PETERSEN MEDIA
With the Winter Games now in his rear view mirror, Kevin Thomas, Jr can focus on the next AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car race in April, as Bubba Raceway Park did not treat him well.
“We had a weekend that we would soon like to forget,” Thomas said. “I have to thank my entire team for working so hard to get us going the right direction, but rough nights are part of the sport.”
Kicking his 2014 USAC season off on Thursday night, KT timed his Black Jack Oil Company/Dutcher Motorsports/KT Construction Services entry in eight fastest, putting him in the fourth heat.
Heat race action saw the Cullman, AL driver race his way to a third place finish, transferring him into the evening’s feature event, where he gridded the field in the 8th spot.
When the race went green, KT was off and running, but he soon would bring out the caution as he came to a stop as his Bakken Concrete/RW/ButlerBuilt backed entry popped out of gear, forcing him to restart at the tail end of the field.
When the race resumed, KT began charging his way up front, but bad luck found him again, as he was caught up in a wreck that broke out in front of him, again forcing him to the back of the pack.
Restarting from the back for the second time, Thomas was able to keep his nose clean as he finished in the 13th spot.
With Friday’s race being rained out, Thomas returned to action on Saturday night, and was the first car on the track for time trials, as he ended up 13th fastest.
In his heat race, KT fought a racecar that was a touch on the tight side, and finished in the fifth spot, putting him in the B main event, where he lined up fifth.
Finishing in the fourth spot in the B after a battle with Brady Short and Chris Windom, Thomas lined his entry up in the 12th spot for the feature event.
Still battling his racecar and it remained tight, KT had another eventful feature event, as he would ultimately bicycle and get into the fence, ending his night prematurely.
“We definitely did not have any luck on our side all weekend long,” he explained. “We had really good speed at times, so that is something to look forward to, and again I really have to thank my team and family for all of their support.”
KT would like to thank his sprint car sponsors- Black Jack Oil Company, Michael Dutcher Motorsports, KT Construction Services, Bakken Concrete, Rotondo Weirich, ButlerBuilt, Hinchman, CSI Shocks, Weld Wheels, Maxim Chassis, Willwood Brakes, Indy Metal Finishing’s, Hoosier, and Brad Penn Oil.
ON TAP: The USAC National Sprint Car tour returns to action on April 5th in Lawrenceburg, IN.
BY THE NUMBERS: Starts-4, Wins-0, Top 5’s-0, Top 10’s-0.
STAY CONNECTED: Stay updated with KT by following him on Twitter @kevinthomasjr