MOHAVE VALLEY, Ariz. — Entering Friday night, Kevin Thomas Jr.’s most recent visit to Arizona’s Mohave Valley Raceway back in April of this year resulted in a victory.
The Cullman, Ala. kept the winning ways rolling during the opening night of the 57th annual Western World Championships Presented by Avanti Windows & Doors.
For KTJ, it was his eighth career Avanti Windows & Doors USAC CRA Sprint Car feature victory, and his second of the season for the Bonneau Motorsports team.
Thomas was one of three different leaders in the 30-lap feature, and was the final of the bunch, as he raced around the outside of fellow USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship competitor Kyle Cummins in turn two on lap 18, then led the remaining 13 laps en route to victory on the first of two nights of Western World.
USAC CRA point leader R.J. Johnson paced the first eight laps from the pole position before being overtaken by Cummins who started third. Thomas then raced his way into the lead on lap 18 from the sixth starting position after kicking off the night as the Woodland Auto Display Fast Qualifier.
At the checkered flag, Thomas was followed to the line by R.J. Johnson, Kyle Cummins, C.J. Leary and Ricky Lewis.
USAC CRA top Rookie David Gasper was the feature’s hard charger presented in memory of Jim and Chet Gardner after advancing from 20th to 12th. Gasper also notched a win in the Factory Wraps Semi-Feature.
Verne Sweeney won the FlowDynamics Incorporated / In Honor of Wiley Miller Sr and Wiley Miller II First Heat Race. Eddie Tafoya Jr. captured the WC Friend Company Second Heat Race. R.J. Johnson scored the win of the BillsJerky.net / Silbermann Solar Third Heat Race. Tommy Malcolm was the victor of the Sexton Fire Protection Fourth Heat Race.
The finish:
FEATURE: (30 laps, With Starting Positions) 1. Kevin Thomas Jr. (6), 2. R.J. Johnson (1), 3. Kyle Cummins (3), 4. C.J. Leary (4), 5. Ricky Lewis (9), 6. Stevie Sussex (2), 7. Charles Davis Jr. (11), 8. A.J. Bender (8), 9. Jake Swanson (7), 10. J.J. Yeley (5), 11. Matt Westfall (14), 12. David Gasper (20), 13. Logan Calderwood (18), 14. Eddie Tafoya Jr. (17), 15. Cameron La Rose (22), 16. Cody Williams (12), 17. Tye Mihocko (10), 18. Austin Williams (19), 19. Kaleb Montgomery (13), 20. Verne Sweeney (16), 21. Austin Grabowski (21), 22. Elexa Herrera (26), 23. Tommy Malcolm (15), 24. Jeff Dyer (24), 25. Colt Treharn (23), 26. Grant Sexton (25).