Kevin Thomas Jr. of Cullman, Alabama, recorded his second career “No Way Out 40” for non-wing sprint cars on March 27 at Brownstown Speedway and took home $7,500 for his efforts. He joins Bryan Clauson as the only repeat winners in the thirteen-year history of the “No Way Out 40”.
Thomas jumped out to an early lead, but fell back through the field after almost contacting another competitor. Paul Nienhiser took over the lead, but Brady Bacon would charge to the lead by the halfway mark, riding the high side of the track. A yellow flag with six laps remaining would have Bacon leading, but Thomas had worked his way back to second. On the restart, Bacon had mechanical trouble and pulled off the track. Thomas would take over the lead and never look back, getting the victory.
Following Thomas Jr. at the checkers were Robert Ballou, Nienhiser, Chase Stockon and Kyle Cummins. Rounding out the top 10 were Jake Swanson, Logan Seavey, Brandon Mattox, Scotty Weir and Brady Short.
Heat race winners among the 30 entries were Thomas, Stockon and Nienhiser. Jadon Rogers won the B- main.
In “P3 Graphix,” ILMS Pro Late Model action, Tyler Neal of Paragon would lead from flag to flag and win the first Pro Late Model feature of the 2021 season. Neal was followed by Shelby Miles, Tyler Cain, Tyler Collins and Keaton Streeval. The rest of the top 10 finishers were Alan Magner, Jesse Tunny, Robert Rainey, Daniel Dial and Scott Young.
Heat race winners were Neal, Miles, and Zack Burton. Vern LeFevers won the B-main.
Zachary Stalker of Salem would get his first career Brownstown Speedway Modified feature win in Modified division action. Stalker, the 2021 Modified Rookie of the Year, took the win over Tommy Sheppard Jr., John Clippinger, Joe Haresky and Andy Shirley. The remaining top 10 drivers were Chris Morfield, Ben Harmon, Tony Anderson, Matt Boknecht and Brandon Bollinger.
Heat race winners were Jordan Wever, Bollinger and Brayden Watson.
Tonight, Brownstown will host its opening night for points. On the racing program will be pro late models, open wheel modifieds, super stocks, pure stocks and hornets. Gates will open at 3 p.m., with hot laps at 6 p.m. For the latest information, visit brownstownspeedway.com.
Rice wins at Florence
Josh Rice of Verona, Kentucky, won the $5,000-to-win late model special on March 27 at Florence Speedway in Union, Kentucky. Tyler Erb finished second, with Scott James, Devin Gilpin and Robby Hensley completing the top five. Trevor Landrum led the next five finishers over Dustin Linville, Jason Jameson, Kody Evans and Tristan Chamberlain.
Heat race winners were Rice, James and Erb.
Florence will host a regular program tonight of crate late models, open wheel modifieds, sport mods, hornets, and the Ohio Valley legend cars. For more info, visit florencespeedway.com.
Lawrenceburg opens tonight
Lawrenceburg Speedway will open its racing season tonight with the USAC National Sprint Cars headlining the event. Also competing will be open wheel modifieds and hornets. For more info, visit lawrenceburgspeedway.com.
Twin Cities practices today
Twin Cites Raceway Park in Vernon will hold an open practice today from noon to 5 p.m. today. The
season opener will be April 10, featuring crate late models, open wheel modifieds, super stocks, pure stocks and hornets. For further info, visit twincitiestrack.com.
Bloomington opens Friday
Bloomington Speedway will kick off its 2021 racing schedule on Friday with sprints, open wheel modifieds and 305 winged sprints.
This week in racing history
From 60 years ago in 1961, Paragon Speedway opened its season with Cecil Beavers taking the feature victory over Dick Gaines, Orval Yeadon, Gene Petro and Don Potorff.
From 50 years ago in 1971, Bloomington Speedway held its opening day of racing with Dick Gaines taking the feature win over Allen Barr, Bob Kinser, Mike Johnson, and Orval Yeadon.
From 30 years ago, Brownstown Speedway opened its 1991 racing season. Steve Barnett won the late model feature over Mike Jewell, John Gill, Bob Pohlman Jr. and Kevin Weaver. Scott Patman won the street stock feature over Tony Godsey, Darin George, Albert Webb Jr. and Gerald Todd. Roger Bense was victorious in the bomber main event over John Finn, Bob Johnson, Ray Godsey Jr. and Jay Deckard.
From 20 years ago in 2001 at Brownstown, Don O’Neal won the Hoosier Dirt Classic for late models. The event sanctioned by the Northern All-Star Late Models drew 69 entrants to the Jackson County Fairgrounds track. Shannon Babb finished second to O’Neal, followed by Bob Pierce, Mike Jewell and Dick Phillips. Matt Boknecht won the open wheel modified feature over Levi Godsey, Michael Bradley, Earl Plessinger, and John DeMoss. Robert Walters grabbed the bomber feature victory over Charlie Stevens Jr., Bubba Woods, Ray Godsey Jr. and Matt Cummings.
James Essex writes a motorsports notebook for The Republic. Send comments to [email protected]
