Wednesday, August 15, 2001
|
Wednesday, August 15, 2001 |
|
Season of firsts at Thursday Thunder
Fifteen-year-old Reed Sorenson of Peachtree City clinched the Pro division Thursday Thunder championship Thursday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, finally wrestling the title away from three-time champ Doug Stevens. "Reed Racer" Sorenson held on for second place in Thursday's race, finishing one spot ahead of Stevens and sealing the championship. "We've worked awful hard this year for this, and it's a great night," Sorenson said. Stevens was relegated to second place in the championship race, this first time since Thursday Thunder began that Stevens hasn't finished with the title. "I think if I had started in front of Reed, I could have won," Stevens said. "It came down to who drew the better number." In the Semi-Pro A race, Bubba Pollard earned his first win of the season, but the championship went to Brandon Brilliant, who edged Brian Meredith by a mere five points in the closest title race of the season. "This is the greatest feeling," Brilliant said. "I dedicate this win to my family and my sponsor, Hale Aircraft, for getting me here." Thursday Thunder also had its first female champion in history, as 15-year-old Michelle Theriault clinched the Young Lions title. She finished second in Thursday's race, just behind rookie winner Jimmy Lang, but it was more than enough for her first racing championship. Rick Godfrey Sr. won the race and clinched his second straight Outlaws championship, outlasting Sean Cassidy, Jeff South, Brett Hedger and William Lane on Thursday. Godfrey was joined in Victory Lane by his son Rick Godfrey Jr., who had earlier won the Young Guns race. The Young Guns championship went to Kyle Daniel. Cindy Anderson earned her fourth win of the season, much to the delight of the crowd, which gave her a standing ovation. The title went to Brad Horne, who needed only start Thursday's race to clinch. In the Masters division, Johnny East picked up his second win of the season, while Skip Nichols earned the championship trophy. Eleven-year-old Joey "Smokin' Joe" Logano finished his superb season with the Bandits championship, his first at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Travis Pennington picked up the race win, his second straight. Last year's points winner, John Wes Townley was second, with Hunter Robbins, Devan Hall and Logano following him to the finish. David Moore wrapped up the Roadsters championship despite finishing fifth and watching competitor Lloyd Wittenburg claim the win. Atlanta Motor Speedway's Thursday Thunder will return next summer for another exciting 10-week season of Legends, Bandolero and Roadster racing. To test drive your own Legends machine, or for more information about Legends racing, call former Winston Cup driver Ken Ragan at 770-707-7980. |
