JEROME, IDAHO (October 13, 2011) Brett Thompson, driver of the RTTI/Jerome Truck Service Inc. Chevrolet, enters the NASCAR K&N Pro Series Toyota/NAPA Auto Parts "150" at All American Speedway (Roseville, CA) focused on closing out the 2011 schedule like he started. Thompson currently sits seventh in the point standings but knows a strong performance this Saturday night will vault him up in the standings heading into the final race in November.
Thompson finished eighth at All American back in the spring for his only top ten performance in four starts at the tricky one-third mile paved oval. While qualifying is critical in the NKNPS, a top five starting position at All American is essential. In twelve previous series races at All American, the winner has come from the pole position six times and the furthest back a winner has started was 15th.
"You have to really hit your marks with no mistakes," Thompson offered. "This track is not easy to drive and as much as you need to concentrate on your marks, you have to drive defensively."
Defensive driving may be the operative word this weekend as more than 30 drivers are entered for a shot at one of only 24 starting positions in the 150-lap event. A number of the entrants are making their first series start and a few are not even legally allowed to drive on the road yet.
"This will be an interesting race," Thompson offered. "There will be a lot of new faces with not much experience in these cars but so many of these young kids are really good racers already. Starting up front is really the key."
Of the 12 series races so far this season, the winner has started inside the top six on eleven occasions and the worst starting position was 15th, ironically at All American Speedway back in March. Jason Fensler quietly moved through the field and made a thrilling last lap pass of the top three to claim the victory.
"Just look at the stats for this season," Thompson said. "The winner has started on the front row 60% of the time and in the top five 85% of the time. That is all you really need to know. That is our goal this weekend. We know if you start up front you will likely finish up front."
In preparation for the race this weekend, Thompson joined more than 20 other teams at All American last week for a test session and was pleased with the outcomes. "Races like All American are really two different races," Thompson said. "First you must qualify well, but then you need a car that is really good on the long runs. Since the races are impound events, you tend to give up a little on either side but we learned a few things at the test and we think we will be really good on Saturday night."
Thompson has averaged a finish of 10.5 while completing 96% of all laps contested and has been running at the conclusion at eleven of the twelve races this season. Thompson is fighting for a top five finish in the point standings where he is currently in seventh place just one-point out of sixth place and 8-points out of fifth place. Thompson finished 8th at All American back in March. In his NASCAR K&N Pro Series career, Thompson has started 111 NKNPS races since 2000 scoring one win, one Coors Light Pole Award, 23 top five and 63 top ten performances. His best points finish was fifth in 2009.
Thompson Motorsports is a premier racing organization based in Jerome, Idaho providing complete race car preparation and fabrication supporting the local grassroots racer and experienced professional driver. TMS prepares and fields race vehicles in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR K&N Pro Series, CarbonX Rocky Mountain Challenge Series, Intermountain Pro Truck Series, and entries at local area short tracks. TMS has corporate partnerships with Rich Thompson Trucking Inc. (RTTI), Jerome Truck Service Inc., Eibach Springs, Schroeder Torsion Bars, United Oil, Speedbear Fasteners, and Hagerman Valley Spring Water. For all the latest news and information about Brett Thompson and Thompson Motorsports, log onto www.brettthompsonracing.com or NASCAR Hometracks.
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