$10,000 “NOT” to Win? Sportsman Nationals Flips the Script on Racing Strategy
$10,000 “NOT” to Win? Sportsman Nationals Flips the Script on Racing Strategy
The Sportsman racing world is buzzing after Frank Cozze and Doug Rose announced a game-changing twist for the 2025 Harry’s U-Pull-It Sportsman Grand Nationals: $10,000 for finishing third.
Yes, you read that right—third place pays the most.
In an industry where complaints often center on all the big money going to the winner, Cozze and Rose are turning that notion on its head. Racers now have to think differently. With the right strategy, drivers could still pocket over $7,000 for the win or $5,500 for second—but third? That’s the golden spot.
“Racing is entertainment, and this concept is going to add a ton of drama and excitement,” said Rose. “Fans will be lined up at the gates just to see how this plays out.”
For the 100-lap Nationals will it be Strategy Over Speed? Drivers usually plan their fuel loads, tire conservation, and aggression levels. Now, they’ll also have to decide what’s more important: the glory of the win, or the biggest paycheck.
“With Cozze’s twist, drivers have to think about whether they want to win, or go for the $10,000 sitting in third place,” added Rose. “This is going to add a whole new layer to the strategies teams put in place.”
Cozze addressed concerns from fans and drivers alike. “People are joking about guys jamming the brakes on at the finish, but that’s not realistic,” he said. “If you slam on the brakes, you’re more likely to finish tenth than third. If you want to hit that third spot, you’ll need to plan it out well before the final lap. I think the last five laps are going to be absolutely wild.”
Big Bonuses and Big Payouts. Thanks to long-time supporter Giel’s Automotive, there’s a $1,000 bonus for the leader with two laps to go and another $1,000 for the driver running third at halfway. The winner will also receive a set of Integra Shocks valued at $1,200, and multiple other cash prizes and giveaways will be awarded.
“I wanted the halfway point to serve as a test run,” Cozze said. “Let them figure out what it takes to get to third, and then decide how they want to finish the race.”
Dave Adams, of DA’s Auto Body will be heading up lap money bringing even more bonuses to the 100 lap feature event. If a driver plays his strategy correctly he could inch closer to that $10,000 threshold.
The Harry’s U-Pull-It Sportsman Grand Nationals is more than a race—It’s an Experience. The historic event returns October 10–11, with open practice for all divisions available Thursday, October 9. The Friday night program features four 20-lap qualifiers, each paying $500 to win, $300 for second, and $100 for third. Saturday’s main event includes a last-chance qualifier followed by the 100-lap showdown.
Supporting divisions for both nights include Sprint Cars (Mid Atlantic Sprint Series), 4 Cylinder Stock Cars, and Vintage Modifieds.
Tech will remain thorough for this event as the RUSH Series returns for technical inspection duties, with Bridgeport tech official, Pete Telesco assisting.
Last year’s inaugural event drew 58 Sportsman cars from across NY, NJ, PA, DE, and MD. Rose expects even more in 2025, with potential entries from Canada. “Donovan Lussier came down from Quebec and won $4,444 in his first visit. That kind of buzz is spreading.”
“This is a weekend for the Sportsman teams,” said Rose. “They deserve their time in the spotlight and the chance to race for real money. But even more, we wanted to give them a fun, stress-free atmosphere.”
The weekend also includes free camping, a Friday night after-party and bonfire, and a sense of community not often found at big-money events.