THORN IS STILL IN IT

Derek Thorn is no stranger to setting records in the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series. The four-time series champion holds the record for most Wins, Fast Times, Top-Five’s, Top Ten’s, Money Won, Laps Led and most importantly Championships. The Lakeport, CA native is now in the running for something no other driver in series has done; taking home the championship while missing an event. He could also tie Jim Pettit with 5 overall Southwest Tour Series Championships.

Thorn currently sits fourth in the SRL Championship Standings, after six of nine events. He has three victories already this season, giving him 39 in his career. What makes his season even more impressive is the fact that he missed race #5 of the season at Kern County Raceway, while participating at the Summer Showdown 200 at Evergreen Speedway(WA). The event is one that has been a source of frustration for the Super Late Model star. The 2019 edition was no exception, as Thorn lost a motor, late in the event, handing the lead, and eventual victory, to now Colorado star Preston Peltier.

Despite the missed event, Thorn has climbed back into the thick of the championship standings, sitting 74 points behind championship leader Cole Moore.

“It was unfortunate the SRL schedule overlapped with the Summer Showdown”, Thorn told the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series. “We’ve made up a little ground, but the championship is still a long way out. We will focus on one race at a time, and the championship standings will fall where they may.”

If any driver on the west coast knows how to win a championship, it is Derek Thorn. Not only has he secured four SRL Championships, he also holds two titles in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. His only non-title effort in that series, was the first full season in which he participated He finished third that season. With his Campbell Motorsports team, he knows he has the car, crew and equipment to succeed.

“Consistency is a huge factor in championships”, Thorn stated. Byron Campbell and Mike Keen have put together a race program that has equipment, that is not only fast, but is consistent each weekend.”

To pull out this championship, Thorn will need all those factors to gel, and to have a little luck in addition. The final three events of the season find Thorn heading to tracks at which success has followed him. Thorn has 20 combined Super Late Model victories at Madera Speedway, Kern County Raceway and the Bullring @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway. That number includes 6 wins, in his last nine starts, at Madera Speedway. It also includes a win in the October Classic at Kern County Raceway and a victory in the $15,000-to-win Senators Cup at the Bullring.

“I’m looking forward to all of them, Madera, Vegas and Kern are all fun places to race”, Thorn replied. “We’re just ready to get back racing again, it’s been a while since Irwindale.”

Thorn is undeniably one of the most talented racers on the west coast. With all his success, it would be easy to be over-confident, and take credit for much of the team’s success. That is not Derek Thorn, however, as the now father of two is always appreciative of the opportunities he has had, and the effort his team and car owner put forth each season.

“I’d really like to thank Byron and Carol Patrick Campbell, Mike and Vicki Duke Keen, and everyone that travels on the road with us at Campbell Motorsports”, Thorn stated. “I also want to give a big thanks to our sponsors, that help keep us going:
51 FIFTY LTM
Hronis Racing
H and M Motorsports
Santa Maria Brewing Co. Inc
Double Eagle Transportation
Dave Reeves and Reeves Complete Auto Center Inc.
AP Racing Brakes
Advanced Racing Suspensions
FURY Race Cars
Eibach Springs
Joes Racing Products
Victory Circle Chassis & Custom Fabrication
FinishLine Signs
Performance Parts Supply
West Air”

Celebrating its nineteenth season in 2019, the SPEARS Southwest Tour Series is a regional stock car series competing on paved ovals in the southwestern portion of the U.S. “The SPEARS Southwest Tour Series…Where the Champions Race”.