New Smyrna Speedway Sportsman driver Patrick Thomas of Oviedo has been
officially crowned the NASCAR Division III National Champion. In 15 starts,
Thomas took 11 wins along with 14 top five finishes. NASCAR counts only the
best 14 races of your season which left Thomas with no room for error in his
quest for the title.
Now Thomas will focus on winning the New Smyrna Speedway points championship
and he is well on his way holding a comfortable lead in the standings over
Junior Beckner of Apopka who, by the way, finished 30th overall in the
Division III NASCAR points. Thomas will return to action again this Saturday
night and the “bounty” placed on him by American Auto, Tires and Service of
New Smyrna Beach will be at $700.
Thomas will not be racing the car that he
has scored his 11 victories with this year but instead will wheel the potent
#111 Harris Mini Storage car that has been driven this year by defending
Sportsman track champion Donny Williams of Tangerine who is taking a “break”
right now from the racing wars.
Thomas finished ten points ahead of Brent Kane who competes at the Elko, MN
Speedway. Ryan Jenkins, who races on dirt in Nebraska and Iowa at three
tracks; I-80 Speedway, Junction Motor Speedway and Adams County Speedway,
finished third in the NASCAR Division III points, 37 markers behind Thomas.