Derek Thorn Looks to Rebuild Momentum and Defend SRL Home Turf

With all the teams from across the nation, converging on the LVMS Bullring and Dirt Track for the “Retro Custom Metals 137”, the regulars of the Spears Srl Southwest Tour Series will have their hands full. Leading that charge will be four-time series champion Derek Thorn. Thorn was voted one of the top-10 short track racers of the decade, by Speed51.com. He has been on fire in the SRL this season, winning six of the seven events, while winning the Snowflake 100 at 5 Flags Speedway last December and setting Fast Time over the Snowball Derby field. A controversial official’s decision, at the end of the event, cost Thorn his shot of a sweep of the weekend, and he has been on the warpath ever since.

Thorn will now head to the Bullring, which is arguably his best track on the series. He possesses 11 victories at the 3/8-mile “D” shaped oval. Those numbers include a victory in the 2017 Governor’s Cup Fall Classic event, which netted him $15,000. In that event, he held off SRL rival Jeremy Doss for the victory. Thorn is the defending champion of this event, having held off Tyler Fabozzi and Linny White for the $10,000 win.

Thorn enters this weekend’s event looking for a little vengeance, after a frustrating weekend at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway on All American 400 weekend. Thorn was positioned to sweep the weekend once again, at the historical facility. But contact from the third-place runner, in the Pro Late Model event, ended his run while running second. In the Super Late Model Feature, Thorn led all but the first two laps, when a restart on lap 204 ended his day while leading. Thorn was contacted in the left rear corner on the restart, turning him into the outside retaining wall, and resulting in the end of his weekend.

Thorn will now look to put that memory behind him and collect the$10,000 payday in Vegas. That payday will also be accompanied by a one-of-a-kind copper trophy from race sponsor David Nava Mulcahy. Thorn would love to collect another “Homie” masterpiece, but he knows the competition will be stiff this weekend. However, the Campbell Motorsports Team will approach the race no differently than they normally do.

“With this many cars on the entry list for Vegas, it’ll be tougher than ever”, Thorn replied. “We will do what we always do, and take it one step at a time, and hope we’re there at the end to have a shot at it. My hats off to Homie for bringing the big purse and awesome trophy. Hopefully we can put on a good show for those tuning in to watch.”

Many teams looking for victory this weekend will have their eyes on the Campbell Motorsports #43. The driver and team have been one of the favorites at each event they have attended over the last several years, and that will not change on the 21st.

“I’m not sure how other teams view us, but we’ve had a pretty good record this season”, Thorn relayed. “We are focused on Vegas, but also on the Derby at the same time. We’ve got an amazing team. We keep pushing to be better, because everyone else is doing the same.”

To make the journey from Bakersfield, CA, Thorn has a great network of support that he is very thankful for.

“First off, I would like to thank Byron Campbell and Carol Campbell and all my Campbell Motorsports Team. I’d like to thank my Crew Chief Mike Keen as well as Vicki Duke Keen. Also, I appreciate all my great sponsors; Power Grade Inc., Double Eagle Transportation, 51 FIFTY LTM, Dave Reeves and Reeves Complete Auto Center Inc., Family Funeral and Cremation, AP Racing Brakes, FURY Race Cars, Swift Springs, Tripple R Transportation, Hightower Racing Transmissio N, Joes Racing Products, Victory Circle Chassis & Custom Fabrication, FinishLine Signs, Performance Parts Supply, West Air, Strange Oval, Bassett Racing Wheel and Joiner Motorsports.”

The “Retro Custom Metals 137” will be run on November 21st, with $10,000 going to the winner thanks to David Mulcahy (Homie) and “Winner’s Bonus” sponsors Tilton Engineering and MPI – Max Papis Innovations. The Spears Modified Series will race for $2,500 to win in the “OPTIMA Batteries 75 presented by FAST – Fuel Air Spark Technology”. Practice will begin on Friday the 20th, with three sessions for the Modifieds, beginning at 3:00 pm (PST), with the Super Late Models at 3:45 pm (PST). Alternating sessions each will be held for each division, the last ending at 7:30 pm.

Saturday will find the Super Late Models Final Practice occurring from 11:00 am to 12:15 pm. The Modifieds will practice from 12:15 pm to 1:00 pm. SRL Qualifying is scheduled for 3:00 pm followed by the Modifieds. The Last Chance Qualifier will follow, with feature events rolling off thereafter. There will be a halfway break on lap 68 for the SRL Super Late Models.

For those who can’t attend the event, catch the action live at www.SpearsRacing.TV, with your paid subscription. The event will also be shown on MAVTV and a date to be announced later.

Celebrating its twentieth season in 2020, 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”.

PC: Sal Sigala Jr.