Photo Credit: Tom Stephenson
The race for the championship continues on Thursday, July 16th, as Thursday Night Thunder returns to Laird Raceway for another action-packed night of grassroots racing. Five competitive divisions will battle for valuable championship points, while the wildly popular Spectator Drags return for the second consecutive week, giving everyday drivers another chance to prove they have what it takes to conquer the Laird Raceway oval.
With the season beginning to take shape, every lap and every position is becoming increasingly important. Several point battles remain incredibly close, and another exciting night of racing could dramatically change the standings before the checkered flag falls.
The Super Late Model Division continues to feature one of the deepest fields at Laird Raceway. Dustin Jackson (#61) leads the championship standings with 85 points, but Jordan Parniak (#826) sits within striking distance at 69 points, while defending Week Three feature winner Chase Wilson (#77) has climbed into third with 62 points after capturing his first feature victory of the season. Another strong performance from Wilson could tighten the championship race even further.
The Modified Division has produced thrilling racing all season. J.P. Delpaggio (#22) remains the points leader with 112 points, but his advantage has nearly disappeared. Dustin Jackson (#61) and Mark Laakso (#84) are tied for second with 107 points, just five markers behind the leader. Jackson enters Thursday with plenty of momentum after ending Delpaggio’s two-week feature-winning streak by capturing the Week Three feature. Jackson also finds himself in contention for championships in both the Modified and Super Late Model divisions, making him one of the busiest—and most successful—drivers at the speedway.
In the Factory Stock Division, 17-year-old Xavier Carter (#29X) continues to impress as he leads the standings with 116 points. Veteran competitor Brad Bibeau (#80) remains close behind with 109 points, while Daniel Bibeau (#08) sits third with 100 points after claiming the Week Three feature victory. With just 16 points separating the top three, this championship battle is far from over.
The Factory Four Division has showcased the next generation of racing talent. Fourteen-year-old rookie Will Siddall (#07) leads the standings with 101 points, but Lucas Crosato (#22X) is only four points back at 97, setting up what could become one of the closest title races of the season. Taryn McCoy (#71) rounds out the top three with 84 points, while Dustin Couturier (#86) heads into Thursday riding high after earning his first-ever feature victory during Week Three.
The Enduro Division remains extremely competitive despite its smaller points totals. Eric Sylvestre (#44) leads the standings with 17 points, narrowly ahead of Lucas Fabbricino (#95) with 16 points, while Dayne Lorenzo (#19) sits third with 12 points. Sylvestre enters Thursday after picking up the Week Three feature victory and will look to extend his slim championship advantage.
Fans will also be eagerly anticipating another edition of the Spectator Drags, which quickly became one of the night’s biggest attractions. Everyday drivers in street-legal vehicles will once again take to the track in head-to-head, single-lap battles for bragging rights. After another dominant performance last week, one question remains: Can anyone stop Dillon Huffman, or will he continue his winning ways and remain the driver to beat?
Race fans are encouraged to arrive early as another exciting evening of racing is expected.
Thursday Night Thunder Schedule with the grandstands open at 5:00 p.m, gualifying begins: 6:00 p.m, green flag dropping just after 7:00 p.m. Admission – Adults: $25, Children and Youth (17 & under): FREE, and Seniors (75 & over): FREE along withPit Admission – All Ages: $35.
With championship battles tightening, feature winners looking to continue their momentum, and the always-entertaining Spectator Drags returning to the spotlight, Thursday Night Thunder at Laird Raceway promises another unforgettable night of side-by-side racing for competitors and fans alike.
