Thorn Tops Standings in SRL Southwest Series Heading into Irwindale

Sept. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- Derek Thorn, driver of the Joiner Motorpsorts Chevrolet in the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour Series Southwest Tour Series, has been the guy to beat all season scoring two wins along with four quick time awards where he set four new track records. After more than a month off the SPEARS SRL Southwest Tour heads back to Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, CA for round seven of the ten race championship series.

The last time Thorn was in action at Toyota Speedway, his teammate (Jonathon Gomez) edged him at the line by a nose for the victory. He also knows that that this time around it may come down to the same situation. "Jonathon is a heck of a shoe," Thorn said. "He is real fun to drive against. He is clean and you can trust him. I just hope to be on the winning end of the equation this weekend."

In order to put his Approved Memory/Joiner Motorsports entry into victory lane, he will have to manage his tires. "Tires are critical," Thorn offered. "With only 100-laps you have to be aggressive but at the same time you can't use them up too quickly. If we can get to the front early then we can use the clean air to our advantage."

The SRL usually inverts up to 10-cars at each event so qualifying in the top ten is a must and sometimes you get lucky with the invert. "Junior (Joiner) and the whole team prides itself on qualifying," Thorn stated. "We want quick time every time out and so far we have had quick time in four of six races. Junior is the man when it comes to setups and he has us dialed in. If it were not for Junior Joiner, I would not be where I am today."

Thorn works full-time at Joiner Motorsports in Bakersfield, CA preparing racecars in a variety of divisions. "The last 18-months have been awesome," Thorn said. "Junior has given me the opportunity to learn and develop my skills both on and off the track. From rebuilding shocks, to chassis setup and design, to hanging NASCAR K&N Pro Series bodies, I am getting a chance to do it all. Joiner Motorsports is growing and it is cool to be a part of it."

Racing at Toyota Speedway has some unique challenges that will test the young driver. "I am never satisfied with how we are doing," Thorn explained. "There is always something new to learn and racing with guys like M.K. Kanke and Jim Pettit you can get schooled in a hurry. It will be tough this weekend with more than 35 cars entered in the event but if we just focus on what we have been doing and try to do it better then we will be just fine."

Thorn tops the point standings by just seven points over Jonathon Gomez. His average qualifying position is 3.5 (he qualified 15th in round five lowering his average) and his average finishing position is 5.8. His two wins, four top five and five top ten performances, along with four quick time awards are setting the standard in the series for all others to follow.

Derek Thorn is sponsored by Joiner Motorsports, Approved Memory, Victory Circle, Performance Electric, Finishline Signs, Peters Racing Engines, Crafton Motorsports, JRI Shocks, AP Brakes, Speed Wong Racing, and Melos Gas & Gear. The race at Toyota Speedway is the seventh of 10 races for the SRL which is celebrating ten years of racing action in 2010.  For all the latest news and information on about Derek Thorn and Bob Strandwold Racing, log onto www.derekthorn.com and follow all the racing action at www.racingwest.com.

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