JEROME, Idaho — Brett Thompson, driver of the RTTI/Jerome Truck Service Inc. Chevrolet, hasn't competed at The Bullring at Las Vegas (NV) Motor Speedway in eight seasons but is excited to return to a track where he has had strong performances in his NASCR K&N Pro Series career. Saturday night the series returns to the 3/8-mile paved oval for the 200-lap O'Reilly Auto Parts sponsored event.
"Sixth Points has Thompson Driven for More"
Thompson is coming off a strong performance at Iowa Speedway two weeks ago where he finished seventh overall but more importantly, third among the West series regulars. That finished vaulted Thompson into a tie for sixth place in the standings with fellow Idahoan Jonathon Gomez. Thompson is just nine points out of fifth place and 171-points behind point leader Greg Pursley through four events on 14-race campaign.
"We are really happy with the performance of our team so far this year," Thompson said. "I do not think there will be a track where track position will mean as much as it will at the Bullring. We have worked really hard on our qualifying package and we feel we have a top five car."
Thompson has started three previous series races at The Bullring earlier in the decade and came away with two top ten finishes. "It takes patience at The Bullring," Thompson continued. "You have to really have to just be in position to take advantage of others' mistakes but at the same time not over drive the car because you will pay a big price."
As part of the build up for this event, fans were able to win a trip to the race by participating in a promotion with the Thompson team. "The track has put a lot of effort into promoting this event and I know the fans will see a great show Saturday night," Thompson said. "Charlie (Wilson- crew chief) has a great set up dialed in to our RTTI Chevrolet and I am excited to be racing again at The Bullring."
In his NASCAR K&N Pro Series career, Thompson has started 103 NKNPS races since 2000 scoring one win, one Coors Light Pole Award, 22 top five and 59 top ten performances. His best points finish was fifth in 2009.
Thompson Motorsports is a premier motorsports organization based in Jerome, Idaho providing complete race car preparation and fabrication supporting the local grassroots racer and experienced professional driver. TMS prepares and fields race vehicles in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR K&N Pro Series, CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series, Intermountain Pro Truck Series, and entries at local area short tracks. TMS has corporate partnerships with Rich Thompson Trucking Inc. (RTTI), Jerome Truck Service Inc., Eibach Springs, Schroeder Torsion Bars, United Oil, Speedbear Fasteners, and Hagerman Valley Spring Water. For all the latest news and information about Brett Thompson and Thompson Motorsports, log onto www.brettthompsonracing.com. For all the latest west coast racing action, log onto www.racingwest.com.
Thompson's Bullring Stats:
• Two top 10s in three starts at The Bullring
• Best Bullring finish of sixth in 2001
• Average finish at The Bullring of 11.33
O’Reilly Auto Parts 200
The Place: Las Vegas Motor Speedway">The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
The Date: Saturday, June 11
The Time: 9 p.m. PT
TV Schedule: SPEED, June 23, 6 p.m. ET
Radio Schedule: NASCARHomeTracks.com Radio, Live
Track Layout: .375-mile paved oval
2010 Winner: Event not held
2010 Polesitter: Event not held
Event Schedule: Saturday: Practice 12:45-1:30 p.m., Final practice 2:15–3 p.m., Qualifying 5:30 p.m.
Fast Facts
Race: This event is the fifth of 14 events on the 2011 schedule for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West.
Procedure: The starting field is 28 cars, including provisionals. The first 24 cars will qualify through two-lap time trials. The remaining four spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 200 laps (75 miles).
Track: The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a .375-mile paved oval with turns banked 12 degrees, six degrees banking in the front straight and eight degrees banking in the back stretch. The series visited The Bullring three consecutive years, 2001-2003.
Records: Qualifying: Mark Reed, March 1, 2001, 87.999 mph, 15.341 seconds; Race: To be established at this distance.
