(Press Release from Thompson Speedway)
With just four races remaining in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, all five championship battles are heading to the stretch run with their own story at the top.
In the Limited Sportsman division, the top nine drivers are separated by just one race worth of points, with Kyle Gero leading the charge. The Uncasville, Connecticut, driver hasn’t been able to hold the checkered flag yet this season, but his four finishes of fifth or better have him just one point up at the top.
Behind him, a two-time and defending division champion isn’t letting him slip away. In his ‘Swaggin Wagon’ that has created quite the conversation, Shawn Monahan is just one single marker back with two victories to his credit. Monahan, who has plenty of championship caliber experience, is going to be a threat to earn his third straight title this year and has been able to manage finishes of seventh or better in all but one race.
Meghan Fuller isn’t going to let anyone get out of her reach either. She might have received damage in an early wreck last time on the track, but quick pit work allowed her to manage an eighth-place finish, gaining crucial points toward the chase. Fuller is third, seven points back, and is also in contention for both the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Division III and UNOH Youth Achievement national championships.
Winning experience in the Late Model division is transferring over to another class for Ryan Morgan, who is just nine points back with four races to go. Morgan is the only driver in the field to manage a top 10 finish in all the races, which is keeping him within striking distance in his No. 31. Brent Gleason, who has one victory to his credit, is fifth, 24 points out.
Between positions six and nine, just 11 points separate the drivers who are trying to claw their way to the top. Corey Fanning (sixth) and Ryan Waterman (seventh) are two drivers who have been to Victory Lane this season, while Jason Chicolas and Zachary Robinson follow.
No matter who comes out on top in the championship battle, the final four races of the season are going to have plenty of excitement for fans to watch. Heat racing provides a chance for drivers to earn crucial points towards the title, with one point up for grabs for each spot inside the top five. In feature action, the winning driver earns 50 points.
Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park returns to action on Wednesday, August 14, when the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to town for the 30th annual Bud ‘King of Beers’ 150. All five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions and the NEMA Midgets will also compete in a full night of racing action.
General admission opens for the public at 2:30 p.m., with NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour practice running from 3:55-4:55 p.m. Shortly after, qualifying heat action will begin with the NEMA Midgets. Feature racing will follow the conclusion of all qualifying. Fans should note that the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Bud 150 will not be the final race of the night – the Mini Stocks and Late Models will follow NASCAR’s Modified stars.
For more information on Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, visit www.thompsonspeedway.com and follow the track on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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