THOMAS TO SPORT THE #1 FOR BALLOU IN UPCOMING USAC SPRINT RACES
The familiar 4J Motorsports no. 4J that has been driven to victory lane by Cullman, Alabama’s Kevin Thomas, Jr. in three of the last four series races will sport a new look beginning with this weekend’s pair of USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car events on Friday at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track and Saturday at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind.
The black no. 4J will now be the no. 1 and entered under the Robert Ballou Motorsports banner for the remainder of the 2016 season, or until Ballou’s return, whichever occurs first.
Ballou, of Rocklin, Calif., suffered a neck injury in a vicious accident during a USAC/CRA Sprint Car race at Calistoga (Calif.) Speedway on Sept. 3 that has sidelined him indefinitely.
Ballou, the reigning USAC National Sprint Car champion, is second in the series’ driver standings as well as second in the owner points. With just nine events remaining and trailing by 173 points to the Dynamics, Inc./Hoffman Auto Racing team in the owner standings, the idea was brought up by the Ballou team to keep the ball rolling and keep their chances alive of capturing a second-straight team title.
“The idea was brought to our attention by (Ballou Motorsports),” Thomas explained. “They needed to have a team that was planning to run the rest of the USAC Sprint season. With us missing ten-plus shows this year, we aren’t in the points race. So, this benefits both teams.”
“It’s neat that we get to run the number 1,” Thomas continued. “Obviously, they want someone to run the number that has a good shot at keeping the points race as close as possible. For them to choose us, it’s like a little pat on the back. So, we are honored to do such.”
The chassis, engine and sponsors will remain unchanged for Thomas and the 4J Motorsports/Franklin Equipment - CEP Concrete/DRC/Chevy.
Though Robert Ballou’s dream of a second consecutive USAC National Sprint Car driving championship has gone by the wayside for 2016, by virtue of entering each race with the number 1 under Robert Ballou Motorsports’ team, all of the points earned by the 4J Motorsports team will go toward the Ballou team’s quest for the 2016 owners’ championship.
Friday night’s “Jim Hurtubise Classic” at the Terre Haute Action Track gets underway with pit gates opening at 3pm and grandstands at 4pm. Cars hit the track at 6:30pm for hot laps, ProSource Qualifying is slated for 7pm and racing is scheduled to begin at 7:30 (EST).
Saturday night’s “Haubstadt Hustler” at Tri-State Speedway has the pit gates opening at 3:30pm and grandstands at 4:30pm. ProSource Qualifying starts at 6:30pm with racing to begin at 7:30pm (CST).
RICHIE MURRAY - USAC MEDIA
