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STRONG LEADS TURN TO DOUBLE EDGED SWORD FOR THORN IN ROSEVILLE

   

ROSEVILLE, CA   Lakeport's Derek Thorn returned to the All American Speedway in Roseville Saturday night in grand fashion, aboard two different race cars for two very highly anticipated events at the popular .333 mile banked oval. Thorn made outstanding charges in both venues, leading laps but falling short before the waving of the checkered flags due to no fault of his own doing.

 

“I can’t thank everyone involved in both the JRC and Sunrise Ford organizations for giving me first class equipment again for my second double duty weekend with these teams this season, " said Thorn. "We had the chance to sweep the weekend but came up just a few laps short in both events."

           

After a two week break in competition, Thorn returned to the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series to compete in the Thunder Valley Casino & Resort 135 last Saturday as well as the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West for the NAPA Auto Parts 150 at the All American Speedway.

 

The SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour event was the ninth leg of the ten race 2011 season schedule and Thorn was back aboard the competitive Superior Crankshaft/JRI Shocks #26 Toyota Camry led by crew chief Scott Franchimone for Joiner Race Cars. In the past Thorn has had great success at All American Speedway. The 25-year-old driver dominated the spring event in the Joe Farre/Junior Joiner owned JRC machine and was well on his way to a repeat on Saturday night early in the race.

 

After earning the fastest lap in qualifying for the sixth time this season, a seven car inversion placed Thorn on the inside of the fourth row for the start of Saturday's SRL race. He wasted no time in working his way towards the front at the waving of the green flag, moving to 5th place in nearly no time at all and then finding his mojo on the high side of the track where he gained a series of positions and put himself in the lead.

 

Once in front, Thorn was holding off the challenges of former NASCAR West champion Eric Holmes for the lead with a lead as great as a third of the track at times. With just 8 laps to go fans were on the edge of their seats to watch Thorn take his third win of the season. As they approached the green flag after a quick yellow trouble broke out for Thorn when the rear end of his #26 Camry failed, forcing him to the pits as a multi-car melee eventually brought the event under caution. In the end, Thorn finished in the 14th overall position.

 

With Saturday's finish, Thorn is now in third place in the overall standings in the SRL Southwest Tour Series. With one event left on the season calendar he has just 78 points between himself and leader Jim Petit. The series will conclude October 29th at the Bullring in Las Vegas.

 

“Derek has had a great overall season with us," said owner Joe Farre. "The 26 team will go into Vegas to win the race if we do that then the points will work themselves out based on our competitors results”

 

In addition to the SRL Series, Thorn had a strong run in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West at Roseville as well, yet, fell short prior to the checkered flag in an event where he was well on his way to his first career NASCAR victory.

 

Thorn made his second start of the season behind the wheel of the Sunrise Ford Racing #9 Eibach Spring/Lucas Oil Ford fielded by veteran car owner Bob Bruncati and led by crewchief Andy Santerre.  Saturday's event marked the first oval track venue that Thorn and Bruncati competed in together. In 2012 Thorn will drive fulltime for the successful team.

 

After turning the fastest lap in the final practice, Thorn took to the All American Speedway for the qualifying in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. Adapting from the lighter, faster SRL cars to the much heavier cars, Thorn did well for his first start at Roseville, turning a 13:745 second lap to earn the third fastest lap of the night.

 

Starting third on the grid, Thorn displayed great patience in the tight traffic packed track and pursued Cameron Hayley for the second position, passing him on the 104th lap of the 150 lap race to become the bridesmaid and set his sights on leader Dylan Kwasniewski, taking the lead from the young gun on the 121st lap. A few laps later his lead vanquished when contact took place when Kwasniewski drove deep into turn three and made contact sending the leader Thorn into a spin and ultimately to a 11th place finishing position which was an outstanding rally back towards the front.

 

“The Sunrise Ford team and Andy Santerre gave me a winning car and overall it was a good weekend," said Thorn. "I just came up a little short of getting that first win for everyone."

 

Derek Thorn is proud to carry the sponsorship of Superior Crankshaft and a number of marketing partners in the 2011 SRL Spears Southwest Tour. Among the many contributors are Joiner Race Cars, Sigma Engineering, JRI Shocks, Eibach Springs, Joe's Racing Products, ARP Bodies, Finishline Signs, Fastenal and Joiner Motorsports.

 

To learn more about this talented young driver visit Derek Thorn's personal website at www.derekthorn.com. Further information can also be found at the site of one of his title sponsors, www.superiorcrankshaftracing.com.

 

   

Copyright 2012 Derek Thorn Racing / Blakesley Sports Media