Thomas Takes $20K in 13th Annual Turkey 100 at Swainsboro

Swainsboro, GA | Dec. 3, 2013 - Thanksgiving day drivers from all over the U.S. rolled into Swainsboro Raceway gearing up for the 3 day weekend full of racing action. Over 50 cars showed up Thursday night for open practice session to prep for Friday nights qualifying and heat events. Many drove through snow and ice storms coming from northern states.

Friday night, 61 Zaxby’s Crate Late Model cars lined the fields prepping for qualifying and heat races. All trying for a position in Saturday’s feature event but only 26 cars would compete for the $20,000 to win. After qualifying, William Thomas grabbed the GRW Racing Engines fastest qualifier award of $400. All 61 drivers then made adjustments to compete in the eight heat races that would lock in two drivers from each for the feature event. Winning the first heat race, William Thomas held the pole position and second heat race winner Michael Brown sat outside. Sixteen cars were locked into the feature event with forty-five returning Saturday to compete in four consolation races with only the top two from each race making the field.

Saturday night, twenty six cars lined the front stretch as each driver was introduced to the fans. Once strapped down and given the signal to start their engines by a crowd of young fans, the drivers gave a four wide salute to the crowd. As the green flag waived starting the 50 lap feature event, Michael Brown took the lead for lap one with William Thomas second, Chip Brindle third, Ray Cook fourth, and Ben Faircloth fifth. Thomas quickly moved to the inside of Brown for a two lap battle for the lead. Lap three, William Thomas took the lead with Brown in second. Riding a rail, Thomas began weaving his way through lapped traffic before ten laps into the event. Brown on the outside began falling back a few position. Three and four wide racing on the best looking racetrack all year. Lap 15, a three wide battle for fifth allowed Ben Faircloth to take over the fourth position and Ivedent Lloyd to move into fifth. Lap 19, Ray Cook took over the second position from Chip Brindle.

With sixteen laps to go, the caution waived as Jimmy Elliott was being lapped by the leader and spun in turn two. While under caution, second place Ray Cook pulled down for track safety workers to check his car. Reporting suspension damage, Cook was unsure whether he would be able to finish the event. Going back green, Ray Cook fell back to the fourth position as Ivedent Lloyd moved from sixth to second. William Thomas still out front moving through lapped cars, Lloyd came closest to gaining ground and battling for that top position. Taking the checkered, William Thomas picked up his second Turkey 100 win sweeping the weekend grabbing the $20,000 payday and unique hand carved Turkey trophy. Battling suspension problems, defending champion, Ray Cook made his way to the second position. Chip Brindle took home third, Ivedent Lloyd fourth, and Michael Brown rounded out the top five.


TURKEY 100 RESULTS
ZAXBY’S CRATE LATE MODEL $20,000 TO WIN
1. WILLIAM THOMAS
2. RAY COOK
3. CHIP BRINDLE
4. IVEDENT LLOYD
5. MICHAEL BROWN
6. BEN FAIRCLOTH
7. RYAN MONTGOMERY
8. BRANDON OVERTON
9. CHRIS FERGUSON
10. JASON FITZGERALD
11. ROSS BAILES
12. DENNIS FRANKLIN
13. MICHAEL PAGE
14. ERIC COOLEY
15. AUSTIN KIRKPATRICK
16. KYLE BRONSON
17. WENDELL CHAVOUS
18. TOM MADDOX
19. TRENT IVEY
20. GIB GIBBONS
21. BRANDON CARPENTER
22. AUSTIN SCARBORO
23. JIMMY ELLIOTT
24. JAK KICKLIGHTER
25. HENRY CARTER
26. JOHN RUGGIERO, JR.