4/8/2026
California 305 Sprint Series
DANELL DEFIES THE ODDS TO SCORE FIRST CAREER WIN AT TULARE THUNDERBOWL RACEWAY
DANELL DEFIES THE ODDS TO SCORE FIRST CAREER WIN AT Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway
Tulare Thunderbowl | 3/28/26 — If you were looking for a storybook ending, you found it Saturday night at Tulare Thunderbowl.
Connor Danell, wheeling the Pennzoil black and yellow No. 5D, captured his first-ever sprint car victory—and he did it in dramatic, unforgettable fashion at one of his home tracks.
For years, Danell has been a familiar name at the famed Thunderbowl. Born into a family deeply rooted in sprint car racing, the speed has always been there—but so has the heartbreak. Tulare hasn’t always been kind to him. Still, anyone who’s watched knew it wasn’t a matter of if he’d win… it was when.
No one expected that “when” to come just 24 hours after disaster.
Friday night took a terrifying turn in corner two when Danell made hard contact with the wall. The car climbed, twisted, and came down in a wild ride that left the crowd holding its breath. Thankfully, he climbed out uninjured—but the car was destroyed. A closer look revealed the chassis had been sitting on the frame—damage beyond repair.
That car’s story ended Friday night.
But Danell’s didn’t.
Fueled by determination, Connor, his father Justin Danell, and their crew went straight to work. Through the night, piece by piece, they built a new car from the ground up—running on grit, adrenaline, and little to no sleep.
By Saturday, they were back.
And they were on a mission.
Danell timed in 5th quick in qualifying with a lap of 16.155—setting the tone early. Starting dead last (7th) in his heat race, he charged forward to finish 3rd, putting himself in prime position for the feature.
When the green flag dropped, it was clear: this was his night.
Danell was smooth, aggressive, and in complete control—planting the right rear and powering through the Thunderbowl with confidence. Even through multiple cautions and a red flag that eliminated four contenders, he never wavered.
Behind him? Heavy hitters.
Point leaders Davey Pombo and George Tristao Jr. were closing in—but Danell wasn’t giving an inch.
Lap after lap, he held his line, hit his marks, and stayed composed under pressure.
Then it happened.
The checkered flag flew—and with it, a moment years in the making.
Connor Danell is officially a winner.
From a destroyed car on Friday… to victory lane on Saturday.
You couldn’t script it any better.
Surrounded by family, friends, and the crew that made it all possible, Danell celebrated a win that meant more than just a trophy—it was proof of perseverance, passion, and never backing down.
Congratulations, Connor Danell—your first win is one no one will ever forget.
Article Credit: Alicia Garges
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