COCHRAN, Ga. — Jimmy Thomas swept night one of the Cochran Clash for the Durrence Layne Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series on Friday night at Cochran Motor Speedway.
Driving the Jenwood, Inc. Scorpion, Thomas set fast time, started on the pole for the main event and led all 40 laps on his way to the $2,000 top prize.
Thomas held off a mid-race challenge from Jake Knowles and a late-race charge from Travis Pennington to take just under a second margin of victory at the checkered flag in round five of the Durrence Layne Chevrolet Winter Shootout Series.
“We did what you want to do and that’s set fast time, lead all of the laps, and win the race, but it wasn’t easy tonight,” Thomas said. “On that last restart, I saw Travis up on the outside, and I knew I had better not make a mistake. The track got better as the race went on, and I think tomorrow night we’ll be able to race all over this thing.”
Pennington had to settle for second in the U.S. Duffie Hauling Special and the defending Durrence Layne Chevrolet Dirt Late Model Series National Champion Ashton Winger took the third spot in the Keyser Manufacturing Rocket.
Pearson Lee Williams charged from the 16th starting spot in the Dublin Tire Special and finished fourth. Clay Harris was fifth in the Dunnrite Construction Rocket and the defending Winter Shootout Champion and current point leader Jimmy Elliott drove the Car Smart Auto Sales Special to a sixth-place finish.
The finish:
Jimmy Thomas, Travis Pennington, Ashton Winger, Pearson Lee Williams, Clay Harris, Jimmy Elliott, Joseph Brown, Walker Arthur, Wil Herrington, Jake Knowles, Corey Dunn, Parker Martin, Tyler Sanders, Shane Riner, Logan Palmer, Todd Hurst, Jody Knowles, Riley Hickman, Drew Kennedy, Colby Boyett, Dana Eiland.