Goodwin winner at Thunder Mountain in Open Modified Action; McCreadie winner in the 358s
RPW EXCLUSIVE COLUMN BY: Joe Phillips / RPW – SAN DIEGO, CA – PJ Goodwin celebrated the 4th of July by bringing home the open modified win at Thunder Mountain Speedway. While Goodwin started on the pole, he had a pack of cars snapping at his heels.
Daniel Morgiewicz in the 15m car, started in 4th, and worked his way up to Goodwin. Morgiewicz mounted a strong challenge for the lead, changing lanes multiple times. By lap 24th, Matt Smith joined the pack and was putting heat on Goodwin.
The race was slowed again when Jeff Sheely spun his 38 DKM car going into turn 1. It was also at this point that Nick Nye suffered a flat tire, which ended the night in his 6NN American Taxi ride.
An emotional PJ Goodwin thanked his family and friends, stating “We really don’t have sponsors.” Goodwin then stated “ Daniel (Morgiewicz) was faster than me. He was waiting for me to miss the bottom!” Goodwin also pointed out the struggles the team has been experiencing lately. Goodwin feels this win will be a turning point for the team.
In the DIRTcar 358 modifieds, fan favorite Brandon Loucks was the early race leader. Loucks had a strong lead and was hitting his marks on the track with precision. But, fate had other plans.
A hard charging Jordan McCreadie was on the move. McCreadie started in 4th and looked like he wouldn’t reach Loucks briefly. But cautions slowed the action, and on lap 30 Loucks and McCreadie were battling for several laps for the top spot.
A few laps later, McCreadie was able to slip under Loucks coming out of turn two to take the lead.
In Victory lane McCreadie said “It was very cool racing with Brandon. Brandon made one mistake that cost him.” McCreadie did mention the track was in very good shape and he was enjoying Thunder Mountain.
This win is McCreadie’s second DIRTcar 358 race this season.
Brandon Loucks did visit victory lane in the 600cc Modifieds. Loucks mentioned in victory lane “I really wanted that 358 win, but it is cool winning in the 600 mod.”
After the race, Josh Kashuba mentioned “that it is really great having Brandon driving our back up car. My son Bentley is really enjoying being mentored by Brandon.”
Luke Powell was the DIRTcar Sportsman winner. Powell started in the 2nd spot, but was pressured by last week’s winner, Cody Jackson, and Avery Decker.
Powell, like other drivers, praised the track. “3 and 4 are hot right now, with a strong groove. 1 and 2 are locked down on the bottom which is normal.”
Unfortunately, the sportsman feature saw many wrecked cars. Spins were the main issue but an early restart saw the field bunch up when the car in the outside lane didn’t fire.
Defending sportsman champ, Matt Brewer, rode the wrecker to the pits ,with heavy rear end damage to his Bicknell car ending his night early.
Other winners on the night were Cameron Seales in the 600cc sprints and Jerry Lobdell Jr in the factory stocks.
Thunder Mountain Speedway returns next Saturday with a full program, plus the IMCA modifieds.
Notes:
New clay was added to the track last weekend. With the track being off, the Spoonhower family used Friday and Saturday to spread the clay that was staged in the infield. The track held up nicely, with great visibility for fans and drivers. It was its usual table top smooth.
Thunder Mountain Speedway held its annual Fireworks Extravaganza after the features were run. With an eye on the radar, the qualifying and features were run off quickly, with racing being finished by 10:30.
