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 IRVINE,
CALIFORNIA (JULY 19, 2011)
– For
Lakeport's Derek Thorn, seat time has never been something he is shy
of. This coming weekend the 25-year-old stock car racing hot shoe is
going to get plenty of just that. For the first time in his racing
career, Thorn will be competing in two different stock car venues,
in two different states on the same weekend.
This Saturday,
Thorn will return to the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series for the
sixth leg of the 2011 series at Rocky Mountain Raceway in Salt Lake
City Utah. On Sunday, Thorn will compete in the Bi-Mart Salute to
the Troops 125 in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West at Portland
International Raceway. The double duty weekend will require special
flight arrangements back and fourth from both facilities aboard a
private jet that has been arranged by Joiner Race Cars, PepperJack
Kennels and Superior Crankshaft.
"I've never had the
opportunity to do something like this," said Thorn. "It's a dream
come true for sure. Running a road course for the first time I think
is going to be a blast. I enjoy new challenges. It pushes you as a
driver to improve your abilities. I can't wait."
Thorn returns to
the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series aboard the Superior Crankshaft/JRC
#26 Toyota Camry. Thorn will be returning to the tour fresh off a
victory and new track record in the last segment at Madera Speedway.
For Thorn the victory was his second of the season and helped the
team that is led by well known Junior Joiner begin to rally back
towards the 2011 SRL Championship.
As he returns to
the tour, Thorn will look for win number three and a good strong
points day. He is currently sixth in the tight championship point
standings with five races left on the competitive campaign that
competes throughout California, Utah and Nevada. The twin bill this
coming weekend will require that Thorn miss some of his practice
session's in the SRL series. However, with the team's recent success
and stellar crew they are confident it will not affect their
performance even though the track is new to both Thorn and the SRL
Series.
"With any series,
traveling to a new place is always a curve ball," said Thorn. "It
puts a lot of teams on an even playing field because there has been
no testing and it allows drivers to be more open minded about what
lines to run and what places there are to pass. It's always a lot of
fun for me to travel to new places and its even more exciting
knowing the crew I have behind me is the best there is; Joiner,
Scott, Sonny, My Dad and Jim have been the reason for our awesome
runs."
This is Thorn's
first full season in the SRL Series with the support of Superior
Crankshaft and a number of dedicated sponsors. As he heads into the
busiest weekend of his career, Thorn is thankful for all of their
ongoing support in his rapidly growing racing career.
"With Cheryl Archer
of Superior Crankshaft, Marty and Misty Melo of Pepperjack Kennels
and team owners Joe Farre and Junior Joiner I am receiving first
class support. I couldn't ask for a better group of individuals
supporting my 2011 SRL season and career. Without any of them I
wouldn't be here."
On Sunday, Thorn
will take the green flag for his very first road course event at
Portland International Raceway with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West.
Thorn will have the opportunity to race on the 12 turn 1.967 course
in the Pacific Northwest aboard the competitive Sunrise Ford Racing
#9 Ford fielded by veteran car owner Bob Bruncati. Many top drivers
have driven for the Sunrise Ford team in cameo appearances recently
including former series champion Jason Bowles, David Gilliland and
top road racer Patrick Long to name a few.
"I'm really excited
to be running for Bob Bruncati in the 9 car. To get the call from
such a prestigious team to drive their equipment is an honor," said
Thorn. "Running double duty always poses it’s risks, but having the
Sunrise Ford team in Portland while the JRC/Superior Crankshaft Team
is getting the car ready in Utah is going to be a lot of fun. I
couldn't do it without the help of Superior Crankshaft, Sunrise
Ford, Pepperjack Kennels, Sigma Engineering, Eibach Springs and JRC.
They are all helping make these two races in two different states
possible."
Sunday's NASCAR
West event will mark Thorn's fourth start of the year in the series
that features the future stars of NASCAR. Next season, Thorn is
planning to make a full time run at the 2012 NASCAR West
Championship. In the most recent event at Irwindale on July 2, Thorn
drove to a second place finish aboard the Byron Campbell Motorsports
owned Four Star Fruit Hronis Racing #44 Chevrolet and challenged for
the lead during the event. Earlier in the year Thorn earned the pole
at the famed NASCAR Toyota All Star Showdown leading many laps and
then went onto a solid third place finish at Phoenix International
Raceway.
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, PepperJack Kennels,
Sigma Engineering, JRI Shocks, Joe Gibbs Driven, Eibach Springs,
Joe's Racing Products, ARP Bodies, Finishline Signs, and Fastenal.
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.
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