to focus on other pursuits. Despite this, Fryar remains a strong contender whenever he competes in Late Model Stock events with Jimmy Mooring’s No. 14.

The pair didn’t have the opportunity to showcase their well-known synergy in the 2025 LMSC Tour opener at New River All-American Speedway, as a restart crash on lap five ended Fryar’s race. Orange County provided a fresh start for Fryar, who quickly moved up to the lead from his fifth starting position.

Fryar’s victory at Orange County marks his fifth career LMSC Tour win, an achievement he finds challenging in many ways. Being a part-time racer hasn’t diminished Fryar’s determination and resolve, as he plans to continue winning in the same car that earned him a championship nearly five years ago.

“It’s quite rare for someone like me to compete at this level,” Fryar said. “I’ve been racing with the CARS [Tour] for [about eight years] and it’s been a lot of fun. Continuing to win is very special. This series is the toughest, and I don’t think there’s anything harder in circle track racing. I love [Orange County] and I’m thrilled we got the win.”