HAMPTON, Ga. — Legends and Bandolero racers capped off a doubleheader week of Thursday Thunder presented by Papa John’s with thrilling features on Atlanta Motor Speedway’s Thunder Ring.
One of the highlights of the night was in the Racing Radios Rookie Bandoleros Division feature, which saw Brianna Freeman snag her first victory over Kerbi Mueller, who herself took her first checkered flag one night prior.
The Rookie Bandolero division is where many budding drivers in the AMS Legends program start to learn the ropes, and after over a year of chasing the checkered flag Freeman was excited to get her first victory.
“It’s really challenging, but once you get the hang of this it’s so fun,” Freeman said in victory lane.
Freeman’s success in the rookie race was perhaps an omen for what was to come in the VP Racing Fuels Pro Division feature, the premier series that hosts drivers who have proven their mettle on the Thunder Ring.
The feature race was a scrappy affair, with many drivers making use of their front bumpers to make passes in short order. Through the chaos, Stockbridge siblings Taylor and Jensen Jorgensen worked together to stay in position to contend for the victory. Taylor, who was oh-so-close to winning one night earlier only to be bumped out of the lead late, took advantage of a restart with five laps to go and gave Davis Rochester a bump, knocking him out of the bottom groove and giving her room to take over at the front of the pack. Taylor held on from there, taking the checkered flag first, followed by her brother Jensen in 2nd.
“I’m so glad to get redemption after last night,” Taylor Jorgensen said. “I felt like I had been bullied on the track a couple of times in the last couple of races and as a woman in racing you have to hold your own and stand up for yourself. I feel like I did that tonight so I hope I inspired some kids out there.”
The victory is Jorgensen’s first in Thursday Thunder’s Pro division.
The drivers of the Wallace Electric Masters Division kept it clean for the majority of their race, with only one caution slowing the action during the 20 lap feature. Bill Plemons Jr., of Locust Grove, remained perfect in the 2019 season, earning his third win in three races this season. 2018 champion Robbie Woodall, of McDonough, followed Plemons in 2nd.
A couple of Charlotte, N.C., natives led the Racing Radios Outlaws Division feature, with Carson Ramsey grabbing the victory over Garin Mash in 2nd and Suwanee, Ga.’s Shelby Ruark in 3rd.
Lucas Vera of Charlotte, N.C., had the car to beat in the Racing Radios Bandits Division race, but almost lost the victory when Jacob Bradley, of Chapel Hill, N.C., shot by on a restart in the waning laps. However an untimely slide by Bradley was enough for Vera to take back the lead and ultimately the checkered flag.
The CMS Group Environmental Services Semi-Pro Division saw Fallston, N.C.’s DJ Canipe snag his first checkered flag of the 2019 season, followed by Canton’s Nick Woodall in 2nd and Suwanee’s Audrie Ruark in 3rd.
In The Associates Group Young Lions Division, Carson Ruark, of Suwanee, continued his hot streak with his 3rd consecutive victory on the Thunder Ring. After traveling all the way from Nebraska to take part in this week’s Thursday Thunder doubleheader, Austin MacDonald put together a solid effort to take 2nd, followed by Jaiden Reyna, of Cornelius, N.C., in 3rd.