Lee Chang-wook Crowned 'Night Emperor' with Second Win of the 2025 Superrace Season

Dominating the Night: Lee Chang-wook's Second Victory of the Season

On June 14, 2025, Lee Chang-wook of Kumho SLM showcased an overwhelming performance at the Superrace Night Race held at Inje Speedium. Competing in the Toyota Gazoo Racing 6000 class, he completed the 40-lap race on the 3.908 km circuit in 1 hour 7 minutes 44.131 seconds, crossing the finish line first and securing his second win of the season after leading from pole position.

Fierce Competition and Strategic Mastery

Despite intense pressure from teammate No Dong-gi, who started from seventh grid due to a penalty but impressively climbed to second place, Lee maintained his lead throughout. The race highlighted critical pit stop strategies, especially the timing of fuel and rear tire changes, which Lee and his team executed flawlessly to maintain race dominance and endurance in the challenging night conditions.

Emerging Talents and Podium Surprises

Henjan Ryoma of Brand New Racing, in his debut season, earned his first podium by finishing third after a penalty reshuffled the official results. This marked a significant milestone for the young driver and added excitement to the 6000 class competition, which demanded high concentration from drivers and teams due to the race’s length and night setting.

GTA and GTB Class Highlights

In the GTA class, Jeong Kyung-hoon of Bit R&D secured his second win of the season, followed by Han Min-kwan of Brand New Racing and debutant Jang Jun. Meanwhile, the GTB class saw Lee Jung-hoon of Leopard Racing take first place, with Lee Jae-in and Yoo Yong-gyun completing the podium.

LiSTA M and Superbike Championship Updates

Kim Hyun-soo of Giant Factory staged a late-race comeback to win the LiSTA M class, followed by Kim Gun-woo and Hong Chan-ho. The Korea Superbike Championship crowned No Jeong-gil (K1 1000) and Jung Yong-gu (K1 600) as winners, reinforcing their reputation as two-wheel racing specialists.

Return of Formula Korea & Japan Classes

After a three-year hiatus, the Formula Korea & Japan classes returned with strong performances from Japanese drivers Ryuma Sako and Kato Tatsuhiko of Team Japan, alongside Kang Ho-seon from Wonkwang University, who all claimed podium finishes, signaling renewed vitality in these categories.

Cultural Insight: The Night Race Phenomenon in Korean Motorsport

The Superrace Night Race is a unique spectacle in Korean motorsport culture, combining the thrill of endurance racing with the atmospheric challenge of night conditions. It demands not only speed but also strategic acumen and mental resilience from drivers and teams, making Lee Chang-wook's title as 'Night Emperor' a prestigious honor reflecting mastery over these demanding conditions.

Community Reactions and Fan Perspectives

Korean motorsport fans on platforms like Naver and Tistory blogs praised Lee Chang-wook’s flawless execution and strategic brilliance, with many highlighting the intense rivalry with No Dong-gi as a season highlight. Discussions also celebrated Henjan Ryoma’s breakthrough and the return of Formula Korea & Japan classes, signaling growing excitement and engagement in the Korean racing community.

Looking Ahead: The Road to the Superrace Championship

With two wins already, Lee Chang-wook is a strong contender for the season championship. The strategic depth and competitive spirit displayed in the night race set the tone for an exhilarating remainder of the 2025 Superrace season, promising more thrilling battles on Korea’s premier racing circuits.