SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kevin Thomas Jr. claimed the title in the inaugural USAC Silver Crown Salt City 100 on Saturday evening at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
Thomas Jr. entered the night with five runner-up finishes, but no titles. The Cullman, Alabama native was able to secure the championship in his 22nd career start in the USAC Silver Crown Champ Car Series.
He claimed the pole spot following a 21.090 qualifying session, the fastest lap ever recorded at the fairgrounds.
Thomas Jr. and C.J. Leary had the lead from the starting line and held it for most of the race, as the two longtime friends went back and forth. After Leary had taken the lead over on the 69th lap, the two continued to change leads after a restart with 19 laps to go.
Leary saw his night come to a close early after flipping his No. 6 car on the second turn, causing the race to stop.
Thomas Jr. held the lead for the final 17 laps, crossing the finish line ahead of Logan Seavey.
Liberal native Steven Richardson claimed the IMCA Sprint Car feature title. Dodge City native Justin Lampe won the IMCA Northern Sport Mod feature.
The next event with Salt City Racing will take place on Saturday, August 3.
IMCA RACESAVER SPRINT CAR
A Feature 1 (20 Laps): 1. 0-Steven Richardson[2]; 2. 911-Ty Williams[1]; 3. 81-Jon Freeman[4]; 4. 21X-Taylor Velasquez[16]; 5. 17X-Jake Martens[3]; 6. 51-Jeremy Campbell[8]; 7. 20-Jeremy Huish[17]; 8. 1H-Henry Chambers[5]; 9. 72-Ray Seemann[15]; 10. 19-Chad Salem[11]; 11. 22-Justin Chaffin[12]; 12. 97-Brian Herbert[6]; 13. 21K-TJ Kleyman[10]; 14. 8X-Charlee Chaffin[13]; 15. (DNF) 112-Brayton Dewell[9]; 16. (DNF) 15-Jack Potter[7]; 17. (DNF) 5-Sandy Rushing[14]
IMCA NORTHERN SPORTMOD
A Feature 1 (15 Laps): 1. 02-Justin Lampe[1]; 2. 20-Warren Huffman[3]; 3. 22B-Dalton Bell[5]; 4. 18-Kyle Wiens[2]; 5. 64-Jimmy Brozek[6]; 6. 01-Dustin Lampe[8]; 7. 18D-Dallas Chambers[4]; 8. 97-Shawn Ward[7]; 9. 53M-Marvin Ward[9]
Heat 1 (6 Laps): 1. 20-Warren Huffman[3]; 2. 02-Justin Lampe[1]; 3. 22B-Dalton Bell[5]; 4. 18-Kyle Wiens[6]; 5. 18D-Dallas Chambers[2]; 6. 64-Jimmy Brozek[4]; 7. 97-Shawn Ward[7]; 8. 53M-Marvin Ward[9]; 9. (DNF) 01-Dustin Lampe[8]