The race … The Allstate Texas Thunder 150 kicks off a 13-race schedule for the NASCAR Camping World Series West. It marks the only visit to the state of Texas in 2009.
"Only three drivers made all four visits to Thunderhill in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. They were Mike David, Jack Sellers (No. 15 Coca-Cola Chevrolet) and Brett Thompson (No. 61 Rich Thompson Trucking Chevrolet)."
The procedure … The starting field is 26 cars, including provisionals. The first 22 cars will qualify through two-lap time trials. The remaining four spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 150 laps (56.25 miles).
The track … Thunderhill Raceway is a .375-mile D-shaped paved oval with nine degrees banking in turns one and four, 12 degrees banking in the turns two and three, six degrees banking in the front straight and five degrees of banking in the back straight. This marks the fifth annual visit to the track.
The records … Qualifying: Mike Duncan, March 31, 2007, 90.995 mph, 14.836 sec.; Race: Eric Holmes, April 19, 2008, 54.479 mph, 1 hour 1 minute 57 seconds.
Family attractions … Like previous years, the Texas event will feature plenty of family attractions, with a variety of activities along the midway.
Only one repeat winner … Eric Holmes (No. 20 NAPA Auto Parts Toyota) is the only driver with more than one victory in series action at Thunderhill Raceway. He won in 2006 and 2008, the same years he won the series championship. Others to visit Victory Lane include Steve Portenga in 2005 and Scott Lynch in 2007.
Four different pole winners … There has yet to be a repeat pole winner. The four drivers to set fast time in Texas were Scott Gaylord in 2005, Mike David (No. 2 Bennett Lane Winery Toyota) in 2006, Mike Duncan in 2007 and Eric Holmes in 2008.
Return visits … Only three drivers made all four visits to Thunderhill in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. They were Mike David, Jack Sellers (No. 15 Coca-Cola Chevrolet) and Brett Thompson (No. 61 Rich Thompson Trucking Chevrolet).
Multiple top-five finishes … With top-five finishes in the first three visits, Mike David has the most top-fives at Thunderhill. He is the only driver to finish in the top 10 in all four series races there. David has an average finish of 4.75 at the Texas track.
Leading laps … Austin Cameron tops the competition in terms of leading the most laps at Thunderhill Raceway. He was out front for 131 laps in last year’s event.
Widespread competition … Fifty-four different drivers have taken the green flag in series competition at Thunderhill in the four events there.
Fast Facts
The Race: Allstate Texas Thunder 150
The Place: Thunderhill Raceway, Kyle, Texas
The Date: Saturday, March 14
The Time: 8:45 p.m. CT
TV Schedule: SPEED, March 25, 2 p.m. CT
Track Layout: .375-mile paved
Race Purse: $110,680
2008 Winner: Eric Holmes
2008 Pole: Eric Holmes
Schedule: Saturday: Practice 11 a.m.-12 noon., 1-1:30 p.m. Time Trials 4:30 p.m.
Track Contact: Aryn White
(512) 554-1599
arynwhite@yahoo.com
NASCAR Contact: Kevin W. Green
(661) 392-8543
kgreen@nascar.com
