By R-B Staff
MADERA ? On June 25 at Madera Speedway, Derek Thorn of Lakeport set a new track record qualifying with a time of 14.320 in car No. 26 at the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Race.
After qualifying fast time the inversion placed Thorn in the sixth place starting position for the “Children”s Hunger 125″ and he quickly sliced and diced his way to the top three positions in the opening laps of the race. After chasing bridesmaid and former Madera Speedway Champion, Ross Strmiska, for 12 laps, Thorn saved his move for a baker”s dozen when he overtook Strmiska on lap 13 and set his sights on the leader, driving out in front was one of California”s most competitive asphalt drivers of the current time. Escalon”s Eric Holmes, a multi-time champion of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West with a long list of career accolades with multiple divisions.
In the early laps, Thorn pursued Holmes without serious challenge to himself. On the 27th lap however, Jacob Gomes slipped into the second position, where he remained until Thorn had enough and he redeemed the second place spot once again nine laps later. For the next 20 laps, Thorn and Holmes put on a show for the fans with a dog fight for the lead that included its share of slicing and dicing, fender rubbing and a great display of both talent, aggression and sportsmanship. On lap 56, Thorn worked his way to the inside of Holmes to take a lead he would never relinquish. Once in front, Thorn maintained the lead and finished in front of Holmes, Kanke and Westmoreland.
Thorn”s sponsors for the car No. 26 are: Superior Crankshaft, Joiner Race Cars, Pepperjack Kennels, Sigma Engineering, JRI Shocks, Joe Gibbs Driven, Eibach Springs, Joe”s Racing Products, ARP Bodies, Finishline Signs, Fastenal, Joiner Motorsports and Hoosier Tires.
On Sunday Thorn returned to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series in Irwindale California behind the wheel of the Byron Campbell Racing No. 44 Four Star Fruit and Hronis Racing Chevrolet where he took second place in the “Southern California Toyota Dealers 200,” behind Greg Pursley.
Thorn will return to the SRL Southwest Tour in car No. 26 on July 23 at Rocky Mountain Raceway in Salt Lake City when the series makes its first appearance in the “Century Boatland 115.”
