Thomas Kennedy Doubles Down Against ASCS National Tour

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (April 30, 2019) – Last weekend will be one that Thomas Kennedy likely won’t forget any time soon, but it was one that almost never happened. Thomas and his dad, Lou, were headed down to EMi in Nebraska to pick up a chassis when they realized the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series was racing at nearby Eagle Raceway.

Thomas and Lou decided to run the ASCS event at Eagle before planning to head to Park Jefferson Speedway for the $10,000-to-win South Dakota Sprint Car Nationals. However, Park Jefferson canceled due to wet, cool conditions, so Thomas’ plans altered, which allowed him to follow the ASCS tour to US 36 Raceway in Osborn, Missouri on Friday.

After a third-place finish in his heat to start the night on Thursday, Kennedy found himself mired midpack for the 30-lap main event. The Winnipeg, Manitoba driver quickly began picking off positions at the drop of the green flag from his 13th starting spot.

Kennedy bided his time, waiting for the right time to move through traffic. Kennedy moved into second in the closing laps and set his sights on Matt Covington for the lead.

“It was a make it or break it deal. The lap before, there was a fair amount of distance between myself and Covington, but lapped traffic played into my hand,” said Kennedy. “I was able to get underneath him coming out of turn two. In turn three, I got on the binders to keep the car down low and was able to hold him off.”

The win was Thomas’ first of the season and his second career ASCS National tour win.

Friday night was Kennedy’s first-ever look at the high-banked US 36 Raceway. The driver of the Buffalo Wild Wings No. 21K started shotgun on the field in his heat, but charged his way up to third. That put him number one in passing points after heat race action.

Kennedy started fourth in the main event, but quickly found himself in contention for the win once again. The move of the race came when Kennedy drove around Scott Bogucki and Roger Crockett to go from third to the lead in one set of corners.

“I was more worried about getting around the cluster of cars that was in front of me, rather than taking the lead,” said Kennedy. “Once I got the lead, it was a little bit of relief because I knew I had some lapped cars in between me and second.”

Although he’s not running for points, after the first weekend of action for the ASCS National tour in 2019, Kennedy holds a 42 point lead over Roger Crockett atop the point standings.

Kennedy will be following the Midwest Power Series this weekend. He will be in action at Princeton (Minn.) Speedway on Friday and Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis. on Saturday. Both events will be with the 360c.i. Moyle Racing Engine under the hood.

Thomas and the entire team would like to thank all their sponsors for their continued support! Kennedy Floorings, Buffalo Wild Wings, Big Trucks by Jimco, General Signs and Speedway Shots.