RPW Exclusive: Remembering That Special Win; Brian Malcolm’s STSS Triumph At Thunder Mountain

Column By: MAGDA MALCOLM / RPW – LAKE ARIEL, PA – When you ask a racer about their favorite racing memory, 99.9% of the time, you know the end of the story will include a trip to victory lane.

On June 29, 2015, the Short Track Super Series (STSS) headed to Thunder Mountain Speedway.  This is the day that Brian Malcolm’s dreams came true.

If you’re a dirt racer, you know winning one of Brett Deyo’s Short Track Super Series events is an accomplishment, to say the least. Malcolm had the home track advantage on this night and was able to grab a redraw spot from his heat race.

For the main event, he drew ninth and as the STSS Modified field took the green flag, Jerry Higbie and Chance Spoonhower led the way.  Malcolm began slicing through the field and as the race crossed the 1/5 mark, his Troyer Dirt Car #119 was up to third, taking the spot from Danny Johnson.

Then, he was able to get to the runner-up spot with first place in sight.  All of the sudden, on lap 16, the leader broke.  Malcolm took the lead and with caution after caution coming out, the 119 stayed in first.

However, as the race finally got going, the leaders began catching lap traffic.

With victory in his grasp, the final caution of the night came out with one single circuit remaining.

“I definitely didn’t want to see the yellow come out,” Malcolm recalled.  “I just wanted to see that checkered flag flying.”

A one-lap shootout commenced, and ultimately, Malcolm did just that.  He saw the checkers and the were for him as he had won his first Short Track Super Series event.  He had beaten the best as evident by who was on the podium with him.

He was holding the checkered flag with Stewart Friesen and Danny Johnson on each side of him in victory lane.  That’s pretty awesome company to be with.

Now, almost 10 years later, Malcolm still talks about that race like it was yesterday. He recalls that the first thing out of his mouth when he got out of the car in victory lane was “pinch me.”  He thought he was dreaming.  He couldn’t believe it.

It’s still something, to this day, he feels was a dream.  However, it’s November, 2024, and in the present day, the veteran is already getting ready for next season.  He has a new Troyer Dirt Car TD5 he’s preparing for action.

“It’s just the beginning of the off-season and the fire is there,” he said.  “I’m already looking forward to getting back into victory lane.”

You never forget those trips to victory lane…do you?