JEROME, Idaho — Brett Thompson, driver of the RTTI/Jerome Truck Service Inc. Chevrolet, was running fifth at lap 198 before a cut tire derailed his run on the final lap. Thompson would finish 12th in the 200-lap O'Reilly Auto Parts sponsored event at The Bullring at Las Vegas (NV) Motor Speedway this past weekend.
"Idaho Competitor Moves Into Top Five and Looking for More"— Thompson Motorsports
Thompson was among the fastest cars in practice leading up to qualifying for the race but only managed to qualify in the 12th spot among 28 competitors on hand for round five of the 14-race NASCAR K&N Pro Series.
When the race started, Thompson opted to let the race sort out and not push the issue for position. Instead, he just ran around staying out of trouble during the early portion of the race. Once his tires worked in he began to use the high groove to make his passes moving inside the top ten where he ran most of the race.
By the mid-way point of the race, Thompson was running eighth and in sight of the leaders. With lap times in the fifteen second range, it did not take long for the race to reach the final stretch. Thompson had moved up to fifth place by lap 195 and was closing on the leaders when his progress was slowed by a lap car.
Two competitors behind Thompson decided to go three-wide with Thompson in the middle and the car on the inside made contact cutting Thompson's left front tire on lap 198. The contact caused Thompson to lose a spot to sixth when the tire came apart on lap 199 dropping him to 12th as he limped across the finish line.
"We were where we needed to be late in the race and I am very proud of the team for preparing a car that is competitive," Thompson said. "I am also disappointed about the finish given we were running in the top five."
During the race, the Thompson team found that the brake system was failing with only the right rear operating properly. "I think we lost the calipers so with the right rear taking all the load, the car was kind of tricky to drive," Thompson offered. "The brake issue aside, we ran good and were in position. That is what it is going to take."
Despite the twelfth place finish, Thompson moved up one position in the point standings as several competitors up in the points had issues. Thompson now sits fifth in the point standings just 15-points our of fourth and a scant 33-points out of second, while point leader Greg Pursley won the race and extended his lead on the field. "We are doing the right things, but they (Pursley) have it all going their way. They will be tough to beat and catch at this rate."
Next up for Brett Thompson and the Thompson Motorsports team is the second of three roadcourse events this season. The series will visit the wine country of northern Californina with the annual stop at Infineoon Raceway in Sonoma, CA Saturday, June 25. Thompson did not compete at Infineon last season but is looking forward to the trip this time around.
"I am really excited about the race at Infineon," Thompson offfered. "We ran really good at Miller before the trailing arm bracket broke so I know we have a great car for the race. Infineon is a great track and the racing there is spectacular."
In his NASCAR K&N Pro Series career, Thompson has started 104 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.
