Thomas Kennedy – 2018 Season In Review
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (October 12, 2018) – The 2018 season was another memorable one for Thomas Kennedy and the Buffalo Wild Wings / Kennedy Floorings team. Kennedy racked up six wins throughout the year, including his first night out in February at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Florida.
In the three nights of racing at East Bay’s King of the 360s / Ronald Laney Memorial, Kennedy finished no worse than third against the stout field in attendance. On championship night at the “clay by the bay,” Kennedy rounded out the podium behind the likes of Terry McCarl and Tim Shaffer, respectively.
Kennedy then went on to claim his second win of the season on May 5th at Wagner Speedway in Wagner, S.D. with the MSTS 360s. The following Friday, the Winnipeg driver recorded a runner-up finish in his first 410 event of the season in what was a classic battle with Mark Dobmeier at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.D.
After picking up win number three of the season at Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wisconsin with the UMSS 360 Sprints on May 19th, Kennedy’s next win came on June 29th at Jackson Motorplex with the MSTS and Nebraska 360s.
The driver of the General Signs / Speedway Shots No. 21K picked up one win in July with the Buffalo Wild Wings NOSA Sprints, which came at a track his father, Lou, had so much success at – Red River Valley Speedway in West Fargo, N.D. The win was Kennedy’s lone 410 triumph of the season.
The 28th running of the 360 Knoxville Nationals will be one Kennedy won’t forget. After driving from fourth to second in his preliminary night heat, Kennedy started on the front row for the main event. Kennedy passed pole sitter Mason Daniels for the lead on lap two and led the remainder of the race. In the closing laps, Kennedy held off a hard-charging Sammy Swindell coming to the checkers to become the first-ever Canadian driver to win a 360 Sprint Car race at the famed Marion County Fairgrounds.
Kennedy went on to finish a career-best fifth in the Saturday night A-main.
The 360 Jackson Nationals at Jackson Motorplex were also good to the Kennedy Racing Team. Out of the 34 entries, Kennedy came home second in the $10,000-to-win main event.
The season was also highlighted by Kennedy’s run at the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series race at River Cities Speedway on June 16th. Kennedy went Quick Time in qualifying for the first time in his career before holding off Donny Schatz to record his second career World of Outlaws heat race win.
Thomas and the entire team would like to thank Buffalo Wild Wings and Big Trucks by Jimco for coming onboard this year. They are pleased to announce that both sponsors will be back again in 2019.
They would also like to thank Kennedy Floorings, General Signs and Speedway Shots for their continued support.
Additionally, Thomas would like to thank his mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, Sean, Lauren, Trevor and everybody who works at Kennedy Floorings for their hard work and dedication!
Work has already begun for the 2019 season. Just 124 days until the team unloads again at East Bay on February 13th!
