BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – California super late model star Derek Thorn has confirmed plans to tackle two of late model stock car racing’s biggest events this season.
The defending SRL Southwest Tour champion has teamed up with R&S Race Cars owner Marcus Richmond to compete in the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway and the Thanksgiving Classic at Southern National Motorsports Park. The ValleyStar Credit Union 300 pays $32,000 to the winner, with the Thanksgiving Classic providing a $50,000 payday.
R&S Race Cars is led by owner and veteran Crew Chief Richmond, a three-time winner of the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville with victories by drivers Timothy Peters and Phillip Morris. Richmond has also been the crew chief for four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series wins at the Virginia half-mile as well.
R&S Race Cars comes into the new season following a banner year with 30 wins, including a majority of the late model stock car events with the prestigious CARS Tour. Thorn had a standout 2021 season as well, earning nine victories, including the Winter Showdown at Kern County Raceway and the Snowflake 100. He finished second in the Snowball Derby in December to Chandler Smith.
“We look at it like maybe Derek can help us,” Richmond said. “It’s always good to get different perspectives so we can grow. That’s what I’m excited about.”
The Martinsville and Southern National events add to an outstanding slate of races on Thorn’s schedule including the upcoming PepperJack Kennels Twin 100s at Five Flags Speedway, the All-American 400 in Nashville, the Snowball Derby in Pensacola, Florida, and the Slinger Nationals in Wisconsin, along with the Battle at Berlin at Michigan’s Berlin Raceway.
Thorn’s Toyota Camry entries will carry the No. 43 with primary support from PepperJack Kennels, with additional sponsorship support to be announced.
“After speaking with Marcus and Derek about these added events it made sense to commit to them early,” said PepperJack Kennels owner Misty Melo. “The commitment that everyone involved right now has around Derek is special. The marketing return that I continue to see in grassroots racing for my business with Derek and the Campbell Motorsports team is healthy and strong and I do not see it being any different racing with Marcus and his top caliber team back east.”