BEST RUN OF THE SEASON COMES TO A CRASHING END ON LAP 17
It was back to Can-Am this past Saturday night and after two excellent weeks to start the season everyone had high hopes of another good night. With 15 Sportsman signing in for the night it was out for some hot laps to start the night. The drivers this week were greeted to a very fast tacky track and of the cars that came out for hot laps Chris posted the 3rd fastest time. It was then time for the heat races, Chris lined up 5th of the 7 cars and after a very quick 8 laps he crossed the line in the 5th spot. While this was good enough for a qualifying spot it wasn't a very competitive 5th place finish. After talking things over, it was decided to leave things the way they were with the car, racing after the Modifieds and Late Models Chris was hoping the track would come around more to his liking. Lining up 8th for the feature, Chris was off to great start and at the first caution on lap 2 Chris had raced his way up to the 3rd spot, things were looking good. As the race resumed Chris held onto a top 5 position with some great racing. Another caution around the halfway point had Chris still solidly in the top 5 battling with Josh VanBrocklin for the 3rd and 4th spots. A rash of cautions kept everyone bunched up and on lap 17 disaster struck. While fighting for the 2nd spot Chris got crossed up coming down the front straightaway and while sitting sideways to traffic he was hit by fellow racer Josh Rogers. Fortunately, Josh was able to turn his car sideways just before impact, this was good for Chris but probably not so good for Josh. The impact was so hard that Josh's car rolled and came to rest behind Chris. Chris was able to get out of the car, but Josh was not as fortunate. The impact had knocked Josh out and the ambulance was called to attend to him. After a few minutes Josh had come to and while still a little dazed seemed to be fine. Josh was taken to the hospital for a check up and released later that night. After surveying the damage to Chris's car, it was determined that most of the damage was to the body and interior tin, a new right rear tire was put on and Chris was back on the track hoping to complete the final 3 laps. While the car was not show material Chris actually managed to pass a couple cars and came across in the 9th spot, not what the team was looking for but Chris was competitive again this week and hopefully that 1st Sportsman win is just around the corner. Chris talked with Josh on Sunday and while both of them are very sore they can't wait to be back in the cars. It was one of those racing deals, no ones fault and thankfully everyone came away with just bumps and bruises.
Congratulations to Brandon Hagan on his second win in a row. Chris remains in the 4th spot in points and with some hard work this week the team will be back at Can-Am next Saturday night.
Thanks to all those that make it possible, NorthCountry Custom, Patchen Painting, Fastlube of Watertown/Service Pro, D&S Garage, Number One Speed, Jesse's Race Gear Service and most of all Grandma and Grandpa Thurston. Without great supporters and the help of Kevin Warren, Joe Calhoun and Zach Aubertine we wouldn't be able do what we do. A special thank you this week to Norm and Billy Dunn from Number One Speed for letting us borrow a transmission to get through the night. Also thanks to all that came over to help Chris get back out on the track Saturday after the wreck, many we don't even know by name but thanks to everyone that jumped in to help. Also thanks to those that called or contacted Chris to make sure both him and Josh were okay.
If everything comes together this week and we are able to get the new body panels lettered by the weekend, we will be participating in the Anuual Armed Forces Day Parade in Watertown on Saturday. Hope to see everyone this coming Saturday at Can-Am.
ANOTHER TOP 5 FINISH AT CAN-AM
It was back to Can-Am this past Saturday night for week two of the 2012 season. After a strong top 5 finish in the opener, everyone was hoping to back it up with another good run. This week saw 26 Sportsman cars signed in, so competition looked to be as strong or stronger than opening night. The drivers were greeted with another black and slick surface and after a brief hot lap session Chris said the car still had a bad push entering the corners so the crew went to work to try and free the car up before the heat race. Chris lined up 4th in the 3rd Sportsman heat and at the drop of the green was able to race into the 2nd position. A very quick 8 lap heat ended with a 2nd place finish right behind winner Dana Aiken and just ahead of last weeks winner Dylan Evoy. The car seemed to be much better so preparations were made for the feature where Chris would line up in the 7th starting spot. All 26 cars were called up for the feature and after a hectic first couple of laps Chris came away in the 3rd spot. A couple of early race cautions kept everyone grouped together and at the halfway point Chris was solidly in the top 5 running in 4th position behind strong runners Dean Patterson, Brandon Hagan and Dylan Evoy. With 2 laps to go the 5th and 6th place cars of Josh VanBrocklin and Anthony Stockman were having a great race right behind Chris and at times were able to close in but at the checkers Chris was able to keep them at a comfortable distance. Brandon Hagan picked up the win barely edging out Dylan Evoy, Dean Patterson, Chris and Anthony Stockman. Another strong top 5 finish puts Chris 4th in the point standings just 16 points behind the point leader Evoy.
Next week it is back to Can-Am for another Saturday night, hopefully with the rest of the tracks opening in our area the car counts will stay strong and we keep full fields coming to Can-Am.
Again thanks goes out to all our sponsors, NorthCountry Custom, Patchen Painting, Fastlube of Watertown/Service Pro, Number One Speed, D&S Garage, Jesse's Race Gear Service and our biggest supporters Grandma and Grandpa Thurston. Also it couldn't happen every week without the help of Kevin Warren and Joe Calhoun, a special thanks to Zach Aubertine for his help over the winter months and also his weekly help with chassis set-ups. Look for Chris and his team this week at Can-Am and also plans are to participate in the annual Armed Forces Day Parade in Watertown on Saturday May 19th. Hope to see everyone Saturday at Can-Am. You can also keep up with all Chris's racing at www.christhurston2.com or facebook.com/christhurstonracing2.
Top 5 Finish in Can-Am Opener
After a long winter, it was back to Can-Am Motorsports Park for Chris and his Sportsman team. Coming off a difficult 2011 season, everyone had worked hard over the winter to try and improve on their previous years events. Missing practice weekend had put things behind but Chris was confident that everything was ready to go when they pulled into Can-Am for opening night. Chris gave the ungrateful task of drawing his heat starting spot to his mother, who proceded to pick the lucky number seven, so already things were looking up. After a brief hot lap session, Chris said the car felt pretty good and he was able to post the 4th fastest time in his group. The number seven draw would see Chris line up on the outside of the front row for heat race number two. At the drop of the green he charged to the outside and came away with the lead and crossed the line as the leader of the first competitive lap of 2012. A comfortable lead was erased when the caution flew around halfway. On the restart, 2010 Brockville Ontario Speedway Champion Dylan Evoy made his way past on the outside and with 2 laps to go defending Can-Am Champion Josh VanBrocklin was able to make his way around. At the checkers Chris came across the line with a very respectable 3rd place finish. Opening night would see 20 Sportsman cars line up for the 20 lap feature and by virtue of his 3rd place finish in the heat Chris would line up on the outside of row number 3. Being a heads up start, all the fast cars from the heats would start up front so Chris would have his work cut out for him, a top 5 finish was the goal. By lap 5, Chris had worked his way up to the 4th spot and was able to keep the leaders in sight. A mid-race restart put Chirs on the outside of row 2 and he was able to move past Brandon Hagan and into position number 3. Looking strong and holding onto the 3rd spot another late race caution would give Hagen the preferred outside lane and on the restart Brandon was back into the top 3. The top 4 were able to put a little distance on the rest of the field and at the finish it was Evoy, VanBrocklin, Hagan, Thurston and Ryan Poole. With the car in one piece and a top 5 finish everyone was able to take a deep breath, opening night was respectable and gave the team hope for a successful 2012 season.
Racing would not have been possible this year without the support of Grandma and Grandpa Thurston and Chris's great sponsors NorthCountry Custom, Patchen Painting, Fastlube of Watertown/Service Pro, Number One Speed, D&S Garage and Jesse's Race Gear Service, a special thanks to Curt Beckwith helping out on opening night. Also it couldn't happen without the help of Zach Aubertine, Kevin Warren and Joe Calhoun. Don't forget to follow our season at www.christhurston2.com or facebook.com/christhurstonracing2. Next week it is back to Can-Am, hope to everyone there.
Car Show
Stop out to the Salmon Run Mall in Watertown, NY this weekend to see the Northcountry Custom,
Patchen Painting, Number One Speed, Fastlube of Watertown Sportsman.
The car will be there through Sunday, March 25.
