May 1
Talladega Short Track,
Eastaboga, AL
Sanction: Crate Racin’ USA (NASCAR Weekend) - $2,000
Information provided by: Series reports (last updated May 2, 1:48 pm)
Thomas starts Talladega weekend with victory
NASCAR Weekend
- William Thomas
- Chase Edge
- Ronnie Johnson
- Eric Cooley
- Nick Lyons
- Adam Gauldin
- Todd Morrow
- Ryan King
- Tyler Clem
- Matt Henderson
- Rodgerick Dykes
- Bryant Marsh
- Kasey Hall
- Adam Cummings
- Carlton Freeman
- Cody Martin
- Ryan King
- Ryan Crane
- Montana Dudley
- Cruz Skinner
- Kyle Shaw
- Justin McRee
- Logan Yates
- Cale Conley
presented by
Brian McLeod
William Thomas on his way to victory at Talladega.
What won the race: Earning his first NeSmith Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series victory of 2015, Williams Thomas of Phenix City, Ala., kicked off two consecutive nights of NASCAR weekend racing at Talladega Short Track for the crate-engined tour with a $2,000 score in Friday's 40-lap feature. He was outgunned for the lead at the start by Adam Gauldin of Talladega, Ala., but gained command for good on lap five.
Quotable: "Our car was good right out of the trailer, and once we got rolling we took the lead but I thought second spot might have been closer when we got into lapped traffic,” Thomas said.
"We’re ready to do it again tomorrow night, so we’ll just clean the car up, make sure everything is tight and be ready to go.”
Key notes: Two caution flags slowed the feature, both on lap 19. First Cody Martin spun in turn two, then Cruz Skinner backed into the inside wall in the same corner. ... Thomas, whose previous NeSmith touring starts this season produced finishes of third and fifth in February at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Ga., registered his 12th career win on the crate-engine circuit, moving him into for second on the all-time series win list. ... The event was the first of back-to-back NeSmith tour race nights at the 1/3-mile oval located across the street from Talladega Superspeedway, which is hosting its spring NASCAR event this weekend. ... A 50-lap feature paying $2,500 to win is on tap Saturday night.
On the move: Matt Henderson of Loudon, Tenn., advanced from the 22nd starting spot to finish 10th.
Winner's sponsors: Thomas's 19 Inc. Longhorn Chassis sports sponsorship from Save More Commercial Laundry Equipment.
Points chase: Ronnie Johnson maintained his points lead, ending the night with a 20-point advantage over Chase Edge.
Car count: 54
Fast qualifier: William Thomas
Time: 14.074 seconds
Polesitter: William Thomas
Consolation race winners: Cale Conley, Nick Lyons, Bryant Marsh, Rodgerick Dykes
Provisional starters: Cody Martin, Ryan Crane
Next series race: May 2, Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, AL) $2,500
Editor's note: Results and race details are unofficial.
