|
| Brandon Thomson gets Toledo ARCA Ride with Road to the Top Win at Elko, MN INEX Nationals | by Dave Westerman
Former St. Cloud, FL resident Brandon Thomson is headed to the ARCA season finale at Toledo, OH Speedway this Sunday after dominating the Thunder Car "Race To The Top" feature that was held as part of the 2008 INEX/600 Racing Asphalt Nationals last weekend at the Elko, MN Speedway.
Thomson, who now lives in the Charlotte, NC area, was one of six drivers who earned spots in the front rows of the race by being champions of their respective States. Thomson was the NC champion and drew the pole for the 50 lap "Race To The Top."
Thomson simply made it look easy as he ran away from his fellow competitors in the caution free race as he nearly lapped the field. Turning average laps in his Thunder Car (former known as a Thunder Roadster) at just over 90 MPH, Thomson took the checker 7.2 seconds ahead of second place Michael Van Wingerden. Third and fourth place Scott Dalla and Justin Johnson were also on the lead lap but just in front of Thomson as the checkered flag flew.
T.J. Sneva was fifth, one lap down trailed by Jim Fluharty, James Edsall, Al Renner, Justin Long and Jarod Carpenter. Another former Floridian, Kara Clarke, also qualified for the event but had trouble with her machine and was credited with 13th place.
The win gives Thomson a Dodge development ride in the ARCA season finale at Toledo, OH Speedway this weekend. Thomson will wheel a Dodge Charger prepared by Cunningham Motorsports. One of Thomson's main rivals at Toledo will be old friend Bryan Silas who is a full time driver on the ARCA circuit for Andy Hillenburg. Thomson and Silas cut their racing teeth in the Legend Car competition at Orlando Speedworld. The Toledo race can be seen live on Sunday at 2PM on SPEED.
Although Thomson was eligible to run in the 50 lap Thunder Car National Championship race on Saturday, he decided to turn his car over to crew chief and fellow Thunder Car chauffeur Adam Welch. Welch put on quite a show in the race. Since he did not qualify, Welch started dead last in the field then was involved in an early race tangle with Nelson Stewart (Tony Stewart's dad) and sent to the rear of the field again.
Undaunted, Welch drove his way to a fourth place finish behind Michael Van Wingerden, Scott Dalla and Jesse Bunnell. T.J. Sneva was fifth.
Just a handful of Florida Legend Car drivers made the trek to Minnesota for the Nationals this year. Lake Mary's Jimmy Norman had a decent run in the Pro Division taking third in his 20 lap heat earning him a ninth place starting spot out of 32 starters. From there it got a bit rough as he was black-flagged for a loose bumper then was involved in a multi-car tangle later on. Norman was eventually credited with an 18th place finish.
In the Semi-Pro Class, young Gerald White, Jr. of Lakeland had things get off to a disappointing start as his car broke during qualifying meaning he would have to start deep in the C Main field. White proceeded to finish third in the C earning a transfer to the B Main. Again, White drove hard to a third place finish in the B and earned the right to start last in the A Main.
The A main was a bit of a struggle as White drove a steady, clean race and came home 16th. Vero Beach driver Alex Kempf also qualified for the A Main but suffered problems and was the first car out of the race.
Andrew Smith was the Pro Division winner taking the checker in front of Daniel Hemric, Kyle Beattie, Jace Hanse and Ryan Johnson. The Semi-Pro National Championship went to Dylan Ames who topped Chad Hackenbracht, Bryce Walker, Jimmy Heavlow and Justin Swilling.
Two names who are regulars at Orlando Speedworld's Winternationals came home one-two in the Masters Division (for drivers over 40). Clay Hair of Mt. Airy, NC took yet another national championship while local MN driver Tim Brockhouse was a close second. John Lemke, Mike Tuma and Hoyt Demis trailed the lead duo.
Have an opinion on
this story? Post a message on
our Message Board! or Email KARNACto send a letter to the editor!
|
