Luke Thomas from Dover, DE finds himself back in Victory Lane on the first night of the Florida Mini Sprints Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park’s 38th Annual Winternationals in Tampa, FL
Photo Credit: Mike Horne
TAMPA, FL – Night number one for the King of the 360 Sprints and the Florida Mini Sprints kicked off tonight for the final weekend of the 38th Annual Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park.
The Florida Mini Sprint Association started with their four heat races. Winning their heats were Tyler Walton from Mifflintown, PA. Heat number two went to Luke Thomas from Dover, DE. Heat three went to Alex Bright from Deland, FL and the final heat race went to Jim Young from Johnstown, PA.
Next were the heat races for the 360 Sprints. Winning their heat races were Jerod Roller, Robbie Smith, Russ Hall, Chad Kemenah, Etienne Girard and Bryan Sebetto.
The B-Main for the Mini Sprints would roll out next taking the top six to advance to the A-Main. Advancing was Robbie Smith, David Hall, Connor Borah, Austin Bishop, Joseph Smith and Danny Sams.
The next event would be the Dash and would determine the starting order for the 25 Lap A-Main. Winning the Dash was Luke Thomas followed by Travis Senter, Tyler Walton, Sammy LaMore, Jim Young, Alex Bright, Robbie Hoffman and Paige Moss.
The feature would follow a brief intermission and Thomas and Senter would make up the front row for the feature. The green flag waved and Thomas quickly jumped out front but was all for none as Trevor Baker spun in turn two and the field would have to do a complete restart.
When the green waved once again it was Thomas quickly grabbing the lead once again with Senter trailing. Thomas would find himself coming upon lapped traffic by lap five and would have to make his way through with Senter and Tyler Walton trailing behind him.
The first caution would come out on lap 12 as Paige Moss spun in turn two. Thomas would lead with Senter, Walton, LaMore and Young the top five.
On the next restart Thomas would continue to lead, but on lap fourteen it was Senter and Walton getting together coming out of turn four with Senter getting the worst end of the deal by hitting turn four wall ending his night. Top five were now Thomas, Walton, LaMore, Young and now James Morris would find himself in the fifth spot.
With just two laps remaining Rae Lynn Moss spun in turn two bringing out the caution and after he had moved into the second position, Morris had come to rest on the front stretch ending his chances to win.
On the final green flag, Thomas had clear sailing and found himself in Victory Lane once again during the Winternationals here at East Bay Raceway Park. Thomas thanked all his sponsors in Victory Lane including Hyper Chassis, 2 Pug Designs and Spar Racing Engines.
Rounding out the top ten were Tyler Walton, Jim Young, Kyle Lick, Sammy LaMore, Brett Micholski, Megan Allen, Paige Moss, Robbie Smith and Chad Sandt.
Night number two will continue tomorrow night with the 360 Sprints and the Mini Sprint Association. Grandstands will open at 5:00 pm with the hot laps to begin around 6:00 pm and the ACTION to get underway around 7:00 pm. For further information you can log on to our website at www.eastbayracewaypark.com