October 10th, 2009
Tom Thomas Wins First CRA Super Series Race
Marne, MI (October 10, 2009) – Tom Thomas patiently worked his
way to the front and took the lead on the 86th lap to go on to win the
Radisson Hotel Riverbank Grand Rapids 125 on a chilly Saturday night
at Berlin Raceway. This is the two time Berlin Outlaw Late Model Champion’s
first win in a CRA Super Series event, in only his fourth career start.
Thomas was driving for former ARCA Series Champion Tim Steele in the
famous red #16 H.S. Die sponsored machine. Chris Anthony
finished in second, Chris Koslek third, Alec Carll fourth and Scott
Hantz finished fifth to tighten the gap between him and Johnny VanDoorn
for the CRA Season Championship.
"It was the HS Motorsports team that made this happen. They did
all the work, I just showed up at the shop the last couple of days and
made it look like I was doing something to help." Thomas said.
"I was very fortunate to be driving this car, it was really good
tonight."
Terry Fisher, Jr. jumped out to the early lead from his pole position
and ran out to a strong lead before Fred Campbell started to reel him
in. Campbell, who has the most CRA Super Series wins at Berlin, looked
to be the man to beat as he passed Fisher on the 44th lap and took off.
Then Koslek caught Campbell when a caution was thrown for Brian Campbell’s
machine when it lost an engine on the 73rd lap. After the restart Koslek
moved by Campbell on the 77th lap pulling Thomas with him. As the leader
at halfway, Fred Campbell earned the RaceTrailerSales.com Halfway Leader
Award.
Thomas then made the move by Koslek to get the win. For saving his
tires until the end, Thomas earned the ARP Racing Bodies Cool Move of
the Race Award. Chris Anthony and Kenny Tweedy both
earned Hoosier Racing Tires Performance Awards, while Anthony
also earned the Lane Automotive/ISKY Racing Cams Hard Charger Award.
Tyler Roahrig took the K&N Filters Rookie of the Race Award. Nick
Lay received the Cometic Gasket 2nd Highest Finishing Rookie Award.
The Leaf Racewear Hard Luck Award was given to Brian Campbell as the
first of only two cars to retire from the race. Fisher earned the RacerSpacer
Lap Leader Award for leading the most laps during the race.
Hantz entered the race 43 points behind VanDoorn for the season championship.
Hantz earned the EDCO Welding Fast Qualifier Award setting a new track
record with a lap of 15.829 seconds. VanDoorn was fourth fastest qualifier,
and finished seventh in the race, allowing Hantz to move within 34 points
of him with only one points race left. "The car wasn’t great
tonight and we did not want to push it too much and take a chance on
tearing it up. I just tried to drive smart tonight." VanDoorn stated
after the race.
If your company would like to sponsor Chris Anthony and the Anthony
Racing team please contact us @ 55@anthonyracing.com
Special Thanks to Tom Devette for the
photos used on this website. If your team is in need of racing photos
contact Tom! www.tomdevettephotography.com
Header photos of the #55 on the
site are courtesy of Dirk Redder. If you would like to contact Dirk
Redder regarding his photography visit his website @ pbase.com/drautofocus
