HAMPTON, Ga. – Legend and Bandolero racers capped off a doubleheader week of Thursday Thunder in round five Thursday night at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Garrett Erwin started second to polesitter Jacob Bradley in the Outlaw race, although it would not stay that way long. Coming out of turn two of the opening lap, Erwin took the outside lane of Bradley to take the lead right out of the gate, an impressive maneuver not often seen at the Thunder Ring. Erwin was determined to claim victory as he controlled the first half of the race, but had to hold off challengers chasing from behind. However, the Covington native was too persistent for the competition, as he claimed victory by a half straightaway in the race’s final laps.
Earlier in the evening, the Bandits feature brought edge of your seat action, as defending champion Hudson Canipe sat on the pole. Just behind Canipe was Nicholas Denton who was eager to pass Canipe and waiting for his moment to strike. That opportunity came with ten laps to go, when Denton battled with Canipe to get the inside lane, but failed to take the spot. Another opportunity never presented itself again for Denton as Hudson Canipe claimed his second checkered flag this week in the Bandits division.Â
As the sun began to set on Atlanta Motor Speedway, the Masters feature race got underway with high speed bumper-to-bumper racing. McDonough native Robbie Woodall started out strong, but was challenged by Wednesday night’s winner Benjamin Jones and Masters ace Bill Plemons Jr. Ultimately Woodall’s tenacity was too much Thursday night, as he never lost sight of the lead and outmatched the competition in the Masters division.Â
Caleb Heady continued a dominating season of Thursday Thunder by claiming yet another victory in The Associates Group Pro feature race. Previous winner Timothy Watson gave a spirited challenge to Heady, but it was not enough as Heady drove into victory lane for the fourth time this season.
In The Byron Powersports Semi-Pro feature race, Graham Campbell got off to a strong start, but keeping his lead would not come easy. McDonough’s Nathan Jackson chased the Braselton native throughout the race, but Campbell was undeterred and secured his second win of the year in the Semi-Pro division.
In other feature action, Parker Eatmon earned back-to-back wins by topping the WJP Investments Young Lions feature race. Luke Yarbough of Milton continued his command in the Chargers feature by securing his fourth straight victory, while Emma Britt of McDonough won the Fr8Auctions Rookie Bandolero race to add to her phenomenal season.