IRWINDALE, Calif. – The SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series season continues this Saturday night with the running of the $10,000-to-win Salted Metals 100 presented by Pinnacle Peak Steakhouse at Irwindale Speedway.
Derek Thorn leads the series into battle after taking the championship lead following his most recent victory at Kern County Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif. He now leads Buddy Shepherd by 13 points in the battle for the series championship.
Jacob Gomes is 36 points behind Thorn, followed by Kole Raz and Cale Kanke.
With Thorn winning the last five races on the schedule, series officials have partnered with Motor City Throwdown to place a $2,500 bounty on Thorn. The first driver who can beat Thorn will earn a $2,500 bonus, but if Thorn goes undefeated for the rest of the season, he will earn the $2,500 bonus.
Thorn is flattered to be at the center of the program and thankful for the sponsors who support the series.
“Thanks to Motor City for putting this together,” Thorn expressed. “It’s awesome to have great sponsors supporting this series. It’s lonely at the top and we can’t win ‘em all, but we’re going to damn sure try.”
Gomes finished second in the last event and nearly pulled off the victory at All American Speedway just more than a month ago. He is looking forward to the added incentive.
“I’m excited for it,” Gomes said. “Beat Derek and get more money, it just makes it even more exciting to beat him.”
Also in action Saturday at Irwindale Speedway will be the SPEARS Pro Late Model Series and the SPEARS Modified Series. The SPEARS Pro Late Models will battle for $3,000-to-win while the SPEARS Modified Series will race for $1,500-to-win.
The pro late models and modifieds will compete on the inner third-mile oval while the super late models will race on the half-mile.
For those unable to attend the event in person, all the action can be seen live by visiting SPEED SPORT TV affiliate Spears Racing TV or on a delayed basis on MAVTV.