Dover Ends Early After Opening-Lap Damage
Tuesday night's APEX Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway came to an early and difficult end for Misael Flores and the No. 27 M. Flores Racing Toyota. Contact with the wall during the opening laps left the car with significant damage and made the trip back to pit road increasingly difficult.
While Flores attempted to guide the damaged No. 27 onto pit road, the car bounced off the apron and moved back into traffic, resulting in a major multi-car accident. The incident was not intentional, and Flores offered a sincere apology to every driver affected.
"I am very sorry for what happened," Flores said after the race. "The car had a lot of damage after I hit the wall early, and when I tried to get to pit road it bounced off the apron and came back into traffic. It was absolutely not intentional. I hate that other drivers were caught up in it, and I apologize to everyone involved."
The No. 27 was credited with a DNF after starting 19th and completing 29 laps. With Dover now in the rearview mirror, Flores and the team are turning their full attention toward Charlotte next week, determined to regroup and move forward.
Post-Race: SummerSlam 499
It wasn't the result we were hoping for tonight. We came home 16th, which unfortunately meant we were eliminated in the first round after missing the Top 12 transfer positions.
The race itself was absolute chaos. There were two massive wrecks that collected a lot of the field, but our team never gave up. We were able to get the #27 repaired under caution each time and fought our way back onto the lead pack. Considering the damage we had, recovering to 16th says a lot about the effort everyone put in.
The toughest moment came on the final Green-White-Checkered restart. I got trapped behind a heavily damaged car that unfortunately didn't move out of the way or let the field know how much speed they had lost. That created a huge gap to the main draft, and at a superspeedway that's pretty much the end of your chance to fight for the transfer spots. I'll admit I'm frustrated because I felt we had more to give, but sometimes that's just how racing goes. You win some, and you learn from others.
A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me and the #27 team throughout the SummerSlam. While our run ends earlier than we wanted, the focus shifts immediately to the Doghouse Group 6 Cup Series, which kicks off next week. We'll put this one behind us, get back to work, and come back stronger. Congratulations to everyone who advanced, and we'll see you all again at the PGR 500 in February 2027.
Flores Charges Through the Field for Top-15 Finish at Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen International delivered exactly what everyone expected on Tuesday night - a demanding road course battle where every lap mattered. For Misael Flores and the No. 27 Team ACR Toyota, the night was all about perseverance, strategy, and making the most of every opportunity.
After qualifying 26th, Flores knew he had his work cut out for him. Staying patient through the opening laps, the No. 27 team steadily picked off positions while avoiding the mistakes that caught out several competitors throughout the race. As the laps wound down, Flores continued to make calculated passes and capitalize on strong pace, climbing an impressive 13 positions to finish the race in 13th.
"It definitely wasn't an easy race," Flores said afterward. "Watkins Glen is one of those tracks where one mistake can ruin your entire night, so the focus was staying clean, hitting our marks, and taking advantage when opportunities came our way. The team gave me a great car that got better as the race went on, and we just kept digging."
The result was another solid points night for Team ACR, with the organization showing speed throughout the field. Flores also praised teammate Braxton after an outstanding drive to a top-five finish, calling it a huge result for the team and a testament to the work everyone continues to put in behind the scenes.
"Congratulations to Braxton on bringing home a top five. That's a massive run, and it's great to see our team continuing to put multiple cars near the front. Everyone back at the garage deserves credit for the preparation they put into these cars every week. Nights like this don't happen without the people behind the scenes."
While a podium was just out of reach, moving from 26th to 13th highlighted the determination of the No. 27 team and provided another valuable points haul heading into next week's event. With momentum continuing to build, Flores and Team ACR will look to carry that confidence into the next race as they continue their climb up the championship standings.
Replay Clears the Air After Heated Lap 67 Clash in APEX Cup League
One of the biggest storylines to emerge from Tuesday night's APEX Cup League event came on Lap 67 when Trey Whitehead, driver of the No. 30 Chevrolet, and Misael Flores in the No. 27 became tangled while battling for position. The intense fight through the closing stages of the iRacing race ended with both drivers making contact and crashing into the outside wall, bringing an abrupt end to what had been a hard-fought battle. In the immediate aftermath, Whitehead believed Flores had caused the incident and voiced his frustration over the radio, creating one of the most heated moments of the night.
As the dust settled after the checkered flag, Whitehead returned to the iRacing replay to get another look at the incident. Viewing the crash from multiple angles, it became clear that the No. 30 had drifted up the track and initiated the contact that ultimately sent both cars into the wall. After reviewing the footage, Whitehead acknowledged that his initial assessment was incorrect and accepted responsibility for the accident, bringing a quick end to the post-race controversy.
While the Lap 67 incident briefly sparked emotions across the APEX Cup League paddock, it also highlighted the professionalism and sportsmanship that define the series. In a league where every position matters and competition is fierce from green flag to checkered flag, split-second incidents are inevitable. By taking the time to review the replay and own the mistake, Whitehead helped turn a heated exchange into a positive example of accountability. For Flores, the replay validated what he experienced behind the wheel, and the incident now stands as one of the defining moments from another action-packed night of APEX Cup League racing.
M. Flores Racing Launches Official Driver Website
The #27 program now has a central home for schedule updates, results, sponsor opportunities, gallery content, and team announcements.
Kansas Run Adds Three Spots For The #27
The #27 gained three positions at Kansas Speedway, starting 28th and finishing 25th in the NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen Toyota Camry.
Next Up: Echo Park In Apex Cup Series
Misael Flores and the #27 program turn focus to Echo Park on July 14 for the next Apex Cup Series Season 2 race night.
Partner Slots Open For The #27 Program
Primary, associate, equipment, and content partner placements are available for brands looking to connect with sim racing audiences.