HOME | NEWS | DEREK | SCHEDULE | SPONSORS | TEAM | FAN ZONE | CONTACT

   

 


SECOND PLACE FINISH IN SONOMA K&N WEST DEBUT FOR DEREK THORN

 

BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA (June 26, 2012) – Making his debut on the Sonoma 1.99 mile road course on Saturday afternoon, Derek Thorn drove Bob Bruncati's Sunrise Ford #6 to a second place finish in the "Pick-N-Pull 200" for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, West.  The second place finish moves Thorn within ten points of third place in the series standings, in his first full season with the series.

 

Thorn climbed up into the second position and ran closely behind eventual race winner and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series veteran David Gilliland in the closing stages of the 64 lap contest.  The second place finish gives Thorn five top-fives and six top-tens in eight starts in Fords prepared by crew chief Bill Segewick.

 

"Running against a guy like David Gilliland says a lot about the series to have guys like that run with us," Thorn said.  "It allows you to push yourself it was obviously a lot of fun.  It was my first time at Sonoma so we had a lot to learn.  Being able to follow David for the last 10 or 15 laps definitely helped me out a bunch as a driver.  We didn't quite have enough to beat him but it was fun to run with him.

 

After Sonoma, Thorn finds himself with one win on the season at Havasu 95 Speedway in Arizona in April which also locked him into the UNOH "Battle at the Beach" at Daytona International Speedway next February.

 

"I think fourth place in points pays tribute to how hard these guys work in the shop," Thorn said.  "We went from a big track in Iowa to a road course in Minnesota and then to the short track in Vegas.  Coming into this year we had high expectations as a team and we're continuing to grow and make ourselves better."

 

While the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West will take a break until Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, WA on July 14, Thorn will turn his attention back to the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour this Saturday at Madera Speedway.  Driving Byron Campbell's #43 Four Star Fruit Ford, prepared by crew chief Mike Keen, Thorn has picked up two wins and the leads the series standings over a flock of veteran tour car drivers.

 

"Our SRL program is absolutely phenomenal this year," Thorn said.  "When I raced in the West with (Byron Campbell Motorsports) last year we always showed up ready to win.  We have a (SRL) car that I think every week can go out and compete for a win.  I'm really confident in the equipment we have but even more confident in the team we have."

 

Along with putting together two SRL series wins, Thorn his qualified in the top-three in all four starts this season.  His history with Byron Campbell Motorsports includes a pole at the 2011 edition of the Toyota All-Star Showdown showing the mettle of the Bakersfield-based operation.

 

Saturday's event at Madera will be Thorn's 13th race in a busy 2012 season between full-time NASCAR West and SRL Southwest competition.  So far Thorn has accumulated three wins, three fast-times, eight top-fives, and nine top-ten finishes.

 

Activities this weekend at Madera get underway on Friday with practice followed by, qualifying, and the "Motor Racing Outreach 125" all on Saturday.

 

Derek Thorn would like to thank the following sponsors for their support in 2012: Sunrise Ford, Four Star Fruit, Hronis Racing, Lucas Oil, Eibach Springs, Joe’s Racing Products, Oakley, Double Eagle Transportation, PepperJack Kennels, and Blakesley Sports Media.

 

Race fans can learn more about Derek Thorn at www.derekthorn.com

   
 

Copyright 2019 Derek Thorn Racing / Blakesley Sports Media