Inside Line Promotions – TULSA, Okla. (Jan. 11, 2014) – Tyler Thomas took advantage of a late invitation to compete in the 29th annual Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout last weekend.
“I got the call from Hans Lein a couple of days before and I was really excited,” he said. “I had a really good car all weekend. We only made a few minor changes the whole weekend. Every time I hit the track that car was capable of winning.”
Thomas opened the premier micro sprint event at Tulsa Expo Raceway a week ago Wednesday and promptly charged from eighth to third place during his nonwing outlaw heat race. He then advanced from second place to win his qualifier on Thursday, which gave him the fifth-most points entering Saturday’s main event.
“I got up to second in two laps,” he said. “We were right behind (Jonathan) Beason and had a few yellows. I was trying to figure out a way to get around him. On one of the restarts I was on him and it was hard to figure out if he was going to go to the top or bottom. I was going to do the opposite to set him up to pass him. I hooked him on accident. It was my mistake.”
Thomas inherited the lead and led for approximately 10 laps before falling to the runner-up position.
“I ended up getting paid back for spinning Jonathan,” he said. “I kinda saw that coming, but there wasn’t anything I could do.”
Thomas pulled into the pits after being spun out in turn three while running second in the closing laps. He was credited with a 17th-place result.
He was just as quick in the winged outlaw class, rallying from sixth to second place during his heat race on Thursday. On Friday, Thomas claimed his qualifier after starting on the inside of the second row. That gave him the third-most points going into Saturday’s feature.
“They reworked the track right before the winged feature and it was really heavy,” he said. “I fell back to fourth or fifth just trying some different lines and then I got a rhythm going. While we were running fourth the clutch cable pulled back and the motor quit running because the clutch was sticking. So we had to pull in within the first 10 laps.”
Thomas ended with a 23rd-place finish.
“I was really happy and really thankful for Hans Lein,” he said. “He gave me a very competitive race car. It was very easy to drive.”
Thomas hopes the speed will carry over to his car next week for the 28th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, which is the premier midget event of the season at Tulsa Expo Raceway next Tuesday through Saturday.
This will mark his second Chili Bowl appearance. Thomas advanced to the C Main during last season’s finale before being caught up in a wreck on the opening lap.
“My expectations are pretty high,” he said. “Anytime you can at least make the C Main on Saturday night I think you’re doing something really good against 300 other cars. The ultimate goal is to make it to the A Feature, but I’d be very pleased if I could make it to the B Feature.
“It’s going to take a lot of luck. It all starts with how you draw on your qualifying night. I think the heat race is your most important race of the weekend. If you can get through the heat race and get some points you have a chance.”
His preliminary night of action is scheduled for Friday.
Fans can watch Thomas on live Pay-Per-View from the Chili Bowl. Visit http://www.RacinBoys.com for more information.
QUICK RESULTS –
Jan. 1 – Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla. (Nonwing outlaw) – Heat race: 3 (8).
Jan. 2 – Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla. (Winged outlaw) – Heat race: 2 (6).
Jan. 2 – Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla. (Nonwing outlaw) – Qualifier: 1 (2).
Jan. 3 – Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla. (Winged outlaw) – Qualifier: 1 (3).
Jan. 4 – Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla. (Nonwing outlaw) – Feature: 17 (5).
Jan. 4 – Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla. (Winged outlaw) – Feature: 23 (3).
UP NEXT –
Tuesday through Saturday at Tulsa Expo Raceway in Tulsa, Okla., for the 28th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire
MEDIA LINKS –
Website: http://www.TylerThomasMotorsports.com
Twitter: https://Twitter.com/TylerThomas91
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tyler-Thomas-Motorsports/154971717863656
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – Bell Helmets
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“I’ve been using Bell Helmets for the past five years and I don’t think there is anything else out there I’d rather wear,” Thomas said. “They’ve always been comfortable and are a very safe helmet.”
Thomas would also like to thank BT Machine Inc., Quick Racing Products, Triple X Race Co., Haynes Equipment, Alpinestars, Factor 1 Racing, Keizer Aluminum Wheels and Esslinger Engineering for their continued support.
INSIDE LINE PROMOTIONS –
Inside Line Promotions specializes in affordable public relations and media management for motor sports teams. ILP Founder Shawn Miller leverages professional journalism with new media technologies and social networking to improve your exposure and the return on investment for your sponsors.
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- Shawn Miller on Jan 11, 2014
- Article Date: 1/11/2014 by Inside Line Promotions