8/5/2015
Thomas Earns First Career All Star Top-Five
(Photo by Zach Yost Racing Photography)
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – Coming off a sixth-place finish at the speedway just a week earlier, Cale Thomas again returned to his favorite track to do battle for two nights, with eye-raising results. The All Star Circuit of Champions visited Atomic Speedway for the “Open Wheel Championships” Friday and Saturday, and though his finish of 12th on Friday night was less than he had hoped for, Saturday’s fourth-place was likely the high point of Thomas’ young sprint car career.
Friday, Thomas began the night with 39 All Star competitors in action, going 17th-quickest in qualifying with a 12.596-second effort, fourth-fastest in the fourth and final heat group. Starting his heat race from the pole, Thomas lost ground on the start and fell to third, where he finished.
From 13th on the main event grid, the start would again do him in, dropping back to 16th on lap three. A track that took rubber early on meant making passes would come at a premium. The Fairland, Ind. racer regained his 13th starting spot by the halfway point of the 30-lapper, but was stuck in that position for several laps. Running his fastest lap of the event on lap 25, Thomas powered by for a final pass to finish 12th.
Back at the 3/8-mile on Saturday, the track slowed considerably before Thomas was able to time in, going 27th on the chart. With one more team in attendance, a five-heat format was used. Starting the fourth heat from outside row three, Thomas displayed likely his finest effort to date, rocketing by names like Swindell and Darrah to dominate the eight-lap race by over two seconds. Earning an appearance in the six-lap dash, Thomas again roared past three opponents, including multi-time All Star champ Chad Kemenah, en route to finishing fifth.
From that position in the feature lineup, Thomas shined with growing confidence, racing alongside Dale Blaney and Sheldon Haudenschild throughout. After Blaney took fifth away, Thomas raced back into the spot on lap six. Moving by polesitter Steve Kinser the 13th lap, he amassed the fourth position. Soon, the talented Kevin Swindell closed in on the rear bumper of the Engler Machine and Tool No. 91, and Thomas was tasked with holding off the four-time Chili Bowl winner for nearly 20 laps. Thomas remained poised in the entirety of the caution-free race, edging Swindell in the end by three-quarters of a second. Thomas, just over a year removed from micro sprints and three from quarter midgets, scored his best finish against drivers in the main event boasting nearly 800 combined World of Outlaws wins.
Thomas would like to thank Engler Machine and Tool, Factory Kahne, J&J Auto Racing, Kaeding Performance, Donovan Engineering, Spike Products, Simpson Indy, Maxima Oils, Hoosier Racing Tire, Blackbeard, and Shadow Graphics, as well as all of his fans for their continued support.
Thomas is currently seeking additional sponsorship going forward. For more information, please contact Thomas or Redbeard Promotions with any inquiries.
Thomas is next scheduled to compete on August 7-8 at I-55 Raceway in Pevely, Mo. for the World of Outlaws’ “Ironman 55” in the No. 91 410ci winged sprint entry.
Quick Results
July 31 – Chillicothe, OH – 410ci Winged Sprint – Qualifying: 17th; Heat: 3rd (1); Feature: 12th (13)
August 1 – Chillicothe, OH – 410ci Winged Sprint – Qualifying: 27th; Heat: 1st (6); Dash: 5th (8); Feature: 4th (5)
2015 Stats
20 races, 12 features, 0 wins, 3 top fives, 5 top tens, 2 DNFs
Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cale-Thomas-Motorsports/158330494177025?fref=ts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/CaleThomas91
Instagram: http://instagram.com/calethomas91
Article Credit: Redbeard Promotions
