Clarksville Speedway
Thomas claims fourth Chevy Series victory
William Thomas celebrates at Clarksville Speedway. (straightcircles.com)
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 14) — Series-dominating William Thomas of Phenix City, Ala., raced to his fourth victory in five tour races Saturday in Clarksville Speedway’s James Corlew Chevrolet 50 for the Chevrolet Performance Super Late Model Series. Thomas led all 50 laps to pick up the $3,000 top prize. | Slideshow
Thomas left Clarksville Speedway with a 42-point lead in the championship standings over Ronnie Johnson of Chattanooga, Tenn., who stayed with Thomas most of the way but was unable to find a way past.
“We didn’t think the track would get as slick as it did, but it was still a good surface to race on and we just had to adjust our driving style for it,” Thomas said. “I knew Ronnie Johnson was back there, so I knew I had to run hard, but at the same time, not overdrive the race track. We still have a lot of racing left in this season, and if I do win this championship, I know Ronnie is going to make me earn it.”
Tim Busha of Boaz, Ala., made a late-race charge to claim third and Tait Davenport of Benton, Ky., finished fourth. Ted Lackey of Munford, Ala., gave Alabama three of the top five finishers.
Thomas previously scored series victories at Penton (Ala.) Raceway, East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, and Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Miss.; he finished third at Whynot (Miss.) Motorsports Park.
Notes: Thomas drives a GRT Race Car sponsored by Alexander’s Industrial Service and Austin Trucking. ... Thirteen drivers completed 50 laps at Clarksville. ... The series returns to action with three events Sept. 20-22 at Boyd’s Speedway in Ringgold, Ga., 411 Motor Speedway in Seymour, Tenn., and Tazewell (Tenn.) Speedway.
James Corlew Chevrolet 50: (1) William Thomas, (2) Ronnie Johnson, (3) Tim Busha, (4) Tait Davenport, (5) Ted Lackey, (6) Ross Martin, (7) David Brannon, (8) Matthew Turner, (9) Adam Martin, (10) Brent Barrett, (11) Evan Taylor, (12) Chase Edge, (13) Gavin Schmidt, (14) Credence Mott, (15) Robert Ardry, (16) Mitch Thornton, (17) Frank Wilson, (18) Brad Smith, (19) Mark Dowdy, (20) Carlton Freeman, (21) Jeff Watson. Fast qualifier (among 21 cars): Edge, 13.067 seconds.
