"Scott Thompson memorial race was an emotional, heart felt, and action packed night of racing"
In a classy, touching move after the race Ivedent Lloyd, presented Mr. Bill Thompson, Scott’s dad the winner’s trophy which had Scott’s photo on it
By Tim Sims
It was an emotional weekend as members of the NLMS family came to Volusia Speedway Park, to honor and pay tribute to their late friend, and competitor, Scott Thompson. As many know Scott Thompson, was the 2005 Late Model champion at Volusia Speedway Park, and was competing for the 2006 Bert Transmission Rookie Of The Year title with the NLMS, but 2 weeks earlier, Scott tragically lost his life in an automobile accident. This night was to honor his memory, with his #38 late model on display for fans to see, there was a $3800 bonus to the winner, the race would be a 38 lap feature, and not planned but, 38 competitors came to compete in his race.
The night got started with ADT security qualifying, and after 38 attempts for fast time, it was Jimmy Sharpe, who had his Rocket on a rail, and on the pole as the top 12 qualifiers would be locked into the main event after qualifying. The remainder of the field would be set via Mary Jane Cardwell last chance qualifying races, which were won by Jeremy Faircloth, Gene Ross, and Steve Lade. VSP promoter Dean Miracle had promoted earlier that there would be a B-Main for all non qualified drivers, which was won by David Showers, after a hard battle with Earl Boyett. Both drivers had such a good race and put on such a great show Miracle said “Let’s put both those guys in the main event,” which was done and now the field was set for the Main Event.
As the field of late models took to the speedway for their feature race, it was an emotional moment for the Thompson family, as long time friend Steve Mathis had taken the #38 car of Scott Thompson, out on to the speedway in the missing man formation, to honor Scott, and his family and friends. This was a touching tribute that touched the hearts of all who was there. The front row for the feature was Jimmy Sharpe on the pole, with Henry “Hurricane” Carter along side on the front row. Alex Vickers was inside second row in his new Rocket chassis, with the lone Ford in the field Stacey Roberts outside the second row.
When the green flag waved it looked like a high speed pace lap for the first 2 laps as the field raced side by side, but the caution came out when Chesley Dixon lost the handle on his machine, and collected Jay Carpenter, and Brett Carlton. Sharpe was the leader, and it appeared that Carter, and Vickers had missed the set up for the feature, and had dropped back. Stacey Roberts was in second place, followed by Mark Whitener, Jeff Henry, and Ivedent Lloyd. On the restart Sharpe took command once again, but Roberts had taken to the high side, and was coming after the leader, along with Mark Whitener.
As Roberts looked to pass Sharpe on the high side, Whitener made a move on Roberts on the low side to take over the number 2 spot, however for Whitener it was a short lived stint at the front, as his machine suffered a rare engine failure. On the ensuing restart Lloyd had found the high side to his liking, and passed Roberts to take over second, and now had set his sights on the leader Jimmy Sharpe, and in just a few laps Lloyd reeled in Sharpe, and took to the high side, and the two racers raced each other for 5 laps side by side, which brought the crowd to their feet.
Sharpe eventually lost traction off turn 2, just enough to let Lloyd clear him for the top spot, but the fat lady had not started warming up just yet, because Alex Vickers, had seen what Lloyd had done on the high side and moved up the race track just a bit, as now on this longer run his car had really come to him, and was on a rail. With 4 laps remaining Vickers had caught Lloyd, but passing him would be another story, and it was obvious that Vickers was lightening fast off of turn 4, and could make up the most ground on Lloyd at this spot, and it looked like Vickers would make it a last lap shoot out, but with 2 laps to go the caution came out as Dillon Wood, and Wayne Shugart got tangled up together for the final caution of the evening, and the field was red flagged, while the VSP crew cleared the speedway.
Scott Thompson's race car on display
As the field took the green, Sharpe tried to make a move back under Vickers for the number 2 spot as the two came to the checkers, but it was Ivedent Lloyd, who stood victorious, after starting tenth. Alex Vickers, was second, followed by Jimmy Sharpe, Lawton Minchew, and Stacey Roberts was able to hold to a top 5 finish.
David Shugart, had a great race coming from dead last as the track provisional, to sixth place, followed by Joe Kump, Mike Eubanks, Jeremy Faircloth, and Tampa’s “Big” Bill Howard, rounded out the top 10. In a classy, touching move after the race Ivedent Lloyd, presented Mr. Bill Thompson, Scott’s dad the winner’s trophy which had Scott’s photo on it.
The Scott Thompson memorial race was an emotional, heart felt, and action packed night of racing, enjoyed by all in attendance at the race.
The officials of the National Late Model Series, as well as the staff of Volusia Speedway Park, would like to thank all came to support, and honor the memory of Scott Thompson.
They also ask everyone to continue to keep Scott’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. The NLMS will next be in action at Screvin Motor Speedway, June 17, for more information and news about the NLMS visit them on the world, wide web at www.nlmss.com. Finish Order
Scott Thompson's race car on display
