3/25/2023
Five Flags Speedway
Thompson Victorious in Return to Pro Trucks; Crown Stocks Field Entertains in 5 Flags Debut
Thompson Victorious in Return to Pro Trucks; Crown Stocks Field Entertains in 5 Flags Debut
By Chuck Corder
5flagsspeedway.com reporter
My, how time flies.
Hard to believe, but it was just three years ago when Grant Thompson was charming Five Flags Speedway fans and dominating his way toward a Pro Trucks track championship. At 14, he won four of six races in 2020 and did it with a babyface, million-dollar smile that made him a crowd favorite instantly.
While Thompson continues to eye more opportunities to drive Late Models, the now 17-year-old was back at Pensacola’s high banks Friday night looking like his old self. Thompson qualified first (18.421 seconds) in his family-owned truck and stormed to the Zoom Equipment Pro Trucks 25-lap feature victory from his sixth starting spot after the die-roll invert.
“I knew we had a good truck earlier today,” he said, “but I wasn’t expecting too much. I just stayed patient and didn’t want to burn the tires off it. I was able to make my way through the field and now we’re here.”
Thompson was able to get to Victory Lane thanks to the support of another former Pro Trucks champion. Logan Boyett, a two-time (2018, 2022) and the defending track champ, was spotting for Thompson on Friday. The Gerald Boyd-owned truck Boyett piloted to the title last year was sold in the offseason.
Thompson went from sixth to first in 10 laps and never looked back as Treyce Capers and Brandon Burks came home second and third, respectively.
“I’m really happy,” Capers said. “My dad has been working so hard on this.”
Burks led nine of the opening 10 laps before Thompson got around him on the backstretch.
“I can’t complain,” Burks said. “The truck didn’t have a motor in it two days ago, so this is a blessing.”
Lloyd’s Glass Pure Stocks
Colby McDonald has a clear goal for 2023.
He wants a taste of immortality by etching his name in Five Flags Speedway lore with a track championship run. The Semmes, Ala., driver is off to a good start after the season’s first two Lloyd’s Glass Pure Stocks feature races.
McDonald began the year with a second-place finish earlier this month despite overheating issues. He had zero issues Friday night at Five Flags, capturing the 25-lap feature and taking over the lead in the points standings.
“I love it over here. It’s a fun track,” McDonald said of the famed half-mile asphalt oval. “I want my name on that board out front.”
He credited the win to all the hard work his team poured into the No. 26 after the March 10 race. Fast qualifier and pole sitter Robert Barber (21.667 seconds) finished second and season-opener winner Mason Johnston rounded out the podium.
McDonald slid inside of Barber on Lap 3 to assume the lead and held off a series of charges from Barber to score the win. It marks McDonald’s second win in his Five Flags career. He also won the Night of Champions feature last September.
The feature saw one caution, coming with 14 laps complete. Instead of tightening things up, McDonald extended his lead thanks to his tires cooling off during the yellow.
Story and Bleich Roofing Crown Stocks
While some drivers eye their shots at history, Kris Rummel made history Friday night at Five Flags Speedway.
The Largo firefighting driver, up from the Clearwater area, became the inaugural winner of the Story and Bleich Roofing Crown Stocks series. Rummel won the 20-lap feature debut at Five Flags for a class that features Ford Crown Victorias and Mercury Grand Marquis cars. Rummel’s vast experience in the Crown Stocks class showed as he controlled the tempo from the opening lap.
“I’ve been wanting to come to Five Flags for a while,” Rummel said. “This class started two years ago at tracks around me, and it has been blowing up every second. It’s a great beginner’s class.”
Rummel won a Crown Stocks series title at Auburndale Speedway last year and races them at tracks across central Florida. After Victory Lane photos, Rummel loaded up for his seven-plus-hour drive home to make his 8 a.m. shift as a public safety hero.
Pensacola’s Ryan Bleich Sr. finished runner-up and Daniel Lofton came home third.
“It wasn’t quite what we were hoping for, but it was a lotta fun,” Bleich said. “We wanted to bring home a victory for Pensacola. It would’ve been a lot (more fun) in first place, but we’re excited about it and looking forward to a great season.”
Article Credit: Chuck Corder
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